Three Small Ways to Go Green and Save Some Change

Saving the environment and saving your wallet have many things in common, one of them being that others might frequently remind you that the only way to really make a dent is to completely overhaul current behaviors.  But while that may be true, that doesn’t mean that small changes aren’t a step in the right [...]

This Week’s Five Loyalty Deals

Loyalty programs are already set up to reward customers for their frequent patronage by offering points, miles, or exclusive discounts.  But sometimes there are periodic promotion periods in which the reward system is ramped up either to pick up sales during a down time or simply to encourage continued customer loyalty.  Either way, there are [...]

The MarketPlace is Not Unique, but Isn’t Bad Either

MasterCard has been heavily advertising its new MarketPlace online portal, and it in fact offers some valuable deals. When it comes to online shopping, portals for discounts, cash, points, or miles already abound.  These are websites that, if you visit an online store through one of their links rather than by typing the store’s name [...]

To Get Your Money Back, Persistence is Key

A few weeks ago, I came across the Consumerist‘s 2010 March Madness-themed bracket for “Worst Company in America.”  It is currently in the Elite 8, with strong contenders including Bank of America, Comcast, and Ticketmaster (to see the full bracket, click here).  This competition is great, as it gives consumers a vehicle for expressing their [...]

Concierge.com’s analysis of several frequent flier programs – So You Can Choose What’s Right for You

This month, concierge.com has a fresh article outlining the pros and cons of various frequent flier programs available, which can help you sort out your mileage accounts and maximize your savings for free trips.  To read the article, click here. At Money Under Your Futon, we strongly encourage readers to sign up for airline frequent [...]

A Look into the Tuition and Fees Deduction (vs. the Education Credits)

April 15th is fast approaching, and you still haven’t figured out which deductions or credits you can take for education?  Here at Money Under Your Futon you can find the summarized, cramming-two-days-before-the-exam version of the IRS publication 970, which explains in detail each of the education benefits available for 2009 income taxes. Last week we [...]

DC Area: Today, Get a Little More for Donating Your Clunker

If you are in or close to Washington, DC, today might be the perfect day to donate your clunker and get a little bit more for that.  In general, donating your car can be a good deal, as it should ideally lower your gas and maintenance cost and offer a hefty tax deduction through itemizing.  [...]

Cash for a Clunker Appliance

Similar to last year’s cash for clunker program, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has allocated $300 million for rebates to eligible residential consumers when they recycle their used appliances and purchase new energy-efficient ones (otherwise known as ENERGY STAR appliances).  Each state is in charge of designing  and implementing its own unique [...]

A Break-Down of the Three Education Credits Available this Tax Season

With taxes due in just 10 days and the recent political debate on how to support higher education, many Americans are left wondering whether there might be anything in this year’s tax form that might help them out.  Several of you have probably heard of the American Opportunity credit, the Hope credit, or the Lifetime Learning [...]

This Spring, Earn Amtrak Points Two to Three Times as Fast

Last fall, Amtrak was giving away double points to Guest Rewards members for any train trip taken during the promotion period.  On March 22, the same promotion was back, and members can currently earn double points for train rides taken until May 7, 2010.  The kicker for this promotion, however, is that rather than ending [...]