Web Links

November 2008

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DMAchoice.org
This newly revamped site from the Direct Marketing Associate allows consumers to better control the junk mail that shows up in their mailbox. Consumers register for free and then can choose what offers, catalogs, and magazines they do or don't want.

Holiday shopping is approaching. Start your online shopping with safeshopping.org. This site from the American Bar Association will help you safely make purchases online. Topics covered include security, privacy, payment, seller, product, terms, delivery, records, complaints, and tips.

GreenScaping: The Easy Way to a Greenier, Healthier Yard
This site from the EPA, describes how taking care or our lawns and gardens properly, can help us save money, time, and help the environment.

Digital TV 101
On February 17, 2009 broadcast TV stations will begin broadcasting in digital only. (Most are currently broadcasting in both analog and digital.) This site from South Carolina ETV has lots of information about digital TV and HDTV, widescreens, converter boxes, and more.

October 2008

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Registering to Vote and Voting
This page on the USA.gov site provides links for information about absentee ballots for citizens within the U.S. and overseas; state voter registration deadlines; polling hours by state; and more.

66 Ways to Save Money
These tips cover a wide variety of topics including transportation, insurance, banking/credit, housing, and much more. It's from the Federal Citizen Information Center.

Farmers Market Search
Want to buy locally grown products? Then search the 4,385 farmers markets in the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service database to find one in your area.

The Privacy Implications of Cloud Computing
If you've used an online email account or stored any data online, then you've used cloud computing. This privacy alert from the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse provides a brief description of cloud computing and why you should weight the risk before putting your data online.

September 2008

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Student Loans: Avoiding Deceptive Offers
This factsheet from the FTC and the U.S. Department of Education, provides tips on spotting deceptive private student loan practices.

Privacy Basics and Opt-Out Strategies
This fact sheet from the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse provides tips for protecting your privacy.

With all the blogs on the Internet, how do you find ones that provide good information? Here are a few that are loaded with helpful information.

Consumer Reports Blogs
Loaded with tips, reviews, and lots more, these blogs cover cars, electronics, home & garden, safety, money & shopping, health, and babies & kids.

Gov Gab is the U.S. government blog from the Federal Citizen Information Center. These entertaining blog entries cover many topics and point readers to resources on various federal websites.

August 2008

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The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) have created interactive tools to help you understand deposit insurance. NCUA provides the Share Insurance Estimator and FDIC provides the Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator (EDIE).

BBB Warns Drivers to Be Wary of Gas-Saving Gadgets and Additives
These tips from the Better Business Bureau describe reliable ways to improve fuel economy.

Choosing A Credit Card: The Deal is in the Disclosures
This fact sheet from the FTC explains credit card terms, how the balance is computed, and protections for card holders.

Leave me alone. Your privacy online—and offline
This publication from Consumer Action describes why it is important to be careful about who has access to your personal information both online and offline.

July 2008

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Time-Saving Tips for Summer Travel
These tips from the Federal Citizen Information Center cover travel by air, land, and sea.

Energy in Brief is a section on the Energy Information Administration (EIA) website. These briefs explain energy topics such as How is my electricity generated, delivered, and priced?, How dependent are we on foreign oil?, and How much renewable energy do we use? The EIA is part of the U.S. Department of Energy.

Energy Savers Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home
This site from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy provides tips for saving energy and money at home and on the road.

BBB Consumer Alert: Phony Escrow Companies Defraud Car-Buyers Out of Thousands
This alert from the Better Business Bureau provides tips on avoiding phony escrow services when purchasing a vehicle online.