’People cannot control the bloody dogs’

AFTER a lazy delivery driver was exposed this week, couriers everywhere have been copping our complaints. Now they’re hitting back.

Source NEWS.com.au | Business http://ift.tt/1Nbs9cC

Disgusting tentacle in Aldi egg

FINDING a tentacle poking out of your egg is enough to put anyone off their morning fry-up. But that’s exactly what happened to this Aldi customer.

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

Is this really the best way to spend $150k?

IT’S the Christmas gift costing taxpayers a motza. But is this tree, erected behind boardings in the middle of a closed-off street, really worth $150,000?

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

Salim lashes out at ‘appalling’ treatment

THE controversial deputy mayor has unexpectedly thrown his support behind one of his biggest rivals. Now they’re best of frenemies.

Source NEWS.com.au | Business http://ift.tt/1NwXL2O

Which stores are offering freebies for Black Friday?

Sure, Black Friday is known for great savings.But some stores are going the extra mile, offering freebies and giveaways to shoppers.Offers.com has put together a list of the best free items to [...]

Source Business - poconorecord.com http://ift.tt/1Xuf5ok

This Chart Makes Black Friday Buying Decisions Easy… and Fun

You’ve survived the cold wait in line, where you’ve hopefully been brave enough to bond with a new friend over your shared dedication to Black Friday deals.

You literally bust your way through the door in pursuit of said savings — immediately leaving your unsuspecting new friend behind in the dust, because… deals.

In front of you lies a cornucopia of things, the happiness of your children and approval of your coworkers displayed in pristine boxes on rows upon rows of metal shelves.

Dangling above each piece of holiday shopping splendor is the siren call of American retail: the SALE sign.

You have to have it, right? What a deal!

You couldn’t possibly find prices like this again. And you spent all that time chatting up what’s-her-face outside in the cold — you deserve a treat.

Stop — Don’t Buy That Yet!

Before you do something you know you’ll regret, take a moment to really consider it.

Breathe deeply, double-check your list — and get out of the aisle before what’s-her-face clips you with her shopping cart in her sprint to Housewares.

Now ask yourself these questions.

(Not sure how to answer some of them? We’ve got Black Friday experts on hand for 48 hours to help you out!)

Get (Only) the Best Deals on Black Friday

Still stumped on whether you’re looking at a good deal or just a shiny sign? Here are some of the questions our Black Friday experts can help you answer:

Is This Typically on Sale Throughout the Year?

Some items are discounted more at other times of the year, so you could be better off waiting. We’ll tell you how to spot a deal vs. a dud.

Can You Buy It With Cash?

We’ll help you prepare your holiday shopping budget! We can also help you save money by paying with the right gift card or cash-back credit card.

Does This Store Offer the Best Deal?

We’ve done the research, so you don’t have to! We’ve scoured the ads and pulled out the best Black Friday deals.

Ask us anything.

On top of that, we’ll help you find coupons and rebates to make every great deal even better.

NOW You’re Ready to Buy

Congratulations, Black Friday Warrior. You’ve survived the test of will. Go forth, and find more great deals.

Rejoice when you return home with your spoils — and with the newfound strength to survive the remaining challenges you’re sure to encounter this holiday season.

Dana Sitar (@danasitar) is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. She’s written for Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, Writer’s Digest and more.

This post originally appeared on our special Black Friday site.

The post This Chart Makes Black Friday Buying Decisions Easy… and Fun appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.

source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/1XjAnKL

Five tricks shops will use this Xmas

AUSSIE shoppers will spend nearly $47 billion this Christmas. Here are the five tricks retailers will be using to make you spend.

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

Blitz on fake online reviews

BUSINESS owners who write their own glowing reviews online — and even negative reviews of competitors — are about to have a bad time.

Source NEWS.com.au | Business http://ift.tt/1NRuZ75

Black Friday in an Hour: 8 Ways to Get In and Out of Your Favorite Stores Quickly

Want to score some sweet Black Friday deals without devoting an entire day off work to early-morning lines and crowds? Not super pumped about online shopping?

Although Black Friday means tons of great deals, the logistics of cramming all those bodies into a single Walmart can sometimes have serious consequences.

Even if you’re not afraid for your life this Black Friday, it might be enjoyable to use most of your long weekend for something besides holiday shopping — like making turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce. Or watching football.

Sure, you can do a lot of Black Friday shopping online. But participating in the brick-and-mortar Black Friday rush is a ritual for many of us, a tradition that bonds families and creates holiday memories. It’s hard to get that experience from clicking items on a screen.

Here are eight ways to get in and out of stores as quickly as possible this Black Friday, so you don’t miss the deals or the leftovers.

1. Go Shopping Later

If you’re not eyeing a specific big-ticket item, consider hitting the stores around 11 a.m. or even later — the stores are open all weekend!

Sure, they’ll be picked over, but you’ll skip the crowds and still might find something awesome for a steep discount.

2. Bring Friends Black Friday Shopping

If you’re headed for a shopping center, divide and conquer.

Have each member of your party make a list of desired items from specific stores. Then, have one member of your group get into each line and grab the items. Arrange a time to reconvene afterward.

Way to go! You’ve just shopped three stores in the time it would’ve taken for one. Plus, this shopping holiday is way more fun with friends.

3. Carpool

You may have to make multiple stops, but taking one car saves time in traffic, and you’ll only have to find parking for one vehicle.

As an added bonus, you’ll also save money on gas.

4. Know What You’re Getting…

If you’re going early, optimize your line time by planning when and where to get the items you want.

If you’re only after one big-ticket item, just go to the store with the best deal — and early.

If you’re after multiple deals, add up the total cost for all the items you want at the stores closest to you. Hit the one with the best bottom line.

Learning which store will have the best deal on your next laptop or big-screen TV will be easy when you follow our live Black Friday blog. Plus, you can keep organized with our holiday shopping template.

5. …And Where to Get It

Hit the stores you’ve chosen a few days early so you can learn the layout. That way, once the line moves into the store, you know exactly where you’re going, and you can get in and out before the cashier lines stack up.

Or, use your smartphone to download store maps (where applicable) to achieve the same goal.

6. Keep Up to Date

While you have your phone out, check your Facebook or Twitter account.

Fox Van Allen recommends searching #BlackFriday to see if there’s any up-to-the-minute news to help make your trip more efficient. Local resources — ones that focus on your specific city or town — will likely be the most helpful here.

