Shopping Guide

10 best places for men to shop in America [6-10]

2009-09-23T11:30:00.000-07:00

6. Department Store

Bergdorf Goodman Men's

745 Fifth Avenue, New York City

Because, from the Charvet and Loro Piana ministores on the first floor to the Michael Bastian and Thom Browne alcoves on the third, it offers the best of the best under one manageably large roof. In a world where everything is labeled luxury, this place is the real deal.

See also: The high-low mix at the latest Barneys satellite in Dallas and the more traditional stable at Wilkes Bashford in San Francisco.

7. Chain Store

Uniqlo

546 Broadway, New York City

Because the clothes are contemporary (but not too contemporary) and the staff is helpful (but not too helpful). And though there's but one lonely Uniqlo in the U. S. right now, they've got plans to bring one of their immaculately designed stores to a city near you.

See also: The new and improved denim and khaki at the Gap and the racks of designer wear at Century 21.

8. Tailoring

Brooks Brothers

346 Madison Avenue, New York City

Because it's the oldest branch of a serious brand and its tailors take tradition seriously. They are not, however, slaves to it: They also offer digital tailoring, a process whereby a man's body is scanned by a computer, and on the top floor there's a pool table and a TV for your viewing pleasure.

See also: The stellar lineup of European and American designers at Syd Jerome in Chicago and the old-school charms of Oxxford in New York City.

9. Vintage

Bobby from Boston

19 Thayer Street, Boston

Because Bobby, the owner, searches the globe for preworn Savile Row suits and classic American work wear and restores them to mint condition. And because he does it better than anyone else.

See also: The offerings at Re-Runs in Kansas City, Missouri, and American Rag in Los Angeles.

10. All-American

J. Press

262 York Street, New Haven, Connecticut

Because when Jacob Press set up shop on the Yale campus back in 1902, he believed a man could never own too many three-button sack suits, button-down shirts, and repp ties. It's still the high temple of conservative American style, and it is good.

See also: L. L. Bean's flagship store in Freeport, Maine, and the classic tailoring of Paul Stuart in Chicago.

10 best places for men to shop in America [1-5]

2009-09-15T07:25:00.000-07:00

1. Outdoor Wear

Kittery Trading Post

301 U. S. Route 1, Kittery, Maine

Because since opening seventy-one years ago as a trading post where men could swap beaver pelts for buckshot, it's grown to carry more than 1,500 brands. From golden oldies like Woolrich to the latest from Patagonia and the North Face, it's got whatever you're looking for.

See also: The luxurious safari gear at J. L. Powell in Three Oaks, Michigan and the rock-solid outdoor wear at C. C. Filson in Seattle.

2. Specialty

Jake

939 Rush Street, Chicago

Because in a city as big as Chicago, it took two guys with great taste (Jim Wetzel and Lance Lawson) to boil down the best contemporary men's wear to one compact space. Jake proves that it's not the size of the store that counts — it's the selection.

See also: The curated stacks at Maxfield in Los Angeles and the latest from emerging designers at Odin in New York.

3. Single Designer

John Varvatos

315 Bowery, New York City

Because this space, formerly home to CBGBs, has become one man's celebration of rock 'n' roll style, and in addition to his own designs, Varvatos sells vintage T-shirts and vinyl records at punk-friendly prices. The store gives his clothes context and meaning, and vice versa.

See also: The witty stylings at Paul Smith in Los Angeles and the rugged designs at Rogues Gallery in Portland, Maine.

4. Shoes

Berluti

971 Madison Avenue, New York City

Because it offers bespoke, made-to-measure, and ready-to-wear shoes with patinations, perforations, and tattoos — yes, tattoos — that you won't find anywhere else. And because of Bweela Steptoe, the lovely, felicitously named in-store polisher who can change the shading of your shoes before your very eyes.

See also: The well-edited selection of brands at Leather Soul in Honolulu and the righteous, handcrafted styles of J. M. Weston in New York.

5. Shirts and Ties

Ascot Chang

9551 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles

Because its service and selection epitomize the quality-is-everything ethos that makes every customer feel like a king. Whether you're a bespoke guy (4,500 fabric choices) or a ready-to-wear guy (dozens of options in the store alone), it has a shirt for you.

See also: The edgier fits at Seize sur Vingt in New York and the British flair of Turnbull & Asser in Los Angeles.

Are dirt-cheap prices here to stay?

2009-04-03T08:39:00.000-07:00

Flat TVs are marked, move, and flights between the coasts have a neighbor below $ 120. Forget the cell phone accounts, prepaid expenses, as conscious consumers scramble for cheaper fares.

For companies trying to persuade consumers to spend, profit decline severely. But even more to worry looms: What happens if prices become the norm?

Go to the Americans' attitudes towards consumption and the economy could mean a loss of pricing power for companies, which remain long after the recession ends. "It's much easier to descend than the price they get," said Eric Almquist, a global leader in consumer awareness and to Bain

Consumers reluctant to spend on discretionary items such as holidays, restaurant meals and clothing. Where they spend, they expect big deal, and are willing to spend time and effort to find them. This shift is aiding in the Internet, which increases the competition among retailers in part by providing consumers the information they need to find the lowest prices.

