westchester

We are heading into the last full shopping weekend ahead of the holidays. 

Sunday evening Hannukah begins, and next Saturday is Christmas Eve. 	

So we need to be savvy to score the deals on what's left on your shopping list. From last minute shopping - to shipping - and the deals that are still out there.

GUIDE: <a href="https://longisland.news12.com/guide-tips-for-choosing-safe-toys-this-holiday-season">Tips for choosing safe toys this holiday season</a>

RELATED: <a href="https://longisland.news12.com/running-to-the-store-for-last-minute-gifts-precautions-to-keep-you-safe-this-holiday-shopping-season">Running to the store for last-minute gifts? Precautions to keep you safe this holiday shopping season</a>

RELATED: <a href="https://news12.com/holiday-shopping-tips-to-protect-your-identity-and-money">Holiday shopping tips to protect your identity and money</a>

RELATED: <a href="https://longisland.news12.com/spread-some-cheer-and-stay-on-budget-with-these-gift-ideas">Spread some cheer, and stay on budget with these 7 gift ideas</a>

We know inflation is hitting everything from Christmas tress to decorations to groceries. So, how can we shop smarter and still find a deal? 

News 12's Elizabeth Hashagen was joined by consumer reporter Janice Lieberman for tips on deals, shipping and what you need to know about returns.

News 12's Elizabeth Hashagen was joined by consumer reporter Janice Lieberman for tips on deals, shipping and what you need to know about returns. 

New Jersey

NJ Weather Stories

Weather stories

NJ | Weather

NJFORECAST

Um, I do think that's how they get rid of the, the entire county now is jonesing for subway and a foot long cookie. Well, I mean, is up to something. That's what I think they did a collaboration. All right, where our forecast is going as we head into tonight, we've got to clear to a partly cloudy sky. It's partly cloudy to clear. We will be looking for a sunny start to your Tuesday afternoon. Temperatures are going to be on the chillier side in the lower thirties, daytime, highs this week getting into the lower forties. By the weekend, we're back up into the fifties and wouldn't, you know, it, we've got some rain showers to track as we get into the second half of the weekend. At least that's the way it looks like right now as we roll into tonight, we are looking for clear skies. Temperatures by Tuesday morning are going to be at or just above the freezing mark. It is going to be a chillier start as we, uh first get Tuesday underway clouds will eventually show back up in the forecast day. High temperatures struggling. We should be at about 4849 for a normal daytime high temperature tomorrow. We're looking for lower forties and it's a similar situation as we get into Wednesday, temperatures are going to be on the cooler side, upper twenties and lower thirties to start off Wednesday. We'll be looking for daytime highs to eventually get back up into the lower forties the best day of this 10 day. Well, the best day of this is going to be on Friday with mainly sunny skies and temperatures are back up into the lower fifties. We'll see partly cloudy skies on Saturday. Saturday looks to be the drier day of the upcoming week and we're more than likely be dealing with some rain and wind as we get into the second half of the weekend. The second half next week looks fantastic with mainly sunny skies and temperatures a little bit more in line for December. More details on that forecast coming right up. Thanks.

