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Consumerpedia, Episode 81: ALGORITHMS SECRETLY CONTROL YOUR FINANCIAL FATE – Algorithms are making the marketplace less transparent—and, in some cases, less fair. Data being secretly used to make decisions about lending, employment, housing, and insurance can infringe on our privacy rights.
SAVE ON PRESCRIPTION DRUGS: PAY LESS THAN YOUR INSURANCE COPAY – Various websites and apps, such as GoodRX and SingleCare offer discounts so steep that you might pay less for your prescription medicines than what you’d pay using your health insurance plan.
WHY DO AMERICANS PAY MORE FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS? – The average American spends more than $1,400 a year on prescription medications – a budget buster for many. Why are prescription drug prices in the U.S. nearly three times higher than most other countries?
GROCERY STORE DIGITAL DISCOUNT ERRORS CREATE PROBLEMS FOR SHOPPERS – Digital coupons are supposed to make it easier to get discounts at the supermarket – no more paper coupons to clip. But unless you check the receipt, there’s no way to be sure you were charged the sale price. Why is this happening?
DEALING WITH DEBT: REAL-LIFE SUCCESS STORIES – Erasing a mountain of debt may seem impossible, but it can be done with hard work, discipline, and guidance from a non-profit credit counselor.
Consumerpedia, Episode 80: DEBT BUSTERS: REAL-LIFE SUCCESS STORIES – Meet two people who were drowning in credit card debt and got their finances back in order. Also, a certified nonprofit credit counselor explains how debt consolidation works and the dangers of using a for-profit debt settlement company.
Consumerpedia, Episode 79: TIPS FOR BUYING & SENDING FLOWERS – Where to find the lowest prices on flowers, how to choose a good florist, and the best way to send flowers out of town. Plus, tips on how to keep those flowers looking fresh for longer.
IDENTITY THEFT AND FRAUD: HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF – Hackers continue to steal astonishing amounts of customer data from corporate and government databases. You should assume criminals already have your data and act accordingly.
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM TAX RETURN IDENTITY THEFT – Hundreds of thousands of Americans become victims of tax-related identity theft each year. The average time for the IRS to resolve tax-return-theft claims is 22 months.
IT’S TAX TIME! WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW – No new credits or deductions available this filing season. However, the IRS did make inflation adjustments for more than 60 tax provisions, including tax rate schedules and standard deductions.