Consumer Protection

FDA action on sunscreen too little, too late

Rita R. Robison / July 30, 2011

Shortly after the Environmental Working Group released information on the results of its assessment of 1,700 sunscreens, showing that only […]

Environmental health group questions new study claiming no cell phone-cancer link for kids, teens

Rita R. Robison / July 28, 2011

Children and adolescents who use cellphones aren’t at an increased risk of brain cancer compared to their peers who don’t

Better labeling for raw meat and poultry proposed

Rita R. Robison / July 28, 2011

As strange as it seems, when consumers look at packages of raw meat and poultry in the display case at

Recall of the Week: Scorpio and Absorbica Shock Absorbing Lanyards

Rita R. Robison / July 24, 2011

Petzl America Inc. is recalling about 375,000 Scorpio and Absorbica Shock Absorbing Lanyards for climbing harnesses. Some lanyards are missing

Wall Street and big banks ambush appointment of Elizabeth Warren to head new consumer financial protection bureau

Rita R. Robison / July 18, 2011

Consumer news doesn’t often make headlines, but the selection of Richard Cordray, a former Ohio attorney general, instead of

Recall of the Week: Changzhou Globe Tool Group electric log splitters due to laceration or amputation hazard

Rita R. Robison / July 17, 2011

Changzhou Globe Tool Group Co. Ltd. is recalling about 20,000 Task Force 5-ton electric log splitters. The electric log

Beware of notary publics who offer online services

Rita R. Robison / July 14, 2011

Consumers in several states reported being contacted by an electronic notarization service provider. The provider claimed their service could offer

The Consumerist: Take a scale to the airport to weigh your bags

Rita R. Robison / July 13, 2011

By Rita R. Robison My daughter and I got a chuckle out the recommendation by The Consumerist to take your

Recall of the Week: Mizuno Supreme Series and Ballpark Pro baseball and softball gloves due to mold contamination

Rita R. Robison / July 11, 2011

By Rita R. Robison Mizuno USA Inc. is recalling about 131,000 Mizuno Supreme Series and Ballpark Pro baseball and softball

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