If you find yourself really strapped for money to buy gifts this holiday, consider swapping. Swaptree.com makes it easy to swap books, movie dvd's, video games and music. Most of them are in mint condition.

We spoke to one satisfied customer, Andrea Hutchins. " I've always had a problem, buying books by the boatload," she said. Not now. She swaps instead.

Does she ever give the books out as gifts, sort of regifting?

" Yeah," said Hutchins, "but I keep quiet about it. But I don't think they'd really mind even if they knew."

She walked us through how to swap.

Go onto the website: www.swaptree.com.

You input two lists. Your 'want list' and your 'have list'.

List all the books you want.

List all the books you have and are willing to swap.

Once you put in your want list, Swaptree searches for you and puts you together with someone who has that book and offers to swap for something they have.

You can print out the label with their address right then and there and the swap is in progress. All you pay is the shipping cost which, even with a hardcover, is never more than a couple dollars.

"I've only had minimal complaints,” said Hutchins. “Usually it's someone having family problems, they couldn't ship for three weeks, etc., it's never been a person trying to fool you. People have been completely honest.

"It's worked great. I've traded like a million times.

"Swaptree will be as active as you are. If you don't go on for awhile; if you get busy for a few weeks, the matching up drops off.

" Most of the time I've got two or three books coming a week. My roommate gets really jealous, she'll say, 'you've got another package in the mail.'

" Sometimes I'll get brand new books in the mail! I've done that too, I'll get to the second chapter of a book, realize I don't like it, and I'll immediately swap it.

"I don't ever go into bookstores now to shop. I only go in there to make lists of what I want, then I go onto Swaptree.com."

For more information: www.swaptree.com

Where is Jamaica Smith?

No, you don't want to slather your cup of coffee all over your face but you can use one of a number of fairly new beauty products that contain caffeine, to see a noticeable improvement.

We spoke with Dr. Ariel Ostad, a dermatologist who practices on Manhattan's East Side.

"They started putting caffeine into products back in 2004," said Ostad. "Caffeine really originated from the coffee berry, or bean. Coffee berry is a plant that basically has been shown to have some of the most potent antioxidant capabilities, similar to green tea and other teas, that contain this ingredient called poly phenol.

"Coffee berry contains a high concentration of anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants basically fight damage. When you apply them topically it can actually help reverse signs of skin damage from the sun.

"You can certainly ingest anti-oxidants, and there are a variety of anti-oxidants. For instance, there's nothing better than juicing, but certainly it makes it easier for individuals, if you can use a product that contains anti-oxidants. Products that contain caffeine that's found in coffee berries, are able to get rid of inflammation on your skin. It gets rid of inflammation that's due to sun damage.

"So once again, you can actually reverse sun damage, whether it be hyper-pigmentation, sun spots, or fine lines around the eyes or on the face.

"The other advantage of caffeine is that because of it's vaso-constrictive properties, meaning it constricts blood vessels, it's great to help get rid of redness on the face. A lot of patients suffer from a condition called rosacea, where they blush easily, they have this sort of permanent blush on their face. Caffeine, when applied topically, helps to reduce redness.

"When a product containing caffeine is applied beneath the eyelids, for individuals who genetically have puffiness beneath the eyes, or they have darkening under their eyes; because of the vaso-constrictive properties of the caffeine, the blood vessels are therefore constrictive when applied and therefore the swelling, the fluid build up is diminished. So bagginess is improved. The discoloration is improved.

"You will definitely see instant results from the caffeine products. The results are not permanent. You have to keep using them, because the effects are short term.

"For people who feel that ingesting caffeine is not good for them, it can cause anxiety, it can rev up your heart and increase your blood pressure, certainly stay away from ingesting caffeine.

But applying it topically, doesn't make a difference. There's such minimal absorption, there's such a small amount put in a small area, you don't really have to worry about the internal effects of caffeine.

"Caffeine happens to be just one of many anti-oxidants that help to improve your skin tone. It's one of the products that really helps your skin look better. However, there is nothing that replaces a healthy lifestyle. I think it's important to eat healthy, incorporate fruits and vegetables in their diet, certainly juicing is a powerful way of getting anti-oxidants into your body. You of course, can improve your skin by eating healthy. Other things you can do? Get adequate sleep and exercise. All those things will help you look great."

