Awesome Life Hacks: Tip-of-the-Day #332

I picked this list up from Bright Side and thought it worthy enough to pass along. My favorites are 4, 6 and 7. Check them out!
  1. Cooking meat: Add some crushed garlic to any ground beef, pork, turkey, etc. before cooking and let it sit for a bit in the fridge. The flavor of the meat is enhanced and will taste amazing.
  2. Sore throat: Drink hot milk with cardamom and any inflammation and soreness in your throat will disappear a whole lot faster.
  3. Light a fire: If you need to light a campfire fast, you can use potato chips. They burn better than lighter fluid, and will burn even when firewood is damp!
  4. Burned: If you rub the affected area with some toothpaste, a burn or sting on your skin will hurt a lot less and pass much quicker.
  5. Cooking potatoes: Potatoes will boil quicker if you add a little butter to the saucepan.
  6. How fresh are your eggs?: Drop an egg into some cold water so that it’s completely submerged, a fresh egg will sink to the bottom. The ones that have gone bad will float to the surface.
  7. Baking: You can replace eggs with bananas when making the dough for cookies or a pie. Half a banana is roughly equal to one egg.
  8. Clean up glue: Removing a glue stain from glass can be done using ordinary household vegetable oil. Just smear some oil on the affected area, leave for ten minutes, then wipe with a paper towel.
  9. Boiling beans: If you forget to soak your beans, just boil them in unsalted water, adding a tablespoon of cold water every 7-10 minutes. That way they’ll be ready with no trouble at all.
  10. Removing ink or paint from clothing: Acetone will help with this problem. It needs to be wiped on the affected area, then rubbed with a bit of baking soda.
  11. Broken egg?: You can still make use of a broken egg. Just boil it as normal, and then it can be used for salads or sandwiches.
  12. Wet shoes: The trick is to use salt. Heat it up in a frying pan (or microwave), sprinkle it inside a sock, and then place the sock inside the wet shoe. If the moisture doesn’t disappear in a certain amount of time, just put in a new sock. Your shoes will be dry in no time at all!
  13. Boil milk faster: Milk is guaranteed to boil faster if you add a pinch of sugar.
  14. Easily grate cheese: Before you start trying to grate some hard cheese, smear some vegetable oil on the grater. The cheese won’t get stuck together, and the grater itself becomes easier to wash!
  15. Odor control: It’s easy to get rid of bad smells in the kitchen. Pour one tablespoon of ordinary vinegar into a frying pan and heat until it evaporates.
  16. Breaking in new shoes: Put on some thick socks, and then really stretch the shoes onto your feet. While wearing them like this, heat the shoes with a hair dryer for about 10 minutes.
  17. Get rid of a headache: You can ease the pain of a throbbing headache if you rub a slice of lemon on your forehead. It sounds crazy, but the aroma of citrus fruit can really calm you down!
  18. Pick up tiny shards of broken glass: You can gather up even the smallest bits of broken glass by using a waxy candlestick.
  19. Calm down quickly: If you need to calm yourself down very quickly, press down on the patch of skin between your nose and your lips, using your thumb, for three seconds. This can help even if you think you’re having a nervous breakdown!

Full article here: http://brightside.me/article/20-life-tips-which-will-completely-change-the-way-you-look-at-ordinary-things-23655/ 

Explore Summer Camp Tax Breaks: Tip-of-the-Day #331

When I was kid, and it was summer break, I looked for any excuse to stay home and play Atari. I didn’t want to go to camp. That felt like work! I wanted to hang with my friends, make cookie dough and eat it raw, and choreograph dance routines to “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” in my front yard. Ahhhh, summer. But these days, I’ve learned from my sister that her kid and all of her kid’s friends are in day camp ALL SUMMER LONG.

It's not camp like we (in our forties) remember it…it’s camp with themes like “Pirates and Princesses”, “Pop Star Party!” and “Idol Performance Camp”. Sounds fantastic, right?? Only hitch is that it don’t come cheap. These camps are upwards of $100 a day! For parents who are already scraping to cover the cost of school, school supplies, babysitters, birthday parties, etc. this added expense is almost impossible. That said, I came across this article and quickly forwarded it to my sis.

Summer camp may be tax deductible!!

Here’s the 4-1-1 (straight from the tax experts at TurboTax):

  1. If you send your kids away to the mountains for a week, you won’t get a tax deduction. BUT, send ‘em away for the day, and now you are talking tax savings in the form of the Child and Dependent Care Credit, as long as your child is under the age of 13.
  2. Child and Dependent Care Credit is designed to enable you (the parent) to work or go to school, so if you have a spouse at home to care for the kids, then no deduction for camp. But if you are single, or you and your spouse both work, cha-ching, you’ll qualify for the tax credit.
  3. Sending the kids into the backyard to camp out doesn’t qualify as camp. You have to make payment for camp to a real institution or person, and you must include their address and identifying number on your tax return.
  4. Taking the kids to the camp location won’t qualify for the credit. But if the cost of transportation to and from camp is included in the fees, and the camp picks up and delivers, sweet – that qualifies for the credit.

So now that you qualify, what is the credit worth? To begin, tax credits are more valuable that tax deductions, since credits reduce your tax bill dollar for dollar, so the tax savings add up quickly. You can take a Child and Dependent Care Credit for up to 35% of $3,000 in child care and camp costs for one child or $6,000 for two or more children, depending on your income level. That can mean a tax credit of up to $1,050 for one child and $2,100 for two or more children.

I’m thinking my sis is going to be awfully glad she read this…

It Pays to Become an REI Member: Tip-of-the-Day #330

I recently purchased a bday gift at REI for a close friend and discovered that by "joining" their membership program, I could enjoy a number of ongoing benefits, including an instant $20 cash card (which paid for the membership right there).

Since joining, I'm more and more impressed with the perks of membership. First of all, you get a 15% off coupon that is good for any REI labeled gear. Then there's the REI annual member dividend. This is your share of the co-op's annual profit. The 2015 dividend is comprised of your member dividend and/or your REI Visa card rebates. Each March, active REI members receive their member dividend in the form of an annual dividend notice. The refund is typically 10% back on eligible REI purchases. How cool is that?

REI members get special savings on bike shop services and ski shop services and discounted ski lift tickets at selected ski resorts. But, what really hooked me this morning, is the email I got regarding REI's discount on trips and classes. Travel the world with REI Adventures and learn a new outdoor skill with REI Outdoor School. REI members get special pricing on both! Here is a look at some of the upcoming fun:
How to Ride a Bike Class - $65 for members; $85 for non members
Hiking the Bay Area's Best Places - $25 for members; $45 for non members
Learn to Kayak - $70 for members; $90 for non members
And so much more!

The savings are awesome, the schedules are flexible (there are full moon night hikes in the mix!) and I imagine it may even be an opportunity to meet some hunky, athletic types in a very organic setting. #oldschooldating

Check out REI for more info. There's still a whole lot of summer ahead of us!

FREE San Francisco Walking Tours: Tip-of-the-Day #329

Last night I had the pleasure of sharing a Scorpion Bowl with a nice fella at Trad'r Sam's in San Francisco. Over the course of our Bowl, I discovered that among other things, he is a San Francisco City Guide. I had no idea what this meant, so he enlightened me. And, I hope that this "share" will enlighten you and your traveling friends, family members, and anyone visiting San Francisco!

First off, City Guides, a non-profit founded in 1978, is staffed with more than 200 trained volunteers who lead FREE history and architectural walking tours in San Francisco, 52 weeks a year, rain or shine! Wait. What?? Tours head out along the streets, sidewalks, and byways of San Francisco's most famous (or, in some cases, infamous) districts, as well as in some of its more hidden neighborhoods. There are approximately 30 different walks offered each month, with an expanded schedule, offered in May and October. Walks lasts from 1 1/2 to 2 hours and walkers meet at the place and time designated in the current Tour Schedule. No reservations are required.

On Saturday, August 1, there is a tour called "1850's San Francisco: Paris of the Pacific." It's described as follows: Gold Rush San Francisco had a large population of French Parisians. Their influence, abilities, and taste for the finer things of life helped San Francisco to blossom almost overnight from the mud of Yerba Buena Cove into a sophisticated, cosmopolitan city.

The directions are simply to meet at the corner of Clay and Montgomery at Transamerica Pyramid. How cool is that?

A complete list of tours can be found here: http://www.sfcityguides.org/descriptions_table.html

I find it fascinating that I've lived in the Bay Area all of my life and in San Francisco proper for 20 years and had no idea this FREE SERVICE exists!

You learn something new every day. And, even though I'm a native, I'm inclined to check this out. I'll let you know what I discover! 

Skip Your Next Trip to Starbucks: Tip-of-the-Day #328

A colleague recently introduced me to Medaglia D'Oro, instant espresso coffee that can be found on the shelf at your local supermarket. Skeptical at first, my co-worker made me a quick shot so that I could judge the quality for myself. Simply put, it was amazing. Incredibly rich, flavorful and downright impressive for "instant." If I didn't know better, I would have assumed it had been produced by an on-site espresso machine.

I quickly learned that a couple of rounded teaspoons, some raw sugar, and a dash of milk creates the most delicious cup of coffee I think I've ever had.

Over the Fourth of July I had headed north with family and we'd forgotten to bring our beans, filters, etc. Replacement is steep, so I suggested we pick up a container of Medaglia. I quickly squashed their skepticism once I poured the first cup.

A 2 oz. container is approximately $4 - about the cost of a latte at your favorite retailer. Considering the cost of drinks continues to increase (Starbucks just raised costs across the board by at least .15 cents) you may think about foregoing the latte, in favor of trying this instant espresso. It's hard to believe it's been around for years and I've only just learned of it. This week alone I've saved $25 by "drinking in."

The best part of waking up is Medaglia in my cup. Seriously.

It Pays to Price Out Pet Meds: Tip-of-the-Day #327

Image found on Simplycatbreeds.org
If you have more than one pet, you know that the cost of food, (litter in my case), vet visits, meds, etc. really start to add up. I currently have four critters at home and two of them are senior. Like aging humans, things start to break down. One of my cats has IBD (irritable bowel disorder) which I've been treating with Cerenia and one has inflammation in her joints which I treat with transdermal Prednisolone and Adequan. I treat the joint inflammation every other day and the IBD twice a week. The price of these meds, while not outrageous, is still costly enough that given how often I have to buy them, it was worth my while to look into where I could buy them for less. 

My comfort with the internet led me to Google. I found all kinds of online pet med sites that sold what I needed for far less than my vet's office. That said, some of these meds need to be stored very carefully and buying them online can be risky when you don't know where they've been. (It's similar to buying fine wine from an uninsured/untrusted source). So despite my inclination to save a bundle and order in one click, I instead started shopping around with local vet offices. I know and trust my primary vet but also know that they charge approximately 30% more for services and supplements. Sure enough, I called my backup vet and they had the same product for 30% less. 

Given that I have to replenish my stash every few weeks, that 30% really adds up and makes a difference to my pocketbook. So, I bought several months worth of what I needed from my alt vet. This same line of thinking applies to surgeries and/or anything you're going to be "paying up" for. A doctor I know takes her dog farther north when the dog requires any kind of x-rays or surgical attention. It's considerably less money than going to a vet in San Francisco and you're not sacrificing quality whatsoever.

A few minutes and a few phone calls may save you a small fortune over time.

Avoid Mini-Bar Madness: Tip-of-the-Day #326

The best way to avoid mini-bar charges during your travels is to avoid the mini-bar. That said, it's not always easy to do. On a recent trip to NYC, I checked in to my midtown hotel after a day of travel and promptly unlocked the mini-bar to see what treasures were inside. It was well stocked.

Considering I hadn't had lunch, I didn't think twice about opening the vodka "nip" and a bag of beef jerky. $25. Not enough food to call it lunch. And so, I moved on to the organic peanut butter crackers and snack sized Oreo cookies. $12. It only went downhill from there.

If your company gives you a per diem for food and alcohol, you can easily blow your entire day on one mini-bar binge. Here's where smart thinking can save the day. Once the damage is done, throw a "do not disturb" sign on your hotel room door and head outside. Yes, outside. Trek down to the closest Duane Reade or CVS. Purchase replacement snacks. Then bop on over to the liquor store (liquor and snacks are sold in completely separate establishments in NY) and replace the mini bottles of vodka for a mere $3 a pop (instead of $10). Finish up your journey at the corner store for the beers you threw back. $1.50 instead of $8. Replace the items before housecleaning knows you've pigged out. You just saved yourself an enormous (and difficult to explain) set of line items on your hotel bill.

Alternatively, you could plan ahead and bring snacks to your room upon check-in, but who plans to binge on junk food when there's a world of gourmet delights right outside your front door? This is both a courtesy post and a repentance.

You're welcome.

Book Your Travel Wisely: Tip-of-the-Day #325

This is a tricky thing...booking travel wisely, that is. What do I mean? Look for a deal? Sure. Book through reputable travel sites? Yep. Choose a form of payment that is secure? YES. All of this leads up to my story.

Two years ago I booked a luxury vacation through LuxuryLink.com. I had to cancel my trip for personal reasons and used my credit with Luxury Link to rebook the same trip at a later date. That trip was cancelled due to Hurricane Odile. Fast forward two years (too long to wait for a vacation) only to get an email from Luxury Link the day before the trip saying they had closed their virtual doors and any upcoming (paid in full) vacations would not be honored. The exact phraseology reads like this:

Dear Consumer:

Effective immediately, Luxury Link LLC aka Luxury Link Travel Group has ceased all operations and entered into a General Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors (ABC), following which all of its assets will be sold. As a result, Luxury Link will not be able to honor the travel you have booked through it. We suggest you contact your credit card issuer for your options regarding any charges to your credit card. You may also want to contact the destination property directly to see what arrangement you can make with it. As Luxury Link is no longer operating, it will be unable to assist you in rearranging your travel plans or obtain a refund. 

You will be receiving further news regarding the ABC in the next few weeks. Until then, no further information will be available.

Luxury Link Management 

Nice, right? There was good news and bad news. Bad news: I booked the lion's share of the cost through a credit card I no longer use and the account is not active. I tried phoning Chase to see if they could pull up my account and source the date in October 2013 when the transaction occurred and they couldn't even find a record of my account. Buh bye any chance of dispute through that channel. The good news? I booked the second part of the trip using an American Express that I still actively use (in fact, I'm a pretty good customer!) and they didn't bat an eye when I asked if they could dispute the approx. $600 charge dating back to Feb of 2014. No problem. Done.

Lesson here (and, I read an interesting article online where the author mentioned the same thing):

  1. Don't book your travel so far in advance if you can help it. Agencies go out of business. Airlines go out of business. Hotels go out of business. It doesn't happen all the time, especially if you're booking with a reputable, long standing establishment...but in my case, Luxury Link had been around for at least a decade and plenty of loyal customers swore by their customer service.
  2. Don't book a trip with a credit card you have even the slightest chance of cancelling. You'll be screwed if you ever need to go back and dispute a charge.
  3. Always use your American Express (when possible). They have the BEST customer service of anyone out there and will always have your back--even a year and a half after a transaction was processed!

Life....still learning. Good luck out there!

Protect Yourself from ATM Abuse: Tip-of-the-Day #324

Just before a recent trip overseas, I popped into my closest bank branch to see about procuring some local currency before hitting ground. I was quickly informed that an even better solution would be to set up an account strictly for travel. That way, it won't be linked to any of my primary banking features (Bill Pay, Automatic Deposits, etc.) and I would be issued a second ATM card with a unique pin. I loved the idea because I'd been told by several people that Amsterdam was known for ATM fraud and "pick pocketers" (along with the Van Gogh, fun Coffee Shops and great restaurants, of course).

In real time, my personal banker opened a fee free account, created a temp ATM card and transferred several hundred dollars into the account from my primary checking to get me started. Fast forward a week and I was relieved when I used the ATM in the airport because I knew that no matter what happened, it would only happen to approximately $400 of my dollars (or however much you decide to put into that "travel account").

Consider this the next time you venture overseas. Also a good idea to separate ATM cards/accounts for nights out on the town (hey, when drinking's involved why not?), street fairs (i.e., slipping that card in your pocket vs. tucked securely into your purse), etc..

If you don't have the time or flexibility to hit your bank before travel, you can also apparently set this up online.

Note: this article recommends having three bank accounts! A personal checking, a travel checking and a travel savings. Other good tips on how to avoid exorbitant ATM fees as well....enjoy!

Bags in 20 Mins or Get 2,500 Miles: Tip-of-the-Day #323

Delta is making a bold play in the baggage delivery business: now through March 31st, if your checked bag doesn't arrive at the carousel in 20 minutes or less, you'll receive 2,500 bonus miles for your trouble (applicable for any domestic flight). 

You need to be a SkyMiles member at the time of travel to be eligible and requests for multiple flights must be submitted separately. You also need to be a little patient because it could take up to two weeks after submitting your request for your bonus miles to appear in your account.

But hey, sounds like they're gonna take your word for it when you submit this claim form.  

Ironically, I just flew Delta to Amsterdam and waited much longer than 20 minutes for my bag to arrive...but alas, they got me on the fact that it was an international flight. Doh!

Free Burrito at Chipotle: Tip-of-the-Day #322

Have you tried Chipotle's "new" Sofritas burrito? Yeah, most people haven't. So, in an effort to get people on board with this new(ish) soy option, they are offering you a coupon for a free meat-filled burrito after you purchase a sofritas burrito. 
The website statesOrder our organic tofu Sofritas on Monday, January 26th at any Chipotle in the US or Canada, then bring your receipt back on your next visit—from January 27th through February 28th, 2015—for a FREE burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos of your choice.
Hurry! You've got until 10:00 pm. Find your nearest Chipotle here:
http://www.chipotle.com/en-US/find/find.aspx