The Problem.
We love fancy jams and cheeses from the farmers market, but we have a hard time planning our schedules around going. Plus, there are a limited number of sellers, so you can’t exactly go comparison shopping for gourmet granola (we found 45 different varieties on Foodzie).
The Solution.
Check out an affordable online marketplace that allows you to buy local and artisanal food directly from producers. Think of it as an edible Etsy.
The Action.
Visit Foodzie, launched in December 2008. It supports small gourmet foodmakers by giving them their own online storefront from which to sell goods. This provides consumers with access [...]

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After months of intense speculation, the Apple iPad has been released, to great fanfare. Upon its debut, the tablet was instantly panned as underwhelming and overpriced, by the blogosphere and Twittersphere alike.
How Much Does It Cost?
The number thrown around most often is $499, which is for a 16 GB version that’s been described as a big iPod touch; you can only connect to the internet via wireless networks, rather than 3G. There are, however, a wide range of prices for different models, ranging from the one $499 to the $829 64 GB version, which allows users to connect via wireless [...]

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The Problem.
You’re ready to make an online purchase, but you don’t have a promotional code. Yet, a LearnVester never pays full price!
The Solution.
Look for a promo code online, in order to score discounts or free shipping. There are lots of discount/promo code websites out there, but many of them offer expired keys.
The Action.
Follow our lead, by checking out some of our favorite sites (whose coupon codes are generally more reliable than others):
Coupon Cabin is one of the most comprehensive promo code sites on the web. Make sure you sign up for their (very useful) weekly newsletter.
RetailMeNot offers codes for about [...]

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The Problem.
How to know if you’re at risk for identity theft—or, worse, if someone is attempting to steal your identity right now? Simply looking at your credit report, or credit card and bank statements may alert you as much as a year after crooks have started using your personal information. We’d rather catch them before that.
The Solution.
Figure out how high your individual risk of identity theft is, and then stay on top of it.
The Action.
MyIDScore.com is a free service from ID Analytics, an anti-fraud software developer whose clients include banks and creditors. My ID Score assesses how at-risk you are [...]

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Buying an expensive handbag isn’t as much of a splurge if you plan to use it for many seasons to come. Think about how much you pay per use: If you spend $400 for a bag that you will wear almost every day for four years (let’s say that’s 1,300 uses), then you’re spending about 30 cents per use. Not bad, as long as you’ve bought a bag that will last that long, and which you’ll actually use regularly.
Consider the following when making your purchase, caring for your bag, and making peace when it’s worn out:
Opt For A Classic Style.
Pick [...]

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