Technology has changed the retail dynamic in obvious ways, especially with regard to things like TVs and personal computers. The average price of PCs fell 14.3% in the fourth quarter of 2008, but down in the market competition, as Acer has challenged companies to low-cost netbook PC.

Even Apple, long the envy of his rivals for fat profits, have now been forced to adjust their business models. Prices for his IMAC computers and media players, IPod is now over, but sales are still declining. Sales of both iMacs and iPods dropped 16% in February, according to NPD Group, a provider of marketing research.

"This industry, which, basically, people have been trained to expect the price will come down", Almquist said.

Manufacturers of electronics, also squeezed the fact that they can charge on the decline. Global television goods, for example, dropped from 5% in the fourth quarter, to 57 million units, according to market researcher Display Source. Prices for high-definition TVs come down, even as they capture a large share of the total market, which shows that even the most technically advanced products could become commodity items.

Brand differentiation profits, and will build a more tightly around intangible assets. Favorable prices contributed to Amazon.com 'S recent financial strength, but also in retail trade also benefits from the stellar customer reviews.

Innovation can also help to fatten profits. Dell is looked forward to his new $ 2000 Adamo laptop, which comes on the market on Thursday. At 14.6mm thick PC promoted as thinner than Apple MacBook Air.

Nevertheless, little evidence that prices in many industries will regain their former weight after the recession ends.

8 tips for great thrift-shop scores - (continued: tips for maximize your savings)

2009-03-14T04:15:00.001-07:00

Here are eight ways to maximize your savings store exits:

Keep a list of items you and your children need and next time to give a gift.

Compile a list of stores in your area by using online guides, such as TheThriftShopper.com ConsignmentShops.com and for high-end items.

Come with a routine. Land a few shops in your area and search in each of 10 to 15 minutes a few times a month. Good things, gurus say savings should skip immediately to you. If not, go ahead.

Learn each store's pricing policy. In many shops, women in the lead is $ 4.50, if they came from the target or Neiman Marcus. At these stores, is really to shop for quality.

Try hitting the sales end Saturday afternoon. This is typically the day of many gifts get new ones, said Turosak, savings, and many stores offer 50% discount on merchandise in the day.

If you want the best prices on clothes, play the waiting game. Most thrift stores, such as the mark of good things over there they were. In Los Angeles' Out of the Closet chain, for example, items that were 50% discount on their fourth week of the bank down to a meager $ 1.

Try it. Clothing store savings has often been because it fell in the dryer. Clothes that do not correspond to not negotiate. Carefully check clothing for rips, stains, missing buttons and other defects. Do not buy anything that is not in excellent condition.

Above all, do not buy something you do not need just because it is cheap. It is tempting when the fondue pot is only $ 2.99. But do you really need to buy something you go back a year later? "My rule is if I can not live without it, I will not do," said Gold.

8 tips for great thrift-shop scores - (continued)

2009-03-12T08:33:00.000-07:00

High-dollar items reduced price tags
In addition to clothing, another store of savings best buys accessories such as silk ties and women's hats and handbags. An outing to a local Goodwill in Glendale, California, gave Louis Vuitton bags in fairly good condition for $ 24.99, instead of $ 790 sold a similar one here. (Of course, you'll need to keep your attention radar buyer-up, there is no guarantee that you are not buying a knockoff.)

Hardcover books, even fairly recent success can be found for about $ 2 or less at many stores. You can find coffee replacement carafes, frameworks and platforms for entertainment.

The quality of solid wood furniture can also be found for cents on the dollar, like a pair of Henredon libraries or found in a local store for $ 40 savings. "You can not find a library Henredon for less than $ 700 (new)," he said.

And one of the biggest slam-dunks for men and women formalwear, like dresses or tuxedos occasion.

Turosak her husband bought a classic Givenchy tux to a thrift store for $ 8.99 and $ 4.50 Jos A. Bank wool generally agree that retail over $ 200, even in a liquidation.

Of course, things are going faster. And as the economy deteriorated, donations have dropped in many charities. More people are trying to use the castoffs to earn some more money on sending or Craigslist, charities say.

The game plan
But for now, most of the savings-store operators say they have enough stock to fill their shelves and holding a nation hungry for bargains.

8 tips for great thrift-shop scores - (first)

2009-03-08T01:30:00.000-08:00

There is a bright spot in the retail economy, but you will find in your mall next to Macy's or Banana Republic.

Thrift and consignment stores are a great back as the economy turns sour. Hi Army of savings stores average sales increased by 10% in January, and sales have increased by over 50% in areas most affected economically, markets, spokeswoman Melissa Temme said.

"In many areas we are seeing these increases, because people are trying to make ends meet," she says.

The National Association of Resale Thrift stores & 'recent survey of 182 members found that most have seen an increase in sales last fall - an average of 35% - roughly the same time, many major retailers have double-digit declines.

Lead to boom in the nation and savings estimated 25,000 resale shops are big jumps in demand for clothing, especially work clothes such as dress shirts, suits and skirts, said Lauren Lawson, a spokesman Goodwill Industries International.

Charity shops, private stores
There are two types of stores selling goods for charity shops such as good, Army and Hi church and small hospital shops, and for-profit resale shops.

The former are stored with the contributions of clothing, furniture, appliances and other items to sell to fund charitable initiatives such as vocational training, disaster and rehabilitation operations. Private resale clothing stores and take the lot of furniture to individuals and divide the profits once the items sell.

Both can be good sources of affordable, but savings-shopping experts the best deals you can find shops, to charity, who do not pay for their inventory.

"Their interest is the massive displacement of volume, not necessarily the highest price possible for each point," says Amy Hardin Turosak blogger, also known as "Shopping Golightly, who writes the blog Thrifty Chicks.

New to the former
This low overhead can mean good deals on all sorts of clothing, household items and furniture, as long as you're willing to keep an open mind, "says Michael Gold, co-founder of TheThriftShopper.com, an online guide for stores around the country.

Heather Stricklin, a Los Angeles stay-at-home mother and avid thrifter, recently picked up a couple of pairs of new J Brand jeans for $8 recently at her local St. Vincent de Paul thrift store. These jeans -- manufacturer samples -- were identical to those regularly sold for as much as $200 or more at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Stricklin also found some new $1.99 American Apparel T-shirts with embroidered felt designs that she has used to outfit her own kids and to give as gifts. At a boutique these items cost $20 to $30 apiece. "I just love finding a bargain," she says. "I really feel like I'm getting away with something."

A $4 bracelet that Turosak found at her local charity shop that was still in its original packaging from Anthropologie turned out to be priced at $98 when she called the retailer.

A Tipping Point in the Plasma Era

2009-02-23T21:19:00.000-08:00

The end of the line Pioneer Kuro TV was a real tipping point in the television industry, preceded by a long gestation dynamic forces. The recession and LCDs Plasma topple for good, and the slope is quite steep, and fast.

Last week, Pioneer announced the killing of his critically acclaimed television companies in March 2010 and will focus on the car and the audio / visual systems. It was a dramatic fall for a company that a year ago had CES buzz with its new plasma TV, the so-called "Ultimate Black" Kuro.

The Kuro of technology was impressive, as it reduces the emission of light in black areas of the screen to such a degree that, at its maximum brightness, the contrast ratio is "almost indefinitely." The result is a plasma screen with the most dynamic and colorful images yet.

But even at the peak of the hype, the problems in the plasma industry have arisen.

Plasmas were at their most popular from 2004 to 2006, a period which saw a doubling of rear-projection TVs in the top large-format TV. But they had great difficulty to compensate for their lower level of average prices of sales volumes. The spectrum of LCD screens has also prompted many customers to postpone a purchase. In Février'08, shortly after the recession had officially taken hold, premium quality pioneer seems disconnected from reality. Moreover, LCDs are typical along the sports field of plasma screens larger, more contrast ratios, thinner and cheaper sets. LCD picture quality still failed to reach the levels of plasma, but for the average consumer, the difference is more evident.

Fast forward to early 2009, LCDs and plasmas have been outselling-8-1 on a global scale, and the domination of the best selling lists on Amazon.com.

Pioneer has attempted a final partnership with Panasonic to create a version of its plasma TVs, contributing its "secret sauce" to keep the Kuro tech runs, but that effort seems to be more.

The collapse of demand already consequences: the estimated loss of $ 1.41 billion in 2008-09 (after a loss of $ 203 million in 2007-08) and a decrease of nearly 50 percent of operating revenue has been directed to the 10,000 job cuts and the closure of U.S., UK and Japan facilities. But Pioneer is not the only TV manufacturer suffering. They are all taken on the chin, regardless of the type of display.

Both Hitachi andVizio had to stop the bleeding Formwork plasmas to focus on LCDs. And not even in general the period of flushing vacation from television land Financial Security: Sony, Panasonic, LG and all posted lower quarterly profits.

Component suppliers were also unable to escape the pain. As indicated in recent Om, Corning screen manufacturer posted fourth quarter 2008 revenues of $ 1.1 billion and has yet to let go of 3,500 jobs.

Pioneer has decided to end its production of plasma is more complicated. He bought NEC plasma business in 2004, used as an OEM for its glass, but has recently been forced to shutter the unit. Now, the only manufacturers of plasma stand are Panasonic, LG and Samsung, all of which make their own components.

Panasonic is well positioned to benefit from the death of Kuro. Most engineers Pioneer Kuro came with changed sides and are now working for Panasonic. In addition, recent demonstrations have shown that Panasonic plasmas are almost Kuro quality. Already in possession of the largest market share of plasma in the world (more than 35 per cent), the company will be able to build a diversified product line plasma televisions using a screen type of premium calls a niche that still wants them. Add to this the fact that he derives income from the sale of its glass to other companies, including JVC and Fujitsu, and it seems that it will be able to stay afloat plasma more than any other company. Panasonic will inherit the burden of the difficulty of the economy and the LCD screen challenge, but once the plasma is no longer economically feasible, its own LCD screens will probably be made in the image quality. In fact, the ultimate black contrast technology is already close to LCD. So it's only a matter of years (or less) before finally dying plasmas.

