We’ve heard it from Oprah Winfrey and your mother-in-law that 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra size. Perhaps you’ve seen it in action when you just can’t get the perfect fitting bra that makes everything lifty, happy and slenderizing. That’s why Consumer Reports ShopSmart magazine took statistics to the test and held a professional bra fitting. [More]
You Can't Deduct Your Nudie Magazine Subscription From Your Taxes
By March 9, 2012
Every year, taxpayers try to slip things into their taxes as deductions, things they might deem necessary business expenses that can be written off. Some of these things fly with tax preparers and subsequently, the Internal Revenue Service, while others, say, a subscription to Playboy, just don’t. [More]
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: You're Using Them Wrong
By March 9, 2012
Compact fluorescent light bulbs are great for energy savings, but their other stated benefit–lasting longer than incandescent bulbs–often doesn’t live up to the half-decade advertised on the package. Sometimes that’s the user’s own fault, for using bulbs in a way that diminishes their lifespans. [More]
Avoid Being Rude While Dining Internationally With These Food Etiquette Tips
By March 1, 2012
Your mother taught you well when it comes to table manners, but did she tell you to never to fork food into your mouth in Thailand? Probably not, which is why you should pay attention to a few handy etiquette tips if you’ll be dining out internationally. No one wants to (intentionally) be a rude American, right? [More]
Prepare For The Worst: Continental & United Merging Computer Systems
By February 29, 2012
Are you flying United or Continental this weekend? Betcha didn’t know that the now merged companies are planning on shifting all of their computer systems over on Saturday, with the potential to affect thousands of passengers in a very unfun way. Including yours truly, who happens to be flying Continental on Sunday. [More]
Price-Protection Guarantees: Don't Hold Your Breath On Cashing In
By February 28, 2012
Ah, the wonderful allure of a price-protection guarantee! That carrot travel booking sites often dangle to get your business when you’re buying a plane ticket or hotel stay — you know, if the price goes down after you buy it, you’ll get money back. But unfortunately, consumers might not have many opportunities to actually see any refunds. [More]
You Can Qualify For Elite Status At Hotels Without Staying There A Million Nights First
By February 17, 2012
The perks of being loyal to a hotel chain can make someone feel like George Clooney in Up In the Air – rolling in and out of locations with the greatest of ease and the least amount of hassle. But what if you’re not the kind of person who can rack up 75 or 100 nights per year at a hotel to qualify? There are ways around that hurdle. [More]
Hollywood Video Continues To Try Collecting Debts From Beyond The Grave
By February 1, 2012
It’s been almost two years since Hollywood Video rented its last DVD and 364 days since we reported on former Hollywood customers receiving debt collection notices for debts they didn’t actually owe. And yet collectors for the dead-and-gone chain continues to haunt customers with wildly incorrect notices. [More]
Consumer Reports Money Adviser: Don't Buy Into Expensive ID Theft Protection Services
By January 10, 2012
Identity theft can scare the bejeezus out of anyone — drained bank accounts, credit cards set up in your name, purloined Social Security numbers, oh my — but that doesn’t necessarily means you should buy into an expensive credit protection service. Our wise older siblings at Consumer Reports break it down in a new installment of Money Adviser. [More]
Actually Read Your New Gadgets' Manuals: Leave Them In The Bathroom
By December 22, 2011
Whether you’re receiving them as gifts or picking them up at a discount in the fabulous end-of-year sales, a lot of you will be acquiring shiny new gadgets in the next few weeks. A lot of gadget problems can be solved if you actually read the manual in the first place, but who has time for that when there are packages to unseal and exciting new buttons to push? A Redditor has a novel suggestion that solves this problem: you’ll have time while sitting on the toilet, so leave the manuals to your new devices in there. [More]
Spending Traps We Succumbed To In 2011 & How To Avoid Them Next Year
By December 21, 2011
When we were feeling good about spending this year, man, we were feeling good. But those spend-happy habits when the economy was on the uptick or when a sweet deal landed in your inbox should be shed when the ball drops on 2012. [More]
Survey: We Tip The People That Clean Our Houses, But Not The Ones Who Collect Our Garbage
By December 13, 2011
For a lot of people in various facets of the service industry, this time of year means that some customers will brighten up your holidays with a gift or a tip to show their appreciation. But new numbers from our surveying siblings at Consumer Reports break down which particular people get the most end-of-year love. [More]
Gifts That Will End Up Costing The Recipient More Money
By December 13, 2011
Everyone loves getting free stuff. But not everyone is a fan of getting free stuff that requires them to then spend money just to use it. [More]
Here's How To Avoid Getting Stuck With Counterfeit Tickets
By December 12, 2011
Oh, that terrible moment when you show up for the much-anticipated concert/sporting event and the ticket taker scans your ticket and… nothing. It’s a fake and you’re now poorer and without a ticket. If you’ve ever been tricked into buying a counterfeit ticket, there are ways you can minimize the risk of going through that humiliating moment. [More]
Suze Orman Gets Tough & Answers Your Questions In Chat With Consumerist
By December 12, 2011
You asked, and financial advisor Suze Orman answered. Consumerist readers submitted some questions for the TV host, New York Times bestselling author and motivational speaker and she sat down with Consumerist’s Chris Morran last week to discuss those financial tidibits. [More]
3 Tips On Holiday Tipping
By November 30, 2011
Now is the time of year when some people choose to add to the holiday cheer by leaving a little extra something out for the folks — doormen, mail carriers, garbage collectors — who make their lives easier during the other 49 weeks of the year. And if you’re going to hand out tips during the holiday season, there are some things you can do to make sure you’re doing it properly. [More]
Allay Delayed Holiday Flight Madness With A Few Simple Tips
By November 23, 2011
It’s terrible, horrible, no good and very bad when your flight is delayed during the holidays. Whether you’re heading home to see Nana or fleeing your in-laws after forced Thanksgiving niceties, there are ways to avoid a stressful meltdown at the airport. [More]
How To Pick The Best Gadgets When Holiday Shopping
By November 8, 2011
As we gear up for holiday shopping season, shoppers are faced with some tough tech choices. Should I get the 3D TV, or a regular TV? E-book reader vs. tablet, what’s better? And if I have a cellphone with a decent camera, is it worth it to pack another gizmo in my pocket too? It all depends on what your needs are. Ben Popken from Consumerist.com and Theresa Panetta from Consumer Reports CRTV tossed on the boxing gloves to take the gadgets to the mat in a series of “Tough Tech Choices” videos. [More]
