These days you can find pretty much anything processed, prepared, packaged and waiting for you on a store shelf. But your wallet isn’t the only one paying the price for such convenience — the planet is, too. Luckily, there is a variety of everyday items — from laundry detergent to peanut butter...
8 Things You Should Never Buy UsedLast month we looked at some of the products you should always buy used—items like books, plates and video games, all of which cost a lot less on the secondhand market without any significant reduction in quality. But not every product is a good deal when purchased used. Some secondhand goods carry...
Ten commandments for being a smart consumerIt’s National Consumer Protection Week, a perfect time to unveil the new-and-improved version of my Ten Commandments. Follow these rules every day and you should have fewer problems with the purchases you make and greatly reduce your chances of falling victim to a scam. 1. Thou Shalt Do Your Homework Your...
Top 6 Home Renovation Scams To AvoidScam artists are nothing new, but there are plenty of reasons to predict there will even more of them due to tough economic times. While they tend to prey on the elderly, anyone who is not cautious and informed is a potential victim. Your best defense is a skeptical mind and knowing what to look out...
Money-saving secrets at StarbucksStarbucks announced Wednesday that they’d be raising prices soon, apparently due to higher bean costs. “Over the last six months a highly speculative green coffee market and dramatically increased commodity costs have completely altered the economic and financial picture of many players in...
21 things you should never buy newIf you’re looking to get the most value for your dollar, it would do your wallet good to check out secondhand options. Many used goods still have plenty of life left in them even years after the original purchase, and they’re usually resold at a fraction of the retail price, to boot. Here’s...
Survey reveals top-rated places to shop for everythingLast year shoppers spent $405 billion at Walmart, the world’s largest retailer. But according to a new study by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, they might be better off if they switch stores. For all the talk about Walmart’s low prices, 30,666 subscribers we surveyed said the prices...
20 items you should Never buy usedWe all love scoring great deals on Craigslist and Ebay, but many second-hand purchases are actually terrible deals. Stay clear of these 20 used items that will end up costing you money — or even endanger your health. 1. Cribs and children’s furniture: If there’s any chance that you’ll...
13 Things Your Grocery Store Won’t Tell YouGet smarter about grocery shopping. These tips could change your family eating habits. 1. If you hate crowds and lines, shop at dinnertime (5 to 9 p.m.) or even later. Only 4 percent of shoppers hit the aisles between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. Least-crowded day of the week? Wednesday. 2. Go ahead and reach way...
7 Things Every Apartment Renter Should KnowIf you’re a renter, you’re in good company. More than 95 million Americans rent their homes, according to the American Tenants Association. Maybe you live in a part of the country where the costs of home ownership are out of reach. Perhaps you don’t have the time or desire to tend to a...