hacks

8 Simple Ways to Take Stunning Travel Photos

Nick Wharton — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 10:30:33 +0000

Having beautiful photos of your trip is one of the best mementos you can bring back with you, to share with friends and family, and to look back on fondly. Whether you're an experienced photographer or you're just trying to get a nice shot on your vacation, here are some tips for capturing the best images possible on your trip.

1. Consider Your Subject

The first step is to think about what it is that you want to capture. This could be anything, including a person, a building or landmark, or a landscape.

Instead of just snapping shots randomly and hoping that one will come out the way you like, take a moment to assess what it is you hope to communicate with your picture. A shot of a lone tree on a dry prairie communicates something very different from a candid photo of locals laughing while they play mahjong in the park.

When someone looks at your picture they should be able to identify what it was you were trying to portray.

2. Lighting Is Everything

When you're taking a picture, you are always working with light, since that is how your camera is able to capture an image. Different lighting can dramatically alter the mood and clarity of your subject.

Many photographers recommend you to take pictures an hour after sunrise or an hour before sunset — the so-called golden hours — because the light at these times is soft, diffused, and flattering to most subjects.

However, you can still take pictures during the rest of the day. Especially if you are working with a camera in automatic mode, utilizing the ample light during the day can help you to get a great shot.

Be cautious about taking pictures that are backlit. A backlit photo is any shot where the sun is behind the subject that you're shooting. Used intentionally, backlighting can produce gorgeous silhouette images. To do that, you'll need to expose for the background, making the subject dark enough that most detail is lost.

You can also use backlighting to create an effect where the subject is exposed correctly, but the background is overexposed, giving it a dreamy, faded look, sometimes purposely accented by sun flares. You might want to use a "fill flash" to fill in shadows on the subject as well.

If those backlit effects are not what you're aiming for, position yourself so that the sun is behind you, the photographer, which will ensure that your subject is properly exposed. Sometimes positioning the subject at an angle to the sun helps ward off the harshest shadows.

3. Sometimes Less Is More

At times it can be tempting to try to capture everything in one shot, but the usual outcome is a cluttered photo that ends up not really portraying much of anything.

One thing you can try is to identify one poignant detail and highlight that detail by framing it tightly. That's how our vision naturally works, and you can replicate that in your photography for eye-catching shots.

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In addition to taking a wide shot of a baroque cathedral, why not snap a few close-ups of detailed carvings, scenes from stained glass windows, or parishioners leaving or entering the building? At a market, rather than trying to capture the whole chaotic scene, focus on one vendor, or even one pile of brightly colored vegetables.

By capturing little quirky details from your trip you are also expressing something about yourself and your interaction with those details, which can be helpful when trying to weave together a story from these visual cues.

4. Pay Attention to Patterns

If you are going to take a busier photo, think about the natural patterns that may be appearing. Repetition — of fence posts, or trees in a row, for example — can often create a rhythm that's visually appealing in photography and this can help to guide the composition of your photo.

5. Follow the Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is another guideline that can help when you're thinking about how you want to compose your photo. Imagine your photo with a grid of two lines horizontally and two lines vertically traced over the image that you are taking.

A viewer's eye is naturally drawn to the intersections on this grid, so instead of putting your subject right in the middle of the photo, you can play around with a more visually interesting layout by lining your subject up on these crossing points. Many digital cameras can overlay a grid on the viewfinder to help you.

6. Experiment With Different Points of View

A straight-on shot in which the subject is facing you at a 180 degree angle can be fine, but also try shooting from above, below, or at a different angle to the subject. Experiment with wide, medium, and close-up shots, too. The results are often more dramatic and dynamic than a straight-on point of view.

7. Start Looking at Photos With a Photographer's Eye

A great way to improve your pictures without even using your camera is by examining photographs that you like. The next time you open your Instagram feed, instead of mindlessly scrolling through the shots, take a few extra minutes with the ones that really catch your eye.

Identify three to five elements of the picture that make it special to you. This could be the color, the composition, a certain detail that pops or the repetition of certain elements. Whatever it is, once you've seen a successful example in a photograph, it will be easier for you to recreate the effect when you're out taking your own pictures.

8. Take Plenty of Shots

When you are out experimenting with your camera, take a variety of shots so that you can choose from them once you get home. Don't just take the same shot over and over. Change it up so that when you see the pictures later, you can figure out which way worked the best.

Remember to enjoy the process and take a playful attitude! You will be surprised at the beautiful results you can get just by taking a more lighthearted approach to your pictures.

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

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5 Smart Ways to Meet a Rewards Card Minimum Spending Requirement

Nick Wharton — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 10:00:13 +0000

If you're new to chasing credit card rewards, it can feel like there's a lot to learn at once. One of the fastest ways to earn credit card rewards points is through a sign-up bonus. This is a big slew of points you'll get from a new card if you spend a certain amount on that card within a specified period of time — often the first three months. The spending requirement could be anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the card.

Of course, the whole idea for earning points that translate into travel rewards is to spend less. It's counterproductive to go into debt just to meet a minimum spending requirement. That's why the tips below relate to things you're likely already spending on, not additional expenses that will break your budget. You should never let a balance accrue on a credit card just to get rewards. You will never come out ahead. (See also: 5 Steps to Getting a Free Vacation in 9 Months or Less With Credit Cards)

1. Start With Everyday Expenses

Chances are you can get a significant fraction of the way to meeting your minimum requirement just by putting your regular expenses on your credit card whenever you can.

If you're conditioned to paying for things in cash, it's time to break that habit since you're missing out on tons of potential points-earning opportunities. This means putting all your grocery purchases on your card. Same for when you pay for gas, dry cleaning, prescriptions, or any of your other regular expenses. (See also: Best Credit Cards to Use for Everyday Expenses)

2. Pay Your Bills With Your Card

The same is true for monthly bills like your Internet, Netflix, cellphone, cable, etc. If you have automated payments set up, update them with your new card. For any other bills, see if there's an option to pay with a credit card instead of a checking account. Watch out for any fees charged for credit card payments, though. It's usually not worth it.

3. Let Little Things Add Up

If you use Uber or Lyft to get around, make sure you update your payment method so that it is linked to your new credit card. The same goes for other apps that you are using to make payments, as small as they may be. If you use Venmo to pay individuals or iTunes for the occasional song download, you'll want to link them to your new card, too, so you'll be earning points toward rewards even when you're not thinking about it.

4. Prepay Current Subscriptions

If you have the extra cash to pay for subscriptions up front, you'll not only help meet the spending requirement, but may score a discount in the process. Many services offer a discount for prepaying.

5. Buy Gift Cards

Buying gift cards is a straightforward way to earn points toward reaching your minimum balance. You are spending money now by purchasing the card, which you can then use later. Due to fraud concerns, many brick-and-mortar retailers no longer take credit cards for gift card purchases, but many e-tailers, including Amazon, will.

