StraightTalk Reports from Remar Sutton
Is a Reverse Mortgage Right for You? (July 2008)
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 (June 2008)
This report discusses ways to get the most for your travel dollars.
Getting the Longest Service Out of Your Vehicle Saves $$$ (May 2008)
This report looks at what you can do to stretch the good life of your vehicle.
Don’t Fall for Scams Related to the Credit Crisis (April 2008)
This report describes several types of financial scams and how to recognize them.
Tax Time Tips (March 2008)
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 (February 2008)
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 (January 2008)
This report looks at the factors you should consider when choosing a credit card.
Options for Managing Your Student Loans (December 2007)
This report looks at the options you have for managing repayment of your loans.
Save Dollars and Go Greener at Home (November 2007)
This report offers tips that can help you save money and go greener at home.
Using Social Networking Sites Wisely—It’s a Matter of Safety and Privacy for You and Your Children (October 2007)
This report provides tips for safely using social networking sites.
Check, Credit Card or Debit Card? Choosing a Payment Method for Security and Convenience (September 2007)
This report offers a brief overview of the facts you need to make wise choices for your circumstances.
Why Not Buy a Car on eBay or Another Online Auction Site? (August 2007)
This report looks at the pros and cons of buying a vehicle online.
Payday Loans—Still the Most Expensive Way to Borrow (July 2007)
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 (June 2007)
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 (May 2007)
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 (April 2007)
This report looks at why knowing your credit score is important.
Want a Quick Federal Tax Refund? Think E-File (March 2007)
This report describes how e-filing works.
Financing Higher Education—Checking Out Education Loans (February 2007)
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 (January 2007)
This report provides some good pointers and tips for shopping safely on the Internet.
Thinking of Donating Your Used Vehicle to Charity? (December 2006)
This report provides tips on how to check out a charity and technical details about vehicle donation.
Opting Out for Peace and Security (November 2006)
This report looks at how you can reduce the amount of junk mail and unsolicited offers that you receive.
Bankruptcy — An Updated Fact Sheet (October 2006)
This report provides some basic information about bankruptcy and links to more extensive information.
Do You Know Where Your Financial and Important Papers Are? (September 2006)
This report profiles how to put your important records in order.
Enhancing Your Online Privacy and Protecting Your Personal Information (August 2006)
This report provides some tips and tools to help you enhance your online privacy and security.
Take Five Steps to Save BEFORE You Shop for a New Vehicle (July 2006)
Take these five steps to help you find the right car for you and your family and save you money.
Using Home Equity to Consolidate Credit Card Debt (June 2006)
This report takes a brief look at what you need to consider before using your home equity to consolidate credit card debt.
Getting the Most for Your Travel Dollars (May 2006)
This report provides tips and insights for making travel arrangements that fit your comfort criteria and your budget.
Do You Have a Personal Savings Plan? Why saving is important and how to get started. (April 2006)
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 (March 2006)
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 (February 2006)
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 (January 2006)
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" (December 2005)
This report describes types of "phishing" email, what you can do about it, and example "phish".
Fuel Economy Tips for Beating the Gas Pump Blues (November 2005)
This review rounds up tips on how you can beat the gas pump blues.
How to Review Your Credit Report...and correct it when necessary (September/October 2005)
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? (August 2005)
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? (July 2005)
Read this brief overview of interest-only mortgages and their potential pitfalls and pluses.
Considering Consolidating Credit Card Debt? Promises and Best Options (June 2005)
Read about the best options for consolidating credit card debt.
How to Say NO to Investment Scams and Fraud (May 2005)
Read about how to avoid investment scams and fraud.
“Free Services” for Your Computer May Cost More Than You Realize (April 2005)
Read about how to protect your personal information and wallet from these "free" services.
An Oasis Amidst All the Hype (February/March 2005)
Read about how StraightTalk can save you money when buying a car.
Fake Check Scams Are Targeting Your Wallet— Learn the Warning Signs and Avoid the Traps (January 2005)
Read about counterfeit check scams and how to protect yourself from them.
Payday Loans—the Most Expensive Way to Borrow (December 2004)
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 (November 2004)
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.
What Insurance Coverage Do I Need for My Vehicle? (October 2004)
Read about what insurance coverage and amounts that you need for your vehicle.
Is Your Checking Account Saving You $$$$ or Costing You? (September 2004)
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 (August 2004)
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? (July 2004)
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 (June 2004)
Here's some basic information and tips for using online financial services.
Ten Tips for Getting Good Automotive Service (May 2004)
Read these tips to help you get satisfactory results working with automotive service centers and technicians.
Car Shopping? Consider the Cost to Insure and Drive That New Vehicle (April 2004)
Here's how to check out the cost to own a vehicle.
Making an Effective Consumer Complaint (March 2004)
Here are some steps and tips to help you resolve a problem.
Are You Ready to Prepare Your Taxes? (February 2004)
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.
Preparing and Coping with Cold & Flu Season (January 2004)
Here are some tips from the experts on what you and your family can do to avoid getting sick and respond if the symptoms hit you.
Holiday Travel and Safety Tips (December 2003)
Use this StraightTalk Report as a brief handbook that leads you to selected Internet resources offering sound information on a variety of holiday travel and safety issues.
Giving Charitable Gifts As an Informed Donor (November 2003)
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 (October 2003)
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 (September 2003)
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? (August 2003)
Read about the "catches" with these offers.
Are You at Risk of Identity Theft? (July 2003)
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 (June 2003)
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 (May 2003)
Learn what can you do to protect yourself against potential fraud while still having fun.
"Quick Tax Refunds" What's Real? What's Really a Loan? (March 2003)
Learn about tax refund loans.
Zero! Zero! Zero! The Real Story (December 2002)
Read about the catches in zero down, zero interest, and zero payment deals.
Handling Stress (December 2002)
Check out ways to deal with stress in your life.
Bankruptcy—A Fact Sheet (December 2002)
Learn about the types of personal bankruptcy. This report has been replaced by an updated report.
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