WalletPop Blog

DVD wars come to online retailers

Laura Heller — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

First books, now movies, the price wars between the biggest retailers just keep getting hotter. Walmart, Target and Amazon are all slashing pre-order pricing on some hot new releases like "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince."

Walmart said Thursday it would reduce prices for soon to be released DVDs to $10 at Walmart.com. Target and Amazon quickly followed, threw in free shipping and forced Walmart to drop its prices down to $9.98. Keep in mind, the deals are for online pre-orders of movies not yet released.

All this price cuttings seems like a great deal for consumers, but is it really? Highly competitive pricing can't be sustained for long, or extended to the entire category. Retailers simply can't sell things at a financial loss indefinitely. They do it to increase traffic, turn up the marketing machine, get a lot of press and sell other, more profitable items.

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DVD wars come to online retailers originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World's cheapest iPhone case wants your artwork

Gina Roberts-Grey — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Extracurriculars, Home

If you've got some mad art skills, or at least the ability to cut and paste, this contest is for you.

Case-mate, the makers of the cheapest (and perhaps ugliest) iPhone case the "Recession Case" is tempting customers and iPhone carriers to doodle their way into Recession Case history with the chance to win a Suzuki moped straight from the 1980s.

Those who can't afford to cough up the 99 cents to buy their very own Recession Case, or artsy types who don't have an iPhone, can download the file to make their own.

To check out the current entries and cast your vote (you can vote up to 10 times a day) visit the contest's gallery page.

The contest runs until November 30th, so put your thinking caps on and get your colored pencils sharpened. And may the best Recession Case win!

World's cheapest iPhone case wants your artwork originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hot deal! $199 Xbox at Walmart with $100 gift card

Julia Scott — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Shopping, Technology, Bargain Babe

Walmart is selling the Xbox 360 Arcade console for $199 this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, but the package includes a $100 gift card -- shazam!

"If you were thinking about purchasing an Xbox 360 this holiday season, this is the absolute best deal we've ever seen on the Xbox 360," BFAds.net reports.

Only problem is you'll have to wait for hours in line. Each store is only guaranteed to have 10 Xbox's at this price. It's almost as if Walmart is trying to create a pre-Black Friday hype. (That's Internet sarcasm for ya.)

The sales includes six other items, like an 15.6″ HP Laptop for $298, a Panasonic plasma HDTV for $788, a Sony Blu-Ray disc player for $148, a Magnavox DVD player with 1080p upconverter for $29, and a 42" Sharp LCD HDTV for $498.

Quantities are limited. (Walmart definitely wants you to remember that part.) Will the shoppers also be?

Hot deal! $199 Xbox at Walmart with $100 gift card originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bank of Mom & Dad's Money Coach: The truth about debt

Farnoosh Torabi — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:15:00 EST

Filed under: Credit, Debt, Kids and Money, Saving Money, Health, Bankruptcy, Video, Credit cards

My task each week on SOAPnet's Bank of Mom and Dad is to provide young women with solid advice that will improve their messy financial lives. In return I've received quite the education on some of the reasons we, as a society and particularly women, overspend and compile debt.

Continue reading Bank of Mom & Dad's Money Coach: The truth about debt

Bank of Mom & Dad's Money Coach: The truth about debt originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CitiGroup Says good-bye to life insurer Primerica

Jennie L. Phipps — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Insurance

The best technique for selling life insurance is known in the trade as "driving the hearse up to the door."

When the salesperson drives the hearse up to the door, he describes at length all the horrible things that can happen if the family hasn't bought enough life insurance and leaves widows and orphans to starve.

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CitiGroup Says good-bye to life insurer Primerica originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eat well on $50 a week: Challenge, or no duh?

Sarah Gilbert — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Budgets, Food, Kids and Money, Simplification

The headlines for various projects and challenges to eat on a small food budget always slurp me in with their titillation, the gauntlet-throwing, and immediately I ask myself: could I do it? The answer always disappoints, because I'm either doing it already or find the challenge so impossible it's meaningless. Eating on $1 a day per person?

Continue reading Eat well on $50 a week: Challenge, or no duh?

Eat well on $50 a week: Challenge, or no duh? originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Personal bankruptcies on the rise

Geoff Williams — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bankruptcy

Some new numbers have come out that serve as a reminder that the country is in a recession, regardless of what economists say. Last month, personal bankruptcies increased by 9 percent,according to the American Bankruptcy Institute.

That translates into 135,914 people who last month decided that their lives would be better off post-bankruptcy, than continuing to slog on and sink into a morass of financial despair. Hopefully, the fresh start will help, though you can just imagine that plenty of those people are still unemployed, and while now debt-free, or relatively debt free, aren't yet bringing in a serious income to fund their personal recoveries.

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Personal bankruptcies on the rise originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More Black Friday sales: Free Lego Rock Band at Old Navy, deals at Lowes

Josh Smith — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Shopping, Black Friday

With just a few weeks until the turkey hits the table, more ads are leaking out for Black Friday, including rumored deals from Old Navy and Lowes. In addition to Black Friday-only deals, Old Navy is celebrating with "Gobble Palooza" with deals starting on Thanksgiving Day at noon and continuing on Friday, when they open at 3:00 a.m.!

Continue reading More Black Friday sales: Free Lego Rock Band at Old Navy, deals at Lowes

More Black Friday sales: Free Lego Rock Band at Old Navy, deals at Lowes originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Recession tales: Entrepreneurs shoot up when economy dives

Madhusmita Bora — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Entrepreneurship, Recession, Recession Diaries, Special Reports

All your life you wanted to do something outlandish for a living. But that cushy corporate gig and the frills attached to it stopped you from turning your passion into a profession.

Enter recession, pink slips and voila your ticket to be your own boss.

Unemployed folks are taking the leap of faith and investing their time, energy and resources into entrepreneurial ventures. Yes, believe it or not, new entrepreneurs are on the upswing in this downward spiraling economy. While some took that layoff as an excuse, many are jump starting new ventures out of necessity.

Last year, the hemorrhaging economy cost 2.6 -million jobs, the highest tally in more than six decades. The bloodletting hasn't stopped yet. But laid off employees are moving on. They are providing that silver lining to an otherwise gloomy environment.

Continue reading Recession tales: Entrepreneurs shoot up when economy dives

Recession tales: Entrepreneurs shoot up when economy dives originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Design simply! It costs less and lasts longer, says Michael Moloney

Jason Cochran — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:45:00 EST

Michael Moloney, the prolific Extreme Makeover: Home Edition designer, recently contacted WalletPop by Skype to divulge a few choice tips for renovating your home on a budget. One of his essential suggestions: When you've got no money to transform your surroundings, you can achieve a dramatic effect by simply painting them.

Moloney's ideas were so good that this week, in advance of Sunday's episode on ABC featuring country music ditz Kellie Pickler, WalletPop's Jason Cochran wanted to talk with Moloney again to get more. Today, Moloney has a few words for all the people who pester him on the street to ask him to work his magic on their own houses.

Continue reading Design simply! It costs less and lasts longer, says Michael Moloney

Design simply! It costs less and lasts longer, says Michael Moloney originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jelly bean recall: Jelly Belly says its labels left off an ingredient people are allergic to

Mitch Lipka — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Food, Recalls, Consumer Ally

For people with peanut allergies, beware these innocent-looking jelly beans. Jelly Belly is recalling 7.5-ounce cylinders of 49 Flavors Jelly Belly jelly beans, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

The label does not mention that the ingredients include peanut butter and peanut flour.

"People who have an allergy to peanuts or a severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these ingredients," the FDA said in its recall announcement.

Continue reading Jelly bean recall: Jelly Belly says its labels left off an ingredient people are allergic to

Jelly bean recall: Jelly Belly says its labels left off an ingredient people are allergic to originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Firsthand report: WalletPop blogger and his new Verizon Droid

Josh Smith — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: Shopping, Technology

This morning I braved the frosty morning to join 5-10 other shoppers in line at Verizon for the new Google-powered Motorola Droid. Sure, the Droid didn't come with nearly as much fanfare as Verizon would have hoped, and no professional line-sitters showed up like they did for the iPhone, but the release of the Droid will have a big affect on the cell phone business.

Continue reading Firsthand report: WalletPop blogger and his new Verizon Droid

Firsthand report: WalletPop blogger and his new Verizon Droid originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Free meals for veterans at McCormick & Schmick's, Uno Chicago Grill and Golden Corral

Francine Huff — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bargains, Food, Fantastic Freebies

In honor of Veteran's Day, three restaurant chains are offering free meals to members of the military and veterans.

