Friday, January 30, 2009

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Paradise Popcorn: Request a free sample of Paradise Popcorn

OnSale.com: Save as much as $760 off on top selling HDTVs

Peapod: Click here for $10 in free groceries

Lonely Planet Travel Guides : Free shipping on Lonely Planet travel journals

Dollar Rent a Car: Save 10% in the U.S., Latin America or the Caribbean with any American Express® Card- terms and conditions apply

OnSale.com: The Big Game Sale! Great prices on the best consumer products- prices cut up to 75%

ConsumerDirect.com: Instant free credit score

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Efficiency programs offer energy savings

By the year 2030, energy savings could be as high as 236 billion kilowatt hours.

An assessment by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), shows potential energy savings based on perfect consumer awareness and likely consumer behavior, funding barriers and the existing environmental barriers of the market and society. According to a report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, electricity consumption rate of growth can be reduced by a realistic 22% over the next 20 years, that is, if everything falls into place.

How can we make this happen?

All utilities, regulators, policymakers and stakeholder groups must be on board. Arshad Mansoor, Vice President of Power Delivery and Utilization for the EPRI, explains: "Estimates of energy efficiency potential affect forecasts of electricity demand, and electric utilities must make prudent investments in generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure to reliably and cost-effectively address this demand.”

Today's utilities, regulators and policymakers are working hard to meet a fast growing energy demand and ultimately lowering carbon footprints.

The Washington Post reports that utility companies and governments in the Washington area have already launched energy-efficiency campaigns, a movement that was popular in the '80s and '90s but lost steam during the recent era of deregulation. The mission of the group is to reduce carbon footprints, lower bills and relieve the area's reliance on foreign oil. According to the article, fficiency programs are on the rise, from California to Maryland. The federal government is set to help efficiency programs under President Obama's stimulus plan.

Now's the time to meet the future demand, by maximizing our energy efficiency.

Click here for article from Today's Facility Management blog.

Inside Consumer United :: Bridget O'Sullivan

After working remotely with the content and marketing arm of Consumer United, Bridget O'Sullivan is excited to be back at our Boston-based headquarters on South Street.

Graduating from Johns Hopkins University in Maryland last December, the former intern is back in action... employed full time at Consumer United. "It's amazing to see how much the company has grown in less than two years. The office is full of great energy and talent ... and it's a lot of fun to be here again."

A few of O'Sullivan's responsibilities include collecting and analyzing information on basic-service providers so Consumer United can continue to roll out money-saving deals for its members.

Advice from O'Sullivan? "My favorite personal finance advice is to put all of the money you come across into the bank. You'll be more likely to save it because you have to make that extra effort to take it out again."

Nice Price: $1 million home for $100

No luck selling your $1.2 million dollar home in this economy? Raffle it off!

The Edgewater Maryland property is the grand prize in a raffle by We Care and Friends, a charity focused on at-risk youths, and Tom Walters, a mortgage broker who opted to put his property in a lottery during these tough times.

We Care and Friends, an Annapolis-based charity was to earn 10% of the proceeds if the lottery sold 31,500 tickets. The lottery sold only 24,000 tickets, so the 10% of the charity proceeds are still to be determined.

Who won the home? Karen McHale, 47, won the 6,000-square-foot home, after purchasing a $100 raffle ticket to help out the charity. She didn't tell her husband about the ticket, although he was thrilled when he learned she had just won a home.

Karen McHale and her husband have no intention of moving into the home and leaving Colorado. Two sons live nearby, and both she and her husband hold jobs as engineers. She will use the cash to pay off the debt in her own house, or pay for her son's upcoming wedding.

Check out the Washington Post article here

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Diet Dr. Pepper: Coupon for one free 20 oz bottle or one 2 liter bottle

NeweggMall.com: Up to 70% off Analon cookwear and free shipping on select sets

OnSale.com: $15 off Logitech QuickCam Pro- now only $63.88 after rebate

NeweggMall.com: $.99 Cents Ciao! Flip top ID & passport holders

TurboTax.com: Prepare, print and e-file your simple return for free with TurboTax® Federal Free Edition

VistaPrint.com: Free invitations

MagazineCity.com: Save on health and fitness magazines

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Panera Bread: Free coffee today, January 28!

