Battle for cash playing out in supermarket aisles

Grocery shopping only a minor expense? Think again.

The average American family of four spends $9,200 a year on food, rounded to $10,000 when paper goods and personal-care products are added to the mix. Overall, it's estimated that Americans spend $1.5 billion a day on groceries.

Yep, supermarket shopping is big business. And, there's a battle playing out in the aisles in front of you encourage you to spend more, according to a recent report by CNBC. In fact, stores are using both low- and high-tech tools to snag a larger share of the $500 billion a year business.

When a consumer walks into a market, they're being monitored. Stores are using brand-loyalty cards and video cameras to track your every move, analyzing buying behavior and figuring out what techniques inspire you to buy more.

For example, stores are doubling the size of their shopping carts. A recent experiment found that the average shopper buys 40 percent more with the larger carts. Apparently, size does matter. Also, newer stores are staying away from the typical straight aisles associated with old-school supermarkets and opting for a design that inspires shoppers to meander. Grocery staples—like milk, bread and butter-- are set up in the farthest corner of the store.

Other techniques like spraying produce and setting up the bakery at the front of the store are set up to appeal to the senses and ultimately entice patrons to buy more.

How can shoppers suit up and stay away from unnecessary purchases? Martin Lindstrom, a marketing consultant, offers several tips to outsmart the store.

His advice:

• Don't bring the kids with you when you shop
• Carry things in your arms instead of using a shopping cart
• Use cash instead of paying with a credit card

Click here for the lowdown.

Weekly Deals: Love is in the air

Deal Of The Week:
Restaurant.com: Take 80% off $25 gift certificates from Restaurant.com with Consumer United's special code MEAL through Monday, Jan. 31 here.

Other Weekly Deals:
Hotels.com: Love is in the air at Hotels.com. Consumer United members can save up to 30 percent until Monday, Feb. 14 here.

CheapOair: Book your flights on CheapOair and get $10 off by using Consumer United's coupon code VALENTINE10 here until Monday, Feb. 14.

Angie's List: As a Consumer United member, you qualify to save on Angie's List membership rates. Use promo code "LOCAL" for 15 percent off here.

Evaluate health insurance plan on Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is a time for being with the one you love. It's also one of the most popular days to get engaged. Before getting caught up in the stress of planning an elaborate wedding, it's smart to select the right health plan to build a strong foundation for a life-long partnership.

This V-Day, why not evaluate health insurance plans with your significant other?

Health insurance is a tricky topic, especially if marriage is involved. To be or not to be... your partner's health insurance plan is the question. We've compiled a list of questions and solutions from eHealthInsurance to help with choosing the best kind of policy for you. The right health plan can determine future financial stability, and help a couple to have a solid start.

Should we keep our health insurance plans separate?
Maybe you should. It's possible to save a lot of money by choosing your own health insurance. If there are no employer-covered options, definitely apply for individual health plans. Shop around! Get quotes for the health insurance plans available in you area. However, look into family plans as well, and choose the plan that offers the savings. Having the same plan is not going to prove your love or strengthen your relationship.

We want to start a family right away. What should we do?
Looking to start a family this year? The health insurance you pick is very important. Not all plans offer maternity benefits, and these benefits are going to be extremely important to you at this time in your life. When shopping for plans, make sure you pick a health insurance plan that offers the maternity benefits to kick in right away... not six or nine months in the future. Also, some plans offer "well child" or "well baby" care. This is care for your baby from checkups to immunizations... so make sure this part of the plan is affordable.

Can I add my spouse to my employer's health insurance plan?
You certainly can, but is it the best deal? Just like question one, asking if it is best to keep plans separate, the answer really comes down to cost. Talk with your HR department. How much does your employer pay towards monthly premiums for a spouse and/or children? More often than not, the monthly contributions will be substantially less. Ask yourself questions before deciding on a health plan solution for you and your spouse. How do the copayments and deductibles compare? How do the monthly premiums for individual or family plans compare to the amount of money taken from your paycheck?

