Incumbent Michael Muth defeated Dane Eppley, a last-minute candidate for the Magisterial District Judge in district 43-2-02.Eppley, a write in candidate, garnered 297 write-in votes for the Nov. 7 general election. He made it close, but it wasn’t quite enough to defeat incumbent Michael Muth, who received 522 votes.Eppley entered the race late in the season after accusations of sexual harassment surfaced against Muth.Doug Wisser garnered 227 write-in votes in his [...]
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الخميس، 30 نوفمبر 2017
Parker announces bid to recapture legislative seat
Former State Rep. David Parker announced his candidacy on Wednesday night to win back his old seat in the Pennsylvania state assembly in the general election on Nov. 6, 2018 — assuming he wins his party's primary in May.Parker, a Republican, served as the state representative for Pennsylvania's 115th Legislative District in 2015 and 2016, before losing the seat to State Rep. Democrat Maureen Madden in 2016.This could be the third time the two candidates, Parker and [...]
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Applying for Student Aid? There’ll Be an App for That (Next Year)
Starting next spring, the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is going mobile.
The Department of Education recently unveiled its new modern approach to the financial aid process, dubbed the Next Generation Financial Services Environment. As part of that plan, students and their parents will be able to fill out the FAFSA from their smartphones.
“This overhaul is long overdue,” U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said in a press release. “[This] announcement is a significant first step in our commitment to improving the experiences students, parents and borrowers have with [the Office of Federal Student Aid] and in bringing federal student aid programs into the 21st century.”
Why Is This Important?
According to an Inside Higher Ed article, only 60% of high school seniors complete the FAFSA, and that percentage is even less among low-income students who would likely benefit from federal student aid the most.
We reported last month that 648,000 students eligible for Pell Grants did not complete or turn in the FAFSA this year, leaving behind an average of $3,583 in student aid.
Making the FAFSA more accessible could help — or at least that’s what advocates of the mobile app hope.
“Many low-income students only have access to the internet when they’re in their school building or are on their smartphones,” Carrie Warick, director of policy and advocacy at the National College Access Network, told Inside Higher Ed.
The new mobile app would eliminate the need to spend hours in front of a computer filling out the more than 100 questions on financial aid application.
Other Improvements on the Horizon
Making the FAFSA accessible via smartphone isn’t the only upcoming change to the student aid progress.
By fall of 2018, the education department plans to integrate the FAFSA website into the Federal Student Aid website in an attempt to make it easier to apply for financial aid.
The department eventually plans to merge all its consumer-facing websites into one user-friendly platform that students, parents and borrowers can use throughout the entire process, from application through repayment.
Congress is also looking into simplifying the FAFSA application itself. A Senate committee met Tuesday to discuss the issue.
According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, proposed suggestions included cutting the number of questions, using IRS data to determine Pell Grant awards and getting rid of the annual status determinations for homeless students.
Lawmakers also discussed the burdens placed upon students when their FAFSA applications get flagged for audit and they have to undergo an intense verification process, Money reported.
Perhaps simplifying that process will be next on the agenda.
Nicole Dow is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
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Why Food Banks Need You to Donate Cash, Not Cans, to Help the Hungry
You see them everywhere this time of year: boxes, bins and barrels yawning in bank lobbies, church foyers and office kitchens, hoping for your donations of nonperishable foods.
Do you feel compelled to detour from your daily tasks to pick up a few cans of lima beans or a jar of peanut butter? Or will you rummage through your cabinets for a can of chickpeas your old roommate left behind?
Or have you ever considered donating straight-up cash to that worthy cause instead?
Food drives are noble, but they may not be the best way to get food to those in need.
Sorry, but Food Drives Are Inefficient
In 2016, about 15.6 million households in the U.S. struggled with food insecurity, meaning they don’t always have enough food to sufficiently feed everyone in that household. At the same time, an absurd amount of edible food gets tossed in the U.S. each year.
What can the average person do to help? Organizing or donating to a food drive seems like a great option — after all, you’re able to take a small physical step you can see. It’s right there! The piles of food are right there, and they’re going to a place where they can feed people in need. And if you’re a savvy shopper, you’ve used coupons or otherwise gotten a deal on those cans and boxes.
So why do we keep seeing headlines like this????
Food bank says to donate money instead of food
For the love of God, stop donating canned goods to the food bank
Can the Cans: Why food drives are a terrible idea
It’s because food drives may mean well, but they’re not the most efficient way to feed the hungry.
A hodgepodge of donated goods requires work to transport, sort and distribute, and food banks are already often understaffed or struggling to retain volunteer help.
On top of that, canned and nonperishable food isn’t necessarily the healthiest. Feeding America reports that food bank recipients most frequently request milk, and fresh fruits and vegetables. These items aren’t suited for that donation bin that might sit in your apartment building’s lobby for a month.
In a televised interview, the director of one Iowa food bank said that her organization can often get food for half the price you’d pay at the grocery store or less.
Genevieve Ruitort, chief development officer of Los Angeles’ Westside Food Bank, confirmed that food banks often pay less. “We buy food on a wholesale level, and we work with farmers so we can take the dollar you might spend on a single can of beans, and turn it into exponentially more food,” she said in a segment on “Adam Ruins Everything.” The TruTV show debunks misconceptions about how the world — including canned food drives — works.
The are worse things you could do than host or donate to a food drive. You could take your cans of beans and throw them directly into the nearest body of water, for example.
But the greatest impact you can make to reduce America’s food security problem is giving cash — no matter how small the amount.
Lisa Rowan is a senior writer and producer at The Penny Hoarder.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
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Applebee’s Will Give Us the Gift of $1 Long Island Iced Teas All December
The holidays are upon us, and that means shopping, budgets, crowds and an endless stream of Wilson Phillips’ “Hey, Santa!” at retail store radios.
Seriously, how did they keep getting resurrected every year?
It can all lead to a little bit of stress and the desire to decompress. But who has extra money for a cocktail? You do. That is, if you head to Applebee’s for its $1 Long Island iced teas.
How to Get $1 Long Island Iced Teas at Applebee’s in December
We told you about Applebee’s “Dollarita” in October. The promotion was successful enough that the restaurant chain decided to try a new spin for December with $1 Long Island iced teas.
If you’re not familiar, a Long Island iced tea is a cocktail made up of vodka, gin, tequila, rum, triple sec, sweet-and-sour mix and a splash of cola. That’s a lot of bang for your buck.
The $1 Long Islands will be available throughout December at all participating Applebee’s locations.
