Wise Bread

SaveUp Giving Away $1000 to Wise Bread Readers

Ashley Jacobs — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:36:36 +0000

Most rewards programs try to get you to spend money. Wouldn’t it be great if a program actually rewards you for saving money instead?

That’s the innovative idea behind SaveUp, a free program that rewards consumers with SaveUp credits when they do something good, like adding money to their savings accounts or paying off their debt. The credits can be used to win a ton of cool prizes, like a new Prius, a Hawaii vacation, or a life-changing $2 million jackpot.

At Wise Bread, we’re all about giving you the best financial tips to live large on a small budget. So now, why not get rewarded for all your hard work and have a little fun at the same time?

That’s why Wise Bread and SaveUp have teamed up to help you stay motivated with your 2012 financial goals. SaveUp is giving away $1,000 exclusively to Wise Bread readers and 200 free bonus credits to anyone who join SaveUp via Wise Bread.

How to Enter:

We have three different prizes ($500, $400, $100) for three different contests. You can enter all three to increase your chances of winning.

1. Exclusive Wise Bread Prize on SaveUp: $500

SaveUp wants to keep you motivated and reward you for your good financial actions with a special $500 prize — exclusive to Wise Bread readers only. To enter:

Join SaveUp via this link (this is 100% free), and
Go to SaveUp's homepage, click on the “Wise Bread Prize” and then on the “Play Now” button. You’re all set!

As a bonus, anyone who signs up using our link during the contest period will also get 200 free game credits. 200 credits will give you 20 different chances to win a ton of cool prizes.

2. Leave a Comment: $400 Prize

To enter the comment contest, leave a comment below answering this question: What motivates you to save? (Or if you’re not saving, why not?)

Your comment must be at least two sentences long to qualify.

3. Twitter Entry: $100 Prize

To enter the Twitter contest, simply:

Follow @WiseBread and @playSaveUp, and
Tweet this message: RT this for chance to win $100 from @WiseBread & @playSaveUp http://bit.ly/saveupwin #SaveUpWin

Contest Details:

Contest ends Monday, March 12 at 11:59 pm Pacific. Winners are randomly selected. Winners will be announced after March 19th on the original post. Winners will also be contacted via email. Winners have 3 business days to respond. If you do not respond within 3 days we reserve the right to select new winners.
You must be 18 and US resident to enter. Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. Prizes may be distributed as Amazon, Visa, or MasterCard gift cards.
You can enter all three contests to increase your chances of winning. But you can only win one prize.

How to Spend Your 200 Free Credits

SaveUp prizes are mostly lottery-style instant scratcher games. Each prize costs 10 credits to play. So with 200 free credits you can play 20 times! Personally I like to go for the prizes with the highest values. For example, these are my favorite:

SaveUp has some other great prizes that can fulfill awesome fantasies:

Join SaveUp.com via this link and get your free 200 credits today.

About SaveUp

Here’s a message from our contest sponsor:

Unlike traditional rewards programs that focus on driving consumer spending, SaveUp rewards users for performing positive financial actions, such as contributing to their savings or retirement accounts; paying down their credit cards, mortgages or other loans; and engaging with SaveUp’s financial education content on the site. Americans who bank at more than 18,000 US financial institutions nationwide can register their financial accounts on SaveUp and immediately begin earning SaveUp credits every time they save money or pay down their debts. The credits users earn can be redeemed for chances to win instant prizes and entries into weekly and monthly drawings.

SaveUp’s prizes range from the exciting (retail gift cards, consumer electronics) to aspirational (luxury vacations, home or wardrobe make-overs) to life-changing (a new car, money for college tuition, debt pay-off, or a $2 million jackpot).

In addition to making SaveUp fun and rewarding, we employ bank-level encryption to make sure our program is safe and secure for our users.

Ready to win some prizes? Remember you have 3 ways to enter!

Leave a comment below answering the question: What motivates you to save? (Or if you’re not saving, why not?)

Follow @WiseBread and @playSaveUp, and tweet: "RT this for chance to win $100 from @WiseBread & @playSaveUp http://bit.ly/saveupwin #SaveUpWin"

Good luck!

To enter simply tell us what motivates you to save.

Written by Ashley Jacobs and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

14 (Mostly) Frugal Valentine’s Day Recipes

Mikey Rox — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:24:31 +0000

If you haven't made your Valentine's Day dinner reservations by now, don't bother.

It's not worth it because: 1. there aren't any tables left at your favorite restaurant at this late date, and 2. why spend money on a romantic night out when you can have an even more romantic night in?

To get the private party started, here are 14 (relatively) inexpensive recipes you can make at home. You know what they say — the best way to one's heart is through the stomach. (See also: Valentine's Day on a Budget)

1. Valentine Pizza

Papa John's usually sells heart-shaped pizzas around Valentine's Day — and I'm sure there are other pie makers who do the same thing — but you don't have to order in when you've got this homemade recipe for Valentine pizza. The dough calls for fresh rosemary, which is a nice touch, and once it's made you shape three equal half-inch-thick portions into a heart shape. When the dough is ready, spread on the sauce sauce, sprinkle on the cheese, and add your favorite toppings. This recipe strangely calls for sliced zucchini — and that's fine if that's your thing — but I'm sticking with "normal" ingredients like pepperoni and fresh basil.

2. Pepper-Crusted Filet Mignon

There's no cut of steak that says "I Love You" quite like filet mignon, and this recipe for pepper-crusted filet mignon is way easy. Pick up two five- to six-ounce filets (about one-and-a-half inches thick) — or to save money, use small appetizer-sized filets that you can find at a Target with a fresh meats section. Season them with olive oil and coarse salt (like Kosher) and coarsely ground pepper; pat both seasonings into the steaks. Cook the filets on a small skillet over medium-high heat for three to five minutes per side for medium-rare. The recipe also includes a rich red wine sauce that's made with one cup of red wine, two tablespoons of cold butter, and coarse salt. Pair the meal with your favorite sides; I'd go for a baked potato and roasted green beans (but call the latter "haricot verts" at the table so you can up the ante on the fancy).

3. Risotto with Wild Mushrooms and Scallops

Tyler Florence knows how to cook, so if you want a romantic dinner for two, packed full of flavor, try his recipe for risotto with wild mushrooms and scallops. The list of ingredients looks long, but the prep time is only 10 minutes. It says the cooking time is about 35 minutes, most of which will be for the mushrooms and risotto; scallops have a short cooking time, about two minutes on each side. Some of the other ingredients include Pinot Grigio, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and fresh thyme. You can't go wrong with that. I know that scallops can be costly, but here are two things to remember when buying any kind of seafood:

You'll save money by not buying more than you need (if you don't need a whole pound, don't buy it).
If you buy the item frozen instead of fresh, the price per pound is usually lower by a few dollars.

4. Rock Lobster Tails with Citrus Butter

Looking to impress your dinner date? Show up to the table with lobster tails drenched in citrus butter. Another no-fuss meal to make, the recipe calls for four frozen rock lobster tails (to cut the cost in half, only buy two), about six to eight ounces each, then butterflied. Broil the tails about eight inches from the flame for approximately 15 minutes. While they're cooking, prepare the sauce with butter, fresh lemon juice, grated orange peel, salt, ground ginger, and paprika. Serve with lemon wedges and a couple side dishes. I'd recommend wild rice and honey-glazed baby carrots for this dish.

5. Pasta Puttanesca

It's easy to throw pasta and sauce together (which is always romantic thanks to "Lady and the Tramp"), but you can add a lot of flair for Valentine's Day. This recipe for pasta puttanesca includes lots of delicious ingredients for serious flavor, like carrots, olives, dried oregano and thyme, sun-dried tomatoes, anchovies, and fennel. (I love the taste of fennel — it adds that little something that makes you go hmm.) Don't forget the grated Parmesan cheese to top it all off. It's true love on a plate.

6. Steak with Brandy and Mustard Sauce

If you're short on time on Valentine's Day (hopefully because you're buying the roses so you can cover the bed in petals) try this recipe for steak with brandy and mustard sauce that takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. The cut of steak is up to you — you can find affordable loin steak (a big cut so you can halve it at home) — and the sauce is made in a snap with common ingredients. Choose sides that don't take too long to make, like roasted tomatoes or steamed carrots.

