Useful Links

• Car Buying Tips  – Free information on buying new and used cars, leasing and avoiding auto scams.
• CarFax – See the history of the car you are considering (VIN required)
• Edmund’s Publications – Consumer information experts.  Easily run comparisons on new and used vehicles.
• Fighting Chance – For $34.95, you receive complete pricing data on the vehicle you’re considering, plus its record in the market place, available cash incentives, negotiating tips, and access to a “live” purchasing coach.
• Intellichoice OnLine Car Center  – Automotive research and comparisons.
• J.D. Power & Associates  – Automotive marketing research.
• Kelley Blue Book  – New and Used vehicle pricing reports.
• RoadLoans  – Competitive rates on financing for new and used cars (refinancing, too).

• FDIC site  – Check to see if your bank is FDIC insured or if it is in trouble.

• Finaid  – A comprehensive site that covers all aspects of financial aid.
• National Center for Education Statistics  – Information on past three years of college/university costs.
• Salliemae  – Calculators for estimating college costs, savings needs, and student loan payments as well as a great deal of financial aid and scholarship information.
• Savingforcollege.com – Quarterly 529 plan reviews and other tips on saving for college

• IRS Website  – The IRS Website, information on forms, publications, and frequently asked questions.

• Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.  –  Discount broker.
• Scottrade – Online discount broker
• TD Ameritrade   View account balances, market news, and other services offered by the discount broker.

• Bloomberg – Financial market news and stock/mutual fund quotes.
• CNN Financial News – Financial market news and stock/mutual fund quotes.
• InvestorGuide – Comprehensive stock research tool.  “Tools” tab provides links to other sites.
• MSN Money – Financial market news and stock/mutual fund quotes.
• Wall Street Journal – Financial market news and stock/mutual fund quotes
• Yahoo   – Keep track of your overall portfolio and get detailed charts on your individual stocks and bonds.

• Investorwords  – This site is a database of more than 5,000 key investment terms, plus some 15,000 links related to words and concepts.
• Motley Fool  – Online calculators and information to help answer basic questions.
• SEC Investor Education site   – Online calculators, broker and/or advisor information, investor alerts, plus links to other government sites.

• IndexFunds.com   – A resource on the use of index funds, or passive investing, versus conventional actively managed mutual funds.
• Morningstar   – This company is well-known for its mutual fund star rating system, and this site has many useful research and analysis tools.
• Mutual Fund Education Alliance   – A large source of mutual fund news and information, plus daily price info and one-, five- and ten-year annualized returns.

• Forbes  – Online edition of Forbes magazine.
• Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine  – Magazine plus calculators, investor education and more.
• Smart Money  –  Smart Money

• Bankrate.com – Mortgage calculator and basic information
• Eloan – Compare loans, quotes, calculators
• HSH.com – Mortgage news, rate comparisions, and calculators
• Realtor sites – Customized searches by city, mortgage information and glossary.

Retirement

• Consumer Reports Magazine  – Informational articles and product recalls are free on this site (subscription required for full online version).
• The Dollar Stretcher Tips  – Free online newspaper full of tips, hints, stories and links for living better for less.