October 8, 2026
It’s an all-too-familiar business model these days: Making things worse on purpose. As private equity firms buy legendary companies with trusted brands, from Brooks Brothers and Sealy to Whole Foods and Black & Decker, the new owners often try to squeeze out more profit by cutting corners, and quality suffers. In this episode, we discuss
Read More : 117 – Worse on Purpose»September 24, 2026
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.
Read More : 116 – 20 Ways to Save Money»February 26, 2026
A new furnace or air conditioner costs thousands of dollars. Many homeowners don’t have that much cash on hand, which can create a financial crisis. A loan may be an option, or the contractor may offer financing, usually through a third-party lender. But beware: A recent Consumers’ Checkbook investigation found that many contractors use these
Read More : 103 – Shady Home Improvement Financing»January 29, 2026
Americans are struggling to pay their bills and falling behind on their loan payments, fueling widespread financial stress, anxiety, and despair. Recent surveys show many feel they’ll never get ahead—and some have stopped worrying about debt altogether. In this episode, we break down those survey results and share practical tips for regaining control of your
Read More : 101 – Dealing with Debt #2»January 15, 2026
To celebrate our 100th episode, we’ve asked two veteran Chicago broadcasters to take Checkbook’s College of Consumer Knowledge quiz. Lisa Dent is the popular afternoon host at WGN Radio. Steve Bertrand, her longtime news anchor, came out of retirement to challenge her. Play along with our celebrity contestants to test your consumer IQ. The questions
Read More : 100 – Checkbook’s College of Consumer Knowledge #2»December 4, 2025
The “Shop Local” movement encourages consumers to buy goods and services from independent, locally owned businesses rather than national chains or online giants. It’s both an economic strategy and a social campaign aimed at strengthening your own community’s businesses, fostering regional identity, and promoting sustainability. In this episode: The challenge of shopping locally, ways to
Read More : 98 – The Benefits of Shopping Locally»November 20, 2025
Researchers at Consumers’ Checkbook tracked prices at 25 major retailers for six months and found that most of the advertised markdowns were bogus. It’s now common practice for retailers to deceive their customers by displaying crossed-out “regular” or “list” prices, with lower sale prices featured nearby. But the higher “regular” prices are rarely, if ever,
Read More : 97 – Checkbook Investigation: Sale Prices Are Usually Fake Discounts»November 6, 2025
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
Read More : 96 – Checkbook’s Holiday Shopping Tips 2025»October 23, 2025
Despite lingering concerns about volatility, scams, and lax regulatory oversight, cryptocurrency has evolved from a digital curiosity into a mainstream financial asset. About 28% of U.S. adults now hold some form of digital currency. Major financial firms and banks are increasingly offering crypto to their clients, and a growing number of merchants now accept crypto
Read More : 95 – Cryptocurrency: Coins, Cons, & Chaos»September 25, 2025
The cost of homeowners insurance continues to skyrocket, far exceeding the rate of inflation, especially in high-risk areas. This crisis is fueled by a combination of climate-related disasters, increasing costs for materials and labor, as well as insurance company withdrawals from certain markets. Consumer advocates, including our guests, also blame a lack of strong regulation
Read More : 93 – The Home Insurance Crisis»
