Consumer World Blog by MrConsumer

FireX Recalls 280,000 CO2 Detectors

2008-05-16T14:13:00.001-04:00

Check your CO2 detectors and combination smoke alarm and CO2 detectors to see if they are among the more than quarter of million units just recalled by FireX. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Tiny Car Receives Top Crash Test Scores

2008-05-14T08:18:00.003-04:00

The Smart fortwo car, just over eight feet long, has garnered top scores in front and side crash tests. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Their Way to Save Money -- Don't Shop!

2008-05-13T14:54:00.001-04:00

These California friends decided to save money in a novel way. Could they stop shopping for a year (of course, except necessities)? For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Spam Moves to Cellphones; Gets More Invasive

2008-05-10T09:00:00.001-04:00

There is no hiding from it. Our computers are full of spam emails, and now our cellphones are the new target. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

5 Cities that Survived the Housing Bust

2008-05-08T09:24:00.001-04:00

Smart Money says there are a few cities that have weathered the housing downturn better than most others. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

The IRS Has an Internal Advocate for You

2008-05-07T17:56:00.002-04:00

Have you got an unresolved issue with the Internal Revenue Service? There actually may be help for you right inside IRS' offices called the TAS. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Wal-mart Begins 90-day $10 Drug Program

2008-05-06T08:43:00.001-04:00

Good news for pill poppers: Wal-mart has extended their $4 drug program to now include 90 days worth of drugs for just $10. These are for generics, of course. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

How to Save Money Without Scrimping

2008-05-04T10:04:00.002-04:00

Here are 10 tips from the Wall Street Journal on how to save money without living like a pauper. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Buyers Flocking to Small Cars

2008-05-03T11:39:00.001-04:00

Finally, it has dawned on some people that they should buy small, fuel-efficient cars instead of gas guzzlers. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Proposed Rules Curb Credit Card Abuses

2008-05-03T07:39:00.003-04:00

Congress has been having hearing after hearing describing unfair practices of credit card companies. Now there are proposed rules to help curb the abuses. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Q&A on the Federal Tax Rebate Program

2008-04-30T09:10:00.001-04:00

The WSJ answers common questions about the tax stimulus checks that began arriving this week. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

AA Joins Others Limiting Checked Bags

2008-04-29T09:10:00.001-04:00

American Airlines said that starting for tickets purchased May 12, it will only allow one bag to be checked for free. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Don't Forget Credit Unions When Rate Shopping

2008-04-27T13:18:00.002-04:00

Many people never think to check the rates at credit unions when shopping for a mortgage or a place to park some money. You should because the rates can be pretty competitive. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Q&A About Plastic Bottles' Health Risk

2008-04-24T09:56:00.001-04:00

"7" may not be the lucky number when it comes to the safety of plastic, refillable bottles. See why. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

How Generic Drugs Differ from Brand Names

2008-04-23T10:27:00.001-04:00

We are all taught that generic drugs are cheaper than the brand name, and function the same medically. Sometimes, that is not true. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

10 Ways to Improve Earth's Health

2008-04-22T09:10:00.002-04:00

Celebrate earth day by doing something good for the planet. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

7 Ways to Become an ID Theft Victim

2008-04-21T09:32:00.001-04:00

Want to know the surefire ways to have your ID stolen? For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Should You Buy Travel Insurance?

2008-04-20T15:04:00.001-04:00

With so many airlines going out of business, and so many flights being cancelled or unreasonably delayed, does it make sense (cents) to buy travel insurance? For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Bumped Fliers Now to Get $800

2008-04-16T10:43:00.002-04:00

There really is some good news if you get bumped starting next month. The law is changing to require airlines to give you up to $800 in denied boarding compensation. The old amount was $400. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Retail Chains Feel Pinch of Recession

2008-04-16T07:32:00.001-04:00

Don't look now, but many retail chains are closing stores because of the general spending cutback by many shoppers. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Polaroid to Sell Instant Printer for Cellphones, Cams

2008-04-13T16:37:00.001-04:00

Imagine being able to print out pictures from your cellphone or digital camera on a printer that fits in your pocket. Zink and Polaroid are about ready to market it. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

7 Retailers Fined Over Missing Analog TV Labels

2008-04-11T08:34:00.002-04:00

Retailers selling TVs without a digital tuner are required to have warning signs at the point of display indicating that the analog TV will not function starting in February 2009 without a converter box. Seven retailers were just fined millions of dollars for failure to post that warning. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

FCC Adopts Emergency Text Messaging System

2008-04-10T07:19:00.001-04:00

If this had been a real emergency, you would have received a text message on your cellphone. That's the plan just announced by the FCC. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

Killer Eggs: 7 or More Weekly Raises Risk

2008-04-09T08:48:00.002-04:00

Are you dying for a daily omelet? New research suggests increased risk of death. For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.

When Airlines Fail, Your Options are Limited

2008-04-08T10:50:00.004-04:00

If you are holding a ticket on one of the three airlines that failed last week, you may have a difficult time getting a refund (particularly if you paid via cash or check). For more consumer news, visit Consumer World.