It may be the dead of winter, but there are exciting times ahead for fans of regional sports teams. Maybe you want to usher in a new St. Louis Cardinals season with a jersey. The St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL are back. And don’t forget the region’s newest Major League Soccer team, STL City. Some BattleHawks or City gear would be perfect for the St. Louis sports fan...

Better Business Bureau (BBB) St. Louis remained a steady advocate for marketplace trust in 2022, serving consumers across Eastern and Southwest Missouri and Southern Illinois nearly 21.4 million times, a 37.9% increase from 2021...

Many people are finding ways to set up a home gym as a way to stay in shape and maybe even stay within their newly resolved budget. But, in some cases, the equipment can be costly. BBB has some tips on what to know when considering gym equipment and staying within budget:...

If this is your year to take control of your weight and fitness, more power to you. Most likely, you’ll need a commitment to exercise regularly. Better Business Bureau (BBB) has tips to help you determine which gym or health club is the best place to keep you on track...

With tax season just getting under way, some consumers rush to file taxes as soon as their employers provide a W-2...

Are you considering a New Year’s resolution to lose weight or save money for retirement? What about resolving to be a savvy consumer as well?...

As holiday shopping season kicks into high gear, you may be considering gift cards for friends or relatives who have everything or those who live far away. Gift cards are an easy solution to people who are hard-to-please or already have everything. And they’re everywhere – at the drugstore, supermarket, quick shop and department stores. E-gift card options make it an even easier gift, not to mention a safer one during COVID-19...

For many Americans, giving to charities is almost as important during the holidays as celebrating with family. As a result, mailboxes often are stuffed with charitable solicitations as well as catalogs and shopping circulars this time of year. Whether you celebrate or not, giving before Jan. 1 means your gifts can be deductible on your 2022 tax return...

The holidays are all about celebrating what’s good, but that doesn’t mean scammers are taking a vacation. Better Business Bureau (BBB) takes this opportunity to remind consumers that con artists see busy, over-burdened shoppers as likely targets for their schemes...

Consumers struggling with inflation and ongoing supply chain issues may be considering renting, rather than purchasing, furniture and appliances. While the monthly charges may be enticing, consumers often wind up paying well over what the item is worth because of interest that is added to the purchase price. Those looking to purchase items through a rent-to-own business need to read the terms and conditions of the sale...

The last thing anyone wants is to be left out in the cold when winter hits. By doing a few simple things, you can keep your family safe from the elements...

Receiving an unsolicited credit card application addressed to your child might seem odd on its face, but it may be a red flag that your child’s identity has been stolen. Better Business Bureau® (BBB®) cautions parents to know the signs and be vigilant about protecting their children’s personal information...

No one enjoys taking things back to stores or sending products back to online retailers, and doing so after the holidays can be especially onerous. Knowing store policies and planning ahead can reduce the stress of returning gifts. You’ll help yourself and gift recipients if you find out how a store handles returns before you buy. It’s always better to ask about the policy than to find out you made the wrong assumption...

“Buy now, pay later” installment services are growing in popularity among national retailers of all sizes. Better Business Bureau® (BBB®) advises consumers to read and understand the terms of an installment purchase before clicking "Buy.” Otherwise, they could be surprised by fees or other charges that could add to the cost of their purchases...

As the holiday season approaches, and with labor shortages still felt acutely in the retail sectors, retailers and shipping companies alike are preparing to hire hundreds of thousands of seasonal employees. This is great news for job seekers because, while holiday jobs are usually temporary, many retailers end up hiring some holiday workers permanently. Amid all the legitimate jobs, however, job seekers should beware of employment scams such as mystery shopper jobs that don’t exist...

With the election coming up in a few weeks, Better Business Bureau (BBB) is alerting consumers to several scams that play off the nonstop election hype dominating the airwaves, news and social media...

Halloween is a time for tricks and treats, but shopping for decorations and costumes shouldn’t be a scary experience. Shoppers should rely on trusted merchants and research unfamiliar stores or websites before buying...

The havoc caused by Hurricane Ian may prompt many people to look for ways to help by donating time or money to help their fellow Americans recover. Better Business Bureau (BBB) reminds donors to make sure they’re donating to real nonprofits who are able to deliver aid where it’s needed. Publicity about disasters often is used by scammers to solicit money that never reaches those who need it...

When the temperature drops this fall, the last thing anyone wants is for the furnace to stop working. But when it does, you need a reliable contractor – and fast...

With October approaching, orange and black are everywhere – and so is pink. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the time for fun runs, pink-ribbon tie-ins and direct appeals to donate to a variety of charities that support research or breast cancer survivors...