New Consumer Reports Index Tracks the State of the American Consumer
Latest index finds decline in consumer sentiment, escalation of stress, and growing financial woes take toll on retail purchasing YONKERS, NY — Consumer Reports introduced a new monthly economic survey that tracks U.S. consumers’ personal financial experiences, attitudes and activities....

Recession is Prime Time for Scams, Consumers Union Tells Senate Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Chuck Bell, the programs director for Consumers Union (CU), the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports magazine, testified today at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing about how to protect consumers against scams and fraud during the current economic...

Consumers Union Testifies for Consumer Financial Protection Agency at Congressional Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Gail Hillebrand, the director of Consumers Union (CU)’s financial services campaign, will testify in favor of the creation of a Consumer Financial Protection Agency today at a congressional hearing on how the agency would impact consumers as...

Hospital Health Reform Deal: Statement by Consumers Union
An American dies every 5 minutes from a largely preventable infection acquired in a hospital setting WASHINGTON, D.C. -- According to news reports, the hospital industry is expected tomorrow to announce a deal to reduce health care spending by nearly...

Obama Proposes Financial Regulation Overhaul: Statement by Consumers Union
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Obama today is unveiling a plan to overhaul the nation’s system of financial regulations in order to prevent the problems that led to the current economic crisis. The plan includes the creation of a new agency...

Senate Approves Credit Card Reform Bill
Statement by Consumers Union WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today voted 90-5 to approve sweeping credit card reform legislation. Pamela Banks, senior policy counsel for Consumers Union, issued the following statement about the vote: “We’re thrilled that this important piece...

CR Money Special Publication: Rebuild Your Finances
NEW MONEY RULES FOR A NEW ECONOMY: (p. 4). Forget what you’ve learned, CR has 10 rules for a changed economy including negotiate the price on everything, don’t educate your kids at the expense of your retirement, and diversify your...

CR Money Special: 10 Rules for a New Economy Talking Points
Negotiate everything. One of the few advantages of a bad economy is that the buyers hold all the cards. CR’s nationally representative poll found that 83 percent of Americans negotiated better deals on hotels, 81 percent reduced cell phone bills,...

CR Money Special: Haggling For Everything Is New Rule in a Down Economy
Poll finds success rates as high as 83 percent for hagglers who ask for a discount YONKERS, NY — Negotiating for everything in a lousy economy is the new rule, according to the latest money publication from Consumer Reports titled...

Tips on How to “Squeeze A Nickel” In an Uncertain Economy
CR’s staff and readers offer tactics like reusing plastic grocery bags instead of buying bin liners to save money YONKERS, NY — With bad economic news everywhere — plunging 401(k)s, credit card rates increasing even for people who pay their...