Shopping Smart
What it is
Section titled “What it is”Comparing prices, reading reviews, handling returns, and watching subscriptions.
Why it helps you
Section titled “Why it helps you”The same money stretches further, and you stop paying for things you don’t use.
This opens up
Section titled “This opens up”A budget that goes further.
Where to get help
Section titled “Where to get help”Shop safely
Section titled “Shop safely”Online Shopping (FTC) A plain guide from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a government agency. It covers comparing prices, checking a seller, and paying in a safer way.
- Cost: Free
- Who can use it: Anyone
- How to start: Read it before your next big online purchase.
- Good to know: Look at the total price, with shipping, fees, and tax. That’s the real cost.
How to Evaluate Online Reviews (FTC) Tips for spotting fake or paid reviews.
- Cost: Free
- Who can use it: Anyone
- How to start: Next time you read reviews, try one tip. Check the dates. A burst of reviews in a short time is a warning sign.
- Good to know: The FTC suggests starting with trusted expert review sites, not just customer stars.
CamelCamelCamel A free website that shows the price history of items on Amazon. You can see if a “sale” is really a lower price.
- Cost: Free
- Who can use it: Anyone
- How to start: Search for the item, or paste in its Amazon link. Look at the chart.
- Good to know: It only covers Amazon. You can set price alerts with a free account.
Free trials, subscriptions, and cancelling
Section titled “Free trials, subscriptions, and cancelling”Free trials and auto-renewals (FTC) Explains how “free” trials turn into monthly charges, and how to get out.
- Cost: Free
- Who can use it: Anyone
- How to start: Before a trial, write down the day it ends. Set a reminder a few days before.
- Good to know: If a company keeps charging you after you cancel, the FTC says you can dispute the charge with your card company. Keep proof that you cancelled.
The Cooling-Off Rule (FTC) A federal rule for sales made at your home, workplace, or dorm, or at a seller’s temporary spot, like a hotel room or fair. For many of these sales, you have three days to cancel.
- Cost: Free
- Who can use it: Anyone. It covers sales of $25 or more at your home. At temporary locations, it covers sales of $130 or more.
- How to start: Read the page to see what it covers. Cancel in writing within three days.
- Good to know: Some kinds of sales are not covered. The page lists them.
If something goes wrong
Section titled “If something goes wrong”ReportFraud.ftc.gov Report a scam, a fake store, or a company that won’t let you cancel.
- Cost: Free
- Who can use it: Anyone
- How to start: Click “Report Now,” or call 1-877-382-4357.
- Good to know: First try the store. Write down what happened and what you want, like a refund.
State consumer protection offices (USA.gov) Your state’s office can take complaints about stores and may help settle a dispute. Some states also have their own rules that make cancelling a subscription easier.
- Cost: Free
- Who can use it: Anyone
- How to start: Choose your state, then follow the link to its complaint form.
- Good to know: Each state’s office works a little differently.
If you only do one thing first
Section titled “If you only do one thing first”Look at your bank statement for the last month. Circle any charge that repeats, like apps or streaming. Ask yourself, “Do I still use this?” Cancel one you don’t need. That money is now yours again.
Watch out for
Section titled “Watch out for”- Fake countdown timers and “only 1 left!” These are made to rush you. You can take your time.
- “Free” offers that need your card. If it’s really free, they shouldn’t need your card. If they do, set a reminder to cancel.
- Gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto as payment. If a seller asks you to pay this way, it’s a scam.
- Prices that seem too good. A big-name item at 80% off on an unknown site may be fake or never arrive. Search the store’s name with “scam” or “complaint” first.
- “Final sale” or “as is.” You usually can’t return these. Check the return policy before you pay.
- Overpaying sellers. If you sell something and the buyer “accidentally” sends too much and asks for some back, it’s a scam. The check or payment will bounce.
- A federal “click to cancel” rule. You may read about one. A federal court threw it out in 2025, so it isn’t in force. Other laws still say companies can’t trick you into staying.