Products that Dr. Ostad recommends to his patients:

Zia Ultimates Bodyfirming Treatment

First Aid Beauty Detox Eye Roller

LaRoche Posay Rosaliac

LaRoche Posay Hydraphase

Revale Skin Day Cream

Revaleskin Replenishing Eye Therapy

What would you do if Channel 11 gave you $1,000 in cash?

As temperatures drop, more people will turn on their heaters to stay warm. The nation's emergency physicians are taking this opportunity to warn people about the potential risks involved with heating your homes and bodies.

"Every year, tragically, people are burned, start fires, get an electric shock and even die from carbon monoxide poisoning, because they weren't taking proper precautions," said Dr. Angela Gardner, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). "I don't want anyone in my emergency department suffering from an injury that could have been easily prevented."

One of the biggest concerns each fall and winter is carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and even death. People can be poisoned by breathing it.

"The most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion," said Dr. Gardner. "High levels can cause loss of consciousness. Every home should have a carbon monoxide detector, and if you have any of these symptoms, you should seek emergency care."

ACEP has the following tips to keep in mind before you turn on your heating sources.

· Check all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Make certain they are working properly. If they are battery operated, change the batteries. There should be one of each detector on every floor of your house.

· Have a professional inspect your gas furnace at least once a year. One with leaks or cracks can be dangerous for your home, leaking carbon monoxide or possibly causing a fire.

· If you use a fireplace, have a professional inspect and clean it every year to avoid fires. Also make sure any flammable materials are away from the open flame area. Never burn trash, cardboard boxes or items that may contain chemicals that can poison your home.

· If you use a wood burning stove, have a professional inspect and clean the chimney each year. Make sure you have a safe perimeter around it, because it can radiate excessive heat. Place on a flame-resistant carpent, use a screen to prevent sparks and hot coals from coming out of the stove. Use safe woods, such as oak, hickory and ash - avoid pine and cedar.

· Never use a range (electric or gas) or oven as a heating source. It's not only a dangerous fire hazard; it can release dangerous fumes, such as carbon monoxide.

· If you use an electric space heater, keep a safe perimeter around it. Make sure it is away from water or anything flammable like curtains, paper, blankets, or furniture. Check for any faulty wiring that can cause electric shock or fire. Supervise children and pets around space heaters, and turn them before leaving the room or going to sleep.

"We want people to be warm this winter and we want them to be safe," said Dr. Gardner. "Thinking ahead now, preparing your home heating safety list now can potentially save lives down the road."

For more on this and other health related topics, go to www.emergencycareforyou.org.

ACEP and MedicAlert Foundation are partnering to promote EmergencyCareforYou.org and to educate the public about medical emergencies.

A new survey by the American Red Cross shows many people will cut holiday activities, but still plan to give to charities. It found many people are cutting back on gift-buying, parties and travel this holiday season, but support for charitable giving remains strong. Apparently people believe it is even more important this year to give to charities because of the economy, according to a new national survey for the American Red Cross.

The Red Cross survey found that many people are tightening their belts this holiday season, with 29 percent cutting back on money spent on holiday gifts; 31 percent planning to spend less for parties this year; 40 percent cutting back on spending for holiday decorations; and 44 percent reducing their travel costs. However, only 20 percent planned cuts in their donations to charity, with 17 percent planning to spend more and 62 percent planning to spend the same.

The findings are all the more remarkable given the fact that the survey, conducted November 5-8, shows nearly one in four (23%) had their salary or hours reduced this year, with 14 percent saying they had been laid off from their job and 41 percent losing money in the stock market.

However, because of the economy, 67 percent say it is more important this year to give something to charity.

The Red Cross announced the survey findings as it kicked off a new "Gifts that Save the Day" holiday giving campaign featuring an online gift catalog and national broadcast, print and online advertising.

"In this season of hope and in these tough economic times, people want their gifts to really matter, and the new Red Cross campaign offers a way for people to give a gift that can save the day for those in need," said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross.

