Chatham Journal Weekly: Living

Consumer Reports offers six tips for consumers to cut spending by $500 per month

Thu, 02 Jul 2008 14:46:00 GMT

The Consumer Reports Money Lab uncovered hidden savings in everyday spending that could save consumers up to $500 per month. Using the strategies outlined in CR, consumers can trim their spending while gas and food prices continue to rise.

Consumer Reports finds that many rewards programs are not worth the effort

Tue, 23 Jun 2008 18:57:00 GMT

In tight economic times, savvy consumers may look to rewards programs for relief when buying essentials, but Consumer Reports’ July issue finds reaping real savings can be tough, and even the more generous programs have limits on how much consumers can earn.

Consumer Reports warns that rushing into a smaller car may not save money

Mon, 22 Jun 2008 03:14:00 GMT

With national average fuel prices around $4 a gallon, many consumers are clamoring to trade in their current vehicles for smaller, more fuel-efficient ones. But a new study from Consumer Reports warns drivers that downsizing too soon can cost them more in other owner costs than they’ll save at the pump.

Apple tops Consumer Reports' tech-support survey

Mon, 22 Jun 2008 02:22:00 GMT

Computers are one of the most trouble-prone products Consumer Reports tracks in its annual product-reliability surveys. When it came to solving problems, wait time on the phone and the knowledge of support staff, Apple’s tech support received high scores across the board for both laptop and desktop systems in Consumer Reports’ latest survey featured in the June issue.

Council on Aging offers options to help seniors cope with heat wave

Tue, 16 Jun 2008 15:17:00 GMT

The Chatham County Council on Aging offers several programs and suggestions to help local senior citizens cope with heat waves. “We know that extreme temperatures can be a serious health threat to all of our residents, but seniors must be especially careful,” said Angel Dennison, director of the Council on Aging.

Consumer Reports details medical care credit crisis

Mon, 15 Jun 2008 04:12:00 GMT

Some of the biggest names in the consumer credit business, including GE Money, Citigroup, and Chase, are pushing risky credit for financing medical procedures, according to the latest issue of Consumer Reports, which describes the new lending practices as akin to subprime mortgages. Plastic is playing an increasing role in covering medical costs: at about $45 billion today, it could more than triple to $150 billion in 2015.

Garmin tops Consumer Reports largest ever GPS ratings

Sun, 14 Jun 2008 06:32:00 GMT

Despite the influx of several new brands and models, longtime GPS brands—Garmin, TomTom and Magellan―are still making the best Global Garmin, TomTom and Magellan. The three brands accounted for 16 of the top 20 rated models in the latest tests in Consumer Reports June issue.

Consumer Reports top car picks for 2008: Hyundai Elantra SE, Hyundai Sante Fe, Chevrolet Silverado and Lexus LS 460L

Sun, 07 Jun 2008 03:22:00 GMT

A cheaper car can cost consumers more in the long run compared with a more expensive alternative, according to Consumer Reports' new owner-costs comparisons, which appear in the Annual April Auto Issue. In fact, says CR, a car's sticker price doesn't tell the whole story.

Consumer Reports finds that some drug prices can vary by $100 or more for the same bottle of pills

Thu, 21 May 2008 05:25:00 GMT

For consumers who pay for all or most of their prescription drugs out of pocket, a new price study by Consumer Reports finds that it pays to shop around. Not only do prices vary from store to store for the same drug, but the fluctuations can be dramatic—sometimes more than $100 for the same prescription—even with the same chain, depending on whether consumers are filling their prescriptions in, say, Omaha, Nebraska, or Billings, Montana.

Consumer Reports names great everyday products

Mon, 22 Jun 2008 01:56:00 GMT

Before that next trip to the supermarket, check out Consumer Reports’ May issue which highlights great household staples available at the local grocery store or online. These top-performing supermarket products were all judged excellent or very good in CR’s tests. The report also features ten tips to help consumers save at the supermarket.

Consumer Reports rates two concentrated Tide detergents tops

Mon, 22 Jun 2008 02:03:00 GMT

Two Tide Ultra Concentrated detergents —Tide 2X Ultra Concentrated with Color Clean Bleach Alternative HE at 25 cents per load (liquid, for front-loading washers) and Tide 2X Ultra Concentrated with a Touch of Downy at 27 cents per load (liquid, for top-loading washers) topped CR’s latest ratings of 34 laundry detergents.

Consumer Reports warns about misleading juice labels

Wed, 08 Apr 2008 18:18:00 GMT

Consumer Reports has decoded juice-label lingo to help consumers buy what they intend and avoid added sugars and artificial ingredients.

Consumer Reports finds that some cheaper cars may cost more to own than more expensive alternatives

Tue, 31 Mar 2008 16:06:00 GMT

How to avoid phishing scams

Thu, 26 Mar 2008 14:12:00 GMT

The number and sophistication of phishing scams sent out to consumers is continuing to increase dramatically. While online banking and e-commerce is very safe, as a general rule you should be careful about giving out your personal financial information over the Internet.

Related:
Anti-Phishing Working Group

Consumer Reports find that the best cars sold in the U.S. are made by Honda

Thu, 26 Mar 2008 13:11:00 GMT

Overall, the best cars sold in the U.S. are still made by Honda, according to the Automaker Report Cards published in Consumer Reports’ Annual Auto Issue on sale March 4. Honda also led the pack last year.