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Money Savers: Working To Save You Cash in 2008!
NBC15 Money Savers: We're here to save you cash!
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Money Savers: an initiative to save you cash.
Every day on NBC15 News at 6:00pm, NBC15 News will bring you stories, ideas, or advice that could ultimately save you and your family money in these hard economic times.
The Financial Crisis LINKS:
Click HERE for the most updated information from CNBC
Click HERE for Finance News from Yahoo
Click HERE for Money Saving Ideas from Consumer Reports
Click HERE for Financial Advice and Tips from Bank Rate
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Tuesday, December 30, 2008 --- 6:00 p.m.
We've told you before about Walletpop.com. It's a great resource if you're trying to save money. And its latest article certainly caught our eye. It's titled "20 Unique Ways to Save" and on that list some not-so-obvious cost-cutting advice.
First: combine cell phone plans with your extended family. Remember, aunts and uncles, grandmothers and grandchildren all could save a bundle if bundled.
Also on the list: share your Netflix account with your neighbor. According to walletpop.com, sharing a movie subscription service is incredibly simple and cost effective. While your neighbors are often the most likely candidates, co-workers and friends also make for excellent potential subscription partners.
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Monday, December 29, 2008 --- 6:00 p.m.
Many of you received the hottest gadget at Christmas. So now turn your old electronics into cash.
Just head to BuyMyTronics.com. It's a website which pays you cash for old, even broken electronics.
Here's how it works. You submit information about your gadget: maybe your old iPod, iPhone or game console. Then it'll give you an instant price quote (how much it'll pay you). After you ship it, you'll get your payment either by check or paypal. It's that easy.
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Wednesday, December 17, 2008 --- 6:00 p.m.
If you're planning a getaway to some place warm, then head to the Dane County Regional Airport website at msnairport.com.
This year, the site added "airfarewatchdog." It prides itself as the only airfare alert and comparison site that includes fares on all airlines, including Southwest. The airlines lower airfares every day without advertising them and this website monitors those deals every minute of the day. Today we found a roundtrip ticket to Fort Lauderdale for $171 and a roundtrip ticket to Tampa for $197.
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Tuesday, December 16, 2008 --- 6:00 p.m.
Here's a wonderful holiday gift suggestion: A personalized calendar, filled with your treasured photos. Best of all -- you can do this for under $20.
With just a few clicks you can create your own personalized calendar, or even a coffee table style book.
The typical calendar is just under $20 and is so easy to make that you can design it using the photos on your computer in less than half an hour.
You select the pictures you want for each month by dragging them into various template designs.
And if you opt for a hardcover coffee table book, it can be done (generally) for under $30.
Here are the links to check out:
www.apple.com/ilife/iphoto/printproducts
www.hoorray.com
www.kodakgallery.com
www.photobucket.com
www.shutterfly.com
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Monday, December 15, 2008 --- 6:00 p.m.
We're all looking for ways to lower our grocery store bill. So an article at SmartMoney.com certainly caught our attention. The title: The top 5 items to always buy generic.
At the top of the list: produce.
That's followed by over-the-counter medications. Remember, the Food and Drug Administration requires that any products with the same active ingredient must meet the same efficacy standards, which means your drugstore ibuprofen must be just as effective as its brand-name counterparts (which includes Advil).
Next on the list: organic food, followed by basic skincare and beauty products, and pantry staples. Single-ingredient items, such as flour, salt, spices and sugar, are held to government regulations for production, packaging and storage. In other words, sugar is sugar, regardless of its label.
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Friday, December 5, 2008 --- 6:00 p.m.
We're working to save you cash this holiday season. The Wall Street Journal is out with a number of websites that can lead you to unbelievable bargains.
The first site: ShopItToMe.com. Once you sign-up, it emails you about sales involving your favorite brands or stores.
Next on the list: 6pm.com. It offers shoes, apparel and accessories at deep discounts.
Finally: DealDivine.com compiles coupons, sales and other deals.
Also, here's a piece of advice from the Wall Street Journal. Outlets, along with off-price stores such as TJ Maxx, often stock-up on Thursday and Fridays so shop on Friday nights for the best bargains.
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Thursday, December 4, 2008 --- 6:00 p.m.
If you are still doing your on-line holiday shopping, here's a website to add to your favorites: freeshipping.org.
The website offers free shipping coupons, coupon codes and free shipping discounts to some of the biggest online shopping stores.
These stores include Kohls, Lands End, Sears, Bloomingdales, Footlocker and Target just to name a few.
Also in Money Savers, this comes to us from NBC 15 viewer, John. He writes: "You mentioned a shopping comparison website on your broadcast today. Here is a much better one that compares thousands of products for best price based on the zip code you specify. It's mamma.com."
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Wednesday, December 3, 2008 --- 6:00 p.m.
How does this sound? Receive discounts at your favorite stores and a percentage of all your purchases go to your favorite charity!
That's the mission of GoodShop.com. It's an online shopping mall that donates a percentage of each purchase to the charity of your choice. It also provides you with coupons and deals.
It's easy to use. You enter your favorite charity's name. Then you shop from more than 700 online stores. Up to 37% of your purchase will go to your cause.
Some local charities we found include: Girl Scouts--Black Hawk Council, the Dane County Humane Society, Madison Youth Choirs, Friends of the Dane County Farmers' Market , and H I Victorious.
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Tuesday, December 2, 2008 --- 6:00 p.m.
As you make your holiday list this year, are you stumped on what to buy certain people? Now there's a website to help!
It's "findgift.com"
Consider this a website for the gift-giving challenged. FindGift.com has 57,000 gift ideas. It lets you select the recipient and the occasion. According to one review we read, with pages of ideas... you're sure to find something that will surprise everyone.
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Tuesday, November 25 --- 6:00 p.m.
Who needs sleep!? If you enjoy the excitement of Black Friday you can start your shopping at midnight!
Tanger Outlets in the Wisconsin Dells and the Johnson Creek Premium Outlets open at midnight on Friday. You can check out other store hours at NBC15.com.
Meanwhile, the website "walletpop.com" is showcasing deals that you can expect at popular retailers. For example: Kohl's may have the steepest discounts of the season, touting 300 doorbusters and many items in the store marked off 40% to 75% off.
At Wal-mart, doorbusters Friday morning include include $15 Blu-ray discs, $2 DVDs, $10 toys and an X-Box for $199.
Target is dropping prices on everything and is leading the way in discount electronics. The big price drop is on a 26-inch HDTV from Westinghouse for $299, but there's also a GPS system for $99.99.
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Monday, November 24 --- 6:00 p.m.
We are counting down to Black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year. According to one statistic we found, an estimated 29% of gifting this holiday will include gift cards. So check out "swapagift.com." It allows users to buy, sell or swap gift cards.
Also in Money Savers: Finding the lowest price for a product is just a phone call away.
It's called FRUCALL.
Here's how it works:
Say you're at a store about to buy a stereo. Before you do, you call 888-DO-FRUCALL. You'll enter the product's bar code number. Then, if it can find a cheaper price online, you'll immediately hear a list of prices. That way, you'll know if you're getting the best deal. Before you use this free service, you must first register with Frucall's Web site (frucall.com).
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Friday, November 21 --- 6:00 p.m.
You no longer have to make time to scan those ads and fliers for deals.
Price comparison websites like "pricegrabber.com and "nextag.com" will notify you when the price of a given item has dropped. Another site you should know about is "dealalerter.com." It emails you when the price falls below the price you set.
Dr. Pepper is making good on its promise of free soda. In March, the company said it'd give free soda to everyone in America if Guns N' Roses released their new album "Chinese Democracy" this year. It's been delayed for years. But the album will be released this Sunday.
So on Sunday, coupons for a free 20-ounce soda will be available for 24 hours on Dr Pepper's Web site. They'll be honored until February 28.
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Thursday, November 20 --- 6:00 p.m.
With times tight, everyone is looking for ways to save money. Now the website "walletpop.com" is out with its list of 10 Retail Rip-offs.
At the top of the list: wine at restaurants. According to walletpop --- restaurants charge 100% to 200% more than what you'd pay for that bottle of wine at the store. And it's a whopping 300% to 400% markup if you buy wine by the glass.
Also on the list -- pre-cut produce. Wallet-pop says you're paying at least double the cost for pre-cut produce instead of buying their whole counterparts.
The site also encourages you to stay away from brand name medication. A general rule of thumb is you'll pay 30% to 40% more for name brand medication than generics.
Target announced this week it will aggressively cut prices to give consumers bargains during the holiday season. This after third quarter earnings fell 24%.
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Wednesday, November 19 --- 6:00 p.m.
The next time you book a flight -- consider a flight out of the Chicago Rockford International Airport.
For example --- it just launched non-stop flights to the Ft. Myers area and Myrtle Beach. That Myrtle Beach flight starts at $99 one way. "Direct Air" is also advertising a Family Fare Sale where you can buy seats in bulk for your family. The airport also touts low-fares to non-stop destinations including Las Vegas, Clearwater/St. Petersburg, Phoenix/Mesa and Cancun. And all parking is free at Chicago Rockford International Airport.
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Tuesday, November 18 --- 6:00 p.m.
The website "walletpop.com" is out with ten restaurant chains that are actually lowering their prices to lure in customers with recession specials.
First up -- Outback. In September it expanded its Outback special to include a 6-ounce sirloin offering for only $9.99.
Next on the list: Denny's. It's now offering an express slam with 2 eggs, 2 pancakes, 2 bacon strips and 2 sausage links every weekday from 5:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for only $4.00.
Applebee's is currently offering a full meal for two people for just $20.00. The deal includes your choice of any four appetizers and two of nine entrees, including steak, burgers, seafood or salads.
At T-G-I Friday's -- you can now buy lunch or dinner starting at $5.99. Friday's is cutting the cost of a meal by simply serving less food. But "walletpop.com" says their slimmed-down entrees' still pack the flavor.
Those are the top four restaurant deals. For the complete list, go to Newslinks.
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Monday, November 17 --- 6:00 p.m.
On Friday we told you about the deals you'll find on Black Friday. Now what you should know so you don't waste your time and money.
This advice from "walletpop.com."
First - take advantage of Door Busters. Some of the best deals can be found before the crack of dawn.
Speak up and try to bargain. The tough economy could play right into your hands this holiday season.
Carry a calculator. Do the math for yourself to make sure you're getting the right discount. And tracking what you're spending will help you stick to your budget.
Stick to your list. Know exactly who you're buying for and what you're buying for them. Don't buy unintended gifts.
And keep your receipts in one place. If one of your gifts needs to be returned, you want to make sure you're getting all of your money back.
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Friday, November 14 --- 6:00 p.m.
We are now two weeks away from Black Friday - one of the busiest holiday shopping days of the year. And with budgets so tight for so many families, everyone will be looking for deals!
Check out "BlackFridayHome.com."
It claims it's the Official Black Friday website. Already ads are posted for Best Buy, JcPenney, RadioShack, Sam's Club and Walgreens, just to name a few. You can download these ads as you start your comparison shopping. Sam's is advertising a DVD Camcorder for under $200.00, and JcPenney is already touting it's Door Busters!
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Thursday, November 13 ---- 6:00 p.m.
Many shoppers are now doing their homework before they hit the stores. Price comparison websites are more popular than ever!
You simply type in your item and it will tell you where to find the best deals!
Here's what SmartMoney.com recommends.
"PriceGrabber.com" was the clear winner with results repeatedly among the cheapest and most accurate.
