Overall customer satisfaction with credit cards has improved slightly from a three-year low in 2009 while consumer loyalty continued to decline, according to a 2010 report recently released by J.D. Power and Associates.

The 2010 average is 714 on a 1,000-point satisfaction scale which is nine points higher compared to the 705 average in 2009.

Michael Beird, director of banking services at J.D. Power and Associates, says that confidence is on the upswing, but consumers continue to perceive card issuers as customer driven.

“Despite massive efforts by the credit card industry during the past year to educate customers about credit card terms as a part of the CARD Act, customers’ grasp of those terms continues to be elusive,” Baird says.

“Sixteen percent of card customers report that they did not receive CARD Act disclosures. Among those who did, only two-thirds state that the disclosures improved their understanding of how the act affects their individual circumstances. Furthermore, only one-third of cardholders say they ‘completely’ understand their credit card terms.”

American Express ranked No. 1 for the fourth consecutive year and continues to perform well on all six factors surveyed.

Here’s the top 10 list from the J.D. Powers and Associates report:

• American Express
• Discover
• U.S. Bank
• Wells Fargo
• Chase
• Barclaycard
• Bank of America
• Capital One
• Citi Cards
• HSBC

Click here for the lowdown from J.D. Power and Associates.

Choosing a life insurance policy can depend on a number of factors, including your age, health and number of dependents.

Between term and whole life policies, there are a lot of options that can be confusing. A simple online search can yield hundreds of head spinning results and it can be very difficult to understand what type of policy might be best to fit your needs.

Consumer United has compiled a few tips to help make shopping for life insurance a little easier.

1. Become familiar with the differences between term life policies and whole life policies. Term policies cover a designated period of time and the amount of coverage needed often varies depending on anticipated financial obligations such as a mortgage or tuition payments. Whole life policies, on the other hand, are often used to cover end of life expenses and are more likely to be utilized as a financial planning tool.
2. Understand what you’re entitled to under the so-called “free look” laws in your state. Free look laws allow you to purchase an annuity or life insurance policy and change your mind within a limited period for a refund. The types of policies covered and the time allowed to reverse a decision vary widely by state, from zero to ten days in some states to sixty days in others. These laws allow for a comprehensive review of the policy before you’re legally bound to its terms.
3. Make an informed decision when selecting your life insurance provider. For example, many employers offer life insurance, but the coverage may expire if you leave the company or retire, and that coverage could be hard to replace if you develop medical conditions. It’s also very important to understand all of the terms and conditions of your policy, so make sure you trust your provider before you purchase a policy.

Click here to learn more about Consumer United’s life insurance product.

On the surface, prepaid debit cards seem like a viable alternative to bank accounts and credit cards. Millions of Americans have turned to prepaid debit cards as a cash-free alternative.

The caveat? Be prepared for hidden fees.

Many cards carry dozens of hidden fees. The additional costs can nickel and dime consumers with larger-than-usual ATM withdrawal and customer service fees as well as penalties for exceeding the prepaid balance.

“The fact is you have some programs out there charging fees that are too high,” says Green Dot founder Steve Streit. His prepaid card company decided to drop their card price from $9.95 to $4.95, monthly fees were also extinguished if the consumer used the card at least 30 times in a month, or deposited at least $1,000.

Green Dot’s prepaid slogan? “No Credit Check. Safer Than Cash. No Bank Account Needed.”

Prepaid cards have yet to go through regulatory and congressional scrutiny that debit and credit cards have already faced, because prepaid cards are a relatively new industry. This leads to problems of hidden fees, until the problem is resolved.

Visa, Mastercard and Discover receive 5 to 20 cents each time a prepaid card is swiped. Among the millions of prepaid card users, the potential revenue is off the charts.

Ten years ago, these cards were not the norm. In fact, they didn’t exist.

However, as internet shopping increased, an untapped market was seen. Over the years many companies added prepaid cards, such as H&R Block, MetaBank, Comdata, Wells Fargo, Citi and Comerica to name a few. Celebrities ranging from Usher to Carmen Electra have endorsed prepaid cards as well.

The cards have become the norm for those who want to shop but have bad credit or don’t trust banks. Director of national priorities for Consumer Action says, “To me, it’s a terrible thing to give people their pay on a card that has fees on it.”

Luckily for prepaid card users, fees are declining. Walmart has recently whittled down the fees on the MoneyCard, and NetSpend, Walmart, and Greendot are all cheaper than a checking account according to a study by Bretton Woods, a bank advisory firm.

Just be sure to read the fine print before signing up for a prepaid card.

Haggling for health care? Yep, it may be one of the best-keep secrets for frugal-minded consumers looking to save some cold, hard cash with their doctors, dentists and hospitals.

While negotiating for health care is a trend, many consumers don’t know they even have the option. According to a recent poll conducted by Angie’s List, 57 percent revealed that they never negotiated with their doctors and 25 percent said they had no clue it was a viable alternative.

Most important, a majority of those who did reach out for discounts were able to save, with 74 percent of respondents paying less when they approached their health-care provider. Based on those who did score discounts, here’s the savings breakdown: 40 percent on medical bills, 31 percent with hospitals and 18 percent on dental bills.

