Voice.Google.com - Sign up for Google Voice
FierceWireless.com - Article on Google Voice
EvaluateLifeInsurance.org - Life insurance policy analysis for $75-$85
Nolo.com - Read about the patenting process
FruitSeasons.com - Seasonal info to guide you when buying produce
Voice.Google.com - Sign up for Google Voice
FierceWireless.com - Article on Google Voice
EvaluateLifeInsurance.org - Life insurance policy analysis for $75-$85
Nolo.com - Read about the patenting process
FruitSeasons.com - Seasonal info to guide you when buying produce

Today's show featured "Best of Clark" segments from July 2009

Dish Network has reached a deal with the attorneys generals of 46 states over allegations that it cheated customers during a 5-year period. The states of California, North Carolina, Illinois and Ohio are still holding out for a better settlement with the satellite TV provider.

Among the allegations, Dish Network is said to have passed off used equipment as new; charged penalties when you canceled the service; required a minimum term of service in order for you to get advertised deals; and made their promised rebates virtually impossible to get.

Dish Network has not admitted any wrongdoing, but it has agreed to pay restitution to customers. The company has also agreed to provide clearer disclosures in the future.

When Dish Network launched in 1994, the market was wide open for them because people hated their cable monopolies. All that Dish Network needed to do was provide a good customer experience. Clark will never quite understand how they blew it.

Today the consumer champ puts out a renewed call to the company to rethink how it builds relationships with customers. Dish Network honcho Charlie Ergen is welcome to come on the show and explain his side of the story.

If you filed a complaint against Dish Network between Jan. 1, 2004 and July 9, 2009, you may be eligible for compensation. Call Dish Network customer service at (888) 825-2557 or contact the office of your state's attorney general for more details.

Editors's note: This segment originally aired July 2009

Google Voice is a free service with great promise for penny-pinchers.

When you sign up for the service, you get a new phone number. That new number rings simultaneously on as many of your existing numbers as you want.

(Editor's note: This service is being rationed out slowly, with groups of new users added from time to time. That's why Clark encourages you to sign up today.)

Google Voice also transcribes voicemails and converts them into text messages. Other features include free call forwarding and conference calling.

But FierceWireless.com recently reported on something that didn't occur to Clark.

Google Voice may allow you to stop paying big bucks for unlimited calling to a select group of "favorite" numbers. You'll be able to route your calls through Google Voice for nada, thereby freeing you up to cut your plan down to the lowest level for unlimited calling. See FierceWireless.com for more details.

Editors's note: This segment originally aired July 2009

How would you like to save more, spend less and getting ripped off…by ditching bottled water?

Bottled water costs around $1,400/year and represents an environmental hazard when you consider its packaging and transportation.

Now Bundanoon, Australia -- a suburb of Sydney -- has banned bottled water and created a nightmare for the industry. This is the first city in the world to stop the sale of bottled water.

Consider this: Tap water costs less than a penny per gallon and gives you access to clean, safe municipal drinking water. And here's a bulletin for bottled water drinkers: Companies like Coke (Dasani) and Pepsi (Aquafina) source their products from municipal water supplies -- just like tap water!

In addition, bottled water is only checked for safety about 12 times a year, while tap water is tested throughout the day.

Still uncomfortable drinking straight from the tap? Run your water through a filtered pitcher to remove impurities. Executive producer Christa, meanwhile, is investigating a $120 reverse osmosis filter for her home that attaches under the sink.

Remember, if bottled water is awful enough to be banned in Bundanoon, you should think about banning it in your life too!

Editors's note: This segment originally aired July 2009

Minnesota's Attorney General Lori Swanson has scored a major victory for consumers by banning one company that provided kangaroo court arbitration in credit card disputes from operating in that arena.

As part of your card-holder agreement, the banks that control most of the credit cards in the United States require any disputes to be settled in a forum where they pick the arbitrator and set the rules. This type of forum finds in favor of the banks 99.9996% of the time, according to a prior report. There's no way that could be a fair and impartial process.

Swanson's action was targeted against the National Arbitration Forum -- the country's largest administrator of credit card and consumer collections arbitrations.

"To consumers, the company said it was impartial," the attorney general said in a statement, "but behind the scenes, it worked alongside credit card companies to get them to put unfair arbitration clauses in the fine print of their contracts and to appoint the Forum as the arbitrator. Now the company is out of this business."

Throughout our nation's history, brave men and women have fought for our freedom and our branches of government. For the banksters to spit on their graves by not allowing you your day in court is an outrage.

There are, of course, other options that are more equitable than mandatory arbitration via a kangaroo court. Arizona is a leader in what's called alternative dispute resolution. This voluntary solution allows people to try to work out their problems with companies first -- with the understanding that going to court is possible if necessary.

Editors's note: This segment originally aired July 2009