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You can take advantage of some pretty good deals on Cyber Monday. But remember the golden rule: If it's too good to be true...

A "wobbly economy, combined with a consumer thirst for too-good-to-be-true bargains, has motivated cybercrooks to unleash a torrent of spam, phishing scams and malicious software," according to a USA Today article.

The article advises consumers to be wary of cut-rate deals from unfamiliar online retailers. It also doesn't hurt to use multiple passwords when shopping and to take advantage of the most up-to-date Web browsers and anti-virus software.

"Look, the Internet can be scary," Michael Barrett, chief information security officer at PayPal, told USA Today. "But you can be pretty safe if you take precautionary measures."

Sue over at the Taking Stock blog mentions Walgreens has a $5 off coupon with the purchase of $25 or more that you can get in stores or print the online coupon. It's valid for today and tomorrow.

People buy roughly 30 percent more items when they shop with a big cart than when they don’t, according to the author of a book about shopping habits.

"And the bigger the cart we're wheeling around the store, the more likely we are to stock it full of stuff we probably don't need," Martin Lindstrom, author of “Buyology: Truth and Lies About Why We Buy," writes in Parade Magazine.

So is this true when you shop?

* Buy 1, get 2 free deal on fresh Perdue boneless chicken breasts at Harris Teeter.

* Buy 1, get 2 free deal on salad mix at Harris Teeter.

* Buy 2, get 3 free deal on Palermo's frozen pizza at Harris Teeter.

* Buy 2, get 3 free deal on Progresso soup at Harris Teeter.

* Buy 1, get one free deal on Pepsi 12-packs at Harris Teeter.

Deals end Sunday. Harris Teeter is also doubling manufacturers' coupons (up to 99 cents, limit 20).

* Buy 1, get 1 free deal on bone-in split chicken breast at Lowes Foods.

* Buy 1, get 1 free deal on Edy's ice cream at Lowes Foods.

Lowes deals good through Tuesday.

* Gala apples are 99 cents a pound at Food Lion.

* Buy 1 bag of frozen chicken breast halves or breast tenders, get 1 free at Food Lion (bags are 2.5 to 3 pounds).

Food Lion deals are good through Tuesday.

Following Food Lion Deals are two days only beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday:

* 3-for-1 deal on Campbell's chicken noodle or tomato soup.

* 50-ounce Tide liquid 2X detergent is $4.99.

* 5 for $5 on Kellogg's Grab 'N Go Frosted Flakes.

A recent Consumer Reports holiday shopping poll predicted 23 percent of shoppers planned to buy a big-screen TV before or after the holidays.

You'll also find some good deals out there. That's because manufacturers last summer, predicting a busy holiday season, were churning them out in big numbers. But the economy took a nose dive, resulting in plenty of supply and lower-than-expected demand. So prices are being cut.

"Already, 42-inch flat-screen TVs that sold for $1,500 a year ago are selling at or below $1,000," according to one newspaper article.

One deal that caught my eye was from TigerDirect, which has a 46-inch Toshiba 1080p* LCD HDTV for $999.99 (model 46RV53ou). Even when you add shipping (about $50 for ground shipping to Greensboro, which takes up to a week), that's still a great price for that TV.

Too big? Best Buy has a 32-inch Insignia 720p* LCD HDTV for $479.99.

*Do you know the difference between 1080p and 720p? Not to worry: News & Record artist Tim Rickard created an interactive graphic last year that simplifies the resolution confusion surrounding HDTVs.

Arby's online printable coupon good for a free, regular roast beef sandwich with any purchase.

Expires Dec. 14.

WFMY mentioned a Gibsonville pizza place will give you a free medium pie (takeout only) if you donate an unwrapped toy for children in need by Dec. 15.

You can donate your toy at Just Pizza at 112 W. Main St.

You can also drop off a toy at the Gibsonville Fire Department at 218 Piedmont Ave. You'll then get a coupon toward the pizza.

Andy Rooney on 60 Minutes on Sunday:

"When I go to a good restaurant here in New York for dinner, I often slip a roll in my pocket as I'm leaving for breakfast the next morning. Taking a roll at a restaurant. That's not stealing, is it?"

Tomorrow's News & Record Life section features a graphic regarding 12 gifts for under $20.

Here's the intro.: "Times are tough. So the criteria for what we buy as Christmas gifts must be tougher. With that in mind, we scoured the city for unique steals."

The graphic was created by News & Record artist Margaret Baxter.

Check out the interactive version here.

If you're looking for a digital camera for yourself or as a gift but don't want to break the bank, the Canon A590 might be the best choice out there.

Prices start at $109.99.

In the Triad, the cheapest I've seen is $119.99 at Circuit City.

Customer reviews have been positive. Ditto regarding expert reviews.

Must-have features that this camera includes: image stabilization to help prevent blurry photos. Also uses SD cards, which make uploading photos to your computer convenient. Plus it uses AA batteries. No need to worry about running out of juice at the zoo or the beach or ski slope where outlets are a mile away. Just store some extra batteries in your pocket.

I bought the Canon A570 last December for $179.99 and have no regrets. Features on my camera appear to be identical to this one, although mine is a 7.1-megapixel camera. This one is 8 megapixels.

Also takes decent video in a pinch. Here's an example.

McDonald's is reporting worldwide sales increased by 7.7 percent in November, thanks to consumers trying to stretch their wallets in tough times.

"The increase comes even as U.S. consumers increasingly opt for eating at home to conserve cash," according to the AP.

So is fast-food on your menu more often these days? And is McDonald's really the best fast-food deal for your buck?

I do love me some McDonald's fries, although a co-worker says Burger King's are better. And he says Wendy's makes the best burgers. Me? I'm partial to the Whopper.

More companies are trying to cash in on the success of the Wii video game system and its novel, wand-like controller that responds to your movement by offering much cheaper alternatives.

JC Penney's Web site, for example, has the My Sports Plug-N-Play game system for $39.99, not including shipping. (Regular $89.99). On sale for $49.99 in their stores.

That's far less than the Wii, which costs $249.99.

You can also get a Plug-N-Play at Amazon.com for $39.99.

Like the Wii, the Plug-N-Play features a wireless remote that responds to your movement. The Plug-N-Play also comes with one bat controller and pairs of golf club, tennis racket and boxing controller remotes. Five games are also included.

Haven't seen any reviews, so if you're considering getting one, check with the retailer regarding its return policy.

At the very least, it might be worth giving it a test run with your friends and relatives over the holidays.

Woot has a pretty sweet one-day only sale on the JVC Everio 30GB digital camcorder (GZ-MG435) with 32X optical zoom for $299.99.

You'll definitely save some bucks.

The internal hard disk drive can store up to 37 hours of recording or 7 hours at the highest quality.

I bought an Everio in September and it works really well. Quality is superb, particularly the zoom feature (mine is 35X optical zoom). One feature I love that this camcorder also has is the ability to record your video onto a micro SD card. The chances I'll even need to store that much video on the hard drive are slim to none anyway since I'm never recording more than an hour's worth of video at one time.

The card makes it easier to upload video to your computer (look ma, no cables).

Other cool feature: Laser touch operation. The scroll bar and buttons are touch-sensitive so you just glide your finger up or down the bar to choose menu items.

How many pairs of free shoes and handbags can you carry in two minutes?

Patricia Clark put that to the test as the recent winner of a Rack Room Shoes grand opening contest at Friendly Center in Greensboro.

Clark had two minutes to grab as many shoes and handbags she could carry.

Her husband Roland cheered her on from his wheelchair while watching her run through the store.

She got eight pairs of shoes including Maripe, Highland Creek, Clarks and Skechers. She also got five handbags. Total value was $534.

Clark, who works for a security company at a Greensboro Walmart, got shoes for her husband, her sister, relatives and a few for herself.

Rack Room Shoes will donate the value of her bounty to a school of her choice as a part of their Shoes That Fit program that gives new shoes to children in need.

Clark chose the Gateway Educational Center, a nationally-recognized school that serves children with disabilities from birth to age 22.

Now how about a contest for us guys? Any stores out there (men's clothing, sporting goods stores, golf pro shops), want to hold an all-you-can grab contest, too? You can also match the proceeds to a charity of the winner's choice.

Just a thought.

Patricia Clark grabbed $534 worth of shoes and handbags.

As mentioned by Sue at Taking Stock, Bloomberg is reporting Walmart will begin selling a cheaper version of Apple's iPhone (4GB) by the end of the year.

“A $99, Apple-branded cell phone is inevitable,” Shaw Wu, an analyst for Kaufman Brothers in San Francisco, told Bloomberg.

Not so fast. When I mentioned this to a co-worker, a tech geek and worshiper at the altar of all things Mac, he referred me to a Web site about Mac rumors that just doesn't buy it.

Neither does Wired:

"The 4GB part of this rumor irks, also. Name one other product line from Apple which has seen a memory decrease. You can't."

You might want to pay more attention during checkout because price-scanning errors may be more common than you think.

State inspectors have fined some Triad stores including Target, Super K-mart and CVS for overcharging merchandise.

Grocery store deals through Tuesday:

* Frozen turkey breasts are 97 cents a pound at Food Lion. (Limit 2)

* Frozen boneless chicken breasts are $1.48 a pound at Compare Foods.

* 5-piece packages of boneless, skinless chicken breasts are $1.99 a pound at Lowes Foods.

* Fresh split chicken breasts are 88 cents a pound at Harris Teeter.

* Buy 1, get 2 free deal on 2.5-pound bags of frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts at Harris Teeter (Thurs.-Sun. only)

* Fresh ground turkey (85 percent lean ) is $1.48 a pound at Compare Foods.

* Freschetta frozen pizza is $4.99 a Lowes Foods.

* Buy 1, get two free deal on Harris Teeter brand ice cream (Thurs-Sun. only).

* 18-packs of Bud Light, Miller Lite and Coors Light are $8.88 at Harris Teeter.

Some merchants will be offering free shipping on Dec. 18 with guaranteed delivery by Christmas.

Those so far include: Amazon.com, Bloomingdale’s, Brookstone, Circuit City, Coldwater Creek, Crate & Barrel, Endless.com, Nordstrom, Sur La Table, Target and Zappos.

Today's Short Orders column mentions Restaurant.com says it will donate $30 million in free restaurant gift certificates now through Christmas. Or treat others to savings on dining out.

Want to get away?

Prices on lift tickets and luxury hotel rooms at many big destination resorts are falling as the recession takes its toll on the ski industry, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Update: Going, going gone. Woot's Web site no longer advertises the deal below, replacing it with something new.

If you can't see your grandparents or grandkids in person over the holidays, you may still be able to see them over your computer screen, on the cheap too.

Woot has an eye-catching, one-day only deal on a headset and webcam for $7.99 that you can hook up to your computer to use eBay's free Skype Internet phone service. Not only is eBay's software free (you simply download it), so are the phone calls, including long-distance.

An upcoming event featured as one of the News & Record's "Best Bets" is a free Greensboro Symphony Orchestra concert Dec. 19. Just donate a non-perishable food item for the Salvation Army.

Details and other best bets are featured in the latest Unwind entertainment show produced by the staff at the News & Record. This one is 2:34 minutes. The stuff about best bets begins at 1:35.

Got a golfer on your Christmas gift list?

You might want to take a swing at this deal: The Wyndham Championship is holding its annual holiday merchandise sale Tuesday through Dec. 19. That means discounts on clothes of 30 to 50 percent.

It will be held from to 10 to 5 at The Wyndham Championship office at 401 North Greene St. in downtown Greensboro.

And be sure to mark you calendars for the 2009 Wyndham Championship, which is set for Aug. 17-23 at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro.

Tickets will be available in the spring at wyndhamchampionship.com or through the tournament office at 379-1570.

A new Web site promises to alert shoppers when their favorite items go on sale.

Here's the deal: You tell ZingSale.com what sale items you want to know about. ZingSale then searches for price reductions throughout the day. When a sale is found, ZingSale sends you an e-mail alert letting you buy the item online.

Users can also specify the price they would like to pay for an item, or they can let ZingSale notify them when the price falls by a certain percentage (usually 10 percent or more).

You can also follow ZingSale deals on Twitter.

Cover story in today's Life section of the News & Record by Joe Killian features some tech gifts at every price range.

Great stocking stuffer idea for the bargain-loving relative or friend on your Christmas wish list: the 2009 Attractions Dining and Value Guide coupon book.

The $25 book features hundreds of coupons toward Triad area restaurants, stores and entertainment such as bowling and green fees.

List of Triad area participating merchants here.

News & Record employees including yours truly had been paying $12.50 for the book per an arrangement with our circulation department. (Not sure about this year.) But I'd still pay full price for it and come out way ahead, which was the case this past year and in 2007.

The book is used at fundraisers, but you can also order it at their Web site. Last day to order to guarantee delivery by Christmas is Dec. 19 at 11 a.m. Express shipping ($5) is Dec. 23.

Gift receipts are available after checkout for late orders.

WHAT
COUPON
TOTAL

Tandoor Indian Restaurant
Buy 1 entree, save $10 off next
$10

Get a free coffee (any size) at Sheetz when you buy at least 8 gallons' worth of gas.

Today's Life section of the News & Record highlights gifts for just about anyone including moms, dads, sisters, brothers, best friends and kids.

"For the clever shopper, there are countless inexpensive, unique items on the Web to satisfy any recipient," according to the editors of Real Simple magazine.

The Life section also has a list of 10 stocking stuffers for $15 or less.

Are there other deals worth mentioning?

Get a 16 GB flash drive for $19.99 at Newegg.com. Free shipping.

Get "5 Foodie Bucks" ($5 discount) for every $50 you spend at Fresh Market (per visit) until Saturday.

Good toward your next purchases from Sunday to Dec. 28.

This might be a good stocking stuffer: Digital photo keychain at Big Lots for $6. Displays about 72 photos.

PCMag.com Editor-in-Chief Lance Ulanoff has created his fourth annual list of what not to buy this holiday season when it comes to gadgets. The list also includes suggestions on what to buy.

Highlights include advice on high-definition DVD players, cell phones, video cameras, camcorders, PCs and video games.

Deals good through Christmas Eve:

* Gwaltney premium spiral sliced smoked ham is $1.39 a pound at Lowes Foods (limit 2 with additional $25 purchase).

* Frozen turkeys are 77 cents a pound at Food Lion.

* Bone-in rib roast is $5.97 a pound at Harris Teeter. (Harris Teeter is also doubling manufacturers' coupons up to 99 cents. Limit 20.)

* 2-for-1 deal on Breyers ice cream at Harris Teeter and Lowes Foods.

* Cases of Bud Light, Coors and Miller Lite are $12.88 at Lowes Foods.

* 2-for-1 deal on Coca-Cola products at Harris Teeter.

* 4 Tombstone frozen pizzas for $10 at Harris Teeter.

* 2-for-1 deal on Triscuit and Wheat Thins at Harris Teeter.

* 2-for-1 deal on Mrs. Smith's fruit pies at Food Lion.

Homer Simpson: I’ll have the smiley face breakfast special. Uhh, but could you add a bacon nose? Plus bacon hair, bacon mustache, five o’clock shadow made of bacon bits and a bacon body.
Waitress: How about I just shove a pig down your throat?
(Homer looks excited)
Waitress: I was kidding.

Homer Simpson would simply be drooling all over today's News & Record. That's because the cover story of the Savor section is all about, you guessed it, bacon.

"And bacon works so well in so many dishes, soups and salads, chili and stuffed pork chops," writes Noelle Carter. "Layer it in burgers or use it as garnish, wrapped seductively around fillets or brats for a little extra flavor."

Article also includes three recipes (roasted potato salad, panzanella and apple bacon coffeecake).

Some bacon deals this week:

* Food Lion has a 2-for-1 deal on 16-ounce Smithfield bacon.

* 2 for $5 deal on Lowes Foods 12-ounce center cut sliced bacon.

* 2 packages of Oscar Mayer sliced bacon for $9 at Harris Teeter.

Helpful article in the Sun-Sentinal that mentions dozens of Web sites offering help with savings, from financial advice to comparison shopping and discount coupons.

Also tips on getting e-mail alerts to keep you posted on deals or remind you when library books are due.

The News & Record's Web site featuring text message coupons and deals includes how to get a free Papa John's pizza at participating Triad locations.

Text message "pizza" and send it to 476669 to get a code good toward a free Papa John's pizza if you buy another pizza at the regular price.

Today's the day to take advantage of free shipping.

That means participating merchants give free shipping to online shoppers with guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve. Details here.

Those participating include: Amazon.com, Bloomingdale’s, Brookstone, Circuit City, Coldwater Creek, Crate & Barrel, Endless.com, Nordstrom, Sur La Table, Target and Zappos.

The Associated Press has created an interactive called "10 gifts under $10. Economical choices that don't look cheap."

Agree with the choices? Any others that should be on the list?

Is the recession putting the squeeze on your video-game lifestyle?

Get tips on everything from buying an affordable television, mini-fridge, headphones and used furniture in the latest episode of GameBuzz, hosted by yours truly.

Plus learn how you can save some serious dough if you plan on getting connected to Xbox Live.

Gate City Billiards Club off Landmark Center Boulevard in Greensboro has a pool special to celebrate its grand opening. Buy an annual membership ($5) and get two free hours of pool.

Amenities include a 10-foot snooker table, 10, 9-foot tables and a non-smoking room with three, 9-foot tables.

Belk is giving away gift cards worth at least $5 to the first 250 customers at each store starting at 6 a.m. Saturday. One person will get a gift card worth $5,000.

Belk coupons are also in today's insert in the News & Record: $30 off $150 or more, $20 off $100 or more and $10 off $50 or more.

This might be a great stocking stuffer for the video game fan in your family: The highly acclaimed Call of Duty: World at War video game for the Xbox 360 is on sale at Best Buy for $34.99 (regular $59.99).

Word of caution for parents: This game, as you can see on the cover, carries an M rating, which means mature (only recommended for those 17 and older). Games that carry an M rating include "blood and gore, intense violence, strong language."

I recently wrote about the video game ratings system to help parents who are still confused about it. We also created an online interactive that spells it out in simple terms:

This might be a good gift for the shutter bug on your holiday shopping list.

It's a 7-inch digital picture frame on sale at HH Gregg for $49.99. (Regular $69.99)

Customer reviews have been generally positive. Amazon also has it for $49.99.

Many retailers are volunteering on-the-spot discounts and even letting customers haggle prices well down from what's marked in a desperate bid to make the cash register ring, according to the Associated Press.

So have you haggled, and, if so, what was the result?

Used to be if you saw someone in public hiding something in a brown paper bag, you assumed it contained an adult beverage.

These days?

It's so you can keep your high-end purchases hidden from plain view. Discretion among the wealthy is hip in tough times. Don't want to rub it in.

"I keep a stash of brown paper bags," Sara Albrecht, owner of Ultimo, a Chicago-based designer clothing boutique, told the Associated Press. "No one will ever know."

Albrecht told the AP she used to keep a few bags handy for those wanting to keep their purchases hidden from their husbands. Now she has a bigger pile following requests from shoppers who want to keep their buying secret from friends and neighbors.

This comes at a time, according to the AP, when the rich are tightening their belts. Relatively speaking, of course.

"Sure, many of the ultra-rich aren't exactly scrimping," according to the AP. "Some are still dropping $100,000 on a fur coat or $600 for a pair of shoes, and Tiffany & Co. recently drew a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd for the launch of its second Ohio location, a 6,200 square-foot jewelry emporium in Columbus."

