We know, we know: everyone’s poor. But just in case you want to offer your favorite retailer a little economic stimulus, Consumer Reports has rounded up a lot of discounts and deals on luxury purchases like cruises and basic things like, uh, a house. Our favorite tips, inside.
The bargains are broken down into four separate posts. The first post offers advice for those looking for a new TV or car, or looking to take a cruise. CR suggests that you “cruise in your backyard” to save money. While that was surely a possibility in our old neighborhood, we think they mean departing from a nearby port to save on airfare.
We also appreciate the advice on digital cameras. For instance, we know our iPhone’s crappy camera (combined with the lack of flash) isn’t so hot, but it’s good to know that 6 megapixels is plenty for most people.
If you’re looking for clothes, cell phones, or furniture, check out these tips on finding sample sales or making sure your couch won’t collapse the day after you bring it home.
Just in time, here’s some advice on buying a grill. Apparently stainless steel grills are a bitch to maintain, so get that rustproofed undercarriage.
Feel free to share good recession discounts you’ve found in the comments.
(Photo: dooleymtv)
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A ‘List Price’ Isn’t Real Just Because Some Company Says It Is
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Hurry Up And Get These Best Buy Year-End Deals If You Want To Buy Stuff At The Full Retail Price!
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Best Buy, Where A Used TV Without A Remote Is Worth $20 More Than A New TV
The link to grills is broken…
@John Henschen: Correct Link-> [blogs.consumerreports.org]
I got a SPECTACULAR cell phone snap in the hospital with my LG Voyager (2 megapixels, apparently) that blew up with great resolution to 8×10″.
There were relatives with a battalion of digital cameras there, but the cell phone snap is still the best pic we got. (Partly, I think, because it was too dumb to “correct” for the light. But the resolution was more than adequate.)
@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!):
I hope the pic was of the baby and not the rest!!!
@HogwartsAlum: What the world is missing is more placenta pictures!
@Trai_Dep: and ripped perineums!! Give me the rips!!
@Trai_Dep: Particularly if a Jack Russell terrier was giving it a gnaw. JRT’s are adorable!
@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): Jeez, is that all you have to talk about? It’s all baby-this and baby-that with you!
@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!):
You talk like a photographer.
@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): I hit your profile to see if perhaps this spectacular photo was available for viewing somewhere, because I haven’t had my USRDA of “awwwww!” yet today.
At the top of the page, under your picture, it says, “Eyebrows McGee (now with more… is preggers.” I went, “What?! Again, ALREADY?!” and sat here in honest-to-God shock, all “how in the WORLD…?” for about ten seconds before some brain cells finally kicked in.
So I still haven’t had enough “awwwww!” but I had an accidental overdose of “WTF?!” (c:
@bibliophibian: Whoops, fixed!
I suppose I should get around to pulling photos off the camera, etc. But I’m so sleepy!
@verucalise: Ha! He came out C-section. Alls I got is a ripped abdomen.
@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): My wife had an emergency c-section for our last. She says it was the most horrific experience (and recovery) of her life.
You know I was kidding about talking about your baby, right?
Really, Congratulations!
@Who wants chowdah??: I know.
@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): Congrats! C-sections are the way to go. I was so grateful for mine the first time I peed after birth.
@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!):
Coworker is facing this for the second time. She ain’t looking forward to it!
@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): Yep- not all cameraphones are crappy. I had a Sharp (902SH, still on eBay at times) that could do the same. And it had optical zoom. But that’s because the lens/sensor size was way larger than that found on most phones, and closer in size to what Sony would use on their T-series cameras.
I’m thinking about the prepaid phone. As I do research, I’m finding it would be nice if people could call me back during the day without tying up my work line.
Also, if I have an emergency…
@HogwartsAlum: i have used a prepaid phone for years. My month phone bill is lese then 10 bucks. Save 50 bucks a month X 24 months = 1200 in my pocket.
@HogwartsAlum: I use Virgin Mobile. Not only is it around $8 a month and the phone was free, but they also give you the ability to earn 5 free minutes a day (basically watching commercials online for a few minutes). I don’t “chat” on the phone so it is perfect with me.
@The_IT_Crone:
I can’t decide between them and Net10. What do I doooooo!?
If you have some old film camera equipment sitting in the attic or basement, you could trade it in toward the purchase price of the DSLR of your choice.
@I Love New Jersey: Most people do not need DSLRs. Unless they’re prepared to shell out more than 3x+ the body price for a set of decent (and not evn good at that point) lenses, they are better off with a point and shoot.
@Ratty:
Agreed. Unless photography is a serious hobby or a current (or future) career choice, then a 35mm SLR or a “happysnap” (read: point&shoot) digital should be fine..
Canon 40D costs around $800 for the body… (50D is more, since it is newer)
A GOOD lens (ie, L-series) costs $1200 or more (Some lenses run up to 10,000) and this is a 1.6crop (Full Frame, equal to 35mm, the body costs $2500 minimum)
@Dooley: I have and love my 40D, well worth it for MY needs (and in my opinion the 50D isn’t worth the price jump). But my prime lens broke and I’m down to my last lens right now which is limiting. Point and shoot, wouldn’t be an issue.
I see so many people buying things like the Canon rebels or the Nikon 80Ds, and they never shoot in anything other than fully auto or maybe portrait, and only ever using the cheap plastic kit lens the camera comes with. And those people wasted $500+ on equipment they’re never putting to use and are more limited by that than someone who bought a quality $200 point and shoot would have been.
@I Love New Jersey: Still use my Canon F1. Can’t figure out how to put a lens filter on a digital camera.
@H3ion: Lens fileters screw onto the ends of the lenses. If you have a DSLR you can have lens filters.
@Ratty: That’s true, but not all of the truth… if you have one of the higher end point and shoots or ‘bridge’ cameras you can add lens filters. I often use a CPL on my Panasonic FZ28.
@H3ion: Are you sure you’ve tried the right size filters?
The only grill anyone should ever buy is a Weber One-Touch.
@HIV 2 Elway: I highly agree.
@HIV 2 Elway: is that one of those basic charcoal kettle grills?
There are some very good sales to be had and in a very good selection of sizes. I scored a $160 dress for $70 last week. It’s also about looking at how you’ll use your clothing. Even if it’s a little more than what you would normally spend if you can name five realistic situations in which you could wear something (prom dress to McDonalds doesn’t count) it might be worth it.
I saw a champagne colored dress at Filene’s Basement that was on clearance – for $500. It was originally priced at $1250 and it was beautiful. But I couldn’t bring myself to spend $500 on a dress I could only wear for special occasions (but not weddings).
I’m also a big fan of coupons. Places like NY & Company email you a coupon right away if you sign up for their mailing list. I stay subscribed for the coupons but if you don’t buy business appropriate clothing very often you can get the coupon and then unsubscribe.
@pecan 3.14159265: I always sign up for newsletters from places i online shop because I constantly get free shipping or coupon codes. My friends are all amazed at how much clothing I can get for next to nothing.
@pecan 3.14159265: I love oldnavyweekly.com. It’s a big game where you click around for coupons but you’ve got to be pretty clever to find the good ones.
I went last night and the clearance section was all %50 off, and I had a coupon for $20 off $100. My total was $99.34 so the manager let me pick a lip gloss and discounted it so my new total would be $100.55, then applied the discount. Total savings: $74.25. Total cost: $80.08. Paid for with a gift card that I got from doing a focus group. Out of pocket cost for a brand new summer wardrobe (19 items) = $0!
Gay club cruising joke? I laughed.
A six megapixel camera may sound like a great idea, but good luck finding any recently manufactured cameras of that resolution. There’s essentially a mega pixel arms race going on right now.
I just gave away a crapload of furniture for free because I am now graduated from grad school with no employment prospects and had to move out of NYC back to NH….so my recession era deal is to scope out freecycle and craigslist. You might be able to score some decent items for free or next to free.
I realize I could have sold my stuff, but leaving it on the curb for the magical gnomes and in the bedroom for my replacement was so much easier.
Does the Gas Grill link work for anyone? Just gives me a blank page..
@Southern: Not I.
FYI, Generations has had their “business sucks sale” out since about 2002 (the store is around the corner from me and is much-photographed). So, I guess sucky business actually DOES SELL.