November 2005

With recent high and volatile gasoline prices, do you have to resuscitate your wallet every time you leave the gas pump? You are not alone. All around the country, drivers of gas sippers and gas guzzlers alike (yes, even hybrid drivers) are looking for ways to save on fuel. Finding the cheapest gas in your area is a start, but there are lots of other ways you can increase fuel efficiency and cut down on the amount of gas you have to buy. This review rounds up tips on how you can beat the gas pump blues.

September/October 2005

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.

In August's Remar's StraightTalk Report, we looked at the importance of your credit report and the pros and cons of using a credit monitoring service. But whether you monitor your credit report yourself or subscribe to a credit monitoring service that alerts you about changes or suspicious activity, you must still know how to read your credit report, interpret the information in it, and take steps to correct errors. Only you can do these things. This report shows you how.

August 2005

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.

Increased public awareness of the importance of regularly reviewing personal credit reports has produced an explosion of credit monitoring services. Subscription offers pop-up on computer screens and arrive by email, snail mail and phone daily. Would one of the reputable services be useful and worth the subscription price? Or can you do it yourself more easily, effectively, and economically? The answer can be yes, no, or maybe depending on your individual circumstances and needs. To help you make the decision, this report looks at the basics of credit report monitoring, the potential benefits and limitations of services, and tips for making the choice that's right for you.

July 2005

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.

The popularity of interest-only mortgages has been rising steadily particularly in hot housing markets where home prices have been soaring. This type of mortgage isn't new—it's been around at least since the 1920s—but its availability to a wide range of buyers and its combination with adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are recent developments. Boosters of interest-only mortgages tout their ability to offer more home for a lower payment (at least for the first few years). Most personal finance experts warn that interest-only mortgages come with very real dangers and aren't appropriate for most homebuyers. This report provides a brief overview of interest-only mortgages and profiles the potential pitfalls and pluses.

June 2005

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 2006! 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.