Stores to Watch for Going-Out-of-Business Sales in 2009

I stumbled across this article from Forbes.com which is predicting hard times in the coming year for more major retailers. Circuit City, Linens-N-Things, and Mervyn's have already shut down (you can still shop online for 75% off in Linens-N-Things online store, though there's not much good stuff left.) Sharper Image will also be closing down but still licensing-out higher-end gadgets through other retailers.

The following list of retailers are those specifically mentioned in the article as being at risk in 2009:

• Starbucks
• GAP
• Eddie Bauer
• Pacific Sunwear
• Zales/ Piercing Pagoda
• Sears Holdings (Sears and Kmart)
  
• Sprint Nextel
• Charming Shoppes (Catherine's, Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug)
• Timberland
• Ann Taylor
• Pep Boys

While some of the stores mentioned are only expected to shut down a number of locations while still operating, an expert quoted in the article said he would "be surprised if Sears-Kmart makes it through the year."

The same is expected for Charming Shoppes, parent company of Catherine's, Lane Bryant, and Fashion Bug.

So these might be good places to keep an eye out for falling prices and liquidation sales. Some things to keep in mind...

If you're planning on buying a high-price appliance at Sears this year, I'd opt for something with a good manufacturer's warranty and skip paying for the store's warranty plan if one is offered, which wouldn't do you much good if they closed shop.


I would also avoid giving any gift cards to the Sears Holdings and Charming Shoppes' stores and hurry up and spend any you may have now (Linens-N-Things stopped honoring gift cards after it was announced they were going out of business.)


Unfortunately, if you have a store credit card, you'll probably still be expected to pay it off if they go under.

FREEBIES

Here's a list of the best freebies on the web this week...

Mary Kay is giving away a free sample of MK Signature Ultimate Mascara

Register for a free trial coupon for Boost Kid Essentials

Just fill out a form to get a free BPA-free Playtex® Drop-Ins® Original Nurser System

Free six-month subscription to "American Baby" magazine

Free pregnancy alert wristband

Free Child ID Safety Kit from Gerber

Free sample of Rachel Ray's Dog Food Nutrish

Free sample of Soy Joy from Walmart

Free peanut butter from Hearts and Minds

Free sample Quaker rice snacks

Free tote bag from Celebdish.net

GIVEAWAYS!

Jolly Mom is giving away a $1000 Spa Wish Gift Certificate! (exp. Jan 27)
Go Graham Go is giving away a tote bag from Cricket and Monkey (exp. Jan 26)
The Dirty Shirt is giving away a Baby Dipper Feeding Bowl (exp. Feb 1)
STL Mommy is giving away a $20 Shoebuy.com gift certificate (exp Jan 27)

The Dangers of Teflon

I found this really alarming article about the Dangers of Teflon, if you're still cooking with non-stick cookware, read it. Apparently the gasses emitted from Teflon have been killing pet birds and doing God-knows-what to the health of millions of families. The article says that "At 680°F Teflon pans release at least six toxic gases, including two carcinogens, two global pollutants, and MFA, a chemical lethal to humans at low doses."

So if you're still cooking with (and eating and breathing) Teflon, its time to send 'em out to be recycled and get yourself the real deal, cast iron.

The Martha Stewart line has an adorable Red Enamel Cast Iron Chili Pot but its made in China -and I like to err on the side of caution by assuming everything in China contains lead- so I'd skip that one and go with the original, Lodge Cast Iron.




Pros and Cons of Cast Iron:

Pro-

• Non-toxic
• Lasts forever (your grandchildren will cook on this if its taken care of)
• Distributes heat evenly
• Won't scratch
• Versatile - can be used in oven or stove top...heck, you can even use it in an open fire.
  
• Food just tastes better (At least my family thinks so)
• Cheap. They're very reasonably priced, especially when you consider you'll never have to buy another one. You could also find old ones at garage sales and thrift stores that just need to be re-seasoned.
• Many brands are made in the USA, like Logic.
  

Con-

• It's heavy. But this could be a pro if you want to keep upper body strength.
  
• Requires seasoning and special cleaning. Th pans from Lodge come pre-seasoned with veggie-based oil. And you just have to hand wash them with salt instead of soap and then immediately dry them to prevent them from rusting.
  

GIVEAWAYS!

My Chic Things is giving away a Voda Soaps gift set on All Because Two People Fell in Love
Three P's in a Pod and What's That Smell? are giving away stainless steel lunch carriers from Healthy Kitchenware
The Funky Monkey is giving away an organic baby blanket set from Rock Candy Music & Gift
The Funky Monkey is giving away the My Little Pony Ponyville Sweet Sundae Amusement Park
Barefoot Mommy is giving away a first aid kit from Me4Kids
Feisty, Frugal, and Fabulous is giving away a topless underskirt from Blush
Blessings Abound is giving away a Baby Bee Bag
An Island Life is giving away a shirt from Happy Panda

Contact

I'd love to hear from you! Please email me at themavensnest {at} yahoo {dot} com or leave a comment here. Make sure to leave your contact info if its not in your google profile.