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This week on The Checkout

Get the lowdown on the latest episode of ABC's hit new series.

22 May 2013 | This week The Checkout looks at online terms & conditions, the poorly-regulated world of cosmetic enhancements and just what's in that can of energy drink you're consuming.

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Is laser and IPL hair removal safe?

We expose a number of untrained operators aiming lasers at the public's body parts.

20 May 2013 | A lack of regulation has led to a rise in untrained laser and IPL operators.

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What's your caffeine intake?

Do you know how much you’re actually consuming?

20 May 2013 | Caffeine shows up in products from corn chips and smoothies through to painkillers and weight loss products.

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Borrowing from Peter - P2P lending

Peer-to-peer lending is one way to cut out the middleman - and pay less interest.

7 May 2013 | It's been around for a while in the UK and elsewhere, but peer-to-peer lending has only just arrived in Australia. If you qualify for a loan, you're bound to get a better deal than you would from a bank.

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Animal testing labelling

Can you trust a cosmetic company's claims that its products aren't tested on animals? If it sells them in China, possibly not.

6 May 2013 | Your favourite cosmetic brands could be being tested on animals even while they claim not to be. Find out which are the worst offenders.

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The problems with ticketing

No matter the event, you’ll likely be slugged a whole lot of extra charges for tickets.

1 May 2013 | We investigate the problems associated with buying tickets through agents, cinemas, and from scalpers.

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Recycle old computers

e-waste recycling is vital in preventing toxic materials in old electronic equipment from leaching into the environment. Here's how you can do your bit to help.

1 May 2013 | We look at the environmental impacts of improperly disposing of old electronic equipment, how you can make "greener" purchasing decisions and where you can take your devices to be recycled or refurbished.

Not so superfoods

Raw 'superfoods'

From chia seeds to acai berries, we look beyond the hype to find out if the health benefits of some so-called "superfoods" live up to their claims.

23 Apr 2013 | Some foods claim to do everything from prevent cancer to help you lose weight, but do they deserve to be touted as super?

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Consumer sharing

Swap, share and rent your way to a better future.

23 Apr 2013 | Consumer sharing is growing in popularity to meet today’s buyer demands. It’s energy efficient, environmentally friendly and cost effective, and it’s now easier than ever.

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Energy retailers' marketing tactics

Energy retailers are resorting to hard-sell tactics to increase market share.

23 Apr 2013 | Energy retailers are trotting out special deals to try to lock in your business.

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