Consumerpedia

For several years now, American consumers’ finances have been squeezed by surging housing costs, rising grocery bills, and insurance, utility, and childcare costs that have increased faster than wages.One significant way to stretch your budget is to spend less. Consumers’ Checkbook’s team assembled a list of 20 things you can do. Some are easy. Some take a little work. All of them will help you save loads of money.More from Checkbook:20 Ways Consumers Can Save Loads of Money65 Things You (Probably) Shouldn’t Pay ForSaving Money at the SupermarketGrocery Delivery: Pros, Cons, and Costs Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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 restaurant. Where does the system break down? What can be done to fix it? And what can you do to reduce your risk of getting sick?More from Checkbook:Why So Many Americans Keep Getting Foodborne IllnessesMore Info:U.S. PIRG: Food for Thought 2026FDA: Safe Food HandlingCDC: What to Do if You Think You Have Food PoisoningNot a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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 should you see a specialist? And is dental insurance worth buying?More from Checkbook:How to Find a Good DentistHow to Find the Best DoctorsSave on Prescription Drugs: Why Paying Out-of-Pocket Might Be Cheaper Than Your Insurance CopayOpticians, Optometrists, & Buying EyewearNutritional Supplements Are Sold with Little OversightNot a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Signup for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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 they be used for in the future? Plus, details about a new Medicare program that now covers these drugs when prescribed for weight loss for those who qualify.Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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.Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.