Free tomato toner at Drugstore.com

Spend $25 on Burt's Bees at Drugstore.com and get a free tomato toner

Check out our twtqpon here

Morning Deals: Pet food, HDTVs & iPods

Deal Of The Day:

Pet Food: Free sample of Fancy Feast for your cat

Other Morning Deals:

LCD HDTVs: $130 off View Sonic 19" 720p widescreen LCD HDTV now only $169.99

Apple iPods: $24 off Apple iPod touch 16GB (2nd Generation) only $274.98 with free engraving and free charger and case after rebate

Morning Deals: Orange juice, Fandango & tickets

Deal Of The Day:

Orange Juice: Free orange juice from Uncle Matt's

Other Morning Deals:

Fandango: Give the gift of movies and receive a special reward (valued up to $100)

Tickets: Great deals on Boston Red Sox tickets

Lenders offering green for green to home owners

A new trend in banking is allowing some borrowers to cut down on the cost of financing their loans to make environmentally friendly upgrades.

Some banks and government-sponsored programs offer credits on closing costs or reduced interest rates if the money is going to be used to increase a home's energy efficiency. The combined factors of relatively low energy prices and reluctance to spend during the downturn have decreased demand for products related to energy efficiency and home renovations.

As a result, the incentives could help stimulate the market for new appliances and construction and installation services.

The Wall Street Journal also reports that an additional benefit offered by the incentives is the ability to report energy savings as income. The difference between the cost of energy bills before and after the improvements are made can be added to the total amount of qualifying income.

In order to be eligible for any of these cost-saving measures, potential borrowers often must first undergo a home energy audit. After the audit, homeowners agree reduce their consumption by a designated amount or agree to make predetermined changes to their properties.

Some programs, such as myEnergyloan, allow borrowers to lower the interest rates on their loans by increasing the efficiency of their homes. A "point" of energy improvement represents one one-hundredth of a point on the principal mortgage cost. Making numerous improvements can generate significant savings on a mortgage.

Upgrades and improvements won't necessarily generate savings, especially in the short-term, and Mark Wolfe, director of the Energy Programs Consortium, cautions consumers in the Wall Street Journal.

"In practice, if you have a reasonable house that's in reasonably good shape, look to save between 25% and 40% on your energy bills" to make the choice cost-effective. "Fifty percent or deeper savings require a bigger investment and a longer payback period," Wolfe adds.

--Bridget O'Sullivan

Morning Deals: Dinovite, vitamins & buffing wash

Deal Of The Day:

Dinovite: Free pet food sample

Other Morning Deals:

Vitamins: Get up to 50% off Sundown vitamins and supplements at drugstore.com

Buffing Wash: Spend $50 on philosophy and get an amazing grace buffing wash ($26 value) at drugstore.com until August 28, 2009

Consumer confidence and housing market look up

Americans are beginning to look up after the recession, with expectations of consumer sentiment for the next six months to hit the highest point since the recession began.

On Tuesday, Aug. 25, the national gauge of home prices posted its first quarterly increase in three years. While the news is encouraging, home prices and confidence levels must continue to steadily rise in order to see the economy back on the healthy track.

People's spending decisions depend more on whether they have money in their pocket than on how they feel," says Bill Cheney, chief economist at John Hancock Financial. This is not very good news, and increased spending is very much needed in order to see a healthy economy once again.

Consumer confidence is monitored closely because 70 percent of the economic activity in the U.S. is from consumer spending. According to a Yahoo News article, consumer confidence is looking up, and is showing signs of life.

Anything above a reading of 90 is good. In February, consumer confidence was down to 25.3. Consumer Confidence for August is at 73.5, up 10.1 from July's 63.4. The good news: More people are considering buying a home or car in the next six months than they were willing to in July.

Also, the housing market seems to be slowly coming back to life. Home prices are at levels that were last seen in 2003, alhough they are still down 15 percent from last year. Consumer are still hoping for rising home prices.

"An upturn in prices has to ease some of the pain and may even get some people to loosen up on their wallets a touch," says Joel Naroff, chief economist at Naroff Economic Advisors. "An improving housing market coupled with better consumer spending could ensure that the recovery takes hold."

Savings tips for the frugal college student

College students have decreased their spending, due to tighter incomes and reduced student aid. However, many are still asking for financial aid for lifestyle expenses such as "interview preparation materials," according to an article by U.S. News & World Report.

Now is the time to prioritize your spending, and think about the debt load you'll have in a few years. We've compiled some ways to save money now so you won't have to pay more later.

