Bargain Brags

Smarteys Advice Blog

2011-08-23T14:02:00.000-07:00

Bragging about...PARKING

2011-08-21T20:45:00.000-07:00

Cities are great. Parking is not.

I love my city, but I get some serious road rage when looking for parking. In fact, given the choice between looking for parking and sitting in traffic, I'd choose the latter. I hate driving in circles, getting honked at, and ultimately paralleling parking on a hill with a doorman staring me down in case I inadvertently bump my neighbor (thank goodness for the bumper bully). But I digress.

Wouldn't it be great to just drive right into one of those fancy indoor garages without paying an arm and a leg?

Well, check out www.bestparking.com. It is by far one of the best sites online. Pick your city, then narrow down your options by neighborhood, address, cross-section, or attraction, and find COUPONS for AMAZING deals at local parking garages. Just roll your mouse over the different parking garage locations on the map, compare prices, pick the cheapest one, print, and GO!!!

Oh and did I mention - THERE'S AN APP FOR THIS AS WELL!

iPhone: click here
Android: click here
Blackberry: click here
Any phone: click here

Plus, bestparking.com helps you with parking at airports as well! So now you can actually afford to drive yourself to the airport!

Try it. You'll love it.

Got any Parking Saving Tips to Brag About?

BRAG AWAY!

Speaking of furniture...

2011-08-21T08:40:00.000-07:00

WEST ELM IS HAVING A SOFA SALE!

Bragging about...FURNITURE

2011-08-21T07:59:00.000-07:00

When you move to a new place, you often face one of two challenges - your existing furniture doesn't work or you need more furniture for the space.

After paying either your down payment or your security deposit, depending on whether you're buying or renting, you probably don't feel like shelling out more cash for that dresser you desperately need. At the same time, you don't want your new place to look like a garage sale with a mess of mismatching furniture.

Plus, furniture shopping is EXHAUSTING. My tip on bargain hunting - pack snacks, a water bottle, and a book. This way you can easily energize and when standing on long lines, you'll have a book to distract you.

So, here are my tips on how to get QUALITY furniture at a fraction of the cost:

1) For those great accent pieces, side chairs, or benches, go to Home Goods or TJMaxx. They sell gorgeous pieces at 1/3 of the cost or less!! The catch - you have to shop early and often to find those deals, so don't get discouraged if you go on an off day and don't find anything to your liking because they get new inventory EVERY DAY!

- Sometimes the pieces are slightly damaged, so you have to assess if it's an easy fix. Something like a knob can easily be replaced at Home Goods itself because they sell a set of knobs/handles. Chipped paint, easy fix. Broken wood, keep walking.

2) Love Crate & Barrel but hate the prices? Check out their floor sample sales. Often priced 50% off or lower, you can get that desk you've been eyeing with just a little bit of TLC - again just a quick touch-up and you're good to go.

If that doesn't do the trick, check out CB2. CB2 is Crate and Barrel's lower priced store that offers quality, trendy furniture that is perfect for new home owners and apartment goers alike. For example, you can get the latest drumshade angled floor lamp for $130 less than Crate & Barrel.

3) For fun basic furniture pieces, try West Elm but be sure you're aware of the sales. Like Crate and Barrel, they offer a sale section in the back, floor sample sales, and serious discounts when opening a credit card. I know, I know. But 10% back when you're purchasing a new dining set is KEY! Plus, you earn West Elm bucks every time. Sooo, worst-case scenario: Get the credit card, purchase what you need, and close it shortly thereafter.

4) For bedroom sets, side tables, and coffee tables, try Overstock.com. Only buy things with at least a 4.5 rating and over 10 people's reviews. Then, go ahead and get that nightstand for only $150 a piece - brand new! You end up with quality furniture for IKEA prices!

5) For TV stands and mud room benches, try Target. Target offers modern, do-it-yourself furniture that resemble West Elm and Crate and Barrel. A little frustration with furniture assembly and you get a lot of bang for your buck.

6) For home decor accent pieces, dare I say it? Go to IKEA! Just browse their showrooms, get ideas, and go downstairs to pick up the pieces!

Once you've filled your space, kick back with some HGTV and marvel at how your home looks pretty damn good - good enough to be on TV.

Got any Furniture Steals to Brag About?

BRAG AWAY!

Chase Freedom Credit Card Review – $100 Bonus

2011-08-18T12:34:00.000-07:00

Chase Freedom Credit Card Review – $100 Bonus

Bragging about...CASH BACK CREDIT CARDS

2011-08-18T12:33:00.000-07:00

Most people have a love - hate relationship with their credit cards. They love charging them, but hate paying them.

Plus, these days everyone seems to have at least 4 credit cards. Then you get married, and you've got 8 bills to pay. That many credit cards not only makes it more daunting to pay off, but also harder to keep track of spending, thereby increasing your total spend. On top of that, it makes it easier for bills to fall through the cracks and pretty soon you have late fees racking up.

My golden suggestion: The Chase Freedom Credit Card. (And no, they're not paying me to write this.)

1) If you're married/have a partner, get the same card in both your names. This way, you have one card to pay for both of your expenses, thereby eliminating the need for yet another bill.
2) Plus, where possible, charge it (with the disclaimer being that you need to be able to pay off your monthly bill). The rationale for doing so: CASH BACK REWARDS

1% back on all charges with no max limit (i.e. - the more you charge, the more cash back you get)
Extra 5% each quarter on "bonus" categories. While they change each quarter, the bonus categories include groceries, gas, and home improvement stores, to name a few. The cap: max of $1,500 cash back each quarter
AND NO ANNUAL FEE!!!
Plus, if you have a Chase Checking/Savings Account, you can just have the Credit Card company deposit your cash back earnings DIRECTLY into your account, thereby forcing you to SAVE that money (and avoiding the hassle of checks).

Sure, there are a lot of credit cards out there offering rewards. But in my experience, they are just not worth it:

Credit Cards offering Airline Miles make it too difficult to even use with all the blackout dates and hidden fees. Plus, these cards often limit you to which airline you can use, and often times you can find a lower rate on another airline.
Credit Cards with Rewards Points to redeem online actually charge more than what the product should even cost. Plus, it forces you to purchase products they offer vs. a Cash Back Credit Card that gives you hard cash that allows you to buy what you want, from wherever, or better yet - allows you to SAVE that money.

And yes, there are many cash back credit cards, but here's what I've learned:

While the Citibank Dividend World MasterCard is very similar in that it offers a no fee, 1% cash back on all purchases, and 5% back on select categories, this credit card limits your cash back to a maximum of $300 in one calendar year

So the way I see it, if I'm going to use a credit card anyway, I might as well get paid to use it. ;)

Got any Credit Card Deals to Brag About?

BRAG AWAY!

Cheap Flights | Compare Airline Tickets with Skyscanner

2011-08-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

Cheap Flights | Compare Airline Tickets with Skyscanner

Bragging about...TRAVEL

2011-08-16T07:39:00.000-07:00

The current economic climate has forced us to make tougher decisions. It's not just about making the dollar stretch, but also about making trade-offs to make the most out of your life.

A new Cornell study revealed that while the joy of material things fade, the joy of experiences actually keeps growing. Bottom line - memories are the gifts that keep giving.

So next time you think of buying that fantastic leather bag you must have, think about all the memories you could be making on a trip of a lifetime!

It's cheaper than you think. Here are my easy tips on making those memories:

1) Visit SkyScanner.com:

Search for a time period to "EVERYWHERE"
The site will then list the lowest fare to a number of destinations
This will help you narrow down your search to the cheapest place to travel

2) Choose a destination:

In addition to using SkyScanner's flight destinations, try these useful tips:
Travel off-peak because everything will be cheaper - flights, hotels, excursions
Try places you've never dreamed of like Morocco!
Word of caution: When choosing a destination, think about the cost of living in that destination. For example, Turks & Caicos is a cheap, direct flight from NYC but food is EXPENSIVE!! So be sure the math works in your favor.

3) Then visit SkyScanner.com again to search for the cheapest flights:

Be ready to leave EARLY in the morning - it could save you hundreds of dollars!
Don't be afraid to choose a flight with a long layover - that could mean exploring yet another city!
Try to sneak in a weekday arrival/departure
Word of caution: The cheapest fares are "T-class" fares that are usually non-refundable, non-transferrable, so make sure you're 100% sure!!

4) Chose a hotel:

Review www.TripAdvisor.com for the top hotels
If you plan on staying in one city for the entire stay, visit homeaway.com, airbnb.com, or even tripadvisor.com to find an apartment. This way, you can buy groceries and cook a bit at home - easier on your budget, easier on your waistline.
Plus, living in a hotel room can get tiresome after a few days. This way, you have more room to move about.

5) If you do decide on a hotel, SEARCH, SEARCH, SEARCH!!

There is no one website to search for the lowest rates for hotels
Begin the google.com or bing.com search for that particular hotel
Compare and contrast the rates you get from a multitude of sites
My trick: I sometimes find lower rates for the same room with the only difference being breakfast and if you have a kitchenette or are near a restaurant, it comes out cheaper to buy your own!
Also, you can often find another room in the hotel without a balcony, say, and save at least $50/night
Lastly, by searching a number of sites, you can capitalize on the inevitable computer glitch. ;)

6) Now that you've booked your hotel and flight, REST EASY!!!

The rest is fun!
For a one-stop shop, visit Frommers.com for suggested itineraries
To create your own customized itinerary, go on www.TripAdvisor.com to figure out exactly what people recommend you do on your vacation
Make a list of must-see's and excursions, but don't book anything until you get there - once you get there, you can easily negotiate rates and compare vendors face to face
Last, but not least, go buy yourself a tour book online. Buy it used, even, but make sure it's for the current year! You'll thank yourself later for investing the $10 in LonelyPlanet or Frommer's. Not only will it guide you on what to see and do, but it will contain maps when you get lost and give you perspective on the country. Plus, a book is cheaper than a tour guide!

Got any Travel Deals to Brag About?

BRAG AWAY!

Mission Recession

2011-08-15T16:43:00.001-07:00

It’s tough out there and many of us are struggling to make ends meet. Sure, it means that we sometimes needs to go without. But more so than not, it means getting creative!

These are some of my tips on living richly, but spending wisely.

If you're like me and love to relish in the thrill of a great deal, to brag about your fabulous finds, and share the details of how exactly you paid soo little, then join me on Bargain Brags to share the wealth, so to speak.

The world wants to hear your tips and tricks on how you're still living life to the fullest during these tough times. So please feel free to come here and BRAG all you want about your fantastic finds!

Believe me, you're not the only who says "Oh, you like it?! Thanks so much!! It was only $15!"