December 2008 Archives

I'm taking off the rest of the week to celebrate the new year with my family (or stay home sick in bed - I can't tell how bad my cold is yet). I have had so much fun saving money with you all this past year. I can't wait to see what 2009 holds.

Have a fabulous New Year's Eve and I will see you next year!

~Julia

Many readers said they were interested in creating a budget in 2009. Here is the budget I use, which certified financial planner Rebecca Robins gave me. It is safe to download it to your desktop. I like it because it adds the numbers for me.

To fill it out you need your bills from the past month. For each line item be as specific as you can instead of rounding. Delete or add line items to fit your situation. Give yourself an hour to fill it out and plan a reward for completing it.

For irregular expenses, like insurance, taxes, vacations, IRA contributions, health savings account contributions, car maintenance, and parking tickets, add up what you spent in these categories for all of 2008.

Divide your total yearly irregular expenses by 12 to get your monthly contribution to cover these irregularities. Set up a savings account to automatically draw this amount from your paycheck. When your irregular expenses come up, you will have money saved up.

Next week we will look at the numbers you filled in so stay tuned!

Following up on yesterday's post on my favorite deals of 2008, here are my favorite money-saving Web sites of 2008. What are yours? Leave a comment and share your info!

Find coupon codes at Retailmenot.com.

Visit Slickdeals.net for great coupons.

Get multiple cruise quotes online.

Find the best gas prices with MSN's map.

Get automatic rebates on online purchases with eBates, Cashbaq and Extrabux.

Compare shipping rates on freeshipping.org

Check how much your neighbors are paying for rent.

Buy discounted tickets on Goldstar.com.

Figure out how long

Check the going rates for electronics on PriceSpider.com.

If your income rose significantly in 2009 you may be facing a massive tax bill. Take these steps before 2009 to reduce your tax bill and ease the pain in April!

Sales in November and December dropped 1.5 to 2 percent, the first decline since the International Council of Shopping Centers began tracking holiday sales.

The dismal shopping season means thousands of stores could close as part of retailer streamlining and bankruptcy filings in 2009.

If you donate to charity, remember to group your donations into one tax year. So instead of giving say, $100 each year to charity, give $200 every other year.

Bundling your charitable donations into one year maximizes the tax impact, and is especially useful if you itemize your taxes. If it is a donation year for Hubby and I, we give in January and December. That way it still feels like we are giving once a year.

For a primer on donation rules, read tips from Charity Navigator, a non-profit that evaluates charities.

Here are all the deals mentioned in today's LA Daily News column.

$tarting anew

2009 resolutions (vote on yours...or read mine)

Return policies

Post-Xmas sales and more are listed here

Lincoln Lunch: orange chicken

Yes, Virginia, it does. Read the story from the NY Times.

Yahoo lists the sales major retailers are having post-Christmas. Thanks, Harrison!

Here are my favorite money-saving tips of 2008. What have I left out? Share your tip by leaving a comment and stay tuned - my favorite Web sites of 2008 are coming tomorrow!

Find free WiFi anywhere.

Get price alerts for products you want.

Compare insurance rates to negotiate a better deal.

Get a free annual credit report.

Eat on less than $3 a day.

Save money on groceries with my Nitty Gritty Grocery List.

Buy bargain books at this independent Canoga Park bookstore, but mind the dust.

Eat a Vietnamese Lincoln Lunch for $3.50.

Make a...

Hi folks,
I had a fabulous holiday and I hope you did too. Over the weekend I learned how to snowboard! (Note, actual speed much higher than it seems in this 31-second video, which you must download.)

I got my wish for an iPhone, though Santa delivered an IOU so I must brave the mall to redeem it.

Now that the biggest shopping season is behind us, I'm going to focus more than ever on saving money and spending wisely. If there are any particular deals you are interested in, please let me know by leaving a comment.

~Julia

(my actual lunch) A reader named Audrey suggested a $5 lunch that hit me right where it counts - the stomach. Within an hour, I was driving to the office with a detour at Hot Wok in North Hollywood in mind.

Hot Wok has a plain facade and blocky, red signage. Just another no-frills Chinese eatery, I thought as I parked on the street. Inside, seven tables and booths filled the small restaurant. A TV in one corner blasted the local news.

I sat down and waited for a lone worker to bring me a menu. He arrived with a smile and told me to take my time looking over Hot Wok's 22 lunch specials, which range from $4.25 to $4.95.

He dashed away before I could tell him I knew what I wanted - orange chicken, as recommended by reader Audrey. The server-chef-cashier...

Retailers are asking President-elect Barack Obama for tax-free shopping days as part of a retailer bailout package. But will it happen?

The new year is going to be here in three days and that means it's a great time to take stock of your finances. The sooner you do, the sooner you can make choices and create saving habits, says Rebecca Robins, a certified financial planner at David S. Reinders CFP Inc. in Stevenson Ranch. Rebecca shared these tips for starting small, diving right in, and maintaining good saving habits.

Start small: "You need to take baby steps in life," Robins said. Look at one spending category, like housing, food, or clothes.

Write down all the money you spent in this category in December. Do you need to pare it down? What are some items you can reduce or forego? Or is your spending level okay?

Another approach is to write down one financial goal, like paying down high-interest credit card debt, buying a new car, or creating an emergency fund with 3-6 months worth of expenses.

Why is this goal important to you? What it would mean to...

Hi folks,
Before I sign off for a few days to enjoy Christmas I am sharing this holiday picture of a new species I like to call Hubby elf. Enjoy your holiday and see you on Dec. 29!
~Julia

The best sales will come after Jan. 5, says CNN retail expert Clark Howard. But can you wait?

Whole Foods is putting these items on sale.

Stores at the Camarillo Outlets are having post-Christmas sales. Remember to print a voucher for a free VIP coupon booklet, which you can pick up at the management office.

Denim, sweatshirts and more are half off at href="http://www.luckybrand.com/">Lucky Brand Jeans starting Dec. 26. You can get a price adjustment on previous purchases going back 14 days.

Dealio has a long list of pre- and post-Christmas sales. So does DealNews.com.

Get 25% off your purchase at H&M today only. For the coupon join their friends and family email list. The discount cannot be applied to previous purchases or combined with any other offer.

Victoria's Secret semi-annual bra and underwear sale is on. Underwear is $4 and up, bras are $13 and up and other items are 25 to 50% off.

Lacoste men's wear is up to 40% off at Nordstrom. Ship to store for free delivery.

Body Shop has make up, skin care, and more up to 50% off.

Green your holiday with these tips from Recycle Bank, a company that pays residents in 13 states for their recyclables (not including California, unfortunately).

Holiday items you can recycle:

• Corrugated cardboard boxes
• Gift boxes
• Gift catalogs
• Newspapers filled and all of those advertising inserts
• Wrapping paper (non-metallic only)
• Non-metallic greeting cards

Reduce waste by:

• Sending e-cards or cards made of recycled paper
• Avoiding metallic gift wrap because it is not recyclable. There are many alternatives to gift wrap.
• Using real, unbuttered pop corn to ship gifts. (I have not tried this and don't...

Click here to download 50 free songs.

What are your financial goals for 2009? Next year I resolve to...

• Make time to review my total spending by category every 30 days and compare it to the previous month's expenses. That way I can see where I am spending and plug the holes.
• Set a firm limit for how much I can charge on my credit card each month. Set a sub-amount specifically for groceries, which I tend to overspend on (see next item).
• Cut back on expensive grocery items. I'm a sucker for pre-made dip, fresh orange juice, organic milk, and other pricey food items.
• Start shopping for...

Here are all the deals mentioned in today's LA Daily News column.

$1 gifts

Gift ideas (GiftArrow...My gift suggestions...gifts for seniors)

Cheap shame (vote here...and uses for holiday cards)

iPhone decision

Ready, set, return

Lame gift cards

Free tips (sign up for the Bargain Hunter Daily Digest by emailing me)

Lincoln Lunch: kabob

Border's members get 40% off the list price of one item through Tue, Dec. 23, 2008. Some caveats. Join for free in stores to take advantage of this coupon. Not valid online.

Toys are marked down 50% today only at Graveyard Mall.

UPDATE: THE CORRECT CODE IS HOLIDAY, NOT HOLIDAYS. MY APOLOGIES. Gift certificates at Restaurant.com are 80% off with coupon code HOLIDAY, making a $25 certificate just $2. Expires Dec. 25, 2008.

Get 30% off sitewide with some brand exclusions at Babystyle now until 11:59AM PST Dec. 23, 2008.

eBates has some doubled and increased rebate offers for members who shop through their site. Good until Dec. 31, 2008.

