Uncategorized Archives - Beyond the Coupon

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.

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

10 Money Rules To Live By

June 18, 2014 by Kirsten Marshall

Are you trying to save money and reach your financially goals? With mintlife’s, money rules to never ignore, having that extra cash at the end of each month shouldn’t be a problem. Saving money and being able to purchase the things you want doesn’t have to be a trade off. Using coupons and discounted gift cards allow you to purchase the products you want at a fraction of the price.

There are no shortcuts.

If someone tells you they can double your money in no time with no risk, tell them you already know how. Then fold your money in half and put it back in your pocket. Risk and reward are correlated.

Doubling your money in a short period of time equates to a high return on your investment; that corresponds to taking more risk, not zero risk.

There’s nothing wrong with taking appropriate risk, but buying into an investment with those kinds of unrealistic promises is sure to disappoint.

Beware of the pretty, shiny things.

We are bombarded with new and better gadgets, toys, and opportunities for fun every day, all day. Madison Avenue survives by sowing seeds of discontent with our lives.

Sure, we all know that’s what they’re doing, but they’re really good at it!

We no longer have to look down the street to see what the Joneses are up to, we have Facebook to constantly remind us that our friends have better, newer stuff.

If we’re not careful, those seeds of discontent can take root and before we know it, we’re spending money on things to fill a need we didn’t even know we had.

Listen to your mom — don’t pay attention to what everyone else is doing, just worry about yourself and your goals.

Watch your waste.

Shiny objects aren’t the only source of needless spending. It’s painful to look at my own life sometimes and realize what I’ve frittered away.

Forgotten rebates, fruit that goes bad before we eat it, buying doubles of things because I can’t remember where I put them in the first time.

I suspect I’m not alone in this!

Save money, and do it intentionally.

Saving regularly through your 401K at work and toward your emergency fund are fundamentals of good financial health. But you should also stash money that you would have spent but decided not to.

Were you going to buy a new tablet but thought better of it? Pat yourself on the back for your frugality, and then take that chunk of change and put it in the bank instead.

Did you decide as a family to skip a dinner out this month to tighten your belts? Put that money away; don’t let it sit in your checking account.

That serves two purposes: It keeps the money from evaporating, and it gives you a psychological boost by seeing your savings grow.

Don’t wait until your debt is paid off to save.

It may seem more prudent to skip the savings when you’re paying off credit cards, but it’s important to continue to save anyway.

It takes time to form a habit, and training yourself to save is a great habit to form. So start now.

Aside from that, what will you do when your car breaks down and there is nothing in the bank to pay for the repair? Out comes the credit card, and there goes your progress.

It’s better to have some money put away to pay for those expenses, and change the mindset of funding your living expenses with plastic.

Don’t deprive yourself.

While you’re doing all these great, disciplined things with your money, don’t forget to let loose and have a little fun with it sometimes.

Being too strict with your spending can lead to feelings of deprivation, which in turn can lead to spending binges. Starvation budgets are much like starvation diets.

When you cheat, you tend to cheat big

Automate your finances.

Life is busy and the days fly by. Before you know it the month is almost over, and oops, that bill was due last week.

Schedule at least the minimum payments on your bills, so if you forget, you won’t be penalized with a late fee.

Plan out your monthly bills in advance, and take advantage of free bill pay if your bank offers it.

Automate your savings so you don’t have the opportunity to weigh whether or not you really can save that amount this month.

But don’t go on auto-pilot.

Automate what you can, but don’t go on auto-pilot.

It’s easy to stop paying attention to what is being charged monthly on your credit card or automatically paid from your bank account.

That can make you numb to your spending, and easy for it to get out of control.

Even though you have payments automatically scheduled, be sure to review your accounts regularly.

Purchase life insurance.

Buy enough life insurance to protect your family. It’s an extra bill, to cover something thatprobably won’t happen, but a small price to pay to provide for your loved ones if it does.

Group policies at work are usually the easiest to get, and that’s fine, but you should also have coverage you own personally, outside of work.

You never know when you will develop a health problem that will affect your insurability, and if you don’t already own a policy when that happens, you could be out of luck.

Or rather, your family will be.

Decide how much is enough.

Did you ever dream about a raise, and how that would make things more comfortable for you financially? Then it comes, and things end up just as tight as before, and soon you are dreaming of the next one.