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Weather

Brooklyn

BK | Weather

BKFORECAST

Set on over to storm watch teams ho O se right now as we are making our way towards a interesting week here, weather wise, a little different than we had today. Yeah. You know, today was a beautiful day to go outside and enjoy the milder air temperatures in the low to mid 50 so 54 in Bay Bridge, 53 in Home Crest and 52 in Midwood. So we really got spoiled because our average high is 48 degrees. It is about to start feeling like the forties starting tomorrow. Highs near 45 air mass and we are going to see more clouds and sun. So not going to going to experience that bright beautiful sky Wednesday, even colder. High stopping out near 41 degrees, but at least it's going to remain dry for now. There are some changes in the forecast heading into the weekend. But in the short term, this is what you're waking up to tomorrow morning. 38 degrees, the clouds are moving out of here and it is going to be cold. So that heavy winter coat, you need to dust it off and bring it back out. And keep it around for the next couple of days. Tomorrow's highs will top out in the mid forties across the boughs and we're going to see those clouds continuing to increase throughout the day, still going to remain dry. And even into our Wednesday, that colder air mass is seeping in highs are really struggle to get to near 41 degrees partly sunny sky. And what we're watching on Thursday as we turn into Hanukkah, a Clipper system two hours north will bring some snow showers north and west of our area. We will dry but temperatures will still be very cold. Upper thirty's near 40 degrees. But look where we're going. There is a light at the end of the tunnel as we get into the rest of the month, December 10th to the 16th. It looks like we're trending warmer than normal, but temperatures will even be reaching the low to mid 50 s through the weekend. And I would say the pick of the week will be on Saturday. A blend of sun and clouds go out there. Really enjoy the start of the weekend because look where we're ending some rain and wind return to our area.

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Westchester

WC | Weather

HVFORECAST

Is back now with another look at your forecast. Did you pick your tree out yet? Oh, our tree is picked out years ago. It's in the box. Oh, well, there you go. I know we were trying to decide this year whether we get the fake tree or the real tree. But we went with the real one. You can't beat the real tree though. I mean, the smell is just so nice in the house, but either one it's gonna look great. Oh, absolutely. And in fact, if people didn't go ahead and get that real tree yet, I think you're gonna be able to find a few dry days this week to go ahead and do some tree shopping. But when you're gonna be out and about make sure that you do have that jacket because through the middle of the week, we're turning colder, but at least staying dry. In fact, we're gonna be seeing dry conditions overnight as the cold fronts approaching our air. Then it passes through for your day tomorrow. Now, the weekend much like this past weekend is gonna be split 5051 day being great. The other one not so much right here is the great day. It is Saturday, my pick of the week, 53 degrees, partly sunny skies, mild temperatures and with a nice pleasant breeze coming on it, that breeze will continue to pick on up ahead of a storm system making its way towards our area. Sunday, bringing us batches of rain, breezy, mild muggy air and then it leaves us by late Sunday and colder air will come rushing on in behind it and those temperatures will start to cool down. Going in towards next week overnight. Tonight, we go out towards pine bush down to 31 degrees. Yorktown Heights, 34 white points, 35 cloud cover slowly thinning on out heading in towards your daybreak on Tuesday as those temperatures a little bit cooler. Then by tomorrow afternoon, upper thirties to low forties coming on in running a few degrees cooler than the average high. About 45. Feel like temperatures though starting to notice a little bit of a chill in the air for a northerly breeze coming on down, bowling going into, I should say for Wednesday morning, we have temperatures in the twenties and thirties though feeling in the mid to upper twenties so still have that chill coming on down about five or 10 MPH past Wednesday afternoon. Towards Thursday. It's gonna be a chilly start today. Lots of locations trending below the freezing point at 32 degrees and certainly feeling just as cold if not colder. Thankfully though, we swing out of that deep freeze going on in, through portions of the midweek past the first night of Hanukkah Friday. Temperatures getting milder mid-forties coming on in Saturday, like I said, 53 Sunday, 55. And then once that next system passes, we cool on down, but we're still trending above, uh I should say towards normal levels. So this time of year internet.

