Once inside the Fashion Vault, visitors will have access to the latest fashion trends, advices from style experts, and the ability to search specifically for types of fashion including what is hot for men and women, vintage clothing, brand names, and other criteria.

eBay approached celebrity stylist Annabel Tollman who dresses the likes of Jessica Simpson and Scarlett Johansson. Tollman, an admitted eBay fan already, stated “The new fashion site is perfect for girls like me who have champagne taste on a lemonade budget.” Tollman is also in good company on the site with other celebrity stylists Estee Stanley, Britt Bardo, Kate Young, and Rebecca Weinberg who offer fashion advice. Fashion trend experts Constance White and Karen Bard are billed as the site’s ‘Experts in Style’ and offer consumer shopping tops and advise through informational articles and video presentations.

eBay is also currently running a beta test for a new iPhone application to compliment the eBay Fashion section. The app will allow users to upload fashion items to sell in no time at all while on the go. Users can also browse the site and add merchandise to their ‘virtual closet’. The items from the closet can be ‘tried on’ a virtual form or the user can download their own pictures for the app. eBay expects the iPhone app to be available to consumers in May.

As shoppers are becoming more aware of the options for clothing and other fashion based on their budget, eBay’s Fashion Vault makes it easier for consumers to find exactly what they are looking for at the right price for their wallets. With the added benefit of celebrity stylists and fashion experts, budget-conscious shoppers will likely take advantage of eBay’s new offering.

eBay (NASDAQ: EBAY) Jumps into Frugal Fashions was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Nowadays, not only are consumer reviews apparent on retailer sites and big dogs like Amazon.com but bloggers and social media players are also happy to throw out their two cents on everything. Traditional marketing tactics are changing drastically and consumers have more instant access to buying decisions than ever before. But consumers must also be aware of how much to believe in these reviews. It is not unlikely that some reviews have been tainted to reflect only the good. Unfortunately, consumers still have to weed through what’s true.

Here are some tips for using consumer reviews to your advantage:

Know What You Need
With the wealth of information available at consumer fingertips, it is so easy to become overwhelmed. Before you start investigating reviews, it certainly helps to know what you want and more importantly, what you need. Financially speaking, a budget should be in place from the start. This will help narrow your options. For instance, if you are in the market for a car, you should know how much you can afford to pay. Also have in mind the size and style of the vehicle (ie: mini-van, family car, SUV) so you’ll further be able to pinpoint what information you need to get. You can then start visiting sites that offer information about the product you seek and subsequent consumer reviews.

Don’t Be Reviewed to Death
There is likely a ton of informative reviews on any one product so you need to really find balance n the reviews you read. Stick with sites which you are familiar and select a few different ones to read. You can easily get bogged down by the number of available sites. It can help to have a list prepared beforehand of the things you want to know. You can then select only the reviews that pertain to that subject matter. Get a mix of reviews from different sources and quit when your questions have been answered.

Trust Your Judgment
Reviews will never tell you everything. Different personalities and lifestyles can make reviews highly subjective. At some point you’ll have to trust your own judgment when it comes to making the final buying decision. Sure it’s smart to read what is being said but it is also smart to feel comfortable with only your decision and not what others have to say. Regardless of how well something worked for some other person, there is no guarantee it will work the same for you.

Consumer Reviews and How to Use ‘Em was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Here are the common tricks of the trade to get you to part with your money you should be avoiding:

Overdraft Charges on Debit Cards

While many consumers have cut back on credit card use, they still use debti cards for the convenience. However, this time around you can find yourself paying big for a little mistake. Overdraft charges on debit cards used to be hard to come by as the financial institution would reject a charge that put the account over the limit. Nowadays, companies will clear the transaction then charge up to $40 for the service in addition to the amount you overdrafted. Shoppers who are not aware of the overdraft can rack up a lot of additional debt in one shopping trip.

Gift Cards

This trick can hurt your gift recievers more than you which doesn’t make for a nice gift. If you plan to give gift cards, be sure you know the terms. Many gift cards now come with a multitude of fees for different reasons, including inactivity charges and transaction fees. These fees take away from the value of the gift card and many times the card holder is aware of the limitations and additional fees.

Extended Warranties

When you purchase electronics and the like, you will more than likely be aksed at the register to purchase an extended warranty. Shoppers may have the unfair advantage of not understanding what the regular warranty is and being questions while in a hurry may result in an extended warranty purchase that wasn’t necessary.

Fees To ReShelve

Some companies are now charging consumers a percentage simply to restock the item if it has been returned in anything other than a factory sealed package it came in. The restocking fees can range from 15-20% and is deducted from any refund you may be expecting.

Unsure on Returns

If you purchase a gift you are not entirely sure will fit or is needed, you might find it difficult to return the item. Some companies are getting much more strict about their return policy terms, especially online stores.

Avoid Holiday Tricks at the Mall was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Toys in particular are being found to pose various health threats to kids. Choking on small parts is one of the leading causes of toy recalls and injuries or death. Many consumers have been misunderstanding the warning labels on products. They have assumed that toys declared as safe for children 5+ relates to the ability level of the child. In reality, the age guideline refers to the presence of small parts that could be a choking hazard.  Child experts instruct parents to use an empty roll from toliet paper to gauge what size toy and toy parts can be a danger to kids. If it fits in the cardboard tube, it can fit down a child’s throat.

Choking isn’t the only concern when it comes to toys. There have been several large recalls of toys that have tested positive for excessive lead contamination and other toxic chemicals. Toys made especially for infants and young toddlers who put everything in there mouths are of particular concern. These contaminated and toxic toys can cause long-lasting health affects and disabilities even when exposure is brief. Additionally, there are toys are the market that have sounds which play at excessively high decibel levels and can cause hearing damage or loss to young children.

Parents and those shopping for children are cautioned to pay close attention to the list of recalls on toys before they start their Christmas shopping. While children may covet a specific item, it is much better to be safe than sick. For those consumers who are unsure of which toys are safe and which have concerns, the website Toy Safety has been establish to help answer questions and shed light on common issues with toys.

Consumers are encouraged to shop for toys based on age-appropriateness and not solely make decisions based on costs or wants. Safety issues have been on the rise and recently a new law called Consumer Protection Safety Improvement Act has been established. The new law bans small parts in toys that are produced for kids under the age of 3. It also requires that manufacturers place explicit warning labels on toys that are developed for kids up to 6 years of age.

Toy Shopping Not Child’s Play was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Black Friday is traditionally known as the biggest shopping day of the year. With the state of the current economy still at a low point, how did Black Friday 2009 shape up? Did consumers bring the ka-ching to the nation’s retailers or has Black Friday turned red?

Overall, retailers made some major changes in their Black Friday preparations this year. After slow sales last year forced many retailers to slash prices just before the Christmas holiday to clear inventory, retailers were more cautious this year on how much inventory they had in stock. Last year, the registers showed a 3.4% drop in sales over previous Black Friday receipts, but the expectation this year was raised to only a 1% drop in sales, according to The National Retailer’s Association. Overall projections for Black Friday sales were $437.6 billion. On a bright note, consumer spending was up .7% in October, according to the Commerce Department. This percentage was better than expected.

Shoppers were out in full force this year, but many seemed to be keeping a close watch on how they spent their shopping dollars. Most shoppers were definitely looking for items that were a good deal. Typical shoppers were expecting plenty of sales still to come before the Christmas holiday.

Online shopping is seeing a surge as well, although here too, consumers were looking for the best deals. Last year, Cyber Monday, the Monday after Black Friday, was the day online sales came out in full force. This year, Cyber Black Friday was part of the overall shopping mania. Many Cyber Black Friday deals will run through the weekend, but by Cyber Monday, shoppers may be looking at empty wallets, due to all the early sales.

Retailers were harnessing the power of social media outlets like Facebook to broadcast sales with special promotional codes and text messages being sent out to those who signed up on the social media giant. This year’s early promotions of Black Friday, including early sales, prompted many new Black Friday shoppers this year, who were lured out to the malls for the first time to join the crush.

While the shopping was heavy, many Black Friday veterans were foregoing the video games, toys and electronics of years gone by and sticking more to the basics, like clothing, sports gear and watches. The tighter economy has caused many shoppers to spend their holiday dollars on practical gifts rather than just fun and games.

Did the Economy Sound the Death Toll for Black Friday? was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

The fees and penalties may have become a standard part of the gift card industry, but many consumers were clueless about the extent of rules with gift cards. They assume that by buying a card at face value, nothing besides an actual purchase could take away the value amount. However, for many consumers who set cards aside after the holidays and found them during the next holiday season, there was dismay when the monthly charges and penalties were discovered without ever having used the card.

The new rules are coming into play as the Federal Reserve was increasingly criticized for not protecting consumers when it came to the unfair practices of gift cards. The new rules proposed include  limiting fees for not using the card and allowing gift cards to remain active and not expire for at least a 5 year period after purchase. These rules would also apply to gift certificates, retailer gift cards, and prepaid credit cards. Regulations would require that dormancy fees be clearly explained and applied only after at least one year from the date of purchase and only at the rate of one time per month.

The measure is based on the credit card legislation already approved by Congress and requires that the Federal Government make an approval on the gift cards by February 2010 with the rules becoming effective in mid-August 2010. Any gift card sold before the August date would not have to adhere to the new rules.

As consumers regularly purchase gift cards as gifts for others, it is important for both the giver and the receiver have an understanding of what, if any, fees would be part of a gift card purchase. As a buyer, double check with the card issuer to be that you understand the fee structure and any expiration dates associated with the card. In many cases, the cards or accompanying paperwork does not clarify these points. When you do exchange a gift card that has limits or fees, be sure the receiver has a full understanding of those issues as well. Encourage them to use the card as soon as possible to avoid losing monetary value due to charges and penalties.

New Regulations for Gift Card Holders was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Overdrafts and Fees
Banks are used to charging overdraft fees (also called Non-Sufficient Funds – NSF fees), they have been doing it for years.  But what is particularly bothersome about this is that the overdraft fees are very expensive.  In fact, they usually top $30.00.  Then, in addition to that retailers add on their own fees which can be as much as $25.00.  Also, a common practice is to try to re-submit the charge again by the retailer.  That results in another fee.  You can have charges of around $100 real quick in this scenario.

Also, banks have begun to offer automatic overdraft protection.  But what this does is prevents them from just rejecting the transaction, and instead allowing it so that they can charge the fees.

Lining Bank’s Coffers
This practice by banks has them raking in more in overdraft fees than they collect on credit card fees.  It has become a big profit center for them and there is nothing that you can do about it.  Most banks will not renegotiate these fees down.  They stand behind their written policies while you drown in a sea of charges that straps you financially.

Security Concerns
Another concern for debit card use is the inherent security risks involved.  This is because debit cards do not have the security protections that credit cards provide.  If you have unauthorized charges on your debit card, then you are out that money unless you can discover who used your card and retrieve the money through legal means.  And the chances of that happening are slim to none.

Consumers are using debit cards more frequently than credit cards these days, so the need to understand the risks and then avoid them is real and necessary.
The federal government is looking at enacting legislation that protects against the usurious nature of the banks practices.  Until then, it is more than likely that you will experience an event such as these on your accounts.  At least knowing the risks should help you be more vigilant with your accounts.

Consumer Debit Card Use Getting Expensive was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Compared to last year, a prediction of a similar buying season is not good for retailers who went all out to produce some of the best shopping incentives ever during this time of year.  But, even so, it would be better than the drop of over 2 percent that they experienced last year.

While there are small signs that the economy has reached a bottom and may be on its way back up, it takes time for the effects to reach the wallets of consumers.

The Stumbling Blocks
The big three economic events continue to be a problem for consumers: lower credit availability, increased unemployment or underemployment, and higher foreclosures on homes.  Money is tight in almost every household and is going towards paying bills and down debt.

Retailer Adjustments
Most major retailers have adjusted inventory levels and lowered expenses so that they can ride out a rough holiday buying season.  What that means for consumers is that certain popular items might be hard to find for gift-giving.  Retailers are smart, though, and might have a few tricks up their sleeves that will help buyers get what they want.

Consumer Attitudes
Buyers this year might be more frugal than ever and cut back more than expected which could lead to last minute price cuts and sales in order to get registers ringing. 

The most important things on the minds of consumers when they go to shop for items are:

Price

This goes without saying, but the degree to which consumers are looking at price is higher than ever.  The bar was set low last year in the amount of discounting and shoppers will remember those prices and may react negatively if they cannot make purchases at or near those same levels.

Availability 

The worst case scenario is having a little bit of money, but not being able to get what you want.  Look for many alternative options for buyers of a particular item that is out-of-stock.

Quality 

 Quality still matters, but not as much.  Most people are relying on the reputation of manufacturers and their processes to make products that last.
Should all things remain the same, gasoline prices stay at their current levels and home heating prices remain unchanged, retailers should feel grateful.  It could be a lot worse

Will the Christmas Buying Season Be Better This Year? was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Many of us are coupon clippers, hoping to save even a little bit of money on everyday needs. We also shop around for deals on different products, just in case we find a deal that seems like a steal. But sometimes these deals aren’t much of a deal at all. Here are a few tips to getting the most out of coupons and sales.

Buy One Get One Free: Depending on what you’re buying, buy one get one free may be a great deal. But don’t get caught up in the prospect of getting twice what you’re paying for least you spend money you didn’t need to spend. Sometimes the price of the item has been increased just so the company won’t lose much money on the deal. Be careful buying perishable items BOGO. Unless you plan on using them quickly, or need them in a larger quantity, you may be wasting money. If the item spoils before you ever get to use it, what was the point of getting it at a lower price?

Percentage Off: Usually these deals work out pretty well because they are straight forward. Sometimes though, you have to read the fine print. It may be 30% off, but only after you spend a certain amount of money. This may tempt you to buy more than you originally needed just to get the discount, but is it really worth it? Don’t push yourself to buy something just to get the sale price. You may spend more money in the long run by trying to justify deals than if you would pay the straight price for the item you actually need.

Clipping Coupons: If you want to save money with coupons, try clipping them for things that you know you will need, not just the cheapest things that you can find in the coupon list. You may also need to be careful with certain coupons, because they apply the same tactic as percentages off. It may be thirty cents for a can of olives after you buy three other cans. You will end up buying more of an item than you need or want just to meet the requirements set forth in the coupon.

Free Gift: Don’t buy something just because it comes with a free gift. Chances are this gift is something that you don’t really need, or it is not worth the cost of the product you bought. This may seem like a steal, but most times is not worth the paper on which the deal is printed. The one place that may be great for free gifts with is with the purchase of cosmetics in major retail stores.. In this case you may be able to secure a brand name product, either cosmetics or fragrances as a gift along with your purchase.

Don’t be suckered in with certain deals. Read the fine print, and shop wisely. When it comes to getting a good deal you could either save a lot of money or end up spending more than you originally planned or needed to in the first place.

It Is Only A Deal If You Save Money was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

As more families are creating and abiding by budgets, kids may feel a bit anxious or resentful about not being able to get the things they want – or at least feel they should have. One of the important ways to bridge this emotional gap with kids is to discuss it and work out a budgeting plan that allows kids to take part in the responsibilities of family finances. Clothing is just one example of things kids will ask for but since it is also a basic necessity, we will use clothing as our example.

Create a Kid Budget
Even though the family as a whole works on an established budget, there is no reason you can not establish a budget within a budget and teach your children the real value of money. Setting a budget limit for each month will help your child understand that they need to take time to think about what they need and control their impulse buys at a young age – or they will end up having to go without.

Decide on Money Earning Opportunities
By simply giving a child money to use with their budget, you will miss a key learning experience about the real value of money. Instead, use the experience to get your child used to earning their own money. Even 5 year olds can earn money by working around the house, doing simple chores such as folding washclothes or dusting the tables. The older the child, the more responsibilities, the more money you pay.

Teach Smart Shopping
Once your budget has been created and the income potential has been established, it is time to take it one step further and teach your child how to spend their hard-earned money wisely. Help them to identify what items they want and then work with them to find the best prices. Use store fliers or the internet price comparison sites. Let them know that just because one store has a certain price tag, doesn’t mean another store will have a better deal. Kids will likely enjoy learning about shopping and most importantly, they will enjoy the time they are spending with you.

Teach Money Management
just because you set your kids up with a budget, make sure you continue to work with them until they can understand how to manage their money. You want to make sure they understand thinking ahead about what they will need to make sure they can afford it all. You want them to understand that blowing all of their cash on that cool pair of sneakers will leave no money for their new jeans for the school dance.

Provide Incentives
Kids who pay attention to your money lessons and who learn to follow their budget can be rewarded with a little something extra from mom and dad. Maybe your child has been wanting that new jacket at the mall and have been working to save up. As a bonus, you can kick in what you can afford to help their savings progress. This teaches kids that with dedication and hard work, bonuses do come.

Relax on Your Opinions
Kids love to express themselves and generally fashion is their mode for self-expression. When you give your child responsibility for saving for and buying their own clothing, you, as a parent , need to relinquish some of your own control and allow your child to buy what they want to buy. Chose your battles wisely if you disapprove with some of the purchases. Children need to make some mistakes to keep learning lessons about money and life in general.

