Rocio H. is the winner of the SaveUp 2010 swag bag. Thanks to all who entered. Rocio: I sent an e-mail asking for your mailing address. Please respond by noon Friday so that I can get the prize mailed before I go out of town.

This Friday’s giveaway involves a slight rule change. Stay tuned.

The prize is something that will come in handy on Cyber Monday. That’s all I’m saying.

One harried late-October evening, I rushed through a store’s costume section in a frenzy of last-minute preparations. To my horror, the reds and greens of Christmas cards and wrapping paper beckoned from a nearby aisle.

“Oh, spare me,” I said aloud. “I haven’t finished feeling guilty about Halloween yet.”

Some of you helped send me to the SaveUp 2010 conference by voting for me. Now it’s time to give back.

Within reason.

I didn’t have a lot of reading time this week because I stayed in Chicago for a few days after attending SaveUp 2010. Thus my recommended reading list is short and sweet.

A cheaper Christmas? at I Pick Up Pennies

Get a bigger check from Social Security at Kiplinger’s (hint: timing is everything)

25 a-peeling uses for fruit and veggie scraps at The Daily Green

Bulk buying and cooking for singles at My Friend Kelly

Income distribution and inequality in the United States at The Digerati Life

Backing up your information for nothing at Almost Frugal

A reader posting as “cg” is the winner of the “Generation Earn” giveaway. Congratulations, cg, and please respond to my e-mail so I can send off the book.

Not sure what I’m giving away on Friday, so I won’t even hint.

In other news: