If you belong to a warehouse club, such as Beijing’s wholesale, Costco or Sam’s Club stores, you should have your membership benefits, a variety of items to save money this holiday season. You know, though, all is not bargaining in these retailers

Help you figure out what – not – a good deal, we asked for money for their picks. Here are seven things you should buy at warehouse clubs holidays, and the seven things you should not buy, because you can get a better price elsewhere.

What to buy

Cells. Make sure you have enough battery so that your child can virtually any battery-operated toys, they get to play this holiday season. Mark from Sam’s Club members set of AA batteries Lauren Ward, told CreditDonkey.com research analyst, you back each cell (48 pack for $ 12.98) is only 27 cents per battery about 58 cents gold King brand in Target ($ 19.99 for the 34 packages) were compared. We also found that the battery is cheaper in warehouse clubs, retailers Wal-Mart’s low-cost (see the worst things to buy Wal-Mart).

Chocolate. money Andrea Woroch said:

It will cost you to buy a similar treatment than in the supermarket or drugstore drop of nearly 40% – large resort chocolate store sales at warehouse clubs gift box can easily be repackaged into more gifts desserts. If you need a pumpkin pie for your Thanksgiving dinner, grocery shopping expert Teri Gault recommended to buy from a bakery warehouse club. A fresh pie, for 12 people and about $ 7 to $ 9 at the warehouse clubs cost – the price it is hard to beat the quality of dessert Gault, who is the CEO, said grocery game. You can also find cookies, chocolate and other snacks disk to achieve up to 50% lower than at the grocery store warehouse clubs, Woroch said.

Food fingers frozen. If you want to stuffed mushrooms, bacon-wrapped shrimp or similar hot appetizers, playing in allClub store freezer department, to get the best price, Gault said. These frozen finger food to about 30% of the warehouse clubs than similar packages in the supermarket, Woroch said.

Gift card. Warehouse clubs sell gift cards about 20% lower than the face value. For example, you can get two $ 50 gift cards ŧØ California Pizza Kitchen to $ 79.99, he said at Costco, Woroch. You can get movie tickets for $ 33.99 four-pack, making less than $ 8.50 per ticket Ward said.

Napkins and paper plates quality holiday theme. You can find cheap Thanksgiving and Christmas plates and napkins at a dollar store. But you get what you pay for, Gault said. So, if you only need light holiday treats such as cookies or cake plate, picked up a bag of $ 1 at a dollar store. However, napkin quality and robust holiday-themed plate that can accommodate a full meal, you will pass buy these in bulk at warehouse clubs get the best price, she said.

Wine. If you are not picky label, try to Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand wines and champagne, Ward said. You can get a bottle of attention Sonoma County Chardonnay from California less than $ 7, or try Cabernet Sauvignon $ 7.99 per 1.5-liter bottle. Costco’s store brand of liquor also cost about 30% ~ 40% less than other premium brands, Woroch said.

What not to buy

Baking supplies. baked related ietms supermarkets holiday sales and trading can not be beat by months now, Gault said. In addition, the grocery chain Aldi have Thanksgiving in this category good deal, such as flour is $ 1.49 5 lbs bag.

Blu-ray DVD. If you are a member of Amazon or free shipping by spending $ 35 or more, Amazon.com blue light should you go to find an average savings of $ 3 to $ 5 provides for the most popular film of the year, Ward said.

Vegetables and canned soup. If you’re going to do a traditional green bean casserole with cream of mushroom soup, supermarketYou will need canned food, Thanksgiving sales volume, Gault said. Canned vegetables are usually sold in supermarkets Thanksgiving cost about 70 cents per can, to close at member stores and 50 cents or less, she said. With the coupons, Gault said, you can get canned or less – low in basic earnings of $ 17 cents and 24 cents in Albertson, for example. In these lowest price, it pays to stock up too much after the holiday meal, if you are in your pantry.

Electronics . In the warehouse club electronic price may be attractive, but they will not hit retailers such as Amazon.com and transaction provided Best Buy on Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday, Woroch said. Check the site, such as BFAds.net or DealNews.com, to see which retailer will have during the Thanksgiving sales of televisions, laptops and maximum preferential high-tech products.

