The June 2009 edition of Consumer Reports' Money Adviser has a cover story entitled "Best Recession Bargains: How To Get Great Deals on 12 Big Ticket Items."

Clark's take on the story is, well, what's not a deal these days?

Televisions top the tally as the single best bargain out there. Money Adviser recommends that you do not buy an extended warranty. The failure rate on new flat-screens is as little as 3% in the first few years of ownership.

Other items the article singles out include cars, travel, digital cameras, homes, major appliances, clothing, cell phone plans, furniture, gas grills, desktop computers and fitness equipment.

When it comes to digital cameras, Money Adviser says 6 megapixels will be good enough for most consumers. There's no need to pay more for additional megapixels unless you have very specialized photographic needs.

On the issue of cell phone plans, the article recommends pre-paid phones such as Boost Mobile.

Meanwhile, if you're in the market for a gas grill, they recommend you only buy a grill that comes with a 10-year or lifetime burner warranty.

Finally, the key rule when buying fitness equipment is never buy a piece that does not have a tryout period…unless you want it to serve as a very expensive clothes rack if you don't like it.