Updated November 22

Author Joey Green has written a series of books on the virtues of applying common household products to situations you might not ordinarily think feasible. http://www.wackyuses.com/uses.html

(This is a guest article by Donald Farber*)

The picture is so vivid in your mind you might as well be watching it on glorious high definition television. Stretched out on your private deck soaking in a beautiful sunset while sipping wine with your loved one thinking how lucky you were to find this gem. In fact, you’re so wrapped up in your daydream you just nod politely when the realtor tells you that the reason for the low price is the high-rise slated for development across the street. It’s selective amnesia and it’s more common for homeowners than you might expect.

"You simply can’t persuade some people even if you know their decision isn’t in their best interest; it really just boils down to emotions," says 20 year veteran realtor Tony Swanson. "It’s usually not price, or size of style but usually something more personal."

For instance, he says, a recently divorced father of two who wanted a place that would be great for his kids decided to move them into the city where he grew up. "It was because he wanted the best for his kids that he moved back to his old neighborhood."

Unfortunately in the 30 years since he had lived there, things had went downhill in that area. "You can’t blame him because he was seeing everything through a veil of his happy childhood". It was two months later before he realized what a poor decision it had been and something Swanson says was avoidable.

So how do you let cooler heads prevail and balance those emotions with reason? Here are 5 tips that can help you see a potential home in a more complete light.

*About the author: This guest post was contributed by Donald Farber, who writes extensively about first time home buyers and life insurance for LifeCover.ca

Cheap Thrills

Halloween can be an expensive holiday. After buying costumes, candy and decorations, it's easy to find yourself with an empty wallet. But you don't have to spend a lot to give the kids a fun night. These tips can help you have a frightfully fun evening without breaking the bank.

Paperless Post

Do you need to send out invitations? Why not save trees and send out paperless invitations with this site Paperless Post. Designing is free, and you get 25 stamps to use free too! (After your free 25 – the stamps do cost money, just so you know! You can earn 5 stamps per friend referral though!)

Registration is easy, just click the Create an Account button, and you’ll be whisked away to the sign up page. There you will fill out the form with your name, e-mail address, and then create a password. Check the box to agree to their terms, and then click the Submit button. Now go check your e-mail for the confirmation letter, click the envelope to confirm your account and you’ll be whisked back to the site to get started!

Creation is easy with their creator application – it takes you through step by step and will even offer you wording assistance. You’ll start by selecting a style of card, and then a motif for it, and then you’ll design the wording, and envelope!

You can make custom invitations that are gorgeous and send them out via e-mail for just about any occasion. You can even monitor them with the tracking section.

This is an awesome way to send out amazing and professional invitations and save trees at the same time!

http://www.paperlesspost.com/session/new

~Amanda

What a novel idea! Rate or add to this Cool Site here:
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/paperless-post

How to Get Rid of Your Summer Stuff

This past Saturday was National Garage Sale Day and a great opportunity to clear out some of my summer clutter before autumn arrives. Unfortunately, I missed out on holding a garage sale of my own, but it's not too late. There's still plenty of time to clean out the garage and closets before you start to fill them with back-to-school stuff. Here are a few tips to help you hold a garage sale of your own.

PERSONAL USES:
1. It's a bath oil and after shower moisturizer.
2. It can be used to remove makeup.
3. Great tanning oil (no sunscreen).
4. Hot oil treatment to soften cuticles.
5. Great massage oil for tired muscles.
6. Cleans off tape marks left from bandages on skin.
7. Cleans ink off the skin.
8. Insect repellent.
9. Helps relieve itching caused by dry skin.
10. Cleans oil and grease off of skin.
11. Painting something? Use bath oil to remove paint from the hands (instead of turpentine).
12. It soothes light sunburn.
13. Rub hands with it before washing, it helps get them cleaner.
14. Rub on dry, cracked skin ... helps heal skin in 2-3 days.
15. Put 1-2 capfuls in liquid soap and use it for shaving legs and under arms. Helps razor glide and leaves skin feeling
smooth.
16. Pour a little into your foot saver to help moisturize your feet while you relax them.
17. It removes chewing gum from hair, skin and most non-porous surfaces.
18. Cleans permanent ink off stamps.
19. Bath oil works great on head lice!!! Saturate head and let it set for 15 minutes then rinse under an outdoor faucet.
Of course shampoo hair a couple of times to get the oil out, but the lice were gone and stayed gone.
20. It kills ants instantly.
21. Spray on skin to relieve dry itching skin. Helps skin retain it's elasticity.
22. Wash hair with shampoo and conditioner like always and after it dries ... use about the size of a dime of SSS and rub
it in your hair. It goes straight in and leaves hair as shiny as the ads on TV, not greasy at all, just soft and shiny.
23. Use bath oil towelettes ... cover window sill with towelettes to keep ants out.
24. (LICE) Sometimes, using a bath oil will work to loosen the glue which holds the nits to the hair. There is a product
called Neon Nits, which when sprayed on the hair, will highlight the nits so you can see them, then snip them out with
a small scissor.
25. This is to let you readers know about something that helped me for a mild case of psoriasis on my elbows. My
internist recommended that I try bath oil spray. I did and it eliminated the psoriasis on my elbows.
26. Bath use, fill bath with water and a little bath oil, very relaxing and gets rid of dry skin.
HOUSEHOLD USES:
1. Sponge it around doors, windows and on screens to keep crawling bugs out.
2. It's a good wood cleaner and conditioner for natural wood.
3. It removes glue and gum left from price tags and labels from glass, metals and most plastics.
4. It removes soap scum from shower doors, shower curtains and bathroom and kitchen figures.
5. It removes lime and hard water deposits from fixtures, tile, shower doors and windows.
6. It's an oil lubricant for fitting pipe joints that won't slip together.
7. It cleans ink off most vinyl and painted surfaces.
8. It cleans heavy oil and grease from non-porous surfaces.
9. It takes fur off of clothing.
10. Rub on brass ornaments or figurines to help keep them from turning dark.
11. Removes crayon from appliances and most painted surfaces.
12. Wash cupboards with it, mixed in your cleaning water, to keep ants off and out of the cupboards.
13. Use it to discourage hornets from building their nests. After using a hornet killing spray, remove the nest and keep
the area sprayed with bath oil. They will not rebuild there.
14. Use it to clean leather, it will also keep it soft and supple.
15. Use it on your air conditioning screen (filter) ... your incoming air will smell fresher and the filter is easier to clean.
16. Rub all over window sills to keep ants out.
17. It cleans paint brushes easily and leaves them soft as new.
18. It removes gum from carpets.
19. It removes scuff marks from patent leather shoes.
20. Use it on running rails for sliding glass doors and windows.
21. It removes 'ring around the collar'.
22. It removes liquid nail (paneling glue).
23. Two glass bowls or glasses stuck together? Drizzle a little SSS down the sides and they'll come apart easily.
24. It removes candle wax from furniture, carpets and clothing.
25. Hummingbird Feeders. To deter bees try rubbing SSS on the feeder surface by the feeder ports.
26. Maggots. You squirt bath oil in the can and on the lid, then later flush with soapy water, you shouldn't have any bugs
in cans for the rest of the summer.
27. It is a great furniture polish.
28. Ok, we have a new use for bath oil. Put it in one of the bottles that you attach to your backyard hose and spray down
the backyard. It will cut down on ants, mosquitoes and other creepy crawlies.
29. People around the outskirts of Eureka and surrounding areas (and sometimes in town) spray it on their rose bushes to
keep the deer from eating them and at the cemeteries on the flowers they put out there for the same reason.
30. Kills spiders.
31. It cuts grease and cleans dirt from range hoods.
32. Add a capful to wash water of clothes ... acts as a fabric softener and keeps the bugs off clothes.
33. Spray on orchids and other flowers for moisture and to keep bugs away.
34. Cleans baseball caps. Just spray on and rub with a toothbrush.
35. I used this recipe, mix one part bath oil and 2 parts water, put it on my tomato plants and kept those ugly old tomato
worms off. I think that adding the vinegar would be fine too and would be nice not to have to shake the spray bottle
all the time. I sprayed my plants about every 2 or 3 days. Worked grand.
36. Bath oil also does a great job cleaning cherry wood cabinets.
37. Put a little in your mopping water to help keep crawling bugs out. (Not too much or the floor gets slippery.)
38. Use to clean windows.
39. It's a great insect repellent (or you can use Bug Guard, the actual bath oil repellent).
40. Screens can be lightly sprayed with bath oil to repel no-see-ums and tiny gnats that otherwise might slip through the
screens.
41. Another use for bath oil is to kill those pesky earwigs. Spray it on and they don't return to life.
42. Also if you ever make candles, use clear wax and melt, put skin so soft in it and harden, works great for outside in
the summer.
43. As a deodorizer, spray into air and let settle, kills those nasty pet odors.
44. Kids room, if a child wets the bed, spray the bedding and sheets before washing and will give it a fresh clean smell.
ANIMAL USES:
1. It's a great insect repellent for your pet (as recommended in 'Outdoor Life' and 'Field and Stream').
2. Mix 5 parts water, 1 part bath oil and mist on animals. Brushing it in makes their coats gleam and keeps insects off
so the animals don't fidget in the show ring.
3. Mix in your pet's bath water. It takes the fleas off of them ... and in between spray them with the same mixture as in
#2 to help keep them off.
4. Rub on your hands before and after working with your pets and farm animals. It will remove the strong smells.
5. Black Fly Spray for Dogs. Use as a spray or a dip. 1 cup bath oil, 1/2 cut liquid detergent and 3 gallons of water.
6. For dogs dry skin, mix 1 tablespoon of bath oil per gallon of water and use as an after bath rinse. Or spritz your pet's
coat once per week.
7. If your dog should get tar or asphalt on the pads of their feet, rub on bath oil and then wipe off.
8. Flea Bath. Use a flea and tick shampoo. Rinse, rinse, rinse so no soap residue is left. Follow with final rinse of 2
gallons of water mixed with flea dip and 1 capful of bath oil. The bath oil helps replace the oils lost in bathing and
has the added benefit of repelling insects.
9. Flea Repellent. Mix 1 1/2 ounces per gallon of water, used as a sponge-on dip (or as a spritz) has been tested and
proven to have significant, but not complete, flea-repellent activity for a 6 day period. It should help those dry coats
too.
10. Does anyone use the bath on their Chows? I have begun using it on Chancey and it has done wonders for her skin.
Like many Chows, she has a very dry and flaky skin, especially for being black. Since I started using that product,
her dandruff and itchiness has improved tremendously and her hair has become shiny and smooth. It also serves as
a great flea and tick protector. I use it about twice a month and I just spray it on her.
11. I use the following on my dogs when necessary. 1 cup bath oil, 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup (or more) water, 5 cc of
essential oil of citronella (from the health food store NOT the type you burn to keep insects away that is available in a
drug store). Mix in a spray bottle. Straight bath oil works well for mosquitoes too, but really makes your dog greasy.
12. Barns. Use of an inexpensive fly control spray or a diluted mix of bath oil in water can be sprayed on barn walls and
floor to discourage insects from hanging around or to eliminate them before putting in the new bedding. As time
permits and if you can keep your goats out of the barn for a few hours, let the barn stand and air out before re-filling
with bedding.
13. Bath oil massaged directly into the skin of your Rottweiler acts not only as a successful repellant and makes your
dog smell good, but helps prevent drying and itchy skin.
14. A natural way to keep cats with flea problems and flea allergies is to rub SSS into the skin.
15. Cats. Bath oil IS SAFE FOR FUR LICKING ... the bath oil plus is safe as long as it is the one without sunscreen.
16. Don't over use the bath oil. I just use the lotion and rub it into the skin, not more than every few days. My cat's
sensitive and we're being careful. Common sense is the rule. Sprinkling yeast on the cat food helps too. My cat's
fur is medium-length, he's part persian and he's doing fine, no ill effects from the bath oil. You can check with your
vet to be sure if it's okay.
HORSE USES:
1. Bath oil can be used as a hoof polish. This will put a nice shine to the hoof without drying it.
2. Bath oil can be used as a muzzle, eye and ear enhancer. Generally we use baby oil but it was so messy. I tried bath
oil and it works great and still helps keep bugs away.
3. I have a show mare that has allergies and also gets dry skin very easily so I started giving her baths in bath oil.
What I do is bathe her like normal and then I put a capful of bath oil in a 5 gallon bucket of warm water and sponge
this all over her. Her haircoat dries silky soft and she quits itching.
4. The bug guard towellettes we had last summer work great on the horses ears and around their eyes.
5. When I have to band (braid) their manes, I use the Techniques Oil Sheen. It seems to help hold the braids a lot
better and they don't try to rub them out.
6. The dry end serum works great in their tails as a detangler. Everything I have mentioned here, I use faithfully on our
show horses. The products are a heck of a lot cheaper than actual horse products. People see me using these
products at the horse shows and start inquiring about them. I usually let them take my bottles and try them on their
horses at the show which usually ends up in a sale for me.
7. 1 part bath oil and 2 parts water, shake mixture before each use. Spray on horse for bug protection and a soft coat.
AUTOMOBILE USES:
1. It removes tar spots from the car without damage to the paint.
2. Use it to clean vinyl dashboards, seats and tops. It not only cleans, but keeps it soft and helps to prevent any
cracking.
3. After washing your car, use it as a tire dressing to keep them looking like new.
4. Put some on a small washcloth and leave in the car to help keep the air fresh and clean.
5. Wipe down vinyl surfaces inside your car. Cleans nicely and removes smoke odours left by cigarette smokers.
6. It gently cleans heavy grease and oil from skin and non-porous surfaces (great for mechanic's hands).
7. It removes tree sap.
8. Prior to traveling ... rub bath oil on headlights and grill. It makes insects and bugs easier to remove.
9. Shines vehicle tires.
10. Open a towlette and use as an automotive air freshener.
*Bath oil is approved by the FDA/CDA only as a bath oil. This list of uses from Avon Reps and their customers.

