For the Car or the Wayward Dad: TomTom ONE XL-S Portable GPS

It used to be that when driving in a new area with a passanger (say, a spouse) and you couldn't find your exact location, an arguement typically ensued. Alas, GPS devices are now saving marriages across the world. The latest release from TomTom is the TomTom ONE XL-S. TomTom released the ONE gps with extreme fanfare, touted as a high perforance GPS navigator at a fraction of the cost of the top of line devices. TomTom went a step further by releasing the TomTom ONE XL which incorporated a larger wide screen for those tired of peering at micro lcd screens while attempting to drive. Now, the Tom Tom ONE XL-S adds Text-to-Speech navigation so you can keep your eyes on the road when in heavy traffic. The voice guides you turn-by-turn and even speaks street names. You can also download celebrity voices from TomTom such as Mr. T and Burt Reynolds so you can feel like the A-Team is right there in the passanger seat.

The Lowdown on the TomTom ONE XL-S

Retail Price: $399.99
Best Deal for the TomTom ONE XL-S: $355.38
Ideal For: Dads, Moms, or anyone who drives in new locations, enjoys road trips, or wants to eradicate arguements over directions.

More info: on the Tom Tom ONE XLS here

Fisher Price Kid Tough Camera: 2007 Version

Last year Fisher Price revealed their "Kid Tough Digital Camera" to much fanfare from parenting magazines and moms & dads (kids liked it too). Children's Technology Review gave the Kid Tough Camera the 2006 Editor's Choice, and Parents Magazine listed it as one of Best Toys of the Year for 2006.

Not resting on last years laurals, Fisher Price updated the camera with a larger LCD screen and higher resolution to make the camera even more like Mommy & Daddy's "don't touch" camera. The exterior remains unchanged with its durable casing that protects it from most boo-boos. Overall, this is a great product to get your child interested in photography and can add another level of enjoyment to family trips and even scenic car rides.

In searching for the best deal, it's important to note that last year this item sold out at many large retailers before the holidays. As a result, the remaining stores coveted their limited inventory by increasing the price at or above retail... and shoppers had no choice. Don't fall into this situation this year and be sure to purchase before quantities become scarce. We have already seen some retailers selling this product for $139.99! Luckily, Practical Shoppers can simply laugh at this and move on to better deals.
Currently, the best deal going for the Fisher Price Kid Tough Digital Camera is $48.88 (retail $69.99)

Fisher Price Kid Tough Digital Camera
Available in Pink and Blue (pictured)
Retail Price: $69.99
Best Deal: $48.99