And if a lot of your Facebook friends live nearby, simply checking your Facebook feed can be a good tactic too, since your friends will likely share when they’ve found a good deal or hit a traffic jam.

7. Shop at Less Popular Stores

Lots of stores are participating in Black Friday, even some you might not expect.

You could save money and time by stocking up on regular items at CVS or Walgreens — and there probably won’t be any line at all.

These stores are regularly open 24/7.

8. Just Stay Home

If you really want to do Black Friday as quickly as possible, shop online deals instead of hitting the stores.

Since lots of companies are making their Black Friday deals available earlier, you won’t have to wait for Cyber Monday.

Who says those family memories can’t be made on the couch, after all?

Your Turn: What’s your strategy for quickly getting in and out of your favorite stores this year?

Jamie Cattanach is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder and a native Floridian. She’s passionate about learning, literature, chocolate and finding ways to live the good life as cost-effectively as possible.

This post originally appeared on our special Black Friday site.

The post Black Friday in an Hour: 8 Ways to Get In and Out of Your Favorite Stores Quickly appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.

source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/1jmbyec

When to Skip Black Friday: 6 Things to Buy on Small Business Saturday Instead

Black Friday is obviously an awesome time to score fantastic deals on lots of products. But that doesn’t mean it’s the best day to buy everything on your list.

Some items just aren’t discounted that well on Black Friday. While you probably want to get your new TV or computer on Friday, smaller gift items like clothing, accessories and crafts are typically excluded from newsworthy sales.

If you’re not getting a doorbuster deal at a big box retailer on Black Friday, why not wait until Small Business Saturday and support your local stores?

Small Business Saturday is the day after Black Friday. It celebrates locally-owned small businesses, giving you an opportunity to grab something unique at a better price than you might see during the year.

These businesses ride the coattails of Black Friday shopping excitement. Smaller stores usually can’t compete with the mega-discounts at major retailers, so they have their own “holiday” for special deals.

If these items are on your holiday shopping list, skip buying them on Black Friday. Instead, check your local stores for deals on Saturday, November 28.

1. Furniture

Big items may be too cumbersome to haul in your car on Black Friday. They could also be too expensive to ship if you buy them online on Cyber Monday.

Visit a local retailer Saturday, take the shipping option, and save the hassle and expense of getting it home. Keep this in mind for appliances and other large items, too.

2. Clothing

Discounts on clothing and accessories are historically underwhelming on Black Friday. Because the price of clothing seems cheap relative to the TV you’re picking up, you might be tempted to add it to your cart.

Resist the urge!

Small businesses are perfect for finding unique artisan clothing, jewelry and other accessories. Take advantage of Small Business Saturday to get these at affordable prices.

3. Crafts and Decorations

Saturday morning is the perfect time to stop by a local arts market or craft fair! These are scattered with booths and tables from local businesses, individual artists and crafters.

Whether shopping for the holidays or general home decor, unusual hand-made items are way more interesting than mass-produced goods.

Local artisans begin holiday sales this weekend alongside other retailers. Check them out before settling for something mediocre from a chain store.

4. Baked Goods and Treats

Doesn’t reading this get you excited for a holiday dinner? (Maybe I’m just hungry.) Thanksgiving weekend kicks off the holiday season, and your local bakery is also getting ready for winter holiday celebrations.

Apples Bakery in Peoria, Illinois used to have minimal traffic the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Why visit a bakery when your refrigerator’s still stuffed with leftovers?

The bakery now offers a pre-holiday sale with 20% off certain treats so customers can stock their pantries for the holidays.

The discount allows the bakery to join the small business celebration and gives customers a practical reason to shop local.

Don’t overlook your local bakeries. Small Business Saturday discounts and promotions make this a perfect day to stock up on holiday candies, cookies and other treats!

5. Location-Specific Gifts

I relocated to Florida for work this year, leaving family in Wisconsin and friends scattered around the country. I’ll be keeping an eye out for special gifts to celebrate my new home and help everyone remember me after the holidays!

Some things you just can’t get from chain stores. Look for Small Business Saturday deals on items you can only find where you live. These make awesome gifts for faraway family and friends.

6. Thrift Store Finds

Local thrift stores deals vary by location, even for national chains. But I found several Salvation Army stores participating in SBS this year, and several St. Vincent de Paul stores have previously participated.

Look into local chapters of chain stores and your town’s locally-owned second-hand shops. They’re in the retail business, so they’ll likely be jumping on the sales bandwagon this weekend!

Bonus Tip: Be a Picky Shopper

If you really want to get the best deals, don’t get swept up in the excitement of Black Friday. Create your budget and shopping list ahead of time, and choose your stores wisely.

Avoid buying something just because it’s on sale. Do your research before you shop and you’ll know whether a deal is really what it seems.

If it’s not, look into the above alternatives to ensure you’re always getting the best bang for your buck.

Your Turn: What are your local businesses offering on Small Business Saturday? Will you Shop Local that day?

Dana Sitar (@danasitar) is a Staff Writer at The Penny Hoarder. She’s written for Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, Writer’s Digest and more. She’ll probably spend the holiday weekend working on an elusive novel and eating ALL the leftover green bean casserole.

This post originally appeared on our special Black Friday site.

The post When to Skip Black Friday: 6 Things to Buy on Small Business Saturday Instead appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.

source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/1SmIsrn

11 Things to Do on Black Friday When You Hate Black Friday

Black Friday may be among the busiest shopping days of the year, but shopping isn’t the only way to get into the holiday spirit this Thanksgiving weekend.

This pseudo-holiday piggybacks on the time off granted by a real national holiday, after all. The kids are home from school, and your friends and family probably have that extra day off work.

If you want to skip the mall but don’t want to spend the day hiding out at home, we’ve found a few ways you can take advantage of Black Friday without joining the shopping frenzy.

Be Charitable on Black Friday

The holidays tend to bring out our charitable side. If you don’t want to kick off the season with shopping, why not use Black Friday to start giving back instead?

1. You Give, We Give

Make the money you spend on Black Friday do good by shopping a #YouGiveWeGive campaign.

For Thanksgiving and Black Friday 2015, timepiece company eOne is giving shoppers 15% off, and it will donate 100% of proceeds to The Seeing Eye.

Businesses running these campaigns (on Black Friday or throughout the year) donate a portion of their profits to charities or match your donations by giving back to others in need.

2. Be Charitable Without Spending Money

The holidays can hit your wallet hard, and you might not have money to donate to your favorite causes. Instead, offer your support without spending money!

