Best Ways to Earn Cash After the Holidays

EARNING SOME EXTRA CASH AFTER THE HOLIDAYS IS A MUST FOR MANY OF US, EITHER B/C OF OUR UNCERTAIN FINANCIAL FUTURE OR B/C WE HAVE TO PAY OFF THE CREDITORS FOR PURCHASES WE MADE DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.   HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO EARN QUICK CASH FROM OUR OWN HOMES!

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EARNING SOME EXTRA CASH AFTER THE HOLIDAYS IS A MUST FOR MANY OF US, EITHER B/C OUR FINANCIAL SITUATION ISN’T LOOKING VERY GOOD OR B/C WE HAVE TO PAY OFF THE CREDITORS FOR THE GIFTS WE BOUGHT DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.   HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO EARN QUICK CASH RIGHT FROM YOUR OWN HOME!

1) SELL YOUR GOLD

We all have jewelry we don’t really wear anymore.  Maybe you have thought about selling the gold.  The price of gold, unlike other commodities, has gone up dramatically in the past few years.  There are 2 ways to determine value when selling gold: 1) How much does the gold weigh? and 2) How intricate is the design, and how old/rare is the piece?

HOW TO SELL GOLD:
1)    TRY AN AUCTION HOUSE FIRST, AND SET A RESERVE SO YOU DON’T SELL BELOW MARKET VALUE.  IF PIECE IS VALUABLE, TRY A LARGE NATIONAL AUCTION HOUSE (WWW.SOTHEBYS.COM) AND LET THEM WALK YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS OF SELLING…EASY TO DO.

2)    GET AN INDEPENDENT APPRAISAL FROM A REPUTABLE JEWELER SO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH GOLD YOU HAVE AND ANY OTHER QUALITIES THAT MIGHT MAKE IT SELLABLE.

WATCH OUT:

Don’t run to the nearest retailer or pawn shop to make a quick sale.  You will be g etting a wholesale price, at best.  Beware of posting gold on EBay or other websites that sell a huge variety of things from sellers we don’t know, at random prices.  Realize that most buyers today care more about weight than about age or intricacy of pattern.  Most buyers of real gold want to see it or know that the seller is reputable.  Best bet: a local auction house.  Luther Auction House in St. Paul.  (612-424-4654–2556 7th Avenue East, St. Paul, MN 55109).  Local auction houses have traffic and buyers willing to buy.

2) SELL YOUR OLD CELL PHONES, BATTERIES AND COMPUTER EQUIPMENT

Earn fast cash quick cash right now by selling your old cell phones and technology that’s in hopefully excellent condition.  And yes, even batteries!  There is a huge demand right now for batteries for discontinued models, as we may want to hold on to our existing phones and computers, not spend the money, but just replace old batteries.  Selling your equipment on websites can be random because you may not know anything about the sites, or sites like EBay have random shoppers so it is hit or miss.  Targeted sites like Craigslist are good places to begin but there may be fees to sell that are high.

REPUTABLE SITE TO SELL YOUR TECHNOLOGY AND ACCESSORIES:  www.gazelle.com. ; Here you can sell MP3 players, cell phones, batteries and computers.

3)COMPLETE ONLINE SURVEYS/FOCUS GROUPS

The number of websites offering to pay big bucks for taking online surveys has grown exponentially.  Get paid between $25-100 in for filling out surveys or earn a “chance” to win a drawing.  95% of the companies offering money in exchange for taking a survey are really just scamming you out of money.  They get your personal information, address, internet address, etc., but many don’t have actual contact information or addresses.

TIPS:  Make sure you can actually speak with an individual and get their promise in writing when agreeing to give out your own information and time.  DON’T PAY TO JOIN A CLUB OR TO BE PART OF A SURVEY, OR TO GET AN UPGRADED “MEMBERSHIP”! Money back guarantees are often false promises, too.  Many of these com panies are fly-by-nights.  Expect to get paid around $10 per survey.  You will get paid more if you can offer them something unique that will greatly benefit them and their business.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOU MIGHT BE PARTICIPATING20IN A SCAM: Go to www.legitimatebusinessreviews.com. ; There is a listing here of good, legitimate businesses creating surveys.

FOCUS GROUPS:  Instead of doing a survey, try participating in a focus group.  Focus groups typically pay $100, and are hosted by real live companies looking for information from consumers.  Typically, focus groups are done in person, but don’t take much more time than an hour—great extra money for stay-at-home moms.  Look in Google, under names of companies you have heard of or universities nearby.

BE A SECRET SHOPPER

Companies are eager in this economy to find out more about who their customer base is and how to expand it.  There are legitimate companies (often market research companies) that hire people to go undercover and expose what they see in different stores.

www.aboutface.com (877-770-8585) to learn more about becoming a secret shopper.

Beware:  there are many online companies that want you to pay to join their group, to learn how to be a secret shopper.  Learning online is=2 0good, but you shouldn’t have to pay anything or need to be certified.  Beware of getting paid by check because many of these online companies are not legitimate.  Check out your sources.  Can earn a few thousand dollars a month in a variety of industries.  If y ou feel you have been scammed, contact the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.com).

The Top 10 Values, Bar None

With the economy being tight right now we need to save money anywhere we can. These are some of my favorite values right now.

  1. Best in kids’ furnishings/dorm room necessities: Wal-mart: $30-40 bedding. Free shipping to your local store. Satin, very soft bedding and luscious colors and highly functional accessories.
  2. Best value in fixing up your outdoor furniture www.chaircarepatio.com. No matter what kind of furniture you have outdoors it gets weathered and awful -looking after a few seasons. You can get replacement straps and slings in hundreds of colors for only a few dollars each, along with easy-to-use directions and hardware tools. I love this place based in Dallas.
  3. Best website for saving money on your prescriptions www.i-saverx.net. Up to 80% savings on basic prescriptions! Must become a member (free), and saving on shipping, too. Also check your own insurance company! Insurance companies often team up with private online pharmaceutical companies or state-run agencies that sell medications. Make sure they are certified and, in fact, take prescriptions! Also, Walgreen’s and CVS have websites that list the drugs they offer for less—maybe generic, as well as $30-50 discount cards just for “joining”. They also provide list of meds offered for your pets!
  4. Best overall value in furniture quality Ethan Allen is my pick for 3 reasons:
    1. free assembly,
    2. longest warranty in the furniture business, and
    3. well-built, solid furniture that lasts.
  5. Best value in assembling furniture The worst part of moving is the fear that your favorite old furniture won’t fit. Bo Concept (a chain from Denmark that is new to Seattle) offers competitively priced furniture, similar in style to IKEA, with link designs so as your space grows you can easily add links to customize or reshape the size and fit of your couch or wall unit. A big money saver and you don’t even need to hire a carpenter.
  6. Best value in travel rewards program through a hotel Hilton offers the best program for families. No black-out dates, earn both miles and points in the same stay, and can use points at Disney and Universal. Get points when donate to charities and up to 500,000 points when you buy or sell a home! Use points at the largest retailers. I like Hyatt’s up to 50% off, though, for seniors.
  7. Best airline frequent flier program Right now, American is the most competitive. Can gift miles, buy miles as a gift and can earn miles by donating to charities! Can spend miles at hotels, electronic stores, and even Amazon.com. They charge, though, to redeem miles ($25).
  8. Best value in home inspection NACHI. For $400 you get a complete A-Z inspection by licensed inspectors who complete 24 hours of continuing education a year, instead of the usual 6 hours. Can check environmental issues, too. Only 40% of inspectors have NACHI certification.
  9. Best retail store gift card Tie between Bed, Bath and Beyond and Wal-mart. Bed, Bath and Beyond allows you to return items you buy online directly at the store, and Wal-mart doesn’t charge for shipping if goods sent to a local Wal-mart store! Both save time and money.
  10. Best overall way to save on everything without spending a dime AAA. If you aren’t a frequent traveler but still want the deals, AAA is great. You can use your card to get discounts at popular chains like: Target.com, Lenscrafters, Dell Computer and Geek Squad.

