June 29, 2009 By Trisha Wagner
Many consumers are finding it increasingly difficult to buy with confidence due to the increasing frequency of
product and food recalls. From lead paint in toys to contaminated meat, it seems nothing is considered safe anymore. How can consumers already struggling to get the most value for their dollar avoid putting their family at risk? Knowledge is power and in this case, knowing what items are recalled and who is at risk could be the single most effective way to keep your family safe.
What is a product recall?
When a company or manufacturer issues a product recall, they are basically altering the public to possible safety issues found in the recalled product. When an item is recalled, the maker first has to notify the public and other authorities as to the nature of the recall. This included providing serial or batch numbers of the product as well as establishing lines of communication for consumers to learn more about the particular safety issues suspected. Once the word is out, consumers are advised to return recalled products for a refund or replacement. Retailers are required to remove recalled items from their stock to prevent unsuspecting consumers from buying the items.
Tips To Keep Your Family Safe.
Your best defense to avoid using recalled products is by paying attention to product recalls. The following tips can help you avoid using or buying recalled products.
- Pay attention. With so many recalls happening these days it is possible to begin to “tune out” the information. Just because you have never had a problem with recalled items, that does not mean you don’t have something that is potentially dangerous sitting in your garage or pantry. Whenever you hear about a recall, take the time to go through your household items to ensure you are not exposing your family to unsafe products. Recalls are often issued years after the product hit the shelves, therefore you may not remember making the purchase yet the danger is still there.
- Use caution when buying second hand items. Yard sales and consignment stores are a great way to find good deals and are becoming increasingly popular as consumers try to save more money. Pay special attention to the products you buy (or bought) second hand as the seller may have been unaware of the recall at the time of purchase.
- Discard recalled items properly. It is not only important to keep recalled items out of your home, but the homes of others as well. Do your part and make sure that any item that you have that has been recalled is returned to the manufacturer for proper disposal. It is not uncommon for consumers to simply throw away a recalled item versus going through the process of getting a refund or replacement. Doing this increases the chances that someone else might end up with the recalled product, in turn putting another family at risk. Do not sell or give recalled products away.
While it is costly and sometimes damaging to the company that issues a recall, the purpose is to prevent injury or death from using potentially dangerous products. You can stay atop product recalls by visiting consumer or government websites that provide up to date information on product safety.
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June 28, 2009 By Trisha Wagner
Next weekend as millions of Americans celebrate Independence Day consumers are reminded of our country’s history. It is without a doubt important to take the time to reflect on our nation’s past, however the future of the country and the economy weighs heavily on most people’s minds. Fortunately we can all do our part to help move the economy in the right direction by simply paying attention to where our products are made.
No one needs to be reminded of the negative consequences of excess spending or living beyond your means. For the first time in decades it appears consumers are finally thinking twice before buying a product or service to gauge how much they need or can afford that purchase. For this reason, now is a great time for Americans to take that awareness one step further and begin looking for products made in the USA.
Some experts argue that encouraging Americans to buy only American made products could actually harm the economy. On the other hand, it would stand to reason that pouring our money into our own businesses would promote economic growth while at the same time providing jobs for American workers. Regardless of the position you take on the subject, more and more Americans are looking for a way to make a difference and buying products made in the USA will likely resonate with the patriot in all of us.
For consumers who have not been paying attention to where their products are made, it may come as a surprise to find that buying American made products is not as easy as one would think. In fact, if you think that you can go to most stores and simply choose between items on the shelf, you will soon discover that American made products are often far and few between. As a result there are many websites on the internet which help consumers find where to buy American made products and how the effort will impact our economy. Websites like www.madeinusa.org or www.howtobuyamerican.com offer visitors the opportunity to view directory listings that outline companies and businesses which sell American made products and services.
One thing consumers must be prepared for in their quest to buy American made products is the fact that in some cases buying USA made items will cost more money than foreign made products. While this is certainly a point that must be considered for individuals or families working with a tight budget, any effort to buy American made products is an effort to support American workers and businesses. In the long run, it is important to remember that someone must buy these products to keep these businesses operating, in turn providing jobs for Americans.
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June 27, 2009 By Tisha (Kulak) Tolar
If your in the market for a car but don’t want the costly years long payments or the high cost of insurance that a new 
car brings, you might want to consider one of the many used cars that are being sold. While many people shy away from buying a used car because of some of the less-than-reputable people selling there, you can really get some great deals when you buy pre-owned.
There are some critical points to remember when shopping for a used vehicle. Keep these tips in mind before you go.
Don’t Rush
In our society of “need it now” mentality, it really does pay to wait when looking to buy used. It takes time to do your research and make the right financial decision for you. Sure the cars you see may look good but you’ll need to do some homework before you get serious about any purchase.
