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Sunday, December 7, 2008

Here's a selected list of Kiplinger's best Web sites for 2008.

Customer service: GetHuman.com. Chop down the phone tree. This site lists customer-service numbers for almost 800 major companies and government agencies, plus the codes to reach a live representative quickly.

Energy-savings tips: EnergyStar.gov. Audit your home for energy-wasters, figure potential savings and payback times for improvements, shop for Energy Star-rated products and even locate where to recycle burned-out compact fluorescent bulbs.

Textbooks: BigWords.com. This search tool delivers consistent savings by culling some 100 book retailers and renters worldwide. For instance, we found Introduction to Psychology, by Rod Plotnik and Haig Kouyoumdjian, which retails for about $140, at ValoreBooks.com for $70 and at Chegg.com for $47 (including shipping) for a semester-long rental.

Online coupons: RetailMeNot.com. Get access to more than 100,000 store coupons, online savings codes and shopping tips -- such as how to get a free birthday treat from Cold Stone Creamery.