SAVE MONEY AT THE MOST POPULAR COUPON WEBSITES

The numbers are unique December 2009 traffic amounts.  Before you buy, take a look at each appropriate site and save yourself money, whether buying online or in a store.  There are now thousands of coupon sites, and the sites listed here are offering really good deals.  Today more than ever consumers are looking to save money.  Try store specific sites such as Target and Amazon.  Check out these sites!  Copy URL above to return to this site or left click in white space, right click, click BACK.

Coupons.Com (14.6MM). $300MM worth of coupons printed in 2009.  163 coupons for supermarket and drugstore items to print today. Enter your zip code for local deals. Call your store and be sure they accept these coupons. 

RetailMeNot.com (9.9MM).   Discounts at 40,000 online stores for toys, clothes, travel, electronics and more. Subscribe to weekly newsletter for Monday best deals.  Refreshes three times a day.  You can be alerted when new codes are posted for your favorite retailers.

CouponCabin.com (3.4MM).  Save up to 30%. Subscribe to newsletter. Many stores featured.

FatWallet.com  (2.1MM) Coupons and cash back from over 2500 merchants.

DealCatcher.com (1.3MM)  Technology and electronics-oriented and consumer products including groceries. 

CouponMom.com  (2MM members)  Get $25 Restaurant Gift Certificates for $10 at 13,000 restaurants nationwide.  Grocery and drug store items.

Let us know which sites worked best for you for which items. 

KEY WEST TRUMAN LITTLE WHITE HOUSE-A GREAT PLACE TO VISIT!

From 1946 to 1952, The Harry S. Truman Little White House was the winter White House of America, and subsequently used by later Presidents.  Fourteen American Presidents have vacationed in the Florida Keys and Key West.  This was a relaxing and restoring environment when dealing with the threats of the Cold War. Opened in 1991 as the only Florida Presidential Museum, almost 90% of the furnishings are original to the site, giving an intimate view of Truman’s personal life.  Restoration is ongoing to bring the property even closer to its 1949 appearance.  Public donations are accepted by the Harry S.Truman foundation.

Tour Guides offer glimpses into the Cold War politics, personal views of Truman, and the Naval History of Key West.  The tours are occasional closed for government functions.  The home can be used for Private Events as well.  Your can host your own private state dinner for two or for one hundred and have an extraordinary dinner party.  Weddings are held here too.  From February 1 to April 1, 2010, “With Love, Harry” will celebrate Bess Truman’s 125^th birthday.  Included will be a display of the thousands of letters sent between Harry and Bess over 50 years. Botanical Gardens tours reveal an acre of tropical foliage and trees surrounded by the original 1890 wrought iron fence.

Christmas is a special time here, with “Harry’s Girls” decorating the house.  There is a Museum Gift Shop featuring White House Ornaments dating back to 1999.  Recently Truman’s 125^th birthday was celebrated at the Little White House representing three of his most important decisions: recognition of the state of Israel, the berlin Airlift and desegregation of the military.  The birthday cake was served by  “Harry’s Girls.”

Thirty-five percent of Americans polled by Washington Whispers picked the Key West Little White House as the place they most would like to visit, topping all other seasonal White House locations.  Click here for TOUR INFORMATION.  You can call 305-294-9501 for information.

REPORT ON THE ECONOMY

The Washington Post reports that:

"There has been zero net job creation since December 1999. No previous decade going back to the 1940s had job growth of less than 20 percent. Economic output rose at its slowest rate of any decade since the 1930s as well.

"Middle-income households made less in 2008, when adjusted for inflation, than they did in 1999 -- and the number is sure to have declined further during a difficult 2009. The Aughts were the first decade of falling median incomes since figures were first compiled in the 1960s.

"And the net worth of American households -- the value of their houses, retirement funds and other assets minus debts -- has also declined when adjusted for inflation, compared with sharp gains in every previous decade since data were initially collected in the 1950s." (See: "Aughts were a lost decade for U.S. economy, workers," Jan. 2, 2010)

Translation: The economy was downsized during the past decade.

We're just not going to have a better real estate market, or much of anything else, until demand for labor increases in terms of both jobs and real income.

REPORT ON THE ECONOMY

The Washington Post reports that:

"There has been zero net job creation since December 1999. No previous decade going back to the 1940s had job growth of less than 20 percent. Economic output rose at its slowest rate of any decade since the 1930s as well.

"Middle-income households made less in 2008, when adjusted for inflation, than they did in 1999 -- and the number is sure to have declined further during a difficult 2009. The Aughts were the first decade of falling median incomes since figures were first compiled in the 1960s.

"And the net worth of American households -- the value of their houses, retirement funds and other assets minus debts -- has also declined when adjusted for inflation, compared with sharp gains in every previous decade since data were initially collected in the 1950s." (See: "Aughts were a lost decade for U.S. economy, workers," Jan. 2, 2010)

Translation: The economy was downsized during the past decade.

We're just not going to have a better real estate market, or much of anything else, until demand for labor increases in terms of both jobs and real income.

NEW YEARS GOOD NEWS: CHAMPAGNE KEEPS HEART DISEASE AT BAY

Top British scientists tell us to start New Year with a “glass of bubbly,” to keep strokes and heart attacks away, like two glasses of red wine is recommended for as well.  According to Dr. Jeremy Spencer of Reading University, who asked the Daily Mail, “a couple of glasses a day has a beneficial effect on the walls of blood vessels—which suggests champagne has the potential to reduce strokes and heart disease.”  Other types of sparkling wines can help, and perhaps a mug of hot cocoa, though Dr Spencer said, “While the benefit is the same, it doesn’t seem as much fun somehow.”  We leave the choice up to the readership!

INTERESTED IN DOING THE "IN THING?"

Don't miss Stefan Swanepoel's DEFINITIVE INFO on SOCIAL MEDIA and 10-DAY Action plan. Many free good downloads. http://tinyurl.com/yczfqmc

STORY OF RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER... confirmed true by SNOPES

A guy named Bob May, depressed and brokenhearted, stared out his drafty apartment window into the chilling December night. His 4-year-old daughter, Barbara, sat on his lap quietly sobbing. Bobs wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer. Little Barbara couldn't understand why her mommy could never come home. Barbara looked up into her dads eyes and asked, "Why isn't Mommy just like everybody else's Mommy?" Bob's jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears. Her question brought waves of grief, but also of anger. It had been the story of Bob's life. Life always had to be different for Bob. Being small when he was a kid, Bob was often bullied by other boys. He was too little at the time to compete in sports. He was often called names he'd rather not remember.

From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed to fit in. Bob did complete college, married his loving wife and was grateful to get his job as a copywriter at Montgomery Ward during the Great Depression. Then he was blessed with his little girl. But it was all short-lived. Evelyn's bout with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced to live in a two-room apartment in the Chicago slums. Evelyn died just days before Christmas in 1938. Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn't even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he couldn't buy a gift, he was determined a make one - a storybook!

Bob had created an animal character in his own mind and told the animal's story to little Barbara to give her comfort and hope. Again and again Bob told the story, embellishing it more with each telling. Who was the character? What was the story all about? The story Bob May created was his own autobiography in fable form. The character he created was a misfit outcast like he was. The name of the character? A little reindeer named Rudolph, with a big shiny nose.

Bob finished the book just in time to give it to his little girl on Christmas Day. But the story doesn't end there. The general manager of Montgomery Ward caught wind of the little storybook and offered Bob May a nominal fee to purchase the rights to print the book. Wards went on to print Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and distribute it to children visiting Santa Claus in their stores. By 1946 Wards had printed and distributed more than six million copies of Rudolph. That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase the rights from Wards to print an updated version of the book. In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, the CEO of Wards returned all rights back to Bob May. The book became a best seller. Many toy and marketing deals followed and Bob May, now remarried with a growing family, became wealthy from the story he created to comfort his grieving daughter.

