• Focus on Food.
Visit “Web Exclusives” for even more grocery shopping tips.

• Gauge your gas.
Find other gas-saving tips under “Web Exclusives.”

• Tune-up your auto insurance.
Get quotes by phone or over the Internet from independent sites like insweb.com, insurance.com, and insure.com.

• Play cheaper.
See our list of local deals for ways to play with your family without breaking the bank.

• More savings ideas.
Visit cpclax.com’s “Web Exclusives” to get more useful ideas for saving money on groceries, gas, and much more.

October 12-18 is Money Smart Week in the Coulee Region consisting of free seminars on money topics.

Take in a movie.
Marcus Theatres Corporation offers an easy program that earns your qualified group up to 15 percent of the profits.

Search for funds.
Next time you do an online search, do it through GoodSearch.com and a penny goes to your nonprofit organization of choice.

Recycle AND contribute.
Take the idea of saving labels one step further at TerraCycle.net, where you not only “find great uses for objects that used to be considered waste,” but also raise funds for your charity of choice at 2 to 6 cents per container.

A picture’s worth…50 percent cash back!
Raise funds for your sports team or school with a portrait fundraiser through Picateers.com.

Start a business.
Let students learn safely and creatively about owning their own business, with the profits benefiting their school or organization. Students and parents or teachers can purchase a “franchise-like” business from FranChild. Check out FranChild.com.

Host an online auction.
A new spin on the ever popular silent auction, this idea increases the pool of bidders beyond the scope of the traditional events that usually host these auctions. MissionFish.org is sponsored by eBay. Check out BiddingForGood.com, powered by Cmarket.com, for another online option and some really great items that allow you to “shop virtuously.”

Skate right along.
A skate-a-thon has the added benefit of getting kids moving for a cause. High Roller Skating Center in La Crosse offers “Healthy Families” school fundraisers. See HighRollerSkatingCenter.com for details.

Shop for a cause.
With the holidays just around the corner, take advantage of gift shopping with an online site that donates a percentage back to you. SchoolPop.com specifically serves schools, but there are many other sites, such as igive.com, set up for any nonprofit organization.

Grow your funds with flowers.
Encourage gardening with this healthy, earth-friendly program from Dutch Gardens. Buyers benefit from free shipping when they order from you and you benefit from 50 percent of the profits. Visit FlowerPowerFundraising.com.

Fuel-sipping hybrids are hitting neighborhood driveways in record numbers, but there are still some questions and misconceptions about the gas-electric vehicles. Michael Coates of HybridCars.com offers some answers to common myths about hybrids:

Hybrid owners get a break on their taxes.

The credits vary depending on the vehicle and are capped at a certain number for each model. Here's the source for the latest info: fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxcenter.shtml.

10 Steps to Financing & Buying a New Car, page 23

by Keith Turner

For more information about buying a new or used vehicle, visit “Kelley Blue Book” at kbb.com.

1. State parks and trails

• Human Powered Trails, a network of newly-created trails on the bluff on Highway FA by the weather station.
• Perrot State Park in Trempealeau
• Outdoor Connections, UW-La Crosse

2. Libraries

• The La Crosse area is blessed with three city and five county libraries.

3. Movies

• Rivoli Theatre and Pizzeria
• Main Library in La Crosse offers movie nights, complete with popcorn

4. Skating

• High Roller Skating Center
• Green Island Ice Arena Ice Skating Rink
• Onalaska OmniCenter Ice Skating Rink
• Community Arena Ice Skating Rink,
  La Crescent  

5. Free nights at family restaurants (link to our list)

• You can cut down your dining out costs by taking advantage of “kids eat free nights.” These deals are offered at a variety of area restaurants on specific days.

6. Farmer’s markets

7. Children’s Museum

8. Family Resources

9. Habitat ReStore

10. Consignment Shops

• Once Upon a Child

The Child Labor Coalition offers parents great resources for ensuring their teen’s work experience is a good one.

The UW-L Self-Sufficiency Program helps parents get back to school.

• At-Home Dads Convention
• First Fridays, La Crosse Community Foundation
• Say ‘Boo’ to the Flu