January 2010

Could Free Trial Offers Be 'Fee' Trial Offers in Disguise?
These tips from the FTC can help you determine if a free trial offer is right for you.

New Booster seat ratings: 9 BEST BETS & 6 GOOD BETS
These ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rate 60 booster seats on how well they provide lap and shoulder belt fit in a variety of vehicles.

Thinking of replacing an appliance? Then check out your state's Cash for Clunkers for Appliances rebate program. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 included funds for states to implement refund programs for the purchase of new energy-efficient appliances. Products eligible for rebates vary from state to state. These links provide more information about the programs.

Cash for Clunkers for Appliances FAQ from Consumer Reports

Approved Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Programs from the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Savers website.

December 2009

A holiday gift to all: Recycle your old electronics
If you're planning on replacing older electronics this holiday season, recycle them says this article and video from Consumer Reports.

Layaway: Another Way to Buy
This article from the FTC describes what questions to ask about plans and how to prevent problems.

Helpful Hints for Holiday Travelers
If you're flying this holiday season, here are some tips from the Transportation Security Administration that can help smooth your travel.

Holiday Shopping on a Budget: Tips from the Federal Trade Commission
These tips can help you stay on budget while shopping smartly whether you're shopping online, by phone or mail, or locally.

November 2009

The 2010 Census is fast approaching. Every household will receive a questionnaire in February or March 2010. Census phishing and email scams are already appearing. These tips from the Census Bureau will help you avoid the scams.

The 2010 Fuel Economy Guide is now available. The annual fuel cost estimates in the online 2008-2010 fuel economy guides are updated weekly to reflect the Energy Information Administration's current national average prices for gasoline and diesel fuel.

How to pay down your debt
This article from Consumer Reports evaluates 3 different strategies for paying off your credit card balances.

Net Cetera: Chatting With Kids About Being Online
This guide from OnGuard Online can help adults talk to kids about how they live their lives online and help them reduce the risks of socializing and communicating online.

October 2009

Flu.gov
This website from the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services is a one-stop resource for current information about the flu — seasonal and H1N1.

Big Brother is watching
This article from Consumer Reports describes the various personal information that companies collect and how the companies use it.

September 2009

2009 Credit Card Survey
Check out the results of the latest credit card survey from Consumer Action.

10 Rules for Creating a Hacker-Resistant Password
Following these tips from the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse can help protect your private information.

The cheapskate's ultimate guide to supermarket savings
Consumer Report's Tightwad Tod describes frugal supermarket shopping.

Capture the Power of a Spending Plan (pdf)
These tips can help you develop a spending plan which can help you achieve your financial goals. It's from the Clark County University of Wisconsin Extension Service.