About.com Frugal Living

Buying Stolen Goods

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:18:39 +0000

I love a good deal as much as anyone, but I won't buy shampoo, razor blades or any other health and beauty product from a flea market – even if they are practically giving the stuff away. Why? Because I spent enough years working retail to know that a good number of those items are stolen goods; and since there's no way to tell the stolen goods from the non-stolen goods, I simply choose not to buy any of it.

I apply the same rules when shopping on online auction sites. Sure, it would be nice to buy replacement heads for my toothbrush at a deep discount (those suckers are expensive); but I know that they're another commonly stolen item, so for me they're a no-go.

Where do you stand on buying second-hand goods? Are there items that you won't buy for fear that they've been stolen? Tell us where you stand on this issue.

To view a list of commonly stolen items, check out this list compiled by the National Retail Federation:

NRF Consumer Alert List

Buying Stolen Goods originally appeared on About.com Frugal Living on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 13:18:39.

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Gifts in a Jar

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:48:17 +0000

Gifts in a jar are fun to make and cheap to give. Grab a case of canning jars, and knock out your entire Christmas list with one of these gift ideas:

68 Gifts in a Jar

Related Reading:

Photo &copy Erin Huffstetler

Gifts in a Jar originally appeared on About.com Frugal Living on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 16:48:17.

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Featured Reader: Denise, MD

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:00:29 +0000

Name:

Denise from Maryland

Your Favorite Source for Bargains:

Goodwill Super Centers are a definite source for bargains for just about anything, but I use it mostly for my clothes. I have found top designer clothing there for a fraction of the price of buying it new. Most clothing is about $4.75 per item, and they offer half-price discounts on Midnight Madness days. I also love the print circulars that come in the mail - I save them; and use them along with glass cleaner to clean all the glass in my home. They work great - and they're free. ALDI'S is my go-to source for bargain groceries. I have been shopping there for years. They do not have a huge selection, but you cannot beat their prices. Right now I can buy four pounds of ground beef for UNDER $4.00 total! I also shop CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens for their clearance and sale items.

View the rest of Denise's profile

Featured Reader: Denise, MD originally appeared on About.com Frugal Living on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 09:00:29.

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What's in Your Shopping Cart?

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:53:43 +0000

If it's not baking supplies, then you're missing out on some real bargains. November and December are the cheapest months of the year to stock up on flour, butter, spices and many other baking essentials. A good rule of thumb: if you need it to prepare Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, it's on sale now.

I've already stocked up on my favorite butter ($.99 a tub, instead of the regular $2.99) and snagged two free cans of evaporated milk. Now, I'm in pursuit of a buy-one-get-one deal on my favorite flour. How are you doing with your seasonal stock up?

The Best Time to Buy Everything

Photo &copy Flickr user darinhercules

What's in Your Shopping Cart? originally appeared on About.com Frugal Living on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 19:53:43.

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Stockpile Envy

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:20:35 +0000

Does your grocery stockpile put all other stockpiles to shame? Now's your chance to brag about those towers of toilet paper and that lifetime supply of soap. Give us all a case of stockpile envy.

Share Your Stockpile Story

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Stockpile Envy originally appeared on About.com Frugal Living on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 18:20:35.

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Halloween Freebies

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:01:31 +0000

This Halloween it's all about the treats. Dealnews.com has put together a list of stores that will be giving away Halloween freebies – and it's a l-o-n-g list. Check it out.

Related Reading:

Celebrate Halloween on the Cheap

Halloween Freebies originally appeared on About.com Frugal Living on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 16:01:31.

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Make Your Own Face Paint

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:00:53 +0000

Putting the finishing touches on your Halloween costume, but trying to keep costs down? Then, why not make your own face paint? I'll bet you already have everything you need to get the job done:

Face Paint Recipe

More Homemade Halloween Ideas:

Photo &copy Flickr user Jim_sneedon

Make Your Own Face Paint originally appeared on About.com Frugal Living on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 16:00:53.

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Featured Reader: Nancy, MA

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:00:55 +0000

Name:

Nancy from Massachusetts

Your Favorite Source for Bargains:

My garden (I grow my own vegtables from seeds). The Salvation Army for clothes; and the Internet for offers like free restaurant appetizers (perfect for those occasional splurges).

Your Best Bargain of All Times:

I bought a box at an auction for $14.00. It was a 'box' auction, and all the bidders could see is what the auctioneer's helper pulled from the box. I liked what looked like a blanket; and thought, "Since it's nice, there are probably other nice things in the box." I was right. There was $1,400 in Euros tucked inside a wallet, among other things. I sold one item - a wooden statue - at the next auction for $14.00. I still have the sheep skin throw.

View the rest of Nancy's profile

Featured Reader: Nancy, MA originally appeared on About.com Frugal Living on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 09:00:55.

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Stores Offering Layaway

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:22:30 +0000

Toy R Us has just announced that it will be offering layaway this holiday season for big ticket items like bikes, play kitchens, dollhouses and cribs. And if you think that's exciting, then you should check out Sears' and Kmart's online layaway programs:

Stores Offering Layaway for the Holidays

Related Reading:

Affordable Gifts for the Whole Family

Stores Offering Layaway originally appeared on About.com Frugal Living on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 12:22:30.

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Free Movie Tickets and More

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:07:24 +0000

Lace up your shoes and grab the car keys. You're going to want to make a bargain run after you see these deals:

Buy two specially-marked boxes of General Mills cereal, and receive a free movie ticket. No redemption limit specified on the website or box (that I could find). You can even use the ticket the same day you buy the cereal. How cool is that?
CVS is going to start issuing a $1 coupon to ExtraCare members every four times they reuse a bag
Send one Halloween candy wrapper to Breyer's YoCrunch, and receive a coupon for a free yogurt
Boston Market is offering a complete meal – one-quarter white chicken or three pieces of dark chicken, mashed potatoes and cornbread – for $1 through November 1. You'll need to print the coupon on their website to nab this deal
Get a free 8x10 portrait collage at Sears (with no sitting fee) through October 31

Know of another deal that's worthy of mention? Please share the details.

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Free Movie Tickets and More originally appeared on About.com Frugal Living on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 13:07:24.

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