Barnes & Noble CEO resigns as company struggles

Outgoing Barnes & Noble CEO William Lynch shows off the company's NOOKcolor device at an event in 2010.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

Lynch is departing after a three-year tenure in which Barnes & Noble was battered by the shift away from brick-and-mortar bookstores to e-commerce and digital products.

The company has tried to compete in the tablet market with the likes of Amazon's (AMZN, Fortune 500) Kindle and Apple's (AAPL, Fortune 500) iPad, but sales of its Nook tablets have disappointed, falling 34% in the most recent quarter.

Overall, Barnes & Noble (BKS, Fortune 500) reported a quarterly loss last month of $118.6 million, nearly double its loss from a year prior. Revenue fell 7.4% to $1.3 billion.

Related: Amazon's (not so secret) war on taxes

Lynch's resignation is effective immediately. Barnes & Noble spokeswoman Mary Ellen Keating said Monday that the company "is in a transition period, so we have we have no immediate plans to name a new CEO."

Chief Financial Officer Michael Huseby has been appointed president of Barnes & Noble Inc. and head of the company's Nook division. Huseby and Mitchell Klipper, head of Barnes & Noble's retail division, will report directly to the company's executive chairman, Leonard Riggio.

Barnes & Noble shares sank 4.3% in after-hours trading Monday.

First Published: July 8, 2013: 6:51 PM ET

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Air pollution cuts life expectancy by 5.5 years in China - study

Thick clouds of smog have blanketed Chinese cities like Beijing this year.

HONG KONG (CNNMoney)

These are the findings of a landmark study conducted by an international team of researchers, including academics from China's most prestigious universities, published this month in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The researchers found that severe air pollution has cost the 500 million people living north of China's Huai River during the 1990s more than 2.5 billion years of aggregate life.

The study is a first attempt to quantify the health costs of air pollution in the country using data sourced from China. Previous research had relied on extrapolations from pollution levels in other countries.

Some of the world's most polluted cities are located in northern China, and residents are speaking out in greater numbers about choking air pollution, contaminated food, and water that is unsafe to drink.

Air pollution has been a particular source of concern north of the Huai River, a problem the researchers trace to a central planning policy from the 1950s.

For decades, free winter heating was provided to areas north of the river, while no such luxury was extended in the south due to budgetary restraints. The free heating was powered by coal boilers, which resulted in significantly higher levels of pollution.

"The Huai River policy, which had the laudable goal of providing indoor heat, had disastrous consequences for health," the paper says.

Related story: China's environment is an economic death sentence

According to the paper, the number of harmful particulates in the north is now 55% higher than in the south -- an "extraordinary" level of pollution. The results can be seen in thick clouds of smog that have blanketed cities like Beijing this year.

The health results of such pollution levels are significant, and the study attributes the five and a half years of lost life expectancy "almost entirely due to an increased incidence of cardiorespiratory mortality."

Related story: China pledges to tackle pollution crisis

Other statistics associated with pollution in China suggest the problem will be difficult to control, even if the Chinese government seeks to make rapid improvements.

China now burns 3.8 billion tons of coal each year, nearly as much as the rest of the world combined. China's CO2 emissions rose by 720 million tons in 2011 — a 9.3% increase. Scientists have found pollution and dust generated in China has been found settling in places as far away as California.

China's leaders have promised that health safeguards will be improved and efforts will be made to control air pollution, but their options are restricted by economic concerns.

Beijing, for example, is worried that higher fuel prices would make life more difficult for cash-strapped citizens.

Still, the pollution problem has the attention of China's leadership.

Speaking at last year's annual meeting of the Communist Party national congress, former Premier Wen Jiabao said health safeguards would be improved.

"We should adopt effective measures to prevent and control pollution and change the way we work and live," Wen said.

First Published: July 9, 2013: 1:18 AM ET

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Credit card delinquencies lowest since 1990

Delinquencies on bank-issued credit cards -- accounts that were 30 days or more overdue -- fell to 2.41% in the first quarter of 2013, the lowest level since 1990.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

Delinquencies on bank-issued credit cards -- on accounts that were 30 days or more overdue -- fell to 2.41% in the first quarter of 2013, the lowest level since 1990, according to an American Bankers Association report released Tuesday.

