This is where you can find baby formula

“BOX after box of formula” piled high, just 500m from empty supermarket shelves as the milk powder crisis escalates.

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Which telco are people most cranky with?

THE government body who makes sure our telcos are doing the right thing have just released their latest figures. This is who’s performing the worst.

Source NEWS.com.au | Business http://ift.tt/1N0NEmp

MP’s penalty rates smackdown letter

“I RANG last Saturday, and again on Sunday, but there was no answer.” MP sends hilarious letter to hospitality industry boss, drops mic.

Source NEWS.com.au | Business http://ift.tt/1QzuROW

‘Taxis will be gone in two years’

THE disaster of the #YourTaxis social media campaign is only the beginning. One expert is predicting most taxis will be gone in two years.

Source NEWS.com.au | Business http://ift.tt/1GZIlkT

Fallout from YourTaxi disaster grows

THE Victorian taxi saga is still ongoing, with the Melbourne PR company behind YourTaxi’s embarrassing stuff-up dumped.

Source NEWS.com.au | Business http://ift.tt/1MMJFnj

If You Save For 90 Days This Bank Will Give You $150

You might not have seen it coming, but 2016 is right around the corner. If you want to kick off the new year with a financial boost, I’ve got a really simple way to save: Start a separate bank account, and don’t touch the money until after January 1.

Check your budget to see what you can spare to save, then designate part of your paycheck to automatically go into the account.

Set it, forget it and don’t touch that account until you roll out of bed sometime in the afternoon of New Year’s Day.

With that money directed into a special account where you don’t see it, it’s easy to avoid the temptation to spend it on other things.

How to Get $150 When You Open a New Checking Account With Santander

If you’re a new customer, Santander Bank will give you $150 for opening a new checking account. Use this account to hold your savings, and you can start the New Year with free cash!

The offer works for Basic, Classic and Premium checking accounts, which offer a variety of options to fit your needs.

Here’s how the deal works:

1. Open an eligible new Santander checking account with a minimum deposit of $25. Just click on the orange “Open Account” button below. (if you prefer, they’ll send you a coupon code to open your account in person at a local branch.)

2. Have direct deposits totaling $500 or more within the first 90 days.

3. Keep your account open for at least 90 days.

4. Once you meet these conditions, your $150 will be paid within 30 days.

Start Your 2016 Savings Fund Now

Open your new checking account with $25 today. Direct deposit at least $500 into it over the next 90 days and tap into it to kickstart 2016 — invest it, start a side hustle, buy something you’ve been waiting for or just use the money to replenish funds drained from holiday expenses.

Then, just as you’re enjoying the spoils of that $500 you’ve saved, Santander will give you a $150 bonus within the month.

Not a bad way to start the New Year.

This deal is good until December 31. But if you want to start saving for 2016, I think you should get started today.

Your Turn: Do you use a separate bank account to avoid temptation and save money?

 

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. We would have shared them with you anyway, but a true “penny hoarder” would be a fool not to take the company’s money.

The post If You Save For 90 Days This Bank Will Give You $150 appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.

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‘WTF?’: The big problem with this photo

WHEN ABC star Todd Sampson’s ad agency congratulated itself on new hires with this picture. It failed to see this backlash coming.

Source NEWS.com.au | Business http://ift.tt/1MqEMB5

The One Thing You Need to Do Before Going Holiday Shopping

Holiday shopping season is almost here! Before figuring out what you should spend your money on, it’s essential to figure out how much money you can spend.

The time to do so is now — before the holiday madness takes over. We promise: If you set aside an hour to review your numbers, you’ll emerge in the new year feeling much, much better than if you hadn’t.

To make it a little easier (and a lot more fun), we’ve created something special just for The Penny Hoarder readers. Click here to get your free holiday budgeting worksheet!

 

And then keep reading to learn the five steps for creating an effective holiday shopping budget.

Analyze Your Debt

It may not be pleasant, but it’s necessary: Before you do anything else, take a good look at your debt — specifically, your credit card debt.

If you have more on your credit cards than you can pay off this month, we urge you to reconsider participating in the holiday shopping frenzy. A much better use of your hard-earned money would be to pay down your credit card balance.

Skipping the expensive gifts doesn’t mean you can’t shower your friends and family with love. You can make gifts by hand (here are some Pinterest-inspired crafts), or you can give them service coupons for favors — like cleaning their house or making them dinner.

After all, a gift from the heart often means more than something that will be out of style next year.  

Project Your Total Holiday Income

Credit cards in the clear? Time to estimate the total amount you’re going to earn over the holiday season — between, November and January.

If you get the same paycheck every two weeks, this will be easy; just multiply your monthly income by three.

If your pay is irregular, it’ll take a little more effort. One option is to look at your paystubs or bank accounts from this time last year.

Or, if your job has changed since then, you can average the amount you earned over the last three months. (If you have a particularly high month, throw it out; it’s better to err on the lower side.) Then multiply this average by three.

Calculate Your Basic Holiday Budget

Once you know how much you’ll earn during the holiday season, it’s time to calculate your expenses.

Before determining how much you can spend on holiday extras, you need to create a basic budget for essentials like rent, groceries, car insurance and other expenses.

(If you don’t have a monthly budget, stop what you’re doing and make one here.)

Multiply your monthly budget by three, and you’ve accounted for your basic expenses.

But you’re not done yet — we still have to add the fun stuff.

Find Your Holiday Spending Budget

So, you’ve figured out your projected income and basic budget for the holiday season — but what about the extras? How much can you spend on gifts and parties?

To find that magic number, subtract your basic budget from your projected income. Voila! You now know how much you can comfortably spend on fun stuff over the next few months.

To further derive your holiday gift budget, simply subtract the amount of extra money you’ll spend over the holidays — on things like flights, special foods, party outfits, etc — and you’ll know how much you can spend on gifts.

Fill Out Your Holiday Budgeting Worksheet

Alright, Santa, who’s on your list?

Record your friends and family members in our handy holiday budgeting worksheet and assign a gift budget to each.

The amounts should add up automatically — if the total is less than or equal to your official total budget, then you’re good to go. If not, tweak the numbers until they work. (Remember: A little extra wiggle room never hurts!)

Next, brainstorm gifts for each person that are at or below each price point. If one of your gift ideas is a bit more expensive than what you’ve budgeted, see the following step…

Check Black Friday Predictions

You really want to buy your sister a new makeup brush set for Hanukkah, and you’ve budgeted $20 for her on your master list. But when you check the price online, you see it costs $39.

Before getting discouraged, remember Black Friday and Cyber Monday are fantastic opportunities to purchase gifts at lower prices.

Check Black Friday websites (like ours!) to see predictions about what items will be going on sale, and at what price. If you’re vigilant, there’s a good chance you could get your gifts at lower prices than currently advertised.

(Remember, smaller items go on sale at this time, too, not just electronics. For inspiration, here are 50 gifts under $10.)

Start Tracking Prices

One of the keys to smart holiday shopping is patience. Well, patience, and research.

Before making any purchases, check prices at multiple stores. Price-tracking and comparison tools abound, which makes the process nearly effortless.  

PriceZombie is a useful browser extension that compares and tracks prices at more than 100 online retailers. It also shows you price history graphs, so you can see if the current sale is really a bargain.

If you’re on-the-go, use RedLaser to scan an item’s barcode and compare its price to thousands of retailers both online and off. Or try ShopAdvisor, which alerts you when the price drops on one of your wish list items.

Stick to Your Budget!

This step may be last, but it’s one of the most important (and is definitely the hardest to follow). Sticking to your budget is the only way you won’t end up with a holiday hangover — at least financially.

To help, create a “holiday” expense category with an all-in-one tool like Mint, or an app like Santa’s Bag, which helps you manage both your gift list and holiday budget from one platform.

If you prefer something more tactile, withdraw your holiday shopping budget in cash and keep it in a jar.

If you buy anything online or with a credit card, take that amount out of the jar and put it into a separate envelope, which you’ll later redeposit in your checking account. Once that jar’s empty, so is your holiday budget.

One bonus of carefully tracking your holiday spending? If you find great deals, you may have a little extra cash for yourself at the end. (Guilt-free shopping, here we come!)

Avoid going into the red this holiday season by having a plan — and sticking to it. (Here’s that link to our holiday budget template again.)

You might curse us when you can’t buy every single thing your heart desires, but you’ll thank us when the new year arrives!

Your Turn: Have you made your holiday budget yet? How do you plan to stick to it?

Susan Shain, senior writer for The Penny Hoarder, is always seeking adventure on a budget. Visit her blog at susanshain.com, or say hi on Twitter @susan_shain.

This post originally ran on our special Black Friday site.

The post The One Thing You Need to Do Before Going Holiday Shopping appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.

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‘McRefugees’ are dying in Macca’s

AS OTHER diners enjoyed their Big Macs past midnight early last month, no one noticed the middle-aged woman who appeared to be sleeping at her table.

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Best Auto Loans for 2015

For most people, the best auto loans are the ones with the lowest rates. And unless you’re lucky (or disciplined) enough to be sitting on a small pile of cash, chances are you’ll need to find the best car loan rates to buy your next vehicle.

But who should get your business? The list of options is staggering: You can nab a car loan at your local credit union, a behemoth bank, a car dealer, an online lender, and just about everywhere in between. And whether it’s low interest rates, cheap gas, rising car prices, or a combination of all three, the car-loan market more heated than ever: Americans borrowed an all-time high of $968 billion to finance their cars in the third quarter of 2015.

The Simple Dollar’s Top Picks for the Best Auto Loans

Though I made sure competitive interest rates were high on my list, I also looked at several other factors to narrow down my selections. Since personal preferences are unique, I broke down my selections into three categories. Here are the companies that came out on top in my search for the best car loans:

• Best Online Auto Loan Services: CarsDirect and MyAutoLoan
• Best of the Big Banks: U.S. Bank, LightStream and Bank of America
• Best for Bad Credit: Auto Credit Express and Capital One

In a moment, I’ll detail the criteria I used to select the best auto loans, and discuss what you can do to land the best car loan rates regardless of which lender you choose.

Best Online Auto Loan Services

CarsDirect

CarsDirect is best known as a car-buying service, but it also provides a portal for getting the best auto loan. It provided a wider range of customer-friendly information than its competitors, including a loan calculator, trade-in-value calculator, and dozens of articles about car loans and buying strategies.

There’s also no minimum or maximum amount for which you can apply. For instance, some companies won’t allow you to apply for any less than a $5,000 or $10,000 loan, or won’t even consider a loan for a car with higher mileage.

A downside here (and for most online auto-loan services) is that after submitting your information, you may field calls or emails from lenders even after making your selection. And if you despise spam as much as I do, that might be a deal-breaker for you.

Who it’s good for: Someone who needs a smaller-dollar car loan or wants an older used car should see what kind of offers they get with CarsDirect. If you’re thinking of refinancing, that’s also an option. CarsDirect is also a good pick for customers who may need to read up on car-buying. There are a lot of beginner-friendly topics such as how car loan interest works and how much cars depreciate in value after you buy, but there are also some more in-depth reads: for instance, the danger of paying off car loans with a home equity line of credit or how to safely take over someone else’s lease.

Who should pass: CarsDirect is a lead generator, so if you would be bothered by several calls from interested lenders, you’ll want to go elsewhere.

MyAutoLoan

MyAutoLoan also connects customers with lenders for all major loan types, with the added bonus of allowing applications for lease buyouts.

A handy interest-rate estimator helps you get an idea of what you should expect to pay for a loan based on your credit score, location, and type of loan. For example, if I’m looking at a $25,000 new car loan in Knoxville, Tenn., with excellent credit, I might expect an average APR of 2.76%, but if I’m looking at the same loan in Los Angeles with average credit, my average APR would be 8.61%.

There are extensive FAQs to answer customer questions such as “Will applying for a loan hurt my credit score?” and “Do I have to use the full loan amount?” There are also calculators that help you estimate what you can borrow and what your payment will be for a certain loan amount.

Who it’s good for: This is another good option for first-time buyers looking for information on how to get a good deal, and it’s worth a look for anyone who wants to work with lenders to purchase their leased vehicle.

Who should pass: Again, anyone who doesn’t want to talk to several lenders should avoid a service like MyAutoLoan. This also won’t be an option for customers seeking smaller loans, older vehicles, or both. You must apply for a minimum of $5,000 and be looking at a car from 2006 or later with fewer than 100,000 miles on it. You must also have a minimum monthly income of $1,800.

Best of the Big Banks

U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank offers the best blend of loan options, competitive interest rates, and consumer-friendly information of the big-bank lenders. Its loan options include loans for cars purchased from private sellers, which many big banks shun. U.S. Bank also doesn’t automatically penalize used-car buyers with a higher interest rate, as long as the car is less than six years old and has fewer than 100,000 miles.

The auto-loan process is also very clearly detailed for prospective customers, and a special “green car” discount program reduces interest rates by 0.5% for buyers who choose certain fuel-efficient, EPA-certified “SmartWay” vehicles. If you’re afraid that might limit you to an electric car or a Toyota Prius, you may be pleasantly surprised at the number of qualifying vehicles: There are 22 options in the family sedan category alone.

Who it’s good for: U.S. Bank should be a contender for any customer who wants the security of working with a large bank, but particularly for those who want a loan to buy a vehicle from a private seller. If you’re in the market for a fuel-efficient vehicle, you may also get an interest-rate break.

Who should pass: Skip U.S. Bank if you’re thinking of a lease buyout. It’s also worth noting that U.S. Bank didn’t fare well in J.D. Power’s most recent customer satisfaction survey for auto financing. It rated below average — but to be fair, so did most bigger banks. The top of that list is dominated by the financing arms of luxury car makers, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Infiniti.

LightStream

LightStream, an arm of SunTrust Bank, is a compelling option for customers with top-notch credit. Rates start at a rock-bottom 1.99% for both new- and used-car loans.

The company’s “Anything Loan” doesn’t require a lien against your car, and qualifying involves very little time and paperwork. LightStream also matches other lenders’ offers and has a $100 guarantee for unsatisfied customers — if you’re unsatisfied within the first 30 days after getting a loan, they’ll give you $100 once you complete a service questionnaire.

The major downside here is that Lightstream is very picky about customers: Aside from great credit, you’ll likely need to show a very healthy income and assets to be approved. There’s also little in the way of car-buying advice on their site.

Who it’s good for: LightStream is an excellent pick if you have great credit, substantial income, and want a loan fast. It’s also worth a look if you’re considering a vehicle such as an RV or a motorcycle.

Who should pass: Any credit blemishes? You probably won’t qualify. And despite being backed by SunTrust, you won’t have the benefit of conducting business offline if you’d rather have a more personal experience.

Bank of America

Bank of America provides all kinds of auto loans, including loans for cars purchased from private sellers and lease buyouts. The bank allows loans for vehicles up to 10 years old with 125,000 miles.

Interest rates are also competitive, and current Bank of America customers are eligible for interest-rate reductions. You can do business at one of more than 5,000 branches or manage your account with extensive online-banking tools.

However, customer service rankings aren’t the best, and you won’t be allowed to take your business to independent car dealers that sell a variety of makes and models.

Who it’s good for: Anyone who wants the option to do business in person will appreciate Bank of America’s huge network of branches, and the bank allows loans for slightly older and higher-mileage vehicles.

Who should pass: Like U.S. Bank, Bank of America hasn’t fared well in the latest J.D. Power auto-loan customer satisfaction survey, so keep that in mind. You’re also out of luck if you want a loan to use at an independent dealer.

Best Auto Loans for Bad Credit

Auto Credit Express

Auto Credit Express specializes in helping car buyers with poor credit, and that knowledge often translates into more options and better interest rates. The company works with customers who have declared bankruptcy, and it allows loans to special-finance dealers. (These can include “buy here, pay here” and rent-to-own lots — not options we normally recommend, but if you’re truly in a bind, you may not have a choice.)

It doesn’t restrict you from applying based on loan amount, vehicle age, or mileage, which is particularly crucial for bad-credit customers who may not be able to consider newer, pricier cars. The company has many good customer reviews, including an A+ from the Better Business Bureau.

Who it’s good for: Bad-credit buyers who want a lot of options will want to check out Auto Credit Express, which eschews common restrictions in favor of considering loan applications on a case-by-case basis.

Who should pass: You won’t be able to get a loan from Auto Credit Express to buy a car from a private seller, which is a bummer for anyone hoping to bypass dealers who might tie loan approval to a certain kind of car.

Capital One

If you prefer to keep your business with a household name, Capital One is worth a look. Capital One is one of the largest lenders willing to take on customers with less-than-stellar credit.

Interest rates are competitive, there are helpful loan calculators, and you can get pre-approved and compare payments on specific cars with the Auto Navigator tool. FAQs cover everything from what to expect at the dealer to what documentation you need to secure a loan. More than 12,000 dealers accept Capital One financing, and online account management tools are extensive.

Who it’s good for: If you want the confidence of going with a very well-known lender that works with poor credit customers, Capital One could be the ticket. Residents in certain mid-Atlantic and Southern states will also have the option of doing business in person at Capital One’s extensive branch network.

Who should pass: If you have your eye on a higher-mileage or higher-dollar used car, you may not be able to get a loan: Capital One imposes stricter limits on loans it will make (it caps them at a relatively low 70,000 miles and $30,000 for used cars, for example). Capital One also won’t make loans for private-seller transactions.

Seven Tips for Getting the Best Car Loan Rates

Now that you know some of the best spots to look for an loan, let’s talk about some more general strategies that you can exploit to make sure you land the best rates — wherever you decide to borrow.

#1: Shop around before you go to the dealer

Never assume the dealer will offer you the best rate, especially if your credit isn’t perfect. Compare interest rates from outside sources (banks, credit unions, online auto-loan companies) and get pre-approved for the best loan you can find before you head to the dealer.

Why is it important to get approved instead of relying on dealer financing? A few reasons:

• First, you’ll have more leverage to negotiate an even better rate with the dealer’s preferred lender, but the deal won’t depend on it.
• Second, you’ll know what kind of rates you should be able to get, so it will be easier to tell whether the dealer has added a markup on the interest rate they’re offering through whatever lender they’ve partnered with.
• Third, you know what you can comfortably afford going in, which reduces the chance that the dealer will upsell you on a more expensive car.

#2: Know your credit score

Your credit score is the single most important factor in what kind of interest rate you can land. Excellent credit means a better rate. Bad credit means a lousy rate — if you can qualify at all.

Check out the table of data below from myFICO for more of an idea on how your credit can affect your rate, which in turn affects what you pay each month and what you shell out over the life of the loan. The table assumes a $20,000 new-car loan with a four-year term. Interest rates are national averages as of November 2015:

Credit Score	APR	Monthly Payment	Total Interest Paid
720-850	3.23%	$445	$1,346
690-719	4.54%	$456	$1,909
660-689	6.62%	$475	$2,821
620-659	9.23%	$500	$4,020
590-619	13.56%	$542	$6,022
500-589	14.69%	$553	$6,568

Look at the stark difference between interest rates for customers with the highest credit and lowest credit scores. While an extra $100 a month for your car loan payment might not seem unreasonable, check out how it adds up over the long term: You’d be paying a premium of more than $5,000 if you have bad credit.

Use a service such as Credit Karma or Identity Guard to check on your credit score before you start shopping. Also, remember that when prospective lenders run a check your credit, your credit score can go down. If you limit your shopping to a two-week period, your score won’t take multiple hits, according to Bankrate.

#3: Sign up for a shorter loan term

As with any other loan, you’ll pay less in the long run if you can compress your payments into a shorter period. Check out the table below, based on data I obtained from this Bankrate calculator. It assumes a loan of $20,000 and an APR of 5%.

Loan Term	Monthly Payment	Total Interest Paid
36 months (3 years)	$599.42	$1,579.05
48 months (4 years)	$460.59	$2,108.12
60 months (5 years)	$377.42	$2,645.48
72 months (6 years)	$322.10	$3,191.10
84 months (7 years)	$282.68	$3,744.97

While it might seem like a longer term is the way to go because of lower monthly payments — who wouldn’t want to pay under $300 versus nearly double that? — remember to consider the long term. If you could pay off your loan in three years, you’d pay just $1,579 in interest. If you opted for a lengthy seven-year term, you’ll be paying $3,745 in interest — more than twice as much — not to mention budgeting for a car payment for four extra years.

Beware of dealers who try to sell you on a car by showing you how low your monthly payment can be. This tactic simply boosts their bottom line by diverting your attention from the purchase price, driving it higher along with your loan amount.

#4: Buy new — maybe

It’s usually easier to land a better interest rate if you’re buying a new car instead of a used car. Average interest rates for used cars can be significantly higher than they are for new cars. That’s mainly because people seeking loans for used cars tend to have lower credit scores than people who need a new-car loan.

Of course, the fact that new cars lose so much of their value immediately after you take possession is still a compelling reason to look at used cars, and that’s the reason why they’re the best deal most of the time. But be sure to consider the better financing you might receive on a new car while you’re making your decision. Similar sticker prices — for instance, if you’re comparing a new mid-range car and a used luxury car — could tip the balance in favor of the new car.

#5: Don’t pay for ‘extras’ with your loan

Car dealers make a lot of money on all the little extras they will inevitably offer you. These extras could include extended warranties or upgrades like rust-proofing, fabric protection, and security systems.

Most experts warn that purchasing these add-ons rarely makes sense. But rolling them into your loan makes even less sense — the interest means you’ll be paying even more for these extras in the long run.

If there’s an add-on you must have, purchase it separately. For the same reason, consider paying sales taxes, registration fees, and other tacked-on expenses separately.

#6: Exploit interest-rate discounts

Many lenders will knock a little bit off your rate if you sign up for automatic payments or pay your bill online. Others may give you a discount if you have a previous banking relationship with them or you’re purchasing a specific type of car. Don’t assume you’ll be told of these potential savings — always ask.

