The Best Boot Shapers are FREE: Tip-of-the-Day #279

For a long time I treated my boots like I do all my other shoes - thrown in a big heap in the closet destined for dust and debilitation. But then my bf built me a shoe closet for Christmas last year and I was given an opportunity to revive my beloved boots and extend their lifetime dramatically. How? With boot shapers! Boot shapers hold the shape of your boot (as if your leg were in it) and eliminates cracks and creasing which over time will kill the leather.

I assumed I'd have to buy a pair of shapers for every pair of boots I own (which generally hovers around a dozen) and they aren't inexpensive. The Container Store sells a pair for $10, so for 12 pairs of boots, that's $120.

Whilst complaining about this cost to a colleague, she (a millennial with vast online shopping and research experience) told me about a little-known trick to accomplishing the same goal. Instead of a rigid plastic shaper, take a sturdy magazine, like a Nordstrom Christmas catalog, roll it, and achieve the exact same benefits - FOR FREE.

I was awed by the idea. It was downright brilliant. And so, I saved myself $120 by doing just that. And, it's the perfect season to employ this tactic because all the retailers are sending out their biggest, beefiest catalogs at the moment and given the deals on boots (Black Friday and Cyber Monday are not be missed) it's a perfect moment for new boots to meet their new friend.

Enjoy!

West Elm Holiday Help: Tip-of-the-Day #278

There's nothing like a little help over the holidays. Especially when it's free design help!

Right now, West Elm is offering holiday design services, gratis, through their Design Lab. I'm picturing elves and Will Farrell in tights...but I digress.

Similar in nature to my earlier blog about Pottery Barn design services, West Elm is able to assist you in measurements, furniture choices, color schemes, holiday table decor, etc. but they are also taking it a step further and promising to help trim your holiday tree, pick the perfect gift for a friend or hostess, or plan your holiday party! And, it seems, it's all... free?? I'm inclined to try this service out so that I can tell you first hand that I had a West Elm Elf over to trim my tree - but....I don't have my tree up just yet.

How about you try it out and let us Smart Women know about your experience! Just make an appt online and have the West Elm designer meet you at your house, at your local West Elm store, or chat with you over the phone for a planning session. If anything, it sounds downright therapeutic.

Gotta love the love this holiday season!

Save $15 On Your Next Uber: Tip-of-the-Day #277

Through 11/28/13, get $15 off your next ride when you pay for your Uber ride with PayPal! 

New to Uber?
Download the Uber app for iPhone or Android, sign up and use your PayPal account as your payment method. The discount will automatically apply to your first ride.

Need to add PayPal to your Uber account?
  • Update your Uber app to the latest version
  • Select “Payment” from the menu in your Uber app
  • Tap “Add Payment”
  • Tap “PayPal” to add your PayPal account
  • Select PayPal as your payment method and take a ride. The discount will apply automatically.
HOLIDAY SMART MARKETING ALERT: Uber is making it easier for you to get your friends and family home safely during the holidays. Throwing a party? Let Uber know. With a few details like expected attendance and event location, they'll ensure they have extra cars waiting to get your dearest home in one piece. 

Like!

Dress Up Your iPhone: Tip-of-the-Day #276

I discovered Casetagram about a year ago - it's a social design service that lets you create custom cases for your mobile devices (iPhone, Android, tablet, etc.) from your Facebook and Instagram pictures.

With more than 10 design templates to choose from and multiple case colors, getting started is as easy as signing into your Instagram or Facebook account, importing your photos and dropping them into your chosen design template (or choosing from hundreds of existing designs that the design team and community have created).

The only barrier to purchase, IMO, has been the price. At $40 a pop, these cases aren't inexpensive. However, I just discovered a few ways to save a few bucks on what I consider the best iPhone case on the market today (I've ordered from Skinit and Vistaprint and can tell you the differences are astonishing).
  1. Casetagram is now offering a monthly plan so that you can switch up your iPhone case as often as your outfits. ;) This deal isn't for everyone obviously, but for those who are constantly taking new photos or like to give personalized gifts, this deal knocks 60% off the normal price, and gives you the opportunity to memorialize photos, twelve times a year.
  2. There is a terrific offer on Gilt right now (available until 12/6/13) to get an iPhone 5s case for just $25, normally $39.95 (or a 5c, 4/4s for just $21). You can also get a $50 credit toward anything on the site for just $30. This is an awesome deal - given I just paid $40 for my case - and, you can buy extras as gifts. I've purchased these cases for myself, my bff, and my sister and as I mentioned above, the quality far exceeds any other I've seen. Even my high tech CEO noticed how "cool" my case is and asked where he could get one. And, I've knocked mine around, had it tumbling in my purse with keys and coins, and out and about with me on just about every adventure I've taken and have endured not so much as a scratch.
  3. Gilt City has been offering a 30% off promo for several months now. USE PROMO CODE 30TURKEY TO TAKE AN EXTRA 30% OFF your already discounted Casetagram case. I just tried it and got two cases for $35, which is less than half the cost of one.

'Tis the season to be merry (and spruce up your iPhone)!

Rewards for Relief Efforts: Tip-of-the-Day #275

Earlier I posted an entry on how to get bonus miles in exchange for unused gift cards. My colleague just forwarded me an email from United Airlines that encourages people to join in helping to support AmeriCares, the American Red Cross and Operation USA in providing aid to those affected by Typhoon Haiyan in exchange for award miles.
  • Receive 250 bonus miles when you donate $50-$99 USD
  • Receive 500 bonus miles when you donate $100-$249 USD
  • Receive 1,000 bonus miles when you donate $250 USD or more
United has committed to awarding up to 5 million total miles to members for contributions made before November 30, 2013, to support this initiative. In addition, the United Airlines Foundation will provide up to $100,000 in total matching donations to these partner organizations.

Here's a great way to do something that will help people who really need the help right now, and you'll be rewarded for your generosity.

Visit this page to donate now.

If you're not interested in getting miles, here's another place to donate and all of the funds go directly to the people:  http://bit.ly/SaveTacloban


Profit Through Referrals: Tip-of-the-Day #274

At least once a week I'll receive an unsolicited email from a recruiter, or "talent agent" as they commonly refer to themselves, looking to fill a position that has nothing to do with my skill set. While I'm generally inclined to ignore it and move on to something more rewarding (shopping), I'm finding that more and more, recruiters are now providing an incentive for me to forward the email to a friend who might prove to be a "better fit."

Today I received an email that promised a $500.00 Visa gift card upon the 121st day of my referrals’ employment. Earlier in the week I was offered an iPad for a referral that gets placed.

And, it's not just external recruiters that make interesting offers around candidate referrals. My company offers $10,000 to anyone that refers a candidate that is consequently hired and remains employed for the requisite 120 days outlined above.

Start looking for these opportunities to help out your friends and professional network (tap LinkedIn for 2nd and 3rd degree contacts if you can't think of anyone right off the top). You'll be helping a friend/colleague find a new gig and you'll benefit from it too!


BONUS! Gift Cards for Miles: Tip-of-the-Day #273 part 2

An email from United Airlines this morning gave me pause. The primary call to action (the offer) is to purchase miles in the next 3 days to receive an extra 30% "bonus miles." If you need miles, that's actually nothing to sneeze at because the cost of miles is downright ridic. But, it's the secondary offer on the page that was more interesting to me: Trade your unused gift cards in for miles. That grabbed my attention because I sit on gift cards all the time and could probably benefit more from the miles than the credit at stores I don't frequent. Let's put this in perspective: buy 2,000 miles (the smallest increment available) on UA.com and it costs $75.25 plus 7.5% excise tax, whatever that means. Trade in a gift card, and receive the following in return:


You'll get more miles by trading in a gift card than if you were to buy the miles outright! (Note: the 30% bonus offer on buying miles directly only kicks in at the 10,000 mile level and you can only get that offer through the link in the email I was sent).

Plus, there's a fairly exhaustive list of acceptable retailers open for trade - from Zappos to UA theaters, to Pottery Barn and Four Seasons hotels!

It's unclear how long this gift card/mileage exchange will be occurring. However, the 30% extra bonus miles on the gift card offer is only good until 11:59 p.m. central time on November 18 (this Monday!). So if you've been waiting to wrangle some extra miles, the time is....NOW.

Buy Beans, Bag a Beverage: Tip-of-the-Day #273

There are two good reasons to buy your coffee beans at Peet's.

1. With every bag of beans, you get a free drink. A pound of French Roast is $14.50 and my medium, non-fat latte costs around $3.50. That right there brings the cost of that pound of beans down to $11!

2. When you buy beans you get to circumvent the long line of people waiting to order espresso drinks. You can march right up to the employee dedicated to beans, and order your bag of coffee and your espresso drink at the same time.

I'm not suggesting you buy a pound of coffee every day to beat the system because that would be A LOT of coffee - but it makes far more sense to buy your beans at Peet's than to pick them up at the supermarket. (My local markets carry Peet's and Starbucks by the pound).

Bonus!: I also got a free drink when I bought my friend a $25 gift card.

The savings are everywhere!

Price Adjustments Pay Off: Tip-of-the-Day #272

When I was in my twenties I was downright vigilant about making sure I got the best deal possible and I would go to just about any length to ensure it. Now, I've become more thoughtful about how I spend my energy and I consider the return on my time and energy investment. For instance, does it make sense for me to drive all the way back to Cost Plus to get 20% off the $60 lamp I just purchased? Probably not because I'll spend about the same in gas just getting there and I could use that time far more wisely (paying bills, catching up on laundry, etc.). See my point?

That said, I recently purchased a Restoration Hardware sofa and days later, was alerted to their Friends & Family sale. On a big ticket item, that 20% back can mean hundreds of dollars returned to you! In my case, the only effort required was a quick phone call to customer support. I gave them my order number and in under a minute I was credited back hundreds of dollars. Most retailers have some kind of 30-day policy in place whereby items may be returned, exchanged for store credit, or adjusted if the price drops, etc.

I was able to use that refund from RH to buy a much-needed console to put behind the new sofa and could then reasonably justify the buy.

Nutshell: keep track of what you buy and when it goes on sale, especially now during the pre-holiday period and after!

Price adjustments make it possible to indulge in other much-"needed" goodies. Save on, friends!

Take That Luxury Vaca at 65% off: Tip-of-the-Day #271

I recently booked a trip to Cabo and I tried to do it on the cheap. I booked my ticket on Alaska Air and I used my companion certificate that comes with using the Alaska Air Visa card. The companion certificate enables the second traveler to fly wherever the primary traveler is flying for just $99. (Check out my blog about different points and airlines programs that are worth your attention).

Then, I started researching cute boutique hotels in the quaint, quieter town of San Jose Del Cabo and found a great deal right in the heart of the town.

My bf decided he wasn't comfortable staying in town and would feel "safer" staying in one of the luxury resorts outside of the town - gated and secured by guards. I reminded him that there are no travel advisory warnings for Cabo but he's watched too many episodes of Breaking Bad and is convinced we'll run into cartel at the coffee house.

All by way of saying, he did not want to go on this thoughtfully planned, economic trip I'd booked. He wanted luxury. But, luxury costs money. We stayed at Las Ventanas for my 40th birthday (AMAZING) but it cost thousands of dollars and isn't a stay-every-year kind of place unless you're earning the really big bucks. Or, so I thought. That's when I discovered Luxury Link, a website dedicated to luxury experiences and at less than half the price. There are two ways to buy their hand-picked packages - auction and fixed price - both extending very deep discounts off of the open market pricing.

I found a package at Zoetry, a luxury property right next door to Las Ventanas, and booked five nights for the cost of two. Airport transfers and all taxes were included. No weird strings attached, just a unique opportunity that happened to be available during the timeframe I wanted to travel.

Because Luxury Link vacations are created detail by detail, no two are alike. And, they are available only in limited quantities. This exclusivity means that you will be among the very few who can experience a property and a destination at this level. It also means that you will find these deals only on Luxury Link. You can book your vacation on their website or over the phone with a travel Concierge.
I actually had a Concierge call me about a property I had "bid on" and lost. She's the one who locked in Zoetry for me at the price I wanted.

I'll update my post to review Zoetry once I get back - but for now, I'm incredibly pleased by Luxury Link's offerings, their customer support, and the overall web experience.

Go somewhere fun this holiday season and do it for waaaay less. :) I am!

Bonus: get $50 off your trip when you register using this link.

You Can Buy That Rental: Tip-of-the-Day #270

I remember someone telling me a few years back that I should explore rental car returns for my next auto purchase. I can't remember why I didn't end up doing it. Sheer laziness, most likely. Then, last night I saw an Enterprise commercial on TV that reminded me about this not-often-thought-about technique to getting into the car you want at a really great price.

So I started diggin around online, and sure enough there's been a bit of research that supports peoples general satisfaction around buying used rental cars. Obviously, like buying any used vehicle, if you find a car you're interested in buying, take it to a mechanic and have it inspected. It may look great, but you'll want to confirm there isn't anything wrong under the hood. Once you get a clean bill of health there, ask the rental car company if you can test drive it for the day (not just 20 mins). It's no skin off their back and it gives you the opportunity to give it a good drive and get a feel for it.

Some bennies of buying a rental car:
  1. They are well maintained. While in service they go through regular checkups and service maintenance, and in the case of Enterprise, vehicles move from the rental fleet to the sales lots when they are one- to two-years old and have between 15,000 and 30,000 miles. That's not much time on the road.
  2. Cars are inspected by an independent, certified tech before being put up for sale. 
  3. The price is right. These rental cars are often priced less than comparable models sold at a dealership or through a private party. That inventory is constantly accumulating and needs to move.
  4. You can find luxury cars among their fleet, not just the low-budge, run-of-the-mill rides you and I tend to rent when we go to Vegas for the weekend.
Just a reminder to do a little research when buying your next car because you may end up saving a lot of money and getting a great ride too.

Foster a Furry Friend: Tip-of-the-Day #269

Spoiler alert! This post is about feeling good (petting cats is proven to reduce stress by 56%) and doing good (volunteer work makes a wonderful line item on your resume and great chest-thumping conversation at cocktail parties).

Have you considered fostering a cat? I happen to work as foster coordinator for a local non-profit cat rescue organization in the Bay Area, and I just finished writing a post for them about the great reasons to foster. "Why not share the word here?" I asked myself.

Top reasons why fostering an animal (I'm partial to cats) is a smart idea:
  1. It's a nice way to help children learn how to care for and respect a pet
  2. It can help one ease back into loving a new pet after losing a beloved one
  3. It's a wonderful way to feel out whether long term pet ownership is for you - no strings attached
  4. The rescue organization pays for food, litter, toys, medicine, etc. so you're not out a penny!
If you've ever thought about taking in a stray animal, why not do it now while we ease into the holiday season and everyone is merry. Work typically slows (unless you're in sales and then Q4 goals are hellatious) and the soft glow of white lights mixed with the potent smells of cookies and eggnog delight humans and felines alike.

If you happen to live in the Bay Area and you're reading this post, and you like what I'm saying, but more importantly, you like cats, reach out! You can become a foster, or even adopt if you're ready! Or, if you don't want to get involved in that way at all, but you do have a few extra bucks in your pocket - donate! It's tax deductible and again, you look like a totally caring citizen. Points!

Maximize Liner Life: Tip-of-the-Day #268

Eyeliner. Good eyeliner. Is not easy to part with. I've been addicted to Bobbi Brown's long wear cream shadow stick (that I use as a liner) for about a year now. Once it's on, it doesn't budge. It stays put all day. And, it looks fabulous. You can create a smokey eye or keep it more precise by using the edge of the stick instead of the full flat surface.

Anyhoo, I digress because the reason for this post is to tell you how to maximize the life of your liner - be it eye or lip. I should caveat by saying that because I use the retractable liner, I assume everyone does. Who wants to carry a sharpener around or deal with messy shavings?

When I open a fresh new liner there's nothing like the promise of weeks of uninterrupted use. But then, there is that dreaded day, when you reach for your beloved liner and you've run out of runway! No more twisting! It happens to retractable deodorant too, folks. You know that day when it just doesn't roll up anymore. It's terrifying.

So it happened to me on Monday morning. I knew all weekend long that I should get some more liner, but Sephora doesn't carry this one for some (stupid) reason and thus I had to order it online. Monday hit and I. Was. Out. In an act of desperation (and sheer genius), I pulled apart the sleek case that the heart of the liner resides in and there it was! Something that resembles a ballpoint pen mechanism. Lo and behold, there was a good 1/8 inch left of eyeliner just under "see" level! There was probably enough to get me through another week or even two! This picture says it all:

And so, once I tapped that buried treasure I could relax, order myself some more booty on bobbibrowncosmetics.com and wait. My new stick arrived a mere two days later.

This story is to remind you to tap the treasure that always hides inside the case. Even if you need to use a brush to get to it - my lipstick is a good example - you still have merchandise you can use.

Don't get me wrong, if I'm eyeliner-rich and I don't feel like performing surgery on my old friend, I'll skip it. But, if you're in a bind - this'll do ya.