Talking Carts with Consumer Reports

Smart home innovations are everywhere, but do they simplify life or just add complication? We speak with CR's Senior Home & Appliances Writer, Daniel Wroclawski, who lives with over 70 smart devices. We tackle essential consumer questions: Do appliances need to be smart? What happens when integrated systems fail? Learn crucial tips on securing your smart home from hackers.

Essential tips on selecting the perfect destination and avoiding the most common, costly mistakes people make when booking flights and hotels—knowledge that could save you hundreds! Monet Hambrick, of The Traveling Child, shares how to make family vacations that delight, even on a modest budget.  CR's Best Cruise Lines: https://www.consumerreports.org/money/cruises/best-cruise-lines-a1084300422/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT 7 Common Luggage Problems: https://www.consumerreports.org/money/luggage/common-luggage-problems-and-how-to-fix-them-a9551904028/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Tanya's Hard-Shell Suitcase Reviews: https://www.consumerreports.org/money/luggage/best-hard-shell-carry-on-luggage-from-consumer-reports-tests-a2086664350/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Monet Hambrick's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetravelingchild 00:00 Welcome to Talking Carts  01:32 How Booking Trips Has Changed 04:01 Is Travel Insurance Worth It? 07:00 Common Travel Mistakes 10:40 Dealing With School Schedules 13:06 Strategies for Trip Planning 15:05 Travel Splurges to Skip 17:57 What To Do Before Every Trip 21:55 Travel App Recommendations 23:34 Get the Right Luggage 27:29 Cruise Line Dos and Don'ts 30:12 What "Good Value" Means To You 31:55 Key Takeaways and Next Steps

Feeling the impact of inflation, shoppers are searching for true bargains. CR's "Price Tracker" charts the long-term price patterns of 16 specific, high-demand products. Learn to stop guessing and start shopping smarter by understanding when patience pays off and when waiting could actually backfire. 00:00:00 Dealing With Price Uncertainty 00:04:00 What Products Does CR Track? 00:05:48 Most and Least Stable Prices 00:08:04 Causes of Market Volatility 00:11:43 Are Consumers Overreacting? 00:14:06 How CR's Price Tracker Can Help You 00:16:08 Buying Refurbished and Secondhand 00:18:45 Mapping Out Your Purchases 00:21:13 Month-to-Month Price Trends 00:23:38 Add-to-Cart Pricing Deals 00:24:57 "Buy Now," "Wait" or "It Depends?" 00:29:28 Key Takeaways and Next Steps

Feeling the pinch from rising costs? Stop overspending on groceries! While some expenses are out of your hands, you do have control over your grocery budget—and it's time to take it back. In this episode of Talking Carts, we dive into the power of coupons. Hosts Tanya Christian and Brian Vines welcome Star Smith, the "Deal Diva" behind "Coupon with Star." Star shares her game-changing tips and techniques to completely transform your shopping habits. Learn to maximize every discount, minimize your spending, and keep more money in your pocket, no matter where you shop. Find Star's tips and socials here: couponwithstar.com How to save at the supermarket: https://www.consumerreports.org/money/grocery-stores-supermarkets/save-big-at-the-supermarket-a1165260654/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT CR's advice for saving big with digital coupons: https://www.consumerreports.org/money/coupons/how-to-save-big-with-digital-coupons-a1632035239/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Most and least expensive supermarkets: https://www.consumerreports.org/money/prices-price-comparison/most-and-least-expensive-supermarkets-a3157951568/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT #Couponing #SaveMoney #Couponing101 #GrocerySavings #BudgetHacks #ShoppingTips #Rebates #Discounts 00:00:00 The Joy of Couponing 00:02:52 Tanya's Coupon Success Story 00:04:15 Coupon With Star 00:04:51 QUIZ: History of Coupons 00:07:35 Star's First Couponing Win 00:10:10 How Couponing Has Changed 00:11:40 Couponing For Beginners 00:13:23 Get Over Couponing Guilt 00:14:54 Saving With Rebate Apps 00:16:23 Can Coupons Go Wrong? 00:19:13 Sticking to a Budget 00:20:27 Maximizing Deal Apps 00:22:26 Starting Your Stockpile 00:24:49 Best and Worst Stores 27:28 Key Takeaways and Tips

From razors to body wash, products marketed to women can be up to 48% more expensive than the "male" versions—even when they're virtually the same! The "Pink Tax" is the gender-based price discrimination that drains women's wallets every day. Author Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman, who literally wrote the book on this: The Double Tax: How Women of Color Are Overcharged and Underpaid explains the unique and disproportionate financial burden placed on women of color. Learn more about Anna's work: https://annagifty.com/ Read CR's piece on strategies to avoid the pink tax: https://www.consumerreports.org/money/what-is-the-pink-tax-a1270997218/ 00:00:00 What is the "Pink Tax"? 00:01:56 Pink Tax Quiz 00:05:21 How Women of Color Are Overcharged and Underpaid 00:06:39 Effects on Society At Large 00:07:44 What the Data Shows 00:09:43 Costs for Parents 00:12:19 Impact on the Elderly 00:13:43 Price of Beauty 00:16:19 Childcare Expenses 00:19:13 How Communities are Affected 00:23:32 What You Can Change Now 00:26:24 Organizing for Economic Justice 00:28:38 Takeaways and Further Reading

One year after our groundbreaking investigation found toxic heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, and lead, plus carcinogens, in synthetic braiding hair, we did follow-up testing. We put the new products—marketed as "safer alternatives"—to the test. The results are concerning. See our new research here: https://www.consumerreports.org/health/wigs-hair-extensions/braiding-hair-heavy-metals-vocs-follow-up-test-a9549045438/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT And check out the 2025 study that started it all: https://www.consumerreports.org/health/wigs-hair-extensions/dangerous-chemicals-detected-in-braiding-hair-cr-tested-a4850978424/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT 00:00:00 Welcome to Talking Carts 00:01:04 Braiding Hair Test Results 00:02:40 Braid or Build? 00:05:31 Why We Tested Braiding Hair 00:07:01 What Products We Tested 00:10:30 Lack of Regulation 00:11:42 How We Did Our Tests 00:12:50 Changing Hair Routines 00:15:45 Are Any Products Actually Safe? 00:18:48 Criticisms of Our Methodology 00:20:59 Human Hair Test Results 00:22:38 What Regulators Should Do Next 00:25:25 What You Can Do Right Now 00:29:31 Black Women Move This Industry

Make your next car purchase a triumph! Get the essential tactics on handling fees, negotiating a price, and making sure the floor mats are included. We've got you covered from the moment you decide to start looking to the second you drive your new baby off the lot.  #CarBuyingTips #TopPicks #UsedCars #NewCars See CR's 2026 Top Picks: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/best-cars-of-the-year-10-top-picks-of-2026-a1118808691/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Consumer Reports' Build and Buy Service: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-prices-build-buy-service/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT 00:00:00 Intros 00:01:44 Tanya's Top 2 Car Buying Tips 00:04:02 Car Facts Quiz 00:06:20 Keith Barry Interview 00:07:35 How Car Buying Has Changed 00:09:50 What New Buyers Should Know 00:11:35 CR's Build and Buy Service 00:12:52 Add-Ons That Can Add Up 00:17:44 Negotiating With The Dealership 00:22:32 How CR Buys Cars to Review 00:27:07 New, Used, or Lease? 00:29:45 More Advice From CR

