Before you make a purchase, consider the possibility of purchasing the extended warranty, so that you know what you should do ahead of time. Think about the cost, and determine under what circumstances it might be worth it to purchase the extra protection. This is a decision you should make before you are caught off guard by a cashier or salesperson asking you if you want to get the extended warranty.

When to Consider Purchasing an Extended Warranty

There are some times that it makes more sense to purchase an extended warranty, or protection plan, than others. One of the most common reasons to buy an extended warranty is if you are buying something expensive, and you are concerned about the replacement cost. In the past, we have bought AppleCare to go with our desktop and laptop computer purchases — and in one instance we were glad we had bought the service, since it covered the repair of my desktop when it unexpectedly died on us.

If you are the sort of person who worries when making an expensive purchase, an extended warranty can buy you peace of mind, as well as protection for your purchase. If the warranty plan is relatively inexpensive, and replacing the item would present financial difficulties, an extended warranty might not be a bad idea.

Understand the Terms of the Warranty

Before you purchase any sort of protection plan, though, you should make sure you understand the terms of the warranty. Find out what kinds of damage are covered. Some warranties will cover everything; these are the better deals. You don’t want to find that an accident voids your warranty after you put your Wiimote through the TV.

Determine what is covered, and whether or not it stipulates repair or replacement. Also, find out if the replacement could be a refurbished version of the item, or if it will be new. Find out how quickly you can receive your repairs or replacement under the warranty, and whether you will be expected to pay for shipping if needed. Some warranties come with so many stipulations and difficulties that it’s really not worth it.

Other Considerations

In many cases, you might not need the extended warranty at all because of other considerations. First of all, find out how long the manufacturer warranty lasts. If you are likely to replace the item before that time — or shortly after — there is no reason to get an extended warranty. Your credit card may also cover items purchased. Find out the credit card policies before you purchase an extended warranty. Some cards will offer purchase protection even after the manufacturer warranty expires.

If you know that the time you purchase will be outdated soon, you might want to consider a buyback plan, instead of a warranty. In some cases, you can receive a sizable chunk of your purchase back to use toward an upgrade. That might be a better use of your extended warranty money when it comes to some consumer electronics.

(Photo: Balazs H)

Could an Extended Warranty Be Worth the Cost? from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

Charity Scams

Phone calls this time of year are common, coming from people who claim to represent charities. In some cases, those calling pretend to be from a known charity — even though they’re not. Others call with made up charities. In either case, the result is the same. You give your credit card number out over the phone, to make a donation. The scammer might take money one time, or you might find your information is used in identity theft scams.

In order to avoid such scams, tell the caller that you will donate later, or that you will make a donation through more official channels. I get around this by telling callers that I don’t make donations to charities over the phone. For the most part, I give locally, though. That way, I know exactly where the money is going, and can see what it is used for.

Online Shopping Scams

I do most of my Christmas shopping online, and this is something that I have to watch out for. It’s increasingly easy to set up a professional looking web site that can fool just about anyone. The site might even include logos from companies that provide security, so that you think that you are on a legitimate site.

However, you might buy something and never receive it. Even worse, but scammers now have your credit card information and can sell it to identity thieves. Watch out for prices that seem too good to be true, and be on the alert for fake ads that download malware to your computer. Instead of going to a new site that promises even lower prices that you might expect, stick with sites you are familiar with.

Parcel Scams

Interestingly, one of the recent news items has been of people waiting for parcel delivery to homes — and then swooping in and stealing the packages right from the doorstep. If you are expecting packages, it is a good idea to obtain a tracking number from the sender, so that you know roughly when it will be delivered. Also, when sending packages, make sure to send a tracking number to the recipient.

Also, be on the look out for scams involving cards waiting for you at the door. You might be told that there is a package waiting for you. However, when you call, you instead end up being charged a huge amount of money for the call — and you might be asked for personal information for “identification.” Watch out for these scams, and consider checking out the phone number or purported company first. In most cases, you receive these cards from the USPS, UPS, DHL and FedEx. Be suspicious of other “companies” leaving cards.