McCormick & Schmick's is having its 11th Annual Veterans Appreciation Event on Sunday, Nov. 8. Veterans can receive a free lunch or dinner entree when they show the proper ID. Space is limited and reservations are required.

You can get a free individual pizza or entree at Uno Chicago Grill on Monday, Nov. 11. The offer is good with a purchase of equal or greater value. Just wear a uniform, bring a picture of you in uniform, or show a military or veteran's ID to qualify.

Golden Corral is offering a free "Thank You" dinner on Monday, Nov. 16, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at all restaurants. Anyone who has ever served in the U.S. military can receive a free meal, and no identification is required.

Free meals for veterans at McCormick & Schmick's, Uno Chicago Grill and Golden Corral originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The plight of the unbanked: Why 50 million Americans don't use a traditional bank

Gina Roberts-Grey — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Banks, Banking-checking-account, Banking-savings-account

Millions - possibly billions - of dollars are homeless, lacking a warm, dry bank account providing a roof over their heads. Although it might seem hard to imagine a day where we're stuffing mattresses with money instead of depositing paychecks in the bank, analysts say that scenario isn't too far fetched.

According to Directo, a company providing paycards to unbanked workers, the recession has sent the number of unbanked Americans soaring to about 50 million. That's up from the estimated 28 million unbanked consumers in 2007.

While you might assume those who are unbanked are jobless, low income or even homeless Americans, that's not the case. A majority of them are employed, middle-income earners, many of whom are parents.

Continue reading The plight of the unbanked: Why 50 million Americans don't use a traditional bank

The plight of the unbanked: Why 50 million Americans don't use a traditional bank originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Your high-rate CD in a failing bank won't stay high-rate

Martha C. White — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Banks, Investing

More than 100 banks have failed this year, and even the government acknowledges that many more will probably fold before 2009 draws to a close. In most cases, ordinary citizens who have accounts are protected by FDIC insurance. Yes, there's certainly a hassle involved, especially if you have bills set up on auto-payment with the failed bank, but the FDIC guarantees that they'll make good on your money up to $250,000.

Unfortunately, this guarantee doesn't extend to the interest rates on long-term savings vehicles like certificates of deposit. As this article reports, a growing number of people are losing the high interest rates on their CDs when a bank with which they have money invested folds.

Continue reading Your high-rate CD in a failing bank won't stay high-rate

Your high-rate CD in a failing bank won't stay high-rate originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dogs snacks recalled by PetSmart due to salmonella fears

Mitch Lipka — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Consumer Ally

PetSmart stores are warning dog owners to protect their pooches from getting salmonella from some treats sold at its stores, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

Two types of Dentley beef hooves sold between Oct. 2 and Nov. 3 are being recalled over fears they could be contaminated with the bacteria. They are:

Dentley's Bulk Cattle Hoof UPC# 73725703323
Dentley's 10 Pack Beef Hooves UPC# 73725736055

Both have a use-by date of Oct. 14, 2012.

The FDA said that although the products were shipped from the Pet Carousel manufacturing plant to only three PetSmart regional distribution centers, the company was pulling the product from its stores nationwide as a precaution.

Consumers who have the products should not feed them to their pets, and should return them to any PetSmart store for a refund. Those who have fed them to their dogs and are concerned should contact a veterinarian.

Dogs do not necessarily show the same signs of salmonella poisoning as humans, but can suffer from diarrhea and have other symptoms.

For additional information, visit PetSmart's site, the FDA site or call PetSmart 1-888-839-9638.

Dogs snacks recalled by PetSmart due to salmonella fears originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Go for Less: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Jason Cochran — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Travel, Economizer

After the peso crisis of 2001, Argentina became the destination célèbre for Americans, who flocked to South America to revel in the astonishing buys that a devalued currency can yield. Time has passed, and now we're slogging through our own economic turmoil. So is a trip to Buenos Aires still a great buy, or have the locals caught on to the influx and jacked up rates to milk tourist dollars?

Michael Luongo, author of Frommer's Buenos Aires, visits WalletPop's studios to tell us that the answer is a little bit of both. He lets us know what the situation is in the storied colonial capital of Argentina, and he fills us in on how a first-time visitor there can still find deals without losing the authenticity of the local culture. Sure, you've seem washed-up reality stars do the tango on Dancing with the Stars, but is it feasible to dance it in the real Argentine milongueros?

