money saving tips – Page 11

Getting The Most Of The 20 Cents FuelPerks Deal At Giant Eagle #GEFuel17

The 20 cent FuelPerks deal is back at Giant Eagle. If you’re not familiar with it, whenever you spend $50 on select retailer gift cards you earn 20 cents in FuelPerks. That’s 20 cents off per gallon on your next fuel fill up for your vehicle. The best part is you can earn even more. For instance, if you spend $100 on select retailer gift cards you can actually earn 40 cents FuelPerks, and so on. You need to use your Giant Eagle advantage card to get the deal.

Let me tell you a scenario to get the MOST bang for your buck. For example, my daughter’s birthday is next month. I know what I’m getting her and I plan on buying it online at Toys R’ US.

I’ll use my favorite rewards credit card to buy a $50 Toys R’ Us gift card at Giant Eagle. That way I’ll earn rewards from my credit card company too.
I’ll make sure I scan my Giant Eagle advantage card while buying the gift cards so I earn my 20 cents FuelPerks.
I’ll take my Toys R’ Us gift card and go through one of my fave cash back sites to shop Toys R’ Us online so I earn cash back when I buy my daughter’s birthday present online.
I also have my Rewards R’ Us card saved in my Toys R’ Us account so I’ll earn reward points for the purchase too!
So in the end I’ll have earned: rewards from my credit card company, 20 cents FuelPerks at Giant Eagle, Cash back through one of my cash back sites, and reward points for Toys R’ US! Talk about maximizing savings!

Even if you don’t plan on using your gift cards online there are plenty of useful ways to take advantage of the 20 cents FuelPerks at Giant Eagle and your credit card rewards:

Buying gift cards for gifts
Have a date night planned? Buy a participating restaurant gift card to earn FuelPerks and credit card rewards for your date night
Need hunting gear or sports gear? Buy a gift card to a participating outdoor or sports store to get the gear you need.
Kids needs new shoes for the spring/summer? Buy a gift card to your favorite participating footwear store before you shop.

I think you get the idea. But the 20 cents FuelPerks at Giant Eagle is only available on select retailer gift cards from 2/23/17 – 3/8/2017. See your store for more details. Want to locate your nearest Giant Eagle? Check here: http://bit.ly/2kuOG1S

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This post is sponsored by Tatu Digital Media. Any opinions expressed are my own. See store for details and participating retailer gift cards.

Amazon Prime Hacks You Probably Didn’t Know

This post originally appeared on the Dealspotr blog. Dealspotr is the most accurate coupon site that pays you to save. I’m @LuvSavingMoney on Dealspotr, use my link to join today and earn 5,000 bonus points.

Amazon Prime Hacks You Probably Didn't Know

Amazon Prime is a subscription-based membership program that offers amazing features and helps customers save a lot of money while shopping. So, if you already do a lot of shopping on Amazon, stop wasting money and become a Prime member!

For an annual fee of $99, members get awesome benefits while shopping for over 20 million items on Amazon. In general, the Prime members get free shipping and digital goods, and access to amazing deals and special promotions. But there are more perks that come with an Amazon Prime membership, and we lay them all out for you here.

1. Free Shipping

The number one reason most people become an Amazon Prime member is to get free shipping on all eligible items. Without Prime, you would have to order at least $35 of eligible items to qualify for free shipping within 4 business days. However, when you become a Prime member, you get access to over 20 million Prime-eligible items.

It’s important to know that Prime members will still have to pay a shipping fee for some items, so always make sure to check whether the item is eligible for free shipping for Prime members. You can do that by looking for a small Prime logo next to the item’s price. If you see it, there will be no shipping costs.

2. Share Your Membership

Prime Members are allowed to share most of their membership perks with household members (up to two adults). This “household member” term is just a phrase and you can actually share your account with anyone as long as you know each other’s birth dates. In addition, you’ll have to link your accounts in an Amazon Household and agree to share payment methods.

The shareable perks include free Prime shipping, exclusive offers and digital benefits, Twitch Prime, and Photos Family Vault.

3. Two-Hour Delivery

Amazon Prime focuses on products that customers need urgently. Prime members from certain cities can get two-hour delivery on some products free of charge, while customers from 14 metro areas are eligible for same-day delivery on more than a million items (on orders over $35).

These essential products include baby wipes, water filters, batteries, last-minute travel items like towels and sunscreen, and many others.

You can use this feature via their website or their Amazon Prime Now app (available for both Android and iOS).

4. Early Lightning Deals

Amazon Prime is built around exclusivity, and members get better terms and perks when accessing Amazon deals.

Therefore, you can get Prime early access to Lightning Deals – a section listing bargain prices on household and kitchen items, electronic products, tools, video games, sporting goods, and more. Lightning Deals are located on the front page of the Amazon Gold Box and are limited in quantity. You have to be quick – these deals disappear as fast as lightning.

