10 stores American's can't give up, kings of customer service & best affordable suburbus - Today in Money 2/20

Posted Feb 20th 2009 9:21AM by Allan Halprin
Filed under: Wal-Mart (WMT), Amazon.com (AMZN), General Motors (GM), Money and Finance Today, Lowe's Cos (LOW), Urban Outfitters (URBN), Anglo American (AAUKY)

In the News:

· Dow Hits 6-Year Low as It Dips Below 7,500, How Low Can It Go?

· Should the Dow 30 Lose Its Dogs: Citi, Bank of America and GM?

· Lowe's Posts Sharp Drop in Profit

· Missing Billionaire R. Allen Stanford Found in Virginia Where FBI Served Him With Papers on Fraud

· GM Subsidiary Saab Files For Bankruptcy Protection; Sweden Won't Help

· Mining Company Anglo American Cuts 19,000 Jobs

· Indianapolis is the Most Affordable City in America

· Bernard Ashley Who With Wife Laura Founded Laura Ashley Clothes & Home Lines Dies at 82

· Playboy Up for Sale?

· Girl Scout Cookie Sales Crumbling

· Costs of Individual Health Plans Soar

· Jobless Hit With Bank Fees on Benefits

Kings of Customer Service: Keeping Customer Loyalty in a Recession
Business Week's annual list of customer service stars shows companies using creative strategies to retain customer loyalty in the recession. Topping the list this year is Amazon.com who are giving customers more choice. Other customer service champs include Lexus, Publix Supermarkets, Zappos.com, HP, Ace Hardware, USAA Insurance, Trader Joe's, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Marriott and Charles Schwalb.
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/02/0219_customer_service/index.htm?technology+slideshows

Ten Stores Americans Can't Give Up
Even in a recession, these are the places American's can't stay away from. Included on the list are American Apparel, Urban Outfitters, BJs, Wal-Mart, Amazon, Hermes, GameStop, Aeropostale, J.Crew and The Buckle.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/02/19/popular-clothes-stores-lifestyle-style_stores_slide.html?thisSpeed=30000

Best Affordable Suburbs in U.S. 2009
BusinessWeek ranked the best affordable suburbs in the U.S. state by state. The overall winner? Pewaukee, Wis. Which is the winner for your state?
http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/feb2009/bw20090219_228108.htm?campaign_id=twxa

Ways to Save on 6 Everyday Splurges
Even while you can justify keeping some splurges, that doesn't mean you still have to pay full price for them. Here's how to save on six of the "untouchable" expenses consumers say they don't want to live without.
http://www.smartmoney.com/Spending/Deals/Ways-to-Save-on-6-Everyday-Splurges/

Save Money With Common Cleaners
These cheaper alternatives to name-brand products might be in your kitchen right now.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/home-garden/cleaning-supplies/common-cleaners/overview/common-cleaners-ov.htm?loginMethod=auto

7 Household Items You Can Make for Less
In tough economic times, it pays to be frugal, resourceful and even a bit crafty. Check out these seven DIY household items that are easy, affordable and even a tad fun. These include laundry detergent and wrapping paper, household cleaner and air fresheners.
http://www.mainstreet.com/article/smart-spending/7-home-items-you-can-make-yourself-less

Rebuild Your Nest Egg
17 moves to make now to secure your future.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/money/personal-investing/nest-egg/overview/nest-egg-ov.htm

5 Stupidest Tax Mistakes People Make
Here's a list of the top five ways to make your tax season bleak. Do these things and you are certain to wish you had not.
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/debt/20030228a1.asp