My favorite websites to $ave you money!

When I started this blog, the intention was to combine my love of travel with money saving tips.  I feel the balance shifted more to the fun of travel, than necessity of money-saving.  So, I thought with this post I'd get back on topic! Here are some ways you can save money day-to-day, as well as when you travel!  I've used the websites described below, so they've been checked out and totally worth it! (Seriously, they are awesome.) Enjoy!

Cardpool

www.cardpool.com

This website allows you to buy (or sell) gift cards.  They offer a wide range of cards, including: restaurants, clothing stores, mega-stores (Walmart, Target), movie theaters, etc. You can purchase "physical" cards which they mail to you for free, or electronic cards sent to your email for immediate use.  Most cards are between 5%-35% off the card's value. The only things to note are you can't choose the gift card design, and the code on the back will be scratched off.  (This is how they verify the card balance.)

Bonus! If you use my referral link here: www.cardpool.com, you'll get $5 off your first purchase.

www.ebates.com

Ebates

This website passes along referral savings they earn when you use their site to link to whatever shopping site you want to purchase an item from. For example, if you want to shop at REI for travel gear, you go to www.ebates.com and then click on REI (they have a lot of stores to choose from).  Everything else remains the same, but ebates will keep track if you make a purchase and give you a percentage (1.5%-25%) of your purchase back!  It's super easy to use and doesn't require much effort to earn cash back!

How do bloggers make money?

Online travel blogs are a great way to gather travel ideas and information. One question I always had reading these was: “That seems like such a cool job, how does someone do that?” While I have not even come close to the readership these professional have amassed over time, I thought I’d address the question of revenue generation from a blog.  (Since this blog is about money-saving travel tips, it seems to fit!) Hopefully it will help some of you who have small blogs you keep as a hobby to monetize or help anyone interested in setting up a new blog!

How do professional (travel) bloggers make their blogs financially worthwhile?  From my research it seems there are a few general ways, which include:

1) Sponsorships
2) Paid trips/reviews
3) Self-written eBook sales
4) You, the reader.

From me, you ask?  How? Well, as you might’ve already noticed my website (and most others) have ads.  As readers click on ads they’re interested in, the website generates revenue, just for the click! The most important factors are dependent on the blog’s content and quality ads the audience wants to check out. It’s a useful tool for professionals, and people like me who just enjoy blogging, the revenue that it can generate is a nice perk!  If you already have a blog and want to add ads, or are new to the process, it is a service provided directly through Google called Adsense.  Keep blogging and hope you make a little money along the way!

Save money by skipping eating out

Local Markets, like this one in Lativa, are a
fun and inexpensive way to enjoy local foods!

There is one way to save money that is pretty universal... Cutting down on the number of meals out.  This can be applied while at home or away traveling. A lot of people buy lunch at work everyday, spending at least $10 per meal.  Over the course of a month, that adds up to $200!  (And, this is a conservative estimate!)  Bringing lunch doesn't have to involve a big time commitment.  Places like Trader Joe's offer ready made and relatively healthy meals at around half the price of eating out.  If you can't commit to bringing lunch everyday, even small steps, like skipping the $2 soda adds up.

Local groceries, like this picture from Norway,
are a fun way to learn about local cuisine!

While traveling, I tend to eat at least breakfast "in," whether that be choosing a hotel that offers free breakfast, booking a vacation rental with a kitchen, or bringing along power bars in my luggage. Of course, I think part of the fun of traveling is experiencing new cuisine, but I don't think it's necessary three times a day over the course of a week (or more)! In addition, some of my fondest travel adventures include packing a lunch from a local grocery (which in itself can be an adventure) and finding a park or beach to enjoy a picnic!  A lot less expensive than a restaurant, and a real authentic experience.

Save money for a special meal out, like we
did at this Pectopah in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Hope these simple tips can $ave you some money at home and abroad... it adds up!

Making your own meal, and having a picnic, is both inexpensive
and an amazing experience, as we did in Sweden.

Via Magazine - Local Activity Ideas

Following up on my last post, if you are an AAA member in the West, they provide a monthly magazine, Via, with local travel and safety tips. Another perk!  The content of these magazines is also available online. A recent article, linked here, suggests places for indoor fun during winter weather. If you live in the West, check it out! Otherwise, search online for your local version of the magazine. It's always full of great activity ideas!

AAA - Safe way to $ave!

Most people have heard of AAA, and it goes without saying that if you own a car, having a membership can come in handy, especially if your car breaks down and needs to be towed. But, I wanted to fill you in on some of the lesser known benefits to being a AAA member.

First, make sure to have your membership card handy while shopping. Members save 10% at places like Sports Basement, Payless shoes, Banana Republic and Gap outlets.  In addition, save 5% on UPS shipping and cell phone service with Sprint. Additional membership benefits include discount admission to zoos, amusement parks (Six Flags, Universal Studios, Seaworld) and museums across the country. Most hotels offer a AAA discount rate, as do car rental companies. 

What is your favorite benefit of having a AAA membership?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

It doesn't get cheaper than free!

Many products are available
for free after rebate!

Besides online, which I discussed in a previous post, most pharmacies and superstores will offer items that are free after rebate. Typically shampoos, conditioners and lotions will be offered for free, just look for a small form on the item itself with mail-in-rebate details or within the store's weekly circular.

If you want to find these items before going to the store, search on Freebie Depot using the store name, such as CVS. A whole list of free items will appear! Even popular online retailers, such as Amazon, offer "Free-bates" (commonly for software).

Why pay if you can get it for free?

Some things in life really are... Free!

Like getting stuff for free? Who doesn't, right? This post covers websites offering free items, with another post to follow on free-after-rebate specials.

Almost everyone knows about Craigslist, which is a website where people list items for sale locally. But did you know they also have a "free" section? This is a great place to look for furniture and packing materials. Some other websites with free coupons and samples are Yes all 4 free and Dealigg.

In addition, brick and mortar stores' websites often have "free samples" sites, where you can enter your address and have trial size items shipped for you to try! Stores with these offerings include: Walmart and Target. Even better, these items are perfectly sized for travel!

In addition to daily freebies, check out my previous post on how to get free goodies on your birthday!

Dine out ~ for less!

Living in California, socializing and eating out come with the territory, but it also adds up!  While the good food and company are well worth the cost, here are some money saving tips for ways to save a few bucks on your next evening out!

Restaurant.com
*This is a website where you can get gift certificates for a minimal cost.

*Pay attention to the dates and times certificates can be used and when they expire.

*Check for the minimum you have to spend to use the certificate.

Groupon and Living Social

*These are websites with deals on food and activities, often 50% off.

*Typically you have to plan ahead to use deals from these sites, but often they have same day food deals.

Yelp

*It's nice to check reviews of a place before going, saving you from a bad meal.

*Checking-in at a restaurant through Yelp will commonly save you a percent off your meal or even get you a free drink.

Sushi dinner in San Francisco

Many cities have annual dining events, with prix fixe menus at a steep discount from what the selected restaurants normally charge.  The key with these events is to keep an eye on when they are happening, and get a reservation in advance! It's a great opportunity to check out new (expensive) restaurants for a fraction of the cost! OpenTable has a list of "restaurant weeks" throughout the country.  Or, if you're in the bay area, both San Francisco and San Jose have these annual events! Bon Appetit!

Student $avings

Even if you aren't planning on traveling far from home, student discounts are very common within the USA.  Most movie theaters offer student tickets, as do many gyms, museums, art performances (same-day "rush tickets" at deeply discounted prices), ski passes, online retailers, car insurance, clothing shops, food, and more!  If a student discount isn't listed, always make sure to ask!  I've learned the worst that can happen is being told "no." (Also, check out a previous blog post about student travel discounts.) 

Even if you're no longer a student, there are still discounts to be had through alumni connections. Many car insurance companies offer an alumni association discount to members.

Check out this list below for suggestions of where to get student discounts.  Hope this helps those of you who are still students (or those with alumni connections) to $ave Away!  

Transportation                                                                               

Eurail                                                                  

CoachUSA                                                                             

                                                                                                    

Ski Passes                                                                   

Ski Colorado                                    

Squaw                                                

Heavenly 

Whistler                                           

Shopping

Amazon Prime

Ann Taylor

Apple 

Banana Republic

Dell

J.Crew

Deals for Military Appreciation Month

In honor of Military Appreciation Month,
Rob (above) describes discounts offered
to the military and their families.

The last decade has been a stressful one for the military, with most families experiencing multiple deployments, looking out for your buddy’s back has become second nature.  When you get home, it’s good to know that there are people out there watching out for your back pocket as well.  More and more organizations are offering military discounts these days but sometimes you have to know where to look in order to take advantage of them.

The first place to check is online.  For starters, there is Troopswap, which was started by a couple of Iraq veterans and offers deals exclusive to service members, veterans and their families.  They work hard to secure deals from name brand organizations, local businesses and destinations which are passed on to its members.  Signing up is free, but they will require you to validate your membership in the armed services.

Many service members are also aware of websites like Oakley’s, but another site worth checking out is ProMotive, a platform which gives wholesalers the opportunity to offer some spectacular discounts on everything from paddle boards to mountain bikes to camping gear.  Not all of the discounts offered on the website are available to everyone, so it helps to poke around and join as many “teams” as you can.

Moving off-line, a tremendous number of businesses offer discounts to military members and their families.  These prices aren’t always advertised but it never hurts to ask.  For example, I once got 100% off the $20 admission to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama just because my buddy thought to ask if they offered a military discount.   Now that was exceptional, but many fast food restaurants, movie theaters and museums offer 10% - 20% off for card-carrying military members.  (That being said, don’t forget to donate whatever you can to museums you enjoy, they count on it!)  Keep in mind, while some discounts may not be corporate policy, local stores are happy to offer it anyways, so don’t assume that just because you don’t get it at one location that it isn’t worth asking at another.

Don’t forget that many businesses offer discounts around Veterans and Memorial Days for veterans and their families.  Restaurants like Applebee’s and Outback will even offer free meals to veterans so keep your eye peeled for those.

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but hopefully it’ll get you started.  Finally, remember to thank businesses who support you and your family and never take them for granted.  Many of these places are run by former members of the military and they don’t have to offer the discount but do it because they respect your service, be sure to respect their thanks and keep it available for your brothers and sisters down the road.

Save Money, Save the Environment, Bike to work!

National Bike Month - May 2013

In celebration of National Bike Month, I want to highlight some of the benefits of this method of travel for commuters.  First, the most obvious related to this blog's theme, is the financial benefit.  Biking to work saves you money on gas, wear and tear on your car, as well as money typically spent on parking permits.  In addition, a lot of companies and schools offer financial incentive to those who bike, translating to higher paychecks overall.  What might not be so obvious is that you can also save money on car insurance, because less miles driven = cheaper insurance.  And, biking can reduce commute times by preventing you from getting stuck in traffic.  As they say, "Time is Money."

In addition to the obvious financial savings, biking to work is also a good stress reliever and low impact exercise tool for those too busy to fit in a workout any other time.  If these benefits weren't enough, also think of the benefit to the environment, less cars on the road translates to lower CO2 emissions.  Since roughly 40% of Americans commute less than five miles to work, biking is totally feasible.  If you aren't sure whether biking is for you, take a ride during this National Bike Month and see how you like it!  If you already do, leave a comment below to encourage others to try!

Inexpensive Holiday Activities

12 Days of Christmas = 12 Inexpensive Holiday Activities

Christmas music can be heard for free (or inexpensively)

at local holiday events and schools!

 

Watch a holiday parade - Like this boat parade in Palm Beach, Florida!

 

Most churches and college chapels host Christmas-themed musicals,
typically free and open to everyone to enjoy!

  

Treat a friend to a "local" holiday activity,
like a holiday themed cable car tour of San Francisco shown here.

Cookie Decorating Party - Great fun with friends,
and they make good presents too!

 

If you have kids, or want to remember your childhood,
making a gingerbread house from a kit (or scratch) is inexpensive and fun!

Most towns offer outdoor ice skating in December,
even San Jose (shown above) in sunny California!



Take a stroll and, if allowed, cut
down your own Christmas tree!

Many local theaters offer holidays classics,
such as "It's a Wonderful Life" shown here.

 

Tree lightings are fun evenings full of music
and cheer.  Best of all - free!

Christmas Tea - Offered at many
local tea houses and hotels. Fun holiday tradition.

 

Find the "best decorated" street where you live,
such as Christmas Tree Lane shown here.

 

Holiday Gift Ideas

Ever have a hard time buying a present for someone who seems to have it all?  I recommend giving a gift which benefits more than just the receiver.  With the holidays just around the corner, this seems like an appropriate time for gift ideas! 

Specifically, making a donation in someone's name to a charity that is near and dear to them, or specific to one of their interests, is sure to benefit all involved!  I've listed some ideas below and please add your own suggestions in the comments section.  Happy gifting!