7. Pork with Dried Apples and Prosciutto

Pork chops are one of the cheapest meats you can buy, so this recipe for pork with dried apples and prosciutto is cost-friendly from the start. You can buy dried apples at the store and save the leftovers for later (so you have a healthy snack at your fingertips). As for the prosciutto, if you find it too expensive, which it can be, swap it out for bacon; nobody but you will know the difference.

8. Marmalade Chicken

For couples that are eating healthy, this recipe for marmalade chicken is not only waist-conscious but wallet-conscious, too. With simple ingredients like chicken tenders, EVOO, orange marmalade, and orange zest, you'll serve up a tangy, citrusy meal that can be paired with accompaniments like broccoli rabe and mashed potatoes. Instant potatoes are just fine; jazz 'em up with garlic butter. I have a trick for that. Know those tiny garlic-butter tubs you get with your pizza sometimes? I save those and use them to flavor mashed potatoes, especially instant varieties.

9. Heart-Shaped Sandwiches

Not every couple is into spending an hour in the kitchen making dinner. So this idea for heart-shaped sandwiches might be perfect for those laidback lovers who prefer plain ol' ham and cheese to roasted pork loin and brie. Make whatever kind of sandwich you like then use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut the sandwiches into festive shapes. If you're making a thick sandwich, you can cut the heart shape with a knife. Throw a side of chips on the plate, crack open a couple Cokes, and enjoy the Valentine's dinner that you really want.

10. Avocado and Strawberries with Honey Vinaigrette

If you're a light eater like my husband (he never finishes an entire meal because he picks throughout the day), this recipe for avocado and strawberries with a honey vinaigrette may be right up your alley. It's so simple, too. All you have to do is cut the avocado into wedges, slice the strawberries, prepare the dressing and season with salt and pepper. This also could work as a great Valentine's Day lunch at home.

11. Vegan Rustic Bread, Eggplant and Spinach Lasagna

Hey, vegetarians and vegans, I haven't forgotten you. This recipe for vegan lasagna comes courtesy of my good friend Brooke McLay (whose family I'm jealous of because they eat so well) and her blog Cheeky Kitchen. It's super cheap, too, with most of the ingredients already in your cabinet. You may have to run out for the bread (should be day-old), eggplant, crushed tomatoes, and spinach, but everything else should be on hand. Since this makes a lot of lasagna, perhaps this is the ideal for a couples' Valentine's dinner.

12. Portobello Mushroom Sauté

If you want to skip the usual steak and potatoes route, try this recipe for sautéed Portobello mushrooms. Slice the mushrooms and sautée them with onions in olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste and top with grated Parmesan and Asiago cheeses. This super-healthy meal would go great with a salad full of greens and other veggies.

13. Beef and Broccoli Lo Mein

The Chinese-food lover in your life will be impressed with this homemade recipe for beef and broccoli lo mein. You can use stew meat in place of a higher priced beef so long as you let it tenderize, and you may have to pick up oyster sauce and fresh ginger, but you can probably get away with that one using the ground version in your pantry. It's a whole meal in one dish that automatically seems special.

14. Raspberry Cream Cupcakes

You didn't think I would forget about dessert, did you? This is one of my all-time favorite dessert recipes. From Giada De Laurentiis, this recipe cuts the work in half because it calls for a boxed cake mix souped up with extra ingredients like almond and vanilla extracts. The cupcakes are tasty by themselves, of course, but it's the homemade whipped cream filling folded with fresh, crushed raspberries that make this dessert to die for. Trust me.

Have a Valentine's recipe that you'd love to share? Let me know in the comments below.

Written by Mikey Rox and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

Best Money Tips: Stop Wasting Money on Your Car

Ashley Jacobs — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:00:33 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some great articles on not wasting money on your car, tax season do nots, and insurance policies you don't need.

News & Events

Money Crashers Tweetchat (#MCchat) — Don't miss Money Crashers weekly #MCchat at 1pm PST! They will be giving away prizes!

Be sure to check out our News & Events Calendar to see all the awesome upcoming events in the personal finance world!

Written by Ashley Jacobs and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

3 Tax Deductions You Can Never Take

Jacoba Urist — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:36:37 +0000

I spent a fair share of my mid-twenties lugging around a two-volume set of the Internal Revenue Code to class every day (picture a small woman with two encyclopedia-sized bricks on the subway), so I know first hand just how overwhelming our tax laws can seem. Every tax season, people ask me about the same mythical deductions — stuff they feel they ought to be able to deduct on their tax returns, even though the government doesn't exactly see eye-to-eye with them. While it may be freezing in some parts of the country, tax season is right around the corner, and it pays to take a look at these three common points of confusion before filing this spring.

1. Can I deduct my personal credit card interest?

Nope, unfortunately not. When you make personal charges on your plastic — like going out to eat, trips to the grocery store or Disneyland, really any of the expenses you associate with your daily life — the interest is never deductible.

Here's the source of the misunderstanding. You used to be able to deduct credit card interest. But you can thank President Reagan and Congress (Democrats and Republicans alike) for eliminating the interest deduction for consumer loans, which includes your Mastercard or VISA. They believed that consumer interest deductions generally encouraged folks to overspend and over-borrow, so they changed the law.

People may also be confused because you often can deduct the interest that you pay on the business expenses you put on your credit card.

A note of caution: If you are self-employed or run your own shop, I always recommend having a separate credit card for business purposes (or else it's nearly impossible to calculate which portion of the interest is deductible).

2. Can I deduct my new interview suit or work clothes?

Here's another one I get all the time, especially in the current job market when so many people are out there pounding the pavement, and the cost of getting your foot in the door adds up pretty quickly.

The tax laws are a little tricky here. You can't deduct your new interview outfit (on the theory that you could also wear it for personal use, like to a cocktail party, wedding, date or any other event where you want to look pulled together). And you can't deduct the cost of your ordinary, run-of-the-mill work clothes, either. Think: no deduction for things I could otherwise wear out in public anyway — normal pants, dresses, skirts, shirt — even if you work at a clothing store that asks you to dress nicely while you're on the clock.

But there are some good news. While your fancy interview suit is off limits, you may be able to deduct some of the expenses you rack up looking for a job, like the amount you pay to an employment service, and the cost of preparing and sending out all those resumes under certain circumstances. And there is a clothing deduction exception if you wear a specialized uniform to work and it's not suitable for everyday life. (How many UPS guys are going to whip out their uniforms to wear around town on their day off?)

3. Can I deduct my commuting costs?

Again, this one is a no-go for the IRS. You can't deduct the cost of commuting from your house to your job, on the theory that you choose where you want to live in relation to your workplace and the time in your car or on the train is personal.

But of course, because it's the tax code, there is an exception. People who are self-employed with a home office may be able to write off some of the costs of traveling between their residence and another location where they have work-related business. You may also be able to deduct the costs of going from your job (wherever you work) to other work-related meetings and outings. My advice? Sit down with an accountant or tax professional if you plan on deducting these kinds of costs on your return this April, so you can make sure you're calculating everything properly.

Guest Post Blurb:

Jacoba Urist is a tax and estate attorney from New York. She is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post and is writing a book "The Happiest Parent" about preparing the best possible future for every child. Follow her on Twitter at @TheHappiestPare.

