Here are two freebies next week best suited for folks in downtown Baltimore and those who take the light rail from Timonium:

On Monday, MTA Light Rail passengers can sample Dunkin Donuts' new breakfast sandwich at the Timonium Light Rail stop in exchange for a donation of non-perishable food, personal hygiene items or money to the Maryland Food Bank. The promotion will be held from 5:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.  on Nov. 23 and the samples will be given away while supplies last.

On Tuesday, the Downtown Partnership will throw its annual Holiday Lunch Party, with participating restaurants giving away free samples at one of six office building lobbies. Click the link to get details on the purveyors and locations for this Nov. 24 event.

Posted by Liz Kay at 2:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Food
        

Here's one way to ensure that you get the products you want at Black Friday prices --- without worrying that the items will be sold out if you decide to sleep in on the day after Thanksgiving.

Dealnews.com has compiled a list of stores that will match competitors' prices on Black Friday, including Walmart, Home Depot and Lowe's. Sears, on the other hand, will not. 

That way, no worries that an item will be out of stock and no need to stress out about early morning lines. As long as you're armed with a sales circular featuring your coveted product, you'll be able to stroll in hours after the retailers open, pluck your desired item off the shelves and then go camp out in the customer service line to get a manager to approve the competitor's price.

Just be sure to have an official circular, not one of the 'leaked' versions available on the Internet, warns dealnews.

I'd add this additional caveat: 

Continue reading "Price match on Black Friday : strategies to save" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 8:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Holiday shopping
        

Walmart has confirmed some of the deals it is offering on Black Friday.

They include:

Magnavox blu ray disc player for $78

Sanyo 50-inch plasma hdtv for $598

Tomtom 3.5 inch gps for $59

Reversible fleece jacket for $7

Children’s sleepwear for $3

The discount retailer hasn't officially released its Black Friday circular yet. But some websites are posting "leaked" Black Friday Walmart ads. You can find one version here.

Posted by Andrea Walker at 6:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Holiday shopping
        

It seems the performance artist for tomorrow's terra cotta warriors promotion has run into a little travel issue at the airport. Chi Chang, I'm told by DC marketing officials, was not allowed into the country and was actually turned back to Taiwan.

Hmm. Was it the name? That wouldn't surprise me. The terror watch list is full of mistaken identities. Or was it the outfit? I'm betting it was the whole terra cotta look. It's hard to pull off and just so 200 BC.

The army of short soldiers will still march into the city tomorrow, and prizes will be given away, but their will be no live leader. Sad, really.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 1:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

It's about a week until Black Friday and more retailers are announcing their plans.

Toys R Us said it is opening at midnight, five hours earlier than it ever has. It will offer more than 70 doorbusters from midnight to 1 p.m.

Shoppers can search the toy retailer's website starting at 12:01 Wednesday to preview more than 100 unadvertised "mystery deals" that will be available in stores on Black Friday.

Deals include a free $50 gift card with the purchase of any Ipod touch, 65 percent off of a sleeping beauty styling head vanity, $100 off of a 12-foot trampoline and 50 percent off Wii Fit accessories. The retailer will also give out 250,000 free boxes of 64-count Crayola Crayons with any purchase.

Best Buy said that it will start offering Black Friday-like prices at its stores today, a week before the traditional start of the season. It is selling 32" Dynex, LCD HDTV's for $299.99 and 40-inch Dynex LCD HDTV's for $499.99. It will also offer Black Friday prices on Samsung models starting this Sunday.

Kohl's said it will post its Black Friday print ad on its website on Nov. 22. It will include more than 300 early bird specials. The store will open at 4 a.m. that day and offer specials until 1 p.m. Deals include a $69.99, 7" portable LCD TV, $34.99 cashmere sweaters and 50 percent off toys by Fisher-Price, Playskool, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Play-Doh, Tonka and other brands.

Posted by Andrea Walker at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Holiday shopping
        

Destination DC, Washington's tourism group, is invading Baltimore on Friday to promote the new "Terra Cotta Warriors" exhibit which opens today at the National Geographic Museum in D.C. They're bringing along an artist, Chi Chang, who performs as a live terra cotta warrior and who will "delight crowds with his interactions." I'm told he will be popping up at locations around town between 9 a.m. and noon tomorrow (if you see him, snap a photo and send it to me and I'll post it here.)

