You can get some great deals right now if you are visiting New York City- NewYork.com is  having some great deals for Cyber Monday with up to 50% off!

Just use the following link and see all the deals on NewYork.com’s site:

• Madame Tussauds New York – Save 50% on admission
• On Location Tours – Buy one full priced ticket, get the 2nd one 1/2 Off!
• The Statue of Liberty Express – Save up to 50%!
• Body Worlds: Pulse – Save 50% on admission
• The Hunger Games – Save 50% on admission
• Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Times Square – Save 50% on admission SNL The Exhibition
• New York Pass  – Kids Go Free!
• The Ride – Buy one ticket, and get one FREE!

Are you shopping for a new car? There are so many choices currently available on the market, so it can be difficult to know which one will best meet your needs without doing a little research first. If you want to start looking for a car to buy, here are a few questions you should ask yourself before you start looking at the dealership.

What is the vehicle’s primary function?
While every vehicle’s primary function is to be a mode of transportation, you will want to ask yourself this question in terms of how you will use it. Are you a single person who doesn’t carry a lot of baggage with you on a daily basis? Do you need room in your vehicle for kids, luggage, sports equipment and more? These questions will help you determine the primary function of your next vehicle and what size and type it should be to meet those needs.

How much car can you afford?
The biggest consideration for any new car purchase is how much you can afford to pay for it and how good your credit is at the time of purchase. Whether you decide to pay all cash or get financing, knowing what your bottom line budget is before you start shopping will help you determine what type of vehicles are in your price range.

New or used?
This is an important question for all car buyers. Buying a used car can save you some money up front, but you may have to pay more over time for maintenance and repairs. With a new car, you can expect to pay more for the vehicle itself, but it may be years before you have to pay for any significant maintenance issues. A new car can also provide you with additional benefits such as discounts and sales that the dealer can give you on the final cost. You may also find some insurance policies provide discounts for new cars that have specific anti-theft systems or safety systems that are not standard.

If you are in the market for a new car instead of used, you can always check out a new car comparison guide to find the vehicle that best meets your needs.

The Ad Council, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development want you to know that real help is available to families who are behind on their mortgage payments, or worried about how they will make the next one. Nearly one in 17 homeowners nationwide has fallen behind on his or her mortgage payments, putting them at a higher risk of foreclosure. Homeowners should not feel alone, but many do.

That is why the Making Home Affordable® (MHA) program provides free resources and assistance for distressed homeowners who are working hard at juggling expenses to makes ends meet. Many of these homeowners may be unaware that MHA has expanded its options, and may have a solution available to address their particular financial situation. Moreover, the Hardest Hit Fund (HHF) – available in 18 states and the District of Columbia — also helps real people get back on their feet and on the road to financial stability in states hit hard by the economic and housing downturn.

Across the country, more than 1.5 million families have already benefited from MHA. Through the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), homeowners have been able to reduce their monthly mortgage payments by approximately $500 each month. That’s real payment relief.

Homeowners across the U.S. need to know help is available now. If you or anyone you know are having a tough time making mortgage payments and don’t know where to turn, here’s some ideas:

• Help is available at MakingHomeAffordable.gov

• Check out these video testimonials. These are genuine success stories from real people who have used the MHA resources. These homeowners were able to overcome potential foreclosure and save their homes. Their stories are a true testament to Making Home Affordable. Listen to their mortgage stories and witness their MHA journeys so that any homeowners may learn about the free resources and assistance available.