Written by Jacoba Urist and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

7 Frugal Myths Debunked

Kentin Waits — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:24:39 +0000

We frugal folks often get a bad rap. In the media, one of two things tends to happen. When the economy is bad, the media races to interview diehard frugal gurus to figure out just how they do it and peek behind the mysterious veil of living within your means. When economic times are brighter, frugality is marginalized and those same gurus are looked upon with a mixture of sympathy and disdain. I think both of these extremes are fueled by fundamental myths about what frugality really means. Let's set the record and debunk seven of the most common frugal myths:

1. People are frugal because they have no choice

Many folks are frugal because they have to be (and in this day and age, there are few among us who can afford not to be). For others, frugality is a choice — a method of successful living that's a response to understanding the intimate link between time, labor, money, and things. The frugal realize that every purchase we make represents time that's been (or will be) sold. Consequently, we tend to prioritize expenditures differently. (See also: The Enemies of Frugality)

2. "Frugal," "cheap," and "tightwad" are all synonyms

Some tightwads may be cheap and all tightwads are frugal, but not everyone who's frugal is a tightwad or cheap. Follow? To me, tightwad and cheap are terms of disparagement. They're meant to imply a personality flaw — a tendency to hate to spend money and when spending is unavoidable, to always choose the cheapest option. Frugal folks, on the other hand, are not so rigid. We seek out quality and we cut corners in certain categories so that we can indulge in others debt-free. Maybe a young couple chooses to live off a single salary so that one parent can stay home with a child. Maybe a single man takes his lunch to work every day to pay down his mortgage faster. Frugality is born from understanding priorities — from conscious calculation and from rational strategy.

3. Frugality is all about self-sacrifice and denial

Not true. There have been very few times in my own life when I've felt denied anything truly important because of my frugality. Maybe my wants have been suppressed, but more likely, they've been recalibrated. For me (and I have a hunch, for most frugal folks) the real denial would be the peace-of-mind lost from living beyond my means. I truly get a charge out of saving money and I enjoy the rich experience of (usually) being worry-free.

4. Frugal people pinch every penny and clip coupons all day

On the continuum of frugality, I fall somewhere in the moderate or moderate-to-extreme range. Still, I don't pinch every penny, clip coupons, reuse tin foil, or collect old soda cans along the highway. But that's just me. Everyone approaches frugality differently and employs different tactics and strategies for success. The experience of frugal living is varied and personal — we all have our own way of doing things.

5. Real frugality is impossible in this day and age

This is a tough one. On one hand, it's simple to see how frugality may have been easier two or three generations ago when people tended to live near extended family and lead more rural and self-sufficient lives. On the other hand, in a nation and age of excess, there are always frugal opportunities. Human ingenuity is less about the age in which we live and more about inspiration and motivation.

6. Frugal people aren't concerned about style or fashion

Wrong. Scratch those stereotypes of frugal folks strutting around in acid washed 'mom jeans' and garage sale huaraches. Great style has always been about classic cuts, a good fit, quality materials, and durable construction. All of the above can be found (albeit with a bit of patience) in thrift stores, on discount racks, and at garage sales. Frugal folks may not be trendy (who wants that anyway?), but many of us are spot-on with our style.

7. Frugality is too hard

This may not be a myth. Frugality is hard, especially in the beginning and especially if you're used to a life with few financial limits. But it gets easier. Over time, frugality becomes second-nature and it's the unreasonable spending and excess that become difficult. As the sugary-sweet high of consumerism begins to fade, it'll be replaced by the joy of living debt-free, living more simply, and with less stress.

We can all help fight misconceptions about frugality since we're all examples of stereotypes that don't fit in some way or another. Maybe the larger social trend of moderation is here to stay. If so, let's help shed the thinking that has marginalized thrift and popularized excess. We just may be better for it.

What myths and misconceptions about frugality have you encountered? What are people surprised to learn about your frugal ways?

Written by Kentin Waits and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

Best Money Tips: Saving on Gas

Ashley Jacobs — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:00:23 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some awesome articles on saving on gas, figuring out extreme couponing, and why you should love credit cards.

News & Events

Wise Bread Tweetchat (#WBChat) — Don't miss our weekly #WBChat at 12pm PST! We will be giving away $200 in prizes thanks to our sponsor, SpringCoin!

Be sure to check out our News & Events Calendar to see all the awesome upcoming events in the personal finance world!

Written by Ashley Jacobs and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

Join Our Tweetchat on Thu 2/9, 12pm Pacific for Chance to Win $200

Ashley Jacobs — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:32:10 +0000

Join our Tweetchat this Thursday at 12:00 pm Pacific for lively conversation and a chance to win $200 in prizes! Use #WBChat to participate.

This week's topic: How People Land in Debtsville. We'll talk about mistakes people in debt make, "keeping up with the Joneses," and setting a monthly budget. Share tips on having enough savings to cover financial setbacks, paying your credit cards in full each month, and recycling your available credit.

For an easy way to keep track of the conversation, try using our special Tweetchat Chatroom.

Anyone can participate, but you must be following both @WiseBread and @SpringCoin in addition to RSVPing below to be eligible to win our prize!

$200 in Prizes Thanks to SpringCoin!

Our chat this week is sponsored by the debt management program, SpringCoin. Thanks to their generous support, we're giving away:

One $100 Amazon Gift Cards
Two $50 Amazon Gift Cards

How to Enter Giveaway

To enter, simply:

Follow @SpringCoin and @WiseBread on Twitter.
RSVP below.
Join the chat and tweet at least once using #WBChat
Giveaway open to U.S. residents 18 years of age or older

Winners will be selected randomly and announced at the end of the chat.

Please RSVP!

To make it easier for us to keep track of attendees and pick our winners, please RSVP below with your twitter ID (put that in the "Link Title" field), email address, and your twitter URL (put that in the "URL" field, do not put your blog's url in there). Winners will be selected at random from RSVPs. If a winner is chosen who RSVPed but did not meet other requirements, a 2nd winner will be chosen.

More About SpringCoin:

SpringCoin, the leading online debt relief and financial education service, announced yesterday the first automated debt relief coach with human expertise. The new SpringCoin (formerly known as its beta version, DebtEye) delivers the most personalized plans to get consumers out of debt faster while integrating rewards-driven financial educational tools.

Written by Ashley Jacobs and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

15 Tested Tips for Creative Efficiency

Annie Mueller — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:36:23 +0000

Creative pursuits and efficiency don't always seem to go together; in fact, our age-old wisdom tells us that in order to be truly creative, we need wide open swaths of time, unbounded by other obligations like work, kids, and the need to get dinner on the table. (See also: Fun and Cheap Ways to Get Creative When You’re Bored)

Then there's real life, which includes work, kids, the need to get dinner on the table…little things like that which won't go away. Life won't be put on hold while we decide to get creative.

So what's the answer? Unless we've found "being creative" a way to also earn a living, we find ourselves having to fit our creative pursuits around the edges of our day. If you're in a boat like mine, you're trying to do all that and then some: being a mom, while also using your creative skills (in my case, writing) to supplement your family's income… oh, and also carve a little time in to write that novel or book of poems that you don't expect will make you any money but which simply must be written.

I'm writing this right now with my third child snuggled up next to me. He's 2 1/2, and he and the other three kids have been sick for the last week. We're all starting to get better now, but for the last seven days I've not had more than a couple of hours of uninterrupted sleep at a time. To say I'm tired is a drastic understatement. My oldest is five. My youngest is 5 months. Also, right now, we're living in my in-laws' basement due to the black mold problem discovered in our house. We've been living away from home for a couple of weeks, running back and forth to get what we need, moving back in once only to find more mold so moving back out again. Needless to say, my life is a bit unsettled.

What I'm trying to say with that long drawn-out story is that life is rarely going to bless you with long open hours to sit around and paint portraits or write songs or write novels.

If you want the time, you have to fight for it. And chances are, you'll win it in minutes and snatches, not in hours and days.

So here are 15 tips I've discovered/gathered/collected from the last seven years of being a wife, a mom, and someone who values creativity too much to let it wait until the kids are grown and we're retired and I have all the time in the world. Which I don't expect will happen anyway (the all the time in the world part, I mean. I do expect the kids to be grown, someday).

1. Create simple routines for your day

Routines simplify the repetitive tasks of the day, helping you to get them done on autopilot so your brain is free for creative pursuits while your body does the routine work.

2. Keep your supplies on hand

Accessibility is a big part of being more creative. If you have to get involved in any sort of major set-up before you can be creative, you're putting up a road block.

3. Focus on one project at a time

It simplifies what your brain needs to do, and allows your unconscious to work on the project and be ready with creativity when the time comes.

4. Do something related to your art every single day

Keep it fresh and front of mind. Even if all you have time for is something very basic, get in five minutes of an activity related to your creative project. For a writer, that could be just keeping a daily journal, or a five-minute creative writing break. For artists, it could be making a sketch, or reviewing your sketches.