Bottom Line

During the holidays — and indeed all year — you are at risk for scams. Many of these scams are simple yet sophisticated; it’s possible for even the most savvy to be fooled. Carefully evaluate the situation, and don’t let the hectic situation you might be in dictate rushing into a decisions.

(Photo: slowburn)

Watch Out for Holiday Scams from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

It can be an especially good time to stock up on what you need for next year. So, after all the presents are opened, and the wrapping paper is put away, consider how you might save some money on post-Christmas sales.

Get Ready for Next Year

We don’t usually buy Christmas decorations before the holiday. Instead, we make decor purchases after Christmas. This means that we don’t usually get use them until the following year — but we get them on discount. We replenish our wrapping paper, Christmas cards, and other trappings after Christmas. We also purchase new lights (the process of replacing all our tree lights with LEDs is almost complete), and any other decorations we might want. After-Christmas sales are good times to find discounts on next year’s holiday trappings.

Prepare for the New Year

Sometimes, there are other perfectly ordinary items on sale after Christmas. We actually found some great birthday presents for my nieces one year while doing shopping during the week between Christmas and New Year. Keep an eye out for great bargains that you can use throughout the year. From new babies to weddings to birthdays to graduations, think about what events are coming up in the new year. You can look for items that make appropriate gifts for the loved ones on your list.

Seasonal Discounts

You can also look for seasonal discounts post-Christmas. This is the point that many retailers start clearing out their winter clothing options, preparing for the new spring fashions. You can find good deals on clothing, and other seasonal items. Look through fliers to see what’s on sale, and what retailers are trying to get rid of.

Purchasing Cars

The last week of December is also a great time to buy a car. Auto dealers are ready to discount cars in order to make monthly and annual quotas. Additionally, many car lots are slow, so it becomes much easier to make deals with salesmen who are trying to move things along. You might find especially good deals on models that are about to be replaced. So, at the end of 2011, you might be able to find good deals on 2011 models that dealers are ready to replace with 2012 models. And, of course, there are also good incentives to get the new year model as well. Do a little poking around, and you might be surprised at the good deals available on cars after Christmas.

Some Discounts Aren’t as Good as Others

Realize, though, that not everything is going to come with a plum discount. Indeed, some items won’t be discounted very far until a little bit later. Consumer electronics usually aren’t discounted at clearance/closeout prices until sometime in January. Consider waiting a little bit longer for discounts on those items.

Always make sure that you comparison shop, looking for the best prices and deals on everything that you buy. You will be more likely to find good deals and save more money.

(Photo: larskflem)

Shopping at After-Christmas Sales from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

Web sites like Overstock.com, Amazon.com, Gifts.com, UncommonGoods.com, and a wide array of gag gift web sites (Including FunSlurp.com and Stupid.com) all have the ability for you to search by price. Some of the “safest” gifts include specialty foods, gifts cards, decorative soaps and generic mugs filled with hot chocolate, candy or coffee beans. If you don’t mind something a little more “fun,” though, here are 15 ideas for frugal white elephant gifts under $15:

1. Angry Birds Plush Toy: Angry bird plush toys are all the rage this year, and you can get one — with sound — for less than $15, making a fun white elephant gift for any party.
2. Christmas Ornament: Look for a character Christmas ornament, or look for a silly ornament. These make fun gifts that can be useful, too.
3. Stress Ball: Who isn’t stressed about something? There are any number of stress balls out there with clever sayings, funny pictures, or odd shapes. And many of them cost less than $15.
4. Desktop Sports Games: From desktop bowling, to a small ping-pong game meant for the top of your desk, there are different sports games designed as novelties for playing with no matter where you are.
5. Novelty Push-Pins: There are a number of ways to hold items onto a cork board. Novelty push-pins are perfect for the job. These come shaped as sports equipment, vegetables, and even a headless man in a suit. You can even get a package of huge push-pins of comic proportions.
6. iPhone Stands: There are a number of novelty iPhone stands, designed to look like wrenches, sticky bubblegum and more. Useful gifts for the smart phone owner, and fun to boot.
7. Koi Toy: This fun fish, found on FunSlurp, lights up when you put it in water. Your co-worker or family member can keep it in a class of water and enjoy all the benefits of a goldfish without the hassle of having to take care of one.
8. Toilet Mug: Up til now, the gifts have been mostly classy. However, it can be fun to give novelty mug shaped like a toilet. Other funny-shaped mugs are also available, adding a new twist to the idea of the coffee break.
9. Bacon Soap: Bacon jokes haven’t quite run their course. There is soap scented like bacon, and a number of other bacon-temed products you can choose from.
10. Bobbleheads: These are great favorites, and they’re loads of fun. I once got my dad a bobblehead moose. There are character bobbleheads, animal bobbleheads, and more to choose from.
11. Fortune Telling Pen: Ask a question, click the top, and the future appears. This function pen on Stupid.com is a fun and usable white elephant gift.
12. Marshmallow Shooters: Mini crossbows, marshmallow guns, and other marshmallow shooters can be fun. Just remember to include a packet of marshmallows.
13. Earmuffs: Faux-fur earmuffs, or earmuffs with cute animal faces on them, can be fun gifts. You can also find more “serious” earmuffs for less than $15.
14. Instant Excuse Ball: This is a fun gift that works like a “Magic 8-Ball.” Instead of telling your future, though, it provides you with excuses that can be used to get out of almost everything.
15. Grenade Screwdriver Set: Useful tools presented in a fun way. Comes with different bits that can be used in a pinch. There are other screwdriver sets in shapes other than the grenade.

(Photo: susanti.chandra)

Christmas Gifts Ideas: 15 White Elephant Gifts for Less than $15 from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

Before you get too caught up in saving money, do yourself a favor and make sure you understand the return policy at the stores you shop at. From department stores, to online retailers, to companies offering travel services, it helps to understand the return and refund policies, and be aware of general customer service practices.

Know the Conditions of the Return

Your first step is to make sure you understand under what conditions you can get your money back. Do you need a receipt? Perhaps the item needs to be unopened or, in the case of clothing, the tags may need to be attached. Check to find out if you will receive the cash back, or if store credit will be issued. Realize, too, that there are limitations on how long you have. Many stores require you to make returns within 14 to 30 days, although some stores may have policies that allow 60 to 90 days for returns. Find out about the gift receipt policy on items you purchase as gifts for others. In many cases, you can get a gift receipt to give with the present so that the recipient can exchange the item with relative ease.

It is especially important to understand conditions of returns of online purchases. Do you have to pay the shipping cost to return the item? If you bought travel online, can you get a refund if an emergency comes up? How much will it cost to change your hotel reservation or plane ticket? It is vital to understand the requirements before you finalize a purchase.

Stores with the Best Return Policies

Every year, Consumer Reports puts out a list of companies with the most favorable return policies — and those with the worst return policies. While it is impossible to list all of the stores and companies out there, Consumer Reports does a good job of providing you with insight into your best choices, as well as the companies to avoid.

Best Return Policies

The following companies offer policies that are generally considered generous, and easy to use. I can attest to the ease of Amazon’s return policy. I have yet to have a bad customer service experience with the company.

• Live Nation
• American Express
• Orvis
• Bi-Lo Supermarkets
• Costco
• Amazon
• REI
• Crutchfield
• Microsoft
• Cablevision

Worst Customer Policies

If you are considering making purchases from these companies, think twice. If something goes wrong, according to Consumer Reports, you might not get the support you want:

• RadioShack
• Verizon Wireless
• GameStop
• Southwest Airlines
• AirTran
• Liberty Travel
• American Apparel
• The Swiss Colony
• SiriusXM

As you decide where to get your gifts this Christmas, or book holiday travel, consider your options, and whether or not the company is friendly toward consumers. You might be better off paying a little bit more for the peace of mind that comes with favorable return policies.

(Photo: Manchester Library)

Holiday Shopping: Know Return Policies from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

You have several classes of “deals” on Black Friday – regular sales and deeply discounted items. The deeply discounted items have limited availability and you usually need to get there as the store opens, which will be very early in the morning, to get them. The regular sales are your “doorbuster” types that last until 11am or noon.

The last time I did any Black Friday early morning shopping was back in the late 2000′s when I was home on break from college. One of the electronic stores, like an Office Depot or Best Buy, had a Kodak digital camera on sale for $99. I waited in line outside of the store, it was a mad house (it’s insane how crazy people get over things). I got the camera, it was totally not worth it, and I vow never to do it again… and here’s why.

The Crowds Are Insane

What happens when you put a bunch of cranky people together fighting over some discounted products? Insanity.

People will do some stupid things for the opportunity to buy something cheap. Just think of the scenes in movies where you have NATO distributing food to impoverished locals and those crowds are probably calmer than Black Friday shoppers. Don’t believe me? In 2008, a Wal-Mart employee died when shoppers broke down the doors to a Wal-Mart and trampled him. They weren’t handing out diamonds or bars of gold, it was a Wal-Mart! There’s no other word to describe that other than insanity. (a 28-year old pregnant woman and three other shoppers suffered injuries at that Wal-Mart that day)

Too Many People

There will be a lot of people. That means you’ll have to fight through the crowd to get what you want, if it’s still available, and you’ll have to wait eons in line to check out. If you’re lucky and you get out of the store with what you wanted, you’ll probably have to face a little bit of traffic to get out of the lot and home. All that to save a few bucks on something, that’s if you get it, seems like a steep price to pay.

You Can Shop Online

Cyber Monday is the Monday right after Black Friday and it’s the online equivalent, though the deals usually aren’t as good as in the stores. The best part about all this is that the Black Friday and Cyber Monday ads will have been leaked online so you can do a little research to find out which is better in terms of cash savings. I personally find shopping online to be easier since you can avoid the crowds. You might have to get up early (or stay up late) to take advantage of but it beats getting dressed, trudging out into the cold, and fighting crowds for the chance to buy some discounted stuff.

Do you plan on participating in Black Friday? Or Cyber Monday?

Why I Skip Black Friday from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

But are CFLs really that much better than incandescent bulbs? And what about LED lightbulbs? How do those compare? Your lightbulb choices continue to expand, and it’s worth taking a few minutes to figure out what is your best option.

Incandescent Lightbulbs

Obviously, incandescent lightbulbs are the cheapest available. You can buy a package of four 60W bulbs for anywhere between $1 and $3, depending on where you go, and how long the bulbs are supposed to last. The bulb pack I’m thinking of costs $1.49 for a four-pack, or about $0.37 apiece. However, these bulbs use more energy. Indeed, every hour, this bulb will use 60 watts — that equals 0.06 kilowatts (most power companies will charge by the kilowatt). Look on your power bill to see how much you pay. I pay about $0.09 per kilowatt. The cheaper bulbs are rated for right around 1,000 hours of light. So, I’ll be using 60 kilowatts over those 1,000 hours, at a cost of 60 x $0.09 = $5.40 per lightbulb.

CFLs

Now, we get to the cost of the CFL lights. I can buy an eight pack of CFLs for $9.99, or about $1.25 for each. However, the energy use for the bulb is 13 watts per hour, rather than 60. With a rating of 8,000 hours, that means that each CFL bulb would use a total of 104,000 watts, or 104 kilowatts. That amounts to $9.36. Now, here’s where we have to make a fair comparison to the incandescent lightbulb. Sure, the lightbulb costs more in energy — but it lasts eight times longer than the incandescent bulb. You would have to buy eight incandescent bulbs for every single CFL, meaning that the energy cost for the incandescent bulbs, for the same time period, would actually be $43.20.

Clearly, over time, the CFL is going to cost you less in energy, easily overcoming the difference of $0.88 between the two bulbs. However, many people don’t feel that CFLs offer the same lighting benefits. Even if you prefer CFLs (I use them and like them), you do have to be aware that there are particular disposal concerns. And, there is a delay from when you flip the switch to when the light actually comes on.

