In a tight economy, Just Between Friends sales have become a hot tickets in many towns. People line up for a crack at the bargains – as much as 90 percent off retail – and others use it as a source of income, NBC's Janet Shamlian reports from Mesquite, Texas.

What started in Shannon Wilburn’s home 15 years ago as a small sale among friends has become Just Between Friends, franchises of locally organized consignment sales all across the country.

Shoppers might find a sale set up in a warehouse filled with just about everything it takes to raise a child, from newborn car seats to teen-age clothes.

When the doors open, shoppers like Sonia May are quick to spot a deal. “It’s really good quality items, and they’re very clean,” she said.

Sellers like it, too.

“It is a great way to clean out your house. Your kids are growing constantly,” said Delene Ephraim, a stay-at-home mom who sells off almost everything her three children have outgrown.

She also admits to turning other people's trash into money. “Baby walkers, sandboxes, slides,” Ephraim said of her curbside recovery efforts. Items sitting out with the bags of leaves get “turned it into cash. Clean it up. Hose it off. Lysol it. Sell it,” she said.

Consigners set their own prices and take home 60 percent when it sells. The average check is more than $300

Just Between Friends has 131 franchisees in 25 states and reports about $27 million in annual sales, Wilburn told The Oklahoman newspaper.

Volunteers are welcome. too.

“You hear of the average mom shopping here, middle-income America, but really what is so important to me and also our franchises, is people who really can’t afford retail,” CEO and co-founder Wilburn said. “It’s not that they’re looking to save a little bit of money. They can’t afford retail.”

There are many cool products on the market this season, but not all are equally worthy of your money.

Woman's Day has done much of the hard work for you, vetting some of the best new items out there and then recruiting readers for an extra reality check. The 30 best of the best make it to the Woman’s Day Great Value Awards.

The magazine has selected affordable finds ranging from standout newcomers to trusted go-to's in cooking, fashion, beauty, home and health categories, according to Taryn Mohrman, senior editor at Woman's Day.

Some of the Woman’s Day Great Value Awards winners:

L'Oreal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Unscented Hairspray

• $14.99 at drugstores
• Why it’s a winner: Why has this hairspray long been a photo-shoot staple? It goes on dry (with no tacky feeling) and stays flexible.It fights frizz and isn't greasy.

Old Navy The Flirt Boot-Cut Jeans

• $29.50 at Old Navy
• Why it’s a winner: These jeans have just the right amount of stretch, clean flat-front pockets and high back pockets (for a little lift!) to give sizes 0 to 20 a flattering fit.

Nordic Ware Naturals Aluminum Baker's Half Sheet Pan

• $20 at amazon.com
• Why it’s a winner: The raised rim on this pan allows you to bake or roast in it, and the handy lid helps keep food fresh.

Mrs. Meyer's Liquid Hand Soap

• $3.99 at mrsmeyers.com
• Why it’s a winner: Unlike so many eco options, these hand soaps really suds up and come in garden-inspired scents, such as  rhubarb and geranium.

It's Frugal Friday! TODAY's financial editor Jean Chatzky shared some great tips and deals for beating the winter blues without bursting your wallet, new credit card fees to watch out for and how to beat them, and where you can find the best deals on SuperBowl snacks and big screen TV's. 

RETAIL THERAPY

Winter is the season 36% of adults say they're likely to indulge in a little shopping to boost their moods. The key is to do it sensibly, because you don't need to splurge to get the same happy bump in your brain. 

"Max Brenner: Chocolate by the Bald Man is my little treat," Chatzky confessed.

NEW CREDIT CARD FEES

Starting Sunday merchants can start charging you a 4% surcharge on everything you buy with a credit card. It goes to cover the fees they pay the credit card companies for processing the card. It sounds bad, but it means that instead of raising the prices on all the items in the store in order to cover their credit card transaction costs, merchants can selectively charge only those who are conducting the more expensive transactions.

Have a Frugal Friday idea? Let us know!

The fees will likely be phased in slowly and with prominent warning signs, starting with airlines and hotels, then taxis and utilities and finally retailers, but if you want to avoid them entirely, "pay by debit card, or cash," said Chatzky.

SUPERBOWL SNACK DEALS

Score a touchdown with your wallet and your belly with these hot deals for SuperBowl yummies. 

