Wise Bread

Ask the Readers: Do you Return Gifts? (Chance to Win $10!)

Linsey Knerl — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:25:07 +0000

We've all experienced a gift of a sweater that was too small (or worse yet, itchy.) There are even tales of fine art presents that missed the mark of good taste and ended up hanging in the garage. Then there are cases of getting two of something, where returning one would only make sense. What are you gift return policies?

Are you one of those giftees who keep a gift — no matter what — often subjecting it to a life of solitude in the back of a closet or a box in the attic? Or do you gladly exchange for something you'll love? Do you save something that's "not your thing" for a future White Elephant gift exchange or the drop-off location at your local Goodwill store? We want to know what you think is acceptable in the world of gifting.

Share your thoughts here in our comment thread or on Twitter, and you'll be entered to win one of two $10 Amazon giveaways. It's just enough to pay for the return postage on a gift returned to Amazon. Dozens of readers have already won. You could be next!

Win a $10 Amazon Gift Certificate

We're doing two giveaways — one for random comments, and another one for a random tweets.

How to Enter:

Post your answer in the comments below, or
Tweet your answer. Include both "@wisebread" and "#WBAsk" in your tweet so we'll see it and count it.

If you're inspired to write a whole blog post, please link to it in the comments or tweet it.

At the end of the drawing, we'll update this post to include (and link to) all of your helpful responses.

Giveaway Rules:

Contest ends Friday, December 18th at 11:59 am CST. Winners will be announced after December 18th on the original post and via Twitter. Winners will also be contacted via email and Twitter Direct Message.
You can enter both drawings — once by leaving a comment and once by tweeting.
Only tweets that contain both "@wisebread" and "#WBAsk" will be entered. (Otherwise, we won't see it.)

Good luck!

Permalink | 67 comments | Linsey Knerl's blog | Channel: Giveaways

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Best Deals for Tuesday 12/15/09

Lynn Truong — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:37:58 +0000

Rubik's TouchCube $50 + $1 s/h

Tommy Hilfiger Men's Atlantic Crewneck Sweater $17

Lands' End: up to 65% off kids outerwear

FREE Personalized Video Message from Santa Claus

ShoeSteal.com: Up to 75% off boots, up to 50% off bags

Book Review: The Art of Manliness Classic Skills and Manners for the Modern Man

Julie Rains — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:00:06 +0000

By Julie Rains

I just finished reading The Art of Manliness: Classic Skills and Manners for the Modern Man by Brett and Kate McKay. Skills for building a career, surviving in the wilderness, and more are covered. Here are some of my favorites in the rugged man and refined gentleman categories.

Stone skipping

I'll start with the one of the skills that I most admire about my husband: the ability to skip stones over water (see post photo for illustration). The secret to successful skipping is revealed (or in my case, reinforced as my husband has advised me many times): choose carefully. The best skipping stones are flat and even. Basic instructions from the book:

Stand facing the water at a slight angle. With the rock in your hand, pull your arm back. As you throw the rock, cock your wrist back. Right before you release the stone, give your wrist a quick flick.

Rugged Man

1. Start a fire without matches. There are many ways covered in the book but what seems like a handy way to me is using steel wool and batteries. My son, the Boy Scout, attended a wilderness survival outing in which he learned this method though he didn't actually start a fire. Still, I can see how these two items could have multiple uses at base camp or in the woods, so I will encourage him to pack these, separately, on his next trip.

2. Navigate without a compass. Actually, navigating with a compass is tricky for many people. I finally learned how to use one when my husband and I took a canoeing trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Unlike previous outings on rivers in the southeastern USA in which there is just one direction to follow, we had to find our way around lakes and islands with a map and compass. Given the alternative of getting lost in the wilderness, I managed to follow the canoe trail and then get us back to the launch site.

Deciphering directions without a compass is also discussed in the Boy Scout handbook (a McKay favorite), which I am becoming familiar with. Besides using the North Star (aka Polaris) to figure out which way North is (useful for those in the Northern Hemisphere on a clear night without light pollution), there are variations of the shadow-stick method, such as the sun-shadow method, in which you detect the east-west line (and then north and south depending on your hemisphere). Place a stick in the ground with no shadow; when the shadow appears (and is at least 6 inches), it will point east. I can see how this technique would allow you to travel in the woods.

3. Rescue someone from drowning. As a former lifeguard, I was particularly interested in this section. My training indicated that I should never put my life at risk to save someone else's and the book mostly reinforces this message. The techniques include handing a flotation device to the person in distress, and there are instructions on avoiding being pulled and kept under water by a panicked victim.

I'll also recommend controlling risk: teach your kids to swim, find danger areas in a body of water, evaluate the skills of swimmers, and watch what other people are doing. Though I have only rescued one person (a kid in a pool), I may have saved others as I once had to explain to a large man that if he didn't know how to swim, then he shouldn't jump off the diving board into the deep end.

4. Jump start a car with cables. After having a battery die without warning, I keep jumper cables in my car. The last time I used them though was to help someone else. I think I had to call someone for instructions. It is nice to have the details in the book (you could keep the book in the glove compartment and the cables in the trunk): turn off the cars; connect the red ends of the cable to the positive terminals of both batteries; connect one of the black ends to the negative terminal of the good battery and connect the other end to a "clean, unpainted metal surface under the disabled car's hood," and start the cars. The next part I remember from my own episodes: make sure the car with the low battery is running for a few minutes before disconnecting the good battery, and then drive the car for a while to recharge the battery.

I love this mnemonic device from the blog: "red=positive=blood=life/black=death=negative" to remind me which cable end doesn't need to be attached to the low-juice battery (the black one). I'll mention that if you run down a battery (by listening to the car radio while the car isn't running, for example), then this technique works very well. If the battery is just completely worn out, you may need to get the car towed and replace the battery.

Refined Gentleman

1. Make a speech and toast at a wedding. Having witnessed rehearsal dinner speeches that made me feel embarrassed and uncomfortable (and concerned about the future of the couple's marriage or the toast-giver's state of mind about relationships), I especially liked this section of the book. Advice includes: "Share a story about how your friend would always lament that he would never find a woman with x, y and z qualities, but how he finally did in his new bride....What gets people in trouble is attempting to be funny by sharing an embarrassing story or cracking some lame joke about a ball and chain." This section, with detailed instructions and a crib sheet, is probably worth the cost of the book.

2. Purchase a well-fitted suit. The section on dressing like a gentleman is similarly valuable, covering jacket fit, drape, and length as well as tips on choosing where the trouser break will fall. Having this guide can be helpful in making a suit selection and communicating with a tailor or a sales associate at the men's store.

I'll mention that the sizing of dress shirts lists the neck size first (16, for example) and then the sleeve length (34, for example); a man's neck size may change as he gains or loses weight but the sleeve length is likely to stay the same. (Also discover ways to save on suits while preserving manly sophistication).

3. Shake hands. This one seems obvious to me: "full grip" also described as web-to-web, firm, and clean with eye contact and a smile. In the blog post, there is some discussion about whether the rules are the same for women; I think they are.

I just learned that there are swine-flu handshake variations, such as the closed hand, knuckle-to-knuckle greeting.

4. Be chivalrous. Open and hold doors for others, retrieve dropped items, and walk closest to the street on a sidewalk are all acceptable and desirable methods of being chivalrous. I ;notice and admire such behavior as it shows an awareness of other people's needs, willingness to be kind, and courage to take risks. Chivalry, proper use of Facebook, and more is covered in the "Guide to Being a Gentleman in 2008" ebook (PDF) presented by The Art of Manliness.

Knowing how to do certain things can instill calmness and confidence in everyday and emergency situations, a benefit of reading this book. The authors also want to redirect the notion of manliness from the "dithering dad" often depicted on television and "six-pack abs" kind of guy to a more sophisticated, honorable gentleman, not that there's anything wrong with great abs.

Instructions on interpersonal relationships were good though there wasn't much information on being a husband, considering the space devoted to courtship and fatherhood. I agreed with much, though not all of the advice, particularly the recommendation to ask your intended's father for his blessing in a pending marriage. Even my greatest-generation dad would have felt uncomfortable, mainly because he wanted his daughters to make good decisions without being overly influenced by any man, including dad.

I did appreciate the overall lightheartedness and humor, something I think can be lacking in modern-day conversation. In a section on establishing rites of passage for boys to become men, for example: "If you ask them [grown men, presumably] when the transition occurs, you will get a variety of answers: when you get a car, when you graduate college, when you get a a real job, when you get married, when you switch from Honey Nut to regular Cheerios, and so on."

As the married mom of 2 sons nearing manhood and the daughter of a man from the Greatest Generation that the McKays esteem, I found the book to be practical and entertaining.

Disclaimer: I received The Art of Manliness free to review.

Permalink | 4 comments | Julie Rains's blog | Channel: Lifestyle

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How to Make the Most of Your 401K

Silicon Valley Blogger — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:08:36 +0000

By Silicon Valley ...

Most of us have a 401k account with our employer. But there are people who've decided not to participate in their employer's retirement program for a variety of reasons. Some employees feel that they simply don't have the funds to sock away, and make this an excuse to skip out on the free money that comes along with company matched 401k or 403b contributions. Others would prefer to defer saving for the long term until they're "older." Others are still at the point of worrying about which high interest savings account to house their emergency funds in.

