Shady contractors are going door-to-door pitching “free” solar energy systems that will eliminate costly electric bills. Most of these fraudsters do shoddy work; some take the money and run. By using high-pressure sales tactics, they gethomeowners to sign high-interest contracts that leave them with massive debt.

In this episode: The tricks door-to-door con artists use to sell high-priced solar systems, the facts about solar incentives and tax credits, plus tips on how to find a good solar contractor.

Related Consumerpedia Episodes:

#1: How to Hire a Good Contractor

#8: Saving Energy at Home

#10: Here Comes the Sun? Now May Be the Best Time to Go Solar

More from Checkbook:

Thinking About Going Solar?

Small Steps, Big Impact: Save Energy by Making These Free or Inexpensive Changes

Worth the Money: Energy Saving Upgrades that Quickly Pay for Themselves

Resources, Rebates, and Tax Credits to Help You Go Green at Home

Additional Resources:

Center for Responsible Lending: TheShady Side of Solar Financing

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Travel is always a hassle, but this year, it comes with some added twists. There's growing uncertainty about the economy, and concerns about being an American tourist in a foreign country. Will you be welcome?

In this episode: What to expect when booking flights, hotel rooms, or vacation rentals; how to spot travel scams that can ruin your vacation and cost you a bundle; and tips on how to be a respectful and responsible tourist when visiting other countries.

Other Consumerpedia travel episodes:

#60: Avoid a Big Cell Phone Bill When Traveling Abroad
#41: Finding the Best Hotel Rates
#17: How to Find the Best Deals on Airfare

Additional Resources:

60 Strategies for Finding the Best Travel Deals and Avoiding Trouble

Do You Need Travel Insurance? (Spoiler: For Most Trips, Probably Not)

Hotel Intel: How to Find the Best Rates for Rooms

Cell Phone Services: How to Avoid a Big Bill When Traveling Abroad

Tips for Traveling with a PetVisit The Elliott Report to read Christopher Elliott's travel reports and advice. His nonprofit Elliott Advocacy empowers consumers to solve their own problems and helps those who can't.

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Americans are drowning in stuff: clothing, electronics, toys and games, collectibles, and appliances.

Some of us have so much that they need to rent storage units to hold it. Why do so many have the need to buy, buy, buy?

In this episode, author Emily Mester shares personal stories from her new book American Bulk: Essays on Excess about her father’s obsession with shopping and her own tendency to overbuy. Plus, she reveals the tricks she used as a salesperson to encourage customers to make purchases.

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Whether it's a complimentary dessert, an unexpected upgrade to a better hotel room, or you find a $20 bill in your coat pocket, we all like freebies.

The staff at Checkbook sifted through member benefits for credit cards, warehouse clubs, health plans, and AAA. We discovered dozens of perks that are often overlooked. If you don't know about them, you may be missing out on significant savings.

Read Checkbook's full report on free perks.

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Whether you’re planning to buy a new or used vehicle, beprepared for sticker shock. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average new car sold for $48,600 in February. The average used car buyer paid $25,100.  With so much money on the line, you really need to do your homework before driving off with a new set of wheels.

In this episode: The 10 top picks and the latest reliabilityratings from Consumer Reports, advice for anyone considering an electric vehicle, and why used cars are going to cost more this year.

Guests: Mike Quincy, Consumer Reports Autos
Ivan Drury, Director of Insights at Edmunds

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When you have a pest problem, your first move may be to grab the phone and call an exterminator. That makes sense if you have termites or bedbugs, but if it’s some ants or cockroaches in the kitchen or maybe a few mice in the garage, you may be able to do it yourself.

In this episode: DIY solutions for some of the most common household pest problems and what to look for if you hire a pest control company.

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An increasing number of important decisions about yourlife are now made by computer algorithms and artificial intelligence. They do more than suggest movies or music you might like—they're making lending decisions for banks and screening job applicants for employers.

Consumer advocates acknowledge the benefits of AI, but they're also concerned about the potential harm. They want lawmakers and regulators to put guardrails in place to protect consumers.

In this episode, the many ways companies are now using algorithms and AI, how these powerful computer programs make the marketplace less transparent—and, in some cases, less fair—and how the massive amount of data being collected and used to make decisions about lending, employment, housing, and insurance coverage can infringe on privacy rights.

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Americans are piling on credit card debt at an alarming pace, and the unprecedented interest rates on these unpaid balances can be as much as 30% to 35%. No wonder it seems impossible to get out from under it.

But with hard work and proper guidance, you can do it. In this episode: Meet two people who were drowning in credit card debt and got their finances back in order. Also, a certified nonprofit credit counselor explains how debt consolidation works and the dangers of using a for-profit debt settlement company.

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Whether it’s a few long-stem roses or a beautiful bouquet, it’s hard to go wrong with flowers. Sometimes you can find what you want at the supermarket. For special occasions, you might want to visit a florist.

In this episode: Where to find the lowest prices on flowers, how to choose a good florist, and the best way to send flowers out of town. Plus, tips on how to keep those flowers looking fresher for longer.

Read Checkbook's full report on how to find a florist.

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Clothing rental has always been a way to dress for less when attending weddings, proms, or other formal events. But the rental market has zoomed beyond tuxes and gowns and turned into an easy way to keep your wardrobe fresh without spending much money.

In this episode, we'll share tips on navigating the clothing rental world, including when and how to use fashion-for-hire sites. Plus, what's the environmental impact of renting rather than buying?

Read Checkbook's full report on how to take advantage of clothing rental sites.

Additional Consumerpedia Episodes:

#3: Tricks Sellers Use to Make You Buy Now and Pay Too Much

#7: 65 Things You (Probably) Shouldn’t Pay For

#26: Sale Prices Are Rarely Real Deals

#49: Shop Like a Pro: Checkbook's Top Shopping Tips

#57: What Ever Happened to Customer Service?

Additional Resources:

Alden Wicker’s website and her book: To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion Is Making Us Sick—and How We Fight Back.

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