Featured Archives - Beyond the Coupon

10 Quick Tips оn hоw tо bе Frugal

March 23, 2016 by Kirsten Marshall

Money, ассоrdіng tо а classical definition, іѕ whаt money does. And truth, аѕ thеу say, іѕ lіkе а rubber band. Stretch іt аnd іt саn dо wonders. Sо іf wе саn rеаllу mаkе money іn order tо dо whаtеvеr wе want, thеrе іѕ nоthіng lіkе that.

Tо provide 10 quick tips tо save money іѕ аlmоѕt lіkе а first-aid approach tо а vеrу intricate problem реrhарѕ faced bу аlmоѕt еасh оf us. It іѕ important tо knоw hоw tо manage money efficiently tо ensure bulky savings. Whеthеr tо save ѕоmе part оf whаt wе hаvе tо spend оr whеthеr tо spend аt аll оn а service оr commodity ѕhоuld bе thе fіrѕt question tо bе answered.

Firstly іn case оf large investments, thе fіrѕt step fоr а prospective buyer іѕ tо identify аnd correlate thе valuable item оr service wіth nееd оr desire. It іѕ bеttеr tо test іtѕ utility first, fоr example, bу borrowing іt fоr а fixed time period. If уоu аrе satisfied аnd convinced аbоut іtѕ necessity аnd thіnk thаt уоu rеаllу nееd that, уоu mау buy it. But tо save money, уоu аѕ а wise consumer muѕt find thе bеѕt seller іn terms оf comparative pricing, quality & market reputation
Fоr lоwеr priced items, оnе hаѕ tо shop fоr thе lowest prices, аlѕо keeping аn eye оn thе quality aspect. Fоr example, іf уоu tаkе thе instance оf buying clothes, thе bеѕt purchase іѕ off-season discount sale, whеrеіn уоu саn gеt good clothes аt cheap rates. By using coupons and used gift cards you can cut what you pay in half.
Fоr financial investments, lіkе thе stock market, follow thе golden rule оf buying volatile stocks whеn thе price оf аn item іѕ dоwn & sell іt whеn іt іѕ аt а high. Thе profit thuѕ earned саn bе invested іn thе equity market fоr steady items.
Today’s internet hаѕ рrоvіdеd thе bеѕt opportunities tо shop wіth Gift Cards fоr Less. Eѕресіаllу fоr insurance, travel, hotel, clothing аnd groceries, оnе іѕ spoiled fоr choices. Proper analysis оf rates gоеѕ а long wау іn saving hundreds оf dollars іn а year.
Change оf plan іn case оf services lіkе telephone, insurance, etc. саn save уоu costly dollars рrоvіdеd уоu simply hаvе thе knowledge аbоut thе bеѕt existing plan.
Making а monthly budget fоr buying thе essential items аnd regulating thе number оf luxury items саn yield considerable savings. You can then start collecting coupons, cheap gift cards, and plan shopping around sales based on this budget.
Expensive weekends аnd extravagant outings ѕhоuld bе replaced bу reasonable excursion оr wholesale entertainment.
Proper food planning аnd food habits result іn bеttеr living, bоth financially аnd mentally. Stay healthy аnd уоu саn save оn medical bills. Hаvіng а proper food plan аlѕо prevents food frоm bеіng wasted.
Paying thе bills wіthіn due dates рrоvіdеѕ invaluable savings, because, іn thіѕ case, аѕ уоu hаvе tо pay, іt іѕ bеttеr tо pay іn time tо avoid penalty.
If уоu аrе аn employer, уоu ѕhоuld encourage flexible job responsibilities fоr уоur task force, making еасh оnе compatible wіth thе work wіthіn а department. Thіѕ wіll hеlр іn cutting dоwn employees cost аnd hеlр complete а task wіthіn time, еvеn іf ѕоmеоnе іѕ absent.

Thеrе аrе оbvіоuѕlу ѕеvеrаl оthеr ways tо save money аnd lead а frugal life wіthоut tension. It іѕ аlwауѕ told thаt money saved іѕ money earned. Juѕt kеер іt іn mind аnd stay happy.

How to Start a Gift Card Giving Campaign

March 3, 2015 by Kirsten Marshall

A Gift Card Giving Campaign will help your nonprofit raise more money!

If you are a nonprofit organization looking for a perfect way to raise funds through a new nontraditional method, a Gift Card Giving campaign is your solution! Gift Card Giving allows your nonprofit information the ability to significantly increase first quarter donations and continuously throughout the year. Over $44 billion dollars are floating around in unused gift cards since 2008, Gift Card Giving wants to enable nonprofits the ability to tap into that unused money as a way to raise funds.

Below are instructions on how to start a Gift Card Giving Campaign.

1. Create an account- Visit the Gift Card Giving website and click the “Enroll Your Group”. Fill out your nonprofits information and a Gift Card Fundraiser account manager will create an account for your nonprofit.
2. Receive start-up kit- Look for your personalized start-up kit that will be delivered to your nonprofit’s main contact for the Gift Card Giving program.
3. Launch a fundraiser- Launch your Gift Card Giving program by implementing your marketing plan and informing you donors that you are accepting gift cards as a form of donation.
4. Collection- Your nonprofit begin collecting gift card donations that have over a $10 donation.
5. Conversion- Once you have collected your gift card donations Gift Card Giving will collect your gift cards and liquidate the donations using GiftCardRescue.com.
6. Payment- Your nonprofit will set up a personalized payment plan and you will be paid as agreed upon. Gift Card Giving will cover all credit card and shipping costs incurred on the gift cards that are sold.
The best part is that a Gift Card Giving Campaign is free for you to start and run! Gift Card Giving will take a fee after your gift cards have sold to cover processing expenses. Take advantage of this new and innovative program and tap into a new way to raise money for your organization. There is no limit to the income your non-profit can get from this channel considering the volume of unused gift cards that are out there.