Again, the most important thing to remember is to only spend what you can pay off every month. Make your payments on time, so you don't accrue interest or late payment fees that will obliterate any rewards you get for your purchases. (See also: 7 Ways Anyone Can Travel for Free)

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

8 Costly Flight Booking Mistakes You Make All the Time

Amanda Gokee — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 10:00:09 +0000

Whether you travel for pleasure or for business, buying a plane ticket can be a significant travel expense. And there's no reason to spend more than you have to. However, there are some common mistakes you may not even realize are costing you extra money. Recognize them, and start saving on your next booking.

1. Revealing Your Browsing History

If you haven't been searching for flights in incognito mode, or at the very least clearing your Internet browser's cache, you may be spending more on flights than you should. That's because flight booking sites often use technology that tracks what its customers (you) have been browsing.

That means they know when you've looked at a flight multiple times. Rather than lowering the price to lure you to a final sale, they may raise the price to encourage you to buy before the price goes any higher. You can easily remedy this by browsing in incognito mode or clearing your cache, saving anywhere from $50–$200 in some cases. (See also: 6 Ways to Avoid Sneaky Online Price Changes)

Next time, don't get tricked into buying a ticket that's too expensive. Clear your cache first and buy your ticket second.

2. Buying Your Ticket From a Booking Site

Search engines that aggregate flights from a variety of airlines can be a great resource when you're trying to find the cheapest flight (see tip number eight for a great search engine). However, you need to be aware that some third party bookers will charge you an extra booking fee — which you can avoid by booking your flight directly through the airline's website.

Some small and more obscure airlines may not have a website, in which case you can either call or shop around for a third party booker that doesn't have these fees.

Even if the booking engine doesn't list a fee separately in the price breakdown, it may still be jacking the price up. It's always a good idea to refer back to the airline's listing of the flight and make sure that you're buying it from the least expensive website. (See also: 4 Secrets to Getting the Lowest Rate From Travel Websites)

3. Booking to Fly on a More Expensive Day

Another common mistake that people make is forgetting to check flexible dates. Different days of the week usually offer different fares. For example, flights leaving the U.S. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are the least expensive days to fly, according a study by Fare Compare.

If your schedule is adjustable and you're not checking flexible dates, you're probably paying more than you should for your ticket. Prices can vary wildly from day to day for the exact same flight.

4. Flying Into a More Expensive Airport

Some airports cost more to fly into than others, depending on taxes and airport fees. If you're flying into the most expensive airport, you're going to be spending more money on your plane ticket than you have to, and the same is true with respect to the airport you're flying out of.

For example, the United Kingdom has an Air Passenger Duty (APD) of $90 for one adult economy traveler to fly out on a long haul flight. If you have the time, it's cheaper to book a short haul flight (with an APD of $16) to a place like Dublin or Paris, then book your long haul from there.

In general, it pays to be aware of what your departure and destination airports are charging you to take off or land there. It may require some digging around to find these fees, but doing so could save you money on fees associated with your departure and destination airports, and even those where you have a layover.

5. Forgetting Your Airline Rewards Points

If you travel infrequently, or are a member of a lot of airline rewards programs, it may be easy to forget those piles of frequent flyer miles you've accumulated through flights or credit card airline rewards programs. The last thing you want to do is let a hefty rewards stash expire simply because you forgot about it. Whether you use a rewards-tracking website or an old-fashioned spreadsheet, it pays to keep track of your rewards points and expiration dates. Getting organized can prevent you from missing out on opportunities for free travel. (See also: 9 Ways to Use Credit Card Rewards to Get Free Trips)

6. Missing Out on the Best Sales

How can you find out about the best deals on airfare? Airlines almost always have an email newsletter where they will announce their sales, but if you're not subscribed, you're likely missing out on these deals.

It doesn't cost you anything to subscribe to airline emails, and it could save you a lot the next time you're ready to book a ticket.

7. Buying Your Ticket Too Early or Too Late

How early or late you buy your ticket can affect how much you pay as well. According to studies by CheapAir, the best time to book domestic airfare in the U.S. is about eight weeks in advance of your trip. If you can't be that exact, at least try to book within a window of 21–112 days before your flight, which is when tickets will be at their lowest prices.

There's some hype about being able to grab last-minute cheap tickets, but this usually has to do with a quirky sale — so it's nothing you should count on if you've been planning your trip for a while.

8. Using the Wrong Search Engine

When it comes to paying less for a flight, using the right search engine is a must to ensure you're getting the best prices. You can use the free ITA Matrix, which has been rebuilt on Google technology, to take advantage of the same software that travel agents often use to book you a flight. (See also: The Secret Flight Search Site Savvy Travelers Use)

Booking flights can be a costly endeavor, but there are plenty of ways to save money and make sure you're getting the best price on the market. See how much money you can save using these tips.

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

Save Money in 5 Seconds or Less With These 29 Easy Tricks

Dr Penny Pincher — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 09:00:10 +0000

Saving money often takes a lot of effort and time, but I have found some tricks you can use to save money in just five seconds or less. Some these are quick tools to help you avoid unnecessary purchases, and others are quick ways to save money on things you do decide to go ahead and buy. Finally, there are some really quick things you can do at home to save money that only take a few seconds.

5 Second Tricks Before You Buy

Saving starts before you even pull out your pocketbook.

1. Do Your Own Assessment

Before you buy something, think about how much you would pay before you look at the price tag. Only consider buying if the price is less than the number you came up with before you saw the price tag.

2. Consider Your Cash

Do you have enough cash in your purse or wallet to purchase the item? If not, leave it on the shelf.

3. Is It Inconvenient?

Imagine exactly where you would put the item after you buy it. Do you have room? Would you have to rearrange things to make a place for it? After this quick exercise you may decide not to buy the item, saving yourself not only money, but the hassle as well.

4. Sum Up the Parts

Visualize all of the materials that went into making the item. Is it worth consuming that much of the world's dwindling resources?

5. Walk Away

If you really want or need the item, you'll come back later.

6. Use the Buddy System

Text a friend (or your spouse) for a second opinion — "Do you think I should buy this?" For best results, pick a frugal buddy!

7. Do a Price Check

Pull out your smartphone, and do a quick online search. You might find a better price and save money.

8. Is It Worth the Work?

Make a quick estimate of how many hours you would need to work to pay for the item. Is it worth it? For example, if you take home $20 per hour, you would need to work three hours to pay for a $60 shirt. Considering how much time an item will cost you is a quick way to put a potential purchase into perspective.

9. Estimate Cost Per Use

Take the price of the item and divide by the number of times you will use it. Does the potential purchase seem like a good value considering how much it costs for each use?

10. Downgrade

Find a lower priced version of the item you are about to buy. For example, pick the generic or less fancy version that costs less.

11. Find the Clearance Rack

Pick up an item on sale or from the clearance area instead of your usual brand.

12. Edit

Take something out of your cart at checkout that you don't really need. It is easy to get into "buying mode" at the store and put extra things in the cart.

5 Second Tricks to Save on Purchases

Save at the point of attack with some smart buying strategies.

13. Carry Your Coupons

I keep a small file of them in my car. Coupons won't do any good if you leave them at home.

