Are You Looking for Help With Loans, Debts, Insurance or Other Consumer Financial Decisions?

If you're looking for excellent consumer reports, advice and tips, you've come to the right place. I'm Max Anderson and I've got the answers to real consumer and financial questions here -- and we've put the answers in an easy consumer tips and reports format.

From debt help to boat loans... from auto insurance to payday loans, we provide you with the consumer reports you need to make your decisions -- and to make them wisely.

So what will you find on this site? You'll find consumer reports on home equity loans, auto insurance, debt consolidation and more. If you need to know about it, we've got the consumer reports and tips to cover it.

So sit back and take a look around. These consumer reports can save you time and money, but most of all they're meant to give you peace of mind.

It takes a while to learn how to budget. That's no reason, though, not to get started. If you're worried about your finances, the worst thing you can do is ignore the situation: it's absolutely essential that you find a way to bring your budget under control. And the easiest way to do that is budgeting.

Although it takes some time and effort to learn how to budget your money, the process itself is not that difficult. Depending on your financial situation and how much you trust yourself, there are a number of ways to handle budget planning. Here are a few to get you started.

Continue reading "How to Budget for a New Year" »

Posted by Max at 5:14 PM | Permalink

Have you ever tried homemade cleaners? Chances are you have in a pinch -- my first experience with homemade cleaners came when I had to clean up a red wine stain in a hurry. To my surprise, my homemade internet recipe of baking soda and soda water worked miracles. But for a long time afterwards, in spite of my success, I kept using expensive and harsh chemical products.

But then I started trying to shop more effectively and save money, and I realized exactly how much I spend on chemical cleaners. And you can double that price if you use disposable products such as Swiffers which, while incredibly convenient, can also cost a fortune (and are less than green, too).

Fortunately, you can have a lot of extra money simply by making your own homemade cleaners! Here's how.

Continue reading "Homemade Cleaners Save a Surprising Amount of Money" »

Posted by Max at 5:12 PM | Permalink

The average car repair is something like a root canal: a costly, uncomfortable procedure you want to get over with ASAP. While this characterization may offend the sensibilities of dentists and mechanics alike, let's get real here. In both cases, what you need is quick work, done with a minimum of pain.

In Part I, we looked at the basics that you should consider when choosing a new auto shop. That includes the category of shop you require, based on the necessary repairs; appearance; and the place's reputation. In Part II, we'll outline a few more selection criteria.

Continue reading "How to Choose a Decent Car Repair Facility, Part II" »

Posted by Max at 5:09 PM | Permalink

Are you happy with your current car repair facility? If the answer's a resounding NO!, then it's time to do a little comparison shopping. So: do you know what you should be looking for?

Whether you're unsure or just need to brush up on the details, read on!

Continue reading "How to Choose a Decent Car Repair Facility, Part I" »

Posted by Max at 5:07 PM | Permalink

In gardening circles, they call it having a black thumb: that innate talent for killing any plant you come into contact with. Well, they don't all have to die! While you're unlikely to exchange your black digit for a green thumb, there are some plants that just about anyone can grow with a high change of success.

Last time, in Part I, we covered some of the hardier flowers, like four o'clocks and pansies, and houseplants such as Devil's Ivy and Screw Pine. All of the above take a determined effort to kill. But what about plants for the pot? Well, let's see...

Continue reading "Black Thumb Gardening, Part II" »

Posted by Max at 5:03 PM | Permalink

Some of us (and your Humble Writer may be included) seem to have a black thumb instead of a green one -- that is, just about every plant we try to grow keels over and dies on us, no matter how well we care for it. And there goes all that investment in time, effort, and gardening supplies, right down the drain.

Maybe it's just that we can't follow the directions right, or don't really water enough, or water too much...or maybe we've just got the touch of death when it comes to green growing things. Well, if you haven't had any luck and are about ready to give up and try plastic flowers... well, don't throw in the trowel just yet.

Continue reading "Black Thumb Gardening, Part I" »

Posted by Max at 5:00 PM | Permalink

When you want to save money, every little bit counts. A few cents here and a few cents there adds up quickly. With just a very small bit of effort on your part, you can save a lot of money at home, especially when it comes to laundry, cleaning, and water use. Not only will you be saving money, you'll be going green at the same time. It's win win for you and the environment.

Continue reading "Save Money With Small Changes" »

Posted by Max at 11:47 AM | Permalink

It's always a good idea to save on heating. Not only will you help the environment and reduce emissions, you'll save a lot of money on heating bills. Depending where you live, winter can be a very expensive time -- and the longer it lasts, the more frustrating those sky high bills become.

Continue reading "How to Save on Heating Bills" »

Posted by Max at 11:45 AM | Permalink

In an era when seeing a first-run movie can cost you $10 or more (and that doesn't even count the stale popcorn), thank goodness for inexpensive entertainment like jigsaw puzzles. For a few bucks, you can get hours' worth of amusement... and when you're done you end up with artwork, not just memories.

So today, let's reconsider the jigsaw puzzle's place in the family entertainment scenario.

Continue reading "Jigsaw Puzzles: Cheap and Challenging Entertainment" »

Posted by Max at 11:44 AM | Permalink

Unless you've been living in a cave, you've probably seen some media-buzz about radiant barriers lately. If you have in fact been living in a cave, then know that a radiant barrier is a layer of reflective material that keeps heat from invading your home, ideally lowering your cooling costs in warm weather.

The big question is: do radiant barriers actually work? Good question. Let's check the facts.

Continue reading "Can Radiant Barriers Really Save You Money?" »

Posted by Max at 11:42 AM | Permalink