With that being said, Amazon Prime members get 30-minute early access to Lightning Deals that enables them to shop before regular old Amazon customers.

5. Shop on the Prime Day

On July 15, 2015, Amazon launched Prime Day to celebrate its 20th birthday. This was a huge promotional event and had more deals than the Black Friday. As a result, all members enjoyed cheap prices and purchased many items.

With such a success, Amazon has decided to keep this special day. Each year they offer better and bigger deals. This event is only available for Prime members, and they can save more money than the cost of their yearly subscription. Make sure to mark your calendars for Prime Day 2017!

6. Unlimited Photo Storage

Another perk of being a Prime member is the unlimited photo storage where you can store all your photographs free of charge. You can upload your pictures through the Amazon Cloud Drive, your web browser, or the Amazon Cloud Drive Photos app (available for iOS and Android).

7. Music Streaming

CDs? No. Everyone streams music these days. And services like Apple Music and Spotify provide an unlimited library of songs for a price of $9.99 per month.

However, all Amazon Prime members will be able to access Amazon Prime Music and enjoy listening to over 2 million songs. In addition, there is even an Amazon Music app available for both Android and iOS devices.

8. Book Lending

Prime members can borrow free books from the Kindle Owner’s Lending Library for free. There are literally thousands of eBooks available to download to a compatible device that is linked to your Amazon account. In addition, Amazon Prime members can download one free Kindle book per month using Kindle First. They can choose one the following featured books to download before their official release date.

9. TV and Movie Streaming

In the past few years, Amazon made huge investments in streaming movies and TV and became one of Netflix’s biggest rivals. Amazon Prime Video contains thousands of movies and TV shows that the Prime members can access free of charge.

In addition, Amazon started producing their own original series’ that members can stream through the Amazon Video app (available for both Android and iOS), via their website, or through devices such as Fire TV Stick and Fire TV.

You should also know that Amazon offers video-only subscriptions for people who only want access to TV and movies. The video streamlining “membership” costs $8.99 per month — which turns out to be over $100 per year. Its annual price costs more than the entire Prime Membership. Therefore, simply pay $99 a year and enjoy TV and movie streaming perks, along with the other amazing Prime benefits.

10. Free Audible

Prime members also have a free access to short-form audio programming with Audible Channels and a rotating selection of more than 50 audiobooks across 9 Prime-exclusive channels.

The Audible Channel contains a refreshed selection of distinctive comedy, original programs, lectures, and audio editions of news and articles from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, McSweeney’s, Charlie Rose, Foreign Affairs, The Onion, etc.

11. Get a Free Month of Prime When Delivery is Late

Amazon is famous for its fast delivery, and they almost never miss a deadline. However, the delivery person is only human. Sometimes there can be a delay, and your item may not come on time. If that occurs, thanks to the Guaranteed Accelerated Delivery policy, you will get a one-month extension on your Prime membership free of charge. To activate this policy, you’ll have to locate your order in “Your Orders,” and report the problem.

12. College Student Perks

The Amazon Student program enables students to get a free 6-month Prime membership. You just need to sign up with your college email address (.edu) and you’ll become a Prime member free of charge. In addition, after the 6-month trial expires, you can purchase an Amazon Prime membership for 50% of the price.

13. Check Fake Reviews

If you are suspicious about a product and think that the reviews are fake (which is becoming a common thing), then make sure to check it via Fakespot . You just have to copy the Amazon link through Fakespot and it will show you a grade of authenticity and quality of the product’s reviews.

14. Use Paribus or Keepa

In the past, Amazon had a policy that enabled customers to get a partial refund when a price drops. However, with this policy out of the picture, it is even more important to start paying attention to prices when they change.

Paribus is an amazing app and a website that keeps track of the price reduction of many online retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, BestBuy, Sephora, Target, and others. Simply put, it scans your email for receipts and tracks the item’s prices. If Paribus discovers that the price went down, it will alert the retailers on your behalf and ask for a refund. And in return, they take a 25% commission off of your refund – which is a fair deal.

Keepa is a modern Amazon Price tracker that has been optimized for Chrome and Firefox. It is efficient, elegant, and easy to use.

15. Subscribe to Washington Post

All Amazon Prime members receive a free six-month digital subscription to the Washington Post and a 60% discount after that. The digital access costs $10 per month, so after free six months, you’ll only pay $4 per month.

16. Save 20% on Diapers

If you are a Prime member you can sign up for Amazon Family to receive a 20% off diaper subscription. This can help parents save a lot of money while purchasing only the best diapers for their loved ones.

Takeaway Notes

If you are a regular Amazon customer, then getting a Prime Membership is a no-brainer. You’ll be eligible for free shipping on most items, enjoy photo storage, music, video, and audio streaming, and many other amazing perks mentioned in this article. And when you become a member, make sure to pay attention to the early Lightning Deals and the Prime Day when you’ll be able to save the most money.

How To Save Money On A Trip To The Bahamas

How To Save Money On A Trip To The Bahamas

Everyone deserves a vacation. The Bahamas is an ideal destination for budget travel. Whether you are

traveling for Spring Break or simply taking a much-needed vacation, here are some money saving tips for

your Bahamas vacation on a budget.

Shop Around for Flights

When booking a flight for your Bahamas vacation, allow plenty of time if you want to find the best rate.

Start your flight search up to 6 months in advance for best results. In addition to checking discount travel

sites like Expedia and Kayak for flight rates, be sure to check out smaller airlines like Spirit Airlines. This

ultra-low cost carrier specializes in deeply discounted rates to places throughout Florida, the Caribbean,

South America, Mexico and much more.

Find the Right Hotel Room

Now that you have your flight secured, the next step is to book your accommodations. If you are traveling

solo, use a discount travel site to find an affordable room at one of the many resorts and hotels in the

area. To minimize your food and beverage expenses, try to find a room with a kitchen. This allows you to

purchase and cook your own food if necessary.

If you are traveling with friends, consider using a vacation rental site like VRBO.com (Vacation Rentals by

Owner). Prices start as low as $100 a night for a property that sleeps 5 or more. Properties like the

Westwinds Club, Westwinds II or the Best Western Paradise Island resort all offer full kitchens and top-

notch accommodations.

Have a Food Plan

Food and drink are two of the biggest expenses when traveling away from home. To help minimize the

impact of this expense on your travel budget, plan your meals ahead of time. Sites like FoodStore2GO

allow you to order groceries and have them delivered ahead of time. This can save you valuable vacation

time trying to find and navigate a supermarket nearby. Packing healthy and affordable snacks is also

a great way to stay in shape while traveling. Saving money and staying fit, a two-for- one deal!

Make a schedule of what you plan to eat and drink each day. If there is some wiggle-room in your travel

budget, leave a meal or two for dining out. The rest of your meals should be prepared in your room. Once

you have finished the food schedule, make a list of the groceries you will need. If you do not choose to

have your groceries delivered, make sure you map a nearby grocery store prior to arriving.

Figure Out How to Get Around

Scooters are a popular and affordable mode of transportation in the Bahamas. Before you arrive, call a

scooter rental company and arrange for a scooter to be available at the airport. Scooters rent for as little

as $25 a day, much cheaper than a taxi.

Another option is to take advantage of the local public transportation system. Jitney busses are

available for travel throughout the island at just $1.25 each way. The number 10 will take you from the Western end

of the island to the downtown area. While downtown, be sure to check out hot spots like the famous

Straw Market, the Queen’s Staircase and Marina Village.

That is it! Follow these tips and you are well on your way to enjoying a budget-friendly Bahamas vacation.

Logan Peterson is a writer and contributer for USS Sports Machine

7 Black Friday Pitfalls To Avoid With Andrea Woroch

With over 150 million consumers shopping over Black Friday weekend last year, it’s clear the love-to-hate event remains a pinnacle of the holiday shopping season. Whether you plan to boycott Thanksgiving retail openings or line up with other eager shoppers before your turkey has digested, there are several pitfalls you should be aware of before blowing your budget. black-friday-image-andrea

Follow these tips to keep your spending in check and learn how to spot deceptive retail practices.

1. Shopping without a strategy.
Heading to the mall on Black Friday without a list or strategy often results in a devastating blow to your budget. That’s because it’s easy to lose track of your spending as you wander from store to store to check out their sales. Shopping with a list keeps you focused on your gift list and keeps you from making impulse purchases. If you don’t have a large purchase on your list, consider leaving your credit cards at home and only bring cash so you can’t spend a cent more.

2. Allowing big discount claims to influence spending.
Store ads will have you believe that nearly everything will be 50% off or more on Black Friday. Make sure you read the fine print and compare prices, keeping in mind that some retailers will inflate the original price to make that doorbuster sale appear to be a better value than it is. Research prices on popular items ahead of the event and don’t allow big discount claims to influence your spending.

3. Falling for derivative products.
Some products are manufactured specifically for Black Friday and may be missing certain features or key components so the brand can sell it for less. This means you could get stuck with an item that isn’t really what you wanted! Last year’s Roku SE is a great example of a derivative product which was released in mid-November and discounted to $25 to Black Friday shoppers, despite barely being on the shelves for $49.99 prior to the holiday weekend. Research model numbers and compare features to ensure the product isn’t missing key components.

4. Battling crowds on Friday.
Most retailers will be starting Black Friday early and opening their doors on Thanksgiving. JCPenney, for example, is opening at 3pm on Thanksgiving, while Macy’s will welcome customers starting at 5pm that day. However, many Black Friday deals will be available online prior to doors opening, with Kohl’s offering online shoppers access to Black Friday doorbusters as early as Monday, Nov. 21. Consult BFAds.net for scans of Black Friday ads from popular retailers to determine what you can buy online, what you must buy in store, and exactly where you need to be and when so you can schedule your Thanksgiving dinner accordingly.

5. Assuming the sale price is the best price.
With prices advertised at all-time lows, consumers are easily convinced that coupons and other discounts don’t apply. However, it’s important to read the fine print and use a deals’ site like CouponSherpa.com to seek out extra savings. For example, a Bon-Ton coupon will be available for an extra $10 off any item of $10 or more (sale or regular price) for purchases made between 5pm on Thursday and 3pm on Friday, according to Bon-Ton’s Black Friday circular. Same goes for online shoppers, who can score an extra 30% off sale or regular-price items at Michaels during certain periods on Thursday and Friday with promo codes.

6. Failing to mail a rebate.
The sale price of select Black Friday doorbusters can be misleading, since some require mail-in rebates to reach the low price. The $10 price tag on JCPenney’s deal for a Pyrex 8-piece bowl set, for instance, requires a $15 mail-in rebate. That means you’ll pay $25 at the register! With over $500 million in rebates going unclaimed every year, this sales tactic gets shoppers through the door and results in huge profits for stores. Make sure to keep your receipt and the packaging for products that require rebates, and complete and mail the rebate immediately.

7. Blowing your entire budget on Black Friday.
While there are plenty of good deals on Black Friday, there are plenty of bad ones, too. Some items are better to buy on Cyber Monday like clothing and beauty products, and you may find bigger savings closer to Christmas as retailers cut prices further to move merchandise before the holiday passes. Wait for sales later in the season and take advantage of Free Shipping Day on December 16, when up to 2,000 retailers will offer free shipping with no minimum order requirements and other discounts, plus delivery by Christmas Eve.

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Andrea Woroch is a money-saving expert who transforms everyday consumers into savvy shoppers by sharing smart spending tips and personal finance advice. As a sought-after media source, she has been featured among such top news outlets as Good Morning America, Today, CNN, Dr. OZ, New York Times, MONEY Magazine, Consumer Reports, Forbes and many more. In addition, Andrea’s stories have been published among leading publications and sites such as Yahoo!, AOL Daily Finance, CNN Money, Huffington Post, LearnVest and New York Daily News. Check out Andrea’s demo reel or visit her website at AndreaWoroch.com for more information about booking an interview or requesting an original written article. You can also follow her on Twitter or Facebook for daily money tips.

For all media inquiries, please contact Andrea Woroch at 970-672-6085 or email andrea@andreaworoch.com.

Ways To Save By Buying Gift Cards At Giant Eagle #GEFuelPerks16

I love shopping at Giant Eagle. It’s an awesome place to coupon shop because coupons double with GE advantage card. I earn GE Fuel Perks when I buy my groceries. I also earn Fuel Perks when I buy gift cards at Giant Eagle. That’s the number one reason I check Giant Eagle first when I want to buy a gift card. I’ve been thinking ahead a lot more too. Say, hubby and I want to go to Red Lobster for a date night, well we’ll stop at Giant Eagle pick up a Red Lobster gift card on the way. We’re paying the money regardless but in buying the gift card at Giant Eagle we also earn Fuel Perks.

From now until December 17, you can earn 20 cents Fuel Perks for every $50 in gift cards you buy. Maybe you’re getting your son a $25 iTunes gift card for his stocking and your daughter a $25 Amazon gift card for her Kindle you could earn 20 cents in Fuel Perks. Hey you were gonna buy it anyway, why not save more money?

Double Dip Savings: Use your favorite rewards credit card to buy them earn rewards from your credit card company and the Fuel Perks.

Triple Dip Savings: Here’s another idea to save even more. Let’s say you know you want to get your husband a power drill at Sears, and let’s say it costs $90. Use your rewards credit card to buy $100 worth of Sears gift cards at Giant Eagle (cover tax/shipping). Then shop Sears.com through a cash back site to buy the drill. By doing that you’ll have earned: credit card rewards, 40 cents in fuel perks, and cash back through the cash back site. How’s that for savings?! Doing it that way that $90 drill might end up costing $70 with all the savings (depending on the size of your gas tank, amount of cash back, and cc rewards given). When available, you can find coupon codes online too for even more savings!

gefuelperks16-chalkboard

The holidays can be expensive. I try to save every dollar I can.

Learn more about Giant Eagle Fuel Perks and find a store near you Here.

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This post is sponsored by Tatu Digital Media. Any opinions expressed are my own.