Cheapiosity

WHEN NOT TO FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM

2012-02-09T13:10:00.000-08:00

Did you know that there are some circumstances when it makes more sense NOT to file an insurance claim?

Take a look:

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/12/23/5-times-when-you-shouldnt-file-that-insurance-claim/

2012 PRICES THAT AREN'T GOING UP

2012-01-26T12:13:00.000-08:00

Even though it sometimes seems like every price is going up, there are some prices that aren't.

These 2 articles will tell you what they are:

http://dealnews.com/features/12-Things-That-Will-Be-Less-Expensive-in-2012/533663.html

http://www.smartmoney.com/spend/deal-of-the-day/5-deals-to-look-forward-to-in-2012-1325194720277/

RESTAURANT DISCOUNTS/COUPONS

2012-01-19T10:40:00.000-08:00

Since it doesn't look like the economy is going to get better anytime soon, most of us are eating/cooking at home to save money. However, it's nice to splurge and eat out at a restaurant every now and then. And on those special occasions you decide to do just that, there's no reason to pay full price, not when discounts abound. You've probably already heard of Groupon, Citysearch, Blackboard Eats, but the internet has a few other sites you should know about:

1. BiteHunter.com
This site tells your about daily specials and discounts, using other sites like Groupon, Living Social, etc.

2. EatDrinkDeals.com
This site is good for restaurant chain discounts.

3. Restaurant.com
This site is good for finer dining restaurant coupons.

4. Savored.com
This site is also good for finer dining coupons.

So, before you go out, check these sites and save money.....that's what we do.

HOW TO DEDUCT EXPENSES YOU NEVER PAID FOR FROM YOUR TAXES

2012-01-12T13:22:00.000-08:00

In a 2010 decision, the U.S. Tax Court concluded that a daughter could deduct medical expenses and real estate taxes on her 1040 Form -- even though they were paid by her mother. To find out how this decision may apply to you, take a look at the article below:

http://www.smartmoney.com/taxes/tax-policy/free-lunch-deducting-expenses-you-never-paid-1316547708569/

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

2011-12-22T10:12:00.000-08:00

We're taking a break. Team CHEAPIOSITY is shopped-out. We're gonna take a break and see a lot of movies.....cheaply, of course.

We'll be back in January with another year of living a first class life at economy prices.

But first, one last thing for the year. Stocking up now on next year's holiday cards, wrapping paper, ornaments, and other seasonal goodies makes a lot of sense. Pricing on all that stuff doesn't get any cheaper than right after the holidays, but you have to hit the stores quickly. Merchants discount their seasonal items up to 90% just to clear those shelves. Check 'em out.

We wish you Happy Holidays, Peace, Love and lots of bargains.

THE BEST DAYS TO BUY STUFF

2011-12-15T14:38:00.000-08:00

Did you know that you can find better deals on certain days of the week? It doesn't only matter where you shop. It matters when you shop and what you're looking to buy.

Here's an article from Smart Money that breaks it down for you.

http://www.smartmoney.com/spend/deal-of-the-day/best-days-of-the-week-for-discounts-1320270169168/?grcc=7da38d5a8fdbcd8680569ec059d7d099Z3&mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_personalfinance

HOME REMODELING THAT MAKES SENSE

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

Everyone wants to get the most bang for their buck when they do some remodeling to add value to their home. Here are some suggestions to increase your home's resale value.

Home Remodeling Projects with the Highest Return on Investment:

1. The Kitchen – Whether it’s a major overhaul or a simple makeover, putting a fresh face on your kitchen is your best investment. Maximize your return by limiting your project cost to no more than 20 percent of the value of your home. Expect an 85 percent return on your investment.

2. The Bathroom – An outdated bathroom can spoil a sale. Current trends have homeowners installing large showers instead of garden tubs. A major update could cost less than $20,000, but it should yield an 80 percent return.

3. Decks – A new deck can cost a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on size and materials used. Before you build, look at other homes in your area and build accordingly. If the deck is in good shape, your return could be more than 80 percent.

4. Siding – If your home’s façade is siding and it’s not in good shape, replacing or repairing the siding can bring instant freshness. You’ll likely spend at least $10,000, but you should get at least 80 percent back.

5. Window replacement – The energy efficiency of new windows is a clear benefit to switching out older windows, but in some cases, it’s a safety feature, too. Costs depend on the number of windows you’re replacing, of course, and the type. Expect a return on your investment of at least 70 percent.

BEST REWARDS CREDIT CARDS IN 2011

2011-12-01T18:44:00.000-08:00

Team CHEAPIOSITY loves getting free airline tickets with our mileage rewards. As we like to say, the only thing better than CHEAP is FREE.

If you're someone who enjoys the rewards you get from your credit cards, you're going to love this article. The people at Kiplinger's have done all the leg work for you. Take a look:

http://www.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/best-rewards-credit-cards-2011.html

BLACK FRIDAY 2011

2011-11-23T10:15:00.000-08:00

UPDATE 11/23/11:
Here are more websites to check out: http://blackfriday.net/, http://www.fatwallet.com/black-friday, http://gotadeal.com/Black-Friday-Deals.html

Before you buy electronics, check out: http://www.decide.com/

For free shipping: www.freeshipping.org

Team CHEAPIOSITY always tries to remain current. Here's a link to Black Friday circulars a week early....current enough for you????

http://bfads.net/Adscans

Happy Shopping!

MORE SITES TO FIND DEALS

2011-11-17T10:43:00.000-08:00

Here at Team CHEAPIOSITY, we're always more than happy to tell you about sites that offer great deals. Here are a few more:

www.shopittome.com - Think of Shop It To Me as your free personal online shopper. Their mission statement: "Once you tell us your favorite designers (such as Alexander Wang, J.Brand, Black Halo, Diane Von Furstenberg, John Varvatos, Tory Burch, DKNY, Vince) and sizes, we'll take over. We'll work as your personal shopper scouring the Web to find the items you love and send you personalized e-mail alerts that feature the latest markdowns, secret promotion codes, and VIP sale events. Your made-to-order Salemail™ will arrive in your in-box only as often as you like, because we're all about looking after you. We are the trusted personal shopper relied upon by millions of fashion-forward women and men." Sounds good to us.

http://www.bradsdeals.com/ - BradsDeals is your one-stop source for the latest coupons & deals from thousands of leading retailers. "We give you the answers you need to make informed shopping decisions. Every day, we sort through thousands of coupons, sales and promotions but only publish the best 100 or so for our readers. Our standards are high. We publish only what we would recommend to close friends and family members, so you can recommend them to yours."

http://dealnews.com - Every day, dealnews brings you the best deals available on the hottest items on the Internet. "We scour over 2,000 online retailers and tens of thousands of deals to deliver the best 200+ deals each and every day — the kinds of deals you'd normally only see on Black Friday. We verify that each deal is valid, the lowest total price we could find, and from a reputable retailer. Then and only then do we post it for you. We take getting a bargain seriously, and then share what we find with you."

2011 FREEBEES

2011-11-10T14:31:00.000-08:00

Every year Kiplinger's publishes a list of freebees. Here's their 2011 list. Team CHEAPIOSITY loves free things and we assume you feel likewise.

http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/fabulous-freebies-2011.html

BIZ CLASS FARES TO EUROPE THAT ARE LESS THAN COACH

2011-11-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

The title says it all. Go to the article below to find out how:

http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2011/08/23/how-you-can-buy-a-business-class-ticket-to-europe-for-less-than-coach/

SECRETS AIR TRAVELERS SHOULD KNOW

2011-10-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

Business travelers know all too well the downside to travel: canceled or delayed flights, overbooked flights and lost luggage, just to name a few. Yet, travelers do have rights. Some of them are hidden in the fine print, while others reflect recent changes to or enforcement of regulations.

Take a look at this link below to find out more:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/four-secret-rights-that-savvy-air-travelers-know-2011-09-20

THE VIRTUAL GOFER

2011-10-20T14:07:00.000-07:00

Need a Personal Assistant? Who doesn't? It'd be nice to have someone help you do things like: clean out your closet, deliver a package for you, organize your desk, etc. You know those times when you have too much to do and not enough time? Enter the virtual gofer.

Here are some sites that help you do just that and at reasonable prices:

1. Fancy Hands Personal Assistants: http://www.fancyhands.com/

2. Task Rabbit: http://www.taskrabbit.com/

3. Zaarly: http://www.zaarly.com/nearby#loc=9q5cs73wutub

4. Ask Sunday: http://www.asksunday.com/

DEATH DOSSIER

2011-10-06T16:19:00.000-07:00

Here's a cheery little post destined to make your day. Let's talk about death. Yeah yeah. We know.....nobody wants to think about it. Denial ain't just a river in Egypt. Yadda yadda yadda. Still, there are some responsibilities you simply can't afford to put off forever.

Here at Team CHEAPIOSITY, we think it's worse not to have your beneficiaries take advantage of money and items you want them to have. It's the grown up thing to do. Here's a road map.

Did you know that there are 25 Documents you need before you die?

The Wall Street Journal has provided this one-stop shopping article to help all of us cope with the financial part of our inevitable end:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303627104576410234039258092.html

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU'VE BEEN HACKED

2011-09-29T16:10:00.000-07:00

We keep reading about how a company or a government or a celebrity or a database somewhere has been hacked. Kinda makes you wonder if you've been hacked too.

What do you do about it......how do you check?

An Australian technology professional and former security consultant, Daniel Grzelak, has built a Web site, “Should I Change My Password?, where you can check whether your information is in 13 publicly available stashes containing more than 800,000 stolen records. He promises to keep it updated as more data becomes available and helps to create a stronger password.

It's not foolproof, but it's a start. Ladies and gentlemen, start your paranoia-fueled engines.

WHEN DOES FOOD REALLY EXPIRE?

2011-09-22T14:58:00.000-07:00

It seems like everything we buy at the grocery has a 'sell by' or 'use by' or expiration date. What do these dates really mean? We found an article to help de-mystify it for you. So before you throw it out and waste money, take a look:

http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2011/07/18/when-does-food-really-expire/

REPAIR OR REPLACE IT

2011-09-15T11:04:00.000-07:00

In the good old days, electronics and appliances were made to last......almost forever. Not any more. Now we live in a disposable world where in many cases it's cheaper to replace an item than to repair it.

The good people at Consumer Reports did some research and this is what they came up with:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2011/august/shopping/repair-or-replace-it/overview/index.htm

FLASH SALE TRAVEL SITES

2011-09-08T13:38:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you're looking for a vacation package at the last minute.
Sometimes you want to plan ahead.
Now there are sites the specialize in these 'flash' sale vacations, and the discounts are pretty darn good. Here are some terrific places to start your hunt for a travel offer you can't refuse.

http://www.spire.com/

http://www.jetsetter.com/

http://www.sniqueaway.com/

https://www.vacationist.com/

HAPPY LABOR DAY

2011-09-01T10:11:00.000-07:00

Team Cheapiosity is taking the week off.

We'll be back next week with more good stuff.

NEED A REMINDER?

2011-08-25T12:36:00.000-07:00

Do you forget to do things on your mental to-do list? Do you want yet another text message? Never fear, Dear Readers, Team CHEAPIOSITY has the solution:

http://ohdontforget.com/reminders

Set up your reminder for yourself (and whoever else you want to annoy) and Voilà! A text. The basic service is free, but for additional fees, you can add premium features! Now you have no excuse to forget.....unless you forget to take your cellphone with you.

WHEN TO START SOCIAL SECURITY

2011-08-18T14:05:00.000-07:00

As Baby Boomers reach retirement age, one important question to answer is when to apply for Social Security......62, 66, 70?

Take a look at the article below to help figure it out:

http://moneywatch.bnet.com/retirement-planning/blog/money-life/boost-your-social-security-payout-by-100000/3826/?tag=fd-banner-feature;fd-banner-thumb

SHOULD YOU RENT TO OWN?

2011-08-11T14:46:00.000-07:00

NO! Don't do it. Rent-A-Centers are massive rip-offs.

Yes, they sound appealing, but you end up paying massive interest charges. The cheap becomes expensive.

Read this article if you don't believe us:

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/06/23/rent-to-own-deals-are-a-massive-ripoff-consumer-reports-finds/

HOMEOWNER MONEY HELP

2011-08-04T14:52:00.000-07:00

Yes, we were promised more access to money for home loans to help grow the economy. Will somebody please tell this to the Banks?

There's a new Federal Program to help.