All you need to do is head to your closest Applebee’s and order one. No catch, no buy one, get one. Just ask your server to bring you a $1 Long Island iced tea and to turn off the Wilson Phillips.
Don’t forget to sign up for Applebee’s email list and get a coupon for a free treat on your birthday. Cocktails for $1 and free dessert? You get me, Applebee’s. You really do.
Tyler Omoth is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder who loves soaking up the sun and finding creative ways to help others. Like discovering $1 cocktails. Catch him on Twitter at @Tyomoth.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
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Are You a Tech Geek and a Tax Whiz? This Work-From-Home Job Is for You
If you delight in solving tech problems — and if you prefer pajamas over pants — we’ve got the perfect job opportunity for you.
LiveOps is looking for independent agents to help folks navigate TurboTax software. In this work-from-home role, you’d be helping callers, using screen-sharing and other tools.
Oh, and you’ll need to have some tax-filing knowhow and some specific computer specs.
But if this opportunity doesn’t pique your interest, make sure to check out our Jobs page on Facebook. We’re always highlighting gigs you might love.
Customer Service Representative at LiveOps
Pay: 32 cents per minute for a 20-hour week. (You’re paid only for the time you spend on the phone helping customers.)
Responsibilities include:
- Using Live Look technology to help callers with a wide range of TurboTax support questions, including software problems and basic tax-filing questions
- On-the-spot research to provide solutions to TurboTax issues
- Being able to do said research while remaining engaged with the customer over the phone
- Displaying a sincere desire to help each customer with their needs
Applicants for this position must have these qualities:
- Minimum of one year in customer service
- Six months of experience in tech support
- Familiarity with PC and Mac operating systems
- Strong understanding of tax software
- Ability to take and explain detailed notes
- Ability to use customized applications and software
- Willingness to use your smartphone for the job
Applicants also need to have a computer that meets some specific technological capabilities.
Apply here for the customer service representative job at LiveOps. But do it soon, because the certification class for this role starts Dec. 18.
Alex Mahadevan is a data journalist at The Penny Hoarder.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
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The Twelve Days of Fixmas: The Ultimate Guide to Sprucing Up Your Finances
It’s holiday singalong time at The Penny Hoarder! Sing along with us, now. You know the melody:
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to meee… a meth-od to get out of debt!
Oh, are those not the lyrics you learned when you were a wee child? You were expecting a partridge in a pear tree, perhaps? What would a partridge be doing loitering in a pear tree, I ask you?
This ain’t your momma’s “Twelve Days of Christmas,” man.
This is the “Twelve Days of Fixmas.” As in, these holiday financial tips are gonna (hopefully) fix up your bank account.
Consider it a holiday gift to yourself. All you have to do is commit to doing one thing a day, over 12 days this holiday season. Maybe set an alarm on your phone or something. Then do that one thing. Then carry on with your holidays.
Once this song is over, you’ll be so much better off, financially — we hope.
Are you ready? Let’s do the whole song all at once. C’mon, we know you know the melody.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me …
Twelve items let go,
Eleven dollars saved up,
Ten-minute surveys,
Nine emailed receipts,
Eight scratch-off tickets,
Seven online shoppers,
Six retirement accounts,
Fiiiiiive looooost pounds!
Four Ubers driving,
Three French breads,
Two cable bills,
And tips from Credit Sesame!
Yay, we did it! OK, let’s catch our breath.
Let’s go back over those, one day at a time.
Twelve Items Let Go
Out with the old, in with the new. You’ve got to make room in your place for all those sweet, sweet Christmas gifts you’re going to be getting. It’s time to clear out some stuff you don’t need — and get paid for it.
Clear out your old DVDs, Blurays, CDs, video games, gaming consoles and old phones with the Decluttr app. Scan the barcode with your phone, and Decluttr will make you an offer. Use FREE5 at checkout and you’ll get an extra $5 for your trades.
You can also sell nearly anything through the Letgo app. Just snap a photo of your item and set up a listing in about 30 seconds.
Eleven Dollars Saved Up
Give yourself a long-term gift. Open a micro-investing account with Acorns.
Once you connect it to a debit or credit card, it rounds your purchases up to the nearest dollar and funnels your digital change into an investment account.
Because the money comes out in increments of less than $1, you’re less likely to feel an impact in your bank account. You can also set it up so it doesn’t round up every single purchase.
When you sign up, you get a free $10 to start investing.
Ten-Minute Surveys
On the tenth day of Fixmas, make a quick $25 by taking some surveys for JOANY, a healthcare concierge service.
In order to best cater to customers, it needs you to answer some survey questions. This takes less than 10 minutes, with fewer than 50 questions. In return, you’ll pocket $25.
To get in on this, you must meet these qualifications:
- You purchased health insurance for 2017 through your state exchange, Healthcare.gov, a broker or a plan, such as Oscar or Aetna.
- You don’t receive health insurance through your employer or school.
- You aren’t on Medicaid, Medicare or VA health insurance.
Nine Emailed Receipts
It’s the holidays, which means it’s shopping season. Isn’t that what the holidays are all about? Other than that whole peace-on-earth-goodwill-to-men thing, I mean.
With an app called Earny, you can get money back on purchases you make online. It scans your inbox for receipts and tracks the items to find price drops. Then it takes advantage of retailer and credit-card company price-protection policies to negotiate money back on your behalf.
The app works with a bunch of online retailers, including Amazon, Gap, Jet, Kohl’s, Nordstrom, Old Navy, Overstock, Target, Walmart and Zappos.
Eight Scratch-Off Tickets
On the eighth day of Fixmas, check out a free app called Lucktastic.
Each day, it releases a new assortment of digital scratch-off tickets. Instant wins range from $1 to $10,000. You can also earn tokens, enter contests and play games.
The app is free to download — and play.
Seven Online Shoppers
It’s time for more shopping to get you in the holiday spirit!
Dosh is a new cash-back app that pays you for making purchases at more than 100,000 hotels, online stores and restaurants — including Starwood Properties, Marriott, Cost Plus World Market, Nike, Target, Chuck E. Cheese’s and many more.
Download the app and sign up. Securely connect a debit or credit card. Watch the cash-back roll in.
In addition to cash back, you collect an immediate $5 bonus for hooking up a card to Dosh.
Six Retirement Accounts
Once again, time to give yourself a long-term gift. You’ve probably heard that Americans aren’t saving enough for retirement.
Not sure how your savings stack up? Try this calculator. It’ll tell you how much to start saving to stay on track toward a decent retirement.
Not sure if you have the right amount invested in stocks versus bonds? Sign up for a robo-advisor like Blooom, an app that’ll optimize and monitor your 401(k) for you.
Fiiiiiive Looooost Pounds!
This verse has always been my favorite part of the song. It’s yours too, isn’t it?
Fun fact: Although the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” dates from way back in the 1700s, the version of the tune where the singers magically prolong the lyric, “Five golden rings” is a more recent development. It dates from the early 1900s.
We don’t have “fiiiiiivve gol-den riiiinnggs” for you, but getting paid for five lost pounds would be cool too, right? Here’s how to do it.
Make a bet with a company called HealthyWage, which will pay you to accomplish your weight-loss goals. Enter how much weight you’d like to lose (10 to 150 pounds) in its calculator, how long you’ll take (six to 18 months) and how much you want to bet ($20 to $150 per month).
Each month, you pay your promised amount into the program. In return, HealthyWage provides support through expert advice and weight-tracking tools. If you meet your goal in your allotted time frame, HealthyWage pays you!
Four Ubers Driving
Christmas shopping gets expensive, cash back or not. Scratch up some extra money over the holidays by driving with Uber, the popular ride-sharing app.
As an Uber contractor, you set your own schedule and work when you want. Your pay is calculated on a base fare, plus time and distance traveled for each pickup. Uber charges a service fee of 20% to 35%, depending on your city.
If you want to give it a try, you must be at least 21; have three years’ driving experience; have an in-state driver’s license and a clean driving record; and be able to pass a criminal background check.
You can also capitalize on tips, money for canceled rides and longer trips.
Three French Breads
In all seriousness, we know perfectly well the holidays aren’t just about shopping. We’re not that shallow.
The holidays are also about eating food — am I right? Lots of yummy, delicious food.
Check out Ibotta, a free cash-back app that offers cash back at grocery stores, restaurants and bars. It’s a good way to get money back just for taking a picture of your receipt. Here’s how it works:
- Sign up. You just need a name and email address to start.
- Browse through the cash-back offers in your area the next time you go to a store, supermarket, restaurant or bar. (The offers change every week). Pick your cash-back offers and scan your receipt.
- Once you’ve reached at least $20 in earnings, request payment via Paypal or Venmo.
Right now, Ibotta is giving new users a $10 sign-up bonus, just for redeeming their first receipt.
Two Cable Bills
This holiday season, you’ll probably have some time off to chill out in front of the TV.
Since we’re thinking along those lines, go ahead and install Trim, a Facebook messenger bot that will negotiate your cable or internet bills down for you. It works with Comcast, Time Warner, Charter and other major providers.
You sign up with Facebook, upload a PDF of your most recent bill, and Trim’s AI-powered system gets to work. If at first it doesn’t succeed, it’ll keep negotiating until it can save you some money. (If it saves you any money, it keeps 25% of the savings tab.)
And Tips From Credit Sesame!
Finally, here’s your partridge in a pear tree. It comes in the form of one last long-term gift to yourself.
Sign up for Credit Sesame. This free service shows your credit score and explains it to you. It shows your balances on any unpaid bills, credit cards or loans. It offers personalized tips on reducing your debt and raising your credit score.
Having a higher credit score should come in handy next Christmas — or the next time you’re buying a house or car, or applying for any kind of loan or credit card.
And with that, we’ve concluded the “Twelve Days of Fixmas.” Are you feeling financially fitter yet?
For those of you wondering about the lyrics to the real song, don’t bother to Google them. Here they are:
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me …
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Fiiiiiive gol-den rings!
Four calling birds,
Three French hens
Two turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree!
Mike Brassfield (mike@thepennyhoarder.com) is a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. He is a lord a-leaping.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
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Here’s How to Stay Jolly and Make Money if You’re Alone for the Holidays
Back when I was a struggling 22-year-old, I had a job working the night shift. Since I had the least seniority, I also had to work weekends and holidays.
Christmas was a drag that year, and don’t even get me started on New Year’s Eve.
I basically spent the holidays alone.
This was in the days before the internet, so all there was to do during my off hours was read, watch TV and build tiny snowmen on the window ledge of my second-floor apartment.
If you’re flying solo this holiday season, you’ve got a lot more options than I did, and you can even make some cash while you’re at it.
Here are some of our favorite ways to make extra money if you’re alone on Christmas.
Drive People Around
Sign up with Uber or Lyft to do a little ridesharing during your down time.
Demand for ridesharing has been growing like crazy, and it shows no signs of slowing down. To be eligible, you’ll need to be at least 21 years old with a year of driving experience, pass a background check and own a car made in 2007 or later.
Thanks to Lyft’s Prime Time program, drivers have the opportunity to make an extra percentage on top of the base ride amount during the holidays, when there are fewer drivers and more riders.
If you sign up before Dec. 31, you could earn a $500 bonus.
Rent Your Spare Room
The holidays are peak travel time, and that means people need a place to stay. Why not list your spare room, or even your couch, to travelers who need a place to crash?
If you’re a good host with a desirable space, you could add hundreds — even thousands — of dollars to your savings account with Airbnb.
And there’s no reason you can’t be creative. We even found a guy who earns $1,380 a month renting out a backyard tent on Airbnb.
Get to Know Your Neighborhood
The holidays are a great time to learn more about your neighborhood and pick up a little money at the same time.
Download the Dosh app to make some passive income while you’re wandering around town checking out local shops, parks and attractions.
This cash-back app rewards you for making purchases on everyday items, including at places like Wendy’s and Starbucks.
You won’t even have to scan bar codes or take photos of your receipts when you stop to grab a snack or coffee.
There are plenty of local restaurants, breweries and coffee shops with available offers, too.
If you’re working on dropping a few pounds and will be walking around anyway, be sure to sign up with HealthyWage before you head out the door. You could win up to $10,000 just for meeting your weight loss goals.
Lend a Hand
If you’re alone on Christmas, but want to spend time around other people during the holidays, get the word out that you’re available to help lend an extra hand this time of year.
- Some families hire senior concierges to drive seniors to doctor appointments and errands, assist with minor housework or simply keep them company during the hectic holiday season.
- For parents dealing with school breaks, last-minute holiday shopping and grown-ups-only year-end parties, babysitting services are in high demand during the holidays.
- Pet-sitters and house-sitters are invaluable to people traveling or away from home for long stretches.
For an easy way to find and arrange these types of gigs, check out Care.com, a nationwide company that connects family members to independent home-care providers.
Browse the site to read notifications from families seeking a caregiver to provide one or more home-based services, including:
- Child care
- Adult and senior care
- Errands and odd jobs
- Pet care
- Special-needs provider
- Home care
Create a profile outlining your skills and qualifications, then search for jobs in your area of interest. Families review applicants, check references, interview candidates and hire caregivers right through the platform.
