Farnoosh Torabi's Blog, page 30

Study: Most Men Want to Go Dutch

If chivalry means footing the bill, a new study suggests it just may be dead.

A team of researchers set out recently to investigate gender norms and how they’ve changed over the years, specifically when it comes to the question of who pays for dates. California State University’s Janet Lever and colleagues from Wellesley College and Chapman University surveyed more than 17,000 participants and found that two thirds men (64%) said they’d like to share dating expenses, or go dutch.

Other important findings of the study: 44% of men said they would stop dating a woman who never pays for dates, but 76% reported feeling guilty accepting a woman’s money. Women aren’t any less conflicted. More than half (57%) reported offering to help pay for dates but 39% confessed to secretly hoping their date would reject the offer. Forty-four percent of women were bothered when men expected them to help pay. Coincidentally, that’s the same share of men that would stop dating a woman who never paid.

In all, researchers found that men still pay for most expenses on the date. That’s according to most men (84%) and most women (58%.)

“Our data suggest there has been significant movement away from a monolithic cultural norm for dating and towards a more variable set of strategies and interactions,” the report reads. “The data presented here support the notion that many people‘s behaviors - across age, income, and educational variations - are disrupting old gendered assumptions about “who pays” and in that respect those people seem to be attempting to undo gender.”

And, ultimately, it seems as though couples may move more toward sharing expenses as time goes on. Nearly 40 of all participants agreed that dating expenses were shared in the first month of dating, even if men are payed a larger portion. By the six-month mark, 74% of men and 83%of women reported sharing expenses.

What do you think?

Photo Courtesy, vxla.

Save On Eyeglasses

New eyewear, updating your old frames or replacing broken ones can come at a hefty price. And if you’re among the two-thirds of adults who need glasses or contact lenses, that cost is almost unavoidable.

Ever wonder why they’re so expensive? Last month, a team at “60 Minutes” looked into it. They found that one Italian company, Luxottica, controls the lion’s share of the market. They manufacture most of the designer brands: Gucci, Prada, Ray Ban, Oakley, Polo, Ralph Lauren, Versace, Chanel, Chaps, Paul Smith. If that’s not enough, Luxottica also owns and/or runs retail channels like Lenscrafters, Pearle Vision, Sears Optical, Target Optical, Sunglass Hut, and Oliver Peoples. Luxottica is the largest eyewear company on the planet and its CEO estimates that half a billion people are wearing one of their products.

They set the price and we pony up an average $200 per new pair.

Here are 3 ways to save:

Check Your Coverage

Before you pay for anything out of pocket, check your health insurance too see what’s covered. Many plans allow for some of the cost of vision expenses, like one annual eye exam and a part of the cost of new glasses. Also, if your employer offers a flexible spending account, eyeglasses are just the kind of expense you should use it on. With an FSA, you can use pre-tax funds to make the purchase, saving you overall. Most FSAs cover eye exams, prescription glasses and sunglasses, reading glasses, contact lenses and solution.

Take Advantage of Promotions

Another way to save on eyeglasses is to take advantage of deals offered by retailers. For example, right now at Pearle Vision, you can get 50% off of eyeglasses when you buy contacts. They have a separate buy-one-get-one-free deal – perfect for the accident-prone. Getting your extra pair free will save you in the long run in case your regulars are lost or broken.

Shop Online

Finally, online eyewear retailers are sweeping the market. Sites like Zenni Optical, Warby Parker and Classic Specs have quickly swept in to become a low-cost alternative to traditional retailers. Online, you can get a complete pair of single-vision glasses from $50 to $100. To make sure you get the pair you want, Warby Parker will even send you five pairs to try on at no cost before making your pick.

Photo Courtesy, William Wu.

6 Ways to Save on College Textbooks

The first day of school is rapidly approaching. For college students that means one really big, immediate expense: textbooks.

Every fall students dole out hundreds of dollars on textbooks. When I was in school, to be honest, it just felt like a huge ripoff. You buy a really expensive book you’ll barely read throughout the semester and when all is said and done, you’re stuck with it. There has to be a better way, right? Well, actually there is.

Check out these 6 ways to save.

Compare Prices Online

Direct Textbook is the leading site for price comparisons on college textbook. Research from the company finds that most students overpay an average of 45% for books, primarily because they don’t shop around for the lowest price. With the average student at a four-year college expected to pay nearly $5,000 as they matriculate, savings of 45% could mean $2,250 in the bank. Use Direct Textbook, or a similar site, to find the best price for the books you need. Odds are, finding it online will beat the price at your campus bookstore.

Know the Right Time to Buy

As with most things, there’s a best time to save on textbooks and that time is fast approaching. When shopping online for new or used books, the lowest priced ones will sell out quickly. An analysis by Extrabux.com found that the weeks of Aug 20-26th and Jan 7-13th are when prices are best. Why? It all has to do with supply and demand. During those weeks before and after school, the market is flooded with books and prices tend to come down.