In addition - as if we needed more - Chi Chang is bringing his army. A very small one. Some 200, 8-inch tall terra cotta warrior statues are being placed in high-traffic areas throughout Baltimore. If you find one, you're supposed to log on to a Web site (presumably noted on the statue) where you will find out if you have won a trip to Washington, including round-trip Amtrak tickets, a one-night stay at the very lovely Madison Loews hotel and two tickets to the warriors exhibit. There's only one vacation prize, but lots of other consolation loot like museum tickets etc.

UPDATE: Sorry to disappoint anyone who was looking forward to seeing Chi Chang, but his trip got derailed. Check out Michelle's update on the DC travel promotion. -- lfk.

Photo courtesy of Destination DC

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Leggo that box of Eggos!

Apparently flooding in Atlanta and mechanical problems at a waffle plant in Tennessee have left the Kellogg Co., manufacturers of the iconic round breakfast pastries, predicting Eggo shortages that will last through the middle of 2010.

Then over at Garden Variety, gardening blogger Susan Reimer fills us in on the latest canned pumpkin crisis news:

Continue reading "Eggo, pumpkin shortages leave supermarket shelves empty" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Economy, Food
        

All California Tortilla locations will be giving away a free 4 oz. cup of its turkey chili with any purchase today (Thursday, Nov. 19), heretofore known as "Free Turkey Chili Day".

Customers will also receive a coupon for a free 8 oz. cup of chili that can be redeemed within the next two weeks. 

The nearest California Tortilla locations seem to be on Pratt Street in downtown Baltimore, near BWI Airport and at Quarry Lake, although there are also shops in Laurel, Mount Airy and Annapolis.

The reason for the promotion, according to the press release that Sun dining blogger Elizabeth Large shared?

Continue reading "Free turkey chili at California Tortilla: Cheap Trick Thursday" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 9:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Food
        

Folks, I've got a few more candidates for inclusion on our list of the top 10 deals and discounts in the Baltimore region, part of baltimoresun.com's 10Spot feature counting down the 10 weeks to 2010.

Consuming Interests, The Sun's consumer blog, has been charged with finding the Baltimore region's best deals and discounts, and that list will be published Nov. 27 in honor of Black Friday.

In reviewing the ideas we've compiled thus far, I'm having a hard time gauging which of these bargains are too well known to mention and whether any have too small an audience to be deemed a valuable tip.

Please let us know which (if any) are your favorites, or if we've missed any winners, by weighing in via the comments field below.

Here's the original list, with the new candidates at the top: 

Continue reading "Baltimore's 10 best deals, discounts and bargains: more candidates" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 7:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal
        

Time to check under the sofa cushions and break open the piggy bank! Coinstar is offering a $10 gift card if you exchange more than $40 in coins for a gift card or eCertificate.

Normally, Coinstar charges 8.9 percent to change coins into a voucher that can be exchanged for cash, but that fee is waived if you select to receive your currency in either an eCertificate (for Web merchants like Amazon.com or iTunes) or a gift card for stores like Old Navy or Pier 1. Check the Coinstar locator to find machines that offer eCertificates and gift cards (search for specific products).

And now through Dec. 6, if you put more than $40 in a Coinstar machine, you'll receive a claim form at the end of your voucher that can be redeemed for a $10 gift card or (updated) a $10 eCertificate. Just follow the mailing instructions on your slip and send it in by Jan. 6, and you'll get the $10 card in the mail.

Remember to keep a copy for your own records, and bear in mind that it will take 6 to 8 weeks to process the claim, so don't bank on using that $10 for any holiday gifts.

Thanks to the Frugal Living forums over at About.com for the tip.

Posted by Liz Kay at 1:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal
        

Friends, here's a way to use your holiday shopping to support your favorite cause --- and maybe save a little money!

When you're hunting for gifts online, start your search at GoodShop.com, which partners with national merchants and retailers such as the Gap, Amazon.com, Dell and Target to donate a portion of sales to charities.

Here's how it works: search for your favorite nonprofit on the site, or add it to the database.

Then, look for your retailers. Be sure to check for any restrictions, as well as additional coupon codes. Some retailers offer free shipping or other offers to GoodShop customers, which they post on the individual store page.

Finally, click through to the merchant and make your purchase. Don't forget to hunt around for other coupons that might apply to this sale. 

Goodshop is brought to you by the people behind GoodSearch, which we have written about before. It allows Internet users to designate charities to receive a portion of the advertising dollars generated through web searches.

Posted by Liz Kay at 9:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Consumer Web Site of the Week, Holiday shopping, Shopping
        

Every month The Baltimore Sun invites readers to share how they are dealing with today's economic realities.

This month's topic is Black Friday, the popular post-Thanksgiving shopping day that is the official start of the holiday retail season.

Are you shopping Black Friday? Where will you go and what will you be buying? Can you really find deals on Black Friday or is it a marketing ploy by retailers to get people to spend money?

We want to hear from you. Check out our light source page to find the questionaire and other information about our "be a news source" effort: http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-lightsource-about,0,2031869.htmlstory.

Also, check out the real estate wonk to find out her take on the question.

Thanks in advance to all of you who participate.

Posted by Andrea Walker at 5:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Holiday shopping
        

Walmart said today that it will sell items at savings "resembling day-after-Thanksgiving prices" one week early.

The savings will run Nov. 21 - Nov. 27.

The world's largest retailer has already announced $10 toys and electronics deals as it tries to get ahead of its competitors in what is expected to be a tough holiday season for retailers.  It is also opening for 24 hours on Thanksgiving Day.

Examples of the savings include:

* 26" Vizio LCD HDTV $248, was $347

*Disney Princess Scooter, $99, was $129

EZ Bake Oven, $16, was $28

Baby Alive Newborn Doll, $8, was $15

Nerf Capture the Flag, $19, was $39

Shoppers who buy "Hero" game packages will receive $40 Walmart gift cards. The game packages eligible include Band Hero, DJ Hero and Guitar Hero.

Posted by Andrea Walker at 3:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Holiday shopping
        

UPDATE: Don't miss this post with even more deals and discounts for the Baltimore area.

The countdown to 2010 races at baltimoresun.com with our 10Spot feature. Every Friday for 10 weeks one Sun blog will post a top 10 list. Next week, in honor of Black Friday, your faithful Consuming Interests staff will bring you the region's top 10 hidden deals and discounts.

But first, we need your help! Let us know what you think of our suggestions below, and feel free to chime in with your own ideas.

Keep in mind, we are trying to highlight bargains that are local and unique to our area, but we're not restricting things to the city of Baltimore.

Without further ado, here are what we think are some of the best bargains in the region:

Continue reading "Top 10 hidden deals and discounts: 10Spot" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 3:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal
        

We've told you about problems with expired products on supermarket and drug store shelves, but both Target and CVS have recently settled with attorneys general in other states after inspectors found old items on shelves.

In New Jersey, Target is paying $375,000 for selling expired baby formula as well as charging incorrect prices at the register, according to the Associated Press. Under the settlement Target admits no wrongdoing but the company is adding a senior manager to ensure prices charged match advertising and training employees in price accuracy for the next two years.

New Jersey has already settled similar suits with Rite Aid and Duane Reade.

After breaking a previous agreement to stop selling expired baby formula, food and medicine, CVS Pharmacy Inc. is paying $875,000 to the state of New York, the Associated Press explains.

How do you stop yourself from bringing home expired goods? I can't say that I routinely check items not sold in refrigerator cases. I try not to buy items like over-the-counter medicine from low-traffic locations that might not rotate stock frequently, but that's not always an option. 

Remember ... 

Continue reading "Target, CVS settle over sale of expired products: Naughty Businesses of the Week " »

Posted by Liz Kay at 9:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Naughty businesses/NBotW
        

Don't forget to consider taking advantage of some tax credits that Congress made available this year, Sun personal finance columnist Eileen Ambrose reminded us in her Sunday column.

There's been a lot of talk about the recently extended first-time homebuyer tax credit, but don't neglect to deduct the sales tax for any new cars you bought between Feb. 17 and the end of the year.

You can get credits for adding solar panels to your home, as well as even more money back for higher education through the American Opportunity credit --- up to $2,500 for books, tuition, fees and more. That's one more incentive to invest in yourself, especially if you want to freshen your skills or develop some new ones to stay employed in this rough economy.

Are you doing anything special this year with your taxes in mind? Let us know in the comments below.

Posted by Liz Kay at 6:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal, Taxes
        

The Social Security Administration says it has updated its online calculator so people enrolled in Medicare - but haven't taken Social Security benefits yet - can get an immediate and personal estimate of their future Social Security benefits.

Before the calculator, the agency says, Medicare beneficiaries would have to go to their local Social Security office to ge an estimate.

“With more people delaying retirement beyond the Medicare eligibility age, it is critical that they also have access to this easy-to-use online tool,” said Social Security Commissioner Michael J. Astrue, in a statement announcing the calculator upgrade.

Posted by Eileen Ambrose at 2:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Social Security
        

The price of gold is rising quickly. For those with gold jewelry they no longer wear or those who are sitting on gold coins, it may be tempting to sell the items, particularly with the holidays approaching.

We're writing about how to get the best deal for your gold and want to talk to consumers who have sold theirs. Send an e-mail to eileen.ambrose@baltsun.com if you're interested in being interviewed for the article.

(photo: Brian Vander Brug/Los Angeles Times)

Posted by Eileen Ambrose at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Personal finance
        

Can BlueHippo’s days be numbered?

The FTC yesterday asked a New York court to find the Woodlawn computer sales company in contempt of an earlier settlement. If the court goes along, the FTC also wants the company to be banned from financing or selling consumer electronics.

BlueHippo officials haven’t returned calls, but we’ll post their response when they do.

Posted by Eileen Ambrose at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer protection
        

Starting next year, banks will no longer be able to charge consumers overdraft fees on ATM and debit-card transactions, unless the customer agrees in advance to an overdraft protection program, according to a final ruling announced by the Federal Reserve Thursday.

Consumers have long complained of being automatically enrolled in overdraft protection programs and then being hit with high fees for small transactions using an ATM or debit card.

The new rule takes effect in July.

Consumers who choose to opt in for overdraft protection must be given a notice that explains the service and fees. Those who don’t sign up must receive the same account terms and features that banks provide to consumers who do opt in, regulators said.

Some consumer advocates, though, complain that the new rule doesn’t go far enough to protect consumers.

Posted by Eileen Ambrose at 9:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Personal finance
        

Here's a weekend project that could save a life: if you have babies or small children in your home on a regular basis, check your window coverings to make sure there aren't any cords that could accidentally strangle children.

Kathleen Leeson used to be a foster parent, but I wrote about how Leeson is now directing her energies to getting the word out about the dangers of corded window treatments to other families, to try to prevent accidents like the one that killed her foster son Angel Duenas, 2, in August.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission calls cords on window coverings like roman shades, roller shades and window blinds a top hidden hazard in American households. There have been many recalls of individual versions of these products, including four in October and six in August (search the CPSC site's list of blind, shade and cord recalls here). Children either wrap the cords around their neck, which can get tangled, or they pull cords from inside the mechanism and get caught.

What can you do in your own home to stop similiar tragedies? Start with cordless products ...

Continue reading "Keep window blind cords away from kids" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 7:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Consumer safety
        

There's a unusual item on the menu at the Hollywood Diner: legal advice.

On some Thursday afternoons, customers can sit down for 30 minutes with lawyers from Civil Justice, Inc. at Crema Coffee Company at the Hollywood Diner and get guidance on issues including taxes, housing, family law or employment law as well as criminal law in exchange for a $10 (cash only) donation.

Through the program, called The Legal Grind, attorneys can also help people expunge court records for only the cost of the filings (no donation required for this service).

It's an adaptation of a "coffee and counsel" model adopted by Jeffrey Hughes, the founder of Legal Grind cafes in southern California.

Law students at the University of Maryland School of Law help with the intake process and can sit in on the consultations if the clients permit, according to the video posted above.

The service started this summer and is designed to provide people better access to the legal system --- particularly if they make too much money to afford legal aid services, but not enough to be able to afford $150 an hour for an attorney. The lawyers aren't taking these folks on as clients, but will refer people to other resources as needed.

The Hollywood Diner isn't their only location, however ... 

Continue reading "Low-cost legal advice: Cheap Trick Thursday" »

Posted by Liz Kay at 8:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cheap/Frugal
        

Here we go again. Another day, another pilot behaving badly. A United Airlines pilot was arrested at Heathrow Airport earlier this week for allegedly having alcohol levels above the limit. Plain English: He was drinking. Something. What? I don't know. How much? I don't know. The alcohol blood limits for pilots flying a plane are quite a bit lower than they are for us to drive a car - with good reason. And to make it worse, this isn't an isolated incident.

The United pilot, Erwin Vermont Washington, is the third U.S. pilot arrested for being under the influence in just 13 months, according to The Associated Press. Instead of taking off with 124 passengers bound for Chicago, the pilot was arrested and will have to appear in British court on charges that could net him prison time. AP also reports than some 4,000 pilots have successfully completed an alcoholism-treatment program run by the Air Line Pilots Association and most returned to their jobs.

Here's an idea: what if all pilots had to take a Breathalyzer test before getting behind the controls in the cockpit? Would that make passengers feel more safe? Or is this just another alarmist tale that wrongly paints all pilots with a broad brush of injustice?

Associated Press Photo

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 4:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Airlines
        

Folks, Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and as usual, I am excited. Turkey Day is one of my favorite holidays, because I'm thankful for food.

Last year we sent you to Butterball's "Plan Perfect Portions" turkey calculator to determine how much turkey you'll need for the perfect dinner-to-leftover ratio to satisfy you and your guests ... without wasting money, time and energy cooking extra food that will just get wasted.

Once you know how much turkey to buy, plug the weight of said turkey into the other calculator on the page to find out how long said turkey (if it's frozen) will need to thaw. 

This Thanksgiving dinner calculator will accommodate both turkey, stuffing and gravy calculations with a number of variables, including children and adult guests, desire for leftovers and appetite (small, large or animal). 

Posted by Liz Kay at 3:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Consumer Web Site of the Week, Food, Holiday shopping
        

If you're an American Express cardholder, you can purchase for $2,000 membership in the "Flight of the Month" club from JetBlue. The pass, on sale tomorrow only at DailyWish.com, the online marketplace of American Express, allows you to take one roundtrip flight each month, with no blackout dates. That averages out to about $166.66 per flight and taxes are included.

It's not worth it if you're just gonna fly from BWI to Boston. But JetBlue offers connecting flights to more than 50 destinations from BWI as well as nearby Dulles International, including Cancun, Nassau, Bahamas, Aruba, Jamaica and Barbados. Now, here comes the cruel catch - and I called to confirm and also to express my displeasure at such a mean twist - there are only three of these passes available. Three. I know. I should have kept it to myself, not spent 5 minutes writing a post about it. But it's a good deal. I had to share. (Please don't write to excoriate me. I am a weak, travel-obsessed blogger.)

Countdown to the sale begins tonight at midnight. Uh, good luck?

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Travel
        

Electronics store Best Buy said today that it is expanding into the health & fitness market.

The retailer will begin selling treadmills, ellipticals, pedometers, heart rate watches and other items at 40 stores beginning today. In Maryland, the Bel Air store will offer fitness items.

Best Buy's Geek Squad will help consumers meld technology with fitness equipment. For instance, they can help add surround sound to a home gym or download workout data to a home computer.

Posted by Andrea Walker at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Shopping
        

A number of businesses are honoring veterans and active-duty personnel with freebies and discounts in honor of Veteran's Day, and some deals are available to all of us.

Travel blogger Michelle Deal-Zimmerman already mentioned free admission to national parks like Assateague and Monacacy today.

Applebee's is giving free meals to active and former military personnel from a limited menu during business hours today.

The CouponDivas tell us that servicemen and women will receive free Krispy Kreme doughnuts, free bloomin' onions at Outback Steakhouse, free dinner at Golden Corral from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and free entrees or individual pizzas at Uno Chicago Grill on Veterans Day.

Any other discounts or deals that we missed? Please share them with your fellow readers!

Posted by Liz Kay at 9:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Free
        

BGE executives will be answering tough questions Thursday and Friday when they return to the Maryland Public Service Commission's hearing room to testify about their smart grid proposal.

The plan to install meters capable of real-time, two-way communication with the utility, slated to cost $800 million over nearly two decades, got a boost last month when the U.S. Department of Energy awarded BGE $200 million in stimulus grants.

BGE says that customers will save billions through operational efficiencies --- BGE will be able to manage its equipment more efficiently and won't need to send out meter readers --- as well as through better awareness of their energy consumption. If you knew how much your bill would cost you, that might prompt you to make energy efficient choices.

Their proposal is coupled with two new rate structures: a plan to give customers bill credits for using less energy from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the hottest summer afternoons --- known as critical peak days, when demand is highest and energy is most expensive --- as well as a "time of use" schedule, that would charge about 16.5 cents per kilowatt-hour from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on all summer weekday afternoons, and about 10 cents at all other times. 

There are a lot of issues for the commissioners to consider ...

Continue reading "Smart grid: is it right for BGE customers? " »

Posted by Liz Kay at 9:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Energy/Utilities
        

I wrote this morning about some of the provisions of the extended and expanded first-time homebuyer credit. Readers had more questions. Here are some answers:

Q. I recently sold my home of 17 years and am scheduled to close on my new home on Nov. 25th. Will I qualify for the $6,500 tax credit if I close this month? I've read and heard conflicting information. Some sources say you have to close after Dec. 1. I even called the IRS and they didn't know. The person I talked to could only quote the Washington Post which said Dec. 1.

A. My interpretation of the law is that the $6,500 credit kicks in for houses purchased after Nov. 6th. I ran the question by two tax professionals, which also agreed that the credit applies to sales after Nov. 6.

Q. I read your answer about a person being ineligible for a full or partial credit if they purchased a house earlier this year and had too high of income. Is there any leniency at all or is it black and white? Is the higher income not retroactive? Or, can they get a credit now with the higher income limits?

A. The law is the law. Congress had to cut off income limits at some point. Higher income limits are not retroactive. If you buy a house after Nov. 6, the higher income limits will apply for that sale.

Q. Your article clarified a point that a military buyer who is unable to live in the new house for three years because of military orders would not have to repay the credit.

However, there is a piece missing on the front end under who is eligible. The military may not be eligible for the tax credit if they do not meet other criteria: "You must have lived in your house for at least five years in a row any time during the eight years before the purchase of the new house." Is there a waiver here for the military?

If military can't meet this requirement, does this stop them from receiving a tax credit for purchase of the new house regardless of whether they stay in the new house three years?

A. I check with tax experts. Service members don’t have to repay the credit if they end up selling their house within three years because of a job transfer. Also, they get an extra year to buy a house and qualify for the credit. But the experts say they do not get more lenient terms for qualification, so they will have to meet that five year rule.

Posted by Eileen Ambrose at 5:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Taxes
        

What are your plans after eating that big meal on Thanksgiving Day?

 How about a couple of laps around Walmart?

The world's largest retailer will be open for 24 hours Thanksgiving Day to help ease crowds who line up for its Black Friday specials, spokesperson E.R. Anderson said today. The doorbusters won't be available until 5 a.m.

Walmart is looking at ways to ease crowds after a security guard was trampled to death at a Long Island store Black Friday last year.

JCPenney also said yesterday that it will open at 4 a.m. on the day after Thanksgiving. Its stores will open 8 a.m. the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

(Baltimore Sun file photo)

Posted by Andrea Walker at 4:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)
Categories: Holiday shopping