But imagine the money you're missing out on when you decide not to invest in an employee retirement program! The irony here is that the younger you do save for the long term, the better your investment returns will be over time. I started investing at the age of 23 and that was exactly two decades ago. I've been pretty happy about having made my retirement a financial priority, along with the commitment I took to building my retirement fund at a young age. Even with the volatility in the stock market, the returns have been good.

I've also heard another excuse that employees use to avoid putting money in an employer sponsored account. It's that they don't trust their employer with their money. With the nation just getting out off a painful recession, a lot of people have been concerned about the financial health of their employers — what with layoffs and all. After all, bankruptcy did Enron in, costing a lot of people their retirement years. But these fears are unfounded if people familiarize themselves with their employee sponsored plans. Here are a few tips to to help you get the most out of your 401k account.

1. Understand the rules that affect your 401k.

Don't forget that your 401k is your responsibility and nobody else's to manage. There is an administrator that handles the paperwork and provides you with a menu of investment products to choose from, but ultimately, you are responsible for the money you decide to invest. If you make the wrong choices for your investments, you can end up with a poorly performing portfolio. Realize, too, that your 401k has tax benefits and it's good to know how to leverage those benefits when you invest: for instance, avoid sheltering tax-friendly investments in your retirement plan as the tax benefits are redundant. Instead, buy tax-friendly investments in your regular accounts (such as tax exempt bonds) while you keep other assets in your 401k plan. Strategies like this can give you an edge with your portfolio.

2. Diversify your investments, even those in retirement accounts.

So your retirement accounts contain long term investments, but this doesn't mean that you should take unnecessary risks and that you should be overly aggressive with your investment selections. Use the investment tools offered by online brokers and investing sites to check on your portfolio's composition and how to best diversify your contributions.

3. Know the best investments for retirement accounts.

There are certain investments that may be more suitable for long term accounts and which work best with a 401k. Stock mutual funds and index funds are great choices — they are the perfect balance of risk and reward, in my opinion. It's also interesting to note that many employers will offer their own stock as part of their company retirement program. Should you invest in your employer's stock? It's up to you to make the decision, but I wouldn't go overboard with a high concentration in just one stock, no matter how confident I am about the company. Again, diversification is key. Also, putting your money in a pure cash account in your 401k may set it up for underperformance. Since your account is for a long term goal, you should pick investments that have good growth prospects.

4. Move to a rollover IRA once you leave the company.

For many of us, leaving an employer also means leaving our 401k behind and forgetting about it. As in my own experience, performing a rollover is a task that often falls by the wayside. But this is something that shouldn't wait: you should work on moving your money over to a high yield savings account using a rollover IRA registration. Be careful that you go through this process carefully so as not to incur penalties.

5. Contribute up to the match, at the very least.

The conventional wisdom here is that unless you have a lot of debt and need to reduce your debt load as a first priority, then you should open a 401k account. Most 401k programs have index funds you can invest in, by default, and also have an employer matching component. If you can afford it, contribute up to the maximum amount that is matched by your employer: a typical scenario has your company matching 50% of your first 6% of pretax dollars that you contribute to your 401k (or 403b) account. I've actually done a step further and have contributed the maximum allowable in all my retirement accounts, which has been up to 15% or more of my salary.

6. Be careful when you borrow from your 401k.

For those looking for affordable loans, one option has been to target their retirement funds as a source. Borrowing from your retirement plan is a pretty good deal since you're required to pay back the money plus interest over a certain length of time, and you're actually paying yourself that interest. But be careful: if you end up having trouble repaying this loan, you'll owe income taxes and a 10% early withdrawal penalty. I wouldn't go down this path unless I'm absolutely certain I can pay back what I borrow...only because I'm allergic to penalties and additional payments. So tread carefully!

In general, the investments that are housed in your retirement plans are typically protected by either FDIC or SIPC insurance, depending on what type of assets you hold. In my mind, there's no real good excuse not to own a 401k account, especially when you've got an employer match; it's a valuable benefit you shouldn't miss out on when you're working for someone.

Permalink | 4 comments | Silicon Valley Blogger's blog | Channel: Investment

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Shopping Smart at CVS

Linsey Knerl — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:50:38 +0000

By Linsey Knerl

This article shares tips from the 17th episode of Dealista, our new podcast that'll help you get more for less. Click play to listen, or subscribe via iTunes to take the episode with you!

Download episode mp3 | Check out show archive

Maybe shopping at CVS doesn’t seem that frugal, but — if you play your cards right — there is a guaranteed way to get stuff there for free (or really, really cheap). We teamed up with Tara at DealSeekingMom.com to get the scoop on this national pharmacy chain, and how you can play their ExtraCare Bucks game to your advantage!

What are ExtraCare Bucks?

These are the method of savings that CVS employs for its customers. Similar to Walgreen’s Register Rewards, these are coupons that print out at the end of a qualifying promotional purchase. They are good on future purchases and can equal free stuff!

How do I get signed up?

It’s easy. By visiting the CVS.com website or signing up in store, you can be part of the ExtraCare Program. Tara suggests that you do it in-store, if possible, as this gets you instant access to a card and the savings that go along with it. (Otherwise, you’re looking at 2 weeks to receive it in the mail.) Note: Before signing up for the program, be sure there are stores in your area. Sadly, many would-be shoppers are nowhere near a CVS, and wouldn’t be able to take advantage of any of their offers.

How Do I get free stuff?

It takes a combination of planning and purchasing, but ultimately, you can save big money and get products for free by buying other items. Sites like DealSeekingMom.com and SlickDeals.net offer weekly updates on the products you should buy, combining sale prices, ExtraCare Buck promotional deals, and manufacturer’s coupons to get them deeply discounted (or for nothing). By looking at the OOP (out-of-pocket) price, you can see just how much you’ll have to spend up front to get your items. Sometimes, you’ll pay nothing, other times, you’ll reap your reward on future purchases made with those ExtraCare Bucks.

Using earned ExtraCare Bucks (or ECB’s) for future promotions that earn ECB’s is called “rolling,” and it’s what separates the serious CVS shopper from the hobbyist. By taking advantage of an offer like the one below, you can stock your pantry for little to nothing in total out-of-pocket dollars:

I purchased Adidas deodorant as part of a special CVS ECB promotion. The deodorant earned me ExtraCare Bucks for the month, and there was also a coupon available to get the deodorant for free in All You Magazine. Even though I wasn’t paying anything out of pocket (after the coupon), I still earned the ECBs on the transaction. So I paid with the coupon, got the item for free, and still earned $3.99 in ECBs to be used towards a future transaction.

Pretty slick, huh?

In addition to remembering that ECB’s expire within 4 weeks (so use them up!), you’ll want to keep these extra tips in mind while shopping:

Some CVS stores will give you a rain check on any item that is out of stock. This is great for that extra good deal that causes the store to be wiped out. Just ask for a rain check, and the cashier should give you one good for the item at the current price, minus the amount that the ECB would have been good for!
ExtraCare Bucks have some restrictions, and can't usually be used to purchase the following items: Prescriptions, alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets, stamps, gift cards, money orders, and prepaid debit/phone cards.
You cannot receive change from an ECB. If your ECB is good for $5 off a purchase, and you only buy something that cost $4, you’re out a buck. Use ‘em or lose ‘em!
Present your coupons in this order to ensure maximum savings:
1. CVS dollar off coupons ($5 off a purchase of $25, for example)
2. CVS store coupons
3. Manufacturer’s coupons
4. ExtraCare Bucks

You may not think you need all the items that go on sale with ECB’s every month, but if there is a chance to score a quality product for free, you may want to go for it, anyway! Local shelters and many charities would love your gift of free shampoo, healthcare supplies, and diapers. You can use your CVS know-how to give on a tight budget this year!

Dealista

If you enjoyed these tips you can find more in our show's archive or subscribe via iTunes.

Dealista is a collaboration between Wise Bread and Quick and Dirty Tips, the producer of popular podcasts such as Grammar Girl, Money Girl, Winning Investor, and Mighty Mommy.

Check out more great tips from our sister shows:

Permalink | 7 comments | Linsey Knerl's blog | Channel: Shopping

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BillShrink Giving Away $2,500 to Wise Bread Readers

Will Chen — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:00:06 +0000

By Will Chen

BillShrink, a free website that gives personalized money-saving recommendations on everyday bills, is giving away $2,500 to Wise Bread readers!

In addition to the contest, BillShrink CEO Peter Pham also shared some great savings tips later in this post. But first, the contest!

Blog Comment Contest: $2,000

Prize: 1 winner of $2,000. BillShrink representatives will pick their favorite response.

How to Enter

BillShrink wants to give you $2,000 to start your New Year with a money make over.

Simply leave a comment below and tell us in 2-3 sentences about what you’d do with $2,000? The best response takes the grand prize.

Would the responsible you pay down your credit card debt? Put the money in savings? Buy low in the stock market? Or start a college fund for your toddler? Or … would rowdy you blow it on a ticket to Antigua? Or buy 14 bottles of Dom Perignon? Or get a flat screen TV or a new computer? BillShrink CEO Peter Pham also talks about how he would spend $2,000. You might want to check out Peter's response get some inspiration.

Don't forget to enter your email address while leaving a comment. We can't contact you if you don't leave an email address!

Twitter Contest: $250

Prize: 1 winner of $250. Randomly selected.

How to Enter

Simply tweet one of these messages:

RT this for chance to win $250 @WiseBread http://bit.ly/4t0sDu
Win $2500 at @WiseBread courtesy of @BillShrink http://bit.ly/4t0sDu

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter. It makes it easier for us to message you when you win.

BillShrink Facebook Contest: $250

Prize: 1 winner of $250. BillShrink will randomly select one of their new fans following them on Facebook.

How to Enter

Visit BillShrink's Facebook fan page and add yourself as a fan. That's it!

(While you're in Facebook, don't forget to check out Wise Bread's fan page as well.)

Rules For All Three Contests

The Blog Comment, Twitter, and Facebook contests all end at midnight EST 1/08/10. Winners will be announced on this post on 1/13/10. You can enter all 3 contests, but you can only win once. US residents only, must be 18 or over, void where prohibited (see official contest rules).

Interview With Peter Pham

According to your website, BillShrink has identified more than $1 billion in savings for more than 1 million people this year. Why are so many people overpaying on their bills?

Wireless plan and credit cards are inherently complex. You have in- and out-network calling, overage fees, variable interest rates, annual fees – it’s really too much for a person to track. Each wireless plan, each credit card, markets their plans with different language, gives you options over different periods of time, and has different offerings, so it’s nearly impossible to make an apples-to-apples comparison. BillShrink will do all that homework for you using technology that analyzes all of the fine print and tracks the best options on the market so you don’t have to.

Another reason people are overpaying is that options are constantly changing. Credit cards, banks and wireless companies are competing for your business and continue to make new offers. That’s why we’ve also built into BillShrink the ability to get alerts when a better deal comes along. We’ll take into account all things like wireless termination fees, so you can see if you will really save more money in the long run.

What was the best piece of budgeting advice you got or gave in 2009?

The best piece of advice I gave was to ignore those seeming appealing in-store credit card offers. Salespeople entice you at the register with an additional 10-30% off your purchase and 0% APR promises. But that impulse decision could cost you in the long run because after introductory rates, store credit cards are have interest rates that are generally higher than standard cards like Visa or American Express. Not to mention that they are notoriously strict about late fees, which increase the rate dramatically. All this and that’s not all, when you apply for a new card, an inquiry is made to the credit bureau, which may slightly lower your credit score.

How do you think people can save money on the necessities like gas and cell phones? Is there a way to cut back without making sacrifices?

Absolutely! Most people don’t alter their plan to better fit their usage, but like most, you may have selected a wireless package a year ago that isn’t the right plan for you now. Most people are so afraid of overage charges so they buy tons of minutes or get the unlimited plans that they may not really need.

BillShrink assesses what you need and on average, we save people $300 on their phone bill, without them having to sacrifice any minutes or plan options. For gas, many people by habit go to the same gas station. But, if you can drive the same distance to a station that costs $0.50 less per gallon of gas, that could be a savings of $130 a year.

Do you think frugality will end when the economy starts to pick up?

I think frugality is here to stay, at least I hope so. While this economically turbulent year forced many to change their spending behaviors, I think people will choose to remain frugal as it feels good to be wise about your dollars. In particular, if people feel they are getting the same services for less money, the question simply is ‘why would I pay more than I need to?’ So maybe ‘Frugal is the new black!’

What would you do with $2000?

My weakness is food; I’m a culinary snob. I’d consider blowing it on a trip to NY and have dinner with my wife at Masa, where the pre-fix menu is $500/person.

Never mind all the bill shrinking -- what do you think is worth paying top dollar for?

Vacations. When I get the rare chance to go on holiday with my family, I love a fine hotel with great service, excellent restaurants, and a gorgeous pool. That comes with a price tag, but the rest and luxury is worth it!

Can the consumers be sure that your recommendations are objective?

BillShrink is independent and unbiased. This means that we present the best options to users and have no preferential display of any wireless, credit card, savings or gas recommendations. Our rankings are calculated by complex algorithms that match your unique spending habits with all the available plans in the marketplace, so in essence, we’re your personal financial matchmaker. We think our best value comes in continuing to alert you when a better deal comes along that could save you even more money.

So far your focus is on cell phones, credit cards, and gas prices. But couldn't you expand this to a lot more goods and services? What are your plans for the future?

We intend to keep saving people throughout 2010 and beyond. We’ll add services like TV and Internet services, as well as a host of other bills so that we’ll save Americans another $1 billion next year.

Permalink | 508 comments | Will Chen's blog | Channel: Giveaways

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Best Deals for Monday 12/14/09

Lynn Truong — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:12:57 +0000

Restaurant.com: 80% off gift certificates

Apple Store App Freebies: GravBall, iWore, Cyclic Dial, JingleToe, TanSafe

FREE Amazon Sampler Album: This Is Minty Fresh

DVD Movies $5

Childrens' books $5

The Best Way to Avoid the Worst Financial Problems

Philip Brewer — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:12:16 +0000

By Philip Brewer

Simple living should be about enjoying the good stuff. So, rather than go into a bunch of things you can do to head off possible problems, I'm going to give you just one tool for avoiding bad stuff. Happily, it's a tool so powerful that you just about don't need any others. Then we can get back to putting our focus on living large.

I can give it to you in once sentence: Keep the cost structure of your household flexible. That is, arrange your life so that you can react to a fall in your income by reducing your expenses.

Now, I just wrote a post that recommended the opposite — taking advantage of the sorts of deals you can get when you're willing to make a commitment — so I'm not trying to say that making a long-term commitment is automatically a bad idea. It's often a good idea. Just don't automatically take advantage of every opportunity to save money that way. Be strategic.

The cost structure of most people's household is terribly inflexible. They have debts, leases, and service contracts that require fixed dollar payments that don't vary with their income. This is so common that most people don't even imagine that there are other alternatives, but it's entirely possible to avoid doing so. As soon as you start being strategic about those commitments, you start building flexibility into your household cost structure — flexibility that can save your finances when your income takes a hit.

Only make long-term deals where you're buying something that you're determined to have for the long term. A home often falls into this category. I'm not so sure about a cell phone.

Only make a limited number of long-term deals. Since some things are only available with a contract of some sort, and some things are much, much cheaper if you make a long-term deal, sometimes you don't have much choice. Those have to be long-term deals. So in cases where you can get just as good (or almost as good) a deal without one, refrain from making a commitment.

Only make long-term deals where you're buying something that you could still afford, even if your income fell. Many people buy the most home they can afford. If you instead buy a house that's well within your means, your household cost structure is a little more flexible.

Here's a brief personal example. My cell phone battery recently quit holding a charge. I looked into getting a new phone, but I also priced a new battery. Getting the new smart phone that I wanted would entail not only a 2-year contract but also increasing my bill by at least $30 a month (for data service). By buying a $7 battery instead, I've kept the cost structure of my household a little more flexible. (It was an easier decision for me than for most people because although I'd like a smart phone, the phone I've got now is running software that I helped write, so I've got a personal attachment to it that most people wouldn't feel.)

It's not bad to have fixed costs; you can often get a better deal if you're willing to commit to an expense for a period of time. But each additional fixed cost makes your household budget a little less flexible. If you can keep the cost structure of your household flexible, you'll be okay even if something bad happens financially. And, once you've got that flexibility in place, you can quit worrying about money and put your focus on living large.

Permalink | 4 comments | Philip Brewer's blog | Channel: Personal Finance

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The Cell Phone App That's Saving Me A Small Fortune

Paul Michael — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:00:02 +0000

By Paul Michael

Recently, I upgraded to my very first smartphone. And, being the frugal shopper that I am, I quickly searched for the best apps I could find that would help me save money. I was lucky enough to come across Shop Savvy the same day I bought the phone, and so far, it has saved me hundreds of dollars.

I wasn't entirely convinced that the app could do all that it said it could. I was quite happy to be proven wrong. Basically, Shop Savvy is a small app that utilizes the camera in your cell phone, turning it into a barcode scanner. You hold the phone in front of a bar code, and a few seconds later the phone has scanned the item, searched the web and produced a whole list of prices for the item in question. Here's a demo.

(direct link)

I put this to use on Black Friday, when deals where everywhere...but so was the hype. I'm something of a skeptic when it comes to Black Friday anyway. I know there are genuine deals, but there are also some stores out there looking to monopolize on the hysteria and off-load some old stock for less than competitive prices.

My first stop was Best Buy. My wife and I saw an amazing deal on a 42" Sony LCD TV. It had been marked down by several hunred dollars. I took out the phone, used Shop Savvy, and a few seconds later I was presented with a list of prices, organized from low to high. The price in Best Buy was the best. But, by just $10. When I figured into the equation the fact that I'd have to pay tax on the Best Buy purchase, but not on the online version, I was better off buying online. I also found a rebate and a coupon, making it an even bigger steal. Shop Savvy stopped my spending a total of $90 more for a TV that was supposedly an amazing, unbeatable value.

We did the rounds on printers, blu-ray players, appliances and smaller items like DVDs and CDs. When Shop Savvy couldn't come close, we knew the Black Friday deal was indeed a steal. When Shop Savvy was beating it be tens, or even hundreds, of dollars, we walked away.

After Black Friday, the app has still been a terrific tool in my shopping arsenal. Best Buy once again tempted me with an incredible deal — a 42"Panasonic Plasma, complete with an XBOX 360, Avater game, controller and a few other extras...all for $699.99, over $400 off retail. Wow! We didn't really want the XBOX 360, but at this price, we could buy the whole package, resell the XBOX and make a killing.

