Consumers' Checkbook

Update for 2025 Tax Returns: Big Changes The 2026 Filing season is underway, and several changes to the tax code will affect most taxpayers' returns, especially compared to last year, when the IRS made only routine inflation adjustments.

This year's tax season brings changes that could put more money in your pocket. Here's what's changed and how to maximize your refund this filing season.

Is Duct Cleaning Necessary? Ignore deceptive ads and claims; you likely don’t need their services. - 432000 Unbiased Reviews - Consumer's Checkbook

🙅 Don’t Hire a Duct Cleaning Company
📢Studies show duct cleaning rarely makes your air cleaner and may even make it dirtier. We explain what you should do instead to keep your HVAC system running efficiently and your air fresh. www.checkbook.org/a/0/OTH5657/

Fraud Prevention: Top 10 Ways to Protect Yourself Ten top ways to protect yourself against fraud, from consumer expert Herb Weisbaum.

It’s National Consumer Protection Week—a perfect time to tighten your scam defenses. Be skeptical of surprise messages, let unknown calls go to voicemail, and use credit cards for protection. Our full list of tips ↓ www.checkbook.org/a/0/OTH7966/

Which Philadelphia-area grocery stores offer the best prices and quality?

Delaware Valley Consumers' Checkbook compared prices at grocery chains in the area to find which ones got the best marks for quality from shoppers.

Nick D - "For The People", March 2026 Herb Weisbaum talks data breaches and scams, plus Tom Appel on Tesla and tariffs.

BRAND NEW EPISODE!!!

"For The People" March 2026.

W/ The Consumerman Herb Weisbaum from checkbook.org and @carguytom.bsky.social from Consumer Guide Automotive.

SUBSCRIBE. DOWNLOAD. LISTEN.

From Radio Misfits Podcast Network

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Love the shoutout! Anyone interested can subscribe to our free newsletter here: spot.checkbook.org/social_newsl...

Thanks Mark, we love what we do!

Marketers Often Use the Same Tactics as Cult Leaders Consumers’ Checkbook chatted with digital media expert Mara Einstein about her book, which reveals how to avoid being fooled by brands and influencers.

We went deep with Einstein on all of it—multisensory manipulation, social media addiction, scent machines in Disney parks, and more.

Full interview: www.checkbook.org/a/0/OTH7964/

Einstein's practical advice:

Put air back in the space between awareness and purchase.

Your phone is built to be a 24/7 mall.

Put the phone down.

Come back in an hour.

The most important shift Einstein identifies: the purchase funnel has collapsed.

What used to take days now takes seconds. Awareness to checkout in one scroll.

Amazon spent years removing every pause between wanting and buying. That pause protected you.

Ever tried to leave the Apple ecosystem?

That friction isn't a design flaw. It's the walled garden, engineered to make leaving feel socially and practically costly.

Jeep. Harley. Nutella. Fandom built to stick.

"Love bombing" (overwhelming someone with warmth) isn't just a cult tactic or something to watch out for on the dating scene.

It's why colleges send you silly poems and kitten photos. It's why brands offer 10% off just to join their email list.

False intimacy before the ask.

Cults and marketers recruit the same way: find someone vulnerable, tell them something is wrong with them, then offer the fix.

Every January diet ad. Every wellness subscription. Every "you deserve better" pitch.

Same mechanism. Different logo.

Marketers use the same psychological playbook as cult recruiters.

Media scholar Mara Einstein (@drmaraeinstein.bsky.social) wrote the book on it.

Here's what she found, and how to protect yourself. 🧵

Dealing with Debt: Real-Life Success Stories Paying off a large amount of debt might seem impossible. But, it it can be done with hard work, discipline, and guidance from a certified credit counselor. Here are some success stories and strategies...

Googling “debt help” can backfire. Top results are often for-profit traps. We breaks down how to find legitimate help and what the process really looks like. Thanks to @nfcc-bruce.bsky.social, @moneymanagementint.bsky.social, & the consumers who shared their stories. www.checkbook.org/a/0/OTH7912/

AI Boom to Raise Prices for Computers and Smartphones Planning to purchase a new computer or smartphone this year? Buying soon could save you hundreds of dollars, as manufacturers are forced to pay higher costs for solid-state drives (SSDs) and computer ...

AI demand is squeezing memory-chip supply, pushing electronics prices up 10-20%. Thinking of buying a new computer? You may want to do it soon. Find out exactly what's driving the change below. www.checkbook.org/a/0/OTH7963/

103 - Shady Home Improvement Financing - Consumerpedia Podcast 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

"103 - Shady home improvement financing"

Contractors use high-pressure tactics to steer homeowners into bad financing deals—sometimes leasing equipment without customers realizing it. Listen now to learn how to protect yourself!
#ConsumerAlert
consumerpedia.org/103-shady-ho...