Do Your Homework
When looking to buy used, you want to ensure you don’t get a lemon. You can use many online resources to find out about the maintenance history of the car. Try Edmunds.com or Carfax.com to get this information. Look for cars that have the most consistent maintenance records to avoid costly repairs in the near future. Note that cars that are the from the first year of production have been shown to have the most problems. You’ll also want to check out the gas mileage on the vehicle you want to buy. No point in saving money on the car when you’ll get in over your head paying for fuel.
Narrow Down Your Choices
Once you have found out what kind of vehicles match your criteria, start looking for which vehicle most interests you. Check the classified ads of your local paper or car sites like autotrader.com. Seek out the ads that mention the cars are in excellent shape, mint condition, or like new.
Consider Your Calls
Before you start contacting the sellers, sit and think about what you want to know. A written list can help you stay focused on the conversation and ensure you find out all you need to know before proceeding. Keep notes about each vehicle so you’ll have something to refer to when deciding which cars to view personally. Some questions you’ll want to ask:
- How many owners has the car had? If one owner, do they have all of the maintenance records on hand?
- Has the car even been in an accident?
- What is the car’s mileage?
- Why is the car for sale?
Pay attention to how the seller responds to your questions. If your gut tells you they aren’t being totally upfront, make a note. If any of the questions you ask does not result in the answers you are looking for, eliminate that car from your list and move on to the next one. Be sure to thank all the people you contact for their time. As you continue to make phone calls, you will narrow down your list to a few vehicles that you can eventually go to look at in person. From there, you can negotiate with the seller and come to a reasonable agreement about the sale. Be smart, be patience and do your research and you’ll likely get a great car that will last and not lemon out.
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June 26, 2009 By Tisha (Kulak) Tolar
The travel industry is doing a lot of promotions to get back the business they once had. Even with reduced travelers 
and the rising cost of fuel, there are lots of advertisements for cheap one-way airfare that sound like a steal. The only problem is that, as the old adage goes, what seems to good to be true usually is. While the low-cost ticket prices for an airline ticket might sound perfect for your little getaway, what isn’t clearly defined is the fees that go along with each ticket. Deciphering these fees isn’t always a walk in the park either. Unless you are aware of exactly the types of fees you will end up incurring, your cheap little plane ticket can quickly turn into huge expense. Plus, once you think you have the fees figured out, the airline makes a point to tell you that their fees are subject to change at any time.
Here is a look and just some of the pay-as-you-go airline fees that you can be responsible for, no matter where you are going or what airline you choose to carry you to your destination.
Direct Ticket Purchase
With some airlines, you have to pay more money if you order your tickets over the phone directly with the airline, instead of making arrangements on the internet.
Bag Check
What used to be free now can cost you $15 or more. Not every airline does charge a per bag fee for the first bag but you also need to know that some airlines will even charge you extra if you do not prepay that per-bag fee ahead of time via the internet. The rate usually increases with each bag you add. Also, if your bag goes over the weight limit, expect to pay upwards of $50 for each overweight bag and even more if you are flying internationally.
Flight Change Fee
If you have to change your flight for any reason, expect to pay between $50-$150 for each ticket or up to $250 for international travel.
Drink Fees
Who doesn’t look forwards to the free soda and peanuts on a flight? Well, depending on what airline you flight, that snack might be a pipe dream. While most airlines still offer at least a free non-alcoholic beverage, expect to pay $5-$7 for one cocktail on most airlines.
Pet Fees
If you have to travel with Fluffy or Fido, expect to pay $100 or more for your pet.
While a cheap getaway flight may seem right up your alley and within your budget, don’t be deceived at first glance. Take a good, hard look at what else you have to pay to fly so “cheap”. Sure, there are legitimately great deals out there, especially via the internet but know what you are getting into before you go. It may save you money by researching other modes of travel, such as driving yourself or taking a train.
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June 25, 2009 By Tisha (Kulak) Tolar
As the summertime has arrived, many people get new ideals about fitness, healthier living, and fun times in the sun. 
Along with those new ideals, many people also end up investing a ton of money in stuff they will never, or at least rarely, use such as a treadmill, high tech camping equipment, expensive health food cooking apparatus. All of these items may indeed serve a great purpose if actually used but many times they end up in the basement or garage, gathering dust.
While the intention of better living is a wonderful one to have, the reality is there is no reason you can afford a healthier, better lifestyle by making changes that are free. Instead of jumping in with both feet, pull back a little bit and stick your toes in the water to start.
Here are some additional tips to make a change in routine or lifestyle without breaking the bank:
Instead of Expensive Gym Memberships – go to the library and get free workout videos or borrow a few from friends. You can work out in the privacy of your own home and save a ton of cash each month.
