While many of us look forward to the passing of the holidays as the end of our frantic shopping season, we may do well to consider prolonging our shopping mode a few days to take advantage of post-holiday sale prices.

Here are some tips (partly inspired by an MSN Money article) on rocking the deep post-holiday discounts.

• Know the hot sale items: In addition to decorations and gift tags, the post-holiday season is a great time to buy other items that tend to go on sale in December, including candles, pajamas and paper goods.
• Ignore the patterns: If you’re the type to entertain or picnic and you use lots of paper plates or napkins, don’t be too picky about Christmas themes or snowman décor. Embrace the utility and take advantage of the low prices.
• Plan ahead: Take a moment to think about upcoming events. Now is a great time to buy birthday and teacher gifts and certain around-the-house decorations.
• Buy generic: If you don’t have a stockpile of gifts already, consider starting one – and taking advantage of excellent sales to stock it with classic, flexible gifts like scarves, picture frames, fun socks and scented lotions.
• Think creatively: Holiday ornaments or accessories make great gifts for newlyweds, new parents or those in a new home. Take advantage of rock-bottom prices to get a “starter set” of holiday decorations for someone you know will be starting a new phase of life in the coming year.
• Remember the freezer: Candy wrapped in holiday colors, as far as I know, still tastes just as delicious. So buy your favorite kinds when they’re marked down and store them for the coming months.
• Hit the clearance racks: Some retailers are all but frantic to rid themselves of holiday-themed clothing once Christmas Day passes. This is a great opportunity for you to buy your kids’ next-year sizes – or generic winter clothes for the remainder of this year.

As always, though, it’s important to not get carried away by the frenzy of widespread sales. So take normal shopping precautions when hitting post-holiday sales:

• Set out with a list and a budget
• Be sure to get the details (cost per ounce/unit);
• Shop with a friend (to talk you out of a bad purchase, if necessary)
• Bring a snack to save you money and keep you from getting cranky.

It’s the time of year again when my family gets together and tells old stories – they change a little each time, but nobody minds because the essence of these tales remains the same. Or so I thought. This year, when we started recounting the tale of the moose, I realized it may have some significance I never saw before.

The Story

One summer when I was a kid, my family and I were visiting relatives in New Hampshire. One night, on our way to a restaurant, we were driving along dark country roads when, all of a sudden, an enormous moose leapt into the road. Luckily, we braked in time and nobody was hurt (including the moose). But man, were we shaken.

The Lessons

Here’s how this story relates to the world of personal finance.

• Prepare for the worst. Nobody in the car expected to see a moose that night, but we all wore our seatbelts and the driver drove within the posted speed limit. When the moose appeared, we were ready for a sudden stop.
  Use it in life. Make sure you’ve got your bases covered for potential crises: have an emergency savings fund, make sure your insurance is up to date and don’t spend more than you can afford now, thinking you’ll “make it up” in savings later.
• Know what you’re up against. The moose’s stomach was level with the top of the minivan we were riding in, which made it particularly frightening to encounter on the roads. Had we known how big those beasts were, we may have been driving a bit below the speed limit.
  Use it in life. Not sure how much a root canal costs? What about a new transmission for your car? Rather than dreading a bill blindly, research expected costs by using the Internet and asking questions. Knowing what to expect financially may motivate you to take preventative action (driving slower) rather than reactive action (slamming on the brakes). Plus, once you know a price, you may be able to negotiate it.
• Don’t think it won’t happen to you. There were “moose crossing” signs on that New Hampshire road, much like the “deer crossing” signs seen in the rest of the country. Despite these signs, though, we never expected to actually see one.
  Use it in life. While the recession may be easing, job losses are still plaguing the country and many Americans are in more debt than they can handle. Preparing for the worst is one way of acknowledging that it can happen – and knowing that you’ll be ready if it does.

Happy holidays, everyone!

As I often do, I’ve found some useful and/or exciting information this week on the wilds of the World Wide Web. And I’m here to share it with you.

FTC Warning: Watch out for Chinese Drywall Scams

In recent months, you may have heard reports about the dangers of the Chinese drywall used in many homes built between 2003 and 2008. Various government agencies (including the CDC and the EPA) are investigating claims that the drywall may cause serious health problems.

Last week, the FTC issued a warning cautioning consumers of scams involving drywall and home repair, including:

• Drywall testing kits
• Drywall home inspections
• Various quick fixes for problems associated with drywall

Proceed with caution! Send away door-to-door inspectors and investigate on your own time whether you might be at risk.

Save Money: Love Vinegar

The Simple Dollar details 15 little-known uses for common white vinegar, which can be bought inexpensively at the grocery store. My favorites include:

• Fabric softener: toss some in with your next laundry load
• Sunburn healer: apply directly to skin
• Room odor reducer: a few bowls in the open air should clear unpleasant scents
• Rust remover: soak overnight
• Eyeglass cleaner: much cheaper than the fancy stuff

Take a look at how you can save serious cash (and the environment!) by using vinegar for the dirtiest jobs around your home.

Time to Switch to More Efficient Appliances

Back in October, when the country was still enjoying its Cash for Clunkers high, the deadline for states to submit their guidelines for appliance rebate programs arrived. Now, the government has had time to review and approve guidelines across the nation, which means that, if you’re in the market for new household appliances, it may be a good time to shop.

While requirements, guidelines and rebate amounts vary by state, one rule is consistent: act as fast as you can. The reason? Each state has only a limited amount of money to distribute as rebates, and once it’s gone, it’s gone.

To get started, check out the web site Energysavers.gov, which has rebate information by state. As with the Cash for Clunkers program, this might be a prime opportunity for people who were already planning to get new appliances; otherwise, the rebates may not be significant enough to make investment worthwhile.

A recent story from NPR looks at economic recessions in a new way: as moments of great opportunity for enterprising individuals.

The story uses the metaphor of a racetrack to describe the course of the economy: good times are like the straight-aways, and bigger corporations are likely to keep the lead. But downturns are like the curves, which means that smaller, savvier corporations can gain serious ground.

Past Success in Hard Times

Research supports this analogy to a certain extent: some studies show that market share tends to shift significantly during recessions, and other research suggests that as many as one-third of companies that enter hard times as leaders emerge behind the pack.

• The iPod: The last U.S. recession was in 2001, after the dot-com bubble burst. That was the year that Apple released its iPod. The product improved upon existing options and (as you probably know) remains wildly popular today.
• The Zipcar: Last time money was tight, the Zipcar company offered an option for city dwellers who wanted to use cars now and then. The vehicle-sharing business model combined frugality and convenience and remains a popular staple in many American cities.

Make the Recession Work for You

So how can you turn economic crisis into a time of personal growth? If you’ve lost your job or had your hours cut, you may find yourself with more time on your hands than you once had (even after factoring in the hours spent job hunting). You can make that time work to your advantage:

• Bargain hunt: The Internet offers amazing bargains on things you (or your friends and relatives) might need. Sites like Freecycle.org and Craigslist.org are great places to find deals, but require time to sift through. Offer your services as a personal shopper for people you know – if you like to shop, everyone wins.
• Start a blog: If you have a passion and like to write, you can start a free blog online (sites like Wordpress.com offer easy setup). At best, your blog could become popular among like-minded individuals and turn into a source of income; at worst, it’ll provide you with a place to vent your thoughts and ideas, which is still pretty useful.
• Fix things: If you’re handy, doing repairs on your home/car/appliances could save money down the road. And, if you’re really handy, offer to help neighbors and friends.
• Learn something: Any skill you need time to learn could be useful in the future. This might be the chance you’ve been waiting for to go back to school or pick up a new skill.
• Cook from scratch: Old-fashioned kitchen work takes more time than buying pre-made products, but is often much less expensive. Learn some recipes for bread, soup, pasta and sauces and save on grocery bills.

