TrustDALE Blog

Insights on Companies and Trust

The Credit Score Shortcut That Might Not Go the Distance
Finance & Tips Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

The Credit Score Shortcut That Might Not Go the Distance

Experian Boost can help improve your credit score, but it's not a silver bullet. Learn how it works and what strategies actually move the needle.

The Student Loan Help Hustle: Why You Should Think Twice
Finance & Tips Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

The Student Loan Help Hustle: Why You Should Think Twice

Student loan assistance shouldn’t cost a dime, but some companies want you to pay anyway. Learn how to avoid the hustle and get real help for free.

Slammed by the System: How One HOA Dodged Blame for a Broken Gate
Finance & Tips
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Slammed by the System: How One HOA Dodged Blame for a Broken Gate

A malfunctioning gate damaged a visitor’s car, but the HOA refused to pay, citing a warning sign. Here’s what that really means, and what consumers can do when faced with HOA negligence.

From Dream to Deception: The Dark Side of Rent-to-Own Real Estate
Finance & Tips Scam Prevention
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

From Dream to Deception: The Dark Side of Rent-to-Own Real Estate

Rent-to-own homes promise a path to ownership, but many deals end in scams. Learn how to spot the deception and protect your dream of buying a home.

The NDA Dilemma: Should You Trade Your Voice for a Refund?
Finance & Tips
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

The NDA Dilemma: Should You Trade Your Voice for a Refund?

Some companies offer refunds only if you sign a non-disclosure agreement. Learn what that really means, what rights you give up, and whether it’s worth it.

From Appraisal to Upgrade: Smart Ways to Fund a Home Remodel
Finance & Tips Home Services
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

From Appraisal to Upgrade: Smart Ways to Fund a Home Remodel

Planning a major home remodel but already carrying debt? Here's how to finance your project without putting your home – or your future – at risk.

Worn Out Already? Why Cheap Floors Cost You More
Finance & Tips Home Services
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Worn Out Already? Why Cheap Floors Cost You More

Make the right first impression with commercial flooring that’s built to last. Learn how traffic, location, and style impact your bottom line – and how to avoid costly mistakes.

Price Jump Panic: What to Do When a Contractor Changes the Deal
Finance & Tips Home Services
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Price Jump Panic: What to Do When a Contractor Changes the Deal

A homeowner was quoted $10,500 for windows, then told it should’ve been $11,500. Here’s how to protect yourself when prices change after the fact.

Letting Go of the Grand: Smart Ways to Sell Your Piano
Finance & Tips
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Letting Go of the Grand: Smart Ways to Sell Your Piano

Selling a piano today isn’t what it used to be. Here's how to find the right buyer so your beloved instrument doesn’t just gather dust.

When Life Benches You, But the Gym Won’t Let You Quit
Finance & Tips
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

When Life Benches You, But the Gym Won’t Let You Quit

Injured and can’t use your gym membership? You might still be stuck paying. Here’s what to do if your gym refuses to cancel your contract, even after an accident.

Signed, Sealed, Stolen? How a MacBook Disappeared in Transit
Finance & Tips
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Signed, Sealed, Stolen? How a MacBook Disappeared in Transit

When a MacBook never arrived after an Uber delivery, the customer was left hanging. Here's what to do when high-value packages go missing and how to protect yourself from being stuck in delivery limbo.

Forgotten Funds: How to Recover Money You Didn't Know You Had
Finance & Tips
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Forgotten Funds: How to Recover Money You Didn't Know You Had

Many Americans are owed unclaimed money and don't even know it. Here's how to find your missing deposit or forgotten funds without paying a middleman.

Fans vs. Ticketmaster: Inside the Refund Fight
Finance & Tips
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Fans vs. Ticketmaster: Inside the Refund Fight

Ticketmaster faced backlash for withholding refunds on postponed events. Here’s how public pressure led to a policy shift, and what fans need to know now to claim their money.

Driveway Damage and a Delivery Dodge: When Accountability Rolls In Late
Exterior & Landscaping Finance & Tips
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

Driveway Damage and a Delivery Dodge: When Accountability Rolls In Late

When a mystery delivery truck crushed their brick border and vanished, one couple turned detective. What happened next is a masterclass in consumer persistence and accountability.

Click the link below to download the latest edition of TrustDALE Home Magazine.

  • Filename: TDMAG-April-2024-WebRes.pdf
  • Filetype: PDF
  • Filesize: 8.6MB
Download
Subscribe to TrustDALE Newsletters

Sign up for our
Newsletters

Three for Thursday is a weekly email and Dale's Do's and Don'ts is a monthly newsletter from Consumer Investigator Dale Cardwell. Each week in Three for Thursday you will see a video of one of our investigations, hear Dale answer real consumer questions and learn the steps to becoming a savvy consumer. Each month in Dale's Do's and Don'ts Dale provides information valuable to homeowners.

Email Business

Search services