Next on the list -- Yahoo Shopping. It came in a close second, with great prices and a buyer protection program to protect users in the event of merchant fraud.
Here's another money saver. Netflix is now offering a free 2-week trial membership. You can cancel anytime in your first two weeks, and you won't be charged.
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Tuesday, November 11 --- 6:00 p.m.
As we work to save you cash this holiday season, Consumer Reports is out with 10 Money-Saving Secrets to buying electronics.
At the top of the list: buying online can be better. You might be reluctant to buy online, but the magazine says it's an option you should consider to save cash.
Be wary of pricey add-ons. Those fancy versions can cost twice as much but aren't likely to give you much "performance" benefit.
According to Consumer Reports, you don't need an extended warranty. Even if a repair is needed after the manufacturer's warranty expires, the bill for the repair is often comparable with the typical cost of an extended warranty.
Consider refurbished and open-box items. It can be worth buying a pre-owned item if you can save 30% or more. Refurbs are generally items that have been returned and supposedly restored to good-as-new condition by the manufacturer. An open-box item is a return that a retailer supposedly inspects, confirms is in working order, and then resells.
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Monday, November 10 --- 6:00 p.m.
This year, the sales have started before Black Friday. Of course, the shaky economy is forcing many consumers to cut back, so now retailers are slashing prices to lure shoppers into their stores.
But according to smartmoney.com, be careful and don't jump the gun. While early-bird sales can be extremely tempting, some analysts believe the deals will get even better.
At KMart.com, it's advertising "Black Friday Prices Available Now." The" blue light" retailer is offering 20% discounts on Christmas trees and up to 25% off certain electronics. The retailer says it plans to feature sales on more than 15 electronics items every Sunday through November 23rd.
And at Sears, a mega-sale is underway right now. 50% off mattresses and up to 60% off on its popular clothing brands. That sale runs through tomorrow.
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Friday, November 7 --- 6:00 p.m.
Don't have time to hunt for bargains? Then check out dealalerter.com.
Here's how it works. You pick out an item and the PRICE you're willing to pay for it. Then every day, the website will scan prices of dozens of on-line stores. If it finds the item you want at the price you set it'll send you an email alert. That easy!
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Wednesday, November 5 --- 6:00 p.m.
The economy is forcing a number of big retailers to cut their holiday orders. So manufacturers are giving their excess inventory to discount stores and websites.
One of these sites is overstock.com where business is actually booming. Consider overstock.com as an on-line outlet mall. Some of the biggest bargains at "Overstock" are in Gucci, Prada and Jimmy Choo shoes, as well as in bags, clothing, watches and electronics.
We reported before that Linens'n Things is closing its doors. While there aren't any stores located in our area, you can still take advantage of it's "Going Out of Business" sale. On its website LNT.com, items are marked down up to 30%.
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Monday, November 3 --- 6:00 p.m.
Last week we told you about "Voting Perks." For example, vote tomorrow and you'll get a free scoop of Ice Cream. Just stop by any Ben and Jerry's locations on Tuesday night, between 5pm and 8pm with your "I voted" sticker on to get your free scoop.
Here are more: Starbucks is also sponsoring a promotion. Simple cast your vote then head to Starbucks. Tell them you voted and get a *free* tall brewed coffee.
Steinhafels will take 20% off your entire purchase tomorrow if you bring in your "I Voted" sticker or the coupon that was in today's paper.
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Friday, October 31 --- 6:00 p.m.
This deal is just for guys. In fact, that's the website: dealsforguys.com.
It claims to be the world's first Web Site dedicated to helping men find real deals.
The site is easy to navigate. You click, print or link directly to deals ranging from tech, travel and personal care... to dining and entertainment.
Businesses include Sears, Amazon.com, Dick's Sporting Goods and Wal-Mart.
And, here's a voting perk. Vote on Tuesday and get a free scoop of Ice Cream. Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream is sponsoring this promotion. Just stop by any Ben and Jerry's locations on Tuesday night, between 5pm and 8pm with your "I voted" sticker on to get your free scoop.
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Thursday, October 30 --- 6:00 p.m.
This week we've been mentioning the deals you'll find on Black Friday.
Now we've found a website that claims every day is Black Friday!
It's Dealnews.com. According to the website, every deal listed is the lowest price it can find for that product.... sold by a reputable store. And it bans stores with a history of poor customer service.
The deal today: big savings on shoes. Right now, Amazon.com is taking up to 70% off Adidas men's and women's running shoes. Plus, spend $25 or more, and it will throw-in a free subscription to Lucky or Men's Vogue magazine.
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Wednesday, October 29 --- 6:00 p.m.
Last week we reported the "Toy" war between Toys R Us and Wal-Mart. Toys R Us is trying to reclaim the crown as the "biggest toy store!" So both have slashed prices. But they're not the only ones.
In fact, we just got a press release today for ALDI. It has a number of grocery stores in our area. ALDI has 22 items priced under $10, including this season's most popular toys, such as Barbie, Bratz, Hannah Montana Dolls and Transfomers. The toys are part of ALDIs "Special Purchases" which are offered for a limited time, while supplies last (usually a few weeks or less).
Here's another Money Saver this week, from one of our viewers. GAP has a new sale out: Buy One Pair of Pants and get a second one for half-off. Sale continues through November 12. The discount applies to most pants .... except for jeans and some sports styles.
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Tuesday, October 28 --- 6:00 p.m.
Nearly half of the workers recently surveyed by CareerBuilder.com said they live paycheck to paycheck. So now -- SmartMoney.com is out with its list of ** nine ** websites that connect you to **free** online tools and services to save money and manage it wisely.
On that list: Billshrink.com --- it searches various cell phone plans to find you the best deal.
Mint.com provides one-stop shopping for people who want to get a better handle on all of their household finances. It lets you customize you budget for specific expenses, including groceries and gas.
And Wesabe.com allows you to handle all of your accounts in one place and to set budget and savings goals.
Click HERE for list of websites
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Monday, October 27 --- 6:00 p.m.
Here it is -- "The Biggest Toy Book Ever" from Toys R Us. It arrived in our mailboxes over the weekend.
Toys R Us is trying to overtake Wal-Mart for the "biggest toy store" crown. So the store is slashing its prices. It also launched its first loyalty program, called Rewards "R" Us." It gives registered shoppers special deals, such as get $5 off every $150 purchased now through Christmas Eve.
We told you last week about Black Friday Sales and the websites that get the first look at the fliers.
Well, the Black Friday flier from "Sears" has already been leaked. Some of their deals include 55% off all frames and candles, a Kenmore Front Load High Efficiency Laundry Washer and Dryer for $599 and a Kodak Easyshare digital camera for $79.99.
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Friday, October 24 --- 6:00 p.m.
Millions of Americans go on-line to shop. And now, this new website will save you cash. Or, so it claims.
It's Cybermondaydiscountcodes.com
Of course, "Cyber Monday" is the first Monday after Thanksgiving, which is touted by retailers as one of the busiest online shopping days of the year.
But companies know you want bargains Year-Round!
So the website is designed to drive online shoppers... 365-days a year.
Cybermondaydiscountcodes.com is offering money-saving coupons and codes for online retailers like Target, Amazon, Overstock, Sears and Macys.
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Thursday, October 23 --- 6:00 p.m.
We've gotten quite a few emails and comments about this idea. Check out "MadisonStuffExchange.com."
The site lets you sell, give away or trade things you don't want with people who do.
Consider it an online garage sale.
There's lots of free stuff available, too. You can also post requests for items that you need. So in reality, the site works like a classified ad section, and it's free to use.
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Wednesday, October 22 --- 6:00 p.m.
The next time you need to dial 411, there's a new number you'll want to remember.
And this one won't cost a dime.
It's Google's new and FREE 411 service.
Here's the number: Dial 1-800-GOOG-4-1-1.
It's an automated system. So you'll say your city and state, and the business you're looking for and then it'll connect you to the number. It's that easy!
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Tuesday, October 21 --- 6:00 p.m.
Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year. And we've discovered several Black Friday websites are already up and running.
One site is "BlackFridayHome.com."
Another "Black-Friday.net."
These sites receive "sale-fliers" and "catalogs" before anyone else.
So you can bookmark these sites and for the next few weeks monitor the sales that will be on tap on Black Friday. Then, you can compare prices and save money.
Ads for "Harbor Freight" and "Ace Hardware" have already been posted as well as the "Toys R Us Big Toy Book."
By the way, places like Best Buy and Circuit City are already taking advantage of early shoppers trying to beat the Black Friday Rush. At Best Buy: no interest for 18-months on any purchase over $499. And at Circuit City: $15 off any purchase more than $100. That starts on November 7th.
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Monday, October 20 --- 6:00 p.m.
Today in Money Savers, you aren't the only one trying to save money. According to a survey by TD Ameritrade -- 87% of Americans have already cut-back on spending this year. And stores have certainly noticed!
At a Hy-Vee Supermarket in Boone, Iowa, a dietitian shows shoppers how to feed a family on a shoestring. Tonight's dinner: Chipotle Sour Cream Chicken... which, using Hy-Vee's budget items, will cost just $2 a person for a family of four.
In the midst of a financial crisis (with a stock market swoon to 5-year lows and 2-trillion dollars in retirement savings wiped out), consumers are pulling back sharply and businesses are adapting to the times.
At the nation's biggest retailer, save more-live better has been the slogan for about a year, back when the stock market was sitting at its highs. But with the economy on the edge, Wal-Mart's now getting more aggressive.
In fact, Wal-Mart's even added a financial advisor to its website to dispense advice to budget-conscious shoppers.
"Our most recent ads are really focused on the kinds of savings that families need in order for them to really manage their budget."
In tough times, businesses are selling the trade-down. Consumers may not want to pay up for a flat-screen TV, but may be willing to buy more DVD's, a cheaper alternative.
At Home Depot they've cut prices and are pushing energy efficient products like programmable thermostats, which the store says will save homeowners up to $180 on energy bills.
Selling Savings... to ring-up sales during a downturn.
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Friday, October 17 --- 6:00 p.m.
Tomorrow Christmas comes early at Farm and Fleet.
Stores will open at 7:00 a.m. as Farm and Fleet kicks off "Toyland." You can go online tonight to check out their toy catalog. Just head to farmandfleet.com.
Also in Money Savers: You might find some deals at tomorrow's Property Auction. It's put on by the Dane County Sheriff's Office, Madison Police Department, and other police agencies.
Doors open at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow morning at the Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall. The auction starts at 9:00 a.m.
On the auction list: over 300 bicycles, jewelry and watches, home electronics, clothing, car stereos and even office equipment.
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Thursday, October 16 --- 6:00 p.m.
If you need an incentive to kick-start your holiday shopping, we found it.
It's a "Toy Blow-Out Sale" at e-toys.com: 50%-70% off on selected toys!
One deal we found --- a TMX Extra Special Edition Tickle Me Elmo 56% off! It was $44.99, now just $19.99. And shipping is free!
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Wednesday, October 15 --- 6:00 p.m.
A handful of easy steps could put a big dent in your bills. Bankrate.com is out with this advice.
Weather-stripping, caulking doors or sealing windows can keep out cold and heat, lowering your heating and cooling bills.
Other advice: Install a programmable thermostat, switch to energy efficient light bulbs, and lower your water-heater temperature to 130 degrees.
At the grocery store, pay with cash. You'll be more likely to stick to your shopping list. Stick to the perimeters of the supermarket. That's where you'll find all the unprocessed basics you need (dairy products, meats, and bread). And cook cheaper meals. Instead of serving huge portions of meat, use it to supplement larger portions of rice or pasta in affordable casseroles.