As part of our ongoing series, WalletPop tells you how to go for less:

Go for Less: Buenos Aires, Argentina originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Five Fabulous Finds: Calendars, mascara and nutrition bars ... free!

Erin Gifford — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Food, Fantastic Freebies, Economizer

Here are this week's Five Fabulous Finds from Coupon Cravings, including free calendars, mascara and nearly free Rice Krispies Treats. Plus, get scarves for just a buck at Old Navy and a coupon to save $5 when you spend $5 at Kohl's.

1) It's gift card giving season. Stop by Chick-fil-A and get a free 2010 calendar with loads of free food coupons, like free chicken strips, milkshakes and soft drinks, when you buy a $20 gift card.

2) Hit Walgreens by Saturday (November 7) to get two free tubes of mascara. Or stop by Safeway to get Rice Krispies Treats for just $.17 a box. Yummy!

3) Sign up to get sale alerts from Kohl's and get a coupon by email to save $5 when you spend $5 in-store.

4) In case you missed out on $2 Halloween costumes at Old Navy last weekend, be sure to stop by Old Navy on Saturday (November 7) to get performance fleece scarves for just $1.

5) Want more freebies? Get free samples of Kirkland Signature Supreme Diapers and Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Daily Eye Cream. You can even get a free Sun-Rype FruitSource Bar from GNC.

Five Fabulous Finds: Calendars, mascara and nutrition bars ... free! originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How your ex could destroy your credit

Gina Roberts-Grey — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Credit, Relationships, Credit cards

When you're building a relationship, building joint credit feels like a natural rung on the ladder. But if the romance happens to sour, that same joint credit can become the backbone of financial devastation.

Scores of the newly divorced, separated or uncoupled who have co-signed for cars and leases or have joint plastic tucked in their wallets are left holding all -- or most of -- these financial bags post breakup. And those bags can get pretty heavy.

"That means someone may be stuck trying to make payments he or she can't afford," says Dan Danford, principal and chief executive officer at Family Investment Center, a commission-free investment management firm in St. Joseph. And that can impact your credit.

Even though few people enter a relationship with the intention of ruining their new mate's credit, many experience this unfortunate outcome of uncoupling. "Beyond not being able to pay your own bills, an ex not paying his or her share of joint accounts can be especially dangerous," says Danford. "Normally, a person knows they're not paying their own bills. But it's common for people to not know an ex hasn't paid until they're served a summons or being hounded by collection agencies." Which means months of late or missed payments have already been reported to credit bureaus and lowered your score.

"I had no idea my ex wasn't paying off the bills he agreed to take on after we split up," says Chloe Martin of Chicago, Illinois. "I found out by accident, when I tried to make an appointment at the vet's office and was told the account had been sent to collection."

Continue reading How your ex could destroy your credit

How your ex could destroy your credit originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Like Netflix for your closet: New way to swap old clothes

Bonnie McCarthy — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Bargains, Kids and Money, Technology

Has the passion waned? Lost that loving feeling? Instead of banishing your scorned clothing ("It's not you, it's me...") to the back of the closet, it may be time to 'ThredUP."

Transforming fashion flings into peer-to-peer style "swaportunities," ThredUP, a Cambridge, Mass. start-up plans to pioneer the $2 billion dollars-worth of potential they see in the used clothing market.

Touted as a fashionable blend of Netflix, StubHub and eBay, ThredUP is the brainchild of co-founders and "Chief Knitwits" James Reinhart, Oliver Lubin and Chris Homer. Reed Hastings, founder and chief executive of Netflix is an adviser to the company. Far from being fashionistas, the ivy league grads and former roomies are poised to capitalize on the convergence of trends in "green" recycling, economics and the public's ever increasing comfort with online transactions.

The new online clothing exchange, ThredUP.com has been live for five weeks and is currently in its beta stage with a small community of 6,500 beta members. In an interview with WalletPop, Reinhart says the beta members have been trading for two weeks and satisfaction ratings are posting high. He reports the amount of clothing posted for trade has also reached staggering proportions in only a few weeks.

WalletPop readers are invited to join the early adapters. When registering on the member screen, enter the code "WalletPop" and you can get started.

Continue reading Like Netflix for your closet: New way to swap old clothes

Like Netflix for your closet: New way to swap old clothes originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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