- Body armor for women: Pentagon is pushed to find something that fits
- Appeals court strikes down DOMA: Tradition doesn't justify unequal treatment (+video)
- Satellite images suggest Iran cleaning up past nuclear weapons-related work
- What do women voters want? In a word: jobs.
- Spelling bee: Intensity makes it the experience of a lifetime (+quiz)
Topic: Consumers Union of U.S. Inc.
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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Top 10 Burger King changes
Burger King's new menu has a purpose. Last year, Wendy's surpassed Burger King to become the second best-selling burger chain in the United States. It was close: Wendy's had $8.5 billion in sales, while Burger King had $8.4 billion. (Both were miles behind No. 1 McDonald's, at $34 billion). In an effort to regain the No. 2 slot, the chain has undergone a massive makeover, complete with Burger King new menu items, décor, and employee uniforms. Here are the Top 10 changes Burger King has made in the past year, in its biggest overhaul since it first opened its doors back in 1954:
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Kids tablets: Five touch-screen computers for the nine-and-under set
If Mom and Dad want to use an an iPad, why shouldn't Junior get a tablet computer, too? Many parents appear to be following that line of reasoning, but many child-development experts say it's best for kids not to have too much "screen time" each day.
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Verizon iPhone versus AT&T iPhone: The top three differences
Both carriers get the iPhone 4, but the Verizon iPhone will be a little different from what AT&T customers have grown used to. Some are obvious changes, such as the switch from GSM (AT&T's network of choice) to CDMA (the technology used by Verizon). But several of the differences may come as a surprise. Click through to learn them all.
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Eggs. Shrek glasses. Sure, but what was the top recall of 2010?
It was a year when contaminated eggs and McDonald's glasses found their way into the headlines. But the product fiascos of 2010 included everything from recalled cars and home appliances to food and medications. What was the year’s top recall? Read on:
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Online coupons: Four ways you can save money online
Online coupons are shaking up the advertising industry, according to a new report from Borrell Associates. The local ad research and consulting firm in Williamsburg, Va., forecasts the online coupons business will grow almost 14 percent in 2011, reaching $9.1 billion. That's still small compared with an overall ad market forecast at $238.6 billion. But its fast growth portends big changes in the way you get your coupons and, ultimately, how you shop. Here are four strategies to take advantage now of the expected flurry of online coupons:
All Content
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Progress Watch
Why teen driving deaths have tumbled to historic lows
Traffic fatalities are hitting record lows for all drivers, but the drop among teen drivers is especially important, given that traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for teens.
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Facebook IPO as a measure of social trust
Facebook's 900 million users are a trusting lot, in each other and Mark Zuckerberg. The Facebook IPO on May 18 will be a rare measure of trust in this one-seventh of humanity.
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Saving Money
The best and worst grocery stores: You get what you pay for
When it comes to grocery stores, customers generally must choose between great quality and low prices. But a few supermarket chains ranked high in both categories.
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Mad cow: US 'confident' beef is safe, food-safety experts aren't sure
This week's incident of 'mad cow' disease presents no threat to human health, USDA officials say. But it does put a spotlight on beef safety practices, including how many cattle are inspected.
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Appeals court reinstates Viacom lawsuit against Google's YouTube
The court ruling Thursday allows Viacom and other entities to sue Google over the use of copyrighted video on the internet search engine's YouTube video platform.
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Top 10 Burger King changes
Burger King's new menu has a purpose. Last year, Wendy's surpassed Burger King to become the second best-selling burger chain in the United States. It was close: Wendy's had $8.5 billion in sales, while Burger King had $8.4 billion. (Both were miles behind No. 1 McDonald's, at $34 billion). In an effort to regain the No. 2 slot, the chain has undergone a massive makeover, complete with Burger King new menu items, décor, and employee uniforms. Here are the Top 10 changes Burger King has made in the past year, in its biggest overhaul since it first opened its doors back in 1954:
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Saving Money
Bye-bye free checking. Hello fee checking.
Free checking is disappearing as banks scramble to make up lost revenue. Will the government's new finance watchdog step in and regulate bank's new checking fees?
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Horizons
iPad users report Wi-Fi, 4G LTE woes
Owners of the new iPad have reported issues with the Wi-Fi antenna and the 4G service on Apple's latest tablet.
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Hybrid cars 101: How long should batteries last?
Owners complain that some hybrid-car batteries conk out early. What is the lifespan of a hybrid battery?
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Checking fees too high? Customers eye credit unions.
Checking fees, other charges caused credit unions to gain double the normal number of customers. Mulling more hikes in checking fees, big banks could lose more customers, advocates say.
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Tesla Model X: Era of the all-electric SUV is arriving (+video)
Tesla Model X marks an expansion of all-electric offerings beyond coupes and sedans. Tesla Motors says the AWD version of the Tesla Model X has more zip than many sports cars.
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The Simple Dollar
Buying a car? Shop for reliability and fuel economy.
All of the luxury features you might want in a car should be completely secondary in your search. Focus instead on getting the best bang for your buck in terms of fuel efficiency and reliability.
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The Simple Dollar
Overcoming brand loyalty
Companies work very hard to associate brands with certain things in our minds, but make sure your product of choice is earning your loyalty.
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The Simple Dollar
Shopping: Why it pays to research
For every $100 you plan to spend over an item's lifetime, do an hour of research. It will pay off.
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The Simple Dollar
For big buys, wait 30 days
Spend the month before a large purchase deciding if you need the item, doing research, and deciding on a price limit
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Verizon to charge customers $2 for paying their bills. What gives?
A new fee, to take effect Jan. 15, applies to customers making one-time payments using a debit card or credit card online or by phone. Verizon cites extra costs for such transactions, but consumers are fuming.
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After Christmas sales: Your guide to snagging them, online or in person
After Christmas sales offer bargains both online and in-store. Here's a guide to finding them, as well as rules for using gift cards and making returns.
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Kids tablets: Five touch-screen computers for the nine-and-under set
If Mom and Dad want to use an an iPad, why shouldn't Junior get a tablet computer, too? Many parents appear to be following that line of reasoning, but many child-development experts say it's best for kids not to have too much "screen time" each day.
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Are arsenic levels in apple juice too high?
Arsenic levels allowed in apple juice may be too high, but even the consumer groups that are most concerned can't agree on the right levels.
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Black Friday 2011 deals: How about 20 percent off a new car?
Looking for a great deal on Black Friday 2011? You could elbow your way through big-box stores. But don't forget car dealerships, where new-car discounts may run in the thousands.
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The Simple Dollar
How long will it take an energy-efficient washer/dryer to pay for itself?
The big cost in washing clothes is heating the water, so if you really want to save money, use less hot water
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The New Economy
Suit to stop AT&T, T-Mobile merger: a boon for consumers?
The Justice Department's suit to block the merger could boost mobile-phone competition. If successful, the suit could preserve low-price plans that T-Mobile has been pushing.
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Did Irene damage your home? How to file an insurance claim.
If you're weighing whether to file a home insurance claim related to Hurricane Irene, consumer groups are offering advice on how to go about it. Here are some of the key steps to take.
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New finance watchdog: how much bite?
The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, launched in July, gives Americans a new ally in dealing with credit card and other financial companies. But just how far will the agency go in handling individual cases?
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Fuel economy: Big leap for efficiency, not hybrids
Fuel economy is headed to an average 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. But higher fuel economy standards won't force an end to the gasoline engine.








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