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


DRYER SHEETS CAN SAVE THE DAY AND SOME DOUGH

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


BECOME A MYSTERY SHOPPER AND EARN MONEY DOING IT!

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

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

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

Interested? Check it out!

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


DUCT TAPE: WHAT CAN'T IT FIX?

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

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

Have at it!

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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


YOU MAY FIND YOU HAVE MORE MONEY THAN YOU THOUGHT!

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

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

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

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

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

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


DIY: MAKE YOUR OWN DEODORANT

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

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

Here’s how you make it:

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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


YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS CAN HELP YOU SAVE ON CELL SERVICE

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

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

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

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


YOUR DAD MAY APPRECIATE YOUR FRUGALITY

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

Restaurant Freebies on Father’s day!

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

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


66 USES FOR VINEGAR

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

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

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


FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER PAY FULL PRICE FOR

Here's how to shop smartly:

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

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

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

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

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

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


NEW CAR INCENTIVES ARE PUTTING CASH BACK IN YOUR POCKET

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

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

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

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

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


HAGGLE YOUR WAY INTO GREAT DEALS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


WHY PAY WHEN YOU CAN GET IT FOR FREE?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enjoy!

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


DON'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!

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

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

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

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

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


USE REBATES TO OFFSET THE COST OF PRODUCTS YOU BUY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


RENT ANYTHING - FROM APPAREL TO ELECTRONICS

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

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

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

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

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

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


YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR MUSIC.

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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


BUY OR SELL GOODS VIA A UNIQUE ONLINE CATALOG

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

I'm changing plans this weekend for sure.

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


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

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

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

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

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