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Google Yourself Challenge: How Much Can People Learn About You Online?

Posted on April 17, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

This article is made possible by our underwriter Equifax.

By now, we’re all familiar with the concept of Googling someone. If you’re not (seriously, where have you been?), it’s the act of typing a person’s name into the search engine to learn more about them. You can find lots of information about an individual through Google, such as where they live, where they work, their level of education, and if they have a criminal past.

While others may Google you, however, it’s just as important for you to Google yourself. Why? Because the pictures, videos, and other personal information about you online will affect you at some point in your life – whether you know it or not.

Who Is Searching for Your Information?

Several types of people might try to find out about you online. Here are a few types to be especially aware of.

1. Employers

It used to be that the only background information an employer had on you was the resume and references you provided. Then came the Internet. While your resume and references are still helpful to employers, they’re secondary to the online research that potential employers conduct about you. Employers aren’t stupid. They know that anyone can fake a resume and coach their references on what to say. But Google doesn’t lie. Not only will employers check your name on Google to verify facts, but they’ll dig deep to make sure you don’t have anything in your past that will reflect unfavorably upon the company.

2. Creditors/Financial Services

In the past, to get a loan you had to sit down with a loan broker and hand over your financial standing on paper. The problem with that was there was a lot of room for fudgery – paper can be copied, modified, and even forged. Nowadays your credit score is stored in an online database, which is accessible to anyone in a position of power to give you money.

3. Stalkers

Stalkers can learn about you on Google, but they can also follow your every move through your social networks. Have you heard those horror stories about people getting robbed blind while they’re not home because they posted about how they’re enjoying their glorious vacation all over Facebook? It happens – but that is the least of your worries. What if a stalker showed up at your job or followed you around based on the information you’ve posted and shared? It’s tragic and frightening.

4. ID Thieves

Shopping online is easy and fun – until your identity is stolen. You’re setting yourself up for potential disaster by storing your credit card info on the sites from which you purchase frequently, but you’re still not completely safe even if you avoid this practice. In fact, keeping a credit card at all sets you up for identity theft because credit card companies store all of their users’ information digitally. When a security breach occurs, like the one at Global Payments recently, your card is compromised along with your peace of mind.

What Tools Will They Use?

There’s more to this than Googling – here are the tools people are most likely to use to get information on you.

1. Google

Google is the number one way for any of us to find information on someone we search. Literally. It’s the most visited website in the world. Most of us search for information about other people for benign reasons, but there are bad apples everywhere.

2. Facebook

Know what the number two most-visited site in the world is? Yep, it’s Facebook. While we don’t have a lot of control regarding what lands on Google about us, we have absolute control about what people can discover about us on Facebook. If someone wants to know what you’re up to, you can bet they’re browsing your profile.

3. Online Police/Sex Offender Registries

If you think your past won’t come back to haunt you, you’re wrong. Employers especially use these sites to make sure you’re telling the truth when you check that box saying that you’ve never been convicted of a felony. It’s better to be up front about your indiscretions than fib about it and get caught. At that point, you look like a criminal and a liar.

4. Ancestry.com

Ancestry.com is intriguing and interesting because it’s an incredible way to learn about your family history. But like any other tidbits of information about you that appear on the web, the information on Ancestry can inadvertently cause you more stress than you signed up for.

How to Protect Yourself

You could stop using the internet entirely…just kidding. Follow these steps.

1. Research Privacy Settings and Set Privacy at Maximum

Every social network you join has privacy settings. If you don’t manually change them, you’ll receive the default settings. Those default settings are rather loose, because it is a social network after all, and the whole point is for you to share with the community. Sharing doesn’t have to mean putting yourself at risk, however. Check your privacy settings and configure them accordingly. On Facebook, for example, you can choose to have your profile public or private. Keeping your profile private will only grant those who you personally allow to have access to it, greatly reducing your chances of someone from accessing your information for nefarious purposes.

2. Use Google Alerts

It’s not just celebrities whose names and likenesses are all over the web – you are, too. To keep track about what’s posted about online as soon as it appears, set up a Google Alerts account. The service will send you a message whenever it comes across any web-based material featuring your name or selected keywords.

3. Don’t Share Your Password

Never, ever give your password to anyone – even the employer who thinks it’s OK to ask for it. Outside of the office, keep your password guarded even more closely. Pick strong passwords that are easy to remember with this great tip from Mozilla (via Lifehacker):

4. Stay Completely Anonymous

Unless it is absolutely necessary, don’t use any personal information when creating online accounts or leaving comment on websites. Also avoid using the same account name on all the websites you visit. Doing so will allow stalkers to look through all your comments and figure out your real identity.

5. Just Be SMART!

You can’t stay offline forever—and even if you do, other parties will still store your information online without your permission. Your only real option is to be as informed as possible about your online privacy so you can make the best decisions regarding your safety. If you don’t want something online, don’t put it there.

It’s time to open up this discussion. Have you Googled yourself? What are your thoughts about online privacy? Have you been a victim of hacking or stalking? Has your employer asked for your password? We want to hear about your experience with this subject in the comments below.