#7: Consider 0% interest deals, but do your homework

You’re not going to find a 0% interest rate offer at banks or credit unions, but you may find them offered at the dealership by your car manufacturer’s lender. It sounds too good to be true, but if you have excellent credit, you may be able to nab such a deal.

However — and of course there’s a “however” with this deal — you may have to take a 0% interest deal instead of another promotion like a $1,500 rebate.

You’d have to do the math to figure out whether the 0% interest would save you more than $1,500 over the life of your loan, or whether you would be better off taking the rebate and using a low-interest loan on the reduced amount.

For instance, say I’m offered 0% financing for four years on a $20,000 loan. I would pay about $417 a month for those four years, according to this calculator at Edmunds.com. Alternatively, I might be offered $1,500 cash back and an APR of 2.99% on a loan of the same term. In that case, I’m actually only paying $409 a month. So despite the interest-rate hike, I come out $7 ahead each month because I reduced my loan principal from $20,000 to $18,500.

Also, be careful to check the loan terms with 0% deals — they tend to be shorter. The lender may only offer the deal for a three-year term, for instance. That means your monthly bills will be much higher than they would be if you opted for a loan with a longer term. You’ll pay less in the end, but you have to find room in your budget for the higher car payment.

How I Picked the Best Auto Loans

Most people choose their auto-loan company based on who provides the lowest interest rates. Of course, whether you can land a competitive interest rate largely depends on your credit and the car you’re buying. For that reason, I considered many other factors besides interest rates, which I’ll detail further down.

You won’t want to overlook local banks and credit unions in your search. There is a lot of competition for auto loans, so you may be able to find competitive rates locally with the added benefit of a firm handshake, better customer service, and a personal relationship with your lender.

Credit unions can be a particularly good place to look. As nonprofits, they have lower overhead (which can mean better interest rates) and lower fees. On the downside, your loan application and approval process may be a bit more lengthy or cumbersome.

Finally, I did not look at manufacturer-specific lenders such as Ford Credit or Honda Financial Services. These lenders tend to be rated more highly than general lenders for overall customer satisfaction, so they are certainly worth a look if they can give you the best interest rate on the car you want. However, because they restrict their services to one manufacturer, I did not include them in my analysis.

The best auto loan lenders and services provided:

• All or most major loan types: The best lenders offer loans for new and used cars, refinancing, and (less commonly) lease buyouts. Used-car loans are available even when you’re buying from a private party, not just a dealer.
• Instant or same-day online approval: You’re probably eager to get your hands on a new (or new-to-you) car. Chances are you don’t want to wait around for a lender to get back to you. I also immediately discounted lenders who do not allow customers to at least begin the approval process online.
• Online payment calculators and other resources: The best lenders provided calculators for prospective customers to calculate their monthly payment at certain interest rates and repayment terms. Bonus points went to lenders who also offered tools to help determine the worth of a trade-in vehicle or general car shopping tips.
• Comprehensive customer support: The best lenders had very detailed FAQs (frequently asked questions) as well as multiple methods of contact for customer support (such as email, phone, and online chat).
• Competitive interest rates: Advertised interest rates from the best lenders had to significantly beat Bankrate’s national average for new and used cars.
• Solid customer service: I considered how lenders fared in J.D. Power’s 2015 Consumer Financing Satisfaction Study, if applicable. While I looked at online reviews, I didn’t give them much weight (the majority of complaints about car loans are from customers who were denied based on highly personal factors, including their credit).

You’re in the Driver’s Seat When Shopping for the Best Car Loans

Whether or not you’re a buyer with perfect credit, competition for the best car loans is fierce. Use that to your advantage by doing a lot of comparison shopping before you sign on the dotted line.

Remember to look up your most recent credit score, consider possible discounts and loan terms, and be aware of how every piece of the puzzle can affect your bottom line. Consider beginning your search with the companies profiled above — all are solid choices.

If your credit is less than perfect, our guide to the Best Bad Credit Auto Loans will give you more options and tips on shopping strategies, including how to avoid scams. While you may pay a higher interest rate, you’ll be pleased to know that competition for your business is still heavy.

Once you’ve found a great car and a great loan, make sure you have the right car insurance. Our guide to the Best Car Insurance Companies can help you separate the best companies from the rest in a crowded market. Its companion article, How to Get Cheap Car Insurance, takes a more in-depth look at strategies you can use to keep your insurance bill low, no matter what company you use.

The post Best Auto Loans for 2015 appeared first on The Simple Dollar.

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How to Get 2 Free Months of The New York Times in Under 5 Minutes

I love The New York Times. But I hate the fact you can only read 10 articles online each month.

I often see an intriguing headline and get excited to read the story — then when I click on it, discover I’ve maxed out on my free articles for the month.  

BUMMER.

Which is why I was stoked to learn about a promotion that gives you two months of the Times for FREE.

A digital subscription normally costs 99 cents for the first four weeks, then $3.75 per week thereafter. So, this could save you $15.99!

Keep reading for the scoop on this freebie…

Want to Get Two Free Months of The New York Times?

Intrigued? Want to get access to The New York Times online without shelling out any cash?

Follow these simple steps:

1. Sign Up for IFTTT

IFTTT stands for “If This, Then That.” It’s a service that helps you connect your favorite apps and websites to make certain tasks you tend to do again and again happen automatically, without you lifting a finger.

You could, for example, set up a “recipe” that automatically saves your Instagram photos to your Dropbox. Nifty, right?

2. Add a NYT Recipe

Once you’re a registered IFTTT user, add a “NYT recipe.”

You’ll see lots of NYT recipes to choose from, so all you have to do is pick your favorite, such as receive an email whenever new articles are posted to the NYT technology section, or add NYT Critics’ Pick movie openings to your Google Calendar.

That’s it!

The promotion is good through November and only available to new NYT subscribers. Here’s where to sign up. (Note: While testing this, the site was occasionally down for maintenance; if that’s the case, keep trying! We got it to work after a few tries.)

Your Turn: Do you love The New York Times? Would you consider signing up for this promotion?

Susan Shain, senior writer for The Penny Hoarder, is always seeking adventure on a budget. Visit her blog at susanshain.com, or say hi on Twitter @susan_shain.

The post How to Get 2 Free Months of The New York Times in Under 5 Minutes appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.

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Want Free Boneless Wings From Sonic? This Deal is Good for Today Only!

A game of frisbee with the kids, a walk in the quickly-fading fall leaves, a couch facing a Netflix- or sports-filled screen…

No matter where this fall Thursday afternoon takes you, it’d be better with boneless wings, and exponentially better with FREE boneless wings.

Good thing Sonic is offering a buy one, get one deal! It’s today only, so hurry up!

Here’s the Deal From Sonic

Purchase one order of 6, 12 or 24 boneless wings, and you’ll receive a second order free.

It’s simple as that! And since they come in so many flavors, like honey BBQ, Asian sweet chili, and extreme habanero (that’s what I’m ordering!), you can share them with a friend — or try a couple of varieties yourself.

Just make sure to mention the offer when you place your order. And enjoy your delicious freebie!

Your Turn: Will you take advantage of Sonic’s boneless wing BOGO today?

Jamie Cattanach is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder and a native Floridian. She’s passionate about learning, literature and finding ways to live the good life as cost-effectively as possible — but not as passionate as she is about hot wings.

The post Want Free Boneless Wings From Sonic? This Deal is Good for Today Only! appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.

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10 Healthy Health Care Stocks to Buy Now

From pharmaceuticals to biotechs and service companies, the health care industry is doing well.  

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Affordable Dental Insurance

Photo: Irina Patrascu

Do your teeth need some TLC? If you don’t already have coverage through your employer, you may be on the lookout for affordable dental insurance to help defray the cost of your next session in the exam chair.

Fortunately, dental insurance is inherently inexpensive, so unless you’re going for the priciest plan you can find, it probably won’t break the bank. On the downside, the majority of dental plans are frustratingly limited, with low annual maximums, long waiting periods, and small provider networks. It’s crucial to read all of your plan’s paperwork so you don’t get any nasty surprises.

Below, I’ll detail three good bets for dental insurance. I’ll also go over basics such as the major plan types, their pros and cons, typical coverage levels and limits, and what impact the Affordable Care Act has had on dental insurance.

If you’re ready to start your search for dental insurance now, getting several quotes online at a site such as eHealthInsurance can be a good first step.

The Best Affordable Dental Insurance

To get a sense of dental-plan pricing, I obtained a quote for a 35-year-old female in Tennessee who wants basic individual coverage, as well as quote for a family of four in the same location. I focused on providers who offer individual plans in the majority of the U.S., which excluded some big providers (for instance, MetLife, Aetna, and Guardian only offer individual coverage in a handful of states, while Principal and Concordia provide mainly employer-sponsored coverage).

I looked at the plan deductibles, maximums, and any applicable co-pays or coinsurance for preventive, basic, and major dental work. I considered plan variety, clarity of benefits and costs. If applicable, I also considered the insurer’s customer satisfaction ranking from the 2014 J.D. Power Dental Plan Satisfaction Report.

United Healthcare

United Healthcare stood out for a couple reasons. First, it has earned top marks in the J.D. Power survey for customer satisfaction. Second, with six plans to choose from, both individuals and families have a better shot at getting coverage that works for them.

My individual United quotes ranged from a low of $17.29 per month to a high of $48.48. Family coverage was a bit pricier compared to some competitors at $73.71 to $183.45 per month. There’s a $1,000 cap on annual benefits paid out on all but the most expensive plan, which begins at a $1,200 maximum and goes up to $1,500 if you keep your coverage for four or more years. There is a $50 deductible per individual, or $150 per family.

Preventive care has a $25 copay with the two cheapest plans, but no copays at other levels. Basic services have 30% coinsurance unless you step up to the two most expensive plans, which have 20% coinsurance. There is a four- to six-month waiting period before United will pay for these services (meaning you can’t let your required dental work pile up, buy insurance for a month and get it all taken care of at a discount, and then promptly drop your coverage).

For major services, such as crowns or dental surgery, some plans offer no coverage, and some have 50% coinsurance; these services have a 12-month waiting period. Unfortunately, United does not offer any orthodontic coverage.

Humana

Humana offered a bit more flexibility at the lower end of the price scale, and it gets solid customer satisfaction marks from J.D. Power. There were also no waiting periods for care.

My individual Humana quotes ranged from a low of $11.29 to a high of $32.74 per month for three plans. Family coverage ranged from $28.78 to $94.72.

In both cases, the cheapest plan was a managed care option that requires you to coordinate all care through a primary dentist — while this reduces flexibility, it also keeps costs down. Two more benefits for this managed plan: There is no annual maximum on care, and no deductible.

The middle option, a traditional fee-for-service plan, had a $1,000 annual maximum, and the cap on the most expensive plan begins at $1,000 and maxes out at $1,500 if you keep your coverage for three or more years. There is a $50 deductible for individuals and $150 for families.

Routine care has a $15 copay with the cheapest managed-care option; otherwise, there is no charge. For fillings, there is a $30 copay, or 50% co-insurance for the next step up in price. The most expensive plan offers a tiered level of co-insurance that drops to 30% in year three. Extractions follow a similar pattern: $55 copay on the managed plan, 50% coinsurance, or tiered coinsurance dropping to 30%. There are no waiting periods.

Humana also offers another low-cost option: A dental discount plan for $7.99 a month for individuals. It isn’t insurance, but patients can receive discounts of 20% to 40% through participating providers by paying out of pocket, which could be a viable option for those who don’t often need more than basic dental care.

Delta Dental

Delta Dental, the nation’s largest dental insurer, wasn’t the least expensive option, but it stood out for its simple, easy-to-understand offerings that offer a bit beefier coverage than the norm.

The cheaper option, $29.99 a person or $105.97 a family, requires a copay for adult diagnostic and preventive services. For just a few dollars more, at $32.78 per person or $112.46 per family, you can forgo the copay. Adults are capped at a $1,000-per-year plan maximum, but there is no such cap on pediatric care. The deductible is $50 per person or $150 per family.

For adults, staying in network means no coinsurance for preventive care, or 20% out of network. Co-insurance for basic care is 20% in network, 40% out of network; for major care, it’s 50% in network or 60% out of network. There is no orthodontic care for adults, but kids are eligible for 50% benefits for medically necessary work.

Basic work, including fillings and root canals, has a six-month waiting period, while major work such as crowns and dentures have a 12-month waiting period.

Dental Insurance 101

There are a few major types of dental plans: traditional, managed, and discount. Here’s what you should know:

• Traditional/indemnity, or fee-for-service: With this kind of plan, much like a medical preferred provider organization (PPO), you can choose your dentist from a network of providers that accepts your insurance plan. You may be able to go outside your network and receive some insurance benefits, but a larger portion of your services will be paid when you stay in network.
• Managed care, or pre-paid: Like a medical HMO (health maintenance organization), you go through one dentist or facility for your dental needs with a pre-paid plan. If you need more specialized care, that dentist must refer you to any other care providers.
• Discount: Though not technically dental insurance, discount plans are another way to save on dental services. Through these plans, you can join a network of dental providers that have agreed to provide services at a reduced cost to members. However, you’ll typically need to pay upfront before services are rendered.

Which kind of dental insurance is right for me?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, but in general, a traditional plan will be the most costly — something to consider if budget is king. However, you’ll also enjoy a greater degree of freedom with your traditional plan. Generally, you’ll have a fairly wide choice of providers within your network, and you can go outside of your network and still receive some benefits. This could be the way to go if you think you’ll need more than basic dental care, or don’t want to choose just one dentist to coordinate any more specialized needs.

With a managed care plan, your treatment will generally be less costly. Another big benefit: You probably won’t have to deal with annoying paperwork or unexpected bills if you see your primary provider. The downside here is that you must get the OK from that provider before you can seek specialized treatment from someone else. You may also find that the provider you really want to see isn’t an option, forcing you to pay the full cost out of pocket.

A discount plan is probably the cheapest of all, and the simplest. Copays, deductibles, coinsurance — you don’t have to deal with any of it, instead paying a small annual or monthly fee to be a plan member. You also only pay for treatment when you actually receive it. However, the discounts you receive may not be that great, which can be especially painful if you end up needing major work done. You may also find that the provider you want to see isn’t a member of your discount plan. If you’re interested in dental discount plans, a good place to start is DentalPlans.com.

What does dental insurance cover?

Every plan is different, so you’ll need to closely examine plan paperwork to get an accurate answer to this question. Here are a few rules of thumb for a typical traditional dental plan, the most common type of coverage:

• Routine care: Your yearly checkup and the services you typically receive — cleanings, sealants, and so on — is usually covered at a level anywhere from 80% to 100%, according to Angie’s List.
• Basic and major care: Got a lot of cavities? Things can get more expensive. Expect your plan to cover about 70% to 80% of the cost for fillings, root canals, and similar work. You may only receive up to 50% coverage for crowns and dentures, however.
• Cosmetic dentistry/orthodontics: With few exceptions, cosmetic procedures such as veneers, teeth whitening, and bonding will not be covered at all unless your provider can show that they’re medically necessary. Orthodontics such as braces are often treated the same way, especially for adults. However, there may be some coverage for kids — again, this varies widely by plan.

Dental insurance: Terms to know

While you’re wading through dental insurance bills and paperwork, chances are you’ll see some familiar words. Make sure you know the following key terms for your plan or any plan that you’re considering:

Deductibles

This is how much you have to pay out of pocket during a given period (commonly a year) before your benefits kick in. For instance, if you have a $50 deductible, you have to pay the first $50 toward your dental care before you’ll receive any benefits from your insurer. Typically, plans with higher deductibles have lower premiums (the upfront cost of your plan) because you are absorbing some of the risk for the insurer.

It’s important to know not only how high your deductible is, but what kind of care counts toward your deductible. Some plans will count just about everything — others will be stingier, exempting preventive and diagnostic care. You’ll also want to note whether you have a “family deductible” if there is more than one person on your plan. That means each person doesn’t have to meet the deductible individually.

Coinsurance and copays

So you’ve met your deductible, and your benefits have kicked in. You’re all set, right? Alas, you’re still not off the hook with many plans. You’ll probably have to pay coinsurance, which is a certain percentage of costs you’ll have to pay out of pocket.

For instance, you may still have to pay 20% of the costs for routine care, or up to 50% of the cost of a crown. You’ll typically be billed after you receive service. Those percentages can be greater if you go out of network.

With a copay, you pay a fixed amount when you show up to receive treatment — for instance, $20 for a routine checkup. In most cases this is all you’ll pay, but certain plans may require both a copay and coinsurance in some instances.

Plan maximums

Unlike major medical plans, dental insurance plans are still allowed to cap your benefits from year to year. So your maximum is the amount at which your insurer will stop paying on your behalf.

Go over your maximum, and you’ll be on the hook for any other dental costs you incur before your benefit period resets (typically every year). Note that dental plan maximums are relatively low — a $1,000 limit isn’t uncommon.

Waiting periods

The good news is that you won’t be turned down for dental insurance because of pre-existing conditions. The bad news is that you may be forced to wait for a lengthy period — perhaps six months or a year — before getting covered for much more than routine preventative care.

Dental insurers want to guard against people who need a lot of costly work simply picking up coverage when they need it, and then dropping it once the work is done.

Dental Insurance and the Affordable Care Act: What You Need to Know

The Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, established a lot of new benefits for medical patients. Most notably, major medical plans can no longer impose annual maximums or coverage limits, and you’ll also only ever have to shell out up to a certain set amount (right now, that’s $6,600 for individual plans, and $13,200 for family plans) before your insurer is on the hook for the rest.

Unfortunately, unless you’re a child, dental coverage has largely been left out of health-care reforms. Pediatric dental care is one of Obamacare’s 10 essential health benefits, so it must be made available through federal and state marketplaces. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for adults. While there are a limited number of adult dental plans on offer, they’re not subject to the same out-of-pocket maximums, and they can still impose a cap on your coverage.

Practically, and perhaps most importantly, note that you cannot buy a dental plan through the federal health insurance marketplace unless you’re also buying a medical plan. There are a limited number of combination plans with adult dental benefits as well as standalone dental plans, but you cannot buy one of the standalone dental plans without purchasing separate medical coverage as well. If your state runs a separate health exchange, you’ll want to check to see if you can buy dental only; this is a perk in a handful of states including California, Connecticut, Maryland, and Vermont.

On the plus side, you can buy individual dental coverage directly from several providers without waiting for open enrollment, which dictates when you can enroll in major medical plans. (This year, open enrollment is Nov. 1, 2015, through Jan. 31, 2016). To learn more about health insurance, check out our guide to The Best Health Insurance Plans in 2015.

Is Dental Insurance Worth It?

Skimpy dental coverage has many budget-minded people wondering whether it’s worth paying a monthly premium unless your dental plan is generously subsidized by an employer. There is no clear-cut answer, but it is possible to pay more in premiums than what you might pay out of pocket if you need very little care (for instance, if you only find yourself at the dentist just once a year for a routine cleaning).

Another thing to consider: Many plans have $1,000 plan maximums per year. While medical insurance will quickly pay for itself if you need tens of thousands of dollars in care, a dental plan could still leave you on the hook for a substantial sum after you exhaust your benefits.

If you decide to forgo dental insurance, there are still some ways to cut costs:

• Use a discount plan. As I discussed above, a discount plan isn’t insurance. But they can help you save on dental costs without costly premiums, copays, or coinsurance.
• Shop around, and negotiate. Make a few phone calls. If you need more than a cleaning, ask if you can get a package deal, or whether there’s a discount for cash payments. See whether you can implement a payment plan if things are tight.
• Think outside the box. Your neighborhood dentist isn’t your only option. A rural dentist may be much cheaper, and a local dental school may offer the same services at lower prices performed by capable students. If you make under a certain amount, you may also qualify for subsidized care at a dental clinic.
• Take advantage of a health savings account. If you opt for a high-deductible health plan, you have the option to use a tax-friendly health savings account to put away money for qualified medical expenses, including dental care.

If you do decide to get dental insurance, you can start comparison shopping at a site such as eHealthInsurance. If you’re interested in dental discount plans, try DentalPlans.com.

Whatever you do, make sure you have enough cash stashed away in your emergency fund to cover a dental health emergency. Doing so can keep you out of debt — and out of financial trouble — if your teeth end up needing much more than a simple cleaning.

The post Affordable Dental Insurance appeared first on The Simple Dollar.

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NS&I cuts best-buy Isa rate

Tom Wilson

NSIlogo.jpg

National Savings and Investments (NS&I) is cutting the rate on its best-buy Direct Isa from 1.5% to 1.25% from Monday 16 November.

National Savings and Investments (NS&I) is cutting the rate on its best-buy Direct Isa from 1.5% to 1.25% from Monday 16 November.

The government-owned deposit taker, which manages savings and investments for 25 million people in the UK, said the rate cut is a response to declining interest rates offered by other banks and building societies.

NS&I cuts Isa rate

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National Savings and Investments (NS&I) is cutting the rate on its best-buy Direct Isa from 1.5% to 1.25% from Monday 16 November. The government-owned deposit taker, which manages savings and investments for 25 million people in the UK, said the rate cut is a response to declining interest rates offered by other banks and building societies. Bank of England figures published on Tuesday confirm Isa rates are still falling. The average rate paid on an instant access Isa was 0.98% in October, compared to 1.09% a year ago. Jane Platt, NS&I chief executive, said: “Interest rates in the easy access Isa market have been in decline over the year and our Direct Isa rate has stood out at the top of the best buy tables for some time. “To ensure that we continue to strike a balance between the needs of our savers, taxpayers and the stability of the broader financial services sector, we have taken the difficult decision to reduce the rate on our Direct Isa.” Platt added that savings with NS&I are guaranteed by the government, unlike other deposit takers which offer £85,000 protection per institution under the financial services compensation scheme (FSCS). This could become more valuable to savers in the new year, when FSCS compensation levels drop to £75,000. Currently, Moneywise’s top pick for instant access Isas is Nationwide’s Flexclusive account, which pays 1.6% AER but is only available to existing customers. Virgin Money also offers a 1.56% AER account, for customers making three-or-fewer withdrawals a year.

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Underemployed? Keep Your Skills Fresh by Telecommuting

Earn extra money or boost your skill set with a second job that allows you to work from home.

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50 Holiday Gifts Under $10 Your Friends Will Actually Want

It’s the most wonderful time of the year — and for many people, the most expensive.

But holiday shopping doesn’t have to fill you with dread. Try your hand at some DIY gifts or try a creative IOU: Last year, I gave family members Christmas cards promising one free baked good of their choice at any time, since I have a reputation as the family baker.

Even if you’re not crafty, you can find tons of great gifts on the cheap. Here are 50 great holiday gifts for $10 or less.

Around the House

These great gifts will please everyone on your list — not just the homebodies!

1. Novelty Tea Infusers: $1.29-$2.29

Got a Beatles-loving tea enthusiast on your list? This silicone Yellow Submarine tea infuser is dishwasher-safe and super cute.

Or try this adorable Mr. Tea infuser, who looks like he’s enjoying a hot soak in your cup, for $1.29.

2. Caffeine Mug: $7.99

If you have a nerdy caffeine junkie in your life, this mug is sure to keep her energized and entertained.

Plus, you can find lots of other cute mugs for less than $10, and they’re always useful to have around. Some even transform once their contents warm up!

3. Cat Coffee Cup Cozy: $7.99

Or, if your cat-loving friends already have their own travel mugs, consider this cute hand-crocheted cozy. They could even use it at coffee shops and help save paper sleeves.

4. Kitty Wine Stopper: $9.06

Maybe the cat lady in your life is more of a wino than a java junkie. This adorable wine stopper will keep bottles fresh between glasses.

Oh, and don’t forget —

5. Kitty Wine Glass Markers: $9

— so your friend won’t lose her glass when she hosts parties!

6. Cheese Knives: $9.95 each

The only thing I love more than wine and chocolate is cheese.

Just one of these knives takes a plate of cheese from an appetizer to a display worthy of any get-together.

7. Water Bottle Friendly Ice Cube Trays: $9.15

I love carrying around a reusable water bottle — it’s green and it encourages me to drink more water. But traditional ice cubes won’t fit through the neck of the bottle, and sometimes my water gets tepid.

These ice cube trays solve that problem! And you get a set of two flexible and dishwasher-safe silicone trays for this price, so you can even keep one for yourself if you want. Don’t worry, we won’t tell.

8. Novelty Ice Cube Molds: $4:34-$9.99

OK, I’m a total geek, I know. But it turns out you can find pretty affordable novelty ice molds — and I, for one, would be thrilled to have my drink cooled off by miniature brains ($4.34) or dinosaurs ($6.48).

What about Han Solo trapped in carbonite ($9.99)? Yes, please.

You can also find gummy bears ($8.99), smiley faces ($7.77), the Titanic and icebergs ($8.80) or skulls ($9.99) — perfect for Halloween parties!

9. Bonsai Tree Seeds: $4.99

Who knew these were so cheap?

If you know a green thumb who’s interested in making a new hobby of an ancient tradition, these bonsai seeds might be perfect — although the substrate and container are not included.

10. Cute Succulent Plant Displays: $7

It doesn’t take a green thumb to throw a plant into a pot.

With this set of containers and the succulents you can buy at Trader Joe’s or Home Depot for $2 to $3 apiece, you’ll spend about $7 per recipient of each adorable final display.

11. Handmade Soaps or Bath Bombs: $4.75-$9

Receiving soap as a gift is far from insulting when the products look good enough to eat!

There are tons of options on Etsy (look how pretty this one is!) or at your local craft fair, but higher-traffic brick-and-mortar stores offer quality products at only slightly higher prices.

12. FingerPrint Bookmark: $7.00

Do you know a bookworm who frequently loses his place? No more with this stretchy, silicone bookmark, which will point at the exact line where he leaves off.

13. Scarf Hanger: $8.05

I know I struggle with storage tactics for my plethora of scarves, which have ended up just bunched up into a storage box.

This hanger displays and organizes scarves in your closet, so they’re easily accessible and wrinkle-free.

14. Recipe Rock: $9.45

Got a friend who frequently uses recipe print-outs in the kitchen? This magnetic recipe stand will help keep ‘em clean when his hands are covered in flour.

It’s small enough for any space and could even be used in an office or classroom for other documents.

15. Starry Night Light Projector: $6.23

What kid — or adult, for that matter — wouldn’t want to make their bedroom into a planetarium? Coolest nightlight ever.

16. Sputnik Bud Vase: $9.99

Look how pretty this is! Look how simultaneously nerdy it is! This vase is quick to become a keepsake for anyone on your list.

17. Hanging Glass Candle Holder: $4.95

These hanging candle holders are elegant and timeless. And at prices this low, you could check quite a few people off your list.

18. Elsa Glass Tea Light Holder: $7.95

Or, you could mix and match with these tabletop tea light holders. Give your recipient the gift of new light (yep, pun intended) and a transformed living or dining room.

19. Fancy Candles: $8

Or, you could get the candle itself.

A beautiful scented candle can brighten any space. If you’re shopping for 50 or more people, you could even check out listings for wedding favors and get a really nice gift quite cheaply (like $5 apiece).

You can find lots of other scents — check out these candy-scented candles for $4.99!

20. Small Ceramic Dish: $9

To wrangle stray jewelry or set down a spent tea bag, these little dishes work for anyone on your list, and won’t cost you much at all.

21. Personal Photos: 20 cents

There’s just something about a tangible photo that the digital file lacks. You can get prints of your best memories online at vendors like Mpix for cents on the dollar; or you can check out what Target and Walmart have to offer.

You don’t have to buy a frame — you could string up your photos with wooden clothespins for a cheap, but romantic, option. Many vendors also sell canvas prints or other configurations of your photos at good prices.

If you do go shopping for frames, though, you can find cheap ones in a variety of sizes. I love stalking pricey vendors like Pier 1 for picture frame sales — I’ve seen cute frames like this one for as much as 60% off!

22. Just Crunch Anti-Soggy Cereal Bowl: $6.99

Nothing ruins your Raisin Bran like a slightly-too-long milk bath. Get the breakfast lover in your life this bowl to keep her crunching all the way through the Saturday morning news — or cartoons.

On a similar note:

23. French Fry Dipping Cone: $4.99

Dishwasher safe and not just for fries, this is a convenient and attractive way to serve finger foods and dip.

Less mess on the cheap! What’s not to love?

24. Flexible Pot Clips: $8.99

For your aspiring-chef friend who’s still a little messy in the kitchen. Help him get organized and stop splattering chili on your countertops with this convenient gadget.

25. Magnetic Spot Scrubber: $9.99

If your friends have hard-to-clean glassware like carafes or decanters, this gift might be a godsend.

The scrubber goes inside the vessel and you scrub by dragging the magnetic component along the outside of the glass. Pretty cool, huh? Plus, it won’t scratch your stuff.

Edibles

The way to a friend’s heart is through the stomach. Here are some awesome edible gifts to consider this holiday season!

26. Beer Marshmallows: $7.95

Um, yum? You can get a box of 16 for under $10.

If beer isn’t your style, you can choose from Bourbon, Chai or Pumpkin Pie among other flavors, which change seasonally.

27. Good Chocolate: $5 or less

If you know me, you know this had to show up on my list.

This listing on Amazon is $16 for six bars, which means you’d spend about $3 on each lucky recipient. But you can head to your local grocery store and stalk the candy aisle for lots of options under $5.

If you want to get really fancy, some single-origin, small-batch chocolate bars can cost up to $10 or even more — but are well worth the price to the true chocolate snob on your list (hint, hint)!

28. Good Tea: $8.99

When it comes to the coffee or tea debate, I’m firmly on the side of java — but this cinnamon spice black tea has enough caffeine to keep even a diehard like me going, and it tastes great even without sweetener.

Shop around; there are tons of flavors available. Plus, lots of tea bags come in pretty, reusable tins that serve as decorative organization — all for under $10.

29. Really (Really) Good Honey: $5.99

Once upon a time, I didn’t even like honey. Then, I discovered Stubbees, which specializes in raw, creamed, flavored honeys. Pioneered by a 20-year-old beekeeper in the Jacksonville, Florida, area (and sold in local coffee shops while I lived there), this honey isn’t just delicious: its supports a really, cool small business cofounded by a twenty-year-old entrepreneur.

The cinnamon flavor is the best, but they have tons of flavors to choose from, and new seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice and vanilla bean, too.

30. Pizza Garden: $9.99

Help the pizza fanatic in your life save cash by growing her own Italian herbs and tomatoes. The kit comes with seeds and substrate for oregano, basil, roma tomatoes and bell peppers — a fun, kid-friendly project that could cut costs in the kitchen!

Pizza (somehow) not your style? There are lots of other grow-your-own kits for under $10 — how about growing your own coffee?

You could also go to your local nursery and buy a custom sampling of seeds based on your recipient’s tastes.

31. Gourmet Barbecue Sauces: $5.97-$7.95

There’s nothing like good barbecue sauce to put the finishing touch on a backyard grilling session.

This selection from Crate and Barrel was developed by champion Chicago pitmaster Charlie McKenna, and comes in three flavors.

32. Cookie or Brownie Mix in a Jar: $3

You don’t have to be super-crafty to DIY a great gift! Mason jars usually come in packages of 12 for a little over a dollar apiece — or, check out your local thrift store to find ‘em for as low as a quarter.

Then, scour the web for tons of creative recipe ideas. In most cases, the ingredients for a single jar shouldn’t cost you more than a dollar, especially if you’re planning on making quite a few and buy your sugar and flour in bulk.

Write an instruction card for your recipient and decorate the jar with ribbon. You just gave someone a cheap, useful and beautiful gift!

For Friends at Work or Secret Santa

You might not know some folks on your list that well; maybe you only see them around the office. Here are some non-Starbucks-gift-card gift options.

33. Dine Ink Office Pen Utensils – $8.26

Help your colleague who’s always having lunch in her cubicle make multiple uses of her writing utensils. Multitasking is the way of the future in corporate America, after all!

34. Daily Mood Desktop Flipbook – $7.90

For the social media junkie in the office whose Facebook feed is full of updates — whether she’s tired, cranky or ecstatic.

This flipbook is a cute cubicle addition with 47 moods to choose from, complete with snarky definitions and translation into Pig Latin.

35. The Seven-Year Pen: $7.95

Work with someone who takes a ton of notes? This unassuming, eco-friendly pen can write five and a half feet per day for seven years! That’s a lot of on-hold scribbling for just over a buck a year.

36. Mini Tabletop Zen Garden: $7.99

Got a coworker who could use a mini vacation? Help her relax and focus with this thrifty desktop zen garden.

37. Cute Food-Themed Erasers: $6.99

Come on, these are pretty adorable, right? A quick, cheap, safe bet for any secret Santa recipient — even if you only ever say hi around the Keurig.

Wearables and Accessories

Buying for a fashionista this year? Here are some options.

38. Infinity Scarf: $8.99+

These sheer scarves are fashionable and versatile, and come in enough colors to get your loved ones a couple.

Plus, your friend will have a use for the scarf hanger listed above!

39. Funky Fingerless Gloves: $3.72

Even though I live in Florida, I suffer terribly from cold hands during our brief winters. These fingerless gloves are stylish and still let you use your touch screen.

40. Tiny Golden Heart Earrings: $9 (on sale for $7.65)

These studs are unassuming, but adorable — they’d go with anything.

You can also find tiny flowers ($3.75) or even unicorn earrings ($5.99, on sale from $9.99) for the pierced person on your shopping list.

41. Wildflower Crown Knitting Pattern: $3.50

If you’re crafty, you could make a friend this everlasting flower crown (cute!) for $3.50 plus the cost of yarn. If you know a crafty person, you could give her the pattern itself as a gift!

42. T-Shirts: $6

Since there are so many options, you’re sure to find something for anyone on your list. Even those hard-to-buy-for folks who seem to have everything need T-shirts!

Threadless has lots of funky designs and often has sales, taking their tees under $10.

Geekery and Other Useful Stuff

From on-the-go light to blank pages to carry in your pocket, these gifts will make any geek on your list grin.

43. Credit Card Lightbulb: $3.99

Ever get home late at night and can’t get your key in the door? Or maybe you’re out at a bar and someone loses an earring back?

No more scrambling to keep your cellphone screen active. Flip open your wallet and save the day!

44. Cell Phone Propper-Upper: $4.95

Have a techy friend getting carpal tunnel from holding her phone so much?

This little gadget holds up your Android or iPhone so you can scroll through the screen with ease. Since it has suction cups, you can even attach it to your windshield to use your GPS!

Want a more stylish option? Try the Pumped Up smartphone stand for $3.84, or the tongue-in-cheek Banana Stand for $7. And at a price like that, Arrested Development fans will be pleased to learn there’s always money in the banana stand, after all!

45. Cable Management System: $9.95

Wires, wires everywhere. How many of us suffer from this problem?

This cable management system is sleek and would help streamline anyone’s workspace.

46. Harry Potter Deathly Hallows Keychain: $2.39

For the die-hard Harry Potter fan on your list, you can’t go wrong for under $3.

47. Novelty USB Flash Drive: $6.50

Everyone needs portable storage these days, and there are some really cute flash drives available.

Even better: Fill it with fun personal stuff, like date photos or favorite songs. It’s the 21st century mix tape!

48. Clear Soft-Flex iPhone 6 Case: $9.99

You don’t have to spend (another) fortune to protect your investment — although you certainly can.

Lots of folks will be getting new tech over the holidays, so help keep their expensive new gadgets safe. I especially love this case since it’s transparent — you can still see the beautiful design, which is part of your phone’s high price tag to begin with!

49. High-Quality Pocket Notebooks: $9.95

Maybe I’m a little biased since I’m a writer and all, but you can never go wrong with pocket notebooks.

These are beautiful and come in lots of different styles — dot matrix, graph or lined paper. And you get three for less than $10!

50. Gift Cards: $10 or less

A $10 gift card to Starbucks or Panera can actually get you a decent amount of stuff, and you might even be able to get it for less than $10!

So get shopping, penny hoarders — you can still save lots while you do!

Your Turn: What gifts under $10 would you like to give or receive?

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. We would have shared them with you anyway, but a true “penny hoarder” would be a fool not to take the company’s money.

Jamie Cattanach is junior writer at The Penny Hoarder and a native Floridian. She’d gladly unwrap anything on this list, but especially the chocolate. Seriously, if you could send chocolate, that would be great.

The post 50 Holiday Gifts Under $10 Your Friends Will Actually Want appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.

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