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December 2008
Got a KB Toys gift card? Better use it today
It hasn’t been confirmed, but Consumerist.com, the popular consumer watchdog blog, said today that there is a rumor that KB Toys gift cards will stop being accepted starting Thursday, Jan. 1.
The Consumerist cites an “Anonymous insider” for the tip, but does not have an official report. The retailer filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in four years this month and has been holding going-out-of business sales at its stores.
Attempts to contact the toy store chain have not been returned.
In related news, Consumerist.com was purchased this week by the Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports.
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TweetSome Macy’s shoppers double-billed
In case you didn’t see it on the home page of the Dayton Daily News today, Dec. 31, Macy’s acknowledged this week that some shoppers who paid with a debit card on the weekend before Christmas were charged twice.
Shoppers who used their debit card at Macy’s in the early afternoon of Dec. 20 are at risk.
Visit the site for the complete story.
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TweetDon’t wait to use gift cards, rebates
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office is recommending consumers use gift cards and mail-in rebates as soon as possible. Shoppers should be aware that gift cards and rebates can become worthless if a business goes bankrupt.
“In this economic environment, as businesses continue to fail, gift cards and rebates that aren’t honored are going to become more of an issue,” said Dave Dembinski, assistant chief in the Consumer Protection Section of the Attorney General’s office.
The office offered these tips for consumers for using gift cards and claiming rebates:
Gift Cards
• Check to see if there are any restrictions or an expiration date.
• If a gift card has no expiration date, it is valid until redeemed or replaced with a new card. Exceptions include gift cards that can be used at different retailers; for example, a mall gift card, or a gift card received through a reward, loyalty, or a promotional program.
• Note: If a business files for bankruptcy, consumers will need to file claims with the bankruptcy court for the value of the gift card.
Rebates
• When filling out the coupon or rebate form — be sure to follow the instructions. Rebating companies often reject a rebate application if the instructions are not followed exactly.
• Most companies require the consumer to attach the sales receipt from the store where the product was purchased. Copies often do not qualify. Consumers should make sure they keep a copy of the receipt for their own records in case any questions arise.
• Save the packaging! Most rebate forms require the consumer to locate the “Uniform Product Code” or a “Proof of Purchase label” from the packaging — and attach it to the rebate form.
• Almost all rebates expire if they are not mailed within a certain period of time after purchase. Make sure you are aware of those terms.
• A rebate should arrive within eight weeks. If a consumer does not receive the rebate and is unable to resolve the issue with the company, they can file a complaint with the Attorney General’s office.
To file a complaint call (877) 244-6446 or file online at www.ag4ohio.gov http://www.ag4ohio.gov .
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TweetWalmart selling iPhone at a discount … $2
To follow up on speculation earlier this month, Walmart is now selling the Apple iPhone 3G, but not for anywhere near the $99 that had been optimistically floated.
In fact, the discount giant isn’t offering much of a discount at all, selling the iPhone 3G 8GB for $197 and 16GB for $297 — both of which are just $2 less than AT&T’s price.
As noted by the Web site Wired, what might be the most noteworthy about the price is: “The fact that Walmart, a company known for squeezing every penny out of its suppliers, managed to knock Apple down just $2 is astonishing. We wouldn’t be surprised if this discount is actually coming out of Walmart’s pocket.
Also of note, according to PCWorld.com, is that “Best Buy is offering the iPhone 3G models for $189.99 and $289.99 — seven bucks less than Walmart’s ‘always low prices.’”
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TweetOld-fashioned coupon-clipping saves cash
It doesn’t always take time and online coupons to save big cash.
One of our own in-house expert shoppers, Dayton Daily News copy editor Karen Baird, just reported that she saved $920 this year at Meijer solely by using newspaper coupons and in-store savings.
The 28-year-old Miamisburg resident said clipping coupons and scanning the ads doesn’t take as much time as you think it might, and that it’s worth buying ahead.
We have been documenting in our Here’s the Deal columns how many area shoppers utilize the Internet, printable coupons, store ads and traditional coupons to get the most savings for their families.
Their efforts are extraordinary and quite remarkable, but it also is refreshing to hear when folks save money by doing just a little old-fashioned coupon-cutting each week.
Have you saved a great deal in the past year using newspaper coupons?
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TweetMoney-saving stories in the DDN
There is always value in the newspaper, from the hundreds of stories that help you find out the latest info about your community and world to the hundreds of dollars in coupons.
In case you missed them, in the last two days, two articles in the Dayton Daily News have been specifically geared toward saving you money.
On Monday, Dec. 29, Debbie Juniewicz wrote the stories, Saving Dining Dollars (listing restaurants where kids can eat free) and Make Healthy Choices When You’re Eating Out, that appeared in the Life section.
And today, Dec. 30, on the front page of the Dayton Daily News was Get the Biggest Bang for your New Year’s Eve Buck, a story by Dave Larsen enumerating the many ways you can ring in the new year without spending a lot of money.
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TweetTips to get rid of holiday debt
About.com posted a story Tuesday, Dec. 30, about ways to help you get rid of the holiday debt that you may of accrued this season.
Among their tips are: Don’t ignore the new bills, don’t add to the debt, combine credit card balances onto a card with the lowest interest rate and pay extra toward your debt.
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TweetChristmas items on clearance
As Hillary McNabb reports on her DaytonDailyNews.com/holidays blog, now is a great time to stock up on Christmas items for next year.
Check out her blog for a list of suggested items, and check out your favorite stores for the latest savings.
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TweetWhen you really wanted cash …
If you got a gift card for the holidays and have no plans to use it, you have options.
For the many folks that find themselves with a gift card to a place they don’t plan to patronize, there are Web sites designed to help you get something out of that present that might be of more use to you.
Most offer the choice of buying, selling or trading gift cards.
Some sites have membership or other fees, while others are free. Make sure you read their guidelines before signing up.
Here are some of the sites available:
And there are always sites such as Craigslist, that is not designed just for gift cards but can used for that. There is not the verification for gift card ads that the other sites may have, so there may be more risk involved.
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Tweet600,000 layoffs expected in Britain in 2009
USAToday.com and CNBC.com are reporting today, Dec. 29, that more than 600,000 people in Britain are expected to be laid off in 2009.
It would make next year the worst for job losses in 18 years in the United Kingdom.
Their information was based on The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s annual report released today.
The report noted that people would lose their jobs for other reasons such as contracts ending and the country’s economic slowdown.
The layoffs would push 1 million more people into unemployment by the end of next year than were out of work in October of this year, bringing the total number of unemployed in Britain up to 2.8 million.
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TweetHere’s the Deal: Giving good for needy, taxes
If you have been thinking about giving to charity this year but haven’t yet, now is the time to do it.
Not only is this a good time because of the poor economy and the many people in need, but you can get credit for your donation in the 2009 tax year. The deadline is Wednesday, Dec. 31.
But, with so many charities and not so much time, it is important to consider where your donation would fill the greatest need, what to watch out for and which outlets will give you a tax write-off for your efforts.
The first place to start is to identify where you want your money to go. Mary Jo Sellers, a representative from Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley, suggests finding an organization whose mission dovetails with your interests.
“All nonprofits are not created equal,” Sellers said. “And if you’re not sure, do your research. There are lots of ways you can help.”
John North, the president of the Dayton-area Better Business Bureau, emphasized the increased need this year, but also warned of some things to watch out for when deciding where to donate.
“With the economy the way it is, there is even more need than in past years, so people can feel even better about their gift this year,” North said.
“However, there are also a lot of scammers out there.”
North said things to be wary of include groups that sound very similar to other well-known organizations, or those who try to put a time frame on your donation.
“Any good charity is willing to give you time and will accept your money at any time during the year,” he said.
He also suggested asking lots of questions — he said a good charity is always eager to answer questions.
Ask about the mission of the organization, who they serve, where the proceeds go, if the money stays local — whatever is most important to you.
The Better Business Bureau also has a list of charities on their Web site (dayton.bbb.org) that they check against 20 standards of trust that may help you make your decision as well.
Rules on deductions
You can claim charitable contributions to qualified nonprofit organizations that have been approved by the Internal Revenue Service.
Some of the qualified groups include religious organizations, nonprofit schools and hospitals, public parks and recreation facilities, war veterans’ groups and charities, such as the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Goodwill, United Way, Scouts, etc.
Some groups that do not qualify include labor unions, homeowners’ associations, individuals, tuition and lottery tickets.
For a contribution of cash, check or monetary gift (regardless of amount), you must maintain as a record of the contribution either a bank record or a written communication from the organization.
You generally can deduct the fair market value of any property you donate to qualified organizations.
But remember, the fair market value of items such as household goods and used clothing is usually much lower than the price paid when new, and it is something that you have to determine.
Eric Erickson, a representative for IRS media relations in Ohio, said: “When you are trying to figure out the value of an item, consider what you could get for that item at a garage sale.”
Erickson and North both stressed getting documentation for any donation.
“As far as documentation, receipts for tax purposes are going to be your best option, and you will only need those if you are audited,” North said.
There are limits on contributions that exceed 20 percent of your adjusted gross income, so if you are making sizable donations, check with the IRS for specifics.
For a complete list of accepted charities and more information, visit the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov and search for publications 78 and 526.
For more information, call the IRS at (937) 610-2182.
Shopper of the Week
Jenny Rapson of Dayton co-authors the blog, momminitup.com, with her cousin, Emily Berry of Germantown.
Rapson said it has “mostly been a mommy blog,” since its inception in June 2007, but that she added a savings component to the site last fall. “Emily is not a crazy couponer like I am,” Rapson said.
“I started couponing almost exactly a year a go,” she said. “I needed a way to save money since I had quit my job five months earlier to stay at home with my kids.”
The site has fun and informative categories devoted to being a mom, such as Pregnancy, Potty Power, and Puke, as well as those for shopping, such as Bargains, Money Making Monday, and Super Savings Saturday.
In the savings categories, Rapson posts items about deals, rebates, competitor coupons and general savings strategies.
“Mostly I just brag about what how well I have done shopping,” she said with a laugh.
Rapson, who has a blog entry called “Jenny and CVS: A Love Story,” is a good example of how a shopper can benefit by finding a store they like and use resources involved in couponing to get the most savings possible.
We will have a Here’s the Deal column devoted to the concept of couponing in January. Rapson said she often shops at the Eastown Shopping Center CVS since they will accept coupons from other retailers.
“Not every store does that,” she said. “You can use one store coupon and one manufacturers’ coupon on one item.”
Rapson said her favorite coupon site is www.thethriftymama.com.
“I check that one every day,” Rapson said. “I like it because it updates every day and posts coupons for several different stores.”
Shopper of the week info box
Who: Jenny Rapson, 31, co-author of momminitup.com
Home: Rapson lives in the Belmont area of Dayton with her husband, Bobby, and two children
Work/education: The Dayton Christian High School graduate earned her bachelor’s degree in media communications from Asbury College in Kentucky, and is a stay-at-home mom.
Her response to this week’s topic: “This will be the first year to claim deductions on our taxes.” Rapson said this year she has donated about 15 Blood Glucose Monitors to Hospice of Dayton. She didn’t have to pay for the monitors — valued between $50 and $80 — since she bought them at CVS on sale, using coupons and the store’s Extra Care Bucks. And she even got some more Extra Care Bucks in the deal. She said she chose Hospice because “I think they do great work over there.”
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TweetWhen is the best time to buy?
Did you know June is the best month to buy hot dogs and tools? And that linens are best purchased in January?
About.com has compiled a month-by-month guide to the biggest bargains that can be found during the year on food and non-food items.
Among their items to buy next month: Chocolate, computers and bicycles. Check out the whole list online.
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Tweet2nd Black Friday today?
USA Today was among the publications this week calling Dec. 26 the second Black Friday of this wacky shopping season.
And they say that many desperate retailers are even making the deals bigger.
Day-after-Christmas sales will rival those of the real Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving that kicks off the shopping season and can put retailers into money-making territory for the year.
An Associated Press story this morning reports on the folks heading back to the stores today as well.
Among those sales include a 60 percent to 70 percent off sale at Kohl’s, a Doorbusters sale until 1 p.m. today offering $15 off purchases of $75 or more and $10 off $50 or more at JCPenney, huge discounts at Elder-Beerman’s Wrap it Up sale and others. Just check your favorite store.
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TweetMerry Christmas! I hope you like freebies
As my present to you, I have assembled a list Web sites devoted to getting free stuff, coupons and samples.
Happy Holidays!
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TweetTween market pumps cell phone sales
The Palm Beach Post reported last week that sophisticated smart phones are making their way into the hands of the youngest teenagers, younger preteens and trickling all the way down to first-year elementary school students.
Parents have been buying cell phones for teens for years now, but the market has evolved, as it does, to find new markets.
One study, they reported, projects that 35 percent of children 7 years old and younger will have cell phones by 2012.
“It’s how our economy works. You saturate certain markets, and go elsewhere to find more hands for phones,” said cultural anthropologist Robbie Blinkoff of the Baltimore-based Context-Based Research Group.
Text messaging is a big part of that draw.
The Palm Beach story says that cell phone users younger than 12 averaged just 137 calls a month in one three-month period tracked by Nielsen Mobile. But they typed more than 400 text messages during the same time frame.
And they note that the difference just gets wider as the teenager gets older. Teens ages 13 to 17 averaged 231 calls — but 1,742 texts a month.
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TweetDreaming of a green Christmas
Chinet, of the disposable plate Chinets, offers these tips to help make your holiday more environmentally friendly:
Add organic and local foods and decor to your holiday celebrations.
Support local farmers who produce sustainable meat and produce.
Buy a living tree that can be planted outside or kept as a houseplant after the holidays. Trees that are grown locally save energy associated with transportation.
Recycle your Christmas tree.
Use recycled tableware (we knew this one was coming) for your holiday parties. I would add that if you have to use disposable tableware, use recycled.
Consolidate shopping trips.
Avoid foil holiday cards.
Use alternate wrapping methods. Avoid foil and plastic-embossed paper. Wrap gifts in old newspapers or paper bags. Reduce your family’s trash.
Recommended Web sites for more ‘green’ holiday tips: www.sierraclub.org, www.epa.gov, www.mychinet.com.
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TweetHoliday hours for area stores
If you are wondering when you can get out and finish your holiday shopping this week (or start shopping for after-Christmas bargains), here are the hours that area stores will be open:
The Dayton Mall and The Mall at Fairfield Commons have the same holiday hours, they are:
Monday, Dec. 22: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.*
Tuesday, Dec. 23: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.*
Wednesday, Dec. 24: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 25: Closed
Friday, Dec. 26: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.*
Saturday, Dec. 27: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
*Some department store hours vary from the mall. They are:
Elder-Beerman:
Monday, Dec. 22: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 23: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 26: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
JCPenney:
Monday, Dec. 22: 7 a.m. to midnight
Tuesday, Dec. 23: 7 a.m. to midnight
Friday, Dec. 26: 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Macy’s:
Monday, Dec. 22: 8 a.m. to midnight
Tuesday, Dec. 23: 8 a.m. to midnight
Friday, Dec. 26: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sears:
Monday, Dec. 22: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 23: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 26: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
At The Greene, the hours for this week are:
Monday, Dec. 22: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 23: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 24: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 25: Closed
Friday, Dec. 26: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 27: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
For more information, visit Web sites of The Dayton Mall, The Mall at Fairfield Commons and The Greene.
Hours for Kohl’s:
Monday, Dec. 22: 6 a.m. to midnight
Tuesday, Dec. 23: 6 a.m. to midnight
Wednesday, Dec. 24: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 25: Closed
Friday, Dec. 26: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 27: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Hours for Target:
Monday, Dec. 22: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 23: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 24: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 25: Closed
Friday, Dec. 26: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 27: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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TweetHere’s the Deal: Last-minute gifts and returns
So, with four days to go until Christmas, are you excited or panicked?
According to a report this week by CNN, as of Tuesday, Dec. 16, 41 million shoppers had yet to even start their holiday spending.
If you are among those who haven’t gotten all (or much) of your shopping done, have no fear. We have compiled a list of quality, last-minute gift ideas that can help you cross those last names off of your Christmas list and give you more time to enjoy that holiday cheer.
And, for help at the end of the week with gifts you received, we have looked into some return policies.
One good idea can go a long way
At this point in the shopping season, you don’t have time to spend hours searching stores for that great idea, but you do have time to think for a few minutes.
Consider what the people on your list like to do. If many of them share interests (as they have you in common), you may be able to buy that same quality gift for many people.
Great books (maybe one of your favorites), framed photographs, novelty items, Christmas ornaments — anything you like that you think others might like as well can be your theme.
An example of this can be seen in the movie “The Family Stone,” when the main character played by Sarah Jessica Parker has an old picture of the family’s mother enlarged and framed for each member of the family.
If it is a good present, it might be nice to share it with many loved ones.
Magazine subscriptions
This is one is great in that it can be purchased as late as Christmas Day if need be, since all you have to wrap is a magazine.
It is inexpensive and accessible, and can be of great value to your recipient.
But just as you have the opportunity to give joy throughout the year, if you choose a magazine that is of little interest to that person, it can serve as a reminder of that blunder as well.
Plant a tree
Be quick and green with this hip idea.
As suggested on About.com, “You could go and plant a tree for a loved one, taking a picture of the event and explaining to them with a small note card why your gift is such an important one.”
Or, you can pay a company like The Conservation Fund (www.conservationfund.org) to do it for you.
Movies/music
The best part about buying DVDs and CDs is that they can be found at multiple locations — including Meijer, Target and Walmart — and are therefore also easy to return.
If you are unsure of your recipient’s taste, buying DVDs is a little safer than buying CDs since movies have more widely accepted approval ratings.
However, if you know you have a music lover on your hands and they own an iPod, giving an iTunes gift card is a good way to go as well.
Gift cards/cash
By now, most of us have heard about the danger of buying gift cards in our shaky economy. But, if done wisely, they can still be good options.
If you decide to go this route, consider purchasing gift cards from larger, more solvent companies, chain restaurants or as prepaid credit cards that can be used anywhere a debit credit card is accepted.
If all else fails, find a nice card and put in some cash. It gets a bad rap for not being a more personal gift, but it brings a smile to most, and is not likely to be returned.
Returns
In case you have an item you want to return, here are some guidelines to help make the process easier.
Procure your receipt.
As noted by the Web site Consumerworld.org, “To improve your chances of getting a full refund, provide a sales slip or gift receipt, and return the item in new condition, unopened, and with all original packaging material.”
Returns without a receipt are still possible at most stores, but are then subject to the retailer’s posted return policy. And the vast majority of stores will at most give a store credit or gift card for returns without a receipt.
Macy’s at the Dayton Mall will only exchange for clothes that have tags, or “tickets,” on them.
The store also, like its mall-mates Sears and Elder-Beerman, prices any item without a receipt at the lowest price that item has ever been offered at the store.
JCPenney will give you credit for the lowest price on that item in the last 30 days.
If you don’t have your receipt for a gift purchased at Kohl’s, you will be offered an even exchange or a store credit. But bring your driver’s license — you will need to show it if you don’t have a receipt.
If you are returning something you purchased on your Kohl’s credit card but don’t have a receipt, the store can credit that back to your card.
Walmart requires receipts and tags for some items — such as apparel, shoes and accessories — while returns without a receipt are possible for other items, including books, movies and video games. Check with the store or Web site for specifics.
Target, Toys R Us and Best Buy are among stores that require a receipt for all returns. The stores recommend getting a gift receipt when you purchase items there.
The true keys to all of these exchanges, however, are patience and knowledge.
The weeks around Christmas are the busiest in the retail world, and it always helps to remember that the stress can run high on both sides of the counter.
Tip of the Week: Price adjustments
Price adjustments are nothing new, but the don’t seem to be as well-known as other return policies.
Price adjustment policies allow shoppers to receive refunds for an item previously purchased at the store that then goes on sale one or two weeks after they’ve purchased it.
With price adjustments, you can still get the difference in cost even if the product has already been opened or worn, as long as you have your original receipt. Some items may be excluded, so it is good to check with the store or Web site before making your purchase.
Some stores will even give you a price adjustment if you buy an item at their store and then find an ad from another store that offers that item for less money.
Last week’s shopper of the week Andrea Deckard reports that she bought “Rock Band” for the Wii video game system at Walmart recently and then her friend saw an ad that had it on sale for $10 less. “So, I’m going back to Walmart to price match it,” she said.
This is also a great trick of the trade if you want to get the bargains but avoid the crowds at next year’s Black Friday.
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TweetTarget to have recall notification system
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission joined Target this week (Dec. 18) in announcing a new notification system for communicating product recalls in Target stores nationwide.
Target will also signs throughout its stores that direct guests to gift registry kiosks near the Guest Service desk to learn about recalled products.
They say that Target will continue to post safety and recall information at Target.com, provide links to the CPSC and related Web sites, and send e-mails to those who have purchased recalled products online.
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TweetGrandpa hard to buy for? Here are 10 gift ideas for seniors
Julie Swartz, of On Behalf of Home Instead Senior Care, recommends the following gift ideas for the beloved seniors in your life.
She said the list is the result of an analysis of more than 12,000 senior gift requests conducted by Home Instead Senior Care.
These are some of the most popular holiday wishes of older adults:
1. Gift certificates to restaurants and grocery stores, or gas cards for seniors who drive.
2. Personal items such as hand and body lotions and creams, and shower gels. Scented candles.
3. Blankets, robes and slippers.
4. Books and magazine subscriptions.
5. Crossword and puzzle books and pencils.
6. Hats, mittens and gloves.
7. Towels and wash cloths.
8. Boxed chocolates, chocolate-covered cherries and hard candies. (But be aware of their dietary restrictions.)
9. Stamps and stationery.
10. Gift certificate for companionship services.
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TweetTop 100 retailers
The National Retail Federation has a link from their Web site to the magazine STORES’ Web site that ranks the Top 100 Retailers of 2008.
“The authoritative ranking of the largest U.S.-based retail companies by annual revenues, the Top 100 is the most widely recognized and respected symbol of achievement for the nation’s elite retailers,” it says on the NRF link.
The top five on their list? Walmart, Home Depot, CVS Caremark, Kroger and Costco.
The top 100 also breaks the list down into subsets — such as the top apparel retailers, department stores, supermarkets, restaurants, etc. — and discusses the data as well.
Also on the site is STORES’ list of Hot 100 Retailers (which CVS tops, but IHOP comes in a surprising third), Favorite 50 Online Retailers and the Top 250 Global Retailers.
The lists were compiled at varying times earlier this year.
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TweetNew credit card rules protect consumers
The Consumers Union today, Dec. 18, adopted new credit card rules to help safeguard consumers from abusive lending practices that can result in excessive fees and interest rate charges.
The rules were developed in conjunction with the Federal Reserve Board and National Credit Union Administration, which are expected to adopt the same regulations later today.
The new regulations will go into effect in July 1, 2010.
“Millions of families have been stung by unfair credit card practices that trap them in debt and make it harder to make ends meet,” said Gail Hillebrand, Consumers Union Financial Services Campaign Manager. “When these rules finally go into effect, they will help protect consumers from being gouged by credit card companies and make it easier for families to manage their finances during these tough economic times.”
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TweetKohl’s super 3-day sale
I like to shop at Kohl’s because even on non-holiday shopping days they seem to have good sales. Today through Saturday (Dec. 18-20) they are having a big 3-day Christmas sale that looks good — especially one week from the big day!
The sale includes 50 percent to 60 percent off selected sleepwear, loungewear and robes; $10 in Kohl’s Cash for every $50 in purchases, and extra savings if you use your Kohl’s card. For more info, visit the Kohl’s site.
