Savvy Shopper

Be sure to check around, even in unexpected places, for better values on grocery items.

We weren't surprised to find that a local farmer's market offered pastured eggs for about half the price of pastured eggs at the supermarket where we normally shop. In fact, the price for pastured eggs from the farmer's market was pretty close to the cost of mass-produced eggs from the supermarket, and the pastured eggs are much fresher, and of much better quality (not to mention the chickens who produce them have a better life as well, so people who purchase them are not supporting the conditions in commercial laying houses).

What DID surprise us was finding free-range turkey in the deli at just under $5.00 per pound, in the same supermarket which offers pre-packaged sliced processed turkey for an average price of $2.50 per half pound. We would not have expected to be able to buy a much higher-quality meat from the deli for slightly LESS than the cost of lunch meat.


It pays to shop around, and search out quality foods for reasonable prices!

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SaveBuckets is a price comparison website that retrieves prices from hundreds of sellers in order to return the best prices available for the particular product you are seeking. We selected digital camera, and retrieved a list of almost 2,000 products. Clicking on any one of them will give you the product details as well as the seller offering the best price, and any other sellers listing the product as well. The sort function makes it easy to find the particular product you are interested in, or allows you to start at the lowest price item and keep going until you find one you like.

Even better, if you want to buy a particular product but want it for a lower price than the one being offered, just enter the price you are willing to pay on the product page and SaveBuckets will let you know if one becomes available for that price!

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With the Christmas season, schools will be taking a break for several weeks, making it an ideal time for students who may be struggling to use some of that time to catch up. It is also not too early to begin preparing students who wish to score exceptionally well on tests coming up this spring. Tutoring can help make all the difference for a struggling student, or help a good student to excel, and right now the leading online tutors are offering half-price fees for the first month.

Online tutoring is offered in a wide range of subjects, including English, Spanish, history, economics, biology, chemistry, physics, statistics, trigonometry, algebra, geometry, calculus, and more. Often parents find themselves at a loss to offer homework help with advanced subjects. This is one situation where a tutor can prove invaluable.


Preparing for tests is another situation where the student can benefit from the services of a tutor. Preparation is offered for SAT, GMAT, ACT, PSAT, GED, GRE, TOEFL, and others. Begin working now to prepare yourself to achieve outstanding scores on your upcoming test, opening up more doors of opportunity for yourself!



We are featuring this service which offers unlimited tutoring services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, online from the convenience of your own home in many subjects at an outstanding price of only $99 per month. This is the cost of only a few hours spent with a paid-by-the-hour tutor, available only by appointment. This is made even better by the special first month offering unlimited tutoring for only 49.99 per month. We found this to be an outstanding value, and very timely for many students!

Good luck on your upcoming classes and tests!

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We all love to find unique gifts that are out of the ordinary. Instead of another bath set or meat-and-cheese tray, people love to give and receive gifts that let the recipient know you were thinking of their personality: who they are, what they enjoy doing, their personal "style." And we've found a great source you might not have thought of for a number of people on your gift list!

Military style retailers offer a treasure trove of unique gifts. Of course, there are the traditional things that you might associate with a store like this, such as a folding knife for your uncle who loves to hunt, but with a little imagination you can find gifts suitable for many more people on your list.


Camouflage clothing continues to be popular, especially among teens and tweens. My own daughter would LOVE to have the camo-butterfly girl's shirt. Many of the younger set (as well as women) are especially drawn to camouflage in non-traditional colors (blue is very popular, and pink is especially popular for girls, and you can even purchase violet or orange camo for a real novelty!). Another popular choice are those with added images (such as the butterfly shown here). While shirts are the most popular, pants are also good choices. More unexpected clothing is available too, like shoes, swimwear, and more, as well as towels and blankets. Baby-camo is another unique option, which can be a great choice for tykes whose parents like to hunt or love to wear camo themelves.


Of course, if you DO know a hunter, the camo jackets, vests, shirts, pants, and more could all be great hits. While they might be a little more expected in that case, you could always choose something more unusual, like camo thermal underwear, and present a gift that will let everyone laugh, show you are thinking of the person, and ultimately prove practical as well.

There are a lot of choices for kids too, if parents don't mind encouraging "war" games. A variety of military toys are available, including playsets, puzzles, binoculars, and camouflage army helmets. Older children might be interested in slingshots as well.


And if you have a military lifer (or a gung-ho new recruit) on your list, or anyone who is interested in military history, wars, or has similar tastes, many of the military gifts or novelties would make very appropriate presents. Along with more typical offerings, such as mugs, key chains, and lighters, we found more interesting choices, such as brass cavalry bugles and camouflage beach towels and mouse pads.

Of course, if you do know hikers or campers, a military supply store offers a wide variety of camping and hunting gear which make for very practical gifts. Everything from cookware to cots and chairs to canteens to lanterns to signal mirrors and much much more offer an almost endless variety of gifts for the outdoorsmen (and women!) on your list, and is sure to please.

This holiday season, explore those more non-traditional specialty stores and keep an open mind. You'll be sure to find gifts that let your loved ones know you were REALLY thinking of them, give them something they will love and use, and that will stand out among the bath soaps and slippers that dominate the more ho-hum holiday gifts.

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Would you like to be able to give fabulous gifts to special people on your gift list, but avoid the fabulous price tags? Maybe someone on your list loves designer watches or diamond jewelry? Few of us can afford to give such extravagant gifts, but we want the very best for those we love. Sellers of fine estate jewelry can help you find that one-of-a-kind unique piece at prices up to 70% less than retail.


Rolex watches, known as the "King of watches," are a coveted status symbol well worthy of the name. The movement is accurate, the cases are shock-proof and water-proof, and overall these watches provide outstanding quality along with name recognition. Shop among the widest selection of pre-owned Rolex watches, fully certified.



The same suppliers also sell diamond jewelry at the same deeply discounted prices. Hundreds of pieces are available in everything from rings to pendants to earrings to brooches to cufflinks to belt buckles and much more. Men's jewelry is offered as well.



Some of the more interesting findings were among the ancient coin jewelry, which could prove of very special interest to anyone on your list interested in history, finance, archeology, business, foreign cultures, anthropology, or numismatists. We were especially fascinated by the Japanese coin pendant.



We were also quite interested in the charmingly detailed belt buckles featuring dog breeds. These would make a wonderful gift for a dog-lover on your list, especially if he or she is involved in showing or training the particular breeds featured. It can also be wonderfully appropriate for one who owns (or did own) and loves that particular breed, or even as a gift for a veterinarian, groomer, trainer, sales rep for a pet product manufacturer, or anyone else involved in working with dogs or pet products.


Choosing a unique gift perfectly suited to the person you are buying for is one way of showing your thoughtfulness in appreciating who they are as a person. Finding something that isn't available at the local mall makes it all the more special. And when you can provide luxury to your loved ones, within your budget, that makes it even better.

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Travel by auto is a great way to visit countries in Europe without being rushed and letting you visit interesting places along the way. There are so many unique and interesting shoppes and boutiques that, especially this time of year, travel by auto and stopping along the way to enjoy local sights and flavors, and picking up Christmas gifts along the way, makes for a fun vacation! If you are a citizen of the EU, you may purchase whatever you like and take it through any borders without extra taxes, as long as it is for personal use. (There are some limits on tobacco and alcohol products, but even these limits are rather high.)

London of course is one of the major European cities for shopping, with thousands of shops. One of the top picks for the Christmas season is Greenwich Christmas Market. Be there November 30th for the switching on of the Christmas Lights! Santa and his friends will be there, so come and enjoy the festivities! For added fun, every customer spending £10 will receive 1 Mince Pound, which can be redeemed against the price of an admission to the ice rink, an admission to the Peter Harrison Planetarium, or pantomime tickets.

Save your money on hotels in London, and use it to buy more goodies at the market! We found discount hotels available from GBP 10.00. If you prefer more luxurious accommodations, there are particularly good bargains on the 4-star Holiday Inn Brentford Lock from GBP 49.00. Another especially good rate was offered in Kensington for a 3-star hotel starting at only GBP 21.00.

