Tabla de contenidos para July - August 2015 en Shop Smart

Sometimes, finding a BOGO freebie you actually want isn’t easy, but how the heck could you leave without it? I spend way too much to get free stuff! Clearly, that defeats the purpose, but I can’t help myself. Last week I went to order a bra on sale at Macys.com and ended up with three so that I could get free shipping (it cost me $74 to save $10). Where the heck I’m going to put all of those bras, I have no idea! I didn’t have room for the first one. The truth is, we’re all suckers for a giveaway. How many unneeded department-store lipsticks have you snapped up to get “free” makeup samples in those cute little bags (that you also don’t need and don’t have room for)?…

Do you look for product advice and reviews online? If the answer is yes, odds are you’ve read a post by someone who received the product free. Public relations reps routinely offer freebies to bloggers. (Many members of the press also get free stuff, but not us; to ensure objectivity we buy all of the stuff we review.) The problem is, bloggers aren’t always up front about free products or services they receive, not to mention payments from companies. The Federal Trade Commission’s Endorsement Guides clarify exactly what info bloggers should disclose when they promote or review goods and services. According to the guides, a blogger should always disclose these three key pieces of info: ■ Any connection to the product or service and the company behind it, including whether…

Extra doors that keep cold air from escaping If your family uses the fridge a lot, you might appreciate a hidden door-in-door compartment. It allows you easy access to go-to staples without letting food-preserving cold air escape from the main compartment. The feature has become popular on French-door fridges but is showing up on other models, too. Humidity and temperature controls on drawers Many crispers now have controls that maintain optimum humidity to keep produce fresher. (Fruits that ripen quickly tend to need low humidity, and veggies that easily wilt generally need high humidity.) Certain models also have temperature-controlled compartments that can be set cooler than the rest of your fridge, which can come in handy when, say, chilling drinks for a party. Special cooling systems Traditional fridges with one…

Oversized cubes, spheres, and other fun ice shapes are popular at fancy bars and restaurants, and they’re easy to make at home. Larger cubes not only look cool, but they also melt more slowly than smaller ones, preventing drinks from becoming watered down too quickly. You can try the trend with the specialty trays and molds shown here; you might even have some nice ice shapers on hand. And if you love those machine-made crystal-clear cubes at the store, you can easily make them yourself, too. See the trick on the facing page. Always running low on cubes? Check out these bottom-freezer fridges with dual icemakers: the Samsung RF30HDEDTSR, $3,000, and the LG LFXS29766S, $3,400. They have icemakers up top for easy access as well as in the bottom freezer…

There’s nothing easier than whipping up a marinade or a dry rub to add flavor to meats, fish, poultry, and veggies. All you have do is mix it up, slap it on your food, and light the grill—which means you can hang out at the pool all day and still get a great dinner on the table. And unlike many bottled barbecue sauces and marinades, homemade mixtures don’t contain high fructose corn syrup, gums, and other additives you might want to avoid. Here are four quick, healthy, and delicious recipes developed by our test kitchen: Grilled salmon with sweet chili rub Makes 6 servings ■ 190 calories, 9. rams fat, 170 milligrams sodium per serving 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar 2 teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin ¼ teaspoon…

Unit prices are supposed to help you compare applesauce to applesauce or ketchup to ketchup, so that you can quickly find the best deal. But those little numbers on the shelf tag showing the price per ounce, pound, quart, or other measure can be tricky. That’s because they’re sometimes inconsistent. So you might be comparing, say, a price per ounce vs. a price per quart. Not helpful! The problem is that there are no federal rules about unit pricing. Although the National Institute of Standards and Technology, an agency in the Department of Commerce, has issued recommendations to standardize the labels, not all states follow them. So until a law is passed to unify labels, you’re on your own. Here’s how to avoid seven costly mistakes: MISTAKE NO. 1 Ignoring…

SUNSCREEN SLIPUP Applying it outdoors. EASY FIX Rub it in 15 to 30 minutes or more before going outside, so that it has time to be fully absorbed into your skin. To limit staining, allow it to dry before putting on your clothing or swimsuit. Almost all of the products we tested stained fabric. SUNSCREEN SLIPUP Skimping. EASY FIX To get the promised SPF, you need to apply sunscreen liberally. Use a dollop of lotion the size of a golf ball for your entire body. If you aren’t baring that much skin, use a teaspoon per body part. Prefer a spray? Cover yourself twice and rub it in to make sure you didn’t miss a spot. SUNSCREEN SLIPUP Lubing up just once. EASY FIX Forty percent of people in a…

