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Book explains best time to do everything
If you rolled your eyes when your mother said matter-of-factly, "There's a time and place for everything," call and apologize. She was right. A new book, "Buy Ketchup in May and Fly at Noon," tells you when to do everything you ever thought of and plenty of things you didn't. Ever wonder when is the best time to hit up your boss for a raise? (5 p.m.) Ever argue with your mate about the ideal time to have sex? (At night between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.) Stumped by how often you should replace your pillow? (Every two years.) Author Mark Di Vincenzo answers these and other questions on topics that may or may not pique your interest but are sure to liven up a boring cocktail party. Try this, for example: October is a good time to buy jeans, cars, RVs, new tires, lawn mowers, wine, apples, cranberries and Bartlett pears. It's also the month to pass on shopping for vacuum cleaners and video games. (Prices on these items are lower in other months.) Some of Di Vincenzo's tips may seem like no-brainers: Who doesn't know to take a break from their pets while they sleep at night or to call a customer service line first thing in the morning? (Duh, everyone else is rushing off to work.) But plenty more will enlighten, surprise, even disappoint you. After all, that's what happens when questions are answered. And at least you won't die wondering. "More than anything, I want (the book) to be helpful," Di Vincenzo said, "something that if (the readers) follow, they'll save time and money." Just in case you're wondering, buying ketchup in May is a good thing. Condiment-makers tend to offer deep discounts from mid-May to June, hoping that shoppers will want to stock up. And flying at noon makes sense because like highways, airports also have rush hours. Here are a few more answers to some of your burning questions — or fodder for cocktail parties: — It's a good idea to make an offer on a house right around Christmas. Here's why: The holiday spirit may have sellers in a good mood. (That assumes they celebrate Christmas.) — It's best to learn math after class. Listen to the lecture, then review what you've learned within 15 minutes. The numbers might actually stick. — Buy shoes late in the day, when your feet are tired and swollen. The next morning, the fit will be just right. By Corilyn Shropshire, Houston Chronicle BUY KETCHUP IN MAY AND FLY AT NOON By Mark Di Vincenzo HarperCollins 192 pages; $13.99
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SPLURGE-WORTHY
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Don't miss the free, in-store holiday gift wrap and bow demonstrations every Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7 through Dec. 20 at The Container Store, 1769 South Brentwood Boulevard. Plus, The Container Store will give away one $25 gift card at each demonstration. More information: 314-968-8480. For a great deal every day, visit our Steals & Deals blog at STLtoday.com/steals
BAD HABITS COST MONEY
One former smoker saved “hundreds of dollars” in just a few months by going tobacco-free, according to the folks at Consumer Credit Counseling Service. At the other extreme, a friend of mine has paid more than $500 so far this year in bounced check fees created by poor planning and other bad habits. The message: Our vices and bad habits can tax our bank accounts. Here’s a list of bad habits and money-saving solutions: Take-out dinners • “Without a meal plan we constantly are scrounging the cupboards for easy-to-prepare (more expensive) food or going to the store last minute or to the quick-serve restaurants,” said Jim Parfitt of ChangeJarSavings.com. In contrast, thoughtful meal planning saves money through several steps. A menu plan requires an organized shopping list, which saves time and money at the grocery store, Parfitt said. Disorganization • “One bad habit is not being prepared, which can cause a waste of time and money,” said Sherry Stauffer, who teaches community classes about coupons. “I always start out by telling those who attend that the first thing in couponing is being prepared.” Known as the coupon lady of Fort Myers, Fla., (fortmyerscouponlady.blogspot.com) Stauffer spends four to five hours preparing for a shopping trip. Her research pays off. She spends only $160 a month on groceries, which represents a monthly savings of $300. Her preparation includes a review of store promotions, a hunt for coupons (online and in newspapers) and constant research about prices. Laziness • Clothing stains and bounced checks have common ground, according to Holly Santiago. Failure to take proper action can lead to unnecessary expenses. For instance, if you don’t repair your clothing or remove stains promptly, wardrobe replacement costs will increase. Likewise, when we’re too lazy to balance the checkbook, bounced checks could lead to unnecessary and expensive bank fees, Santiago said. Impulse shopping • In a recent e-mail, Natasha Maddox, a maven shopper, shared strategies for dealing with bad credit-card habits. “If you are having problems with debt, only bring your credit card with you when needed,” Maddox said. Stashing away the credit card reduces the risk of identity theft and impulse purchases. Sharon Harvey Rosenberg, McClatchy-Tribune
HIGH-LOW
High • Loopsey acrylic wine rack ($165) at plushpod.com Low • Acrylic Grapevine wine rack ($19.99) at The Container Store, 1769 South Brentwood Boulevard. yesterday's most emailed
 
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