MPLIC Reference Highway

Useful Sites & Stuff

Homefair.com December 16, 2009

http://www.homefair.com/index.asp?cid=homefair

This site provides a moving calculator, salary calculator, a lifestyle optimizer, city reports, school reports, and more.  It is a very helpful site for anyone relocating to another city or who wants to find information about cities in the U. S.

 

BBB Tips For Reducing Junk Mail December 8, 2009

http://memphis.bbb.org/article/bbb-tips-for-reducing-junk-mail-12752

The Memphis Better Business Bureau offers some tips on reducing junk mail.  Some websites and telephone numbers are given here that consumers can use to stop unsolicited junk mail from coming to their homes, as well as some other helpful information.

 

FedSpending.org December 3, 2009

http://fedspending.org/

“On Dec. 2, 2009, a new database of Recovery Act data was released on FedSpending.org. Available under the “Recovery” tab, this database allows searching over 160,000 reports from recipients of almost $159 billion in Recovery Act contracts, grants, and loans awarded between Feb. 17 and Sept. 30.”–From the Website.

 

First-Time Homebuyer Credit Extended And Expanded November 30, 2009

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204671,00.html

“The Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009, signed into law on Nov. 6, 2009, extends and expands the first-time homebuyer credit allowed by previous Acts.  Under the new law, an eligible taxpayer must buy, or enter into a binding contract to buy, a principal residence on or before April 30, 2010 and close on the home by June 30, 2010. For qualifying purchases in 2010, taxpayers have the option of claiming the credit on either their 2009 or 2010 return.”–From the IRS Website.

 

 

Investment Advisor Public Disclosure November 20, 2009

http://www.adviserinfo.sec.gov/IAPD/Content/IapdMain/iapd_SiteMap.aspx

On this United States Securities and Exchange Commission website:  “You can search for an investment adviser firm on this website and view that
firm’s Form ADV. Investment advisers file Form ADV to register with the SEC
and/or the states. Form ADV contains information about an investment adviser and its business operations. Form ADV also contains disclosure about certain disciplinary events involving the adviser and its key personnel.–From the website.

 

First-Time Homebuyer Credit October 18, 2009

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204671,00.html?portlet=7

The IRS offers this alert that says you have to purchase a home by November 30 to be eligible for the first-time homebuyer credit that is available.

 

Hard Times Resource Guide October 11, 2009

http://www.secstate.wa.gov/library/hardtimes/

The Washington State Library offers a list of online resources that could help many people in these difficult economic times.  There are links to some Washington state resources that will not be of help to all, but there are many other resources that would be of help to anyone living anywhere in the country.

 

Sales Tax Holiday August 7, 2009

http://tn.gov/revenue/salestaxholiday/

Today through Sunday– Happy shopping!

 

BenefitsCheckUp — A Service of the National Council on Aging July 6, 2009

“Many older people need help paying for prescription drugs, health care, utilities and other basic needs … [d]eveloped and maintained by The National Council on Aging (NCOA), BenefitsCheckUp is the nation’s most comprehensive Web-based service to screen for benefits programs for seniors with limited income and resources.”–From the Web Site.

 

Financial Advisors and Brokers — Check Them Out July 6, 2009

http://www.sec.gov/investor/brokers.htm

The SEC offers this page which provides tips on checking out financial advisors and brokers as well as links to sites where information is available to help you evaluate brokers and financial advisors.

 

CARS: Car Allowance Rebate System June 26, 2009

www.cars.gov

The Car Allowance Rebate System is a new program from the NHTSA that helps consumers purchase new, more fuel-efficient vehicles when they trade in a vehicle that is less efficient.  Those with eligible vehicles can visit a participating dealer and receive a credit worth either $3500 or $4500 towards the purchase of a new vehicle.

This program was just signed into law, and some of the details are still being worked out, but the website is being updated regularly to include new information.

 

IBRinfo June 3, 2009

Thanks to Audrey May (LINC) for bringing this site to my attention:

www.ibrinfo.org

Two new programs have been created by the federal government to assist students with outstanding student loan debt.  The Income-Based Repayment Program will begin in July of 2009 and can institute payment caps based on income and family size for eligible borrowers.  The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program allows employees of eligible organizations (including libraries!) to have their federal loans forgiven after 10 years of service and qualifying payments.

 

The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (New Credit Card Law) : Summary May 20, 2009

http://banking.senate.gov/public/_files/051909_CreditCardSummaryFinalPassage.pdf

This is a summary from the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, & Urban Affairs of the provisions of the new 2009 Credit Card Act passed by Congress and which will go to President Obama for his signature.

 

Property Assessment Directory May 20, 2009

www.propertyassessmentdirectory.com

It’s not the prettiest site, but it has the goods.  This site is a large link directory to property assessment sites around the country.  Most are county sites, but there are a few aggregate sites as well.

 

Mymoney.gov March 25, 2009

http://www.mymoney.gov/

“Title V of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACT Act) established the Financial Literacy and Education Commission (Commission) with the purpose of improving the financial literacy and education of persons in the United States. To reach the widest number of people possible, the Commission established a website and a toll-free telephone number (1-888-MYMONEY) to coordinate the presentation of educational materials from across the spectrum of federal agencies that deal with financial issues and markets.”–From the Web site.   This site provides information and resources on such topics as financial planning, budgeting, home ownership, avoiding foreclosure, credit, taxes,  saving and investing, starting a small businss and more.