5. Have an easy way to catch ideas

Keep a notebook in your pocket or get good at quickly recording ideas on your phone. They don't need to be good ideas, just treat them as valuable and put them in a place where you can find them later. This has a double benefit of freeing your brain up from the work of holding those ideas and giving you a place to start when you're out of ideas, later.

6. Focus on one medium/method at a time

Focus is powerful; it sets boundaries for your creativity, which actually kicks it into gear.

7. Immerse yourself

Read books on or related to your creative pursuit. Read biographies, or watch biographies and documentaries of others in the field. Go to workshops, talk to peers, listen to inspiring music, study, immerse yourself in what you're doing and things related to it. Give your brain plenty of fodder.

8. Think in 5- to 10-minute blocks

What can you do in five minutes? In ten minutes? Think in these terms. It's different than having hours of unbroken time, but that kind of luxury isn't always possible. Five minutes is long enough to write a few sentences, analyze the light in the corner, listen to the line of a song, try a new stitch pattern, match some colors, play with a logo design. It's not enough to do everything, or even much, but it's enough to do something.

9. Make creativity mobile

How can you work on your creative project while you're on the go? Can you listen to related recordings, podcasts, music? Can you jot down ideas in your notebook? Talk about it with a peer or mentor?

10. Eliminate time wasters that eat up your free time

Keep a time log if you're not sure what your time wasters are. You'll find some. Pick one, and get it out of your life.

11. Turn off the TV

It eats your time and your brain cells. If you truly want time to do your creative work, kill it. For that matter, unplug yourself entirely when you're off work and able to be unavailable. Silence the phone, shut down the browser. Give your brain some free space.

12. Train your muse

Do some work every day at the same time in the same place. It trains your muse to show up and be ready.

13. Hang out with inspiring people

Find the people in your life who inspire you to work harder, think bigger, be better. Put yourself around them. Limit your time around the people who distract you with gossip, negativity, same-old same-old ruts of life.

14. Define creative work so you know when you're doing it

There are so many ways to be creative. You probably have a lot more creativity in your life than you know. Cooking, baking, sewing, humming, playing games… define creativity beyond art/music/writing.

15. Use your creative strengths on obligatory tasks

Need to plan a birthday party? Find a way to use your creative strengths. You'll pull off a better party and use the time "planning" as creative time. Try to do that with everything possible: volunteer for things that fit your creatively. Take on the work projects that allow you to use your creative strengths. So on.

What are your tips for creative efficiency? How do you fit creative work into your busy life? Share in the comments so we can all benefit.

Written by Annie Mueller and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

How to Select the Best Jeans for Your Money

Dealnews — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:24:22 +0000

It's awesome to score a pair of jeans for super cheap, but it's even more satisfying if you know that pair will last you for a long time. But how can you really know what the longevity of your jeans is before they actually get put into regular wardrobe rotation? The folks at Real Simple have some tips on how to choose the most valuable pair of jeans for your buck, and, to get you started, we've pulled some examples that aim for prolonged life while still spending as little as possible. (See also: 25 Things to Do With Old Jeans)

First, the site suggests sticking to darker denim, since "deeper shades are handled less, so they last twice as long." They also happen to be particularly flattering, as darker colors are slimmer and more versatile. For example, dark jeans can be paired with a button-down shirt and blazer more easily than light colors, and they look just as smart with a simple T-shirt and sneakers. These Levi's Men's 514 Slim Straight Atlantic Jeans fit the bill for color, and they feature a small zip compartment on the thigh that looks cool, even if it can't actually hold all that much before it starts to look like there's a growth on your leg. (That is to say, leave it empty.) Or, if you want to go really dark, try these Levi's Men's 501 Original Jeans in black instead.

Another way to choose denim that'll last is to pay attention to the materials. You likely wear jeans more than any other item of clothing, which means your denim is also taking a beating. According to Real Simple, opting for jeans that feature at least 2% spandex allows your trusted blues to stretch with you, instead of ripping after months of wear. Unfortunately, this appears to be a less popular material for men's jeans than it is for women's, but this of course makes sense; the tighter the jeans, the more likely they'll need the stretch. That said, we found these Gap Men's 1969 Super Skinny Fit Jeans with 2% spandex for the dudes, and the Express Women's Eva Boot Cut Curvy Fit Jeans for the ladies who want some stretch.

Obviously, we're no stranger to Real Simple's final tip, which is to look for deals and coupons online, then buy multiple pairs of a style that fits the above criteria. This is generally easier to do when you're already sure of the exact style that works for your body. For example, if the Levi's 514 is a perfect fit, you can set up a personalized email alert for Levi's coupons, and stock up whenever a discount comes around. Seeing as its the most-worn item in many people's wardrobe, you'll likely never regret having multiple pairs on hand.

Readers, what tips do you have for buying the best pair of jeans? Is there a particular brand or store that you've found to consistently offer high quality at inexpensive prices? Do you think spending more on denim translates into a longer life for your jeans? Sound off in the comment section below!

This is a guest post by Dealnews.

Scoring jeans for super cheap is great — but it's even better when they're long lasting. Here's how to score the most valuable pair of jeans for your buck.

Written by Dealnews and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

Best Money Tips: Managing the Family Shopping Chore

Ashley Jacobs — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:00:25 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some great articles on managing the family shopping chore, financial benefits to being sick, and having a productivity routine.

Ask the Readers: How Often Do You Review Your Credit Report?

Ashley Jacobs — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:36:33 +0000

Having a good credit score is an important part of your financial health. It is necessary to review your credit report from time to time to check on your credit health and make sure you have no discrepancies with your report. Some people review their credit report once a year while others do it more regularly.

How often do you review your credit report? Yearly? Monthly? When was the last time you reviewed your credit report?

Tell us how often you review your credit report and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Win 1 of 3 $20 Amazon Gift Cards

We're doing three giveaways — one for random comments, one for random Facebook "Likes", and another one for random tweets.

Mandatory Entry:

Post your answer in the comments below

For extra entries (1 per action):

Go to our Facebook page, "Like" us, and leave a comment on this article telling us you did, or
Tweet your answer. You have to be a follower of our @wisebread account. Include both "@wisebread" and "#WBAsk" in your tweet so we'll see it and count it. Leave a link to your tweet (click the timestamp for the individual URL) in a separate comment.

If you're inspired to write a whole blog post OR you have a photo on flickr to share, please link to it in the comments or tweet it.

Giveaway Rules:

Contest ends Monday, February 13th at 11:59 pm Pacific. Winners will be announced after February 13th on the original post. Winners will also be contacted via email.
You can enter all three drawings — once by leaving a comment, once by liking our Facebook update, and once by tweeting.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered, or associated with Facebook.
You must be 18 and US resident to enter. Void where prohibited.

Good Luck!

Tell us how often you review your credit report and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Written by Ashley Jacobs and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

How to Find the Right Accountant for You

Thursday Bram — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:00:34 +0000

Finding the right accountant can make a world of difference when it comes to managing your money, but it can be easier said than done. There are a few ways that you can make the process go much easier, though.

Why Do You Need an Accountant?

The first question you need to think about when looking for an accountant is why do you need help with your finances — and what sort of help do you need? Not every individual really needs an accountant. There are a number of services out there that can help you with your taxes, if that's your only concern. An accountant usually works with individuals or organizations with slightly more complicated finances, ranging from managing a business' finances to helping an individual keep investments straight. (See also: 6 Mistakes to Avoid With a Financial Adviser)

You could just start calling accountants based on who is closest to you, but most accountants have specialties. You're not going to get exactly the help you need from just any accountant.

When we talk about accountants, we can actually be referring to one of several different kinds of financial expert. There are quite a few different designations for accountants, from the common "certified public accountant" to a certified management accountant or an accredited business accountant. It's most likely that you're looking for a CPA if you're generally looking for an accountant in the U.S. (other designations are used in other countries). A CPA will help set up the books for a new business, prepare tax returns, and handle a wide variety of other accounting tasks — unless you have a sizable business and need specialized help with your accounting, a CPA is usually the place to start.

