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Consumer Guide to Check
21 and Substitute Checks.
A new law, Check 21, allows banks to send you "substitite checks" in place of your original cancelled checks. Find
out your rights. 2 pp.
Electronic Banking.
Learn more about electronic transactions, such as debit cards and online account access, including how
transactions are processed, their timing, security, and legal protections. 15 pp.
Establishing a Trust
Fund.
Learn what different kinds of trusts can and can't do, their benefits, the role of a trustee, and more. 10 pp.
Living Trust Offers.
Find out if living trusts are right for you and how to protect yourself from scams when planning your estate. 2 pp.
Personal Financial
Choices.
Explains the basics of Chapter 7 bankruptcy, how to set up a sound financial plan, how to rebuild your credit, and
much more. 98 pp.
Planning Your Estate.
How to estimate the size of your estate, minimize taxes, and provide for your heirs. 10 pp.
Privacy Choices for Your
Personal Financial Information.
Explains your right to opt out of sharing some of your personal information and lists the types of information that
financial companies can share about you. 8 pp.
Protecting Yourself from
Overdraft and Bounced Check Fees (graphic only).
Find out how much overdraft and bounced check fees can cost you and learn how to avoid these fees. 2 pp.
There's a Lot to Learn about
Money.
Simple tips to help you set goals, develop a budget, and manage your credit. 6 pp.
What You Should Know About Buying Life Insurance
(graphic only).
Describes various types with tips on choosing a company, an agent, and a policy that meets your needs. 23 pp.
When Is Your Check Not a
Check?.
Merchants can now use the information from your checks to withdraw money directly from your bank account. Learn
about your rights when it comes to electronic check conversion and what to do if you have a problem. 2 pp.
Credit
Building a Better Credit
Record.
Learn how to legally improve your credit report, how to deal with debt, how to spot credit-related scams, and more.
16 pp.
Choosing a Credit
Card.
Compare the features and costs, and learn your liability limits when using a credit card. Covers what to do if there is
a billing error or other problem with your credit card. 20 pp.
Consumer Handbook to
Credit Protection Laws.
This guide explains how consumer credit laws can help you shop for credit, apply for it, keep up your credit
standing, and more. 44 pp.
Credit Matters.
How to qualify for credit, keep a good credit history, protect your credit once you have it, and more. 2 pp.
ID Theft: What's It All
About?.
Thieves can steal your personal information and use it to commit fraud for long periods without your knowledge.
Here’s how to protect yourself, and what to do if you are a victim. 18 pp.
Identity Theft and Your Social
Security Number.
Someone illegally using your Social Security number can steal your financial identity and your money. Find out how
to prevent identify theft, how to report it if you suspect it, and how to get a new Social Security number if you are a
victim. 8 pp. (2004.
SSA) 675M. Free.
Investing & Saving
66 Ways to Save
Money.
Practical ways to cut everyday costs on transportation, insurance, banking, credit, housing, utilities, food, and more.
10 pp.
Before Disaster Strikes.
Suggests ways to be financially prepared to deal with a natural disaster. Information on buying insurance, preparing
a household inventory, filling an evacuation box, and more. 8 pp.
Building Financial
Freedom.
Features a worksheet to help track your spending, tips on creating a financial plan, and an investor's checklist. 12
pp.
Certificates of Deposit: Tips for Investors.
Learn how CDs work, how to purchase them, and questions to ask before buying. 6 pp.
Consumer's Almanac.
Organize your expenses, save for the future, and manage your credit with monthly calendars and worksheets. 32
pp.
Get the Facts on Saving and Investing.
Use this guide's helpful tips and worksheets for calculating net worth, income, and expenses. 18 pp.
Hands on
Banking.
Interactive CD-ROM helps you build the money skills you need for life. Four separate programs from 4th grade
through adult, in English and Spanish, cover budgeting, saving, investing, buying a home, and more.
How SIPC Protects You.
If your brokerage firm closes due to bankruptcy or other financial difficulties, the Securities Investor Protection
Corporation (SIPC) works to return your assets. Find out what SIPC does and does not cover. 10 pp.
Insuring Your Deposits.
Find out if your bank or savings institution is insured, what types of accounts are covered, and how much of your
money is protected. 2 pp.
Introduction to Mutual Funds.
What they are, how to compare them, what to consider before investing, and how to avoid common pitfalls. 36 pp.
Investors' Bill of
Rights.
What you should know about investments and what information you are entitled to before investing. 7 pp.
Questions You Should Ask About Your
Investments.
The secret to investing wisely is knowing what to ask about investment products, your broker’s history, your
investment’s performance, and how to handle problems. 8 pp.
Ten Questions to
Ask When Choosing a Financial Planner.
Covers credentials, costs, services, an interview checklist, and resources to contact for more information. 12 pp.
What You Should
Know About Financial Planning (graphic only).
Discusses the benefits of financial planning for life-changing events, such as buying a home or retirement. 13 pp.
Your Rights as a Financial
Planning Client (graphic only).
Here’s a checklist of your rights, what to expect from your financial planner, and what to do if you have a problem. 5
pp.
Retirement Planning
401(k) Plans.
Explains what these plans are, what happens when you change employers, and what to do if you need the money
before retirement. 14 pp.
Annuities.
Learn the different types of annuities and take a helpful quiz to see if annuities are right for you. 11 pp.
Savings Fitness: A Guide to Your
Money and Your Financial Future.
Create your personal savings plan and prepare for retirement with this step-by-step guide. 20 pp.
Top 10 Ways to Prepare for
Retirement.
Gives practical tips to build your retirement savings and lists resources for more information. 2 pp.
Variable Annuities: What You Should
Know.
Explains what they are, how they work, what you have to pay, and questions to ask before you invest. 20 pp.
Women and Retirement
Savings.
What women need to know about retirement benefits, including plan type, eligibility, penalties, spousal benefits, and
more. 6 pp.
Your Guaranteed
Pension.
Frequently-asked questions about the security of private pension plans, including benefits and plan termination. 12
pp.
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