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The 5 Best Credit Cards for Dining Out

Posted on April 14, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

At first glance, dining out would seem be the opposite of frugality, as it is easy to spend enough in one meal at a restaurant as you could buying a week’s worth of groceries. Yet frugal people like me have been able to turn this equation on its head by using every trick in the book. On a recent night out, I made my reservation with Open Table just before departing in order to receive points worth future dining credits. When I arrived, I presented a coupon from Restaurant.com that took $ 25 off my $ 35 bill. Finally, I paid for our meal with my Chase Sapphire Preferred card, which earns double points at restaurants. On other occasions I have use coupons from the Entertainment Book and participated in many of the dining miles programs offered by the airlines. By dining out frugally, I cannot claim to be saving money over the price of home-cooked meals, but I can come pretty close to the price I would have paid for just the ingredients I would have used to prepare a similar meal. (See also: Credit Cards for Groceries)

There are other situations where dining out makes sense or is essential, too. Every day that I go to my office, I am presented with three options for eating lunch. I can prepare my own meal at home, bring a store-bought frozen meal, or eat out. Preparing my own meals is the least expensive option, but it requires me to spend time and energy each evening putting it all together and cleaning up; time I would rather spend with my family. The next least expensive option is to bring a store-bought frozen meal, which I tend to do once or twice a week. While I have found frozen meals for under $ 2, the decent quality entrées actually to cost at least 3$ – $ 4. Alternatively, I can find healthy lunch specials for as little as $ 5 when I eat out. At the end of the day, the extra $ 1 for a healthy, freshly prepared meal is worth it to me.

Another time I always have to dine out is when traveling. Those who travel for pleasure will visit restaurants for convenience, or if only to enjoy the local cuisine. On the other hand, those who travel on company-reimbursed business trips are usually granted a per-diem allowance and save nothing by economizing.

Restaurant Rewards Credit Cards

No matter what your situation, anyone can save money by using the ideal credit card to maximize the rewards they receive from their dining expenses. Just as with any reward credit card, cardholders must always pay their balances in full and on time in order to assure that interest payments do not overwhelm any rewards received.

1. Citi Forward

credit cardCiti’s cards are not normally considered to be at the forefront of the reward card market, but their Forward card is the clear leader when it comes to dining rewards. This card (and their Student Forward card) offers cardholders an industry-leading 5x rewards for spending on dining and on entertainment. Rewards come in the form of ThankYou points that can be redeemed for one cent each towards travel expenses and some gift cards. Unfortunately, redeeming ThankYou points for cash back or statement credits returns less than one cent in value. But at five points received per dollar spent at restaurants (and on entertainment), even a .7 cents per point in cash back will still yield 3.5% rewards worth of your dining dollar, which is a very strong return. There is no annual fee for this card.

Click here to apply now

2. American Express Blue Sky Preferred

credit cardThis card offers one point per dollar spent on most purchases, with double points on dining, hotels, and car rentals. In contrast with Chase’s Ultimate Rewards Program and their own Membership Rewards program, the points offered by this card simply return 1.33 cents cash back as a statement credit. Therefore, each dollar spent at restaurants returns 2.66 cents in cash back. And although in-flight meals cannot really be considered dining, this card does offer a $ 100 annual statement credit to cover buy on board meals or checked baggage fees. This statement credit is also a great way to justify the $ 75 annual fee.

Click here to apply now

3. Chase Sapphire and Sapphire Preferred

credit cardChase offers several different cards that earn points in its Ultimate Rewards program, but their Sapphire cards earn double points for charges at restaurants. Those with the standard card can redeem points for gift cards or cash back at a rate of one cent in value per point. While there is no annual fee for the standard Sapphire card, I carry the Sapphire Preferred for several reasons. Despite its $ 95 annual fee (waived the first year), Preferred card holders receive a 7% bonus on their points each year, making each meal worth 2.14 points. Additionally, Preferred cardholders receive double points all travel expenses, and triple points when travel is booked through Chase’s web site. Finally, the Preferred card has no foreign transaction fees and cardmembers have the option to redeem points for miles with some airlines or points with hotel chains.

Click here for the Sapphire

Click here for the Sapphire Preferred

4. Discover Open Road

credit cardThe Discover cards are known for their simplicity and excellent customer service. Their Open Road card offers 2% cash back on dining and gas purchases, with other purchases receiving the standard 1% cash back. Another outstanding feature of this card is the 0% promotional financing on both new purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. There is no annual fee for this card.

Click here to apply now

5. Marriott Rewards Premier From Chase

credit cardThis is the wildcard of the bunch. It offers one point per dollar spent on most purchases with double points for dining as well as airline and rental card charges. Five points per dollar are earned at Marriott properties. Free nights are available for as little as 6,000 points, and when cardholders redeem four nights in a row, their fifth night is free. There is an $ 85 annual fee that is waived the first year, and cardholders receive a free night each year when they renew.

Click here to apply now

Without a doubt, most consumers will save money when they prepare their meals at home. Nevertheless, I find a frugal night out to be a needed respite from our family’s normal routine of cooking and cleaning. By using all available coupons and discounts, and by choosing the best credit card to pay for your dining expenses, you can have affordable meals that ultimately lead to valuable rewards.

Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.


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20 Great Once-a-Month Cooking Recipes

Posted on April 12, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

Once-a-month cooking is a popular strategy for those looking to have affordable, convenient meals prepared in advance. Some people use it as a way to maximize freezer savings by baking in advance, while others break down large bags of a single product from their latest bulk buying run into packets that can be combined to create other meals. For example, small containers of shredded mozzarella and bags of pre-cooked beef can form the basis of a homemade pizza, while pork loins sliced into medallions can be tossed onto the grill for a quick dinner along with potato foil packets and a salad.

Me? I land somewhere in the middle of these two strategies. Here are some of my favored once-a-month cooking recipes, ranging from minimal-effort spice blends to hand-crafted appetizers. (See also: Batch Cooking for the Rest of Us)

1. Hot Buttered Rum

This is more of a cold-weather item, but it’s one of my favorites. Follow the recipe in my once-a-month cooking for the bar article, then store the mixture in the freezer until you have company. Then you add a spoonful of the mixture to a cup full of hot water and a shot of rum. Great for holiday entertaining.

2. Freezer Falafel

If you’re looking for sandwich ideas you can incorporate into a plant-based diet, then falafel is a great budget solution that’s full of flavor. You can enjoy falafel on its own, on your plate as a dinner side or meat replacement, or in a pita sandwich with chopped vegetables and tahini sauce. This falafel recipe for the freezer is a great recipe to start exploring with.

3. Cake Mix

If you frequently have to make treats for classrooms, family dinners, and book club meetings, then you may want to keep a bulk batch of DIY cake mix in your pantry. You can use it to make layer cakes and other inexpensive desserts like cupcakes and jelly rolls.

4. Pizza Sauce

Large cans of tomato sauce or puree from Costco combine affordably with Italian seasoning to create large batches of pizza sauce you can freeze in small serving containers or ice cube trays for use throughout the month. You can use it on English muffin toaster treats and in calzones, or set some aside for a family pizza topping party at the end of a busy week.

5. Bread Mixes

Are you the type of family that enjoys soups, stews, and other crock pot meals a couple of nights per week with a loaf of freshly baked bread? Then consider adding bread mixes to your collection of once-a-month cooking recipes.

6. Icebox Cookies

There’s a reason the refrigerated and frozen cookie dough products fly off the grocery shelves. Sliding pre-made dough into the oven speeds up prep time exponentially for busy moms. Try out this recipe for butterscotch icebox cookies and see if the concept works for you. If you decide you like having after-school treats on tap, then there are many other varieties online for you to explore.

7. Mexican Potato-Topped Casserole

A popular family dinner option is using prepared potato puffs as a topping for simple casseroles. One of my favorite Tater Tot casserole ideas involves combining Mexican-style ingredients with crispy potato topping for a homespun meal that’s a hit with a variety of eating styles. A simple one involves just a base of chili with potato puffs on top. You can add cheese or not, and choose between regular or vegetarian chili to suit your family’s preferences.

8. Broccoli and Rice Casserole

Hey, it might be hum-drum, but incorporating a broccoli and rice casserole into your home’s collection of frozen broccoli recipes is an easy way to expand your assembly cooking routine and ensure you always have a flexible side dish on hand.

9. Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers

Having frozen dishes on hand that are worthy of serving to company makes last-minute entertainment obligations markedly less stressful. These stuffed green peppers from 5 Dollar Dinners are hearty and satisfying, and would look great on a plate with a fun sauce and some sliced scallions.

10. Chicken Fried Rice

It doesn’t get much easier than reheating a batch of this stuff on a Tuesday night. It doesn’t get much cheaper, either. Using extra meat from a prepared bulk bag of chicken leg quarters, leftover rice, scrambled eggs, and your seasonings of choice creates a dish that is quite literally pennies per serving. Serve with soy or hot sauce for a quick one-dish dinner.

11. Shredded Beef

Any self-confirmed carnivore will tell you that shredded beef is a seriously flexible food item. Perfect for barbecue sandwiches, cowboy quesadillas, and French dip sandwiches, you can easily whip up a large batch whenever you prepare your once-a-month cooking recipes.

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12. Cuban Black Beans and Rice

If you like Cuban food and are partial to enjoying beans and rice on a regular basis, then you may want to actively consider incorporating this one into your repertoire. A single batch of Cuban black beans and rice can easily be flexed to feed whatever sized crowd you’re planning to accommodate. This Cuban black beans and rice recipe from Yahoo! is a decent place to start. Personally, I think I might want to freeze the cooked rice and black beans separately and heat up the actual dish with freshly sautéed vegetables when I’m ready to enjoy this dish. That way, my options for creating other dishes with the beans, such as burrito bowls, are preserved.

13. Pie Crust

Whether you’re a summer pie baker or need to have your pie crusts ready for the winter holidays, having bulk pie crust in your freezer is a good idea. I typically freeze the recipe in individual patties that I can roll out later. That way, I don’t have to know in advance if I’ll need a one crust or two crust pie. By the way, you don’t have to save pie crust for holiday gatherings. You can also use this recipe to create fun and frugal dinner pies throughout the year.

