Thinking of buying a hybrid car?  By using the U.S. Dept of Energy website HEV Cost Calculator Tool,  you can compare the long-run cost of a hybrid model with the cost of a standard model.

For analysis of current issues, try House Research, nonpartisan arm of the MN House of Representatives.  Recent topics: property taxes, DWI's, salaries of elected officials.

Apply as early as possible beginning Jan. 1 of each year.  FAFSA on the Web is the place to start for help getting organized, printing and completing forms and submitting your application online for the 2008-2009 school year. Libraries will no longer distribute the paper forms.

Schmap provides free, downloadable, digital travel guides for over 200 destinations worldwide. Includes hundreds of hotels, restaurants, theaters, museums and other attractions as well as links to local transportation, weather and events.  Favorite attractions can be bookmarked and then printed for a customized itinerary.  Updated continuously.

Information from the Republican and Democratic parties of Iowa. The First in the Nation Iowa Caucuses will be held on January 3, 2008.

The Financial Times site provides overview and analysis of the effect of the U.S. mortgage crisis on the global credit markets.  Interesting insight on global economies.

bookingbuddy quickly compares fares and other travel reservations from major online vendors including metasites like SideStep and Kayak.  Each vendor's results are displayed in a separate browser window for easy review.

"PNC calculates the Christmas Price Index each year as a fun, lighthearted way to look at the increasing cost of goods and services bought by the True Love in the holiday classic, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”   It all started 23 years ago as a way to engage clients and has since grown into one of PNC’s most popular and anticipated economic reports: The PNC Christmas Price Index. "  Brought to you by the financial services company, PNC.

The website that shows how the 2008 candidates are using the web, and how the web is using them.

"Designed for the people who use and love libraries," ILoveLibraries.org guides you in effectively using and supporting your local library. Book reviews, library news and political advocacy information is included as well.

Send a historic ecard courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society!

Merriam Webster's Word of the Year 2007 is w00t.  No, it's not in the official dictionary yet, though perhaps this is the first step.

Online learning is a positive experience for most students. It's often accelerated and requires motivation and the ability to work independently. Minnesota Online offers over 200 programs. Search online support, try a sample course, and see if this method of learning appeals to you.

Confused to what Digital Camera to buy? 
DigitalCameraInfo.com has unbiased comprehensive reviews and news that will make that choice easier.

Check here for where to dispose of your old televisions, computers, gaming and audio systems, etc in Hennepin County.  This article in Scientific American is the first of two addressing the problems of electronic devices entering the waste stream.

The newest entry on the local news scene is MinnPost, an online news site led by former Star Tribune publisher Joel Kramer.

The state of Minnesota helps you prepare with Winter Hazard Awareness Information.

PriceGrabber.com makes it easier to compare items by quality and user reviews and to check prices across stores and Web retailers.

Do you need some holiday decorating ideas? Or are you looking for holiday crafts? Browse through a list of holiday decorating books.

Want to hear some old favorites?  Television Tunes has MP3 files of thousands of TV theme songs.  You can add ones that are missing, or request that they find one for you.   There's even a game to play.

Enjoy Skiing, Snowboarding and Tubing in Three Rivers Park District, the Twin Cities' premier destination for snow activities.

The Charities Review Council can help you  "give smart"  to Minnesota charities during the holiday season,  or anytime of year.

The 2007 edition of "Understanding your Property Taxes", for taxes payable in 2008, has just been released by the Center for Public Finance Research.

This fall the USCIS introduced a redesigned citizenship test to be used starting in 2008. At USCIS.gov, you can find out which test applicants will take, see the new questions and vocabulary, read the FAQ and a comparison of content in the current vs. the new tests.

Use About.com's Genealogy for tips on creating family scrapbooks, heritage ornaments and other genealogy gifts.  Or check out Software and Novelties on Cyndislist for the latest genealogy gadgets and products.