Farnoosh Torabi's Blog, page 54

Kitchen Gadgets You Should Never Buy

Even the pros agree that most kitchens don’t need more than a sharp knife and some versatile pots and pans, but, most American kitchens have way more – too much in fact. All these highly specialized appliances are collecting dust and taking up a lot more space than they should. To help you clear the clutter, Allison Fishman, host of Yahoo!’s Blue Ribbon Hunter and contributing editor at Cooking Light, shares which appliances are worth the money and which you can absolutely skip. Read more here.

As always, we want to hear from you. What are some kitchen gadgets you totally regret buying? Connect with me on Twitter @Farnoosh, and use the #FinFit.

Secrets to Avoid Holiday Shipping Costs

Online shopping has it’s appeal – you can shop in the middle of the night, in your PJ’s, all while avoiding the crowds and stress of the mall during the holiday retail crush.  But, man, shipping stinks!  In fact it’s the number one reason online shopping carts are abandoned prior to finalizing a purchase.

To help, here are some strategies that – when put to the test – can help to curb that annoying postal premium.

Consider Amazon Prime  

Amazon devotees know the savings that can accrue by signing up for their premium service.  The annual fee is a steep $79 dollars, however, Amazon Prime comes with all kinds of other benefits, not the least of which is free, 2-day shipping on orders over $25 and overnight shipping is just $3.99. You also get access to thousands of free “instant video” movies and TV shows, which are streamed unlimited over your computer commercial free.

Use a Free Shipping Service

If you shop online on multiple sites, you can sign up for a free shipping service like ShopRunner.  The service offers free shipping on returns, too, if you need to send something back.  It’s similarly priced to Amazon Prime at just $79/year (or $9 a month), but the benefit here is that it’s across dozens of sites — no need to be locked in.   If you’re a devoted online shopper, this is a huge savings.  There’s a host of other member benefits, too, like being able to track all your online orders from one central location.

Shop Select Retailers

During the mad dash for holiday gifts, certain retailers will try to woo you with their online deals, and one of them is free shipping.  Zappos has long been revered for it’s 365-day free shipping along with Staples, and this season, Apple and Target (on their top-selling toys) are offering free shipping close to the holidays as well. For clothing items, RevolveClothing and Nordstrom both offer free shipping and returns.

Search for Discount Codes

Next, in addition to deal sites there are coupon sites like RetailMeNot, CouponChief, and CouponCodes.com that will help you dig out some discounts — check there first to see if there are active codes for free shipping.  And FreeShipping.org is a whole site dedicated to free shipping codes (now they have other coupon codes as well).  Even if you can’t find any, you may be able to score a discount on your purchase that’ll offset the cost of shipping.

Shop on Free Shipping Day

You could also save up your online shopping for Free Shipping Day, which is December 17th, 2012 – a day when nearly 1,000 large and small retailers will be offering free shipping on holiday orders, including Kohls, REI, Zappos and Best Buy.  Just make sure to watch prices to make sure you’re still getting a deal.

Call & Ask

Why not?  Online retail is a competitive arena.  You may be surprised by the results you get by simply calling the company and asking what they can do to help you cover shipping.  Ask them to waive the shipping fees if they can or, maybe they can help you out with a discount code or even honor a past sale (if it’s within 7-14 days) to help cover costs.

Shop Early

Finally, when all else fails, save yourself expensive shipping expenditures by simply shopping early.   The difference between sending a last-minute gift to Aunt Gertrude in time for her birthday or Christmas – paying at least 40% percent more for expedited or even overnight shipping – is like lighting a match to your billfold.  Simply by looking ahead a week or more and sending something freight, ground or express mail can save you $40, $50, even $80 on shipping.  If you can wait an additional day, a package shipped Fed-Ex Express Saver (usually  3 days) instead of 2-day is an automatic 10% savings.

The lesson is, don’t wait — research your options now, check for discounts, and capitalize on all the savings there is to be had on shipping this season.

Photo Courtesy of http: christmasstockimages.com

4 Cheap Ways to Lose Holiday Weight

[image error]The holidays are an indulgent time. We enjoy hearty meals with family and fruity refreshments at parties. What we don’t look forward to, however, are those extra few pounds that pack on in the process.

