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Cable TV on the Cheap; Deal of the Day: New cable plans allow subscribers to scale back without cutting the cord.
SmartMoney.comAnalysts project food, airfare and gasoline will all cost more this year. But consumers may be able to shrink one bill: cable TV. While subscribers to fiber-optic service and satellite saw last year's average monthly bills jump 15% and 12%, ...
Buying a Super-Bowl-Worthy TV; Deal of the Day: Prices are better than during the holiday season – but experts say not for long.
SmartMoney.comSports fans in the market for a new TV set before the Super Bowl on Feb. 5 may be in luck: Electronics and retail experts say many current TV sales are some of the best ever -- even beating holiday-season deals.
6 Ways to Cut Movie Ticket Prices; Consumers are spending more for 3D, but there are still ways to save.
SmartMoney.comMovie theaters are pushing 3D screenings and fancy new amenities to justify higher ticket prices, but experts say there are still bargains at the box office.
The Smartphone Data Diet; Deal of the Day: Ways to cut back usage to keep wireless bills from tipping the scales.
SmartMoney.comWith wireless carriers jacking up rates, just as mobile apps grow hungrier for more data, it may be time for consumers to put their phones on a diet.
4 Ways to Book Luxury Trips For Less; Deal of the Day: Prices are rising, but experts say travelers can still save big if they make the right moves.
SmartMoney.comDiscounts on luxury travel have been lush in recent years, but travel pros say that window may soon be closing. As consumers find more space in their budgets for travel, hotels are filling up and room rates are rising. Overall, hotel prices ...
Quit Smoking, Save Cash; Deal of the Day: Smokers are burning plenty of cash – and not just on that pack a day.
SmartMoney.comThose who give up cigarettes may see some of their financial obligations go up in smoke. Some of the benefits are immediate: with higher taxes and fees on cigarettes pushing the cost per pack upwards of $10 in some states, a pack-a-day ...
Save Big by Losing Pounds; Deal of the Day: That resolution to get fit may also boost your bank account.
SmartMoney.comPledging to finally shed those pesky 10 pounds -- or more -- could end up saving consumers thousands over the long haul. Experts say even a slight drop in weight can shave $50 or more from insurance premiums, while joining a gym may trigger ...
Keep It or Return It: Luxury Gifts; Deal of the Day: A guide to which of this year's hottest luxury items are worth owning, and which should be taken back to the store.
SmartMoney.comMany gifts fall flat. After tearing off the wrapping paper, the recipient, while cringing inside, struggles to feign delight. In fact, an estimated $46.3 billion of holiday goodies will be returned this year, up 10% from two years ago, ...
4 New Year's Resolutions for Savings; Deal of the Day: Simple pledges to clip coupons or switch banks can save thousands.
SmartMoney.com"Manage debt" and "save money" are routinely among the top New Year's resolutions as tracked by the federal government. Consumers looking to achieve those goals both may find extra help in the form of a few much smaller promises.
5 Deals to Look Forward to in 2012; Deal of the Day: European travel, TVs and other goodies may be getting cheaper.
SmartMoney.comConsumers fed up with rising prices on fuel, food and other purchases will be happy to find that some things may actually be cheaper in the New Year.
Keep It or Return It: Toys; A guide to which of this year's hottest toys are worth owning, and which should be taken back to the store.
SmartMoney.comMany gifts fall flat. After tearing off the wrapping paper, the recipient, while cringing inside, struggles to feign delight. In fact, an estimated $46.3 billion of holiday goodies will be returned this year, up 10% from two years ago, ...
Keep It or Return It: Gadgets; A guide to which of this year's hottest gifts are worth owning, and which should be taken back to the store.
SmartMoney.comMany gifts fall flat. After tearing off the wrapping paper, the recipient, while cringing inside, struggles to feign delight. In fact, an estimated $46.3 billion of holiday goodies will be returned this year, up 10% from two years ago, ...
5 Top Shopping Tips of 2011; Cheaper e-books, more mobile coupons and other deals that became more prevalent this year.
SmartMoney.comFaced with a holiday spending hangover, many consumers will likely resolve to spend less and save more in the New Year. Fortunately for those looking to be smarter shoppers in 2012, many of the trends we've covered the past 12 months can ...
Troubleshooting Holiday Travel; Deal of the Day: Bad weather may be on the way. Here's how to avoid getting stranded.
SmartMoney.comThe appeal of a white Christmas may wear thin for those travelers planning to fly over the holiday weekend. Meteorologists are already warning of potential travel problems. The storm behind blizzards in the Midwest is currently moving east, ...
The Best 11th Hour Gifts; Deal of the Day: Shipping deadlines have passed, and malls are crowded. What now?
SmartMoney.comBy now, shopping procrastinators who want to purchase an actual gift may need to consider a virtual one. Those braving battling the last-minute sales at stores may find deals, but experts say only in certain categories such as outerwear, ...
Best Sales for Last-Minute Shoppers; Deal of the Day: Procrastinators may have missed out on many of the best deals, but certain items are still being heavily discounted.
SmartMoney.comWith only a handful of days left til Christmas, experts say last-minute shoppers may still find sales -- but on a smaller selection of items.
3 Tips For Early Adopters; Deal of the Day: Buying first isn't always buying smart. For those who must, here are ways to mitigate the risks.
SmartMoney.comAs owners of the Chevy Volt, Kindle Fire, iPhone 4S and Jawbone Up have discovered in recent months, being the first on the block to own a brand new product may carry some extra risks.
4 Gifts That Keep On Taking; Deal of the Day: These 'presents' often end up costing the recipient as much -- or more than -- the giver.
SmartMoney.comThe age-old maxim that "it's better to give that to receive" may be doubly true for some gifts. With consumers curtailing spending amid high unemployment and sluggish economic growth, buying a pricey gift this holiday season may seem ...
4 Cheap Post-Xmas Getaways; Deal of the Day: Travelers who act fast can find a few bargains for late December travel.
SmartMoney.comThe week between Christmas and New Year's Eve isn't known for big travel deals, but travel pros say consumers who act soon may still find some cheap escapes.
Holiday Entertaining on a Budget; Deal of the Day: Money-saving strategies for throwing a bash you can still afford.
SmartMoney.comIt costs a lot more to eat, drink and be merry this Christmas season, putting a real crimp on holiday party hosting. Food costs, for instance, are expected to jump substantially. Consumers will spend an estimated average of $96.75 on ...
5 Tips on Holiday Tipping; Deal of the Day: What to give to whom -- even on a tight budget.
SmartMoney.comTipping is often the first thing to get cut from the holiday gift list when the economy is acting like Scrooge. Last year, 39% of consumers didn't tip their cleaning person compared to 34% in 2009, according to the Consumer Reports National ...
8 Ways to Trim Christmas Tree Costs; Deal of the Day: How to get a lush tree for the price of Charlie Brown's reject.
SmartMoney.comDecking the halls can be an expensive proposition, but Christmas tree shoppers have plenty of options for finding a good deal, experts say. Despite reports of droughts stunting growth on Texas and Oklahoma farms, Christmas tree pricing ...
The Rising Cost of Free Shipping; Shoppers must spend more this holiday season to avoid a charge.
SmartMoney.comShoppers may have more incentive to buy online this year: the sales are as big as -- if not better than -- in-store offers and many retailers are offering free shipping. The catch, say experts: Shoppers have to spend a lot more.
Black Friday Now a Week Long; It's not just one crazy day of sales anymore. What to shop for, and when, through Cyber Monday.
SmartMoney.comThere may be just one Black Friday -- the day after Thanksgiving -- but retailers are offering deals pretty much every day this week. "It's become Black Friday Week," says Deborah Mitchell, executive director for the Center of Brand and ...
Give to Charity, Get a Deal? Deal of the Day: Retailers and deal sites offer more promotions with a charitable bent.
SmartMoney.comAs shoppers gear up for the holidays, they may find that getting a deal increasingly involves giving to charity, too. Experts say retailers, daily deal sites and other businesses are running more promotions this year that entail an up-front ...
How to Save on Thanksgiving Day; Prices are rising on everything from brussels sprouts to the bird itself. Here are some strategies will help soften the blow.
SmartMoney.comThanksgiving dinner keeps getting more expensive. The cost of ingredients for the average meal for 10 people is up 13% from last year, to nearly $50, according to a supermarket survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation. Turkey prices ...
How To Unwrap Birthday Deals; Deal of the Day: Shoppers may receive more birthday offers as retailers expand tracking.
SmartMoney.comShoppers may soon get more birthday presents from retailers than their relatives. Free gifts and birthday discounts are one of the oldest reward program benefits, and many companies offer them, says Kelly Hlavinka, a managing partner at ...
More E-Books Now Are Free-Books; E-readers plummeted in price, and now many e-books have too.
SmartMoney.comRetailers are betting that cheap e-readers will help them sell more e-books. That may be true, but readers also have many new options for free or very cheap e-books.
Best Days of the Week for Discounts; Timing is everything when it comes to really low prices.
SmartMoney.comWhat's the best day to shop? That depends on what you want to buy. Retailers often pinpoint specific days of the week for their deepest discounts on select items. "You can see significant differences on a day by day basis," says Charlie ...
How to Beat Winter Heating Bills; Consumers face higher costs this year, but there are still ways to save.
SmartMoney.comIf the storm that dropped up to 30 inches of snow from Maryland to Maine over the weekend is any guide, this winter could mean lots of snow -- and with it, higher heating bills. But experts say there are still ways to keep energy costs ...
New Enticements to Switch Banks; Deals can be tempting, but they may not be worth the hassle of changing financial institutions.
SmartMoney.comAs consumer outrage over bank fees reaches a fever pitch, financial institutions are rolling out new ad campaigns, sign-on bonuses and other marketing to entice you to make a bold leap -- and switch banks.
Snow Forecast: Great for Slopes, Bad for Bargains? Skiers who wait to book could see fewer seasonal deals this year.
SmartMoney.comSkiers in search of good conditions are likely to find them in abundance this year, with heavier-than-usual snowfall forecast for the Rockies and other resort destinations. But all that snow could obliterate some of the usual ski-season ...
Save on Your Next Smartphone; Smartphones are getting cheaper, but those discounts might be offset by pricey data plans.
SmartMoney.comSmartphones have become the tool of choice for comparing prices and finding deals, and now the handsets themselves are increasingly a bargain.
How to Deal With Daily Deal Sites; The pros and cons of the offers you can refuse.
SmartMoney.comOur inboxes are now so flooded with sales pitches from various daily deal sites -- really, another discount on pole-dancing classes? -- that companies are having to experiment with new tactics to grab consumers' attention.
The Not-So-Scary Halloween Spending Plan; Shoppers have more opportunities for cheap candy and costumes this year.
SmartMoney.comThere's nothing to be done about pint-sized zombies and princesses on the doorstep, but shoppers may be able to avoid big Halloween bills this year.
How to Beat Rising Holiday Airfares; This year, waiting to book for Thanksgiving travel carries a steeper penalty.
SmartMoney.comThis Thanksgiving, procrastinating travelers have little to give thanks for. Flying home for turkey is already more expensive this year, and getting pricier by the day.
Locking In Holiday Deals With Layaway; Deal of the Day: Budgeters can take advantage of early deals, but it can still be expensive.
SmartMoney.comA combination of earlier-than-usual retail sales and slim store inventories could make layaway an unusually good deal this year. For a fee of up to $10, stores including Best Buy, Sears and Kmart permit shoppers to make regular payments on a ...
6 Offbeat Warehouse Club Savings; Clubs raise the price of membership, but less-publicized perks may offer extra savings.
SmartMoney.comAs joining a warehouse club gets more expensive, would-be members may need to look a little further than multi-packs of frozen pizza and bulk packs of paper towels to decide if the annual fee is worth it.
How to Swing Baseball Playoff Tickets; There are plenty of cheap seats left this post-season. Here's how to find them.
SmartMoney.comBaseball fans: go ahead and root for the underdogs. They're making tickets cheaper this playoff season. Although tickets to regular-season baseball games have become cheaper in recent years, post-season prices are always a toss-up: prices ...
A Cheap Shot Against the Flu; Deal of the Day: Believe it or not, flu season is already here. Here's how to save cash on the vaccination.
SmartMoney.comWhile thwarting the flu has gotten cheaper for consumers this year, many are still likely to overpay for their seasonal flu shots. Under Affordable Care Act provisions that took effect last year, many insured consumers won't pay anything for ...
A Better Way to Buy Wine; This harvest season, more wineries are discovering social media, online shopping sites.
SmartMoney.comWine lovers looking for a great deal on that prized bottle of Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon should skip the liquor store. In their increasing effort to sidestep wine shops and distributors, wineries are turning to a surprising online ...
The New Fall Shopping Guide; Retailers' summer optimism makes for better sales after consumer confidence plunged.
SmartMoney.comRecent market volatility and an uncertain economic outlook may be enough to make shoppers renew recession-era vows of frugality. They may get some help from a surprising place -- retailers once again struggling to drum up sales.
Now at Your Local Bank: Hurricane Specials; In affected states, cut-rate loans for homeowners who hustle.
SmartMoney.comSo you survived the hurricane. How about a loan? That's the nothing-if-not-timely pitch from at least two banks now offering "hurricane specials" -- discounted loans for consumers in mid-Atlantic states hit by Hurricane Irene ...
Luxury (Now) Within Reach; Makers of high-end goods are trying new tactics to attract budget buyers.
SmartMoney.comWhile the market upheaval and economic uncertainty has encouraged many people to tighten their budgets, shoppers lusting after that "it" bag, a first-class airline seat or a pricey car may now find those luxuries are more ...
4 Fast Ways to Save Money Now; A free-falling stock market can make everyone more frugal. How to find the extra cash in your budget
SmartMoney.comThe falling market – and the economic uncertainty that comes with it – has even the most frugal looking for new ways to save. Many of the easiest ways to do so may not even require that much sacrifice.
For Spenders, the Down Market Has an Upside; Market woes may lead to significant deals and discounts on travel, cars and other big-ticket items
SmartMoney.comAfter watching the markets fall, it may be hard to consider spending the money for a fancy vacation or a new car. But if history is any guide, the correction of 2011 could lead to some good deals -- for those who still have the stomach for ...
Guide to Summer Auto Sales; Sales aren't as generous this year, but there are still some sweet deals.
SmartMoney.comDealerships' loud, fast-talking "everything-must-go" sales have been a long time coming this year. Now that they're here, shoppers will find deals on some models will be sweeter than others.
Finding That Last-Minute Getaway; This summer, renting a vacation home has gotten a lot easier -- and cheaper.
SmartMoney.comWith just a few weeks left before Labor Day, last-minute travelers are finding deals in an unusual place: vacation rentals. Finding an affordable four-bedroom on the beach -- or in the mountains -- is no longer as daunting as it was a year ...
The Best Airlines for 5 Types of Fliers; Here's how to find the best deals on low fares, comfy seats and other travel must-haves.
SmartMoney.comCramped seats, pricey fees, hours spent waiting on the tarmac -- there's plenty to gripe about air travel these days. But it could be that you're just flying with the wrong carrier.
NFL Fans: Don't Blitz the Box Office -- Yet; Ticket prices have soared since the lockout ended, but deals will get better as the season wears on.
SmartMoney.comNow that the NFL lockout is over, fans can go ahead and rush the box office for tickets. But those who can wait may score the best deals. Since the owners and the players ended their stalemate on Monday, NFL ticket prices have soared on ...
Major League Discounts On Baseball Tickets; This summer, the cheap seats are even cheaper.
SmartMoney.comBaseball fans have long griped about the cost of a day at the ballpark, but this season, it's easier than ever to get a discount -- even from the teams themselves.
The New Best Coupon-Clipping Sites; An explosion of coupon sites is actually making it harder for bargain-hunters. Here's where to find the best deals.
SmartMoney.comWhile deal-hunters have oodles of online coupons and promotions to choose from these days, finding the real discounts just keeps getting tougher.
Which Car Safety Extras Are Worth It? Safety sells, but only some of the newest features are well-tested.
SmartMoney.comCars are safer than ever, traffic fatalities are at an all-time low, and still the auto industry is adding to its arsenal of auto safety technology. But with all the new high-tech options available – back-up camera? Crash control? ...
Japan Shortages Hit Car, Gadget Buyers; Factories are running again, but shortages mean higher prices, less availability.
SmartMoney.comSix weeks after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, most factories are back in operation. But new numbers show how even the brief disruption will keep prices high on autos and electronics through the summer.
Travelers Find Deals Amid Financial Crises; Debt defaults and bank crises around the world have an upside -- travel deals.
SmartMoney.comSearching the web recently for an affordable international trip to take with friends, Suzanne Powell found a $550 three-night getaway to Iceland, including airfare. Extending the trip to five nights bumped the price up to about $900, but it ...
What Japan Shortages Mean for U.S. Consumers
SmartMoney.comAs Northern Japan begins rebuilding, auto and electronics companies around the world are only starting to figure out how the radical disruption will affect inventories. And while the situation is still in flux, one thing seems clear: ...
A Hidden Upside of the AT&T, T-Mobile Deal
SmartMoney.comLong an afterthought of the wireless industry, prepaid cell phones may finally get a push into the mainstream from an unlikely catalyst: AT&T's planned acquisition of T-Mobile.
Is Customer Service Worth Paying for?
SmartMoney.comIt's nearly impossible to get customer service these days without waiting in line, on hold, or for a technician to show up within an eight-hour window. But now companies are promising shorter wait times, 24-hour access and other ...
When to Trade Up Your Tech
SmartMoney.comWhen Apple introduced its newest laptop last month, the company bragged about faster processors, dazzling graphics, new connectivity and a better camera. But all these improvements – to a series of computers that was already by most ...
Is the Newest iPad Worth It?
SmartMoney.comThe newest iPad is thinner, faster and adds not one but two cameras. But as Apple CEO Steve Jobs extolled the device's newest features today, many consumers had only one real question: Should I buy one?
Will Stockpiling Save You Money?
SmartMoney.comAfter watching the price of boxed pasta climb 70% over the last six months, Kelly Moore decided to take radical action. When her local grocery chain put the boxes on sale for 16 cents each, the Whitmore, Mass., mother of three bought 50 – ...
Online TV and Movies Get Cheaper
SmartMoney.comFor TV watchers and movie buffs who want the latest titles streamed straight to their living room, the options keep growing. And as they do, so does the obvious temptation -- to drop cable service, once and for all.
5 New Ways to Cut Valentine's Spending
SmartMoney.comLovebirds may feel the impact of Cupid's arrow this year in a particularly uncomfortable place: Their wallets. Prices of traditional Valentine's Day gifts have shot up, making a material declaration of love extra costly. But with ...
Gadget Buy-Back: What You Need to Know
SmartMoney.comIt would be hard to miss the latest advertising blitz from Best Buy—from a Super Bowl commercial featuring Ozzy Osbourne and Justin Bieber to full-page newspaper ads to email blasts to customers. The all-out marketing effort focuses on the ...
Airline Credit Cards Take Off
SmartMoney.comFor fliers annoyed by checked baggage fees and $3 in-flight Snickers, the airlines are touting a solution: Their branded, frequent flier credit cards, which now offer fee waivers and other perks, along with mileage rewards. But like ...
Why You Shouldn't Buy an iPhone -- Yet
SmartMoney.comNote: This story was updated on Feb. 3, 2011 to reflect new plan pricing information and availability. The Verizon iPhone pre-orders for existing customers started Feb. 3.
4 Deep Discounts on Winter Travel
SmartMoney.comA slow economic recovery means a weeklong trip to a warm-weather destination might not cost all that much more than, say, all the money you've paid the kid next door to dig out your driveway (again) after this winter's wave of ...
Will That Be Cash, Credit or Phone?
SmartMoney.comNot long ago, paying for something by phone meant calling a retailer or catalog merchant to place an order with a credit card. Today, your smartphone is shopping mall and wallet in one -- no dialing or credit card number recitation ...
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