The government’s Federal Citizen Information Center will mail its 2009 Consumer Action Handbook to anyone who requests. The book, which has advice on telemarketing (how to avoid them), online shopping (how to avoid getting ripped off), and filing complaints (where to do it and how), can also be downloaded and read online. More details here.
Saving & Spending
A Blockbuster Shutdown
Brick and mortar are no matches for cheap kiosks and the Internet. If you hadn’t already gathered, it appears that Netflix and Redbox are taking control of the three-way battle for movie rental customers. The latest sign: Movie rental giant Blockbuster plans to shut down nearly 1,000 stores by the end of 2010.
It’s a Deal: Southwest Airline Flights from $49
Nearly every route is on sale from Southwest Airlines, with flights starting at $49 each way on routes such as Boston to Baltimore, $89 between Denver and Los Angeles, and $129 between Houston and Detroit. Tickets must be purchase by September 17. More details here.
So What Do You Really Need When Baby Comes?
OK, so we’ve got a post that names 11 useless baby products. What are the things that parents actually do find useful when they have a baby?
Toy Store Showdown: The Battle for Christmas Shoppers Is Already On
Today, Toys R Us is announcing that it is opening 80 new temporary toy stores and 260 mini-toy shops within Babies R U locations to gear up for holiday-season shopping. Retailers like Sears, Wal-Mart, and Target are also ramping up efforts to get toys moving off of their shelves in what’s expected to be a wild, super-competitive, …
What Is the Most Useless Baby Product of All?
Not long after starting to raise a child (or three), you begin to realize that you don’t need a lot of the stuff baby stores try to convince parents to buy.
Cheapskate Wisdom from … Elmo
“Elmo understands Elmo can’t get everything Elmo wants, and Elmo’s parents save money to get what they really need like food.”
Is a Credit Card Annual Fee Ever Worth It?
Banks are finally slowing down the push for new credit card customers—certain kinds of customers, that is. The number of direct-mail offers for cards dropped 8 percent in the second quarter of 2009. Even though there’s an overall dip, there’s been a steep increase (28 percent) of offers trying to get consumers with good credit to sign …
It’s a Deal: Free Taco at Baja Fresh Today
Become a fan of Baja Fresh on Facebook, and you can get a free taco with the purchase of any regular beverage. Today only, September 14. Print out the required coupon and get more info here.
Compete for the Energy Efficiency Crown (and Save Money While You’re at It)
People don’t get all that excited by the idea of saving a couple bucks—or even by the noble-but-intangible ideas of conservation or saving the environment. So what will get folks motivated to become more energy-efficient? Make it a competition and give out cash prizes. Because people love to win, and they really love to win money.
It’s a Deal: Free DVD Rental from Blockbuster Express
Faced by a challenge from $1 DVD rental kiosk operator Redbox, movie-rental giant Blockbuster has introduced its own line of $1 DVD Blockbuster Express kiosks. Sign up for a Blockbuster Express e-newsletter to receive a free rental.
Not Satisfied with Your Car? Get a Full Refund within 60 Days
General Motors, fresh off of its $50 billion government bailout, is introducing a new promotion called “May the Best Car Win.” If you’re not satisfied with your car, you’re entitled to a full refund within 60 days of the purchase.