Best Uber Route or Your Money Back: Tip-of-the-Day #321

There are quite a few options for car service in San Francisco these days. You've got your taxi, Uber, Lyft, Flywheel and the list goes on. I happen to be Uber-loyal despite surge pricing during peak drive times. Why? Because their customer support is terrific.

There have been a handful of times I've jumped in an Uber only to find that the driver isn't as familiar with the city as I am (I grew up here after all). They might take a slightly circuitous route to my destination or pick a one way street that requires a u-turn and adds time and distance to my fare. Instead of starting any beef with the well meaning but wayward driver I wait to see what my fare looks like when I receive the email post-ride. If it feels off or like I've been charged for something that was not in my charted course, I will send Uber support a quick email and within minutes they have adjusted my account to reflect the pricing associated with the more efficient route.

Just something to tuck away in the back of your mind if you're ever in this situation. Best route guaranteed or your money back. Gotta love that.

More Options on KLM v Delta: Tip-of-the-Day #320

I recently had to book a flight to Amsterdam for business. There is one non-stop flight out of SFO and when you search online it comes up as either Delta or KLM but it's the same flight. Weird, huh? I figured since I have a Delta SkyMiles account that it made more sense to book the trip with "Delta". Nope.

My company is only footing an economy class ticket and so after booking the seat on Delta I noticed that there is an Economy Comfort section (more leg room, more recline - like Economy Plus on United). I pulled out my personal Amex to upgrade to this Comfort seat given the 12 hour haul and I couldn't do it. I called Delta and they explained to me that Economy Comfort is a KLM feature and to book it I'd have to re-book my trip on KLM and cancel the trip I'd just booked on Delta. It was the exact same agenda, same flight, same plane but because of some policies in place on the back end, I couldn't get the more comfortable seat through Delta.

I quickly cancelled my flights on Delta (I was within the cancellation period) and re-booked on KLM. Then, I went to the KLM website and immediately upgraded my Economy ticket to Economy Comfort. Strange that Delta and KLM can't integrate their systems if they are operating as the same carrier but at least now you know that there are better options for comfortable travel by booking through KLM and not Delta. Happy flying!

Adjust Location for Cheaper Travel: Tip-of-the-Day #319

I just read an article on Huffington Post, which pointed me to maphappy.org for the original story. With a few key strokes you can save yourself hundreds of dollars on travel. The nutshell version is that when shopping for travel online, by changing your location and/or language/currency you can score reduced pricing on tickets that are otherwise "marked up" for folks traveling from the U.S.

Some people are already savvy to the idea of waiting to book island hoppers until actually reaching Hawaii because the prices are adjusted for locals. Same applies in Europe - flights to neighboring hotspots are greatly reduced for Europeans over "visiting Americans." Waiting can ultimately save hundreds of dollars.

I encourage you to give this article a read: http://maphappy.org/2014/06/use-point-of-sale-to-get-cheaper-international-tickets/.

It's a great time of year to think about saving a few dollars on travel so you can allocate those bucks to keepsakes from the trip. :)

Vision Insurance Work-Around: Tip-of-the-Day #318

If you have vision insurance and your plan only covers a fraction of the cost of new frames and lenses, there are ways to save money.

A couple of weeks ago I tried on some great frames at a local shop and they cost $225. With the lenses? Nearly $500. This particular optometrist was "out of network" and so it would have been an out of pocket cost to me. I wasn't willing to shell out that kind of cash for reading glasses but was also bummed out that I'd have to walk away from the one pair of frames that I'd found and really liked.

So, I went online and started hunting around for the pair I had found. I sourced them on Overstock.com for $99. Score! I ordered the glasses and then dropped by my local LensCrafters to get the lenses made.

My insurance works closely with LensCrafters and pays most of the cost of the lenses. The saleswoman at LensCrafters convinced me that I really need anti-glare (not sure if I was hoodwinked on that one) which tacked $130 onto my bill but, I was ultimately able to buy the glasses and the frames for $229 ALL IN instead of the $500 I was originally quoted. That's a huge savings!

Next time you're considering new lenses, you may also want to head over to Costco. I've heard that's the best way to go but I was not in the mood to fight traffic and lines yesterday. Just sayin'.

Enjoy a Creative "Gym" Membership: Tip-of-the-Day #317

I JUST discovered a new way to work out in San Francisco (note: also available in L.A., N.Y., Chicago and Boston). Not your mother's gym membership, ClassPass delivers access to the best boutique fitness classes in the city - Bar Method, BodyRok and beyond! There are over 1,000 classes available to members, including cycling, pilates, yoga, strength training, dance, martial arts, and more.

For just $99 a month, ClassPass members get unlimited classes to use at studios in the ClassPass network. It's simple to reserve a spot at your favorite class, cancel it, or even put your membership on hold if you feel like you're not using it. Finally! A membership that makes sense for my schedule and my wallet.

Why this model is brilliant, IMO:

  1. Most of us belong to one gym and while the classes are exciting at first, the same schedule day in and day out gets old.
  2. I'm paying twice as much at my current gym for a fraction of the class options.
  3. Most gyms have membership commitments - ClassPass doesn't.

If my next job takes me back to the city (I'm currently enjoying all the benefits and beauty that Marin has to offer) I'm all over this alternative membership. Check it out! www.classpass.com. 

Volunteer to Save On Admission Cost: Tip-of-the-Day #316

Art festivals, Oktoberfest, concerts and opening galas are all fun and fabulous events to attend in any city. However, the price of admission can set you back a penny or two.

This Labor Day I volunteered for a shift at the annual Sausalito Art Festival and in doing so, gained free admittance. That was a $25 savings and I only had to "work" for two hours. The rest of the day was mine to enjoy.

The same thinking can be applied to any of your city's fun events. Call venues and find out if they need extra help at the door or at one of the booths. If the Christmas tree you have your eye on is going to break the bank, offer to volunteer at the lot in exchange for a discount or freebie. (Same goes for pumpkins!)

I often volunteer my time at events across the city. Beyond getting free admission it's also a great way to network with like minded people and feel good about the way you're spending a Saturday.

With the holiday season upon us, now is the time to get creative!

No Doesn't Have to Be the Final Verdict: Tip-of-the-Day #315

This post is to serve as a reminder that "no" doesn't have to be the final verdict. Let me 'splain. I purchased a pair of Tom Ford sunglasses a couple of years ago and spent a good chunk of change on them. They held up well over time and I was pleased with their general appearance even two years in.

One day they slipped off of my head, hit the pavement and one of the lenses cracked and broke. Assuming it would be an easy fix, I mentioned my predicament to a Nordstrom sales associate when I was poking around the Anniversary Sale and she gave me the contact information for Tom Ford USA customer support. I promptly dropped an email explaining my predicament along with a few pics of the damaged shades and a day or so later I got this response:

Unfortunately this frame has been discontinued and we no longer have the parts for the lens replacement. I do apologize for the inconvenience. 

It was signed by “Sarah” and her signature block included her telephone, fax and general location.

My first instinct was to write back, right away, and press her on this. I was surprised that there was no action plan, even one that involved payment to get the glasses repaired or replaced. After shooting back a note of dismay I realized the best thing would be to pick up the phone.

Calling Sarah was the best thing I could have done. Seems an actual person on the line opened up some possibilities that email didn’t extend. Sarah pretty quickly agreed that she would check inventory again and see if there might be any lenses left over from the discontinued line. She also agreed that if the glasses weren’t covered by the warranty, I could pay a nominal fee to have them fixed or replaced. At this I had to ask why I wasn’t offered these options by email. She apologized and said that she had been incredibly swamped. Something gave me the feeling that she might be a one woman shop and so I had to confirm the suspicion. It was true! She is the only person in all of the U.S. handling customer support! No wonder she tried to quickly dismiss my request for assistance. She didn’t have the time to take the extra steps! This discovery seemed to fuel her newly found interest to help source those replacement lenses and sure enough, she found the last pair for me.

They arrived within a week, free of charge I might add, and I quickly popped the lens into place.

Nutshell: email isn’t the best way to get what you need from customer support. People are busy and hoping you’ll go away if the news you get isn’t what you were expecting. Pick up the phone, talk to the human behind the email, and get yourself a brand new set of options that were otherwise unavailable. In my case, a new lease on those sunglasses!

United Airlines Upgrade Scam: Tip-of-the-Day #314

Just found myself victim to the latest "scam" of sorts, issued by United and Continental Airlines. The skinny: if you are traveling in economy and place yourself on an upgrade list, you will be charged for the upgrade on the day you wait-list yourself, regardless of whether that upgrade ever clears!