But the story doesn't end there either. Bob's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to Rudolph. Though the song was turned down by such popular vocalists as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore , it was recorded by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was released in 1949 and became a phenomenal success, selling more records than any other Christmas song, with the exception of "White Christmas." The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept on returning to bless him again and again. And Bob May learned the lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different isn't so bad. In fact, being different can be a blessing!

STAGING TO SELL… WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT

Robb & Stucky in Boca Raton will present ideas for anyone thinking of selling their residence on December 29^th at 2 pm.   Learn how to “prep” your home for a faster sale, and how you can make your property stand out from others on the market.   It could make the difference in this highly competitive market as to whether the house sells or not, and/or result in getting a faster sale.  Details also will be discussed on current real estate market trends.   

Robb & Stucky is located in Mizner Park at 200 Plaza Real.  You can also request a complimentary design consult.  Call 561-862-5597 to reserve a seat for this seminar which is free to the public.  Click here for a list of other seminars and events at the Boca Raton store.

WHAT TO DO AT GUMBO LIMBO NATURE CENTER in BOCA RATON

Founded in 1984, Gumbo Limbo’s mission is to increase public awareness of coastal and marine ecosystems through research, education, preservation and conservation.   Stroll through the butterfly garden, climb the observation tower located on the winding boardwalk through coastal hammock, sit in a Chiki hut, visit the saltwater tanks brimming with marine life, including sea turtles, fish, sharks and rays and take pictures in our sea turtle garden with 7 giant turtles. 

Marine and coastal environmental education for the community is provided through classes, workshops, lectures, field trips and research.  Programs are given for children, adults and families. Sea Turtle Research includes information on tracking them and observing their nests in the area.   Closed on Christmas and New Years Day, the Center is open 361 days a year, Monday thru Saturday from 9 am – 4 pm, Sunday from Noon to 4 pm.  For information, call 561-338-1473.

MIZNER PARK MALL OWNER TO EXIT BANKRUPTCY BY 2010

According to Reuters, General Growth Properties, the second-largest mall owner in the U.S., which operates Boca Raton's Mizner Park mall, has reached a deal with its lenders to extend loans, a move that will allow it to exit bankruptcy by 2010. Representatives from 70 of General Growth's loans, some of which exceeded $1 billion in value, agreed to extensions averaging six years. The Chicago-based company's financial woes, marking the biggest real estate failure in U.S. history, according to a report from Reuters, have underscored the nationwide retail crisis, as vacancies in the retail real estate sector have continued to mount as the holiday season approaches.

DEED FOR LEASE PROGRAM (DL-4)

New program announced by Fannie Mae (Federal National Mortgage Association) to keep mortgage-challenged borrowers in their homes.  Qualified borrowers relinquish the deed to their property and rent their home at market rate for 12 months.  To read more about it, see Chris Thorman’s informative blog.   Your comments are most welcome!

1st TIME HOMEBUYER CREDIT EXTENDED TO APRIL 30, 2010

The $8000 tax break for first-time home buyers would require a signed purchase agreement contract, and will have a 60-day cushion beyond the end of April to complete the closing.

In addition, existing homeowners who have lived in their current residence for at least 5 years but want to relocate to a new primary residence can use a $6,500 tax credit.

Income limits for both would be $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for couples.

The tax break would be offered on homes priced at $800,000 or less Recipients who sell the home or stop using it as their primary residence within 3 years would be required to repay the credit

ART REIGNS SUPREME

The New York Times reports that prices at Sotheby’s Auction far surpass estimates. A recent auction was well represented by buyers from the US, China, Latin America and Russia. A Derain, “Barque au Port de Collioure sold for $14MM recently, the highest price for one of the artists works at auction. It was estimated to sell for $8MM but there were 3 bidders and one was determined to win the painting.

