Herb Weisbaum - The ConsumerMan

	SHOPPING TIPS GREAT GIFTS FOR $25 OR LESS The editors at ShopSmart magazine searched the web and found 25 sites that have unique gifts for $25 or less. Find great gifts – like 36 Cube - without breaking the bank.			SHOPPING TIPS CAUTION: POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TOYS There’s still trouble in Toyland: toys that can injure or kill a child are still on store shelves. Some are made by well-known companies and sold at major retailers. Find out how to protect your children.

	SHOPPING TIPS BIG DEALS ON BIG-SCREEN TVs FOR THE SUPER BOWL Prices for 55” and 60” sets are about $200 less than last year at this time. Info on the top-rated models and shopping tips from the editors of Consumer Reports.			SHOPPING TIPS SOME GIFT CARDS STILL HAVE FEES Thanks to federal rules, gift cards are a lot better than they were just a few years ago. But some cards still have steep upfront fees and there are a few other ‘gotchas’ to know about. Also: where to buy gift cards at a discount.

	SHOPPING TIPS STORES MISLABEL BAMBOO FABRIC Buy sheets, blankets or clothing made from “eco-friendly bamboo” and you assume you’ll get what’s on the label – not fabric woven from rayon. The FTC claims some national retailers did just that.			SHOPPING TIPS THE FINE PRINT ON HOLIDAY PRICE MATCHING POLICIES They sound great, but some big-name stores have so many exclusions that their price-match offers are difficult or impossible to use. You need to do your homework and be ready to fight for your rights.

	SHOPPING TIPS IS IT EVER OK TO REGIFT? Sometimes you get a gift that you just don’t want and there’s no way to take it back to the store. So you pass it along to someone else. Is this rude and distasteful behavior?			SHOPPING TIPS REBATES: FEWER OFFERS, BUT BETTER DEALS Rebate offers are on the decline, but a new survey shows the ones that are still available are pretty good. With a rebate you can really save a bundle on some hi-tech products, especially security software.

	SHOPPING TIPS HOLIDAY GIFT RETURNS Most major retailers make it fairly easy to bring back unwanted items. But you’ve got to know the rules and they are often different for different types of merchandise.			SHOPPING TIPS BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING TIPS # 1 The rules of the game have changed this year. You’ll need to shop earlier and more often to bag those amazing doorbuster bargains. Or maybe you should just stay at home and shop online?

	SHOPPING TIPS SUPER DEALS FOR LAST-MINUTE SHOPPERS Sometimes, it pays to wait. As the clock ticks down to Christmas, retailers are slashing prices – in some cases lower than Black Friday – to get your business. Tips for the savvy procrastinator.			SHOPPING TIPS DOLLAR STORES NOT JUST FOR CHEAPSKATES Want to save money on all sorts of household products ? Then maybe you should check out your local dollar store. A new price survey shows you can save a bundle. Plus, the shopping experience is very pleasant.

	SHOPPING TIPS THE TRAP OF "SPECIAL FINANCING" OFFERS It’s sounds great: buy on credit with no interest for up to 18 months. But there’s a ‘gotcha’ here that can come back to bite you. And that’s what stores are counting on.			SHOPPING TIPS FREE LAWAY FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPERS Kmart, Walmart and Toys R Us have cut the cost of their holiday layaway programs. They know a lot of people want to get through the holiday shopping season without going into debt. Just remember: with layaway there are lots of rules.

	SHOPPING TIPS WATCH OUT FOR 'UP TO' SAVINGS CLAIMS Can a truthful advertising be misleading – even when there’s no fine print of hidden disclosure? The latest research into ads that use the “up to” claim indicates it is possible. Why?			SHOPPING TIPS IMPULSE PURCHASES CONTINUE TO BUST BUDGETS Why do so many shoppers go to the store prepared to save – with their lists and coupons in hand – and they still make a huge number of budget-busting impulse purchases? A new survey finds that what people say and what they do in the store is quite different.

	SHOPPING TIPS BILL TARGETS ‘ABUSIVE’ GIFT CARD FEES Despite their popularity, gift cards are not the same as cash. They can expire (unless prohibited by state law) and have non-use fees. A bill before Congress would ban all gift cards from expiring and prohibit inactivity fees.			SHOPPING TIPS BLACK FRIDAY SALES PREDICTIONS Expect many popular electronic items, from TVs to tablet computers to beat their lowest prices ever around Black Friday. But can you get these great deals if you shop online?

	SHOPPING TIPS BLACK FRIDAY SURVIVAL GUIDE Is Black Friday the best day to shop for bargains? It is for some items, but not everything If you do your homework, you can save a bundle			SHOPPING TIPS EXTENDED WARRANTIES: YES OR NO? Buy an appliance or electronic item and you'll get the pitch to buy an extended warranty. Do you ever need this extra protection? And if you do, how do you get the best deal?