Gift wrap. You will find all sizes of rolls gift wrap, ribbons and gift bags in the dollar stores, including Dollar Tree, Family Dollar and Dollar General buck. (For the holidays more $ 1 see what seasonal trading on what to buy, at a dollar store)

Holiday decorations. You will find beautiful, bright holiday display at warehouse clubs, but they are at full price, Ward said. You’d better have frequent promotions and coupons, as more and more shops lights, reindeer and artificial trees Michaels or Hobby Lobby, or try a dollar store or home improvement center. For example, Woroch said she found at Costco 9-foot Christmas tree is lit before the $ 399 Home Depot similar tree $ 239 if you have enough through the holidays, to make it, wait until the holidays to make a holiday decoration best prices. Prices will drop as much as 90%.

Turkey. Most club stores do not sell fresh turkey, so you may pre-Thanksgiving sales of the supermarket and buy frozen turkey about half the price or less, Gault said. In these sales, turkey is the cheapest meat in a year – usually 54 cents to 79 cents per pound, she said. Therefore, the stock, if you are in your freezer compartment.

Turns out to be what is often considered the biggest shopping day of the year, said – Black Friday – not so great this year. In the long Thanksgiving weekend, the number of shoppers fell by 5.4%, from the amount they spent in 2013 declined by 11 percent, according to the National Retail Federation. One reason for the decline may be an early retailer’s promotional activities, which encourage consumers to spread their consumption in weeks rather than just a few hours, according to the NRF. It may also be the case in many consumers delay.

If you have not started your holiday shopping or still have a list of a few people, you need to get some of our favorite personal finance blog thing, here great idea too much. B EST, most of these proposals will not break your budget

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Say falseDaily consumption: 3 ways to give is not a Grinch

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There is nothing like home delivery of the gift of pleasure. Sign up for a subscription box, you will not have to wait until the next holiday goodies. Subscription box service typically charge $ 10 to $ 40 per month to send you what categories of goods, such as cosmetics (Birchbox), children’s goods (Citrus Lane), or niche products, such as craft beer, local artisans or the latest in merchandise fishing tackle.

Pay $ 10 a few cosmetic samples may sound like a gimmick. But there are a lot of boxes, the value of the project is worth twice as much, or you pay three times the monthly amount, founder MySubscriptionAddiction.com, and a box of review sites say. Sampling a specialized product, without having to pay a full-size products valuable. The best service, including actors, such as how to video on the company’s website

But beware: surprising and joy comes a new box every month can be addictive. Companies sometimes sweeten the deal, including exclusive products to keep your interest aroused. Coupled with the automatic renewal of the stadium and the common practice you sign a long-term payment plan, which is usually not possible to cancel the deadline than you should you may wind up shelling out more money.

Before you spend a lot of money, select Find previous month in the company’s website, and sites such as Cadman reading reviews (also can alert you to bad customer service and strict cancellation policy, as well as coupon codes and free FERS). And track how many products you actually use. Even the high retail price, “If you do not use the item, its value is zero,” Cadman said.

On the screen of the mobile device may be its most vulnerable components. “More than 90% of what we do is screen replacement repair,” Jack Murphy, for iCracked communications, mobile devices, vice president of maintenance, said.

So how do you get your phone fixed? You can hire a professional, usually a mobile phone manufacturer or a third party repairer. Or, you can purchase the required parts and tools, take a deep breath, and do it yourself.

The simplest solution is returned to the manufacturer. For example, Apple has about $ 130 for the iPhone 5 and iPhone 6 plus iPhone 6. $ 110 model and start charging, take the phone an Apple Store or an authorized repair shop and see how it can be fixed quickly. (For a list of authorized repair shop, please ŧØhttps: //locate.apple.com). Otherwise, you will have to mail, which means you will be separated three to five business days from your phone. We can not live without your cell phone so long? With Apple’s advance replacement ($ 29 extra), the company will send you a lender.

HTC, which makes the Android smartphone offers a free replacement of cracked screens the first six months after purchase. Samsung’s message on the screen replacement service requires seven working days and costs $ 150 Galaxy S4 or S5. But Samsung’s chain of walk-in centers, where you will be able to get a screen replaced in an hour or less the same price. Two stores are open in the Dallas / Fort Worth area, and the third, with multiple locations is expected soon in Los Angeles. (For other authorized repair shop, call Samsung’s support line, 800-726-7864.)

Third-party repair. Alternatively, you can put your phone to a third party. Werx, it does RadioShack’s service, 72-hour turnaround commitment and a limited lifetime warranty. It charges $ 120 to $ 130 to repair iPhone model 5, $ 50 to $ 250 HTC phone, and up to $ 300 to $ 350 a Samsung Galaxy S4 or S5.Ed Kuhner, vice president of customer experience for HTC Americas said, if you go with a third party to ensure that it guarantees its work.

ICracked professional home repair Apple mobile devices, and Samsung Galaxy phones. It is more than 800 “iTechs” spread in the United States, and will come to you. They can usually be swapped out a screen less than an hour, said Murphy, years. Most iCracked repair costs of $ 100 to $ 110, and some come with a lifetime warranty.

Beware of people who propose to replace the screen $ 50 or less. Kuhner said, the odds are good that you will get substandard parts. “This could be a new piece of glass, but you do not know what kind of glass it is.”

DIY approach. You can do your own repairs to save a few bucks. iFixit and do its own repair kit manufacturer and guidance technology, sales of iPhone 5S screen repair kit $ 90, which is less maintenance cost range of $ 20 to $ 40 of Apple. But the screen replacement surgery is not for everyone; it is a matter of many small parts and screws a delicate process.

If your phone is a few years ago, it may be cost-effective to skip the repair and buy a new phone. “It may be that not only damage the screen. There may be other problems, you do not know,” Laura Estepan at Best Buy Mobile specialty stores, general manager of Union Square in Manhattan said.

1. The sooner the better. you might not if you want to return three dimensions, oversized sweater Aunt Millie have to give your Christmas. Each store has its own policy. In major retailers, Macy’s can return at any time, regardless of date of purchase. Sears target allowed to return to 90 days to provide you with electronic thirty days, clothing 90 days. Consumer expert Andrea Woroch said, “let you to return in early January, to make sure you do not insist on something you do not want. If you do not find something, and get a gift card and use it later.”

2. However, you might get a reprieve. According to a recent National Retail Federation survey shows that 28% of retailers in L modification of their return policy AST holiday shopping season. Best Buy set off a shock wave, when it shortened its usual payback period of just 15 days. But Best Buy holiday shoppers have until Amazon.com give you 15 January to 1 November until after the January 31 purchase or return based on the purchase date if the stores do not extend their return policies, it can start the clock December 26 and not a day to buy the item. You have to ask expansion strategy, because few retailers advertised.

3. Darning, no receipt . Good gift givers include gift receipt. However, if you do not get something that you want to return to a politely asked items are bought. You should be able to get store credit or gift cards for the current selling price (frustrating if it happens to be a seasonal item sales). You almost never get now Jinaidejia Dworsky, founder of ConsumerWorld.org said. One exception: Wal-Mart, where you do not need a receipt of the project cost less than $ 25, you get back the cash.

4. People do it, if you can. You may be able to make an even number of exchanges. Most retailers will let you return items purchased online, even if it is brick and cement branch. But you trek, because before there are exceptions, such as the clothing retailer H & M call ahead. Many online businesses more easily by mail by providing a shipping labelReturn of the project. However, transport costs can be deducted from the credit. Loose shoe businesses in particular; To encourage online ordering, companies such as Zappos.com and Piperlime.com offer free shipping Bo and free returns.

5. Beware of restocking fees. Louis DeNicola, as Cheapism.com, comparison sites correspondent for consumer goods that restocking fee is in electronic products, especially DVD and video games common because of the burning, and then return potential of the project. Amazon allows its partners to seller if the item has been opened to the media unopened 20% and 50% of the cost of the fees charged.