Delinquencies in 10 other lending categories, ranging from car loans to personal loans, also shrunk during the quarter, according to the report.

"Many consumers have learned the hard lessons of recession, and have redoubled their efforts to keep debt at manageable levels," James Chessen, ABA's chief economist said in a statement.

Delinquencies on bank-issued credit card accounts, which declined for six consecutive quarters, were less than half the record high of 5.01% set in 2009 and well below the 15-year average of 3.87%.

Money 101: Controlling your personal debt

Increased household wealth -- thanks to rising stock prices and a better jobs picture -- and improving consumer confidence played a big part in shrinking delinquency rates, he said.

So too, did the recovery in the housing market, he said. Both home equity loans and property improvement loans saw the rate at which delinquencies occurred drop significantly. During the quarter, delinquencies on home equity loans fell to 3.72% from 4.03% in the previous quarter.

"While this improvement is encouraging, it will take a long time for delinquencies to work their way through the system and return to more normal levels," he said.

Related: Ben Bernanke's power over your money

Holders of home equity lines of credits, however, are still struggling. Delinquencies on these loans, which are lines of credit that use a borrower's home as collateral, rose to 1.91% from 1.85% the previous quarter, according to the report.

An increasing number of consumers have seen introductory interest-only repayment periods end on their home equity lines of credit, resulting in a "payment shock" for borrowers who are not used to the higher payments, said Chessen.

In order for overall consumer delinquencies to continue to fall, the job market needs to continue to improve, he said.

"The future pace of delinquencies depends on a steadily improving labor market and strong financial health for consumers," he said. "This will allow consumers to more easily meet their debt obligations."

First Published: July 9, 2013: 1:29 AM ET

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Boeing stock unscathed by this year's troubles

This 7-year-old Boeing 777 crashed at San Francisco's airport on Saturday, killing two and injuring more than 180.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

So far, the company's shares have emerged unscathed. Boeing (BA, Fortune 500)'s stock is up 38% since the start of the year.

Saturday's crash landing, which killed two people and injured more than 180, comes on the heels of two earlier incidents. Serious problems with overheating lithium batteries led to the grounding of Boeing's full fleet of 787 Dreamliners in January. It took months of study to come up with a fix to that problem, and Boeing and its airline customers only returned those planes to service in April.

Related: Boeing is the new hedge fund favorite

There was more trouble for Boeing's 777s when two flights experienced in-flight engine shutdowns in February and in May. General Electric (GE, Fortune 500) later warned airlines using its jet engines on their Boeing 777s that they need to make a fix.

Investigators have just begun looking into the cause of Saturday's crash. Boeing directed all inquiries to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, which is leading the investigation.

Boeing is the second-best performing stock in the Dow Jones Industrial Average this year, behind only Hewlett-Packard (HPQ, Fortune 500). It was the favorite stock of the top 50 hedge fund managers in the world in the first quarter of 2013, according to FactSet. Hedge funds poured roughly $1.6 billion into the company.

Investors have been able to shake off the bad news so far, since there's been so much good news about Dreamliner demand. The company announced in May that it would speed up production of its 787 Dreamliner to seven a month, and GE's aircraft leasing division agreed last month to buy 10 Dreamliners.

Investors' confidence continued to grow when the company said that the cost of grounding Dreamliners was "minimal." When the market opens Monday, we'll see Boeing's strong stock run can continue.

First Published: July 7, 2013: 11:48 AM ET

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Asiana Airlines shares tumble after San Francisco crash

An Asiana Airlines flight crashed Saturday in San Francisco, killing two people, injuring 182 and forcing the temporary closure of one of the country's largest airports.

HONG KONG (CNNMoney)

After dropping by almost 10% at the open, shares of the South Korea-based airline regained some ground and were trading 6% lower by mid-morning.

Saturday's accident killed two people, injured 182 and forced the temporary closure of one of the country's largest airports.

Survivors of the crash were being treated Sunday for injuries ranging from paralysis to "severe road rash." In all, 182 people were hospitalized and 123 others walked away from the crash landing.

Asiana is South Korea's second largest airline, trailing only Korean Air.

In addition to the direct costs and possible fines associated with the crash, Asiana faces potential damage to its reputation and a loss in bookings.

Boeing (BA, Fortune 500) 777s have a sterling reputation and are commonly used in long-haul flights. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident.

