Earlier this week, our office released the results of a survey of restocking fees at national retailers that are popular during the holiday shopping season. We found that these fees on returns – particularly on electronics and furniture – are being charged at more and more   …Continue Reading Taking Stock of Growing Fees

  The December 2009 edition of the Consumer Insider is now available (Download December_2009_Newsletter_Final). The latest newsletter includes updates on the Patrick-Murray Administration’s efforts to reform small business health insurance (including Governor Deval Patrick’s announcement event, photo right), tips for tenants when dealing with winter   …Continue Reading Consumer Insider: Health Insurance, Winter Tips, and More

  For many families, now is the perfect time to get up to speed on health insurance. Many companies hold their open-enrollment periods at the end of the year. It’s a chance to assess your health coverage, and make sure you’re maximizing benefits while keeping   …Continue Reading Time for a Health Insurance Checkup

  One of the goals of Governor Deval Patrick’s move to managed competition in auto insurance was to create a more competitive environment for companies to work to win new customers. Based on the number of auto insurance companies advertising in Massachusetts, this goal is   …Continue Reading Save Money on Car Insurance, But Don’t Get Blinded by Ad Barrage

  There are few culinary tasks tougher than getting Thanksgiving dinner on the table. It’s a trick that necessitates a lot of work, some good timing, and some cooking skill. With that balancing act going on, and a living room full of hungry people just   …Continue Reading Don’t Be a Turkey in the Thanksgiving Kitchen

  Not everyone would be interested in a yellow car, but when you go car shopping, it’s a good idea to look for yellow – the yellow sticker that must be attached to all cars that detail the Massachusetts Lemon Laws. Today, we announced the   …Continue Reading When Car Shopping, Look for Yellow

  As is often the case when a particular issue becomes the focus of national attention, there’s been a recent outburst of products that aren’t just ineffective in fighting the flu and the H1N1 virus, they might actually be harmful. The federal Food and Drug   …Continue Reading Attention to H1N1 Flu Creates Environment for Bogus Cures

  “Going green” is not just about driving a fuel-efficient car or recycling cans and bottles. Some of our everyday tasks can be quite taxing on the environment, and more importantly, on our wallets. Most home appliances are energy hogs, driving up our electricity bills   …Continue Reading ‘Going Green’ on Appliances Can Earn Green for Your Wallet

  Playoff baseball returns to Fenway Park on Sunday, and for every fan lucky enough to have a ticket to the game, there are thousands who’d love to go in their place. Many of those fans shut out will go to great lengths on the   …Continue Reading Playing It Safe – That’s the Ticket

  Gov. Deval Patrick has proclaimed October Financial Education Month (Download Financial Education Month Proclamation 10.09), which puts the spotlight on an important issue for families across Massachusetts. While the current economic environment may not be conducive to long-term planning for many households, it is   …Continue Reading Focus on Household Finances This Month