As for Pioneer, all is not lost. Representatives say that plasma TVs are only 14 percent of its business worldwide, and patents for technology Kuro provide a benefit for a while. But any positive bittersweet. The legacy of Kuro TV that will be another best-in-class technology that has been humbled by the strength of the economy and competitive market.

Picks the Best Cup o' Brew

2009-02-07T07:49:00.001-08:00

Folgers, Maxwell House and Starbucks is American popular coffee places. But all three were on the ice eight hours of Colombian coffee in our taste test. With regard to Starbucks, he did not even place among the top of the regular coffee and trailed among decafs.

Our tests of 19 coffee also show that some of the best value measure. At about $ 6 per pound, eight hours is less than half the price of Gloria Jean's, Peet's, and other more expensive brands.

How do you, Joe, all without caffeine? Dunkin 'Donuts and the mill were the front runners among decafs. But the choice of Folgers Gourmet Lively Colombian came in close behind and is less than $ 3 per pound. But even the best decaffeinated coffee can not match the best regular brews in our taste test.

What we have tasted
Our coffee experts focused on 100 percent Colombian - Popular beans - for the regular coffee. Most of our decaffeinated coffee is a mixture of different beans.

What makes a great cup of Colombian? Lots of flavor and aroma, some floral notes and fruitiness, touch of bitterness, and enough body to provide a sense of fullness in the mouth. Woody, papery or burned out of music tastes.

Week sip twisted and confirmed that even a 100 percent Colombian coffee and the Juan Valdez logo does not guarantee quality. Our testers found the other surprises:

But after all these years
Emphasis full o'Nuts and Maxwell House coffee place, that "heaven" and "good to the last drop", since 1932 and 1907, respectively. But beyond the notes, a bit complicated, and full stops O 'Nuts, the variable quality of an eight hours.

When the boutique is not better
West of Cariboo, and Kickapoo beat the array of major players among regular coffee. But the Bucks County Coffee, of Langhorne, Penn., Tried just OK, and Peet's, a Berkeley, California, was burned and bitter, despite a cost of $ 14 per pound. Peet's, Archer Management, as well as the Kickapoo varied from batch to batch.

Caffeine differences
None of our decaf coffee for more than 5 milligrams of caffeine in 6-ounce serving. But among regular coffee, Caribou, and Bucks County was about four times more caffeine (195 mg) of some of the lowest levels of brews. Medical experts say up to 600 milligrams a day is probably safe for most, and can help you keep alert. But the heart patients and women, pregnant or nursing should remain below 200 mg, which could mean a detour of the brands of caffeinated coffee we tested.

How to choose
Some of our best coffee can save you $ 25 to $ 70 per year for the pricier brands, even if you drank only one 6-ounce cups a day. That's what people think on another occasion:

Consider how you
Coffee judged very good taste of a fine black. Milk and sugar can improve mediocre coffee, but not even the cream can help low scoring decafs.

Choose a good coffee maker
Coffeemakers best of our report of January reached 195 º to 205 º F are required to get the best of the beans and to avoid weak or bitter. Rating Michael Graves model costs only $ 40.

Consider for chopping fresh fragrance
Even the best pre-ground coffee can not beat the best fresh ground when it comes to taste. One top mincers January of this report, Mr. Kofi IDS77, costs just $ 20.

What the Supermarket Won't Tell You -part2

2009-01-20T01:11:00.000-08:00

6. "Our discount cards help us to meet our biggest spenders ..."

Many supermarkets offer loyalty cards that purchases are scanned at the cash savings on specially marked products. But saving money is not what these cards are real. Whenever you use your registration card purchases at stores large databases containing information on their years of purchase. That means they know what they buy every year, how often and when you buy a coupon bearing on their purchases. And using
this information for everything from promoting new products to decide what actions.

More importantly, these data stores to take advantage of customers who buy lots of food on a regular basis. Woolf said that as much as 65 percent of a store's sales are derived from these major buyers, who represent only 12 to 25 percent of its customers. Loyalty card programs to allow stores to serve these people by sending free samples, special offers from other buyers do not receive discounts and structuring as a reward for its regular, expensive trips. "The most valuable customers, you look better, after them," says Woolf.

7. "... But it is not always the best option for big savings."

Stores that use these loyalty programs that I think will save large participants. But that is not always the case: Wal-Mart, which has no such program, undermining the competitors on price, and most of the shops without these programs their prices to match competitors' discount card prices. In many cases, retailers may even be able to offer lower prices than the stores with the development of loyalty card programs, said David Livingstone, managing partner with industry consultant DJL Research. "loyalty card programs to add a spending Store, "says Livingston." And the stores can offer the same deals without the card programs. "

In the end, what consumers to obtain delivery of their data? It depends. According to Stephen Hoch, professor of marketing at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, the loyalty card discounts actually change prices higher in those without cards. Even the best reward is not always amount to much. Supermarkets have a narrow profit margin of about 2 percent, making it "difficult to supermarkets to offer customers great rewards," says Hoch.

8. Big sales do not mean lower costs for you. "

Supermarkets want to know that tenders. And we use to get bids through the door, through the brochures and advertising discounts. But the key is to make sure not to give too much once you get inside.

How do they do? To begin with, the atmosphere. Supermarkets know the first thing you see when you set foot on the pitch for their shopping trip. If you object to the sale or discounted products close to the entrance, you can create the impression of no real value to be had, if that is true or not, the consultant said Hertel. That is also why the space at the end of the corridors is often used to show a small number of items sold. Stores know that it is likely to buy a bunch of other products, while you're shopping, many of which are not for sale or trade marks, helping to cover the discounts in promotional items. In fact, studies show that supermarkets have been effective in limiting gifts, says K. Sudhir, a professor at the Yale School of Management. "Shops want to create the perception that customers are getting a good deal," he says. "But they do not want everyone to get the lowest prices."

9. "We can take the local production, but not in the market for farmers."

When former software engineer Michael Morowitz of Chicago wants to buy strawberries, wait and wait until the summer to local growers. "Strawberries sent to Chicago in February will never be as good as those grown around June," said Morowitz, who heads the local sugar beet, a Web site about food grown locally in Chicago. As Morowitz, more people are looking for products from nearby farms as a way to improve, fresh foods and supporting local farmers, not to mention reducing pollution from transport. And supermarkets have heard the call-up to the point that Wal-Mart now megaretailer resellers locally grown produce.

But it is not as clear as it seems. On the one hand, there is no agreement on what local media. For example, Wal-Mart is defined as the local production which grew in the same state, but in a great state like California, that does not mean much. Furthermore, it is difficult to find a big number of local farms to meet their needs, and smaller farms can struggle to keep up with a great chain of demands, said Julia Stewart, a spokeswoman for the Produce Marketing Association. In the case of Wal-Mart, some of their local suppliers are the same mass that usually provide their farm products. "It just makes it a positive press release," says Livingston. A spokesman for Wal-Mart says the company works with farms in many sizes and is not opposed to their local farmers from selling their products elsewhere.

10. "We are experts in human behavior."

Marketers know a lot about how to buy and what is likely to make you a lift. For example, the stores have found that buyers are more comfortable staying on the right as they move through a store, said Ron Larson, associate professor of marketing at Western Michigan University. How much difference does it make? According to market research firm Sorensen Associates, buyers moving to the spending
$ 2 more per trip than going the opposite direction.

Avoiding psyched by marketing expert? Know what you want to buy before entering the supermarket. Livingston recommends planning meals for the week and sticking firmly to the list once in the store. Moreover, making the car smaller than contain all items, and pay attention to the old saw "Never shop when hungry."

What the Supermarket Won't Tell You -part1

2009-01-18T05:11:00.000-08:00

1. "You feel the pressure? In fact, we, too."

When the economy slows and companies start to feel the heat, food stores are often exceptions to the rule. This is because when consumers fell in luxuries like eating out, tend to make more trips to the supermarket. However, all bets could be off after the accident in 2008.

Citi Investment Research analyst Deborah Weinswig forecast drop in same store sales growth in many major chains in 2009, one that is top performer Kroger experiencing a decline in store sales of growth of around 5 percent in 2008 to 4 percent next year. Meanwhile, supermarket chain Supervalu its own forecast of sales growth over 2009 levels.

Even big-box-now contenders in the supermarket sector is facing tough headwinds following the merger of the market. Weinswig said he hoped the same ups and downs in sales growth in the store BJ's Wholesale Club, 11 per cent in 2008 to less than 7 percent in 2009 and a decrease of 8-6 percent growth over the same period Costco. In short, it is difficult to pass through higher costs when consumers have a laser-like focus on price, "said Mitchell Corwin, senior analyst at Morningstar equity.

2. "You're getting less for the same price."

When Linda Edwards, a nurse in East Windsor, NJ, picked up his usual $ 4.99 pitcher of orange juice in the Shop Rite this summer, she was surprised to discover that it contained 7 oz usually less than what he did. A few months later he realized his Skippy peanut butter and chicken strips were also slight, but not everything is cheaper. "Everything seems to be shrinking, but my family has not fallen," said the single mother of five children. A spokesman for Unilever, owner of Skippy, said that the reduction in size of the product is one way the company is coping with increased costs of fuel and food.

Manufacturers know that a strong economy, consumers are driven by higher prices, so quietly shrink products, hoping a few oz. here and there not to be missed, said Alexia Howard, senior research analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein. But it is counterproductive from, said Ben Popken, editor of Consumerist.com, which says that more and more complaints from readers about the decline of products. "People are very sensitive to any decline in their purchasing power," he says. Popken recommends checking the unit price of the marks to see if you're paying the same price for less food.

3. "It takes us to raise prices when you are least likely to notice."

When times are hard, super-markets buyers know vigilant even notice tiny changes in the price of foods like milk, cereal, bread and cheese. In fact, there are about 500 such products, stores and raise prices in these commodities at your own risk.

How to deal with rising markets in food costs? To play with the price of the approximately 45,000 items people do not usually buy enough to have a fixed cost of tacking on 3 and 4 per cent to special products such as gourmet pasta sauce sweet or squeezed juices without consumers noticing. "There is an opportunity to make some room on those issues," said Jim Hertel, managing partner of Willard Bishop, an industry consultant.

