Shout Out: ‘Should You Buy That Gift?’ Flowchart

A Mint.com post comes to the rescue by answering everybody’s holiday shopping question — by prompting shoppers with some questions to answer first. Questions such as: “Is the chocolate molded into an offensive shape?”

It’s a Deal: 50% Off Pizzas at Domino’s

Per Domino’s Facebook page, use the coupon code 50OFFPIZZA to order a pizza at 50% off the regular menu price. The code is valid only for carry-out orders (not delivery) at participating Domino’s locations through December 19.

Why ‘For a Limited Time Only!’ Drives Shoppers to Spend Like Crazy

When retailers roll out flash sales and deep discounts, the actual price of the freshly marked-down merchandise is only one factor enticing shoppers to buy. Rather than carefully considering whether the item is worth the newly discounted asking price, consumers are often prompted to buy during a short-lived sale because stumbling upon one makes them [...]

Quick Shopping Tip: To Avoid Tantrums and Overspending, Whip Out Your Phone and Lie to Your Kids

Every parent has been in this situation: You’re in the toy aisle, your kid has an eye on one or twelve toys he just has to have, and you don’t want to buy it—at least not at that price, not in front of the child, and not at this time of year. What do you [...]

Plastic Predictions: What to Expect with Credit Cards in 2011

After years in which the credit card scene has changed dramatically—with landmark legislative reforms that prompted more fees and higher interest rates, a steep rise in how complicated card offers have become, millions of customer accounts involuntarily closed followed by a time when card issuers are actively pursuing customers even if they have bad credit—consumers [...]

It’s a Deal: $10 Off $20 Apparel Purchase at Sears

This Wednesday and Thursday (December 15-16), use this coupon (thanks Buxr) to get $10 off when you make an in-store purchase of at least $20 worth of apparel and accessories.

The True Meaning of Shopping

If you think shopping is a simple act based on simple human needs, you’re sadly mistaken. Either that or you’re a really good, amazingly efficient and unemotional shopper. For most consumers, shopping takes on meaning beyond a basic exchange of goods and currency, serving as therapy, entertainment, sport, drug, and sometimes, um, torture?

What’s Behind All the Bonuses When You Buy Gift Cards?

Some noticeable trends have emerged this holiday season, including never-ending Black Friday sales, an increase in self-gifting, and a decrease in credit card usage. Another trend popping up left and right among retailers and restaurants is the gift card bonus, a seemingly fantastic deal in which you might pay, say, $50 and get $60 worth [...]

Bad Credit? You Still May Be a Good Risk for Credit Card Companies

The credit card companies are mailing out ten times as many offers to open new accounts as they did last year, and what the offers show is that many people with bad credit are considered good for business. Often on the mailing lists are “risky” consumers with bad credit—so long as they have the right [...]

The ‘Personalized’ Shopping Experience You Don’t Want

You could be paying more than your neighbor for the same item, purchased at the same time, via the same online retailer.

It’s a Deal: 3 Redbox DVD Rentals for $1, via Groupon

Here’s a deal first offered over the weekend that has generated so much interest it’s been extended through the end of today, December 13: With a coupon purchased through Groupon, three DVD rentals from Redbox can be had for just $1—a 67% discount, considering that one rental usually goes for a buck. The coupon must [...]