Home Improvement and Living Tips

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03/08/2013

Tips for Driveway Improvements

An attractive, well-kept driveway can help a home make a good first impression, provide protection against flooding, and even add value to your investment. But replacing a driveway can be a costly endeavor.

01/10/2013

Don’t Let Paperless, E-Receipts Compromise Your Personal Information

Have you ever opted for a paperless, e-receipt? Some retailers and banks have started offering customers the option of receiving receipts from purchases and ATM transactions via email.

01/10/2013

Be Brick Smart if You Choose a Brick Home Exterior

When you’re looking to make home improvements, it’s important to balance reliability, cost-effectiveness and attractive design.

12/01/2011

Save on Heating Costs with Seven Ways to Winterize Your Home

Better Business Bureau is offering a checklist for homeowners to safely prepare their homes for the cold winter months, and perhaps save a few dollars in the process.

11/01/2011

Don’t Get Smoked Out of a Chimney Sweep Scam

With winter approaching, many consumers are looking to have their chimneys cleaned in preparation. Better Business Bureau is advising consumers to know which businesses to trust and which to avoid to prevent their hard earned dollars from going up in smoke.

09/15/2010

Foreclosure Rescue Scams Are Going Strong

The housing market in the United States may not be thriving, but business is booming for foreclosure rescue and loan modification scammers.

08/18/2010

Your Vacant Home May Not Be Insured

If you moved and were unable to sell or rent out your house, you may be surprised to find that your homeowner’s insurance could stop covering it if it sits vacant for too long.

07/30/2010

Beware of Deceptive Auto Loan Modification Offers

Better Business Bureau recommends that consumers try to work out a deal with the lender directly before paying out hundreds in upfront fees to a loan modification company.

07/22/2010

New Overdraft Rules for Debit and ATM Cards

On July 1st, new rules went into effect concerning overdrafts on debit or ATM cards. The change gives consumers the ability to choose what happens when you make a charge and don’t have enough money in the account.

06/30/2010

Don’t Get Sucked in By Deceptive Air Duct Cleaners

Better Business Bureau warns consumers to beware of air duct cleaning businesses that employ bait and switch tactics or try to scare the homeowner into thinking they have a serious health-threatening mold problem.

06/15/2010

Flood Insurance: Is It for You?

Recent and the prediction of an active 2010 hurricane season may have you wondering if you should have flood insurance. Here are some facts that may help answer your questions.

06/01/2010

How to Spot the Red Flags of an Investment Seminar Scam

Better Business Bureau recommends researching the investment company first, rather than run the risk of falling for a financial siren song over a free lunch.

06/01/2007

FTC - Mortgage Payments Sending You Reeling? Here's What to Do

The possibility of losing your home because you can't make the mortgage payments can be terrifying. Perhaps you are one of the many consumers who took out a mortgage that had a fixed rate for the first two or three years and then had an adjustable rate. Or maybe you're anticipating an adjustment, and want to know what your payments will be and whether you'll be able to make them. Or maybe you're having trouble making ends meet because of an unrelated financial crisis.

05/01/2007

FTC - Buying a Home: It’s a Big Deal

Whether you’re shopping for appliances or automobiles, groceries or gadgets, travel services or tax preparers, the Internet has changed the way most people gather information about products and services.

03/01/2007

FTC - Understanding Vehicle Financing

With prices averaging more than $28,000 for a new vehicle and $15,000 for a used vehicle, most consumers need financing or leasing to acquire a vehicle. In some cases, buyers use “direct lending:” they obtain a loan directly from a finance company, bank or credit union. In direct lending, a buyer agrees to pay the amount financed, plus an agreed-upon finance charge, over a period of time. Once a buyer and a vehicle dealership enter into a contract to purchase a vehicle, the buyer uses the loan proceeds from the direct lender to pay the dealership for the vehicle. Consumers also may arrange for a vehicle loan over the Internet.