Consumerpedia

Hosted by Consumers' Checkbook

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Episodes

119

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

A Consumers' Checkbook podcast empowering consumers to save money and make smarter choices. Hosted by "The ConsumerMan" Herb Weisbaum.

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60 recent

October 22, 2026Episode 11829 min

118 - Selling Sugary Junk Food to Kids

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 .

October 8, 2026Episode 11730 min

117 - Worse on Purpose

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 .

September 24, 2026Episode 11629 min

116 - 20 Ways to Save Money

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 .

September 10, 2026Episode 11532 min

115 - Why There Are So Many Outbreaks and Recalls for Produce

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 .

July 30, 2026Episode 11428 min

114 – How to Find a Good Dentist

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 .

July 16, 2026Episode 11330 min

113 - GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs

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 .

July 2, 2026Episode 11227 min

112 - Outlet Malls: Do They Offer Real Savings?

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 .

June 18, 2026Episode 11130 min

111 - EV Update 2026

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 .

June 4, 2026Episode 11028 min

110 - Marketers Often Use Cult-Like Tactics

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.

May 21, 2026Episode 10930 min

109 - Travel Troubles: New Hotel, Airline, & Rental Car 'Gotcha Fees'

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 .

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