Do you ever find yourself making excuses for your unhealthy eating habits? In a recent poll conducted by ShopSmart Magazine, 57 percent of women said cost of food kept them from eating healthy. In response, the magazine offered several solutions to help women get back on track to reaching their nutrition goals. Check out their suggestions!

1. Eat breakfast.  Even if you’re not hungry, grab a combo of low-fat dairy, whole grains, fruit, and a little protein. It can set a healthy tone for the day, fuel your mind and body, and prevent overeating at lunch.

2. Limit distractions.  Turn off the TV, radio, and computer and focus on enjoying food when eating.  It can also help you recognize feelings of fullness.

3. Eat slowly.  Keep food in your mouth longer and chew it thoroughly. By slowing down, you’ll give your brain more time to register that you’ve had enough.

4.  Don’t drink calories.  Save your calories for foods that will fill you up, and sip no-cal water, seltzer, and tea.

5. Plan snacks.  Don’t leave snacking to chance; when you’re hungry, you might not make healthy choices. Carry fruit, an energy bar, or a small bag of homemade trail mix in your purse.

6. Practice portion control.  To cut overeating, put food on a plate and keep serving dishes out of sight.

7.  Brush teeth after eating.  It signals that you’re really done.

We have all seen advertisements for those websites where you can score high-priced items for an unbelievable fraction of the cost – at least that is how they make it seem. In reality, each bid that a shopper makes, even if it is only a one-cent increase, costs the bidder up to $.50 to the dollar! These sites are capitalizing on the depressed economy and eagerness of the public to jump at the sight of a deal and it’s working. So, the next time you visit one of these site, exercise caution and remember the popular saying, “Buyer Beware.” For more information click here.

We all know visits to the dentist can be expensive, especially without dental insurance! Dr. Dan Marut has come up with a plan to help individuals finance their dental needs without breaking the bank. His solution – the Quality Dental Plan, a dental membership, not insurance. This plan saves money by cutting out the middle man and  is offered nationally at an affordable rate. There are no deductibles, no monthly premiums, and the savings gained are unlimited as there are no maximums either. Patients receive free cleanings, x-rays and a teeth whitening. Sounds good to me! What are your thoughts? Click here for more information.

A majority of Americans are dreading shopping this holiday season, and many are revealing their inner Grinch!

An Ebates.com survey of 2,429 American adults discovered that 96% of Americans are dreading some aspect of holiday shopping, and shoppers are engaging in some bad behavior, including:
· Cutting in line – 6%
· Fighting over a parking space – 6%
· Parking in a handicapped spot – 4%
· Taking an item from someone else’s shopping cart – 3%
· Physically or verbally fighting with someone for an item in a store – 3%
· Other type of “mean manners” – 4%

In the meantime, feel free to use these tips from Ebates:

1. Get Double Bang for your Buck

Sites like Ebates and FatWallet can help you get double bang for your buck when going to top stores like Target, Macy’s, GAP, Nordstrom, and Toys R Us. They send you money just for shopping through them in the form of a rebate check. If you want to buy your favorite Groupon deal, those sites will give you a rebate check; so you take advantage of the savings AND get a little something extra.

2. Click on Codes

Coupon sites like AnyCoupons and “cash back” sites have thousands of coupon codes and free shipping codes. Even if the online store you’re visiting isn’t offering free shipping, check with those sites for special shipping codes. Same goes with coupon codes.

3. Save Time by going Mobile

There are shopping apps that congregate all the holiday sales for you so you don’t have to visit a million different online stores, especially if you know what you’re looking for. For example, FatWallet’s Black Friday Deal Finder app helps shoppers find where to get the best deals as they happen. And make sure the app is free, like FatWallet’s!

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently reported that Reebok has agreed to resolve an investigation that the company deceptively advertised “toning shoes.”

“This is a brave new frontier for consumer products, especially those in the higher-end, that claim to make one healthy, beautiful or live longer,” says White & Case Commercial Litigation Partner Jaime Bianchi, who represents consumer product companies in false advertising claims. “The FTC has been very active in investigating products that claim they provide health benefits to consumers.”

“They are making a big push to make sure that advertising, especially when it deals with claims of a product’s health-related benefits, is backed by some scientific evidence to support it,” says Bianchi. “The current FTC perceives that the prior Commission was not very protective of consumers, so they have a whole different mantra in place, which is why we are seeing more active policing by the FTC.”

“If a company is going to claim that a product has secondary effects that are related to the use of the product other than the product itself, like health related, they need to make sure they have adequate support for the claims,” he says.

Return policies for some merchants are more complex than income tax laws. Buy online and you’ll spend umpteen hours working your way through phone trees and waiting on hold to talk to a customer “service” representative. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a refund. Otherwise, it’s a store credit from a store you may not wish to patronize again.

Humorously, many of these merchants claim to offer “hassle free” returns. Some retailers, on the other hand, genuinely believe in making the process as pain-free as possible. FreeShipping did some research and came up with the following top 10 online return policies.

1. endless.com
The online-only shoe merchant gives shoppers a full 365 days to return unwanted or flawed footwear with guaranteed free shipping both ways on domestic orders. Use the endless.com online returns center for proper processing.

2. L.L.Bean
There’s no time limit on returns with L.L. Bean and no authorization is required. Simply download and fill out an online form or use the form printed on your packing slip. Return shipping is free for L.L.Bean Visa Cardmembers; just use a prepaid label for fast and free service.

3. Shoebacca.com
As with endless.com, Shoebacca provides totally free shipping both ways and a 365-day window in which to return or exchange your unwanted, unworn footwear or defective products. Returns must have the original tags still attached and shipped in the original packaging.

4. Lands’ End
Want to return a purchase and replace it with a different size or color? Lands’ End offers free return shipping with no end date for re-orders. For returns without an exchange, use the Easy Return Label for a flat shipping fee of $6.95. To get the best value, look for Lands’ End free shipping codes when you purchase, and return unwanted items to any Sears store to avoid return shipping costs.

5. Zappos
Here’s another great shoe deal. Zappos free shipping is good both for purchases and returns. Whether you’re unhappy with a purchase or simply change your mind, Zappos will provide a full refund or exchange within 365 days of purchase. Returns must be unworn (unless defective) and shipped in the original packaging.

6. Overland
Use the Overland free shipping label provided online for a free return via FedEx. Purchases made with a credit card are charged back within 24 hours of receipt and refund checks are issued for orders paid for with cash or a check.

No receipt is necessary when returning a Macy’s purchase because the merchant has a program that identifies products in their system. The department store provides a full refund or exchange within 180 days of purchase, except for jewelry, which is limited to 30 days. You can mail the item back or bring your purchase into any Macy’s store for a refund.

8. Kohl’s
Kohl’s free shipping offers come and go, but you can return your purchase any time for any reason. Lost your receipt? They’ll let you exchange your purchase for a comparably priced item or give you store credit. No cash back is available, however, without a receipt.

9. Costco
Here’s a rare deal for a warehouse store. Costco will not only refund the cost of your purchase but it will also pick up the tab for shipping and handling. Just return the item to any Costco outlet and they’ll remit your refund in your original form of payment. Most items may be returned at any time with the original receipts attached and in the original packaging. Most electronics, however, must be returned within 90 days.

10. Toys R Us and Babies R Us
Children change their minds so fast it can make your head spin, so a hassle-free return policy can make all the difference. The “R” Us folks accept returns within 90 days for cash back, if you paid with check or cash. Shipping costs also are refunded, but online purchases must be returned within 30 days and electronics in 45 days. No receipt is necessary if the item was purchased with plastic or from a gift registry. Shipping costs are refunded if the product is defective or damaged.

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FreeShipping is the largest resource on the Internet linking shoppers to free-shipping deals offered by more than 4,000 online merchants.

Thank you Kendal Perez for providing us with this humorous and informative piece. You can contact Kendal at 970-672-1136 or email kendal@freeshipping.org.

With the start of TLC’s latest “Extreme Couponing” season, it’s a good time to review some basic tricks that these coupon pros use. Read on for five ways* you can save like an extreme couponer.

1. Start Small Don’t try to go extreme all at once. Take it step by step, rather than show up at a checkout with 50 coupons and little idea what you’re doing.

2. Never Pay For Coupons There are some things in this life you just shouldn’t pay for, and a coupon is one of them. Paying someone to clip or organize your coupons defeats the purpose of living frugally. Instead, surf Sunday newspaper ad supplements for coupon savings; ask your neighbors for their unwanted papers; or dive inside a recycled dumpster or two. Also, free online coupon sites like CouponSherpa.com give consumers access to a multitude of coupon codes and printable coupons for thousands of merchants.

3. Get Organized A little organization can go a long way. Always create a shopping list and have your coupons and shopping strategy organized before you even enter the store. Use an expandable coupon binder to sort coupon inserts by date, categories and expiration dates. Transfer to a small couponizer only those you’ll need for a specific shopping trip.

4. Location, Location, Location Where you shop is a key factor in making the best use of your time and coupons. Only shop at locations that allow coupon stacking and combining coupons with in-store offers. Don’t be afraid to call and ask about policies before you show up. You don’t want to wind up embarrassed at the checkout line with a handful of useless coupons.

5. Loyalty Rewards Always take advantage of club membership rewards. These programs are usually free and have many savings perks, like rewards points, cash back programs, and double points for every certain amount you spend.

*source: Andrea Woroch

In celebration of Earth month, this Sunday (April 17^th), Target will give away 1 million* reusable bags made from 100% recyclable Tyvek material at stores nationwide to kick off Earth Week while supplies last. Anything that makes shopping easier and is also free is a win in my book!