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How to Protect Yourself From Credit Card Theft

Emily Guy Birken — Sat, 07 Nov 2020 22:45:33 +0000

Last fall, I received an email that appeared to be from my web host. The email claimed that there was a problem with my payment information and asked me to update it. I clicked on the link in the email and entered my credit card number, thinking that a recent change I'd made to my site must have caused a problem.

The next morning, I logged onto my credit card account to find two large unauthorized purchases. A scammer had successfully phished my payment information from me.

This failure of security is pretty embarrassing for a personal finance writer. I know better than to click through an email link claiming to be from my bank, credit card lender, or other financial institution. But because the email came from a source that wasn't specifically financial (and because I was thinking about the changes I had made to my website just the day before), I let myself get played.

Thankfully, because I check my credit card balance daily, the scammers didn't get away with it. However, it's better to be proactive about avoiding credit card theft so you're not stuck with the cleanup, which took me several months to complete.

Here's how you can protect yourself from credit card theft.

Protecting your physical credit card

Stealing your physical credit or debit card is in some respects the easiest way for a scammer to get their hands on your sweet, sweet money. With the actual card in hand, a scammer has all the information they need to make fraudulent purchases: the credit card number, expiration date, and the security code on the back.

That means keeping your physical cards safe is one of the best ways to protect yourself from credit card theft. Don't carry more cards than you intend to use. Having every card you own in a bulging wallet makes it more likely someone could steal one when you're not paying attention and you may not realize it's gone if you have multiple cards.

Another common place where you might be separated from your card is at a restaurant. After you've paid your bill, it can be easy to forget if you've put away your card (especially if you've been enjoying adult beverages). So make it a habit to confirm that you have your card before you leave a restaurant.

If you do find yourself missing a credit or debit card, make sure you call your bank immediately to report it lost or stolen. The faster you move to lock down the card, the less likely the scammers will be able to make fraudulent charges. Make sure you have your bank's phone number written down somewhere so you're able to contact them quickly if your card is stolen or lost. (See also: Don't Panic: Do This If Your Identity Gets Stolen)

Recognizing card skimmers

Credit card thieves also go high-tech to get your information. Credit card skimmers are small devices placed on a legitimate spot for a card scanner, such as on a gas pump or ATM.

When you scan your card to pay, the skimmer device captures all the information stored in your card's magnetic stripe. In some cases, when there's a skimmer placed on an ATM, there's also a tiny camera set up to record you entering your PIN so the fraudster has all the info they need to access your account.

The good news is that it's possible to detect a card skimmer in the wild. Gas stations and ATMs are the most common places where you'll see skimmer devices. Generally, these devices will often stick out past the panel rather than sit flush with it, as the legitimate credit card scanner is supposed to. Other red flags to look for are scanners that seem to jiggle or move slightly instead of being firmly affixed, or a pin pad that appears thicker than normal. All of these can potentially indicate a skimmer is in place.

If you find something that looks hinky, go to a different gas station or ATM. Better safe than sorry. (See also: 18 Surprising Ways Your Identity Can Be Stolen)

Protecting your credit card numbers at home

Your home is another place thieves will go searching for your sensitive information. To start, you likely receive credit card offers, the cards themselves, and your statements in the mail. While mail theft is relatively rare (it's a federal crime, after all), it's still a good idea to make sure you collect your mail daily and put a hold on it when you go out of town.

Once you get your card-related paperwork in the house, however, you still may be vulnerable. Because credit card scammers are not above a little dumpster diving to get their hands on your credit card number. This is why it's a good idea to shred any paperwork with your credit card number and other identifying information on it before you throw it away.

Finally, protecting your credit cards at home also means being wary about whom you share information with over the phone. Unless you've initiated a phone call of your own volition — not because you're calling someone who left a voicemail — you should never share your credit card numbers over the phone. Scammers will pose as customer service agents from your financial institution or a merchant you frequent to get your payment information. To be sure, you can hang up and call the institution yourself using the main phone number.

Keeping your cards safe online

You should never provide your credit card information via a link in an email purporting to be from your financial institution or a merchant. Scammers are able to make their fake emails and websites look legitimate, which was exactly the reason I fell victim to this fraud.

But even with my momentary lapse in judgment about being asked for my payment information from my "web host," there were other warning signs that I could've heeded if I had been paying attention.

The first is the actual email address. These fake emails will often have a legitimate looking display name, which is the only thing you might see in your email. However, if you hover over or click on the display name, you can see the actual email address that sent you the message. Illegitimate addresses do not follow the same email address format you'll see from the legitimate company.

In addition to that, looking at the URL that showed up when I clicked the link could've told me something weird was going on. Any legitimate site that needs your financial information will have a secure URL to accept your payment. Secure URLs start with https:// (rather than http://) and feature a lock icon in the browser bar. If these elements are missing, then you should not enter your credit card information. (See also: 3 Ways Millennials Can Avoid Financial Fraud)

Daily practices that keep you safe

In addition to these precautions, you can also protect your credit cards with the everyday choices you make. For instance, using strong, unique passwords for all of your online financial services, from shopping to banking, can help you prevent theft. Keeping those strong passwords safe — that is, not written down on a post-it note on your laptop — will also help protect your financial information.

Regularly going over your credit card and banking statements can also help ensure that you're the only one making purchases with your credit cards. It was this daily habit of mine that made sure my scammers didn't actually receive the computer they tried to purchase with my credit card. The fact that I check my balance daily meant I was able to shut down the fraudulent sale before they received the goods, even though I fell down on the job of protecting my credit card information.

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This article is from Emily Guy Birken of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Reasons Not to Use Debit Cards When You Shop Online

Holly Johnson — Sat, 07 Nov 2020 22:45:14 +0000

Many consumers use their debit cards for everything they buy. Using debit instead of paying with a credit card can help you avoid the potential for debt. The money is taken out of your bank account directly and immediately, so there’s little chance to spend more than you have, unlike using a credit card.

But when shopping online, there are reasons to consider using a credit card instead.

Using a debit card for online purchases can mean enduring greater losses if you're a victim of fraud. Plus, you're giving up valuable consumer protections and rewards each time you make a purchase with debit in a store or online.

Here are all the reasons you may want to stop using debit and use a credit card instead.

1. You may be putting yourself at risk for fraud

It's easy to assume you won't be liable for fraudulent purchases made with your debit card or checking account number, but this isn't the case. Where most credit cards come with zero fraud liability thanks to rules enacted in the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), the same protections don't apply to transactions made with a debit card.

In fact, someone who finds your debit card number could wipe out all the money in your accounts. If you don't notice or report it in time, you won't have any way to get your money back.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), your level of liability depends on when you notice the fraud and report it. For example, if you report fraud within two business days after it's noticed, you're only liable for up to $50 in losses. If you report fraud within two to 60 days of your statement being mailed to you, you're only liable for up to $500. If you fail to report fraud once it's been 60 days from the date your statement was mailed to you, the FTC notes that you could lose "all the money taken from your ATM/debit card account, and possibly more; for example, money in accounts linked to your debit account."

