the bottom line

*American shoppers in 2009 used 27 percent more in-store coupons than they did in 2008, while use of online coupons soared 360 percent. Forty-one percent of Americans now believe that it's acceptable to use a coupon to help pay the tab on the first date. WalletPop.com

* Nearly all companies plan to award employees raises next year, says pay advisor Buck Consultants, with the increases avaeraging around 3 percent. And most employers that eliminated 401(k) matching payments during the recession plan to restore all or part of the match by next summer. CNNmoney.com

*Inappropriate holiday gifts - The Duncan Yo.. Goes down, never comes back. Teaches children about warranties.
5,200 Pick Up . . . a jumbo deck of cards that lets kids play a larger version of their favorite game.
- Chocolated Covered Lead Soldiers. - -
-Cuisin Art , . Turns mommy's food processor into a spinning paint tool