Morning Deals: Bounce, Netflix & fitness trackers

Deal Of The Day:

Bounce: Free Bounce sample from Sam's Club

Other Morning Deals:

Netflix: Stay in this New Year's and order Netflix for a great deal!

Fitness Trackers: Want to track the progress of your New Year's resolution? Save up to 40% on Omron fitness trackers

Should you refinance your mortgage?

Mortgage rates are at an all-time low but should you consider refinancing?

Interest rates on 30-year fixed rate mortgages fell for the sixth straight week, according to the rates tracked by the Mortgage Bankers Association. The Bankrate.com numbers are at the lowest, or closest to, since the company began tracking in 1985. The week of Dec. 2 shows the 30-year fixed mortgage with no points down to 5.01. This is up 5 percent from the week before, however down from 5.97 percent from last year.

The 15-year fixed mortgage rate hit 4.46 percent, down from 4.47 the week before.

Why so low? According to Greg McBride, Bankrate.com’s senior financial analyst, it's a combination of things. The Federal Reserve hasn't given any hints that they are going to increase short-term interest rates. Investors and foreign central banks are continuing to consume debt issued or guaranteed by the United States government at a steady pace.

McBride says, “Today’s record low mortgage rates represent an opportunity for homeowners to refinance at lower fixed rates or to trade out of an adjustable rate mortgage before an inevitable increase in rates and lock in permanent payment affordability.”

McBride points out that there is a "window of opportunity" to refinance, and it will not be available for long, and the government program being offered is soon to end.

A New York Times article reports that these low rates come as many homeowners are finding themselves owing more than their house is worth and are having much trouble making payments.

Looking for a loan modification program? Check out the Home Affordable Refinance Program. The government-sponsored program is set up to help homeowners in serious trouble gain more affordable monthly mortgage payments. The loan is only available until June 2010, and there are specific qualifications. See if you qualify here.

To learn more about mortgages click here.

Furnace abstinence trend generating some heat

Willing to freeze your buns off this winter to save money and the environment? You're not alone.

According to an article here, a crew of eco-friendly bloggers looking to save some cold, hard cash are pushing the idea of "furnace abstinence" by revisiting their pre-central heat roots by going cold turkey during the frigid months.

Yep, some frugal-minded folks are seeing how long they can go without turning on their furnaces. In fact, one competition in New Jersey offers an iceberg-shaped trophy to the one who braves the cold the longest.

Of course, old-school methods including space heaters, wood-burning stoves and fireplaces are allowed.

One blogger, known as the Crunchy Chicken, is taking a less hardcore approach to "furnace abstinence" by challenging her readers to "Freeze Yer Buns" by lowering their thermostat a few degrees this winter and ultimately using less fuel.

"Because of the economic situation, most everyone is tightening up their purse strings, plus heating costs (oil, natural gas and electricity) aren't exactly cheap, so you have even more incentive to hop on board the chapped cheeks express," Crunchy Chicken writes.

The federal Department of Energy estimates most households in the Northeast corridor that use heating oil will pay an average of $2,009 (up 3 percent over last year) in heating costs over the course of the winter, while those with electric heating should shell out $1,465 (down 1 percent).

Those with natural-gas furnaces will pay an average of $1,135, a 13 percent decrease compared with costs in 2008 thanks to a drop in natural gas prices.

Not willing to go cold turkey this winter? Save up to $175 on home heating oil here through Consumer United when signing up for MassEnergy.

Morning Deals: Dog treats, gift cards & dining out

Deal Of The Day:

Dog Treats: Free dog treat samples from Natural Nibbles

Other Morning Deals:

Gift Cards: Up to 25% off Merchant gift cards

Dining Out: 80% off dinner of the month club only at Restaurant.com - use code CHEER thru December 31, 2009

Heat your home for cheap this winter

Wanna save $1500 on your energy bills? Many savings can be accumulated from simple upgrades and some with no cost. We've compiled the ways you can save this winter from Consumer Reports:

Upgrade insulation
Insulation is important in order to keep the cost of heating your home down. Bob Markovich, home and yard editor of Consumer Reports writes, "According to our recent nationally representative survey, of more than 2,000 Americans, only 12 percent added or upgraded their home's insulation in the past three years and just five percent had insulated their heating and cooling duct work -- quick fixes that save you money for years to come."

So what should you do? Fix your insulation! If it's not time for new insulation, seal the cracks and duct work. This is a simple task that can save you big. Spend $500 once, and save $400 a year.

Buy a programmable thermostat

A programmable thermostat can save you 20 percent off your heating costs. This thermostat lowers the heat by five to 10 degrees during the day when no one is home.

Fix the drips in your faucet

A leaky faucet is guaranteed to cost you more money than you thought on your water bill. A Consumer Reports article states "Almost four in five states anticipate water shortages by 2013, which could lead to steeper rates and penalties for excessive water use." Stopping the leak is the easiest way to save $70 per household a year.

Buy energy-saving bulbs

Purchase a compact fluorescent bulb to save money on your electricity. Consumer Reports recommends a variety of CFLs that range in price from $6 for a four-pack to $13 for a two-pack. Each life of a CFL bulb will save you $56. Again, a CFL bulb is worth the investment.

Morning Deals: Energy drinks, vacations & hotels

Deal Of The Day:

Energy Drink: Free energy drink from Slam

Other Morning Deals:

Vacations: Enjoy New Year's Eve with pub crawling in one of Ireland's most fun-loving cities, Dublin! Check out the great deals at One Travel!

Hotels: Big savings on hotels, save up to 50% on your stay with CheapOstay.com. Book now!

Morning Deals: Razors, Gateway & Lenovo

Deal Of The Day:

Free Razor: Text PRUEBA to 467467 to get a free Gillette Fusion Razor

Other Morning Deals:

Gateway Notebooks: $550 off Gateway M-7351u dual core 2GHz notebook - 4GB RAM, 320GB HD, 15.4" with Logitech Alto Stand now only $449.99

Lenovo IdeaPads: S10E Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz netbook - refurbished and only $209.99 (was $309.99) after rebate

Last minute gift ideas

The countdown to the end of holiday shopping season is on! Here are some last minute gift ideas that will satisfy anyone on your list:

GiftCards: Save 25 percent off the face value off at GiftCards.com

Dining Out:Now take 70 percent off Restaurant.com $25 Gift Certificate orders! Use code SNOW and pay $3

Media Electronics: 17 media electronics with huge price drops of up to 66% off!

Free Living Proof haircare sample

Sign in into Facebook. Become a fan and fill out the form to receive a free sample from Living Proof

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Morning Deals: Recipes, Fandango & Lonely Planet

Deal Of The Day:

Recipes: Free recipes from Self Magazine

Other Morning Deals:

Fandango: Buy one movie ticket on Fandango and receive a second ticket to the same show free when you use your Visa Signature card

Lonely Planet: Save 10% off your next purchase at Lonely Planet Travel Guides! Use coupon code: CJCOUPON10

Morning Deals: Movie rentals, Alli & Go Smile

Deal Of The Day:

Movie Rentals: For a limited time, rent a kid's movie for free at Hollywood Video

Other Morning Deals:

Alli: 10.00 off Alli bonus pack (with coupon)- 90ct starter for $34.99!

Go Smile: Save $60 on the top selling Go Smile Advanced Formula B1- only $28.99 at drugstore.com!

Free ringtone from AT&T

Enter your wireless number and receive a free ringtone from AT&T

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Morning Deals: Flash drives, gift cards & CD's

Deal Of The Day:

Flash Drives: Free flash drive from FreeBizMag.com

Other Morning Deals:

Gift Cards: Up to 25% off merchant gift cards

CD's: Buy Madonna Celebration CD and receive free shipping

Holiday gift ideas promoting financial success

It's easy to blow a budget ... and many already have. However, one can send a message by giving a gift gift with a personal finance focus.

The ultimate holiday season lesson? It's important to understand personal finances... at any age. We've compiled a list of gifts that are pro-active in understanding personal finance and suitable for kids from one to 92.

Toys for kids:
Give the gift of words, and read a book to a little one. There are many books on finance, such as Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday," by Judith Viorst. This story is about a boy who gets a dollar from his grandparents, what he wants to buy and how his money disappears.

A board game like Monopoly, Pay Day and Life are excellent gifts for those in elementary school. It teaches the basics, like how to pay for property and how to count money, while making finance extremely fun.

Kim E. Jones, a financial planner in Broomfield, Colorado, recommends the Money Savvy Pig, a piggy bank that has four different sections. One for saving, one for spending, one for donating and the last one is for investing. This way, kids can experiment with their money, and find the best solutions for themselves.

Presents for teens:
If your teen wants money, don't fret. Offer to match the teen's savings as long as the money is spent wisely. "Any gift can be turned into a financial lesson with a little creativity," says Shelley Solheim, director of Financial Education for Capital One Financial Corp.

Why not buy a teen a share of stock? This will fuel an interest in stocks for the teen and the youngster will be eager to learn. Check out single shares of stock as framed gifts here.

Buy a teen a gift card for SmartyPig.com. The card can be used to open an account, or as money to add to SmartyPig. What is SmartyPig? SmartyPig is an account that is made with a specific goal in mind. The site also offers social networking, so an account holder can receive contributions from other people. Specific retailers offer dicounts that can be obtained once your savings goal is reached.

Gifts for all ages:
Is your friend socially conscious? Donate some money to their favorite cause. Maybe even buy a charitable gift card that enables them to pick out a charity of their choice. 'TisBest Philanthropy, Just Give, and The Network for Good are all charity gift card vendors.

Need a gift for someone who isn't likely to read a book on personal finance? Buy The Nuru deck of personal finance flash cards. The flash cards contain 30 cards, and contain words on budgeting, investing, loans, retirement, and insurance. Buy it for $9.95 here.

Click here for more finance-themed gift ideas.

Retailers charging consumers for holiday returns

Already planning to take back that unwanted present? Think again. Retailers are charging hefty fees on holiday returns.

It's becoming commonplace for retailers to charge fees for returned products, reports a state survey. Even if the product isn't damaged, a consumer can look forward to paying a "restock fee" from 10 to 60 percent if the package is opened.

According to Deirdre Cummings, legislative director at MassPIRG, a consumer advocacy group, 10 years ago only a couple retailers charged fees on returns, in order to cover their expenses. Now, more businesses are hoping to profit off of returns. “They’re making more money off the consumer than they have in the past,’’ she says.

Consumers are very surprised when they return an item with an original cash receipt, only to find they have to pay a restocking fee. Dorchester's Best Buy offers the return policy displayed on cash registers.

However, a recent articlereports that on three registers the signs were covered by gift card displays. The Boston Globe reports that merchants must post return policies, according to state law in Massachusetts. Compared to other states, that charge associated to that return isn't regulated.

A Best Buy spokesman, Scott Morris, says he will follow up to ensure the store policy is visible to customers before they have to cough up a fee.

What do the retailers say? Jon Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, says, One reason businesses charge fees for returns on electronics, rather than merchandise such as clothing is because televisions and computers are big-ticket items that lose value quickly because the technology changes so rapidly.

“The merchant can’t sell it for the full value," he insists. Retailers defend the fees as a way of stopping acts of fraud. They say the charges discourage someone from buying a high-definition television to watch the Super Bowl and returning it the next day, expecting to get all their money back.

Consumers must remain alert, and must ask merchants questions on return policies before each purchase is made. Barbara Anthony, undersecretary of consumer affairs says, “Consumers have to be trained, and they have to ask, ‘Do you have a restocking fee?’’’

Click here for the lowdown.

Hudson-Bergen Light Rail proves to be green

The greenest way to travel in New Jersey? According to a recent report, the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail is a viable eco-friendly option.

Environment New Jersey conducted a study on the effects of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail on the environment. The findings? In one year, commuters riding the light rail would save 3.4 million gallons of gas ... equivalent to the gas used by 6,000 cars.

Riding the light rail is an easy way to go green. Robert McCulloch, transportation advocate for Environment New Jersey says, "Each time someone rides the Hudson Bergen Light Rail, they are voting with their feet to make New Jersey more energy independent. Congress should heed these voters and invest more in public transportation, which will increase our energy independence and reduce global warming pollution," an article in the Jersey Journal reports.

How many people currently ride the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail? More than 43,000 people hop on the light rail everyday, including the 5,000 who use the Exchange Place stop, according to officials. The study also reports nearly 16 million people riding the light rail in 2008. In 2007, there were 13 percent less. In 2004, there were only 6 million riders.

John Leon, senior director of government and community relations for New Jersey Transit says the agency is hoping to expand The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail into Bergen County. Currently, although the name implies more, the rail only serves Hudson County.

Morning Deals: Cleaning products & flights

Deal Of The Day:

Cleaning Products: Free cleaning product samples from Home Made Simple

Other Morning Deals:

Business Flights: Save $60 on business class airfare- $10 instantly plus $50 coupon code BIZ50!

Military Flights: Save $23 on military flights- $10 off instantly plus $13 coupon code: MILITARY13!

$6.99 DVD'S at DeepDiscount.com

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Morning Deals: Coffee, computers & media electronics

Morning Deals:

Coffee: Free medium coffee with Dunkin Donuts Perks enrollment- use promo code: DDPERKSCoffee

Other Morning Deals:

Computers: Compaq value bundle: Presario C770US Intel Pentium Dual-Core with Logitech alto stand and wireless keyboard only $429.99

Media Electronics: 17 media electronics with huge price drops of up to 66% off!

LED-fueled holiday lights go green

As more and more consumers are becoming familiar with the benefits of using LED bulbs, manufacturers are offering an increased selection of energy efficient holiday lights. Not only are they better for the environment, LED bulbs cost far less to operate than traditional holiday lights.

Even though the purchase price of LED holiday lights may be higher in some instances, they last five to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. In addition, the savings they provide on energy bills is substantial.

The average string of lights contains about 300 bulbs, and to power a string of incandescent bulbs for six weeks would cost between $70 and $71. A string of LED bulbs that size, on the other hand, would cost less than a dollar to power.

"That means you save $70 a season if you switch out 300 incandescent lights to LED lights," Joe Molica, a spokesman for Pacific Gas and Electric, says to the San Francisco Gate. "It's a pretty dramatic savings, and it reduces your carbon footprint."

Many homes and businesses use far more than one string of lights, so the savings can add up quickly. LED bulbs also have the added advantage of producing far less heat than incandescent light bulbs, so the risk of fire is lower. Let this year be the year you switch to the lights that are cleaner, safer and less expensive to run.

Are you on Santa's naughty or nice list when it comes to energy efficiency? Click here to for Consumer United's holiday savings game.

Morning Deals: Gift cards, Dr. Seuss & magazines

Deal Of The Day:

Gift Cards: Free $5 gift card for ten reviews on lilaguide.com

Other Morning Deals:

Dr. Seuss: Buy 2 Dr. Seuss books and get one free with promo code 23057

Magazines: Take an additional 15% off at Best Deal Magazines with coupon code PXCJ1213 during checkout

Morning Deals: Calendars, gift cards, and DVD's

Deal Of The Day:

Calendars: Free 2010 Calendar from DeLallo

Other Morning Deals:

Gift Cards: Up to 25% off merchant gift cards at GiftCards.com

DVD's: Need Stocking Stuffers? DeepDiscount.com has DVD's for as low as $6.99!

25% off GiftCards.com

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Consumers shelling out cash for the holidays

This holiday season, more consumers are paying with cold-hard cash.

According to the National Retail Federation, 25 percent of consumers will pay using cash for holiday gifts. Last year, cash purchases were 9.1 percent lower. 42.5 percent of consumers will use their debit cards rather than their credit cards, a 2.5 percent spike compared to last year.

How many are using credit? 28.3 percent of shoppers. That's down from 31.5 percent since last year, according to a survey by BIGresearch and reported by Reuters.

"With many holiday shoppers focused on spending within their limits, it's no surprise that fewer people will be relying on credit cards this year," says Tracy Mullin, chief executive of a retailers' trade group.

This is a step in the right direction for consumers, but bad news for credit card companies and retailers alike. Reuters reports that credit-card companies will probably have even more defaults next year. Retailers are already expecting a weak season, and using cash can only make consumers more aware of what they are spending, (hence, spending less).

Thinking about using cash, but unsure? There are many pros of using cash instead of credit. By looking over all expenditures paid in cash at the end of the month, it is clear how much is spent, and how much one can do without spending. Grabbing the card when all the cash is gone is a quick fix, but is extremely detrimental. Credit cards can encourage impulse purchases, such as that beautiful sparkling dress that won't be worn, or that triple candy cane latte that really isn't necessary.

Maybe you want to buy a gift card to use instead of a credit card. Right now, at GiftCards.com you can save 25 percent on gift cards. That one-fourth savings off your holiday shopping! Click here for the lowdown.

Morning Deals: Hand scrub sample, fitness trackers & Nature's Bounty

Deal Of The Day:

Hand Scrub Sample: Free Mean Green hand scrub sample

Other Morning Deals:

Fitness Trackers: Save up to 40% on Omron fitness trackers

Nature's Bounty: Up to 50% off entire stock of Nature's Bounty

Morning Deals: Restaurant.com, hotels & car rentals

Deal Of The Day:

Restaurant.com: Free $25 gift card for first 500 people

Other Morning Deals:

Hotels: Save between $20 and $100 on all hotel bookings now!

Car Rentals: From $8.98 a day- save up to 40% on 7 major car vendors at Car Rentals LLC

Morning Deals: Song download & computers

Deal Of The Day:

Song Download: Free Black Eyed Peas "Boom Boom Pow" song download

Other Morning Deals:

Compaq: Compaq value bundle: Presario C770US Intel Pentium dual core , includes Logitech Alto Stand with wireless keyboard only $429.99

Gateway: $550 off Gateway M-7351u dual core 2GHz notebook- 4GB RAM, 320GB HD, 15.4" and Logitech Alto Stand now only $449.99

Morning Deals: Santa photo, tickets & Angie's List

Deal Of The Day:

Santa Photo: Free photo with Santa at Walmart

Other Morning Deals:

Tickets: Purchase $50 or more in Fandango Bucks and receive a free movie ticket.

Angie’s List: Find thousands of unbiased ratings on services for home improvements, car repairs, and restaurants!

Morning Deals: John Frieda & taxes

Deal Of The Day:

John Frieda: Free shampoo and conditioner sample

Other Morning Deals:

Taxes: Great deals for the 2009 tax season at QuickTax.com

More Taxes: Get your refund fast and get big discounts- do your taxes the easy way at TurboTax.com

Social media sites save consumers during holidays

Season's twitterings? For this gift-buying time of the year, let social network sites help you save on your holiday shopping.

Social media sites like MySpace, Facebook, and now Twitter, help the masses maintain connections with friends and family. Why not let social media help you save big on your holiday shopping?

This year, almost 50 percent of big retail chains are using sites like Twitter to reach out to consumers, building customer loyalty with each holiday discount they post.

Rachel Holland, a mother of three, a deal seeker and a Twitter fanatic reports in an ABC News report, "I got all of my kids Christmas presents at 75 percent off and I knew exactly when the sale started because of Twitter." She continues, "I feel great about the savings this Christmas, the holidays aren't a burden on it, and it's been wonderful."

Toys "R" Us Facebook followers learned of Black Friday deals before anyone else. Barbie Dolls that were half off, $4 DVDs and 80 percent off select children's toys. Facebook followers of Staples were offered $40 off Bluetooth headsets on Black Friday, and $130 off select GPS units.

So, when your anti-social media friends ask you why you enjoy Facebook and Twitter, be sure to alert them of the holiday-saving benefits.

In the United States, 45 percent of internet users will use social networks to compare products, research items and search for offers according to an ABC news article. If you don't have Facebook or Twitter but are ready to get started, simply go to each Web site and sign up for a free account. Once you are a member, type in your favorite stores in the search tabs of both Facebook and Twitter, and friend them. Voila! The stores will begin to send you tweets or notices about holiday discounts and secret sales.

Consumer savings sites are here to help all over the internet. Loren Bendele, CEO of Savings.com, an up-and-coming site states, "It's a community of people, it's a social network coming together to help each other save money, building that social network around deals, discounts, coupons and promotions, seeing people take off and leveraging all the new media like Twitter, we believed it would happen, but we didn't know it would happen this quickly."

Follow Consumer United on Twitter here.

Push to bounce unsolicited checks in New Jersey

A New Jersey lawmaker is pushing to ban deceptive and unsolicited checks.

Paul Moriarty, a Garden State assemblyman, is spearheading legislation that would bar unsolicited checks. The lawmaker was inspired after a constituent showed him an unsolicited check for $8.25. If cashed, the consumer would have been automatically enrolled in a roadside assistance plan, costing the consumer $15.99 a month.

If turned into law, businesses wouldn't be allowed to send consumers unsolicited checks that in turn automatically charge the consumer monthly fees. Paul Moriarty, the assemblyman who is pushing the ban says, "Right now, consumers are at their most vulnerable to fall for a scheme that appears to offer them instant cash but would end up costing them much more in the long-run."

If a business does send an unsolicited check, under New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Act, the business will be fined $10,000. If the business continues, they will face $20,000.

Businesses will still be able to mail checks to consumers as long as there has been a pre-existing b-to-c relationship and as long as the checks are from legitimate banks.

The proposed legislation will most likely be considered by the Consumer Affairs Committee, according to an article from the Associated Press.

Free Macy's $50 gift card

Test drive a Chevy at a Chevy dealer and get a free $50 Macy's gift card!

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Morning Deals: Photo Works, toothbrushes & vaseline

Deal Of The Day:

Photo Works: Free book, photo cards, or calendar from Photo Works

Other Morning Deals:

Toothbrushes: Buy the new Supersmile toothbrush and get $20 off your order at drugstore.com

Vaseline: Save $1 off Vaseline lotions at drugstore.com- offer ends December 13, 2009

Crazed parents flock for Zhu Zhu Pets in Florida

Our favorite Black Friday video for 2009? It has to be a clip from Fox 13 in Tampa-St. Petersburg featuring a pack of crazed shoppers on the prowl for Zhu Zhu Pets at the Toys R Us in Clearwater, Florida.

Here's the lowdown from the report:

There were an estimated 1,000 people in line before the store opened, and at one point, store managers asked police to keep an eye on the line, which wrapped around the building.

What's a Zhu Zhu? Robotic hamsters. Yes, the furry critters that come in five different characters have parents all worked up in a shopping tizzy.

Click here for details.

Money-saving tips to curb car-rental costs

Renting a car this holiday season? Get your motor running. A columnist at USA Today serves up several money-saving tips to help curb costs for those renting a car.

Here are a few highlights:

1. Rent in the city: Columnist David Grossman says he saved $103 on a five-day rental after bypassing user fees on airport rentals and opting for a pick-up location in the city.
2. Drop off at the airport: Save money on cab fares by dropping off the rental at the airport instead of the inner-city locale. Most agencies don't charge extra for dropping off at a different location.
3. Capitalize on discounts: Many airlines offer discounts on car rentals as a customer-loyalty perk. Also, groups like the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) offer group savings.
4. Avoid unnecessary insurance: Car rental companies generally recommend insurance consumers may or may not need. However, some auto insurance policies and a handful of credit cards cover car rental insurance. Check with your insurance provider and credit card company before shelling out the extra cash for coverage.
5. Book online: Many car rental companies offer discounts for customers who book online versus calling in the reservation over the telephone. For example, Consumer United partner CheapOair offers discounted rates, starting at just $13 per day here.
   

Click here for additional money-saving tips.

Morning Deals: Santa video & flights

Deal Of The Day:

Santa Video: Give your kids a thrill with Disney's personalized Santa video message

Other Morning Deals:

New Year's Flights: Save big on New Year’s flights at CheapOair.com- take $10 off by using promo code NY2010- valid until Jan. 4th, 2010.

Last Minute Flights: Save up to 40% off last minute fares with low Hotwire hot-rates!