I was just in NY for business and I upgraded to economy plus on the outbound and was wait-listed for First class on the return. I agreed to the charge of $125, plus 15,000 miles, should the upgrade clear. Well, the upgrade didn't clear and I just noticed on my recent credit card statement that I was charged for the upgrade anyway!

I quickly Googled this issue, knowing that in the universe of travelers someone must have experienced the same, and sure enough it's been going on for several years now. Apparently a policy change disrupted the way upgrades were processed, upon check in, and instead now processes the upgrade ahead of time irregardless of delivery of service!

The worst part: it can take weeks to get your money and miles refunded!

Not sure what you can do about this except avoid wait-listing yourself and suck it up in coach. Buh.

Maximize Starbucks Rewards: Tip-of-the-Day #313

If you're subscribed to the Starbucks Rewards program, you know that you can earn "Stars" by paying for your purchase with a registered Starbucks Card, using the Starbucks mobile app or by entering Star codes from specially marked Starbucks products in the grocery store.

Collect 30 Stars within 12 months and you’re automatically placed into the Gold level. At Gold level you have access to the "Free Drink or Food Reward Every 12 Stars" which translates to: Earn 12 Stars and Starbucks will treat you to your favorite drink or food. Not bad if you find yourself at Starbucks most mornings.

When I first became Gold (so easy to do when your only coffee option is Starbucks) I assumed that my reward would entitle me to the free cheapest item I was purchasing. Nope. In fact, it's the opposite. My typical order includes a grande latte and a protein bistro box and the item that's removed from my bill is always the bistro box.

This morning I had a reward to redeem and after ordering my "usual" I noticed that my balance, after redeeming my reward, was the cost of the bistro box, not the latte. I asked the barista why the less expensive item was removed from the bill, not the more expensive item. She replied "whoops, didn't see that" and promptly handed me a free food/drink coupon for my next visit.

The reason why this post is important is:
1. Know that at Starbucks your reward is good for the most expensive item you're ordering.
2. Don't be afraid to ask about your balance because baristas are all too human and mistakes do happen. You may just get an extra reward for speaking up!


Yes, You Can Return Prescriptions: Tip-of-the-Day #312

I recently changed jobs and with that change came a new health insurance plan. The insurance at my former place of employment was a little "light" to say the least. And so, prescriptions often came with a hefty price tag attached to them.

One example of this is with Zomig, a well known drug for migraine headaches. My former insurance "allowed" four pills per month and the prescription cost me $45. At $11.25 a pill, you didn't want to lose one. Ever.

Given I had only just picked up my recent prescription (doling out the $45 big ones) it didn't seem totally out of the question for me to phone Walgreens pharmacy and ask what my new insurance covers for the same drug. Well, the new plan covers Zomig for just $10! At that point I had to ask if I could return the just-picked-up-pills for the same-but-cheaper-version and the answer was....YES!

By return I don't mean that they physically took the drugs back from me and recirculated them into their inventory. But, they swapped out the orders and credited my debit card the $35 difference.

All by way of saying, it's never "weird" or "out of the question" to ask for something that may be completely within the realm of reality. I love happy endings.


Send a FREE Fax Today: Tip-of-the-Day #311

Though communication by fax may feel antiquated at best, there is still the occasional need to do so. For instance, today I couldn't resist throwing my hat in the ring for the San Francisco YBCA Dream House Raffle and they don't have an online mechanism by which one can purchase tickets. I had to either call in my order or fax my form submission. Anyone who knows me knows that I will always go with the path of least resistance and in this case that meant facsimile.

Next steps: figuring out the fax machine in my office. Nope. So I decided to bone up on the newest online fax offerings. FaxZero.com immediately rose to the top of the Google search (after paid ads) and so I clicked. It appeared very straightforward - just a few fields of information, my document as an attachment, and I would be off to the races. (Note: I had already downloaded the app "Tiny Scan" to my iPhone and so I scanned my submission and saved it as a .pdf.)

I didn't have to register. No opening an account. No trial set up. I simply populated the FaxZero short form, attached my .pdf and within moments my fax was successfully sent. Double confirmation received when Dream House Raffle followed up promptly with my e-ticket. Ah, technology. 

Best Airport Tips of 2014: Tip-of-the-Day #310

I picked up this article from Thrillist, and credit Sophie-Claire Hoeller, German associate travel editor at Thrillist for these awesome nuggets o' wisdom. Given I'm off to NY on Monday, I'm going to test some of these out.

1. Use any card to get free movies
Allegedly, swiping any card with a magnetic strip to pay for the TV in front of you will work, so long as there's no WiFi on the plane. So that Red Lobster gift card now gets you a lot more than just Cheddar Bay biscuits.

How it works: When there’s no connection to verify your card, the transaction is held until the plane lands. If you swipe while still on land, WiFi is usually not active yet. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 on repeat!

2. Roll back your computer's clock for more time on WiFi
When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. When airports hand you an hour of Wifi, play the system and make two hours look like one by rolling back the system clock before the first hour is up. Note: I've heard this works on Candy Crush too if you want to play sooner that the mandatory "time out." In that case, push your clock forward.

3. Don't get into the line when your schedule changes
If your flight is cancelled or overbooked, following the herd to the gate attendants is like throwing gasoline on a fire sparked by frustration. Instead, just call the airline; the operator can do everything the gate agent can, and probably much sooner than for all those suckers waiting in line.

Or double dip: Call while in line. Then you'll be laughing at them while swigging $12 airport beers in no time.

4. Pay less for flights by booking impossible connections
This is obviously situational, but – at your own peril – book a cheap connecting flight you've got a snowball's chance in hell of making. Oh, you only had 10 minutes to connect in Philadelphia? The airline has to reschedule you.

If flights aren't sold out, you can tell the gate agent you won't make it even before you leave on the first flight, and possibly get rescheduled on a direct flight that would have been much more expensive otherwise. It's not quite hidden city ticketing, but it still carries some risk.

5. Pack a gun
DO NOT PUT THIS IN A CARRY ON.

OK, now we've got that out of the way.... a few airport workers affirmed that packing an unloaded firearm or starter pistol in your checked luggage means the TSA won’t mess with it. Or you, for that matter.

Obviously, be sure to declare it, but once you do, watch your luggage get extra special treatment – apparently it’ll be handled extra carefully, won’t get lost, and will be the first on the carousel.

However, we REALLY don't recommend doing this without knowing the local legislation. If you happen to end up in a state with strict gun laws (like New York, California, Hawaii, and Illinois), you could end up going to jail.

6. Acquire shopping bags. Avoid overweight fees.
Go to any airport gift shop and ask for a big shopping bag. Then throw all your extra crap in there, and strut on board; since it looks like you just bought this stuff, airlines can’t charge you for an extra carry on.

Alternatively, look into whether buying a cheap new bag and checking it as a second bag ends up being cheaper than paying overweight fees. If so, do that.

7. BYO Booze
Don't spend your life savings on airplane alcohol: 50ml bottles of liquor are totally fine going through security, as long as they're sealed, contain less than 3oz of liquid, and fit into your 1qt bag.

However, try to be sneakier than that time you wanted to sneak booze onto a booze cruise in college, as it’s a violation of federal law to consume alcohol on a plane when it's not provided by flight attendants.

8. Pack a dense bag to fool the x-ray machines
Pack things like textbooks, cords, and shoes, and you conceivably could sneak that favorite bottle of rosé of yours on board. The reason? The denser your bag, the less detailed the x-ray.

Still seems like a good way to get your hooch tossed in the trash, though.

9. Freeze liquids to get them through security
Apparently, as long as it’s frozen solid, that Gatorade G Series Lime Cucumber Thirst Quencher is totally cool with TSA (see what we did there?).

10. BYO Snacks
So maybe don’t bring last week’s fish curry or a pot of chili. But homemade snacks and meals will save you approximately $459 per flight. And, they won't be airplane food.

11. Give chocolates to the crew
We mentioned schmoozing flight attendants with chocolate before, but what we didn’t know is that it’s pretty standard for flight attendants flying privately to bring chocolates to the crew onboard. Hence, if you do it with a little in-the-know nod and wink, they might give you preferential treatment for saving them a trip. Plus, who doesn't love chocolate?

12. Bypass lazy WiFi passwords
You don't need to be Kevin Mitnick to access the airport WiFi. Allegedly, the Delta Airlines WiFi password is usually "thankyou". Make sure you’re near a Delta lounge though, and to say, "thank you".

13. Wrangle stray luggage carts for free
Some airports have the nerve to charge for luggage carts – but if you go to the transportation/pickup area outside the terminal, you’ll probably find carts abandoned by people too busy or lazy to return them. Bonus hack: make money with this as Smart eCart usually dispenses 25 cents for returned carts. Yes, it's very Tom Hanks in The Terminal, to go back to that well.

14. Make calls from the airport phones to wherever
Apparently, pretty much every phone behind every counter in every airport can connect to outside lines if you dial 9 first. With modern cell phone technology, that's probably not necessary. But if your iPhone's outta juice and you still need to call Aunt Mildred to pick you up, you're not up crap creek. Except that you're still relying on rides from Aunt Mildred.


Xfinity WiFi is Pretty Awesome: Tip-of-the-Day #309

A colleague of mine just introduced me to Xfinity WiFi - a collection of internet hotspots across the country with immediate and FREE internet access for current Xfinity subscribers.

Touted as the fastest hotspots available with over 1 million nationwide, it's now seemingly easier than ever to stay connected.

I have WiFi at home, but my issue was that my apartment is approximately 1,500 square feet and my network router is at one end, buried within an entertainment center. The other end of my place is riddled with dead spots. I bought a WiFi extender to fix that problem but it would work and then not work intermittently. A few months back I posted that I'd found my Verizon hotspot of some use but I didn't want to have to use my phone to fuel my other device connections (or my boyfriend's devices!).

Since I am already an Xfinity subscriber and pay UP THE WAZOO for the "triple play" (home phone, internet and television) this WiFi access is completely free to me.

For those folks who aren't Xfinity subscribers, you can actually buy hour/day/week passes (though I don't know why people would do this). As a trial user, you can get two 60-min complimentary passes, which is worth looking at. That said, I am primarily recommending this to people who are already slaves to Xfinity. And, getting access is as easy as:

  1. Enable WiFi on your wireless device.
  2. Select "xfinitywifi" in your list of available networks. Don't see "xfinitywifi"? Look for "CableWiFi".
  3. Sign in with your Comcast Email or username and password. Just sign in once, and the next time you’re in an XFINITY WiFi hotspot your device will connect automatically.

I am now able to tap the internet pretty consistently from all rooms in my home and am pretty blissed out by this discovery.

Cheers!

Amazon Prime Now Includes Music: Tip-of-the-Day #308

I just got a notice from Amazon that my Prime Membership now includes music! Much like the Prime Instant Video feature that delivers unlimited streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows, the same is now true for music. Prime members get unlimited, ad-free access to over a million songs and hundreds of playlists for free.

The ad-free access is probably the coolest feature in my opinion because other players like Pandora offer free access but the free version is interrupted by noisy advertisements.

Not competing with the likes of Spotify, Amazon has instead come up with a smart plan to tempt people away from ad-supported music "radio" and start-up streaming apps by folding the feature into a membership that a lot of us already have (and love). For me the Prime's $99 annual fee is nothing when I begin to consider how many items I have shipped to me throughout the year using the Prime 2-day service. And now, starting today, I'm getting even more for that money.

Prime members in the US can start listening to Prime Music today. Kindle Fire HD/HDX devices will get Prime Music in an automatic, over-the-air update. To access Prime Music on your iOS or Android device just get the latest version of the Amazon Music app.

I like the sound of this new service. Enjoy!

Sell Your Unwanted Art for Cash: Tip-of-the-Day #307

Artspace.com, a website offering a cornucopia of fine art from the world's most renowned artists, galleries, museums and cultural institutions is now offering to sell your art on a consignment basis via their live auction streams.

Per an email I just received, they are specifically looking for Post War and Contemporary Art as well as limited edition prints and photographs.

By consigning with Artspace you get to tap into their engaged member base of serious collectors and make a nice commission from the sale of your work. 

Just go to Artspace.com and submit a short form that describes the piece you'd like appraised. They have 45 specialists ready and waiting to tell you how much your treasure is worth.

I know for a fact that 20 years ago I was collecting art that I probably wouldn't collect today. This may be the right time to purge so I can begin the restocking process. Art Basel awaits in December, after all....

Generic vs Brand Name Prescriptions: Tip-of-the-Day #306

Most people think that generic prescriptions are going to cost less than named prescriptions. I know I've always assumed as much. Today I learned better! 

I called Walgreens to refill a prescription and the pharmacist asked me if I'd like the brand name instead of the generic because my insurance "likes" brand names better. Wait, what? She went on to tell me that my generic prescrip would run me $84 but the brand version was free. FREE! I couldn't believe it. I mentioned that when I picked this particular prescription up before I wasn't informed of this. She said that's because she happens to know better. Huh.

What this means for you: you may not get someone as informed at the pharmacy counter and it's up to you to ask! Who knew that different insurance companies have preferences for the drugs they cover? I didn't. Or, I just always thought that generic was better.

Given that you can be saving a considerable chunk of change, it's definitely worth asking.

Share Your Daily Deal and Get it Free!: Tip-of-the-Day #305

Today I saw that Living Social was featuring a super deal for Lyft, a San Francisco-based ride share program commonly identified by a bright pink mustache on the front of the participating vehicles. For $5, I was able to buy a $20 credit. Great! Especially because I work downtown and always need rides - home at the end of a long day, to a nearby restaurant, happy hour across town, etc. I quickly bought the deal (only 1 per customer) and then shared the news with my colleagues at work and my friends on Facebook.

Within minutes, three of my friends had also purchased this great deal and that made my deal FREE. Yup. If three friends purchase a deal that you shared, you get the deal for free. Brilliant right? In this case it was a no brainer. Everyone wants free ride credits. Another no brainer is when Starbucks offers a $20 credit for just $5. Doh!

All you have to do to share the love is copy the personalized link that's provided to you once you purchase your deal and then send that link to your network. I wouldn't necessarily count on getting your deals free every time because not everyone is going to share your enthusiasm for mud baths in calistoga - but for the universally loved offerings, go for it!  

Skip the Fitbit - Use Your iPhone 5S: Tip-of-the-Day #304

Fitbit, the small, attractive device that has taken over the nation and made everyone walk more steps each day (10,000 if you can) is now even easier to get your hands on.

My colleague just turned me onto the fact that iPhone 5S has motion tracking built into its internal hardware. You can get nearly the same activity tracking using just your phone, in the same interface that you're familiar with, completely killing the need for the Fitbit wearable device ($100 savings!).

The internal hardware, known as the M7 chip, is pretty solid at tracking your motion. The iPhone 5S has been compared as a fitness tracker with that of the Fitbit Force and Jawbone Up24 and the results showed the iPhone 5S to offer very comparable performance for exercise sessions, but in order to perform at tracking day-to-day activity one needs to have the phone on them at all times. I keep my phone in my purse so that isn't always top of mind for me, but when I go on long walks I have my phone on me so that I can listen to music. If you keep your phone in your pocket, this is a no brainer for you.

How to get started? Just go to the app store on your iPhone, search for Fitbit, download it. You'll be prompted to register with a few easy pieces of information and you're off to the races!

Your Favorite Restaurants, Delivered: Tip-of-the-Day #303

Heard of Postmates? You'll be glad I'm sharing. Nutshell version: Postmates is a same day urban logistics & delivery platform. Wait, wha? Once you download the Postmates app (on your iPhone or Android) you can begin ordering anything from just about anywhere and you'll get it in an hour or less.

My example: I live in the Richmond district in San Francisco. My favorite pizza is clear across on the other side of the city and they don't deliver. I placed the order through Postmates and they had it at my doorstep in an hour flat. The deep dish takes 45 minutes to bake, so that means that they picked up that pie, steaming hot from the oven and whisked it to me in 15 flat.

They will pick up groceries for you at Whole Foods or Trader Joe's, your fav booze at Bevmo, ice cream from Bi-Rite, or those amazing spicy green beans from Betelnut (now called something else but whatevs, same food).

Brilliant, fast, minimal charge on delivery. Pretty much best delivery service evvverrrr.

And, right now you'll get a $10 credit toward your first order when you sign up and use code: gudu

You're welcome!

Smart People Don't Rant on FB: Tip-of-the-Day #302

This post is a little different from my usual format, but my blog is all about saving money, making money and making it through economic downturns and if you lose your job over something stupid you post on a social media site, then that is a hard downturn in my opinion.

Most of you smart folks out there know not to post anything "too" personal on a site like Facebook, right? And, by too personal, I mean any intimate details about your romantic relationship, anything political (unless you crave debate) and anything about the people you work with, especially if you are "friends" with one or more of them!

This may seem like a no-brainer, but believe me when I say that I see this happen ALL. THE. TIME. Now usually it's something that just makes you look ignorant or misinformed and people feel sorry for you but the incident passes, eventually. But, I have a colleague (or two) who have taken to Facebook with scathing remarks about company policy, inequities in the workplace and beyond! One such colleague is actually "friends" with the CEO and didn't think that this was a problem.

Let me tell you this, that kind of behavior will only lead to trouble. You'll be seen as a complainer, a sh** stirrer and someone who isn't adding to the well being of the company. And, you may be let go. Just sayin.

I can also tell you that I know for a fact that when you are interviewing with a company, they not only check your Linkedin profile, but your Facebook page, Twitter account, Instagram account and any other social media site that comes up from a simple Google search.

Protect yourself from looking downright dopey and from potentially getting fired or overlooked for a highly coveted position.

Share your rants with friends or anonymously on Craigslist. Amen.

Forgotten Necessities During Travel: Tip-of-the-Day #301

Last week I forgot my trusty dental guard when I packed for a week-long trip to Maryland. While that may not seem like a big deal, I have what my dentist refers to as a "tongue thrust" and without my guard in place, I'll wake up in the morning and my teeth will have visibly moved from the sheer force of my tongue pressing against them all night long.

Luckily there was a CVS within walking distance from my hotel. Unluckily, the dental guard I was looking for was out of stock. Clearly I was not the only person who had left theirs behind! I searched for close relatives to the guard and found several solutions for bruxism (grinding), most a "no boil" version which felt promising given I had a coffee maker and bathroom sink.

And so, forty dollars later I had purchased the next best thing to having my own guard with me. And, I followed the instructions, inserting it 30 minutes before bedtime to give my jaw a chance to relax.

The first night felt fitful but I must have grown accustomed to it quickly because by morning I had all but forgotten about it. My teeth still felt as if they'd shifted a bit, but nothing like what might have occurred had I nothing in place to absorb some of the pressure of my tongue.

By night four I was kind of over it, but let me just say that for $40 I had an adequate alternative to my custom made creation at home, and peace of mind.

If you ever forget something during your travels, even something as personal as a customized dental guard, never fear because your local pharmacy is bound to have a sensible (and affordable) solution.

Gym Options During Travel: Tip-of-the-Day #300

As I mentioned in my previous post, I spent last week in Baltimore, Maryland. I was staying at a nice enough hotel and there was a gym on the property. That said, I was also there with 75+ colleagues all equally interested in tapping those four treadmills before breakfast. And so, I had to brainstorm other options if I wanted to get a (reliable) work out in.

Temps were hovering in the thirties and forties and power walks felt out of the question. So I researched other facilities within a four block radius of the hotel. Bingo! I found an athletic club that was full service - a breadth of equipment as well as group fitness classes. I had sense enough to bring along my spinning shoes in anticipation of this find and I was ready to rock and roll. Only rub: drop-in passes were $20 for the day. While that wasn't out of the question (I pay more for classes at home), I also wanted to explore other arrangements for the week. So I contacted Membership.

A quick meeting with a well intended Membership Advisor scored me a free week-long pass. I explained that my company is headquartered in Maryland and there were going to be more trips on the horizon. I needed a gym on both coasts to support my 2014 fitness goals!

In taking that one extra step and actually consulting a member of the staff, I was able to save myself a nice chunk of change that would not have otherwise been reimbursed by my company.

It's altogether possible that the Membership advisor could have denied my request or given me a single day pass, but you know what? She didn't! And, if you don't ask, you'll never know.

Upgrade to First on Virgin for $299: Tip-of-the-Day #299

Last week I had to fly to Baltimore for business. Given I live in San Francisco and my flight time is an estimated five hrs on the outbound, six on the return, I'm always looking for an opportunity to upgrade.

I don't know any airline that extends the First Class upgrade offer that Virgin America makes available. In a nutshell: if you're traveling in Economy or Economy Plus, you can contact Virgin six hours before your scheduled departure (online or by phone) and secure an open seat in First Class for a mere $299. I say "mere" because a cross country ticket to Baltimore in First can run you as much as $2000 one way.

On the leg out, I was still too "fresh" to feel the need to pony up the extra dough for the cush seat, plus my friend was on that flight with me and I could sit with her in economy, watch the Niners, and feel just fine about it. But, by the end of my long week I was so exhausted I then felt downright deserved of that First Class seat!

My flight was departing at 10:00 a.m. ET, which would mean a 4:00 a.m. wake up to get to any available seats. I wasn't willing to disrupt precious sleep for that, but if I happened to roll over and notice the time (which I did) I was willing to hit the number programmed on speed dial.

By dark o'clock I had scored the last First Class seat on the flight from Dulles to SFO. Score! I'm not even about the free booze or food. I was down for the cozy, plush seats and all-I could-consume entertainment. Boy did it feel worth it.

If, however, you would rather spend that money on a pair of leather boots, you can always move into Economy Plus for $129. Six inches extra leg room and all the free stuff you can consume. Note: these prices are for cross country flights. I imagine they are considerably less for flights under 5 hours.

BIG TIP: If you are upgrading to First Class, try to avoid getting seated in the first row. The overhead in that row is totally consumed by airline equipment and since more and more people are flying with carry-on, the overhead compartments fill up fast. In row 1, you are forced to either power walk by your neighbors to abscond their overhead space, or whine to a flight attendant and hope they'll move some stuff around so that you don't look like the jerk.

Help Your Aging Pets Get Around: Tip-of-the-Day #298

I have aging cats and it's painful for me to watch them struggle to get on and off of the elevated bed each night. Cats (as you may know) are proudful creatures and will not accept help unless absolutely required. And so, over the years I've tried easing the climb and/or descent with pet stairs designed specifically for dogs and cats with achey arthritic joints. My cats go out of their way to avoid it.

That said, comfort will win out over pride when it just doesn't feel good to jump any more. :(

And so, I developed what I affectionately refer to as the pillow ladder. Depending on the height of your bed, you can layer anywhere from 2 - 4 pillows of varying sizes in a latticed format (think Lincoln Logs). They need to be sturdy enough not to slip or slide and afford your animal the support it needs on the way up and down.

I'll leave this pillow ladder assembled all night long to afford my furry friends the option to come and go as they like while still maintaining access to the place they like most - the bed.

Save yourself a ton of money on different commercial steps or building blocks. Won't happen. In fact, when you assemble the pillow ladder, do it as nonchalantly as possible so that when your cat finds it, s/he thinks that they in fact discovered it.

Enjoy! Your animals will.

More Than Airport Lounge Access: Tip-of-the-Day #297


More and more I've been receiving exclusive offers from Chase, specials designed only for United MileagePlus Club Card Cardmembers.

Gone are the days when credit cards' lure is access to the airport lounge. Now, there's access to exclusive lounges out in the real world, and, if you flash your Club card, you'll get access along with free food/libations.

Chase clearly isn't filtering their offers based on location since I'm in SF and this offer is for NYC - but heck, who cares? I may be traveling for business in NY that week. I may have family there. They are casting a wide net and I don't mind catching a glimpse of the cool stuff they have planned for me as a cardholder.

If you're thinking it's time for a new card, I would encourage you to check out some of the more "exclusive"cards offered by Chase. I've also got the Ritz Carlton card through Chase and expect to see some similar offers through that channel.

Here's a look at what I just recieved by email today:

Escape from the cold and join us in the VIP Lounge as we celebrate Big Game Week. Enjoy complimentary amenities including sports themed food and beverages and more!

Who: All Chase United MileagePlus Cardmembers
Where: Guy's American Kitchen and Bar
When: Wednesday, January 29th – Saturday, February 1st, 11:00 am - 1:00 am

You will be asked to show your Chase United Credit Card and a valid photo ID for entry.

Access to the VIP Lounge is on a first-come, first-served basis and there may be a wait outside to enter. There are also a limited number of reservations available for guaranteed entry. 

Located in the heart of the action in Times Square:

Guy's American Kitchen and Bar 
220 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036 (between 7th & 8th Avenues)

Internet Access Via Personal Hotspot: Tip-of-the-Day #296

I can't possibly be the last person on earth to discover the benefits of using one's phone as a personal hotspot. Am I?

Two failed attempts to get a wifi extender to work in my 1500 sq foot condo and now I'm using my phone's hotspot to connect to the internet in the one section of my house where I'm unable to get a signal on my laptop. My bedroom.

There are some days I just want to sit in bed and answer email. Not get up and move to the dining room. And so, I now share my iphone's internet connection and am free to work from a prone position.

That said, it's important to call your mobile service provider before engaging in this activity because if you're like me and you have a 2GB data plan, you can use that up in the blink of an eye streaming a movie on Netflix. If you're just checking email, shopping online, and reading this blog, then you can do that from the comfort of your hotspot all.day.long and be happy as a clam.

Hard to believe that it took me this long to figure this one out, but I'm guessing I'm not the only one. So, if you have a phone and a data plan, you too can use your phone to connect your computer to the internet. On an iPhone 5 you just go to "Utilities", then "Settings", then "Personal hotspot". Turn it "On" and use the wifi password provided to you to connect. Easy peasy.

You're welcome.