The gift card has become the knee-jerk thing to buy when you’re not sure what to give someone. But in light of the fees and restrictions that come along with gift cards, cold hard cash is certainly the more useful—and arguably the more thoughtful—way to go.
Saving & Spending
It’s a Deal: 35% Off Snapfish Orders Over $25
Per SearchAllDeals, enter the coupon code LUKE1109 for a substantial 35% discount on orders of at least $25 from photo-share service Snapfish. Valid through November 30.
Cash for Caulkers?
The Obama administration is looking very closely into the possibility of a program that would cover a big chunk of the cost to weatherize your home—meaning you’d save money right away on getting an energy audit and on projects like sealing windows and adding insulation, and you’d save down the line because those projects will make it …
It’s a Deal: Virgin America Flights from $39 Today Only
With a one-day sale from Virgin America, flights start at just $39 on routes like San Francisco to Las Vegas, and $99 for cross-country trips such as Los Angeles to Boston or Fort Lauderdale.
Thanksgiving Dinner: Easier, Cheaper, More Authentic, Less Awkward, Gravier
Here’s a buffet of tips, tricks, recipes, and ideas to make for a Thanksgiving that’s wonderful, and that doesn’t eat up too much of your time and money.
How a Michelin Restaurant Reviewer Doles Out Stars
We’ve learned that wine ratings and medals awarded in wine competitions are arguably meaningless. What about the similarly snobby world of restaurant reviews?
It’s a Deal: Spend $25 at L.L. Bean, Get $10 Gift Card
From now through December 24, when you make a purchase of $25 or more from L.L. Bean online, in a store, or over the phone, L.L. Bean will send you a $10 gift card to use for a future purchase. More details here.
Fed’s Next Target: Gift Card Fees
After stepping into the debit card overdraft fray, the Federal Reserve is now taking on gift cards.
Cheap Funerals
When a loved one dies, comparison-shopping is probably not the first thing that comes to mind.
Cell-Phone Bills: Even Economists Can’t Make Sense of Them
You’re charged a lot if you use a cell phone a little. You’re charged a little if you use your cell phone a lot.
‘Expert’ Wine Sippers Take Us All for Suckers
Studies show that there’s not much rhyme, reason, or consistency to how judges and critics rate wines and decide who gets the gold medals. This means that we can basically tell this snobby “expert” breed to put a cork in it.
It’s a Deal: Save 25% at Lands’ End. Free Shipping Too
Lands’ End Friends & Family promotion gives you 25% off all regularly priced items, and free shipping is thrown in to boot.