Through the online catalog at www.redcross.org/gifts, people can make a donation that could provide food and shelter for a disaster victim for a day; a military comfort kit with a robe, phone card and other supplies for a wounded warrior; or a month of basic necessities for a family in another country who lost everything in a disaster.

In addition, the online catalog provides an opportunity for people to give a charitable gift while doing their online shopping. Although retail sales are projected to remain flat this holiday season, online holiday gift-giving is expected to grow by 4 percent.

Gifts made through the catalog are contributions towards a Red Cross program area, not a donation to a specific project or item. The donations will be used to provide assistance where it is needed most within the program area; remaining money is put to use where it is needed most.

"These have been turbulent economic times for the Red Cross and other non-profits, with more and more people seeking help," said McGovern. "The Red Cross is working very hard to raise money now so the organization can be there tomorrow with help and hope when people need it most."

A key part of the 2009 Red Cross holiday campaign will be national advertising, including national cable television, in-flight magazines and online advertising urging people to make a donation to the Red Cross.

The television ads, which start November 23, mark the first time since 2003 that the Red Cross has done national television advertising during the holiday giving season. The advertising will support the end-of-year giving campaigns of the Red Cross and of chapters throughout the country.

The Red Cross ads feature photos and images of people being offered comfort and help by the Red Cross after a disaster, when they need life-saving blood or following a local home fire. The ads seek to capture the "Red Cross moment" when people go from despair to hope, and urge people to give the gift that saves the day. The advertising was produced by Russ Reid and the voiceover is by award-winning actor Jimmy Smits, a member of the Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet.

"We know these are difficult times for families and businesses across the country, but the Red Cross has seen that when Americans are in need, America always responds," said Jeffrey Towers, chief development officer at the Red Cross. "The holiday season is traditionally a time of hope and generosity, and this campaign gives us all a chance to make a difference in someone's life."

The telephone survey of 1,001 U.S. adults 18 years and older was conducted November 5-8, 2009 by CARAVAN® Opinion Research Corporation. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

What Happened To Jamaica Smith?

Candles are part of the holidays. You want to be careful with them with little kids around.

One of the big concerns, said an Emergency Room doctor, is their pajamas.

" It's important," said Dr. Kristin Harkin, and emergency room doctor at North Central Bronx Hospital. " When you're shopping and looking at pajamas for children, especially kids under the age of 14, it's important that the PJ's are flame resistant. If the parent can't find flame-resistant pajamas, at least find ones that are snug-fitting. The reason for that is if a child walks by a candle or gets too close to a candle, and they're wearing something that's loose around them, it's more apt to catch fire. If the PJ's aren't snug-fitting, the air gets between them and the fabric and it actually helps the fire grow and ignite.

" So make sure you pay attention to the flame resistant label and make sure your child's pajamas are snug fitting."

Another thing is to make sure you never leave the room when your children are around lit candles.

For more information:

www.pajamasbizrate.com

www.sullivanuniforms-flameresistant.com

www.cwdkids.com

www.shopping.yahoo.com

www.sherpy.com

Did He Do It?

People who can no longer afford their mortgages can get valuable assistance from experts on loan modification at the Javits Center beginning Friday, December 11th from 9:00am to 8:00p through Tuesday, December 15th. Those same hours apply all through the weekend as well.

The experts in loan modifications are from The Consumer Mortgage Audit Center alongside the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation.

The Jacob Javits Center is located at 655 W. 34th St. In Manhattan.

Sylvia Alayon, VP of Operations at the Consumer Mortgage audit Center will be on the floor at the Javits Center when some 70,000 homeowners are expected.

Here are her recommendations for homeowners who find themselves in need of loan modifications for their homes:

Should someone be concerned that their home loan payment is about to increase, or if they simply can not afford to make payments and are facing foreclosure:

Don't wait for a notice from your mortgage lender in the mail. Depending on where you live, the foreclosure process can be very fast and may never involve you directly. Waiting for a letter that says "foreclosure" across the top is not an option. As soon as you think you may have trouble paying your monthly mortgage bill, it's time to get organized.

Run your housing numbers. Figure out how much you can afford to pay for housing each month, so that you're ready to respond if you get into discussions with your lender about a loan modification or solution for your unique situation.