We don't have health insurance. What is our best bet?
No health insurance? It's time to get some, and at an affordable cost, too. Health insurance is extremely important. It limits your financial liability when you need medical care, or when you want it. According to an article by CNN Money, with the cost of medicare on the rise and medical bills among the most common reason for personal bankruptcy, a quality health insurance plan can help provide the financial security you need. If your employers do not cover health insurance, look into individual and family plans. It may not be that bad. Two people covered under a family plan pay an average of $328 a month for coverage, according to a recent survey by eHealth Inc.

How do we combine plans without medical underwriting?
It is very possible to combine plans with no medical underwriting. If you are interested in adding your spouse to your employer-sponsored group health insurance plan, individual medical underwriting is not necessary. Do not worried about being declined, because you cannot be turned down for pre-existing medical conditions under a group health insurance plan. If you are both under individual plans however, talk to a licensed insurance agent to find which companies are more flexible in their standards on pre-existing medical conditions. If no plans work for you, check into government-sponsored plans available in your area.

Click here for details.

Is it time to pull the plug on your cable?

On the prowl for a cable and satellite alternative? You're in luck.

While cutting the cord can be a good thing for your wallet, it may be tough to replicate the TV-watching/channel-surfing experience.

However, with the increasing assortment of Web-based video options, some frugal-minded folks are abandoning their cable and satellite services altogether and taking the plunge.

Is it time to pull the plug on your cable?

There are many sites online that offer free show streaming; from sitcoms to sports to special events. The caveat? It's not instant gratification like cable. It may take a day or even a week to see your program appear online.

So, where can you find your programs on the Internet? Thanks to an article on LifeHacker.com, we've got the lowdown:

Network favorites
Looking to watch a show from a specific network? Head straight to their site shortly after the show is aired. The network Web sites offer free behind-the-scenes footage, and offer previews for upcoming episodes. The shows online are usually available for a few hours after they've been aired on TV. Networks to visit include CBS.com, NBC.com, ABC.com, and Fox.com

Gawker.TV
This isn't the site to watch your favorite show, but can help to sum up a show immensely. If you've missed a solid ten minutes, or the flashbacks and flash forwards have confused you beyond repair, head to Gawker.TV. The site posts synopses and clips of shows to keep you up to date with the show's material.

Amazon Video On Demand
With Amazon Video on Demand, you'll have to pay for the shows downloaded from the site. The pro? The show can be formatted to fit your mobile device.

Hulu
At Hulu, you can organize and search for shows. Hulu has pretty much got you covered when it comes to finding a show you want to watch, and offers many psych shows, The Daily Show, and cable TV shows. New episodes are available for 30 days after they've been aired on TV. Hulu is also well stocked with complete old seasons of favorite shows.

Netflix
At Netflix, streaming old shows is easy. Netflix doesn't really offer new shows. There's a monthly fee for Netflix, but once you are signed up you may stream as many shows as you would like. Click here for a free trial.

Clicker
Clicker comes in handy. It acts as your TV Guide. Bookmark this site to let you know what's available online, and when. Search through shows to find on which site it is being aired.

Treasury offering refunds via prepaid debit cards

Looking for a viable alternative to “refund anticipation loans” from tax preparers like H&R Block and Jackson Hewlitt?

The U.S. Department of the Treasury plans to test a new prepaid debit solution called MyAccountCard for the 2010 tax season. The cards will be available to a select group of about 600,000 taxpayers. And, according to a release, the pilot will be a convenient and low-cost financial account for the electronic delivery of their federal tax refunds.

“This pilot program will provide low- and moderate-income Americans with a low-cost option for faster delivery of their federal tax refund,” says Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Neal Wolin. “This innovative card can be used for everyday financial transactions, such as receiving wages by direct deposit, withdrawing cash, making purchases, paying bills and building savings safely and conveniently, giving users more control over their financial futures.”

