| Volume 23 Number 1 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
If you buy something and the contract has a clause that says you agree to arbitrate, you will not be allowed to sue and must file your claim with an arbitrator. Arbitration is often more expensive than a simple lawsuit, denies you the right to a jury trial or an appeal, is not bound by traditional rules of procedure, and often precludes you from filing or joining a class action. To learn more about consumer arbitration. Click here for more.
What Do Taxpayers Have to Do to Get Their Tax Rebates?
There aren't a lot of upsides to getting old, but if most of your income comes from Social Security, here's one: You probably don't have to file a federal tax return. While your adult children are struggling to figure out whether they qualify for the home-office deduction, you can curl up with a good novel, or go to the movies. This year, though, that could change. Click here for more.
USASpending.gov : Where Americans Can See Where Their Money Goes
Have you ever wanted to find more information on government spending? Have you ever wondered where federal contracting dollars and grant awards go? Or perhaps you would just like to know, as a citizen, what the government is really doing with your money. The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Transparency Act) requires a single searchable website, accessible by the public for free that includes for each Federal award: Click here for more.
6-Step Debt-Elimination Program
Is debt overwhelming your finances? If you have nightmarish visions of being surrounded by creditors, it's time to put down all credit cards, tighten the proverbial belt and start living not only within your means, but under them until you've paid back what you owe. Click here for more.
How Pawnshops Work
Have you ever been to a pawnshop? For a lot of people, there seems to be something, well, shady about these places. But if you haven't been to a pawnshop, you may be missing out on some great bargains. A pawnshop is a lot like a dozen garage sales and a flea market all rolled into one. Pawnshops also play an important role in many communities by providing people with an easy, fast way to borrow small amounts of money. Click here for more.
Your Money
Retirement shortfall calculator Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Court must review class action settlement. The 9th Circuit has held that when parties enter into a binding class action settlement agreement, which requires court approval and provide the required notice of the settlement to the district court prior to the district court's entry of the final judgments, the district court should hold a hearing and review the settlement agreement to determine if it is fair, reasonable, and adequate. Failure to do so "even when the district court has already drafted a summary judgment order" is an abuse of discretion. Click here for more.