Savvy Shopper | Savvy Shopping

Coupon Savings Books -- see them in a new light!

2012-01-23T11:30:00.000-08:00

I want to share with my readers today about a savvy shopping choice you may be overlooking. Coupon books.

I know, I can feel your pain. But please don't stop reading! You're going to want to hear this.

Children used to come to the door selling them, and to help them raise money, we always tried to buy the coupon books, cookie dough, or candles. We’d flip through our book, pull out a couple of coupons, then put it in a drawer, and forget about it until the coupons had all expired. Except for the fundraising part, it was wasted money.

But when my daughter sold the books to raise money for our school, I discovered I had it all wrong. This time I was determined not to “waste” the coupons, so I put the book in my purse. The next time we needed lunch on the go, I flipped to the book's fast food section. Right there, buy one-get one free at Chick-fil-a! The book “paid me” for 1/4 of its purchase price with that first coupon.

The following Sunday afternoon, she wanted to go out to lunch. Neither of us really knew where we wanted to go, so I flipped through the book. Hmmm … lunch special at a Mexican restaurant we’d never tried, buy 1-get 1 free. Trying a new place sounded like fun, so off we went. I would probably never have gone there if I hadn’t had that coupon, but I must say it became my all-time favorite Mexican restaurant! (Cazadores in Pensacola -- the flautas are to DIE for!) And I'd just saved enough to pay for the book. We were on a roll!

Working our way through the coupon book, we discovered MANY new places with fantastic food, and got to try them at half price. We had new favorite places to go, and the one or two that didn’t measure up … well, at least we only paid half as much to find out. It solved the dilemma of “Where do we eat today?” and made me feel MUCH better about eating out … at half price it comes out to pretty close to the cost of cooking at home. That year my daughter was involved in so many activities, it was hard not to eat out a few times a week so it was a win/win situation.

Not only that, but there were other offerings in the book as well. We got half-price movies, half price mini-golf, and discovered new fun things to do in our community. I even got my oil changed at a discount. The book paid for itself many times over, and we had a much better knowledge of what was offered in our community. The merchants benefit as well by getting new patrons, since we enjoyed so many of the places we visited so much that we became regulars, and recommended them to our friends as well. And the fundraising really helped with her schooling. I made it a point to tell everyone we sold a book to my experiences, and remind them to USE the books, and we had return customers for years.

Now, a little about the particular book we used. Published by FundRays, Inc., it is used exclusively by schools and other local non-profit groups as a fundraising tool, for which they earn 50% of the sales price. Their area includes Escambia, Baldwin, Okaloosa, and Mobile counties in Florida and Alabama. New books are due to be released February 8^th and will include between 170-220 coupons (depending on which area) with most of them being buy 1-get one free. Some of the merchants are TGI Fridays, Red Lobster, Sonny’s BBQ, Chick-fil-A, Subway, Sonic, Marble Slab Creamery, Big Kahuna’s Water Park, as well as many local-only restaurants, golf, and more.

If you live in one of these counties, we would strongly urge you to find a local school to support by buying a book, and treat yourself to great savings as well as a fun incentive to visit many new places and discover new favorites as we have done. And if you live in another area, give the local coupon books there a try as well. Whatever you do, don’t put them away in a drawer and forget them. Take them out and USE them and you will find they are well worth the cost!

Being Savvy is a MUST when it comes to mortgages

2012-01-22T13:33:00.000-08:00

Shopping for mortgages has changed in the current economy. With the rash of foreclosures over the past several years, it has become harder to qualify in many cases, especially if you have bad credit, but it is not impossible. What has really changed are the options now available and the different financial situations where they may make sense.

In situations where the family has entered a hardship, it may be possible to qualify for a loan modification in order to make payments fit within the family budget. While a modification is possible even after a foreclosure date has been set, it is wise to start shopping for options as soon as you realize that your current situation is going to put you further into debt, so as to preserve your credit rating as much as possible and lessen the chances of added amounts being rolled into a modified principle.

Other types of mortgages exist that can make financial sense in certain situations. The Federal Housing Administration offers an FHA Energy Efficiency Mortgage to low income families in order to make their homes more energy efficient.

The changing housing market has had an impact on the wisdom of taking out home equity loans. It used to be that standard advice suggested it made more sense to borrow against your home’s equity in order to pay off higher-interest loans. That still can be the case, but it also led to many homeowners owing more toward their mortgages than the value of their homes when the housing market declined. Rather than expecting home values to always increase (as we now have clearly seen that they don’t) it is perhaps safer to leave as large a margin as possible in order to protect the equity you do have in your home.

These are just a few of the situations and types of loans you may consider. Many other options exist, some of them tailored to particular financial situations which can make them a wise choice, while for others they may not be.

The bottom line … it pays to be savvy when shopping for mortgages. After all, your home is probably the largest single purchase you will ever make, and the factors that affect how you pay for it will add up many times over, and have a larger impact on your overall financial picture than almost anything else is likely to do.

A Peach of a Deal Site

2012-01-09T23:28:00.000-08:00

While browsing Daily Deal sites for our recent post on them, I ran across another that was particularly impressive in its offerings. PlumPeachy.com had what appear to be some especially good bargains.

This set stainless cookware for only $24.99 caught my eye. To be honest, I'm not familiar with the brand, and I like to have first-hand knowledge of a product before I recommend it. But even if they are lightweight, this is a bargain no matter how you look at it. I prefer stainless cookware over aluminum and non-stick (particularly the older style of non-stick) for health reasons, so whenever I see stainless cookware (or glass, enamel, or cast iron, my other standbys) it always gets my attention. For that reason, I'm VERY familiar with the costs and quality levels of these kinds of products, so I can say unreservedly that this has to be a great deal.

(By the way, Amazon.com lists the same set for $49.99, list price is $69.99, eBay has it for $61.25, and it caused quite an online stir when listed for $38.75 but that site -- tanga.com -- is sold out. All these figures offered for comparison of expected costs, and why I found this to be such a great deal.)

Regarding shipping, Plumpeachy.com has a scale that appears to be based on the actual cost to ship an item, which in my opinion is a fair enough practice that I can still recommend them. The cookware set above costs $5 to ship, which isn't unreasonable. A small tool item (offered for just a penny!) was under $3 to ship, and a set of headphones was offered for free shipping.

Going to movies

2012-01-08T21:07:00.000-08:00

Guest written by our friend Gladys Fuentes

Every holiday, my husband’s family goes to see a movie in the theater. When my husband and I were dating, this was a new concept to me because my family always spent every holiday at home and we never went anywhere unless it was to my grandmother’s house for dinner. In his family this is not the case. They used to get out the newspaper and spend hours deciding which movie to go to. At least now they have wireless internet so they can look online to see which movies are playing and it speeds up the process a little. They usually go to see whatever family movie is out at the time. It is a little embarrassing marching into the movie theater with his entire extended family, especially since everyone wants to sit together. We do end up having a good time watching the movie, but I would rather sit at home and enjoy each other’s company. It is a lot cheaper than paying for a movie and popcorn, plus you can sit around and talk to each other.

Get your daily deals here!

2012-01-07T00:33:00.000-08:00

I love “daily deal” sites. I remember when my daughter was small and we were newly connected to the internet, I found a site that offered deep discounts on a variety of products. We did a lot of our shopping for her Christmas gifts there. I was reminded of this when I read about NoMoreRack on a Mommy blog today.

I went to nomorerack.com and checked it out. You do have to give an email address in order to look at the offerings there, but I must say I was impressed by the very first "daily deal" I saw! Just to be sure, since I hadn’t bought the exact item number, I compared it to some well-known online discount sites (overstock.com and amazon.com) and found the prices to be about 30% cheaper at nomorerack.

When I did a little poking around, I found something even more amazing, though I didn’t catch one while I was there. They also offer “insanity deals” in addition to their daily deals, and the prices really are insane! Would you pay $26.54 for a Playstation 3? (I sure would!) How about a Sony 52” HDTV for only $59.96? Amazing! Electronics aren’t the only products offered in the insanity deals – you can also find Prada, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton for 95% off! These special deals are limited though, and while nomorerack promises to have at least 30 of each item available, they can sell out quickly, so I’d recommend setting up a payment profile there right away in order to snatch up those insane deals before they get away if you happen to see one.

Shipping is always an issue when ordering online, and part of being a savvy shopper is to make sure that you aren’t overpaying when shipping costs are included. We've all seen websites that offer what looks like a great deal, but then they gouge you with shipping charges. Nomorerack charges a flat $2 shipping fee per item, making it one of the most affordable sites as far as shipping costs are concerned.

There are a few other little tidbits. One of the most interesting is that you can get “friend deals” just for sharing the site with friends. All your friends have to do is visit the site and sign up; they don't have to buy anything, and you can receive merchandise completely free. Another thing that I particularly liked is that they include a “charity deal” that will donate to a worthy cause when purchased.

I love running across sites like this, and I enjoy even more sharing them with my readers. So head on over and check out nomorerack.com, maybe you’ll get lucky and run across an insanity deal!

Savvy home improvement

2011-12-31T00:59:00.000-08:00

The standard advice used to be that whatever you spent on home improvement was an investment, and could be recouped in the sale of the house. That advice is no longer true today, but some home improvements still make good investment sense.

Among the best places to invest in your home:

Kitchen updates. Ironically, as fewer and fewer people are cooking, the kitchen has become more important as a selling point in homes today. Buyers want lots of space, and updated high-end appliances. Designer touches like a mosaic tile backsplash or quarry tile floors add function and beauty, and are durable. Refacing cabinets can offer kitchens a lift without the expense of replacing the units. And something as simple as a high-end faucet can add value for a nominal cost.

Decks, attic conversions, and other "found space." Anything that increases the living area of a home is usually a good investment. Decks should be sized to complement the home, and not be too large (more than 1/3 of the area of the home) or too small to be functional. Attics, basements, and other unused areas in a home that can be converted into living space can dramatically increase value compared to their cost. Just make sure the space is not too specialized but can serve a variety of functions if you are concerned about resale value.

Bathroom updates. Like kitchens, buyers look for modernized baths. Luxury touches such as deep tubs or jetted tubs are a good bet. Modernized shower units are a good selling point. If your color scheme is dated, consider updating to glass tile and a neutral palette. While you want to have enough bathrooms as a convenience factor, large master baths are a good selling point. Which brings us to the next item ...

Master suites. Most buyers are looking for a large master bedroom with a large bath attached that they can turn into a relaxing and secluded getaway. Small bedrooms don't sell well, and it might even be worth knocking out a wall or two if your house is old enough to have tiny bedrooms. A home with a large master suite and only one extra bedroom will usually sell faster than one with three smaller bedrooms.

Energy efficiency. Insulation, new windows, new seals, and anything else that makes your home run more efficiently will make it more attractive to buyers, and save you money in the meantime. You may also be eligible for tax credits when you increase your home energy efficiency, so these can be especially smart ways to spend your home improvement dollars.

And the most important update everyone should consider -- paint. Painting is one of the least expensive updates to a home, but can have some of the most dramatic effects. Neutral colors are best, but that doesn't mean you can't have drama. Dining rooms, for example, if they are large enough, can handle darker shades and dramatic hues, and these are appropriate for rooms where people will be eating. Take special note of the color of the front door and any paintable trim. This can be one of the best and most inexpensive ways to give your home curb appeal.

On the other hand, there are those updates that, while you might like to add them, are not going to come anywhere near repaying you when you sell the house. Chief among these are swimming pools, which might be a drawing point for some buyers. Just as easily though, buyers can see a pool as a liability in terms of having to maintain it and being responsible for keeping children safe. Even a beautifully landscaped pool featuring glass mosaic tile murals, while beautiful and certainly enjoyable, might actually decrease your chances of selling your home someday.

So whether you are planning to put your home on the market in the near future, or just want to invest your home improvement dollars where they are most likely to pay you back someday, spend wisely. But most of all, choose improvements that will let you better enjoy your home and make you love it all the more. That's money well spent.

Book your savings here ! Ten ways to save money on books

2011-12-26T22:32:00.000-08:00

When Austin Phelps said "Wear the old coat and buy the new book" he meant that books were even better to spend money on than coats, but we'd like to talk about some ways you might be able to have both the book AND the coat ...

Libraries. Don't overlook these sources of free books. You have to return them, but many books are only to be read and after that will only take up space on a bookshelf anyway. For the newest fiction, or how-to books that you won't keep needing, this can be your best source. If you are fortunate enough to be part of a large library system or one with a good inter-library network, take advantage of it. I miss southern California!

Alibris.com is one of our favorite online sources. Books from Alibris are often available for free shipping, though this does not extend to those listed on the site by affiliated sellers, and is only available at certain times and with a minimum purchase (usually $30-$50)

eBay.com and Half.com can be good sources. Both of these can be super-cheap. eBay has a certain risk as sometimes sellers don't follow though, but PayPal offers some protection if you use their services (assuming the seller still has the funds in their account). I do always like to warn people though, since I once paid for a book through eBay and never received it.

Amazon.com is another good source. Used sellers sometimes sell books for a few pennies, so that you are only paying shipping, and other books are often available at a discount. Another site that we found in this category is BestBargainBooks.com which lists many books for 1 cent, however you do pay full shipping charges on each book rather than getting a discount for multiple purchases.

Overstock stores (like Tuesday Morning). These have been a great source for me when I was not looking for a particular title but only looking for books in general. Can be especially good if you want to give books as gifts, since they are often coffee-table editions at great prices.

Charity stores. (Goodwill, and other stores people donate things to be resold for a charity) These are sometimes super-cheap, depending on the whims of the people who run them. I've gotten hardcover books for 10 cents, and been given some books. Often the price runs closer to $1-$2 for hardcovers, which is still worthwhile if you find something you are looking for.

Used bookstores. They tend to have a good selection, but they also have the best knowledge of what their books are worth. If you like Harlequin romance, you can usually find them super cheap, but if you're wanting hardcover art books, they're going to be asking probably up to 50% of the cover price.

Online reading sources. Depending on what you are interested in, many MANY older books are available online totally free. Try searching authors or keywords for books written in the early 1900's or before. (I must admit, when the whole e-book craze started, we expected ebooks to be much cheaper than printed volumes, but as of yet their prices are barely discounted and they don't seem to offer an exceptional value unless you want to have digital rather than paper copies.)

Rummage sales and yard sales. These are usually almost give-away sources for books, though what you might find varies a lot. Not necessarily a good source, but if you are browsing anyway, it's worth taking a look.

Online search. It's always worth putting in the exact title of the book in quotes and doing a search, and you might find a source that offers the book for less than the ones we've mentioned.

Good reading!!!

How can I save money on pet supplies?

2011-12-26T21:47:00.000-08:00

We love our pets, and know that you do too. After going out today to buy some supplies, we realized others might benefit from our sources.

Prices can vary wildly on pet supplies. Sometimes sources you may not have thought of can be your best places to shop. Check out these for great deals ...

Feed stores (farm stores). This is actually the first place we check for certain supplies. You can often find high quality feeds here. If you buy animal bedding, aspen shavings can be bought in huge bales meant for horse stalls for just a few dollars more than a small brick at a pet shop. If you have small animals, water bottles of higher quality and lower price are usually available here. Also often a good source for toys, collars, and leashes for large dogs, as well as no-nonsense rubber or galvanized feeding pans.

Chain pet stores. Many things here are overpriced, in our opinion, but there are some exceptions. Because they have such a huge variety of toys for cats, birds, and other small animals, they often put many of them on clearance on a regular basis, and we just go through and check the cheap prices.

Discount stores. Many of the products here may be cheap, but they are often of inferior quality as well. This can be a good source for books (sometimes, check online as well), or for name brand products that may be overstocks elsewhere, such as Nylabones.

Grocery stores. Usually not a good source. The exceptions can be if they decide to size down their pet supplies or if they get holiday products for pets, and they may discount them deeply. Larger items such as cat litter boxes may fall under this category. Pet foods, pet treats, and kitty litter seldom do.

Big box stores. These can be great for pet foods, treats, and kitty litter. I especially like Costco, for their Kirkland's brand, which is close to premium quality food for about the same price as a commercial brand elsewhere.

Overstock stores. Merchandise varies, and you need to know the price you expect to pay before you go in. They tend to carry higher-end products, at something of a discount. Near Christmastime is the best time to shop there for pets, and pet beds are one of the better buys there. (I got a really cool camo-print bed for one of my cats at a great price at Ross.) Fancy designer dishes, etc. are also often good buys and frequently available.

Online. We actually don't buy many pet supplies online, but it pays to check out before investing in a major purchase. If the seller offers free or discounted shipping, this can be your best bet.