The caveat? There will be a monthly fee for having the card, ranging from free to $4.95. As previously reported, 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.

Click here for the lowdown.

Inside Consumer United :: Zach Latimer

Since January 2010, Zach Latimer has enjoyed working as a Consumer United advocate in our New Jersey auto insurance division. Born and raised about 50 miles north of New York City in Pound Ridge, NY, Latimer moved to Boston where he studied business at Northeastern University with a specific focus on marketing and entrepreneurship.

Recently celebrating his one-year anniversary at the company, Latimer really appreciates the start-up experience he's received. When asked about what he's valued most so far, Latimer replies, "It's pretty fun working for a start-up because it allows me to contribute to the success of the company and witness its growth. Since I started at Consumer United, we've gone from offering savings with one insurance provider in New Jersey to partnering with multiple companies in several more states. Now, we provide savings on auto, home and life insurance on a national level."

When asked about financial advice, Latimer stresses the importance of investing wisely and setting money aside for the future--although he admits that saving money doesn't always come easy for him because he loves to spend it on traveling. "I love to travel as much as possible, and I really love Spain, Italy and other international destinations. I would like to eventually move to a Spanish-speaking country for a few years, or maybe forever if it works out."

When he's not in the office, Latimer enjoys nodding his head to the beats of soulful house music. Also an avid fan of New York's sports teams, Latimer enjoys watching the Red Sox–Yankees rivalry from enemy territory, especially when the New York team win. "I really enjoy watching the Yankees make these Red Sox fans cry, while the Knicks are making an effort to be a respectable basketball team again," he adds.

Weekly Deals: Save 15% on Angie's List

Deal Of The Week:
Angie's List: As a Consumer United member, you qualify to save on Angie's List membership rates. Use promo code "LOCAL" for 15 percent off here.

Other Weekly Deals:
Restaurant.com: Take 70% off $25 gift certificates from Restaurant.com with Consumer United's special code ENJOY through Monday, Jan. 24 here.

CheapOair: Book your flights on CheapOair and get $10 off by using Consumer United's coupon code VALENTINE10 here until Monday, Feb. 14.

Best Buy: Check out their new HP G series of laptops. Choose the one that's right for you here until Saturday, Jan. 21.

Turbo Tax: Make tough times a little easier. File your simple return for FREE with TurboTax® Federal Free Edition. Click here to start saving.

Avoid foreclosure by using new multi-media tool

Having trouble paying the mortgage? The folks over at Fannie Mae have launched a free interactive tool called WaysHome to help struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure through a series of multi-media simulations.

As part of the group's “Know Your Options” initiative, the WaysHome video uses online technology to allow homeowners to put themselves in real-life situations, make informed choices and immediately see the outcomes of those actions.

“In 2011, millions of homes will be at imminent risk of foreclosure. As we enter a new year, the company is expanding its efforts to help struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure – WaysHome is an innovative tool to help achieve this goal,” says Jeff Hayward, Fannie Mae Senior Vice President.

The WaysHome video is set in a neighborhood that has been hurt by the foreclosure crisis. Real actors play three residents of the neighborhood – each in financial distress. Visitors to the site are assigned a character archetype after answering a few questions about their financial situation.

Through video reenactment, WaysHome allows homeowners to experience scenarios that address a range of options for avoiding foreclosure that include repayment plans, forbearances, modifications, deeds-in-lieu and short sales.

“With a variety of financial hardships and other circumstances affecting homeowners across the country, making educated decisions is more important than ever,” adds Hayward. “It’s a travesty when people lose their homes because they don’t know or understand their options."

Hayward continues, "Homeowners who are proactive about working with their mortgage company, housing counselors, or using consumer tools like WaysHome have a significantly better chance of finding a solution that allows them to avoid foreclosure.”

Click here to check out WaysHome.

