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13 Episodes 2009 - 2009
Episode 14
Love don't cost a thing... or does it? From online dating, to speed dating, to personal matchmakers - what does it all cost? The Cookies help a date and time challenged Rookie break down the options so she can use her dating dollars most wisely. Then the Cookies challenge themselves to find inexpensive outings to take a date on and still impress. The Cookies also dispense details on how to keep your bank account healthy while getting the prescriptions you need. They look into dispensing fees and the cost differences according to where you get your prescription filled- shopping around can save you anywhere from $5 - $15 on your refills. And when did it become passé to give cash as a gift? The Cookies find out what you can do to cash in a gift card you don't want, or if you can get your change back if you don't use the whole amount.
Episode 15
Saving money when you have kids is no easy task, but the Cookies have tips that will help. The Cookies meet up with a family who want to start saving for their baby's future education. They investigate government incentives and savings plans to recommend the best investment plan for this family's future scholar. They show how you can save over $40,000 for the little ones with less than the cost of a latte per day. The Cookies also help a busy Mom shape up with affordable options for fitness training.
Episode 16
Figuring out what to have for dinner is hard enough, never mind having to shop and prep. The Cookies explore one of the newest alternatives to take-out - meal assembly services. As they make up meals from pre-chopped and pre-made ingredients, they share the range of services and the cost differences of each. If cooking from scratch is more your style, the Cookies take to the neighborhood grocer, gourmet shops, big box store and more to shop for a spaghetti dinner and determine which type of grocery store will stretch your dollar the furthest. Is shopping at a big box store really cheaper than shopping at your local grocer? And while they're at the checkout, they reveal a little known secret - that pricing errors could result in dollars in your pocket. And a couple with three young children and a mortgage are looking for the best place to put their savings - retirement or onto their mortgage. The Cookies answer this common question and explain where their money will earn them the better long-term gain. Plus, do you know how much money those little treats you buy yourself every day cost you in the course of a year? Forgoing just a couple of coffees or magazines could have a big impact on your savings.
Episode 17
It's easy to go gaga over the plethora of baby items available - but do you really need to spend for it all? The Cookies explain how to baby proof your wallet by talking to experienced Moms to find out what the most useful and the most unnecessary items are for baby. They show how you can save on baby essentials and identify the common overspending pitfalls in the expectant family budget. Experienced or expecting? The Smart Cookies show how to save on essentials before the little ones take their first baby steps And who hasn't had a flight delayed or canceled? Find out what you can do when faced with this major inconvenience. The Smart Cookies also meet up with people on the street who are about to spring for a big ticket item. But before anyone opens up their wallet, the Cookies do the math to determine if that coveted piece is really affordable. The Cookies have plenty of tips for avoiding that all too familiar buyers remorse.
Episode 18
You wouldn't do a root canal or an appendectomy on yourself so why don't more of us use a professional to help manage our money? The Cookies explain how a financial planner can help you reach your financial goals and grow your money. The Cookies also help a family with multiple pets and even more vet bills, find out if pet insurance is right for them; plus they speak to a vet to find ways to save money on vet costs and medications without sacrificing care. Robyn then challenges each Cookie to borrow a friendly pooch and compare 5 different ways to groom a dog: do-it-yourself, vet grooming, a large chain pet store with drop off service, a u-groom, and a groomer that comes to you. Will battling suds in your own bathroom be cheaper than a drop off service with no hassle? And ever wonder why you end up paying so many additional fees on special event tickets? The Cookies did, so they head out to investigate. An insider in the biz helps decipher what it all means, who the money ends up going to, and better still - ways to avoid paying them.
Episode 19
Most of us know the benefits of putting money in our RRSPs, but we also have short term goals to save for. Where best to save that money? In a Tax Free Savings Account. The Cookies get the particulars from a leading financial institution's CEO, then show a Rookie couple how it can help them reach their goals that much faster. Plus, the Cookies help a single Mom make over her daughter's bedroom for less, with the help of an interior decorator. We find out how to get professional design guidance on any budget. Then the Cookies challenge each other to find home décor for less. Each Cookie heads off to a different source to find a particular lamp - including a retailer, an auction, a thrift store, a rental company, and a consignment store, and give tips on finding deals along the way. And isn't it frustrating when you see that digital camera, or TV, or other expensive item you just bought go on sale soon after? The Cookies speak to a consumer protection expert who explains the ins and outs for getting the lower sale price after the fact.
Episode 20
Get rewarded for going shopping? It sounds great, but how much are you really gaining by racking up your rewards credit card? The Cookies sift through the dollars and sense, and figure out which types of cards offer the best bang for your buck, and which ones aren't worth it at all. And what do you do when you purchase an expensive item of clothing or pair of shoes and it ends up being defective only a few weeks or months after you bought it? The Cookies find out if you have recourse and if it's possible to get the item replaced or fixed free of charge. And finding the right childcare for you is no easy decision; there are many options and all of them costly. Do you go with a nanny or an au-pair, or do you want a group day care setting outside of your home? Each option is explored, and hidden costs are uncovered. Then the Cookies battle fire, water, and earth, as they challenge each other to take a kid on an exciting outing for less than $10.
Episode 21
Instead of just dreaming about that tropical vacation, put a savings plan into action and start saving. Whether your goal is a new home, vacation or retirement, the Cookies show us the best way to make a savings plan and achieve it. And vacations are generally memories to remember, but not when you get off the plane and your luggage doesn't. In our Cookie Crusade, find out your rights if your bags get lost in transit, and what your best course of action is. Do you know the difference between a head gasket and a spark plug? Knowing a few simple ways to maintain your vehicle can save you thousands in repairs down the road, so the Cookies speak with an expert mechanic to get the basics in preventative car care. Credit cards can be a huge convenience, but they can also cause big trouble. Listen up to find out how much your plastic is really costing you.
Episode 22
Why do they call it a tax return when so little of it comes back? The Cookies talk to an expert and find out how we all can keep more of our pay checks for ourselves. And with that little extra cash in hand - why not hire someone to do your dirty work? The Cookies look into house cleaning options and find that you can eliminate many of those tiresome household chores for about $10 a day. Then it's off to cyberspace, where we investigate what you can do if you buy something online and it never shows up. Plus, what's your 'money personality?' Are you a peacock, a squirrel or an ostrich? The Cookies tell you how to find out, and give each personality type tips for a better approach to money.
Episode 23
Buying the right stocks can be a bit of a gamble, but the Cookies show us a few tricks for increasing the odds of getting the best return on your investments. And if your gamble pays off you may be celebrating with dinner, or maybe a spa visit. Find out who you should tip and how much, when we dish the facts on tipping know-how. Plus, have you noticed some establishments have minimum charges for using your credit or debit card? What you may not know is that you don't have to pay these additional fees. Sandra and Robyn talk to an expert and then attempt to get around them. And the Cookies decide it's time they should all get something for free, so they challenge each other to see who can get the most stuff for free. They each wrangle goods from membership sign-ups, free samples, Internet offers, and much more.
Episode 24
The Cookies are going back to school - money school that is! They take parents and teens to the classroom to teach parents how to broach the subject of money, so their kids come out with good financial information rather than bad habits. Plus, the coupon is something often dismissed as stingy or time consuming, but Angela and Katie show a family of six how coupons have grown up - making it easy to slash their costly grocery bills significantly. And do you know exactly what your insurance covers? Are you paying a reasonable deductible? The Cookies give you their best tips for finding an insurance policy that works for you. You may think that long distance cards will save you money, but connection fees and per minute billing could cost you more than you think. Sandra and Robyn find out the real cost of dialing with plastic, and show what to look for when choosing a long distance card.
Episode 25
Stayed plugged in through cable, Internet and phone is more a necessity than a luxury these days, but those communications bills can be expensive. The Cookies help a family find out if bundling services is a cheaper alternative than paying for each one separately. And speaking for cell phones, you may be paying more than you need to. The Cookies take a closer look at talk time and extra features, and dial us in on how to get the best plan to suit our needs. Our second rookie has found herself in serious debt and enlists the help of the Cookies. Together with a credit counselor, they explore how debt consolidation and credit counseling can get her out of the red. Plus, if you've ever regretted signing up for something like a gym membership or buying something at a home party Robyn and Sandra tell you how to you can get out of your contract and get your money back.
Episode 26
Consider this; you could save thousands of dollars by evaluating your options before you renew your mortgage. The Cookies talk rates, penalties and principals as they show a Rookie how she can save money by following some basic steps when she renews. The Cookies then help another family who needs to replace costly appliances for their home. They assess energy efficiency, financing, and trade-in options to get the best product for the lowest price. And it seems that 30-day money back guarantees are commonplace, but have you ever tested one out? When the Cookies order off TV, they put a 30-day money back guarantee to the test, and see if they really can get a complete refund. And for some money-saving fun, Savvy Spender Sandra challenges the Cookies find a way to test out a new hobby at a low price, giving you low-risk options for trying something new before realizing its not be your cup of tea!