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Tuesday, January 19, 2010
60 healthy foods, recipes for cheap
One of the complaints about eating healthier is that healthy food is more expensive.
For example, having fresh fish for dinner is decidedly more expensive than mixing up a box of macaroni and cheese.
However, there are plenty of good, nutritious foods that can be found at a low cost.
Toward that end, the reliable Coupon Sherpa has assembled a list of 60 healthy foods for pennies per serving.
The site also notes some of the benefits of these foods, and includes a great recipe for each item.
The foods include eggs, apples, bananas, coffee, sardines, yogurt, chicken gizzards and many more.
For the complete list and links to all 60 recipes, visit the Coupon Sherpa.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Savings
Tax return schemes can be costly
Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray warned consumers today, Jan. 19, that some of those “fast cash refunds” or “instant refunds” can actually be high-interest loans.
“Commonly referred to as refund anticipation loans or RALs, these products sound good but can be very costly,” Cordray’s office said in a press release. “The loans are provided by companies based on a consumer’s expected tax return. The companies then charge filing fees, tax preparation fees and interest that can eat up 25 percent of a consumer’s tax refund.”
Also, “if the tax refund winds up smaller than anticipated, the consumer will have to pay the difference in addition to the fees.”
Cordray advised people to read the fine print and research other options.
He recommended that consumers file their own tax returns electronically for free and have the refund directly deposited in a bank account, reminding Ohioans that they may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit and can get free help in filing tax returns if they make about $49,000 or less.
Also, check out the Free File function on the IRS Web site.
Cordray noted that the average turnaround time is two weeks for refunds.
Consumers should report unfair or deceptive practices they encounter by filing a consumer complaint at (800) 282-0515 or www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/ConsumerComplaint.
These practices could include:
— Advertising RALs but failing to clearly disclose that they are loans, not early refunds.
— Failing to explain that when a consumer takes out a RAL, the IRS will send the tax refund to the RAL provider, not to the consumer.
— In advertisements, failing to make clear that by taking out a RAL, the taxpayer is borrowing against the expected refund, not obtaining the refund itself.
— Failing to inform consumers that RALs are interest-bearing loans and not a quicker way to receive their refunds from the IRS.
— Charging fees as a percentage rather than as a flat rate.
— Failing to advise consumers that they may be liable to the lender for additional payment, interest and other fees (as applicable through the RAL) if the refund is delayed or is smaller than anticipated.
— Failing to advise consumers of all the fees that will be deducted from their refund.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Scams to watch out for
Valentines good for free Krispy Kreme doughnuts
We have entered that lovable time of year, when valentines come in all sorts of delicious shapes and sizes.
And, sweeter yet, some are even free.
Through Feb. 14, when you buy any dozen doughnuts at Krispy Kreme, you will get 12 Valentine’s Day cards (while supplies last).
Each valentine has a coupon on the back good for a free doughnut.
A dozen doughnuts costs $6.99.
Also through Valentine’s Day, Krispy Kreme is sharing the love with two kinds of heart-shaped doughnuts and a triple chocolate doughnut with chocolate filling, chocolate icing and brownie crumbles on top.
At 99 cents each or $6.99 for 12, these make inexpensive valentines by themselves.
The local Krispy Kreme is at 2001 E. Dorothy Lane in Kettering.
For more information, call (937) 296-4400.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Free stuff, Restaurant deals
Top grocery, drugstore deals for this week
Mommy Snacks author Andrea Deckard noted today, Jan. 19, how to get a great deal on diapers, among many other products.
“Since we have a toddler in diapers, I am mindful of diaper prices,” she said. “One of the best times to stock up is when the drugstores offer diapers on sale with a promotion.”
Deckard said Walgreens will have a sale on Huggies products the week of Jan. 24.
“When you spend $25, you will earn a $5 (Register Rewards),” she said, adding that that $25 limit is before coupons and you can save more by printing out these Huggies coupons.
“When you use RR’s, you earn this week (or in weeks past) and earn a $5 RR, you are paying an awesome price for diapers!”
Here are Deckard’s best three coupon/ad deals for this week, Jan. 17-23, at area drugstores and grocery stores. Click on each store name for more deals.
Great Pepsi/Frito-Lay Extra Care Bucks Deal
$1 M&M’s after ECB
Check out the scenarios in the post to purchase $28 in products for just $18 out of pocket. You will also have a $10 ECB to use next time, too.
FREE Wet Ones Wipes RR Deal
$.50 Hershey’s Candy Bars
$1 Money-Maker Neosporin Lip Health with printable coupon
$.89 Grape Tomatoes
$.49 Bagged Salad
$.69 Green Peppers - cut up and freeze for later at this price!
FREE Quaker Oats with printable coupon
$.04 Starkist Tuna
$.39 Del Monte Vegetables
FREE Tennessee Pride Sausage Gravy
FREE Oikos Greek Yogurt with printable coupon
FREE Pillsbury Cinnamon or Crescent Rolls with this printable coupon
$.75 Pepsi 2-Liters with printable coupon
$.99 Nivea Body Wash
$1.25 Oust Spray
$.19 Carefree Feminine Product with printable coupon
$.27 Martha White Baking Mixes
$.17 French’s French Fried Onions
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Andrea's best deals, Savings
