Kiplinger Magazine compiles a list of the best deals each season. What’s a great buy in the middle of winter? Here’s one you might not have considered: Marriage! So many people want to say “I do” in June, that everything related to the wedding industry is on sale in January!

What else? Everyone knows about the “white” sales on linens, towels and home goods right after the holidays. Even though everyone hibernates at home in winter, this is when you get the bargains. Go figure.

Clark does most of his gift shopping for the upcoming year in January. Everything’s a steal: Wrapping paper, bows, gift bags, and the gifts that go in them. Especially the “last minute” gifts that retailers are clearing out, such as belts, ties, perfume, etc. By January 10, those items could be up to 90% off!

Furniture is a deal all year round right now, as is carpet, since people aren’t buying homes right now. Warehouse clubs in particular have great furniture prices in winter.

Unsold video games go on huge clearance in January. Expect to pay 50% or more less than what you’d have paid in December.

Here’s one big exception to the January sale rule: electronics. Wait for better sales on those to come later in the year.

The Wall Street Journal lists the Big Three online merchandising sites as Amazon.com, Walmart.com, and Ebay.com. In their testing, they found the best overall shopping experience was to be had on Amazon. Ebay came in second, featuring cheaper prices overall. Walmart lagged behind, with a far inferior user experience.

Clark buys on Ebay several times a year. The key criterion he looks for is a "Seller Rating" of 99% or above. Because Ebay doesn’t ultimately stand behind its sales, the best way to avoid potential problems is to see what your peers have to say about a particular seller.

Clark recently ordered a car and phone charger for a new cell phone from Ebay. When it arrived, Clark realized he’d ordered the wrong one. The seller had a policy that even if the buyer makes a mistake on the order, the seller will replace the item at his own cost. But Clark couldn’t bring himself to ask that of the seller, because it wasn’t his fault. So he chose to lose the $4.00. But that points to how competitive online merchandising has become.

Online shopping is morphing. Clark once talked about iDeeli.com, a members-only site selling ultra-fancy luxury items. Now even they have a long list of competitors. And now as a result, consumers are getting some really incredible deals.

Though you won't find Clark shopping at them, SFGate.com features this list of top online "Members-Only" shopping websites offering high end goods:

Beyond the Rack:  beyondtherack.com
Editors' Closet:  editorscloset.com
Gilt Groupe: gilt.com
HauteLook: hautelook.com
Ideeli: ideeli.com
Rue La La:  ruelala.com
Totsy:  totsy.com

Are you your own worst enemy in a store because you spend money you can't afford?

Executive producer Christa is thankful that her family keeps her busy enough that she doesn't have time for leisure shopping. Her family's big spending challenge is now monitoring food costs and the expense of eating out.

When she does go to a store, Christa tries to only go in for what she's looking for and nothing else. She's particularly careful in retailers like Target and the warehouse clubs.

Target recently told the Associated Press that people have changed their shopping behavior in their stores. Customers now mostly buy health and beauty products, prescriptions and food -- just the basics. What they're avoiding is Target's affordable fashion items, which were previously such a staple of the retailer's business.

At Home Depot and Lowe's, meanwhile, sales of paint and gardening tools are up. People are trying to save money by doing their own home improvement jobs and growing their own vegetables.

New figures from Forrester Research show that 1 in 4 people now put potential purchases back at the register. That's proof positive that consumers are making changes in their shopping habits. Consider that the historical number is around 10% of people doing the same at checkout.

And 60% of online shoppers abandon purchases at the last stage of cyber-checkout.

Let's face it, so much of what we spend is on stuff that we really don't need. The next time that you're tempted to splurge, just remember that you may have to transport that extra junk you're accumulating someday when you move!

When you go to a store, how closely do you watch when your purchases are rung up?

The scanning machines are basically scammers. We have too much faith in computers. If you're not watching carefully, you may overpay.

Massachusetts monitors retailer pricing more closely than almost any other state. They even issue fines to retailers that overcharge. The Boston Globe now reports that the CVS drugstore chain had a 67% increase of overcharging in the state during 2008. By comparison, arch rival Walgreen's had virtually no instances of overcharging.

The article quotes a longtime CVS insider who argues the company believes it's cheaper to pay the fines than to give people the right price. But in Clark's book, that really undermines a brand's credibility.

So don't trust the register scanners. Watch your items as they're rung up. And you definitely don't want to be distracted by talking on your cell at the register.

Meanwhile, Newsday reports that Best Buy is facing a class-action lawsuit over its "meet or beat" price policy.

Best Buy's price-protection policy applies to competitors in the local market area -- but "market area" is not defined. That's allowed the electronics retailer to deny customer requests for cheaper prices and prompted the lawsuit.

"No/No/No plans" will soon get a makeover thanks to new rules from the Federal Reserve.

Clark has received numerous complaints about these kinds of financing plans that promise "no payment, no down payment and no interest until (fill in the blank with a year of your choice)."

What most people don't know is that the interest usually becomes retroactive to the original date of purchase if you don't pay the bill in full before it comes due.

But the Federal Reserve's new rules, which go into effect July 2010, will ban the retroactive interest charge -- unless the full and final interest rate is clearly disclosed at the time of purchase.

The new rules are already putting a big crimp on the market. Retailers typically count on those who get stuck paying retroactive interest on "no, no, no" plans to subsidize their loss on those customers who pay the note in full in a timely manner.

El Cheapo Man has a confession to make -- he's not that great with couponing. Clark doesn't like going through the Sunday fliers and clipping coupons. He'd rather just go to Aldi and buy groceries at a great savings.

But many don't like the Aldi experience or they may not be in your state. So if you go to a traditional supermarket, you may now be able to have the coupons electronically appended to your membership card. Check with your store to see if they participate.

In another development, you can even get coupons sent directly to your cell phone. Clark is registered for a free service called CellFire.com that sends barcode coupons to his handset. He simply scans the coupon at the register directly from his phone. What a way to get the savings and not be annoyed with clipping coupons!

Editor's note: While CellFire.com is free, your wireless carrier may charge a fee when you use the service. See the company's terms of service for more information.

Clark has a special tip and warning concerning the many retailer failures that we'll likely have from now until mid February. That means you can expect a wave of going out of business (GOB) sales advertising anywhere from 20% to 90% off!

But beware, things aren't always what they seem. A failing business will put their assets up for bid and contract with the third-party liquidation firm that comes in with the highest bid. The GOB liquidator gets the right to operate under the name of the previous business for a specified period. They buy the existing inventory for so many cents on the dollar, plus bring in goods that were never in the store.

That's right, they bring in "fake" merchandise that is marked up just so it can be marked down. The GOB liquidator typically also offers retention bonuses for the old workers to stay on or they simply bring in new employees.

Even as they discount, they make huge margins by pretending the merchandise was worth much more upfront. You think you're getting a deal, but you're really getting rooked.

Clark thinks states should require a 2-color price tag system: One for original stocked merchandise and a second color for "fake" goods. Of course, he doesn't see this happening -- especially considering the powerful retail lobby at the state level.

One final warning: With more retailer failures coming, do not buy gift cards! A gift card is going to be Confederate money. So what should you give? Try cold hard cash.

"Call now! Operators are standing by!" Clark wants you to be careful about TV offers. He recalls a fun news story he did about five years ago where he ordered a number of products off television ads. Each one was hyped to be the greatest product ever sold. In the news spot, they first showed the TV demonstration, then they cut to Clark actually using that same item. Not a single product worked like it did in the commercial! One of his favorites was an ultra-strong power washer that attached to your garden hose, with a claim that you'd never need to hire a professional power washer for your concrete or siding again. He hooked it up to his hose, turned the water on high, pulled the lever.... and the water barely dribbled out. Nothing happened. At least it made for some great video!

You probably have been burned by a TV offer before. WCPO in Cincinatti recently did a spot on the "Awesome Auger," one of the top products being sold this year. The reporter said the only thing "awesome" about it was the extra charge you might find on your bill once you ordered it. The product was advertised at $19.95. But the "Shipping and Handling" charges totalled $140! Then he proceeded to list all the complaints the Better Business Bureau had received on the product.

Clark just wants you to know that when you see something advertised on a commercial or infomercial, the sales pitch is geared to create a sense of urgency before you come to your senses. ("But wait! There's more!") Know that you can never be sure what you're going to get. If you do buy something, make sure that you have -- in writing -- your right to return the product for a refund. And only pay by credit card so you can dispute the charge if necessary. But the best thing of all? Just say no.

Years ago, Clark recalls getting a unique call from a man who explained how he haggled at Wal-Mart. Haggling at a chain store that's already turbo cheap? It turns out that idea is now in vogue. America's Research Group reports that two-thirds of Americans say they've haggled in a store during the last 90 days. The Los Angeles Times reports that some chain stores have now given floor employees the authority to accept lower prices, especially on electronics. Many retailers also have matching policies where you can show them a competitor's ad and get the lower price. Clark's not sure if he thinks of that as bargaining. Do you have a great haggling story? Leave a comment.

Have you ever felt down in the dumps and used shopping as a pick me up? Well, now a journal called Psychological Science confirms what we've long heard anecdotally. People do tend to spend more when they feel down. Are you prone to spend money when you're blue? Clark suggests trying to break the cycle by finding a new response. Go for a walk or go to the park if it's a nice day. Clark likes to exercise when he's feeling down. If you have a conditioned response that's bad for you, you've got to work to change it. This touchy feely kind of stuff is more something that Clark's friend Suze Orman would talk about. But you know what? She's 100% right about this stuff.

Purchases you make on the Internet are tax free, right? Wrong! The states are at it again trying to find new sources of tax revenue as we stare down a recession. They've now turned to trying to get the word out that you're legally required to pay sales tax on Internet purchases -- unless, of course, you live in a tax-free state. That's news to most people.

The courts have decided that web merchants are not responsible for collecting taxes unless they have a domicile in the state where the purchaser lives. But you still owe the tax. North Carolina has been aggressive about trying to collect. Some states are even participating in cooperative efforts where they'll rat you out to other states. We're not talking about something you buy for $12 on Amazon; we're talking about something you might buy for $12K online. 25 states now have a line on their income tax forms to collect sales tax on Internet purchases you've made over the past year. Consumers are expected to keep a log of all their e-commerce transactions and then report them!

A recent study in The American Journal of Psychiatry reveals that about 1 in 16 Americans -- some 6% of us -- have compulsive spending habits.

This kind of behavior leads to a momentary rush of adrenaline, but afterward comes the financial hangover. Christa has done a lot in her life to take control of her wayward spending habits. She believes that if you're always buying new clothes, for example, you disrespect the things you already have in your closet. When the shopping bug bites you, try paying attention to the stuff you've already acquired in your life.

On a related note, Clark once owned a house built in 1937. The master bedroom's sole master closet was all of 2 x 1.5 feet in dimension! During those Great Depression years, that was big enough for a middle-class husband and wife. Today, a closet of that size would never work. Some people have so much clothing that they can go for months without wearing the same thing.

Clark believes the best way to tackle compulsive spending is with shock therapy -- you've got to ban yourself from stores! Let's say you're prone to go on a shopping binge when you feel blue. You've got to make sure you don't even get into the car to go to the store or the mall.

Here are some more thoughts about getting compulsive spending under control:

• Only buy non-perishables every 6 weeks and buy your perishables on a weekly basis.

• Sell all belongings that you don't use. Don't buy new things to replace them.

• Freeze your credit cards (literally) if the temptation to shop is too great. Put them on ice in your freezer.

• Always be mindful of your needs vs. your wants.

• Adopt a cash-only approach.

The attorney general of the state of New York has gone after CVS and Rite-Aid for repeatedly selling expired goods on their shelves, including OTC medications. This has long been a problem in retail, but this is perhaps the first time that it has ever resulted in a lawsuit.

In 2005, Clark himself found OTC medications that were 5 years past their expiration dates on the shelf of a third chain drugstore. He was so fired up that he brought it to the manager's attention. Unfortunately, the manger was underwhelmed by Clark's complaint and didn't seem to care.

Recently while in a warehouse club, Clark discovered expired soft drinks on the shelf. He found an employee and showed them the items. But when he came back a week later, they were still there.

Clark doesn't believe there's any conspiracy to sell us spoiled food. But you must be your own police officer and check expiration dates before you make a purchase.

In fact, the penny-pinching guru describes himself as "obsessive compulsive" when it comes to checking dates. He routinely digs around on the shelves to get the latest possible date on milk and medications.

One caveat: It's difficult to tell if the date is a "marketing expiration date" or the real deal. Some drug makers put an early date on their products to get you to throw them out and buy more.

Years ago, Clark recalls getting a unique call from a man who explained how he haggled at Wal-Mart. Haggling at a chain store that's already turbo cheap? It turns out that idea is now in vogue. America's Research Group reports that two-thirds of Americans say they've haggled in a store during the last 90 days. The Los Angeles Times reports that some chain stores have now given floor employees the authority to accept lower prices, especially on electronics. Many retailers also have matching policies where you can show them a competitor's ad and get the lower price. Clark's not sure if he thinks of that as bargaining. Do you have a great haggling story? Let us know with our new commenting feature!

Gift cards have been declining in popularity, but people still continue to give and get them. The problem is when you receive one that's intended to be redeemed at a place that doesn't appeal to you. Someone once gave Clark a Blockbuster gift card. He's hardly seen a movie from this millennium, so he's the wrong guy for that gift! Meanwhile, Clark's associate producer Joel once bought a Blockbuster card from a student who was selling them in his neighborhood. When he tried to redeem it, there was nothing on the card! The student had scammed him.

Some 30 percent of all gift cards are fraudulent, empty or stolen. People buy them on Craigslist or eBay and later find they're worthless. If you're looking to avoid such hassles, Clark recommends trying SwapAGift.com. This site allows you to get rid of your gift card or buy one -- all with buyer protection. Internal theft rings pose another problem in the gift card world. Sometimes employees conspire to sell used gift cards from their places of employment. So be aware that gift cards are not always a safe bet. Many retailers don't stand behind their cards; you'll take the hit if you get a bad card and are denied at checkout. Think about how embarrassing this must be for people who receive them as gifts. Do you tell the giver? Clark thinks you should.

The holiday shopping season was worse than expected by retail. Circuit City sales dropped 10 percent in December, and that's in the hot realm of electronics. The flip side to this story is that now there are great deals out there in the retail world. January is the sweetest month of the year to look for bargains. Clark was recently in a discount store when he saw bags of bows that were originally $2.99 marked down to 9 cents! So he bought 9 packs for 81 cents and now has 270 bows for years to come!

Clothing is one sector where you can find some real deals. Retailers are always looking 1 season ahead. Last week, Clark bought a lambskin leather jacket on clearance for $59. If he had bought it in the fall, it would have cost more than twice as much. So Clark's rule of thumb is to follow the calendar. On the first day of winter, winter clothing goes on clearance. On the first day of spring, spring clothes go on sale, etc. One caveat: Do not buy back-to-school clothes for your kids before they get back to school. The retailers try to trick you with non-sale sales in the weeks before September. Speaking of school, Clark once saw 20 pens for 20 cents after the kidlets returned. At a penny a pen, you better believe he stocked up!