Angie's List: Find reviews on the services you need at Angie’s List with promo code “SAVE TEN” for $10 off

Autogeek.net: The Porter Cable 7424 is the safest car polisher available and includes money-saving kits with free bonus items

Restaurant.com: 70% off $25 gift certificates and free $15 Dale and Thomas gift card with your purchase. Use code SUPER and pay $3 through 1/31/09

ConsumerDirect.com: 4 free scores including credit, auto,insurance,
employment scores and fix & lock

NeweggMall.com: 12 inch secret storage swivel wooden chess set $20 and free shipping

OnSale.com: $200 off Westinghouse 32" LCD with built-in HDTV tuner now only $364.99 and free shipping

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

US Senate passes digital TV delay

In an attempt to postpone the transition date from February 17 to June 12, the Senate passed a bill on Monday, Jan. 26 to delay the nationwide switch to digital TV signals.

Fueled by worries that viewers aren't technically ready for the congressionally-mandated switch over, the reprieve will give consumer four additional months to to prepare for the digital switcheroo.

The bill will also allow consumers with unused or expired coupons--handed out by the government to offset the cost of the $40 converter box--to request new coupons and will give the nearly 2.5 million waiting for the government-sponsored rebate a chance to save.

"The Senate acted responsibly to give the Obama administration time to attempt to bring order to a mismanaged process," says Senate Commerce Chairman John Rockefeller in a statement supporting the TV-switch delay.

The reprieve will give an estimated 20 million homes not ready for the switch, including elderly and lower-income families, a chance to buy a converter box or subscribe to a cable or satellite provider.

UPDATE: Backers of a plan to expedite passage of a delay of the mandatory digital transition date were dealt a blow on Wednesday, Jan. 28, as the move failed to garner the required two-thirds majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. Republicans opposing the measure managed to gather up 168 nay votes to prevent the extension passing with limited debate and no amendments.

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Panera Bread: Come for the free coffee. Stay for the breakfast. Free coffee at Panera Bread all day on Wednesday, Jan. 28 and snag a few samples of their new breakfast offerings

CompleteTax.com: Do your taxes and get free e-filing!

NeweggMall.com: Citizen watch blowout sale and free shipping

OnSale.com: Latest GPS deals on Magellan, Garmin and TomTom

VistaPrint.com: Winter clearance sale at VistaPrint! Save up to 90% site wide

Hotels.com: $50 off with 8 night booking

Dollar Rent a Car: Save 10% off time and mileage only on New York area location's standard retail rates. Use coupon SAV10

Monday, January 26, 2009

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Walmart: Free sample of Crest Whitening Strips

AutoAnything: Save $15 off $199 and free shipping* w/code SAVE15

Restaurant.com: Save up to 60% on restaurant gift certificates: $25 gift certificates for only $10!

NeweggMall.com: Memory foam comfort pillow $19.99 shipped

Burberry: 30-60% off Burberry sale. New price drops on wallets, handbags, scarfs, messenger bags and leather accessories

NeweggMall.com: Luggage End of Season Clearance

eFaucets.com: Save up to 40% on brand names for your kitchen and bath

Friday, January 23, 2009

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Dunkin' Donuts: Today only! Dunkin' Donuts will give 10,000 pre-paid Charlie Cards to morning commuters from 7-10 a.m. at Boston’s North Station, South Station and Back Bay.

NeweggMall.com: 50% off select handbags

OnSale.com: Inauguration Sale! Great prices on the best consumer products - prices cut up to 75%. Now extended until Jan 26

UltimateCoupons.com: Save 10% off TurboTax

Skype: Get an unlimited world calling subscription from Skype from $9.95/month

HP: HP smart buy mini note starts at $404 and free shipping after rebate(s)

VistaPrint: Save up to 90% at VistaPrint's winter clearance sale

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Recession 101 :: 5 Ways to Save Today

1. Take Care of Yourself
Eat right, exercise, and get plenty of sleep. In a midst of a recession, the last thing anyone wants is a plate full of medical bills.

