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Podcast 70: Avoiding Cell Phone Bill Shock, Michael Gikas

This article was written by Flexo in Podcast. 3 comments.

Today on the Consumerism Commentary Podcast, Tom Dziubek talks to Michael Gikas, Senior Electronics Editor at Consumer Reports about avoiding cell phone bill shock. Tom and Mike discuss Consumer Reports’ tips, such as monitoring your usage, adjusting your plan and even evaluating prepaid phone options.

Consumerism Commentary Podcast #70
Avoiding Cell Phone Bill Shock, Michael Gikas: S03E18 / 92

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[00:00] Introduction from Tom Dziubek
[00:31] Interview with Michael Gikas
– [00:42] Cell phone bill shock
– [01:13] The FCC cell phone bill survey
– [03:29] Monitoring cell phone usage
– [05:47] Adjusting your plan as needed
– [06:45] AT&T’s new data service plans
– [13:03] Using free texting apps on smart phones
– [18:05] Blocking unsolicited text messages
– [19:20] Prepaid phone options
– [27:23] Talking to a customer service representative
[31:50] End

We always welcome feedback from listeners. If you have any comments for this episode or for any other, or if you have suggestions for future episodes, please leave us comments here or email us at podcast at this domain name.

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Podcast 16: Jeff Rose, Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and Jeff Bartlett, Consumer Reports Autos

This article was written by Flexo in Podcast. 12 comments.

In this episode of the Consumerism Commentary Podcast Tom Dziubek speaks with Jeff Rose, Certified Financial Planner^™ about financial planning. Jeff talks about different professional designations for financial planners and what it takes to become certified. He shares with Consumerism Commentary Podcast listeners some of the trends he sees with his clients, advice that could benefit everyone.

Tom also interviews Jeff Bartlett, online editor for autos at Consumer Reports, about how the magazine tests and evaluates cars. Jeff also shares suggestions for shoppers who are currently in the market for a safe, reliable car, either new or used, and offers tips for negotiating with car salespeople.

To listen, use the player above (Adobe Flash required), download the podcast here, subscribe to the podcast RSS feed, or use the iTunes link. Note: open links in a new window (Ctrl-click or Command-click) to avoid interrupting the podcast.

[00:00] Introduction from Flexo and an announcement about Money Quantum
[00:58] Interview with Jeff Rose, Certified Financial Planner
– [01:12] Difference between Financial Planners and Financial Advisers
– [01:57] The CFP and other designations
– [04:50] Jeff’s website, Good Financial Cents
– [06:36] Changes in saving habits since the beginning of the recession
– [08:10] Tom asks Jeff for free 401(k) advice
[13:02] Interview with Jeff Bartlett, Autos Deputy Editor for Consumer Reports
– [13:15] Auto testing methodology at Consumer Reports
– [15:05] How Consumer Reports handles reliability reports from customers
– [17:02] Consumer Reports’ perceived bias towards foreign cars
– [19:20] Qualifications for the Cash for Clunkers program
– [21:17] Possibility of Cash for Clunkers hurting domestic car sales
– [22:12] American cars that have made the best strides in fuel efficiency
– [22:46] Best buys for new cars
– [23:58] Negotiating with car salesmen
– [26:37] Best choices for used cars
[28:58] End

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Best of Consumerism Commentary, June 2009

This article was written by Flexo in Administration. Add a comment.

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Best of Consumerism Commentary, June 2009

Here are some of the most popular articles, based on total visitors, published on Consumerism Commentary in June. If you missed them this past month, take a look.

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Consumer Reports Exposes Cool Surge’s Misleading Claims

This article was written by Flexo in Consumer. 26 comments.

The Cool Surge portable air conditioner claims, in full-page newspaper advertisements that look like newspaper articles, to reduce the temperature of an average room by “up to ten degrees” using as much energy as a 60-watt lightbulb. Other air conditioners often use 500 watts or more, so it sounds like this device might be worth the cost that is double the price of a small window air conditioner.

Consumer Reports had difficult dealing with the company that sells the units. The organization’s testers had no problem ordering the units from the website for about $300 each, but when they attempted work with a customer service representative over the phone to order a unit, they ran into some problems.

But when we later called the Web site’s order line anonymously, we were told we’d have to pay $49 per unit for shipping, or nearly $100 if we had opted for the company’s two-for-one offer. Another call using a different number listed in a Cool Surge newspaper ad yielded yet another price of $148 per unit — plus $49 shipping — for versions with “slight cosmetic damages.” The two-for-one offer had apparently ended.

Furthermore, the testing revealed the air conditioner did not quite perform as expected. When Consumer Reports tested these claims listed above, they found that the Cool Surge cooled an average room, even in an environment most suited for success, by only two degrees.

Here is the video from Consumer Reports. Read the full article →

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Consumerism Commentary Podcast

by Flexo

The Consumerism Commentary Podcast is a weekly personal finance show, hosted by both Tom Dziubek, a former podcaster with the Wall Street Journal, and Bryan J Busch, who started his first podcast in 2005 for fans of novelty rock music. Each week, the show offers commentary about money management, getting out of debt, budgeting, consumer ... Continue reading this article…

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The Cost of Buying a Home, Low Cost of Living, and Fed Cover-Up

by Flexo

Has anyone been watching the HBO miniseries, John Adams? Although colonial America is not my favorite period of history, I’ve been enjoying the first episodes that have aired. However, during the slower sections of the program, you may want to take the time reading articles from Consumerism Commentary’s history. From the first half of March ... Continue reading this article…

2 comments Read the full article →

Where Did You Come From, Where Did You Go (November 2007)

by Flexo

Each month, I take a look at the source of visitors to Consumerism Commentary. While an increasing number of readers use RSS to stay up-to-date and I can’t always see where everyone is coming from, I can thank other blogs or websites that have sent visitors our way. Not including search engines, RSS readers, and ... Continue reading this article…

6 comments Read the full article →