Financial Services
Ratings & Advice
The latest ratings and advice for Chicago area financial services.
Advice
- 20 Ways Consumers Can Save Loads of Money
- 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?
- Investment & Retirement Accounts Not Protected from Scams
- Life Insurance
- Major Changes for Medicare Open Enrollment 2027
- 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
- Win the Healthcare Prior Authorization Game
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Auto Body Shops
Help with making crash decisions
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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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Hardware Stores
Where to find nuts, bolts, and DIY help
- Estate Planning Tasks and Tips
- Getting Rid of Your Unwanted Stuff
- Picking the Best Locks and Locksmiths
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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
- 12 Ways to Protect Yourself from Fraud
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