Wine Finder Friday

Welcome to the first of many Wine Finder Friday posts - great wines under $12.99.

The inaugural selection is Tres Ojos Old Vines Grenacha, a staple varietal from the Calatayud region of Spain. Commonly found under $10, this delicious fruit forward wine is a steal! You'll find hints of tart raspberry and red berry with a touch of spice...this wine goes far beyond the traditional Grenacha flavor. You can buy it online or at your local wine store like Binny's Beverage Depot (http://www.binnys.com/) in Chicagoland.

On a side note...

Since you are probably wondering... 'WHY SHOULD I LISTEN TO THIS GUY ABOUT WINE?'. Well, since 2003 I've been enamoured with learning about wine. It started back in college when visiting friends studying abroad in France, Italy and Spain where my love for wine took flight. My interest expanded with a trip to Napa Valley where I began to understand the difference between good and not so good wine.

As with everything I do, I decided to find the best value - it's all about more for less with me. I've been tasting wines from all over the world, all under $12.99 (I'm not rich, you know!) and found some spectacular wines - some that drink to well over a $30 bottle. So don't think that you have to spend $50 to find a great tasting wine.

I hope you enjoy trying some of my recommended selections. So raise your glass, and enjoy!

Cash in the Couch

What Free Credit Report?

Catchy jingles. Funny commercials. Free credit scores. Free credit reports.

You’ve heard credit reports are free. Experian, TransUnion, Equifax are the major agencies reporting credit and are required to provide free reports by law - 2 per year in fact. But the websites being advertised on TV and Radio are nothing but money traps for unsuspecting consumers. The reality is… “Free Credit Score” websites are FAR from being free.

I admit, I’m human. I make mistakes. But I never make mistakes when it comes to getting scammed out of money…never…NEVER!...well, that is until I needed to check my credit for the loan on my townhome. I was told the 3 major credit reporting agencies provide a free credit report twice per year. So I figured, well, I might as well try one. Big mistake. BIG.

Here’s the catch:

My mistake, of course, was found in the fine print. Where they get you is this: the fine print requires you to enroll in a credit report service for a monthly fee of around $10-$15. After I received my “FREE CREDIT REPORT”, I never realized I was getting charged monthly for access to my report any time I wanted. After 4 months of charges, I found a strange line item on my Visa statement. It was an unidentifiable account out of California. So I called Visa and disputed the charges and they told me it was linked to the "free credit.com" website.

2 months later, after repeated calls to the website customer service, and letters and calls from my attorney, I was able to reverse only 3 out of 6 months of charges. What a rip off! Who needs to keep a monthly watch over their credit for $12.95 per month?

I was floored! What a scam?! How can they do this legally?

While I don’t have that answer, I do know to stay away.

It’s scary folks…I just saw Ben Stein, a renowned and trusted economist and finance whiz, promoting the latest rip-off credit score business. These little companies are popping up everywhere - I know of 4 being advertised currently on TV.

Please proceed with caution – it’s not worth wasting your time and money…I paid for a great lesson and I’m glad to share this costly story.

If you’re looking for the real way to get a free credit report, refer to this article on how to find the right service, and don’t make the same mistake. You’re smarter than that!

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-debt/credit-reports-now-free-for-all.aspx

http://www.ftc.gov/freereports

Cash in the Couch

Slick Savings on Your Next Oil Change

Folks, it scares me how easy it is to get ripped off when you take your car in for an oil change. Some places charge over $40 for a very simple service that you have to perform at least a few times a year.

One fallacy is how often you need an oil change. Every 3,000 miles is what they tell you... because they love it when you stop by and spend money! Believe me, they LOOOOVE when you come to see them. But your wallet does not. Some cars take more oil or have improved efficiency and don't need changing every 3,000 miles (or whatever that tacky sticker on the windshield says). Also, synthetic oils have improved the lubrication process and last longer. For more information, check out: http://www.boston.com/cars/news/articles/2007/04/01/carmakers_increase_oil_change_intervals/

Here is a simple rule. If you are paying more than $25 (in Chicago) for an oil change, you're dripping money from your engine!

It's an easy fix, so don't panic.

Here's how:

1. Consult your car maintenance record for the suggested mileage for an oil change.


2. When you get your mail, PLEASE scan through the 'junk mail'. Look for your local Money Mailer, ValPak, Clipper Magazine and others. Inside, quickly scan through the coupons for your local oil change service. Look for Firestone, Merlin, Jiffy Lube, Midas, Tuffy, NTB and others.


3. Most coupons will be good for about a month, and will save you $5-$15...well worth the 2 minute 'junk mail' scan.


4. Go to the company's website for more deals and coupons. Your local, privately owned service may also have a website where they post their deals.


5. Caution: be aware that the price may or MAY NOT include your oil disposal and new filter. There may be an addition fee. Also, engines that take more oil may charge a few bucks extra. Make sure you read the fine print or ask the front desk.

It's that simple. Scan the mail and check the website - that's a cool $45-$90 bucks back into your pocket every year. Well done!

Cash in the Couch

Save Money on Great Wine - Wine Finder Friday

Coming this Friday...Wine Finder Friday! Save money on great wine under $12.99. Every Friday, stay tuned for my pick of the week.

Cut the Cable Bill in Half!

It was a few months after being laid off from my first job that I realized my cable bill was out of control - frankly offensive! I was paying nearly $100 per month for a basic cable package with a DVR and HD channels. I knew I had to put a cap on expenses, and fast.


I decided to call the customer service department with my provider to find out what, if anything, I could do to reduce my costs.

After talking with several different representatives, I learned the only division that had the authority to give a decent price break was the cancelation department. Their goal is to keep you as a customer...which is great news for you!


After several failed tries with different divisions, I called the cancellation department direct. Instead of choosing the "change/reduce service" prompt, I chose the cancel service option. Immediatley, I was connected to a representative who was able to not only reduce my bill by nearly 50% for 12 months, but she even threw in FREE HBO!


This really works! I my fiance's mom just saved over $30/month on her cable/internet bill this last week!


Here is how to negotiate the deal...


1. Call your provider - choose the cancel prompt or ask the representative to send you to the right person who can cancel your service
2. The cancellation rep, who I will call the "customer retention" rep, should ask some questions as to why you are cancelling or how they can keep you business. Play tough here!
3. Tell them that what you are paying is too high for your budget and you are looking at competitors to save money- you can even name them.
4. Let them know that you have been pleased with your service and that you would like to maintain the same services you have currently, but just need a break on the price as times are tough right now (which for a lot of us, this is no lie)
5. Politely ask if there are any promotions or temporary breaks that would allow you to stay with them.


You'll be amazed how easy this works and how much money you'll save.


I want to hear from you. Please share your success stories and ideas!

Good luck,



Cash in the Couch
Finding money where you least expect it.

"Cut the Cable Bill in Half" is coming soon...

Working on the first Cash in the Couch blog post on how to find money where you least expect it..."Cut the Cable Bill in Half"

The post reviews my recent experience with the cable provider...I was able to keep my DVR, HD Channel Package, added HBO and cut my bill in HALF!

Keep posted...and follow my blog updates on Twitter: @cashinthecouch

Talk soon!

John