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.
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.
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 eBooks is included in Gale Power Search which searches the content of the ebooks along with magazines and other resources. If you want to browse the ebooks as books, this Gale eBooks interface is the better choice.
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.
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.
Takes consumer complaints with financial products or services; promotes 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.
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.