2. Cut Up Your Cards
How many credit cards do you actually need? According to Reader's Digest, the average American household has 9, but 2-3 cards should be enough. Cut up all unnecessary cards, but don't close down the accounts. Closing an account tells the lender you are using more of the now-reduced line of credit available to you, causing lenders to worry.

3. Save Money on Food
Food is a major expense for all of us. Eating low quality food or starving yourself is not the way to save. Instead, try growing your own food if weather permits. Canning your home-grown food may take a lot of time, however your savings will be high. Ethnic food is usually lower in price, however highly nutritious.

4. Extra Beverages
Cut out all unnecessary beverages. This may seem like common knowledge, but how many of us still buy coffee halfway into the workday? Lattes, Soda, Beer, Bottled Water... these beverages add up fast. Tap water is free, and nutritious.

5. Enjoy a Night In
Going out can be expensive. Instead of going out tomorrow night, enjoy a night of at home entertainment. Rent a movie, browse the Web, read a book, or play a board game with your family.

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

TeaChef: Join the TeaChef community and receive a free sample of tea

Angie's List: Find reviews on the services you need at Angie’s List – from electrician to physician with promo code “SAVE TEN” for $10 off

CompleteTax: File your taxes online today with no hidden state fees

CouponBar.com: Download the free coupon bar to get quick and easy access to dozens of name brand coupons

OnSale.com: Get unbelievably hot refurbished LCD HDTVs starting at $229.99! Grab one now!

Skype: Get an unlimited world calling subscription from Skype for only $9.95/month

NeweggMall.com: 50% off men's silk neckties

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Recession 101 :: 5 Ways to Save Today

1. Drop The Land Line
Eliminate the home phone and opt for a better price from Skype, or your cell phone. Click Here to buy SkypeOut credit to make cheap calls to landlines and mobile phones. Try high speed cable from your cable company a try if your phone company won't give you internet access without having a land line.

2. Save Money on Electricity
Every night, turn off all electrical items from the plug. Use CFL bulbs, and turn off the computer if you won't be using it for an hour or more. Use nightlights that only come on in the dark.

3. Save Money on Eating
Cook from scratch, and eat from a stocked pantry. BeingFrugal.net reminds us to cook large amounts and freeze the extras. Bring lunch from home and save your leftovers!

4. Shop The Sales for Clothes
Watch the ads in your Sunday paper to follow the best deals. HowtoStayafloat.com tells us to combine sales or clearances with coupons when you use your store card on certain dates. Shop on Ebay, Amazon, and at Consignment shops for great deals on high quality items.

5. Pay More on Your Mortgage
As with all debt, paying it off sooner is better than later. Add an extra payment each year, or each month and you will save around 20% of the total interest you pay.

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Emergen-C: Free sample of Emergen-C super energy booster

Peapod: Click here for $10 in free groceries from Peapod!

Apple: Apple iPod closeout sale

Hotels.com: Save up to 40% on hotels in Hawaii! Book by Jan 26th for travel from now until March 2nd

NeweggMall.com: Free shipping sale on Valentine's Day jewelry

Restaurant.com: Save 70% off $25 gift certificates. Use code SAVE and pay $3

StubHub: New Jersey Nets Tickets as low as $4 on StubHub

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Dunkin' Donuts hands out free Charlie cards

On Friday, Jan. 23, Dunkin' Donuts teams up with actor Peter Ostrum, the former child star from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," to hand out 10,000 pre-paid Charlie Cards to morning commuters from 7-10 a.m. at Boston's North Station, South Station and Back Bay.

Ostrum will aid Dunkin’ Donuts in presenting one lucky commuter with a “Golden Ticket” for a year’s worth of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee and a Charlie Card for unlimited subway rides on the T for one year.

Unfortunately, Oompa-Loompas are not eligible for the “Golden Ticket” prize.

To help spread the “Kin’ Do” spirit, Dunkin’ Donuts is launching a free transportation program in January in Boston and select markets throughout the Northeast.

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Krispy Kreme: Free Krispy Kreme donut today only!