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Tuesday, October 14 --- 6:00 p.m.
In this financial crisis, more and more Americans are using coupons. In fact, some people can cut their grocery bill in half.
Stephanie Nelson is known as the "Coupon Mom." We went shopping with her.
Stephanie Nelson says "This is a triple pack of toothpaste, and I have a store coupon that says if I buy the toothpaste along with mouthwash, I get five dollars off."
"The goal should be to cut your grocery bill in half."
"You get the big bottle of shampoo, so you're saving in bulk. But I have the store coupon for two dollars off, and I also have a newspaper coupon for two dollars off. So I use both of those. Instead of paying $6.99, I'll pay just $2.99."
"At the supermarkets, a gallon of milk can be as much as four dollars now, and some are more than that. So a wholesale club has great bargains. This milk is $2.62 a gallon."
"I have a family of four so I can buy larger quantities. And with something like ground beef, it's almost one dollar a pound less expensive here. And I'll break it up and put some in the freezer for next week."
"And make your menus around what's on sale. That makes such a difference in your spending."
Nelson says it may take a half-hour or less to go through Sunday newspaper circulars and online coupon sites to organize all of your coupons. But she believes the savings are well worth it.
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Monday, October 13 --- 6:00 p.m.
It's no secret dealerships are in serious trouble. For October, automakers are looking to lure buyers with special financing offers, cash back, and overall discounted car prices.
Here are some of the deals YAHOO discovered.
Ford is offering zero-percent financing on some 2008 models and up to $7500 cash back on some trucks and SUV's.
Nissan is also offering zero-percent financing on some 2008 trucks and SUVs and up to $5000 cash back on some 2008 models.
Toyota is offering up to $1000 cash back on the Corolla and Camry, up to $5000 cash back on pickups and SUV's and zero-percent financing on most 2008 and 2009 models.
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Friday, October 10 --- 6:00 p.m.
Companies collect billions of dollars by nickel-and-diming you. So Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine is out with an article on how to fight back.
It shows you how to reduce bank and credit card fees. For example, it urges you to fight most fees, such as the charge to transfer a balance or the fee to get a duplicate copy of a bill.
The article tells you how to zap cell phone and land line fees. For example, text messages can cost up to 20 cents per message to send or receive. So you or your kids can save by buying in bulk.
The article will tell you how to avoid car rental and purchase fees. For instance, renting at a discount website (such as hotwire.com) will get you lower rates.
Finally, you'll learn how to navigate around hotel and airline fees.
Here's the link for the article (copy and paste into your browser):
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/Save5000AYearOnSneakyFees.aspx
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Thursday, October 9 --- 6:00 p.m.
We reported Wednesday that WalMart is slashing prices of popular toys. Now, KB Toys is doing the same.
KB Toys is not located in Madison, but you can go online at KBtoys.com.
It's cutting prices on more than 200-toys --- to ten dollars or less --- as it competes against WalMart.
KB Toys will cut prices on toys like Crayola craft kits, Leap Frog Dominoes, My Little Pony, Polly Pocket Playsets and Fisher-Price preschool toys.
Also in Money Savers, if you've been waiting to buy a new TV, now may be the time to cash-in.
According to a new report, prices for a 40-inch LCD HDTV fell 12% in the third quarter of this year. The bottom line: do your research before you make your next purchase because you could cash-in on a great deal.
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Wednesday, October 8 --- 6:00 p.m.
Christmas is coming early to Wal-Mart. Earlier this month the company announced it's cutting prices on several *popular* toys.
The company is hoping to boost sales in this sagging economy.
Wal-Mart is cutting prices on 10 popular toys to $10 each, including certain Barbie Dolls, Play-Doh Ice Cream Shop, specific Hot Wheels toys and "Bakugan" by Spin Master (a game many experts cite as one of the "hot" toys this year).
Here's another money saver. Now through October 20th, "Eddie Bauer" is having its big Fall Sale with savings up to 50-percent. Go to eddiebauer.com for details.
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Tuesday, October 7 --- 6:00 p.m.
The financial crisis will force some to cut-back on spending this upcoming holiday season. Analysts say families will be focusing on less-expensive toys and will consider which toys will get the most use.
Some retailers are already releasing their "Hot Toys" lists.
Top toys for girls this year include the High School Musical dance mat, Hannah Montana tour bus, and Baby Annabel doll.
The hottest products for boys include Ben 10 action figures, Lego Star Wars Clone Wars kits, and the remote controlled Picco Z helicopter.
We found two websites that list this year's top toys. The first one is "toptoysguide.com." The other is "hottoys2008.com." This site compares prices and lets you know if the toy is in stock.
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Monday, October 6 --- 6:00 p.m.
Of course, we're all looking for ways to save cash at the store. So the next time you shop for electronics, there's a website you need to check-out.
It's techbargains.com
The site searches the Internet and actual stores for the best deals on the best products.
You'll find all the latest sales, bargains, coupons, and deals.
We logged-on earlier today and found deals from Circuit City, Staples, and Dick's Sporting Goods.
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Friday, September 5 --- 6:00am
The next time you're planning your trip head to the Dane County Regional Airport website.
The site has now added airfarewatchdog.
It prides itself as the only airfare alert and comparison site that includes fares on all airlines, including Southwest.
The airlines lower airfares every day without advertising them and this website monitors those deals every minute of the day.
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Thursday, September 4 --- 6:00am
Here are the four websites to bookmark that will save you money.
Shop through Fatwallet.com for deals from your favorite stores.
Number two - shoppingfools.com. It's a price comparison site for On-line shopping that will save you cash.
Number three - ebates.com. It offers over 900 on-line discount offerings.
And don't forgot woot.com. It offers an amazing deal of the day.
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Wednesday, September 3 --- 6:00pm
There are so many websites that sell coupons for particular destinations.
Mousesavers.com claims to have 200-pages of discounts for your next Disney vacation.
Vegascoupons.com has a ton of coupons to use on your next Vegas vacation.
And skicoupons.com has plenty of coupons for ski destinations.
The best way to find these local coupons is to Google search your vacation and scan though the sites that show up.
Don't forget that several hotels offer free breakfast so choosing a hotel with free breakfast can save you the money spent on one meal every day.
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Wednesday, September 3 --- 6:00am
If you don't want to spend all that money on clothes, sports equipment, or music instruments then check out Zwaggle.com.
It allows you to exchange stuff you no longer need --- and get new items for your kids -- all absolutely FREE!
The only expense Zwaggle members pay is shipping.
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Tuesday, September 2 --- 6:00pm
We're always on the lookout for great airfare deals.
So check out smarterliving.com. It's an up-to-the-minute comprehensive round-up of travel deals, news and destination information.
You can even sign-up for a weekly email newsletter so you never miss a deal to and from your city of choice.
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Tuesday, September 2 --- 6:00am
Your cell phone bill can certainly cost you big bucks. Now a new service will find the best deal for you.
Go to bill shrink.com.
You type-in your location, minutes used every month, your current cell plan and then it'll find the best cell phone plan for you.
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Friday, August 29 --- 6:00pm
We ran across an interesting article on collegescholarships.org
It's titled: 118 ways to save MONEY in College.
But you don't need to be in college to appreciate this advice.
For example: Decline extended warranties. Your computer should be under manufacturers warranty for the first year anyway.
Another idea: get a few friends together to pitch-in for the price of an annual membership at a place like Sam's Club or Costco. This way, you can buy in bulk. For example: You'll save money per unit for a pack of twelve bars of soap versus singles.
And stay in your parents family cell phone plan! Despite your need for freedom, it's usually much cheaper than a standalone account.
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Thursday, August 28 --- 6:00am
A number of auto insurance companies will offer you huge discounts -- if you keep you car parked in the driveway.
This is from SmartMoney.com. You can save 5% to 12% with American Family if you drive under 7500miles annually.
GMAC offers a 39% discount if you drive between 2500 and 5000 miles a year.
And State Farm offers a discount up to 18% if you drive under 7500 miles. Drive more than that and you may still qualify for a discount based on your mileage.
The only way to find out if you qualify, though, is to call your insurer.
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Wednesday, August 27 --- 6:00pm
SmartMoney.com is out with the five "Best Coupon-Clipping Web Sites."
Here are five worth bookmarking.
Experts praise coupons.com for it's simple layout. You enter your zip code for area-specific deals.
Second on the list : couponcabin.com. Staffers update deals three times a day, and frequently check each coupon code to ensure it works.
We've told you before about couponmom.com. It covers a lot of ground: listing online coupon codes, printout coupons and free samples.
The fourth site: retailmenot.com. Users indicate whether a discount code works for them: helping shoppers quickly filter out bad deals.
The fifth site -- SmartSource.com
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Wednesday, August 27 --- 6:00am
We're working to save you cash the next time you travel.
According to smartmoney.com -- every major airline except Southwest charges a fee to book a flight **over** the phone. To avoid these fees, book directly on the airline's web site.
If you want to stretch out in an exit row, it'll cost you. For example -- AirTran charges a flat $20 for those seats.
Right now, Southwest is the only airline that doesn't charge you if you change your itinerary. Fees range from $50 for Alaska Airlines to $150 on American and Continental.
When it comes to checking luggage, it's a virtual fee-for-all. According to Smart Money -- American, Northwest, Spirit, United and US Airways all charge $15 for the first checked bag.
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Tuesday, August 26 --- 6:00pm
Thinking "green" will certainly save you cash.
Now the website greenmadesimple.com makes it even easier.
Here's what you do.
You enter your zip code.
Then it pulls up local and state incentives and rebates that you can cash-in on in an effort to save energy.
For example: We typed in the zip code 5-3-7-19.
It pulled up rebates for Madison Gas and Electric, as well as incentives from the State of Wisconsin.
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Tuesday, August 26 --- 6:00am
A week from today most children head-back to school. So tomorrow -- take your family to Noah's Ark for FREE!
Here are the details.
Noahs Ark will offer **free** admission to every person who brings-in three non-perishable food items.
Here's the important part. Visitors must come to the main entrance with their donations between 8 and 9 am to receive a wristband for free admittance. Then they'll be allowed into the park when it opens at 10:00 a.m.
The Central Wisconsin Community Action Council will be the recipient of the donations.
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Monday, August 25 --- 6:00pm
U-S News and World Report recently published the seven biggest mistakes you can make in negotiating to buy a house.
At the top of the list - not understanding the seller. In a home price negotiation, it's essential to look at the deal from the opposite side of the table. Any information you can obtain about the local real estate market and the seller will strengthen your negotiating position.
Another blunder: showing your cards. While looking for information on the seller, it's important to divulge as little about yourself as possible. Any knowledge you provide could be used by the seller as leverage.
A third blunder -- not having options. When you begin negotiating on a specific property, make sure you have identified several other homes you'd be happy with as well. Never negotiate without options.
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Monday, August 25 --- 6:00am
How does this sound! Up to 50% off on drug store products.
Just log-on to drugstore.com.
Right now you can save on name brands like Nivea, Maybelline, Almay and L'Oreal. You can also save big on back to school stuff, vitamins, personal care, diet & fitness, even outdoor and garden products.
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Friday, August 1 --- 6:00pm
Reader's Digest is out with 16 simple and sensible ways to save money.
Here are three ideas.
Shop for a bargain bank. Look for free checking and no ATM fees. Also, if you have direct deposit of your paycheck, your bank might waive its monthly fee.