14. Use a Rewards Credit Card

If you've decided that this is a worthy purchase, and you have the cash to pay for it, use a rewards credit card to get cash back or earn travel discounts. (See also: How to Pick the Best Rewards Credit Card for You)

15. Use a Store Rewards Program

On top of rewards credit cards, sign up for your favorite store's loyalty program. When I buy 10 gallons of milk, I get the 11th gallon free. When I buy 10 pizzas, I get the 11th one free. At the grocery store, I use a fuel saver rewards program — last week I got gas for less than $1 per gallon!

16. Order Water

Skip the expensive beverage loaded with corn syrup or chemicals

17. Skip the Extended Warranty

Decline extended warranty when you check out. In most cases, extended warranty is a better deal for the store then it is for you. (See also: 4 Warranties That Aren't Worth It)

18. Decline Dealer Add-Ons

If you're buying a car, beware of the sneaky hidden costs dealers may be trying to pack on.

19. Avoid Unneeded Size Upgrades

Why not get a large instead of a medium for only 50 cents more? Because paying 50 cents extra for something you don't need is a waste of 50 cents.

5 Second Tricks at Home

Saving money starts before you leave home.

20. Hang Up

Politely end telemarketing calls or excuse yourself from sales pitches within the first five seconds. This will save you time and likely money as well.

21. Fill Up

Fill your water bottle at home and take it with you.

22. Lights Out

Turn off lights when you leave a room to save money on your electric bill.

23. Go On a Canceling Spree

Cancel an unused subscription to a streaming video service or game account. This can often be done with a couple of computer mouse clicks (or smartphone screen taps).

24. Change Your Furnace Filter

It'll increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling system and you'll save money on your utility bill. Plus your system will last longer with regular maintenance.

25. Check the Air Pressure in Your Tires

Low air pressure costs you money in the form of reduced gas mileage and wears out tires faster.

26. Do a Balance Transfer

If you have a high interest credit card debt, use a balance transfer offer to pay less interest and get out of debt faster.

27. Invest in Index Funds

Direct your investment contributions into an index fund with low expenses (around 0.1%) instead of a managed fund with a 1% or higher expense rate. This can be done in a couple clicks on your investment company's website.

28. Switch to LED

Put an LED bulb in a frequently used light fixture. Here's how much you can save.

29. Tweak the Temp

Turn your thermostat up a couple degrees in summer and down a couple degrees in winter.

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

8 Money-Saving Hacks Every College Student Should Try

Ashley Eneriz — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 09:30:24 +0000

Don't let the costs of college loom over your head. Use these seven financial hacks to cruise through college and save thousands off your overall experience.

1. Rent Your Textbook Through Amazon

No need to buy every textbook, especially with Amazon's rental textbook program. My sister rents all of her textbooks through Amazon and saves $50–$100 off each book. For example, she rented Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society (9th Edition) for a recent class for $37.45. The new price of the book is $138.47 and the used price is $67.48. Amazon Prime covered shipping costs.

2. Research Book Costs Before Enrolling

When you first start taking college classes, you will have more flexibility over which classes you can choose, especially when you need to fulfill the GE requirement of your degree. Choose your class based on textbook and material fee cost, if possible. I signed up for a psychology class in my freshman year, but the textbook was written by the teacher and would cost $190. Since there was not a way find the book used, I dropped the class within the acceptable time period and took another class that fulfilled the requirement and had $20–$30 in book costs.

Often you can borrow the textbook from the university library. At my school, the recent edition textbooks were only lent out for in-library use for an hour, but that was usually enough time to finish my work.

3. Piggyback Your Degree With Community College Courses

I graduated debt-free, and one of the major things that helped me do that was the abundance of community college courses I was able to take. My university allowed 70 community college transfer units. With the help of online classes, I was able to enroll in two local community colleges that increased the type of classes that I could transfer to my degree.

I simply looked up agreements between my university and my two local community colleges and took as many classes as possible. One semester, I was enrolled and taking classes at three colleges at once. This also allowed me to take more than 18 units, which allowed me to finish my degree in three years, instead of four. All of this saved me five semesters at my university, which means I saved roughly $20,000.

5. Test Out of Classes

Research the possibility of testing out of some college classes. This can help you avoid boring and costly introduction classes that you already are knowledgeable in. The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) is accepted by over 2,900 colleges. The CLEP site allows you to search which colleges allow which test, though you will have to find out the maximum amount of credit your university allows through CLEP. The test costs $80, but military personnel may be eligible to receive funding for the cost of CLEP exams.

6. Check Out Local Thrift Stores

Shop at thrift stores that are near your university for a better chance to find apparel with your college's logo on it, as well as still-relevant textbooks. You can score both inexpensively, and either keep them for yourself, or sell them for more online or to other students via sale fliers on the campus' public bulletin board.

7. Become a Resident Assistant (RA)

Movies usually portray resident assistants as overbearing college students who have been on campus for almost a decade. However, the job can be fun and the free rent is definitely a perk that will save you $8,000 to $12,000 a year. Know that these positions are usually competitive, so make your application stand out, and volunteer for other on-campus events to show you have school spirit.

8. Get on a Family Plan

There are many different family plans that you can share to save money. The most popular family plans are offered through cellphone providers. Being on a family plan rather than on your own individual plan can save you $50–$100 a month off your cellphone bill.

Family plans are not just for cellphones, though. You can save money by sharing TV streaming, Amazon Prime, Uber, and more. (See also: How Family Plans Can Save You Tons)

College is expensive, but that doesn't mean you have to drown in debt to get your degree. Living frugally and minimizing living costs in college will make it easier to once you graduate.

What are your favorite ways to save money while in college? Already a graduate? Share your experience of frugal college living.

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

17 Cheap Ways to Dress Up Your Garden

Carrie Kirby — Tue, 24 May 2016 09:00:03 +0000

It's spring, and you've had enough of being cooped up indoors. Outdoor living is experiencing a boom, with Americans now spending $60 billion a year sprucing up the space outside their homes, according to Garden Media Group. That's $200 for every American — even more when you consider all the people who don't have any outdoor space to spend on.

So what if you don't have $200 or more, but you still want your yard and garden to look nice? There are lots of ways to brighten things up for free or cheap, especially if you're crafty.

A word of advice before we start: If people start stopping by your yard asking how much your lawn ornaments cost, you've gone too far! Being mistaken for a yard sale is never a compliment.

Planters

You can spend anywhere from $20 to hundreds of dollars for pots to put plants in. But almost anything can hold a plant as long as you put drainage holes on the bottom. My uncle, the plumber, used to put his petunias in old toilets and bathtubs. It's not what I would choose, but it represented him.

Start with these creative planter ideas, then think about what kind of containers would represent you. If you don't have the items around the house, many can be found free or cheap on Freecycle, at garage sales, or at thrift stores.

1. Give Pricey Planters the Boot

Have you got a single, outgrown child's boot in the back of your closet? Poke some holes in the bottom, weight it with gravel, and you're ready to plant. If it's a plain old brown boot, you could always dress it up by painting on a design.

Cost: Free to $5.