It's still important to narrow the field down even further, though. Many CPAs work with specific types of clients. For instance, the CPA who helps me with my business focuses on small businesses that don't need much in the way of payroll but do need advice on business operations from time to time. He works with a lot of freelancers and small business owners, though he does take on other clients. Ask right off the bat about whether an accountant you're considering working with handles your type of situation — most are very clear about what types of clients they want to work with. You should also ask about specifics like price and who will actually do any work, like preparing a tax return.

Make a note of what sort of help you need. The price you'll pay for an accountant's help can definitely depend on exactly what you need done. Most CPAs work on an hourly basis, often starting at a price of $150 and going up from there. But for common situations, like needing a tax return prepared, you can expect prices to start closer to $90 — provided you are employed and don't have particularly complicated finances.

It's All About the Referral

Because an accountant may wind up knowing every last thing about your financial situation, it's important to find someone you're personally comfortable working with. Starting with a referral is often the best way to do so. Ask around to find out whom your peers use and whether they recommend their current accountants. If you're having a hard time getting a recommendation, many review-based sites, such as Yelp, do list accountants and other financial professionals. However, you'll want to dig a little deeper than just a review online — while it's fine for choosing a restaurant for dinner, you'll want more information when you're putting all your financial information in someone's hands.

If you operate a business, it may be worth going to your professional associations (such as the local Chamber of Commerce, if you are a member) and getting referrals there. You can get good leads on reliable accountants quickly.

Of course, you'll do the necessary due diligence to make sure that you're working with a reliable accountant. But because of that "certified" part of the job title, it's relatively easy to make sure that anyone you choose to work with has the necessary credentials to handle any accounting quandary you may face. Individual state boards are responsible for issuing certifications, and most will now allow you to verify an accountant's credentials online. A quick online search can also confirm that you've chosen the right person to work with. Many CPAs (including the one I work with) now have websites, Twitter accounts, and even blogs to help you make the right decisions.

An Ongoing Relationship

Even if you only visit your accountant for a yearly tax planning session, it's important to have an ongoing relationship. The best accountants will go out of their way to update you on new legislation, as well as anything else that might impact your finances. You may not anticipate needing help, but already having a great working relationship with your accountant can put you ahead of the game in the event of an audit or other financial situation.

Depending on how you expect your finances to change in the future, you may want to ask about some of the options that an accountant might offer before making your final decision. If you know you need to start planning for retirement or a child's education, you should ask about what sort of financial consulting or planning services a particular CPA offers.

Written by Thursday Bram and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

Best Money Tips: Frugal Ways to Hire a Babysitter

Ashley Jacobs — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:48:20 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some great articles on frugal ways to hire a babysitter, how to spend a tax refund, and ways to get money fast.

News & Events

The Wealth Builder Carnival — Don't miss The Wealth Builder Carnival, featuring articles about building and preserving enough wealth for a comfortable retirement!

Be sure to check out our News & Events Calendar to see all the awesome upcoming events in the personal finance world!

Written by Ashley Jacobs and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

10 Smart Things to Do With $25

Paul Michael — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:36:26 +0000

So, you’ve got $25 burning a hole in your pocket. Or, you just found it in an old pair of jeans. Maybe it represents the contents of your piggy bank, or a check you got from an aunt in another state for your birthday. However you came by this $25, you’re trying to figure out how to spend it without blowing it.

Here then are 10 ideas, some fun, some serious, that will help you make the most of your 25 buckaroos. (See also: 15 Fun Things to Buy for Under $5)

1. Go on a Goodwill Shopping Spree

The bargains I find at Goodwill never cease to amaze me. I recently purchased a mint-condition, sealed Sopranos jigsaw puzzle for $2. I sold it for $10 just a few days later. OK, not a lot in the grand scheme of things, but if you could do that with $25 worth of Goodwill stuff, you turn it unto $125. Rummage through the collectibles and glassware, and check out all the pictures, CDs, and garments. Every Goodwill store holds gems, you just have to know where to look. And remember, the money you spend in there goes to a very good cause. It’s win-win.

2. Adopt an Animal That Needs a Good Home

We recently adopted two kittens from our local animal shelter. We were shocked at how cheap it was to do this. They had so many cats, dogs, and other animals to care for that they were almost giving them away. It was sad to see a sign like “buy a kitten, get a grown up cat free,” but I guess tough times call for new ideas. The price for the adoption of the two kittens, plus inoculations and spaying/neutering, came in at less than $25. We gave the shelter double that because we know how much they rely on donations. But, if you want to do some good with your $25 and make a friend, spending it on a new pet could be just for you. As always, don’t do it on a whim, and don’t buy a pet as a gift for someone else (unless they come with you). Animals need loving homes. If you can provide one, get down to your local shelter.

3. Buy Previously Viewed Movies and Games

DVD rental stores have hit on hard times. It doesn’t bother me too much, because I remember being charged ridiculous prices for new releases and having to pay horrendous late fees. The rental stores had to adapt, and they also had to find a way to make extra money. By selling off previously viewed DVDs and pre-played games, they’re recouping some of their losses; and you get yourself some sweet bargains. I picked up movies including A Serious Man and A Nightmare on Elm Street for just 99 cents. I also recently bought Blu Ray copies of Inception, Horrible Bosses, Machete, and Predators for around $7 a piece. That’s way below the price of a new copy, and they play just as well. Some discs look untouched. These stores have dozens of copies of the popular movies, so many of the discs are played just a few times. And they all come with at least a seven-day guarantee. Bring it back if it’s scratched or doesn’t play, they’ll replace it for you. Now that’s smart.

4. Start a College Savings Plan

With $25? Well, it’s $25 dollars more than if you don’t have a plan right now. And if you have young children, the price of college by the time they reach 18 will demand every penny you can amass. By investing $25 a month for 18 years with a 7% rate of return, you’ll have over $11,000 in that account. True, it’s probably not going to cover a lot by then, but it’s better than nothing at all.

5. Hit the Sales at the Grocery Stores

If you want to grab yourself some real bargains, go and buy the food that is “going off” in the stores. It’s often heavily discounted because it has reached its sell-by date. But that’s an arbitrary date set to protect stores from lawsuits and ensure you get the freshest food. So much of that food is still very good, and you can get it really cheap just before it hits the dumpster. Your $25 could easily get you $75-$100 worth of food. Pop whatever you can in your freezer, and bring it out when you need it.

6. Loan It to a Farmer or Entrepreneur in a Third-World Country

One of the best non-profit ideas I’ve seen in a while is Kiva.org. It’s based on the principles of “microfinancing,” which basically means you can donate a sum as small as $25 to the fund. The borrower will make a request for funds, and if successful, he or she will get a loan funded by the more than 500,000 lenders around the world. The borrower then makes repayments, so if you put your money in, you will get it back at a later date. But in the process, you have helped someone realize a dream who normally wouldn’t have a chance to.

7. Hop the Farmers Markets

An article I wrote in the past warned of things to avoid at farmers markets, and that resulted in a lot of angry letters and comments wondering why I was against them. That, I am happy to tell you, is not true at all. I love farmer’s markets; I simply wanted to point out a few pitfalls. But when it comes to fresh fruit and vegetables, these markets can’t be beat. So take your $25 to a local farmers market, get some good quality food for less than supermarket prices, and support a local farmer.

8. Buy Some Original Art

You may think $25 will not buy you much of a work of art, but you’d be mistaken. Yes, granted, if you’re looking for a 6 ft. canvas by a well-known painter, you’ll be out of luck. But if you are willing to look around local art shows, search on Craigslist, or even peruse the walls of local eateries and record shops, you will find amazing prices on original works. These are from artists who want to be discovered and also want to cover the costs of materials. Who knows, in the future that piece you buy for $25 could be worth six figures.

9. Get a Free Massage or Haircut, and Tip $25

Students who are enrolled in massage or haircutting courses will often give away their services for free (or very cheap) to practice. You’ll find ads for free massages or haircuts on Craigslist and in newspaper classified ads. But while they are free, or very cheap, these people do deserve a tip. So, for the complete price of $25, you help a student with their studies and get a service for at least half of what you’d regularly pay.