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Long Island

LI | Weather

LIFORECAST

Do they have all the errors of Taylor Swift represented? Well, you live with the Swifties. So do you know all the errors? I know there's the red era, the reputation. I don't even know that. And then you got her versions. We'll have a talk so much fun. I'm a huge fan though, so that's gonna be great to check out. We have a lot of nice nights coming up this week and even into the weekend. So you'll be able to get out there and get these into the Swifty spirit, I guess. Um, nice day today we did end off with some clouds. A beautiful photo from Sue in East Moritz. It is nice to see you out, enjoying some of the fresh air. The next couple of days, it's going to be a little bit colder than normal. Our average high is now 48. So tomorrow we're at 46 Wednesday, Thursday, down to about 40 a little bit of a breeze, but it will be nice and dry and then look at Friday, Saturday, Sunday, we're on the rise, but by Sunday when temperatures get close to 60 we are watching our next chance for rain tomorrow. It's dry. Sunny start after 2 to 3 o'clock, scattered clouds start to come in. So definitely a chilly finish to the day tomorrow night Wednesday. Slight chance for a little Sprinkle or flurry. It's out of here by daybreak Wednesday ends up being dry, but cold temperatures struggle to even really get up to about 40 in the afternoon. Thursday is very nice. It's a calm day. It's a chilly day And then on Friday we have sunshine will start to warm up. This is going to be the setup for Sunday. Our next good chance for rain. We have a sharp front coming through. There will be a couple of hours likely in the afternoon. Um, where we could see moderate to heavy rainfall, some gusty winds, the rain will end, then it will be breezy and turning a little bit cooler through the start of next week. So we're just on this roller coaster ride with our temperatures. So overnight, partly cloudy and chilly. 34 we do have a little bit of a breeze out of the northwest. We're in the forties tomorrow when it's a nice sunny start, scattered clouds in the afternoon. 44 Hempstead, 44 in Rocky Point and 43 for you in orient. Coldest days will be Wednesday and Thursday and then Friday, we're back up to 50 weekend. Start of it is nice, but Sunday to Monday.

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Hudson Valley

HV | Weather

Bronx

BX | Weather

BXFORECAST

I think there are some people awaiting the cold weather. I'm not one of them, but there are people awaiting the cold weather. Hope. And I guess this last couple of days been a little not normal. No, not normal whatsoever. So if you guys are a fan of the cold that is coming our way this week. If you're not a fan of the cold, hopefully you guys got to enjoy the last couple of days, especially today. It was a beautiful day. Highs 53 degrees across the board. Classing point, Fordham City Island. It was a really nice time to really go outside and enjoy the conditions. Now, this is where we're going. Tomorrow's high 45 degrees. That is at least 9 to 10 degrees cooler and we are going to be going to experience more clouds and sun throughout the day. Wednesday feels even colder. Highs near 41 degrees. You're gonna see the blend of sun and clouds, but at least it is going to remain dry. Now, let's take you through the next couple of hours. Some clouds this evening does clear out overnight and this is what you're waking up to tomorrow. Morning, 38 degrees winter out of the west 5 to 10 MPH, it is going to feel colder. So you're definitely going to need to bring up the heavier coat and the winter jacket for the next couple of days. Tomorrow's highs will top out near 4445 degrees, not seeing a lot of sunshine tomorrow. Just during the morning hours, clouds do take over our sky and it is going to remain dry. Now, a Clipper says will remain north and west of our area leading into the start of Hanukkah on Thursday. And that is going to bring some snow showers to our north and west. While here we will just remain dry and cold for our Wednesday high, still in upper thirties, low forties, same situation on our Thursday and then it looks like things finally begin to turn around. We're talking about a big warm up heading our way as we get through the end of the week and even into the weekend.