Chipotle: Free Burrito, Burrito Bowl, Salad, Tacos with receipt for 6 or more burritos purchased Feb. 3rd

Whole Foods: 54 oz. Bucket Of Chicken Wings - $7.99

Kroger: Cheese, Chicken, Veggie and Meat and Cheese Combo Weekend Party Platters for $12.99 each.

YES, IT IS SMART TO BUY A BIG-SCREEN FOR THE GAME

Thinking about buying a huge new TV to impress your friends for the SuperBowl? Go for it.

"Now is one of the two best times of the year to purchase big TV," said Chatzky, the other being Christmas. Some of the best deals this year are in the 60" category. Look for these steals:

$1,298 - Sony BRAVIA 60" 120Hz 1080p WiFi LED LCD HDTV

$699 LG 60" 600Hz 1080p Plasma HDTV  at Fry's

$748 Seiki 60" 120Hz 1080p LCD HDTV pickup at Walmart

MONEY-SAVING TIP FROM A VIEWER

On Frugal Friday we always like to feature a viewer who has a great idea for saving money. Amanda Rosen from Jacksonville, NC writes that she has 4 credit cards with different cash back bonuses.

"Each month I put sticky notes on them so we know which card to use at which location," she writes. "For instance, normally I would use Chase at a restaurant (3%), but when Discover gives 5%, we know to use that card instead. Everything that can go on a credit card, does. As long as you have the discipline to pay in full every month and pick cards with no annual fees, it works great! We are on a very limited budget and still make $500-$600 a year in bonuses."

Isn't it great when we can learn to save from others? If you have a great tip you'd think other people watching the show can use, send it in to our mailbag and it just might get featured on-air!

When he bought a package of massages for half price ($245) from Groupon, Nathan Barusch of Phoenix, Ariz., had every intention of going. But things got busy at work, he couldn’t schedule an appointment and the expiration date was getting close. He decided the smart thing to do was sell it.

Barusch didn’t have any luck on Craigslist, so he searched the web and found a site called CoupFlip, which offered to buy it for $60.

“It was certainly better than getting nothing, so I was happy,” he said.

Barusch told me he would use the site again if he ever found himself in a similar situation. And it seems a lot of people who buy daily deals don’t use them for one reason or another.

According to a study by Uptal Dholakia, an associate professor of management at Rice University, two out of 10 daily deals (21.7 percent) are unredeemed when the promotion period ends. CoupFlip estimates that as much as 30 percent of the $5 billion in annual deals sold last year may go unused.

Some sites, like MyCabbage (formerly DealsGoRound), are a marketplace where buyers and sellers can do business. It offers a mobile app for the iPhone that lets you organize, share and redeem daily deals with friends via Facebook.

CoupFlip is different. It actually buys unwanted deals from Groupon, Living Social and similar sites and resells them. Your transaction is with the CoupFlip, not some third-party.

“We create a marketplace where you can actually sell your daily deal today,” said CEO Phil McDonnell. “You don’t just list it and wait around to see if somebody will take it, because these things expire. You can go on and in less than 30 seconds upload it, sell it and be done with it.”

The site, which went national in October, uses a complex algorithm to come up with the purchase price. It’s based on expiration date, how many were sold and the Yelp! score of the merchant.

“The idea is to give you a fair price,” McDonnell told me. “If your deal has a pretty good expiration time on it and also was a popular deal to being with, we’ll generally pay up to 70 percent.”

Payment is made through PayPal in 10 business days. This gives the site time to validate the voucher.

Shop for deals on deals
Of course, CoupFlip doesn’t make any money unless it resells these vouchers. So it offer deals on these deals for spas, entertainment, vacations, even clothing. It’s also a great place to look for last-minute restaurant discounts.

Most of the coupons on CoupFlip are 10 percent less than what they sold for on Groupon or Living Social. But as the expiration date gets closer, the discounts get bigger.

“We actually have some deals that are 98 percent off the face price,” McDonnell said.

Audrey Brown, a teacher in San Francisco, used the site when her glasses broke. She remembered seeing a Groupon for an eye exam and $150 toward new frames. She went to Groupon, but the deal had expired. CoupFlip had it.

“It was fantastic,” she said. “It was really fast and easy. I would definitely use them again.”

There’s always a risk when you buy a deal voucher that was sold to someone else. It could be fake or already used. Some are not transferrable. That’s the benefit of using CoupFlip. The site guarantees the voucher is authentic, is still good and is transferrable. If there’s a problem, you’ll get your money back.

By the way, maybe you got gift cards for the holidays that you don’t want or can’t use. You can turn that plastic into cash at a number of sites that buy and resell them. Here are a few you might want to visit: Plastic Jungle, Gift Card Granny, Card Hub, Cardpool, CardCash, GiftCards.com

Herb Weisbaum is The ConsumerMan. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter or visit The ConsumerMan website.

Featurepics.com

Burgers may be the the standard for a July Fourth cookout, but they're hardly the only option.

 Surveys show that more than three-quarters of grill owners will be cooking outdoors over the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. For many, the meal will be burgers: A biennial state of the industry report by the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association reveals that hamburgers are the most popular food to grill. They’re certainly an affordable choice: Ground chuck typically saves more than a dollar per pound over leaner cuts. However, frugal grillers can buy beef in other inexpensive forms and branch out to chicken and pork without spending more than they’d like. Cheapism consulted butchers and grilling aficionados from different regions of the country to find the best dishes you can coax out of cheaper cuts of meat.

• Flank steak and hanger steak (sometimes spelled hangar) respond well to long soaks in tenderizing marinades. Slice them into thin strips against the grain and cook quickly over high heat. A devotee from Massachusetts recommends cooking shoulder steak this way as well.
• Brisket comes at a similarly low cost but can be rendered priceless by the right rub recipe. It can also feed a whole party’s worth of people.
• Make more expensive meats go farther by serving them on skewers, yoking the pieces with vegetables such as bell peppers and onions. This is a good strategy for sirloin. William Rubel, author of “The Magic of Fire,” declares that cheap cuts of lamb, such as shanks, make the most delicious kebabs.
• For the best deal on chicken, buy the entire bird. Prepackaged parts often command $2 more per pound.
• A New Englander puts forward bone-in, skin-on turkey breast as an unsung crowd-pleaser. Stuff it with fresh herbs and butter and baste the meat continually so it stays moist.
• A pork shoulder is one of the cheapest cuts you can buy and ideal for barbecuing. For the initiated, that specifically refers to long, slow cooking with indirect heat, as opposed to rapid grilling directly over a heat source. Higher-priced tenderloin gets too dry, one butcher told Cheapism. He favors less costly ribs, brined or boiled first so they turn out nice and tender.
• Hot dogs certainly don’t cost much, but their ingredients tend to arouse suspicion. Bratwurst, popular among Midwesterners, provides a flavorful, affordable alternative.

One final piece of advice, courtesy of Real Simple: Be friendly with the folks working the meat counter at your local supermarket. They can alert you to upcoming discounts that bring pricier cuts within your budget.

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The Char-Griller Grillin' Pro 3001 starts at $186.

 For many Americans, meals prepared on the grill rank right up there with Fourth of July fireworks as an essential ingredient in summer. Nearly 90 percent of owners will be firing up their grills for the upcoming holiday, according to an annual survey by manufacturer Weber-Stephen Products. These days, so-called “outdoor rooms” are furnished with $3,000 stainless-steel mammoths. A more modest grill might look a little silly encased in custom stonework, but it’s all you need to partake in this holiday tradition for less than $200.

Below are Cheapism’s top picks for affordable grills.

• The Char-Griller Grillin' Pro 3001 (starting at $189) strikes both consumer and expert reviewers as a good value for the money. In feedback posted online, they note this gas grill’s solid construction and consistent heating across the three main burners. A powerful side burner can heat up sauces and side dishes, and porcelain grates resist sticking. (Where to buy)
• The Char-Griller Wrangler 2123 (starting at $106) outdoes other charcoal grills in this price range with 435 square inches of grilling space, convenient features such as a warming rack, and cast-iron grates that can be adjusted to provide more control over the cooking temperature. Online reviews call the grill sturdy and durable. (Where to buy)
• The Brinkmann Grill King 810-2410-SB (starting at $199) is the largest grill on our list, with four main burners, plus a side burner and warming rack, for a total cooking space of 638 square inches. It’s also the only one that boasts porcelain-coated cast-iron grates, known for heating food evenly and keeping it from sticking. Experts and users cite ease of use and cleaning in favorable reviews of this gas grill. (Where to buy)
• The Weber One-Touch Gold 22.5 (starting at $130) takes its name from the highly regarded brand’s One-Touch cleaning system, which confines the mess to a removable ash catcher. Reviewers give this charcoal grill almost universally high ratings and admire its quality. Weber makes cheaper One-Touch kettle grills as well; the 18.5-inch Silver model starts at $79. (Where to buy)

Both charcoal grills and gas grills have their partisans. Some patio chefs swear by the smoky flavor of charcoal, alleging that propane simply can’t compare. Charcoal barbecues also cost less up front, although buying bag after bag of briquettes or lump charcoal eats away any savings; it’s cheaper to refill a propane tank periodically. Gas grills heat up more quickly, tend to be easier to use and control, and promise easier cleanup, with no messy ash disposal.

