Web Links

February 2008

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Recycle Your Cell Phone. It's an Easy Call.
This initiative from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency describes how recycling old cell phones can help people in need and help protect the environment. The site also has links for places and ways to recycle your cell phone.

Recognizing Credit Card Fraud
This publication from Consumer Action describes how to recognize and avoid many forms of fraud that involve credit cards, including skimming, phishing, ID theft and counterfeit cards.

IRS Names Four New Frivolous Claims to Avoid
This notice from the IRS lists four new frivolous claims for avoiding the payment of taxes. The notice also provides a link to additional information on the truth about frivolous arguments.

Fruits & Veggies Matter
This site from the CDC and other federal government agencies describes the benefits of eating a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. The site includes the fruit and vegetable of the month, tips, recipes, and examples of what counts as a cup.

January 2008

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Gift returns: New rules require new tactics
from Consumer Reports provides tips for successfully returning items received during the holidays.

AIRNow
This cross-agency U.S. Government site provides the current Air Quality Index and forecasts for the nation as well as state and local. The site also provides news, historical information and other resources.

Water — Use It Wisely
This site provides tips for saving water. It includes a monthly planner, a home water audit, and other information.

1040 Central
This page on the IRS site provides information about what's new for this filing season including tax law changes, the alternative minimum tax, and tips for choosing a tax preparer.

December 2007

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Trouble in Toyland: The 22nd Annual Survey of Toy Safety
This 2007 report from the U.S. Public Interest research Group (U.S. PIRG) provides safety guidelines for purchasing toys and examples of toys that pose potential safety hazards.

Fun for the Kids during the Holidays

AnimalCams at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park
Visit the animals at the National Zoo through these numerous web cams.

NGA Kids from the National Gallery of Art
This site features Adventures with Art — activities and projects that your kids can create online.

November 2007

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The 2008 Fuel Economy Guide is now available. The 2008 guide uses revised methods for estimating MPG that better represent current real-world driving conditions. The fueleconomy.gov site has also revised the 1985-2007 gas mileage ratings to make them comparable to the 2008 MPG estimates.

Where Does My Gasoline Come From? from the Energy Information Administration offers a basic description of how gasoline is made and how it gets to a pump near you.

Paying for It: Checks, Cash, and Electronic Payments
This brochure from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta decribes how checks and electronic payments work, the Federal Reserve's role in the nation's payment system, and how currency is processed and distributed.

Looking for a college or university? Check out the College Navigator from the U.S. Department of Education. Search options include location, programs/majors, type, tuition & fees, test scores, and more.

October 2007

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How to buy green electricity
Cleaner and maybe even cheaper power options are widely available according to this article from Consumer Reports.

The Redesigned U.S. Currency
The new $5 bill will enter into circulation in 2008. View an interactive tutorial showing the security and design features of the new $5 bill.

"Free Lunch" Investment Seminar Examinations Uncover Widespread Problems, Perils for Older Investors
This release from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission describes the findings of a year-long examination of "free lunch" investment seminars.