Here's an article from Smart Money about it:

http://www.smartmoney.com/spend/real-estate/more-money-for-struggling-homeowners-1309312646029/

THINGS THAT REALLY RUIN YOUR CREDIT

2011-07-28T13:51:00.000-07:00

Everyone is concerned about low FICO scores. These are the scores that affect whether of not you can get credit. Here are 7 things that ruin your credit scores, which we urge you to avoid:

1. Public records. Bankruptcies, judgments, liens — all of these rank up there as some of the most damaging.

2. Severe late payment. This is the most common offense. Anything past 90 days constitutes "severe," but all late payments stay on your report for seven years, if reported.

3. Charge-off. This can happen if you're 30 days late, although credit card lenders often give you a few months. The debt is generally then sold to a collection agency. A charge-off will stay on your file for seven years from the date the account is terminally — 180 days — past due.

4. Collections. This is probably the second most common offense, after a severe late payment. It can be triggered by unpaid medical bills, utilities, credit card debt, you name it, and they're all equal in terms of the impact on your score. The notation will stay on for seven years, regardless of whether you pay it off, but you should still pay.

5. Settlement. You've seen the ads by companies to help you settle your debt for less than you owe. You can also try to do this yourself by calling and making an offer. Short sales, too, fall into this category. Settlement will stay on your file for seven years.

6. Repossession. Any asset that secures a loan can be repossessed. This, too, will stay on your file for seven years.

7. Foreclosure. Foreclosure stays on your report for seven years. If you want to lessen the blow (slightly), try a deed in lieu of foreclosure — with that, you're waving the white flag, telling the lender you can't pay, and turning in the keys.

Finally, let's clear up a few myths about what doesn't hurt your score. Your income is not a factor. Having many credit cards, as long as you manage them wisely, won't hurt you — and in fact, it might help you. And the fact that you ran up your credit card bill a couple months ago, but paid it off in full, won't affect your score when you check it now.

PROTECT AGAINST ID THEFT

2011-07-21T12:29:00.000-07:00

Two new services to help protect and warn you about ID theft have just been introduced.

Some individual elements of these services may be valuable, while others are worth exactly what you are paying -- nothing.

The first is AllClear ID Free. It keeps checking the Internet and reports of breaches to see if your information is found. It also helps if you are a victim of ID theft.

ID Safe also does some online scanning, covers you for $50,000 of out-of-pocket costs, and gives you a free credit score monthly.

A BACKGROUND CHECK BEFORE YOU BUY A HOME

2011-07-14T11:01:00.000-07:00

There's CarFax for cars and now comes BuildFax for homes. By paying $39.99 (it's free through 7/31/11) you can run a background check on the home you're planning to buy. This can also supplement your inspection report. Here's the link to the site:

http://www.buildfax.com/public/industry/homebuyer.html

Basically, the site will access electronic public records. You can get the same information for free at your city's Buildings Department. It really depends if you have the time or it's worth 40 bucks to have someone do it for you. You decide.

ARE YOUR REWARDS MILES A MESS?

2011-07-07T12:53:00.000-07:00

Are your rewards miles a mess? Don't let them expire.....you paid for them....use them.

The Frugal Traveler at the NY Times, gives you help. Take a look:

http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/12/are-your-miles-a-mess-heres-how-to-put-them-to-use/?hpw

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

2011-06-30T11:09:00.000-07:00

We're taking the week off to celebrate the 4th of July. We'll be back next week with more tips CHEAPIOSITY-style. In the meantime, check your local newspapers for holiday sales. May The Fourth Be With You.

FINDING A MANAGER TO COMPLAIN TO

2011-06-23T14:42:00.000-07:00

Calling to complain and get satisfaction grows more and more frustrating. Reaching someone whose first language is English is increasingly rare. Calling these Call Centers becomes a match of wits and patience. It drives Team CHEAPIOSITY crazy, and we're sure it does you as well.

Spend some time preparing and researching; we promise your time spent will pay off.

Here are some of our own personal (and oft-proven) tips on how to get a Manager on the phone in case the first customer service person you reach offers no help. It's gotten to the point where sometimes we have to say, "Is this customer service?" When the voice at the other end replies, "Yes," we answer, "Well I'm the customer; where's the service?"

But we digress.....Here are five ways to reach a manager quickly and directly:

1. Knock on the front door
In almost every case, our recommendation is to use the online form to contact the company first. Send a brief, polite email through the site. Keep a copy for yourself, just in case the browser “eats” your note, which has been known to happen. Your grievance might be addressed in a timely manner, but it probably won’t be. If it isn’t, then at least you have a (virtual) paper trail to prove you tried to get your problem resolved through channels.

Companies (and consumer advocates) frown on people who go straight to the top without giving the customer-service department a chance to help. Be sure to keep all the emails between you and the company.

2. Ask for a manager
Before going on a wild goose-chase in search of the right name, why not ask? If your email correspondence is hitting a dead end, then ask if you can have the email reviewed by a supervisor. You never know – it could be forwarded to someone in authority who can give your complaint the attention and consideration it deserves.

Don't hold your breath. Usually, you’re told that the answer from the company is “final” and that a manager is unavailable. The company is wrong on both counts.

3. Go hunting!
Start with a simple search, using terms like the company name and “vice president” — in quotes – and “customer service.” Often, that yields a name of a current vice president in charge of service, but an email address may not be readily available. Ironically, companies go to great lengths to conceal the phone numbers and email addresses of their top customer-service managers because they don’t want people contacting them. (That backfires when angry customers take them to court, but we digress.) In order to find an email address, add the term “email” or “e-mail” to the search. Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn’t.

4. Search the site
Assuming that you've found a name but no email address, your next step is to search the company’s site. You can do that by typing the prefix “site:” followed by the company URL and then “e-mail.” This will only search the company’s site, yielding any instances of the word “email.” You won’t find the name of your manager, but you will find out the company’s email convention, which is usually either firstname.lastname@company.com or firstinitiallastname@company.com. Now try the same thing for a phone number. You should be able to get the main company number, and that’s all you need.

5. Put it all together
If you’re trying to call the VP, phone the main number, dial “O” and ask for the person by name, or use the automated phone tree to dial by last name. You may get through to an executive assistant, or you may get voice mail. Either way, leave a short, polite message with your relevant details. Now it’s time to guess the email address of your vice president. Use the naming convention from the last tip. Now visit this site (verify-email.org/) to see if the email address works. Once you’ve verified it, you’re free to send an email.

WHEN IT PAYS NOT TO BE CHEAP

2011-06-16T14:35:00.000-07:00

Yes, you read the title correctly. There are times to spend more because you save in the long run. It's hard for us diehard CHEAPIOSITY hates to admit it, but it is true.

Here are some things to spend on:

Paint: Even though you can find a gallon of paint for as little as $11, cheaper paint will take several coats to cover a single wall, and it likely won't hold up for an extended period of time.
Gas Grills: Look for features such as premium-quality burners, stainless-steel grates, and heavy-duty construction. You should realistically expect to spend at least $150 for a quality product.
Big-Screen TVs: If you're investing in a really big screen television—50 inches or more—you'll want to own it for a while. So go for as big a screen as you can afford from a reliable brand.
Blu-Ray Players: Instead of replacing one cheap DVD player with another cheap DVD player, consider trading up to a Blu-ray player, which supplies true high definition to your high-def TV.
Fire Protection: Aerosols such as First Alert Tundra are much cheaper than traditional fire extinguishers and may look like they're easier to use, but they're a lot less effective as well--a true safety concern in the event of an emergency.
Mattresses: Can you really afford to not get a good night's rest? Don't spend below $800 for a queen-size set or you'll risk years of sleepless nights and suffer all the effects associated with sleep deprivation.
Grass Seed: Inexpensive blends may contain a large percentage of weeds and annual grass seeds, which will die after one season. Spend more for the good stuff.
Canister Vacuums: Cheaper vacuums can be both ineffective and frustrating, so expect to spend around $200 and up for a quality product.

HOW TO FIX OR KILL WEB DATA ABOUT YOU

2011-06-09T14:58:00.000-07:00

Web security becomes more and more a problem as technology gets better. It always amazes us how much personal information is available on the Web about us.

Take a look at this New York Times article about how to fix or kill web data about you:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/14/technology/personaltech/14basics.html?_r=2&ref=technology

FREE STUFF FOR YOUR PC and MOBILE

2011-06-02T14:31:00.000-07:00

PC World has a great article about the best free stuff for your PC or mobile.

Take a look:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/223503/article.html

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

2011-05-26T18:15:00.000-07:00

We'll be back next week with more good stuff.

BUYING BACK USED GADGETS

2011-05-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

Did you know that stores like Radio Shack and Target will buy back old gadgets? Not only that but there are websites that do the same.

Some electronics stores like Best Buy are offering to buy back your old gadget when a new one is available. The jury is still out on that one.....call TEAM CHEAPIOSITY skeptical, but when it sounds too good to be true......you know the rest.

Take a look:

http://www.azcentral.com/business/consumer/articles/2011/02/02/20110202target-radioshack-buy-back-used-gadgets.html

HOW TO GET THE LAST DROP OUT OF CERTAIN ITEMS

2011-05-12T11:35:00.000-07:00

Team CHEAPIOSITY believes in good to the last drop:

The way some products are packaged—tubes of toothpaste, jars of mayonnaise—encourages wastefulness. Being thrifty, we consider this sort of thing not just an annoyance but a challenge.

Bananas. Don’t toss overripe bananas. Peel them and put them in a sealed bag in the freezer. You can use them later in banana bread or blend them in smoothies.

Bar soap. Use sudsy water to “glue” the last sliver to a new bar.

Condiments. Remove the mayonnaise coating the sides and contoured bottom of the jar with a pliable, long-handled rubber spatula. For tangy condiments like ketchup, mustard, and barbecue sauce, add a few drops of cider vinegar and swish it around. Also, store the bottles upside down for easier extraction. Many now come with large flat lids.

Cookies. Put broken cookies in a food processor and grind into crumbs. Then keep them in a plastic bag in your freezer. When you have enough, use them to make a crust for cream pie or cheesecake.

Cornflakes. Don’t toss out the broken pieces and crumbs that settle at the bottom of the box. Grind them until fine in a food processor, then use the crumbs to coat fish or chicken before cooking.

Hair gel. Carefully cut the tube from top to bottom with a utility knife. Squeeze both ends and scoop out the gel with a finger.

Honey. If the last of the honey has turned solid, put the bottle in a small pot of boiling water until the thick gunk returns to its original viscosity. You can use the same technique on maple syrup that has started to harden.

Laundry detergent. When the bottle seems empty, use water as the machine fills to swish out the remaining liquid detergent and pour it in with the load.

Pump-top hand lotion. Unscrew the pump top and pour what you can into another (nonpump) bottle. Recap the original bottle and soak it in a basin of very hot—but not boiling—water for a few minutes. When the lotion thins a little, shake and then pour it into the new nonpump bottle. Store the bottle upside down until you use up all the lotion.

Shampoo. Store the bottle upside down to prevent as much product from settling as you can. When no more will come out of the bottle, add a few drops of water and swish it around.

Sugar. If a bag of granulated white sugar becomes rock hard, which usually happens over time from exposure to humidity, pummel it with a rolling pin and then toss the chunks in a food processor. Avoid the problem by pouring bagged sugar into a sealed container as soon as you open it.

Toothpaste. Put a binder clip at the end of the tube to dispense the toothpaste more efficiently. When you can’t squeeze any more out, run the smooth, hard side of your toothbrush handle over the flattened tube.

CHEAP AND NUTRITIOUS

2011-05-05T11:33:00.000-07:00

Everyone is nutrition conscious these days. Here are fruits and veggies that won't bust your budget and still give you good nutrition:

VEGETABLES

Cabbage
Collard greens
Mustard greens
Turnip greens
Carrots
Cauliflower heads
Brussels sprouts
Broccoli florets
Spinach
Cauliflower florets

FRUITS

Watermelon
Plums
Oranges
Apples
Strawberries
Cantaloupe
Grapefruit
Bananas
Kiwi
Peaches

Lots of vitamins and minerals in both lists. Bright green leafy veggies especially pack a wallop, and bright colored fruits do the same.

Eat healthy and don't break the bank.

HOW TO SELL GROUPONS OR OTHER PREPAID COUPONS

2011-04-28T14:12:00.000-07:00

Ever buy a Groupon coupon or deal of the day coupon and realize you'll never use it? You can always try to unload 'em on eBay or Craigslist.

