Consumerpedia

Farmers and food processors insist that the U.S. has the safest food supply in the world. But about 48 million Americans get sick from foodborne illnesses every year, according to the CDC. Of those, an estimated 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die. Produce, especially leafy greens, accounts for nearly half (46%) of these illnesses.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the produce you buy at the supermarket or eat at a resta...

No one likes going to the dentist, but it’s something we all need to do. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is as important as monitoring your blood pressure and cholesterol because what happens in your mouth can affect the rest of your body.

In this episode: How to find a dentist that’s right for you and manage the cost of good dental care. Plus: How often should you get your teeth cleaned? What about X-rays? When shou...

Few prescription drugs have generated as much excitement as the new generation of weight-loss drugs, commonly called “GLP-1” medications. You’ve probably heard about Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro, even if you don’t want to lose weight.

In this episode: How do these drugs work? How to deal with the sometimes-unpleasant side effects? What has the GLP-1 family of drugs been proven to do, and what could...

Consumers’ Checkbook investigated 40 brands operating off-price stores and found that many offer lower-quality merchandise rather than legitimate bargains. So, what gives?

In this episode: What you can expect to find when you browse around outlet stores, factory stores, or clearance centers, how you can tell what’s a bargain and what’s not, plus money-saving shopping tips.

Read Checkbook's full investigation here.

No...

It's been two years since we talked about electric vehicles. A lot has changed since them; much of it, for the better.

In this episode: What's happening in the EV market. We'll discuss standout models, including some new, less expensive options. Plus, what to consider if you're thinking about buying a used EV.

More from Checkbook:

Car Buying Strategies

Auto Repair Shops

How to Save Money on Car Repairs

Vehicle Service Contracts

Not a Che...

Businesses use a variety of marketing tactics to attract new customers and keep them. These tricks are designed to make you feel special, like you’re part of a group. The lure can be mighty powerful.

In this episode, a conversation with digital media expertMara Einsteinabouthow promotional strategies and social media can be deceiving and addictive. In her book, Hoodwinked: How Marketers Use the Same Tactics as Cults, Einstein...

Hotels, airlines, and rental car companies are using AI to boost efficiency, cut costs, and increase revenue. New technologies are also being used to create new “gotchas” for travelers. In this episode, we discuss the new fees and how you can protect yourself.

More from Checkbook:

Avoid a Vacation Rental Nightmare

Hotels: Tips for Finding a Sweeter Stay

How to Avoid a Big Bill When Traveling Abroad

Additional Resources:

On Tr...

Travel is always a challenge, but right now, the war with Iran has added a whole new layer of turbulence and uncertainty especially for those who plan to fly. Airlines around the globe are raising prices, adding fees, and cutting flights.

Planning your trip now requires extra care because of travel scams fueled by AI. It’s also becoming more difficult to get the lowest prices for plane tickets, hotel rooms, and rental cars wit...

Whether you've got a towering oak shading your porch or a scraggly pine that's seen better days, chances are your trees need more attention than you're giving them. Disease, pests, or extreme weather can damage even the sturdiest trees, and even healthy ones need a little branch management in the form of regular pruning or the occasional checkup.

To keep your trees in shape or to get rid of dying or dangerous ones, you’ll prob...

A recent Checkbook investigation found widespread problems with vacation rentals, including fake listings and stolen deposits. Even worse, many victims get little or no help from Booking.com or Vrbo to recover their lost money.

In this episode: We share results of our investigation and provide tips on how to protect yourself when booking a vacation rental. One key: Your best move to avoid losing money to scams or bad actors is to bo...

Fraud is on the rise. Scammers stole more than $12 billion in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The number of Americans who are victimized is also skyrocketing. Investment scams, romance scams, crypto scams, and imposter scams are driving much of the increase.

Criminals around the globe have a powerful new tool to use against you: artificial intelligence. AI can make their cons more polished and personal, so you need...

If you haven’t purchased a car in a few years, expect to find a market dominated by SUVs. And be prepared for sticker shock: The average price for a new vehicle is at an all-time high, around $50,000! Unfortunately, used cars aren’t the bargain they used to be.

In this episode, we talk with John Lincov, Keith Barry, and Stef Schrader, the editors and reporters at Consumer Reports, about their Top Picks for 2026—th...

A new furnace or air conditioner costs thousands of dollars. Many homeowners don’t have that much cash on hand, which can create a financial crisis. A loan may be an option, or the contractor may offer financing, usually through a third-party lender. But beware: A recent Consumers’ Checkbook investigation found that many contractors use these emergencies to push bad financing plans on their stressed out customers.

In thi...

Most of us don’t spend much time thinking about the best way to do our laundry. We sort the dirty clothes, toss them in the washer, and move on to something else. But there are steps you can take to get your clothes extra clean and make them last longer.

In this episode: Expert advice on detergents, fabric softeners, stain removers, washers, dryers, and almost anything else laundry-related.

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Americans are struggling to pay their bills and falling behind on their loan payments, fueling widespread financial stress, anxiety, and despair. Recent surveys show many feel they’ll never get ahead—and some have stopped worrying about debt altogether.

In this episode, we break down those survey results and share practical tips for regaining control of your finances. You’ll also meet two consumers who’d acc...

To celebrate our 100th episode, we've asked two veteranChicago broadcasters to take Checkbook's College of Consumer Knowledge quiz.

Lisa Dent is the popular afternoon host at WGN Radio. Steve Bertrand, her longtime news anchor, came out of retirement to challenge her. Play along with our celebrity contestants to test your consumer IQ. The questions are difficult!

You might also want to play the online version of Checkbook's College o...

America’s children have enormous spending power. Most have cash or access to their parents’ credit cards—and plenty of influence over what the family buys through their “pester power.” Marketers know this, which is why they spend billions of dollars a year targeting minors.

Advertising can easily exploit a child’s limited ability to distinguish between entertainment and selling. AI and digital ani...

The “Shop Local” movement encourages consumers to buy goods and services from independent, locally owned businesses rather than national chains or online giants. It’s both an economic strategy and a social campaign aimed at strengthening your own community’s businesses, fostering regional identity, and promoting sustainability.

In this episode: The challenge of shopping locally, ways to spend more in your com...

Researchers at Consumers’ Checkbook tracked prices at 25 major retailers for six months and found that most of the advertised markdowns were bogus.

It’s now common practice for retailers to deceive theircustomers by displaying crossed-out “regular” or “list” prices, with lower sale prices featured nearby. But the higher “regular” prices are rarely, if ever, what customers pay. Our stud...