(MONEY Magazine) – AUTO INSURANCE Premium hikes this year may average 9% nationally. But there is some good news, says Hussein Enan, chairman of insurance shopping site InsWeb.com. He forecasts that increases will slow by the end of 2003. Another piece of good news: A survey of more than 100,000 drivers by auto insurer Progressive found that rate spreads, or variance between companies, now average a whopping $586--so you may be able to save money if you shop around. Other strategies to cut your bill: Raise your deductible (going from a $500 to a $1,000 deductible can save up to 40%) and reduce or drop coverage options like collision and comprehensive loss on older vehicles (use Kelley Blue Book to check the current worth of your car: www.kbb.com). --CYBELE WEISSER

STUDENT LOANS Recent grads who haven't yet consolidated all their Stafford Loans should watch for the new interest-rate announcement at the end of May. That'll leave one month, until June 30, to consolidate at the current 4.06%--a record low--if the rate is going up. If you consolidate while you're still in your six-month grace period, you'll lower your rate by an additional 0.6%. Sallie Mae has details and applications at www.smartloan.com. Click on www.loanconsolidation.ed.gov for more info. --TARA KALWARSKI