Greetings!
Welcome to our bi-weekly newsletter. Happy holidays from Consumer United. Does the idea of high energy prices this winter make you feel anything but jolly? save up to $175 on home heating oil here through Consumer United when signing up for MassEnergy. Now, let's get started. |
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Consumers Shelling Out Cash For Holidays
 This holiday season, more consumers are paying with cold-hard cash. According
to the National Retail Federation, 25 percent of consumers will pay
using cash for holiday gifts. Last year, cash purchases were 9.1
percent lower. 42.5 percent of consumers will use their debit cards
rather than their credit cards, a 2.5 percent spike compared to last
year. Click here for the lowdown.
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Retailers Charging For Holiday Returns
 Already planning to take back that unwanted present? Think again. Retailers are charging hefty fees on holiday returns. It's
becoming commonplace for retailers to charge fees for returned
products, reports a state survey. Even if the product isn't damaged, a
consumer can look forward to paying a "restock fee" from 10 to 60
percent if the package is opened. Click here for more information. |
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Gift Ideas Promoting Financial Success
 It's easy to blow a budget ... and many already have. However, one can
send a message by giving a gift gift with a personal finance focus. The
ultimate holiday season lesson? It's important to understand personal
finances... at any age. We've compiled a list of gifts that are
pro-active in understanding personal finance and suitable for kids from
one to 92.Read more here.
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LED-Fueled Holiday Lights Go Green
 As more and more consumers are becoming familiar with the benefits of
using LED bulbs, manufacturers are offering an increased selection of
energy efficient holiday lights. Not only are they better for the
environment, LED bulbs cost far less to operate than traditional
holiday lights. Even though the purchase price of LED holiday lights may be higher in
some instances, they last five to 10 times longer than incandescent
bulbs. Read more here. |