Weekly Deals: Tax season heats up

Deal Of The Week:
Turbo Tax: Make tough times a little easier. File your simple return for FREE with TurboTax® Federal Free Edition. Click here to start saving.

Other Weekly Deals:
Restaurant.com: Take 70% off $25 gift certificates from Restaurant.com with Consumer United's special code SPOON through Thursday, Jan. 13 here.

CheapOair: Book your flights on CheapOair and get $10 off by using Consumer United's coupon code VALENTINE10 here until Monday, Feb. 14.

Angie's List: As a Consumer United member, you qualify to save on Angie's List membership rates. Use promo code "LOCAL" for 15 percent off here.

Best Buy: Post-holiday shoppers can save big on new and factory-refurbished products like laptops, HDTVs, gaming systems and more at Best Buy's Outlet Center here until Saturday, Jan. 8.

Don't flush bathroom efficiency down the toilet

Bathroom efficiency? Don't flush it down the toilet.

We've compiled some information from The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Design Trends Survey and EcoFriend.org. Here are some tips to maintain your restroom's style, while increasing your its efficiency.

Smart toilets
Water-saving toilets have never been in style more. Water-saving toilets use 1.6 gallons of water for every flush. Compare that to a standard toilet, that uses five gallons of water for every flush. By using a water-saving toilet, you are saving 100 gallons of water a day per household. Interested in purchasing a new toilet? Try the Home Core, all-in-one toilet. Designed by Dang Jingwei, the toilet is also a sink, mirror, and vanity table. The toilet also saves tens of liters of water that go down the drain.

Curbless showers

Curbless showers save water and allow for universal access. The sloping shower floor directs the water straight to the drain. The showers are accessible for those in wheelchairs, and for those with ambulatory restrictions.

LED lighting
LED lighting is very energy efficient. The savings? LED lights last up to 10 times longer than incandescent lights, and uses only two to 10 watts of electricity.

Accessible designs

Accessible designs are designs that are universal. They can be used by everyone. Aging parents, young kids, and adults alike can share this space. Accessible design features include wide doorways and halls, and wheelchair accessible showers. This design is growing in popularity, because it benefits everyone.

Radiant heated floors
Radiant heated floors can save up to 1/3 of your heating bill. The catch? The floors cost four times more than a forced-air furnace. Radiant heated floors are a low voltage system that does not consume a lot of energy. Only a 15 to 20 amp GFCI-protected circuit is required to run the system. What exactly is a radiant heated floor? The floor consists of a mat with thin heating cables embedded within. This is installed under the bathroom floor, most efficiently ceramic tile.

Dim lights to create a more energy-efficient bulb

Looking for a more energy-efficient light bulb? Make it dimmer.

According to lighting experts, there are several ways to make a light bulb more efficient. More often than not, manufacturers resort to dimming the light bulb itself.

How did it all start? Regulators in California decided to mandate a 5 percent reduction in bulb wattage for incandescent bulbs, in order to help energy efficiency in the state. This happened a few years back, and since new bulbs hit the market ever since, the bulbs save energy by being dimmer. The new bulbs are each 5-watts less than the old, and keep your home a little darker at night.

A more efficient bulb does not have to be a darker one. Experts report that bulbs can be filled with different types of gases and advanced filament designs can also be used. In California, the bulbs seem only to be dimmer. A study by Ecos, a consulting firm and energy-efficiency program developer working for utilities and government agencies shows almost all of the new bulbs in California are on the low end of allowable brightness for each class of light-wattage. Many of the lights are even much dimmer... 10 percent more so than the models they replaced.

Does cutting back on bulb brightness set a bad example? According to this article, some analysts think so. Chris Calwel, a senior research fellow with Ecos, says "In general, efficiency advocates want to see no loss in the service delivered, so even a 5 percent reduction in lumens is unfortunate. It would be nice if a manufacturer would offer an improved incandescent product that legitimately matched the light output of today's incandescents and achieves all of its energy savings from higher efficiency."

For now, not that many people have been rushing out to buy brighter and high-wattaged bulbs since they've hit the market in 2008, according to manufacturers. However, they have in the past. GE has misled consumers in the early 90s, and settled the dispute with the F.T.C. The F.T.C. found that the packaging misled consumers, by not adequately disclosing the bulbs were dimmer than the bulbs they were to replace.

Inside Consumer United :: Richard Smith

Richard Smith currently works at Consumer United as a home insurance expert, helping our members all across the country score the lowest rates on their homeowners insurance. A native of Freeport, Maine, Smith headed South to attend school at the College of Charleston in South Carolina, where he studied International Business with a minor in Spanish.

Smith, who recently celebrated his one-year anniversary at the company, has had the fortune of observing the company transform itself in just one short year. Originally tapped to work as a consumer advocate in our New Jersey auto insurance division, Smith now enjoys the responsibility that comes with his new role in our expanding home insurance department. When asked what he appreciates most so far, Smith remarks, "I've enjoyed befriending my coworkers, and the experience I've gained here has been invaluable."

When asked if he had any financial advice he'd like to share, Smith emphasized the importance of planning for the future. "I like to take a long term approach when it comes to things like loans and investing your money, because money spent or invested wisely today can have a significant impact on your future," he says.

As for insurance advice, Smith replies: "Remember, you can never be overly insured, because it is impossible to predict what may happen in the future."

To save his own money, Smith segments his spending into separate categories. “I categorize my spending into essential and non-essential expenses, and I try to cut back on the non-essentials when I'm trying to save. This process is easier said then done, but its worked out well for me.”

When he's not in the office, Smith can most likely be found partaking in an outdoor adventure--that's if you can find him of course. During the winter months, he'll likely be snow boarding or cross-country skiing along the mountains of New England. But as soon as the weather permits, he takes to the high seas. An avid sailor, he has lived in the Caribbean and even once sailed from Maine to Venezuela and back.

Weekly Deals: New year, new you in 2011

Deal Of The Week:
CheapOair: Book your flights on CheapOair and get $10 off by using Consumer United's coupon code VALENTINE10 here until Monday, Feb. 14.

Other Weekly Deals:
Angie's List: As a Consumer United member, you qualify to save on Angie's List membership rates. Use promo code "LOCAL" for 15 percent off here.

Restaurant.com: Take 70% off $25 gift certificates from Restaurant.com with Consumer United's special code PLATE through Sunday, Jan. 9 here.

Best Buy: Post-holiday shoppers can save big on new and factory-refurbished products like laptops, HDTVs, gaming systems and more at Best Buy's Outlet Center here until Saturday, Jan. 8.

Tips to whip your tax returns into shape

Yep, the holidays are over and it's now time to focus on your taxes. Are your returns out of shape? Don't fret.

In anticipation for the 2010 tax season, we've assembled a few tips to battle that post-recession bulge. No weights or cardio work necessary.

So, what can you do to avoid mistakes and problems on this year's tax return?

Double check your numbers
Most importantly, make sure you got your social security numbers correct. Let's say you wrote down the wrong social security number for one of your children. The IRS will disallow the dependent, and send you a brand new tax bill. Do a thorough double check when you finish filling out the information. It's worth the extra time.

Round up your charitable contributions

You can't deduct your charitable contributions if you forget to document them. Deductions are allowed for political groups, foreign organizations, social clubs, donations to individuals, and for a mile driven in service for a charitable cause. So don't forget to document.

File your taxes electronically
Want to avoid the paperwork? File your taxes on the computer this year. Filing through online services like TurboTax will speed up your return, and save you from many errors that might not have been caught on paper. The IRS will give you a chance to go back and fix any mistakes before your return is accepted and processed.

Also, Consumer United has teamed up with TurboTax to make times a little easier. File your simple return for FREE with TurboTax Federal Free Edition. Click here to start saving.

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.