For more information contact a Gift Card Giving representative.

How I Cut My Food Budget In Half

July 7, 2014 by Kirsten Marshall

Kali Geldis tells the DailyFinance about how she cut her food budget in half. If she would have known about services such as giftcardrescue.com, she could’ve saved even more!

With discounted gift cards to major grocery stores like Whole Foods, Walmart, Target, and more; saving hundreds of dollars a month is common. Here is her story.

I opened up my budget tracking tool last November, and my jaw dropped — I had spent $1,200 on food that month. That’s when I knew I had to make a change.

Now, a few notes about that total: That includes groceries, restaurants, bars and fast food. Also, I prepared Thanksgiving dinner — $125 for couple of pies and a turkey for six people. However, that $1,200 number stuck with me — I needed to cut my spending on food.

It’s no surprise that food was a big budget-breaker for me — it’s one of the most common expenses on which financial planners see clients spending too much money. I definitely felt like I was throwing money away. There are so many other ways I could use that money — paying for a vacation, investing more money in an individual retirement account, saving for a down payment on a home, paying for a wedding.

It was when my now-fiancé proposed over Christmas that I knew needed to buckle down and cut my food spending by a lot. Weddings are expensive, and the money that was going toward nights out and nice dinners with friends was wrecking my budget. While I wasn’t going into debt, I realized it was just a matter of time. And debt is something I strenuously avoid. (I never carry a balance on my credit cards and am constantly monitoring my credit scores for free on Credit.com to make sure my credit utilization level is low.) If I was going to start cutting my food spending, I needed new rules for myself.

How I Cut My Food Spending in Half

Pack lunch for work. A simple step, yes, but I realized that I don’t need to pack a lunch every day for work, just pack supplies for lunches once a week. I realized I could get a big supply of baby spinach, some dried cranberries and some salad dressing, and have enough to last me for lunches the entire week. It made packing a lunch less of a hassle, and helped me avoid ordering lunch delivered to the office on Seamless on a daily basis. (I still let myself order in every once in a while.)
Make grocery shopping a priority. I’m a New Yorker, so stocking up on groceries for the week is more difficult than hopping in my car, filling up my cart and heading home. I have to carry all my groceries from the store to my apartment, and a week’s worth of food is shockingly heavy. I’ve opted instead to use Fresh Direct to order groceries every week. Even though I know I’m not getting the best deal on every item I buy, I know that by regularly filling my fridge, I’m not ordering a $25 meal from an online food delivery service. The savings adds up.
Just say no. Part of my food spending problem was that I would go out with friends and feel pressured to order another round of drinks, splurge on dessert, or get a bunch of appetizers for the table. I deserved it, right? I had to learn some self-control and think about the bigger expenses I really wanted — owning a home in a few years, saving money for my upcoming wedding (and the awesome honeymoon we want), and planning for a fully funded retirement. (Yes — I’m a millennial who is thinking about retirement — we do exist!)

I looked at my food spending in May — it’s down to about $600, a huge accomplishment, I cut my food budget in half! It took me about six months to really get into a groove with these new habits, but the payoff is big. My fiancé and I are on track to save more than $1,000 a month for our wedding, and we’re hoping to have a little left over to save for the other big costs down the road.

5 Things To Consider When Getting a Credit Card

June 26, 2014 by Kirsten Marshall

There seems to be a million different choices when getting a credit card. Different cards are better for certain people than others. DailyFinance.com explains what to consider when getting a credit card and how to avoid choosing a card that is wrong for you.

1. Use comparison websites. The myriad of credit card options today is matched by a slew of comparison websites that make it easier than ever to customize your search for the right card for you. Google’s credit card search tool lets users narrow down their search by interest rate, rewards and a dozen other factors. IndexCreditCards.com, Bankrate.com, CreditCards.com, CreditKarma.com and NerdWallet.com all offer credit card search tools.

If you always pay your bill in full each month and never carry any debt, then you can take a closer look at the rewards options. Perhaps you prefer cash back to airline miles, or points that let you make purchases at retailers such as Best Buy (BBY) or Home Depot (HD). If you do carry any debt, though, then you’ll want to focus on minimizing the APR, or annual percentage rate. Just don’t sign up for the first offer you get in the mail because it might not be the best one for your situation.

2. Check up on the extra protections that come with your card. Credit cards come with various forms of protection, including from theft, non-delivery of items from a company and even extended warranties. If you travel a lot, then you might want to focus on cards that come with travel perks like insurance; if you buy a lot of large electronics, then the extended warranty protection might be for you. If you’re a big shopper, then price protection, which offers to make up the difference if an item you buy drops in price, could be your best bet. The important thing is to read the fine print, ask questions so you know what perks come with your card and to pick the card that has the benefits that are important to you.

3. Don’t be tempted by freebies. Credit cards sometimes offer tempting short-term benefits, including token gifts like T-shirts or a temporary zero percent APR. For the most part, you don’t want to get sidetracked by these offers because they mask the far more important factors, namely the interest rate and any relevant fees. In fact, you should probably ignore introductory gifts all together because you’ll have your card far longer than you’ll enjoy the added freebies. You can buy your own T-shirt later.