2. Tin Pan Garden

Instead of buying terra cotta or plastic bowls for hanging planters, repurpose thrift store metal bowls, cups, or even coffee cans. Macrame straps were the crafty way to hang planters in decades past; for an update, try beaded wire.

Cost: Free to $5.

3. Have No Seat

Use an old, broken-down chair to dress up an ordinary planter. These instructions involve removing the seat, if the chair has one, and putting on a fresh coat of paint.

Cost: $10–$20.

4. Barney Rubble Planter

For a rustic look, hollow out a fallen tree trunk or limb and put plants inside.

Cost: Free, if you have tools for the hollowing and drilling drainage holes.

5. Pedal Planter

It's a classic that's perfect for bike enthusiasts or those who want to imagine cycling along the canals of Amsterdam while they sit in the yard: The old bicycle with a basket full of blooms. Organized Clutter explains how she plopped a coconut fiber liner into an existing bike basket to make her planter.

Cost: $5–$10 for the liner, assuming you can find a nonfunctional bike for free.

Lighting

Outdoor lighting can be pricey, but going without reduces the number of hours that you can enjoy your patio — especially if you live in a region where it's warm during the winter months when daylight is shorter. You're not going to get long lasting, quality fixtures with a shoestring budget, but these ideas can help you enjoy the evenings until you can afford something more permanent.

6. Tuna Can Lanterns

You wouldn't believe it, but you can make an elegant outdoor lantern using an old broomstick, a tuna can, and a hurricane shade. A coat of metallic paint has the whole thing gleaming in a jiffy.

Cost: $5–$10 for hurricane shade, spray paint, metal adapter, and candle.

7. Repurposed Holiday Lights

Everyone has a string of old holiday lights in their basement, with only half the lights working, right? Instead of throwing those away, turn them into pretty outdoor orbs by combining them with another forlorn item: A round glass shade, frequently found in thrift stores.

Ball up the light string and shove it in the globe. Once plugged in, you have a mystical glowing ball you can place anywhere in your yard for effect and illumination. Just be sure to use light strings meant for outdoor use.

Cost: $1–$15 for glass shades (cheaper for used, more for new).

Hacks and Crafts

These ideas will appeal to the makers among us — those who love finding new ways to use familiar materials.

8. Solar Renewal

When solar yard lights get old, the plastic covering their solar cells can cloud over, limiting the amount of energy they receive from the sun. One blogger figured out that you can rejuvenate these with a coat of clear nail polish, of all things.

Cost: $1.

9. Moss Graffiti

Did you know you can gather moss, stick it in the blender with sugar and buttermilk, and paint it onto a wall to create a live, growing mural or sign? I sure didn't!

Cost: $2–$3.

10. Hacker Couch

The author of The Basement created a bench from cinder blocks and two-by-fours in less than an hour.

Cost: About $40; more for optional cushions.

11. Magical Marble Fence

With a drill and a handful of marbles, you can transform a boring backyard fence into a magical fairyland. Just drill holes into a wooden fence and place marbles into the holes; sunshine will provide the dazzle.

Cost: $1.

12. Key Chimes

What to do with those mystery keys that have been on your key ring for years? Paint them and hang them with string to make a DIY wind chime.

Cost: Free to $5.

13. Rock Garden Markers

Use stones and paint to make cute labels for each row of the garden instead of using store bought ones.

Cost: Free to $5.

14. Mega Mushrooms

Turn a planter upside down and give it a paint job to create cheery mushrooms.

Cost: $5.

15. Owl You Need

Rolled strips of cardboard can be used to fashion a whole family of owls to watch over your garden in an earth-friendly project.

Cost: Free.

16. Step Right Up

Get the kids involved in making stepping stones by pressing just about anything into wet cement: old toys or costume jewelry, marbles, and beads.

Cost: $5.

17. Gnome Home

A tree or even a stump in your yard can be turned into a fairy house that kids will love to discover. Twigs can be used to frame windows, and a small piece of wood can be shaped into a door. If your gnomes want their own outdoor living space, use found objects or dollhouse furniture.

Cost: Free to $5.

How are you dressing up your landscape for free or cheap this year?

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

7 Starbucks Savings Hacks That Actually Work

Kyle James — Mon, 16 May 2016 09:30:18 +0000

Frugal folks like us tend to have a love-hate relationship with Starbucks. We love the tasty goodness of their beverages, but hate the high cost of something we can often do at home for pennies on the dollar. But I'm here to tell you that Starbucks doesn't have to be expensive if you can incorporate some clever money-saving hacks into your coffee routine.

The best thing about these tips is they won't make you look cheap, and more importantly, they won't make the barista hate you.

1. Order a Tall in a Grande Cup

When ordering a regular cup of brewed coffee at Starbucks, and not a $5 milkshake, consider ordering a Tall coffee in a Grande cup. Not only will the barista happily oblige, but once they're done filling your cup, you'll often end up with close to a Grande serving size of coffee. Then you can add your milk or cream and end up with practically a full cup for less money. This obviously works for other sizes, too. For example, you could order a Grande coffee and ask for it in a Venti cup.

So if you like to add cream or milk to your coffee, this is a great hack as you'll never have to make room for it by dumping out some coffee into the garbage can. Because no matter how much "room" you ask for, it never seems to be enough as Starbucks coffee is quite strong and many like it with a good amount of the white stuff.

2. Score Free Refills

A great hack that'll score you more coffee for less is to take advantage of Starbuck's free refill policy. To make it happen, simply sign up for their Rewards Program and get free in-store refills on hot or cold brewed coffee or tea. Be warned, once you leave the Starbucks location, you can't come back in later and get your refill. I started taking advantage of their free refills last year and instead of drinking it, I'd refrigerate the second free cup for later. Then when I needed a pick-me-up in the afternoon, I'd use it make a tasty iced beverage.

3. Ask for "Half Ice"

The next time you order an iced beverage, consider asking for "half ice." If you've ever seen a barista add ice to your cup, you know just how much frozen water they put in there. So by politely asking for less ice, you'll often end up with the next size beverage for free. While you might not always get half as much ice, must employees that I've seen will definitely add a little less to your cup.

4. Get Your Caffeine Fix With a "Short"

Most loyal Starbucks enthusiasts know the main cup sizes to be Tall, Grande, Venti, and Trenta. But are you aware that there is a fifth size called a "Short?" It's smaller (8 oz.) and cheaper than the 12 oz. Tall and an excellent way to get your caffeine fix on the cheap. For example, a Short cappuccino has the same amount of espresso as the Tall size. So if a caffeine pick-me-up is your main objective, ordering a Short is the cheapest route to go.

5. Split and Save

If you've ever ordered a "Venti" anything from Starbucks, you already know what an enormous size it is. Heck, it's so big, you can use the empty cup as a gas can if you like. So if you're driving through a Starbucks with your spouse or friend, and you're both craving the same cold drink, just order a Venti and politely ask if they can split it for you. While they'll typically not divide it for you, they'll always give you an empty cup so you can do it yourself.

Let's do the math on this hack. A Venti Cold size comes in a 24 oz. cup. So if you split it, you each get 12 oz., which is just a bit smaller than the 14 oz. Grande. A Venti iced coffee will cost you around $2.95 where the smaller Grande will cost you $2.45. So after you've added a little creamer, you've essentially gotten two Grande sizes for about $1.50 each by splitting a Venti.

6. Bring Your Own Cup

If you bring in your own cup to any Starbucks, you'll get $0.10 off your beverage, any size. They'll do the same thing if you bring in a competitor's cup, except they'll replace it with one of their own. Definitely not a huge savings, but it will add up over time, plus you keep a bunch of cups from ending up in the landfill.

7. Drinking With Friends?

The next time you're meeting up with friends at your local Starbucks, consider ordering a French Press to share. It usually comes in a 32 or 45 oz. size and the coffee beans are ground, poured, and plunged before being delivered to your table. You can typically get 6-8 normal sized cups of coffee out of a single press. Aside from the delicious fresh taste, the cost makes it a very attractive choice if everyone is drinking coffee. Expect to only have to pay in the $3.50 to $5 range, depending on the size of the press and the particular Starbucks location.

How do you save money at Starbucks? Or do you just stay home and brew your own?

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

10 Frugal Hacks for Single Living

Qiana Chavaia — Thu, 05 May 2016 09:00:09 +0000

Getting a roommate may be a surefire way to save money, but sharing a living space isn’t the ideal scenario for everyone. For instance, you're in medical school or law school and need plenty of quiet time to study and rest. You're a single parent and don't want another person's influence on your kids. You're recently divorced and want to entertain friends and guests. These are all good reasons to want to live alone. However, living alone doesn't mean you must forgo frugality.

Here are 10 frugal living hacks for anyone who prefers to live alone.

1. Live, Work, and Play in the Same Neighborhood

Major city centers are ripe with live, work, and play communities, but it shouldn't matter in what area you live. You should be able to carve out the right balance to conveniently commute between work and home and find activities in your area that keep you balanced.

2. Rent a (Spacious) Studio Apartment

Save on rent by renting a studio unit instead of a conventional one-bedroom. And if you live in anything larger than that, downsize and rent it out to sock away the extra savings. I understand there are reasons one might want to purchase a three-bedroom home, but until you're ready to start using all those rooms, be smart.

3. Rent in a Building With Luxury Amenities

For an extra couple hundred bucks per month, you could rent the same apartment in a nicer building. If you're a fitness buff, rent an apartment in a building that has a gym (pool, racquetball, etc.) and save by not needing a sports club membership. The building might have a business center, which could be great if you work from home. Or, the property could have a car sharing program and other luxurious money-saving amenities. Meanwhile, it's a great way to network and get acquainted with neighbors, which could one day lead to business.

4. Cook Meals

Pizza is perhaps the cheapest dine-out meal you can buy. But it doesn’t matter how you slice it, preparing meals at home is the best way to go. Although you will be cooking for one, it still makes sense to prepare meals at home and take leftovers to work the next day.

5. Buy in Bulk

As someone living alone, it doesn’t always make sense to buy in bulk, but it may be smart to grab family packs of non-perishable foods and meats. Separate meats into smaller quantities of two to four, and freeze them in freezer bags. Now, you only need to do major shopping once per month for minor things, like fresh veggies, bread, and dairy. (See also: Save Big at These 4 Discount Supermarkets)

6. Take Public Transit

When you live and work in the same community, you eliminate the need for a car, and in the case of most major cities, the cost of a parking space. On occasions when you do need a car to visit family or weekend getaways, use a ride sharing program like Zipcar or Uber. It will give you peace of mind and save you time and money. Not to mention, some transit services offer perks that include discounts around the city. For instance, using Philadelphia's SEPTA Pass Perks includes discounts on Zipcars, attractions, restaurants, and more. (See also: Car Sharing: Why Own When You Can Just Share?)

7. Ditch Cable Subscriptions

Don't get bullied into expensive cable subscriptions that will cost at least $100 per month. Cable providers now try to rope subscribers into package deals, where at first glance it actually appears to make more sense. Really, how often are you going to be home to utilize a cable subscription? Netflix it instead. Netflix subscriptions start at $7.99 per month. For Internet, consider an Internet-only provider and don't pay more than it's worth.

8. Sign Up for Discounts

Just because you live alone doesn't mean you shouldn't be a frugal shopper and sign up for in-store discount savings programs. Also join a program like AAA and save at hundreds of merchants, including on rental cars, hotel stays, restaurants, attractions, and more. They even offer discounts with area cell phone, Internet, and cable service providers.

9. Check Out Intuit's Benefit Assist

NOTE: Intuit Benefit Assist is no longer available.

Use Intuit's Benefit Assist to find out if you qualify for discounted health insurance, reduced utility bills, low-cost cell phone service, cheap auto insurance, and/or have unclaimed money laying around. The website says you could qualify for as much as $2,000 in benefits.

10. Put Yourself on a Budget

It's easy to overspend when there's no one to think about or care for other than yourself. That can cause people living alone to overspend on activities and shopping. Be mindful of your spending habits and put yourself on a budget. Although you're on your own, you shouldn't need to spend more than $50 to $100 per week on miscellaneous things. What you save could be going towards your retirement. (See also: Build Your First Budget in 5 Easy Steps)

Live alone? What frugal tricks do you use to contain your spend?

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

8 IKEA Shopping Tricks

Kyle James — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 21:15:15 +0000

Similar to other large box stores, there are ways to maximize your savings and time at IKEA. Here are eight such hacks that'll help you walk out the doors with a great deal on your next visit.

1. Make Your Shopping List Online

A great way to make your next trek to IKEA a faster, and more pleasant experience, is to first create your shopping list online at IKEA.com. Just add items to your virtual "Shopping List" and print it out. The reason this is such a great idea is because your list will tell you the exact location of each item in the physical warehouse, right down to the aisle and bin number. You'll end up savings oodles of time as you can head directly to your items without wandering the cavernous warehouse.

2. Always Enter Directly Through the Exit

With your shopping list in hand, enter through the exit. By doing so, you'll end up in the actual warehouse where you can quickly find the aisles and bins of the items on your list, and you'll skip the shiny showroom and all those temptations.

3. Use Lowe's Kitchen Design Service Before Going to IKEA

A kitchen facelift, or full remodel, is easily one of the more expensive home improvement projects you can undertake. A great way to save money on a kitchen remodel is to take advantage of Lowe's free kitchen design service and then use those plans when purchasing cabinets from IKEA. By doing so, you'll get a free professional kitchen design, plus easily save 30%–40% at IKEA compared to buying custom cabinets from Lowe's, Home Depot, or a cabinet shop in your local area.

4. Shop the "As Is" Section on a Monday

An often overlooked section of any IKEA warehouse is the "As Is" department, which is typically hidden away near the cash registers. This is where they store their discontinued items, damaged products, and returns, and they always sell them for a hefty discount. Try to always shop the "As Is" section on a Monday morning, as most returns happen over the weekend.

Plus, many of the items are already assembled, which will save you a bunch of time and frustration. Also, you'll get an extra 10% off all "As Is" items every Wednesday if you sign up for...

5. IKEA's Family Program

If you shop at IKEA at least a couple times a year, you should definitely sign up for the free IKEA Family Program. Not only will you be emailed exclusive coupons and discounts, but you'll also get 90-day price protection and a chance to win a $100 IKEA gift card. Throw in a free cup of coffee or tea on every visit, and the extra 30 minutes your kids can spend playing in Småland, and it's a total no-brainer.

6. Moving Soon? Score a $25 Coupon

IKEA rarely has a coupon available for public use. But if you're moving in the near future, you'd be wise to take advantage of their Moving Program which entitles you to a coupon good for $25 off your next $250+ purchase. Simply enter your existing address and your new address, and the $25 coupon is yours.

7. Buy IKEA Items From Amazon to Save on Shipping

Did you know that you can now buy hundreds of IKEA items on Amazon? If you're an Amazon Prime member, this is a fantastic way to get IKEA items delivered to your home with free two-day shipping. A word to the wise, prices on Amazon are roughly 25%–40% higher than the physical IKEA warehouse. But in many cases, if you don't have an IKEA near you, prices on Amazon will still beat other local furniture outlets.

8. Missing Parts? Don't Return to IKEA

If you've ever attempted to put together a piece of IKEA furniture, you already know how many parts and hardware come in the box. Inevitably you'll run into a situation where you're missing a part or screw. The next time this happens to you, don't get in the car and drive all the way back to the warehouse as you'll do nothing but add to your frustration.

Instead, examine your instruction manual and determine the exact part number you're missing. Then, call your local IKEA and they'll happily mail you your replacement parts. When calling, bypass the operator immediately by asking for the specific department your item is stocked in. Those are the only employees who can quickly get your parts in the mail.

What are some of your favorite IKEA items and did you score a deal on them?

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

6 Tricks for a Better Netflix Experience

Kyle James — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 17:15:33 +0000

While the recent price increase of the Netflix standard plan by $1 a month ($8.99 to $9.99) might not seem like a big deal, it certainly can be if you feel you're not using your subscription to its fullest potential. Here are some way to greatly improve your Netflix experience.

1. Access the "Hidden" Stream Manager

One of the most frustrating aspects of Netflix is you're often at the mercy of the quality and speed of your Internet connection. Fortunately, there is a trick to change the quality of your stream to avoid any buffering issues. When streaming Netflix content from a desktop or laptop, access the little-known stream manager and use the following keyboard shortcuts to your advantage.

Control + Alt + Shift + S

This will allow you to access the control panel for your video. You can then change the bitrate and CDN (Content Delivery Network) of the stream you're watching. If you're having buffering issues, select the lowest bitrate. Or at the very least, select both available bitrates and your video will stream in-between both selections.

Control + Alt + Shift + D

This allows you to view important statistics about your stream. Things like bitrate, buffering speed, and framerate are displayed. Check out these stats after you change your bitrate to see how it impacts overall performance.

Control + Alt + Shift + L

This will display a record of all the changes you've made to your settings so you can easily track your progress in getting a stream speed that works for you.

2. Reactivate App to Kill Buffering

If you view Netflix via a Smart TV, game console, or Blu-ray player, and are having recurring buffering issues, try deactivating the Netflix app, and then reactivate it again. According to the folks at Netflix, a handy little trick to quickly make this happen is to press the following sequence on your device's controller or remote: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Up, Up, Up, Up.

After pressing this sequence select, "Sign Out" or "Deactivate," then simply follow the on-screen instructions to sign back into your Netflix account. In many cases this should solve your buffering issues, especially if you're receiving the "AIP-701" connection error.

3. Know the Right Time to Watch

If you can wait and do your binge watching late in the evening, or in the early morning, your streaming experience will be noticeably better, according to Digital Trends. From their in-depth research, they "discovered that the biggest factor influencing stream quality is time of day, and whether that time falls under typical peak hours for watching."

4. Rate Everything You Watch

By getting into the habit of rating everything you watch on Netflix, the service can better understand the programming that you enjoy. Also, it's worth the effort to complete your "Taste Profile" to better help Netflix make selections that interest you.

5. The Best Netflix Viewing Guide… EVER

Another one of the complaints that Netflix users have is trying to figure out which programs come and go each month, along with weeding through the large amount of content. I recently discovered a fantastic solution to this problem via an amazingly thorough Reddit forum titled NetflixBestOf. It currently has over 287,000 readers and is chock full of information to make your viewing experience more enjoyable.

6. Consider a Netflix Unblocker

While this tip might be not be for everyone, if you're the techy-type, it could be right up your alley. Did you know that Netflix offers different content to different countries? You can tap into that content by using a free Netflix unblocker service like TVUnblock.com or Hola!, which helps you change the DNS address settings of your device to point to their servers. Once this is done, some of your web browsing will be routed to a proxy server which modifies your location and gives you access to Netflix content beyond your borders.

How are you getting the most out of your Netflix subscription? Is the $1/month increase going to be a deal-breaker for you?

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

6 Extreme Job Interview Tactics That Worked

Paul Michael — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 17:23:13 +0000

Getting a job is hard. These days, it may even be very hard. But so is getting an interview, and when you are given the chance to sit down and chat with someone who holds your future in their hands, you usually play it very safe. But sometimes safe isn't the best answer. Sometimes, like with these examples that came from an extensive Quora Q&A, you have to employ extreme interview tactics to get the position.

1. The Walkout

Let's start this series off with the story that inspired it — namely, mine. Advertising is a competitive and cutthroat industry, and getting your foot in the door, even for an interview, can be hard work. Even back in the early 2000s, before the Internet bubble burst, getting a decent job in the industry was tough.

So, when getting an interview at a place known for doing outstanding work, the usual routine for candidates was to go in, sit down, be polite, let the interviewer tear your work apart, and hope for a callback. If you were lucky, he or she would actually like a few pieces in your portfolio.

In my case, the hiring manager, who was a director of marketing, looked like a bulldog chewing a wasp as he went through my work. "Seen it before. Crap. Not impressed. That's obvious." And so on.

As he got halfway through the folio, I'd had enough. I needed a job, but not one that would be filled with this kind of derision. I stood up, closed it, and politely said, "thanks for your time, but clearly my work is not suited for you or this company."

As I walked out, he got out of his chair and patted me on the back. "Wait, wait," he said. "Maybe I was being a bit harsh. I think there are actually some strong pieces in there."

I sat down with him, and it turns out this was his "test." To see how candidates react to a real ego bashing. Would they cry? Would they get angry? Would they say nothing? Apparently, my reaction was the one he had been looking for.

Moral of this story: Trust your gut. If you really feel like you need to react in a certain way, and it does not seem inappropriate (like punching someone in the face for instance), go with it. Showing people who you really are can make a big difference.

2. The Pocket Surprise

This story comes from Richard Waddington, who had been the same company for over 10 years, and was looking for a change. (Incidentally, a recent study shows 50% of people see their current job as just a placeholder, and are actively looking around.)

Richard had never been out on an interview in all that time, and so when he decided to move on and got an interview at another company, he was obviously nervous. The stress of finding the right clothes and shoes, the preparation, the background work — they can all get to a person.

Richard was also a family man, and as he left for the interview, his four-year-old daughter handed him a little plastic cow from her farm yard play set and said, "Daddy, take this for good luck."

Richard went through hours of interviews, with different people (which is all too common these days) before sitting in front of the VP of HR. She sternly asked him, "How do I know you'll fit in?"

Without thinking, he exclaimed, "I have a cow in my pocket!" He set the cow on the table, over an awkward silence. But, she burst out laughing, and he got the job.

Moral of this story: A real moment can go a long way toward showing people who you are when your guard is down. A genuine laugh, a reaction, something that lets the interviewer see a person and not just a candidate, may feel extreme or risky… but it can reap rewards.

3. The Refusal

Perhaps the most extreme thing you can ever do is refuse an offer of a job — if you actually want to get that job. Or, refuse to do something that the interviewer asks you to do. It's a risk, but for some people, it has definitely worked.

This has a lot to do with catching the interviewer off guard. They know they are in a position of power. They have the job, you want the job, and therefore, they have the upper hand. But what if you take control?

Stephan Bugaj did just that. His career was in a very technical field, and to start off the proceedings he dressed more like a biker than an office worker. When the interviewer asked him to solve a technical puzzle, he said no. Flatly, no. Then, he offered the reason; one that was given to him by a physics teacher some years back and said, "How does putting a person in a situation where they're faced with a difficult and unfamiliar problem and then denying them access to equipment, reference materials, and discussions with colleagues in any way represent a realistic professional environment?"

He got the job. And so did Gil Yehuda, another interview candidate who actually refused the job offer. Gil's story is long; you can read it on Quora. But the short version is, Gil had surmised that the job in question was ill-defined, and was probably not one he should take. So he said no. But when he was then asked for a salary range, he asked the interviewer to make an offer impossible to refuse. She did.

Moral of this story: You can take control of the interview by doing the unexpected. Not in a way that would get you kicked out of the building for breaking public decency laws, but by questioning things, and refusing the requests or offers on the table. It will definitely make you stand out.

4. The Honest Approach

Of course, there's honesty, and then there's boorishness. You certainly don't want to be so brutally honest that you upset everyone in the room. But interviewers are so used to hearing rehearsed, bland answers that a touch of real honesty can be refreshing — and memorable.

A case in point — Michael Shiloh. As an infectious disease specialist, he was used to working in high-pressure environments, and was prepared for rigorous interview questions and techniques. He was sat in front of 25 members of the faculty admissions committee, and they all had questions for him.

The answers came easy to him, as the questions were nothing out of the ordinary. But towards the end of the long process, one interviewer threw a huge curveball by asking, "If you were to design an RGD peptide to potently inhibit the integrin IIb/IIIa receptor, what would it look like?"

Michael was stumped. He had nothing. So, trusting his gut he said, "I have no idea. But if I did know, I wouldn't be here interviewing for your program, but rather there, working on it. And, they'd be paying me big bucks to do it."

Hearty, deep laughter followed, along with the offer of a position.

Moral of this story: Don't be tempted to give the interviewer a lot of platitudes and vanilla responses. A lot of the time, an interviewer will be much more impressed by the truth; even if the truth is difficult to say, and sets you in a less favorable light. (Just think how we would react if politicians were honest.)

5. The Bluff

This is a case of, when all else fails… bluff.

The interviewee, John Doe (who wants to remain anonymous for obvious reasons), was applying for a job as a consultant. And, the interview was not going well.

The interviewer then asked John to solve a puzzle, and as he described it, John could not help the spread of a massive grin on his face. He had recently heard, and solved, this very puzzle, and interrupted the interviewer, saying, "Sir, I'll be honest with you. I've heard this one before," and gave an outline of the solution.

The interviewer appreciated his candor, and went on to another question. This one was a mind bender. A very hard, almost impossible, puzzle for John to solve. He had no idea. So, he did the only thing he could think of. Smiling broadly he said, "Sir, I hate to admit it, but I've heard this one before as well!"

The interviewer did not ask for proof, but simply believed him and said, "Wow… no puzzles today it seems." The bluff worked, and John got the job.

Moral of this story: Sometimes, you can bluff and win. But you really have to be prepared to have your bluff called. However, if that happens, simply use the honest approach – "hey, I was bluffing, I just have no idea how to answer." It might just work, too.

6. The Backup Plan

Finally, we come full circle and finish on another story from my advertising past. Before the days of cheap Macbooks and readily available design software, ad portfolios still had to look the part. And spec work (work done for a client that has not asked for it, merely to showcase your talents) still had to look the business. Creative teams would often employ designers and photographers to help them comp up ads that would not look out of place in magazines or on billboards.

The portfolio of my art director and myself was full of both produced and spec work. The produced work, as it was early in our careers, was not great. The clients weren't blue chip, and the spec work was put together in our spare time with stock photos and rub down transfers. It looked… acceptable.

As we went into the interview, we were nervous. This was a big shop, and they demanded quality. The creative directors looked bored as they flicked through the portfolio, and we could tell they were getting ready give us the polite brush-off. As one stood, and started to say, "well, thanks for coming in, but…" I stopped him and said, "honestly, the work is crap compared to the ideas we have sketched in the back pocket of the portfolio."

They both looked a bit taken aback, but they reached in, and brought out the sketches my partner and I had been working on for much bigger ideas. Ones that were beyond our skill to produce with any great polish. We didn't plan on showing them to anyone, but figured, what the hell. They flicked through them, smiling, pointing, whispering, for 10 minutes. Then they said, "when would you be able to start?"

Moral of this story: Never be afraid to impress people with ideas you do not think are quite ready. Whether it's a new product, a sales plan, an app, or anything else relevant to your career, if it gives you goose bumps, it may well do the same to your future employer.

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

5 Little Known Amazon Shopping Hacks

Kyle James — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 15:00:23 +0000

Most of us already know you can score great deals shopping on Amazon — but there are some secrets that can make these great deals even better. These Amazon "shopping hacks" will help you get things like a free Prime membership extension or digital credits, and even seven-day price protection on purchases. Here's what you need to know to make it happen. (See also: 16 Amazon Deal Hacks You May Not Already Know)

1. Score a Free Prime Extension

While Amazon Prime's two-day shipping guarantee is pretty darn reliable, there will undoubtedly be times when you don't get your package on time. When they don't deliver on their guarantee, simply hit up customer service via a phone call, email, or live chat, and explain the situation. By doing so, you'll likely end up with a one month Prime membership extension ($8.25 value), or a $5 or $10 credit to your account. What you receive from Amazon as "compensation" will depend on how late the package was delivered and the size of the order.

Whether the delivery delay is caused by bad weather, a problem at the Amazon warehouse, or a combination of both, you should hold Amazon's feet to the fire if they don't deliver on their two-day guarantee. After all, you're paying $99 annually for the membership and they're "guaranteeing" two-day delivery, so there should be consequences if they can't deliver on their promise.

2. Get a Replacement Item Without Sending Back the Original

Most shoppers are unaware that if delivered goods are damaged or broken, you can contact Amazon customer service and they'll immediately send you a replacement item. Better yet, if you politely ask, they'll often send it via overnight delivery. Even better than that, if the item is valued at less than $50, they'll often tell you to keep the broken or damaged item. This is really a sweet deal if the item is still useable or can be salvaged with a little elbow grease.

It's important to realize this will only work if the item is sold directly from Amazon and not a third party seller. If the item is from a third party seller, you'll have the option of either getting a full refund, or a replacement item delivered to your home in three to four business days.

3. Get Amazon Price Protection

Are you aware that Amazon has a price protection policy in place? Because it's not advertised openly on their website, most shoppers have no idea it exists. If you bought an item from Amazon and noticed the price has later been lowered, you stand a great chance of getting the lower price. As long as you're within seven days of the delivery date, and the item was sold by "Amazon.com LLC," you're entitled to the lower price and a credit back to your payment method in the amount of the price difference, or a gift card added to your account for the difference in the price. The best way to get your credit is via live chat — just be sure to have your order number on hand so they can look up the current price.

Because Amazon is famous for constantly changing prices, I highly recommend checking on the new price of items you've recently purchased, especially on significant purchases. Personally, I like to set up an alert on my smartphone calendar to remind me to check pricing on the seventh day after delivery. By doing so, I've been able to take advantage of the Amazon price protection policy several times and earned a good chunk of change in the process.

4. Score Free eBooks, Movie, and Music Credits

If you frequently buy digital content like eBooks, digital music, and videos from Amazon, I have a great hack to get free credits added to your account. If you're an Amazon Prime member, and don't necessarily need an item delivered within two days, you can opt for "FREE No-Rush Shipping (five business days)" and get a $1 credit for digital content by doing so.

I have also occasionally seen credits up to $2 along with credits for Amazon Prime Pantry. They tend to rotate their "No-Rush" credit option with $1 for digital content being the default offer. Also, it's important to point out that you'll get your credit added to your account after the item has shipped. Plus, credits are stackable and there is no limit on the number of credits you can receive.

5. Get an Amazon Price-Match (Sort Of)

While Amazon doesn't have an official price match policy in place, you can still request a lower price if you find one on a competing website or from a local brick and mortar retailer. This is done by informing them of the lower price on the Amazon product page — under "Product Details," simply click on "Tell us about a lower price" and follow the instructions.

Next, monitor the item for a couple days and you stand a good chance of them lowering the price based on your information. Your odds of success rise significantly if the lower price you found is from a popular online competitor, as it becomes very easy for Amazon to confirm their price. Since this hack requires a few steps and some patience, I only recommend trying it on significant purchases where you can save enough money to make it worth your time and effort.

It's important to never assume Amazon offers the lowest price around. Or worse yet, to settle for a higher price because they make online shopping extremely easy and convenient. There's no reason why you can't take advantage of the above hacks to save money in addition to taking advantage of the conveniences Amazon offers. Do that, and you've officially become a smart Amazon shopper.

Have you tried any of these Amazon shopping hacks? If so, how did it work out?

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

10 Surprising Ways to Use Bungee Cords

Paul Michael — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 12:00:09 +0000

Everyone has a bungee cord or two hanging around the house or garage. They're handy little things for securing items, come in a wide variety of lengths, and they're inexpensive.

They're also really, really versatile. Here are 10 useful and creative ways to use your bungee cords.

1. A Second Curtain Panel Holder

Look around the hardware stores and you'll see that the price of a double curtain rod is double the price of a single. That's annoying, as most of the time that second panel is made of something much more sheer, and is not the focus of the window treatment. So, instead of buying a double, simply stretch a bungee cord between the fittings and put your sheer panels on that. The front panels will hide the bungee cord ends, and they take just seconds to fit. (See also: 20 Unexpected Uses for Tension Rods)

2. A Ball/Cuddly Toy Holder

You know those ball holders they have in places like Target and Walmart, that use long elastic cords to keep the balls in place? Well, they can be made using bungee cords. Just find a space in your garage and stretch handful of bungee cords vertically from a shelf, or the wall, to some hooks screwed into the garage floor. Now, you can keep all your balls, toys and other loose items behind them. Everything is easy to access, but is kept firmly in place until needed. You can also stretch them horizontally between the studs to hold balls, tools and other loose items.

3. Holding Down the Garbage Can Lid

Even if the lid of the garbage can lock on its own, it's rarely strong enough to stop a stiff breeze from blowing it open. On windy days, that means your garbage can spill all over the street, the lawn, and the neighbors' property. It can also be raided by critters like raccoons. Some tight bungee cords can keep the lid held firmly in place.

4. New Handles for Old Totes

Are your bag handles looking a little worse for wear? Don't throw the whole thing away. Replace the old handles with colorful bungee cords. They're flexible, stretchy, and come in a variety of colors and patterns. You can even swap them out with your mood.

5. Keep Bags and Groceries Steady in the Car

Wrap a bungee cord around the headrest, and hook your bag handles over the ends. No more runaway bags. You can also use bungee cords in the trunk to keep bags and boxes from shifting around in traffic.

6. Secure Your Ironing Board Cover

When you're doing some precision ironing, you do not need the hassle of an ironing board cover that refuses to stay firmly in place. You can solve that problem with bungee cords. Make a few holes in the undersides of the cover and stretch the bungee cords between them; one or two cords across the width of the board, and one down the length. That cover will not move again.

7. Emergency Suspenders

If you are out of belts or suspenders and your jeans are falling down, two bungee cords make an excellent back-up plan. They fit perfectly through the belt loops, and are surprisingly comfortable. With a sweater or t-shirt over the top, no one will even know your little secret. They're also great when you're doing DIY or grubby jobs around the house, and don't want to get a good belt or pair of suspenders dirty.

8. Windproof Your Tablecloth Outdoors

Anyone who has ever had a picnic in the park, or gone camping with tablecloths, will know the pain of a windy day. The tablecloth whips up and flies everywhere, and you usually have to weigh it down on each corner with something heavy. Of course, the second anyone moves that big bottle of ketchup or bowl of nuts, the whole plan is over. Use two bungee cords stretched across the ends of the table, and your tablecloth will stay put on the windiest day.

9. Repair a Broken Chair or Sofa

When the strapping on the back of a chair breaks, or the cushion support starts to give way, bungee cords can come to the rescue. If you string cords where the strapping used to be, and keep them as tight as possible, they will easily support a person's weight as they lean back, or sit down. For extra strength, weave the cords horizontally and vertically, over and under, for a solid lattice framework. With the cushions over the top, they won't even be seen. Or, you can make a feature of them on garden furniture.

10. Exercise

Resistance bands are becoming a common part of workout routines. You can use bungee cords as a cheap and effective alternative. If you are having trouble holding the ends, fashion a small handle from a width of thick wooden dowel, or a broom handle. They can also be used to add extra resistance to weight training routines.

Do you have an ingenious use for bungee cords? What is it?

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

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