Skip the service contract. Extended warranties on electronics are rarely a good deal.
Rethink your vacations. "Homestay" programs offer free lodging all over the world to travelers who are themselves willing to host other members in their homes.
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Friday, August 1 --- 6:00am
It may be the first day of August but major retailers are thinking fall fashions. And the sales have already begun.
In fact, Nordstrom claims it's their biggest fashion event of the year when they debut their new fall styles.
At Nordstrom.com you'll find many of these items on sale. We discovered one pair of jeans marked down by $70. But you'll have to hurry - the sale ends on Monday.
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Thursday, July 31 --- 6:00pm
Even though gasoline prices have finally started to fall, they are still hovering around the $4 mark across most of our area.
We discovered a website that has 29-tips that will save you CASH on gasoline.
It's opentravelinfo.com.
Here's another website I want to tell you about: freeshippingon.com.
This site helps you find items on e-Bay and amazon.com that offer FREE shipping.
The site also offers a series of coupons for free shipping from stores like OfficeMax, Staples, Dell, Wal-Mart, and Ritz Camera.
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Thursday, July 31 --- 6:00am
Everyone seems to be looking for the best bargain these days. So before you make your next purchase - there's two websites you should check-out.
The first: nextag.com You can compare prices to make sure you're getting a good deal before you buy.
Another comparison website is bizrate.com. You can compare prices, check store ratings and read consumer reviews before you buy.
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Wednesday, July 30 --- 6:00pm
Next time you're in the market for a new car, make sure to log-on to consumerreports.org. The site is full of information, including 5 steps to get a better price.
For example: Don't assume that the sticker price is the purchase price. To get the lowest price, go in with a starting price that's based not on the sticker price but on how much the dealer paid for the vehicle. The dealer invoice price is commonly available on Web sites and in pricing guides
You'll also want to arrange financing in advance. Compare interest rates at several banks, credit unions, and loan organizations before checking the dealer's rates
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Wednesday, July 30 --- 6:00am
Even the GOVERNMENT is working to save you cash.
The Federal Trade Commission is out with 66 ways for you to save Money!
You will definitely want to check out it's website at FTC.gov.
You'll find money-saving advice on a variety of topics, including air fare, car rentals, car insurance and utilities!
It's a great resource so be sure to log-on.
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Tuesday, July 29 --- 6:00pm
MSNBC is out with an article: 35 ways to EAT and SHOP on a budget.
Here are a few of those ideas.
Mix-up your drinks. Brew your own tea and ice it, or mix seltzer with fruit juice for a light and refreshing spritzer.
Don't waste your food. Overripe bananas can be frozen and used later for banana bread or smoothies. If you roast a chicken, save the bones and make your own homemade stock. Stems from parsley and basil are great for flavoring soups and stocks.
Go meatless a few days a week. Or if you do buy meat, buy the tougher cuts, which are less expensive, and stew, roast or marinate to tenderize and add more flavor.
Buy beans. Dried or canned legumes like white beans, chickpeas, and lentils are an inexpensive way to add protein to your diet.
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Tuesday, July 29 --- 6:00am
MSNBC is out with an article: 35 ways to EAT and SHOP on a budget.
Here are few of the ideas.
Do your own prep. While it's tempting to buy those prepared fruit salads, precut vegetables and precleaned greens, you can save a lot by doing a little bit of the work. Same goes for cheese. Buy a chunk and slice or grate it yourself.
Ask for deli products to be sliced thin. Thin meats and cheeses can go further.
And compare unit prices. Unless you're a math whiz, it's impossible to compare prices and values across different sizes. So the unit price makes it easy. You may find that sometimes the bigger package is not the best bargain.
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Monday, July 28 --- 6:00pm
With homes lingering on the market for months, sellers need all the help they can get.
One way to help improve the odds of unloading a home: renovations.
Here are 7 home improvements that pay off from smart money.com.
- Replace roofing and your siding.
- Add an extra bedroom.
- Add closet space: that's always a hit with prospective buyers.
- Renovate the bathroom.
- Upgrade the kitchen. On average, a minor kitchen remodel recoups 83% of its costs.
- If you need to unload your home in a hurry, invest in an energy-efficient upgrade.
- And remember curb appeal is a powerful selling tool so spend money on landscaping.
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Monday, July 28 --- 6:00am
If you hope to save MONEY on your next trip, then take a few minutes to price "travel packages!"
As mentioned before, airlines discount unbooked seats at the last minute by rolling them into packages! You can find these bundled bargains at LastMinute.com which specializes in last-minute getaways.
Here's another money saver:
Spending just $2 a day on a home-made lunch versus $6 a day on the sandwich shop will save you about $80 a month and $960 each year.
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Friday, July 25 --- 6:00pm
A columnist with FrugalDad.com is out with his LIST of 75-tips to survive a down economy.
Here are a few more ideas that caught our attention.
When eating out, divide entrees in half and save the rest for a second meal. Ask for a to-go box as soon as your meal arrives and save half for tomorrow's lunch. It's healthier too.
Plant a tree next to your outside air conditioning unit. By shading your outside unit, you may improve the operating efficiency of the overall system by 20%.
Switch to CFL lighting inside, and solar lighting outside. CFL bulbs use much less energy than incandescent bulbs, and give off less heat.
And skip the theater and subscribe to a service like Netflix. No late fees, and no gas used up traveling back and forth to the rental store.
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Friday, July 25 --- 6:00am
A columnist with FrugalDad.com is out with his list of 75-tips to survive a down economy.
Here are a few that caught our attention.
Switch to cloth napkins: since paper napkins and paper towels add to your non-food budget.
Eat like a kid again. Eat off kid-sized plates, which will force you to eat smaller portions.
When you buy meat, check the managers "specials" area for meat that is about to pass the sell by date. The meat is still perfectly good, but freeze it immediately if you don't plan on cooking within the next day or two.
Don't be afraid to buy generic. Forget brand loyalty when trying to save money.
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Thursday, July 24 --- 6:00pm
Food prices may be climbing. But some of the most *inexpensive* items could be the healthiest for you!
The website DivineCaroline.com is out with the 20-healthiest foods for under a dollar.
Here's the rest of the list.
Number 11 is Wild Rice. It won't cost you much more than white rice, but wild rice is much better for you. It's low in fat and high in protein and fiber.
Also on the list:
Beets
Butternut Squash
Whole Grain Pasta
and Sardines.
Spinach is perhaps one of the best green leafies out there. It has lots of Vitamin C, iron, and trace minerals.
Tofu
Lowfat Milk
Pumpkin Seeds
and Coffee round out the list.
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Thursday, July 24 --- 6:00am
Food prices may be climbing. But some of the most *inexpensive* items could be the healthiest for you.
The website DivineCaroline.com is out with the 20-healthiest foods for under a dollar.
At the top of the list: Oats. High in fiber and complex carbohydrates, oats have also been shown to lower cholesterol.
Also on the list:
Eggs
Kale
Potatoes
and Apples.
Though nuts have a high fat content, they are packed with the "good-for-you" fats. They're also good sources of essential fatty acids, Vitamin E, and protein.
Seventh on the list is Bananas, followed by Garbanzo Beans, Broccoli and Watermelon.
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Wednesday, July 23 --- 6:00pm
The website "SavingAdviceccom" is out with 25 ways to improve your financial situation in just 10-minutes.
Here are a few more ideas.
If you shop a company or store on a regular basis, spend a few minutes to sign-up for their reward program. This way you'll get a number of discounts and offers on special deals throughout the year.
If you can, replace your manual thermostat with a programmable model. It's well worth the price since it can save you a bundle over time.
Make sure to replace your heating or air conditioning filter every few months. This will make your systems work much more efficiently, saving you money.
See the light with energy efficient CFL lighting. The author of the article said he could instantly see the savings when he switched all the bulbs in the entire house.
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Wednesday, July 23 --- 6:00am
Get the most out of your Coupons! This advice from the website "Savingadvice.com."
The key - do your homework. Many grocery stores double or even triple coupons. So look for special promotions to get the most savings.
Many stores allow you to combine store coupons with manufacturer's coupons.
Match your coupons with the sale flier. Using coupons on sale items is a great way to increase your savings.
If your store offers a loyalty program, combine the loyalty sales with your coupons to further maximize your savings.
Check with your grocery store - there are a few in town that take EXPIRED coupons.
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Tuesday, July 22 --- 6:00pm
"Savingadvice.com" is out with 25 ways to improve your financial situation in just 10-minutes. Here are just a few of them.
Embrace the cold. Go to your washing machine and switch the wash cycle button to a cold-cold wash. Since the main cost of the wash is heating the water, your costs go down.
Throw in the towel! When you place a load of wet clothes into the dryer, throw in the dry towel as well. The dry towel helps absorb the moisture in the wet clothes as it tumbles around ... reducing the time needed to dry the clothes and saving you a bit of money.
Make the call. If you carry any monthly balance on your credit cards, call and ask to have the interest rate lowered. If they don't -- then cancel your account after you transfer the debt to a card with a lower rate.
Also call your cable company. They always have a number of promotions underway that could lower your rates!
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Tuesday, July 22 --- 6:00am
Here's advice from realsimple.com to cut your costs of dry cleaning.
Apply makeup, hair spray, and perfume before getting dressed. They can all stain fabrics so let these products set for at least five minutes before pulling on your clothes.
If your sweaters are a bit stale (but not stained), use heat-activated dryer sheets, to freshen them up.
If you get a small stain, treat it immediately with a product like OxiClean Spray-A-Way and save yourself an emergency trip.
Check your local newspaper for coupons and deals. Cleaners generally offer discounts in the spring and fall.
And Practice moderation. Overcleaning can decrease clothing's longevity, so dry-clean only when necessary.
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Monday, July 21 --- 6:00pm
Tonight advice from our viewers. The first one is suggested by Joy Hammer in Verona.
A G-P-S system will eventually save you gas money. Most systems have a setting for the *shortest* distance! So actually map your daily routine to see if you are truly traveling the shortest route.
The other tip from JT in Dodgeville. He found most gas stations along the Interstates charge *more* than the gas station a mile or two off the highway. So if you're on a road trip use your G-P-S system to find the *next* nearest gas station and it might save you some money.
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Monday, July 21 --- 6:00am
If you are looking for a bargain then go online and check-out propertyroom.com.
It features merchandise that was stolen, seized or found. You'll find a variety of items you can bid on. In fact, it's very similar to e-bay.
Propertyroom.com was founded in 19-99 by former police officers. It serves over 1000 law enforcement agencies nationwide.
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Friday, July 18 --- 6:00pm
Before you renew your homeowners' insurance policy be sure you've asked about credits.
Here are some reminders from the Wall Street Journal.
Many carriers offer a credit if a home has a functioning security system. Homeowners can often get at least 5% off their bill for a smoke detector, burglar alarm or dead-bolt locks.
Having a Central monitoring system will also save you money. This can shut off the water if there's a leak detected or even increase the indoor temperature.
Credits are available for people who guard their homes against natural disaster. Storm shutters and shatter-proof glass can help reduce premiums in some areas. At State Farm, a wind-resistant roof can result in a discount from 3% to 20%.
Live in a gated community? It could mean savings! Also, many carriers will also offer breaks if the home's plumbing or electrical system has been completely modernized.
Of course there's often a discount if at least one car is insured under the same carrier that insures your home.
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Friday, July 18 --- 6:00am
When you're on the hunt for your next bargain then go online and check out slickdeals.net.
The site touts itself as the most frequently updated and complete deal site on the web.