LEDs

The next incarnation of lightbulbs is the LED. Some feel that CFLs are really just placeholders. We used LED Christmas lights last year on our tree, and I noticed a a difference in the power cost. We spent $20 less (we use a lot of lights on our tree) in power for December 2010 than we did for December 2009. Of course, I don’t know how much of that was entirely due to the LED Christmas lights, since I wasn’t really keeping close track of what we were doing.

In any case, the you can buy LED lightbulbs rated for 30,000 hours for $19.95. That’s pretty hefty compared to CFLs and incandescent bulbs. However, LED bulbs only use 7.5 watts an hour. So, over 30,000 hours, it uses 225 kilowatts of power. The energy cost is $20.25. Now, since LEDs have such a long lifespan, I would have to buy 30 incandescent bulbs to match it, at an energy cost of $162 to match it. I’m going to say that you would need to buy four CFLs to get 30,000 hours, so the energy cost would be $37.44. While, over time, the energy savings would more than make up the difference between an incandescent bulb and the LED, the price on the LED would need to come down a little bit to make up its cost difference with the CFL.

LEDs, though, have advantages that CFLs don’t: They are easier to dispose of, and lighting is instant as you flip the switch. However, it’s important to note that LEDs are directional; they don’t yet light up an entire room the same way other bulbs do. However, there is likely to be some strides made in that direction, and as the price comes down, LEDs will probably become the new lightbulb of choice for long-term energy savings.

(Photo: Muffet)

Best Light Bulbs: Incandescent vs CFL vs LED from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

Here is my current annual shopping calendar broken down into quarters.

January, February, and March

I stock up on all of our Christmas decorations during the first week of January.  It’s the best time to replenish your supply of wrapping paper, bows, and ornaments.  The end of January and the beginning of February is also a great time to get an HDTV if you’ve been wanting one since they go on sale before the Superbowl.  Winter gear also gets cheaper in February and March since warmer weather starts peaking its head out and the stores have to deplete their winter inventory.

April, May, and June

I’ve noticed that digital cameras seem to go on sale in April, right after Spring Break and before Summer Vacation.  The end of April and most of May seems to be great for stocking up on my picnic supplies and outdoor furniture thanks to the return of outdoor cooking.  Right around June, tools also go on sale thanks to dads and grads – gift sales for Father’s Day and recent college graduates.

July, August, and September

July is when I first start seeing multiple furniture sales, probably for the college kids going off to school.  I also notice that gym memberships go on sale in an effort to meet mid-year quotas.  August is when I can jump on computer deals during back to school sales if my laptop is giving me any problems.  It’s also when air conditioners finally start coming down in price since the 100 degree weather starts dissipating.  When the first cool weather shows up in September, the stores start lowering their prices on bicycles and plants.  If you do take advantage of fall potted plant specials, make sure to bring them into the garage at least throughout the winter so they don’t freeze and die before you can find them a permanent home.

October, November, and December

October is usually when outdoor grills and last year’s models of appliances go on sale.  The beginning of November is a great time to stock up on Halloween leftovers and the end of November is all about sales on electronics during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  It’s also surprisingly a great time to get a good deal on a wedding dress.  That’s when I found my beauty for $125 at David’s Bridal.  Finally, December is a great month to get great deals on gifts for the whole year.  Plus, if you want a great deal on a new car, the salesmen are willing to haggle.

By keeping the seasonal deals in mind, we have been able to save hundreds on the items we were buying anyway.

What seasonal or monthly deals have you noticed?  Any suggestions for me?

The Best Time to Buy Stuff from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

As more and more stores move towards this model, is it worth it?

Whether or not it’s worth it depends on a variety of factors and has to be decided on a case by case basis. I’ll be using Williams-Sonoma as an example in this but you can really apply it to any store (as you should if you want to buy their free shipping service).

How often do you shop at the site? The knock against Williams-Sonoma is that they have a limited number of product categories. You can buy almost anything at Amazon from books to kitchen gadgets to diapers. Williams-Sonoma doesn’t sell diapers. Or books that aren’t cooking related. If you don’t shop enough at a store, you won’t use enough free shipping to cover the $30 fee. Since the number of products I would want to buy is limited, I don’t see myself ordering online all that often.

