Get financial strength and investment ratings for banks, health insurers, property and casualty insurers, life and annuity insurers, common stocks, bond and money market mutual funds, stock mutual funds, exchange-traded funds. Get individually-customized Medigap reports and financial planning worksheets. Here's a training video, and the Help section is quite good.
"Life Skills" (a part of World Book) offers practical tips on such topics as buying and maintaining cars, applying for jobs, budgeting, arranging housing, understanding health care issues, social skills, and more, with printable sheets and a list of websites and phone numbers for additional information.
Detailed listings of resources to help aging Americans lead happy and productive lives. Find link in the Careers section of Salem Online. The print version of this resource is in the Reference Department of Lawson McGhee Library.
Independent ratings and evaluations of charities to help donors maximize the effectiveness of every dollar they contribute.
The index is posted monthly on Consumerreports.org. The 5 year index follows the index of recent issues. Each library branch subscribes to the magazine, but their issues may be checked out. All issues are kept at Lawson McGhee Library. The librarians can send articles to you; some restrictions apply. Call 215-8700.
Explains the government's role in food safety, including labeling, regulation of processing and ingredients, imports, biotechnology, and more.
The Cost of Living Index provides comparative cost data for 271 urban areas including Knoxville, TN. It measures relative price levels for a variety of consumer goods and services and provides more detail than is available from other sources such as the Consumer Price Index. Quarterly reports are available in the Reference Department.
Designed for those who are just starting out and for those who may need help handling their finances, this volume outlines, step-by-step, how to make the most of your money, which pitfalls to avoid, and what to watch out for, and gives you the necessary tools to make sure you are fully equipped to manage your finances.
Hundreds of volumes of encyclopedias and other ebooks covering all subject areas. Gale Virtual Reference Library is included in Gale Power Search which searches the content of the books along with magazines and other resources. If you want to browse the books as books, the Gale Virtual Reference Library is the better choice.
Important contact information, demographics and other details for 121 United States cities, plus climate, economic indicators, quality of living indicators, transportation, utilities, attractions, and more.
A guide to organizations, government programs, legal and health resources, education programs, travel and recreation, hotlines and more. See also the local area Senior Service Directory.
This book guides readers in making prudent decisions about spending, saving, and borrowing, walking them through major life events, such as buying or renting a home, purchasing or leasing a car, and saving for college and retirement. It also offers practical guidance about purchasing insurance, applying for government benefits, and being an informed consumer.
Coverage includes assistive devices, associations, camps, living and rehabilitation facilities, print and electronic media, and a glossary of disability-related terms. A geographic index organizes listings by state. Find link in the Careers section of Salem Online. The print version of this resource is in the Reference Department of Lawson McGhee Library.
Do you know about such Social Security options as file and suspend (apply for benefits and then don't take them), or start stop start (start benefits, stop them, then re-start them)? Find out about benefit scenarios faced by married retired couples, by divorced retirees, by widows and widowers, among others. Also discover the tax consequences of your choices, as well as the financial implications for other investments.
Do you understand Medicare’s parts A, B, C, D? Which Part D drug plan is right and how do you decide? Which is better, Medigap or Medicare Advantage? What do you do if Medicare denies payment for a procedure that your doctor says you need? How do you navigate the appeals process for denied claims? If you’re still working or have a retiree health plan, how do those benefits work with Medicare?
Determine which coverage option is right for you and begin learning your rights.
This updated edition offers clear guidance on when to claim benefits, how much you can expect to receive, where to find Social Security calculators, and so much more.
Reliable, understandable, and comprehensive guidance to Social Security and Medicare that helps you maximize your benefits.
Discover when and how to claim benefits.
Helpful tools, articles, tips and other resources to help you think through your spending and saving habits, identify ways you can start saving and commit to making changes that will reduce your debt and grow your savings. Sponsored by the American Institute of CPAs and The Advertising Council.
Bankrate provides a cost of living calculator to compare living expenses in American cities. See what salary you need to make to maintain your standard of living after relocation. An alternative cost of living calculator is maintained at Cable News Network's Money website.
The agency serving greater East Tennessee offers accreditation, dispute services, reviews, tips and alerts.
Analysis of college costs and value, including national data on the earnings of former college graduates and data on student debt.
Helps consumers to take more control over their economic lives by taking consumer complaints and promoting financial education. Look under the "consumer tools" menu for help topics.
See also the Bureau of Consumer Protection.
The policy and action division of Consumer Reports, working to pass consumer protection laws in states and in Congress. The website provides consumer tips and analysis on topics including energy, health care, money, telephones and media, safety, and trade.
Learn what's in the products you spread on your eyes, lips, and everywhere else.
Report complaints about online and related transactions with foreign companies. Help cross-border enforcers spot fraud trends, and help fellow consumers avoid similar problems. Find out what your other options are, besides reporting.
A directory of camps accredited by the American Camp Association. Lawson McGhee Library has a subscription to Camping Magazine published by the association.
Learn how to invest, build your financial knowledge and protect your investments from fraud. Check the background of an investment professional.
What are you really eating? This database exposes the substitutions and adulterations that constitute food fraud, such as vegetable oils sold as olive oil, and mislabeled fish.
Food safety and recall information provided by United States government agencies including Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Web's largest database of customer-service information with direct phone numbers for large companies in 50 countries.
An Environmental Protection Agency website that compares automobile air emissions, fuel consumption, and more. See also FuelEconomy.gov for information to help you achieve the best fuel economy possible from your car.
Should you rent or buy? This calculator helps you evaluate the financial aspect of that question, assuming that you would otherwise invest a home down payment.
Information about the quality of care provided by "Medicare-certified" home health agencies.
Information about the quality of care at over 4,000 Medicare-certified hospitals, including over 130 Veterans Administration (VA) medical centers, across the country.
Learn about what's in home and health products, about potential health effects, and about safety and handling.
A list of agencies that can assist with housing issues including emergency shelter for the homeless, home owner assistance, and Section 8 housing vouchers.
A comprehensive website aimed at consumers to foster a greater understanding of insurance.
Nourish Knoxville publishes this annual guide to locally grown and produced food.
The Electronic Privacy Information Center maintains this popular site of selected resources for private electronic communications. Related sites include:
Opt out of some junk mail and telemarketing calls you receive.
The publisher of the Guide to Summer Programs hasn't updated the reference book, but the publisher is associated with this online directory of summer programs. See also Find a Camp.
An information and referral service for persons with disabilities, family members, service providers, and advocates. Topics include arts and recreation, assistive technology, disability etiquette, disaster and emergency preparedness, education, employment, health care, housing, law, mental health, religion and spirituality, support for families, and transportation.
This agency works to enforce the state Consumer Protection Act and assist consumers and business owners who are victims of unfair business practices.
Millions of dollars are turned over annually to the State of Tennessee by businesses and organizations who cannot locate the owners, including bank accounts, stock certificates, checks, unclaimed wages, refunds, and gift certificates. Search by name to find out if you have unclaimed property.
Become the "wealthy barber" by following a plan.
The art of getting satisfaction is covered in several books about consumer complaints, some with sample letters.
Learn how to avoid fraud and get a solid deal with these books on consumer protection.
