■ The Big Idea
You’re considering shelling out a large amount of cash. New appliance? New insurance policy? Maybe a cruise to the Bahamas? You want to be sure you’re getting your money’s worth. So many business books talk about making money, but how many deal with the other side of the coin, spending money? Finally, here is a guide to help you with as wide a variety of purchases as you could possibly make in your lifetime. From cars to building renovations, education and insurance, The Savvy Consumer teaches you to watch out for traps, to filter sales talk, and so much more.

■ About the Author
Elisabeth Leamy is "The Savvy Consumer. " In her private life, shes a gleeful bargain hunter and skeptical scam buster. In her public life, shes the consumer reporter and senior investigative reporter for Fox 5, WTTG , in the nations capital. Elisabeths in-depth investigations appear every few weeks and her consumer stories air several times each week. Elisabeths reports have resulted in arrests, new city laws and Congressional inquiries.

Elisabeths mission is to investigate wrongs and educate viewers about their rights. With each report, she makes it a point to provide "news you can use." She never wants to bore members of her audience with information they already know. Instead, Elisabeth digs for unique, useful advice that will save viewers time and money. Now those same great insights are all in one place in her book, The Savvy Consumer.

Elisabeth joined WTTG in May 1997. Prior to that, she worked in the Popular "On Your Side" consumer unit at WFLA in Tampa, Florida. Elisabeth began her on-air career at KERO in Bakersfield, California in 1992. She has also worked behind the scenes at ABC News in London.