Buy Some Art on Sale!: Tip-of-the-Day #105

FILL YOUR UNFETTERED WALLS...FOR 50% OFF

Do you live in the Bay Area? Could you afford a quick jaunt to the city by the bay if it means making up the difference on half-off art? If you can swing it, you gotta check out the SFMOMA Artists Gallery at Fort Mason, May 06 - May 10, 2009.

This is the 16th Annual Artists Warehouse Sale and art lovers "in the know" have been known to line up for this five-day annual event. Who knew art could go on sale, right? We're talking up to 50% off regular retail prices!

The sale will offer original art by more than 300 emerging and established Bay Area artists at really affordable prices (from $50 to $5,000), making it an excellent way to acquire paintings, sculpture, drawings, and unframed works on paper without breaking the bank.

The sale is open to the public, free of charge (um, nicer!). You can learn more here.

My Trash is Your Treasure: Tip-of-the-Day #104

SWAP MAKEUP WITH WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD!

Have you been to MakeupAlley.com? It is a thriving beauty community featuring member-generated product reviews, message board posts, shopping diaries and member photo pages covering topics such as makeup, hair care, fragrance, travel, fashion, food, home DYI, skin care, parenting, bath & body, fitness, wedding, nails, and & other topics of the day.

This social network reaches women around the globe with millions of page views each day. You can find real-time information, advice and friendship from a huge community of active members and, my favorite part, a swap-a-rama for all your unwanted makeup!

How many times have you purchased the wrong color lip liner or a mascara that just wasn't for you? MakeupAlley has a congregation of women all with the same problem! Now you can search through hundreds of posts all with something to lose and in search of something to gain. People have "wishlists" and those are the items they are most willing to swap for. Tokens are awarded for positive interactions and much like the eBay "star system" you can trust members with more tokens/positive ratings.

I just signed in and in a few moments found all of the makeup that I use regularly, available for swap. What this means: I don't ever have to buy my makeup at retail prices again - just find someone on MakeupAlley willing to trade me for something I've got (and it doesn't always have to be makeup!).

Have fun! (Oh, and because I'm a germ freak I'll tell you now not to use eyeliner without sharpening it first and I personally wouldn't take a mascara that's already been opened).

Rent Your Home By The Day!: Tip-of-the-Day #103

PUT YOUR HOME TO WORK FOR YOU!

When I worked in advertising, there were often elaborate photoshoots for clients producing catalogs, a new website or major refresh, and even commercials. There's only so much you can do in a closed studio set however. You can fake a backdrop or come in tight on a product sitting on a table so that you can't see anything but the table and the product, but what you can't easily create is the comfort and style that comes with photographing products in true lifestyle settings.

I worked on several well known home furnishings catalogs for instance, and they would actively seek out homes appropriate to featuring their wares best; light filled, modern, simple and probably most important, available for staging. For the right home and the right homeowner, this can be a lucrative business. "Renting" your home to cataloguers or even film producers to ensure the authenticity of their work, means money in your pocket.

It also means clearing out all your stuff, finding somewhere else to live (for the day, week or month that your home is inhabited) and being "okay" with the idea that you may come back to scuffed floors, walls and a microwave with foreign substance stuccoed to its interior.

I would say that the opportunity to both make some good money (rates can start at a $1000/day and go up quickly from there) and see your home "in lights" may make this a promising proposition for you.

Helpful tips if you think this might be for you:

- Publicize your location to scouts and services in your area and beyond
- If your property is chosen, gather information about the production company, the type of production and proof of insurance
- Know the logistics of the shoot such as how many people are in the cast and crew
- Have clear deal points, such as payment schedule and restrictions on the use of your property
- When the production is complete, inspect your property with someone from the company and make sure the production company restores your property to its original look and disposes of all trash

Check out sites like:
akalocations.com
nycfilmlocations.sothebyshomes.com
elliman.com
onthemarklocations.com
craigslist.org (in your city)

Good luck!

Seek Out "Floor Models": Tip-of-the-Day #102

FLOOR SAMPLES CAN BE YOUR TICKET TO SAVINGS

When you're in the market for anything from furniture to electronics, it may make sense to explore whether the "floor model" is available for sale. By floor model I do mean the product that is shown on the showroom floor, often for weeks at a time, to better illustrate to the consumer what the product is like.

I experienced the benefit of this firsthand when I learned from a friend that Restoration Hardware sells all of their floor model furniture at a discount. I was in the market for a new sofa and was dying to save a few bucks in the process. (I have champagne taste on a beer budget).

I visited my local retail store, immediately identified the sofa I wanted, and then made a beeline for the nearest sales associate. I quickly threw my name in the hat for the procurement of said floor model. I watched the sales associate note my name and number and I was told I'd be called when/if the sofa became available for sale (generally at the end of a season because colors and fabrics change).

I frankly didn't think I'd ever hear from them but unbelievably I got the call that the luxurious, down-filled beauty was mine! I cautiously confirmed the price and to my surprise the sofa was not only marked down for having been on the floor for a couple of months, but that particular model was ALSO on sale! I ended up paying HALF what I would have paid for the sofa otherwise and it was in perfect condition, I checked. I was truly jubilant.

I've seen similar scenarios happen in clothing boutiques (i.e. the sweater on the model has a button missing so you're extended a discount), at electronics retailers (buy the camera on display and work a discount outta the deal), at car dealerships (pick up the car that's been driven by the lot manager and has fewer than 100 miles on it and get it for less than the neighboring vehicle with 0 miles). You get the idea.

Bottom line: always look for an opportunity to get what you want at the best possible price!

411 Freedom: Tip-of-the-Day #101

GET THE INFORMATION YOU NEED - FOR FREE!

Hopefully everyone has heard of (and is using) 1-800-GOOG-411 for all of their "411" needs. About 2.6 billion 411 calls are made in the U.S. each year, and it was a $7 billion/year market.

Goog-411 has turned this lucrative business on its head. The product is completely automated (no humans involved in the information-gathering process) and so the reduced overhead is passed on to you and me.

Like the 411 of your youth, you identify your city and state, and then ask for a specific business or business category. Results are spoken back or text messaged back to you, and you are automatically put through to the phone number requested.

I'm saving at least $10 on my cell bill each month by using this free 411. Amen.

Smart Car Shopping Pays: Tip-of-the-Day #100

AVOID SURPRISES WITH YOUR NEXT CAR PURCHASE

In the market for a new ride? Do your homework. You may think you need an SUV (for your kids, pets or fitness equipment) but are you ready to pay nearly twice what a smaller vehicle will run you in gas, repairs and insurance?

Beyond the down payment and incessant monthly payments, consider what a typical repair will cost you, or the cost of gasoline on a weekly/bi-monthly basis.

According to AAA, an SUV costs 67 cents a mile to drive compared with 41 cents for a typical small sedan when you factor in things like insurance, repairs, and depreciation.

Before you buy your next car, go to a site like ConsumerReports.org or Edmunds.com and compare the "true cost to own" of any car you're strongly considering.

It pays to do your research!

Home-Swap Savings: Tip-of-the-Day #99

HOME EXCHANGE CAN MAKE VACATIONS VERY AFFORDABLE

I was just on Craigslist looking around for Sea Ranch rentals over Memorial Day weekend. I was ultimately hoping for a better deal than I would get going through a property manager/real estate firm.

I found a number of listings that were in fact less than I would have to pay if I were going through Ramshead (for instance) because by going direct to the property owner you get around managment fees.

Then I found a couple of listings where the owner was willing to entertain equitable trades (i.e., their home in Sea Ranch for my swank condo in Sea Cliff). That's where the savings really become tangible.

If you can find a viable home swap situation where you feel comfortable with the arrangement and the person(s) you're swapping with, you stand to not only save money on what you would have had to pay to vacation somewhere else, but also consider that by having someone stay in your place you have a built in plant waterer, pet feeder and security system!

I've been known to pay hundreds of dollars to have people stay in my home while I'm on vacation for the very reasons stated above. Using Craigslist or another home exchange site to find a vacation swap comes with more perks than you might have even realized.

There are many sites (beyond Craigslist) dedicated to this proposition...but they are going to cost you. Depending on how often you plan to travel, it may be worth it.
HomeExchange.com = $99.95/yr
HomeForSwap.com = $59/yr
SwapNow.com = $110/yr

Note: Most of these sites cater to international travel too - there are a lot of people willing to take this leap to keep travel more affordable during these tight times.

Call Internationally - FREE!: Tip-of-the-Day #98

CALL YOUR FRIENDS IN FRANCE - FOR FREE!

Talkster.com lets you chat for free with people around the world for as long as you like. Just enter your home or cell number and a friend's number at the website. Talkster issues a set of local numbers you can call to connect.

1. The first time only, tell Talkster the name and phone number of the friend you want to call.

2. You are given a new Talkster phone number for each friend - and you can use that number for that friend indefinitely! Save it in your address book for sure.

3. Whenever you want to talk to your friend, dial the new local Talkster number for that friend instead of the old long distance or international number.

It's pretty ingenious. Had I known about this in college I would have saved HUNDREDS of dollars calling my boyfriend in Australia. Sigh.

The only catch: You have to listen to a 10-second ad. Big whoop!

Abandonment Pays!: Tip-of-the-Day #97

SHOPPING CART ABANDONMENT CAN WORK IN YOUR FAVOR

Do you ever visit a favorite site, go so far as to add several items to your cart, then get distracted (or lazy) and leave? Good for you! Multichannel Merchant, a website dedicated to helping businesses learn the ins and outs of good merchandising just published an article walking businesses through "Best Practices for Abandoned Carts".

Your non-committal shopping ways may trigger the retailer's system to e-mail you a discount coupon of up to 20% off your purchase! It's hard to predict when this will work, so don't try unless you're willing to miss out on a purchase. But that said, retailers realize that overall, abandoned shopping cart e-mails lift total sales by 1.5% to 3%. A little less than three percent may not sound like much, but when you consider it’s an across-the-board improvement of total sales, from a single new initiative, it’s mind-blowing. Who wouldn’t like a 3% lift without paying a nickel more for advertising?

Thus, you the consumer, should not feel at all badly for taking advantage of this very calculated move on the part of the retailer. So what if you're doing the same thing? Everybody wins!

Note: I know for a fact that if you're shopping at Roxio and you leave the site with an item in your shopping cart you'll instantly get a "come back and save" coupon. Pretty smart, huh?

Pay More Now But Less Later: Tip-of-the-Day #96

PAY DEBT OFF NOW, ENJOY THE BENEFITS LATER!

Homeowners who pay a little extra toward their mortgage principal each month will save a considerable amount in interest payments over the life of their mortgage.

For example, if you have a $320,000 mortgage at 6.5% interest, your mortgage payments — not including real estate taxes and mortgage insurance – is $2022.60 per month. If you pay an extra $200 per month toward the principal, the balance declines faster and you pay less interest each year.

By paying just $200 extra per month, you reduce your total interest paid over the life of the 30-year loan by over $100,000. You also finish paying off the loan almost seven years early!

When my boyfriend and I first bought our condo we were paying about $400 more each month than we needed to. We did that for about five years. As a result, we've knocked off a considerable amount of interest and we're that much closer to paying off the loan altogether.

If you have the extra cash, and you consider the volatility of the stock market, you may want to consider investing in your home!

Pry Yourself From Paper: Tip-of-the-Day #95

PAPER PRODUCTS COST YOU (AND THE ENVIRONMENT)

It's pretty easy to start using cloth napkins and dish towels instead of paper napkins and paper towels. It may add incrementally to the laundry, but certainly not enough to continue with paper.

My boyfriend and I were going through several rolls of paper towels a week and there's only two of us! By eliminating that alone I was able to save $10/wk, which over the course of the year adds up to more than $400!

Other things to consider: use a metal mesh filter for coffee (instead of paper filters), pick up an inexpensive kitchen chalkboard for grocery lists (instead of using memo pads or post it notes), pass on grocery bags altogether and bring a recyclable tote the next time you shop, use tupperware instead of wax paper or plastic for storing foods.

The upfront cost on alternatives are a bit higher than the paper you've been used to using, but if you consider that there is no replacement cost, you come out ahead in a few short months.

Live Search Cashback Pays: Tip-of-the-Day #94

RECOGNIZE REAL SAVINGS IN REAL TIME WITH LIVE SEARCH

Live Search, a search engine much like Google, is featuring a new cashback program to incent usage. It's turned out to be a pretty cool way to save some money when you shop online.

Start by getting yourself in the habit of using Live Search when you're looking for something online (you can download a toolbar to make it easier to remember). Each time you click a Live Search cashback listing, your search results will clearly list the savings you'll get off the store price.

You can compare and sort products by the bottom-line price. Click the best deal to go to the store. Everything you buy during that store visit will be eligible for Live Search cashback. On your first time using cashback, you'll be asked for an email address so you can quickly set up an account (it takes all of thirty seconds).

Then, every time you make a qualifying purchase, you are sent an email to confirm your cashback savings. When your balance reaches at least $5, you can claim your cash. If you're shopping on eBay and you check out with PayPal, PayPal will sometimes credit you the Live Search cashback in real time so you don't even have to wait. That's what happened when I bought that battery (per an earlier post about eBay).

Tip for eBay users: Shopping with cashback on eBay is a little different than you'd normally shop on eBay. Use Live Search to find the item first and then click through to that item on eBay. Make sure the cashback symbol is visible throughout the entire purchase process. Once you make your purchase on eBay, you'll receive an email from eBay asking you to complete the signup process for your cashback account, or, if you're already signed up you'll just see the balance increase in your existing account.

Just one more way to save real money when you're spending it. ;)

Shop Off-Season: Tip-of-the-Day #93

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OFF SEASON SALES AND CLEARANCE MERCHANDISE

This may seem obvious to some, and not always acceptable to others. I personally find some of the best deals on clothes, shoes and accessories when we're entering a new season. For instance, now that we're just getting into our warmer months and it's time to break out sandals and skirts, go shopping for winter boots and woolly coats! I know you won't get to wear them for six months, but imagine how good it will feel to pull them out next Fall and know you paid a fraction of what your friends are going to have to pay to find comparable merchandise once it's already chilly out.

It takes some planning on your part, and may even require some shuffling in the closet for storage sake, but by taking advantage of out-of-season sales you are treating yourself to more than great fashion, you're enjoying great savings.

Right now you can go to your preferred on or offline retailer and find boots and "winter" handbags for 25% off or more. All that stuff has to be cleared out because retailers can't sell "last season's items" next season. But you can certainly wear them and no one will be the wiser!

I happen to love shopping at Marshall's for this very reason. They get all kinds of merchandise from retailers that can't sell all of their inventory and that merchandise is extended to us, the consumer, at a terrific price. I've found Nine West boots for $20, Monsac handbags for $50 and Egyptian cotton sheets for $19.99. Just because it's warm or cold outside doesn't mean you have to be slave to the buying season.

Always Check Your Bill: Tip-of-the-Day #92

DON'T LEAVE EXTRA MONEY ON THE TABLE

Not checking your bill at a restaurant or even after a hotel stay could literally leave a lot of money on the table - and not in your favor! It doesn't happen often, but you may inadvertently wind up with someone else's tab, an extra glass of wine on your statement, or perhaps an additional entree you didn't order, wedged between your wedge salad and your pasta course.

I've been in situations where there have been major oversights (a bottle of wine that wasn't ordered was on the bill!) and if I hadn't looked closely I wouldn't have noticed because I was dining with a large group and it could have been chalked up to other bar tab items.

Some find it embarrassing to scrutinize a tab, like somehow you're disrespecting your food server or the establishment, but in actuality you are doing a major disservice to yourself if you don't!

It's easy to glance at your bill before setting down your credit card and having it whisked away. What takes a little more time however, is really looking closely at your bill when you're checking out of a hotel. It's amazing how many line items show up when your stay is broken down by day, by meal, by tax, by tip and it gets so granular it's hard to digest. But, you'd be surprised too how many little "mistakes" can be made and how that affects your pocketbook.

I've had in-room movies charged to my bill that were never viewed, drinks from a poolside bar added that were not mine - even a spa service I'd never enjoyed!

Before you throw down your credit card and try to make a quick getaway, really take a look at what you're paying for. It pays to scrutinize.

Leased Car Options: Tip-of-the-Day #91

HANDING OVER YOUR LEASED CAR IS LIKE LEAVING $$ ON THE TABLE

When I leased my first car I thoroughly enjoyed the freedom that leasing offered to me at that time. I didn't have to put money down and my payments were incredibly low every month. It seemed like a great way to get into the car that I wanted without having to break the bank doing it.

Three very short years later I wasn't yet ready to give back the car but I also didn't want to buy it. Somehow giving it back felt wrong...like I didn't have even partial ownership in a project I'd been actively contributing to! The truth is, I didn't. It's like renting an apartment - you just pay to play, not to stay.

And so, I realized that in order to get into my next car I would have to try and sell my leased car back to the open market instead of handing the keys over to the dealership.

Most people thought I was nuts. Why on earth would I go through the effort of trying to sell a car that I could just as easily return, penalty-free? Well, because the amount I had to pay the dealership/bank to buy the car was less than what I could get by selling the car to an individual. In fact, Blue Book price minus the amount owed to the bank was several thousand dollars! It doesn't always work out this way, but some cars hold their value better than others (this happened to be a Honda Civic and very popular at the time).

I was able to sell that car within two weeks, paid off the loan and pocketed $3000 which I turned around to put down as an initial payment on my next car that I purchased.

Don't be fooled into thinking there's just one way to do things. In fact, the road less traveled is often more lucrative.

FasTrak Saves $$ and Time: Tip-of-the-Day #90

FASTRAK IS THE FAST TRACK TO SAVING TIME AND MONEY

How often do you cross a toll-taking bridge? And no, I don't mean the toll that traffic and aggressive drivers have on your psyche (though that sucks too). I'm talking about a bridge that costs you $2 or more dollars every time you go across it. Every day? A few times a week? A half a dozen times a month? Whatever it is - it makes sense to get a FasTrak. That's the Bay Area's solution to getting where you need to go faster with a dedicated lane and slightly less expensive toll. The Golden Gate Bridge is up to $6 a trip but with a FasTrak it's $5. That buck can add up if you're crossing every day ($5/wk, $20/mo, $240/yr!).

The best part is that toll tags are now available at select Costco, Safeway, and other retail locations across the Bay Area. So there's no more having to submit an application and waiting for your device to be mailed to you. Hurray!

The Costco and Safeway offer at the moment is: Open a new FasTrak account, register with your American Express Card and receive extra free tolls. The free tolls will be credited to your account at the time of registration. (That's all the detail I got - I suppose the "more free tolls" part is made clearer when you're registering.)

Plus, to receive an additional free tolls bonus, register your new toll tag account with your American Express Card.

Most states and counties with bridges are employing similar models. Look into it, fast!

Car Rental Research Pays: Tip-of-the-Day #89

DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU RENT YOUR CAR

My boyfriend was in a hurry to drop his car off today for servicing and to rent a car for his road trip to Lake Tahoe. He had me drive him to his dealership in Marin and then back to the city to pick up his rental car. The first question I asked him: "Did you check with your dealership to see if they had a loaner you could use?" He said he had and that they were fresh out of loaners. My second question: "Does your dealership have an arrangement with a rental car company? Perhaps one by which you could benefit from a preferred partner discount?" He hadn't thought of that.

After dropping him off at the rental agency (that he hadn't taken any time to research for discounts), I jumped online and discovered a few things.

1. A Costco membership would have saved him 25%+ on the car rental. That right there easily covers the cost of membership if you have the car, say three days. Do the math: He is spending $67 a day without a discount and $37 with it. That's a $30 difference and multiplied over 3 days that's a $90 savings!

2. He did take my advice and asked the rental car agency for a discount associated with his dealership and he basically got the Costco break outlined in the point above.

3. Renting a car closer to where you're ultimately going to end up (in his case Marin since he has to go get his car again) would save time and money (bridge toll and possibly an extra rental day since generally you're charged for an extra day when you return your car an hour post-cutoff).

These are lessons we all continue to learn. But my motto (and I stick by it) is ALWAYS DO YOUR HOMEWORK! It saves a lot of money.

Affiliate Programs Make Money: Tip-of-the-Day #88

GET BEHIND WHAT YOU LOVE AND GET PAID!

Do you looooove a product you use so much that you want to tell the whole world about it? Well, if that product happens to be associated with a company that has an affiliate program in place, you are in a promising position!

Set yourself up as an affiliate of the company (most have a link on their site and the application process is simple), blog about the product(s) you think are great, review them on your website, or just spread the word to your friends, colleagues and family, and for every product purchased (through you) you stand to earn up to 20% of the sale! (Each company has a different compensation model).

Check out Roxio's affiliate program as an example. I’m a big fan of products like Easy Media Creator and Toast for helping me organize my digital media and make and edit videos for sites like YouTube. By linking to those products from my blog, and enabling you (my bloggership) to go and check them out, I stand to get paid for every product you purchase through my link!

It’s a great way to build an online business if you’re prolific enough to blog regularly, or, if you happen to be the webmaster for a site that gets a lot of traffic already and you think no one will mind a small shout out to your favorite product or company. You have everything to gain.

Twitter Gets You There First: Tip-of-the-Day #87

FOLLOWING YOUR FAVORITE MERCHANTS ON TWITTER PAYS

I never really understood the benefit of Twitter until recently. Now that Twitter has caught on virtually everywhere, you can follow virtually anyone (or any company) online!

If you keep you eye on your favorite merchants you just might get to the best deals first. An example of this is with Woot.com, an online store and community that focuses on selling cool stuff cheaply and quickly.

ONE new product goes on sale every morning at 12am central time, seven days a week. (If you're not a morning person, this can be described as every night at midnight.) If a product sells out during its run, a new item will not appear until the next release time. Twitter (sent to your mobile) may just be the alert you need to get to that product before the rest of the world!

"Follow" Woot.com on Twitter (just add @wootoff to your Twitter account) to get real time updates every day so you don’t ever have to miss a thing. And it's possible you could miss something - merchandise sells out very quickly when the savings are serious.

Sample the Savings: Tip-of-the-Day #86

SAMPLE YOUR WAY TO GREAT SAVINGS FAST

Would you believe my boyfriend had to remind me of this nifty trick? You can get pretty nice-sized samples of the makeup and skin care routine that you already use! I first learned this when I was replenishing my supply of Kiehl's goodies and I happened to mention in passing that I was going to transfer itsy bitsy amounts into 3 oz. containers to take with me on my upcoming trip.

The Kiehl's sales associate relieved me of this burden by quickly supplying me with enough of my regimen to take me through my trip and then some! Everything you get in full size comes in sample sizes too. And, if you're really lucky you may get the "luxury-sized" samples which are doled out far less frequently and I think you have to know a celebrity to get your hands on them.

When my sister lived in NY she used to frequent one of the Kiehl's retail stores in the Village and they would ALWAYS give her the luxury sized samples. I swear that girl never had to pay for anything! Hmmm...this is starting to sound consistent isn't it?

My boyfriend's suggestion: go to every make up counter in every department store and stock up on samples of EVERYTHING. You'll never have to pay for product again.

Mooch Off Mom: Tip-of-the-Day #85

IF YOU CAN'T BEAT 'EM, JOIN 'EM.

Okay, I could personally never move back home even if I were dead broke and facing destitution...however, it works for some people and I always say, if it works, work it.

My sister for example, has been living at home again for two years. She's almost 35, went to all the best schools (under graduate and graduate) and she's back home with mom. What this means for her: free room and board (she doesn't buy groceries), free room and board for her two cats (I doubt she buys the cat food either), a Costco card (thanks to the "two cards per household policy") and "family" memberships with the gym, the museum of modern art, and lord knows where else.

If you're one of many children, be sure to move fast on this recovery act. Seems more than one kid can't get on this ride. But, if you're the lucky one and you've got that golden ticket, it can mean BIG savings for you and your dependent animals.

Hurry!

Banking Benefits Through Work: Tip-of-the-Day #84

LOOK INTO VALUABLE PERKS THANKS TO YOUR EMPLOYER!

I just started consulting for a new company and one of the immediate perks I could recognize was what's known as "Membership Banking" with my bank - Wells Fargo. It seems that because of my company's account relationship with Wells Fargo, my banking has been made "easier and more cost effective." Fabulous!

All I have to do is pop into a branch and tell them I'm a new employee of said firm and I get Premium Membership Program benefits like:

- Free interest-bearing checking account
- Free checks (even duplicates)
- Free online banking
- Free Bill Pay (an expense I griped about in an earlier post!)
- Free Traveler's Checks
- Free Money Orders
- Free Cashiers Checks
- Discounts on loans and lines of credit and so much more!

I would imagine your company would be fairly forthcoming with perks like these, but if you don't know or aren't sure, it would be good to ask!

Reduced COBRA Premiums: Tip-of-the-Day #83

NEW PREMIUM REDUCTION PROVISIONS UNDER ARRA!

In a nutshell, President Obama signed an act (the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) that reduces COBRA premiums for eligible individuals for up to nine months!

Basically, to be considered "eligible" you need to meet the following criteria:

1. Must have been involuntarily terminated from your job between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009 and eligible for continuation health coverage
2. Must not be eligible for Medicare
3. Must not be eligible for coverage under any other group health plan (such as a plan sponsored by a spouse's employer)

Even if you were offered, but did not elect, continuation coverage or elected for it but have since discontinued it, you may have the right to an additional 60-day election period.

If you meet all the requirements but never got a letter about it, go online to learn more about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. I can't wait to see how much I save!

Health Insurance Hidden Perks: Tip-of-the-Day #82

GET YOUR GYM MEMBERSHIP & WEIGHT LOSS INITIATIVES REIMBURSED!

Did you know that in many states (hopefully yours among them!), your health insurance plan reimburses you for staying healthy? Not kidding.

Sometimes there is a ceiling, like $30 a month, or $150 annually for participating in structured weight loss programs (if the extra pounds aren't incentive enough, this should be!) and the same reimbursement structure would also apply to your gym membership (if you're at a gym like 24 Hr. Fitness this can easily swing you six months - at my gym it's a mere four weeks...sigh...).

My last employer had a similar plan in place which I always took advantage of, but who knew that my insurance might have been doing the same? Wonder if I could have been double dipping...

From what I researched online, it looks like Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna were among some of the organizations that participate in this preventive program, but I'm guessing other insurance providers offer something similar. It’s certainly worth looking into if you haven't already!

Get Your Gossip Online: Tip-of-the-Day #81

DITCH SPENDY MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS

I'll admit that I love People Magazine. And that's NOT a cheap rag either (I pay over a hundred bucks a year for it). I knew giving it up made sense in this economy, but I was worried I wouldn't get the same satisfaction and genuine R & R from other sources of celebrity gossip. I worried needlessly!

US Magazine has the exact same content as People and it's 1/3 the price. Start there. If you want to scale back even further, get your dirt online!

Dlisted.com and PerezHilton.com are two favs. Not only can you get your updates more regularly (like incrementally throughout the day, every day) but you are also privy to photos that mainstream pubs can't always put out there; half-naked celebs, celebs looking like crap after a long night of boozing, celebs cheating on celebs and more.

Seems like a pretty simple way to bring down the cost of your entertainment right now, and this is coming from someone who lives for Friday's mail.

Healthy Prescription Coverage!: Tip-of-the-Day #80

SAVE ON 5,000+ DRUGS WITH WALGREENS PRESCRIPTION CLUB

Last year I was filling a prescription for something that my own insurance didn't cover. My helpful pharmacist at the local Walgreens here in S.F. suggested I enroll in the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club (apparently it's the retail pharmacy industry’s most comprehensive prescription discount plan).

This Savings Club spans every drug category with pretty significant savings on some of the most commonly prescribed medications, including treatments for asthma, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and women’s health. The club also covers preventive and lifestyle drugs not covered under most insurance plans, such as weight management, smoking cessation, family planning and sexual health.

Enrollment is only $20 a year for an individual or $35 a year for a family – a cost I quickly recouped with that very first prescription filled under the plan! Anyone not enrolled in a publicly-funded health care program such as Medicare or Medicaid is eligible and you don't need prior authorization. Plus, you can use this on top of the plan you're already in through work or otherwise. I did!

I also didn't realize that the Savings Club covers hundreds of pet medications (which, depending on the med can save quite a bit compared with vet pricing) and club members get a 10 percent reward on a variety of Walgreens brand products from OTC medications to grocery items.

Walgreens operates in 49 of our states, the district of Columbia and Puerto Rico so you likely have one in your neighborhood. If not, look into the plan online! It's worth it.

Grow Herbs on Your Own: Tip-of-the-Day #79

YOU DON'T NEED A GARDEN TO GROW YOUR OWN HERBS

Fresh herbs can cost a fortune at the grocery store, and many recipes call for such a minuscule amount that you only use a fraction of what you had to purchase and the rest sadly goes to waste.

Why not grow your own? I found some pre-potted at Trader Joe's and with a little water and sunlight they lasted for months! When a recipe calls for it, you can pinch off a bit of basil, dill, thyme, or lavender — and in the meantime, the decorative herb plants will decorate your kitchen quite nicely. In fact, it will save you from having to buy fresh flowers for the same spot!

Other fruits and vegetable plants that take up little space, such as carrots, radishes and lettuce, or crops that bear fruits over a long period of time, such as tomatoes and peppers, make the best use of space and containers. Strawberries have pretty flowers and foliage and look wonderful while they grow.

So if you have a yard, deck, or even just a small balcony (read: fire escape), you can turn a little sunshine and water into both a garden oasis and grocery savings!

Shop Seasonally: Tip-of-the-Day #78

ONLY BUY PRODUCE IN SEASON & SAVE A BUNCH

It's hard to resist those beautiful berries imported from Chile during our chilliest winter months...but are you willing to pay through the nose for them? Luckily right now is berry season, so buy up! I remember picking up a bag of cherries several months back and nearly dying of sticker shock when I was charged almost $15 for the measly one and a half pound bag! Strawberries can cost $2 a pint or $6 a pint, depending on whether you buy them in June or January. And, depending on what kind of year it's been (heavy rain, no rain, natural disaster, or fruit fly epidemic!) the price of everything from lettuce to avocados can also vary pretty drastically.

I've learned (the hard way) to plan my menus around what's in season in my area, and in that way I avoid paying extra for produce that's imported from other places with different growing seasons.

If you're a once-a-week shopper (or even bi-monthly shopper like me), plan to use your freshest ingredients in the first few days, picking recipes with less perishable ingredients for later in the week. That way your lovely fruits and veggies won’t go to waste. (Though I did submit that fabulous tip about what to do with veggies on their last leg).

The point is, we pay so much for groceries already, why spend more than you have to on produce that's not native to the area? Look for helpful naming conventions if you're unsure, like Winter Squash and Summer Corn. If nothing else, coupon clip if you absolutely must have that papaya in the window.

Beta Programs Mean Bucks: Tip-of-the-Day #77

SIGN UP FOR BETA PROGRAMS AND GET EARLY ACCESS TO GREAT DEALS!

I just got an email from eBay to participate in a brand new beta program they are calling eBay Bucks. In a nutshell, as a beta participant you just shop on eBay as you would any other time and use PayPal to check out. You get 2% off of qualifying items and eBay keeps track of your earnings. Every 3 months you are sent a certificate to spend your balance on eBay! It's really quite brilliant.

I signed up and within minutes had to buy a replacement battery for my Palm. The battery only cost me $6.99 but I got .17 credited to my "bucks" account and .70 back from PayPal as part of their Microsoft Cashback/Buy it Now incentive. It's amazing how you can piggyback deals to get really good savings! That's 12% I just saved for doing absolutely nothing outside of what I would have normally done!

Not every beta program is created equally obviously, but if it's a trusted source (like PayPal and eBay) you likely have little to lose and everything to gain.

Only hitch: you have to be invited to participate in this program so not everyone can jump on the bandwagon unfortunately. :(

Employee Discounts Count!: Tip-of-the-Day #76

GET A FULL OR PART TIME JOB FOR THE PERKS!

Whether or not you're already fully employed elsewhere matters not. Consider a part time job with a retailer that extends a hefty employee discount!

If you've just lost a roommate or moved into a new apartment and need a new sofa, now might be the time to explore Pottery Barn's part time opportunities. They give employees 40% off of anything in the store!

Maybe you are desperately in need of a new wardrobe but can't fathom paying full retail prices? Banana Republic and Gap offer 50% off up to 6 items each month, 30% off unlimited and 20% off at Old Navy. You can become the best dressed person you know in a matter of weeks!

Some of my other favorites:
LuLuLemon 40% Off (I'm seriously tempted by this one)
Sunglass Hut 50% Off
Pottery Barn 40% Off Regular and Extra 20% Off Sale Items
Coach Leather 50% Off
Ann Taylor 40% Off
Ritz Carlton - Pay only $50/nt for a room!!

Just think about the possibilities here...you can look fabulous, getting up from your new sofa, to spend an inexpensive weekend at the Ritz! Woot!

Subscribe to Email Offers: Tip-of-the-Day #75

SELECTIVELY SUBSCRIBE TO EMAIL OFFERS

I've found that if I'm in the market for something specific, signing up for email offers associated with said interest, generally provides me with access to "insider" benefits.

A perfect example of this: I recently traveled to Miami for pleasure and was staying at a nice hotel in the art deco district. Just days before my stay, I signed up for their "gold club" (a completely free club btw) and was then extended complimentary breakfast every day that I was there. I'm not talking continental breakfast either - it was anything off the full restaurant menu! That easily saved me fifty dollars a day.

For $60 a year, you can join Hertz Gold Club and get immediate benefits like express pick up. Last year my bf and I were in Phoenix for a quick weekend getaway and we rented a car. The registration line was several hundred deep. That's no exaggeration. Gold Club members had a line of their own however, and it was nearly empty. I would have paid $60 and given up my first born child to have been in that line.

If you know you're going to be traveling to a certain destination in the near future and there's a hotel you have your eye on but can't afford, sign up for their newsletter. As a "subscriber" you will be surprised by the special offers that are only extended to registered customers.

I also sign up for email from local restaurants, clothing boutiques and even movie theaters. Being an "insider" has its perks. I'll get notices about special wine maker dinners (love those), unadvertised weekend sales at my favorite shops, and early screening alerts for hot new movies.

Save money and stay on top of local events to boot!

Online Greeting Cards Rule: Tip-of-the-Day #74

DIGITAL "THANKS" CAN AVOID BREAKING THE BANK

I can't tell you how much money I've spent over the years on fancy thank you notes, special "I'm thinking of you" cards and elaborate birthday wishes. Not to mention the accompanying postage (which, as a reminder is going up again in May!).

In the beginning, online greeting cards weren't terribly creative and frankly seemed like an "easy out" or a last minute thought on behalf of the sender. No more! In fact, today's online greeting cards are more dynamic and engaging than ever. They are far wittier than most of what you find at retail, they are of course dynamic, flash productions (because they can be), and most enable you (the sender) to include a gift from a favorite e-tailer which makes the greeting even nicer for the recipient!

Some of my most frequented greeting card sites are Hallmark, BlueMountain and a new favorite: Smilebox.

The next time you're about ready to drop $3+ on a traditional card, why not go online instead? You'll be amazed by the selection (and every category has a handful of viable freebies to choose from). Add a personal message--even time the card so that it is sent on the day that you'd like the recipient to receive it!

No time like the present to save a few bucks and move into the next generation of letting people know how much you love them.

Get Educated!: Tip-of-the-Day #73

GET TO KNOW YOUR STATE A LITTLE BIT BETTER...

A good friend of mine lives in Montana and was laid off from her job in November. She learned shortly thereafter about an interesting stimulus plan the state of Montana had put in place; a federally-funded re-education program! Ultimately, she could go back to school to learn a new trade or skill set and the government would pay for it!

This friend of mine had been wanting to go to culinary school for years but could never afford to. With a little research and leg work on her end (and some paperwork req'd by the state) she was approved to attend the culinary academy of her choosing, complete with room and board!

The fact that Montana was sponsoring this program was not widely advertised, but a little digging around will uncover some pretty neat opportunities. Other states have similar programs in place, along with grants (money you don't have to pay back), and interest-free loans!

Check out your state's education website, or do your own digging on Google.

Unemployment Pays: Tip-of-the-Day #72

TOO PROUD TO FILE? GET OVER IT.

The first time I was laid off a job, I was both too proud to file for unemployment and also assumed (wrongly) that I'd be employed again so quickly that it wouldn't make sense to file with EDD. I was out of work for at least six months and frankly could have really benefited from the unemployment money.

The second time I was laid off, I filed for unemployment the day I got the news. I'd learned my lesson. The unemployment compensation you receive depends upon the amount you earned while working. In addition, there are eligibility requirements to qualify for unemployment benefits, including working a certain number of weeks. But, this "partial wage replacement" has been funded by YOU and all those long hours you've worked and taxes you've paid. So hop to it! The $450 a week (max.) you can get will at the very least help to cover the hard costs you face every month, like rent, health insurance and food!

The average amount of time people are unemployed between jobs is 3 months and it's likely much longer in today's economy. Multiply 3 months (or twelve weeks) by $450 a week and you get more than $5000. That's money that, even if you don't need because you have savings, you can invest and stand to profit from long term! Again, it's your money, so why wait to collect it?

Fish Oil Proves Fishy: Tip-of-the-Day #71

WHY TAKE A PILL WHEN THE FISH TASTES SO GOOD?

So many producers of omega 3 capsules state that there is a unique molecular distillation process used to remove mercury, PCBs and dioxins (which apparently guarantees purity and potency). Fish oil, naturally containing omega-3 fatty acids, is said to help maintain heart and vascular health. Of course, that hasn't been proven by the FDA and most of us take supplements because someone in a trusted position (a doctor for instance) has told us to.

I started taking fish oil when a friend of the family told me it would help my memory. Yes, I'm only 37, but as I've mentioned in earlier posts, my memory could stand some help. At first I took only half the recommended dosage of fish oil because I was sharing the expensive (prescribed!) capsules with my boyfriend. When I noticed no increase in my memory bank I started taking all the pills myself (much to my bf's dismay). Still, nothing.

Not only are these prescription strength pills expensive (like $170 when my insurance lapsed!) but again, without a noticeable benefit I'm hard pressed to continue taking them.

A wise friend once told me that humans have been doing just fine for centuries, actually EATING the fish and nutrients that many pills are supposedly delivering today. Perhaps we should up our fish intake (to a mere 2X a week) and save the difference on those supplements?

Trouble With Toner: Tip-of-the-Day #70

IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PRODUCT DOES, SKIP IT.

The trouble I have with toner (and I'm not talking about the stuff you put in a copy machine) is that I have NO idea what it does. Do you? It's not cheap either. I've been buying toner at Kiehl's for years - vials of calendula, wild berries, and cucumber concoctions...and the irony is that I have no clue what the result is.

When I asked the sales person to explain the benefits of toner to me, I was told that toner helps to clarify my pores. What does that mean? That's like going to the dictionary to look up a word and having the definition be JUST as vague and obtuse as the word in question.

Interestingly, I ran out of toner several days ago and have been going without. I haven't noticed a bit of difference. Stop buying products that don't have recognizable benefits. You'll save a lot of money - and not just on the bottles of toner, but the cotton pads you have to buy to apply it with.

Consumer Reports Rules: Tip-of-the-Day #69

LET THE EXPERTS DO YOUR HOMEWORK FOR YOU

Why go through all the work of researching what products are "top dog" when Consumer Reports has already done the work for you? Yes, there is a cost associated with subscription, but for $5.95/mo. (or $26 for the year) it can be worth it.

Whenever I'm in the market for a big purchase (car, computer, or any home appliance) I subscribe to Consumer Reports. I do this because it makes my life much easier and I can feel confident the purchase I'm making is a sound one.

Just recently I needed to buy a new vacuum cleaner. My boyfriend, having grown up with a mother with very good taste, was convinced we had to buy a Miele. Those puppies start at $400. There was no way I was going to drop that on a vacuum cleaner unless it also washed my laundry. So, I went to Consumer Reports and found that while the Miele was definitely top ten material, so was the Hoover that was rated #3 and cost a mere $69!

Of course I bought the Hoover and for the $5.95 that I dropped on my one-month subscription to Consumer Reports, I still came out $325.05 ahead!

1/2 Price, Two-fers & BOGO: Tip-of-the-Day #68

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TRAFFIC-BUILDING TACTICS

These days amusement parks, theater groups, circus performances and concerts are doing anything they can to keep attendance up. I know for a fact that by subscribing to a service like Travel Zoo's Top 20 email alerts, I get offers for all kinds of entertainment deals - in the Bay Area and beyond. This week that included offers like:

$51 -- See Disney Shows on Broadway; 2nd Ticket just $15!

$10 -- 'NightLife' at Academy of Sciences in San Francisco

$69 -- Experience 'Le Rêve' at 30% OFF incl. VIP Seats at Wynn Las Vegas

Those deals are nothing to sneeze at. I mean, when's the last time you paid $10 for admission to an event of any kind? I can't even get a martini for $10 in this town!

Subscribe to your local theater group and get emails about half price shows, last minute sneaks and more!

Did you know that admission to Disneyland is FREE on your birthday? A little digging will uncover a wealth of possibilities in your own backyard!

Download Software Trials: Tip-of-the-Day #67

WHY BUY WHEN YOU CAN TRY?

Why buy expensive (and often dated) software when you can try it first, often for as long as you like? One weekend I wanted to create a video for a contest I was entering and desperately desired to learn green screen technology so I could make my video more interesting. I ended up downloading a trial version of Adobe After Effects and completing the project well before the trial was up. I saved myself hundreds of dollars!

Same thing happened when I needed to produce an accompanying audio track and I found a trial of an application called Mixcraft (the PC equivalent of Garage Band basically). I was able to do everything that purchasing the full version entitles you to do, and liked it so much I actually did end up buying it.

You can "try" products like Quicken and QuickBooks long enough to organize all your financials, enjoy a 30-day trial of a product like Easy Media Creator (long enough to compile and edit all your favorite video clips and archive them), or use a product like PhotoShow and continue leveraging the "basic" version (extending nearly all the privileges of the premium version) for the life of the product.

Before you make any decisions to invest in expensive software programs, look around. You'll be surprised by the extended trials which can be found at places like download.com, tucows.com and snapfiles.com. If you work it, it will work.

Go Generic: Tip-of-the-Day #66

(ALMOST) ALL BRANDS ARE CREATED EQUALLY.

I know there’s a small part of you that really wants the Tampax brand of Tampons – not the Walgreens or Target brand. But you know what? As long as you identify your favorite applicator and ensure you’re getting the right “size” – all tampons are pretty much created equally.

Would you believe I was in Walgreens and found boxes of “generic” tampons (just like the ones I buy with brand names on them) on clearance?! Who knew that items of necessity could ever be found on a clearance rack? That'd be like finding perfectly good milk on clearance! Or toilet paper for God's sake!

Everything from OTC drugs to pantyhose are cheaper when they are generic. So in a pinch, skip the fancy name or the brand you’ve “always used” and save yourself real money! The only reason there are brand names and non-brand names is because someone had to launch the product first. Once the patent life expires on a brand-name product, it is eligible to be made into a generic product.

That's it folks.

The Dishwasher Dish: Tip-of-the-Day #65

ONLY RUN THE DISHWASHER WHEN IT'S FULL OF DISHES

Obviously you should only run your dishwasher when you have a full load in place, but sometimes the obvious isn't so transparent. Some people run the dishwasher after each meal while others run special cycles for heavily soiled pans - wash the pots and pans by hand and skip the special cycles! Why? Because dishwashers account for 2% of energy usage and while that doesn't seem like a lot, it can add up if you're running it every day!

Helpful tip: Load the machine correctly (for example, heavily soiled items at the back and sides not in the front or on top).

I tend to have to police my dishwasher because my boyfriend has a nasty habit of loading ineffectively (plates where cups go, bowls where plates go, etc.) and then will run it half empty. Sigh.

Rein in your rogue roommates, boyfriends, husbands, kids – even yourself if need be - and start using your appliances more practically.

Cold Facts About Laundry!: Tip-of-the-Day #64

WASH YOUR LAUNDRY IN COLD WATER & SAVE!

Fact: Laundry is responsible for 10% of our home energy consumption. Crazy, huh? But did you know that it costs far less to wash clothes in cold water because you aren’t using all that energy to heat the water first?!

Your clothes WILL get clean in cold water – it’s a myth that only hot water kills bacteria. And, a full 90% of the energy used in washing clothes goes toward heating the water, so it stands to reason that using less energy by washing in cold, unheated water would create significant savings. But just how much difference are we really talking about?

Seems pressing the cold/cold button (instead of the hot/warm button) on your washing machine and multiplying that by 392 (the number of laundry loads an average U.S. home washes in a year) can make an enormous difference in your water bill. How? Well, apparently a fully baked load of laundry costs between $1.00 and $1.50 to do at home (fully baked includes electricity, water and detergent). Of that, if 90% is electricity to heat water, or around 90 cents, you'll lower your expense by 90 cents x 392 loads = $353 annually! Now that's nothing to sneeze at.

In Hot Water?: Tip-of-the-Day #63

HOT SAVINGS WITH MINOR ADJUSTMENTS

Did you know that hot water alone accounts for 11% of energy usage? Yup! You can save up to 10 percent in water-heating costs by setting your water heater to 120 degrees (compared to a 140 degree setting).

And, I didn't know this little nugget until the water heater in my building started to fail us, but you can wrap an insulation blanket around the hot water pipes and storage tank to extend the life of the appliance. This bought us five more years with our old heater before it had to be replaced.

Another thing I recently discovered was that replacing old shower heads (10+ years old) with a low-flow model can save up to half the hot water used for showering. We also modified our water pressure settings so that we aren't using as much when we flush the toilets. This can be hard on some members of the family at first (my boyfriend was horrified by the decrease in pressure) but with the adjustment comes rewards - lowered bills!

Bubble Bath Benefits: Tip-of-the-Day #62

SKIP THE SHOWER & BATHE IN THE SAVINGS

Did you know that you use half as much water taking a bubble bath as you do taking an average shower? True!

Most of us feel like we don't have time to take a bath (at least not Monday through Friday before cramming an English muffin down and racing to catch the express bus to work).

However, you have no excuse on a Saturday or Sunday not to luxuriate in a warm, relaxing and water-saving bath!

Benefits include:

1. Meditating on your prior week's events
2. Planning your following week
3. Enjoying aromatherapy with salts and bath gels that soothe the senses
4. Reading a good book (you can't do that in the shower!)
5. Catching up with a good friend by phone (carefully!)
6. Drinking a calming glass of tea or "bubbly" after a long week
7. Soothing your muscles after an arduous workout
8. Getting cozy in the bath with a "friend" and really heating things up
9. Indulging in a snack (I love eating peanuts in the bath because you can make a mess with the shells and wash them down when you're done!)
10. Exfoliating your feet and relaxing while you shave your legs (this is much harder to do standing up in the shower!)

Energy-Effeciency Heats Up! Tip-of-the-Day #61

CHOOSE ENERGY-EFFICIENT APPLIANCES!

By choosing an energy-efficient furnace or air conditioner that is the right size for your home, you can save up to 45% of the cost of your energy bill! I didn't know this until the building I live in swapped out our old (like 1920's old) boiler for one more efficient for the size of the building and we saw immediate savings of up to $500 a month!

If you rent an apartment, have no control over the purchase of your appliances, or simply cannot fathom the upfront cost of a new appliance right now, consider this:

1. Only use central heat for a few minutes in the morning and/or the evening. Take it off "automatic" because you’re paying for heat you’re not enjoying when you’re out of the house! If you're leaving it on for a pet, remember that they have fur and don't generally feel the cold the way that we do.

2. Get a space heater for the room you spend the most amount of time in. I have radiators in my place but I hate putting them on because it can get too hot and you can't turn them off until the end of the "cycle". A space heater puts the power back into your hands and you can turn it off and on as often as you like.

3. If you have a fireplace, use it! It’s warm, energy efficient, and sets the mood perfectly on a cold or dreary day!

4. On a warm day/night, consider a portable fan and keep your windows open to create a cross breeze.

Just a few thoughts to keep your money in your pocket instead of PG&E’s.