Instead of a Gym Equipment – take small steps and try committing to walking around your neighborhood for 30 minutes each day. If you can commit to doing this each day for two months during the nice weather, you might want to start saving for the treadmill or, even better, just commit to doing what you are already doing in the fresh air each day. If you are ready for the big equipment, keep your eyes peeled for such items at yard sales and in the newspaper as there will likely be lots of people who also had big ambitions but little attention spans.
Instead of Expensive Juicers – start researching healthy recipes you can easily make with the stuff you already have in the cabinets. There are plenty of free resources that allow you to find information about healthier eating that doesn’t involve brand new small appliances.
Instead of Expensive Instruments – if you are interested in expanding your musical skills, don’t spend thousands of dollars on an instrument you (or your kids) can not yet play and may not even like. Instead, rent or buy used until you see if those music lessons are paying off.
Keeping your life simple helps do many things for your proposed new lifestyle. First, it helps you save money for the things that are most important in your life. Second, it helps reduce and eliminate a ton of clutter you do not need to disorganize your life.
Posted in budgeting, personal behavior, personal finance perspectives No Comments »
June 24, 2009 By Trisha Wagner
Debt is without a doubt one of the worst four letter words. Not only does it hamper an individual’s ability to work toward other financial goals, but it feeds an industry of companies that are seemingly out for blood. When you are in debt you not only have to worry about how you are going to pay your day-to-day expenses but also how you will make arrangements to repay your creditors. If you are like many Americans facing a financial hardship you may find yourself falling behind on credit card and other debt payments making yourself a target for aggressive debt collection tactics. Some of these tactics can be be unsettling but others are downright illegal.
The New York Attorney General has just shut down a collection operation that has been using illegal tactics nationwide. While it is true that creditors have every right to try to collect money owed to
them, there are certain lines that cannot be crossed to protect consumers from illegal tactics. The rules differ depending on who you are dealing with, an original creditor or a collection agency which has bought your debt from the original creditor or another debt collector. The company that was the recent target of Attorney General Cuomo’s investigation has been shut down after it was discovered they (collectors) were pretending to be police officers, threatening to throw consumers in jail and using scripted telephone calls designed to intimidate consumers into paying debts according to a Consumer Affairs report. The following tips can serve as a reminder of your rights if you are struggling with debt and dealing with collection agencies.
- Debt collectors cannot contact you whenever they choose. They are limited to contacting you between the hours of 8am and 9pm and shall not contact you at work if you have relayed to them you are unable to receive this type of call at your place of employment.
- They may not discuss your debt with third parties, such as a relative, neighbor or employer. They shall only relay information regarding the debt they are attempting to collect to your attorney or to you directly.
- Debt collectors cannot misrepresent themselves as anyone other than a debt collector. This makes it illegal for a debt collector to claim to be a police officer, an attorney or anyone else for that matter.
- Legal action can be taken against you in an attempt to recover money owed, however debt collectors cannot threaten legal or other repercussions without the express intent of following through. This means unless they are actually in the process of taking legal action they cannot threaten to do so. Remember your wages cannot be garnished until legal action has been taken and a judge has imposed a wage garnishment. In that event you will receive written notification well in advance of any garnishments. Do not fall for the oldest trick in the book, which is to threaten your very next paycheck.
More information is available by reviewing the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Remember that the law does not apply to your original creditor.
In an ideal world you would not have to worry about debt collectors because you would not be behind on any of your accounts. Unfortunately that is not the world we live in. If you are experiencing a financial hardship, you should seek immediate assistance to try and resolve your outstanding debt. While you are offered some protection through the law, in the end you still owe the debt. Paying it off is the only way to completely avoid problems that arise from debt collection efforts.
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June 23, 2009 By Trisha Wagner
No one is immune to the changes in the economy, even future brides and grooms. With the average cost of a wedding exceeding $20,000 many couples are wondering if they can pull off their dream wedding without going broke. Luckily there has been a shift in consumer spending and more and more people are paying attention to the value of a product or service versus the price tag. It is entirely within reason to have a beautiful wedding day without going in debt or bankrupting your parents. Here are a few tips to help engaged couples get off to a good start without sacrificing their big day.
- Make it your own. Like everything else in our society many people feel a push to keep up with the Jones’. Weddings are no exception and while it may feel a bit odd to break from the “norm” it is important to remember that this is your day. That means that whether or not you conform to “traditional” wedding planning is completely up to you and your partner. Keep this in mind when establishing your wedding budget.
- Plan the event in advance, including the budget. Of course you can’t wait until the last minute to plan a wedding. Certain aspects of the wedding will require months of preparation. Before you get started, make sure you sit down together and determine how much money is available for the big day. By knowing in advance how much money you have to work with, you will take a lot of guess work out of the wedding planning.
- Get creative. Many couples are saving a lot of money by switching out traditional components of their wedding with creative alternatives. Get better rates by changing the day or location of your wedding. Employ the help of your friends and family to help with decorations. There are lots of ways to lessen the cost of your wedding without making it look scaled back.
When establishing your budget and planning your wedding it is important to weigh which areas you are willing to save money on and where you want to spend more money. Most couples agree that having good food, drinks and entertainment for their guests is a priority. You also want to have great memories of your special day which means you want to have a good photographer and even professional hair and makeup if at all possible. Again the key is finding what is important to the couple and basing the decisions off of that information.
Posted in budgeting, financial plans, saving money No Comments »
June 23, 2009 By Debbie Dragon
The Carnival of Personal Finance #210 was published yesterday at the Suburban Dollar.
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June 23, 2009 By Tisha (Kulak) Tolar
While homeowners and other players in the housing and mortgage industry have been covered in detail in the news 
during the recent financial crisis, one group of society that has been neglected is renters. Many have been forced to find somewhere else to live because their landlord’s property went into foreclosure. Evictions among renters wants something covered very much in the evening new but it is a reality that is happening to innocent families who are suddenly left with no where to live.
But now, renters who are facing evictions due to their landlord’s inability to pay a mortgage, have some rights. If you are renting, what you don’t know can hurt you so pay attention to the following tips if you should ever find yourself in the unfortunate position of eviction due to foreclosure. In May 2009, President Obama signed into law a national standard for tenants facing foreclosure. Here are some details of that law:
- If you have a valid lease, you can not be forced to leave the property when it is in foreclosure until the lease officially expires. The only exception is if the property is purchased and the new owner plans to move into the property before the lease expires. In this case, the lease will be terminated on the sale dates and the tenants must receive 90 days notice of the intention to move in by the new owners.
- If you lease is to expire in less than 90 days after the property is sold, you still have the full 90 day time period to leave the property.
- If you are renting without a lease, there will still need to be a 90 day notice given to you as the tenant.
- If the state you live in has a law that require notice time longer than 90 days or other amounts of protection for tenant of rentals, it essentially overrides the federal law. Take the time to understand the individual laws in your state and how they apply to your situation. For more information, contact the tenant organization in your area if one is available.
- If you reside in Section 8 or other subsidized housing programs, the new law still applies to you. Do not allow anyone to try and tell you different. You can contact local tenant organizations or an attorney in your area for further advice.
- As a tenant, you still have an obligation to pay the rent in full until you vacate the property. If ownership changes before you leave, be sure you are paying rent directly to the new owner. Not paying rent, regardless of foreclosure circumstances, opens the door for you to be legally evicted.
- Make sure the new owner, even if it is a bank, keeps up with regular maintenance and repairs per your lease agreement. If there is nothing being done, keep making phone calls and written contact to insist on the property maintenance.
- When you plan to move out, make sure you receive your security deposit back, if applicable.
Posted in family, financial planners, recreation, renting No Comments »
June 22, 2009 By Tisha (Kulak) Tolar
The Senate recently passed a ‘Cash-for-Clunkers’ bill which will offer cash vouchers in amounts as much as $4,500 to
consumers who trade in their old vehicles for new, more fuel efficient vehicles. The bill is now on its way to President Obama for approval. The President is said to be a strong supporter of the bill.
The new bill would require traded in vehicles get not better than 18 miles per gallon in fuel, be a model that is at least 1984 or newer, and have been both registered and insured in the last 12 months. The last requirement is designed to keep those looking for quick cash from abusing the program with vehicles from used car lots. The government would initially subsidizes the purchase of up to the first million vehicles and the program would end once the money ran out.
The bill is intended to boost the sales of US autos and reduce American dependency on foreign oil. It also aims to improve the quality of the air. The Congressional Budget Office predicts that the bill will result in selling 150,000 new cars. Auto industry analysts feel the plan, once implemented, could see vehicle sales go up as early as August of this year. Additionally, it is noted that many so-called “clunkers” are in the truck category, which would be a higher sales generation for the truck-specific industry.
The critics fear that the program cost too much and only accomplish a small portion of what it set out to do. Even environmental groups fear that the program can backfire, resulting in the government subsidizing the purchases of SUV’s and other non-fuel efficient. The senate feels that the program will help give a push to the auto industry which is currently struggling to survive, as well as the manufacturers, suppliers, and other auto-related services in the industry. The bill is also being supported by the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM). The group feels that since other programs around the world have produced positive results in their efforts, the program stand the chance, if successfully implemented, to help bring some recovery to the United States economy. Since the US relies on the automobile industry significantly, the program can help get the economy back on track in the US.
The bill was initially introduced due to the growing concern that after all of the federal bailout money that has been used to keep the auto industry going, consumers will make the decision to stick with the cars they currently use instead of spending money on a new one. The program’s incentive hopes to steer more American’s into buying new.
Posted in automobiles, autos, financial plans, free stuff 2 Comments »
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