Useful Links

Auto

  • Car Buying Tips  – Free information on buying new and used cars, leasing and avoiding auto scams.
  • CarFax – See the history of the car you are considering (VIN required)
  • Edmund’s Publications – Consumer information experts.  Easily run comparisons on new and used vehicles.
  • Fighting Chance – For $34.95, you receive complete pricing data on the vehicle you’re considering, plus its record in the market place, available cash incentives, negotiating tips, and access to a “live” purchasing coach.
  • Intellichoice OnLine Car Center  – Automotive research and comparisons.
  • J.D. Power & Associates  – Automotive marketing research.
  • Kelley Blue Book  – New and Used vehicle pricing reports.
  • RoadLoans  – Competitive rates on financing for new and used cars (refinancing, too).

Banking

  • FDIC site  – Check to see if your bank is FDIC insured or if it is in trouble.

Education

  • Finaid  – A comprehensive site that covers all aspects of financial aid.
  • National Center for Education Statistics  – Information on past three years of college/university costs.
  • Salliemae  – Calculators for estimating college costs, savings needs, and student loan payments as well as a great deal of financial aid and scholarship information.

Income Tax

  • IRS Website  – The IRS Website, information on forms, publications, and frequently asked questions.

Investments – Discount Brokers

Investments – Financial News & Quotes

  • Bloomberg – Financial market news and stock/mutual fund quotes.
  • CNN Financial News – Financial market news and stock/mutual fund quotes.
  • InvestorGuide – Comprehensive stock research tool.  “Tools” tab provides links to other sites.
  • MSN Money – Financial market news and stock/mutual fund quotes.
  • Yahoo  – Keep track of your overall portfolio and get detailed charts on your individual stocks and bonds.

Investments – Investor Education

  • Investorwords  – This site is a database of more than 5,000 key investment terms, plus some 15,000 links related to words and concepts.
  • Motley Fool  – Online calculators and information to help answer basic questions.
  • SEC Investor Education site  – Online calculators, broker and/or advisor information, investor alerts, plus links to other government sites.

Investments – Mutual Funds

  • Fund Alarm   – Stay abreast of significant changes influencing the people behind the funds, and receive email alerts whenever a fund you own announces a key development.
  • IndexFunds.com   – A resource on the use of index funds, or passive investing, versus conventional actively managed mutual funds.
  • Morningstar   – This company is well-known for its mutual fund star rating system, and this site has many useful research and analysis tools.
  • Mutual Fund Education Alliance   – A large source of mutual fund news and information, plus daily price info and one-, five- and ten-year annualized returns.

Investments – Publications

Mortages/Real Estate

  • Bankrate.com – Mortgage calculator and basic information
  • Eloan – Compare loans, quotes, calculators
  • Realtor sites – Customized searches by city, mortgage information and glossary.

Smart Spending

  • Consumer Reports Magazine  – Informational articles and product recalls are free on this site (subscription required for full online version).
  • The Dollar Stretcher Tips  – Free online newspaper full of tips, hints, stories and links for living better for less.