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Latest Episodes:

56 - A Crash Course on Auto Insurance Feb 08, 2024

Show notes

Most drivers find a policy, pay the premium, and never think about it again. Big mistake! Checkbook shoppers find huge price differences from company to company. Most drivers will save $500 to $1,000 a year by shopping around and switching if they find a better deal.

In this episode: Which insurance companies have the best prices? Which ones provide the best customer service? Do price comparison websites work? Plus, why do many insurance companies use credit scores to set their rates?

Read Checkbook's full report on auto insurance.

55 - Your Right to Repair Products You Buy Jan 25, 2024

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Manufacturers often make it difficult or impossible to fix their products when they break, or even take them to an independent repair shop of your choosing. Consumer advocates say these repair restrictions limit competition, drive up the cost of repairs, and add to the growing problem of e-waste.

In this episode, a look at the broken repair system and what's being done to fix it. Plus, make your voice heard as part of the petition to the Federal Trade Commission by clicking here to sign.

Guests: Nathan Proctor, senior director of the Right to Repair campaign at U.S. PIRG

Elizabeth Chamberlain, Director of Sustainability at iFixit

54 - How to Shop for a Gym Membership Jan 11, 2024

Show notes

You don’t necessarily have to join a gym to get more exercise there are scads of other workout options, many of which are free. If you decide that joining a club is the best choice for you, shop around and avoid making any long-term financial commitments. The fitness industry thrives on good intentions, but most consumers who join gyms stop using them regularly after only a few weeks or months, yet they continue paying their dues.

In this episode: Tips on how to find the best gym or fitness center, how to avoid the common marketing tricks and traps used by salespeople, and what to look for when reviewing membership contracts.

53 - Smart Toys: The Privacy & Security Risks Dec 14, 2023

Show notes

Smart toys are cool. With their onboard cameras, microphones, and sensors… plus the ability to pair with other devices or connect to the internet, they can do some amazing things. They can also collect data on your child—including pictures and what they say—and send that information back to the toy company. So, parents need to think carefully about whether to buy these toys. And if so, how to make sure they’re used safely by their children.

In this episode, we’ll look at the privacy and security risks created by this data collection and sharing, and how parents can mitigate that risk. We’ll also give you a checklist of things to look for before buying smart toys, and what to do once you get them home.

Special Guests: Teresa Murray Consumer Watchdog, U.S. PIRG
R.J. Cross, Director of PIRG’s Don’t Sell My Data Campaign

52 - Shop Safely Online This Holiday Season Nov 30, 2023

Show notes

While convenient, online shopping can be risky. E-commerce creates all sorts of new opportunities for cyber criminals to do their dirty work, so you need to be careful. U.S. consumers reported losing $358 million to online scams last year, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

In this episode, we talk to John Breyault, a vice president at the National Consumers League, and Melissa Lanning Trumpower, executive director of the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, about how to spot the tricks con artists use to fool you and how you can protect yourself. Also, the smart way to pay when shopping online, and how to fight back against porch pirates.

Additional Resources:

Tips for reducing your risk of fraud this holiday shopping season.

BBB Scam Tracker is a free tool anyone can use to report suspected scams. Your reports warn others so they can avoid similar cons.

Fraud victims can report scams to the National Consumers League’s Fraud.org website. This information is shared with a network of 100 law enforcement partners across the U.S. and Canada.

51 - How to Hire a Reliable Roofer Nov 16, 2023

Show notes

Roofing work is expensive. If you hire the wrong contractor, you can overspend by thousands of dollars and still get terrible work done. It takes time to find a good roofer who will do the job for the best price—you don’t just hire the first company that gives you an estimate.

In this episode, we’ll explain how to find a reliable roofing company, how to review proposals for that job, and how to compare warranties. Plus, ways to avoid getting ripped off by a shady contractor.

Read Checkbook's full report on roofers, including unbiased ratings and price comparisons.

50 - Finding a Credit Card That's Right for You Nov 03, 2023

Show notes

The market is flooded with credit card offers, and some of the signup bonuses are mighty appealing. But slow down—applying for a credit card is something that shouldn’t be rushed. You need to cut through the marketing hype and understand all the terms, conditions, and fees. If you’re not careful, you could choose a card that hurts your financial well-being.

In this episode: How to shop for a credit card—things you should do before you apply for any card, and what to look for when comparing offers. Plus: Is a rewards card really right for you? And how a balance transfer card might help you pay down a large balance on another card.

Additional Resources:

Dealing with Debt

How to Pick the Right Credit Card

49 - Shop Like a Pro Oct 19, 2023

Show notes

Whether you enjoy shopping or just grin and bear it, there are things you can do to score the best prices and make the process easier.

In this episode, we explain how to ignore the flood of marketing hype and avoid the fake sales designed to mislead you. Also, where to find hidden discounts and cash-back offers, and the potential downsides of using buy now, pay later.

48 - How will Scammers Use AI? Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

Artificial intelligence has been around for decades, but the world changed in November with the introduction of ChatGPT, the AI app that lets anyone harness the power of this amazing supercomputing technology—including criminals.

In this episode, a look at how fraudsters might be able to use AI to their benefit. Will it change the types of scams they create or simply make it easier for them to fool us? Can AI companies make it harder for crooks to use their technology against us? Can the good guys use AI to fight fraud more effectively?

Special guests: Chester Wisniewski, Field Chief Technology Officer for Applied Research at Sophos, the global digital security company. Lorrie Cranor, Director of the CyLab Security and Privacy Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. Brett Johnson, a convicted cyber-criminal who stole millions, and now works as a digital security consultant.

Additional Resources:

Identity and Cyber Theft: How to Protect Yourself

Cyber Crime: A Former Cyber Crook Explains How to Protect Yourself

Stop, Thief! How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

47 - Guide to Buying New Windows Sep 21, 2023

Show notes

Today’s windows are technological marvels. They provide better insulation, reduce drafts, are easier to clean, and help lower home energy bills. But all these benefits come with very high price tags.

Window companies generate numerous complaints about high-pressure sales tactics and substandard installation. Checkbook cautions that some companies greatly over-promise the energy savings that will result from their windows.

In this episode, Kevin Brasler, Checkbook’s executive editor, cuts through the marketing hype, compares the pros and cons of various types of windows, and explains how to find a reliable contractor.

Additional Resources:

Buying & Installing New Windows

How to Hire a Good Contractor

Saving Energy at Home

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