Current Events in August 2013

Thousands of consumers should soon be finding a pleasant surprise in their mailboxes.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has just mailed more than 10,000 checks to consumers who bought Disney- or Marvel Hero-themed vitamins for their kids featuring characters such as the Disney Princesses, Winnie the Pooh, Finding Nemo and Spider-Man.

Consumers who submitted claims for vitamins they bought between May 1, 2008 and September 30, 2010, will be receiving more than $425,000 -- 100% of what they paid, up to $125 per household. The refunds are part of a settlement with vitamin marketer NBTY Inc. and two subsidiaries, which resulted from charges that they made false health claims about their vitamins.

Consumers who receive the checks have 60 days to cash them. They should be aware that the FTC never requires consumers to pay money or provide information before refund checks can be cashed. Those with questions should call the refund administrator, BMC Group, at 1-866-224-4336.

Major retailers such as CVS Pharmacy, Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens, Kroger, Kmart, Meijer and Rite Aid sold the vitamins. They also were sold online.

The settlement

The FTC reached a settlement in 2010 requiring the marketers to stop making allegedly false and unproven claims that their vitamins promote healthy brain and eye development in children.

The FTC charged NBTY, Inc., NatureSmart LLC, and Rexall Sundown, Inc., with making deceptive claims about the amount of DHA, an Omega-3 fatty acid, in their children’s vitamin gummies and tablets, and the effect of that amount on eye and brain development in children.

Consumers are urged to evaluate advertising claims carefuly for vitamins and other dietary supplements.   

Ford is recalling 6,308 model year 2012-2013 Focus BEV vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, manufactured September 15, 2011, through May 6, 2013; and model year 2013 Focus ST vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, manufactured February 16, 2012, through May 7, 2013.

Due to a wiring incompatibility, the front side marker lamps may not function. Without the proper illumination of the side maker lamps, the vehicle may be less visible in night time conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify the headlamp assembly wiring, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in mid-August 2013.

Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13C04.

We hear all the time about how disastrous distracted driving is, how using a cell phone behind the wheel is like driving drunk. Former Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood made it a major initiative and spent all kinds of time and money on studies and educational campaigns.

But now a study from Carnegie Mellon University and the London School of Economics and Political Science finds that talking on a phone while driving does not increase the risk of a crash. 

For the study, Carnegie Mellon's Saurabh Bhargava and the London School of Economics and Political Science's Vikram S. Pathania examined calling and crash data from 2002 to 2005, a period when most cell phone carriers offered pricing plans with free calls on weekdays after 9 p.m

No correlation

They compared data from mobile network operators and accident reports and found that there was no direct correlation between the number of phone calls made during a certain time period and the number of crashes during the same time.

"Using a cell phone while driving may be distracting, but it does not lead to higher crash risk in the setting we examined," said Bhargava, who is an assistant professor of social and decision sciences at CMU. "While our findings may strike many as counterintuitive, our results are precise enough to statistically call into question the effects typically found in the academic literature. Our study differs from most prior work in that it leverages a naturally occurring experiment in a real-world context."

In the study, the researchers identified drivers as those whose cell phone calls were routed through multiple cellular towers. They first showed that drivers increased call volume by more than 7 percent at 9 p.m., when the calls became free. They then compared the relative crash rate before and after 9 p.m. using data on approximately 8 million crashes across nine states and all fatal crashes across the nation.

They found that the increased cell phone use by drivers at 9 p.m. had no corresponding effect on crash rates.

Additionally, the researchers analyzed the effects of legislation banning cell phone use, enacted in several states, and similarly found that the legislation had no effect on the crash rate.

Drivers may compensate

"One thought is that drivers may compensate for the distraction of cell phone use by selectively deciding when to make a call or consciously driving more carefully during a call," Bhargava said. "This is one of a few explanations that could explain why laboratory studies have shown different results.

"The implications for policymakers considering bans depend on what is actually driving this lack of an effect.  For example, if drivers do compensate for distraction, then penalizing cell phone use as a secondary rather than a primary offense could make sense," he said. "In the least, this study and others like it, suggest we should revisit the presumption that talking on a cell phone while driving is as dangerous as widely perceived."

Pathania, a fellow in the London School of Economics Managerial Economics and Strategy group, added a cautionary note: 

"Our study focused solely on talking on one's cell phone. We did not, for example, analyze the effects of texting or Internet browsing, which has become much more popular in recent years. It is certainly possible that these activities pose a real hazard."

Retirement shouldn't be all that complicated. You work for 40 years or so and then live off your benefits and savings. At least that's the ideal.

The Great Recession derailed much of that conventional thinking and the brave new world of the corporate workplace has added new elements of uncertainty, not to mention loss of income in some cases.

This week a couple of pundits even raised questions about that most sacred of retirement tools, the 401(k) savings plan. Contributions to that account are tax-deferred, meaning you don't pay taxes on that income until you start withdrawing the money. In the meantime, it grows each year tax-free.

'They stink!'

But stock guru Jim Cramer says “most 401 (k) plans stink.” On CNBC, Cramer took aim at what he called most plans' high fees and limited investment choices.

Also this week, Marketwatch's Cliff Goldstein penned an article entitled “5 reasons not to contribute to your 401(k).” Goldstein worries about employers who don't match contributions and employees who pile money into their retirement accounts when they have mounting debt and other needs. 

While 401(k) plans continue to work well for many savers, there does appear to be new thinking about retirement in general and preparing for it.

"We know we will at some point want – or need – to stop working, but we so rarely think about a systematic approach to doing so, and that is often the undoing of many of us once we enter our golden years," said Wayne von Borstel, author and financial planner. "But if we follow four fairly basic rules, we can prepare for a retirement that is comfortable and secure."

Collect some cash

Von Borstel says the first rule is to create a cash reserve safety net beyond your retirement savings. Many people are under the assumption that's what their retirement account is. It isn't. Should you have to tap it before age 58 and a half, you would incur a hefty 10% penalty. You would also have to pay income tax on the withdrawal as though it were ordinary income.

A savings stash gives you after-tax money that you can use to pay an emergency expense, including the loss of income. Von Borstel suggests a healthy balance between your cash stash and your retirement savings, with six months of living expenses in savings.

The second rule is to be conservative with a portion of your portfolio. While bonds may seem boring, Von Borstel says you may need something in your retirement account that can provide steady income.

"One of the worst things we can do in retirement is liquidate retirement accounts in a down market,” he said.

Be realistic

Number three is to set a realistic goal. Back before the Great Recession financial planners urged their clients to aim high. But you are more likely to meet your goal if it is set at a realistic number.

The fourth rule is to eliminate all debt by the time you retire. That includes home mortgages.

"If we own our home and don't owe anyone a red cent, we can hunker down and live on almost nothing,” von Borstel said. “In that way, the probability of surviving any financial disaster is [improved]."

A big problem with the thinking about retirement is that it sometimes takes a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all approach. It shouldn't.

Each retiree is different, with different needs and expectations. It doesn't hurt to review your retirement savings plan from time to time and make adjustments. In fact, it's a good way to make sure your future plans are in sync with present realities. Discussing your situation with a trusted, competent and objective financial advisor is a good start.

When we hear the phrase "back-to-school," most of us think of younger kids preparing for the first day. Part of that is because most of the commercials and ads are geared towards the little ones, offering everything from cute little book-bags to notebooks with their favorite cartoon characters on them.

But not a lot of back-to-school commercials are geared towards the college crowd. Hey, don't they have to go back to school too? Don't they need stuff?

Of course they do, so to help them we picked out a few cool items for the dorm room that should make the place more comfy and not hurt the wallet too much.

Starting at the top

In fact, the most expensive item on this list is the Privacy Pop at $129.99, which is a tent made for a bed so you can get some privacy when you need it.

The Privacy Pop fits over most twin beds and zips on either side so you can have a little alone time from your roommate, even if his bed is just a few feet away. The makers say it's quite roomy and you'll have plenty of space to move around once the doors are closed. And it has mesh windows so air can flow through easily.

The canopy-like structure shouldn't take up too much space when you're not using it because it folds flat and fits into a carrying bag that you can take with you when you need it.

Let's face it: Roommates can get on each other's nerves -- especially in extra close quarters, so if at least one person is able to place this tent on his bed, roomies may able to avoid a lot of arguments and stay out of each other's hair.

Chow time

Then there's the Back to Basics Egg-and-Muffin 2 Slice Toaster and Egg Poacher, a product with a very big name but a pretty small pricetag:  only $34 at Walmart.

It's perfect for the college student who has an early class and can't always make it to the dining hall. You simply pop in your bread, place the egg in the poacher and in four minutes, you'll have a tasty egg sandwich.

The creators say you can use the egg poacher to heat your bacon or breakfast sausage, too. And probably the best thing about it is it doesn't take up too much space, which is extremely important in a dorm room.

Anytime you can combine two appliances in one -- like this item -- you'll be doing yourself and your roommate a favor by not having a bunch of contraptions all over the place.

One consumer who bought the combined toaster and poacher said it pretty much did what the creators said it would do.

"I have only had this lovely toaster for a brief time, but I am very pleased. It does everything as advertised and it does well," wrote the consumer. "I already have a great Black & Decker toaster-broiler that I continue to use. I consider this item in a different class. They have different strengths."

Looking good

This next product maybe isn't as eye catching or unique as the others, but it'll come in just as handy. At $15.49 on Target's website, the Folding Tabletop Ironing Board is another of those items that'll save you a good amount of space.

You won't need to bother yourself with unfolding those squeaky ironing board legs, because it fits on any table or flat surface, so you can iron to your heart's content -- without taking up a lot of space or getting in your roommate's way.

Best of all, it folds up to a very small size, so you can slip it under your bed or stick it in your closet.

One reviewer complained about the board being a little flimsy, but said it was still worth the low price.

"This lightweight ironing board does everything it needs to do without taking up much space in my apartment," the reviewer wrote. "It may not have a super sturdy build, but it certainly does the job. The iron holder on the side is helpful in keeping the hot iron away from your tabletop or hands, and the striped pattern is cute. Overall, a good purchase for the money."

On a pedestal

But what if your bed isn't raised enough to put things like the folding ironing board under it? 

If that's the case, you'll need something called the Power Bed Rise, sold at Bed Bath & Beyond for about $25.

The Bed Rise comes in a set of four and you can place each leg of the bed inside it, and raise your bed about 7 inches off the floor. Plus, one riser has a built in power outlet, so you can plug in your devices or a nearby lamp.

And the extra floor space will let you store more stuff under your bed, saving dorm room space and making you and your roommate a lot more comfortable.

If you're an adult of a certain age, you probably remember spending much of your time outside as a kid. Whether it was playing with the other kids in the neighborhood, running around your block or being involved in a bunch of different sports, you probably spent very little time indoors.

But kids are different today. Video games have become a major source of entertainment, a lot of parents don't let their kids outside unsupervised anymore and -- when it comes to sports -- a lot of kids play just one.

Having a child play just one sport all year around is sort of the new trend these days. If you look at leagues like the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), you'll likely see young athletes just aren't playing for fun anymore, they're actually training.

A lot of parents who have athletic kids put them in just one sport because they think it will give them an advantage. The common belief is, while the other children move on to other sports, one-sport athletes will still be in training mode and getting better.

The wrong approach?

But that could be the wrong approach, says Dr. Timothy Hewett of Ohio State University's sports medicine division. He says kids doing the same athletic moves year after year, increases their chance of becoming injured.

"You could call it the Tiger Woods syndrome," said Hewett. "Young athletes feel like they have to play a single sport and they have to play it year-round."

Another potential problem with kids playing one sport is they have a greater chance of gaining weight after an injury, and that weight-gain can stick around for quite some time.

"Even when we follow them over multiple years, they tend to retain the weight gain," said Hewett.

Wear and tear

After studying over 500 athletes for a 10-year span, Hewett and his research team found that single-sport athletes had a 50% higher chance of getting a knee injury.

When a child plays and practices just one sport over a long period of time, the process of wearing-and-tearing begins very early and playing different sports gives certain body parts a break.

Dr. James Dreese, an orthopedic surgeon in Maryland, said it's all of the hours of competition that can potentially harm a child who plays just one sport.

"When athletes that play one sport and one sport alone, there's probably more hours of competition in that one sport than there were competing if they had two or three other sports," he said. "It's the hours of competition that puts them most at risk for having those problems."

Multiple-sport benefits

John Donahue, a track coach in Souderton, Pa., said playing multiple sports isn't only healthy for kids physically; it helps them in other ways, especially if a child is a star in one sport.

"Maybe if you're the star in football, you being the second-string guard [in basketball] is good for you instead of just being in the weight room four days a week in the winter," said Donahue in a published interview.  "I would say it's more fun, better for your overall development and better for your school."

In a joint study conducted by Loyola University Medical Center and Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, researchers examined the health data of 1206 athletes between the ages of 8 and 18. Out of those athletes, there were 859 injuries reported and they were all connected to playing one sport over and over.

The researchers said young athletes shouldn't play or practice any more hours than their age. And that's every week.

"We should be cautious about intense specialization in one sport before and during adolescence," said Dr. Neeru Jayanthi of Loyola University.

Loss of interest

There's another risk of kids playing just one sport. They can become bored and want to give it up, which is the opposite of what many parents want.  

Aaron Locks, owner of the fitness center University of Sports, said if a child only plays one sport it can take away the fun. And having fun is the main reason a child should be playing sports at a young age.

"It's really unfortunate when a 10-year old is told to pick just one sport," he said. "Kids should use sports to have fun. They need to play different sports and enjoy them all as much as they can."

But keeping kids engaged should just be one of your goals when you put them in different athletic activities, says Hewett. Allowing them to play multiple sports gives them balance.

"A diversity of activity is going to promote balance within your neuromuscular system," said Hewett. "You're going to be able to be proficient and excel at multiple tasks."

It used to be said that most breakfast cereal was about as tasty and nutritious as the box it came in. That's no longer true but the latest taste tests from Consumer Reports found only one cereal rated as "excellent" and found that store brands sometimes outrank major national brands.

In the non-profit magazine's September 2013 issue and at its website, www.ConsumerReports.org, the taste testers picked Bear Naked Fruit and Nut granola as the only cereal that was excellent for taste, with clusters, pecans, walnuts, almonds, raisins, cranberries, sesame seeds, coconut slivers, brown sugar, honey and cinnamon.  But its overall nutrition was fair -- 140 calories and two grams of fiber per quarter-cup serving.

Toyota is recalling 342,451 model year 2005-2010 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured September 14, 2004, through March 29, 2010; and model year 2011 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, through September 7, 2011.

If the access doors are repeatedly and forcefully closed, the screws that attach the seat belt pre-tensioner to the seat belt retractor can loosen over time. If the screws loosen completely, the seat belt pre-tensioner and the retractor spring cover could detach from the seat belt retractor and the seat belt pre-tensioner will not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in a severe crash.

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assemblies. Based on the inspection, the seat belt assembly will be replaced or new pre-tensioner screws will be installed with thread-locking sealant and a retractor spring cover with stopper ribs to prevent loosening of the screws. These services will be provided at no cost to the owner. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Giant Bicycles of Newbury Park, Calif., is recalling XtC bicycles and seatposts.

The seatposts on the affected bicycles and the after-market seatposts can crack, posing a fall hazard. The company has received five reports of the bicycle seatposts breaking. No injuries have been reported.

This recall includes 2013 model year Giant XtC Advanced SL 29er 0 and 29er 1 series bicycles and 27.2 mm carbon fiber seatposts sold separately. The SL 29er 0 model bicycle is white, black and blue. The SL 29er 1 model is white, black and red. The letters “XTC” appear on the down tube of the frame on both bicycles. The name “Giant” and “Contact SLR” appear on the 27.2 mm carbon fiber seatposts.

The bikes and seatposts, manufactured in Taiwan, were sold at bicycle stores nationwide between November 2012, and May 2013, for between $4,300 and $7,700 for the bicycles and $200 for the seatpost sold separately.

Consumer should immediately stop using the recalled bicycles and seatposts and contact a Giant Bicycle dealer for a free replacement seatpost.

Consumers may contact Giant Bicycle toll-free at (866) 458-2555 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

Earlier this year the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) issued a report that probably didn't garner the attention it deserved. Every four years the group grades U.S. infrastructure – the network of systems that support modern life – and found it getting worse.

The ASCE Report Card for American's Infrastructure gave the country a D+, down from a C- in 2009. By 2020, the group estimates the U.S. will need to spend $3.6 trillion to repair or replace things.

“The infrastructure in the United States is very old,” said Richard Grant, a principal at Russell Corrosion Consultants (RCC), a company that addresses corrosive challenges to infrastructure. “There are multiple problems going on. You've got water and waste water infrastructure that was put in in the late 1800s or early 1900s. At the time it was designed for a population that was quite a bit less than it is today.”

And when it was built, no one ever dreamed we would still be using it in 2013. A lot of infrastructure – public works projects – was built during the Great Depression, when labor and materials were cheap.

On borrowed time

“The design life of the very old infrastructure was maybe 50 years,” Grant said. “We're well beyond that. We now have the dual problem of aging infrastructure, with greater stress on that infrastructure, and a money crunch to pay for new infrastructure.”

Grant says the problem comes down to corrosion. That's what happens, eventually, when metal is exposed to water. Metal, of course, is a major part of infrastructure. Pipes are made from it. It reinforces concrete. It's made into giant beams to support bridges and tunnels.

“If you have a metallic structure, it is going to corrode,” Grant said. “It's not a matter of if this is going to happen, it is going to happen. The question then becomes, how much is it going to happen and what effect is this going to have on roads and bridges.”

Rail safety

When metal corrodes, it become weaker. Two recent train accidents in Europe have focused attention on rail safety. While corrosion may not have been a factor in those accidents, Grant says the potential for accidents is there when rails are subject to corrosion.

“Corrosion is a concern for transit systems,” he said. “We have a significant number of transit clients across the United States. And what we're really trying to assess there is what's called track-to-earth resistance. The more we can increase the efficiency of the tracks the more we can provide a safe and more efficient transit system.”

While water is a corrosive influence, salt water is even more corrosive. Grant says bridges over salt water deserve special attention, as do roads in snowy climates that are constantly salted during winter months.

“You've seen bridge failures across the United States, some related to corrosion, some related to other incidents,” he said. “Those things are only going to increase over time.”

2007 bridge collapse

In 2007 a span of an I-35W bridge in Minneapolis, Minn., collapsed during rush hour, killing 13 people and injuring 135. Though safety inspectors pinned the blame on design flaws and not corrosion, the accident illustrates the importance of bridge maintenance.

In its 2013 Report Card, ASCE noted that one in nine of the nation’s bridges are rated as structurally deficient. The average age of the nation’s 607,380 bridges? Forty-two years.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) estimates that to eliminate the nation’s bridge backlog by 2028, we would need to invest $20.5 billion a year. Currently the U.S. spends just $12.8 billion. Over all, ASCE sees a huge task ahead in maintaining existing infrastructure while building additional assets.

“While the modest progress is encouraging, it is clear that we have a significant backlog of overdue maintenance across our infrastructure systems, a pressing need for modernization, and an immense opportunity to create reliable, long-term funding sources to avoid wiping out our recent gains,” the report concluded.

As students head off to college for the first time, they need more than books and school supplies. They need a basic knowledge of money. It can help ensure their college experience is a good one and doesn't saddle them with debt.

For starters, students need to understand how to manage money. That requires setting a budget and sticking to it. Getting off on the right foot can be the first step toward a lifetime of financial success.

A big part of managing money is managing debt and, for college students, there are two main types of debt to deal with. The first is credit card debt – what they spend on living expenses. The second is student loan debt. Either one by itself can be a significant load. The two together, if they get out of control, can wreck a student's economic future.

Colleges getting proactive

Fortunately many colleges and universities are now taking proactive steps to help new students cope with money management challenges. Penn State has a section on its website – Financial Literacy for College Students – that serves as a guide to making the right money decisions. The page consists of links to resource material and books that promote financial literacy. 

Another site offering helpful advice for college students is iGrad.  It provides activities, financial and student loan calculators, articles, videos with money-saving tips, and games designed to entertain while educating.

It includes information to help students find the best credit card for their situation. For example, it recommends a card with no annual fee and a reasonable interest rate. Students without good credit should be careful not to sign up for a subprime card that's loaded with fees.

When it comes to managing student loan debt, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau maintains extensive resources to help college students avoid making disastrous choices. Its tools help students compare financial aid packages, better understand college finance and work out plans for paying off student debt. 

The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board)has also prepared financial literacy resources for college students. The organization sees college students as having a special need for this information.

"Financial basics are rarely taught in high school," said Eleanor Blayney, the CFP Board's consumer advocate. "Almost everything you know about money you had to learn on your own, glean from your parents, or assume you'd figure it out later—when you actually have some money. But here's the thing: the best time to start financial planning is when you're young."

Her advice? Make the most of your college years so that you will enhance your earning potential after college. It's easier to manage money when you're making money.

Credit score

Also, cultivate a healthy credit score while you are still in college. That means paying all your bills on time and not maxing out your credit card.

Your credit score is influenced by how you use credit. Do you carry a large balance on your credit card or do you pay off the balance each month? If you carry a balance, do you make just the minimum payment each month or do you make series attempts to pay down the balance?

Not carrying a balance is probably the most important step you can take to keep your personal debt under control. That means not making a credit card purchase that you can't pay for at the end of the month.

And though it can be hard to do when you are a poor college student, getting into the savings habit – even if it's only a few dollars each month – will pay off in the future.

"When you are young, you may be money-poor, but you're rich in time, which is a powerful wealth builder," Blayney said. "You are also at the point in your life when you are making important choices that will impact your financial situation for decades to come. Having a plan to guide those choices is like preparing an outline before you write that first college paper: you'll know where you're going—and whether you've arrived there—more quickly and efficiently than if you guess as you go."

It has taken forever, but the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is finally taking up the issue of predatory phone call pricing by prisons. After turning a deaf ear to families' pleas for years, the agency is holding a public hearing tomorrow (Friday) to consider rate caps and other rule changes.

The knee-jerk reaction to charging humane telephone rates for calls from prison is that inmates should suffer for their misdeeds. It is, of course, not the inmates who pay for the calls but their families, most of whom are already suffering economically because of their relatives' imprisonment, something the tone-deaf FCC is finally acknowledging.

"The loved ones at home, they have very little disposable income," said Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), speaking at an FCC workshop last month. "They sacrifice food on the table, other expenses, just to stay in touch with their loved ones locked away."

For once, this argument rings a bell at the FCC.

"For too long, the high cost of long-distance calls from prisoners to their loved ones … has chronically impacted parents and children," FCC acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn said in a statement. "Multiple studies have shown that meaningful contact beyond prison walls can make a real difference in maintaining community ties, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism."

The issue got no traction with the FCC until Clyburn, who has been on the commission since 2009, assumed the acting chairmanship after Julius Genachowski, who was more interested in Wi-Fi speeds than prison families, resigned. President Obama has nominated cable and wireless industry lobbyist Tom Wheeler to head the commission but he has not yet been confirmed by the Senate, leaving Clyburn in charge for the moment.

“Tom knows this stuff inside and out,” Obama, who while campaigning pledged he would not hire lobbyists, said in announcing his nomination of Wheeler May 1. Big wireless firms like Verizon and AT&T cheered. They “should benefit from a focus on their economic health” by a Wheeler-run FCC, Paul Gallant, Washington-based managing director at Guggenheim Securities, told Bloomberg News in May. 

So for the brief interim period when former campaign strategists (Genachowski) and industry lobbyists (Wheeler) are not in control of the commission, it may actually do something for the little people everyone talks so much about.   Before being named to the FCC in 2009, Clyburn was an elected member of the South Carolina Public Service Commission. She is the daughter of Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.).

Big bucks

This may not sound like much of an issue but with about 1.5 million people in federal and states prisons, we're talking about a lot of phone calls, expensive ones at that. Some state prisons charge a $4 "connection fee" for each call, plus 89 cents per minute or more.

"In some instances, the price of a single phone call from prison eclipses the cost of an average basic monthly telephone bill," Clyburn said.

Clyburn has proposed rate caps, limits on per-call fees and has suggested it would not be totally unAmerican to allow those imprisoned by their government to make at least a few free calls. 

Phone companies, of course, oppose the changes, saying they would cut into the profit they make on the estimated $1.2 billion of annual charges to prison families.

Two little-known companies get most of the take from prison calls. Global Tel-Link of Atlanta and Securus Technologies of Dallas insist that it costs more to handle prison calls because of the security measures that prisons require. Such as? Oh, call screening, restricting certain numbers and blocking three-way calls -- all activities that are performed by modern digital switching equipment at little or no incremental cost per call.

It's not just these two companies that have their hands in the pockets of prisoners' families, however. The states, counties and private firms that operate prisons award exclusive telephone contracts and give themselves a big share of the profits in the form of commissions.

While most states have gladly scraped off as much of the predatory profits as they can get their hands on, eight states have adopted reforms and more, seeing no sign until recently that the FCC would ever act, are considering it.  

New Mexico recently capped phone rates at 15 cents a minute, plus a $1 connection fee. Missouri charges $1.75 for a 15-minute call.

Snail's pace

The issue has been on hold at the FCC since at least 2000, when 20 prison families filed a class action lawsuit seeking a ruling that the extortionist rates were illegal. The suit was remanded to the FCC, which in 2003 issued a notice or proposed rulemaking. Years passed and nothing happened.

Prison rights groups have been pressing for change all this time. Cheryl Leanza, speaking on behalf of the United Church of Christ's media justice and communications rights ministry, urged the FCC to, for once, move swiftly.

"We cannot delay action on this docket. It's been 10 years," she said, according to a Legal Times blog. "I don't think there's any question the FCC has authority over this issue."

Identity theft is a growing concern. Cases have skyrocketed, meaning your risks have increased as well.

While using caution with your financial documents is a good preventive measure, you remain exposed. Security breaches in databases containing your medical records, mortgage information and other sensitive data can result in the nightmare of identity theft. If someone gets access to your Social Security number and other sensitive data, they can open credit accounts in your name.

Fortunately, there is a simple and inexpensive step you can take to drastically reduce your exposure.

Thieves can steal your identity when they access enough information about you to take out loans and open credit card accounts in your name. But to complete the final step in that process the thieves must be able to access your credit reports from all three credit reporting agencies – Experian, Equifax and Trans Union. If they can't access those reports, they can't borrow money in your name.

Simple process

All three credit reporting agencies make it relatively simple for you to place security freezes on your credit reports. There is a small, one-time fee for placing the freeze, with the size of the fee depending on the state in which you reside. However, the typical fee is $10 per credit reporting agency, for a total of $30. If you have been a victim of identity theft, the fee is waived in most states.

Before placing the freeze, you need to understand what that means for you as a consumer. Experian explains it very well.

“A security freeze is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved in your name without your consent,” the company says on its website. However, using a security freeze may delay, interfere with, or prohibit the timely approval of any subsequent requests or applications regarding a new loan, credit, mortgage, insurance, government services or payments, rental housing, employment, investment, license, cellular phone, utilities, digital signature, Internet credit card transaction, or other services, including an extension of credit at point of sale.”

That means if you are applying for an auto loan, mortgage or credit card, the process will be delayed until you temporarily lift the freeze. That process can sometimes take a day or two.

No spur-of-the-moment credit applications

It also means you won't be able to apply for a credit or charge card in order to qualify for a discount when checking out at a retail score. But maybe that's a good thing.

Placing a freeze on your credit will not interfere with existing relationships with existing creditors. They will still be able to access your account in regard to the account you have with them. They just won't be able to open a new account.

Here are the steps you need to take to freeze your credit at all three credit agencies.

Experian

Go to Experian.com and click on the “Customer Assistance” tab at the top of the page and choose the option “Security Freeze” from the pull-down menu. That takes you to a page that explains the process and allows you to select your state to complete the freeze.

Part of that process is getting a security code or PIN that identifies you, allowing you to temporarily lift the freeze. You can ask to lift the freeze online or by calling a toll-free number.

You complete the process by paying the fee, if any, with a credit or debit card.

Equifax

Next, go to the Equifax website. Click on the Credit Report Assistance” link at the top of the page.

Among the options on the page is “Place a Security Freeze.” Click on “expand,” located to the right, and then click the “Get Started” button. Enter the information to place a security information on your site. The information and fee will be very similar to what you encountered at Experian.

Trans Union

Finally, go to Trans Union.com and click on the “Credit Disputes, Alerts & Freezes” tab at the top of the page. Then, click on “Credit Freeze” sub tab and follow the directions for placing a freeze on your credit.

Remember that a security freeze remains on your credit file until you remove it or choose to lift it temporarily when applying for credit or credit-dependent services.

Freezing your credit is not a 100% guarantee against identity theft, but it blocks thieves from the most lucrative aspects of the crime. Even if someone steals your Social Security number, they will still be unable to open credit card accounts or take out loans in your name.

While unfreezing your credit when you want to buy a car or home may seem like a hassle, it could be a small price to pay to keep your identity from being stolen.

Small cars are nimble, easy to park and thrifty to operate. But they don't necessarily to well in collisions, according to the latest insurance industry tests.

Of the 12 cars put through their paces in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) small overlap front crash test, only half earn a good or acceptable rating.

The 2-door and 4-door models of the Honda Civic are the only small cars to earn the top rating of good in the test. IIHS evaluated the Civics earlier this year and released the results in March. The Dodge Dart, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and 2014 model Scion tC earn acceptable ratings, with the Civics, Dart, Elantra, Focus and tC earning the "Top Safety Pick+" accolade.

So far, 25 models have earned the top honor. The “plus” indicates good or acceptable performance in the overlap test. Winners must earn good ratings for occupant protection in 4 of 5 evaluations and no less than acceptable in the fifth test.

IIHS rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal or poor based on performance in a moderate overlap front crash, small overlap front crash, side impact and rollover test, plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts.

Recent addition

IIHS added the small overlap front test to its lineup of vehicle evaluations last year. It replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle hits another vehicle or an object like a tree or a utility pole. In the test, 25% of a vehicle’s front end on the driver's side strikes a 5-foot-tall rigid barrier at 40 mph. A 50th percentile male Hybrid III dummy is belted in the driver seat.

Small cars are the fourth group of vehicles to be tested. All but the tC and Kia Forte are 2013 models.

IIHS also has evaluated midsize luxury cars, midsize cars and small SUVs. Results for minicars will be released later this year.

As a group, small cars fared worse than their midsize moderately-priced counterparts in the same test but better overall than small SUVs.

“The small cars with marginal or poor ratings had some of the same structural and restraint system issues as other models we’ve tested,” says David Zuby, the IIHS chief research officer. “In the worst cases safety cages collapsed, driver airbags moved sideways with unstable steering columns and the dummy’s head hit the instrument panel. Side curtain airbags didn’t deploy or didn’t provide enough forward coverage to make a difference. All of this adds up to marginal or poor protection in a small overlap crash.”

Consumer choice

Having six small cars qualify for the Institute’s highest safety award broadens the choices for consumers looking to buy a small car. The latest results highlight how some automakers are designing models to perform well in the demanding small overlap test. At the same time, other automakers have more work to do.

“Manufacturers need to focus on the whole package,” Zuby says. “That means a strong occupant compartment that resists the kinds of intrusion we see in a frontal crash like this, safety belts that prevent a driver from pitching too far forward and side curtain airbags to cushion a head at risk of hitting the dashboard or window frame.”

It's kind of sad, but summer is closing out pretty fast, which means kids will be going back to school before you know it. While some kids don't mind, others are moaning and groaning. But either way, both groups have at least one thing in common: They'll need a bunch of new clothes and supplies for school.

For parents, that means trying to find the best deals on everything from notebooks to sneakers -- not to mention the latest fashion items that your child will say he can't live without. 

According to Sharon Banfield, director of public relations at PriceGrabber, the majority of parents will be spending quite a bit on back-to-school items this year. But if they plan and budget properly, they can save a lot in the process.

"According to PriceGrabber's first Back-to-School shopping survey, 68% plan to spend up to $500 this back-to-school shopping season," said Banfield. "With a little homework, budgeting, and creativity, shoppers can easily reduce this number and get the most for their buck this year."

Take inventory

Experts say parents should walk around their home office, kitchen, bedroom and other places that may have supplies lying around.

From there, grab your child's supply list and see if there's anything you can remove from it. In many cases you'll have a lot of the needed supplies right at home.

And when making your back-to-school list, it's important to separate the things your child will need and the things he or she will want.

This will lower your chances of buying something on impulse. And if you do decide to purchase something that isn't truly needed, be sure to buy the necessities first. Challenge yourself by trying to spend less this year than last year. 

Shopping partners

It's a good decision to leave smaller children at home when you shop for back-to-school-items, because you're likely to get distracted by all the question-asking and begging.

But, experts say it's a good idea to bring older kids. In fact, you can turn the entire shopping experience into a budgeting lesson. Plus, back-to-school shopping could be a good way for the entire family to bond.

Consumer savings expert Regina Novickis, who wasn't involved in the PriceGrabber survey, says to avoid buying trendy items right away, because before you use them, they might not be trendy anymore.

"Don't buy that name brand stuff until the kids have been in school for a couple of weeks," said Novickis in a published interview. "Because you never know that something they really liked for a while or they've seen during the summer may not be as trendy when they get back to school. So hold off on buying those items."

In addition, Novickis says you should contact your child's teacher before you go shopping. This way, you'll know what's truly needed and will be less likely to buy anything that won't be used.

Check the sales

The PriceGrabber folks say to utilize end-of-summer sales, because most of those clothes can still be worn until mid to late fall. Plus, you can layer certain pieces of summer clothes so they can be worn until it gets cold.

When you go to brick-and-mortars to shop, arm yourself with your mobile device. That way you can compare prices to see if you'll save money by shopping online.

Furthermore, experts advise buying school items in bulk. While you may spend a little more on the front end, you'll be able to use those items throughout the year and save money on the back end.

For older kids, who may need an electronic gadget or two for school, don't be afraid to buy used items. In fact, you can even rent some of these items.

"As technology is integrating into classroom, refurbished technology is a great option sometimes," advised Novickis. "People who are more tech junkies will purchase something, decide they don't need it and send it back to the manufacturer. It's practically brand new. You get a warranty on it and it's a great option."

Creative budgeting

The bottom line is be creative in your budgeting this back-to-school-season, because school is for learning, not sending your kids off with the latest, greatest and most expensive things.

Plus, there will always be something new in style, so don't go spending your money on items that your child probably won't want in a month or two.

Look around next time you're sitting on the freeway or in a parking lot. What do you see?

Lots of cars, yes, and lots of them are getting along in years. We don't know if there's an analogy with dog years but the average age of the 247 million cars and light trucks on U.S. roads is now 11.4 years, according to an analysis by Polk.

Polk, once known as R.L. Polk, takes a snapshot of vehicle registrations on Jan. 1 each year, and here it is what it has found:

Source: Polk

"Interesting times"

As part of its most recent analysis and the growth of vehicle registrations in the past few years, Polk found that the volume of 6- to 11-year-old vehicles is declining, while the group of vehicles older than 12 years is on the rise. 

"These are interesting times for the automotive aftermarket," said Mark Seng, vice president of Polk’s aftermarket practice. "Customers from independent and chain repair shops should be paying close attention to their business plans and making concerted efforts to retain business among the do-it- for-me audience, while retailers have a unique and growing opportunity with potential consumers wrenching on their own vehicles."

But while cars may be getting older, there are nevertheless more of them, a trend Polk says will continue. Polk recently developed a new forecast for vehicles in operation (VIO) through 2018, the first of its kind in the industry. With the rebound in new vehicle registrations, Polk is forecasting the total VIO to grow five percent to more than 260 million vehicles by 2018.

During the past five years, with the significant decline in new vehicle registrations, the market has seen both segments of the aftermarket enjoy strong growth potential. During that time period, the 6-11 year old segment grew marginally and vehicles more than 12 years old increased by more than 20 percent. However, Polk expects the 6-11 year old vehicle segment to shrink by more than 20 percent and the 12+ year old segment to grow at a rate almost half of the prior five-year period.

In other words, it's a good time to be in the car parts and auto repair business.

You see ambulances racing around, paramedics dashing back and forth, firefighters bursting into burning buildings, and all of this would lead you to think that city and state governments are required to come to the aid of their citizens, wouldn't it?

Sorry, it's just not so, Chief Philadelphia U.S. District Judge Petrese Tucker ruled in the case of the late Leonard Sedden, Courthouse News Service reported.  

It seems that Sedden was riding the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) "night owl" bus on April 11, 2010, from downtown Philadelphia to the Frankford Transportation Center, which was, for him, both the literal and figurative end of the line.

Around 4 a.m., the bus driver had called her dispatcher to report that Sedden was unresponsive, lying in urine and covered with drool.  A SEPTA supervisor boarded the bus and claimed to have found Sedden sitting up and breathing.

Sued for negligence

But by 5:30 a.m., when the bus rolled into Frankford, Sedden was pronounced dead. His family sued SEPTA for negligence, wrongful death and violation of Sedden's civil rights.

But the judge ruled that SEPTA had done nothing to create the conditions that led to Sedden's death and, further, that SEPTA should not have to face claims over its policy on responding to medical emergencies.

"The Supreme Court clearly articulated that the due process clause does not require a state to administer aid when it would be necessary to secure life, liberty, or property interests," Judge Tucker wrote. "Similarly, it is evident in the 3rd Circuit that the due process clause does not guarantee a 'federal constitutional right to rescue services, competent or otherwise.'"

"SEPTA was under no obligation to provide rescue services to Mr. Sedden therefore SEPTA's lack of action in this matter did not rise to a constitutional violation," she concluded. 

It can happen in the blink of an eye. Another car runs a red light, plowing into the side of your vehicle. Or you lose control of your car and run off the road.

The result is damage to your and others' vehicles and possibly, serious injury. When a highway accident occurs, your first feeling may be shock, even if you aren't seriously hurt. But it is important to keep your wits about you.

What do you do first? According to State Farm Insurance, the first thing to do is take a deep breath and calm yourself. Check for injuries and, when in doubt, call for an ambulance.

Minor accidents, when there is little apparent damage, might present the most confusion. But State Farm advises its clients to treat it as a serious encounter. If your car is drivable, remove it from the roadway and turn on your hazard lights. If you have cones or flares, put them out.

Always call the police

Call the police, even if it's a minor fender bender. The main reason is to create an official record of what happened. It could be important later on.

Once the vehicles are secure and police have been summoned, notify your insurance company of the accident.

You should get the names, address, and phone numbers of everyone involved in the accident, along with a description of the car and license plate number and insurance company. Yes, the police will also collect this information in their report but you should record it as well, as a backup.

How you deal with the other driver, or drivers, is also very important. Regardless of who you think was at fault, keep your cool. Having an accident escalate into a road rage incident helps no one – certainly not you.

No apologies

Instead, inquire about the condition of the other driver and his or her passengers. Express concern and compassion but do not, under any circumstance, apologize or accept responsibility for the accident. When answering the police officer's questions, answer with facts. Don't say something like “it was my fault, I'm so sorry.”

What happens after an accident will be important to how responsibility for the accident is assessed and how claims are paid.

Personal injury lawyers say taking pictures of the accident scene is a good idea, if it can be done safely. Since cellphones have camera features, anyone with a phone can take pictures. These could become evidence in any potential case.

Lawyers also recommend seeking medical attention, even if you don't think you have been injured. Again, seeing a physician creates a record that may be important later on.

Do you need a lawyer?

Obviously the insurance companies would like to resolve accident claims without lawyers getting involved. Whether you decide to speak with a personal injury attorney is a judgment call on your part. It might not be necessary but, in some cases, it could ensure you are fairly compensated.

If you are driving a fairly new automobile, for example, on which you are still making payments, you need to be sure that the settlement includes repairing the car to the condition it was in before the accident. For example, the type of parts used in the repair can devalue the automobile if they are used or an inferior grade to what was used when the car was manufactured.

Suffering serious injuries, including those not immediately apparent, may be another reason to obtain legal counsel, according to the legal website Nolo.com.

“Sometimes, the skills of an experienced personal injury lawyer -- or at least the threat to an insurance company that such a lawyer may present -- are worth the money you must pay that lawyer to represent you,” the site says.

Most personal injury attorneys charge clients a contingency fee. That means the client pays no money up front but gives the attorney a percentage of any settlement received. If the lawyer loses the case and you get no money, the lawyer receives no fee.

If you plan to seek legal representation after an accident, you should do so early in the process -- before you make any statements, sign any documents or give any information other than that required by police investigators. Do not talk to adjusters or other insurance company representatives.  

While it may be true that sports builds character, athletic activity also causes damage -- sometimes severe -- to young bodies.

According to a new research report released by Safe Kids Worldwide, every 25 seconds, or 1.35 million times a year, a young athlete suffers a sports injury severe enough to go to the emergency room.

The report, "Game Changers," which received financial support from Johnson & Johnson, uses data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC's) National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) to explore what type of injuries are sidelining young athletes.

Concussions and knee injuries

The report, which studied the 14 most popular sports, found concussions account for 163,000 of those ER visits -- or 12%. That's a concussion-related ER visit every three minutes. And, it's not just high school athletes suffering concussions; athletes ages 12 to 15 make up almost half (47%) of the sports-related concussions seen in the ER, a statistic made even more disturbing by the knowledge that younger children with concussions take a longer time to recover than older kids.

The report also revealed that knee injuries account for one in ten sports-related injuries. Knee injuries, specifically tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), are disproportionately affecting young female athletes, who are up to eight times more likely to have an ACL injury than male athletes.

"We uncovered some surprising and disturbing data about how often our kids are being injured playing sports," said Kate Carr, president and CEO of Safe Kids Worldwide. "But we also found some inspiring stories from people and programs that are making a marked difference."

Football injuries on top

The study details both the types of injuries and the rates of injuries for the most popular sports. Not surprising, in 2011, the sport with the most injuries is football, which also has the highest concussion rate. Wrestling and cheerleading have the second and third highest concussion rate. The sport with the highest percent of concussion injuries is ice hockey.

The report also includes profiles of actions some communities, sports leagues and individual athletes who are taking a proactive stance in order to turn these statistics around.

What to do

The report outlines and endorses four strategies that communities, coaches, parents and athletes are implementing to make a difference:

• Get educated, then pass it forward. A common theme among parents and young athletes who are struggling with recovering from an injury is that they wish they knew sooner what they know now. Attend a Safe Kids sports clinic or go to www.safekids.org to find out how to keep kids safe, then tell your friends.
• Teach athletes injury prevention skills. Instill smart hydration habits, warm-up exercises and stretches to prevent common injuries. Understand stress placed on muscles particular to the sport (pitching arm, knees, etc.) and target exercises to those areas. (Check out this video to strengthen knees and prevent ACL injuries.) Encourage athletes to get plenty of rest.
• Encourage athletes to speak up about injuries. Too often, athletes feel like they are letting down their teammates, coaches or parents if they ask to sit out. The truth is it takes more courage to speak up about an injury that can have serious and long-term effects.
• Support coaches in injury prevention decisions. A Safe Kids Worldwide 2012 survey found half of coaches admit to being pressured by a parent or athlete to keep an injured athlete in the game. Coaches need to be educated and confident in making decisions that protect the long-term interests of young athletes.

"Most states have laws to protect young athletes," said Carr, "but the front line of protection for our kids is parents and coaches. Working together, we can keep our kids active, strong and safe so they can enjoy the sports they love for a lifetime."