Better Business Bureau

If you’re experiencing financial challenges, it might be tempting to forego contributions to – or even withdraw funds from – your retirement accounts. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Investor Education Foundation, a BBB partner, offers the following reasons to keep your retirement savings intact:

Magazines that never arrive, cosmetics and photography of poor quality, and meat that has gone bad are among an increasing number of complaints received by Better Business Bureau from consumers who said “yes” to door-to-door solicitors. In fact, complaints this year are on track to be twice as many as the 1,300 received in 2011.

The annual rite known as back-to-school shopping is upon us and, according to the National Retail Federation, parents are shopping carefully and making special efforts to save on supplies this school year. NRF reports that 31% of families say they will do comparative shopping online (compared to 29.8% last year), and they will use more coupons (38.7% vs. 36.9%), and cut back on extracurricular act

The last few days of summer vacation will soon give way to the back-to-school rush. In addition to the usual cart full of notebooks, papers, pens and crayons, many families will spend a substantial amount of money on athletic equipment, ranging from helmets and pads to cleats and hockey skates. And for good reason. According to The Center for Kids First, 30 to 40 million kids ages 5 to 18 play org

Today’s electronic gadgets are constantly being updated with newer, faster models. To keep up with the latest tech trend, many consumers are tempted by retailer buy-back programs. Before you opt-in to a buy-back program for your cellphone, computer or even TV, the Better Business Bureau provides the following points to consider:

Did someone say road trip? With gas prices now averaging $3.50 a gallon, many people are renting vehicles to head to the hills – and beyond. If you’re considering navigating the rental car process, take time to read and fully understand the leasing agreement. In 2011, for example, the Better Business Bureau received 3,773 complaints against the auto renting and leasing industry, many as a result o

With interest rates at historic lows and home prices not yet back to pre-Recession values, many people are looking at buying their first homes, buying bigger homes or refinancing current mortgages. The home-buying/refinancing process can be both fun and stressful. The key to making it more of the former is to engage trusted professionalsto help you along the way.

If you had 10 minutes or less to evacuate your home, what would you take? In some cases there’s just enough time to grab the kids, your car keys and head for safe ground while fire or flood waters nip at your heels – unless you have a plan! Northern Colorado is ripe pickings for all kinds of natural and man-made disasters big and small.

In the wake of multiple wildfires throughout our region, the Better Business Bureau offers the following tips to help you decide where to direct donations to assist fire victims and their families.  Be cautious.  If making a donation online, do so directly on a charity’s website, not via a link in email or other website you might be visiting.

Children and teens can easily go over their cellphone data limit playing games, surfing the Internet and downloading music. When it comes to monitoring your child’s cellphone and data use, there are easy steps parents can take to ensure that your monthly bills don’t come as an unpleasant surprise.

Self-storage facilities dot the landscapes of Northern Colorado. Folks rent units to empty overflowing basements; to stash furnishings while moving or remodeling; or to store business supplies for future use. While most facilities are operated by reputable businesses, the Better Business Bureau recommends checking out the business carefully before handing over your belongings.

Many people, seeing the devastation brought by area wildfires, are responding with generous gifts of time and money. The Better Business Bureau cautions givers to take steps to assure that their donations are going to legitimate and reputable charities and relief efforts that have the capability to help victims.