H&M has some of cutest clothing for girls at cheaper prices than the GAP. Avoid department stores that tend to price children’s clothing at the same price point as adults. There is no justification for a 4T Ralph Lauren skirt to cost that same as an adult skirt. The one exception is at Macys, which has great deals on children’s clothing during their major sale events.

Apparently, the best store to bargain shop for girls is at Target. You have a lot of option and the clothes are well constructed with most items in the $10-$17 range. Plus shopping at target is very acceptable (unlike K-MART), so you can save money without worry about the “cool” factor.

It seems like the designers for boys clothing are the hero on making them look like little action heroes. Bargain shopping for these tykes is an art form that few know how to do. Target has great stuff for little guys, with Children’s Place giving the most for your bucks. However, SEARS is also a great place to find cute little items from designers like Sean John and Levi, for very reasonable prices.

Although Old Navy is great place for basics like Cargo pants, the really cool stuff is at GAP. Bright colored lumberjack jackets and knit caps will keep your little guy looking stylish. Another good place is Marshall’s and T.J. Maxx. Usually both these stores have nice suits from designers like Polo Ralph Lauren for such a bargain that you could also pick them up a little toy to make up for forcing them to go shopping.

Further signs of a shift in the market include both Morrisons and Tesco selling energy efficient light bulbs at low prices, while Asda, the Co-op and Somerfield greatly increased the proportion of in-season vegetables produced in the UK.

Larry Whitty, chairman of the NCC, said: “The food we eat is responsible for one-third of our impact on climate change. NCC’s research has spotted important signs of progress right across the market … but much remains to be done if supermarkets are to become truly green grocers.”

Meanwhile, separate research being published today by the Climate Group reveals poor consumer awareness of companies taking the lead on climate change. The research shows that two-thirds of people were unable to name any brands that are taking a lead, but said 80% of consumers were making some effort to be green.

It is as easy and low cost to set up and maintain as the SIMPLE IRA. But instead of the employee making contributions to the plan with a match from the employer, the employer makes the entire contribution.

Self-employed workers may find the SEP ideal due to its low setup and maintenance costs. Business owners can save quite a bit more in a SEP than the SIMPLE or other IRAs. For 2009, the contribution limit is 25 percent of net income up to $49,000.

As an example, say you receive $5,000 for a product, but you spent $1,000 on supplies and Web advertising to make that sale.

That $1,000 subtracted from the $5,000 gives you $4,000 net. The net income is what your pension contribution is based on.

• Who can open one: Any employer or self-employed person.
• Cost and complexity: Low.
• Employer contribution limit: 25 percent of employees’ net income up to $49,000.
• Employee contribution limit: Not applicable.
• Annual reporting requirements: None.

Individual banking institutions have their own policies when it comes to credit card applications. Customers may seek either a secured or unsecured credit card, depending on their individual repayment histories (credit rating). A secured credit card requires the applicant to deposit an amount of cash equivalent to the credit limit desired. A deposit of $1500 USD, for example, should be enough to be issued a credit card with a $1000 to $1500 spending limit. If the customer fails to make sufficient payments, the deposited money will be used to satisfy the credit card debt.

An unsecured credit card, on the other hand, is generally issued to those who have a good credit history and have demonstrated an ability to repay the accrued debt on time. Credit limits are determined on an individual basis, and may be raised or lowered based on performance. An unsecured credit card is essentially a pre-approved loan, with interest rates higher than a similar personal bank loan. The main benefit of any credit card is instant access to more cash than you may have on hand. A recent college graduate, for example, may have to purchase a business suit for employment purposes. Earning the $200+ USD needed for an average suit could take weeks, and he or she needs the suit in order to earn the income. Putting the suit on a credit card would be the ideal solution; the borrower could repay the balance with his or her first paycheck and few interest charges would accrue.

Credit card use often becomes problematic when the holder accrues more debt than a regular monthly payment can cover. The issuing bank does allow credit card users to carry over balances every month (revolving credit), but significant interest rates may also accrue on those balances. Missing a scheduled payment can also prompt the bank to raise interest rates on a delinquent account. If a credit card holder can only afford to pay the minimal amount due every month, he or she will not be reducing the actual debt incurred. The minimal payments may only apply to the accrued interest. This is a financial spiral many credit card users may experience if they don’t use proper spending restraint.

A credit card does give the holder an immediate credibility for services such as hotel reservations, car rentals and airline ticket reservations. Those without a credit card often have to guarantee their reservations with cash deposits or several forms of identification. Many credit card plans also include insurance coverage for theft or fraud. If a credit card is reported stolen and then used illegally, the cardholder would not be held responsible for unauthorized charges. A credit card holder can authorize other people to use the card for purchases or services, however. Ultimately, the primary cardholder is responsible for all charges placed on his or her account.