Financial Services
Ratings & Advice
The latest ratings and advice for Chicago area financial services.
Advice
- 30 Tricks Sellers Use to Manipulate You
- 65 Things You (Probably) Shouldn't Pay For
- About Checkbook: Why We're Unique
- Buy Now, Pay Later Often a Debt Trap
- Car Buying Strategies
- Cashback Shopping Portals
- Complaining: 10 Ways to Get Results
- Consumer News
- Consumer Quiz
- Credit Cards Have Consumer Protection Superpowers
- Credit Cards: How to Choose the Best One
- Dealing with Debt: Real-Life Success Stories
- Dealing with Unexpected Medical Bills
- Dealing with Your Digital Clutter
- Estate Planning Tasks & Tips
- Extended Product Warranties Are Bad Deals
- Financial Documents: Create a Paper Trail for Your Heirs
- Fraud Prevention: Top 12 Ways to Protect Yourself
- Free Perks You Didn't Know You Have
- Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees & Annuitants
- Home Improvement Financing: Watch Out for Shady Deals
- Home Title Monitoring Services Mislead About a Rare Crime
- Home Warranties
- Homeowners Insurance
- Identity Theft and Fraud: How to Protect Yourself
- Identity Theft: Are You Protecting Your Kids?
- Identity Theft: Are Your Investment and Retirement Accounts Protected?
- Life Insurance
- Medicare Open Enrollment for 2026: Eight Things You Need to Know
- Online Privacy: How to Guard Yours
- Our Editors’ Favorite Websites and Apps
- Parking: Finding the Best Rates
- Passwords: How to Choose Safe Ones
- Pet Insurance
- Rental Car Insurance: Should You Buy It?
- Sale Prices Are Usually Fake Discounts
- Shopping for the Best Deal? These Retailers Price Match or Make Price Adjustments
- Stop Unwanted Calls, Mail, and More
- Taxes: Free Preparation and Filing Options
- Timeshare Exit Companies Deserve a Time Out
- Travel Insurance
- Vehicle Service Contracts
- Water & Sewer Line Warranties
- Wills and Living Wills: Help with Preparing Yours
Current Issue
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Do Outlet Stores Offer Real Savings?
Consumers’ Checkbook investigated 40 brands that operate off-price stores; we found many offer lower-quality merchandise, not legitimate bargains
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Securing Your Home
Strategies and gadgets that actually work
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Locksmiths
How to pick the best pros and devices
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Win the Healthcare Prior Authorization Game
How to fight a common health insurance battle
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Auto Body Shops
Help with making crash decisions
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Auto Glass Repair & Replacement
The most vulnerable part on your car can cost thousands of dollars to replace
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Appliance Repair
Dealing with a fritzy fridge, broken stove, or wonky washer
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Buying Appliances
Get the best deal and avoid headaches
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Estate Planning Tasks and Tips
Dos and don’ts to avoid common mistakes—and save you money
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Getting Rid of Your Unwanted Stuff
Tips on downsizing, decluttering, what to do with hazardous materials, estate and junk-removal options, and more
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Food Package Claims
Which terms are meaningful? Which are nonsense?
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Laundry Tips
Top expert explains how to get really clean clothes
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Protect Yourself from Fraud
12 top strategies to reduce your chances of becoming a victim
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