Make sure each piece is marked with the company hallmark, usually found on the back of the item.
The phone forwards the code number to a central computer, which sends back information on the item's ingredients and nutritional value.
You can also get custom updates emailed back, including comments on the items you have posted to the service.
In particular, retailers say that they are cutting back on the "big ticket" items, such as sofas, carpets and large electrical goods.
"They may hold back on the big-ticket items like a car," Mr. Spitznas said, "or wait until next year for a new dishwasher, but the service industry, movies especially, are not so recession-sensitive".
If buying sustainable toys isn't an option, Rho suggests scaling back on the amount of items families buy for kids.
"When I'm in the market," says Goldstein, the bulk-food aisle is "the most heavily populated aisle--as the 1990s approach that will be an important trend emerging". According to a May 1987 article in Supermarket Business News, bulk food is, in fact, declining, as many supermarkets cut back on the number of items available or cut out the program completely.
Just as was the case during World War II, periods of wartime meant cutting back on luxury items and the consumption of expensive goods.
eBay is launching its rewards program today: eBay Bucks, which allows any eBay shopper who lives in the U.S. and is a registered member of the marketplace, to earn 2percentt cash back on most items purchased through the site with PayPal.
Put the items back on the shelf in a way that makes sense to you.