• Visit MakingHomeAffordable.gov to learn about available programs to help with mortgage payments.  
• Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) – HAMP® is designed to lower monthly mortgage payments, making them more affordable and sustainable for the long-term.
  • HAMP achieves a more affordable payment by adjusting the mortgage interest rate, extending the term of the loan, and reducing or forbearing principal.
  • Homeowners have saved about $500 per month.
  • Through HAMP, homeowners can get help with their primary residence or rental property.
  • Homeowners who owe significantly more than their home is worth (>115% Loan-To Value or LTV ratio) are automatically evaluated for principal reduction.
  • Just for making timely payments, homeowners could earn up to $10,000, which is used to reduce the principal balance of their mortgage.
• Hardest Hit Fund (HHF)– HHF programs are designed to complement MHA programs and provide assistance to struggling homeowners, like those in the testimonial videos, through modifications, mortgage payment assistance, and transition assistance programs. HHF programs vary state to state, but often include:
  • Mortgage payment assistance for unemployed or underemployed homeowners.
  • Principal reduction to help homeowners get into more affordable mortgages.
  • Funding to eliminate homeowners’ second lien loans.
  • Help for homeowners who are transitioning out of their homes and into more affordable places of residence.
• Through the Federal Making Home Affordable program, many homeowners have received much-needed help to reduce their monthly payments, get mortgage relief, and avoid foreclosure. Homeowners who are struggling to make mortgage payments can call 888-995-HOPE or visit MakingHomeAffordable.gov for free resources and information to help them with their mortgage problems and avoid foreclosure. By calling 888-995-HOPE, homeowners can speak with a housing expert at a HUD-approved counseling agency at no cost, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and identify potential solutions based on their individual

This Veterans day it is important to remember those who have fought for our freedom as Americans.  From the World Wars to the current issues around the globe Veterans come in many ages, both sexes, shapes and sizes.  But the most important ones are the ones around you.  Personally we fly a flag for those who lost their life and lower ours to half mast as well as find a way to connect to our loved ones who happen to veterans as well.  Something as simple as a cup of coffee could spark a conversation of either a memory or just a re-connection.  One of my favorite memories with a veteran was with my grandfather who would always mention his time in the Navy but would never go into detail, until I had to do a project for school involving a veteran with some in depth questions.  These questions led to a greater understanding of the hardships of war.

Thank the veterans in your life and visit your local Great Clips on November 11th to redeem a free haircut card to share with a veteran of choice.

This Veterans Day there is also a great promotion with Great Clips.  Active or retired military members get free haircuts or a free haircut card on November 11th, and any customer who gets a haircut at Great Clips on November 11th receives a free haircut card to give to a veteran. Only veterans and active members of the military are eligible to redeem the free haircut card. Family members of said military members do not qualify. This is the third year Great Clips is running this promotion, and Great Clips is the only major salon brand that offers customers a way to thank the veterans in their lives!

Find a salon near you with the Salon Locator.

The Ad Council and AARP are trying to raise awareness of the Caregiver Assistance campaign this month, since November is National Family Caregivers month. The Random Acts of Kindness initiative aims to recognize and support the 40 million unpaid caregivers in the U.S. Many caregivers are boomer women, often sandwiched between the needs of their parents and their own kids.

A popular misconception is that caregivers are paid medical professionals, providing full-time care to someone in need of daily help, when in reality, most caregivers are family members or friends who are also working and managing their own families at the same time. For many, the caregiving role starts with simple things like scheduling a doctor’s visit or helping with daily errands, but gradually expands over time, until it becomes a major commitment in their lives.

How can you help?

This November they are kicking off a program designed to encourag all Americans to perform an unexpected ‘ Random Acts of Kindness for Caregivers’ for a caregiver. By starting a nationwide movement, we’ll raise awareness of caregiving and caregivers while at the same time reaching caregivers directly—helping to alleviate some of their daily stresses and reward them for their ongoing support.

Almost three in ten people who are caring for someone say their life has changed with caregiving, oftentimes for the negative. More than one in five say their weight, their exercise, or their social life has/have suffered. Emotionally, one in five say they are generally unhappier and one in three say they feel sad or depressed. That’s why AARP created a community where caregivers can connect with experts and other caregivers and can find information and tools to take even better care of the person who once took care of them.

Help out those who are helping others- they have feelings, too, and can burn out.  Give them a break, make them dinner, take them out to a movie- something to show you care. Take care of caregivers this month and every month!