Teach Values While Shopping for Your Kid’s Clothes was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Games are a favorite evening or rainy day past time and are easy to pack resulting in together time and fun for kids and adults alike.

Pictionary Man^TMis the perfect gift for families, offering a contemporary twist on two old favorites – Pictionary and Charades. The new Pictionary Man  is a 3D-figure complete with accessories that are all made of “dry-erase” material, eliminating the need for paper, which is perfect for traveling. The figure digitally displays game clues on the bottom of his foot as players are challenged to bring the clue to life by drawing on “the Man” and his accessories as well as acting out the phrase so team members can guess the right answer! This is truly a great update on a known game and its use of “the Man” makes it the perfect size for traveling. Retail Price: $29.99  Age: 14+

UNO Flash^TM is a new electronic version of a classic game to pack on vacations. The element of speed is added now with a built-in timer and resulting in a new level of excitement for this classic game. Either the new UNO Flash or the classic card game provide some great one on one time together adding additional fun along the way. Retail Price: $29.99  Age: 7+

Apples-to-Apples® game is the wild, award-winning party game of hilarious comparisons and is a great choice for group play on vacation. Using the cards to “compare apples to apples,” each round of the game is filled with surprising and outrageous comparisons. This interactive game is easy to learn and fast-paced and is perfect to take along where lots of family members will be together. Retail Price: $24.99  Age: 12+  

Scene It?® Disney Channel Edition is the ultimate gift for any tween girl hooked on the Disney Channel shows. Just like its adult versions, this Scene It game is interactive, entertaining and fun for all. This is one game where the kids might overtake the grown ups! This trivia game features Disney Channel shows, including “The Suite Life of Zach and Cody,” “Hannah Montana,” “High School Musical” and many more! When traveling, another option is to take along the DVD and not the board game for a trivia game version with less pieces, but the entire game is easy to pack along. Retail Price: $34.99  Age: 8+ 

The High School Musical 3 DVD Game combines trivia, video clips, outtakes, songs and dances from all three of these popular movies. Players are sure to become Wildcats as they compete in different categories and test their knowledge of each of the High School Musical movies! For those traveling to Walt Disney World over the holidays, this game will keep the HSM parade at Hollywood Studios alive after your trip ends! Retail Price: $19.99  Age: 8+  Available: Fall 2008

Hannah Montana 2 DVD Game features Hannah Montana during her second year of high school with this performance-based DVD game. The new DVD game features real clips, trivia, songs and dance moves from the second season of the hit Disney Channel show. Even moms and dads might show off their Hannah Montana alter egos in this interactive game. Retail Price: $19.99  Age: 6+

The DVD based games are great for car travels too as they can be played in the back seat helping the hours pass during holiday travels resulting in less “are we there yet” questions. When packing up the car and suitcase on the way to grandma’s house, be sure to select a game or two to help provide some interactive family fun together this holiday season.

What is your favorite game to take along on car trips or vacations?

Photo Credits: Mattel.com

Black Friday Shopping: Games Make Great Travel Take-Alongs was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

It is almost hard to believe Thanksgiving is almost upon us and Christmas is right around the corner. While both holidays bring immediate images of families and friends gathering together to celebrate, they can also bring serious concerns about finances, especially when it comes to holiday shopping bills.

Black Friday occurs the day after Thanksgiving where department stores and malls open at ungodly early hours of the morning, promising bargains galore and chaos in the aisles. Some people thrive on the annual tradition and can not wait to hit the stores before the sun comes up.  Because the stores are so busy on Black Friday and shoppers are frantic to find and take home all of the deals they can, there can be a strong tendency to overspend and not pay any attention to the amount of money being put out. The best way to deal with the craziness of a Black Friday shopping spree is to be prepared.

Here are some tips for preparing for the Black Friday rush:

Create a Shopping List

While there may be some instances where a deal comes along that is too good to pass up, it is important you start with a good idea of what you need to buy and how much you need to spend for the holidays on each person. You shouldn’t hit the mall without first understanding your spending limits. With all of the craziness of the Black Friday shopping festivities, it can be entirely too easy to pick up impulse buys at every turn.

Seek Out the Bargains Ahead of Time

Most of the ads will be available on Thanksgiving Day. However, many stores will start advertising the upcoming Black Friday specials prior to the holiday. You can also browse online at sites like Black Friday that gives a sneak peek at the special sales. Take notes as to what places you need to shop and what items you are looking for in each store.

Price Check

Just because there is a good price in one store, doesn’t mean there isn’t a better price in another. Check around for the best prices and don’t forget to find out which stores are offering the best deals and during what time period.

Bring Your Sales Fliers

Some stores will accept competitor’s pricing for the same merchandise. It may be worth it to toss your sales circulars into your purse in case you find something you need at one store and find that another store has better pricing. It can save you a ton of travel and shopping time.

Shop Online

Beat the crowds completely and don’t leave your home. Online shopping websites will also offer Black Friday deals, much like their chain store counterparts. The good news is there are no battles in the aisles over merchandise, no long lines to stand in. and you are more likely to buy only what it is you are looking to buy for the holidays.

Tips for Holiday Shopping on Black Friday was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

As an adult, the layaway plan was a great way to afford Christmas for my daughter and extended family. Alas, Walmart did away with the layaway plan in 2006, making it much harder for me and tons of others without credit cards to get through the holiday season.  Because of the credit fiascos hitting around the nation, more retailers are bringing back the layaway plan, while some stores like Kmart and Burlington Coat never stopped the process. It may take some time for other places to catch on and once again offer this convenient service to their customers. In the meantime, there is an online service called eLayaway that uses the same concept of shopping for the merchandise you want then “laying it away” as you make regular payments during a set timeline (between 3 and 12 months) until the total bill is paid off. The payments are automatically deducted from your bank account and the merchandised will be shipped to you soon after your last payment is made.

eLayaway offers a “mall” where you can shop at over 1000 vendors or consumers can shop through the site’s Merchant Network. Membership to the site is free. There are several advantages to using the eLayaway  First, shoppers do not have to worry about becoming overextending on credit during the shopping season, or at any time of the year.  Your payment plan can be set to fit your own financial needs and the payments are automatically deducted from your account so you don’t have to remember to drive to the store or mail in a payment. It is a good resource for people on a budget who carefully must watch every dollar spent. eLayaway allows you to plan ahead for your shopping instead of having to spend large sums all at one time. You also can shop from the convenience of your home, without having to waste gas or battle crazed shoppers during the busy shopping season. If you choose to cancel your layaway plan, it will cost you $25, without further obligation.

Check out the website and take a look through the different merchants and mall stores that participate in this program. You may be surprised at the places you can shop and still stay within your budget, especially if your local stores are no longer offering this convenient service.

The Resurgence of Layaway May Save Your Holiday was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Never Too Late to Save

While many consumers have gotten in the habit of starting a Christmas Club early in the game, many more either do not think about it in time or feel they have no money to spare. But whatever the case, even $5 a week will make a dent in your shopping needs. But for those who haven’t yet saved, there is still time. Take the remaining amount of months left until the shopping season (August to November = 3 months). Consider the amount of money you think you will spend on gifts and other holiday-specific needs and divide it by three to gain a better understanding of how much money you need to tuck away each month.

Never Too Early to Shop

While a budget may prevent a lot of miscellaneous spending, there may be benefit in purchasing items you find on sale. If you are lucky enough to find great sales on your gift ideas, make sure you keep track of what you have purchased and for whom. Don’t just throw it into a closet and forget about it until the week before Christmas or you will likely overspend on other gifts that weren’t even needed. In addition to spending a little bit at a time instead of one lump sum, you also have the advantage of finding items easier as opposed to when they are in the highest demand. By giving your self more time, you’ll also come up with better and more unique Christmas gift ideas.

Nothing Wrong with A Gift from the Heart

If you have enough time because of early planning, you may be more inclined to create gifts for others. There is no rule that says all gifts must be store bought and with the exception of some children, many people would be delighted with a homemade gift from the heart. This approach can only work if you start early so there is no rush to bring the project to completion. If you are a knitter, a woodworker, or craftsperson, there are a wide-range of items that could be worked on. Anyone with a hobby can turn a little time and effort into big savings.

Never Too Early to Think About Santa was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Carnival offers sailings departing from Port Canaveral and Miami with Nassau, Bahamas as the port of call. Ships depart port on Friday afternoon and arrive in the Bahamas early Saturday morning. This allows for a full day to take in the sights, sounds and culture of the Bahamas.  Ships depart early Sunday morning and spend the day leisurely sailing back to their departure ports arriving early Monday morning. 

