Parade Magazine
April 18, 1999

Sunday Freebie: Saving Energy
  Halogen torchiere lamps are expensive to operate and can cause fires. Replace them with Energy Star torchieres, which are safer and more efficieent. That's one of the tips in PowerSmart, a booklet from the Alliance To Save Energy, the EPA and the Energy Department. With Earth Day (next Thursday) in mind, it's a good time to get your free copy.

(If you want to order this publication online, click here for important pricing information. It can be found in the Housing category of the Consumer Information Catalog.)

Parade Magazine
March 28, 1999

Sunday Freebie: Getting the Most From Social Security
  Out of every dollar you pay in Social Security tax, nearly 70 cents goes to a trust fund that pays monthly benefits to retirees and to the children and spouses of workers who died, 19 cents goes to a trust fund that pays for Medicare, 11 cents goes to a trust fund that pays benefits for people with disabilities, and less than 1 cent goes to administrative costs. To get the most out of Social Security, from the time you apply for a card until retirement, take a look at the free booklet "About Social Security" from MetLife and the Social Security Administration.

(If you want to order this publication online, click here for important pricing information. It can be found in the Federal Programs category of the Consumer Information Catalog.)

Parade Magazine
February 7, 1999

Sunday Freebie: Y2K and Your Money
   When it comes to being prepared for Y2K-- the glitch that could cripple computers on Jan. 1, 2000--banks and financial-services companies lead nearly all other U.S. industries. Most automated teller machines are expected to work on Jan. 1 and to have cash. But you should find out now if the ATM you use will be ready, warns the Senate's Y2K Committee. If it won't be ready, change banks. The committee also urges you to keep copies of financial statements, have extra cash on hand before New Year's Day and research the level of Y2K compliance in publicly traded companies before making investment decisions.
   For more tips, including a bank customer's list of things to do before Jan. 1, check out the new FDIC booklet "The Year 2000, Your Bank and You."

(If you want to order this publication online, click here for important pricing information. It can be found in the Money category of the Consumer Information Catalog.)

The Costco Connection
January 1999

Jeeps for $50! Homes for less than $100! How often have you seen ads offering great deals at government auctions? While you can buy everything from jewelry to computers at government sales, the "bargins" publicized in these ads don't exist. To help you avoid these scams, consider ordering the Guide to Federal Government Sales...

(If you want to order this publication online, click here for important pricing information. It can be found in the Federal Programs category of the Consumer Information Catalog.)

A National Sellers List of firms selling assets seized by government is available from the Consumer Information Center. Items include land, houses, vehicles, boats, jewelry, aircraft, art, antiques, collectibles and other property seized by the Department of Justice.

(If you want to order this publication online, click here for important pricing information. It can be found in the Federal Programs category of the Consumer Information Catalog.)

Discover Your Family Tree...Collect all the data you can
Refer to Where to Write for Vital Records on the Web

(If you want to order this publication online, click here for important pricing information. It can be found in the Miscellaneous category of the Consumer Information Catalog.)

This service is provided by the Consumer Information Center
of the U.S. General Services Administration.
If you have a comment or question, e-mail us at catalog.pueblo@gsa.gov