2. You're missing out on rewards

In addition to putting yourself at risk for fraud, there are plenty of ways you're missing out when you shop online with a debit card. For example, you could be earning cash back or travel rewards if you made the same purchases with a rewards or travel credit card. These rewards can add up quickly, making it easier to see the world or splurge on merchandise, gift cards, and more.

While you can typically earn 1% to 3% back with a rewards or travel credit card, you can also double up on rewards by shopping through a cash back, travel rewards, or airline portal. You can also shop in portals with a debit card in some cases, but you'll mostly be limited to earning airline miles or cash back. (See also: How to Use Airline Shopping Portals to Cash In On Rewards)

3. You won't earn any sign-up bonuses

Using a debit card when you shop online also means giving up on the possibility of earning big sign-up bonuses. Keep in mind that many rewards credit cards offer consumers the chance to earn bonuses worth $500 or more when they meet a minimum spending requirement within a few months.

You may think you need to pay the annual fee on a credit card to qualify for sign-up bonuses or ongoing rewards, but this is far from the truth. The reality is, there are plenty of rewards credit cards that dole out sizable bonuses, ongoing rewards, and more without charging a fee each year. (See also: Don't Make These 6 Credit Card Sign-up Bonus Mistakes)

4. You're giving up valuable consumer protections

Another reason to use credit instead of debit is the fact that you could qualify for valuable consumer protections and free insurance. This can include travel protections like trip cancellation/interruption insurance, rental car insurance, travel accident insurance, baggage delay insurance, and more.

Other protections that can apply to your online purchases include extended warranties, purchase protection, and guaranteed returns. Most of the time, you won't qualify for any of these perks if you pay for your online purchases with a debit card. (See also: How Credit Cards Protect Your Purchases from Damage or Theft)

5. You're not building credit history

The final reason you may want to stop using your debit card is the fact that you're not building credit history based on your online purchases and everyday spending. When you use credit instead of debit, on the other hand, you're making regular purchases and payments that are reported to the three credit reporting agencies — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

Having your credit usage and payments reported to the credit bureaus is huge because it helps prove your creditworthiness and gives them a basis to increase your credit score over time. Using a debit card certainly won't hurt your credit score, but it won't help it, either.

Considering a credit card? Here's a warning

While using debit online can be more risky and less rewarding, it's still important to figure out if you're a candidate for credit card use. While credit cards do come with better protection against fraud, the potential for rewards, and valuable consumer protections, they can make it easier to overspend and wind up in debt.

Before you sign up for a credit card and start using it for purchases, it's important to make sure you're committed to staying on budget and spending only what you can afford. If you wind up with a mountain of debt with the high interest rates most credit cards charge, the rewards and protections you receive won't be much help.

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This article is from Holly Johnson of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Maximize Rewards on Everyday Spending

Holly Johnson — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 17:32:44 +0000

While many rewards enthusiasts focus on signing up for new credit cards to earn signup bonuses, not everyone has the time or desire to play the signup game. There is effort involved in tracking multiple cards, annual fees, and rewards programs, after all, and some people don't want to spend their time or mental energy this way.

If you're someone who falls into this category, you may be better off maximizing one or two cards instead of chasing rewards. Fortunately, you can earn plenty of rewards over time if you're savvy about your card's benefits and bonus categories.

The key to getting the most out of your rewards cards is understanding how they work and looking for opportunities to earn more points on your everyday spending. Here are some tips that can help.

Brainstorm every bill you could pay with a credit card

Because rewards cards offer points based on each dollar you spend, maximizing the amount you can spend on credit is the best way to boost your rewards haul. The smartest strategy to use here is figuring out how many of your monthly bills you can pay with a credit card.

While you may not be notified or aware, it's possible that bills you've been paying with a check or debit card for years can be paid with a credit card without any fees. While your bills may vary, some expenses you should try to pay with a credit card include:

Rent
Utility bills like electric or gas
Health insurance
Cable television and internet
Cell phone
Taxes
Daycare
Auto and home insurance
Subscription services
College tuition or student loans
Medical bills
Lawn care

Keep in mind that these are just some of the bills you could be paying with credit. Depending on your situation, you could have additional, uncommon expenses to cover that could be paid with credit with ease.

Also, remember that these additional bills should be paid with credit on top of your everyday expenses like groceries, dining out, gas or bus fare, and miscellaneous spending. Every time you buy something in person or online, you should strive to pay with your rewards card if you can.

Leverage your rewards card bonus categories

It's also important to leverage your favorite card bonus categories, whatever they may be. This is especially important if you have a few cards with different bonus categories since you'll want to make sure you're using the right card for bills that let you earn bonus points.

Let's say you have a travel credit card that earns 3x points on dining and travel and another card that earns 6x points at the grocery store. In that case, you would be smart to use the travel card for dining and travel purchases and your other card when you stock up on food. While the amount of rewards you earn with individual purchases may seem nominal, using the right card for the right purchase can help you earn a lot more rewards over time.

Set up auto-pay bills to be paid with credit

Most of us have bills set up to be paid automatically, whether it's our Netflix and Hulu subscriptions, gym membership, or utility bills. Make sure each bill you have set up to be paid automatically is set up to be paid with your rewards card and not a debit card. This way, you can earn rewards points on those expenses every month.

Use shopping portals and dining clubs

Many flexible rewards programs, frequent flyer programs, and hotel loyalty programs have shopping portals you can access to earn extra points. Major airlines like American, Delta, and United also have shopping portals that work similarly. (See also: How to Maximize Rewards Through Credit Card Shopping Portals)

Some programs like Southwest and Delta also offer dining clubs. These programs let you earn additional points or miles just for dining at participating restaurants in your area. It's easy and it's free to join, so you may as well earn extra miles on your spending if you're going to dine out anyway. (See also: Everything You Need to Know About Airline Dining Rewards Programs)

How much the average family can earn

If you are skeptical the average family can rack up meaningful rewards without signing up for new cards over and over again, look at how this might work in real life. For example, imagine a family of four with two rewards card-toting adults. Across the two of them, they have:

A cash back card that earns 2% back
A travel credit card that earns 3% on dining and travel
A rewards card that earns 6% cash back at the grocery store on up to $6,000 in spending each year

To figure out how much this family might earn, we used Bureau of Labor Statistics spending averages from 2017. Here's a rundown of that data for the year plus how much a family could earn in rewards over 12 months based on average expenses:

Food at home ($4,363): $261.78 in rewards at 6%
Food away from home ($3,365): $100.95 at 3%
Utilities, fuels, and public services ($3,836): $76.72 at 2%
Household operations ($1,412): $28.24 at 2%
Household supplies ($755): $45.30 at 6%
Household furnishings and equipment ($1,987): $39.74 at 2%
Apparel and services ($1,833): $36.66 at 2%
Gasoline and motor oil ($1,968): $39.36 at 2%
Other vehicle expenses ($2,842): $56.84 at 2%
Healthcare ($4,928): $98.56 at 2%
Entertainment ($3,203): $64.06 at 2%
Personal care products ($762): $45.72 at 6%
Education ($1,491): $29.82 at 2%

Total rewards: $923.75

While $900+ is a lot to earn in rewards within a year, you have the potential to earn a lot more. After all, these are just some of the expenses the average family faces and not all of them. If you could pay some additional big bills with credit each month like daycare or your rent, you could significantly add to your bottom line.