10. Take a Music Lesson

So many of us have guitars, old pianos, or other instruments just lying around. Maybe we bought them decades ago and gave up on them, or they were gifts. They could be hand-me-downs. Either way, why not see if it’s really something you want to do. Playing an instrument is a great way to release stress, and it’s a wonderful hobby. For $25, you can usually get a 30-minute to 1-hour lesson for a variety of instruments. Some charge as little as $10 for a 30-minute lesson.

Written by Paul Michael and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

15 Tips for a Better Work-Life Balance

SavvySugar — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:24:22 +0000

Staying on top of your A-game and maintaining a healthy work-life balance can feel like an oxymoron. Most of us experience an uneven pull between our social lives and work commitments, which isn't surprising considering the current economy and fact that employees everywhere are working overtime to show they're an indispensable part of the team. Nevertheless, it's important to establish a healthy harmony between your job and personal life. This doesn't just mean working overtime to please your boss and boyfriend; it means creating a balance of time spent working, playing, and pleasing yourself.

Foster Healthy Weekday Habits

If we're not careful the weekdays can become one big work blur. Instigate healthy habits by taking a trip to the grocery store (save on groceries with these tricks) on Sunday and planning the meals you will make at home during the week, or challenge yourself to visit the gym four nights in one week. The time away from the computer and work worries will clear your mind, allow you to focus, and likely inspire you to be more productive when you are at the computer.

Learn the Value of Saying No

Most SavvySugar readers admit they have a hard time saying no to work and social invitations, which means many of you are getting roped into projects, parties, and events you'd rather say "no way, Jose!" to. Next time you are invited to something, weigh the benefit and cost before saying yes. If you think the event or project will have a positive impact on your productivity, career, and networking without disrupting your non-work schedule, go for it. If you think your personal life will suffer because of it, say no.

Remember, don't be too "nice" or you may not be able to get ahead at work.

Set Calendar Reminders

Set goals, appointments, lunch dates, or even eye breaks or gym appointments in your work calendar. The little office notification will pop up and force you to stop what you are doing and focus on your goal.

Put Family First When You're Home

Your family and loved ones will come to resent you if you keep your eyes on your laptop or phone every night. Make quality-time dates with your family or significant other after dinner to distract you from your workload. The work will always be there in the morning, or after Glee. Savor your at-home time while you can.

Get Your Zzzs

When you're running up against the clock and finishing a high priority project, it's easy to lose track of time and pull an all-nighter. But chances are you won't produce your best work at 4 a.m. after 20 hours in front of the computer. Don't compromise your sleeping schedule or ignore the power of your beauty rest. The pile will still be there in the morning, and chances are your co-workers won't respond to their email before 9 a.m. anyway.

Having trouble waking up? Use these tips to wake up and get out of bed fast.

Know When to Unplug

While most of us can't finish all our tasks while we are in the office, it's crucial to set boundaries. If you carry your laptop home with you at night and often work on it while watching TV or hanging out at home for more than an hour, stay at work for an extra 45 minutes instead to finish critical tasks and leave your computer at the office. If you carry your BlackBerry with you everywhere and check work email every five minutes, make a rule to only check it once or twice an hour. You'll be more productive and still be able to relax and focus on your non-work life.

Sign Up For a Class

If challenging yourself to cook or visit the gym isn't doing the trick, sign up for a class you can't miss. If you pre-pay for a yoga or French pastry class you will be more likely to show up and detach from work for those few hours.

Take Personal Breaks During the Day

Unless your employer asks you to clock in and out for breaks, you should assume responsibility for your time. Make sure you've scoped out your manager's take on personal breaks and then make a schedule to give yourself 15 or 20 minutes of break time during the day. Take a walk around the block and call your mom or BFF. Make a list of errands you need to accomplish during the week and then sit outside Starbucks for 15 minutes while you make your phone calls. Your fellow employees will appreciate you not making personal calls in the office and you will feel as though you've taken a work break and taken care of your personal items.

Leave Work at a Decent Time

Employers pay attention to the time you commit on the job, but that doesn't mean you need to stay until dark every night of the week. Stay late when you need to finish a project, but don't be afraid to make plans during the week that will force you to leave the office at a decent time. Getting outside at a healthy time will boost your mood and make you happier about resuming your work in the morning.

Schedule "Work Hours" at Home

If you must work at home, set some time limits. Make dinner with your family, wind down with a little TV or a chapter of a book, and then work for an hour or two and return to "me time." Better yet, work for an hour before dinner and then spend the rest of the night worry-free.

Keep Work (and Your Laptop) Out of the Bedroom

If you do work at home, make sure to establish "no-work zones" in the house. In my mind, work, laptops, and smartphones shouldn't be allowed in the bathroom or bedroom. Set up a definitive work area at the dining room table, your home office, or the coffee table.

Figure Out How to Be Happy at Work

Being happy with your work life is one of the keys to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Make a friend at the office and invite her to lunch once a week, or grab your work BFF and the new gals from the department upstairs and indulge in an ice cream or happy hour. The better your relationships with colleagues the more likely you'll be to turn to them for project support or advice if you need it.

Challenge Your Partner or a Friend

If you have trouble detaching from work and unwinding from a stressful day at the office, challenge your partner or friend to get out of the house too! Plan weekly runs or walks through the neighborhood, a new dish you can make together, or simply commit to sitting and talking for two hours about anything but work. You'll quickly find you have a million things to talk about other than the annoying girl down the hall who keeps undermining you in meetings.

Drowning? Speak Up!

If the projects keep piling up and you're physically incapable of finishing all your assigned tasks during work hours (and all the overtime you put in!), sit down with your manager and explain the situation. Let her know how many hours you have been working overtime and discuss other team members who may be able to assist you or the possibility of hiring an intern. Chances are your manager is fully aware of how hard you have been working (or should be!) and can help you devise a better time management plan.

Reward Yourself

After challenging yourself to focus on your work-life balance, don't forget to reward yourself for making an effort to change. Send yourself flowers or treat yourself to a manicure. You'll feel proud every time you look over at the flowers or your fancy nails and be motivated to keep your new healthy habits.

Want to be happier at work AND at home? Follow these suggestions to keep yourself balanced, healthy, and joyful.

Guest Post Blurb:

This is a guest contribution from our friends at SavvySugar. Check out more useful articles from this partner:

Written by SavvySugar and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

Best Money Tips: Free Valentine's Dates

Ashley Jacobs — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:00:18 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some great articles on free Valentine's Dates, ways to build up your emergency fund, and how to save more in 2012.

News & Events

Carnival of Personal Finance #347: Hosted by One Cent At A Time — Don't miss the Carnival of Personal Finance featuring some of the week's most interesting and informative articles! This week, One Cent At A Time will be hosting.

Best of Money Carnival #141: Hosted By Mom's Plans — Check out the Best of Money Carnival featuring the best money related posts from the last two weeks! This week, Mom's Plans will be hosting.

Be sure to check out our News & Events Calendar to see all the awesome upcoming events in the personal finance world!

Written by Ashley Jacobs and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

22 Ways to Reuse Paper

Camilla Cheung — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:48:17 +0000

Do you feel guilty tossing stacks of flyers, scrap paper, and junk mail into the recycling bin? All that perfectly good paper, hardly even used. What a waste! Recycling is good, but it still takes energy and creates waste and emissions. The good thing is, there are plenty of things you can do to reuse paper before recycling it. (See also: 17 Ways to Use Old Newspaper)

1. Printing

Yes, it’s obvious, but it surprises me how many people don’t bother with printing on the back of scrap computer paper. Use scrap paper to print coupons, directions, meeting minutes, shopping lists, and other necessities. To make it easier, keep a tray of scrap paper next to the printer for easy access.

2. Pet Cage Liner

Newspaper and junk mail is perfect for lining a bird cage or shredding for hamster bedding. Just be sure that the paper you use is printed with non-toxic ink (brown paper bags and black and white newspaper is usually fine).

3. Woven Basket

Design*Sponge recently showcased an easy tutorial for reusing your brown packing paper (ubiquitous in Amazon shipments, for example) to weave this beautiful recycled paper basket. Use the paper basket to corral your junk mail or to hold scrap paper for further reuse!