Related story: Boeing stock unscathed by this year's troubles

According to the NTSB, the cockpit voice recorder of Asiana Airlines Flight 214 appears to show the pilots tried to abort the landing less than two seconds before the plane crashed.

In addition, the plane's voice and flight data recorders show that the flight from Seoul was coming in too slow and too low.

Related story: Boeing is the new hedge fund favorite

Statistically, 2012 was the safest year in terms of aviation accidents worldwide since 1945, according to the Aviation Safety Network.

Data show that there were 23 fatal airliner accidents, which caused 511 deaths, according to ASN stats. That's well below the 10-year annual average of 34 accidents and 773 fatalities.

Survival rates have improved due to better staff training and safety advances during the 1980s and 1990s, according to the group.

-- The CNN Wire contributed reporting.

First Published: July 7, 2013: 10:30 PM ET

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Chinese buyers flood U.S. housing market

Chinese buyers accounted for 18% of the $68.2 billion that foreigners spent on homes during the 12 months ended March 31, according to the National Association of Realtors.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

"The Chinese came out really huge in the past year," said Jonathan Miller of Miller Samuel, a New York-based appraiser.

Top 5 countries for foreign buyers of U.S. homes

Source: National Association of Realtors

Canada	23%	$183,000
China	12%	$425,000
Mexico	8%	$156,000
India	5%	$300,000
United Kingdom	5%	$250,000

Chinese buyers accounted for 18% of the $68.2 billion that foreigners spent on homes during the 12 months ended March 31, according to the National Association of Realtors.

At a median price of $425,000, the Chinese are also buying more expensive homes than other foreign buyers, who spent a median of nearly $276,000 on U.S. homes. And nearly 70% of those pricey Chinese deals were made in all cash.

Nowhere is the influx of Chinese homebuyers felt more strongly than in California, where more than half of the homes sold to foreign buyers went to Chinese nationals.

Related: 10 booming cities

Sally Forster Jones, an agent with Coldwell Banker International in Los Angeles, said Chinese are snapping up many of the trophy properties on the city's Westside. She estimates that she's sold about 10 multi-million dollar homes to Chinese nationals over the past 12 months.

"The uptick in sales to Chinese buyers started several years ago but it has increased dramatically lately," she said.

Most of her Chinese clients are wealthy industrialists or real estate tycoons, many of whom spend less than half the year in the States.

"Some have children going to school in Los Angeles and use the homes as residences for them and [as a place] to stay at when they visit their kids," said Jones.

China's gross domestic product has grown by high single-digit, sometimes double-digit rates for the past 10 years, producing a lot of cash for the country's top business people who view U.S. real estate as a safe and stable investment.

Related: Venezuelan money helps fuel Miami housing boom

Rick Turley supervises real estate offices for Coldwell Banker in eight counties in and around San Francisco, including Silicon Valley. Many of his Chinese clients work in technology.

"The current hot spots are Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Cupertino, near Apple headquarters," he said.

Most purchase the homes to raise their family and they pay special attention to the local school systems. Turley also has Chinese clients who buy homes for their kids. Last year, a family from Shanghai bought a condo for their daughter who was attending Stanford. The daughter has since graduated and now works at Google, he said.

Many Chinese buy homes through the U.S. government's EB-5 Immigrant Investor program, which is considered a fast-track to getting a green card. To qualify, foreigners must invest at least $500,000 in a business that provides or preserves 10 jobs. This could be a home that is part of a bigger business project, such as a condo complex. Nearly 80% of all EB-5 visas went to Chinese nationals in 2012, according to the government.

Related: Fastest growing boomtowns

Beyond California, sunbelt states in general are attracting a lot of foreign attention these days. Post-housing-bust bargains in resort and retirement areas like Las Vegas and Naples, Fla. have have gotten buyers from Canada, for example.

Four states accounted for 58% of all foreign sales. Florida had 23%, California 17% and Arizona and Texas 9% each. New York, an international business center and immigration gateway, and Virginia, close to the Washington corridors of power, both came in at 3%.

First Published: July 8, 2013: 12:53 AM ET

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Cheaper alternatives to cosmetic surgery

Minor cosmetic treatments are increasingly popular and a cheaper alternative to plastic surgery.

