Consumer Reports

I got mine, did you get yours? It’s March and the Census Bureau is in full gear making sure census forms are delivered to every home in the United States and Puerto Rico. The good news is that it’s easy - when you get your form, just answer the 10 questions and mail the form back in the postage-paid envelope they provide (the form cannot be completed online). It only took me a couple of minutes to complete mine. If you don’t mail the form back, you may receive a visit from a census taker , who will ask you the questions from the form .

I got mine, did you get yours? It’s March and the Census Bureau is in full gear making sure census forms are delivered to every home in the United States and Puerto Rico. The good news is that it’s easy - when you get your form, just answer the 10 questions and mail the form back in the postage-paid envelope they provide (the form cannot be completed online). It only took me a couple of minutes to complete mine. If you don’t mail the form back, you may receive a visit from a census taker , who will ask you the questions from the form .

In September we told you about a new $300 million program that would offer rebates to buyers of energy-efficient appliances with the energy star label. At the time, states and territories, which were in charge of their own programs, were still in the planning stages. Some states and territories have started their appliance rebate programs. Last week people in both Minnesota and Iowa had trouble with websites and phone numbers the day the programs launched. Due to the popularity, both states had to end their programs after funds ran out. Many states will start them in March and April and each will have their own requirements for participation. For instance, the state of Virginia will have a mail-in program. To find out what’s going on with your state’s appliance program so you can beat the rush, you should visit this page . You’ll find a map where you can click on your state to see the status of your program. If you scroll down you’ll see a list of start dates and phone numbers for each state. What do you think of your state’s appliance rebate program?

Visit the FAQ at USA.gov for information on the latest food recalls, including products containing hydrolyzed vegetable protein, a flavor enhancer used in many processed foods.

Link:
Where can I learn about the latest food recalls?

Search FDA’s recall list of products containing hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP). These products are being recalled as the FDA investigates findings of salmonella. HVP is a flavor enhancer used in many processed foods, including soups, dips, and hot dogs.

Read the original post:
Food Recall: Products Containing Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein

Re-evaluate your eating habits this month! Learn about the benefits of fruits and vegetables and find out how many servings you should be getting each day.

Go here to read the rest:
National Nutrition Month

I’m not the kind of person to be the first in line to buy the newest technology right when it hits the store shelves. I’m more of a “sit back, observe, and collect data” kind of a person. I like to let the masses do the leg work for me and then reap the benefits of getting lots of opinions on features and the pros/cons of the available products. It gives me time to assess what features I want, what features are available, and to consider what I am willing to pay. I have had a standard cell phone with an inexpensive pay as you go plan for years, but I must admit I am experiencing phone envy. Many of my friends and co-workers have purchased smart phones that have all kinds of nice features: listening to music, uploading pictures, managing a calendar, browsing the Internet, and using a small keyboard to text and email. I am evaluating whether a smart phone makes sense for me. It would be nice to have a phone and those nice features in one device. However, I really don’t use a cell phone that much. I work from home and I am usually at home. I don’t have kids who need to be able to get a hold of me when I am out and about. I keep a phone in my purse for emergencies, but it is almost always turned off. Most people know this about me, so they never call my cell phone number. Would my phone habits change if I had a smart phone? Maybe. My call volume would increase slightly, because I would be more likely to have a smart phone turned on, but I don’t think my phone usage would increase that much. My current thinking is that it doesn’t make much sense to get a smart phone and pay for a more expensive service plan, when I simply don’t use a cell phone that much. For now, I am keeping my standard phone; I will look at other wireless devices that have the features I am interested in, but don’t require expensive phone plans. If you are going through a similar debate about a standard phone vs. a smart phone, here are some resources you might find useful: Cell Phone Reviews Consumer Action Website – Cell Phones Consumer Reports Customer reviews – Cell Phones Filing a Consumer Complaint with the FCC New World of Mobile Phones Understanding Wireless Telephone Coverage Areas Wireless Phones and the Do Not Call Registry If you have any suggestions or opinions you want to share, drop me a line.

View post:
Standard vs. Smart Cell Phones

Visit the FAQ at USA.gov for a link to National Consumer Protection Week (March 7-13), to learn how you can avoid identity theft, steer clear of fraud, and understand credit and mortgages.

Read more from the original source:
How can I protect myself as a consumer?

National Consumer Protection Week is almost here. You may remember a few months ago when Nicole wrote a guest post introducing the National Consumer Protection Week blog, which shared great consumer tips leading up to and through NCPW. Well starting Sunday, the big event is finally here. To celebrate, there are all kinds of consumer awareness events

While the world is still scrambling to help the people of Haiti in the aftermath of their earthquake- another quake hits Chile. This quake is the fifth strongest on record since 1900 - registering at a magnitude of 8.8. The area most directly impacted is central Chile- the most major city being Concepción. As of yet, there are no reports of any American fatalities or major injuries, but if you have not been able to reach a person in the affected area you can contact the Chile Task Force by email at: ChileEarthquake-AT-state-DOT-gov , or by calling 1-888-407-4747. Be prepared to provide the following information: person’s full name, birth date, birth place, location and contact information in Chile. Should you ever find yourself in an earthquake follow these tips: Expect aftershocks. Listen to a battery operated radio or television, use the phone only in an emergency. Be cautious when opening cabinets, as items may fall. Stay away from damaged areas. Return home only when authorities say it is safe. Help injured or trapped people. Be mindful of neighbors that may require special assistance. Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline, or other flammable liquids immediately. Look for gas leaks, electrical damage, and check for damage to sewer and water lines.