Autogeek.net: Protect your vehicle from the elements with a Covercraft car cover for a low price

ShoppersChoice.com: Enamel cookware selection up to 40% off

Microsoft Office: Save $150 MS Office 2008 for Mac Special Media Edition now only $104.96

Samsung:Save as much as $650 at OnSale's Samsung LCD HDTV Superstore

Dollar Rent a Car: 5% off any vehicle with code: CJ05. Expires: 12-31-09

Asics: Men's & Women's Asics Gel Oberon Running Shoes $49.99 shipped at Neweggmall.com

Monday, January 19, 2009

Tips to save as mortgage rates drop

The beginning of 2009 has brought an increase in mortgage refinances as rates drop and homeowners want to rid themselves of adjustable rate mortgages.

Lower rates may mean that this is a good time to refinance, but lower monthly payments don't always translate into more savings.

When a homeowner begins making payments on a mortgage, typically those payments initially go toward interest and subsequent payments are put toward the principle. As a result, taking out a new loan could translate into more interest.

"Even though your monthly payment is lower, you might be paying more interest over the life of the new loan than you've got left to pay on your old mortgage," Mike Dubis, a Certified Financial Planner tells CNBC here. "Besides that, if you take out another 30-year mortgage, you might be still paying that thing when you're retired. Consider how much interest you'll be paying with a new loan in total, compared to what you've already paid with your old loan.”

One option homeowners have is to take out a mortgage with a shorter term because they tend to come with lower interest rates. For example, last week’s fixed rates were 5.10 percent for a 30-year fixed mortgage and 4.73 percent for 15 years.

Over the course of 30 years, those tenths of a point could add up significantly. In addition, some lenders allow homeowners to take out loans that match the length of their previous mortgages to make refinancing easier.

Click here to learn about Consumer United's mortgage solution.
--Bridget O'Sullivan

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Kashi: Play the "Steal a Cookie" game for a free oatmeal dark chocolate cookie

VistaPrint.com: Winter clearance sale at VistaPrint! Save up to 90% off

Restaurant.com: Get a $25 gift certificate to Mrs. Fields cookies through Restaurant.com for only $10

NeweggMall.com Alpaca scarfs from $19.95 and free shipping

Sony: Sony speaker dock/clock radio for iPod music player - black only $79.99

NeweggMall.com: Up to 80% off performance auto lighting sale

Peapod: Click here for $10 in free groceries

Friday, January 16, 2009

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Hearts & Minds: Free peanut butter sample

OnSale.com: $760 off on top selling HDTV's and free wall mount after rebate

Bravetti: 3-piece Bravetti bakeware set for $10 and free shipping

Dollar Rent a Car: Save 10% in the U.S., Latin America or the Caribbean with any American Express® Card

Turbotax.com: Do your taxes the easy way with TurboTax and get your refund fast

Acer: Save $20 on Acer V173b 17" TFT LCD monitor now only $116.99 (was $139.99)

ShoppersChoice.com: Great deals and selection on wine racks- metal and wrought iron available

Thursday, January 15, 2009

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Body Eclipse: Free sample of anti-stress aromatherapy shampoo

ConsumerDirect.com: Check your credit score online and fix one problem online for free today

VistaPrint.com: 50% off magnets of all sizes at VistaPrint.com

StubHub.com: Great discounts on theater & arts tickets

MagazineCity.com: Save big on motorcycle magazines

Apple: Big discounts at OnSale's Apple iPod closeout sale

Spa Kist: Receive a $25 gift certificate through Restaurant.com for only $10

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Gold Bond: Free sample of Gold Bond Ultimate Soothing Lotion at Walmart

Peapod: $15 coupon for Peapod groceries

Ferragamo: 60-80% off Ferragamo handbag & wallet sale

Neweggmall.com: LED flashlights from $8 shipped

Angie’s List: Car problem? Find the best mechanics with local unbiased reviews

Apple: Save $100 on Apple 13.3" MacBook 2.4GHz, SuperDrive aluminum. Now only $1,399

Lonely Planet: Free shipping on Lonely Planet travel journals

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Quaker: Free sample of Quaker rice snacks

Restaurant.com: Save 60% off Dinner of the Month Club when you use the code EXCLUSIVE. Valid Now thru 1/19/09.