I hope this helps you be kind to your furry friends, AND your pocketbook at the same time. Happy shopping!

Great gifts for outdoor living

2011-12-19T14:36:00.000-08:00

Still deliberating over the perfect gift for this holiday season? Most of us have our thoughts focused indoors this time of year, but if your gift recipient loves the outdoors like I do, they might appreciate a gift that reminds them of balmy breezes and helps them look forward to getting back to their outdoor activities.

Patio furnishings make great gifts. A unique planter can show off a favorite plant. Adirondack chairs offer style and bring to mind relaxing in the shade with a good book. A potting table is a very practical gift for a gardener and makes working with plants even more enjoyable. A porch swing or glider is a welcome retreat from summer chores. If your recipient's patio is already fully furnished, new cushions in an outdoor fabric can brighten things up. Accessories such as fountains, wind chimes, rain chains, bird feeders, and birdhouses all make wonderful gifts.

Yard furnishings and decorations are good choices as well. Consider park benches to place in the shade along a garden path inviting the gardener to rest and enjoy the scenery. Garden statuary or a gazing ball placed in just the right spot can surprise or invite contemplation. Birdbaths and fountains add enchantment and interest to a garden. Stone or wood planters can help set the mood and emphasize special landscaping plants. Kits to make personalized stepping stones are available and the finished stones can be nice gifts for grandparents when they feature children's artwork, hand prints, or footprints.

Don't forget children, but in this case you might want to limit it to gifts they can get some use from right away, like child-sized picnic tables that may be set up in a sun-room. Gifts such as playground equipment are a lot of fun, but are best for children who live in places that will allow them to use the equipment right away. A swing-set can be a disappointment for children when they are told they must wait several months before they can play on it. If the child does live in a snowy climate, a sled, snow tube, snowboard, ice skates, a snow tunnel, or a mold for making snow forts would be much more appreciated.

Just because winter has you chased inside the house, doesn't mean you can't look forward to getting back outside in warmer weather, and you can help your loved ones dream of sunnier times too. And next year while they enjoy your gifts, they will be reminded of you and appreciate your thoughtfulness.

How the new advertising works for YOU (the Savvy Shopper)

2011-12-17T17:09:00.000-08:00

You're a savvy shopper. You want to find great deals, discounts, and coupons on the things you are shopping for. You’re also interested in clever products being developed with new features to answer your changing needs. When it’s time to shop for gifts, you want unique and exciting items to make your gift stand out from the crowd. The job of the advertising agency is to put these kinds of information out there and draw you to their clients’ products.

In the digital age, advertising has undergone a subtle shift -- one that can be a great advantage to the shopper, as well as to makers and sellers of outstanding products. Social media plays a key role here. If your friend on Facebook finds a company that offers a low price on the hottest new item, they can “share” that with you (and all their other friends!). In return, you may tweet about it on Twitter to let other people know about it. Someone sees that post, and adds their own favorite sale or coupon link.

Now it’s not only your own eyes looking for the latest and greatest, but your friends as well. If those in your groups share the same interests and values, their suggestions are likely to be even more relevant to you. Trading information with your friends can benefit all of you, and certainly help the advertiser of the product get the word out there when he has something to promote.

This phenomenon will certainly be growing. You might take a moment to visit your favorite retailers’ Facebook sites (if they have one) and “like” them, which usually gives you access to their ongoing sales. Your friends can also see what sites you like, helping them find useful sellers as well. Pass it on!!!

Best value for flower arrangements and floral gifts

2011-12-13T11:01:00.000-08:00

We’re all about getting the most for your money. When it comes to flower delivery uk one of the things to consider is how long flowers can be enjoyed for the cost you invest to send them.

Some may consider fresh flowers to be frivolous things, but there is nothing like the lift they provide, especially to someone who is ill and cannot get outside, or during the long months of winter when flowers are nowhere to be found. If you give (or receive) flowers, you want them to last as long as possible.

Start with a very clean vase, and provide lukewarm water (except in the case of bulb flowers, which do better with cold water). Cut the stems of the flowers in the diagonal under running water and place them into the vase containing warm water and the flower additive of your choice.

There are many cut flower additives meant to prolong freshness, some better than others. Suggestions include aspirin, sugar, pennies, and often the florist provides a packet of flower additive. Aspirin is probably only helpful for the small amount of food it offers the flowers, but this is much less than sugar would provide. Pennies were once meant to adjust the pH in the water, but since pennies are no longer made of copper, that advice is outdated. Your best bet is really the commercial flower additives, or as a second choice, sugar.

Another option to increase the value from florist’s offerings is to buy live plants instead. Sometimes flowering plants are offered, offering the best of both worlds. At this time of year, poinsettias, Christmas rose, cyclamen, and Christmas cactus are especially popular. Many florists also offer long-lasting holiday wreaths.

For the ultimate in flower longevity, some florists even deliver silk flowers, or plants with silk flowers tucked in among the leaves. One of my favorite arrangements was a small green ivy plant I used to keep on my desk at work. The ivy was growing on a tiny trellis and had miniature silk flowers woven among the stems. It delighted everyone who came into my office, and they all tried to figure out what sort of plant it was, since that plant didn’t normally bear flowers, ruffled pink or otherwise.

Whichever you choose, make sure to get the most for your money. Help your flowers last as long as possible (or even forever!).

More Options for Holiday Cash

2011-12-10T17:22:00.000-08:00

Try earning extra cash for the holidays and clearing out unneeded items at the same time. There are a number of good options for putting your old stuff to work for you.

eBay - usually offers specials around the holidays, allowing you to list at no cost. Fees can be higher, but you have a very wide exposure. Accepting Paypal is the easiest way to be paid, but not yet required through eBay.

etsy.com - similar to eBay and growing in popularity, etsy is a good place to list handcrafted items (according to the rules, they are supposed to be something you yourself made) and vintage/collectible items. Fees are lower than eBay.

Craigslist - a local option, best for large items that would not ship well. Since it usually involves meeting face to face, you should take precautions, perhaps meeting your buyer in a public place, and accepting only cash.

Have a garage sale if the weather isn't too bad. Better yet, organize with your neighbors and have a neighborhood sale. Advertise in advance and you could pull in a lot of shoppers.

Not usually good for cash, but if you are shopping for your children, say, you might be able to take their outgrown clothing and toys to a consignment or resale shop and swap their items for new things. Resale shops might give you a better price for your items if you are willing to take it in store credit instead of cash, but make sure there are things you'd like to have from that store first.

The last option won't get you cash, but it's worth mentioning.

Hold a swap - this takes some organization, but can be a lot of fun. If you are part of a local group of some kind (gym, church, school, club, etc.) have everyone bring extra items they would be willing to sell at a garage sale, have everything given a "credit" value, and basically "shop" from each other's surplus. Because there will likely be un-claimed items, it's best to consider items you brought as something you'd be willing to donate. Let people take home their un-traded items if they like, but everything else can go to charity and get a tax deduction for your organization.

Doorbusters – are they worth it?

2011-12-10T15:58:00.000-08:00

You know the scene. So many people anxious to be first in line to assure they snag one of the coveted (but limited items) that crowd control techniques are needed. The merchandise has to be contained behind barricades in order to keep shoppers from grabbing them before the appointed time. Lines so long at checkout that stanchions have to be set up to weave people toward the registers – probably not with the luxury of velvet rope, but more likely with something resembling police tape for the sake of its psychological impact to keep the crowds orderly.

Is it really worth it? Well, it depends. Partially on the constitution of the shopper. Some enjoy getting out there and elbowing their way through crowds. However, when I hear about people actually getting hurt in circumstances like this, I have to wonder if any deal is worth it. Especially when you consider that very often, you can get the same deal throughout the Black Friday weekend, or perhaps get it even cheaper on Cyber Monday. If sales are not particularly brisk, the same deals or better are often offered throughout the shopping season leading up to Christmas. (And for that matter, they are sometimes discounted even MORE deeply after Christmas.

You do have choices. Some stores have much less competitive crowds than others. A good hint is that if they are lining up on the front walk the day before the sale, you might want to reconsider. Sometimes the item is not so severely limited that only the first few shoppers get one. It might be worth contacting the store to ask. You can always go online before hitting the stores and see how much you can save that way. Or you might visit the store once the rush has died down and get the recipient a gift card which can be used at the store AFTER the holiday to buy at comparable prices (this is especially good for many seasonal clothing items and “gift” items, such as robes, slippers, boxed sets, etc. which are often marked 75% off the day after Christmas).

So be savvy in your shopping. Sometimes there may be that one special thing that you just can’t get any other way, and you may decide to go for it. If you do, then be safe. But there just might be a better way.

Happy Shopping!

Another unique gift idea

2011-12-10T15:18:00.000-08:00

Finding a unique item often inspires ideas for creative ways to give it as a gift. A good example are the cotton scrub sets we found in baby (and children's) sizes.

Do you know a doctor with a new baby? A set of medical scrubs for the baby would make a cute gift. The same could be true of new parents who are ambitious about their infant's future. Or if you want to make a special gift for to the new baby, how about a savings bond to start the child's college fund, presented with an adorable set of baby scrubs?

Or maybe you know a child who is determined to be a doctor. My daughter went through that stage, and for quite a while she enjoyed playing with a real stethoscope given her by her uncle (who was a pediatrician) as she played doctor to all her stuffed animals. Since she still says she's going to vet school, it seems the dream stayed with her. She would have LOVED a set of scrubs to go with her medical kit and stethoscope.

They say it's the thought that counts ... any time you find a unique item like this that fits the situation so perfectly, you have a chance to give a gift that will stand out and be remembered for years.

Image courtesy of http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/

The Move From Hell

2011-12-09T21:36:00.001-08:00

Guest written by our friend Jan Petersen

My last move was really the move from hell. I have moved several times in the last few years due to circumstances beyond my own control, which has been terrible. So, I’ve had my fair share of tough moves. Due to these circumstances, I consider myself an experienced mover, and pride myself on staying organized and calm when everything seems to be out of control. This last move was so bad, that I almost thought I’d lose it. First, the movers showed up three hours late, and made up a bogus story about how they were stuck on the highway behind a serious, unmovable accident. Due to their tardiness, we weren’t able to get everything out of my apartment on time, and my complex charged me a $100 fine. Right when I thought the worst of it was over, we got to my new apartment and it hadn’t been cleaned yet. It was really a dirty! I felt like this move would never be over, and that everything was just getting harder. Luckily, a few days later when I was searching for a satellite TV provider I found CannonSatellite.com. They had some really great offers that I couldn’t resist. I was grateful that at least one aspect of the move was easy!

Carpet Cleaning? Be Savvy!

2011-12-08T23:42:00.000-08:00

Company is coming for the holidays, and you want to have your house in perfect shape to welcome them. One task many homeowners are going to be tackling is cleaning their carpets.

I've gone back and forth on this one, but I want to share my experiences and maybe save you some headaches (and backaches!). I saw the machines in the store and thought, “I can do this myself, and save some money!” So, I went to the store and rented the machine. The typical cost is usually around $25-35 these days, with the attachment needed usually running another few dollars. Then there is the cleaning solution, which (depending on brand) is typically another $8-20. Sometimes you then find out that you have to buy extra solutions, like a de-foamer. Tack on a few more dollars. By the time it’s all totaled up, I think I usually spent about $65-75. Well … I’m still saving a few dollars? Right?

Lug the machine home, fill it with hot water and chemicals. Move furniture, go over the carpet, dump the machine and clean it. Move furniture some more, fill machine again, go over the carpet, dump the machine and clean it again. Usually I had to repeat a few times. And in the end, clean the machine one last time. Drive back to the rental place to return it (usually in a hurry and afraid I’m going to go over because everything took longer than I expected!). In the end, I did save a few dollars. Although I doubt that’s still true when you add in gas for picking up and returning the machine, and also the fast food I picked up for the family because I was too busy to cook. In the end, for my trouble I got a carpet that was cleaned with do-it-yourself equipment and chemicals. For almost the same price as a professional cleaning. That's when I made a mental note … next time, consider the alternatives carefully!

So the next time, that’s what I did. I checked with local carpet cleaning companies, and found one that offered coupons and seemed reputable. I called them and made an appointment. They showed up, THEY moved the furniture, THEY cleaned the carpet (much faster than I had done!), and THEY put the furniture back. Then they were finished, and I couldn't believe how much faster they accomplished the task.

The carpet was also much drier than it had been when I had used the rental machine. It had taken almost 24 hours to dry when I did it myself. The carpet company promised it would be dry in a few hours, and it was! So thanks to my coupons, I had a professionally cleaned carpet for about the same price I had paid, all things considered, to do it myself. And without all the hassle – the only thing I had to do was be there for the short time it took for the cleaning.

So, if you are planning on cleaning your carpet for holiday guests, do yourself a favor. Check the DIY prices, and make sure you count ALL the products you will need (they don’t always tell you about all of it until after you begin the rental process and they figure they’ve got you!). Then search the web for carpet cleaning coupons. Austin-based The Steam Team (http://www.thesteamteam.com)offers a $99 special, for example, that would rival DIY prices. You just might decide it’s a savvy-shopping move to hire a professional in this case!

My own Christmas wish list

2011-12-08T14:54:00.000-08:00

Well … it’s official. My old stereo is broken. It makes CDs sound like the vocalists are caught in slow motion. Underwater. And horses are stomping on them. That's not how I like my music to sound, so it’s time to start looking at new stereo receivers.

I have to say I’m a bit disappointed. I LIKED my old stereo. It was the newest thing when I first got it. It played MP3s that I had recorded on CD, and I could put hundreds of songs on a single disc. I always thought that was pretty cool, and with a 5 disc changer, I could load enough music to play for over a week without hearing the same song twice, if I wanted. I’m going to miss that stereo.

But I hadn’t looked recently at what is now available, and now that I am looking, I’m getting excited! There are streaming media receivers that have ports for my iPhone and iPod, so I can still play my MP3s, but I won't need to copy them to disc first now. Not only that, but I would have access to almost twenty thousand internet radio stations (and I thought a couple hundred television channels were overwhelming! But fortunately, the radio stations are listed by genre online). And all of my favorite podcasts would be at my fingertips as well. This is going to be just too cool.

Oh, and I almost forgot -- it plays local AM and FM too.

Oh, Santa ..... Now where did he go?

Choosing gifts for hard-to-buy-for people

2011-12-07T21:42:00.000-08:00

I was trying to think of a gift for my brother who seems to have everything. Usually for people like that I seek out something unique that hopefully they have never seen, and that reflects their personality, which often ends up being some decorative thing. But my brother is very practically minded, and probably wouldn’t appreciate something like that. He’s also something of a gadget junkie, so I tried to think of the most practical accessory that he might not already have for one of his prized electronic toys.

I ended up looking at iPad and iPhone accessories, especially covers. I know he has one for his iPhone, and we’ve discussed the merits of one type vs. another in depth, so I already had an idea of what features were important to him. So I looked at covers for ipad since he didn’t have one of those yet. I know he loves to cook (he could be a gourmet if he wasn’t going to medical school instead!), and the cover that fits the iPad is perfect to keep spills and splashes off the screen while reading recipes.

(I’m thinking I could use one of those myself. I usually get recipes from my iPhone, and copy them on paper since I don’t want my iPhone in the kitchen while I’m cooking – I tend to splatter or end up with flour dusting everywhere!)

So there you have it … a practical gift that will be used and appreciated. Now, I might have to get him one of those funny little figurines with a med student to go along with it.

Savvy shopping for domains and web hosts

2011-12-05T21:58:00.000-08:00

Recently we posed about earning extra cash for the holidays from your website or blog. If you’re interested in getting started earning money online, the first things you need to consider are your domain name, and your website hosting service.

A good domain name will help people remember you, and make it easier to find you online. That translates into a site that is worth more money online, so try to choose one that represents the theme of your website. Whatever people will type in the search bar when they want to read what you are writing is a good choice for your domain name.

The next consideration is your webhost, which is a service you pay to put your site on the computer so it can be found. There are many providers to choose from, each one charging different fees and offering different features. From among a number of sites compared side by side, we found one as inexpensive as $1.99 per month. And cheap web hosting doesn’t have to mean a lack of service … this one (Webhostingpad.com) offers a number of helpful features, and you can read almost 1,000 customer reviews for an insight into the experiences other customers have had with them.

I’m impressed by this webhost ranking service and the information it provides. My webhost is on the list (I won’t tell you which one it is, LOL) but I will say that when my renewal comes up, I may be moving to a better and cheaper provider. So check out your options, and choose the best one for you. After all, isn’t that what Savvy Shopping is all about?

Fun Gift Idea for iPhone Users

2011-12-05T11:12:00.000-08:00

Are you having trouble deciding on a gift for someone who “has it all”? If they are an iPhone user, we have a great idea for you! This is something I’ve looked for since the first month I started using an iPhone myself, and I was really excited to see it.

ImToo iPhone Transfer Platinum lets you transfer media files between your computer and iPhone (it also supports other devices like iPods). Now you can load music from your favorite CD, or transfer DVD movies to your iPhone and take them with you. (It also works with iPads.) The transfer goes both ways – you can transfer media file from your iPhone to your computer and enjoy them there, or as a way to backup your iPhone. It works with a wide range of formats, making it easy to move videos, movies, music, photos, books – a full range of media options.

And as a fun bonus, you can make your own custom ringtones from any audio or video file and load them on your iPhone. I’ve always wanted to have a Tarzan yell ringtone for my rambunctious nephew, and wouldn’t it be cool to have a heartbeat tone when the love of your life calls? Someone from work who only calls to complain could be a crying baby sound, and maybe you know someone who would be great with a quote from “The Godfather”. All in all, you can have a LOT of fun with this, and for that reason, it makes a perfect gift. Enjoy!

Unique $5 gifts

2011-11-28T22:58:00.000-08:00

Check out fiverr.com for a host of things people are willing to do/sell/make for just $5. Many of the offerings are a bit off the wall (but then again, maybe you'd like to have someone's feet sing a video message?) but there are also a lot of talented people doing quick jobs that would make a good gift.

Maybe you'd like to have a line drawing done of a beloved pet? Matted and framed, it would make a nice gift. Or a caricature drawn of someone? Usually you would pay more than $5 for a personal caricature, especially at a vacation spot. Or have a photo printed on your own magazine cover. There are lots of fun, quick gift ideas available.

I may even list some of my own. I can spell out anything in chocolate, with letter-shaped chocolate candies I make. I wonder if there's a market ... ;)

Holiday Shopping Tips continued ...

2011-11-24T13:57:00.000-08:00

More holiday shopping tips ...

Consider alternative gifts, especially if you don’t know what to get someone who “has everything”. Oftentimes personal touches can be more appreciated than something storebought. My aunt compiled a book of recipes, family memories, and photos from our grandmother’s things, and that thought has meant more than any amount spent on gadgets.

If you have a large family, drawing names can be a lot more practical than rushing about, spending money on each person. There can be the added fun of wondering who has whose name, and a lot more personal thought can go into selecting a single gift (as well as a lot less money).

You might even consider a “dirty Santa” type gift exchange if your gift-giving circle can appreciate something like this. One place I worked in the past did this each year, and the only requirement was that the gift be something made by the giver. Each gift is wrapped, and each person draws a number. The person with number one gets to select and open any gift. The person with number two then has a choice of selecting another gift, or “stealing” the gift from whoever had number one, who would then select an unopened gift. The game continues with each new person having a choice of any already opened gift, or a new one. It is usually best to put a limit on how many times a gift can be “stolen” or the game can get out of hand.

Be aware of hidden expenses. If you normally eat at home, but grab a take-out lunch or dinner every time you shop, you spend more, especially if you make lots of small trips. The same can be said of gas, with the cost being so high these days. If you go out time after time and retrace your steps, you could save a lot by making fewer trips.

Sales can help you save money, but beware of what are advertised as special deals, even “doorbusters” that in fact aren’t any lower than the regular sale price. An an alternative, you might be able to save a lot online. Sites like cybermonday.com compile online sales and special offers like free shipping to help you find good deals. Don’t forget you can also do your own research online, simply by searching for the product you want to buy and sometimes adding terms like “discount” and “cheap” if you have the time to wade through not-so-cheap offers taking advantage of the keywords. But in the process, you will likely find sites that will save you money consistently in categories you tend to continue shopping in.

Above all, don’t stress, and have fun!

Holiday Shopping Tips

2011-11-23T09:43:00.000-08:00

Keep more green in your pocket this Christmas season by employing a few simple tips and money-saving strategies.

First, carry cash. While it can be argued that you have a level of protection with credit or debit cards that you don’t have with cash (if cash is lost, it is gone), but if you take care to keep your cash safe (for instance, carry the bulk of it in a safer location not easily pick-pocketed, and don’t flash the larger amount in public), you can reap some psychological advantages to paying with cash. Plastic money doesn’t seem like “real money” on some deeper level, but it’s always hard to turn loose of the green stuff. Better yet, carry only large denominations, which are even harder to break, and you’ll be much less likely to plop down payments for small purchases that add up to big expenses.

If you do choose to use credit cards, consider the terms if you have more than one to choose from. Know which ones offer the lowest interest, or incentives (ones that actually add up to something and not just teasers). Watch out especially for over-limit penalties that could incur a penalty charge and/or increase in interest rates.

Keep a budget sheet and write down what you spend as you go. If you tend to buy multiple small gifts for some of the people on your list, you can easily forget what you’ve already spent and go over budget. Even if you buy only one gift for each person, it’s a good idea to keep a running tally so you don’t overspend. You may want to include other holiday expenses as well, such as decorations or food for parties.

Speaking of writing things down, a list of what you plan to get for each recipient can also help. Making a shopping list in advance gives you the chance to check circulars for sales and compare prices, and helps prevent lots of impulse buying, which the stores are experts at manipulating you into.

To be continued in Part 2 ...

Best holiday gifts for kids

2011-11-19T17:06:00.000-08:00

Children are so much fun to buy gifts for – parents look forward to Christmas morning as much as children do, especially when you know you’ve chosen a gift the kids are sure to love. These toys deliver fun for kids, and parents can feel confident buying them since they are also educational.

For very small children, play IS their education. Toys that represent real life things give children an outlet for expression and exploring how things work. Dollhouses with lots of common household items and figures can inspire hours of fun play. Farm sets with many animals and fences are fun as well, and can spark discussions of what jobs animals can do, where our food comes from, and much more. Train sets with a wide variety of types of pieces pair building exercises with imaginary play. Dramatic play can be inspired by dress-up clothing and accessories, and life-sized accessories such as play kitchens and food as well as dolls and stuffed animals.

Slightly older children are ready for building. Legos and wooden construction blocks with many shapes are ideal for them. Discovery Toys also makes a marble run that can be put together in hundreds of configurations. Craft kits and crafting supplies are great for exploring how things go together too, but pay attention to the suggested age on the craft kits to avoid frustrating children.

The older children become, they more difficult it is to engage their interests in educational toys, but this is where knowing the child well pays off. Perhaps a model of the human skeleton to be assembled would be fun for them, or maybe they would be more interested in digging for fake fossils. More detailed craft and artistic pursuits may be the key, or a junior version of a musical instrument for the musically inclined.

Whatever the age level and interests of the child, there are worthwhile purchases sure to excite them and satisfy adults that the money was well spent. Check for local educational toy stores for a broad range of options, and remember that books make a great gift too, when tailored to the child’s interests.

Totally UNIQUE gift ideas

2011-11-17T11:38:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had someone open a gift ... just like the one you chose for them and right before they opened yours? Or open a gift and say, "Oh, I have one of these already?" That won't happen when you seek unique gifts off the beaten path. Are you ready for unique gift ideas? These were all found at Vat19.com.

The first thing I saw was the "World's Largest Gummy Bear" - a five-pound confection equal to 1400 regular gummy bears! I have an online friend who is always talking about getting gummy bears, so I had to stop what I was doing and immediately send her a chat message with a link. I should have messaged her husband instead and told him what she would like for Christmas. But I know a few gummy-bear fans, and these would be perfect for them. (By the way, the "burning questions" video on that page is pretty funny too!)

And I have to say I love this: a hat with an attached beard. In the small photos, the man looks kind of like an action figure. It takes a SECURE kind of guy to wear something like this, but actually I think it's kind of cool. Errrr, warm. It would do a nice job of keeping beardless faces warm.By the way, the beard is detachable, so he can wear the hat without beard. And it comes in several beard and hat color combinations.

There are so many other unique gifts that it's easy to choose something perfectly suited for everyone on your list. For the chocolate lover? How about a chocolate-scented candle in a Hershey's syrup can? For your favorite RPG gamer, how about a set of pushpins that look like medieval weapons? Wouldn't it be cool to pin up your note with a battleaxe? (Also a good way to let the recipient of your note know that you mean business!)

For the quirky environmentalist (or someone who has to deal with one)? An insulated porcelain cup with a silicone lid that looks exactly like a throwaway cup is sure to spark conversations. How about a practical gift for your favorite desk jockey? What could be more appreciated than a very stylish looking beverage mat that plugs in via USB and keeps your drink either steaming hot or icy cold with the flip of a switch? And for a truly thoughtful gift that would be loved by any recipient, how about a talking photo album that records 10 seconds of loved ones speaking to go along with each photo.

Those special gifts are out there ... and worth taking the time to find!

Save money on your grocery bill

2011-11-16T23:03:00.000-08:00

Grocery costs are probably one of the most significant expenses in our budget that is also very much under our control. But saving money on groceries doesn't have to mean eating lower quality food.

Don't shop on an empty stomach. This can be one of the best money-savers out there. When you're hungry, it's much easier to grab impulse items and your bill can easily go up by 20%
Plan your meals. Decide what you plan to eat for the next two weeks, and don't forget to include leftovers in your plan. Compare what you will need with an inventory of your groceries on hand so you buy only what you'll need
Check the grocery ads before you plan your meals. Mass-mailed coupons (or those clipped from your newspaper) are often not worth using, since they are often for more expensive and less nutritious products, but signing up for email specials from your favorite stores can get you some worthwhile discounts.
Check generic products. In many cases, I've been pleasantly surprised by their quality, and there are certain things I will ONLY buy the store brand, since I've found it to be of better quality (HEB Orange juice and ketchup, Sam's choice chocolate chip cookies, etc.)
Consider the nutritional value of your foods. Often "junk foods" are overpriced and don't add to your nutritional needs, although they will add to your waistline. Skipping foods like potato chips and soda in favor of fresh fruits and flavored teas can save you money and help your family get healthier.
Buy produce in season. Strawberries that cost $1.50 in early summer can run as much as $4 during winter, and are less likely to be fresh. If you must have non-seasonal produce, compare the price of canned and frozen with fresh.
Stock up on sales. Certain things you know you will use, and when they are offered as loss leaders you can really save. If you have a way to save the food long-term, go ahead and buy whatever you can use during the storage term. Some foods like flour can be purchased for about 80% less if you buy in bulk.
Use less meat. Since meat is one of the most expensive foods, per pound, look for alternatives. Cutting down on meats will improve most people's diets as well. Consider eggs as a protein source, try a meatless meal at least once a week, and look into meals that use less meat per serving (such as homemade chili instead of steak or roast beef).
Use up your leftovers. Many foods are suitable to be tossed into a container and frozen for use later. Mixed veggies can be frozen and made into stew, potatoes can serve as a thickener, etc. With many foods you can also prepare a single meal of leftovers and freeze it for later when you need a quick easy meal.
Making foods from scratch. This can be a HUGE money-saver, and not as difficult as you might think. Start with just one recipe, like tomato sauce instead of a canned sauce, and work up from there. I've gotten to the point that I prefer to make many of my own bread and pastry products, and now I am experimenting with copycat recipes for restaurants so that I don't even need to go out and pay for those cravings.

Earn Extra Cash for Holiday Shopping

2011-11-12T12:23:00.000-08:00

Running a little short of cash for your holiday shopping list? There are many ways to make extra cash online in your spare time. If you like to blog, you can visit sites that offer an opportunity to advertise on your blog or website. When looking for such a service, it is especially helpful to those just starting out to look for an agency that offers helpful features such as a 24/7 support team and/or a variety of helpful tools.

If your intent is to earn cash for holiday shopping, check the payment terms of the agency. Some pay within a couple of weeks, and for others there is a longer delay that might extend too far to be of use in time. There is always next year, though. *smile*

Stay tuned for more tips on how to earn extra income!

Can you believe you can buy this???

2011-11-02T19:37:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'll admit it up front, this post is NOT going to be about Savvy Shopping. But in previewing a lot of various things around the web in preparation for some upcoming shopping posts, a few things really jumped out as being REALLY unique, and I thought it would be fun to show them. So this is going to be a totally fun post ... maybe I'll subtitle it "Gifts for the person who REALLY has everything!"

Let's start with a giant inflatable climbing iceberg ... for the person who has everything, why not set them up their own amusement park? A 14' tall 3-sided floating toy reminiscent of rock-climbing, and the 4th side is a waterslide. Only $6,000.

Now, let's say you want to go water-skiing, but you don't have anyone to drive the boat? No problem. just pull out your trusty Skier-Controlled Tow Boat and drive yourself anywhere you want to go. Actually, this is pretty cool too, since you can create wakes and control every aspect of the boat for a skiier's dream ride. Oh, and this one will set you back $17,000.

Would you believe a hovercraft? And it goes 60mph. You and a friend can cruise the waterways of the world in style, winding into places that can't be reached by other watercraft. This one runs $17,000. Now, if they could only invent one that would run on the road, ala Star Wars ...

How about a motorized monocycle? I've seen these on TV, but what a thrill it would be to ride one! The cycle is motor propelled and steered by leaning to one side or the other. As much as I enjoyed steering water ride-ons with balance, I'd be willing to bet this would be a lot of fun. Price on this one is $13,000.

And the absolute Pièce de résistance? How about a 20 foot animatronic Triceratops? It moves its head, stomps its feet, rumbles and roars. Everyone needs one of these by their pool ... check out the video. This one is $350,000. Just a wee bit out of my price range.

Savvy shopping - stacking discounts

2011-10-29T21:23:00.000-07:00

Stacking discounts is one of the best ways to save money and shop savvy. Most stores won't allow this, but there are some exceptions.

Kohl's for example sends out periodic discount coupons to cardholders. Typically these are for 10, 20, 25, or 30% off. Sometimes they include "Kohl's Cash" as an extra incentive ... such as receiving a $10 credit to spend in the store for every $50 spent.

What really starts slashing the prices is that these can be stacked with discounts, such as sales prices and even clearance prices.

I bought a pair of boots, originally marked $90. They had been marked down 90%, which made them only $9 -- a great bargain already. Paired with a 30% discount, that brought the price down to a mere $6.20. And ... if I can manage to spend exactly $50 on that trip (which I can usually work out with a discounted pair of socks or whatever is needed to bring my total up as needed) that gives me a store credit of 20% of the sales price, which is like another discount of about $1.25 to be applied to my next visit, making the total cost of the boots under $5!

By shopping the clearance section (and I found a wide range of sizes and styles, though often it was out of season clothing, except for underthings) I managed to spend just over $5 on $100 original cost. Imagine the wardrobe I was able to buy by spending just $100! I had boots, tennis shoes, jeans, lots of shirts, pajamas, underthings ... in all nearly $2,000 worth of clothing at original prices, all for just over $100 (including the discounts that would be applied to the next visit).

Even if you don't want to buy a season ahead (and many things were for the current season) you can still save a significant amount by stacking these discounts with regular sale prices, which are typically 15-50% off. That actually increases the value of your extra discounts, so the difference between sale vs. clearance is not as great, and sales items include the hot new styles of the current season.

If we find other stores that do this, we will share the details here, but for now, I know that Kohl's is a great place to stack your discounts and save a LOT of money, and THAT is savvy shopping!

Christmas ... already?

2011-10-27T21:36:00.000-07:00

Savvy shopping for some of us means cutting down on how much we spend overall. In the case of Christmas gifts, waiting until "Tis the Season" can cost you more as you have less time to prepare.

Sit down now with a list of those you plan to shop for this holiday season. (By the way, KEEP this list, as just having a list and sticking to it will help save money as well, especially if you tend to forget that little thing you already got for someone!)

What kinds of gifts will each person appreciate? Maybe there are things you can spend less on that people might appreciate just as much, or more. Grandparents might especially appreciate a scrapbook of their grandchildren, or a stepping stone for their garden made with the child's handprints.

Do you have a special talent? Maybe you make cool-funky jewelry that your BFF would LOVE to receive? Or maybe you know how to knit, and your father would like a knitted scarf that perfectly matches his blue eyes, made by his own daughter's loving hands? Let your imagination run free now, while you still have the time to plan and prepare.

When it comes down to the last minute, you'll end up in the packed stores, cash in hand, looking for something to buy, and much more likely to overspend or be unsatisfied with the choices available. Preparation now can help you have gifts already lined up for at least some of your shopping list, and save you money in the long run.

Edmonton - Where Canada Shops!

2011-10-24T16:33:00.000-07:00

Edmonton is THE place for shopping in Canada. How can you doubt it when Edmonton is the home of both Canada’s first mall (Westmount Centre) as well as West Edmonton Mall, reported to be the largest mall in the North America and one of the largest in the world. No wonder it is used as a testing ground for many American retailers for the Canadian market.

There are a number of other malls in Edmonton as well, many of which have undergone renovation within the past few years or are currently being updated. Besides malls, Edmonton is also home to power centres and big box shopping for those seeking deals. South Edmonton Common has the distinction of being North America’s biggest open air retail establishment.

If you don’t like that sort of atmosphere, Edmonton also boasts shopping districts that house a variety of independent retailers, which are a wonderful source for more unusual items, especially clothing. Old Strathcona is one such shopping area. Filled with historic buildings, the stores in the area offer some of the most unique shopping opportunities. And if you enjoy nightlife and clubs, this is a party district. The area abounds with restaurants and coffee shops, and is a rich theatre venue as well, if you want to enjoy a break from all that shopping.

Hiring a photographer

2011-10-20T23:09:00.000-07:00

Hiring a photographer will usually take a bit of research to find a good fit, and get the best price without sacrificing quality. A good place to start is your local craigslist. If photographers in your area are using it to advertise, check to see if they have links to online galleries of their work. That would be a good starting place to see if you like their work.

Is it imaginative, does it flatter the people being photographed, does the photographer have good skills? You can usually cross a few off your list when you see their work side by side with others, and there will usually be another few whose work you really like that rise to the top of your wish list.

The next thing is to read over their printed information, and get a feel for how they do their business. Don’t be put completely off by prices at this time, but it is a factor. Choose the ones you think are most promising and contact them.

If a photographer has an open slot (especially if your event is coming up soon) and he wants to fill it, he may give you a better deal than he normally charges. Or if your event is on a weekday, you may get a price break.

There are other things you may be able to do to get a discount. Find out what the full service usually entails, and see if you can go without some of those things. Maybe the typical fee is for 4 hours, and you only need 3? Or maybe the photographer plans on being in 2 locations, and you only need one. Maybe he usually brings an assistant, and you can get by without it if your event is a simple one.

Even better, most of the time a photographer puts into their work is in the editing phase. And most of the expense comes from the printing process. So … if you are adept at editing your own photos, and if you don’t mind receiving the images digitally and printing them out yourself later, you may be able to get a huge break on this part of the photographer’s services.

Lastly, talk to your photographer on the phone before you commit. Make sure it’s someone you can get along with and work with. If not and there is tension between you and the photographer, you will never be able to get the best shots.

And be clear about what the expectations are as far as payment. Expect to pay the photographer at least part of what is owed before the work begins, often just to reserve the date. Hopefully you can make the final portion of the payment when you pick up your photos, or DVD, or whatever format you select for your final photos.

Fantastic Kitchen Finds

2011-10-14T18:39:00.000-07:00

I can always find things I want for my kitchen, but my search this time was for the unique. With the holidays coming up, it's a good time to keep your eyes open for great gift ideas.

Bar-B-Q Brander - The picture says "Your name here" but it comes with a full set of letters, so actually you can write any message you want on it. It's probably not the best way to propose "Marry me, Marsha!" and I wouldn't exactly advise you to stamp "USDA Armadillo" on your steaks but it could be fun ...

Heart Wooden Spoon - OK, now this one is just plain sweet. I love it! I have a set of wooden and stainless steel utensils in a ceramic jar next to my stove, and I could SO see this nestled in among my other spoons. Much as I love wooden spoons, it's actually hard to find one with rounded enough edges AND a deep enough bowl to be useful at all, so I would really love to have this. I'm sure any other cook on your list that enjoys wooden spoons, either for cooking or decoration, would love it as well!

The two previous items were both found at FunSlurp.com along with lots of other fun kitchen items, ranging from fridge magnets that mimic iPhone ap buttons to dachshund salt and pepper shakers. (Warning, the site also features an array of gag gifts that might be rated PG-13 or so.)

From foodiggity.com we found these cool little guys. These would be great for the party of a kid who is into martial arts, or to serve for an open house at a martial arts school, or just to offer up something a little different that's sure to catch attention. Ninjabread men!

You might not think a can-opener is anything to get excited about, but I have to tell you, I was really excited when I saw this one. We had one just like it growing up, and every time we moved, my mother took it down and brought it with us to be installed in the new kitchen. Most of the things we had were inexpensive and not fancy at all, but this top of the line can-opener was worth it's weight in gold. If you've ever struggled with a difficult can-opener, you can appreciate how useful one that punches through the lid and holds it securely, and opens it on the first try, with an effortlessly turned crank is. When wall-mounted, it isn't much good on the huge 8-pound cans, but for anything smaller it's the best there is. We found this at The Vermont Country Store, and it is DEFINITELY going on my list ... I've been looking for one like this for years!

Oh, and one more item from FunSlurp we wanted to mention, just for the Savvy Shopper aspect ... Cool Beans Ice Cubes. Instead of wasting leftover coffee, pour it into these CoolBeans ice trays and make coffee-bean shaped frozen coffee, and later you can enjoy an iced java that rivals one of the expensive coffee-shop offerings, cooled with ice that won't water down your coffee. This one ranks as Savvy!

We're baaaaccckkkk!!!!

2011-10-02T21:47:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to the new Savvy Shopper!

We're back at our post (pun intended), looking for unique gifts, giving our recommendations for quality products (and warning about the duds), looking for ways to save you money on everything from gifts, to clothing, to internet service, to groceries, along with everything else you buy. Shopping online, and shopping in stores, we're there to help you. Please feel free to send comments and questions if you have any tips, and we're happy to check them out and pass them on. If you have questions, by all means ask, and we'll do our best to answer them, or find the answer for you.

We hope to have something for everyone here, so welcome back!!!

Product comparison website

2008-03-09T19:49:00.000-07:00

We have a great new shopping comparison website to share with our readers. Mpire's front page says that they are "all the best shopping sites rolled into one" including eBay, Amazon, Target, Best Buy, Overstock.com, NewEgg, Circuit City, and many more. After looking around on the site for a little while, we have to agree.

The navigation at first returned too many results, and not always exactly the ones I was looking for, but after checking the site's organization, which is really pretty straightforward, I was able to return some really great results.

Checking for some of my favorite kitchen finds, I found a Nordic Ware universal see through cover. And when I clicked through on the "best price" link, which was listed at $23.95, I found that the listed merchant, Chefs Corner, actually sells the lid for only $15.00. So if you visit the site, definitely visit the products you are interested in even if you want them for less.

Even so, you may think $15 is a lot for a lid. However, I have found that our similar lid has been a great help in the kitchen, because I can easily cover pans from 8" to 12" ... just grabbing one lid is handy, so you don't have to keep a dozen of them accessible. Also, if you lose one, or have pans that didn't come with lids, this one fits the bill. I love the see-through lids so that I can keep a close watch on more delicate foods that need special care not to overcook. All things considered, this product is a money, time, and space saver that also helps me prepare better meals, and as such it's a very worthwhile purchase and a good value, even at retail.

Unfortunately, there were no current eBay auctions for this item, but a great feature of the shopping website is that you can click on a tab and view eBay listings for whatever you searched for, along with retail offers.

Another feature of this site I really like was the ability to search in so many ways. You can search for a keyword, by price range, brand, store, and other criteria, depending on what category you are searching. I really love the overall organization. I stayed to look at kitchen items, selected cookware, for types of cookware I chose casseroles, and then further narrowed the search by material and selected ceramic. I got 14 pages of results for ceramic casserole dishes, which I could sort by popularity, price, or even the store I wanted to buy them from.

Speaking of ceramic dishes, I really like stoneware/ceramic/terra cotta pans for the oven, because I don't have to worry about anything affecting the food, they distribute heat evenly, and they are easy to clean. They last forever (if you don't drop them!) and are usually attractive enough to cook and serve in the same dish, allowing for easier cleanup (and retaining the heat at table better). On this website, I found many very nice baking and roasting pans for more than 50% off. Roasting pans with lids, especially deep lids, sometimes do double duty, if the lid is designed to function as a shallow pan on its own. I have one I really love that is a deep bowl-shaped casserole, and the lid can also be used as a pie plate. It's pretty enough to be a covered serving dish as well, so it gives me 3 different uses in one, which makes it a great value.

These are some of my favorite kitchen products, and I am happy to say this this website does a great job of helping me find these as well as products in just about any category imaginable. We can definitely recommend this site to savvy shoppers!

Fashion Jewelry & Accessories - Great prices!

2008-03-03T21:20:00.000-08:00

I love to bring unique products to my readers -- those are my favorite posts, although I like to save you money too! So when I can do both at the same time, it's really a pleasure to feature products like these on my blog.

I found site that offers really cutting-edge fashion jewelry for great prices. These would make great gifts, or can complement your own look ... at these prices you can buy a variety to accent your style.

I especially loved these thread earrings. The round ones remind me of conchos, and would be PERFECT for anyone who likes western wear, while the tear-drop shaped ones look like peacock feathers, but peacocks were never arrayed in such a rainbow of various colors! These are large enough to make a statement, but the airy open weave makes them light. Being woven of thread gives the designer opportunity to make them in any color, and it also makes them perfect to accent casual wear, such as blue jeans. At the same time, the intricacy lends them to dressy wear, so these are super-versatile, which makes them all the better a value. If you're like me (I really enjoy making things myself!) you might be tempted to try to copy the designs, but I have to be honest with you, the low cost of these earrings would definitely discourage me from trying. I'd be a lot better off to spend those hours earning more money, and just buying extra pairs and still having more $$ to show for it, along with more color choices, in the end.

The variety of headbands offered on this site was fantastic too. Some of the skinny headbands caught my eye, but my hair is too thick to wear these. I loved the designs though! The silk scarf headbands were really intriguing too. I wish the site had pictures of them being worn in the different ways they describe (with hair in a ponytail or down) but I think I can visualize how the piece goes on. It's a clever idea. And if you love retro, these retro headband designs are a MUST-have! The fashion headbands are probably some of the best choices for overall wardrobe use, with the classic plaids and solid colors, and are some of the more affordable choices.

The prices are already reasonable, and some pieces are an especially outstanding value, but there are other ways to save money on this jewelry. You can buy wholesale fashion jewelry from the site, or sign up for coupons at the bottom of their page. You can also host a jewelry party and earn money, or even a virtual jewelry party among your email friends. However you like to shop and save, this site has lots of options!

I know there are a lot of pictures here, but I just wanted to show two more of my favorites from the site!

Clearance savings!

2008-02-27T20:21:00.000-08:00

We wanted to share a great discovery of this year's discounts with our readers. Fewer and fewer stores have good clearance discounts at the end of the year, but Kohl's is one that still does, and we LOVE the prices!

Kohl's has good quality brands to begin with, and can be a little pricey to start. But their end-of-year discounts are mostly in the 70% to 90% off range, making many of the clothes ridiculously inexpensive. You can buy very nice quality t-shirts, sweaters, skirts, slacks, and much more for less than you would expect for low-end merchandise at a discount store.

Right now is the time to take stock of your wardrobe, go in with an open mind, and especially consider things you will need throughout the year. It's a good time to stock up on t-shirts or other things you may wear often.

We purchased a number of very nice quality men's t-shirts for about $2 each, and a pair of Docker's slacks for $3.50. I also bought some blouses I absolutely loved for $2 to $6 each. My favorite was a long, thick, thirsty terry robe that is SOOOOO soft and warm for $9.

Other departments have similar sales as well. I now have that set of flannel sheets I've always wanted and I can now say that a high-quality set of flannel sheets are very welcoming, soft, and warm. I don't know when I've ever slept so comfortably. I also purchased new washcloths for my home, again very high quality with well-sewn edges and trimmed in alternating colors for less than I paid for the lowest-priced quantity package of "cheapie" ones at Wal-Mart. The Wal-mart cloths and all my old washcloths are now in the "cleaning rag" stack in the linen closet while the Kohl's cloths are pampering us in style.

And Kohl's also has a variety of incentives for extra savings. We don't do this often, because it's not a good idea from a personal finance standpoint to have too many credit cards, but this time we took advantage of the 10% savings as a reward for applying. By the way, Kohl's gives the 10% discount even if you fail to qualify for a card. I purchased almost $350 worth of clothing and home linens on that trip and spent about $40 total to pay for them. There were about a dozen shirts, a robe, two dozen washcloths, slacks, shorts, and more.

Speaking of a Kohl's credit card, if you apply for one, they also send you coupons to use in-store or online periodically. You can expect 10% or 15% off your total purchase and similar discounts. Kohl's also has an online site where the clearance sale is also going on. They offer various shipping discounts from time to time, which if you register online you will receive email notifications of these. So far I have seen windows of free shipping and 99 cent shipping. The great thing about ordering online (when you can take advantage of these shipping discounts) are the discount codes. The main disadvantage of shopping online is that their clearance section is almost cleared out, while the retail store near me still has many racks upon racks.

I ordered from the clearance section online, searched for coupon codes, and discovered one listed at a site for 15% off. (I found it at RetailMeNot.com) What surprised me is that Kohl's allowed it to be combined with the discount offered for using my credit card, which was ANOTHER 15%. Amazingly, you can purchase online (whether regular, sale price, or clearance merchandise) and get reduced shipping AND 30% off your total if you pay with a Kohl's credit card. Discounts like these are few and far between, so we wanted to share them as part of Savvy Shopper ... that's about as savvy as you can get!

Credit Card Information

2008-02-22T20:22:00.000-08:00

We have an interesting site with all kinds of information, insights, and even humor relating to credit cards for our readers. Besides information on particular credit cards that you can apply for, along with all of the relevant information for each card and a ratings system for various credit card offers, there is a blog attached to the site with a lot of useful information.

Using your credit cards wisely and understanding the various types of credit cards are important focuses of the site, but every aspect associated with credit cards is also discussed. Some of the best information is available on blog entries with general credit card information.

For example, how does your spouse's credit card behavior affect your credit score? Can you just keep getting 0% cards and transferring the balances to avoid paying any interest? Is it a bad idea to keep backup credit cards that you never use? What about that little magnetic strip on the back of your credit card? How long should you wait to reapply if your application is turned down? Can you get credit if you just turned 18? How can you best use rewards features? What kinds of safety are built into your credit card? These and many other questions are answered on this informative and entertaining blog.

We're not going to spoil the answers for you, just click on the link above and visit for the answers to these questions as well as more mundane, but equally important ones, such as
how to increase your credit score, how to choose the best credit card for your personal situation, how to manage your debt wisely, how your credit score affects various financial aspects of your life, and more.

We hope this information proves helpful to our readers!

Savings in your field

2008-02-21T19:12:00.000-08:00

You know how employee discounts work ... working in a particular store gives you a discount, often on anything you want to buy there. Some employers are even generous enough to offer things at cost (I'm fortunate that mine is!). Even better than saving money as an employee are the savings you can often get within your field. I've used this in the past as well. So ... one thing you might want to consider is how your interests might be able to do two things for you. The first is let you earn money doing what you love to do, and the second is to let you enjoy products and materials at cost, as well as do the professional work yourself and save those fees as well. For an example of what I mean, visit http://www.iadtchicago.edu/.

Courses offered include interior design. As an interior design graduate (if your interests lie here), you can do what a good friend of mine did. She bought an older home in the historical district and started working to restore it. She was able to support herself by freelance design jobs around town, stay home with her children, and restore and decorate a lovely historical home for a fraction of the cost someone else would have had to invest, and ended up with a very valuable home which she could sell, but instead she choses to live there because she loves having a comfortable, tastefully decorated home.

Fashion is another area that might be of shopping benefit to those who love clothing. Imagine having access to all the newest trends, at cost, as well as materials to design your own clothing and the know-how to do so. In the right market, your skills can produce a hefty income as well.

Advertising is another area listed, and one where I myself have had some advantages. If you are skilled at promoting products, the manufacturers are more than happy to provide you with samples so that you can evaluate their product and find the features or benefits of it in order to be able to share them more effectively with consumers.

Basically, wherever your passion lies, consider whether you might be interested in turning it into an income, and garner some rock-bottom prices for yourself at the same time.

Fundraiser Coupon Books

2008-02-15T00:37:00.000-08:00

It's just about time in most places for a new semi-annual fundraiser coupon book to come out. We used to sigh resignedly when the children would knock on our door, asking us to buy one. We'd purchase it, place it in a drawer, tell ourselves we WOULD make use of it this time, and then promptly forget about it until next year, when we cleaned out the drawer and found the book of purchased, expired coupons lying there.