Consumer World provides a rundown of major retailer's return policies, including which stores loosened their policies, and which ones tightened returns.

The list has the return policies for Circuit City, Sears, Best Buy, Macys, Target and more.

Shoppers are negotiating for everything in sight, according to the Associated Press. And you can, too! The above story tells how some shoppers are getting discounts on top of markdowns.

For haggling tips from yours truly, click here.

"The best time to shop is 12/24........lots of bargains and no shoppers. Take it from a male who has been there." -a reader named Jim

Has Christmas got you in a panic? No worries. Tightwad Tod at Consumer Reports has nine reasons why you should breathe easy.

I'll add my own reason. USPS Priority mail arrives in 2-3 days, just in the nick of time.

As an aside, if you are looking for an electronic gift, Consumer Reports recommends these digital cameras under $300.

There was in my neighborhood this year a dire shortage of Christmas trees. Hubby and I tried six times over two nights to purchase our very own conifer.

The biggest bush at Trader Joe's was 18-inches. Too small even for me.

OSH was sold out. Amazing!

Ralphs had 9 of the sorriest looking trees ever. No thanks.

The corner tree lot was closed at 8:27 pm on a Wednesday night, perhaps because of the rain. I could not talk a guy watching over the trees from a trailer to make a quick sale. Darn. Should have sent Hubby. He's a better talker.

Costco was closing and only sold faux trees anyway.

Vons was sold out, too. Bizarre.

This is when I started to think there was a conspiracy against Christmas trees this year. Perhaps because of the economy retailers purchased fewer trees, thinking more people would skip the expense.

But I reckon in hard times people crave a sense of normalcy. Christmas without a tree? No really, everything is fine, kids.

At least, that's why Hubby and I made a seventh attempt Saturday afternoon. Neither of us wanted Christmas to come without a tree. Surely the corner tree lot would be open the Saturday before Christmas. Phew, it was.

I fell for an adorable lollipop of a tree, above. But Hubby wanted one taller than his knee. My limit was $30, which did not leave many options.

Eventually we settled on a well trimmed noble, right, for $19.95 plus tax. She fit perfectly in the MINI and only needed one strand of lights to restore my Christmas spirit.

Chances are good you will receive a gift card you do not want this year. With retailers going under left and right, it is wise to use it within a few weeks unless you believe the retailer will remain solvent.

Here are a few ideas of what to do with unwanted gift cards.

• Use it to buy a gift for someone else. Got a friend with a birthday in January? Know what someone will want in July?
• Re-gift it. Are you exchanging gifts with friends after the holiday?
• Re-consider using it for yourself. Perhaps there are staple items you need in 6-12 months like sheets, tools, or basic clothing items.
• If you cannot find any other use for it, sell it online. I recommend selling as a last resort because Web sites that facilitate the buying and selling of gift cards take a cut.
• PlasticJungle.com takes 25-35% of the value for a cash exchange. You get a few dollars more if you take it as an Amazon.com gift card, which has some limitations.
• GiftCardBuyBack.com takes 17-34% of the value. Most exchange rates are about 30%.

Get a $10 gift card when you buy $50 or more at LL Bean thru Dec. 24. While supplies last. Limit one card per customer per day. Gift cards not included. Cards are valid through Feb. 17, 2009.

Get a free upgrade to express shipping from the Apple store online or over the phone (1-800-MY-APPLE) when you order by Dec. 22. Excludes custom-engraved iPods, custom-configured Mac computers, gift wrapping, and gift cards.

Get $10 off an in-store purchase of $20 or more at Office Max now until Jan. 3, 2009. Some limits. Read the fine print.

Digital camera ratings from Consumer Reports.

Nordstrom Rack is having one-day sale today, Dec. 19. Get 25-60% off the last marked price on select items marked with a red dot, pink tag or green tag.

Get 25% off Craftsman tools at OSH this Saturday, Dec. 20 only.

Thanks, SCRS!

Want to receive Bargain Hunter tips via email? I send the latest tips on the blog once a day, Monday through Friday. It is free to sign up and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Sign up by sending me an e-mail request at julia.scott@dailynews.com. Thanks! ~Julia

Men make up the bulk of last-minute holiday shoppers, according to a recent PayPal survey. Men procrastinate? REALLY???

Okay, that was an unfair, sarcastic characterization of almost half of the world's population. To make amends I'm suggesting a few last minute gifts that your lady will love.

+ A gift certificate to a spa, which gives her options for how to use it. Facial? Massage? New do? The choice is hers.

+ A piece of clothing from a store she shops at frequently. She will appreciate the effort you took to pick something out. Include a...

Thanks to SCRS for this quick rundown of ham prices.

Wal-Mart (Supercenters only)--Sam's Choice brand--$1.98 per pound.

Sam's Club--Ridge Creek brand--$1.88 per pound.

Stater Bros.--Sugartree, Ohse or Jamestown brands--$1.17 per pound with $15.00 minimum purchase, $1.69 per pound without minimum purchase, limit 1 per family, no card required.

Costco--Kirkland brand--$2.29 per pound.

Vons/Pavilions--Butcher's Cut brand--$1.27 per pound with club card and $25.00 minimum purchase, limit 1. Safeway Select brand--$1.99 per pound with club card, no minimum purchase.

Albertsons--Village Market, Farmer John or...

I got so many great tips on what to do with old Christmas and Chanukah cards I wanted to highlight the best ones. There really are a lot of ways to re-use them!

Miya said:

I cut the cards from last year and make gift tags for this year! (Maggie made the same suggestion.)

Toni said:

We've cut up old cards before to make place cards at the dinner table. Write the name on the blank side and put the pretty side facing the other way so people on the other side of the table have something pretty to see.

a91030Mom said:

I punch a hole in the corner, then thread nice red...

(my actual lunch) A fellow bargain hunter named Audrey gave a me a great tip recently. A new kabob house in Tarzana called Grillicious Grill was celebrating its opening with $5 specials, what I call a Lincoln Lunch because Lincoln is on the fiver.

The restaurant is part of a tiny business strip off the crowded intersection of Burbank Blvd. and Reseda Blvd., but gets little street traffic. I had my pick of parking spots and my pick of tables.

The $5 specials include a kabob with rice and grilled tomato, a burger with fries, or a beef cutlet with salad. The special pricing ends with 2008. Regular menu items start at $6.95.

A father-daughter-mother team from Calabasas opened...

A Web site called Gift Arrow has a short quiz you can take to find gift suggestions for everyone on your list. It is free and you do not have to register. The catch is they sell all the gifts they suggest. Compare prices before you buy.

I am taking the quiz for my step-father, who is hands-down the hardest person on my list to buy gifts for. If Gift Arrow can suggest something for him, I'm sold.

Here goes. After six questions I got nine gift suggestions, all of which were either tools or leather wallets. Not bad, but not original.

After another quick round of questions - including whether or not the recipient has tattoos - I got nine more suggestions. All of which were either tools or leather wallets.

Either the site is honing in on the perfect gift for my step-father or has no other suggestions. I'll give it another round.

Nine suggestions. All tools and wallets.

I'm getting the feeling that no matter how I answer their questions I will get the same results. I expected something more because the questions are detailed. What is the recipient's diet? What are his political and religious beliefs? What is his yearly income?

Another round of questions. More tools and wallets!!! *$%^@! The final round. More. Tools. And. Wallets. I doubt my step-father wants a fancy alligator-print wallet. How about tools, Paul?

Thanks for the tip, Jerry!

It is easy to fall into spending traps even with all eyeballs on the crappy economy. TheStreet.com points out 6 of the most costly holiday spending mistakes.

Read and be forewarned!

It may seem early to think about returning presents seeing how Santa has not even begun his whirlwind sleigh ride, but Dec. 26 will come sooner than you think.

Many retailers make their return policies more lenient around the holidays, but taking something back is still a pain. To reduce hassles, keep these tips from the National Retail Federation in mind.

For the giver:

• Brush up on retailer return policies before you buy. Ask a clerk what the store's policy is if you do not see it posted.


• Keep the item in its original packaging, including tags, when you give it to the recipient. Some retailers won't accept returns unless items are in their original packaging.


• For online purchases, check who pays for return shipping before you buy. Rules vary.

For the giver and the recipient:

• Save all receipts, which are the key to hassle-free returns. You may be able to return something sans-receipt, but you will get the lowest marked down price. Lose your receipt and upon return you will lose money.

For the recipient:

• Resist the urge to open or play with a gift you don't want. It is usually easier to return untouched.


• For gifts purchased online, check whether you can return the item to a store or if you need to mail it in.