According to CNN .... users of the site regularly uncover and post discounts that could save you 50-percent or more on all sorts of items.
A lot of the products are electronics. Also on slickdeals.net: over 800 coupons for online stores.
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Thursday, July 17 --- 6:00pm
Today we're talking college costs.
Prices keep skyrocketing! So there are two websites that we found that parents and students should check out when shopping for scholarships.
The first site -- fastweb.com. This is a free database of scholarships. More than 34 million students have created fastweb accounts since launching in 1995.
The other site to check out -- scholarships.com. The site claims it's the largest independent online source for free college scholarship searches and financial aid information.
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Thursday, July 17 --- 6:00am
If you're a member of a frequent flier program you know it can be challenging at times to actually cash the points in.
If that's the case - head to points.com. It allows travelers to barter miles with one another and set their own exchange ratios.
For example: Say I have 6000 miles on American. I'll give you those if you give me your 9000 Delta miles. I want to point out, there are transaction fees.
Another site is loyaltymatch.com. You can convert your unused points and miles into merchandise which you can sell online for cash, or swap for other items and services.
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Wednesday, July 16 --- 6:00pm
On Monday we talked about ways to lower your power bill. Here are a few more ideas -- this time from CNN Money.
Clean your AC. A dirty, clogged filter reduces airflow, can lead to operational problems and it makes your system work harder. If you have central air, call in your service contractor to make sure there are no leaks and that there's enough refrigerant.
Don't leave lint. Make sure you clean the lint filter in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation. And you should periodically inspect your dryer vent to ensure it is not blocked. When shopping for a new clothes dryer, look for one with a moisture sensor that automatically shuts off the machine when your clothes are dry.
Test your fridge doors to make sure it's airtight. Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper..... so it is half in and half out of the refrig. If you can pull the paper out easily, the latch may need adjustment or the seal may need replacing.
And unplug your electronics. Remember even screen savers waste energy.
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Wednesday, July 16 --- 6:00am
In the past few weeks, we've shown you a number of websites that track low airfares. Here's another one started by a teenager.
It's Airfaredig.com. A recent high school graduate started the site. Each week, he'll look for hidden sales from airline websites and exploit them on his site.
Also today, don't be too quick to rule out a trip overseas.
Airfares may be high but according to this months "Money" magazine, hotels and food are still bargains in certain parts of the world. And the best place to do your research… is the U-S State Departments website. You'll get a list of the going rates for meals, lodging and incidentals in thousands of locations worldwide.
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Tuesday, July 15 --- 6:00am
This month's "Money" magazine is out with the 18 ways to beat the rising cost of living. I went through the first 9 on today's morning show. Here's the rest of the list.
On the topic of planning for college --- contribute to a 529 plan early and often. You could save up to 5-thousand dollars in tax savings over 10-years.
Max out cheap federal aid first. Before applying for any private loans, take out the maximum in federal loans .
When it comes to medical costs -- choose your deductible wisely. High deductible plans are generally best for younger people without health problems… others should stick with traditional plans.
Don't pay taxes you don't have to! If you have a traditional plan and your employer offers a flexible spending account - sign-up! It lets you use untaxed salary to pay for many out-of-pocket health expenses.
And don't be afraid to haggle. If you go out of network, ask the doctor for a discount.
Ask your credit card issuer if you can get a lower rate.
Don't use all your minutes? Change cell phone plans!
Look at your insurance. Increase your deductibles to save cash.
And if you aren't going to the gym anymore, or don't use your netflix account -- then cancel your memberships.
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Tuesday, July 15 --- 6:00am
This months "Money" magazine is out with the **18 ways** to beat the rising cost of living.
Here are the first 9:
First -- conserve fuel. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and lose the lead foot. You can save up to 33% according to Money magazine, if you maintain a steadier, slower speed.
Take advantage of your credit card. If you pay in full each month, then find a card that gives cash back on gas.
Get rid of the guzzler. Making your next car a hybrid could *triple* your mileage per gallon.
Learn supermarket tricks. Remember the cheapest items are often on the top and bottom shelves.
Know when to stock up. Go to thegrocerygame.com to find sales that aren't advertised.
Limit the amount of times you go out to eat. Instead, cook. If you plan entrees with overlapping ingredients, you'll save money.
Seal up your house. Conduct a home-energy audit to make sure you aren't wasting energy.
Get efficient. Be sure to change the air filter in your heating and cooling system at least every three months.
And slay the vampires. So called vampire appliances suck electricity even when you aren't using them. So plug in your TV and stereo into a power strip so you can turn them off at once.
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Monday, July 14 --- 6:00pm
We're always looking for ways to lower our electric bill. So now -- U-S News is out with this advice.
First of all -- unplug that microwave and other appliances you use only for a few minutes each day.
Computers use more energy than you think -- so make sure your next purchase is Energy-Star rated. And don't keep it on at night. Instead, turn it off.
We've told you before but your dryer is an energy hog. So if you can, dry your clothes on a clothesline.
Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs. The Home Depot recycles these now, so drop them off when they've burned out.
You'll save nearly $100 a year by merely shaving two minutes off your showers, according to a recent Australian study.
And turning down your water heater can save you from 6% to 10% on your bill.
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Monday, July 14 --- 6:00am
If you haven't gotten a new quote on your car insurance in a while - you might be wasting your money. Competition has kept premiums low.
Here's advice from this months Money magazine.
First - prune coverage on old cars. Once your vehicle is worth less than 10-times what you pay each year to insure it, get rid of comprehensive and collision.
Raise your deductible. If you hike your deductible from $250 to $500 or $1000 you'll save so much more on your premium.
Make sure to ask your insurance agent about all possible discounts.
Of course you know to get a variety of quotes. So here's a tip. Go to Wisconsin's insurance commission website to find the state's guide on rates. It'll give you several sample rates so you'll know if you're quote is at least in the ballpark.
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Friday, July 11 --- 6:00pm
Don't let high gas prices keep you indoors. There's plenty to do outdoors like hiking or biking.
For great deals on gear and apparel just go to "thecheapoutdoors.com." This site is a database of deals.
When we checked earlier this week we found jackets and and sandals **half-priced.** It's a must-see site for the outdoors-enthusiast.
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Friday, July 11 --- 6:00am
Here's a Money Saver from Consumer Union -- the publisher behind Consumer Reports.
Optimize your life insurance. Life insurance premiums have dropped so dramatically since the 1990s; it will probably pay for you to replace a policy bought years ago with a comparable new one.
Here's an example:
A 50-year old man (who's been paying $2100 a year for a half-million life insurance policy for the past 10-years) can switch.
And now, at the age of 60 he can get the same coverage for the next ten years for under $1400 a year.
Cashing-in that old policy and picking-up the new one could save him $60 a month for the next 10-years.
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Thursday, July 10 --- 6:00pm
A trip to the supermarket can stretch your wallet. But you can still eat healthy on a budget.
University of Michigan dietitians suggest choosing fresh produce that's in season. You can save even more buying fruits and veggies by the bag instead of individually.
When heading to the meat department, avoid pre-marinaded cuts which can be more expensive.
Also, replace meat with another protein a few times a week - like beans, eggs or peanut butter.
The less pre-packaging, the cheaper and better for you.
Experts also suggest buying plain rice instead of box mixes... and big containers of oatmeal instead of individual packets.
And you can save by buying a filter for your tap water instead of loading-up on bottled water.
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Thursday, July 10 --- 6:00am
Your credit score certainly has an impact on your bottom line. So here's the dos and donts of establishing good credit.
This advice is from CNN.
If you are trying to improve credit scores, don't close credit card accounts. Your score takes into account the difference between what credit you have available and what you're using. If you close a credit card account, the total amount of your available credit is lowered, and your balances look much larger in comparison. This ratio then hurts your score.
Your FICO score also looks at how long you've been managing credit. The longer you've been managing credit, the better it will be for your score.
Forget those retail store credit cards. Every time you open an account with a store to get that 10% discount, you are giving the retail lender the ability to pull your credit score. And that can lower your credit score.
Paying your bills on time is about one-third of your FICO score. However, you should concentrate not only on paying on time, but paying more than the minimum payments. The amount of debt you have is also vital to your credit score.
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Wednesday, July 9 --- 6:00pm
It's happened to all us! You buy an airline ticket and then the price drops!
According to the Wall Street Journal -- many airlines will give refunds if they cut the price after you have bought a ticket.
Alaska, JetBlue, Southwest, United and US Airways all offer vouchers for the full price difference -- so if the price drops $200, you can get a $200 coupon towards a future trip.
Now, a new website will help you TRACK the prices. It's called Yapta.com.
It tracks fares on specific flights you select before or after you buy a ticket.
So if prices fall AFTER you purchase a ticket .. you'll get an alert… so you'll know if you're eligible for a refund.
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Wednesday, July 9 --- 6:00am
With no end in sight to skyrocketing gas prices, Consumer Reports is out with it's MYTH BUSTERS!
A common tip is to buy gasoline in the morning, when the air is cool, rather than in the heat of the day.
Not true! Consumer Reports says the in-ground tank is the same temperature all day. Even if the hose is cooler in the morning, you might not get more than half a penny more of gasoline.
Another tip we've heard -- put the tailgate down on your pickup to cut wind resistance.
Again -- Not true! Today's pickups are wind tunnel designed for optimum mileage. Besides, putting your tailgate down is dangerous.
Some people advise you not to run the air conditioner because it puts more of a load on the engine, which can decrease fuel economy. But others say that opening the windows at highway speeds can affect gas mileage even more by disrupting the vehicle's aerodynamics. Consumer Reports found -- that neither makes enough of a difference to worry about.
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Tuesday, July 8 --- 6:00pm
As we've reported --- the major airlines are incorporating the Saturday-night stayover.
That includes American Airlines, Continental, Delta, Northwest and United. What this means is. .. they'll charge you EXTRA for tickets if you don't stay over a Saturday night. The good news, according to SmartMoney.com, these requirements don't apply to all flights. In fact, expect to encounter minimum-stay restrictions only along routes where the airlines don't compete with low-cost carriers, such as Southwest.
Here's another piece of advice: Rather than trying to find a cheap round-trip ticket for a short stay, consider purchasing two one-way tickets from a low-cost airline such as AirTran, JetBlue or Spirit. It might actually be cheaper.
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Tuesday, July 8 --- 6:00am
Right now -- millions of Americans are caught in the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle that consistently leaves your checking account balance low. So bankrate.com recommends you cut down on phone extras.
For example - every time you call 411, you normally get charged a fee. Instead, get a listing you want for free. Just call 1-800-FREE 4-1-1. The catch? You have to listen to a short bad before you get your number. It's the price you pay for a freebie.
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Monday, July 7 --- 6:00pm
From the grocery store to the drug store, prices are climbing across the board.
So here's a tip: before you go shopping log on to valpak.com.
While the company delivers coupons via the postal service, you can go online to get coupons, too. In fact, when we recently logged on there were 82-coupons for businesses in the Madison area.
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Monday, July 7 --- 6:00am
The price of airline tickets keep climbing -- keeping some people on dry land. So now Carnival Cruise Lines is in the middle of a new sales promotion -- to lure on you board.
Its called the Endless Summer Celebration. The Cruise Line is offering different weekly specials on Fun Ship cruises, booked during the month of July.
This promotion includes shipboard credits; stateroom upgrades; special rates for third and fourth guests in a stateroom; holiday offers and regional savings; and discounts on a variety of fall, winter and spring departures.
