When preparing to give your home a little facelift — inside, outside, or otherwise — most of us will probably seek out the assistance of a professional. But finding someone to complete your renovation on time, on budget, and to your liking can be more difficult than it seems, especially when you consider that the construction industry is currently dealing with a labor shortage. [More]
consumer reports
5 Things We Learned About The $300 Billion Painkiller Industry
By 4.28.16
Relieving pain isn’t a simple issue of taking a pill and feeling better. It’s a complicated cornucopia of treatments ranging from over-the-counter remedies to holistic healing to prescription medications, with some $300 billion a year spent each year on painkillers in the U.S. alone. [More]
Hey You! We’re Looking For Consumerist Readers To Share Their Thoughts On Consumer Reports
April 20, 2016
As you’re probably well aware, Consumerist is part of the Consumer Reports organization, so when CR wants to talk to folks about new features or enhancements to its products, they want to include Consumerist readers, whether or not they are familiar with Consumer Reports. [More]
Watch: Pressure Washers Are Super Useful, Can Be Super Dangerous
By 4.15.16
Pressure washers make various outdoor cleaning tasks much easier, but they can also be pretty dangerous when pointed in the wrong direction. That’s why our ever-efficient colleagues down the hall at Consumer Reports no longer recommend any pressure washers that come with zero degree nozzles, or adjustable wand tips that can be dialed down to zero. That setting poses a special risk of injury to people, and to carrots. Carrots? [More]
From Malpractice To Doctoring Under The Influence, You’ll Have A Difficult Time Finding Your Physician’s Disciplinary History
By 3.29.16
Thousands of doctors are investigated and disciplined for egregious errors and ethics violations by their state medical boards each year. While the chances are that your doctor isn’t one of them, you’d have a difficult time actually finding that out. [More]
10 Cars That Consumer Reports Says Are Not So Great
By 3.17.16
Our motorist pals over at Consumer Reports Cars review a lot of vehicles, and one of them has to come in last in each category. While it’s good to know which cars came in with the top scores, it’s good to also keep in mind which models came in last and why when you go car shopping. [More]
Kids’ Concepts For Fuel-Efficient Cars Aren’t Beyond Belief
By 3.2.16
Maybe your childhood dream of a city skyline filled with jet-packing commuters and hovering taxicabs is still a fantasy, but some kids have ideas for fuel-efficient cars that are simultaneously ahead of their times but not beyond the realm of possibility.
[More]
Waffles Are Serious Business, So Which Makers Are The Best?
By 2.29.16
I’ll be the first to admit it, I’m not a breakfast person. I know, that’s crazy. But I married into a breakfast family, and not just plain jane morning meal enthusiasts; we’re talking dedicated waffle fans. The waffle maker sitting in my cupboard is probably the only appliance my husband knows how to use, and finding that machine was a test of patience for yours truly. [More]
What To Look For When Searching For Soft And Absorbent Bath Towels
By 2.23.16
Unlike other products, we don’t see a barrage of commercials for brands of towels on television and online, telling us which brand to buy. Yet there’s a wide array of choices once you hit a home, department, or discount store. What should you look for? Which towel is right for you? Here’s what you should look for when searching for soft and absorbent towels. [More]
Tesla Updates Self-Parking Software After Consumer Reports Raises Concerns
By 2.10.16
When Tesla announced last month that it would push out a software upgrade to allow Model S owners to park their electric car in a garage or perpendicular spaces without anyone behind the wheel, it was seen as yet another step toward a fully autonomous vehicle. That was until researchers found the new “Summon” mode contained a small safety issue. [More]
5 Tips For Tackling Winter Driving Safely
By 2.9.16
Waking up to freshly fallen snow can be a peaceful, idyllic scene, but realizing just moments later that you have to drive in all that white fluffy stuff to get to work can take the serenity out of the moment. [More]
5 Cold-Weather Grilling Tips For Your Super Bowl Party
By 2.2.16
Super Bowl Sunday is a time for football, friends, occasionally creative commercials, and food, lots of food. But firing up the grill on a February afternoon isn’t exactly the same as cooking out on the Fourth of July. [More]
Here’s What You’ll Find On Sale In February
By 2.1.16
Our deal-crunching colleagues down the hall at Consumer Reports maintain a national calendar of deals, which tracks which items are on sale during which months so you can plan your spending accordingly. What can you find on sale in February? You should be looking for indoor furniture (especially mattresses), winter clothing, and humidifiers. [More]
Most Scams Use The Same Three Underlying Tactics To Steal Your Money
By 1.13.16
From fraudsters bilking the elderly by posing as their cash-strapped grandkids, to fake lawyers defrauding immigrants in need of legal help, we’ve covered a wide range of scams on Consumerist. But while there are countless variations on these crimes, they are all based on the same few ideas. [More]
‘Tis The Season For High Energy Bills: Tips To Keep Warm And Lower Costs
By 1.11.16
Unless you enjoy living in a dark icebox, the winter months can be a real drain on your wallet, especially if you’re still reeling from holiday shopping. But keeping warm doesn’t mean you might as well throw money on a bonfire (seriously, don’t do that). [More]
Cool Mist, Warm Mist; Large Unit, Small Unit: There’s A Lot To Consider When Buying A Humidifier
By 1.8.16
Humidifiers come in all shapes, sizes, and apparently, animal likeness. While variety is always a good thing for consumers, knowing which product is best for your specific needs and home can be a daunting task. [More]
What You Need To Know Before You Take A Sleeping Pill
By 1.5.16
When you’re having a hard time getting a good night’s sleep, you might reach for the pill bottle for a simple, chemical solution. And you’re not alone — according to a new survey from our colleagues at Consumer Reports, more than one-third of adults who complained of sleep problems at least once per week said they had used an over-the-counter or prescription sleep drug in the previous year. [More]
Beware Of The Santa Scam: There’s Nothing Holly Jolly About Identity Theft
By 12.22.15
Imagine the look in your child’s eye when they open one last gift on Christmas morning. This one isn’t a toy car, a baby doll, or some electronic, it’s a handwritten letter from everyone’s favorite big guy, Santa. But for every legitimate company that offers to send “Santa letters” or provide calls from Jolly Ol’ St. Nick, there’s bound to be another that just wants to Scrooge you out of your money — or worse. [More]