Good news for all you well-intentioned impulse bargain shoppers: you're not alone. Now there are secondary websites specifically designed to sell your prepaid coupons and deals. Some sites charge a fee; others act as a Craigslist-style cyber-bulletin board. Take your pick. And be careful out there. A bargain's only a bargain if you needed it in the first place.

http://www.lifesta.com/ This site charges a fee based on the price of the coupon. They also have a moneyback guarantee if the coupon is fake or expired. It's simple to use.

http://www.dealsgoround.com/ This site charges a 10% fee but is otherwise similar to Lifesta.

http://couprecoup.com/ This site does not charge a fee, but it also doesn't offer a moneyback guarantee, so all sales are at your own risk.

PAYING FOR COLLEGE

2011-04-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

It's never too early to look into paying for college.

One site you should know about is: www.fastweb.com
Mark Kantrowitz is the site guru and really makes his site one-stop shopping.

Another helpful site is: http://www.collegeboard.org/

Between these two websites, you should have everything you need to know.

Never ever pay for help......if someone wants money, it's probably a scam.

CHEAP CRUISING

2011-04-14T11:41:00.000-07:00

Travel experts always say that cruises are the best travel value because everything is included. We don't disagree.

Here's a NY Times article to help you out. Take a look:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/02/13/travel/13pracdeals.html?ex=1312866000&en=1fe6a234a3753945&ei=5087&WT.mc_id=TR-D-I-NYT-MOD-MOD-M188-ROS-0211-HDR&WT.mc_ev=click

FREE MUSIC

2011-04-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

Getting free music via the Internet is pretty easy these days. No more vinyl, 8-tracks, cassettes, or CDs necessary. Just tune in to one of the sites below and you're all set. If you can't find something to listen to after checking them all out.....we give up!

Radio Tuna

Last.fm

Map of Metal

Search by Record Label

Maximum RockNRoll

iTunes

nuTsie.com

Live365

Pandora.com

Grooveshark

Blip.fm

Mixcloud

Stereomood.com

Jango

Spotify.com

mp3.com

MeeMix.com

AmazingTunes.com

AOLRadio

Discogs.com

Shoutcast.com

Deezer.com

iLike.com

HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF EVERY GALLON OF GAS

2011-03-31T11:44:00.000-07:00

Here are some tips to know when you're buying gas. With prices skyrocketing, every little bit helps:

Only buy gasoline in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground, the more dense the gasoline. When it gets warmer, gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening....your gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum product play an important role. A one-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. But the service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.

When you're filling up, do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast mode. If you look, you will see that the trigger has three (3) stages: low, middle, and high. You should be pumping on low mode, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some of the liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor. Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money.

One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is HALF FULL. The reason for this: the more gas you have in your tank, the less air occupying its empty space. Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation.

Another reminder, if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up; most likely the gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom.

A NEW WAY TO BUY POSTAGE

2011-03-24T11:36:00.000-07:00

Postal rates continue to climb, and we've got a drawer full of Forever stamps because that's how we roll. But we wondered if we could do even better.

Everyone already knows to stock up on the Forever stamps, since they're good at face value even if/when the rates go up. Right?

But we bet you didn't know this:

If you go to a stamp and coin store, many will sell you unused stamps at at least 10% off face value. Apparently, stamps don't expire, so you can still use old stamps to mail new things. (Just make sure you're buying United States postage, not foreign stamps, and make sure that they're not canceled.)

Recently, Team CHEAPIOSITY bought some vintage postage stamps at our local stamp/coin store, and our discount was about 15% off face value. Cool. We used the stamps on some letters, and nothing has returned postage due, so we're concluding that our little scheme works just fine. Why the bargain, you ask?

Apparently, baby boomers and their parents started collecting stamps and coins as a post-war hobby (and investment), but so many of them did that there's a glut on the market. So many stamps were issued and saved that they haven't increased in value at all. Only stamp collections that date back to the 1940's and before have started to appreciate. Bad news for the baby boomer collectors, but good news for us bargain hunters who still traffic in snail mail.

And with Valentine's Day right around the corner, what could be more thoughtfully retro and hip than a Valentine's card sent with vintage postage stamps? You don't have to thank us.

HOW TO AVOID MOST FEES

2011-03-17T11:52:00.000-07:00

Let's face it, we are all getting nickeled and dimed and dollared to death with fees from airlines, banks, and everyone else who knows how to manipulate an overly trusting consumer using very small type and obfuscating language.

Here's a straightforward and user-friendly article from PopWallet on how to avoid the most egregious fees out there:

http://www.walletpop.com/2011/01/19/how-to-avoid-getting-nickel-and-dimed-with-fees/

2011 COST CUTTING TIPS

2011-03-10T11:04:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't want to save money? Who? Who? Who?

We've already told you about many of the following tips, but we figure a cost-cutting refresher course never hurt anyone. Take a look at this article from The NY Times:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/travel/09pracsave.html?src=un&feedurl=http%3A%2F%2Fjson8.nytimes.com%2Fpages%2Ftravel%2Findex.jsonp

FREE CALLS

2011-03-03T12:50:00.000-08:00

Yes, we all know about calling 800-FREE411 for directory assistance..

And yes, we know about free calling using Skype or Google Voice.

Thanks to a new service called FreePhone2Phone.com, you can make national and international calls for free. Listen to a 10- or 12-second ad and get 10 minutes of free calling to any of 55 countries. According to the company, 85 percent of all calls are under 10 minutes long, so most calls are covered.

Here’s the fine print:

Each call is limited to 10 minutes. A warning tone beeps every 5 seconds for the last half minute, and then you’re cut off.

If you try to call the same number again the same day, your call is limited to five minutes; this prevents you from exploiting the system by calling back over and over all day.

Calls overseas are mostly limited to landline numbers. Calling cellphones overseas is limited to a few industrialized countries.

There’s no reason you can’t make free phone calls to numbers in the United States, too, but this trick makes more sense if you have a landline.

PERSONAL FINANCE TIPS FOR 2011

2011-02-24T14:08:00.000-08:00

BankRate.com did an article on Personal Financial Tips for the new year. We thought it was worth sharing. We also thought that might not be the most provocative subject so we went a little overboard sexing up the graphics. We're sorry if we offend, but if you're still reading this, we weren't entirely wrong.

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/personal-finance/top-100-personal-finance-tips-for-2011.aspx

FINDING CHEAP HOTEL RATES

2011-02-17T09:23:00.000-08:00

Everyone's always looking for a good deal on a hotel. You can drive yourself crazy checking out sites like Hotels.Com, Expedia, Travelocity, etc. Very often you will find good deals on these sites, but taking another step can help you find even better deals.

These sites are call aggregators; you're probably familiar with Kayak, which we've talked about before. Sites like Kayak are not in the business of selling the rooms or flights or cars; they direct you to the sellers' site. On Expedia, you actually buy the service from them as an intermediary. Kayak has become cluttered with pop-ups for sites like Expedia or Priceline and others. While we like Kayak and still use it, there are other aggregators that we want to make you aware of:

www.Momondo.com The results appear on a map at the destination city. Particularly good for European cities, hotels, and flights.

www.hotelscombined.com

www.hotelly.com combs 48 travel sites, so you don't have to.

www.Hotelicopter.com combs some 30 sites.

www.Wego.com combs 42 sites.

So try these next time you're booking a room and save more dough. You're welcome.

DISCOUNT SPORTS AND CONCERT TICKETS

2011-02-10T10:52:00.000-08:00

Did you know that thousands of sports and concert tickets go unsold each year? Here's a way to get your hands on some of those tickets at a discount.

Go to: https://www.scorebig.com/

You can save 10-70% off the ticket price. We like that.

AVOIDING AIRLINE FEES

2011-02-03T17:00:00.000-08:00

Airlines have really gone crazy with all the new fees. Pay for a pillow or blanket or meal or baggage or booking a seat. It's getting ridiculous. As you can well imagine, Team CHEAPIOSITY hates these creative and well-hidden fees, so when we saw this article in the New York Times, we simply had to share it with you.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/12/05/travel/05pracfees.html

TECH BRANDS TO TRUST

2011-01-27T13:57:00.000-08:00

PC World did an article about trustworthy Tech Brands, and because Team CHEAPIOSITY cares about both quality and price, we wanted to share:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/211074/the_tech_brands_you_can_trust.html?tk=hp_fv

BEFORE YOU BUY USED

2011-01-20T11:22:00.000-08:00

Many times people buy used items without realizing that they've been recalled or are faulty. Your friends at CHEAPIOSITY don't want you to get stuck with a lemon or have something electrical blow up on you.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission has a websiteto protect you from making a mistake:
www.saferproducts.gov

They get over 16,000 complaints a year. We think it's a good resource to use before you buy used.

MORE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BOOKING TRAVEL

2011-01-13T10:00:00.000-08:00

People are always asking Team CHEAPIOSITY about how to get the best travel deals. Over the years, we've told you most of this information, but it never hurts to review. Here are some sites we like to use:

www.AirfareWatchdog.com - tells you about deals that automated websites might miss.

www.AutoSlash.com - tells you the best car rental deals.

www.AwardWallet.com - tells when your miles will expire so you don't lose them. It will consolidates all your accounts on one page.

www.bing.com/travel - uses historical data to predict when prices will go up or down for air fares, hotels, etc.

www.BookYourAward.com - tells you all the tricks you need to know to get what you want for the least amount of award points.

www.EVReward.com - tells you which online retailers have associations with rewards programs, so you can get the most amount of rewards points with each purchase.

www.FareCompare.com - tells you when there are price drops and discounts on routes you are interested in.

www.ITASoftware.com - helps you find the best combination of low price, good routing and best schedule for your itinerary. It doesn't tell you about budget airlines, but keep reading....we'll tell you about that below.

www.SeatExpert.com and www.SeatGuru.com - gives you the pros and cons of each seat on an aircraft.

www.TripIt.com - organizes all your electronic reservations in one place.

www.WhichBudget.com - this site will help you with multiple destinations on your trip.

www.Yapta.com - alerts you by email when there are price drops to a specific destination.

www.Zoombu.com - provides you with 3 detailed door-to-door options from Point A to Point B.

www.HopStop.com - gives you step by step plans for city sightseeing.

If you can't travel more cheaply after trying all these sites...........we give up!!

GET THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK

2010-12-14T16:22:00.000-08:00

Even though we're told that things are getting better, everyone we know is still having a tough time. We've come up with some tips that we hope will get you through the holidays without breaking the bank:

1. Make a gift budget and stick to it. All that impulse buying at the mall is a thing of the past. Tighten your belt and don't let it out even one notch!

2. Make a deal with your Adult friends.......no gifts this year.

3. Focus on experiences and not things. Remember the pet rock? Where is it collecting dust in your closet? Get the family together, share a meal, take pictures, create traditions and memories.

4. Got children or grandchildren? Set up a 529 tax-sheltered college savings plan for them instead of that gift that will not be used or remembered after the holidays. They'll thank you for it later as the cost of a College education continues to skyrocket.

5. Make a charitable donation. People really like receiving that kind of gift, and you're doing some good at the same time.

6. Make a gift. Bake cookies, bake a bundt. Watch Martha Stewart and she'll show you how to make something. The cost is low and memories are high.

7. If you have to shop, shop the CHEAPIOSITY way. If you have to spend money, promise us you'll be a smart shopper and do it our way. We know we're right......don't argue with us!

TWEET YOUR WAY TO HOLIDAY BARGAINS

2010-12-09T11:06:00.000-08:00

As the mobile age gets more and more advanced, why should we be surprised that now you can get holiday bargains on Twitter?

Here's how, so start tweeting:

http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/deals/4-ways-to-get-exclusive-deals/

TEXTING WITHOUT A CELL PHONE

2010-12-02T17:38:00.000-08:00

Texting.....we don't get it....but then we're not in our teens or twenties any more. (We're stopping there, thank you very much.) What can we do? Texting is here, and we like to stay current. Well, current-ish. It's not like we're sporting skinny jeans and tats. But we digress.

Texting can get expensive unless you have an unlimited mobile plan. For us older folks, texting is a pain.....the typing keys are tiny, we can't read without our glasses, and we don't know all the 'cool' abbreviations...LOL....and we're klutzes.

Here's an article we found to help us text-challenged survive in a cellular world:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-20012720-94.html

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2010-11-25T10:18:00.000-08:00

We're too busy cooking and eating to post.

Team CHEAPIOSITY wishes all our Readers a Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy good food with friends and family and most of all, take a moment and be thankful.

Then go out on BLACK FRIDAY and save money, the CHEAPIOSITY way.

CAR BUYING FOR THOSE WHO DON'T LIKE TO NEGOTIATE

2010-11-11T13:18:00.000-08:00

At Team CHEAPIOSITY, we love to negotiate, haggle, cajole and anything else we can do to get the best price for whatever we want to buy. Call us crazy. Crazy like a fox.

We realize, dear reader, that not everyone feels the way we do. Some people just don't want the hassle, and that's what retailers rely on. We don't really understand those people, but we must acknowledge that they exist. We accept it and we move on.

Car Salesmen are our favorite people to negotiate with.....let's face it -- they're asking for it. They like to negotiate hard almost as much as we do. For a refresher course in how to buy a car CHEAPIOSITY-style, go to our post: http://cheapiosity.blogspot.com/2008/05/buying-car.html.

For those who don't want the hassle, take a look at: http://carwoo.com/.

CarWoo! charges $79 for its Plus plan that contacts three to five dealers and $39 for the Basic plan that brings in bids from two to three dealers. The fact that you pay also gives the dealers some assurance they are working with a serious buyer.

Don't be frightened. And don't be a sticker-price-paying chump.

STORE BRAND VS NAME BRAND

2010-11-04T13:24:00.000-07:00

Consumer Reports did an article about store brand products versus name brand products. We thought the comparisons were interesting.

Take a look:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2010/october/shopping/store-brands-vs-name-brands/overview/index.htm

HOW TO KEEP YOUR FREQUENT FLYER MILES SO THEY DON'T EXPIRE

2010-10-28T13:10:00.000-07:00

Every year, Airline Frequent Flyer members lose miles because they don't manage their accounts properly. Managing your account is easy and doesn't take a lot of time. If you do it right, you can extend the life of your miles so you don't lose them.

Here are some tips:

1. Buy miles or transfer miles to a friend or family member. You don't have to transfer a lot of miles....between 1,000 to 5,000 miles, depending on the airline. Check your Mileage Program for details. There are fees involved, but if transferring mileage saves you thousands of soon-expiring miles, the fees may well prove worth paying.

2. Get a credit card that gives you miles based on your purchases. Get a credit card that is automatically linked to your Mileage Account.

3. Shop online. Go to the Airline's website and make a purchase from one of their affiliated retailers. Make sure you enter the retailer's website through the Airline website link to insure you get the miles associated with the purchase.

4. Take a survey. Many survey sites will give you miles if you complete a survey. Here are a few to get you started: www.opinionplace.com and http://www.e-miles.com.

The bottom line is that Airlines want to see activity on your Frequent Flyer accounts. Don't give them a chance to expire your miles.

DON'T BUY IT, RENT IT.

2010-10-21T12:43:00.000-07:00

In this economy, where every penny counts, it's sometimes better to rent than to buy. How often have you bought something for a one-time use and it sits in your garage collecting dust?

Do you know about http://rentalic.com/? Well, now you do. As the website says: Make money by renting out what you own. Save money by renting what you need. Think eBay for renting.

Take a look....it might just save you some money.

WHAT TO DO WITH GIFT CARDS YOU DON'T USE

2010-10-14T13:29:00.000-07:00

It is estimated that each year there are $5-10 Billion (yes, you saw correctly, billion!) in unused gift cards. WOW! That's a lot of free money for issuing merchants to keep.

But wait, Team CHEAPIOSITY to the rescue. If you don't want to buy something for the gift card you get, you can sell it or exchange it for another company.

Go to Card Pool to get the lowdown: http://www.cardpool.com/

You can also buy gift cards at a discount.

Didn't know about this one, did you?

You're welcome!

AVOIDING INTERNATIONAL SCAMS

2010-10-07T12:08:00.000-07:00

We've all received the emails that we won a lottery, unclaimed riches in Nigeria -- you know what we're talking about. Here's the bottom line. If it sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true! Nobody gets something for nothing.

Mass marketing fraud is a significant source of income for international crime rings. Con artists ignore geographic boundaries to reach out to potential victims by phone, email, postal mail, and through the Internet, tricking them into sending money or giving out personal information. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, Americans report losses of more than a billion dollars a year to these frauds.

To be sure, con artists can be clever, but many can be foiled by knowledgeable — and equally canny — consumers.
Here are 10 things you can do to stop a scam:

Keep in mind that wiring money is like sending cash: the sender has no protections against loss. Con artists often insist that people wire money, especially overseas, because it’s nearly impossible to reverse the transaction or trace the money. Don’t wire money to strangers, to sellers who insist on wire transfers for payment, or to someone who claims to be a relative in an emergency (and wants to keep the request a secret).
Don’t send money to someone you don’t know. That includes an online merchant you’ve never heard of — or an online love interest who asks for money or favors. It’s best to do business with sites you know and trust. If you buy items through an online auction, consider a payment option that provides protection, like a credit card. Don’t send cash or use a wire transfer service.
Don’t respond to messages that ask for your personal or financial information, whether the message comes as an email, a phone call, a text message, or an ad. Don’t click on links in the message, or call phone numbers that are left on your answering machine either. The crooks behind these messages are trying to trick you into giving up your personal information. If you get a message and are concerned about your account status, call the number on your credit or debit card — or your statement — and check it out.
Don’t play a foreign lottery. First, it’s easy to be tempted by messages that boast enticing odds in a foreign lottery, or messages that claim you’ve already won. Inevitably, you’ll be asked to pay “taxes,” “fees,” or “customs duties” to collect your prize. If you send money, you won’t get it back, regardless of the promises. Second, it’s illegal to play foreign lotteries.
Don’t agree to deposit a check from someone you don’t know and then wire money back, no matter how convincing the story. By law, banks must make funds from deposited checks available within days, but uncovering a fake check can take weeks. You are responsible for the checks you deposit: When a check turns out to be a fake, it’s you who is responsible for paying back the bank.
Read your bills and monthly statements regularly—on paper and online. Scammers steal account information and then run up charges or commit crimes in your name. Dishonest merchants sometimes bill you for monthly “membership fees” and other goods or services you didn’t authorize. If you see charges you don’t recognize or didn’t okay, contact your bank, card issuer, or other creditor immediately.
In the wake of a natural disaster or another crisis, give to established charities rather than one that seems to have sprung up overnight. Pop-up charities probably don’t have the infrastructure to get help to the affected areas or people, and they could be collecting the money to finance illegal activity. Check out ftc.gov/charityfraud to learn more.
Talk to your doctor before buying health products or signing up for medical treatments. Ask about research that supports a product’s claims—and possible risks or side effects. Buy prescription drugs only from licensed U.S. pharmacies. Otherwise, you could end up with products that are fake, expired or mislabeled — in short, products that could be dangerous. Visit ftc.gov/health for more information.
Remember there’s no such thing as a sure thing. If someone contacts you promoting low-risk, high-return investment opportunities, stay away. When you hear pitches that insist you act now, guarantees of big profits, promises of little or no financial risk, or demands that you send cash immediately, report them to the FTC. For more information about investment fraud, visit cftc.gov.
Know where an offer comes from and who you’re dealing with. Try to find a seller’s physical address (not just a P.O. Box) and phone number. With VoIP and other web-based technologies, it’s tough to tell where someone is calling from. Do an internet search for the company name and website and look for negative reviews. Check them out with the Better Business Bureau at bbb.org.

Visit OnGuardOnline.gov to learn how to avoid internet fraud, secure your computer and protect your personal information.

SAVING ATM FEES

2010-09-30T11:41:00.000-07:00

Banks are always charging a fee for something. Why do we have to pay to access our money? If you think about it, it really makes no sense....but very little does these days.

One of the ways Banks make money is by charging us ATM fees, and somehow those fees keep going up. Crazy, right?

Here are some ways to avoid the fees.

1. Go to the bank ATM that issued the card. It sounds like a no-brainer, but you'd be amazed at the number of people who rush to the ATM closest to them instead of going to the issuing bank.

2. Get cash back with a purchase. Many of the chain drug, food stores, etc. will allow you to get cash back with your purchase, and you incur no charges.

3. Open a checking account at a Brokerage firm. Many of these firms (Fidelity mySmart Cash Account and Schwab High Yield Investor Checking rebate, to name 2) waive ATM fees for account holders.

4. Keep extra cash on hand. Again, sounds like a no-brainer, but many only take out the exact amount of money that they need.....PLAN AHEAD.

5. Bank online. Banks like Ally Bank, HSBC Direct, eTrade, will reimburse account holders either a certain number of out-of-network fees or in some cases unlimited reimbursement. Check the bank for details.

6. Mobile Apps. Mobile Allpoint App (http://locator.allpointnetwork.com/AllpointMobile.aspx) can be downloaded to your smart phones to help you find free fee ATM locations.

7. Credit Union. If you're a member of a Credit Union and have an account with them, and they are a member of the CO OP Network, there are no fee ATMs . Check your Credit Union for details.

2010 Freebies

2010-09-23T12:19:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't like a freebie? We do, we do!!

The people at Kiplinger's have a great list of 33.
Take a look:

http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/fabulous-freebies-2010.html?kipad_id=x?kipad_id=x

TRAVELING WITHOUT A HOTEL

2010-09-16T11:38:00.000-07:00

Money's tight all over the world. Cold comfort, we know. With hotel prices skyrocketing out of sight for many of us, travel planning requires considerable creativity and initiative. More and more travelers cut their expenses by renting rooms or apartments or sharing villas. Some people enjoy living like the locals and experiencing local color...not to mention pocketing all that extra dosh.

Here are some websites to help you do just that:

AIRBNB.COM

AirBnB.com, founded in 2007 in San Francisco, is the largest of this new generation of social B&Bs and has the most user reviews.

Where: About 5,378 cities in 146 countries.

Accommodations: Air mattresses to entire villas.

Price: In New York, from $10 for a room to $3,000 for a loft.

ISTOPOVER.COM

IStopOver, founded in 2009 in Toronto, specializes in big events, like this summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

Where: Mostly North America, Europe and South Africa.

Accommodations: Apartments and houses.

Price: $10 to $8,000 a night.

CRASHPADDER.COM

Founded in 2008 in London, Crashpadder.com operates mostly in Britain, with a surge expected during the 2012 Olympics in London.

Where: 898 cities, including more than 1,000 listings in London.

Accommodations: Bedrooms to houses.

Price: From £15 (about $21 at $1.43 to the pound) a night, plus £3 booking fee.

ROOMORAMA.COM

Founded in 2008, Roomorama.com focuses on higher-end properties, especially in New York City.

Where: 36 cities, including more than 1,000 listings in New York.

WEBSITES FOR FINDING DEALS ONLINE

2010-09-09T11:01:00.000-07:00

In the past, we've talked to you about most of these websites.

The people at Kiplinger put them all together in one article. It's also a good reminder, in case you forgot:

http://kiplinger.com/features/archives/21-web-sites-for-finding-deals-online.html

THINGS TO NEVER BUY USED

2010-08-26T12:59:00.000-07:00

We saw this article in US News and thought we'd share:

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money/2010/06/07/20-things-you-should-never-buy-used.html

CAR BUYING - AN INSIDE LOOK BY FOLLOWING THE MONEY

2010-08-19T11:53:00.000-07:00

We've talked to you a number of times about buying a car (http://cheapiosity.blogspot.com/2008/05/buying-car.html and http://cheapiosity.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-negotiate-car-trade-in.html)

"Follow The Money" is good advice for someone trying to understand the hidden side of any business. Nowhere is this more important than on a car lot. Rows of shiny new cars on a dealer's lot make consumers believe that's where the big money is. But if you follow the trail of dollars, it leads in a surprising direction. And knowing where the profit is will make you a better shopper. The trade-in alone can be a huge profit center; the dealership can make about $2,000 in the blink of an eye.

There are many fees in leasing, as well as inflated interest rates, alarms, maintenance plans, gap insurance and extended warranties. All these elements need to be negotiated effectively in order for you to get a good deal.

The pricing of cars is a complicated process. While we tell you to make an offer around dealer invoice and you'll get a great deal, it's really just a good place to start. What we don't know is whether there is a dealer holdback or dealer cash from the car manufacturer.

Holdback is usually either 2 or 3 percent of either the invoice or the sticker price of the car. On a $20,000 car that's either $400 or $600 that is held out of the initial deal until after the car is sold. This allows dealers to sell a car at invoice price and still make a profit. Check the holdback percentage before going shopping but don't try to negotiate on holdback, since dealers consider this money sacred. Still, knowing it is there will help you press for a better price.

Dealer cash is even more significant. When a car isn't selling well, the manufacturer will sometimes offer an incentive — often as much as $2,000 — but only lets the dealer know about it. This is like a wild card in negotiating, and it lets the dealer claim he's taking a loss while still actually making a nice profit.

Buying your used car can be a cash cow for the Dealership. Profits can be as much as $5,000 when they resell it. Buyers need to get Edmunds' True Market Value (TMV®) appraisal of the used car. But while TMV adjusts for regions, local markets have quirks that are difficult for the car shopper to spot. Only by thoroughly researching the market and comparing prices can you understand what a good price is for a used car. Another good tip is to go to a CarMax-type place and see what they offer for your used car. It will give you an idea of what the market is like.

While the traditional sales staff works on straight commission, Internet sales managers earn a salary plus a bonus on volume. This means that more sales — not more profit — equals a bigger paycheck. This sets up a very favorable situation for car buyers. Buy from the Internet sales manager, if you can.

Once the price of the car has been established by negotiations with a car salesperson, the buyer is routed into the F&I (Finance and Insurance) office. This is the last place the dealer can make money before the consumer leaves the car lot. However, they are really there to make extra profit for the dealership by increasing interest rates, selling extended warranties and add-ons such as fabric protection and paint sealant. How much does the F&I room contribute? In a typical deal, an average of $947 is generated in the Finance and Insurance office, according to F&I Magazine. The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) estimated that 28.5 percent of the profit from selling a new or used vehicle came from F&I.

If an aggressive car buyer is able to get a rock-bottom price, the dealer knows there is still profit to be made when the car is serviced. Servicing cars is so profitable that, in economic hard times, the service bay has kept many dealerships afloat.

Here, too, commissions play a big part in getting the service staff to boost sales. The service advisor, who positions him or herself as a "trusted advisor" is actually receiving a commission on all the parts and services you agree to. High-profit jobs such as brake pad replacement were often sold by pitching them as a safety issue. In other cases, oil changes and fluid flushes are done before they are needed. This is costly for the consumer and wasteful. Instead of questioning the dealer's integrity, understand the flow of money. Remember these points:

Dealer profit is based on the car but also on related products and fees.

A salesman's commission is dependent on the percentage of profit.

A car's invoice price is a useful reference, but other behind-the-scenes monies are in play.

The salesman, F&I manager and service advisor are all commission-based positions.

Information and negotiation are always the keys to getting a good deal.

THE TRUTH ABOUT SUNGLASSES

2010-08-12T10:25:00.000-07:00

So you need a new pair of sunglasses. You've had a CHEAPIOSITY Brain Fart and are actually considering buying a pair of Designer Sunglasses for $300-500. Are you crazy? Do you need an intervention? We're here for you.

Don't do it. Here's why:

Sunglasses are (practically all) made by one company, the Italian manufacturer Luxottica–one of the biggest consumer companies that consumers have never heard of. Luxottica makes sunglasses branded Burberry, Chanel, Polo Ralph Lauren, Paul Smith, Stella McCartney, Tiffany, Versace, Vogue, Persol, Miu Miu, Tory Burch, Donna Karan, Dolce & Gabbana, Bulgari, Prada, to name a few. The company also owns Ray Ban, Oliver Peoples, Oakley, and REVO. It manufactures 70% of all sunglasses. And let's not forget to mention that Luxottica also owns LensCrafters, Pearle Vision and Sunglass Hut.

A significant amount of what you pay for Designer Sunglasses is not for the quality of the lens, but the brand name. The mark-up is 50-60%. Ouch.

For about $40, you can get a pair that offers 100% protection against ultra-violet rays. If you spend around $70, you should be able to get decent quality polarizing lenses that cut out glare. Beyond that price point, the medical benefits tail off pretty fast. If you're just chasing status, you're reading the wrong blog.

Drugstore sunglasses work just fine for most people in most circumstances. The main reason people wear sunglasses is to block out (regular) white light; cheaper sunglasses will usually do the job. And they will probably block most UV rays, if not all.

So before you got out and spend ridiculous amounts of money on Designer Sunglasses that you will probably lose, step on, or sit on.....DON'T. Another case where cheaper is every bit as good. You're welcome.

Travel As A Student and Save $$$

2010-08-05T12:17:00.000-07:00

Did you know that if you travel as a Student, you can save money? If you didn't, aren't you glad you came to our blog? Now here's the dirty little secret -- some of these organizations will let you book with them if you haven't cracked a textbook in decades.

Student discounts can be 10-25% below the market rate. You can even do better with group tours.

http://www.studentuniverse.com/ - will sell to Grad Students up 35.

http://www.studentcity.com/

http://www.statravel.com/ - is very liberal when it comes to your age.

10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT A LOT OF STUFF

2010-07-29T13:43:00.000-07:00

Here at CHEAPIOSITY, we like Smart Money Magazine and website. We put together a series of links to information that will both save you money and make you an informed consumer. Take a look:

10 Things your Airline won’t tell you: http://www.smartmoney.com/10things/index.cfm?story=may2008-airline-secrets&pgnum=1

10 Things your Moving Company won't tell you: http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/deals/10-things-your-moving-company-wont-tell-you-14291/

10 Things your Home Builder won't tell you:

http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/for-the-home/10-things-your-home-builder-wont-tell-you/?page=all

10 Things your Lawyer won't tell you:

http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/deals/10-things-your-lawyer-wont-tell-you-14764/
10 Things your Auto Insurer won't tell you:

http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/autos/10-Things-Your-Auto-Insurer-Wont-Tell-You/?hpadref=1
10 Things your Estate Planner won't tell you:
http://www.smartmoney.com/personal-finance/estate-planning/10-things-your-estate-planner-wont-tell-you-10171/
10 Things your Home Security won't tell you:
http://www.smartmoney.com/personal-finance/real-estate/10-things-home-security-firms-wont-tell-you/
10 Things your Home Inspector won't say:
http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/rip-offs/10-things-home-inspectors-wont-tell-you/
10 Things your Plumber won't tell you:

http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/rip-offs/10-things-your-plumber-wont-tell-you-18259/?cid=sm_pfspend_rss&mod=smartmoney

THE BEST FREE SOFTWARE OF 2010

2010-07-22T12:49:00.000-07:00

PC World has an article on software freebies we thought you should know about. Take a look:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2361876,00.asp

TRAVEL RIP-OFFS

2010-07-15T14:38:00.000-07:00

Airlines have become the worst offenders in the competitive field of travel rip-offs, but let's not forget hotels, car rentals and even banks, with their foreign purchase transaction charges. Everybody has their hands in your pockets.

Here's an article from Smarter Travel that exposes some of the worst offenders:

http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/the-10-worst-travel-rip-offs.html?id=4793204&source=dealalert&value=2010-05-01+00%3A00%3A00&u=375332DDF9

FREE SAMPLE WEBSITES

2010-07-08T15:12:00.000-07:00

We all know the old saw -- you can't get something for nothing. Now, what if we told you that there are plenty of websites offering free samples of just about everything from shampoo to airline frequent flier miles to jewelry?

These companies are just trying to get you to switch brands. Take advantage of their marketing strategy. Here's how.

StartSampling.com - These guys offer samples from quit smoking to skin lotion samples.

pgeverydaysolutions.com - This site offers Proctor & Gamble samples.

silverjewelryclub.com - If you're willing to pay the shipping of $6.99, you can select a piece of free jewelry.

freebies4mom.com - Samples are geared toward mothers. Items include everything from diapers to popcorn.

freestufftimes.com

freemania.net

coupons.com

thunderfap.com

A lot of these sites ask personal questions and want your email address; if you're unwilling to divulge that information, free stuff may not be your thing. But hey, it's a free country. Do whatever floats your boat.

HOW TO COMPLAIN

2010-06-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

Here at Team CHEAPIOSITY, we constantly wonder what's happened to Customer Service. We're old enough to remember the good old days...before so many jobs were outsourced to foreign countries, when customer representatives spoke American English as their native language, and when common courtesy was common.

Oh sure, someone somewhere still answers your phone call identifying themselves as Customer Service, but they've long forgotten the meaning of the words. It sometimes seems that the voice on the other end of the phone no longer cares that you are the CUSTOMER and you're asking for SERVICE. We don't want an unpleasant exchange and we don't enjoy repeating ourselves over and over again and still feeling misunderstood. Whatever happened to customer service reps being nice and helpful? Whatever happened to the faceless voice on the other end of your call genuinely and politely trying to help you resolve your issue?

Recently, a member of Team CHEAPIOSITY endured a four night hospital stay. After the insurance company reduced his $39,000 bill to $6,000 for him to pay, he got a bill from the hospital, with just a total, no details. Apparently our increasingly impatient patient was supposed to trust that this bill was accurate. (Perfectly acceptable because hospitals don't have a reputation for overcharging or charging for things that were never administered? Yeah, right.) He called and asked for a detailed bill and got back some gobblety gook replete with undecipherable abbreviations. When he asked for an English translation, he was told to fill out forms and request his medical records. On the medical records site, he was informed that they charge per page for copies. Now he's waiting for that phone call, fully loaded for bear. They charge you $39,000 and they expect you to pay to see your medical records by the page???? Get serious. Obviously, the game here is to wear him down. Not gonna happen this time. They're messing with the wrong guy.

Our motto is: We're Mad As Hell And We're Not Gonna Take It Any More.....and why should we? Don't these Corporations realize that by outsourcing overseas and giving customers a hard time, they are losing business? Apparently not. What happened to 'The Customer Is Always Right?'

We all know the obvious places to go: your local Consumer Protection Agency, the Better Business Bureau, The Federal Trade Commission and hopefully, the new federal Consumer Financial Protection Agency. However, before you go there and get caught up in more red tape, here are some tips we hope you'll find useful.

According to The New York Times, one very successful method is to a write a letter to the CEO or other higher-ups in the company with your complaints. You should write with a civil tone, but don’t be afraid to imply threats, like noting that “you’ve sent a copy of the letter to a government agency, like the Federal Trade Commission.” Alternatively, you can try talking it over with a representative on the phone. In this case, the Times has two tips: Ask the person what they would do in your shoes in order to get real substantive help, and ride out the clock, since the representative isn’t permitted to hang up on you and will feel more compelled to resolve your issue. In a previous post we advised you on how to get a human on the phone (http://cheapiosity.blogspot.com/2009/01/talking-to-human.html).

If you're still unsuccessful, go to the web and check out these sites:

RipoffReport.com is the place to complain about and uncover scams across the country, and to do so without holding back. According to the site, law firms often use the information entered on Rip Off Report to help with lawsuits against particular businesses. So not only do you get the satisfaction of complaining and having people read your complaints, but you may also help to change the way companies operate down the road.

ComplaintsBoard.com is a good forum for venting at companies, plus it features stories about recalls and companies in the news and even offers useful tips for consumers and businesses alike. Also, for better or worse, users on this site

PissedConsumer.com offers several incredibly useful features. Like ComplaintsBoard, they provide a good outlet to vent and a long list of consumer tips. The site also offers its own Customer Satisfaction Index, which tallies up all the complaints PissedConsumer receives by company and industry to illustrate which businesses are the most reviled.

PlanetFeedback.com is one of the more civil places for consumers to turn to when they feel like complaining. The site refers to all complaints as “letters” and features company responses to many of the complaints. In that way, the site really seems to be trying to foster a dialogue between the consumer and the company, rather than just a ranting session.

MeasuredUp.com essentially acts as an intermediary between you and the companies you hate. Big name business like Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Orbitz and Best Buy have signed up with MeasuredUp to respond to consumer complaints on the site. Consider it a way to get around talking to representatives on the phone.

Bottom line. Don't take 'NO' for an answer. Get Satisfaction.

SAVING ON MEDICAL BILLS

2010-06-17T11:52:00.000-07:00

As you must already know, Team CHEAPIOSITY's motto is: EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE, and medical bills are no exception. With more and more of us still uninsured, this remains a big issue to say the least. For those fortunate enough to be insured, when you receive your EOB (explanation of benefits) you see that your insurance company discounts all of your charges -- Doctor, Lab, Radiology, Hospital, etc.

As an example, a member of Team CHEAPIOSITY was recently hospitalized for 4 days. (He's mostly fine now; thank you for asking. Or at least he was until he saw the bill!) He entered through an Emergency Room visit billed at $770; after the insurance discount, the amount was reduced to $200! For his 4 day hospital stay, the bill was $37,200, and after the discount, it came to $16,000. (Just as an aside, this covered only the hospital stay - no surgery, no procedures, no nothing. That's some luxury hotel. And the food wasn't even that great.) The point is, even if you are uninsured, there is room to negotiate .....a whole lot of room!

Here are some websites to help:

1. The Access Project (http://www.accessproject.org/new/pages/index.php)

2. My Money website (http://www.mymoney.gov/index.html)

3. Healthcare Survival Guide (http://www.healthcaresurvivalguide.com/)

4. The Healthcare Blue Book is a guide to 'fair' medical pricing(http://healthcarebluebook.com/page_Default.aspx)

5. FairCare MD is a website listing doctors in your area who are willing to negotiate their fee (http://www.faircaremd.com/)

Lastly, there are medical care advocates who will negotiate for you; you will pay them a fee based on how much they save you. These fees can run 25-35% or hourly. (http://www.medicalcostadvocate.com/) and (http://www.healthadvocate.com/)

MAXIMIZING FINANCIAL AID FOR COLLEGE

2010-06-10T14:07:00.000-07:00

You and your son/daughter have survived high school. Sunrise, sunset. How quickly fly the years. Yadda yadda yadda. Now the Kid's been accepted to college, and Reality starts to set in. How the hell are we going to pay for it? you ask yourself. Must your Empty Nest = Empty Pockets?

Despair not. The Wall Street Journal comes to the rescue.
Take a look:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703612804575222303415618316.html?mod=WSJ_PersonalFinance_PF2

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY A CONDO

2010-05-27T10:03:00.000-07:00

Looking to buy a condominium? Here are some tips to keep in mind before you sign on the dotted line. You are about to buy into a group, and the rules of the group rule the way you can live. Here are the 10 questions buyers should ask when deciding whether to purchase a condominium unit:

1.What is the monthly condominium fee and what does it pay for? The monthly condominium fees vary dramatically from condominium to condominium. The fee is a by-product of the number of units, the annual expenses to maintain the common area, whether the condo is professionally managed or self-managed, the age and condition of the project, and other variables such as litigation. For budgeting and financing you need to know the monthly fee and exactly what you are getting for it.

2. What are the condominium rules & regulations? Condominium rules can prohibit pets, your ability to rent out the unit and to perform renovations. Make sure you carefully review ALL the rules and regulations before buying. Needless to say, the buyer's attorney should review and approve all condominium documents, including the master deed, declaration of trust/by-laws, covenants, unit deed and floor plans to ensure compliance with state condominium laws as well as Fannie Mae and FHA guidelines, as necessary.

3. How much money is in the capital reserve account and how much is funded annually? The capital reserve fund is like an insurance policy for the inevitable capital repairs every building requires. As a general rule, the fund should contain at least 10% of the annual revenue budget, and in the case of older projects, even more. If the capital reserve account is poorly funded, there is a higher risk of a special assessment. Get a copy of the last 2 years budget, the current reserve account funding level and any capital reserve study.

4. Are there any contemplated or pending special assessments? Special assessments are one-time fees for capital improvements payable by every unit owner. Some special assessments can run in the thousands. You need to be aware if you are buying a special assessment along with your unit. It's a good idea to ask for the last 2 years of condominium meeting minutes to check what's been going on with the condominium.

5. Is there a professional management company or is the association self-managed? A professional management company, while an added cost, can add great value to a condominium with well run governance and management of common areas.

6. Is the condominium involved in any pending legal actions? Legal disputes between owners, with developers, or with the association can signal trouble and/or a poorly run organization. Legal action equals attorneys’ fees which are payable out of the condominium budget and could result in a special assessment. In most states, you can run a search of the condominium association in the court database to check if they've been involved in recent lawsuits.

7. How many units are owner occupied? A large percentage of renters can create unwanted noise and neighbor issues. It can also raise re-sale and financing issues with the new Fannie Mae and FHA condominium regulations which limit owner-occupancy rates. If your buyer is using conventional financing, check if it is a Fannie Mae-approved condo. If FHA financing, check if it's an FHA approved condo.

8. What is the condominium fee delinquency rate? Again, a signal of financial trouble, and Fannie Mae and FHA want to see the rate at 15% or less.

9. Do unit owners have exclusive easements or the right to use certain common areas such as porches, decks, storage spaces and parking spaces? Condominiums differ as to how they structure the “ownership” of certain amenities such as roof decks, porches, storage spaces and parking spaces. Sometimes, they are truly “deeded” with the unit, so the unit owner has sole responsibility for maintenance and repairs. Sometimes, they are common areas in which the unit owner has the exclusive right to use, but the maintenance and repair is left with the association. Review the Master Deed and Unit Deed on this one.

10. What Does The Master Insurance Policy Cover? The condominium should have up to $1M or more in coverage under their master condominium policy. For a buyer's own protection, they should always buy an individual HO-6 policy covering the interior and contents of the unit, because the master policy and condo by-laws may not cover all damage to their personal possessions and interior damage in case of a roof leak, water pipe burst or other problem arising from a common area element. Ask for a copy of the master insurance policy and don't forget to check the fine print of the by-laws. Sometimes, there's language that would hurt a unit owner in case of a common area casualty. Condominiums over 20 units should also have fidelity insurance to protect against embezzlement.

IS YOUR BANK HEALTHY?

2010-05-20T10:22:00.000-07:00

Everyone is worried about banks these days.

You make a deposit one day and find out the Federal Reserve is taking it over the next....what a world we live in.

How do you know if your Bank is healthy? Take a look at this article:

http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/24/how-to-find-out-if-your-bank-is-healthy/?ref=your-money

OVERDRAFT PROTECTION...WHAT'S THE DEAL?

2010-05-13T10:26:00.000-07:00

We've been reading about overdraft protection from the Banks. What does it all mean?

Take a look at this article from the Fed to make sure you don't have to pay for overdrafts:

http://www.federalreserve.gov/consumerinfo/wyntk_overdraft.htm

MONEY SAVING REMODELING TIPS

2010-05-06T10:30:00.000-07:00

You are always told to do remodeling before you sell your house. Maybe you're not even planning to move; you just want to do some home improvements, but you don't have alot to spend. What to do....what to do?

We found this money saving article with some terrific tips, take a look:

http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2010/02/25/16-tips-to-save-on-home-remodeling/

BEST HEALTH WEBSITES

2010-04-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

Your doctor tells you have so-and-so and such-and-such, throws a lot of terms at you, and as you leave the office you say to yourself, "What did he/she say?" We've all gone been there. Or you have a symptom and before you call your doctor, you want to check it out. What do you do? Here are some sites to help you out.

health.com
Health.com has up-to-the-minute news and an interactive “Symptom Checker” that is as addictive as it is helpful.

mayoclinic.com
The all-inclusive, vibrant home page includes a “Find It Fast” box that allows you to quickly look up what’s ailing you and then offers an alternative therapy for each possible diagnosis.

healthfinder.gov
Sponsored by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, this site has drug information and newsletters (on topics such as diet and fitness) that can be lifesavers.

menopause.org
Visit the Consumers section of the website of the North American Menopause Society for updated information on hormone therapy, a menopause glossary, a guide to stress relief, and a monthly newsletter called, yes, Menopause Flashes.

acog.org
This all-inclusive women’s-health-care site from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists thoroughly covers both niche and broad topics. Click on “ACOG Patient Page” for dietary tips, authoritative pamphlets on mammograms and other tests, and help finding a good ob-gyn near you.

cancer.org
Cancer patients and their loved ones can feel overwhelmed by information, statistics, and options. The American Cancer Society site is helpful in winnowing the information into manageable pieces, and it offers a page called “Treatment Decisions Tools” to refine options.

merck.com/mmhe
The online Merck Manuals are efficiently alphabetized and all-inclusive, and they tell you the last time the entries were updated. The “Drugs” tab has a wealth of key information about medications, including medicinal herbs and supplements.

medlineplus.gov
Although the design of the Medline Plus site feels a bit dry, find your way to the Interactive Health Tutorials, which provide graphic guides to any condition, useful stats, and helpful Q. & A.’s.

realself.com
This site has lots of nitty-gritty info (much of it from patients’ personal experiences) on plastic-surgery treatments. There are also doctor-answered Q. & A.’s about rhinoplasty, Restylane, and breast implants.

americanheart.org
Make heart-healthy food choices with “My Grocery List,” a special feature that allows you to select from a list of items, enter your quantity, save it to your PDA, or print it out for an easier shopping trip.

Disclaimer: We're not telling you to use these sites in lieu of a doctor visit or call. These are just places to get more info.

HOW TO CRASH RESTRICTED SHOPPING SITES

2010-04-22T12:24:00.000-07:00

The recession has not been good to the fashion industry. Bad news for them. Good news for you. If you're into the Designer thing, here's a Wall Street Journal article tailor-made for you.

Take a look:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703882804574642220898225820.html?mod=WSJ_PersonalFinance_PF2

TIPS FOR GETTING A FREE FREQUENT FLYER AIRLINE TICKET

2010-04-15T12:39:00.000-07:00

Even though recession-weary consumers may want to cash in frequent-flyer miles to get free trips and upgrades more than ever these days, it's gotten harder to snare those awards. Since airlines aggressively reduced capacity through the economic downturn, they've filled flights fuller with paying customers and appear to have reduced availability of award seats and upgrades. As the economy picks up, passenger demand for seats will get tighter.

Landing the free seat you want using frequent-flier miles has long been one of the biggest frustrations for travelers. The prizes offered by airlines are enticing, but the seats never seem to be available on the flights and routes you want. Some people try to call airlines at midnight 11 months before the date they plan to travel—typically when booking opens for a flight—to be first in line for frequent-flier award seats. Some know to check repeatedly because airlines change inventory daily. And many give up the search, letting miles accumulate and cursing airlines for selling false hope.

Still, there are several new tools available to help you find that elusive award. Some airlines have made it easier to find award seats—when they are available—and several Web sites have tools to help you search. ExpertFlyer and another site called MileageManager.com have award alerts that send you an email when a frequent-flier seat or upgrade opens up on a flight you want.

Airlines often hold back frequent-flier award seats or upgrades on popular flights, hoping that bookings by fare-paying passengers will be strong. But if seats don't sell as briskly as predicted, awards can be made available for booking in reservation systems at anytime.

ExpertFlyer's award alert feature works on 22 airlines worldwide, including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, a unit of Hawaiian Holdings Inc., in the U.S., plus Air Canada, Air China, Air France, which is a unit of the Air France KLM Group, Qantas Airways and others. ExpertFlyer says that more than 50% of customers who look for an award actually find one that works for them.

MileageManager requires you to register your frequent flier accounts with the service, turning over your airline account number and password, before its AwardPlanner function can be used. Both MileageManager and ExpertFlyer offer free trial periods, but after that MileageManager is $14.95 per year and ExpertFlyer costs $9.99 a month.

On the airline side, check alliance Web sites—StarAlliance.com, oneWorld.com and SkyTeam.com—that show flights on partner airlines that may not be displayed on your own airline's booking site. Those partner airlines may have award seats available, but you'll need to call to find out. LOT Polish, for example, might offer something that doesn't automatically show up on UAL Corp.'s United Airlines' Web site, but you can often use your United miles to book it if you know what to ask for.

Airlines have long told customers that flexibility is the key to booking awards—a willingness to travel on different days or even to different cities increases your chances of finding an award. But now airlines are also becoming more flexible and giving customers more options to redeem their miles. That's because it is actually in the airlines' interest to encourage fliers to use miles.

A change in accounting rules has made it more expensive for airlines to carry unredeemed miles on their balance sheets. And miles have become a huge cash generator for airlines, primarily by selling them to credit card companies that give them out as customer rewards. If the miles lose their shine by being difficult to use, credit card companies may curb their purchases. Last year, American pre-sold $1 billion worth of AAdvantage miles to Citicorp, propping up the airline financially and showcasing the importance of miles.

In an effort to spur mileage redemption, Alaska Airlines began offering one-way awards in 2007, allowing customers to use miles for just a one-way ticket, or mix-and-match different mileage levels into one round-trip. The result has been a sharp rise in award redemption for that airline. In 2008, the number of awards redeemed with frequent- flier miles jumped 26% and mileage balances in accounts declined, according to Alaska, a unit of Alaska Air Group Inc. (The airline hasn't yet reported 2009 redemptions.)

AMR Corp.'s American and Delta now offer one-way award pricing as well. Continental and US Airways Group Inc. also allow different award levels to be combined. A flight at the cheapest award level, typically 25,000 miles round-trip for domestic itineraries, might be available for the outbound part of a trip, but not available for the return the customer wants. Book the return at the 50,000-mile level, and you get the seats you want for a total of 12,500 outbound plus 25,000 for the return, or 37,500 miles total.

Most airlines also now offer calendars on their Web sites that quickly show customers what dates have awards available, and at what mileage levels.

20 Ways To Get Healthier for Free

2010-04-08T13:06:00.000-07:00

Freebies are always good. Your health is always important. Free health tips are AWESOME.

Take a look:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/34864844/ns/today-today_health/

HOW TO NEGOTIATE THE CAR TRADE IN

2010-04-01T11:34:00.000-07:00

In past postings we've talked to your about How to Buy a Car (http://cheapiosity.blogspot.com/2008/05/buying-car.html). 'Nough said.....everything you need to know is there.

However, there's another part of the car buying process that deserves your (and our) attention: How to Negotiate the Car Trade-In. This is another opportunity for a car dealership to rip you off. You negotiate a great deal and now it's time to talk about the trade-in. They take the car away for their used car people to look at. Then they come back with an amount that is so far below its value, for reasons that are usually cosmetic. They tell you how much it's going to cost them to be able to "just get their money back!" Baloney! Phooey! Feh! Feh! Feh! Car dealerships are not in the business of losing money.....they just want to rip you off and make more money. Don't fall for it.

Here are things to keep in mind:

1. Research the value. There are numerous Web sites where solid information is available, including Edmunds.com, says Philip Reed, senior consumer advice editor at Edmunds.com in Santa Monica, California. You also can visit Kelley Blue Book, AutoTrader, and the National Automobile Dealers Association, or check for similar cars being auctioned on eBay. If you have a CarMax store nearby, take your car there for a free appraisal.

2. Make sure the time is right. Convertibles don't sell well in the North during winter months, but four-wheel drive vehicles do. Likewise, if you owe more on your car trade-in than you think you'll get from a dealer, you're in a very weak bargaining position. Follow the news and trends; when gas prices go up, demand for fuel-efficient cars goes up, and values of SUV's and trucks go down.

3. Spruce up the car. Give the car the equivalent of "curb appeal" so the potential buyer's initial reaction is positive. Go to the car wash, clean up the inside, etc. Sometimes you have to spend money to save money. (What a concept. We're feeling a little faint.)

4. Show your records. If you've kept all the maintenance records on your car, take them with you, and ask the dealer if you can get more for your car because of your full disclosure and vigilance.

5. Negotiate the new purchase and car trade-in separately. Many make the mistake of making the new car deal first, then figuring out what their trade-in is worth and trusting the new car dealership to "be fair." However, consumer wisdom dictates that each transaction should be treated separately. Rather than negotiating the new car price first, research your trade-in first, especially if you have a fairly sought-after car. One way to find out is to put up an ad on Craigslist.org and see what kind of offers you get.

6. What should you say? Start your negotiation by letting the salesperson know you've done some research. "Say something along the lines of: "I was researching cars online to see what I can get for this car." Don't open up with an overconfident arrogance: "It's worth $4,000 and not a penny less."

7. Avoid game-playing. Some unscrupulous car dealers have been known to throw your car keys on the roof so you can't leave until you drive off in a new car. Make a phone call before you go, ask the used-car manager what the value of your trade-in is. If you get a negative feeling on the phone, you'll want to scratch that dealership off your list and save yourself a trip. Salespeople may also try to hold on to your driver's license and registration. Carry a copy of your driver's license to give them and don't part with the registration until you're in the finance office.

8. Explore the tax advantage. All but eight states allow you to pay sales tax on the purchase price of the new vehicle minus what the dealer is giving you for your car trade-in. The reduction in sales tax in states with rates of 9 percent to 11 percent can add up to substantial savings. You may be able to save $1,000 or more, so check your state's tax advantage.

AIRLINE SAVINGS IN 2010

2010-03-25T10:22:00.000-07:00

The airline industry is in a bind, and it’s putting the squeeze on you. But the squeeze isn’t coming from higher ticket prices -- lower demand caused by the recession has actually prompted airlines to cut fares 13% over the past year. To boost bottom lines, airlines are levying extra fees, cutting routes and getting downright stingy with trips granted in their frequent-flyer programs.

The latest galling add-on is the holiday surcharge. Such fees first appeared in September, when some major airlines applied an extra $10 charge each way to fares on three of the busiest travel days for the 2009 winter holidays. A couple of weeks later, the charge bumped up to $20 each way and spread to another ten popular travel dates between the 2009 winter holidays and Memorial Day 2010.

But that’s not all. The surcharge now applies to nearly 100 dates from December 18, 2009, through October 17, 2010. The highest fee will be $50 for flights from three Florida cities -- Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach -- on February 8, the day after the Super Bowl in Miami.

Perfect Timing

Avoiding those peak travel days will save you more than just a surcharge. Less-traveled days, times and routes will also get you a lower fare. For example, the cheapest flights of the week are typically on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturday afternoons. Early-morning flights will save you money, and they’re also less likely to be delayed. And flying into smaller airports -- for instance, heading to Manchester, N.H., or Providence, R.I., instead of Boston’s Logan Airport -- can cut your costs, too.

The timing of your purchase can be just as important when it comes to saving. Some fares fluctuate rapidly, so use the Web to help you catch them when they’re low. Alerts from Airfarewatchdog.com will notify you of low fares for your selected route, but not for specific dates. Alerts from Bing Travel (http://www.blogger.com/www.bing.com/travel) work well if you’re looking for flights on certain dates. At Kayak.com, you can set up alerts using either method. Neither Bing nor Kayak tracks Southwest Airlines; download its deal alerts at www.southwest.com/ding.

Where the Wild Deals Are

If you’re looking for a low-cost vacation, here’s a tip: Check regions of the world where local competition makes air travel particularly inexpensive. Latin America (especially Central America) and Southeast Asia have been identified as the top two low-cost areas.

In Latin America first it’s less expensive to get to hub cities, and you won’t face any major problems with jet lag. To fly there on the cheap, try using lesser-known airlines.

Spirit Air, for example, flies out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to 14 destinations in Central and South America. If you join the airline’s Fare Club for $40 a year, you’ll get offers for round-trip fares as low as $18, excluding taxes and fees. Little-known Copa Airlines flies from several U.S. cities to a number of South American countries through Panama City, a regional hub.

Airfare to Southeast Asia costs more, but once there you can fly throughout the region at bargain prices. Plus, prices for food, lodging and entertainment are also low. Try starting in Thailand. From the U.S., flying to Bangkok is usually more affordable than to other Asian destinations; Bangkok offers a good base from which to hopscotch through the region aboard budget airlines.

The same strategy applies when you’re traveling in Europe. For instance, Hamburg is an affordable hub from which you can fly inexpensively to other cities. Dublin, home of Ryan-air, also works well as a European hub. But watch out for extra fees that are even more outrageous than what you may be charged at home. For example, instead of charging a single fee for an overweight bag, some airlines impose a fee for each kilo (2.2 pounds) over the limit.

For help finding a budget airline, go to http://www.whichbudget.com/. Select your overseas starting point, end point or both, and the site will list airlines you’ve probably never heard of that service each route.

Frequent-Flyer Programs

What’s Changed. Loyalty has never been less rewarding. Airlines are modifying their programs to require many more miles in trade for a ticket. Plus, many programs charge extra fees for issuing or changing tickets, or for booking -- then canceling -- a flight. And using your miles for an upgrade could mean some crazy fees -- up to a whopping $1,000 for the cushy seats on international flights on Continental and United airlines, for example.

Best Deals. Southwest’s Rapid Rewards program currently offers a simple system: Fly eight round-trips within two years and you get a free round-trip ticket -- with just one possible extra fee ($50 to reactivate expired miles). The program is slated for a makeover in mid 2010, and details of Rapid Rewards 2.0 are as yet unknown. Check out, Alaska Airlines’ program, even if you never plan to set foot on an Alaska Airlines plane. The program allows you to earn elite status, which lands you advantages such as bonus miles and preferred seating, by flying any of more than a dozen air carriers that partner with Alaska, including American and Delta, which are members of the OneWorld and SkyTeam global alliances, respectively. And you can redeem your miles for flights on any of those partners.

What to Skip. Leaving your accounts inactive. An estimated ten trillion unused miles are currently in circulation, worth about $165 billion in tickets. A good portion of those will expire unused because airlines often close inactive accounts with little warning. You can keep your accounts active by earning and redeeming miles in several ways: flying on the appropriate airlines, using your rewards credit card or shopping at participating retailers.

Last-Minute Travel

What’s Changed. We had become accustomed to holding out for the big 11th-hour sales airlines would often offer to fill flights. But because many airlines are eliminating less-profitable flights, fewer tickets are available for discounts.

Best Deals. Airlines are keeping their best last-minute fares from the aggregators and online travel agencies and offering them on their own sites. Get those bargains by signing up for airlines’ free rewards programs to receive e-mails with promotional codes and special offers.

What to Skip. LastMinute.com. Over the past year, as airlines have increasingly highlighted last-minute deals on their own sites, LastMinute.com has often come up empty.

WHAT NOT TO BUY IN 2010

2010-03-18T10:13:00.000-07:00

Even though they tell us the economy is getting better, we urge you to be a prudent spender.
The best bargain is not buying anything you don't really need. Think cheap. It'll pay off big.

Here are some things to avoid:

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/01/15/save-your-money-12-things-you-shouldnt-buy-in-2010/

TAX DEDUCTIONS NOT TO BE OVERLOOKED

2010-03-11T10:15:00.000-08:00

We all have to pay our fair share of taxes, but let's not pay too much. Here are some tips:

1. Overlooked mileage deductions

There are two great mileage deductions that many people overlook. First, the IRS allows you to deduct mileage if the drive is "primarily for, and essential to,” medical care. This one’s tremendously helpful if you need frequent medical treatments outside the home, such as physical therapy, regular blood work, or even chemotherapy. For 2009, the medical mileage deduction is 24 cents per mile.

Also, if you work with a charity, be sure you take a deduction for the miles you drive related to your charity work. For 2009, the mileage rate remains unchanged at 14 cents per mile. If this little-used tax break applies to you, take advantage of it!

2. Tax deductions even if you DON’T itemize

If you don’t itemize deductions on your income tax return, you’ll want to pay attention to the following goody.

It used to be that if you wanted to deduct your home’s property taxes from your income, you had to itemize (using Schedule A). But a new law passed in 2008 lets you increase your standard deduction by the amount of real property tax you could have claimed if you did itemize -- up to $500 ($1,000 on a joint return).

3. Overlooked deduction on new vehicles

If you bought a new vehicle between February 17 and December 31, 2009, you can deduct the sales and excise taxes that you paid up to a maximum purchase price of $49,500. Even better, you can take this deduction whether you itemize or take the standard deduction. If you take the standard deduction, use Schedule L to claim your deduction.

4. Overlooked state tax deduction

If you paid any state income taxes in the Spring because you owed taxes when you filed your returns, remember to count it towards your 2009 state income tax deduction.

5. Tax deductions for “going green”

If you made an effort to “go green” in 2009, Uncle Sam wants to reward you by putting a few extra dollars in your pocket. Unlike deductions against your income, these are actual tax credits ... and tax credits are directly subtracted from the tax you owe!

First, you can get a tax credit of up to 30% of your cost for energy efficient heating and cooling products such as HVAC systems, solar water heaters and geothermal heat pumps.

Plus, you can get a tax credit in 2009 and 2010 of 30% on up to $1,500 dollars of energy-saving home improvements. If you made any improvements to make your home more energy efficient, such as replacing windows, insulating your attic, adding storm doors, etc., don’t overlook this tax credit.

6. Overlooked tax deductions when you sell your home

If you were lucky enough to sell your home last year, you have some tax deductions coming to you. You can deduct the costs associated with selling your home, including the commission you paid your real estate agent, any legal fees, and closing costs.

