Tired of listening to a dozen computer-generated choices when you call a big company?  A Winchester, Massachusetts man has compiled a cheat sheet listing more than 200 direct numbers and secrets to avoiding getting trapped in the recorded-voice maze.  The big offenders are government agencies, credit card companies, big retailers and technology companies.

To get a list of these secret contact numbers, go to www.gethuman.com/us/.  

National Do Not Call Registry

End Unwanted Offers of Credit Cards & Loans

If you are sick of your mailbox being stuffed with those pesky unsolicited applications for pre-approved credit cards, home-equity loans and second mortgages, there is a solution...Opt Out!  The Fair Credit Reporting Act, a law that lets the major credit bureaus sell your information to companies that want to  offer you credit, also lets you put a stop to it.  It is similar to the Do Not Call Registry that has helped telemarketing calls for millions of consumers.

For most people, the mail solicitations are a mere nuisance.  But there have been cases where credit offers have ended up in the wrong hands and led to identity theft.  You have the option to either call the official consumer credit report industry website  www.optoutprescreen.com or call 888-567-8688.

End Unwanted Catalog Mailings (and Save a TREE)

Do you have unwanted catalogs stuffing up your mailbox?  Feeling like you want to be greener today?  Go to CatalogChoice.org and decline the sending of catalogs to you.

Do you have a recommendation for a Tips & Tricks topic?  Please share with your neighbors and email your idea to be included in the next newsletter.