Get Deep Discounts On Your Favorite Products

As Featured on ABC7 Chicago

Many of us think that the really good deals on our favorite items come after a holiday is over. But according to the National Retail Federation, the time leading right up to the holidays is when you can get the very best discounts. Retailers want to create sales to generate revenue, and use targeted marketing campaigns to lure in shoppers. Many of us think, for example, the price of jewelry must go up before Valentine’s Day, but it’s just the opposite.

APPLIANCES/ELECTRONICS

Best time of year to get deepest discounts on electronics and appliances is when models change over—typically, every 6 months. When models change over you can get floor models deeply discounted or promotional pricing on new items. In July, big sales in refrigerators more rebates, because more heat breaks down refrigeration that month. Save money year-round on energy-saving appliances that cut down on utility bills. Typically, in February, March and November there are promotions. But best day for discounts on electronics is the day after Thanksgiving.

MAKEUP/COSMETICS

For bargains, don’t shop department stores, except during the holiday season when packaging gets dated quickly. The specialty boutiques offer substantial discounts on discontinued products, particularly in July, when new colors introduced, but great time to look for the classics. Specialty stores (Ulta and Sephora) offer rewards programs for free makeup. You can save you a lot if you spend more than $50 on makeup.

Department Stores: During and after the holidays is the best time to get deals on makeup in department stores: Gift merchandise from the holiday season is unloaded because stores know that the holiday packaging is not “in style anymore”. Sales in makeup aren’t necessarily going to mean discounts, but instead may mean complimentary makeup, free shipping, or gift with purchase. Don’t discount discontinued makeup at most department stores, but specialty stores do.

Sephora: Rarely has sales. Sales only on private label items at end of holiday season. Discontinued products sales. Rewards program. So if you spend $100 you get a deluxe-sized free sample (on top selling products). Certain products within a manufacturer’s line are only available to someone who is a member of the rewards program.

Ulta: After Christmas, sales on makeup. July also a good time — middle of year, when new makeup colors are introduced into the market, special packages, rewards program (with every $50 purchase you get coupons for free gifts — a list of gifts that you can choose from — not stuck with some makeup that you would never wear).

LADIES/MEN’S CLOTHES

Typically sales more frequent in department stores, except a few, like Nordstrom, which only have three key sales a year. Best time to buy at a department store is when they offer a few day sale on newly introduced merchandise to see how it will do, before raising the price to full retail (Macy’s). Stores like JC Penney and Bloomingdale’s offer sales monthly, and are pretty decent. The best time to get athletic apparel is in May and for men’s clothing it is twice a year — January and June, right after Father’s Day.

JC Penney: Deepest discount in Spring (march 5 sales)—extra 15% off if you have a JC Penney credit card, cookware included. Usually monthly sales. 70% off now on many products (after Christmas), 15% off on fresh merchandise in the Spring. Free shipping offers throughout the year, based on how much you spend (if you spend $50 or more), during the Christmas season, you get gift cards if you spend a certain amount of money.

Nordstrom: Only 3 sales a year: Have woman’s and kids’ half-yearly (June and November, clearance on seasonal items that just preceded that period). Men: half-yearly sale (June and December). Anniversary sale: in mid-July. Pre-season savings offered during this 2-week period. Good for back to school clothes, shoes, accessories. Men’s sale: 25-33%

Bloomingdale’s: Once a month sale on weekends (usually 40%), and during Christmas time, every week through New Year’s. 30% off sale price on clearance, if you spend $100 you get $15 towards a purchase, if you spend $300 you get $45 back. If you have a Bloomies card, you get 15% additional off.

