Don't Switch quite yet

Microsoft just released its new “Vista” operating system and you’ve probably heard all about it. The company spent a fortune on public relations for Vista, so people think it’s something they must have. Don’t believe the hype. In fact, all of the techie types are warning against getting Vista now because of the bugs that must be worked out. There are flaws in the program that could expose you to identity theft and other problems in the short term. So, you want to give this system six months or a year. You want to get a new operating system when it already comes on a computer. If you got a free upgrade-- at least wait until March.


Update on passport rules & regs

If you have any interest in traveling across our borders in the next few years, the rules have changed again. For people who are flying to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean, you must have a passport starting Jan. 23. You don't want to spend money on a trip and lose it because you've forgotten to get your passport. If you're wondering why this is happening, it’s because of the threat of terrorism around the world. The next phase in the new rules concerns auto travel and cruises, but that won't go into effect until January of 2008. But the bottom line is that changes are coming and you don’t want to wait until just before the deadlines to order your passport. Many more people travel by car, so the passport applications will be pouring in at that time.


Daylight savings time longer this year!

Winter is going to be a month shorter this year. Starting in 2007, daylight saving time is going to start the second week of March and end the first Sunday in November. It means we’ll get a month more of daylight each year we keep in place the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Alarmists are going a little nuts over the act, saying the change could disrupt time sensitive machines and systems such as ATMs. There may be some small interruptions, but it will be fine.

New Dollar Coins Enter Circulation This Week

A new version of the DOLLAR coin, paying tribute to American presidents, goes into general circulation Thursday. Even though doing away with the bill could save hundreds of millions of dollars each year in printing costs, there is no plan to scrap the dolar bill in favor of the more durable coin. Two recent efforts to promote wide usage of a dollar coin proved unsuccessful. A quarter-century ago, it showed feminist Susan B. Anthony on the front; then one in 2000 featuring Sacagawea, the Shoshone Indian who helped guide the Lewis and Clark expedition. The latest dollar coin will bear Washington's image, followed later this year by those of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. A different president will appear on the golden dollar coins every three months. The series of coins will depict four different presidents per year, in the order they served. Congress voted to create the new dollar coin, betting that this series would be more popular than its recent predecessors. The Susan B. Anthony dollar put the image of the women's rights activist on a small silver coin that looked a lot like a quarter. The U.S Mint was left with millions of unused coins. As for the Sacagawea dollar, gold in color, millions of the coins also piled up in bank vaults for the same reason: lack of demand.


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2006 Auto Insurance Pricing Report


In its survey of 47 states, Insurance.com found an overall decline in the 2006 national average for auto insurance rates returned for households, as well as some interesting insights into state-specific pricing and general insurance premium trends. Some of the states where drivers benefited the most from the 2006 car insurance decline were New Jersey, who paid an average of $2,736.71 for car insurance – a 26.6% decrease from 2005. And Minnesota, who paid an average of $1,658.07 – a 18.8% decrease from 2005.



So how can all consumers save even more money on their auto insurance? Consider these basic tips:
1. Shop aroundYou may be surprised to learn that auto insurance premiums for the exact same coverage on the same car can vary quite dramatically (by hundreds of dollars) between different insurers. Make sure your current company is right for you, or find a better fit with a new company.
2. Increase your deductibleSometimes you can reduce your annual premium by 10 percent or more if you increase your deductible. However, if you do this, make sure you have the financial resources to handle the larger deductible when the time comes.
3. Ask about multifamily/multi-policy discounts.A discount may apply to your auto insurance if you insure multiple cars under the same policy or with the same company. You also may receive a discount from your insurance company if you buy more than one type of insurance through that same company (e.g., auto and homeowners).
4. Keep an eye on your credit report.Your credit history can often be an important factor for some auto insurance companies. Many studies have shown a correlation between your credit history and the risk to an insurance company. Paying your bills on time and maintaining a good credit history will allow you to enjoy lower auto insurance rates.