Once again, Walletpop's personal style expert, Holly Getty, tells you to go shopping, wisely:

"Are you still shopping at the same stores you did a year ago? Still wearing the same designers? Well, it's time to upgrade.

"Stores are dropping prices so quickly, they practically hit your feet. Now is the time to shop the designers and stores you have always wanted to shop.

"You see, there are two type of shoppers at this moment in time. One is in fear mode: Purchasing more of what they have in their wardrobes, buying larger quantities, not seeing what's around them.

Welcome to Five Super Savings brought to you by Deal Seeking Mom. Each week I bring you the best grocery and health and beauty bargains around town.

You won't want to miss the savings this week:

1) It's only July 2, but companies are gearing up for back to school already! Register for your Nabisco Back To School Savings. You'll get (2) $20 rebates and $15 in coupons on Nabisco, Planters, Capri Sun and more.

2) Do you enjoy trying new product samples? Then you'll want to join the Kraft First Taste program to receive free product coupons and samples for their latest products.

We all have those friends who dress like they should be hung up in the MoMA. I'm certainly not that friend to anybody. But I do have this idea that style empowers you and, as we've shown right here on WalletpopTV, gives you an edge, especially if you're interviewing for jobs.

Meet StyleCaster, an inspiring guide to looking your best. Can't afford a personal stylist? Not friends with Rachel Zoe? Then StyleCaster will provide you with the dream cyber closet of ideas and network you with stylists, models, and other fashionistas with similar tastes. It's Facebook meets Elle.

"At the end of the day it's about discovery. You don't have to buy the products on StyleCaster. It's about discovering the things you already have and how to wear them better," says Ari Goldberg, the site's young, energetic C.E.O. and co-founder. Mr. Goldberg is in an especially inspired-mood today, given that his company just scored $4 million in funding. If investors see the potential in this, especially in a deep downturn, what can StyleCaster do for your look and closet?

Today we want to tell you about a new problem sweeping the nation, it's not the swine flu and it's not an addiction to Twilight books but something far more dangerous; IOS.

What is this?

Information Overload Syndrome is a condition affecting business people everywhere. It is, apprently, the result of trying to manage 281 Exabytes (that's eighteen zeros) of non-stop information that comes in form of emails, attachments, text messages, thought-starters and FYIs. As a result, sufferers of IOS will find accomplishing the simplest of everyday tasks nearly impossible.

The problem we are facing is that the human brain can only hold so much information in a logical order at any given time, leaving many important things, like your credit card's due date, to slip into the ether.

Avoiding Information Overload Syndrome won't be easy but the folks at Xerox want to give one WalletPop reader a chance to kick start their fight against IOS with a $400 Spafinder gift certificate. How do you get this? You watch the video below and leave a comment to be entered for the sweepstakes. We'll take entries from July 1 until July 27. See below for rules.

Citysearch has a Web site, 3buckbites.com, that is a great way to find quick bites to eat for $3.99 or less while out on the town.

Users submit the cheap eats they've come across at 19 major cities, and then some, across America.

It's easy enough to use and I can see the advantage of it when out looking for a quick place nearby to grab something for lunch or happy hour.

Most of the food is fast food that must be high in fat, calories and everything else that is bad for your heart. Take a look at some of the cheap food that users recommend: $3.75 for a cheesy sloppy jo in Illinois, chocolate-covered bacon for $1 in New York, crispy garlic ribs for $3.99 in California, and a $2.50 beef and egg taco in Portland.

Time once again to unfurl the flag and celebrate Independence Day. Dollar stores have everything you need for your picnic or barbecue, from flags to red, white and blue dinner ware.

Dollar Tree has a selection of solid red, white and blue party supplies including paper plates, cups, napkins, cutlery and centerpiece/balloon anchors. As always, each package is only $1.

For your picnic needs, check out the Dollar Tree flyer. Get a 2.5 gal. tub with a rope handle for only a buck. They also have Rubbermaid storage containers in two-packs of round, square or sandwich containers for $1 each and 24 oz. Gatorade with sport caps for $1 each. Lots of other picnic supplies here, too.

Eligibility: The Weblogs Giveaways (the "Giveaways") are open only to individuals who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (including the District of Columbia) who are 18 years of age or as of the start date of the applicable Giveaway. Employees of WL Acquisition LLC, AOL LLC, their advertising or promotion agencies, those involved in the production, development, implementation or handling of Giveaways, any agents acting for, or on behalf of the above entities, their respective parent companies, officers, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, licensees, service providers, prize suppliers any other person or entity associated with the Giveaways (collectively "Giveaway Entities") and/or the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members (whether related or not) of each such employee, are not eligible. All U.S. federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law.