TIME FOR A RETURN TO THE VICTORIAN ERA?

Are you interested in Victorian homes in Palm Beach or Broward County? Call Marilyn at 561-302-3388 for more information.

Meanwhile, mark your calendar now for a very interesting afternoon. Enjoy a “Harvest Tea” and treats with Victorian hostesses in costume and your personal butler, most elegantly done by The Mad Platter Catering and Befitting Just Your Style at Robb & Stucky at 200 Plaza Real in Mizner Park on Wednesday, November 23 at 2 pm. See a traditional Victorian Thanksgiving… and get new ideas for your own holiday. Tips will be offered on blending older furnishings with today’s lifestyle with your own distinctive touch. Reserve by calling 800-838-5931 for pricing and reservations.

Design Professionals: Did you know that Robb & Stucky offers CEU Classes for you? See http://www.robbstucky.com/CEU-Classes-for-Design-Professionals.aspx?Id=10 for list of classes.

AUCTIONS: BEST BUYS IN TOWN & HISTORIC HOMES: WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN

For BEST BUYS IN TOWN and WHAT'S OLD IS NEW AGAIN See The Examiner.

WEEK OF 10-12-09 PENDING SALES ROSE BY 2% IN SOUTH FLORIDA

Buyers are becoming aware that NOW is the BEST TIME EVER to buy in Florida, and the best properties are being bought up as you read this. Front runner Palm Beach County was up 3%. Have you been out looking for the best possible deal? Better hurry….

DID YOUR PRELIMINARY PROPERTY TAX BILL GO UP?

While local headlines SCREAM that Florida properties were devalued even more this year (did I hear 18%?), the property taxes, inexplicably, are going UP UP AND AWAY. Appeals to the county’s Value Adjustment Board by angry taxpayers for their 2009 property tax bills are expected to climb, perhaps by over 20% up from 13,200 appeals in 2008, challenging property assessments and homestead and tax exemption classifications. Petitions can be file online or in person at 301 N. Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, until September 14^th, and there is a $15 filing fee. For more information call the Clerk and Comptroller's office at (561) 355- 6289. The Clerks office says that while the increase in appeals may be due to the economic downturn, a state law has changed requiring the property appraisers office to prove their assessments are accurate. In the past the property owner had to prove the assessment was wrong. Special magistrates must be hired to settle disputes between property owners and the county property appraisers office. Responsibility for processing petitions and scheduling hearings lies with the Clerks office. Preliminary tax notices were mailed Friday to all county property owners.

WANT TO SEE THE US DEBT and PER CITIZEN LIABILITIES?

US DEBT CLOCK

CASE-SHILLER HOME PRICE INDEX RISES

A May 2009 increase of 0.5% in the closely watched Case-Shiller home price index indicates that the US housing recovery is seen possible now. Prices tumbled more than 32% from their peak in 2Q 2006. Case said that prices may be at the bottom now.

· Preventative risk--management must be a priority going forward, according to Shiller.

· He also stated that the mortgage contract structure must be made to protect home-buyers in case of a downturn. “The new standard for mortgage should be a continuous work-out mortgage,” so that “if home prices fall then your mortgage payment will go down.”

· Shiller cautioned that recent bank bailouts were “extraordinary events that we should want to prevent as much as possible in the future.”

· In June new home sales jumped 11%, the biggest monthly gain in 8 years according the US Commerce Department.

· National association of Realtors said existing home sales rose for the 3^rd straight month in June.

But, with unemployment and foreclosures still rising, caution was advised. Shiller said that confidence in the US financial system is crucial for an economic recovery, and can be best restored by having a clear regulatory framework for investors. He mentioned that foreign investors who were thinking about putting money in this country are feeling somewhat less assured.

REPORTS SHOWING HOUSING MARKET ON THE MEND

With sales up in all four regions of the United States, and the number of previously occupied homes sold in June being the third month in a row to go up, this kind of expansion has not been seen in almost 5 years.

Sales roses 3.6% according to the National Association of Realtors. The foreclosure market is shrinking. It is meaningful that about on third of homes sold in June were foreclosure related, down from nearly half of those sold earlier this year. See the Federal Housing Finance Agency report showing home prices rose almost 1% in May.

There has never been a better time to buy a home in Florida with interest rates down and home prices so much lower than in recent years. The “best buys” are starting to be snatched up now.

INSURANCE PURCHASE TRENDS

According to an article in the July issue of Insurance News Net Magazine, “After Americans lost their shirts in the federally regulated equities market, they were able to find refuge with the guarantees afforded by indexed annuities… Americans who placed over $150 billion in these secure products since 1995 have been sleeping easier at night because of the guarantees.”

Seeking a flight to safety for their reduced holdings, and this includes families who now have one income instead of two, many are placing funds in affordable term insurance, applications for which have climbed steadily over the years.

Marilyn can tell you about term policies that can be converted to cash value universal or whole life policies when you are ready to increase premiums as the economy improves. Meanwhile, your family will be protected. For example Marilyn just wrote an application for a 47 year old male, non-smoker, preferred status, for $750,000. Term is 15 years; convertible. Premium: under $72/month. Premiums will vary with age, tobacco usage and health status. It is predicted that in the future longer term policies will not be available or will be disproportionally more expensive.

Fixed annuities were up 74% for 1Q09 vs. 1Q08. Life insurance applications for the age 60+ group climbed 11.3% in May-09 compared to May-08.

Marilyn Farber Jacobs (561-988-0070) is a Licensed Advisor / Insurance Agent with American Life & Health Group, Inc.

THE USUALLY GLOOMY CASE-SHILLER INDEX STARTING TO REPORT REAL ESTATE GAINS

With the overall report slightly negative for last month, if Dallas, Denver, DC, Seattle, San Francisco, Atlanta, Boston and Cleveland are showing small increase in home sales, will FLORIDA BE NEXT? According to Realty Times, “even the most bearish of researchers agree: prices are bottoming out, even in some of the hardest hit areas.” They report that detached houses resales were up 56% over a year ago, and condo sales up 30%. Sale prices, however, were down, e.g., down 38% in Phoenix. Consumer confidence is up, especially in willingness to consider “big ticket” items, such as a home. With mortgage rates still very low, this may be THE LAST BEST TIME to buy, RIGHT NOW. Keep in mind that with so many job losses every month and unemployment rates very high, touch credit and underwriting, it is not yet “happy days are here again” by any means. But how nice it is to see a start to home sales trending UP.

PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT RECIEVES “A” FOR 5th CONSECUTIVE YEAR

The Florida School Recognition Program rewards schools that sustained high student performance or demonstrated substantial improvement in student performance. If schools receive an “A” or improve one or more performance grades from the previous year, they are eligible to receive an additional $75 per student.

· All Boca Raton elementary and middle schools received As with one, Coral Sunset Elementary School moving up from B to A this year.

· While Olympic Heights High School dropped to a B this year from an A, all other Boca high schools got As including West Boca High School.

· Five schools in the district jumped from Cs to As and a school in the Glades went from a D to an A.

FCAT standards will be increased next year, and Palm Beach County will increase teacher training and provide coaches. Moving to departmentalization for 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grades, all elementary school teachers will teach two or three subjects instead of all six. E.g., math teachers will teach math and science and a language arts teacher may teach social studies, not needing to shift from one content to another. Classrooms will be located next to each other and students will only change classrooms two to three times a day. The Palm Beach County School District is the only urban school district to have received an A for 5 consecutive years. Statewide, more than ¾ of all public schools were named as high performing (A or B). The number of schools earning an F decreased to the smallest number in the last 3 years.

