Category: Shopping Tips

Do you ever feel like every month you try to save some money, and every month you come up short of your goals? It seems like no matter how hard you try, something comes up and you can never get ahead.

If so, don’t feel bad. You certainly aren’t alone in your struggles to save.

According to a survey conducted by the Federal Reserve, “nearly 50 percent of Americans wouldn’t be able to come up with $400 in savings in the event of an emergency.”

This statistic certainly is frightening. However, there are steps you can take to ensure you’re not one of these Americans.

Let’s take a look at the top 3 expert money saver tips you need in your life.

1. Create a Plan

As French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery once said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”

Now, even though he probably wasn’t talking about financial savings, the quote undoubtedly still applies.

It may seem obvious, but creating a detailed savings plan is something many people overlook.

Use a spreadsheet to create a plan that includes how much money you want to save and in what time period. Also, include what you want to save for. Is it a nice vacation or are you paying off a loan? Doing so will help you keep yourself accountable and on track.

Many banks actually have easy-to-use savings planners built into their apps, so be sure to check these out.

2. Be a Smart Shopper

Many people are under the impression that “smart shopping” means buying items that are of lesser quality.

However, this simply is not the case.

There are many ways to be a smart shopper without comprising quality. Here’s what we suggest:

Buy Out of Season

Buying a pool in July or a Christmas tree in December might be the “festive” thing to do, but it’s not always the financially savviest.

Nearly every product you buy has a demand cycle. Buy when demand’s the lowest, and you’ll save some money. Buy last year’s model when shopping for tech devices. Buy sweaters during the summer. And buy holiday decorations after the holiday is over.

Also, you can check out sites like dealwiki to find discount items year-round.

Buy Lasting Products

Sure, a 6-pack of shirts from a big box retailer may seem like a good deal, but how long are those shirts really going to last you?

Often times, buying the quality item that is more expensive will save you more money in the long run.

Ask For Discounts

It never hurts to ask for a discount before purchasing.

Often times, a quick chat with a customer service rep is all you need to get a discount on a big purchase item.

3. Earn More

Sometimes the best way to save more is to earn more.

Now, this may seem impossible for someone who works a salaried job with no overtime pay, but really anyone with a little dedication can find ways to earn more money.

Here are a few simple ways to earn more:

• Sell items on eBay, Etsy, or Amazon
• Work as a freelancer — writing, photography, graphic design, etc.
• Get a part-time job on nights or weekends
• Take paid surveys online

Money Saver Tips Can Save the Day

Hopefully, these tips help kick your saving efforts into gear.

Saving money is hard for everyone, so don’t get discouraged if you’re off to a slow start.

What’s your favorite expert money saver tip to follow? Let us know in the comments below.

Women and our shoes. Thanks to the Internet, the possibilities are nearly endless. That doesn’t mean we can wear whatever we want, whenever we want.

Every day you open the closet and every day you ask yourself the same question: “What shoes do I wear to the office today?”

For the not-so-fashion-conscious lady out there, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. Today, we’re talking about how to pick out the perfect dress shoes for work, so that your boss notices your killer pitch and not your worn-out soles.

The Best Dress Shoes for Work

Classic Black Pumps

When in doubt, throw on these dress shoes to wear to the office. They go with nearly every possible ensemble, from skirts to suits.

Just like the lady wearing them, they’re sophisticated and business-like, but can still be sexy when they need or want to be.

If you like having the illusion of longer legs, have a backup pair of neutral colored pumps. To keep it as professional as possible, go with a two-inch heel or shorter.

Flats

As long as the style is business-like, these shoes are great, especially if you’re in a busy office where you find yourself getting up and walking around. These shoes are the best for having style without sacrificing comfort or mobility.

Boots

Keep a pair of boots around. If a rainy day hits, you don’t want to ruin your pumps or flats.

It’s not hard to find a pair of these shoes for pretty much any occasion — not just a thunderstorm. Plus, they’re great for helping ladies who wear small sizes shoes look like they have more proportionate and balanced feet.

Shoes You Should Never Wear to the Office

Open-Toe Shoes

If your office attire is business formal, business professional, or business casual – and let’s face it, if you’re working in an office, it’s likely one of these three — open-toed shoes should not be considered dress shoes.

Crazy Colors

Pinks, yellows, and oranges. You love them and every lady has a pair or two in her closet. Unfortunately, they aren’t appropriate for work so Monday through Friday, leave them at home.

This rule includes shoes that have polka dots, zebra or leopard prints, and any other trendy patterns or designs.

Stilettos

You know what they say, “The taller the heel, the less appropriate it is for work.”

Who says that? We do.

These shoes are great for a girl’s night out or clubbing, but for business attire, they really aren’t doing it for us as dress shoes.

Flip Flops

If you’re looking to get canned, one great way to do so is to wear flip flops to work and see how many times you can walk by the CEO’s office before being reprimanded.

It won’t take long.

Wrapping it Up

So now you know what to wear and what not to wear. You can’t go wrong with a classy pair of pumps or even some nice Mary Jane’s.

A lot of your attire possibilities depend on your office’s dress code. To next level your outfit, match your shoes with your bag and any other accessories you’re rocking that day.

What do you think about today’s post? Leave us a comment below, we’d love to hear from you.

While we all like to think we are collected and prepared, there will always be times where life gets ahead of you. You will find yourself staring down the barrel of a birthday or anniversary without any gift or plans for the day.

Don’t panic, we have your back with these five golden tips on how to become the master of last minute shopping for whatever occasion.

Looking for a Gift Last Minute is No Reason to Worry

With next day, or even same day delivery now an option for online shoppers everywhere, there really is no need to panic about gifts. If you take these five essential tips into consideration you will be able to call yourself a last minute ninja.

Always Stick to Your Budget

It can be easy to throw a budget out of the window. Whether it is because of the guilt you feel at forgetting the event, or because you don’t have the time to look around for the best price. However, that is a big mistake because it can cause more problems than it solves.

Set a budget per person, or per gift, and stick to it, no matter what.

Email Works Well For Christmas Cards

Christmas is here and you need to send your corporate cards out to customers. However, if you find yourself forgetting the final delivery dates, it doesn’t matter if you have cheap business Christmas cards or not, they need to arrive on time.

In times such as this, never forget that an email card is a great alternative in the modern corporate world.

A Gift Card is a Valid Gift Option Not Only When Last Minute Shopping

Gifting someone a voucher for a shop, or a chain of shops is a simple but great gift for you to give. It means that you are giving the person receiving the voucher the ability to choose their own gift.

Use your Credit Card Points for Extra Benefits

For many of us, the credit card is a dreaded necessity, however, it can be used to work to your advantage. Many companies have different schemes and plans that allow you to save or spend points linked to your credit card purchases. If you save these up they can give you an extra bonus when it looking for a last minute shopping gift.

Approach Your Shopping with a Plan

This applies to all instances of gift shopping, but it is especially important when you are last minute shopping because there are always a lot of distractions that are ready to pull you away from your goal.

If you hit the shops, either physical or virtual with a solid game plan, then you will be laden with all the right gifts before you know it.

Giving is About the Experience and the Thought Behind it

The important thing to remember with gifts is that it is the thought behind it that really counts. You can make people happy with a simple gift that really shows you know them as an individual.

Whether you are buying in advance, or last-minute, that fact does not change.

Happy shopping!