Want to improve your credit score? Want to cut your tax bills? Like to tear up hundred dollar bills? (You're probably doing that). How about this: want to wake up retired and without money? Your Financial Well-being rules your life. We put you in charge of the rules.
Saving money is a top priority for most people these days. Yet, most of us also want to do our best for the environment. Taking steps that help you go greener at home and also save money is a win – win goal. So in this report, my team and I have pulled together a variety of easy, practical tips. Add at least one new green, money-saving practice each week, and over time your wallet and the planet will say thank you!
Lighting. Incandescent light bulbs lose about 90% of the electricity they use as heat. Replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) and LED bulbs, can reduce your electricity bill. Even though CFL and LED bulbs are more expensive than incandescent bulbs, they are more efficient and last longer. To avoid problems, however, you must choose the correct bulb for an application because CFLs and LED lights can burn out quickly when used in the wrong place. For example, a regular CFL “coil” light placed in a can light or an enclosed fixture typically will burn out rather quickly—a waste of your money. Excessive heat can also cause LED lights to burn out. Learn more about CFL and LED lighting at the energystar.gov site.
Are you tempted to refinance with interest rates at historic lows? Or are your loan payments stretching your budget? How do you know if refinancing is right for you? This month's report looks at reasons why now may be a good time to refinance your mortgage or other loans.
Is refinancing right for your circumstances?
Is your loan’s interest rate higher than current loan rates? Do you have equity in your house or property (that means, do you owe less than the current value of your property)? Are you current on your loan payments? If you can answer yes to these questions, then you may wish to consider refinancing.
The news headlines have been telling the bad news for months: financial crisis, job losses, recession, record foreclosures. Millions of people have been affected financially by the current economic conditions. If you are facing debt or credit difficulties, how you handle matters to resolve the issues can make a big difference. This month's report provides some tips to help.
If you are facing difficulties, take prompt action.
At the first sign of financial difficulties, you should take immediate steps to get on the path to financial recovery. The earlier you start, the more options you have.
Debit cards, also known as check cards, offer convenience in managing personal cash flow. In just a few days, I’ve observed people using debit cards to pay for purchases ranging from a pack of gum, bottle of water or cup of coffee to larger purchases such as weekly groceries, a tank of gasoline, or a set of new tires. According to surveys, many people are embracing debit cards because they felt that they can better track where their money goes and that they have less risk of incurring debt because purchases are deducted directly from their checking accounts. Used wisely, debit cards can offer these benefits and more. Like any tool, however, debit cards may present some pitfalls to users who aren’t careful or adequately alert. In this report, we’ll look at ways to ensure wise use for the best benefits from debit cards.
The holiday season is over. Holiday shopping and the effects of the poor economy have emptied wallets. At times like this, you need some entertainment. But can you afford it? And you still have year-round shopping needs. What’s the best way to save money? This report offers tips to help you enjoy good times and good shopping at reasonable and reduced costs.
Saving on Entertainment
When the budget is tight, many people cut back on entertainment. But let the good times roll with these tips to save on books, DVDs, movie tickets, dining, and more.
Economic hard times such as the nation is now experiencing bring out the schemes and scams that aim to make a buck on people who may be feeling pressure financially and who are unwary. In the last few weeks, I have seen dozens of ads and email solicitations for “opportunities” that could wreck an already stressed budget. So this month’s review details 1) some schemes and scams to avoid always and 2) some services that may be helpful in certain circumstances but that you must choose wisely how to use.
According to two recent national surveys, health care coverage costs will continue to increase in 2009. Are you one of the many consumers who are concerned about rising health care costs? This month's report looks at various ways to help you save on health care costs.
Health Care Savings Programs
There are various programs established by Congress that can help you save money on health care costs. The following types of plans utilize tax either pre-tax or tax free dollars to pay for health care.
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
Health Savings Accounts are tax-exempt savings account that allows account holders to pay covered health care expenses with pre-tax dollars. To qualify for an HSA you must:
At present high prices continue at the gas pump and are creeping up at the supermarket checkout counter. Every month it seems the Consumer Price Index ticks a little higher over last year. These trends tend to make most of us budget conscious. Have you been looking for ways to save a few dollars? If so, this report’s for you. This month I've searched the Web for lots of tips to help you save dollars. The savings can start to add up, the more tips you follow.
Are you considering purchasing a fuel efficient car?
