Useful Websites Archive
Check out previous useful websites under the month in which they appeared.
April 2008
U.S. Postal Service announces new prices coming on May 12, 2008
This announcement provides details about the prices changes for mailing services — First Class mail, Standard mail, periodicals, package services, special services — and shipping services — Express Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Select, Parcel Return Service, International Mail.
Earth Day is April 22. Visit EarthDay.gov for suggestions and tips on how you can make a difference at home, at work, and in your community.
2008 Consumer Action Handbook
This handbook, produced by the Federal Information Center, is updated annually, and is available in pdf form online or in print. It contains many tips to help consumers be smart shoppers. It also has a sample complaint letter, a consumer assistance directory, and contact information for many corporations, manufacturers, state and local government offices, federal agencies, Better Business Bureaus, consumer organizations, and trade associations.
Minimizing the Effects of Malware on Your Computer
These Facts for Consumers from the FTC provides tips on how to reclaim your computer and data if malware is on it.
March 2008
Information on Stimulus Payments
Stimulus payments — also known as rebate checks — have been approved by Congress. This page provides more information about when the checks will be sent, who qualifies, and the amount of the checks.
Digital Television Transition
In February 2009, televisions stations will switch to broadcasting only in digital signals. This site from the Federal Communications Commission provides information about the switch including a countdown clock.
Student Loan Borrower Assistance
This site from the National Consumer Law Center and the Project on Student Debt provides information to help those who already have student loans and want more information. Topics include understanding student loans, repayment, loan cancellation, where to go for help, and much more.
Spring checklist for the home
The checklist from Consumer Reports lists several potential issues that consumers should look out for around their homes.
February 2008
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
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
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.
Recycling Tips for a Tech Savvy Holiday from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides tips for recycling or donating cell phones, computers, TVs, and other electronics.
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
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
BBB Cautions Sports Fans: Play Smart When Buying Tickets Online
This alert provides tips to help you avoid being taken by con artists.
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.
September 2007
51 Ways to Save Hundreds on Loans and Credit Cards
This special edition of FDIC Consumer News provides simple tips and other information on topics such as cutting your costs, avoiding fraudulent or deceptive deals, paying for college, and more.
BBB Warns College-Bound Students and Parents to Beware of Financial Aid Schemes
This alert from the Better Business Bureau describes financial aid seminar and college grant scams and provides tips on how to avoid scholarship scams.
Turning 50 is turning point for preretirees
This news brief from the Credit Union National Association provides some tips for preparing for retirement.
Your Credit Rights How the Law Protects You
This brochure from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco describes the major laws that regulate credit and how they affect you.
August 2007
Pay Your Money, or You're Taking a Chance
This investigative report from Consumer Reports' Webwatch looks at the practice of "dynamic pricing" used by various e-commerce vendors.
Dollars and Cents: Fundamental Facts about U.S. Money
This site from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta provides information about how U.S. currency and coins are made, their design and features, how they circulate and how to spot counterfeits.
Keeping Your Telephone Number When You Change Your Service Provider
This fact sheet from the Federal Communications Commission describes the process and provides information on what to expect when changing your service provider.
To help you be prepared for possible emergencies, Ready America has tips for making an emergency supply kit, making a emergency plan for your family, and for being informed.
July 2007
Keeping Children Safe in Crashes
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has produced photos and videos to help parents choose, install, and properly use child restraint systems -- car seats, booster seats, and adult belts.
Call 811 Before You Dig
811 is the new federally mandated "Call Before You Dig" number. This site provides information about why you should call 811 before you dig and provides links to site specific information.
For fun, here's a video on The Life of a Dollar Bill from the Federal Reserve. It requires the flash player, version 6.0 or higher.
June 2007
Speed Paying and Banking
This overview from the FDIC describes how high-tech cards and phone could change the way you spend and manage your money.
Planning to travel overseas this summer? Then visit the U.S. Dept. of State's travel site. It is full of information, including tips for traveling abroad and travel tips for students.
Savvy Strategies for Surviving a Fender Bender
This article from the Better Business Bureau describes how to choose a trustworthy collision repair shop.
May 2007
State and Local Government on the Net—This site is a directory that provides links to state government sites, state agency sites, city government sites, county government sites, and other local government sites. It also has links to federal resources, multi-state sites, and national organizations.
Looking for a new car or truck? Then visit fueleconomy.gov to check out gas mileage, gas emissions, air pollution ratings, and safety information for new and used cars and trucks. The site also has gas mileage tips, information on hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles, and much more.
Shopping for a Mortgage? Your Application May Trigger Competing Offers—This FTC Consumer Alert explains why you may get competing offers, how you might benefit from them, and how to stop them if you choose.
Everyday Mysteries: Fun Science Facts from the Library of Congress—This site features questions asked by researchers and answered by librarians from the Library of Congress' Science Reference Services. Browse questions and answers in topics such as agriculture, botany, chemistry, meteorology/climatology, physics, zoology, and more.
April 2007
Frauds and Scams Protect Yourself and Your Money
This brochure from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco describes various scams that can come calling on the phone, at the door, and through the mailbox.
Pretexting: Your Personal Information Revealed
This fact sheet from the Federal Trade Commission describes the practice of getting your personal information under false pretenses.
Moving from Analog to Digital TV
This consumer focus from the Federal Citizen Information Center explains the impact the switch (in February 2009) of television stations to broadcasting only in digital signals could have on consumers.