Consumerpedia

Nov 14 2024 75 ep. 25 mins 87
Consumerpedia Podcast artwork

A Consumers' Checkbook podcast empowering consumers to save money and make smarter choices. Hosted by "The ConsumerMan" Herb Weisbaum. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

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74 - Passkeys Provide Better Security Than Passwords

Nov 14 2024 23 mins  
No one really likes passwords. Even the best ones are no match 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. Additional Resources & Consu

73 - Checkbook's Holiday Shopping Tips 2024

Oct 31 2024 30 mins  
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 porch pirates, and spot bogus onlin

72 - Finding a Real Estate Agent That's Right for You

Oct 17 2024 32 mins  
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 this episode: A look at the new rule

71 - Redo Your Kitchen or Bath for Less

Oct 03 2024 26 mins  
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 remodeling is the way to go

70 - How to Save on Prescription Drugs

Sep 19 2024 28 mins  
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 Americans don’t take their medic

69 - Free Airline Stopovers

Sep 05 2024 25 mins  
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. Book these tickets and you can stay

68 - Rewards Cards

Jul 25 2024 26 mins  
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 regulators. In this episod

67 - Buying Eyewear

Jul 11 2024 20 mins  
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 contact lenses, and who should y

66 - Cutting Through the Nutritional Supplements Hype

Jun 27 2024 24 mins  
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 on the false claims, bad sc

65 - How to Find Reliable Movers

Jun 13 2024 26 mins  
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 that provides fair and reliab