Spare Change

Money Tip

Some consumers are discovering how difficult it can be to cancel automatic bill payments. Some consumers mistakenly believe they need to contact only their credit-card issuer to stop recurring charges, but you actually must contact the vendor to get them to discontinue regular charges. If the charge keeps coming, dispute it in writing within 60 days after it shows up on a statement.

Fund Fact

Currency trading used to be a strategy employed by only the wealthiest investors, but a growing number of funds make it possible for individuals to try it for themselves, with significantly smaller amounts of money. The Rydex Strengthening Dollar Fund and the Weakening Dollar Fund and the first currency ETF, the Euro Currency Trust, allow regular folks to speculate on the direction of the dollar or hedge currency exposure in portfolios heavy in foreign stocks.

Tax Watch

Millions of low-income workers reduce their tax bills each year by taking advantage of the earned income tax credit. But 15 percent to 25 percent of eligible taxpayers aren’t participating in this anti-poverty program. Taxpayers can use the credit of up to $4,400 to offset any taxes they owe and still get a cash refund for the excess.

Net Nugget

Access to stock trading inside information can sometimes provide hints of when to purchase or sell a stock. But many people find insider trading something of a mystery. Here are some Web sites to help:

MarketWatch

www.market watch.com/ tools/quotes/ insiders.asp

Enter stock symbol or person’s name to access recent insider information.

InsiderCow.com

www.insider cow.com

Enter a stock’s symbol to see real-time insider trading action, or check out insider frequently asked questions.