The more I talk to the expert shoppers in the area, the more I see how useful things such as Kohl’s Cash can be when used in concert with ads and coupons. In January, we will have a Here’s the Deal column in the Dayton Daily News devoted to the whole couponing phenomenon that has just been touched on with our shoppers of the week. I also will post it here.
But for today, good luck and happy shopping!
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TweetJobless groups gaining momentum
They may not have jobs, but they have each other.
USAToday.com had a story today, Dec. 17, that across the country, many unemployed people are meeting in a Job Club to share their feelings about being without work in the current economy.
“Such informal gatherings have always existed, typically sponsored by church groups and local career centers. But the economic collapse has placed renewed importance on this homespun salve, one that some attendees describe as a lifeline out of anger, fear and loneliness.”
Do you know of any similar clubs in the Miami Valley?
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TweetConsumers Union calls for FDA ban of BPA in children’s products
In a letter Monday, Dec. 15, the Consumers Union called on the Food and Drug Administration to ban BPA materials in infant and children’s products, adding that “Consumers should not have to be the guinea pigs while compelling scientific evidence continues to mount.”
The CU said the FDA already has enough scientific data to support such a decision.
The CU said that the FDA’s decision Monday to re-evaluate its research and increase studies on BPA is a step forward, but that the FDA has an obligation to act immediately to protect high risk populations while it gathers more data.
FDA’s decision on BPA came in a letter to independent reviewers. The reviewers’ report in October found deep flaws in FDA’s conclusion that the chemical used in food packaging is safe.
BPA is a chemical found in the linings of cans and in many plastic products, including sports bottles, food-storage containers and baby bottles, and has potential links to a wide range of health effects, as reported by the CU.
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TweetBest Buy has good quarter, looks to cut jobs
CNBC reported this morning, Dec. 16, that Best Buy had a better-than-expected quarter and plans to offer buyouts and trim back store openings as consumers cut spending, sending shares up nearly 16 percent.
The story says that Best Buy, the top consumer electronics retailer, has been trying to counter the U.S. recession and fend off increased competition from discounters like Walmart, which has stepped up its product offerings and cut prices in the key holiday shopping season.
“We believe that there has been a dramatic and potentially long-lasting change in consumer behavior as people adjust to the new realities of the marketplace,” Best Buy Chief Executive Brad Anderson said in a statement.
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TweetHaven’t started shopping? Join the crowd
It’s nine days until Christmas, have you finished your shopping yet? Have you started?
If you haven’t even started shopping, you are in good company.
Julianne Pepitone reported on CNNMoney.com this morning, Dec. 16, that 41 million haven’t started their Christmas shopping.
She then adds that, according to a new survey by the National Retail Foundation, the typical shopper has finished less than half of their holiday buying.
“According to the National Retail Foundation’s ‘Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions’ survey, holiday shoppers said they had finished 47 percent of their gift shopping by the second week of December, which is a significant drop from the 53 percent of gift purchases they had completed at the same time last year,” she writes.
The story says only 8 percent of respondents said their shopping is complete, and more than 41 million people have not begun their holiday shopping.
They list the big procrastinators as men and those 35 to 44 years old — 21 percent of each group said they haven’t started their shopping.
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Tweet$12 million settlement with Mattel helps protect Ohioans
Today, Dec. 15, Ohio Attorney General Nancy H. Rogers and attorneys general from 38 states announced a settlement with Mattel Inc. and Fisher-Price Inc., its subsidiary, that requires Mattel to pay the participating states $12 million by Jan. 30 and implement stricter standards on testing toys for lead.
Ohio will reportedly receive $533,212 in the multistate deal.
The story released by Michelle Gatchell, deputy director of communications for the Ohio Attorney General’s office, says the settlement resolves a 16-month investigation into events that resulted in a voluntary recall of Mattel toys found to have excessive levels of lead paint.
The agreement was presented for approval in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas.
“We are pleased that we could help make children’s products safer,” said Senior Assistant Attorney General Michael Ziegler. “Lead is a serious health hazard, and the cumulative effects of lead exposure can place children at risk for long-term health problems. Today’s settlement helps reduce future risks.”
Gatchell writes: “From Aug. 2, 2007, through Oct. 25, 2007, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of approximately 2 million Mattel and Fisher-Price toys manufactured in China, alleging that the toys contained excessive lead in accessible surface coatings.
“At the time of the recalls, the CPSC standard permitted for lead in accessible surface coatings was 600 parts per million (ppm). The states’ investigation revealed that lead levels of the recalled toys not only exceeded the federal standard, but in some instances, tested over 10,000 ppm.
“The agreement reached by the attorneys general includes more stringent standards for accessible lead both in surface coatings and substrates, effective for toys manufactured after Nov. 30, 2008.
“Since the attorneys general first contacted Mattel in August 2007, Congress has enacted the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which now provides more stringent standards for lead in surface coatings and in substrates, starting in February, 2009.
“Under the agreement, Mattel will phase in more stringent standards ahead of the timelines provided by the CPSIA.
“Mattel also has agreed to notify the Attorneys General if it confirms excessive lead in any of its products in violation of the settlement, or in violation of state or federal law, and to work with the Attorneys General to remedy such violations.
“Joining Ohio in today’s settlement are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
“The states were led by an executive committee, consisting of assistant attorneys general in Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Vermont.
“To help protect Ohioans from unsafe toys, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office encourages consumers to research potential dangers before purchasing a toy.
“The federation of state Public Interest Research Groups (U.S. PIRG) has created “Tips for Toy Safety”, a shopping guide available at www.toysafety.net, to help consumers avoid the most common toy hazards.
“Consumers also should check the CPSC for toy recalls. The CPSC does not test all toys, and not all toys on store shelves meet CPSC standards. To report unsafe toys, contact the CPSC at (800) 638-2772 or www.cpsc.gov.
“To report fraud or to ask questions about your consumer rights, contact the Attorney General’s Office at www.ag4ohio.gov or (877) AG4OHIO (1-877-244-6446).”
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TweetSupreme Court: Labels don’t prevent smokers from suing tobacco companies
USA Today reported today, Dec. 15, that the Supreme Court ruled by a 5-4 vote “that federal regulation of cigarette labels does not prevent smokers from bringing state lawsuits against tobacco companies for fraud in the marketing of ‘light’ and ‘low tar’ cigarettes.”
The story says the group of Maine smokers “who smoked Marlboro Lights and Cambridge Lights” are now allowed to press their lawsuit based on Maine anti-fraud law against Altria Group, the parent company to Philip Morris.
“The smokers say the company deceptively advertised the cigarettes as ‘light’ despite knowing they were not safer than regular cigarettes.
The ruling reportedly takes a step back from rulings that had shielded companies from state consumer protection laws based on federal regulation in the field.
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TweetAre Christmas cards becoming obsolete?
Have you noticed fewer Christmas cards in your mailbox this season? Will you be sending cards out this year?
With the ubiquity of e-mail and the many social networking sites keeping friends and family updated on our lives daily, there is some thought that the traditional Christmas card, photo and note may be becoming unnecessary — even redundant.
What do you think? Are Christmas cards becoming obsolete?
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TweetCheapest cars of 2009
About.com has compiled its annual list of the 10 least expensive cars of the year, plus 10 more runners-up.
They also test drove the cars to see which are not only inexpensive, but are the best to drive.
Their No. 1 cheap car, the Nissan Versa 1.6 Sedan, is listed at $10,685 and is a reportedly nice ride as well. Other cheap cars they recommend include the Toyota Yaris 3-door at $12,925 and the Suzuki SX4 Sedan at $13,994.
The site also lists the 10 most fuel-efficient cars of 2009, their top 10 deals on wheels and re-posts 2008’s top 10 cheapest cars list.
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TweetHere’s the Deal on online comparison shopping
In case you didn’t pick up today’s (Dec. 14) Dayton Daily News, in the Life section is this week’s Here’s the Deal column:
By Jill Kelley Staff Writer
Regardless of the size of your bank account, nobody likes to pay more than they have to. And visiting store after store to compare prices can be extremely time consuming regardless of when you go — let alone during the crowded Christmas season.