It’s been widely estimated that Americans gain an average 5 lbs during the holiday, but new research suggests that may be all myth. In fact, we gain only about one pound each season.

But before you go for seconds, that same survey also found that our percentage of body fat does increase (giving the illusion of weight gain.)

And that one tiny pound? Without proper diet and exercise, those small holiday gains can account for 51% of lifetime fat accumulation, according to a ZocDocs report.

To stave off the holiday weight, and fit into your New Year’s Eve outfit, here are a few cost-effective strategies that don’t require hiring a personal trainer.

Maximize Your Workout

The average cost of a gym membership is around $500 a year. Try kicking up your workout to get more bang for your buck. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is becoming popular on the fitness scene. In short, with HIIT, your cram in more exercise (maxing out in speed, reps, distance) into a shorter period of time. Studies show it’s just as effective as regular moderate exercise. So instead of joining a gym and exercising throughout the week, consider signing up for HIIT classes at a local fitness center as few as three times a week for weight loss and financial savings.

Ask for Discounts

Even if you stick with your gym, ask for a discount, especially if you work somewhere full-time. Some gyms offer corporate discounts. What’s more, employers are increasingly providing fitness benefits in their wellness plans to keep employees active and productive. You may be eligible for a gym discount or reimbursement that way, as well. Customers in 23 Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans, for example, are eligible for discounted membership at major fitness centers. Check with your office’s HR manager or your insurer to discuss your benefits.

Stay Committed With Free Apps

Getupp and Stickk are just two online commitment tools that help you stick to healthy behaviors. The idea behind them both is that people are are more likely to stay committed when there’s more at stake. Both utilize the power of social media to broadcast your goals, like “lose 5 lbs” or “go for a daily run,” to your followers and friends who can encourage you and track your progress. Stickk even takes it a step further by allowing you to set financial stakes if you don’t meet benchmarks. Whatever you wager will be paid out to designated friends — plenty of reason to work hard.

Invest in the Right Tools

If you prefer to work out at home, you can build an expensive home gym with simple exercise tools like a mat, barbells, an exercise ball and jump rope. Throw in an instructional app like Nike Training Club or Fitness Pro and you can create an extensive cardiovascular routine that should help to combat the fruitcake and Christmas cookie calories.

Top Jobs With Best Retirement Benefits

When it comes to retirement benefits, some jobs go above and beyond. Here are some of the country’s top jobs with the best retirement perks. Read the article here.

As always, we want to hear from you. What are some ways you’re saving for retirement? Connect with me on Twitter @Farnoosh and use the hashtag #finfit.

Cyber Monday 2012: The Web’s Best Deals

Didn’t get that Black Friday deal you wanted or maybe, like me, you’re not into big crowds? Luckily, there’s Cyber Monday. This day of online deals is perfect for its convenience and, with consumers more tech savvy than ever, retailers are hoping to spur sales with discounts on hot holiday items.

So far it’s worked. According to the , the average consumer did more than 40% of their Black Friday weekend shopping online, contributing to a more than 9% increase over last year. So how do you get in on the action? Navigate the sites of your favorite retailers, of course, but remember that some have better customer service than others – an important factor when shopping online. We recently published a story on online retailers with the best customer experiences and learned that this year, you should expect more with free shipping, short phone hold times and quick delivery.

Finally, to give you a head start, we’ve scoured the web for some of the best deals at popular retailers:

Walmart, while supplies last

Xbox 360 Skylanders Family Fun Bundle – $159
Double Power T-711 with WiFi 7″ Tablet – $59
Little Tikes Kitchen – $50
Philips Norelco 6945/41 Electric Razor – $28
Samsung 55″ 1080p Class LED Smart 3D HDTV – $1498
Fisher-Price Power Wheels Jeep Ride-On Collection – $88
Samsung 40″ 1080p Class LED HDTV – $598

Sears, through Wednesday, Nov. 28

60% off of outerwear
NordicTrack elliptical – $499.99
Kenmore Elite 5-qt. stand mixer – $169.99
50% off of women’s dresses
Craftsman 192-pc. Mechanics tool set – $99.99
30-70% off of handbags and wallets
Maytag 3.6-cu. ft. load washer and Maytag 7.0-cu. ft. dryer – $799.98

Amazon, while supplies last

50% or more off iPad accessories
Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series – $110
50% or more off smartphones with plans
Sony VAIO laptop – save up to $100
Canon DSLR Lense – save up to $200

Kohl’s, through Saturday, Dec. 1

Additional 20% off all items online
Free shipping with no minimum purchase
NCAA fleece hoodies – $22
Small kitchen appliances – $35
VTech InnoTab 2S Learning Tablet Bonus Pack – Pink – $129.99

Macy’s, ends Monday, Nov. 26

Extra 25-40% off clearance items.
Free shipping with $75 minimum
Select women’s sweaters – buy one get one free
Cashmere V-neck sweaters – $69.99
1/2-carat diamond stud earrings in 14K white gold – $199
1-1/3-carat Aquamarine ring in 14K white gold with diamond accents – $199
Select 24-piece room-in-a-bag sets – $99.99
50% off Charter Club leather gloves and cashmere scarves
Designer and trend handbags – 25-40%off
Select men’s boots – $59.99
Bill Blass premier 4-piece luggage set – $79.99

Best Buy, ends Monday, Nov. 26

Free shipping with no minimum purchase
Free same-day store pickup
Samsung – Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 with 8GB Memory – Titanium Silver – $179
K’NEX – Classics Transport Chopper Building Set – $15
Nintendo 3DS – $150
Nike+ – SportWatch GPS Powered By TomTom with Sensor – Black/Anthracite – $170

 

 

Black Friday 2012: Deals from Walmart, Target, Best Buy & More

[image error]Black Friday is the official start of the holiday shopping season, a sort of holiday unto itself. This year, the average shopper is expected to spend nearly $750, according to the National Retail Federation and holiday sales are estimated to rise 4.1% to $586.1 billion.

In previous posts, we’ve advised on how to get the most out of Black Friday shopping and what not to buy. To make your day much easier, we’ve also scoured deals at some of the most popular retailers to bring you our favorites.

 

 

Walmart

The retailer will be kicking off in-store deals on toys and other children’s items at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving, followed by sales on electronic and other items at 10 pm.

Starting at 8 p.m:

Xbox360 4GB SkyLander’s Bundle: $149
Nintendo Wii Console: $89
Nintendo DSi™ XL Console: $99.96
Sony PS3 Bundle: $199
iPack 20″ Hardside Carry-On Luggage: $27 each
Huffy 20″ Rock It or Sea Star Bike: $39 each

Starting at 10 p.m:

HP 15.6″ 2000 Laptop: $349
iPad 2, 16GB with Wi-Fi: $399
Emerson 40″ HDTV: $198
DVDs available from $1.96-$8.96
Beats By Dr. Dre Solo HD Headphones: $179.95 each

Macy’s

Stores will open at midnight Thanksgiving. Deals include:

Wool Coats for Her from Kenneth Cole, Nine West and Nautica: $79.99
Boots for Her from Easy Spirit, Aerosoles, G by GUESS, White Mountain, Madden Girl, Style & Co. and Karen Scott: $39.99
1/4 ct. t.w. Diamond Hoops in Sterling Silver, 18k Gold Over Sterling Silver or Black Diamond in Sterling Silver by Victoria Townsend: $39.99
Levi’s Leather Jackets for Him or Her: $99.99
Fairfield 5-piece Luggage Set: $49.99

Best Buy

The electronics giant’s deals will also start at midnight. They include:

Toshiba Smart Wi-Fi Ready Blu-ray Player: $39.99
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 with 8GB Memory – White: $179.99
Toshiba 40″ Class – LCD – 1080p – 60Hz – HDTV: $179.99
Apple iPod touch® 32GB MP3 Player (5th Generation): $294.99
Canon – EOS Digital Rebel T3 12.2-Megapixel Digital SLR Camera Kit: $449.99

Toys R Us

The toy giant plans to open its doors earlier than competitors, at 8 p.m. with the following deals:

50% off Avengers or Batman 12-pk Action Figures
40% off LEGO Adventure Sets
60% off Disney Princess 20” Singing & Storytelling Belle
Nintendo DS games Buy one for $19.00, get another for $1

Target

All Black Friday deals start at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving.

