Paying for College May 2, 2012
Posted by Business & Sciences Reference Staff in All, Colleges, Consumer Information, Financial Aid, Job & Career.Tags: college costs, grants, scholarships, student loans, university costs
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http://www.consumerfinance.gov/payingforcollege/costcomparison/
Paying for College is a new website from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. It helps students calculate on a worksheet how much they would owe in student loans after graduating from college. A cost comparison guide on 7,500 different colleges and universities is provided. Estimated debt after going to school is listed. Average Grants and Scholarships are calculated into the price. Information on graduation and student loan default rates are also mentioned.
Healthcare Blue Book March 19, 2012
Posted by Business & Sciences Reference Staff in All, Consumer Information, Diseases, Health.Tags: cosmetic surgery costs, dental costs, health care costs, hospital costs, lab test costs, medical procedure costs, prices, x-ray costs
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http://www.healthcarebluebook.com/
The Healthcare Blue Book website allows you to look at fair prices for health care in your area. Searches dealing with the cost of surgical and non-surgical hospital procedures, routine doctor tests, lab tests, x-rays, cosmetic surgery, and even dental costs are included. Many other health care costs are also listed and a cost by zip code can be found.
Energy Savers October 4, 2011
Posted by Business & Sciences Reference Staff in All, Consumer Information, Energy.Tags: appliances, cooling, electricity, electronics, energy, energy savings, heating, lighting, remodeling
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Energy savers is a website from the U.S. Department of Energy. It provides energy saving information for remodeling, appliances, electronics, electricity, lighting, heating and cooling, and many other subjects. The website shows how you can get an energy assessment of your own home. There is also a place to get rebates for Energy Star appliances. Other resources include how to calculate your energy costs and a product library that can be perused.
Savings Bond Redemption Tables September 23, 2011
Posted by Business & Sciences Reference Staff in All, Business, Consumer Information, Economics, Finance, Investing, United States.Tags: consumer information, economics, EE/E bonds, finance, I bonds, investing, savings bonds, Savings Notes
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http://www.treasurydirect.gov/indiv/tools/tools_redemptiontables.htm
From the site – “Redemption tables allow you to find the values and interest earned for EE/E Bonds, I Bonds, and Savings Notes issued from 1941-present.
ifixit – the free manual that you can edit August 30, 2011
Posted by Business & Sciences Reference Staff in All, Automobiles, Computers, Consumer Information, Home Repair, Repair, Technology.Tags: automobiles, cameras, cell phones, computer, game consoles, household appliances, ipads, ipods, manuals, repair
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This website – ifixit – is a great place to look up repair manuals – and edit them yourself. The site includes step-by-step repair guides for computers, game consoles, cell phones, automobiles, cameras, ipads, ipods, household appliances and other devices. Included in most manuals are pictures and diagrams. Explanations of the pictures are also available. There is also a place to ask questions and get answers to repair issues that you are not able to fix.
Understanding New Light Bulb Labels July 19, 2011
Posted by Business & Sciences Reference Staff in All, Consumer Information, Energy, Environment, Government Publications.add a comment
http://blog.usa.gov/post/7801038316/whats-a-lumen-understanding-new-light-bulb-labels
By the end of this year, light bulb packaging labels will start listing a lighting facts label. Use this website and video to learn how to interpret the new labeling. Find out about lumens and how to compare light bulbs as you shop. You can also see a sample of the new lighting facts label.
Media Device Usage in the U.S. April 19, 2011
Posted by Business & Sciences Reference Staff in All, Annual Reports, Consumer Information, Statistics, Telecommunications, United States.add a comment
http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/nielsen-media-fact-sheet-jan-11.pdf
This icongraphic from the Neilsen company shows how media devices are used in the United States. From this download, you will be able to find out information such as the average number of televisions in American households, the average number of text messages that certain age groups send monthly, and the top ten mobile phone companies.
cars.com September 22, 2010
Posted by Business & Sciences Reference Staff in All, Automobiles, Consumer Information, Transportation.Tags: automobiles, blue book value, cars, financing, pricing, used car value
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Cars.com provides an easy place to get information on what kind of automobile to buy, where to buy it, and how much to pay for a new or used car. Searches can be done for specific models, makes, or years. Comprehensive pricing and financing information, along with side by side car comparisons are also available. Additional tools on the site include an automobile loan calculator and the Kelley Blue Book value for used cars.
healthcare.gov July 9, 2010
Posted by Business & Sciences Reference Staff in All, Consumer Information, Health, Insurance, United States.Tags: health care, hospitals, insurance plans, United States
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Managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, HealthCare.gov provides an easy way to compare insurance plans that are available through health providers. The website also has a comparison of 4,700 hospitals around the nation so that consumers can make an informed decision on their health care.
New: Pre-existing condition insurance plan. From the site – “Under the new law, people who have been denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition and who have been uninsured for at least six months may qualify to buy insurance”.
National Information Center (NIC) June 26, 2009
Posted by Sarah in All, Banking, Consumer Information, Finance.Tags: bank histories, banks, Federal Reserve, National Information Center, NIC
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www.ffiec.gov/nicpubweb/nicweb/nichome.aspx
From the site: “The National Information Center (NIC) is a central repository of data about banks and other institutions for which the Federal Reserve has a supervisory, regulatory, or research interest, including both domestic and foreign banking organizations operating in the United States. This web site provides access to NIC data, allowing the public to search for detailed information about banking organizations.”
What Happened to…? June 26, 2009
Posted by Sarah in All, Banking, Consumer Information, Finance.Tags: bank histories, bank mergers, banks, St. Louis Fed, TN banks
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http://stlouisfed.org/banking/structure/what_happened_to.cfm
This site, from the St. Louis Fed, tracks bank mergers and histories for selected banks in the Eighth District (Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee).
National Center for Electronics Recycling April 17, 2009
Posted by Sarah in All, Computers, Consumer Information, Telecommunications.Tags: ecycling, electronics recycling, used electronics
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www.electronicsrecycling.org/Public/default.aspx
The National Center for Electronic Recycling “is dedicated to the development and enhancement of a national infrastructure for the recycling of used electronics in the U.S.” Sections of particular interest include Ecycling Basics, Laws, Resources and a tool for finding local recyclers.
The Organic Center April 17, 2009
Posted by Sarah in Agriculture, All, Consumer Information, Environment, Food, Health, Plants, Science.Tags: Organic Center, organic farming, organic foods
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“The Organic Center is a great website that focuses on the science behind organic agricultural production. Their mission is ‘to generate credible, peer reviewed scientific information and communicate the verifiable benefits of organic farming and products to society.’ Under the ‘State of Science’ tab at the top of the page visitors should check out the ‘Hot Science’ section. The articles listed here will give the visitor an idea of all the aspects of organic production there are, and why they are important. For instance, articles such as ‘Common Insecticide Causes Neurological Deficits in Children’, ‘Soil Quality from Long-term Organic Management Nearly Doubles Flavonoids in Organic Tomatoes’ and ‘Hormone Growth Promoters Feed to Beef Cattle Linked to Adverse Impacts on Male Sexual Development’. The ‘Organic Resources’ tab at the top of the homepage has links to ‘Consumer Resources’ and ‘Science Resources’, which are loaded with links to websites regarding all aspects of organic agriculture. The ‘Leaders in Organics’ link, also under the ‘Organic Resources’ tab, has articles by a food scientist and by the chief marketing executive of an organic food company. Visitors interested in receiving the Organic Center’s monthly e-newsletter, The Scoop, can sign up by clicking on the ‘News & Media’ tab, and then clicking on the ‘Newsletter Archive’ link. After signing up, visitors should browse the archives of the newsletter, which go back to the beginning of 2007.”
>From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2009. http://scout.wisc.edu/
Making Home Affordable March 20, 2009
Posted by Sarah in All, Consumer Information, Credit, Finance, Real Estate, United States.Tags: Financial Crisis, Mortgages
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http://makinghomeaffordable.gov/
The Obama Administration launched this site yesterday to provide a starting point for homeowners who have questions about their mortgages and their financial future. Users should start with the self-assessment tools to determine their eligibility for various options. Detailed information is available on refinancing and loan modification, or users can start with the FAQ.
Diplodocs August 11, 2008
Posted by Sarah in All, Automobiles, Computers, Consumer Information, Repair, Safety, Self Help.add a comment
Diplodocs is an archive of instruction manuals for electronic equipment, household appliances, tools and much more. Browse by brand or product type or search by model number. Users can view manuals or upload their own.
Community Supported Agriculture August 8, 2008
Posted by Sarah in Agriculture, All, Consumer Information, Environment, Food.add a comment
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/csa.html
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is becoming more popular around the nation. The link above is a very good overview of CSA from the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. For a directory of CSAs, visit localharvest.org.
FishWatch: U.S. Seafood Facts August 1, 2008
Posted by Sarah in All, Animals, Biology, Consumer Information, Environment, Food, Health, Rivers, Water.add a comment
FishWatch aims to create informed consumers by providing information on fish species, their life cycles, how much is available and how much is being caught, current management, and sustainability issues. Some nutritional information is also available.
How To Clean Stuff June 3, 2008
Posted by Sarah in All, Automobiles, Clothing, Consumer Information, Home Repair.add a comment
This site contains guides and user tips on cleaning everything from clothing and furniture to cars and electronics.
How to Go Organic May 30, 2008
Posted by Sarah in Agriculture, All, Business, Consumer Information, Directories, Food, Plants.add a comment
To help cultivate the growth of organic farming, the Organic Trade Association created this guide for anyone exploring “going organic.” The site is organized into five main sections: Pathway for Producers, Pathway for Processsors, North American Directory, Regional Guide and Key Resources.
Real Estate Survival Guide May 21, 2008
Posted by Sarah in All, Consumer Information, Finance, Investing, Real Estate.add a comment
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/yourhome/2008/index.html
CNNMoney has created this central site to help new homebuyers, real estate investors and any homeowner interested in their home’s value. Included are home price forecasts for the 100 largest markets in the U.S., rules for buyers and sellers, foreclosure rates and top markets for buying and selling.