Would you even order it online? We have a Williams-Sonoma about ten minutes from our house. Since we’re going to have to pay sales tax on our order and because I have no patience, I would prefer to drive to the store and buy something before I’ll pay $30 for free shipping. I probably wouldn’t even take a free shipping offer if I can pick it up in the store because then I won’t have to worry about the package in transit.

How often is free shipping offered? I don’t know if Williams-Sonoma ever offers free shipping but since I generally buy things on sale (Williams-Sonoma has some pretty high prices normally), there is probably going to be a free shipping code floating around somewhere. Why pay $30 when I’m only going to order once a year and get free shipping that way?

Do I really want to be “locked” in? I don’t mind being locked in at Amazon because they have great prices but Williams-Sonoma competes with a lot of other stores and they aren’t known for low prices. They’re known for quality brands. Whereas with Amazon (and we have Prime through my wife and their education promotion) can probably beat competitors on price in enough categories to be worth it, I doubt the same can be said for Williams-Sonoma.

While this post probably sounds unusually harsh on Williams-Sonoma, I don’t intend to be. They are just the example in this particular case and I enjoy visiting their store in the mall, I just don’t see myself buying enough from their online site to justify paying even $30 for shipping.

I applaud them for offering this as it will be a boon to those who buy a lot and buy often on their online site. Many of the products they offer are heavy (cast iron!) and a service like this is a great thank you to loyal customers.

(Photo: VancityAllie)

Are “All You Can Ship” Deals Worth It? from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

Sometimes unsafe or unsanitary products slip through the cracks. When that happens, you might find yourself bitten by spiders, chewing on worms, or having to amputate your child’s finger.

Here are five weird product recalls that might make you pause before making your next purchase:

1. Mazda Recalls 52,000 Cars Because of Spiders

One of the most recent weird recalls is that, announced in early 2011, of a recall of Mazda6 cars due to spider nests. It seems that yellow sac spiders really like a portion of the fuel system in the car, reported CNN. As a result, there could be be restrictions in the fuel line that lead to fires in the car. Only the four-cylinder cars seem to be affected. So far, no spider infestations have led to fires, but Mazda isn’t taking chances. Recalled cars are taken to the dealer where any damage is repaired and a special spring is installed to keep the spiders out of the car.

2. Larvae in Chinese Counterfeit Chocolate

It’s true that many people intentionally eat the larval worms of different insects — not to mention other bugs. However, if you aren’t expecting to eat larvae, it can come as a shock. A Chinese company counterfeiting a popular brand had to recall its offerings when worms began crawling out of their confections. Turns out, reported MSNBC, they are the larvae of the common moth. It really makes you want to think twice before you take a bite of chocolate.

3. When the Easy-Bake Oven Attacks

One of the scariest recalls was that of the Easy-Bake Oven in 20o7. Young children were getting their hands caught in the popular Easy-Bake Oven resulting in sometimes-severe burns. In one case, a five-year-old girl (the oven is recommended for those over the age of eight) had to have her finger partially amputated. Only models sold after May 2006 were included in the recall. Remembering the hours of tasty fun I enjoyed in my youth with my Easy-Bake Oven, it was a little worrisome to realize that this classic toy was presenting a safety hazard.

4. Is Your Baby Drinking Beetles?

Another strange (and recent) product recall was that of the Similac baby formula that possibly contained beetles. Powdered baby formula made on a line in Michigan was recalled after consumers found beetles and beetle larvae, reported Reuters. Company officials pointed out that there was a chance the contamination came from the customer’s own home, but you never know. Health concerns were downplayed by pointing out that beetles and their larvae were not likely to cause real health problems, but they could cause “gastrointestinal discomfort.”

5. E. Coli on Your Leafy Greens

Spinach is considered one of the most healthful foods out there. Full of nutrients, it is recommended for your consumption. Bagging it (pre-washed) makes it even more convenient. Unless, of course, you end up with an aggressive strain of E. coli. All sorts of bagged leafy greens were recalled after E. coli was found in spinach. The possible culprits? Cattle farms nearby, or water used from contaminated sources to pre-wash the spinach.

There have been other recalls recently — especially related to food. You can probably remember some of them. In your mind, what are the worst kinds of recalls?

Five Weirdest Product Recalls from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

There is no reason to just accept the first number offered. There are a number of things open to negotiation, from the price of your car — one the few things we do haggle for — to the interest rates on your loans. Before you shell out, make sure you really are getting a good deal. Here are 4 expenses you should be negotiating:

1. Loan Fees and Interest

Whether it’s a credit card or a home mortgage, you should be negotiating the costs related to loans. This is especially true if you are a good customer with reasonably good credit. If your credit card charges you with a late payment fee, and you normally pay on time, call and ask to have it waived. You can even call to ask your credit card issuer to lower your rate. I asked to have an annual fee waived — and got what I asked for.

Negotiate mortgage interest rates and closing costs with your lender. See if you can get a lower rate, or see if you can get some of the origination and doc fees waived. Shop around so that you can present what others are offering during your negotiation.

2. Bank Fees

In addition to negotiating loan fees and interest, you can also negotiate bank fees. Many financial institutions are adding fees to checking and savings accounts, and you can ask to have your fees waived, or find out if the bank has an attractive alternative to the account you have now. If you are long-time customer who has used a number of the bank’s products and services, there might be something that can be done.

One interesting thing I found out is that my bank actually waives one overdraft fee a year — just for the asking. I discovered this a couple of years ago when an error I made in my records resulted in my withdrawing money that wasn’t actually there. When I went to resolve the problem, I discovered that I could just ask to have the fee waived, and that I could do that once each year.

3. Medical Bills

Head to the billing department and find out if you can negotiate the cost of a medical procedure that is causing you difficulty. Find out the average cost of different medical procedures in your area with help from the Healthcare Blue Book. This will give you a good place to start from. You can ask for a cash discount, or ask if there is a cash discount. My dentist and my doctor both offer cash discounts. Another option is to find out about interest-free payment plans. Some health care providers will offer you an interest-free plan if you pay within three to six months.

4. Appliances and Electronics

You know that you should haggle for a better car price. But you can also haggle for other high-priced items, like appliances and electronics for your home. My husband and I bargained for $100 off and free delivery and installation on a washer/dryer set — at the height of the free spending days prior to the recession. Now you might be able to do a little better. Talk to the manager or assistant manager, and do so in an area away from other customers. You don’t want the store manager getting spooked by the idea that he or she will have to share the discount with others who have heard your negotiations.

In the end, you can ask about discounts, and fee waivers. After all, the worst that can happen is that you are told “no.”

Four Expenses You Must Negotiate from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

While your stuff probably won’t be as cool as Slash’s, it is still possible to make some money selling online. Here are 6 ways to sell your items over the Internet:

1. Craigslist

You probably already know that Craigslist is a great place to sell your items. You can find local people to come pick up your items, providing you with a way to avoid paying shipping costs. Plus when you do sell locally, there’s something to be said for having the cash in your hand before you provide the item.

2. eBay and Other Online Auction Sites

Yes, you can still sell your things on eBay. The nice thing about eBay is that it’s easy to arrange payment if you accept PayPal. It usually makes everyone happy, it’s a simple set up, and there are some protections for buyer and seller built in. There are smaller alternatives to eBay (some of them with lower fees) but when it comes to speed and number of buyers, eBay is king of the mountain.

3. Amazon

Amazon isn’t just know for books anymore. Indeed, there is a fight brewing between Amazon and Wal-Mart, and it appears that Amazon could very well overtake Wal-Mart as the #1 retailer in the world. The cool thing about Amazon is that you can get in on that. You can actually sell your stuff using Amazon, whether it’s used or new.

4. Etsy

If you are into crafts, you can take advantage of web sites like Etsy that help you sell what you make. There are other craft sites, like Handmade Catalog, that provide an easy place for you to sell your stuff.

5. Local Classifieds Online

There are a number of local Classified web sites all over the country. From college campus based sites to online ad sites run by local news media outlets, it is possible to sell your stuff locally. Indeed, KSL, a Salt Lake City, UT based media web site, features one of the best local Classified sites. It’s a great way to sell things fast. Check around locally; you might be surprised at what you can accomplish online.

6. Social Networks

You can also look for buyers via social networking. Put the word out among your friends on Twitter, MySpace, Facebook and other sites. You can also use applications like the Buy.com Garage Sale for Facebook to find potential buyers. A virtual yard sale may not be such a bad idea. You might be able to find someone in your network (or their network) who wants what you’re selling.

Where else can you think of to sell stuff online?

We Can’t All Be Slash: 6 Ways to Sell Your Stuff Online from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

Here are some things you can plan for this evening — even if you are behind. (and you’re welcome )

Tell Your Significant Other that You are in Love

Win points throughout the day by letting your honey know that you are in love. Make a phone call from (or to) work to say, “I love you” during a break. Send a text message. Update your Facebook status to reflect your amor. Or send an @ message on Twitter. Or do one of each. Showing your romantic side during the day is a good way to put you ahead. Just make sure you don’t get in trouble for it if you do it from work.

Order Flowers

You can order flowers to be delivered to your home, or your partner’s place of work. However, you have to be prepared to pay via credit card over the phone. And you may have to spend a lot. Ordering flowers (especially roses) on Valentine’s Day is just asking to be taken to the cleaners. You can save a little bit if you order appropriately shaped balloons to be delivered with a single rose.

Stop By the Store for Some Romance

If you are planning on eating in, stop by the store on your way home to pick up some flowers (many grocery stores have more reasonable prices). You can choose flowers in a vase, or a potted blooming flower (orchids and lilies are always nice). Get a bottle of wine and some candles. You’ve just turned your evening into something a little more romantic for Valentine’s Day.

Up the ante by stopping at the Red Box and getting a movie to watch after the dinner that you have transformed. Pick something that your partner has wanted to watch. You can make popcorn together, and snuggle while enjoying your movie.

Find Some Handmade Chocolates

If you have a specialty shop in your hometown, call ahead and ask if there are some handmade chocolates available, or some other type of specialty candy. These unique treats look more impressive than a generic box of chocolates. Many specialty candy stores will wrap the treats in appropriately colored cellophane, or in a special box.

You can also check with local pastry shops for specialty items, or check with the local cupcake shop. Your best bet, though, is to get on it immediately. Calling as early as possible to let the business know you will be in later to pick up the treats.

Time to Relax

You can always stop off at the store or a spa to pick up some massage oils or scented body butter. Get a card and write a heartfelt message, and present the oils/body butter with a scented candle. Offer to give your partner a massage. You can also do something similar with bath salts or bubble bath.

Another option is to present your significant other with a certificate for a massage at a spa. You can also provide a certificate for other spa treatments. Something like that can be had quickly, and won’t run out. You may want to pair it with a flower of some kind, or chocolates.

What last minute Valentine’s Day ideas do you have?

(Photo: Parvin)

Last Minute Valentine’s Day Ideas from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

If you’re lucky, this could coincide with a sales tax holiday like it does for my fair state of Maryland (Sunday). Membership at Sam’s Club starts at $35 a year and gets up to $100 for an Advantage Plus membership.

Shop Sam’s Club Free: August 6-8 from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.

Fortunately, if you’re a student with a .edu email address, you can join Amazon Student. Amazon Student is a free program that gives you Amazon Prime for free for a year.

To sign up, you need to be enrolled in a college or university and have a valid .edu email address. In the signup process you have to give them your .edu address, your school, major, and class information to confirm your eligibility but otherwise you can use your normal Amazon.com account.

Unfortunately, alumni email addresses do not work. I tried my Carnegie Mellon alumni email address and Amazon said:

Please complete all fields and re-submit your information.
Please use a current .edu e-mail address. Alumni addresses are not eligible.

Here is the full FAQ for more details.

Enjoy!

Free Amazon Prime for Students from personal finance blog Bargaineering.com.