However, thanks to the Internet, there are more ways than ever to find out how to get the best price for just about any item you seek — and you won’t even have to set one foot inside an overpopulated mall .
The quickest way to comparison shop online is to go to a site devoted to that ideal.
Three sites I found that are easy to navigate and offer substantial deals are Newegg.com, Slickdeals.net and Dealcatcher.com.
They all have the same premise, but they approach the idea in slightly different ways.
Dealcatcher.com has multiple offers and searches jumping out at you right from the home page, including a list of the top online coupons, links to printable coupons and prices from multiple vendors to compare. You can get “Deal Alerts” and have offers delivered to you via e-mail.
Slickdeals also has coupons and the latest deals, and the site offers extensive “Store Ratings” that are helpful . When you don’t see an item in person before you buy, it helps to hear from others who have.
Newegg branches out from strictly deals a bit more than the other two. It offers gift ideas, a holiday shipping guide and a more specific item search from the navigation bar.
Newegg also has “Daily Deals” and notes the customer ratings as well right below the offer.
Another way to get the best price is to really research an item online before buying. I posted an entry on the Here’s the Deal blog last week that’s a great personal example of why this lesson is so valuable.
If you don’t have a computer at home, stop by your local library.
Shopper of the Week
There is a brave new world out there in bargain shopping that I am just beginning to discover. Thanks to a few of my new consumer buddies, I have found out about a whole network out there that is devoted to getting the best deals using multiple Web sites, coupons and related information.
One such consumer guru is Andrea Deckard, an area mother of three who has turned her ability to save money for her family into a blog that offers help for all families trying to cut costs.
Deckard started “couponing,” which also involves matching store advertisements and coupons to get the greatest savings, about two years ago. But her efforts multiplied in the fall of 2007.
“We were expecting our third son and found out he was going to need surgery,” Deckard said, “so we needed to find money and cut our costs.
“He had his surgery in October 2007 and by October 2008, I had saved more than our out-of-pocket expenses for his surgery — and that was a lot of money.”
She started her own Web site, www.mommysnacks.net, in February.
“I first started (the blog) for my friends because they didn’t like some of the other sites. I used to e-mail them deals, then I put them on MySpace and then I started the blog.”
Deckard said the first site she used to help her save money was The Grocery Game , but the site she prefers is hotcouponworld.com because there are no fees.
She said she tries to break down the deals into manageable pieces for folks, and even has an extremely helpful beginner’s guide on her site that lists seven steps to shopping with coupons.
Her tips include setting a budget, finding your sources of coupons and organizing them, focusing in on one store you like and stockpiling items that you will use in the future.
Deckard also offers a “Snack Summary” tab on her site that highlights specific ads from area stores for that week and offers coupon matches for those items, often with links to printable coupons.
For instance, on the week of Dec. 7 list of Meijer coupons was the following item: “$4.50 Bic Soleil Razor. Coupon Match: $3 in the Nov. 2 Smart Source insert (expiration Dec. 14). Net Price: $1.50.”
She also offers a menu plan that employs some of the deals, a list of freebies and samples available at various Web sites, a link to printable coupon sites and even some valuable information about how to complete surveys at home to earn extra cash.
Deckard said she spends about 20 to 30 hours a week on the site and has saved $6,500 for her family this year by couponing.
She also gives boxes of items she has stockpiled to charity, and has started to work with nonprofits to try to teach them how to get the most for their money.
She has been working with the Bridge of Hope, a national group that supports women on the verge of homelessness.
“I try to use what I’ve learned along the way to help others,” Deckard said.
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TweetGuides to online shopping
Consumernow.com, a Web site created “as a public service for online consumers and shoppers,” has compiled the five steps to easy online shopping and the 10 commandments of online shopping.
They recommend researching products and merchants, shopping familiar companies, keeping a record of purchases, tracking your packages, knowing the return policies and much more.
The site also offers coupons and reviews.
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TweetCR lists top 100 products of the year
Consumer Reports has their annual roundup of the top 100 products of the year — including cameras, cars, grills, appliances, TVs and much more — on their Web site for subscribers.
If you plan on making a big purchase in the near future, it could be worth your while to sign up.
The site costs $26 per year or $5.95 per month, and is $19 per year for those who already own a magazine subscription. All fees are listed as auto-renewal.
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TweetDo you provide a gift receipt?
When you are giving presents, no matter the time of year, do you include gift receipts with the gift?
And, if so, how do you include it? Envelope? Taped to the present? Hand it to the person later?
Have you ever wished someone had included a receipt with a gift so you could more easily return it?
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TweetMom of 3 furiously trying to use up health care funds
Pennsylvania mom Jo-Lynne Shane is working hard to find ways to spend $500 in the next three weeks — if she doesn’t, that money will disappear at the stroke of midnight Dec. 31.
In a story on CNN.com yesterday (Thursday, Dec. 11), CNN medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen writes that Shane, who is trying to use up her health care’s Flexible Spending Account.
By the rules of the IRS, any money Shane doesn’t spend by the end of this year vanishes. Shane, a mother of three who lives in East Vincent, Penn., has that much money left in her family’s FSA.
“If you don’t use it, you lose it,” said Shane, who gives cost-cutting tips to other moms on her blog, Musings of a Housewife.
So Cohen offers tips for Shane and others from health insurance experts about how to spend that money wisely. Her tips include utilizing vision benefits, filing prescriptions and having elective surgeries.
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TweetFrom markdowns to markups
You gotta love supply and demand — or, maybe love is too strong a term.
Beth Pinsker, writing for the Web site walletpop.com, had a story Tuesday, Dec. 9, about how some of the hottest toys of the season — including the Crayola Glow Station and U-Command Wall-E — are running out of stock at many online toy retailers, but are available at Amazon.com … at much higher prices.
For instance, they said the U-Command Wall-E, originally priced at $59, was selling for $129.99 through Amazon.
That was Tuesday. I just checked the site again today, and the toy is now $136.99.
Of the pricing, Pinsker quotes one of Amazon’s merchants, who asked to remain anonymous, and it was explained like this: “it’s basically supply and demand. We sell toys very similarly to stocks.”
Have you seen similar markups this season?
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TweetHousehold debt down for first time
USA Today reported earlier today, Dec. 11, that households debt is down for the first time on record.
The story cites a Federal Reserve quarterly report, also released today, showing that households reduced their debt levels 0.8 percent at an annual rate in the July through September period.
They credit the decrease in debt to the fact that fewer people have been able to get loans during that time.
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TweetGreat deals on Polly Pocket dolls found
One of our resident savvy shoppers here at the Dayton Daily News, niche editor Michelle Fong, came upon an incredible deal last night on Polly Pocket dolls and accessories at Amazon.com.
Shopping for her niece, she had already bought Polly Pocket toys for 40 percent off at Kohl’s here in town, but found an even better deal online.
At Amazon.com, she got four items for $34 that would have cost her more than $85 had she paid full price. Add to that the free Super Saver shipping (orders more than $25 to U.S. address), and she was all set. She is planning to return the previously purchased items to Kohl’s.
And Polly Pocket isn’t the only toy deal to be found at Amazon.com. The site is having huge “December Deals.”
Check it out!
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TweetSave money, look good in the kitchen
In the Dayton Daily News today, Dec. 11, there is an article in the Life section by our food and wine reporter Mark Fisher detailing the best cooking gear and food wisdom to make you look smart and save money in the kitchen.
For the complete story, visit Mark Fisher’s blog at DaytonDailyNews.com/taste.
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Tweet5 ways to double your grocery coupon savings
Erin Gifford, a grocery savings expert at Shortcuts.com, lists these tips for getting the most out of your money-saving coupons:
1) Use Coupons for Your Entire Meal. Seek out coupons for every component of your meals, like Meal Deal coupons on Shortcuts.com. In one click you can load your store loyalty card with coupons for turkey breast, frozen vegetables, potatoes, crescent rolls, stuffing and holiday cookies. These coupons get scanned and redeemed at checkout.