'Twas the week before Christmas, when all up the Strip
Not a sunbeam was shining, not even a bit.
The towers were shrouded in a gray, foggy cloud
As slushy snowflakes gently fell all about.

The tourists were bundled, their cheeks rosy red
While visions of jackpots danced in their heads.
Those hoping for sunshine could do nothing but mourn
As Las Vegas was hit with a rare winter storm.

Keep reading Vegas Review Journal poem.

Coupons for El Pollo Loco include a free tamale when you buy two, $5 off an order of $25 plus, and more.

Get 25% off your entire purchase at H&M on Dec. 23 only through their friends and family discount. Sign up here to get the discount. Dec. 18 through 21, select reduced-price items are buy one get one free.

Get free standard shipping with any purchase at J.Crew now with code HURRY. Not sure if standard shipping with get it there in time, but maybe. Unknown expiration date. Look in the sale and clearance pages for the best deals.

A three-pack of Hanky Panky women's underwear (one size fits all) are $10 plus shipping at HSN. A sexy present if they arrive on time. I saw these selling for $16 each at a local boutique.

Get a free two week trial at Netflix with code A80022814. New customers only.

With a strong focus on children during the holidays, it is easy to overlook the older members of the family. Here are 20 thoughtful and caring presents for the elderly, courtesy of the Los Angeles Jewish Home.

After looking them over I have to say I'd like to receive a lot of these myself! Maybe I'm aging faster than I think.

• A "coupon" redeemable for you to run errands for them a few times a month.


• Tickets for two or a season pass to the theatre, a play, a movie, a concert or a museum (including transportation!).


• Arrangements to take them to weekly religious activities.


• Pre-paid cab or bus "tickets" for rides when they want them.


• Help with a special project...

I am rarely embarrassed by my cheapskate ways, but recently a girlfriend put me to shame for skimping on holiday cards. I was gushing to her about a deal I found at the 99 Cent Store - 20 holiday cards for a dollar!

But, I told her, I'm not even going to spend that. Instead, I planned to cut the cards I received last year in half, glue the picture part to a fresh piece of paper, and write in my own holiday greeting? (Example above).

My friend, who is a frugal fashionista herself, raised both eyebrows. I giggled nervously. Had I crossed the line from cheapskate to miser?

Her face told me I had. So I backpedaled. I will re-purpose one card and if it looks really cheap I will trash the idea and buy new ones. She gave me a skeptical look. You can't win them all, I thought.

Later I realized the bargain hunter gods had been listening because I walked into my doctor's office that night and was greeted by a plastic bag with a label that read: "free - cards and calendars."

Sha-zamm! I snagged seven respectable holiday cards with envelopes and a 2009 animal calendar. But I'm sending more than seven holiday cards so I am turning to you for a second opinion.

The LA Times shares these 10 tips to cutback on spending at the grocery store. None of them groundbreaking, but a good reminder to encourage savvy-spending habits.

Thanks to reader Glenn who sent me a tip about how to get $100 by opening a new checking account through Washington Mutual, which is now part of Chase. Sounds suspicious, right?

But it's not. The catch is you must have received a flyer in the mail to get the offer. Many households in LA received the flyers about two weeks ago. Reader Glenn said he saw flyers in a recent issue of the Daily News. Another set of flyers wiill be mailed in Jan, said WaMu spokesman Gary Kishner.

To get your $100, take the flyer into your local WaMu branch or go to WaMu's Web site and open a checking account with $100 minimum deposit. Twelve weeks later WaMu will deposit $100 into your account, which does not have a monthly fee. Checks are free.

So what's stopping people who received the flyer from opening an account, waiting 12 weeks for the $100 and walking away?

"Our great customer service," Gary said. "People love us. Basically, the $100 offer will compel a lot of new customers to open an account, some of whom will like WaMu so much they will continue banking with them.

If I had received one of these flyers, I would take a chance on WaMu and open an account. My hourly rate is nowhere near $100, so I could spend time to start an account and still come out ahead. Thanks, Glenn!

Run with permission from Donna Barstow, whose cartoons you might recognize from the New Yorker. Donna's blog has more humor and cartoons.

Hi guys,
A deal I posted from the blog on Twitter, a social networking site, has been selected as a great find. Show your support and vote here to make my deal beat the others!
Thanks,
~Julia

Get 25% off one item at Barnes & Noble until 8:59 pm PST Thursday, Dec. 18. Use code P4X8X3H. One per customer. Works with member discounts. Some limits.

Buy one candle get a second one 50% off (max. 25% off) at Yankee Candle now until Christmas Eve.

Get 20% off shoes and free guaranteed delivery by Christmas at Shoes.com when you buy before noon PST on Friday, Dec. 19. To get 20% off use code CHEERS. Some brand exclusions. Bags and accessories excluded.

Jamba Juice's offer for a free smoothie when you buy a $25 gift card ends Dec. 29.

Get 21 tracks of music free from Urban Outfitters.

Wise Bread highlights a number of deals, including a DVD player for $16, 40% off select DVDs at Blockbuster, and toys for 80% off at KB Toys (they filed for bankruptcy -- final sale).

Thanks, SCRS!

The recession has led to interesting shopping habits. A survey conducted last weekend by America's Research Group found:

• Wal-Mart has dominated, drawing two thirds (66.2%) of American consumers to their stores compared with 41.3% last year. "Wal-Mart had as many shoppers this weekend as JCPenney, Sears, Target and Toys R Us combined," ARG CEO Britt Beemer said.


• JCPenney was level with 18.1% this year (18.0% in 2007)


• Sears ticked up with 19.6% (18.2% in 2007)


• Target saw a nice boost to 17.9% (13.6% in 2007)


• Toys R Us rose to 12.1% (9.5% in 2007)


• Best Buy fell to 10.4% (12.9% in 2007)


• In the list of top five gifts...

Thanks to all who voted in my poll and left comments about whether I should listen to my spend demon and buy an iPhone, or obey my save angel and stick to my low-frills mobile.

Of the 186 people who voted, 36% said get the iPhone, 29.6 percent said stick with what I've got, and 25.3% said get a cheaper alternative. One reader named Kim was especially persuasive.

"As with every "latest and greatest" gadget...the chances of the iPhone and the service contracts will probably get cheaper as time goes on. You might want to wait it out. (Remember how expensive laptops used to be??)"

Queenbee12 added to my doubt.

"Trouble with an all in one == if one part breaks, you're out of all of it while it gets serviced."

But more than one reader stoked my appetite for an iPhone, including this anonymous one:

"It is absolutely the coolest, most useful device I've ever owned. Most gadgets start to depreciate in terms of usefulness after a few weeks or months. With all the applications being developed, the opposite is true with the iPhone."

An iPhone will allow me to blog from anywhere and will cost - I did the math - $30 more a month. (Hubby's company is paying for the first line so I will be the cheaper, second line in our family plan). Plus there are perks like GPS and mobile Internet.

Dear readers, I tried to...

So many readers shared tips about where to get great prices on produce and groceries that I wanted to highlight some of them.

A reader named ronit said:

"One of the best markets in the valley is Valley Produce at 18345 Vanowen st in Reseda. Tel # 818 609 1955. Great fruits, veggies, they have great deli service and meat dep and lots of middle eastern products. Worth going there."

Kathie said:

"Farm Boy on Hazeltine and Riverside (across from Trader Joe's) has great produce and really reasonable prices. It's the one thing I truly miss since I moved from the valley 2 months ago. They have everything the farmers markets have plus sushi and yogurt. I love them!"

Hilary said:

"El Super, on Sherman Way near Coldwater, not only has great produce prices generally, but they have "Frutas Miercoles ", or "Fruit Wednesday". Every Wednesday they put 6-8 produce items on extreme sale (how about strawberries $1/lb in October???)."

Runnergal said:

"Sunland Produce in Sun Vally is also a great place to buy produce. The address is 8840 Glenaoaks Blvd."

Thanks for all the suggestions, my friends!

Get $10 off a bill of $30 or more at El Torito now until Jan. 11, 2009. Alcoholic drinks and tip do not go toward the $30. Dine in only. I absolutely love their chips and salsa. Their shrimp tacos are also tasty.

Caveats: one per person per table. Cannot be combined with any other coupon or discount. Not good towards gift cards.

Find an El Torito near you. The company has restaurants in CA, OR and AZ. Thanks to Tina for sharing this deal.

Get free mini burgers at the bar of Morton's Steakhouse this Sunday, Dec. 21 from 5 to 6 pm. The deal is to celebrate the company's 30th birthday. No purchase necessary.

Through Sunday, Dec. 28 the restaurant has a three-course dinner for $50 that includes salad, filet mignon, seafood, a side and dessert.

All 80 Morton's locations are offering both deals, including the ones in Woodland Hills, Burbank, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Ana, Anaheim, San Diego, San Francisco, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Seattle, D.C., NYC, Baltimore and many more.

Check out these nine suggestions for hostess gifts from today's LA Daily News, including Jewish recipe towels, above.

The ideas also work really well for teachers, neighbors, relatives and friends.

UPDATE: Today is your last chance to vote for whether I should splurge on an iPhone or save $$$ by sticking to my current no-frills phone. Check back tomorrow for my final decision!!! Thanks to everyone who voted.

PREVIOUSLY: I came home after a week out of town and guess what Hubby bought? An incredibly expensive $300 iPhone. But I'm not mad. I'm in love.

It is sleek, incredibly easy to use, and very hip. Within a few minutes of playing with it I found my cheapskate mantra had melted into a desire to own one.

It was as if a "spend" demon leapt onto my shoulder and was drowning out the "save" angel who normally has my ear.

Here's what the demon is telling me: with an iPhone I could "live blog" from the mall and post deals as I found them. I could publish comments as soon as readers leave them on the blog. I would watch YouTube from bed!

Here's what the angel is telling me: The iPhone's price and monthly service contract adds up to $1,879 over the two-year contract, and that is more than I can afford. I should stick to my low-frills cell.

What do you think?

Some things are cheaper at the drugstore. Here is a list of five of them, which my frugal Dad sent to me. Thanks, Dad!

Buy two items from a brand exclusive to CVS and get one free. Expires 12/19. Online only. You must select 3 items from the same brand for the discount to apply. This is a 33% discount, best case scenario.

Restaurant.com's gift certificates are 80% off until Dec. 21. Use code SANTA. That makes a $25 certificate $2 (normally they are $10). But watch out for detailed redemption rules.

Get free upgraded shipping at See's Candies on purchases before Dec. 19. Your sweets will ship 3-Day mail but you only pay for Standard (up to 6 days) shipping.

Get 40% off one regular priced item at Michael's now through Saturday, Dec. 20. One per person per day. Some exclusions.

Thanks to a reader who goes by the name So Cal Retail Slut for emailing me these tips.

The site Cyber Monday Discount Codes highlights online retail deals. Scroll down if the top part is blank.

Staples has a coupon for $40 off $300 or more that excludes desktop and latop computers, but little else. Expires Dec. 17, 2008. One per customer. May not be combined with any other coupon. Not valid on services, custom printing orders placed online, promotional products, gift cards, postage stamps, prior purchases or any purchases on other provider Web sites.

If are lucky enough to live near a Krispy Kreme, get coupon tags for a dozen free donuts when you buy a dozen by Dec. 25. The tags can be redeemed for a donut in the month of January. Participating stores are listed here. None are in SoCal, unfortunately.

Thanks, SCRS!

Hubby pointed out a few deals to me recently, including a coupons that gives REI members 20% off one full priced item online through Dec. 24. Use code HOLMEM8. Or browse their sale and clearance holiday deals. Ship to the store and it's free!

A chunky seagreen knit hat is $16 (orig $25). A sleeping bag good to 35 degrees is $70 (orig $179).

AmEx cardholders can get deals and coupons through My Wish List. Purchases must pay with their AmEx. Each day a very limited quantity of three different deals are released at 12pm, 3pm, and 7pm EST.

You must have an AmEx card to get into the site to see what prices they have. The daily deals end Dec. 18. Keep reading the details.

Thanks, Hubby!

Here are all the deals mentioned in today's LA Daily News column:

Last minute gifts

Tool kit for boys

Lincoln Lunch: croissant sandwich

$300 cameras

Save v. spend

401(k) safe?

99 cent holiday supplies

Free cuts

Ship free

I picked up a few good tips from the folks who came to hear me talk about bargain hunting at the West Valley Library this weekend.

• Q Market & Produce Market in Van Nuys has great prices on produce, I'm told. Visit them at 17259 Vanowen St., between Balboa and White Oak. (818) 345-4251.


• Jons and ethnic grocers often have great prices on produce and other staples.


• Manufacturers often have coupons through their Web site. Consider emailing or calling the company, explain that you love their products and would like to receive coupons.


• Debbie Meyers' Green Bags, which prolong the life of fruits and vegetables, really do work, said two people who came to the library. One woman said she put bananas in the bags and 9 days later they were still fresh. The bags are $20 for 10 plus you pay $7 in shipping and handling. May be cheaper to buy them at the grocery store.


• Bartering is a good way to get services for free. Web sites like Itex and People Trading Services facilitate bartering and charge a fee based on the value of services being exchanged.

Thanks to Jerry and my fellow bargain hunters who came!

A few good deals I spotted in the Sunday newspaper inserts:

Best Buy has a selection of DVDs for $10.

Big Lots has $2 DVDs. Selection varies by store. Holiday tins are $1.50 to $2. 100-foot rolls of wrapping paper are $2.50.

Big 5 Sporting Goods has many great coupons: a four-piece stainless steel traveling mug set for $10. Single mugs can cost that much! The Zero gravity micro car is $29. UGG Lookalikes boots in youth sizes are $20 (adult sizes are $30). Men and women's slip on suede leather slippers are $10. Portable electronic suduko games are $5.

JC Penney has women's wallets for 40% off, from $9 to $22.

Kragen Auto has a buy one get one free coupon for all season wiper blades, $6 and up. Peak life long coolant/anti-freeze has a buy one get one free coupon with a mail-in rebate.

Macys has coupons for $10 off a purchase of $40, $15 off $50, $25 off $100 and $50 off $200. Unfortunately, there are many caveats. Read the fine print for details.

Radio Shack has a 7-inch digital picture frame for $50.

Target has...

UPDATE: I'm done with almost all of my holiday shopping and have managed to stay within budget - so far. I have to pick up one toy for a nephew and a gift for my sister, which might take me overboard.

There is also the chance that I get sucked into the holiday spending cheer and buy more presents for Hubby. He reminded me last night that it is important to him to find under the tree each year a toy. But I'm pretty sure Santa is going to take care of that.

Keeping reading to see how I doled out my budget.

PREVIOUSLY: I'm scaling down my spending from $400 to $300 this year. How am I going to do that? I am not entirely sure.

I am cutting corners where I can without lowering the quality of my gifts, I am giving used books to kids instead of new ones, and I am buying less for Hubby.

I have 15 people (or groups of people in some cases) on my list so that means about $20/person. Below is how I plan to dole out my Christmas money. Family and friends stop reading now or risk the ire of the jolliest elf!

A reader named Caitlynn asked during my live chat Friday if Internet purchases from out-of-state retailers will be taxed starting in 2009. Right now retailers do not charge tax if the purchaser lives in another state.

There are no plans to start charging an Internet tax Jan. 1, 2009. But an Internet tax could take effect later in the year if Congress makes a new law.

Supporters argue that tax-free Internet purchases create a loophole that cuts Uncle Sam out of potential revenue and it gives online retailers an advantage over brick-and-mortar stores. Foes say they are already taxed plenty.

Some speculate that a Democratic controlled Congress will take another look at the Internet tax, especially considering that so many states are facing budget shortfalls.

"In another sign of the grim holiday season, KB Toys filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in four years on Thursday and plans to begin going-out-of business sales at its stores immediately," says a LADN story.

Wonder how the prices will be. Has anybody been to a KB Toys recently? What were the price any lower than usual?

Last night a reader named Vicki asked this question in a comment:

"I have to give 11 little gifts that cost no more than $1.00, it is for my group. I have no idea what to give them. I don't want to give them a lot of junk? Thank you."

I had a tough time coming up with suggestions. But generally if you are low on money or have a strict spending limit, go for gifts with high sentimental value. Here are some ideas:

• Write a thoughtful note on a card (many stores have a 99-cent card section)
• Give them a print of a picture you took. If you cannot find a $1 frame at a garage sale or thrift store, perhaps create your own homemade frame by gluing the photo on cardboard and then cutting out a frame from cardstock or other thick paper you may have at home. I think with such a strict limit your friends will understand why you made it yourself.
• Give them each a single flower. Perhaps if you tell the florist what they are for and buy 11 of the same flower you can get a discount.
• Buy 11 sheets of nice paper (as your budget allows, of course) and, in your neatest handwriting, copy a poem onto each sheet. Find a poem on Poem Hunter/

That's all I could think of. What am I leaving out?

Catch me live today at noon! Just stop by this Web site and type in a question. I will reply just as soon as I can type an answer!

Hope you will join me! ~Julia

Here are some last-minute, low-cost gift ideas. What have I left out? Share your ideas - you might just help someone finish their holiday shopping!

• A portable cigar case. Compare rates on NextTag. Good for co-workers, your boss, a male friend or relative.


• A bulb kit. Buy a set of bulbs from a garden store, then plant a few in a pot. Tape a picture of the flower to a toothpick or skewer and plant it in the dirt. Tie with a ribbon. Pots are often cheap at discount stores. In the Valley I like Pottery, Plants and Things at 12144 Magnolia Blvd. Great for girlfriends, co-workers, and neighbors. If you lack time to assemble, Smith & Hawken sells many blooming bulb gifts


• A special piece of art from your child paired with a gift card. Consider having your child dictate a story about the recipient...

Galpin Ford is selling a number of Mustang GT coupe's for $18,995 - which is about $9,156 less than the MSRP of $28,160. Here is the car on Kelly Blue Book.

Galpin got 40 of the cars from a distressed seller, says a PR rep who declined to disclose further details. Were these bought from a dealer going out of business? She could not say.

Galpin has 9 of the cars left. To find out more about these cars call 888-832-7811 and ask for Terry Miller. Or visit Galpin Ford at 15505 Roscoe Blvd. in North Hills right off the 405 Roscoe exit.

A reader named Marlyn tipped me off to a Lincoln Lunch right under my nose. When I found her recommendation it was immediately clear why I had passed the eatery many times. The place, USA Donuts Croissants & Bagels, shares space in a strip mall with an auto repair shop, a laundromat, and an adult video store.

Strange bedfellows? You betcha.

My chances of getting a good lunch were slim, I thought as I parked next to a dumpster, which I preferred to an open slot in front of Red Hot Video. A poster in the window left no doubt about what they considered hot. I just wanted a sandwich.

I continued onto USA Donuts, where trays of sweet treats greet customers. Inside it was warm and smelled of sugar. My luck...

(photo credit: LAist)

The hip happening blog LAist unintentionally found a Lincoln Lunch (plus a $1 soda) at El Huarache Azteca #1 in Highland Park. But I'm warning you their review is a bit long winded.

Cut to the chase by visiting El Huarache Azteca #1 at 5225 York Blvd. in Los Angeles. (323) 478-9572.

Thanks, Ryan!

Holiday procrastinators have one last chance to get free shipping and guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve. FreeShipping.org has organized a few dozen retailers who are offering free shipping when you make an online purchase on Thursday, Dec. 18.

The list of participating retailers includes Crate & Barrel, Target, Office Max, Macys, JCPenney, Kmart, the Apple Store, Bloomingdales and many more. New stores are signing on daily, days Luke from FreeShipping.org.

Each store may set a minimum purchase requirement. Check the individual retailer for details. Shipping to Hawaii and Alaska may not be included.

My wise Uncle gave me a great idea for a low-budget present that works especially well for boys.

He headed down to Harbor Freight, a super cheap tool store, and bought tools for two of his grandsons, including a hammer, tape measure, level, ruler, and a 7-piece screwdriver. With coupons the starter tool kits cost $5.06 per kid!

He writes: "Then I splurged and bought them each a half pound of nails for another $1.20 at a regular hardware store. Now their all set to go out and play carpenter and pound nails into everything they shouldn't....like trees."

Great idea!! Even if you don't live near a Harbor Freight, you can put together a low-cost tool kit for young kids interested in building things. Thanks, Uncle!

Hubby wants to give gifts to co-workers who have been especially cooperative and hardworking this year. Here are some of the ideas we talked about. What are you giving your co-workers?

• A small piece of chocolate or candy. Bonus points if you know their favorite type of candy.


• A gag gift like a slinky, hula girl figurine, whistle, or something they can play with when bored at work. Visit a novelty shop for other options.


• For a team, get a book of Mad Libs that you can fill out together. Best to do during happy hour when folks are unwinding from office stress.


• A cartoon from the newspaper that you think they will enjoy. Cut the 'toon out, paste it to a stiff piece of paper or cardboard, and write a quick note on the back. Suggest they put it on their desk. Every time your co-worker chuckles at the joke, they will think of you.


• A small tchotchke to keep at their desk or take home, like a fragrant candle, keychain, shot glass, or plant.


• Don't overlook the old standby - a gift card. Sure, a gift card is cliched, but if it is for a store your co-worker patronizes, they be thankful. I think $10 is a perfect amount for co-workers. My faves are Starbucks, Target or iTunes.

Pair each with a card that says you appreciate their hard work. Be specific if you can but keep it short. Two or three sentences will do.

Earn double rebates from eBates starting Sunday, Dec 14 at 11:50 pm and ending Monday at 11:59 pm.

Using eBates is free; you just have to register. To get the double rebates log in to eBates, then click on the retailer you want to shop at. You can still use coupons and free shipping codes on the retailer's Web site.

A few sample discounts: 8% at Macys, 2% at Wal-Mart, 4% at Sears, 6% at Home Depot, 8% at Barnes & Noble, 4% at Dell, 8% at Sephora, 6% at Nordstrom. Read more about how eBates works. I've saved more than $20 from using eBates this holiday season.

I know quality at the 99 Cent store is often lacking, but for a lot of holiday supplies that is not a big deal. Here are some of their holiday deals:

A pack of 20 holiday greeting cards is $.99.

Rolls of wrapping paper (40 square feet) are $.99.

A bag of 24 gifts bows is $.99.

Glass ornaments are $.99.

You can also pick up a few gifts and stocking stuffers:

2009 calenders are $.99.

Wine bottle bags are $.99.

A toy glider plane is $.99.

A fashion doll is $.99.

Find a 99 Cent store near you. The 99 Cent chain is in a few western states, but I wonder if your local dollar store has similar holiday supplies. Might be worth it to check it out!

I am talking about saving money in everyday life at the West Valley Regional Library this Saturday at 2pm.

I'm going to cover a variety of topics, like groceries, eating out, travel, and the holidays in less than an hour. The talk is free and I hope you will come and ask lots of good questions.

The West Valley Regional Library is at 19036 Vanowen Street in Reseda. Enter on Vanalden for parking. Call (818) 345-9806 for more info. Remember, the free talk is this Saturday at 2pm. Please come out and meet me!

"It's time once again for the wintertime stunt I've been conducting since 2001: a research project I like to call, "How much digital camera can $300 buy you?" writes NY Times tech writer David Pogue.

His story lists the best digital cameras under $300. A coincidence his list comes out right before the holidays? Not a chance.

Get 20% off at Macys during their friends and family sale thru Dec. 15. Online use code MACYSFF and in-store using this printable coupon. Some exclusions, but not as many as usual.

Get 40% off one regular priced item at Old Navy today only.

Get 42% off everything at Kenneth Cole online, in company stores and over the phone today, Dec. 10, only. Not valid on previous purchases or when combined with other coupons.

Banana Republic has a coupon for 40% offregular priced merchandise today only.

Entering the job market for the first time is daunting for college students, let alone attempting it in a recession. But young, relatively inexperienced workers have the most to gain and the least to lose, says Farnoosh Torabi, a financial whiz who is not long out of college herself.

College students, even those with student loans, are in a "great space to learn this because they don't have a mortgage, kids, a lot of the obligations," Farnoosh said.

She advised students to:

• Think creatively and take risks.
• Pass up a big salary for opportunities that will make you more competitive in the future, like an internship, a skills class, or an extra job that gives you great experience.


• Think aggressively about protecting your assets.
• Don't be afraid to learn how to invest in the stock market.
• Talk to others about money. Parents and family are a great source of advice and feedback.


• Seek out bank accounts that fit your needs, like no fees and a low minimum balance, on . She is a financial expert on the TLC show Real Simple, Real Life. Thanks, Farnoosh!

I will be answering questions about the holidays and bargains on the blog live this Friday from noon to 1pm. The way it works is you visit the Bargain Hunter (blogs.dailynews.com/bargain), log on, then ask a question.

I will respond as soon as I have an answer. The questions and answers will be displayed on the blog as they are submitted.

I encourage you to join me on your lunch hour for the live chat. ~Julia

We throw away five million extra tons of trash between Thanksgiving and New Year's, according to the green living Web guide SustainLane.com. Wrapping paper is part of the problem. Here are a few earth-friendly and low-cost alternatives.

• Wrap with reuseble cloth, bags, paper, boxes, or old maps. (At my house I have extra world maps from Doctors Without Borders.)

• Wrap gifts in white butcher paper, then let your kids draw on it in holiday colors.