Update: Colleague Gerald Witt passed along this related New Yorker story:

"But in these dismal days even big spenders want to look like they’ve come from a sample sale; the scheme is cruddy bags with nice stuff inside, instead of nice bags masking the crud within."

Deals good through tomorrow:

* 27.8-34.5 ounces of Folgers or Dunkin' Donuts coffee at Lowes Foods for $5.99.

* Sanderson Farms boneless skinless chicken breasts are $2.99 a pound at Lowes foods.

* 2-for-1 deal on Betty Crocker cake mix at Lowes Foods and Food Lion.

* 2-for-1 deal on Campbell's cream-style soups at Lowes Foods and Harris Teeter.

* 2-for-1 deal on Xtra 2X laundry detergent at Lowes Foods.

* 2-for-1 deal on Smithfield bacon at Food Lion.

* 2-for-1 deal on Edy's ice cream at Food Lion.

* Cases of Miller Lite are $12.99 at Food Lion.

* Made in store platters more than $15 are $5 off at Food Lion.

* Whole, semi-boneless leg of lamb is $4.99 at Food Lion.

* 2-for-1 deal on Mama Lucia meatballs at Food Lion.

* Fresh deli Virginia or honey ham is $3.99 a pound at Food Lion.

* 5 for $4 on Del Monte cut beans at Harris Teeter.

* 2-for-1 deal on Kraft salad dressing at Harris Teeter.

* Bone-in rib roast is $5.97 at Harris Teeter.

* 2-for-1 deal on Purex detergent at Harris Teeter.

* Snow crab clusters are $4.99 a pound at Harris Teeter.

* Cherries are $3.99 a pound at Harris Teeter.

* 2-for-1 deal on Ocean Spray cranberry juice at Harris Teeter.

Dec. 26 is shaping up to be the second Black Friday with retailers promising big savings.

"Day-after-Christmas sales will rival those of the real Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving that kicks off the shopping season and can put retailers into money-making territory for the year," according to USA Today.

Among deals mentioned in the article:

• Sears will offer up to 75% off on electronics and 50% off on Craftsman tool storage chests.

• Kmart will add 40% off to clearance items, already marked down 30%.

• Toys R Us deals include an $81.99 race car set for $19.99 and table games, originally $239.99, for $131.99.

• Crate & Barrel has savings of up to 70%.

• J.C. Penney stores open at 5:30 a.m. with twice as many door-buster deals as last year. Among the 100 deals: 70% off jewelry. Keep an eye out for newspaper ads about it.

Deals good through Tuesday.

* 2-for-1 deal on Freschetta frozen pizza at Harris Teeter.

* 3 Tombstone frozen pizzas for $10 at Food Lion.

* 2-for-1 deal on Palmero's pizza at Lowes Foods.

* 2-for-1 deal on 12-packs of Pepsi products at Harris Teeter.

* Cases of Coors Light, Miller Lite, Bud Light are $12.88 at Harris Teeter and Lowes Foods.

* 2-for-1 deal on Triscuit and Wheat Thins at Harris Teeter.

* Boneless chicken breasts, fillets or tenders are $1.99 a pound at Food Lion.

* Boneless skinless chicken breasts are $1.49 a pound at Lowes Foods.

* 2-for-1 deal on Edy's ice cream at Food Lion.

* 2-for-1 deal on Breyers ice cream at Lowes Foods.

* 2-for-1 deal on Tostitos at Food Lion.

* 2-for-1 deal on Hillshire Farm coctail smokies and Mama Lucia meatballs at Food Lion.

* 2-for-1 deal on chicken snack wings at Food Lion.

* 10 Michelina's frozen dinners for $10 at Food Lion.

The value of the U.S. dollar is surging, gas prices are at their lowest levels in four years, and hotel rates are softening, the Associated Press writes.

That means in 2009, as "long as the economic slowdown continues, deals will abound for people who do have discretionary income to travel," Genevieve Shaw Brown, senior editor of Travelocity, tells the AP.

The AP article mentions travel trends including increased interest in presidential sightseeing, thanks to events like the Lincoln Bicentennial and the Jan. 20 inauguration of Barack Obama.

North Myrtle Beach, S.C.

So talk of a $99 iPhone had a ring of truth to it after all.

AT&T is selling a refurbished 3G iPhone (8 GB) for $99 (regular $199).

Refurbished phones are previously owned devices returned during the 30-day trial period, according to AT&T.

Some refurbished iPhone 3Gs will have minor scratches. They carry a warranty of 90 days or more.

Column offers tips on saving some dough in 2009.

They include:

* Reevaluate your spending habits. Go through your last six months of bank statements. Do this every two months in 2009 to make sure you stay on track.

* Build a monthly budget and set financial goals by creating a plan to stay on track.

* Create a lifestyle that fits your budget. Find ways to cut back where you can. For example, trim your cable package, turn down the thermostat and reduce your dining out.

* Pay with cash. Stop using credit cards and live a cash-only lifestyle.

* Find a part-time job to make extra money.

* Pay down debt. Make it a priority to pay down credit card debt. The longer you keep a balance on your credit card, the more money you are losing.

* Start an emergency savings fund. Start small and build the reserve as backup when you are faced with unexpected expenses such as health emergencies or necessary car repairs.

* Keep your spirits up. Don't look at these changes as deprivations, but as powerful steps you are taking to get your finances in order.

Chick-fil-A is hoping to take a bite out of McDonald's entry into the chicken-for-breakfast market by offering a free biscuit on New Year's Day.

Just visit any location from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., buy something, and get a coupon good toward a free chicken biscuit you can redeem on your next visit through March 28.

Another place to shop for bargains in the Triad area is opening its doors.

The 10,000-square-foot Savers Thrift just celebrated its grand opening at the Burlington Outlet Village (exit 145 off I-85/40).

The store will feature items including clothes, accessories, furniture and household goods.

It's run by Rob and Bobbie Shinafelt, who also operate Savers Used Furniture in Graham.

Donations accepted during their business hours, which are Monday-Saturday from 10 to 8 and Sunday from 1 to 6.

Slate breaks it down for you in a column about the best Web sites to help you scrimp through the recession.

"Cheapskates aim to buy as much as they can for as little as possible, not caring much for the quality or environmental and ethical virtues of the items they're consuming," Slate's Farhad Manjoo writes. "To be frugal, on the other hand, is to consider the full ramifications of every purchase. Eating at McDonald's is cheap. Cooking dinner and saving the leftovers for lunch the next day is frugal."

Update: Colleague Lanita Withers twittered about Credit Panda, which has compiled a handy list of 50 frugality blogs on the Web broken down by categories (family life, home and garden, shopping, etc.).

Grocery deals including some New Year's Eve party favs (good through Tuesday):

* Buy 1, 2.5-pound bag of frozen chicken wings and get 1 free at Food Lion.

* 2-for-1 deal on Food Lion brand cooked shrimp (large).

* Buy 1 package of Perdue boneless chicken breast, get 2 free at Harris Teeter. Harris Teeter is also tripling manufacturers' coupons up to 99 cents from Thursday to Sunday.

* $5 off platters that are $15 or more at Food Lion.

* 36-ounce jumbo shrimp ring and sauce is $12.99 at Food Lion.

* New York Strip steaks are $5.99 a pound at Lowes Foods.

* 12-inch Red Baron frozen pizzas are $2.88 at Harris Teeter.

* 2-for-1 deal on 12-inch DiGiorno frozen pizzas at Food Lion.

* 2-for1 deal on Northland cranberry juice at Harris Teeter.

* 2-for-1 deal on 12-packs of Pepsi at Harris Teeter.

* 18-packs of Budweiser, Miller or Coors for $10.99 at Food Lion.

* 10 for $10 deal on Michelina's frozen dinners at Food Lion.

* 2-for-1 deal on Edy's ice cream at Lowes Foods.