CALPIRG’s Ultimate Summer Tip Guide

While record-setting inflation and high gas prices are making almost everything more expensive, we know many are still itching to go on that well-deserved vacation, albeit on a budget. And no matter what you do or where you go this summer, saving money is always a good idea. Here are a few tips to stay under budget:

• Combat inflation at the grocery store. This includes eating from your stored dry/canned foods, making sure you are not wasting food you already own and buying cheaper “ugly” foods (foods that are of the same quality but reduced in price because they don’t meet the same aesthetic standards as their fellow fruits and vegetables).
• Know your food labels. The best way to save money on food is not to waste the food you already have. That means getting familiar with the differences between “Best-By,” “Sell-By,” and “Use-By.” Our guide will help you discern what is and isn’t safe and save you money.
• Drive less, live more. Not only is transportation now America’s No. 1 source of carbon pollution, rising gas prices have made it incredibly costly. Take advantage of carpools, public transportation, bikes and scooters when you can to save money and reduce pollution for driving.
• Buy and give used items. A fun summer day doesn’t have to be expensive. Opting for used or refurbished items instead of brand new ones can reduce costs, and there are many hobbies or experiences that don’t have to be bought at all. Our guide walks you through fun gifts and experiences that are less expensive and better for the environment. 

In our rush to order the pool toys, lawn chairs and other supplies we need for the summer, we may be vulnerable to counterfeit and knock off goods. While not every counterfeit product is dangerous, they are more likely to contain dangerous chemicals or not meet U.S. safety standards.

One example of a dangerous summer product you may encounter is counterfeited sunglasses and eyewear, which made up 24% of the health and safety products seized by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol in 2020. Without adequate UV protection, these sunglasses could lead to someone suffering serious eyesight damage.

Here are some tips to avoid dangerous counterfeits:

• Be careful when shopping online. Online shopping for pool toys, sun lotion and other summer knick knacks could inadvertently lead you to counterfeit items. Be sure to click on the seller’s information, and look the seller up on the internet before you buy anything. Be wary of misspellings, mislabelings and blurry/pixelated images. And generally, know that if an item is unreasonably cheap and sold out everywhere else, you might not be able to trust the listing.
• Be on the lookout for fake online reviews. Fake reviews are a common tactic used to trick consumers into buying a fake or faulty product. Look at the dates of the reviews (a diverse range of dates is generally more trustworthy) and check the reviewers themselves. If they have generic names and have only reviewed the one product, it may be a fake review.
• Report any bad experiences. If you believe you’ve purchased a counterfeit or knockoff product, you can report it to www.saferproducts.gov or call the CPSC at 800-638-2772.

Sometimes, even legitimate items can end up being recalled due to safety defects. 

We’ve seen this before in our summer products: Last year, several types of Johnson & Johnson sunscreens were pulled off shelves because some samples contained traces of benzene — a cancer-causing agent. Here are some resources to make sure that your summer products and snacks are safe for you and your family:

• Shop at grocery stores that notify you about recalls. Amazingly, stores are not required to notify consumers directly when they buy a product that is later  recalled. Until the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strengthens its guidelines about how stores must notify us, you can check out our new report to see the best and worst grocery stores for notifying you.
• Know where to look up if a product has been recalled. Meat products, products such as bicycle helmets or toys or electronics, and everything overseen by the FDA all have different resources to look up the status of recalls (linked here for your convenience). 
• Stay vigilant, especially when shopping at bargain outlets, flea markets or other locations where the chance of finding recalled products is higher. Sign up for free recall alerts with the FDA or U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and pay attention to some type of national news for info about major recalls.

Whether you are visiting relatives and friends, taking that long-deserved vacation or traveling for a concert or festival, many of us will be flying or driving. But in the case of another COVID-19 flare-up, many of us may consider postponing these plans. Here’s how to make the most from your refund and avoid scams during your trip:

• Make the most of vouchers and credits from airline companies. If an airline cancels your flight, you should immediately ask to get a refund (even if your airline initially offers you something else instead). If it doesn’t give you one, the linked guide informs you how to navigate the travel and cancellation policies for the top 10 domestic airlines in the United States.
• If your in-person event gets canceled, know your rights. You might not always be able to get your money back, but there are a few key steps you can take to increase the chances of that happening. They include checking if the event was “canceled” or “postponed,” and reviewing your vendor’s refund policy.