Best sites for free government help
Federal Citizen Information Center. Yeah, it needs a better name, but this site is the clearinghouse for just about every speck of consumer information put out by the U.S. government. Go, look, learn.
The Federal Reserve. Having trouble with your bank? Trying to avoid foreclosure? Looking for tools to teach your kids about money? The Fed's site has all that and more.
Govbenefits.gov. Run by the federal government, this site connects you to an array of government programs you might qualify for, and you don't necessarily have to be broke to benefit. If you're eligible and need the help offered, you should apply; your tax dollars paid for these programs while you were working.
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Home Energy Saver. This interactive calculator asks a raft of detailed questions about your home, from the number of windows to how much attic insulation you have. The tool lets you set the payback period so you only see the investments that are likely to pay off before you move.
Mymoney.gov. Created to educate Americans about personal finance and the markets, the U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission's site includes information on budgeting, home ownership, borrowing and investing.
Best sites for insurance
Insure.com. Besides offering competitive quotes on most types of insurance, Insure.com also has thoughtful, well-researched articles about insurance subjects.
United Policyholders. This consumer-rights organization, founded after California's devastating Oakland Hills fires in 1991, helps people navigate the insurance claim system, particularly after natural disasters. You'll find tips about how to file and settle claims as well as when to hire an attorney to represent you.
Best sites for doing it yourself
Fix-It Club. Home repair experts Dan and Judy Ramsey offer free how-to guides on hundreds of repair jobs that you can do at home, including fixing a bike, a doorbell, a fishing pole and more.
Instructables. Get step-by-step instructions for craft projects (including "manly" ones), games, home decorating and repair, personal hygiene and more.
Nolo. Books and software published by this legal self-help publisher offer solid advice on often complex topics, and so does its Web site. The Nolopedia section has articles on bankruptcy, estate taxes, landlord-tenant disputes, immigration, divorce and much, much more.
Best sites for travel
Farecast. If you've ever watched an airfare tumble right after you booked, you'll want to visit Farecast. The site tracks price trends and predicts whether fares will rise or fall in the near future, offering advice about whether to buy now or wait.
Kayak. This site "kayaks" the Web for you, searching several travel sites and bringing back the information for you as you wait on the shore. The results pop up in separate windows for easy comparisons.
MouseSavers.com. If you want the inside scoop and special deals for Disneyland and Disney World, this is the site. Sign up for the newsletter to be alerted to breaking deals.
OneBag. Sick of dragging around heavy suitcases and paying baggage fees? OneBag can help you break the overpacking habit so you bring just what you need, and no more. Save money -- and your back.
SeatGuru. Tired of getting the worst seat on every flight? I don't book an airline ticket until I've checked out this site, which offers color-coded seat maps to identify the good, bad and "mixed" seats while showing where overhead TVs and power ports are located.
Theme Park Insider. The Insider covers the Disney properties, too, but reaches beyond the world of the mouse to review and rate other parks, including Six Flags, Universal, Cedar Point and SeaWorld.
TripAdvisor. Before you go anywhere, check out the reviews at TripAdvisor. With more than 20 million traveler opinions about hotels, restaurants, cruises and attractions, TripAdvisor has the volume to ensure you're getting the real scoop and not just the ventings of a few cranky customers -- or the phony pimping of people hired to make a place sound good.
The Universal Packing List. Clever interactive tool helps you create a site-specific packing list so that you don't wind up somewhere with the wrong gear. The tips and items on the lists go beyond the standard fare and include things to do before every trip, such as washing the dishes and emptying all the trash cans.
WebFlyer. If you're a frequent traveler, Randy Petersen's site will help you get the most out of all that time you spend away from home. Petersen alerts readers to special offers and changes in their frequent-flier programs, while offering tools to help you compare frequent-travel programs (Head2Head) and rescue miles or points that would otherwise be stranded (Mileage Converter).
Best sites for really cheap travel
CouchSurfing. CouchSurfing is more a movement than a simple travel site, with a goal of making connections between budget travelers and the communities they visit. You can offer and look for free accommodations, which range from the aforementioned couch to guest rooms to guest houses.
HomeExchange.com. The house-swapping site featured in the movie "The Holiday," HomeExchange connects people who want to save on lodging and get a feel for local neighborhoods by trading homes on vacation.
Less Than a Shoestring. The authors define a travel budget as about $10 a day. Not only will you find out about potential deals, you'll get the scoop on any airlines that are charging extra for services, find out where to get a tourist guide to any state and any other travel news that crosses their radar.
Best sites for charitable giving
Charity Navigator. This charity evaluation site has somewhat tougher standards than most.
DonorsChoose.org. This online charity helps you match a gift to a classroom in need.
GuideStar. This recently redesigned Web site helps you research a charity before you give.
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