Accountants
Although AICPA doesn't give referrals to CPAs, many state CPA societies have
set up their own referral services. Links to these organizations are listed
here.
Financial Planners
Don't trust your nest egg to just anyone. These advisers have the expertise you deserve.
These two associations provide searchable databases of their members. The FPA's PlannerSearch finds Certified Financial Planner (CFP) professionals and NAPFA's Find-a-Planner lists fee-only advisers.
Lawyers
Search for a lawyer in your area, by name, specialty,
firm, or more.
These comprehensive resources provide new car prices and used car values along with information on insurance, financing, buying, selling and leasing.
This site is a car lease consumer's gold mine of
no-nonsense information and easy to understand expert advice. It tells
you how auto leases really work, who should lease, where to get the best
lease deals, and how to determine monthly payments.
Financial
Now you can apply the techniques you learn in our
financial articles right on our website. We've posted 10 key financial
calculators that let you plug in your numbers to see what key moves will
mean to your unique situation.
A myriad of financial calculators are available—convert
currency, figure how long your savings will last, learn what it will take
to pay off your credit cards, and make cost of living comparisons.
Mortgage
Besides calculating payments, refinancings, prepayments
and many other important figures for the home buyer/owner, both sites allow
you to shop around for the best mortgage rates in your area.
Check your insurer's current rating from these
independent agencies. The stronger the rating, the more likely the company
is to make good on its current and future obligations.
Constructive advice on auto, health, home, business,
life, disability and other types of insurance from the organization whose
mission is to improve public understanding of insurance—what it does
and how it works.
Verify whether an insurance professional and his
or her company are licensed to do business in your state.
Do both have a clean record? Is the company licensed to sell the particular
type of insurance you're interested in, and is the agent a legitimate representative
of the company? Go to this Web site for a list of state agencies.
Find the best rates in your area on loans, mortgages,
CDs, savings accounts and more. Objective advice on these and many other
financial topics is featured on this site.
Bonds
InvestinginBonds.com supplies
a comprehensive education on the world of bond investing as well as prices
of municipals, corporates, and Treasuries.
Mutual Funds
The premier site for all kinds of mutual fund information, both on specific funds and in general. Morningstar publishes educational information on topics ranging from college savings, to tax planning, to wealth management. Maintain and monitor your own fund and stock portfolios here.
Search for the best money market mutual fund rates,
both taxable and tax-free; learn the basics of money market fund investing.
STOCKS
Treasuries and Savings Bonds
Visit this site if you own or are thinking of buying
any kind of Treasury security, from savings bonds to inflation-indexed
issues. Savings bond calculators and Treasury Direct (investing directly
with the US Treasury) are two of the services featured here.
Used by both consumers and professionals, this
site features tax forms, instructions and publications, as well as a wealth
of tax information for individuals and businesses.
If you have problems with your taxes, Nolo, a self-help
legal information website explains how to deal with
the IRS. You'll also find suggestions on filing a tax
return that won't raise eyebrows, facing an audit, and
what to do if you can't afford your tax bill.
Practice Tools
