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.

FREE Answers to Questions: Tip-of-the-Day #111


CHACHA YOUR WAY TO THE ANSWERS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Ever desperately desire the answer to a pressing question but find you're not even close to your trusty computer? Simply ask your question from your mobile phone as if you were talking to a smart friend (we all have at least one of those, right?).

Try it two ways:

Call 1.800.2ChaCha (1.800.224.2242) and ask away OR
Text 242242 (spells ChaCha) with your question and receive an answer in just moments!

Your question is instantly routed to the most knowledgeable person on that topic in ChaCha's Guide community (whatever that is - probably some guy in a studio apartment somewhere). Your answer is then returned to your phone as a text message within a few minutes.

If you want more details after your answer comes, just reply with a follow-up question. You won't get the same Guide each time (curiously), but they can see your previous questions and answers - your Guide will "know what you mean."

And, if you haven't yet mastered the art of speed texting, use ThmbSavrs to type more quickly in abbreviated form, like LOL, BFF, and IDK. ChaCha ThmbSavrs provides you with a faster and easier way to ask questions - from sports scores and weather to jokes and dating ideas.

You too can be the smarty pants at your next social outing. Check out the site for more info!

Mother's Day Activities in SF: Tip-of-the-Day #110


ADD SOME CULTURE TO YOUR MOTHER'S DAY

Celebrate Mother’s Day this year with FREE admission to seventeen Bay Area museums!

This Mother’s Day marks the second time that Koret (a foundation adding to the region’s vitality by promoting educational opportunity, contributing to a diverse cultural landscape, and bolstering organizations that are innovative in their approaches to meeting community needs) has hosted Koret Museum Days, offering free admission on Mother’s Day to Bay Area museum-goers.

Museums participating in Koret Museum Days 2009 include:

Asian Art Museum, San Francisco
Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito
Chabot Space & Science Center, Oakland
Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose
The Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco
M.H. de Young Museum
Exploratorium, San Francisco
Legion of Honor, San Francisco
Judah L. Magnes Museum, Berkeley
Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley
Museum of the African Diaspora, San Francisco
Oakland Museum of California
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
San Francisco Zoo
San Jose Museum of Art
IMAX movie at The Tech Museum of Innovation, San Jose
Zeum, San Francisco

Do something a little different this Mother's Day and impress your mom with your creative approach to celebrating her!

For more information on Koret Museum Days, visit www.koretmuseumdays.org.

Work Out - for Free!: Tip-of-the-Day #109


TUESDAY HAPPY HOUR HAS A BRAND NEW SPIN

Do you live in SF? Are you bored of the treadmill? Change up your workouts at Crunch Fitness - for FREE. Just stop by any Crunch location in S.F. from 6 to 9 PM this spring and summer for the club's Tuesday Happy Hours and get complimentary access to the butt-kicking classes - no membership required!

Once you try Beach Body, Barre Assets, or 5 Senses Yoga, you may rethink your current distaste for all things "exercise."

Great way to get a look at the scene prior to making any sort of commitment. You just may see me there! ;)

Fed Ex Corporate Discounts: Tip-of-the-Day #108


SHIP YOUR PERSONAL PACKAGES FROM WORK AND SAVE

Most companies have agreements in place with major shipping companies like Federal Express and UPS. Some businesses mail so many packages that they've managed to negotiate really good pricing and employees can take advantage of it!

Just this week I was putting together a care package for a friend who lives overseas. I knew from a recent eBay sale (to the UK) that shipping prices have sky rocketed in the past year. I was not looking forward to paying the exorbitant cost to ship and thought to ask my company's shipping department if I would save anything by going through the company. Sure enough, I paid almost 66% less than I would have paid going directly through Fed Ex! I couldn't believe it.

You may end up having to fill out some lengthy form that gets granular about the contents of your package (I did and had to actually itemize the Hostess cupcakes and Suzie Q's with the shipping attendant at corporate which was very embarrassing) but it's worth it.

It's amazing what kind of perks you can get just by working for a mid to large sized company. They've got leverage with all of their vendors based on the capacity by which they use them. May as well enjoy the overflow!

Monthly Parking Rules: Tip-of-the-Day #107


SAVE YOURSELF UP TO 40% BY PRE-PAYING

I just learned (after working for a new company for a full month) that the lot I've been parking in every day (at $10 a day) has a monthly agreement that will save me 40%!

I'd heard that some lucky people find street parking and are able to park for free just outside the building, but those prize spots are far and few between and generally gone before I even finish showering (perfect example of the early bird getting the worm).

That aside, the only other option is to park in the company lot and pay. Now I thought $10 wasn't so bad because when I worked in the financial district I was paying $25 a day! But then I learned that for a mere $120 a month (or as the parking attendants like to pitch it "just $60 a paycheck") I can pay for a month and save $80! $80 x 12 months is almost $1000! That's A LOT of money. That's a vacation! Or a down payment on a new car!

I was so gleeful when my employee badge was rigged to magically lift the gate sans money that I almost hugged the attendant. No joke! He told me just to put a good word in for him instead. Huh. Okay.

Takeaway: Even if the parking lot you park in doesn't advertise monthly rates you may want to ask because right now a lot of people are cutting back on luxuries like parking and the lot may be eager to lock in a contract even at a discounted price. It's worth checking out!

Consolidate Your Organizers: Tip-of-the-Day #106


GET ORGANIZED WITH JUST ONE ORGANIZER

Not sure if I'm the only one still living in the dark ages but I have to think not (seeing as I work in technology and I'm still seemingly behind the times). My Palm Tungsten recently imploded on me, like a star it had lived out its natural life and left me in a black hole when it took all of my contacts and calendar events with it.

When I shared my tragedy with a colleague (several years my junior) she said to me and I quote "wow, you're old school with that Palm." Dang. I have never felt more like my mom than in that moment. All of a sudden my Palm woes were the equivalent of my mother staring up at me, confused, with VCR manual in hand. Sigh.

All by way of saying I promptly asked this colleague what "people are using nowadays" to manage their calendar and contacts and again she looked at me like I was an alien and said quite matter of factly, "um, a Blackberry?". She positioned it like a question only I think it was more a nod to my stupidity on the subject.

So today I started reviewing my options.

1. Send my dead Palm back to the manufacturer to see if they can fix it (the cost of repair starts at $149 and doesn't guarantee a fix).
2. Replace my old Palm with a new Palm (same model is now running at $499).
3. Buy a different PDA with the same functionality (ballpark $400).
4. Buy a Smartphone that will cover off my phone AND PDA needs.

I started digging around online and believe my best bet may in fact be to go with a Blackberry (per my savvy colleague's suggestion). I'm only using my Samsung Instinct for the phone functionality and it doesn't have a contacts component. The Blackberry Curve will provide me with:

Wireless email
Organizer
Browser
Phone
Camera
Video Recording
BlackBerry® Maps
Media player
Corporate data access
and more!

They retail for $499 (same as a new Palm would cost me) but with a two year phone agreement through any major carrier I can get it for much less.

My disparate electronics have put me in the position of having to remember where I keep all my data and frankly because the Palm software is tied to a computer I'm no longer using, I hadn't backed it up in months. NOT good.

Lesson learned: keep up with technology, consolidate your needs in one device, and you'll save yourself the money from having to buy multiple devices and the heartache when your device up and dies on you unexpectedly.