• Where can I find out my credit score for free?
  • AnnualCreditReport.com
• Where can I find the best deals on credit cards?
• Bankrate.com
• Billshrink.com
• How do I protect myself from identity theft?
  • Identity Theft: How to Protect Yourself (NYS Office of the Attorney General)
  • Deter, Detect, Defend: Avoid ID Theft (Federal Trade Commission)
• Is there an easy way I can start saving money?
• Feedthepig.org

• Where can I find product reviews?
  • Consumer Reports The barcode number from your Mid-Hudson Library System library card gives you full access to this.
  • Consumer Search
  • Epinions.com
  • Buzzillions.com
• How do I find out if a product has been recalled?
  • Recalls.gov
  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
• How can I find the best deals on cell phones?
  • Cell Phone Buying Guide
  • Billshrink.com
• Where can I find toy recommendations for kids?
• Toy Reviews, Awards, and Recommendations
• Educational Toy Recommendations

• How do I find the lowest gasoline prices in the area?
  • GasBuddy.com
• Where can I find the price of a new car or the value of a used car?
• NADA Appraisal Guide
• Kelley Blue Book
• Edmund’s Automobile Buyer’s Guides
• What do I need to know about shopping for car insurance?
  • Consumer Action Handbook: Auto Insurance
• How do I find maintenance schedules for my car?
  • edmunds.com
• Where can I get reliable information to fix my own car?
  • Chiltons Auto Repair Manuals The barcode number from your Mid-Hudson Library System library card gives you full access to this.
• Is there a listing of people who want to share rides and carpool?
  • metropool.com

 

• How can I find contact information for businesses?
  • Switchboard - Find a Business
• What if I have a consumer question or problem, or want to check the reputation of a company or file a complaint against a company?
• New York State Attorney General, Consumer Issues Office
• Better Business Bureau
• The Federal Consumer Action Website
• How can I check on the reputation of charity or file a complaint against a charity?
• Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance

• How do reduce I the number of telemarketing calls I get at home?
  • National Do Not Call Program
• How do I reduce junk mail?
  • PrivacyRights.org

• I am thinking of buying a house. What do I need to know?
  • HUD's Buying a Home
  • Mortgage Glossary
  • Affordability Calculator
• How can I protect myself against an unaffordable loan?
  • National Fair Housing Alliance
• What do I need to know about hiring a contractor to work on my house?
  • What You Need to Know When Hiring a Contractor
• How do I choose a day care provider?
  • Find Child Care (NYS)
  • HowStuffWorks
  • iVillage
• Where can I find tips for buying a computer?
  • Step-by-Step Buying a Computer (Consumer Reports)
• How can I find local computer support and repair?
  • Local Tech Support (Consume Reports)
• How can I plan a trip online?
  • 25 Best Travel Sites (Kiplinger.com)
  • Passports

• Where can I recycle in my community?
  • Columbia County Solid Waste Department
  • Dutchess County Resource Recovery Agency
  • Greene County Solid Waste Management Department
  • Putnam County Recycling
  • Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency
• How do I know if the products I am buying are certified organic?
  • The National Organic Program (USDA)
• What are green alternatives to cleaning products?
  • Green Cleaning Resources (EPA
• How do I find out about used book sales?
• BookSaleFinder
• Your local library
• How do I buy and sell on eBay?
• How do I buy an item?
• How do I list an item for sale?

+ Additional Consumer Information through Useful Links from the Central Reference Library of the Mid-Hudson Library System.

More Quick Answers: Smart Buying | Healthy Living | Travel | Personal Finance | Business & Legal | Find a Job | Find Colleges & Educational Programs

Contact your local library with questions or comments, and to locate additional library materials.


Quick Answers was developed with funding from the New York State Library as part of the Gates Foundation "Staying Connected" Grant Program
Designed by the Mid-Hudson Library System and member libraries
Poughkeepsie, NY