The Buffalo News : Business Today

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

subscribe now

Here comes... the (frugal) bride
By Deidre Williams
NEWS STAFF REPORTER

Updated: 12/01/08 7:35 AM


Cheap is the new chic.” That’s what a character from the “Ugly Betty” sitcom said recently during a party-planning scene. That’s right. Frugal is fashionable, no longer a dirty word. And that applies to weddings, too, which can spike into the tens of thousands of dollars — leaving you feeling spent (pun intended) before you even get started.

(Updated: 12/01/08 7:35 AM )

complete story >
Protect cash, family peace when making personal loan
By Candice Choi
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Updated: 12/01/08 6:42 AM

Digesting your turkey and fruit cake may be tougher this Christmas, when that uncle you rarely hear from pulls you aside to ask for a loan.

(Updated: 12/01/08 6:42 AM )

complete story >

New BlackBerry phones are cool, but they can’t beat iPhone
By Rachel Metz
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Updated: 12/01/08 6:42 AM


With the recent releases of three new BlackBerrys across three different wireless providers, Research In Motion Ltd. has fired back at Apple Inc. in the Great Smart Phone Skirmish of 2008.

(Updated: 12/01/08 6:42 AM )

complete story >


MoneySmart Blog

How to save money is a question on every mind these days. Reporter Samantha Maziarz Christmann and Web specialists Joseph Popiolkowski and Dan Kirchberger talk about bargains they’ve found, and share your suggestions, each day on the MoneySmart blog.





Other MoneySmart News

Comparison shopper / Shipping holiday packages

Short of Santa’s sleigh, what is the best way to deliver your bundle of gifts to faraway places? With billions of boxes and packages flying across the country, is there a shipping service that offers a stress-free holiday experience? As of Jan. 1, 2009, DHL will only be carrying parcels to international destinations, so we focused on three domestic delivery firms. There is a Web site, www.ShipGooder.com , that instantly compares shipping rates at all three. Also Consumer Reports recently rated their performances. If you have a favorite Santa’s helper, please share your holiday shipper stories on our blog at www.buffalonews.com/moneysmart . — James E. Brennan

 (Updated: 12/01/08 6:42 AM )
complete story >
Here saves the bride

Here are some quick tips to financial planning for your wedding:

 (Updated: 12/01/08 6:42 AM )
complete story >
Games and electronic fun for the little ones

When it comes to the gift of gaming, the under- 10 crowd is under-served this time of year. Or, tykes are lumped in with the “family fun” demographic of holiday season sales, too easily dismissed as easily satisfied, so long as it bleeps or bloops or goes kapow. The fact is, kids like to have their brains stimulated as much as their adrenal glands — or they should if they know what’s good for them, which they don’t. So it’s up to parents to find something both age-appropriate as well as cognitively stimulating; educational and entertaining at the same time. Video games generally do that to a certain degree (especially puzzle and strategy games), but, as it happens, there are a great many “edutainment” games and devices out there designed specifically for kids.

 (Updated: 12/01/08 6:42 AM )
complete story >

Columns

By Samantha Maziarz Christmann
Discount Diva: Shop safely on Cyber Monday

Today is Cyber Monday, the supposed kickoff to the holiday shopping season online.

complete story >