Consumerpedia

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

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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.

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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.

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