4. Avoid rewards cards unless you carry zero debt. On average, rewards cards carry higher interest rates than non-rewards cards. According to IndexCreditCards.com, the average interest rate on a consumer rewards card is currently 17.64 percent, and the average rate on a non-rewards card is 15.48 percent — that’s a full two-percentage point difference. It might not sound like much, but if you’re carrying debt each month, then you want to make sure you’re paying as little as possible for it. (Along with developing a plan to pay it off in full as soon as possible.) Any rewards are not worth the extra interest payments.

5. Rates and fees can be negotiable, so always ask. Credit card providers are sometimes more flexible than you might think. If you’re a good customer with a strong credit history, then you might have some leeway to ask for a lower interest rate or for an unexpected fee to be removed. You can sometimes negotiate better terms for yourself, especially if you’re a good customer who pays on time. There’s no harm in calling up the customer service representative to ask what they can do for you.

The bottom line: You want to make sure your credit card is working for you, and not vice versa. Pay off your bill each month so you’re not carrying any debt, and take advantage of the free rewards coming your way. If you do have debt, make a plan to pay it off, because the high interest rates on credit cards add up quickly over time.

20 Best iPhone Apps

June 24, 2014 by Kirsten Marshall

Out of the hundreds of iphone apps that are now available on the itunes store, EliteDaily has introduced the 20 best iphone apps to download. If you are looking to purchase an iPhone, first get a discounted apple gift card to save.

1. Secret:

Cheating, stealing, peeing in Pringles cans and money issues are just a few things you’ll find on Secret. The new social network gives you an anonymous look into the lives of other people. It’s definitely entertaining to read, but even more fun to share your own dirty laundry.

Price: Free

2. Evernote:

When you want to be productive, use Evernote. The digital notebook makes it easy for you to jot down quick notes, make lists, record voice memos and even save web articles. What’s great about Evernote is that everything you create is stored in the cloud, so even if you don’t have your iPhone, you can still log in on the web and have everything you need.

Price: Free

3. Checkmark 2:

Checkmark 2 is a gorgeous to-do list app. It’s much better than the one that comes with your iPhone because you can set reminders based on when you arrive or leave a certain location.

You can even set reminders for a specific time or date. To help keep everyone productive, Checkmark 2 also features reminders for groups, too. The price is a little steep, but it’s definitely worth it.

Price: $5.99

4. Acompli:

Does dealing with emails bum you out? Acompli makes managing your digital messages easier. What’s great about Acompli is that it combines your email and calendar, making it easy to schedule meetings and keep on top of things you have to do.

Price: Free

5. Fantastical 2:

Fantastical 2 is the best calendar app around. We love it because it’s so simple to enter an appointment or task. Simply type, “coffee with kevin tomorrow and 8 am” and the app automatically fills in everything else. You’ll never forget an appointment again.

Price: $4.99

6. Spotify

Screen-Shot-2014-04-02-at-08.49.29-940x631

Spotify is hands down the best music app around. The app’s library is massive, with over 20 million songs, both old and new.

You can create playlists, listen to custom radio stations, discover new music and follow your favorite artists.

If you want to get the full Spotify treatment, consider its premium service. For $9 a month, you get ad-free access and can download playlists directly to your iPhone, this means you can listen even when you don’t have service.

Price: Free ($9 a month for Spotify Premium)

7. SoundFlake

Soundflake is a brand new SoundCloud player. It looks great, and makes managing your SoundCloud account on the go ridiculously easy.

While Spotify has a huge music library, it often doesn’t have music as soon as it’s available. That’s when we turn to SoundCloud and can listen to all the new jams.

Price: $2.99

8. Litely

When the regular Instagram filters don’t cut it, try Litely. The photo-editing app was created by the guy who made some of Instagram’s most popular filters, so he knows what he’s doing.

Price: Free

9. Google Docs

Pretty much everyone has a Gmail account, which means everyone has a Google Docs account, too. The screen on your phone might be small, but with Google Docs for iPhone, you can create new documents or open and edit any that you started on the web or another device.

Best of all, you never have to worry again about losing your work — everything is automatically saved as you type. What are you waiting for, it’s time to ditch Microsoft Word.

Price: Free

10. Snapchat

Snapchat just had a huge update recently. Now you can chat and video chat moments with your friends, making the app much more interactive.

The new chats aren’t permanent so you can be as candid as you want, without fear or shame. Don’t forget that your friends can still take a screenshot though.

Price: Free

11. Fever

So, you want to go out but have no idea what to do… We’ve all been there before. Now there’s a solution: Fever. The event discovery app, gives you a curated feed of hot options with a social component that lets you and influencers share activities on the go.

Price: Free

12. Jobr

Jobr is the Tinder for finding a new job. Specifically, Jobr connects those searching for a new gig with employers and vice versa. You can get matched with recruiters, and even earn rewards for referring friends for positions.

Price: Free

13. 7 Minutes In Hell Workout & Weight Tracker

You want to get in shape, but don’t have a lot of time. We get it, and so does 7 Minutes in Hell. The app makes it incredibly easy to get in a vigorous workout.

You get 30 seconds for each of the 12 punishing exercises, with 10 seconds of rest in between, just in case you need to hydrate, catch your breath or vomit into a bucket.

Price: $2.99

13. Threes

When you have a few minutes of down time, check out Threes. The puzzle game challenges you to add together like numbers to get a high score. The challenge is never ending.

Price: $1.99

14. Piano Tiles

Piano Tiles is like Rock Band or Guitar Hero except on your phone and it’s free. Playing Piano Tiles really gets your heart racing.

The idea is simple, tap the black tiles, don’t tap the white tiles. The game has multiple modes that allow you to race against the clock, it’s perfect for when you need to kill some time.

Price: Free

15. QuizUp

QuizUp is a fun trivia game that lets you challenge your friends or some strangers to see who knows the most.

You can use from over 400 categories with 250k questions. There’s something for everyone to enjoy on QuizUp and who wouldn’t want the bragging rights of knowing more than your friends?

Price: Free

16. HealthyOut

Give Seamless a break and check out HealthyOut. The recently updated app shows you the healthiest options for delivery or take out near you.

HealthyOut promises that its curated selection of dishes offers half the calories and fat compared to other restaurant’s dishes.

Price: Free

17. Art.sy

Step your knowledge of the art game up. Artsy lets you explore, collect and share more than 100,000 high-resolution artworks.

From Monet, to Warhol, to Marina Abramovic, Jeff Koons, Ed Ruscha and Cindy Sherman, Art.sy spans everything from historical masters, to today’s top artists.

Price: Free

18. Comedy Central

Comedy Central’s new app lets you stream full episodes of nearly all the channel’s shows. It’s great when you want to catch up on new episodes or binge watch a series. Best of all, you don’t need an account or anything to sign in.

Price: Free

19. Circa

You want to keep up with the news, but sometimes it’s too hard to digest, right? We get it. That’s why Circa is perfect for staying on top of breaking news across a ton of different areas.

The news app takes the news and presents it in a way that’s easy to understand and easy to read. You can also follow stories and get alerts once it’s been updated or more information has been released.

Price: Free

20. Make it Rain: The Love of Money

If you can’t make it rain in real life then at least make it rain virtually. The game is simple, you just swipe, swipe and swipe to see how much money you can blow.

Price: Free

Top Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Financially Savvy Gift Ideas

June 18, 2014 by Kirsten Marshall

With graduations, father’s days, summer birthdays in the future, DailyFinance shares some great financially savvy gift ideas that will make your gift the highlight of the party. Staying financially savvy is an important trait to pass on to the people you care about. By using site such as giftcardrescue.com you can save money every day on gas, groceries, and clothes. Check out how to pass on the gift of money smarts to your family and friends.

LOS ANGELES — Americans typically spend nearly $5 billion on gifts for graduates, with a little over half giving cash and a third offering gift cards, according to last year’s National Retail Federation survey.

Those surveyed spent an average of $49, which won’t buy a laptop, a retirement fund or many of the other gifts often touted as “financially savvy.”

If you actually want to do some future good with your gift, here are some money-smart suggestions for grads from personal finance experts, college consultants and recent graduates:

Living Life

Experiences give us more happiness than stuff, according to various researchers. You can put those findings to practical use in a variety of ways.

“I’m a sucker for experiences over products, so I might give a gift certificate or Groupon (GRPN) to a nice restaurant or a Paint Nite with a few friends,” said personal finance columnist Kathy Kristof, Los Angeles-based author of “Taming the Tuition Tiger” and mother of a recent college graduate.

(For her own daughter, Kristof bought the airline tickets for four months spent “kicking around the world.”)

College consultant Shirley Bloomquist of Great Falls, Virginia, sometimes buys gift certificates for lunch, dinner or a theater outing for the graduate and a friend.

Cooking Essentials

Learning to fix meals from scratch at home will save your graduate a fortune. A good basic cookbook, such as Mark Bittman’s “How to Cook Everything,” is one option. Kitchen starter sets are another. Ikea has 7-piece cookware sets for $25 to $50, while Caphalon and Oxo have kitchen gadget sets for $40 to $50.

College consultant Bloomquist recently gave a gift certificate for a cooking class to a law school graduate that she could share with some buddies.

Help Being Grown Up

Transitioning to the work world often isn’t easy. Grads may benefit from the services of a resume doctor, a career counselor, a wardrobe stylist, a fee-only financial planner — or other professionals.

“I know someone who had an interior designer just spend a day rearranging things in their apartment,” said Zac Bisonnette, author of “Debt-Free U” and “Good Advice from Bad People.” Such help, he said, “can turn an ad hoc sort of deal into something more adult.”

Professional help isn’t cheap, however. The cost for any of these services can be $150 an hour, or more. Some may offer discounted initial sessions, but givers on a budget may have to resort to self-help books instead.

For career advice, Lynn O’Shaughnessy, author of “The College Solution,” recommends “Getting from College to Career: Your Essential Guide to Succeeding in the Real World,” by Lindsey Pollak and “Graduate to a Great Job: Make Your College Degree Pay Off in Today’s Market,” by David DeLong.

Some other titles to consider:

“Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties,” by Beth Kobliner.
“Style Bible: What to Wear to Work,” by Lauren A. Rothman.
“Apartment Therapy: The Eight-Step Home Cure,” by Maxwell Ryan.

Prepaid Cards

If you’re still leaning toward a cash gift, you might consider a reloadable prepaid card that allows users to track their spending and offers some protection against loss, theft or fraud.

“The main advantage over cash is that cash tends to disappear quickly,” said Curtis Arnold, founder of CardRatings.com and BestPrepaidDebitCards.com. “I have a son that graduated a year ago, and I would never give him a cash gift … even though I required him to take a personal finance class during college.”

A prepaid card that charges fat fees is, however, the exact opposite of a financially savvy gift. Arnold recommends two lower-cost options: Serve from American Express (AXP) and Chase Liquid (JPM).

Serve has a $1 monthly maintenance fee, free point-of-sale transactions and none of the typical hidden third-party costs such as ATM and cash load fees, he said. Users can also send money by email, text and Facebook (FB) and set up subaccounts to easily share money among family members, Arnold said.