• Wrap gifts with brown paper bags, newspaper, or the comics. (There's nothing ground-breaking about this tip, but follow the next few ideas to shift the focus to the gift decor.)

• Skip scotch tape, and hold the bundle together with string or twine, which you can reuse.

• Focus on the gift-top décor, which you can make with bells, whistles, fake holly or mistletoe, Pez dispensers, dreidels, small, ceramic figurines, gelt, or fragrant plant trimmings, like rosemary

• Use old VHS and cassette tape as ribbon.

• Tie your brown paper packages with old holiday lights for a funky, found-art look.

Buy a $100 Simi Valley Town Center mall gift card this Thursday, Dec. 11, and you will get an additional $20 gift card. The card can be used at any stores within the mall, including Macy's.

You must purchase the card on Thursday but you can spend it anytime after that. The card costs $1 to buy and if you do not spend all the money by the 13th month, the mall deducts $2 per month as a maintenance fee.

To get the deal go to guest services, which is located in the center court of the mall near Ann Taylor Loft, Abercrombie & Fitch and the elevator. The counter is open from 10 am to 9 pm on Thursday.

The mall is at 1555 Simi Town Center Way. (805) 581-1430. Thanks to Porter for sharing this tip!

Bloomingdales - free shipping on orders of $100 or more now thru Dec. 19. Use code SHIPXMAS.

Coldwater Creek - free shipping and 25% off any order until Dec. 10. Use code WXH6276.

Crate & Barrel - free shipping on catalog and online purchases of $100 or more until Dec. 22. Some exclusions.

JCPenney - free shipping on orders over $49 thru Dec. 16. Use code NOV49BT.

Lands End - free shipping with no minimum thru Dec. 15. Click here and scroll down until you see the Land's End logo and a link to activate the coupon.

Nike - free shipping on any order thru Dec. 20. Use code...

I'm already seeing people driving home with trees strapped to the roof. Seems a bit early to me - wait nooooooo, Christmas is only 2.5 weeks away!

Rats. There's so much to do, including a price comparison to find the best deal. Below is a roundup of fresh and faux tree prices.

Fresh

Costco - Fresh cut Fraser trees are $99. Smaller potted trees are $35.

Home Depot - trees for $35.

OSH - potted trees are $9 to $99. Cut 5-7 foot Douglas, Noble, and Fraser firs are $22 to...

Here are all the items mentioned in today's LA Daily News column

Live chat

Senior cell plans

Find WiFi

Cheap pests

Real hot toys

Free shipping

Gift guide redux

Past is future

A friend tossed me a question yesterday that a lot of folks are dealing with right now. What happens to your 401 (k) if your company goes bankrupt? Do anxious creditors get dibs over employees desperate for their life savings?

The short answer is no.

The long answer is maybe.

"In theory the accounts should not be impacted because it (the 401 (k) money) is kept separate from company assets," said Phillip Cook, a certified financial planner with a firm in Torrance, CA. That means it is not subject to the claims of creditors. The law that provides this protection is the employee retirement income security act of 1974, often referred to as ERISA.

Your 401 (k) is protected as long as your company has forwarded the money to a...

Here is a story I am hearing more and more these days. People are worried about spending, partly because they fear the future, but partly because it makes them feel guilty.

Take my mom, for instance. She and my step-father want to take a trip in the next few months to Morocco and Rome. The two-week trip will cost them $6,000, which they have in their savings.

But they are hesitating. What if my step-father gets laid off? Or my sister? What if there is a health care emergency that is super expensive? Will they regret taking the vacation when they might need the money in the near future?

In addition to the financial stress, my mom is worried about how it looks if she takes a pricey vacation when so many folks are hurting for money. There are cheaper options, afterall.

I wasn't sure what to tell her, other than perhaps she should look at how much wiggle room she has in her bank account if she takes the vacation AND something drastic happens. If she has some flexibility, don't worry about what others think.

What would you advise?

Get 20% off most merchandise at your local Starbucks Dec. 9 through Dec. 15, a PR rep tells me. The discount excludes beverages, unfortunately, but does include packaged food, brewing equipment, tea and coffee (whole bean), gift packs, entertainment, serve ware and tumblers.

It is happening in stores across the country, so call your local store first to check. You do not need a coupon to get the discount. In stores only.

The discount excludes fresh food, beverages (handcrafted and RTD), starbucks gift cards, and gold card membership.

I noticed a few good deals from the weekend paper. If I left any out, please share the bargains you spotted by leaving a comment.

Best Buy - no interest for 18 months on purchases of $500 or more. No interest for 3 years on HDTV's that cost $500 or more and Geek Squad service of $100 or more. Price matching.

Circuit City- price guarantee on HDTV's for 60 days so you don't have to worry about prices falling. No interest for 24 months on purchases of $1,000 or more with some caveats.

JCPenney Salon - Thru Dec. 18 get 20% off CHI tools and $10 off a product purchase of...

A savvy reader named Cece sent me a fabulous tip recently. The cosmetology department at West Valley Occupational Career Center offers free haircuts on Monday and half price services for seniors aged 55-plus every Tuesday and Wednesday.

The details are a bit complicated but it's a great deal so listen up. Thanks to May Lahham in the cosmetology department for explaining it to me.

Twice a year WVOC holds an advanced haircutting class for licensed professionals. The professionals spend the first part of the class learning the cuts, then they try out their new skills on you, which is why they are free.

The free cuts are Monday from 10 am to 1:30 pm, walk ins only. You must be at least 10 years old to get the free cut. The free cuts happen...

I'm the guest host on the personal finance Web site Wise Bread this week. That means all week long I'll be answering questions that folks submit on the site. You can check out what we're talking about and ask a question yourself. (Look for the green "post a reply" button.)

To get the forum rolling Wise Bread moderator Lynn posed these questions for me:

A lot of us are bargain hunters but you actually get to do it for a living. What are the best perks of your job? Are there any hidden downsides? I imagine it might be pretty hard to not buy anything when you are seeing great deals all the time.

I'll be posting my answer soon. Hope you will get involved in the forum. If you are new to Wise Bread and want to ask a question, register on the site.

The last day to shop online and use ground shipping to have your presents delivered is Dec. 19. But many retailers have set that deadline even earlier, on Dec. 16.

Two-thirds of online retailers have the Dec. 19 deadline, according to the 2008 Shop.org/Shopzilla eHoliday Study. One third of retailers have the earlier deadline of Dec. 16.

Here are three places to find free shipping deals: Shop.org's Cyber Monday site, Shopzilla's free shipping page and the site FreeShipping.org.

For presents you are shipping yourself, I like to figure out the cheapest method of shipping using ShipGooder.com.

Does this sound like you?

You prefer Amazon.com and Ebay.com to Walmart.com and BestBuy.com. You are frustrated by shipping charges, but when a retailer offers free shipping it really motivates you to shop online. You are a hurried shopper and buy items as a last-resort.

These shopping habits are characteristic of women, according to a study of shopping habits by sex.

Or, are you more likely to hunt for deals online, thinking of yourself as a bargain hunter? This is a characteristic of how men shop.

A blog at the Seattle PI writes about more interesting findings in a study about shopping habits.

Ask questions about holiday shopping, gift ideas, or bargains in general during the first ever live blog chat with me. It is free and will be easy to ask questions. Mark your calenders. The live chat is Friday, Dec. 12 from 12 to 1 pm.

I will be responding immediately and posting the whole thing on the blog as it happens, hence the "live chat." It is not a phone call but a live conversation on the blog at blogs.dailynews.com/bargain.

I hope you will bring your lunch and join me for this exciting and useful event. It could make your holiday shopping a lot easier!

~Julia

Buying holiday presents online can save you money, especially if you use these Web sites to get a deal.

Freeshipping.org - Search for free shipping codes by store, category, expiration date, and alphabetical order.

Retailmenot.com - Find discount codes for thousands of retailers by typing in the store name or browsing popular coupons.

Cashbaq.com, eBates.com and Extrabux.com - Get automatic cash rebates at these three sites when you register and shop through links on each site. Compare rebates, which range from 1 percent to 30 percent, before you shop.

DealAlerter.com - Set price alerts for items you want to buy. When the price drops below your limit, the site emails you.

Shipgooder.com - Find the cheapest way to ship a gift by plugging in the starting zip code, the destination zip code, and the package weight. The site compares rates from UPS, FedEx, DHL, the US Postal Service, and local couriers.

PriceSpider.com - Compare how prices for consumer electronics have fluctuated over the past six months to learn what is a "good price." The site also compares prices at online and brick and mortar stores and factors in shipping.

The Cole Haan store at Westfield Topanga is having a holiday sale this Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9 am to 12 pm. Everything is 30% off including sale and regular-priced merchandise, an employee tells me. There are no exclusions.

I know you remember at least one Christmas morning when you tore into your presents only to find the thing you wanted most was not among them. It may not matter as much as adults, but the contrast between what you truly covet for Christmas and what you end up getting can be awfully amusing.

With that in mind, I invite you to share what you want for Christmas or Hanukkah (and don't think you can get away with "the company of loved ones"). Compare that with what you will actually end up getting. I will highlight the best entries in a post next week.

Here is mine.

My Dad will get me a copy of "Reporting Iraq: An Oral History of the War by the Journalists who Covered It," just like I asked. He is very good at following specific requests.

From Hubby I want a coupon book for things like "taking out the recycling," "doing the dishes really well" and "driving without talking about other cars." I may get a stuffed animal instead. I love him, but he can be a real sap.

From Santa I want a new cell phone with Internet capabilities so I can blog everywhere, which will give me more gray hair and the frazzled look of someone who checks their email every minute - no 537 times a minute. I'm not worried about my health, but I feel guilty asking for it because it is not very bargain hunterly.

What I will get is a ski trip to Mammoth. No surprise, we are staying with a friend's cousin to save moolah. We will go downhill skiing and I want to go snow shoeing or cross country skiing, too. Whenever I think of the trip I imagine myself alone a forest, crunching through the snow, breathing in the trees.

The Web is filled with whispers about whether the rumor that Wal-Mart will sell a version of the iPhone for $99 is true or not.

I can't decide if that would be really sweet, or really lame.

Current and retired teachers get 25% off in stores today only at Borders with some exclusions like electronics, gift cards, special orders and cafe items. Generally the supplies must be for the classroom. Read the fine print for details.

Get 30% off sitewide on Babystyle with some brand exclusions now through Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008. Use code HOHO30 when checking out. Read the details for caveats.

Circuit City is having an encore Black Friday event. Details here.

Dell's 12-day of deals includes hundreds of dollars off computers. Not sure what kind of computer you need? Check out my buying guide here.

Sears is having a three-day sale this weekend starting today through Saturday, Dec. 6. Browse their sales items, including 15% off appliances, 55% off candles and frames, and many discounts on more items.

The retailer has a fun tool online to help you find gifts by price and personality type. First chose one of seven personality types, from gizmo guru to sports junkie, set your price range and click Go!.

The gizmo results for less than $26 include a heated electronic car windshield wiper, a disco ball and a whistling remote control locator device.

Every two days the online photo store Snapfish has a new holiday deal or discount. The current special is for 20% off all stocking stuffers with the code HOLIDAY2, which expires at the end of today. The stuffers start at $4 and go up to $40.

I like these personalized notepads that include one of your photos, above, for $8. What a sweet gift for a grandparent or distant relative who adores your children.

Check back with Snapfish for their future holiday deals, which end Dec. 13, 2008.

Get 20% off merchandise at company-owned Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf stores this Friday, Dec. 5, 2008. The deal excludes beverages, baked goods and gift cards, unfortunately. But you can use it on mug, tea and coffee holiday gift sets.

While you are there make sure to use their free WiFi.

Online the deal this Friday is you get get free shipping when you buy $30 or more. Browse their online holiday gifts here.

Coffee bean has stores in Southern California, San Francisco and Arizona.

Did you know AT&T has a senior cell phone plan for folks 65 plus? For $30 you get 200 anytime minutes and 500 night and weekend minutes. Enter your zip code on this page to get details about what is offered in your area.

Verizon has a similar plan with 200 anytime minutes and 500 night and weekend minutes but for an extra $5 bucks you get free long distance. Both Verizon and AT&T require a two-year contract and have activation fees. Extra minutes are $.45 each.

Jitterbug has plans as low as $10 for folks who use very few minutes, though the phones start at $147. No contract, however.

Consumer Cellular also has a plan for $10 for pay-as-you-go minutes. A 200 minute a month plan is $20. Browse Consumer Cellar's plans here.

It's official. We're in a recession and have been there for a year. Many folks make statistical comparisons to the Great Depression; some work, others do not. What may be more relevant than numbers is the first fireside chat President Franklin Roosevelt gave shortly after his inauguration, on March 12, 1933.

Much of Roosevelt's speech sounds familiar - market panic, rapidly dropping stock prices, bank failures, government intervention. Perhaps it is this relevance that made listening to Roosevelt soothing. Or maybe it was his slow diction, old-fashioned accent, and the static-filled airways.

You can listen to the entire 13 minute monologue online or read the transcript, thanks to the Miller Center for Public Affairs at the University of Virginia. The center has recordings and transcripts of many Presidential speeches going back to GW.

Listening to Roosevelt demand calm among Americans won't get us out of the current mess, but it may make you feel better about your own situation. And it's free!

On my first night in St. Pete, which I am visiting to attend a week-long blogging seminar, the Internet service in the hotel goes out. Fabulous! So many bloggers in one place we crash the Internet connection.

If I had been smart enough to predict this I would have checked out HotSpotr, which helps you find Wifi connections in thousands of cities across the country.

You can search for a WiFi "hot spot" by entering a city, address or zip code in a small box on the lower left hand side of HotSpotr. The site displays results on a Google map. Spots that cost money are marked with a red $, other results are green. You can also narrow the hot spots down to places that are good for working, non-chain locations, and cafes only.

Here's the map for Tampa, Fla., St. Pete's bigger neighbor, which I saved in case my Web lifeline goes out again.

With all the rain and winter weather you may be getting, a lot of pests are probably trying to make your shelter their shelter. Not good.

My colleague recently shared an ant tip that she got directly from the pest control guy she called the last time ants invaded her freezer, of all places. Poor buggers froze stiff before they could make off with a crumb.

Anyway, the pest control guy must be a real cheapskate because he told her that the next time the ants made a foray into her icebox she should use Windex with ammonia to scare them away. Try it - it's a lot cheaper than calling pest control.

Thanks, Audrey!

I know you thought Hubby and I were ridiculous for buying a 24 lb bird with our Thanksgiving guests numbering in the single digits. Or maybe that was just my Dad, who barely concealed his skepticism by calling our purchase "silly."

But the bird, which was quite a deal a $.41/lb, is already gone. Here is how we gobbled up the leftovers.

1. Push leftovers of the busty bird on dinner guests.

2. Lop off remaining wings, drums sticks and thighs.

3. Stuff massive turkey carcass into a pot of water and boil until the bird softens and actually fits in the pot. Turn into turkey stock and freeze. Thaw and make turkey soup when your last mash-and-gravy withdrawal twitches conclude.

4. Meanwhile pick meat off lopped off parts, cut into small pieces. Cook with gravy, broth, carrots, peas, broccoli, celery, frozen pearl onions and dump into pie shell. Cover with crust. Bake in oven. Eat and wonder if anything tastes as good as homemade turkey pot pie. Answer: no.

5. Make a second pot pie and stick it in the freezer. Hope Hubby does not cook it while you are in St. Pete, Florida becoming a top notch blogger.

Getting hungry? Make your own pot pie recipe with this recipe, and keep in mind that you can sub turkey for chicken at any time...

File this under the "thank goodness for Google" category, because the online search giant has shared what holiday gift items people are searching for the most. Of course, you could always just ask the people you are shopping for what they want.

Topping the list are the Nintendo Wii, Wii fit, and the iPod touch. Other popular items are the Xbox 360, Nintendo ds, iPod nano, Uggs, Nikon d90, Zune, and digital picture frames.

The above link also has the top 10 most searched items among video games and toys, specialty food and cold weather clothing. In the last category ugly Christmas sweaters are apparently the new black.

Google has also provided a number of $5, $10 and $20 off coupons for using Google Checkout (a rival to PayPal) at certain retailers like Starbucks, PetCo and J&R. The caveat is you gotta spend $30 to get $5 off and more for the bigger discounts.

Don't forget LA Kids Consignment is hosting a toy liquidation sale this Saturday and Sunday. Unlike their consignment sales, every item sold will be brand new.

At the sale expect to find dolls for $8 that retail for $20, said Kristin Nelson, who is running the sale. Framed artwork that goes for $200 to 500 will be $5 to $60. And insulated bags for baby food/milk that go for $25 will be $5.

Also look for arts & crafts, handheld games, preschool toys, infant/toddler gear, Melissa & Doug wooden puzzles and play sets, diaper bags, and girls clothing by Gynboree, Juicy Couture, Flowers by zoe, Lipstik clothing, Madonna's English Roses and Cach Cach.