TurboTax: Do your taxes for free with TurboTax Federal Free Edition today

iHome: Great deal on iHome stereo mini speakers- now only $35.99

Coach: Up to 32% off all Coach handbags

Kohler: eFaucets.com sells Kohler kitchen and bath fixtures for less

Restaurant.com: Get a $25 gift certificate to The Fruit Company for only $10

MagazineCity.com: Save on health and fitness magazines

Monday, January 12, 2009

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Burger King: Share your passive-aggressive rage and snag a free WHOPPER from Burger King. Sacrifice 10 friends on Facebook by installing their killer new application here. Almost 200,000 friends have been sacrificed and counting.

TurboTax: TurboTax® Online Federal Free Edition lets you file federal taxes online – FREE!

Dollar Rent A Car: Save 10% in the U.S., Latin America or the Caribbean with any American Express® Card. Terms and conditions apply. Expires: 01/31/10

GPS Navigator: Garmin International nüvi 260 GPS Navigator NOW only $129.99 (Was $239.99)

Stub Hub: Snag NFC (Philadelphia Eagles @ Arizona Cardinals) or AFC (Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburg Steelers) championship tickets for Sunday, Jan. 18 at Stub Hub. And click here for tickets to the Super Bowl 2009 on Feb. 1.

Samsung: Intel Atom processor N270 1.6GHz Notebook - Blue only $476.99

Friday, January 9, 2009

Boston ranks No. 1 with public transit savings

Even though gas prices have dropped considerably since the summer, commuters in the metro Boston area can save considerably by using public transportation. The price of ownership, maintenance and parking a vehicle can be avoided by purchasing a public transportation pass.

The American Public Transportation Association conducted the study that estimates commuters in several major cities including Boston and Philadelphia can save over $10,000 by taking the train or subway.

Although the organization has reason to emphasize the benefits of public transportation, the fact that Boston ranked No. 1 does seem to speak to the expenses of parking and insuring a car in Massachusetts in particular.

The study suggests that by buying a commuter pass instead of paying for parking on a daily basis, commuters in Boston save a little over $1000 per month. A commuter rail pass is considerably more expensive than a T pass and some employers partially subsidize the cost of parking, but even with taking these factors into consideration, commuters in Boston can do a lot for the environment and their budgets by making the switch to public transportation.

The American Public Transportation Association also reports that in the third quarter of 2008, almost 3 billion trips were taken on public transportation, up nearly 7 percent from the same period in 2007. The weakened economy and increased gas prices over the course of the year seem to suggest that taking public transportation is the solution many commuters are turning to when financial factors are taken into consideration.

Click here for the complete story.
--Bridget O'Sullivan

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Match.com: Looking to connect with a significant other in 2009? Sign up for free one-week trial at Match.com

1TB GreenDrive: SAVE $40 Fantom Drives GreenDrive 1TB External Hard Drive Now Only $89.99 (was $159.99) after rebate

Peapod: First time shoppers will instantly save $15 on their online grocery order.Use the Better Deals Daily promotional code, WEBSURF15

Vistaprint.com: Free return address labels!

Skype: 33% off 3 or 12 month calling subscriptions from Skype

TurboTax.com: Do Your Taxes for free with TurboTax Federal Free Edition today

CouponBar.com: Save money and print free coupons anytime

Hotels.com: Save up to 30% on hotels in New York when booked by 1/26/09, travel by 3/31/09.

New book offers energy-saving information

New England author Bruce Harley's recently released his book, "Cut Your Energy Bills NOW," offering readers dozens of tips to help them lower their bills and reduce the impact on the planet.

With a degree in electrical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Harley employs his knowledge of the ways things work to help readers understand the simple things they can do in their homes to save money and energy.

The book covers a wide range of projects that homeowners can tackle based on their individual situations. For example, the book explains everything from solar power options to the most energy efficient choices for household appliances.

"Reduce the use," Harley says to The Advocate, a Vermont paper. "That is the biggest and most important thing a homeowner can do when it comes to saving money on energy." It's a concept that sounds simple, but in practice merely turning off lights and unplugging chargers when they are not in use can have an impact. By taking Harley's advice and applying it to daily life, even small changes can lower a home's energy bills.

"The easiest thing some homeowners can do, with the most potential to save a significant amount of money, is if they have a furnace fan that is running all the time," Harley tells The Advocate. "Set the furnace fan to run on auto rather than continuously, and you will see a noticeable drop in the electric bill without sacrificing comfort to get it."

