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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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