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How to avoid getting Canada's Worst Cellphone Bill
Wednesday, March 9, 2011, 3:58 PM    13
Have you ever had a problem with your cellphone bill? Marketplace has heard your horror stories, and we have tips on how you can avoid having Canada's Worst Cellphone Bill:
What to do if you've been in a car accident
Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 2:01 PM    8
This week, Marketplace investigates what some call the best kept secret in the car insurance industry: why insurance companies prevent people from claiming diminished value insurance on vehicles that have been in a significant collision.
Concerned about antibiotic-resistant bacteria on chicken?
Wednesday, February 9, 2011, 2:23 PM    56
Canadians are getting sicker and taking longer to get well -- and one of the possible causes of this resistance could be because the animals we eat are also given large amounts of antibiotics, even when they're healthy.
How to avoid getting ripped off by your roofer
Monday, January 31, 2011, 5:40 PM    18
It may not be as sexy as a shiny new kitchen reno, but shopping for a roofer is one of the most important, and costly, decisions that a homeowner can make. So how can you be sure you're hiring one that's up to the job? Here are some of the best questions you can ask.
How to prevent your money from going down the drain
Friday, January 28, 2011, 1:12 PM    15
Have you ever had a salesperson come to your door and offer you a free water test? Did they worry you about your water? The next time you get a knock at the door, here is what you can do.
What you need to know about gym memberships
Friday, January 7, 2011, 11:28 AM    35
When it comes to getting gouged by gyms, we've heard horror stories year after year. But this season Marketplace is getting to the bottom of it with our season premiere. If you're thinking of joining or leaving a gym, here are some tips to help keep you ripped (and not ripped off).
How to buy fish without getting burned
Friday, April 2, 2010, 4:34 PM    2
Searching out some seafood for dinner? You can't always trust the information on the supermarket label. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your mackerel.
Back treatment ads may twist the truth
Friday, March 26, 2010, 9:08 AM    26
These days, it's hard to miss the ads promising relief for back pain. They're marketing something called "non-surgical decompression therapy," with headlines that claim the treatment comes "with a guaranteed success rate between 80 and 90 per cent!"  

This back-pain treatment is a high-tech form of traction. Patients get strapped onto a table that pulls apart the vertebrae, supposedly allowing damaged discs to be rehydrated, and move back into position. The treatment is not cheap -- up to $5,000 for 20 sessions.
Do your homework on retirement homes
Friday, March 19, 2010, 9:09 AM    6
Geri and Peter Crawshaw thought they had picked out a great retirement home in Orillia, Ont., for Peter's aging mom Betty -- until a fire broke out last year and she suffered major smoke inhalation. Four other residents died.

What they learned too late was the home wasn't equipped with sprinklers -- a device firefighters say is key to controlling not just flames, but smoke. Smoke is what kills most people in a fire.
The proper way to protect your plastic
Friday, March 12, 2010, 9:15 AM    18
There's a good chance you've had that call from your bank or credit card company telling you your credit card has been compromised and you need a new one. That happened to me two months ago. And when I asked the customer service rep how my card was stolen, she mentioned thieves stealing the information off computers. It's kind of ironic, because at Marketplace that was just the story we were working on -- the newest way crooks are stealing your debit and credit card numbers.
What you can do if there's a problem with your cellphone bill
Friday, March 5, 2010, 10:16 AM    39
Dale Bass is a cellphone customer from Kamloops, B.C. with a text-mad son. Dale decided to add Liam to her family plan. She believed she was buying an unlimited text message package but when she got her bill, discovered she was getting charged for extra text messages at the rate of 15 cents a pop.

We've been investigating stories like Dale's and, in fact, have put out a call for Canada's Worst Cellphone Bill. As part of our research, we've learned that navigating the cellphone company plans and contracts can be a minefield. And so we have put together some tips for you -- so you can avoid the ugly surprise that Dale got.
What you need to know... when looking for a weight loss clinic
Friday, February 5, 2010, 8:56 PM    14
606_magic_in_a_bottle.jpgWhen looking to lose weight at a weight loss clinic:

• Don't get bound into long term contracts.

• Ask for a total program cost - what does it include, what does it not.

• Find out what you can expect from the program.  For example, how much weight to be lost in a certain time frame. A reasonable goal would be 1-3 lbs a week.  Ask whether you have to buy additional products.
How not to get taken in by real estate seminars
Friday, January 29, 2010, 8:35 PM    21
190_road_to_rich_dad.jpgFree homebuyer seminar! Real estate secrets revealed! You've no doubt seen the pitches in newspapers, transit ads or late night TV. They might leave you wondering: could a real estate seminar guru really have the secret to riches? If you are looking to attend a real estate investment seminar, here are some tips to help keep your foundation and finances sturdy.
How to safely find your way with GPS
Friday, January 15, 2010, 8:30 PM    7
mp_gps_tipsheet_584.jpgWant to find an alternate route home to beat rush hour traffic? Are you travelling somewhere new and want to check out some hot spots - or worse, you're completely lost? GPS navigation systems can help you find the way without having to pull-over to ask for directions or unfurl a map.

How to inspect your home inspector
Friday, January 8, 2010, 8:23 PM    26
mp_grow_op_cover_up.jpgThe truth is that no home is perfect, and if you're looking to buy one, it's wise to check it out thoroughly before striking a deal. To do this, you might consider hiring a home inspector to point out potential problems that a seller or agent might not disclose or be aware of. But before you do, keep in mind that almost anyone can call themselves a home inspector, as there are no current national or provincial requirements or standards (except in British Columbia).
How to walk away from high pressure sales
Friday, March 27, 2009, 11:27 AM
Find yourself in a high pressure sales situation? Sometimes it's harder than it should be to just walk away. Here are some tips to help get you out the door with your wallet intact:

Know who you're dealing with before you walk through the door. Does the company have a history of high pressure sales? Have customers signed contracts and regretted it afterwards? Use a search engine to check out the company beforehand to get an idea of its reputation.
How not to get charged up
Friday, March 20, 2009, 1:16 PM
Most everyone has heard complaints about sales agents selling contracts for natural gas and electricity, and using their powers of persuasion to get you to sign up and lock in to a fixed price. It's a decision that could save or cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
How to spot a phony loan company
Friday, March 13, 2009, 1:15 PM
In these tough economic times, getting any kind of loan is becoming more and more difficult -- especially if you have bad credit. The temptation to turn to a lender that promises to arrange a loan, even if you have poor credit, is stronger than ever. But beware: you could be setting yourself up for more financial hardship, or worse, fall into a scam.
What you need to know... when buying a puppy
Friday, March 6, 2009, 1:11 PM
Looking for the perfect puppy? Here are some tips to keep in mind when setting out to find your new best friend.
What you need to know... about imitation guns
Friday, February 27, 2009, 1:10 PM
Have you bought or are thinking about buying an imitation gun for sport or recreation? Here are some tips to keep in mind.
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