- Costco cash cards, which any member can buy and give to any non-member to use without buying a membership.
- Massive rotisserie chickens for $5 each.
- Gas prices usually 5 cents to 10 cents less per gallon.
- Discounted gift cards to spas, movie theaters, Jamba Juice, and lots more.
How to see the year's best movies on the cheap
The Golden Globe ballots have been announced, and Academy Award nods are nigh. Nobody wants to show up to an Oscar party without a working knowledge of at least some of the nominees. But with movie theater ticket prices creeping upwards, getting an education on films like -- well, An Education -- adds up fast. So how can you prep for awards season without going broke?The cheapest, simplest and easiest answer is: matinees. Prices are often up to 50% less before the sun goes down -- so if your workplace closes for holiday observances, use that time to get your film fixes in. Block out the morning and afternoon, and you can see two films for roughly the price of seeing one at night.
Debt Diet Part 6: Holiday meals in a final weekend of shopping
According to a recent survey by Fidelity, putting budgets on a diet is topping many American's list of resolutions for 2010. But WalletPop Debt Dieters have been one step ahead of the curve, dieting since the official start of the holiday season. Our band of debt-conscious consumers have learned how to decorate tables on a dime and show your money a little respect. But as you head into the last weekend of the shopping season, analysts say dieters are going to need more will power and support than ever before.
Breakfast for dinner? Put away the cereal -- pancakes are cheaper
When I was a kid, it was a treat to have breakfast for dinner. I've continued that tradition for my 5-year-old daughter, recently making blueberry pancakes and bacon for dinner.Much of America is also having breakfast food for dinner, although not what I'd consider a once-in-awhile treat -- cereal.
As a way to save money in the recession during high unemployment, more people are eating cereal for dinner, according to an Associated Press story. The cheap meal has helped General Mills Inc., the maker of Cheerios, see its second quarter profit climb 50%, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Surprise! Tricky terms of use you might want to know about before using your gift card
A reader wrote in about a host of surprises that turned a gift card intended as a nice gesture into a big pain instead.Visa and other national gift card issuers don't make the terms of the cards a secret. But, let's face it, who sits around reading them? There are a lot of terms and conditions and most people don't know them until they run into them. Unfortunately, that's about the worst time to find out.
Shopping app downloads way up this year
Forget comfortable shoes, energy drinks and a killer parking spot. It seems that in the quest for an optimal holiday shopping experience, iPhones and Blackberrys are the new must-have tools.The Wall Street Journal reports that downloads of shopping apps with an emphasis on price comparison (i.e., make sure Nordstrom doesn't charge less for that pea coat before you snap it up at Bloomingdale's) are up by a whopping 77% from last year.
Five fabulous Christmas crafts under $5
Here are five Christmas crafts that were made using materials from the dollar store and cost less than $5 to make.
Coaster ornament. All you need to make this ornament is a pair of 5-inch cloth embroidered coasters, a small amount of batting, a length of wide ribbon and a ready-made tie on bow. The coasters cost $1 for the set of two. Put the coasters together with the patterns facing out and stitch around the gold trim near the edges, leaving a small opening in the top to add the batting and ribbon hanger. Then stitch the opening closed and attach the bow near the base of the hanger. Total cost: less than $3.
Do you hear what I hear? Free holiday tunes
Rockin' around the Christmas tree is easier and cheaper this season with the advent of online music Web sites that encourage users to create free customized holiday music playlists.
From the First Noel to the final strains of Auld Lang Syne, Web sites such as Pandora, Jango, and Grooveshark want to be the commercial-free soundtrack of your life as you deck the halls or head home for the holidays. Stash the CDs, ditch downloading and avoid pesky carolers.
Secrets of shopping at a warehouse
Check it! I was on Good Morning America recently talking to reporter Becky Worley about the secret ways you can save money while shopping at Costco, Sam's Club, or BJs. We had a lot of fun chatting about impulse buys, bargain butter, and the one thing that is an absolutely terrible deal at one warehouse.
Here are some of the deals we spotted:
Friends and Family savings at 30 top retailers through Monday
Friends and Family sales are typically one of the biggest savings days you can get in on outside of Black Friday and thankfully they are less crowded. You used to need to know a worker at your local store to get in on these additional discounts, but these days you don't need to be on a first name basis with every cashier in the mall to save big. GSI Commerce has worked with 30 of its retail partners to bring you friends and family savings online for two days only.From Sunday December 13 through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday December 15, you can take advantage of friends and family discounts at the following stores, and best of all you can do it from the comfort of your couch.
There's a reason 'friendly' financial advice is free
Despite having the best intentions, giving advice doesn't always go the way you planned. Especially if it's telling your sister to how to invest her 401(k), only to find out your sage advice caused her to lose 25% of her retirement fund. It's a fine line you must tread when deciding whether you should pipe up with financial advice or just keep you mouth shut and nod sympathetically.
Experts say there are a few instances when your course of action is clear: if a person is in danger from financially self destructing (gambling away their savings, spending compulsively, etc.) then you should speak up, no matter what.
However, relationship expert Susan Newman says general advice giving, about how much to save, where to bank or how to trim a budget, can lead you down a slippery slope. "Even good advice can injure or ruin a relationship because it might not be right for the recipient," Newman said. It also might not be wanted.
Trash or treasure? The price of junk mail
Tired of the endless stream of junk in your mailbox? You're not alone."I dread going to the mailbox," says Katie Hough, a Midwest mom. "It's rare that I get something that's addressed to me and not the 'current resident.'"
Hough's mailbox, like those across the country, sees an average 1.5 pieces of "personalized" mail (including bills) a week compared to the average 16 pieces of junk mail ending up in mailboxes.
An uphill slog: Ski resorts lag on getting lift tickets online
It's easy to find movies or videos to jazz you up about going skiing. Warren Miller's ski highlights are a common early winter fix for ski enthusiasts, and the Youtube video below from Teton Gravity Research should be enough to get you up a mountain, although probably not that mountain.
Finding a cheap lift ticket, however, is more difficult.
Many ski resorts don't sell lift tickets online, requiring skiers to either buy them at the mountain on the day of arrival, or buy them ahead of time at a discount at a grocery store, ski shop or at stores such as Costco for slight discounts. With many ski resorts opening next week, Liftopia.com is offering a simple way to find lift tickets online.
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Friday freebies: Popcorn, hamburgers and more
December 18, 2009
Free coupons for P&G
December 18, 2009
Free shipping today for Christmas
December 17, 2009
Free holiday craft eBook
December 16, 2009
Free flatbread at Jamba Juice
December 15, 2009
Free Internet service while in flight
December 14, 2009
The big day: Healthcare deadlines for the employed and unemployed
December 12, 2009
Free holiday album from iTunes
December 12, 2009
Friday freebies: cologne, magazine, vitamin plan and more!
December 11, 2009
Free CKFree fragrance for men
December 11, 2009Interest Rates
| Type | Current | APR |
|---|---|---|
| 30 yr fixed mtg | 5.06% | 5.20% |
| 5/1 ARM | 4.32% | 3.81% |
| $30K HELOC | 5.19% | 0.00% |
| 36 month new car loan | 6.70% | 0.00% |
| 1 yr CD | 1.44% | 1.45% |
PERSONAL FINANCE FROM CNNMONEY
Holiday Shopping
Let AOL Shopping help you this holiday season. Find deals on the hottest products and gifts, holiday party advice and enter our weekly 10 'til 2010 giveaway!
SHOPPING FROM SMARTMONEY
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
- Trash or treasure? The price of junk mail
- Solar Christmas lights not worth the cost
- New at McDonald's -- a musical playplace
- Know when to buy: The latest on holiday shipping deadlines
- Gift cards deals to die for
- Half-priced appetizers at TGI Friday's until December 23
- Lou's Clues: Subtracting the additives ... and make a cheaper, healthier meal
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