Get your paperwork together. Most loan modifications take at least one year to complete. The more organized you can be, the faster you'll help your case move through the system. The minimum paperwork requirements lenders are asking for to grant loan modifications include: income verification in either the form of 30 days of paystubs, or most recent tax return, if self-employed; personal debt report from one of the three major credit bureaus, note that everyone is entitled to one free credit report per year which can be obtained online and which lenders use to calculate personal debt; and, a hardship letter, the format and requirements for which you should get from your mortgage lender.

Consider getting professional support. Whether you consult a foreclosure defense attorney in your state, or a consumer advocacy group, enlisting professional support can be incredibly helpful. Because saving your home can take months or years, you want to be sure you have a team on your side. Most foreclosure defense attorneys don't charge for their initial consultation and then-if you win your case-the lender pays the attorney fees. For consumer advocacy groups, sometimes you only need to pay a membership fee to start getting professional advice.

The Consumer Mortgage Audit Center (CMAC; www.truthinaudits.com) is a due diligence and consulting company specializing in the field of mortgage forensic research and analysis. CMAC boasts a highly specialized team of mortgage experts who are also members of the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute and represent a combined experience of over 80 years in mortgage finance and law.

Holiday Shipping Tips from Stacy DeBroff, author of The Mom Book: 4,278 Tips for Moms and founder of MomCentral.com.

With millions of packages shipping every day between now and the holidays, your gifts are likely to get as jostled as you are shopping for them, and sending them off to loved ones.

This season, the need for proper packaging and shipping will be key as we all plan to send more homemade presents than in years past.

So, what do we most need to know? Some of the best tips to ship.

1. Pack to Protect
There's nothing worse than getting a box of cookie crumbs or a broken vase-so pack smart to ensure your gift arrives in one piece. Plus, many family members have the longest memories on the planet Earth, and will hold stuff like this against for years to come! Make sure your box is large enough to put adequate padding around contents. Position your item in the center of the box and surround it with cushioning such as bubble wrap, foam "peanuts," densely packed shredded paper, or foam pads. You should have at least one inch on all sides - so the item does not shift during transit. No "peanuts"? Use plastic grocery bags or hand-me-down clothing that can be an added gift for the recipient.

2. Trim the Package Fat
Pack your shipment properly to minimize the size and weight of the package and reduce shipping costs. Before you close the box, put an extra mailing label inside, just in case the outside label becomes damaged of falls off during the shipping process.

3. Reinforce Re-Used Boxes
Make sure there are no holes, tears or corner dents, and remove any old labels. Consider placing the box within another box for additional sturdiness. Check the bottom of the box for weight specifications so you do not exceed it's weight limit.

4. "Scrap the Crap" Tape and String
Use tape designed for packing, not duct, masking or regular tape. Do not wrap the outer box with paper or string, which can get caught in automated processing equipment.

5. Drop and Go to Avoid Long Waits
Instead of facing hour-long lines waiting to ship off your holiday packages, use drop and go instead. With Fed Ex for example, you can order free express shipping and packaging supplies online and then simply drop your package off at one of more than 53,000 drop-off locations nationwide (found at www.FedEx.com).

6. Batteries Not Included
Electronic gifts are always a holiday hit! When shipping electronics, make sure that the batteries are not inserted in the device, as the power button could be triggered during the shipping process. Nobody wants to receive an electronic device containing dead batteries! Purchase a separate pack of batteries and include within the package, so the recipient can try out the product right away.

7. Ship it Smart
Print or type the destination name and address in a neat and large font, in order to avoid any deliver confusion. You might even want to place clear packing tape over the label or address in order to prevent the ink from smearing or running-should your package have to endure any inclement weather conditions.

8. Sending Off Your Scrumptious Snacks
Homemade baked goods are always fantastic and economical gifts for family and friends during the holidays! Do you have an aunt that loves peanut brittle? Or a best friend from college that adores your chocolate chip cookies? Before you ship these baked goods, make sure the treats are packed and sealed in an airtight container or zip lock bag to ensure freshness. Have your children jazz up the container or bag with holiday stickers and drawings. You could even photograph your child during this decorating process and include the photographs within the package. Make sure to add parchment paper as additional padding within the container to prevent the baked goods from shifting.

www.momcentral.com

An artist's rich history still can't pay the bills.

As a result of challenging economic times, many women and men today are looking for newer, smarter ways to shop. Many companies are offering people an entirely NEW way to shop - allowing them to rent vs. buy - during a time when consumers are really looking for alternatives to buying.

Renting gives access to luxury without the guilt, clutter or commitment of ownership.

Avelle, at www.avelle.com is the new Bag Borrow or Steal, offering everyone access to luxury and a new way to shop. They were the first rented luxury retailer and remain the biggest.

The experience of renting from Avelle is not only about convenience and flexibility, but more importantly, having access to more. Renting gives members the opportunity to indulge in all the latest trends, always have the perfect accessory and quite simply, enjoy more of the luxury they love.

Avelle allows everyone to experience luxury by providing access to the most coveted designer handbags, jewelry and sunglasses from high-end designers, including Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton and Vera Wang.

Borrowing designer accessories at Avelle is easy. You can borrow accessories by the week or the month. You can keep an item for as long as you'd like and when you are done with it, return it for a new one. Many members borrow multiple accessories at a time.

For members who fall in love with the accessory they've borrowed, they have the option to purchase it.

If you're still shopping for your daughters or your sisters, try Rent the Runway.

Rent a Runway offers designer dresses for rent at an amazing price, starting at just $50.

Designers include Herve Leger, Proenza Schouler, Helmut Lang, Alice & Olivia, Brian Reyes, and more - with new ones being added every day

Dresses available for rent include a Vena Cava Disco Diva Shift. This is a $75 rental which retails for $750 Or consider a Lela Rose Strapless Bow Dress. This is a $150 rental which retails for $1,250.

Gift cards are available for the holidays at different price points as well as packages such as the Dress of the Month Club, A Dress for Every Season, etc.

They'll deliver same day in Manhattan; next day around the country or you can reserve in advance and the dress will arrive at your doorstep beautifully packaged in a garment bag with a "fit kit" (which includes Braza items such as double sided tape, deodorant wipe, and magic clip bra converter) and when you're done you can just pop it any mailbox.

If you're shopping for sons and brothers consider GameFly.

GameFly is the #1 online video game rental service offering members more than 7,000 video game titles, including new releases and hard-to-find classics at a reasonable price. You can start for as low as $8.95 for the first month. Just go to gamefly.com to sign up. GameFly members can rent games and keep them for as long as they like; no due dates, no late fees.

If you love a game you are playing, you can buy it from GameFly at a great discount. GameFly will mail you the original packaging and manuals.

For Dad's how about Guitar Affair.

(The Guitar featured on the show: Gigliotti Joe Bonamassa GT Custom electric guitar. The manufacturer is Gigliotti, pronounced Ja lot ee (kind of like Gelato but with a long e at the end) Gilgiotti is a small manufacturer in Washington State that makes very high end, hand crafted guitars.The model is a signature model of a very famous blues guitarist named Joe Bonamassa.)

Guitar Affair helps guitar enthusiasts to enjoy their hobby when they are traveling for business or pleasure. It is becoming a huge hassle to carry a guitar when on travel, especially for business travelers.

Also, like car enthusiasts, guitar lovers want to try out beautiful instruments no matter how many they own themselves.

One of these guitars is a Gigliotti Joe Bonamassa GT Custom electric guitar. The manufacturer is Gigliotti, pronounced Ja lot ee (kind of like Gelato but with a long e at the end) Gilgiotti is a small manufacturer in Washington State that makes very high end, hand crafted guitars.The model is a signature model of a very famous blues guitarist named Joe Bonamassa.)

With Guitar Affair, they can have a beautiful, hand-crafted guitar like this one, waiting for you at your hotel when travelling on business, or vacation. Use it while you're there.

You also get an amp, training materials, or anything else guitar related.

When they are done, they simply close up the case, put on the return label, and drop it off at the concierge or any UPS shipping location.

