Articles on Consumer Affairs

8 Times You Should Demand a Discount

Whether it's a dented floor model dishwasher, or you're paying in cash… know that you can — and should — demand a discount.

5 Times Coupons Trick You Into Spending More Money

Everyone love a deal, and retailers know it. Don't get suckered into these coupon marketing tricks — they aren't worth it!

9 Times You Should Demand a Refund

Why waste your hard-earned money on a sub-par product or service? Here's when to (politely) demand a refund.

The 9 Everyday Products With the Biggest Markups

Skip these high markup everyday buys and choose cheaper alternatives — or use the knowledge to negotiate harder and save.

6 Ways to Apartment Hunt on Craigslist Without Getting Scammed

Craigslist is a leading apartment rental marketplace, with plenty of listings — and scammers. Protect yourself by recognizing the warning signs.

These Secrets of Amazon's Pricing Strategy Will Help You Find the Best Buys

You win some, you lose some in online retail. Find out which items are a steal on Amazon and which you're better off finding at your local Walmart.

6 Products That Cost More for Women Than for Men

Ever notice that blue razors cost less than pink ones? Stop letting gender-based packaging and marketing sabotage your budget.

4 "As Seen on TV" Products Actually Worth the Money

Made-for-TV gadgets are rarely worth more than a laugh. But wait — don't change the channel on these four great items!

8 Price Match Policies You Should Be Wary Of

Price matching is a great way to stick to your budget, but before you trust any retailer's price match claim, read the fine print.

Account in Collections? Here's How to Fix It

Collections — the term every credit-savvy person fears. If you get that dreaded letter, don't panic. Learn how to deal with a debt in collections.

How to Score More Loyalty Perks From Your Credit Card Company

Savvy consumers haggle their way to cheaper utility and Internet bills. Do the same with your credit cards and you'll pay less interest and fees.

5 Foods That Are Only Labeled Organic — But Really Aren't

Organic food comes at a premium, but you can't always trust the label. The organic stamp on these foods may be harmful to your wallet.

4 Warranties That Aren't Worth It

Better safe than sorry, right? That may be your reasoning behind buying product warranties. But in these four instances, warranties definitely aren't worth it.

5 Dangers of Mobile Banking — And How to Avoid Them

There's an app for everything now — even banking. Before you pull out your smartphone to bank, understand the security risks and how to avoid them.

10 Terrible Loans You Should Avoid

When an emergency occurs — and you don't have an emergency fund — you may be need to borrow. Skip these terrible loan offers if you can!

4 Annoying Things Bill Collectors Can't Do -- And How to Stop Them

It pays to know your rights when it comes to collections agencies. Here are four things that debt collectors definitely can't do.

5 Ways to Keep Your Credit Cards Safe During the Holidays

Target, Home Depot and JC Penney are just a few of the stores that lost your credit card info. Learn how to protect yourself from future breaches today.

Don't Get Screwed: 3 Surprising Times When You Need a Lawyer

You don't need to be in trouble with the law to need a lawyer. Find out when you should really spend the money to lawyer up.

9 Ways You Put Your Life at Risk Every Day

Forget about plane crashes, war, and Ebola. The biggest risks to your health are things you encounter every day.

The 7 Dumbest Big Purchases People Make

Remember when 3D TVs were all the rage? Sometimes even smart people make bad purchasing decisions. Consider that and six other doozies.