WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog/media/feedlogo.gif WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/More than 2 million Stork Craft drop-side cribs recalledhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/23/more-than-2-million-stork-craft-drop-side-cribs-recalled/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/23/more-than-2-million-stork-craft-drop-side-cribs-recalled/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/23/more-than-2-million-stork-craft-drop-side-cribs-recalled/#commentsFiled under:

More than 2.1 million drop-side cribs are being voluntarily recalled by their manufacturer, Stork Craft Manufacturing, Inc., after four incidents in which infants were trapped and suffocated, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The recall includes about 147,000 cribs with the popular Fisher-Price logo.

The recall is the largest involving cribs by the CPSC.

Although Stork Craft is based in British Columbia, the cribs were manufactured in China and Indonesia, as well as in Canada. They have been sold since 1993 under a variety of brand names, including Fisher-Price, at outlets including Wal-Mart Stores, Kmart and Sears, inc.

Drop-side cribs are popular with parents because the mechanism makes it easier to lift baby out of the crib without having to hunch over the sides.

According to its press release, CPSC urges parents and caregivers to immediately stop using the recalled cribs, wait for the free repair kit, and do not attempt to fix the cribs without the kit. They should find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Consumers should contact Stork Craft to receive a free repair kit that converts the drop-side on these cribs to a fixed side.

The recall does not include cribs that are not drop-sided, according to the CPSC.

For additional information, contact Stork Craft toll-free at (877) 274-0277 at any time to order the free repair kit, or log on to www.storkcraft.com.

More than 2 million Stork Craft drop-side cribs recalled originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>CPSCcrib recallCribRecallfeaturedInc.recallsStork CraftStorkCraftJulie TilsnerMon, 23 Nov 2009 20:01:00 ESTFree sample of Avril Lavigne 'Black Star' perfumehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/23/free-sample-of-avril-lavigne-black-star-perfume/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/23/free-sample-of-avril-lavigne-black-star-perfume/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/23/free-sample-of-avril-lavigne-black-star-perfume/#commentsFiled under:

Maybe you were surprised to hear that the young rock singer/songwriter cum punk rock princess Avril Lavigne has her own perfume line. Punk rock and perfume aren't two words that blend in beautiful harmony, after all. What was Johnny Rotten's favorite scent, after all? Eau de vomit, perhaps.

I digress. Lavigne recently released a new scent called Black Star, which contains, according to her website, notes of pink hibiscus, black plum and dark chocolate. Sounds delicious, anyway.

You can order yourself a sample by filling out this online form.

Ah, the sweet smell of success.

Free sample of Avril Lavigne 'Black Star' perfume originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Avril LavigneAvrilLavigneBlack Star perfumeBlackStarPerfumeFantastic FreebiesFantasticFreebiesJulie TilsnerMon, 23 Nov 2009 00:03:00 ESTTen little fingers, ten little toes ...and a brand new stroller for youhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/09/ten-little-fingers-ten-little-toes-and-a-brand-new-stroller/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/09/ten-little-fingers-ten-little-toes-and-a-brand-new-stroller/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/09/ten-little-fingers-ten-little-toes-and-a-brand-new-stroller/#commentsFiled under: ,

So you're having to pack up that fancy Maclaren stroller and send it back to its maker because of the massive recall. Now what? It's not like you can get far without your stroller, especially if you live in the city.

But choosing a stroller these days is about as time-consuming as researching your next car. Do you want a jogger? An umbrella? A pram? A two-in-one? Are the Italian ones better than the Japanese ones? Is Graco better than Evenflo? What about double strollers? A side-by-side or a sit n' stand? Is a $500 Peg Perego lightweight better than an $80 lightweight from Evenflo?

The quick answer: Strollersource, a website that lets you compare stroller brands by price and form and function, with all of the facts and none of the hard-sell of a stroller salesman. While there is no shortage of stroller review and comparison shopping sites, this one has a simple, easy-to-use search function that is blissfully free of blinking, screaming shills. Very important for the frazzled, concentration-challenged mom, in my opinion. The site does not sell strollers at all, so you're getting just the facts, ma'am.