4. Doodle Pad

Tear used computer paper (printed on one side) into quarters and stack them (or clip them) neatly by the telephone for doodling while you’re on hold, or for jotting down messages.

5. Origami

Used wrapping paper, greeting cards, the comic section of the newspaper, and even colorful junk mail can be used to fold all sorts of cute origami, from jewelry boxes to paper cranes to adorable origami cat bookmarks. Chocolate bar tablets used to be wrapped in gold or silver paper that was perfect for origami, but I've noticed that this isn't as common anymore.

6. Beads for Jewelry

Old magazines and wrapping paper can be rolled into pretty paper beads to make unique jewelry. There’s an easy paper-bead tutorial at HowStuffWorks. This would be a fun project for kids as well.

7. Light a Fire

We usually save brown paper bags, packing paper, and newspaper for the fireplace, but again, make sure that the paper is printed with non-toxic inks.

8. Wall Art

Frame pretty patterned wrapping paper (or greeting cards, or wallpaper) in simple frames for a boost of color in your home. Alternatively, use wrapping paper as matting for photos, create a garland or bunting to hang on the wall, or frame interesting magazine covers.

9. Paper-Mache Piñata

One of my family’s traditions was to create a paper-mache piñata for birthday parties. Ours were usually simple paper-mache balls filled with candy, but you could fancy yours up and make them all sorts of fantastic shapes (one year, I made a roly-poly pig using a balloon and toilet paper rolls as a frame). Kids love whacking the piñata with a bat and gathering the goodies at parties. Check out this easy video tutorial for making a piñata.

10. Gift Wrap

Reuse comics, sheet music, or even plain brown packing paper to wrap gifts. You can pretty them up with gift tags made from scrap paper and leftover ribbons. For small gifts, a fun idea is to use business envelopes turned inside-out to wrap a gift, showing the pretty blue or gray security pattern inside.

11. Window Cleaning

Nothing beats good ol’ newspaper and vinegar for sparkling, streak-free windows.

12. Garden Mulch

Non-toxic newsprint can be an excellent mulch for your garden plants. Tear the newspaper into strips and put a layer around your plants to keep the soil moist and deter weeds. The newspaper will eventually break down and enrich the soil. If you think this looks unsightly, use it only in the backyard vegetable garden, or add a layer of bark chips over the top to make it look prettier.

13. Compost

Newspaper can be an integral part of a well-balanced compost pile and counts as a carbon-rich (or “brown” component). Tear the newspaper into strips or small pieces to help it break down faster. Again, use only newspaper or paper with non-toxic inks (no glossy magazines).

14. Drop Cloth

Save newspaper and junk mail to use as a drop cloth for your painting and crafting projects.

15. Paper Dolls

Stiff cardstock (such as the back of greeting cards) can be cut into simple paper dolls, and then colorful wrapping paper or leftover computer paper can be fashioned into an entire wardrobe. Draw the dolls yourself, or find an easy template online.

16. Paper Wreath

Martha Stewart has this idea for using the pages of an old book to create the leaves for this beautiful paper wreath, perfect for gracing your front door.

17. Gift Basket Filling

Shred colorful wrapping and tissue paper and use it as filler in DIY gift baskets or Easter baskets that you make with the kids.

18. Seedling Pots

Use leftover paper egg cartons or toilet paper rolls that have been folded on the bottom to start your own seeds for the garden. They’re perfect since they supply good drainage and aeration. Since the “seedling pots” are biodegradable, you can just break them up and bury them when you plant the seedlings in your garden.

19. Cable and Junk Organizers

Toilet and paper towel rolls are perfect for organizing computer cables and corralling other random stuff. Cut a slit in one side of the roll, and then slip rolled-up cables into the toilet paper “sleeve.” You can also use this to organize craft supplies such as ribbons and string, and keep your wrapping paper rolls from unrolling. Flattened rolls can be used to store knives.

20. Ripen Fruit

Place unripe fruit in a paper bag or wrap in newspaper to help it to ripen more quickly.

21. Homemade Cards

A sweet way to reuse greeting cards is to cut out the pictures (pretty flowers, birds, and other images) and use them to create a new card. You might reuse last year's Christmas card from your grandma to make a new card to send her this year, for example.

22. Packing Material

If you can’t find another creative use for your junk mail, just scrunch it up and use it to pack a box. Some thrift stores may also accept paper donations for wrapping up fragile objects when they’re sold.

Don’t forget to reduce the amount of paper that comes through your household by opting out of junk mail, and going paperless for bills if your area offers it. If you subscribe to magazines, offer them to a friend who might be interested in reading them before you toss them in the recycling bin. Donate or sell used books.

Please, never throw perfectly good paper into the trash. We have enough paper already lining our landfills, and we already cut down enough trees to make “virgin” paper products.

How do you reuse paper in your home?

Written by Camilla Cheung and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

5 Best Credit Cards for People With Excellent Credit

Jason Steele — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:36:19 +0000

If you have excellent credit, the chances are you already know it. You always pay your bills on time, and you are very unlikely to carry a balance on your credit cards. In return for your responsible nature, you are deluged with offers for more credit cards. Overwhelmed and disillusioned with all of these choices, many of you are content to remain loyal to whichever card you had been using for years. It’s easy, comfortable, and hassle free to use the same card in perpetuity. But by doing so, are you betraying the sound principals of financial management that earned you your excellent credit score? (See also: Surprising Things That Can Kill Your Credit)

Snap Out of It!

Those with excellent credit are likely to be using their cards simply as a method of payment, and they may be earning some additional rewards. Nevertheless, this practice is akin to storing money in a bank for safekeeping, without concern to the returns being accrued on your investment. The reality is that like savings, credit card spending should also produce a competitive return. Although saving is always a preferable activity to spending, those with excellent credit are leaving money on the table by not attempting to maximize the returns on their credit cards.

The Ways to Earn High Returns on Spending

The best way to compare credit card rewards is through the percentage of value earned per dollar spent. For example, 1% cash back is the bare minimum that you should expect from any reward card. If you are earning that amount or less, it is as unwise as closing on a mortgage with a higher APR that what is available. The two most common ways to earn credit card rewards are in the form of cash back or loyalty points such as frequent flier miles. If you are earning points or miles, you should assign a value to them in order to assure you are receiving the returns you deserve. The more value you earn per dollar spent, the better you are doing. Finally, there are a few cardholders who do have excellent credit, but may carry a balance from time to time. These people should always carry a credit card with the lowest APR on the market.

The Best Cards for People With Excellent Credit

Each of the cards on this list are only offered to those with excellent credit, but they offer very high rates of cash back or points. The exception here is the Simmons First card, which as the card with the lowest interest rate on the market, is the best choice for those who carry a balance. There is no one card that is perfect for everyone, but each has its unique advantages that appeal to different types of cardholders.

Fidelity Investment Rewards American Express Card

At the top end of cash back rewards cards are those rare products that earn 2% cash back on all purchases, all the time. Fidelity offers several versions of its American Express card that do just that. In this case, the cash back is returned to the Fidelity account of your choice, such as a Fidelity IRA, Fidelity-Managed 529 Account, Brokerage Account, or Cash Management Account. There is no annual fee for this card and only a 1% foreign transaction fee.

Click here to apply now

Capital One Venture Rewards

Capital One offers this card only to applicants with the best credit scores. By using this card, customers can earn two of their “miles” for each dollar spent. Fortunately, their miles are not like those of any airline; they can be redeemed for one cent each towards a statement credit against any travel related expense. The end result is that this card consistently returns 2% cash back as statement credits so long as the cardholder can claim at least that amount in hotels, car rentals, or airfare. There is a $59 annual fee for this card that is waived the first year, and like all of their cards, there are never any foreign transaction fees.