But do not expect the savings to be passed on to you when costs are reduced. Many manufacturers lock in prices ahead of time, and often hold out the prices down to compensate for losses, said Howard. One way to ensure you are getting the best deal when prices fall: Stick to the basics. Products like coffee and meat is likely "that reflect their underlying costs faster than most other foods," says Howard.

4. "You can not always believe our nutrition."

It seems people are more concerned about their health these days, but the nutrition labeling on most foods can be difficult to decipher. Hoping to bridge the gap, the supermarket chain Hannaford Bros developed a program called Guiding Stars that posts nutritional ratings of one to three stars on the shelf labels for some products. "We would like to see FDA approval of the national program," said Bruce Silverglade, legal affairs director at the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Sounds great, but according to a report by the Government Accountability Office, the FDA has not verified the accuracy of random nutrition labeling of more than a decade, and the products has tested due to the obvious flags red, more than 20 percent had errors. (A spokesman for the FDA said that the random sampling is not needed, the FDA testing of products according to guidelines set by the Office of Regulatory Affairs.) With little oversight, consumers can not rely on manufacturers labels nutrition or any system of classification based on that data.

"It's the manufacturer's responsibility to provide accurate information, that's all we can use to evaluate products," says Julie Greene, director of healthy living for Hannaford Bros.

5. "We will not take your coupons."

The newspaper on Sunday used to be the power source for coupons. But now they are increasingly available online, sites like Coupons.com and manufacturers and supermarkets' own Web pages. The problem is not always easy to use. More than 10.6 million Internet coupons were redeemed last year, according to Carolina Marketing Services. While that amount is expected to increase, it is still a fraction of all coupons redeemed, and many shops are still unfamiliar with them.

That's what 61 years old, retired CJ Shearrer discovered when printing about $ 30 worth of coupons and took them to a Wal-Mart in Midwest City, Oklahoma Shearrer said the store manager told him not to accept Online coupons and only when he showed him a copy of Wal-Mart coupon policy, said Shearrer made the director agreed to take. (He says a company spokesperson Wal-Mart accepts an Internet coupon per item per customer, to the extent that the legitimate and explorations in the record.) Stephanie Nelson, founder of CouponMom.com information site, suggests what to do Shearrer made: Bring along a copy of a coupon in the store policy, which should be found on their website.

Smart Alternatives to Stupid Gifts

2008-12-21T07:22:00.000-08:00

If you can’t rhyme off at least one bad gift you’ve received over the years, consider yourself extremely lucky. Most of us have been on the receiving end of one too many horrible presents and as a result are very careful now when it comes to buying for others.

New-York based Stupid.com has taken the opposite approach and built an entire business around stupid stuff including gifts, toys and candy. Here are some of their stupidest gift ideas, complete with our smart alternatives that won’t leave you in the dog house this holiday season!

Underwear Repair Kit
We don’t know about you, but even with the Credit Crunch there are plenty of other things we’d gladly part with before giving up our fresh tighty whities. We suggest you put together a comfy bedtime set for your special someone instead. For the woman in your life, there are plenty of girly pyjamas, cozy slippers and comfortable housecoats to choose from. Or if something a little more risqué is what you’re after, a piece of sexy lingerie would certainly put a smile on her face (and yours!) Men love to cozy up too, especially in the cold winter months, so perhaps a flannel nightshirt or comfy cotton bathrobe would be in order for the man on your list?

Gin and Titonic Ice Cube Tray
This gift will most certainly kill the recipient’s buzz by making them think of all the lives lost during that fateful night on the cold Atlantic. It would be much smarter to buy something they could use without welling up, like a set of crystal wine glasses, festive martini glasses or a drying rack for wine glasses. For a nice added touch, include a bottle of their favourite beverage and some yummy snacks.

Bacon Wallet
It’s not that the joke isn’t lost on us, but who wants to be tempted to eat that often during the day? To avoid getting egged by the recipient (two can play that game!), it’s probably best to get a designer wallet or stylish Guess handbag for her or a classic leather wallet or messenger bag for him.

Buy Cheap Gift for holiday seasons

Best ways to pay cash for Christmas

2008-12-18T06:57:00.000-08:00

By Liz Pulliam Weston
A debt-free holiday is within your grasp.

It wasn't necessary to start saving last January. You don't have to give up the mall or make all your gifts. You may not even have to leave your credit cards at home.

There are at least 10 ways you can come up with the money to pay for your December celebrations without adding to your debt:

1. Adjust your withholding
Most taxpayers get some kind of refund every year, and the average amount is well over $2,000. Chances are you could crank way back on your withholding for the rest of the year, seriously boosting your take-home pay, and you'd still wind up getting at least some money back in April. Kiplinger has an easy-to-use withholding calculator that shows how much more you could get in your paycheck throughout the year by claiming extra allowances; the Internal Revenue Service has a more detailed version that can help you fine-tune your withholding to maximize your December paychecks without risking having to pay on April 15.

If you're going to do this, don't wait; you'll need to submit your new W-4 in time to adjust your remaining checks. Make a note to re-evaluate your withholding in January; you can switch back to your old habit of over-withholding, or you may decide to keep the extra money throughout the year rather than getting a refund.