Paris offers some of the most exciting shopping in Europe. For those with extra money to spend, there are thousands of boutiques ready to assist you, and some of the highest fashion the world has to offer. However, there is a well-kept little secret to Parisian shopping as well. For those wishing to purchase the most fashionable clothes for a more modest price, visit a designer depot. These chic shoppes are usually owned by very fashion-savvy women well-versed in designer clothing, who accept nearly-new exclusive clothing for resale. Nothing like more traditional thrift stores, these stores offer the expertise of their owners as part of their service.

We found great rates on hotels in Paris as well. The best rate was the 2-star Hotel Mister Bed City de Bagnolet from only EU 30.00. Better accommodations are offered from EU 40.00 at the 3-star Victoria Hotel Paris La Defense.


Berlin is one of the best places to shop for traditional Christmas ornaments with a distinctly European flavor. Abandon the crowded malls for charming Christmas markets, such as the Berlin Christmas Market with it's atmosphere of magical wonder, lighted with fairy lights and offering entertainment and cultural events as well. The Berlin Christmas Market is located in the Gendarmenmarkt, lauded as one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.



In seeking hotels in Berlin, we found bargain rates from only EUR 10.00. Accommodations at the 2-star A&O Hostel Mitte Berlin were offered from only EUR 13.00. From only EUR 29.00, a room may be had at the 3-star HEP Hotel Berlin. For only slightly more, EUR 45.00, the 4-star boutique Quentin Design Hotel in Berlin offers more luxurious accommodations, as well as convenient access to the outstanding shopping-street, Kurfuerstendamm, as well as the world-famous department store, KaDeWe.


Barcelona offers some very interesting traditions for the Christmas season. At the Plaza de la Catedral, one may visit the Santa Llúcia market from early December until the 24th. The stalls in the market offer an amazing variety of Christmas ornaments and decorations, including the "caganer." The caganer is a figure which represents a Catalan peasant, wearing a traditional Catalan hat and having bare buttocks. It has been included in traditional Nativity scenes since the 18th century, and has since become an essential element. Often the caganer is hidden within the Nativity scene, and it has become something of a game to find him.


In addition to ornaments and other Christmas items, the market also offers a wide array of handcrafted goods from jewelry to clothing to lamps and more, making it a wonderful place to shop for unique Christmas gifts.

Hotels in Barcelona are available from EUR 19.00 for the bargain rooms. However, we found the 3-star Glories Hotel Barcelona to be a particularly good value for rates as low as EUR 28.00 for the higher quality accommodations. The 4-star hotel, Catalonia Hotel Park Putxet Barcelona, was also an outstanding value at only EUR 49.00.

Be sure to check the last minute deals before you travel, as the offers change. Reserving your accommodations through a hotel reservation service can save you a significant amount in your rates, often much lower than any deal offered directly through the hotel. You also have the ability to easily compare a number of hotels, rates, amenities, locations, etc. in order to select the hotel that best meets your personal needs, all at the lowest rates available. And saving money on hotels leaves more to spend on shopping!

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Black Friday … it almost sounds like a disease or something! But in fact retailers refer to this day as the day their profits begin to roll in as they meet their yearly expenses and from here on out, “enter the black” instead of being in the red.

Because of all the specials offered, aimed at getting you into their stores where they hope you will stay and also purchase non-sale items, shoppers have begun venturing out in droves, fighting ever-growing crowds at earlier and earlier hours, all for the chance to buy that special item at the lowest price (so far) this year.

The day is surely filled with stress, and Saturday’s newspapers will unfortunately probably feature stories about mishaps and shoppers gone off the deep end. A few tips can help you keep your sanity, plan your day, and make the most of those specials, so we are offering our guide to Black Friday Shopping.