Here's another money saver - this one from frommers.com. You'll find cheaper fares for travel after Labor Day but before October 30th. You just have to do your research. As we mentioned before, Tuesday and Wednesday, as always, are the cheapest days of the week to travel.
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Thursday, July 3 --- 6:00pm
Gas prices are averaging more than $4 a gallon here in the Madison area. So what if you could lock-in today's gas prices before they go even higher!?
A website called "MyGallons.com" has been featured on several national media outlets. Once you register, you prepay for gasoline at today's price. You'll receive that amount preloaded on a special debit card. According to the website --- 95% of gas stations will accept it. Then, no matter what happens to the price of gas, you pay today's price. So if you buy right now at $4 a gallon and prices go up to $4.20 you'll save 20-cents per gallon.
Of course there's a downside. If gas prices drop, you lose money. Also, check with your neighborhood gas station to see if they accept the My Gallons card.
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Thursday, July 3 --- 6:00am
When you're about to make a big purchase -- say a new T-V or cell phone, you often wait and hope the prices will eventually go down. If that's the case, you'll be waiting a LONG time.
Here's why. As you know China is the production center for the vast majority of consumer electronics. But according to yahoo, many factories shutdown in June to clean the air of pollution for the summer Olympics. And this put a damper on the supply of many products. Also, new labor and worker protection laws have pushed labor costs up 15%. Also going up is the price of many components and metals used in making electronics.
The bottom line -- company costs in China are already up from 8% to 20% and you guessed it -- prices here in the U-S for popular electronics will soon climb, as well.
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Wednesday, July 2 --- 6:00pm
Vegas may be hot (weather-wise) this time of the year, but hotel prices are cool.
Vegas hotels often slash hotel rates during the summer because there are fewer conferences scheduled, and temperatures often hover around 100-degrees!
Now, head to hotwire.com or priceline.com to find secret deals. Hotels can sell rooms through these sites and fill their beds without publicizing their discounts.
Another Money Saver: Spelling errors could save you cash on e-bay. The Wall Street Journal reports if a seller uses wrong spelling, or abbreviates, the item will receive only a fraction of the normal bids. So if you're buying: check for alternate spellings and you'll find fewer bidders.
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Wednesday, July 2 --- 6:00am
We all like FREEBIES especially on our birthday's. So many stores and restaurants now offer birthday clubs --- you just have to know where to look.
Here are a few we found:
Get free ice cream on your birthday if you sign-up at cold stone creamery.com. Of course they have several stories in the Madison area. You'll also receive special offers and coupons throughout the year.
But before you have dessert -- you have to have dinner. Red Lobster offers a birthday surprise for members of its seafood lovers club.
For your child - Hasbro offers a free birthday club for My Little Pony fan's club members.
Toys R Us has a similar program. On their birthday children will receive a **surprise** gift from Geoffrey.
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Tuesday, July 1 --- 6:00pm
The cost of cooling our homes keeps climbing. In fact, Americans spend more than 22-billion dollars a year on air conditioning. So here's advice from Consumer Reports to cool our homes for less.
Use your A-C wisely. For example: Installing an air conditioner in a shady spot could increase its efficiency up to 10%. Energy Star-qualified models use about 25% less power than ones made before late 2000.
Delay the chores. Your dishwasher, washer, and dryer give off heat when they're in use, so run them in the early morning or late evening. Your air conditioner won't have to work as hard to offset the heat produced by the appliances.
Change your lightbulbs. Consider replacing your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lightbulbs or C-F-L's. They use about 75% less energy and give off 75% less heat.
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Tuesday, July 1 --- 6:00am
The cost of cooling your home keeps climbing. So Consumer Reports is out with this advice. It's what you can do RIGHT NOW in your home to help you save cash.
Wash your clothes in cold water. You can save substantially by washing and rinsing at cooler temperatures.
Let the dishwasher do the work. Don't bother pre-rinsing dishes with the idea that your dishwasher will work less hard. Consumer Reports has found that this added step can waste 20 gallons of heated water a day. All you need to do is scrape off leftover food.
Spend less for hot water. Set the hot water heater at 120-degrees or the "low" setting which is hot enough for most needs.
Dust off the Crock-Pot. Slow cooking in a Crock-Pot uses a lot less energy than simmering on the stove.
And clean the coils on your refrigerator using a tapered appliance brush. Your fridge's motor won't have to run as long or as often. In addition to saving energy dollars, you'll prolong the life of the appliance.
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Monday, June 30 --- 6:00pm
Looking for something to do this week? Grab a friend and head to Six Flags near Chicago! Buy one ticket and get a second ticket FREE!
That's a $55 savings. But you have to hurry! This deal ends this Thursday!
You have to purchase the ticket online on Six Flag's Website.
And here's a Money Saver from Dennis, one of our viewers. Go to community-coordinated rummage sales. You can save a ton of cash on a variety of items, including clothing, strollers and toys.
Dennis says most communities in our area have a certain day or month for citywide sales, so contact your city hall for details.
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Monday, June 30 --- 6:00 am
Still have that gift card you received at Christmas and know you'll never use it? Now you can sell or trade your card for someone else's. Just head to swapagift.com.
You'll find a variety of cards on the site --- including ones from Barnes & Noble, iTunes, J.Crew, Lowe's, Pottery Barn and Tiffany.
Swapping a card will cost you $3.99, regardless of the face value. And if you're not interested in trading, the site offers 60% to 70% cash value for cards from certain popular retailers.
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Friday, June 27 --- 6:00pm
Get CASH for your old cell phone!
Just go to cellforcash.com! You log-on, locate your make and model, then you'll get a quote in seconds.
If you're satisfied with the offer... you'll request a postage-paid box.
Once the company receives your cell phone --- cellforcash.com will mail you a check within 30-days.
The site takes the old phones, refurbishes them and resells them in developing countries. So it's a win, win situation.
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Friday, June 27 -- 6:00am
Don't want to pay all that money for Microsoft Office? You can do pretty much all the same functions for free with "OpenOffice.org."
This is a Money Saving idea from our morning producer, Scott Williams.
OpenOffice.org is everything most people need in an office productivity suite: It has a word processor, a spreadsheet... along with presentation software.
It's open source software, which means it's free and constantly updated.
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Thursday, June 26 --- 6:00pm
We're saving you cash the next time you buy a book or a D-V-D.
Check out half.com. It's a website created by the people behind ebay.
On half.com, you'll pay a fraction of the retail price for books, DVD's and video games.
Another site to check out -- bookmooch.com. If you love to read, this is the site for you.
Here's how it works: You type in the books you want to give away. Then, people will contact you for those books. When you mail them out -- you receive points. Then, with those credits, you can get a book from someone else. Once you've read the book, it's yours to keep or you can put it back into BookMooch for someone else.
The only cost: postage!
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Thursday, June 26 --- 6:00am
We've all seen the ads for credit cards that offer rewards programs. But are they really a deal? Well, that depends!
Here's some advice, from "U-S-A Today."
Don't use a rewards card unless you pay off your balance every month. That's because rewards cards typically carry HIGHER rates. So you might end-up paying MORE in interest rates than you'll earn in rewards.
Avoid cards with annual fees. As competition has grown, it's easier to find a rewards card with NO annual fee.
Find a card that matches your spending patterns. Some rewards cards don't count purchases at warehouse stores, such as Costco. So be SURE to do your homework.
Finally, a cash-back card may be a better choice than an airline rewards card. Cards that reward users with airline miles are more likely to charge an annual fee than other types of rewards cards.
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Wednesday, June 25 --- 6:00pm
Orbitz is working to save you cash on an end-of-the-summer getaway.
When you go to orbitz.com -- just click on the "Summer Sale" icon.
You'll find tons of hotels, both domestic and international, participating in this special sale.
Because orbitz.com has so much information on its website - you'll need some patience when you navigate the site.
In order to take advantage of this sale -- you must book by July 6-th --- with travel by September 10th!
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Tuesday, June 24 --- 6:00pm
Baby products can certainly be expense. The most expensive items in your grocery cart can be diapers and baby formula.
Here's advice from about.com.
For baby coupons, make sure you go to EVERY manufactures website. Most will send you great coupons. These including gerber.com, pampers.com and huggies.com.
Don't forget to sign your mother-up, too! She can give you the extra coupons as they come in and you save that much more!
Another piece of advice - check your neighborhood drug store for savings. Many drugstores have become competitive in pricing on baby products and offer money-saving "2 for" promotions.
Finally, baby product coupons are often printed on the back of grocery store register receipts when baby items are purchased. This is because the baby industry is very competitive. Consumers who are not brand loyal can often increase their savings by saving and using this type of coupon offer.
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Tuesday, June 24 --- 6:00am
We recently showed you several websites to get the lowest fares possible!
For example, check out airfarewatchdog.com and onetime.com.
Now Consumer Reports is out with this advice to make sure you get to your destination ON TIME.
First, book a flight early in the day. Summer thunderstorms tend to hit in late afternoon. In fact, during the past four summers, more flights left on time between 6 and 7 am than at any other time.
Fly on Saturday. Experts at the National Air Traffic Controllers Association have often noted Saturday as the best day to arrive on time.
And go ahead and fly in August. During each of the last four summers, more flights arrived on time in August than in July.
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Monday, June 23 --- 6:00pm
It's no secret the auto companies are **HURTING!** Skyrocketing gas prices have scared off many would-be buyers of SUVs, trucks, and minivans. So carmakers are throwing incentives your way! But if you're going to cash-in, you have to hurry! Most incentives end next Monday, June 30th.
Here are some of the biggest incentives currently on the market , according to smartmoney.com.
If your eying a Toyota Sequoia, you can save $4000 in customer cash. And if you're a current Toyota owner, you're eligible for an extra $2000 in loyalty cash.
That's the same incentive for the Mercury Mountaineer.
If you're looking at a Jeep Commander, you can save $5500 in customer cash and $400 in dealer cash.
For the Dodge Ram Pick-up 1500 series -- the company is offering an incentive totaling $7900!
And for the Dodge Durango... nearly $5000 is offered in incentives.
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Monday, June 23 --- 6:00am
If you're planning a day of shopping with your friends -- here's an idea for you: head to Tanger Outlets!
A big summer promotion is underway called "summer with friends!"
If you shop with a group of 3 friends, you'll *each* get a free coupon book.
Shop with a group of 5 friends, you'll also get a free tote back.
And if you head there with a group of 7 friends, you'll also get a 5-dollar gift card.
The program runs through June 20-th.
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Friday, June 6 --- 6:00pm Report
Earn CASH when you shop! Just go to fatwallet.com.
Here's how it works. Shop through FatWallet for deals from your favorite stores. Your online purchases earn you cash that builds in your FatWallet account. You then get paid by requesting a payment via check or PayPal. Also on FatWallet: a popular forum that keeps you up-to-date on all the hottest deals at a number of popular stores.
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Friday, June 6 --- 6:00 am Report
You can save lots of money on prescriptions -- if you know how! This is advice from Kiplingers Personal Finance magazine.
First, go generic. Generic drugs can often save you up to 80% per prescription. If your medication hasn't gone generic, ask your doctor if there's a similar generic drug in the same therapeutic class. And because generics cost less on the retail side, employers typically offer better coverage for them, too. So be sure to do your homework. And that also includes contacting WalMart and Target to do some price comparisons. Both implemented a $4 a drug offer two years ago. At WalMart, the program has expanded to more than 360-medications.
And remember OPTIMIZERx.com. It is a portal for patients to access coupons and rebates for brand-name prescription drugs.
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Thursday, June 5 --- 6:00pm Report
Where does all your money go?! Well, f you haven't tracked your cash flow -- you should. And now there's a website that makes it so easy!
It's Mint.com.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Mint will help users get a better handle on where their money is going and how much is in each account. Here's what's even more important -- it tells you what can be done to budget your money more efficiently.
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Thursday, June 5 --- 6:00am Report
Don't be surprised the next time you're invited to a wedding -- the bride and groom registered a **honeymoon** as a gift. According to the Wall Street Journal - more and more couples are signing-up for these honey moon registries.
There are at least 10-companies that offer these services, including honey-luna.com and honeymoonwishes.com.
Couples register online as they would a retailer… choosing from honeymoon merchandise.... such as a night in the hotel, or dinner. So instead of buying china or a toaster, you buy a night out on the town.
We also discovered a site that lets you register your down payment to your first home. It's called my dreamhomeregistry.com. Friends and family contribute to a savings account managed by the site. The company releases the money to the couple when they are ready to buy a house.
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Wednesday, June 4 --- 6:00pm Report
How does this sound? Designer clothing at 70% OFF! It's possible thanks to the website GILT.com.
According to the Dallas Morning News. the site offers luxury-brand clothing for men and women discounted up to 70%.
There is a catch. This site is invitation only! But you can email the organizers and ask to be invited in. Once you're a member, you'll receive notices of upcoming sales on designer clothing and accessories.
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Wednesday, June 4 --- 6:00am Report
Right now Sarah Jessica Parker's movie Sex in the City is HOT at the box office. And now you can dress just like her for under $20! Her clothing line's called BITTEN.
She describes it as a collection of high quality, affordable sportswear for women of all ages and sizes. Bitten is sold exclusively at Steve and Barrys which you can find right here in Madison, at both the East Towne and West Towne malls.
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Tuesday, June 3 --- 6:00pm Report
If you are thinking about a subscription to a popular magazine -- or it's time for a renewal -- check out Zinio.com!
Instead of receiving your magazine through the mail, it is e-mailed to you, instead.
And often times, the subscription is cheaper!
You'll want to do your homework -- by comparing an online subscription rate to snail-mail.
From "Business Week" to "Mens Health," "Womens Health," and "US News and World Report" -- you'll have plenty of options to choose from.
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Tuesday, June 3 --- 6:00am Report
A trip to the amusement park doesn't have to wipe out your checking account.
According to the Wall Street Journal -- Triple A triples its regular $4 discount on Six Flags theme parks tickets to $12 on Wednesdays.
Remember... Buy OnLine! Ticket prices are often 35% cheaper, plus you'll save time waiting in line. We checked and you'll save $15 if you purchase tickets online for Chicago's Six Flags.
Here's another tip -- arrive at the park after the afternoon rush and you can easily save 20% or more with so-called twilight entry passes.
If you do head to Six Flags near Chicago -- go to its website for savings before you do! You can print off discounts for some of its restaurants.
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Monday, June 2 --- 6:00pm Report
If you are traveling this summer be sure to do your research before you rent a car. Many of the big-name car rental agencies are offering special *gas* promotions.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Hertz is by far the most generous. As part of an early summer promotion, many Hertz locations are offering one free tank of gas. To take advantage, rent any economy through full-size class vehicle for at least three days, and pick it up by June 30. (Promotion Code: 113120). And if you're a triple A member you get that discount, as well!
Here are some other deals this summer:
Budget is offering a 50% discount on weekend rates on economy through premium-class cars at airport locations.
And Enterprise is slashing its weekend rates in HALF for full-size or smaller vehicles.
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Monday, June 2 --- 6:00am Report
You know it happens. You wait days to find the perfect airfare. You end-up booking your flight -- and then you discover the airline LOWERED it fares again!
That's why you should check out farecast.com.
Using a formula it shows if fares are rising or dropping, and based on that prediction it provides you with a recommendation whether to buy now, or buy later.
It also gives you insight into hotel rates -- whether the current rate is a deal or a steal.
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Friday, May 30 --- 6:00pm Report
Earn CASH when you shop! Just go to ebates.com.
Here's how it works. You sign-up for an account and you automatically get a 10-dollar gift card from a participating store. Then, you pick the stores that you can earn CASH BACK from when you shop online.
The key is you have to go through ebates each time you shop --- it's the only way to earn cash back.
Participating stores include JC Penney, Target, and GAP.
You'll receive your cash back in the form of a "check" each quarter that you earn five dollars or more.
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Friday, May 30 --- 6:00am Report
It's time to get rid of those CDs and DVDs that you no longer use. There's a number of sites you can sell them -- including Craigslist.
But you can also check out secondspin.com. NBC15 Employee Jesse Schroeter recommended this site.
Here's how it works. You can check out how much they'll PAY you for your used CDs, DVDs and games. Then, you can pack them up, ship them out, and they'll either give you cash or credit in return.
We looked up Josh Groban. The site is willing to pay 20-dollars for his "Closer" CD: The FAN CLUB ADDITION.
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Thursday, May 29 --- 6:00pm Report
New appliances don't have to be costly if you know how to shop for them.
Here's some advice from about.com:
Buy last years model. You can shave hundreds of dollars off your purchase. By the way, the best time to shop is September and October when stores are under pressure to clear space for the new arrivals.
A small scratch or dent could mean savings! Ask the sales associate if they have any damaged appliances for sale.
It's no coincidence the most expensive appliance models are typically the first ones you'll see at the store. To keep yourself from spending too much -- make a list of what you need before you venture into the store and stick to that list.
Another tip from about.com --- check with appliance dealers in your area to see if any accept trade-ins. It could just be your ticket to a bargain.
Finally buy the floor model. You'll enjoy the same warranty that you'd get with a new-in-box item, without the new-in-box price.
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Thursday, May 29 --- 6:00am Report
It's hard to keep up with all the latest gadgets and gizmos now available.
That's why you should check out demystifyingdigital.com! It prides itself as an informational website for every-type of person - from the mom-on-the-go to the tech-confused dad, even the digital grandparent.
A lot of people are confused and intimidated by technology. This website breaks it down in a very-easy-to-understand manner so you can make the BEST possible purchase -- hence not wasting money on something you don't understand.
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Wednesday, May 28 --- 6:00pm Report
Who has time to surf all the travel websites to find the best deals? That's why you need to check out airfarewatchdog.com.
It prides itself as the only airfare alert and comparison site. .. that includes fares on all airlines, including Southwest.
The airlines lower airfares every day without advertising them.. and this website monitors those deals -- every minute of the day.
You sign-up for daily alerts, pick your departing airport and you'll be emailed daily discount alerts.
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Wednesday, May 28 --- 6:00am Report
Here's some advice that could save you money the next time you travel.
According to smartmoney.com - stay at business hotels. Hotels that cater to business clientele are busiest during the work week, and often drop their prices on weekends in order to fill empty rooms. Rooms are also more likely to include free wireless Internet and a kitchenette, which is a great bonus for vacationers who can't expense their meals. These little perks can really add up.
Another piece of advice: Be Loyal! Loyalty has its privileges. Airlines, hotels and car-rental agencies often reward repeat customers with complimentary upgrades and ample rewards. For example: complete two rentals at Budget and you're automatically entitled to a 10% discount on all rentals over the next year.
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Tuesday, May 27 --- 6:00pm Report
Today: saving CASH on vacation. Before choosing a hotel/motel ... call ahead. Ask if there is a discount if you drive a certain distance. Some will pay for fill-up at a gasoline station nearby to encourage people to travel as gas prices go higher.
When getting to your location, heck a local drug store or grocery store. They often have circulars near the door that offer discounts for attractions, restaurants, and theaters.
Also, call theme parks ahead and ask about any discounts they may be offering. If they give group discounts, partner-up with other families before entering.
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Tuesday, May 27 --- 6:00am Report
If you've been holding out on buying new furniture - now may be the time to SHOP!
According to smartmoney.com -- furniture and home goods retailers are slashing prices to near close-out levels. Retailers are hoping that selling more for less will offset slumping sales. For example: smartmoney.com found that Pier 1 Imports is offering clearance discounts of up to 75-percent through June 22nd.
But you have to hurry. The bargain-basement deals won't last long. In fact, by the end of the year, the cost of leather furniture will climb 20-25%, wood furniture by 15%.
Here's another piece of advice - check out overstock.com. During the housing boom, Target, Home Depot and others expanded their home goods departments. But now that the housing market has declined, more of these stores items are filtering down to closeout stores (like overstock.com)
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Friday, May 23 --- 6:00pm Report
Today earn POINTS when you eat out!
Rewards Network is a program that allows its members to earn Cashback Rewards at thousands of participating restaurants, bars and clubs, and hotels.
We did some checking -- and there's a number of restaurants located here in Madison, including Pedro's, Avenue Bar and J-T Whitneys.
All you do is register your credit card number on rewardsnetwork.com. Then, be sure to pay your meal with that card. The points will automatically add-up on your account. You can choose a number of rewards, including cashback points or airline miles.
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Friday, May 23 --- 6:00am Report
Today we're working to save you cash at the grocery store. If you use coupons to save you cash, then you can't pass up coolsavings.com!
You'll find coupons for food, along with baby care, pet care, health products.
Here's another site to check out: Thegrocerygame.com. According to the website, you'll get weekly lists of the lowest-priced products at your supermarket, along with manufacturer coupons and weekly specials that may not be advertised.
And finally, couponmom.com also promises to save you money at the grocery store.
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Thursday, May 22 --- 6:00pm Report
More and more Americans are shopping online. And when you do, you're often asked for a discount code! Sometimes it can save you a lot of cash.
That's why before you shop online go to retailmenot.com. You'll find DISCOUNT CODES for many of the popular online shops. You can search by store or company name for quicker shopping savings. You can also sign-up to receive a weekly email, featuring the best on-line coupon codes.
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Thursday, May 22 --- 6:00am Report
Bargain shoes are just one click away. Go to zappos.com to start shopping right now.
According to the site -- Zappos currently stocks more than 3 million shoes, handbags, clothing items and accessories from over 1,100 brands! The company also offers a toll-free customer service line -- and a one-year return policy!
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Wednesday, May 21 --- 6:00pm Report
Here's another tool to help you save money.
It's called pricegrabber.com. It's an online comparison shopping guide. From computers, to furniture and clothing - this site covers it all. The site will even email you when prices drop.
Shopping.com is another site that comparison shops. So check out both when trying to make a deal.
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Wednesday, May 21 --- 6:00am Report
It's a must-see website for all moms! It's called mommysavers.com.
It receives over three million page views per month and is one of the leading Google pages for money saving tips. You'll find advice, coupons, freebies and of course, money saving ideas. You can also sign-up for a weekly newsletter.
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Tuesday, May 20 --- 6:00pm Report
Often, we spend valuable time trying to chase down sales and deals. Instead, let the sale come to you.
Check out shopittome.com.
Here's out it works: Think of it as your free personal online shopper. You select your favorite apparel brands and sizes. Then, it will scour the websites of leading retailers like Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Banana Republic, and Gap. It'll email you a daily or weekly summary of which new items go on sale in your size.
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Tuesday, May 20 --- 6:00am Report
You can still save CASH even if you are planning a summer getaway! You're familiar with the big travel sites --- Expedia, Travelocity and PriceLine.
But there are other sites to check-out, including sidestep.com, kayak.com, and hotwire.com.
According to yahoo -- hotwire is a clearinghouse of unused travel inventory.
Some other advice;
Pick pedestrian-friendly cities. You can save hundreds of dollars if you don't need a car. For example -- people often forget that Portland, Oregon has a MAX light rail system.
And finally, think outside the box. Instead of a major chain hotel, be innovative. You can save cash if you opt for a bed and breakfast -- or consider a house exchange.
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Monday, May 19 --- 6:00pm Report
Some people swear by coupons -- claiming they save hundreds of dollars a year.
That's why you should check out hotcouponworld.com.
It's a discussion forum on how to maximize your money by using COUPONS!
There are tips on how to get started, plus deals from nearly every store you can think of.
The site is packed with information - so it can be a little overwhelming. But make sure to check out the forum titled: Online Sizzlin' Hot Deal Alerts.
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Monday, May 19 --- 6:00am Report
If you're planning a getaway -- often you don't have time to check out all the various websites, such as Priceline, Expedia and Travelocity.
Now there's just ONE website to visit to find the lowest fares!
It is OneTime.com! It'll compare ALL of the prices of all the various websites so you don't have to!
It's one-stop shopping, to save you CASH and TIME.
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Friday, May 16 --- 6:00pm Report
We often hear that what you do behind the wheel can actually impact the price at the pump!
Now we break it down for you. We found this example in the Wall Street Journal.
This is for a family that drives 12,500 miles a year, with a fuel economy of 20.1 miles per gallon.
Keeping tires properly inflated can save you up to 20-gallons of gasoline a year or $65 dollars a year.
Using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil can save up to $40 a year!
Aggressive driving -- such as speeding, rapid acceleration and braking -- can cost you 80-gallons a year or $260!
And clearing 100-pounds of junk from the trunk can save 12 gallons, or $40.
There's more advice at fuel economy.org.
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Friday, May 16 --- 6:00am Report
It's not too late to plan for a weekend getaway for this summer without wiping out your checking account.
Consumer Reports recommends TravelZoo.com!
Each week, it digs up discounted prices for airfares, resorts, even cruises!
The magazine says some of the savings can be HUGE!
But here's a tip.
Its Top 20 list is posted online each Wednesday and sent out in a free e-mail to 12 million people!
So you'll have competition for the best deals!
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Thursday, May 15 --- 6:00pm Report
If you want to take a CRUISE this year -- now may be the time to cash-in!
According to CruiseGuy.com, summer cruises have hit a 10-year low. And as an added bonus, some cruise lines are throwing airfare into the price in an order to fill ships.
Speaking of getaways --- lodging is by far the biggest expense when traveling abroad.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the average daily hotel rate in Western Europe increased nearly 23% last year.
So more and more people are house-swapping: you swap homes with a family for a vacation! You can swap homes with people here in the U-S.. or overseas. You could save hundreds of dollars this way. Check out Home Exchange.com for details.
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Thursday, May 15 --- 6:00am Report
We're working to SAVE you cash at the grocery store! This is advice from the website Smart Money.com.
Ask the staff at your supermarket what time and day they mark items down. Stores routinely discount dairy, baked goods, produce and meat as items approach their sell-by date.
These items are safe to eat. Remember there's a big difference between the sell-by date and the expiration date.
SmartMoney.com also says most items are discounted just **once** during a 10 to 12 week cycle. So with a little planning, you'll be able to figure out the system at your neighborhood grocery store.
Another tip -- according to bankrate.com, the highest markup items on the shelves are at about chest level. Reach up or kneel down to select the cheaper house or generic brands.
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Wednesday, May 14 --- 6:00pm Report
Kids Eat Free! Three words that will save you cash when you take the family out to eat!
We found more than 18-hundred restaurants listed on mykidseatfree.com and kidseatfree.com, including several in Madison.
For example: at Fazoli kids eat for only 99-cents on Tuesdays, from 5 to 8pm. And kids eat for a DOLLAR on Wednesday's at Tumbleweed.
Not exactly free, but darn close!
Another Money Saver:
Charter is offering a Free Call promotion!
Heres how it works.
If you know someone with Charters unlimited long-distance service, you can call them at no-charge for the rest of the month!
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Wednesday, May 14 --- 6:00am Report
Before you go shopping, there's a website you should check-out that could save you CASH!
It's called CertificateSwap.com and it bills itself as the ultimate online gift certificate marketplace.
You can buy -- or even sell gift certificates online. You'll find certificates for a variety of items: including clothes, electronics, and food!
Stores include Best Buy, Banana Republic and Barnes & Noble.
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Tuesday, May 13 --- 6:00pm Report
Instead of throwing something out you no longer need or want, you can post it and give it away (and vice versa).
So if you are looking for a product - this is good place to start.
You go to freecycle.org to sign-up.
There are a number of active groups in our area, including one in Madison. In fact, there are Freecycle groups in 85 countries managed by volunteers.
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Tuesday, May 13 --- 6:00am Report:
Before you book your hotel for your next vacation - here's an idea: check out HomeAway.com.
You can find special offers on condo, villa and house rentals for your trip. And sometimes, you can pay LESS than the price of a hotel room!
At HomeAway.com, you simply type in your destination, along with your arrival and departure dates. For example, we discovered dozens of listings if you are planning a getaway up north.
You can also find rentals that are pet friendly.
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Monday, May 12 --- 6:00pm Report:
If you're on vacation, meals can definitely add-up! That's why its worth your time to check-out restaurant.com. You can save-up to 50-percent of your meal… by purchasing discount certificates! Restaurants across the country are participating. In fact, we did some checking -- there are even restaurants listed in Mineral Point and Beloit.
Here's another money saver:
Next time your auto insurance is up for renewal, ask for the Paperless Policy Option. Instead of getting a copy in the mail, your documents are e-mailed to you. Several companies do this … including Progressive Insurance… which will give you a 5-percent discount if you sign-up.
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Monday, May 12 --- 6:00am Report:
As gas prices hover at record levels, it's estimated fewer families will travel this summer season. That's why big-name hotels are now offering incentives for families who hit the road. According to the Wall Street Journal: the Hilton… Holiday Inn… and Marriott are all offering gas cards. But only at select locations…. so you have to ask if you're booking a room.
Many Bed and Breakfast getaways are also offering deals this summer. We found a lot of deals at bed and breakfast.com. You'll find a list for locations across the country. So, just a few minutes surfing the web could save you a lot of cash this summer!
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Friday, May 9 --- 6:00pm Report
What do YOU do to save money?! Send us your comments.
We found these examples online:
Check with your grocery store to see if they accept expired coupons. We checked with "Cub Foods" and they take them (up to 6-months PAST the actual expiration date).
Another idea: If your child is having a birthday party, team-up with another Mom whose child's birthday's within a week of yours and split the cost.
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Friday, May 9 --- 6:00am Report:
Today we want to hear from you! What do YOU do to save money?!
We found these examples online:
Clean out all of your closets and take anything you haven't worn in a year to a consignment shop. When your clothes have sold, use store credit to buy clothes for your child.
Another example:
Go yard sale shopping and pick up anything you see that is in good condition. Then, take it to your consignment shop. This is another way to make a few extra dollars a month.
So tell us what you do to SAVE Cash and we'll share your ideas with our viewers. Just leave a comment on this story.
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Thursday, May 8 --- 6:00pm Report:
You might not realize it, but you can actually save CASH on prescription medications!
Its called OPTIMIZERx.com. It is a portal for patients to access coupons and rebates for brand-name prescription drugs.
The site also accesses sales and other offers for savings on over-the-counter products.
OPTIMIZERx lists deals for about 180 prescription drugs, used to treat a range of medical problems, from allergies to sleep disorders.
But we need to tell you, each offer has different eligibility standards… and there are limitations for patients covered under government programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
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Thursday, May 8 --- 6:00am Report:
Today's topic: Smart Bargain Shopping!
First -- Think LOCAL! Owners of small local stores often realize its better to make a smaller profit than no profit at all. So they'll match or beat the competitions price on something rather than to lose a sale.
Here's another suggestion. Don't be embarrassed but ask your clerk if he or she is on commission. Many times a commissioned sales person can give up "points" or part of their commission and pass it on to you by lowering the price of an item to make a sale. An hourly paid sales associate may not care if you buy.
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Wednesday, May 7 --- 6:00pm Report:
We're sure you have stuff around your house you don't use anymore... such as books... DVD's.... CD's. Now - swap them out!
Head to swaptree.com.
Here's how it works.
You list the stuff you have, and the stuff you want! Then, the computer will do the work for you.
"Swaptree" will show you all of the items that you can receive for your items. The only thing you pay for is the cost of shipping the stuff you are trading.
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Wednesday, May 7 --- 6:00am Report:
Finding the lowest price for a product is just a phone call away! It's called FRUCALL.
Here's how it works:
Say you're at a store about to buy a stereo. Before you do, you call 888-DO-FRUCALL. You'll enter the product's bar code number. Then, if it can find a cheaper price online, you'll immediately hear a list of prices. That way, you'll know if you're getting the best deal.
Before you use this free service, you must first register with Frucall's Web site (frucall.com).
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Tuesday, May 6 --- 6:00pm Report:
Make "cold" water your best friend!
You might not realize it, but the major cost of running a washing machine is the electricity it takes to heat the water.
This accounts for 85 to 90-percent of the energy used.
Experts say a hot wash/cold rinse setting will cost $100 to $150 a year if you do a load of laundry a day. But, by setting your washing machine to run a cold wash/cold rinse cycle, it'll only cost about $10 a year. So that's a 100-dollars in savings.
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Tuesday, May 6 --- 6:00am Report:
Here's an EASY way to get BIG discounts on designer clothes - savings are just a few clicks away!
Hautelook.com is a hot way to get deals on designer fashion. According to the site, all items are up to **75-percent off.**
You create a log-in then you'll get e-mails on their deals. Consider it a fashion club! The site features only one designer at a time.
Each article of clothing is guaranteed authentic and comes directly from the brands themselves.
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Monday, May 5 --- 6:00pm Report:
You shopped around for the best deal. Then, when you bought the item -- you discover it went on sale. Many stores will refund the difference, but it's up to you to watch the prices. Now, there's a website to help!
PriceProtectr.com works to get your money back.
You register your item, then if the price is reduced during your protection period, you'll get an email so you can cash in on the money back guarantee.
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Monday, May 5 --- 6:00am Report:
If you have kids, you know toys can be expensive. One website says, the average American family spends up to $1,000 a year on toys. So here's an idea: rent them, instead.
BabyPlays.com lets you RENT toys.
It's similar to Net-Flix. You sign-up for the toys and the company will then ship them to you. When your children get tired of those toys, you send them back, and get new ones.
According to the company's website, all toys are tested for lead, sanitized, and shrink wrapped. Plans start at 37-dollars a month.
Latest Comments
Sign up at the websites of restaurants that you like. I have received coupons for free entrees on birthdays and anniversaries. It's a great way to save money and still be able to go out
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We make full use of freecycling through madisonfreecycle.com We have gotten rid of pet supplies and computer parts and more, and in return we have gotten a Nordic Track in great condition and other things that we could not have a afforded otherwise. There is anything you could imagine listed there. You need to subscribe to this and follow their rules and guidelines, but there are no fees involved. Perhaps you could feature freecycling.
[ Report Abuse ]
Maybe Channel 15 could feature a list of city-wide garage sale days?? I agree with Anon from Madison, I think garage sales will be bigger and better than ever this year. Garage sales are really a great way to keep things "circulating" and keep prices low!
[ Report Abuse ]
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