When you give someone a gift, do you think it's OK for them to re-gift it or sell it online? U.S. News and World Report says that 70 percent of people think it's acceptable. Some 50 percent admitted to actually doing this. Clark believes there's nothing wrong with re-gifting or selling a gift if you don't want it. But be careful; he once actually re-gifted something back to the initial giver! So make sure you know who gave it to you before you go giving it back to them. When it comes to doing a return, retailers may require you to have a gift receipt because they're trying to crack down on internal theft rings. So when you give a gift, try taping the gift receipt to the gift itself -- not just to the wrapping paper. Clark's key rule about doing returns is do not go back to the stores until the first week of January. The return lines are maddening and the merchandise is actually pricey between Christmas and Jan. 1.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has been front and center in Clark's mind over the whole issue of unsafe Chinese toys getting into our marketplace and harming children. This is a federal agency that's charged with seeing that dangerous products get pulled. But the CPSC really isn't doing that at all, thanks to the actions of chairwoman Nancy Nord. By law, the CPSC is prohibited from issuing public reports about unsafe items until after a multiyear investigation. Nord has been lobbying to not have additional authority to deliver reports in a quicker manner. She's also fighting a move in Congress to fine manufacturers who make unsafe products. So what gives? Clark would love for Nord to come on the show and explain her position. Perhaps she's the ultimate libertarian who believes that capitalism is the best way to deal with products that kill children. Clark is just shocked that a woman whose job it is to protect consumers is actively campaigning to undermine efforts that would allow her to do so. But Clark doesn't want to jump to conclusions. After all, he doesn't personally know Nord and has no idea if it's her goal to harm children everyday. In addition, he does know what it's like to be on the receiving end of completely off-base attacks on the Clark Stinks message board. So he wants to hear right from Nord herself why it's a bad idea for government to ensure the safety of toys.

Many people have been logging on to Black Friday websites to get the early word about retail deals well in advance of the Friday after Thanksgiving. Retailers have just barely been tolerating the existence of these sites. After all, they don't really want their competition to know about their pricing. Now Wal-Mart has had its lawyers send nasty cease-and-desist letters to several Black Friday websites. But this has only created more interest in people about these sites. Clark thinks some off-shore website will probably publish the Black Friday prices and there won't be anything Wal-Mart can do about it.

But are you as a consumer prepared to get up at 3 a.m. and wait in the dark before a store opens just to get a deal? Clark certainly won't be doing that. As an alternative, keep in mind that online retailers start offering their big deals on the Monday after Thanksgiving when people return to work. There's a temptation to think that everyone is shopping online these days. But the reality is that only about five percent of all purchases are made online. Most holiday shopping is still done in person because customers want to see and touch the merchandise. One thing that people don't mind buying online is electronics. Clark predicted in March or April that GPS units would be the big electronics item this Christmas. He was wrong; they're about the fifth most wanted item. But the price could be right this season. The Kansas City Star reports that GPS units were around $1,000 two years ago. Last Christmas they were an average of $433. This holiday season they'll probably be in the $100-$200 range. Clark has a GPS he loves that cost him around $160.

When can you really justify making an expensive luxury purchase? Phyllis Furman, a business writer for The New York Daily News, recently wrote on an article on this topic and Clark has taken issues with some of her picks. For example, Furman thinks premium men's watches priced at $900 and up are worth it. Clark disagrees. He has an inexpensive Casio that has lasted him very well. He can't believe that The Financial Times -- a very upscale newspaper -- sometimes has ads for watches that cost $100,000. Furman also feels designer handbags priced at $800 and up are worth it -- something Clark just doesn't understand. On the subject of men's wool suits, the two once again have diverging feelings. Furman thinks suits priced at $300 are worth it, yet Clark has both a grey and a blue suit he got at J.C. Penney on sale for $149 each. There are, however, some areas where the two see eye to eye. Clark and Furman both agree that expensive built-in refrigerators, costly mattresses and designer jeans are not worth the price. When it comes to jeans, for example, it's the fit that matters, not the brand name. It's perfectly acceptable to pick up a pair for as little as $15.

Christmas lists last year were topped by requests for clothing, followed by peace and happiness. The least popular answer was computers. But the past year has brought many changes. Today the No. 1 thing people want is computers. Peace and happiness now comes in second, followed by big-screen TVs, clothing and money. Computers sales tend to come in waves. One of the last great sales surges was in 1999 when people bought systems that were Y2K compliant. On a side note, Clark recalled all the millennial hysteria surrounding wide-eyed predictions about planes falling out of the sky at the stroke of midnight on Dec. 31, 1999. Clark was in the air on New Year's Eve at midnight Greenwich Mean Time doing phone interviews with various radio and TV stations. Some people thought it would be the last time they ever heard from him because they expected his plane to crash! Fortunately it didn't. But those people who bought computers in 1999 now have systems that are the end of their life. That partly explains this holiday season's computer craze.

Folks often ask Clark what they should spend on a computer. Clark believes you can get a nice desktop for $300 and a good laptop for $450. But now a Taiwanese company has announced plans to sell a basic notebook model for the low $200s. The cheap laptop is being called the eee PC and should hit stores within a few months. Meanwhile, the Black Friday shopping sites have begun popping up with their predictions about sale prices on the day after Thanksgiving. According to some, Sears will be selling 32-inch hi-def TVs for $300 and 42-inch plasma TVs for $600. We'll have links to various Black Friday shopping sites for you as we get closer to Xmas.

There's a new recall of children's cribs that parents need to know about. One million cribs sold under the Graco and Simplicity brands between 1998 and this past May pose a structural danger to babies. Following is a list of the affected cribs. There's more information available online or by calling 1-888-593-9274. The recalled Simplicity crib models include: Aspen 3 in 1, Aspen 4 in 1, Nursery in a Box, Crib N Changer Combo, Pooh 4 in 1, Chelsea and the following cribs with the Graco logo: Aspen 3 in 1, Ultra 3 in 1, Ultra 4 in 1, Ultra 5 in 1, Trio and Whitney. The model numbers are: 4600, 4605, 4705, 5000, 8000, 8324, 8800, 8740, 8910, 8994, 8050, 8750, 8760 and 8996.

Sometimes a recall is not what you think -- you may not just simply return the item and get your money back. In the instance of this recall, you'll be sent a kit to make repairs yourself to bring the product up to code. Clark says there needs to be laws in place to make sure our kids are safe. Libertarians will argue that the market will punish those who make unsafe products, but how do you replace a vulnerable child who is injured or killed because of a manufacturer's negligence?? The Chicago Tribune recently reported how the feds sometimes look the other way when it comes to recalls. One retailer that's handling recalls the right way is Target, which has recalled its Cool Toyz play-set. Target is offering a full refund for the roughly 200,000 play-sets out there with lead paint. But how many have been returned so far? The Washington Post reports only 766, even though the paint in the play-set has 15 times the lead allowed by law. Meanwhile, the recent Thomas the Train recall must have received more media attention because the return rate there is about 40 percent. The responsibility must not fall on just the government, the media, the retailers or the manufacturers; it's one that should be shared jointly with parents. The safety of your children is important and you must protect it.

Did you know the average wedding today costs around $30,000? If you go back just two generations in this country, you'll discover that people routinely got married for under $100. But if you've planned a wedding anytime recently, you know that the price tag associated with every aspect of the big day has been ballooning. Some brides have been known to pay $2,500 (and even up to $35,000!) for their dresses. Thankfully, there are a number of inexpensive wedding dresses available on the market. Retailers like Target, David's Bridal and Filene's Basement offer them in the $100-$200 range. As Clark says, your special day is not about the dress, the caterer or anything else; it's about picking the right mate. It's a day that should be about having a big heart, not a big wallet.

Money Magazine is featuring a story about a passionate preacher this month. Sound familiar? Well, this preacher is the founder of the “Church of Stop Shopping” and he’s fierce about stopping people from spending money on things they don’t need. His name is Reverend Billy, and he’s been touring the country trying to get people to stop buying. About one in 10 Americans are addicted to shopping. Clark thinks tracking spending is the best way to prevent problems. When you write down everything you buy, you can really see what you don’t need by marking things as A (necessary), B (not so necessary) and C (not at all necessary). Reverend Billy also recommends shopping with a friend who will help reign you in if you get out of hand.