SAVE YOUR BRAIN To keep your mind sharp as you age, you might want to become a regular at your local craft-supplies store. A recent Mayo Clinic study showed that seniors who kept up with their arts-andcrafts pastimes were 73 percent less likely to develop thinking and memory problems that can lead to dementia. “Engagement in these activities maintains or strengthens the function of brain cells,” says lead researcher Rosebud Roberts. So does the socializing that often goes along with those activities, she adds. For the study, researchers tracked the activities of 256 people, with an average age of 87, for about four years. Keeping up with artsy hobbies they had enjoyed in midlife—including drawing, sculpting, woodworking, pottery, ceramics, quilting, and sewing— lowered the risk of fuzzy thinking and memory…

Keeping your feet in top condition takes time, so we wondered whether products such as the new battery-operated PedEgg could make it faster and easier. In previous tests, our volunteer panelists found the original PedEgg—which works sort of like a kitchen microplane—to be better at removing calluses than a pumice stone. But the new battery-powered versions are claimed to give you smooth, beautiful feet in minutes, without manual rubbing. So we pitted two heavily promoted brands, the Amopé Pedi Perfect and PedEgg Power, against the original PedEgg. For our test, we asked 20.volunteers to use one of the battery-run gadgets on one foot and the original PedEgg on the other. Most agreed that the motorized gadgets took less work, but all three devices did the job. The downside: You won’t…

Julia Angwin author of “Dragnet Nation: A Quest for Privacy, Security, and Freedom in a World of Relentless Surveillance” (Times Books/Henry Holt, 2014) It’s easy to feel exposed and afraid when so much of your personal data seems to be out there for the taking. Julia Angwin, who had been covering digital privacy for the Wall Street Journal and ProPublica, became increasingly concerned that she was making people feel even worse by reporting on threats to our Internet security and personal privacy, without having much advice. So she decided to spend a year living disconnected from any technology that captured her personal info or tracked her behavior. It wasn’t easy or cheap because she had to pay for services that prioritized privacy. Here’s what she learned, plus the tools she…

The best free security software Sure, you want to protect your PC from online creeps who would love to steal your identity or infect your computer with a nasty virus. But before you download that expensive, full-featured security suite, stop and grab the free version instead. Our experts found that free software offers enough protection for most users. The paid versions, which cost as much as $100 per year, add parental controls, so if those are important to you, pony up. But you don’t have to pay for things like a firewall (which is already built into your operating system), anti-phishing tools to warn you of dangerous sites (the tools are built into your browser), and spam blockers (which live in your e-mail service). For even stronger antiphishing tools, try…

*The Tonight Dough is caramel and chocolate ice cream with chocolate cookie swirls and chocolate chip cookie dough and peanut butter cookie dough.…

Dying for a massage but don’t want to pay sky-high spa prices? Or maybe your kid needs braces and you don’t have the dough. If you’re willing to be a bit brave and put yourself in the hands of a student, you can often get pro-quality services at super-low prices—or even free! That’s because students need to practice and perfect the techniques they have learned on actual people. We dug around to find all of the things you can get students to do for you, what to expect from a trade-school experience, and where to find one in your area. Give schools a try and you’ll get an A+ in bargain shopping! Salon services What you can get A trim, layers, highlights, a special-occasion updo—you name it and a student…

Get the party started for $12 or less Cute and colorful garlands and other summery touches are a great way to get your guests in the party mood. “You can’t go wrong with red, white, and blue accessories; they’re festive and patriotic,” says consulting stylist Zoey Washington, who found the sampling shown here—and lots more like it— in stores and online. SAFER CLEANERS If you’re on the hunt for greener cleaners with safer ingredients, look for the Environmental Protection Agency’s new “Safer Choice” logo, shown at left. It’s on more than 1,000 products, including one of our top-rated all-purpose cleaners, Clorox Green Works. To earn the seal, cleaning products are screened by EPA scientists for potential health and environmental risks. For a list of cleaners with the seal, go to…

You try to eat healthy, but healthy food fads seem to come and go as fast as fashion trends. It’s tough to keep up! A few years ago, hearthealthy oats and pomegranate juice were in vogue. More recently, everyone has been eating Greek yogurt and kale, which are now ingredients in dozens of food products including candy, dips, and snacks. But a whole new crop of good-for-you-sounding foods are about to upstage them. We rounded up seven of them here. Ever drink matcha or munch on hemp seeds? Our guide can help you figure out whether those and other hot health foods are worth putting in your shopping cart. ANCIENT GRAINS The “ancient” reference just means that the grains have been harvested in the same way for centuries. They include…