Sponsor: The Giveaways are sponsored by WL Acquisition LLC, 22000 AOL Way, Dulles, VA 20166 ("Sponsor").

Agreement to Official Rules: Participation in the Giveaway constitutes entrant's full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

Entry Period: The start and end dates/times of each Giveaway (the "Entry Period") will be posted on the applicable Giveaway site.

Entry: To enter a Giveaway, follow the instructions on the Giveaway site. Submission will result in one (1) entry. The number of times you can enter the Giveaway will be posted on the applicable Giveaway site. The use of any agencies or automated software to submit entries will void all entries submitted by that person.

Drawing: At the conclusion of the Entry Period, Sponsor will select the names of the potential winners in a random drawing of all eligible entries received during each Entry Period. The number of winners to be selected in a specific Giveaway will be posted on the applicable Giveaway site. The odds of being selected as a potential winner depend on the number of eligible entries received during the Entry Period. Potential winners will be contacted via email and will be asked to provide their full name, age and mailing address within a specified time period. If a potential winner does not respond within the timeframe stated in the notification email, the Sponsor may select an alternate potential winner in his/her place at random from all entries received during the Entry Period. Limit one (1) prize per household per Giveaway.

Requirements of the Potential Winners: Except where prohibited, the potential winners may be required to complete and return an affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release (the "Affidavit/Release") within seven (7) days of being notified. If a potential winner fails to sign and return the Affidavit/Release within the required time period, an alternate entrant will be selected in his/her place in a random drawing of all entries received.

Prize(s): The prize(s) (including each prize's approximate retail value) available to be won in a specific Giveaway will be posted on the Giveaway site. No cash or other substitution may be made, except by the Sponsor, who reserves the right to substitute a prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the prize is not available for any reason as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion. The winners are responsible for any taxes and fees associated with receipt or use of a prize.

General Conditions: In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Giveaway is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, or other technical problem, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either: (a) suspend the Giveaway to address the impairment and then resume the Giveaway in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; or (b) award the prizes at random from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Giveaway or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to undermine the legitimate operation of the Giveaway may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Sponsor's failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. In case of a dispute as to the owner of an entry, entry will be deemed to have been submitted by the authorized account holder of the screen name from which the entry is made. The authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.

Release and Limitations of Liability: By participating in the Giveaway, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Giveaway Entities from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Giveaway or receipt or use of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Giveaway; (b) technical errors related to computers, servers, providers, or telephone or network lines; (c) printing errors; (d) lost, late, postage-due, misdirected, or undeliverable mail; (e) errors in the administration of the Giveaway or the processing of entries; or (f) injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant's participation in the Giveaway or receipt of any prize. Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Giveaway Entities' liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Giveaway, and in no event shall the Giveaway Entities be liable for attorney's fees. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.

Disputes: Except where prohibited, entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Giveaway or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, entrant's rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsors in connection with the Giveaway, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the Commonwealth of Virginia or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Giveaway Results: To request the name of the winners, send a self-addressed stamped envelope (stating the specific Giveaway you are requesting the winners for) to Weblogs Giveaways Winners List, 22070 Broderick Drive – 12E:D01, Dulles, VA 20166. Requests must be received within thirty (30) days from the end date of the applicable Giveaway.

Welcome to WalletPop's Consumer Ally, where we are on your side -- to help resolve difficult situations, explain why things happen the way they do and to try to right wrongs. If you're having a problem with a business, please send a note to ConsumerAlly@WalletPop.com.

Q. My daughter's friend recently purchased jeans at Hollister. They fell apart after being washed. She tried to return them as they cost over $70. She was told that after they had been washed Hollister will not take a return. I called the corporate office on her behalf and was told that is Hollister policy. Do consumers have any rights on defective products such as these jeans?
Leah Shalna
Florida

In a thought-provoking column in Jeffrey Tierney's blog, Geoffrey Miller, author of a new book on consumer behavior, asked readers to make two lists; one of the 10 most expensive items they'd ever paid for (including services, experiences, taxes, divorce settlements, etc.) and one of the 10 things they'd paid for and had made them most happy. In a follow-up column, Miller and Tierney analyze the 207 comments.

Unfortunately, due to the great number of times those lists overlapped, the two decide that money does buy happiness (or, money buys cognitive dissonance, which is more likely in my opinion).

More interesting, I thought, were the items that appeared most often on one list, but not the other. Two that appeared on the "most expensive" list frequently, but not so much on the "happiness" list: cars (including insurance, gas and maintenance) and wedding ceremonies.