Continue reading Ten little fingers, ten little toes ...and a brand new stroller for you

Ten little fingers, ten little toes ...and a brand new stroller for you originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>compare strollersCompareStrollerskids and moneyKidsAndMoneyonline stroller comparisonOnlineStrollerComparisonparents to beParentsToBestroller shoppingStrollerShoppingJulie TilsnerMon, 09 Nov 2009 16:30:00 ESTReally bad parking job is really good PR for Hyundaihttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/05/really-bad-parking-job-is-really-good-pr-for-hyundai/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/05/really-bad-parking-job-is-really-good-pr-for-hyundai/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/05/really-bad-parking-job-is-really-good-pr-for-hyundai/#commentsFiled under: ,

What began as a really, really bad day for Todd Jamison turned into a really, really good deal for him -- and for the carmaker Hyundai.

The security camera at Extreme Fitness in Thornhill, a town near Toronto in Ontario, Canada caught a driver in its parking lot gunning when she should have been braking and rolling over on top of Jamison's parked car and one next to it. Somebody posted the video onto YouTube, where it's been viewed more than a million times by modern-day rubber neckers. As you can see from the video below, the driver smashes Jamison's car, pauses, then drives away.

Imagine Jamison's reaction at returning to the parking lot after his workout to find his car, newly paid off, in a newly squashed condition.

But execs at Hyundai Canada saw the video too, and took the news with considerably more excitement than Jamison presumably did.

It sent representatives out to present Jamison with the keys to a new Hyundai Elantra Touring to replace his totaled 2004 Hyandai Elantra. And then it posted its own video on YouTube. It's got only 97,000 views recorded so far, but the comments left are overwhelmingly positive.



Really, you can't buy this kind of PR. And Hyundai knows it.

The 60-something female driver of the BMW SUV was caught when she returned to the fitness club's parking lot and was recognized by an employee, whose car was also involved. She is being charged with leaving the scene of an accident. It awaits to be seen whether this employee will get a new car out of the deal.

Really bad parking job is really good PR for Hyundai originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>carsdealsHyundaiTodd JamisonToddJamisonTorontoworst parking job everWorstParkingJobEverYoutubeJulie TilsnerThu, 05 Nov 2009 10:00:00 ESTFree tickets for 2009 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonyhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/05/free-tickets-for-2009-national-christmas-tree-lighting-ceremony/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/05/free-tickets-for-2009-national-christmas-tree-lighting-ceremony/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/05/free-tickets-for-2009-national-christmas-tree-lighting-ceremony/#commentsFiled under: ,

Here are some serious stocking stuffers -- if you can get them: Always wanted to spend a Christmas in Washington D.C.? Your dream might come true, especially if you can score some free tickets to the 2009 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Free tickets for this event will be distributed via lottery system for the first time this year. The lottery system opened just after midnight on Wednesday November 4 and will remain open until 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, November 6.

The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009 at 5 p.m.

To participate, visit the event's website here, or call (877) 444-6777. The ticket lottery will include 2,800 ticketed seats and an additional 7,000 standing room tickets, which significantly increases capacity, and your likelihood of getting in on the event.

You'll be notified by email or U.S. mail (if you entered the lottery by phone) if you're a lucky ticket-holder. Tickets will be mailed by November 15.

What are you waiting for? Enter and get yourself in the holiday spirit.


Free tickets for 2009 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>2009 tree lighting ceremony2009TreeLightingCeremonyFantastic FreebiesFantasticFreebiesNaoal Christmas Tree Lighting CeremonyNaoalChristmasTreeLightingCeremonyWashington D.C.WashingtonD.c.Julie TilsnerThu, 05 Nov 2009 00:04:00 ESTFree signed Anne Rice bookplatehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/04/free-signed-anne-rice-bookplate/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/04/free-signed-anne-rice-bookplate/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/04/free-signed-anne-rice-bookplate/#commentsFiled under:

For the vampire lover in your life, today (Wed., Nov. 4) is the last day to sign up to receive your free signed Anne Rice bookplate.

If your blood is already rushing to your ears, then you know all about the author who started the current vampire lust 30 years ago with her seminal Interview with a Vampire. Rice is like the J.K. Rowling of the Vampire genre.

Follow the instructions on her website and sign up for the Anne Rice mailing list. Do as you're told, and maybe they won't run out of these gothic-looking bookplates before you claim yours.

