Save Money--Five Tips for the Living Room

Save Money and Energy in the Living Room
Fireplace: Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is going. An open damper can let 8 percent of the heat in your home escape. In the summer, cool air escapes. That can add up to about $100 a year-- up the chimney.
Junk Mail: Rid yourself of junk mail--or at least recycle it. The average U.S. household receives 1.5 trees' worth of junk mail each year, and many of these trees are thrown right into the trash. If you want to reduce the amount of junk mail you receive, you'll need to register with the Mail Preference Service. It costs a buck, but you can do it easily online at www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailinglist. For the junk mail you continue to receive, remember to toss it in the recycling bin instead of throwing it out with the garbage. You can even recycle plastic window envelopes. If all Americans recycled their junk mail, $370 million in landfill dumping fees could be saved each year.
Light Bulbs: Dust your light bulbs and change them-- to compact fluorescent--only when they burn out. You'll increase energy efficiency and light output, and because electricity production generates pollution, you'll also help promote cleaner air. If every American home changed out just five regular light fixtures or the bulbs in them with more energy-efficient compact fluorescent ones, we'd keep more than one trillion pounds of greenhouse gases out of the air --equal to the emissions of eight million cars. That's $6 billion in energy savings for Americans.
Matches vs. Lighters: When choosing between matches and lighters, choose matches. For lighters, both the plastic casing and the butane fuel are products made from petroleum, and since most lighters are disposable, over 1.5 billion each year end up in landfills or incinerators worldwide. And when choosing between a box of wood matches and a book of cardboard matches, choose the book. Wood matches come from trees, whereas most cardboard matches are made from recycled paper. If all of the cigarettes smoked every day around the world were to be lit with cardboard matches instead of wood matches, 5.5 million trees could be saved per year from going up in smoke.
Shades/Drapes: Close the curtains when it's sunny in the summer and when it's cold in the winter, and you could reduce your energy needs by up to 25 percent. If every house in America kept the curtains closed for additional insulation, the total energy saved annually would be as much as the entire nation of Japan uses in a year.
Hope these hints are useful. They come from "the green book". Buy the green book. Read the green book. Go to www.readthegreenbook.com .
Happy Savings!!!

Save Money--5 Tips for the Kitchen

Save Money in the Kitchen

1. Refrigerator. Keep your head out of the refrigerator and the door closed! The refrigerator is the single biggest energy consuming kitchen appliance, and opening the refrigerator door accounts for between $30 and $60 of a typical family's electricity bill each year. The amount of energy saved in a year by more efficient refrigerator usage could be enough to light every house in the United States for more than four and a half months straight.
   
2. Storage Containers Instead of using plastic, store your food in glass or porcelain containers. Fewer chemicals will likely leach from the container into the food. Chemicals that transfer from plastic to food and from food to body may cause health risks.
   
3. Stove. Use the right-size pot on your stove burners. You could save about $36 annually for an electric range or $18 for a gas range. Five percent of the energy bought and used per person in the United States is for preparing and cooking food. Over a year this exceeds twice the energy a person in Africa uses to power everything in his or her life.
   
4. Trash Bags. Use leftover paper of plastic bags as liners for your trash cans. You'll save money and time shopping in the trash-liner bag aisle. The average cost of twenty kitchen trash bags is $5. When one ton of plastic bags is reused, the energy equivalent of eleven barrels of oil is save. When one ton of paper bags is reused, up to seventeen trees are spared.
   
5. Water Filters. If you want to be sure the tap water in your house is clean, try installing water filters on your faucets instead of buying bottled water-- you'll save money over time and get better-tasting water. You can buy a water filter for as little as $29, or about a month's worth of bottled water (if you drink a liter a day). About 1.5 million tons of plastic are used in the bottling of 89 billion liters of drinking water each year. That's enough plastic to make two water filters for every household on the planet. One billion people around the world lack access to clean drinking water.
   

These tips come from "the green book" Please read "the green book" and visit www.readthegreenbook.com .

Personal note:

Shopping today at Bilo's

Savings as of 1-10-08: $92.07

Savings today: $ 9.60

Savings year to date $101.67

Use those coupons--catch those sales!! Happy Savings!!