Fuel efficient vehicles, as well as vehicles that only look fuel-efficient, are selling fast and selling at "list" price or more. This means that you need to be a smart buyer if you’re in the market. Here are a couple of tips to help.
Ads like these are pushing foreclosed homes. Buying a foreclosed home may or not be a “deal,” however. The process of buying foreclosed properties is more complicated and has more pitfalls and risks than buying a regular new or existing home (without foreclosure problems) on the real estate market. If you’re weighing the option of purchasing a foreclosed residence, this month's report provides tips and points to help you be better prepared.
Have you seen one of the many ads for reverse mortgages on the television or received them in the mail? Many such ads paint reverse mortgages as ideal sources of income for any homeowner who’s 62 or older. In actuality, reverse mortgages are not for everyone. Your age, circumstances, and estate plans can make a big difference in whether a reverse mortgage or another type loan may be best. Plus, reverse mortgages are complicated and not easy to understand. This month's report looks at the basics of reverse mortgages and outlines some steps that may help you determine if one is right for you.
These days, every fill-up of the family vehicle brings new sticker shock. The soft economy along with rising fuel prices have many people rethinking their summer travel and vacation plans. Before you decide simply to skip this year’s vacation, consider all the ways you can save money and still enjoy getting away. This month's report discusses ways to get the most for your travel dollars.
The slow down in the economy, the housing bust, and the tightening of credit have forced many people into financial difficulties. Scammers are just waiting to take advantage of these situations. People who are worried about money or losing their homes make lucrative targets for these thieves. You can protect yourself by learning to recognize the facts and the scams profiled in this month’s report.
It's that time again—time to file your income taxes. Nobody enjoys tax time, but being armed with the right information can help you accomplish this chore quickly and safely. This month's report provides information on free e-filing, an update on “quick refund” loan schemes, and tips for finding a reliable tax preparer with expertise to match your needs.
E-file your taxes for free
The number of people who file their taxes electronically has increased each year. In 2007, 80 million people e-filed their taxes. While many people pay a fee to e-file—for example, through software programs or tax preparers—the IRS offers the Free File program. According to the IRS, most taxpayers—70% or 97 million—are eligible to use Free File.
Increasingly, cell phones have become a necessity for modern life. But most cell phone users aren’t happy about their service. In the latest Annual Survey of Cell Phone Service, Consumer Reports found that more than half of cell phone users were not satisfied with their service. Typical consumer complaints include poor coverage, dropped calls, early termination fees, mandatory contract extensions, locked phones, and unexpected fees. When cell phones offer many functions beyond phone calls—from text messaging to surfing the Internet to downloading videos—finding the right plan to meet your needs without breaking your budget can be a challenge. Here are some tips to help you meet that challenge.
“Pre-approved” credit card offers continue arriving daily in the mail in spite of the recent “credit crunch.” Many present temptingly low introductory or balance transfer rates. Others dangle “rewards” or “cash back” programs. Their goal: to entice you to apply for their card. If you need a credit card, what factors should you look at to make the best decision for you and your wallet?
This report helps you get past the sales hype so you can truly compare what is the best offer for you. Many members find that Elevations CU will ultimately provide the best value for their situation — competitive rates, fewer or lower fees, and caring member service.
An earlier Remar's Report looked at ways to finance higher education and focused on student loans. According to FinAid.org, the average student loan debt for a new graduate is almost $20,000. Whether you're just starting to repay your loans, you've been paying off your student loans for a while, or you're a parent paying off student loans, my report this month looks at the options you have for managing repayment of your loans.
Your repayment options can vary depending upon the types of the loans—federal or private—you have, the amount you owe, and your financial situation. Consolidation of your loans isn't your only option.
Energy costs have been rising for your home. None of us like to open our utility bills each month. There are various ways to reduce your utility bills including many that have little or no cost. Lowering your utility bills may also make a positive impact on the environment. My report this month offers tips that can help you save money and go greener at home.
No Cost/Low Cost Tips
There are many ways in which you can begin to save money without spending a lot of money.
Has your e-mail inbox had more spam in it lately? If so, you're not alone. In their never-ending siege on protective anti-spam filters, spammers are now using PDF (portable document format), Excel, and Word documents to try to scam you and steal your personal and financial information. And there are more new tricks. Your best defense is knowledge of their tactics. This month's report, looks at the latest scams now showing up in inboxes across the country.
How do you pay for everyday purchases or bills? Cash? Check? Credit Card? Debit Card? If you are like most people, you use a combination of these methods—and more. The advent and growth of electronic banking has encouraged many people to move more and more from paper (cash, checks) to plastic (credit cards, debit cards). All these payment methods have roles to play in personal financial management today.
Countless advertisements on storefronts, on TV, in print media, and over the Internet entice cash-strapped consumers with offers of “cash today” with “no credit check”—just borrow against your next paycheck. Since my 2004 RealityCheck Report on payday loans, the industry has continued to grow dramatically, particularly on the Internet.
Payday lenders hawk their loans as a useful “service” that helps consumers meet short-term, emergency needs for cash at a modest cost. The facts tell a different story. About ninety percent of revenue for payday lenders comes from borrowers who can’t pay off their loans at the end of their two-week term and pay additional fees to extend or “flip” the loan, according to a well-researched report by the Center for Responsible Lending. Annual percentage rates (APR) typically range from 400% to over 1000%. Borrowers of a $300 loan often end up paying back well over $700.
The housing market has been much in the news recently. After years of steadily rising home values, the market has cooled. In many areas home values have leveled off and in some areas home values are actually going down. At the same time, a record number of home foreclosures have been reported to date in 2007. The press is full of news about rising default rates, particularly for “subprime” mortgages.
As some of the heavily marketed “creative” financing products such as Option Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) “reset,” many homeowners face suddenly higher monthly payments they can no longer afford. The impact has unsettled the housing and mortgage markets.
Whether your credit is already good or could use some improvement, managing your personal finances in ways that enhance your creditworthiness is always smart. Adopting sound practices that enhance your credit score is a good place to start.
The topic of credit scores has been in the personal finance news since credit reporting agencies began to make such scores available to consumers several years ago. This event has opened the door to a number of Web-based companies that offer to provide your score — along with outrageous fees — for what may be inaccurate information. You can get all this information yourself for much less. The RealityCheck Report, What is a Credit Score, and How Can it Affect Your Credit? explains credit scoring and tells you how to get accurate info about your score for a reasonable fee.
Expecting a refund on your 2007 federal income tax return? Want it quickly? Then e-filing your return is a smart choice. Get it even faster by having your refund deposited directly in your credit union checking or savings account. You may even qualify for free e-filing. How does e-filing work? This month's report profiles e-filing.
The cost of post-secondary education—college, university, community college or career or trade schools—continues to rise. But pursuing higher education can be worth the investment. A recent report "Education Pays 2006" from the College Board found that in 2005 women (aged between 25-34) with bachelor's degrees earned 70% more than women in the same age group who had only a high school diploma. Men in this age group with bachelor's degrees earned 63% more than male high school graduates. And on average how much more did the college grads earn? $14,000 a year.
Throughout 2007, the number of people shopping online and the number of purchases online is expected to continue to grow rapidly. Whether you buy online frequently or just occasionally, online shopping isn't risk or hassle free, however. As you start the New Year, here are some good pointers and tips for shopping safely on the Internet.
Dozens of radio and TV ads from many different charities are currently flooding the airwaves suggesting that you donate your used car or boat. Are you considering it? If so, then you need to know how the 2005 changes in IRS rules might affect the tax deductibility of your gift. You also need to know how to check out the charity you're considering. This month's review will help you do these things wisely. Planning to donate to a charity but not necessarily a vehicle? You'll want to read this review too. I'm going to start with the most important thing—how to check out the charity so that you know your dollars will go where you want them to. Then, I'll share the technical details about vehicle donation.
Consumer debt, not including mortgages, in the U.S. has climbed to over $2 trillion and continues rising. Part of this surge represents growing credit card debt. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve's campaign to keep inflation in check has forced interest rates higher. Rising interest rates in turn make credit card debt more expensive to pay off. To add pressure, the housing boom also appears to be cooling and in some areas growth in housing values has not just slowed, but declined. Higher interest rates and lower housing values make home equity loans harder to get and less attractive. In real life, all these economic "trends" mean that many consumers are getting deeper in debt and may be finding it harder to make ends meet. Some of these consumers may be considering bankruptcy.
Do you know where your financial and important documents are? If you had to leave your home quickly, could you easily find them? If something happened to you, could someone else find all of your important papers? If you answered yes to all of these questions, congratulations, you are well organized. For the rest of us, this report profiles how to put your important records in order.
Are you carrying balances on high interest rate credit cards? Have you been tempted by all those ads in print, on TV, and on the Internet that urge you to "consolidate your debt—lower your payments in one easy step"? Many of these ads tout home equity loans, second mortgages, or home equity lines of credit as the best or easiest way to consolidate your credit card debt. Could it be right for you? Maybe and maybe not? You need to do a little home work before deciding. My report this month takes a brief look at what you need to consider before using your home equity to consolidate credit card debt.
How much Americans save—or don't save—has been in the news since the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that the U.S. personal savings rate in 2005 was a negative 0.5%. Debate has boomed about whether the savings picture is actually so bleak because the calculation doesn't take into account any capital gains from investments or increases in home equity that citizens may have. The calculation only looks at personal income and spending to determine the savings rate. But even if the savings picture is rosier, common`sense says that as a nation of consumers we are probably not putting enough away for a rainy day or more dire emergency. And of course, there's the question of saving toward something important such as a down payment for a home or a fund for higher education or retirement.
The convenience of going wireless with your notebook computer is so tempting. Wireless computer connections free you up to work over the Internet all around the house or office or from the local coffeeshop. Many consumers are putting wireless networks in their homes. Wi-Fi hotspots are appearing in many public locations such as cafes, libraries, churches, and airports. You can go online anywhere, it seems. But unless you take the proper security precautions in using Wi-Fi hotspots and in setting up your own wireless network, you are putting your financial and personal information at risk. In this month's report we look at the dangers and the precautions you can take.
Elevations CU members are very savvy about online banking. Many Elevations CU members takeadvantage of Elevations CU's Online Banking to manage many aspects of their credit union accounts online. That's terrific.
If you regularly read Remar's Reports, you know that I'm a big fan of managing your personal financial business online. Having online access to all your financial accounts (beyond your checking account) can offer increased convenience, efficiency, and, above all, security. Using e-statements, instead of paper statements, can also offer benefits. Of course, as the "end-use" consumer, you must follow good security practices, just like Elevations CU and other reputable financial institutions do. This review profiles some of the potential benefits of managing most of your financial business online, including using e-statements, and provides tips for doing it safely.
With the big spike in gas prices in the autumn and higher winter heating costs predicted for the rest of this winter, consumers everywhere are looking for ways to save on energy costs. In past reviews, I've offered you tips for saving on fuel costs. Now thanks to some old and new tax incentives, you may also be able to benefit from specific tax deductions or credits for purchasing "clean-fuel" vehicles or taking certain energy conservation measures at home.
The good news first: This is one scam you can easily avoid. Period.
Now, the bad news: If you receive email—at work or at home—you could as easily fall for this scam today. Fall for it and you could lose thousands of dollars, your identity, and probably your sanity by the time you recover from the scam.
I'm talking about "phishing," a plague that is now hitting almost everyone who goes online at least once a week—and getting worse by the hour, literally.
Because your credit history can affect so many aspects of your life—from your ability to get a mortgage or auto loan to the rates you're charged for insurance or whether an employer will hire you or landlord will rent you an apartment—wise consumers keep a close watch on the accuracy of their credit reports. Regular review of your credit report is also one of the best ways to spot certain attempts at identity theft.
A look a potential benefits, limitations and your options for monitoring your credit report
An increase in Identity Theft, coupled with an explosion of online "phishing" scams targeting personal information, has many consumers eager to take steps to protect their personal information and credit. Although you can learn how to recognize and avoid phishing scams and take other steps to guard your personal information, reviewing your credit report regularly for errors and unauthorized or suspicious activity is one of the best ways to detect ID thieves if they strike you in spite of your efforts.
Are you carrying balances on high interest rate credit cards? Are you tempted to move that debt by enticing credit card offers? 0% for 6 months! 2.9% till August 2008! No fee for balance transfers!
Such enticing "promises" come from your existing credit card accounts and from new credit card offers. In many cases consolidating credit card debt may make sense, but credit card offers like these often have many consumer traps lurking within the tiny print of the agreement.
Arbitration is an alternative method of resolving disputes in which two parties present their individual sides of a complaint to an arbitrator or panel of arbitrators. The arbitrator, who is supposed to be neutral, then weighs the facts and arguments of both parties and decides the dispute. Arbitration may be voluntary or mandatory.
What is voluntary arbitration?
In voluntary arbitration, both sides in the dispute voluntarily agree to submit their disagreement to arbitration after it arises and after they have an opportunity to investigate their best options for resolving their claim.
Interest-only mortgages have become as hot as the booming housing market in some areas of the country. In the U.S. in 2001 interest-only mortgages made up 1.6% of residential mortgages; that figure ballooned to 31% of residential mortgages in 2004, according to a May report in Fortune Magazine. Maybe you've seen ads for interest-only mortgages? If you've been shopping for a new home, maybe an agent or developer has mentioned the possibility.
Have you seen ads like these? Tempting "come-ons" for work-at-home "businesses" are everywhere. For years, they've appeared on utility poles, in classified ads in newspapers, magazines, and freebie papers, and in direct mail flyers. Now they are showing up in web ads and spam emails. Who wouldn't want to make a nice chunk of change for just a little work in their spare time? Have you been tempted?
Thousands of promoters of work-at-home schemes hope that you will be tempted—and that you will "act now" to send them a "few dollars" to find out more. But as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns consumers, the only sure cash in these deals is usually the fees that consumers send to the promoters. The vast majority of work-at-home schemes promoted by such ads are misleading and most are also fraudulent.
Credit Scoring is a system of statistically analyzing credit reports that provides a simple three-digit score that compares an individual’s past and current credit performance to that of similar consumers. Your credit score provides lenders, or other potential creditors such as insurance companies or landlords, a quick, fairly objective way to assess your creditworthiness—or likely ability to pay back a loan or mortgage or pay the rent. Knowing your credit score (along with regularly checking your credit report) is a smart thing to do.
A “credit score” is often also called a “FICO score,” after the Fair Isaac Corporation, which developed the most widely used analytical system and software. It may also be called a “credit rating.” Although individual credit bureaus or credit reporting agencies (CRAs) adapt, add to or modify Fair Isaac models to suit their needs and provide their own credit score, most use the FICO score or system as a foundation.
Getting burned by counterfeit checks is something that happens to your local merchants or to otherconsumers, but not to you or your friends and neighbors, right? Wrong! Some new variants of a very old scam are victimizing many innocent people. Typically, the con artist strikes when these folks are just trying to sell an item on the Internet; others may be trying to start a new business venture, find employment, make a date or locate a roommate to share an apartment. Here are a couple of stories.
The new year is well underway. From holiday fun, your thoughts like mine may be turning to financial matters: The bills for holiday gifts and vacations have been rolling in. It’s time to start collecting stuff to prepare taxes. And there’s all that buzz about the future of Social Security and reform proposals that may make investors of everyone. Looking at it all, we think, oh my, it’s time to start doing a better job of financial planning and growing those savings.
All that thinking about finances can make you a little anxious and set you up for the “get rich quick” investment scam artists. Via email, phone, and snail mail, the offers pour in to “double or triple your money quick . . . no risk . . . guaranteed.” The promoter sounds so convincing and the Web site looks so slick. And it’s so easy to say or click “yes.” That’s exactly what thousands of investment scammers are hoping you’ll do. But it’s simple to avoid being an easy target for investment fraud. Even if the only investments you have are savings accounts or savings instruments (such as CDs), an IRA or 401K, or your home, it’s smart to know how to say no to investment scams and fraud.
Recently, mortgage rates have started creeping up. As fixed-rate mortgage rates edge higher, many people shopping for a new home may wonder whether they should opt for a fixed-rate mortgage that will lock in their interest rate for the term of the loan or look at other mortgage options, such as an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), which might save them money or offer other benefits. If you’ll be mortgage-shopping in the near future, it makes sense to compare an ARM to a fixed-rate loan and other mortgage options.
How would you like to reduce your taxable income while saving money that you can spend immediately to meet health care expenses not covered by your health insurance plan or day care expenses for your three-year-old? If your employer offers Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) as part of the employee benefits, then you may have a good opportunity to do just that. Like most potentially good deals, however, you need to find out the facts and do a little homework to see if an FSA is right for you and your family.
Ads are everywhere—on the TV, in newspapers and magazines, in your mail, and especially online. We are so used to seeing ads that we typically pay little attention to them. But the advertisers are always trying to change that—they want to make the ads more relevant. Now as you take advantage of the Information Highway, your use of the Internet offers advertisers new ways to target your interests and personal information, and, they hope, your wallet. In a nutshell, this report tells you how they are doing that online and what you can do about it.
Advertising fuels many websites by providing the revenue that allows them to pay the bills. The more effective the ad, the better the dollars. And the more the ad is tailored to specific individuals, the more effective the ad. So marketing and advertising companies are always refining their ways to gather and use information about you.
All checking accounts are not created equal. Depending on your personal financial needs and habits,selecting the right checking account can save you up to several hundred dollars annually. Select the wrong account, and even a “free” account can cost you big bucks. The following questions can help you take a look at your current bank or credit union checking account.
What phone services do you currently have? Local, wireless, long distance, international long distance? What phone services do you really need? There are lots of choices, but what services will fit you best? By carefully reviewing your needs and the options available, you can get the best value for your telephone dollar. Here is a brief review of the options.
When you purchase a product that is defective or doesn't perform properly or perhaps you receive a service that is unsatisfactory, how do you make a consumer complaint that will get results? Experts recommend using the following steps and tips to resolve a problem.
Be prepared. For any purchase or service, keeping supporting documents is very important. Keep sales receipts, contracts, manuals, warranty information, and any other information that comes with the product or service. Users manuals, warranty paperwork and contracts may describe the process to be followed for complaints. If so, follow those steps. If not, these steps will work.
Act quickly. Some companies may limit their responsibility for responding to complaints to a certain time period.
Computers and the Internet allow us to have all of our financial information at our finger tips 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We don't have to wait for business hours to make transactions. Businesses and financial institutions also benefit. Among many possible activities, you can check account balances, receive statements, pay bills, and transfer money.
This brief introduction provides basic information and some tips on using these services.
You've seen similar ads and posters from income tax preparation services:
Quick Income Tax Refunds
Rapid Refunds
Instant Money from Tax Refunds
Get Your Tax Refund Money Today
Some check cashing services are also featuring similar promotions. And what about auto dealerships that urge you to use your refund for a down payment on a new vehicle or retail establishments who want you to put that refund toward new furniture, appliances, or entertainment centers. To help you do that, they'll be happy to help you prepare and electronically file your taxes.
As certainly as January brings a new year and the end of holiday celebrations, it also brings the signs (like W2 forms) that tax time is not far away. Rather than waiting until April 15 draws near, it is smart to pay some attention to 2003's taxes as soon as possible. Here are some tips to help you reduce 2003's taxes or, at least, pay no more than you have to and get a headstart for planning 2004 taxes.
When the calendar turns toward the holidays, 'tis the season for appeals for charitable gifts. Between November 1 and the end of the year, the typical American home will receive dozens of mail, phone, and even door-to-door solicitations for gifts. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) notes that more than 700,000 federally recognized charities exist. And each year individuals contribute more than 80% of all money raised by charitable causes. Smart donors want to make sure that their charitable gift dollars are used wisely and responsibly. They also want to avoid those scam artists and phony charities that prey on people's generosity.
They arrive in the mail three or four times a week—enticing credit card offers: 0% for 6 months! 2.9% till August 2004! No fee for balance transfers!
Don't such offers sound too good to resist? That's exactly what the card issuers hope you'll think—and act on! But before you grab a pen to fill in the application, consider all the following consumer traps lurking within the tiny print of most credit card offers. After a little study of these gimmicks, the smart consumer will rip up the great majority of the offers and toss them.
Not long ago, the Federal Trade Commission launched a campaign to alert consumers to the growing problem of e-mail chain letters—you know, the kind that promise you can make thousands of dollars in 90 days or so, if you just send $5.00 to the four or five names at the top of the list, then add your name to the top of the list, delete the bottom name and send it out as they instruct. Many letters even say that such chain e-mail is legal and has been approved by the FTC. Wrong on all counts!
Ads for "dial-around" (10-10) numbers are everywhere on TV. Prepaid phonecards hang by the checkout in almost every store. Can these long-distance services actually save you money? Are there other ways to save? The answer is yes—but only if you do some comparison shopping and stay alert for hidden charges.
Consumer Guides 
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
July 2008
June 2008
March 2008
February 2008
December 2007
August 2007
July 2007
May 2007
March 2007 (Updated March 2008)
December 2006
October 2006
September 2006
What is arbitration?