1. First, check the ads in Thursday’s paper, taking note of everything you are interested in purchasing. Some things may be available at more than one store, and in that case it may be better to pay $1 more and save the gas (and frustration of finding a parking space and waiting in checkout lines) and visit a single store instead. While you are looking at the ads, pay special attention to time-sensitive savings, such as those only available before 8 a.m.
2. Research any big-ticket items beforehand. Check ConsumerReports.org (the preferred resource, and worth the subscription price), About.com, Epinions.com, or another respected ratings guide, (or check reviews on NewEgg.com or Amazon.com) for value and reliability of the model you may be interested in. Check prices online (use PriceGrabber.com, BizRate.com, Shopping.com, MySimon.com, and even eBay.com, as well as low-price retailers like NewEgg.com) to get an idea of prices available in order to make sure what you are interested in purchasing is actually a good deal. (This suggestion can apply to less expensive purchases as well if time allows.) Also be sure to check the ad to make sure what is included. You may be offered something without the normal accessories (such as electric cords, printer cables, a/c adapters, etc.) or options, which will raise the price significantly if purchased separately.
3. Another tip for big-ticket items: Consider store-offered credit cards. The interest rates are not usually very attractive, but you can often save an extra 10% of a single day’s purchases. Just buy everything you planned to buy from that store, pay off the balance, and cut up the card!
4. Research savvy shopping sites like FatWallet.com, GottaDeal.com, including the BlackFriday site, and DealTaker.com for information about various stores’ offerings, specials, coupons, and rebates. Don’t forget to check coupon sites as well, such as DealLocker.com, CouponCabin.com, and the coupon section of DealTaker, which often offer printable coupons for retailers you may be planning to visit.
5. Check the stores’ websites. Many items can be purchased online for the same special pricing as early as Wednesday evening (though most will wait until around midnight Thanksgiving night). You may get free shipping, or be able to pick your merchandise up at a local store if you prefer, and so not incur any additional shipping costs. This can be a great option, saving you time and money as well as making sure the items you want are in your online shopping cart instead of being sold out in the stores. If items can be shipped free, you may want to go ahead and order some of them online even if you plan to visit the store for other sale items, just to prevent selling out as well as saving time on Black Friday. Also, some stores might also offer online coupons to be printed out and used in the local stores on Friday.
6. Remember that there WILL BE other sales before Christmas. Some items may be offered at the lowest prices of the season on Black Friday, while others will have further discounts taken. It can be difficult to predict which are which, but in general, look for very deep discounts or items that promise to be hot sellers and likely to be out of stock long before Christmas. Along these lines, ask about the store’s policies and find out if they have a price guarantee that will refund the difference if they later offer the same merchandise for an even lower price.
7. Make a final list of the items you want to purchase at each store. It is a good idea to include model numbers and prices, in case you have to ask employees to check stock for you if the floor is empty. Plan your stops using the timing of door busters and special sales, as well as must-haves. You may want to plan those items that will be on sale all day for later in the day, when time is not so precious. However, if you choose to do this, be aware that the later in the day you shop, the more likely it is that some items may be sold out. It can be a good idea to mark those most important to you as well. Shopping with friends or family members can help if you want the hottest items. In that case, divide the list and have each person pick up a particular item for everyone who wants it, and meet back at the checkout.
8. Make another list of gift recipients and ideas for them, as well as relevant details (like favorite colors or clothing sizes, if needed, and the approximate budget for each gift). Leave space for changes to your list in case things don’t work out. Also include any items you may need such as holiday décor, serving dishes, etc. that may be on sale along with gifts you plan to purchase.
9. Prepare your vehicle. Make sure you have gas, so you won’t be stopping on the way if you are trying to make a 4 a.m. door buster. Also make sure you take out any unnecessary packages or cargo to leave room for purchases. It can be a good idea to have some unassuming-looking cover available to toss over your purchases if you plan to put them in the back seat where they will be visible and then enter another store.
10. If you are planning to arrive before any store opens and expect to wait outside, be sure to dress accordingly. You will need to be warm enough for early-morning winter hours, but want to be able to remove layers of clothing so you aren’t overheated once you are inside a crowded store amid a flurry of activity. And whatever you wear, make sure your shoes are comfortable if you plan to spend the entire day (or even most of it) shopping. Also make sure the purse you plan to take will be easy and comfortable to carry, and be secure as well. You don’t want a large open bag that hangs behind you in close crowds where someone could reach into it without you knowing. Front-style packs with only your cash, credit cards, id, and checkbook are ideal. An umbrella might be a wise choice as well. At certain places (outlet malls, etc.) it might be wise to bring a folding cart of some sort to help you carry your purchases until you return to the car, but you will need to keep a close eye on it and it may slow you down in crowds.
11. It can also be smart to take some snacks and drinks to keep in the car, in order to save time and money when traveling between stores and to keep your energy up.
12. Take ads into the store with you. Some stores offer price matching, which can save you time and money by allowing you to do all of your shopping (or a good portion of it) at a single store instead of paying today’s high gas prices to run around, and then have to wait in more lines. Another (major!) advantage is that you won’t be competing with everyone else for the hottest items at that particular store and they will be more likely to be in stock. You can even print online ads and ask the store to match those prices as well, but don’t be disappointed if they refuse.
13. If you hate waiting in lines, make the best of it. Bring along a paperback, magazine, or puzzle book (make sure it is marked as your own if it looks new and the store carries them) to occupy yourself while you wait. I have even worn a headset and carried my compact cd player in a pocket during shopping trips in order to cut down on stress levels.
14. Consider carefully who you bring with you. An impatient friend, spouse, or boyfriend is probably a very bad choice, and bad for the relationship as well. Children should be left at home if possible. If not, consider something like a hand-held game for them, only to be played while waiting in line.
15. Be sure to keep receipts in case an exchange or return is necessary. Better yet, ask for separate gift receipts for items to be gifted, allowing the recipient to easily exchange or return the gift, if necessary, without disclosing the price up front.
16. Also, do not open electronics or similar items until you are absolutely sure you won’t want to return them. Some are non-returnable, and others incur a restocking fee if opened. It’s also a good idea to reach back to at least the second item in the row when selecting your item for purchase, since it’s more likely that if someone opened a box, it would be the first box in the stack. Also, it is more likely that that item could have been knocked off the shelf or otherwise handled roughly, so the items further back are always a safer bet.
17. In some cases, you may want to pay with a credit card. Check your cards to see if they offer special deals. Some will offer an extended warranty period on purchases, saving you money over buying the same option from the store. They may also guarantee return options for a specific period, such as up to 90 days, when in many cases the stores themselves will not honor these extended periods. If you are purchasing an item as a gift, be especially wary of stores offering 30 days or less in their return policy, as you may not even be able to give the gift until it’s already too late to return it. Some cards even offer protection of sales prices, refunding the difference if the item goes on sale for a lower amount within a given period (sometimes as long as 60 days, which is especially good this time of year because most Christmas merchandise will be marked down by January 1^st.
18. Most importantly, try to keep your sense of humor. There will be stress, rude people, those who steal parking spots and cut in front of you, etc. Don’t get caught in a fist fight for the last $79 Wii! Instead, relax and enjoy the season and remember that you are shopping for loved ones, looking forward to their pleasure at receiving the gifts you choose for them, and plan to treat yourself afterwards so that you have something to look forward to.

So … if you are planning to venture out on Black Friday … be prepared, be savvy, be safe, save money, and ENJOY yourself!

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Are you looking for a unique design element to make your new home stand out from among all the others on your street? Do you want to make a great first impression for visitors? Would you like something different, that isn't available at your local home improvement warehouse? First impressions are important, and from the street there are only a few design elements that will really capture the attention of visitors. One option can be mailboxes. Residential mailboxes are available in wall mount, post mount, mail slot, or column mailboxes. Design possibilities from here are varied. Commercial mailboxes can also be unique, and some offer special security features.

We were even more pleased to see the variety of curbside decor items. These include such varied items as country bells, door knockers, faucets, garden poems, weathervanes, rain chains, path signs, doormats, flagpole ornaments, doorbells, and many more.


We love the concept of rain trickling down a decorative chain, many of which contain design elements such as watering cans, fish, tulip cups, teacups, umbrellas, and more. Links may be copper or antiqued, and come in single, double, bamboo, and more styles. Leaders to hold the chains can further personalize the look. These are currently offered in polished and antique finishes, and feature your choice of a watering cans or a teapot. We find this a very charming and unique accent!


We also were especially impressed with the variety of plaques available. The wonderful variety (266 at current count!) made it very difficult to choose a favorite, but we would select the ribbon style for it's versatility. This would look wonderful in so many places, serving to make your front door distinctive, as a nameplate on a wooden boat, or could be used over the entrance of an outer building or, if you want to REALLY make things stand out, could be used as a nameplate on the most exclusive dog house in the state!


Much more than just mailboxes, this site continues to be an enjoyable one to visit, offering more and more distinctive touches every time we revisit it. We would highly recommend it to anyone.

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We are posting a very special opportunity this month. For the first time in 30 years, the King Tut exhibit will open for viewing in London on November 15th, with well over 100 artifacts on display. The artifacts represent not only King Tut's tomb, but other burial chambers and temples from Ancient Egypt. The exhibit will run until April 30th, 2008. Plan your visit to Tutankhamun because crowds of more than two million are expected to visit.



The exhibit will be featured in eleven different galleries (in a single location), each having a unique theme. Omar Sharif narrates an in-depth audio tour which provides detailed information about many of the featured artifacts as you tour the exhibit. Most of the artifacts have never before been brought to England and represent the first opportunity to be viewed here. You may travel through the exhibit at your own pace, and there is no time limit.

Tutankhamnun Hotel & Ticket Deals are available for a combined discounted price. This package is fully customizable, with your choice of 100 London hotels participating in this special package. You can save even more by selecting optional extras, such as travel tickets (Rapid River Boat Transfer or rail tickets from any destination) or attraction tickets. Available attractions include the Tower of London, the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, and many others.

Read The Tutankhamun Story before visiting, to fully enhance your visit. Families with school children will especially benefit from choosing high-interest books on Ancient Egypt to be read before their visit.

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We like to feature interesting places to shop around the world for those travelers among our readers. If you are planning to visit the Middle East, be sure to visit Dubai, the shopping capital of the Middle East.

The Wafi Shopping Mall is a mecca of haute couture shopping, offering high fashion in everything from the expected clothing, handbags, and jewelry to distinctive gifts, electronics, children's clothing, toys, and interior fashion. Another feature that makes the Wafi Shopping Mall a unique and unparalleled shopping experience is the Encounter Zone, an 80,000 square meter family entertainment destination that offers Lunarland for families with younger children and Galactica for teens and adults. This is an exhilarating experience not to be missed!

The Al Mamzar Shopping Center is another great choice for families with children. A number of shops feature toys and other delights for children, as well as the Kiddie Land Spacious Family Entertainment Centre. The food plaza boasts a large variety of cuisines, sure to please both finicky children as well as their discerning parents. And if a day out shopping with the children proves to be overly stressful, the mall also includes an on-site spa where parents can indulge in a relaxing session to release tension and renew their energy.

The Al Manal Centre is another shopping center that has attracted a lot of attention, offering absolutely the finest assortment of textiles. In addition to the freshest designer fabrics, many other shops offer a wide variety of goods, including perfume, jewelry, clothing, and much more.

Towne Centre is yet another shopping destination offering an array of everything from designer fashion and high-end luxuries to simpler items such as books, music, and household items. Offering reasonable prices and some excellent bargains, this shopping center is popular with both the locals and travelers. (Travelers can purchase the Advantage Card here.) A variety of useful services are offered within the center (post office, gift wrapping, etc.) as well as an entertainment area for children.

The Holiday Centre is yet another shopping center, often offering amazing bargains on any number of products from exotic jewelry and name-brand watches to sporting goods, music and other media, and exotic flowers. A particularly nice feature of the Holiday Centre is its design. Open and spacious, with a serene and pleasant atmostphere, it is a particularly enjoyable location for shopping.

We've saved one of the best for last. The Ibn Battuta Mall is an amazing feast for the senses, especially enjoyable for shoppers who enjoy world travel. The mall brings the world to you! Visit China, India, Persia, Egypt, Tunisia, and Andalusia, all in a single day. View the Taj Mahal dome. Stroll through a Chinese garden. Marvel at the Persian dome. It is all there, along with the opportunity to purchase an array of merchandise unrivaled in quality, at still rather reasonable prices.



While in Dubai, you will need information on accommodations, transportation, restaurants, etc. You may also like to read about tours, attractions, local events, museums and cultural offerings, etc. All of this and more is available online at useful travel guide sites, such as Visit Dubai. Be sure to take advantage of the wealth of information offered before embarking on your trip, and enjoy!

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