Save Money--Save the World--4 Tips

Four More Tips

1. Food Waste. When cooking, try to avoid wasting food by using perishable ingredients before they spoil, measuring carefully, and saving leftovers for future meals instead of throwing them away. If you could reduce the amount of food wasted in your household by just twenty-five grams per day (about the weight of a slice of bread), you'd save twenty pounds of food annually--roughly enough to make sixteen meals. If all U.S. households reduced their food waste by this amount, the savings would be enough to provide three meals per day for a whole year to each of the 1.35 million children in the United States who are homeless.
   
2. Garbage Disposal.Use cold water when you run your garbage disposal. Better yet, try not to use it at all by composting your food waste or disposing of it in the trash. Your drain will be less clogged, possible saving you a future plumbing bill, and you'll save money on maintaining your septic system. Disposal waste can disrupt nutrient balances in water and soil ecosystems which in turn can harm wildlife.
   
3. Microwave. Keep your microwave clean and you'll maximize its energy. This means less electricity used, less money spent, and less time cooking. Microwaves are between 3.5 and 4.8 times more energy efficient than traditional electric ovens. If it costs ten cents to cook one item in a microwave, it would cost forty-eight cents to cook the same item in a standard oven. If everyone in North America cooked exclusively with a microwave for a year, we'd save as much energy as the entire continent of Africa consumes during that same time.
   
4. Preheating. If you're broiling, roasting, or baking a dish that will cook for an hour or more, don't bother preheating your oven. Even for breads, and cakes, never preheat for longer than ten minutes. If you reduce the amount of time your oven is on by one hour per year, you'll save an average of two kilowatt-hours of energy. If 30 percent of U.S. households could each reduced total oven preheating time by just one hour per year, the sixty million kilowatt-hours of energy saved could bake a dozen cookies for every American!
   

Hope these tips are helpful. And buy The Green Book! These hints are from it. And go to www.readthegreenbook.com

Personal note:

Did a little grocery shopping at Food Lion and Bilo's today. Went through both store's sales papers last night...matched coupons my wife had cut, of items we used with sales. That way you get the benefit of the sale along with the coupon discount. It came out like this.

Food Lion before savings: $14,06 minus coupon savings of $4.11 minus in store discounts of $2.31= Total cost: $7.64 percent savings 46%

Bilo before savings $39.57 minus coupon savings of $4.95 minus in store discounts of $9.13= Total cost:$25.49 percent savings 36%

Savings as of 1-9-08 $71,58

Savings today: $20.49

Savings year to date $92.07

Happy Savings!!

Save Money -- Turn Clutter into Cash

Save Money-- make clutter disappear--Freecycle.org

Finally for those who just want to get rid of their clutter

Www.freecycle.org

What it is and how it works: This Tuscon, Ariz.-based nonprofit started in 2003 as a grass-roots effort to declutter the world. It has 4.2 million members. The free online service allows subscribers to donate unwanted items to whomever needs or wants them. Users post what they want to give away on the Freecycle message list. Those in need answer back and the two parties arrange for a pick-up. No money changes hands.

Downside:

You don't gt money or a tax deduction.

Upside:

You get to feel good about recycling your old stuff and reducing some of the planet's clutter.

Donations--i.e. to Goodwill or Salvation Army
How donations work:
You donate items- clothes, household goods, etc. -- to a qualified organization and get a federal tax deduction. According to the IRS, qualified organizations include, federal, state, and local governments and organizations organized and operated only for charitable, religious, educational, scientific, or literary purposes, or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals. Organizations can tell you if they are qualified and if donations to them are tax-deductible. Or you can look that information up on www.irsgov by clicking on Charities & Non-Profits and then Search For Charities.
If your contributions entitles you to merchandise, goods, or services--i.e. admissions to a charity ball, banquet, theatrical performance, or sporting event-- you can deduct only the amount that exceeds the fair market value of that benefit.
You claim your tax deductions by itemizing on Form 1040 Schedule A.
Upside: You are guaranteed to quickly get rid of your stuff--and to a worthwhile, do-good organization. You get a tax deduction.
Downside:You don't get cash. If you don't itemize--two out of three taxpayers don't--you don't get a deduction. You have to keep good records for your taxes. You need receipts for all donations. Receipts must include descriptions for all donations. Receipts must include descriptions of items along with where and when they were donated.
"It's all about getting the right receipts, paperwork and proof," said Dayana Yochim, consumer finance expert at The Motley Fool.