Skyrocketing premiums and non-renewals are triggering a homeowners insurance crisis.  One Altadena resident determined to rebuild after the devastating Eaton Canyon Fire shares a story of moving forward after disaster strikes and insurance fails. Learn details of the Homeowners Insurance Bill of Rights, and get crucial, practical advice for protecting your home, determining your coverage needs, and what to do if your insurance company drops your policy.  Don't wait for disaster to strike—listen and learn how to protect yourself! Read our full report and see the proposed bill of rights here: https://www.consumerreports.org/money/homeowners-insurance/proposed-homeowners-insurance-protection-rights-a3867354890/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT 00:00:00 Intros 00:02:48 Recovery From the Eaton Wildfire 00:09:27 The State of Homeowners Insurance 00:10:47 Why Insurers Are Dropping Policies 00:12:21 The Insurers Have Insurers 00:15:44 What to Do If You Get Dropped 00:18:33 Attempting To Appeal 00:21:20 Should You Use a Broker? 00:25:45 Lisa's Top Tips 00:28:58 A Challenge to Our Listeners

Hosts Tanya Christian and Brian Vines pull back the covers on how the $585 billion global "sleep economy" is selling the dream of a good night's rest. Featuring exclusive deals for CR members and tips from sleep specialist Dr. Christopher J. Allen. 00:00:00 Intros 00:02:43 Use It or Snooze It? 00:06:25 The Big 3: Mattress, Pillow, Bedding 00:14:01 CR Exclusive Deals 00:18:08 Tips from Sleep Dr. Chris 00:27:00 Sleep Products Worth Buying Under $50  

In this podcast episode, hosts Tanya Christian and Brian Vines are helping to conquer chaos by giving you the tools to start the new year with a clean house. Beyond the ritual of the Saturday morning cleaning session, the conversation tackles the annual tradition of the year-end clean reset. Whether you believe a deep clean rids the house of negative energy to make way for good vibes, or just want to save time and money on cleaning, we've got you covered. Consumer Reports experts—home & trend writer Jodhaira Rodriguez and laundry expert Rich Handel—drop serious insight on keeping it clean in every room with surprising facts to elevate your cleaning game from a chore to a triumph. Is bleach really the best all-purpose surface cleaner and just how much laundry detergent does it take to get your clothes clean? The experts answer those questions and share CR's top picks in cleaning products. Whether you're looking for the best tool to get streak-free glass or want to understand the economics of your favorite detergent, this episode delivers practical tips and money-saving insights. Best Cleaning Products From Our Tests and Evaluations Your Guide to Really Clean Clothes Get Your CR Membership Today #TalkingCarts #CleanSweep #HomeCleaning #NewYearClean #DeepClean #SaturdayMorningCleaning #CleaningHacks #TidyTips #LaundryExpert #MoneySavingTips #CleanHouse #BestCleaningProducts #LaundryDetergent #Bleach #StreakFreeGlass 00:00:00 Intros 00:01:26 Saturday Morning Cleaning 00:03:40 Cleaning Expert Jodhaira Rodriguez 00:06:04 The Dirtiest Place In Your Home 00:07:54 Cleaning for the New Year 00:11:27 Jodhaira's Cleaning Arsenal 00:12:30 Annual Cleaning Product Budget 00:14:24 Laundry Expert Rich Handel 00:17:21 Common Laundry Mistakes  00:19:52 Do We Still Need to Separate? 00:21:26 Cold Vs. Hot Water 00:23:12 Detergent Vs. Machine 00:25:38 The Right Amount of Detergent 00:28:50 Outlook for the New Year  