14. Seasoning Prep

As with the bread mix idea above, not every once-a-month cooking recipe needs to be for the freezer. Another powerful and simple assembly cooking strategy is to pre-assemble a variety of spice blends and grinds that you use on a regular basis. For example, this shakable vegan Parmesan cheese substitute takes just a minute in the blender after pre-toasting your walnuts, and it tastes great with a pasta dinner. Other ideas include homemade zatar, a cinnamon-sugar blend for toast, and DIY taco seasoning. One thing I like to do each month is to prepare pad Thai add-ins and store them in canning jars. Crushed red pepper flakes powder up nicely after a turn in the blender, and chopping up some dry roasted peanuts for a protein topping are two very simple things that take me minutes and get me through MANY batches of one of our favorite Thai dishes.

15. Gourmet Butter

If you host a big family sit down once a week or know that you’ll be entertaining frequently on any given month, then having a fun flavored butter on hand for baked treats and dinner rolls will have you feeling like Martha Stewart. There are tons of flavor pairings out there online, but this chive butter recipe for the freezer is a simple way to start.

16. Pot Stickers

When people stop by unexpectedly, it’s nice to have a few fun foods at the ready. One popular recipe is pot stickers. People are used to seeing them at restaurant buffets, and the ingredients are fairly affordable.

17. Chutney

Chutneys provide an interesting gourmet twist to anything from a crock pot pork loin to a roast chicken dinner. This recipe for freezer peach and pepper chutney can be prepared inexpensively enough, provided you watch your summer grocery sales or have your own peach tree.

18. Stroganoff

A fun topping idea for baked potatoes is beef stroganoff. This freezer recipe for beef stroganoff from Moms Budget has a fairly short ingredient list, which is always a good idea when considering time and budget.

19. Meatballs

One of my husband’s favorite meals is a toasted meatball sub. Making large batches of meatballs ahead of time ensures you can always pull off a hot sandwich or a hearty spaghetti dinner with ease. This vegetarian meatball recipe posted by the New York Times is a great resource for the plant-based diet crowd, but there are a number of carnivorous options provided online as well.

20. Turkey Sloppy Joes

Lower fat than their beef counterparts and super affordable, turkey sloppy Joes are an easy mid-week dinner that can be prepared ahead by cooking up some ground turkey with your sauce of choice and freezing for later use. Serve on bulky rolls with veggie sticks and corn chips for extra fun factor.

So how about it readers? Does anyone have any other once-a-month cooking recipes they’d like to share? I’d love to see what creative ideas are lurking out there that haven’t made it across my radar yet.


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Ask the Readers: How Do You Save Money When Dining Out?

Posted on April 10, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

If you are like most people, chances are you find yourself dining out with family or friends at least a couple times each month. While it’s fun to head to a restaurant to catch up with loved ones, somtimes dining out can be a bit costly. Luckily, there are ways to save when you grab a bite to eat with family or friends!

How do you save money when dining out? Do you share a meal with someone? Only go to Happy Hours? Drink water?

Tell us how you save money when dining out and we’ll enter you in a drawing to win a $ 20 Amazon Gift Card!

We’re doing three giveaways — one for random comments, one for random Facebook “Likes”, and another one for random tweets.

Mandatory Entry: 

  • Post your answer in the comments below 

For extra entries (1 per action):

  • Go to our Facebook page, “Like” us, and leave a comment on this article telling us you did, or
  • Tweet your answer. You have to be a follower of our @wisebread account. Include both “@wisebread” and “#WBAsk” in your tweet so we’ll see it and count it. Leave a link to your tweet (click the timestamp for the individual URL) in a separate comment.

If you’re inspired to write a whole blog post OR you have a photo on flickr to share, please link to it in the comments or tweet it.

Giveaway Rules:

  • Contest ends Monday, April 16th at 11:59 pm Pacific. Winners will be announced after April 16th on the original post. Winners will also be contacted via email.
  • You can enter all three drawings — once by leaving a comment, once by liking our Facebook update, and once by tweeting.
  • This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered, or associated with Facebook.
  • You must be 18 and US resident to enter. Void where prohibited.

Good Luck!


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Welcome Rudy Maxa’s World Listeners! See More Travel Rewards Tips From Jason

Posted on April 8, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

This Saturday our travel rewards expert Jason Steele will be featured on the Rudy Maxa’s World, the number one travel radio show in America. To listen live online, go to this link on Saturday at approximately 10:15 AM Eastern.

Jason will be sharing his story of how he earned $ 4,000 worth of frequent flier miles and redeemed them to bring fresh water and bicycles to needy villages in Africa. If you’re interested in learning more about the story, you can read about Jason’s Africa trip here, or check out Jason’s charity, The Clean Water Foundation.

Jason’s family has been traveling the world for free thanks to his savvy use of credit card rewards. Here is a sampling of his best travel and credit card advice on Wise Bread:

Jason’s top travel rewards picks:

Jason’s travel hacking advice:

Jason’s credit card tips and tricks:

Author Jason Steele is Wise Bread’s travel rewards and credit card expert. For interview requests please contact media@wisebread.com.