The furnace fan tip is just one of many that can be found in Harley's new book. If you like what you read, Harley also published a book in 2002 called "Insulate and Weatherize" that offers energy-saving advice.

Click here for the complete article on "Cut Your Energy Bills NOW."
--Bridget O'Sullivan

Thursday, January 8, 2009

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Cream of Wheat: Request your free sample of Cream of Wheat. Choose from original, maple brown sugar, cinnamon swirl, apples & cinnamon or strawberries & cream. Offer ends on March, 31, 2009.

Fendi: 40-60% off and free shipping on Fendi handbags, wallets and more

Awowo: Up to 63% Off Awowo live drum pro and plus electronic drum sets from $119 and free shipping

Westinghouse HDTV: Save $30 Westinghouse 32" 720p LCD HDTV. Now only $449.99 (was $479.99)

VistaPrint: Winter Clearance Sale at VistaPrint! Save up to 90%

Dollar Rent A Car: 5% off any vehicle. Use Code: CJ05. Expires: 12-31-09 Some Restrictions apply

Angie's List: Save $10 on thousands of unbiased ratings and reviews of local service companies

Skype: 33% off three or 12-month calling subscriptions from Skype

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Snapfish: Ring in 2009 with photos. Join Snapfish and receive 50 free digital camera prints. No coupon necessary.

Samsung: Intel Atom processor N270 1.6GHz Notebook - Blue only $476.99

Samsung
: Samsung NC10-14GW 10.2" WXGA Intel Atom processor N270 1.6GHz Notebook - White only $476.99

Acer Aspire: Get $29 OFF! Acer Aspire One 160GB Sapphire Blue Now Only $378.99 (was $407.99)

Sharp LCD HDTV: GET $420 OFF! Sharp 42 IN 1080P LCD HDTV. Now Only $779.99 (was $1,199.99)

GPS Navigator: Garmin International nüvi 260 GPS Navigator NOW only $129.99 (Was $239.99)

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Gold Bond Ultimate: Dry skin? You're in luck. Snag a free sample of Gold Bond Ultimate® Soothing Skin Therapy Lotion is a daily, fragrance-free, therapeutic moisturizer that soothes and calms irritated, dry skin

Restaurant.com: Take 50% off Dinner of the Month Club when you use the code DEAL and get a FREE $10 certificate with every order. Valid thru 1/12/09

TurboTax: Do Your Taxes The EASY Way—For FREE. Use TurboTax Federal Free Edition today. Start now!

CompleteTax: Click for a free demo at CompleteTax.com

Magazine Subscriptions: OneBigPlanet & MagazineCity invite you to save up to 92% on over 1600 magazines!

Auto Anything: Save 24% off list & get Free Shipping and the lowest price on Extang BlackMax Tonneau Covers! *restrictions apply

Monday, January 5, 2009

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

'Good Lovin'' by Slim: Get a free music dowload of "Good Lovin'" by slim from iTunes. His hits include "Peaches and Cream" and "Only You."

NeweggMall: Up to 63% off all table & floor lamp sets

Samsung: Save $47.50 Samsung electronics 32" 720p LCD HDTV only $564.99 (was $612.49)

Peapod: First time shoppers will instantly save $15 on their online grocery order.Use the Better Deals Daily promotional code, WEBSURF15

Dollar Rent A Car: 5% off any vehicle. Use Code: CJ05. Expires: 12-31-09 Some Restrictions apply

Angie's List: Save $10 on thousands of unbiased ratings and reviews of local service companies

Skype: 33% off three or 12-month calling subscriptions from Skype

Friday, January 2, 2009

Oil prices hover around $40 a barrel

Due to larger than anticipated American supplies of gasoline and other oil byproducts, the price of oil per barrel continues to remain low. Although OPEC had indicated earlier in the month that they planned to decrease output, oil continues to cost about $40 per barrel.

“Crude oil is set to continue on its downward spiral through the end of the year,” John Kilduff, senior vice president of risk management at MF Global Inc. in New York, says to Bloomberg News. “The build in gasoline supplies last week will put further pressure on the market.”

