Consumerpedia
Podcast
From auto repair shops to doctors to plumbers to vets, you can count on Checkbook to help you find the best service—and avoid the worst. Our podcast features advice from experts that empowers consumers to save money and make smarter choices.
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January 29, 2026
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Bruce McClary - National Foundation for Credit Counseling; Kathy Steinberg - The Harris Poll; Jeanine Kosinski - paid off $35,000 in credit card debt; Tiana Moore - paid of $21,000 in credit card debt
Americans are struggling to pay their bills and falling behind on their loan payments, fueling widespread financial stress, anxiety, and despair. Recent surveys show many feel they’ll never get ahead—and some have stopped worrying about debt altogether.
In this episode, we break down those survey results and share practical tips for regaining control of your finances. You’ll also meet two consumers who’d accumulated enormous credit card debt, realized they needed help with debt, and, with hard work and proper guidance, are now debt-free.
Additional Resources:
To find a nonprofit credit counseling agency, visit the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or call 800-388-2227.
Related Consumerpedia Episode:
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January 15, 2026
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Lisa Dent - Afternoon Host, WGN Radio; Steve Bertrand - News Anchor (retired), WGN Radio
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 afternoon host at WGN Radio. Steve Bertrand, her longtime news anchor, came out of retirement to challenge her. Play along with our celebrity contestants to test your consumer IQ. The questions are difficult!
You might also want to play the online version of Checkbook’s College of Knowledge. Topics include auto, food, and your money.
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December 18, 2025
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Bonnie Patten - Executive Director, Truth in Advertising (TINA.ORG); Dona Fraser - Senior Vice President, BBB National Programs
America’s children have enormous spending power. Most have cash or access to their parents’ credit cards—and plenty of influence over what the family buys through their “pester power.” Marketers know this, which is why they spend billions of dollars a year targeting minors.
Advertising can easily exploit a child’s limited ability to distinguish between entertainment and selling. AI and digital animation make it easier than ever for advertisers to cross the line. The growth of online marketing to children raises serious concerns about privacy and data collection.
In this episode, what’s being done to protect our children from the pervasive and persuasive marketing? What are the rules regarding marketing to minors, and is anyone enforcing them? And most importantly, how parents can talk to their kids about advertising.
Additional Resources:
Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU)
BBB National Programs – Children’s Initiatives
More from Checkbook:
Unsafe Toys: How to Spot the Hidden Risks That Could Harm Your Child
Are Your Kids’ Smart Toys Spying on Them?
Buying Toys on Overseas Websites Can Be Risky
Related Consumerpedia Episode: 20 – Whatever Happened to Truth in Advertising?
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December 4, 2025
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Stacey Price - Founder, Shop Made Brands; Jenn Barger - Checkbook's Director of Content
The “Shop Local” movement encourages consumers to buy goods and services from independent, locally owned businesses rather than national chains or online giants. It’s both an economic strategy and a social campaign aimed at strengthening your own community’s businesses, fostering regional identity, and promoting sustainability.
In this episode: The challenge of shopping locally, ways to spend more in your community, and whether it costs more to avoid the big chain stores.
Find out more about Stacey Price at Shop Made in DC.
Related Consumerpedia episodes:
#96: Checkbook’s Holiday Shopping Tips 2025
November 20, 2025
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Kevin Brasler - Checkbook's Executive Editor
Researchers at Consumers’ Checkbook tracked prices at 25 major retailers for six months and found that most of the advertised markdowns were bogus.
It’s now common practice for retailers to deceive their customers by displaying crossed-out “regular” or “list” prices, with lower sale prices featured nearby. But the higher “regular” prices are rarely, if ever, what customers pay. Our study found that at most of the stores we surveyed, the products tracked were offered at questionable discounts more than half of the time. And, at many retailers, the fake sales never end.
In this episode, we’ll tell you which retailers were the worst offenders, as well as the few that seem to offer legitimate discounts.
Read Checkbook’s full analysis.
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November 6, 2025
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Edgar Dworsky - Publisher, ConsumerWorld.org; Lisa Lee Freeman - shopping and consumer expert; Ted Rossman - Senior Industry Analyst, Bankrate.com
The hectic holiday shopping season is underway, and for many, that will put a strain on the family budget. Checkbook wants to make this stressful time a little easier.
