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'GREEN' PAINT
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Thanks to consumers who are chemically sensitive, paint companies are changing their image. Learn more here. |
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NETFLIX TRIAL
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As a Consumer United member, you qualify for a two-week free trial membership with Netflix. Click here to start saving.
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Greetings!
Welcome to our bi-weekly newsletter. Consumer United is proud to offer our pilot partnership with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care to offer health insurance plans with lower monthly premiums here. Now, let's get started. |
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When Do-It-Yourself Projects Go Awry
 As consumers look to cut unnecessary expenses out of their budgets, the number of do-it-yourself home improvements seem to be on the rise. Both Home Depot and Lowe's, two of the nation's largest home supply retailers, reported better than expected quarterly earnings. According
to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's National Electronic
Injury Surveillance System, or NEISS, more than four million injuries
related to home improvement projects result in emergency room visits each year. That number could be on the rise with more people unfamiliar with repair work attempting do-it-yourself projects. Click here for more information.
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Leasing Solar Panels To Heat Your House?
 Want to incorporate solar technology to heat your home, but can't
afford the steep investments costs? You're in luck. Let the solar panel
company finance it for you. Installing solar panels
is a smart, not to mention, eco-friendly way to heat your home.
However, buying them may be too pricey for the average consumer. They
cost roughly $25,000 ... and that includes a potential 30-percent tax
credit. For a few years now, companies have
been leasing solar panels to homeowners. The consumer pays a $1000
deposit, and then follows through with a monthly fee. The lease for the
solar panels lasts 18 years. Read more here.
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Debate Over Health Care Reform Heats Up
 As President Barack Obama calls for an overhaul of the current health
care systems, big health insurers are upping their lobbying money in
opposition. According to a report filed last month, the five
largest insurers and an association of approximately 1,300 insurers
under "America's Health Insurance Plans" spent more than $6.4 million
on first quarter lobbying. Robert Zirkelbach, a spokesman for the
group, claims the 12-percent increase from last year is simply the
group "putting all our resources behind building support of
comprehensive health care reform." Obama's proposal aims to
expand health care coverage in the form of government provided plans
similar to Medicare, especially for children, low income citizens and
the unemployed. Click here for the lowdown. | |
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Battery Makers Charge Into Vehicle Market
 Ever since gas prices shot up last summer, the demand for electric
vehicles began to soar ... and laptop battery manufacturers want a
piece of the action. A123Systems, a lithium-ion
battery startup, and Johnson-Controls Saft, a lithium-ion joint venture
between Milwaukee automotive-component supplier Johnson Controls and
French battery maker Saft to name a few. Both have received state
funding and have announced plans to build factories in Michigan. Boston Power, a Massachusetts based company, is currently working on an
electric vehicle battery named Swing. The battery has received $9 million in
state funding, and is waiting on $100 million in federal grants from
the US Department of Energy. Read more here. |
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Save On Consumer Reports Magazine
 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.
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to subscribe to Consumer Reports Magazine through our affiliate
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off the newstand price. Click here to save.
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