The latest issue of ShopSmart hits newsstands on December 15, 2009. From the publisher of Consumer Reports, ShopSmart helps buyers make smart purchasing decisions on items they need every day.

FEATURES:

Best & Worst Products of the Year. See what made the list from the thousands of home, food, beauty and other products ShopSmart tested in 2009. And the 20 losers. (p. 22)

Material Girl. Be a smart clothes shopper by knowing your fabrics, the best blends and the blends to avoid. Learn how to spot quality clothes at discount stores and 9 smart  clothing-maintenance  tips. (p. 32)

Cheap & Easy Fix-Its. Money-saving, no-fuss tricks for every room in the house. Read this before you pay a pro! Plus the 7 patch-it-up tools every home should have. (p. 38)

THE BUYING GUIDE:

Looks that Kill. Shoes, bags and even undies can hurt your health. ShopSmart has 8 fashion dos that can be health don’ts, and what to do about them. (p. 18)

The Deal with Web Seals. Those little logos can give you a false sense of security when shopping online. ShopSmart tells you what online security seals mean. (p. 17)

Mess Busters. Paper towels that passed pickup tests, including the standout green brand. (p. 51)

Joy of Soy. Yummy new ways to eat this super healthy food and the latest reasons to stock up. (p. 55)

Party Clothes. Tired of wearing your little black dress to every occasion? ShopSmart shares three Web sites that sell gorgeous party clothes for less. (p. 10)

Gene Tool. What at-home genetic testing kits can and can’t tell you. Plus, DIY kits that make sense. (p. 59)

Botox for Headaches? Surprising new uses for Botox, the latest news on Latisse and more. (p. 14)

Blue Moves. If depression strikes, treatment choices can be confusing. Here’s what you need to know. (p. 61)

Juiciest Fruits. It’s citrus season? Here’s how to pick the best fruits. Plus new varieties to try. (p. 65)

Music Tune-Up. Five great places online to find new (and old) songs that you’ll love. (p. 73)

Online Booking Tools. Don’t schedule your next trip until you check out the latest and greatest sites. (p. 15)

10 Cars People Love. Owners told ShopSmart they’d definitely buy these models again. (p. 79)

Also in this issue…

• Best Toasters (p. 47)
• Best Steam Irons (p. 53)
• Best Portable Players (p. 76)
• Best Party Dips (p. 71)

About ShopSmart magazine:
Launched in Fall 2006 by Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, ShopSmart draws upon Consumer Reports’ celebrated tradition of accepting no advertisements and providing unbiased product reviews. The magazine features product reviews, shopping tips on how to get the most out of products and “best of the best” lists. ShopSmart is ideal for busy shoppers who place a premium on time. ShopSmart has a newsstand price of $4.99 and is available nationwide at major retailers including Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, Borders, Kroger, Safeway and Publix. ShopSmart is available by subscription at www.ShopSmartmag.org.