Click here to apply now

Sapphire Preferred From Chase

Chase has been making an all-out effort to court those with excellent credit histories, and the Sapphire Preferred has quickly become their flagship product. Chase offers a single Ultimate Rewards point per dollar spent on most purchase, with double points for spending on travel and restaurants. Triple points are earned for spending on travel through their Ultimate Rewards site, and all points earned are eligible for a 7% bonus at year’s end. Once earned, points can be redeemed at a rate of 1.25 cents each towards travel, or one cent each towards other experience and merchandise awards. Finally, Ultimate Rewards points can be instantly transferred to points or miles in the program's several different airlines and hotels. In fact, you can even transfer points to other people’s accounts, a feat impossible with most other programs. There is a $95 annual fee for this card that is waived the first year, but there are never any foreign transaction fees. Finally, this card is made of some type of plastic and metal sandwich giving it a heavy, solid feel that always draws comments when I use it.

Click here to apply now

Simmons First Visa Platinum

Not everyone with great credit is in a position to pay all of their credit card balances in full each month. Cardholders with near-perfect credit who occasionally carry a balance should do so on the card with the lowest standard interest rate on the market. The Simmons First Visa Platinum offers an APR equal to the Prime Rate plus 4%, the lowest rate that I am aware of. There is no annual fee for this card, but there is a foreign transaction fee of 2%.

Click here to apply now

Starwood Preferred Guest Card From American Express

Here is the card for those who understand and appreciate the value of hotel points and airline miles. The Starpoints earned by this card can be redeemed for any available standard room at any Starwood Hotel, including Sheratons and Westins. These points are extremely valuable because there are no blackout dates or capacity restrictions in the program. Alternatively, your Starpoints can be exchanged for miles in the programs of thirty different carriers around the world. Since each of those carriers can have dozens of partners, the award options are nearly limitless. Redeem your points for miles, and use those miles for premium class international travel, and it is easy to see returns of 5% or higher on each dollar spent. There is a $65 annual fee for this card, and American Express does charge a 2.7% foreign transaction fee.

Click here to apply now

If you have excellent credit and you are not getting at least 2 cents in value for each dollar spent, or the lowest interest rate on the market, you need take a serious look at the cards on this list. As a smart consumer with excellent credit, you should always be receiving the highest return on not just your savings, but on your spending as well.

Note: Some links contain affiliate codes.

Written by Jason Steele and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

The Best and Worst Things to Buy in February

Dealnews — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:24:29 +0000

The short month of February is here, but don't worry — 2012 is a leap year, which means savvy consumers will have one extra day to cram in more deal-shopping! Check out our list of the best and worst things to buy in February, which we've compiled after analyzing the extensive dealnews archives full of sales, coupons, and individual products from years past. If you're curious about Presidents' Day sales, gifts for Valentine's Day, or prices on electronics, outerwear, and more, then read on. (See also: Shopping Calendar: The Best Time to Buy Anything)

Valentine's Day Deals Are Predictably Not Great

Since this is the time of year in which jewelry, flowers, and perfume are in their highest in demand, it's not surprising that shoppers probably won't get the best price possible on these items; perfumes, for example, generally see better discounts in late February after Valentine's Day and March. That's because there's less incentive for retailers to offer truly great deals on these items when they're selling so well due to circumstance. Try buying your sweetheart a less routine Valentine's Day gift in a category that's more likely to see a fair discount.

Prepare for Presidents' Day Sales

The best part about a holiday weekend isn't necessarily the day off, but rather the inevitable sales. You can expect quite a few Presidents' Day sales during the 3-day weekend that will take as much as 80% off on a plethora of apparel, as well as tools, bedding, and furniture. Some retailers tend to offer deeper discounts on existing sales, while others will lean towards modest coupons (likely an extra 20% to 30% off) that are applicable sitewide. Look to clothing and department stores for a big Presidents' Day sale push.

Tablet Time

Rumors continue to swirl about the release date of the iPad 3, and many folks believe that it will be announced at the end of February. If that is indeed the case, then we'll likely see immediate markdowns on refurbished iPad 2 units sold by Apple, as well as substantial cuts on new devices from resellers.

Expect Electronics Clearance Sales

We mentioned in our January guide that, as new electronics unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) begin to hit shelves, retailers make room for them by offering discounts on old stock. This effort continues in February, and includes markdowns on electronics like GPS units and audio equipment — the latter of which we've already started to see excellent deals on.

Wait on Digital Cameras

Common logic dictates that we'd similarly see the best deals of the year on digital cameras during the month of February, as retailers clear camera inventory post-CES. However, our deal archives paint a different picture. Although we've seen some excellent bargains during the month of February, these discounts and promotions have paled in comparison to November and December in terms of Editors' Choice-caliber offers. In the past two years, both of these later months have each seen roughly four times as many top deals than February.

An Excellent Time for Outerwear

We mentioned in our January buying guide that winter apparel was beginning to see its greatest discounts of the season, and these sales will continue through February, though typically the selection is less robust. But that might not be the case if you're looking specifically for a winter coat, as the mild season has reportedly left retailers with massive amounts of unsold inventory, therefore making this perhaps one of the best years to get a deal on a late-in-the-season coat. If you've been putting off replacing your tried-and-true wool or down coat, February and March will be excellent months to snag a deal.

An Increase in the Number of Ski Resort Deals

Since snow has been hard to come by this winter, the number of travelers booking trips to ski resort towns has been unusually low. Although numerous locations recently received a fresh dusting of powder, the ski season has been damaged due to mild weather. We've already seen an influx of special skiing discounts on vacations and hotels in ski towns like Keystone, CO, Salt Lake City and Park City, UT, and more, as they try to salvage a weak tourist season.

Wait Until March to Catch Up on Movies

Throughout the year we tend to see daily deal sites discount bulk movie tickets, and cinema chains often offer promotions for ticket sales as well. But strangely enough, these types of movie deals have largely been a miss in February for the past two years; in February 2011, we didn't see a single deal for discounted movie vouchers, and in 2010, we only saw an offer from AMC to watch a marathon of the Oscar-nominated Best Picture nominees. The scarcity in February is maybe a fluke (for two years in a row?), or perhaps theaters actually believe the upcoming Academy Awards is enough of an impetus for consumers to get into their seats. Either way, there's a chance that avid movie goers may have to pay full-price this month.

Go Big on HDTVs

Unfortunately, the head-turning deals we saw on 42" LCD HDTVs in November and December came to a quicker-than-expected end in January as prices on name-brand and third-tier 42" sets jumped back to their pre-September averages. Likewise, 55" 3D LCDs slowly made the transition from $999 back to $1,337. But that doesn't mean TVs should be off your radar just yet.

Big-screen TVs — those in the 55" and 60" category — are still coming in at aggressive price points. Deals on 55" name-brand LCDs, for instance, hit $800 in December and $700 in January (the lowest price we've seen for a 55" name-brand LCD TV since this summer, when we saw a Toshiba drop to an astonishing $559 for less than an hour). That means we could see better or equal deals on these sets trickle into February, especially as new CES models begin to enter the market. Name-brand 60" sets hit an all-time low of $800 in November, and while we haven't seen that price point since, we have seen LED-backlit sets (also name-brand) in recent weeks that hover around the all-time low price of $970, giving us hope of seeing similar deals in February.

Laptops

Fully-equipped desktop replacements (those with 17" screens, Core i7 CPUs, and 8GB of RAM) are still enjoying all-time lows. During the past three months, we've seen deals on these 17" premium systems hit $800 — a price we've never seen before. Dual-core 15" laptops, however, have gone up in price, slowly reaching their pre-holiday average of roughly $330.

Shoppers should also keep an eye on ultrabooks, one of the hottest trends at CES this year. As these super-thin laptops begin to hit the market in greater numbers, they could potentially lower the price on other 12" and 13" laptops.

Ready to put this information to use? Set up an email alert to know immediately when Dealnews lists the items of your choice.

This is a guest post by Dealnews.

Love and deals are in the air this month. From ski vacations to electronics and more, discover the best (and worst!) things to buy this month.

Written by Dealnews and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

Best Money Tips: How to Throw a Fun and Frugal Super Bowl Party

Ashley Jacobs — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:00:23 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some awesome articles on how to throw a fun and frugal Super Bowl Party, encouraging nutrition in your family, and naming a guardian for your kids.

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Written by Ashley Jacobs and published on Wise Bread. Read more articles from Wise Bread.

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