Macy’s shoes: best sale prices: 25-75% off, right after Christmas, (week long), June (20% off), October (20% off). Before holiday sale, newer merchandise marked down for just a few days, then goes back up in price.

Paul Stuart: 2 Men’s sales: After Xmas (varies on how much off), next sale after Father’s Day

Athletic Apparel: Best time to buy in May, just before the summer

MEMBERSHIPS TO WEIGHT LOSS CENTERS AND GYMS

You can get the best deals at weight loss centers and gyms after Christmas when there is no initiation fees. Just prior to the summer, when you have to start thinking about putting on that bathing suit, you can also get a good deal. Fitness clubs and weight loss centers have the same sale periods.

Bally’s: Free programs offered after Xmas. 70% after Xmas want to lose weight discounts — free classes in January. Also free classes on Thursdays as an intro to their system. All classes free in January. No monthly payment or initiation in month of January. January free.

Crunch: Promotions: This month: work out 7 times a month and get a free month of membership — $49-79/mo. Initiation is $49-159.

Equinox: New Year’s, and beginning of the summer (dues aren’t discounted, but 0 initiation fee). Initiation fee normally costs $395.

Jenny Craig: Trial deals, but different prices all year, 20 for 20 (best deal is 20 pounds for $20 plus cost of food); (Jan, Feb, Mar), (Jun, July, August): all 20 for $20.

Jennifer Litwin: The Rules of Returns this Holiday Season

Find out how best to give those unwanted gifts back to the stores they came from.

TRENDS IN RETURNS

Retail Stores: Good news: Between this year and last year retailers have become more flexible, allowing you with items purchased online to return items directly to the stores. Gift returns are down because more than 75-percent of the population is giving gift cards. Most retail stores are being more lenient about expiration dates, and eliminating them.

Bad news: 1) the store return lines may be a little long, 2) if you try to return your gift without a gift receipt you may not get to return or will only get a portion back, 3) same goes for packaging-keep original packaging and don’t open anything or else you may only get back 50-percent in some cases (Amazon and the electronics stores–$16 b in retail losses for one-time users so very strict this year).

Example of store that won’t allow you to return online purchases in the store: Target.

Retail Gift Cards: $80 billion spent this year This year, paper gift certificates were replaced by beautiful-looking cards, with special packaging (Starbucks gift cards came inside woven mittens!). Also, this year, card balances are able to be updated right at the cash register. Most retailers are allowing unlimited time to use the gift cards now.

Tip: Over $8 billion will be lost this year because of unused gift cards. We have all received gift cards from stores we would never shop at, so check out www.swapagift.com. For only $3.99 you can trade your unwanted gift card with a different gift card. The price is low; when you might not otherwise use the card you were given.

Online Gifts: This year, you need to ask if the gift given from a website can be returned to the store, or if you will have to send the gift to a 3rd party location. Also, check to see what shipping charges you will incur. Many sites still won’t pay to ship returns.

Bank Gift Cards (Visa, MC, Amex): Some problems

1) can’t find out your balance on the card at the cash register

2) store registers can’t handle multiple forms of payment (if you only have $5 left on your card, and you need to add another $10 w/ your own credit card-out of luck),

3) NEW TREND: Charges of $15 to call an 800 number just to find out what your balance on the card is-something you can’t find out at the store,

4) monthly fees after usually 6 months of between $2.50-3.50 for unused balances, regardless of how small&so basically, 6 months expiration dates-much quicker return policies than typically with retail.

5) NEW TREND: recipient pays $15 to get bank to issue check on balance!

KEY: Find gift cards that are good for at least a year.

THE RETAILERS (BY INDUSTRY):

BIG BOX:

TARGET: 90-day return window, bad for recipient b/c less of an opportunity to get to a store than with a gift card. This year: must have the physical receipt, or gift receipt. Generally can’t return online purchases at the store.

KMART AND WAL-MART: Different from Target-can return items bought online in the stores. Returns by mail may take weeks to process and may only be credited to the gift-giver’s credit card, not to the recipient.

DEPARTMENT STORES:

MACY’S: 6-month return policy

BLOOMINGDALES: Must ship all online gift returns to a 3rd party location

SAKS: Watch those shipping costs: each additional recipient costs you $5 more in shipping when shopping online. $4 charge for shipping gift cards

JC PENNEY’S: No expiration of gift cards, and no hidden charges

GAP: Though no charge for shipping gift cards, store credits only, and only if you have receipt

NORDSTROM: Gift cards never expire, and free shipping label in each box.

HOME FURNISHINGS STORES:

In general, the home furnishings stores are offering free gift card shipping and most don’t expire(Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, Z-Gallerie)

Please leave feedback on any experiences you have had this year on returning gifts!

Beware of Shopping Online!

As Featured on KPLC Louisiana

When doesn’t free shipping mean free handling? As confusing as this sounds many retailers are offering free shipping promotions, as I’ve learned, this holiday season. Recently, I received a web promotion offering free shipping at Eddie Bauer. I was at the checkout section when I learned that the retailer was going to tack on a $3 handling fee. I thought, “Wait, isn’t handling part of shipping? When isn’t it?”

NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH

Unfortunately, this is only one of the tricks retailers are using this season to make you think you have gotten something for free, when in reality, the charge has been added somewhere else.

FINE PRINT

Even if the web’s fine print tells you about these “extra” handling charges, separating out shipping from handling is something that we don’t usually consider. When was the last time you were charged for handling separately from shipping, but told you were getting “free shipping?”

CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE

Customer service departments don’t like to receive these kinds of calls questioning these trivial charges. But how else will retailers know that this is not a common charge for a “freebie?” In my case, I was not given an answer as to why I was being charged the $3 … something about paying taxes on this order, but I explained that I had already paid the taxes. If your retailer of choice won’t hear your complaint, consider calling the Attorney General’s office for your state. In these trying times, retailers don’t want to lose you, but don’t be fooled by the jargon.

Holiday Shopping: Here's What You Need to Know Before Heading Out This Season

Holiday season shopping is under way, and with all the deals and “steals” how can you be the smartest shopper in this down economy? This season is expected to be the worst in 20 years. Some of the biggest trends this season, good and bad include:

  • Increase in Online Shopping: Online shopping is expected to rise 33% this season, due to time and shipping savings this season. Online retailers are making it easier to shop for and return items purchased online by offering free shipping, easy returns and customer reviews. Rise in matching prices online. Online sales will decrease because of returns expected to be high. Watch out for privacy policies and sharing your personal information online.
  • Decrease in Credit Card Spending: Store and bank credit cards are lowering credit card limits. Department stores like Nordstrom and Target are expecting to do a bigger credit card business due to penalties, limits and interest rates being charged by banks, but overall, spending on cards will be less. $30 fees will be charged if you go over the limit, in many cases.
  • Stricter Return Policies: Keep your receipts and gift receipt, but ask about quick sale adjustments in advance of the holidays to get the best overall prices. Without a gift receipt most stores giving refund only to gift giver.
  • Increase in Sale Shopping: 60% of consumers will shop sales only, but there will only be a 2% sale increase this year. Return policies will be stricter for sale items, especially for electronics and popular, trendy items.
  • Return to the Post-Depression Layaway Plan: Paying a little as the weeks get closer to the holidays is making a smart comeback. Caveat: According to the FTC there will be fees charged for “returning” an item that is either only partially paid for or fully paid for.
  • More difficult to convert gift cards to cash: Department stores that gave cash conversions to gift cards are, at best, only offering refunds to the gift giver. Check your retailer’s policies on conversion. Increase in Shipping Costs: Shipping prices have gone up with the fuel costs increasing. Expect to pay 10-15% of the cost of goods (and that’s only 1 way!)
  • 25% Expected Decrease in Bank Gift Cards: Spending less this holiday season means a decrease in spending for gift cards, in general, and especially for bank gift cards. Most gift cards will be purchased at discount stores, like Wal-Mart and Costco, and more gift cards will be used at pharmacies and everyday stores, not luxury retailers. Good news is that most expiration dates have been lifted. Bad news: service charges of $2-3 per month on any unused balances after 12 months the industry norm. Fees to buy bank gift cards are $4-5. Caveat: many bank gift cards can’t be used for online purchases.
  • Check before shopping online. Jennifer Litwin, “The Shop Cop”, has written two popular books on the shopping world (published by Lyons Press and Random House), and appears on TV shows across the country, most recently as “The Shop Cop” on ABC 7 Chicago. Jennifer Litwin, an MBA graduate from The University of Chicago, has contributed to Consumers Digest, Money, Quick & Simple, Smart Money, Money and other publications. More can be seen on her website: http://www.jenniferlitwin.com/.