A variety of amenities are available on Carnival ships for all types of passengers. Camp Carnival provides activities for children ranging from board games to talent shows all under the watchful eyes of certified counselors. Spa and fitness facilities rival many land based resorts with rejuvenating treatments and the latest in workout equipment.  Entertainment choices abound in the form of comedians, live music and dance and seminars in the onboard lounges and meeting rooms. Fun for all ages is the theme on Carnival’s “Fun” ships.

For Royal Caribbean’s short escapes, the vessel also ports in Nassau with an added bonus port of CocoCay, the cruise line’s private island located in the Berry islands chain.  Passengers have exclusive use of the island and all of its offerings. Powdery white sand with swaying palms and turquoise water set the stage for this stop. A variety of water sports from jet skiing to parasailing are offered for the thrill seeker, along with kayaks and snorkeling for those looking to be more in touch with nature.

Fairly new is a racetrack with battery powered ATV’s for small children. Food and drinks are plentiful at the beachside BBQ lunch and the many tiki hut bars served by ships personnel. And, do not think that just because you are on a private island that shopping is not an option…there are a few stores on the island as well as a straw market type atmosphere, albeit on a much smaller scale. Bring cash when going on the island for any shopping souvenirs, but the ship card is required for any bar or water sport purchases.

There are numerous beach spots in CocoCay, including one offering cabanas and another that has many water sport activities, including a giant inflatable water slide (height requirement, so no young kids). Yet, despite having 2,000 people tender from the ship to the island, you can feel alone in the island by walking the paths and venturing into the water if the tide cooperates and walking along the sand bars. You truly feel as though you are in a tropical island paradise. The private island port of call that many cruise lines offer is a true vacation highlight.

These weekend sailings provide passengers with an opportunity to experience island adventure aboard a floating resort. Costs are often much less than all-inclusive, upscale beach resorts and can be enhanced with discounts offered for geographic location, age, occupation and group rates. Cabin preference and cruising season are factors that may require passengers to book months in advance to ensure availability of cabins and dates. Budget-minded passengers will often take a cabin guarantee instead of cabin assignment. This option allows for greater savings that can benefit the passenger with flexibility.

So in tight economic times, do not give up the dream of a cruise vacation. Consider a shorter itinerary that still provides all of the amenities, but for a lesser cost. The three-night cruise is a great sampler to cruising too to ensure travelers will enjoy this type of vacation without having to invest heavily.

Short Cruises Present Budget-Friendly Vacations with Full Amenities was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

 Avoid Bad-Quality Items No Matter the Cost

While it can be so tempting to buy merchandise that you can find cheaper, it is not always the best idea. Items that are made from poor quality, cheap materials may not be as durable as a more expensive counterpart. In an effort to save money, it is totally illogical to end up spending more money to replace the low quality item you purchased but can not use. Buying merchandise of quality for a higher price will result in less instances of having to replace the item down the road. Plus the total cost of the investment for replacement is most likely going to exceed the price of the original, higher quality item.

 Purchase Only What You Need

It may seem like a good idea to by food and other household items in bulk as a way of saving money. The problem lies when the amount of the items you buy can not possibly be used by just your family. Perishable items will go bad before you can use them. In the event you purchase a new item in bulk that you have never tried before and you end up hating it, you will either be out the cash you spent on the purchase or faced with the task of trying to sell it yourself if it can not be returned. Save bulk purchases for items with a long shelf life or that never spoils such as toilet paper or cleaning products.

 Stay Away From Items You’ll Never Really Use

Many consumers are guilty of spotting an incredible, one-in-a-lifetime deal that they just can not refuse to take advantage of. However, after the excitement of the best discount ever, they soon discover they have absolutely no use for a 12 slot toaster oven with radio/alarm clock. Despite the many good deals stores are offering, it is a must that you control your urge to make purchases you really don’t need in order to remain true to your frugal self.

 Do Not Always Let Prices Always Affect Your Decision

From a personal perspective, this rule of thumb has always been part of my firm frugal beliefs. My mom always said “if you’re going to eat, get it” whenever I held up something pleadingly in the grocery store. I still feel the same way. As a shopper of dollar and thrift stores, I admit there are some substitutions I will not make. While my spouse will often put back an item in favor of a cheaper version that I know will not taste the same or work as well, I always end up making the statement “if you’re going to eat it, get it”. My family knows that I will get angry should I discover something wasted. I don’t mind spending the extra cents to get a better quality product, but I will also be sure my money is well spent.

Being Frugal Doesn’t Mean Overlooking Quality was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

It takes less time. You don’t have to take the effort of driving to a grocery store, desperately looking up and down the aisles for the one or two items you just can’t seem to line and waiting forever in the checkout line. Your time has a value, and if you can save an hour or two a week by having someone else get your groceries for you, it could be worth it.

It’s better for your car. You don’t have to pay for any gasoline to get to the grocery store or have additional wear and tear on your vehicle when you have your groceries delivered to you. Instead a van will take all the deliveries for the day out and drop them off for you and anyone else who ordered groceries that day.

Impulsive purchases are avoided. When you’re picking out your groceries online, you won’t get tempted to purchase some sweets that you really don’t need. You are far removed from the items that you are purchasing, so the impulsive purchases that normally occur at the grocery store just won’t happen. You’ll spend less on groceries and end up saving money in the long run.

Better Organization . When you shop for groceries online, you can easily plan out the ingredients you will need to cook for a week and order only those ingredients. It takes all the guess work out of grocery shopping. You’ll have exactly what you need and know exactly what you will be paying for it.

You will eat healthier. When all of the junk food at the grocery store isn’t right in front of your face, it is a lot easier to resist buying it. Since your further removed from your purchases, you can purchase food based on your intellect and what you know is healthy rather than the emotional cravings that hunger causes. You’ll end up getting a lot healthier food, probably without even realizing it.

Why Having Groceries Delivered To Your Door Might Make Financial Sense was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Here are some tips to help keep you and your family safe and avoid bills from the emergency room this summer.

Whether you use a gas or charcoal grill is up to your family’s preference. The one thing that rings true for both is to never leave a hot grill unattended for any period of time. Children can easily get injured playing around a grill. You also can run the risk of having a fire that gets out of control and causes damage.

To keep stomachs safe, make sure meats are cooked to proper temperature: Chicken (175 degrees), beef (160 degrees), and pork (155 degrees). Make sure all food is put in a cooler or the refrigerator after everyone has finished eating. Anything perishable left out for more than an hour should be thrown away.

When you take cooked food off of the grill, do not put it on the same plate as the raw food.

Wear oven mitts to prevent burns to your arms and hands when working around the grill. Keep away from loose fitting clothes to prevent accidental fires and more serious injuries.

After use, clean your grill and grilling accessories well. Not only will they be ready for the next time, you will get a longer life out of your grill.

Stick to the basics when buying barbeque supplies. Plan ahead for the summer and consider what would be appropriate for buying in bulk. If your family tends to cook out often during the summer, pick up supplies like paper plates, pickles, condiments, and other items that are non-perishable and keep them in the pantry for impromptu gatherings.

Buy meats that are on sale. Use different marinade recipes to spice up the flavor of the foods.

Skip the pre-made burgers at the supermarket. Instead, make burgers at home and save money. Just remember to pat gently when forming the burger so you don’t squeeze out all of the moisture.

Don’t spend money on sugary soft drinks. Instead make homemade lemonade or iced tea to refresh your thirst or just drink plain ice water.

Summer Barbeque Safety and Savings was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Unless you are aware of the weight of your favorite products, you may not have noticed the difference. Consumer experts advise that in order to judge the true cost of what you are buying, you should always read the labels on the packaging and read the unit cost for each item which can be found on the price label on the shelf. For example, the unit price of paper towels will tell you what you are paying for each individual towel. It is a better gauge to determine what you are really paying than just looking at the total price, especially if you haven’t noticed the size decrease. Saving at the grocery store is difficult enough and with less product for more money it is now more important than ever to read labels and really understand what you are paying.

Of course, each company has their own reasoning and defense when asked about why the size of their products has become smaller. Most cite “keeping up with the competition”. The reality for the consumer is that you may be glad the prices aren’t increasing without knowing about the differences in product size. Do not be afraid to take a little notebook along to the grocery store with you and jot down different product information that you can review later. It will also help you to monitor prices in the future.

IT’S TRUE! SIZE REALLY DOES MATTER was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

A friend of mine uses this system for everything, including presents that she purchases outside the realm of grocery and healthcare items. She has a series of envelopes stored in a safe in her home. Every year she marks a series of envelopes with the name and birth date of everyone she buys for, along with special envelopes for the new purse, new shoes, or whatever other item she considers a luxury, and the amount she intends to spend.  There are also envelopes earmarked for her vacation funds and any side trips she plans to take.

Every pay day, a set amount of money is taken from the paycheck and distributed equally into each envelope. The amount she takes from her check has been pre-determined based on her bills and other budget considerations. The amount is not that large each two weeks, but over time it builds up. When she has saved the amount of cash she needs to make the purchase, she goes shopping! She shops without the guilt, without the credit card bills, without the worries of being able to afford it. She doesn’t worry about being able to buy gifts for loved ones and she never misses a birthday or special occasion.

While it may take longer to actually buy the item you desire, financially it is well-worth the wait. Impulse buys are ceased and there is plenty of time to mull the purchase over beforehand. It also makes it easier to focus on saving money. If you have a set goal of $200 to buy the new television set you want, it is easier to focus on that $200.

If you are living on a tight budget, think of simple ways to supplement your income in order to contribute more money to your envelopes. Mow the neighbor’s lawn, cook dinner for an elderly couple, or run errands for a busy parent. You may not get rich from odd jobs but you can certainly fill up your envelopes faster.

HOW TO BUY BIG-PRICED ITEMS ON A STRICT BUDGET was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

There are a number of websites that exist solely to provide their site visitors with coupon codes and discounts – for a wide variety of categories.  Basically, you could stop at one of these coupon/discount websites, select a category that represents what you need to buy, and see a list of available coupons or discounts for those items.  What I found was a website offering marvelous discounts for Macy’s, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Kohl’s and other Internet department stores.

The #1-Coupons.com site surprised me because of how many stores they had listed. I very rarely buy anything myself without looking to see if I can get it cheaper somewhere else, or find a coupon, but this site has saved me quite a bit of time because it’s all in one spot.

I shop at Walmart a lot- both in the store and on the website.  Using $1-Coupons site, I was able to get coupon codes to save $12 on The Secret, a book that I’ve been dying to buy, at Walmart; and all of my Easter supplies from Oriental Trading Company at great prices that my local retailers couldn’t even touch.  Then I needed to get a baby shower gift for my sister in law; so I got her two sets of crib bedding, with a Babies R Us- buy one get one offer through the coupon site.

The offers on the site are all offers provided directly from the actual retail stores; but it just gives you a convenient way to see the various discounts and online coupons available to you without spending time searching for them all over the net.

Shopping Online Can Offer Additional Coupons and Discounted Offers was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

At an even six foot since I was about 12, shopping for clothes has always been a nightmare. Pants were never long enough, sleeves were always too short, and my clothing size was never proportionate to my body type. I never received clothing as presents because the women in my family were of average height. In order to have pants that reached past the ankles, I would need to wear pants that were just huge in the waist. It was frustrating, humiliating, and incited a lot of name calling. I can not bear to hear the words “high” and “water” in the same sentence. I could not shop in regular stores because they never carried my size. Alternatively, I sometimes resorted to wearing boy’s clothes because they just fit better. I had checked out many online sites and was disgusted to see that many actually charged extra money for the extra length. How unfair is that? Also, it seemed stores that catered to tall people mostly carried only men’s products.

It wasn’t until a few years ago, browsing through Walmart, did I discover that manufacturers had finally got a clue. I found Levi Jeans had been produced in height sizes (petite, average, and tall). I was beside myself when I discovered they fit perfectly and were relatively inexpensive (under $18). There was no surcharge for the extra two inches of material. Other brands, including Faded Glory, New York & Company, and some of the bigger retail department stores, began following suit. Kimora Lee Simmons, creator of the Baby Phat line, also produces a clothing line fit for the taller folk. Ms. Simmons herself stands at 6’0 and was probably just as sick of the options she faced before gaining notoriety and wealth. I finally had options after so many years of torture. There are still only a handful of places I can depend on for pants with more than a 34″ inseam that do not cost an arm and an extra long leg.

There are still many websites that carry tall woman’s clothing. While I still hate shopping, I am always interested in finding out what companies are interested in dressing taller woman at reasonable prices. I found a website that intrigued me because it provides information about more than just clothing; it covers a whole range of topics important to tall woman. http://www.tallwomen.org/clothes/usa/  is the direct link to page that lists companies that carry tall sizes. When you are done shopping, be sure check out the other sections of the site for some really good reading, whether you are a tall woman yourself or not.

TALL GIRLS UNITE: THERE IS FINALLY CLOTHING THAT FIT RIGHT was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

The most convenient feature is the shopping list, located to the right of the screen. As you scroll through the various categories and find something you are interested in, you simply click the “Add to List” button and the product appears on the customizable list. You can continue adding items and once you are finished reviewing the products, you can quickly print out your custom shopping list. You can also email the list for your convenience. Your shopping list contains all of the information including product, price, sale end date, quantity and reward card requirements, as well as the name of the participating store. The list is broken down alphabetically by store.

Other information available on mygrocerydeals.com includes the Nutri-Know section that contains each product’s nutritional information and looks similar to the nutrition and ingredient charts found on the product packaging. For added savings, the Coupon Gallery allows you to seek out traditional clipped coupons which you can print at home and redeem at any participating store.

mygrocerydeals.com allows both members and non-members (guests) the ability to search for sales information and print shopping lists and coupons. Registration is free and the advantage members have over non-registered guests is essentially time savings. By creating a profile and customizing stores options, creating future shopping lists will be easier and manageable.

Not long ago I was wishing I could find just such a website. I personally found this site to be extremely helpful because there are certain stores I will shop in for select deals. Using the mygrocerydeals.com site is the perfect way for me to stay up-to-date on the sales and more importantly, I can create an easy-to-read shopping list to take with me each time. The website is very easy to navigate and simply to understand. Not only is the site good for beginners new to the computer world, it also makes shopping and saving a whole lot easier for time-sensitive people like myself.

WEBSITE REVIEW: mygrocerydeals.com was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

1. Download the Upromise Toolbar, even if you don’t need college money. Upromise.com has a free toolbar you can use to find the best deals on absolutely any NEW product you could possibly want. By simply typing the name of the product you are looking for, you will be given a list of thousands of matching items, prices, and the stores where you can buy your desired product. Once you have your list, you can then narrow it down by features, lowest price, brand, store, and cash rebate amount. With just a few clicks, you can find the absolute best deal whether you decide to buy it from www.Upromise.com or another website.

2. SIGN UP FOR A FREE EBATES.COM OR SAVINGSWATCH.COM ACCOUNT. Although I have no experience with www.SavingsWatch.com, many of my readers have commented that it is an excellent website to purchase products from and receive large rebates in return. I do, however, have a history with www.Ebates.com and I know that they do pay you on a quarterly basis no matter how little or how large your earnings are. Once you have found the best deals on Upromise.com, pop over to Ebates.com or Savingswatch.com to buy the product for the price you’ve found and receive up to an additional 30% off. By doing so, you will always get the best prices and make a little extra cash back on the side. (Right now, Ebates.com is having a sign-up special. If you have a friend who has an Ebates.com account, enter their email address to earn $5 instantly for you and your friend.)

3. SHOP AT HALF.COM FOR CHEAP BOOKS, MOVIES AND CDS. www.Half.com is an eBay company that allows everyday people to post their new and used books, music and movies for sale without paying a posting fee. A customer can then purchase the item for as little as $0.75 and spend approximately $3 for shipping and handling. Within one to two weeks, the items are delivered to your door. Compared to walking into a book or movie store, you can save a lot of money over a relatively short period of time. Just be sure to read the condition comments to avoid any surprises, and only buy from sellers with a good rating.

4. SHOP AT EBAY FOR MANY OTHER ITEMS (AND COUPONS). Since I mentioned Half.com, I may as well bring up www.eBay.com as well. Just like Half.com, you can find a wide variety of new and used products that people have put up for auction. Also just like Half.com, be sure to buy from sellers with good ratings and email them requesting details should you require more information. One more thing to look for at eBay would be coupons. Many people get hold of coupons for everything from travel to groceries, and you can purchase those coupons and save yourself a whole lot of money.

5. USE COMPETITOR PRICING TO DRIVE A HARD BARGAIN. Whether you are an entrepreneur trying to get the best pricing on your business purchases or a thrifty shopper, you can use competitor’s pricing to your advantage. By getting quotes from one company and presenting them to the place where you normally make your purchases, you can get your favorite stores to consider lowering the price just for you. In fact, many large department stores (like Sears and Home Depot) have price matching policies. They will often meet or beat a competitor’s pricing on a product, but only if you can present an ad listing the item you wish to buy. Just be aware, it has to be exactly the same item to get the best deal. Not only will this get you the best pricing, but it will also get you the best financing deals with companies you may already have credit with. (Check out competitor’s websites for printable weekly ads if you don’t receive the newspaper.)

6. USE COUPONS AND REBATES TO SAVE EVEN MORE. Many office supply stores have an “online rebate center” where you can see all the rebates being offered for their in-store and online products. It’s a great place to start when looking to make a large purchase. www.Coupons.com and www.Smartsource.com both offer hundreds of manufacturers coupons every month on grocery store products. www.Wow-Coupons.com offers rebates and coupons for restaurants, travel, retail and grocery items. Sign up for newsletters at your favorite shops and websites and you will soon receive exclusive coupons via mail and e-mail.

7. BECOME AN AFFILIATE. If you have a website, join an affiliate company. Not only will it help you supplement your monthly income when your friends, family and customers make purchases through your websites, but it will also help you find the absolute best deals on anything you want. One really good company to join for free is Commission Junction (www.cj.com). You can immediately search for thousands of products and make your selections based on price, available coupons, and commission. Every time you net $25, they mail you a check the following monthly pay period. By doing so, you can easily “earn” hundreds of dollars per year while also finding the best prices.

8. ALWAYS SHOP THE CLEARANCE SECTIONS. There is one in every store, and you can save as much as 80% off of regular-priced items by browsing this section first. Several times a year, the stores will slash clearance prices even lower to clear away out-of-season products and make room for new products. January, especially, is a great time to begin your search since stores over-purchased items for the Christmas Season.

9. TRADE SERVICES FOR WHAT YOU NEED. If you know someone who offers a product or service you need (like website development or video production), offer to trade services with them. Look for a need they have which you might be able to provide free-of-charge in exchange for something you need free-of-charge. This kind of win-win situation benefits everyone.
   

Try some of these tips today and see how much money you are able to save. Don’t forget to read article one in this series (“Keep Your Money to Yourself – Part 1: Cut Your Expenses”) to save even more. Also look for article 3, “Keep Your Money for Yourself – Part 3: Supplement Your Income” where I show you a few simple things you can do instantly to supplement your income.

Keep Your Money for Yourself – Part 2: Get the Best Deals was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

I do the same thing for kid’s birthdays. What kid doesn’t like to open up a ton of gifts? For the little ones, quantity always seems to overpower quality. I wrap up bath supplies, hair do-dads, art and crafts supplies in a pretty basket or container that can also be put to good use for things like toys basket or a rock collection. This prevents repeated gifts at the party and also is something parents don’t have to buy. For the same amount of money as the latest video game or doll (which the kid probably has anyway), you can fill up a whole basket with presents. For the holidays, I personally, request a laundry basket full of cleaning supplies. Not only do I get a brand new basket every year, the supplies tend to last me a long time and I often get to try out items I never would have bought myself.

Another money-saving advantage of giving such practical gifts is that it allows me to stock up on items I find when they are on sale. I can keep things on hand in case I forgotten something and never feel panicked, having to go to the mall before an event. Times are getting tougher and families are struggling just to make ends meet. The added pressure of buying gifts can be eased if you think more practically. And always remember, it truly is the thought that counts.

How to Give Gifts that Are Inexpensive and Practical was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

To be truly successful at giving gifts to women, you just need to remember three things. 1) She wants to know you cared enough to put some thought into the gift. 2) She wants to know you are giving up some of your time to give her that gift. And 3), she wants to know you are willing to spend time with her (and only her) at least one evening a year. (Of course, you do get extra points by turning an evening into a full day.)

Since Valentines Day is the obligatory male-female day of connection that comes but once a year, it is especially important to prove your love on that day. If you “forget” or “just don’t want to give into another day created by Hallmark,” points will be deducted in a big way. However, going the extra mile doesn’t have to be expensive to curry favor…it simply has to fit within the three parameters above.

Now to be truly frugal this Valentines Day, and yet make it the best Valentines Day ever, consider turning Valentines Day into a week (or even two). Some of the ideas below can be done daily and will make the woman in your life feel like a queen without buying her the tiara. All women really want is what they see in the movies…an expression of passion and thoughtfulness.

1. GIVE HER ONE FLOWER A DAY FOR TWO WEEKS: Every day, deliver any kind of flower to her in a unique and thoughtful manner. Stick them under her windshield wiper, in the toothbrush holder, in the fridge (and so on) and you will delight her each time she finds it. That’s because you are going out of your way to 1) come up with ideas, and 2) get the flowers (even though you really just stole them from your neighbor’s garden). At the end of two weeks, she will have a lovely bouquet and fourteen days of enchanting memories.

FOR EXTRA POINTS: Put a flower under her windshield wiper when she’s at work or an appointment and she will know that you went way out of your way as soon as she sees it.

1. STICK POST-ITS DECLARING YOUR LOVE FOR HER ALL OVER THE HOUSE. Put one in her coat pocket, in her purse, on the visor in her car, in her planner, etc. This is something you can do all at once, yet she will find these notes over days and weeks. It’s free to do, but your “thoughtfulness” and the romantic sayings will get you two points per note…a win-win situation.

FOR EXTRA POINTS: Use flower-shaped or heart-shaped post-its for a little extra romance.

1. DRAW HER A BUBBLE BATH WITH CANDLES LIT ALL AROUND. I know…this is an old cliché…and yet it never grows old. Even though she may want to take the bath without you in it, you’ll get points for drawing the bath, the bubbles, and every candle you lit. Throw some rose petals on top of those bubbles, and you are bringing the magic of the movies into her life.

FOR EXTRA POINTS: Throw her towel in the dryer just before she’s ready to get out for that special spa treatment.

1. HAVE A MYSTERIOUS GIFT DELIVERED TO HER WORK. Make a special plan for the evening and deliver something that she will need for that event. For example, a pair of her comfortable boots for a nature hike, or one of her favorite sweaters for a night at the beach. She’ll be trying to guess all day what you have planned, which adds excitement to what may otherwise be an ordinary date. Always include a single rose.

FOR EXTRA POINTS: Make that a brand new gift and you’ll get extra points for that as well.

<!–[if !supportLists]–>5. <!–[endif]–>TAKE HER TO A ROMANTIC LOCATION FOR A PICNIC. You don’t have to be fancy with the picnic fare. Grab her favorite sandwich from Subway or some pre-made chicken and potato salad at your local grocery store. Take her someplace you might have taken her when you were teenagers…someplace where making out could be an option…and don’t forget the blanket to sit (or lay) on.

FOR EXTRA POINTS: Make that picnic occur at sunset. If the weather is cold, find an indoor location where you can watch the sunset in comfort.

Feel free to use these ideas without deviation, or brainstorm to think of a few of your own. Just remember, all the woman wants to know is that you are willing to go that extra mile…even if it is a requirement.

How to Be Cheap on Valentines Day Without Getting Your Butt Kicked was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Each time you prepare a list for the grocery store, make sure you have all the ingredients for the upcoming week’s meals. You can also organize your coupons based on your calendar. It may help reduce the time spent sorting them and encourage you to use coupons more consistently. Another advantage is you will gain a better perspective on how much you actually spend on groceries each time. You have a better idea of what to expect expense-wise.

Be creative with your meal calendar. Just because you are planning ahead doesn’t mean you need to fall into a rut. Sit with your family and come up with some fun theme nights. Everyone will feel involved and quality time with the family just gets better!

Menus Aren’t Just for Restaurants was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

PayPal and a number of banks are offering one-time-use virtual debit and credit card numbers to their customers. The idea is that if you want to use your credit card but don’t completely trust the website you are visiting, you can request a one-time use number and designate a maximum amount that can be charged to it. The retailer you’re dealing with can charge your card once, the money is then taken out of your account or added to the balance of your credit card, and then the card number is invalid. That way if the retailer happened to store that number for later date and it was stolen, the number wouldn’t do anyone any good.

Using one-time-use virtual account numbers is great when you’re shopping at smaller online retailers and websites you’ve never been to before. For example, I recently purchased a copy of Age of Empires II to play with a couple of friends who had the game from a small gaming website. The product was only $8.00, so I wasn’t terribly concerned about the reputation of the site. I probably wouldn’t care if I was out $8.00, but if the retailer was unscrupulous and got a hold of my credit card number that I would care about. I hopped on to PayPal’s website, got a virtual debit card number, paid for the product, and went on with my life knowing that I hadn’t opened myself to any sort of security risk.

Research the retailer you are purchasing from and make sure they are reputable before giving them any personal information. Also make sure that there is a “lock” icon in the corner of your browser when entering your credit card number. That will indicate the connection is secure and encrypted. Virtual account numbers are not a be-all and end-all of keeping you safe when shopping online, but it is another line of defense you have available and you should make use of them when it makes sense to do so.

Prevent Identity Theft with One-Time Use Virtual Credit Cards was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Think about it. A shopping cart allows you to carry around more items in the store than you would have otherwise been able to. Since you have the capability to carry more stuff around the store, you usually end up taking a lot more stuff with you and spending money that you otherweise wouldn’t have on things you simply do not need. How many times have you been in a grocery store just to get a few things and then you didn’t get one or two of the less important items or an extra 12 pack of pop because you just couldn’t carry all of it? Not having a shopping cart subconciosuly forces us to only buy the most important things that we need at the current moment.

 If we go to a big box store and intend to purchase quite a few things for groceries or around the house, we tend to buy the things that were on our lists as well as a few other things that would be nice to have or make life a bit more convenient, even though we really don’t need them. We casually throw items in the cart because the bills going to be pretty big anway, so what’s the harm in one or two more items?

In some cases, using a shopping cart is inevitable, say if your purchasing groceries for a week for a family of four. In the case that you are a single person only buying groceries for yourself for the week, consider making it a rule for yourself only to carry a basket isntead of a cart. You will be able to fit more than enoug food in the basket to feed you for a week, and that way you won’t be tempted to purchase a bunch of junk food, soda and beer because you won’t be able to carry it to the counter. I’ve put this into practice in my own life for almost 6 months now and have never spent more than $30 each week on groceries.

If you do not absolutely need a shopping cart for your trek to the store, don’t take one. If you have to purchase a lot of items in the store, come up with a list before hand and resolve only to purchase on the list. This way you will be less tempted to make an impulse purchase or two. By limiting the amount we carry, we will be much less tempted to pickup other items that we quite frankly do not really need.

How Shopping Carts are Stealing Money From Your Wallet was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

You Spend Less – Dunn and Bradstreet did a study a while back showing that the average purchase size on a credit card was over 10% more than the average cash purchase size. That number went up higher in some retail establishments just as fast food restaurants. Whatever the reason, when we pay cash, we end up spending less.

No Finance Charges – A lot of people use their credit cards to pay for small impulsive purchases, and over-time these add up into a big pile of credit card debt if you don’t pay on them every month. If you aren’t under some 0% APY introductory rate and just pay the minimum payments, you could easily pay for your purchase two or three times because of the finance charges that you’ll have.

No Overdraft Fees – It can be very difficult to keep track of one’s checking account with all sorts of bills that come each month, checks you forgot you wrote, and automatic drafts that come out each month. If you don’t keep a good padding of cash in there, it’s very easy to lose track of how much money you have in there and be spending money you don’t technically have. Once $20 overdraft fees start coming in left and right, it begins to hurt!

No Going Over Budget – The cool thing about paying with cash is that you can never accidentally pay too much. At the beginning of the month you can take out exactly how much you plan on spending for that month and nothing more. If you don’t carry your credit and debit cards around with you, you can never spend more than you had hoped to at the beginning of the month.

Get a Deal – If you pay for larger ticket items with cash, you can often get a great deal by paying for cash on the spot. There’s something powerful about cash when it comes to negotiation and it will be very hard for a sales person let you walk out the door when you have hundred dollar bills in your hand.

Five Reasons to Always Pay with Cash (And Throw Your Credit Cards Away) was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

The average family in the United States will spend around $850.00 on Christmas presents this year for friends, family and coworkers. That’s a huge number considering the fact that most people have very little money put away in savings, practically nothing for retirement, and lots of debts to be spoken of. The cash just isn’t there to pay for Christmas presents, so they charge them to their credit card and figure that they can take care of them at a later date, but how much are these presents really costing them?

Let’s say that you ended up spending $1,000 on Christmas presents this year and put it on a credit card with a 15.00% APR. The minimum payments you would probably expect to pay would be around $20.00 a month. Assuming you charged absolutely nothing on the card ever again, it would still take you 6 and ½ years to pay the debt off! You would also be paying an extra $579.00 in interest! Getting 10% or 15% off on a Black Friday deal doesn’t sound nearly as good when you’re paying a 58% fee to pay for your Christmas presents at a later date.

But what if you’re a “savvy” consumer and pay extra on your minimum balance? Is it okay to pay for your Christmas presents on your credit card then? Let’s take a look at the same example, but this time you are going to pay twice the minimum payment each month. It’s still going to take you two and a half years to pay for Christmas, and you’re going to pay $206.00 extra just to pay for your Christmas presents after the fact. Do you really want to be sitting 2.5 years down the road paying for your Christmas presents? How would you still like to be paying for your 2005 Christmas presents?

Fortunately there’s a better way to pay for your Christmas presents. Christmas comes in December each year, so it’s very easy to plan for. Decide how much money you want to spend on Christmas each year and divide that number by 12. Open up a separate savings account at your bank and have 1/12th of how much money you would like to spend on Christmas transferred each month to that. When Black Friday comes around each year, you can take that money out and spend it on Christmas presents. This way there’s no credit card debt to take care of after the Christmas season.

Why the Black Friday Deals You Scored Might Not Be Deals At All was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Have you ever considered that perhaps the single craziest day of the year, Black Friday, immediately follows one of the most relaxing days of the year, Thanksgiving Day? I guess we need time to relax and prepare before fighting through masses of people at 5:00 AM! On Black Friday, shoppers all across America will flock into their favorite retail stores in hopes of getting amazing deals on Christmas gifts for friends and family. If you don’t plan on sleeping in and enjoying a day off from work and are considering venturing out into the jungle of the retail world this Friday, you have to be prepared. You can get all the deals you want, save a substantial amount of money and not spend more than you were hoping for, but you have to go in with a plan.

The first thing you need to do is establish a budget for your holiday shopping. Take a hard look at your current financial situation and sincerely ask yourself what you can reasonably afford to spend on Black Friday and what you can afford to spend on Christmas presents this year. Don’t be fooled into the myth that you can’t have a good Christmas unless you spend a lot of money on gifts. People remember Christmas because they had some amazing quality time with their family, not because they got some new stuff. Come up with a reasonable amount of money that you can spend on Black Friday and who you all want to buy gifts for.

You will now want to take your Black Friday budget and head online. Google for all of the circulars for each of the major retail stores in your area. These could be big box stores, department stores, electronics stores, or just about any retailer you frequent. A good search might be something like “Best Buy Black Friday Ad” or “Target Circular Black Friday.” Chances are you’ll be able to find a copy of their advertisements if it’s not in your newspaper.

Take the circulars that you have collected and pick out which deals you want to get. Make sure the deals that you want do not exceed your budget. Write your deals down on a piece of paper to bring with yourself the next morning to serve as a checklist. Now take your checklist and prioritize it. Ask yourself if you could only get one of these deals, which would it be? Mark that as number one, and then go down through the list and prioritize them from most important to get to least important to get.

A great idea is to go get cash from the bank or an ATM machine the day before. Take out enough to buy everything that you are planning on getting and nothing more. The day of Black Friday, leave all of your credit and debit cards at home. This will prevent you from getting caught up in the excitement and rush of Black Friday and buying things that you had no intention of buying before walking into the store.

When you get up and out of bed before the crack of dawn on Friday morning, take your list and go to the store that has the deal that you want to get the most, go and get it and move on down your list. If the store is out of the particular deal you want, that’s okay. There are other shopping days in the year besides Black Friday. You can worry about getting a present for that person some other time. Just go down the list and try to get the next deal as quickly an efficiently as possible. Keep shopping until your list runs out or the Black Friday sales are over.

How to Shop on Black Friday, Get the Deals You Want, and Not Go Overboard was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

After your home, the car that you drive will likely be the single most expensive purchase that you make. But unlike your home that appreciates over time, your car will go down in value as it gets older and you put more miles on it. This process of buying newer cars, wearing them down, and selling them when they get too old for one’s liking can get very expensive as time goes on, so it makes sense to buy the models of vehicles which hold their values the best.

So what brands of cars will keep their initial value for the longest? Kelley Blue Book did a study on just this. Its 2008 Best Resale Value Awards found that Volkswagen produced vehicles will keep their value the longest. After five years a typical Volkswagen will have just under 50% of their value. If a car was originally sold for $30,000, it would still be worth $15,000 after the five year period.

Other brands which made their top ten include Acura, Audio, BMW, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Porsche, Toyota and Subaru. Any of these would be fine to keep over a long period of time. When it came the cars that hold their values the least, Suzuki was the worst. For every dollar you spend on a Suzuki, you’ll only have 25 cents of it worth of value after the initial 5 year period of ownership. Other brands that were close to the bottom of the list was Chrysler, Dodge, GMC, Jeep, Lincoln, Mercury and Jaguar.

When shopping for a new vehicle, make sure to get a make and model that will be more likely to keep its value. You’ll get a lot more money when you go to sell it a few years down the line.

Don’t Let Your Car’s Value Go Down “Like a Rock.” Buy the Vehicle that Keeps its Value the Best. was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

There are no state or federal laws which require the leasing company to tell you the effective interest rate you are paying on your vehicle, and often times you are paying much more than you need to. With a traditional loan you could simply refinance it if you were stuck in a bad loan. It turns out that you can do the same thing with car leases if you have reasonably good credit. You will likely be able to refinance your lease, end up paying less on a monthly basis and even get out of the lease earlier. If you have a credit score of 720 or above and have a car lease, checking into refinancing your lease is definitely worthwhile.

There’s a website specifically designed to help people out in this situation. LowerMyLease.com will help you figure out whether or not it makes sense for you to refinance your lease and help you get the loan to make that happen.

They have a guide on their website which discusses the process:

1. Call your current lender and ask them for your current payoff without sales tax.
2. Check the current odometer reading on the vehicle, and pull out your original window sticker for the vehicle. It’s most probably in the glove box or with your orginal lease contract.
3. To find out your new payment options, select your vehicle and enter the current payoff amount and mileage.
4. If you find a new payment or term you like, then submit your credit application and get pre-approved. Here are some things to consider when re-leasing:
o A lower payment for any selected term
o The same payment for a shorter term
o A lower residual value which gives you more options during and at the end of the lease
5. We’ll re-write your lease with the new lease program you selected. The leases offered on LowerMyLease.com are from national financial institutions that you may already be doing business with.
6. New lease contracts are printed and sent to you for review.
7. Upon your approval, sign and overnight them back to us in the envelope provided.
8. We pay off your current lease and your new re-lease begins!

LowerMyLease.com has come up with a great service to help you get a better deal on the lease that you’re stuck in. It won’t always be a better deal, but it’s definitely worth checking into if you drive a leased vehicle.

Stuck in a Car Lease? Refinance and Save Big. was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

A company called CarMax, based out of Richmond, Virginia, did a study to find out what people enjoyed about the car buying process and what they absolutely hated about the car buying process. “The grind” was the biggest thing they found that consumers hated, so they built their business model around providing high quality products at a set price and providing very good customer service, the exact opposite of how most dealers currently operate.

Consumers have responded to CarMax’s different way of doing business in a big way. The company now makes $600 billion each year, is adding locations all over the country and is currently in 19 different states. When purchasing a vehicle from CarMax, you can go to their website, pick out the exact make, model and features you want, and they’ll tell you a price, and that’s what you’ll pay. It’s as simple as that! CarMax will give consumers a better price than what they will be able to get on their own 90% of the time. One might think that this new and very successful model for selling vehicles might spread to other dealers hoping to capture the same market, but thus far that has not been the case.

You’ll almost always get a great price with CarMax, but you will likely not want to finance your vehicle through CarMax. Your local credit union or insurance company will almost certainly be able to provide you a better interest rate than CarMax or any dealer for that matter. Also, always have the car checked out by a certified mechanic before agreeing to buy the vehicle.

Get Out of the “Grind” When Buying Your Next New Car was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Perhaps one of the most interesting examples of capitalism in the last few decades is the practice of consumers flocking to retailers before the crack of dawn on the day after Thanksgiving, known as “Black Friday.” Consumers fight huge crowds and go store to store looking for great deals on Christmas gifts, and retailers make a substantial amount of money during the two or three day period after Thanksgiving. If you’re one of the brave souls planning to venture out into the cold next Friday morning, be sure to come with a plan so you can get all the deals you want from the stores you plan on visiting.

A number of technologically savvy consumers have gotten hold of the circulars for the sales on Black Friday and have posted them online, so you can browse over to a number of different websites and find a listing of each of the deals that the major retailers are offering.

There’s going to be a huge offering on digital cameras this year, all of the major big box retailers are each selling at least a dozen different models at heavily discounted prices. Your best bet is to head on over to Cnet.com, read digital camera reviews and find a model that will suit your needs. After you’ve found two or three cameras that you can buy, look through the circulars and see where you can get that model for the cheapest. Make sure that you compare these prices to online digital camera retailers, because sometimes a Black Friday deal might not be the lowest price. A number of retailers will be offering the first SLR (single-lens reflex) cameras for under $500.00. They’re a bit larger than the typical point and shoot cameras, but definitely offer much better picture quality.

For GPS tracking devices, you’ll be able to find a whole bunch retailers pitching them for around $100 to $150.00. You can get the popular TomTom model for $119 at Best Buy. Circuit City will be offering one GPS tracking, the Mio Walker, for just $99.00!

Portable DVD players and DVD players have essentially bottomed out in pricing, they’re just not going to get much cheaper than they are now. You’ll still be able to get a basic DVD player for around $30.00 and a portable DVD player for $80 to $100.00. If you’re going to buy a standard DVD player or a portable DVD player, it’s probably just best to wait until after the mad rush on Black Friday.

You won’t find too many deals on computers this year—many of the major electronics retailers have skimped out on the deals that they are offering this year. You will however be able to find laptops price between $299 and $349 at both Circuit City and Staples though, so they’re worth checking out if you need a basic machine.

When it comes to HDTV’s, a number of retailers will be offering 32” LCD HDTV’s for just $399. Traditionally prices for these have bottomed out at around $500, so if you manage to snatch a TV through the mad rush of customers, you’ll be getting quite a bargain.

There will be tons of gps tracking bargains to be had this year, but be sure to go in with a plan as to what you’re going to buy before you get there. You can find a full listing of Black Friday circulars at BlackFriday.info.

2007 Black Friday Buying Guide for Electronics and Gadgets was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Pretty much everyone has a sweet tooth and enjoys a delicious Snickers, Hershey’s, or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups every now and then. Of course these food items have no nutritional value, but they sure taste good, and it can’t hurt once and a while. When we purchase pop and candy, we usually do it very impulsively, often from a vending machine at work or school. Although they’re rather convenient, vending machines are the single most expensive way to purchase pop and candy and often you’ll receive stale products which have been sitting there for months on end!

$0.75 for a candy bar and $1.25 for a 20 oz soda doesn’t seem like a ton of money up front, but when we consider it to the prices we can get from a typical grocery store, it boggles the mind as to why we pay so much for our favorite snack foods inside vending machines.

When you purchase soda from a vending machine, you’re probably paying around 6.25 cents per ounce for your soda. Many grocery stores have a deal where you can purchase six 24 oz sodas (usually all standard Coke products) for just $2.50 or $2.65 after sales tax in South Dakota. At this price your soda is still in a nice bottle that you can carry around with you and bring to work, but now you’re only paying 1.84 cents per ounce! When you purchase soda out of a vending machine, you’re easily paying three times what you should be if not more!

What about candy bars? Usually I can find a deal where the grocery store will sell 6 full-sized candy bars for $2.00, or 33.3 cents per each candy bar. That’s a lot better deal than the $0.75 you’ll typically pay at a vending machine these days!
Depending on who fills your vending machine, the candy you receive from your vending machine might sit there for months. Unless it’s frequented on a daily basis by most everyone in the office, some candy bars can sit in a machine for months if the vendor doesn’t make it a very clear point to make sure the dates on the candy bars are good. Nobody likes to fork over $1.00 for a snack and only to have it be hard, stale, and taste like crap.

Vending machines sure are convenient and a way to satisfy an impulsive hunger desire, but they’re still a rip-off. If you do some careful planning and bring some soda to work or school with you, you can get higher-quality snack food for a lot less money.

Never Purchase Pop or Candy from a Vending Machine Again. was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Most of us spend a significantly more than $25.00 each week on our grocery budgets, especially those who live in metropolitan areas and have higher food costs. I wondered if I had to eat on $25.00 each week for groceries and could literally eat nothing else, how would I make it happen?

I came up with a sample grocery budget:
- ½ Gallon of Milk $2.00
- Generic box of cereal $2.50
- 3 cans of Soup – $3.50
- 2 Lunchables – $3.00
- Loaf of Bread – $1.00
- Cheese Slices – $2.00
- Turkey Slices – $1.50
- 1 12pk Mountain Lightning (generic Mountain Dew) – $2.50
- 5 Banquet Frozen Dinners – $6.00
- 4 Banana’s – $1.00

It’s a pretty meager grocery budget, that’s for sure. For my 21 meals in a week, I’d have 5 frozen dinners, 2 Lunchables, 3 cans of soup, 6 bowls of cereal, and 5 turkey and cheese sandwiches. That’ll make for 21 meals in a week for just at $25.00. It would be just enough to get by, but it sure wouldn’t be fun to eat!

If you lose your job or have another financial crisis which makes it so that you have to live on a mere $25.00 a week, consider reading our posts: “How to Rise for the Rising Cost of Groceries” and “How to Eat on $20.00 a Month”.

Could You Survive With Only $25.00 a Week for Groceries? was created by and is property of American Consumer News.