The increases in costs of living play a part no doubt, and our income doesn’t go as far as it used to. But it is also human nature for us to expand our lifestyle to fit our income.

Carefully consider what kind of lifestyle you would like to have, and when you get there, stop.

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

Signs You Are A Starbucks Addict

June 2, 2014 by Kirsten Marshall

If Starbucks is a part of your daily ritual, you know what effect that can have on your wallet. Not to promote your addictive behavior but there is now a way to get Starbucks for cheaper! With Starbucks introducing their new wine and beer happy hour; you might be spending a lot more time there. Here are 39 signs that you are a Starbucks Addict.

1. It’s a different way to drink your calories without getting hungover the next day

2. A small iced coffee is sufficient enough caffeine and only costs $2

3. It’s expanding its menu to include wine, reaching out to the inner-alcoholic in all of us

4. The 30-minute line is a great excuse to get away from work

5. Caffeine is more addicting than carbs and it has fewer calories

6. It’s the go-to Instagram picture when you have nothing else to upload

7. Because you’re probably drinking it right now

8. The barista will, more than likely, screw up your order

9. The worst way to start the morning is taking a sip of what you thought was an unsweetened green tea, only to chug a giant gulp of sugar water

10. You will be charged extra for soy milk

11. It owns your bank account since it’s the top priority of your weekly life

12. You spend time counting down the days until you can feast on all the different Pumpkin Spice concoctions

13. The baristas recognize you and have your order memorized

14. It’s the best assistant at work you could ever ask for

15. You got visibly upset when the barista told you Starbucks discontinued your favorite breakfast: Veggie Artisan sandwich

16. You secretly believe that every time you place your order, the barista will f*ck it up

16.When budgeting, you sacrifice meals to make room for your coffee expenditures

17. If you don’t have a Gold card, it’s your biggest goal in life to obtain one

18. But, let’s be serious, you got a Gold card months ago

19. You use the Starbucks app more than any other app on your phone

20. You physically can’t do any activity without first stopping for coffee

21. You’ve gotten into a verbal altercation with another customer about who was in line first

22. You think going multiple times in one day is acceptable

23. You’ve contemplated going out on a date with a barista so that you might get free coffee (or at least a discount)

24. After years and years of consumption, you’ve somehow built up a resistance to anything smaller than a grande

25. You never feel comfortable ordering from an out-of-town Starbucks

26. You depend on your barista for your daily dose of happiness

27. You see no appeal in other coffee bodegas

28. It doesn’t matter how out of the way it is, you will always choose Starbucks over any other option

29. You understand and accept the fact that you need to allot 15 different five-minute slots throughout the day to pee

30. If your name is difficult to pronounce, you get a thrill from giving an easy-to-spell name instead

31. You are on a first-name basis with the Starbucks closest to your office and your apartment, oh and your parents’ house

32. You can’t comprehend the fact that people actually enjoy drinking decaf

33. You like your caffeine like you like your men: strong

34. You have paid more than $5.25 for a cup, complained about it and did it again the following day

35. You don’t even own a Keurig because you just love your trips to Starbucks

36. You say a little prayer every night that Starbucks might offer free refills one day

37. The fact that there are now drive-thru Starbucks locations made your life just a little bit better

38. You actually take it personally when people tell you they don’t like Starbucks

39. You stopped reading this halfway through to get another cup

Originally from EliteDaily

Photo Credit: WeHeartIt

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.

©Pinterest/ blog.williams-sonoma.com

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

10 Health Tips to Eating Out

May 29, 2014 by Kirsten Marshall

Just one meal at a restaurant can equal the total amount of calories you’re burning in a day! Lucky you, there are health tips to eating out that can help your fun meal to not be a diet catastrophe.

1. Eat beforehand to control your appetite, not to suppress your appetite. Try to eat something small containing protein before you get to a restaurant. Often a cup of milk, soy milk, or almond milk will suffice. It has enough protein to hold you over and help you make a wise choice in the restaurant. It will also help you ignore the bread basket, or similar free items placed on your table.

2. Check websites for menus or call ahead to see what will be served if you are attending a planned party. Plan what you want to eat before you get there. By preplanning your food, with items that you enjoy and look forward to, you will not be swayed by other’s choices that may be calorie laden.

3. Suggest a restaurant that you are familiar with. By simply suggesting a restaurant you enjoy and are comfortable with, you are now in command of what you will choose and how you will eat.

4. Be careful of the bread basket, Chinese noodles, nacho chips, or any food put on your table at no extra cost to you. You’ll pay a high cost in the calories consumed.

5. Order a big glass of water and make sure you drink it. Continually ask for refills. If your dinner guests are drinking an alcoholic beverage, and you choose not to, ask for your water to be poured into a wine glass.

6. Go easy on alcoholic beverages; they contain a high amount of empty calories. Alcohol can change your mood while it lowers your resistance to temptation, causing you to over eat. If you do choose an alcoholic beverage, always drink a glass of water first. Quench your thirst with the water, than enjoy the taste of the drink.

7. When you are at a social gathering and food is abundant, remember to socialize. Less eating gets done when more socializing takes place.

8. Avoid ordering foods that are described on the menu with the following words: breaded, béarnaise, au gratin, parmesan, cream, hollandaise, crispy, fried, flaky, or escalloped. These types of food preparation include a high fat content, and many added unnecessary calories.

9. Order foods described with these words: roasted, grilled, broiled, poached, stir-fried, or steamed. Stick to sauces that are stock-based or red. Food prepared this way is lower in calories and an all around healthier choice.

10. Choose “a-la-carte” items, don’t be afraid to ask for substitutions, and avoid all-you-can-eat menus. Everything you eat matters, so choose wisely.

One last food for thought… if you choose a high-calorie meal in a restaurant, leave the uneaten portion there and do not take the rest home for another day. If you enjoy it while you are out, that’s enough. There is no need to eat it again, regardless of how much you paid for it. You have already gotten your money’s worth by enjoying it that one time.

Original Article on HuffingtonPost

11 Trees Not To Plant In Your Yard

May 6, 2014 by Kirsten Marshall

There are certain types of trees that you probably don’t want to be planting at your home. Roots, stability, or tremendous upkeep can all be major problems that might be overlooked when picking a tree to plant. Houselogic experts explain the 11 different trees not to plant in your yard, and why they are such a hassle.

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Lowe’s and Home Depot are a great place to find the perfect tree for your yard. Before you go, get discounted gift cards for Lowe’s and Home Depot online and you can save up enough money to update your living room as well.

1. Silver maple (Acer saccharinum)

Big, fast-growing, and a dandy shade tree, silver maple is widespread in eastern states and the Midwest. Unfortunately, the speed at which the tree grows makes for weak, brittle wood that may break during severe storms. The shallow root system invades sewage pipes and drain fields, and is notorious for cracking driveways and walkways.

2. Ash (Fraxinus)

Sturdy and tough, the many varieties of ash that populate North America are some of our most beloved trees. Professional baseball bats are made from its wood — how American is that? But the venerable ash is threatened by the emerald ash borer, a tiny beetle that’s on track to wipe out the species. If you’re looking for a long-term tree for your yard, look elsewhere.

3. Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides)

The aspen is found in northern climes and higher elevations. Its white bark and gently vibrating leaves are attractive, but its root system is insidious, sending up dozens of suckers that relentlessly try to turn into new trees. Once established, it’s war. In fact, the largest living organism in the world is a Colorado aspen root system called Pando. It weighs 6,600 tons and is thought to be 80,000 years old. Try digging that out!

4. Hybrid Poplars (Populus)

Hybrid poplars are created by cross-pollinating two or more poplar species together. The result can be a fast-growing tree that looks good in your yard — for a while. Hybrid poplars are especially susceptible to diseases, and most won’t last more than 15 years. This poor fellow is dying … quickly.

5. Willow (Salix)

With its long, slender branches that hang down like Rapunzel’s tresses, the willow is one of the most recognizable of all trees. Beautiful on the outside, yes, but the willow has an aggressive, water-hungry root system that terrorizes drain fields, sewer lines, and irrigation pipes. The wood is weak and prone to cracking, and the tree is relatively short-lived, lasting only about 30 years.

6. Eucalyptus

Imported from Australia and popularized for their speedy growth — some varieties will shoot up 10 feet in a year — the eucalyptus has a bad rap for suddenly and unexpectedly dropping big, heavy, resin-filled branches. In some areas of Australia, campers are warned not to pitch tents under eucalyptus trees. Its showy bark peels off annually and adds to seasonal maintenance chores.

7. Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana)

The Bradford pear was imported to the U.S. from China in the early 1900s as replacement for orchard trees that were dying. With its compact shape and profusion of spring blossoms, the Bradford pear became a suburban favorite — until folks realized that it was highly prone to splitting and cracking when it reached maturity. And those blossoms? They’re on the stinky side of the fragrance scale.

8. Mountain cedar (Juniperus ashei)

Stay away from the mountain cedar in late winter. This bushy tree, native to the south central U.S., releases massive amounts of pollen during the cooler months, causing severe allergic reactions in many people. Even if you don’t have allergies, planting one in your yard may affect your neighbors.

9. Mulberry (Morus)

Big surface roots, lots of pollen, messy fruit, and shade so dense that grass refuses to grow underneath. What’s to like about the mulberry? If you’re a silkworm, the answer is: Plenty! The mulberry is the silkworm’s only source of food. Silkworm farmers should plant away! Otherwise, you’ll be happier with a different kind of tree in your yard.

10. Black walnut (Juglans nigra)

Native to North America, this well-known shade tree produces prized cabinet- and furniture-making wood. It also produces pollen and plenty of fruit that’ll drive you, well, nuts when you have to clean it all up in the fall. It’s true sinister side, however, is that it secretes growth-inhibiting toxins that kill nearby plants, wreaking havoc on flower beds and vegetable gardens.

11. Leyland cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)

These fast-growing evergreen trees are favored for their ability to quickly create a living privacy screen. However, they require constant upkeep and trimming to keep them healthy, and as they get taller they’re increasingly likely to uproot during storms. The center of the tree forms a mass of dried twigs and branches that are considered such a fire hazard that many communities officially caution residents against planting them.

5 Ways To Be a Financially Secure Woman

May 2, 2014 by Kirsten Marshall

Being financially secure means different things to different people but we can all agree that saving money and smart money spending decisions can lead to financial freedom. By taking advantage of options that are available to you such as websites like giftcardrescue.com, that allows you to buy and sell gift cards at a discounted price, you can purchase your everyday necessities for less!

via Weheartit

Mary Beth Storjohann, a certified financial planner, from DailyFinance explains ways to be a financially secure woman in todays world.

1. Knowing Where Your Money Is Going — and Coming From

Whether you’re a full-time employee or self-employed, it’s impossible to create or build a plan around your finances if you don’t know what’s happening with your money first. Use a website like Mint, You Need a Budget, or Manilla as a starting point for tracking your money and build a spending plan. If you’re on a variable income, it’s even more important for you to get a handle on things. Once you’re synced up, you’re going to see the areas in which you’re over- (or under-) spending and where you need to make adjustments. Take note on what’s going towards saving for your future self and how much is going towards debt pay down.

2. Saving Routinely –- Set it and Forget it

Since women are known to live longer than men on an average basis – it’s even more important to build up an adequate cushion for those extra years. Saving on an ongoing, automatic basis sets you on a direct path to a healthy financial future. And not only are you training yourself to treat your savings like a bill payment, but you’re also taking advantage of compound growth along the way. If you’re using your savings account to fund your lifestyle when your checking account balance gets low, or throwing money aside “if” you have some left over, break those habits. Start saving routinely for emergency funds, retirement, and future goals.

3. Using Credit Wisely

Knowledge is power when it comes to the difference between good debt and bad debt. Student loans and mortgages are typically on the good end, while credit card and other consumer debt are on the bad end. Saving money into a “splurge” account to use instead of whipping out the plastic for impulse purchases is a great way to curb credit card use. Get into the habit of checking your credit score annually and being responsible by paying balances off in full each month or more than the minimum due to save interest build-up and reduce stress.

4. Knowing When to Say Yes and No

Saying no to items that can derail your financial plan, like last-minute vacations, dining out and impulse purchases. I’m not saying you can’t do these things. Savvy ladies just have a plan for these expenses. Say yes to career and educational experiences that add to your value and ability to earn an income. Women still earn less than men, on average. Your most valuable asset as a young professional is your ability to earn an income (human capital). Taking continuing education classes, reading personal development books, seeking out a mentor and staying current on trends and developments within your industry will enhance your earning power and ability to save.

5. Having Protection

As a powerhouse young woman, having the right kinds of protection in place will guard you against potential future income loss. Check on your disability, life, health, auto and home or renters insurance annually or when there are changes to your situation. Ensure you understand coverages, premiums and deductibles. Disability insurance is a big one. If something happened to you, taking you out of the workforce for an extended period, what would you live off of? Is your income protected? Also, having an estate plan in place if you’re over the age of 18 is just plain smart. Get a will and powers of attorney in case something happened to you. Communicate with those you designate powers to and make sure your wishes are documented. This habit makes it easier for you –- and your family and friends as well.

Vacations Under 100 Dollars Per Night

April 30, 2014 by Kirsten Marshall

May is the time to get away before the summer prices and tourists hit your favorite destination hotspot. Need a little escape without breaking your bank account? Discounted airline and gas gift cards for up to 5% OFF will make vacations under 100 dollars per night easier than ever! HuffingtonPost tells us 5 best vacations under 100 dollars per night.

MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA

myrtlebeachhotels

Why we love it: This is a gorgeous, warm American beach that’s a road trip away for most Easter Coasters.

What to do: Relax! Miles of warm sand and gentle surf are perfect for families or girlfriend getaways. Nightlife includes oceanfront seafood buffets, local micro-brews, and boardwalk rides (like the Twist ‘n Shout roller coaster) that turn grownups into kids.

Where to stay: Westgate Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort includes beach access, a heated pool, and a kids-eat-free policy (from $75/night).

7-DAY CARIBBEAN CRUISE ON THE NORWEGIAN GETAWAY

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Why we love it: A super-stylish new Norwegian Cruise Line mega-ship is hitting knockout destinations like St. Maarten and St. Thomas — and you can totally afford it.

What to do: The brand-new mega ship Norwegian Getaway (featuring chic Miami-themed food, entertainment, and decor!) departs from Miami and leaves plenty of time for you to explore the beaches, open-air markets, and shops of St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Nassau.

Bottom line: This seven-day cruise starts at $449 (that’s less than $65/day!).

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: IBEROSTAR COSTA DORADA ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORT

Iberostar

Why we love it: “All-inclusive” means you may not have to reach for your purse the entire stay! And unlike some resorts, this place pours top-shelf cocktails for no extra charge!

What to do: Hang a do-not-disturb sign on the door of your thatched-roof lodgings! Or indulge in cuisine that includes Brazilian, Mexican, and international menus. Lounge on the beach or beside the massive pool, or get adventurous with kayaking or diving lessons in a tropical paradise.

Bottom line: The Iberostar Costa Dorada, just 10 minutes from Puerto Plata, completely renovated its 500+ rooms in 2011. All-inclusive lodging, three a la carte restaurants, and top-shelf drinks from $75 per person per night based on double occupancy.

CHICAGO

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Why we love it: With world-class food, theater, and art, the Windy City is second to none in style!

What to do: Enjoy the peerless art collection at the Chicago Art Institute (including Seurat’s pointillist masterpiece, “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte”); see a great play at Steppenwolf Theater; have a ball on the classic Navy Pier (one of Budget Travel’s“most awesome boardwalks in America”); take a cruise on the Chicago River; explore some of America’s most noteworthy architecture (including some of the highest observation decks in the world!); and take your pick of cuisine — from heaped-high hot dogs to an under-$30 lunch at the fantastic Café des Architectes restaurant.

Where to stay: Hotel Blake is in a lovely 19th-century building a short walk from the upscale shops and boutiques of State Street, from $95/night when booked via Expedia.

ATLANTIC CANADA

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Why we love it: Step back in time in an 18th century fishing village. Enjoy the friendly locals, freshest seafood EVER, and a European feel right here in North America!

What to do: Old Town Lunenburg is a lovely 18th-century century heritage site in Nova Scotia. Stroll past brightly colored wood-framed houses painstakingly preserved by Lunenberg’s citizens. Buy a $10 ticket to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic and its wharves to behold floating replicas of famous trawlers and schooners. Grab an amazing bowl of chowder and traditional Lunenburg fish cakes at local favorite, The Knot Pub.

Where to Stay: Quaint and cozy, the Smugglers Cove Inn is right by the docks. For $5 a night, you can even rent a Beta fish, which the hotel calls “a free ‘therapy’ session to help you relax.” (From $99/night)