This report provides explanations of checks and checking accounts and offers guidelines for their use. Types of checks which are explained include personal checks, negotiable orders of withdrawal, counter checks, universal checks, domestic and international money orders, cashier's checks, and travelers checks. A description of the different…

This report explains savings accounts and low-deposit investments in order to help consumers determine which accounts are right for them. It is divided into the following four sections (topics covered are listed in parentheses): (1) the savings program (setting savings goals, saving regularly, choosing a savings account, interest, the savings…

This study examined how titles and illustrations have an impact on consumers' selection of free pamphlets. The implications for dissemination of extension information are explored. (CT)

This report presents information on checking accounts, describes how to read a monthly statement from the bank, and provides guidelines for balancing a checkbook. Topics covered include: how banks record transactions; the importance of keeping personal records and of balancing the checkbook promptly; what happens when there are insufficient funds…

This report explains the importance of keeping personal records, describes types of records to keep, and suggests places in which to keep them and ways to organize them. Guidelines are offered for keeping the following types of records: (1) personal documents (family records, wills, passports, diplomas, and social security cards); (2) property…

This report tells what information is likely to be in a credit report; how it is collected, filed, and communicated; and how individual rights regarding credit are protected by law. Topics covered include: (1) information generally contained in a credit profile (identification, family status, public record information, credit accounts, and…

This report presents guidelines to help homeowners, renters, and condominium owners purchase and maintain adequate insurance coverage for their residences and personal property. Types of property coverage discussed include the following: (1) standard policies and exclusions; (2) special programs (earthquake insurance, federal programs for…

This report offers suggestions on finding, planning, and financing a home rehabilitation project. Information on finding a "fixer-upper" includes deciding where to look, learning what to look for in a house and neighborhood, learning about local building and zoning codes, deciding what characteristics of houses and neighborhoods are…

This report gives suggestions for starting a personal money plan, provides a worksheet for developing the plan, and offers ideas for putting the plan into action. Guidelines are presented for the following steps in developing a money plan: setting short- and long-term spending and saving goals; making a timetable for reaching those goals;…

This report describes principles and techniques for credit management. Topics covered include: (1) methods of determining personal credit limits; (2) ways to keep track of credit use; (3) suggestions for planning credit use; (4) explanations of single-payment charge accounts, revolving credit, installment credit, and consolidation loans; and (5)…

This pamphlet presents energy conservation tips to help consumers save money. Conservation measures suggested here cover topics such as: (1) insulation; (2) space heating and cooling; (3) hot water heating; (4) cooking; (5) laundry; (6) lighting; (7) electrical appliances; (8) buying or building a home; and (9) buying, maintaining and driving a…

This revised pamphlet was developed by a national association of credit unions for the purpose of directing consumer complaints to appropriate agencies or heads of agencies for action. Suggestions to aid the consumer are included, such as trying to solve problems at the local level before complaining to top officials. Addresses and phone numbers…

Designed as an aid in preparing federal income tax returns, this report explains terms, provides a worksheet, and describes sources of tax help. The importance of keeping tax records is discussed along with strategies for recordkeeping, types of records to keep, and how long to keep them. Explanations of the following terms are provided along with…

This report defines active and passive solar energy systems, describes home uses for solar energy, and offers guidelines for choosing and installing a system. Much of the information is specific to the state of California. Uses for solar energy which are presented include passive space heating, passive cooling, active space heating, household…

This report provides parents with information on teaching their children about budgeting, saving, and careful spending as well as information on giving their children money, bonds, and stocks. Topics covered include: (1) participation of young children in family shopping; (2) money management skills developed through giving children an allowance;…