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.

Who started Gift Card Giving Day?

January 13, 2015 by Kirsten Marshall

Gift Card Giving started Gift Card Giving Day!

Who started Gift Card Giving Day

The first annual Gift Card Giving Day will be held on January 21st, 2015. Anyone with unwanted gift cards or merchandise credit will be able to visit the Gift Card Giving Day website and donate their cards to a good cause.

Gift Card Giving Day is a day dedicated to making a difference. Individuals are given the opportunity to donate unwanted gift cards and merchandise credits to nonprofit organizations participating in the Gift Card Giving Day program. Gift Card Giving Day was started by GiftCards.org as a way to raise awareness to this new innovative donation method that is available for nonprofit organizations to raise money in the first quarter.

GiftCardGiving.us has a mission to help schools, churches, and nonprofit organizations raise money by providing a liquidation service that converts the over $44 billion in unused gift cards into cash for donation. GiftCards.Org has partnered with the nationally recognized company, GiftCardRescue.com, to offer this new donation stream to nonprofit organizations. GiftCardRescue.com has been featured in the ABC show Shark Tank, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CBS, NPR, Smart Money, The Inc 500, and more.

If you are interested in becoming a founding partner, you will be placed on the Gift Card Giving Day website to accept donations from gift card donors. To get in touch with GiftCards.Org, call the customer support line at 1-888-224-9935 or email an Account Manager and someone will be in contact with you within 2 business days to set up your campaign.

If you are interested in donating your gift card, visit the Gift Card Giving Day website on January 21^st and choose a nonprofit to donate. You will be given the option to donate electronically or mail in your card.

Spread the word about Gift Card Giving Day on Twitter with the #GiftCardGivingDay and tell GiftCards.Org why you are donating your gift card.

What is Gift Card Giving Day?

How to launch a Gift Card Giving Day Campaign

How to sign up for Gift Card Giving Day

Food To Cut From Your Kids Diet

July 1, 2014 by Kirsten Marshall

Food companies are good at marketing to unknowning consumers that their product is healthy when, in fact, it could be putting artificial and unhealthy ingredients into your kids diet. Below is a list of food to cut from your kids diet, instead find healthy alternatives that are equally as satisfying. With this list of food to cut from your kids diet, you can kick artificial food coloring and sugar to the curb. Try shopping at places such as Whole Foods to have a larger, healthier food selection.

Kool-Aid Burst Cherry

Red-stained mouths are common during the summer, as kids gulp down huge cups of Kool-Aid, made by Kraft Foods Group KRFT +0.25% . But parents looking to cut down on artificial dyes may want to limit kids’ consumption of Kool-Aid Burst Cherry. The 2013 study shows that just eight fluid ounces of Kool Aid has 52.3 mg of artificial food coloring in it. The FDA says that children weighing 30 kilograms (66 pounds) shouldn’t have more than 210 mg per day of the red dye contained in Kool Aid — and just over 32 ounces of Kool-Aid Burst Cherry (that’s roughly the size of three cans of soda) would put your kids over the edge. Some groups don’t think any of this dye is safe: The Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nonprofit agency that advocates for safer foods, has lobbied the FDA to ban Red No. 40 dye. Kraft did not respond for a request for comment.

Kraft Mac & Cheese

It’s a dinner staple in many households, but the 2014 study shows that just one serving of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese has 17.6 mg of artificial food coloring in it, compared with fewer than 8 mg for a serving of Hamburger Helper, another family favorite. Even Cheese Balls have fewer than 9 mg per serving. The FDA says that children weighing 30 kilograms (66 pounds) shouldn’t have more than 113 mg of Yellow No. 6 or 150 mg of Yellow No. 5 — the dyes that color Kraft Macaroni & Cheese — per day; the CSPI names both of these yellow dyes as two of the three it wants the FDA to ban. Kraft did not respond for a request for comment.

Cap n’ Crunch Oops All Berries

With its cartoon captain on the front of the box and the sweet cereal inside, there’s a reason your kids love Cap n’ Crunch Oops All Berries. But the 2014 study found that just one cup of this cereal has 41.3 mg of artificial food coloring (red, yellow and blue dyes). This was the highest amount of dye per serving of any of the 10 cereals measured. Switching to regular Cap ‘n Crunch as well as Cap ‘n Crunch Crunch Berries are both better (though still not great) bets with 9.5 and 17 mg of artificial dyes per cup, respectively. Stevens says that “better yet, choose a whole grain cereal low in sugar that does not have any dyes.” Children shouldn’t have more than 210 mg of the red dye in Cap n’ Crunch, 150 mg of the yellow dye and 360 mg of the blue dye, according to the FDA. PepsiCo PEP -0.52% referred MarketWatch to the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association for comment, which questioned the analytics of the Purdue study.

Keebler Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers

When parents hear cracker, they often think healthy. But they may want to proceed with caution. One package of these crackers has 10 grams of fat, 190 calories and only 1 gram of fiber. But it’s the dye that may give parents pause: A serving (eight crackers) of Keebler Cheese & Peanut Butter Crackers, made by Kellogg Co. K -0.21% , has 14.4 mg of yellow dye in them; this is one of the dyes that CSPI want to ban. The FDA says children shouldn’t have more than 113 mg of this dye per day. Keebler did not respond to a request for comment.

Trix

“Silly Rabbit, Trix are for kids.” There’s nary a child in America who doesn’t know that tagline, or at least know what Trix cereal is. But that sugary (there are 10 grams of sugar per one-cup serving), colorful cereal your kids love is loaded with artificial dyes (36.4 mg of red, yellow and blue dyes per serving, the second highest of the 10 cereals measured), the 2014 study showed. Children shouldn’t have more than 210 mg of the red dye in Trix, 113 mg of the yellow dye and 360 mg of the blue dye, according to the FDA. What’s more, in general, sugared colorful cereals tend to have one of the highest levels of dyes per serving, compared with popsicles and ice creams. A spokesperson for General Mills GIS +0.47% says that the dye “levels in a product like Trix would actually be lower than what is listed by as much as 30%”.

Powerade Orange

Many parents think that Powerade Orange is a healthy drink to give Junior after his soccer or tennis match. Indeed, Powerade’s marketing campaigns say that it will help replenish electrolytes lost in sweat. But the study found that Powerade Orange, a product of Coca-Cola Co. KO -0.73% , has 22.1 mg of artificial dyes in it per eight ounce serving. You’d be better off with PepsiCo’s Gatorade Orange, which only has 3.2 mg per serving or HyDrive Energy Orange, which only has 6.7 mg, though Stevens says that “100% diluted fruit juice over ice” may be even better.” The FDA says that children shouldn’t have more than 113 mg of Yellow No. 6 or 150 mg of Yellow No. 5, or more than 210 mg per day of the red dye. Coca-Cola did not respond for a request for comment.

Fruity Cheerios

Some parents think of Cheerios as a healthy breakfast, but if you’re worried about artificial dyes, you may want to steer clear of Fruity Cheerios. One serving of this cereal, a General Mills product, has 31.8 mg of red, yellow and blue dye. Parents might want to switch to Kellogg’s Special K Red Berries, as their berries are made from strawberries and don’t contain dye, or Berry Berry Kix by General Mills, whose berry balls are sweetened with fruit juice and also don’t contain dyes. Children shouldn’t have more than 210 mg of the red dye in Fruity Cheerios, 113 mg of the yellow dye and 360 mg of the blue dye, according to the FDA. A spokesperson for General Mills says that “the safety of both artificial and natural colors has been affirmed through extensive review by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).”

Sunny D Orange Strawberry

Sure, eight ounces of Sunny D Orange Strawberry has 100% of the government’s recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C in it, but it’s also got a lot of sugar and artificial dyes. Indeed, Sunny D Orange Strawberry drink, made by parent company Orangina Schweppes, contains 41.5 mg per serving of artificial dyes — that’s second only to Kool-Aid Burst Cherry among the 32 beverages measured. A Sunny D spokesperson says “the health and safety of our products is paramount, we use only FDA-approved ingredients and we stand behind the safety of all of our beverages.” The FDA says that children shouldn’t have more than 113 mg of Yellow No. 6 or 150 mg of Yellow No. 5 — the two yellow dyes the study found in Sunny D Orange Strawberry — or more than 210 mg per day of the red dye.

M&M’s

Parents know that candy isn’t healthy for kids, but many don’t realize how much artificial dye goes into it. One quarter cup of M&Ms (48 pieces) has 29.5 mg of dyes (red, blue and yellow) in it — the second highest of the more than 50 candies measured. They also have 27 grams of sugar in them — one of the highest levels of those measured. Mars says that their products comply with both internal quality and safety standards as well as government standards. The FDA says that children shouldn’t have more than 113 mg of Yellow No. 6 or 150 mg of Yellow No. 5, 210 mg per day of Red No. 40, 360 mg of Blue No. 1, 75 mg of Blue No. 2 — all of which the study found M&Ms contained.

Skittles

When your kids “experience the rainbow,” they’re also gulping down a lot of artificial dye. One serving (a packet, which contains 61 pieces) of the candy has 33.3 mg of artificial dyes in it. But perhaps even more disturbing to parents is the 46 g of sugar that go along with that. Wrigley, the maker of Skittles, says that all the colors used “comply with our own strict internal quality and safety requirements as well as all applicable laws, regulations and safety assessments relating to colors added to food.” Skittles contains the same dyes that M&Ms do.

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

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.

6 Things To Quit Buying Your Kids When They Have Allowance

June 3, 2014 by Kirsten Marshall

Teach your kids how to handle money responsibly as soon as you start giving them an allowance. They will grow up knowing the value of money and be smart spenders. Here are 6 things you should quit buying your kids when they have their own money.

Junk Food

Healthy snacks and food are covered by you any day however, when it comes to concession stands, candy bars, or carnival food, let your kids be on their own. Teach them that unhealthy food comes at a price and if they want it they will need to budget it.

Toys

You are at the store and your kids are begging for the newest barbie on display. You can finally be a Yes-mom and respond with; as long as you have your own money with you. You won’t have to worry about temper tantrums because they can buy it if they save.

Accessories

Buying clothes and shoes is still under mom and dad responsibility but getting new jewelry or hats should be taken on by your kids. If it is not a mandatory outfit requirement, let them buy it with their own money.

Data Plans

Your kids are not using data to keep in contact with you and it is not a necessary addition to having a phone plan. If they want to use data then make them be responsible for paying for it. Along the same lines, if they go over their data usage make sure they are the ones footing the bill.

Over-Priced Fundraisers

Buying candy bars and books from the school fundraisers gets old. If you want to contribute then make your contribution but if they want the products that they are selling, make them have saved for it or skip purchasing it all together.

School Events

Anything related to school such as educational field trips etc should be paid for by you. School events like carnivals, movies, and dances are allocated to allowance money.

Anything your kid wants should be taken on by them to make sure they have the money to pay for. You are still giving them that money (in the form of allowance), but you are teaching them to be smart about money, budget, and work for what they want. Try paying their allowance in discounted gift cards to the stores your kids love: Toys R Us, Justice, Cold Stone, and many more are available at giftcardrescue.com.

20 Lazy Sunday Activities

May 30, 2014 by Kirsten Marshall

After a long work week, Sundays are the best day to do nothing and love it. Lazy Sunday activities can include just laying in bed to online shopping, whatever your heart desires, as long as you are being lazy.

1. Buy some flowers

Go to the local market and pick up a pretty bunch of tulips. There’s something so beautiful and uplifting when you have a bouquet of fresh flowers in the house. Don’t you think?

2. Wear no make-up

Nothing feels better than a naked face. Who needs all that gunk anyways? Hey, it’s called lazy Sunday for a reason – zero effort required.

3. Bake chocolate chip cookies

Soft, gooey, warm-baked cookies. Definitely our favorite pastime.

4. Lay around all day

Make a date with your duvet.

5. Make banana pancakes…

…for breakfast. A cup of freshly brewed coffee and a plate of fluffy pancakes? That’s how to spring someone out of bed.

6. Watch old films

Dirty Dancing, Now and Then and pretty much every Julia Roberts movie out there. Timeless fun.

7. Wear something snug

Forget tight tailored blazers and rigid black trousers. Today is your day to wear WHATEVER the hell you want. We’re going for the BF’s shirt.

8. Do some laundry

We know what you’re thinking. Chores – on a Sunday? Hear us out. You know as well as we do that there’s nothing more satisfying than clean crisp laundry. The smell is gorgeous and the effort? Minimal.

9. Drink wine and be happy

If you’re up for it, drop by the local bar and enjoy a few drinks. Otherwise, stay in and crack open a bottle of chilled wine with a friend. Even better, go all out and make summery homemade cocktails! Yum.

10. Read

Now’s the time to catch up on some fantasies. Get lost in a story or catch up on world affairs.

11. Catch up on sleep

Most of us don’t get the recommended quota of sleep (8 hours per night). In fact, we’re lucky if we do, right? On Sundays you can turn off that alarm, sleep in, have a nap, go to bed early – anything – there are NO rules on your day off.

12. Pamper yourself

Day to day stress can wreck havoc with our beauty regimes. Revitalize your body and treat yourself to some major TLC. You deserve it!

13. Get some music therapy

Tune in to your favorite station, crank up the music and daydream for as long as you want. There’s nothing as de-stressing as setting your mind free.

14. Learn a new recipe

Today’s the perfect day to learn a new recipe via Sunday morning cooking shows, of course. Girl, put your chef hat on and get whisking!

15. Go online shopping

Hey, a little retail therapy never hurt anyone. Besides this means NO long lines, whining men or those panicked crowds. Fab-u-lous. And you can get discounted gift cards to your favorite stores to save money!

16. A roast dinner

If you’re going to go anywhere on your lazy Sunday, make it the bar that does the best roast dinners for miles around. Definitely worth getting dressed for.

17. Have a sexy session

Whether you’re with someone or alone, nothing beats a sexy love-in on a lazy Sunday morning.

18. Organize your computer

Get your laptop to hand and clear that desktop. Takes a few clicks, but will feel like you’ve accomplished something with your day.

19. Call an old friend

Get snug on the sofa, pour yourself a glass of vino and facetime your special BFF that lives miles away. Best use of time ever.

20. Do a Netflix marathon

Always wondered what the fuss was with Breaking Bad/Mad Men/Girls? Time to do some serious catching up and what better time to binge than on a lovely lazy Sunday?

For more on wewomen.com

Spend Less on Electronics

May 27, 2014 by Kirsten Marshall

The newest tech gadgets are always a must have in todays fast paced society. DailyFinance tell us how to spend less on electronics and save more! For more on money saving tips.

If you know you are purchasing an expensive item in advance then buy a discounted gift card to save you more at your favorite electronic stores. Best Buy, Dell, Office Max, and many more retailers are available for a discounted price that could save you hundreds on your next big purchase.

1. Sell your old device.

Before upgrading to a new smartphone, laptop or tablet, consider selling or trading in your old device. Many retailers and wireless carriers offer trade-in programs. “The more current the phone or gadget, the more credit you can expect to receive,” consumer and money-saving expert Andrea Woroch says.

