Sources

The desk works from public, checkable sources: consumer-protection agencies, official energy and food programmes, and consumer finance education published by regulators. Everything else is commentary - including, we are aware, this site.

Consumer protection and money education

• US Federal Trade Commission - consumer advice, including its work on subscription cancellation and negative-option marketing.
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - consumer tools - plain-language guides to budgets, bank accounts, auto costs and everyday money paperwork.
• USA.gov - Money and credit - the federal index of consumer money topics and complaint routes.

Energy, home and transport

• US Department of Energy - Energy Saver guide: where home energy goes and the order in which to tackle it.
• ENERGY STAR - appliance energy ratings and home energy assessments.
• FuelEconomy.gov - vehicle running costs, gas mileage tips and cost comparisons maintained by the DOE and EPA.
• EPA WaterSense - household water use and the fixtures that drive it.
• FCC - broadband consumer labels: the standard label providers must show for speed, price and fees.

Food and household

• US Department of Agriculture - food planning resources and household food-cost references.
• US Food and Drug Administration - food loss and waste: date labels, storage and the household share of food waste.
• Consumer Reports - independent product testing and buying guidance; cited for method and category knowledge, never for a price.