Cut down on technology expenses

With free wi-fi everywhere, there's no need to pay for your own plan in college. The college libraries offer free internet, along with public libraries, coffee shops, cafes and campus dorms. Texts can add up along with long-distance calls home. Shop around for a good plan before you commit.

Sell your car

It's time to sell your car. More than likely, you won't need your car at school. Generally, universities offers free bus service to and from town. If you are attending college in the city, you definitely will not need a car. Get out and walk. Four years isn't a long time, but it will seem a lot longer if you have to pay for gas and monthly insurance.

Find a cheap room

The U.S. News & World Report article finds many people who have financial troubles are the ones who are living in the most expensive housing. Ditch the suite you are living in, you don't need it. Embrace the poverty of being in college. Find a cheap room and a roommate who is't too much of a party-goer... and suck it up.

Stop eating out

Students can save hundreds of dollars by eating realistic meals. If you live close to home, buy a meal plan at school that offers 10 to 15 meals a week, instead of the usual 20 ... and go home to eat for the weekends. If you like to eat out, buy the usual 20 and find out which restaurants nearby campus take your meal plan cards. If they don't, they may want to start.

Don't pay retail

Don't shop at retail stores because they are only guaranteed to hurt your wallet. Looking for books? Hit up nearby libraries. Looking for furniture? Shop at thrift stores, and browse sites like freecycle.org. You can find brand-new and gently-used clothes at nearly 80% to 90% off retail prices.

Morning Deals: Sweetener, supplies & accessories

Deal Of The Day:

Sweetener: Free sample of Just Like Sugar sweetener

Other Morning Deals:

Supplies: Buy one back to school supply, get the second 50% off at Drugstore.com until August 28, 2009

Accessories: Get up to 50% off dorm accessories and electronics at drugstore.com until August 28, 2009

Save up to $30 at Drugstore.com

Save up to $30 on dorm vaults at Drugstore.com

To see our twtQpon, click here

Get $25 restaurant gift cards for $2 or less

Thanks to the almighty discount gods over at Restaurant.com, $25 gift cards to restaurants around the country from Restaurant.com can be had through Monday, Aug. 15 for 80% off using Consumer United Advocate's special promo code TASTE.

Check out Restaurant.com here to see what restaurants are participating near your ZIP code. You can snag $25 gift cards for only $2 at Restaurant.com until Monday, Aug. 31.

Use the link here and make sure to use the promo code TASTE.

Morning Deals: Chi Chi's, flights & rentals

Deal Of The Day:

Chi-Chi's: Free reusable bag

Other Morning Deals:

Flights: Florida fares from $44 into December at Travelzoo.com

Rentals: Car rentals from $8.98 a day- save up to 40%.

Morning Deals: Cheerios, Barebone Kits & Motherboard

Deal Of The Day:

Cheerios: Free sample of Honey Nut Cheerios

Other Morning Deals:

Barebone Kits: Barebone kits starting as low as $179 at CompUSA.com

Motherboard: Expand your PC's capabilities with a ASUS motherboard starting at $59.99!

Free month of Comodo

Buy Comodo Internet Security Pro now and get 1 month free

Check out our twtQpon here

Pay to play the savings game at Swoopo.com

As eBay shoppers shrink due to frauds and automated bidding software, Swoopo, a pay-to-play auction site is jumping into the action.

What is Swoopo? It's an online auction site for the U.S., Germany and Britain that charges 60 cents per bid. The charges add up fast, and the odds of winning are small -- especially since you're playing against two other countries.

The New York Times features an article on the pay-to-play site and points out the huge savings possible at Swoopo. "This month, a new 40-inch Samsung TV, which normally sells for $1,500, sold for $67.92, and a white LG refrigerator with a price tag of $1,498 went for a cool $77.90."

However, these savings are similar to winning the lottery. The odds are very much against you. The upside? If you know you will lose the item to another bidder, you have the option to buy the item at full retail price. The catch is that the full retail price is much higher than you will find it at Amazon.

The downside to Swoopo? One 60 cent bid turns into a second 60 cent bid which turns into multiple bids, and before you know it someone else has won the item up for auction. Much of the revenue is said to be used by Swoopo to advertise customers for the site, in order to double its registered users. Swoopo had 2.5 million users in July.

If you are looking for a bargain, we advise that you don't shop at Swoopo. If you are willing to pay for the item full price, and enjoy entertainment and excitement for your shopping experience, then check out Swoopo here.

Morning Deals: Calendar, internet security & Napster

Deal Of The Day:

Calendar: Get a free 2010 calendar from Annies

Other Morning Deals:

Internet Security: Buy Comodo internet security pro now and get 1 month free

Napster: Enjoy unlimited music for only $5 with Napster. Plus MP3 credits!

