Black Friday: Debit card 'don'ts'
Gina Roberts-Grey
Nov 12th 2009 @ 5:00PM EST
Filed Under: Debt, Black Friday, Economizer, Credit cards
Even though the most recent consumer credit reports show credit card debt is declining, consumer's debit cards are getting quite a workout. Debit card transactions recently surpassed credit card transactions for the first time ever. Experts are forecasting debit card transactions to surge even further past their credit card siblings on Black Friday -- and caution that consumers need to be cautious when wielding their debit cards this holiday shopping season.
"Consumers are trying to keep their credit card balances low," said Carrie Coghill Kuntz, spokeswoman for CreditFYI.com, in an interview with WalletPop. "So many are using debit cards."
Frugal consumers push companies to embrace new age of thrift
David Schepp
Nov 11th 2009 @ 2:00PM EST
Filed Under: Bargains, Budgets, Debt, Food, Home, Saving Money, Shopping, Career, Recession, Recession Diaries, Economizer
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).
Body Shop offers 20% off today only
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).
How to avoid Black Friday credit blunders
Gina Roberts-Grey
Nov 10th 2009 @ 7:00AM EST
Filed Under: Credit, Black Friday, Economizer, Credit cards
Black Friday can certainly net shoppers some great holiday gift deals. But if you're not careful, experts say those "deals" could wind up costing you big in the long run by damaging your credit score.
Steve Schwartz, executive vice president of consumer services at Intersections, Inc., in Chantilly, Virginia, told WalletPop that it's easy to get caught up in the adrenaline-filled rush of Black Friday shopping. "But without a plan," Schwartz says, "consumers frequently end up with buyer's remorse." And a plunging credit score, too.
Hey y'all! Index finds happiest U.S. states are in nation's vast heartland
Think you're seeing a lot more glum faces in your neighborhood? That's likely the case if you live in one of four states with high home-foreclosure rates: Florida, Nevada, California and Arizona. Those normally majestic, carefree states ranked as the least happiest, at least when it comes to money matters, a new survey shows.And where might you find some of the most smiley people? According to Mainstreet.com's Happiness Index, dead in the center of the country, where some of the country's least densely populated states can be found. Nebraska was at the top of heap, followed by Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma and Montana.
Drive like a millionaire ... in a 1993 Ford Taurus
The Onion, a leading satire website, has been one of the funniest websites in the world for a long time, but every once in awhile, there's a bit of serious financial wisdom in its content.In the video below, a "Ford vice president" Daniel Grossman announces Ford's "new vision for the future of automobiles in America -- the car for the modern age, the 1993 Ford Taurus." All you need is $650 in cash.
The video's funny, but here's the truth: If your goal is to be rich, you'll have a lot more in common with a rich person by driving a 1993 Ford Taurus than you will by leasing or financing any other car.
Cheapest colleges: 13 standup schools that cost less than $5,000 a year
Jason Cochran
Nov 9th 2009 @ 6:00AM EST
Filed Under: Bargains, Kids and Money, School, Economizer, Student Loans
A good buy doesn't always end up on your receipt at the register. Sometimes it winds up on your résumé. According to the College Board, the average college tuition in the United States is $26,273, up more than 4% from last year. But not all universities cost that much, and not all cheap colleges give you junk degrees. Sprinkled across America you'll find some discount degrees that are actually worth just as much as the highest-priced ones.
Tuition at all of these colleges can be had for under $5,000 a year -- and a few are completely free. If your kid's in high school, now is the time to start thinking about how to afford their next big step. Start planning your applications now, because the competition is tight:
Go for Less: Buenos Aires, Argentina
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:
Five Fabulous Finds: Calendars, mascara and nutrition bars ... free!
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.
Flora Flora takes hidden fees out of online flowers
If there's an online industry that likes to add to your purchase price with fees more than Ticketmaster, it has to be online flower-sale companies. It's nothing for a $30 birthday celebration bouquet to turn into a $50 purchase by the time you hit the pay now button. Once you add in delivery fees, which can change on a daily basis, and other miscellaneous extras, you can easily spend another $20. But now a new company, Flora Flora, is shaking up the world of online flower sales with a pricing model that has no additional fees.The company, which is part of the ShoeBuy business, launches today with "what you see is what you get" pricing on all of their flowers. The business model of avoiding extra fees and showing the true cost from the beginning may seem obvious to me and you, but in the flower market it's a rather "fresh" one.
Fabulously frugal feasts from the dollar store
Author Christiane Jory has created a companion DVD to her cookbook the 99-cent Only Stores Cookbook just in time for the holidays. Fabulously Frugal Feasts will show you how to create a holiday buffet that will feed seasonal foods to a houseful of guests for the same cost of delivered pizza. Sounds good, doesn't it?
The DVD has lots of delicious new recipes and helpful hints, as well as Christiane's own brand of gentle humor. The recipes are easy enough for anyone to make and they're printable, so you won't have to keep plugging in the DVD every time you want to try something. My cooking never strays much from plain old meat and potatoes 'cause I need easy. Having watched a couple of the videos, I've gotta say that these recipes look easy enough for even the kitchen-phobic to create.
Free Shipping Day is back with more retailers!
Last year marked the start of a Hallmark holiday of sorts that quickly gained popularity with last-minute holiday shoppers; Free Shipping Day. On Free Shipping Day last year, more than 100,000 shoppers picked up Christmas gifts with free, guaranteed-in-time-for-Christmas shipping at more than 250 retailers including big names like Kohl's, JCPenney, Victoria's Secret and many more.Thanks to its first year success, Free Shipping Day is back for a second year and as founder Luke Knowles told WalletPop in a phone interview, "Free Shipping Day wants to join the ranks of Black Friday and Cyber Monday as an annual tradition."
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Rite Aid $4 off $20 coupon and freebie!
November 13, 2009
Free photobook with purchase
November 12, 2009
Free Kotex ultra thin overnight pads with wings
November 11, 2009
Salute this! Veteran's Day free meals
November 10, 2009
Free diet consultation with Jenny Craig
November 9, 2009
Five Fabulous Finds: Calendars, mascara and nutrition bars ... free!
November 6, 2009
Free wedding gowns for military brides
November 6, 2009
Free tickets for 2009 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 5, 2009
Free signed Anne Rice bookplate
November 4, 2009Interest Rates
| Type | Current | APR |
|---|---|---|
| 30 yr fixed mtg | 5.06% | 5.19% |
| 5/1 ARM | 4.20% | 3.83% |
| $30K HELOC | 5.23% | 0.00% |
| 36 month new car loan | 6.93% | 0.00% |
| 1 yr CD | 1.61% | 1.62% |
PERSONAL FINANCE FROM CNNMONEY
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Need to save some cash? Our coupons will help you do just that!
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RECESSION-PROOF JOB aDVICE
Find out which jobs are best bets for these uncertain economic times.
Debt Management Basics
No matter how deep in debt, you can still work your way out. Get great debt management advice, savings suggestions and new spending habits.
How Much Should I Save?
REAL ESTATE DEALS
With the housing slump in full swing, find the hot foreclosure deals, see how to sell your home quickly, or learn how your neighbors are fairing in our new real estate survey.
ECONOMIZE WITH WEBLOGS
- Half-priced appetizers at TGI Friday's until December 23
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- Walmart wants you to know it's the cheapest
- All-in-one breakfast muffin saves you money
- StyleList Is...Bargain shopping for America
- Toyota launches Ecodriving campaign across Europe
- Saving money on coffee just like Grandpa: Folgers targets broke coffee drinkers
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