Carolyn Kaster/APOur most viral post of the week was our story on making money as a beer auditor. One of our newest contributors, Kyle Taylor, shares how he made $4,000 a month and used it help him pay for college. From the week's news, our readers were sharing our coverage of the baby wipes recalls, the IRA and 401K changes for next year and the sliding gas prices. Check them out below.
1. How Buying Beer Paid Me $4,000 a Month for College
2. 10 Brands of Baby Wipes Recalled for Bacterial Contamination
3. IRA and 401(k) Changes Coming in 2015: Make the Most of Them
4. Nearly 60,000 Pounds of Chicken Parts Recalled Nationwide
5. High Rates Make SolarCity Bonds Shin! e, but Beware the Clouds
6. Mutual Fund Investors, Beware: A Scary Tax Bill Is Coming
7. What's Keeping Americans From Buying Homes? Try College Debt
8. Gas Prices Slide, Hit Lowest Level in 4 Years
9. Chicken Recall for Salmonella Expanded to 16 States
10. Gerber Sued by FTC for Deceptive Claims About Baby Formula
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Two of the best sites to find deals are BlackFriday.com and DealNews.com, which also offer useful free apps and plenty of advice. DealNews rates deals with Editor's Choice labels. And remember, many stores will be open on Gray Thursday (the new retail-centric name for Thanksgiving), with Macy's (M) opening at 6 p.m. There will also be early-bird and night-owl specials, so you can develop an hour-by-hour itinerary. And remember: Before you buy, check out the return policies.
1. Do your homework -
Last year, Amazon and Newegg had some of the best deals, outflanking Walmart (WMT) and Best Buy (BBY). But when Amazon has a lightning deal, your fingers had better be quick. If you are looking for Apple (AAPL) products, MacMall often has more merchandise in stock and beats Apple to the punch. Don't forget to factor in shipping costs, although many retailers, such as Target (TGT), are advertising free shipping.
2. Consider shopping online -
Sheets and linens are still cheaper during the traditional January white sales. Toys are often discounted much closer to Christmas. However, if it's a must-have hot toy, you may have to bite the bullet. Holiday decorations will be marked down the most the day after Christmas. Video games and DVDs may be marked down more if you can wait until after Black Friday week. The big Black Friday bargains this year will again likely be TVs and laptops.
3. Not everything's a bargain -
After you have researched the sales, do a little advance showrooming. Try on apparel. Check out the doorbusters -- and alternatives if they sell out. Learn a store's floor plan, where to park, where to check out and where to find a restroom.
4. Do a little recon -
On the big day itself, remember your objective. Don't waste time and money on things you don't really want. Keep in mind that not everything labeled "sale" is a real bargain. Many stores will have guaranteed blockbusters, items that will definitely be in stock only for a brief amount of time, and you wouldn't want to miss out on these while distracted by tchotchkes.
5. Don't get sidetracked -
Hackers and thieves are a serious problem. Try not to flash your debit card too frequently. You may prefer to use cash and stash it somewhere pickpockets can't easily access. As always, store valuables out of sight in between store visits. Be polite and patient so you don't become a holiday crime statistic. And know that despite the graphic footage of violence at Walmart and other stores every year, your odds are encountering such unpleasantness decrease every year as these stores are beefing up staff and staggering doorbusters. After the shopping, check your credit card statements to make sure no one hacked your accounts.
6. Protect yourself -
Best Buy will price-match items sold on Amazon. Many retailers have similar policies. You can also compare prices in-store with smartphone apps and websites like Smoopa and CamelCamelCamel. Bring store ads with you, so that if a desired item is cheaper somewhere else and the store you're at has a price matching policy, you're golden.
7. Dare to compare -
Sign up for loyalty programs and apps now so you can get promotions in your email or on your phone. Promotions are often released early to loyal shoppers. Target has a Cartwheel app. J.C. Penney (JCP) and Sears (SHLD) have loyalty programs called JCP rewards and Shop Your Way rewards.
8. Be loyal -
Some of the best deals will be on Thanksgiving. Offers.com has a good updated list on store opening hours, and it may be worth it to rouse yourself from a turkey coma to shop, according to DealNews, which said 29 percent of Editor's Choice deals last year were from Gray Thursday. Following the hustle and bustle of Black Friday comes Small Business Saturday, which since 2010 has promoted local retailers; Super Sunday; and Cyber Monday, which encourages people to shop from their office computers (with the best deals on clothes and shoes, DealNews concluded last year). On Tuesday, feel good knowing you've done all your holiday shopping without breaking the budget or your back.
9. Pace yourself -
The best way to stay focused is to dress comfortably, bring a buddy, stay hydrated and be prepared -- for anything. Keep your receipts and remember to ask for gift receipts. If you've done your research, showroomed and your apps, you should have a profitable, pleasant and safe holiday shopping season. And if you have any great tips, leave them in the comments.
10. Keep your eyes on the prize - More from Annalisa Kraft-Linder:
Source : http://www.dailyfinance.com/2014/11/02/week-in-review/
