The holiday shopping season is off and running despite a shaky economy. Bargains may be available with retailers anxious to spur sales. The BBB advises consumers to set spending limits to avoid post-holiday debt.

Momentum continues to build in the Better Business Bureau's campaign against auto service contract companies. Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster last month sued six of the firms, which call themselves 'extended warranty' companies, over deceptive sales tactics used to lock consumers into contracts of questionable value. The BBB has been investigating several of the companies, many of them based in the St. Louis area.

Vacuum cleaner salespeople posing as authorized dealers of The Kirby Company have been targeting senior citizens in Eastern Missouri in what appears to be a scheme to get them to pay premium prices for old, often malfunctioning vacuums, the Better Business Bureau warns.

The Better Business Bureau is urging consumers in Missouri and Illinois to use caution in dealing with Big Screen TV Repair and its owner, Mark Meadows of Pocahontas, Ill. The Illinois Attorney General sued Meadows three years ago to stop him from defrauding consumers there. Missouri consumers are complaining about him now.

Congress has given home buyers a few more months to take advantage of tax credits for first-time buyers. 'Move-up' buyers also can get credits. The BBB advises consumers against rushing into a purchase without being sure the home is the best for them. It's important to understand the rules for claiming the credits, too.

End-of-year charitable contributions can be beneficial to donors as well as charities. If you're looking for charities that make the best use of your donations, the BBB Wise Giving Guide is an invaluable resource. The guide shows how more than 500 charities stack up against the BBB's charity accountability standards.

The BBB of Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois is looking for companies and charities that exemplify exceptional ethics in their operations and dedication to serving their customers, employees, suppliers and their communities. Customers may nominate companies and charities or they may nominate themselves.