2) Look for Double and Triple Coupon Deals. Kmart frequently doubles coupons up to $2 face value (to double to $4). (Kroger also offers double coupons.) Keep your eyes open, since in many cases these promotions can lead to free products.
3) Only Use Coupons on Sale Items. Coupons are like money so don’t waste them on anything that’s not already on sale if you want to maximize your savings. When what you need is on sale, stock up at that price.
4) Ask Whether Your Store Accepts Competitor Coupons. Retailers want to keep you from shopping at their competitor down the street and in many cases are more willing to accept store-specific competitor coupons, like those from Walgreens or Target. Ask the store manager, especially if the item you want is on sale.
5) “Stack” Your Coupons. To add to your coupon savings, “stack” a manufacturer’s coupon that you clipped out of the newspaper or got online with a store-specific coupon, like those you can get on Target.com or in the Walgreens EasySaver booklet. This is another great way to get free products.
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TweetAmazon deals worth their weight in Gold
Many frequent online shoppers know about Amazon.com’s Gold Box deals, but for those who don’t, it is worth your while to check it out.
From the home page, click on the “Today’s Deals” channel next to the gold box. It will take you to a page listing their “Deal of the Day,” “Lightning Deals” and an expanded “More of Our Best Deals.”
Their “Deal of the Day” for today, Dec. 10, is the “Band of Brothers” HBO miniseries on DVD for $25.99 — 68 percent off the list price of $79.98.
And one of today’s “Lightning Deals” is a Garmin GPSMap 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator for $249.99 — a savings of 53 percent of the list price of $535.99.
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TweetBooks make great (and sometimes cheaper) Christmas presents
Books can make excellent holiday presents. You can get a gift that is in line with the recipient’s hobbies or interests, choose one you liked that you want to share, or find a good list of suggestions already compiled.
And many books, especially paperbacks, can provide a memorable choice even on a budget.
On About.com, they published a list Dec. 8 of their top books from 2008 to give as Christmas gifts, organized by what type of person would be happy to receive them.
At Suite101.com, Helen Brain published her list Dec. 8 of the best books to give boys as Christmas gifts, that are geared for younger boys and tweens.
I know her first pick, “Captain Underpants” is a winner with my elementary school-age sons and their friends.
I would also add the first and second installments of Jeff Kinney’s “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” which my 7- and 9-year-old have both thoroughly enjoyed. They were just sad to see that the third book in the series, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw,” won’t be released until next month.
Brain also lists her best gifts for girls, compiled in November. Also, I know my nieces loved the Junie B. Jones series, and the “Eloise” books are always good choices.
And my favorite book for kids of all time is “The Sneetches and other Stories” by Dr. Seuss.
For all ages, you can always search the best-seller lists put out today, Dec. 9, by the New York Times or the sites of your favorite bookstores for ideas.
Barnes and Noble even has an offer of free delivery by Christmas if you place an order by Dec. 18, as well as a holiday gift guide with books for up to 40 percent off.
So, if you do some homework, you may just find some great books this holiday season.
Do you have any favorite books for kids or adults to recommend?
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TweetWalmart iPhone yes; price in question
Earlier today I posted the reported speculation about Walmart sellng iPhones for $99. Walmart will offer the phones, as reported by CNNMoney.com, but the price, as stated in the earlier post, is still just a rumor.
Since neither Apple nor Walmart will officially confirm details of the Walmart iPhone sales, it is even more difficult to confirm what the price may be.
For more on this story and the many rumors swirling around the concept, see the CNN story.
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TweetWalmart reportedly to start selling iPhone — for $99?
The Associated Press is reporting that Walmart will start selling the iPhone (possibly this month), and the Dayton Business Journal is adding that it will cost $99.
The AP story reports that a Walmart employee in Uniondale, N.Y., told The Associated Press on Monday that the store will start selling Apple’s iPhone, confirming media reports over the weekend.
The story goes on to say that the San Jose Mercury News reported Friday that store employees in California said the phone would be on sale by the last week of December, and maybe before Christmas.
In the DBJ story, they report that rumors of $99 iPhones coming to Walmart gained momentum over the weekend because the retailer reportedly has been training its employees on how to sell the Apple Inc. devices.
They went on to say that Bloomberg said it talked to employees at five Walmarts in California who said the phones would be in stores by the end of the month.
Walmart Stores Inc. would be the second independent retail chain after Best Buy Inc. to sell the phone. The phone is also sold at Apple and AT&T Inc. stores.
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TweetIf you have the time, investigate before you buy
This weekend, while my husband and I were online shopping for a marble track for our 7-year-old, we came upon a good example of why it pays to go that extra step to find the best deal.
After a few searches, we found ourselves at good old Amazon.com, and found one we thought our son would like. It was called “Block-N-Roll 150 Piece Race & Roll Marble Runs” by Block-N-Roll, and it was $49.95.
Since the price was steep, we kept that one in mind but kept looking. Just a page later on Amazon, we stumbled upon the “150 Piece Race and Roll” by Taurus Toys for a mere $25.99. It had a shorter description than the pricier item, but sounded good as well.
And here’s the kicker — it had the same picture as the one we liked initially.
At first I thought maybe Amazon had made a mistake and used the wrong picture on one of them. But, after looking up the item on the Block-N-Roll site and the Taurus Toys site, it appears that this marble track is in fact the same in both cases — except, of course, for the price. And, on the Taurus Toys site, the description matched the Block-N-Roll description on Amazon.
This was a good example of why it sometimes pays to look around a bit before making a purchase — if you have the time. There are many great deals just waiting to be found.
Have you ever had a similar experience?
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TweetGreat presents for $30 or less
In the Dec. 8 edition of the Dayton Daily News, Amelia Robinson compiles a great holiday list of gifts for $30 or less.
Among her suggestions: great online-only deals, Vera Bradley accessories, DVDs, CDs, Bling Clutches and more.
Check it out in the Life section or online!
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TweetWeb site challenges users to think outside the gift box
Lisa Orman, president of Kid Stuff Public Relations, sent in this item about a Web site challenging people to come up with new ways to make quality homemade gifts without spending much money.
The Web site — YouCanMakeThis.com — called the challenge “Thrifty Under 50” and advertised for 50 people to make as many presents as they could for less than $50.
Within two days of posting the challenge on site creator Kim Christopherson’s blog — YouCanMakeThis.Com blog, Christopherson received more than 330 requests to be a part of the Thrifty 50.
“We’re trying to get people to think a little differently this year than in years past,” Christopherson said.
“We want to encourage people to utilize what they already have on hand. To be inventive and creative and dig into those fabric stashes and figure out ways to re-purpose old items, and use up what they already have.”
Now, each member of the Thrifty 50 is blogging about their adventure and sharing tips on the YouCanMakeThis.Com blog.
Are you making many of your holiday gifts this season? How much money do you think you’ve saved?
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TweetEarly Christmas present: Economic hope
What is that light in the night sky? Could it be a ray of hope?
Senor features editor Albert Bozzo wrote an article that was published Dec. 5 titled “Huge Job Losses Could Be Signal That Worst is Over.”
In it he says: “If there was ever a time to remind investors that the labor market is a lagging economic indicator, economists say today is such a day. Once the knee-jerk, doom-and-gloom reaction is over, something resembling optimism will prevail with the conclusion that the worst is over for the economy.”
Bozzo talks to veteran Wall Street economist Ram Bhagavatula, who is among a “growing number of economists who say the seeds of recovery are already in place.”
“The leading indicators will come from a slow re-activation of the credit markets and increases in consumer spending,” Bhagavatula said. “You should begin to see that in the next couple of months.”
Adds Chris Rupkey of the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi: “Every recession has its worst day, and this is probably the worst day.”
Let’s hope they’re right.
What do you think? Do you agree with this forecast?
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TweetToddler Girl’s Hat at Mitten Sets sold at Meijer recalled
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported Dec. 4 that Meijer Inc. had recalled their Toddler Girl’s Hat and Mitten Sets due to choking hazard.
The commission reported that the safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.
The hazard is caused by magnets in the hat can detach and fall out, posing a choking and aspiration hazard to young children. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforations or blockages, which can be fatal.
Meijer has received one report of the magnet separating from the hat. No injuries have been reported.
The recalled hats and mittens have two magnets sewn into each side of the hat and are cotton with pink, lavender, orange and aqua green stripes and various prints. Some of the hat and mittens have dark pink hearts with light pink stripes. “Aquarius LTD” is printed on the tag of the hat and mitten sets.
The hats have been sold at Meijer stores in Ohio and other stores around the country from August to October 2008 for about $12. They are manufactured in China.
The CPSC recommends consumers immediately take these hat and mitten sets away from children and return to Meijer store for a refund.
For additional information, contact Meijer at (800) 927-8699 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, visit the firm’s Web site at www.aquariusltd.com, or e-mail the firm at marka@aquariusltd.com.
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TweetElder-Beerman Super Saturday
In case you missed the big ad on the front of today’s (Dec. 5) Dayton Daily News, Elder-Beerman is having a Super Saturday sale tomorrow (Dec. 6).
The earliest shoppers will get a free goodie bag with an extra 30 percent off the regular and sale price on most apparel. They’ll even throw in a Godiva chocolate bar.
E-B stores in Centerville, Kettering and Northwest Dayton are open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and those at the Dayton Mall, the Mall at Fairfield Commons and North Park are open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. For the store nearest you, visit elder-beerman.com.
On the back of that newspaper ad there are extra savings coupons (many of which apply to today as well).
Happy shopping!
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TweetWalmart, McDonald’s riding out financial storm
Reporter Edward Iwata wrote in USAToday earlier this week that a handful of companies both in the U.S. and all over the world seem to be riding out the recession in good shape.
In his article titled “Some companies (like Wal-Mart) thrive despite recession,” Iwata talks about the companies — among them health care giant Abbott Laboratories, McDonald’s and, of course, Walmart— that are weathering the financial storm.
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TweetDo you prefer shopping online?
There is a forum under way on 937moms.com discussing whether it is better to shop online or at the store.
What are your thoughts? Have you ever had trouble with something you bought online?
Their entries can be seen at 937moms.com/forums.html?func=view&catid=46&id=16929.
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TweetPet toys that aren’t budget biters
Tight holiday budgets don’t have to equal empty stockings for your pets.
Katie Casey of Formula PR Inc. in El Segundo, Calif., recommends the following sites to help shopping for your pet easy and inexpensive:
Zoom Stuffers Catnip Fortunes: “It doesn’t take ESP to know that your cat’s gonna love Zoom Stuffers Catnip Fortunes. Designed for supreme airborne possibilities, these refillable cookies will keep your kitty busy for hours. Just slip in one of our fantastically fragrant catnip pods (included inside.) for ultimate kitty activation!” Available at Target stores nationwide and fatcatinc.com/html_site/cats.shtml.
Fabulous Las Vegas ShowGulls: “Our ShowGulls are all about glitz and glamour. Kitties just can’t resist the shake of their tail feathers, and one whiff of the catnip will keep your cat calling for an encore.” Available at Target stores nationwide and www.fatcats.com/html_site/cats.shtml.
Wee Doggie Chewzies: “Finally a chew toy designed for tiny mouths. Perfectly sized for your mini and micro dogs, Wee Doggies Chewzies are delicate in size, but tough enough for the chewhound in your little dog.” Check out RetailPets.com and www.shopfatcat.com/chewzies.html.
Rubber Neckers Mini: Heavy-duty canvas and chewy rubber make this toy fun and strong. Avaialble at DogToys.com and www.shopfatcat.com/minirubberneck.html.
Do you have any suggestions for inexpensive holiday gifts for pets?
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TweetMore crafty ideas for fun, inexpensive wrapping paper
I wrote in my Here’s the Deal column in the Dayton Daily News on Nov. 30 about you can save on wrapping paper costs during the holiday season by using newspaper (especially comics), magazines or kids’ drawings.
Sharon Sallee, a reader from Germantown, called in with some great additional suggestions:
Brown rope gift bags: “The kind that have string handles,” she said, adding that you can get them at the Factory Direct Craft Supply (more on this store below), 315 Conover Drive in Franklin.
Decorate white craft paper: The paper that used to be known as butcher paper can be used to wrap gifts and then can be decorated with glitter, rubber stamps or even the footprints of kids and pets.
Industrial foil: “This can be picked up at restaurant supply places and is like 36 inches wide,” Sallee said. Add a colorful bow to the foil-wrapped package and you’re all set.
Sallee referred to the Factory Direct Craft Supply store as one of the area’s “best-kept secrets,” because it offers wholesale craft supplies for holidays, weddings and other special occasions — as well as everyday needs — for low prices.
“I could spend hours in the place,” Sallee said. “But it is a big warehouse and there is no heat or air conditioning,” so she suggests keeping that in mind when figuring out what time of day to go.
You can also shop online. The store’s Web site is at www.factorydirectcraft.com/. Check it out!
Do you know of any other cost-cutting holiday strategies?
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TweetDownload coupons to your cell phone, PC, Kroger Plus Card
Want to have all the benefit of coupons and none of the clipping, printing and organizing? Then welcome to Cellfire.com.
Cellfire offers savings on groceries, shopping, restaurants and entertainment that can be downloaded to your cell phone, grocery savings card (such as your Kroger Plus Card) or PC.
Cellfire lists the following services on their Web site:
— Find deals in your area
— Store deals on your grocery savings card or mobile phone
— Save money with the latest coupons and discount offers at your favorite retailers
— Receive alerts when new deals are available
— Interact with other Cellfire users on our community forum
The service is free for Windows Mobile or Blackberry users, among others, while Alltel and Cellular South charges subscribers $1.99 per month to access Cellfire. If you choose to use Cellfire on your mobile phone, data fees may be charged by your carrier. Check with your carrier for more information.
To get in on the deals, sign up at www.cellfire.com.
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TweetFun family activities abound in Miami Valley — for free!
In times of financial stress, family entertainment is often one of the first expenses to cut, but that doesn’t have to be the case here in the Miami Valley.
In the Life section of the Dec. 4 Dayton Daily News, Meredith Moss writes about dozens of free area activities that are ideal for moms, dads, grandparents and kids.
They include jaunts into nature, art, theater, museums, music, markets and much more.
Check it out — and if you can think of any more to add to that list, let us know!
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TweetWatch out for e-mail scam supposedly sent from Walmart
There have been some e-mail messages supposedly sent by Walmart that promises recipients a rather large amount of money by simply participating in a survey.
The messages also state that the money will be credited to the respondent’s account once the survey has been completed. The spammed message has the headline “Wal-Mart Survey: $90.00 to your account just for your time!” and contains the following information:
“Congratulations! You have been selected to take part in our quick and easy 9 questions survey. In turn we will credit $90.00 to your account - Just for your time! The survey has been sent only to a few people from our random generator! Please spare two minutes of your time and take part in our online survey so we can improve our services. Don’t miss this chance to change something.”
We have confirmed that this e-mail is a scam and you should not participate.
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TweetCEPR study: Unions help women workers
A new Center for Economic and Policy Research study, “Unions and Upward Mobility for Women Workers,” documents wage and benefit gains for women workers in unions.
The report highlights the fact that, for women, union membership increases the likelihood of having employee-sponsored health insurance and a pension as much as having a four-year college degree.
For the complete story, go to www.cepr.net/.
What are your thoughts on the study?
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TweetKroger offers online deals, serves up some tacos
Kroger has partnered with the online coupon site, www.shortcuts.com, to offer shoppers the opportunity to gain information about their store, their Kroger Plus Card and coupons online.
Also, throughout the month of December, Kroger is offering a family meal deal that can help you save money on your next taco dinner. By visiting www.shortcuts.com/tacodeal, you can click the coupons you want, enter your Kroger Plus card number and save cash when you visit the store.