Sometimes, free giveaways come with strings attached or are just too worthless to bother with. Not so with these two. Check out some excellent freebies lurking out there for those of us in the know.

McDonald’s & WiFi

According to msnbc.com, most U.S. McDonald’s locations will begin offering wireless Internet for free. The move is generally seen as a way for the fast food chain to compete with Starbucks, which already offers free WiFi.

Since introducing its McCafe coffee drinks, McDonald’s has tried to cultivate an atmosphere conducive to lingering; the wireless hookup will likely sweeten the deal.

Super Bargains at CVS

The blog WiseBread.com reported this week on how to work the drugstore CVS’s rewards program to get certain items for very little money (or free!). Here’s what you need to know to get started.

• Find a store near you. CVS is a national chain, but if you don’t have a branch within reasonable shopping distance, the bargains probably aren’t worth the trouble. So before proceeding, check out its online store locator.
• Sign up for ExtraCare Bucks. In the store (or online, if you don’t mind waiting to get your card), sign up for CVS’s rewards program. Like many rewards cards, it’s free and, well, rewarding.
• Start planning. To really reap the benefits CVS has to offer, you’ll have to do a bit of research, which is no problem for avid bargaineers like myself. Luckily, a couple of websites make this job a lot easier. SlickDeals.net and DealSeekingMom.com both offer lists of products to buy to maximize savings from sales, coupons and ExtraCare Bucks.

So how does this crazy scheme work? Once you know which items are on super-sales, you need to go to CVS and buy them. (If the store has run out, ask for a rain check.)

• Use them or lose them: Be sure to use your ExtraCare Bucks each month, or else they’ll expire! Aaaah!
• Use your coupons in the right order: first CVS dollar-off coupons (e.g. $5 off a $25 purchase), then CVS store coupons, then manufacturer’s coupons, then ExtraCare Bucks.
• Enjoy the freebies.

So what if you don’t need/want the items that earn rewards each month? It may be in your best interest to buy them anyway, since they could be free and/or end up getting you future items you need.

And any drugstore goodies you know you’ll never use can always be donated to shelters and charities! Happy saving!

Job hunters right now have two strikes against them: the recession and the holiday atmosphere, both of which mean slow moving even for those companies that may need new employees. Here, adapted from an article at msnbc.com, are some pointers for maximizing your odds of landing a job.

1. Give yourself a makeover.

If you’re planning on spending a little money on yourself, consider investing in your appearance, which may help you present a more desirable image to potential employers. This could mean:

• Getting plenty of rest
• Trying a more updated haircut
• Eating well and staying hydrated
• Getting some exercise
• Wearing new (or new-looking) clothes)

If money’s especially tight, consider asking for some of these things from loved ones (gift certificates can work wonders).

2. Go to parties – and be jolly.

Even if you don’t feel much like celebrating, you can’t afford to miss out on the excellent networking opportunities holiday bashes have to offer. People in the know say that the majority of job hiring results from personal connections, not blind résumé submissions.

This means that you should accept all invitations you get: from friends, family, neighbors, religious groups, etc. Be as upbeat as you can (see above), but don’t hesitate to mention that you’re looking for work or ask about potential connections.

3. Build a better e-You.

Make sure you’re maximizing the power of online social networking sites. If you already have a Facebook or LinkedIn page, good; if not, create one.

• Add professional touches: Take advantage of the tools provided on these sites to make highlight your career and professional experience.
• Remove unsavory information: If you’ve got party pictures or silly comments from friends on a social networking site, be sure you keep all privacy settings on. Consider starting a second, more professional page.
• Clean up your online image: Check out this article about how to make yourself look good to those searching for you online.

4. Look beyond yours-elf.

If you aren’t getting jobs you really want, do a little digging to find out who a company takes for a position you applied for. Online networking sites should be able to help you here. Once you figure out who got the position you wanted, research his or her career experience, online presentation, relevant skills, etc.

Use the information you gathered to update your résumé – make sure you’re highlighting the right skills and experience.

5. Don’t forget to give.

If you have unemployed friends, offer help for them via job leads and résumé reviews – or host a job seekers’ get together for people to share ideas and help. And remember to send a thank-you note to those who have helped you!

For those of you with a weakness for buying books, CDs, DVDs and video games, I’ve got a web site for you. The very simple Glyde.com is a simplified online buying and selling venue exclusively for the products we all love. How simple, you ask? I’ll tell you.

To Buy

If you’re looking to make a purchase, all you have to do is type the title of what you’re seeking in the search bar on Glyde’s home page. Once you’ve entered the title you want, you can check out the prices: usually one to purchase the item new, the item in excellent condition, in good condition, etc.

The prices are reasonable, especially if you’re looking to buy used (the site advertises that buyers save up to 90%.)

To Sell

The main attraction for some, though, is their hassle-free selling plan. All you have to do:

• Enter the title of what you want to sell.
• Indicate a condition. The site even gives descriptions so everyone’s on the same page about the difference between good and acceptable.
• Set a price. Once you’ve typed in the title and chosen the item’s condition, the site suggests a price for you, but you have the authority to raise or lower the price as you see fit.
• List for sale. This involves only clicking a button, and costs nothing. You even have the option to donate part of your earnings to charity.
• Mail it out. Once the item is sold, Glyde sends you a pre-stamped envelope (that’s right – no trip to the post office necessary!) and you ship it off to the buyer.
• Get your money. Glyde takes 10 percent of the sale price plus shipping costs (which range from $1.00 – $1.75) from the money you earn. It puts the rest in your Glyde account, which you can cash out at any time as a bank transfer or check.

The convenience comes at a price, for sure: items don’t sell for as much on Glyde as they might on Amazon or eBay, but if you’re the type to prefer a limited amount of hassle, that’s a welcome trade-off.

Plus, any source of extra income is welcome to those of us trying to sock away a nest egg.

To Organize

The site also offers a feature that allows you to keep track of all the items you’ve put on the auction block. Part of the appeal of this section (and of the whole site) is its image-heavy design: every title you select appears on the screen in its various incarnations (that is, if a book has various covers from multiple printings, Glyde displays them all).

Happy buying and selling!

The Federal Trade Commission has issued suggestions to help Americans keep their money and identities safe as they shop for presents and other items of good cheer.

Each tip is less than 140 characters, making them perfect for sharing via Twitter.

So, before you deck the halls, be sure to take these precautions.

• Know the terms of your payment plan. Before you take advantage of a layaway program, make sure you fully understand the fine print. While layaway can be a great way to budget for big purchases, some plans have huge penalties for late or missed payments and offer no refunds for customers who want to cancel.
• Hang on to your receipts. You may want to make a special place for holiday receipts, which often contain important return policy information in addition to documentation of your purchase.
• Ask about returns. The credit crunch has led some retailers to change their policy for unwanted gifts and other returns, so be sure to ask before you fork over your cash. Many stores are particularly unwilling to take back clearance items.
• Stay skeptical. Don’t let your holiday spirit get in the way of clear thinking. Some online bargain gift cards are fakes or come with outrageous fees and restrictions. Make sure you read all fine print before proceeding to checkout.
• Watch out for charity solicitations. Some scammers take advantage of the holiday atmosphere to raise money for fake charities. Always ask for written information about an organization before donating. Verify this on your own. Don’t let door-to-door solicitors pressure you into donating – ask for materials and say you’d like time to consider.
• Resist the promise of easy credit. Online offers of quick lines of credit can be tempting to those looking for extra shopping funds, but most such offers are scams. Navigate away from the page.
• Make a budget and check it twice. Don’t forget to factor in all the holiday extras: ribbons, wrapping, food, cards, travel expenses, parking for shopping trips, etc. Planning for all the little things will take some time, but it will save you stress in the long run.
• Watch out for wire scams. Unless you know a person and are expecting to wire money, don’t agree to do so. Money wiring scams are common and can be costly.

