| Volume 28 Number 13 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
When shopping for the best price, compare the store, the internet, and the 800 number for the best price. You can never know who will offer you the best deal. I just went through this with my cell phone and was surprised that the 800 number gave cheaper prices than the internet.
10 Things Your Bank Won't Tell You
Do you assume that your bank serves your best interests? That a big bank's products are better? That your online account information is accurate? Don't believe any of it. Click here for more.
Avoid These Money Traps
If a penny saved is a penny earned, then the following money-saving tips could bring you thousands of dollars¿cash you could use to secure your retirement, renovate the kitchen, help your favorite charity, or start a college fund. If that sounds more appealing than throwing money down the drain, take ten minutes and read this list of financial no-no¿s that will cost you big. Click here for more.
4 Ways to Maximize Your Social Security Benefits
Many soon-to-be retirees will live well into their 80s or even 90s, and their nest eggs need to last along with them. Once that personal savings is gone, they'll have to depend almost entirely on Social Security for income. In fact, one out of five elderly married couples (and more than 40% of elderly single retirees) already do, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). And given that Social Security benefits comprise about 40% of what the average retiree was making when they were working, that means every penny counts. Click here for more.
New Federal Trade Commission Rule Will Let Telephone Customers Avoid Prerecorded Telemarketing Calls
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced a new rule governing telemarketing calls that feature prerecorded messages. Beginning Sept. 1, 2009, telemarketing companies must obtain call recipients¿ written permission before contacting them with a prerecorded message. More immediately, effective Dec. 1, 2008, prerecorded telephone marketing calls must have an opt-out mechanism so that recipients can elect not to receive those unsolicited calls in the future. Click here for more.
Your Money
Buy or rent your next home Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Debt collector can rely on 'bona fide error' defense. The Sixth Circuit has held that misinforming a debtor that her dispute of a mortgage payment must be in writing, even though the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act does not require a written dispute, is covered by the "bona fide error" defense to the Act. Click here for more.