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Free Access to Consumer Reports (and More)

Written by Nickel - 10 Comments
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I never make a major purchase decision without doing a bit of background research. Thus, I was pleased to learn awhile back that I could get free online access to ConsumerReports.org (as well as a large number of other publications) through my local library’s web site. As it turns out, many other public libraries do the same thing. In my case, I simply go to the library website, select “Online Resources,” login with my name and library card number, and then click to select the EBSCO MasterFILE (there are a number of other online reference databases available, as well). The only limitation is a 90-day embargo on content — in other words, the three most recent issues are unavailable. While it may take a bit of poking around to figure out how to do this in your area, it’s definitely worth checking out.

Published on July 18th, 2005 - 10 Comments
Filed under: Frugality, Online

About the author: Nickel is the founder and editor-in-chief of this site. He's a thirty-something family man who has been writing about personal finance since 2005, and guess what? He's on Twitter!

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10 Responses to “Free Access to Consumer Reports (and More)”

  1. 1
    Keith Says:

    Great tip! I’m a huge library user, but I didn’t know I could access so much stuff on-line. In the course of looking for this I also found that my library (in Seattle) has access to the O’Reilly Safari website which offers full-text versions of most of their tech books.

    Thanks!

  2. 2
    Greg Says:

    My library also provides access to a “Library Edition” of Morningstar, which provides all of the screeners, reports and the Portfolio X-Ray, but no other content. Still, it’s a wonderful resource to be able to access for free.

  3. 3
    FMF Says:

    GREAT POST!!!! You just saved me $35 per year!!!!!

  4. 4
    ~Dawn Says:

    I noticed that I have access to it as well- thanks for the heads up

  5. 5
    Johncy Says:

    Hi,

    Thanks for letting us know.

    My blog readers will thank you.

    Sincerely,
    Johncy Edward

  6. 6
    Jonathan Says:

    Good idea. Thanks for the tip.

  7. 7
    Andrew Says:

    Thanks for the reminder! Now, why didn’t I remember that? Glad you’re here.

  8. 8
    William B. Nelson Says:

    I am trying to enter my discount code (a9ak50yde2) to recive UNLIMITED ACESS to Consumer Report.org your comprehensive web site for one year at $1.00 per month.

  9. 9
    Monica Says:

    Great resource and savings!! I was able to pull up the current Consumer Report 2011. You do have to poke around a little but it works, Thank you

  10. 10
    A. Mills Says:

    I am a subscriber to your magazine for over 20 years
    and just received a startup discount code-
    what do I do with? nothing on your wedsite
    seem to refer to it.

    In any case it is a fantastic magazine discount or
    no discount.

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