CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Energizer.com: Receive a free sample of Energizer audioPRO batteries

NeweggMall.com: 50% off select handbags

OnSale.com: Save $480 on Samsung 46" 1080P LCD HDTV

Magazine City: Save on food and gourmet magazines

Dollar Rent a Car : 5% off any vehicle with code: CJ05

Peapod: Shop Peapod for $10 in FREE groceries

Consumer United: Save 5% on Consumer United's affinity group discount with High Point Auto Insurance in New Jersey

Banking fees hit customers hard

The troubled economy has hit the masses. Banks are smacking customers hard with new fees on checking accounts.

Citigroup Inc.'s Citibank is now charging customers $10 for an overdraft protection fee. J.P. Morgan Chase and Co.'s Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo and Co., have upped their ATM transaction fees for non-members to $3. Overdraft fees and bounced-checks will be the most painful to consumers.

Record highs for checking-account fees, ATM surcharges, bounced-check fees and monthly service fees have been hit due to the new implemented changes. Bankrate Inc., a research firm has conducted this study. Mike Moebs, chief executive of Moeb's $ervices Inc., an economic research firm in Chicago, states, "By the end of 2009, you will start to see fairly substantial increases in overdraft fees." This could be as high as $40 per overdraft.

The troubled economy is a major cause, however it is not the only one. Yahoo Finance has alerted us that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has proposed to increase the rates banks pay for deposit insurance, beginning next year. If the proposal goes through, banks will continue raising costs and fees.

So what can you do? Make sure to keep an eye on your spending. Free sites online such as Mint.com, or even pen and paper can save you a lot of money. You can consider moving your account to an online bank, where there will be no fees, and ATM charge reimbursements. Read the fine print, and ask your bank for a copy of the schedule of fees, which banks are required to have.

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Sports Medicine: Free Johnson and Johnson, lightweight cohesive tape here

Samsung HDTV: SAVE $32.50 Samsung Electronics 32" 720p LCD HDTV Only $579.99 (was $612.49)

Hotels.com: Save between $20 and $100 on all hotel bookings

External Hard Drive: SAVE $40! Fantom Drives GreenDrive 500GB External Hard Drive Now Only $59.99 (was $99.99)

MacBook Sleeve: MacCase 15.4" MacBook Pro Sleeve Pure Silver Only $17.99

Mini Laptop: Acer Aspire One 8.9-inch Mini Laptop (Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz & 160GB Hard Drive). Onyx black only $398.99! FREE Shipping. No rebate required

Consumer United: Save 5% on Consumer United's affinity group discount with High Point Auto Insurance in New Jersey

Sneak peek of upcoming Black Friday deals

Retailers are letting consumers in on their Black Friday specials a week early. Wanna shop 'til you drop? Here's a sneak peek:

Walmart: Black Friday sales will begin at 8 a.m.

Here's what you will find: 5.4-inch Compaq CQ50-139WM laptops for $298, Sony's 2GB Walkman player for $49, Samsung's S760 point-and-shoot digital camera in red for $89, Sanyo's 46-inch 1080p LCD HDTV for $798.

Target: Black Friday sales will begin at 6 a.m.

Here's what you will find: Kodak MX1063 digital camera for $89, Guitar Hero World Tour for $59, Magellan Roadmate 1200 GPS with 3.5” screen and preloaded maps of the U.S. For $99.99, 1” flat ceramic hairstyling iron by Chi for $99.99.

Circuit City: Some stores will be closing this quarter, so make sure to check online sales as well. Black Friday sales will begin at 5 a.m.

Here's what you will find: Lumisource Stingray Sound Gaming Chair for $39.99, Samsung 8GB MP3 player for $79.99, up to 70% savings on over 200 DVD & CD titles, iPod speaker dock for $24.99,

Best Buy: Black Friday sales will begin at 5 a.m.

Here's what you will find: eMachines laptop (eMD620-5777) for $299, Rocketfish Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse for $39.99, Canon MX700 Network-Ready all-in-one printer for 99.99, SanDisk 4GB Memory Stick Pro Duo Memory Card for $14.99

Kmart: Black Friday sales will begin at 6 a.m.

Here's what you will find: 32-inch Sylvania LCD HDTV for $440, Wii Fit for $90, Buy one get one free i-Concepts speaker for iPod, MP3 players for $9.99, Basic Edition women's Luxura sweaters for $8.99, Athletech men's puffer jacket for $10, save 50% on heated massage seat cushion for your car

Sears: Black Friday sales will begin at 5 a.m.

Here's what you will find: Colormate flannel sheet sets for $19.99, reversible down alternative comforter for $29.99, Wine rack for $49.99, Kenmore dishwasher for $199.99, Kenmore Elite microwave for $472.49, NordicTrack E5 SI elliptical trainer for $1499.99

Staples: Black Friday sales will begin at 6 a.m.

The office supply store is offering several early bird specials on Friday, Nov. 28 that's only available from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sales include a eMachine 19"-Wide Flat Screen Monitor for $99.98, the HP Notebook with AMD Athlon X2 QL-60 Dual-Core Processor for $399.98 with free printer, and the Tom Tom One 125 Portable GPS for $99.99.

Meanwhile, click here for our Top 10 countdown of our favorite Black Friday videos.

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Bertolli Sauce: Free sample of Bertolli's premium sauce in a microwavable pouch

AutoAnything: Special two-day sale. Save $15 off $99 plus free shipping* w/code THANKS at AutoAnything! Valid 11/24-11/25/08. *Restrictions apply

Dollar Rent A Car: Free one car class upgrade coupon from Dollar Rent A Car

Widescreen HDTV: SAVE $335 Samsung Electronics 61" 120Hz 1080p Widescreen Slim HDTV Now Only $1,264.99 (was $1,599.99)

Digital Photo Frame: Aluratek 11" High-Resolution Digital Photo Frame with 1GB Memory Now Only $109.99 was ($169.99)

Sony Clock/Radio: Sony Speaker Dock/Clock Radio for iPod Music Player - Black Only for $79.99

Restaurant.com: $25 gift cards to restaurants around the country from Restaurant.com can be had through Monday, Nov. 24 for $2 using Consumer United Advocate's special promo code SURPRISE.

Consumer United: Sign up and save $500-$1000 off home mortgage closing costs

Discounted MacBook fashion cases from OnSale

Yes, onSale will once again be bringing you a grand collection of the best and finest electronic deals.

*MacCase 13" MacBook / MacBook Air Messenger Bag with Free 13" MacBook / MacBook Air Sleeve only $22.99

*MacCase 13" MacBook Air Stealth Black Sleeve- Velvet Lined only $16.99!

*Belkin 15.4" Flythru Laptop Case only $39.99

*MacCase 13" MacBook / 15" MacBook Pro Sling Blade Runner - Charcoal / Black only $24.99

*MacCase 15.4" MacBook Pro Sleeve Pure Silver only $17.99

Hand-picked free stuff from BetterDealsDaily.com

The savings team at BetterDealsDaily.com updates its FREEBIE section daily with a cavalcade of free samples, coupons and other goodies.

Click here to access our free-stuff section on BetterDealsDaily.com.

Boasting additional savings from ConsumerUnited.com, Better Deals Daily is just that … a collection of deals from participating online retailers and service providers sent to members via e-mail and our blog’s RSS feed on a daily basis.

Sign up for our free bi-weekly e-mail blast here.

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Walmart.com: Get your free sample of Benefiber flavored stick packs. It's a delicious way to include more fiber in your diet and help promote your digestive health

Laptop: Acer Aspire ONEIntel Atom N270 1.6HZ Notebook, Onyx black only for $398.99. Free shipping (no rebate required!).

NeweggMall.com: 60% Off hiking gear utility knife and compass gift set- $7.99 and free shipping

MagazineCity.com: Save on health and fitness magazines.

StubHub.com: Save on theater and arts tickets this holiday season

Dollar Rent a Car: Save 5% off any vehicle with code: CJ05. Expires: 12-31-08 and some restrictions apply

TurboTax.com: Federal Free Edition - #1 trusted tax software. Prepare, print and e-file your federal return for free

BetterDealsDaily.com: Check it out for major savings on hot gifts

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Designer Ties: A free Designer Tie on sign-up for SuitVIP Newsletter

Dollar Rent-a-Car: Get 5% off on any vehicle with code CJ 05

Leather Jacket: Up to 70% off at Neweggmall.com

Griffin Amplifi: 2.1 Sound System for iPod, $70.99

Hotels.com: $20 off with 3 night bookings. Perfect for Thanksgiving break

Peapod: $10 worth of free groceries

BetterDealsDaily.com: Check it out for major savings on hot gifts

Home prices in Boston hold relatively steady

Though home prices have continued their decline around the country, financial value of homes in the Boston area have remained relatively strong. Boston was one of only two major cities to post gains in home prices in August 2008.

Although the gains were modest, prices went up by just 0.1 percent, the fact that Boston experienced any growth in the midst of the market downturn is a good sign.

Only Cleveland, Ohio posted biggest gains, with growth just over 1% in August. Some of the cities in the hardest-hit areas such as Phoenix and Las Vegas reported declines of about 2.5 percent in August alone. Since last year, home prices in Phoenix and Las Vegas have dropped more than 30 percent. Boston, in comparison, has experienced declines closer to about 5% over the course of the year.

According to an article by Les Christie writing for CNN Money, the steep decline of home values translates into a high rate of vacant homes. About one million homes, or nearly 3 percent of all existing homes, are vacant.

Since the end of the summer, it has become more difficult to fill the empty homes, in part because of September’s banking crisis which restricted access to credit. First-time buyers and other potential buyers must contend with banks that are more unwilling to lend now than in the past.

"I'm optimistic," Richard DeKaser, chief economist for National City Corp remarks to CNN. "More credit will be available and housing inventories will be reduced. The deterioration will give way to a more balanced market."

--Bridget O'Sullivan

MORTGAGE ANALYSIS: Looking to refinance or buy a new home? You're in luck. As a Consumer United member, you are eligible for a discounted 15- and 30-year regular fixed-rate mortgage. Nothing complicated or exotic, just a straight-forward mortgage where the payments don't change. Click here for a free analysis.

Inside Consumer United :: Brandon Morrocco

Brandon Morrocco is our newest team member at Consumer United, working full time as a Consumer United advocate. Morrocco feels it's inspiring to be a part of a company that is growing so fast. He says it's even more inspiring to imagine where it will be this time next year.

Morrocco believes in Consumer United and the group's mission to save its members money on basic services. When asked how Consumer United will help the average consumer, Morrocco replies: "Consumer United just plain helps, because every penny saved is another penny that can make life more enjoyable. Big-time companies tend to push the average consumer around, it's great to see an organization fighting for the consumer."

How does Morrocco save money? "I save money by putting it in an account with no debit card, or giving it to my girlfriend and telling her not to spend it. Or, I use Ramen noodles as my sole food group." In his free time, Morrocco likes to relax, spend time with his family and watch TV. He loves sports, and has a passion for food whether it be cooking or dining at one of his many area restaurants.

What is Morrocco's favorite financial advice? "Pay off all your debt before saving or investing. The rates on debts are generally 200 to 300 percent higher than investments so whats the point of investing when you have debt that completely washes out any profit you might accrue?"

Before Consumer United, Morrocco graduated from University of Vermont in 2006. He then moved to Florida and worked for Allstate. Now he's in Boston. Morrocco also enjoys travelling. He has been to Russia, Cuba, Spain, France, Italy and England.

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, Nov. 24 for $2 using Consumer United Advocate's special promo code SURPRISE.

Check out Restaurant.com here, see what restaurants are participating near your ZIP code.

To qualify, you must use this link and type in the code SURPRISE.

80% off Savings on $25 Gift Certificates. $2 when you use code SURPRISE.Valid only 11/18/08 thru 11/24/08.

UPDATE: For Thanksgiving from Nov. 25-30, save 70% and use the promotional code THANKS.

Fashionistas become 'returnistas' during slump

As the economy slows and more and more consumers are worried about their bank account balances, a new trend is emerging among serious shoppers.

“Returnistas,” as they have been dubbed, are shopping their own closets for items that are still unworn that can be returned for cash. The clothes still have the tags and have not been worn, so according to many stores policies, buyers have the right to bring the items back. The recent economic conditions, however, seem to be causing shoppers to return clothing that otherwise would have sat untouched in their closets.

Though being labeled a “returnista” may simply suggest that the shopper has a case of buyer’s remorse, for those truly devoted to fashion, the cycle may continue. Instead of taking back one or two items once in awhile, the returnista is more likely to shop often and return often.

The thrill of shopping still exists without doing damage to the shopper’s account balance.

Returnistas could become important customers at some stores that have relaxed their return policies in order to entice shoppers to walk out the door with items they are not sure they should buy. In contrast, other stores have made their return policies stricter to avoid losing money from fraudulent transactions.

The end of December is traditionally a time when retailers experience a lot of returns, but as shopping addicts continue to clean out their closets, the trend could continue beyond the holiday season.

Click here for the lowdown.

--Bridget O'Sullivan

Savings 101: Oil, electric and gas cost comparison

Winter is expensive and consumers are desperately on the hunt for the most cost-efficient option.

So which is cheaper: oil, electric or gas? The costs are constantly fluctuating but here are the current prices reported by Nstar, Boston.com, and warmair.net:

Comparing the current costs of oil and electricity in Mass., it is still cheaper to use oil. The average price in Mass. for a gallon of home heating oil is $2.85, according to the Dept of Energy Resources. For gas, Nstar is charging $1.24 per therm (100 cubic feet) and 12.5 cents per kw-hr for electricity. Although electricity is more efficient that oil, it costs more to generate the same amount of heat.

A Boston.com reader reports however, that electricity deserves a second look. "A $30 space heater can make you more comfortable, and save you hundreds of dollars if it allows you to heat only one bedroom to 65-degrees at night, instead of running a gas furnace to heat an entire house or or apartment to 60-degrees."

A study by the University of Massachusetts estimates more than $2,500 to heat the average home with oil, and about $1800 to heat the average home with gas. The U.S. Dept of Energy estimates that electric heat would cost at least 70% more than using oil.

We recommend checking for yourself. Warmair.net offers a great comparison of energy costs, along with the online Energy Guide here.

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Walmart: Free scent sample and savings on Gain with baking soda

Angie's List: Find reviews on the services you need at Angie’s List – from electrician to physician Use promo code “SAVE TEN” for $10 off

Lonely Planet Travel Guides: Save on Lonely Planet maps

AutoAnything.com: Save up to 35% off list on floor mats and get free shipping on top brands like Husky Liners, CatchAll, Hexomat and more

CouponBar.com: Access over $100 in printable grocery & drugstore coupons right from your browser- contains no adware or spyware

NeweggMall.com: Wenger Swiss Army 24" Spinner Turin Sport Pro $59.99 and free shipping

Consumer United: Save 5% on Consumer United's affinity group discount with High Point Auto Insurance in New Jersey

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Betty Crocker: Satiate your sweet tooth with a free 2009 calendar if you sign up for Betty Crocker's eNews updates.

Bear Naked: Free sample of fruit and nut granola

NeweggMall.com: Free shipping sale on ALL Himalayan Salt Crystal Lamps (2-37 lbs) $30 & up

OnSale.com: Apple iPod shuffle 1GB now only $46.98! New iPod shuffle 2GB for just $66.98 and free engraving

Restaurant.com: 80% off Savings on Dinner of the Month Club purchase and gift certificates.. Use code SURPRISE. Valid for two-day window only 11.18.08 thru 11.20.08

Peapod: Receive $10 in free groceries

NeweggMall.com: Up to 75% off leather jackets sale! Styles include motorcycle, bomber, aviator, and blazer

Angie's List: Find reviews on the services you need at Angie’s List – from electrician to physician Use promo code “SAVE TEN” for $10 off

BetterDealsDaily.com: Check it out for major savings on hot gifts

Savings 101 :: Tips to help cut your expenses

These eight tips taken from Yahoo Finance will help you cut your expenses without drastically changing the life you want to live:

1. Cell phones
How many minutes are you using a month? Check your plan. Does you plan match up with your minutes? Are you wasting money with minutes not used? Or are you having to shell out unreasonable amounts of money because you talk over your plan? The same theory applies to messaging and extra services. Make sure the numbers match up.

2. Food shopping
Shopping in season can save you money. By spending a little more time each week, you can cut your shopping bill by one-third. Look through weekly circulars and coupons for the best deals. Plan out your dinners ahead of time, according to the prices. And last but not least, don't go to the grocery store hungry.

3. Drycleaning
Handwash wool, cashmere, silk, rayon, polyester, and spandex. Use a mesh bag in the washing machine, and wash on cool in the delicate cycle. Lay cashmere and wool flat to dry. Everything else can be put into the dryer on low heat. Using this method will save you many trips to the drycleaners... and a whole lot of money.


4. Coffee
Cut back on going out for coffee. Invest in a coffee maker, and take two minutes the night before to set it for the morning. By brewing your own coffee, you will save a lot of money. This method will let you buy expensive beans in bulk, for much less. Brewing your own coffee will enable you to wake up to the coffee aroma, instead of listening to your balking alarm.

5. Basic Services
Replace old showerheads with low-flow aerating models, and you will already have saved 25 percent on your water bills. Buy a programmable thermostat. This will save you as much as 25 percent on your energy bills by automatically setting the heat for when you will be home. You can buy a basic programmable thermostat for as little as $23.

6. Habits
Change those old money habits! "The Power of Full Engagement" by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz explains that adopting new rituals is much easier than being more disciplined. Adopt new rituals such as saving a $5 bill every day, or putting all of your change into a jar at the end of the day, and cash in every few months.

7. Prescriptions
When filling a prescription, always ask for a generic brand. The generic brand can cost up to 40% less, so make sure you shop around. Discount stores such as Walmart and Target offer extreme savings on prescriptions for asthma, arthritis, diabetes, and high cholesterol.


8. Cable TV
If you pay for premium channels, call your phone company and put your service on "vacation mode." Why? You will still get basic services, but you will save temporarily for the extras. Use these savings for a little extra holiday spending money or stash the money in savings.

Boston's Mayor Menino launches holiday site

Mayor Thomas M. Menino launched a holiday promotional Web site designed to boost holiday sales and encourage families to enjoy Boston's broad range of holiday events.

The site MayorsHolidaySpecial.com offers discounts for theater, dining, shopping, lodging, and parking.

"The arts have an extraordinary ability to lift our spirits and remind us of all we have to celebrate," Mayor Menino says in the release here. "I invite residents and visitors to bring their families into the city to enjoy a show, holiday shopping, a festive meal, a stroll through the holiday lights, and even a skate on the Frog Pond."

Catherine Peterson, executive director of ArtsBoston, adds: "We are so pleased to partner with the Mayor on such a wonderful project. The arts really sparkle at this time of year. Sharing these joyful arts experiences truly brings people together."

Click here for the lowdown.

CU Advocate's Deals of the Day

Rite Aid: National chain Rite Aid is giving away 25 digital 4x6 photo prints to folks who come in with their memory card and the printable coupon here. Expires 12.31/2008

Dunkin' Donuts: Buy a medium hot coffee and enjoy a bagel with cream cheese for only $.99

Walmart.com: Free sample of Glad food and storage and freezer bags

Neweggmall.com: Up to 36% off and free shipping on furniture

MagazineCity.com: Save up to 92% on magazine subscriptions!

OnSale.com: Save $150 on Apple 17" MacBook pro - Intel core 2 duo 2.5GHz 2GB, 250GB, SuperDrive - glossy for $1,999.99

CouponBar.com: Save on groceries by downloading the coupon bar

Consumer United: Save 5% on Consumer United's affinity group discount with High Point Auto Insurance in New Jersey

Obama offers plans to help a slumping economy

President-elect Barack Obama is poised to assume office under bleak economic conditions. With many Americans nervous about the country’s financial situation, Obama has outlined a number of measures he hopes to undertake to restore confidence and help families that are struggling.

As more and more people struggle with the aftereffects of layoffs and lost jobs, Obama hopes to extend unemployment benefits that could otherwise run out before the recipient found work again. He has also mentioned improving health care and education benefits. These changes in particular are likely to have a big impact on the middle class, a segment of the population that has been hit especially hard by the recent downturn.

Help for the American auto industry and its suppliers has also been proposed. The decline in American auto sales in recent times has led to widespread factory closures and unemployment. In turn, families with reduced incomes are less likely to buy new cars, so the industry suffers more. With government aid, American companies could focus on developing newer, more fuel efficient vehicles that have become popular since the price of fuel skyrocketed over the summer.

Those fuel prices put an unexpected burden on many budgets, including those of small businesses and state and local governments that maintain service vehicles. Another important tenet of Obama’s plan is to focus on the issues that both small businesses and local governments are facing to ensure that they can continue serving their communities.

--Bridget O'Sullivan