Opt For Used Books

A great way to save is to buy used textbooks, especially books that you don’t plan on keeping. For elective classes outside my major, I almost always bought used. Used books come at a significant discount in campus bookstores and online. Amazon.com, BigWords.com and Ebay’s Half.com are all great sources for used books. One tip for buying used books: Check with your professor to find if older editions of the book will suffice. They’re usually available at lower prices, include only minor differences from the newest editions and are abundant online.

Rent Your Book

Textbook rental sites like Chegg, BookRenter, and Barnes & Noble can help save pretty hefty amounts. For example, right now on Chegg, you can rent “Essentials of Business Communication, the 9th edition” for just $45. The price to buy: a whopping $124.

Go Paperless

Yet another way to save on textbooks is by downloading them. On average, you’ll save about half with retailers like Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Ebooks of course can be very handy and will lighten the load in your backpack. The downside, however, is that when you’re done with the book, there’s no option to resell it so a download is only advisable if it’s a text you really want to keep.

Recoup by Reselling

Need book money for next semester? Resell your used textbook. Again, marketplaces including Amazon.com, BigWords.com and  Half.com are perfect destinations and you’ll want to zero in on Aug 20-26th and Jan 7-13th as key dates to sell your books because demand will be at its highest. According to Extrabux.com, students can sell their textbooks for as much as 20% more by selling during the right months. All you have to do is keep them in great condition.

Photo Courtesy, John Liu.

5 Kitchen Essentials for $100 or Less

Can you buy all your kitchen essentials with just $100? We stopped by New York’s famous Bowery Kitchen Supplies with Chef Sue Torres for her top five items, all totaling within our budget. Read more here.

And we want to hear from you. What are your essential kitchen items? Connect with me on Twitter @Farnoosh, using the #FinFit hastag.

Healthy Supermarket Trends

The common grocery store has a lot of competition nowadays with big box retailers like Target and Walmart getting into the food space, and even some drugstores rolling out convenient grab-n-go grocery options.

What are supermarkets doing these days to woo you back to your local grocer?  They’re unveiling some healthful products and services to win over customers.

On-call Nutrition

Just like you might ask your fishmonger what the freshest catch-of-the-day is or the butcher how to prepare that lamb shank that’s on sale, now you can ask an on-staff dietitian which of those protein choices might be the healthiest.  According to ShopSmart Magazine, about half of all major chains have regional dietitians and 33% have a dietician on staff at each store location. This accompanies the trend of grocery stores expanding their pharmacies and their nutritional support, with a surprising number of  new stores now offering health screenings, wellness classes, cooking demonstrations, and even weight management courses.

A Shopper’s Hang Out

They say you should never shop hungry… so now you don’t have to!  Major retailers have long known that a well-placed Starbucks or snack bar in their store can keep nosh-y customers happy, but some chains are going as far as opening full-service foodie hangouts like restaurants, elaborate food stands and even taverns that include happy hour and pub grub.  For example, certain Whole Foods Markets are opening on-site tap rooms that serve wine.

Fresh-Picked to-the-Max

Bristol Farms, Schnooks, Winn-Dixie, and other stores are building impressive hydroponic garden displays based around ingredients you can pick yourself, like beds of fresh lettuces and herbs in tanks found in the produce aisle.  Talk about fresh!

Deals & Apps Just For You

Technology coupled with increased rewards are making deal seekers and coupon-lovers crazy for all-things-App: at Safeway, the “Just For U” app is where you can go to get personalized offers based on your shopping history, ShopRite has taken the scanning concept to smartphones that help speed check-out, and Wegman’s app helps you keep track of recipe ingredients and pantry supplies.  These grocery-brand app products are far from the only ones.  If you’re a smartphone user and a loyal customer, why not give your shopping preferences over to your local grocer to see what kinds of deals they’ll offer you?

Local Going Viral

A recent survey found that 70% of shoppers would pay more for local produce than for organics, sparking yet more demand for food that’s grown nearby (which, by the way, often costs less and tastes better because it’s fresher!).  So major chains are jumping on the bandwagon: SuperValue (owner of Alberton’s and Lucky stores) says 25-40% of it’s produce has been grown locally and even Walmart plans to grow it’s local offerings to 9% by 2015.

Anti Antiboitics 

Sales of meats with labels like, “raised without antibiotics” and others like it have increased in the last year — probably due to the news that the overuse of agricultural antibiotics is threatening our global health.  Not all labels are useful however: “all natural” and “cage-free” have nothing to do with antibiotic usage, but misinformation around food labels thrives. Unfortunately, Whole Foods is the only chain in the country that sells “no antibiotics” meat — with a high price tag to reflect it.   To request that your local grocer start carrying more meat options, visit .

Fun With Fiber 

With more people eating gluten-free these days, the bread and pasta aisles are getting a major makeover.  Products rich with  fiber like flax, chia and spelt are gaining popularity along with ancient grains like quinoa, millet, freekeh, and amaranth.  Pastas, too, are being made with new ingredients like whole grains, veggies and legumes.  However, watch prices: gluten-free products can cost 2 or 3 times more than the regular stuff so try simple grains like corn and rice –affordable alternatives to wheat especially when bought in bulk.

More Hype Than Hip 

Greek yogurt is a supermarket smash right now with food manufacturers trying to cash in on the Greek craze: dips, spreads, ice creams, and even coatings on granola bars and cereals are showing up on grocery store aisles.  Nutritionists say that while plain greek yogurt  is healthy, just because a product is labeled “greek” doesn’t mean it’s a health food.  The small boost of calcium and protein is usually far outweighed by sugar, artificial sweeteners, or the food’s overall junk-food factor.  Fancy juices with healthy-sounding names like “Carrot Beet Ginger” and “Power Garden” can suffer from the same reputation: though better than sodas and energy drinks, these beverages can deliver a hefty caloric punch.  Go for those labeled 100% juice (no sugar added) and have a larger ratio of veggies over fruit.  

Photo Courtesy of:  flickr.com/mmwhortgroup

Tip to Brew the Best Coffee

Find out what essential ingredient can help create the best home-brewed results. Read more here.

What are some of your home brewing tips? Connect with me on Twitter @farnoosh and use the hashtag #finfit

Save on Cable…or Cut the Cord

With cable companies battling it out with major networks, and prices rising all the while, customers are considering forgoing cable TV altogether.

According to a recent report from Macquarie Capital, the price for popular packages from cable companies just keeps going up. “Triple-play” service – cable, phone and internet – has jumped in price about 6.3% every year for the past three years. To put it in terms you can feel, the average bill for the three services has increased by nearly $50 since 2010, coming to an average total of nearly $270 per month.

A big reason for the rising cost of cable is the business behind it. Most recently, that business has been illustrated in a the battle between CBS and cable giant Time Warner. Some may not know, but cable companies pay to carry a network and its programs. That cost and its rise is passed on to cable customers. Recently, when CBS attempted to raise it’s cost in negotiations with Time Warner, the cable company refused – leading to the current blackout of CBS through Time Warner systems with no end in sight.

Macquarie asked consumers which service – cable, internet or phone –  would they cut first to save money. More than three-fourths said their cable TV service – and understandably so. It’s the service that varies most in price and there are so many other options.

Shop Around for Cable Providers

One obvious way to save on your cable bill is to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Prices vary widely by providers and based in services. Comparing cost can be a lot of work. To help, WhiteFence.com searches your address to find all of the providers in your area and offers side-by-side comparisons for their deals – along with information about current promotions.

Negotiate With Your Cable Company

If you can’t see your life without TV, it’s effective to negotiate with your cable company. Armed with information on what’s available in the market, give your provider a call. Ask about promotions and other ways to save. It even works to threaten to cancel your service or some features if your bill isn’t reduced. You could bring your bill down by about $10 to $20 or talk yourself into some free channels.

Cut the Cord  

It’s been shown that the number of pay-TV subscribers is declining. If, like me, you watch most of your programming from your computer, it might be smart to cancel your cable subscription. Instead consider an Apple TV unit. The device costs $99 and uses wi-fi to turn your TV into a media player. Apple TV works with Youtube, Hulu, Netflix and other subscription services to play all the media you need right on your TV.

Photo Courtesy, Alyssa & Colin.

5 Things to Toss Out of Your Bathroom

Good hygiene facilitates good health, which we all know can reduce medical costs – and in the long run, that can translate into big savings. In the bathroom, germs can easily surface. Stay healthy by knowing when to toss the following five bathroom items. Read more here.

Tell us what else needs to be tossed in the bathroom. Connect with me on Twitter @Farnoosh and use the hashtag #FinFit.

Buying the Perfect Coffeemaker

The secret to a quality cup of joe is a mix of great beans, a little know how and good machinery. But with so many coffeemakers on the market, where do you start?

It’s been shown that half of American workers buy coffee throughout their work week. And get this: those of us that regularly consume coffee spend an average of $1,092 a year on it. That’s over $5 per day – almost as much as we spend on the commute to and from work.

Let’s face it: many of us can’t live without our coffee and there’s not much of a chance that half of American workers will just cut it out of their daily routine to save a few bucks. We can, however, cut out the middle man. By making coffee at home, instead of visiting the nearest pricey coffee shop, we can save a pretty penny. And it all starts with the right machine.

Also See: Is Starbucks the Best Coffee?

