Everywhere. Sales, sales, and more sales. Stores are offering discounts early on, hoping to give a boost to the holiday shopping season, which is expected to be hit hard by the economic struggles. NECN’s Latoyia Edwards takes us through some of those discount sale details…

Last year, the average consumer spent more than $900 on holiday gifts. This year, consumers plan to spend $700.

The $200 drop on the shopping budget has spawned a “sales battle” for customers. For example, one can find 60-percent off deals on items from JC Penney jewelery to KB Toy Store gifts for children.

So far, the deals have not been enough to counteract the belt tightening in this tough economy.

A recent retail survey found 43-percent of shoppers are willing to wait until after the holidays in hopes of getting the best deal on merchandise.

Just how much will it take to turn sales figures around? We won’t know until we do, if that makes sense. But the holiday shopping discounts are something to take advantage of, if you’re in a position to do so, financially.

For a while now, financial advisor Barry Armstrong has been telling his clients not to lock in on heating oil. But now, Armstrong says, he’s changing his tune. Listen here for his explanation.

But if you are blessed enough to get through on the web or on the phone for Red Sox tickets that first weekend they go on sale, the fact that they froze ticket prices for the 2009 season does make those tickets feel more like a bargain.

Of course, meteorologist Tim Kelley is spinning it a little differently in his head - he just pointed out it’s equally accurate to note the Sox missed a chance to really win with the fans by cutting some ticket prices.

Touche, Mr. Kelley. Touche.

How would you save money on sports tickets? Share your thoughts in the comments!

North Smithfield has become the first town in the Ocean State to restrict wood boilers, a cheap source of heat. The new regulations come after an increasing number of Rhode Islanders turned to wood boilers as the cost of oil and electricity skyrocketed.
The boilers can produce thick clouds of black smoke.
Information from: www.projo.com.

A tasty thank-you to all our veterans from Zebra’s Bistro in Medfield, MA. Owner Craig Neubecker says, “I wish I could shake the hand of every Veteran, sit down with them and buy them dinner, say thank you for all they have done for us.” This Veterans Day, he’s doing exactly that. From 5:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. tonight, all veterans will get a free entrée. Reservations are recommended. Zebra’s Bistro, 21 North Street, Medfield, MA. (508)359-4100. zebrasbistro.com.

What do you need to think about when looking to save money on heating oil this winter? Louise Sacco of www.frugalyankee.com offers some expert advice.

We know, we know. You have enough going on watching your nest egg shrivel like a raisin, and trying to figure out how to handle the holidays this year. But it is time to think about saving on your taxes for 2009 - with things you can do right now. Susan Powers of the Armstrong Advisory Group has some Money Monday suggestions.

OK, this one won’t make you save money immediately, but it does let you have a little fun with the money you have already wasted. The National Endowment for Financial Education has launched a new website at spendster.org that lets you track just how much money you have spent on things that you don’t use, never needed, or just bought on a whim.

The site lets you post videos telling your stories, provides ways to calculate the effect of your wasted spending (by factoring in credit card interest, and so on versus saving the money), and so on. I have only played with it a little, but it does seem to take some of the pain out of where you’ve somehow spent all that cash.

Here’s one video example:

Add Spendster to your page

]]> http://www.necncutyourcosts.com/featured/sharing-your-wasted-spending-stories/10089.html/feed http://www.necncutyourcosts.com/food/clean-up-and-eat-up-interesting-post-election-idea/10088.html http://www.necncutyourcosts.com/food/clean-up-and-eat-up-interesting-post-election-idea/10088.html#comments Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:36:01 +0000 Ted McEnroe http://www.necncutyourcosts.com/?p=88 This press release came through the old inbox yesterday - thought it was an interesting little idea, and a creative one from the bistro, no? The release is below: Don’t put your election lawn signs in your trash. One local eco-friendly restaurant will make it worth your while to keep them out of our landfills by [...]]]>

This press release came through the old inbox yesterday - thought it was an interesting little idea, and a creative one from the bistro, no?

The release is below:

Don’t put your election lawn signs in your trash. One local eco-friendly restaurant will make it worth your while to keep them out of our landfills by giving you a free appetizer or $10 off any entree when you bring them your election lawn sign.

Zebra’s Bistro in Medfield, a member of the eco-friendly Green Star Restaurant group, is making this offer to keep these signs out of landfills. They will make sure they are properly recycled to keep our planet green.

“We don’t just want to see the green lawns again we want a green friendly planet” said Craig Neubecker, owner of Zebra’s Bistro. “We can do a lot to reduce our impact on the planet within the four walls of our restaurant but this is one way that we reach out beyond our four walls to our community for the greater good” he added.

Bring your lawn signs to Zebra’s Bistro located at 21 North St. in Medfield, MA, any day this week after 4:30 pm and they will make sure the signs and sign holders are properly recycled.

Haunted Happenings
Put on your witch’s hat, grab your broomstick and head to Salem, MA, better known this time of year as the Halloween capital of the world. Check out the fabulous costumes, have dinner with the dead, and listen to chilling tales. All weekend. Most events are free.

Pumpkin Ale Festival
Sample some of the best beer the fall has to offer at Cambridge Brewing Company’s annual festival. Friday, beginning at 5 p.m.

Veggie Delight
Load up on free (and yummy!) food at the annual Boston Vegeterian Food Festival. Saturday from 10 a.m. — 6 p.m. at the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center. Free admission & samples.