Free signed Anne Rice bookplate originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Anne RiceAnneRicebookplateFantastic FreebieFantasticFreebievampiresJulie TilsnerWed, 04 Nov 2009 00:02:00 ESTToo much candy? Donate (some of it) to a good causehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/02/too-much-candy-donate-some-of-it-to-a-good-cause/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/02/too-much-candy-donate-some-of-it-to-a-good-cause/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/02/too-much-candy-donate-some-of-it-to-a-good-cause/#commentsFiled under: , ,

So Halloween's over and now you have bags of candy -- literally bags -- lying around promising to do some serious damage to your kids' teeth and your waistline. What to do? Eat it? Throw it away? Put it in the garage and forget about it? We at WalletPop think we've found an answer to this most vexing of parental dilemmas: Donate your extra bags of Halloween candy to a charitable cause.

Send your extra candy overseas -- Several organizations send donations of all kinds to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Operation Gratitude will happily take your donations of extra bagged candy to distribute to troops (find more info about procedure here and scroll to the bottom of the page.). Operation Shoebox will take your candy - also any extra socks or old cell phones you care to donate.

Some local dentist offices will buy back your extra candy for $1 a pound, and ship it themselves to U.S. troops abroad. Check here to see if dentists in your area are offering this program.

Ronald McDonald House charities welcomes donations of your extra candy (provided it's in the original wrapper, of course). Check its website for specific giving policies at the Ronald McDonald House near you.

Your local Meals on Wheels charity, which takes meals to housebound seniors, will take your extra candy. Click here to find a local chapter.

As always, women's shelters, churches, synagogues and other places of worship will accept donations of extra candy. The PTA at your child's school may also be happy to have your (bagged) extra candy for use in harvest and holiday festivals.

Probably best to involve your kids in this operation, since while they won't object to sending half their candy to a worthy cause, they will definitely object to losing all of their swag.



Thanks to CoolMomPicks.

Too much candy? Donate (some of it) to a good cause originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>charityextra Halloween candyExtraHalloweenCandyHalloween candyHalloweenCandyKids and MoneyKidsAndMoneysimplificationJulie TilsnerMon, 02 Nov 2009 15:45:00 ESTFree - Sears Wish Bookhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/30/free-sears-wish-book/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/30/free-sears-wish-book/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/30/free-sears-wish-book/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

What do you want for the holidays? Get your own free copy of Sears Wish Book by filling out this online form. Get a head start on your Holiday shopping list today!

But you'll have to be patient. Allow two to three weeks for delivery to you doorstep.

Continue reading Free - Sears Wish Book

Free - Sears Wish Book originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Fantastic FreebiesFantasticFreebiesSears Wish BookSearsWishBookShoppingJulie TilsnerFri, 30 Oct 2009 00:38:00 ESTMeal deals: Boston Market offers $1 chicken mealshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/29/meal-deals-boston-market-offers-1-chicken-meals/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/29/meal-deals-boston-market-offers-1-chicken-meals/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/29/meal-deals-boston-market-offers-1-chicken-meals/#commentsFiled under: , ,

This game of chicken is getting interesting.

After KFC offered up a free piece of chicken on Monday, Boston Market upped the ante by offering its online customers a $1 chicken meal. That's a complete meal with a quarter white or 3-piece dark chicken served with mashed potatoes and cornbread. All for one humble greenback.

Now that's finger lickin' good.

The offer lasts through Nov. 1. Get your printable online coupon here and bring it into any participating Boston Market. Limit one meal per customer per visit.






Meal deals: Boston Market offers $1 chicken meals originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>1 chicken meal1ChickenMealBoston MarketBostonMarketcheap eatsCheapEatscouponsfeaturedmeal dealsMealDealsJulie TilsnerThu, 29 Oct 2009 17:05:00 ESTFree eBook of 15 Halloween recipeshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/28/free-book-of-15-halloween-recipes/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/28/free-book-of-15-halloween-recipes/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/28/free-book-of-15-halloween-recipes/#commentsFiled under: ,

Boo!

Did we scare you? Did we at least get your attention? Good, because Halloween is this Saturday, and if you're planning on making any horrible things in the kitchen for your dark brood, you'd better get planning. This freebie should help.

Download this free eBook featuring 15 recipes for Halloween from Recipelion.com and get cooking.

Free eBook of 15 Halloween recipes originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>ebookFantastic FreebiesFantasticFreebiesfoodHalloweenrecipesJulie TilsnerWed, 28 Oct 2009 00:01:00 ESTFree bottle of Old Orchard fruit juicehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/27/free-bottle-of-old-orchard-fruit-juice/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/27/free-bottle-of-old-orchard-fruit-juice/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/27/free-bottle-of-old-orchard-fruit-juice/#commentsFiled under:

Thirsty? Me too. But juice is expensive these days.