BOCA RATON FACTS UPDATE

Sperlings Best Places to Live likes Boca Raton, with beautiful weather year round, and great shopping. Population in 2009 is 85,407, a 15.56% growth since 2000. Housing prices are down 23.10%. Median home cost is $383,650.

PALM BEACH DINING OPPORTUNITIES DURING JUNE 2009

Lunch for $20.09 or have dinner for $35 per person for a 3-course meal – appetizer, main course, dessert. Beverages, tax and gratuity are additional. Here are the restaurants, addresses and phone number for reservations in alphabetical order:

· Bice, 313 ½ Worth Avenue, 561-835-1600

· Café Boulud at Brazllian Court, 301 Australian Ave, 561-655-6060

· Café L’Europe, 331 So County Rd, 561-655-4020

· Charley’s Crab, 456 So Ocean Blvd, 561-659-1500

· Leopard Lounge and Restaurant at Chesterfield Hotel, 363 Cocoanut Row, 561-659-5800

· Coco Palm Beach, Bradley Park Hotel, 290 Sunset Ave, 561-832-3734

· Flagler Steakhouse at Breakers, One South County Road, 561-659-8488

· Italian Restaurant at Breakers, One South County Road, 561-659-8488

· Seafood Bar at Breakers, One South County Road (reservations not accepted)

· Ocean Bistro at Four Seasons, 2800 So Ocean Blvd, 561-582-2800

· Renato’s, 87 Via Mizner off Worth Avenue, 561-655-9752

· Temple Orange at Ritz-Carlton, 100 So Ocean Blvd, 561-533-6000

· Ta-Boo, 221 Worth Avenue, 561-835-3500

• Trevini, 150 Worth Ave, 561-833-3883

Enjoy these “gifts of summer.” Great way to try out new restaurants, or go back to old favorites!

SUPERBOWL CHAMP ALAN VEINGRAD SPEAKS AT DOWNTOWN CHABAD TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 11:55-1:30

Alan Veingrad is a professional motivational speaker, a member of the national speakers association, and ”just happens to wear a Superbowl ring”. The event is sponsored by the Downtown Boca Jewish Business Network, Chabad of East Boca, and J.A.C.O.B. ( Jewish American Chamber of Business) Investment of $20. at the door is all inclusive for food, beverages, tax, tip, etc...

· Business Introductions

· Card Networking

· Kosher Meal

· Door Prizes

· Celebrity Speaker

Former offensive lineman with the Dallas Cowboys & Green Bay Packers, and a member of the Super Bowl XXVII World Champion Dallas Cowboy Team in 1992, Alan Veingrad uses sports metaphors to characterize his journey, and vividly relates the discipline of being a professional football player to success in life. For information on the even go to http://bocaratonbusinessnetworking-rss.eventbrite.com. For details about Alan, go to http://www.alanveingrad.com. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime business luncheon! Address: 120 NE 1^st Avenue, just south of Mizner Park.

NOT SITTING ON THEIR HANDS, THE HOUSING WORKING GROUP OF BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE HAS PROPOSALS TO STIMULATE THE HOUSING MARKET

The Housing Working Group of Business Roundtable is an association of leading US corporation CEOs and, applauded by the National Association of Realtors, they are concerned about returning stability and growth to the US housing market. Their recommendations include

· Keeping 30-year mortgage rates at historically low levels for the nest 12 months

· Expand current first-time homebuyer tax credit to 10% of the purchase price of the home or $15,000 for all homebuyers and remove current income restrictions and includle all primary residence purchases for the next 12 months

· Thoroughly review current foreclosure mitigation and loan-modification programs which are currently showing rising loan-modification re-default rates

· Make current temporary conforming loan limits permanent

· Review and strengthen government efforts to review and refine mortgage lending practices.

For information about the Housing Working Group and Business Roundtable, go to http://www.businessroundtable.org.