'Friends & Family' Discounts: Tip-of-the-Day #210

FRIENDS & FAMILY DEALS ARE WORTH TAKING A LOOK AT (SOMETIMES)

In the beginning, a Friends & Family discount could mean an inside privilege that the general public couldn't touch. I remember years ago when a F & F discount at Gap or Pottery Barn actually meant something. But companies quickly realized this "event" could be spun into a marketing extravaganza that could lift revenue more than a Black Friday sale. So, what was once a very exclusive ticket to shopping heaven became ubiquitous with "promotional tactics" and degraded into something not nearly as special.

All that said, there are still some F & F discounts worth exercising - whether they're exclusive or not. I just hit one at Old Navy that saved me 50% off my entire order and that included already discounted items! Sephora also had a 20% off offer which ain't bad when you consider that cosmetics NEVER go on sale. I also got my hands on some "one time use codes" good for 50% off Columbia gear which was a score seeing as the rainy/snowy season is upon us.

Keep your eyes open for the tricks and the treats. You can quickly discern which promos are worth your while (and which can be skipped) and with the holidays around the corner, now is your time to stock up the gift cupboard at a deep discount!

Get Business Cards at Kinko's!: Tip-of-the-Day #209

CREATE YOUR BUSINESS CARDS - TO GO!

I'm leaving on a business trip to Japan in two days and suddenly realized that I don't have business cards to take with me! As a consultant, this isn't normally something I'd have printed up, but apparently you can't travel to Asia without them.

In a "panic", I was able to comp up a business card through our intranet and save it as a PDF. I then proceeded to email the PDF to Kinko's (now FedEx) and in a few hours they were able to churn out 100 (could be more, could be less) professional-looking cards on nice, heavy card stock. For a mere $28, which included the set up, card stock, and cutting fees, I walked away with business cards that frankly look no different than my colleagues' cards printed with a specialty shop.

If you're in a bind, I'd suggest Kinko's/FedEx over Vista Print any day. You have a far faster turnaround, better pricing (despite the claims of getting the first 100 cards for free with Vista) and quality control. I recently printed some personal cards with Vista Print and walked away incredibly disappointed.

Here's to seeing your name in print!

Cater Your Own Dinner Party: Tip-of-the-Day #208

CATER YOUR OWN PARTY FOR MAXIMUM SAVINGS (AND CONTROL)

My bf is turning 40 in a few weeks and I'm hosting a small dinner party in his honor. My initial thought was to have the "event" catered so that I could relax and enjoy the party, but after poking around and price shopping a bit I found it was far too expensive and ineffecient for a group of this size. Most caterers have minimums and I couldn't possibly get there with a head count of seven. And so, I decided to simply cater the evening myself! Here are some tips I've learned from hosting similar events and will pass them on to you if you're ever considering doing the same!

1. Pick foods/dishes you can prepare in advance. It's no fun if you have to be in the kitchen all night, prepping and heating and plating everyone's meals, so pick things that can be pre-prepared, like a charcuterie plate, a cold pasta salad or heirloom tomato salad with burrata cheese, sirloin served at room temp and/or homemade sushi!

2. Set up a self-serve "bar station". I wouldn't recommend setting up a full bar or you'll have people creating a chem lab right in your living room, but do set up a table with several options for wine and beer. This will relieve you, the hostess, from having to serve people all night and monitor glasses for receding alcohol lines. No fun.

3. Don't overcomplicate dessert. Don't feel you have to set anything aflame to make an impact. Go with something tried and true (and easy to serve). Even consider plating in advance of guests arriving.

4. Include party favors. I'm a big fan of creating a small gift that people can take home with them at the end of the evening so that they can remember the event. Mugs, hats, candy tins - all personalized with the name, date or a photo of the experience. It's a great personal touch.

Creating your own menu and tackling the majority of the preparation in advance of the event will save you a lot of money and let you enjoy the evening as well!

Extend Carpet Life and More!: Tip-of-the-Day #207

SHOE REMOVAL CAN SPARE MORE THAN YOUR CARPETS

When I had a new carpet runner installed not too long ago I decided that to help preserve its life (because it wasn't cheap!) I would start taking my shoes off before entering the house. My bf was on board with the plan and we've now had the carpet in place for nearly 8 months and it still looks brand spankin' new.

I used to think that people with a "no shoes policy" were sort of strange. But I'll tell you something, I've tried it and I'm a believer! Not only do you extend the life of your carpet dramatically but you keep the house (at large) so much cleaner. Shoe removal will ultimately save you money long term on carpet cleaning costs, but also the costs associated with having to replace or repair other heavily trafficked area rugs, refinishing wood floors, and even painting the lower sections of walls to accomodate scuffs and dings.

People don't think about just how dirty their shoes are from walking on the pavement day in and day out. You're tracking in fecal matter, hair, old decaying food and bacteria that you can't even see!

Try taking your shoes off before entering your house and guaranteed you'll notice a difference. Don't be embarassed to ask others to do the same in your home. It's your home after all and you're saving yourself money!

Great Hotel Rewards Program: Tip-of-the-Day #206

BUY TEN HOTEL STAYS AND GET ONE FREE!

I was having dinner with a girlfriend last night and we got on the subject of travel ('course I had just posted a blog entry all about the restorative powers of vacation so it was even more relevant). I mentioned that I generally gravitate to one or two sites to book most of my travel because the rates are often lowest. She was surprised when I didn't mention hotels.com. Then she went on to explain that hotels.com has a "buy ten, get one free program" that they lovingly refer to as welcomerewards. And welcome they are! Unlike department store "deals" where the freebie has to equate to the lowest valued item on your list, with this program you can stay ANYWHERE with you freebie! I was flabbergasted. (I love that word). Things'll be changing in my travel planning asap. Here's how the program works:

1. Sign up for a hotels.com account (it's free) and enroll in "welcomerewards." You can also join welcomerewards from your "My Account" page if you're already a hotels.com member.

2. Sign in to your account before booking a property priced at $40 or more (not hard to do).

3. After you've stayed a total of 10 nights (anywhere and not all at once), you will see an automatic credit in your account for a free night at any property offered by hotels.com, up to $400 in value!

I'm a little bummed right now that I didn't use hotels.com to book my October and November getaways...but it's never too late to start saving real money. Woohoo!

Vacations' Healing Powers: Tip-of-the-Day #205

IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH WITH A MUCH-DESERVED VACA

Not every blog entry will focus on saving money. Some will speak to saving your recyclables, saving yourself grief, and in this case, saving your life! Did you know that a vacation can save your life? No joke! Research now suggests that vacations can reduce the risk of heart disease and depression, and even slow the aging process! While common sense has always suggested that vacations are "good", science now backs it up. Here are some tips to be mindful of:

1. Take as much time as you can. I happen to have a nasty habit of booking all my trips under seven nights because I worry that I'll "get bored." But boredom may be just what most of us need to detox from our every day grind. It has been scientifically proven now that trips of seven or more days are the most restorative. And, contrary to what I believed, fewer but longer trips outweigh many shorter getaways.

2. Try to stay closer to home. I've always adhered to this mainly from sheer laziness but now it's been shown that fewer time zones keep jetlag to a minimum. Jetlag is actually stressful to your body and avoiding it will make the vacation feel that much better. (Tip: go north or south to avoid harshest reentry).

3. Don't bring your laptop (or Blackberry!). This may seem like a no-brainer but often when people take vacations they also take their electronics with them! Free yourself of all obligation, to truly relax. That means no email, no calling work to make sure everything is okay, and no meetings or appointments. Enjoy the vacation!

4. Make new friends. This one is ironic because I totally avoid "making new friends" on vacation, but according to a Conde Nast Traveler report, the process of making new acquaintances actually increases the restorative powers of a vacation. Shmooze, go to happy hours, and chat with people by the pool. In short, try and pick a vacation where you'll meet people instead of isolating yourself on a remote island.

5. Don't get too lazy. Try to work some physical activity into your vaca and you'll notice a difference in how you feel by the end of it. Especially if you are normally an active person.

6. Try to pick a warm destination. I do this without any science backing my decision but that's because when I'm on holiday I want to *feel* it. Living in the Bay Area where it's moderate to cool all year long makes me actually crave warmth when I do get away. You won't see me hitting the wintery slopes of Lake Tahoe. I'll always be on the lounge chair in Mexico and now science is on my side proving it's restorative powers!

Smart women travel and enjoy their time off. You deserve it!

Improve Your Closet Instantly: Tip-of-the-Day #204

SPARE YOUR CLOSET AN EXPENSIVE OVERHAUL WITH A SIMPLE STEP

Did you know you can change the entire look of your closet without changing your wardrobe?! What do I mean? For as many years as I can remember I’ve always retained a mish mash of hangers – wire, plastic, some wood and a bevy of styles from shirt hangers to pant hangers to suit hangers, etc. You can imagine with so much going on, what my closet must have looked like. A mess! For some reason though, I never thought to do anything about it…until just last weekend.

I went to Target (yes, Target!) and for $100 I picked up nearly 200 uniform maple wood suit hangers (don't let the name fool you - these are great for shirts, pants, suits, dresses, etc). I brought them home, tossed every one of my mismatched hangers in the trash and instantly transformed the aesthetic of my closet. It’s actually surreal what a difference some uniformity can make. So, before you get exasperated with the way your closet looks, try a small (but effective) hanger makeover and you’ll be amazed by how fresh everything feels when you’re finished! And, for a mere $100 bucks you’re saving yourself the heartache of a spendy overhaul!

Real Benefits From Makeup: Tip-of-the-Day #203

MAKE YOUR MAKEUP WORK HARDER FOR YOU

I've always been skeptical of products that tout things like "all day coverage" and "flawless results." That said ladies (and yes, this one's for you), I've found a reason to believe in Benefit Cosmetics. Let me round up my favs and why:

1. Get Even: This product is positioned as an every day concealer with dual purposes: to keep oil at bay and color correct. With three shades to choose from (I use #2) you will find a tone that matches your skin. That, in and of itself, is a wondrous thing because I can't tell you how many high school pics I've had the misfortune of looking back upon only to see a clear delineation between the color of my face and the color of my neck. WHY didn't anyone say anything?? That said, I've been using Get Even for years (a friend turned me onto it) and frankly it's the only product I've found that actually does what it says it will do. I apply it directly after working out and it truly conceals discoloration and redness immediately. So much so in fact, that people notice how "good" I look just moments after emerging a hot mess from the gym. Why use a liquid concealer and a powder when one product gives you the same coverage without that heavy, pore-clogging feeling that almost always goes hand in hand with liquid?

2. Hoola: A bronzing agent like no other - I use this stuff ALL year round and it never looks like it. I'll have people ask me where I've been vacationing, why I look so "healthy" and how I can look so well-rested given the schedule I keep. I attribute ALL OF THIS to Hoola because it is so natural looking and it literally gives me the sun-kissed glow (cheesy I know, but no other way to describe it) that other products only think they're delivering. Again, I suffered from orange, Oompa Loompa syndrome for years (not knowing it) and Hoola's reined it in.

3. Dallas: In combination with Hoola, you'll never look "tired" again. Remember that flushed look that used to come so naturally from a brisk walk 'round the block, one run down the slopes, or a wink from some hottie on the bus? K, this does that and you don't have to worry about it disappearing just moments later. Sigh...youth.

My theory is that if you find the "important" products that really work for you (like the three mentioned above), even if they cost a little more than drugstore brands, they are sooooooooo worth it. Then you can spend a little less on the extras like brow brushes (I use a toothbrush - no joke - it's durable and I can throw it in my purse without fearing the fine bristles will pop off).

Pick makeup like you pick your wardrobe. A few key pieces and the rest hardly matters.

Smart Women Check Reviews: Tip-of-the-Day #202

LEARN WHAT THE CONSENSUS THINKS BEFORE YOU ACT

If you're someone who "likes to be your own person" and "avoids subscribing to mass opinion" well I applaud you...I feel I'm my own person with unique thoughts and opinions but I STILL review sites like Yelp! and TripAdvisor prior to trying a new restaurant or booking a vacation. Why? Because you'd be amazed what other people have already gone through the trouble of discovering FOR you.

Didn't your mom ever tell you something like "if only you could learn from my mistakes"....well now you can! And it's not only mistakes you'll learn of, you'll also gather a lot of positive information from people who can tip you off to things like what table has the best views of the city at the restaurant you're thinking of booking for your anniversary, which hotel rooms to steer clear of, where to get your nails done and why.

Not sure what I did before Yelp! came along. Not only do I use it regularly to seek out safe restaurant and hotel choices (etc.) in my area but I also contribute to the review pool as often as I am able.

This week alone I used Yelp! to find a good sushi spot in a part of Marin I'm not wholly familiar with and I helped others stay away from a terrible discount retailer I had the displeasure of shopping with just today!

Social sites are going to continue to grow in popularity and more and more people will come to rely on them even more than a recommendation from a friend. After all, why listen to one person when you can take a blended average of hundreds?!

Sell Outside the Box: Tip-of-the-Day #201

YOU'D BE AMAZED WHAT PEOPLE ARE SELLING

So I found this article on MSN.com about the strange things people are selling in this recessionary environment to make a few bucks. Folks are definitely getting more creative…and it definitely bears repeating:

Mother's milk. If you’re a nursing mother or somehow have access to fresh milk, there’s a market for it. (Ew!) The Human Milk Banking Association of America is a good place to start learning about the guidelines for donation, storage and transport. But in the meantime, Craigslist ads have apparently been notorious for offering milk for sale. Note: The going rate for buying milk from a milk bank is $2 to $3 per ounce so you can use that as your pricing guide…

Dog hair. Apparently, dog hair spun into yarn (or "chiengora") is an old art form that dates way, way back (long before sheep’s wool). Seems it holds in warmth and repels water better than other fibers. Check out: "Knitting With Dog Hair," a book that shows you how to cut, collect, spin and use dog hair for everyday knitting projects.

Chicken poop. I have friends living in the San Francisco Bay Area who have actually considered raising chickens for the fresh eggs. (I barely make it through a dozen in a month but everyone’s different I suppose). The benefits however, that come from harvesting your own fertilizer from your chickens are endless. You can use the soil yourself (in your garden for instance) or sell the manure via online ad, local newspaper, or through your local farm or garden supply store. You'll just need a good amount of chicken manure and a way to bag it or haul it. The pricing will vary depending on where you live...so check your local supply stores for a good base rate.

Cardboard boxes. BoxCycle, is a nifty company that takes the work out of selling your boxes by listing them for you. They’ll communicate with the buyer and handle all payment processing. All you have to do is list your boxes with them and cash out when your payment totals $25. You won’t get rich doing this, but you’ll make a few bucks.

Teeth (false or otherwise). Seems pawn shops have reported an increase in the amount of business they've gotten for items containing gold -- and this includes caps and crowns made from precious metals and even false teeth (dentures), braces, and prosthetics. Again, ew.

Pig ears and bull "sticks". I was first introduced to the “bull stick” by a friend who adopted a puppy and all the unique “toys” that came along with it. While most pet stores carry pig ear and bull stick alternatives, some still offer the old-fashioned variety, made from 100% authentic swine ears and bull “bits.” If you have a working farm and have access to these tasty treats, it may mean extra cashflow. Yikes.

Scoop it First: Tip-of-the-Day #200

TWITTER (RELIABLY) DELIVERS THE DEALS

It’s true! I've blogged about it before, but Twitter has definitely become the hottest destination for gathering the “scoop” on airline, hotel and local attraction steals and deals. And this is stuff that apparently can’t be found via opt-in email – for now anyway.

Seems people are subscribing to business tweets to get their scoop but are also using the power of their extended network of friends and followers to solicit answers to questions and queries for special deals (like: "Help! Does anyone out there know if United takes upgrade coupons at the gate??"). Further, some folks are actually contacting companies’ customer service via twitter and getting faster response times than the traditional phone queue. Brilliant!

Twitter has made it easier than ever to search for attractions, destinations and even specific companies, so if you’re not eager to sign up for a barrage of ongoing updates, you may also dabble in Twitter and just seek out the tweets of interest on your terms.

Oh, and if you are a constant traveler (business or pleasure) you may find some value in following travel writers and other travelers on Twitter (Conde Nast published an interesting article in April of this year).

Keep your finger on the pulse of all that’s beating online; Twitter is strangely emerging as the leader in this space.

Pet Deductions: Tip-of-the-Day #199

TAX DEDUCTIONS FOR OUR PETS - COULD IT BE?

OMG! There's a new bill in the U.S. House that would allow pet owners to deduct up to $3,500 for "qualified pet-care expenses" for household pets (no livestock, sorry!), including vet bills! This HAPPY Act (Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years) aims to give pet owners a break. And rightly so! I've spent thousands on my cat's vet bills and would love this deduction!

The bill's primary goals include:
• Making it more affordable for people to provide the care their pets need.
• Making it less likely that pet owners are who suffering during the recession will abandon their pets.

"Qualified pet expenses" include a variety of (still) undefined things involved in providing care, with the exception of acquisition costs (i.e., you can't write off the cost of buying your pure bred show dog).

Some people mock this bill's comprehensive coverage (it's actually better coverage than the write-offs we humans get for our own medical expenses), but the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council supports the bill and so do I! I mean if the House is willing to entertain it, why can't we? I’ve spent beaucoup bucks curing cancer TWICE. Why not get a tax break? Fingers crossed!

Buy Whole Foods: Tip-of-the-Day #198

WHOLE FOODS CAN SAVE YOU WHOLE DOLLARS

Buying whole foods (and no, not the super expensive chain of organic grocers) is a rule that will save you money each and every time. There’s nothing unclear about it - when you have to laboriously cut up and package your food yourself, you save because you’re not tapping someone else’s time and energy (someone being paid by the hour by a supermarket or deli). It’s kind of like how Ikea can extend better prices on furniture because they’re having YOU assemble it!

The more times a food is “handled,” the more it will cost, plain and simple. In the printing industry it’s actually called a “touch cost.” Chopped veggies cost more than whole veggies, grated cheese is pricier than a block of cheese, and boneless skinless chicken breasts will cost a lot more than a whole chicken because someone had to painstakingly get that chicken prepared for you.

If you need a rule to live by, live by the rule that whole foods are better.

Here’s an example from Safeway.com:

A Foster Farms Whole Fresh Chicken is $3.47/lb. Meanwhile, Foster Farms Boneless Skinless Fresh Chicken Breasts are $6.49/lb. That’s nearly double!

And from the veggie aisle…
A 10 pound bag of whole fresh carrots is $3.99, and an 8 oz bag of peeled, pre-packed carrots is $3.99. Same price for a fraction of the goods!

For some people (um, me!) there is a willingness to pay a few extra bucks from time to time to have the work done for you. But, if you're trying to save a few bucks, buy the whole foods and work ‘em over yourself.

Ikea Delivers Lower Prices: Tip-of-the-Day #197

WHEN IKEA LOWERS PRICES & EXTENDS FOOD DEALS...YOU GO!

Ikea is lowering prices. A low-price leader is lowering prices further! Clearly a nod to the current recessionary environment, the just-published 2010 catalog has the new, lower prices noted throughout. The price of the Karlstad sofa, for example, has been cut from $499 to $399. The simple, Martorp nest of tables is $49.99, down from $99.99.

Like most furniture retailers, Ikea is competing for customers right now and one way Ikea keeps prices low is by requiring customers to assemble most of the furniture themselves. But, to lure in more customers in this recessionary environment, Ikea has also chosen to lower prices further AND roll out a number of food specials in its cafes. If you arrive before the store opens, you get free coffee. A stuffed salmon filet meal is $6.99, and a kid-size item is just 99 cents. Every Tuesday from Sept. 1 through Dec. 30, you can get Swedish meatballs with potatoes, cream sauce and lingonberry jam for $2.49, from 4 p.m. until closing. From Aug. 24-Sept 4, a princess cake and coffee is only 99 cents!

Keep your eyes peeled for "Seize the Day sales" throughout the year with major markdowns on a few items and also get free breakfast. (Woohoo!)

‘Course the other option is to buy your Ikea furniture on Craigslist, where it's even cheaper and almost always already assembled.

JetBlue & All-You-Can-Jet: Tip-of-the-Day #196

IS ALL-YOU-CAN-FLY A GOOD DEAL?

Everyone’s talking about JetBlue's new All-You-Can-Jet-Pass for $599, which gives you unlimited flights for a month. The question is whether or not it’s a good deal and THAT depends on where you want to go and how many trips you want to take. For a business traveler who flies frequently, it might be a really good deal…and it might also be a good deal for people in long distance relationships, someone with friends and family in a number of JetBlue cities, etc.

The pass is good for travel between Sept. 8 and Oct. 8 and must be purchased by Aug. 21 which means you have 3 days to do it! To buy the pass, you have to become a TrueBlue member (easy to do), then you just have to call to purchase passes and book your flights (1-800-538-2583). Note: the airline won't charge its customary $15 fee for phone bookings. With the pass, you can pick any flight with available seats, even if the cheap seats are sold out, which is nice. Taxes are included for domestic tickets but you'll need to pay additional taxes for trips to Puerto Rico and international destinations.

This isn't the first time JetBlue has tried to boost travel, they have also recently offered refunds to travelers who have lost their jobs after they've booked tickets, have given triple miles to frequent flyers and have been announcing deals on Twitter.

If you've got plenty of time to travel and really want to cover some ground, you can also consider an around-the-world airline ticket, one of the best deals around, which is usually good for a year of travel. Prices start as low as $1,500!

Also checkout: a Greyhound Discovery pass for $499 for 60 days or a USA Railpass from Amtrak for 30 days for $579.

Attend Events at Off Hours: Tip-of-the-Day #195

LOOK FOR OFF-HOUR DISCOUNTS THAT REALLY PAY

There's nothing like finding a better price on an activity you were already going to engage in. For instance, this past weekend I was interested in attending the Craft Fair at Fort Mason (in San Francisco) and I knew tickets were going for $12. I wasn't terribly concerned by the admission price but when I heard on the radio that the admission was dropping to $5 for anyone attending the show after 5:00 PM, I jumped on it. The timing happened to work out better for me anyway and I was able to save $7 just by going to the show when the event coordinators clearly anticipated a drop in attendance. Score!

Similar to the "early bird" at many restaurants, if you're willing to engage in an activity when others may not be, you stand to gain. Here's another great example. A very luxurious hotel in Napa with hotel rooms that run upwards of $800 a night was recently offering a package by which one could stay mid-week and, along with a room, enjoy two free drinks at the bar and a three-course meal for two people, all for only $299. That's less than half what someone would pay on a Friday or Saturday night and it includes dinner! But, the hotel was willing to throw this offer out as a means of drumming up business when the property is otherwise "dead."

Keep your eyes peeled for these types of money-saving opportunities. I'm sure I don't have to remind you that the first movie of the day is always cheaper, as are theater performances.

Always Call For a Better Deal: Tip-of-the-Day #194

ALWAYS PLACE A CALL TO ENSURE YOU'RE GETTING WHAT YOU WANT

Before I ever finalize anything (from travel to online shopping) I will call the business to ensure I'm getting what I want. And what I want is the best outcome for my dollar. When I make my travel plans online for instance, I will phone both the airline and hotel I'm considering, and will actively seek out a "better deal." More often than not I find one! Two examples from this past week:

1. I am going to be flying to Japan on business and was interested in purchasing an upgradeable economy ticket (so that I could use my miles to move into Business class). The internet pulled up fares starting at $2700 which seemed exhorbitant to me, so I picked up the phone and called United Airlines directly. Sure enough, I was immediately quoted a fare $500 less than the web had presented - coming in at $2200 for the EXACT same itinerary. I don't have any visibility (or insight) into why this is the case, but it's either a system glitch or goes to prove that human-to-human interaction uncovers greater options than human-to-computer. I booked the flight at $2200 and made my boss very happy!

2. My boyfriend and I were eager to get away to a local vacation spot for one night of R & R. When checking the website it was clear that weekend stays require a two-night minimum. We only wanted to stay one night. We picked up the phone and called the property directly and were immediately extended a Saturday night-only stay, no questions asked. This one call enabled us to get away because had the two-night min. held, we wouldn't have gone.

These are two solid examples of why calling a business (any business) can reap rewards with little effort and energy spent on your part.

Starbucks Treats Abound: Tip-of-the-Day #193

STRETCH YOUR DOLLAR AT STARBUCKS, A.M TO P.M.

I'm not a huge fan of Starbucks, but I will say that they are conveniently located (EVERYWHERE) and often the easiest way for me to inject much-needed caffeine into my bloodstream. That said, I do have to praise their current promotional calendar. First they tempt us with "Free pastry day" then they create the pastry + coffee bundle at a better price than buying either item alone (smart thinking!). Now, they are offering a promo by which a purchased morning beverage means a discounted "grande" beverage later that same day!

It's quite brilliant really. A grande "cold" bevvie at or after 2:00 pm locks in your $2 deal and they are getting you to come in twice in one day! Some marketing genius over there at Starbucks headquarters is definitely earning their paycheck in this recessionary environment.

For you and me: this is a nice perk (no pun intended) and can be passed on to a friend or colleague if you aren't up for a double dose of the sultry Starbucks maiden in any one given day. Drink up!

Your Birth Right: Tip-of-the-Day #192

YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO A FREE TRIP TO ISRAEL...READ ON!

Are you Jewish, between the ages of 18 and 27, and have neither traveled to Israel nor have lived in Israel past the age of 12? May sound like I'm soliciting you for a dating service, but no, actually you qualify for a FREE 10-day trip to the Holy Land! Really! Here’s how it works:

Taglit-Birthright Israel (also Birthright Israel or Birthright) is a Zionist Jewish organization that sponsors free 10-day trips to Israel for Jewish young adults. Birthright Israel's goals are to diminish the division between Israel and Jewish communities around the world; to strengthen the sense of solidarity among world Jewry; and to strengthen participants' personal Jewish identity and connection to the Jewish people. As of spring 2009, over 200,000 young adults from 52 different countries have participated since the trips began in the winter of 2000.

To be eligible you must be recognized as Jewish by the Jewish community or by one of the recognized denominations of Judaism; or if either parent is Jewish and you do not actively practice another religion, you're golden.

The trip includes airfare from many major cities, hotel stay, most meals, all transportation within Israel, and costs associated with touring the country for the ten-day trip. A $250 USD deposit is required ($250 in Canada) but the deposit is refunded upon return from the trip. Airfare or transportation from a participant's home to the gateway city is not included, although the trips depart from multiple cities.

If you never thought you’d make it to Israel, now may be your opportunity! (That, or moving to NY, feigning homelessness and claiming your country of origin is Israel so you get deported on the U.S. government's dime).

L'chaim!

Health Care Practicalities: Tip-of-the-Day #191

18-TIPS TO GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR HEALTH PLAN

Still on the subject of health care...I've compiled 18 tips to help you maximize your health insurance plan and ensure you're spending your money wisely.

1. Know the “rules.” Always double-check whether the benefits, services or providers you need are covered under your plan before you receive treatment. If you don't follow the plan rules for receiving health care, your insurer may deny your claim or pay only a portion of the bill.

2. Plan ahead for emergencies. While you can't always be fully prepared for an emergency, you should know which nearby hospitals belong to your health plan's network of providers.

3. Take advantage of tax breaks. Flexible spending accounts (FSAs), health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) and medical savings accounts (MSAs) — known collectively as health care savings accounts — are becoming more popular. One of the most popular is the FSA, an employer-sponsored account that offers you a way to pay for certain out-of-pocket health care or dependent care costs on a pre-tax basis. Also, dental and vision care count as reimbursable medical expenses under FSA arrangements, so don't forget to save your receipts for these services.

4. Stay healthy. If you’re buying a private-market plan, you'll be charged based on your health, such as weight, cholesterol, blood pressure and other health conditions. Didja know that a recent study revealed that being obese adds $395 each year to the average $1,500-per-year health care cost? That's more than smoking (an addition of $230), aging 20 years ($225) and problem drinking ($150).

5. Stop smoking. If you apply for life insurance as a smoker, you'll pay a hard-to-swallow smoker rate. You'll need to be a nonsmoker for at least one year to qualify for nonsmoker life insurance rates. Health insurers may pay for nicotine-replacement programs but at renewal time, having quit can amount to substantial savings. Quitting can immediately save you $175 a month if you are a one-pack-a-day smoker!

6. Increase your deductible. Whether you are enrolled in a group or individual plan, the more you pay out of pocket, the less you will have to pay in premiums.

7. Seek out free or low-cost screenings. Does your HMO offer free blood pressure checks? Low-cost flu shots, or dieting and physical fitness classes? Take advantage of these lifestyle programs to help you stay healthy and reduce your doctor visits and medications.

8. Change your co-insurance ration. A common ratio is 80/20. This means that after you pay your deductible toward health care expenses, your insurer pays 80 percent of the bill and you pay 20 percent. Changing this ratio so you pay more will mean a lower health insurance premium.

9. Consider a catastrophic health plan. These plans offer limited insurance coverage with a high deductible, typically $1,000 for an individual and $2,000 for a family. Premiums are low because the insurance is intended for medical emergencies and doesn’t cover regular doctor visits.

10. Avoid extremes. Abandon dangerous hobbies and recreational activities such as skydiving, mountain climbing or NASCAR. Anything that poses a significant injury risk will super-charge your insurance premiums.

11. Go for an HMO. If the doctor you like is already in-network and the lab she/he works with is also in-network, an HMO can be as adequate as a PPO and offer lower premiums.

12. Trade up group insurance plans. If both you and your spouse have group health insurance plans available through work, calculate which one will cover both your needs at the lowest cost.

13. Regularly reassess your needs. You may be missing out on savings simply because you've stuck with the same plan year after year while your situation has changed. Do you have children that go to the doctor often? Do you take a lot of prescription drugs? Are tax breaks important to you? Are you willing to assume the cost of routine health in exchange for much lower premiums? Rethink these things periodically.

14. Adjust group plans. If you buy a group health plan through work, you may think you're stuck with whatever is offered every year. But employees can take charge of their coverage options and if you and your co-workers agree that some coverages are unnecessary (for instance, infertility treatment, mental health treatment and even dental), ask your employer to drop them at renewal time.

15. Inflate your credit score. Having a good credit history may help lower your health insurance rates if you are purchasing an individual plan, depending on the company. It’s not common but it is out there.

16. Haggle with your doc! Ask your doctor for a discount on medical treatments. There's a long history of patients negotiating with their providers for lower prices on elective procedures, such as laser vision surgery or psychotherapy. Establish the price you believe is reasonable and go for it.

17. Investigate your State Children's Health Insurance Program. The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is a federally funded program designed to provide health and dental coverage for children whose parents can't afford private health insurance. For little or no cost, SCHIP pays for doctor visits, immunizations, hospitalizations and emergency room visits.

18. Exercise more. It's harder to quantify what you'll save in health care costs by exercising more, since this number is also linked to losing weight through dieting. But generally speaking, exercising not only improves your health, it also saves you money when you purchase life insurance because healthy people live longer, and longer life expectancies mean better life insurance rates. Many studies show it's never too late to start exercising and that even small improvements in your fitness level can improve your health and longevity.

Renegotiate Your Rent: Tip-of-the-Day #190

TIMES ARE TOUGH - USE IT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE

I have now heard of two different stories from people who have bravely phoned their respective landlords and asked that rent be lowered to better align with the current recessionary environment. Both got what they wanted!

Seems no one thinks to do this, but ironically we're willing to ask for better deals on hotel rooms, monthly parking, and more. So why not ask for a break on the biggest expense of all, rent?

In San Francisco, rent is NOT cheap. A studio in the Marina district for instance still hovers around $2,000/mo. and at one point went for as much as twice that!

People are moving out of the city because they can't afford to live here anymore...the only good thing that's come out of this is that landlords are becoming far more receptive to negotiating rent rate.

A friend of a friend just knocked $300 off her monthly rent just by asking - that's a 20% savings on what she WAS paying. I also overhead a woman at the gym saying that her neighbors have been able to save $350 every month by volunteering to maintain their building's yard. People are getting creative right now and landlords (believe it or not) are willing to meet certain requests - even barter!

If you hadn't thought about it - now's the time to ask. And, for all you homeowners out there, I've heard people have been calling their lenders directly asking for better term rates. Hey, worst case is you hear the word "no" - best case, you're saving real money every month!

How Rigid is Your Company?: Tip-of-the-Day #189

OPEN ENROLLMENT CONFOUNDING YOU? ME TOO.

I'm a contractor working for a very recognizable company in the technology sector. I was brought on board through a placement agency and when I first started I was offered benefits through this agency (health insurance, life insurance, etc.). At the time I took a pass because I had just paid my dues (with my current provider) through the end of the summer.

Now that summer is quickly fading, I thought it might be a good time to explore my options again as a contractor, seeing as my contract has been extended (yay!) and I'm ready to pay a lower monthly rate!

Come to find out, that the "open enrollment" for benefits through this agency had closed and I would not be able to enroll until June 2010. June 2010?? I promptly reached out to my contact at the agency and was informed that it is "fairly standard practice for employers to limit benefit enrollment (outside of qualifying life events or loss of other coverage) to initial and open enrollment periods only." Apparently, a "communication" was sent to me regarding this very subject. An email, huh? I get hundreds of emails every day and frankly rarely open messages with subject lines that begin with "A Message From ___."

That said, I wasn't giving up. Known to be tenacious as a weed, I kept on, and suggested that with matters as important as health the agency should really follow up with a phone call or even a face-to-face meeting for new hires explaining the significance of declining insurance and what that means with respect to future enrollment windows.

After a number of persuasive emails (thanks to my background in Journalism and Law) it seems I was able to "convince" my point of contact that "qualifying life events" is rather vague and could in fact encapsulate any number of events including contract extension and significant rate increase with a current provider. Against all odds, I "broke through the clutter" and my point was taken. They apparently found a "loophole" for me that I must never breathe a word of (except to you all). The secret loophole is as simple as terminating my existing coverage and mailing the notice to my agency for renewed coverage.

Sigh.

All this to say that if your company (or any business for that matter) has your well being casually cast aside in favor of "policy" - push back! Dig a little! DON'T take no for an answer. This is a theme with me, have you noticed? Smart women fight for what they need!

Secret Car Warranties Shared: Tip-of-the-Day #188

LIVE IN CALIFORNIA? YOU HAVE AN ADVANTAGE.

Didja know that unlike popular belief, car warranties are not just for new vehicles and are not always in writing? If you take the time to find out what warranties come with your car, what repairs those warranties cover, and how to enforce your warranties, you may save yourself a significant amount of money when your car needs repair.

Here's the catch: not all dealers/manufacturers/purveyors of automobiles are forthcoming with the scoop. Many automobile manufacturers have “secret warranty” or “warranty adjustment” programs. Under these programs, the manufacturer will do free repairs on vehicles with persistent problems, even after the warranty expires, in order to avoid a recall and bad press - but they won't tell you about it until you COMPLAIN! According to the Center for Auto Safety (www.autosafety.org), at any given time there are approximately 500 secret warranty programs available through automobile manufacturers.

Manufacturers don’t advertise these programs, so a car owner often won’t know about the available relief unless he or she demands that the manufacturer repair a problem after the original warranty has expired. In a few states, including California, Connecticut, Virginia, and Wisconsin, manufacturers are required to tell eligible consumers about secret warranty programs - usually within 90 days of adopting the program.

What does this mean for you? Well, you can either buy your next car in one of the aforementioned states OR be hypervigilant about ferreting out the details of your warranty when an issue arises. It's worth it!

Celebrate Creative Thinking: Tip-of-the-Day #187

SMART WOMEN GET CREATIVE TO GET WHAT THEY NEED

Getting a reservation at a restaurant like The French Laundry is like winning the lottery. Literally. There are 16 tables, two seatings, and dozens of unknown factors working against YOU getting in (like people lining up outside the door in Yountville, Hotels and Industry Insiders getting first dibs, and people with a network of friends dialing in at warp speed).

My boyfriend's 40th birthday is fast approaching (two months from now to be exact) and as a self-professed "foodie" wished to dine at The French Laundry (TFL from here on out). I knew the odds of getting that sacred spot but I'd done it once before and on Mother's Day no less, so I was confident I'd succeed.

After two days of dialing for dollars I was panicked. I wasn't getting through! The closest I'd come to getting a reservation was the waitlist. Today was do or die. And I got creative!

1. I employed Skype, a nifty software application that enables users to make voice calls over the Internet.
2. I downloaded "Moonlight21", an auto redial app that works alongside Skype for maximum effectiveness.
3. I called the luxury hotel that I'd booked for the evening of our adventure and asked the concierge to please help me procure a res.
4. I employed two colleagues to dial with me (I offered them $20 or a free lunch for the first person to get a ring instead of a busy signal).

Then it was just me versus the universe.

At 10:04 this morning my luck changed. The phone....RANG! And at 10:11 I was speaking with a reservationist and securing my table at TFL. Elation, jubilance and delight followed. I would have been devastated to have to tell my bf that I'd been unable to make his wish come true. And I didn't have to!

Net net: When faced with what seems like an overwhelming challenge, get creative and employ as many unique tools as needed to get what you need!

High-End Retailers Reach Out: Tip-of-the-Day #186

HIGH-END MERCHANDISERS ARE MAKING DEALS NOW

If you think stores like Neiman Marcus and Tiffany & Co. are WAY out of your league, think again. Much like my article reporting that haggling in mainstream retail is becoming the norm, high-end retailers are willing to make deals now too. But not overtly. You aren't going to see ads in windows or mainstream newspapers touting huge savings. That would risk tarnishing the exclusivity of the store. Instead, the deals are coming through email and only landing in opted-in subscriber's in-boxes.

Customers who subscribe to emails from Neiman's, for instance, have been regularly invited to “midday dash” sales. The two-hour, online-only sales promise 50 percent off luxury goods that can be bought only by clicking on a link in the email message. Customers learn about the sale just hours before it begins - so if you don't check mail often, this deal's not for you. (FYI: This week’s “dash” featured a $697 Burberry handbag, marked down from $1,395. A Carmen Marc Valvo chiffon gown was $575, down from $1,150. And Cole Haan flats were $82, down from $165.)

At Tiffany & Company, they have lowered prices on diamond engagement rings about 10 percent. When the average ring runs around $10K, that's a $1000 savings! It won't be advertised though - it's only discretely offered to "preferred" customers.

Did you know that sales associates at luxury department stores are often empowered to give discounts of 10 percent (or more) to customers spending upward of a certain amount of money, usually $20,000 or $25,000? I know you and I might never spend that but in this economy, the discounts are given more often, to more people, and available to those spending far less than $25,000.

It is not uncommon now for retailers to send emails like the one Bloomingdale’s sent in April to its subscribers: “Today only! Take $500 off your regular-priced online purchase of $1,500 or more in the Men's Department.” That's nearly 40% off and it wasn't the day after Christmas.

Moral of this story: sign up to receive emails from luxury retailers and reap the rewards.

Starbucks Secret Savings: Tip-of-the-Day #185

PICK THE SMALL CUP AND GET MORE FLAVOR + SAVINGS!

Here's a little secret that Starbucks doesn't want you to know: They will serve you a better, stronger cappuccino if you want one, and they will charge you less for it. Ask for it in any Starbucks and the barista will comply without batting an eye. The drink in question is the elusive "short cappuccino" — at 8 ounces, it's a third smaller than the smallest size on the official menu (the "tall") and dwarfed by what Starbucks calls the "customer-preferred Venti.” The short capp has the same amount of espresso as the 12-ounce tall, meaning a bolder coffee taste, and a better one at that.

This secret cappuccino is cheaper, too — generally a full .30 cents cheaper. But why does this cheaper, better drink go unadvertised? The official line from Starbucks is that there is no room on the menu board, although this doesn't explain why the short cappuccino is also unmentioned on the comprehensive Starbucks Web site, nor why the baristas will serve you this drink in a whisper.

This in fact is the Starbucks way of sidestepping a painful dilemma over how high to set prices. Price too low and the margins disappear; too high and the customers do. Any business that is able to charge one price to price-sensitive customers and a higher price to the rest will avoid some of that awkward trade-off.

The cost of overhead (staff, beans, cups) is similar for any size of drink, so, larger drinks just mean a greater margin for Mr. Starbuck. And the thinking here is simple: Offer the cheaper product but make sure that it is available only to those customers who face the uncertainty and embarrassment of having to request it specifically. Fortunately, the tactic is easily circumvented: If you'd like a better coffee for less, just ask!

Pet Insurance Promo Offer: Tip-of-the-Day #184

ENJOY FREE PET INSURANCE FOR 60 DAYS

SERIOUS illness can take a financial toll on families without health insurance - especially when the patient is the family pet! Vet bills can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the visit and only 1% of all cats and dogs in the U.S. are insured!

This may be partly due to the fact that fewer than 20 companies now sell pet insurance in the United States, but the industry is poised for rapid growth because veterinary technology is becoming more advanced, more available, and more expensive, which is leading to a greater need for insurance, especially in emergencies.

A typical pet insurance policy costs $300 a year, but can vary based on the age of the pet, species, level of coverage and other factors. But that's just a drop in the bucket when you consider what you could end up paying in an emergency.

If you’ve been thinking about getting pet insurance now is the time! Trupanion, a Seattle-based pet insurance company offers the most complete pet health insurance coverage for unexpected illnesses and accidents, covering 90% of all veterinary bills. For a limited time, Trupanion is offering 60 days of free pet insurance just for members of Catster.com (yes, I’m a member and that’s how I heard about this!). Join the Pet Insurance Clubhouse Group to take advantage of this special offer and start your FREE 60 day trial.

Sizzling Savings at Sears: Tip-of-the-Day #183

SAVINGS ALMOST TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

Calling all parents! Did you know that Sears has a "Wear-out Guarantee" for kids? They do! It’s called KidVantage and if an article of children's clothing or shoes wears out before the child grows out of it, it is replaced at no charge!

It’s hard to believe a program like this exists and I’m pretty sure that had this program been in place when I was a kid my mom might never have had to buy another article of clothing – at least for my sister. I mean think about the possibilities for households with multiple kids! There are multiple benefits...literally. I don’t mean to open up a can of worms but if Sears is willing to dole out a brand new item of clothing for its worn out counterpart (albeit in the same size) well then younger siblings can definitely benefit. No?

In addition to the Wear-out Guarantee, with every purchase of $100 in children's apparel, KidVantage participants receive 15 percent off their next purchase and the coupon is ready to use and attached to the end of your receipt.

Unbelievably the program is completely free, and customers can sign up at any in-store register.

Bonus: You will receive money-saving offers throughout the year too.

Save Fees on eBay!: Tip-of-the-Day #182

SAVE MONEY JUST BY BEING A WELL-RATED SELLER

Buy or sell much on eBay? I'm guessing if you do you already have a good track record by way of positive ratings from transactions. Well, now eBay is trying a new way of rewarding good sellers and it's all upside for you and me!

Under a new program unveiled this week, eBay is giving top-tier status to sellers who have very little negative feedback from buyers - even if these sellers aren't among those who make the most sales. Now top-rated vendors will get a 20 percent discount on the fees they must pay eBay after selling an item (a HUGE savings if you're selling something of any value). Also nice: your products will be more likely to show up in searches because you'll have "good buyer" status buoying you.

To qualify: a merchant must have at least 100 sales, worth a total of at least $3,000, on eBay per year. Hmm. That could be tricky...though could add up fast when you consider the average sale is $30. You just have to be consistent about it.

I've long used eBay to sell items I purchased rashly (and then fell outside of the return window) or even gently used merch that could be better served in someone else's home. If you consolidate all of your saleable merchandise and use eBay as your sole channel of redistribution you could easily meet the sales threshold and stand to gain more than you imagined with the reduced fee model in place! I'm pretty excited about this one.

Goodwill Brings Deals Online: Tip-of-the-Day #181

SHOP, SAVE & HELP THE WORLD A LITTLE!

Here's a chance to shop online, score some great deals, and even make a difference in the world!

Goodwill has introduced an online arm called "Goodwill Too." Where the traditional Goodwill store offers mostly donated goods, Goodwill Too offers its customers mostly brand new merchandise (closeouts and overstock items which keeps costs down), with a scattering of gently used merchandise. The merchandise is categorized and clearly marked - so you can easily distinguish between brand new merch and donated items.

The best part? Goodwill Too offers flat-fee shipping on its orders, with standard shipping costing only $7.99 for any order weighing up to 150 lbs (actual or dimensional weight). And, all purchases are processed through PayPal (you don't even have to have a PayPal account to use it) so if you're a little nervous about using your credit card online you don't have to!

I found some really groovy items already - from potato peeling gloves to "speed limit" pillows. Have a look!

Save Your Identity: Tip-of-the-Day #180

22 TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY: IT'S WORTH MORE THAN YOU KNOW

Identity theft causes more than financial havoc, it can cause emotional duress that can go on for years. Smart women can learn how to avoid being a victim - read on.

* Keep your confidential information private. Your bank or credit card company won't call or e-mail to ask for your account information. They already have it.

* Keep an inventory of everything in your wallet and your PDA, including account numbers. Don't keep your Social Security card or any card with your Social Security number, such as an insurance card, in your wallet.

* Order and review your credit report. You are allowed one free report each year from each of the three major credit agencies. Order reports here; it is the only place to get them for free.

* Stop getting banking and credit card information in the mail. Go paperless.

* Monitor your bank and credit card transactions for unauthorized use. Crooks with your account numbers usually start small to see if you'll notice. The sooner you catch them, the easier the problems are to clear up.

* Keep your vehicle registration and insurance forms in a sealed envelope in your glove box and lock it and your car when at home or away.

* If you conduct business online, use your own computer. A public computer is less secure, as is wireless Internet.

* Look for suspicious devices and don't let anyone stand nearby when you use an ATM. Take your card and receipt with you. Keep your PIN in your head, not in your wallet.

* Don't store credit card numbers and other financial information on your cell phone. Really folks.

* If you're job hunting using resume Web sites, don't apply unless the employer has a verifiable address.

* Once you no longer need to store them, shred any bills or statements that have your personal information on them. (Note: buy a good paper shredder for under $50).

* Keep your computer system and browser software up to date and set to the highest security level you can tolerate. Install antivirus, antispyware and firewall protection, and keep them up to date as well. When possible, use hardware firewalls, often available through your broadband connection router.

* If you use wireless Internet access, make sure you get help from someone who understands wireless security when you set up your access point or router.

* Back up your data and store it away from your computer.

* Don't open e-mails from strangers. Malware can be hidden in embedded attachments and graphics files.

* Don't open attachments unless you know who sent them and what they contain. Never open executable attachments. Configure Windows so that the file extensions of known file types are not hidden.

* Don't click on pop-ups. Configure Windows or your Web browser to block them.

* Don't provide your credit card number online unless you are making a purchase from a Web site you trust. Reputable sites will always direct you to a secure page with an URL starting with https:// whenever you actually make purchases or are asked to provide confidential information. (Tip: look for the yellow "lock" at the bottom of the screen).

* Use strong passwords: at least six characters, including at least one symbol and number, and no reference to your name or other personal information. Use a different password for every site that requires one, and change passwords regularly.

* Never send a user name, password or other confidential information via e-mail.

* Consider turning off your computer when you're not using it or at least putting it in standby mode.

* Don't keep passwords, tax returns or other financial information on your hard drive.

and...

If you suspect your identity may be compromised, place a fraud alert with the three credit bureaus. When you place an alert, you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report. After that, take advantage of the free annual reports the bureaus are required to give all consumers. Stagger your requests so that you get a report every four months. Beware: A fraud alert applies only when someone tries to open a new line of credit. It won’t keep someone from using existing accounts.

* If you've been phished, contact the real bank or other company named in the fraudulent e-mail. You also may want to notify the Internet Crime Complaint Center and forward the e-mail to spam@uce.gov.

If you are the victim of identity theft, take the following steps:

* Make an identity-theft report to the police. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. Also, contact the office of your state's attorney general; you may be able to file a report there. Get copies of all this paperwork and keep them in a safe place.

* Close accounts that have been tampered with. Contact each company by phone and again by certified letter. Make sure the company notifies you in writing that the disputed charges have been erased. Document each conversation and keep all records.

* Place a seven-year fraud alert or a "freeze" on your credit reports.

* Begin the process of having the fraudulent information removed from your credit reports.

* Consider purchasing identity theft insurance. It cannot protect you from becoming a victim of identity theft, but it can help you pay the cost of reclaiming your financial identity. Be wary of identity theft protection services; the Consumer Federation of America has found they may not be worth the cost.

Great S.F. One Night Stands: Tip-of-the-Day #179

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOME REAL SAN FRANCISCO TREATS

Summer, even fog-filled ones, should be filled with a few fun getaways, no? And, per some of my earlier posts, you don't have to go far to enjoy time away. Here are a few awesome deals at San Francisco (and surrounding area) hotels that are really a can't-miss opp for some much needed R&R. Quick! Go!

40% Off In-Room Spa at Palomar
You'd go the extra mile for a good sports massage, but you wouldn't complain if that rubdown came to you—sort of like a spa version of room service—and at 40 percent off, no less. So book a night here, and don't plan on leaving your room.
Now through Sept 7, Hotel Palomar, 12 Fourth St (at Market), 415-348-1111

Urban Retreat at Hotel Vitale
They had you at free parking, but the kind people at the Hotel Vitale will also shower you with a bay-view room upgrade and $50 toward your meal at Americano when you book the Urban Retreat. You'll also get late checkout, but let's not think about that yet.
Now through Dec 31, 2009, Hotel Vitale, 8 Mission St (at Embarcadero), 415-278-3700

Ultimate Escape at the Claremont
Six years shy of a centennial, this 1915 resort on the sunny side of the Bay is offering $99 rates for an overnight and free use of the spa, lounge, fitness room and three pools to show off its freshly renovated digs. All you have to do is show up.
Starts at $99/night, Claremont Resort & Spa, 41 Tunnel Rd, Berkeley, 510-843-3000

Ultimate Date Night at Cavallo Point
This Fort Baker Army post turned luxury resort boasting an unreal view of the Golden Gate is throwing in complimentary breakfast and dinner at Murray Circle, spa and fitness club access and parking when you book a Contemporary King Junior Suite. In other words, you'll get the royal treatment.
Starts at $395, through Aug 31, Cavallo Point Lodge, 601 Murray Circle, Sausalito, 415-339-4700

Dive Package at Bardessono
During the summer, it's no stretch to say: Wednesday is the new Friday—making it the perfect time to drive up for Bardessono's rooftop pool party and stay the night in a Spa Suite, with two drinks on the house and a three-course dinner for two. If only we could do something about those Mondays…
Just $299 (normally a room alone runs $800!), Weds through Oct 28, 2009, Bardessono Resort, Yountville, 707-204-6000 or email: jana.flahive@bardessono.com

Free Upgrades at AVIA Napa
The terrace fire pit alone wins it. But luckily your Master Tub Suite keeps bringing it with a gas fireplace and deep soaking tub. So while there are endless wineries at your fingertips, you just might not step outside of this month-old hotel—until checkout.
Rooms starting at $200, AVIA Napa, 1450 First St, Napa, 866-644-2842

Top 100 Useful Internet Sites: Tip-of-the-Day #178

USEFUL SITES CAN SAVE MONEY & LEND HELPFUL INSIGHT!

Here is a round up of 100 of the most useful sites on the internet today for finding deals and freebies, the best advice for tackling financial problems and tools to make your life simpler and easier. Take a look!

The best sites for saving money
Bargaineering
Consumerism Commentary
The Dollar Stretcher
Financial Integrity
Get Rich Slowly
The Simple Dollar
The Simple Living Network
Smart Spending
Wise Bread

The best sites for savvier spending
Angie's List
BillShrink
The Budget Fashionista
Consumer Reports
The Consumerist
Edmunds.com
ePinions
FreeShipping.org
Red Tape Chronicles
Shop It To Me
ShopLocal.com

Best sites for bargain hunting
Ben's Bargains
DealNews
Ebates
FatWallet
MyBargainBuddy.com
Slickdeals

Best sites for grocery savings
CouponMom.com
The Grocery Game
Hot Coupon World
Penny Pincher Gazette

Best sites for coupons
Alex's Coupons
CouponCabin
CouponCode.com
Coupon Mountain
RetailMeNot.com

Best sites for comparison shopping
BeatMyPrice.com
BeatThat!
DiscountMore.com

Best sites for saving and investing
Bankrate.com
Findacreditunion.com
Morningstar
Financial Engines

Best sites for paying for college
FinAid
Savingforcollege.com

Best sites for managing your credit
AnnualCreditReport.com
CardRatings.com
Credit.com
CreditCards.com
CreditMattersBlog.com
myFICO

Best sites for real estate and mortgages
ThinkGlink.com
Mortgage Professor's Web Site
HUD.gov
Making Home Affordable

Best sites for free government help
Federal Citizen Information Center
The Federal Reserve
Govbenefits.gov
Home Energy Saver
Mymoney.gov

Best sites for insurance
Insure.com
United Policyholders

Best sites for doing it yourself
Fix-It Club
Instructables
Nolo

Best sites for travel
Farecast
Kayak
MouseSavers.com
OneBag
SeatGuru
Theme Park Insider
TripAdvisor
The Universal Packing List
WebFlyer

Best sites for really cheap travel
CouchSurfing
HomeExchange.com
Less than a Shoestring

Best sites for charitable giving
Charity Navigator
DonorsChoose.org
GuideStar

Best sites for productivity and careers
The Blog of Tim Ferriss
The Brazen Careerist
Lifehacker
The Thin Pink Line
WebWorkerDaily
Zen Habits

Best sites for free entertainment
Fancast
Hulu
Pandora

Best sites for freebies
Freebiewatch
Free Stuff Times
Hey, It's Free!

Best sites for swapping stuff
Freecycle
PaperBack Swap
TitleTrader

Best sites for free tech stuff
5 Star Support
OnlyFreewares.com
Mozy
Tech-Recipes
Wi-Fi Free Spot
Zoho

Tax-Friendly Places to Live: Tip-of-the-Day #177

AMERICA'S TOP TEN TAX-FRIENDLY PLACES TO LIVE

Are you struggling to stay afloat living in the Bay Area? How 'bout Manhattan? Seems it has little to do with what you earn, and everything to do with what you keep that dictates your standard of living. Kiplinger was kind enough to do a round up of the ten cities in the nation that have the lowest overall tax burden. These cities came out on top of the 2007-2008 District of Columbia Tax Rates and Tax Burdens Survey for the largest city in each state, plus D.C. Have a look!

1. Anchorage, AK

Income tax: $0
Property tax: $2,572
Sales tax: $0
Auto tax: $165

State & local tax burden: 3.6%
(National median tax burden: 8.5%)

Urban facts: Taxes? Residents of Anchorage actually receive an annual "dividend" payment derived from levies on state oil drilling operations.

In sheer geographic size, the city of Anchorage is larger than the state of Rhode Island. It is home to 42% of all Alaskan residents.

2. Manchester, NH

Income tax: $0
Property tax: $2,349
Sales tax: $0
Auto tax: $493

State & local tax burden: 3.8%

Urban facts: New Hampshire's favorable tax structure and Manchester's proximity to Boston makes it an attractive residence for New Englanders.

3. Cheyenne, WY

Income tax: $0
Property tax: $1,326
Sales tax: $1,512
Auto tax: $665

State & local tax burden: 4.7%

Urban facts: Levies on mining and oil account for nearly half of the Equality State's tax revenues. Cheyenne is in close proximity to the geographical center of North America.

4. Seattle, WA

Income tax: $0
Property tax: $1,698
Sales tax: $1,561
Auto tax: $457

State & local tax burden: 5.0%

Urban facts: Seattle may be a tax-friendly city, but it also has a high cost of living, well above the national average.

The median home sales price was $375,000 for last quarter of 2008, compared to $200,000 at the national level.

5. Las Vegas, NV

Income tax: $0
Property tax: $2,251
Sales tax: $1,072
Auto tax: $486

State & local tax burden: 5.1%

Urban facts: Gaming taxes account for 27% of the state's general revenue funds.

The city's rapid growth a few years ago that drew more than 5,000 new residents every month was propped up on subprime lending. Now Las Vegas has the highest foreclosure rate among U.S. cities.

6. Jacksonville, FL

Income tax: $0
Property tax: $2,456
Sales tax: $1,284
Auto tax: $195

State & local tax burden: 5.2%

Urban facts: The state intangibles tax on certain investments was repealed in 2007.

Jacksonville is the third-most populous city on the East Coast, after New York City and Philadelphia. (Other cities, such as Boston, Washington, D.C., and Miami, have larger metropolitan area populations.)

7. Sioux Falls, SD

Income tax: $0
Property tax: $2,760
Sales tax: $1,518
Auto tax: $294

State & local tax burden: 6.1%

Urban facts: In fiscal year 2007, lottery gaming put $110 million in the state till to provide a 30% property-tax relief.

Sioux Falls has the largest shopping center between Minneapolis and Denver.

8. Phoenix, AZ

Income tax: $1,241
Property tax: $1,401
Sales tax: $1,849
Auto tax: $588

State & local tax burden: 6.8%

Urban facts: Tax information for Phoenix includes the entire metropolitan area, which extends to cities of Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale and Peoria. But housing prices and local tax can vary significantly from locality to locality.

9. Billings, MT

Income tax: $2,559
Property tax: $1,865
Sales tax: $0
Auto tax: $689

State & local tax burden: 6.8%

Urban facts: Billings taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes of less than $30,000 can exclude up to $3,600 of their pension income from state taxes.

Dubbed locally as the "Magic City," Billings is supporting growth by dunning its energy, agriculture, and transportation industries.

10. Chicago, IL

Income tax: $2,019
Property tax: $1,023
Sales tax: $1,624
Auto tax: $478
State & local tax burden: 6.9%

Urban facts: Chicago's effective real-estate tax rate of .70% and various exemption programs keep real property tax low. Just keep in mind that this surprisingly tax-friendly city doesn't offer the same breaks for other cost-of-living expenses.

May be time to consider a move?

Key Gym Membership Perks: Tip-of-the-Day #176

GYM MEMBERSHIPS MAY INCLUDE MORE THAN YOU ARE AWARE OF!

I had no idea how many local retail discounts were available to me as a member of the JCC! I've been taking a water aerobics class several mornings a week and one of the women in the class mentioned that I could get a discount on water gloves (don't ask) at Sports Basement with my membership card. This prompted me to check the JCC website for other "member perks" and there was a laundry list! Even if you're not a member of a JCC, you may be surprised by the discounts your particular gym has to offer (but doesn't advertise). Here's the list at the JCCSF that I just uncovered! Let the buying begin!

Membership Discounts:

* 10% off home delivery from Beautifull!. Use the code 'JCCSF' when ordering on their website. Beautifull! provides tasty, healthy and convenient prepared food that is fresh, natural and whole. Meals are delivered to your home or office. Please visit www.beautifull.com for extensive menus, pricing and delivery options.

* 10% off at Nomadic Outfitters – 2426 California Street at Fillmore

* 10% off at Sports Basement at both San Francisco locations! sportsbasement.com

* 10% off at Honeys & Heroes - just a block away at 3366 Sacramento Street

* 10% off on weekdays at Pasta Pomodoro. 15% off on weekends. Offer good at Laurel Village location.

* 20% off at ASQEW Grill in Laurel Village.

* 20% off at Union B - A City Chic Boutique. Specializing in all-occasion fashion for women. 2127 Union Street. Please call 415.345.1476 for hours, shopping appointments and parties.

* 50% off subscription to J, the Jewish News Weekly of Northern California

* $1 off the general admission price at the Balboa Theater. Children and seniors are already discounted, so everyone saves! Visit www.balboamovies.com for a current schedule.

Ten Ways to Use Toothpaste: Tip-of-the-Day #175

TOOTHPASTE CAN WARD OFF MORE THAN CAVITIES...

Beyond brushing your pearly whites, toothpaste has myriad uses that many may not be aware of. I'd always known I could clean my silver jewelry with it (it's amazing how clean it gets it) but I was remiss in capturing ALL of its uses until I did some digging...have a look!

Burns
Toothpaste is awesome on a burn. It helps relieve the burning feeling, and it's like an instant cool. Do not use on open blisters or bad burns.

Polisher
You can use toothpaste as a silver polisher. It also works to help get scratches off CD's and other plastic-like surfaces.

Bug Bites & Bee Stings
Spread a little over either of these and you'll feel soothed and will be relieved of itching. Works especially well on mosquito bites, flea bites and ant bites.

Crayon Marks
Get crayon markings off of your walls by applying some toothpaste and rubbing gently with a damp rag.

Spackle
You can use it as you would use normal spackle to fill in nail holes, chips, scrapes, etc. in your walls.

Acne
Just dab a small amount on a pimple before bed, wake up and it's gone. Do not do this on extremely acne prone faces, as over time it will toughen the skin. But using it occasionally works great!

Jewelry
Clean your jewelry with a little toothpaste. Let it set over night and then wash it off. Do not use on pearls.

Shoes
You can clean leather shoes with toothpaste by squirting on a little bit where the shoe is scuffed. Then rub with a soft cloth. Wipe it all clean with a damp cloth.

Kitchen Deodorizer
Oddly, this miracle paste works to eliminate the horrible sour milk smells that we find in baby bottles, water bottles and glasses that have sat for too long. Just clean the inside of the affected item with toothpaste, and rinse.

De-Fogger
It works on goggles, mirrors, windows. Just wipe it on, clean it off and the next time the fog comes, it won't be nearly as bad!

***********CAN'T-MISS SPECIAL OFFER***********

Ask For a Refund: Tip-of-the-Day #174

IT DOESN'T HURT TO ASK FOR A REFUND IF YOU'RE UNHAPPY

A friend of mine had purchased a pair of fairly expensive shoes some months ago and had only worn them twice when she realized that they were a. incredibly uncomfortable and b. ruining her stockings because the color was rubbing off on her feet!

She was fairly resigned to the fact that it was "too late" to return them because she'd worn them already and she was outside of the window within which this company accepts returns. Not always true!

I advised my friend to send a letter to the company (in this case she used email though I tend to send a hard copy on bigger ticket items like airline tickets) explaining the situation. She did and within 24 hours she had been sent a personal response and was told that if she were to bring the shoes and her original receipt (or credit card statement!) back to the store where she purchased them, they would happily refund her money. She was shocked! But this store did the right thing. Even though stores won't always advertise this in their return policy, a lot of retailers are flexible when you are unhappy with a purchase. They want to retain your business and simultaneously don't want you to spread the word that you're unhappy.

Whether it's shoes, an article of clothing, a package of spoiled olives (happened to me a few weeks ago) or a bad airline experience, it ALWAYS pays to write a letter/contact customer support. The worst thing that will happen is that you don't get your money back. The best thing that will happen is you do! (Or you may get a store credit which is better than nothing!).

Personal Finance Programs: Tip-of-the-Day #173

MANAGE YOUR MONEY WITH A PERSONAL FINANCE PROGRAM

With banks, brokerage firms and Web sites now providing a range of options for managing personal finances, the consumer need for a money management program has shifted but that doesn't mean there isn't still a need for it. Especially for a comprehensive solution that spans saving, spending and investment tracking.

Here are more than a dozen personal finance programs to review for your needs:

* Budgetpulse offers standard budgeting and tracking features, as well as international compatibility. It focuses on tracking your core accounts - simplicity at its best.

* AceMoney is a Windows desktop app that offers downloadable transactions, budgeting, investment tracking and more. It costs $30, but there is a free version available with fewer features.

* ClearCheckbook is an easy tool that helps with balancing a checkbook and managing money. Like an online checkbook register only you can view reports, set budgets, create reminders and more.

* Expensr offers simple account tracking. Expensr enables you to compare your money habits with other broad groups that you select - a nice feature if you like to see how your spending compares with the rest of the world.

* Buxfer is a fairly comprehensive financial management tool that enables users to import data from their bank and credit card accounts, set spending limits, track shared expenses, and more.

* Mint offers support for investment accounts, and enables users to create personal budgets. With a pretty huge following, Mint has become a leader in this space. Might be worth checking out.

* Moneydance is a full-featured desktop personal-finance manager. It's platform agnostic and offers budgeting tools, investment tracking, and many built-in reports.

* Geezeo enables users to create and manage a budget with the support of other members. Kinda like Weight Watchers, you aren't going it alone.

* MoneyStrands offers lots of budgeting goals with configurable alerts ("Let me know when I've spent $100 on music this month!"). Users may also compare finances with other demographics (not individual users, but groups of users), which again can be useful if you like to see yourself on a bell curve.

* Mvelopes automatically connects with most banks and offers a free bill-pay service. Coming in at $7.90 per month, it isn't free but it also hovers right around what most banks charge for monthly Bill Pay features.

* Wesabe really leverages its active community of users as a draw to bring in new users because like most social media sites this outlet enables users to draw support from each other, sharing tips and ideas.

* YNAB enables you to import bank transactions, pay bills, etc. Again, another program really strong in the budgeting dept. but not so much on investment planning.

* Yodlee offers account-tracking functionality, integration with most banks, and a bill-pay feature. Worth checking out as it served as the model for many other tools that launched post-Yodlee.

* Quicken is the most well known tool among this round up and fairly comprehensive and well-supported (albeit not without its own set of issues). The software is "new and improved!" every year so you have to upgrade to get the latest and greatest features and after a certain point your support is sunsetted on older versions.

* Rudder enables you to connect to all of your accounts through this one app. Helping with bill pay, cashflow predictions and beyond, this tool can be helpful for simpler tasks.

* Thrive offers budgeting and bill bay prompts and encourages users to save. This tool is mostly geared toward saving.

Avoid Extra Baggage Fees: Tip-of-the-Day #172

GET AROUND GRATUITOUS FEES AT THE AIRPORT

Travel much? Even if you don't, when you do you don't want to be spending your vacation money on baggage fees, right? Airlines are now charging more and more for extra bags and even changing the size limitations for carry on to force more checked baggage. It’s clear that they are depending on ancillary revenues in general, and luggage fees in particular, more than ever. This means that air travelers must be more vigilant than ever about avoiding them. Here are a few ways to go about it.

1. Bring less.
Obviously, the best way to avoid paying for a checked bag is not to bring one in the first place. Keep your bags as light as possible. Pack a change of clothes and wear something on the plane that you can wear again on your trip. This is totally do-able for short getaways.

2. Fly a no-fee airline.
JetBlue Airways doesn’t charge for the first checked bag. Neither does Southwest Airlines. In fact, it doesn’t charge for a second bag, either. Both of these companies have acknowledged what the rest of us already know: People travel with at least one bag. Shouldn’t we be rewarding these airlines with our business?

3. Look for loopholes.
They still exist. For example, US Airways exempts all of its frequent fliers, passengers traveling to and from Europe or Asia, Star Alliance Silver and Gold status members, unaccompanied minors, first class passengers and active duty military. Is anyone left?

4. Ask someone else to pay.
Hotels are mindful that first-bag fees can hurt their business, so they’re offering to cover the fees. One of the first was Kimpton hotels. If you have to pay for a checked bag, why not pass the bill off to someone else?

5. Get creative.
Get creative and consolidate as much as possible; for instance purse, laptop and makeup bag. You can avoid extra fees by putting as many disparate containers as possible into one larger container.

6. Exploit policy differences.
Airlines don’t have uniform luggage rules, so when you’re flying on two or more airlines, use that to your advantage. Whenever possible, check your baggage all the way through to your final destination to avoid fees at stopover locations. The airlines can transfer your bags to another airline and there's no one there to enforce the fees!

7. Mail it.
Federal Express, UPS, the postal service, or a company like Luggage Forward can help you avoid the fees, but often, these options cost far more than what the airlines are charging. Then again, they’re probably more reliable. An overnight delivery service is far less likely to lose your belongings. Something to explore if you are moving or spending an entire summer somewhere else.

Supermarket Savings: Tip-of-the-Day #171

SAVE MONEY AT THE STORE - IT'S EASIER THAN YOU THINK

There are a few simple ways that you can save some dough at the market. Some are obvious and will just serve as a reminder, some you may not have thought of! Have a look:

Curb impulses
Make a list and check it twice! DON'T go down every aisle if you don't have to. Why? Studies have shown that 50% to 60% of all supermarket purchases are made on impulse, and that figure increases to 70% when shoppers go down every aisle. If you stick to a shopping list you'll spend less, and you won't forget something you actually need.

Don’t shop hungry
It's hard to resist "snack foods" and other things you wouldn't normally buy if you go shopping when you're hungry. Worse yet, there is candy, soda and chips at the checkout that will also mysteriously find their way into your cart if you're not careful. Eat first, then shop. If you have to shop on an empty tummy pick up an apple. No joke - apples stave off cravings.

Ditch brand loyalty
New research by a trade group for the makers of generic products suggests that consumers can cut their weekly grocery bills by 30% if they buy a store's brand (read: generic) instead of the better-known national brands. The biggest savings can be found on over the counter drugs and beauty products.

Again, stick to your list
Grocers often place staples in the back of the store so that you must walk past all the other goodies to get there. Stay focused! And, when shopping the shelves, always check out the goods on the top and bottom shelves because the items placed at eye level are there for a reason - for you to buy them! Look around for the better deals.

Buy whole foods
While pre-sliced meats, pre-cut carrots and individually packaged servings of fruit may save you some time in the kitchen, it will cost you. A head of lettuce at a San Francisco grocery store runs $1.99, while a bag of already-cut and washed lettuce from the same store is $2.89. You'll save money if you do more of the work yourself.

Rein in your natural shopping habits
Avoid "bargain bins", end cap displays and other similar promotional tactics. These are often items that stores are trying to clear out and you don't want someone else's garbage even if it is on sale!

Check product sizes and pricing
To make sure you're really benefiting from buying the Costco-size jar of mayonnaise, check the unit price to see what you're paying per ounce, pound, liter or other measure. And, mayo aside, consider how perishable the product you're purchasing en masse actually is. Bags of fruit, potatoes or onions may be at a better per-unit price than if you buy them individually, but any savings could be lost if you have to throw away some of the produce because it spoiled before you could use it.

Clip coupons
Coupons can save you money, but don't buy something you don't need just because you have a coupon! Also, if you've been using a product you really like, don't switch to a competitor over .50 cents. Companies that issue coupons are trying to stomp out their competition. If you prefer the brand you're already using, stick with it because those few cents may not really make a difference in the end if you've had success with your original pick.

Don't shop with anyone else
It's been proven that people who visit stores in groups tend to spend more than those who go alone. And, men are more prone to making impulse buys, and kids often want everything in the cookie and cracker aisle, so just try going it alone.

Check your receipt
Too often I've been overcharged for products that were on sale and not even noticed until I got home. Check your receipt when you're still in the store so if something is wrong you can have the cashier fix it on the spot.

Start saving!

Coffee Filters' Many Uses: Tip-of-the-Day #170

14 UNIQUE USES FOR COFFEE FILTERS

We all know that coffee filters are great for making coffee. But here are some convenient uses you might not have considered!

1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave. Coffee filters make excellent covers and keep food items from splattering your microwave's walls.

2. Clean windows and mirrors. Coffee filters are lint-free so they’ll leave windows sparkling.

3. Protect your valuable china. Separate your good dishes by putting a coffee filter between each dish. You'll avoid cracking and breaking that way.

4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.

5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.

6. Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter and spare yourself a cloth.

7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.

8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.

9. Hold tacos. Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for messy foods.

10. Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot. Line a plant pot with a coffee filter to prevent the soil from going through the drainage holes.

11. Prevent a Popsicle from dripping. Poke one or two holes as needed in a coffee filter.

12. Wax eyebrows easily. You don't need expensive strips to wax eyebrows. Use strips of coffee filters instead - they are incredibly resilient.

13. Absorb grease in seconds. Put a few filters on a plate and put your fried bacon, french fries, chicken fingers, etc. on them. Soaks up all the grease.

14. Ideal razor nick fixer. Keep a filter or two in the bathroom. They make great “razor nick fixers.”

Cut Hair at Home: Tip-of-the-Day #169

SAVE MONEY AND LEARN TO CUT HAIR AT HOME

Out of the blue my boyfriend asked if I might cut his hair for him and I must admit part of me was thrilled. Growing up, some girls dreamed of becoming dancers, princesses - even mommies - but I always wanted to cut hair. Like the others, my dream was derailed and so when this opportunity presented itself I couldn't say no. That said, once the reality set in and I realized I had no idea how to cut a man's hair I thought I'd better do an internet search and take a quick crash course. And that's precisely what I did! I Googled "how to cut a man's hair" and found a particularly helpful wiki page.

Simple steps included:
1. Wet the hair generously before cutting and towel dry.
2. Comb hair to remove any tangles and to get an idea of how and where to cut.
3. Trim the back of the head first (using good styling shears) and get that nice crisp line with a small clipper. Use also around the ears. Consult the guy about how short he would like it to be.
4. Comb the hair forward and make an imaginary line down the center of his head, as if it were in between his eyes separating the right side from the left side.
5. Pull the hair up in between your fingers where your imaginary line is, and cut to desired length (usually as tall as your finger is against his head).
6. After cutting your entire line, comb hair forward again and begin at the very front of the head. You should notice the length difference where you just cut.
7. Using that as your guide, make another "line" to either the right or left of your original one and begin cutting again as described in above steps.
8. Comb one last time after the entire head has been trimmed. Look over to make sure no spots were missed or to touch up any areas a little more.

Easy as that all sounds it can still be daunting...but I had a few things working in my favor:
1. My boyfriend has a lot of hair so even if I screwed it up it likely wouldn't show
2. My boyfriend is very laid back
3. I'd had a drink

Tips:
* It's always best to have your man shower after a cut, and before going out, to get all those tiny hairs off his neck, ears, etc.
* Next time when going to the salon, take some time to observe, and maybe even take notes on, a hairdresser cutting a man's hair. This is the best way to learn.
* Get tips from your favorite hairstyle magazine.

Net net: I did a pretty good job (with some coaching) and I saved us $20 which we promptly spent on dinner!

Got Kids? Get Deals!: Tip-of-the-Day #168

FREE STUFF YOU CAN DO WITH YOUR KIDS

I don't have kids, but my friends that do have made it clear it's not cheap. To that I say, enjoy some cheap-er (even FREE) fun this summer! Here goes:

Celebrate your birthday at Disneyland or Disney World parks and gain free admission.
Season pass holders or those purchasing a multi-day pass can receive a one-day Fast Pass to skip the lines, or a gift certificate for park stores equal to the value of one day’s ticket.
Offer expires: Dec. 31

Get a second room for the kids at Hyatt hotels with a 50% off discount, including free breakfast for up to four kids.
In hotels with “Camp Hyatt” kids’ activities such as nature walks, scavenger hunts and hula dancing, one child gets a free half-day. Plus, the whole family can enjoy a 15% discount on dining and spa services.
Offer expires: Sept. 7

Kids fly free to the Cayman Islands with a special deal on Orbitz.
Stay in a participating hotel, and the kids get to stay for free, too. Flights leave from New York, Miami or Tampa for a two-night minimum stay.
Offer expires: Book by Sept. 2 for travel between June 1 and Sept. 7.

AMC Theaters offers $1 family films Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
See a movie and even feel good about it! Proceeds from tickets and concessions go to Variety’s Children’s Charity and the Will Rogers Institute.
Offer expires: Aug. 5

Regal Cinemas Free Family Film Festival
Savings: $8 (based on the approximate price of a matinee ticket). See selected G- or PG-rated movies for free every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. Rules and restrictions: At participating theaters only. First-come, first-served seating.
Offer expires: Aug. 12 or 19, depending on location

Clearview Cinemas Kids’ Club
Savings: $8 (based on the approximate price of a matinee ticket). Clearview Cinemas in New York and New Jersey are running eight weeks of free family films Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. at participating theatres. First-come, first-served seating.
Offer expires: Aug. 20

Student Rush Tickets for "Billy Elliot"
Savings: $80 for two tickets. The multiple-Tony-winning musical offers day-of student rush tickets at half price for its New York shows with a current school-issued student ID. Tickets must be purchased at the box office on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
No expiration date.

Kids’ Night on Broadway
Savings: $130 for a kid’s ticket to "Shrek," plus a free kid’s entree at participating Times Square restaurants in New York. The first Tuesday and Wednesday of every month kids get free admission to participating plays. Tickets go on sale two months in advance. Some local restaurants also offer free entrees for kids as part of the promotion. Currently "Guys and Dolls," "Mamma Mia," "Hair," "The 39 Steps" and "Shrek" are participating, although shows may not participate every night, so check with the theatre first. Kids must be 6 to 18 years old and accompanied by an adult.
No expiration date.

Kids Eat Free at Applebee’s
Savings: About $5 for one kid’s menu meal, including one side dish. On Monday nights, some Applebee’s locations offer a free meal for one child and $1 meals for any children beyond that. This offer is not available at every location, so check with your local restaurant first. Note: One child per paying adult. Additional kids’ meals cost $1.
No expiration date.

Kids Eat Free at IHOP
Savings: About $3-$5 for one kid’s entrée. Some IHOP locations let kids eat free every day from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Individual franchises set up their own promotions, so check with your local IHOP first. Kids must be 12 and under.
No expiration date.

The D-Zone at Denny’s
Savings: About $3 (based on the price of an average kid’s meal). Kids eat free on Tuesday nights at Denny’s from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. In some locations the deal is offered on Saturday nights as well. The promotion isn’t available everywhere, so call before you go. Kids must be 10 and under. Two free kids’ meals for every paying adult.
No expiration date.

Family Fun Night at Chick-fil-A
Value: About $3 (based on the price of one kid’s meal). At some Chick-fil-A locations, kids can eat free on Tuesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The deal isn’t available everywhere, so check with your local restaurant. Free kid’s meal when an adult combo meal is purchased.
No expiration date.

Used Gadgets = Good Buys: Tip-of-the-Day #167

USED GADGETS CAN BE GREAT BUYS!

In this slower economy, people may be looking to sell their newer electronics for extra cash. So, if you waited to buy your next big ticket electronic, you may benefit from the (perfectly good) used gadgets up for sale right now. Here's a look at devices that are likely to be good buys even when used:

Plasma TVs: If it turns on and displays a good picture, a plasma screen is unlikely to have major, hidden glitches. Plasmas are solid-state products that are pretty stable.

That said, don't get one that's more than 2 years old. The sets do wear out eventually, and earlier ones did so more quickly than recent models do. Also, study the screen to make sure it hasn't suffered image "burn-in," which can leave a permanent shadow from text or video-game images.

LCD TVs: Like plasmas, these sets don't involve a lot of repair-prone parts. Study the screen to make sure it doesn't suffer from excessive dead pixels. A few aren't unusual, but you don't want them to interfere with your viewing. Once home, the set should perform well. According to Consumer Reports, LCDs and plasmas need fewer repairs than traditional tube TVs.

Blu-ray DVD players: DVD players generally don't make good buys in the used market. They have too many moving parts that suffer wear, including expensive lasers. But with new models costing $300 and up, a Blu-ray player might be tempting if it's sold at a substantial discount and was bought less than a year ago - preferably six months or less.

Computers: Only relatively new PCs sold at a substantial discount might be tempting. Stick with brand names to make sure manuals, support and parts are readily available. And, don't buy desktops more than a year old or notebooks more than 3 months old. As with everything else on this list, you should visit the seller and make sure the device is working before committing to buy.

Flash-based MP3 players: Consider newer iPods and competitors that use memory chips for storage. Those solid-state drives are much less likely to fail. Just make sure the LCD screen isn't cracked, the USB port is clear and still working, and the device is otherwise functional.

Happy hunting!

25 Ways to Save $$ on Gas: Tip-of-the-Day #166

GAS ISN'T GETTING ANY CHEAPER - BUT YOU CAN GET SAVVIER

With gas prices back up to the $3 and change range a gallon, saving money on gas is more important than ever. Fortunately, there are a lot of relatively simple and inexpensive things you can do to save money at the pump.

1. Replace a dirty air filter.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, replacing a clogged air filter can increase gas mileage up to 10%.

2. Keep your car's engine tuned.
Having your car's engine tuned according to the owner's manual can improve gas mileage by 4%.

3. Get regular oil changes.
Clean oil in your car's engine improves gas mileage by reducing friction. You should also look for oil that says "energy conserving" on the performance symbol of the American Petroleum Institute. It contains friction-reducing additives that can improve fuel economy.

4. Keep tires properly inflated.
Properly inflated tires can increase your miles per gallon by up to 3%.

5. Use the right motor oil.
Make sure you use the proper grade of motor oil, which can save you 1% to 2% at the pump.

6. Rotate tires and check alignment.
Rotating the tires for even wear will improve your car's performance and gas mileage, as will keeping the car properly aligned.

7. Buy the recommended gas for your car.
Most cars run on regular octane gas. According to the FTC, there is no reason to buy a higher grade of gas than what is recommended in the owner's manual.

8. Steer clear of gas-saving gadgets.
You've probably read about any number of gadgets that promise to increase your car's gas mileage. Most of these gadgets don't deliver on their promises, and some can even harm your car. For more information on these gadgets, you can read the FTC's "Gas-saving products: Fact or fuelishess."

9. Find the cheapest gas near you.
Check out GasNearU.com or GasBuddy.com to find the least expensive gas in your neighborhood.

10. Use gas-rebate credit cards.
Some credit cards can save you up to 5% on gas. Three of the best cards are the Discover Open Road Card (5% cash rebate on gas and car maintenance purchases), Chase PerfectCard MasterCard (6% rebate on gas purchases first 90 days, 3% thereafter), and BP Visa Rewards Card (10% rebates on gas purchases from BP during first two billing cycles, 5% thereafter).

11. Keep your speed under 60.
At speeds above 60 mph, miles per gallon starts to decrease significantly.

12. Avoid jackrabbit starts.
Peeling out when the light turns green so you can be the first car at the next red light is like throwing money out the window. Gentle driving can save you up to 5%.

13. Remove unnecessary weight from your car.
Lightening the load by 100 pounds can improve your gas mileage by 2%, so take unnecessary baggage out of your trunk.

14. Avoid using the roof rack.
Items on top of your car, in addition to weighing you down, increase wind resistance, which lowers your gas mileage.

15. Use cruise control.
Using cruise control on the highway when it's safe to do so improves fuel economy.

16. Use air conditioning on the highway, not in the city.
If it's hot outside, using the air conditioner on the highway improves gas mileage over rolling down the windows because of air resistance. But in stop-and-go traffic, it's best to let Mother Nature cool you down.

17. Remove snow tires.
Deep tread and big tires consume more fuel. When winter is over, remove the snow tires for better gas mileage.

18. Telecommute.
For many, it's the commute to and from work that burns the most gas. Telecommuting even one day a week will reduce those costs 20%, will reduce wear and tear on your car, and save lots of time, too.

19. Work four 10s or nine nine-hour days.
If your boss isn't too keen on telecommuting, maybe he or she will allow you to work four 10-hour days and take every Friday off, or nine nine-hour days and take every other Friday off.

20. Rideshare.
Join a group of friends or neighbors to carpool to work. This can substantially cut down on gas consumption. And, if you live in an area that uses high-occupancy vehicle lanes, it can also get you to work faster.

21. Plan errands.
We all have errands to run throughout the week and particularly on the weekends. Combine errands so you have to take fewer trips to get your chores done. In addition to saving gas, you'll also save time and aggravation.

22. Walk or bike when possible.
More and more people are riding their bike to mass transit or to work. Even biking to work one or two days a week will save a substantial amount of gas.

23. Buy fuel-efficient cars.
There are plenty of hybrid and other fuel-efficient cars to choose from. A great site to check out is FuelEconomy.com, a government-run Web site about hybrid vehicles. These cars are the ultimate in money management when it comes to fuel cost.

24. Buy an electric- or gas-powered scooter.
These scooters are commonplace in many parts of the world, and their popularity is growing in the U.S. A Vespa, for example, gets up to 72 miles per gallon and has a top speed of 59 mph.

25. Consider fuel-efficient tires.
Some tires are designed to increase fuel efficiency by decreasing the rolling resistance of the tire. Of course, there are other considerations when buying tires, including traction and handling, but the tires you put on your car can have a significant impact on your fuel economy. The Michelin Energy LX4 is an example of a fuel-efficient tire.

Start saving!

Pet Care Practicalities: Tip-of-the-Day #165

YOU CAN SAVE ON PET CARE...LEARN HOW

Rising costs aren't stifling people's desire to own pets: About 63% of U.S. households own a pet, up from 56% in 1998. The number of dogs, cats and other pets now totals about 359 million, according to a consumer survey by the pet-products association. Now that you've got your pet, why not learn ways to pare back on the costs associated with owning a pet? Here are 13 tips to get you started:

1. Take care of some pet needs yourself. Did you know that by brushing your pet's teeth regularly you can reduce your number of vet dental-cleaning visits? Those can run about $200 a pop! Also, ask your vet about trimming your pet's claws. It's not tough to get the hang of, and it will save you approx. $40 a visit. In addition, if you regularly brush your pet's coat, you'll reduce grooming costs, and your cats will have fewer hairballs. If your dog is prone to ear infections, ask your vet how to clean your dog's ears.

2. Find out if your pet needs annual vaccinations - not every pet does! The American Animal Hospital Association changed its guidelines, recommending that "a number of the core vaccinations (be done) every three years," instead of annually. That change was to prevent over-vaccination, but it helps pet owners save a bit, too. Plus, if you have an in-door cat, you may not need all of the vaccinations associated with outdoor activity, and, as your pets age they also don't require all the shots they needed in their youth.

3. Shop medications. Just like my blog postings for people saving on meds, you can save on meds for your pets too. Call your local pharmacy or look online for lower prices.

4. Shop for a veterinarian by comparing fees. Routine visits can range from $50 on up to $200, so it pays to shop around! Nationwide, pet owners average $211 for dogs and $179 for cats in routine vet visits each year. But don't sacrifice quality, and compare the same service by finding out what that routine visit covers.

5. Shop around for pet supplies. Don't assume the pet superstore, the local mom-and-pop or the online market has the cheapest prices. For example, a litter box costs about $25 at a large Petco outlet in San Francisco, while a small mom-and-pop store nearby charged about $18.

6. Curb your desire to buy your pet gifts. Clothes and fancy bags are a completely unnecessary expense (fun as they can be). While 80% of pet owners report buying gifts for their pets, a better gift might be some playtime. Doh!

7. Avoid emergency clinics when possible. At most emergency veterinary clinics, almost every procedure and medication and boarding fee is marked up. Try to avoid going if you can, especially if your emergency occurs between 8 and 5 and your regular veterinarian is open.

8. Consider pet insurance. Check the policy's exclusions carefully to see how well it would fit your lifestyle. Some plans cover every routine visit and every vaccination, with premiums running around $25 to $30 a month. But, you don't necessarily need insurance for costs you know you'll incur. Pet-insurance policies aimed at covering catastrophic events usually have high deductibles and lower monthly premiums of about $10 to $15 which tends to make more sense for most people.

9. Think twice before adding more pets to your home. You might get a multi-pet discount on insurance, but regular costs will increase. There just aren't huge economies of scale with multiple pets. When you look at the big-ticket items - food and vet care - those are items that every animal needs in their own right and there is no shortcut in savings there.

10. Save for end-of-life care. "End-of-life issues" can run $500 to $1,000 and while some insurance policies cover the cost of euthanasia and cremation, most don't. It's something to consider (hard as it is to think about).

11. Don't buy the cheapest food. Higher-quality food helps keep your pet healthier and vet bills lower!

12. Don't overfeed. Many people feed more than the package guidelines, but feeding the right amount saves on food costs - which average about 40% of a pet owner's total costs - and reduces the likelihood of obesity-related ailments.

13. Spay or neuter your pet. Spayed and neutered pets have fewer health problems down the road (prostate and ovarian cancer among the biggest issues). Also, once neutered, your pet will "roam" less, which lessens the chance of getting hit by a car.

Coupon Watch: Tip-of-the-Day #164

FIVE ONLINE COUPON SITES WORTH BOOKMARKING

I mentioned in a previous blog posting that I never complete an online order without first Googling the site I'm buying from for active coupons/promotional codes. Well, here are five (reliable) coupon sites that will make your search even easier. Have a look!

Coupons.com
Coupons.com offers a wide variety of current coupons and simple navigation to browse them and even print them out.

CouponCabin
CouponCabin.com keeps its site uber updated. Deals are refreshed several times a day and almost always “double checked” to ensure codes work and deals are advertised accurately. You can even sign up for weekly e-mail newsletter alerts for the latest deals.

CouponMom.com
CouponMom.com lists online coupon codes, printout coupons and free samples. Discounts are easy to find and the site prides itself on accuracy.

RetailMeNot.com
RetailMeNot.com's community of passionate shoppers relay feedback on whether a discount code has worked for them, which helps other shoppers quickly filter out bad codes. Expiration dates are helpful and site is always kept current.

SmartSource.com
SmartSource.com has a great selection of items to look through, and entering your ZIP code brings even more deals specific to your area. The site compiles local store sales, coupons to print out and online deals to help consumers maximize savings.

Homemade Detergent: Tip-of-the-Day #163

HOMEMADE DETERGENT CAN MEAN SAVINGS AND MORE...

Making your own laundry detergent can mean decent savings, but it can also mean control over the amount of fragrance and dye added if you’re sensitive or have allergies to that. Now you can manage the ingredients going into the product you’re using! Fancy that.

The recipe for a powder detergent is 1 cup of grated soap (grind it in a food processor to make it easy on yourself), a half cup of borax and a half cup of washing soda (not baking soda).

Mix ingredients together and use 1 Tablespoon per load of laundry, 2 Tablespoons if it is a really soiled load.

You can use any soap you like (from Ivory to the small bars that hotels provide gratis). Borax is available in most grocery stores for about $5 a box. Washing Soda is made by Arm & Hammer and can be difficult to find so I recommend getting it at Amazon.

Worth a shot, no? At least try it once. :)

Sweepstakes Can Pay: Tip-of-the-Day #162

ENTER SWEEPSTAKES CONSISTENTLY AND IT JUST MAY PAY OFF

People who enter sweepstakes are not averse to trolling the net for every opportunity out there. In fact, they often make it a practice to enter every online, offline and phone-in sweep possible. The prizes can vary from dumb stuff like free soap to really big stuff like free cars, homes and luxury vacations. Basically, anyone with time on their hands and a desire to conquer can get in on this. Here's how:

Find a comprehensive website that lists and tracks your entries. Online-Sweepstakes.com and Sweepsadvantage.com are two favorites. Use a form filler like RoboForm to auto-fill all your contact information.

It can take up to a year before you see any winnings from your efforts. But don't give up! Like a diet, consistency is key. Don't think you should throw the towel in just because you aren't seeing results right away.

If you've got some extra time on your hands, why not give this a try? Could prove worth your while!

4 Credit Cards to Consider: Tip-of-the-Day #161

ENJOY A KINDER, GENTLER CREDIT CARD NOW

President Obama recently signed the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act, requiring the credit card industry to meet set guidelines on interest rate hikes and consumer notifications, among other protections, by February 2010. What does this mean? Well, for starters, credit card issuers must put an end to some of their nastiest practices - including raising rates on existing balances for any reason they choose, applying payments to the lower-rate part of a balance while the higher-rate portion gathers finance charges and slashing credit limits to below consumers’ existing balances.

While technically the issuers have more than a year to adhere to the act, there are a few that have already taken steps to implement the changes. Here are four cards among the first to enact these new favorable terms and which offer the best perks for different types of spenders:

Discover Motiva
Best for: Carrying a balance
Introductory offer: 3.99% on purchases and balance transfers for up to 12 months.
APR: As low as 10.99% variable.
Annual fee: None.
Rewards: Make six consecutive on-time payments, and receive a cash bonus equal to your next month’s interest charge. You'll also earn 0.25% cash back on the first $3,000 in purchases annually, and 1% back on everything thereafter.
Per Fed rules, Discover lets cardholders fix their credit limit so that any purchase that would put them above it will be declined. That, along with cash back and bonuses for on-time payments, can help consumers keep their spending in check. This is for the person who is not able to pay off the card in full when it arrives, and doesn’t want to dig into that natural debt hole that usually follows.
Discover is also one of the few payment-friendly issuers, letting you choose your own due date and make free payments via phone -- even at the last minute. It follows the Fed’s rule that any payment made by 5 p.m. on the due date is on time.

Wells Fargo Platinum
Best for: A low rate
Introductory offer: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for up to nine months.
APR: 7.65% variable.
Annual fee: $0, or $19 if you want to participate in the optional rewards program.
Rewards: None included. Opt into the paid rewards program, and earn one point per dollar spent on every purchase.
Wells Fargo won’t raise your rate if you’re late on an unrelated account, and it provides at least 45 days’ notice of rate increases. Also, statements are mailed to cardholders at least 25 days before the due date.
Once the 0% teaser offer expires, the Wells Fargo Platinum card offers one of the best ongoing rates around for a major bank -- 7.65%. (The average low-rate credit card has a rate of 9.01%, according to Bankrate.com.) The catch: You’ll need a bank account with Wells Fargo to apply.

Citi Forward
Best for: Earning rewards
Introductory offer: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for up to six months.
APR: 12.24% variable.
Annual fee: None.
Rewards: Earn five points per dollar spent on books, movies, music and restaurants, and one point per dollar spent on everything else. Pay on time and stay below your limit to earn 100 bonus points per month. You can also earn two one-time bonuses: 6,000 points when you spend $50 within three months of opening the card, and 5,000 when you sign up for paperless statements within that time period.
Pitched as a card that rewards those who maintain healthy credit, Citi Forward reduces the rate by 0.25% every three consecutive months you pay on time and stay below your limit. (Each account has an eight-reduction maximum, or 2%.) While the card is a little gimmicky (it’s not the best card for carrying a balance, despite the pitch), the rewards are some of the best around.
Citibank adheres to Fed rules including those that eliminate double-cycle billing (which computes finance charges based on purchases made in the current and previous billing cycles). It also provides cardholders with at least 45 days’ notice of rate hikes.

Capital One Platinum Prestige
Best for: Transferring a balance
Introductory offer: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for up to 12 months.
APR: 11.9% variable.
Annual fee: None.
Rewards: None.
If you’re transferring a balance, your goal is to minimize the total cost. That means no annual fee, a lengthy promotional-rate term and (if possible) a low transfer fee. Capital One’s Platinum card hits the mark on the first two. Use that 0% as a tailwind to pay off the debt and for best results, don’t add to the balance.
Per the Fed’s rules, Capital One mails out its statements 25 days before the due date, and doesn’t use double-cycle billing. It also lets cardholders set a fixed credit limit that they can’t exceed.

Go for one of the consumer-friendly cards now and save yourself real cash (and real grief).

Dryer Sheets Are Dynamic!: Tip-of-the-Day #160

DRYER SHEETS CAN SAVE THE DAY AND SOME DOUGH

Not many people know that dryer sheets can repel rodents and bugs, pick up dust, and keep your shoes and gym bag from getting stinky. I had no idea! Here are a few more savvy suggestions:

1. Dusting: Used dryer sheets can knock the dust off nearly any surface, including furniture, blinds, car interiors, and baseboards/molding. Also works on saw dust and drywall compound.

2. Keep bugs away: Tuck some dryer sheets in your picnic basket or under lawn furniture to repel bees. You can also rub a sheet directly on your bare skin to discourage would-be buggers from leaving their mark.

3. Keep your clothes fresh: Place a few fabric-sheets in your drawers to keep that ‘just-washed’ smell going for weeks. Throw one in your dirty clothes hamper to prevent any odors from escaping into your bedroom.

4. Scrub your showers: Lightly wet a used dryer sheet, and scrub to remove soap build-up and mineral deposits.

5. Freshen your home: Place (or tape) a dryer sheet on your HVAC vents to scent the air circulating through your home. You can even place one alongside your filter in your central heating unit to distribute the scent. Also works on ceiling fans, and on the back of box/portable fans.

6. Reduce static cling: Pat yourself with a sheet to combat static on your clothes, stockings, and even long hair!

7. De-stink your pets: Scrub incoming dogs or cats (especially wet ones) with a dryer sheet before they come back into the house. You can also place one in your cat's litter box to cut down on odors.

8. Clean your laundry room: When you finish drying a load, hold on to the dryer sheet, and wipe down the inside of your dryer’s drum, the lint trap, the outside of your washing machine and dryer, and scrub away any excess or spilled laundry detergent.

9. Scrub the bugs from your car: Summer drives often equal insect gut polka dots all over your auto’s body and windshield. Simply wet your car down, and use a dryer sheet to scrub away carnage with ease.

10. Wipe up hair: The cling of a dryer sheet is perfect to wipe up pet hair from your furniture, or even your own hair from your bathroom.

11. In your shoes: Toss a dryer sheet in the toes of your shoes to minimize odors and prolong the just-purchased smell.

12. While traveling: Place a few dryer sheets in between items in your suitcase to keep both your clothes fresh and to prevent your items from picking up any mustiness from old luggage.

13. In your crafts: Use dryer sheets to add texture to cards, scrapbooks, etc. Also use for reinforcement in appliqué and quilting work.

14. For diapers: Keep your used dryer sheets in your diaper bag, and roll one up in the diaper to prevent odors before you have the chance to throw it away.

15. In the kitchen: Soak cookware with burnt or baked-on food in warm water, with a dryer sheet or two - makes clean-up easier than you’d expect. Also works on cook tops and dingy cabinet doors.

16. Clean paint brushes: Soak your used paintbrushes in warm water with a dryer sheet, and that pesky latex paint will come off in under a minute.

17. In books: Placing a dryer sheet in new books or photo albums will keep them smelling fresh, and can combat the musty paper smell of used or old books. Also works as a killer bookmark.

18. In toilet paper: Roll up a dryer sheet in your toilet paper roll. Each time you spin, it releases a little freshness into your bathroom.

19. As you sleep: Keep a fabric-softener sheet in your pillow case and under your mattress or mattress pad for sweeter smelling dreams.

20. While sewing: Use a dryer sheet to store your needles while threaded to keep them from tangling, for paper piecing while you quilt, and for backing for embroidery.

21. Repel rodents: Use dryer sheets to keep out mice, skunks, squirrels, rats, etc. from your basement, garages, boats, campers, and clubhouses.

22. In your car: Stash dryer sheets under your car seats and floor mats, and in your glove box and trunk for fresh scents as you travel.

23. At work: Hide dryer sheets in drawers, behind computers, and in cabinetry to keep your workspace fresh, and combat your co-workers' strong perfume or cigarette scent.

24. In your vacuum cleaner: Place a dryer sheet in your vacuum bag or dust containment unit. As the hot air moves as you vacuum, you’ll bulk up your cleaning efforts.

25. In storage: Tuck dryer sheets in your rarely used items such as luggage, camping gear, sports equipment, or specialty craft or kitchen items to prevent the inevitable smells of basements, attics, and garages.

Shopping Can Be Lucrative!: Tip-of-the-Day #159

BECOME A MYSTERY SHOPPER AND EARN MONEY DOING IT!

Mystery shopping (like working for an ad agency) sounds sexier than it is. BUT, if you like to shop and you’ve got some time on your hands, this job requires very little training and no background in retail. Score! Before you get started (or start to think that mystery shopping will get you rich), there are a things to bear in mind.

For starters, a reputable mystery shopping company won't ask you to pay any money to look at job listings. (I almost got sucked into that!) However, if you do accept a gig it is your responsibility to pay for the product or service you'll need to evaluate.

You can't think that you're going to make a ton of cash from this part-time job. The average is $7 to $15 an hour and remember that you're driving to your assignments and paying for incidentals (food, drink, etc.). It ain't all roses. Oh, and reimbursement can take weeks (to months) so send in your expense reports asap.

Interested? Check it out!

Duct Tape Does It All!: Tip-of-the-Day #158

DUCT TAPE: WHAT CAN'T IT FIX?

I had no idea that a roll of duct tape could have so many uses. Would you believe entire blogs have been dedicated to its uses? We're talking car repair, TV antennaes, furniture legs and more!

Here's a roundup of what duct tape is great for:
• Fixing a ripped suitcase or broken handle (wrap 6 feet of tape around a small plastic bottle and then cut off both ends of the bottle).
• Making a dress form of your body with duct tape and an old T-shirt.
• Creating a cockroach trap (once they hop on, there’s no getting off).
• Patching water pipes.
• Patching holes in the pool.
• Weather stripping around doors and windows.
• Taping an alligator's mouth closed.
• Temporarily creating a patch for a car body.
• Holding the bumper on a car.
• Patching mufflers and tail pipes.
• Use in an emergency to hem pants, a skirt or a dress.
• Repairing a vacuum cleaner hose.
• Book binding.
• Repairing a car tail light.
• Stopping a leak in the garden hose.
• Repairing a tear in a tent.
• Creating a bandage when you don't have a real one handy.
• Use as a patch on clothing.
• Keeping rubber boots from leaking.
• Repairing holes in inflatable water toys.
• Removing lint from clothing.
• Reupholstering furniture.
• Wrapping Christmas presents... they'll never get them open.
• Catching flies (just hang from ceiling).
• Taping warranties to the back or underside of new appliances.
• Fixing holes in the wings of airplanes.
• Replacing webbing in lawn chairs.
• Use in place of wax for removing unwanted hair.
• Patching holes in the toes of ballet shoes.
• Removing a splinter.

Have at it!

Price Match Your Meds: Tip-of-the-Day #157

DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK YOUR PHARMACY TO PRICE MATCH!

Now that there are generic programs offering far better pricing on otherwise expensive prescriptions, your pharmacist may be willing to negotiate. No joke. If you're thinking about switching to a generic prescription program, don't do so without asking your current pharmacy to match the price first.

Wal-Mart introduced the $4-a-month generic prescription program back in 2006 (as mentioned in one of my earlier posts) and then other chains quickly began to offer the same kind of plan.

Start by asking your physician whether any of the meds you take have generic equivalents. Check to see if they're part of the reduced-price generic programs at Wal-Mart, Target and other stores. The drug lists vary; some stores may have one of your drugs but not all of them, even if they're very common medications.

If you find any of the drugs you take on these lists, then ask (politely) for a price match from your current pharmacy. The worst that can happen is that they'll say "no." If they do, then feel free to transfer. And if they say "yes," then you can keep all your meds in one place and not have to use extra gas, or extra time, driving from store to store.

You should however keep your eyes peeled for new/transfer prescription offers, good for non-generics and also for short-term medications. Pharmacies really do want your business, and they frequently offer gift cards to get people to switch. If the price of medication at the new drugstore is comparable to what you're paying, then the gift card can be considered profit!

Claim Unclaimed Property: Tip-of-the-Day #156

YOU MAY FIND YOU HAVE MORE MONEY THAN YOU THOUGHT!

Did you know that you could have anywhere from a few dollars to thousands in assets just waiting to be claimed? The items can vary (ranging from cash, to land, to an old certificate of deposit). I'm sure you've seen the obnoxious, late night TV commercials and the flashy online banner ads that offer to find this unclaimed property for you (for a "small fee"), but the truth is, you can do it yourself. For free.

• Most state treasurer's offices have their own Web sites, with a searchable directory of all people owning unclaimed property. However, this can be a time-consuming method of finding property, especially if you've lived in various states. Web sites such as Missingmoney.com and Unclaimed.org (both maintained by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators) can save a little time by giving you a one-stop shop for all the treasurer's departments and a combination search tool for many states at once.

• When you've found your treasure, it's usually easy to claim. A simple form and some identification is all that most states require in order to send your property to you. (Note: Be sure that you are always dealing directly with the state treasurer or an assigned party on their behalf. You should never be asked to pay money to get what's rightfully yours.)

• If you don't find that you have any unclaimed property, you can still benefit. Many state treasurer's offices sell the goods that have sat unclaimed for too long (putting aside the proceeds in case of a later claim), and you might get a great buy for these treasures on eBay.

I already looked to see if I had a pot of gold at the end of some rainbow and I don't. But you might! Go have a look!

Save Your Deodorant Dollars: Tip-of-the-Day #155

DIY: MAKE YOUR OWN DEODORANT

Is homemade deodorant taking frugality to extremes? I don't think so. I think it simply appeals more to the people who want to skip the toxins that our mainstream brands graciously include in their secret recipe. I'll skip the aluminum and take baking soda any day! Especially because it actually works!

Homemade deodorant uses a natural moisture absorber (cornstarch), a natural deodorizer (baking soda), and a natural anti-bacteria/fungal oil (tea tree oil) to keep any smells from developing (and has far better long term effects than aluminum that you'll find in most store bought solutions).

Here’s how you make it:

1. Put 1/4 cup each of baking soda and cornstarch* in a bowl with 10+ drops tea tree oil. (Lavender oil will work as well.)
2. This deodorant can be used as a powder, but if you want a stick, go to the shortening section of the store and buy the solid-at-room-temperature variety. Stir 2+ TBSP in until it’s the consistency you like.
3. Set into empty deodorant container. (It will “harden” in a day or two.)

Then, when applying this deodorant, use a lighter hand than you would with normal stick deodorant, especially the first couple of days or it will crumble. Used correctly, this stuff is invisible and lasts for ages. It works with a very light layer (meaning you should not be able to SEE it once applied.)

*If you have especially sensitive skin, increase the amount of cornstarch to 6T and decrease the baking soda to 2T.

Like any new deodorant, give it a trial run. You may find you like it better than the alternatives and you'll be saving yourself money to boot!

40 Ways to Use WD-40: Tip-of-the-Day #154

USE A PRODUCT YOU ALREADY OWN TO ADDRESS OTHERWISE- COSTLY FIXES

You may not know that simple household items like vinegar (a recent post) and WD-40 could have so many useful benefits...but here are just a few of the fabulous ways you can use WD-40 to save money along with your walls, floors, car grill...and more!

1. Protects silver from tarnishing.
2. Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4. Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery.
5. Keeps flies off cows.
6. Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7. Removes lipstick stains.
8. Loosens stubborn zippers.
9. Untangles jewelry chains.
10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12. Keeps ceramic/terracotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13. Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16. Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes.
18. Removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor (or wood floors).
19. Swiftly removes dead bugs off of a car's grill and bumper.
20. Gives a children's playground gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.
21. Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers.
22. Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.
23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.
24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.
25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.
26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.
29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.
30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.
31. Removes splattered grease on stove.
32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35. Removes all traces of duct tape.
36. Relieves arthritis pain (spray it on the affected area).
37. Protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements (thus can also protect any sculptures or outdoor furniture).
38. WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a little on live bait or lures.
39. Takes the sting of bug bites away immediately and stops the itch.
40. WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag.

Little known fact: The basic ingredient in WD-40 is FISH OIL!

Band Together For Repairs: Tip-of-the-Day #153

PIGGYBACK ON NEIGHBORS' HOME REPAIR PROJECTS TO SAVE UP TO 50%

Have you ever considered joining forces with your neighbors when it comes time to make home repairs? Generally, the more work that’s done, the better price you’ll get. For instance, in my condo building, when one neighbor was thinking of replacing her single paned windows for double paned, she explored the cost efficiencies in getting more neighbors on board with the initiative. She was able to carve 33% off the cost of the job by getting two other homeowners involved in the same project!

A similar experience occurred with a recent carpeting job – two homeowners went in on the same carpet and were able to save quite a bit on the cost per yard and even the installation.

The savings aren’t just financial either. Getting others in on a home repair job means spreading the responsibility around a bit...it isn’t just one person that has to bear the time commitment (or emotional strain) of meeting with contractors, day laborers, etc. Those tasks are shared.

There are all kinds of possibilities for cost-saving cooperation with neighbors. Arrangements can be made for yard work, paint work, roofing and beyond. Explore your options and save some money and heartache while you're at it.

Cell Phone Savings: Tip-of-the-Day #152

YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS CAN HELP YOU SAVE ON CELL SERVICE

Cell phone companies are pretty good at sharing things like rollover minutes and family plans, but there is one secret savings opportunity they won't tell you about upfront. It involves using a work or school e-mail address, so if you attend a college or work for a large company, you may be eligible!

Cell providers are always making deals with large companies (much like my article on corporate discounts with Fed Ex and UPS). In fact, they might have a corporate contract with your company already. As long as you have a work-related e-mail address, you may be able to save up to 25% on the cost of a traditional plan - just by being a "member" of the discounted group. It also works for colleges.

Many college e-mail addresses are easy to identify (they usually end in ".edu" and contain the college's name). If your college has a deal worked out with a cell phone provider, you will automatically qualify by using the school address. It's important that you ask upfront for any special deals, and many cellular Web sites will let you get a price quote instantly, based on the e-mail address you provide. Remember, these deals are usually unadvertised, so you may have to do a little digging to see what you qualify for. It's worth it!

Freebies on Father's Day: Tip-of-the-Day #151

YOUR DAD MAY APPRECIATE YOUR FRUGALITY

Not sure what you have planned for your dad on Father's Day (this Sunday folks!)...but a few restaurants are offering extra incentive to secure your patronage on dad's day. A handmade card and a plate of spaghetti may be just what the doctor ordered! ;)

Restaurant Freebies on Father’s day!

• TCBY is offering a free cup or cone of frozen yogurt to all fathers on Sunday.
• If you live in one of the eight states where Texas de Brazil has steakhouses, you can take Dad out for a free dinner. Fathers eat free there Sunday with the purchase of another dinner. You’ll need to print out this coupon, and reservations are recommended.
• The Pasta House Co. is providing dads with a free order of spaghetti with meat sauce and a free piece of cheesecake on Father’s Day. Yum!
• Participating BJ’s Restaurants are honoring dads with a free commemorative pint glass with any beverage purchased.
• T.G.I. Friday’s buy-one-get-one-free deal is ongoing and runs through June 22.

66 Ways to Maximize 1 Item: Tip-of-the-Day #150

66 USES FOR VINEGAR

You can save a ton of money if you happen to know the ins and outs of everyday uses for household items you likely already have in your cupboard. Below I've compiled a roundup of the 66 best ways to use vinegar. Wide Open Wallet actually has a list of 100 so if you wanna learn even more tricks, scope that out!

1. Use to remove stains from carpets, clothing and other fabric.
2. Use to clean windows, nothing makes windows shine like vinegar and newspaper.
3. Use to clean dishes, vinegar removes grease.
4. Vinegar can soothe a jellyfish sting.
5. Use vinegar to keep your car’s chrome shiny.
6. Use as a hair rinse to remove shampoo residue.
7. Use in your laundry to reduce static cling and soften clothes.
8. Use to neutralize and deodorize the air in your home. Simmer vinegar on the stove to remove stale household odors.
9. Put a couple of teaspoons of vinegar in the water for cut flowers to keep them fresh longer.
10. Use to soothe a sunburn. Saturate a cloth with vinegar and place directly on the burn.
11. Mixed with water, vinegar can help to break a low grade fever.
12. Run through your coffee maker to clean and deodorize.
13. Use to clean soap scum and mildew in the shower
14. Use to soothe a bee sting
15. Swallow one teaspoon of vinegar to stop hiccups.
16. Clean your waste baskets
and garbage cans with vinegar to deodorize.
17. Wash your windshield with vinegar to deter ice and frost.
18. Use vinegar to remove fruit or grass stains from hands.
19. To highlight hair, spray your hair with vinegar before sitting in the sun.
20. Add vinegar to your vaporizer for easier breathing.
21. Add a teaspoon of vinegar to water to use as a sore throat gargle.
22. Adding vinegar to laundry will cut static cling and eliminate lint.
23. Mix with dish detergent
and water to control weeds.
24. Wipe out your clothes hampers with vinegar to keep them smelling fresh.
25. Spray vinegar around doors and windows to control ants and other insects.
26. Remove skunk odor from your pet’s fur by bating them in vinegar.
27. Use vinegar to clean rust from tools, screws, bolts and more.
28. Use to wash no wax floors.
29. Pour down the kitchen drain and garbage disposal to help keep it smelling fresh.
30. Soak your showerhead in vinegar to remove mineral deposits and deter corrosion.
31. Poor straight vinegar through the cracks in your sidewalk to keep the grass from growing through.
32. Soak paintbrushes in warm vinegar to soften.
33. Use vinegar to remove salt from shoes.
34. Mix with olive oil to clean wood furniture.
35. Sponge vinegar onto leather to clean and freshen.
36. Rub vinegar over scorch marks to remove.
37. Use vinegar to tenderize meat.
38. Use vinegar and cotton swabs to clean out your computer mouse.
39. Clean lunchboxes with vinegar to remove food smells.
40. Add vinegar to your bathwater to soften skin.
41. Rinse your hair with vinegar to help control dandruff.
42. Clean piano keys with vinegar.
43. Use to help remove chewing gum from hair.
44. Use to help dissolve a sticky mess from your kitchen cabinets.
45. Soak a piece of stale bread in vinegar and place over calluses and corns.
46. Septic tank uses should clean their toilets with vinegar to help keep down germs.
47. Spray wallpaper with vinegar and water to aid in the removal process.
48. Use to clean copper and polish silver.
49. Vinegar in the tub helps to soothe sore muscles.
50. Drinking a couple of teaspoons of apple cider vinegar is said to keep the mosquitoes away.
51. Using vinegar when washing diapers is said to help prevent diaper rash.
52. Use vinegar and water to keep computer and peripherals dust-free.
53. Use to remove mildew.
54. Use vinegar to remove sticker and decal residue.
55. Use vinegar to clean and freshen your fridge.
56. Run vinegar through the dishwasher to clean, deodorize and remove mineral deposits.
57. Use when washing dishes to cut the grease.
58. A little vinegar in the stew pot will help prevent corned beef from shrinking.
59. Vinegar will remove odors from your hands.
60. Spray clothes with vinegar and water to remove wrinkles.
61. Use vinegar to remove crayon stains from clothing.
62. Vinegar removes bloodstains from fabric.
63. Sprinkle vinegar on places you don’t want your cats to go.
64. Wash pets in vinegar to prevent fleas and ticks.
65. Use to clean outdoor furniture and freshen after months of winter storage.
66. Use to clean bird droppings from furniture, decks and playground equipment.

Don't Pay Full Price: Tip-of-the-Day #149

FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER PAY FULL PRICE FOR

Here's how to shop smartly:

1. Mattresses! Brand names like Sealy, Serta, and Simmons are reliable and durable and you can almost always find them for up to 50% off if you wait for a sale or you bargain hard.

2. Shiny Sparkly Things. Almost always marked up 100% to 200%, there's room to haggle down the price – start at 20% and in the end you'll likely get at least 10% off!

3. Your College Education. Always, always check out your financial aid options. You can't assume that you won't qualify for aid because the formulas vary, and can even change from school to school.

4. Your Next Ride. When you decide to buy a new car, consider all of your options. Start by exploring financing, always review Consumer Reports' auto price reports and get a Car Fax report! Know what you're buying and you'll save yourself money and a headache.

5. Your Digs. When you buy a house you can't get emotional about it, you should never pay more than the market will bear, and you really need a good agent in your corner.

Get Cash for Your Clunker!: Tip-of-the-Day #148

NEW CAR INCENTIVES ARE PUTTING CASH BACK IN YOUR POCKET

Do you own a gas guzzler that sets you back hundreds of dollars in gas every month? Now you can trade it in! A new bill has been passed that lets consumers turn in their gas-guzzling cars and trucks for vouchers worth up to $4,500 toward more fuel-efficient vehicles! This is clearly an effort to both boost sales of new vehicles but also to encourage more of the population to “go green.”

Under the House bill, car owners can get a voucher worth $3,500 if they trade in a vehicle getting 18 miles per gallon or less, for one getting at least 22 miles per gallon. The value of the voucher grows to $4,500 if the mileage of the new car is 10 mpg higher than the old vehicle.

Owners of SUVs, pickup trucks or minivans that get 18 mpg or less can receive a voucher for $3,500 if their new truck or SUV is at least 2 mpg higher than their old vehicle (for all of you that just CAN’T live without the extra space). The voucher will increase to $4,500 if the mileage of the new truck or SUV is at least 5 mpg higher than the older vehicle. And, consumers can also receive vouchers for leased vehicles!

If you’ve been thinking it may be time to make a change and save some cash…I’d say now you have all the incentive you need!

You Can Haggle at Retail!: Tip-of-the-Day #147

HAGGLE YOUR WAY INTO GREAT DEALS

Retail prices are a lot more negotiable than you might think. It probably seems far fetched anywhere but in Mexico, but when times get tough and consumers restrict spending, retailers get flexible. Prices aren't fixed! Believe it or not some of our most mainstream retailers are willing to negotiate.

1. Ask for what you want. You may think you can't negotiate with a mainstream retailer, but you can! Especially if you can help them find a reason to negotiate with you. If your item of interest is scratched or flawed, perhaps outside of its original packaging or just on the verge of becoming "last season's merch", you can make a deal!

2. Do some research. You can’t ask for a price that eliminates all profit margin so check out comparable items before making your offer. (Helpful hint: jewelry has one of the highest markups so there’s lots of room to negotiate there).

3. Stay firm. Have a price in mind and be willing to walk away. My mom always gave me this advice on our travels. If you can’t get the price you’re after, just walk away. You'll more than likely find it elsewhere and at the price you ARE willing to pay.

You'll catch more flies with honey. So don't be rude about the request when you make it. And, if someone does decide to give you a nice deal, thank them! It's amazing how these little (but important) courtesies fly out the window at a moment's notice.

Plus, in this economy you can definitely play up the recessionary environment as reason to get a break. I was just at a flea market with a friend who began a lot of negotiations with "well, in this recession...". It worked!

13 Things You Can Get FREE: Tip-of-the-Day #146

WHY PAY WHEN YOU CAN GET IT FOR FREE?

From prescription drugs and stock trades to movies, cruises and legal advice, it's possible to get a lot for very little.

1. Credit monitoring: Get up to nine months of free credit monitoring from TransUnion.

2. Stock trading: Zecco, an online brokerage, gives away 10 stock trades per month.

3. Tax prep: If you're age 60 or older, serve in the U.S. military or earn less than $40,000 a year, you qualify for free tax prep at thousands of sites all over the U.S. Check out the details on the IRS Web site.

4. Free flicks and shows: Go online to Hulu.com and browse through 100 movies and 400 TV shows for FREE.

5. Sports gambling: CentSports.com makes online gambling legit; winners stand to gain real cash and losers risk nothing and get immediately re-staked.

6. Free tunes: Spiral Frog offers 1.2 million songs and 4,000 music videos. And, for a customized radio experience, check out Pandora.com. Just enter an artist, and the site will generate playlists from that band and others within its genre. Plus, there aren't commercials.

7. Road trip: No cash? Eager to travel? Auto Driveaway will let you drive someone else's vehicle from one destination to another. The company has 45 U.S. locations and lists about 150 opportunities per month.

8. Free digs: Join the Home Exchange Network and hole up in someone else's home for free. You can swap digs with someone you meet on the network or host each other as guests.

9. Cruisin': A number of cruise lines offer last minute deals to fill empty cabins. Imperial Majesty Cruise Line even offers three-day, two-night cruises for FREE! If you're the spontaneous sort, this deal is for you.

10. Adopt a grandparent: At the Elder Wisdom Circle, you can find a "cyber grandparent" willing to lend insights gleaned from decades past. Free wisdom and a friend.

11. Legal counsel: Get free legal advice at freeadvice.com. The site features advice from hundreds of lawyers on more than 130 legal topics, including insurance, real estate and estate planning.

12. Deep rubs: Student massage therapists will will rub you down for free at local massage schools. Students, like pilots or chefs, must practice a certain number of hours before getting their licenses.

13. Drugs: Big pharmaceutical companies give doctors more drugs than they can store. The next time you need a pricey prescription, just ask for a sample at your appointment. You could save hundreds of dollars.

Enjoy!

No is Not Acceptable: Tip-of-the-Day #145

DON'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!

Still on the topic of rebates...if you’ve been keeping up with my blog you know that I recently swapped my Samsung Instinct for a Blackberry Curve. “Upgrading” involved a new two-year agreement (oi) as well as cash upfront for the new device with the promise of $100 back in my pocket once I redeemed the mail-in rebate.

I immediately put the rebate in the mail, and then began the interminable wait for MY money to come back to me. Two weeks later I received a small white postcard in my mailbox (similar to your dental visit reminder) that simply stated I was ineligible for the rebate, but thanks for playing. I was disappointed and annoyed and complained about it to my boyfriend and my cat for two days.

Then I did something about it. I picked up the phone, called the 800 number printed on the postcard and anxiously awaited the laborious debate that was bound to unfold. Well I already had it in my head that I wasn’t going to take “no” lying down. So I got up from the couch when CS did come on the line and in a rush of words explained that I’d HAD to trade in my Samsung Instinct because it was defective and in fact the phone had been discontinued rendering it impossible for me to replace it with a similar model. I told them to have a look at the notes in my file if they had any questions. I was immediately promised an amendment to my status and “because I’m a valued customer” my check would be expedited to my home.

All by way of saying, don’t take your first rejection or “no” at face value. Always dig a little deeper – especially with rebates. Sprint is clearly trying to save some dough by kicking “questionable” rebate forms to the curb, but with even a little push back they fold. Don’t get taken advantage of!

Rebate Revelations: Tip-of-the-Day #144

USE REBATES TO OFFSET THE COST OF PRODUCTS YOU BUY

When you exercise a rebate it's important to remember a few things. Namely:

1. Read the fine print.
Always look for the date by which your rebate must be submitted and be sure to include the required proof(s) of purchase, like your receipt, a UPC label, etc.

2. Don't forget about your rebate.
If you forget about it and the company you mailed it in to forgets about it, who is held accountable? Keep track of everything you mail in for so that you have proof when you need it.

3. Don't miss the deadline.
The window in which you can submit your rebate can be tiny...don't miss it by just sitting on your form thinking you'll do it tomorrow. Send it in!

4. Consider connecting with other people who use rebates too.
The internet has provided us with a wealth of options and opportunities when it comes to networking. Use it to find people who may have access to goodies that you don't!

5. Look for rebates before you make your purchase.
If you need a DVD player, look around before buying it on Amazon. You may find that a local electronics store is having a special and a rebate could save you quite a bit of money - even over the already discounted go-tos like Amazon.

You're probably not going to be able to make this a full time gig, but you'll save a few bucks.

Renting Is The "New Black": Tip-of-the-Day #143

RENT ANYTHING - FROM APPAREL TO ELECTRONICS

Check out Zilok.com! It is a centralized online rental marketplace enabling anyone to rent, or offer for rent, anything in just a few mouse clicks!

Now this is my second blog post on this very topic and I'm clearly an advocate. This revolutionary idea makes it simple to get your hands on something you’ve been wanting to try but aren’t ready to buy! If you need a special tool for a weekend (like when I needed an obscure saw for a home improvement project), a fancy purse for an evening out (fake it till you make it), or an extra bike for an out-of-town visitor, all you need to do is search and select the item you want for rent, at the most convenient location for you!

Zilok responds to urban living and the practical concerns surrounding storage space. You can rent just about anything on this online marketplace, from landscaping tools and tableware to computers and home appliances. To get started, just search for what you'd like to rent and type in where you live, or click on a category. Once you've found your desired item, schedule the time you'd like to rent the item, for how long, and when you'll pick it up from the owner.

Now all that said, I went on there to see if I could rent a Wii (before buying one to make sure I'd like it) and I couldn’t find one in my area. I also couldn’t find a bike. But that could be because I live in San Francisco and people of affluence may be less inclined to "loan out" their prized possessions. I had more luck searching by “area” than by “item” though. I pulled up 1388 results in San Francisco – with items ranging from a Darth Vador Halloween costume to a “scruffy basketball.” Hey, ya never know.

The idea has great promise and probably is richer in some geographic locations…so keep your eye on it! I'm going to.

Free Streaming Music & More: Tip-of-the-Day #142

YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR MUSIC.

Maybe you never did pay for music. But if you have and still do, Songza is a site for you! This music search engine and Internet jukebox enables users to find and listen to any song on the Web. You can share songs with friends through e-mail, create links to songs, and add an embedded player on your own website or blog.

This slick app also lets you see what music your friends are listening to - and whenever you add a song to your Songza playlist, that information is automatically posted to your Facebook mini-feed and profile page (so your friends can see what you’re listening to and even listen themselves by just clicking the link in the post).

It's frankly a lot easier than having to deconstruct restricted MP3s.

Keep your music fresh, portable and free. Add any songs to your Songza playlist, which you can access from any computer, any time when you Join Songza (also free!).

Fashion-Forward Grab Bag: Tip-of-the-Day #141

SPICE UP YOUR WARDROBE WITH SOME AFFORDABLE FLAIR!
Spice up your summer with a high-fashion grab bag! Puella is a fun, fashion-forward merchandising duo (Sarah B and Sarah C) who brought their experience in the fashion world together to create fresh, colorful, comfy clothes. You can find them in the most high end boutiques, OR you can buy a “grab bag” for $100/$150/$200 online that includes 5, 10 or 15 pieces of clothing varying from camis, tees and dresses with an original retail value of up to $500. Right now the bag will be geared toward Spring and Summer and your items come to you in a super cute tote bag to boot!

My girlfriend introduced me to this last night over dinner and explained that she had sent away for the grab bag and was quite pleased with what she received. She did say that many of the items are “prints” and she’s more a “solids girl" – but according to the Puella site you can marry bright (perhaps out-of-your-comfort-zone) prints with solids to create limitless options. Ok, small diversion here, but talking about limitless options made me think to mention that I bought a Norma Kamali top at Walmart this week (yes, Walmart) and it too can turn into a small wardrobe all on its own (One-shoulder top, Strapless top, Halter top, Cross halter top, Skirt, and more!). You can see it here if you’re interested.

Get creative, have some fun with your wardrobe this summer, and take a chance on an affordable grab bag worth upwards of $500!

Buy Low, Sell High: Tip-of-the-Day #140

BUY OR SELL GOODS VIA A UNIQUE ONLINE CATALOG

Wigix.com, a site I recently discovered, is a catalog of products with information on who owns them and what they are worth. Similar to stock trading (and different from eBay), people set up buy and sell orders.

There’s a page for the Wii, a page for the iPhone 16GB, a page for the 1966 Topps Mickey Mantle Card, etc., and each unique product has one page and every buyer and seller go to that page to trade. It's not like an auction where each order has its own page - all the information is on one: product information, price history, all available buy orders, and all available sell orders. That way you have an overarching view of everything you need to know to make an informed decision about that product.

I’ll admit it’s a little tricky to “get” at first, and the sign up process is a tad arduous…but if you’re someone not put off by upfront legwork this may be for you. Primarily because there is money to be made on this site:

1. You can sell something by listing your item in the catalog. (High-volume sellers can even open a “Storefront”.)

2. You can be a page owner and help expand (or perfect) the catalog by adding an item that wasn’t already on Wigix. You’ll earn 5% of that item/page’s ad revenue or transaction fees. (Kind of like Wikipedia only you stand to gain!)

3. You can be a category expert in up to three categories (and get 1% of the ad rev and transaction fees for every page in your category).

4. You can refer your friends and get 4% of any advertising and transaction fees made by your referral's product pages.

5. You can even make money on friends of friends (2% of any advertising and transaction fees made from those 2nd gen. product pages).

6. Plus, sign up as an affiliate and make up to $3 per referral.

If you end up doing it and have any success with it, let me know! I'll update the post with your success story :)

A Real San Francisco Treat: Tip-of-the-Day #139

50% OFF SELECT SAN FRANCISCO SPA & SALON SERVICES, JUNE 8 - 14

Economy still got you down? At least on spending? Well now you can treat yourself to a massage, mani/pedi or haircut at over 35 of San Francisco's highest-rated businesses--all at more than half off the regular price! This deal is so good it may even warrant a trip to the city this weekend.

WHAT YOU DO
1. Check out all the services being offered at the different spas and salons.
2. Make your appointment by calling the business and mentioning "Hawt on Yelp." No walk-ins unfortunately.
3. When you show up, give the salon your name and email to be entered in the Hawt on Yelp raffle (see prizes listed below).
4. Remember to tip on the full price (for instance if the service normally costs $100 but you're only paying $50, leave $15 not $7.50).

PARTICIPATING SPAS:
Abundant Health Dtox Day Spa | Acqua di Roma Spa | Atelier Emmanuel | Barber Lounge | Burke Williams Day Spa | Earthbody Advanced Therapies | European Skin Care | Flying Beauticians | I-Spa at the Intercontinental Hotel | John Francis Spa | Milvali Salon | Mizu Spa | Nurturing Spa for Wellness | Oil and Water Skincare | Patrick Evan | Recharge Medical and Day Spa | The Sanctuary Spa | Skin City | Spa Bar | Stript Wax Bar | Suchada Thai Massage | Tru Spa | True Massage & Wellness | Zen Day Spa

PARTICIPATING HAIR SALONS
Atelier Emmanuel | Barber Lounge | Blade Runners Hair Studio | Descend Salon | diPietro Todd Salon | Head & Soul Salon | Mercer Street Salon | Milvali Salon | Moxie Parlour | Oxenrose Salon | Patrick Evan | Public Barber Salon | Salon Baobao | Secret Agent Salon | Spa Bar | Wak Shack

RAFFLE PRIZES
- Atelier Emmanuel - $120 gift certificate, good towards any service
- Milvali Salon - Kerastase shampoo, conditioner and styling product box set, along with an all over color ( $170 value)
- Oxenrose Salon - $100 gift certificate for services only
- Salon Bao Bao - $100 gift certificate
- Suchada Thai - Couples massage. $100 value
- Tru Spa - Three gift cards of $100 each
...and more!

I'm changing plans this weekend for sure.

Can You Do It Yourself?: Tip-of-the-Day #138

TROUBLESHOOTING FOR THE DO-IT-YOURSELFER - SAVE $$!

Too many product manufacturers neglect post-purchase customer support. Worse, a lot of companies actually charge consumers for calling customer service/support. There is NOTHING more frustrating than finding your new purchase doesn’t work (the way you thought it should anyway), but add insult to injury and pay for help? No way.

Fixya.com responds to this very issue by providing relevant and up-to-date troubleshooting data from aggregated practical product tips all on one user-friendly site. FixYa empowers individuals to repair and improve upon their already-purchased possessions while placing the power in the hands of the buyer.

Gone are the days of the impersonal phone support specialist or the cryptic repair manual. FixYa is a place where individuals can share real world experience and connect to provide each other practical advice. From fixing cars, to cameras, to iPhones, “FixYans” are part of a DIY revolution that helps empower techies, tinkerers and hobbyists across the globe.

Get creative with your next repair and save some dough while you’re at it. Had I seen this site prior to ripping the soldered battery out of my Palm Tungsten I might still have a functioning electronic in my palm today!

Cash for Curbside Recyclables: Tip-of-the-Day #137

EAST COAST STARTING A GREAT (MONEY-MAKING) TREND

If you live on the East Coast, or have friends or family that do, you may want to check out this nifty nugget of information. RecycleBank, a fairly new and innovative recycling company, will give you money in the form of coupons and gift certificates for grocery and pharmacy items – just for recycling your bottles, cans, and paper at home.

The program has been up and running in communities in Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, Nebraska, Maine, and New Jersey and will expand to Minneapolis and Dallas next (hold tight California...it's just a matter of time!).

Each household in a RecycleBank area receives a bin with a computer chip in it. The household then fills the bin with paper, glass, plastic and metal — no sorting needed — and sets the bin on the curb. When the recycling is collected, an arm on the truck weighs the bin and uses the computer chip to record the weight. The data is added to an online account, and customers can log in to redeem their points each month for coupons and gift certificates.

Um, that takes ALL the guesswork out of recycling and rewards you for your laziness! I'm keeping my eyes open for this program. Hurry RecycleBank! Hurry!

Rentals-Made-Easy: Tip-of-the-Day #136

RENTALS BECOMING MORE AND MORE MAINSTREAM

iRent2u.com is a new(ish) website created to rent or lend anything to anyone. Users can lend their assets to make money, or borrow from others to save money.

We all know that renting can save money, time, and storage headaches - but it's also a great way to try a product before you buy! For instance, my bf and I weren't sure we would like a Wii system and were looking for a way to try it first. This is a perfect way to dip your toe and save some dough!

You can rent anything on iRent2u - from small items like a drill or a bicycle, to larger items like a leer jet or yacht! If someone rents it, you'll find it. In fact, you will probably find things that you had never thought to rent before, such as textbooks and jewelry. And if you don't see it yet, request it! Someone else likely has what you need, and just might be happy to help (in exchange for cash or a like trade).

Instead of taking a chance on buying a new video game or dishing out loads of money for a D-SLR that you only need for the weekend, why not rent them? Great for birthday parties, friends in for the weekend, or just spicing up an otherwise ordinary weeknight! You can search the database, browse by category, or browse by location. Then filter, sort, and compare the items you're looking for. The cost to rent an item is determined by the seller.

Renting may just be the wave of the future...catch it now! ;)

Restaurant Reservations: Tip-of-the-Day #135

SELL HARD-TO-OBTAIN RESTAURANT RESERVATIONS

This may sound nuts, but I came across this little money maker completely organically. Several years ago, I had made a Mother’s Day reservation at The French Laundry that, as it turned out, I was unable to use. Needless to say, that reservation was incredibly difficult to obtain; I had to phone the reservation “hotline” three months to the day beforehand, get past all the other people calling in for that same reservation (feels a lot like calling into a radio station to win a contest), then secure the reservation with a credit card because that place means business.

All by way of saying, when it came time to give up this reservation it felt a little like I was giving away something of value. Was there in fact value there? Yes! My very savvy bf came up with the idea of selling the reservation on Craigslist. I was truly dubious at first – thinking, who on earth is going to pay for a reservation at a restaurant that is going to cost a small fortune in and of itself? Well, the people who are dining there are EXACTLY the people that will pay to get in. What’s another couple hundred dollars when you’re going to spend at least a grand on dinner???

And so, that is precisely what we did. We posted a “Reservation at The French Laundry - $200” on Craigslist. We were inundated with interest and sure enough, one fella put his money where his mouth is (no pun intended) and ponied up the cash for it.

This got us to thinking…if there’s clearly a market for these types of reservations, why not make it a practice to book the most popular tables at the most popular restaurants for all the major holidays and then parcel them off bit by bit, ultimately paying for your holidays and then some! It will take some legwork and a little patience on your part…but it can really pay off!

Note: if you don’t end up getting a buyer for your table you’d better cancel within the restaurant’s cancellation period or you’ll be stuck paying a “no show” fee which is no bueno.

Personalize Your Savings: Tip-of-the-Day #134

SAVE TIME & MONEY WITH A PERSONALIZED ANALYSIS

BillShrink is a free, personalized savings service for everyday things like wireless and credit cards. It helps you figure out where you might be able to save some dough.

Not only will Billshrink find the best wireless plans and credit cards for your needs NOW, but they’ll automatically repeat the analysis on a regular basis to keep you optimized as your usage changes, better product offers come to market, etc.

You're presented with unbiased, comprehensive information so you can see for yourself which options are best for you and why. They even give multiple options for where you can sign up for your service of choice.

To get started, you just select the service category of interest. From there, you will be prompted to enter some details about your usage patterns, which will be used to compute your personalized recommendations.

It’s certainly worth your while to look into it. I’m going to right now!

Old Coins Can Bring Big Coin: Tip-of-the-Day #133

COIN COLLECTING IS MORE THAN A HOBBY – IT’S AN INVESTMENT

Coin collecting is becoming more than just a hobby, as more and more people realize the potential of coins as an investment. Old coins, especially the ones made from precious metals, such as gold, silver and platinum, increase in value as the price of the commodity and demand increase.

You can buy these types of coins online at My Coin Dealer, though it would be far more lucrative for you to come across them “accidentally," which means keeping your eyes peeled every time you get change at the grocery store, toll booth, etc., or actively searching them out at flea markets, garage sales, and antique shops.

The value of old coins depends mostly on condition (grade) of the coin, scarcity or rarity and demand (how many collectors want it). Old coins are different from modern coins because they also have historical value, and some collectors seek specific time periods and are willing to pay high premiums for rare old coins.

It’s not too late to start a new collection that will bring a nice return in the years to come!

Free Stock Imagery for Blogs: Tip-of-the-Day #132

ADD STOCK PHOTOS TO YOUR BLOG – FOR FREE.

Great stock photos don’t have to cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. With PicApp.com, you can enhance your blog with the same photos used by the pros, without paying a penny!

Just go to PicApp.com, then:
1. Enter your search term into PicApp's search box
2. Select the image of your choice from millions of high-quality stock photos and generate an embed code
3. Insert the embed code into your blog, and voila!

They have over 20 million premium images - editorial and creative - covering just about every category, from news and sports, to celebrity, travel, fashion and more.

I did a quick search for “shooting star,” “turkey sandwich,” and “coffee collar” and got images for each!

Another site like PicApp is called MorgueFile.com. I have had pretty good luck finding free stock photography there too, so if you don’t find what you need on PicApp, try MorgueFile!

New Car Buying Incentive: Tip-of-the-Day #131

GET YOUR NEW CAR - WITHOUT THE ANXIETY

Need a new car but worried about losing your job in this economy and not being able to keep up with payments? There's help! Two automakers and a dealership chain are offering programs that cover car payments if you get laid off, and one automaker will even let you return a vehicle for a refund!

Because traditional cash rebates and other proven incentives haven’t been drawing buyers like they used to, automakers are looking to more creative ways to get people into their new car - and it helps you and me!

Ford is offering a payment-protection program that covers monthly car payments of $700 or less on new Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models for up to 12 months.

General Motors also has a payment-protection plan available and it covers up to $500 a month for nine months. All of its vehicles, except for those from Cadillac, Hummer or Saab, qualify. A Hyundai program that runs through the end of the year lets buyers who involuntarily lose their jobs return vehicles for a refund of up to $7,500.

Chrysler, Honda, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen are among the automakers that currently do not offer payment protection. However, buyers interested in vehicles from these companies can take advantage of a program offered by AutoNation, a large car dealership group. It covers payments of up to $500 a month for six months on all makes and models of new and pre-owned vehicles sold by the dealer group.

The coverage doesn't cost you a penny. In order to qualify you just have to be employed for a month or two before buying your vehicle, and you must remain employed and/or make payments for a certain period of time after the purchase — in some cases up to 90 days, as with AutoNation’s program.

If you've been needing a new car, now be may the time to make that purchase!

DIY With Video Help!: Tip-of-the-Day #130

ACCESS FREE HOW-TO VIDEOS ON NEARLY ANY SUBJECT MATTER

Howcast.com is a content-rich website with thousands of useful how-to videos and guides on just about every subject matter. They bring together the personality of user-generated content with the quality of a professional video studio and the result is engaging, informative, and free how-to videos for the world to enjoy! (Note: Howcast also offers emerging filmmakers an opportunity to gain experience, exposure, and income if you’re interested).

By partnering with leading video sites and experiences across web, mobile, and emerging platforms, Howcast is able to share high-quality, compelling content that addresses the most pressing questions - from "How Can I Look Great in Photographs?" to "How Can I Roast a Perfect Chicken?".

On a whim, I went to Howcast and entered “How Do I Bathe My Cat?” in the search field. I got a pretty nice-quality video illustrating how to groom my cat – from clipping her nails to brushing her correctly. You’d be amazed by the range of topics featured there.

Great way to get the information you need at a nice price - FREE! Pretty much a do-it-yourselfer’s dream.

First Class Travel Tips: Tip-of-the-Day #129

GET YOURSELF INTO FIRST CLASS WHEN YOU TRAVEL

Traveling to Europe right now can be more affordable than it’s been in years. However, despite hotel and restaurant prices coming down, air can still be a barrier to entry. Especially if you want to fly business or first class. I tend to stock up my miles all year long and my strategy has always been to buy an upgradeable coach ticket (meaning it can’t be the cheapest economy seat on the market – it has to fall into a certain category to be deemed “upgradeable”) and then use miles to bump myself into business or in some cases, first class. Here are some other things to consider if you’re going to be traveling this summer:

• Ask for an upgrade at the airport. The chances are slim you’ll get it – but it never hurts to ask. I had a colleague tell me that he tried it on a business trip to the UK and got upgraded for just $150. The upgrade will basically depend on who you are speaking with, the number of open seats, and your status with the airline (platinum member, frequent flyer, etc.).

• Dress nicely. If you dress (and act) like a first-class passenger, your chances of getting upgraded are greatly improved. My mother used to always tell me this and she owns her own travel business. I take her advice to heart and always dress well when I travel. I do believe it has helped me secure not just upgrades, but free beverages and even the occasional phone number. (That’s another story).

• If it’s a special occasion (birthday, anniversary, funeral) let it be known. You can’t expect to be upgraded but a gate agent may take pity on you and hook you up.

• If you happened to get a non-upgradeable ticket, there’s no harm in asking if you can have a note added to your record to indicate eligibility. Then you can at least be in the running for a better seat.

• Always ask if you can buy an upgrade. Depending on the flight, upgrades can cost as little as $150 (as indicated above), which is completely worth it on a cross-country trip.

• Use your miles and upgrade certificates. My rule of thumb is if a flight is five hours or more, I’ll explore surrendering my hard earned miles for an upgrade. There’s nothing like being greeted with a glass of champagne when you first sit down.

• If you happen to spot an empty first class seat when you board the plane, you can ask the flight attendant if it is available. The worst thing they’ll tell you is “no.”

• When booking, try to add an OSI (Other Significant Information) code to your ticket. This can be done when booking directly with an airline or with a travel agent. From the airlines’ perspective, an OSI may mean you are a VIP, CEO, travel agent, magazine writer or event planner and these folks are often treated to perks that us commoners are not.

Good luck and safe travels!

Don't Shop - Swap!: Tip-of-the-Day #128

REIN IN YOUR SHOPPING HABITS AND START SWAPPING

Have you been trying to rein in your shopping during this "recession"? Well, one way to do it but still enjoy the feeling of getting something "new" is to swap gently used or even new clothing online!

A number of sites are catering to this need at the moment and swapstyle.com, rehashclothes.com and dignswap.com are just a few that people are talking about and are free to use.

All it takes is a camera and access to the web to start swapping. So, if you’ve been holding on to your Benetton sweater collection thinking they’ll come into style again, maybe it’s time to purge. I just did! As long as your stuff is in pretty good condition and the size is accurate to the label (i.e., you didn’t throw your wool in the wash rendering it unwearable by humans), you’re good to go!

Each site has a rating system (like eBay, Amazon, etc.) and that makes it a little easier to trust the deal that you are eyeing...

swapstyle.com is based in Australia, so if you want to receive your “swap” inside this Gregorian calendar year, you may want to only swap with U.S. members. At rehashclothes.com, the site guides shoppers with simple navigation, like “popular categories,” which makes it easier to dip your toe in before diving. dignswap.com is the simplest site of the three mentioned here, but is still working out some of its early kinks.

I went to all three to do a quick search for some of my favorites – Velvet, Free People and 501’s – and didn’t find anything worth setting up an account for at the moment. That said, I’ll bet you can find new things cropping up all the time and you probably have to act fast. If nothing else, it’s a fun way to move tired stuff out of your closet and into someone else’s!

Adjust Your Tax Withholding: Tip-of-the-Day #127

DON’T LET THE GOVERNMENT EARN INTEREST ON YOUR MONEY

Have you considered the fact that your paycheck could be the root cause of your money heartache? Here’s a hint: if you get a tax refund when you file in April, that means you're overpaying Uncle Sam for an entire year! You can immediately increase your take-home pay every two weeks by adjusting your tax withholding with your employer. For instance, you may have counted yourself as a "1" since you're a single person without kids. Adjust that slightly to a "2" and you'll see about a $100 difference per paycheck and you likely won't be owing the government anything come year end.

Fact: Most Americans have too much taken from their pay checks each year. Why let the IRS hold your money interest-free? If you received or will receive a refund this year, use a tax withholding calculator to see how much you can add to your paycheck...starting next pay day!

Best Buy Takes Trades: Tip-of-the-Day #126

GET NEW STUFF FOR YOUR OLD STUFF AT BEST BUY

At Best Buy Trade In you can trade in "gently used" electronics, including iPods, digital cameras and digital camcorders, for a Best Buy gift card to use towards any purchase at Best Buy!

It's pretty simple. Just follow these four steps to trade in your equipment:

Step 1 - Use the Best Buy Estimator to receive an instant estimate of your trade-in value.

Step 2 - If the value is acceptable to you, register with the Best Buy Trade-In Center.

Step 3 - Complete the transaction, print a prepaid shipping label and ship your items to the Best Buy trade-in center.

Step 4 - A Best Buy gift card will be mailed about 7 to 14 days after receipt of your item.

I love the concept. And, if you're someone who doesn't like the process of listing and selling old electronics on eBay/Craigslist, you've got a sure thing here (given your trade in isn't too outdated). I just went on there to see what I could get for my Palm Tungsten and my Sprint Samsung Instinct. The Palm Tungsten brought me nada - likely because it's 8 years old and in technology years that's the equivalent of a stone tablet. However, the Instinct got $84 which was $34 more than Sprint was offering me using their buyback program. Net net: worth checking out.

Insider Information: Tip-of-the-Day #125

LEARN MORE ABOUT A COMPANY BEFORE TAKING THE JOB

Glassdoor.com is the only website that provides a complete, real-time, inside look at what it's really like to work and interview at a company — including insight into salaries, reviews, and ratings — for free. They are still in the early stages, but are already providing very compelling information:

• Real-time salary/compensation details by title and company. You can see details on salary, bonuses, commissions and more for titles within companies that you'll immediately recognize.

• Detailed company reviews. See what employees on the inside really think with reviews and ratings that hit on the good, the bad, and a whole lot more.

• Insightful interview reviews. Now anyone can get the inside scoop on a company's interview and hiring process, including actual questions for any job or company. In addition, interview reviews provides a unique perspective into the overall experience and difficulty of an interview.

It takes a few minutes to get started because in exchange for all the free info, the site asks that you pony up some scoop as well (like how you got your current job). But it’s definitely worth it and you can remain anonymous if you fear the backlash of dishing the dirt on your current boss.

Look inside a company, through the closed doors and office walls to get better insight into the job, salary and people – BEFORE you get there.

Skip a Trip to the Doc: Tip-of-the-Day #124

GET THE ANSWERS YOU NEED - FROM AN ONLINE EXPERT

I just discovered JustAnswer – a website dedicated to getting your most pressing questions answered in minutes - and for far less than a visit to your mechanic, doctor, vet or attorney!

JustAnswer.com is in fact the largest website of its kind, where questions are answered personally and quickly, 24/7. For a small fee, registered users have access to around 20,000 experts, with insight into more than 90 categories!

You get:
• Expert answers from a live person, who cares about you and follows up with you (not a search engine)
• Answers every day, at all hours - when you need them most
• Affordable pricing - you pick the price you want to pay

Here’s how it works:

1. Ask a question at JustAnswer.com.
Enter your question, and quickly create a user account (in under 30 secs)
2. Name your price!
You can pay up front or wait until an Expert answers. Prepaid questions are typically answered faster.
3. An Expert answers, often within minutes, and almost always within a few hours.
JustAnswer will send an e-mail notifying you of any answer or request for more information from an Expert.
4. Accept the answer.
That’s how your Expert gets paid.

I've touched on this idea in the past, but more from the standpoint of becoming an expert to make some extra cash. What makes this site truly unique is that you are paying a nominal fee for a certified expert’s advice (they aren’t self-professed experts – they are the real deal!) and the fee is only a fraction of what the information would cost you in the real world to get the same information!

I just quickly set up an account and asked a vet expert a question for a mere $9. I had an answer within minutes that both made sense and created peace of mind. Very cool and very affordable (I was able to use PayPal no less!) and I’d recommend it as a starting point for all of your most urgent questions.

Trade Professional Services: Tip-of-the-Day #123

SAVE MONEY AND TRADE SERVICES WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS

The web has made it easier than ever for people from all over the world to connect with each other. If you’re someone who can provide a service remotely (like writing, copy editing, web design, etc.) you can extend those services to people and companies regardless of their location. Alternatively, if you're looking for help with a project the internet is also a great way to find people with whom you can barter. For instance, a copywriter could exchange services for some web design help.

The best way to use the internet is to become active on social networking sites (like Facebook or Linkedin). Both are great ways to meet people who can help you or possibly compliment your skills! Both are also a perfect way to spread the word that you are interested in swapping services. You can make a notation on your profile or just in your daily/weekly updates.

Another great way to get work or barter for services is through Craigslist. You can do a general search on the site using keywords that describe your need, or you can actually go to more specific categories (like "gigs") and sort through those. You can respond to ads or place your own. And, even if something doesn't appear to be the ideal fit, you may want to reach out because sometimes people's needs are more flexible than you think.

Realize though that if you're bartering, you'll want to prepare yourself for any outcome. And what I mean by this is that if you aren't intimate with this person's body of work you may not be wholly pleased by the final trade. Do as much front end reviewing as possible and even consider asking for references. It'll level expectations out of the gate.

You can also barter offline. I have a friend who runs a medical practice that specializes in botox and restylane. She will sometimes trade her services (normally running several hundred dollars a session) with other professionals for anything from vacations to massage therapy. Why not capitalize on what you do, to save money and help others do the same?

Tired of Flat Tires: Tip-of-the-Day #122

WHEN THE RUBBER HITS THE ROAD - TIRE INSURANCE CAN SAVE YOU MONEY

After several flattened tires over the past two years (mainly attributed to the fact that there is so much construction on the streets of San Francisco), I bought myself tire insurance. It didn’t cost much - it is generally 10% of the cost of a new tire - and it has proven incredibly useful!

On Saturday I took my car in to the tire shop to get what I thought would be yet another $25 patch job and it turned out the tire was completely dead! That is a $200 tire that I've only had for six months! Because I have the insurance, that very tire is being replaced FOR FREE. With insurance you can get as many patch jobs as you need (God forbid) and complete replacement once. Then, you buy insurance on the next tire. Now, you can’t go in there with the tread totally bare and replace your tires…but if you are afflicted by a nail or some other misfortune you can get the service you need, gratis.

Most times insurance is a throw away – something that companies just add on to make money (think rental cars, stereo equipment, etc.). But in this case, it is absolutely worth every single penny - especially if you have expensive or hard to find tires. I absolutely stand behind this. On your next tire buy, add the extra $10 - $20 to your bill and it will pay for itself ten times over. It did for me anyway.

Name a Domain: Tip-of-the-Day #121

NAME A DOMAIN THEN SELL IT TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER

If you are someone that likes to brainstorm great names, you should definitely think of web domains that no one else has come up with yet. There is actually a market for this! I was just talking to my boyfriend’s father at brunch on Sunday, and he happens to be in the medical industry. He’s come up with some great domain names, one which recently sold for $5,000!

Obviously, you’ll have to get creative here because all of the names like “garagesale.com” and “howtocook.com” are loooooooong gone. But think about different industries…try to wrap your head around what might be the next big breakthrough for instance. Now the trick will be coming up with something that someone will want in the not-to-distant future so you don’t have to keep renewing the name year over year. Then too, consider that .com may eventually go by the wayside for something more “current” – in the future. It’s a risk and a true game of defining need, getting the timing right and picking something that’s not already taken.

If you have the time and your creative juices are flowing, why not start exploring the infinite possibilities of domain naming?

Example: SmartWomenSave.com is available and if I thought that in a year Suze Orman might want that very name, I’d buy it now and sell it to her for a small fortune! ;)

Informed Car Repair: Tip-of-the-Day #120

GET UNBIASED, INVALUABLE INFORMATION ON YOUR CAR’S NEEDED REPAIRS

RepairPal offers a stress-free, web experience for consumers to obtain information about the cost of car repair. I know it’s cliché, but as a woman there have definitely been instances when I’ve questioned the cost of repair on my car and had to wonder if I was getting ripped off as a result of my gender. For example: I bought a second hand BMW a couple of years ago and I took it in to get it serviced soon after. Well, the manager at SF BMW told me I needed new tires and then proceeded to charge me $900 for two low-profile, top-of-the-line tires. I had just come off of a longstanding run with Hondas so frankly I didn’t know any better. It wasn’t until I told a friend in the industry that he confirmed I’d been ripped off.

Unlike other online resources, RepairPal provides impartial, fair price estimates (because they aren’t in bed with any of the dealers or repair shops) and their system relies on multiple sources of proprietary data.

For most repair information, the exact model of the car does not affect the time and parts required to perform a particular repair. For example, a Volkswagen Golf and a Volkswagen GTI share most mechanical and electrical systems. Estimates are customized to your car's engine, transmission, and whether it’s 4WD or 2WD. When a repair is distinctive to a certain model, you’ll be asked for the information. Plus, if you have an iPhone, there’s an app for you to enable easy access to the data you need in a pinch!

Note: In some cases, a car is too new or unique (some hybrids for instance) to create accurate estimates. And, RepairPal doesn't currently cover cars produced before 1990 because the number of pre-1990 vehicles on the road is diminishing and they focus on the most popular models and years.

Send Yourself a ($10) Surprise: Tip-of-the-Day #119

SEND YOURSELF A LITTLE SOMETHING...FOR NEXT TO NOTHING

I just discovered the “Somethingstore” - a fun new website that operates very simply: get something (an item selected randomly from among many things in inventory) for just $10. The shipping is free in the US and you will find out what your something is only when you receive it.

I love the concept and by logging in with my gmail account, I was able to order my “something” in just seconds because my credit card info was already on file.

You can send yourself “one something” or more! It may be something you need, something you want or something you desire. Yours may be a cool gadget, rare book, table game, handmade necklace, reverse clock, box of gourmet chocolates, set of shiny shower curtains, popular video game, big-box retailer gift card, the latest version of a software, a set of kitchen knives, a pair of designer jeans, garden tool, kitchen appliance, unique home decor item, electronic equipment, magazine subscription, office supply item, or...

Your something will most likely be brand new, though it may also be refurbished or antique. You will be sent your randomly picked something within 7 business days and will receive shipment confirmation via email.

What a fun way to "shop online" without breaking the bank. I’m dying to find out what I get. I'll update this post to let you know!

Friday Nights at the De Young: Tip-of-the-Day #118

KEEPIN' IT CULTURAL IN THE CITY...FOR FREE!

Did you know that on Friday nights, the San Francisco De Young Museum stays open until 8:45 p.m.? It’s true! The museum offers a variety of interdisciplinary arts programs, including live music, poetry, films, dance, tours, and lectures and the cafe and cocktail bar are open for dinner and drinks.

Admission is always free to members* and you may want to consider joining to take advantage of this fun and inexpensive way to spend Friday nights in the city! The program is designed to attract new and diverse audiences to the museum—I’ve even heard it’s an opportunity for singles to mingle.

Time: Every Friday through November from 5:00p to 8:45p
Location: 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr., San Francisco, CA, 94118
Price: Free!

Don't fret if you don't live in SF. Guaranteed, a fine arts museum near you has a similar program in place!

*For only $80 (totally tax deductible), membership benefits include:

• Unlimited free admission for one member and a guest* to the permanent collections and most special exhibitions at the de Young and the Legion of Honor
• Invitations to special members-only events and viewing hours
• Priority ticketing for special exhibitions
• Discounts from 10 to 20 percent in the de Young and Legion of Honor Museum Stores
• Free subscription to members’ publications
• Exclusive offers and discounts on Museum audio tours, ticketed special events, films, lectures, and concerts

It's definitely worth the price of admission. Go ahead and see for yourself!

(Bad) Grammar Gets Goods: Tip-of-the-Day #117

OTHER PEOPLE'S TYPOS CAN MEAN YOUR TREASURES

How many times have you been trolling eBay (or Craigslist for that matter) for that Banana Republic bag you had your eye on…or the Anthropologie skirt you’d been coveting, only to find some people CAN’T SPELL the retailer’s name?? If you’re lucky enough to catch those, you stand to get your item of interest because all too often people entering the correctly spelled words won’t pull up those typos in their search.

Introducing Typo Buddy, the tool created just for finding misspelled eBay listings. You can find thousands of misspelled words on eBay, and it is in fact the secret to getting great deals! Careless eBay sellers post misspelled eBay items all the time. Just find these misspelled items and you'll usually pay less because fewer people find the auction listings and with fewer bids, yours just might be the highest.

Good luck and happy hunting :)

Read a Book Via Email!: Tip-of-the-Day #116

TAKE A FEW MINUTES EACH DAY TO READ - FOR FREE!

DailyLit.com has changed the way people read books, by emailing them in easy-to-digest installments. They currently offer over 1000 classic and contemporary books, available entirely for free or on a Pay-Per-Read basis (with sample installments available for free).

I'd been considering buying a Kindle, but I can't sit at my desk with a Kindle in hand, boldly reading instead of working, now can I? Dailylit books can be read in installments wherever you receive e-mail/RSS feeds, including on your Blackberry and iPhone! Your installments arrive in your Inbox (according to the schedule you set, e.g. 7:00 am every weekday) and each installment can be consumed in under 5 minutes. If you find yourself with more time to read, you can receive additional installments immediately on demand--like TV only better for your brain!

Their selection includes bestselling and award winning titles, from literary fiction and romance to language learning and science fiction. DailyLit also features forums where you can discuss your favorite books and authors. There's even a gift service, where you can send books to friends, with installments starting on any date you choose! (Perfect for last minute gifts).

Just go to dailylit.com then:
1. Find a book you want to read
2. Enter your email address
3. Click subscribe and you're done!

I just registered in under a minute and set up my first installment of Seth Godin’s “Unleashing the Ideavirus.” Can’t wait to start reading instead of working! ;)

Green Ideas Make Money: Tip-of-the-Day #115

GREEN IS THE WORD - GET YOUR IDEAS HEARD!

So since we've been on the topic of keeping things "green" lately, and coming up with great ideas to do it, here's another!

You can win $20,000 by putting your green ideas into action with SunChips and National Geographic. They have joined forces to create the Green Effect, an initiative to inspire individuals to spark a green movement in their communities.

Just submit a description of your Green Effect idea by June 8, 2009 (that's more than a month away - you can do it!). Ten finalists will be announced July 7, 2009. Online viewers and a panel of judges will review the ideas.

$20,000 will be awarded to five different people (or groups) that have the best ideas for green change. The five winners will also be profiled in National Geographic, and the winners will travel to Washington, D.C., to share their projects with environmental leaders.

I really wish that some of my ideas had more to do with keeping the earth green and less to do with my own germaphobia and compulsions. Sigh. Though I did create a YouTube video almost a year ago in support of keeping the earth green! That was a lot of fun to produce but I think I was all talk and no action, thus I didn't win.

Your turn!

Share Your Business Plans: Tip-of-the-Day #114

SUBMIT YOUR STRONGEST BUSINESS IDEAS AND YOU MAY WIN $10,000

Have you heard of ideablob.com? A friend of mine turned me onto it. It's a website where entrepreneurs and small business owners can share and grow their business ideas – and have a chance to win $10,000 towards fulfilling them.

Great ideas are generated every day by people around the world, and now these ideas have a place to live and grow. I can't tell you how many times I've thought of something "brilliant" and not known what to do with it. For example, back in 1995 my girlfriend and I developed the idea for "fruit wash" - an alternative to soap and water so that you can pick up an apple in the store, apply this non-toxic wash and eat it on the spot. Years later, that very product was released on the open market!

Anyone can submit an idea to ideablob.com, and based on votes from the ideablob.com online community – which includes other innovators as well as friends, family, colleagues, associates, teachers and mentors – one idea every month will win $10,000!

There's no harm in trying it out and this could be your break into running your own business!

New Life for Old Cell Phones: Tip-of-the-Day #113

GET CASH FOR YOUR OLD CELL

CellForCash is an etailer that extracts whatever value remains in old, unused cell phones, and returns that value, in cash, to the phone's owner. And the CellForCash.com website makes it easy, paying anywhere from a few dollars to more than $100 for each phone (and handling the shipping details too).

Who doesn't have at least one old phone lying around? Most folks get a new cell when their service agreement with their carrier is up for renewal (which is every year or two, right?). Some leave the old one sitting around the house (me), and at least 7 percent just throw it away (not me - I'd rather clutter my house).

Why not keep the earth green (cell phones are full of chemicals that leach into groundwater from landfills) and make some green while you’re at it? Search CellForCash for your phone make and model. Then, when you find yours, you can request a postage-paid box (meaning you don't have to pay for shipping), send in your phone and charger, and once the contents are verified by the company, you'll receive a check.

Now not all phones are worth cash…some older models are listed on the site as "Free Recycling," which means they have no resale value, however you can always claim it as a donation on your year end taxes and get a small write off.

Recycle Your Electronics: Tip-of-the-Day #112

GET CASH FOR YOUR OLD ELECTRONICS

Have you heard of Second Rotation (aka Gazelle)? Gazelle is a site that offers you cash for any old electronics — from smart phones to laptops to video cameras. Just identify your make and model (easily on Gazelle.com), get a price quote, and ship the gadget to Gazelle for free.

Once your electronic has been received, Gazelle evaluates the condition of the item, strips your personal data from it, and mails you a check.

So root around the house and dig out your old fourth-generation iPod or your Palm Tungsten just sitting in a drawer collecting dust. Even if it’s in poor physical condition, you can still get up to $30 for it!

The whole process takes about a week. You have nothing to lose except dust mites.