Chase Liquid offers unlimited free withdrawals at Chase ATMs. Point-of-sale transactions are free and there are no cash load fees. The card can be used for paying bills and its “sophisticated mobile apps” are well worth the $4.95 monthly maintenance fee, Arnold said.

The card you choose could well become the gift that keeps on giving.

“Once they spend your gift, they will hopefully consider reloading the card later rather than using a credit card and running the risk of increasing their debt load,” Arnold said.

23 Gifts Dad Will Love

June 12, 2014 by Kirsten Marshall

We picked our favorite Father’s Day gifts from MensHealth.com to bring your the best list of gifts dad will love this father’s day. If the way to dad’s heart is through his stomach, try getting him a gift card to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse or Bahama Breeze.

Source – The Daily Meal

1. Connor NYC e-stationery

There’s nothing like a handwritten card, but lately, Dad’s been on an iMessaging kick. Tell him about this Connor NYC app that brings together old school class and new school tech before he texts everyone “thx” on Father’s Day. He’ll just need to download the app, choose his stationery, write his message and send via email.

Free, itunes.apple.com

2. JKL Short Sleeve Polo Shirt

Unlike sunscreen, Dad just needs to put on this polo once to shield his skin from harmful UV rays. The pima cotton and cocona fabric is woven to provide UV protection. Cool factor:JKL, which stands for “Just Keep Living,” is Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey’s activewear brand.

$60, dillards.com

3. Nautica Woven Bracelet

You’ll never forget the first time Dad took you to the shore as a boy or the smell of salt water in his hair when he’d carry you into the house. This Nautica bracelet will bring back those same memories.

$15, nautica.com

4. Coach Slip On Sneaker

Simplify Dad’s morning routine with these slip-on sneakers from Coach. They’re made of leather—just like his favorite pair of driving loafers—but hip enough to be worn to the ballpark.

$188, coach.com

5. Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair

Dad will be the most popular guy at the beach BBQ thanks to this Tommy Bahama beach chair. Not only will he be able to fold it down and wear it like a backpack, but he’ll also be able to chill a six pack in the insulated cooler pouch.

$58, Tommy Bahama Red Backpack Cooler Chair

6. Banana Republic Printed Short

There were some good (but mostly pretty embarrassing) aloha shirts dad wore on those family summer vacations growing up. Luckily for him, the trend is back—and you know these Banana Republic shorts are a cool alternative.

$60, Banana Republic Printed Short

7. Oliberté Narivo Pullup

The best gift is one that gives back, and these 100 percent goat leather Oliberté shoes do just that. The sustainable brand believes in supporting its workers in sub-Saharan Africa—and workers all over the world.

$125, Oliberte Narivo Pullup

8. Dunhill Bulldog Steel Keyfob

With this weighted Dunhill keyfob, Dad won’t have to fumble through his briefcase every time he reaches the front door. And if he’s a dog lover, even better.

$360, Dunhill Bulldog Keyfob

9. Birdie Box Father’s Day Box

If you couldn’t find Dad on Sunday morning, chances are he was on the back nine—but he always made it on time to your little league tournaments. So give him this gift from Birdie Box that will have him looking—if not playing—like two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson.

$75, birdiebox.com

10. Tommy Hilfiger Signature Sport Sunglasses

Shield his eyes and keep him looking youthful with these cool blue sunglasses from Tommy Hilfiger.

$1, Tommy Hilfiger Sport Sunglasses

11. DODOcase x Ball and Buck iPad Case

Whether he’s a cool hunter or duck hunter, this camo DODOcase x Ball and Buck case will protect his iPad in theme with his favorite hobby.

$98, ballandbuck.com

12. Polo Ralph Lauren Surf-Wash Oxford

The crisp white dress shirt Dad wears into the boardroom shouldn’t be the same one he wears to the beach house. Make sure he’s dressed appropriately with this Polo Ralph Lauren oxford. Its 100 percent cotton, short sleeve construction make it the perfect weekend shirt.

$90, ralphlauren.com

13. Billy Kirk Leather Tray

Move a paper on Dad’s desk, and you might find random receipts and coins underneath. This limited edition Billy Kirk tray for Gilt will keep his change all in one place. What he spends it on, though, is yet to be determined.

$35, gilt.com

14. Filson Oil Tin Wine Tote

If your dad loves wine, help him look the part. This Filson wine tote will get him to the party in style—with his favorite wine pairings in tow.

$145, filson.com

15. Jack Spade Shell Jacket

Help him pack light—and dress light—this summer. Versatile enough to be worn over sweaters in the fall or over a T-shirt on his next vacation, this Jack Spade jacket also packs down into a pouch for easy storage.

$298, Jack Spade Shell Jacket

16. Owen & Fred Custom Leather Luggage Tag

Those elastic rainbow luggage straps aren’t helping Dad’s look. Help him identify his bag with a handsome luggage tag from Owen & Fred. If he has a carry-on and check-in bag, opt for the 2 pack.

$45, owenandfred.com

17. BeltCraft Custom Monogrammed Belt

That one reversible belt Dad’s been rocking since you were in college isn’t cutting it anymore—especially when BeltCraft offers affordable custom belts, which can now be monogrammed for that extra special touch.

$69 belt, $6 monogramming; beltcraft.com

18. Michael Kors Jet Set Saffiano Card Case

This Michael Kors card case will keep his cards and cash in order—while still looking cool.

$68, michaelkors.com

19. RoboReel Portable Power Cord System

Exhausted from watching your dad fight with his extension cord like it’s a Burmese python? Check out this motorized spool with one-touch retraction. It takes the hassle out of rolling up extension cord by reeling in your cord at the touch of a button, into a consistently neat and compact bundle. Its 360-degree rotation allows you to make the most out of the RoboReel’s 50ft, triple-headed extension cord.

$280, Portable RoboReel Power Cord System

20. Nike+ FuelBand

He may not like silver or gold, but this is one bracelet any fit guy would be willing wear: The Nike+ FuelBand tracks your daily movements, steps taken, and calories burned, and tells you how they measure up against your fitness goals. The wristband syncs with the free iPhone app to help you visualize your progress and goals while competing against friends for extra motivation or just sharing your success on Facebook. Whether it’s running between classes or kids, the Nike+ FuelBand helps make sure every step counts towards your fitness goals.

$75, Nike+ FuelBand

21. Zippo Wallet

Zippo’s lighters may be retro-cool, but at Men’s Health, we can’t advocate giving Dad a trendy excuse to light up. Thankfully, Zippo added a couple of other stylish accessories to its arsenal of old-school offerings this year, including this sleek, stainless steel wallet. The outer shell is impenetrable to RF thieves, and despite its flashy exterior, it’s still perfectly functional. Dad can stuff a wad of cash, six credit cards, and his ID comfortably inside.

$33, Zippo Wallet

22. Brinkmann Dual Function Gas/Charcoal Grill

Dad might say he doesn’t play favorites among his kids, but see how quickly that changes if he wakes up on Father’s Day and sees Brinkmann’s beast sitting out on the patio. The dual-function charcoal/gas smoker has three burners that are capable of pumping out 36,000 BTUs—and a side burner kicks in an additional 10,000. With 806 square inches of cooking surface, the only problem will be locating enough meat and veggies to pile onto the spacious stainless steel cooking grates. And between us, we all know who’s going to get served first.

homedepot.com, $300

23. Dad is Fat

Parenting ain’t easy. And if you don’t believe that’s the understatement of the year, flip through a few pages of Jim Gaffigan’s Dad is Fat in which the comedian sums up life with five kids. Among the observations: “There is no difference between a four-year-old eating a taco and throwing a taco on the floor,” “Toddlers always sound like they have traveled by horseback for hours to deliver important news.” You might not understand until you get there, but give this one to Dad to enjoy—perhaps while he’s lounging in that hammock—and watch him smile knowingly.

$10, Dad Is Fat

16 Target Shopping Secrets

June 6, 2014 by Kirsten Marshall

If heading to Target is the highlight of your week, here are some awesome secrets that will help you save money and have a more fruitful experience. Purchasing a discount Target gift card before hitting the store will allow you to save even more!

Flickr: partymonstrrrr / Via Creative Commons

1. Target has a schedule for when they mark product pricing down. The schedule is as follows:

Monday – Electronics, Accessories, Kids Clothing, Books, Baby, and Stationery

Tuesday — Domestics, Women’s Clothing, Pets and, Market food items

Wednesday — Men’s Clothing, Health and Beauty, Diapers, Lawn/Garden items, and Furniture

Thursday — Housewares, Lingerie, Shoes, Toys, Sporting Goods, Decor and Luggage

Friday — Auto, Cosmetics, Hardware, and Jewelry

Target has a schedule for when they mark product pricing down. The schedule is as follows:

Target / Via facebook.com

2. The price tag will tell you what percentage the markdown is.

The lower left shows the original price and the upper right hand corner shows the percentage off for the markdown.

The price tag will tell you what percentage the markdown is.

Via rather-be-shopping.com

3. If the price tag ends in $0.06 or $0.08, the item will be priced down again.

As long as there is inventory in the store. It will probably remain on clearance for around 2 weeks.

If the price tag ends in $0.06 or $0.08, the item will be priced down again.

Target / Via facebook.com

4. If a price tag ends in $0.04, it is final clearance andwon’t be marked down again.

They’ve gotta draw the line somewhere.

If a price tag ends in $0.04, it is final clearance and won't be marked down again.

Target / Via facebook.com

5. Target enforces a limit on the number of returns you can make without a receipt.

It’s no more than $75.00 a year.

Target enforces a limit on the number of returns you can make without a receipt.

Target / Via facebook.com

6. All electronics and entertainment purchases have alimited amount of time in which they may be returned or exchanged.

You have 30 days after the day of purchase.

All electronics and entertainment purchases have a limited amount of time in which they may be returned or exchanged.

Target / Via facebook.com

7. Beyond the 5% off it gives it’s users, REDcard debit and credit card holders will receive an extra 30 daysto return nearly all items purchased with their REDcard at Target and Target.com.

And there’s no annual fee.

Beyond the 5% off it gives it's users, REDcard debit and credit card holders will receive an extra 30 days to return nearly all items purchased with their REDcard at Target and Target.com.

Target / Via facebook.com

8. You can return Target purchases by mail for free.

Just visit the online return center and print out a prepaid return label. Target will pay the return shipping fees.

You can return Target purchases by mail for free.

Target / Via facebook.com

9. If you find an item in a competitor’s ad, bring it to Target and they’ll match the advertised price.

No questions asked.

If you find an item in a competitor's ad, bring it to Target and they'll match the advertised price.

Target / Via facebook.com

10. If you pay with a check, you have to wait 10 daysbefore you can get a refund in cash.

Otherwise you have to settle for a Target GiftCard.

If you pay with a check, you have to wait 10 days before you can get a refund in cash.

Target / Via facebook.com

11. Target has mobile coupons available to be sent directly to your phone.

You can sign up here. You don’t have to clip coupons anymore.

Target has mobile coupons available to be sent directly to your phone.

Target / Via facebook.com

12. And the Target app gets 10 or more new couponseach week.

Your cashier can just scan your phone if you decide to use one and the app is FREE to download.

Lara Parker for BuzzFeed

Lara Parker for BuzzFeed

13. The Cartwheel app is a free app that Target recently debuted. It offers several deals that change weekly that offer different ways to save than the Target app does.

The app will link to your Facebook, but you can choose whether or not you allow it to post for you. It’s beneficial for you that it links to your Facebook because the more friends you have using Cartwheel, the more coupons you get to use. For example: one week Cartwheel may offer 15% off women’s shoes and the next 10% off all Women’s Underwear. You can search the app easily and find exactly what you need to buy.

Lara Parker for BuzzFeed

Lara Parker for BuzzFeed

14. If you find an item on sale that you wish to purchase but the store runs out of stock, you canrequest a rain check.

This means that no matter what, when the item is restocked you can purchase it at sale price.

If you find an item on sale that you wish to purchase but the store runs out of stock, you can request a rain check.

Target / Via Facebook: target

15. At most Targets, for each bag that you bring in to use, you will receive $0.05.

That adds up!

At most Targets, for each bag that you bring in to use, you will receive $0.05.

Via facebook.com

16. You can find brand new Target merchandise for cheap at Goodwill.

After Target clearances certain items and they still don’t sell, they will then donate those items to Goodwill.

You can find brand new Target merchandise for cheap at Goodwill.

Flickr: jeepersmedia / Via Creative Commons

Go forth with this information and prosper.

NBC

If you would rather skip Target and shop at Walmart, find out how to coupon to save.

Original article from Buzzfeed.com

How To Be A Lucky Person

June 5, 2014 by Kirsten Marshall

We all know that person that is always ‘lucky’. They get the best opportunities and everything just always seems to work out for them. Researchers have discovered that, what we call ‘lucky’, people share the same qualities that allow good things to happen to them. Clear your mind and try something new!

If you can be a lucky person by integrating these Inc.com traits into your life.

1. Be an opportunity magnet

Why is it that some people just seem to attract more opportunities than others? It’s because they are open to new opportunities and they make sure everyone around them knows it. If, for example, you want to get an offer for a better job, what do you think is the best way to achieve that? Right: Tell everyone you know that you’re looking for a new job. As word moves throughout your network of colleagues, friends, and relatives, chances are you will be presented with a number of opportunities.

2. Loosen up

When people are rigid and uptight, in their business or their life, then only a relatively few things fit into their definition of what constitutes and opportunity. As a result they let countless opportunities pass them by. If you find your outlook is too narrow then loosen up and allow some serendipity to enter into your life. The best opportunities, and the greatest sources of luck, often arrive from unexpected places at unexpected times. Be open to possibilities rather than shutting them down.

3. Be outgoing

If you want to be lucky you can’t be a wallflower. You’ve got to put yourself out there and talk to people, quite possibly in places and in ways that you might not normally be comfortable doing. If you’re an introvert you’ll need to make an extra effort to be outgoing. Recognize your tendency to avoid socializing or hold back in conversations, and then practice doing just the opposite. The more outgoing you are, the more opportunities–and luck–you will attract.

4. Be flexible

We all make plans in our lives: We want to achieve this particular goal by this particular date, we want to be living in this place by this date, etc. Plans are great, but luck doesn’t necessarily care what your plans are. In fact, luck follows its own plan. So, when a new opportunity presents itself, you’ve got to be agile and ready to modify, change, or throw out altogether whatever plans you’ve made. The more flexible you are with your future possibilities, the more luck you will bring into your life.

5. Don’t be afraid to fail

When opportunities arrive we can’t be afraid to act on them. Sure, there’s always the possibility that we might fail, but we can’t let the fear of failure rule our lives. If you focus on the opportunity and put everything you’ve got into it, chances are you will succeed. Even if you don’t, simply pick yourself up and quickly move on to the next opportunity. The faster you fail and move on, the faster you will ultimately succeed. Of course, you might just succeed with your first opportunity. You’d say you were lucky, but science might say otherwise.

19 Best Ranked Smartphones

June 4, 2014 by Kirsten Marshall

Smartphones run the world we live in today. If you are thinking about upgrading your old smartphone, it is the perfect time to get trade in the old for the new. BusinessInsider displays the best ranked smartphones in the world.

With the best ranked list containing new devices that phone makers have recently introduced, as well as some older models that still out perform the competitors. The Best ranked smartphone list is based on multiple qualities of a phone including design, software and hardware features, content selection, carrier availability, and price.

Most smartphones are available at retailers such as Target and Walmart, where discounted gift cards can be purchase to decrease the phone price by up to 4%. Check out online websites such as giftcardrescue.com to find a discounted card for your favorite retailer or save money by shopping online.

#19 BlackBerry Q10

Steve Kovach/Business Insider

If you’re still married to the idea of a physical keyboard on your phone, then BlackBerry’s Q10 is the first (and only) phone you should consider buying.

The downside: BlackBerry doesn’t have a good app selection.

#18 Motorola Moto E

Business Insider/ Lisa Eadicicco

If you need a workable phone that costs next to nothing, the Moto E from Motorola is a great choice.

This trimmed down Android smartphone doesn’t have a super sharp screen or connect to 4G networks, but it does come dirt-cheap. You can buy it without a contract for just $129.

#17 LG G Flex

Business Insider

LG released the first-ever curved-screen phone, the G Flex, in the U.S. this year. The G Flex has a large, 6-inch curved screen and a self-healing backing that can repair minor scratches.

Unfortunately, LG had to make a few compromises to get that curved screen on the device. The resolution is a lot lower than it is on Apple and Samsung phones, so images, text, and video look grainy in comparison. LG’s user interface for Android is also unattractive and buggy.

#16 LG G2

Kevin Smith/Business Insider

The G2 is LG’s current flagship phone. It has a gorgeous 5-inch display, one of the best you can get on a smartphone. But it does have one odd design quirk: the power and volume buttons are located on the back of the phone, making it a bit awkward to use at first.

Warning: LG recently announced its newest flagship, the G3. It goes on sale in August. If you like LG phones, you might want to wait until then.

#15 HTC One Max

HTC

The HTC One Max is the company’s first phablet. It has a giant 5.9-inch screen and a fingerprint sensor that can unlock the phone and launch apps.

It’s an attractive device made out of metal, but all that metal also makes it extremely thick and heavy compared to most phones that size. It’s the prettiest phablet you can buy, but not the best.

#14 Samsung Galaxy S4

Robert Libetti/ Business Insider

Samsung’s flagship phone from last year may have been replaced by the new Galaxy S5, but it’s still a decent option if you’re looking for a big-screen device at a nice discount.

The Galaxy S4 isn’t the best smartphone, but it’s good enough if you don’t want to spend a lot.

#13 iPhone 5C

William Wei, Business Insider

The iPhone 5C, which launched at the same time as the iPhone 5S, is Apple’s slightly cheaper model of the iPhone. It has almost all the same specs and features as the iPhone 5 that launched in 2012, but wrapped in a variety of colorful plastic cases. You can get it in blue, pink, green, yellow or white.

#12 HTC One

Reuters/Brendan McDermid

HTC’s flagship phone from last year, the One, still holds up very well today. The One is one of the most beautiful smartphones ever made. It also has a nice camera and large, 4.7-inch screen. Now that the new One flagship phone is out, you can get the original at a nice discount on some carriers.

#11 Nokia Lumia Icon

Nokia

If you’re on Verizon and want a Windows phone, the Nokia Lumia Icon is pretty much your only option. It’s not the most attractive device, but it is well-constructed and has an amazing camera.

#10 Nokia Lumia 1020

Nokia

Most consider the Nokia Lumia 1020 to be the best Windows phone you can buy. It has one of the best cameras you can get in a smartphone, which is nice if you don’t mind the giant bulge it adds to the back.

Other than that, it’s mostly the same Windows Phone experience you get on any other device.

#9 Nokia Lumia 1520

Business Insider

The Lumia 1520 is the first Windows Phone phablet ever made. It has a huge 6-inch screen, which gives you extra room for more apps and Live Tiles on your home screen.

#8 Sony Xperia Z1S

Business Insider / Melia Robinson

If you’re accident prone, then Sony’s new Xperia Z1S might be a good choice for you. The Android device is virtually waterproof, and it can survive under 5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes.

#7 Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Samsung popularized the “phablet” category with the Galaxy Note more than two years ago. Now the phone is in its third generation with the Galaxy Note 3.

The Galaxy Note 3 has the biggest screen yet, 5.7 inches, yet its body is actually thinner and lighter than the last model. It also comes with a special stylus called the S Pen for drawing or taking notes. It’s the best phablet you can buy.

Fair warning: Samsung is expected to release its new Galaxy Note in September.

#6 Motorola Moto X

Steve Kovach/Business Insider

The Moto X is one of the best Android phones. Motorola added some new features to Android, like the ability to check notifications easily from the home screen and launch the camera app by twisting the phone. But it’s still mostly the “clean” version Android from Google.

#5 Google Nexus 5

Nexus 5

Google’s latest flagship phone is the Nexus 5, which was made in partnership with LG.

Like all of Google’s Nexus devices, the Nexus 5 runs a pure version of Android, meaning you won’t find any modifications to the software. It also gets software updates much faster than other Android phones. But perhaps the best part is the value. You can get the Nexus 5 unlocked for about half the price as other top-tier smartphones.

The only downside: the camera isn’t that great.

#4 Samsung Galaxy S5

Steve Kovach/Business Insider

Samsung’s newest flagship phone, the Galaxy S5, is a nice improvement over last year’s phone. Instead of weighing the device down with a bunch of unnecessary features, Samsung focused on improving the stuff people care about the most. The Galaxy S5 has the best screen (5.1 inches) ever made for a smartphone. The camera is really good, too.

But if you don’t like phones made out of plastic, you should probably look for something else.

#3 HTC One (M8)

Steve Kovach/Business Insider

HTC’s latest flagship phone, the HTC One (M8), is the best Android phone you can buy.

Like the original, the new HTC One, which is also called the M8, has a gorgeous design and high-quality metal construction. It also has an extra rear camera that acts as a depth sensor so you can edit photos later and change the focus.

#2 HTC One (M8) Google Edition

Google

HTC partnered with Google to create a version of the HTC One (M8) that runs a clean version of Android. That means you don’t get any of the extras that come with the regular version you buy through carriers. You also get software updates directly from Google shortly after they’re ready.

If you want a great phone with the best possible Android experience, this is the device to buy.

#1 iPhone 5S

William Wei, Business Insider

For most people, the iPhone 5S is the best smartphone available.

It strikes the perfect balance of great design, useful features, and app and content selection. The iPhone 5S looks nearly identical to last year’s iPhone 5, but sports a better camera and a fingerprint sensor for unlocking the phone without a passcode.