Our annual holiday helper is packed with timely advice: Super shoppers share tips about how they find the best prices and avoid fake sales. Plus, how are you going to pay for all the items on your gift-giving list? We have some money-saving ideas.
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October 23, 2025
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Amanda Fisher - Policy Director and COO of Better Markets and former Chief of Staff at the SEC; Corey Frayer - Director of Investor Protection at the Consumer Federation of America and former senior advisor at the SEC
Despite lingering concerns about volatility, scams, and lax regulatory oversight, cryptocurrency has evolved from a digital curiosity into a mainstream financial asset. About 28% of U.S. adults now hold some form of digital currency. Major financial firms and banks are increasingly offering crypto to their clients, and a growing number of merchants now accept crypto payments.
Consumer advocates worry about the “gold rush” mentality that’s taking place as millions try to cash in on the boom, seemingly unconcerned about the potential bust.
In this episode: What’s crypto, how does it work, and why are people buying a currency that’s virtually unregulated? We’ll explain “meme coins” and “stable coins.” Plus, is crypto as secure as we’re led to believe? (Spoiler alert: It’s not!)
Additional Resources:
NerdWallet: Cryptocurrency Basics: Pros, Cons, and How It Works
Related Consumerpedia Episode: Episode 81: Algorithms Secretly Control Your Financial Fate
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October 9, 2025
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Kevin Brasler - Checkbook's Executive Editor; Jamie Lettis - Checkbook Associate Editor
Checkbook’s editors and researchers love to save you time and money, and they use a broad range of consumer-oriented websites and apps to do so.
In this episode, we’ll highlight some of their favorites and why they find them to be valuable tools.
More from Checkbook: Our Editors’ Favorite Websites and Apps
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September 25, 2025
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Doug Heller - Director of Insurance at the Consumer Federation of America; Carmen Balber - Executive Director of Consumer Watchdog
The cost of homeowners insurance continues to skyrocket, far exceeding the rate of inflation, especially in high-risk areas. This crisis is fueled by a combination of climate-related disasters, increasing costs for materials and labor, as well as insurance company withdrawals from certain markets. Consumer advocates, including our guests, also blame a lack of strong regulation and corporate greed.
In this episode: A look at the insurance market – where we are and why, possible solutions, and what you can do to avoid making bad decisions when trying to lower your premiums.
You’ll also meet a homeowner in California, a victim of the Eaton wildfires, who cannot get her insurance company to fully pay for the necessary repairs.
Read Checkbook’s full report on homeowners, renters, and condo insurance, including what is and isn’t covered, how rates are determined, what to do after damage to your home, and which companies offer the best service and prices.
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September 11, 2025
Host: Herb Weisbaum /
Guest(s): Virginia Chamlee - author and second-hand shopping expert; Jenn Barger - Checkbook's Director of Content
Shopping at thrift stores can save you money and keep used stuff out of landfills. It’s also fun, since you never know what you’ll find. Plus, many thrift stores support local charities, meaning you’re helping others while picking up a vintage dress or a like-new dresser.
In this episode, you’ll find tips on buying pre-owned furniture, clothing, and antiques, plus the scoop on where to find great deals and hidden treasures. All this, plus some wonderful stories from these veteran thrift-store shoppers.
Virginia Chamleehas spent more than a decade collecting and selling vintage wares. She’s the author of the best-selling book Big Thrift Energy and the popular newsletter What’s Left.
More from Checkbook: Thrift Store Advice
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Meet The Host
Herb Weisbaum
Herb Weisbaum is one of America’s top consumer experts. He’s been protecting people across the country for more than 40 years.
Herb is a contributing editor at Checkbook.org, and publisher of ConsumerMan.com.
During his distinguished career, Herb has covered the consumer beat for NBC News Digital, NBC’s TODAY Show and CBS News.
A five-time Emmy-award winner, Herb’s dedication to protecting consumers has been honored by the Consumer Federation of America, the National Consumers League, United Press International, and the Society of Professional Journalists.
Herb is a graduate of the Newhouse School at Syracuse University.