Kansas.com: Consumer

Check model numbers of bassinets

SUZANNE PEREZ TOBIAS — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 01:42 CDT

When Jeanne-Marie Neuroth heard about retailers pulling potentially deadly bassinets from their shelves, she remembered the one in her basement.

"My daughter used it, and we were going to use it for her next baby," due in March, said the Wichita grandmother.

Although Neuroth's bassinet was a Graco model -- not the Simplicity one named in the safety alert -- she checked the model number.

And there, on a small label on the underside, she found it: one of the 66 model numbers being recalled.

"I just want people to know not to be fooled by the name brand and think everything's OK," Neuroth said. "Always, always look for that model number."

Get the most from end-of-season sales

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:43 CDT

Save time and money with The Eagle's new shopping deals e-newsletter, "B-bing!"

It launched earlier this month, and more than 1,650 local shoppers receive the free newsletter every Tuesday afternoon in their e-mail inboxes.

Fashion writer Bonnie Bing is the woman behind "B-bing!," which will offer tips and shopping scoops on groceries, clothing and more. It also includes exclusive coupons and discounts good at local stores.

Our regular features include "Super Sales," which will inform you about great clearances and other sales going on locally -- and how you can take advantage of them.

This week, for example, Bonnie shared this with "B-bing!" subscribers:

Save money by creating a price book

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:37 CDT

Frugal folks are smart shoppers. Some keep price books to help them shop. It's a notebook that contains item names, prices, unit sizes, unit prices, store names and dates. It helps shoppers compare prices on frequently bought items so they can identify what prices are a good deal.

It's better to rely on your own records than to try to remember prices or accept an advertised price as being the best deal.

Some people might think this takes too much time. But you can base your price book on information from a recent shopping receipt or sales flier. You can build your price book slowly over time.

If you don't have a sales ad or a recent receipt, you can simply write down some items that are on your regular shopping lists, and gradually fill in prices and additional information later. You can start with 15 to 25 items.

Your goal is to try to pay less than you've previously paid for items. Once you've recorded prices for a few weeks, you might recognize a pattern of when your regularly purchased items go on sale. You can also decide whether you want to pass on an item because the price is considerably higher than you've recently paid for it.

Finance fair aims to help families on the brink

DEB GRUVER — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:41 CDT

Consumer Credit Counseling Service is reaching out to people who are spending more on gas and food as salaries are stagnant and jobs have been lost.

The nonprofit group is putting on a financial awareness fair next month for area residents who need help with budgeting, credit counseling and basic investing.

The seminar comes at a time when nonprofit groups that help people with utilities, food and rent are seeing record numbers of people asking for help.

"I would say one of our larger areas of growth is families who are on the brink, at poverty level or just above," said Catholic Charities spokeswoman Teresa Kunze.

Last year, for example, the group's emergency services provided food to 13,496 individuals, a 31 percent increase, she said. As of June 30, the program has provided food to 8,173 individuals. Compared with the first six months of last year, that's an 8.8 percent increase.

Attention, shoppers: Get 'B-bing!'

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:42 CDT

If you haven't signed up for The Eagle's new shopping deals e-newsletter, you're missing out on exclusive tips about big sales, hot buys and more.

"B-bing!," which launched earlier this month, now arrives every Tuesday afternoon in more than 1,650 e-mail inboxes across the Wichita area.

It's free, and anyone can sign up to receive it.

Fashion writer Bonnie Bing is the woman behind "B-bing!," which aims to help you save time and stretch your dollar when buying groceries, clothing and more. It also includes exclusive coupons and discounts good at local stores.

Our regular features include:

Market your skills to earn extra cash

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 01:38 CDT

Many people are looking for ways to make extra money. Hobbies and skills, such as interior design, copywriting, accounting, making greeting cards and Web design, can become a decent income source. With attention to advertising, zoning and tax laws, research and a business plan, you'll be on your way to a home-based business and some extra money.

Here are more home-based business ideas:

• Cleaning or organization service: Professional cleaners, carpet cleaners and organizers are in high demand.

• Gift baskets: Take pictures of your work and assemble a portfolio for customers to see examples of your work, and give gift baskets as gifts.

• Virtual assistant: Secretarial skills are marketable. If your skills include typing, bookkeeping, billing, resume writing, scheduling, marketing and word processing, and you have Internet access, phone, fax and e-mail, you are on your way to using those skills at home to make money.

Tailors help make wardrobes work

ERIN WHITE — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 01:38 CDT

Clothes are more flattering with the proper fit. Here's what to know before you hire a tailor.

All wardrobes, no matter how luxe or stylish, can benefit from a good tailor. Or so says Tim Gunn. Gunn, "Project Runway" mentor and currently fashion's favorite father figure, is an evangelist for the wonders a tailor can work when it comes to making clothing more flattering.

Tailors and seamstresses have long been relied upon to fix formalwear. But even though they're an extra step and an extra expense, don't discount them for your everyday wardrobe, too. They can quickly and easily fix too-long sleeves and pant legs, take in waists that are too large and generally nip and tuck at clothes to make them look better on your body.

Here are a few things you need to know before you walk into a tailor shop with a closetful of clothes.

THINK BIG.

Save money by kicking the soda habit

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 01:41 CDT

There are money leaks in almost every budget. Take a look in your refrigerator. Does it contain a lot of soda? Drinking soda is costly, is dehydrating, replaces healthier options and is addicting. One soda can contain more than 100 calories and at least 10 teaspoons of sugar. A single soda per day can equate to sizable weight gain, too.

Here are soda alternatives to help you kick the habit.

• Water: It's is the ideal drink. If you're not a fan of water, try adding lemon or other juices and lots of ice.

• Juice: Juices are a good option, but only in moderation, because they are high in calories. Aim for 100 percent fruit juice. You can use a juicer to make your own healthy combinations, too.

• Vegetable juice: An easy way to add vitamins and minerals to your diet.

Strapped shoppers turn to used furniture

GEORGEA KOVANIS — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:42 CDT

The National Association of Retail and Thrift Stores says that the resale market grows 5 percent every year and that furniture is its fastest-growing segment.

The reasons?

• Retro is right now -- especially hot is anything mid-century Danish modern, with its low clean lines and teak finishes; especially cold are Victorian and shabby chic.

• Television shows on HGTV and TLC that teach viewers how to decorate on the cheap have opened lots of eyes about alternative places to shop, making shoppers more willing to experiment.

• And with the economy in the dumper, many folks are looking to save money wherever they can -- even if it means spending extra time combing through classified ads and hitting garage sales, thrift shops and used furniture stores.

Readers share tips for happy camping

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:39 CDT

Today, readers share tips for camping, a frugal family getaway option.

• Good-buy bugs: Take a small box of dryer sheets. Bugs tend to stay away from them. I stick a few in my sleeping bags and at the entrance of the tent. _ Missy, Colorado

• Be prepared: Block ice is better than cubes because it will last longer. Better yet, freeze clean soda bottles full of water, and, as they defrost, you can drink it or use it for cleaning up. _ pkellyc, Connecticut

• Precooked planning: I take things that are already cooked and require some reheating. These are easy enough for kids to help with the cooking. Pancakes warmed in foil next to the coals are a lot easier than trying to mix and cook them. -- Lori, Illinois

• Helpful reminders: Pack flashlights for young children so they aren't afraid of the dark. Don't pitch a tent near standing water because of critters. Invest in tarps for the top of your tent and to use as a ground sheet. Pack a small broom to sweep out your tent. -- Dina, e-mail

Ways to renovate your kitchen for $500 or less

AMY SPENCER — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:39 CDT

Here's some advice on how to fix up your kitchen on the cheap.

• Replace the sink: $75

These days, you can buy a nice sink for less than 100 bucks. The stainless steel and acrylic (some look just like white porcelain) are the cheapest, while real porcelain may be out of your range.

• Refinish your kitchen cabinets: $100

This means sanding them down and restaining them, or just painting them in a semigloss or glossy latex paint. For a bold change, ditch the white and try a pale blue, a coral red or even glossy black for a modern look. All you need is sandpaper, paint and equal parts elbow grease and patience.