But, I wanted to do some checking. Shop Savvy came to the rescue and I discovered the the plasma TV in question was available for $499.99 online. The XBOX 360, $199.99. And the game and accessories, around $100 all in. That's a saving of $100 for the whole package with Best Buy, which is a good deal...but it wasn't worth it for us. We thought we were saving over $400, according to the Best Buy original price. Saving just $100 meant that we could rethink the steal, and reconsider if we really did want plasma or LCD.

Shop Savvy doesn't always work. Sometimes it cannot find a bar code in the system. Sometimes, it takes a while to scan, or you have to manually type in the model number. But it's quick, it's free and it's one of the best price comparison tools I've ever used. Having a tool like this in your pocket gives you the confidence to know when a deal is actually the real deal, or just some over-inflated pricing to try and grab your money while your head spins in a deal frenzy. If you have a smart phone, be it an iPhone, Behold 2, Droid or anything else, I strongly suggest downloading Shop Savvy today. It could be the best free app you ever install.

Permalink | 18 comments | Paul Michael's blog | Channel: Shopping, Technology

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Non-Traditional Jobs: How Bibliophiles and Film Fanatics Can Find Success

Charissa Arsaoui — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:00:03 +0000

By Charissa Arsaoui

Book lovers and movie fanatics of the world unite! There is a legitimate way for you to feed your addiction for bestsellers and box office blockbusters without spending a dime. In fact, it may pay to be nice to the UPS and FEDEX men because they soon will be showering you with gifts and lots of them! In a given week, I receive at least five packages — all of which contain new release books and movies ready to review. That’s right, folks. Everything you were told about the entertainment industry is true. It pays to network.

With that being said, I am going to share my secrets of success with you, Wise Bread readers. I am a contributing writer/reviewer for Buzzine and know how to work my magic when requesting new titles from publishers and distributors. In fact, last month’s booty consisted of over 50 books for my reading pleasure and at least a dozen comedies and documentaries from dinosaurs to wildlife photography to organic cooking. Needless to say, I am in the process of reviewing the bulk of these titles and now have gifts for every member of my family for free. How utterly cool is that? It really is easier than it looks.

Here’s how you can go from your average bookworm or movie watcher to a supercharged, reviewing machine.

Find an outlet for your reviews.

This can be your blog or a publication that you write for. Make sure that you clear your role in the company with the Editor before setting out to express your opinion about an upcoming new release. Much like food critics, reviewers can be brutally honest. You may or may not need to censor your content a bit to fit your target audience.

Start making contact.

Do a simple web search to locate publishing companies and film distributors throughout the country. Locate their Press Room and make note of the name of the site’s publicist. Write down the name, author, and ISBN of the titles that you are requesting to speed up the process. This information will be needed for the next step.

Make a written request.

Some publishing companies require that you fax in requests on company letterhead. I have yet to meet one that has not honored an email request. When writing the publicist for the first time, introduce yourself by name, give background information on the publication that you work for, state the titles that you are interested in, and include a mailing address where the items can be shipped to.

Keep an open line of communication with your contacts.

If a publisher or distributor honors your request, be kind and send them a few words of thanks. Also, send them a link to the review once it goes live. Many companies use your words to help promote their artists, actors and actresses, and authors.

Sign up for the company’s mailing list and request catalogs so you can view future titles.

Treat the publisher/distributor with respect, provide them with a hard copy as well as links to the review, and watch in awe as you become the type of person who gets whatever he or she requests. It’s kind of a “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” philosophy. In return for free publicity, you get boxes full of books and movies for free!

Writer Linda Formichelli created a list of contact information for nearly every publishing company in the United States. Along with the name, address, and phone number of these businesses, she has also gone to great lengths to gain the contact information of publicists who are more than willing to get new material into your hands. Even if you write the wrong person, chances are he or she will forward your request to the right agent.

For a few minutes of your time, you can request upcoming new releases and stop accruing late fees on your library card for having a title out too long. Although some reviewer gigs may not pay monetarily, they do have perks in the form of free merchandise. You may also find yourself richer because of the experience.

Take it from me. Put your talent to use and start reviewing today. Free publicity is enough to get some people to stand up and pay attention. If you are passionate enough about a subject, your words will forever shine through.

Best of Personal Finance Roundup: Things You Should and Shouldn’t Buy at Walmart

Linsey Knerl — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:41:34 +0000

By Linsey Knerl

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best of Personal Finance roundup. In this article, we tell you what you should and shouldn’t consider buying at mega-retailer Walmart, how you can walk out of Vegas a little bit less of a loser, and how to fix your relative’s terribly buggy PC (because you know it will drive you crazy this holiday).

Best Deals for Friday 12/11/09

Lynn Truong — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:33:25 +0000

Ben Sherman Sale: Up to 70% off

Blu-ray 3-Pack Sale

FREE X5 Classical Christmas Sampler

FREE Asian Painting iPhone App

Woman Within Clearance: Up to 80% off

How to Minimize the Cost of Living When Moving: The Cost of Living Myth

Craig Ford — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:00:12 +0000

By Craig Ford

“You’re crazy. I can’t afford to move there — the cost of living is way too high.”

When looking for jobs in new markets people correctly investigate the cost of living. Cost of living is an important consideration when moving to a new location. Nevertheless, there are many false assumptions regarding the cost of living differences.

People falsely assume the cost of living calculator is infallible. While there are many sites that can give you some of those numbers, you should realize those numbers only represents a static mathematical equation. Your purchases, habits, and product usage will not be static. Therefore, you can reduce the cost of living expenses incurred by moving to a new city

The cost of living myth is that you cannot afford to move to certain cities unless you make “x” number of dollars. This simply is not true.

I have experienced a lot of moves in my adult life. This post did not evolve out of some theoretical concepts. They are practical experiences. I have lived in three countries internationally and four different states. My conclusion is this: cost of living differences can be dealt with by lifestyle adjustments not just income adjustments.

The Ice Cream Factor: Buy Less of What Costs More

Two liters of ice cream in my hometown (Alotau, Papua New Guinea) starts at $7.00 and goes as high as $11.00. While living in the States, we could buy the same amount of ice cream for $3. The static mathematical reality is that ice cream costs two to three times more. However, the practical reality is that we have adjusted how often we buy ice cream — less. Therefore, we now spend $7.00 per month instead of $9.00, for three containers of ice cream. Total difference = spend $2.00 less per month on ice cream.

You can minimize the impact of a cost of living change by buying more expensive items less frequently.

The Fruit Factor: Buy Local Alternatives

There are certain North American fruits we cannot find. There are, however, things like apples that are available in our stores. Those items are shipped in from either Australia or New Zealand. Because they come in from overseas we pay around .50-.75 cents per apple. However, we have found fruits like Pomello (similar to grapefruit) that only cost .30 cents during harvesting season. So instead of spending .50 cents on apples, we buy pomellos for .30 cents.

You can minimize the impact of a cost of living change by buying local alternatives or items in season.

The House Factor: Downsize

Housing is probably one of the most discussed parts of the cost of living. A four bedroom house is $150,000 here and $200,000 there. Yet, there are still ways to make the move if you wish. Perhaps instead of buying a four bedroom house you purchase a two bedroom house. Yes, you are not getting the same amount of house, but you are still only paying $150,000 for a house. You might even consider buying a house that has an unfinished basement or something that allows you to improve in the future.

You can minimize the impact of a cost of living change by downsizing and reducing your expectations.

The Transportation Factor: Minimize

Trucks (necessary due to the number of pot holes) cost a lot to maintain where I live overseas. Unleaded gasoline costs around $7 per gallon. Still, you can get around this buy buying cars that are older than you might typically buy. Furthermore, as you explore transportation alternatives you might find that your new location has a very good public transportation system. We pay .36 cents to ride the bus anywhere in town. I know many people who live in Asia who don’t buy a car or truck, but who purchase a scooter instead.

You can minimize the impact of a cost of living change by minimizing your vehicle usage or exploring cheaper local transportation alternatives.

The Vacation Factor: Enjoy New Sites and Sounds

If you have just moved to a new city for at least that year (and probably more), you can enjoy the destinations within driving distance of your new home. Perhaps you are moving from Utah to Florida. Take a vacation to the beach and you will save on airfare and other travel expenses. Perhaps you moved from Florida to Utah. Take advantage of some great camping destinations or skiing in the winter. When looking for something fun, look locally before thinking about heading out of town.

You can minimize the impact of a cost of living change by vacationing in and around your new home.

Can you afford to move to a city with a higher cost of living?

I hope when thinking about a future move, you won’t just accept the cost of living myth. Ask yourself, “will it really cost that much more?” “Is there anything I can do to reduce the cost of living impact?” For example, when living overseas you will need to explore the cheapest ways to exchange foreign currency. When it comes to making your moving decision don’t just get online and let a website tell you if you can afford to move. The calculator is static, but you must be willing to adapt, to be flexible, and to be financially resourceful. Ultimately, you can make up for a lot of cost of living changes simply by life style changes.

What are your experiences with moving? What was the cost of living impact?

How to Finish Something Hard

Sarah Winfrey — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:00:03 +0000

By Sarah Winfrey

Sometimes, life is just hard. None of us want to hear it, but there it is, plain and simple. And during the holiday season, it can be especially hard to deal with difficult things because we feel like we should be so happy.

