Stores
Ratings & Advice
The latest ratings and advice for Twin Cities area stores.
Advice
- 30 Tricks Sellers Use to Manipulate You
- 65 Things You (Probably) Shouldn't Pay For
- About Checkbook: Why We're Unique
- Amazon Floods Search Results with Ads
- Buy Nothing, Get What You Need Anyway
- Buy Now, Pay Later Often a Debt Trap
- Buying Area Rugs
- Buying Used Stuff
- Car Buying Strategies
- Cashback Shopping Portals
- Cell Phone Services
- Cell Phone Services: How to Avoid a Big Bill When Traveling Abroad
- Checkbook’s Top Shopping Tips
- Closet Organizers
- Clothing Rental
- Clothing Resale Options
- Complaining: How to Get Results
- Compulsive Shopping: Q & A with Author Emily Mester
- Consumer News
- Consumer Quiz
- Credit Cards Have Consumer Protection Superpowers
- Defective Products: Strategies to Get a Refund or Replacement
- Diamonds Shopping Guide
- Diaper Prices
- E-Read for Free
- Extended Product Warranties: Should You Buy Them?
- Free Perks You Didn't Know You Have
- Gift Card Tips
- Grocery Delivery
- Grocery Store Digital Discount Errors Create Problems for Shoppers
- Is it Safe to Eat It? Understanding Dates on Food Labels
- Locally Grown Food Sources
- Mend Your Clothes: Why Fashion Fixes Save Money and Help the Planet
- Nutrition Labels Explained
- Our Editors’ Favorite Websites and Apps
- Over-the-Counter Drug Prices
- Package Theft: How to Protect Yourself
- Paid Loyalty Programs: What Are They, and Should You Join One?
- Pet Food Prices
- Prices: Where Have All the Bargains Gone?
- Product Recall Information
- Recycling Electronics
- Returning Items to Retailers: Tips for Smooth Transactions
- Right-to-Repair Fight
- Sale Prices Are Usually Fake Discounts
- Shopping for the Best Deal? These Retailers Price Match or Make Price Adjustments
- Shopping Local Experiment: What Does It Really Take to Do It?
- Thrift Store Advice
- Wallpaper Help
- Want to Save Money and the Planet? Stop Buying New Things
Current Issue
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Dentists
Open wide! How to find a great dentist.
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HVAC Contractors
Need help maintaining the comforts of home?
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‘Sale’ Prices Are Usually Fake Discounts
Our researchers tracked prices at 25 major retailers for six months; most of their advertised markdowns were bogus.
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Grocery Stores & Delivery Services
Use our latest ratings to find out where to spend your bread.
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Avoid a Vacation Rental Nightmare
The industry is plagued by problems, including fake listings and stolen deposits; many victims get little help from Booking.com or Vrbo.
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Don’t Hire Duct Cleaners
Ignore deceptive ads and claims; you likely don’t need their services.
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Watch Out for Shady Home Improvement Financing Schemes
Plans offered by contractors are often horrible deals.
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Tree Care Services
How to find a good tree care outfit—and how to know if your leafy friends need work in the first place.
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Kennels
Where pets can stay while you’re away.
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Understanding Urgent Care
These convenient clinics are thriving, but watch out for a big bill.
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What Does It Really Take to ‘Shop Local’?
Our director of content tried to shop local for 30 days. It didn’t go as planned.
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Find a Great Deck Builder
Planks for the memories!
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