The process is simple. Go to www.guitaraffair.com, join Guitar Affair, and reserve the instrument you want to play. We take care of the rest.

Try BookSwim for a loved one who loves to read.

Many people now keeping themselves to a strict budget, cringe at the thought of inevitable holiday expenses. That's why BookSwim (www.BookSwim.com), the Netflix for books is offering a $10 gift certificate for everyone on your holiday gift list! Begin the year off with a reading head start by suggesting your favorite book for your friend! We are offering a coupon code FREEGIFT10.

Select the special readers on your shopping list, add money to their gift card to give a few months or a full year of BookSwim.

Remember the first $10 of every gift card is on us.

*Add $50, get a bonus gift of $50 Restaurant.com certificate for you or the gift recipient.

*Or double it with $100 to Restaurant.com with each $100 BookSwim gift card

Believe it or not, some holiday candy is better than others.

We spoke with a Manhattan dentist, Dr. Laura Torrado, who has come up with a list of which ones are less harmful to your teeth.

Holiday Sweets - Naughty or Nice:

Naughty:

" Large Candy Canes - Extended sucking on candy lengthens exposure to sugar, which causes tooth decay

" Caramel - Any candy that sticks prolongs the length that sugar is exposed to your teeth and often it's often difficult to get sticky candy out of tooth crevices.

" Gingerbread Cookies - Starchy foods such as cookies get stuck in your mouth and trapped in between teeth.

Nice:

" Chocolate Gelt - Chocolate is a thumbs-up as its sugars are coated in fat, so it easily washes out of your mouth.

" Fruit Dipped in Dark Chocolate - Fiber-rich fruits have a detergent effect in your mouth and stimulate saliva flow (a natural defense against cavities and gum disease).

" A Small Bowl of Sugar-Free Ice Cream - The calcium and phosphates in milk (or ice cream) help replenish minerals your teeth might have lost due to other foods.

" Licorice - Ingredients in licorice inhibit the growth of Streptococcus, the main plaque-causing bacteria.

Also, note that the longer harmful food stays in your mouth, the worse it is. Therefore it's not necessarily the amount of sweets you eat, but how often you eat them. Although not encouraged, it's best to have 10 candy canes at once than eat one per hour.

* The National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research estimates that children will miss 52 million hours of school each year due to oral health problems and about 12.5 million days of restricted activity every year from dental symptoms.

For tips in general about how to care for your child's teeth and prevent tooth decay.

Dr. Torrado suggests that parents teach their kids how to take care of their teeth, as they are responsible for ensuring that their children practice good dental hygiene. A great routine for children includes:

For Infants:

" Thoroughly clean your infant's gums after each feeding with a water-soaked infant cloth. This stimulates the gum tissue and removes food.

" Gently brush your baby's erupted teeth with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and use a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste.

Children:

" Teach your child at age 2 or 3 about proper brushing techniques and about brushing and gentle flossing at age 7 or 8.

" Visit a dentist regularly to check for cavities in the primary teeth and for possible developmental problems.

" Encourage your child to discuss any fears they may have about oral health visits, but without mentions words like "pain" or "hurt," since this may instill the possibility of pain in the child's thought process.

" Determine if the water supply served at your home is fluoridated; if not, discuss supplement options with your dentist or hygienist (Dr. Torrado can provide options)

" Ask your dentist about sealant applications to protect your child's teeth-chewing surfaces and about bottle tooth decay, which occurs when teeth are frequently exposed to sugared liquids."

Dr. Laura Torrado is one of the top female cosmetic dentists in the country.

According to the CDC, the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood (five times more common than asthma). The disease affects more than one-fourth of U.S. Children aged 2-5 and half those aged 12-15.

www.cdc.gov

What makes Schnepf run.

Holiday lights make the season bright...

...but also pose a fire risk, especially on a LIVE tree.

Here are some recommendations from the Electrical Safety Foundation International for holiday decorating safety.

Before you hang lights anywhere do a quick inspection for things like frayed wires and broken bulbs.

If it doesn't work you shouldn't use it. There's a reason why it doesn't work and a lot of those safeguards are built in to protect you.

