Topic: Shopping

Before you buy, do your research. Lots of it.

You've decided exactly what you want. Now shop around some more.

Making a big purchase? Knowing what you want pays off.

When going shopping for any reasonably expensive item, make a list of the features you actually need before you go and stick to it.

23 ways to save money on clothes

Americans spend an average of $1,700 per year on clothing and accessories. But there are plenty of ways to trim the bill and still look good.

Mother's Day: 10 great books for Mom

You've probably already done the classics – try these 10 books for a gift this Mother's Day.

Top 5 ways to save on your summer vacation

If you're pining for a summer vacation but worried about costs, consider how Wayne and Pat Dunlap of Del Mar, Calif., managed to tour 51 countries over two years, marvel at the Egyptian pyramids, scale a New Zealand glacier, and visit Laotian Buddhist monks all for less than $100 a day. "We often stayed at guesthouses and hostels, ate at local family restaurants, took public transportation, and in some cases, traveled on cruise ships offering reduced rates," says Mr. Dunlap, author of the travel book "Plan Your Escape." This year amid price worries and higher summer airfares, especially to Europe such ingenuity could prove essential. Here are five cost-cutting strategies that can help:

Black Ops 2 brings the Call of Duty franchise crashing into the future

Black Ops 2, set for launch this fall, will take place partially in 2025, in an America overrun by deadly drones. Can Black Ops 2 continue Call of Duty's record-breaking streak? 

What Chinese companies want: intellectual property protection

Chinese-American business relations, long fraught with distrust for China because it was not controlling piracy, appear to be benefiting from a new Chinese respect for intellectual property rights.

20 essential Android tips and tricks

Several weeks ago, we highlighted 20 useful iPhone tricks everyone should know. We got such good feedback from that feature that we wanted to share the love with Android users – who, after all, make up the largest proportion of the smart phone community.

'Paris in Love': 8 stories of life in Paris

After moving her family to Paris for a year, author Eloisa James shares 8 stories of life in France.

Apple's new iPad brings 4G, better camera, more pixels than an HDTV

Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced the new iPad in San Francisco Wednesday afternoon, calling it the "poster child of the post-PC world." With 4G LTE wireless, Retina display, and a high-definition camera, Apple's third tablet is no doubt the best iPad yet. But can it hold back the tide of Android competitors?

7 classic fashion mistakes and why we make them

In her new book 'You Are What You Wear,' Dr. Jennifer Baumgartner, tells us what our fashion mistakes say about us.

With Droid 4, Verizon doubles down on its 4G double-data promotion

A new data deal from Verizon Wireless is tied to the release of the Droid 4 smartphone. 

Five major SOPA supporters

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and its Senate counterpart, the Protect IP Act or PIPA, would allow the US government to seek a court order and even shut down websites that contain content or links “committing or facilitating online piracy.”  Moreover, advertisers and Internet service providers would be banned from doing business with violators.

However, payment and advertising networks, search engines or service providers that take voluntary action to redress detected violations – by terminating businesses with transgressor sites or comply with the law – will be granted immunity from liability charges.

On Sept. 22, 2011, more than 350 trade associations, professional and labor organizations, and businesses signed a letter urging Congress to enact legislation to stop “rogue sites” from copyright infringement.

Here are five key SOPA and PIPA supporters:

Did seasonal hiring inflate the strong jobs report?

Unemployment figures are adjusted for seasonal hiring, but high numbers of courriers and messengers (a result of increased online shopping) may have had a bigger effect on the numbers.

Thirty ideas from people under 30: The Social Media Stars

They are explorers and activists, artists and educators, farmers and faith leaders – even mayors. And they have trenchant suggestions on how to improve the world.

Sears closings: At least 100 stores to be shuttered

Sears closings intended to shore up company's profits. Sears closings will affect Kmart stores, too, but not word on layoffs.

After Christmas sales: Your guide to snagging them, online or in person

After Christmas sales offer bargains both online and in-store. Here's a guide to finding them, as well as rules for using gift cards and making returns. 

Christmas toys: Five ways to make sure they're safe

How are parents ensured that their children's new toys are safe?  Here are five ways to stay informed.

Made in China: US can't afford high cost of low-priced Christmas gifts

US retailers and economists hail the Christmas shopping season, but consumers' binging on holiday gifts will produce more red ink than growth and jobs. Their purchases are nearly all imports – most from China. For real recovery, the US must regain its manufacturing market share.

E-readers: Amazon selling 1 million Kindles per week

E-readers for the holidays? Amazon says it has sold 1 million of its various Kindle e-readers during each of the past three weeks.

10 entrepreneurs who changed the world

From Starbucks to Home Depot, here are 10 of the businesses – and their leaders – that author John A. Byrne counts as 'World Changers.'

Hot toys through the ages (VIDEO)

No one knows what turns a toy into a must-have phenomenon. Some years,something pops out of nowhere and is immediately snapped up. Other years are quiet (including 2011, retailers say). Here’s a look back at seven toys that became blockbusters in their day and left an imprint on American culture:

New wrappings for Christmas giving

Social media, a slow economy, and other trends are forcing big changes in holiday gift-giving and charity donations. But trends in giving still point toward the spirit of Christmas.

5 best websites for turning junk into cash

Houses have an almost magical ability to accumulate junk, and everyone seems to have stuff they don’t really want and won’t ever use. Instead of letting that box of unused electronics or your great aunt’s porcelain cat collection turn you into an unwilling hoarder, why not sell it off and make some extra cash? You can try doing it yourself (check out 13 Tips for a Super Yard Sale) or take your stuff to a local consignment shop (although you’re going to pay a large commission fee – at least 40 percent of the sale price, according to MSN). Like everything else these days, online is where’s happening. But if you want to earn top dollar, make sure you target the right market:

Amazon app will pay you $15 bucks to walk out on retailers

Amazon offers a new incentive for holiday shoppers. But you'll have to download the Amazon Price Check app first.