CONSUMERS : Little Black Books of Money

Stuck for an idea for a holiday, birthday, wedding or anniversary gift? Consider the Money Book, a personalized bill-sized folder that holds up to 20 new bills. Gifts can range from $10 to $400.

The little black books, from A-Typical Tender Inc. in New Jersey, cost from $8.50 for the $10 book to $15.50 for a $400 book--plus the value of the currency and shipping and handling charges, which vary from $4 to $8 (the booklets are sent by registered mail and insured).

The gift recipient’s name is printed in gold on the book’s cover.

The money in each booklet is attached to a strip of paper with a perforated edge--similar to a checkbook--so bills can be torn out easily and without damage.

The Money Book was developed by David Novoseller, a student at Yeshiva University’s Syms School of Business in New York and is being marketed through By Invitation Only, a gift boutique and party planning business in Lakewood, N.J.

The Money Book can be ordered from By Invitation Only, 410 Clifton Ave., Lakewood, N.J. 08701; phone, (201) 363-4754. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, Tuesday through Saturday. Allow two weeks for delivery.

A Way to Save All That Fizz

If you’re tired of opened bottles of soda or sparkling water going flat before you can drink them, take a look at Soda Saver, a new plastic device that preserves a drink’s carbonation.

Manufactured by Acemore International in Harrisburg, Pa., the Soda Saver screws onto most one-liter bottles, but does not fit on 8- to 10-ounce units.

Press a button atop the device, then pour the soda. When you release the button, an airtight seal is created, locking in the fizz. “In the unlikely event that Soda Saver fails,” said an Acemore representative, send back the old Soda Saver with $1 for postage and they’ll send you a new one.

Soda Saver can be reused indefinitely--to clean it, just rinse in hot water--and is priced between $2.50 and $3. It will be available nationwide next month in supermarkets, drug and discount stores and department stores. If you can’t find it in your area contact Acemore International Ltd., Cameron Building, 202 Walnut St., Harrisburg, Pa. 17101; phone (717) 232-9688.

A Special-Interest Guide to L.A. Area

A handy new directory is just out: SourceBook lists 3,000 civic, cultural, environmental and special-interest groups in the Los Angeles area, including the familiar (like the ACLU) or some you might not know unless you raise homing pigeons, study Shakespeare or protect Tennessee walking horses.

“Beyond being a useful reference, this directory is a window on probably the most diverse population center on Earth,” said SourceBook publisher Lou Grzesick of Catalyst Publishing in Santa Ana. “It is a map of Los Angeles’ character and Los Angeles characters.”

The 539-page directory lists the group’s purpose, address, phone number and a contact person, plus the frequency of its meetings and newsletters. Many entries also include program chairman, number of members, meeting location, guest policy and whether speakers are paid a fee.

The guide required 1,900 hours of research, 4,900 phone calls and 12,000 letters, a Catalyst spokeswoman said. It costs $119.97 including shipping and handling.

There are similar directories available for Sacramento, San Diego, Denver and Arizona. An Orange County volume is to be published next month. To order, contact Catalyst Publishing, 1720 E. Garry Ae., Suite 221, Santa Ana, Calif. 92705; phone, (800) 540-4005.

Cozy Animal Pillows Make Comfy Friends

Targeted for children ages 3-9 are the new SnuggleBuddy bed rests shaped like six animals. Youngsters can use them to prop themselves in bed while reading, watching television or just hanging out.

Marketed by Springs Performance Products, 295 Fifth Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016 (phone: (212) 545-4000), the cotton props come in teddy bears, hippos, kittens, puppies, bunnies, and lions. At a suggested retail of $19.99, the SnuggleBuddy is available nationwide in department and toy stores and specialty shops.