Feed Info - Consumer Savvy Tips

To conserve energy is to conserve money, and most savvy consumers are already aware of the conventional ways to do that. But some savings aren't as obvious as turning the thermostat up in the winter or down in the summer, or tightening up your weather-stripping.

Telemarketing scams represent an interesting species of fraud. The technology isn't exactly new (telephony's been in wide use for a century now), and yet people keep falling for these schemes. Why?

Nowadays, it's often easier to pay for a purchase with a debit or credit card than with cash. In fact, some of us rarely even keep cash on hand, because there are very few cases when it's absolutely necessary.

With the costs of hobbies like movie-going, gourmet cooking, and tinkering with your car spiraling out of control, something as simple as plastic canvas artwork can start looking very attractive to the savvy consumer. It's a creative way to keep your hands busy, and doesn't cost a bundle.

Any car, even a used one, is a huge investment -- so you definitely don't want to fall for something as avoidable as odometer fraud. While most cars made in the last few years use electronic odometers that are harder to jigger, fraud is still an issue for cars with mechanical odometers.

Next time tax season rolls around, don't forget about the Earned Income Tax Credit, or you may deprive yourself of substantial taxes savings -- to the tune of as much as $6,000. That may very well mean the difference between writing a check to the IRS, or receiving a big refund.

In recent years, your dentist may have started pitching tooth whitening procedures (often using a nifty laser device) as a means of brightening your smile. And of course, there are all those handy over-the-counter "brightening strips" and systems you can buy at the corner drugstore.

Satellite Internet service is one of those technologies that was little more than a gleam in some engineer's eye 15 years ago. We've had satellite TV for a while now; you just point a parabolic receiver at the right Earth-orbiting satellite and you can pull in a signal. Easy-peasy.

Printable grocery coupons have been offered on the Internet for almost two decades now -- basically for as long as the 'Net's been a widespread and popular phenomenon. Unfortunately, they've always been an iffy proposition for consumers, because many retailers won't take them.

If you've priced a pet bed lately, then you've probably gone away with sticker shock. We all love our fur-kids, but the pet stores seem to think we'll pay just about any price for the cachet of a well-known brand name on Fluffy's pillow.

Medicare fraud is one of those activities that make you shake your head in disgust, wondering how some people can sink so low just to make an illicit buck. What's next, stealing from orphans?

Just about everyone who ever goes outdoors has done their share of butterfly watching. Maybe you like to sit on your porch on a spring evening, watching as they flutter their way from flower to flower; or you may have fond memories of pretending to fly with them as a child. Ah, to be a butterfly....

Before you order that next box of bank checks (whether from your financial institution or from an independent printer), stop and ask yourself: "Do I really need checks anymore?"

A while back, we took a look at the process of setting up a power of attorney -- a durable legal instrument to allow someone else to handle your personal affairs and finances when you're incapacitated or away from home. Well, it's just as important to know how to revoke a POA when necessary.

If you're a savvy consumer looking for excellent deals on everything from dinnerware to fishing trophies, it's hard to do better than an estate sale.

If you've never been to one, imagine the best garage sale you've ever attended, with all manner of things for sale -- not just piles of clothes, baby toys, and all the other junk people want to get rid of. Then add the best elements of a public auction and flea market, mix thoroughly, and serve.