Michael Finney's Consumer Blog

Naturalization Ceremony went great!

Naturalization Ceremony in Oakland today: 1232 new citizens from 104 countries! Way cool. Video of the event on ABC 7 News tonight. 

Free financial help! Here's how to cash in

Dial 2-1-1 today and tomorrow and you'll have your financial questions answered and many times your financial problems solved. This financial phone-A-Thon is determined to help! Open today and tomorrow between 4 & 8 pm. Here's a video that explains everything. 

Speech at Naturalization Ceremony

I am the featured speaker this morning at the Naturalization Ceremony in Oakland. 1,200 newly minted citizens. I'll let you know how it goes.

If you have to bounce a check, do it in San Francisco

San Francisco has the nation’s lowest bounced check fees, according to Bankrate.com’s 2011 Checking Study. It isn’t cheap, but at an average $27.59, it is 11 percent below the national average of $30.83.  if your bank charges substantially more, check out the other fees you are paying as well. It might be a good idea to switch banks.

The IRS is set to give you a tax break

Every time you go to the grocery store prices seem to have gone up. Ditto the gas station. Bad news for shopping, good news for your tax bill. The government is looking at passing along a modest tax cut. By law the IRS is supposed to keep track of inflation, then, when necessary, change the tax brackets so you and I don't pay more just because of inflation. Your break? Depends on how much you make, but the IRS is looking at adjusting the brackets by about 4% so that can be a nice savings for middle class families.  

>>Sandra Block has a good write up at USA Today

The secret to getting a great hotel upgrade

Want to get a great hotel room cheap? Procrastinate. Here is an example where the early bird does NOT get the worm. Check in late and the later the better. By then the front desk staff knows which rooms are filled and which will remain empty. So ask for an upgrade and if there's a room available, you'll probably get it.

Hotel safes aren't always very safe

You check into your hotel room, start unpacking, then put your valuables in the safe. Normal routine? You might want to think again.

Census reveals startling marriage trends

Want to stay married? Stay out of these states: Maine, Alaska, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Nevada.

>>Here's a good break down of the census numbers

 

What is the federal government trying to hide?

What is The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services trying to hide? After 15 years, a data base that anonymously tracks physicians’ records of malpractice, medical errors and medical discipline has been taken down. The consumer group Public Citizen is sounding the alarm: “We find it ironic that at a time in which other parts of HHS are becoming more transparent … HRSA appears to be restricting access to information…”

 

Study: When, where, how to fly

Thanks to scientists at Harvard and MIT, the days of flight delays and missed connections may be over.