Here are some ways to do it on Black Friday:

Host a bake sale or carwash for charity

Coordinate with local businesses to set up in or outside busy shops and provide a bit of reprieve for Black Friday shoppers. Choose your favorite charity, and make sure everyone knows their money is going to support the cause.

Volunteer at a food bank or soup kitchen

Instead of spending your weekend off shopping, spend it giving back to your community.

Visit a children’s hospital as Santa or Mrs. Claus

Is there a more heartwarming way to kick off your holiday season than spreading joy to children who can’t get out to join the fun this year?

Volunteer at an assisted living facility

You could bring the holiday cheer with craft projects, musical performance or other fun group activities.

Or, you can bring Black Friday to those who can’t get out by organizing a computer lab and assisting with online shopping.

3. Bright Friday

In a blatant contrast to the consumer frenzy of Black Friday, Bright Friday aims to promote “community wide acts of benevolence, generosity, sharing, giving, mentoring and overall goodness.” Core efforts are based in the Miami, FL, area, but anyone can get involved.

You can participate in Bright Friday with something as simple as a random act of kindness — open a door or help someone carry shopping bags if you go out for Black Friday.

Or skip the shopping altogether, and organize a group to volunteer or host a community event.

Connect with other participants and share your activities with photos and updates on Facebook with the hashtag #brightfriday.

4. Smile Always

When you shop with AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate .5% of your eligible purchases to a charity of your choice.

In case you forget to sign in through the portal, the Smile Always Chrome extension automatically redirects any Amazon links through smile.amazon.com. Firefox users, install the Smile Redirect addon.

5. Donate Blood

The Red Cross needs your blood, more this time of year than any other. As people get busy with holiday festivities, blood donations tend to decline between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.

To find a local blood drive, visit redcrossblood.org or download their Blood App. Or, if you want to help out but also make some extra money, consider selling your plasma.

Opting Out

Want to show off your abstinence from the shopping madness? Here are some ways to opt out of Black Friday that you can brag about to your friends all year.

6. Make Money

Skip spending altogether, and try making money on Black Friday instead of spending. Here are just a few ideas:

• Take stock photos of holiday shopping scenes.
• Work on your passion project or side hustle with your time off from the day job.
• Work on micro-gigs — you can nab the best ones while everyone is taking time off!

7. Buy Nothing Day

If you want to be part of a community, but don’t want to contribute to the madness of Black Friday, look into Buy Nothing Day.

Launched by the anti-commercialism magazine AdBusters in the early 90s, Buy Nothing Day encourages not just abstaining from shopping but doing so publicly.

The movement encourages consumers to “consider what it might mean to celebrate a holiday that isn’t driven by commercial forces.”

If you don’t want to make a display of it, participating in Buy Nothing Day can be as simple as it sounds — just don’t buy anything.

Welmoed Sisson says, “Our family has participated in BND for years, even before we found out it had an official name… Instead, we spend the day sleeping in, reading, enjoying a hobby and raiding the fridge for leftover turkey.”

For his family, Sisson says, “No amount of discount on anything in a store could compensate for losing such a nice day.”

If you do want to make a statement, AdBusters suggests doing a Credit Card Cut Up or Zombie Walk at shopping malls.

Why go to these lengths? To some, Black Friday shopping seems an out-of-control display of consumerism. Buy Nothing Day provides an alternative to shift us away from mindless consumption and towards thoughtful spending.

Marilene Richardson, owner of SongCroft Naturals, explains, “I avoid [Black Friday shopping] so much that I close my own retail business so others will be encouraged to do the same. As a small family business, this does impact our bottom line but our values of family and less consumerism are more important to us.”

8. Get Outside

In a bold move this year, outdoor retailer REI will be closed on Black Friday. With its #OptOutside campaign, REI encourages people to spend time outside instead of shopping this year.

Similar to the objectives of Buy Nothing Day, the co-op business wants to help shoppers opt out of rabid consumerism.

“We define success a little differently [from other retailers],” REI President and CEO Jerry Stritzke told USA Today earlier this month. “It’s much broader than just money. How effectively do we get people outside?”

You can participate by making plans to go outside and skip Black Friday shopping this year. Then tell the world by joining REI’s campaign and sharing your experience and photos on November 27 with the hashtag #OptOutside.

Get Great Deals Without Shopping

Need something to occupy the family? Get everyone out of the house for a few hours without standing in line or worrying about your shopping list.

You’ll find discounts at many businesses you wouldn’t expect, so be sure to ask about deals wherever you go.

9. Visit a Museum

Many museums offer discounted admission prices on Black Friday. You might even be able to nab a membership at a reduced rate — so check with your favorite local museums, and plan ahead!

10. Go to a Movie

Seth Rogen’s The Night Before, Sylvester Stallone in Creed and Daniel Radcliffe in Victor Frankenstein all open nationwide on Wednesday, November 25.

Catch a good deal on these Thanksgiving weekend releases by taking in a Black Friday matinee — you could have your pick of seats while everyone else is shopping!

While you’re out, you could always check a few people off your holiday shopping list. Many theaters offer freebies or bonuses when you buy gift cards. Buy $50 in gift cards for Marcus Theatres, for example, and you’ll get $15 to use towards snacks on another visit.

11. Go Out to Eat

If your refrigerator isn’t overflowing with Thanksgiving leftovers on Friday — or you just don’t even want to look at your kitchen — you can go out to eat.

Look into your favorite local restaurants to see who’s offering deals for the holiday weekend. If you’re looking for something familiar, chains are also offering some limited deals to draw in Black Friday shoppers.

Boston Market

If you’re out on Thanksgiving Day, you can get a warm holiday meal from Boston Market — or take home heat-and-serve portions for yourself or the whole family.

Buca di Beppo

Sign up for Buca di Beppo’s eClub before November 30 for a coupon for a free Bucannoli. The Italian chain’s twist on the cannoli replaces the creamy filling with savory sausage.

Stevi B’s Pizza Buffet

Grab this coupon for 10% off your entire order at Stevi B’s, good through November 30.

Carl’s Jr.

If you don’t want to battle shoppers for a table, score a quick burger at Carl’s Jr. Wash it down with a free small Peach Papaya Green Sweetened Iced Tea, good through November 30.

Your Turn: Do you plan to opt out of shopping on Black Friday? What will you do this weekend instead?

Dana Sitar (@danasitar) is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. She’s written for Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, Writer’s Digest and more. She’ll probably spend Black Friday working on an elusive novel and eating ALL the leftover green bean casserole.

This post originally appeared on our special Black Friday site.

The post 11 Things to Do on Black Friday When You Hate Black Friday appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.

source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/1NabuWU

Want to Give Back, But Don’t Have Cash? 8 Alternative Ways to Spread Holiday Cheer

The holiday season is an expensive time of the year.

For the sake of frugality, I make presents for our extended family and friends, and my children and I bake cookies to drop off to neighbors and caregivers.

It’s also a time for charity.

We’re reminded during every grocery visit to pick up some peanut butter and cereal for the food bank; we’re asked to donate an extra $1 after our transaction at the store; and empty shoeboxes sit in an inviting pile at our church, begging to be filled with toys and toiletries.

It doesn’t take long for families to become overwhelmed by all the options for giving.

Most of us are willing to help in some way. San Francisco sees a 56% increase in charitable giving during the holidays. Many other major cities across America document an increase in charitable giving during the happiest time of the year, too.

But if you’re frugal or find yourself short on cash around the holidays, you might not want to open your wallet to give back.

Here are eight alternative ways you can be generous and help others without spending any money.

1. Volunteer at a Food Bank or Soup Kitchen

Consider spending a few hours this year volunteering at your local food bank or soup kitchen. Being able to actually serve and meet the people who are benefiting from the donated food might open your eyes to the need, as well as help you appreciate the importance of giving.

Volunteering is a valuable way to “donate” to an organization when you can’t afford to support it financially.

2. Donate Toys, Clothes and Christmas Décor

Look through your house and donate toys and clothing in good condition that you don’t use much anymore, or unused Christmas decorations. Most of us own more than we need, so consider passing along items that are useful, but not necessary for you.

Some even say donating is cheaper than selling used items.

If you know of a family that can’t afford decorations this year, gather some of your excess and bring holiday cheer into their home.

3. Invite a Family Over for Dinner

Opening your home to friends and family who may be struggling this Christmas season is a great way to share joy, and it doesn’t cost much. My favorite websites for cheap meals are Budget Bytes and $5 Dinners.

We try to invite friends over who could use a free meal, might be struggling through a loss or are without family on the holiday. This is my first year celebrating Christmas since my own brother’s death, and I know having friends over will bring me comfort, too.

4. Dress Up as Santa or Mrs. Claus and Visit a Children’s Hospital

Children find joy during the Christmas season; however, some struggle to find the magic when they’re ill.

Thankfully, some children’s hospitals allow visitors to bring arts and crafts, put on a puppet show, or even dress up as Santa or Mrs. Claus. Check with your local hospital.

5. Use Your Creativity and Knit or Sew Clothes for Preemie Babies

Both of my daughters received a knitted hat minutes after birth. We cherish these knitted hats and keep them in a box to remember the day they were born.

However, some children are born too small to fit into these knitted hats.

When a family member close to us had preemie twins, my mother was enlisted to knit a few hats to cover their heads. Since then, I’ve always remembered how important it is to have a hospital supplied with small preemie knit hats, and even preemie outfits.

If you’re able to knit, whipping up a dozen preemie hats for a baby will be fast and easy, and you can use leftover yarn scraps to do it. It won’t cost you a thing!

6. Visit a Retirement Home and Offer to Run Craft Time, Play Music or Organize Something Special

Every few months my mother-in-law visits a senior living home to sing for them and visit with residents. She finds her visits are even more cherished during the holiday season.

Many people living in these homes have lost family members; having a cheerful face can help brighten the season for them.

7. Volunteer at a Community Holiday Festival

My favorite part of the holidays is finding out which local festival is happening each weekend. Our family tries to keep our weekends open so we can enjoy them — plus, they’re almost always free.

If a particular festival is special to you or your family, consider volunteering your time.

Our children are quite young, but as they get older we’d like to get them involved in our local Christmas parade. This shows them fun and free events take a lot of work, and helps children understand the importance of community involvement.

8. Take Your Family and Friends Out Caroling Around the Neighborhood

Spread holiday cheer by gathering a group of people and going door-to-door caroling in your neighborhood. This is a nice way to reconnect with your neighbors.

We’ll take our children caroling this year (even though none of us are particularly talented vocalists!).

Your Turn: What do you do to spread holiday cheer?

Brianna Bell is a freelance writer and corporate blogger. She specializes in personal finance blogging and storytelling. You can find her work in The Globe and Mail, The Guelph Mercury and on her blog at mrsbriannarose.blogspot.com.

The post Want to Give Back, But Don’t Have Cash? 8 Alternative Ways to Spread Holiday Cheer appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.

source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/1OtwWtd

5 Ways to Buy Gift Cards for Less Than Face Value — So You Can Save Even More on Black Friday

Last Black Friday, Staples had an Asus laptop for $99.99. You can’t get them much cheaper than that… or can you?

Actually, if Staples has a similar offer this year, you can knock another $15 (and maybe more) off the price by using discounted gift cards.

For example, as I write this, $200 Staples gift cards are on sale for $170. One card would buy two of those laptops for a net cost of $84.99 each.

Of course, the deals will be different this year and that gift card sale may be gone by the time you read this. But don’t worry; there are several ways to get store gift cards at a discount, and you’ll find plenty of opportunities to use them.

Plus, if you learn a few advanced strategies, you can use gift cards to save even more money on Black Friday.

How to Buy Discounted Gift Cards

The concept is simple enough. You “stack” your savings by combining Black Friday sales with discounted gift cards as payment.

And most retailers let you use their cards in-store or online.

Here are five ways you can buy gift cards for less than face value.

1. Online Gift Card Vendors

Sellers that specialize in gift cards normally sell them at face value, but they do have sales.

For example, Gift Card Mall’s eBay store currently has $100 Sears cards on sale for $85, and PayPal Digital Gifts sells those $200 Staples cards for $170.

Typically, quantities are limited and the deals sell out fast, so check often. You can sign up on Doctor of Credit to receive phone notifications of these types of deals.

2. Discounted Gift Card Sites

Many websites help you buy discounted gift cards with unused balances. Discounts vary according to demand, and from site to site.

For example, on Gift Card Zen, a Petco gift card with a balance of $279.61 is currently selling for $223.69, a discount of 20%, but the Walmart cards are all discounted less than 2%. On Raise, there’s a PetSmart gift card for 19.5% off, but again, Walmart cards are only 2% off.

To find the best deals, use Gift Card Granny to compare several websites at once. I’ve purchased cards from several vendors numerous times, and so far I haven’t had any major problems.

3. Local Store Promotions

I recently bought gift cards for several retailers at Dollar General for 15% off.

Stop and Shop is currently offering a $10 store credit if you spend $100 on gift cards, and their selection includes eBay and L.L. Bean.

To find these deals, check weekly ads online for various stores near you. Gift card promotions are usually on or near the last page. Staples gift card promotions are in the “Gifts and Games” section.

Gift cards at Sam’s Club (online and in-store) often sell at a discount, but the selection is limited and the best deals are usually for restaurants.

Currently, you can get a package of four cards for Outback Steakhouse with a total face value of $85 (three $25 cards and one $10 card) for $71.98. You could use them as four separate gifts. Buy them with a cash-back credit card, of course (more on that in a moment).

4. Use a 5% Cash-Back Category Reward

If you have a credit card that pays 5% cash back on certain categories, you can use it to get 5% back on gift cards for non-category retailers.

For example, Discover’s 5% categories recently included “home improvement stores,” so I used my Discover card to buy several different store gift cards at Home Depot. It had close to 100 different retailers’ cards, including places like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Amazon.

Discover doubles your cash back after the first year, so you actually get 10% back if you’re a new card holder.

Chase Freedom is another card with rotating 5% cash back categories (new ones every three months). Just remember that with both Chase and Discover, you have to activate your 5% bonus online at the beginning of each quarter.

5. Use Amex Offers

If you have an American Express card, take advantage of Amex Offers to get discounted gift cards. Just watch for offers at places that sell gift cards.

For example, my offers (each account theoretically gets different ones) currently include a $10 statement credit for spending $50 at JCPenney. I can go to JCPenney, find their gift card rack, buy a $50 card for some other store, and get $10 back.

American Express says they’ll credit your account within 90 days, but it has never taken more than two weeks for my credit to appear.

You might even get gift cards for free. I used an offer of $10 back for any purchase at Newegg to buy a $10 Home Depot gift card — three times. There was no shipping charge, so I got $30 in Home Depot cards for free.

Get Ready for Black Friday

To prepare for Black Friday, you may have to guess where you’ll spend the most money, and how much, in order to buy the right gift cards in advance.

If you’re uncertain, just buy cards for places where you usually shop. That way, you can easily “liquidate” them after Black Friday if you haven’t used them all.

If you wait until the last moment (or are reading this on Black Friday), you can still buy digital gift cards as necessary and print them out at home. Most vendors say it takes up to a day to email you the link to print your “card,” but I’ve always received it within two hours.

One exception: Gift Card Zen may delay first-time orders for security reasons.

If you’re a scientific shopper, you’ll prepare a list of doorbusters and other items you plan to buy, and where. Then you’ll find the necessary gift cards at the best discounts available. You’ll also use…

More Advanced Gift Card Strategies

Paying for Black Friday purchases with discounted gift cards is a simple way to “stack” your savings.

But you can save even more if you add additional savings tactics, like using the right rewards credit card. Here are some examples of how to really stack up those savings.

Example One

Gap and Old Navy gift cards are currently on sale for 20% off at Staples. Buy a $50 card with a Chase Ink or American Express Simply Cash Business card (I have both), to get $2 cash back on the $40 purchase (5% back at all office supply stores).

Spend $50 on half-priced gifts on Black Friday, and pay with the gift card for a total net cost of $38 for things that would normally cost $100.

That’s how you stack three savings tactics: a sale, credit card cash back and a discounted gift card.

Example Two

You plan to spend $140 on gifts at Michaels, so you do this:

1. Go to Cashback Monitor and enter Raise to see which cash-back portal pays best for shopping at that discount card vendor. At the moment, the best rate is 3% from Splender.
2. Go to Splender and set up an account, because they offer 3% cash back if you shop at Raise through their link.
3. Use the Splender portal link to go to Raise.
4. Search through the many Michael’s gift cards. As I write this, a card with a balance of $139.85 is listed for $111.94, a 20% discount.
5. Buy the gift card with a credit card that gives you cash back, like Citi Double Cash (2%) or Barclaycard CashForward World MasterCard (1.5%).
6. Buy stuff at Michaels for at least 50% off on Black Friday.

Here’s the breakdown on what you would save on the first $140 of purchases, if you buy only Black Friday deals that are 50% off:

• Half-off sale savings: $140.00
• Gift card discount: $27.91
• Portal cash back: $3.36
• Credit card cash back: $2.24

By stacking four savings tactics, you save $173.51, and pay just $106.49 for gifts that would have cost $280 at the regular prices.

Example Three

Add a coupon to the last example to use five savings tactics for one purchase. I did a five-level stack recently (not for Black Friday).

I earned portal cash back (1) when I bought a discounted gift card (2) with a cash-back credit card (3), and then I used the gift card and a coupon (4) to buy items already on sale (5) — all just to get cheap cat food at Petco in that case, but the strategy can also work at all of your favorite Black Friday stores.

Your Turn: Will you use discounted gift cards as part of your Black Friday shopping strategy?

Disclosure: We have a serious Taco Bell addiction around here. The affiliate links in this post help us order off the dollar menu. Thanks for your support!

Steve Gillman is the author of “101 Weird Ways to Make Money” and creator of EveryWayToMakeMoney.com. He’s been a repo-man, walking stick carver, search engine evaluator, house flipper, tram driver, process server, mock juror, and roulette croupier, but of more than 100 ways he has made money, writing is his favorite (so far).

This post originally appeared on our special Black Friday site.

The post 5 Ways to Buy Gift Cards for Less Than Face Value — So You Can Save Even More on Black Friday appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.

source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/1TgNbvr

How to Save Money on a Board Gaming Hobby

It’s no secret to longtime readers that one of my primary hobbies is board and card games. I play simpler games with my kids after school many days. I play two player games with my wife fairly regularly. Once or twice a month, Sarah and I also host game nights for our friends. I also participate in two different community game groups, and I go to one or two tabletop gaming conventions each year.

Needless to say, I know my board and card games.

There are several reasons why I like the hobby. First, there is such incredible variety in board and card games these days that there’s something for almost every imaginable theme and almost every imaginable level of complexity. There are games with simple rules that appeal strongly to creativity (like Codenames and Dixit) and games with complex rules that appeal strongly to strategic thought (like Terra Mystica and Nippon). There are games about almost any topic, from marrying off your children and grandchildren to move up in society (Legacy: the Testament of Duke de Crecy) to building a thriving medieval farm and family starting with just two people in a wooden hovel (Agricola) – and almost everything imaginable in between.

Second, board and card games are inherently social. They’re all about sitting around a table communicating with others without using electronic devices. I have forged many deep friendships thanks to board and card games and they serve as amazing opportunities to get to know people better.

Third, if you so desire, board games and card games can be brilliant mental exercises. Some of the heavier games (think chess, for an example) can encourage you to take on incredible mental gymnastics – but they’re not all like that, not at all. Some are very light, serving mostly as a conduit for conversation. I just tend to enjoy the heavier ones.

It’s simply a social hobby that I deeply enjoy.

Over the years, many, many readers have wrote in to tap that knowledge. They’ve asked for game recommendations. They’ve asked for suggestions on how to get a game night started, whether it’s just one hosted at their house or the start of a community game night.

A lot of readers have written in with a different question, though. They want to know how to save money with what can be a fairly expensive hobby. How do you find good prices on board and card games? How do you overcome the temptation to buy more games?

I’ve dropped a number of specific tips on this topic in reader mailbags over the years, but I’ve never collected all of my money-saving strategies for my main hobby in one place together. Until now.

Here are the exact things that I do to reduce the expense of my board and card gaming hobby.

Participate in Community Game Groups and Game Nights

This is the first and most important strategy. Community game groups and game nights are the easiest way to gain exposure to new games and, most importantly, play them before you invest money in buying them.

Most community game groups and game nights are free to participate in. They’re usually open to people of all ages and the members often bring games from their own collections to play with others, giving members the opportunity to try a lot of different games without paying for them.

It’s a pretty enjoyable way to spend an evening, at least from my perspective.

The question is how do you find these groups? Here are some of the best methods.

Check your local library In many communities, game nights are hosted by the local library. Stop in and ask the librarian if they have such events on their schedule or check your local library’s website.

Check local churches Many game groups start in churches because, frankly, church meeting places and reception rooms are just about perfect for game nights as they have lots of chairs and tables easily available. Again, just call around to various local churches and check their websites to see what they have available.

Check local stores that sell board games Many game stores have a night or two each week where they stay open late and one of the employees (or a community volunteer) hosts a game night in the store or at a nearby location. Finding out about these game nights is as easy as sticking your head in the door and asking the person behind the counter.

Check meetup.com Many game groups advertise using meetup.com, particularly those who use meeting locations besides libraries and churches. Just log on and see what’s available in your area.

In terms of the etiquette of such groups, everyone is welcome t show up and play games but once you become a regular attendee, it begins to be encouraged that you simply bring a few games from your own collection to play. It’s also assumed that if you bring a game, you’ll be able to teach it to others; usually, people will teach a game every week or two but mostly participate in games others are teaching or games that are familiar to all players.

If at All Possible, Try Before You Buy

As with any industry, the board gaming world is filled with people who are pretty good at marketing. They can make even the most boring game sound like an exciting and engaging experience, building the hype train and convincing people to buy.

The best way to burn through that hype is to actually play the game in question and, over time, gain enough experience in playing games so that you can cut through the hype.

This is really one of the big advantages of going to a community game night, as it offers a great opportunity to play games. Game conventions can be advantageous in this way, but games are often set up by marketers at conventions to make them seem as good as possible.

Here are a bunch of different tools I use to figure out if I actually want to own a game or not.

Play a wide variety of games at game nights. Play short games and long games. Play games with simple rules and with complex rules. Play games that use a wide variety of mechanics. What you’ll find over time is that you naturally gravitate toward certain types of games, and the type of game that clicks with you might not even be the type you once thought it was. Take me, for example – I used to think that collectible/customizable card games were my favorite style of games, but these days I prefer heavier strategic board games. I still play customizable card games sometimes, but I am much more interested in playing heavy strategic and economic games instead. I have a strong sense as to what to look for in determining whether I will like a game or not and that makes it easy to cut right through the marketing.

Ask yourself who you would play this game with outside of the current situation. Would you really play this game outside of this game night? If not, then there’s no reason for you to buy it – you can just play it again on another game night with the person that brought the game. A game can be quite good, but if it falls into this category, there’s no reason for you to purchase it. You can just rely on the community game night to play it again.

See if the game leaves you thinking or reflecting in a positive way a few days later. Many games aren’t memorable at all. They can seem fairly fun when you’re playing them, but you’ve practically forgotten about them in an hour or two and can barely even remember playing them the next day. The good games – the ones you might want to consider owning – are the ones that you do remember the next day or a few days later. You’ll reflect on how fun the game was or wonder if there wasn’t a better strategic approach and you’ll probably find yourself wanting to play it again. That’s the sign of a game that clicks with you, one that you’ll want to bring out with many different people.

Conventions are a great time to do this,

Shop Around for Competitive Prices

There are a ton of hobby-specific tactics for finding great prices on board games. Not only are there several online retailers that offer great prices, there are several tricks that can help you shave even more off of what you spend.

Get to know the discount online game sellers. In the United States, the top two online discount game stores are Coolstuffinc and Miniature Market. Other retailers, such as Funagain Games, are good for specific purposes, like finding harder-to-get games and imported games.

Whenever I’m interested in buying a new game, I always check Coolstuffinc and Miniature Market first. Their prices tend to be very competitive with each other and usually substantially below MSRP on most items. They both regularly have sales, too, with items on deep discount.

Coolstuffinc offers a customer rewards program that’s pretty good if you’re a regular buyer from them as it provides a flat discount on all of your purchases forever. Miniature Market also offers a rewards program based on a point system. Miniature Market’s program is better for very infrequent purchases (though it improves a lot when they have “double points” or “triple points” days); Coolstuffinc tends to reward more regular purchasers. Both stores offer free shipping above the $100 threshold.

My usual strategy is to save up my hobby spending for a few months and then place one big order at either Coolstuffinc or Miniature Market so that I can take advantage of free shipping.

Amazon is always worth comparing prices. Amazon is usually not the lowest option in terms of game prices. However, when you’re buying a single game, you are often eligible for free shipping – and you’re always getting two day shipping if you’re a Prime member.

The best reason to check Amazon is that they often have sales on their board game inventory which brings the prices on individual games below what the other retailers offer.

Use a “wantlist” strategy. I personally use a “wantlist” at each of those three sites. I simply maintain a list at each of the sites of the games I’m currently considering purchasing (or trading for, but we’ll get to that in a bit) using their wishlist feature. That way, when I make the decision to actually place a game order, I can very quickly check the prices on all of the games I’m considering.

Check out thrift stores, estate sales, and yard/garage sales. When I go to these things, I’m not looking for the normal games you might find at WalMart. I avoid games like Monopoly and Scrabble and Scene It!

Instead, what I’m looking for are rarer titles, usually ones that I might not want but that I know will have trade value. I look for older war games, especially ones published by Avalon Hill. I look for games published by less mainstream publishers, like Rio Grande Games or Z-Man Games or Fantasy Flight Games. These games are harder to find and you can usually find people who want them in trade or will even buy them from you.

Don’t forget your friendly local game store. As I mentioned earlier on, many game stores are very supportive of local game nights, providing a free space to play and sometimes a library of games for everyone to enjoy. A local store also provides a place to browse through titles and helpful staff, too.

If your local store provides these kinds of services, repay them by taking at least some of your gaming dollars there. I try to spend about a third of my hobby spending at such friendly local stores – stores that don’t provide those kinds of services don’t receive my gaming dollars.

Set Some Limits on Your Collection

If you stick with board gaming as a significant hobby, you’ll eventually start to build a collection of games of your own. That’s fine in and of itself, but it does create a few problems.

First, a sizable board game collection does take up space. You may find yourself filling up a bookshelf or a closet with games over time, which has a cost for storage. Sure, it might only be a few square feet, but you’re paying for those square feet in the form of rent and utilities.

Second, each game that you have means that you have less time to play individual games. Let’s say you own five games and have a game night once a week where you have time to play two games. That means that every two and a half weeks on average, each of your games makes it to the table. Now, let’s say you have 200 games. That means each game can make it to the table only once every two years on average.

The bigger your collection, the more space it takes up and the less time you have for each title in your collection.

The solution to this is to put a cap on your collection size. You can either set a number or, as I do it, set aside a specific physical spot for your collection that your collection cannot exceed. We have two bookshelves in my office that contains our game collection and whenever I’m tempted to exceed it, I have to pull games off of the shelf with the intent of flipping those games. (I’ll explain “flipping” them in a minute.) I set those aside in a stack and either sell or trade them off in the next month or two.

This really helps me keep impulsive game buying in line.

First of all, it means that the average quality of my collection goes up over time. If a game has to go out before a new one can go in, that means that I have to like the new one better than the old one. That also means that I’m happier and happier with my current game collection, and it’s really true. I pretty much always want to play everything on my shelves.

That, then, makes me much more careful with each new game that I purchase. A new game that I acquire has to be better than the “worst” game in my collection and, over time, that “worst” game ends up being pretty good. It forces me to be really selective.

Engage in Board Game Trading and Selling

Over time, I do discover new games that I’m interested in and I want to add some of them to my collection. With a strict size limit on the collection, however, it can get kind of tricky.

As I mentioned, whenever I get a new game, it has to replace a game already in my collection. I sit that replaced item off to the side and every few months I’ll sell off all of those replaced games.

However, I’ll sometimes sell off the “bottom 20%” of my game collection, too, leaving me some space on my shelves to fill up later on. This provides some additional hobby money, which I can then use to buy a few games which I now have space for in my collection.

I usually sell games within my local game group by listing games for sale on the group’s Facebook page or Meetup.com page. I’ll research prices by using the used prices listed on sites like Boardgamegeek and then mark them with a price a bit higher than the typical used price on there while adding a “or best offer” tag on the end so there can be a bit of negotiation.

Another strategy I like to use is board game trading. I often find such trades online by digging through the forums on BoardGameGeek.com or by negotiating them locally with the people in my game group. We’ve also had swap meets in the past where people bring in games that they’d be willing to trade and work out trades for them.

I do some trading and selling by mail but I often don’t find it particularly profitable in terms of the time spent making it happen unless I’m selling something that I’ve found that’s out of print or particularly rare.

Spend More Time Playing and Less Time Obsessing

It can be easy to get yourself very hyped and eager to buy things with any hobby if you spend a lot of time online reading about the hobby instead of actually participating in the hobby. The most effective way to avoid that trap is to spend less time reading and fetishizing and spend more time participating in the hobby.

Whenever you’re tempted to sit around and read about the latest game releases, step away from the computer and work on some chores around the house so that this weekend you’ll have some free time with which to host a game night.

Whenever you’re reading a pile of gaming related Twitter updates and getting all excited about some new release, instead spend some time organizing a game night so that you can actually play games instead of just getting all hyped about them.

Don’t hype yourself about buying. Hype yourself about playing and do all that you can to give yourself the free time to do so.

Final Thoughts

Board games and card games make for an incredibly engaging social hobby that, although it does encourage some purchasing, doesn’t have to break the bank. Over the years, it has helped me to forge countless friendships and acquaintances and engage in some of the most enjoyable experiences around a table that I’ve ever had. Hopefully, these strategies will help you to dive into that pool without putting a crunch on your wallet.

The post How to Save Money on a Board Gaming Hobby appeared first on The Simple Dollar.

Source The Simple Dollar The Simple Dollar http://ift.tt/1NvAm1L

6 Smart Financial Things to Do On Black Friday

Obviously, shopping is not on this list.


Source U.S. News - Money http://ift.tt/1PQmy1S

The Work at Home Woman’s Guide to Consistently High Profits

By Kelly Robbins No one wants to spend their time scrambling for new clients – ever. Yet being in front of people that need your services is the only way to make money and grow. Successful marketers know that there are two ways people buy. One is they buy when they first find you. They […]

Source The Work at Home Woman http://ift.tt/1MT8DCv

Keep It Local: Shop Small Business Saturday — Get in the Spirit and Save Money!

Black Friday may be one of the biggest shopping days of the year, but not everyone wants to hit the mall or big-box stores. No matter how good the deals are.

If you’re not interested in doorbusters or long lines, but still want to get some shopping done during the holiday weekend, Small Business Saturday might be for you.

What is Small Business Saturday?

American Express launched the first Small Business Saturday in 2010 to highlight locally-owned brick and mortar businesses in between the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping frenzy.

Local businesses have trouble competing with big box stores and online retailers in price-cuts, but they benefit their communities by keeping money local, providing jobs and more.

The idea behind SBS and the Shop Small movement that stemmed from it is simple — support independent businesses.

Each year, American Express helps participating businesses with free marketing materials and online promotion.

Which Businesses Participate?

To “officially” participate in SBS and get the American Express perks, businesses must first accept the credit card for purchases — which excludes a lot of small businesses.

Find participating businesses near you through the American Express Shop Small map.

Small businesses country-wide benefit from the campaign. The SBS buzz reminds shoppers of the benefits of local shops — and, in some cases, reminds them they exist.

Want to know whether your favorite local business will be celebrating on the 28th, even if it’s not participating in the American Express campaign? Ask someone at the store. It’s a nice benefit of a small business — the small staff usually knows what’s going on!

In addition, look for events in your community.

Your local Chamber of Commerce may have information about what’s happening in neighborhoods around your city. Some stores or restaurants host special events — many have sales in the spirit of Black Friday weekend.

“Larimer Square is Denver’s most popular and treasured block,” explains a representative from AILLEA, a beauty retailer on the block. “[It’s] home to a collection of independent retailers, small businesses and chef-driven restaurants. The block is also celebrating a milestone 50th anniversary of historic preservation this year.”

AILLEA is partnering with local groups and planning a “Shop for A Cause” event to offer residents a way to give back to the community while they shop.

What’s happening near you? Here are a few more SBS community events we found around the U.S. on Saturday, November 28.

Portland, Oregon

Five years ago, Portland-based jewelry-maker Betsy Cross and her partner at betsy & iya created Little Boxes, a “Black Friday and (SBS) event for local retail shops.”

“We saw a need for a spotlight to be shone on the smaller local shops in our city on a day historically known as the biggest shopping day of the year,” Cross explains.

The event features “a huge prize raffle and cross-promotional discount.” Over 200 Portland shops participated in 2014 and more are expected this year.

“People who typically avoided the hubbub of big box shopping on Black Friday, now spend their time and money perusing our shops on those days; and people who love the door buster sales, come to our shops after,” Cross says.

“It’s a massive coming together of the community and something that has helped our shops’ bottom lines as we dive into the holiday season.”

Coral Springs, Florida

The Coral Springs Chamber of Commerce organizes a scavenger hunt each year to celebrate small businesses.

Community members get a list of clues to help them find specific items at participating businesses in the area.

When you find each object, post a selfie with it on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook and hashtag #cschamberSBS along with the name of the business. Each submission counts as an entry into a drawing for an unspecified prize.

Tipton, Iowa

Local businesses in Tipton participate in SBS with discounts and special activities. Festivities abound, so check with your favorite businesses to see what they’re doing!

Popular past activities include Crescents with Mrs. Claus, book signings, wine tastings, cookie decorating, face painting and the Very Merry Vendor Fair.

SBS in Tipton is also the day of the Old Cedar County Jail’s Holiday Open House and Bake Sale — where the kids can meet Mrs. Claus and take “jail wagon” rides around the historic jailhouse.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Writers, poets and lyricists, stop by Title Waves Books in Albuquerque on November 28 between 12-4 p.m. for an open mic.

The bookstore will celebrate all day, with sales from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and refreshments in the afternoon.

We recommend catching the free live entertainment to get in the holiday spirit!

Denver, Colorado

In addition to the Shop for a Cause event, stores in Denver are celebrating SBS with special discounts and events.

Santa will be on the square Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and volunteers from St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital will offer gift wrapping services for hospital donations.

Look for these deals! At AILLEA, you can get a complimentary “mini-makeover touchup” and 20% off all weekend. Wax, Eve, Moda Man and The Bent Lens are also offering freebies, and Cry Baby Ranch is offering 26% off all weekend to celebrate its 26th anniversary.

And when you need a break from shopping, sit down at Tom’s Urban and show your Larimer Square purchase — they’ll give you a free drink!

More Ways to Save and Support Small Businesses

Want more ways to support local businesses?

These are just a few communities celebrating Small Business Saturday®. Check out your local businesses, Chamber of Commerce and the AmEx Shop Small Map for events and sales in your area.

If nothing’s happening in your community, here are a couple more ways to save when you shop local businesses this holiday season.

Look for Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals

In addition to SBS, many small businesses also are offering in-store and online deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Fitlosophy, an Orange County, California–based lifestyle company focused on health and business, launches new products to kick off the holiday season.

“For Black Friday, Fitlosophy launches new black products every year in celebration of the sales — such as the Fitbook black, black protein shaker, etc. in years past,” a Fitlosophy representative explains. “This year, a new Fitgear apparel design will be launched to celebrate Black Friday. Finally, Cyber Monday is celebrated with free shipping promotional codes.”

You might not see products at the doorbuster prices big box retailers are offering, but you’ll likely find better quality and more unique items at local stores.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals could push these items into your price range and give you the chance to support local business.

Lisa Chu of online children’s formalwear company Black N Bianco says, “The key to a successful holiday sale like Black Friday is to stay organized because it’s guaranteed things will get a little hectic …Competition is fierce and in order to stand out from the crowd, I always educate our customers on what items will go up for sale.”

Follow your local businesses online, on social media and in person to get early tips about sales. Use this info to plan your holiday shopping and prepare your budget for Black Friday.

Use Your Cash-Back Credit Card

Increase any savings you find — make purchases with your cash-back rewards credit card.

Because SBS is sponsored by American Express, official participating businesses will accept their cards.

In years past, using an American Express card at these businesses also came with a statement credit — encouraging shoppers to Shop Small and use their card. However, there won’t be a credit this year.

Instead, use the card that will give you the best rewards. If you’re smart about your increased spending to prepare for the holidays, you can stack up a lot of rewards.

Choose your payment methods wisely, and make sure you can pay your bill in full by the end of the month to avoid interest!

Shop Small Saturday, November 28

Though they’re often forgotten in the shuffle, your local businesses can offer some great deals for holiday shopping. They also tend to have much more intimate events, a perfect way to connect with your community and get in the holiday spirit!

Your Turn: Do you shop local for the holidays? Will Small Business Saturday events and deals make you more likely to look for local businesses this year?

Dana Sitar (@danasitar) is a Staff Writer at The Penny Hoarder. She’s written for Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, Writer’s Digest and more. She’ll probably spend Black Friday weekend working on an elusive novel and eating ALL the leftover green bean casserole.

This post originally appeared on our special Black Friday site.

The post Keep It Local: Shop Small Business Saturday — Get in the Spirit and Save Money! appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.

source The Penny Hoarder http://ift.tt/1ljn9Mv

Black Friday weekend has arrived

THE world’s biggest online shopping event is upon us, with amazing deals from iconic United States stores that ship to Australia. Your time starts now.

Source NEWS.com.au | Business http://ift.tt/1MT3Vo9