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Connecticut

CT | Weather

124CTWeatherNoonUpdate_2023-12-04-12-22-30

And storm watch team. Meteorologist Scott Skoff is here now and hey, it looks pretty nice and sunny out there. Oh, it's be a beautiful, nice. It is looking great. Today is actually gonna be one of the nicest days of the week because tomorrow it's gonna be some changes. Yeah, some changes might not be the best thing in the world. But hey, you know what, today, let's just go outside and enjoy it. Pleasant conditions. Gonna be a cloudy and breezy into the afternoon. So all in, all looking peachy keen out there, we are seeing some good conditions out across western Connecticut. But as you go towards tomorrow and Wednesday, even Thursday, things are gonna get colder. So be ready for that winter gear, subfreezing temperatures in the mornings, real cold in the afternoons, upper thirties to around 40 colder as the week progresses. But then the temperatures rise back up Friday in the forties, fifties on the weekend. But Sunday could come with a catch. Some showers are on the way, even some stronger winds and that's what we're gonna be seeing really off and on throughout the week. 10 to 20 MPH. So, garbage cans might get knocked over, secure them in the garage. Anchor down those holiday decorations, the inflatables you don't want Mr Grinch going all over down to your neighbor's house. Right, because we are looking at a little bit of snow over in New York state that is gonna be just to our north. But however, we could see a stray raindrop lake or ice pedal coming on in from the Great Lakes over the next several hours as colder air comes on. And right now though mainly cloudy skies as that's gonna be continuing to push across Litchfield, Fairfield and New Haven counties into the overnight hours. So what are you looking at cloudy skies this afternoon? Temperatures in the upper forties to around 50 degrees? That's really the warmest it's gonna get throughout the day. Temperatures will cool down with a little bit of moisture pushing in around dinner time towards war in Cornwall, Litchfield County along and north of 84. Then that cooler air is gonna dry us out, make us real cold towards Cornwall 2930 is up. So across the region Tuesday morning. So kids definitely have the jacket on their way to school and then a few more clouds into the afternoon for your Tuesday. But today, upper forties toward the north fifties down to the south, mostly the partly sunny skies, more breezy and cloudy conditions as the day goes on with a few gusty winds overnight, those temperatures dropping to around freezing with clearing conditions into the morning. Tomorrow, those winds will make it feel a little bit colder into the twenties. But then as we go into your Tuesday tomorrow, 43 degrees 40 on Wednesday, 38 on Thursday, looking at some more wind and clouds and then those temperatures increase forties and fifties as Hanukkah progresses, then some rain chances on Sunday. That's a look at your hyper local forecast.

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New Normal 12 16

The New Normal: How can we shop smarter and still find a deal?

