Morning Deals: Emergen-C, taxes & magazines

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Morning Deals: Stevia, toothbrushes & scales

Deal Of The Day:

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New Jersey hospital snags energy efficiency award

Need some eco-friendly inspiration? A New Jersey hospital on the verge of going green received a $3.1 million energy efficiency award.

The Raritan Bay Medical Center received the award from the Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) to implement improvements in Energy Efficiency at the medical center's location in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

Al Matos, PSE&G's vice president for renewables and energy solutions says, "The program , an investment approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities this summer, was created to stimulate New Jersey's ailing economy, reduce carbon emissions and create jobs. It is aimed at hospitals in PSE&G's service territory that lack capital for energy efficiency infrastructure development and find it difficult to make the upfront costs for needed improvements. This project is a perfect example of how being green and doing the right thing can make good business sense."

What will be improved on the hospital? A variety of upgraded technologies and systems will be installed, such as new boiler burners, cooling towers, and windows. In one hospital wing a new roof will be installed. Chiller optimization, and efficiency motors will also be installed. Lighting improvemens will also be made, along with creating a centralized building management system.

The new installations are set to be finished this year by the Birdsall Services Group. DBL Associates, Consulting Engineers, P.C. though PSE&G gave the hospital an investment grade facility audit of its energy consumption at no charge. The audit was able to identify which areas needed upgrades in energy efficiency.

Morning Deals: Hard Rock Cafe, airfare & hotels

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Morning Deals: Air fresheners, computer accessories & dvd players

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Morning Deals: Bounce, Netflix & fitness trackers

Deal Of The Day:

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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

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Other Morning Deals:

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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

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Morning Deals: Razors, Gateway & Lenovo

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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:

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Morning Deals: Recipes, Fandango & Lonely Planet

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Morning Deals: Movie rentals, Alli & Go Smile

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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.