Gas grills also typically have larger cooking surfaces. The models on our list come in at around 630 square inches. Note that any side burner or warming rack is typically included in the surface area listed in the specs. Consider how many people you’ll usually be feeding and also the size of your outdoor area. A hefty four-burner model with a side burner and a shelf simply may not fit on a small patio.

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The Simmons Beautyrest line includes some budget models.

By Kara Reinhardt, Cheapism.com

Could an old mattress be responsible for a lackluster love life? A recent survey found that almost a quarter of respondents with a mattress more than 10 years old report less romance in their lives — and most blame the mattress. Turns out this research was conducted on behalf of Sleepy’s, the mattress retailer, so the suggestion that a new mattress might be in order comes as no surprise.

Still, with Valentine’s Day less than a week away, this kind of thing can get you thinking. A new mattress is undoubtedly a major purchase. The price of even a traditional innerspring mattress can top $5,000, and experts warn that the very cheapest off-brand mattresses aren’t worth it. However, the big three  — Sealy, Serta, and Simmons — offer well-regarded queen-size mattress and box spring sets for less than $600. That amounts to mere pennies a night if the mattress lasts even five years. This is also one of those categories where sales seem constant and almost no one pays full price. Although a box spring isn’t always necessary, the warranty may stipulate that the mattress be used with the appropriate component. 

It may seem strange to lie down for a nap in the middle of a store, but it’s important to test different mattresses for comfort. Even on the low end, the various fiber, foam, and coil combinations present a wide range of options. These all have different names depending on the manufacturer, the retailer, and even the geographic region, which makes comparison shopping a challenge.

In general, look for more layers of padding if you enjoy a soft mattress or sleep on your side and fewer if you sleep on your back and like your bed to be firm. Pay attention to the quality of the materials that make up those layers; the padding on some inexpensive mattresses is apt to deteriorate. Finally, don’t worry too much about the number of coils — 375 is plenty for a queen-size mattress, according to GoodBed. What matters more is the construction and positioning of the coils.

Below are Cheapism’s top picks for affordable mattresses.

• The Serta Perfect Sleeper series (starting at $560) is lauded for being firm yet comfortable, and the mattresses are covered under warranty for up to 10 years. The design was developed in partnership with the National Sleep Foundation. (Where to buy)
• The Simmons Beautyrest series (starting at $477) earns praise from users for offering a range of firmness levels. Mattresses come with a 10-year warranty and a whopping 800 pocketed coil springs, which are intended to isolate movement and keep people from disturbing their partners. (Where to buy)
• The Sealy Posturepedic series (starting at $391) is designed to support the back and relieve pressure on the shoulders and hips. The Sealy brand rated highest in a survey of customer satisfaction and offers a 10-year warranty. (Where to buy)

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By Kara Reinhardt, Cheapism.com

On and leading up to Feb. 14, men and women flush with ardor will render florists, fine jewelers, and restaurateurs flush with cash. Valentine’s Day gifts cost the average consumer more than $100 each year, according to the National Retail Federation. High-end chocolates certainly contribute to that outlay. The best inexpensive chocolates may not have wine-like labels that specify geographic origin and vintage as some artisanal varieties do, but they can satisfy for less.

Chocolate comes in three basic varieties: dark, milk, and white. Dark chocolate has enjoyed a spate of positive press in recent years, thanks to research that suggests antioxidants from the cacao bean may, amond other findings, lower blood pressure. The Food and Drug Administration requires dark chocolate to contain a certain percentage of chocolate liquor, which is made from cocoa butter and nonfat cocoa solids (but no alcohol, despite the name). The higher the percentage, the greater the potential health benefits, scientists say. (The National Institutes of Health cautions that, while those benefits are tantalizing, the negative effects of excessive fat, sugar, and calories are beyond doubt.)

Buying dark chocolate could earn you extra brownie points for being concerned with the health of your significant other, but it could also backfire. The ingredients touted by researchers make dark chocolate more bitter than milk chocolate or white chocolate. Milk chocolate is more familiar to Americans and contains milk ingredients (no surprise there) in addition to cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and sugar. White chocolate is made from cocoa butter, milk, and sugar but contains no cocoa solids.

These different types of chocolate can take a few different forms. There are chocolate bars, of course, and the chocolate-dipped candies known as bonbons. Truffles feature creamy ganache encased in a chocolate shell. All can be dressed up with nuts, fruit, or other flavors.

Below are Cheapism’s top picks for affordable chocolate.

• Lindt Lindor Truffles (starting at $8 for a 5.1 oz. box, or 67 cents a piece) come in dark, milk, and white chocolate varieties. In a blind taste test, our panel found the ganache in all three smooth and delectable. The dark truffles proved sweeter than they expected. (Where to buy)
• Cadbury Royal Dark Chocolate (starting at $2.19 for a 4 oz. bar) wins the admiration even of those who prefer milk chocolate. Tasters describe a pleasing texture and a semi-sweet taste with notes of cinnamon. (Where to buy)
• Dove Silky Smooth Dark Chocolate (starting at 79 cents for a 1.3 oz. bar) isn’t exactly silky smooth, according to our tasters. However, it is a mild dark chocolate with a nice sweetness. (Where to buy)
• The Trader Joe's Box of Chocolates (starting at $4.99 for a 16 oz. box, or 15 cents a piece) is unavailable online, so only those with a Trader Joe’s store nearby can get their hands on this assortment. Our panel singled out the all-chocolate bonbons; others are filled with caramel, toffee, or fruit-flavored cream. A guide inside the box reveals which is which, and the whole thing is wrapped in heart-patterned paper.

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The K2 Vandal youth board is also a cheap option for small adults.

By Kara Reinhardt, Cheapism.com

Recent snow in many regions of the country has resorts rejoicing and snowboarders raring to hit the slopes and terrain parks. There’s still time for beginners to take advantage of deals on lessons as part of Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. Many offers include lift tickets and rental equipment. If you’re ready for your own gear, you can find an entry-level snowboard for less than $300 from a brand such as Forum, K2, Ride, Salomon, or even Burton. That’s not to mention the bargains available on snowboards from previous seasons.

Most budget boards are designed for entry-level to intermediate snowboarders, with features that make them more forgiving. They tend to have a softer flex, which means they bend and twist more easily than stiffer boards built for high speeds. That gives even younger, smaller snowboarders more control and helps park riders initiate jumps. Manufacturers often give their boards a flex rating on a 1-to-5 or 1-to-10 scale, with 1 being the softest.

Low-cost boards are typically the same shape at both ends, which makes it easy for snowboarders to ride regular (with the left foot in front) or switch (with the right foot in front). These so-called “twin-tip” boards come in two different varieties. Riders who already know their preferred stance can opt for a directional twin, which is stiffer at the tail or back end of the board, allowing for more controlled turns. A true twin has uniform flex throughout.

Traditionally snowboards have had a bit of an arch in the center, known as camber, that’s forced flat against the ground by the rider’s body weight, resulting in springy, responsive performance. These days, inexpensive boards commonly feature reverse camber, or rocker, where the center of the board curves toward the ground and the ends lift off the snow. This helps keep beginners from catching an edge, making rocker an appealing choice for any rider who prefers smooth landings to face plants. One drawback is the board doesn’t grip the snow as well when you’re speeding downhill trying to make aggressive turns. A snowboard with flat or zero camber has a flat base that sits flush against the snow and combines attributes of both traditional and reverse camber.

Finally, inexpensive snowboards feature extruded bases, which are generally slower but easier to maintain and repair than the sintered bases on pricier boards.

Below are Cheapism’s top picks for affordable snowboards.

• The Salomon Pulse (starting at $249) is a directional twin board that earns kudos for its versatility. The flat camber provides more stability than rocker but still helps new riders avoid catching an edge. (Where to buy)
• The K2 Vandal youth board (starting at $200) comes in sizes big enough to suit some small adults as well. Experts recommend this true twin board with rocker for riders itching to learn some tricks in the terrain park. (Where to buy)
• The Forum Recon (starting at $300) transitions easily from the park to powder to groomed runs, according to experts. This is a directional twin board with rocker and a soft to medium flex. (Where to buy)
• The Ride Lowride (starting at $170) is a smaller junior board that experts favor for learning. It has the softest flex in the line and a true twin shape with rocker. Ride also offers the nearly identical Blush, with more feminine graphics, for girls. (Where to buy)

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Making your own food choices requires discipline, but can save you some money.

By Kara Reinhardt, Cheapism.com

New years and resolutions to lose weight go together like ice cream and cake — er, rather salad and low-fat dressing. Not surprisingly, there are deals galore on diet plans right now. But there’s no use taking advantage of a waived sign-up fee if you ultimately can’t afford the plan itself. After all, what good is a weight-loss plan if the stress on your budget leads to emotional eating? Luckily several diet plans responsible for numerous success stories start at less than $20 per month.

Generally the low-cost options are book-based or support-only plans, as opposed to food-delivery programs like Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig, which send subscribers carefully calibrated meals. Making your own food choices requires more discipline, even with the help of recipes, meal plans, online tools, and support from fellow dieters. If you can handle it, however, you can save money and develop healthful habits — including an ongoing exercise routine — that will help keep your weight down even after you go off a formal plan.

Want to lose weight? Join the 25,000-pound challenge

According to an expert at Mayo Clinic, the prevailing weight-loss guideline of one to two pounds per week offers the greatest likelihood of long-term success. At that rate it may take a while to get to a point where you could hold up an old pair of pants on TV, but a slow, steady approach has proved safe and effective. Whichever weight-loss plan you choose, be sure to consult your doctor before you begin.

Below are Cheapism’s top picks for affordable diet plans.

• Weight Watchers (online membership starting at $18.95 for 28 days) combines dietary requirements with physical activity and online or in-person support. Subscribers track what they eat using a points system that favors high-fiber, low-fat foods. Weight Watchers caps the number of points allowed each day and increases the allotment if you exercise. The program boasts multitudes of satisfied customers. (Where to buy)
• eDiets (online membership starting at $18.95 for 28 days) offers a food-delivery service as well as a support-only option. Customers register numerous complaints about the food, from preparation to packaging and delivery. The more cost-efficient online diet plans, on the other hand, claim many admirers. The personalized plans include 24/7 online support, and members credit the program with instilling resistance to impulse buying and binge eating. (Where to buy)
• The South Beach Diet (online membership starting at $4 per week; books starting at $7.99) places strict limits on your carb intake at the beginning, then slowly re-introduces whole grains, fruits, and starchy vegetables. The membership includes meal plans, peer support, and online tools for tracking your progress. The latest version incorporates exercise. Adherents report that the diet yields speedy results and is easy to maintain. (Where to buy)

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The 42-inch Vizio E3D420VX offers 3D capability.

By Kara Reinhardt, Cheapism.com

The college football national championship may be behind us, but the biggest game of the year is coming up on Feb. 5. Frugal football fans can watch the Super Bowl on a brand-new LCD TV for less than $600. LCD stands for liquid crystal display, technology that has allowed sleek, space-saving flat-screens to replace conventional cathode-ray-tube TVs. Brands including LG, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, and Toshiba offer budget models up to 42 inches.  

Man cavers will no doubt want the biggest screen they can afford, but the picture will appear grainy and distorted unless there’s room to sit far enough away. Do a quick calculation to determine the maximum screen size for your space: Measure the distance between the seating area and the spot where the TV will go, then divide by 1.5. For instance, if your favorite recliner is only 48 inches from the wall where you want to mount a new TV, you should look for a 32-inch screen.

One of the most commonly cited specs on an LCD TV is the resolution. The best available is 1080p, which provides the sharpest, clearest high-definition picture. You can easily find a 1080p TV for less than $600. However, keep in mind that the images you see won’t be in high-def unless you have HD channels and/or a Blu-ray player as well.

A screen with 1080p resolution displays 1,080 rows of pixels from top to bottom. The “p” refers to progressive scan, which keeps the screen from flickering when the image refreshes. The refresh rate is measured in hertz, and even low-cost TVs have rates of at least 60 Hz. A higher refresh rate of 120 Hz, available on some budget models, reduces blurring when you’re watching a fast-paced sporting event or playing a video game.

