Since the recession started 800,000 homes have canceled cable TV. The predictions within in the industry is that 1.6 million will drop cable by 2011. And no wonder, with bills running in excess of $100 month, that money can be used in other places, like paying the mortgage or buying food.

Now some will say this is small potatoes, that this is only 1% of the total viewers and that Americans are still watching more boob tube than ever. One recent analysis said the average TV is on 35 hours a week. We are still a nation of addicts. Read more »

Alas, divorce is rearing it's ugly little head in this side of the universe. When this all too frequent occurrence happens, our cultural bias is for the male to move out. Not sure of the statistics, but in a world where we talk equality, it is a rare event that the female moves out and the male stays. Not wanting to dwell on that particular oddity of American culture, this blog is about the search for a new place to set up the bachelor bed.

For many years, owning was the way things went, but now, for the first time in decades, the search for an apartment This is job #1. Later the details of the dissolution will be worked out. Getting distance will hopefully make the combatants less tense. So the hunt for a new bed in October started. Big surprise, find an apartment or a roommate situations has changed. It isn't the way it used to be. Ads were scoured. Craigslist was read. People were asked to be on the lookout. Slowly some promising prospects emerged. Read more »

Christmas 2011 will be different than 2010. Here is a quick primer on what is happening and what the trends are.

GET READY, RETURNS WILL BE TOUGHER

Retailers will be getting tougher on returns. The days of no question asked on returns may not be over, but many retailers are battling shrinking inventories, increased fraud and tighter profit margins. One area they can control is returns, so they will. Here are some facts.

• Returns will hit over $43 billion this year

• Retailers will see $9.2 billion is fraud

• With tighter inventories, they are looking to significantly cut that number

• There are very few laws governing returning. Stores don't have to allow returns. So be sharp.

• Know each store's rules before you buy.

• With on-line sales, ask who pays for shipping back returns?

• If the shrink wrap is removed, a return is questionable. Read more »

The Frugal Yankee has been obsessed with Maple Syrup since his childhood days when that amber liquid fired the imagination and satisfied the sweet tooth.

We've posted a very tasty recipe for Maple Syrup Pie. Now comes this one - Maple Syrup Tarts. This simple recipe is easy to make and it's a sure-fire way to impress your friends. Easy to make & easy to impress friends? That's the perfect holiday combination.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup (75 mL) butter
1/3 cup (75 mL) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (125 mL) water
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) maple syrup
24 3 inch (7.5 cm) frozen tart shells, baked, cooled

Preparation:

In medium saucepan, melt butter. Blend in flour. Gradually stir in water, then maple syrup.

Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens. Let cool a few minutes.

Pour into tart shells and let stand until cooled and set.

Now that was pretty easy, wasn't it? Read more »