News from the Reference Desk Category: Consumer

Money Smart Week goes virtual, April 10-17

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Virtual Money Smart Week, April 10 through 17, 2021Virtual Money Smart Week 2021 will be held Saturday, April 10 – Saturday, April 17 . This week-long free virtual campaign aims to help people better manage their personal finances with a focus on those hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This year’s line-up includes: 

Saturday, April 10 @ 10 a.m. 
Talking Cents (The University of Chicago Financial Education Initiative)

  • Sunday, April 11 @ 10 a.m. 
    Savings: A Little Can Make a Big Difference (FINRA Investor Education Foundation)
  • Monday, April 12 @ noon
    Bank On It: Finding Safe + Affordable Bank Accounts (The Economic Awareness Council)
  • Tuesday, April 13 @ 12:30 p.m.
  • Understanding the Basics of Federal Student Loans (U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid)
  • Wednesday, April 14 @ 1 p.m. 
    Tax-Related Fraud + Identity Theft (Internal Revenue Service)
  • Thursday, April 15 @ 1 p.m.
    Managing Personal Finances During Covid-19  (Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center)
  • Friday, April 16 @ noon
    Housing Protections + Resources (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)
  • Saturday, April 17 @ 10:30 a.m.
    Tips for Managing Money Ups and Downs (University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension)

View more details at www.moneysmartweek.org. Events are free and open to the public, but registration is advised. Questions for the panelists can be submitted during the registration process.

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

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As we mark National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, now’s a good time to think about protecting your personal information while you’re online. Check out the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) blog post to learn three tips for Internet safety.

The CFPB has also created a new fraud prevention placemat and handout to help you share online safety tips with others. They even included black and white handouts you can download to make it even easier to print from home and share with friends and family!

Want to Get the Most Out of Consumer Reports?

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There is a difference between Consumer Reports online and the print version. 

Online: 

  • It is easier to find updated information on what you are searching for  
  • There is information you can get online that can’t be accessed in the print version. 

For example, let’s say you are looking at dishwashers. Online, the buyer’s guide is more detailed, and it offers a video demonstration of different dishwashers that the print version could not show you. The ratings and recommended models are there just like in the print version. You can see the predicted reliability of different models of dishwashers, but the online version does not have the owner satisfaction results, which can be a better indicator of the brand’s reliability you are considering.  

  • To access Consumer Reports Online, follow these steps: 
  • Start at www.mppl.org 
  • Consumer Reports screenshot
  • Click on the Research page: https://mppl.org/research/ 
  • Then click on Web Resources: https://mppl.org/research/web-resources/ 
  • You will need a Mount Prospect Library card number and pin to log in and use our web resources. 
  • Scroll down the page to Consumer Reports (Our web resources are in alphabetical order: 
  • Print: 
  • We have copies going back 5 years and they can be checked out. 
  • The print version does have the owner satisfaction results.  
  • It really comes down to your preference for how you want to access the information.
  • Staff at the Research Services desk are available to help you access both the online and print versions.

Deadline approaching for receiving stimulus money

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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) states there are millions of people who are eligible to receive their Economic Impact Payment under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, who haven’t claimed it yet. These individuals have until October 15, 2020 to claim their stimulus payment this year.  As the deadline approaches, download their recently released guide and find out if you are eligible, or ask your Business Librarian.