If you need to replace items, make sure you buy from a retailer you trust to avoid potentially counterfeit goods. One cord set bought from a vendor on the street showed they skimped on the wiring by using flammable rubber coating. Clearly that's a fire hazard.

Don't overload your electrical outlets. A lot of times people plug their Christmas tree lights into one outlet, along with 5 or 6 other things. This could cause a shock or even electrocution.

Unplug lights before you go to bed or when you leave the house.

Treat it like a stove. You're not going to leave a stove on, it's the same principle.

Keep children or pets away from decorations.

Also keep in mind that outdoor lights are intended for temporary use and should be taken down when the season is over.

www.esfi.com

www.electricsafetyservices.com

What would you do if Channel 11 gave you $1,000 in cash?

It's a good time to be a homebuyer..both with the tax credits and interest rates at historic lows. Housing prices have been falling dramatically over the last year and a half. At some point housing prices are going start going up again; so will interest rates. When this happens people might feel some regret for not buying now.

If you are taking the plunge and you're in the market to secure financing for a new home, it's a very good idea to shop around. Not just for the best interest rate, but for closing costs as well.

In years past, consumers showed up at the closing with almost no idea of how much it was going to cost them to 'close' the deal. Consumer advocates and government regulators have been critical of the process. Typically you were told to show up with your checkbook and be prepared to write up to a dozen checks and roughly it would total in the tens of thousands of dollars. Often you were required to sign documents you were reading for the first time.

The process is about to become a whole lot more transparent.

Starting Jan 1, 1010, the government will require lenders to give their customers a good faith estimate of the closing costs, upfront. This will be in the way of a form, called appropriately enough, a Good Faith Estimate form. There is also a new HUD 1 document. It too will go a long way toward de-mystifying the entire process of buying and closing on, your new home.

The costs for the settlement service providers, all the people involved in the transaction whether it's a refinance or a purchase; all the costs for their services, will be listed on the Good Faith Estimate and the HUD 1 statement. You will be able to make sure at closing, that the costs you see, match what you were given a month or two prior, when you first started shopping around for a lender.

So how do you compare costs among different lenders and different service providers? Do this by shopping around. Compare the prices the lenders quote you. Analyze them before you even consider finalizing an agreement with them.

This initial investment of your time could save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

Spend two hours time online or in person with three different lenders. Get a few different loan quotes, compare interest rates, points costs and underwriting fees.

Then go a little deeper and analyze the good faith estimate of closing costs.

Be aware which closing costs are fixed and which are negotiable.

Many of the costs at closing are negotiable. Some are not. Government recording fees, for example, and transfer taxes in New York, those are not negotiable. Flood certification is also required. Also the bank may want an appraisal and want to use their own appraiser. It is sort of a fixed cost but there is room for some negotiation.

But many of the lender fees, or origination fees, or underwriting fees, points, those are negotiable.

So is homeowner's insurance, it's negotiable.

And now title insurance is definitely negotiable. So spend the time shopping around.

" You can go do that a couple of ways", said Tim Dwyer, the CEO of www.entitledirect.com, a title insurance company. Dwyer says that up to recently, title insurance was not really negotiable. "it used to be that title insurance was something that someone involved in the real estate process bought on behalf of the consumer. Now it's possible to shop for it.

" You can google 'title insurance' or 'title insurance direct' or 'title insurance save' and really be able to shop. Also two websites that really allow your to shop for services and compare are www.closing.com and www.feedisclosure.com."

Entitledirect offers title insurance at a 35% savings to consumers and that could translate to hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, in savings.

Also Entitledirect will contact your lender on your behalf; coordinate with them over preparation of the documents, provide you with advice, and tell you what you will need at closing.

Everything is done online but they will send a representative to the closing who will sit with you and walk you thru the documents. They will also make sure that you have read all the documents prior to your closing. They have an online facility that allows you to do that. All of your documents will be stored online for your perusal.

So again, be aware of what's fixed and what's not. Shop around, compare, analyze, finalize.

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"I don't know how I'm going to send three children to school with minimal income".

That is the quandry for single mother Sacheen Henry and many other city families facing the loss of free metrocards provided by the MTA, as part of their planned cutbacks.

Sacheen has three children in the city school system. She drives a bus for senior citizens to make a living. The idea of paying another three to four thousand dollars to send her children to school now has her seriously thinking about home schooling, because she doesn't know how she'll afford that extra cost.

The trend: The gifts have all been opened, and despite the best of intentions you find yourself with items that don't fit, don't work or you simply don't like. The week after Christmas is one of the busiest weeks of the retail year as 58.6% of consumers will return or exchange unwanted gifts after the holidays according to the National Retail Foundation. And returns and exchanges can be a hassle for everyone-customers and merchants, alike.

Stacy DeBroff, President and Founder of Mom Central and www.momcentral.com, offers her best tips for returning or exchanging those unwanted or damaged gifts:

SAVE EVERY RECEIPT: CREATE A HOLIDAY FILE

Always print your online receipts. If you cannot find the receipt, check your email for the confirmation sent to you at the time of purchase.

Keep all gift receipts on items from others ~ For online returns, keep the packing slip and the original box the gift came in (as it will best fit it's unique shape).

Watch when opening presents: gift receipts often get thrown out in the pile-up of wrapping paper and boxes.

MAKE BACKUP COPIES OF RETURN FORMS & RECEIPTS

Make a copy of the return form and receipt so you have a copy if something goes awry

DON'T BREAK THE SEAL ON ELECTRONICS OR GADGETS YOU DON'T WANT

For electronics, computer items toys, gadgets, or DVDs you know you don't want, keep the manufacturer's seal intact for easier returns ~ Many merchants charge a hefty restocking fee for opened items. Many online merchants now charge a restocking fee for returned merchandise. Fees as high as 15 to 20% of the purchase price used to be common when returning opened items, but now many online retailers charge fees from 10 to 15% even for unopened items.

RETURN ONLINE GIFTS TO BRICK & MORTER STORES

Many online retailers accept returns in their physical stores, so you can save on the hassle of return shipping and also have the ability to shop around to pick out an exchange item

EXPENSIVE ITEM OR KEY LEAVE BEHINDS BY VISITING GUESTS?

Nothing like returning a $300 electronic item or a wallet left behind by a relative and worrying about it making it to its destination ~ Send valuables via a service such as FedEx so that you can track them and ensure that they arrive safely at their destination

LIMITED TIME ON RETURNS

Be sure to check to see if there's a limited time on returns- it's often 30 days, but may run from the date of purchase!

Electronics in particular may have an even shorter returns window ~ Some stores limit returns to only seven days after the holidays!

WHO PAYS FOR ONLINE RETURNS: YOU OR THE ONLINE RETAILER?

The retailer should always pay if an item arrives broken or damaged ~ Check the returns policy, as many retailers will cover the cost of exchanges but not returns

UNWANTED GIFT CARD? SWAP!

Tons of sites online like swapagift.com enable swapping for gift cards at other retailers ~ But be aware of gift cards expiration dates and any exchange fees!

Beware of sale adjustments

If a gift item bought at regular price goes on sale after the holidays, make sure you get a credit or refund for the purchase amount

TOO MANY RETURNS CAN and WILL be held against you

You can get blacklisted by retailers for too many returns. If you make repeated returns or exchanges to a participating merchant, often just three in a given month, the retailer can refuse the return as potentially fraudulent.

More than a dozen leading retailers use an outside tracking system, The Retail Exchange, to keep tabs on the frequency and dollar amount of your returns, along with whether you have a receipt. The system is able to send an alert to the cashier that will reject your return. So you may have the terrible surprise, and then hassle, of having to get yourself off the list.

USE ONLINE RETURNS FORMS

Take the packing slip that came with your gift and enter the order number online with return and exchange details.

Usually found on a merchant's online site, these detail return policies and instructions on how to ship it back to the online store

TOO MUCH OF A HASSLE OR CANNOT TO RETURN SOMETHING?

Gift arrives with no gift receipt? Many online sites have restrictive return policies that require receipts, or that issue deeply-discounted store credit for items returned without a proof of purchase. Some alternatives: add them to your gift closet (nothing like re-gifting!), consider selling them on ebay, or donate them to a local charity and pay your gift forward.