Savings.com Blog - Featured Posts

Giveaway: $50 Mixbook Gift Card

ashleywade — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:04:00 GMT

Here at Savings HQ, we lead a relatively paper-free existence, as emails and in-office memos are the norm. All this talk about pictures and printing has me reminiscing about college though! Even for students with the most luxurious winter breaks (my own was 6-weeks long!), classes are back in session. For some of you Moms out there, hopefully this means getting the kids out of the house and having a few spare minutes to yourself, for a change!

Last week, we had a Canon Pixma MG6220 Printer and six-months of ink to giveaway. It's Friday, which means it's time to announce the lucky winner! Congratulations to Facebook user Hannah, who said "I'm a single momma trying to work my way through school and ink is so expensive that I've always had to print things out at a friend's house or Kinkos. It would be so great to have a new printer with ink for awhile."

Ink definitely adds up, and 15-page essays certainly aren't cost-effective. Hannah, I've sent you an email with instructions on how to claim your prize. If for some reason it doesn't reach you, send me an email at social@savings.com before the end of the day on Tuesday, February 14^th, or another winner will be chosen.

Continuing on last week's photo theme, this week, we're giving you the chance to win a $50 gift card to Mixbook. Upload your pictures from Facebook, Flickr, and other sites to easily create a customizeable photo book, card, or calendar. Choose from one of their professional designs or start from scratch- Mixbook's software allows you to lay out and design your product to your exact liking. Whether you want to create a digital scrapbook to remember your favorite moments, or you're putting together a gift for a friend's birthday, Mixbook brings together design and simplicity within a simple site interface that lets you quickly configure your product. Have an idea but want to work with others? You can invite your family and friends to upload their photos to your project, then personalize and decorate the pages together.

As I stated last week, for the month of February, we're having you enter our giveaway in a slightly different fashion than normal. For your chance to win, visit our Facebook page and leave a comment there. If you're not a fan, just click the giant "Like" button at the top of the screen!

What would you create if you won the gift card?

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4 Ways to Reuse Old Clothes

AngelaColley — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:00:00 GMT

photo courtesy of Mom Smackley at Flickr

I tend to hold on to clothes until they're falling apart – stains on the cuff, rips at the seam, and faded. In that condition, I don't feel right donating them to a charity shop. But I also don't feel right just tossing old clothes in the trash and adding to our ever-growing landfills. So I end up with bags of unwanted clothes taking up space in my closet.

Recently I stumbled across the bags while I was spring cleaning. Instead of just tossing them back in the closet and forgetting for another year, I decided to do find a way to re-purpose the clothes. Turns out, old clothes have plenty of new uses, and I've saved a bunch of money reusing something to boot.

1. Re-purposed Rags

I don't keep paper towels in my house, so I always have a need for new rags. I usually cut up old towels into smaller squares to use as rags, but almost any sturdy material will work. For example, old T-shirts work great on windows, hardwood floors, and waxing your car.

2. Personalized Quilts

It doesn't take a lot of sewing experience to turn a handful of your old T-shirts into a quilt. I can barely hem a pair of pants, but I was able to make a cool, personalized quilt out of my old T-shirts. If you don't want to make the quilt yourself, you can send your T-shirt squares to a professional designer. UBlanket makes customized T-shirt quilts for you – and they even save the scraps to make quilts for needy children.

3. Re-purposed Clothes

This one does take some sewing experience, but with a little knowledge, you can turn your old clothes into dozens of new items. One of my crafty friends turned my old jacket into a purse, an old skirt into a wallet, and an old T-shirt into a new skirt. She only used the existing material and a few sewing supplies she already had on hand, so I got something new without using any new resources.

4. Dusters

One-use dusters are an easy way to get the job done, but they're not so great for the environment. Instead of adding to your weekly trash collection, why not just use an old sock? Put your hand through the foot hole and dust away. When you're done, you can wash and reuse the sock several times over. I've been using one sock to dust my entire house for months.

Those of four of my favorite ways to re-purpose old clothes, but the possibilities are almost endless. How have you reused your clothes in the past?

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10 Ways to Save at your Favorite Amusement Park

Billeater — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:30:00 GMT

With spring and summer right around the corner, most families are starting to plan their annual vacations. A majority of these plans will include a trip to a major amusement park, especially if children will be in tow. Visiting an amusement park doesn't have to break the bank. Use some of these tips and you will have a much better time knowing that you are not paying a bundle for a fun filled adventure with your friends and family.

1. Club Memberships

If you belong to AAA, the AARP, a credit union, or a shopping club you might qualify for a discount on admission to major theme parks.

2. Plan Ahead

Start planning your trip a few months in advance. You will have more flexibility to choose the less expensive dates and you might find special advance discounts. Booking early can also give you a chance to take advantage of travel packages that include airfare, hotels and park admission for lower prices.

3. Buy Tickets Online

Go to the amusement park's main website to buy your tickets before you leave the house. You will have a chance to look at all of the ticket packages available without worrying about the long line behind you at the gates.

4. Carry What you Need

Pack up all of the things you think you'll need for a day and an evening at the park. You can store your things in a locker once you arrive, and you won't have to spend money on overpriced items once you're there.

5. Watch for Multi-Day Discounts

Many parks offer discounts on two or three day ticket packages. Parks like Sea World give you a free day's admission with the purchase of a single day pass. Make sure you check for any restrictions that might be included in a discounted multi-day pass before you buy, though.

6. Bring Your Own Food

Amusement park food is notoriously overpriced. Pack a lunch and save your money for something more fun than food.

7. Park and Ride

Park in a parking lot near the amusement park and ride a shuttle to the gates. Shuttles are generally far less expensive than on-site parking.

8. Buy a Season Pass

If you live within easy driving distance of the park, you can save money by purchasing a season pass. The pass will only cost a little more than a single day pass, but it will get you into the park all year long.

9. Avoid Peak Times

The busiest days of the year are also the most expensive times to visit an amusement park. Schedule your trip for the days when the parks will be less crowded. Early spring and late fall are good times to enjoy amusement parks without having to pay top dollar. It is better to visit on weekdays instead of busy weekends.

10. Carry Cash

Decide how much you are willing to spend at the park and then only take that much cash with you. It is too tempting to overspend if you rely on a credit card or debit card while you're at the amusement park.

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Going Out to Dinner Cheaply, Without Looking Cheap

brwood — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:45:00 GMT

Valentine's Day is fast approaching. Once again I'm gonna share with you some of my secrets. Firstly, you can start with the tips from last year here. Follow up with my sure fire anniversary tips here. Then hit the jump for a recent discovery my wife clued me in on that will let you save up to 1/2 off you restaurant tab and make you look better, not worse in your date's eyes.

The secret is: Corkage - more specifically finding a nice restaurant that has no corkage fee.

Let me explain. Many restaurants for one reason or another do not sell alcohol. Still others that do have a wine list allow customers to bring their own selection from home anyway. In both instances they will sometime charge you a fee for the service of opening your bottle for you, known as the corkage fee. And yes, you are getting screwed. You want to avoid those places. Find a nice place with no corkage fee and it could become your new favorite date night go to.

Wouldn't you know it, you can use Yelp. Do a Yelp or Google search for your locale and "Corkage" and you should be able to find some good suggestions. Just to be certain, you may want to call before you go the first time. I would make extra sure they don't have some special Valentine's Day menu going on that changes everything.

Now you just have to find a bottle or two of your favorite, or her favorite wines. If you read my blog from last week you know you can buy wine extra cheaply at places like Big Lots and the 99 Store. I would avoid those choices though, unless you already found a good cheap choice there. But by bringing your own you avoid paying $30 for a $10 bottle of wine, and if you drink two, you just saved $40. $40 is the price of a pretty decent meal at a lot of places.

I'm not about to suggest specific wines to you, that is a whole other web site. I will suggest Cafe Carolina in Encino though, for some amazing Italian dishes from a chef that has run much more expensive restaurants, and no corkage fee.

Do you know of a good one? Share it in the comments.Add a Comment

How To: Shop Safely Online

MoneywiseMoms — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:41:00 GMT

A few weeks ago, Zappos customers were alerted that their personal information--names, phone numbers, email addresses, billing and shipping addresses, the last four digits from credit cards and more—was likely accessed by hackers from their database. The company's suggestion was for customers to immediately login to their account and change their password. But is that enough? How do you protect yourself and your credit while shopping online?

Check your bank account and credit card activity. Take a few minutes each day or during the week to go online and check your accounts. It's better to catch fraud early than wait until you're contacted by the bank/credit card company. Just last August, Bank of America and Citi customers were issued new debit cards by their banks because their accounts were associated with "a security concern reported at a merchant or merchants where the customer used the card."

Reset your passwords frequently. This is an easy one! Instead of using the same username and password at multiple websites or merchants, use some variety. If your information is compromised at one site, it will be harder for hackers to use that information against you elsewhere. For help setting strong passwords that you'll actually remember, see Consumer Reports.

Be skeptical of emails with your personal information. After crimes like the Zappos hacking, you can now be contacted with what looks like accurate information—your name and last four digits of your credit card, for example—but be alert. Any notice from your bank or credit card company will also be found online after you login to your account. Use the security of the company's customer service department instead of communicating through your email server.

Review your FREE credit report. There is only one website where credit reports are truly free: annualcreditreport.com. You can get one report each year from each of the three credit bureaus—Experian, TransUnion and Equifax—so I mark my calendar for every four month with the name of the company so I know which one to pull. I look for any discrepancies and make sure the data matches up with what I know to be true. If you find anything that suggests identity theft, like a credit card that you know you didn't open, head to the FTC's Identity Theft website for help.

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Four Great Valentine's Day Gifts for Your Geeky Sweetie

Rick.Broida — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:58:00 GMT

It's one week until Valentine's Day, which means you still have time to buy a great gift for the geeky significant other in your life. I've rounded up four gems, all of them affordable, all of them sure to please. Take a look:

Geek Love Poem T-Shirt

Geeks speak a different language--namely, hex code. This shirt has it all: code, poetry, and an obscure pop-culture reference. Don't worry if you don't get it--your geeky sweetheart will. The Geek Love Poem shirt is available exclusively from ThinkGeek, with most sizes selling for $16.99.

Logitech Mini Boombox

Set the mood with some romantic tunes, courtesy of Logitech's adorkable little speaker. Thanks to its built-in Bluetooth receiver, your music can stream wirelessly from your smartphone. So queue up your own library of Barry White's best, or tune into the Valentine's Day channel with your Pandora or Spotify app. Either way, you'll get nice, big sound from this palm-size speaker. It normally sells for $99.99, but TigerDirect currently has the Mini Boombox for $59.99 shipped.

"Ready Player One"

A novel by a geek, for geeks, "Ready Player One" takes place in a dystopian future (is there any other kind?) dominated by a virtual-reality network. When the network's creator dies, he leaves behind a Willy Wonka-style contest: solve a series of puzzles based on 80s pop culture, and unimaginable fame and fortune will be yours. Our hero thinks he can do it, but first he'll have to outwit not only a legion of competitors, but also a bloodthirsty rival corporation. It's riveting, entertaining fiction, especially for anyone who came of age in the 80s. Amazon sells the hardcover for $15.02, the Kindle edition for $11.99.

USB Tulip Hub

Forget flowers; they'll be wilted by President's Day. But the bright red tulips poking out of this four-port hub will bloom all year long. This non-powered hub is a great companion for USB-starved laptops, turning one port into four. The USB Tulip Hub sells for $24 from Fredflare.com.

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Product Review: Nail Buddy - All-In-One Nail Kit for Girls

SavingsMommie — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:13:00 GMT

Interested in a mani-pedi kit for the little princess in your life? Nail Buddy from me4kidz (makers of my favorite first aid kit, medibag) is the perfect starter kit that's easy to use, affordable and compact in size.

Inside the reusable and recycled carry case, there are 2 nail files, 2 nail polishes (non-toxic & water based), 1 nail brush, 1 nail buffer and 2 sheets of self-stick nail appliques.

It has everything you need to create a little spa experience in the comfort of your home, car, airplane or on a playdate.I loved that everything in the kit was mini-sized, down to the buffer. Because of this, your age appropriate child could give themselves a manicure or pedicure, without your help (and you know, we moms or dads need every break we can take).

My five year old used it from start to finish without asking for my assistance (Initially, I did have to explain about the different tools and I also helped peel off the appliques). My guess is that if your child can color between the lines, they can use this kit to give themselves a manicure.

The kit came with 2 colors which were lavender and pink. The lavender polish had a thick consistency, so only one coat was needed (a time-saver, so a thumbs up there). The pink, on the other hand, looked clear. My daughter tried putting on multiple coats, but it still came out clear (I even tried it on myself and the same thing happened).

My daughter's favorite part was sticking on the flower appliques. At first, I thought they would look too tacky, but once they were on, they actually gave it a girlie touch and a salon quality finish.

The only thing I felt that the kit was missing was a step by step instruction with pictures. It would have been nice to have something that my daughter could reference as she was giving herself a manicure using a file, buffer and a brush.

Overall, the kit was cute and budget-friendly. It had everything you would need to create that perfect polish. I loved that the entire kit fit into my small crossbody purse without adding bulk (I may have to include these for my daughter's birthday gift bags). Priced at $5.95, it's a definite must have (Sold at Me4Kidz.com).

(Disclosure: Product was provided free of charge for review purposes and does not affect my views or feedback of the product. This review is based solely on my personal opinion and experience and results may vary person to person.)Add a Comment

Wardrobe Oxygen: Bad Fashion Trends

AlisonGary — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:30:00 GMT

While I usually write about current fashion trends that I love and how one can achieve them for less, there are many current fashion trends that I wish would die. While some of these trends are fun, and some may be carried off by a few True Fashionistas, these trends in general are not flattering, not very wearable, and just need to leave the runway and the retailers.

Feather Extensions. I cannot believe that a trend began due to Steven Tyler, and has endured for so long. While the Aerosmith lead singer looks glam with feathers in his hair (as do other celebrities like Ke$sha and Selena Gomez), this is a trend that is tacky, inappropriate in most social settings, and is downright cruel and deadly to animals.

While feathers can look fun for a night out or a music festival, this is not a trend that looks professional, polished or stylish. Not the right look for a job interview, meeting your boyfriend's parents, or attending a wedding. And before you defend this trend, do read this article from The Associated Press, featured on the Seattle Times. It isn't very stylish to hurt and/or kill birds for a passing fancy such as feather extensions.

Capes. When capes came on the scene last year I fully embraced this trend. It was a fun alternative to lightweight jackets and sweater coats. However with time, I see that capes are unflattering to most, and not a functional fashion trend. Capes either restrict your arm movement, or else leave your limbs completely exposed. To be properly covered in cool weather, you need to invest in extra-long gloves, and only choose ensembles that have sleeves that look stylish peeking out of your cape armholes. Capes aren't very kind to women with curves – broad shoulders are emphasized, large busts cause the heavy fabric to tent out, and they often hit at the most unflattering point on the body. While capes are adorable in theory, they rarely work well in daily practice.

Nail Art. While I appreciate a fun color or finish, nail art has gone from being fun and creative to downright tacky. Kits sold during late-night informercials to stencil flowers and Playboy bunnies on pinkies prove that this trend has jumped the shark.

Nail art isn't appropriate in the office or for conservative and formal affairs (sorry Zooey Dechanel, that includes you and your tuxedo nails at the Golden Globes). While young trendsetters may understand your choice, the rest of the world will find your nail art to be unprofessional and juvenile. Stick to solid colors, and if you work in a conservative office, have your nail colors be subtle and more natural.

Mullet Skirts. While a skirt or dress that is short in the front and long in the back can look utterly smashing on the runway or red carpet, it's hard to apply this trend to the real world. Like nail art, those who aren't on the pulse of fashion won't understand or appreciate your sartorial choice and wonder if part of your dress got caught in the elevator on the way up to the office.

Leggings as Pants. Leggings are not pants. Leggings are to be worn with longer tops, tunics, dresses – garments that will cover your bum. Leggings are made of thin knit that no matter how rock-hard your glutes will show every lump, bump, and panty line. Please wear them for their proper use – a heavyweight alternative to tights.

Fake Glasses. When I was in middle school, I had a pair of gold and tortoise shell fake glasses; I bought them for about $5.00 from Afterthoughts and felt they made me look studious and cool. Instead, they made me look like a fashion victim or a preteen with a cheap pair of glasses.

As someone who needs to wear prescription lenses, I am thrilled to see that eyewear is back en vogue. However, I find it utterly ridiculous to wear fake glasses for the sake of fashion. No matter your age or the price of the frames, you will still look as silly as my 12-year old self.

Drop-crotch Pants. While some men have been wearing their pants low for a while, retailers like Oak are beginning to create jeans and pants with purposefully low crotches. This look is not flattering on anyone, and I would think would be awkward to wear. Be you a man or a woman, there is nothing fashionable about looking as though you had an accident in your trousers.

What current fashion trends do you wish would go?Add a Comment

The Tech-Pert: 5 Free Alternatives to Microsoft Office

Rick.Broida — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:39:00 GMT

Does anyone else think it's ridiculous that after all these years, Microsoft still charges a small fortune for its Office suite?

I'm referring to Office 2010 Home and Business, which has a list price of $199.99. That nets you a license for one PC; if you want to run it on a second system, tack on another $80.

Businesses have budgets for things like this, but for the average home user, $200 is an insane amount of money to pay for a word processor, spreadsheet manager, and presentation builder. Especially when there are so many free alternatives. That's right: Free. Violating the whole no-such-thing-as-a-free-lunch rule, many software developers offer robust, Office-like office suites that don't cost a dime.

What's the catch? No catch. You might miss out on a few of Microsoft Office's more sophisticated features, and you'll probably end up with a slightly dated-looking interface. But so what? As long as you can open, edit, create, and save Office-compatible documents, presentations, and spreadsheets, does any of that matter?

I don't think so.

Indeed, I think there's a big advantage to choosing a freebie office suite over Microsoft's definitely-not-free one: size. Microsoft has long been accused of turning Office into bloatware, stuffing it with features few people need (or want) and ending up with a big, slow-loading monster. In contrast, most of the other alternatives are smaller, leaner, and faster--meaning they're less likely to bog down your system.

A couple quick caveats before I give you the list. First, none of these freebies come with a substitute for Microsoft Outlook. If you need a contact/calendar manager and e-mail client, check out Mozilla Thunderbird or Microsoft's own Windows Live Mail--both of which are free. Second, I intentionally left out Web-based options like Google Docs and Zoho. These are worthwhile alternatives, to be sure, but I'm old-school: I like software that runs on my PC. You know, for those times when I'm not connected to the Internet.

So, in no particular order, here's my list of five Microsoft Office alternatives. They're all free, so you've got nothing to lose by test-driving each and every one. That said, see below for my top pick.

1. LibreOffice

2. Lotus Symphony 3.0

3. Kingsoft Office 2012

4. Softmaker Office 2008

5. OpenOffice

OpenOffice is the heavyweight of the group, an open-source powerhouse that's a favorite among many users. But I've actually found it to be a bit slow, and the interface is rather drab.

I like Softmaker Office because it used to be a commercial product (i.e. it had a price tag), but after developer Softmaker moved on to newer versions, it offered up this older one gratis. Nice!

So what's my top pick? Newcomer Kingsoft Office 2012. Nice interface, fast performance, and total file compatibility with Microsoft Office. I'm writing this very post with Kingsoft Writer, and it's working beautifully.

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Giveaway: Canon Pixma MG6220 Printer

ashleywade — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:19:00 GMT

Last week, we had a Human Touch Swan Softouch Massager to giveaway, thanks to our friends over at Relax the Back. I know you've all been anxiously waiting to see your name announced. If I had it my way, I'd choose all of you, and we'd be on our way to a spa weekend courtesy of Burke Williams right now, but unfortunately, I don't always get my way. So, without further ado, let's find out who's going to be spending the next week relaxing

Drumroll, please? Don't just sit there! [Drumroll]

Much better, thank-you! The winner is…

…Savings.com member miriama59, who said, "My husband's back is so messed up. I would love this for him AND his birthday is Saturday!" We hope it's a great birthday, and he enjoys his new massager! I've sent you an email with instructions on how to claim your prize. If for some reason it doesn't reach you, send an email to social@savings.com before the end of the day on Tuesday, February 7^th, or another winner will be chosen.

According to Puxatony Phil, it looks like we're in for another six weeks of winter. As much as I love prancing around in this frigid LA weather in my favorite boots, I'm a bit upset about this. A month and a half more of freezing 60 degree days? No thanks. I prefer sunshine and a Saturday spent at the beach. What's more fun than grabbing an Iced coffee and taking a day off? On that note, I'm one of those people that just have to take pictures of EVERYTHING. It's gotten a little better this past year, but I'm typically that person going "Will you just take a quick picture of us? Thank you so much!", only to immediately be followed by "Just one more?"

When I found out that this week's giveaway was a Canon Pixma MG6220 Printer, and six months worth of ink (a prize valued at $275), it was one of those moments where I almost wished I didn't work at Savings, so I could be eligible. But luckily for you (I'm kind of amazing at winning contests), that's not the case, and thanks to our friends over at Carrotink, you could win this wonderful prize. Forget waiting for Facebook photos to load when you're trying to show off your latest vacation- you can actually have real, physical photos decorating your house! My favorite part? This is the first printer from Canon that supports "Air Print"- meaning you can wirelessly print from your iPhone or iPad!

For the month of February, we're changing things up a bit. While you can still find our weekly contest announcements here on our blog, you'll be entering on our Facebook! If you're not a fan, just click the giant "Like" button at the top of the screen. You can enter by leaving us a comment on our page or commenting on the post for this blog. Got it?

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How to Host a Super Bowl Party on a Budget

JulianaWeissRoessler — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:27:00 GMT

Holiday season isn't over just yet. We still have one more thing to celebrate: the Super Bowl! It may not be as formal as your other holiday parties, but did you know that last year Americans spent $118 on average to host a Super Bowl Party? Here are a few tips for keeping the cost down while you cheer on your favorite team.

Consider ordering pizza. All the major chains are competing for your business on this particular Sunday, so you can get a really good deal that can feed a lot of people. Plus, almost everyone loves pizza!

Make it a potluck. This is a tip I offer for almost every party, but it's worth mentioning again because it's a huge cost saver. People love to help out and share their favorite dishes. You can make it even more fun by asking that people find foods that fit the Super Bowl theme by incorporating the team colors or help to represent the places the teams are from.

Buy 2-liters of soda. Don't go with individual cans or bottles, which end up being more expensive. To ensure that people don't take a cup and then lose it, you can leave out permanent markers so they can label their cups. This will help less soda go to waste.

Chips are great filler. People like to snack during the game, so stick to the basics. Buy a few bags of different types and leave them out for people to fill up on.

Make it BYOB. One of the most expensive things about hosting a Super Bowl party is the booze, so ask your guests to contribute their favorite brews. Just be sure to provide coolers filled with ice to keep them cold.

Consider a keg. If you don't want to ask your guests to contribute alcohol, but you are having a big party (over 25 people), then it can be cheaper to get a keg than to buy a bunch of cans. It's also more fun!

Do it yourself. It can be tempting to buy items like cheese sticks or wings from a nearby restaurant, but it's likely cheaper – a lot cheaper – if you make them on your own. So dig up some good recipes and start cooking!

And just one more tip: be wary of inviting guests who are hardcore fans of different teams. If you or many of your guests are going to be rooting for one team in particular, make sure everyone you invite is aware to avoid fights and hurt feelings. The idea is for everyone to have a good time.

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There's An App For That!

JanisTravels — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:20:00 GMT

If you're like me, you have your smartphone on hand all the time and you're constantly checking it. So, when you start thinking about travel plans – maybe it's a weekend on an island to escape the cold or a trip to hit the slopes – why would you pull out your laptop, when apps for all your travel needs are available for your phone? Many apps are free, though there are some that go up in price from a few cents to a yearly fee. The savings, however, far outweigh the convenience offered when with the touch of a screen you can book your flight, choose your seat, make a hotel reservation or even send a video postcard once you've reached your destination.

Priceline Hotel Negotiator

This name-your-own price allows you to negotiate the best deals, all on your phone. This free app even comes with William Shatner's voice barking out the deals as they are bandied about.

Kyack

Get ready, get set, touch your screen and book your getaway. Kyack offers a free app that allows you to up to the minute information on airfares, hotels, car rentals and accommodations. This allows you to search out and secure the best and lowest cost deals. The free Kayack app also includes maps, so if you are out and about and can't find your way back to your hotel you can pull up a map.

Skype

Want to get some work done or connect with some friends from home while you are traveling? Skype offers an app that allows those with a smartphone to dial in and conference from any location on the globe. You can chat till you lose your voice with this free app. Or, for those who want to surf the web or talk on their phone, regardless of where they are and what their traditional plan would offer, for 19 cents a minute Skype Access allows you to do just that from any location that offers a Wi-Fi hotspot.

WorldMate

Would you like to have a travel agent do nearly all the work of booking a trip for you – from creating an itinerary, comparing flight prices and finding the most convenient hotel for your travel plans? WorldMate is the travel app for you. Depending on what services you want to include, prices for this app range all the way from free up to $99 a year. With this yearly fee comes up to the minute flight times, and a system that tracks and organizes all your travel information for you with the stroke of the smartphone's screen along with a bunch of other user and traveler friendly options.

Whatever application you are looking for to aid you in your travels, there seems to be one that will reduce the cost and the hassle of planning a trip. From Zagat ratings for the town you're visiting to currency exchanges, the information you need is just a download away, and often for only a small fee.

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Wardrobe Oxygen: The KARL Collection

AlisonGary — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:15:00 GMT

This week all fashionstas were a twitter over the new line by Karl Lagerfeld exclusively for Net-a-Porter. KARL, a collection of apparel and accessories is true to Lagerfeld's style aesthetic – streamlined, clean lines, primarily black and white with some rocker and futuristic touches. While KARL for Net-a-Porter is far more wallet-friendly than Lagerfeld's collections for Chanel, but can still be outside many stylish women's budgets. Here's some online styles that can evoke the feeling of the KARL line, but at a lower price.

One of my favorite pieces from the KARL collection is a white stretch cotton biker jacket, available for $350. It's a piece that will look amazing this winter with a black turtleneck and tall black boots, and come spring with a white shift and ankle booties. Get this look for less from an unexpected retailer – Neiman Marcus. The tony department store currently has a similar jacket on sale for $43 and is available in sizes M-XL. Topshop also has a great faux-leather version for $110.

I remember watching a documentary about Karl Lagerfeld where he opened a drawer in his home and there were dozens and dozens of crisp white collars. Staying true to his look, Lagerfelds offers five collars in his Net-a-Porter collection – white poplin with a cameo, two black ones in crackled leather and printed faux leather, and two sequined styles. You can get a similar look for less with some simple DIY tutorials from the Web. With this tutorial from Refinery 29, recreate the white poplin KARL collar for a fraction of the cost (just use a crisp white shirt in place of the colored one that is featured); as you can see from this tutorial from V Juliet, you can easily embellish such a collar – add a layer of faux leather or sequined trim from your local fabric shop for a KARL-worthy creation!

Madonna showed up at the Golden Globes in a single black fingerless glove and then Lagerfeld's KARL collection features a pair of black leather cutaway gloves that are already sold out. Expect this trend to be big this year; get the look for less with these fingerless driving gloves from Leather Gloves Online. For only $17.95, the price can't be beat!

The Sabine sequined shorts are one of the most dramatic pieces in the KARL collection. Worn now with a black tux jacket and tights it would be a great look for a big night out; come spring pair with a white charmeuse blouse and platform booties. Get this show-stopping look for less with these sequin-covered tap shorts from Need Supply Co. At only $52, you can afford to get a new blouse to pair with them!

Karl Lagerfeld often infuses his image into his collections and his profile has become quite iconic. His KARL for Net-a-Porter collection features tees, totes, and tanks with his image on black and white backgrounds. When I want to find a unique image on a tee shirt or tank, I always head to Etsy. Entering "Karl Lagerfeld" into Etsy's search feature, I found this black tank, this white canvas tote, this whimsical dress, and this tee – each one priced under $20.00!

What is your favorite look from the KARL collection for Net-a-Porter?

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How To: Be an Eco-Tourist

psutton — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:45:00 GMT

Is eco-tourism just a buzz word from the first decade in the 21st century? Whenever I hear "eco-tourism" I think of fancy tents in Africa where someone else does all the hard work of typical camping and lots of wild animals a safe distance away but close enough to feel scared. What is eco-tourism shaping up to be in the new decade?

Realizing the impact we have on our environment is the first step to embracing eco-tourism. Whether we go on a weekend road trip or travel half way around the world, our choices effect our world. Travel sites like Expedia and Orbitz are joining in with the trend. Eco-friendly hotels are popping up as a way to differentiate themselves from all the rest. For some hotels that means that they have an EPA Energy Star Rating. Efficiency of lighting, cooling and heating and water heating are among a few of the areas that are considered when given an EPA Energy Star Rating. Some hotels just have the name "eco" in them. These types of hotels often offer yoga and wonderful spa like facilities set in scenic environments. How much they work on protecting the environment or reducing their carbon foot print is questionable. Do a little research to find out how the hotel you pick is working to be truly eco-friendly.

Another way to help the environment, or at least endangered species, is to go on tours that specifically help to protect the animals. Not long ago I watched a show about tourism and gorillas. Gorillas are endangered and were often killed by local people to be sold for large amounts of money. Now these same local people are realizing that their unique animals can bring in more money as tourist attractions. Westerners go to see the gorillas in the wild and spend money on food, souvenirs and services. Finding the balance between an increased human presence due to tourism and saving a fragile ecosystem is something we still need to work on. The Galapagos Islands are a good example where a huge increase in tourism is damaging the environment. The Galapagos were not in danger from habitat reduction due to human expansion until now, because humans never lived on these islands. Go visit lemurs in Madagascar instead of the last Giant Tortoise in Galapagos.

So, you're really into the city life and have no desire to rough it in nature? No worries, you can still be eco-conscious. Choose a hotel that has an EPA Energy Star rating. Then find a city that has great public transportation and use it while visiting. You can't go wrong in New York City with the subway system. Anywhere you want to be, you can get there. And it's probably faster than hailing a taxi and weeding through traffic. Many cities have great public transportation systems that are easy to use. A few of the leading cities for ridership, safety and funding in public transportation are Portland, Oregon, Washington D.C. and Boston. I was pleasantly surprised to see Honolulu, Denver and Salt Lake City to be high on the list.

Making small changes to your travel can have a big impact. Travel closer to home. An airplane flight creates a huge carbon footprint. If you feel like real vacations must include an airplane, then locate truly eco-friendly lodging. Support local communities that are working to protect their wildlife through tourism. Use public transportation as much as possible. And above all, have fun!

Have you made any changes in your travel behavior to reduce your carbon footprint or help threatened habitats? Are you an eco-traveler?Add a Comment

Tips for Buying Eco-Friendly Wine

AngelaColley — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:00:00 GMT

As an occasional wine drinker, I never gave much thought to the environmental impact my mid-level, whatever was on sale, bottle of wine had on the environment. But a few months ago an article on pesticides used in U.S. wineries prompted a mini-freak out and I temporarily stopped buying wine.
That was until I found organic wine sold in environmentally friendly box packaging. Thankfully, there is good wine out there that doesn't hurt the planet.

If you buy organic fruits and vegetables, why make an exception for what you drink? Several wineries, both U.S. and international, sell organically produced wine. To create an organic wine, a winery uses grapes, refined sugar, and flavor enhancers that were grown without the use of pesticides. The wine-making process is also chemical free.

Best of all, some organic wines taste better than traditional bottles. For example, Badger Mountain's Pure Red Merlot has a crisp taste with a hint of spice, and Silver Thread Vineyard's Pinot Noir has a light taste that outshines most traditional brands I've tried.

When it comes to cost – organic wine does not differ much from other wines on the market. True, the cost runs the full gambit from downright cheap to top of the line, but you can find good deals when your local grocery store or liquor store runs sales.

Box or Bottle?

I've always bought my wine by the bottle under the assumption that box wine isn't as high of quality as bottled wine, but that is quickly becoming just a myth as more top shelf wineries switch to box wines.

Bottom line, box wine is better for the environment than the bottled variety. For example, a standard size bottle of wine would emit 5.2 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions traveling from a winery in California to a store in New York. But a box of wine holding the same amount of liquid, would emit about 3.5 pounds of carbon dioxide traveling the same distance, according to the New York Times.

And the boxes take fewer resources to create, biodegrade faster, and are easier to recycle than glass bottles.

Reusing the Container

Whether you buy your wine by the bottle or by the box, you can stretch your environmental savings a bit further by reusing the container. For example, wine bottles make great candle holders, or centerpieces. You can even add some Christmas lights to the inside of a wine bottle to make a cute lamp.

Wine boxes have two containers – the outside box and the plastic bag used to hold the wine. You can use the box to store papers, or knickknacks. You can also cut off the top and use a wine box as a gift bag. The plastic bag inside is great to use as inflatable packaging material.

(photo courtesy of Chewy Chua at Flickr)

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How To: Makeover Your Bedroom For Less

LisaThompson — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:43:00 GMT

How often have you lamented that your bedroom is drab or outdated? Have you complained that your bedroom doesn't feel peaceful? Do you wish you had an unlimited budget so you could give your bedroom a dream makeover? If any of these sound familiar, you're in luck. You can change the look of your bedroom without spending a fortune. There are some little things you can do that will make a huge difference!

1. Mix it up a little.

Rearranging your furniture and belongings can radically transform the look of your room. Take your bed and move it to a different wall. Consider placing your bed or dresser at an angle.

2. Add a pop of color.

A little paint can go a long way! Whether you choose to paint one wall or the whole room, you can change the look and feel of a room just by changing the paint color. You can also consider painting 3 walls one color and adding a bolder color to the 4th wall.

3. Out with the old, in with the new.

Your bed is most likely the largest object in your room, so it naturally tends to be the focal point. Changing out your old bedspread can be a great way to change the look of your room. If you don't want to pay for a new comforter, consider investing in a duvet cover. You'll still get a new look, just for less money. Typically, January is the month for stores to hold "White Sales", so beddings and linens are heavily discounted from their normal price.

4. Pile the pillows on!

Whether you opt for new bedding or stick with what you have, decorative pillows can add a fun twist. I have a friend who changes out throw pillows on her bed every season. Her bedroom is very neutral, but she uses different pillows to change up the look and feel of her room.

5. Let there be light!

Nothing is worse than a dark dreary room. If you have outdated curtains, add decor by purchasing a pair that you can tie back, or simply upgrade your blinds. Make sure you have adequate lighting in your room. Whether you purchase a new light fixture, pick up a new shade for your lamp, or just add brighter light bulbs, your room can become cheerier and more relaxing!Add a Comment

Contest Alert: Swan Softouch Massager

ashleywade — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:31:00 GMT

Can you believe it's almost February? This month seems to have flown by, and here in Los Angeles, it already feels like summer vacation! Lately, we've been lucky enough to have a few sunshine filled days, making it a bit harder than usual to stay indoors. Hopefully you're not getting buried in piles of snow, but if you are, it's National Chocolate Cake Day, so whip out the mixing bowls and turn on the oven- nothing warms the body (or heart) quite like baked goods. While you're at it, might we suggest some classical music? We're partial to guitar, ourselves.

And speaking of guitars... Last week our friends over at Guitar Center gave us an Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Studio Deluxe Electric Guitar valued at nearly $600. With almost 40 entries, we have finally chosen a winner!

Drumroll, please.

Ahem. And the winner is... Savings.com member alicemesaros who said, "My grandson... This would mean the absolute world to him." Congratulations from the Team here at Savings! We hope your grandson enjoys jamming out with his new Les Paul! Don't let him get too distracted from his schoolwork though. We've sent you an email with instructions on how to claim your prize. If for some reason it doesn't reach you, email us at social@savings.com before the end of the day on Tuesday, January 31st or another winner will be chosen.

Has your week been as stressful as mine? It's finally Friday and I've been counting down for days. The workday is almost over, and I have a cup of tea and comfy couch with my name on it. After a few bad movies and mornings of sleeping in, I'm usually recharged and ready to go. Of course, your version of relaxing may consist of ordering take-out and jamming out to metal. But, I think we can all agree that nothing deflates the balloon of stress quicker than a massage.

This week, we're giving away a Human Touch Swan Softouch Massager, valued at $99, thanks to our friends over at Relax the Back. Taking pinpoint massage to an entirely new level, this hand-held massager is perfectly designed to access to touch to reach areas. Whether your muscles are sore from working out too hard at the gym (kudos for keeping your resolutions going!) or you just need to release some tension, the Softouch is lightweight and easy-to-use, but still provides major relief. You know the drill- just leave a comment on this blog, telling us why you want to win, and we'll announce a winner next Friday, February 3rd.

Good luck!

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Home Improvements For Less

BeckyHarks — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:30:00 GMT

I bought my house approximately eight million years ago (or, five, depending upon who you ask). We moved in, stupidly juggling dueling mortgages and a four-year old child, and were amazed by all the space. Nothing like a tiny three bedroom condo to make a full-sized house look a little intimidating.

Because we'd just been royally screwed by our tiny three bedroom condo, which we'd painstakingly decorated to match our garish personalities, and had not one but two new babies arrive shortly after our house was purchased, we left most of the original decorations intact. With the exception of the horrifying first-floor bathroom that had not one, not two, but three separate patterns of wallpaper, we didn't have the time, energy or motivation to fix the house up.

Until now.

I'm throwing a party this weekend – the first in five years – which means that I'm suddenly confronted with the notion that people are going to show up at my house, not only to celebrate my daughter's third birthday, but to silently judge my decorating skills. Which, as I've mentioned, are null. So I embarked upon a mission to fix up my house as best as I could without breaking my already-strained budget. Here's what I've learned about doing home improvements on the cheap.

Painting a room is the cheapest and easiest way to change a room's look, feel and atmosphere. Several gallons of paint can run you close to a hundred dollars – more if you have bigger walls, obviously – but make a vast difference. A word of caution – use quality brands of paint when repainting walls during your home repairs. You may FEEL as though you're saving tons of cash by going with the cheapest brands, but it will take more time, energy and money to apply the additional coats of paint needed to completely cover the walls.

When replacing light fixtures, comparison shop. To pick out a new chandelier for my dining room, I went to no less than three of the big box hardware stores to see what my best options were for my limited budget. I found the best, biggest and most varied selection of chandeliers at Menards. I did peruse some online retailers of lights, but since I couldn't physically touch and see the items, I didn't feel comfortable shelling out the cash for those light fixtures. But I'm weird like that.

A great option for home accessories, light fixtures, and other household building supplies is an outlet called ReStore, which are located in both Canada and the US. ReStore is a unique type of home improvement outlet because it accepts donations from building sites and stores that are closing to support Habitat for Humanity. ReStore is both a socially and environmentally responsible type of store because it promotes recycling (yay!) and helping others. Each ReStore is a bit different in the items they stock, so it's wise to check their merchandise regularly when doing home improvements. I'm a huge fan of theirs.

Now that I've been bit by the home improvement bug, I'm all about fixing up my WHOLE house, which means I'm bound and determined to learn more about home improvements for less.

If you have any other budget-conscious ideas for home improvements and remodeling, I'd be beyond thrilled to hear them. I've got most of a house to fix up!

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Herding Cats - GDP News, Apple's Manufacturing Problems, and a Brave Cat

Dealman — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:54:00 GMT

Image courtesy of ICanHasCheezburger

This week we have good GDP news, Xbox rumors, Apple's manufacturing problems, resisting impulse buying, and ways to make a smart kid.

Plus, a very brave cat.

Washington Post: U.S. GDP grew at fastest pace in 1.5 years in fourth quarter 2011 - Good news for the rest of us, but not quite good news if you're a political candidate running on the failing economy. Of course, with all good economic news, it's tempered with: don't get too excited just yet. It's a confusing mixture of ideas: on the one hand consumer spending is up, on the other it's saying that households are "under strain." So which is it? Answer: both. All told, good news is good news and we're headed in a more-positive direction, albeit slowly.

Huffington Post: Xbox 720 Rumors: Blu-Ray, Kinect 2, Won't Play Used Games? - I was this close to buying the family an Xbox this last Christmas. I didn't because we have a Wii and it seemed to extravagant to have both. But then I was looking up cheats for Lego Harry Potter (sue me) and the video tutorial was of the Xbox version, and, oh man does it look better. My daughter was like: wait, the trees have leaves? And now it's poised to look even better than it did previously. There's always the Wii U, but, nah, I'm going to graduate to the Xbox.

PC World: Apple Accused of Ignoring 'Human Cost' of Manufacturing - Now for the dark side of tech: this is important. There's no way to sugercoat this: Apple manufactures products in sweat-shop-like conditions. Apple executives know this, but it continues because it's more profitable. This says it all from an anonymous Apple executive: "Right now, customers care more about a new iPhone than working conditions in China." What's worse, though, is this isn't an Apple problem, it's a tech problem in general. But given that Apple's supposed to be the progressive, innovative one, it's a pretty big wake-up call. There is evidence that Apple's actually better at monitoring these problems, but still: significantly lower child labor is still too much.

Mint: How to Identify and Resist Your Spending Triggers - So women are self-indulgent savers. Don't blame the messenger--that actually comes from a study of spending habits. Women are better comparison shoppers and savers, but also worse impulse buyers, which could thereby cancel out much of the savings. One of the major factors of impulse buying is mood: if you're in a bad mood, you'll look for a pick-me-up through a purchase. Sort of the same principle as don't go grocery shopping hungry. Some other good tips here too: like don't go shopping when you're tired because you'll make bad decisions. It takes a sharp mind to save. Which leads to the next post...

Consumerism Commentary: Improve Your Child's Cognitive Ability for Income Potential - Fascinating post, which could apply to adults as much as children. It's not as though once you hit adulthood, you should stop with the brain teasing. But these habits start early. My daughter had her first piano lesson last week and it's been awesome--it's not like it's a chore, she's like a sponge wanting to learn new things (of course, we'll see what happens when lessons start getting more challenging). Music really seems best: it's both like learning a new language, while also being creative, unlike something like a Rubik's Cube.

Video of the Week: Slightly concerned that the people aren't concerned about this cat, but nothing bad happens:

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Mommy Must-Haves: 4 Alternatives to Your Morning Routine

SavingsMommie — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:17:00 GMT

How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? Do you even have time to get ready? I don't- my job begins well before sunrise and soon after I'm awake, my 2-year old is begging for food and attention.

Once I have my younger one comfortable, then it's the task of waking up my 5-year old, who is already showing at this young age, that she's not a morning person.

After I'm done getting both my kids ready (which is a marathon in itself), I'm usually rushing out the door dressed in sweats without washing my face or brushing my teeth. Sound familiar?

While I'm sure we can relate to this scenario, I certainly couldn't go on living like this everyday. Who could? So I had to think of an alternative to my morning regimen that was budget-friendly and more importantly, didn't take up too much time.

These 4 alternatives will keep you looking your best when you're on-the-go without wasting your time or money:

Yes To Cucumbers On-The-Go Facial Towelettes - These are my go-to towelettes when I am traveling and for those days when I have no time to wash my face. Winner of the Allure Best of Beauty: Natural Wonders 201 1, it's the perfect on-the-go facial cleanser (even though most people use it for makeup removal). Sold at Target.com for $2.99 (10 ct.) and $5.99 (30 ct.).

RMS Beauty Living Luminizer - I'm not much of a makeup person, but I definitely want an "oomph" to my look. After you cleanse, put this on your face to highlight your nose, cheekbones, eyes and it instantly gives your face a glow. If you can't afford to get a facial every time you want that glow, for $38 (at The Nature of Beauty), you can get this glow anytime your heart desires (this lasted me 6 months which comes out to be 21 cents a day). For a little jar, it may seem expensive, but a little goes a long way!

Ambiance Volumizing Dry Shampoo - Some people suggest that skipping a wash makes for healthier hair, but when you're itching (literally) to wash your hair, one alternative is dry shampooing. Instead of the traditional method of lathering and washing with water, you can use powder to shampoo your hair (refer to Vital Juice's DIY tips). It cleans your hair, removes the excess oil, and keeps it looking fresh and smelling good (saves on water and electricity). Sold at Folica for $19.95.

Miswak Stick - These sticks are the natural alternatives to tooth brushing. It has twice the amount of fluorine found in toothpastes and prevents everything from tooth decay to gum disease. You can chew the bark off one end and once the twig forms bristles, you can brush like you would normally. Because you're not using paste, not much water is required but you still need to rinse. I would suggest having water available in your re-usable bottle. Sold at MiswakStick.com for $1.99 (1 ct.), $4.99 (3 ct.) and $6.99 (5 ct.).

On those crazy days when I have absolutely no time, I can do most of these while I'm in the car (at a stop light). In the long run, these alternatives actually save you money since they require little or no water and no electricity. Plus, it's very eco-friendly!

What are some of your easy on-the-go alternatives to your normal routine? Please comment below.Add a Comment

Contest Alert: Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Electric Guitar

ashleywade — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:51:00 GMT

We may not have held a giveaway last Friday, but we promised to make up for it the following week. Without further ado, it's time to announce this week's contest... We're giving away a Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Studio Deluxe Electric Guitar, thanks to our friends over at Guitar Center!

Valued at over $600, this is the perfect gift for anyone who lives and breathe music! Whether you need to brush up on your chord work or pride yourself on your cover of "Stairway to Heaven", this sleek Les Paul is a great option. Those practicing or learning to hone their guitar skills, will appreciate the great tone and sustain of this guitar, and Alnico Classic Plus humbuckers to highlight low-end and mid-range notes. If you have guitar tabs scattered about your house and are looking to trade up on the beat-up guitar you have stashed in the corner, look no further!

To win this guitar, please review the contest rules and comment on this blog post telling us why you want to win, by the end of day Thursday, January 26th. We'll choose our lucky winner on Friday, January 27th

Good luck!Add a Comment

Classified Ad Buyer & Seller Etiquette

brwood — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:40:00 GMT

I'm a little frustrated at the moment with the users of Craigslist, and by that I mean the entire population of this country. Its bad enough that when placing an ad we all have to worry about the flood of spam we know is going to come, and don't want to list our phone number lest we get robocalls. Then when the shoes on the other foot we have to call and call or email again and again and get no response. So I figured I'd set out a few guidelines, and also vent my frustrations.

All of these have to do with my car shopping experiences, but they apply to everything else as well, for the most part.

Proper selling manners:

1) Respond to emails or phone calls within 24 hours - Even if the response is, "sorry it's sold", or "I'll have to get back to you on Monday".

2) When it sells, delete the ad - Seriously it only takes a minute and saves everyone's sanity.

3) Ask a reasonable price - It seems some people list prices hoping to hook a sucker who just won the lottery. Just add 10-25% to your minimum and go.

4) Don't game the pricing system - List the price as $150 and then put $15,000 in the text? Do you think someone searching for $150 junk cars is gonna see you ad, be blown away, and call cause they have to have it?

5) Don't game the keyword search - If you're selling a 95 Honda Civic, don't put a bunch of junk keywords like: Mustang, Camaro, BMW in the description. No one is going to get fooled and fall in love with your hooptie.

6) Use honest descriptions & pictures- If it's got a salvage title, won't pass smog, back DMV fees, say so. If there's a scratch, don't go out of your way to not show it. Have to wait for a nice sunny day to get quality photos? Do it. Wasting money is one thing, but we only get a limited amount of time on this planet, don't waste it.

Proper buying manners:

1) Call or text at an appropriate time - I would suggest between 8am and 8pm, unless there are hours listed in the ad. And don't send a bunch of questions via text; one voice conversation will answer a lot of questions.

2) Be polite, use a proper subject line and seem human in emails - Start with hello, and sign your full name with your phone number to show you aren't a scam bot, or a Nigerian prince. Make the subject clear so people know exactly why you are emailing them, in case they have multiple items for sale.

3) Make sure you have a good phone connection – Use a land line, or find a spot with good reception. Nothing is more annoying then trying to do questions and answers with a phone that is breaking up.

4) Try not to ask stupid questions - The school systems aren't what they used to be, but read the whole ad first, then read it again, then ask questions. Also, do a little research on before pestering the seller with a ton of general questions like, "What kind of mileage does it get".

5) Don't negotiate right away - Its okay to ask how firm the price is once you've broken the ice or gotten more information. But it's rude to call or email and ask "Will you take $500?" for something listed at $1000 without seeing it in person.

6) Be prepared to buy - Have the cash handy, or another agreed upon way to pay for it. Don't waste an hour of time kicking tires, and then ask "Can I bring you cash Monday when my bank opens?" My answer is always, sure, but if someone comes along before then you're out of luck.

7) Be there when you say you will – Don't arrange to meet someone at 10am then show up at 11.

There you have it, now return my emails you jerk, so I can ask a bunch of dumb questions then try to lowball you!Add a Comment

Wardrobe Oxygen: Formal Headbands

AlisonGary — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:15:00 GMT

Charlize Theron and Michelle Williams were seen on the red carpet for the Gloden Globes sporting headbands. While Michelle wore a vintage Fred Leighton black velvet embellished band with her blonde pixie cut and long-sleeved navy velvet gown by Jason Wu, Charlize wore a vintage Cartier diamond headband to accentuate the loose chignon behind her left ear and her nude Dior Couture gown. Both wore very different styles of dress, hair, and headband and both looked positively stunning.

While headbands have come back en vogue in the past several years thanks to Gossip Girl, they have become appropriate for evening thanks to beading and formal fabrics like velvet and satin. Get the look for less with these fabulous formal headbands.

This shimmery beaded headband from Urban Outfitters is simple and sleek just like Charlize Theron's red carpet look, but a nice cool price of $4.99. The gray color will be so versatile, you could wear with nude or pastel like Charlize, or pair with your favorite LBD. Wear with sleek straight hair down, or to balance a loose feminine updo.

Get Michelle Williams' Golden Globes look with this embellished headband from Jane Tran, available at Zappos. While it comes in some kicky prints, the gray option is elegant and classic and gives the same effect as Michelle's vintage band but for only $31.99. This headband would look adorable with a sleek high ponytail or a sweet pixie.

If you're wearing an embellished dress, it is best to keep your accessories simple. This basic black velvet headband from American Apparel is only $8.00 yet is priceless in its elegance. Worn with a sequined mini dress, this headband would look phenomenal with a mane of wild waves, or with a soft chignon, as well as with a short 'do like Michelle Williams.

Add true sparkle to your hair and your ensemble with this crystal headband from Tasha (via Nordstrom). This headband gives just the right amount of bling without looking tacky, giving the Charlize Theron red carpet look for much less ($58.00). Wear with a Grecian-inspired gown and a messy updo for a feminine formal look.

Just as the right brooch or bracelet can make a formal ensemble, so can the proper headband. This beaded headband from Natasha (available at Dillard's) is like a beaded brooch for your head and is only $11.20. I adore it in gold – worn with soft waves or with a topknot, it adds just the right amount of glamour for an evening affair.

Go for the glam with this tiara-inspired headband from FULL TILT. Plenty of sparkle that would look lovely peeking out of soft waves, bouncy curls, or even paired with a sleek high ponytail. For only $7.99 via Tilly's, you can't lose with this adorable evening-worthy accessory.

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Save On Domestic Airfare In The Wake Of Price Hikes

benjamindsearle — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:24:00 GMT

Delta and the other major airlines announced their first price hikes for the year ahead this last week. While you aren't looking at a huge increase in price, just $20 on long-haul domestic flights, this is in addition to the increases that they put up last year - while you're already feeling the pinch from a stalled job market and economy. Now is as good a time as any to start figuring out how to save on your domestic flights, especially if something comes up and you have to travel on short notice.

First things first, you want to be flexible on your travel arrangements wherever possible. On a flight into Washington DC, or to Chicago, you have more than one major airport that you can arrive at. I found on my move to Chicago that being willing to come into Midway, rather than O'Hare meant a difference of almost $100 on a one-way ticket. That's enough to splurge for lunch without feeling guilty. The other major point to look at right away is your departure time.

Delta and the other major airlines announced their first price hikes for the year ahead this last week. While you aren't looking at a huge increase in price, just $20 on long-haul domestic flights, this is in addition to the increases that they put up last year - while you're already feeling the pinch from a stalled job market and economy. Now is as good a time as any to start figuring out how to save on your domestic flights, especially if something comes up and you have to travel on short notice.

First things first, you want to be flexible on your travel arrangements wherever possible. On a flight into Washington DC, or to Chicago, you have more than one major airport that you can arrive at. I found on my move to Chicago that being willing to come into Midway, rather than O'Hare meant a difference of almost $100 on a one-way ticket. That's enough to splurge for lunch without feeling guilty. The other major point to look at right away is your departure time. If you'll leave earlier than decent people want to wake, or later than you want to be up, that's a savings for you. Less popular flights that leave after-hours, or have layovers are almost always going to add up to savings for you over people that insist on a first-class, round-trip, non-stop to the biggest airport in town.

Another tip that I've used to great success is on round-trip tickets. Often I've found there is a savings, particularly on longer trips, in purchasing two one-way tickets in place of a single round-trip. The more you're willing to shop around, the better the deals that you can find. This works particularly well in a situation where you're going to be gone for more than a couple of days, as the return flight will be far enough out to qualify for a lower bracket of fares. Being willing to spend more time looking at different airlines and different websites will net you a better return.

While you're shopping around, make sure that you run some web searches against "last-minute", "promotional" and "special" airfares. Different sites call them different things, but the basic idea is that a lot of flights have some empty seats on them that the airline is willing to get rid of for less at the last minute, rather than losing money on an empty seat that will cross the country whether someone is in it or not. There are sites that do nothing but promote those, but by running searches against those terms, you can even find them on the major airline sites. Often, they'll be combined with things like rental cars or hotel stays, so make sure that you're planning your whole trip at once. Nothing is worse than finding out you could have saved a couple of hundreds of dollars on a flight and car, except that you already booked the car and owe money if you break your reservation.

Finally, if you're working for a larger company - or one that does a lot of travel - you can often find savings by working with your employer. I once saved over $300 on a round-trip ticket and car because I went to the person in my company who booked all of our travel. Not all companies are willing to let their employees piggy-back on their corporate rates, discounts, frequent flyer miles and such, but you'll never lose just for asking the question.

I hope you find these tips helpful, what do YOU do to save money when travelling? Give us your best ideas in the comments!Add a Comment

Suze Orman's Twitter Fight and Other Recent Social Media FAILs

stella.louise — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:58:00 GMT

Recently celebrity financial advisor Suze Orman launched her own prepaid debit card--which is somewhat baffling in and of itself. After all, it certainly couldn't be one of "The Nine Steps To Financial Freedom" to tie your money up in a fee-laden piece of plastic, could it?

A number of noted personal finance bloggers called the Oprah Allstar out on the move, resulting in her waging a Twitter war and calling them "idiots."

It should be noted that one of her targets was one of our favorite PF bloggers, PT Money who penned a thoughtful post on Orman's prepaid credit card entitled "What We Need from Suze Orman Instead of Another Celebrity-Endorsed Useless Prepaid Debit Card." It's too bad Orman didn't learn any lessons from the fiasco that was the Kardashian prepaid card, but if she was as smart as she appears to be in her televised personal finance advice sessions she'd listen to the voices of reason instead of calling them "idiots."

Orman has since backtracked and apologized for her Twitter rant--but the damage is done. A while back Amy posted her top ten social media savvy companies, but Orman--as well as some other brands--exemplify how NOT to handle social media.

For example, recently the restaurant Boners BBQ slammed a dissatisfied customer via their Facebook page. The issue started when the customer posted a negative review on Yelp, but instead of reaching out to her and attempting to make things right--or even learning a lesson to improve service for future customers--the owner decided to ridicule her on Facebook.

Another recent case involved a dentist who threatened legal action against a patient who posted negative reviews on Yelp and other sites. Apparently the dentist required patients to sign "privacy agreements" which prohibited them from posting complaints. The patient didn't cave and instead filed a class action suit against the dentist on behalf of all patients who had signed the agreement. And now the company which created the "privacy agreements" has decided to retire them from use.

This just goes to show that while social media can be a powerful tool in building a brand, it can also be a double-edged sword which can shred a reputation if used the wrong way.

Have you witnessed any spectacular (or notable) brand social media FAILs lately? Post them for us in the comments!Add a Comment