I want to tell you that, rather than being a charitable donation on your part, these books actually CAN be great to have. The real trick is in making sure you use the coupons. For us, that meant having them with us and accessible when we were out and needing to stop for a bite, so a couple of years ago I put the book in the glove compartment of the car instead of the desk drawer. Whenever we needed to stop for a quick bite, I'd pull out the book and say, "Let's see what we have a coupon for!"

The coupon book became a blessing instead of a waste of money. Most of the offers inside are buy-one-get-one-free, so you can instantly save almost 1/2 on your dining out. Another great aspect of the coupon book was in the variety of restaurants it introduced us to. Places I never would have thought to visit, some of which are now our favorites. Because we had a coupon, we tried the restaurant, and discovered new specialties we'd never heard of before.

Our version includes a lot of non-restaurant offers as well. This can be a lot of fun in planning family time together, or a fun and unusual date. Our book usually includes coupons to an IMAX film, a local museum, miniature golf, an arcade, go-karts, a dinosaur activity place, bowling, movies, and several other fun things to do. Most of these are half-price level savings.

Practical coupons are usually included as well ... oil change (and we all need one if we drive a car!), haircuts, car washes, carpet shampooing, new tires, film processing, and so on. These are usually a fair discount offer.

I just want to encourage everyone to rethink those coupon books. They've been so great for us that we've started selling them for our homeschool group, and now we always buy TWO books ourselves instead of just one, and buy extras for friends as well. Now that we've discovered the best way to use them, we are enjoying them AND saving a lot of money at the same time, and that's one of our main focuses here at Savvy Shopper!

Eclume Pot Racks

2008-02-15T00:01:00.000-08:00

We'd like to feature another product that deserves a place on Savvy Shopper for its level of quality and craftsmanship along with its unique and stylish design ... Enclume pot racks. I've always loved the look of a polished overhead pot rack with shiny copper pots suspended below, on display and within easy reach, lending an aura of "gourmet chef" to the home kitchen. The Enclume potrack fills that need in high style and, more importantly, with high-quality, durable materials made to last a lifetime.

Rather than the typical style we normally see, which usually includes a hanging chain threaded through a relatively thin rim, Enclume pot racks are made by attaching supporting arms to the thick hammered forged steel rim, making this an heirloom quality piece to be treasured and passed down rather than one that will need replacing after some years. Our absolute favorite is the stylish Decor Lighted Oval Rack, although the "S" Grid Circle Rack also caught our attention as being THE pot rack for a more contemporary setting. There are also a number of designs that would be at home in a more rustic or traditional setting.

Eclume has other great products besides their pot racks. The one that really caught our attention was the Eclume Gourmet Center. This very unique design would stand out in any home but offers a lot of practical use beside the preparation area with the shelf for a cookbook, basket for produce, and another shelf handy for oils, spices, vinegars, or whatever suits your cooking style.

We really enjoyed browsing this website and were delighted to find the unique designs that would so perfectly suit so many different styles of kitchens.

Purchasing plumbing fixtures

2008-02-11T19:35:00.000-08:00

Savvy shoppers know that in certain things, you shouldn't always buy the least expensive (cheapest) item available. One of the most important areas where it saves money in the long run to purchase quality is when you are buying fixtures, furnishings, etc. for your home. Plumbing fixtures definitely fit into this category ... our constantly dribbling kitchen sink reminds me of that fact daily as it continues to worsen. It was inexpensive, but it is only two years old. If I have to buy a new one every couple of years, it's going to add up ... not to mention the time spent for replacing it each time. I haven't had the chance to replace it yet and I cringe at the thought of next month's water bill!

My own plumbing problems aside, fixtures that will be a part of your home for years to come are also an area where personal style comes into play in a big way. Even if you spend less, you just aren't going to be happy if you don't like the way it looks, and you're going to be reminded of that MANY times over the years you live in your home. When it comes to something you will be seeing every day, it pays (in terms of satisfaction) to take the time to find a design you really love.

A website like DesignerPlumbingOutlet.com is a great place to start your search for a quality fixture that will make your home distinctively you. Online sites can often offer you a much wider selection for browsing than you would be able to find at a local showroom. We loved the variety we found within their Moen showhouse. The bamboo collection would be lovely in an Asian-themed room, the Waterhill's absolutely charming pump-style look would be perfect in a more rustic home, the Destiny is wonderfully contemporary, and the lines of the Casa collection are very unique. The photo of Solace really wowed us, and I have to say that the pot filler faucets are an amazing innovation -- I WANT THAT!

I also found the by Devonshire faucets by Kohler to be exquisitely classic. These would be perfect for any luxury bath. The Moen aberdeen faucets were also quite interesting. The pulldown spout would be very handy, as would the single handle operation. The matching lotion or soap dispensers would also be practical and help keep the area clean under heavy usage (or in homes with children particularly).

Now I'm more motivated to take care of that drippy kitchen faucet than ever ... and while I'm at it, the bath shower toggle doesn't do a very good job either. Not only is browsing for home fixtures online a good way to see many options, but generally lower prices can be found online as well, even after adding in shipping charges. (In many cases, you don't have to pay sales tax for online purchases, so that can factor into overall cost as well.)

Romantic Emerald Isle Vacation

2008-02-06T12:12:00.000-08:00

In honor of Valentine's Day, this month we are featuring several romantic travel destinations. Another prime romantic getaway is the Emerald Isle, veiled among the mists of the Atlantic. Valentine's Day is the perfect time to feature dreamy destinations for honeymoons, anniversaries, romantic holidays and more, and today we want to focus on Ireland's misty and magical shores, picturesque countryside, and historical charm.

This fairytale land, site of many medieval movies, has something special to offer in its many historic castles. Not just vacant and cordoned-off visitor's sites, many of Ireland's castles have been restored to luxury and offer accommodations fit for a king and queen, with sumptuous rooms befitting royalty, picturesque estate grounds to wander, and attentive staff ready to serve. Imagine lady fair being swept off her feet by her dashing prince in the elegantly restored ballroom of a grand castle. Or exploring the spacious grounds and surrounding deep forests together astride fine mounts. All this and more help to make the Emerald Isle the perfect spot for couples seeking a relaxed, romantic holiday that allows time to delight in local charms rather than rushing about and standing in lines.

Many couples prefer to concentrate on western Ireland -- destinations such as Kerry, Mayo, Clare, and Galway are favorites. If you are seeking to visit the larger cities, consider Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Waterford, and Derry. Cork is especially convenient, being in the southern part of "the real Ireland."

If you are seeking to book Ireland hotels in these cities, be sure to check out last minute deals and year-round specials offered on Dublin hotels, Cork hotels, and Belfast hotels. While the last minute deals, especially, change over time, we have consistently found CheaperThanHotels to offer a wide variety of accommodations in many cities all over the world at some of the lowest prices available, while giving the traveler all of the information they need for each individual hotel to be able to decide which will meet their needs and preferences so as to book the most suitable accommodations.

Romantic trip ideas

2008-02-05T23:55:00.000-08:00

We recently talked about taking a trip together for Valentine's Day, or giving a trip as a Valentine's gift. We would like to follow up that post by offering a couple of suggestions for places to travel, along with savvy shopper's money-saving resources for your vacation.

France, particularly Paris, is the first destination that comes to mind when thinking of romantic trips, with good reason. The best time to visit is in the spring (May and June) or the fall (September and October) in order to avoid the hot summer, but winter vacations in France, while you will probably be walking in the rain, can be especially romantic! While visiting Paris, be sure to stroll along the Champs Elysees and window shop at the stylish boutiques. Visit the ones that pique your interest. Climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe to enjoy the view. Come to the Eiffel tower an hour or so before sunset, and take the elevator to one of the observation platforms in order to watch the city's lights flash on in a panorama below. Another tip: if you want a view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower in your photo, visit the roof of the Samaritaine Department store. Take a scenic dinner river cruise on a glass boat. Visit the Rue Cler for a taste of a French market street, and be sure to sample some crepes or cheese there. Tour the Palace of Versailles, and be sure not to miss the Hall of Mirrors there! Paris is renowned for its museums, so if you want to see the most important collections, don't miss the Louvre, home of the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.

If you're keeping within a budget on your vacation to France, check the set-price meals -- "prix fixe" -- offered at local restaurants. For a set price you can enjoy a soup or salad, entree, and dessert. The small cafes and the sellers at the open-air markets also offer excellent food in most cases, and reasonable prices. Some market sellers will give out samples as well. And to save money on Paris hotels, check out the last minute deals as well as year-round specials. If you're traveling to other cities in France, (we recommend wine country for the traveling romantic), check here for France hotels. As far as entertainment, the Louvre is free on Sundays, as are a number of other museums. There are also quite a few that offer free admission every day. (See the list at the end of the post.) But just walking through Paris is quite entertaining, and to be enjoyed, all for free. However, one ticket probably more than worth buying ... a hot air balloon ride for around £8. Also remember that if you are not a European citizen, be sure to fill out the rebate forms to receive the 16% tax back on purchases.

A second European destination for romance has to be mentioned here. Germany’s world-famous tourist route, aptly named “The Romantic Road” runs over 350 kilometers across idyllic countryside and charmingly picturesque villages that retain their medieval charm, following the river Main and traveling through wine country, leading through the Alps and finally to the enchanting fairytale castles of King Ludwig. Traveling the Romantic Road will allow visitors to step back in time to experience medieval Europe, and many towns and villages have medieval festivals as well. This is one vacation where you want to take your time to savor the trip itself, and enjoy all the sights, sounds, and activities along the way. Whether traveling by automobile, bus, or cycling, Germany’s Romantic Road is the perfect route for travelers seeking to experience the Romance of Germany.

For saving money during your travels in Germany, look to small pubs that often offer hearty meals at reasonable prices. The Turkish restaurants and Italian bistros there are usually a good value as well. Try to find lodging that offers free breakfasts. Save on accommodations by considering hostels, bed-and-breakfasts, wineries or castles, or check out these specials on Germany hotels. (These deals are also available by city, such as Berlin hotels.) As in France, if you are a non-European, you can fill out a form for a rebate on the 16% tax for things you buy while in Germany.

Paris Museums with free admission
- Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris
- Maison de Balzac
- Musée Bible et Terre Sainte
- Maison Bourdelle
- Musée Carnavalet - Histoire de Paris
- Musée Cernuschi
- Musée Cognacq-Jay
- Musée du Compagnonnage
- Musée Curie (Institut du radium)
- Musée Jean Moulin
- Musée du Parfum-Fragonard/Théâtre musée des Capucines-Fragonard
- Petit Palais, Musée des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Paris
- Musée de la Préfecture de Police
- Maison de Victor Hugo
- Musée de la Vie Romantique
- Musée Zadkine

(Note: the Louvre offers free admission only on Sundays)

Romantic Photos

2008-01-31T03:06:00.001-08:00

Looking for a something unique and special for Valentine's Day? We wanted to suggest to our readers that you consider a couple's photo shoot for the romantic holiday.

Call around ... some local photographers may be offering specials for the holiday. Ask whether they have props or scenery that will help you make a special romantic photo for Valentine's Day. Photographers who specialize in weddings may have the best ideas for poses, scenery, and props.

Silhouettes can be very effective, and black and whites can be classic and dramatic. Candlelight can be very flattering and adds instant romance. Various effects can be used to soften and dramatize photos as well.

There are two ways to use a photo shoot for the romantic holiday. One way is to have yourself photographed in a shot guaranteed to make your beloved's heart flutter and present the photo as a gift, complete with a beautiful frame (and a wallet-sized photo to carry around so you'll always be there for them!). A nice presentation might be a double-frame, with the photo of yourself in one half, and a special poem or sentiment in the other half.

The second can't be a surprise, but would be a lot of fun. Plan a photo shoot with your beloved, and make it a date. Find an accommodating photographer (it might be a good idea to explain what you have in mind beforehand) and enjoy yourselves. Consider a park with early flowers, the beach, a grove of trees, or some other romantic setting. The photographer might even thank you, if it gives them an idea for marketing the holiday to other couples.

Think of things that you both enjoy, or special items, that might make your photos more personal and take them along to be used as props. Dress up, make yourselves look good, have fun with it, and let your love for one another shine for the camera. Afterwards, you're all dressed up and looking fantastic, so treat yourselves and go out and enjoy a wonderful, romantic evening on the town!

Romantic destinations

2008-01-27T02:42:00.000-08:00

Want to do something really unique for Valentine's Day? How about a romantic getaway! There are lots of romantic destinations for couples to consider, ranging from fairly local (wherever you live, there's bound to be a romantic place nearby!) to world-famous to fit any budget.

There are actually two ways to give a romantic vacation as a gift for Valentine's Day (or any other occasion). One option to plan the vacation yourself and surprise your sweetheart with the tickets. Wrap them up in a box with travel brochures, pamphlets on area attractions, clothing or accessories suited to your chosen destination, such as a bathing suit or sunglasses for a beach getaway. Surprises can be a lot of fun, both in the planning and in seeing the reaction of your love when they open your gift.

Another option is to plan to vacation together, if you can't get away for the trip on short notice, or if for another reason you'd rather not book the trip before the holiday. You can actually double your enjoyment in this way. In this case, give the idea as a gift on Valentine's Day. You can buy something, like the accessories, and wrap them up as a gift, then when your sweetheart opens them (and maybe looks at you questioningly, especially if you’re giving a bathing suit for Valentine’s Day and you live where there’s snow on the ground outside!) … that’s the time to spring your surprise. Or include a card with a “coupon” for a fabulous romantic getaway to a destination to be named later. Another fun idea is to take a travel brochure with photos of people, and cut out their faces, affixing photos of you and your sweetheart behind inside the brochure so your faces adorn the slick presentation of your romantic getaway.

Then you can decide together where to go, visit travel agencies or websites, maybe check some books out at the library and spend a few afternoons browsing them, and exploring possibilities, spending quality time together as you have fun with the planning, making the trip that much more exciting as you savor your plans together.

You are the best judge of which would give you the best results. Some people don’t like surprises, and wouldn’t enjoy having something like a vacation decision “sprung” on them. Others get too flustered with planning, and there might be more strain caused by trying to work out the details than fun. Either way, enjoy your trip!

We'll be featuring some romantic destinations (and tips for saving money on them!) in upcoming posts.

TheRomantic.com

2008-01-24T22:59:00.001-08:00

Valentine's Day is almost here, and we're looking for unique gift ideas to share with you!

One of the top websites for all things romantic is TheRomantic.com. Filled with creative and unique ideas, suggestions for romantic movies and gifts, fun things to do together, ways to make your loved one feel special, and much more, this website is a treasure trove for romance seekers. One of the best parts is that, while designed for couples, the website and all of its ideas and suggestions are basically "clean" and nothing raunchy or degrading is included.

Featured romantic gift ideas include a message in a beautiful bottle, a personalized novel, and a couples' computer game called "Bliss." By exploring the site, you will find a great many more suggestions for all kinds of creative things suitable for Valentine's Day and year-round romance.

You can also subscribe to the weekly newsletter from the website, which includes weekly ideas for romancing your loved one. The following ideas for Best Valentine's Day Gift Ideas are taken from the newsletter, and seemed especially appropriate for sharing in this post. (You can subscribe to this free newsletter - The Romantic Tip of the Week - as well as others on the homepage of TheRomantic.com.)

From The Romantic Tip of the Week

1. Above all, give a gift that is personal. Why give a dozen red
roses if your sweetheart just LOVES yellow ones? Don't give a
generic box of chocolates without thinking a way to personalize
the gift (try little notes under each chocolate). Think about a
gift that would have a special meaning to the two of you. Everyone
gives flowers and candy. Can you do something different?

2. Try to be a bit creative. You can buy an ordinary card or you
can create your own. Do a twist on a traditional gift that shows you
put thought into it. Everyone has an artist side - find yours. Or
at least steal someone else's creative idea that works.

3. If you are still wondering if your idea is good, ask some of
your friends or co-workers of the opposite gender what they think
about it.

4. Wrap it up! Even an ordinary gift can become extra-ordinary by
doing a unique wrapping job on it.

5. When all else fails, create a romantic dinner for two. The time
and effort spent on the meal would melt anyone's heart.

This newsletter is one we have subscribed to and enjoyed for years, and we thought this a great time to share it with our readers. The website is also good for days worth of browsing. So take time to visit TheRomantic.com while planning your upcoming Valentine's Day!

(Text as noted above as well as image are from TheRomantic.com and used by permission granted on website.)

Using the internet as a shopping guide

2008-01-24T11:41:00.000-08:00

The internet is a valuable tool for researching all kinds of information when shopping, whether for actual goods like digital cameras or computer accessories, or services such as those of an attorney or plumber, or even more important decisions as when you are seeking a mortgage lender or a college to attend. Online articles offering advice for any of these topics and hundreds more are readily available. It is usually a good idea to search for and read a number of articles to determine which offer sound advice, since anyone can post anything online. For example, if you wish to find a medical technology college, there are articles available just one click away from a search result. Once you have the basic information you need to proceed, you can then begin your search by visiting school websites, such as http://www.sbnewyork.com/ which tell about their programs and generally offer a contact form for requesting more information.

Whatever you are seeking, there is plenty of information available to help you make a good decision. The important part is finding whose advice can best be trusted, so that you start your search with the best possible information. Don't overlook product review sites, consumer resource magazines such as Consumer Reports, and online consumer resources like Consumerworld.

Make a statement with area rugs

2008-01-23T15:26:00.000-08:00

Now that the Christmas trees and decorations are (hopefully!) put away, maybe you are looking around your home and things feel a little dreary. It might be a little early for spring cleaning yet, but maybe you are thinking of ways to spruce things up and make some changes -- kind of a new start in your home to go along with the new year. But as savvy shoppers, we want to find ways to make big impact without having to plunk down payments for a big cost. Two of the best ways to do this are with either paint or rugs (or both!).

For this post, we're going to focus on area rugs. Area rugs can instantly "dress" a room and make it feel finished. On uncarpeted floors, you gain the advantage of both visual and actual added warmth as well as dampening of noise and echo. (And echo is one of the factors that so easily make a home feel unfinished or too empty.) Area rugs can serve to visually anchor your furniture grouping and are a favorite tool of interior designers. They also help to define areas within a room, such as when a large area rug is used as a frame around a dining area that is part of an open design, or when it is used within a seating arrangement to make it feel cozy and welcome people in.

There are so many designs available, you are sure to find one that suits your style. Oriental Rugs
are among the most popular. The style is so well established that oriental rugs are easily at home in a variety of room styles, from Victorian to traditional and many others. Traditional Oriental designs are not the only choice, however. There are other Asian patterns, geometric designs, designs that resemble scenery and incorporate elements of nature, patchwork patterns, designs with contemporary flair, mosaics, Southwest influence, cottage designs, botanicals, and too many more to list. Shapes are not limited to rectangles but also include ovals for some designs.

So remember rugs, when it comes time to make a big statement in a room all at once! But this is one of those purchases where you are better off to do your homework and be sure to select a product that is high in quality, even if it costs a little more, because it will have to stand up to footwear and is only as valuable as its good looks. Make sure the rug you are considering is high quality, and then seek the best price available.

Ringtones & other downloads

2008-01-20T00:25:00.000-08:00

We've checked into a number of websites offering free ringtones. Generally speaking, receiving free ringtones involves a subscription service to be billed monthly to your wireless phone. For your payment, you receive a set number of credits to redeem for ringtones of your choice. Sometimes you have the option of downloading wallpapers and other cool items to personalize your phone, and some services even offer games in exchange for your credits.

Polyphonic ringtones create multiple notes at the same time, as opposed to the older phones that offered only a single note at a time. As a result, polyphonic ringtones offer a more realistic music sound.

Whether you are looking for Hip Hop, Country, Rock, Kids' Songs, Pop, R&B, or Dance Ringtones, check out the wide selection offered. Some of our favorites are the more unusual ones, such as the animal sounds and the movie theme song ringtones.

Why be one of dozens digging for your phone when that same old beeping song starts to play and no one can tell whose phone is ringing? Treat yourself to a ringtone as unique as you are! But don't expect to get them for free, no matter what the ad says, until you read ALL the fine print.

Tennis Equipment Online

2008-01-19T21:45:00.000-08:00

If tennis is your sport, we've found a great online tennis store that offers a huge selection of tennis rackets, shoes, apparel, balls, strings, bags, grips and overgrips, and accessories ranging from shock dampeners and court equipment to posters, dvd's, and books. Whatever you are looking for, check TennisPlaza.com (voted #1 retailer by RSI magazine). There is also a physical storefront located in Miami, Florida, and the website offers information in Spanish and Portuguese as well as English.

When purchasing shoes for the tennis court, it is of greatest importance to buy the right type of shoe. Running shoes, for example, have thick cushioning built into the heel to soften impact on straight-ahead running, but lack the support needed to protect the ankle when moving quickly to the side and can leave the player vulnerable to ankle injuries on the court. View detailed information on both women's and men's tennis shoes in order to make a good selection tailored to your particular needs.

When shopping for tennis rackets, you have a wide variety of quality brands to choose from, including Babolat Rackets, Dunlop Rackets, Head Rackets, Prince Rackets, Tecnifibre Rackets, Volkl Rackets, Wilson Rackets, and Yonex Rackets. Occasionally there may be used rackets offered for sale at discounted prices, but many styles of new rackets are available and the images on file allow you to zoom in for a close-up view of your racket before purchasing. Your racket will be custom made to your specifications regarding grip size, the type of string you prefer, and the tension you order. You have the option to have the logo added to your racket, or leave it off. Detailed technical specifications were available for every racket we viewed, and most include a discussion of the particular racket's construction and details about its performance during the game.

Quality products - ratings sites

2008-01-18T18:10:00.000-08:00

One of the best ways to make sure that you are getting a good value for your dollar is to purchase quality goods. Even if you spend more, it can be more than worth the extra expense. One example is with vacuum cleaners. There are many brands available, but in my experience, one of the very best is Hoover vacuum cleaners.

My aunt used to own a Hoover vacuum cleaner that she bought used, at already ten years old. She continued to use it several times a week to vacuum several large carpeted rooms for quite a few years, and ended up finally reselling it for more than she orginally paid for it. It was rather beat-up, eventually dingy-looking, and certainly not sleek, but it never needed repairs in the time she owned it, and the people she sold it to were quite pleased with it as well.

Another useful tool for savvy shoppers involves consumer ratings. There are a large number of online rating sites, as well as the popular published magazines like Consumer Reports and Consumer Reviews. The strength of published sites is that they tend to compare different brands with standardized testing methods, giving a good comparison of performance and reliability. The strength of online ratings sites that offer ratings for everything from digital cameras to Hoover vacuum cleaners to computer components and much more lies in the variety of responses from people who visit the site and submit their reviews. You are much more likely to get a practical overview from sites like these, such as "The cord wrapping mechanism is too difficult to unlatch" or similar comments. If there are enough responses posted, you can also get an idea of whether or not the product tends to include lemons.

When you find a reliable online rating site you like, be sure to bookmark it because it will be a valuable resource to return to later.

MovieCube dvd rental

2007-12-26T02:50:00.000-08:00

We generally look for positive things to post, but this review has to go in the category of "warning."

Many video rental stores are going out of business, Netflix ads are everywhere, and the world of dvd rental is changing. One new feature in our area is the placement of MovieCube DVD rental kiosks in place of the former small video rental counter at our local grocery store.

The idea isn't bad. For $1 per day, you rent the movie of your choice from the kiosk using your credit card. Supposedly no lines, no waiting, and no problems.

Well ... the first time we tried to return a video, there was a customer in front of us who was having trouble renting the title he wanted. Not really MovieCube's fault that it took an extra 30 minutes out of my day to wait on the customers to finally give up and let me return my dvd's. However, in only a handful of rental occasions, I've had my own share of MovieCube glitches. One required me to stay on the phone for about 20 minutes in order to get permission to return my dvds without processing them through the machine, which was malfunctioning. And as an aside, you can't take very long to debate your choices. If you pause to read the movie descriptions for approximately 30 seconds, the machine resets and you lose the movies you saved. And I will add that, when I just now visited their web page in order to make this post and provide accurate information, I was redirected to a site that warned me that "I could have a virus" that tried to install a free "repair" function on my computer without permission. I killed the window and for that reason I'm not posting a link to their site here. None of us needs more spyware or adware.

All of these are somewhat minor inconveniences and problems that could be expected to be worked out in time. However, the one that really bothered me is that one of the videos that I returned after keeping it out for a single day showed up as a $37+ bill on my debit card with no notice a couple of weeks later. I called the MovieCube, and after being on the phone for about 25 minutes, was finally told that they had confirmed that I had returned the movie as I claimed, and they would forward a memo to their credit department to issue a credit on my account. (Incidentally, the customer service rep scolded me for not letting them know sooner that there was a problem, which I found amusing since there was no problem until they charged me for a movie I didn't keep. However, the other customer service reps I have spoken to have been most helpful and courteous.)

Some time passed, and the charge remained on my debit account. So I called them again. Another 20 minutes, this time billed by the minute, and now I have a confirmation number that is supposed to assure me that they will put the money back into my account, but they said it might take almost 4 weeks to do so. It has been a couple of weeks, and no sign of my money yet. This has been a great disappointment to me, that the money was removed from a debit account with no warning, by their error, not rectified, and left over Christmas. Thankfully I didn't get within $40 of a zero balance on that account, or I would have incurred bounced check charges in addition to all of this.

So, it is with regret that I felt I had to inform my readers that, if you want to be a savvy shopper, you may want to avoid MovieCube dvd rental, at least until they get these quirks worked out.

Cell Phones

2007-12-23T01:18:00.000-08:00

Cell phones are among the most popular of Christmas gifts. Often though, the choice of the phone itself is determined (or at least limited) by the choice of service carrier, so that decision needs to be made as well. How do you know which service provider to select?

One of the most important considerations is coverage. If you have experience with a carrier in your area, that can be one way to know who is reliable. Other factors include cell phone towers and terrain, which may limit reception. If there is a low ratio of cell phone towers to users in the area(s) the phone will be used, it makes sense to purchase a phone with more transmission power, so that the signal won't tend to be dropped indoors. There is a trade-off with a shorter battery life in these situations, so it makes sense to have an idea of what will work best for you. Additionally, you will want to review available plans and costs, as well as available add-ons, to determine which carrier you prefer.

Once you know the carrier you plan to use, you will be able to find out which phones you can purchase. Of course, the carrier generally offers phones along with the service, and often offers rebates or other incentives. You can also buy phones from 3rd party retailers not affiliated with any carrier. Just make sure those phones will work with your selected carrier. Sometimes it is possible to still enjoy carrier rebates in this case, and it's worth looking into.

An important consideration will be the features you want your phone to include. Smart phones allow access to PDA functions as well as email, etc. and some include a regular keyboard pad. The cost is considerably more, however, and will require a separate service from your provider in order to access all of the functions.

Other features vary by phone. Built-in camera functions are common now, as are games and other features. GPS functions are available. A very basic and inexpensive phone will usually include some data storage functions and perhaps some simple games.

You can also consider buying a used phone. One important caution though -- you must be assured that the phone does not have an outstanding balance, or it may not be possible to initiate new service for that phone.

For more detailed information, do a search for trusted internet buying guides.

Vacation in Spain

2007-12-23T00:42:00.000-08:00

Are you planning to enjoy the holidays in Spain this year? Along with the greatly prized Spanish leather (especially suede coats and jackets) and shoes, as well as the ceramics the country is also famous for, there are a great many interesting wares available for the shopper in Spain.

Lace-making is experiencing a resurgence as a Spanish craft, and many fine pieces are available. A lace tablecloth would make an especially nice souvenir. Cheese-making is also a special industry in Spain, and travelers should sample different kinds. Catalonian textiles are famous worldwide and in great demand as well, and worth your examination. Valencia, with its annual furniture fair of international renown, offers some of the world's finest handcrafted wood furniture. Majorcan pottery and El Rastro tiles are good finds as well, if you visit these areas. As you can see, the area(s) you visit will partially determine the best goods to shop for while in Spain.

Not only is Spain famous for a wide variety of quality goods, the shopping markets, especially some of the open-air markets, are known for their unique offerings and charming atmosphere. It is said of El Rastro, located in Madrid, "if it exists in the world, you will find it at El Rastro." Barcelona is home to several open-air markets, including Mercat de las Encants in the Plaza de las Glories Catalanes, the Mercat de San Antoni, and the Mercat at Plaza Villa de Madrid.

Swatches!

2007-12-16T22:07:00.000-08:00

Swatches are a popular gift, and we've found some great designs! Wait ... what's a swatch, you ask? Swatches are a particular brand of analog watches which represent the Swiss response to worldwide demand for watches that are not only of excellent quality of workmanship and materials but also stylish, innovative, and fun as well!

With that in mind, we checked the new 2007 Swatch Christmas line, and were very impressed with the designs! The Anxelli Pendant watch is a classy series of chains fastened between brooches that can be worn on an evening gown. The pearls and pink stones of Shiny Stones were especially lovely as well. However, our favorite was the Zauberfee, with its lovely starbursts arranged on a chic chain.

Not only is there a line for Christmas gifting, but you can view a number of other Swatch gift categories, including love gifts, kids' gifts, and other designs within a particular theme, such as cartoons, colors, winter, glitter, music, and more.

Coach's Gifts - And more!

2007-12-16T21:40:00.000-08:00

Ever wondered what would make a great gift for your child's sports coach? Imagine the coach proudly displaying a personalized award trophy, given as a token of your appreciation for their dedication to your child's achievement of excellence!

With the wide range of trophies available, they also make great gifts for people involved in a wide variety of interests. Fully customizable, the trophy can be a cherished testament to the recipient's merit in their chosen pursuit.

Trophies can also make amusing novelty gifts, since anything at all can be engraved on them.

The range of interests represented is amazing. Besides the more typical baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer, and many more, you can also choose trophies for a wide variety of sports such as dance, darts, motorcycles, and windsurfing. Apple awards for teachers are available, as are other academician awards, music awards, superstar, pageant awards. Animal awards include horses, dogs, and deer. There is even a gold slinky award!

If you are looking to spend less than the cost of a trophy, you can also give a plaque, medal, or an award certificate. We were truly impressed with the variety of awards available, for everything from good attitude to science fair to coloring ability and much, much, much more. Most of the people on your gift list could find something to appreciate (or laugh about) here!

Fanimations - Fantasy Fans!

2007-12-16T19:25:00.000-08:00

We are still looking for interesting and unique ideas for holiday gift-giving. This one is certainly not your usual Christmas gift - ceiling fans! But some of the offerings were so unique we wanted to include them here, both for now and for the sake of our readers who are or will be looking for accents to set a tone in their homes and make their rooms memorable.

We were especially impressed by the Fanimation ceiling fans, which offer some really interesting options, no matter what your decor. The Air Shadow has blades that retract when not in use, Belize offers a mosaic housing and palm leaf blades, and Lauren Brooks offers leopard print blades! Palisade and Punkah have to be seen ... I can't describe the design in words. Their Historical Impressions line includes a nice Bourbon Street design, a very trendy Fitzgerald design, and other interesting period fans. The Futuristic line would be at home in any stylishly sleek contemporary home.

So if you REALLY want to surprise someone with a gift they'd never expect, but will love and appreciate for years to come, here's a very different sort of gift!

Christmas boots!

2007-12-12T12:12:00.000-08:00

Gifts that are useful and practical are always a great choice, because not only does your money go to good use, but the gift reminds the recipient every time they use it that you took the time to think of them, and buy something that was uniquely suited to their interests, activities, hobbies, lifestyle, etc. In giving gifts like these, sometimes a little luxury goes a long way too, especially if it is something the person is not very likely to buy for themselves. Something like a huge, thirsty bath sheet and delicious smelling bath oil for a friend who appreciates comfortable things, or a high-quality pair of hiking boots for a friend who enjoys the great outdoors.

For that matter, clothing of any kind is a good choice for the reasons mentioned above. Your money is spent on something that will actually be used instead of another cologne set of an unappreciated scent or another necktie that doesn't suit the person's fashion sense and will be doomed to being shoved to the back of a closet somewhere and eventually gotten rid of. Clothing, footwear, outerwear, and other essentials can be used and appreciated on a regular basis and will bring fond memories of your thoughtfulness in choosing such an appropriate gift.

Boots are especially suitable, since they are useful and wear long, but can be expensive and often people will put off buying them for themselves. Think of how much your cowboy-style brother might enjoy a pair of snakeskin boots, your biker-best-friend would love a new pair of biker boots, your fashion-conscious mother would appreciate a new pair of dress boots, or your outdoorsman-son would welcome a new pair of hunting boots. Online sources can offer a good selection of styles, and should still be able to ship in time for Christmas. (The source we linked also offers free shipping on orders over $100.)

Digital Cameras

2007-12-04T17:04:00.000-08:00

Digital cameras are one of the hottest gift items this year, and will likely continue their popularity. A digital camera makes it easy to share photos over the internet or upload images to blogs, websites, social utility programs, and image editing programs. Digital offers many other convenient and money-saving features as well, such as making the purchase of film unnecessary and allowing easy storage of images on cd's or other digital media storage.

The purchase of a digital camera can be overwhelming, though. There are hundreds of models to choose from with widely varying prices. There are also large differences in features, from focal lengths to storage capacity to zoom capabilities to resolution and on and on. The average consumer is easily overwhelmed with all of that information and doesn't know where to start. This is where consumer review site becomes VERY helpful!

The average or lowest price for a particular model and an overall score can help narrow the field tremendously. Add to that general product reviews, and then more specific reviews on traits such as picture quality, ease of use, and overall features as well as reviews from professionals and casual users. This information should help you narrow your choice to a very few, when you can then research the particular models in depth and decide which one is best for your particular picture-taking needs.

Take advantage of these online consumer resources, and happy (photo)shooting!

Win prizes and cash!

2007-12-02T18:05:00.000-08:00

This post's subject isn't exactly about shopping, since you don't have to spend any money to do it ... but the idea was so intriguing we just had to share it! Pick up free gifts ... nothing required to buy, sounds like a deal for a Savvy Shopper!

Not only that, but you can also win a cash prize as well. THEN you have some money for shopping, so it IS all about shopping after all!

It's really very simple ... all you do is choose the prize you are interested in, and enter a text-based "bid" (either on the website or from your mobile phone). Other players enter bids as well, and at the end of the sweepstake period for that prize, the prize is won by the player that entered the lowest unique bid.

Prizes include lots of new techno-gadgets but are varied. On the day we visited, we saw laptop computers, iPods, iTunes, gift cards, cash, a sea scooter, plasma TVs, phones, gaming consoles, sports and theatre tickets, and even a new car! (However, the COOLEST new product we saw was a virtual reality 44" screen that is worn like a pair of sunglasses and puts you in the middle of the action!)

So head on over to Bid4Prizes, and have a blast! (Maybe you will get lucky too!)

Grocery values

2007-11-28T09:04:00.000-08:00

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!

Price Comparisons at SaveBuckets!

2007-11-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

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!

Online Tutoring Special

2007-11-27T23:14:00.000-08:00

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!

Unique Gifts - ARMY style!

2007-11-22T11:57:00.000-08:00

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.

Fine Estate Jewelry - Gifts!

2007-11-22T11:08:00.000-08:00

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.

Travel and shopping in Europe

2007-11-22T11:05:00.000-08:00

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!

Black Friday Shopping !!!

2007-11-22T01:09:00.000-08:00

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.

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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!

Mailboxes ... and much more!

2007-11-21T17:29:00.000-08:00

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.

King Tut is Back!

2007-11-09T16:56:00.000-08:00

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.

Shopping the world - Dubai

2007-11-06T09:50:00.000-08:00

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!

Shopping Around the World - Barcelona

2007-10-24T22:30:00.000-07:00

Home to the world-famous 5 Km shopping line, Barcelona shopping offers variety, convenience, and exceptional customer service. The 5 Km line offers an outstanding collection of designers, including Giorgio Armani, Bally, Cartier, Versace, Calvin Klein, Burberry, and many other famous names. Shops featuring Spanish designers also abound, offering all manner of clothing and accessories. The 5 Km line is especially enjoyable to browse because much of it stretches along pedestrian pathways free of city traffic.

One of the largest department stores in the city is El Corte Ingles, offering pretty much everything in a single, huge location. Here you can purchase wine, gourmet foods, clothing, electronics, furniture, toys, housewares, sports equipment, books, music, cosmetics, perfumes, fresh flowers, baby items, computers, appliances, and various services.

La Boqueria (the covered or open-air markets) offer a colorful and interesting experience all their own. Some of the more popular are the Mercado de Sant Josep and the Mercado off Las Ramblas where you can visit a wide variety of booths offering everything from live animals to food. Locals warn that most of the market sellers are not open to bartering for lower prices, however, as one might expect in an informal market in other places.

You should be aware that many locations (particularly smaller shops) will close for a couple of hours mid-day. Another point to remember: if you are not a European resident, you can purchase goods tax-free in Barcelona.

Bling Bling!

2007-10-12T00:53:00.000-07:00

Swarovski crystals add a delicious touch of sparkling bling, and we've found a manufacturer that specializes in a variety of rhinestone and crystal wearables to outfit you in dazzling glitter from head to toe!

Our favorite t-shirt designs were the crystal crown (great for any princess!) and the sunburst heart. T-shirts are generally available in one of several designs, and sometimes offered in colors, though black usually shows the crystals to their best advantage.

The crystal belt really caught our attention, shimmer to draw the eye but understated and classy. Wider belts are also available. They've really thought of everything, offering "emergency" flex flop crystal shoes to slip into when your heel breaks or if you simply can't walk any further in torturous high heels. These nifty little shoes are comfortable, classy, fold neatly into a small pouch to carry in case of emergency, and sport other designs as well. Embellished caps and headbands are also available.

And of course, jewelry is the most natural thing we usually think of when we think of crystals, and there is no shortage of that either. Some of our favorites were the understated and elegant crystal stretch anklet, the blue and green beaded starfish necklace, the super-cute ladybug enamel toe ring, the stunningly colorful Aurora Borealis crystal earrings, and the crystal flower toe ring.

A number of professions are especially suited to jazzed-up glitzy wear, and they have created many options. The stylist crystal pin is very nice, the shear genius t-shirt is very clever, and we loved the detail of the "I Do Makeovers" enamel pin. A retro pink Cadillac design and a "Think Pink" design are well suited for Mary Kay reps. Designs represent such professions as hairstylists, nail technicians, masseuses, spa employees, make-up artists, and tanning technicians. And if you don't find what you want, they specialize in custom designs.

The dance and cheer line of t-shirts is also especially appropriate for crystals. We loved every one of those designs, from the starbursted cheerleader designs reminiscent of a fireworks explosion to the energetic dance designs. One of the designs features a gymnast as well.

So whatever your interest, they've got bling to suit you. Check out our featured website today!

Unique Bedding from Visionbedding.com

2007-09-23T16:21:00.000-07:00

Teens love to express themselves and advertise their individuality. Any teen would love to have a room that reflects their interests and personality in every detail, right down to the fabric choices. Bedding offers a large canvas to paint upon, and Visionbedding offers a wide variety of choices for personalizing Teen Bedding.

Is your child an NBA fan? The "Basketball Dude" comforter would be perfect. Other sports themes include BMX, Skateboarding, Soccer, Motocross, Race Car, Snowboarding, Surfing, and Football.

Are natural themes more appreciated by your teen? Look at the flower, landscape, and tropical. Visionbedding offers a wide variety of categories, including Asian, Classy, Colorful, Artistic, Cool, Contemporary, Horse, Butterfly, and more. Our favorite was the "Mystic Crane" from the "Asian" collection.

If you want an even more personal expression, you can also order bedding from your own photo, allowing complete freedom to choose any design you can provide. The choices are limitless, and your teen will love being able to make his/her room their very own.

Shopping for men's underwear

2007-09-13T17:06:00.000-07:00

Men's underwear is one of the major categories in which online shopping can offer many advantages over traditional retail outlet shopping. Most retail outlets offer a few styles of briefs and even fewer types of boxers, generally packaged in such a way that it is impossible to tell how the clothing will fit when worn. The range of sizes and colors available is generally small in retail stores, as they do not normally cater to this type of men's fashion.

In contrast, online outlets for mens underwear offer a wide variety of brands, some that can be difficult to locate in traditional storefronts. Size and color options are easily accessed in drop-down menus. Photos, especially those with close-up options, are especially helpful in determining the exact fit of the clothing being considered, as well as showing such details as exactly where the seams will lie in order to offer a more comfortable fit.

Often other men's clothing and accessories, such as undershirts, swimwear, socks, sleepwear, and robes are also best ordered online, for the same reasons. Many brand manufacturers of men's underwear make these items as well, so they are often featured on the same websites.

Digital Photo Frames

2007-09-13T15:29:00.000-07:00

Ok, now this is just one of the coolest products we have seen in a long time, and we had to share! A digital photo frame is a great way to view your photographs. You take photos with your digital camera and download it to a digital picture frame. You can then view your photos in an ever-changing slide show, controlled with a remote.

Digital frames come in a variety of sizes, from 7" which is great to have up close on a desk, up to 10" which can be seen and enjoyed from further away. You can even jazz it up in a creative fashion by playing music in the background, or watch movie clips from your digital camera as well. These are not complicated to hook up because they have their own built-in speakers.

The company that makes the frames also offers free software to download from their website so you can resize pictures and get them ready for your digital photo frame.

You have to check these out ... these are the greatest!

Online Shopping Carts

2007-09-13T14:47:00.000-07:00

A shopping cart makes online shopping experiences easy and streamlined. For the consumer, a shopping cart allows browsing throughout an online store and selecting products while being able to easily make changes to the order before payment is required. Items the shopper is interested in buying are not “lost” if the shopper forgets about them while viewing other products. Items may even be held in some cases if the shopper must leave the store. In this way, the shopping cart benefits the shopper by keeping all their items in one convenient place, and benefits the seller by preventing lost sales. Shopping carts can also be used to track store inventory, reserving an item for a shopper, preventing the disappointment of unexpected “out of stock” messages at check-out time.

Another beneficial feature of ecommerce software is the level to which it is integrated with a wide base. Fully integrated software allows customers to choose a number of payment options, including bank transfer, a secure credit card entry, PayPal, and others. Preferred shopping cart software is convenient, easy to use by both shoppers and sellers, and has a variety of other useful shopping cart features. Look for a free trial that will allow evaluation of the shopping cart. Free tech support is another advantage.

Online Classifieds

2007-09-07T17:59:00.000-07:00

Online classifieds are a great way to shop for a variety of items in virtually any location. Classifieds are usually easily navigated by category, and you can search for whatever you are looking for, wherever you may be.

For example, Gumtree offers classified ads for the UK and other countries. You can search by country (and often city) within England, Ireland, North Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Poland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, and Asia. Categories include rentals, items for sale, community, jobs, etc. These categories are often broken down to give further ease in finding what you seek.

By selecting a city, everything is narrowed further. You can select London in England, and view classifieds for rentals in London, items for sale in London, jobs in London, and more.

If you are searching for London jobs, you can view categories of employment, or view the ads entered each day, with the most recent at the top. On the day we visited, there were a large number of positions newly available that day, including those seeking accountants, au pairs, nurses, teachers, chefs, mechanics, drivers, live in or visiting caregivers, clerks, window washers, programmers, wait staff, hotel managers, roofers, financial analysts, music instructors, nannies, secretaries, salespersons, managers, travel agents, caterers, advertisers, lab technicians, and more. Employers included corporate firms, schools, broadcasters, property companies, law firms, private families, hospitals, bars, technology companies, advertising companies, boutiques, garages, restaurants, transportation companies, warehouses, banks, hotels, construction companies, travel agencies, cyber security companies, stationary companies, and others.

We were surprised at the variety of employment situations offered. Online classifieds proved a great way to search for anything you need!

Shopping (and saving money!) in Sydney

2007-08-27T22:04:00.000-07:00

Sydney, Australia is a great destination for travel. Secluded beaches, tranquil coves, and beach resorts nestle close to bustling metropolitan centers. Love nature? Ride the scenic skyway over the blue mountains, stroll the Royal Botanic Gardens, take in the Sydney Aquarium, and Taronga Park Zoo. Interested in culture? Visit the Sydney Opera House, over a dozen museums, the Art Gallery of NSW, and open historic homes.

And of course, shopping ... The Queen Victoria Building, described by Pierre Cardin as "the most beautiful shopping centre in the world" is an outstanding representation of Byzantine architecture housing over 200 shops which offer some of the most unique shopping in Sydney and marvelous historical displays of British royalty, including a clock that displays a moving tableau of kings and queens every hour, ending with the beheading of Charles I. This singlular shopping experience is in itself a major attraction in Sydney.

Other shopping experiences include Harbourside, which is located on the water's edge of Darling Harbour, and has a magnificent view of the city skyline. Harbourside's extensive shopping venue includes a wide variety of of boutiques, jewellery stores and speciality stores, a majority of which specialize in quality Australian made merchandise. DFS Galleria is a leading destination for international travelers seeking the world's finest brands, and offers a luxurious shopping experience and incomparable services. Market City provides a fantastic array of fashion, jewelry, beauty, gift, and souvenir stores and also offers premiums and discounts. If your stay includes the weekend, you can also visit a number of local markets, the largest of which is probably Paddy's Market which is in Market City and is open from Thursday through Sunday.

While staying in Sydney, money saved on travel and accommodations can be used for shopping, so search for Cheap Hotels in Sydney for discounted rates below those offered when contacting the hotels directly. Search for rooms by location ... if you are interested in shopping at Harbourside, find a great deal on Sydney Hotels in Darling Harbour. Prices start at AUD 120, but if you prefer a little extra luxury, the Star City Hotel is a 5-star hotel offered from AUD 195. If your trip involves travel to other cities within Australia, be sure to check links for other cities as well as accommodations in Sydney. Look for last minute deals as well as year round discounts at each of the hotels featured, and view photos of each hotel and peruse a list of hotel amenities in order to find exactly the right accommodations for your taste, needs, and budget.

Finishing touches for home interiors

2007-08-19T22:04:00.000-07:00

Last month we featured a site bringing you distinctive touches for home exteriors. This month we'd like to suggest to you a site that offers unique and outstanding finishing touches for your home interior. From lamps, ceiling fans and lighting products to doorwear, kitchen and bath, and ventilation products, Farreys.com offers a wide range of creative and tasteful selections to complement and highlight your home's decor, whether you are building or remodeling.

We found some lovely Tiffany torchieres that would provide the perfect uplighting accent with a feminine yet sophisticated touch. We also found some classical brass coach pendant lamps for outdoor lighting that were especially appealing to us for traditional homes. Another favorite was the funky transitional style table lamp in Kichler's Eclections collection. There are products to appeal to any taste and budget.

Farrey's carries a huge selection of manufacturers, which virtually guarantees that shoppers will find whatever they are seeking, however diverse their tastes may be. The site conveniently offers searches by manufacturer brand, style, type, finish, or price range. You can also browse collections whether you seek chandeliers, floor lamps, desk or table lamps, or even landscape lighting.

Searching for the Unexpected

2007-08-01T21:58:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you need something a little different. I wanted to buy a gift for a friend who likes to cook, and we don't really have any intriguing kitchen stores in this area. Besides, even if we did, she could always go there and buy it for herself. I wanted something ... totally unexpected. And I don't have a lot of money to spend. I thought online should be the perfect place to browse for a gift, so I searched for a likely chefs site.

I clicked on the button for "store" and then "bakeware" -- there were lots of other categories, but my friend loves to bake. She decorates the most gorgeous cakes and should really consider doing it professionally. But ... how to find something she would love but didn't already have? And for an affordable price? Well, speaking of price, the items were searchable by price (a great feature we like to see in any shopping website) so I just clicked on "less than $9.99" to see what I could find. Not that I wouldn't be willing to spend $15 or so, but I might as well take a look. I didn't have to go very far down the page to spot it. The perfect gift for my friend. Unexpected, thoughtful, and funny, all rolled into one.

Are you ready for this? It's the Hostess Twinkie Cookbook! I didn't know there WAS such a thing, and probably she doesn't either. Not that she generally uses Hostess Twinkies for a main ingredient but ... you know, this is exactly what I was looking for. Something fun and unexpected (she's a very whimsical person) that takes into account her personal interests (cooking). It may end up being more of joke gift than something truly useful, but you never know. She's a daring type, so she's probably willing to experiment with a few recipes. Who knows, I could be enjoying Twinkie Cuisine the next time I pay her a visit!

All this just to say that ... online browsing can be a great jumping-off point when you don't know what to get someone for a gift, but you'd really like it to be original and creative and let them know you are thinking of them. And in this case, fun. The variety of products offered online is far greater than what could be found locally (especially in MY locally!) and online browsing offers a great savings of time as well as gas. So just remember, when you can't figure out WHAT to buy that person who is so hard to buy for, choose a likely-looking website and browse to your heart's content. You will probably discover something totally unique!

Viva la Twinkie!

Finishing touches for home exteriors

2007-07-17T19:19:00.000-07:00

Discerning shoppers seeking a unique finishing touch for their new home, or wishing to add a distinguished element to boost curb appeal should consider a Signature Keystone Mailbox. A variety of colors allows you to select one that best complements your home. You can further customize the look with your choice of stately adornments in various metals such as satin nickel, antique bronze, polished brass. Each design features intricately detailed accents that further set these mailboxes apart visually. Quality and workmanship assure the consumer of value for dollar spent.

Other designs are available as well, including the graceful Gaines Pedestal Mailbox, which we believe is particularly well suited to classic homes. Wall-mounted models are shown as well. A number of plate designs are offered, but we were particularly captivated by the attention to detail and elegant designs of the featured Eagle Oval Address Plaque. In keeping with our goal of bringing superior products AND great deals to your attention, we wish to inform our readers that, at this time, everything we browsed is currently on sale and offered for free shipping!

Savvy cruise choices!

2007-07-05T18:41:00.000-07:00

We found an interesting (and fun!) special offer to help you celebrate a birthday in style ... a free birthday cruise! During the month of your birthday, you can book a one day Bahamas cruise for yourself and a friend, and you get to enjoy the cruise FREE! How's that for a great deal for your birthday? Or a great way to save money on a special birthday present for a friend, family member, or spouse -- and you get to enjoy the day with them and watch them have the time of their lives on a birthday they will always remember!

Day cruises can be a great way to enjoy all of the amenities of a longer cruise without the high price tag. If you can't afford a more expensive cruise vacation (or maybe you can't get away for the full vacation, or maybe you are lucky enough to be able to enjoy multiple mini-vacations!) then a day cruise can be a perfect option. A Bahamas day cruise is a great choice, allowing you to enjoy everything a longer cruise offers as well as a wonderful island destination.

Online Coupon Savings

2007-07-03T21:20:00.000-07:00

Use your computer to search out great deals before you go shopping. Many local merchants offer coupon savings online with coupons that can be printed out and taken to the store. You can also find coupon codes accepted at online merchants during checkout. The variety of coupons available online is wider than you might think. Such general merchants as Target offer $-off coupons. Especially common are coupons from office suppliers, such as Office Depot and various printer ink coupons.

Many specialty retailers also offer coupons. The range is amazing. We found coupons for everything from shares of stock and pet food and supplies to bras. It is easy to find discounts on magazines. Many catalog suppliers, such as Chadwick's and Roaman's, also offer special online discounts. We were pleased to find an especially good variety of natural and organic products from suppliers such as Botanic Choice and Florapathics.

So before you shop, either online or in the local stores, take time to search for coupons online to net yourself some savings!

Share breakfast before hitting the mall!

2007-07-01T20:34:00.000-07:00

Would you like to take a shopping trip, but can't quite afford the $300 (or fill in your own amount) that you spent the last time you drove to the outlet mall for a day trip? Well, consider how much of your last shopping trip was spent on purchases, and how much went for eating out during the day, and gas to drive there (especially with gas prices these days!). So, plan a little differently this time, save money, and have more fun all at the same time. First, invite a friend or two along, and split the cost for gas. Then, invite your friends to search online for their favorite breakfast recipes and choose something fun and filling to prepare together before your outing. Have everyone bring a few ingredients and gather in the kitchen and enjoy starting your day together. Then put the money you saved on breakfast and gas into something more permanent from the stores.

Speaking of cost-effectiveness and cooking, one ingredient not to be overlooked is the humble egg. For just a few cents a serving, eggs offer high-quality protein at a fraction of the cost of meats. They are also very versatile in the means of preparation, and in the flavors that can be added to them. You can have a quick, easy, cheap protein meal in minutes with scrambled eggs, or have a healthy full meal with an omelette loaded with all kinds of veggies.

Vacation points club

2007-06-28T00:53:00.000-07:00

Another way to save money while having a great time is to look into a vacation international points club. These clubs offer their members a variety of services, including airline flights, cruises, car rental, insurance, and more in addition to lodging options that range from country cottages to luxurious hotel accomodations.

Purchased points through the Leisure Time vacation international points club are carried over from year to year for VIP members, and allow you full freedom to choose the travel plan that suits your needs perfectly. You can choose when you travel and how long you stay, and select the size unit needed for your party. You can also visit different destinations every year, save up points for bonus vacations, and even give bonus vacations to your family or friends. Discounts are available on airline flights, car rental, and travel insurance.

Scrubs and lab coats

2007-05-03T11:10:00.000-07:00

Scrubs are becoming popular online order items, both for actual medical office wear and for their comfort and utility for everyday wear. Choices in local stores may be limited, but you can find a wide variety of scrub and lab coat sellers online.

Online sellers often offer better prices along with wider selection compared to local stores as well. Sometimes you can choose from available fabric swatches and available designs to create your own choice, making a unique lab coat that will make your employees stand out.

Secured Loans & Mortgages

2007-05-03T11:03:00.000-07:00

A good way to save money and time is to search for secured loans and mortgage loans online. You can easily compare a number of different options quickly. You will be able to get an idea of the amount of loan you may qualify for, and save time both in narrowing down your options for financing as well as knowing before you approach sellers how much you qualify to borrow.

Time is money, and you can easily save days worth of frustration and wasted hours when you know upfront how much your loan will cost and how much you can spend. You can also save by comparing various lenders and finding the one that offers the best rates for your situation.

Buying organic foods

2007-04-30T21:03:00.000-07:00

When trying to decide which groceries to buy, we are confronted with more choices than ever before.

Many people have favorite brands of this or that, and want that particular product. In that case, they have already decided WHAT to buy. The question usually becomes one of which store has it for the lowest price.

But what about organic foods? That's a new decision that faces shoppers for groceries. Price isn't the main factor, because you will often pay 50% more for organics, or even 100% extra if you are buying milk or meats. Still, organics are one of the fastest-growing food categories.

Critics argue that the extra expense is wasted because there is no proof that conventionally produced foods are a risk to our health.

However, what is clear is that we CAN reduce exposure to pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, and other contaminants by buying organic foods.

What if you NEED to watch your spending, but you really want to buy the most healthful food possible?

Consider that not all foods pose the same level of health risks. For example, organic apples, peaches, spinach, milk, and beef can significantly reduce your exposure to various chemicals. However, asparagus and broccoli are relatively safe in their conventional forms, and provide less benefit for cost in organic forms.

You can also save money by shopping wisely. First, shop around. Price differences can account for a 100% difference between stores. Remember that seasonal foods will be less expensive. Try local farmer's markets. Buy a share in a community-supported organic farm (go to www.sare.org for listings). Order by mail (try www.mynaturalbeef.com, www.freshdirect.com, www.pioneerorganics.com, www.eatwellguide.org, www.theorganicpages.com). Join a local co-op (contact health food stores in your area to see if any buying clubs are available.).

Also, another issue to remember is that, because more consumers are demanding organic alternatives and spending more money on them, the big producers are watching their profits fall and desiring a piece of the organic pie. Because of this they are putting pressure on federal labeling and standards so that more foods can be legally labeled as "organic" even though they may not be what you expect. (For example, an ammendment passed in 2003 said that if the cost of organic feed was more than twice the cost of regular feed, the livestock producers could feed their animals non-organic feed and still label their meat organic. This was repealed in 2003, but the battles still continue.)

online computer products

2007-04-30T20:30:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share two of our favorite online sources.

Pricegrabber.com is a great way to compare prices for many items. We used it today to find several needed computer items.

NewEgg.com is one of our favorite sources for online shopping for computer accessories though. Don't forget to check them before you buy!

Buying books Online

2007-02-08T16:02:00.000-08:00

Some great places to search for books (and other media-type purchases) ...

I used to use mysimon.com to compare prices, but it's been less helpful the last couple of years.

Alibris.com is probably my favorite store for the past few years. They often have shipping specials and free shipping, but as they are both a large store AND a chain outlet for many retailers, you have to be careful on free shipping -- it doesn't usually apply to stores other than Alibris' own stores.

Half.com is also a great source, often very cheap. You will usually end up paying a separate shipping charge for each book, but the cost is sometimes so low that it still works out to be a best buy.

Amazon.com CAN be good, depending on what you are looking for, and the level of quality you expect. If you want new, Amazon is often a good bet.

Always check eBay.com of course ...

Good luck!

Big Ticket Items

2007-02-05T13:44:00.000-08:00

Last time we discussed the best shopping method for low cost items that you need frequently.

Big-ticket items are different of course. You may have a good starting place in mind from your previous research, but sales can change things. If you need several big-ticket items at a time, it can even be worth your while to ask the manager for a discount based on your total purchases. Don't be afraid to ask, and then don't be afraid to take that offer to another store and ask them to beat it. This can be effective for multiple furniture and/or appliance purchases.

Know the best stores

2007-02-05T13:35:00.000-08:00

The best advice for general retail shopping is ...

Check out all the local stores within a certain category and compare prices (write them down along with exact item brands, sizes, model #, etc.). For example, go to every hardware store and check their prices on a particular faucet, a particular brand of closet shelving, 1x6 clear pine lumber, 1 gal of a particular kind of paint, etc. Generally you will find that one store is consistently better than the other in every category. Then you will know which hardware store to visit whenever you need an item they stock. The same can be done with variety-type stores, bedding stores, and even grocery stores (although with grocery stores you need to consider regular, not sale prices).

For all those things you need quickly that don't cost too much, this is the best method. It would cost too much in time and gasoline to drive all over town comparing prices all the time. It even costs too much in time and frustration calling all over for pricing.

Keep an open mind ...

2007-02-04T21:35:00.000-08:00

When shopping flea markets, antique stores, yard sales, and more unconventional outlets, keep an open mind about the objects you see for sale.

A beautiful quilt but with some ragged parts? Well, if you craft, maybe you can cut out the "good parts" and make them into pillows or wallhangings, or something else.

A great buy on a wooden stepladder? How about using it for a plant stand or display shelf?

If you aren't good at "thinking" this way, check out your local library in the crafts/home section and just browse a few books, and you'll see some great uses for "remade" objects.

Your purchases will make your home uniquely yours, and save you some money at the same time!

General Tips

2007-02-01T16:53:00.002-08:00

All posts with general tips will appear here, in order to create a clickable category. Oldest posts will appear at the top. Scroll down to see newer posts.

Other Shopping

2007-02-01T16:53:00.001-08:00

All posts about other kinds of shopping will appear here, in order to create a clickable category. Oldest posts will appear at the top. Scroll down to see newer posts.

Keep an open mind ...

When shopping flea markets, antique stores, yard sales, and more unconventional outlets, keep an open mind about the objects you see for sale.

A beautiful quilt but with some ragged parts? Well, if you craft, maybe you can cut out the "good parts" and make them into pillows or wallhangings, or something else.

A great buy on a wooden stepladder? How about using it for a plant stand or display shelf?

If you aren't good at "thinking" this way, check out your local library in the crafts/home section and just browse a few books, and you'll see some great uses for "remade" objects.

Your purchases will make your home uniquely yours, and save you some money at the same time!

Retail Shopping

2007-02-01T16:52:00.000-08:00

All posts about retail shopping will appear here, in order to create a clickable category. Oldest posts will appear at the top. Scroll down to see newer posts.

Know the best stores

The best advice for general retail shopping is ...

Check out all the local stores within a certain category and compare prices (write them down along with exact item brands, sizes, model #, etc.). For example, go to every hardware store and check their prices on a particular faucet, a particular brand of closet shelving, 1x6 clear pine lumber, 1 gal of a particular kind of paint, etc. Generally you will find that one store is consistently better than the other in every category. Then you will know which hardware store to visit whenever you need an item they stock. The same can be done with variety-type stores, bedding stores, and even grocery stores (although with grocery stores you need to consider regular, not sale prices).

For all those things you need quickly that don't cost too much, this is the best method. It would cost too much in time and gasoline to drive all over town comparing prices all the time. It even costs too much in time and frustration calling all over for pricing.

Big Ticket Items

Last time we discussed the best shopping method for low cost items that you need frequently.

Big-ticket items are different of course. You may have a good starting place in mind from your previous research, but sales can change things. If you need several big-ticket items at a time, it can even be worth your while to ask the manager for a discount based on your total purchases. Don't be afraid to ask, and then don't be afraid to take that offer to another store and ask them to beat it. This can be effective for multiple furniture and/or appliance purchases.

Online Shopping

2007-02-01T16:51:00.000-08:00

All posts about online shopping will appear here, in order to create a clickable category. Oldest posts will appear at the top. Scroll down to see newer posts.

Thursday, February 1, 2007
Online shopping - eBay

Online shoppers can save a lot of money over retail stores, because the online resources can offer lower prices due to their lack of overhead.

EBay is a different kind of online shopping experience, because it is an auction site and you are buying from any one of multi-thousands of sellers, and sometimes in competition with other buyers.

A number one tip for saving money while shopping on eBay is to know your seller. Of course you can't know them in person, but be sure to click on the number in parenthesis after the seller's name to view their feedbacks. You will see an overall percentage rating at the top of the page which lets you know the percentage of buyers who rate them as good sellers. That's not the whole story though.

If their total number of feedbacks are low, one upset trading partner can cause the percentage to drop drastically. Check to see if the person bought from them, or sold to them, and what the actual comment was. You also want to check the complainer's feedback, to see if possibly they are only retaliating for negative feedback left to them.

You can click on tabs at the top to check what feedback has been received from either buyers or sellers, and also another tab to view feedback left.

If their single bad feedback is from a person who regularly leaves negative feedback to various sellers, while they have other positives from other buyers, it is much less of a red flag.

Also notice whether the feedbacks contributing to their score are from buyers or sellers. It is harder, perhaps, to receive good feedbacks from buyers than from those you sent money to, so it speaks better about their reliability if they have many satisfied customers than if they have only satisfied sellers.

Lastly, click on a few of the item numbers for the items sold, if they are still clickable. See what others say about the type of item you wish to purchase from them. Maybe they are great at selling books, but the last two video games they sold were both scratched.

A little research can save you some disappointment, not to mention money.

Happy Shopping!

Thursday, February 8, 2007
Buying books Online

Some great places to search for books (and other media-type purchases) ...

I used to use mysimon.com to compare prices, but it's been less helpful the last couple of years.

Alibris.com is probably my favorite store for the past few years. They often have shipping specials and free shipping, but as they are both a large store AND a chain outlet for many retailers, you have to be careful on free shipping -- it doesn't usually apply to stores other than Alibris' own stores.

Half.com is also a great source, often very cheap. You will usually end up paying a separate shipping charge for each book, but the cost is sometimes so low that it still works out to be a best buy.

Amazon.com CAN be good, depending on what you are looking for, and the level of quality you expect. If you want new, Amazon is often a good bet.

Always check eBay.com of course ...

Good luck!

Online shopping - eBay

2007-02-01T15:18:00.000-08:00

Online shoppers can save a lot of money over retail stores, because the online resources can offer lower prices due to their lack of overhead.

EBay is a different kind of online shopping experience, because it is an auction site and you are buying from any one of multi-thousands of sellers, and sometimes in competition with other buyers.

A number one tip for saving money while shopping on eBay is to know your seller. Of course you can't know them in person, but be sure to click on the number in parenthesis after the seller's name to view their feedbacks. You will see an overall percentage rating at the top of the page which lets you know the percentage of buyers who rate them as good sellers. That's not the whole story though.

If their total number of feedbacks are low, one upset trading partner can cause the percentage to drop drastically. Check to see if the person bought from them, or sold to them, and what the actual comment was. You also want to check the complainer's feedback, to see if possibly they are only retaliating for negative feedback left to them.

You can click on tabs at the top to check what feedback has been received from either buyers or sellers, and also another tab to view feedback left.

If their single bad feedback is from a person who regularly leaves negative feedback to various sellers, while they have other positives from other buyers, it is much less of a red flag.

Also notice whether the feedbacks contributing to their score are from buyers or sellers. It is harder, perhaps, to receive good feedbacks from buyers than from those you sent money to, so it speaks better about their reliability if they have many satisfied customers than if they have only satisfied sellers.

Lastly, click on a few of the item numbers for the items sold, if they are still clickable. See what others say about the type of item you wish to purchase from them. Maybe they are great at selling books, but the last two video games they sold were both scratched.

A little research can save you some disappointment, not to mention money.

Happy Shopping!

Welcome to Savvy Shopper!

2007-02-01T15:16:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Savvy Shopper. We will be discussing tips for shopping wisely, both online and in retail outlets, as well as other shopping venues such as yard sales, flea markets, and more. We will offer tips for safe shopping, seeking out real bargains, and getting the most for your money, and posts about having fun along the way. Welcome, and we hope you enjoy!

Anna