What to watch out for

While maximizing rewards cards is a smart idea if you're using them already anyway, there are always pitfalls to be aware of when you're using a credit card. Here's what to watch out for during your quest for more cash back and travel rewards.

Fees for using credit

While there are many bills you can pay with credit without a fee, some vendors, merchants, and service providers charge a fee to use a credit card as payment. Fees are especially prevalent on bills such as utilities, cable or internet, rent, and insurance. Make sure to verify you aren't being charged a fee to use credit before you proceed.

Annual fees

Don't forget that some rewards cards charge annual fees. These fees may be worth it depending on your spending and rewards haul, but you should always factor them into the equation to make sure each fee is worth paying. If you're against paying annual fees, look for rewards cards that don't charge one.

Budgeting mishaps

Using a credit card for all your expenses may simplify your financial life, but it could also cause your budget to fall out of whack. Make sure you're only spending on purchases you planned to make anyway, and that you're tracking your spending and paying off your credit cards regularly.

Debt

Never use credit cards for purchases you can't afford to repay if you're pursuing rewards. The interest you'll pay will always be much more than the rewards you earn. If you're worried using credit will cause you to rack up debt you can't afford to repay, you're better off sticking to cash or debit instead.

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This article is from Holly Johnson of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Best Products for Dry Skin

Chrissa Hardy — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 08:00:06 +0000

Anyone with dry skin knows the discomfort of flaking, uneven makeup, and the ongoing effort to keep your face looking hydrated. You want it to look dewy, but not oily. And you want your moisturizer to keep working its magic without leaving a greasy residue. It's a tough balance to strike.

If you're looking for a new dry-skin focused product to add to your skincare routine, the five below are excellent picks that won't break your budget. (See also: The 5 Best Stay-At-Home Skincare Essentials)

Top 5 Products for Dry Skin

Yes To Cucumbers Gentle Milk Cleanser

An Amazon's Choice product, the dermatologist-recommended Yes To Cucumbers Gentle Milk Cleanser works well on all skin types, including dry or sensitive skin. The natural cleanser is free of parabens, phthalates, and SLS. The gentle formula has calming ingredients and antioxidants like green tea, aloe vera, and soy proteins to moisturize the skin while cleansing it.

The Allure "Best of Beauty" award-winner is recommended by Consumer Search and backed by outstanding online reviews.

Currently $8.44 on Amazon.com

TruSkin Vitamin C Serum With Hyaluronic Acid

TruSkin Vitamin C Serum With Hyaluronic Acid is the perfect blend of ingredients that your dry skin needs. Vitamin C blends with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E in this advanced formula to target common signs of aging, including dark spots, sun spots, brightness, firmness, wrinkles, and fine lines. And it's free of synthetic color additives, fragrance, and stabilizers, while dynamic active botanicals like aloe vera, MSM, botanical hyaluronic acid, witch hazel, and organic jojoba oil make this serum feel silky smooth on the skin.

It also has over 15,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $19.99 at Amazon.com

Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Daily Moisturizer

As Amazon’s #1 best-seller in moisturizers, the Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Daily Moisturizer has a fast-absorbing formula that leaves skin soft and smooth. This oil-free, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic moisturizer won’t clog pores and is clinically proven to improve skin tone and texture and reduce skin discoloration in as little as four weeks.

The soy proteins work to reduce blotchiness and discoloration, while helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It contains SPF 15 UVA/UVB sunscreen to protect against the damaging effects of sun. It's also backed by over 5,500 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $12.98 on Amazon.com

Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Cream

The Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Cream contains an amino-peptide complex that will penetrate 10 layers of skin to regenerate the surface skin cells. Powerful anti-aging ingredients like vitamin E, green tea, and niacinamide help stimulate collagen and plump up fine lines and wrinkles overnight. The super-hydrating formula will also exfoliate the skin, so you will wake to softer, younger looking skin in the morning. The intensely moisturizing cream has a light purple color and botanical scent, and spreads easily over skin.

A little goes a long way, so this container should last you a long time. The dermatologist-recommended cream is non-greasy and ideal for people with normal, dry, or combination skin. It was selected as one of the best night creams by Total Beauty and has over 2,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $22.99 on Amazon.com

Glam Up Facial Sheet Masks

Glam Up Facial Sheet Masks come in 12 types and scents to fit all of your skincare needs using natural extracts, including shea butter, tomato, avocado, oatmeal, green tea, peppermint, and more. They are not tested on animals and are hypoallergenic. The Glam Up masks are designed with three layers to improve absorption into the skin.

They're also free of talc, paraben, silicone, synthetic colors, and sodium sulfate, and backed by over 1,500 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $9.88 at Amazon.com

And those are our recommendations for the best stay-at-home kitchen essentials. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

This article is from Chrissa Hardy of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Best Products for Oily Skin

Chrissa Hardy — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 08:00:05 +0000

Anyone with oily skin knows that keeping the shine out of your t-zone is a constant struggle. You're always checking it, feeling for it, or using blotting sheets or face powder to hide it. Plus, people with oily skin are often prone to breakouts, and managing acne can feel like a full-time job.

Luckily, there are thousands of products on the market just for people with oily skin, and many of them are budget-friendly! If you're looking to combat that shine with a new product, here are some excellent options. (See also: The 5 Best Stay-At-Home Skincare Essentials)

Top 5 Products for Oily Skin

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is ideal for all skin types, including combination skin, and softens as it cleans. The mild, non-irritating, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free formula gently cleanses the skin and removes dirt, oil, and makeup (even stubborn eye makeup). It is commonly recommended by dermatologists and pediatricians because it's gentle enough for use on skin with conditions like psoriasis, rosacea, acne, and eczema. The gentle formula rinses easily and will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth, like you washed with lotion.

This cleanser is also backed by over 2,500 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $18.90 on Amazon.com

Cosmedica Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Serum

The Cosmedica Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Serum is a best-seller on Amazon and can be used on all skin types. This serum is natural and organic, and improves overall skin texture and brightness. You'll see a noticeable difference in your skin in terms of plumpness, softness, and balance. And it's cruelty-free, paraben-free, and without dyes or fragrances.

It's also backed by over 10,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $15.00 on Amazon.com

Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Daily Moisturizer

As Amazon’s #1 best-seller in facial tinted moisturizers, the Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Daily Moisturizer has a fast-absorbing formula that leaves skin soft and smooth. This oil-free, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic moisturizer won’t clog pores and is clinically proven to improve skin tone and texture and reduce skin discoloration in as little as four weeks.

Currently $12.98 on Amazon.com

NYX Matte Blotting Paper

The NYX Matte Blotting Papers can eliminate excess oil, minimize pores, and even help prevent future breakouts and shine. These blotting papers are made of 100% pure pulpate paper and leave your complexion looking matte and gorgeous. They can refresh the skin and even help fight humidity to keep your skin matte all day. The 50 sheets have a five-year shelf life, so they will last in your purse or beauty bag.

They are also an Amazon best-seller, with hundreds of five-star reviews.

Currently $4.00 on Amazon.com

The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask

The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask can help with acne, breakouts, and oily skin. The silky cleansing clay mask contains lemon tea tree oil and Tamanu oil, and it has menthol, which creates a soothing effect for acne-prone skin, helping to calm irritation and redness. It's the perfect natural blemish fighter because it eliminates existing blemishes, prevents future breakouts, removes impurities, and controls oil and shine. It has antibacterial benefits and will leave your skin feeling deeply cleansed, refreshed, soft, smooth, and ready for makeup.

This natural alternative for blemish prone skin is recommended by Allure and is a Total Beauty Top-Rated Beauty Product. It has rave reviews online, including from those who struggle with acne.

Currently $14.49 on Amazon

And those are our recommendations for the best stay-at-home kitchen essentials. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

This article is from Chrissa Hardy of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Best Hyaluronic Acid Serums

Chrissa Hardy — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 19:19:55 +0000

Hyaluronic acid has gained a reputation of being a miracle product for the skin, and for good reason. It relieves dry skin, accelerates the healing of wounds, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. And that's just to start. It can be a key ingredient in moisturizers and face masks, or it can be concentrated in a serum that you can apply as part of your everyday skincare routine.

If you're looking to give this versatile product a spin, any of the five below are excellent picks that won't break your budget. (See also: The 5 Best Stay-At-Home Skincare Essentials)

Top 5 Hyaluronic Acid Serums

Cosmedica Skincare Hyaluronic Acid Serum

It's also backed by over 15,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $15.00 at Amazon.com

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid + B5 Serum

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid + B5 Serum is famous for a reason. This brand creates simple, straightforward skincare products for all skin types. The hyaluronic acid + B5 serum has a concentration of 2% for multi-depth hydration in a water-based formula and the B5 also enhances surface hydration.

This serum is cruelty-free and backed by over 2,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $16.95 at Amazon.com

TruSkin Vitamin C Serum With Hyaluronic Acid

TruSkin Vitamin C Serum With Hyaluronic Acid is the perfect blend of ingredients that your skin needs. Vitamin C blends with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E in this advanced formula to target common signs of aging, including dark spots, sun spots, brightness, firmness, wrinkles, and fine lines. And it's free of synthetic color additives, fragrance, and stabilizers, while dynamic active botanicals like Aloe Vera, MSM, Botanical Hyaluronic Acid, Witch Hazel, and organic Jojoba oil make this serum feel silky smooth on the skin.

It also has over 15,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $19.99 at Amazon.com

Yeouth Pure Hyaluronic Acid

Yeouth's Pure Hyaluronic Acid can diminish signs of dark circles, age spots, and puffiness when used regularly. This formula is made from naturally-derived ingredients that protect and nourish even the most sensitive skin, including delicate skin around the eyes and lips. It boosts collagen production and holds in moisture.

It's also cruelty-free and paraben-free, and backed by over 3,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $21.95 at Amazon.com

Tree of Life Hyaluronic Acid Serum

The Tree of Life Hyaluronic Acid Serum also has vitamin C and vitamin E, and this formula is infused with special anti-aging ingredients designed to further enhance and activate hyaluronic acid's moisturizing properties. Hyaluronic acid is known for helping the skin stay supple and soft and reducing wrinkles and age spots.

It's backed by outstanding online reviews, including over 3,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $10.95 at Amazon.com

And those are our recommendations for the best stay-at-home kitchen essentials. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

This article is from Chrissa Hardy of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Best Eye Shadow Palettes

Chrissa Hardy — Fri, 29 May 2020 18:58:14 +0000

Just because you're going out less frequently doesn't mean you have to let your eye shadow game slip. I mean, you want to glow like a goddess on those Zoom meetings, right? And now you have plenty of time to perfect your look and find new colors to make your eyes pop.

You know your go-to colors, sure, but why not try something fun and new? Here are some excellent eye shadow palettes that offer a wide range of shades and won't break your budget. (See also: The 5 Best Stay-At-Home Beauty Essentials)

Top 5 Eye Shadow Palettes

Lamora Nude Eye Shadow Palette

The Lamora Eye Shadow Palette in nude is a best-seller for a reason. It was created with high-quality ingredients into a waterproof cream formula. In order to enhance the wearer's natural beauty, this palette offers 16 rich colors from rose gold to dark brown. The palette comes in a sleek case that's small enough to take on-the-go.

It includes a message inside that says "Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful," which is a reminder we all need, and it's backed by over 9,500 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $15.95 at Amazon.com

UCANBE Twilight and Dusk Eye Shadow Palette

The UCANBE Twilight and Dusk Eye Shadow Palette includes 18 incredible shades — 10 matte, seven shimmer and one metallic glitter colors that will make your eyes catch everyone else's. All shades are waterproof, easy to blend, safe for sensitive skin, and has not been tested on animals. With the wide range of colors, you can easily take your look from day to night.

This palette is also backed by over 1,500 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $9.98 at Amazon.com

L.A. Girl's Beauty Brick Eye Shadow Palette

L.A. Girl's Beauty Brick Eye Shadow Palette is the ideal palette to take on-the-go because of its magnetic case, double-sided applicator, and mirror so you can apply your shadow wherever you are. It has 12 highly pigmented nude shades featuring smooth mattes and dimensional shimmers. You can create a look for every occasion using the double-sided brush to contour, line, and highlight your lids.

It also has over 5,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $6.99 at Amazon.com

Beauty Glazed Shimmer Eye Shadow Palette

The Beauty Glazed Shimmer Eye Shadow Palette offers 15 gorgeous colors in a long-lasting formula that you'll never want to take off. It's waterproof too, so no need to worry about the weather interfering with your look. From light pinks to bold blues, this palette is bound to make your eyes pop.

And it's backed by over 2,000 four-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $9.99 at Amazon.com

SHANY Bold and Bright Eye Shadow Palette

If you want a complete palette to meet all of your makeup needs, the SHANY Bold and Bright Eye Shadow Palette is it. This palette has 120 bold colors to match every item of clothing in your closet, every mood, and every occasion. Each color is highly pigmented and won't smudge. Whether you're a beginner in eye makeup or a polished veteran, this palette will be your new favorite makeup item.

It's backed by outstanding online reviews, including over 1,000 four-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $17.96 at Amazon.com

And those are our recommendations for the best stay-at-home kitchen essentials. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

This article is from Chrissa Hardy of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Best Sheet Masks

Chrissa Hardy — Wed, 27 May 2020 18:38:23 +0000

There are few things more satisfying at the end of a long day than putting on a sheet mask. The healing gel that coats the inside of a sheet mask offers immediate relief to your skin, and after you remove it, your face is left dewy and luminous. And most of the time, you don't even need to wash your face afterwards. You can just leave the remaining gel to seep into your skin and continue working its magic.

If you're new to the sheet mask scene, or are just looking for a new one to try, any of the five below are excellent picks that won't break your budget. (See also: The 5 Best Stay-At-Home Skincare Essentials)

Top 5 Sheet Masks

Dermal Korea Full Face Sheet Masks

The Dermal Korea Full Face Sheet Masks are a best-seller on Amazon and can be used on all skin types. They contain collagen and vitamin E, both of which rejuvenate the skin and repair skin cells. These masks also moisturize dry and irritated skin, and tighten pores. Once applied, leave them on for 15-20 minutes before removing. They are also cruelty-free with natural ingredients.

They're available in a wide range of types and are backed by over 6,500 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $9.99 at Amazon.com

Glam Up Facial Sheet Masks

They're also free of talc, paraben, silicone, synthetic colors, and sodium sulfate, and backed by over 1,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $9.88 at Amazon.com

LA Pure Korean Face Masks

LA Pure's Korean Face Masks will be your new best friend while stuck at home. Using snail secretion filtrate — a popular ingredient in Korean beauty products — these masks repair, nourish, and rejuvenate your skin in just 15-20 minutes. The other natural ingredients in these masks include aloe vera, cucumber, star anise, panax ginseng, and more. They are cruelty-free, paraben-free, and are made from 100% cotton.

They also have hundreds of five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $18.97 at Amazon.com

Celavi Essence Sheet Masks

The Celavi Essence Sheet Masks can diminish signs of dark circles, age spots, puffiness, and pigmentation when used regularly. They are infused with natural botanical ingredients like tea tree, cucumber, honey, charcoal, and avocado and made for all skin types. These masks will leave your skin feeling super soft and looking radiant in no time.

They're also cruelty-free and paraben-free, and backed by over 1,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $9.99 at Amazon.com

Viva Naturals Sheet Masks

The Viva Naturals Sheet Masks are another great option if you're trying to recreate a spa-like experience at home. In just 15 minutes, these masks cleanse and detoxify your skin using a blend of collagen and hyaluronic acid. They come in four types: Soothing (Lavender), Glowing (Ylang Ylang), Brightening (Sweet Orange), and Revitalizing (Rose), and all provide superior results, even on sensitive skin.

They're backed by outstanding online reviews, including over 500 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $21.95 at Amazon.com

And those are our recommendations for the best stay-at-home kitchen essentials. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

This article is from Chrissa Hardy of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Best Stay-At-Home Haircare Essentials

Chrissa Hardy — Mon, 18 May 2020 20:07:42 +0000

The worst part of being stuck at home is the inability to get your regular haircuts and colors. And even though that's a major inconvenience, it's not worth breaking quarantine early. Besides, there are hundreds of products on the market that can help you maintain hair health until the salons reopen.

Whether you're looking for a dry shampoo to extend your style, or a root cover-up to hide those grays, you can find all the products to meet your haircare needs and have them delivered right to your door. (See also: The 5 Best Home Hair Dyes)

Top 5 Stay-At-Home Haircare Essentials

Crave Naturals Glide Thru Detangler Hair Brush

The Crave Naturals Glide Thru Detangling Brush is a best-seller on Amazon and is ideal for any hair type, including adult’s hair, kids’ hair, fine hair, and even extensions. It easily detangles hair, adds shine, minimizes split ends, and improves hair health. The brush has firm, painless bristles that massage the scalp, smooth the follicle layer, and increase circulation, which may help increase hair growth. The unique cone-shaped plastic bristles work to separate the hair sideways instead of down, gently gliding through even the toughest knots and tangles.

The brush is available in a wide range of colors and is backed by over 7,000 four-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $11.88 at Amazon.com

amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo

amika Perk Up dry shampoo was voted one of the best dry shampoos by several publications because it can help improve hair health with each use. The ultra-lightweight, talc-free mist is formulated to clean and refresh hair, absorb excess oil and dirt, add volume, refresh the roots, and shape without buildup. The nutrient-rich, vegan, dry shampoo contains sea buckthorn berry extract, which is high in antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fatty acids. This helps repair split ends, impart shine, and strengthen and nourish hair.

This dry shampoo is perfect for when you want to extend your style an additional day without washing. It's ideal for all hair types, including color treated hair, and does not leave any powdery white residue behind. It also has over 1,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $25.00 at Amazon.com

L'Oreal Paris Magic Root Cover Up Gray Concealer

The L'Oreal Paris Magic Root Cover Up Gray Concealer will be your new best friend while stuck at home. If you're sporting a new crop of grays that you wish to hide temporarily, this is the product for you. The gray concealer spray comes in a variety of colors to match your current color. It's fast-drying, water-resistant, ammonia and peroxide-free, and leaves no residue. It's also good for all hair types.

And it has over 7,000 four-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $8.19 at Amazon.com

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave-In Conditioner

The Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave-In Conditioning Cream is ideal for frizzy, dry, and unmanageable hair. The frizz-fighting formula will leave your hair smooth, shiny, manageable, and renewed without weighing it down or leaving it feeling greasy. In fact, it promises to provide you with smoother hair that will stay sleek for three days, even in 97% humidity. This cream has a powerful combination of vitamins, and argan oil from Morocco that soaks deep into the hair to smooth each strand. It's also paraben and silicone-free.

It is backed by over 3,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $2.99 at Amazon.com

Equinox International Professional Barber Hair Cutting Shears

The Equinox International Professional Hair Cutting Shears are your best bet if you're itching to trim your hair at home. These shears are made from Japanese stainless steel and tempered with precise blades and hand-sharpened cutting edges with an easy grip handle design to evenly trim hair. At just 4.8 ounces and 6.5 inches long, they are lightweight enough for anyone to use.

They're backed by outstanding online reviews, including over 5,500 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $23.97 at Amazon.com

And those are our recommendations for the best stay-at-home kitchen essentials. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

This article is from Chrissa Hardy of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Best Cozy Home Essentials

Chrissa Hardy — Thu, 07 May 2020 18:41:26 +0000

The best part of being stuck at home is the ability to make your space a serene paradise bursting with coziness. Spend the afternoon curled up on the couch with a warm blanket and a good book, and then do it again the next day! It's not like you can go anywhere right now anyway, right?

If you look around your living room or bedroom and don't immediately want to take a nap, something's missing. But that's ok! Add any of the following items to your space and you'll almost be glad you can't leave. (See also: The 5 Best Stay-At-Home Self-Care Essentials)

Top 5 Cozy Home Essentials

Chanasya Shaggy Longfur Faux Fur Throw Blanket

The Chanasya Shaggy Longfur Faux Fur Throw Blanket is a must-have if you're trying to create the coziest environment possible in your home. The cruelty-free faux fur material is 100% microfiber polyester and is super soft, lightweight, hypoallergenic, and machine-washable. It's extremely versatile, and can be used as a statement throw blanket for your couch, or the main source of warmth on your bed, as it comes in a variety of sizes. It also comes in several colors, so you'll easily be able to match it to your home's color scheme.

This blanket is backed by outstanding reviews online and has over 5,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $29.99 at Amazon.com

Naipo Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager

The Naipo Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager can relieve tension, stress, and anxiety by relaxing your body. With the control panel, you can change the direction and speed or add heat. It has an ergonomic U-design, PU leather, breathable 3D mesh fabric, and comfortable, flexible straps, so you can easily apply pressure where you need it most. It also has a 20-minute auto-off function and overheat protection. This massager has eight deep-kneading Shiatsu massage nodes to help relieve muscle tightness, increase circulation, and even improve sleep.

It's also backed by more than 8,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $64.99 at Amazon.com

Husband Pillow

If you're looking to improve your reading or relaxing experience on the bed or couch, look no further than the Husband Pillow. This microplush pillow contains premium shredded memory foam and has a high backrest that supports your entire upper body, with a circular pillow that adds additional neck support at the top. It's versatile and portable, so you can take it wherever you go. The Husband Pillow also comes in a wide range of colors to choose from.

And it has over 2,500 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $84.95 at Amazon.com

BELLA Electric Tea Kettle

The BELLA Electric Tea Kettle is the perfect addition to any kitchen, as it can boil water faster than a microwave and it's safer than a standard kettle on the stove top. Turn it on with the flip of a switch and make your favorite hot beverage or meal using the fully detachable 360-degree power base. The kettle also has an automatic shut off and boil dry protection, as well as a concealed heating element for maximum safety. It comes in several beautiful designs to add a unique pop of color to your kitchen.

It also has over 2,500 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $33.81 at Amazon.com

Pure Daily Care Aromatherapy Diffuser

The Pure Daily Care Aromatherapy Diffuser has a 300 ml capacity and comes with a 10-piece set of essential oils in classic scents like lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, orange, peppermint, lemongrass, and more. It includes seven ambient light modes with two intensity settings for 14 different light combinations. It also includes four timer settings and a convenient auto shutoff feature for low water levels. This diffuser is made of BPA-free plastic and features a beautiful wood grain design.

It's backed by outstanding online reviews, including over 4,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $48.95 at Amazon.com

And those are our recommendations for the best stay-at-home kitchen essentials. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

This article is from Chrissa Hardy of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Best Stay-At-Home Beauty Essentials

Chrissa Hardy — Tue, 05 May 2020 19:53:44 +0000

An important aspect of self-care is basic grooming and hygiene, and without the need to leave the house every day, that can take a backseat. It's understandable, since you can attend work meetings sans pants and have your own happy hours well before 5 p.m.

Your daily routines have changed quite a bit, but that doesn't mean you need to neglect your beauty regimens, especially if they boost your self-esteem and give you a sense of control in this strange, chaotic time. Use any of the items below, and you'll feel like a glowing goddess in no time — all without breaking your budget. (See also: The 5 Best Eyelash Curlers)

Top 5 Stay-At-Home Beauty Essentials

amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo

Currently $25.00 at Amazon.com

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair can visibly fade the look of stubborn wrinkles and crow's feet, brighten skin tone, smooth fine lines and texture, and protect the skin from the sun's damaging rays with SPF 30. It combines Retinol SA with hyaluronic acid and glucose complex, an exclusive booster that delivers pure stabilized retinol into the skin's surface, leaving skin smoother. The exclusive sustained action works to continuously moisturize and renew the look of skin throughout the day, helping to smooth wrinkles fast and diminish the look of age spots.

It is backed by outstanding reviews online and has over 4,500 four-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $17.50 at Amazon.com

Sally Hansen Cream Hair Remover Kit

The Sally Hansen Cream Hair Remover Duo Kit has remained one of the most popular pain-free hair removal creams for the face, upper lip, and chin area for women. After using the gentle hair remover cream, you can use the extra care skin conditioning lotion to soothe and moisturize the skin. The kit is also enhanced by collagen and vitamin E to soften and smooth the skin, as well as willow herb and pumpkin seed extracts to reduce the appearance of hair regrowth.

Since you can't get to the salon for a wax or threading, this is your best bet for at-home hair removal. Many users found that the vanilla scent is much better than most other hair removal products. It also has over 1,500 four-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $5.27 at Amazon.com

Hempz Original Herbal Moisturizer

Hempz Original Herbal Moisturizer is one of Amazon’s best-sellers and top rated items, with more than 6,500 5-star reviews. This lotion is a cult classic because it absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving no greasy residue behind. It contains 100% pure natural hemp seed oil and other pure herbal extracts. It will moisturize and protect your skin for 12 hours using essential fatty acids, key amino acids, Shea butter, and ginseng. It also contains vitamins A, C, and E, which can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and stretch marks.

Most reviewers describe the scent as light and fresh, but if you aren’t a fan, there are a number of other options available, like green tea with Asian pear, sweet pineapple and honey melon, and fresh coconut and watermelon.

Currently $13.28 at Amazon.com

Tweezerman Stainless Steel Slant Tweezer

The best-selling, award-winning Tweezerman Stainless Steel Slant Tweezers have been recommended by professional makeup artists, celebrities, and models. The stainless steel tips are hand-filed, sharp enough for precision hair removal, perfectly aligned, and have a 25-degree angled edge, which works well against the brow bone. Stainless steel is safer than other types of metals, so these shouldn’t cause skin irritation or infections. They are also available in a range of colors.

These high-quality tweezers are backed by outstanding online reviews, including over 3,000 four-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $23.00 at Amazon.com

And those are our recommendations for the best stay-at-home kitchen essentials. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

This article is from Chrissa Hardy of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Best Stay-At-Home Skincare Essentials

Chrissa Hardy — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 17:07:39 +0000

With social distancing measures in place and stay-at-home orders issued, it's been difficult for many of us to replicate the beauty treatments that we're used to getting at our local salons. Which face mask should you use? Is it time to try a new night cream? Are you using the right products for your skin type? Without the regular guidance of your dermatologist or esthetician, these are not easy questions to answer. Luckily, you don't need an expert to build your ideal skincare regimen. You can DIY!

If you've been missing your regular facial appointments, or you're just looking to switch up your skincare routine, the items below will give your skin a fresh glow, without breaking your budget. (See also: The 5 Best Acne Treatments)

Top 5 Stay-At-Home Skincare Essentials

Neutrogena Cleansing Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

Neutrogena Cleansing Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover can remove even the most stubborn makeup, like waterproof mascara. The dermatologist-developed, ophthalmologist-tested remover is safe for contact lens wearers and won’t irritate even the most sensitive skin. The oil-free, fragrance-free remover has been clinically proven to naturally remove makeup while moisturizing the skin around the eyes. Your skin will feel clean and fresh thanks to the aloe and cucumber extracts. It is 97% naturally derived and leaves no greasy residue behind.

This is one of Amazon’s best-selling makeup removers. Good Housekeeping selected it as the best remover for waterproof makeup, as well as a top performer compared to all other waterproof eye makeup removers. It also has over 5,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $5.82 at Amazon.com

Mario Badescu Cleansing Milk

The Mario Badescu Cleansing Milk with carnation rice oil is enriched with vitamins and antioxidants to smooth and soften the skin. The gentle, creamy, wipe-off cleanser works on all skin types, including dry and sensitive skin. It removes makeup and debris, fights free radicals, and slows skin degradation.

The cult classic has outstanding online reviews and is frequently recommended by beauty bloggers. It also has hundreds of four-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $12.00 at Amazon.com

Pure Body Naturals Dead Sea Mud Mask

As Amazon’s #1 best-seller in facial masks, this Dead Sea Mud Mask can produce noticeable results on both the face and body. The mask is rich in natural minerals and nourishing oils that are known to treat, detoxify, cleanse, and hydrate the skin. After each use, the mask can minimize pores and blackheads, reduce wrinkles, fight acne, remove dead skin cells, stimulate circulation, absorb excess oil and toxins, and moisturize the skin.

This premium spa quality mask can even help reduce the appearance of acne scarring on the face. It can also treat other conditions of the skin, besides acne and acne scarring, and can even provide incredible anti-aging benefits. It also has over 8,000 four-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $13.99 at Amazon.com

Alina Skin Care Enhanced Vitamin C Serum With Hyaluronic Acid

Alina Skin Care Enhanced Vitamin C Serum is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to wrap their serum and moisturizer up in one simple step. This feels like a cream, but works like a serum, penetrating the surface levels of the skin to deeply repair your skin. It's enhanced by vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, organic aloe vera extract, green and white tea extracts, and Alina’s antioxidant blend, which can help fight free radicals and reduce stress to the skin.

It's also a powerful collagen booster and anti-aging solution, so it can help reduce the signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles. This has outstanding reviews and over 1,000 four-star reviews on Amazon alone.

Currently $24.46 at Amazon.com

CeraVe Moisturizing Facial Lotion PM

CeraVe Moisturizing Facial Lotion PM can repair the most damaged skin by replenishing ceramides throughout the night. The lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer contains hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and repairing ceramides. The dermatologist recommended lotion has patented time release MVE technology, which will slowly release the potent ingredients over time. It's fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and is ideal for all skin types, particularly for sensitive and dry skin.

This lotion was selected as the best night cream by Consumer Search and received an InStyle Award for the Best Night Cream. It's also recommended by Total Beauty, Into the Gloss, and About.com. It also has stellar online reviews, including more than 2,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $12.38 at Amazon.com

And those are our recommendations for the best stay-at-home kitchen essentials. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

This article is from Chrissa Hardy of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Best Home Office Essentials

Chrissa Hardy — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 15:52:53 +0000

Lately, many of us have had to scramble to create a suitable home office using the items and space we have on hand. That is no easy task, especially when you're on a budget.

But once you have the desk space, a chair, and your necessary devices, you only need a few more items to make your work-from-home setup complete. You need to make sure you're comfortable, you have the space you need, and you can also organize important documents and keep your cables from knotting up into a messy ball. The items below will provide all of the above, and make your work-from-home transition a stress-free process. (See also: The 5 Best Bluetooth Keyboards)

Top 5 Home Office Essentials

Epson Perfection V600 Photo & Document Scanner

For those looking to scan photographs, documents, and film in color, the Epson Perfection V600 Photo & Document Scanner is the scanner to beat. This scanner produces high quality photo and film scans at a resolution of 6400 x 9600 dpi. It's also capable of fixing dust, scratches, and other physical defects from photos, making your old photos look brand new. You can also convert scanned documents into editable text — ABBYY FineReader Sprint Plus OCR. This scanner has over 3,000 four-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $219.99 at Amazon.com

SOFTaCARE Seat Cushion

The SOFTaCARE Seat Cushion can help ease strained and tense muscles caused by sitting in an office chair all day. The two-piece cushion set includes a seat cushion and lumbar support pillow that decrease pressure on the coccyx and relieve pain of sciatica, herniated discs, tailbone injuries, and pregnancy back pain. The seat cushion features a non-slip rubber bottom to keep in place, and a washable velour zippered cover for easy cleaning. The lumbar support pillow has 3D breathable mesh and two adjustable straps. This set also has over 4,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $53.91 at Amazon.com

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones are a hit year after year for a reason. They feature three levels of world-class noise cancellation for a better listening experience in any environment, noise-rejecting dual-microphone system for clear sound and voice pick-up, and they are Alexa-enabled for voice access to music, information, and more. These headphones also come with Bose AR — an innovative, audio-only version of augmented reality — and the Bluetooth-pairing process is completely hassle-free. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones also have over 20,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $299.00 at Amazon.com

OHill Self-Adhesive Cord Holders

These OHill Self-Adhesive Cord Holders are essential for anyone newly working from home. They keep those cluttered cables and cords around your desk, TV, power strip, filing cabinets, computer, or cell phone much nicer, organized, and tangle-free. These black cord holders come in a 16-pack in various sizes to fit all kinds of cords.

The self-adhesive backing is easy to use and install the cord organizers, with an extra strong sticky pad that holds them securely and adhered easily to multiple surfaces. They also have over 2,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $9.99 at Amazon.com

Belkin 12-Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector

Amazon’s #1 best-seller in power strips, the Belkin 12-Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector features six regular surge-protected outlets and six BlockSpace surge-protected outlets for larger adapters. It has a 3996-Joule energy rating and features two USB ports.

Belkin is the leader in surge protection, so you can count on this to work well. It is also backed by a Lifetime Warranty and $250,000 Connected Equipment Warranty for your added peace of mind. It has outstanding online reviews, including more than 2,500 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $34.99 at Amazon.com

And those are our recommendations for the best stay-at-home kitchen essentials. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

This article is from Chrissa Hardy of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Best Stay-At-Home Self-Care Essentials

Chrissa Hardy — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 17:54:12 +0000

Even though we're all staying at home, and encouraged to do so for the foreseeable future, getting in the right mindset to relax has not been easy. Between the grim news updates, many local business and public places being closed, and having to share the same space as your entire family all the time, self-care can feel like an impossible chore.

Luckily, all you need to do to prioritize self-care is make sure you have the proper tools and accessories to create a spa-like atmosphere at home. And it won't even put a dent in your budget. Use any of the items below, throw on some sweatpants, and take some time just for you. (See also: The 5 Best Massage Tools)

Top 5 Stay-At-Home Self-Care Essentials

The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask

The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask can help with acne, breakouts, and oily skin. The silky cleansing clay mask contains lemon tea tree oil and Tamanu oil, so it has a smell that most reviewers tend to like. The instantly cooling mask has menthol, which creates a soothing effect for acne-prone skin, helping to calm irritation and redness. It is the perfect natural blemish fighter because it eliminates existing blemishes, prevents future breakouts, removes impurities, and controls oil and shine. It has antibacterial benefits and will leave your skin feeling deeply cleansed, refreshed, soft, smooth, and ready for makeup.

This natural alternative for blemish-prone skin is recommended by Allure and is a Total Beauty Top-Rated Beauty Product and has hundreds of five-star reviews Amazon.

Currently $14.49 at Amazon.com

FIVE S Vibration Massage Seat Cushion

The portable FIVE S Vibration Massage Seat Cushion can help with pain or provide the perfect at-home spa experience at the end of a long day. The vibrating massager includes a seat cushion, optional heat function, and a remote and car adapter, so you can use it at home or in the car. The 10-motor vibration massage cushion can help with pain in the neck, shoulders, back, and thighs. It has three massage speeds, four massage programs, and four zones to hit each area of the body. It also has automatic shut down after 30 minutes. It's also backed by over 2,500 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $69.99 at Amazon.com

Conair True Glow All-In-One Nail Care System

If you’re looking to replicate the luxurious service you get at the nail salon, then the Conair True Glow All-In-One Nail Care System is right for you. The unique all-in-one design offers professional results from home. This nail care system can help create the perfect manicure and pedicure in just four easy steps. You can quickly shape, smooth, and polish natural or acrylic nails using the 12 attachments, including a cuticle shaper, metal smoothing plate, metal shaping plate, buffing plate, smoothing plate, medium stone cone, large sapphire cone, medium sapphire cone, small sapphire cone, smoothing disc, shaping disc, and buffing disc.

The rechargeable nail tool has variable speed control and light to help you achieve flawless results. The manicure bowl will help soften nails and cuticles, while the built-in nail dryer can speed up drying time so your nails look picture perfect in no time.

Currently $49.99 at Amazon.com

Sleep Master Sleep Mask

The Sleep Master Sleep Mask is ideal for anyone who needs to completely block out the light and sound around them. This can virtually shut off the world while you sleep. The fully adjustable, lightweight, soft, breathable cool satin sleep mask comfortably surrounds your head and covers your ears to quickly create a relaxing effect. By simultaneously blocking light and muffling sound, it can help induce a deep, refreshing sleep.

It is wide enough to comfortably fit your head and connects in the back with velcro strips. It is hypoallergenic, latex-free, hand-washable, and also works well with a CPAP facial mask. Sleep Master claims that it’s also more hygienic and longer-lasting than other masks on the market. It is an Amazon best-seller and has over 3,000 four-star reviews.

Currently $25.90 at Amazon.com

DreamFoam Bedding Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper

Amazon’s Choice for memory foam mattress toppers, the DreamFoam Bedding Gel Swirl Memory Foam Topper is made of soft visco-elastic CertiPUR-certified gel-infused memory foam, which adds a lot of comfort and support to any aging mattress. The 2-inch memory foam mattress topper reduces motion transfer and won't generate or retain a lot of heat.

It is available in a range of sizes and backed by a three-year warranty. It's also Consumer Search's top pick and recommended by The Wirecutter and The Sweethome. It has outstanding online reviews, including more than 5,500 four-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $63.99 at Amazon.com

And those are our recommendations for the best stay-at-home kitchen essentials. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

This article is from Chrissa Hardy of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Best Stay-At-Home Fitness Essentials

Chrissa Hardy — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 16:11:35 +0000

Since we can't currently visit our local gyms, participate in group fitness classes, or take in spectacular views on popular hiking or jogging trails, we have to get creative if we want to work up a sweat. And a big part of that is assembling a budget-friendly home gym that also doesn't take up too much space — which isn't always easy. You don't need a room full of bulky cardio machines to get fit at home, and most of us couldn't afford that anyway.

Just a few key items and versatile accessories will help you tone every muscle in your body, and will keep you safe and healthy during your time at home. Use any of the items below, throw on a fun playlist, and get your sweat on. (See also: The 5 Best Women's Cross Training Shoes)

Top 5 Stay-At-Home Fitness Essentials

Home-Complete 4 Resistance Exercise Loop Bands

As Amazon’s #1 best-seller in physical therapy arm exercisers, the Home-Complete 4 Resistance Exercise Loop Bands are ideal for your physical therapy needs and can increase your flexibility, balance, and strength quickly. This affordable set of four durable bands with varying resistance (Light-Green, Medium-Blue, Heavy-Red and XX-Heavy-Black) can help strengthen and tone your shoulders, hips, arms, and legs. The multifunctional loop bands can be used for ankle resistance, knee resistance, leg resistance, and on the thighs and wrists.

These bands offer a complete body toning workout, so you can tone and strengthen any affected areas. They are ideal for physical therapy rehabilitation, weight loss, Pilates, yoga, and stretching. They can also be effective in recovery from torn MCL, torn ACL, knee replacement, and patella and meniscus rehab. These bands also have over 2,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $9.99 at Amazon.com

Sivan Health and Fitness Extra Thick NBR Comfort Foam Mat

The Sivan Health and Fitness Extra Thick NBR Comfort Foam Mat is ideal for all your favorite exercises, including yoga and Pilates. It is also one of the thickest mats on the market, providing better impact absorption. The extra thick mat is made with specially designed memory foam, so it will optimally protect your knees and joints.

The mat has a ribbed surface on one side and a smooth surface on the other side, so it will grip the floor to improve your workout and prevent injuries. The durable, long-lasting material is moisture-resistant and easy to clean, so it will last you for years. It is available in different colors and comes with an integrated carry strap, so it is easy to transport. This mat also has over 6,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $38.99 at Amazon.com

Trideer Exercise Ball

The Trideer Exercise Ball is one of the highest density exercise balls on the market. It is 2,000 micrometers thick and can resist up to 2,200 lbs. It's also made of top quality materials, free of toxic PVC material, BPA, and heavy metals. This ball comes in a small box and includes a quick inflation foot pump. You can use this for physical therapy, yoga, Pilates, back and abdominal training, pregnancy exercises, and more. The Trideer Exercise Ball comes in five sizes and is also backed by more than 5,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $33.99 at Amazon.com

Fit Skuad Jump Rope

The Fit Skuad Jump Rope is the perfect addition to your home gym. It comes with a fully adjustable 10-foot long cable, and is fitted with extra-large screws that make it easy to adjust. It can be used by adults and kids, from beginners in fitness to swole elites. This jump rope has light and durable aluminum handles and a foam grip for better feel. The steel cable is coated with a PVC sleeve for protection and better durability.

You'll also receive a premium carrying bag so you can bring your rope wherever you go. It's also backed by over 800 five-star Amazon reviews.

Currently $19.99 at Amazon.com

Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike

The Marcy Recumbent Exercise Bike allows you to get in a stellar cardio workout without ever leaving your home. The bike uses a magnetic resistance mechanism with eight resistance levels. The tension knobs control the difficulty to simulate riding on different terrains and customize your workout according to your fitness level. It comes with a high-density foam cushioned seat, and an LCD computer screen that acts as an odometer and has a sharp panel display that shows time, speed, distance, and calories burned. This exercise bike currently has over 5,000 five-star ratings on Amazon.

Currently $159.99 at Amazon.com

And those are our recommendations for the best stay-at-home kitchen essentials. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

This article is from Chrissa Hardy of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: