The Shop Cop - Jennifer Litwin

As Featured in The Arizona Republic

Most Americans will pay down their debt. Some will sock it away for a rainy day.

But about 24 percent will use their tax refunds this year to buy something pricey, such as a big-screen TV, car or vacation, the National Retail Federation reports.

Of course, financial planners wince about taxpayers getting refunds at all.

“I’m a firm believer that we should not be allowing the government to borrow our money throughout the tax year, interest-free, by ‘giving us’ a big tax refund at the end of the year,” said Victor Encinas, a Phoenix financial coach. “If we have the money throughout the year, we can build an emergency fund, strengthen our budget or save more for retirement or education.”

This isn’t news to Eldon Stetson, 36, of Glendale. If he and his wife “were doing our homework like we should be, we’d try to balance things out that way.”

Life happens, though, and soon another year has passed and the formula for owing nothing and receiving nothing on taxes hasn’t been worked out. So this year, Stetson is putting a portion of his tax refund toward a $2,500 mountain bike.

Like Stetson, 70 percent of Americans will receive tax-refund checks – and marketers will try to get them to part with them. The average tax refund is $2,150, the IRS reports.

Encinas suggests that people negotiate all major purchases.

“When you have ‘cash power’ mixed with ‘walk-away power,’ you become a force for retailers to reckon with,” he explained.

If you plan to make a major purchase with your tax refund, here’s some advice on making the most of your money:

AIRPLANE TICKETS

• Consider calling travel agents to book flights. They often have access to consolidator fares, involving tickets bought in bulk at a discount. “Even with a seller’s mark-up, the cost of the ticket may be cheaper than you can find online,” said Chris Elliott, National Geographic Traveler’s ombudsman.
• Take advantage of Internet airfare-and-hotel packages, which can be cheaper than if you book those items separately.
• The best savings for buying and traveling in the same week is the first week of January, Elliot says. Some other weeks also offer discounted airfares: the week after Thanksgiving, to anywhere in the United States; the week of Thanksgiving, to Europe; and the two weeks after Labor Day – when most people have gone back to work or school – to anywhere in the United States.

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As featured in Money Magazine

Catalogues and giant anchor tenants in malls dominate the housewares industry, but while their purchasing power can mean lower prices on some items, most national retailers are locked into a rigid pricing structure, which means no haggling.

For independent retailers, however, haggling is not only permitted, it’s expected (figure on dropping the price by 15 percent to 20 percent).

Regardless of where you shop, remember that the only true judge of quality is you. It doesn’t make any difference if some salesperson regales you with tales of this cotton’s provenance or that sofa’s coil count – only your hand and keister can really tell.

GETTING THE BEST DEAL ON A COUCH

The industry’s pitch Designer-name couch for $699! Marked down from $1,299! All prices are final!

Rebuttal Like clothing designers, furniture designers make different lines for different stores. So the couch you see at a discount store might look just like the posh store’s model, but the company took construction shortcuts to keep the price down. (Think outlet vs. retail stores.)

Also, about 85% of local stores will give you a discount if you ask (request 20% off), so don’t be shy.

And in the end, nothing is as important as how a couch feels.

The Verdict: Sit on the couch. For a while. If it’s a sleeper, fold it out and have a lie-down. Make sure the springs are made of eight-way hand-tied coils for long-lasting support. Look for a kiln-dried hardwood frame (not steel) for durability.

Less assembly is good too – the more pieces there are, the more likely it is that things will jiggle over time.

A good retailer to start with? Ethan Allen, says Jennifer Litwin, author of “Best Furniture Buying Tips Ever!.” “Their sales staff is great and their furniture is well-made.”

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As featured in The Arizona Republic

Next to our homes and cars, furniture likely is the most expensive purchase we’ll make.

And just like with home- and car-buying, it’s best to make informed decisions when purchasing sofas, chairs, chests and dining tables.

What should you look for? Comfort, style and function top the majority of most people’s wish lists, according to the American Home Furnishings Alliance, a trade association based in High Point, N.C.

Quality construction is equally as important, says Jennifer Litwin, a consumer advocate who writes furniture reviews for Consumers Digest. Litwin, whose Web site is jenniferlitwin.com, recently published Best Furniture Buying Tips Ever! (House of Collectibles, 2005, $14.95).

Also important:

• Written warranties.
• Free or reasonably priced furniture assembly.
• Shipping that is free or minimal in cost.
• Salespeople who know their merchandise.
• Price. Buy the best quality piece that you can afford, advises Jackie Hirschhaut, the alliance’s vice president.

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As featured in the Chicago Tribune

Such a simple and utilitarian item, a bookcase. Why, then, is it so challenging to find the perfect one? House & Homes Assistant Editor Cindy Dampier has been searching for months on end for a bookcase to put in her 2-year-old son Thomas’s room.

She’d like a vintage version but is finding that age often equals unsafe. Sometimes other types of furniture, such as stacked benches or bureau drawers, can make tempting bookcases, but it’s hard to know whether they’ll work. With this challenge in mind, we approached two local furniture experts for a good read on what makes the best bookcase.

1. Make it strong. Whether you’re buying a traditional bookcase or employing a re-purposed piece of furniture, “the No. 1 most important thing when it comes to a bookcase is strength,” says Jennifer Litwin, author of two books on buying furniture. Generally, dark woods are stronger than lighter woods, and medium-density fiberboard is good. Plywood and particleboard, not so much. To avoid that awful bowing that happens when shelves sag under books’ weight, stick to bookcases with shelves of no less than 1 inch thickness.
   When Chicago carpenter Josh Hines is making bookcases, he prefers metal versus plastic hardware for the sturdiest construction possible. He gauges much of a bookcase’s strength by simply feeling it with his hands. “You can feel quality,” he says. “Sturdy hinges that don’t wobble, sturdy slides for drawers, weighty shelves.” Continue reading »

As featured in the Los Angles Daily News

Inside out.

That’s the theme in outdoor furniture this season, as designers borrow what’s fresh and fun from interior design and put it on the patio.

And outdoor rooms aren’t just for dining and entertaining anymore. This summer, the focus is on relaxing in sumptuous comfort. Still, it’s not all about indulgence. There’s also an emphasis on sturdier, and more eco-friendly, materials.

And worshipping the sun? That’s so George Hamilton. Instead, be on the lookout for innovative awnings and umbrellas that stylishly block out the glare.

Here’s a more detailed look at what’s new under the sun:

MODERN LOVE

The mid-century modern look is moving out – to the backyard. And there’s nothing subtle about this trend. “We’re seeing great, molded heavy plastic furniture that you can keep out year-round,” says Chicago-based home furnishings consumer expert Jennifer Litwin. “It’s strong and sturdy, and it comes in a lot of funky colors. It’s like planting a beautiful flower in your yard.”

SWEET SANCTUARY

The concept of the outdoor room has expanded from living to lounging. It’s bedding in the backyard, with an emphasis on comfier yet still weather-resistant materials. Among the hot items? Tandem chaise lounges.

“We sell more double lounges than single,” says Brendan Barry, owner of Barong Furniture and accessories in West Hollywood, whose outdoor furniture offerings are primarily teak and iron. What does this say about the L.A. lifestyle? “Let’s just say people like to cuddle,” he says with a laugh.

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As Featured in the Dallas News

By Marni Jameson

If there were laws against furniture abuse, I’d be in jail. All winter long, I leave my patio furniture outside, uncovered, to endure freezing temps, hammering rain, hide-peeling sun and berry-eating bird assaults. Meanwhile I stay warm, dry and sun-protected inside. Then, about this time of year, I expect my outdoor furniture and me to pick up where we left off.

Turns out I have some making up to do.

The cushions take the worst beating – and not all due to laziness, though that’s partly to blame. The main reason my cushions languish outside all year is because the time is never right to bring them in. When it’s nice out, I don’t want to bring them in because it’s nice out. I might want to sit outside.

When it’s crummy out, I don’t want to bring them in because it’s crummy out. I don’t want to be outside.

When the skies clear, the cushions are wet or snow-covered, and I don’t want to bring them in until they dry. So I wait until it’s nice again. The cycle continues until we’re back to warm weather.

So when I heard that outdoor-furniture makers had started making furniture and fabrics that could withstand this abuse, I got even more excited than I did when Starbucks got drive-through. I felt vindicated.

“Gone are the days of slip-covering outdoor furniture at the end of the season,” said Jennifer Litwin, a Sotheby-trained furniture expert and author of Best Furniture Buying Tips Ever! (House of Collectibles, $14.95), who was singing my song.

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As Featured in the Daily Oklahoman

There was a time when decorating your college dorm room didn’t go much beyond a bedspread, a wall poster and, if you were lucky, a framed photo of your boyfriend.

Now, even though the dorm rooms themselves haven’t changed much, options for designing one that is both functional and fun make it not only possible, but a must.

Of course, colleges and universities have restrictions. And this may be your first real shot at decorating. Think of it as your first challenge with creativity.

The good news is, you’re not alone. Some really cool options are out there in bedding, wall decor, storage and more.

“Young people see a lot. There are magazines and TV shows with cool decor, and I think kids are into that. They want their rooms to be reflective of themselves,” said Bebe MacKellar, an interior decorator with Fanny Bolen Interiors in Oklahoma City.

Ruth Ellis, an Edmond interior designer, set up a mock dorm room in her home to illustrate the possibilities. The first thing she added was a circular theme of bright colors. Fuschia, lime green — all colors are available in draperies, bedding, wall art, stackable storage containers, you name it. Pick your scheme and go full tilt.

With so many inexpensive options, here’s your chance to be whimsical and sensible at the same time.

“Think about how you can make a huge splash of style without breaking the bank,” said Ellis, who just created “Girlie Girl Room,” an offshoot of her design firm, Fabulous Faces.

At the same time, pick items that can be easily moved.

Some of the top shoppers and designers offer these tips to get you started:

• Bedding is everything in a dorm room — and it can make the difference between a good night’s sleep and an achy sort of day. So buy an egg crate or featherbed padding and some decent pillows. And remember, most dorm room twin beds are extra long, so standard sheets won’t fit. Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and Linens ‘N’ Things all carry extra long sheets at a reasonable cost. If you tend to study and entertain on your bed, Ellis suggests buying a duvet cover that is machine washable. Throw pillows are another way to add color and turn your bed into a sofa.
• If your dorm allows it, consider setting up a loft, where stilts lift your bed to allow a desk and other belongings to go underneath. This is a great way to use your vertical space and create a wonderful sleep-study-storage-mini-kitchen area using very little floor space.
• Dorm rooms are always short on storage space, but you’re ahead if you think vertical. Plastic milk crates come in all colors, are great for books, papers, linens, and stack as high as you can reach. Better yet, pack your containers for what you will store in them before you move. Sheets, towels clothes stay in place until needed — just shove them under your bed. Continue reading »

As Featured on the Today Show

We’ve all heard the saying “You get what you pay for,” but it’s not always so black and white. So how do you know when a cheaper version of a product is a good buy or when it would be better in the long run to pay top dollar? Luckily for us, that’s a question “Money” magazine’s September issue and and TODAY’s Financial editor Jean Chatzky tackled.

THE KITCHEN

Microwave:

Emerson MW8992RD, 0.9-Cubic-Foot 900W, $60

Save or spend: Save

Most microwaves on the market are made by a Chinese outfit called Galanz, so the guts and functionality are remarkably similar. As for looks, Emerson’s red stainless model has lots of style.

Pepper mill:

Seven-inch Peugeot Paris, $38

Save or spend: Spend

Just as with coffee, pepper tastes better if you grind it yourself. That’s why, according to chef Charlie Palmer, a good pepper mill is a must. It’ll produce a consistent texture, and you’ll be able to adjust the size of the grind. Peugeot (yes, it’s the automaker) has been making this mill since 1847, and the design hasn’t changed much in that time. Each grinder groove is individually cut and case hardened.

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As Featured on CNNMoney

To get the most for your money, you need to know two things: when the good stuff is worth paying extra for and when the economy choice is plenty good enough.

Save or spend: Spend

“The sofa is the anchor of your living room,” says interior designer Thom Filicia. That alone may make it worth a splurge.

But also: Above $2,000 you tend to get something sturdier. “The biggest thing to consider is the frame,” says Jennifer Litwin, author of “Best Furniture Buying Tips Ever!”

On cheaper couches, the frame may be made of metal or pressed wood. Kiln-dried hardwood like you’ll find in this sofa from Restoration Hardware is better; it gives, therefore it won’t crack.

Look for a down-foam mix in the cushions. “The best couches feature eight-way hand-tied coils too,” says Litwin.

Ask the salesperson whether the store has a cutaway. But also just lift it – a solidly constructed sofa shouldn’t be easy to pick up.

As Featured in Quick & Simple

By: Tiffany Sun, Associate Editor
For: Quick & Simple

You can furnish your home in style without ever setting foot out of the front door! Jennifer Litwin, author of Furniture Hot Spots, shares her secrets for getting great steals on the Web.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Be a night owl – or an early bird. Many sellers post items in the wee hours, so you’ll find the most refreshed inventory then or first thing in the a.m.

A PICTURE’S WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

Seek out sellers who provide bright, clear images of their items. Otherwise, that red velvet chair that caught your eye may turn out to be pumpkin orange when it arrives!

MAKE YOUR MARK

You’re not the only one with good taste, so if you really love something, show your interest immediately. Respond to a post as quickly as possible – a phone call (rather than an e-mail, which can be overlooked) may put you at the top of the list and separate you from the pack of potential buyers.

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