100 - Checkbook's College of Consumer Knowledge #2

January 15, 2026

100 – Checkbook’s College of Consumer Knowledge #2

Host: Herb Weisbaum

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.

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

auto, college of knowledge, finance, food, money

Related Episodes

March 12, 2026

104 – Tips for Buying a New or Used Car

Host: Herb Weisbaum

Jon Lincov – Deputy Content Editor, Consumer Reports Autos; Keith Barry – Senior Autos Editor, Consumer Reports; Stef Schrader – Autos Reporter, Consumer Reports

If you haven’t purchased a car in a few years, expect to find a market dominated by SUVs. And be prepared for sticker shock: The average price for a new vehicle is at an all-time high, around $50,000! Unfortunately, used cars aren’t the bargain they used to be.

In this episode, we talk with the editors at Consumer Reports about their Top Picks for 2026—these cars, trucks, and SUVs are the cream of the crop. Also, how to choose a vehicle you really like, and what to consider before buying a used car or truck.

Related Consumerpedia Episodes:
#56 – A Crash Course on Auto Insurance
#21 – Auto Glass Class: How to Get Repairs and Replacements

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

auto

February 26, 2026

103 – Shady Home Improvement Financing

Host: Herb Weisbaum

Kevin Brasler - Checkbook's Executive Editor

A new furnace or air conditioner costs thousands of dollars. Many homeowners don’t have that much cash on hand, which can create a financial crisis. A loan may be an option, or the contractor may offer financing, usually through a third-party lender. But beware: A recent Consumers’ Checkbook investigation found that many contractors use these emergencies to push bad financing plans on their stressed-out customers.

In this episode, Checkbook’s Executive Editor Kevin Brasler explains how some homeowners are being tricked into leasing their HVAC equipment when they thought they were buying it.

More from Checkbook: Home Improvement Financing: Watch Out for Shady Deals

Related Consumerpedia Episodes:

#30 – HVAC: Finding Good Contractors & Choosing New Equipment

#44 – Should You Repair or Replace a Broken Appliance?

#87 – Don’t Get Burned by Solar Scammers

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

finance, home, money

January 29, 2026

101 – Dealing with Debt #2

Host: Herb Weisbaum

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:

25 – Dealing with Debt⁠

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

credit cards, finance, money

December 4, 2025

98 – The Benefits of Shopping Locally

Host: Herb Weisbaum

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

#92: Thrift Store Shopping Advice

finance, leisure, money, shopping

November 20, 2025

97 – Checkbook Investigation: Sale Prices Are Usually Fake Discounts

Host: Herb Weisbaum

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.

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

finance, leisure, money, shopping

September 25, 2025

93 – The Home Insurance Crisis

Host: Herb Weisbaum

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.

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

home, insurance, money