1. Zillions of bubbles that leave NO bathtub ring.
2. Does a beautiful job on washing cars, mobile homes, RVs and boats.
3. Use as a laundry detergent. You won't need fabric softener.
4. Use for hand washing delicates.
5. Use for pre-soak on heavily soiled laundry. Great for ring around the collar and greasy work clothes.
6. Use to wash windows.
7. Use to wash appliances.
8. Use to wash no wax floors.
9. Use to wash dishes.
10. Use to give pets a bath (along with SSS).
11. Clean bathroom fixtures and mirrors.
12. Use to shampoo carpets (whole room or a spot).
13. Use to wash walls and ceilings.
14. Use bubbles and sponge to shampoo furniture or vehicle interiors.
15. Cleans chandeliers and light fixtures.
16. Cleans china, windows, etc. (all glass).
17. Wash your plant leaves, they will shine. Then pour into soil as a fertilizer.
18. Upholstery stains come out by rubbing with a damp cloth dipped in full strength bubble bath. Do not wet the sponge
with water. Water may leave a satin, the bubble bath won't.
19. Clean your jewellery ... even costume jewellery.
20. Splatter grease (butter too) on a good blouse? Put straight bubble bath on the spot, let sit for a few minutes and
wash. No spots!
21. Wash venetian blinds.
22. Wash paneling ... no rinsing, no streaks.
23. Clean your eye glasses.
24. Put some bubble bath and a bit of water in your potpourri burner.
25. Clean your painted or real wood cupboards.
26. Refill for liquid soap, mild on hands (add a touch of SSS).
27. Hair shampoo.
28. Inside and outside the refrigerator ... easy to wipe off and gets rid of odours.
29. Polishes all chrome household fixtures ... alkali won't mark.
30. Cleans bathroom vanity and ceramic tiles ... no water marks.
31. Cleans combs and brushes ... leaves no residue.
32. Add to the children's wading pool, makes for great summer fun and keeps the pool and the kids clean too!!
33. Use in the garage to test tires or gas lines for leaks.
34. Add to cleaning water for cars, aluminum or vinyl siding, campers or trailers ... repels dust.
35. On cars leaves a protective wax like coating ... water marks wash off!!
36. Laundry. Removes stains, use instead of harsh detergents just 1 or 2 capfuls.
37. Cold water wash, Woolite replacement, great for lingerie.
38. Mop floors, cuts through many shoe marks (mix one capful with 1/2 sink of warm water).
39. Remove wax build up, use straight from bottle with scouring pad, wipe with dry towel.
40. Leaves fresh clean smell, from room to room, different fragrances.
41. Leaves TV screen clean, no streaking, wipe with dry cloth.
42. Wash and clean cabinets in any room of home.
43. Great cleanser for mini blinds, helps keep them longer.
44. Great all around cleanser, no rinsing, just wipe with dry cloth.
45. Great for lawns. Fill plastic container with water and 1 or 2 ribs of bubble bath then attach to garden hose and
water lawn.
46. Excellent to water you flowers, etc. in the garden. Use the same as for your grass above.
47. Appliances, use on outside to cut kitchen grease.
48. Eliminates bathtub ring, great companion to SSS bath oil. Dries tub to clean shine.
49. Wipe and clean furniture.
50. Windows, shower doors, etc. Leaves coating that greatly reduces Alkali marks and build up than can be easily
rinsed off.
51. Crystal.
52. After you've washed stuffed toys with bubble bath, you'll hesitate to use anything else. Dry the toy inside a pillow
case that has been knotted closed and the toy comes out as close to new looking as it will ever get.
53. Can be used as a baby shampoo.
54. Use as a bath or shower gel.
55. Use as a face cleaner.
56. Also you can use to wash pantyhose and hand washables.
57. For snails ... equal parts of water and bubble bath, spray on flowers, spray ONLY AROUND SOIL in edible garden
area.
58. One of my customers used it to lift wood stain off a carpet (I guess this falls into the it takes all kinds departments
since most people would protect the flooring with a sheet of plastic or something before staining a piece of furniture,
or take the dark thing into a garage or something).
59. Several years ago we changed the kitchen sink from stainless steel to this almond colored thing with a bit of a
textured bottom surface, BIG MISTAKE. Had I known how much work it would be to keep it clean I never would
have bought it. Well I don't always have the time or energy to keep after it and the floor of the sink sort of became
embedded with tiny bits of dirt. I tried every cleaner I have in the house including the bubble bath and scrubbed like
the dickens. Nothing worked. Then I had a brain wave and added baking soda to the bubble bath making a paste.
I had discovered a slightly abrasive heavy duty cleaner that worked where nothing else had.
60. Last year someone recommended a cream style liquid furniture polish. I'd always used an oil but figured I'd give it
a try. This was almost as dumb a move as the kitchen sink was, because this expensive crap left a pale grey haze
on the furniture that wouldn't come off. I went into a place that finishes unfinished furniture and they told me that the
cream polish and the oil polish had created a chemical bond and that the only way to get it off was to strip and
refinish the furniture ... not my idea of a fun way to spend the summer. I figured I had nothing to loose and tried the
bubble bath, thinning it with just a bit of water. It took about 4 or 5 applications over several weeks and things
certainly got worse before they got better. After the first application, all the table tops were kind of gummy and I
could see every paw print on every piece of furniture and I could have cried. But the bubble bath had obviously done
something so I kept at it and after about a month of weekly applications the grey film was gone.
61. For removing gum, I discovered that if you pour a good glob of liquid detergent and rub it and rinse with cold water
(repeat if necessary) it will all come out.
62. The bubble bath works great at removing all types of stains from carpet. It will even take out red wine stains. I use
it all the time in my carpet cleaner. It comes out really clean (no soap residue) and it smells really nice too.
63. Beanie Babies. My daughter had melted chocolate on her Maple and I used bubble bath (vanilla) and just dipped a
toothbrush into it and rubbed very lightly. It all came off, didn't smear and looks great. Do not use much and don't
soak it with water. Use a clean white face cloth to sort of rub it dry and then brush it lightly with a clean toothbrush
to get the nap looking like new.
64. I just wanted to let you know what my Mother does with her bubble bath. She mixes it with a little bit of vinegar and
cleans her bathroom with it. My Stepfather likes it so much that he will even clean the bathroom, so as you can tell
she is a really big fan of the bubble bath.
65. A friend of mine just bought an old house. Well, to surprise her husband she was going to have the filthy bathrooms
clean when he came home from his trip. She told me the sinks and bathtubs had caked on, old dirty soap scum.
She said she tried soap scum removers and that they did not work. I told her to try some bubble bath that I have. I
told her to fill the sinks and tubs with hot water as if she were taking a bath and to put in enough bubble bath,
actually more than normal and let it sit while she cleans other rooms. I told her to scrub the sinks and tubs while
the water and bubble bath were still inside. To her surprise all the soap scum came off with little effort.
*This list of uses from Avon Reps and their customers.

Usually we feel virtuous when we save money. But as the economy teeters in that uncertain territory of possible recession, suddenly we are being implored to spend. With prices going up and incomes uncertain, the instinct for many of us is to cut back on spending; yet if everyone does that, a recession seems certain.

This situation makes me think of others when frugality can be seen as a virtue or a vice, depending on how you look at it:

I love me some Target, but I will not shop at Wal-Mart because of that company's well known anti-union policies and labor problems. I try to sit on a high horse and enjoy my Target shopping, content that I am doing The Right Thing. But am I? A friend who worked in the fashion industry and knows her factory audits blogged this:

Hm. Can Target sell an $12 sweatshirt and still pay the person who sewed it fairly? I don't know, and since the answer might make me stop shopping at Target, I'm not sure I want to know.

Like so many Wise Breadders, I rarely pay full price for anything. Often that tactic allows me to buy foods that are organic, coffee labeled "fair trade," or cosmetic products not tested on animals. I thought I was being smart AND doing The Right Thing.

Then I had the privelege of interviewing Bill Center , retired US Navy Rear Admiral and then-president of the Washington Council on International Trade. His point of view was that if you wait until what you want to buy is on the clearance rack, you are not telling the retailers that you like this merchandise. If Macys couldn't sale all those organic cotten Save the Whales Tshirts and had to discount them, they won't order more.

Hm again. When I buy on sale, am I sacrificing the ability to vote with my dollar?

I am concerned about my family and its future. I stay home with my children because I think it's best for them, but it causes family finances to be tight.

Because of this, I don't always buy the organic food that I know is best for the earth, nor do I buy a car that I can be sure was union-made, nor do I spring for the recycled, bleach-free diapers.

Could I truly not afford this stuff? Or am I just being stingy? Certainly the truly moral thing to do would be to give up coffee altogether if I can't afford the ethically correct coffee, but I have not done that. Far from it.

One area where I always pay the extra price of kindness is eggs. Once I saw videos of chickens crammed into coops, one on top of the other, I could never again bring myself to buy eggs that are not cage free, even though they cost more. I think if I saw more firsthand examples of how my buying habits could be hurting others, I would either find the cash to buy the right thing or do without. This is an area where I am trying to improve.

I recently joined my local Freecycle group, and again was feeling virtuous. After all, I was helping keep stuff out of the landfills.

But once I started jostling with other (presumably) middle class residents of my town for free kids' toys and kitchenwares, I started to wonder: What would we do with this stuff if we were not freecycling it? Would we really throw it in the trash?

Our local Salvation Army does regular pick-ups, so I'd probably be giving the stuff to charity rather than giving it to other people who may not be all that needy. And why should my neighbors be giving their stuff to me when they could be giving it to someone more desperately in need?

We all love having local businesses. So logically we should buy everything we can in the remaining shops in our downtown areas, lest the whole world turn into the continuously repeating scroll that you already see from the nation's freeways: Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart, Home Depot.

Sometimes I'm good about buying locally, even though it nearly always costs more. But I have also been guilty of visiting local stores to try out a stroller or some such, compare the color and heft in person, and then going home to order it much cheaper online. Am I responsible for the monotonization of America? Or do these local stores just need to get more competitive to survive in the wired world?

I thought I was doing the smart thing and ensuring my family's future by refusing to carry a balance on my credit cards.

But am I depriving depriving CitiBank of its ability to make a living? Am I the real reason behind the current banking crisis?

OK, that one is a joke. I actually can't find any ethical ambiguity to paying the bills on time.

Does saving money ever propell you into ethical dilemmas? How do you get out of them?

Unwarranted: Why You Should Avoid Extended Warranties

A Get Rich Slowly reader pointed to a Washington Post article about extended warranties. “Unwarranted” discusses the psychological reasons consumers buy these products, explores industry profitability, and emphasizes that most experts recommend against purchasing extended service contracts.

The decision to buy an extended warranty […] defies the recommendations of economists, consumer advocates and product quality experts, who all warn that the plans rarely benefit consumers and are nearly always a waste of money.

“The things make no rational sense,” Harvard economist David Cutler said. “The implied probability that [a product] will break has to be substantially greater than the risk that you can’t afford to fix it or replace it. If you’re buying a $400 item, for the overwhelming number of consumers that level of spending is not a risk you need to insure under any circumstances.”

According to the article, $15 billion in premiums was charged to U.S. consumers in 2004, of which $7.5 billion went to the stores who sell the warranties. About $3 billion was paid in claims against plans. Only $20 every $100 spent on extended warranties is paid in claims. By comparison, the American auto insurance industry pays $66 in claims for every $100 in premiums.

Reading the latest issue of Consumer Reports — the annual electronics issue — I noticed that it nearly always recommended purchasing an extended warranty. (The magazine recommends extended warranties on Apple products ~~— which only provide 90 days of support —~~ and “for refurbished computers of any brand with less than a one-year warranty”.) Some experts also recommend extended warranties on bulky LCD or plasma televisions.

Obviously, it’s the consumer’s choice whether or not to purchase an extended warranty. For some, the peace of mind is worth the cost. But most people don’t understand how poor a financial decision an extended warranty usually is.

When I used to think of eBay, the words "Sell, Sell, Sell" flashed before my eyes. Thoughts of a cyber garage sale plummeted through my mind as I envisioned the greatest online marketplace for selling secondhand, sometimes rare and sentimental items. As I began to sell on eBay and rose to PowerSeller status, I realized that eBay has a faulty and tainted image to the public. Inexperienced buyers and sellers on eBay have a misconception about the true nature of the garage sale giant. The fact is that eBay is no garage sale. Instead, they are a discount warehouse, selling new and used items of every array at wholesale prices that no tangible storefront can compete with, including Wal-Mart. My wife and I buy almost every miscellaneous item we need from eBay. We recently purchased a new wireless Internet router from eBay for $48. This same router sells for $100 at retail chains like Best Buy. It's not uncommon to purchase a new item on eBay for a 50% discount to national chains such as Wal-Mart or Target.

Most people don't realize it, but the majority of sales from eBay are from companies who sell their products on the eBay site. Several of the top sellers on eBay have completed hundreds of thousands of transactions on eBay. As a plus, there is no reason to worry when buying your discount new or used merchandise on eBay because eBay has several layers of protection built into their website.

The first layer is the seller's feedback rating. Experts say if the seller has a feedback rating of 98% or greater they have routinely satisfied their customers and should be trusted with your business. Also look at the number of transactions the seller has completed. As a rule of thumb, the more transactions the seller has completed, the more likely they will provide a smooth transaction for you, the buyer. Last is your most important asset, the PayPal system that is the primary means of paying for products on eBay. I have known several people (my mother included) who would not purchase on eBay because they were afraid of quality control and for fear of being scammed. However, PayPal covers every transaction with insurance up to $1000 as well as complete fraud protection. So in the unlikely event that you purchase an item from an unsatisfactory seller, you simply file a claim with eBay and they will return your money to you within 30 days. You can file a claim if the item is not in advertised condition or if you never receive your item (neither should occur if you follow the rule of 98% feedback or better) or if there is some other unforeseen problem.

Few people know that eBay is a powerful resource for buyers seeking quality merchandise at wholesale prices. I will admit that as a buyer on eBay, you usually have to search through a few listings to find the best price and the item in the condition you would like. However, I have found that it is well worth it to save over 50% on merchandise that will be delivered to your door.

eBay is every bit as reliable and trustworthy as Amazon.com. The only differences are that eBay is primarily an auction site while Amazon hosts fixed price listings for products. As a result, eBay's prices are almost always lower than Amazon's prices because auctions are less lucrative for sellers than fixed price sales. Everyone knows auctions, whether in person or online, are a great place to find deals. eBay is the greatest deal hotspot I have ever found. In purchasing well over 100 goods from eBay, I have never been dissatisfied with their operation, the products I have received, or the service that was rendered.

As an active shopper and deal spotter, I urge you to take the eBay challenge. Pick any item whether it's an electronic or household appliance and check eBay's price for the item against any national or online chain. In doing so, you will realize the powerful buyers' market that awaits you.

Posted: 07 Dec 2006 07:00 AM CST

HO HO HO!

I had intended to post a series of articles on how to save money at Christmas, but they’ve taken longer to write than I expected. Now it’s a little late to leak them out one at a time. Instead, I’ve bunched the information together into a colossal tip-filled extravaganza! Here are some great ways to save money while celebrating the season. (These tips are great for Christmas, for Hannukah, for Kwanzaa, or for whatever feast you celebrate this time of year.)

Be Organized
Planning saves time and money. It’s best to budget for the holidays at the start of the year, and to acquire gifts year-round. Most of us don’t have the discipline to do that. (I’m the world’s greatest last-minute shopper.) But anyone can make a simple list to track a rudimentary budget:

1. Determine your total budget. Maybe you have $500 to spend on Christmas gifts. Maybe you have $50. Decide which figure is most appropriate for you and write it at the top of a piece of paper.

2. List each person with whom you plan to exchange gifts. Arrange these names in order of priority: family and close friends first, work associates last (or whatever is most appropriate for your circumstances). Jot down an approximate budget for each individual on the list. The total of the individual budgets should equal your overall holiday budget.

3. Brainstorm gift ideas for each person. Write each idea under the person’s name. After you’ve brainstormed ideas, calculate approximate costs for each gift. Write the cost next to the name of the gift.

4. Trim the list. It’s likely that your brainstormed list exceeds your planned budget, possibly by a large amount. Now it gets tough. Reduce your planned spending by finding new, less expensive items for people, or by crossing people from the list. (Do you really need to get gifts for your neighbors?)

5. Stick to the list. Once you’ve completed your list, exercise discipline by sticking to your plan. This is the most important step.

My wife keeps a gift spreadsheet. This allows her to keep an ongoing list of gift ideas for the important people in her life. It can be used year-round — for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions. It’s also convenient. Say that Uncle Bob mentions in February how he’s always wanted one of those clocks with hourly birdsong instead of chimes. Kris can make a note in her spreadsheet right away, and refer to it when it’s time to buy Christmas presents.

Agree to Terms
Gift-giving among adults can be awkward. If you spend too much on another person, they may feel uncomfortable. Many people welcome the idea of doing away with gift-giving completely. Some, like my family, establish specific rules.

We’ve made a tradition of the $5 gift exchange. We give bigger gifts to the kids and to my mother, but the rest of us exchange gifts that cost no more than $5. It’s become a game to find interesting, thoughtful gifts for just five bucks. (Or to find amusing, tacky gifts for the same amount.) The first year we did this, the gifts were kind of lame. But with time, we’ve become more creative. Once in an antique store, I stumbled upon an old photograph that I recognized as depicting some of my sister-in-law’s relatives, for example. This year, Kris and I found some awesome gifts at garage sales.

Some people practice a variation of this. They do a $100 holiday, where their entire budget for a particular group (family, circle of friends, etc.) is limited to $100, and that money is divided as needed.

Others agree to only give presents to the children in the group. This relieves the adults of the pressure to buy gifts for each other while still allowing the children to experience the magic of Christmas. (Of course it could be argued that this isn’t the sort of Christmas magic kids should be learning.)

The goal here is not to be cheap — it’s to give thoughtful presents without breaking the bank. (And, for me, to not participate in the mad rush of consumerism during the holiday season.)

One last important piece of advice: if your family (or circle of friends) agrees to gift-giving guidelines, don’t be the person who breaks them. People feel resentful when one person takes it upon herself to give more than the agreed terms. Stay within the rules and have fun.

Make it Fun
Fun is what it’s all about. Christmas shopping shouldn’t be a chore. Entertaining variations of the gift exchange include:

o Secret Santa — If you have a group that’s keen on the idea, Secret Santa can be a fun and inexpensive way to participate in the holiday season on a minimal budget.

o Gift themes — Choose a theme — travel, computers, food, whatever — and encourage everyone in the group to base their gifts around it.

o Draw names — This is an excellent way to cut down costs while still participating in a gift exchange. Before my family switched to $5 gifts, we each drew another person’s name from a hat, and gave this person a nice gift.

o White elephant — Rumor has it this is also known as yankee swap in some corners of the U.S. I love white elephant exchanges. They’re a great way to get rid of silly stuff you have lying around the house. (Of course, you end up bringing home more silly stuff, but at least it’s new silly stuff.)

On Monday night, we attended the annual white elephant exchange we hold with a group of close high school friends. Here I am (on the left) with the lovely statue I took home.

[photo of my friend and me holding garden statues]

As you can see, my friend Ron (on the right) received a matching piece. Actually, we smuggled them both into the car while Kris wasn’t looking. I’ll set them up in the bushes around our property for my nephews to find during the summer.

We have another white elephant exchange this weekend.

Think Outside the Box
For most people, Christmas gifts mean shopping at the mall. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Many wonderful gifts aren’t tangible items purchased from a store. Here are a few examples:

o Give the gift of experience. In October, the Gift Weblog wrote: “There’s nothing like giving someone the gift of experience, it is something they will always remember.” Sample gifts of experience: sky diving, scuba lessons, hot-air balloon rides, cooking school, lunch with a hero, etc.

o Personal gift certificates also make great gifts. In essence, these are gifts of time. Give new parents a gift certificate for a night of baby-sitting so that they can enjoy a night on the town. Are you good with computers? Give your brother-in-law a gift certificate for free computer repairs.

o For several years, my wife and I gave each other love coupons. Sounds sappy, I know. But it was nice to be able to come home at the end of the day and redeem a coupon for a dinner out, or for a back rub, or for an evening watching a favorite movie.

o A hand-assembled collection of gourmet salts, complete with written description of each.

o Ginger snaps.

o Art. (Do you dabble in photography? A framed print of your nephew is a great gift for your sister-in-law.)

o Chocolate-dipped hazelnuts (from a family with a filbert orchard).

o Home-made jams and jellies.

This year, Kris has drawn from her stock of pickled vegetables to create gifts for friends.

[photo of canned goods]

I crafted a homemade gift of my own: basil liqueur, brewed from vodka, sugar, and fresh basil from our garden. The stuff has been steeping for several months, and now is finally ready to share.

Surely you,too, have a talent or hobby that you can draw upon to create gifts for your friends.

Other Resources
If these ideas don’t give you enough to think about, check out some of the other articles I’ve been collecting from around the web:

o Lifehacker is holding a DIY holiday contest — Submit your favorite homemade gifts for a chance to win the new Lifehacker book. First up: homemade stockings.

o Curbly has some tips on cheap Christmas decorating

o Money and Values: Frugal gift-giving: holiday cookies with a personal twist

o Miserly Mom offers ideas for inexpensive Christmas gifts

o Check out the handmade holiday gift ideas from Martha Stewart Living [via megnut]

o AskMetafilter: Ideas for DIY Christmas gifts?

o Craftster has a winter holidays message board — This is the mother lode of crafty gift ideas.

o Liz Pulliam Weston: Have a tightwad’s Christmas — A few ideas for gifts, but mostly advice on how to keep spending under control. Excellent.

o Regiftable is a site all about how to regift

o Consumerism Commentary: Money gifts better than cash, better than things

o Kiplinger’s has 25 great gifts for $25 or less

o I’ve shared this piece from Marie Sherlock before. I like it. Four steps to a more meaningful, less commercialized holiday — Search your soul, focus on meaningful traditions, downscale gift giving, plan for next year.

o The Frugal Life: Frugal Christmas gift ideas

o Ririan Project: 20 fabulous tips for holiday spending

o I Will Teach You to Be Rich: Ramit has a section on the madness of the holidays in his new eBook. In fact, this section is available as a free download. Check it out.

“You get what you pay for!” the saying goes. And then there’s a slightly more modern version that we’ve come up with that we feel is more in keeping with the times: “You can get stuck with it no matter what you pay for it!”

We as consumers are all too trusting and — pardon us — far too gullible. In the old days our great grandparents purchased most of their wares directly or almost directly from the person who made the product. Now the origin is likely millions of kilometres away.

As real-life remodelling contractors we get the opportunity to work with hundreds of different brands in every price range. And whatever the price, it makes no difference — the products all get handled in a similar fashion. What we have discovered is that there is not one company that can absolutely guarantee a pain-free purchase, and this includes the so-called upscale brands.

No matter how expensive they are, modern products are handled by multiple companies.

Here’s an example: A plumbing fixture may be made by a very reputable company employing extremely careful employees, or by some not so careful. The product is boxed and turned over to the shipping department, who hires a freight company to ship the product to the distributor on the other coast. The freight company then subcontracts part of its shipment to a separate delivery service.

Finally, the distributor — an altogether separately owned organization — has its staff place the items in stock. When it is sold, other employees handle and ship the item out to a retailer. Sometimes the distributor uses its own freight team, but more often than not the company outsources the task to — you got it — a subcontractor.

Long story short, by the time you get your modern-day purchase it has been handled by at least a dozen different companies and dozens of different people. Keep in mind that not everyone loves his job. Get the picture?

When you open the box you discover a dent and return it to the company for a replacement. This works fine when the purchase is extremely recent — the last day or so.

But what if you don’t find out about the damage until later? You could be in for it.

Here’s an example: You have decided to remodel a bathroom and you want high-end products and it will take a long time to pay for all the items you will need: sink, toilet, tub, faucets, medicine cabinet, etc. So, you purchase the items a little at a time and store them in your living room or spare bedroom.

To make sure they don’t get damaged you leave them in their shipping containers. When it comes time to do the remodel you open the boxes and discover that the medicine cabinet is crushed.

Can you take it back to the place of purchase and get a replacement four or five months after the purchase? Forget about it. It probably won’t make a difference that the item is still in its original wrapping or that the shipping warranty is unconditional.

Our best advice, regardless of what you purchase or who you purchase it from, is to open the box before you leave the store if you can, but at least open and inspect it on the day of the purchase.

Check the entire contents (not just the outer surfaces) to ensure that every mechanical function, bend, dent and scratch is found. At this point the store still owns the damage.

And don’t be misled. We have this misconception as consumers that high-end companies have better warranties and are more service oriented. Don’t be fooled. The high-end companies have more to lose when their stuff is damaged in shipping.

You will find that these companies are not necessarily more responsible for their products than their low-cost competitors.

"29 Exceptional Products for Tech Lovers":
From laptops to printers, to GPS devices and cell phones, we honor just a few of the products that broke performance, design, and price barriers in 2007.

Sources for Furniture Bargains

Don’t think you can’t decorate just because you have a small budget. There are plenty of sources for bargains and it can be lots of fun to search for, and find, the items that will make your house a home.

1. Garage Sales and Tag Sales

There are bargains galore at garage sales. If you don’t know how to shop them, just ask around and you’re sure to find a friend or relative who would be happy to show you the ropes. Cash will get you the best bargains as will showing up early or just before closing time.

2. Flea Markets

Not for the faint of heart, these are often mega events with booths for refreshments as well as furnishings. Expect to bargain with vendors for the best prices. Take a buddy and wear walking shoes since you’ll spend the day on your feet. More must-haves: water, sunscreen, a tape measure, plastic bags, lots of cash, and a rolling cart.

3. Online Auctions

You can look for bargains day or night on Internet sites, with eBay as the granddaddy of them all. Do a bit of price research before you bid, searching for similar products and noting the bids as well as the asking prices. Pay attention to condition of products as well, and ask questions before you buy. After is too late.

4. Local Consignment Stores and Junk Stores

These retail outlets offer furnishings and décor items that are shopworn or used. Items maybe in excellent condition or they may be damaged or heavily worn. Look often at these types of sources, since inventory can change dramatically from week to week.

5. Free Sources

Nothing will stretch your budget farther than accumulating items that cost nothing. Whether you trade with friends, find items left by the curb, or ask for donations from family and friends, this can be a great way to get started in a first home or trade out items you no longer love.

6. Damaged Furnishings and One-of-a-Kind Sales

Retail stores have a back room filled with furnishings that have been damaged, returned, or are last season’s merchandise. Items are sometimes marked down on a regular basis, by week or by month. Call your favorite furniture stores to find out how they sell these less-than-perfect items.

7. Rental Furniture Outlets

Rental companies in your area may have a warehouse of furnishings that are no longer rentable. Look for used furniture in the phone book or call these businesses to inquire how they dispose of used furnishings.

8. Salvage Yards

Though you may not find furniture in a salvage yard, you will surely find an ever-changing assortment of windows, hardware, moldings, and parts to create your own unique furnishings. Take a look. You may just find an interesting piece or two to use as wall art or as parts for a shelf, table, or bookcase.

9. Warehouse Outlet Sales

Large retailers may have an annual warehouse sale of furniture and appliances in your area. Watch the newspaper for these events or ask a salesperson how to find out about these sales.

10. Local Estate Sales and Auctions

Look for these in local newspaper classified sections. Attend the “Preview Day” whenever possible, to check if you are interested in any of the items. It will also be your chance to examine the items close up and ask any questions about them. You may also have time to research prices and determine how much you are willing to pay.

So... you find yourself looking at an oil painting that costs less than $200. "Wow!", you think. "That's cheap! Doesn't look bad, either".

The seller tells you that it's a hand-painted original; a collectible that will increase in value over time. You've got an empty space above your couch and the colors match your carpet, so you think, "Why the heck not?".

The painting is not a collectible. In fact, it has no value at all. It's a counterfeit.

But let's say you don't care about its value. You just want to hang it on your wall. Why should you care if the painting is a counterfeit?

For the same money or not much more, you could have had a signed, limited edition print. These usually do increase in value. As an added benefit, you're directly supporting an artist you like and enabling them to continue to paint. Art supplies are expensive!

Counterfeits are typically created by taking an image from the web or a book, and projecting it onto canvas. The counterfeiter then traces the image and uses the oil paint to color it in. Remember those paint-by-the-numbers kits where the final product wasn't really fit to hang? Counterfeits are a glorified version of them.

When you buy a counterfeit, you're attracted to the unique vision and style of the creator of the work. But because the real artist is rarely identified, you'll never see their other paintings, which you might like even more.

When you hang a painting on the wall, people will look at it. Eventually, someone with an eye for art will see it and think, "What were they thinking?!". Like it or not, they'll judge your taste by a single bad choice.

Someone who's seen a painting online or in a magazine might stumble upon your counterfeit of the same work. It's natural for people to assume that the copy looks the same as the original. They may think that the poor quality reflects the real artist's lack of skill. Even worse, the owner of the counterfeit might claim that their painting *is* an original (since that's what they're told), resulting in even greater damage to the reputation of the original artist.

Let's assume you're convinced by now that counterfeits aren't the way to go. How do you avoid them? While expensive counterfeits may be nearly impossible to detect, the cheap ones are pretty easy. But first, a word of warning:

If a work of art is already in the public domain, (that is, it's no longer protected by copyright), copies are legal and therefore not counterfeits. Rather, they're referred to as "reproductions".

Most art created before 1923 can be legally copied, although in some cases, the art must be over 120 years old. For more details, see Cornell University's page on the subject.

In the United States, a creator can also voluntarily give up some or all of their copyright protections by using a Creative Commons license or Public Domain Dedication. These licenses are typically used by software developers, although they could be used for art. The license is always prominently displayed with the work.

But back to the topic at hand. A painting is probably a counterfeit if three or more of these "red flags" is true:

* The seller claims that the artist is "internationally collected", but the painting is incredibly cheap.

* The seller claims that the "gallery price" or "appraisal value" is high, but the painting is incredibly cheap.

* The seller is a painting "wholesaler". (Good original art can't be wholesaled, since each piece is unique.)

* The description incorrectly identifies the painting's style. (For example, a portrait or landscape is identified as an abstract.)

* On Ebay, the seller claims to be the artist, but has a huge number of feedback ratings.

* A "brick and mortar" gallery uses tacky neon colors and signs to attract attention.

For your own safety, carefully read auction descriptions in their entirety. There are many schemes used by unscrupulous sellers to charge you more than your bid price and a fair shipping & handling fee.

You might think that the reference to China is unfair, but there's a good reason for it. Counterfeiting and bootlegging are a significant part of the Chinese economy, whether the product is movies, CDs or designer handbags.

When the Chinese government realized the potential of the counterfeit and reproduction art markets, it began opening lots of "art" schools to train students in how to use assembly line and copying techniques. Obviously, copyright holders weren't happy about this turn of events. They asked their governments to take action.

A number of governments made formal complaints. In response, the Chinese government set up a new counterfeit art task force. Unfortunately, this was more for looks than anything else, and the counterfeiting continues unabated.

Artists trying to stop the theft of their work face a number of significant obstacles. First, they or a representative must go to China to track down the company or individual doing the actual counterfeiting. Second, they need an interpreter and guide to accomplish this.

Third, they need to hire an attorney. Fourth, they need the money and time necessary to fight through the red tape if they ever hope to make it to court. This can take years.

As you can imagine, few artists have the resources to pull this off. Even when joining forces through an organization, victories are few and far between.

The counterfeiting problem also hurts legitimate Chinese artists. It's hard for any artist to get international recognition, but when you're Chinese, you face the added burden of having to prove that your work is truly original.

Of course, China isn't the only country where art counterfeiting occurs, although it accounts for the vast majority of production. In addition, there are plenty of middleman operations located in Europe and the USA. This is why you should look at more than just the country of origin.

At the beginning of this article, there were 3 paintings: An original work-in-progress by A. Andrew Gonzalez, and 2 counterfeits. I posed for this painting. It's difficult for me to look at what the counterfeiters have done. It feels like sacrilege.

On any given day, a determined searcher can find 20 or more counterfeits of Gonzalez's work up for auction on Ebay. Many more are being sold in oil painting "wholesale" stores, at outdoor festivals and in other venues.

When Gonzalez tracked down and followed Ebay's requirements for making a formal complaint, they removed the individual listings, but didn't discipline the sellers. Within hours, the same paintings were back up as new listings. A popular artist would need a full-time employee to keep up.

(NOTE: If you're an artist who wants to report a copyright infringement to Ebay, see this page.)

All of this explains why buyers are such a critical part of the equation. The only real hope artists have of stopping the theft of their work is to educate the public. That's where you come in. Spread the word! And now that you know how, avoid those counterfeits.

Imagine going shopping for clothes and not spending money on impulsive items that you will later regret. If only you had all the money that you wasted on buying clothes that you never wore! Now is the time to change that! Right now is the best time to go shopping. End of the year and end of season sales have begun—learn how to be a better shopper by following MissusSmartyPants “Shopping Success” tips:

1. Shop Your Closet. First, before you even step out the door to going shopping…shop in your closet first! Look for gaps in your wardrobe that you need to fill. These are the clothing items that you should look for on the sale racks.

2. Make a List. I organize my closet by hanging and folding like items together. I also keep a list of what is missing and what will help me make more wearable outfits for me. By making a list of the items that you don’t have, but could really use—you will never wander aimlessly around the stores and get sidetracked again! You write one for grocery shopping—why not for clothes?

3. Comfort Counts. I always dress nicely but wear clothes that are easy to slip in and out of. I also wear shoes that are comfortable and easy to remove—no buckles. You will do a lot of trying on of clothes; make it as pleasant as possible.

4. Lighten Your Load. There is no reason to carry around “the kitchen sink”! Remove unnecessary items from your purse…you back and shoulders will thank you! Lighten up, carry only the necessary toiletries, keys, makeup, wallet and of course—YOUR SHOPPING LIST!

5. Fuel Up. When you set out to shop for several hours, you are bound to get worn out with all that walking! Just like the car needs gas, don’t leave home on an empty stomach, eat before you go!

6. Matchy Matchy. No reason to guess if the color will match with your favorite accessory or shirt. Bring the accessory or shirt with you in a bag—or wear it! This could save potentially an extra trip to return something that doesn’t work out. (And the gas to drive there)

7. Read the Labels. Know what you are buying. Does it need dry cleaning? What is it made out of, natural fibers or synthetic? Consider trying new fiber blends on the market right now; there are wonderful new fibers that wear really well—give them a try!

8. Quality over Quantity. A lot of cheap clothes won’t make you look any better. Our society is so consumer driven that we get caught up in what we think might be a good buy! But is it really? Having lots of clothes that won’t last is a waste of money. Instead, buy clothes you love and ones that last. You work hard for your money, make sure that you get the best quality you can afford.

9. Exude the ‘Tude. Everyone will know you have found your personal style when you have a sassy attitude! When you know you look good and your clothes flatter you body type, you exude a confident attitude. Dressing well makes a difference!

Leslie Gonzales AKA MissusSmartyPants helps women dress their best! Check out her website for more information, www.missussmartypants.com

When I was new to eBay, I realized that eBay was very huge and there was a lot to read to educate oneself on how to get by on eBay. Here are a few bits of advice for you.

1. When you are on an item description page, be sure to notice right away what the shipping cost is going to be. Be certain that you are able to abide with the seller's terms, such as method of payment. Also, if it is important to you that a product be new, be certain that the description unequivocally states new, new-in-box (NIB), mint-in-box (MIB), or new-with- tags (NWT).

2. Be aware that there is more to know about a seller than their feedback score number and positive feedback percentage. The remarks left by their buyers should carry a lot of weight. You can also learn more about a seller by looking at their "About Me" page, completed listings, and any reviews, guides or blog posts they have written.

3. Be sure you complete your transactions quickly or know the deadlines eBay has set for certain things to occur: 7 days to pay a seller, 10 days at earliest to register a complaint of not receiving an item with eBay, and 45 days at latest to file a complaint with PayPal or your credit card company. You also have a deadline of 31 days for leaving feedback. You can politely ask a seller to leave you feedback before that time is up if they have neglected to do so.

4. If you are paying your seller by money order or personal check, be sure to email them when you have mailed it. With a personal check, the seller may wait a few days for funds to clear their bank. If you are not yet on PayPal, then you really should consider it. Nearly all eBay sellers accept PayPal, and PayPal is as safe as a credit card company or bank for handling your transactions. They even have a Buyer Protection Program for purchases up to one thousand dollars for when something goes very wrong with an eBay purchase.

5. Be sure you know what a phishing email is because eBay and PayPal are very prone to being imitated by phishers. A phishing email is a deceptive message that appears to come from eBay or PayPal and has a link for you to log in to your account. When you click the link, you may be taken to a webpage that looks like your log in page, but it is a scam. If you enter your user name and password, then the bad guys will have them. I highly recommend the eBay toolbar as protection from phishing. I believe the new Internet Explorer 7.0 also has phishing protection built-in and the default setting is to have phishing protection enabled. Legitimate email from eBay will have both your real name and your user name. If you receive an email that something is wrong with your eBay or PayPal accounts, check those accounts by typing the eBay or PayPal addresses directly into your browser. Forward any suspicious emails to the eBay or PayPal spoof departments.

To keep from getting swamped by information overload on the eBay site, learn the basics, and then seek help when confronted by the less than ordinary situation. The Help buttons all over the eBay site are an excellent place to begin, as well as the eBay University Learning Center that you can find on the site map. Happy Bargain Hunting!

Matia Bryson, the author of this article, invites the beginning eBayer to try her online home study course at http://www.tryonlineauctions.com

· Frugality in Practice: Shopping for Second-Hand Clothes

Posted: 23 Oct 2006 07:00 AM CDT

On a street corner near our house is a store called The Dig, which advertises “most clothes $3 - $4 - $5″. Many of these are items of the latest fashions, which have been rejected for whatever reason. Clean and organized, the store also has dressing rooms, something many thrift stores lack. I used to mock Kris for going to The Dig. It looked like a dive. Then I joined her for a trip a couple of weeks ago — now I’m a convert.

I buy most of my clothing at one of two places: Costco or the local thrift shops. It makes me wince to pay more than $20 for a piece of clothing. (Unless it’s something top quality, like a Filson jacket, in which case I’ll gladly pay $150.) Costco has styles I like, but the selection is limited, and the prices are three times those at thrift stores. Thrift stores have a huge selection, but the garments are often flawed. And to find anything good, you have to sort through tons of junk.

Used clothing stores like The Dig are a compromise. The prices are better than at Costco. The selection isn’t as wide as you might find at a thrift store, but the quality is generally better. Here are some tips about shopping for second-hand clothes. (Kris gave a lot of help with these.)

1. Set a budget. This is difficult at first — you don’t know how much things cost. But eventually you’ll be able to tell yourself, “I’m going spend $20 today”. It becomes a game to see how much you can buy for $20.

2. Discard your prejudices. Some people consider thrift stores and used clothing shops nasty dirty places. Some are. Most aren’t. Explore your neighborhood. Find a shop or two that you like, and you’ll be hooked. (My mother-in-law was nonplused when we shopped for used clothes on our San Francisco vacation, but even she became excited when she found a new pair of her favorite Birkenstocks — in her size! — for just $8.)

3. Go with a friend. It’s good to have a second opinion. Your friend may have an eye for what looks good on you — and vice versa.

4. Try things on. Sizes vary widely between manufacturers and even by eras. (Today’s clothes have looser fits.) But go in knowing your general size and measurements. Note that some places don’t have dressing rooms, so it’s smart to wear a modest thin layer in case you need to strip down in the aisle.

5. Examine each item thoroughly. It sucks to get home to find your new shirt has a hole in the pocket. Or that the slacks you thought were a steal actually have a broken zipper.

6. Check washing instructions. You don’t want to pay $3 for a silk blouse if you’ll never dry-clean it.

7. Use the tags as a guide to find quality brands you like, but don’t limit yourself. Sometimes a brand you’ve never heard of can yield a favorite piece of clothing.

8. Think layers. Maybe that shirt with a stain on the sleeve has a great collar for wearing under a sweater. For $3, you can afford to buy a single-purpose shirt.

9. Use thrift stores as a way to diversify your wardrobe. Buy colors and styles on which you normally wouldn’t spend much. Wear the new clothes a few times to see how you like them, and to gauge the reaction of others.

10. Used clothing stores are great for certain accessories. Why pay $30 for a new belt in a department store when you can get a better belt in your size for just $2? I like to shop at second-hand stores for hats. (Nice hats.)

11. Look for clothes new with tags. Sometimes unsold department store inventory finds its way to used clothing stores and thrift shops. You’ll generally pay more for these items, but not much.

12. If you won’t wear it, don’t buy it. You don’t save money buying a $3 shirt if it just sits in your closet for two years.

14. Watch for sales. Used clothing stores (and thrift stores) run periodic specials. Our favorite local store just ran a half-off sale. The local thrift stores often have specials on certain items.

15. If you go to the same store often, ask when they rotate stock. Stores get new shipments regularly. Most also have extra stock in storage. If you become familiar with the owners, you might even ask them to keep an eye out for particular items.

16. If buying used clothes becomes a habit, institute a “one in-one out policy”. Every time you bring home something new, get rid of something old. (Give it away, take it to a thrift store, or save it for a garage sale.)

17. Have fun! Buying used clothing can save you money. It’s also a fun way to kill a Saturday afternoon. At $3 an item, you can afford to be adventurous sometimes.

Used clothes shopping isn’t just for women. Men can find some fantastic deals, too. I hate to shop for clothes in department stores, but I love the adventure of buying used clothes. Don’t dismiss the idea out of hand. Good second-hand stores aren’t smelly, dirty, or scary — they’re just great places to find bargain clothing.

It's hard to believe that a short fifty years ago, automatic washers and electric or gas powered tumbling dryers were almost unheard of. Now, almost every home owns it's own. Well,at least, that's true in the USA and in many of the technologically advanced nations.

Not everyone has the luxury of wasting over a hundred gallons of water to wash a half dozen shirts and three pairs of pants once or twice a week, to say nothing of the hundreds more used to rinse them. (We used to carry in water for washday, and believe me, it wasn't hundreds of gallons!)

Just as a personal observation (I've used both, old and new), this is one area where the oldies are truly the goodies. They do make new wringer washers and they're not any more (or less) expensive than automatic washing machines.

New wringer washers have had a lot of the "oomph" taken out of them. The one I had only lasted five years before giving up the ghost. To be fair, I could have had it repaired, but I was frustrated with it at that point. The wringer was narrow and touchy so that it wouldn't handle jeans and heavier things. There were built in safety features that to me simply made drudgery of a chore that could be, if not exciting, at least pleasant.

If you've never used a wringer washer, though, those same safety features would be of value to you. You'll soon learn to not put your fingers through any wringer, but a touchy one will release quickly, whether it's spitting out your fingers or your denim jacket.

Maytag is the name to look for if you decide to go scrounging around garage sales looking for a used one. Sometimes, depending on the area you're in, you can find a wringer washer in the back room of a used appliance dealer. Believe him if he tells you the motor is burned out. Believe him if he tells you the pump won't work. But don't let that stop you. The motors are easily changed from washer to another, since they are outside the washer body. Pumps are extras. You can empty a tub with gravitation if you simply put the hose lower than the washtub where the water is. Use a bucket to catch the water. Never believe a used appliance salesman who tells you it isn't worth fixing. What to look for:

* If there is evidence of grease running down the leg of the washing machine, it means the factory sealed motor is leaking. You can't fix it. On the other hand, I used a machine that leaked grease like that for over two years. I put the leg in an empty coffee can to keep the floor clean. You could lose your investment if you decide to try this method.

* You can still buy agitators, so if one seems over used or banged up, you have an option. Grasp the agitator near the bottom and pull straight up. It should release, but with a fair bit of resistance. If there is no resistance, check to see if the gears at the bottom are stripped. If it won't come loose, you can't clean the machine. The same machine that had a two year leak also had a stuck agitator. I used it like that for a long time, then broke it trying to get it unstuck!

* Hoses should be in good shape with a short hook to fasten it to the machine and a nozzle type of end. They can be replaced with any rubber hose that fits. Look in an appliance repair shop for the right size.

* The lid must be present and in decent shape, and by that I mean, it should have a gasket type of edging around it and there should be no large dents and no cracks at all. Some dents along the edge can be fixed by pounding them out again. (Use a rubber mallet or wooden hammer for some protection for the paint.)

* Try to get one not older than 1939. I know that sounds strange in this day of one year warranties, but the old wringer washers really did have a long lifetime. A sixty year old machine still has lots of wear in it if it's been treated well at all.

Pat Veretto is a work at home grandmother who has homesteaded, homeschooled and happily lived frugally most of her life. She currently freelances and is the moderator of The Dollar Stretcher Community at http://community.stretcher.com/forums/

So you've decided to take the plunge and make this summer the one where you take your dream trip to Europe. Or Thailand. Or Australia. Or all of the above. But you survey your luggage situation and find, much to your chagrin, that you are in dire straights indeed. Do you need a bag that's extremely portable, because you don't know what sort of situation you'll find yourself in? Do you need one that can handle a sizable load but still remain manageable? Do you need something you won't be ashamed of in your posh hotel? Whatever shall you do?

If this is your situation (or if you're just looking for a new travel bag in general), maybe I can help you. See, I've been shopping for new luggage recently. On my honeymoon, my favorite rolling duffel, the one that they told me would last forever, broke while I was rolling it down a cobbled street in Mexico. When I brought it back and asked about the extended warranty they'd touted so highly when selling me the bag, I was informed that what I'd asked the bag to do was considered 'extreme use' and therefore was not covered (go figure...I expected a rolling duffel bag to, you know, ROLL). Ever since then, I've been looking for a new bag.

Believe me when I say that I've looked high and low. I've crossed hill and dale, mountain and valley, dry desert and lashing waves...you get the idea. Along the way, I've learned a thing or two.

1. Find your own qualifications for the perfect bag. What do you want the bag to do? Where will you use it, and when? Don't listen to other people (you and your spouse might have two very different lists). My qualifications are thus:

Since I don't live in a perfect world, I'm willing to give-and-take on some of these, but my ideal bag would have them all.

This weekend, I went to REI and spent some time touching bags, trying them on, and just getting a general feel for what's there. I chose REI because this type of bag is more sporty than anything else. Touching the different fabrics and getting the feel for what different bags and harnesses feel like on my back gave me a much better idea of what I really want, what's important to me, and which characteristics aren't essential. Also, check the zippers. Make sure they're sturdy.

I happen to be a fan of Outside magazine, and I knew that they, once upon a time, had reviews of some bags like this, so I started at their website. If you're looking for a nice jet-set bag, Irv's luggage might have some good tips. This will help you get a feel for who makes the kind of bags you like.

Sometimes it's hard to figure out exactly what the specs are on a bag, particularly when different retailers discuss it differently. The manufacturer has the last word in this, and they're often quicker to return your emails if you have a question than the retailer will be. Be sure to get the name and the size of several bags.

Literally make a chart. Draw lines and put in each category from your wish list. Mark where each bag fits into that category, so you can look at the specs of all your bags together.

Since space was not on my wishlist (I know that I'll fill the space I have and be fine with that, no matter how much I get), I'm actually going with the smallest bag on my list. It's also more expensive than some of the others, but that's ok with me because it comes with a tried-and-true lifetime warranty. I read some travel horror stories and this company came through, so it sounds like they stand behind their products, unlike the last bag I bought.

Ok, haven't done this one yet. That requires a paycheck. But I will get it, and I know I'll get something I like because of all this research.

Enjoy the process--it's fun to learn what's out there and to imagine yourself traveling with each of the bags. Oh, and my big winner?

The Eagle Creek Switchback Max--22 (and they didn't give me anything for saying that!).

10 Shopping Tricks That Stores Hate

Stores are always trying to get you to do what they want. But what if you refuse? What if you do what benefits you and not the store? Aside from outright fraud, what are the things that you can do to come out ahead? We've put together 10 tips that will help you save money, but probably won't help the store. That's why they hate them. And you.

Buying Loss Leaders and Leaving: Loss leaders are products that a company sells below or at cost to lure customers into the store.

Why They Hate It: They do not want you to waltz in, buy up all the loss leaders and leave. Often there are limits to how many of each you can buy, if you see something in the ad that says "limit 3 per customer" you may have found yourself a loss leader. Buy it and get the hell out.

Using Credit and Paying it Off on Time: Sometimes stores will offer a "6 months, no interest, no payments" offer on big ticket items. Pay it off on time, and you've used their money for free.

Why They Hate It: These offers are not just to help you buy stuff, it's to trick you into paying more for the item than if you had paid cash. Some people take the cash they would have used to buy the item and put it in a high yield savings account. Then they buy the item with credit and wait until 5.9 months later to pay it off. They've just used someone else's money for 6 months for free. Ha, ha, ha. These offers are dangerous, however, because if you miss a payment or don't pay the full balance off on time, you'll get socked with interest since your date of purchase. The rates are often outrageous, so this tip is only for seriously organized Type-A people.

Saying NO to the Extended Warranty: Stores play on the fact that electronics are a big investment, scaring you into buying an Extended Warranty. Don't do it.

Why They Hate It: The Extended Warranty is basically just a trick to get you to pay way more for the item than you need to. It's very, very, very profitable for the retailer. If you don't believe us, believe Consumer Reports. If you're worried about not having an extended warranty, purchase your electronics with a credit card that offers extended warranty protection. Lots of them do. Just paying for your crap with a credit card can double your warranty, so tell that sales clerk to get bent.

Activating Your Own Phone With A Cell Phone Company: You can buy a used phone, or an unlocked phone, for full price and avoid signing a contract.

Why They Hate It: Cell phone companies want you to sign a contract. They need you to sign a contract. They burn with desire for you to be under contract with them. Cell phone stores sell 2 year contracts. That's what they sell. Not phones. So get a phone, then call the cell phone company and activate it. No contract needed. They hate that so much.

Shopping in the Store But Buying Online: Stores are just places where you can look at things you will later purchase for cheaper online. Look at your new laptop. Try it out. Ask questions. Buy online.

Why They Hate It: They've paid for a store, the electric bill for the store, the employees to answer your questions, and those nice little plastic bags that they want to put your purchase in. Whoops.

Buying 1 When its 2 for $5: "2 for" deals are bull. You can buy one. You can buy 3. "2 for 5" or "5 for 10" means, "Please for the love of Jesus buy this and get it out of the store." You can pay the unit price. (Laws may vary nationwide)

Opening A Store Credit Card To Get A Discount, Then Cutting It Up: This is one from our dear Mommy. Mommy buys a bunch of stuff at once, opens the store credit card for the 20% discount, pays it off and cuts up the card. She did this every year when buying our school clothes. We're sure they hate her with the force of a 200 mega-ton bomb, but she still saved 20%.

Why They Hate It: Credit card companies make money from interest and fees. No activity on the card, no interest and fees.

Using Websites to Track 30 Day Price Guarantees: Stores have "30 day price guarantees" to make you think they have such low prices that they're not going to get any lower. They may, but they also know you're not going to keep shopping for some crap you already bought. Solution: There are websites that will watch your purchase for you and email if it drops in price during the guarantee period.

Why They Hate It: Because they have to give you money. No store ever likes to give you money.

Buying Seasonal Items at Clearance Prices (For Next Year): Seasonal items are a big deal for retailers and once the holiday is gone they need to make room for the next one. Their haste makes waste and you can take advantage of it. Buy now for next year. Another good idea is to buy "seasonal" candy after the season is over. So what if your M&Ms are brown and orange or red and green. Still tastes like awesome.

Why They Hate It: Stores want you to buy their seasonal crap at full price, when its most profitable, not during clearance when they sell it at cost or below.

Buy "Accessories" on Ebay Rather Than Paying Huge Markups: Retailers will often discount a big ticket item only to charge ridiculous prices for "accessories" that they will harass you to the point of madness to try to get you to buy. Expensive connectors, cables, controllers, leather lotion for your stupid coat you just bought, blank media, storage, etc. Buy this crap on eBay or at least research what it really costs at a retailer that is not trying to screw you. Case in point: Cables. Best Buy sells the Monster Ultra Series 8' HDMI Video Cable for $119.99. On Ebay the most expensive "Buy it Now" price for this cable is $74.95 with $9.95 shipping. For the exact same thing. And that's for a crazy brand name cable. There are 8' HDMI cables on eBay for $8.

Why They Hate It: Accessories are very profitable. If you got a good deal on a TV, you probably believe them when they say you "need" to spend hundreds of dollars on cables. —MEGHANN MARCO

Start Living the Frugal Life

1) Befriend the library

Buying books and movies gets expensive, and even renting can add up. Take a trip to your local library; and you’ll find all of the latest books and movies available free of charge.

2) Clip coupons

Take the time to clip coupons for the grocery items that you buy regularly, and shave an easy 25 percent off of your weekly grocery bill. Want to save even more? Find a grocery store in your area that doubles coupons, and make that your store of choice.

3) Eat Out Less Often

Eating out is fun, but far more expensive than eating at home. Challenge yourself to eat at home more often—even if it’s just once more a month, and watch your bank account grow. Then, find ways to minimize the cost of eating out when you do decide to treat yourself.

4) Switch to Online Bill Pay

Save yourself a stamp, and avoid late fees by paying your bills online. You can pay direct to your creditors, or set up automatic bill pay with your bank; and take yourself out of the equation entirely.

5) Group Errands

Reduce your gas bill by grouping your errands and only driving when you need to. For even more savings, consider biking or walking when you don’t have far to go.

6) Cook with What You Have

Missing an ingredient that you need for a recipe? Instead of running to the store, challenge yourself to cook with what you have on hand.

7) Seek Freebies

Freebies are fun and budget-friendly. Look online for a wide-array of free offers, and enjoy a mailbox bursting with goodies. Like to try new products? Then, this is a particularly good savings strategy for you.

8) Wash in Cold

Cut your electric bill substantially by washing your laundry in cold water. Your clothes will still come out clean, and your hot water heater won’t have to work nearly as hard.

9) Flip a Switch

Reduce your electric bill even further by turning off lights and other electronics when they aren’t in use. It may seem like a small thing, but you’re sure to see the difference on your next electric bill.

10) Change Your Own Oil

Skip the quick lube, and change your own oil. You’ll reduce your tab to the price of oil and a filter, and maybe even save time too—quick lubes aren’t always as quick as the name suggests.

Welcome to the Fix-It Club! We want to help you discover the fun and the function of fixing things around your home -- from air conditioners to zippers! We offer 145 Fix-It Guides (with more to come) offering illustrated steps to guide you in troubleshooting and repairing anything around your home and household. Membership in the Fix-It Club is FREE! There are no dues nor monthly meetings. You don't even have to apply for membership! Here's how to "join" the Fix-It Club:

First, click on the Fix-It Basics link on the left and take a look at the Fix-It Guides that will show you how to fix anything. You'll learn how to use basic tools to test and repair things around your home. The Parts & Components category will help you figure out how to identify and find replacement parts.

Third, find the Fix-It Guide that covers the thing you want to fix. Each Fix-It Guide will answer the questions:

There are illustrated steps for many of the primary fixes that most consumers will be comfortable with -- and some Fix-It Tips and Cautions.

Want to save some time? Use the Search box on the top of the left column to search for specific things on FixItClub.com or on the web. Or peruse the list of our Fix-It Guides, below. It's easy!

Finally, please use the many Resources you'll find on our website. Their ads support our efforts -- and help you find what you're looking for.

That's it! You are now a member of the Fix-It Club. Please use and share our website. Thank you.

Certain items in your house practically scream “toss me” when their prime has passed. That mysterious extra white layer on the Cheddar? A sure sign it needs to be put out of its misery. Chunky milk? Down the drain it goes.

But what about that jar of olives or Maraschino cherries that has resided in your refrigerator since before the birth of your kindergartner? Or the innumerable nonedibles lurking deep within your cabinets and closets: stockpiled shampoo and toothpaste, seldom-used silver polish? How do you know when their primes have passed?

With help from experts and product manufacturers, Real Simple has compiled a guide to expiration dates. These dates are offered as a rough guideline. The shelf lives of most products depend upon how you treat them. Edibles, unless otherwise indicated, should be stored in a cool, dry place. (With any food, of course, use common sense.) Household cleaners also do best in a dry place with a stable temperature. After the dates shown, beauty and cleaning products are probably still safe but may be less effective.

· Brown sugar
Indefinite shelf life, stored in a moistureproof container in a cool, dry place.

· Coffee, gourmet
Beans: 3 weeks in paper bag, longer in vacuum-seal bag (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
Ground: 1 week in sealed container

· Diet soda (and soft drinks in plastic bottles)
Unopened: 3 months from "best by" date.
Opened: Doesn't spoil, but taste is affected.

· Juice, bottled (apple or cranberry)
Unopened: 8 months from production date
Opened: 7 to 10 days

· Ketchup
Unopened: 1 year (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
Opened or used: 4 to 6 months (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)

· Maraschino cherries
Unopened: 3 to 4 years
Opened: 2 weeks at room temperature; 6 months refrigerated

· Mayonnaise
Unopened: Indefinitely
Opened: 2 to 3 months from “purchase by” date (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)

· Mustard
2 years (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)

· Olive oil
2 years from manufacture date (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)

· Peanuts
Unopened: 1 to 2 years unless frozen or refrigerated
Opened: 1 to 2 weeks in airtight container

· Peanut butter, processed (Jif)
Unopened: 2 years
Opened: 6 months; refrigerate after 3 months

· Pickles
Unopened: 18 months
Opened: No conclusive data. Discard if slippery or excessively soft.

· Protein bars (PowerBars)
Unopened: 10 to 12 months. Check "best by" date on the package.

· Salad dressing, bottled
Unopened: 12 months after "best by" date
Opened: 9 months refrigerated

· Soda, regular
Unopened: In cans or glass bottles, 9 months from "best by" date
Opened: Doesn't spoil, but taste is affected

· Steak sauce
33 months (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)

· Tuna, canned
Unopened: 1 year from purchase date
Opened: 3 to 4 days, not stored in can

· Soy sauce, bottled
Unopened: 2 years
Opened: 3 months (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)

· Wine (red, white)
Unopened: 3 years from vintage date; 20 to 100 years for fine wines
Opened: 1 week refrigerated and corked

· Worcestershire sauce
Unopened: 5 to 10 years (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
Opened: 2 years

· Laundry detergent, liquid or powdered
Unopened: 9 months to 1 year
Opened: 6 months

All dates are from the manufacture date, which is either displayed on the packaging or can be obtained by calling the manufacturer's customer-service number.

· Deodorant
Unopened: 2 years
Used: 1 to 2 years
For antiperspirants, see expiration date

In the market for a flat-screen HDTV for the holidays or the Super Bowl? Even if you're planning to buy this key element of your home theater online, you should still eyeball sets in the store. Only by checking out the types of content that you watch most--movies, sports events, standard-def shows, or video games--can you evaluate subtle differences in picture quality.

Check your video sources: If you don't already have high-def video sources--an HD digital cable or satellite box, a DVR, or a Blu-ray Disc or HD DVD player--at least investigate them beforehand to determine the number and types of inputs and cables you'll need. If you buy your HD gear first, an installer will be able to hook it all up to your new set and troubleshoot problems.

If the set you like is short on inputs, don't despair. Add-on HDMI 1.3 switcher boxes from Gefen, Iogear, Oppo, and others cost about $100 to $200. But refrain from purchasing add-on surround-sound speakers until after your HDTV is installed so that you can correctly evaluate sound quality and speaker placement with the new set.

Choose a showroom: Go first to specialty home theater shops that stock the sets you like. They tend to have quiet, dimly lit areas much like real living rooms, while the brightly lit, noisy showrooms at the big-box stores make comparisons difficult.

Bring test movies with you: They should be on both DVD and high-definition media (Blu-ray or HD DVD); rent if necessary. Last year's remake of Casino Royale has plenty of fast action and night scenes for comparing smooth motion and black quality.

Look at two sources: Ask to see both standard-def and high-def sources (including live broadcast TV) on the sets you like. If possible, watch the same input simultaneously on two models you're considering. Make sure that the salesperson uses the same standard DVD player for all your tests, to eliminate quality differences in the players from your appraisals.

Tweak the settings: Ask the salesperson to set each TV to similar levels of color temperature (the optimum is 6500 Kelvin), brightness, and other picture variables, or play with them yourself. In store displays, TVs often have amped-up brightness and sharpness settings. Use movie, sports, and gaming presets (if available) as starting points for those content types.

Check image quality: Viewing from several distances, look for variations in:

§ Smoothness of motion in action scenes and video games (LCDs with fast response times and 120-Hz refresh rates should rival the smoother look of plasma sets)

§ Quality of video scaling. How well does the TV display standard-def images? How well does the set stretch or box 4:3 sources to fit the 16:9 wide screen of most HDTVs?

§ Uniformity of picture from edge to edge. Does the picture have variations in brightness, especially at the edges?

§ Screen reflectivity (plasmas' glass coatings and bright rooms don't mix well)

Look at other features: Double-check your screen-size choice. (We recommend a diagonal measurement that's about two-thirds the length of your typical viewing distance.) How good is the remote control? Is there a front-panel input for video games or cameras? A media card slot? Check out audio quality if you won't have separate speakers.

Drive a bargain: Ask store salespeople to match online prices (Arm yourself in advance by checking out prices in PC World Shopping). Local delivery is better--large TV sets can easily be damaged in transit, and good luck getting a replacement from most discount outlets. Ask if the seller will sweeten the deal with free cables, mounting hardware, or professional installation.

Also, check return policies, such as restocking fees. Don't fall for extended warranties (and note that some credit cards double already-generous warranty periods from the manufacturer).

Consider installation service: It's worth it for big-ticket screens. Not only will delivery staff carry the heavy set into your house, they will dispose of packaging, hook things up properly, calibrate the picture, and take back a dud. (If you're comfortable doing calibration yourself, try Joe Kane's Digital Video Essentials disc, available in DVD or HD DVD format.)

Open the box immediately: Ask about the seller's delivery and return policies before you buy. Will the delivery staff stay long enough for you to inspect the HDTV and refuse delivery if the set is visibly damaged or DOA? Refusing delivery is cheaper and easier than dealing with return and restocking fees. Some retailers make you get warranty repairs rather than take back a big-screen TV.

One last reminder: Go online and purchase the cables you'll need before the set arrives. You don't want to have to dash out to buy an overpriced cable just to enjoy your new toy.

For a comprehensive guide to setup of your new high-def set--including cables and much, much more--see our article, "How to Get the Most Out of Your HDTV."

Things to Know Before You Shop for Wood Furniture

First Things First

Though you may not stick to it, a budget for purchasing furniture is a good guideline when you begin shopping. If you appreciate quality construction, fine, rare wood, or unique design you may be tempted to spend more for these features. And you may decide that your budget deserves to be readjusted if you fall in love with something special. But a budget can keep you in line so you don’t spend all your available funds on one piece. You might end up having to live with dreary walls or ugly drapes for a while because you spent all your money on that irresistible armoire.

When a piece is going to be placed in a family room and used every day, it needs to be durable. Choose wisely, since you'll be opening and closing the drawers or doors often.

But if it is going to be an accent piece in a little-used guest room, durability is not as important as shape and size. If it’s going to receive everyday use, you might want to spend more money. A more decorative piece, while it may end up being the focal point in a room, would not need to break the bank.

Wood furniture pieces for the living room, dining room, or bedroom will probably be in your home for a long time. They may even be passed down through generations. You might allow more money for these in your budget. These pieces should be chosen with care and longevity in mind. Furniture for a baby’s room, though adorable, will only be used for 3 to 5 years and will need to be changed as the child grows and his or her activities change. Unless you're a doting grandparent who will spare nothing to have your grandchild have the finest of everything, you may want to cut corners here. Children’s furniture must comply with certain federal regulations and standards, but can be chosen more for charm than long life.

Though choosing a style of furniture is important, more and more decorators and homeowners are using eclectic style—meaning mixing a number of styles—in a room. Mixing and matching pieces can be fun! However, this does not mean you should use a dented old painted chest from your childhood bedroom in your otherwise formal dining room. Pieces of different styles in one room can add interest and focal points.

All wood furniture is made from either hardwoods (trees that lose their leaves seasonally) or softwoods (from trees that keep their leaves year round). Oak and teak are hardwoods that really are hard and heavy. Fine hardwoods like walnut, mahogany, maple, cherry, or oak are found in the most expensive pieces. Softwoods like pine are used in less formal pieces. Some woods have a nearly smooth, unpatterned finish, while others have very noticeable grain lines.

”Solid walnut” furniture means that all exposed parts of the piece are walnut. But the frame and inner parts may be of other, less-costly wood. Because timber cut from trees is not the size or shape required for furniture, bonding is often used to join pieces together to form larger pieces.

Thin layers of fine, decorative wood can be bonded to the face of furniture pieces. This centuries-old technique is called veneering. While you may want solid wood pieces, veneered wood can combine different textures, tones, and patterns of wood in one piece.

The finish on a piece of furniture can enhance the natural look of the wood or change its look completely. If you want the grain to show through, a simple (but regularly applied) finish of oil or wax is all you need. For more durability, lacquer or varnish is applied. Distressing furniture by beating or hammering the wood before the final finish is applied makes the wood look older. Painting can change the look of a piece and add value.

Be sure that the drawers of a chest or cabinet fit well and slide easily on glides and stop flush with the front. Drawers should have dust panels to keep the contents clean, and the insides should be smoothly finished. Doors on cabinets should open and close easily with hardware that is of high quality, installed securely. If the piece has interior lights, their switches should be easy to access. If the piece is to be used as an entertainment center or computer station, holes should be drilled for electrical cords. Be sure that the legs of a table are even and that the table does not “rock.” The finish should be smooth to the touch and the finish on the leaves should match each other and the base.

With all these things in mind, and maybe a checklist, you’re ready to go. As you shop, some elements will be more important than others. But all these guidelines should be considered before you make the final decision to buy.

Benjamin Franklin said, "A small leak will sink a great ship." Small things can really make a difference. If you consistently spend more than you earn, even if it is a small amount, it will create stress and financial bondage. On the other hand, Benjamin Franklin also said, "Little strokes fell great oaks." Focusing on spending less than you earn makes money available for saving or reducing debts

This reminded me of a recent newspaper article that stated how people are combating higher prices by cutting out small things. Even if it is a small amount, it will add up over time to bring a greater feeling of peace and financial freedom. In a recent newspaper article, it said that people are cutting back on the small things to handle the rising costs of things. The following ideas can help you save money by cutting back in different ways

1. General Things: Do your own work instead of hiring someone else to clean your house, cook your meals, fix your car or mow your lawn. Get rid of a storage unit. If the items in the storage unit are valuable to you, they should be in your home. If not, you are wasting a lot of money storing things that probably aren't worth the price you pay to store them. With the upcoming rebate to stimulate the economy, pay of debts or build a reserve for unexpected expenses. Get rid of cable television or gym memberships. De-clutter your home and sell the things you don't want. Take care of what you have. For example, regular brushing and flossing your teeth could save you hundreds of dollars in dental bills

2. Gasoline: Consolidate trips by planning ahead of time to do your errands on the same day. Carpool. Remove excess weight from your car. Get information ahead of time by calling on the phone to save you a trip to the store if they don't have what you want or if it isn't in your price range. Slow down as it is more fuel efficient. Inflate tires properly. Buy gas at the cheapest place in town. Walk or ride a bike or use public transportation

3. Make Things Last Longer: Use half the amount of soap for laundry and for the dishwasher. Wash clothes in cold water if there are no visible stains. Wear your outer clothing more than once if it doesn't smell or isn't dirty. Tear dryer sheets in half. Wash your hair every other day

4. Utilities: Lower the thermostat and wear a sweater. Take shorter showers. Unplug the things you aren't using. Run full loads of laundry and dishes

5. Entertainment: Go to a matinee instead of a movie in the evening. Find free concerts in the area. Check out books, CDs and DVDs from the library. Have a potluck dinner instead of a dinner party. Find out who has the best prices to rent DVDs in town and go there for your rentals

6. Eating out: Go to lunch instead of dinner. Split a meal. Find out about restaurant specials. Leave kids at home. Drink water instead of soda. Get food to go instead of eating at the restaurant and paying a tip. Eat half of your meal and take the rest home for another day

7. Clothing: Buy second hand. Trade prom dresses. Always buy on sale. Buy off season. Have a clothes swap

8. Groceries: Do your own cooking. Make your own bread, tortillas, bagels, crackers, etc. Find less expensive alternatives. For example, make spaghetti instead of lasagna. Use cash when you shop so you can't go over your limit. Stop buying junk food and soda. Use half the amount of meat or cheese in recipes. Don't be loyal to one store. Buy produce in season. Buy store brands. Take your lunch to work or school. Don't buy precut veggies or shredded cheese. Instead, cut or shred it yourself. Eat hot cereal instead of cold. Go shopping less often. Don't waste food. Instead, eat your leftovers

Little things do add up. By following the advice of Benjamin Franklin, and by focusing on the little things, it can really make a difference

- Little things do add up. Pick one of the above ideas that you're not currently practicing and start this week. Then start something new next week and so forth. Before long, you'll notice the impact that these little things are having on your big financial picture.

What is Social Shopping?

Shopping 2.0

Time magazine chose You -- the web user -- as 2006's Person of the Year. So, how should you use such a prestigious award to your advantage? Go shopping! Social shopping, of course.

Social shopping is the combination of social media and e-commerce. In essence, it is taking all of the key aspects of the social web -- friends, groups, voting, comments, discussions -- and focusing them on the world's favorite activity: shopping.

Social shopping can take on many forms like ThisNext, a social network devoted to shopping, or ProductWiki, a wiki devoted to product reviews and price comparisons. The common denominator is you. Instead of just looking at some Nine West pumps or some Ed Hardy T-shirts, you are actively participating by voting on the best style or writing reviews.

What is social shopping? It is like bringing your friends with you on the web while you shop.

Social shopping beats old-fashioned web shopping because it brings all types of products into one place. No more skipping around from site to site searching for that hard-to-find item.

Social shopping also has advantages even over going to an actual store to shop. With social shopping, you are one click away from comparing prices, and you can easily find out what other people are saying about that Fossil watch or that Alexis Bittar necklace.

Best of all, it's fun. If you like shopping, then you will love social shopping.

· Kaboodle. A social network based on shopping 2.0, Kaboodle puts you in touch with other shoppers who have similar interests.

· MyItThings. A fashion magazine created by the community, MyItThings goes beyond social shopping by giving you a virtual closet to show off what you have bought.

· ProductWiki. A wiki centered around product reviews and price comparisons, every social shopper should have ProductWiki saved as one of their favorite bookmarks.

Social Shopping Websites

Want to get involved with social shopping but don't know where to start? These 7 essential sites will get you started whether you are interested in window-shopping on the web, getting product reviews, getting involved in a shopping community, keeping up with the latest fashion trends, or mainly focused on designer fashions.

Call it social shopping or shopping 2.0, these social sites will hook you into a community to help guide your web shopping.

What's to like: Kaboodle is a social network based on shopping and can put you in touch with other shoppers who have similar interests in products. Kaboodle also features product reviews, and as you grow to know the community, the product reviews become more relevant since you'll recognize some of the reviewers. A handy bookmark allows you to recommend your own products as you browse the web.

What's to like: A fashion magazine created by the community, MyItThings goes beyond just shopping by giving you a virtual closet to show off what you have bought and a space to review your favorite products or even your favorite books, movies or music. It's a social shopping network community-based dynamic magazine for the fashion-aware.

What's to like: A social shopping website that focuses on chatting with other social shoppers, getting tips, and browsing products, Zebo stands out by allowing you to ask the serious questions like what shoes go best with what dress. The "This or That" poll lets you post pictures and ask the community which they prefer, so if you can't decide which blouse to buy, or are wondering which necklace to wear out on a date, Zebo's there to help you.

What's to like: ProductWiki is a fantastic wiki resource for shoppers. Not only does it give you access to product reviews, it also lets you compare prices. Perhaps the best feature is the pros and cons which not only let you quickly see the good and the bad of the product but also, because you can also see how many people agreed or disagreed with each pro or con, you can see how accurate the pros and cons are.

What's to like: If you are into designer fashions, ShopStyle is the social shopping site for you. ShopStyle is like shopping the world's best boutiques where you can shop for thousands of brands from fashion names like Barneys New York and Lisa Kline Los Angeles. And not only can you shop fashion, you can also create your own stylebook and share it with others.

What's to like: Woot only sells one product a day in what is called a "woot off." During the woot off, the community gives feedback for the item. For avid shoppers, it's a great site to check on each day for a good deal or just a quick, fun purchase.

What's to like: Described as a Digg for shoppers, Iliketotallyloveit allows you to add products, vote on products, and see what is popular and what is just around the corner. You can also limit products by type or by price range.

Use these 5 tips and save money when buying electronics.

Buying electronics can be intimidating and confusing. If you're in the market for a new electronic gadget, follow these 5 tips to understand the process and save money.

Money Saving Tips for Buying Electronics

Tip #1 -- Do your research

Before you venture out into any stores do your research and know what you want. Do you want a plasma or LCD screen TV? How much storage do you really need on a new computer? How many pixels should your new camera have?

By educating yourself before you start shopping, you know what features your new electronic gadgets needs to have. You know what's important to you, and what's not, and you can do without.

When you arm yourself information, you don't fall prey to sales people who try to up sell you products and special features you just don't need. Do your research and be aware of this before you start shopping.

Tip #2 -- Extended warranties

We live in a throw away world. Combine that with the fact that most of our electronics are reliable and you just don't need to spend the extra money on extended warranties. Beware of stores who try to sell you one large package warranty of things you probably won't need. Most of the services included in these warranties like tech support and free online backup for computers are better if you buy them as needed.

If you use American Express and other gold or premium cards many of these automatically double the warranty that comes with the electronic. Check the details of your credit card and see if you have one that automatically offers you these benefits and don't buy the store extended warranty.

Tip #3 -- Follow the crowd

You will find that the best deals of the year when buying electronics is on the "frantic" shopping days like Black Friday. You may not want to brave the crowd, but if you're willing, you'll find some of the best possible deals.

Tip #4 -- Haggle

Most people walk into their local electronics store, look at the price tags and pay the full amount. What they don't know is that the store is willing to "haggle" and will often lower the price if they know they can make a sale.

Ask to speak to the manager and give him the price you are willing to pay. You will be pleasantly surprised how often they will lower the price.

Tip #5 -- Ratings

Before you make any decisions about which brand of electronics you need, research and review all the models available. When you find a company that repeatedly gets high scores in quality, you can be sure that your electronic will have that same high quality.

Once you decide which new electronic you need, do your research, check the ratings, shop the sales, avoid expensive add-ons, and don't be afraid to haggle. By following these helpful tips, you can be sure you're getting the best deal when you're buying electronics.

How to Make Things Last Longer

Simple Tricks to Extend the Life of All Your Stuff

Tired of replacing razor blades, printer cartridges and other household essentials at every turn? Here's how to make those must-haves last longer:

A simple way to stretch the life of all your clothes? Skip the dryer. All that heat just isn't good for your clothes.

Clean dirt and scuff marks off of your shoes as soon as you notice them to avoid any permanent damage.

Food spoilage is often the result of improper storage. Learn how to store the foods that you eat regularly:

Stick candles in the freezer for a couple of hours before you use them. This will cause the wax to burn slower and more evenly.

Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for flipping and rotating your mattress to prevent premature sagging.

The simplest way to extend the life of your printer ink is to only print what you need, but that's not the only thing you can do:

Revive dried out markers by storing them vertically (tip down) for a day or two. If that doesn't work, try dipping the tips in alcohol for a few minutes.