We’ve previously discussed examples of government resources that can help you fix your personal finances. But when it comes to investment decisions, there’s no shortage of further information and advice courtesy of the American taxpayer. Various government agencies hold enormous amounts of useful information aspiring investors can use to make their decisions as smartly as possible. The following are six investor resources provided by the federal government that are sure to help you head in the right direction:
Taking the Mystery Out of Retirement Planning
Unlike many other life challenges, figuring out the complexities of retirement does not get easier with age. Should you opt for a traditional 401(k) or open a Roth IRA instead? Plenty of online resources exist that promise to provide you with the tools you need to sort out retirement woes safely and securely, but why go any farther than the objective
breakdown provided by your tax-funded federal government? The Department of Labor is sure to have all the information you need to get started.
FTC Investment Schemes Breakdown
Whether it’s invention promotion firms, day trading techniques, and traditional investment risks, the Federal Trade Commission arms American citizens with a whole host of tips and guidelines as to how
to protect themselves from the possible threats attached to dubious investment opportunities. Before embarking on such a scheme, put the FTC to good use and see what you’re getting yourself into.
There’s a lot going through the minds of potential home owners these days. While a home remains one of the smartest investments out there, making sure you’re getting yourself into a secure situation
has become much more complicated as foreclosures and tightened lending has decimated the housing market. Before settling on a particular mortgage, or even doing your research on which neighborhoods to look into, consult the Government National Mortgage Association’s website first.
The New Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The information potential investors can mine from the newly created CFPB is admittedly low at the present moment. But give it a few years to pack on consumer-instigated investigations and get to the bottom of allegations regarding mortgage repayment plans, credit card scams, and private student loans, and you’ll be sure to get the information you need. In the meantime, contribute by submitting any and all complaints you have regarding various financial institutions.
Federal Reserve Consumer Help Hotline
Any issues you have with a particular bank or financial institution ought to be brought to the attention of the Federal Reserve. Any common negative occurrence regarding these institutions will be posted in the “Find an Answer” section of the Consumer Help page of the Federal Reserve website. When in doubt regarding the particular policies of a bank or other lending organization, see what the Fed has to say about the situation.
The forgotten T-bond: how little faith the American people have in the wealth of their future! While I won’t try and talk you into such a seemingly risky investment decision, apart from the fact that the
Chinese certainly see no risk in U.S. Treasury bonds, the Treasury Department’s website does a good job providing investors with all the facts and figures regarding the buying of bonds, notes, bills, and any other direct investment in the future of the federal government.
With American approval of the government at record lows, it’s somewhat reassuring to know that the federal government still has a reasonable about of informational authority regarding where Americans
invest their money. The federal government exists solely to serve the interests of the citizenry of the United States of America. Take advantage of these services, because as a tax payer, you’re paying for them whether you use them or not.
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