CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Costco: Free Ziploc Fresh Shield bag sample

Restaurant.com: Get a $25 gift certificate to Four Seasons for only $10

NetFlix.com: Netflix delivers DVDs to your home- try it for free and no late fees!

Hotwire.com: New York City 4-star hotel- from $112 per night

VistaPrint.com: Save 35% off all letterhead, brochures, flyers, and folders- creative design service available

NeweggMall.com: Vitamin sale- up to 50% off and free shipping

Napster.com: Get a free 1GB Creative Zen V MP3 player when you sign up for a year of Napster to go

Savings 101 : Five Ways To Save Today

Business Week quizzed financial advisors for tips on how to reduce expenses while boosting savings. Here's a continuation of the savings tips:

11. Get Rid of your SUV
Consider selling your SUV for a vehicle that is less of a gas guzzler. You will save gas and also on your monthly payment by changing your auto loan.

12. Make your own Coffee
Instead of going to Starbucks after mid afternoon, make your own coffee. You could save $20 a week, a good chunk that could be put in savings. If you have to buy coffee, opt for a cheaper beverage.

13. Cut Down your Cable Bill
You can get rid of your movie channels, or even cancel your service entirely. This could save you $100 a month.

14. Bring a List to Warehouse Stores
Wal-Mart, Costco and Sam's Club are great deals, however only buy what you really need when shopping. It's easy to buy in bulk if it's really cheap, but make sure you will use it all.

15. Indulge in Free Entertainment
Check out your public library to borrow books and movies for free. Check your local listings for free shows, concerts, readings and performances.

Check back tomorrow. We'll roll out five new savings tips each day for the remainder of the week.

Back to school shopping doesn't make grade

Back-to-school shopping may not make the grade this fall. Sales reports from July show a trend of consumers buying necessities only.

Don't expect a change anytime soon.

According to the New York Times' report, the benefits of the government stimulus check are fading away. Retailers' July sales reports showed a trend of consumers buying necessities and staying away from clothing and accessories. Money is being spent at lower priced alternative and discount stores such as Walmart and Costco Wholesale Corporation.

Ken Perkins, president of research at Retail Metrics states, "Consumers are in a fair amount of pain." This may be true, due to rising food and gas prices, and an economy in the slumps. Apparel stores such as Limited Brands, Abercrombie and Fitch, and Pacific Sunwear of California are not doing well.

Tighter credit, a troubled housing economy and a weakening job market have lowered the consumers' outlook for the economy to the lowest it has been in many years. Projections show that sales will slow in August and into the fall.

Cost of living in Massachussets

There's an interesting Topix messageboard thread on the rising cost of living in Massachusetts here.

One comment, from Jargonite in Brighton, impressively describes how Consumer United works.

"Their concept is pretty simple really," Jargonite writes. "By bringing people directly to the service providers, the service providers don't have to spend as much money trying to attract customers, hence the discount. I just don't know why I didn't think of this!"

When asked if Consumer United was similar to a buying club like BJs or Sam's Club, guitarmaestro gives a snarky reply.

"If you mean places like Costco, then the answer is yes and no," guitarmaestro remarks. "It's like a Costco in that you become a member of an organization that gives you special access to lower prices. But unlike Costco, you don't have to pay a membership fee to join. You also don't have to buy a 50-pack of auto insurance. That would be odd."

Click here for the complete Topix thread.

And click here to sign up for your 50-pack of auto insurance.