Legislation improves consumers' credit card rights

Consumers can expect some positive changes when it comes to their credit cards. The first phase of the legislation requires that credit card companies give 45 days notice, up from the 15 days notice that were previously required in advance of a rate change.

Companies must also mail out bills 21 days ahead of time, instead of the current 14 days, to give consumers more time to make payments.

However, the minimum payments required each month can increase at the discretion of the credit card company. The good news for consumers is that the payment cannot be more than twice the previous minimum as a percentage of the total balance owed.

The second phase of legislation will be implemented in February and has the potential to help consumers who are struggling to stay afloat throughout the downturn. Companies will not be able to raise rates on pre-existing balances unless the account is at least 60 days past due. Subsequent to that, if cardholders are not late on their payments for the next six months, the lower rate must be reinstated.

Another consumer protection that advocates have long been pushing for in the finance industry is for consumers to receive notification before exceeding credit limits. The new legislation will require credit card companies to secure customers' permission before changing them a fee for going over their limits.

The changes come at a time when many credit card companies and other financial institutions are suffering losses, and the new legislation has been met with some opposition from the industry. As a result, possible drawbacks could be cuts to credit limits and rewards programs. From a consumer standpoint, however, increased disclosure and improved terms and conditions are likely to benefit most consumers.

--Bridget O'Sullivan

Morning Deals: Soup, Dove & vitamins

Deal Of The Day:

Soup: Free soup or salad at Le Madeleine with printed voucher

Other Morning Deals:

Dove: Buy 1 Dove product and Get the second 50% off at drugstore.com until August 28, 2009

Vitamins: Get up to 50% off Sundown vitamins and supplements at drugstore.com until August 28, 2009

Morning Deals: Flash drive, supplies & totes

Deal Of The Day:

Flash Drive: Free 2GB flash drive

Other Morning Deals:

Supplies: Buy one back to school supply, get the 2nd 50% off at drugstore.com until August 28, 2009

Totes: Get up to 40% off select bags, totes & storage supplies at drugstore.com until August 28, 2009

Morning Deals: Tote, cruises & rental cars

Deal Of The Day:

Walgreens: For 8/18 only, use code FREEPOSTER at Walgreens to receive a free 11x14 poster print

Tote: Free travel tote from Cool Cookie

Other Morning Deals:

Restaurant.com: Save 70% off every $25 gift certificate order from Restaurant.com when you use the special promo code PALATE until Monday, Aug. 24.

Cruises: $299 Caribbean five-night cruise incl. $50 credit

Rental Cars: Priceline rental cars up to 40% off- Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Hertz

$20 off at CompUSA.com

Get $20 cash back when you spend $200 or more and pay with PayPal

To see our twtQpon, click here

Morning Deals: Walgreens, Xbox & computers

Deal Of The Day:

Walgreens: Get 25 4X6 prints for 25 cents- enter code PENNY at checkout

Other Morning Deals:

Xbox: $50off Microsoft XBOX 360 Arcade 20GB HDD refurbished for only $149.99

Computers: Get $20 cash back on any order over $200 when you pay with PayPal at CompUSA.com

$20 off AutoAnything.com

$20 off orders of $179 or more and get free shipping

Check out our twtQpon here

Morning Deals: Juicer, tools & auto supplies

Deal Of The Day:

Juicer: Free juicer from Paramount

Other Morning Deals:

Tools: Looking for home or garden tools? Inventory reduction at ToolsNOW.com

Auto supplies: Get $30 off $399 w/code AASAVE30 at AutoAnything.com

Credit unions beef up student loan offerings

Loans may be one of the least desirable forms of student debt, but the most cost-effective place to get them may be your local credit union.

In response to consumer demand, credit unions are starting to jump at the opportunity to offer student loans and, compared to similar products from bigger banks, they're usually a better deal with more favorable terms.

Why credit unions? Many private lenders are leaving the industry because they're now being denied access to much-needed credit. However, credit unions are member-owned and non-profit institutions and don't have a history of sketchy financial practices.

Member interest has fueled credit unions to offer private loans, and some are involved in the federal loan program. Many credit unions have better rates than private lenders because they're working with states and groups to make the loans available.

At this time, 80 credit unions are participating in Credit Union Student Choice offering undergraduate student loans. In order to apply, the borrow must belong to a credit union. The average variable loan rate was 5.8 percent.

It's still in the borrower's best interest to exhaust government loans before turning to credit unions. Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of FinAid says, "Unlike federal Stafford or PLUS Loans, private loans almost always offer variable rates–and those rates can change dramatically over the term that could last a decade or even longer. "

Ways to save on back-to-school shopping

Our lesson of the day? Savings is never too cool for school.