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What If I Skip My Taxes This Year?

Posted on April 6, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

For many people, filing and paying their taxes can be a major source of anxiety every spring. On top of all the other things you’re already juggling in your daily life, you’ve got those pesky tax stubs, the federal and state returns, and standing in line at the post office. And while many taxpayers are expecting a nice refund, there are plenty of folks out there who owe money to the IRS this year.

So what if you just don’t do it? What really happens to the people who ignore the whole thing and say, the heck with all of this, I’m skipping tax season?

Well, here’s the surprising news: not much. At least, not much happens to you at the beginning, and your chances of getting nabbed by the IRS — and having to pay up — differ significantly depending on the kind of income you’ve earned over the year. (See also: 15 Surprising Facts About Income Tax)

Which Is Worse — Filing Late or Paying Late?

Let’s back up a second. The law requires taxpayers to both file a tax return and pay any taxes due. And there are separate penalties associated with each of your legal obligations every year.

But, contrary to what a lot of people think, the “failure to file” penalty is actually worse than the “failure to pay” penalty. And yes, the Code is way harsh and adds interest to the penalties as well as to the principal. Also, keep in mind — you’re slapped with both the failure to file and the failure to pay penalties if you blow off doing both of them.

That’s why, if you are facing a bill that you can’t afford, tax professionals always tell their clients to at least file on time so they can avoid all of the late filing penalties and interest. And lawyers will advise you to pay any part of your liability if you possibly can, since the IRS accepts partial payments — and something is always better than nothing when it comes to your taxes.

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Who Is Most Likely to Be Caught?

So who does the IRS catch up with the most? It’s simple. People who’ve had a third-party report earnings to the IRS for that tax year.

For example, most of our employers are required to provide information to the IRS before they pay us. Brokers generally have to report gain on stock or bond sales. Even a casino will ask you to fill out paperwork before you take home a large jackpot.

And that’s just the beginning. If you received unemployment, pension income, or pulled money from your IRA in 2011, you’ve left a paper trail that will lead the IRS straight to you.

The people who have the best chance of flying under the radar for the longest amount of time? Freelancers and those who are self-employed or earn most of their income from consulting or odd jobs, because the IRS has the hardest time tracking unreported money. At the end of the day, someone who works for herself is usually the only one who reports it, and therefore, the odds of getting busted are much lower than a full-time employee at a more traditional company.

But while it may take years for the IRS to hunt you down, and you may get lulled into a sense of complacency thinking the IRS has forgotten about this tax year, you’re better off paying the piper sooner rather than later.

What Is the Best Way to Deal With IRS Problems?

In all the cases I’ve seen, the government has been more willing to work out a compromise or a payment plan with an individual when the person came forward on their own.

Sure, some Americans will get away with not paying the government a dime this year. But if and when they do come down on you, the IRS can be like a three-ton gorilla. I’ve watched people’s wages garnished, their assets seized, and their lives turned upside down until their tax debt is paid in full.

So if you find yourself thinking, “Hey, maybe I’ll forget about my taxes this year,” make sure you’re ready to gamble on one of the most powerful agencies in the country. And you can sleep at night knowing all those penalties and interest are out there, accruing on your account.

Jacoba Urist is a tax and estate attorney from New York. She is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post and is writing a book “The Happiest Parent” about preparing the best possible future for every child. Follow her on Twitter at @TheHappiestPare.


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Ask the Readers: What Is Your Biggest Financial Accomplishment?

Posted on April 4, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

Everyone has accomplishments in their lives they are proud of. Be it graduating from college or landing their dream job, most people have something they have done that makes them feel accomplished. Finances are no different! From paying off student loans to eliminating credit card debt to saving for a big trip or an emergency fund, most people have reached milestones in their finances that they are proud of reaching.

What is your biggest financial accomplishment? Paying off your debt? Building an emergency fund? Or…?

Tell us about your biggest financial accomplishment and we’ll enter you in a drawing to win a $ 20 Amazon Gift Card!

We’re doing three giveaways — one for random comments, one for random Facebook “Likes”, and another one for random tweets.

Mandatory Entry: 

  • Post your answer in the comments below 

For extra entries (1 per action):

  • Go to our Facebook page, “Like” us, and leave a comment on this article telling us you did, or
  • Tweet your answer. You have to be a follower of our @wisebread account. Include both “@wisebread” and “#WBAsk” in your tweet so we’ll see it and count it. Leave a link to your tweet (click the timestamp for the individual URL) in a separate comment.

If you’re inspired to write a whole blog post OR you have a photo on flickr to share, please link to it in the comments or tweet it.

Giveaway Rules:

  • Contest ends Monday, April 9th at 11:59 pm Pacific. Winners will be announced after April 9th on the original post. Winners will also be contacted via email.
  • You can enter all three drawings — once by leaving a comment, once by liking our Facebook update, and once by tweeting.
  • This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered, or associated with Facebook.
  • You must be 18 and US resident to enter. Void where prohibited.

Good Luck!


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Security Breach Puts 50,000 Credit Card Holders at Risk

Posted on April 1, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

A security breach at Global Payments Inc., a third-party U.S. based processor, may have compromised 50,000 Visa and MasterCard cardholder accounts. According to ZDNet, both Visa and MasterCard have sent out non-public alerts to banks notifying them of the breach.

Krebs on Security reported that the breach was first detected by Global Payments in early March. The accounts were compromised between January 21st and February 25th 2012. The information obtained in the breach could be used to make counterfeit cards. It is unknown whether or not banks will issue new cards to cardholders as a result of the breach.

Affected banks have begun analyzing transactions on the potentially affected cards in an attempt to find common points of purchases. So far, the transactions of the cards that have been analyzed seem to share the characteristic that they were used in parking garages in the New York City area.

Visa has released information saying that the breach is being investigated by the Secret Service as well as an unidentified forensics company. The investigation is still in its early stages. Visa and MasterCard have both stated that their networks were not compromised as a result of the breach.

If you use a Visa or MasterCard credit card, you may be affected by this breach. The good news is that most credit cards have fraud protection, so even if you are affected by this security breach, you most likely will not be affected by fraudulent charges if you catch them early enough.

Make sure you spend some time this weekend checking your credit card statements either online or by phone to see if there has been any unusual activity going on. If there has been, get in touch with your credit card company ASAP!

Additionally, if you have yet to get your free credit report this year, get your free annual credit report to make sure there are no discrepancies on your report.

Be sure to share this article with your family and friends via Facebook, Twitter, and email so they know about the security breach and can check their credit card statements to make sure they were not affected.


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Are Groupon Getaways a Good Idea?

Posted on March 30, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

I just returned from a mini-vacay, compliments of a voucher I bought on a daily deal site similar to Groupon. I’ll admit to having let at least one of their local deals expire after purchase, so I was determined to get the biggest bang for my buck on the hotel deal. While I’m not completely sold on doing it again, here are the pros and cons to such offers, as well as tips to keep the excursion well under budget. (See also: The 5 Best Travel Reward Credit Cards)

Offers Are Valid Longer

I had an entire year to use the hotel voucher I purchased, so you would think I would have no problem redeeming it prior to expiration. I found myself hustling at the last minute, however, and I used it literally on the last possible day it was valid for.

Lesson Learned: Even with increasingly longer valid dates, your personality may determine if it’s long enough. If you have a crazy, busy lifestyle, or procrastinate (like me), no amount of time may be long enough to warrant a travel deal. Book early and leave a little “wiggle room” at the end, just in case!

The Same Rules of Reservation Apply

Before I could ultimately use my hotel deal, I had to cancel and reschedule at least once. Most travel destinations will be OK with this, but you should be aware — if they have a cancellation or change policy in place, it will apply to your voucher, as well. (Some vouchers impose even tougher rules for changing plans.)

Lesson Learned: Even if you can’t use a voucher and are content to let it expire, don’t forget to call the destination back to cancel any standing reservations. You don’t want to be hit with the cost of an unused voucher AND a cancellation fee or first-night’s stay!

Perks Can Be Pricey

Our particular package came with two nights at a family suite, one meal, snacks, and some tokens for the local arcade. While this seemed like a great way to stretch the family dollar, keep in mind that these deals are designed to get you to spend more once you are at your destination. Our “free” drinks and appetizers at the local bar, for example, didn’t include tax or gratuity. The free arcade tokens barely allowed the kids to play one game each and didn’t account for the no-refund policy on broken game machines.

Lesson Learned: You may need to get crafty with ways to avoid paying ridiculous additional charges. We were able to take our free appetizers to go, for example, allowing us to pay just $ .54 in tax and skip gratuity altogether. (It also limited the urge to pay for pricey soft drinks at the restaurant.) We also brought along our own gaming systems for the kids to play during “quiet time” in the hotel room; this kept the begging for quarters at the “arcade” down to a minimum.

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Chase United

Not All Trips Are Worth It

When we bought our voucher over a year ago, we thought it was a good deal at the time. After all, how often would we get the chance to get all five kids into a nice suite within a hotel with a water park for under $ 250 for three days? As it turns out, this trip kept adding on the costs: our van had troubles, so we rented one for the week; bad weather forced us to return home one night early; and the kids hardly spent any time in the water due to exhaustion. Had we stayed home or just attended the local water park for one day, we would have saved $ 300, even with the cost of the unused voucher.

Lesson Learned: Look at all the costs involved with redeeming an offer. Sometimes, not using a deal you purchased can be more affordable than seeing it through. Put a value on the experience of going on your trip; for some, any amount of money is a small price for the chance to get away!

Nothing feels worse than buying something you can’t use. The guilt of letting a purchased voucher expire is what gets many of us on the road to spending even more money on a daily deal. If you’ve purchased a voucher but are on the fence as to whether you want to use it, check the deal site terms to see if a refund or credit can be granted. Otherwise, gifting it to a friend may be an option. If all else fails, limit your expenses to keep your trip enjoyable without the additional burden to your budget — and strongly ponder your situation the next time a travel deal catches your eye!


Wise Bread

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25 Things to Never Pay Full Price For

Posted on March 28, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

What’s so great about this frugal renaissance that we’re experiencing is that there are more ways to save on everyday purchases than ever before.

In fact, there’s money waiting to be saved on almost every purchase we make. Some are no brainers, but I bet there are ways to keep more of your cash that you never knew about.

To help you preserve what’s in your pocket, here are 25 broad categories of items (I’m covering much more ground this way than being super specific) for which you should never pay full price. (See also: 25 Things to Throw Out Today)

1. Magazines

If you’re buying the latest gossip rag in the checkout line — either sporadically or on a regular basis — you need to reevaluate your priorities. These magazines sell at the cover price, which can be anywhere from $ 2.99 to $ 9.99 per issue. You don’t have to give magazines up all together, but if you like reading a particular title, consider a subscription. You can save up to 93% off the cover price — I know the savings can be that high because I just renewed a subscription for 93% off — if you shop around. When my Entertainment Weekly subscription expired earlier this year, I declined to renew it for the deal they offered, which would have cost me over $ 120 for two years. However, while reading an EW app on my iPad recently, I saw an ad for a two-year subscription (that comes with a digital issue) for $ 34.

2. Books

If the bankruptcy of Borders has taught us one thing, it’s that people don’t like to pay full price for books. And who can blame them? Generally I only read a book once, so why pay the premium price? I almost exclusively buy my books on Amazon — the lowest-priced used copies, too (who cares what it looks like) — and then resell them when I’m done. It’s almost like getting books for absolutely nothing.

3. Video Games

I don’t need to have the latest and greatest title, so when I’m looking for a new video game to play, I head straight to the discount or clearance section of the electronics department. However, if you do like to have newer games, Amazon is a great way to cut the costs at least a little bit.

4. Clothing

My favorite store, J. Crew, tends to be a bit pricey, so it’s very rare for me to buy anything at retail. Instead, I shop in the clearance section and dig for the best deals. Other ways to cut costs on clothing include shopping at wholesale clubs, using coupons, signing up for your favorite brand’s e-mail deals, shopping discount sites (JackThreads and Shop It To Me are my favorites), and giving thrift stores your undivided attention.

5. Groceries

Like I said, this list will include a few no brainers — and this is one of them. From coupons (but be careful that you’re not buying more than you need — buy two, get one free isn’t a deal if you only need one!) to the store’s “club card,” instant savings abound. But there are hidden deals that are waiting for you, too. Items that are about to expire may be heavily discounted along with damaged items. I buy canned goods and opened cereal boxes (don’t worry; the bag inside is still sealed) for well below original prices. Most grocery stores almost always have a clearance section, too, so be sure to find out where that is.

6. Dining Out

My husband and I enjoy eating out, but we never ever pay full price for a meal. We research happy hours to find drink and appetizer deals (often half off — and enough to fill us up), purchase Restaurant.com certificates at 80% off, check-in on Foursquare or Scoutmob, or redeem coupons we’ve received in the mail or online. There are a million-and-one deals at restaurants near you. Why wouldn’t you patronize the ones that will save you money?

7. Condoms

I’m always baffled that there’s still a marketplace for condoms. I see them all kinds of places for free. They’re available at bars, doctors’ offices, clinics, street fairs and festivals, and more. I have a huge fish bowl full of condoms in my living room, and I pick up extras whenever I see them. Also, if you have a flex spending plan, you might qualify to get free condoms from your local drug store.

8. Tickets

Whether you’re going to the theater, a concert, or a sporting event, there are tickets available for less than they’re sold at the box office. The first place I look is Craigslist because the sellers are local and I can often pick them up same day; I’ve scored low-priced tickets just minutes before a baseball game because at that point the seller just wanted to unload them. If you have more time to spare, StubHub should be your go-to source for discounted tickets on any event in your area.

9. Gift Cards

Retail stores never offer discounts on gift cards because cash is king — and they don’t want to lose real dollars. But where there’s a will, there’s a way. There are many sites on the web — like Plastic Jungle and Gift Card Granny — that offer gift cards to popular retailers at up to 50% below face value. Another site, You Never Lose, is sort of the same concept except buyers get to bid on the gift cards, which can result in savings up to 95% off.

10. Lodging

Staying at a hotel for full price is a fool’s game. With sites likes Priceline, Orbitz, and Hotels.com, there are many opportunities to pay less for your lodging. If you want to save even more money on accommodations, however, consider staying with a local when you travel via Airbnb or HomeAway. I can tell you from personal experience that using these alternative options will not only save you hundreds of dollars, but you often get better amenities and service than you do at hotels. Plus, you might make a new friend in the host — nothing wrong with that.

11. Outdoor Activities

My husband and I love to go on new adventures, but we never identify opportunities and seek them out. Rather, we wait for them to come to us via Groupon or LivingSocial. Thanks to these daily deal sites we’ve enjoyed horseback riding, camping, paintball, river tubing, white water rafting, and much more way below what it would have cost us if we had booked our trips privately.

12. Vacation Packages

There’s one piece of advice that I hope you’ll heed when planning a vacation — do not book through a travel agent (sorry, travel agents); you can do much better on your own. By using a combination of sites — Priceline for airfare, Airbnb for lodging, Groupon for activities — you’ll save more money than if let someone else do the work for you. Remember to still compare prices, though. Just because these are discount sites doesn’t mean they have the best discounts. The only way you’ll know for sure is if you compare across the board.

13. Car Rentals

When I took my husband to Chicago for his birthday last year, I got gouged on a car rental. Not only did I not book in advance, but when I arrived there were no cars left. When I finally secured a reservation, I paid three times as much as I should have (and gave the Enterprise guy the stink eye). My advice is to book online and use a discount code that you find through an Internet search. If you can’t find a code online, the Entertainment Book is always full of car rental coupons. You can even get the Entertainment Book at a discount if you buy after the first of the year. Aside from car rental coupons, there are hundreds of dollars worth in other deals inside. It will more than pay for itself if you use it regularly.

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Chase United

14. Appliances

How many ways can you save on appliances? At least eight, according to Darwin’s Money’s post 8 Ways to Save Big on Appliances. Methods include scratch-and-dent discounts, holiday weekend sales, and good ol’ fashioned haggling. Of course, it’s always nice to have a friend who works at Sears, too. Nothing beats an employee discount. 

15. Flowers

If you have the means to grow flowers but you still buy them, there’s probably no hope for you. Seriously, all it takes is planting a couple seeds; most likely, nature will do the rest. If you don’t have the means to grow your own, consider picking them in a nearby park or field. If you must go to the store to find an arrangement, shop local, at the source, and stick to one type of inexpensive flower. Also, dead people don’t care what kind of flowers you buy, just so you know.

16. Around-the-House Services

Hold off on calling that expensive gardener or handyman, because you may be able to find someone inexpensive on Craigslist or a site like TaskRabbit. These sites are full of listings from people who are ready, willing, and capable of handling your odd job for much less than it would cost a “professional.” That’s not to say that the people listing help ads aren’t professional, though; it may just be that they’re out of work and looking for any way to make a few bucks. Still, be safe and ask for references. You don’t want to hire a dud and end up paying double.

17. In-Theater Movies

Movies are expensive these days, so much so that a trip to the cinema is almost prohibitive. To reduce the costs of a ticket, sign up for the theater club card (which will help you accrue discounts), use your student, senior, or military IDs if you have them, and plan to attend matinees instead of evening shows. I try my best to stick to AMC Theaters before noon so I can score $ 6 tickets. That’s half the price of what an afternoon or evening movie costs. 

18. DVD Rentals

How Blockbuster is still in business at all baffles me. The company filed for bankruptcy two years ago, and last year the geniuses at Dish Network decided to throw money at the sinking ship. Still, business continues to suffer because truly innovative entrepreneurs figured out a way to allow people to rent DVDs for less. I love DVD rental kiosks (especially Redbox and excluding Blockbuster Express) because not only are the DVDs affordable ($ 1.29 at Redbox opposed to $ 2.99 at Blockbuster!), but there are often discount codes available that will lessen the fee or make a one-night rental absolutely free. You can find available codes online. Then all you have to do is enter it at checkout. 

19. Music

Want to know where to get lots of the music you love for free all the time? Turn on the radio!

20. Airfare

Of course you can use discount travel sites, but don’t forget to compare those prices with the airline’s official website. Sometimes there are special deals that are available exclusively from the source instead of a third party. Also remember that some airlines, like Southwest (my favorite), don’t participate in discount travel sites, so if you’re sticking strictly to Orbitz or the like, you’ll never even know what some other airlines have to offer. In addition, here’s verified info on the cheapest day to buy tickets and the cheapest days to fly.

21. Cars

What are the three best times to buy a car? End of the calendar year, end of the model year, and end of the month. The first two are self-explanatory — dealers want to unload inventory to make room for the new stuff. The third, however, has to do with individual salespeople. At the end of the month, car salespeople are eager to meet their quotas so they can earn incentives and commissions. Get a salesperson who’s hungry, and you could drive away with a big bargain.

22. Water

Clean, cold water comes out of every faucet in America. Why are we still buying it in bottles?!

23. A Tan

Another abundant, natural, and no-cost resource is our sun. Instead of paying for a membership to the tanning salon, lay out on the lawn for 20 minutes. Not that I recommend long-term exposure to UV rays — they’re dangerous! But if you must, at least get them for free. 

24. Cell Phones

You can list your phone on Craigslist or eBay to sell them — which works — but you may not be able to unload them for as much or as quickly as you want. Instead, try ExchangeMyPhone, a site that lets you sell your smartphones and iPads instantly. ExchangeMyPhone pays people for their old, new, or broken cell phones, and repairs or recycles them ethically. The money you make from the sale will offset the cost of a new device, too. Great for the environment and your wallet!

25. Baby Food

Once babies are on solid food, they eat much of the same stuff we do — fruits, veggies, proteins, etc. Why are you buying individual jars of baby food when all you have to do is puree foods in a blender or processor? This method cost significantly less, produces less waste (no jars!), and it’s much healthier for your baby than that mush that sits unrefrigerated under nutrient-stealing florescent lighting on the supermarket shelves. We can all agree that that’s not the best thing to feed your pride and joy, can’t we? 


Wise Bread

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