Gasoline stores are currently in excess of 200 million and are predicted to rise by another 750,000 barrels, according to Bloomberg’s survey-based forecasts. Large stores typically indicate that gasoline prices will remain constant or drop if no other major factors influence the market.

In addition, despite the trend toward an increased demand for home heating oil in the winter months, the price of oil has declined dramatically since its high of nearly $150 per barrel this past July. Prices have dropped over 75 percent since the record of $147.27 was set on July 11, 2008.

“We will probably test $35 and $30 before year’s end, as traders square their books,” Kilduff tells Bloomberg News. “We can expect prices to rebound next year.”

Prices have, in fact, begun to move in an upward direction from recent lows around the $35 mark and are expected to carry through to the new year around $40.

--Bridget O'Sullivan

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Don-Francisco.com: Free complimentary sample of Don Francisco's breakfast blend coffee

Restaurant.com: Save 50% off Dinner of the Month Club when you use the code REWARD. Valid 1/2/09 thru 1/5/09.

Hotels.com: Save up to 30% on hotels in New York when booked by 1/26/09, travel by 3/31/09.

OnSale.com: Apple iPod shuffle 1GB now only $46.48! New iPod shuffle 2GB for just $66.48 and free engraving!

AutoAnything.com: Get free overnight shipping on selected edge and SuperChips power programmers

OnSale.com: Get the latest GPS deals all day on Magellan, Garmin and TomTom

NeweggMall.com: Free shipping on all telescopes from $65

Consumer United: Sign up for a mortgage and receive 25%-40% off your closing cost

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Inside Consumer United :: Adam Dvorzak

Consumer United advocate Adam Dvorzak enjoys helping members by providing them with accurate information and money-saving tips on basic services.

Dvorzak believes in Consumer United's vision to help members save on basic services and likes working in an innovative, gung-ho environment. Being a part of Consumer United in its infancy was a thrilling experience for him because in only a short amount of time, he's seen a tremendous amount of growth.

What's Dvorzak's favorite way to save? "Brewing my own coffee each morning and making breakfast at home and not owning a vehicle and using the MBTA," he says.

He brings his lunch to work daily and lives as green as possible because this enables one to save money and the environment at the same time.

When Dvorzak isn't working hard at Consumer United, he's exploring the city, trying new restaurants or hitting the dance floor on the weekends.

"I'm a music junkie!" he emotes. "I enjoy listening to and producing music (favorites include electro, house, hip-hop). I'm also a big hockey and football fan."

Before Consumer United, Dvorzak worked at a history museum and developed an educational program which essentially provided a "Museum in a Box" series of traveling exhibits to students in low-income neighborhoods.
--Noelle Sevoian

Report reveals decline in holiday retail sales

Have retail stores been rescued by their holiday price mark-downs? Unfortunately, no.

According to reports, this year's holiday retail sales were worse than predicted. Mary Delk, director in retail practice at the consulting firm Deloitte LLP says, "This will go down as one of the worst holiday sales seasons on record." Industry forecasts predicted retail sales falling 1% and some even predicted a 2.2% increase.

Unfortunately, retail sales have not been this lucky. SpendingPulse, MasterCard Advisors show that between November 1 to December 24, luxury sales have dived 35%, footwear sales are down 14%, furniture sales are down 20%, and electronics and appliances are down 27%. Excluding automobiles, total retail sales fell 5.5% in November and 8% in December through Christmas Eve.

Is there any good news to report? Yes. This week, the Labor Department shows consumer spending shimmy on up with decreasing gas prices. As for savings, the rate increased in November.

The motto seems to be, "Less spending and more saving."

Check out the WSJ article here.

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Orville Redenbacher: Free sample of Natural Gourmet popping corn

ConsumerDirect.com: Instant free credit score. Check your credit score now

ShoppersChoice.com: Great enamel cookware selection. Low Prices, and up to 40% off!

NeweggMall.com: 50-74% off Kenneth Cole watch sale starting at $29

CompleteTax.com: Do your taxes with CompleteTax and get free e-filing!

OnSale.com: Sony speaker dock/clock radio for iPod music player - black only $79.99

NeweggMall.com: Winter boot sale and free shipping