For her full report, including a coupon database, or to share a shopping tip, visit http://takingstock.newsobserver.com.

Brand names vs. generics

There are those who swear by brand name products, and there are those who say generics are best. But for all of us, here's some food for thought:

A study (www.dukenews.duke.edu/2008/03/apple_ibm.html) shows that people may be more influenced by corporate logos than they would like to admit. Professors Gavan Fitzsimons and Tanya Chartrand of Duke University and Gráinne Fitzsimons of the University of Waterloo, Canada, conducted an experiment with college students.

Students saw footage that researchers said was for a "visual acuity task." A quick glimpse of either the Apple or IBM logo was slipped in. The logo passed so quickly that the subjects were not aware they had seen it. Later, when asked to list the uses for a brick other than building a wall, the students who saw the Apple logo were more creative in their responses than those who had seen the IBM logo.

Did a logo associated with a creative company make the students who saw it think more creatively? That's some serious branding power. What do you think?

Macy's to celebrate Earth Week

Macy's is among retailers planning events for Earth Week. The Turn Over a New Leaf campaign will run April 20-27. During the week, there will be special promotions and in-store events that will help raise funds for the National Park Foundation. There will also be some special eco-friendly merchandise, including a 100 percent cotton tote bag. The first 150 customers at each store on April 26 will receive a tote bag for free. (And free, of course, is the best price!)

Otherwise, the tote will retail for $3.95, with $1 of each sale going directly to the National Park Foundation.

More birthday freebies

Today is the birthday of one of my very good friends. Since I was thinking about birthdays this morning, I thought I'd mention that www.hotcouponworld.com has links with details on various birthday freebies and birthday clubs.

I'm not sure how much you could or should eat on your big day, but there's no shortage of options. This is particularly relevant since my own birthday is this month. In the meantime, if you know of a birthday freebie or club that you particularly love or want to share, feel free to post it in the comments section!

Triple coupons inspire ode

Triple coupons, when a grocer triples the value of discount offers, inspire passionate reactions from fans of saving money. But here's a new one: I've received permission from Garner residents Darrel and Penny Davis to share their poem, titled "Twas the night before Triples":

Twas the night before Triples and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The shopping bags were hung by the pantry with care, in hopes that the triples fairy would soon be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of free granola bars danced in their heads.

And mamma with her coupon binder and I with my baseball cap, had just settled in for a long winters nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash, I tripped over mom's binder and landed with a crash.

The moon shined brightly upon the hood of our old SUV, giving luster to the sight we so wanted to see.

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