Features to Look for in a Mini or Compact Stereo

Whenever I visit a Big Box Store, I have to breeze through the electronics section.  I don't really have the money to refresh my consumer electronics right now, but I like to see what's on the market.  Right now, I'm most interested in small stereos called bookshelf, compact, or mini stereos.  They seem like the perfect size for an apartment.  It's also interesting to see about electronics companies are adapting to the changes in the way people listen to music.

Over the past few months, I've distilled the features that I would look for in a bookshelf stereo into one convenient list.  You can read about the best features to look for in a compact stereo here:

How to Buy a Compact Stereo

An Older JVC Mini Stereo

Target has Cool Audio Gear

In our big box wanderings, we've noticed that Target has a great selection of audio gear.  They have Crosley AM/FM radios for $50.  They incorporated ducted tube speakers like you'd see on the Bose Wave Radio and they sound great.   They also have Bose speakers for your PC for about $99.  These too sound awesome!

Last Minute Gifts from the Drugstore!

Sometimes, your last best hope for a Christmas gift is the small box stores - your local drugstore.  Many times they are just more convenient than the big box stores and they have some good deals.  If you are at a loss for a gift or you need to pick something up quick on the way to an event, here are some ideas for last minute gifts from the drugstore.

Last Minute Gifts from Your Local Drugstore

Hot Technology Gifts for Less than $100

We're in December and it's time to hit the big box stores again for Christmas gifts.  It always a challenge to pick cool gifts that fit into the budget.  However, this year shoppers are blessed with lots of affordable technology gifts.  Here are five of the top affordable technology gifts:

Hot Technology Gifts for Less than $100

Affordable Technology Products for Christmas 2012

Retailers are trying to lure us back with excellent deals on technology products for the holidays.  They are even moving Black Friday Deals back to Thursday Night!  While that will cut into family time, we all have reason to celebrate.  Many of the hottest technology products will finally be affordable for most American families.  Here are a few things we may be able to get deals on this Christmas!

Five of the Hottest Technology Gifts for Christmas 2012

Abandon Cart! Abandon Cart!

Have you ever walked away from a full cart of merchandise while shopping at a Big Box Store?  What made you do it?  We often abandon carts full of merchandise when we are shopping at stores like Walmart, Target, or IKEA.  Why do we do it?  Here are three reasons we abandon carts full of merchandise while we are shopping:

1.  Stock Out - The store is out of the item we came to get.
2.  Item Not Carried - Some vital item we needed was not even carried by the store.
3.  Check Out Line Too Long and Too Slow - Some items just aren't worth standing in line for.

Photo by:  w:nl:Gebruiker:Michiel1972 -

• CC-BY-SA-3.0-migrated

American-Made Products at Ikea

 I recently spotted an amazing and rare thing in our local Ikea store.  It was like a unicorn or a white whale or the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.  It was a Made in USA Label!

It was on a 6-pack of SVALKA red wine glasses that was on sale for only $3.99.

Cheers with an American-Made Svalka Red Wine Glass!

 It's a start IKEA!  I'd love to see more products made in the USA and made in Scandinavia!