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Childhood obesity in the U.S. is at its highest rate ever, according to the CDC: 21% of American youngsters, between the ages of 2 and 19, are obese. Food and beverage companies aggressively market sugary cereal, snacks, beverages, and candy directly to children, which heavily influences what they eat today and as they grow older. In this episode: We’ll examine the marketing tricks food companies use to sell their sugary products to children—and why federal regulators aren’t doing anything about it. More Info: National Food Museum Center for Digital Democracy Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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 the problem with tech entrepreneur Keyana Sapp, who’s been looking into this trend. More from Checkbook: Read our Q&A interview with Keyana. Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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 Money 65 Things You (Probably) Shouldn’t Pay For Saving Money at the Supermarket Grocery 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 Illnesses More Info: U.S. PIRG: Food for Thought 2026 FDA: Safe Food Handling CDC: What to Do if You Think You Have Food Poisoning Not 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 Dentist How to Find the Best Doctors Save on Prescription Drugs: Why Paying Out-of-Pocket Might Be Cheaper Than Your Insurance Copay Opticians, Optometrists, & Buying Eyewear Nutritional Supplements Are Sold with Little Oversight Not 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.

It's been two years since we talked about electric vehicles. A lot has changed since them; much of it, for the better. In this episode: What's happening in the EV market. We'll discuss standout models, including some new, less expensive options. Plus, what to consider if you're thinking about buying a used EV. More from Checkbook: Car Buying Strategies Auto Repair Shops How to Save Money on Car Repairs Vehicle Service Contracts Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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 a group. The lure can be mighty powerful. In this episode, a conversation with digital media expert Mara Einstein about how promotional strategies and social media can be deceiving and addictive. In her book, Hoodwinked: How Marketers Use the Same Tactics as Cults, Einstein explains why she believes marketers often use the same tactics as cult leaders to entice new customers. It’s an interesting half hour.

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 new “gotchas” for travelers. In this episode, we discuss the new fees and how you can protect yourself. More from Checkbook: Avoid a Vacation Rental Nightmare Hotels: Tips for Finding a Sweeter Stay How to Avoid a Big Bill When Traveling Abroad Additional Resources: On Travel is a weekly consumer travel column that offers information and advice for people planning a business or leisure trip. ⁠ Elliott Advocacy⁠ is a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can’t. Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Travel is always a challenge, but right now, the war with Iran has added a whole new layer of turbulence and uncertainty especially for those who plan to fly. Airlines around the globe are raising prices, adding fees, and cutting flights. Planning your trip now requires extra care because of travel scams fueled by AI. It’s also becoming more difficult to get the lowest prices for plane tickets, hotel rooms, and rental cars without choosing a non-refundable rate that requires an advance purchase. In this episode, we dive into the unique challenges facing travelers, possibly for the rest of the year, and how to deal with them. Other Consumerpedia travel episodes: 106 – Avoid a Vacation Rental Nightmare 89 – Avoid a Hotel Horror Show 60 – How to Avoid a Big Cell Phone Bill When Traveling Abroad⁠ 41 – Hotel Intel: Finding the Best Rates Additional Resources: On Travel is a weekly consumer travel column that offers information and advice for people planning a business or leisure trip. Elliott Advocacy⁠ is a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can’t. Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Whether you've got a towering oak shading your porch or a scraggly pine that's seen better days, chances are your trees need more attention than you're giving them. Disease, pests, or extreme weather can damage even the sturdiest trees, and even healthy ones need a little branch management in the form of regular pruning or the occasional checkup. To keep your trees in shape or to get rid of dying or dangerous ones, you’ll probably need professional advice and labor. In this episode: How to tell if your trees need work, and if so, how to find the right company to do the job. Plus, some tips for you do-it-yourselfers. More Info:You can find a certified arborist by checking with the American Society of Consulting Arborists or the International Society of Arboriculture. Both organizations require meaningful experience, education, and ongoing training to maintain certification. More from Checkbook: How to Choose a Tree Care Service Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

A recent Checkbook investigation found widespread problems with vacation rentals, including fake listings and stolen deposits. Even worse, many victims get little or no help from Booking.com or Vrbo to recover their lost money. In this episode: We share results of our investigation and provide tips on how to protect yourself when booking a vacation rental. One key: Your best move to avoid losing money to scams or bad actors is to book with a credit card. Read our full report about vacation rental scams at Checkbook.org. Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Fraud is on the rise. Scammers stole more than $12 billion in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The number of Americans who are victimized is also skyrocketing. Investment scams, romance scams, crypto scams, and imposter scams are driving much of the increase. Criminals around the globe have a powerful new tool to use against you: artificial intelligence. AI can make their cons more polished and personal, so you need to be on guard more than ever. In this episode, we’ll explain how you can fight back: 10 things you can do to reduce your chances of falling prey to a fraudster. And we have two expert fraud fighters taking part in this discussion: Amy Nofziger of AARP Fraud Watch Network, and John Breyault of Fraud.org. More Info: Deep Fake Challenge 2025 AI PSA (Show this to Uncle Frank before he shares another fake video!) More from Checkbook: Fraud Prevention: Top 10 Ways to Protect Yourself Credit Cards Have Consumer Protection Superpowers   Scam Alert: Fake Loan Approval Robocalls Why It’s Safer to Use a Credit Card Than a Debit Card, Especially for Online Purchases Virtual Credit Cards Help Fight Fraud Don’t Ignore All Those Data Breach Notices Companies Send You Related Consumerpedia episodes: #88 - Cyberthieves Weaponize AI to Perfect Online Scams #11 - Stop, Thief! How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft #5 - Cyber Crime: A Former Cyber Crook Explains How to Protect Yourself

If you haven’t purchased a car in a few years, expect to find a market dominated by SUVs. And be prepared for sticker shock: The average price for a new vehicle is at an all-time high, around $50,000! Unfortunately, used cars aren’t the bargain they used to be. In this episode, we talk with John Lincov, Keith Barry, and Stef Schrader, the editors and reporters at Consumer Reports, about their Top Picks for 2026—these cars, trucks, and SUVs are the cream of the crop. Also, how to choose a vehicle you really like, and what to consider before buying a used car or truck. More from Consumer Reports:Best Cars of the Year: 10 Top Picks of 2026What Car Should You Buy? How to Find the Right Vehicle for YouSafest Car Brands Ranked by Consumer Reports' Safety VerdictCar Accessories That Improve Safety, Comfort, and Organization 42 Used Cars to Avoid Buying More from Checkbook:Car DealershipsCar Buying StrategiesVehicle Service Contract Plans Are Big Hassles and Bad Deals for Most Drivers Related Consumerpedia Episodes:#56 – A Crash Course on Auto Insurance#21 – Auto Glass Class: How to Get Repairs and Replacements Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.