Americans are drowning in stuff: clothing, electronics, toys and games, collectibles, and appliances. Some of us have so much that need to rent storage units to hold it. Why do so many have the need to buy, buy, buy? In this episode, author Emily Mester shares personal stories from her new book American Bulk: Essays on Excess about her father’s obs…

Whether it's a complimentary dessert, an unexpected upgrade to a better hotel room, or you find a $20 bill in your coat pocket, we all like freebies. The staff at Checkbook sifted through member benefits for credit cards, warehouse clubs, health plans, and AAA. We discovered dozens of perks that are often overlooked. If you don't know about them, y…

Whether you’re planning to buy a new or used vehicle, beprepared for sticker shock. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average new car sold for $48,600 in February. The average used car buyer paid $25,100. With so much money on the line, you really need to do your homework before driving off with a new set of wheels. In this episode: The 10 top pic…

When you have a pest problem, your first move may be to grab the phone and call an exterminator. That makes sense if you have termites or bedbugs, but if it’s some ants or cockroaches in the kitchen or maybe a few mice in the garage, you may be able to do it yourself. In this episode: DIY solutions for some of the most common household pest problem…

An increasing number of important decisions about yourlife are now made by computer algorithms and artificial intelligence. They do more than suggest movies or music you might like—they're making lending decisions for banks and screening job applicants for employers. Consumer advocates acknowledge the benefits of AI, but they're also concerned abou…

Americans are piling on credit card debt at an alarming pace, and the unprecedented interest rates on these unpaid balances can be as much as 30% to 35%. No wonder it seems impossible to get out from under it. But with hard work and proper guidance, you can do it. In this episode: Meet two people who were drowning in credit card debt and got their …

Whether it’s a few long-stem roses or a beautiful bouquet, it’s hard to go wrong with flowers. Sometimes you can find what you want at the supermarket. For special occasions, you might want to visit a florist. In this episode: Where to find the lowest prices on flowers, how to choose a good florist, and the best way to send flowers out of town. Plu…

Clothing rental has always been a way to dress for less when attending weddings, proms, or other formal events. But the rental market has zoomed beyond tuxes and gowns and turned into an easy way to keep your wardrobe fresh without spending much money. In this episode, we'll share tips on navigating the clothing rental world, including when and how…

Amazon is convenient, but America's second-largest retailer—and most dominant online merchant—too often steers customers toward items it gets paid extra to promote. Our researchers looked for 50 products on Amazon; half of what the retailer showed them were paid promos. In this episode: What's the deal with all these ads? Can you trust Amazon to sh…

Great reviews are good for business, so some dishonest companies post fake reviews to boost their ratings. It’s a growing problem. This flood of deceptive reviews makes it challenging to get objective information about the products or services you plan to buy. In this episode: The ways companies can game the system, a new FTC rule designed to clean…

We've come up with a fun way to celebrate our 75th episode: An old-fashioned radio quiz show, featuring the morning anchors at KIRO Newsradio in Seattle. Dave Ross and Colleen O'Brien are old friends, who have Herb as a regular guest each week, so we had a lot of fun doing this. Play along with Dave and Colleen as they try to come up with the right…

No one really likes passwords. Even the best ones are nomatch for today’s international crime rings. So, the push is on, led by Microsoft, Apple, and Google, to get you to switch from passwords to passkeys. In this episode: What passkeys are and how they work, why they are better than passwords, and how you switch to them on your online accounts. A…

The hectic holiday shopping season is underway, and for many, that will put a strain on the family budget. Checkbook wants to make this stressful time a little easier. Our annual holiday helper is packed with timely advice: Super shoppers share tips about how they find the best prices and avoid fake sales. Plus, how to avoid gift card scams, stop p…

The process has changed for anyone looking to hire a real estate agent; new rules took effect in August that are designed to bring transparency and competition to the marketplace. Consumer advocates hope agents will be more willing to negotiate their commissions, but the new process and unfamiliar paperwork could create confusion for a while. In th…

Kitchen and bathroom renos are the most common home improvement projects—and they can be mighty expensive. If the layout of your kitchen or bath already works for you, and its cabinets and other features are in decent shape, you might be able to save a bunch of cash by doing what’s called a “light remodel.” In this episode, how to decide if light r…

Prescription drug costs in the U.S. are “significantly higher” than in most other countries, according to a report earlier this year from the Rand Corporation. The average American spends more than $1,400 a year on prescription medications, research shows. For many, that expense is a budget buster. Because of the high cost, more than 9 million Amer…

