StraightTalk Financial Well Being
Is a Reverse Mortgage Right for You?
This report looks at the basics of reverse mortgages and outlines some steps that may help you determine if one is right for you.
Getting the Most for Your Vacation and Travel Dollars
This report discusses ways to get the most for your travel dollars.
Don’t Fall for Scams Related to the Credit Crisis
This report describes several types of financial scams and how to recognize them.
Tax Time Tips
This report provides information on free e-filing, an update on “quick refund” loans, and tips for finding a reliable tax preparer with expertise to match your needs.
Choosing a Cell Phone Plan to Meet Your Needs and Budget
This report provides some tips to help you find the right cell phone plan to meet your needs without breaking your budget.
Choosing a Credit Card that’s Right for You
This report looks at the factors you should consider when choosing a credit card.
Options for Managing Your Student Loans
This report looks at the options you have for managing repayment of your loans.
Save Dollars and Go Greener at Home
This report offers tips that can help you save money and go greener at home.
Check, Credit Card or Debit Card? Choosing a Payment Method for Security and Convenience
This report offers a brief overview of the facts you need to make wise choices for your circumstances.
Payday Loans—Still the Most Expensive Way to Borrow
This report looks at payday loans and alternatives to their use.
Thinking about Buying a First Home or Moving Up to a Larger Home?
Lessons You Can Learn From Today’s Housing Market
This report looks at lessons smart consumers can learn from what’s been happening in the housing and mortgage markets.
Tips for Improving Your Credit Score
This report provides some simple tips that can help you keep your credit score and overall credit in good shape.
What is a "Credit Score" And How Can It Affect Your Credit?
This report looks at why knowing your credit score is important.
Want a Quick Federal Tax Refund? Think E-File
This report describes how e-filing works
Financing Higher Education—Checking Out Education Loans
This report takes a look at the most common loan opportunities available for higher education and provides information on how you can learn more.
Shopping Safely Online
This report provides some good pointers and tips for shopping safely on the Internet.
Thinking of Donating Your Used Vehicle to Charity?
This report provides tips on how to check out a charity and technical details about vehicle donation.
Bankruptcy — An Updated Fact Sheet
This report provides some basic information about bankruptcy and links to more extensive information.
Do You Know Where Your Financial and Important Papers Are?
This report profiles how to put your important records in order.
Using Home Equity to Consolidate Credit Card Debt
This report takes a brief look at what you need to consider before using your home equity to consolidate credit card debt.
Do You Have a Personal Savings Plan? Why saving is important and how to get started.
This report gives some pointers on where and how you can find some savings and where to stash them when you've found them.
Going Wireless? Protect Your Personal Information
This report looks at the risks using wireless Internet connections pose to your financial and personal information and the precautions you can take.
E-Statements and Managing Your Financial Accounts Online Can Offer Big Benefits
This report profiles some of the potential benefits of managing most of your financial business online, including using e-statements, and provides tips for doing it safely.
Energy Conservation Moves that Could Save You Money at Tax Time
This report provides a brief overview of potential tax savings related to energy conservation moves and where to find more complete information.
This Scam Will Hit You This Week! But You Don't Have to Be "Phished"
This report describes types of "phishing" email, what you can do about it, and example "phish".
How to Review Your Credit Report...and correct it when necessary
This report shows you how to ready your credit report, interpret the information in it, and take steps to correct errors.
Do You Need a Credit Monitoring Service?
This report focuses on do you need them, potential benefits and limitations and how to evaluate them for individual situations.
Interest-Only Mortgages — Are They a Good Deal?
Read this brief overview of interest-only mortgages and their potential pitfalls and pluses.
Considering Consolidating Credit Card Debt? Promises and Best Options
Read about the best options for consolidating credit card debt.
How to Say NO to Investment Scams and Fraud
Read about how to avoid investment scams and fraud.
“Free Services” for Your Computer May Cost More Than You Realize
Read about how to protect your personal information and wallet from these "free" services.
Fake Check Scams Are Targeting Your Wallet— Learn the Warning Signs and Avoid the Traps
Read about counterfeit check scams and how to protect yourself from them.
Payday Loans—the Most Expensive Way to Borrow
Read about what payday loans are and how to avoid using them. This report has been replaced by an updated report.
Flexible Spending Accounts—Used Right They Can Save You Money
Read about flexible spending accounts and how they can reduce your taxable income and provide money to use on health care and/or day care expenses.
Is Your Checking Account Saving You $$$$ or Costing You?
Use these questions to review your current bank or credit union checking account.
Online Marketing—You’re a Target, and in Ways You Can’t See
Read about online marketing and get tips on how you can better control the marketing machine.
Is It Time to Update Your Phone Service to Get the Best Value for Your Dollar?
Read about reviewing the various options for phone service to make sure your services fit your family best.
Managing Your Personal Finances on the Internet— An Introduction to Electronic Financial Transactions
Here's some basic information and tips for using online financial services.
Making an Effective Consumer Complaint
Here are some steps and tips to help you resolve a problem.
Are You Ready to Prepare Your Taxes?
Here are some tips to help you prepare to do 2003's taxes and get a head start for planning 2004 taxes. Note that the tips in this report are useful no matter what year: just replace 2003 with 2006 and 2004 with 2007.
Giving Charitable Gifts As an Informed Donor
These resources can help you check out a nonprofit organization (NPO) or charitable cause before you give as well as educate yourself more fully as a donor.
Keeping Your Computer Secure and Your Personal Information Safe
This brief article will give you an overview of what steps you can take to secure your computer and the personal information on it.
Beware of Consumer Traps in Credit Card Offers
Read about the consumer traps lurking within the tiny print of most credit card offers.
What's the Truth About "No Interest...No Payment" Retail Financing Offers?
Read about the "catches" with these offers.
Are You at Risk of Identity Theft?
This brief report shares the basics of what you need to know about identity theft and provides links to other excellent resources.
Hang Up on Telemarketing Fraud
See how a little information and some commonsense tips can help you protect yourself and your family against these rip-offs.
Buyers Beware! Online Auction Fraud Tops Consumer Internet Complaints
Learn what can you do to protect yourself against potential fraud while still having fun.
Get the Most from your Long Distance Dollars
Learn how to evaluate dial-around numbers, prepaid calling cards, long distance carriers calling plans, and international long distance.
Stay Alert for E-Mail Scams
Learn about various scams that arrive in your inbox.
"Quick Tax Refunds" What's Real? What's Really a Loan? (updated March 2007)
Learn about tax refund loans.
Bankruptcy—A Fact Sheet
Learn about the types of personal bankruptcy. This report has been replaced by an updated report.
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