Nikon l310 digital camera: $99.99
Nook Simple Touch e-reader: $49
iPod Nano 16GB: $149
iPhone 4s for Virgin Mobile with no contract: $499.99
Casio 61-key electronic keyboard: $69
Retro handset for mobile phones: $6.99
100% Egyptian cotton sheet set $35

Lowe’s

The home improvement store is advertising its Black Friday deals to begin at midnight on Thanksgiving.

6-1/2 Ft Artificial Christmas Tree With Clear Lights: $48.00
14-Gallon Wet / Dry Shop-Vac: $39.00
Kobalt 227-Piece Socket Set: $99.98
Kobalt 20-Piece Double-Drive Ratchet Set: $24.97
Grill Master 4-Burner Gas Grill With Side Burner: $149.00

Photo Courtesy, Daquella manera.

How to Not Break Up Over Money

Whether you’re married or just dating, money is a divisive issue in any relationship. It’s a top cause of arguments, more than kids, chores, even the in-laws. In fact, research shows that couples that argue over finances at least once a week are 30% more likely to call it quits. So here’s some important information to help you avoid a breakup over money. Read more here.

As always, we want to hear from you. How do you handle financial differences in your relationship? Connect with me on Twitter @Farnoosh, using the #finfit hashtag.

Real v. Fake: The Xmas Tree Debate

[image error]Now that the turkey’s been stuffed, stockings are just around the corner. So when it comes to those boxed holiday ornaments you’re about to drag up from the basement or attic, is it better to festoon them to a real tree, or a fake one?

It’s commonly believed that buying an artificial tree saves money, since you’re saving time, energy, and certainly the CASH involved in acquiring new each year.  However, the pros and cons of each are are important to consider, and I think that when it comes to the potential costs to your health, the economy, and the environment, you may be surprised at which one appeals:

Real Trees: The Pros & Cons 

It turns out that consuming an entire tree for your own short-lived, personal festivity is not as detrimental to the environment as you would think.  For every tree chopped down, one to three are planted each year which means at least 98 percent are sustainably farm-raised on acres and acres of (albeit man-made) forestland — which helps produce oxygen for the planet, and habitat for wildlife.  That’s 25-30 million fresh cut trees sold each year, which are usually fairly local to where they’re being purchased (nearly all 50 states have a sustainable tree farm crop).  As well, the industry helps employ over 100,000 seasonal workers.

Best of all, you can recycle real trees: local companies can turn your tree into garden mulch, either for a nominal fee, or, many cities do this for for free, like Denver and New York.  Check your local boyscout program which often offer free tree recycling as a yearly fundraiser. Just be timely about dumping your decor: many recycling programs only run a few weeks in January.  Or, DIY it to provide your home with 13 pounds of firewood to pack a stove, backyard fire-pit or  fireplace all season long.  The needles can be used for mulch or to protect your landscaping from winter weather.

On the other hand, environmentalists complain that the pesticides used in growing farm-raised trees dont exactly make them “all natural” —  in fact each comes with nearly a quarter of an ounce of pesticides and, if neglected, will dry out and turn into fire hazard (properly-watered trees present a very low fire risk). They also cost around $25-$200 each, each year.  But, if you prize tradition and the environment, fresh is the way to go.

Artificial Trees: The Pros & Cons

In terms of appearance, artificial trees have come along way and with this option, you can buy once and you’re done — or, for at least 7-10 years, as that’s how long they are expected to last.  For $100-$1,000 (on the higher end, you’ll get hyper-realistic-arbors with pre-strung lights, etc) these conical beauties are always the perfect shape, they don’t drop messy needles around your house and you can even leave the decorations on and just drape plastic around the thing in your attic to store dust-free until next year.  Now if that’s keeping your holiday chores easy, I don’t know what is!

However, over 85% of the artificial trees in the U.S. come from China — that’s a long haul in terms of the fuel it takes to ship here (much further than your local Xmas tree farm). Most are made from PVC, a petroleum-based, non-biodegradable plastic. Worse, PVC has been shown to release dioxins — known toxins to humans and animals stored in your fatty tissues and linked to certain kinds of cancer.  In some older artificial trees, lead is also a concern.

Furthermore, fake trees can also be fire hazard.  In 2004 the Farmington Hills fire department did a test to see which survived a house fire better, a real or fake Christmas tree, and found that artificial trees, even fire resistant ones, took longer than dry trees to light but when they did, gave off acrid black, toxic smoke, much worse for you than a fire from a natural tree.  These days artificial trees are almost all flame retardant — but it’s important to understand that in the case of a house fire, you’re not necessarily better off with plastic decor.

Finally, due to the glue and metal they use, fake trees cannot be recycled.  All told, in 2009 the environmental firm Ellipsos of Montreal found that “an artificial tree would have to be reused for more than 20 years to be greener than buying a fresh-cut tree annually.”  The bottom line?  If convenience and no-mess holidays are a priority for you, artificial can speak to your needs.

Are there alternatives?  

There’s a few cities, such as San Francisco and Portland where you can actually rent a Christmas tree for less than $100 — they’ll bring you a potted evergreen to decorate and then they’ll come and take the tree back to replant it somewhere like a park or a watershed, wherever needs greening.  You can also buy a small tree you plan to plant yourself, or go for something smaller like a wreath or a new houseplant, as I have in past years.  Bucking tradition can have it’s rewards: saving money, lessening your environmental impact, and even protecting your health and safety.

Photo Courtesy of: Pixabay/15425

What NOT to Buy on Black Friday

Black Friday traditionally kicks of the holiday shopping season and for many of us, a day of deals and discounts is a holiday unto itself. But before you camp outside of your favorite store in the cold, keep in mind not every sale on this day is the ultimate bargain. Here’s what not to buy on Black Friday.

Tablet Insurance? It’s a Gamble.

[image error]Electronic tablets aren’t exactly cheap, so it can be tempting to splurge for the added insurance just in case it breaks. But a recent study suggests – much like a lot of other extended warranties – tablet insurance is a risky investment.

Consumer Reports finds that about one in five tablet owners has a service contract or extended warranty for their device, with roughly 60% opting to get an insurance plan to protect against damage. It turns out, however, that only 4% of tablet owners ever have their devices repaired.

Read More: Holiday Buying Guide: Tablets 

For the accident prone, here’s more advice on how to buy tablet insurance.

Evaluate Your Risks

Before considering a purchase, assess your own risk. Tablet devices, with their large glass screens and slender designs, are fragile tools. If you’re accident prone, you could be among the minority of users that will need coverage.  Consider how many times you’ve had your cell phone or laptop repaired or replaced. Do you have bad habits like falling asleep with your laptop in bed, for example? Do you travel often and are likely to carry your device where spills and drops are highly probable? Insurance, then, might be a major financial relief. A recent study by N.E.W. Customer Service Companies (NEW), which sells extended warranties and service plans, found that repairing some gadgets can cost up to 100% of the purchase price.  

Read the Fine Print

While many products come with an automatic 12 month manufacturer’s warranty, they may only cover a manufacturer defect, not damage. That means if something goes wrong with your device, common issues like water damage or breaks from a fall, won’t be considered legit claims.

Read More: 3 Keys to Protecting Your iPhone 5

Comparison Shop

The most popular tablet, Apple’s iPad, costs nearly $500. Major damage could render it useless. So how much is a little peace of mind worth to you? Consumer Reports found the median price paid for Apple’s extended plans is $82. For non-iPad tablets, the median price is $61. AppleCare also has a $49 per-incident charge. So in all, you could end up paying more than a quarter of the device’s total cost just to have it fixed. For those looking for the best deal on protection, the magazine recommends Wal-Mart’s Product Care Plans. The popular retailer covers all types of tablets and e-readers at affordable prices. The iPad plan, for example, costs nearly half of the AppleCare price for a 2-year service plan.

Also check out discount third-party sites, such as SquareTrade.com, ElectronicWarranty.com and Safeware.com, where you can sometimes find extended warranties selling for a fraction of the price.

Repair or Replace?

With the tablet market rapidly evolving and better, faster, cheaper models emerging each year, it may be more financially fit to just upgrade to a different  - or newer – version of what you have in the event that it goes bust.  Think about it – you’ll likely get some sort of coverage from the manufacturer for a certain period of time (for free). Beyond that, if you don’t have insurance and your tablet breaks or needs repair, the cost to do so may not be worth it…especially if there’s a hot new item that costs just a little more or even less.

Photo Courtesy,  tribehut.