Don't let splitting bills among your friends and having someone owe you money get awkward; get De-Bee.
De-Bee is a free website that will organize casual money transactions and keep track of who owes whom.
Make groups for things like rent or vacations split up among people, invite the people involved, and De-Bee will figure out the logistics.
Beats an awkward conversation — that's for sure!
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In these financial times, everyone wants to save a buck or two. I used to balk at my grandmother for clipping coupons, but now big savings at the store (by store, I usually mean Best Buy, Amazon, or Target, naturally) mean that I'm a happy camper. Plus, with so many sales going on right now, it's hard to keep your head straight. Thankfully, Price Protectr is here to make your bargain shopping a little simpler.
Tell Price Protectr when you are wanting to buy an item, and it will alert you when the price drops. It's quite similar to Shopstyle's Sale Alerts, in that it will save you money and keep you updated on the sales. Plus, Price Protectr will even help you save after you've purchased your item. How? I'll tell you when you read more
I regularly sing the praises of Mint, a free site that makes it easy to manage your finances online, so when I heard about their latest feature — text message alerts of your account balances — I couldn't wait to try it out.
If you're already signed-up to Mint, just text BAL or BALANCE to MyMint (696-468) and Mint will send you the balances from all of your bank accounts that you track in your Mint account.
Now you won't have any excuses about over-spending when you're out shopping!
The creators of the awesome sites Retail Me Not (online coupon code source) and Bug Me Not (for bypassing unnecessary registration to view websites) have done it again with Beat My Price, an online price comparison site. With Beat My Price, you can find out if you're getting the best deal on something by entering the name of the product, the URL where you found it, and then see if anyone else found it cheaper. Results are shown from a variety of sources, and it even shows coupon codes and promotions from sites like Retail Me Not. And if you don't really care for results from sites like Ebay, just scroll over the item and click "Hide all from this store" and all Ebay results will be gonezo.
To learn how to post your favorite websites to our Website of the Day group, read more
Remember when I asked if you would switch from Google to Microsoft for your searching needs if you were paid? About three-quarters of you swatted away the idea like it was last year's Blackberry, but after using it myself, I urge you to reconsider. Not for keepers mind you, but handy if you want to save yourself some cash.
Microsoft has partnered up with Ebay to bring you Live — the search engine that fetches you some pretty sweet deals, among thousands of search results. Just enter your search at the top of the page, and Live will tell you how much you can save if you buy from participating Ebay stores. I just bought my boyfriend's Christmas gift and will be getting back 30 percent from my buddy Microsoft. I can't tell you what the gift is (never know when he's reading), but I can tell you it's something of the gadget persuasion. Who woulda thought, right?
To learn how to post your favorite websites to our Website of the Day group, read more
Almost 70 percent of you said that you would hold off buying electronics this holiday season because of the economy. Well the Consumer Electronics Association predicts that holiday spending will drop by 14 percent this year, but in terms of gadgets, people are willing to cut other expenses — like going to the movies, or a gym membership — just so they can pick up the latest cell phone or notebook.
"These are no longer just luxury items or products that are fun to own. They really are used in a variety of ways to enhance communications, increase productivity, or for education," said Tim Herbert, the senior director of market research for the CEA. "Also, from a gift-giving standpoint, there is still a tremendous 'wow' factor with electronics."
Ain't that the truth! I mean can you imagine a Christmas without some sort of gadget that requires a user-manual and batteries?
Debbie Downer, here! No, but seriously folks, consumer confidence levels have fallen to their lowest point as the US weathers a recession.
It's a scary and lean time for everyone, and of course, people are being more protective of how they're spending money, so it's obvious that electronics are going to take a hit.
As much as I say they are a necessity, let's be honest, new TVs and cell phones are not essentials (at least until things look up again). I know I'm in a shopping freeze, which includes gadgets, and I'll probably feel this way this Christmas too, unfortunately.
Are you also holding off on buying electronics for now — for yourself and for the holidays?
If you're in the market for a new HDTV and are ready to plunk down your money for that new set — hold off! The prices of HDTVs are expected to plummet in the coming months, which can mean huge savings for you.
There are a number of factors that may lead to LCD and Plasma TV prices hitting the deck this shopping season, one of which is the economy. We're afraid to spend our money! So retailers have to make it irresistible for hesitant shoppers to hand over that credit card, while they clear out their inventory to make room for the newer models to come.
Another reason for the deep discounts? The digital signal switch. If you haven't gotten on board with digital, and are still using an analog signal TV (with the 'ole bunny ear antenna), you have until February 17, 2009 to get your hands on a converter box, or to upgrade your television. What a better way to usher in this new era of digital viewing than with a LCD TV, deeply discounted to sell?
Want to know when the best time to buy might be? Hint: it may not be when you think! Find out when you read more
Oh man, if you missed The Colbert Report the other night, I've got to fill you in on the details about this hilarious segment. Stephen started talking about Milton Pedraza, the CEO of the "Luxury Institute," who recommends a strategy of "stealth wealth" and "avoiding conspicuous consumption for a less flashy image" during this economic crisis. Stephen then goes on to say that he took Milton's advice of forgetting $10,000 mobile phones and picking up iPhones instead, so he decided to trade in his $310,000 Vertu cell phone for an iPhone and a land line (keep your eyes peeled for his blinged-out rotary phone!). Ha ha Stephen, you woo us again with your antics.