On the other end of the spectrum, appearing far more often on the "happiness" list and not on the "most expensive" list were bicycles (of all kinds, from commuter bikes to mountain bikes) and meals shared with friends, from dinner parties to potlucks.

KXAS reports that the recession has rent-to-own centers doing a booming business.

The reporter interviews a man who is trying to figure out a way to upgrade his television because he hasn't, gasp, purchased a new TV since 1998. What? This is America! Everyone is entitled to a new television every two years. President Obama, what are you doing?

With rent-to-own stores, you will: 1) Pay more for the item, 2) Rack up monthly obligations and 3) Spend money on stuff that you really can't afford. if you can't afford to buy a TV with cash, you shouldn't be buying a TV. Period.

A better alternative to rent-to own? Craigslist. Save up for a few months and buy stuff used. Or you could also try not buying stuff that you don't need!

Just because your favorite shampoo or toothpaste disappears from the store shelf, doesn't mean it's discontinued. It might have been booted by your favorite store.

Retailers all over the country are reducing the number of products they carry, eliminating brands and in general being much more selective thanks to some pretty sophisticated software and the science behind it.

It's all based on the concept of "bounded rationality." That too much choice inhibits our ability to make a decision. In other words, 20 different kinds of jam is no better than six. In fact, it's worse. When faced with 20, a lot of people will just walk away empty handed. I did this recently when faced with what seemed like a bazillion types of caulk at a home improvement center. Just walked away. I'll take care of that problem another time.

It hasn't been a fun month, I'd imagine, for anyone with a corner office at Abercrombie & Fitch's rugged New Albany, OH headquarters. The company reported a 22% drop in net sales for May -- and this week, the story of London store employee Riam Dean surfaced.

Dean, 22, was allegedly moved from a sales job to a stockroom post -- away from the eyes of shoppers -- after her managers discovered she had a prosthetic arm.

Yes, it's been the kind of month that might make even the biggest cheerleader of an executive gaze out the window and think, Maybe we should just shut this thing down.

In this case, yeah -- maybe you should.

When I was just a little girl, my favorite bedtime story was "Grimm's Fairy Tale's, The Twelve Dancing Princesses." The king's daughters, you see, would secretly slip out every night and dance holes through their slippers. Apparently they didn't have stilettos in the Grimms' day.

Pity those princesses today, all dolled up and wearing high heels. Lucky for our modern royalty, vending machines with soft soled shoes are popping up in hot party spots. For around $8, you can get pretty little ballet flats for the trek home. Better yet, they roll up and can be tucked into a small bag for next time.

Sure, ladies can opt to wear more comfortable shoes in the first place, but that advice will fall on deaf ears. I spent the better part of the '80s out dancing, coming home at dawn, with shoes in hand. Nothing could have parted me from my high heels (I was particularly attached to a pair of pink pumps, thanks Madonna!), but these little shoes might have been welcome. Certainly they are just as useful as some other "protective" items available in club vending machines today.

There are two companies vying for this market, Rollasole and Afterheels. Right now, both are available only in Europe, but with celebrity gossip hound Perez Hilton promoting the shoes and Rollasole reportedly about to launch in New York and Los Angeles, it's only a matter of time before that other Hilton is wearing them too.

Makes that walk of shame a little less painful. Coming soon to nightclub near you.

When I was a kid, lo these many moons ago, a bike light was to a kid what fog lights were to our parents' cars; a delicious add-on.

We all wanted a shiny new bell or handle bar streamers so the other kids on the block would ooh and aah over our latest acquisition. Today, as I watch the kids riding up and down the sidewalk in front of the house, these bicycle accessories are not often seen. Still, someone must be buying them, because hardware stores and dollar stores alike, still stock them.

Here are a few available at dollar stores:

Cable locks with key -- Unfortunately, a bike lock is pretty much a necessity in most neighborhoods. The dollar store version is vinyl-coated and 27 inches long, an adequate size for a kid's bike. It costs $1.25. The hardware store cable lock is similar but is 6 feet long and costs $14.99. Neither one of these is going to stand up to a determined crook with a good set of cable cutters but they will keep an opportunistic thief from swiping your kid's bike from where he parked it outside the video store.

Kroger posted some pretty impressive sales increases for the first quarter, surprising given the current climate. Are they doing something differently or are grocers simply benefiting from today's new "back to basics" philosophy?

Total sales increased 3.9% over the prior year. Identical supermarket sales, excluding fuel, increased 3.1% over the same period last year. This doesn't include fuel sales since gas prices are much lower than the same time last year. Kroger even confirmed it expects to end the year with supermarket sales growth of 3% to 4%, without fuel. This comes as rival grocer SuperValu says it will miss analyst expectations for this quarter, what with consumers spending less.