John Matarese

John Matarese

John Matarese

Consumer Reporter

John is the “Don’t Waste Your Money” consumer reporter for Scripps, featuring money saving reports and scam alerts that are shared with more than 40 Scripps TV stations from his home base at WCPO-TV in Cincinnati. He is most proud of being able to help people who have been taken advantage of unfairly, and to warn others not to fall into the same situation. Whether it is alerting viewers to fake job scams, fighting an unfair rent hike, or saving money on the weekly grocery bill, John’s goal is to help everyday people save for a better future, and avoid the thousands of cons that are trying to separate us from our hard-earned money.

Recent Work
Toro lawnmowers and Cub Cadet lawn tractors are displayed at Granz Turf Depot

What to buy, and not buy, in April

Ace Hardware's Ed Rooch chats with reporter John Matarese.

Retirees are returning to the workforce in droves: Here's why

Multiple solar panels basking in the sun.

Thinking solar power? Make sure you do your homework

A person typing on a computer

When websites ask you to accept cookies, should you say yes or no?

Several Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

Are cash-back apps like Ibotta and Rakuten worth it?

Couple sitting in a home amid moving boxes.

Should you sell your home while going through a divorce?

Mahaffey family sit in a kitchen.

10-year-old has a brain cyst; children's hospital is out-of-network

Home contractor walking with plumbing tubes.

Secrets to hiring a good contractor, and warning signs of a bad one

A woman puts away items in a box marked "donate."

Spring clean your home, and make money doing it

Suze Orman

Suze Orman: Why many women struggle to save money

A rat

Rodents can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your car

Multiple lawn mowers lined up on sales floor.

What to buy in March, and a few things to skip

Person walking on college campus.

FAFSA fumble: Millions still waiting for financial aid letters

Person holds a car key.

Auto insurance rates soaring in 2024: What you can do

A paper to-go cup rests on a table.

Save money on coffee without sacrificing your morning cup

An older man sits on a couch, stares at younger man.

Adult children moving back home with mom and dad: Is this smart?

Person filling out insurance forms.

Car crashes into woman's house, insurance company lowballs her

Camper at Colerain Family RV

Boat and RV deals are back this year

Red roses wrapped individually in cellophane.

Great last-minute Valentine's gifts that won't bust your budget

Sign in front of house says "Sold! Over asking price"

Lower mortgage rates offer hope to homebuyers in 2024

Valentine's Day balloons are displayed at a grocery store.

Save on Valentine's Day gifts without coming off as a cheapskate

Jesus Reyes pushes a television down an aisle as he shops at a Best Buy store in Overland Park, Kansas

Big-screen TV deals for the big game this weekend

A sign warns drivers about potholes in Montpelier, Vermont.

Pothole season alert: Woman hit with $2,600 repair

Customers consider big-screen televisions in a Costco warehouse.

What to buy, and not buy, in the month of February

Golf ball on a golf course.

Tricks to maximize your paid time off from work

A dose of Ozempic injectible medication.

Ads promise discount Ozempic and Wegovy: Here's what you'll really get

Bottles of wine displayed at a store.

Pricey premium liquor: Customer stunned by $55 glass of scotch

A clerk brings in a shopping basket at a Dollar Tree store.

Dollar store deals: Best things to buy there, and some things to skip

A "sold" sign is posted outside a single-family home in a residential neighborhood in Glenside, Pennsylvania.

Soaring property values now turning into big tax bills

Taylor Swift performs during her Eras Tour concert.

Family loses $1,400 on fake Taylor Swift tickets as scams grow