Whatever the reason you’re on your own over the holidays, take it from me: Getting out of the house and making some extra cash beats idly building tiny snowmen on a window ledge to pass the time.
Lisa McGreevy is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. Building little snowmen was easy; finding tiny top hats for them was the hard part.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
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Moneywise Christmas taste test: Supermarket mince pies and Buck’s Fizz
As the festive season gets into full swing, it’s time for Moneywise to find out which of the supermarkets’ classic bakes and drinks will make you merry and which are only worth their weight in tinsel.
There’s nothing like a mince pie to get you into the Christmas spirit. They’re so popular that some supermarkets started stocking them in September.
But when offering their classic mince pies, supermarkets are eternally engaged in a battle between quality and value – our test aims to reveal which pie has the best balance.
For our festive drink test, we chose Buck’s Fizz, the cocktail made of two parts Champagne to one part orange juice, which is a classic for Christmas morning breakfast and is a little lighter on the stomach and the wallet than prosecco or Champagne! Thirteen members of the Moneywise team put in the hard graft to find out which mince pies cut the cake, and 12 tasters tested which Buck’s Fizz went down a treat.
How we scored the tests
The mince pie test included eight major UK supermarkets’ products. For the Buck’s Fizz test, five major supermarkets entered their own-brand products for testing. On each test, we scored the products on looks and taste.
For looks, we considered the design of the packaging and the bottle, which is important if you’re planning on taking a box of pies or a bottle to a Christmas party, plus the appearance of the pie itself.
The aggregate scores on looks and taste for each product gave us our winner.
THE WINNER: MINCE PIES
Marks & Spencer (M&S) won in a close-run contest. While M&S mince pies ranked second for both taste and looks, on balance the all-round quality of the product won out.
One tester remarked on looks that it was “a great gold box, and lovely star and snowflake pastry combination”. Another commented that the taste was “interesting and slightly spiced; it seemed almost homemade”. The M&S mince pies come in at £2.50, which is at the top end of the price range and can be bought online or in store.
Second on the list were the Aldi mince pies, which only came fourth in the looks scoring, but won out for taste and are also a great value purchase at just £1.49. One taster commented that it was “buttery and fruity, and I can taste a bit of booze!”
Bottom of the pies were Morrison’s, unfortunately named “The Best Mince Pies”. Several tasters commented that the pies looked “burnt” and that the pastry was “too sweet, and dry”. One commenter added: “The box doesn’t look very festive.”
WINNER: M&S Mince Pies
GREAT VALUE: Aldi’s Specially Selected Mince Pies
WOODEN SPOON: Morrison’s The Best Mince Pies
| Overall Rank | Mince pies | Price | Availability | Ranking on taste alone | Ranking on looks alone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M&S The Collection 6 Christmas Snowflake Mince Pies | £2.50 | Online and in-store | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | Aldi's Specially Selected Mince Pies | £1.49 | In-store only | 1 | 4 |
| 3 | Sainsbury's All Butter Mince Pies | £1.80 | Online and in-store | 3 | 1 |
| 4 | Tesco Finest Mince Pies | £2 | Online and in-store | 5 | 3 |
| 5 | ASDA Extra Special 6 Luxury All-Butter Mince Pies | £1.85 | Online and in-store | 6 | 6 |
| 6 | Waitrose Christmas All Butter Mince Pies | £2.50 | Online and in-store | 4 | 7 |
| 7 | Lidl Luxury Mince Pies | £1.49 | In-store only | 8 | 5 |
| 8 | Morrison's The Best Mince Pies | £2 | Online and in-store | 7 | 8 |
THE WINNER: BUCK’S FIZZ
The Buck’s Fizz contest produced something of a controversy.
The M&S Buck’s Fizz got the top score on the look of the bottle, but it came last for taste. With its blood orange and cranberry mix, it’s marketed as “a new twist”. One tester commented: “Festive label. But not very nice. Tastes a bit medicinal and very sweet.” For that reason, we’ve had to award it the wooden spoon: Looking great only to be very disappointed on flavour is a big no-no. The M&S bottle was also the priciest of the range, coming in at £6.
Therefore, our pick must be the Waitrose Premium Bucks Fizz which came second for taste, and second for looks, making it an overall good value product. Appreciative comments from testers included: “Quite a classy label” and “good balance of orange and fizz”. A bottle will set you back £3.99 online or in store.
The winner for best flavour was Sainsbury’s Clementine Bucks Fizz. Tasters appreciated that it “tasted like natural orange juice was used” and “quite fruity and not too sweet”. The product did, however, suffer criticism of its looks: “The label looks cheap”. One of these will set you back £4 and can be bought online or in store.
WINNER: Waitrose Premium Bucks Fizz
BEST FLAVOUR: Sainsbury’s Clementine Bucks Fizz
WOODEN SPOON: M&S Blood Orange & Cranberry Bucks Fizz
| Overall Rank | Drink | Price | Availability | Ranking on taste alone | Ranking on looks alone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waitrose Premium Bucks Fizz | £3.99 | Online and in-store | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | M&S Blood Orange & Cranberry Bucks Fizz | £6 | Online and in-store | 5 | 1 |
| 3 | Sainsbury's Clementine Bucks Fizz | £4 | Online and in-store | 1 | 3 |
| 4 | Aldi Bucks Fizz | £2.30 | In-store only | 4 | 4 |
| 5 | Tesco Bucks Fizz | £2.50 | Online and in-store | 3 | 5 |
Cut your supermarket costs
This year’s taste test has shown than you can find quality, even at lower prices, as the Aldi mince pies attest. The M&S mince pies showed a strong combination of looks and flavour, good enough to take to any Christmas party this December.
This year’s selection showed a much smaller variation in price. In 2016, the cheapest mince pies cost £1 (Tesco) and the most expensive cost £2.99 (Aldi). This year the tables have turned somewhat, with the cheapest at £1.49 (Aldi and Lidl) and the most expensive at £2.50 (M&S and Waitrose). The supermarkets are trying to compete more closely on cost, and that makes knowing what quality you can get for the price even more important.
Regarding the Buck’s Fizz, we learnt that looks can be deceiving. While the M&S bottle commands a premium price (£6) and looks attractive, the results of the taste were disappointing. At the cheaper end, Tesco’s and Aldi’s offerings (both £2.50) were unsatisfactory, but it appears that those in the middle ground – Waitrose and Sainsbury’s (£3.99 and £4 respectively) – were judged elegant enough, and tasty to boot.
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A Moneywise Christmas: Hot gadgets the gifts that keep on giving
If you’re hunting for innovative presents that won’t break the bank, then take a look at these high- and low-tech gizmos. Friends and family will love their money-saving potential
Christmas is a time of the year that means big outgoings for many people. But it is possible to be sensible and buy presents that will be appreciated both during the festive season and all year round.
Research conducted by Halifax says that 18% of people are preparing to spend more this Christmas than they did last year. It found the average person spent £452.41 on Christmas in 2016, with the majority of spending going on gifts, food and alcohol.
Consumers across the UK are expected to spend a record £20 billion this Christmas, but there are ways to make your gifts save money throughout the year.
Moneywise has rounded up gadgets that would make ideal Christmas presents and stocking fillers for money-conscious friends and family.
GOOGLE CHROMECAST
£30 at Currys and Google
Store Currys.co.uk
Store.google.com
If you’re looking to cut the cost of your home entertainment, consider ditching your paid-for TV subscription packages and getting a Google Chromecast instead. This nifty device attaches to your TV using a HDMI port and allows you to access video apps through your wireless internet connection. You can access free apps such as BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub and All 4, the catchup service offered by Channel 4. If you’re looking for a movie fi x, then there are services such as Amazon Prime and Netflix which charge a subscription, but are much cheaper than Sky, Virgin Media and other pay TV providers.
Live sports are streamed via the BT Sport app and also through Now TV, which lets users buy day passes to access the Sky Sports range of channels when they wish. This is also perfect if you have an older TV, but want the bells and whistles offered by the latest smart TV devices, without the cost of purchasing a new set.
NEST LEARNING THERMOSTAT
£199.99 at John Lewis and Screwfix
Johnlewis.com
Screwfix.com
If you fancy giving your house the ultimate Christmas present,then look no further than the Nest Learning Thermostat.
This device learns when you turn your heating on and automatically adapts as your lifestyle changes to ensure you’re always warm when you want to be while minimising energy usage when you aren’t at home.
Even if you come home from work early, Nest’s technology will recognise that you’re back in the house and change the temperature accordingly.
As well as getting a physical temperature gauge, you can also control Nest through your mobile and tablet devices. Simply download the app through the Apple App Store or Google Play and you can change the temperature or hot water from anywhere – inside or outside your home.
At £200, this is not the cheapest gadget around but, with potentially huge savings from your gas and electricity bills, it is likely to pay for itself over time.
TP-LINK WI-FI SMART PLUG WITH ENERGY MONITORING
£29.99 at Argos and £29.69 at Robert Dyas
Argos.co.uk
Robertdyas.co.uk
If you want to make your home smart but don’t want to shell out on the costly Nest devices, there are cheaper ways to help bring down your energy bills.
The TP-Link Wi-Fi Smart Plug fits into a normal plug socket and records exactly how much energy your devices are using. This can help you understand how much power is being consumed by your television when it’s left on standby or your washing machine during a long cycle. The device then analyses this data to help you make lifestyle changes and cut your bills.
The smart plug can also be controlled from anywhere through your Android and Apple devices and gives users the opportunity to power on electronics and lights whenever they see fit.
For instance, you can schedule the smart plug to turn your lights on and off at certain times. That’s ideal if you’re going away on holiday but want to give the impression that someone’s home. It also works with voice services such as the Amazon Echo or the Google Assistant tool.
PANASONIC ENELOOP
£29.99 for smart charger and four AA batteries at John Lewis and Ocado
Johnlewis.com
Ocado.com
The last thing anyone wants to happen on Christmas Day is to run out of batteries. Whether it’s kids’ toys, video game controllers or television remotes, forgetting to buy enough batteries is a big festive no-no.
Stock up ahead of the festive season and then save money all year round by purchasing rechargeable batteries.
The Panasonic Eneloop range is one of the best around as each battery can be recharged more than 2,000 times.
The initial outlay is high, with a pack of four AA rechargeable batteries and a charger setting you back £29.99. However, this will pay for itself in time and is also more environmentally friendly than buying disposable batteries.
NEXTBASE DASH CAM 212
£69.99 at Argos and Halfords
Argos.co.uk
Halfords.com
For drivers, using a dashboard camera – or dashcam – can make it easier to make a motor insurance claim and lower your premiums. These cameras are positioned at the front of a car and record what the driver can see out of the front windscreen.
Many insurers will now accept dashcam footage as evidence if you ever need to make a claim. This can make it easier for the insurer to identify the party at fault and help them process your claim quicker. Some firms – such as Sure Thing and Swiftcover – offer discounts if you have a dashboard camera installed. But do check that your insurer has approved your particular model. The Nextbase Dash Cam 212 has been approved by both these insurers. Others providers, such as RAC, require you to buy a device directly from them.
The Nextbase device records in full HD and provides a wide viewing angle to capture both sides of the road. The camera automatically turns on when you start your car, making sure every second of your journey is captured.
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This is How to Avoid Your Family and Make Extra Money This Holiday Season
There’s nothing quite like the holidays.
The scent of evergreen, peppermint and fresh snow provides a rush of nostalgia, and families come together after months — or even years — apart. There are feasts of honey-baked ham and roast turkey, plus tons of gift-giving and mirth.
For the first few days the family is in town, that is.
Yes, nothing gold can stay. And that goes for quality time with the families in our lives, as well.
We love our families, we really do. Especially around the holidays. But sometimes you just need some “me time” to escape the frenetic atmosphere during the season.
For me, I know my two brothers will find some ingenious way to embarrass, humiliate or otherwise annoy me at some point around Christmas. Last time it involved a dirty diaper hurled at my head (and plenty of wine).
Plus, as my first holiday season as a married dude, I’ll have to put up with…er… enjoy the company of my in-laws for a lot longer than previous years.
It appears I’m not alone in needing some time to myself to recharge from family shock, according to a recent survey by Shopkick. During Thanksgiving, for example, 75% of Americans chose to cook the turkey to avoid spending time with family.
If I weren’t liable to burn down the dang kitchen, that’d be a solid strategy for getting some “me time.” But what about us non-culinary types, who should be legally required to stay 500 yards from a turkey fryer?
When I asked around, the most popular tactics seemed to involve heavy drinking in one way or another. Come on, folks, there are definitely better ways.
Here are six ingenious ways to avoid the family during the holidays. And as a bonus, you’ll make cold, hard cash doing so to help build back savings that went toward fancy hand towels to impress your mother-in-law.
1. Surviving the Holidays is as Easy as Taking a Walk
“I’m going to take a walk,” is the international signal you’re looking for a little solitude.
It’s also the perfect way to ease out of a family group hug and escape the house for a bit. And in case your in-laws call you out on that two-and-a-half-hour trek, just explain you’re hitting step goals — and making major cash — with the help of a few slick apps.
Achievement is an app that actually pays you to be active and healthy. And even better, you’ll make more cash by sharing your progress on social media (Check the ‘gram, ma! I was totally power walking during Yankee Swap!)
You just need to connect Achievement to one, or several, of your health or fitness apps, such as Fitbit, MyFitnessPal or Apple’s Health app. Then you earn points based on step goals or a simple Tweet storm about your fitness progress.
2. Hide Out in the Bathroom During Those Heated Holiday Arguments
When a political topic surfaces during my holiday get-togethers, I turn to the porcelain throne for solace before the argument starts getting heated.
Yes, the trusty old bathroom break is an excellent option for avoiding the drama that can unfold during family gatherings. But instead of wasting time scrolling through happier memories on Facebook, make some money doing surveys, instead.
Joany, a health-care concierge service, wants to ask you some questions about your insurance coverage. In exchange for a 10-minute survey, you get $25. (You can take more than 10 minutes, you know, in case Uncle Frank decides to treat everyone to his traditional acapella renditions of Queen’s greatest hits.)
To sign up for Joany, you’ll need to have bought insurance in 2017 through a broker, plan or through healthcare.gov — not through your school or employer. You also can’t be on Medicare, Medicaid or receive coverage from the VA.
If you’re looking to eat up more than 10 minutes, Opinion Outpost is another option for paid online surveys. There are usually five to 10 surveys available per month, which means you’ll have plenty of time to “meditate.”
Survey Junkie, an app that lets you fill out as many surveys as you want, gives you points for each one you complete. Once you earn 1,000 points, you can snag a $10 gift card to start stocking up on gifts for next year.
3. Make a Few Strategic Last-Minute Shopping Trips
If three-fourths of Americans avoid family by cooking during the holidays, imagine how many hit the grocery store for a little peace and quiet.
This one takes a little planning — I’ll “forget” to grab a tub of whipped cream or package of cranberries. Then when the trouble starts brewing between the turkey and pumpkin pie servings, I exclaim, “Pumpkin pie without whipped cream? Not in my house!”
Dosh will give you cash back if you do this strategic “last-minute” shopping at one of its 100,000 partners. So you’ll save some cash while you save some sanity.
Just link one of your credit or debit cards to Dosh, and it will rack up cash automatically. You won’t even have to bother with taking pictures of receipts.
You can also sign up for Ibotta for specific cash-back deals at grocery stores and other retailers in your area.
Ibotta is particularly great for alcohol purchases, if you’re like one of my friends who just plans to to play a Turkey Day drinking game based around Grandma Rita’s outbursts.
Oh, and you could always go shopping for someone else by driving for grocery-delivery service Shipt. But that would be a lot harder to explain.
4. Get a Head Start on Those New Year’s Resolutions at the Gym
Expect a smart aleck remark, but not too much nagging if you use the gym as an escape strategy when the gravy — and conversation — starts to stick.
It’s a win-win-win. You get some time to yourself in the old iron dojo, a head start on that resolution to drop 50 pounds — and this online program will pay you for it.
HealthyWage lets you set weight-loss goals, then bet on whether you’ll accomplish them. Don’t worry, your mom whipping out the home movies should be enough motivation to get you out of the house and into that velour track suit this holiday season. (How could I have possibly been naked that much as a child?!)
In fact, Teresa Suarez lost 68 pounds and won more than $2,400 using HealthyWage.
Now, you’ll just have to figure out how to gain that all back by the next holiday season. I suggest s’mores Pop-Tarts. Tons of them.
5. Don’t Let Family Get Too Close — Rent Out Your Spare Room for the Holidays
Don’t give your in-laws the opportunity to get too close this holiday season.
Have a spare room? Might as well list it on Airbnb.
If you’re a good host with a desirable space, you could add hundreds — even thousands — of dollars to your savings account with Airbnb.
And there’s no reason you can’t be creative. We even found a guy that earns $1,380 a month renting out a backyard tent on Airbnb.
Taking a few simple steps can make the difference between a great experience and a less-than-satisfactory one.
Here are a few tips:
- Make your space available during high-demand times in your area. Think: concerts, conventions and sporting events in your area.
- Be a good host, and make sure your place is stocked with the toiletries you’d expect at a hotel — toilet paper, soap and towels.
- Be personable. A lot of travelers turn to Airbnb for the personal touch they won’t find at commercial properties.
Here’s the link to sign up as an Airbnb host.
In the end, holidays are supposed to be all about quality time with the family. But who says you can’t set boundaries — and make some quick cash — as well?
6. Drive Your Way to Holiday Sanity — and Extra Money
Here’s the scene: My two brothers have decided now is the perfect time to air their grievances about the gifts they exchanged last year. (Shaving cream and a stuffed alligator claw? Really, Chad?!)
Instead of getting sucked into the fray, my phone buzzes. “Welp, gotta go make a pick-up,” I say as I rush out the front door with a smirk.
Uber gives you the perfect excuse to leave the house when things start to go south. Plus, you can commiserate with your passenger about how annoying your family has been — maybe they’ll take pity on you with a big tip.
Lyft will give you the same opportunity to escape the holiday fracas and make serious cash. We met a Lyft driver who made $750 in a single week.
Plus, you might meet a way cooler family for you to join. Just kidding, ma.
Alex Mahadevan is a data journalist at The Penny Hoarder. He loves every member of his family and would never, ever use any of the advice in this post.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
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Gift Ideas for Frugal People (and from Frugal People)
It’s that time of the year again. People all across the world are trying to come up with holiday gift ideas for the frugal and practical people in their life, while the frugal people among us are trying to figure out how to give thoughtful gifts to the people in their life without going into bankruptcy.
Although I’ve written gift guides for people many times in the past (here are gifts to give to frugal/practical people, sub $10 gift ideas, inexpensive last-minute ideas, and a collection of homemade gift ideas), I’m always inundated with queries from interested readers this time of the year asking for new gift suggestions, both in terms of inexpensive gifts and in terms of gifts that their frugal/practical friend will like (I think I’m a proxy for many people when they think of their frugal/practical friends).
For starters, I strongly encourage you to check out those previous guides, as many of the ideas are still quite relevant now. What follows are some additional ideas that I’ve received, seen, discovered, or made in the last year or two (apologies in advance if there are any direct duplicates from the earlier posts).
I’ve divided this up into two sections, reflecting the two types of questions about gifts that I frequently hear this time of the year. First, a section on “gifts for frugal/practical people,” meaning gifts that might be somewhat expensive (or might not be) that frugal/practical people will genuinely appreciate. After that, a section on low-cost gifts with mass appeal, gifts that frugal people might consider for those on their gift list that they struggle to find the right gift for.
Ready? Let’s do this.
Gifts for Frugal/Practical People
Durable high-quality items that they’ll frequently use This is always my default gift suggestion if you’re looking for something for the frugal or practical person in your life. Look for something that you know that they use and get them a high quality and reliable version of that item. Here are some examples.
Socks Buy them a pair of merino wool socks with a lifetime guarantee, like the socks made by Darn Tough. They are rather pricy per pair, but they are extremely comfortable in all but the hottest of conditions, last for an extremely long time, and come with a great guarantee.
Other clothing You almost can’t go wrong with LL Bean or Land’s End in terms of solid quality clothes that will last and last. Both brands offer a lifetime guarantee on their products, so you can buy them knowing that if they ever do have a problem, your recipient can easily replace the item. (If you’re unsure of sizes, a gift card works well – I can’t imagine a frugal person not using a gift card to one of those places.)
Shaving If you’re giving a gift to a male friend or family member who stays clean shaven, consider getting him a safety razor and a supply of blades. A Merkur Classic safety razor along with 100 double-edged blades, a shaving brush (which basically ensures that you never over-apply shaving cream once you start using it – I use a tiny fraction of the quantity of cream I used to once I switched to a brush), and some high-quality shaving soap or shaving cream. It takes a little longer to shave this way, but the shave is so close that you don’t have to shave nearly as often (especially compared to electric) and the cost per shave is way lower because of the far less expensive blades.
Other items The best overall approach to take is to simply talk to the person and see if you can pick up on things they use that are wearing out and may need to be replaced soon, then research versions of that item that are reliable, durable, and high quality. That’s pretty much a guarantee of a great gift. For example, if someone loves to grill but is grumbling about a rusty grill, get that person a ceramic grill that’s pretty much impervious to rust. Just spend the time to specifically research that product type.
Consumable items that match their tastes Frugal people almost always love consumable items. It’s a treat that they often won’t buy for themselves but they can thoroughly enjoy, plus it won’t take up space in their home or end up sitting in their closet. In short, consumables are pretty practical as far as gifts go. Here are a few examples.
Coffee If the person you’re gifting loves coffee, consider getting them a bag or two from a very reputable coffee roaster like Stumptown or Chromatic or, better yet, a local roaster from your area. If you want them to have coffee the whole year around, consider a coffee subscription service like Driftaway or Beanbox.
Craft beer If the person you’re gifting loves craft beer, get a few bombers or a six pack from a local brewery, particularly if you happen to live near a well-regarded one. If you don’t, stop by a local craft beer store and ask for some recommendations. Craft beer enthusiasts tend to appreciate new and unusual ones.
Chocolate Again, as with the above options, it’s never a bad idea to find a local chocolatier for a small assortment. If that doesn’t work out, look for a list of the best chocolates from a reputable publication (a href=”http://ift.tt/2AlsX1m this one from Food and Wine) and pick out an item or two from that list, like the truffle assortment from Vosges which is mind-blowing but rather expensive per piece.
The advantage here is that these are all consumable. They can be eaten as a treat, easily shared with friends if they so choose, and eventually take up no space at home as they’re all consumed. If you can choose an item in line with their tastes, a frugal person will appreciate it, particularly if it’s a well made item or a local item. If in doubt, go local. Frugal/practical people
Items that simplify or reduce the cost of making things yourself Most frugal and practical people enjoy simply making things for themselves. They like to make things at home not just because it saves money, but because the process is enjoyable and the results are pretty good. Gifts in line with that mindset are usually appreciated.
Having said that, items that only have a single use or don’t match up with something that they’ll frequently use are frowned upon. The best gifts for frugal and practical people are items that they’ll reuse frequently, often replacing something they already have or providing a clear alternative.
Here are a few examples.
Coffee drinkers might appreciate a cold brew coffee system, which does away with the need for electricity or paper filters and produces wonderful mellow coffee that’s easily stored in the fridge. This cold brew coffee maker comes very well regarded; you just add water and grounds to the top chamber and let it sit in the fridge. My wife and I use both a coffee maker and a cold brew maker at our house, so they work in parallel.
An enameled cast iron pot is almost always a great gift for anyone that cooks at home. Enameled cast iron pots, especially larger ones, are incredibly useful because you can use them almost like skillets on the stovetop, use them like soup pots, and also make casseroles in them and bake things in the oven. I’ve done everything in ours – made bread, made stews, sautéed vegetables. While Le Creuset makes the best ones, they’re very expensive; Lodge makes one almost as good for a fraction of the price.
A multi-port USB hub is a surprisingly good gift for someone who has several electronic devices. It replaces the need to carry around lots of plug-in USB adapters and instead just requires them to bring around the requisite charging cables. I pretty much don’t leave my house without this one; it has a permanent home in my “to go bag” and it always seems to be an item that, when people see it, they go “I should really start carrying one of those!” Not only is it a convenient item to carry in one’s work bag, it’s also a pretty nice social opener as you always have a couple of ports free to offer to others who may need a charge.
Inexpensive Gifts for Everyone
What if you’re on the flip side of that coin? You’re a frugal person who wants to really stretch a dollar, but you also want to give meaningful, thoughtful, quality gifts to people for the holidays? Here are some things that you can give that everyone will like.
A simple item and a promise Give a person a very simple inexpensive item that lends itself to a common task that they might take on, but pair that item with a promise to actually help them with the task or take it on yourself.
For example, you might buy someone a caulking gun and some caulk, which can be relatively inexpensive, but put with it a note that you will come over and actually air seal their windows for them or help teach them to do it.
You might buy someone a hedge trimmer and put a note with it that you promise to come over and trim their hedges nicely in the spring. This is a particularly good gift for someone who might not enjoy landscaping and yard work.
You might give an elderly relative a 9″ by 9″ Pyrex baking dish, and on the inside tape a promise to come over and make five dinners for them and eat with them.
Something you made yourself Homemade gifts are always a great choice, particularly if you can make something well or you know how to make something that’s time consuming.
For example, we often receive jars of homemade food items from one of our closest friends who knows that I love fermented foods, so he cans some crazy variation on sauerkraut or pickles and gives me a few jars as a gift. It’s very inexpensive for him, just costing a few jars and the cucumbers or cabbage from his own garden, but I absolutely cherish that gift.
I have another friend who is a photographer who makes handmade stationery cards similar to these using inexpensive prints and extremely cheap blank stationery. These items cost her perhaps $0.30 per card to assemble, but the time invested in taking the photographs, choosing the prints, getting all of the stuff, and actually making the cards is incredibly thoughtful.
We have another relative who loves making handmade soaps. She makes an enormous batch of them every few years and gives several bars to people for the holidays. She’s also made bath bombs.
We have yet another friend who likes to make hand copies of poems along with a wonderful little drawing and frame them with an inexpensive frame as a gift (she drew this wonderful picture of me and my son standing together in the woods with the text of The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost a few years ago that brings tears to my eyes whenever I see it, but it cost her a few hours, a trivial amount of art supplies, and an inexpensive frame).
Another good idea: turn vintage books, comic books, album covers, sports cards, candy wrappers, or other such items into wall art. Figure out what the person you’re giving the gift to really enjoys, then find flat items that represent that interest, arrange the items well, and put them in an inexpensive frame.
Make something you know how to make well and share it. Often, the end result is far more valuable than the ingredients you put into it.
Letters Write a dozen or so letters to a person you care deeply about, appropriate for different occasions, and package them all up together.
For example, you might sit down and write a letter to your mother for a time when she’s lonely, a time when she wants to talk to you, a time when she wishes you were a little kid again, a time when she’s worried about the future, and so on. Write a letter just for your mother concerning each of those topics, saying the things you would want to say to her when she’s feeling that way and touching upon your shared experiences in the past.
This will take some time, no doubt, but the financial cost is pennies and it is so deeply sentimental that it will be an unforgettable gift.
A shared experience One great option is to give an inexpensive gift to someone that will provide the foundation for a shared experience for the two of you.
For example, you might give that person a copy of your favorite book. Take the time to write a nice inscription on the inside of the front cover and promise to go out for coffee or for an inexpensive dinner to talk about the book once they’ve read it. You can do the same thing for your favorite movie by handing over a copy of it on DVD or Bluray, along with a note promising to watch it together or talk about it afterwards.
If you happen to score some low-priced tickets to an interesting event, give one of the tickets to a friend so that they can plan to go to the event with you, providing a great shared experience.
In both cases, you’re adding the extra value to the item by relating it back to a personal connection between the two of you.
Charity time This is a surprisingly thoughtful idea for someone who wants to give a meaningful gift and has lots of time but very little money. Simply give someone a gift of some significant number of hours of your volunteer time.
For example, you might say that you will work 20 hours or 40 hours of volunteer work in the coming year for a cause of the recipient’s choice. This might be work for a political campaign, work for a local charity, or something else. They pick the charity, you put in the hours for that charity.
This is a great way for the recipient to feel like they’re bringing about meaningful change on a local level for a cause that they care about and you’re able to give that gift without any financial burden whatsoever.
It’s a good idea that, if you give this gift, you’re giving it to someone you’re roughly in political and moral alignment with. It would not work out well if you gave this to someone who then asked you to phone bank for a candidate you intensely disliked.
Final Thoughts
Gift giving occasions are difficult ones for frugal and practical people. Many holiday gifts are items that frugal and practical people really don’t want in their home, as they tend to be very selective and fairly minimalist about the items that they do choose to own.
At the same time, frugal people are typically fairly careful with their money and want to give meaningful gifts without just throwing money at the problem.
The ideas here are meant to provide ideas that can solve both problems, making the holidays better for frugal and practical folks both on the giving and receiving end of the equation. Hopefully, the ideas presented here will make the holidays a more joyous occasion for all involved.
Good luck!
Related Articles:
- 20 Gift Ideas for That Frugal Person in Your Life
- Finding Meaningful Gifts Without Breaking the Bank
- 10 Heartfelt Holiday Gift Ideas for People Who Don’t Need More Stuff
The post Gift Ideas for Frugal People (and from Frugal People) appeared first on The Simple Dollar.
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Rewards for Recreation: Credit Cards That Match Your Hobbies
You might see the world of credit card rewards as two extremes — jet-setting on one end and penny-pinching on the other. The truth is, there’s a big world between glitzy travel rewards and no-nonsense cash back. Plenty of credit cards have rewards programs that can help you indulge your everyday interests while saving some money in the bargain.
Take a look at some of the ways that credit cards can match up with various hobbies and pastimes, from food to fitness.
Dining out
For some of us, the experience and ambience of going to a restaurant matter just as much as the actual eating. The menu of best credit cards for foodies includes:
- — This card’s 5% cash back bonus categories often include restaurant purchases once a year. Make sure to check the Cashback Calendar and activate your bonus every quarter.
- Uber Visa Card — Earns 4% cash back on purchases at restaurants and bars as well as UberEATS orders. (Plus, $0 annual fee.)
- — Earns 3X points on dining and travel worldwide.
- — Earns 2X points on dining and travel.
TV, movies and music
Earning credit card rewards for enjoying video and music, streaming subscriptions included, is a surefire hit. Cards that reward video and music purchases include:
- Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card — This exclusive card for eligible Amazon Prime members earns 5% points back on Amazon.com purchases.
- — Earns 5 Sony Rewards Points per $1 spent on digital music and video purchases, plus movie rentals, concerts and theater purchases.
Books
- U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card — This card lets you choose your quarterly rewards categories to earn up to 5.5% cash back, and those categories include bookstores. (To maximize your rewards, you’ll need to concentrate your book purchases within that particular quarter.)
- Remember the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card listed above? If you buy books on Amazon.com, you can also get those 5% points back rewards.
Gaming
- — Getting 5X points on PlayStation™ Store purchases? Game on!
Fitness
Using credit card rewards to get more value out of your fitness-related spending presents a special case. Many card issuers, such as Discover and Visa, have online shopping portals that include retailers offering sportswear and other types of fitness gear. If you apply rewards points to those purchases, you can turn your credit card into a workout machine.
Even if their rewards programs aren’t specifically geared toward fitness, cards may still offer special deals from time to time. One example is , which recently launched an offer for reduced rates on SoulCycle indoor cycling classes.
Homework first, hobby second
The right credit card rewards program can make your favorite hobby or pastime more enjoyable and more economical. Even if you don’t have a specialty card, you can still reap the benefits of credit cards that offer all-purpose cash back or points for general purchases.
Just make sure to research the offers and terms so that you fully understand how you’ll earn your points and cash back — work before play.
The post Rewards for Recreation: Credit Cards That Match Your Hobbies appeared first on The Simple Dollar.
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