Have you heard of the Web site, “Gottadeal.com”? It’s one of the many sites that lists the sales retailers are having on Black Friday, the Friday after Thanksgiving. Traditionally, it’s the biggest shopping day of the year, and getting the deals is a huge coo for the Web sites. Gottadeal.com now has deals listed for about a half a dozen retailers, including WalMart, Costco and others. But, more and more, the week between Christmas and New Year’s is getting bigger for shopping because of gift cards. So, a leak of deals is a huge problem for retailers. The retailers try to guard their information because once it gets out the other retailers can undercut them. The WalMart leak is probably the biggest because the company is going to have great deals. They include a computer with built-in wireless access for $398 and tons of items will cost less than $5. In order to get the deals, you’ll have to be at the stores very early in the morning. The good news is that the information just feeds on itself because each company will try to one-up the next. Just don’t get caught up in the frenzy and buy something you don’t need.

Do you like to get the best deal when you shop? Clark has always enjoyed sifting through the Sunday ads for the best deals. So, when his wife asked for a CD player this weekend, he started searching the Sunday ads. He found one on sale for $9.99 and went out to get it. But he went to the wrong store where the cost was $14.99. He bought it and then realized his mistake. But the company has a price guarantee. So, when it did go on sale, he brought it back and got his $5 back! How can you prepare for circumstances like this? Use cairo.com. It shows you all of the sales flyers for stores in your area and tells you the deals. You can print out the deals, get a full description and bring it into the store. The site also tells you about the rebates in those stores, which is great. The site is not perfect, but it’s very thorough. Check it out!

It’s a great time of year to teach your kids about money. Why? It’s “Back to School” time. Kids want all kinds of things when going back to school, and figuring out needs vs. wants is key. That’s why coming up with a budget is the way to go. The good news is that total back-to-school spending will be down 10 percent this year, according to the retail industry. You’ll save even more if you wait until after school starts, when retailers have marked down items to get them off the shelves. Not to mention the fact that you’ll buy what your kids need, not what they want.

People spend a ton of money on mattresses, when, in reality, you can get a great mattress for much less. Consumer Reports has done an extensive report on mattresses. The magazine states that there is no perfect mattress out there for you. But you want to try out a mattress for at least 15 minutes before buying it. Clark bought a complete king mattress for about $500 and it’s turned out to be perfect. Just make sure you buy from a reputable dealer or warehouse club, which is where Clark buys his mattresses.

The amount of time you have to return items at retailers is being reduced – again. Some retailers have shortened the length of time to seven days. It’s happening because of the loss of revenue from shoplifting and theft, most of which is perpetrated by employees. Retailers are losing $16 billion per year from retail fraud, according to the Detroit News. Store detectives used to catch thieves from the outside. Today, they are there to catch runners who work at the store and steal the items. As a result, the 99 percent of us who are honest and who pay for our items are treated like criminals. So, be familiar with a store’s return policy before you buy there. This is especially true if you’re giving someone a gift and the store only allows seven days to return an item.

It’s a political year, and there have been some volatile events happening over the past few days regarding outsourcing jobs overseas. The idea of free trade and work moving around the globe has long been a controversial issue. Looking at the issue from an economic standpoint, there is a short-term effect on people and a long-term effect on the country as a whole. For the past three years, American workers have endured a tremendous hardship in the job market. People who are highly trained and who were making really nice salaries have found themselves unemployed. And it’s been a very rough road. But the reality with jobs is that the market place finds the most efficient way to deliver products and services. We went through this first with manufacturing jobs that went overseas. Then there were shifts in cars and electronics. Now, clothing and furniture are being made overseas in massive numbers. People in North Carolina who are skilled furniture makers have lost tons to people overseas. But we are both workers and consumers. The advantages of free trade as a consumer are enormous. Jobs may disappear but the flip side is that we now have opportunities to purchase great deals. Think of DVD players. You can buy one now for $30 or $40. If the only one you could buy came from America, it may cost you $800 to $1,000. We go through a constant churning process in capitalism, whereby people must learn skills in completely unrelated fields. And Clark thinks there is a role for government in this. The government needs to step in and provide those meaningful opportunities. If you’ve lost your job, take advantage of the marketplace. Learn skills that are needed today because you have to deal with the cards the marketplace is giving you. Clark doesn’t want to belittle this very tough topic, but get the skills you need to succeed. Don’t be a sitting duck.