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Improving Your Home's Energy Efficiency Can Save Money

installing-weatherstripping.jpgNovember 2009

Even though the economy is showing signs of improvement, most consumers are still looking for ways to save money. Making improvements to save energy around your home may cost some money now but produce savings now and in the long-term. This month we’ll look at various ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home, ranging from simple, low-cost strategies to more extensive improvements. Some improvements may qualify for tax credits and help you save even more.

Where Is Your Home Losing or Using Energy?

Where is air likely leaking out of (or into) your home? Is there adequate insulation in your attic or crawl space? Can you feel drafts around your doors or windows or see cracks of daylight? How old or efficient is your furnace or air-conditioning system? Making a home energy audit to answer these questions and more is the first step in planning the most effective improvements for your home. You can do a simple energy audit yourself using the energy audit instructions from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Some utility companies also offer home energy audits for free or at low cost.

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November 2009

Federal tax credit for home buyers extended and expanded

Subprime ploys in reverse mortgage market put seniors at risk, says a new report (pdf) from the National Consumer Law Center.

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Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards!

woman choosing a credit or debit card from walletSure, credit cards can be a great way to have a financial safety buffer in your pocket, and they build credit pretty quick, too.

But everybody has heard of dangers that can come with credit cards if you’re not careful, as well as the horrific statistics:

  • The average college senior has about 4 credit cards, but only 50% of those students have a job.
  • The average balance on these cards is $2,864.
  • The number of 18 to 24-year-olds declaring bankruptcy has increased 96% in 10 years.

 

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Brain Food

November 2009

Each month, Brain Food highlights podcasts by others on key issues that impact your pocketbook.

This month we highlight 2 video podcasts from Consumer Reports.

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Web Links

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.

StraightTalk Video

stt.jpgOur StraightTalk team of Nick, Will and Remar brings three generations of consumer knowledge to the Corning Federal Credit Union Community.  

 

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