Her invaluable insight into consumerism led to her very own:
(1) Well-known, branded Shop Cop Television segments, which have aired live on ABC in both Chicago and in Minneapolis, on Twin Cities Live, the Twin Cities #1-rated show, and
(2) Two books, the most recent of which published by Random House, each ranking #1 and #2 on Amazon.com in the home section for more than one year. Jennifer has appeared on most national morning shows, and in national magazines and newspapers, as well as in most local outlets.
(3) Host of the popular Shop Cop Radio Show on VoiceAmerica.com, where weekly guests have included well-known business, industry leaders and government officials.
HOW THE CREDIT CARD ACT OF 2009 AFFECTS YOUR KIDS AND CHARGINGIn February, the Credit Card Act of 2009 went into effect to limit a credit card’s ability to charge high interest rates and service fees. Kids and especially kids in college were trapped with high balances and high interest rates. Kids and credit cards have always been a risk to credit card companies, and to their parents, of course.
Let’s face it—we don’t all have lucrative college savings accounts. If you can’t absorb the cost of going to a physical university right now, you may be looking at your online options for the best value. Though online education may cost less than an a physical university or college you have to understand what you are getting for your money and how your degree will be perceived.
Recently, I did a segment for Twin Cities Live about melting your gold and selling it because you could get more money for gold than a few years ago. Recessions work that way. Gold holds its value during a recession. But someone whose parent had recently died asked me if now was also a good time to sell an old wedding band, made up of several diamonds. Her jeweler suggested making an eternity ring, or using the small diamonds to make something for her daughters.
Having watched the economy rollercoaster during the past year, I’ve seen businesses in every industry make significant, radical changes in they way they do business, and how they treat consumers. Having spent over 15 years analyzing the retail world, I have documented my research findings in my TV segments covering almost every consumer topic imaginable, from home furnishings to health care.
Now, years of research will be turned into a concise, easy to read, and practical book that will tell you how and where to shop for the best values in your daily purchases. Going forward, one thing is certain–stores no longer want to be left exposed to the same economic swings that hit around the time of the stock market crash. I am looking forward to this new adventure in my life, and hope I can deliver a valuable tips for shopping book in a way that hasn’t yet been done.
VOICE AMERICA RADIO
The economic events of the past year have changed the way we think about our retirement money–how we plan to save it and what to do if we lose it. Included in this discussion are what kinds of options are currently available for safe investing, 401Ks and investing for those in different age brackets. Joining me to discuss these topics are David McPherson, financial planner and ABCNews.com personal finance columnist, and Jean Chatzky, author of “The Difference: How Anyone Can Prosper In Even The Toughest Times,” and The Today Show financial editor. Please tune in.
WORK-AT-HOME MOMS: GET SCAM-FREE JOBSJust what you’ve always wanted: the chance to work at home and still be part of your children’s lives. Millions of mothers are trying to get jobs from home, and the most likely place for them to look is on the internet. Once again, the problem of internet scams. 6 million moms have been scammed trying to work from home. These scams used to appear more on billboards, but with the popularity of the internet rising, people are finding it easier to job search right from their own computer.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IF YOU ARE BUYING OR SELLING A HOME THIS SPRINGRefinancing your home: consider only if you can save 2 percentage points on what you are currently paying. Consider closing costs and points you will have to pay. Closing costs can be as high as 3% of the loan amount, on fixed mortgages.
The longer you stay in your house, the quicker you are to break even if you decide to refinance your mortgage.
Overall, the real estate market is stabilizing. This past month, existing home sales showed the biggest percentage increase since July 2003.
FREEBIE HANDOUTS: WHAT’S REALLY FREE?In this economy, we need to preserve our cash. Not only is not buying in bulk too expensive right now for an average-sized family, but we really need to hold onto every dollar we have. Freebies are in demand. Quality, in the feedback I’ve been getting, has gone down in lots of your favorite brands and products. Companies are now paying up to a few hundred thousand dollars to get our feedback on thousands of items. If you volunteer to test products, you will receive 5-6 free items, mostly food and cosmetics.
By sharing your positive thoughts and getting some feedback from your friends, your feedback can impact how products are made. Companies know we will spread the word if we like their products. 10,000 volunteers to test products generates 600,000 people learning about those products, according to Bzz Agent.
Average yearly savings: $60-100
Products typically tested: food and cosmetics. Saving you money on your favorite products, word-of-mouth marketers hope you and your friends, and their friends, etc., will buy products. Most importantly for you, a chance to give your meaningful feedback and input into product-making.
How it works: Bzzagent.com does a word-of-mouth campaign whenever there is a need to address a group of people like yourself–young moms, recent grads, people living in large urban areas, etc.
The Catch: you don’t get paid to be a volunteer, but you get to keep the product samples.
SAVING MONEY ON EVERYTHING WE BUYComparison shopping is hard in this economy, as retailers beef up their efforts to hide true savings. You need to be smarter, take charge and respond quickly to the rapidly changing retail environment.
Don’t feel like you have to give up “getting” the things you love to get, especially for kids.
We will always want to keep our wardrobes fresh and our kids occupied with the things they love. And you can’t get everything at the libraries. Some favorite sites:
Even though the economy is not good we still want and need to eat out. Socialization and saving time is a big part of our lives, and an important way to relax and unwind.
As featured in BNet Business Network.
Holiday season shopping is underway, 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: