Search results for holiday spending
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Posted
Sep 24 2009, 04:11 PM
by
Karen Datko
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
Toys R Us released its list of prospective hot toys for the holidays, and guess what: Most retail for less than $100.
The toy getting the most media attention is the Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster, which retails for a very attractive $9.99. "With more than 40 different sound effects and artificial intelligence, these pets will dart around the house, play in hamster tubes, run on wheels and more," Toys R Us said. This sounds fun.
Among those on the higher end, The Associated Press reports, are "Mattel's Mindflex, about $90, which measures brain activity through a helmet and uses it to move a ball through an obstacle course." Great. We'll bring that one out whenever anyone questions our brain power.
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Posted
Sep 08 2009, 06:09 PM
by
Teresa Mears
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
Wondering whether to buy something now or wait for Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, when it might be cheaper?
Partner blog DealNews has your back, with predictions about what deals to expect for Black Friday 2009. Last year's predictions were 82% accurate, notes Dan de Grandpre, CEO and Editor of DealNews.
The predictions are the lowest prices to expect, during the entire "Black Friday Season," mid-November to Cyber Monday. As the season draws closer, you can check for updates to these predictions at DealNews' Black Friday deals section.
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Posted
Aug 18 2009, 01:35 PM
by
Karen Datko
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
Layaway isn't the only throwback resurrected from retail's bag of tricks. Kmart and Sears are offering a Christmas club card.
In the modern version, customers can add money to their card -- available online and at Kmart and Sears stores -- through Nov. 14. If you activate a card by Oct. 31, you'll earn a 3% award up to $100 based on your balance on Nov. 14.
You may recall the Christmas clubs of yore. You opened a special passbook savings account at the local bank and earned a little interest as your deposits added up. On an appointed day before Christmas, you were permitted to withdraw the money.
With this sweet old tradition, you actually saved money to pay for holiday shopping. Those were the good old days.
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Posted
Jul 15 2009, 12:29 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
Lowering prices, upgrading or streamlining selection -- the nation's retailers are rolling out every trick to reverse slumping sales.
But is Christmas in July -- being promoted at the Sears and Kmart Web sites and in hundreds of Sears brick-and-mortar stores -- taking it to extremes? (We think so.)
Sure, smart shoppers know that it's wise to shop for bargains on gifts throughout the year, rather than loading up all of the holiday spending on one credit card bill. But advertising Christmas in July? "It looks more like desperation than inspiration," retail consultant Burt Flickinger III told Time magazine.
This latest adventure in retailing may be indicative of two trends:
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Posted
Jun 18 2009, 12:38 PM
by
Joan Melcher
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
The Web is heating up with Father’s Day freebies and deals, in addition to those we’ve already reported. Father’s Day is Sunday, June 21, in case you’ve been in a cave or otherwise out of touch.
Here’s the scoop on free food:
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Posted
Jun 15 2009, 02:41 PM
by
Joan Melcher
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
First a little history: The first Father’s Day was organized in 1910 in Spokane, Wash., by a woman who was raised by her father after her mother died. The woman was Sonora Smart Dodd and the “first father” was William Jackson Smart. It took a few decades to get the ball rolling: Father’s Day was recognized by a joint resolution of Congress in 1956 and declared a national observance in 1972. Father’s Day, which falls on June 21 this year, is now the fifth highest card-sending holiday. We found several fun sites for sending cards as well as some enticing deals to help in feting your dad on his day.
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Posted
May 01 2009, 05:46 AM
by
Joan Melcher
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
Mother’s Day is clearly among the most celebrated of American holidays. It’s estimated that 96% of the population participate in the observance, which stretches back more than a century in this country and can be traced to Greek myth. So, the question is: What are you going to do? Given the pervasive nature of a holiday celebrated by nearly everyone, your options are varied and potentially unique. And frugal.
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Posted
Apr 30 2009, 06:16 AM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
This post comes from Trent Hamm at partner blog The Simple Dollar.
Whenever Mother's Day rolls around (and it's just about here), people seem to congregate in one of two camps on the issue.
First, there's the celebrate your mother camp -- the people who feel that Mother's Day is a perfect opportunity to show your mother that you care for her, either through action or through a gift.
On the other side of that coin is the Mother's Day is a day invented by the greeting card industry group, those who feel that the entire concept of a "mother's day" is just an excuse for consumerism.
I agree with both sides. Mother's Day may be a contrived invention, but the reason behind it is one I wholeheartedly agree with. It's always worthwhile to celebrate our mothers.
The solution is simple: The best way to honor your mother isn't by celebrating her with consumerism. Instead, find ways to show your mother that you truly care -- and those ways rarely involve heading to the store and buying greeting cards and other things.
Here are eight things to try, whether you're waiting until May 10 to celebrate or you want to treat every day as Mother's Day.
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Posted
Mar 11 2009, 12:54 PM
by
Joan Melcher
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
We take it as an indicator that the economy is ready for a rebound.
What’s that? you say. Spending on St. Patrick’s Day is expected to be $3.29 billion this year -- $32.80 per person for food and festivities, down from last year’s figure of $35.04. That’s about 6%, not much when you look at how the stock market has fallen.
To celebrate, you might want to first find the best price you can on corned beef (if you’re eating in) and second, check out a few of the many deals being offered in celebration of the saint’s day.
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Posted
Feb 12 2009, 11:42 AM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Money Blog: Smart Spending Blog - MSN Money
This post comes from partner blog ConsumerAffairs.com.
It's perfectly fine to have your heart stolen on Valentine's Day, but not your money or your identity. That's why you should be on the lookout for fraudulent e-cards disguised as valentines.
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller says fraudulent Valentine's Day greetings in your e-mail inbox could potentially cause major damage to your computer. Or they could compromise your identity.
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