TLCs Extreme Couponers shows consumers expertly collecting and combining coupons to save hundreds of dollars at the grocery store checkout. Unfortunately, if were not careful, coupons can also seduce us into spending money rather than saving it. Retailers are experts themselves at using coupons to lure us into the store and part with our hard-earned money.

“Coupons can save you a lot of money but more often than not, they entice you to buy something that you shouldnt buy or wouldnt otherwise buy,” says Christopher Elliott, consumer advocate and author of Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles and Shady Deals.

“There is a very small group of people who know the system very well, who game the system and come out on top,” he adds. “Theres a far larger group of consumers who are only dabbling in the system and end up losing.”

Here are five sneaky coupon strategies, as well as tips on using this knowledge to make smarter purchasing decisions.

1. Size restrictions.

When youre using a coupon for, say, 50 cents or a $1 off an off item, buying the smallest size possible lowers the cost per ounce. But retailers and manufacturers dont necessarily want you to buy the trial size or the single size at such a steep discount because youre spending less money, so they might include a minimum size in the fine print, says to Robert Weagley, associate professor and chair of the Department of Personal Financial Planning department in the College of Human Environmental Sciences at the University of Missouri. “Coupon users dont read the fine print,” he adds, so sometimes they wont realize the size restriction until checkout. When that happens, they may wind up paying full price because theyve already waited in line and its too much hassle to go back and find the larger size.

2. Geographic restrictions.

Coupons with geographic restrictions are some of the most frustrating, according to Elliott. “Generally speaking,” he says, “when retailers try to do this, they see a very attractive demographic in a certain ZIP code. A lot of those coupons are for online purchases, so when you buy, you put in your ZIP code and it invalidates the coupon.” But once youve placed an item in your online shopping cart, you may feel invested in buying itwith or without a coupon. In this case, you could search online for alternate coupons or reevaluate whether you really want to buy the item at full price.

3. Expiration dates.

Expiration dates can create an artificial sense of urgency, because coupon users hate to “waste” them (even though theyre free). “Its not unusual to find a coupon thats on the verge of expiring,” says Elliott. “They like to keep us on a really tight leash.” However, timing can sometimes work to the consumers advantage. Although some stores dont allow stacking (using a manufacturers coupon and a retailers coupon at the same time), most allow you to use a coupon even when an item is on sale, which can significantly increase savings. And some retailers will honor competitors coupons or advertised sales, so you may not have to drive all over town to get the sale price or use a coupon.

4. Other restrictions.

In addition to restricting by size, geography, and date, some coupons are only good on certain flavors or products. For instance, if you see a coupon for the brand of air freshener you typically buy, but you dont notice that its only valid for the pine scent, not the lavender scent that youre used to. “Sometimes the fine print is so small and so illegible that you really gloss over it,” says Elliott. “The reason they make the fine print so fine is they want to get you into the store. Retailers know that that dynamic is going on and youre going to end up maybe not paying very close attention to the terms of your coupon and saying, Oh, what the heck, Ill just buy it anyway.” Other times, coupons have a minimum purchase amount (say “spend $50 and get $10 off”) to motivate consumers to run up their bill, whether they need the items or not.

5. Moving around coupon or sale items.

If a coupon or sale item lured you into the store, retailers hope youll pick up other items for full price while youre there. “[They] want [you] to have to look for it,” says Weagley. “Because in the process of looking for it, you might see other things. Sometimes theyll put the displays on the end of the aisle of things that arent on sale. Other times, they might put the stuff thats on the sale at the end of the aisle and remove it from the place it normally is.” Placing complementary, non-sale items nearby is another strategy. For instance, if a retailer offers a coupon for taco seasonings, they might place taco shells next to the seasonings in hopes that consumers will buy the shells for full price out of convenience.

“What retailers are really doing are short-circuiting our common sense,” concludes Elliott. “Theyre appealing to a subconscious desire to save money and that subconscious desire often overrides reason.” Before hitting the checkout line, always look at the fine print and ask yourself, “Would I buy this without a coupon?”

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As one of the Big Four Banks in Australia, NAB has issued thousands of credit cards across the country that can be used almost anywhere in the world.

But it is still important to understand the costs and charges that may come from using credit overseas so that cardholders can try to save as much as possible.

To help you prepare for travelling abroad, here is a look at some of the best tips to have on hand for your NAB credit card.

Check Out Complimentary Insurance Options

All NAB gold and platinum cardholders get a range of complimentary insurance options when they use their cards to pay for at least $500 worth of upcoming travel expenses.

As well as standard international travel insurance that will cover trip cancellation, medical costs, lost or stolen luggage and some missed connections, there is also transit accident insurance should anything go wrong on a public vehicle overseas.

Taking advantage of this insurance could save you hundreds of dollars, if not more, so it is definitely worthwhile looking into the gold and platinum options available through NAB.

Keep Pens And PINs Handy

The choice between signing and entering a PIN to verify credit card purchases often comes down to personal preference but it definitely pays off to have both options overseas.