It's back-to-school shopping season and we've learned a thing or two on how not to burn a hole in your wallet. Time to whip out that No. 2 pencil. We've compiled a few ways to save without sacrificing the fun of the shopping season.

Organize
Make a list of the back-to-school supplies you need ... and don't shop without the list. This will eliminate over spending on items that are unnecessary. If you're not sure of the supples needed, e-mail the teacher or instructor. Maybe you don't really need that expensive calculator after all.
One thing you will need to put on your list? An alarm. Check out iHome's bluetooth clock radio/alarm and speakerphone for iPhone and iPod only $89.99 after mail-in rebate

Avoid chain electronic stores
Avoid large chain electronic stores for computers, a CBS news article reports. Instead shop around online for a better deal. Check out these sites for great deals on computers:
CompUSA.com: Great selection of laptops for school starting at $299
OnSale.com: $200 off Toshiba Satellite L355-S7905 Celeron only $399.99

Procrastinate
Wait to shop. The longer you wait, the better the sales. Putting a hold on back to school shopping may increase your anxiety, but in the end the savings are very rewarding. Kelli Grant, Sr. Consumer Reporter for SmartMoney.com says "buying basic items now while they're on sale, but wait until after school starts to buy the rest. Once the back-to-school rush has calmed down, retailers will often put traditional back-to-school items on clearance."

Ask for adjustments
If a purchased item goes on sale around two weeks after you bought it, bring it back with the receipt for a price adjustment. The store will refund or credit you the difference, which may end up being really helpful.

Don't forget Target
Don't rule out Target, Walmart and Costco. Big retailers such as these usually offer many discounts, especially for back to school shoppers. "Costco, right now, is offering up to $400 off Dell computers," says Grant. Walmart offers desks from $49, and Dell computers from $498.

Morning Deals: Nature Valley, supplies & dorm goods

Deal Of The Day:

Nature Valley: Free sample of granola nut clusters

Other Morning Deals:

Supplies: Buy one back-to-school supply and get the 2nd 50% off at drugstore.com

Dorm Goods: Get up to 50% off dorm accessories and electronics at drugstore.com

$10 off $100 at Half.com

$10 off $100 or more for new users

To see our twtQpon, click here

Morning Deals: Back to School

Deal Of The Day:

PosterBrain.com: Create a do-it-yourself poster for your dorm room using PosterBrain.com. "24x36" enlargements only $14.99, same-day printing

Other Morning Deals:

Laptops: Great selection of laptops for school starting at $299 at CompUSA.com

Kaplan: Need to take the GRE? Save $100 on Kaplan classroom courses

BBB warns against fraudulent debt collection

A new wave of fraud is impacting those hardest hit by the recession. scammers are calling unsuspecting people and falsely claiming that they have defaulted on payday loans and are in danger of being arrested.

The callers have been telling their victims that they're in positions of legal authority representing organizations with official-sounding names such as the "Financial Accountability Association" or the "Federal Legislation of Unsecured Loans." They threaten that adverse action will be taken if they don't pay immediately.

However, in reality the callers are just trying to get their victims to disclose their credit card numbers and bank account information to make payments on their phony debts. To make their stories more convincing, some of the scammers have managed to secure personal details about their victims such as identification numbers and previous addresses.

“Because the scammers have so much information about potential victims, BBB is concerned that this may be the result of a data breach,” says Steve Cox, a Better Business Bureau spokesperson, in a statement.

To protect themselves more effectively against fraud, consumers can avoid giving out financial information over the phone unless the are sure the transaction is secure. Referencing Better Business Bureau records or filing a complaint with them regarding suspicious activity can also guard against future problems.

To learn more about filing a complaint, visit this informational site. To get more information from the BBB regarding the latest payday loan caller scam, including telephone numbers they have reportedly called from, click here.

--Bridget O'Sullivan

Morning Deals: tacos, hotels & flights

Deal Of The Day:

Tacos: 2 Free tacos at Jack In The Box today

Other Morning Deals:

Hotels: San Francisco, CA hotels from $39

Flights: Delta nationwide fare sale- $59 and up

10% off at AC Lens

Back to school savings at AC Lens

Check out our twtQpon here

Morning Deals: Burt's Bees, motherboards & video cards

Deal Of The Day:

Burt's Bees: Free target spot sample

Other Morning Deals:

Motherboards: Top brand motherboards starting at $39.99!

Video cards: High-end video cards as low as $84.99 at CompUSA.com

Prepaid card users face larger-than-life fees

On the surface, prepaid debit cards seem like a viable alternative to bank accounts and credit cards. Millions of Americans have turned to prepaid debit cards as a cash-free alternative.

The caveat? Be prepared for hidden fees.

Many cards carry dozens of hidden fees. The additional costs can nickel and dime consumers with larger-than-usual ATM withdrawal and customer service fees as well as penalties for exceeding the prepaid balance.

“The fact is you have some programs out there charging fees that are too high,” says Green Dot founder Steve Streit. His prepaid card company decided to drop their card price from $9.95 to $4.95, monthly fees were also extinguished if the consumer used the card at least 30 times in a month, or deposited at least $1,000.

Green Dot's prepaid slogan? "No Credit Check. Safer Than Cash. No Bank Account Needed."

Prepaid cards have yet to go through regulatory and congressional scrutiny that debit and credit cards have already faced, because prepaid cards are a relatively new industry. This leads to problems of hidden fees, until the problem is resolved.

Visa, Mastercard and Discover receive 5 to 20 cents each time a prepaid card is swiped. Among the millions of prepaid card users, the potential revenue is off the charts.

Ten years ago, these cards were not the norm. In fact, they didn't exist.

However, as internet shopping increased, an untapped market was seen. Over the years many companies added prepaid cards, such as H&R Block, MetaBank, Comdata, Wells Fargo, Citi and Comerica to name a few. Celebrities ranging from Usher to Carmen Electra have endorsed prepaid cards as well.

The cards have become the norm for those who want to shop but have bad credit or don't trust banks. Director of national priorities for Consumer Action says, "To me, it's a terrible thing to give people their pay on a card that has fees on it."

Luckily for prepaid card users, fees are declining. Walmart has recently whittled down the fees on the MoneyCard, and NetSpend, Walmart, and Greendot are all cheaper than a checking account according to a study by Bretton Woods, a bank advisory firm.

Just be sure to read the fine print before signing up for a prepaid card.

Morning Deals: Coffee, magazines & Lonely Planet

Deal Of The Day:

Coffee: Free coffee from Peet's Coffee and Tea

Other Morning Deals:

Magazines: Save on health and fitness magazines

Lonely Planet: 10% off travel guides with promo code: CJCOUPON10

Businesses use Twitter to tweet cheap deals

From freebies to financial advice, a rush for Twitter-exclusive deals has the micro-blogging world all in a flutter.

Twitter.com is a social network where users can send 140-character messages or "tweets" to friends, family, and followers. Twitter is being used to communicate about one's day, and to keep up to date with social relationships.

However, the benefits of Twitter don't stop there. The service is also used to find or promote deals, coupons, and savings for consumers.

David Erickson, director of e-strategy for Tunheim Partners in Bloomington says, "When you offer extraordinary value, people will spread it. They'll do the marketing for you. They'll retweet (share the discounts with members of their social network) the deals on Twitter and share the deals on Facebook."

Many local companies use Twitter to connect with the neighborhood and promote their company's deals. To find and follow a business on Twitter, simply log in (or sign up) and search for the company's name. Then click follow. Your Twitter screen will show their updates and promotions from there on out.

Consumer United is currently using Twitter to promote samples and coupons for consumers as soon as we come across them. Follow Consumer United on Twitter for daily savings and updates!

Looking to score an incredibly cheap flight? JetBlue currently offers $9 flights. Check out United Airlines and JetBlue on Twitter.

Retail stores shift to electricity-saving LED lights

There's a push for energy-efficient lighting and, at various retail outlets across the country, the bulbs are gaining some traction in parking lots.

LED lighting is currently being tested in hopes to offer a stark new look to parking lots of retail stores and shopping malls in the U.S. Last year, Wal-Mart, DOE and 11 other major retailers began to collaborate on how to make LED lighting successful in various retail parking lots throughout the nation.

For example, if you pull into the Walmart parking lot in Leavenworth, Kansas, you will see it is currently in LED testing.

What are the benefits of LED lighting? An article in the NY Times reports the benefits. More than 40 retailers all part of Retailer Energy Alliance, a coalition working with the Energy Department to find ways to reduce energy through new technology. Many LED lights offer 50 percent energy savings and 80 percent less in maintenance costs, while reducing light "drift," which is light pollution that is carried into nearby neighborhoods.

The cons of LED lighting include the high cost of installation. The Retailer Energy Alliance, along with two other alliances, are working together on this issue, applying specifications to common energy applications.

Don Moseley, Wal-Mart's director of sustainable facilities comments on the high cost, "While that cost is an important decision, if all the other parameters prove true and the other savings are there, and we have a safe and secure shopping environment, at that point, then, we try to negotiate for volume purchase."