We’ve all seen those “Best By,” “Sell By,” and “Use By” dates on foods such as meat, milk, and canned and packaged foods. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that 30 percent of the U.S. food supply is lost or wasted, partly because consumers throw food away based on these dates. But what… Read more »
You may have been puzzled by acronyms on the label when buying sheets or towels. OEKO-TEX®? GOTS? What do these terms mean? And what do they tell you about the product you are buying? Here’s our primer on textile certifications. OEKO-TEX® Home textiles such as mattresses, towels, sheets, curtains, kitchen linens and rugs marked with… Read more »
A cozy mattress and the perfect pillow are vital to a good night’s sleep but don’t overlook the importance of comfortable sheets. Sleeping on the wrong ones can have you tossing and turning. Here’s what you need to know about buying sheets. What are you looking for? Before buying sheets, decide what you are looking… Read more »
So-called “junk fees” – also known as service charges, termination fees, convenience fees and administrative costs – can take you by surprise, turning a good deal into a ripoff. While the federal government has recently taken aim at such fees, it’s up to you, the consumer, to read the fine print and beware of hidden… Read more »
You may be loyal to your gas or electric stove, but induction cooking deserves a second look. The recent Consumer Product Safety Commission review of gas stove safety has highlighted alternative cooking methods – particularly the newer and lesser-known benefits of induction cooking. How induction cooking works An induction stove top looks almost identical to… Read more »
When you buy your first home, friends and family shower you with “housewarming” gifts that mostly center around decor and sentimentality. But practical items are must-haves when you’re moving into your first house. Here are the essential items you’ll need for day-to-day life in your new home. General use Cleaning supplies: broom, mop, bucket, dustpan,… Read more »
Moving a son or daughter off to college is an emotional milestone, especially during their freshman year. Here is a checklist to make the big day distraction-free. Questions before move-in Who will your child’s roommate(s) be? If your student is living in a dorm, the housing department should provide the roommate’s name and contact info… Read more »
Home appliances offer great convenience … until they don’t. So what should you do when that sleek new appliance has a defect? Doing homework pays off You can head off most post-purchase dissatisfaction with some online research before you buy. First, look for articles on “best” or “most reliable” brands. You may find reporting on… Read more »
Most consumers realize they need to watch out for shopping scams. Yet bad actors continually find new and more clever ways to rip people off. When shopping for items online, avoid getting fleeced with these preventative steps. Trying to earn your trust Scammers work hard to get you to trust that their email or text… Read more »
Most people dislike confrontation, but sometimes when a product or service goes wrong, you need to let the provider know. Successful complaining through customer reviews is an art. You want to get your problem resolved, not just to vent frustration. Here are some smart methods of getting customer satisfaction. Whose problem is it? If your… Read more »
Pets are wonderful additions to the family and have been proven to reduce stress and blood pressure. However, their expenses add up quickly, so here’s how to welcome a new pet on a budget. Where to Buy a New Pet Many potential pet owners look to breeders as the best option. However, many pets languish… Read more »
Appliances, furniture, mattresses, housewares, winter apparel, cameras, big-screen TVs and accompanying home-theater equipment are all marked down in February, making it a great month to score deals on home-related purchases. TVs and accessories Fueled by the Super Bowl, January sales on big-screen televisions, speakers and other home-theater products tend to spill over into early February… Read more »
With Christmas over and Super Bowl on the horizon, January is a big month to score deals on purchases for the home. Everything from holiday decor and big-screen TVs to sheets, towels and digital scales is on sale this month. Deals on furniture and appliances may also be available. Clearance is king. If you’re patient… Read more »
With the holidays upon us, consumers will be inundated with sales and discounts on a range of home-related products. While Black Friday may be over, there’s still plenty of time to score some excellent deals. Here’s a look at the biggest December discounts. Big-screen TVs, home theater accessories and gaming systems. The sales on these… Read more »
Just about everything’s on sale in November as brick-and-mortar and online retailers compete for your hard-earned dollars. The month begins with Veterans Day discounts and ends with Black Friday deals. While this can be the best time to find a deal on home-related purchases, don’t be fooled by all the hype. Do your research! Mattresses,… Read more »
Brick-and-mortar mattress stores rival car dealers when it comes to television ads loudly promoting hot sale prices. Now consumers can skip the hype and purchase mattresses online. Is this a smart way to buy, or will you end up losing sleep over it? Just add air Retail stores still dominate the mattress market, but online… Read more »
October is a prime time for home-related purchases such as paint, leaf blowers, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and air conditioning units. As the temperatures fall so do prices on window units and central air systems. Smoke detectors and batteries. When it’s time to “fall back” to Standard Time, it’s also time to change the… Read more »
Major appliances, furniture, laptops and school supplies are all discounted in September, starting with heavily advertised sales over Labor Day weekend. Also, keep a lookout for deals on air conditioners as the weather cools down and demand drops. Mattresses. It’s a Labor Day tradition for retailers to offer discounted prices on mattresses, box springs, and… Read more »
Watch for deepening discounts on summer items, along with back-to-school discounts on office supplies and computers. Late summer is also a great time to snag deals on new flooring for your home. Here’s a look at the most significant August discounts. Back-to-school sales. Look for weekly deals on school and home office supplies and generous… Read more »
It’s an iconic Christmas scene: a family driving home from the tree lot with a real Christmas tree tied to the top of their SUV. Artificial trees are practical, but nothing beats the scent of fresh greenery in the living room. Let’s pick the perfect tree for you and your family. Environmental Impact The real… Read more »