(Money Magazine)

While the growth of cosmetic surgeries has stalled, minimally invasive -- and less costly -- procedures such as Botox injections and laser hair removal climbed 20% over five years, to 13 million in 2012 (1 million of which were performed on men).

To get started, ask your primary-care doctor for a referral to an experienced specialist who is trained in the procedure you want, is prepared for any complications, and can discuss the risks and benefits.

Check out these four popular spruce-up options, along with strategies for beauty on a budget:

Botulinum Toxin Type-A injections

What they do: Remove wrinkles between the eyebrows, on the forehead, and at the corners of the eyes using a paralyzing toxin injected into the face. Botox is the best-known brand. Effects last three to 4½ months, says San Francisco dermatologist Richard Glogau.
The cost: $370 a session, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, compared with $3,370 for a forehead lift. (Prices are national averages.) As is the case with the other fixes, you can't deduct them on your taxes or pay with a flexible spending account.
How to save: Your doctor may discount your next visit if you schedule it while you're still in the office; Salt Lake City plastic surgeon Renato Saltz, for example, knocks off 17%.
Best drugstore alternative: Over-the-counter retinol creams can improve the appearance of finer lines for $20 or so, but you won't be able to replicate the shots' ability to smooth your deepest wrinkles.

Teeth whitening

What it does: Lightens yellow or stained teeth with the application of a high-strength gel. Results can last about two years without maintenance, says La Jolla, Calif., cosmetic dentist John Weston.
The cost: $300 to $700, based on estimates from several dentists.

Related: Cutting health care's cost

How to save: From your dentist, get a take-home kit with a lower-strength gel (price: $150 to $300). Using it for an hour or so a day for about two weeks produces results similar to those of an in-office session, according to Weston.
Best drugstore alternative: Try over-the-counter strips or gels (under $40), which Weston says are plenty effective for some people.

Laser hair removal

What it does: Eliminates hair on the face or body, often for years, by zapping follicles with lasers or light pulses. The process works best on dark, coarse hair and lighter skin, but is ineffective on light blond, white, or gray hair, says Glogau.
Cost: $330 a session, reports the plastic surgeons' trade group. Coarse hair on legs takes up to five visits, says Glogau; fine hair on the upper lip, three or four.
How to save: Ask if there are multi-session packages available for a lower per-procedure cost.
Best drugstore alternative: Lower-strength, FDA-cleared home devices will do the job but take more time, says New York City dermatologist Bruce Katz. The maker of the $449 Tria Hair Removal Laser 4X, for example, recommends weekly sessions for at least three months.

Related: Healthy savings: Fewer lab tests

Dermal filler injections

What they do: Reduce folds and wrinkles -- such as the crease between the bottom of the nose and the top of the mouth -- using a gelatinous substance injected under the skin. The popular Juvéderm and Restylane brands last six to nine months, says Pittsburgh plastic surgeon Leo McCafferty.
Cost: From $430 to over $1,600 per treatment, depending on the filler. Cheek implant surgery, by comparison, runs $2,720.
How to save: Watch doctors' websites for seasonal promotions; McCafferty, for one, runs specials ranging from $50 to $200 off. Ask the physician which product he or she recommends for your specific need -- and see if there's a longer-lasting one that will require less frequent sessions, advises Katz.
Best drugstore alternative: Moisturizers including peptides and antioxidants can somewhat improve the appearance of small wrinkles, while lip plumpers such as Too Faced ($28) can temporarily add volume.

First Published: July 5, 2013: 9:41 AM ET

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Egypt stocks rally as army ousts president

People dance and cheer in Tahrir Square after former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy was ousted from power.

LONDON (CNNMoney)

Egypt's main stock market index surged by more than 7% Thursday, the day after the military took control. The gains helped the index recover most of a massive 17% drop during June.

Violent demonstrations had been ripping through the nation as protesters called on the defiant leader to step down. The military backed the opposition and gave Morsy 48-hours to "meet the demands of the people".

When the deadline passed Wednesday, the military took over and handed power to interim president Adly Mansour.

Investors are betting that the military's intervention to oust the country's leader will help restore stability to the region's most populous nation.

Related: 9 insights for Egypt's new rulers

"The ousting of Morsy from the Egyptian presidency has been received by the markets as a risk-on event," wrote FOREX.com's research director Kathleen Brooks in a note.

Of course, it's not all smooth sailing from here. Egypt's military is now faced with the daunting task of holding democratic elections to find a new president, and the timetable for this could drag on. Morsy supporters are also fighting back and staging street demonstrations Friday.

"In the coming weeks, a lot of effort will be focused on ... holding presidential and parliamentary elections, revising the constitution, and strengthening the country's institutions," explained Pimco's CEO Mohamed A. El-Erian, a leader in the global bond market.

On Friday, Fitch Ratings downgraded Egypt's default ratings to B- from B, meaning it believes political instability threatens the country's economy and creditworthiness.

U.S. President Barack Obama expressed deep concern on Wednesday about the political upheaval, calling for a quick return to civilian leadership. He also ordered a review of aid to the Middle East ally.

Related: What next for Egypt's entrepreneurs?

Egypt is seen as a critical country for the global oil market, and oil prices touched a 2013 high Friday, driven up by anxiety over continuing violence.

U.S. oil futures for the August contract rose as high as $102.44 a barrel, though the price eased in later trading.

Egypt produces a negligible amount of oil. But the Suez Canal, which passes through the north African nation, is a major shipping route between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. Roughly four million barrels of oil come through the Suez Canal each day.

First Published: July 5, 2013: 10:04 AM ET

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Stocks end higher on strong jobs report

Click for more market data.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

The Dow Jones industrial average, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq gained about 0.9%. For the week, the Dow and the S&P 500 both rose more than 1.5%, while the Nasdaq gained over 2%.

The government said U.S. payrolls grew by 195,000 jobs in June, more than economists had expected. But the unemployment rate held steady at 7.6%.

Traders said volumes were light Friday since many money managers took the day off. U.S. markets were closed Thursday for the Fourth of July holiday.

Double edged sword. Investors were encouraged to see signs of improvement in the job market, but the report also makes it more likely that the Fed will begin to taper its stimulus policies later this year.

The U.S. central bank has signaled that it will begin to slow the pace of its $85-billion-per-month bond buying program when it sees significant improvement in the unemployment rate.

While the unemployment rate was unchanged last month, economists say the gains in hiring -- including past months that were revised higher -- mean the rate should head lower in the months ahead.

There will be two more reports on the unemployment rate and hiring before the Fed's next scheduled meeting in September.

The June report was "more than strong enough to keep the Fed on track for tapering in September," said Jim O'Sullivan, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics.

Bond yields spike. Investors in the bond market seemed to view the good news as bad news.

The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note rose to 2.72%, the highest level since August 2011. Investors have been selling bonds, driving yields higher, in anticipation of fewer Fed purchases.

Some economists worry that an abrupt rise in interest rates could hurt the U.S. economy. Mortgage rates have spiked in the past few weeks, raising concerns about the housing market.

Still, the sell-off in Treasuries comes on light volume and may be an overreaction, said Kevin Giddis, head of fixed-income at Raymond James.

"I would caution against putting too much into today's move on the Treasury market," said Giddis. But he added that interest rates are headed higher as the Fed moves away from quantitative easing, as its bond buying program is known, later this year.

"I do believe that we have set sail on an upward trend of interest rates that will likely lead to the Fed's tapering of QE in September or October," said Giddis.

What's next. In the long run, any tapering by the Fed would reflect an improved outlook for the economy and should bode well for stocks. But traders say volatility will remain high in the short run as the Fed's next move remains uncertain.

"We're going through a transition from a liquidity-driven equity market to a market more driven by economic and corporate fundamentals," said Bernard Kavanagh, vice president of portfolio management at Stifel Nicolaus.

In the currency market, the U.S. dollar rose versus its main trading partners. The greenback has been strong recently as investors bet the U.S. economy will grow faster than most other developed economies.

What's moving. Gold prices fell 3%, to $1,214.50 an ounce. That put pressure on shares of Newmont Mining (NEM, Fortune 500), which sank 4%.

Shares of large homebuilders were under pressure as investors worry that higher mortgage rates will cool the housing market. Lennar (LEN) and D.R. Horton (DHI) fell more than 3%.

Meanwhile, shares of regional banks, which are expected to benefit from rising interest rates, rallied. Lincoln National (LNC, Fortune 500), KeyCorp (KEY, Fortune 500), SunTrust (STI, Fortune 500) and Comerica (CMA) all gained more than 3%.

Mixed news overseas. Europe got a boost Thursday when the region's central banks signaled that interest rates would remain at unusually low levels for an extended period of time. But European markets gave back some gains Friday. The DAX in Germany fell 2.3%.

Related: Fear & Greed Index

Investors also monitored the political turmoil in Egypt, which has sent oil prices higher in the past few days, and in Portugal, where leaders are trying to prevent a government collapse that would undermine its 78-billion euro bailout.

Asian markets ended with gains. The Hang Seng index and the Nikkei in Japan both ran up by roughly 2%.

First Published: July 5, 2013: 9:45 AM ET

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Cheaper alternatives to cosmetic surgery

Minor cosmetic treatments are increasingly popular and a cheaper alternative to plastic surgery.

(Money Magazine)

While the growth of cosmetic surgeries has stalled, minimally invasive -- and less costly -- procedures such as Botox injections and laser hair removal climbed 20% over five years, to 13 million in 2012 (1 million of which were performed on men).

To get started, ask your primary-care doctor for a referral to an experienced specialist who is trained in the procedure you want, is prepared for any complications, and can discuss the risks and benefits.

Check out these four popular spruce-up options, along with strategies for beauty on a budget:

Botulinum Toxin Type-A injections

What they do: Remove wrinkles between the eyebrows, on the forehead, and at the corners of the eyes using a paralyzing toxin injected into the face. Botox is the best-known brand. Effects last three to 4½ months, says San Francisco dermatologist Richard Glogau.
The cost: $370 a session, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, compared with $3,370 for a forehead lift. (Prices are national averages.) As is the case with the other fixes, you can't deduct them on your taxes or pay with a flexible spending account.
How to save: Your doctor may discount your next visit if you schedule it while you're still in the office; Salt Lake City plastic surgeon Renato Saltz, for example, knocks off 17%.
Best drugstore alternative: Over-the-counter retinol creams can improve the appearance of finer lines for $20 or so, but you won't be able to replicate the shots' ability to smooth your deepest wrinkles.

Teeth whitening

What it does: Lightens yellow or stained teeth with the application of a high-strength gel. Results can last about two years without maintenance, says La Jolla, Calif., cosmetic dentist John Weston.
The cost: $300 to $700, based on estimates from several dentists.

Related: Cutting health care's cost

How to save: From your dentist, get a take-home kit with a lower-strength gel (price: $150 to $300). Using it for an hour or so a day for about two weeks produces results similar to those of an in-office session, according to Weston.
Best drugstore alternative: Try over-the-counter strips or gels (under $40), which Weston says are plenty effective for some people.

Laser hair removal

What it does: Eliminates hair on the face or body, often for years, by zapping follicles with lasers or light pulses. The process works best on dark, coarse hair and lighter skin, but is ineffective on light blond, white, or gray hair, says Glogau.
Cost: $330 a session, reports the plastic surgeons' trade group. Coarse hair on legs takes up to five visits, says Glogau; fine hair on the upper lip, three or four.
How to save: Ask if there are multi-session packages available for a lower per-procedure cost.
Best drugstore alternative: Lower-strength, FDA-cleared home devices will do the job but take more time, says New York City dermatologist Bruce Katz. The maker of the $449 Tria Hair Removal Laser 4X, for example, recommends weekly sessions for at least three months.

Related: Healthy savings: Fewer lab tests

Dermal filler injections

What they do: Reduce folds and wrinkles -- such as the crease between the bottom of the nose and the top of the mouth -- using a gelatinous substance injected under the skin. The popular Juvéderm and Restylane brands last six to nine months, says Pittsburgh plastic surgeon Leo McCafferty.
Cost: From $430 to over $1,600 per treatment, depending on the filler. Cheek implant surgery, by comparison, runs $2,720.
How to save: Watch doctors' websites for seasonal promotions; McCafferty, for one, runs specials ranging from $50 to $200 off. Ask the physician which product he or she recommends for your specific need -- and see if there's a longer-lasting one that will require less frequent sessions, advises Katz.
Best drugstore alternative: Moisturizers including peptides and antioxidants can somewhat improve the appearance of small wrinkles, while lip plumpers such as Too Faced ($28) can temporarily add volume.

First Published: July 5, 2013: 9:41 AM ET

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