By Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist, Blogging at The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

I just finished writing my annual post on the “Top 10 Consumer Stories of 2009.”

As a consumer writer, it’s so frustrating that the media, government, and even consumer organizations don’t write about this. I found many articles such as the top business stories, technology stories, entertainment stories, movies, headlines, most read stories, economic stories, science stories, health stories, and auto stories.

However, few organizations see consumers and their needs as important, except as they’re spenders in the economy to make money for businesses and corporations.

Consumers need to strengthen their role in the economy and in their communities.

Here are my suggestions for action steps for boomer consumers for 2010:

1. Join two consumer groups. Two suggestions – the Public Interest Group in your state and Public Citizen.

2. Sign up to receive e-mail recall information or an RSS feed from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

3. File consumer complaints with the Attorney General’s Office in your state or the appropriate state agency if you can’t get your complaints resolved with the business or service provider you worked with. See the Web site of the National Association of Attorneys General for information on how to contact the attorney general in your state.

4. Find three Web sites or blogs that offer consumer information and read them regularly. Three suggestions: The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide, The Consumerist, and ConsumerAffairs.com.

5. Make a savings plan and pay off your credit cards.

6. Contact your legislators and members of Congress about consumer issues, such as health care and finance reform.

7. Plan for retirement. See “Getting the Retirement You Want in Tough Economic Times” for information on retirement planning.

8. Do research before you make a major purchase or sign up for a costly service such as the installation of a new roof or home remodeling. Buy the magazine or online subscription for Consumer Reports for product information and Consumers’ Checkbook magazine for services if you live in the Puget Sound, Boston, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Twin Cities, San Francisco Bay, or Delaware Valley areas.

9. Figure out how to find out about prescription drugs so you know how to be informed when health problems come and you’re faced with choices about the drugs. Two sources of information are The People’s Pharmacy and Public Citizen.

10. Find a local or state group working to improve the environment and join their efforts.

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