1216LINewNormalJaniceABLOCK_2022-12-16-09-48-21

I'm Elizabeth has Hagen, welcome to our holiday handbook. So we're heading into this last full shopping weekend ahead of the holiday season, sunday evening, Hanukkah begins next saturday is christmas eve, so we need to really be savvy to score those deals that are out there and really check off all the things on your shopping list from last minute shopping to also those shipping deadlines and the deals that are still out there, we know inflation is hitting everything from christmas trees, two decorations and your grocery. So how can we shop smarter and still find a deal today. We are joined by our real deal correspondent, Janice Lieberman. So she's gonna help us with those deals, help us with the shipping, the shopping and also those returns. So I do want to say it is crunch time and we were kind of in it, but the deals are definitely not over. The deals have been going on because they really need you to spend your money. So as you know from before thanksgiving through now now they just kept getting deeper and deeper and deeper. So if you are a crunch person and you still have some people left on your list, you can do okay, you can go to walmart, you can go to target, you can go to amazon, they will do two day shipping if you're really a procrastinator, amazon will not deliver on christmas day, so you should know that, but you could go to a store like if you're really desperate like a CVS or a Walgreens that's open 24 hours and you can pick up a hostess gift or little toys or make up for a little girl. You know, so there are last minute things you could grab. But it's better if you plan ahead and when you're if you decide to go to the mall, you know that the parking lots are insane. I can't believe it. I actually went to the mall in person shopping and for some reason I was under this grand illusion that it wasn't going to be that packed. It was absolutely packed. It would say full in the shopping area. People are out there shopping in person, right? They say online online. I don't you know, it's not just online. I know the malls are packed. So what you need to do, a lot of them are having early hours and you can go to like marshall's at eight a.m. Get there be the first person get in the cashier's line because they don't have enough cashiers many of these stores. The lines is rap and rap and rap and it's just honestly miserable. So you know, plan your day, get a budget, get a list. Don't be distracted by one from me. This is not the time for you. Maybe it is maybe a little something but you know you're in the dressing room wasting time then you're not getting the gifts you actually need. Okay, so for people who are out of state you have people that you need to make sure that you take care of. What are your tips? You know for those out of state gifts. Okay well you'll we're gonna have to order online and if you don't order online and have it shipped then you're gonna have to do the shipping. So there are shipping dates that you need to be aware of. Obviously if you want overnight shipping it's gonna be exorbitant. So really to plan ahead with the United States Post Office by Fedex ups, they all have delivery dates. We have them for you, you ps three days december 20th coming up second day the 21st and really you know the 22nd is your last bet but realize that the prices will be higher. Same with Fedex, you know there's the 21st and they're cut off for express is the 20th. So just a few days here get your stuff wrapped and ready to go get the address is correct. And for the United States Postal service, that's tomorrow for ground service, first class mail also tomorrow. So there's not a lot of leeway there but maybe the least expensive and for their mail service priority it's the 19th and they'll actually give you to the 23rd to get a package to where it's going but you know be prepared that that's gonna maybe be more than what you've spent on the item. So that's kind of crazy. It is crazy. Alright so when it comes to you know this hectic time of year and really trying to take, take advantage of, you know, time management on this. I know you you were recommending that people use this curbside pickup, don't you love curbside pickup? It was something from the pandemic. That was good. Okay, so if you can get curbside pickup and you don't have to worry about finding a parking spot and you can order a bunch of things at once and you don't have to wait, you know, if you order something online, you gotta wait for it to come. But if you go there and say I'll pick it up at store, ask for curbside, pick up, grab it putting into your car and you know, it's really a pleasure and it doesn't cost you anything extra now. What about these loyalty programs that are out there so they will reward you. So download any kind of loyalty program of a store that you think that you want to shop at, see if they're going to give you any online coupon, see if you put it into your cart and you leave it there and then they come back and say wait, wait, you left it there. But guess what? I'm gonna give you another 20% off. It's definitely worth it. Also if you go to Paypal, Honey smart shopping assistant, they will automatically put the discounts on to some of the retailers that you shop at and enjoy. So that's you know, that's like one of those add on shopping extensions and you know there's rock you 10. You can get cash back. Why not get something back since we're spending so much. Also you know consider making your own if you have a teacher or a bus driver go to the dollar store, get a little mug and put in hot chocolate and a few homemade cookies and it's so appreciated. I don't think that they, you know teachers or bus drivers need anything more than that. I love gift cards, gift cards, I love gift cards, gift cards. Yes, there's like a therapy session but gift cards also make great gifts. But you know you need to make sure that the person who's putting the money on that gift card does it the right way and that you save your receipt right? Yeah, but you could go to a Costco or BJ's or Sam's Club, get them in bulk and you will get it off of face value so that you know if you get a bulk group of cards and you want to give it to a teacher, a bus driver, dry cleaner, your hairdresser. You know these are great gifts and it's gonna cost you a little bit less. They also have really good wrapping paper. Those bulk you know the BJ's and Costco's and stuff. They have like you know it's double sided. Yes, it doesn't fall apart like a thick good paper. Right? So we recommend doing that. We also recommend wrapping for free. Save what you get like brown paper that you get in a package have your kids stamp on it or draw on it or use print out a family photo of yourself. And and and that's just a piece of paper that came from your printer wrap it up in that. It's a beautiful wrap. It's very personal. Another great thing is you know when you go to the supermarket and they give you maps for free you see like a stack, grab them, wrap a present in that and it's like personal. This is where we live. This is where we're from circle it. It's fabulous way to wrap something for free. All right. So I want to give people an idea a list if you will of some of the things right now. Kind of like the clock is on the field. So if you still have a lot of holiday shopping to do what are those tips? Alright. Plan ahead because the park it is impossible. The shipping costs are impossible. Um You're just gonna be much much happier if you can plan ahead and know exactly what you want. Search the items online so you know exactly what you're looking for. The price. It should be. Is it cheaper at the store is a cheaper online. Will it take a long time to get it online and search for coupons and deals because why not? I mean they're offering you 15% and 20% and coupons and you know, it's a little bit of work, but it's gonna save your money in the end and if you are shopping in the store and you found that deal online, doing your homework, a lot of stores will end up price matching. They just need to see like the sometimes sometimes they'll say not on the online price. Sometimes they will, but you know what show it to them, ask for a manager, you don't ask, you don't get. So really, you know, go through those different search engines and find out how much is this price at walmart and Target and amazon and play one against the other. Some of them will have price matches up until december 24th. So, if you do buy something and you want an adjustment, they might just give it to you. So, you know, you gotta keep good records and you gotta be willing to stand in line. All right, let's talk about the clothing deals that are still out there. So, if you do have clothing that you want to get for somebody there are still dealers to realize that they're gonna have to clear the shelves because people are not interested in winter clothing coming, you know, New Year's. So you might see department stores offering 20% even more on boots on Uggs, on, you know, big ticket items that really don't go on sale all that often and what you should do if you have kids or even for yourself by a size up and put it away for next year, don't let them see it, put it away in the closet and buy it if you can get a great deal because you know, you're gonna need that kind of stuff next year now. What about the outlets? The outlets are always a good deal. But you know, there's slim pickens, I've been there um you know that everything's all over the place but you can grab something really great. Make sure you keep the receipts the return policies or pretty liberal. But they are gonna ask for receipts because they will give you the lowest price that it sells for if you don't have the receipt. Well that's the thing too is that, you know, you need to I guess ask for a gift receipt if you're going to one of those places so you make sure that what you pay is what they get back. Exactly. And also tell your, you know, don't rip off tags, right? And the same with electronics. I mean a lot of times there's a restocking fee. So if you open up that, you know new tv and it's not exactly what you wanted, they may charge you 50 to 20% just for a restocking fee which you really don't need. And there are still toy deals out there. Also if you do have toys for kids that you need to get, you know, toys legos that never go on sale, go on sale now sometimes with amazon, if you spend 50 they'll give you $10 off cole's will give you kohl's cash target will give you money. So even if you don't again take these legos or any other toy that you like put it away in a closet, you know, you'll have birthday parties to go to. You know, you'll have their own birthday to go, you know, to give to, you know, you're gonna need these in the future. So just take them if you get a great deal and put them away and don't let the kids see it. It's it's it's really worth it. You know what I also saw one of my local restaurants was if you bought a $50 gift card, they gave you $10 back and I was thinking like, well that's great because I can give that as a gift and this is where my family eats already. I think that's very personal. Also when you, you know, instead of giving an amazon gift card but to give it to a restaurant where you know, the person really likes and really enjoys. It's a little bit more personal than just giving a money card and who doesn't like, you know the extras of giving back to yourself right now, they're still deals on electronics that are out there. There are deals on electronics um you really need to search, you need to do you know the big day was black friday right? And we expect TVs to be even lower on you know when football season and that comes out but there are deals to be had, there's ipads, there's apple products, there's also bundles, there's video games, you know sign up for your loyalty programs and find out what they're willing to give you. Okay let's talk about returns. I know they really kind of extended this year shopping season and those deals happen way before you know thanksgiving even so how do we make sure that you know if we do need to exchange or return something that it falls within like the window of opportunity? I think they're being very liberal and they don't want you the day after christmas okay okay they don't need to have those long cash cash you know very busy so they are liberal. But ask what is the return policy, how much time do I have? It has to be in good condition does it have to the tag on it, give a gift receipt and a lot of times the returns will cost you if you have to send it back so in store is free sending it back may cost you alright coming up next our conversation continues straight ahead live right now on news 12 dot com we have a guide up holiday shopping tips to protect your identity and your money. Do remember we always want to hear from you so you can head to social media right now.

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