But here's a Fantastic Freebie deal to slake your thirst: Answer this short online survey and get a coupon for one free 64-ounce-bottle of Old Orchard Healthy Balance fruit Juice.

Healthy Balance is Old Orchard's line of low-sugar, low calorie fruit juice, with 75% less sugar and carbs than traditional fruit cocktails.

Try some today. You can't afford not to.


Free bottle of Old Orchard fruit juice originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Fantastic FreebieFantasticFreebieJuiceOld Orchard Apple JuiceOldOrchardAppleJuiceJulie TilsnerTue, 27 Oct 2009 01:20:00 ESTIt's 10 p.m. Do you know where your kid is? Check your GPShttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/26/its-10-p-m-do-you-know-where-your-kid-is-check-your-gps/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/26/its-10-p-m-do-you-know-where-your-kid-is-check-your-gps/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/26/its-10-p-m-do-you-know-where-your-kid-is-check-your-gps/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Here's the latest salvo in the battle for ultimate control over our children. Best Buy is selling a GPS device that will tell you where your child is every minute of the day.

In a sign that child-tracking devices have gone mass-market, it's the first store brand with such an offer. Best Buy is marketing it under its house brand name, Insignia.

It is designed to fit into a backpack and will send a text message back to parents whenever the child has moved outside a "designated" area, such as their school, after-school program, or babysitter's backyard.

The device surely is being aimed at parents with school aged and older kids, since they're the ones presumably who can wander out of eyesight. I can't imagine there being much of a concern of babies escaping, although you never know with parents these days.

The price for this false sense of control? Only $99. Cheap, considering some of the other options out there. That's a house brand for you.

Continue reading It's 10 p.m. Do you know where your kid is? Check your GPS

It's 10 p.m. Do you know where your kid is? Check your GPS originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Best BuyBestBuychild-tracking devicesChild-trackingDevicesGPSkids and moneyKidsAndMoneyparentingtechnologyJulie TilsnerMon, 26 Oct 2009 18:30:00 ESTFree piece of KFC chicken - today onlyhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/26/free-piece-of-kfc-chicken-today-only/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/26/free-piece-of-kfc-chicken-today-only/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/26/free-piece-of-kfc-chicken-today-only/#commentsFiled under: ,

Hurry! Like a little bunny ... or a little chicken. Get one free piece of chicken from KFC - today only. Just in time for dinner. Or lunch, if you're on the West Coast.

But before dashing out, call ahead first and make sure your local KFC is participating.

Free piece of KFC chicken - today only originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Fantastic FreebieFantasticFreebiefoodFree foodFreeFoodKFCKFC chickenKfcChickenJulie TilsnerMon, 26 Oct 2009 00:49:00 ESTFree trial pair of colored contact lenseshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/15/free-trial-pair-of-colored-contact-lenses/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/15/free-trial-pair-of-colored-contact-lenses/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/15/free-trial-pair-of-colored-contact-lenses/#commentsFiled under:

Ever wondered what you'd look like as a brown-eyed girl? Or a green-eyed boy? Or as anyone with some spectacular baby blues? Here's your chance to try colored contact lenses -- for free!

Acuvue is offering a free trial pair of colored contacts, provided your eye doctor says it's ok and you have a valid prescription. Just fill out this form and get started.

You may view the world in a whole different light.

Free trial pair of colored contact lenses originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>AcuvueColored contactsColoredContactsFantastic FreebiesFantasticFreebiesJulie TilsnerThu, 15 Oct 2009 00:04:00 ESTWalletPop's Jason Cochran wins travel writing awardhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/13/walletpops-jason-cochran-wins-travel-writing-award/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/13/walletpops-jason-cochran-wins-travel-writing-award/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/13/walletpops-jason-cochran-wins-travel-writing-award/#commentsFiled under:

Time was, pinning down Jason Cochran meant playing a serious game of "Where's Jason?" The travel writer for outlets such as Frommer's.com and Budget Travel magazine was never in one place very long.

These days he's easier to locate, based at AOL headquarters in New York City, writing travel and consumer articles for WalletPop and hosting its popular Shark Tank series. But he's still got the travel bug.

And this weekend, his peers acknowledged it. Cochran was awarded the Best Guidebook of 2009 by the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards/Society of American Travel Writers. The lucky book? Cochran's "Pauline Frommer's London," published by Wiley earlier this year.

The judges said reading the book "is like traveling through London with a street-smart, savvy best friend. The book is exceptionally well-organized and features a wealth of insiders' secrets for making the most of your London experience....Altogether, the book appears to contain nearly everything you need to know to plan a safe, entertaining and meaningful trip."

That sound like our man. After years as an entertainment reporter, Cochran decided he wanted to see the world and test his chops as a travel writer. So he set off on a two-year hiatus with backpack. When he returned stateside he sent clips of his adventures along with his resume to all the travel magazines and websites, never really expecting to hear back from any of them.

And he didn't, for about six months, until the website for Frommer's called him. "I went in and interviewed with Aruthur Frommer himself," he said. And of course, being Jason Cochran, he got the job. Later he moved on to the senior editor slot at Budget Travel Magazine and worked as a freelance travel writer before being snatched up by Walletpop, where he gets to blend his love of travel with his pop culture jones.

Doesn't he miss the glamorous life of a freelance travel writer?

"It beats a stick in the eye," he says, "but it's hard work. There are days you want to just sit at home with a pizza and get a video but you can't. You have to get out there and research out the next club or hotel."

Yeah, yeah. we know he likes to keep busy. He's written two other guide book for the Pauline Frommer's Spend Less, See More series; Walt Disney Orlando and San Francisco. Between keeping these updated and his very busy schedule with Walletpop, we know he still doesn't have time to get out for pizza.

Congratulations, Jason. We'll stand you a cold one next time we're in London. And we'll never tell you where we keep the sticks ...





WalletPop's Jason Cochran wins travel writing award originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>awardsJason CochranJasonCochranPauline FrommerPaulineFrommertravelJulie TilsnerTue, 13 Oct 2009 09:30:00 ESTCan a Brit teach "America's Fattest City" how to cook healthier fare?http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/13/can-a-brit-teach-americas-fattest-city-how-to-cook-healthier/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/13/can-a-brit-teach-americas-fattest-city-how-to-cook-healthier/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/13/can-a-brit-teach-americas-fattest-city-how-to-cook-healthier/#commentsFiled under: ,

Call it "The Biggest Loser" meets The Food Network. Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, the British voice of eating healthy, is the star of a new reality show that will try to get the denizens of Huntington, West Virginia, dubbed "America's Fattest City" to slim down by learning how to eat healthier.

Good luck with that. The rate of obesity in this town is nearly double the national standard, which, given that about 34% percent of Americans are obese, is really saying a mouthful. The fat American is a stereotype held worldwide, and for good reason.

But, fatty jokes aside, the idea behind the show holds a great deal of weight:

Continue reading Can a Brit teach "America's Fattest City" how to cook healthier fare?

Can a Brit teach "America's Fattest City" how to cook healthier fare? originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Americas Fattest CityAmericasFattestCityfeaturedfoodhealthHuntingtonJamie OliverJamieOliverreality TVRealityTvW. VAJulie TilsnerTue, 13 Oct 2009 08:00:00 ESTFree coffee mug ... (and three boxes of Gevalia coffee for $3)http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/07/free-coffee-mug-and-three-boxes-of-gevalia-coffee-for-3/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/07/free-coffee-mug-and-three-boxes-of-gevalia-coffee-for-3/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/07/free-coffee-mug-and-three-boxes-of-gevalia-coffee-for-3/#commentsFiled under:

You might argue that this isn't really a freebie, but we'd argue otherwise. How else to describe three boxes of delicious gourmet Gevalia coffee for only $3? It's practically free.

And besides, the stainless steel coffee mug you'll need to drink it in is is free with the deal.

Just fill out this online form, and you're that much closer to your morning cuppa. For the next several months!

Free coffee mug ... (and three boxes of Gevalia coffee for $3) originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>dealsFantastic FreebiesFantasticFreebiesFree mugFreeMugGevalia coffeeGevaliaCoffeeJulie TilsnerWed, 07 Oct 2009 00:01:00 ESTNot on my Wi-Fi: anti-wi-fi paint helps keep your connection to yourselfhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/04/not-on-my-wi-fi-anti-wi-fi-paint-helps-keep-your-connection-to/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/04/not-on-my-wi-fi-anti-wi-fi-paint-helps-keep-your-connection-to/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/04/not-on-my-wi-fi-anti-wi-fi-paint-helps-keep-your-connection-to/#commentsFiled under:

This is news a lot of cheapskates aren't going to like, especially the kind of cheapskates who routinely poach on other people's wireless connection. There's now a paint you can use that will block Wi-fi from going through walls and into the arms of another, unauthorized, computer user.