For more details and suggestions on protecting your money, visit the FTC’s website.

The 2010 issue of Consumer Reports includes some surprising information about how products are priced. The group found that companies tend to price products for women significantly higher than identical products geared toward male shoppers.

Background: Price Sensitivity

As this post on the Priceless blog explains, various studies have shown that women are less price sensitive than men. One study, which used something called an ultimatum game, asked participants to split $10 between two people:

• A divide proposed: One participant suggests a division of money (I get $7, you get $3).
• Acceptance or rejection: The other participant either accepts or rejects the offer; if the offer is accepted, both get the proposed money. If rejected, neither party gets any money.
• Gender twist: Among one group of subjects, the researchers kept the two participants in separate rooms and did not reveal their gender to each other; in another group, participants learned the first names (and thus the genders) of their partners.
• Gender bias discovered: In the non-gendered study, the average offer was $4.68. When a participant was offering money to a male, though, the average rose to $4.89; when a woman was offered money, the average amount was only $4.37.

The conclusion here, it seems, is that we women are less sensitive to price than men (and so accept lower offers) and are perceived as willing to settle for less (and so are offered less to begin with).

The Lesson: Shop Like a Man

Consumer Reports gives the following examples of gender-based price biases for drugstore items:

• Barbisol shaving cream: 15 cents per ounce for men; 26 cents per ounce for women.
• Degree antiperspirant: $3.59 for 2.7 ounces for men; $3.59 for 2.6 ounces for women.
• Pain reliever: Regular Excedrin cost 50 cents less than the Menstrual Relief variety, though they have the same amount of gel caps and the same active ingredients.
• Body wash: Nivea sells scents geared toward men for $2.00 less per bottle than those intended for women.
• Eye lotion: The less feminine version goes for $5.00 less.

So, if you’re not too scent-sitive, choose products intended for men to save money. Remember, packaging – which is often designed with heavy gender suggestions – is only on the outside.

By some estimates, Americans who travel over the holidays can expect to drop nearly $2,000 on gifts and trekking expenses. That’s not a pretty thought for those of us trying to stick to a budget throughout the year. Luckily, there are ways to cut travel expenses without losing your holiday cheer.

Hunt for Bargains

And I mean “hunt” the way our cave-dwelling ancestors did: you’ve got to be merciless out there. If you’re flying…

• Use multiple sites: While flight-aggregating sites like Travelocity.com can be useful for showing prices for major carriers, they often don’t include smaller airlines (like Southwest). Check the carriers that fly into the airport closest to you and make sure you check their sites individually.
• Use “secret” sties: This post from Get Rich Slowly lists five little known flight-booking sites that offer a greater variety of options for travelers than the big-name sites.
• Pack smart: Find out ahead of time whether you can check luggage for free. If you can’t, consolidate with your family members or try to take everything in carryon. You might even want to check the cost of mailing lighter items (like clothes) ahead of time so your travel is lighter and cheaper.
• Bring snacks: Airport food is massively expensive, so bring munchies of your own (there’s no security restriction on food). And, if you bring an empty water bottle, you can fill it once you get inside.
• Don’t splurge on ground transport: If you aren’t getting picked up by someone when you land, be sure to look into your travel options – buses, trains, rental cars and shuttles are generally cheaper than taxis.

If you’re driving (or getting driven)…

• Book a bus: Services like MegaBus, Today Travel, Greyhound and others often offer great deals for travel between major cities, especially if you book in advance.
• Get a tune up: Well-inflated tires, a clean air filter and proper levels of oil can greatly increase your car’s gas mileage. Plus, making sure your vehicle is in top shape before you leave home will prevent you from dealing with the stress and expense of breaking down out of town.
• Bring meals: Most rest stops have tables where you can eat a bag lunch, so take advantage of the dollar-saving power of planning ahead.
• Hit the library: You can snag books on CD and other time-passing goodies (for free) to keep you and your family from losing the spirit of togetherness too soon.

Any other tips? Post them in comments!