I've lost two cellphones to water, one from a washing machine, one from a wave. I gave up on having more nifty gadgets on my phone so I could get one of the rare waterproof phones on the market, the Casio G'Zone. I really like it, but it is a bit clunky.

Now there's a new product coming on the market that may allow me to get a phone like everyone else and still not worry about water exposure.

The Northwest Maritime Institute, which offers boating related classes at its campus south of Cape Cod, came up with Golden Shellback. The company cautiously call it a splash-proof coating, but then demonstrates it doing things like protecting a iPod Touch video in a bucket of water.

Golden Shellback Waterproof Coating from gCaptain.com on Vimeo.

The coating isn't simply a spray-on application. The clear waterproof polymer coats everything inside, too. So water can wash in and out of the phone or whatever and not hurt it. There are two big catches: it won't be out for a few months and it has to be professionally applied in a vacuum.

Are you sick of spending your summer vacation cramped up in a hotel while the rides at Disneyland sit idly by, cementing the thought that you just blew the down payment on a small house to watch reruns on HBO? To combat the fickle nature of well nature, Priceline.com is offering a "Sunshine Guarantee" which will provide a refund to you in the event that your vacation is rained out. Like all good offers though, there are a few qualifications to the refund.

A light drizzle as you arrive for check in at the hotel won't be enough to get a refund on your vacation. In order to get your money back it will need to rain at least a half an inch on half of the days you are on vacation, with the rainfall amount being recorded at your destination's airport. Even though it should go without saying the "Sunshine Guarantee" only covers those services you book through Priceline.

I wouldn't recommend spending extra to purchase weather insurance for your next trip, but if you can get it for free by booking through Priceline and still get competitive prices on your vacation you may as well take advantage of the extra protection. Even though the offer will refund your money it can't refund those vacation days you burnt to get away so be sure to check out DryDay.com which will help you find the best day to have an outdoor event. Then again, if you vacation for museums and culinary delights rather than outdoor activities you might be able to use DryDay.com to figure out which dates would most likely net you a free trip!

I'm a sucker for a cute jacket. And growing up in Portland, Oregon, if I had a storybook vision of myself with kids, it was walking along with them, dolled up in mis-matched raincoat and boots, splashing in puddles and laughing uproariously. So whenever I'm thrift store shopping and see another adorable pair of boots or delightfully colorful rain jacket, I can't help but swoop it into my cart.

And then I get it home. And then it rains. And the trouble begins.

Raincoats and rubber boots are, unfortunately, about more than just good looks. They have to work. Even if you're an adult and accustomed to more prosaic rain behavior than my rambunctious boys: you may, for instance, desire to keep dry. When you're facing a used raincoat, that could be problematic; waterproofing is compromised when a garment is washed, for instance, and heavy use can introduce all kinds of entry points for raindrops and wind. Not only is it a possibility that the raincoat is only at the thrift store because it's not working for the original owner any more; but many thrift shops wash all their clothing before putting it on the racks, further reducing the waterproof qualities.

Rubber boots, though not susceptible to wash-and-wear treatment, are often not made to withstand several seasons' worth of jumping in puddles and running to catch the bus; you're better off as the first person to use a pair, or you could discover this truth seconds after you step in that giant puddle that always collects at your corner in a rainstorm. Sploosh.

My verdict after a couple of really messy experiences? You shouldn't thrift raincoats and rubber boots, unless you live in an area where rain is just in the storybooks.

This post was written as part of a series on how to thrift shop smarter. Read more on what to buy, and not to buy, at thrift stores.

The Daily Deal for December 28, 2007

I'm not a fan of encouraging you all to buy stuff that will create clutter and waste. I like useful, needful things. The umbrella stand is not usually something I'd encourage. But when things transcend their thing-ness and become more artful -- well, I'm swayed. Especially when a bargain is involved.

Enter the 'Rain Bowl' umbrella stand from DWR. Long my favorite wishbook, the DWR catalog is filled with modern furnishings and the occasional odd gift. "Modern" is, of course, another word for "spendy," and the regular price on this simple die-cast aluminum umbrella stand is a vastly expensive $180. But today? It's only $68, bringing it at least further down the spendy spectrum to fulfill the "within reach" part of the retailer's name.

The product doesn't appear to be available elsewhere on the internet, so this is likely the best price you'll ever see.