Consumers' Checkbook

06/03/2026

Our own Herb "The Consumerman" Weisbaum, Consumerpedia host and Checkbook contributing editor, moderated an important panel at the Consumer Federation of America's annual Consumer Assembly today: “Why Does Everything Feel Like a Ripoff?”

From dark patterns to outright scams, consumer manipulation is creating real anxiety for everyday Americans. The panelists, all experts from CFA, dove into how deception shapes what we buy, what we pay, and how much we trust the marketplace.

Have you felt like you were being manipulated or taken advantage of as a consumer recently? Tell us in the comments. 👇

🎧 Want an easy to way to protect yourself? Subscribe to our Consumerpedia podcast for practical consumer advice that will empower you to save money and make smarter choices.

06/02/2026

Keep the bugs off the guest list!
Your outdoor space should be enjoyed without uninvited multi-legged guests. Before you fire up the grill or host in your backyard, make sure pests don’t crash the party. We’ll help you learn if you can DIY and how to find a good exterminator if you need one.

Compare 0 Exterminators in National - Unbiased Reviews - Consumer's Checkbook

05/29/2026

Have you been hit with a surprise fee on a recent trip? Drop it in the comments 👇
Christopher Elliott () joins us on to explain why it may be getting worse and what you can do about it. Listen through the link in bio or wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧

05/28/2026

Have you been hit with a surprise fee on a recent trip? Drop it in the comments 👇 Christopher Elliott ( )joins us on Consumerpedia to explain why it may only be getting worse and what you can do about it.🎧

05/26/2026

✈️ Planning a trip? Watch out for a new wave of hidden fees from hotels, airlines, and rental car companies — and AI is helping them do it.

In the latest Consumerpedia episode, we sit down with travel expert Christopher Elliott, author of the weekly "On Travel" column, to uncover the new "gotcha" tactics being used against travelers and what you can do to protect yourself.

🎧 Listen here:

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

05/24/2026

Hotels, airlines, and rental-car companies are using AI to boost efficiency and increase revenue. But this new tech also creates "gotchas” for travelers. Find out how to protect yourself from these new fees in the latest Consumerpedia episode. Listen anywhere you get your podcasts.

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

05/21/2026

These sales aren't just misleading—they're engineered to make you feel like you're winning so you spend more. And some of the biggest names in retail are the worst offenders. See where your favorite store lands through the link in the comments.

05/21/2026

Summer travel is getting expensive. Head to consumerpedia.org for the expert tips that’ll save you money and stress before you book. ✈️

05/07/2026

🎉 50 Years of Fighting for YOU! 🎉

Since 1976, Consumers' Checkbook has been the unbiased, nonprofit resource helping everyday people make smarter choices, from finding top doctors and trusted contractors to exposing fake sales and marketplace scams.

It all started with a frustrated car owner and a bad repair shop. Today, we're still 100% independent, still ad-free, and still in your corner.

Here's to 50 years of empowering consumers, and many more to come.

Explore our story and impact through the link in the comments!

05/05/2026

Checkbook staff have had the honor of serving as question writers for and judges at the annual LifeSmarts national championship for the past few years. In April, we joined 46 student teams and an amazing crew of volunteers and staff in Orlando for the big event.

Pictured above is our Herb Weisbaum—aka The Consumerman and host of our Consumerpedia podcast—handing over the trophy to this year's champions, the Georgia Floyd County 4-H team.

LifeSmarts' goal of creating the next generation of savvy consumers in today's complex global marketplace is one that's near and dear to our own mission and hearts. So, it felt fitting that Herb would mark the occasion by launching the ConsumerMan Scholarship, an award designed to cultivate the next generation of informed consumers. Applicants were challenged to create podcasts tackling consumer issues, and two outstanding students rose to the top:

🥇 1st Place: Harith Jayavel, Georgia
🥈 2nd Place: Jared Lane, Louisiana

Listen to the winning podcasts via the link in the comments!
Congratulations to the scholarship recipients, to the Georgia Floyd County 4-H champions, and to National Consumers League for another outstanding event. And a huge shoutout to Herb for building on a lifetime of consumer advocacy. The next generation is in great hands. 💪

📸: Jonathan Phillips Photography