Dipity
California tops the list of US states promoting energy efficiency policies, programs and practices, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Oregon, Connecticut, Vermont a...
US households could save 687,000 tons of paper every year if they switched from paper to electronic statements, researchers say. But while most consumers express interest in the concept of green ba...
Choosing the charities you want to support is always a challenge. But in difficult economic times, when potential donors may have limited resources, it’s even more important to make the right choi...
Rank Date Peril Loss (millions) 2007 $ 1 Aug. 2005 Hurricane Katrina $41,100 $43,625 2 Aug. 1992 Hurricane Andrew 15,500 22,902 3 Sep. 2001 9-11 attacks 18,779 21,981 4 Jan. 1994 N...
It’s an enticing offer: a late model, low mileage car for a fraction of its retail value. But the offer is not what it seems-and consumers who respond can potentially lose far more than they hoped ...
Before you buy real estate, make sure you’re getting the most for your money. Chose mortgage bankers or mortgage brokers carefully. Get recommendations from neighbors and friends. Talk to experien...
David Weston wonders whether he should repair an iPod or buy a new one. “The logic board on my iPod video failed and will cost $140 to repair. I can buy a new iPod with more memory and newer featur...
David Pecoraro pays his Chase credit card in full each month. “When I have one,” he adds. He didn’t receive a billing statement in June, so he assumed the account had a zero balance. That was a mi...
Think you have all the information you need because you know your credit score? Think again. Those three-digit scores are important, but they’re just one of several numbers that can have a big impa...
Residents in the Washington, DC, Atlanta and Denver metro areas visited the Barack Obama website most frequently in the four weeks ending August 23, while residents in Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth an...
Where lost luggage may go. How much will the airline reimburse me if it loses my luggage? The one thing you don’t need to experience on your summer vacation–assuming you’re lucky enough to...
Inventors can become so enthusiastic about their products that they trust too easily and end up burned. With dreams of their invention finally on the market, they may turn to the services of an in...
The top 15 green-centric brands, according to Outlaw Consulting and the 21 to 29 year olds it surveyed: Whole Foods Trader Joe’s Toyota Honda Google Aveda Zipcar ...
New York State is cracking down on gas stations that charge consumers higher prices to pay with credit. Under state law in New York and nine other states, retailers are prohibited from surchargi...
Adults in some cities download music more than others. Here’s a list of the Top 10 cities for downloading tunes between July and August 2008, according to MRI’s Market-by-Market. Austin, TX Miami...
Before you spend a cent to start a home-based business, ask yourself a question: Do you have a legitimate product or service to sell? Unless you can honestly answer yes, your dreams of earning extr...
About 25 percent of students who take out loans to attend college graduate with more than $25,000 in debt, statistics show. Borrowing levels vary by a number of factors, including the type of colle...
The Federal Trade Commission put telemarketers on notice this week that the end was near for several common but annoying automated direct marketing practices, including the use of prerecorded sale...
One thing is certain when kids go off to school: Grades are less important than safety. From getting on the bus to being bullied, there are plenty of potential problems, concedes Glenn R. Rosenberg...
Settling an old debt may help your conscience, but it won’t do anything to fix your credit or boost your credit score. But many consumers seem to think otherwise. Many agree under pressure from de...
New York City and its surrounding suburbs may arguable offer some of the best recreation, culture, education and heathcare in the nation. But residents pay a significant price for that quality of l...
1. Canton-Massillon, OH 2. Springfield, OH 3. Indianapolis-Carmel, IN 4. Bay City, MI 5. Lansing-East Lansing, MI 6. Lima, OH 7. Youngstown-Warren-Boardman,...
1. Canton-Massillon, OH 2. Springfield, OH 3. Indianapolis-Carmel, IN 4. Bay City, MI 5. Lansing-East Lansing, MI 6. Lima, OH 7. Youngstown-Warren-Boardman,...
Asa Aarons talks with Chris Marino, host of the morning show on K104 about five things you should know before you leave for college. Read Five Things to Tell Your Kids Before They Leave for Colle...
Asa Aarons talks with Chris Marino, host of the morning show on K104 about five things you should know before you leave for college. Read Five Things to Tell Your Kids Before They Leave for Coll...
Where lost luggage may go. The one thing you don’t need to experience on your summer vacation–assuming you’re lucky enough to get one at all this year–is the heart-sinking feeling of losin...
There's no correlation between academic achievement and common sense. So here are five random but essential skills to share with your kids to prepare them for life away from home.
Getting straight-As in high school or 2400 on the SAT is an accomplishment. But neither predicts how well your kids will handle the routine tasks of day-to-day life once they’re on their own. In o...
Do you really know what you’re bringing into your home when you buy household products? The US Dept. of Health and Human Services created a Household Products Database that can help you determine w...
Knowing where to turn for care can literally make the difference between life and death. But making the right choice in New York State is a little easier with the help of the New York State Hospita...
President Bush has signed sweeping product reform legislation that will overhaul the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The House and Senate overwhelmingly approved the bi-partisan Consumer Produ...
Asa Aarons talks with Steve Ely, president of Personal Information Solutions for Atlanta-based Equifax, about credit reports, privacy and the company’s newest product, ID Theft Patrol. Bookmark to:
Activities you think make you happy may actually be a source of pain. Researchers say casino splurges, not saving enough or buying the latest iPhone on impulse can lead to emotional turmoil or fin...
Americans are rediscovering their kitchens. More than a third of consumers are eating out and buying take-out less frequently than they did last year, according to a new survey by Chicago-based Tec...
When you discover the deck is stacked against you, the logical reaction is to stop playing the game. So when a San Francisco-based consumer education and advocacy group released results of its 200...
Paying your bills on time and staying within your credit card limits will help your credit score. But it won’t win you the favor with your credit card issuer–which will likely raise your interest ...
Reduce what you use. Use things until they wear out, buy what you can second-hand and repurpose old things into something new. When you buy new, you add to your carbon footprint. When you re-use i...
Moving to Manhattan? Better hope you have a fat paycheck. The cost of living in the heart of New York City is more than twice the national average, according to the ACCRA Cost of Living Index, publ...
Asa Aarons reports on the work of the Remote Area Medical Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Stan Brock to deliver free medical care to people worldwide. This is an expedition in Wise...
Asa talks with Mindy Bockstein, chair and executive director of the
Asa talks to Ronnie J. Kweller, Deputy Director of Communication for the
How can you save money on heating and cooling costs? Asa interviews Peter Bell, president of
Binghamton University in New York encourages students to compete to save energy. Do it in the dark. This semester, think before you flip the light switch. You may not need to turn on the ...
Looking for a credit card that offers rebates on gas purchases? Here’s a list from
Asa Aarons reports on the work of the Remote Area Medical Foundation, which delivers free medical care to people worldwide. For more information, contact Remote Area Medical Foundation, 1834 Beec...
BMI Calculator Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women. Enter your weight and height using Standard or Metric measures...
John Merris has an above average credit score. But he wants to make it even better. “Although my credit report and score are both good, the credit reporting agency informed me that it would be eve...
By Asa Aarons Many of you are familiar with my long running Ask Asa TV reports and my consumer column in the New York Daily News. This website is the next step in a process that can best be describ...
Simple mistakes can affect your data and Technology is no match for the carelessness of the consumers who use it. That’s the warning from Consumer Reports, which seven of the most common ...
US Fraud Incidence Rates by State, Averaged over 3 Years Bookmark to:
“Time-barred” debts are so old that a creditor or debt collector can no longer sue you to collect them. The law varies from state to state. But in most states, the statute of limitations period on ...
Are gas thieves stealing license plates from cars? According to one especially popular email warning, thieves are stealing license plates from the cars of unsuspecting motorists. They’re putting t...
Before you insist you’re too smart to fall for a phishing scam, consider this: you’re probably not. Computer security experts say cyber thieves are increasingly sophisticated, making it hard for t...
Every financial institutions is required by law to report and transfer to the state personal property that has been “abandoned” or “unclaimed” for a specific period of time. Although the time perio...
I’ve consulted energy experts, builders, utility consultants and savvy homeowners to come up with 50 ways to cut your heat bill. Some are simple. Some require you to buy some inexpensive items. Al...
If you consistently outspend your income, your problem may have less to do with economics than emotions. A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research shows that feeling powerless can lead to exp...
Renee Smith doesn’t know why she received a $4,995 check out-of-the-blue. She’s just happy she had the good sense to question it when she did. The New York student tossed the check, along with the ...
Make a mistake with your credit card and the issuer can impose a ridiculously high default rate–30 percent or higher. What triggers a default rate? San Francisco based
1. Activation: The process of enabling a payment card for use, usually by calling an 800-number. 2. Annual Fee: Some credit card issuers charge an annual membership fee for the use of a c...
It’s hard to drop a $4,995 check into a paper shredder. But that’s the smart thing to do if you get one of the unsolicited drafts from a company that claims it will pay you $500 a week to take surv...
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Reporter Asa Aarons travels to Lake Apopka, FL as part of a continuing series of TV reports on poverty in America for HDNews, part of the VOOM HD Networks. Bookmark to:
Here are some facts you probably don’t want to think about before you go on vacation. Nationwide, a home burglary occurs every 13 seconds. More break-ins occur in July and August than in any other ...
In a continuing case of questionable debt collection, a Bloomington, IL company is squeezing consumers for payment of past due phone bills. The company, AFNI Inc., is trying to collect on more than...
Asa Aarons and Donna Banks, features editor at
I’ve consulted energy experts, builders, utility consultants and savvy homeowners to come up with 50 ways to cut your heat bill. Some are simple. Some require you to buy some inexpensive items. Al...
Gas prices are changing consumer behavior. Gas is approaching $5 a gallon-a milestone experts predict will trigger major changes in consumer behavior. Golden Gate University consumer p...
There are many recurring urban myths–stories about a hitchhiker, a choking Doberman or a murdering maniac. But some of the scariest stories consumers hear are real. Take the one about the shopper ...
Widespread flooding throughout the Midwest has created a bumper crop of water-damaged cars. Auto industry experts warn con artists will illegally sell more than half of them to unsuspecting consume...
Frequent flyers are looking out at new fees. Just when consumers started to think they could get something for nothing comes this blast of reality from several major airlines…There are new...
Sometimes it’s hard to decide. Have a hard time making up your mind when you shop? Many consumers find it frustrating to choose one product over another, especially when the choice involve...
Fruit is a healthy dessert option. How can I lose weight? I’d like to tell you that products boasting dramatic, unsubstantiated weight and fat loss claims are finally paying off for some c...
Can retailers refuse returns or charge me fees to make one? One of the most common of all consumer questions concerns refund rights. No matter how many times the question is asked, consumers tend t...
Retail policies can differ online. There may be different policies at traditional stores and online retailers, even ones that share the same name. Just consider what happened to Leo Toro ...
Laws Restricting Cell Phone Use And Texting State Hand-Held Phone Ban All Cell Phone ban Texting ban AL no no no AK no no all drivers (effective 09/01/08) AZ no school bus driv...
Top 10 Retailers 1 Wal-Mart 2 Home Depot 3 CVS Caremark 4 Kroger 5 Costco 6 Target 7 Walgreen 8 Sears 9 Lowe’s 10 SUPERVALU S...
Shouldn’t Consumers Know Better? Think you’re too smart to fall victim to a scam? Maybe you are. But let me share something with you. Every fraud victim I ever met once believed the same thing. A...
The hum of a lawn mower and the smell of freshly mown grass are part of the summer experience for many Americans. But for about
What are Time-Barred Debts? Old debts are coming back to haunt more and more consumers because more companies are getting into the business of junk debt collection. They buy charged off accounts f...
What Do I Do About A Magazine Subscription Scam?… What’s a Secret Marriage?
Most Americans have trimmed their July 4th weekend plans. According to the US Dept. of Transportation, the drop in driving between March 2007 and March 2008 was the sharpest yearly drop in Federal...
Does It Pay to Invest in Green Remodeling?
Links to Airline Rules and Regulations What are your rights if an airline delays or cancels your flight or loses your bags? What are the airlines’ rules and regulations?
Green home remodeling is going mainstream…at least in theory. Vermont-based green building consultant Peter Yost said the concept has grown significantly in the past decade, especially bec...
Allison Katz ordered two tickets to a Broadway show from an online broker. It was two months before the show, but the only place she could find tickets for the date she wanted. She also paid a subs...
Tired of spending so much to fill up? Consumer Reporter Asa Aarons offers tips on how to save money on gas.
Are gas thieves stealing license plates from cars? According to one especially popular email warning, thieves are stealing license plates from the cars of unsuspecting motorists. They’re putting t...
A Canton, OH-based company claims it’s giving consumers up to two free digital TV converter boxes-and isn’t even requiring them to submit $40 US government issued coupons. But the
Work continues long after flood water recedes. Where Do I Start When Floodwater Recedes? The emotional and financial impact of flooding continues long after water levels return to norm...
Why Do Some Consumers Always Fall Victim to Fraud? Most consumers try to save money. But there are a select group of consumers who seem determined to waste their hard earned cash. If you’d like to ...
How Do I Start the Recovery Process? Identity theft is an emotionally devastating crime. Victims are likely to feel shocked, anxious, angry and helpless. Many are overwhelmed with concerns about th...
Asa Aarons reports on how manufacturers are downsizing packages but keeping prices the same.
Is My Insurer Paying Me Correctly? When a burglar ransacked a New Jersey home, the owners were naturally upset. But they felt confident they would be reimbursed for their stolen jewelry. In additio...
Do I Have to Pay My Late Spouse’s Unpaid Bills? One of the last things a consumer wants to deal with after the unexpected death of a spouse is unexpected debt. But it’s a common problem. A New Yor...
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: Top Safety Pick 2008 award winners Large cars Audi A6 Cadillac CTS Ford Taurus with optional electronic stability control Mercury Sable with optional electro...
Smaller packages make it harder to share. The last thing consumers need is less for their money. But that’s exactly what manufacturers are providing through another quietly launched ro...
How Do Insurance Companies Define Flood Damage? Massive flooding on the Midwest and other parts of the country this year has many consumers rethinking flood insurance. That includes homeowners who...
Can I Really Neutralize My Energy Use? Feeling guilty about driving an SUV, taking unnecessary trips abroad or keeping your house unreasonable cool all summer long? Now you can neutralize your envi...
Where Can I Get Information on Services for Older Adults?… What’s the Difference Between Registered and Certified Mail? Q: Is there any resource you can recommend that offers information about cari...
You know how annoyed you got when you were a kid–and friends or siblings insisted you couldn’t do something? Remember how hard you worked to prover them wrong…and usually did? Then try to recover...
What’s the Worst that Can Happen? Lender errors can transform consumers with perfect credit to questionable borrowers in record time. Just last month, the nation’s leading provider of student loa...
How Do I Avoid the Trap of Foreclosure Scams? Foreclosure scams are successful because they target consumers who are vulnerable, frightened and desperate. The The Office of the Comptroller...