6. These retailers give a gold star. Costco, Kohl’s, L.L. Bean and Nordstrom are the most well-known benefits of open items (Costco company of electronic products have a 90-day return policy). Nordstrom will recover the project was not a receipt. REI withdraw its lifetime return policy in June 2013, but it still gives you one-year return numbers item, no questions asked. The goal of the project did not recover receipt, as long as the purchase with a credit card, check or target GiftCard shops can be tracked.

Cyber ​​Monday is a good time to bargain shop online for holiday gifts, but it is far from the only day of the year, when online shoppers can score big. After While many online retailers offer Monday for Thanksgiving sale, savvy consumers know that the sales price is the tip of the iceberg.

Of course, there are many sites you can use coupon codes to get the products you need better prices. This is a good start. But there are some little-known strategy that can also help you secure greater bargaining. Here are seven surprising ways to save when shopping online during the holidays – and all year

Use the online chat function . One of the best way to get an undisclosed discount online is asking it to Charlie Cohen, senior director for strategic content CouponPal.com said. If you see a retailer’s site live chat, click it to engage in a customer service representative. Tell the representative you are interested in a product, mention that you shop around for the best price, and asked if he could get a discount. You’ll be amazed, how would you offer a better deal frequently, Cohen said.

Pick up the phone. go one step further than online chat, in fact, call customer service ask for a discount or free shipping. Money Andrea Woroch said, this strategy has several times for her work. In addition to being just by asking a few retailers from discounts and free shipping, Woroch said, a customer service representative has questions or $ 10 gift certificate operation expired. When I recently called the retailer’s customer service, because the coupon code, when I tried to use a purchase online is not working on behalf of the application of coupons give me throw in an extra 10% to compensate for the trouble I have put my Order online.

Give up your virtual shopping cart. If you want the item is not on sale or discount is not deep enough, add it to your virtual shopping cart, but do not buy. Some retailers who have given up trying to lure back consumers to buy their own cars to complete by providing discounts, Woroch said. If you shopped retailer before this, and provide your contact information, you may receive an e-mail, mentioningYou wake up, you stay in your shopping cart items, coupon code to get you to buy, she said.

Try social media. Cohen recommended to check the coupon code Facebook page may not be published elsewhere retailers. Scroll down the page to load as much content as possible, and then use the Find feature to search for “discount”, “coupon”, “promotion” and “transaction.” Sometimes you have to “like” Retailers can access their coupon codes on Facebook. If you can not find the coupon code on Facebook or find a recently expired, sending the message retailer, let it know you would like to try its Web site, just missed a coupon, Woroch said. Recently, she asked the retailer to extend the offer buy one get one 50% off, she missed a day or two, it sends an exclusive deal to promote her via e-mail. Check the retailer’s Twitter feed, too, she said, because they can be an important source of information and coupon code for promotional activities. See how to save money using Twitter to learn more.

Buy discount electronic gift cards. You can purchase those discount sites such as gift cards Granny and Cardpool.com sold to its face value of electronic gift card score immediate savings. You will receive an email with the gift card code, you can (or store) use the online consumer.

Angle of free shipping. More and more retailers are free to raise the minimum purchase amount required for shipping. If you purchased does not meet the threshold for retailers, we do not feel the need to spend more money with free shipping. Instead, try to find the products you want in retaiLER, offer free shipping or transportation costs abandon coupon codes, Woroch said. Then ask the retailer, the retailer will charge you for the shipping price to match. You can also wait until the day free shipping December 18, when hundreds of merchants will offer free shipping, no minimum, and ensure delivery on Christmas Eve.

Obtain a price adjustment. If you can not find any coupon codes or discounts to get the goods you want, you still can go to now by exercising a little patience, and later bought it, get a better price. Some retailers offer a price adjustmentWhole, if you buy some time merchandise at full price discount within. Use a browser plug-in from PoachIt or TrackIf produc track your purchase price TS, receive alerts when they go on sale. Then contact customer service, provide your order number and a link to get a premium discount product refund, Woroch said.

Q value. Over the years, public elementary school my child’s PTA has raised money from their parents, in tax-free donations to supplement the school’s budget. Teacher aides, field trips on the basis of the PTA, music lessons, playground equipment and other things to pay. Now, our school district proposal, these expenses are strictly limited, because they put students at a disadvantage in the second and third tier schools. Do you think the ban is fair?

