Deal Of The Week: Best Buy: Movie night has never been easier with an internet connectable HDTV and blu-ray player from Best Buy. This week they're offering an amazing package deal that lets viewers watch new movies instantly, in full HD! Get $710 - $890 off an LG LED HDTV, Blu-ray Player and CinemaNow movie download card package here until Saturday, Sept. 25. Other Weekly Deals: TiVo: Score free shipping on a new TiVo Premiere or Premiere XL box here. The system is compatible with Comcast, Time Warner, Cox, Dish Network, DirectTV and many more cable solutions here.
Fandango: Skip the box office lines. Buy advance tickets to "The Social Network" here.
Restaurant.com: Take 80% off $25 gift certificates from Restaurant.com with Consumer United's special code SHARE through Wednesday, Sept. 22 here.
Priceline: Last-minute deals up to 50 percent off on flights, hotels, cars and vacation packages here.
Show me the money? For many frugal-minded consumers, it's as simple as opening up a a new bank account.
The average brick-and-mortar bank boasts minimal annual percentage yield (APY) compared to the slew of online banks boasting much higher returns. For example, the online Ally Bank earns 1.25 percent APY compared to Bank of America's .05 percent.
Our advice? Open an online savings account. Check out this list for the more popular online savings and checking accounts.
Also, several savings institutions are offering to-die-for perks to win back customers.
When shopping for a new bank, remember to ask them for latest sign-up deal, because the savings institution may not tell you about their current offer.
Halloween is lurking around the corner and the costs associated with the tricks and treats of the season can be a pocketbook horror show.
Shelling out hundreds of dollars on candy, costumes, decoration and accessories? Now, that's scary.
Here are a few tips to save on fright night:
Buy candy in bulk Head to the nearest BJ's Wholesale Club, Costco or Sam's Club and stock up on your Halloween candy stash. Buying smaller, one-pound bags of goodies at the corner drug store costs about the same as a five-pound bag at a bulk-buying warehouse. The caveat? Bigger isn't always better in regards to variety. Also, not everyone is frequented by a slew of trick-o-treaters. Team up with a friend or neighbor when buying in bulk to split the savings.
Get spooked for less Haunted houses, spooky hayrides and Halloween-themed amusement parks are a fave in the weeks leading up to fright night. Many attractions offer discounts to patrons if they visit during the weekdays instead of the weekend. Also, some haunts, like Six Flags' "Fright Fest," extend discounts to those who purchase tickets in advance at their online store.
Reuse decorations Like to transform your home into a full-blown haunted hotspot? Consider reusing decorations from previous years or, better yet, buy seasonal decorations that can be used throughout autumn. Uncut pumpkins on the porch can be showcased in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. Also, hay bales and garland made from plastic fall leaves can be transformed from a Halloween prop into a turkey day treat with ease.
Click here for additional ways to make your Halloween more budget friendly.
Deal Of The Week: Skype: Take 20 percent off all 12-month Skype subscriptions until Wednesday, Sept 16 here. It's a one-time only deal and doesn't work on one or three-month packages. Discount applied at check out.
Other Weekly Deals: Best Buy: Get free shipping on the latest iPods at Best Buy. These models have new and improved features, including a super-cool Multi-Touch for the nanohere.
Restaurant.com: Take 70% off $25 gift certificates from Restaurant.com with Consumer United's special code SPORK through Sunday, Sept. 19 here.
Priceline: Last-minute deals up to 50 percent off on flights, hotels, cars and vacation packages here.
CollegeBookRental.com: Heading back to college? Rent your books instead of buying them and save up to 85 percent on your textbooks using CollegeBookRenter.com
Paul Coffey joined Consumer United in July 2009. Originally from Pelham, NH, Coffey attended Johnson & Wales University in Providence where he studied entrepreneurship.
When he's not busy saving our members money, Coffey spends time with his friends and family and during his off-time he enjoys traveling and snowboarding.
A strong believer in Consumer United, Coffey says that he's motivated to save his clients money. “Due diligence is important,” he remarks. “Shop around at least every six months or let us do it for you.”
When asked about his time spent at Consumer United, Coffey says he likes the teamwork involved, adding that his favorite aspect of the job is “making friends and growing my career with the company.”
Need help navigating through the complexities of selecting the right life insurance policy? You're not alone.
Nearly six in 10 middle-class households--defined as Americans ages 25-44 with household incomes under $100,000--recognize the need for life insurance protection. However, only 50 percent of those surveyed plan to move forward with a policy.
Life insurance roadblocks? Consumers are heading to the Internet for information, but are left with more questions than answers after looking online. Also, many assume that life insurance is beyond their budget and the lack of easy-to-find information hinders them from securing a policy.
"Buying life insurance is challenging for even the most motivated," says Beth Hirschhorn, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for MetLife, the largest U.S. life insurer. "Of those people who say they will buy life insurance, research shows that more than 80 percent will fail in their attempt."
Want a free life insurance consultation? Contact Consumer United's expert at 732-917-4878 or e-mail him at Aaron.Biedrzycki@consumerunited.com for a quote.
But, before heading out on the highway, it may be wise to rent the car ahead of time and then check back to see if you can snag a last-minute discount.
Unlike flight fees which generally rise as the departure date approaches, a MousePrint.org blogger found that his car rental prices gradually decreased in the days leading up to his pick-up date. In fact, the original price ranging in the high $400s dropped to $267 four days before the rental, which resulted in almost $200 in savings by tracking the car-rental fees.
Looking to save on auto rentals? Here are a few money-saving tips to help curb costs for those renting a car:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
People can save 30 percent on average if they purchase store-brand foods versus name-brand goods if they spend $100 a week on groceries, according to a recent price study by Consumer Reports.
If folks continue buying store-brand goods for 12 months, the average consumer can save $1,500 per year.
But, is the store-brand savings worth the sacrifice in quality? In a recent taste-off here, the verdict is that the generic foods are at least as good as their higher-priced competitors.
However, it depends on the product. Store-brand goods like soda, wine and soup don't measure up among those surveyed. Other popular products like ketchup, orange juice, iced tea and baked goods scored well in taste.
Bottom line? If you're looking to put your grocery budget on a diet, buy store-brand foods. Based on the taste-off, it's wise to pick and choose the type of goods you snag on the cheap. Also, most supermarkets offer money-back guarantees on their store-brand products, which gives consumers the option to shop around.
Deal Of The Week: Best Buy: Hit campus with the coolest new camera from Best Buy. Back-to-school shoppers will save 5 to 20 percent on select digital cameras, plus free shipping, until Saturday, Sept. 11 here.
Other Weekly Deals: Priceline: Last-minute deals up to 50 percent off on flights, hotels, cars and vacation packages here.
CollegeBookRental.com: Heading back to college? Rent your books instead of buying them and save up to 85 percent on your textbooks using CollegeBookRenter.com here.
Restaurant.com: Before heading back to school, take 70% off $25 gift certificates from Restaurant.com with Consumer United's special code SAVORY through Tuesday, Sept. 7 here.
GiftCards.com: With students heading back to school, save 25 percent on a slew of gift cards here.
With summer officially over, it's important to prepare for the cooler months by cutting back on home-energy costs.
Every year, the average American household spends roughly $100 annually due to the energy consumption from their power devices that are plugged in but not being used. In fact, the United States Environmental Protection Agency sums up the national energy cost to a spine chilling $10 billion per year.
It's important to know how much each appliance is costing you. Knowledge is power ... literally.
Thanks to a recent article, we've broken down your energy bill by the cost of each appliance.
Heating and cooling systems - 45 percent
45 percent of your bill goes to heating and cooling systems. Energy-efficient furnaces, air conditioners, and insulation need to be focused on in order to save money on your bill. Get an energy audit performed by your utility company to identify the problem areas and see how you can make the energy from your heating and cooling systems more efficient. Easy ways to cut down include using a ceiling and attic fan, buying a programmable thermostat, and insulating your attic and windows.
Dishwashers - 2 percent
Dishwashers account for 2 percent of your bill. As long as a high-efficiency dishwasher is used, more energy is being saved than by hand-washing dishes.
Washers and dryers - 10 percent
Washers and dryers collectively account for 10 percent of your energy bill. Energy-saving models work the best, and save the most. When thinking of buying a new model, make sure the cost is offset by the savings over a reasonable amount of time. Front loading machines are more efficient and can reduce energy used by 25 percent.
Hot water heaters - 11 percent
When it comes to water heaters, there are different options. Tank-less water heaters can save up to $50 a year in energy, and solar hot-water heaters are becoming popular. An easy fix? Grab an insulation blanket and wrap it around the hot-water heater. Set the heater to 20 degrees below normal, and save up to 10% percent on costs.
Refrigerators - 6 percent
French door models (freezer and fridge side by side) are less efficient. Replace ice makers with trays, and you're set for energy-saving success!
Electronics - 4 percent
Always unplug your electronics when you are not using them. $100 a year can be saved if you don't leave your computer and monitor running 24 hours a day. With your computer on sleep, you can save 80 percent and you can cut CO2 emissions by up to 1,250 pounds a year.
Lighting - 7 percent
Buy CFL light bulbs. Why? Lighting costs will be reduced up to 65%. Install timers that automatically turn on and off your lights and save even more.
Other - 15 percent
Miscellaneous items cost 15 percent of your bill. These items include cellphone chargers, toys, PDAs and home-security systems. Make sure to unplug every item for maximum savings.
Deal Of The Week:
