Consumer Education

Posted by L. Marie Dubuque

Java junkies across the nation are practically spitting up their lattes over the news that Starbucks is closing 600 stores. This morning I read that one very near my house has gotten the axe. Sure, I'll miss the friendly baristas and the special Starbucks-Double-Shot-Over-Ice with soy that they artfully prepare for me every other day. But honestly, now that the aroma of percolating coffee doesn't overtake me every time I turn that street corner, maybe I will save some money! And truthfully, that is probably the reason for all the store closings. These days, $5 lattes aren't really in anyone's budget.

So now that I have to drive a little farther to get my coffee fix, I may not go as often, or at all. And who knows what kind of a store will take the coffee giant's place on all those street corners. Maybe a ma-and-pa operation that needs a good location to sell its wares...Or more likely another big chain selling who knows what.

Posted by L. Marie Dubuque

NBC's Today Show followed a family along for a week as they proceeded to slash their budget in half. Viewers saw them cut out fast food, invite friends over for a potluck dinner instead of going out to dinner, and pull out a slip-and-slide for the kids instead of going to the movies.

As I watched the episode unfold, I couldn't help but think this family should have been living this way all along. Of course you don't need to be eating fast food two or three times a week. And eating out would be the first thing to go.

At the end of the segment, the mom says she'll continue with some of her new found habits, but she plans to go back to getting pedicures.

What did we, the viewers learn from this experiment? How easy it is to cut expenses, I guess. But duh, was it a huge surprise to learn that it's cheaper to make coffee at home than go to Starbucks everyday?

Posted by L. Marie Dubuque

J.Crew’s enduring, classic style needs a facelift every once in a while. I guess that’s why they decided to redo their web site. I had to try twice to enter the site. Once I got on, certain pages displayed error messages when I tried to load them. I guess every new site is going to have to work out the kinks.

Before I headed to the "clearance" area, I clicked on "new arrivals." A pair of multi-colored beaded sandals caught my eye (Corossol Jeweled Sandals.) The turquoise, brown and yellow stone accents were striking. But as soon as I saw the price, $325, I decided to just go straight to the clearance section. Before I even got on the page, a banner informed me that all prices are final and no exchanges or returns will be taken. Oooh, these prices must be good. And they were. I found a lot of orange, lime green and metallic colors on shorts and tops along with more classic muted tones. But what was missing were the sizes. So if you want to take advantage of this sale, get there fast, because I’m sure the pickin’s will soon be pretty slim.

Posted by L. Marie Dubuque

Before Michelle Obama's appearance on The View, wearing an off-the-rack black and white dress, I had been in the White House/Black Market a few times. It's a little pricey (but not by designer standards) although the sales are terrific.

I walked in the other day and most of the merchandise in the store was 50% off. I saw cute black shimmering tops next to white pants with muted gold tone accents. I was so impressed, I signed up for the store's e-mail and physical mailing list. I usually do not provide my home address to anyone. But I figure the coupons and advance sale notice would be worth any possible breach in confidentiality. The sales lady assured me the information would stay with the store and I would get some great bargains in the mail.

As I was leaving, I asked if the store ever carried the dress worn by Michelle Obama. They said it never arrived in the shop. Of course, I live in St. Louis, and fashion-wise, we are the last to get everything!

So really, what was the big deal about the dress anyway? Well, for one thing it was an off-the-rack outfit for $150 instead of a designer number for thousands of dollars. Would I really want to buy the dress now that it has received so much publicity? Probably not. But it is pretty cute.

Posted by L. Marie Dubuque

Every year we buy a season pass to Six Flags. If you go at least three times during the season you will save a lot of money that way. With the season ticket comes a coupon book filled with discounts and free buddy passes. And that's where my problems began.

Last year I took my then 12 year old son and a friend to the park on a weekday. I tagged along as they rode the coasters, ate junk food and splashed in the water park. This year, however, my independent minded teenager wanted me to drop him and his buddy at the park to wander around unsupervised. I called Six Flags, and yes, they have plenty of perent-less 13 year olds running around. But the question is, am I ready to let my son be one of them? My husband and I decided that I would sit in the water park the whole day while he and his friend hit the rides. After much arguing, he agreed. (He didn't really have a choice.)

Except for the whir of passing trains and the firing up of the wave pool, I was able to get work done peacefully, and the kids had fun. As I was sipping my $4 lemonade, I was thinking, what was I worried about? With security guards and a metal detector at the entrance, the place is safer than the mall. I guess I envisioned them getting lost with broken eye glasses and missing shoes. None of that happened. And after all the arguing, at the end, my son said he was glad I was there. Sure, wait until you start to drive.

Posted by L. Marie Dubuque

I love color! And Ann Taylor is my go-to place for bright yellow, navy blue, purple and even orange tops, capri's and shorts. But I guess this time, everyone else got there first. Because not only were the best colors gone but so were the sizes. After a disappointing trip to the back of the store, I headed to the front...a very dangerous place for me. And low and behold, I found exactly what I was looking for: bright yellow cargo capri's, along with a yellow, blue and orange top. Problem was, they were full price. Thankfully, I had just printed out a 20 percent off coupon (coupon code: coollooks.)

The discount helped a little. But I would have been happier to find great sale merchandise. The sales person told me what I bought had just arrived in the stores, of course. Hope you have better luck. The clearance ends June 29th and if you use the code online and spend at leat $100 you'll get free shipping.

Posted by L. Marie Dubuque

When I read the recent study that says drinking a lot of coffee might lower a woman's risk for heart disease I was elated. Finally, my addiction is no longer a vice, but rather something the doctor would order....or maybe not yet. Still, I can relish in my java habit guilt-free. Bring on those coffee drinks!

My addiction started with regular ground Folgers in the red bag. It morphed into a big mug of gourmet coffee with beans that I grind myself using my at-home contraption. And forget about an automatic coffee maker. I'm squeezing those beans in a french press I bought at the gourmet kitchen store. Think I've gone a little too far? My husband does too. But he doesn't touch coffee...except for those Iced mocha drinks I make him, with, you guessed it, my at-home espresso machine.

But my absolute latest adiction is Starbuck's newest drink called Starbucks Double Shot on Ice with soy milk.. I just love this concoction. I tried to get the recipe, but the friendly barista wouldn't give it to me. I think I figured it out though. I know they use two shots of espresso, a shot of soy milk and a little Starbucks special syrup and pour it over ice. That's the secret right there. The syrup isn't too sweet. My local store ran out of the stuff and used vanilla syrup instead. It was awful. Now, if I simply buy the syrup I might be able to make this drink at home!

Posted by L. Marie Dubuque

If you’ve avoided buying that dreaded bathing suit all spring long, you no longer have an excuse. They are on sale now and if 50 percent off banners aren’t enough to get you to the store, how about the promise that you’ll find a suit that will fit you perfectly and hide all your flaws? Well, of course I can’t promise that, but others can. You will now find stores that are eager to custom-make a swimsuit to your exact proportions. Don’t ask the price.

For the rest of us in the real world, navigating from the racks to the dressing room is enough to cause a nervous break down, or at least a panic attack worthy of an escape from the swimwear section altogether. I avoided the whole scene completely by buying online through Bloomingdales. I wouldn’t normally recommend this tactic, because returning a swimsuit is no easy task and you’re not likely to find the perfect suit the first go-around. I lucked out and found a two-piece with a skirt bottom…better than a bikini bottom and more flattering that boy shorts. (I’m sorry but I wish that fashion would quickly disappear.) I’m hoping for a return of those high cut tankinis from the early 90’s. They were great for us short legged women. And as far as a one-piece suits goes, forget it if you have a long waist, big butt or wide hips. For that matter, forget them period, for everyone.

Posted by L. Marie Dubuque

If you're a six 8, aren't picky about colors and don't need new walking shorts, Bloomingdale's summer sale is for you.

The savings are big, but in some areas, the selection is small. I found $79 walking shorts (the kind that hit just above the knee) for $22.99. The problem is, they were only available in size 8, and you'd be hard pressed to find the color white.

Still if you meet the criteria and you're willing to spend a lot of money, you can seriously save some bucks. Because by using coupon code JUNEPC before June 12th, you'll save another 30-40% off the already reduced prices. The catch is: to save 30% you need to spend at least $250. To save 40% you'll need to buy $500 worth of merchandise. If you're talking about $22 shorts, that's a lot of clothes!

So if you are in desperate need of a lot of summer clothes fast, take advantage of this sale. And if you're in the mood to shop for bigger ticket items, don't forget that coupon code!

Posted by L. Marie Dubuque

If there are rules on how to dress when you’re over 40, I’d like to know them. Because right now, I feel like a fish out of water or rather, a fashion faux pas waiting to happen. When I look at those pictures in In Style magazine, (you know the ones where they show you a similar outfit for 20,30,40,50 and 60 year olds) I feel like the models my age look, well, sort of fuddy duddy (is that expression even used anymore?) and the models in their 20’s and 30’s look almost too youthful, sort of childish sometimes. Am I alone here? Or are all the fashions looking either matronly or Hannah Montana-like?

I’m not ready to don the polyester pantsuit yet, but I know I need to stay away from ruffles and bows. The other day, I wore a shirt that had slightly puffed sleeves and cute shoes with a small ribbon. And yet, I felt very self-conscious that day.

Please, someone make up some rules for us 40-somethings…And don’t simply tell us to look in the mirror. I’m already doing that and it’s not helping!