7. Overlooked tax deduction for homeowners

If you took out a first mortgage or refinanced after January 1, 2007 and are paying private mortgage insurance (PMI), that expense is now deductible. Simply use Line 13 on Schedule A -- the same form that you use to deduct mortgage interest and property taxes.

Your lender should make this easy by telling you the amount of your PMI premium in Box 4 of your Form 1098.

This deduction is scheduled to disappear after 2010, so make the most of it while it lasts!

8. Overlooked tax deductions for investors

Funny how so many investors can be SO careful with how they invest their money, yet careless when it comes to deducting investment-related expenses on their taxes. Be sure to write off any and all investment publications to which you subscribe. And don’t forget other expenses, such as your financial advisor’s annual fees, mileage for visits to your broker or financial advisor, safety deposit boxes and other investment fees that you may pay directly.

9. Deductions for those out of work

If you were unemployed in 2009, don’t overlook valuable tax deductions that can lower your tax bill. For starters, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (better known as the “stimulus package”) made the first $2,400 you receive in unemployment benefits tax free.

In addition, if you looked for a job in 2009 in the same field as the one that you lost, you might be able to deduct your job search expenses. Even if you didn’t get the job, your expenses may still be deductible. Possible deductions include employment agency fees, resume preparation, advertising, postage, long-distance phone calls, and travel. You can claim these job-seeking expenses as long as the amount of all miscellaneous itemized tax deductions is more than 2% of your adjusted gross income (AGI).

10. Tax credit for working parents

Don’t skip this one ... it’s really a tax credit and not a deduction. If you pay for childcare, including daycare or nanny services, you can reduce your taxes up to $3,000 for a single child or up to $6,000 for two or more children under the age of 13.

The amount of the credit ranges from 20 to 35% of your child care costs, depending on your gross income. For example, if your income is $43,000 or more, you can claim a 20% credit on your childcare costs. So if you have one child and you spend $8,000 a year in childcare costs, you can save 20% off the first $3,000 -- or $600.

As always, certain “rules” apply, so be sure to check with your tax advisor.

One last thing: Overlooked deduction for tax prep

Don’t forget to deduct ANY costs pertaining to tax planning. These are easy to forget because they really fall under the category of “miscellaneous” itemized expenses.

You can write off your tax preparation fees, plus portions of any legal or accounting fees related to your taxes. Meaning if you sat down with an attorney to review your estate, and you spent a part of that time reviewing the tax implications, that time would be tax deductible.

NEW CREDIT CARD LAW, BANKS and HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

2010-03-04T11:18:00.000-08:00

Unless you live under a rock, you've seen some mention of the New Credit Card Law on your local and national news. In case you missed all the blah, blah, blah, here it is in print to make you even more confused:

http://www.defendyourdollars.org/CC%20summary_1.25.2010.pdf

Okay, so now that you've read it.....are you still awake?

What we did not know is that the company can still raise interest rates, charge fees, and even cancel your card without warning. What did you expect? The world isn't stacked in our favor. Banks aren't about to treat us consumers nicely. But don't despair. Team CHEAPIOSITY is on your side. We're here to help. Here are some tips to help you out in your time of credit card confusion.

Cambridgecredit.org for nonprofit credit counseling. These people will help you get a lower APR and they'll give you advice on how to lower your credit card debt.

Creditcardperks.com for a list of credit card deals. This site will tell you the best deals, with the best perks, to get you more bang for your credit card bucks. There's also lots of good info about credit cards and debt, so take time and look at the site thoroughly.

HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON ENERGY COSTS THIS WINTER #2

2010-02-25T12:11:00.000-08:00

Here are some tips on energy costs this winter. We wrote about it in 2008: http://cheapiosity.blogspot.com/2008/09/energy-savingcheap-tricks.html.

So we thought it was time for an update:

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/home/2010/01/heating-oil-natural-gas-prices-rise-how-to-save-on-energy-costs-this-winter.html

MONEY SAVING TRAVEL TIPS FOR 2010

2010-02-18T10:01:00.000-08:00

The New York Times has a pertinent article on travel tips for the New Year.

We urge you to take a look:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/travel/10pracsave.html?ref=technology

OUTLET MALL SHOPPING TIPS

2010-02-11T09:58:00.000-08:00

When outlet malls and outlet stores first appeared, it was worth the drive to get real bargains. These days, that may longer be the case.

The whole "outlet" business model may be misleading by promising screaming deals but delivering little more than long drives, fake discounts and shoddy merchandise. Buyer beware!

Here are some tips:

1. Just Ask. Ask the salesperson: Is this pair of jeans the exact same as the ones at Neiman- Marcus, or were they made specifically to be sold in outlet stores?

2. Arm Yourself with Knowledge. Familiarize yourself with the stuff you’re shopping for by visiting a retail store first. How else can you possibly know if those jeans marked $150 are really $150 back in town?

3. Details, Details. Note that items in outlet stores may be made of cheaper materials and with less workmanship, which makes them less of a bargain.

As we constantly preach, be an educated consumer. You may find that saving the drive and shopping online may be a more economical solution.

HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON GYM MEMBERSHIPS

2010-02-04T12:05:00.000-08:00

You made a New Years Resolution to lose weight or stay fit. Good for you.

You need to go to a gym to accomplish your goal. Not so good for you.

Did you know that the average gym membership can run $700 or more? Yikes! Don't these people know that there's a recession?

Here are some tips to cut your membership by 50% or more:

1. Most gyms offer a 1 or 2 week free trial before you sign up. Take advantage of these offers with all the gyms in your area. This way you'll know if the facility is right for you and you can compare prices and maybe negotiate by pitting on against the other. Worse case scenario, you'll get several weeks of free gym usage.

2. As we mentioned above - negotiate. Ask about new membership sales and promotions. There are lots of discounts in the beginning of the year, so take advantage of them. Also, check the internet for prices. Look for newspaper ads and don't forget the local free papers too.

3. Check with HR. Many companies offer gym discounts available through their Human Resources Departments. Some even offer incentives to stay fit. (This is for those of you with jobs.)

4. Check with your landlord if there is a fitness center in your building. (This is for those of you in apartments.) Very often there is an additional charge for its use. If so, try to get those fees included in your rent. If there are a lot of apartment vacancies, insist on free gym use; after all, they don't want you to leave.

5. Check your insurance. Very often, Insurance Companies will offer gym promotions for their insured, and it never hurts to ask.

6. Check your other memberships. Costco, AAA, AARP, Credit Unions, etc. may offer discounts for their members.

7. Pay month to month. If you're not sure if you're going to stick with your fitness regimen, go for month to month payments before you sign a long term contract. According to research, most members visit a gym less than 50 times a year. If you become one of those people, take a long hard look to see if a gym membership makes sense for you.

AVOID AFFINITY FRAUD

2010-01-28T09:58:00.000-08:00

What the hell is AFFINITY FRAUD? We don't have enough to worry about....there's more?

Remember Bernie Madoff, King of the Ponzi Scheme, in the slammer for scamming many wealthy people out of billions of dollars? Well, he perpetrted a type of Affinity Fraud. Affinity Fraud occurs when investment scams are targeted at specific groups of people. Targeted groups usually include the elderly, the religious or professionals. Unfortunately, the very people who do the scamming can sometimes be the ones that people trust the most. One way to protect yourself is to understand what affinity fraud is and how to avoid it.

We urge you to read the following article and learn more:

http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/09/avoiding-affinity-fraud.asp?viewed=1

TOP 10 SCAMS and RIPOFFS OF 2009

2010-01-20T11:25:00.000-08:00

The Better Business Bureau has come out with a list of the biggest scams and ripoffs of last year.

Please take note and don't become a victim:

http://www.bbb.org/us/article/bbb-lists-top-10-scams-and-rip-offs-of-2009-14436

AVOIDING GROCERY STORE MARKETING TRICKS

2010-01-14T10:00:00.000-08:00

If you ever leave the grocery store with a slight sense of bewilderment at what you've just bought, you are not alone.

Despite the utilitarian look of most grocers' shelves, careful science goes into deciding how to display the thousands of items each store carries and how to make them appeal to consumers.

Marketers tug shoppers toward items they did not intend to buy (thus the bewilderment) with package design, shelf placement, tie-ins and temporary price cuts.

Here's what to watch for next time you head out for groceries.

1. End of the aisle: Marketers pay grocers dearly to put their wares on the prominent shelves at the end of each aisle because products there can sell 30 percent more than those on other shelves, even when the item is cheaper elsewhere in the store. Shoppers see so-called end-caps more easily and sometimes mistakenly assume they hold hidden deals or clearance items.

2. Eye-level, eyes open: Grocers and marketers know shoppers look straight ahead or, at most, from side to side, as they shop. So products on shelves at eye level often cost more than their lower-shelf siblings (or even items slightly higher).

3. More can be less: One in four times a smaller version of a product was cheaper per ounce or pound or serving or other "unit." So check the unit price instead of assuming that bigger means cheaper.

4. D-I-Y carrot sticks: Cut-up fruits, vegetables and cheese cater to shoppers who want to pry open a plastic bag instead of hunching over a cutting board, but that convenience can be pricey.

5. Don't pick their number: Be wary of suggestions from marketers, especially the buy-five-for-$5 type. You usually don't have to buy all five to get the promotional price, but people often do, either because they think they have to or because they feel like they'll save more.

6. That one last thing: The items in the display by the cash register are always marked up, whether they're toothbrushes, bandages, candy or toys. Avoid them.

7. Remember the tried-and-true: Buy store brands, which can be even more economical than shopping at warehouse clubs.

Bottom Line: MAKE A LIST AND STICK TO IT!!!!!

$AVING ON GAS

2010-01-07T11:35:00.000-08:00

Gasoline prices are up 29 percent from a year ago, so finding ways to stretch your personal petro dollars could be a welcome treat.

Everyone knows the basics: Avoid jackrabbit starts and sudden stops, drive slower (since every 5 mph over 60 means paying an extra 20 cents a gallon for gas) and keep your tires inflated (the EPA says doing so can reduce fuel use by 3.3 percent).

You can also skip those nutty liquid additives and air-hose attachments claiming to slash gas costs. Last year Consumer Reports tried them and concluded that you should not waste your money on them.

Here are some lesser known ways to boost gas mileage:

1. Many people mistakenly believe it’s harmful to your engine to simply start up and drive away, particularly in winter. But modern engines don’t need much of a warm-up. So start your car and drive off.

2. Not only does tailgating lead to the fuel-wasting cycle of applying brakes and hitting the gas to catch up, it can lead to sudden and unexpected road hazards. The Federal Trade Commission says that anticipating traffic conditions and avoiding tailgating can save 5 to 10 percent on your fuel bills.

3. Those toolboxes and old golf clubs cluttering your cargo space can cost you. According to EcoDriving USA, 100 pounds of extra weight translates to a 2 percent reduction in fuel economy. Lighten that load.

4. Professional drivers on the clock would never be without their electronic, windshield-mounted transponders, because E-Z Passes (and similar autopayment devices, like California's FasTrak and Florida's SunPass) let them zip through toll lanes, saving time and gas.

5. Many of us don't have a clue when the Check Engine light goes on. Often, the light is saying that the car’s emissions system is malfunctioning. If your oxygen sensor has failed, replacing it could improve your fuel economy by as much as 40 percent and end your car’s status as a gross polluter. So take the Check Engine light seriously, even if your car appears to be running fine.

6. A roof rack interferes with your car’s aerodynamics and can cost you 5 percent in fuel economy, so take it off when not in use.

7. Tighten your gas cap. The problem is gasoline evaporation. A loose or missing cap (which can also cause starting problems) can result in up to 30 gallons of evaporation annually. And that’s gas you already paid for.

8. Hybrids such as the Toyota Prius have in-car fuel-use gauges that let drivers see their consumption drop as their behavior evolves, so think about getting a mileage meter/gauge. The manufacturers claim you can increase fuel efficiency by 33%, by being aware of the way you drive.

9. Think about taking an eco-driving workshop. Don’t confuse this type of training with a standard driving school. Many driving schools are headed by former race drivers, so getting you to slow down may not be high on their priority list. These workshops teach you fuel-saving habits that also help you drive more safely.

SAVING WHILE SHOPPING

2009-12-17T11:30:00.000-08:00

As the shopping season begins, we're thinking ahead. Should you happen to have any money left over, we think you'll find the following article helpful:

http://www.shopsmartmag.org/files/Stock_up_and_save.pdf

We also check two websites regularly:

www. slickdeals.net

http://www.cheapstingybargains.com/

Happy Shopping!