How do you assign value to the goods you donate? The IRS says the value is determined by the resale value of goods you donate. It offers some guidance in Publication 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property. Go to www.irs.gov and type in Publication 561. But the IRS doesn't provide dollar figures.

Goodwill Industries International Inc. and Salvation Army publish pricing guides that Yochim says are good barometers. Go to www.goodwill.org and type in "valuation guide" or go to www.satruck.com/valueguide.asp.

You can also ask your tax preparer to help. Another idea:Walk through a Goodwill store and see for yourself how they price goods similar to yours, said Bill Farmer, head of HTI Tax Service in Lexington, Ky.

The IRS recommends you keep records of how you determined fair market value of your donated goods.

One final note to those getting rid of a lot of stuff: If your total deduction for a non cash contribution tops $500, you must fill out IRS Form 8283. If your donation is worth more than $5,000, generally an appraisal must be done. For more info: www.irs.gov.

Hope these ideas help you remove clutter and save money. Happy Saving!!!

Save Money-- Turn Clutter into Cash --Part Two

One of the most popular places to get rid of unwanted items and to make a little money too is www.eBay.com Here's how it works :

You list your items for sale via online auction or for a flat "buy now" price. There are listing fees. When an item sells, you pay a sales fee to eBay, collect your money from the buyer and ship the item. Payments- between you and eBay as well as buyers and sellers- are typically handled by PayPal, a subsidiary of eBay that processes electronic money transfers- letting buyers pay with credit cards and sellers collect via automatic deposites to their bank.

What Draws for Sellers

You reach a world of potential buyers. That's why sellers say your used goods fetch top dollar. You get more than you would on local autcion sites, garage sales and consignment shops.

Drawbacks for Sellers

Fees and hassle. You pay a listing fee- from 20cents to $4.80- based on your starting price. When an item sells, you also pay a fee, based on the sale price. You pay 5.25 percent on the first $25 and for items that fetch less. On the remaining balance, you pay 3.25 percent on $25.01-$1000 and 1.5 percent on everything above $1000. For more info on fees: http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/fees.html.

You also have to factor in shipping costs and underestimating them or low-balling them to attract buyers could cost you.

Hope these hints are helpful if you decide to sell on eBay. Tommorow we will talk about craigslist.org and other hints for turning your clutter into cash. Happy Shopping!!!!

Save Money -- Turn Clutter into Cash

Ok so now Christmas is over. Well actually we're still in the Holiday Season so maybe you haven't thought of it yet . But what are we going to do with the gifts we received for Christmas? Amy Baldwin and Amber Veverka of the Charlotte N.C. Observer have some good ideas. Let's look at a few:

If you've ever moved into a new home, had a child, or just lived in this American culture for more than a moment, there comes a day when the stuff you own turned on you.

You opened a closet to be assaulted by shirts and shoes. You stepped into your child's room and were sucked in a quagmire made entirely of bright plastic objects. You looked into your living room and saw so much furniture there was no longer room for living.

So here we are, the day after Christmas looking at all that "stuff" under the tree...we've proudly shown our haul to parents and aunts and uncles and now its time to "deal with it". There are actually a few very good helps that you can use to move out old clutter and make way for new things..or maybe just unclutter your world a little..which is a good thing. The two most popular ways to move out the old and move in the new are www.eBay.com and www.Craigslist.org..

How you chose to unclutter will depend on how much time you want to invest and how much money, if any, you care to collect. Donate your stuff and you're guaranteed to get rid of it all fast, but you get a tax write-off instead of cash. If you want to sell your stuff, eBay, which reaches prospective buyers across the globe, gets you top dollar, but you have to do some legwork and pay fees. Craigslist.org is free, but you reach a smaller, local audience. Tomorrow we will take a look at a these sites plus other ideas on ways of turning your clutter into cash.

Again from my family here at Save a Penny Save the World hope you and your family had a very Merry Christmas!!! And as always Happy Saving!!!!