While retailers typically offer a gift card toward future purchases, trade-in websites including Gazelle, BuyMyTronics and Glyde offer cash. “Some sites will buy it from you even if it’s broke, though naturally you’ll get a lower buyback,” says DealNews.com spokesman Mark LoCastro. “That’s money that you can in turn use for your new gadget purchase.” You may get more money reselling the device yourself through eBay (EBAY) or Craigslist, but that option also requires more legwork to complete the transaction and more potential for the buyer to flake out or defraud you.

2. Know your needs.

According to Stephanie Humphrey, weekly tech columnist for Ebony.com and founder of the blog A Matter of Life and Tech, it’s a good idea to determine how much storage space and what features you need before a shopping excursion. That way a slick salesperson won’t upsell you to a model that has extra bells and whistles you won’t use. Customers sometimes “go in and say, ‘Gimme that one,’ and it’s more expensive than what [they] need,” she says.

With most non-Apple products, you can usually add more disk space later if needed, although it’s often cheaper to buy the right amount from the start. If you must upgrade your disk space later on, Humphrey says you can save money if you buy the component pieces online and install them yourself.

3. Consider buying the previous generation.

iPhone 5s may be popular among the tech cognoscenti, but if you’re price-conscious, consider an iPhone 4 or 5 (not 5s). “Electronics have one of the fastest depreciation values on any consumer good as manufacturers and brands release new updates and models on popular gadgets every few months,” Woroch says. “What’s hot today may be old news in a few months, so it’s not worth paying a premium just to get the latest bells and whistles.”

LoCastro adds that a previous generation device is often still capable of running the latest apps and software. “You might just sacrifice a faster processor or thinner design,” he says.

Timing your purchase to the release of a new model can also save you money. “The best time to buy a current-generation iPad is toward the end of its life cycle,” LoCastro says. “So the minute you hear rumors that a new iPad is in the works, chances are retailers will discount the current iPad. That rule generally applies to all types of gadgets, from smartphones to tablets.”

4. Look for open-box deals or refurbished devices.

Many retailers sell open-box items at a steep discount. “Open box may just mean it was the display model, or [an employee] may have opened it to show someone and that person decided not to purchase that item,” Humphrey says.

Refurbished devices have typically been used and returned to the manufacturer, which usually restores it to factory settings and tests it for defects. Humphrey says it’s a good idea to buy refurbished products from a reputable source, and make sure it’s factory certified.

5. Exercise caution on secondary markets.

Worldwide sales of smartphones to end users totaled 968 million units, and tablet sales reached 195.4 million units last year, according to Gartner (IT), a technology research and advisory company. Plenty of these functional devices wind up on the secondary market when the owner gets tired of them or decides to upgrade.

Craigslist and eBay are two popular sources for used devices, but they can be riskier than buying directly from a retailer or manufacturer. Humphrey likes that eBay displays reviews from previous buyers. “You want sellers that have a lot of ratings so you can get a feel for how many people have walked away satisfied,” she says. Just be cautious about what you read. “There’s a whole industry now around buying fake reviews,” Humphrey points out. Craigslist connects local buyers and sellers, allowing them to meet in person to test a device. “The only real way to know if a product is going to function is to power it up,” she adds. If you’re conducting a Craigslist transaction in a public place for safety reasons, you can easily test out a smartphone or laptop, but trying out a TV or other large device becomes trickier.

6. Skip the extended warranty (most of the time).

Retailers make much of their money from selling extended warranties, not from the products themselves. Your credit card may automatically offer protection beyond a standard manufacturer warranty for some items, so it’s worth checking before you pay for an extended warranty. Also consider the type of gadget you’re buying. “When it comes to televisions, you’re usually safe to skip over this added expense,” Woroch says. “While warranties do offer peace of mind, HDTVs are surprisingly reliable.” Humphrey says you probably don’t need an extended warranty on a TV, but it might be worthwhile for a laptop or tablet. “You’re transporting those, so there’s more of a chance that you’ll drop it or scratch it,” she explains. Still, the manufacturer warranty may not cover accidental damage such as water damage, so read the fine print before you buy.