2. Use your miles
More than 120 million Americans participate in at least one frequent-flier program, according to Randy Petersen of WebFlyer. You typically can't turn miles into cash directly, but you have options beyond trying to use them to get a free flight.

Many plans allow you redeem your miles for merchandise, for example. The exchange rate on these deals isn't all that great, but if you have a surfeit of miles, the miles are about to expire or you won't otherwise use them, it's certainly an option. Northwest Airlines allows you to redeem WorldPerks miles for magazine subscriptions, for example, while elite United Airlines mileage-program members can trade miles for portable DVD players and other electronics. Check your plans' Web sites for details.

Another alternative is to convert your miles into a program you do use. WebFlyer has a mileage converter to help you explore your options. For example, you can convert 20,000 American Airlines miles into 40,000 Hilton Honors points, which will pay for one or two nights in a Hilton property. If you were planning to stay in a hotel anyway over the holiday, let your miles pay for it and convert the money you would have otherwise used into cash for the holiday.

3. Ransack your rewards
Most credit card offers these days come with some kind of rewards program -- frequent-flier miles, cash back, points toward travel or merchandise. Many cards allow you to convert rewards into merchant gift cards, which you can use to buy real gifts.

Check your cards' Web sites or call their toll-free numbers to see what your rewards will get you and whether they're running any special offers. Right now, for example, Discover Card is running a "Holiday Mall Promotion" that offers $20 gift cards for every $200 you spend on your Discover Card at select malls around the country.

Tell us: What's your budget for kids' Christmas presents?

One big caveat: If you're already carrying credit-card debt, don't add to it. Pay cash for the holidays. You should be particularly wary of adding any charges to a card that already has a balance, because there's no grace period -- interest charges on these new purchases start immediately.

4. Use your coins
Raiding the change jar to pay for Christmas isn't exactly new, but Coinstar change-counting machines have made it easier. You can avoid the machine's usual 8.9% fee by selecting one of its gift-card options for merchants including Amazon.com, Starbucks, Circuit City, iTunes and AMC Theatres.

If you don't want gift cards but do want to avoid fees, check with your local credit union to see if free coin counting is available. If you live in the Northeast or southeastern Florida, you can check out the nearest Commerce Bank lobby, which typically offers a free "Penny Arcade" coin-sorting machine. (Call 888-751-9000 for locations.)

5. Get a(nother) job
Plenty of businesses add bodies during the holidays: retail stores, package delivery services, craft stores, ski resorts and temp agencies (to fill in for all those vacationing workers). These temporary part-time jobs can boost your pay, and you may qualify for employee discounts. MSN Careers is one place to start looking.

If you need a more flexible gig, consider a home-based business that doesn't require a big upfront investment. Some possibilities: baby-sitting, tutoring, house-sitting, dog walking, errand running, housecleaning, home organization (garage clean-outs and closet tuneups might be particularly appreciated this time of year).

Check out America's best home-based businesses

6. Sell your stuff
The weather's not ideal for yard sales in most of the country, but you can still cut your clutter and make some cash thanks to sites like eBay, Half.com, Amazon.com and Craigslist. Half.com and Amazon.com are good places to sell books, DVDs, CDs, video games; sell higher-value items on eBay; and list bulky stuff on Craigslist.

Read "Garage sales thrive in online world" for more ideas.

7. Sell someone else's stuff
If you've already turned all your clutter into cash on eBay, maybe you could help a friend who's new to online auctions help sell her stuff in exchange for a cut of whatever you manage to sell. Plenty of businesses have sprung up to do exactly that, and they often take up to one-third of the proceeds.

Make sure you work out in advance and in writing what your fee arrangement will be. Also, keep good records to head off any disputes.

8. Cancel some money suckers
Examine your bills and your credit card statements for recurring expenses that don't make sense anymore. Still paying for a land line when you're always on your cell? Coughing up for a gym you haven't visited in a year? Cancel those money suckers and start redirecting the cash to a savings account earmarked for holiday expenses. (Read "Ditch those money-sucking bills" for more candidates.)

If you run out of recurring bills to eliminate, pick some habitual expenses to curb: Trade in that bottled water for a refillable sports cup (savings: $1 per bottle, or $30 a month for a daily habit); make coffee at home instead of buying it (savings: $2 to $3 per cup, or $40 to $60 for a daily habit); have a beer with friends at home instead of at the bar (savings depends on your alcohol intake). Make a ritual of putting aside the money you save as you choose the cheaper option.

9. Submit your receipts
If you're owed reimbursement for money you've already spent -- from an employer for company travel, for example, or from a flexible spending plan at work that allows you to put aside pretax money for medical or child-care expenses -- submit your receipts now and put the resulting checks aside for the holidays.

Click here to learn more about health savings accounts.

10. Try a 'Buy Nothing (Else)' month
Get the latest from Liz Pulliam Weston. Sign up to receive her free weekly newsletter.
Preferred format:
HTMLPlain TextLearn more about newslettersCommit to buying only essentials for a month and you could wind up with quite a stash of cash. Volunteers from the Your Money message board who tried it typically saved $300 to $400 this way. For more details, read "Could you stop spending for a month?"