Save Money with Price Protcetr

Save Money by Protecting Your Purchase PriceProtectr
As http://priceprotectr.com proudly proclaims there are a lot of stores that offer price protection on a purchase, when the price drops they'll refund the difference in price to you. There's only one catch. You have to watch the price yourself.
Priceprotectr makes it simple to keep track of your purchases and get your money back. It's free. It's easy. It's free and easy money. How often do you get that offer?
Buy something from one of their 74 stores including Amazon , The Apple Store, Best Buy, Circuit City, Costco, Future Shop, Sears and Staples.
The way it works is: You find the find the information page for the item you just bought(the page where you can add it to your shopping cart). There is a blank to copy and past the URL.
Your item name and price should then show up. If everything looks correct then click on the box that says "start protecting" your purchase. They promise not to spam you or sell your e-mail address.
Then sit back and relax. If the price drops any time within the price protection period, they will email you, and also keep e-mailing you if the price keeps dropping.
This is a very handy way to make sure you get the very lowest price for the item. Sounds like a very good way to save money!! Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and as always Happy Savings!!!

Save Money--Super Sales Weekend

Save Money by Waiting: More late shoppers find retailers offering deals.
Procrastinators numbers up in '07; bargains and other extras await.
Retailers expect a flood of shoppers to hit stores this weekend as procrastinators take advantage of the last full weekend before Christmas.
About 17 percent of shoppers polled early this week said they hadn't even started shopping, up from about 15 percent last year, according to the National Retail Federation.
Of those who weren't finished shopping, more than half said they usually are much further along with their holiday purchases.
Retail experts say a variety of factors has people waiting longer than usual to buy. One reason, they say, is that shoppers have more time because Christmas falls on a Tuesday this year.
Others say high gas prices and a mortgage crisis have shoppers more edgy than usual, causing them to hold out for deeper discounts.
Either way, retailers-many of whom have had a rough year so far- are making a final push to grab the interest of last-minute buyers.
About 53 percent of people polled said they were waiting to get bigger discounts, compared to 38 percent last year, according to Consumer Reports.
Discounts make retailers nervous because the cuts can hurt the bottom line. Clothing retailers in particular were hurt by unseasonably warm weather that discourages sales of sweaters, coats and similar items.
Sales on the day after Thanksgiving were more encouraging when receipts for that day rose 5 percent compared with the same day last year, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
A quarter of consumers polled said they intend to shop less this year, according to America's Research Group. Of them 33 percent attributed it primarily to gas prices, while 20 percent blamed a tighter credit market.
"This season turns out to be a waiting game between retailers and the consumers," said Britt Beemer, founder and chairman of ARG. "The consumers, as always have the upper hand because they make the purchasing decisions, and retailers will have to work harder to entice them to buy."
So if you've waited until the last minute to finish your Christmas shopping it seems there will be bargains waiting for you this weekend. Be careful out there. Remember the tips for keeping your identity safe while shopping. And remember, it's not a bargain if you don't need it. With prices cut way down now...there should be some really big bargains after Christmas. Makes gift cards sound even better doesn't it. So be careful, be frugal, be thoughtful and as always... Happy Savings!!!

Coupon Corner
Family Value Meal $21.99 --2 large pizzas, single order of bread sticks, single order of cinnamon sticks at Pizza Hut (no visible expiration date)
Family Pizza Deal $17.99-- large 1-topping & medium up to 3 toppings or specialty pizza at Pizza Hut exp. 1/31/08
2 Medium Pizzas (1 topping) $13.99 at Pizza Hut exp. 1/31/08
2 Large Pizzas (1-topping) $18.99 at Pizza Hut exp. 1/31/08
Save $1.00 on all Hanes underwear and sleepwear exp. 1/16/08
Save $1.00 on any Sudafed or Sudafed PE product (excluding trial size) exp. 2/29/08
$1.00 off any Quaker Simple Harvest instant multigrain hot cereal exp. 3/15/08
$3.00 off when you purchase 2 Neutrogena Men items (offer excludes Neutrogena Men invigorating hair and body wash) exp. 4/30/08
$2.00 off World's Best Cat Litter (available on any size bag or box of World's Best Cat Litter)exp.3/31/08

Save Money--Low Hotel Rates

Save Money--Find Low Hotel Rates at cheaptickets.com
Looking for a hotel bargain? Www.cheaptickets.com has released its annual "Cheapometer" report of month-by month projections for when hotel rates will be cheapest in 2008 in popular destinations around the world.
For example, hotels in Athens will be 68percent cheaper in January than at its peak tourism period, the Website said.
Other January bargains include Jackson Hole Wyo., 64 percent cheaper than peak, and Paris, 48 percent cheaper, the site said.
Hotels in California's wine country in Napa and Sonoma are 47 percent cheaper in February than peak, CheapTickets said, and London is 35 percent cheaper in February.
--Associated Press
Hope this Web site helps you save money on future trips. Happy Savings!!!

