Consumers' Checkbook

06/16/2026

It’s not your imagination—resisting spending has gotten harder. Brands use sophisticated promotional strategies to keep you hooked and clicking “buy now.” On our latest Consumerpedia episode, learn how marketers manipulate you and why social media makes it worse, plus what you can do to protect yourself.

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

06/16/2026

We're in Washington Post! Our piece on the mending movement explores why repairing your clothes is making a comeback—saving you money and helping the planet.
Gift article 👇

Growing concerns about fast fashion have led some to rethink how they handle damaged clothing.

06/12/2026

🚨 It's National Outlet Shopping Day, but are you actually getting a deal?

We spent three months investigating 40 big-name outlet stores, and most of what's on those racks was never in a regular store. It was made cheaper, specifically for the outlet, and brands aren't advertising that.

We cracked the label codes, talked to store managers, and compared fabrics and prices so YOU know the difference between a real bargain and a very convincing lookalike.

We break it all down, brand by brand, in our full investigation. Check it out before you shop this weekend. 👇

The nonprofit Consumers’ Checkbook investigated 40 brands that operate outlet and factory stores and found many offer lower-quality merchandise, not legitimate bargains.

06/11/2026

Brands invest heavily in strategies designed to make resisting the urge to buy harder than it should be, and social media makes it even more effective.
On our latest Consumerpedia episode, we break down exactly how these tactics work and what you can do to protect yourself.
🎙️ Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Know someone who needs to hear this? Send it their way.

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