According to this tech blog, The University of Tokyo has developed a paint that is allegedly able to block radio frequency in higher spectra, where Wi-Fi and other, higher-bandwidth communications take place. Most Wi-Fi technologies operate at 2.4GHz; the Tokyo pain can reportedly block frequencies all the way up to 100GHz. A 200GHz-blocking pain is also in the works, according to this report.

Grumpy Wi-Fi owners might be rejoicing (presuming this stuff ever gets to the market, and isn't $100 a gallon). Likewise theater owners, who will surely be interested in squelching that pesky cell-phone problem once and for all (the paint also blocks in the lower frequencies that cell phones use.)

But I wonder what this does to the dream of free and unfettered Wi-Fi for all?


Not on my Wi-Fi: anti-wi-fi paint helps keep your connection to yourself originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Sun, 04 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>home improvementHomeImprovementperposterous productsPerposterousProductstechnologywi-fiJulie TilsnerSun, 04 Oct 2009 09:00:00 ESTFree Similac baby formulahttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/02/free-similac-baby-formula/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/02/free-similac-baby-formula/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/02/free-similac-baby-formula/#commentsFiled under:

Having a baby is expensive. But at least there's one company that wants to make it a little more affordable for you.

Fill out this form and receive a free can of Similac baby formula.


Free Similac baby formula originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Fantastic FreebiesFantasticFreebiesSimilacJulie TilsnerFri, 02 Oct 2009 00:02:00 ESTThe 'homeless' doll: A cautionary tale for girlshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/29/the-homeless-doll-a-cautionary-tale-for-girls/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/29/the-homeless-doll-a-cautionary-tale-for-girls/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/09/29/the-homeless-doll-a-cautionary-tale-for-girls/#commentsFiled under: ,

Reading the headlines about the "homeless doll" by American Girl, I was as struck as anyone else. Imagine: $95 for a homeless doll. But after digging around on the American Girl site I decided it wasn't such a stupid idea after all.

American Girl dolls are well-made and correspondingly pricey dolls for girls 5-12. Each one comes with a detailed backstory. The nine historical dolls come with books narrating their stories with details of their time and place in history (Addy, an African-American girl living during the Civil War years; Elizabeth, a Colonial girl; Kip, a girl growing up during the great depression, etc.). The more modern-girl dolls also come with media detailing their circumstances and imparting lessons to impressionable girls.( I'd always prefer this to the message some other "toys" offer girls this age. what do Bratz dolls teach 9-year-olds?)

"Gwen," the so-called "homeless" doll, is the friend of a new doll, Chrissa, whose story is that she moves in with her grandmother and experiences the cold shoulder by the "mean girls" at her new school. But she makes two fast friends, one of them being Gwen, who fell on hard times when her family lost their house to foreclosure and was then abandoned by the father. The girl lived with her mother in a car for awhile, until winter weather got them to a shelter. From there they were eventually able to get back on their feet and into an apartment.

Why is this not a valuable story for a girl to read? It's happening, to varying degrees, all over the country.

Yes, yes, I get the irony of a "poor girl" doll that costs nearly $100. No girl whose family is actually in those dire straights is about to buy such a pricey toy. (I also note with amusement that this particular doll doesn't come with a trove of clothes and accessories like all the other American Girl Dolls do. Probably for good reason it's only available for a "limited" time...it's not a cost leader). Still, I don't think the outrage over this costly "homeless" doll is warranted.

I don't know how many girls really get into the story of their dolls, but I do know many of them love the books. If just some of the middle and upper-middle class girls who get these dolls pick up the idea that hard times can fall on anyone, then it's a good lesson learned isn't it? At the very least it can spark some worthwhile family discussions about the economy, finances, and what can happen if you don't manage them wisely.

What do you think? Would you buy a Gwen American Girl Doll for your daughter or grandchild?

The 'homeless' doll: A cautionary tale for girls originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>American GirlAmerican Girl dollsAmericanGirlAmericanGirlDollsfeaturedGwenHomeless dollHomelessDollkids and moneyKidsAndMoneyshoppingthe homeless dollJulie TilsnerTue, 29 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST