Who doesn't have an unmarried friend who lost the house, or at least their investment in the condo, when the relationship went sour?

The key question when buying property together, according to a new book -- "Living Together: A Legal Guide for Unmarried Couples" -- seems pretty simple: Does your legal relationship match your private agreement?

But who wants to have that conversation when you are newly in love, or at least new to nesting?

No one, the book's author admitted to WalletPop.

When we wrote about sneaky bank practices, a lot of readers wrote in suggesting that fee-weary customers ditch the big bailout-recipient banks in favor of small community banks or credit unions. In fact, many professional personal finance advisers say exactly the same thing, so WalletPop talked to a few of them to get their recommendations and advice for how to go about finding one of these friendlier financial institutions.

First, you'll need to find a place. While finding a bank can be as easy as driving down your local main street or commercial district, finding a credit union can take a little more sleuthing. Since credit unions are membership organizations, you need to find out which ones you are eligible to join, says David Beck, director of policy at Center for Community Self Help, an organization which includes the Self Help Credit Union and the Center for Responsible Lending.

In many cases, this may be as simple as living or working in an area that is home to a particular credit union, but being a current or former member of the military, many trade unions, religious communities and educational institutions may also qualify you for credit union membership.

Sears and Kmart are going on the third week of early Black Friday promotions, with door-buster deals all weekend leading up to the actual Black Friday.

Move over AA, NA and other 12-step programs, now there is Debtors Anonymous for those addicted to overspending. Patterned after Alcoholics Anonymous, DA is a 12-step program to help spenders recover from chronic debt and compulsive spending.

In DA, the first step for recovery is accurately tracking every dime, nickel and penny of spending for 90 days. The new DA member is then paired up with two or more veteran members who assist in formulating a new plan for spending and budgeting. The weekly meetings offer support and encouragement to members, particularly if there is a spending relapse.

While some are declaring that the recession is over, the good news has not trickled down to my pocketbook. My husband and I are looking closely at all our expenses to cut our overhead. Our wages have decreased in the last year, mostly due to the slow down in my business, but costs have continued to rise. Utilities, gas, taxes, and food are taking more and more of our shrinking paychecks. We decided to take some action after looking at every expense in our budget. Maybe some of these tips can help you too:

I must be really important, because two "Who's Who" publications have chosen me for inclusion in their publications. The e-mails arrived in my mailbox this week.

They read, "Recently you were selected as an inductee into Who's Who. In spite of this, we have yet to receive your information in order to build your basic membership profile. In the business and professional world it isn't what you know, it's who you know...and who knows you. Social and business networking is the modern standard in developing relationships throughout the world. The potential for recognition and developing networks within a community of 400,000 working professionals in numerous fields on a global scale is unlimited."

While the forecast for winter 2009-10 stands to be easier on homeowners' wallets than usual, you can save even more money by making energy-smart improvements and easy adjustments to your household routine.

Here are eight ways to reduce home heating costs to stay warm for less this winter:

• Seal out drafts: Eliminate air leaks and drafts around the house, and you'll trim seasonal heating costs by up to 20 percent. Sealant, caulking and weatherstripping are all easy to use, and they'll also help you earn tax credits on your 2009 return.

Toys R Us is offering Wii consoles for $99 from Friday, November 13 through Sunday, November 15. There's a catch; it must be purchased as part of a Wii "starter bundle" that includes batteries, accessories, games and storage, bring the tally to $249.

Here's what you get:

• Ultimate Gaming Ottoman
• Any four Gear Monkey video game accessories
• Mario & Sonic at the Olympics Games for Wii
• 20-pack of Toys "R" Us "AA" batteries

And a Wii. A Toys R Us spokeswoman tells Walletpop the $99 Wii qualifies as an unadvertised deal, since it's not included in the retailer's weekly circular. It is being promoted with email blasts and at the store level.

Leslie Lait immediately recognized the adorable, pale-blue, corduroy overalls she unwrapped at her baby shower. The infant-sized outfit with the tags still on was the same pair she had given to the very same friend, who was now regifting it back to her.

Boomerang gifts are not new, and they're about to get a lot more common as consumers seek to uphold gift-giving traditions on a shoestring budget. Thrifty is good, thoughtless is bad and public humiliation is even worse.

According to a recent survey by the National Retail Federation, Americans plan on spending an average of $682.74 on holiday-related shopping this year. That figure represents a 3.2% drop from spending in 2008 -- and it's not because we have fewer friends.

Woah! Cost Plus World Market is having a huge online furniture sale. Get 25% off furniture with coupon code NOVFURNAF. If you click on the above link the coupon code should automagically appear when you put an item into your shopping cart.

You can also get free shipping on purchases over $50, which is not bad at all, though it does not include furniture. It's unclear when the free shipping deal expires.

The sale also includes up to 60% on bedroom furniture, up to 50% off on dinnerware and lamps, up to 40% off on dining furniture, and up to 30% off on leather furniture. I like this brown leather chair, pictured at right. All you need is a blanket and a book to curl up with.

Caveats: Online only. Not valid on food, wine, gift certificates or previous purchases. Cannot be combined with other offers or promotions.

I swear this is the last of the Veterans Day discounts! Not all of these are explicitly tied to the holiday, but the discounts are welcome nonetheless.

At Macys.com you can get free shipping on your purchase of $99 or more using code VETSDAY. There are special Veteran's Day sale items and you can also save an additional 25% off clearance prices.

Pacsun.com has jeans marked down by up to 50%. Pairs start at $24.50, and some pairs are an additional 30% off at checkout. Yowza!

Nordstrom's half-yearly sale for women and kids continues. My mom got two long-sleeve shirts and a mixed cashmere sweater for less than $100 last week. If something doesn't fit, you can always return it for free in the store. Get free shipping on orders of $100 or more with code HOLIDAY09.

Get 15% off at dELiA*s through Nov. 13 when you use code DXR15D at checkout.

Keep scrolling down to see other Veteran's Day discounts for food, museums, parks, and general retailers. Thanks SearchByInseam!

Sears and Kmart are taking holiday promotions to a whole new level, starting Black Friday Now with door buster quality deals each weekend through Christmas.

And, they are leaking each week's deals to Walletpop.

This Saturday, Nov. 14 from 7 a.m. to noon, Sears Black Friday Now items include:

• $119.99 Kodak 12mp Digital Camera 3X zoom 3.0 (reg. price $149.99)
• $99.99 Eviant 7-inch Handheld LCD HDTV (reg. price $129.99)
• $499.99 Kenmore dishwaher 2/Turbo Zone (reg. price $612.99)
• $129.99 Countertop Microwave (reg. price $199.99)
• $29.99 4pc Embroidered/Jacquard Comforter Sets (reg. price $79.99)
• 50% off on Craftsman 302-pc Mechanics Tool Set
• $99.99 Craftsman 1/2HP Chain Drive GDO (reg. price $139.99)
• $39.99 DieHard Battery Charger (reg. price $64.99)
• $39.99 /49.99 Misses Wool coats (reg. price $99.99 /$150)
• $9.99 Canyon river Blue and ToughSkins (reg. price $15.99-$17.99)
• $49.99 Mens Covington suit Separates (reg. price $120-$150)
• 60% off 30 3 pc cold weather access sets for her
• various Up to 75% off entire stock of Gold Jewelry
• $349.99 Kingsman 7.5 Pool Table (reg. price $499.99)

Consumers are notoriously fickle in their allegiances and interests -- remember those food-assembly kitchens that were all the rage a few years ago? But the recession has sobered buying habits, and increasingly, more companies are viewing Americans' recent conversion to thrift as a long-term trend, not simply flash-in-the-pan fascination.

In an attempt to cash-in on this new sensibility, businesses are keen on promoting their products as a good deal. That's why, for example, Clorox Co. isn't raising prices on its improved trash can liners and Campbell Soup Co. has reduced the promotional price of its V8 brand vegetable juice by 17%, according to the Wall Street Journal (subscription required).

UPDATE: This deal has been extended by one day - so it is good Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009.

PREVIOUSLY: Get 20% off everything in the store and online at the Body Shop today only when you become a member of their Love Your Body loyalty program.

It costs $10 to join but is worth it if you like their make up and skin care items. I'm a fan, can you tell?

The Body Shop is not as cheap as the drugstore, but I don't mind paying a few extra bucks for the higher quality, non-animal tested products. My latest favorite product is the seaweed mattifying moisturizer with SPF 15. It smells really good and does not make my skin breakout, unlike most sunscreens.

If you join today you can get a free spa treatment in store, a complimentary makeover, and a 30 ml bottle of their Love, Etc. perfume for $15 (normally $24). Plus there's the 20% off discount.

After today you get 10% off every purchase. The membership lasts for one year, though sometimes they will renew you for free.

Other perks to the program: free gift up to $10 when you come in during your birthday month (note, they do not remind you), special customer appreciation days, free product up to $15 when you earn four points and a free product up to $25 when you earn eight points. For ever $20 you spend, you get one point.

So, $15 off when you spend $80 (19% off), and $25 off when you spend $160 (16% off).

Readers really responded to my couponing video and a lot of them shared some great tips. Among the best...

LM says it is a waiting game:

trick stores use ... the coupons are in the weekend paper -- but if you clip and wait -- those same items go on sale in the stores the following week ... thereby upping the savings ante.