• 800free411.com - free 411 calls
• youmail.com - free customized voice mail
• 888-do-frucall (363-7862) - call number to compare prices while in store
• futurephone.com - free international calls
• myfico.com - get your credit score

Clark has gotten a lot of calls lately about cell phones. This time of year, that is typical. From Thanksgiving into January, people feel the need to switch phones and plans. With so much interest, Clark wanted to tell you about new enhancements and technologies cell phones have. T-Mobile, for example is experimenting with phones that switch from cell phone networks to wireless Internet networks. It eliminates the need for a home phone. In addition, there are a ton of services out there that offer free directory assistance on your cell phone. You may have to listen to a 20-second ad and then you get the number you want, but it's free! Another service allows you to create personal messages for different people who call your phone. It’s called “YouMail.” If it’s work related, you might a want a more serious message. But for your sweetie, you can create a fun, light-hearted one. Another service, Frucall, allows you to compare prices on phones and plans while you’re in a store. Links to these services are above.

Do you remember when GPS units were something only the very wealthy could afford? A built-in unit was about $2,000 and a portable unit was about $800. Times have changed quite a bit. Clark recently bought a portable unit for less than $300 and it’s possible to find them for under $200. The more expensive units will tend to have the hard drive built-in to the unit, while the less expensive ones have an SD chip. And there are good and bad factors to both. But they are so simple to use and they have a memory of all of your addresses. These are hot gifts this holiday, so think about one for your loved one. Or wait even longer and they are sure to go down even more.

Clark published a poll on his site recently about the role of government and restaurants. Specifically, he wanted to know whether people thought it should be a role of government to ban transfats in restaurants. The recent law passed in New York prompted the question. Well, three-quarters of people said it is not the role of government to ban transfats. Clark agrees 100 percent. What will be next? Sugar or salt? Where will it stop if we allow this? Now, when it comes to food safety, Clark thinks it is a different story. With the spinach salad scare and the recent e. coli outbreak at Taco Bell, we need food safety standards. Government should establish those rules and regulations and should be charged with enforcing them. Otherwise, the health of our citizens is at risk. When the public feels at risk, government should get involved.

Clark has received some phone calls lately from Prius owners who aren’t getting the gas mileage they were promised when they bought the cars. That is due in part to the fact that the Monroney labels on cars have had inflated fuel economy numbers. The Detroit automakers wanted an advantage in the market and they have gotten away with it to the detriment of car buyers. The inflated numbers have been on all cars, but hybrid buyers have been the most outspoken about the discrepancy because they were counting on getting a certain number of miles per gallon. Well, the EPA has gotten involved and has established rules requiring the correct MPG figure on the Monroney label from now on. So, when you check the sticker, you can be sure that is the fuel economy you’ll get.