Consumer Savvy Tips http://www.consumersavvytips.org/ Find cutting-edge consumer advice and tips to help you save money. en Copyright 2010 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:05:21 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=5.02 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss When Should You Collect Social Security Benefits? Deciding when to retire and cash in on your social security benefits is complicated and can make a big difference in the benefits your receive. As you think about retirement, here are some important questions for you to consider to make your retirement go as smoothly and as enjoyably as possible.

]]> http://www.consumersavvytips.org/when_should_you_collect_social_security_benefits.html http://www.consumersavvytips.org/when_should_you_collect_social_security_benefits.html Career Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:05:21 -0600 Don't Apply for Another Job Until You Try This Resume Tip Once upon a time, job seekers wrote one resume and used it for every job they applied. This is the old way of thinking and it won't help you get the job. Now, thanks to technology, it's possible to tailor your resume for every job you apply. By tailoring your resume for every job, you increase your odds of getting the job and not only getting the job, but also getting the job you really want.

]]> http://www.consumersavvytips.org/dont_apply_for_another_job_until_you_try_this_resume_tip.html http://www.consumersavvytips.org/dont_apply_for_another_job_until_you_try_this_resume_tip.html Career Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:01:45 -0600 Can an Ice Cream Ball Produce Results? What's that -- you've never heard of an ice cream ball? That's okay, because it's a fairly new product that's awfully popular with campers, travelers, and those with small children. The basic concept involves putting ingredients in a central tube and playing with the ball for a while until ice cream forms.

So with all this fuss about homemade ice cream ball fun, does it really work -- and is it worth the investment?

]]> http://www.consumersavvytips.org/can_an_ice_cream_ball_produce_results.html http://www.consumersavvytips.org/can_an_ice_cream_ball_produce_results.html Cooking Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:45:17 -0600 Soapnuts -- the Safe and Economical Alternative to Laundry Detergent Looking for a natural and safe alternative for laundry detergent, but don't want to make your own? Try nuts! Soapnuts that is. You'll be amazed at what this little nut can do and how much money it can save you.

]]> http://www.consumersavvytips.org/soapnuts_--_the_safe_and_economical_alternative_to_laundry_d.html http://www.consumersavvytips.org/soapnuts_--_the_safe_and_economical_alternative_to_laundry_d.html Health Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:39:22 -0600 Save Money on Airline Tickets -- Fly Standing Up Have you heard? Your next airline ticket could be for standing room only. That is if Michael O'Leary has his way. Mr. O'Leary is coming up with all sorts of clever ideas to offer cheaper air travel. You might like this one -- you might not.

]]> http://www.consumersavvytips.org/save_money_on_airline_tickets_--_fly_standing_up.html http://www.consumersavvytips.org/save_money_on_airline_tickets_--_fly_standing_up.html Travel Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:36:28 -0600 Keep Kids Entertained with Free Fun Activities Are your kid's bored? Do you need fun activities to keep them entertained? If you have kids you probably do. After all, it's that time of year -- school's still out for some and they aren't ready to go back but they're bored. If you find yourself in this predicament, use these ideas for some family fun that won't cost you an arm and a leg.

]]> http://www.consumersavvytips.org/keep_kids_entertained_with_free_fun_activities.html http://www.consumersavvytips.org/keep_kids_entertained_with_free_fun_activities.html Entertainment Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:32:18 -0600 Be Cautious With Your Charitable Giving Part II Before you commit to charitable giving, you need to know exactly what you're getting into. As I outlined in Part I of this article, the charity industry (and an industry it is) is riddled with immorality and outright fraud. So how do you sort the worthy charities from the illicit chaff?

]]> http://www.consumersavvytips.org/be_cautious_with_your_charitable_giving_part_ii.html http://www.consumersavvytips.org/be_cautious_with_your_charitable_giving_part_ii.html Charity Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:28:00 -0600 Be Cautious With Your Charitable Giving Part I Charitable giving is a basic part of the American creed. It's no surprise, then, that there are 700,000+ federally recognized charities in the U.S. Sadly, this makes it easy to fall victim to fake charities.

Most of us are fairly vigilant about consumer fraud, which is why when we get an email from the Treasurer of Nigeria asking us to smuggle $47,000,000 dollars into the U.S., it's easy enough to hit the delete key. But what kind of scum would bilk you out of money by pretending to be a charity?

]]> http://www.consumersavvytips.org/be_cautious_with_your_charitable_giving_part_i.html http://www.consumersavvytips.org/be_cautious_with_your_charitable_giving_part_i.html Charity Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:24:20 -0600 Shopping for a New Car? Don't Miss These Valuable Resources When it's time to buy a new car, the worst mistake you can make is to go car shopping without first preparing. Sure, you probably know what type of car you're interested in, but how do you know when you're getting the best deal? How do you know you're not paying too much? Here are some valuable resources you can't afford to do without.

]]> http://www.consumersavvytips.org/shopping_for_a_new_car_dont_miss_these_valuable_resources.html http://www.consumersavvytips.org/shopping_for_a_new_car_dont_miss_these_valuable_resources.html Auto Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:08:46 -0600 Two Inexpensive, Perfectly Organic Kitchen Cleansers Let's be honest from the git-go: organic kitchen cleaners aren't likely to be as effective as the harsh, chemical-based stuff you can get at the local grocery store. But then again, they don't have harsh chemicals in them either, to damage your skin or foul up the environment. That's a point in their favor.

Today, lads and lassies, we're going to take a look at two very simple cleansers you can make inexpensively from items on hand. Add a little elbow grease and your kitchen will soon be sparkling.

]]> http://www.consumersavvytips.org/two_inexpensive_perfectly_organic_kitchen_cleansers.html http://www.consumersavvytips.org/two_inexpensive_perfectly_organic_kitchen_cleansers.html Consumer Tips Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:03:59 -0600 Two Simple Hard Water Solutions A substantial number of Americans, especially those of us in the South and West, are plagued by hard water problems. As water percolates through geological deposits, it picks up minerals like calcium carbonate -- the same stuff that eggshells and seashells are made of.

The result is water that, at times, seems thick enough to chew. Often it tastes awful, it makes it difficult for soaps and detergents to do their jobs, and it leaves a thin film of calcium deposits inside appliances and pots. So what to do?

]]> http://www.consumersavvytips.org/two_simple_hard_water_solutions.html http://www.consumersavvytips.org/two_simple_hard_water_solutions.html Home Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:54:30 -0600 Just Say 'No' to Plastic Oh, the convenience of plastic. Plastic bottles, plastic dishes, plastic straws, plastic utensils, plastic storage containers...you get the idea. Plastics have invaded our lives and we don't mind one bit. Why should we?

That's what Beth Terry of Oakland, California, used to think. After seeing a picture of an albatross chick full of plastic, it changed her life...

]]> http://www.consumersavvytips.org/just_say_no_to_plastic.html http://www.consumersavvytips.org/just_say_no_to_plastic.html Recycling Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:57:45 -0600 Confused by Life Insurance? Here's Help You know why you need life insurance -- to keep a roof over your family's head, to pay off debts and the future education of your children -- but when it comes to making a decision, it isn't always easy.

Life insurance is confusing. Here's some help to sort out the different policies so you can buy the best possible policy to protect your family.

]]> http://www.consumersavvytips.org/confused_by_life_insurance_heres_help.html http://www.consumersavvytips.org/confused_by_life_insurance_heres_help.html Consumer Tips Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:54:55 -0600 Free, Free, Free -- Free Stuff for Your Family Do you like free stuff? Silly question. Who doesn't like free stuff would be a better question. If you're like me and love to find all kinds of stuff free or almost next to nothing. You've got to check this place out.

]]> http://www.consumersavvytips.org/free_free_free_--_free_stuff_for_your_family.html http://www.consumersavvytips.org/free_free_free_--_free_stuff_for_your_family.html Family Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:51:45 -0600 The Real Deal on Greek Yogurt If you've picked up a cookbook lately -- or even just read a few magazine recipes -- you've probably stumbled across Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt is the newest craze in cookery, and many people rave over its nutritious properties. So what exactly is Greek yogurt, what makes it different, and is it really as great as people think?

]]> http://www.consumersavvytips.org/the_real_deal_on_greek_yogurt.html http://www.consumersavvytips.org/the_real_deal_on_greek_yogurt.html Cooking Mon, 09 Aug 2010 00:49:11 -0600