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Tweet5 money tips parents should teach kids
In an article that originally ran on Oprah.com titled “Best Money Lessons to Teach Your Kids” financial expert Suze Orman said that when it comes to helping your children become financially secure adults, there are five things every parent should know.
They are:
1. Start talking about money. “Open up the conversation,” Orman says. “As we said earlier, kids do as you do. Not as you say. So for you, you now have to open up the conversation with your actual actions.”
2. Teach your kids to value money. It’s hard for kids to grasp how much you’re actually paying for items when you do so with a credit or debit card, Orman says. Kids need to see something more concrete. “Start paying for things in cash. That’s what you really need to do,” she says.
3. Don’t reward your children with money. An A on the report card doesn’t equal $50, Orman says. “Love them. Spend time with them,” she says. “[They’ll say:] ‘I got an A. I get to go out with Mommy and Daddy. I get to spend time.’ Teach your children the value of a personal relationship — not that everything comes down to money.”
4. Be an example for your children. “Kids do as you do, not as you say. And don’t think that they don’t watch everything that you do,” Orman says. “Don’t tell them you can afford something when you can’t. All kids want from you is honesty. All this world wants from you is honesty. And all you should want from yourself is honesty.”
5. Teach your kids to prioritize. Sure, kids may want everything, but Orman advises to have them sit down and make a list of what they want the most. “If they still want it a month from then, let them come back to you, but prioritize. What is really important?” she says. “And Mom and Dad, help them prioritize — what do you need versus what you want? And out of all the things you want, what’s the most important thing that you want?”
For the complete article, visit www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/11/26/o.money.lessons.teach.child/index.html
What are some tips you would add?
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TweetBest coupon sites for moms
Parenting.com has looked into what the best coupon sites are for parents on items from food to medicine to toys.
Here are some of their favorite coupon sites:
www.flamingoworld.com www.couponcabin.com www.couponmountain.com www.thecouponclippers.com www.savingsmania.com
For their complete story, visit www.parenting.com/article/Mom/Work—Family/Coupons-for-Mom-1000066036
What sites do you find the most useful?
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TweetTop 10 smart shopping tips from the attorney general
The office of the Ohio attorney general, Nancy H. Rogers, offers the following top 10 tips to help you shop smart this holiday season:
1. It’s your right; exclusions must be in sight: All exclusions and limitations to an offer must be listed in the ad or on the coupon. Bait and switch tactics are illegal. For example, the seller may not use an advertisement to lure you into the store and then trick you into buying a higher priced product. And, it is illegal to advertise a sale without listing any specific limitations, if they exist.
2. Make sure you know what the cancellation policy for an item or service is before purchasing it. Businesses are required to provide any cancellation policy they have, including restocking fees. There are certain transactions that have specific cancellation requirements by law, those are: For door-to-door sales (3 days), for credit/debt counseling services (3 days), for prepaid entertainment contracts (3 days), for home equity loans/mortgage refinancing (3 days), for business opportunity plans (5 days), for hearing aids (30 days), and for contracts sold over the phone you have until you sign a written agreement.
3. Credit/debit card use: When you pay by credit card, your transaction is protected by the Federal Fair Credit Billing Act. Under this law, you have the right to dispute charges and temporarily withhold payment while a creditor investigates. With credit card charges, consumers are only held liable for $50 in unauthorized charges. Debit cards may not provide such protection.
4. Be careful when buying gift cards: Be careful purchasing gift cards from a retailer that may be closing or that has filed for bankruptcy because you may not be able to redeem the gift card if this occurs. Under Ohio law, most gift cards cannot have an expiration date or charge fees within two years of the date issued. If a gift card has no expiration date, it is valid until redeemed or replaced with a new card. Exceptions include gift cards that can be used at different retailers; for example, a mall gift card, or a gift cards received through a reward, loyalty or a promotional program.
5. Look before you layaway!: Layaway programs are designed for customers who want to buy merchandise without using credit or immediately paying the full price. To avoid problems, get the store’s layaway policy in writing, including the terms of the layaway plan and the refund policy.
6. Read all the terms and conditions before you commit!: When shopping online take time to read through the Web site to find the cost of shipping and handling fees, and whether they provide a free shipping label for returns. Look for the refund policy and the privacy policy and opt out of future solicitations, or permission to sell your personal information to others.
7. Request a rain check: If you respond to an ad and find the advertised goods are sold out, you have the right to a rain check. A rain check allows you to buy the advertised goods for the sale price at a later time. You do not have the right to a rain check if the ad mentions the number of goods available, or if the store is selling seasonal or clearance items.
8. Keep important information and documents when making a purchase: When ordering by phone or computer, write down or print out information related to the transaction, including the seller’s name, address and telephone number; the name of the person you spoke with, if applicable; a description of what you ordered; confirmation numbers; the seller’s delivery date, terms and return policies. Keep receipts and any other documents related to the transaction. Ask for a gift receipt, even if it’s not a gift, so that you will have an extra copy.
9. Look for the point of “No Return”: Check return policies before you buy. Ohio law does not require sellers to have any specific return or refund policies. However, return policies must be clearly posted. Most will require you to produce a receipt.
10. Beware of billing errors: Look for errors and unauthorized purchases. Notify your financial institution immediately if your credit card, debit card, or checking account has charges that are unauthorized.
Remember, always shop around.
For additional information or to report consumer fraud, contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section online at www.AG4OHIO.gov or by calling 1-877-AG4OHIO (1-877-244-6446).
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TweetBonus! New Meijer program stacks the deals
Meijer has introduced the “Meijer Bonus” program that rewards shoppers with up to 20 percent off their grocery purchases when buying general merchandise items within the store.
The program provides holiday shoppers with a coupon for 5 percent off their next grocery purchase for every $100 spent on general merchandise or apparel items. Up to four coupons can be acquired during each shopping trip, and customers can “stack” up to four coupons for a maximum savings of 20 percent off their next grocery purchase.
The program is under way and will run through Dec. 24. All grocery coupons must be redeemed by Dec. 31.
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TweetLocally based Occasionally Yours to grow
Reporter Tim Tresslar noted recently that Occasionally Yours, a Dayton-based retailer, says it will open stores in Columbus and Indianapolis before the end of this year.
Plans call for Occasionally Yours to open the stores in the Easton Town Center in Columbus and the Hamilton Town Center in Indianapolis.
The company also operates two stores in Beavercreek, at The Greene and the Mall at Fairfield Commons.
For the complete story, click on www.daytondailynews.com/search/content/oh/story/business/2008/11/24/ddn112408retailweb.html
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TweetMichael’s has crafty Christmas savings
Michael’s, The Arts and Crafts Store, has a sale this week on 40 percent to 50 percent off their entire stock of Christmas trees, as well as huge savings on many Christmas decoration extras, such as ornaments, wreaths and lights.
There are coupons providing additional savings in the Sunday, Nov. 30, Dayton Daily News.
Local Michael’s locations are at 2500 N. Fairfield Road in Beavercreek and 8111 Springboro Pike in Miamisburg.
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TweetSunday shoppers find sales, fewer crowds
In case you missed it in the Dec. 1 edition of the Dayton Daily News, reporter Jeremy P. Kelley wrote about how consumers found plenty the same holiday deals offered on Black Friday amid much thinner crowds on the following Sunday, Nov. 30.
To read the complete story, see www.daytondailynews.com/b/content/oh/story/business/2008/11/30/ddn113008shoppingweb.html
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TweetGrismer customer touts service
Joe Jackson, a local customer of Grismer Auto Centers, wants to alert readers to the fact that Grismer offers a longer limited warranty on car repairs than most dealer/independent service. He says that “Most new car dealers/independents don’t have warranties such as the Lifetime Brake Overhaul.”
For more information and to check out specials and values, visit www.Grismertire.com.
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TweetKohl’s Christmas Countdown
Kohl’s, a department store well-known for their frequent and sizable sales, is in the midst of a big 2-day Christmas Countdown Sale. The sale started Sunday, Nov. 30, and continues through Monday, Dec. 1. The sale includes 40 percent to 60 percent off jewelry, up to 60 percent off clothing throughout the store and much more.
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