Coffeemakers can cost up to $200 or more. Recent tests by Consumer Reports finds, however, that you don’t have to spend as much for a quality machine, depending on your coffee-drinking needs. So what kind of coffee drinker are you? Consider more than cost, but also convenience and the features you might like best.

Here’s a quick guide to buying the best.

Traditional Drip Machines

Drip coffeemakers are the most common. These machines allow you to make a pot for a crowd, typically 12 cups. There are also “brew and dispense” makers that produce enough coffee for a group, but hold it in the machine to be poured as needed. Then there are “grind and brew” machines that, as the name suggests, have a feature to grind your beans for the freshest coffee in every pot. When it comes to a traditional drip coffeemaker. Consumer Reports ranks the Mr. Coffee BVMC-SJX33GT at number one, costing only $40.

Pod Coffeemakers

Now, if you’re looking for a cup of coffee on the go, you might be interested in a “pod” machine. These coffeemakers use pre-measured, single-serving packets, or pods. Now, for a cup-a-day drinker, a year’s worth of pods can cost upwards of $200 a year – less than ordering a the local Starbucks but a pricey nonetheless. Pop coffeemakers are favored, however, for their convenience and easy cleanup. The Consumer Reports top pod pick: DeLonghi’s Dolce Gusto Genio came out on top at $130. Experts picked it for its consistency in producing a fast, hot cup of coffee with every pod.

Photo Courtesy, waferboard.

6 Ways to Better Afford College

Sallie Mae’s recently released How America Pays for College study indicates that only four out of 10 American families have a plan to pay for college. Whether you’re desperate for last-minute ways to meet that tuition bill or worried about affording college down the road, don’t panic.  I’ve partnered with Sallie Mae to provide my top strategies to prepare and pay for higher education.

Keep an Open Mind

The first lesson in planning and preparing for college is try to keep an open mind about where to attend and how to achieve that degree. Private liberal arts schools are wonderful, but not if attending means taking on piles of debt to attend. You have to be realistic about what you can comfortably afford.  Many students are opting for state schools and community colleges where they can save a great deal of money. Others are skipping a year between high school and college and using that time to work and raise money for college.  You need to do what’s best for you and your financial life.

Cast a Wide Net for Free Aid

Millions of dollars worth of scholarships and grants are available each year to college-bound students. The key to winning them – aside from meeting the qualifications – is applying early and often. In fact, there are many scholarships available to students in grades K-11, not just high school seniors.  There are several free scholarship search tools including CollegeAnswer.com, which points to approximately 3 million scholarships worth $16 billion.

Also, while some state or school specific deadlines may have passed, you can still apply for federal grants. Start by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA.

Borrow Wisely

Speaking of the FAFSA, this form will also help you apply for federal student loans, which tend to carry the lowest interest rates with more flexible repayment options. If you must borrow money, start with federal loans first. Then, if scholarships, grants, federal loans and savings fail to cover the cost of education, carefully explore the private student loan market.  My rule of thumb is that you don’t want to borrow more than half of your anticipated starting salary. So, if you expect to earn $50,000 a year in your first year out of school, don’t borrow more than $25,000 total – federal and private.Consider interest rates and total cost over the life of the loan.

Keep in mind, depending on your loans you can make interest payments while still in school. Even small monthly payments can help you graduate with less debt.

Consider Working Park-Time

In college I worked three to four jobs my sophomore year and, while it was absurdly hectic, making money on my own proved essential while living on (and off) campus to pay for books, food, club dues and holiday gifts. The savings also came in handy during the following year when I studied abroad in Paris. The most important lesson, though, was that I became more financially independent and didn’t have to beg my parents for money. It was rewarding to be able to afford things for myself. It made me appreciate having a job.

Aim for Four Years

One of the biggest financial myths of college is that it’s a four-year experience. The truth is schools, both public and private, are graduating just 37% of their full-time students within four years, according to an analysis of 1,400 schools by the American Enterprise Institute. It’s one thing if you’re majoring in architecture, accounting or engineering. Those concentrations tend to have greater course requirements to qualify for related work. But for millions of other college students, extending college by an extra year or two is arguably not a worthwhile investment. Each additional year could mean another $25,000 to $50,000 a year in tuition, room and board. Try to avoid changing majors midway through college or transferring to schools that don’t accept your previous course credits.

Family Financial Setback? Ask for More Aid

Schools offer what’s called a “professional judgment review” if a family suddenly experiences a financial setback such as a job loss, salary reduction and high unreimbursed medical bills.  They’ll re-examine the amount of money they initially offered and try to adjust it to meet your new financial needs. Financial aid experts at FinAid.org, a college planning website, tell me that if parents’ earnings have dropped by $10,000 and they have one child in college, the student could potentially get an additional $2,000 to $5,000 a year in financial aid through a professional judgment review.