The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Attorneys generals ask FTC to protect consumers from bogus ‘free trial offer’ deals

Twenty-three attorneys general urged the Federal Trade Commission Tuesday to adopt regulations to prevent consumers from being tricked by negative option marketing schemes. In a letter to the agency, they argue that the FTC should use its rulemaking authority to expand existing regulations. 

“We’re urging the FTC to take action and use its power to protect consumers from the harm of predatory marketers,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James.

With negative option marketing, a marketer makes an offer and the consumers’ silence or failure to respond is considered acceptance.

What to buy and not buy in December

Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone, but there are still deals to be had. Watch the sales, and you can find bargains. However, there are some items you want to avoid buying in December. Here’s what Dealnews.com recommends you look for and avoid in December:

What to buy before Christmas

• DVDs and blu-rays
• Gift cards
• Jewelry
• Headphones

What to buy after Christmas

• Toys, but particularly video games
• Holiday decor

What not to buy in December

• Exercise equipment
• Bedding
• Winter clothing

For details, see “The Six Best Things to Buy in December (Including After Christmas Sales).”

Copyright 2019, Rita R. Robison, Consumer and Personal Finance Journalist

Tips for shopping on Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday has a reputation for being the leftovers from Black Friday. However, it can actually have the better deals. Americans spent an estimated 27 percent more money online on Cyber Monday than on Black Friday last year. One reason is probably it’s more convenient to order deals on Cyber Monday than fight the Black Friday crowds.

Tips for shopping on Cyber Monday include:

Make a plan. You need to have a holiday budget for spending. Don’t let possible deals on Cyber Monday lead you to overspent.

Do research. Know what the prices are for the items on your list. That way, you won’t be fooled by deals that really aren’t deals.

Shop smart this holiday season with these 10 tips

With Black Friday as just the beginning, retailers are flooding the airwaves, internet, and newspapers with “deals.” To help consumers get through the holiday spending season, Jack Gillis, executive director of the Consumer Federation of America, offers 10 tips top to help shoppers make good choices and keep from overspending.

1. Make a list: Decide how much you can spend this holiday and stick to it. When you make your list, include an amount for each person and, if you know what you’re getting them, what you expect to pay for the item. Adding your list up at the kitchen table can be an eye opener – so make adjustments early rather than when you’re running through the stores or typing on your keyboard. And when you’re shopping, keep a running total of your spending – it’s amazing how keeping tabs on your total will protect your wallet as it fills with receipts!

2. Shop around: You can easily save 10 percent, or considerably more, by comparing prices. When shopping around online, be sure you purchase from a secure site, review receipts for accuracy, and be mindful of shipping costs. If free shipping is available with a minimum purchase, be sure the additional items are really needed and don’t put you way over the “free shipping” requirement.

It’s Black Friday: Are you ready?

It’s estimated that 116 million people will be shopping on Black Friday, either in stores or online.

It’s the biggest shopping day of the year, and it can be a good day to find bargains if you’ve compared prices and done research on which stores are offering the best deals.

Another shopping tip is to make a holiday budget so you aren’t tempted by impulse items.

You also need to know which items – such as winter clothing, major appliances, and fitness equipment – shouldn’t be purchased on Black Friday because they’ll often be cheaper later.

What not to buy on Black Friday

In order to get the best deals on Black Friday, be sure to make a shopping plan in advance. In addition, you also need to know what not to buy on Black Friday. Not every deal is a good deal, even on the biggest sales holiday of the year. So, before you start shopping, check out the following list from Dealnews.com on what not to buy on Black Friday:

Winter clothing

There's a 15 percent tariff on many products imported from China, including most clothing and textiles. That means even the best deals will probably be more expensive than they were last year.

Winter apparel may be an even worse buy on Black Friday, as retailers won't start clearing out winter gear until late in the season. You'll likely see better sales for winter wear in January than November — but due to tariffs, you can still expect to pay a little more.

Best places to shop on Black Friday 2019

I gave up on Black Friday years ago. I went with my daughter in Sacramento. It was my idea to go to the mall and get some great deals. However, we didn’t do any research, so we didn’t “happen into” anything great. I told her on my next visits, I’d rather go for a hike than go shopping again.

However, you can score deals if plan ahead. See my article “Get Prepared for Black Friday With This Strategy Guide” for tips.

Another source of information is “2019’s Best Places to Shop on Black Friday” by Wallethub analysts.

The following is a list of the best places to shop for Black Friday:

Baby boomers bundle up and keep writing

Burr. An early chill descended across the county, and Jennifer Koshak of Unfold and Begin said they were even feeling it in Florida. One day, the daytime temps didn’t get out of the ’50s. Sigh. Although we don’t often have snow here in the Seattle area, it’s been cold, cold, cold.

However, the cold isn’t stopping boomer bloggers from their work. Last week’s articles include:

• Favorite recipes for Thanksgiving.
• The number of retirees with mortgages dramatically increasing.
• Thrift shop shopping.
• How to change your life when you have obligations.
• A mini-vacation to get out from under the November gloom.
• How to get rid of a ladybug infestation.
• A way to support someone who’s grieving or facing a health challenge.

Jennifer Koshak of Unfold and Begin writes about these articles on the Best of Boomer Blogs #623. Click here to get the links to the articles. Then grab a blanket, bundle up, and enjoy these great articles.

Copyright 2019, Rita R. Robison, Consumer and Personal Finance Journalist

Get prepared for Black Friday with this strategy guide

Black Friday can be an exciting time; however, it also may be overwhelming. By being prepared for Black Friday, you won’t miss the best deals.

Dealnews.com recommends these strategies to help you have a smoother experience:

Make a budget now

The first step is deciding how much you can afford to spend this holiday season. Determine the items you absolutely must have, including gifts and other purchases you've been saving for. And be sure to leave room for incidentals, such as pop-up holiday parties or friendly gatherings. After you’ve made a list, calculate the maximum amount you can afford – and be prepared to stick to it.

What to look for in Columbus Day-Indigenous Peoples Day sales

Before Black Friday, Indigenous Peoples Day and Columbus Day sales are occurring, and some of them are worth shopping.

However, the last couple of years, DealNews, a comparison shopping website, has seen a downturn in Columbus Day-Indigenous Peoples Day sales. In 2018, it listed only 22 Columbus-Indigenous-branded sales between October 1 and October 13. However, within that same time frame, DealNews listed 161 sales total. Aside from the Columbus-Indigenous branding, it saw many clearance, friends and family, fall, and harvest events, and even a "Rediscover America" sale.

These alternate names could be due to the controversy surrounding Columbus Day, according to DealNews. However, it's also possible that many retailers don't want to add another sale to their lineup so close to Black Friday.

DealNews offers these tips for Columbus Day-Indigenous Peoples Day sales: