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The Latest

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  financial aid Aug 3

  Securing More Financial Aid During the Coronavirus Pandemic

  Whether you’re heading to college online or by the hybrid learning model this fall, it’s crucial to make sure higher education is still affordable. Consumer Reports offers some advice on how to get additional financial aid even if some deadlines have gone by.
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  big screen fun Jul 31

  Bringing Big Screen Fun to Your Home or Backyard

  If you’re missing the movie theater due to the pandemic, why not bring big screen excitement to your home or backyard? Consumer Reports looked at various mini projectors and has all what you need to know about setting up a fun family movie night at home.
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  Consumer Reports Jul 24

  How to Use Your Grill Like a Smoker

  If you love the flavor of wood-smoked barbecue, there’s a way to use your grill like a smoker.
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  home buying Jul 21

  Is Now the Right Time to Buy a House?

  With record unemployment and a volatile stock market due to the coronavirus pandemic, many people are feeling financial stress. But Consumer Reports explains even though we are living in uncertain economic times, this may actually be the right time buy a house.
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  refunds Jul 21

  Travel Insurance and COVID-19: What One Woman's Experience Teaches Us

  A women’s championship bowling tournament was supposed to be held in Las Vegas in May and Debbie Varrs was going to cheer on her friends.  “We were going to stay on the strip, and I was, of course, going to take in some shows and just make a little trip out of it,” Varrs said. But COVID-19 hit. The tournament...
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  summer rentals Jul 16

  Vacation Rental Safety Amid the Pandemic

  Due to the coronavirus, renting a private home nearby has become a popular way to vacation this summer. Consumer Reports reveals how to minimize your exposure to the virus while keeping your family safe in your rental.
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  shopping trends Jul 15

  Shopping Trends During the Pandemic

  Stay at home orders the last few months due to the coronavirus pandemic has led to online retail therapy for many Americans. Among the many feel-good items retailers have seen a spike in are bread makers, big-screen televisions, puzzles, vacuum sealers, air purifiers, pajamas and cozy socks, according to Marshal Cohen, the chief retail analyst at t...
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  coronavirus Jul 14

  COVID-19 Scams Are on the Rise — Here's How to Spot Them

  New data shows a huge spike in coronavirus-related rip-offs, scam and fraud. Consumer Reports shares tips on how to spot them.
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  fake face mask exemption card Jul 20

  Justice Department Issues Warning About Fake Face Mask Exemption Cards

  Business owners beware: If someone comes into your establishment, holding a card that says they’re exempt from wearing a face covering, the U.S. Justice Department wants you to know that the card is not real. The card is tied to a group called the Freedom to Breath Agency and claims the cardholder is exempt from wearing a mask because it...
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  beach safety Jul 10

  Heading to the Beach? Here's How to Stay Safe

  Is it still safe to go to pools or beaches this summer? Consumer Reports has some tips on how to have fun in the sun safely.
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  2020 census Jul 10

  What to Know About the 2020 Census

  There are many reasons why you should take part in the census — billions, really, since the federal questionnaire is how the government apportions its budget.
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  aerosmith Jul 9

  Aerosmith Reschedules Concert at Fenway Park; Ticket Refunds and Credits Available

  Concert fans won’t be rockin’ out at Fenway Park this summer. On Thursday, Aerosmith announced it has rescheduled its September concert to next year. The group was the last of nine artists to either postpone or cancel summer shows at the venue amid the coronavirus pandemic. Michael Graffeo, of Humarock, had been waiting on the announcem...
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  lapsed drivers license Jul 9

  Mass. Man Turns Misfortune Into $4,000 in Casino Winnings

  A Massachusetts man who let his driver’s license lapse had a bit of bad luck when trying to cash in on some winnings earlier this year at the Encore Boston Harbor. Tom Rosenthal, of Waltham, had lady luck on his side when he visited the Encore in January. “I threw some money in the slots, and all of a...
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  illegal fireworks Jul 8

  Setting Off Illegal Fireworks Could Cost You

  Illegal fireworks lighting up the night sky over Boston has been keeping law enforcement busy this summer. With nearly 1,500 fireworks complaints to the Boston Police Department in the first week of June alone, Mayor Marty Walsh said last month fireworks were traumatizing residents. “Fireworks continue to be major safety and quality of life c...
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  bicycle business Jul 6

  Pandemic Leads to Bicycle Boom, Shortage

  More and more people are venturing outdoors on bicycles to get exercise amid the coronavirus pandemic. But with the uptick in sales and shortage in parts from global supply chains, many stores in the United States are now trying to keep up with the demand. The bicycle business is booming at Sirois Bicycle Shop in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. Own...
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  Consumer Reports Jul 4

  Electric Bike Boom, Here's What You Should Know

  Electric bicycles are becoming the new green way to get around. In fact, sales of e-bikes grew by 85% since last year. But if you’re thinking about an e-bike for your commute or just around your neighborhood, Consumer Reports says there are some things you should know. For one, they’re legal to own and to sell, but they’re not legal......
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  day trips Jul 2

  Remote New England Road Trips to Consider This Summer

  When the coronavirus pandemic began, Steve Jermanok decided to write a book, condensing his two decades of experience as a travel writer for the Boston Globe and Yankee Magazine into a new book, “New England in a Nutshell: The Definitive Guide to the Region. “I wanted to distill those down to an easy to read roundup format, like te...