Not every product lives up to its claims, and others sometimes exceeds expectations. The January 2014 issue of ShopSmart, from Consumer Reports, spotlights dozens of products in six categories – cleaning and home improvement, food and wine, cooking and food prep, electronics, everyday products, and cars – that stood out in tests and identifies fifteen that weren’t up to par.
Category: Consumer
Five great financial freebies
There are free financial products and services to be had, but consumers may have to shell out money to get some of them. The September 2013 issue of ShopSmart magazine, from Consumer Reports, features an up-close look at five truly free financial produ…
Consumer Reports finds Verizon FiOS best overall of widely-available TV, Internet, and phone bundle providers
There are few TV, phone, and Internet providers that manage to please subscribers on all counts, and those that do don’t typically serve a lot of consumers. Verizon FiOS, which is available in portions of 12 mostly Eastern states, Washington, D.C., s…
Freebie heaven: ShopSmart finds best websites for free stuff
We all love free stuff?and the Internet is bursting with giveaways and coupons that let you nab cool things without spending a penny. The July 2012 issue of ShopSmart magazine, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, found the best websites for freebie…
Consumer Reports kitchen guide helps homeowners get the luxury look—for thousands less
Consumer Reports’ latest 26-page kitchen package confirms that consumers don’t need a bottomless budget to get a kitchen that looks and feels expensive, with expert tips, test ratings and brand-reliability results to help homeowners save thousands …
Consumer Reports: Seven steps to tackle student debt
There are more than 36 million people saddled with federal student debt, but the depressed job market makes repaying education loans harder than it has been in decades. Consumer Reports has identified seven steps borrowers can take to help them get a h…
ShopSmart’s five debit card don’ts
Using a debit card may seem like the best choice when you don’t want to use cash or a credit card to make a purchase. However, the latest issue of ShopSmart identifies five scenarios that can put consumers at risk when using their debit cards. The Ap…
Three steps to finding the perfect bra
Experts estimate that 80 percent of women do not know their true bra size. Many women wear bras with bands that are too big and cups that are too small, or simply pick out cuts that are inappropriate for their shape. The April 2012 issue of ShopSmart m…
ShopSmart finds feel-good gifts for under $50
Buying the right present for everyone on your holiday list can certainly be a challenge. The December 2011 issue of ShopSmart magazine, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, has gift ideas for less than $50 from sites that donate to charity, protect …
Bank of America announces $5 monthly debit card fee to start in 2012
Bank of America has reportedly decided to charge its customers a $5 monthly fee for debit card transactions starting in 2012. Other big banks, including Wells Fargo and J.P. Morgan Chase are also testing debit card fees in certain markets. But plenty o…