Sale hours are 9 to 5. The sale is at City-Art, 7733 Hayvenhurst Ave., in Van Nuys. Cash only.

Visit the Consumers Union page for gift cards to check what state laws govern your gift card. The site has info about fees on holiday gift cards, common pitfalls, and stats on how many folks have gift cards just paying long term rent in their wallet. (Including me! Oh wait, that's a bad thing).

Protections vary, but I do know California has some of the best laws for consumers - if you are lucky enough to live in the Golden State.

If you have $10 or less on a card, for instance, you can take it into the retailer and get cash for it. Most gift cards, like those for a particular store, will never expire unless they have less than $5 on them and have been dormant for 24 months.

Worried about how to acquire a snazzy new dress for holiday shin-digs with the gloomy economy putting pressure on your wallet? Well, don't.

A recent story in the LA Daily News shares tips for jazzing up clothes you already own with a few new accessories.

"A splash of color here, some shimmer there can transform any outfit from ordinary to show-stopping, depending on how you accessorize," the story says. Here is what the story suggests.

CREATE A WAIST - "Even curvy girls look great with a belted waist. And one of Deyette's favorites happens to be patent leather, which she says is an easy go-to belt for holiday shine.

"For holidays, you want a little shimmer, a little sparkle, a little glitz, even if it's just a beautiful piece of satin ribbon tied around...

I'm in St. Petersburg, Florida this week for a journalism conference on blogging. I'm learning during the day and blogging at night, except when the Internet connection dies so I plan to wake up at dawn to blog, though that would require my alarm to go off, which it does not this morning and since I'm opposed to skipping breakfast posts will be a bit light today, folks. But I digress.

Last night a few of us went out for dinner after a day of talking about the importance of linking and finding your blogging voice. We were looking for a casual restaurant but the cheaper places seemed too empty to try, so we walked into a swanky Italian place called Bella Brava.

We got a booth in front of the brick oven and settled into our menus. Meat dishes were in the 20s and pastas were in the high teens, oh my! I had decided to splurge for the $16 linguine with vegetables-but-no-meat dish when I spotted my savior. The burger.

It's hip to have a burger on the menu at upscale places. You will find it is often over-priced ($11 in this case), but still cheaper than the other dinner options (at least at Bella Brava). The fancy-restaurant-burger usually comes with a fancy cheese (fontina in this case), fancy bread (whole wheat) and yummy fries (shoe string with lots of salt).

So remember to check for the burger option if you are at a fancy restaurant and want to save a buck!

Buy a $25 IHOP gift card before January 4, 2009 and get a $5 coupon good for another visit before January 31, 2008, when it expires.

At IHOP $5 can often buy a nice stack of pancakes. Not a bad Lincoln Lunch!

Valid at participating IHOP's. Find an IHOP near you.

Here are all the deals mentioned in today's LA Daily News column:

TV buying guide

Shopping with men

Safe gift cards

Post turkey tip

Holiday lights

Deal e-mail

Lincoln Lunch: Zankou Chicken

Scoop neck and V-neck cashmere sweaters designed by Isaac Mizrahi are now $40 (orig $50) at Target. They come in a range of colors, from basics to pastels, but just two cuts as far as I can tell.

I like the black V-neck cashmere sweater. Classic and perfect for holiday parties, a performance of the Nutcracker, drinks with the girls, or even work. It has a ribbed neckline, cuffs and waistband. Spend another $10 and get free shipping.

I would recommend checking out the quality of the sweater in the store if you have a chance to drop by before buying it online. Also, keep in mind that Old Navy has cashmere sweaters for $42. Basic cashmere sweaters from Macy's start at $77 (orig $110, now 30% off). They quality may be better and if you buy two you get 40% off; buy three and get 50% off.

One shopping deal in particular caught my eye last week. So after I turned in my story for the LA Daily News about the kickoff to holiday shopping Friday, I went home and turned on the computer.

My destination was eBates.com, a site where members get automatic rebates when you make purchases by going through their Web site before shopping at hundreds of retailers online. On Black Friday, all of their rebates were doubled, which meant 7% back at Target.com, 5% back at Wine.com, and 47% back at Magazines.com, among others.

On my list was a few gifts for Hubby, a case of wine to split with my neighbor (some of which I'll use for holiday presents), and a magazine subscription that was up for renewal.

I combined the doubled rebates, which eBates will mail as a check to me in about three months, with free shipping codes at Target and Wine.com. Making the purchases through eBates on a double rebate day saved me $23.80, plus $27 in free shipping. Not too shabby!

You should consider joining eBates (it is free) if you are not already a member. Click here to sign up. Find more about how the site works here.

(my actual lunch!) I hit the famed Zankou Chicken in Van Nuys for a Lincoln Lunch recently and found a bustling eatery that served meat-packed meals.

The line moved fairly quickly and I placed my order for a tri-tip shawerma wrap. Later it occurred to me that ordering beef at a chicken place was not very wise. Too late now.

I grabbed a small table and noticed few other tables were open. A loud, mostly white collar lunch crowd was filling their bellies. Zankou is not the prettiest restaurant - clear glass panels section off peach-colored booths - which meant with this many customers the food must be good.

It certainly was cheap. My tri-tip wrap was one of three meals priced at $5 plus tax, including a chicken tarna wrap and a falafel wrap. A roasted chicken wrap was $4.29. Side orders range from $.60 to $4.

When my number was called another lady sprang to the counter to pick up the food. We had the same number but sorted it out and both got our grub.

My wrap was warm and tightly wrapped in a piece of lined foil. I was surprised to find it made almost entirely of meat, with a few tomatoes thrown in for good measure. This is so unusual for a Lincoln Lunch, which are usually light on meat or vegetarian, that I thought about the wrap's composition for some time. In the end I decided it was 80% meat, 17% pita bread, 2% tomatoes and 1% tahini sauce.

The type of food that satisfies meat lovers. Not very well balanced, but the guy who grabbed my seat as soon as I stood up didn't seem to care.

Visit Zankou Chicken at 5658 Sepulveda Blvd. just north of Bubank Blvd. in Van Nuys. (818) 781-0615.

I couldn't resist the Black Friday sale at Target online, which included free shipping for many items. What I didn't expect was to get slammed for handling charges. Since when is handling charged separately than shipping?

My guess is since retailers started feeling pressure to offer free shipping to compete. So to make money they separate out the handling charge. They can still advertise free shipping, but it is not as big of a discount as it used to be.

In my case, handling was about equal to shipping, so I ended up getting about 50% off "shipping and handling" costs. I am happy I got a discount, but am irked by being charged for something that used to be included in "free shipping." Additionally, handling is one more cost I will have to track and compare when I buy online.

I wonder if eventually pressure to offer free handling will become so great that that will be offered as well. Even so, retailers have to cover costs and will strive to make a profit somehow.

Perhaps it will pay even more to be a savvy spender in the future. We'll get the deals and coupons, while the rest of the country pays for shipping AND handling.

I guess all those shoppers on Black Friday were lying to me. Over the course of the day I interviewed more than a dozen shoppers who all said they were cutting back.

Turns out they were actually spending more - 7.2% more, says the National Retail Federation, which interviewed 3,370 shoppers across the country this weekend, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season. Shoppers spent an average of $372.57 this weekend (Thur-Sun), up from $347.55 last year.

"Pent-up demand on electronics and clothing, plus unparalleled bargains on this season's hottest items helped...

I wanted to re-post a recent item with the contents of the 44-page Bargain Hunter Gift Guide that ran in the LA Daily News on Friday because it didn't get posted online until very late in the day. Here is the line up:

+ The greatest gift of all

+ The 1-2-3's of gift-giving

+ Festive finds for the foodie

+ Gifts under $25: Gadgets galore

+ Gifts over $50

+ Gifts to fulfill your urge to splurge

+ Pay it forward: Gifts that help someone with the basics

+ Make giving gift cards fun

+ Holiday treats for Fido and Fluffy

+ Bargain Hunter readers' gift-giving tips

+ More places to look

+ Web sites that can help you save online

Here are a few Cyber Monday deals:

Get doubled rebates today only through eBates at a more than a dozen retailers like Sephora (8%), Old Navy (6%), Dell Outlet (6%), Kohl's (8%), Buy.com (2%), and Barnes & Noble (8%).

Get 25% off your entire order at Bath and Body Works online with code 25PERCENT.

Get 40% off all tops and jackets at Levis.com today only.

Get 20% off your entire order at Shoes.com today only using code MONDAY.

Dell offers hundreds of dollars off various computers and electronic gadgets today.

Many more retailers are having online sales today. Check the Web site of your favorite store to see what they are offering.