Consumer Protection

Recall of the Week: Chariot Carriers bicycle trailers and bicycle trailer conversion kits due to injury hazard

Rita R. Robison / January 15, 2012

By Rita R. Robison Thule Child Transport Systems Ltd., doing business as Chariot Carriers, is recalling about 44,000 bicycle trailers […]

Levels of cadmium reduced in jewelry for kids, adults by some retailers

Rita R. Robison / January 13, 2012

By Rita R. Robison To protect yourself and your children and grandchildren from the dangers of cadmium in jewelry, shop

Obama appoints another chief of staff who lobbied against consumer interests

Rita R. Robison / January 10, 2012

Obama, Bill Daley, and Jacob Lew By Rita R. Robison It was disappointing to learn that President Obama’s new chief

Recall of the Week: IKEA ANTILOP high chairs due to fall hazard

Rita R. Robison / January 8, 2012

By Rita R. Robison IKEA North America Services is recalling about 169,000 ANTILOP high chairs, 133,000 in the U.S. and

Obama’s recess appointment of financial bureau chief is a good step for consumers

Rita R. Robison / January 5, 2012

By Rita R. Robison Yesterday, President Obama appointed Richard Cordray to head the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in a

Top 10 consumer stories of 2011

Rita R. Robison / December 31, 2011

In the three plus years I’ve been writing consumer blogs, I complained about how consumer news isn’t covered at all

Recall of the Week: Build-a-Bear Colorful Hearts Teddy Bears due to choking hazard

Rita R. Robison / December 25, 2011

By Rita R. Robison Build-a-Bear is recalling Colorful Hearts Teddy Bears, about 284,000 in the United States and 13,200 in

Recall of the Week: E-Z-GO golf cars, shuttle vehicles, and off-road utility vehicles due to crash hazard

Rita R. Robison / December 18, 2011

By Rita R. Robison E-Z-GO, a Textron Company, is recalling about 21,900 TXT golf cars, Cushman shuttle vehicles, and Bad

Recall of the Week: Best Buy’s Rocketfish Battery Case for iPhone 3G and 3GS due to fire hazard

Rita R. Robison / December 4, 2011

By Rita R. Robison Best Buy is recalling the Rocketfish Model RF-KL12 Mobile Battery Cases for the iPhone 3G and

This week's top 10 money tips

1. Take a look at this list of unique Father’s Day deals.

2. Be sure to take the time to check out the new requirements for student loan borrowers before July 1, 2026.

3. Save money on tomatoes – which have gone up 40 percent over the last year – by shopping local, comparing tomato varieties, using canned for cooking, and stocking up when prices drop.

4. Look at Costco for recent price cuts on some of its Kirkland products.

5. Use of cash or a debit card rather than a credit card results in higher costs for those consumers unlike credit card users who get rewards to offset the increased prices companies need to charge to pay for credit card swipe fees.

6. Get three written estimates, ask for itemized pricing, and do minor plumbing fixes yourself to keep plumbing costs down.

7. Check out these recommendations on what not to keep in your purse or wallet to avoid financial loss and identity theft.

8. Watch out for mortgage assistance relief companies who mislead consumers into paying unlawful upfront fees and don’t help with mortgage problems.

9. Compare mortgage rates when you buy a home so you don’t make a $62,000 mistake – the cost of not comparing mortgage rates.

10. Check out this list of items not to put in your will.

Thanks for subscribing to my newsletter. Tell your friends and co-workers about it so they can make savvy money choices, too. Here’s the sign up: https://tinyurl.com/makeyourmoneywork. And, for a big bonus, they’ll also get my free e-book on how to optimize their personal finance decisions.

June 11, 2026