Some machines may not recognise Australian microchips in the same way and lead to cards being processed using the magnetic strip and a PIN, or even require both a PIN and signature for purchases made on your credit card so make sure you know both.

Register For NAB Internet Banking

For people who are not already set up with internet banking, it will have benefits for both savings and credit management overseas.

With an NAB credit card account included in your internet banking options you will be able to keep track of purchases and make repayments anywhere in the world so that you do not have to deal with additional fees once you come home.

Take Note Of Emergency Numbers

While most people are aware of fraud and theft while overseas, there are still times when you may need card assistance. All NAB cardholders have access to global assistance and it is a good idea to take note of any of the following, relevant numbers:

1. Visa Global Customer Assistance: +1 443 641 2004
2. MasterCard Global Assistance: +1 636 722 7111
3. American Express Global Assistance: +61 2 9273 2730

These services can help you deal with lost or stolen cards, fraud and more so they could save you a lot of stress while overseas.

Whether you have a low rate, rewards or more specific frequent flyer option from NAB, with these tips in mind you can keep your trip as convenient and as fun as possible.

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In this article I will reveal a secret weapon that you can use against credit card debt elimination.

Before I start do discuss this strategy, let us just look briefly at the common marketing methods that are used by the card companies to recruit you as their customer.

It’s hard to find any merchants better at marketing their products than the credit cards companies. These companies spend huge amounts on advertising their credit offers. You will find offers and ads in your mailbox, on TV, in magazines and all over the internet

If you have suffered due to credit card debt you view those commercials with a cynical eye. On TV, the sixty second ads imply having a credit card will lead to a better life. The actors are laughing, shopping, traveling and telling viewers the benefit of buying something special is “priceless”.

The commercials are meant to portray a credit card as a product you need to live a good life. We may have believed that when we applied for our first credit account. But if you have been caught with credit card bankruptcy you will never fall for these commercials again.

You have a secret weapon that you should use as a part of your credit card debt elimination arsenal. That weapon is a “debt budget”. It is not shiny and doesn’t excite you when you think about it. There is no fancy design and no happy crowd of users having a party. Yet it is what you need to fight predatory lenders and win.

Pundits can analyze and discuss credit card debt solutions and the government can make new laws prohibiting some of the worst lending practices. The talking and the laws may prevent some new credit users from getting into trouble but won’t help those of us who are carrying heavy debts now. It doesn’t help after the fact to point fingers or feel guilty or assign blame. What will help you is using the budget weapon with precision.

Face the fact – you are in trouble. You have not been living within your means. You have charged and shopped and charged more until the debt is a frightening monster in your life. You may panic or become depressed or consider using debt programs to solve the problem, yet eventually the debt monster must be faced.

Like diets, budgets are often regarded as depriving you of things you want in your life. In truth, budgets and diets require taking control of your life. You are giving to yourself, not taking away. To make a simple budget list all of your monthly obligations on the left side of a page.

On the right side of the page list your sources of income. Now, total the two columns. If the spending on the left is more than the income in the right hand column, you know you are in trouble.

If the income is more than your monthly payments and yet you run out of money or have to scramble to meet bills each month perhaps you are making more cash purchases and impulse buys than you realize.

Divide your monthly payments into categories of fixed expenses (mortgage/rent, car payment, utility costs) and variable expenses (food, gasoline, and clothing. The last category is discretionary spending. This is the money you spend by choice such as the expensive coffees, entertainment, hobby costs and impulse buys.

If you don’t know how much you have spent on a particular category in the past few months, dig out those receipts and establish a dollar figure to use in your budget. It’s not easy and a budget is not fun when you are starting it. Don’t give up and don’t make excuses for not following your budget.

Be realistic when adding figures to your budget. Planning to reduce spending on a certain area won’t work if it only appears on paper. Make rules for yourself to follow such as waiting 24 hours before making an impulse purchase. Stop using your credit cards until the balances are paid.

Once you have mastered living on a budget that works, you should take further steps towards the credit card debt relief. This might be transferring your card debt to a new card offering 0% interest or doubling the payments you currently make to reduce the debt quickly. Make a budget your secret weapon against debt and follow it carefully and you will reach the credit card debt elimination border faster than you think.

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The Internal Revenue Service is holding onto tens of millions of dollars in tax refunds that it hasnt been able to deliver to consumers.

A total of 99,123 taxpayers are still owed refunds this year but havent received them due to mailing address errors, the IRS said. That amounts to a total of $153.3 million in unclaimed refunds.

While this is a small percentage of total refunds less than 0.01% the taxpayers impacted are missing out on some serious cash, with the average refund check valued at $1,547.

To avoid missing a refund in the mail, the IRS recommends that taxpayers opt for direct deposit of their returns when they file their taxes.

If you did opt to have a refund check mailed to you this year, you can check the status of your refund and resolve delivery issues by using the “Wheres My Refund?” tool on the IRS website.

