TV NEWS MOM

TV NEWS MOM
Christine Park

Friday, July 23, 2010

DEALS AND STEALS: 20% Off Disney

This is a great coupon you can use in store or online today through Sunday. Here's a special offer for Disney Friends & Family discount for 20% off your ENTIRE purchase. Unless you are a cast member, this is as good a discount you can get. Happy Shopping!

http://www.disneystore.com/categories/friends-family/c/14637/?CMP=SOC-FB%3A072210%3AFF

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

DEALS AND STEALS: The Best Bargain Websites

You know mama loves her a good deal. So dear reader, I will share some of my favorite websites that I regularly check and regularly score with! Be aware, your inbox will get flooded if you subscribe to some of these sites, so it might be a good idea to create a separate e-mail address just for such subscriptions.

www.slickdeals.net It's not pretty (meaning aesthetically) but the deals come fast and furious. And the deals are rated by users. From Logitech to Levis there are a wide variety of brands represented.

www.groupon.com If you have one for you local area (i.e. Fresno, LA, SF) these are specific to one local establishment for day. But oh!!! The deals are good! I think I'm addicted. Recent deals: Rotary Playland unlimited pass for $5 (normally $13). Kings River Rafting $49 (normally $99!). Campagnia's Restaurant $15 for $30 worth of food. And you get $10 credit for every referral!

www.woot.com Woot sells one item per day for a ridiculous discount. Some things can be pretty random. 2-pack of lawn sprinklers today. But they've branched out to kids.woot and wine.woot and they were recently acquired by Amazon.

Happy shopping! NEVER pay full price!

Friday, July 16, 2010

DEALS AND STEALS: Sorcer's Apprentice Tickets BOGO

Disney and Fandango offer a Buy One Get One Free Movie Ticket for The Sorceror's Apprentice when you follow the instructions below.
1. Go to fandango.com
2. Type in your zip code for movie times & select your movie
3. Type in APPRENTICE in the promo code at check out

Keep in mind, Fandango has fees... but you'll still save!
And what's a trip to the theater without some popcorn? Here's a coupon for free popcorn (with the purchase of a drink) Cinemark is also Regal Cinemas.
http://s.fatwallet.com/static/attachments/34214_cinemark_coupon.pdf

Thursday, July 15, 2010

NEWS YOU CAN USE: iPhone 4 Fix

DUCT TAPE
And to think you once laughed at your man's claim that duct tape fixes everything!
Apple's new iPhone 4 has been criticized for its reception problems, and if you have one of these glossy new gadgets, you may have experienced the problem yourself.
Well, the solution may be as simple as a strip of duct tape. No joke.
The new iPhone's design moved the antenna to the outside of the device, wrapping it around the borrom corner. Consumer Reports found in tests, putting the phone into a case fixes the reception problem. Or a small strip of duct tape on the exposed antenna does the job too... but it's not pretty! I doubt any self-respecting technophile will resort to this desperate measure, defacing the sleek and smooth surface.
SO... Apple is planning a news conference tomorrow morning to address the reception issues. While some critics are calling for a recall of the phone, an easier (and cheaper) fix would be to provide free cases to all its customers.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

NEWS YOU CAN USE: Pottery Barn Recalls 82,000 Cribs


We've heard about all the dropside crib recalls lately, and we'll keep hearing about them. Because the Consumer Product Safety Commission is working to remove ALL dropside cribs from the country's homes, hospitals, daycare centers, etc. The latest retailer to recall them is Pottery Barn Kids.

Hazard: The cribs’ drop-sides can detach when hardware breaks, creating a space into which a young child can become entrapped, which can lead to suffocation. A child can also fall out of the crib. Drop side incidents also occur due to incorrect assembly and with age-related wear and tear.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC and Pottery Barn Kids have received 36 reports of drop sides that have malfunctioned or detached, resulting in seven minor injuries when children fell out of the cribs or got their legs caught between the mattress and the drop side. One child became entrapped at the head between the drop side and crib mattress but was freed without injury.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs, inspect the hardware to make sure it is not broken, and contact Pottery Barn Kids to receive a free fixed-gate conversion kit that will immobilize the drop side.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Pottery Barn Kids at (877) 804-3847 between 7 a.m. and midnight 7 days a week or visit the firm’s website at www.potterybarnkids.com

NEWS YOU CAN USE: Salsa and Guac Tied to Food Poisoning

Holy Guacamole!
The CDC says salsa and guacamole could be the leading culprits in food poisoning risks, contamination, and recalls. The Center for Disease Control notes one out of every 25 food borne outbreaks between 1998 and now can be traced back to the popular dips that people like to eat. Why? The core ingredients in guacamole and salsa are uncooked. Diced tomatoes, cilantro, and hot peppers are often the culprits leading to food poisoning. Many times, these dips are made in large batches and even just a hint of contamination can lead to widespread outbreaks.

I think I'll stick to the homemade stuff for now!

NEWS YOU CAN USE: Toxic Jewelry


Another cadmium jewelry recall

By JEFF DONN Associated Press Writer

About 137,000 pieces of imported children's jewelry sold at two stores popular with preteen girls — Justice and Limited Too — were recalled Tuesday for high levels of cadmium, the latest in a series of recalls involving the toxic metal.
The voluntary recall, announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, was the sixth callback since The Associated Press first released findings of an investigation into cadmium in children's jewelry.
The recalls, which started in January with children's jewelry sold at Walmart stores, have included about 12 million "Shrek" movie-themed drinking glasses distributed by McDonald's restaurants. The other recalls targeted at least 200,000 pieces of jewelry, mostly for children.
The latest recall involved 19 different styles of necklaces, bracelets and earrings imported and distributed by Tween Brands, based in New Albany, Ohio. In addition to the two sets of retail stores, the items were sold online at http://www.shopjustice.com/.
They are made in the shape of hearts, butterflies, cupcakes, peace signs and crowns. Some pieces carry a version of the words "Best Friends Forever." The CPSC said the pieces sold for $7-$16 from November 2008 through February.
Consumers are asked to take the jewelry away from children and return it to the store for a full refund. Tween Brands set up a recall hot line at 800-934-4497.

Welcome

Being a TV news anchor and consumer reporter gives me unique access and perspective... but add being a mom into the mix and all bets are off!
With this blog, I hope to both educate and entertain readers and viewers. And hopefully help you avoid making mistakes with your money, time, or relationships.
Check out "Christine's Consumer Corner" where I'll test out products (suggestions are welcome) and give you a heads up on steals and deals.
"News You Can Use" will include any stories I can gather that might affect you or your family. And "Sydney's Sayings" is the world according to my very precocious preschooler. ENJOY!!!