That $150 panini press looks really cool. But guess what? A $15 George Foreman grill will do the job just as well.
Saving & Spending
Sears Enters Book Wars with a Bonus: $9 Credit, Even if You Buy from a Competitor
Amazon is already duking it out with Wal-Mart and Target in the competition for new book sales, and now Sears is getting in on the action in a big way with its “Keep America Reading” promotion.
It’s a Deal: $10 to $25 Off at the Discovery Store
Toy and DVD purchases are being discounted by $10 to $25 today only (October 21) at the Discovery Store website. Use the coupon code SAVE10 to save $10 off a $60 purchase, SAVE15 to save $15 off of a $75 purchase, or SAVE25 to save $25 off of a $100 purchase, via Bargainist.
On the First War of Christmas, Amazon is Attacked on Three Sides
The upcoming winter holiday period is shaping up to be one of the most competitive, wildest shopping seasons ever. Stores started hosting Christmas displays way back in July, and toy store skirmishes are already well under way. And now, preeminent online retailer Amazon is fighting battles on several fronts.
Introducing the $70 Refrigerator
Also, the $23 stove, the $2,200 automobile, the $43 water-purification system, and the $20 cell phone with 2¢-per-minute rates—all courtesy of India, where engineers and innovators are coming up with ingenious products that are within reach of the country’s poorest citizens.
BYO Bags to Save Money at Target and CVS
Much like bottled water, plastic shopping bags are viewed as wasteful and bad for the earth. They’re natural (unnatural?) targets for environmentalists and tightwads alike. Starting on November 1, all Target stores in the country will begin giving customers a discount for every plastic bag they don’t use.
New Debit Card Overdraft Law Would Change the Game Entirely
Banks have grown accustomed to reaping in big bucks off of overdraft fees—$35 or so assessed each time a customer uses a debit card when there’s not enough money in the account to cover the tab. This year, banks are expected to take in more than $38 billion (!) in such fees.
It’s a Deal: $31 Flights Anywhere in the Country on Halloween
One-way tickets on JetBlue are on sale for $31 on any route in the country—with the stipulation that you must fly on Halloween (October 31) after 12 noon. Tickets must be purchased today to get the special sale price. More details here.
Are You Stupid to Trust SmartMeters, Unit Prices, and Energy Star Labels?
The Energy Department admits it doesn’t properly track how and when manufacturers put Energy Star labels on products. The labels’ ratings, which are supposed to indicate a product’s energy efficiency, were “not accurate or verifiable,” according to the agency. In other words, products that are supposed to save you money, and that are …
It’s a Deal: 20% Off at FootLocker.com
Use the coupon code LKS19355 to get an easy 20% off of all purchases at FootLocker.com. The code should work until November 2.
Shopping Withdrawal: Are You Bound to Binge?
For some people who have tried to go cold turkey and stop making unnecessary purchases, being good is getting boring. They’re experiencing “frugal fatigue,” and many shoppers out there are bound to crack.
Saving’s Double-Edged Sword: Good for You, Bad for the Economy
Economists say the only way you can get your finances in better shape is to save more and spend less. Economists also say that the way to get our national economy in better shape is to have people spend more—and therefore save less. So basically, right now, we should all be spending more and saving more. Right …