While the best low-priced LCD TVs offer excellent viewing, they simply can’t match the deep black levels that make colors pop on more expensive screens. Pricier models have higher contrast ratios, which represent the difference between the darkest and lightest colors on the screen. Watch out for manufacturers who tout dynamic contrast ratios of 10,000:1 or 100,000:1. The number to look for is the static contrast ratio, which is much lower but more accurate.

Manufacturers often max out settings such as contrast and brightness so a TV will stand out on a retail floor. Factory settings aren’t optimal for a living room, however, so it's best to adjust them.

Below are Cheapism’s top picks for affordable LCD TVs.

• The 42-inch Vizio E3D420VX (starting at $560) boasts 3D capability, which is tough to come by in this price range but perhaps no surprise from a brand known for affordable, feature-rich TVs. This 1080p model has a 120 Hz refresh rate, and reviewers praise the color quality. (Where to buy)
• The 27-inch ViewSonic VT2730 (starting at $300) may not be a big-screen, but it’s inexpensive and ideal for a smaller space. Experts say the picture on this no-frills 1080p TV is sharp and accurate from almost any angle. (Where to buy)
• The 32-inch Sony NSX-32GT1 (starting at $498) incorporates Google TV, so you can browse the web and search for video. Reviewers recommend this 1080p model for the features rather than the image quality. (Where to buy)
• The 42-inch LG 42LK450 (starting at $579) dispenses with extra features but delivers solid performance. Experts appreciate the ability to finely tune each aspect of the picture quality on this 1080p TV. (Where to buy)

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The Horizon Fitness T101 comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame and motor.

By Kara Reinhardt, Cheapism.com

A New Year’s resolution to get in shape may be more likely to lighten your wallet than your weight. Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley and Stanford University found that health club members paying monthly dues of more than $70 didn’t get to the gym often enough to make a membership worthwhile. A visit winds up costing $17, compared with $10 on a 10-visit pass. A budget treadmill costs more than the gym up front, but you are probably more likely to use a machine that’s right there in your home. Moreover, the cost is ultimately offset by months of unpaid membership fees.

A low-cost treadmill won’t suit multiple users who intend to run on it for more than an hour every day. But if you’re more apt to walk or jog, you can find a solid machine for under $600. The cheapest treadmills require you to manually keep the belt moving, rather than relying on a motor, and using a manual treadmill can be difficult enough to discourage you from exercising. Experts recommend spending at least enough to get a model with a motor.

Manufacturers often advertise a treadmill’s peak performance horsepower, which indicates the motor’s maximum capability. However, pushing the treadmill to its limit for long periods can wear down both the motor and the belt. The more important indicator is continuous horsepower, or CHP. This should be at least 1.5 for walking and 2.0 for interval training. The latter involves alternating between high- and low-intensity exercise by adjusting the treadmill’s speed and incline. On some low-cost treadmills, this must be done manually, so look for a machine with automatic incline adjustment.

Experts recommend at least a 54-inch belt for walking and interval training — longer for running and for tall users with long strides. The belt should also be at least 18 inches wide to allow for side-to-side movement, especially if you’ll be running.

Finally, treadmills take a beating and can burn out quickly if they’re not well-made, so don’t buy one without an adequate warranty on the frame, motor, and parts.

Below are Cheapism’s top picks for affordable treadmills. All have a maximum speed of 10 mph.

• The Horizon Fitness T101 (starting at $599) boasts a 2.25 CHP motor and a 55 x 20-inch belt. Reviews note its sturdy build, as evidenced by a two-ply belt, 300-pound weight limit, and lifetime warranty on the frame and motor — rare among budget models. (Where to buy)
• The ProForm Performance 400 (starting at $599) has the same size motor, belt, and weight limit, along with a lifetime warranty on the frame, 25 years on the motor, and one year on parts and labor. Reviewers like that this treadmill is compatible with Nike + iPod and iFit Live, which supplements the 15 present workout programs with a vast array of online options (for an extra cost). (Where to buy)
• The Merit Fitness 725T Plus (starting at $400) is primarily a walking treadmill, with a 1.25 CHP motor and a 45-inch belt. Experts and users appreciate the smooth automatic incline and general value for the price. (Where to buy)
• The Gold's Gym GG480 (starting at $377) accommodates runners, multiple users, and people up to 300 pounds without shaking or making too much noise, according to reviews. This machine is best suited to walking, however, with a 1.5 CHP motor and a 50-inch belt. (Where to buy)

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