85 - Too Much: How We're Encouraged to Buy, Buy, Buy

May 1, 2025

85 – Too Much: How We’re Encouraged to Buy, Buy, Buy

Host: Herb Weisbaum /

Guest(s): Emily Mester - author of American Bulk: Essays on Excess

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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finance, home, leisure, saving money, shopping

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June 26, 2025

89 – Avoid a Hotel Horror Show

Host: Herb Weisbaum /

Guest(s): Jennifer Barger - Checkbook's Director of Content; Tara Busch - Founder, Conscious Travel Collective

A bad hotel room can ruin your vacation or business trip, so you need to be careful when making your reservations. Hotel websites and online booking sites have great photos and glowing descriptions, but what you see isn’t always what you get.

In this episode, tips for booking a room so you don’t end up having a nightmarish experience. Plus, what to do if you wind up staying at the Bates Motel.

More from Checkbook:

Hotels: Tips for Finding a Sweeter Stay

Related Consumerpedia Episodes:

#41: Hotel Intel: Finding the Best Rates
#86: Travel Tips from a Travel Expert

Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

leisure, travel

May 29, 2025

87 – Don’t Get Burned by Solar Scammers

Host: Herb Weisbaum /

Guest(s): Anneliese Lederer - Center for Responsible Lending; Kevin Brasler - Checkbook's Executive Editor

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 get homeowners 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.

Read Checkbook’s full report on solar scams.

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: The Shady Side of Solar Financing

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home, saving energy, solar, technology

May 15, 2025

86 – Travel Tips: How to Find Deals and Avoid Scams

Host: Herb Weisbaum /

Guest(s): Christopher Elliott - Syndicated Travel Columnist

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: Hotel Intel: Finding the Best Rates
#17: How to Find the Best Deals on Airfare

Additional Resources:

Visit 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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leisure, saving money, travel

March 20, 2025

82 – Getting Rid of Pests

Host: Herb Weisbaum /

Guest(s): Kevin Brasler- Checkbook's Executive Editor

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.

Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠.

DIY, Exterminator, home, Pest Control

February 6, 2025

79 – Tips for Buying & Sending Flowers

Host: Herb Weisbaum /

Guest(s): Kevin Brasler - Checkbook's Executive Editor; Chris Drummond - past president, the Society of American Florists

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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Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support

leisure, shopping, stores

January 23, 2025

78 – Clothing Rental: Keep Your Wardrobe Fresh for Less

Host: Herb Weisbaum /

Guest(s): Jenn Barger - Checkbook's Content Editor; Sandra Hansmann - uses clothing rental sites; Alden Wicker - sustainable fashion expert

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.

Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Support our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/consumerpedia/support