Time-Saving Tips and Tricks

If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it.
The more things you do, the more you can do. ~ Lucille Ball

Wouldn’t it be great if you could respond to email, get the latest headlines, become more well versed in a topic of your choice, call your best friend and work out ALL at the same time? In today’s always-on, smartphone-tethered, 24-7 business world, the day is never long enough to get everything accomplished, and while I can’t quite deliver that pipe dream scenario, I can share some some tips and resources that I find helpful!

Trolling all of your favorite news sources can get be very time consuming, but getting perspective from each publisher is important when you’re trying to draw conclusions for yourself. Plus, you probably want to know what’s happening hyper-locally, nationally and internationally. I’m a big fan of Google Reader which lets you subscribe and organize your favorite news sites and blogs. It’ll constantly check each site for new content so you don’t miss a thing…and you can get an overview of each new entry from one central location. This is a HUGE time saver and eliminates having to go to each site to see what’s new.

When I’m on the go, I use a smartphone App called Pulse which lets you pick 20 of your favorite news sources and displays the latest stories published for each source in a very easy-to-use interface. So, when you’re sitting on the train or trying to kill a few minutes before a meeting, you can read up on the latest happenings.

Whether you’re an occasional walker or you’re training for a marathon, we all need exercise to stay sane, but everyday demands sometimes cause a workout to be tabled until later. It’s healthy, yes, but that hour you spend working out could be used for something else, right?…Like calling a friend…or familiarizing yourself with what went on in the world while you were buried under a stack of papers and endless emails at work. That’s where podcasts come in handy – an hour workout flies by and you get news headlines or become more well-versed in whatever topic might interest you. There are hundreds of thousands to choose from – from cooking techniques to politics to business news, and more.

Here are links to a few favorites:

The Wall Street Journal This Morning

The New York Times Front Page

Harvard Business Review IdeaCast

National Public Radio

If you have a smartphone that you use to listen to music/podcasts as you run…call your best friend while you’re at it. Chances are, your smartphone has the capability to let you talk via a built-in microphone and listen with your headphones. You may get a few strange stares, but in the process, you’ll become a pro-multi-tasker!

Jobless? Invest in Yourself.

You’ve heard it on TV, read about it in newspapers, magazines and online…job prospects for recent college grads are few and far between but instead of listing a bunch of grim statistics, I thought it would be more useful to give you some action steps to bust out of that job-hunt rut you may be in.

I won’t sugarcoat it- everyone knows job hunting can be frustrating. You’ve worked hard for 4 years, earned a diploma, have a stellar resume, yet haven’t received any bites from the dozens of resumes and applications you’ve sent out.  Before long, you realize the humble stash in your savings account won’t last forever, so you reluctantly revisit that pre-grad job.

Guess what? There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, but it’s important to find other avenues to make yourself more marketable, simultaneously. Companies are pinching pennies and if you can offer them something of value at little to no cost, you’ll be in an excellent situation when the economy comes back or an opportunity arises. Don’t be afraid to take on FREE, yes FREE, work in your field- it’s undoubtedly one of the best ways to gain experience and make new connections.

It’s so important to hang on to those skills you gained in college by keeping them in practice. The reality is, you have to pay bills and that waitressing/cashier position will take care of that—but you also need to continue moving forward professionally. Think of a free or low-paying part-time gig as an investment in yourself, and I promise, it won’t take long to see the R.O.I.

I know, it’s overwhelming and you’re probably thinking, “Okay, I’m willing to do some work for free to gain experience, but where do I even start searching for an opportunity?”

That’s where those connections you made during your undergraduate career come into play- your internship supervisors, advisors, professors, coaches, friends, organization leaders, etc. Determine what it is you want to gain experience doing and seek out the person who can introduce you to someone in that particular field.