Inside the investigation into the online marketplace that could be driving up your grocery bill In this podcast episode, hosts Tanya Christian and Brian Vines look at a surprising reason your grocery bills may be going up.  A recent CR investigation — put together with two other non-profits, Groundwork Collaborative and More Perfect Union — found that Instacart is conducting artificial intelligence-enabled price experiments on its customers. These "algorithmic pricing" experiments involve giving different prices to different customers for the same goods at the same store at the same time. Sometimes the prices differ by as much as 23% per item.  The co-hosts are joined by CR Investigative reporter Derek Kravitz, who explains what Instacart is up to, and why consumer advocates say the company seems to be creeping closer and closer to an even more problematic practice known as "surveillance pricing."   The conversation goes beyond Instacart, exploring how technology is transforming the supermarket landscape for all consumers, from loyalty programs that use demographic data to parcel out deals, to the potential of electronic shelf labels changing prices in real time. We also discuss the current lack of federal regulation of AI-enabled pricing and gives tips on how to navigate the new, algorithm-enabled grocery store. #Instacart #AIPricing #PriceDiscrimination #GroceryShopping #Investigation #Inflation #ConsumerRights #TalkingCarts #AlgorithmicPricing #GroceryBill  

At the cash register this holiday season, you have more options than ever to pay—cash, credit, or a "buy now, pay later" loan. But be warned: your choice could end up costing you more in the long run.   In this episode of the Talking Carts podcast, hosts Tanya Christian (Senior Home and Appliances Writer) and Brian Vines (Marketplace Equity Reporter) are joined by Investigative Reporter Lisa Gill. They help listeners navigate the complex landscape of payment options, including popular pay-in-four installment loans like Afterpay, Klarna, and Affirm, and provide guidance on when a traditional credit card is the better choice. We also delve into interest rates, buyer protections, and those "apply now" credit offers at the register. Plus, did you get a head start on your holiday haul? We run down the holiday return deadlines for major retailers, from Nordstrom to Costco and beyond.

In this episode of Talking Carts: Entertain With Ease, hosts Tanya Christian and Brian Vines serve up the ultimate recipe for stress-free holiday hosting!  @royaleeats : Social media's king of the kitchen drops in to chop it up on his debut cookbook, shares his definitive soul food side dishes (yes, we're talking about that mac & cheese!), and gives his top tips for timing all the moving parts of your feast just right. James Rogers, PhD, CR's Director of Product & Food Testing, drops essential knowledge on keeping food prep, presentation, and leftover storage safe and sanitary. Hear why our expert says not to wash your turkey and why that old "take-out tupperware" needs to go! Plus, we dish on CR recommended food storage containers and uncover retailers offering turkey-day family meal plans for as low as $4 per person! Get your best on the table without doing the absolute most.  LINKS & RESOURCES: Foodborne Illness Prevention https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-safety/keep-food-poisoning-off-the-menu-a1017881198/ Best Food Storage Containers https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/food-storage/best-food-storage-containers-of-the-year-a7678521903/ Royale Eats https://royaleeats.com/ #Thanksgiving #HolidayHosting #FoodSafety #RoyaleEats #ConsumerReports #TalkingCarts #MealDeals #GrocerySavings #Turkey #MacAndCheese

Consumer Reports' "Talking Carts" is your guide to navigating the holiday shopping season and maximizing your budget. This podcast packs the smart tips and practical tricks you need to save money and shop with complete confidence. Hosts Tanya Christian and Brian Vines, joined by CR Deals Editor Samantha B. Gordon, dive into your biggest shopping questions, including how much shoppers plan to spend, are those doorbuster and other holiday sales really good deals, and just when is the best time to snag those new Apple AirPods. Saving you time and money is a year-round pursuit at Consumer Reports. Tap-in to stay updated on everything shop worthy. Amazon's Best Early Black Friday Deals:  https://www.consumerreports.org/money/sales-promotions/best-amazon-black-friday-deals-a3838431416/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Walmart's Best Black Friday Deals: https://www.consumerreports.org/money/discounts-rebates/walmart-black-friday-deals-a1567966266/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT 33 Holiday Gifts For Every Budget https://www.consumerreports.org/money/gift-giving/holiday-gift-ideas-for-every-budget-a1018953600/ How to Get the Best Deals During Amazon Prime Big Deal Days 2025 https://www.consumerreports.org/money/sales-promotions/how-to-get-the-best-amazon-prime-day-deals-a7887972313/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT