For years, I’ve turned to Consumer Reports for their advice on major purchases. Even without a subscription, We’ve often gone to the library to find out what the best of the best is. Now, Consumer Reports has a new, magazine style shopping guide called Shop Smart. Shop Smart is a magazine for the savvy shopper without all the annoying ads you’ll find in other magazines.
Consumer Reports Shop Smart Magazine Review

I was able to review the March 2012 issue of Shop Smart and enjoyed the variety of topics and advice on great buys. For instance, now is the time of year to buy linens. I’ve heard this before but didn’t actually remember that it is in March. Shop Smart alerts savvy shoppers of such and includes helpful advice on how to pick the best sheets (it is not always the thread count!).
In this issue, there is a whole section on handbags and their evolving styles and designs. I now know that my bulky purse with big hardware is way out of style giving way to sleeker, more feminine styles that weigh less, have less hardware, and are brighter and full of color.
I also enjoyed the Q & A sections with helpful advice such as solving the problem of what causes streaks on glasses in the dishwasher to their helpful finds of easy ways to combat this such as cleaning debris from the filter to their top choice of detergent.
For those crafty and people that like to re-purpose materials, there is a section devoted to “Organizing on the cheap”. In this section, Shop Smart gives examples of popular products like stacked shelving systems, under-the-bed storage organizers, and jewelry racks and explained how you can make your own with materials already in your home or less expensive items found at the DIY store.
Shop Smart offers clever ideas that will get you organized without breaking the bank.
his was not a paid post. My own opinions were used based on my perceptions and experience. Thank you to Consumer Reports who supplied the product for review.