New episode! 🎙️ Shady home improvement financing exposed. Some contractors are tricking stressed homeowners into LEASING their HVAC, not buying it. Checkbook's Kevin Brasler reveals how to protect yourself on @consumerpedia.org. t.co/6os3IpzIkN

The latest episode of @checkbook.org's Consumerpedia podcast is out! Watch a sneak peek on Instagram: bit.ly/4tYjFme

Did THESE Grocery Stores Expose Your PRIVATE Health Data? YouTube video by Rossen Reports

Your grocery store loyalty card is a surveillance device — and they're making hundreds of millions selling YOUR data. Our contributing editor Herb Weisbaum (@consumerman.bsky.social) did a segment with Jeff Rossen (formerly of the TODAY show) to break it down. www.youtube.com/live/5t0U7BE...

Update for 2025 Tax Returns: Big Changes The 2026 filing season is underway, and several changes to the tax code will affect most taxpayers’ returns, especially compared to last year, when the IRS made only routine inflation adjustments.

This year's tax season brings changes that could put more money in your pocket. Here's what's changed and how to maximize your refund this filing season. www.checkbook.org/a/0/OTH7894/?utm_source=bsky

102 - Laundry Day Tips - Consumerpedia Podcast Most of us don’t spend much time thinking about the best way to do our laundry. We sort the dirty clothes, toss them in the washer, and move on to something

"102 – Laundry Day Tips"

Most of us don't think twice about laundry—but there are steps to get your clothes cleaner and make them last longer. Expert advice on detergents, stain removers, and more. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. consumerpedia.org/102-laundry-...

102 - Laundry Day Tips - Consumerpedia Podcast Most of us don’t spend much time thinking about the best way to do our laundry. We sort the dirty clothes, toss them in the washer, and move on to something

Our new @consumerpedia.org episode: Rich Handel from @consumerreports.org spent nearly a decade testing washers, dryers, and detergents. He's sharing tips that could save you time, money, and your favorite shirt. Stream it now. consumerpedia.org/102-laundry-...
@consumerman.bsky.social

Vacation Rental Industry Plagued by Problems An investigation by the nonprofit Consumers' Checkbook found that the vacation rental industry is plagued by problems, including fake listings and stolen deposits; many victims get little help from Bo...

Our investigation found widespread fraud on vacation rental sites—and Bookingcom and Vrbo often refuse to help victims get refunds. We uncovered how it happens and how to protect yourself. www.checkbook.org/a/0/OTH7958/...

101 - Dealing with Debt #2 - Consumerpedia Podcast Americans are struggling to pay their bills and falling behind on their loan payments, fueling widespread financial stress, anxiety, and despair. Recent

Drowning in debt? You're not alone. This @consumerpedia.org episode breaks down why so many Americans feel financially trapped, and shares real stories of people who escaped massive credit card debt. Plus: practical tips to regain control. Listen now 🎧 consumerpedia.org/101-dealing-...

How to Save on Tree Care Work Once you have chosen a company that can do the work well, price becomes your primary consideration. Our undercover shoppers found huge company-to-company price differences for the same jobs.

PSA to the 7 regions we serve—especially the Twin Cities, which have hit “exploding tree” temps🥶. Stay safe out there, Minnesota🫶.
Winter is tough on trees. Use our tree care service ratings to find a reputable provider for quality care at a fair price. www.checkbook.org/a/0/OTH7603/...

Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors - Ratings and Reviews Compare 0 Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors in National - Unbiased Reviews - Consumer's Checkbook

Need HVAC repairs this winter? Prices vary wildly among contractors. Our ratings show who's fair and who's overcharging. www.checkbook.org/a/0/OTH5751/...

Consumer Quizzes Test your knowledge of consumer rights by taking quizzes from the nonprofit Consumers' Checkbook.

Take the online quiz! Whether you're a savvy shopper or just starting, Checkbook’s College of Consumer Knowledge can help sharpen your consumer skills. It's fun & designed to help you become a more informed, confident consumer. Earn your degree in smart shopping↓ www.checkbook.org/a/0/OTH7925/...

100 - Checkbook's College of Consumer Knowledge #2 - Consumerpedia Podcast 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

We're celebrating our 100th episode milestone by having two veteran Chicago broadcasters (@lisadent.bsky.social & Steve Bertrand) take Checkbook’s College of Consumer Knowledge quiz. Listen wherever you get your podcasts and see how your consumer IQ measures up! consumerpedia.org/100-checkboo...

100 - Checkbook's College of Consumer Knowledge #2 - Consumerpedia Podcast 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

🎉 Ep. 100! @wgnradio.bsky.social hosts Lisa Dent & Steve Bertrand face off in a consumer knowledge quiz covering food labels, credit cards & more. These questions are tough—follow along and test your consumer IQ wherever you get your podcasts. consumerpedia.org/100-checkboo...