Different people respond to this fact in different ways. Some people give up because they feel discouraged, hopeless, and depressed. If life can be hard and we never know exactly when "hard" is going to hit, maybe life isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Other people slam through walls as if they aren't even there. These are the world's driven folks, the ones who couldn't stop pushing if they tried (but why would they try?).

At first glance, it seems better to be the second kind of person than the first. At least they get things done. On a closer look, though, these people sacrifice themselves and those close to them in order to do it.

So what's the answer to dealing with difficulty? If we're all going to face it, whether it's getting through an illness, surviving a tough semester, grieving a difficult loss, sticking to a limiting budget, thriving during the holidays, or parenting a difficult child, there has to be a way to approach difficulty that both gets things done and allows us space to care for ourselves and those around us.

Breathe

When hard times hit, the first thing we need is some space. If the difficulty is relatively small or requires immediate action, just a breath or two can be enough to help us cope. There's something about letting our body do something that it does naturally and well that re-centers us and allows us to keep going forward from a non-destructive place.

If there's time and place for more space, take what you can get. All hard things, no matter how small, send the human system into a state of shock. The extent of this shock is usually greater the greater the difficulty or the more it means to us.

Shock isn't something that we can get rid of by choice. Giving ourselves space, though, will go farther towards relieving it than anything else. In that space, our thoughts get the chance to organize and come to grips with reality without panic. From that place, we can begin to move forward.

Take Small Steps

When something is hard, human beings face two temptations. We can get overwhelmed because overcoming the problem seems so hard and take so much energy, or we can insist that the problem is nothing, all the while lacing up our hiking shoes.

Breaking the problem down into smaller chunks can help us conquer both of these temptations. When the problem is small enough that it doesn't overwhelm, we feel like we can take it on, but we don't feel like we have to deny it, either.

Taking small steps also means that, many times, we will look up and realize that we have come farther than we think. Sometimes, one small step after another doesn't feel like much, but it adds up to something greater than just the sum of its parts when the pieces come together.

Find Motivation

A key to not only stick out but thriving in a hard situation is having motivation that will see you through. Survival itself is usually not motivation enough, because human beings don't want to just survive, but thrive instead.

It helps if your motivation for getting through is something deeply personal and central to who you are. If your family is what you value above anything else, for instance, being with them and giving them the best life possible will be a great motivator for everything from fighting cancer to balancing your budget.

If you're not sure what motivates you the most, think about the things you would die for. This is usually a good way to get a quick indication of what is the most important to you. Then figure out how to make this important thing a key part of your motivation for continuing to struggle through.

Keep Going

More than anything else, the way to get through hard things is to keep going. When you think you can't, keep going. When you're tired and stressed and sad, keep going. When all you want to do is stop, keep going.

Life is the sort of thing where, often, you will look up one day to find that the difficulty is over. Somehow, you will have slogged through and gotten to the end of the problems to find normal life there, waiting for you. But you'll only get there if you keep walking forward even when you want to stop.

If you're struggling this holiday season, be it financially, physically, mentally, or any other way, I hope these tips help you find your way out. May you find the light in what you thought was all darkness.

Permalink | 3 comments | Sarah Winfrey's blog | Channel: Life Hacks

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6 Ways to Use Technology to Upgrade Your Career

Greg Go — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:55:22 +0000

By Greg Go

This article is Wise Bread's contribution to Life Scoop, where ordinary people learn how to make surprising things happen with technology.

The Internet is a boon for doing all kinds of things -- including getting a better job and/or getting paid more at your current job. Technology helps us stay connected, learn something new, and make new connections quickly and efficiently. Here are 6 ways to use technology to upgrade your career.

1. See what's out there.

Indeed.com is your friend. It's an aggregator of nearly all job listings posted on the Web. You can create a search for a job or position, and subscribe to email updates when new search results show up.

Instead of doing your daily round of visiting a dozen different job boards, you can now have Indeed find them all, filter out only what you're interested in, and deliver those results to your inbox.

2. Listen to the pulse of the job market.

Some twitter related sites and tools to help your job search:

TweetDeck - the premier desktop Twitter application that helps you derive the signal from the noise. It lets you segregate Twitter users you follow into different columns. You can also create Twitter search streams to follow in one of your columns.
WeFollow - a site that organizes Twitter users into up to 5 categories (called "tags"), and sorts them by popularity. Use it to find thought leaders in your industry or specialty to follow and connect with.
TweetBeep - get email notifications of when someone replies to you, retweets one of your tweets, or mentions you. Use it to stay on top of who's talking to or about you on Twitter.
TweetMyJob - get tweets about specific job types (skills, position) and/or job located in a particular city. TweetMyJob is like Indeed, but for tweets about job openings.

3. Maintain your real-time resume.

LinkedIn is a combination of your virtual resume and a Facebook for professionals. You can post your work history, make connections (like Facebook friends), and receive recommendations from colleagues.

Tips for getting the most out of LinkedIn:

Keep your work history, profile blurb, picture, and active associations up-to-date. You never know when potential employers or recruiters will run into your LinkedIn profile (ie., you virtual resume).
Make connections with every professional you know. You never know when they'll help you open doors to new opportunities.
Give (and receive) recommendations. When you post a recommendation for a colleague (old or current), contractor, vendor, or other business associate, there's a good chance they'll return the favor and say some nice things about you. Instead of burying your glowing references at the end of a paper resume, your LinkedIn profile can have the social proof of your excellence front and center.
Join groups related to your specialty or industry. Talk to those people in the private discussion threads, and make new business friends.

4. Network and make new connections.

Job hunting and career upgrading is like most other life activities -- knowing the right people can open doors otherwise unavailable to you. So it behooves you to build a great professional network. And better to build that network now when you don't need something from them.

LinkedIn is a great start to your networking, but there are additional networking avenues that are worth exploring.

Organize real life meetups with people with similar interests at Meetup.com. Networking online is well and good, but nothing beats the deep connections made from face to face meetings. It doesn't have to be fancy -- try planning a simple meetup at a bar for your peers.

Find niche forums and social networks just for people like you. Try googling for your specialty plus the word "community" to find them.

And I'll bet there are blogs written by people like you (your peers), thought leaders in your specialty, and/or employers you'd like to work for. Follow these blogs, comment regularly, and become friends with influencers in your niche. Start a search for these blogs at Technorati, then just click on the blogrolls you run into.

5. See how you stack up against the industry.

Salary calculators like Salary.com and PayScale.com take into account your education, work experience, benefits and current salary with others in the same position.

You can get a report of where you are on the spectrum of lowest to highest paid. These calculators also provide additional comparison data like salary versus cost of living, salary range at different sized companies, and salary range in different industries.

6. Keep learning.

The Internet is a boon for information seekers. And nothing gives you a leg up on the competition -- whether they're your colleague going after the same raise or another job hunter going for the same job -- like having more knowledge than them.

So take advantage of online courses from major universities.

This list at Lifehacker is a good place to start exploring free online offerings by major colleges. Here are a few of the best:

iTunes U - courses available for download from many sources including NPR, Standford, and MIT. And all free.
MIT OpenCourseware - online version of nearly all MIT courses available.
UC Berkeley Webcasts - lots of Berkeley lectures have been recorded and are available for viewing.

Best Deals for Thursday 12/10/09

Lynn Truong — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:03:06 +0000

By Lynn Truong

Have you picked up Wise Bread's 10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget yet? Packed with tips and color, it's the perfect stocking stuffer!

Check out today's best deals in Apparel, iPhone Accessories, Video Games, Luggage, Tools, Toys, GPS, Home & Garden, DVD, Costumes, Laptop, and TV!

Freebies

FREE Phil Vassar's An Acoustic Christmas MP3 Album
Fill out a short survey and get a confirmation code for free MP3 downloads of Phil Vassar's An Acoustic Christmas album.

FREE Italian Food Calendar
Eat your way through 2010. Fill out their survey on Italian products and get a FREE 2010 Calendar full of coupons, recipes, and pairings.

FREE Stacy's Simply Naked Pita Chips sample
Get a sample of these all-natural pita chips, twice baked for the perfect crunch.

FREE Kashi Breakfast Bar sample
Get a free sample of Kashi's chewy breakfast bar. Hearty and satisfying with their unique blend of 7 whole grains.

FREE iTunes Holiday Sampler
iTunes is offering a Holiday Sampler album free. Includes 20 songs by various artists including Amy Grant, Sarah McLachlan, Weezer, and Aretha Franklin.

Best $10 and Under Deals

Isotoner Men's Wool Knit Gloves $8 + 1 cent s/h
Pennywise offers the Isotoner Men's Wool Knit GLoves for $7.99 with 1 cent shipping. Gloves feature a Thinsulate lining. Valid until 9pm ET on 12/10.

Coby CVE92 Isolation Stereo Earphones $6
Amazon offers these earphones for $5.73, eligible for free shipping on orders over $25. Features a super lightweight slim design and high performance 10mm drivers for deep bass sound.

The Thing Movie T-Shirt $8 + $2 s/h
Tanga offers The Thing: U.S. Antarctic Outpost Station T-Shirt (available in four colors), inspired by the classic movie The Thing for $7.99 + $1.99 shipping. Today only.

Best Apparel Deals

The Limited Coupon: $15 off $15, $30 off $100, $50 off $150
The Limited takes $15 off most purchases of $15 or more via a printable coupon. The same coupon will also take $30 off purchases over $100 or $50 off purchases over $150. Does not apply to accessories. Ends 12/13.