A . This is a hot issue throughout the United States, and there is no simple answer. Libertarian aspects of my brain said the government has no right to tell their parents how they can use their money to benefit their children’s school, so I am a complete ban on immoral. But recognize this side of private funds exacerbated the unfair damage to the education of our country (in the ill-prepared workers, welfare dependency and other problems) LY social progress of my brain (or my heart).

School District are dealing with this dilemma in many ways. Some do not have any restrictions on private gifts parents, businesses and foundations. Some people, such as affluent Montgomery County, Maryland, do not allow gifts to pay employees, classes, and infrastructure, should be covered by public funds, but does allow the gift to pay for facilities, such as a new scoreboard, landscaping, artificial turf and playground equipment. (There is some project cost of up to $ 1 million), the county has approved such a project review team, with a vague policy is, city shall “foster care or aggravate unfair.”

Compromise I find attractive, many places, many others are considering is to allow parents to raise money for the use within their own school (staff included), but encouraging or requiring them to share some of their poor and near the school parent-teacher associations to improve.

Most people think that long-term Black Friday refers to retailers move out of the red into the black – that is, to an annual profit of shoppers flock to stores to do their holiday shopping – on Thanksgiving Day after one day. However, according to several accounts, the expression actually originated in the 1960s, when Philadelphia police use it to describe heavy vehicles and pedestrians days of Thanksgiving. You just learn something new, right?

Ah, this is not the only Black Friday misunderstanding. Here are five myths you should know – especially if you’re going after a busy day of Thanksgiving traffic in part of the store:

Myth: Black Friday began on Friday. Now major retailers Ť hat Thanksgiving open the door, the most preferential prices actually appeared in Thursday instead of Friday, according to DealNews.com, track sales trends. Some retailers, such as Amazon.com and Wal-Mart, launched a pre-Black Friday sales in the week before Thanksgiving. “Where Black Friday was the kickoff to the holiday shopping season, it is now close to a lot of consumers who are already beginning to consider the advantages of trading season, early finish line,” TRAE Bodge, senior editor for coupon and deal sites say : RetailMeNot.com. So I do not think you should wait until November 28 to get cheaper. . Black Friday with a fat wallet application (Apple, Android), see if you can get the same or better item prices now on Black Friday ad listed

Myth: Everyt Hing sale. Because of the large retailers have sales does not mean home or available on their website in their stores. Yes, you will find computers, tablets, kitchen utensils, game consoles and TV sets (especially off card sets) down. But your wife wants a purse, golf club set your husband wants, video games your son wants to desire and doll your daughter may not even be discounted. In sites such as DealNews.com and BFAds.net check to see what items will sell the retailer’s Black Friday ad

Myth: The deal is the best of the year Do not be fooled that all are in the lowest prices of the year in or around the Black Friday sales. In the other study available year-round sales Ş many Black Friday discount price, according to NerdWallet.com. In fact, you should wait until the holidays to buy 14 of these things, because the discount will be better

Myth: Doorbuster trading buy only Black Friday (now Thanksgiving) in the store is doorbusters synonymous deeply discounted items, as a means only at a specific time, in the supply and use is limited to attract consumers to the store. However, according to research DealNews.com of 70% of the transactions in-store Black Friday has also been available online. In addition, many retailers offer online only deals, the best deals and Amazon.com regular brick-and-mortar stores to match. So, before you head out the door, you want to check transactions are available online

Myth: It would be easy to match the price advantage of the policy. Perhaps your plan is to go to a store on Black Friday, use an application to scan product bar codes, whether there are other retailers provide these items at a lower price, then take the store price matching policy, to you there is no advantage to get these items at lower prices. This is brilliant, right? Not so fast. According to the research Cheapism.com in several major retailers – including Best Buy, Target, OfficeMax and Office Depot’s company – will not be sold by a Thanksgiving Day match competitors’ prices in the next week. Call or retailer to find on their website their price matching policies before you shop, look at how to get the retailer to match the price, for more information.