If you dont check the site, you may have no idea that the IRS has been trying to send you your money. The agency does not contact taxpayers by e-mail or phone when it is unable to deliver a refund check.

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Comparing credit cards can be done in a number of ways but often it will come down to what providers offer the best features.

Both Bankwest and Westpac have ranges of credit cards that will appeal to people looking for low rate, low annual fee and reward options, leaving many people wondering which provider is better.

A good way to decide between a Bankwest and Westpac credit card is to look at each bank and their attitude towards credit to see whether it is similar to yours.

To help get you started, here is a run down of the philosophies and cards available through each of these credit card providers.

Bankwest Credit Cards

Bankwest places a lot of importance on value for money and is well known as having the lowest ongoing purchase rate of any MasterCard in Australia, at just 10.99% p.a. for the Bankwest Breeze card.

This card also offers a signup bonus of 10% cash back for the first three months and a balance transfer deal of 5.99% p.a. for the first year, which is also available on the Bankwest More and Zero cards.

With a More credit card people can earn either everyday rewards or Qantas Frequent Flyer points, while with a Zero card there is no annual fee.

With classic, gold and platinum options available for each of these cards, a Bankwest option could be very appealing to someone who wants all the extras without high rates or a huge annual fee.

Westpac Credit Cards

As one of the Big Banks in Australia it is not surprising that Westpac has more cards on offer, with the 55 Day Classic, Altitude, Low Rate and Earth credit cards covering the essentials and more.

While the Low Rate card has an ongoing purchase rate of 13.49%, which is higher than Bankwest’s Breeze, what really stands out with Westpac cards is the flexibility and variety offered through reward cards.

The Altitude and Earth credit cards both come with a MasterCard and American Express card, allowing people to maximise points earned but avoid the higher surcharges and slightly less acceptance that can sometimes come from having an American Express card.

The range of cards available through Westpac covers as many different card options as possible, so for people who like variety this provider may be one of the best out there.

Credit card providers can make a difference to how people view and use credit cards but in the end the ongoing features should be a bigger focus. By comparing different cards and providers you will be able to get the best card possible every time.

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This MasterCard gift card review quickly reveals the change in consumer attitudes about gift cards. Gift cards are no longer viewed as an impersonal present.

Instead, they offer opportunities other gifts can’t match. Gift cards allow the recipient to purchase an item they want or to buy something they truly need.

What a perfect going away gift for a friend heading for her first cruise or anniversary gift for your hard working parents. The MasterCard Travel Card provides a perfect traveling companion that offers an alternative to carrying cash or travelers’ checks.

This card is accepted worldwide and can be used everywhere MasterCard Debit cards can be presented at hotels, restaurants, shows, ATMS and shopping. If your card is lost or stolen you are totally protected from unauthorized purchases when those fraudulent purchases are made online, by phone or in a store. The person who receives a MasterCard Travel Gift card can check the balance online or by phone and can receive cash back at participating merchants.

You may think of a gift card as providing $25-$250 as a gift the recipient can use to buy something special they want or need. Those may be the more commonly purchased gift card amounts yet MasterCard gift cards aren’t limited to moderate gifts. Very special gift cards of up to $10,000 are available. That would be a very good gift, indeed, for the recipient.

Gift cards are an excellent choice for anniversaries, birthdays, graduations and holidays but can be also used to give large, expensive gifts, too. Parents might give a gift card worth thousands of dollars to help a son or daughter furnish a new home. Some gift cards will be imprinted with the name of the recipient and some have various designs and messages to choose from.

MasterCard Cash Passport is the perfect gift for a parent to give their globe trotting student for summer travels. Available in three currencies, GBP, Euro and US dollars, Cash Passport can be used to withdraw local currency at millions of ATMS worldwide and provides a safe way for travelers to carry the money they need for restaurants, rooms and entertainment.

This MasterCard Cash Passport as a gift card provides a high level of security as it is not connected to the traveler’s bank account and is PIN and signature protected. The 24/7 Global emergency assistance provides peace of mind. The Key Possibilities Master Card Gift Card is ideal for college students, employees and friends on your gift list. It’s also a great idea to buy it for yourself to use for online purchases in place of credit cards.

Available in amounts from $25 to $2,500 the card can be used at ATMs and merchants worldwide. This basic Key Possibilities card can also be a great tool for managing a budget as the card can be dedicated to paying for groceries, clothing, entertainment or other budget item and most MasterCard Gift Cards can be reloaded if you want.

There may be no better gift than a MasterCard Gift Card for both the recipient and the person giving the gift. Instead of spending hours shopping in an attempt to find just the right gift for a special person, buy a personalized gift card. It’s the easiest shopping you’ll ever do and the person who receives the card will be able to choose a gift he truly wants.

The MasterCard Gift Card review may show you the wide array of possibilities for using gift cards. Whether helping to pay for travel, providing a great dinner out for an anniversary or providing the ability for a single mother or a student to buy something they truly want, the MasterCard Gift Cards provide the perfect solution to gift giving.

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