Your Money

By Maryanne Murray Buechner

HELPING BUYER BEWARE Home buyers with a government-backed mortgage should no longer be blindsided by costly repairs come Aug. 1. New rules set by the Federal Housing Administration, which will insure 1.3 million new mortgages this year, make appraisers responsible for detecting big defects such as a faulty furnace or a bad roof--and put the sellers on the hook for fixing them. Buyers will still be urged to hire an inspector for a more thorough review of the property.

BONDING WITH UNCLE U.S. savings bonds are Melba toast on anybody's investment plate. And for thousands of holders, they're even less tasty. There are nearly 18 million savings bonds afloat ($6.6 billion worth) that are no longer earning interest. These patriotic bondholders are giving Uncle Sam a free loan. To check the status of your stack of yellowing paper, try the Savings Bond Wizard, a free computer program available for downloading at www.publicdebt.treas.gov/sav/sav.htm It lets you track redemption values and determine the best time to cash in.

BUY A CD, DO SOME GOOD You might enjoy shopping online because you can buy underwear while wearing even less, but it can satisfy your altruistic impulses too. At least four sites invite you to identify a nonprofit organization or school you'd like to help. When you purchase something online from a participating merchant--eToys, Amazon and a slew of other big vendors are involved--a small percentage (2% to 12%) of the sale ends up in that charity's coffers. A seamless donation--whether you're fully clothed or not.

--By Maryanne Murray Buechner