Get gift cards you can't use? Web sites let you swap or auction them
Maybe a well-wishing client or co-worker gave you a Sears gift card, but you're more of a Neiman Marcus shopper.
No worries. At www.cardavenue.com, you can auction your gift card for cash or swap it for one you like better. The company charges a 3.95 percent fee.
The fee to post your card is $1.99 at www.swapagift.com, which offers similar services, plus bill paying and cash-for-cards.
If you feel guilty about selling or swapping, just think of it as "gift recycling."
New Year's Eve
If there's one night out of the year where it looks normal to wear lots of sparkle, Monday night is it.
Whether you're celebrating New Year's Eve at a friend's house or at a hoity-toity hotel, you can wear clothes with sequins or crystal embellishments.
Discovery Clothing stores sell sequined tops in a variety of colors, including this one with turquoise stripes ($10 each) that will work with jeans or pants.
More sparkle required? Try TJ Maxx's silver and white cocktail dress ($59.99).
For non-revelers, the choice outfit might be these Land's End pajamas ($25 for the top, $30 for the bottoms) plus the shearling slip-on ankle boots ($59.50).
The Parking Pal
If you find yourself screaming "Stay by the car!" each time your children get out of your vehicle, then perhaps you need the Parking Pal.
The CD-sized magnet features a handprint, which children can be taught to touch with their hand until mom or dad is ready to go.
The "pal" was designed by a Michigan mother of two who needed help occupying one child while she unloaded the other. If your child goes for it, it could be a life-saving tool. ($7.99, www.parkingpalmagnet.com)
Buy and lie
If you bought yourself a little extra something during the holidays and "forgot" to mention it to your spouse, you're in good company.
In Illinois, 27 percent of men and women have lied to a spouse about a purchase they made, according to a www.shopzilla.com survey.
Hotties, literally
Was this added to the column to promote a good cause, or as an excuse to run a little beefcake in Material World?
Honestly? Both.
The hurricane-weary New Orleans Fire Department has put out a sexy 2008 calendar featuring pictures of sweaty and soot-covered topless male firefighters with six-pack abs and bulging biceps.
The New Orleans Firefighters Look Hot calendars are $20 each, and proceeds will help the department purchase new equipment. Order at http://hotnolafirefighters.com.