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Gift Ideas
Smart credit card use for holiday shoppers
(BPT) - What would holiday shopping be without credit cards? Using credit cards wisely can help you score some good deals, and offers a layer of consumer protection that cash and debit cards can’t. Still, if you get carried away with holiday spending, the season’s “Ho, ho, ho!” can turn into “Oh, oh, oh!” come January w...
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What gadgets top 2012 holiday wish lists?
(BPT) - The holiday shopping season is here and the newest tech gadgets are probably at the top of all your loved ones’ wish lists. This year, touch-enabled Ultrabook convertible and tablet devices offer a refreshing take on mobile computing and are proving themselves worthy of your gift-giving dollars. Have someone on...
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Get crafty with these holiday gift wrap ideas
(BPT) - Make wrapping gifts more fun this holiday season. Get your supplies ready, invite some friends and turn up the holiday music. Before you get started, here are some creative gift wrapping tips from popular crafting blogger, Cindy Hopper, founder of SkipToMyLou.org . “I love wrapping holiday gifts – from little...
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Christmas gifts can change lives for children in need
For many families, the Christmas season is a flutter of present buying, gift wrapping, spreading hints and rumors about the packages under the tree, and finally – on the big day – a whirlwind of bows and torn paper scattered everywhere with much frivolity and laughter. But for children with incarcerated parents, the si...
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How to simplify holiday gift giving
(BPT) - Overwhelmed by your holiday shopping list and short on time? Not to worry – here are a few tips to cut costs, stay organized and still buy presents that your friends and family will love. 1. Stick to a budget. Arrive at the dollar amount at which you feel comfortable spending and stick with it. Then, decide on ...
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Don't lose sleep over holiday gift buying
(BPT) - Is holiday gift buying causing you stress? Searching for a gift that is practical, yet personal? You are not alone in the struggle to find the “perfect gift.” The National Retail Federation estimates that holiday sales will reach $586 billion this season, with the average consumer spending around $550 on gifts....
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Easy money for your holiday shopping lists
(BPT) - How many people do you have on your holiday shopping list? And how much are you planning – or able – to spend on gifts? The average American will spend slightly more than $700 on holiday gifts this year, ABC World News with Diane Sawyer reports. Some people plan ahead and save up during the year for holiday gifts, but for many others, the holiday shopping season can be a huge drain on savings. If you’re ready to start your holiday shopping, you may be surprised to learn that you ha...
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Best picks for your holiday electronics gift list
(BPT) - Americans love their electronics: tablet computers, smartphones, digital cameras, HDTVs, e-book readers, MP3 players, and hearing aids. That’s right - new, modern, sleek, life-altering hearing aids. As contoured and futuristic as the most highly styled electronic device – or so discreet that they’re virtually ...
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Hottest gifts of the 2012 holiday season [Infographic]
There's a trend for most-wanted holiday gifts in 2012 that would lead us to believe that adults want to get away, while kids want to get connected. A recent survey showed that among adults that had a preference, clothing was the No. 1 most-wanted gift this holiday, followed by a vacation, a laptop, and a tablet to round out the top four. When it comes to kids, both boys and girls desire the latest smartphone or laptop the most. More than three quarters of adults surveyed plan to shop onlin...
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Simple tips to glam up your look
(BPT) - Most women would agree that getting ready for a night out on the town is much more exciting than getting ready for a typical day. Dressing up, adding some shine or a little extra sparkle to your outfit can give your mood a boost whether it’s for a special occasion or a regular day. If you’re concerned that dres...
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Holiday gift ideas for the DIYer
(BPT) - The holidays are here and for the do-it-yourselfer who always has a list of “to-do” projects to tackle, a new tool makes a great gift. From the weekend warrior to automotive enthusiast, an addition to the tool box is certain to bring a smile to their face. Here are some ideas from Craftsman to get you started f...
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Find affordable gifts to say congratulations
Acknowledge your friends' and family's accomplishments from promotions, team wins, engagements, straight-A report cards and everyday victories. There is no better way to say "congrats!" than with gourmet gift baskets, gift cards, personalized gifts and affordable accessories.
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By Brendan O'Brien (Reuters) - A single winning ticket for a record Powerball lottery jackpot worth $590.5 million was sold in Florida, organizers said late on Saturday, but there was no immediate word about who won one of the largest jackpots in U.S. history. The winning numbers from Saturday night's drawing were: 10, 13, 14, 22 and 52, with a Powerball number of 11. The odds of winning were put at 1 in 175 million. The winning ticket was sold at a Publix supermarket in Zephyrhills, a suburb of Tampa, according to the Florida Lottery. ...
By Hilary Russ (Reuters) - In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's cash-hungry capital city, local political battles are waged much as they are across the United States: with big personalities and bare-knuckled verbal brawls. But unlike most cities, Harrisburg's financial troubles have thrust it into the national spotlight, most recently with a slap from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for fraud. Financing for a single incinerator has been driving the city toward insolvency since 2009. The $3.7 trillion U.S. ...
By Susan Cornwell WASHINGTON (Reuters) - When the Yemen-based branch of al Qaeda placed a bounty on her husband's head, Mary Feierstein learned of it from a friend who called and said, "You must be a mess!" U.S. Ambassador Gerald Feierstein was thousands of miles (km) away at the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa, without his wife and family on what is called an "unaccompanied" posting. He is one of more than a thousand U.S. diplomats on such tours of duty in danger spots around the world, part of a trend that is changing the definition of being a diplomat. ...