Tips about Christmas Shopping

2008-12-02T23:02:00.000-08:00

tips for your holiday :

Christmas shopping do’s:

1. Brand matters
Shop at good quality stores. Christmas is a time to buy gifts for others, so you don’t want to buy cheap goods that will last only a few months. Look for durable items that will remind your recipient of your love throughout the coming year.

2. Stay safe
If you’re buying online; be sure that the website has SSL technology. You definitely want your credit card information to stay secure. Further, if you don’t receive your purchased item, you can contest the charge.

3. Make a list
One way to save money this Christmas would be to prepare a list well in advance. Don’t head out to the store only with your credit card in hand. Impulse shopping can keep you up at night worrying about bills!

4. Special wrapping
Christmas gifts are more than just gifts. They reflect the sentiments of the giver. So save a little money to wrap up your gift in a special way. You can even add a customized note to each family member.

5. Discounts
They can be found at almost every store. Make best use of them! Keep your eyes open for a good bargain. However, don’t compromise on quality!

Christmas shopping don’ts:

1. Avoid weekends
If you want to avoid bumping shoulders with every other shopper then go shopping on a weekday- preferably in the morning. Salespeople are a lot friendlier when they don’t have a crowd to handle.

2. Don’t limit your choice
So you’ve made a list of items to be bought, but you can’t find one or two. What do you do? Plan for this in advance by writing a back up gift option on your list. This will save you a lot of time especially if you’re shopping for a large number of people.

3. Don’t lose receipts
Save all the receipts from your Christmas shopping expedition. You may need it later, when your gift turns out to be faulty or has a missing part. Your gift recipient will be glad you can get a replacement.

4. Don’t wrap right away
Check your item thoroughly before you thrown on the fancy wrapping paper. Also remember to remove the price tag and other purchase particulars.

5. Don’t wait
Christmas shopping doesn’t need to be restricted to December. Shop when something catches your fancy. You can store it away for Christmas day!

How to Choose Lotion for Dry Skin

2008-07-07T04:51:00.000-07:00

Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Activities and Chemicals to Avoid
Step1Bathe in lukewarm water, because hot water dries out your skin.
Step2Bathe only once a day. Bathing more often than this dries out your skin.
Step3Bathe for less than fifteen minutes. Bathing longer than this removes oil from your skin.
Step4Avoid harsh soaps that dry out skin and use non-scented soaps.
Step5Avoid using scented laundry detergents and fabric softeners.
Helpful Activities and Chemicals
Step1Use a humidifier during the winter. This helps offset the skin-drying effects of your heater.
Step2Minimize sweating as much as possible during the summer as this can cause dryness and itching.
Step3Be sure to drink plenty of water. This increases moisture your body creates naturally.
Step4Use soothing fabrics, not wool or other fabrics that scratch.
The Best Lotion Ingredients and Practices
Step1Buy lotions that contain sun block or sunscreen with SPF 15 or greater. Apply these daily.
Step2Apply moisturizers right after bathing so you can retain the moisture from the shower.
Step3Choose Cetaphil Cream or Eucerin Cream for moderate dry skin.
Step4Choose oils for severe dry skin. Follow up with a moisturizing cream. Re-apply before going to bed.

Nokia N95 Smartphone

2008-06-06T04:49:00.000-07:00

I like it very much++

Specifications

It's GPS. It's a photo studio. It's a mobile disco. It's the world wide web. It's anything you want it to be. Explore the internet with 3.5G ease. Navigate the world with interactive maps and purchasable local city guides. Download your favorite music tracks. And capture it all with 5 megapixel clarity and Carl Zeiss optics. Experience the true power of multimedia computing with the Nokia N95 multimedia computer.

Price Range: $569.00 - $932.00

Popular 4 /5

How to buy new shoes

2008-05-21T02:09:00.000-07:00

Buying a pair of shoes seems simple enough, but a few considerations should be made. Your shoes are probably the most important clothing item to determine comfort, so a little extra time when buying can be well worth the effort.

Have your feet measured by a salesperson.Many people jump ahead to trying on the shoes without checking the length and width of each foot. It is important to know to proper size of your feet and if your feet are slightly different sizes.

Shop for the larger foot.If your feet are different sizes, buy a shoe that best fits the larger foot. If you need, buy an insole to fill space in the other shoe.

Make sure the shoe fits your heel and your toes.The toebox should provide ample wiggle room, and the heel should not slip up when walking.

Go for a walk in the store.Make sure the shoe is comfortable for a short walk around the store--any pain is only going to be worse on a long walk.

Don't think a shoe will 'break-in.'This is a common misconception that shoes should be purchased snug so they can break-in. Wrong! Shoes should fit when you buy them.

Tips:
Stand up when measuring your feet.Do your footwear shopping towards the end of the day after you've been up and walking for a few hours. Under these conditions your feet will be slightly larger than in the morning. End-of-the-day shopping is the best way to buy footwear.

Remeasure your feet each time you buy new shoes.Measure your feet each visit as your shoe size can change over time. And never buy a shoe based on size alone--try them on!

Welcome

2008-04-24T07:47:00.000-07:00

welcome and get info about shopping, buyer's guide, how to pay and where to buy very soon.