Want to spend a few days in Dublin before going to Munich? Sightsee in Madrid or Lisbon on the way home from Paris or Rome? Maybe break up that long-haul flight to Australia or New Zealand with a few nights in Tokyo or Honolulu? Dozens of airlines (mostly foreign carriers) let you visit two places for the price of one by allowing free stopovers. Bo…

Whether it’s points, miles, or cash back, it’s nice to be rewarded for shopping. The lure of “getting something extra” can encourage you to apply for new credit cards and spend more to score those rewards. In recent years, many credit card reward programs have become more complex and confusing, and frustrated cardholders are complaining to federal …

When it comes to buying corrective eyewear, the choices seem endless—from dozens of contacts to thousands of fashionable frames. Even so, shopping for new specs or contacts can be a major hassle, and it's an expensive purchase. In this episode: Which eyewear stores offer the best advice and service, where to find the best prices on glasses and cont…

Many Americans are sold on supplements. They’re convinced the “natural ingredients” in these non-prescription products have powerful health benefits that can prevent diseases, make us feel better, and slow down the effects of aging. But can you trust what’s in the bottle, and the marketing claims used to sell this stuff? In this episode, we focus o…

Moving is always a hassle. But if you hire the wrong movers, it can be a nightmare. An alarming number of consumers tell Checkbook they're disgusted with movers who arrived hours or even days late, lost or broke their possessions, reneged on promises, and demanded more money than the quoted amount. In this episode: Tips on choosing a moving company…

Americans bought a record 1.2 million electric vehicles last year, and EV sales continued to grow in the first quarter of 2024, although at a slightly slower pace than anticipated. Buyers have more choices than ever: More than 40 electric cars, trucks, and SUVs from both U.S. and foreign manufacturers. Battery range has improved, and some lower-pri…

The car market has nearly recovered from the pandemic. Dealers have good supply of both new and used vehicles, and that’s pushing down prices: The average new car buyer paid $47,000 in March, according to Kelley Blue Book. That’s a two-year low, but still nearly 16% higher than in March 2021. With more cars on the lot, some dealers and manufacturer…

It's going to be a busy summer for travel, especially for those headed abroad. It's late in the booking season, but some deals may still be available. In this episode, we'll look at what you can expect to pay for airfare, hotel rooms, and rental cars. Plus, tips from travel experts Haley Berg of Hopper.com and Christopher Elliott of the "On Travel"…

Data breaches are now an annoyingly normal part of life: You change your stolen passwords, cancel your compromised credit cards. But it can be a significantly more serious problem when hackers get your medical data. Last year, about 1 in 3 Americans had their medical records breached, according to the federal government. In this episode, we’ll look…

Travel outside the U.S. and you’ll need to make sure yourcell phone works wherever you’re headed. With a little advance planning, you can also lower the cost of using your phone on that trip—in some cases, by $100 a line a week or more. In this episode, what the major mobile phone companies charge to use their roaming services when you’re in a fore…

Feeding the family has never been more expensive. Supermarket prices have been going up for four years now, running well ahead of the overall inflation rate. And while increases are slowing, no one expects the cost of food to drop back to where it was before the pandemic. In this episode, why everything is so pricey, the tricks food manufacturers u…

You can save a ton of money by comparison shopping. Checkbook’s surveys consistently find huge price differences—sometimes more than twice as much—from company to company for the exact same product or service. And businesses can get away with this because they know most customers won’t bother to shop around. Sometimes consumers don’t compare prices…

Are you frustrated with the way companies treat you? If so, you’re not alone: Surveys find that many consumers are fed up with long waits on the phone, customer service agents who can’t solve their problems, unintelligible billing statements, poorly designed websites, and inexperienced or indifferent sales staff. In this episode: Why do so many com…

Most drivers find a policy, pay the premium, and never think about it again. Big mistake! Checkbook shoppers find huge price differences from company to company. Most drivers will save $500 to $1,000 a year by shopping around and switching if they find a better deal. In this episode: Which insurance companies have the best prices? Which ones provid…

Manufacturers often make it difficult or impossible to fix their products when they break, or even take them to an independent repair shop of your choosing. Consumer advocates say these repair restrictions limit competition, drive up the cost of repairs, and add to the growing problem of e-waste. In this episode, a look at the broken repair system …

You don’t necessarily have to join a gym to get more exercise there are scads of other workout options, many of which are free. If you decide that joining a club is the best choice for you, shop around and avoid making any long-term financial commitments. The fitness industry thrives on good intentions, but most consumers who join gyms stop using t…

Smart toys are cool. With their onboard cameras, microphones, and sensors… plus the ability to pair with other devices or connect to the internet, they can do some amazing things. They can also collect data on your child—including pictures and what they say—and send that information back to the toy company. So, parents need to think carefully about…

While convenient, online shopping can be risky. E-commerce creates all sorts of new opportunities for cyber criminals to do their dirty work, so you need to be careful. U.S. consumers reported losing $358 million to online scams last year, according to the Federal Trade Commission. In this episode, we talk to John Breyault, a vice president at the …

Roofing work is expensive. If you hire the wrong contractor, you can overspend by thousands of dollars and still get terrible work done. It takes time to find a good roofer who will do the job for the best price—you don’t just hire the first company that gives you an estimate. In this episode, we’ll explain how to find a reliable roofing company, h…

The market is flooded with credit card offers, and some of the signup bonuses are mighty appealing. But slow down—applying for a credit card is something that shouldn’t be rushed. You need to cut through the marketing hype and understand all the terms, conditions, and fees. If you’re not careful, you could choose a card that hurts your financial we…

Whether you enjoy shopping or just grin and bear it, there are things you can do to score the best prices and make the process easier. In this episode, we explain how to ignore the flood of marketing hype and avoid the fake sales designed to mislead you. Also, where to find hidden discounts and cash-back offers, and the potential downsides of using…

Artificial intelligence has been around for decades, but the world changed in November with the introduction of ChatGPT, the AI app that lets anyone harness the power of this amazing supercomputing technology—including criminals. In this episode, a look at how fraudsters might be able to use AI to their benefit. Will it change the types of scams th…

Today’s windows are technological marvels. They provide better insulation, reduce drafts, are easier to clean, and help lower home energy bills. But all these benefits come with very high price tags. Window companies generate numerous complaints about high-pressure sales tactics and substandard installation. Checkbook cautions that some companies g…

Wearable devices, health apps, and online medical resources can help us stay fit and healthy. They also collect highly personal information that you might assume is confidential. In most cases, this data can be—and often is—shared and sold without your knowledge or permission. In this episode, how to tell if your health information is protected by …

“Buyer beware!” It’s more important than ever for you to heed this warning when buying goods and services. Consumers’ Checkbook regularly reports on scams and shameful selling practices that continue to become more rampant. Unfortunately, even “reputable” businesses treat consumers unfairly, often by using new technologies. In this episode, we disc…

Sooner or later all appliances will need to be repaired or replaced. But when the fridge is on the fritz or the oven is burnt out, how do you decide what to do? New home appliances are expensive, but it’s not always easy to know how much repair work will cost. In this episode, how to decide whether to fix what you have or buy something new. When it…

The Consumer Financial Bureau (CFPB) is one of the newest federal regulatory agencies. Its prime directive is to ensure that financial products offered to you are fair, transparent, and competitive. The CFPB’s jurisdiction includes mortgages, auto loans, student loans, credit cards, credit reporting, and debt collection. In this episode, a look at …

In the last year or so, we’re finally beginning to see a robust market for electric vehicles. More manufacturers are now in the game, which provides buyers with more choices. So, should you go electric now, or wait, or maybe split the difference and go hybrid? In this episode, find out about the latest EV options, how federal tax credits might help…

There’s a lot to consider when booking a hotel room: location, amenities, and quality. But for most of us, the deciding factor is price. In many cases, your room will cost significantly more than your flights. So, how do you find the best deal? Consumers’ Checkbook did nearly 2,000 searches looking for the best hotel rates. In this episode, find ou…

Most homeowners pay too much to insure their houses. They waste money on worthless optional coverage—or worse—stick with the same insurers year after year without checking if lower premiums are available from other companies. The potential savings from making a switch are dramatic, and you don’t have to sign up with a poorly rated company or get a …

Companies always say their top priority is customer service, but all too often they fall short of that goal. What bugs you as a consumer? Is it the fine print in advertisements? Fake discounts? Maybe problems making returns or repair people who can't make the fix? Something a little different in this episode. We’ll hear from a few members of the Ch…

Demand for plane tickets, hotel rooms, vacation rentals, and other travel services is up—way up. If your summer getaway involves flights, brace yourself for problems; like last year, planes will be packed, and the system will be stretched to its limits. In this episode, advice from someone who loves to travel—and makes his living doing it. Christop…

Home warranty companies promise to save you thousands of dollars if you need an expensive repair. But Checkbook found these plans are terrible deals for most homeowners. Warranty companies are the subject of thousands of complaints to consumer agencies. After paying $400 to $1,000 for the coverage, consumers find that home warranty contracts often …

Some companies try to boost business by doing things that are meant to mislead and manipulate customers. These include pre-checked boxes that obligate you to more than you bargained for, hard-to-find disclosures, and confusing cancellation policies. These practices are called “dark patterns,” and as more commerce moves online, they’re growing in sc…