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

Related Episodes

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.

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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.

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

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

leisure, money, shopping, stores

October 31, 2024

73 – Checkbook’s Holiday Shopping Tips 2024

Host: Herb Weisbaum /

Guest(s): Jamie Lettis - Checkbook's Associate Editor; Edgar Dworsky - Publisher, Consumerworld.org; Amy Nofziger - AARP Fraud Watch Network, Bruce McClary - National Foundation for Credit Counseling

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 to avoid gift card scams, stop porch pirates, and spot bogus online shipping notices. Also, the pros and cons of buy now, pay later loans.

Additional Consumerpedia Episodes & Resources:

Checkbook’s Top Holiday Shopping Tips

Don’t Overspend This Holiday Shopping Season

#59: Saving Money at the Supermarket

#58: Misleading Marketing Gets You to Buy Now and Pay More

#57: Whatever Happened to Customer Service?

#52: Shop Safely Online This Holiday Season

#26: Sale Prices Are Rarely Real Deals

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

finance, leisure, money, shopping, stores

October 17, 2024

72 – Finding a Real Estate Agent That’s Right for You

Host: Herb Weisbaum /

Guest(s): Steve Brobeck - Senior Fellow at the Consumer Federation of America; Ilyse Glink - real estate and personal finance expert

The process has changed for anyone looking to hire a real estate agent; new rules took effect in August that are designed to bring transparency and competition to the marketplace. Consumer advocates hope agents will be more willing to negotiate their commissions, but the new process and unfamiliar paperwork could create confusion for a while.

In this episode: A look at the new rules and what they will mean to both buyers and sellers. Also, things everyone should know when they’re hiring a real estate agent.

More from Consumer Federation of America:

Consumer Alert: How Home Buyers and Sellers Can Cope with New Real Estate Broker Rules and Practices
CFA Releases Criteria for Evaluating Home Seller Contract Forms
CFA Releases Criteria for Evaluating Home Buyer Contract Forms

More from Ilyce Glink:

100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask
Love, Money + Real Estate Newsletter

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

home, money