The Tree, With All the Trimmings

As Featured in Quick and Simple

Deck your home with the best and brightest — and most budget-friendly — specimen around, with shopping tips from consumer expert Jennifer Litwin, author of Furniture Hot Spots: The Best Furniture Stores and Websites Coast to Coast.

Fabulous Fakes

Half of all Americans who buy Christmas trees are getting artificial ones, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. Usually shipped almost fully assembled, the faux firs never need watering, nor do they drop needles or drip sap all over your living room rug. Often, they’re even prehung with lights, sparing you any scary moments teetering atop a stepladder.

What’s more, the current crop of fakes, with full branches and rounded needle tips (sometimes hand-painted), do a good job of fooling the eye. Of course, finding space to store the tree when the holidays are over can be challenging, but at least you don’t have to drag it to your sidewalk or drive to your local dump to dispose of it.

Five- to 7-foot fakes generally sell for $200 to $500, and last between 6 and 10 Christmases. At the bargain end, Target (target.com) offers a prelit, 6-foot version for around $200. It’s not as full or real-looking as more expensive trees, but is a good deal for the money. In season, $300 at christmastreesforever.com buys you the popular Forever Super Bright, a blue-green-tinged 7-footer heavily laden with blue or white LED lights. And if you’re up for a splurge, amazonfoliages.com sells an extremely real-looking, prelit, 9-foot artificial Austrian pine — with tons of branches and needles — for $962.

But before you plunk down your money, ask these questions:

  • Is the tree prelit? Some 90 percent of artificial trees are, and this saves you a lot of time.
  • Are there enough lightbulbs on the tree? A high-quality tree includes about 700 smaller lights or 300 larger lights.
  • What is the warranty on the tree? Obviously, the longer, the better.

Going Natural

Even the most convincing fake tree can’t give you that only-in-the-forest pine smell. And for traditionalists, only the real deal, which can cost between $15 and $150, evokes the ghosts of Christmases long past.

When you’re shopping, try to look at the trees under good light. Brown needles and bugs are deal-breakers. Ask when the tree was cut; the longer it sits around out of the ground, the sooner it dies. Also find out its height and width — you don’t want the top of your tree scraping the ceiling.

While you can certainly pick up a tree in the 7-Eleven parking lot, Internet orders have been growing at more than 25 percent a year. Internet purchasers avoid the hassle of wedging a 6- or 7-foot beast into their car. Plus, they often have a bigger selection of trees to choose from. (For instance, from Cupkie Christmas Village, christmastreevillage.com, you can choose between 7-foot white pines, balsam firs, Colorado blue spruces and more, for $79 to $91, including shipping.)

Even better: A mail-ordered tree is likely to be fresher than one you buy in a lot. They’re shipped right after they’re cut, rather than sitting on a spot for days or weeks. The downside is that you can’t touch or see the tree in person. Also, because of shipping restrictions, you may be limited to trees that are no taller than seven feet.