Consumer United Newsletter :: February 27, 2009

Consumer United, 181 South St. Boston, MA · 617-482-4700 · www.consumerunited.com

In This Issue

With the economy in the dumps, you might hesitate before buying non-essential goodies like video games or pizza. But what if you could get those things for free? Learn more here.

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Welcome to our bi-weekly newsletter. Tap into the power of the masses and get more for your money while making an informed decision in less time. As a Consumer United member, you qualify for a two-week FREE trial membership with Netflix. Click here for details.

Prepaid Cellphone Plans Gain Popularity

Many consumers are looking to cut as many expenses as possible out of their budgets, and the long-term cellphone contract seems to be the next casualty. Once the plan of choice for shifty characters who wanted to change their phone numbers frequently, prepaid options are rapidly gaining popularity with frugal shoppers. Providers are also offering a variety of choices that make prepaid plans more attractive to consumers. Some plans allow customers to buy one-time-use cards in increments of $25 or $50 dollars, for example, and the balance is debited as calls are made or text messages are sent. Read more here.

Time To Cut Out Your Cable Subscription?

Is it time to cut out your cable? A $70 a month cable bill adds up to $840 a year. That's a nice chunk of cash that could be stashed in the bank, if you're willing to deal with minor buffering issues If you do cut your cable, where do you go? Hulu offers free commercial-supported TV shows and movies from NBC, FOX, and many others. Netflix sends you DVDs by mail, and as a bonus streams selected movies via the Internet. You can try Netflix for free, and it's then only $4.99 a month with no late fees. Click here for more information.

Amtrak's Acela Offers Deep Discounts

Amtrak is temporarily slashing fares on its high-speed Acela Express service in response to the sagging economy, which has driven ridership to an all-time low on its Northeastern Corridor between Boston and Washington D.C. The company is offering a 25-percent price reduction its lowest one-way fares starting Tuesday, March 3. Travelers will now be able to book business-class tickets on its high-end Acela Express between Boston and New York for as low as $79 and between Washington and New York for $99. The tickets must be booked 14 days in advance. Click here for the lowdown.

Inside Consumer United

Peter Richardson is our newest Consumer United advocate, helping the average person save money. Richardson enjoys his job because of the people and the general office environment. "It's fun because it's a young office with a lot of positive energy." How does Richardson save money? "I save money by taking a portion of my paycheck and investing it on a monthly basis into a mutual fund." Richardson believes in investing early, in order to be financially independent when it's time to retire. Before Consumer United, Richardson worked in the trades received room at Brown Brothers, and was a Financial Service Specialist at ICM AIG Financial Advisors. Read more here.

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Consumer Reports Magazine has been published monthly since 1936 by the non-profit Consumer's Union, and features unbiased test results of cars, computers, appliances and other brand-name consumer products. Subscription includes the 360-page Annual Buying Guide. Click here to subscribe to Consumer Reports Magazine through our affiliate partner, MagazineCity. A subscription is $29 per year, a 46% savings off the newstand price.

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