This and That
Petal Pusher
A rose is a rose is a rose. But an orchid ahh...Feel the power at the 19th World Orchid Conference in Miami, January 23 through January 27, where thousands of the flowers will be on display and for sale. If you can't be there but want to stock up on the tropical lovelies for Valentine's Day, simply go to the conference's website--www.19woc.com--where you'll find an extensive list of participating vendors to order from.
Tip Top
Americans are the world's biggest tippers.
35 percent of us tip even when service is bad.
49 percent feel pressure to leave a tip.
8 percent is the absolute minimum tip to leave says Peggy Post.

Coupon Corner
Holiday Special at Pizza Hut: 2 Medium Pizzas (up to three toppings or specialty) single order of bread sticks and single order of cinnamon sticks $19.99 with coupon. (no visible expiration date)
Medium Pizza up to 3 toppings or specialty $9.99 at Pizza Hut exp. 1/31/08
Large Pizza up to 3 toppings or specialty $11.99 at Pizza Hut exp. 1/31/08
Save $1.00 on any two Pert Plus shampoo plus conditioner (excludes trial size) exp. 3/31/08
Save $1.00 on all Hanes Socks exp. 1/16/08
Save $1.00 on all Hanes Bras exp.1/16/08
Save $1.00 on any Sudafed PE Severe Cold Product (excludes trial size) exp. 2/29/08
Save $1.00 on any two Sure Antiperspirant and Deodorant (excludes trial size) exp.3/31/08
Save $1.00 on one Scotch-Brite Stainless Steel Cleaner Starter Kit exp. 2/29/08
Save $1.00 on any Benadryl Product(excludes trial size) exp. 2/29/08
$5.00 Rebate when you buy any two Pert Plus and/or Sure products exp.3/31/08
Happy Saving!!!

Save Money Protect Your Pets--Part Two

Hope this saves you money by keeping you from having to make an emergency trip to the vet this Christmas.
Protecting Your Pets From Holiday Hazards--Part Two
Dr. Helen Halligan provides these tips:
Foods and Plants That Harm

• Never give bones to your pets. They can splinter and endanger their lives. Put any meat bones in a closed plastic bag and dispose of them outside.
  
• Ham and other meats may come packaged with string. If swallowed string ca cause serious problems. Dispose of it with the bones.
  
• Don't feed pets holiday goodies or leftovers, and make sure they can't get at candies and snacks.
  
• Some holiday plants--such as holly, lilies and mistletoe--are toxic to pets, so be sure they're always out of reach.
  

Oh, Christmas Tree

• Use Christmas tree decorations wisely. Decorate the bottom third of the tree with nonbreakable plastic or wooden ornaments. Better yet: Place a barrier around the tree.
  
• Cover electric cords. Or try coating them with bitter-apple spray, which pets don't like.
  
• For live trees, keep the water stand covered or use a pet-proof container-- the water may contain fertilizers or bacteria.
  
• Safely secure trees to a wall or the ceiling to prevent them from toppling on playful pets.
  

Hope these helpful hints keep your pets safe during Christmas!! Happy Savings!!!!

Coupon Corner

If any of you get a daily paper scan back through it for a CVS/Pharmacy coupon, if there is one in your area. It is a cut out coupon for $5 off any purchase of $15 or more. The coupon expires 12/22/07. So its good for only a few days but $5 off $15 isn't bad.

Save $1.50 on any one Vaseline Cocoa Butter Smoothing Body Butter or Intensive Rescue Moisture Locking Butter.exp. 2/3/08

Save $1.00 on any one Vaseline Intensive Rescue Body Lotion(200 ml or larger)exp. 2/3/08

Save $1.00 on any one Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion product (200 ml or larger) except Renewal or Glow. exp.2/3/08

$5.00 off any size Half Ham at Honey Baked Hams exp. 12/31/07

$19.99 Turkey Breast with purchase of any ham at Honey Baked Hams exp. 12/31/07

Bar-B-Q Lunch Favorite Buy One, Get One For $.99 at Sonny's Real-Pit Bar-B-Q exp.1/10/08

Bar-B-Q Dinner Favorite Buy Two, Save $5.00 at Sonny's Real Pit-Bar-B-Q exp 1/10/08

Feast for Four Save $5.00 at Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q exp.1/10/08

$2.00 Off a Whitman's Sampler 12oz. or larger box or Soho 3.3oz or larger box exp. 1/31/08

$2.00 Off any assortment of Russell Stover 9.25oz or larger box or Private Reserve 2.875oz. or larger box or Urban 3oz. or larger box. exp. 1/31/08

Just let me know which ones you need by e-mail or in comments. First come first serve. You can even send me some of your own coupons. Happy Savings!!!!!!

Save Money: Curb Impulse Spending

6 Ways to Curb Impulse Spending
Is impulse buying taking a heavy toll on your budget?
Here are six ways to get a handle on your spending:
Identify your triggers.
Many people use shopping as an emotional outlet. But letting your emotions dictate your spending is nearly always a bad idea. To break yourself of the habit, try to determine what prompts you to spend unwisely and take steps to change your behavior.
Avoid temptation
If you're inclined to overspend, consider a self-imposed ban on window shopping, casual browsing and unnecessary trips to the mall. Hint: If you know you're likely to be tempted, leave your credit card at home and only bring as much cash as you absolutely need.
Be a cautious consumer
You may think you're immune to advertising, but even the savviest shoppers fall prey to marketing tactics now and again. Next time you find yourself eyeing a "new and improved" product, ask yourself why you feel compelled to buy it. Will that new golf club/razor/skin cream substantially improve your life or just deplete your bank account?
Take a time-out
If you stumble on a "must have" item, don't get caught up in the excitement, advises MSN Money columnist Liz Pulliam Weston. Take a deep breath and walk away. Give yourself anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to figure out if this is something that you can afford and really need. After a cool-down period, if you can truthfully answer yes to both questions, go ahead and splurge.
Remember long-term goals
Before you buy, ask yourself if you'll get more long-term satisfaction out of owning this item, paying down your debt or putting money toward that dream vacation. You may get a temporary boost from buying that scarf, but that doesn't mean it's the best use of your money.
Check your balances
If you find yourself standing in the checkout line, ready to buy something you're not sure you can afford, hold off, suggests Weston. Go to your local bank or log on to your bank account online. Once you've viewed your balance, the purchase may appear far less enticing.
Hope these money-saving hints help.---Marshall Loeb Marketwatch
Coupon Corner
Save $.50 when you buy two Pillsbury Italian Meal Breads (Including any loaves, breadsticks, dinner rolls, and pizza crust. exp. 2/16/08
2 for $9.00 grab and go quarts Cold Stone Creamery exp. 1/14/08
Free Ice Cream Buy one love it signature creation or create your own, get one free Cold Stone Creamery exp. 1/14/08
$3.00 off any Signature Cake (excludes petite cakes) Cold Stone Creamery Exp. 1/14/08
Save $.50 on three any size / any variety Refrigerated Pillsbury Grands Biscuits exp. 2/16/08
Save $1.00 when you buy any flavorYo-Plus Yogurt 4-pack exp. 2/2/08
Save $.25 when you buy any Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls Exp. 2/16/08
Save $.50 when you buy any Pillsbury Grands Sweet Rolls exp. 2/16/08
Save $.25 when you buy any Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls exp. 2/16/08
Save $.40 on any 4 Swanson Broth 14oz. can exp. 1/20/08
Save $1.00 on any Two Poppers Frozen Snacks exp. 2/3/08
Save $.35 on any 4 Campbell's Cream Soups exp. 1/20/08

Save money...keep your identity safe

This is the seasons of giving..unfortunately it is also the season for taking...thieves are out there always on the lookout for ways to take your money and your identity..so be careful.
Before you head out on your next shopping venture, take a moment to do the following.

• Reduce the amount of personal information you carry. You do not need to carry your Social Security cards... or those of your children! Ever!
  
• Check all insurance cards, etc. to make sure they don't have your SSN
  
• Make copies of the fronts and backs of every credit?debit card you carry. Store those in an accessible place at home in case you need to notify any of the companies of a theft.
  
• Don't carry prescription bottles; they reveal too much personal information. If necessary, place a few pills in a small envelope and label the contents. (If you must carry the container, cross out your name and the prescription number.)
  
• Separate your car key from the house key and do not keep a re3mote security access FOB attached to either. This gives a thief immediate access to your home.
  

Hope you find these hints helpful in keeping your identity and your hard earned money. I will be back later hopefully with a longer post. Happy Shopping!!!!

Save money...don't be a victim

Take these precautions when buying a gift card for somebody.
Dan Starks a personal safety specialist with the Charlotte Observer says:
When choosing a gift for that hard-to-buy-for person, a gift card can be a simple solution. For the recipient, it sure beats having to return an unwanted gift like that ugly pair of socks.
When buying a gift card, follow these tips:

• Buy a card that hasn't been on display. Cards secured behind a counter have less chance of being tampered with.
  
• After buying the card, immediately ask the cashier to verify the balance.
  
• As soon as possible, go online to register it with the store. That should help if there is a need to replace it.
  
• Save the original receipt until the card has been used.
  
• Be very cautious when purchasing cards from online auction sites. You can end up purchasing an invalid card with no value.
  

Also, an alternative to a gift card is a money order. Advantage: The recipient can exchange it at his or her bank for cash, then buy from any store.

And for those thinking of giving a gift to someone in the military this holiday season:

If you don't have a family member in the military to send a gift or care package to, you can still spread holiday cheer to those stationed overseas. Here are some ideas from the United Service organization on what you can do. To donate to any of these programs or for more info, go to www.uso.org or call 800-901-1501.

• Operation Care Package: For $25 you can sponsor a care package and include a personal note, wishing a military member happy holidays or thanking them for their service.
  
• Operation Phone Home: Donate a phone card. The USO says there is an urgent need for phone cards so deployed service members can call home.
  
• USO in a box:: This pilot program, created this year, sends electronic, entertainment and personal care items to troops in remote locations.--Amy Baldwin
  

Hope these tips help you save money and give to others this holiday season.

Coupon Corner:

Save $1.00 on one package 6oz. or larger, Purina Beggin, any variety exp 3/9/08

Save $1.50 on two packages of Purina Busy Bone, any size, any variety exp. 2/7/08

Save $1.00 on one package of Purina Busy bone, any size , any variety exp. 2/9/08

Save $.75 on any Easy Off glass cooktop cleaner exp. 2/9/08

Save $.35 on any Easy Off oven cleaner exp. 2/9/08

Save $2.00 on any one Schick Razor or refill package exp 1/31/08

Save $.50 when you buy any Frank's Redhot Sauce exp.3/31/08

Save $.40 on any three packages of Kleenex facial tissues or one bundle pack exp. 1/15/08

Save $1.00 on 4 Campbell's Chunky Soup can variety 1/20/08

Save $1.00 on any 10 Campbell's Condensed Chicken Noodle or Tomato Soups exp. 1/31/08

Save $1.00 on any 5 Campbell's Condensed Soups (except chicken noodle , tomato &creams exp. 1/31/08

Buy four Little Debbie family snack packs, get one free(any variety up to $1.39 exp. 2/15/08

Save $3.00 on any one Excedrin 100ct product exp. 1/31/08

Save $2.00 on any one Excedrin Product exp. 1/31/08

Save $2.00 when you purchase a Reynolds Handi-vac Starter Kit exp. 2/3/08

Get one warmer unit free when you buy your favorite Air Wick scented oil refill fragrance (up to $3.19) exp. 1/20/08

$1.00 off any 2 Air Wick scented oil refills exp. 1/20/08

$2.00 off any one pro recharge Crest SpinBrush exp.1/31/08

$1.00 off any one Crest SpinBrush exp.1/31/08

$1.00 off any one Crest Kids SpinBrush exp. 1/31/08

These are free ..as many as you want..just email me with a mail address and let me know which ones you want.... and if you like you can send me a few of your own ..

Happy savings!!