The North Face Men's Windstopper Active Jacket $65 + $8 s/h
Backcountry Outlet offers The North Face Men's Windstopper Active Jacket (available in three colors) for $64.95, down from $128.95 with $7.44 shipping.

Aeropostale Holiday Sale: 50% to 70% off everything
Aeropostale takes 50% to 70% off almost everything it sells during its Holiday Sale. Shipping adds $5.95. Get the polyfleece zip-front jacket (pictured) for $19.80, down from $49.50.

Calvin Klein Men's Shirts Sale: Up to 70% off
Amazon offers a selection of Calvin Klein men's shirts for up to 70% off. Get the short sleeve two button horizontal stripe polo (pictured) for $14.40, down from $48. Free shipping on orders over $25.

Jos. A. Bank Sale: Buy one suit, get TWO free
Jos. A. Bank is offering two free suits when you buy one suit at its regular price. Shipping is free. Today only.

Perry Ellis Men's Apparel: Up to 80% off
Amazon offers selec Perry Ellis men's apparel at up to 80% off. Get the Men's Map Tee for $5, down from $25.

Gucci Fall/Winter Sale:Up to 40% off
Gucci takes 40% off select items during its Fall/Winter Sale. Over 100 designs are available. Shipping starts at $10.

Best iPhone Accessories Deal

Up to 80% off iPhone Cases
HandHeldItems knocks up to 80% off select Apple iPhone, iPhone 3G, and iPhone 3GS cases. Plus, take an extra 20% off via coupon code 20iphonecs. Ends 12/31.

Best Video Games Deal

SEGA Genesis Firecore System w/20 Pre-Loaded Games $25
GamezForLess via Buy.com offers the SEGA Genesis Firecore System with 20 Pre-loaded games for $24.99 with free shipping. Console comes with two came controllers and 20 built-in classic games like Sonic , Golden Axe, Shinobi, and more. Plays Genesis cartridges, too!

Best Luggage Deal

American Tourister Impulse 5-Piece Luggage Set $55
Sears offers the American Tourister Impulse 5-piece luggage set for $54.88 via coupon code SEARS5OFF50 with free shipping. Set includes a 25" upright, 19" upright, boarding bag, wheeled duffle bag, and garment bag.

Best Tools Deals

Craftsman Tools: 50% off
Sears knocks 50% off select Craftsman tools. Shipping starts at $6.95 or opt for free in-store pickup. Additionally, use coupon code SEARS5OFF50 coupon code to get $5 off purchases over $50. Get the 5" Random Orbit Sander (pictured) for $24.99.

Best Toys Deals

70% Off Toys and Games
Dealnews has a new roundup of toys and games discounted up to 70% at Amazon. Get the Crayola Crayon Town Large Mat Construction (pictured) for $9.98.

Best GPS Deal

ClarionMiND 4.8" Wireless GPS w/Internet Browsing & Video $130
Crutchfield offers the ClarionMiND for $129.99 via coupon code 3A825 with free shipping. Not simply a GPS, the ClarionMiND has a built-in computer running Linux that allows you to browse the internet and playback video and audio. It features an Intel Atom 800MHz processor, 4.8" 800x480 touchscreen, built-in NAVTEQ map, 4GB flash memory, 802.11g wireless, Bluetooth, two USP ports, microSD slot, and more.

Best Home & Garden Deal

West Elm Sale: Up to 65% off
West Elm knocks up to 65% off select items for home, bed, and bath during its latest sale. Shipping starts at $4.95.

Best DVD Deal

Seinfeld -- The Complete Series $85
Amazon offers the complete series of Seinfeld for $84.99, down from $250.95. Includes 32 DVDs with all 180 episodes, more than 104 hours of extras, The Official Coffee Table Book, and more.

Best Costumes Deal

Princess Leia Costume $22 + $3 s/h
Costume Craze offers the Princess Leia Costume for $21.58, down from $71.95 with $2.99 shipping. Stock up for next Halloween!

Best Laptop Deal

Dell Vostro V13 Intel 1.3GHz 13" Laptop $449 + $8 s/h
Dell Small Business offers the new 0.65" thick Dell Vostro V13 Intel Celeron 1.3GHz 13.3 Widescreen Notebook for $449 with $8 shipping. This 2.5 lb notebook features an Intel Celeron M ULV 743 1.3GHz processor, 13.3" 1366x768 widescreen LED-backlit dispaly, 2GB RAM, 250GB 5400 rpm Serial ATA hard drive, 802.11 a/n wireless, Bluetooth, webcam, 6-cell battery, and Ubuntu Linux.

Best TV Deal

Vizio 32" 1080p LCD HDTV $398
Walmart offers the Vizio 32" Class HD 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV w/Java Bezel for $398. It's currently sold out online, but you may be able to find one in store.

More Store Coupons

Express: $15 off $30, $30 off $75 (ends 12/13)

Yankee Candle: $10 off orders $20 or more (ends 12/13)

Espirit: 40% off (ends 12/13)

RedEnvelope: 30% off sitewide

French Connection: 30% off (ends 12/14)

Bebe: 30% off (ends 12/13)

Torrid: $0 off $100 (ends 12/31)

Sports Authority: 25% off (ends 12/13)

Lord & Taylor: 25% off most items storewide (ends 12/15)

Guess: 25% off entire purchase (ends 1/30)

Puma: 25% off, $20 off $100, $50 off $150, $75 off $200 (ends 12/11)

Coach: Extra 20% off sale items (ends 12/13)

Philosophy: 20% off (ends 12/14)

JR.com: $20 off $100 with PayPal (ends 12/22)

Kohl's: Extra 15% off sitewide, 20% off $100

Regal Cinemas: Free large soft drink w/purchsae of large popcorn (ends 12/31)

6 Questions to Ask Before You Buy Ground Beef

Steve Klingaman — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:00:03 +0000

By Steve Klingaman

Do you feel lucky?

That was pretty much the takeaway from a recent, chilling New York Times article about E. coli and ground beef. One hard truth: If only the family of 22-year-old Minnesotan Stephanie Smith had known to ask a few simple questions of the local grocer before buying ground beef, Stephanie might not be paralyzed today.

Stephanie’s Story

In the fall of 2007, Stephanie Smith was a vibrant 20-year-old children’s dance instructor who was stricken with E. coli (O157:H7) poisoning from a hamburger prepared by her mother. After exhibiting symptoms of food poisoning, she was hospitalized with severe complications. Her condition was so serious that she was placed in a coma for nine weeks to facilitate survival.

She experienced kidney failure; she could only breathe with the aid of a respirator. Her life hung in the balance for months. Her survival has been called a miracle. Today, Stephanie struggles to recapture the life she once knew. She may never walk — or dance — again. The agonies she faced and the brave recovery she mounted should not be a part of anyone’s life.

Stephanie’s illness prompted food giant Cargill to recall 844,812 pounds of ground beef patties.

Hamburger Is the Biggest Culprit

You might think people are paid to protect the quality of the food you buy. They are. But current USDA rules do not go far enough to protect our food supply in this category. In the meat department, hamburger is the biggest culprit in spreading E. coli. Why is that? A package of ground beef can include meat from many sources, all combined into a single product. If your ground beef comes from a variety of sources, it is only as good as the weakest link — and we are talking about a long supply chain with lots of permutations. Some of the ground beef in the mix that poisoned Stephanie came all the way from Uruguay!

That this staple of so many family diets is potentially suspect means you need to take special measures to ensure that your family cookout or meat loaf is safe.

Two Rules

One, don’t skimp. The pennies you save on ground beef could cost you big time. Economize on the catsup instead.

Two, buy brand name. Moreover, buy just one brand name — the brand you trust. If you want to alternate between brands, plan to ask the 6 questions for each brand you buy.

Now, a word about our 6 questions: First, you need to find a knowledgeable grocery worker, like a butcher, a meat department manager, or a store supervisor, to interview. Then you need to identify a particular brand about which you are going to inquire. Just because the meat is sold under a brand name does not mean it is safe.

You may have the best luck posing these questions to an actual butcher — the type of trained professional you will find in the meat department of a reputable grocery store. In a warehouse store, it may or may not be difficult to locate a person with sufficient knowledge of the brands it sells. If you can’t find anyone to answer your questions, inform the manager that you will be buying your ground beef elsewhere.

As you know, there are brand names, and then there are brand names. Small, specialty meat suppliers that supply natural beef, grass-fed beef, and organic beef will generally pass the quiz with flying colors. Of course you pay for it — through the nose some would say. Remember, you don’t have to go with a specialty brand but…and this won’t surprise you either…smaller, higher end, and store brands produced by high end chains are most likely to pass muster.

The 6 Questions

1. Do they use beef from a variety of sources combined in a single grind?

2. Do they test ingredients before they are ground?

3. Do they use fatty trimmings purchased from slaughterhouses?

4. Do they use meat derivatives in their ground beef?

5. Do they use imported beef?

6. Have they been cited for recent food safety violations

Not so hard. You don’t have to be a food scientist to master these. Just print them out and bring them with you to the store.

Using a simple Good/Not-so-Good scale, you can probably guess the correct answers. Test ingredients — good. Meat derivatives — not so good.

What the Answers Mean

Let’s put some anticipated answers in context:

1. Do they use beef from a variety of sources combined in a single grind?

Some meet processors do not combine sources. This is better by far. It means they deal with a single supplier and can therefore better ensure quality. Some have longstanding relations with their suppliers. A few are, in effect, their own suppliers.

If the processor does combine meat from a variety of sources — and most do — testing is all the more important.

2. Do they test ingredients before they are ground?

Most don't test until after the beef is combined with products from a variety of sources and ground. Some say this is due to processor fears about implicating sub-par suppliers. But what you don’t know can hurt you. So press this point, particularly if the processor uses beef from a variety of sources. Is it a deal breaker? (In my mind, yes.) Most likely, if the company that processed Stephanie’s ground beef tested before grinding, she would be dancing today.

3. Do they use fatty trimmings purchased from slaughterhouses?

Fatty trimmings are 50% fat. Who wants that in their diet? Besides, processors routinely treat the trimmings with ammonia to rid the meat of bacteria. Ugh! Who wants that? Ammonia is for cleaning glass.

4. Do they use meat derivatives in their ground beef?

Call it slop. Or worse. Meat derivatives are unacceptable in every case.

5. Do they use imported beef?

Some imported beef comes from Canada. No problem there. The Canadian system is more stringent than that of the U.S. The Canadians have adopted the National Cattle Identification System using RFID ear tags to identify each individual cow before it leaves the herd. The system employs these radio frequency tags to track down problems before they get out of hand. A similar system is under discussion for implementation in the U.S.

Beef from South America is a different story. Though U.S. inspectors go abroad for periodic checks, sometimes they find problems. They did in Uruguay. And in between inspections, who knows? Beef imported from South America should be tested in advance. The odds are it is not.

6. Have they been cited for recent food safety violations?

What are violations? Ask about recalls or, more commonly, citations issued. In some cases, like Stephanie's, USDA inspectors say meat processors don't follow their own rules.

“Every time we look, we find out that things are not what we hoped they would be,” said Loren D. Lange, an executive associate in the Agriculture Department’s food safety division.

The USDA has its own problems. It is designed to promote and regulate food production. Those are two very different missions. So it has an inherent conflict of interest in its role as watchdog. Unfortunately, that means that just because the USDA knows meat processors aren't exactly following the rules doesn't mean the agency will protect you.

For example, when the USDA conducts routine inspections of meat processing plants they often schedule them with the processor in advance. Given that we know that some food processors cut corners, why make it so easy to cheat?

Asking My Grocers

I tried out the 6 questions on three retail operations: a better quality regional grocery chain outlet, a “big box” grocer, and a stand-alone butcher shop.

The man at the meat counter at the reputable grocery store focused on two brands, both small producers. One provided grass fed beef; the other did not. My grocer knew all the answers. What’s more, he welcomed my questions. Both of these vendors used single source beef; both tested and retested their beef. Neither used questionable byproducts. In addition, the store offered its own grind. On the subject of testing, my grocer volunteered that the store engaged an outside testing firm to conduct random tests of its own meat counter operations. Did I feel safe with these producers? Yes.

The meat department person at the big box store was friendly, knowledgeable, and offered that the brand of ground beef in question was multi-sourced, and tested before grinding. He didn’t know some of the other details.

The butcher, as you might expect, knew his wares thoroughly and spoke with pride about the relationship he had with his single-source, long-term supplier. He grinds some of his own beef, too.

So, three retailers, three approaches to ground beef safety. Though I was encouraged by the answers provided by the big box store, I still needed more information — for example, did the supplier use fatty trimmings in the grind? That information was not forthcoming from the higher ups. They invited me to put my question in writing, something the average consumer is not likely to do.

The Takeaway

Is asking a few questions a fail-safe measure? No, not exactly. But, given a climate of uncertainty about the safety of ground beef, it can help you avoid the “I dunno” factor. Asking about the origins of your food supply is a fundamental tool with which to protect your family against unsafe meat products.

And of course, none of this eliminates the necessity of safe food handling practices in your own kitchen. Remember the essence of the final question we asked: do you follow your own rules?

The E. coli outbreak that sickened Stephanie Smith is estimated to have sickened 940 people. An outbreak can sicken thousands across any number of states.

According to the USDA, less than .5% of ground beef is contaminated with E. coli. But then, inspecting meat is a little like inspecting the breaks on a school bus. The failure rate is low, but the human cost is off the charts.

Food safety is ultimately up to you.

Fine Art Makes Fine Gifts

Sierra Black — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:00:11 +0000

By Sierra Black

Growing up, I always viewed original artwork as something other people had. Rich people.

I’ve never been an art geek, but I’m starting to hit that point in my life where I’d like some nice things to hang on my walls. I’m in what I think will be a long-term home, and I’m aging out of the grad student chic look that kept me happy through my 20s.

So I’ve begun paying more attention to art. I’ve found myself visiting a lot of art studios and gallery shows over the past year. In doing so, I learned that beautiful original art doesn’t have to be expensive. Often, it costs no more than you’d spend on a sweater at the mall or a gift certificate for a nice restaurant. In other words, entirely within many holiday gift budgets.

I’ve replaced my garage sale prints from college with original pieces by Molly Tomlinson, Nica Davidov and Rachel Silber. Never heard of them? They’re not famous, just local artists who are good at what they do. There are literally thousands of good artists making interesting work out there.

How do you shop for fine art at an affordable price I turned to Boston-based artist and teacher Rachel Mello for advice. Here are her tips for a successful gift.

Be brave!

Giving someone art as a gift can be tricky, but it’s tricky for the same reason it’s so special: it shows you’ve been paying attention to the person and (hopefully) know what they like.

Go with your gut.

You don’t have to overthink an art purchase. Rachel says the two most important questions to ask when you see a piece of artwork are, “Do I like it?” and “Does it remind me of the person I’m shopping for?” It’s really that simple.

Don’t be afraid of abstract art.

If the colors draw you in, and you think they’d look great on your loved one’s wall, go for it!

Look locally.

Open studios, like Somerville’s Open Studios, are common places for artists to show off their stuff. You can also buy from artists directly at craft shows and holiday fairs. Art schools often hold holiday shows where you can buy work directly from art students.

Look online.

Many young artists market their work through Etsy or eBay. If like me, you’re interested primarily in photography, check out Imagekind as well.

Wherever you buy your art from, try to buy directly from the artists.

Every time art is collected and resold, the price goes up a notch.

Be aware of presentation.

"If you give somebody art that is not ready to hang, that can be a big burden,” Rachel said. “Work that's not ready to hang or put out often ends up in a drawer.” She warns against falling for the custom framing racket, though. A ready-made frame from Target will serve nicely for most pieces.

Rachel points out that for someone who loves art, the gift of an original piece is two-fold. "Not only are you giving them a thing that they like, you're supporting a practice they like: you're supporting art and keeping art-making happening,” she said.

So go ahead and turn your home, or your mom’s home, into a mini-museum this holiday season. You’ll be bringing more beauty into your home, and your local arts community will thank you for it.

Permalink | 7 comments | Sierra Black's blog | Channel: Shopping

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Best of Personal Finance Roundup: Relax, Toy Hamsters Not Metalloid Death Bringers After All

Linsey Knerl — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:19:16 +0000

By Linsey Knerl

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best of Personal Finance roundup. In this article, we put your minds at ease with good news concerning the Zhu-Zhu pet scare, give you 13 tips for making sure you actually get your holiday purchase rebate, and provide one of the best tutorials for rotating your own car tires. (We’ll also show you how to use all those reusable grocery bags you haven’t been using as killer free gift wrap alternatives!)

Best Deals for Wednesday 12/09/09

Lynn Truong — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:28:15 +0000

By Lynn Truong

Today's best deals are in dining, apparel, shoes, DVD, accessories, kitchen, toys, luggage, office, bed & bath, GPS, fitness, TV, and more coupons! Don't forget to pick up Wise Bread's 10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget — it's a great (and thoroughly useful) stocking stuffer!

Freebies

FREE Dragon Dictation for iPhone / iPod touch
Get the Dragon Dictation app for iPhone or iPod touch free. It features voice recognition by the publishers of Dragon NaturallySpeaking.

1,621 FREE Digital Prints
Dealnews rounds up all the photo services that offers free prints. Take advantage of all of them and they add up to a whopping 1,621!

FREE Beech-Nut Starter Kit
Sign up for their monthly eNewsletter to get a FREE Starter Kit. Kit includes a box of Beech-Nut cereal and two jars of Beech-Nut baby food.

FREE tax questions
Through 1/31, TurboTax will answer tax questions, whether you are a customer or not. Submit a personal, federal tax-related question online and receive a personal call back, at a time you request.

Best $10 and Under Deals

The 99 Most Essential Christmas Masterpieces $5
Amazon offers this exclusive album for download for $5. You must install Amazon's MP3 Downloader to get the MP3s.

Lids Clearance Sale: $5
Lids offers select hats and apparel for adults, kids, and babies for $5 each during its latest Clearance Sale. Use coupon code LIDSDECFGS for free shipping. Get the Cardboard Robot Mock Me Flat Bill (pictured) for $5, down from $27.99. Ends 12/14.

Amazon Toys Sale: $5
Dealnews has a roundup of toys on sale for $4.99 on Amazon, with $4 shipping (but free for orders over $25). Get The Moment Of Truth Game, Clue Express (pictured), Disney Hannah Montana Mattel DVD Game, CSI DVD Game, South Park The Totally Sweet DVD Game, and more.

Disney U-Repair Wall-E Action Figure $10
The Disney Store via eBay offers the U-Repair Wall-E Action Figure for $9.95 with free shipping. This Wall-E is meant to be "repaired" via its snap-in assembly.

Trailworthy 25-Piece Tool Kit w/Flashlight $10
Buy.com offers this tool kit for $9.99, down from $49.60 with free shipping. Kit includes pistol grip ratchet driver, 10 screwdriver bits, 8 sockets, 4 precision screwdrivers and operates on 4 AA batteries (not included).

Best Restaurant Deal

Restaurant.com Coupon: 80% off
Restaurant.com cuts 80% off any gift certificate via coupon code SHARE. That cuts $25 dining certificates to $2 and $10 gift certificates to 80 cents. Ends 12/14.

Best Apparel Deal

Victoria's Secret Coupons: Free Solid Tank w/purchase plus $10 off $50
Join Victoria's Secret Pink Nation club and get a coupon good for a free solid tank (w/any pink purchase) plus $10 off any $50 pink purchase. You can get a free tote instead with pink purchase.

Timberland's Men's Jackets and Shoes Sale
Macy's discounts select Timberland men's jackets and shoes, with $9.95 shipping. Get the Men's Cruise Master II Boat Shoes (pictured) for $29.99, down from $80.

J. Jill Just Between Us Sale: Up to 80% off
J. Jill takes up to 80% off select items as part of its Just Between Us Sale. Shipping starts at $5.95 Get the Smocked Cardigan (pictured) for $24.99, down from $79.

Esprit Sale: Up to 70% off clearance
Esprit takes upt o 70% off clearance items in its outlet store. Shipping adds $4.95 (or free on orders over $30).

Dockers Men's Polo Shirts Sale
Sears offers select men's Dockers polo shirts on sale, starting at $9.99. Get the Stripe Performance Golf Polo (pictured) for $9.99, down from $42.

Gap coupon: Extra 20% off
At Gap, take an extra 20% off men's and women's apparel via coupon code GAP20. It works on both regular- and sale-priced items. Get the men's fleece pullover (pictured) for $19.60. Shipping starts at $7. Ends 12/15.

Burton Footwear, Snowboards, and Gear Sale: 50% off
6pm takes 50% off a selection of over 270 styles of Burton men's, women's, and kids' footwear, snowboard, and gear., with prices starting at $15. Shipping is $6.95. Get the Women's Mint 09 W Snowboarding Boots (pictured) for $67.50, down from $135. Today only.

Best Shoes Deal

Crocs Women's Nadia Boots $19, Girls' Nadia Boots $14.24
Crocs offers the Women's Nadia Boots, available in four colors, for $18.99 (Girls' for $14.24) via coupon code N9DWZLKY3ISA with free shipping. Today only.

Chippewa Men's Boots: 70% off
6pm cuts 70% off select Chippewa men's boots, with prices starting at $39. Shipping adds $6.95. Get the Men's 6" Waterproof Insulated Nubuck Lace-Up Boots (pictured) for $49.20, down from $164. Today only.

Best DVD Deal

Blu-ray Sale: Up to 70% off
Amazon discounts over 150 Blu-ray movies and TV by up to 70% off. Get the Dark Knight Blu-ray for $16. Other titles include Harry Potter Collection (Years 1-5), John Adams, Rome: The Complete Series, Batman Begins, Terminator 3 and more.

Best Accessories Deal

Kenneth Cole Reaction Sunglasses $19.95
6pm has select Kenneth Cole Reaction sunglasses on sale for 19.95 each. That's 54% to 64% off. Shipping is $6.95. Get the Men's Aviator Sunglasses (pictured) for $19.95, down from $55.

Best Kitchen Deal

Oneida Cookware/Bakeware: Up to 55% off
Oneida cuts up to 55% off select cookware and bakeware. Apply coupon code DTSH to get $1.99 shipping. Get the 5-piece bakeware set (pictured) for $19.99, down from $45.

Best Toys Deals

Life Like Pacific Rails 4-Unit HO Scale Diesel Electric Train Set $35
Amazon offers this 4-Unit HO Scale Diesel Electric Train Set with 38" track circle features Life-Likes Exclusive Power-Loc Track System with Molded Roadbed for fast and easy set up.

Best Luggage Deal

Pierre Cardin Deluxe 4-Piece Luggage Set $78
LuggageGuy offers this exclusive deal for the Pierre Cardin Deluxe 4-Piece Luggage Set for $77.97, down from $200, via coupon code DEALNEWS35. Shipping is free. Set is available in red or black and includes two wheeled suitcases, a carry-on, and satchel. Ends 12/10.

Best Office Deal

Buy 2 HP Toners, get a FREE Vivitar Digital Camera
OfficeMax is offering a FREE Vivitar Digital Camera when you buy 2 of the same HP Toner. Enter promotional code PLUM for the plum camera or SILVER for the silver camera. Limit 1 per perchase. Ends 12/12.

Best Bed & Bath Deal

Photo Collage Fleece Blanket $39 + $1 s/h
Walmart offers this 50" x 60" Photo Collage Fleece Blanket for $39 with 97 cents shipping. Add up to 30 photos, a title, and choose a background color.

Best GPS Deal

TomTom XL 325 4.3-inch Portable GPS Navigator $90
Amazon offers the TomTom XL 325 4.3-inch Portable GPS Navigator for $89.99, down from $149.99. Includes a 1-year subscription to Wired magazine (or get $10 back).

Best Fitness Deal

Sports Beat Pro-Form Precision Trainer SD Heart Rate Monitor $30
Buy.com offers this heart rate monitor for $29.99, down from $94.99 with free shipping.

Best TV Deals

Iview 700ptv 7" Portable LCD TV w/HD Tuner $84
AllAmericanDirect offers this exclusive deal for the Iview 700ptv 7" Portable LCD TV with HD Tuner for $83.99 (down from $140.99) via coupon code dealn7ptv with free shipping. It features a 7" 480x234 LCD, FM tuner, photo frame function, memory card slot, USB connectivity, built-in 2000mAh rechargeable battery, and more. Ends 12/10

Panasonic VIERA 42" 1080p Plasma HDTV w/Blu-ray player & freebies $765
Amazon offers the Panasonic VIERA 42" 1080p Widescreen Plasma HDTV for $764.99. Add the Panasonic Blu-ray Disc Palyer to your cart for free. It also includes $30 credit for Amazon On Demand plus a free 1-year subscription to Wired magazine (or get $10 back for not taking the Wired magazine offer).

More Coupons

Walgreens $10 off $60 (exp 12/10)

Oneida codes: $5 off $50, $10 off $75, $20 off $125 (exp 12/12)

Borders 40% off one item online (exp 12/10)

Discovery coupons: $5 off $25, $10 off $50 (exp 12/10)

Wise Bread

Ask the Readers: Do you Return Gifts? (Chance to Win $10!)

Win a $10 Amazon Gift Certificate

How to Enter:

Giveaway Rules:

Best Deals for Tuesday 12/15/09

Book Review: The Art of Manliness Classic Skills and Manners for the Modern Man

Stone skipping

Rugged Man

Refined Gentleman

How to Make the Most of Your 401K

1. Understand the rules that affect your 401k.

2. Diversify your investments, even those in retirement accounts.

3. Know the best investments for retirement accounts.

4. Move to a rollover IRA once you leave the company.

5. Contribute up to the match, at the very least.

6. Be careful when you borrow from your 401k.

Shopping Smart at CVS

What are ExtraCare Bucks?

How do I get signed up?

How Do I get free stuff?

Dealista

BillShrink Giving Away $2,500 to Wise Bread Readers

Blog Comment Contest: $2,000

Twitter Contest: $250

BillShrink Facebook Contest: $250

Rules For All Three Contests

Interview With Peter Pham

Best Deals for Monday 12/14/09

The Best Way to Avoid the Worst Financial Problems

The Cell Phone App That's Saving Me A Small Fortune

Non-Traditional Jobs: How Bibliophiles and Film Fanatics Can Find Success

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Best of Personal Finance Roundup: Things You Should and Shouldn’t Buy at Walmart

Top 5 Articles

Other Essential Reading

Best Deals for Friday 12/11/09

How to Minimize the Cost of Living When Moving: The Cost of Living Myth

The Ice Cream Factor: Buy Less of What Costs More

The Fruit Factor: Buy Local Alternatives

The House Factor: Downsize

The Transportation Factor: Minimize

The Vacation Factor: Enjoy New Sites and Sounds

How to Finish Something Hard

Breathe

Take Small Steps

Find Motivation

Keep Going

6 Ways to Use Technology to Upgrade Your Career

1. See what's out there.

2. Listen to the pulse of the job market.

3. Maintain your real-time resume.

4. Network and make new connections.

5. See how you stack up against the industry.

6. Keep learning.

Best Deals for Thursday 12/10/09

Freebies

Best $10 and Under Deals

Best Apparel Deals

Best iPhone Accessories Deal

Best Video Games Deal

Best Luggage Deal

Best Tools Deals

Best Toys Deals

Best GPS Deal

Best Home & Garden Deal

Best DVD Deal

Best Costumes Deal

Best Laptop Deal

Best TV Deal

More Store Coupons

6 Questions to Ask Before You Buy Ground Beef

Stephanie’s Story

Hamburger Is the Biggest Culprit

Two Rules

The 6 Questions