Whether you’ve got a towering oak shading your porch or a scraggly pine that’s seen better days, chances are your trees need more attention than you’re giving them. Disease, pests, or extreme weather can damage even the sturdiest trees, and even healthy ones need a little branch management in the form of regular pruning or the occasional
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
Most of us don’t spend much time thinking about the best way to do our laundry. We sort the dirty clothes, toss them in the washer, and move on to something else. But there are steps you can take to get your clothes extra clean and make them last longer. In this episode: Expert advice on detergents,
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
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 Not a Checkbook member? Sign up
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
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
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
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
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:
