Category: Shopping Tips

With the coronavirus pandemic still in effect, a trip to the grocery store still isn’t what it used to be. Some stores are preventing families from bringing more than 2 people total to shop. Other stores are placing rules on what shoes can be worn inside and what specific directions you can or can’t shop in.

Aside from all of these restrictions to overcome, there’s still the concern of catching the virus while out and bringing it home to friends and family. To prevent grocery-shopping hardship, many people are turning towards ordering groceries online. 

Now that ordering groceries through apps online is popular, it’s also a bit more difficult to navigate. If you’re new to these apps, then you’ll want to continue reading below. Here are a few tips on how to order your groceries online with ease! 

1. Order in Advance 

When ordering your groceries, it’s best to order them in advance. When do you need your groceries to arrive? What time does the app say they’ll arrive when ordering with that specific delivery window?

Whatever these times say, expect some delays. With the virus still affecting the world, many people are using these online grocery ordering apps. This means that the apps are being crowed with more users than normal. 

All of these users can slow down the process, but it won’t be an issue for you, as long as you plan for these delays accordingly. 

2. Plan to Be Home

The great thing about ordering your groceries this way is that you don’t have to take the time out of your day to go to the grocery store and shop for your items yourself. It gives you more time to focus on other things and stay healthy as well.

Although you now have the freedom to get other things done while someone else is doing your shopping for you, it’s still a good idea to be home when your groceries arrive. You don’t want your freezer or refrigerator items to be left outside and depending on where you live, you might not want any of your other items to be left out either.

Issues with the weather, wildlife, and thieves can all be avoided if you’re home when the groceries are delivered. 

3. Know Your Delivery Slots

Knowing when to grab a delivery slot is essential during these hard times. As mentioned before, these apps are being flooded with more users than normal. Because of this, it’s more difficult to find delivery slots. 

To ensure you get a delivery slot during the time you need, you might need to check and refresh the page on a consistent basis. Some people have noted that the best time to grab a slot is around midnight. 

Another good tip is to set an alarm on your phone to remind you to check for a slot. If you keep up with it, you’ll find what you need.

4. Create an Organized List

Creating an organized list for your shopper is a good way to ensure you get everything you need as quickly as possible. Imagine going to the grocery store with a list created by someone else and items from different departments are randomly placed on the list in no order at all. 

You’d have to go down one aisle, grab what’s on the list, and then go back down the same aisle again for a different item placed lower on the list. Not having your items organized by category can make the shopping trip take much longer than needed.

Remember, grocery stores right now have restrictions on which directions you can shop in and such. Keeping all similar items together on your list will help your shopper and will get your items to you quicker. 

5. Consider Grocery Pickup

Having your shopping list delivered to you is convenient in many ways. Another option to consider is picking up your groceries outside the store. When choosing this option, you’ll still have only one person doing your shopping for you and handling your items. 

When they’re done, they’ll bring your groceries out to your car for you. You’ll be given a time slot of when your groceries should be available. That’s the time to make sure you’re in the parking lot and ready to get your items.

6. Explore Several Options

Deciding on the right service might take some time as there are plenty of options to choose from. For example, you can choose to have your groceries delivered through a Kroger online order or from the store itself. 

Each option has its own guidelines, fees, restrictions, and benefits. The best thing to do is research all available options and choose the one that’ll work best for your specific needs. 

7. Don’t Forget to Tip

Once you decide on the right service for you and place your first order, don’t forget to tip. Tips aren’t included in your delivery fee and shoppers look forward to receiving them. Remember, your shoppers are taking the risk to leave their own homes and possibly expose themselves to the virus for your order.

Be kind and thank them with a generous tip. 

Be Prepared When Ordering Groceries Online!

If you’re planning to use an app for ordering groceries online, be sure to keep these tips in your back pocket! With these helpful tips in mind, you’ll be ordering groceries through online apps like a pro!

For more topics similar to this one, be sure to visit us regularly.

It’s three in the afternoon and you haven’t gotten anything done at work. You lost track of time and got way off task. It sounds like you could benefit from creating some kind of to-do list.

There’s only one problem with to-do lists. It’s too easy to pencil something new on to it and overwhelm yourself. That’s why you should use a sticky note instead of a piece of notebook paper. 

You can’t fit as many tasks on a sticky note so you can stay on task without exhausting yourself. Want to know more about how to use sticky notes to keep yourself productive? Check out these quick hacks.

1. Bookmark Pages 

You bookmarked every page of your textbook that you need to study for your big test tomorrow. When you pick up the book to get started, every scrap of paper falls out of it. You knew you should have dog-eared the pages. 

The only reason you didn’t is that you’re renting the textbook. That’s why personalized sticky notes make a great bookmark alternative. They contain just enough adhesive to stay in place without damaging the pages. 

2. Create To-Do Lists 

What started as a four-task long list quickly turned into a ten in a matter of hours. This is the problem with using a computer program or a large piece of paper to write down your to-do list. There’s too much temptation to add things to it. 

Over time, this will lead to a loss of motivation because you feel like no matter how much you chip away at your list, you’re not getting anywhere. Try as you may, there are only so many tasks that you can add to a sticky note before you fill it up. 

Starting with the most important tasks and descending to the less crucial ones, create a daily to-do list. What won’t fit on the sticky note can be put on tomorrow’s note. 

Remember the idea isn’t to write small enough to jam pack the note with stuff. Keep the workload manageable. 

3. Jot Things Down That You Want to Remember 

You’re getting dressed when you’re struck with random inspiration out of nowhere. Finally, you know how you can fix up that pesky plot hole in the novel you’re writing. 

You make a crucial mistake. You don’t write down the idea before you go to work and by the time you get home, you’ve forgotten it all. Keep a stack of sticky notes on your desk for times like these. 

If you have a big idea but have to be somewhere soon, write it down on a Post-it and stick it to something on your desk. Now you have something you can refer back to later.  

4. Annotate Text

Writing down comments in the margins of a textbook is a good way for you to study and take in information. If you’re renting the book, however, you might be a little hesitant to write in it. 

You can use sticky notes to make your annotates instead. The adhesive back allows you to place the Post-it wherever you want in the book and it will stay there. 

Pro-tip, keep it to one point a sticky note vs writing down an entire paragraph. It’ll be easier for you to go back and study it later. 

5. Color Code Tasks 

Color coding is too good of an organization tactic for you to buy your sticky notes in only one color. You can use them to make highlights in a textbook without using actual ink. 

You can break your schedule up into categories such as subject and priority using colors as well. For example, green sticky notes could symbolize things you need to get done ASAP, and blue ones could represent tasks you can wait on.   

6. Brainstorm New Ideas 

There’s a huge problem at work right now and you’re trying to think of a solution to it. Believe it or not, you can find it by using sticky notes. 

When you have an idea, write it down and post it on the wall where you can see it. If you want to get really organized, you can color-code your ideas. When you have your choices out in front of you like this, it makes it easier for you to make decisions.  

7. Prepare a Timeline 

If you’re storyboarding a script or writing a book you can jot down events on a series of sticky notes and put them in a timeline of sorts. 

The reason why you want to use sticky notes for this is that you can make alterations to the timeline by simply moving the notes around. 

8. Studying  

Sticky notes are a great method to use for studying. If you’re taking a language class, you can use them to label things around your house in the language that you’re studying. 

Until you get the hang of the language, add the translation of the words on the sticky note as well. Over time you’ll no longer have to have the translations there as a safety net.  

How to Use Sticky Notes for a More Productive Day

Are you bad about losing track of time and going off task? You can get yourself back on track and it will only cost you a few bucks. Sticky notes can be used for studying, creating project timelines, brainstorming, creating to-do lists, and annotating text. 

You can take things a step further by separating your thoughts into categories and colors. Use this guide to learn how to use sticky notes and start taking advantage of this versatile tool today. 

Using sticky notes isn’t the only way you can stay organized at work. Check out our blog daily for more business tips. 

The average American spends over an hour eating and drinking each day.

Whether we’re drinking coffee, water, tea, or an adult beverage, those little sips truly add up! Since we spend so much time taking drinks throughout the day, it’s important to have drinkware that supports our sipping habits.

Each piece of drinkware serves a special purpose, so there are some that you just need to have on hand. Keep reading to learn about the drinkware you should keep in your kitchen!

5 Types of Drinkware to Always Keep in Your Kitchen

Our kitchens are a certifiable mess for most of us.

Among the mess, there are 5 types of cups that you absolutely need to have. They are:

1. Mugs

Mugs are essential if you’re a coffee or tea drinker.

Even if you’re not necessarily a caffeine fanatic, your guests may want to enjoy a hot beverage. If you love curling up in a blanket and watching the snowfall with a cup of hot chocolate, you’re going to need mugs for this.

Drinks aside, mugs are great for making certain types of food! If you want to enjoy a chocolate chip cookie but don’t want leftovers tempting you, make a mug cookie. Or, even a mug cake would be delicious.

Mug pizzas, pastas, and oatmeal are also a possibility. A mug is more than just for coffee, it’s a versatile and handy type of drinkware to keep in your kitchen.

To mix things up, consider having mugs for each season. Invest in some fall-themed mugs with leaves and pumpkins to drink some hot apple cider out of. When the snow starts to fall, grab some festive red and green mugs.

Make a little bit of cocoa and slip some Irish creme in there (shhh, you don’t have to tell anyone!)

Find the best drinkware here!

2. Drink Glasses

If you host gatherings with adults often, you probably indulge in some adult beverages.

While you can certainly drink out of a beer bottle or make a cocktail in a plain cup, what’s the fun in that? Let your inner bartender show by having a wide array of drink glasses. 

Here are some ideas for drink glasses:

Wine Glasses

Wine glasses are a staple in most homes.

They’re elegant, simple, and pretty inexpensive depending on the kind you buy. There are actually quite a few different types of wine glasses to choose from. Some of these are:

• Champagne flute
• Stemless wine glass
• Wine glass with stem (most common)
• Vintage
• Tulip

If we’re getting into naming wine glasses, there are honestly way too many to list. In fact, there’s a certain kind of wine glass that fits every type of wine. Do some research and you’ll find the best one for your taste!

Liquor Glasses

Liquor glasses are great to have for the drinker who loves liquor on the rocks.

If you commonly drink scotch, brandy, whiskey, or another dark liquor on the rocks, you’ll find that a liquor glass or two is a great investment. Liquor glasses are perfect for an evening of sipping, relaxing, and talking the night away!

Beer Mugs

Beer mugs have such a unique design that many of us prefer to drink our brew out of one.

Not only do beer mugs look nice, but they keep your beer cold if you can put them in the freezer. If you have a bar and a keg in your home, you can’t skimp on beer mugs.

Shot Glasses

Some of us avoid shots because they remind us of our sloppy college years, while many of us still embrace these party starters.

If you and your friends like to do shots, you have to invest in some shot glasses. Taking a shot out of a solo cup or just a plain ole’ cup isn’t the same. If you’re traveling, shot glasses also make a great souvenir!

3. Unbreakable Cups

While having a variety of glass cups is important, so is having a few options that aren’t as fragile.

As a parent, you definitely understand the danger of having breakable cups available to kids. They get excited, start running around, or maybe just aren’t watching where they’re swinging their elbows.

Kids are going to be kids, so it’s important to have cups that allow them to do that. 

Not only are unbreakable cups great for families, but they’re great for taking to a beach or a pool. Most pools and beaches won’t even allow glass, so make sure you always have a few unbreakable cups available.

4. Travel Cups

As a busy mom, you’re on the go a lot.

Between taking the kids to school, getting them ready for the day, and jetting off to work, you rarely have time to enjoy a cup of coffee in solace. 

This is why travel cups are a necessity. Whether you’re drinking coffee, tea, or just water on the go, it’s important to have a cup for travel. Travel cups will typically keep your drinks hot or cold, so you have plenty of time to finish in the car or once you arrive at your destination.

5. Mason Jar

If your style borders on rustic or vintage, mason jar glasses are a necessity.

They’re affordable, eco-friendly, and can be used for so many purposes. If you just want to enjoy a glass of cold water, a mason jar is perfect for this. Or, if you made some jam and want to preserve it, your mason jar would be perfect for that too!

Mason jars are an asset for meal-prepping. Plus, they’re great for using as a care package if you want to send over the ingredients and recipe for a dessert.

Just stack the ingredients for the recipe in the jar, jot down the instructions, and send it over to a neighbor or kid in college!

What Types of Cups Are in Your Kitchen?

Cups are a staple of our kitchen.

We drink out of them, cook with them, and even meal-prep with them. Each cup has its own unique purpose so it’s essential to have a variety on hand.

If you loved this post, check out our other frugal living content!

Have you stepped foot into a thrift store recently?

If you’re not well versed in the secondhand world, you’d be surprised at the incredible things that you can score in a thrift shop. In fact, if you’re a fan of anything vintage, the odds are that many of your favorite vintage pieces were found in a thrift store.

While the benefits of secondhand shopping are plenty, only 18 percent of Americans report actually shopping at thrift stores. For the sake of the planet and your wallet, we’re here to better those numbers!

If you’re serious about saving money and reducing your carbon footprint, you’re going to want to read this. To help start your thrifting journey, we’re outlining the nine most useful items that anyone can locate at a thrift store.

From antique dishes and solid wood furniture to children’s clothing and a wide collection of books, there’s certainly something for everyone at today’s thrift stores.

Let’s get started!

1. Solid Wood Furniture

If you’ve been on the search for quality wooden furniture, you know just how difficult it is to find these days.

As it turns out, even high-end stores are finding creative solutions to produce more affordable options. In efforts of making “wood” furniture cheaper to produce and afford, many will use an alternate material that mocks the look and feel of wood. While this does make it significantly more affordable, it also results in an inferior and short-term product.

This is why shopping for solid wood furniture at secondhand stores is such a great option. This allows you to find wood products that were manufactured long before alternate materials were so widely utilized.

2. Antique Dishes

Do you remember those beautiful antique dishes that your grandparents used to serve Thanksgiving dinner in? The ones with the golden rims and the soft, delicate flowers that detailed each center?

If you try finding those in your favorite interiors store, the odds are that you’re going to be disappointed. Fortunately, we can always count on thrift stores to offer gifts from the past such as these. While it may be difficult to find a matching set, you can mix and match collections to create a more unique set for yourself.

Our advice?

While you may use these dishes at dinner parties, be sure to treat them well and hold onto them long-term. Who knows how much these dishes may be worth in the years to come!

3. Books

For all the book lovers out there, it just might be time to stop buying your books from the big-box stores. Not only is this an important environmental initiative, but it’s also going to save you a ton of money.

For anyone that frequents thrift stores often, you know firsthand that the book section is one of the best. You can look forward to finding anything from classics and collectibles to the latest in fiction and biography.

You’ll be surprised just how quickly the latest releases end up on the secondhand shelves.

4. Children’s Clothing and Toys

Even parent knows just how quickly babies turn into toddlers and toddlers into children.

In terms of their clothing and their toys, it can sometimes feel impossible to keep up. While one jumpsuit may fit perfectly one week, the next week just might be a different story. Similarly, while a certain toy is the chosen favorite one week, they’re onto the next best thing the following week.

When we consider the everchanging life of a baby, it’s easy to add up just how expensive these different stages are for parents. In choosing to purchase children’s clothing and toys secondhand, you’re able to save money for the more important things in your children’s life.

5. Maternity Clothing

Calling all soon-to-be-parents -this one is for you!

For any mothers out there, you know firsthand just how much your entire body changes throughout your pregnancy. From your feet and your belly to your breasts and your hips, these changes continue to take place from beginning to end.

If you were to commit to buying all of your maternity clothes brand-spanking’ new, it’s easy to see the dangerous result this might have on your bank account. After all, when you’re preparing for the arrival of a brand new baby, it’s more about saving money than spending money.

Choosing to buy maternity clothing secondhand is always a great idea. Remember, these clothes are typically worn for a very limited amount of time as sizing is always changing throughout one’s pregnancy.

This allows you to have almost new clothing at a significantly discounted rate!

6. Tools

As our parents love to remind us, things just aren’t made the way they used to be. When we consider the truth to this statement, we can understand why buying tools secondhand is the superior choice.

Let’s face it, buying new, unused tools is incredibly expensive. Shopping for tools secondhand gives us the opportunity to find significantly more inexpensive tools that are also built to last.

When we compare the craftsmanship of old-school tools to the craftmanship of present-day tools, the differentials are obvious. This is obvious even when looking at the low-end materials that are used to create modern-day tools.

7. Electronics

Keeping up with the latest electronics and gadgets can feel exhausting at times.

If we truly committed to always have the newest and the best electronic items, it’s safe to say that our bank accounts would be hurting. Fortunately, thrift stores are home to many incredible and current electronics.

Whether you’re looking for a top-notch sound system or the best foot massager on the market, you’d be surprised what you can find in the aisles of your favorite secondhand shop.

8. Christmas Decorations

Compared to the many holidays celebrated throughout the year, Christmas is the holiday in which the highest percent of Americans will decorate their homes.

In fact, 76 percent of Americans stated that they decorate their homes with a Christmas tree each year. When we consider just how much money is spent on this type of decor, it’s simple to see how this adds up. December is also a notoriously expensive time of year due to the gift-giving practices that are a part of the holiday.

If you’re looking to do yourself a financial favor this season, why not buy your holiday decor secondhand? This may be anything from wreaths and tree ornaments to lights and the tree itself.

Come November, the majority of thrift stores will have a healthy display of holiday decorations available.

9. Picture Frames

Do you have a print laying around that’s been begging to be framed?

If you’ve been on the hunt for a suitable picture frame, you know firsthand that they don’t always come cheap. Who knew that a simple piece of glass and frame could be so costly?

Fortunately, thrift stores typically have an incredible supply of picture frames. Whether you’re looking for something vintage or something a little more clean and contemporary, you’re likely to find it on the shelves of your favorite thrift store.

Saving Your Wallet One Thrift Store at a Time

While there’s no denying that some items in life are best to purchase new, this isn’t always the case.

In fact, choosing to buy certain items at a thrift store is a wise move for both your wallet and the planet. Here, you are saving money while also embracing the reuse-reduce-recycle movement.

Are you looking for more tips on frugal living? If so, be sure to keep browsing our blog for similar articles!

Like it or not, winter is on its way!

Unless you’re one of the lucky few who experiences sunny weather year round, that means that you’re going to need a warm pair of boots to get you through the coldest months of the year.

How do you find the perfect winter boots, though? And, how do you buy them without breaking the bank?

If you want a great pair of winter boots but don’t want to spend a fortune, you’ve come to the right place.

This guide will make it easy for you to find good snow boots at a great price.

What to Look for When Shopping for Snow Boots

Whether you’re shopping in-person or online, these tips will help you sort through all the different snow boots on the shelf and find the right pair for you:

Warmth

When winter arrives, your first priority needs to be warmth. This is especially true when it comes to buying snow boots. After all, you lose a lot of heat through your feet.

Boots with traditional linings like shearling or fur are very effective at preventing heat loss. They can also be expensive, though. A lightweight synthetic substitute like Thinsulate will help you stay warm without wiping out your bank account.

Comfort

Of course, when you’re shopping for snow boots, comfort matters, too.

Whether you’re wearing your snow boots with a pair of ski pants and a parka or your favorite cozy leggings, you’re going to want to be comfortable while you’re wearing them.

Make sure your boots support your ankles and don’t pinch your toes. Wear them while you walk around the store (or wear them around your house if you ordered them online) and make sure they’re a good fit.

Waterproofing

Some boots are definitely better than others when it comes to keeping out moisture and making sure your feet stay warm and dry.

Leather boots can be treated with a special spray that will help them repel water and keep your feet nice and dry while traipsing around town.

Boots made of synthetic material are also a good option if you want to protect your feet all winter long.

Grip

Nobody wants to slip on the ice while walking around during the winter. Look for a pair of boots with rubber soles. These will keep rain and snow out, and they’ll provide a better grip, meaning you’ll be less likely to slip and fall on chilly days.

Be sure to check the soles before you buy and make sure they have good traction. Tuff Toe boots are a great example. The traction will help you stay upright when you’re traversing slippery roads and sidewalks.

Functionality

While style and appearance matter, you ought to take functionality into account, too.

One of the most important factors to consider when you’re thinking about functionality is the fastenings on your boots.

Lace-up boots adjust to the shape of the leg, so they can be more comfortable if you’re walking around a lot during the day.

Boots with zippers can be a better option, though, especially if you want to be able to put them on and take them off easily. Pull-on boots are an even more efficient option.

The Perfect Fit

Of course, you also need to make sure your boots fit you properly. These tips can help you find the right fit.

Try Them on with Your Winter Socks

Don’t rely on those thin nylon socks at the shoe store. Try your boots on while you’re also wearing the winter socks you plan to wear most often. This will help you ensure they’re not too snug.

Try Them on at the Right Time of Day

It’s typically best to try on your boots later in the afternoon after you’ve been walking around. Your feet will be slightly swollen at this point, and you’ll be sure the boots fit your feet when they’re at their largest.

Try on Both Boots

This might seem like a no-brainer, but lots of people forget to try on both boots when they’re out shopping. Remember, it’s common for one foot to be slightly larger than the other, and you need to make sure the boots fit both feet.

How to Save Money on Good Snow Boots

Okay, you know what to look for in a good pair of snow boots. But, how do you get that perfect pair while sticking to your budget?

There are lots of ways you can save money without sacrificing the quality of your boots.

Shop Out of Season

The earlier you buy your snow boots, the more likely you are to get a good deal on them. If possible, shop in the early spring when businesses are clearing out their winter stock to make room for new spring fashions.

Shop Thrift Stores

If it’s too late for you to get a good deal shopping out of season, don’t despair. Hit up your local thrift store instead. You’ll likely be able to find a great pair of boots here for way less than what you’d pay at a regular store.

Shop Amazon Warehouse

Want to find a good deal but don’t want to dig through racks at the thrift store? Give Amazon Warehouse a try instead. This is a great option if you want to find a pair of pre-owned boots at an affordable price while shopping from the comfort of your own home.

Host a Clothing Swap

Finally, consider organizing a winter clothing swap with your friends, family, and neighbors. This is a good way to get rid of clothing and boots you no longer wear while also getting great new pieces for free.

Start Updating Your Winter Wardrobe Today

Now that you know what to look for when shopping for good snow boots, it’s time to go out and find a pair that works with your style and budget.

Are you looking to update other elements of your winter wardrobe? Do you want to update without spending an arm and a leg?

If you need to jazz up your winter wardrobe while sticking to a budget, check out the beauty and fashion section of our website today.

You’ll learn all kinds of tips and tricks that will help you save money while enhancing your style.