Ready to make your resume shine even brighter than it already does? Here are some action items:

1. Brainstorm: Write down 5-10 people who you have had direct interaction with, that know your work ethic well.
2. Draft an Email: Draft an email/LinkedIn message letting them know your current situation. Give them an idea of what you’re interested in doing, but make the email more about them than you. Remember, people are busy so be very clear as to how you could help THEM or someone THEY know. If you are using e-mail instead of LinkedIn but have a well-developed LinkedIn profile, consider adding a link to it in your e-mail signature.
3. Step into the recipient’s shoes: Re-read your email, as if you were the recipient (say, a former internship supervisor). In the first few sentences, can you determine “WIFM” (in case your unfamiliar, WIFM stands for what’s in it for me)? You want the recipient to instantly realize how your skills could directly benefit them.
4. Send it off: Double check that your email is grammatically correct and concise. Short and sweet is good- many people get hundreds of emails to tend to per day.
5. Follow-up: Regardless of whether your contact has an opportunity for you or not, be sure to follow-up to say thank you.

Reaching out to your network and letting them know your situation should be one of the first steps in your job search because a whopping 85% of jobs are obtained through networking! The worst case scenario is that they don’t respond to your email—no big deal at all. You’ve planted a seed and who knows, when they hear of an opportunity, they might just think back to that tactful email you sent!

For the Healthy Penny-Pinchers

If you’re pinching pennies but also a health nut, grocery shopping can be a real challenge. Food prices have sky-rocketed over the past few months, so which healthy items get you the most nutritional bang for your buck? Below is a list of what should be on your next shopping list. Another tip? Buy frozen – you’ll cut costs, plus frozen items keep much longer so you’ll eliminate waste. 
Top 10 Fruits:

1. Watermelon
2. Plums
3. Oranges
4. Apples
5. Strawberries
6. Cantaloupe
7. Grapefruit
8. Bananas
9. Kiwi
10. Peaches

A Fashion and Financial “Do”

You may be familiar with HauteLook, Ideeli and Gilt Groupe… sample sale sites that offer deeply discounted designer brands for a limited-time. And just about everyone is familiar with Groupon, the website that makes it financially feasible to treat yourself to a pedicure and hot stone massage or enjoy dinner at a fancy restaurant. So what do you get when sample sale site meets Groupon? Rue La La Philadelphia! It’s a relatively new player in Philadelphia and offers 2-3 day only online sales for clothing and accessories, plus deals to local restaurants, entertainment and other hot spots. I know, it’s as if we need another reason to make an impulse purchase! But, nonetheless, the site makes luxury items and high-end fashion affordable – a trend that has really taken off this past year, as consumers keep a closer eye on spending habits.

Here’s the scoop: You must register to gain access to the deals, but signing up is completely free. If you invite a friend, you’ll get a $10 credit after they make their first purchase. Once you’re signed up, you can browse the different boutiques with everything from watches to wine to travel deals, and much more. Each boutique has a countdown, so you’ll know when the sale ends and Rue La La previews the upcoming sales so you’ll know what deals to anticipate.

Their email alert system keeps you in the loop so you don’t miss a deal! Check it out and see what you think…

Nip Nagging Credit and ATM Charges

Who wouldn’t want to save an extra $709 this year? Make a few simple tweaks to avoid mindless money mishaps and you’ll be on your way to boosting your savings, paying off your debt or treating yourself to a vacation getaway. Here’s how…

Automatic Debit
In the midst of our busy lives, the advertisement-laden mail stacks ups and often times sits neglected. “I’ll sort through it tomorrow” often gets pushed off for weeks — and then that car loan and credit card payment are late. One late fee can cost up to $35 a month, so say you’re late on just 5 payments per year – you’re looking at shelling out an extra $175, with nothing to show for it. Not to mention the effect it will have on your credit score. So why not make it easy on yourself? Sit down with all of your paper bills and determine what you need to do to have the money automatically come out of your checking account. Chances are, automatic debit is offered by your credit-card issuer, loan or utility servicer and it’s simple to sign up for. Combined with automatic bill-pay, you should use a budget-tracker like Mint.com to make sure that you always have sufficient funds in your checking account.

Surcharge-Free ATMs
ATM fees may seem minimal, but the average cost of an out-of-network withdrawal now averages $3.74, and those charges add up fast. Nearly all banks (99%) charge nonbank customers a fee for ATM use,  and about 75% of banks also charge their own customers for using a non-network ATM.  Withdrawal cash from an out-of-network ATM just once a week, and you’ll pay close to $200 in fees per year. Needless to say, it’s definitely worth investigating surcharge-free ATMs. You may also want to consider choosing a checking account like ING Direct’s free online Electric Orange checking account, which is a member of the surcharge-free Allpoint ATM network or PNC’s Performance Checking, which reimburses all ATM fees.

Interest-Free Credit Card Debt
Believe it or not, Interest-free credit-card debt does still exist, thanks to 0% balance-transfer deals. For example, you can transfer your balance to the Citi Platinum Select MasterCard with its 21-month, 0% balance-transfer offer and avoid paying any interest on your debt. So, say your current balance is $5,000 and you transfer it to a card like this and pay it off in a year, you’ll save $484 in interest (assuming you’re transferring it from an 18% credit card). There is a $150 transfer fee, but you’ll still come out ahead.

Want to stretch the savings even further? Put that money  into a no-load mutual fund and make that cash start working for you!

Keep Your Wheels Happy without “Braking” the Bank

Skip an inspection and you’ll get a hefty fine…skip an oil change and you just might find yourself stranded on the side of the road. Car expenses don’t exactly leave you jumping with joy, and you’d be hard pressed to make a trip to the garage without spending $50 at the VERY least. Oil changes, inspections, emission checks, tire rotations…and the list of car expenses goes on, but like your health, neglecting these maintenance requirements could leave you with even bigger bills down the road.

Mechanics say they send out hundreds of thousands of coupons, yet see very few people actually take advantage of them. Even if you don’t recall a coupon in the mail, check online – many garages offer printable coupons on their website. Also, check with the dealer where you purchased the car – they want to keep your business, so they tend to offer special discounts to their customers.

Here are a few to keep in your back pocket for your car’s next trip to the shop!

Tires Plus- Get an oil change for $22.99 (regular price: $50)
Jiffy Lube- $5 off an oil change
Pep Boys- offers include $50 off heavy repairs, free battery installation, $10 off wheel alignment, and a free brake evaluation and tire rotation
Mr. Tire- offers include a free rotation and inspection, $5 off state inspection, free flat tire repair and 20% off wheel alignment

Frugally Fashionable

While having a magical closet like Carrie Bradshaw’s is a nice fantasy, most of us can’t afford to fill our hangers with hundreds of  designer labels and shoes for every imaginable occasion. As people vowed to spend less and save more in the New Year, budget trimming and self-discipline are two mantras we’re trying to stick to. The good news is, you can still get your fill of shopping without completely blowing your 2011 resolution.

Many of my favorite pieces cost me under 10 bucks and were not bought at the mall or boutique. Truth is, many people don’t like idea of having to dig and scavenge around clothing racks to find a great piece… they want to walk into a tidy store, mimic the mannequins and be on their way. But, there are SO many hidden treasures in these thrift and consignment shops that I promise you’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t give them a chance.

Thrift and consignment shops are different in nature: thrift shops stock their shelves with donated items, while consignment shops pay individuals for their inventory. There are perks to shopping at both. Thrift shops like Salvation Army and Goodwill can be harder to navigate, but generally have lower prices. A rack of jeans, are often all marked the same price — that means a pair of Seven for All Mankind or Paige jeans will cost as much as a pair of Wranglers. Another perk is that designer brands are often overlooked or unrecognized, so if you dig deep, you’re likely to find some items of value… that only cost a few bucks.

Consignment shops, on the other hand, can be expensive to the casual shopper. Sure $1,500 might be a great deal on a Prada overcoat, but for most of us, that’s unnecessary and well above our budget. Still, you can find some great prices on affordable, designer items. One shop owner I talked with said her most popular items are handbags.

“Women love a designer handbag but in this economy, can’t rationalize going to Neiman Marcus and spending $700 when they can get one in great shape for $150. They’re built to last, so buying second hand just makes sense.”

Ready to test out your thriftiness? Check out these shops in our area and feel free to share your own favorites!

Petunias Consignment Shop
Greene Street Consignment
Revivals Boutique
Upscale Consignment Boutiques
Lush Consignment Boutique
Media Consignment Shoppe
The Attic

Hidden Cash, Uncovered

For many, a gym membership, gas in the tank and groceries in the pantry are just necessary expenses. Of course we have to take these line-items into consideration when setting up a budget, but they tend to be expenses that just happen, unlike a Gucci purse or a trip to the Bahamas. So how do you save, or even earn cash, from these unavoidable paycheck-suckers? Consider these frequently overlooked ways to put cash back in your pocket:

Health Insurance Pay-backs

Call your insurance company or visit their website to find out what kind of wellness incentives they offer. Blue Cross Blue Shield offers $150 if you show proof that you’ve joined an approved fitness center and put in a certain number of workouts! Also, find out if your employer offers wellness programs and/or healthy-lifestyle incentives. Many companies offer discounted gym-memberships, cash prizes, free health screenings, access to personal trainers, nutrition consultations, etc. in order to encourage their employees to keep their health up to par.

Fueling Your Tank

With gas prices on the rise, planning ahead and being observant could save you some serious cash. Have a half-a tank, but see gas for much cheaper than it is on your turf? Fill up – seemingly little savings add up quick! I like to use the GasBuddy App - this nifty tool tells you where the cheapest gas is within a few mile radius. Also, some stations offer rewards programs that will save you money in the long run – it’s a worthwhile option to explore, but as always, do read the fine print!

Stocking your Pantry

In case you haven’t heard the news, food prices are rising…especially healthy items like produce. Even if you’re on a tight budget, spending on healthy food is more of an investment in your future than an expense and fortunately, there ARE ways to save. While coupons for Doritos and Fruit Loops are no challenge to find, coupons for healthy foods do exist — you just have to look a little harder. Whole Foods, which normally scares away the budget shopper, actually has some great online coupons, and you’ll be happy to see they aren’t those despised coupons that require you to buy 3 boxes before you can get 50 cents off. Another tip – most grocery stores start their sales on Thursday mornings, so make Thursdays your grocery day to take advantage of specials.

Eat Like Royalty, on a Budget

As we recover from the inevitable holiday buying binge, most of us are keeping a stricter eye on discretionary spending. The string of holiday parties, late night eating frenzies and the sharing of wine and spirits has passed, so our pants finally fit as they used to…and our bank accounts are slowly replenishing themselves. Hopefully you’re sticking to your New Years Resolutions, whether they have to do with your finances, health or overall demeanor—but let’s face it, we all need a little wiggle room once in awhile. Well, thanks to the copious number of discount sites out there, we can continue to include the “entertainment” line item in our budget without feeling guilty.

Prior to the holiday my roommate and I decided to nix exchanging gifts and instead go out to dinner… for a deep discount. I’m not talking about a $5 off coupon. I’m talking about a $25 gift card for, get ready for it….$3 bucks! I’ve mentioned Restaurant.com last year but it’s definitely worth bringing up again! So on Thursday, we enjoyed a delicious dinner at a Tapas bar whose menu would normally leave me running for the hills, for a very reasonable price.

Here’s the deal: normally Restaurant.com sells gift cards for several different denominations, for a percentage off, BUT if you have a promotional code…you save even more. “Google” around to find a promotion code before you buy, and do be sure to read the fine print. Most have a spending minimum and other stipulations, but regardless, it ends up being a very delicious deal!

PS: If you head over to Restaurant.com today, use code “FORK” to receive an additional 60% off. The code expires Monday, but I’m sure there will be another code to replace it, so do a little research – it’s not hard to find one that works!

Cash in on Unwanted Gift Cards

Gift cards were a popular item this holiday and lucky for the retailers who issue them, a whopping $2.5 billion worth of them will go unused. It’s a fun gift to receive because unlike cash, you don’t feel guilty for spending it as opposed to saving it—but  what if you happened to fall victim of a gift-card goof up?

Your great aunt, precious as she is, means well, but maybe she misinterpreted your style and gave you a $50 gift card to Hot Topic. And let’s say you’re in the market for some new work clothes, as opposed to a spike necklace—that money could be a huge help, if only it was for another retailer.

The solution? Gift card exchange sites.

Instead of shoving the valuable plastic in a drawer and saving it in the rare event you want to revisit your punk days, why not swap it for cash or a gift card to a more fitting retailer? As always, be sure to read the fine print—most sites do not let you sell your card for its full value. Typically, you’ll be given about 90% of the value back, but that’s certainly better than forfeiting it all together!

PlasticJungle
GiftcardGranny
Giftcardswapping
Swapagift
CardWoo
Cardpool
GiftCards