New sweeteners in your food About a quarter of shoppers say they avoid foods with added sugars—mostly because of health concerns, according to a recent Nielsen survey. So food makers are introducing new sweeteners that they claim are better for you but taste like regular sugar. Here’s the lowdown on four products now approved by the Food and Drug Administration. (Calorie counts are per teaspoon.) ADVANTAME (0 calories) What it is It’s 100 times sweeter than its chemical cousin, aspartame—or 20,000.times sweeter than sugar— so a tiny bit goes a long way. Where to find it It has been approved for use in packaged desserts, drinks, candy, and jelly. ALLULOSE (1.6 calories) What it is Sold under the brand name Dolcia Prima, it’s made from corn carbohydrates that are treated…

When you buy groceries like milk or eggs, it’s pretty easy to compare prices. That’s because milk usually comes in gallons and quarts, and eggs are often sold by the dozen. Beauty products are another story. Package sizes are all over the map, and you can’t rely on unit prices. Why should you care? Because that drugstore moisturizer or cleanser that seems like a decent deal might actually be far more expensive than you think. You might even find that, ounce for ounce, a department-store product costs about the same. The only way to tell what you’re really paying is to calculate product prices by the ounce (or another equal measure), so that you can compare apples to apples. Working with our statisticians, we priced out 65 skin-care products, including…

If you’re looking for a figureflattering swimsuit, Lands’ End should be your first stop. Beyond staples like twill pants, cardigan sweaters, polo shirts, and other classic sportswear, the retailer is known for bathing suit styles for every body type. We love this season’s slimming dresskinis (see the striped suit on the facing page) and tunic tops that you can swim in while keeping flabby arms and tummies under wraps. Paired with shorts, they can double as daytime wear. And because tops and bottoms are sold separately, you can get just the right fit. (NOTE: Price ranges reflect higher prices for plus sizes.) tummy hider LANDS’ END SHOPPING INFO YOU SHOULD KNOW The retailer is known for its catalogs, but it has more than 200 Lands’ End Shops at Sears around…

Why bother with a smartwatch when your smartphone is always by your side? Because it’s not by your side—it’s on your wrist! There’s no need to pull it out of a pocket or purse; with a quick glance you can not only find out the time but also view text messages, e-mails, calendar alerts, and socialmedia updates—and even respond to them. Rather than constantly reaching for your phone to check it, you can relax because you know your watch will alert you if something important comes up. The Apple Watch gets most of the buzz (and it is our top- rated model), but two others are worth a look, too. Most smartwatches have voice controls and touch screens, though the Pebble, at right, and some others have buttons. Each of…

■ SAMSUNG GALAXY S6, ■ SAMSUNG GALAXY S6 EDGE Prices Start at $600 and $700, respectively (without a contract) Why they’re hot If you’re an Android fan but love the sleekness of iPhones, one of these new Samsung Galaxy models just might be your dream phone. (The main difference between the two is that the Edge has a curved display.) The glossy Gorilla Glass and polished aluminum construction look and feel a lot more iPhone-like than last year’s plastic-y Galaxy S 5. And we love the cool new features, including fast charging, which can juice up about 50 percent of your battery in roughly 30.minutes. The supersharp displays and wireless charging that works almost anywhere also won us over. Bummers Although Samsung’s new phones are stylish, they lost points in…

THE CLAIM Discover Card has been advertising a new service called Freeze It that lets you “turn off” your card if it’s misplaced or stolen, cutting off new charges and cash advances. You can do that via the free Discover Mobile app. Or you can go to discover.com or call Discover. (Some transactions, such as recurring bill payments, returns, and credits, will still go through.) THE CHECK It’s a good tool, but there are other apps that can do more. Ondot Systems, for instance, provides software to many banks and credit unions that not only gives you control over whether your card is used but also how it’s used. If your teenager goes shopping with your card, for example, you can use the app to set the card to work…

Can a new fridge help you eat healthier? Well, we wouldn’t go that far. But the latest, greatest models might help you cut down on wasted produce that ends up smooshed, rotten, and forgotten on a back shelf or bottom drawer. Many new fridge features are designed to keep food fresher longer. They include produce-preserving filters, humidity-regulating drawers, and convertible compartments that switch from fridge to freezer mode. We found those food-storage innovations on some of the top-performing models in our tests. To earn top scores, refrigerators have be energy-efficient and keep temperatures consistent, which can also help keep food fresher. Turn the page to get a peek inside some of the best new models. If you’re not ready to buy a new fridge, see page 30 for clever ways…

Wall ovens don’t usually turn heads in our labs, but two new models got our attention. The GE Café Series CT907OSHSS, $3,900, shown at bottom, has French doors, which are normally found in restaurant kitchens. And the Bosch HBLP451RUC, $2,900, shown below, is the first wall oven we’ve tested with a side-swing door. Our experts say the new designs make it easier to load and unload food because you don’t have to reach over a hot oven door. The GE Café Series also impressed us with its great baking and broiling. The lower-scoring Bosch was better at broiling than baking.…

THEY DON’T SAY ‘COOL AS A CUCUMBER’ FOR NOTHING. The watery interior can be up to 20° F cooler than the outside air—even on a hot summer day. IT’S A FRUIT. Cucumbers are in the same family as watermelon and pumpkin. EACH PLANT HAS MALE AND FEMALE FLOWERS. They’re both yellow, but only the female blossoms produce the cukes. Try the flowers breaded and fried as fritters or chopped into salads. THAT SHINY, WAXY COATING KEEPS CUKES FRESH LONGER. The coating seals in moisture. If you’re concerned about what’s in it, buy organic cucumbers. There are two main types. ‘Slicing’ cucumbers are the regular supermarket variety. ‘Pickling’ cukes are stouter, with spinier skins. Some slicing cucumbers (shown) are also ‘burpless.’ They have fewer seeds and less cucurbitacin, a compound that…

Do you go for 15 or 50? Odds are you pick sunscreens by the number. But our new tests found that you can’t always trust the SPF claims on labels. Many of the products we tested didn’t live up to their numbers. In one case, an SPF 60 product came in at a mere 18. Talk about getting burned! The only way to make sure you’re getting the right protection is to turn the page for our Smart Picks. Another way to protect yourself is to buy sunscreen that you’ll actually want to use. You’ve probably skipped the sticky goo from time to time. But you don’t have to sacrifice protection for comfort. In our tests of 40 body and face sunscreens, we found plenty that rub in quickly, don’t…

MOSQUITOES How to ease the itch Try an ice pack and an over-thecounter steroid cream, such as hydrocortisone (Cortizone-10 and generic). Or try calamine lotion or a dab or two of white vinegar. When to see a doctor West Nile and chikungunya are viral, so antibiotics won’t help, but you should see a doc if you develop a fever, body aches, headache, or joint pain. You can take a pain reliever such as Advil to ease your symptoms. TICKS If you find one on you Use tweezers to remove the tick, making sure you get the entire body and head. When to see a doctor Deer ticks usually have to be attached for at least 36.hours to transmit Lyme disease. But if you develop a bull’s-eye rash or chills, fever,…

It’s sandal season—are your feet ready for the big reveal? We asked podiatrists and dermatologists for their advice, including a list of products that can give you salonlike results at home. They also told us about a few products you should stay away from (see page 62). Moisturize like crazy What to buy Look for creams containing petrolatum, an emollient that smoothes flaky skin, or a moistureretaining ingredient such as lactic acid. One lactic acid-based cream that experts recommend is AmLactin Triple Action Alpha-Hydroxy Therapy Foot Cream, $8, shown below. Expert tip To lock in moisture, slather your feet with the cream right after a bath or shower, when skin is still damp, says New York City dermatologist Doris Day, M.D. Need an extra boost in hydration? Wear socks to…

Wouldn’t it be nice if you never had to pay attention to your thermostat because it’s always paying attention to you? So it knows, say, to turn on the A/C before you get home from work and to turn it off after you leave. Convenience like that is why people are snapping up “smart” devices, such as the Nest thermostat (shown above), which collect data and connect to the Internet. They’re part of a trend called the Internet of Things, and they can do all kinds of really helpful stuff. These devices can, for example, send messages to your phone when your laundry is done, or automatically unlock your front door as you approach with your arms full of groceries. Many smart devices—such as activity trackers that send data to…

OUR EXPERT Donna Tapellini electronics editor I have a long commute. Odds are you do, too; Americans spend an average of 46_minutes per day driving. But that can be a good thing: It means you’ve got time for a daily podcast or two. If you’re not already taking advantage of those entertaining and often educational snippets, you’re missing out. One of my favorites is NPR’s “On Being,” an award-winning show that covers some big life questions. But I always keep an ear out for new offerings. (You can find podcasts on Google Play and iTunes.) Here are a few gems worth a listen: Living Homegrown Theresa Loe, a producer of PBS’s “Growing a Greener World,” tells you how to live like a farmer, without the farm. Loe interviews experts and…

Did you buy it? ELECTRIC LEAF BLOWER VACS THAT MIGHT CATCH FIRE THE RECALL: 823,000 Homelite brand and 225,000 Expert Gardener brand electric blower vacuums sold at Home Depot and Walmart, respectively. The Homelite models were sold from January 2010 through March 2015 for about $40. The Expert Gardener blowers were sold from January 2012 through March 2015, also for about $40. The vacuum can overheat, spark, and catch fire. There have been 1,369 reports of the Homelite vacuum sparking, arcing, smoking, or burning, and 16 reports of the Expert Gardener doing the same. A similar recall was issued in February 2013. IF YOU OWN ONE Stop using the blower vacuum immediately and return it to the store where you purchased it for a refund. BIKES WITH WHEELS THAT CAN…