Not insured or have a high deductible? No problem. Some people have saved up to 50 percent on procedures with their health-care provider by paying upfront and in full. For those who are insured, it’s still possible to negotiate costs not covered by your provider.

Also, some people have zeroed in on savings by scanning their medical bill for errors. In fact, some consumer advocates suggest that 80 percent of medical bills contain errors.

Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List, serves up some savings tips for those looking to save on their health care costs.

Need to see the doctor? Find reviews on the best doctors in your area at Angie’s List here.

Our lesson of the day? Savings is never too cool for school.

Back-to-school shopping season is approaching fast and we’ve learned a thing or two on how not to burn a hole in your wallet. Time to whip out that No. 2 pencil. We’ve compiled a few ways to save without sacrificing the fun of the shopping season.

Buy used books
Don’t judge a book by its cover. Instead, save the criticism for the hefty sticker price traditional campus books stores charge for required texts. On a budget? No problem. With college students shelling out hundreds–sometimes thousands–of dollars on textbooks each year, check out used books stores and online shops like half.com and amazon.com as a viable way for frugal-minded collegians to save a few bucks.

Organize before shopping
Make a list of the back-to-school supplies you need … and don’t shop without the list. This will eliminate over spending on items that are unnecessary. If you’re not sure of the supples needed, e-mail the teacher or instructor. Maybe you don’t really need that expensive calculator after all.
One thing you will need to put on your list? An alarm. Check out iHome’s bluetooth clock radio/alarm and speakerphone for iPhone and iPod only $89.99 after mail-in rebate

Procrastinate
Wait to shop. The longer you wait, the better the sales. Putting a hold on back to school shopping may increase your anxiety, but in the end the savings are very rewarding. Kelli Grant, Sr. Consumer Reporter for SmartMoney.com says “buying basic items now while they’re on sale, but wait until after school starts to buy the rest. Once the back-to-school rush has calmed down, retailers will often put traditional back-to-school items on clearance.”

Ask for adjustments
If a purchased item goes on sale around two weeks after you bought it, bring it back with the receipt for a price adjustment. The store will refund or credit you the difference, which may end up being really helpful.

Save with large retailers
Don’t rule out Target, Walmart and Costco. Big retailers such as these usually offer many discounts, especially for back-to-school shoppers looking to save on basic supplies. Best Buy offers great values on computers and electronics perfect for homework and play. Check out their helpful back-to-school checklist here.

Watch your back phone companies. There’s a new player in the wireless broadband world called LightSquared, a soon-to-be-launched nationwide 4G-LTE wireless broadband network that uses satellite coverage to facilitate a whole new experience for the end user, and their goal is to cover 92 percent of the population by 2015.

Yep, the ambitious plan from the private-equity firm Harbinger Capital Partners is to revolutionize communications in the United States.

As the nation’s first wholesale-only network, the LightSquared platform will allow its partners–a laundry list that will include retailers, cable operators and device manufacturers–to offer satellite-only, terrestrial-only or integrated satellite-terrestrial services to consumers.

Philip Falcone, founder and chief executive officer of Harbinger Capital Partners, says the launch of LightSquared marks a significant milestone in the industry. “The business is well positioned to capitalize on key trends; demand for wireless broadband is growing at a rapid pace and there is an increasing need for additional network capacity and reach,” says Falcone. “LightSquared will also make a significant contribution to U.S. job growth and the economy.”

World broadband domination? Perhaps. The new entrant to the wireless market is slotted to launch the LightSquared service in the second half of 2011 in Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver and Baltimore.

Click here for the lowdown.

Renting a car this summer travel season? Get your motor running.

But, before heading out on the highway, make sure you avoid the games car rental companies are playing to raise revenue from unsuspecting consumers. Yep, rental groups are getting creative with a slew of odd add-on fees and wacky rules in an apparent attempt to lift their profits.

The folks over at CNN serve up a list of six odd rules consumers should steer clear when shopping for a summer car rental:

1. The price game
Agents are charging exorbitant late fees, like $1,000 a day with one example in Dayton, Ohio, and are even raising rates if patrons return their rentals early. The remedy? Secure a rate online using a site like Priceline or CheapOair.

2. Age limits often apply
Under 25-years-old? You may have to shell out additional cash. Car rental companies often add a $20 a day or more surcharge to your bill. If you’re younger than 21, it may be almost impossible to score an auto.

3. Additional drivers cost more
Plan to share the wheel with another driver? Buyer beware. If there’s a second driver, car rental groups often charge additional fees running about $10 to $12 per day.

4. Child safety seats cost more
Even though safety seats for children is a requirement, some car rental companies are tagging on a surcharge for upgrading car seats for kids.

5. Car sizes redefined
Some sneaky car rental companies are changing the class of the vehicle–from compact to a mid-size auto– in an attempt to raise rates for unsuspecting consumers.

6. Short trips penalized
Plan to drive under 75 miles in a rented car? You may be penalized. Rental companies are charging an automatic refueling service charge for those taking shorter trips.

Click here for the lowdown.