Tools

Frank Horton, CFP^®

221 Twin Oaks Drive

Oneonta, AL 35121

(P) 205.274.7327

(F) 205.274.7323

Email Frank Horton

Helpful Links

AUTO

Car Buying Tips - Free info on buying new and used cars, leasing, and avoiding auto scams.

CarFax - See the history of the car you are considering (VIN required).

Edmund's Publications - Consumer information experts. Easily run comparisons on new and used vehicles.

Fighting Chance - For $34.95, you receive complete pricing data on the vehicle you're considering, plus its records in the market place, available cash incentives, negotiating tips, and access to a "live" purchasing coach.

Intellichoice Online Car Center - Automotive research and comparisons.

J. D. Power & Associates - Automotive marketing research.

Kelley Blue Book - New and used vehicle pricing reports.

RoadLoans - Competitive rates on financing for new and used cars (refinancing, too).

BANKING

FDIC - Check to see if your bank is FDIC insured or if it is in trouble.

EDUCATION

Finaid - A comprehensive site that covers all aspects of financial aid.

National Center for Education Statistics - Information on the past three years of college/university costs.

Sallie Mae - Calculators for estimating college costs, savings needs, and student loan payments, as well as a great deal of financial aid and scholarship information.

INCOME TAX

IRS - The Internal Revenue Service website with information on forms, publications, and frequently asked questions.

INVESTMENTS - DISCOUNT BROKERS

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. - Discount broker.

TD Ameritrade - View account balances, market news, and other services offered by the discount broker.

INVESTMENTS - FINANCIAL NEWS & QUOTES

Bloomberg - Financial market news and stock/mutual fund quotes.

CBS MarketWatch - Financial market news and stock/mutual fund quotes.

CNN Financial News - Financial market news and stock/mutual fund quotes.

InvestorGuide - Comprehensive stock research tool. "Tools" tab provides links to other sites.

Money Central - Financial market news and stock/mutual fund quotes.

Yahoo - Keep track of your overall portfolio and get detailed charts on your individual stocks and bonds.

INVESTMENTS - INVESTOR EDUCATION

Investorwords - This site is a database of more than 5000 key investment terms, plus some 15,000 links related to words and concepts.

Motley Fool - Online calculators and information to help answer basic questions.

SEC Investor Education - Online calculators, broker and/or advisor information, investor alerts, plus links to other government sites.

INVESTMENTS - MUTUAL FUNDS

Fund Alarm- Stay abreast of significant changes influencing the people behind the funds, and receive email alerts whenever a fund you own announces a key development.

IndexFunds - A resources on the use of index funds, or passive investing, versus conventional, actively managed mutual funds.

Morningstar - This company is well-known for its mutual fund star rating system, and has many useful research and analysis tools.

Mutual Fund Education Alliance - A large source of mutual fund news and information, plus daily price info and one-, five-, and ten-year annualized returns.

INVESTMENTS - PUBLICATIONS

Forbes - Online edition of Forbes magazine.

Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine - Magazine plus calculators, investor education, and more.

Smart Money - The Wall Street Journal's money website.

MORTGAGES/REAL ESTATE

Bankrate.com - Mortgage calculator and basic information.

Eloan - Compare loans, quotes, calculators.

Realtor Sites - Customized searches by city, mortgage information, and glossary.

Reverse.org - Created by the nonprofit National Center for Home Equity, this website offers consumers an independent resource that allows for true comparison shopping of various reverse mortgage programs. It also has a great deal of basic information and FAQs that everyone should ask but rarely does.

SMART SPENDING

Consumer Reports Magazine - Informational articles and product recalls are free on this site (subscription required for full online version).

The Dollar Stretcher Tips - Free online newspaper full of tips, hints, stories, and links for living better for less.