Give to others this holiday-Canned goods
under this tree will be donated to a food bank.

For the Travel Enthusiast, worldwide charities:
UNICEF
Heifer International
Doctors Without Borders

For the Nature Lover:
World Wildlife Fund
National Parks
Arbor Day Foundation

For Medical Interests:
American Cancer Society
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

For Children:
March of Dimes
Ronald McDonald House Charities
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Toys for Tots

The list goes on...  But, before you donate, check the Better Business Bureau's website to make sure the charity is legit and use your $avings for a good cause!

$ave with Online Coupon Codes

Whenever I make a big purchase online, or book travel (airfare, car rental, cruise, hotel, train tickets, shuttle tickets, etc.), I always check to see if there are any coupon or discount codes available online which will save money!  Some of the websites I've used previously are:


Retail Me Not - My favorite website
for money saving coupon codes

Retail Me Not (my favorite)
Coupon Cabin
Fat Wallet

These sites are typically hard to browse, but more user friendly if you're looking for a specific product or company discount.  Another method is to Google search whatever product or company you're interested in and add the phrase "coupon code" or "discount code."  Then, enter the codes you find into the company's website when you are buying the product and you'll be saving money in no time!  (Oh, and don't worry whether the offer you found is "valid," the retailer's website will let you know if the discount is no longer available.)  Sometimes it is even worth entering in multiple codes to find the best deal.  $ave away!

Free Flu Shots

Since this blog is about getting good deals, and because Flu Season is underway, I wanted to highlight some ways to get this year's Flu Shot for free!  Protect yourself from getting sick both at home and while traveling! 

Universities are just one place
offering free flu shots!

First, check with your employer.  A lot of large companies, health organizations / hospitals and universities will hold flu clinics where employees, students, alumni, and sometimes even the employee's family can just walk up and get a free shot.  If you have health insurance, a flu shot is almost always covered due to the Affordable Care Act enacted in August 2012, and it will only cost you your normal copay (if you even have one).  Or, schedule your yearly physical around October every year and get the flu shot then! 

Your county's Department of Health provides free flu shots to children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses.  It's becoming more common that they'll actually provide free shots to anyone, though wait times may be long.  Check with your local health department and see if they'll have free flu clinics or if you can schedule individual appointments.  Even nationwide chain drugstores, such as Walgreens, that normally charge for the vaccine are providing free vouchers to those who are uninsured or under insured and can't afford to pay.  If all else fails, the CDC's website has a list of locations near you offering the shot.  Stay healthy and safe travels!

How I got cashmere below cotton prices at Jcrew

Below is a guest post from a friend about getting online deals in store!  Great tips:

News flash: Online sales are not always posted in store!

I recently went to Jcrew and perused the sale section. I found an unbelievably soft, peach colored cashmere cardigan on sale for $99.99 ($178.00 original price) and thought, score!  When I went to check out, the kind lady gave me not only my student discount (15% off - bring your IDs!) but she also gave me an additional 30% off  because there was an online sale. Note this was a sale on top of a current sale (which was not advertised in the store).

If the lovely Jcrew lady hadn't say anything, I would've walked out paying $99.99, completely unaware that the exact same cardigan was actually going for around $70 dollars online (or $60 with a student discount)!  While it's likely that the staff know to apply these online deals to purchases made in store, always ask to prevent these online deals from slipping through the cracks while visiting your local Jcrew!

Birthday Freebies

Since it was recently my birthday, I thought I’d start off by telling you how to
get things free for your birthday! Many restaurants offer free or discounted items on your birthday (or during that whole month) if you sign up on their websites. Here are some examples. Simply click on the names below to sign up for the deals!

Restaurants
Cold Stone: Free Ice Cream Creation
Red Robin: Free Burger
Gordon Biersch: Free entree
Noodles & Co.: Free meal

Shops
Aveda Beauty: Free gift (up to $24)
DSW Shoe Warehouse: $5 off coupon
World Market: $10 birthday certificate

There are plenty of websites devoted to free birthday goodies alone. I’ve listed a few you should check out! Make sure you have an extra “junk mail” email address you can use to sign up for these deals. That way, you only have to check it around your birthday, and not worry about year-round emails. Enjoy, Happy Birthday, and $ave Away!

Freebie Depot
Free Birthday Treats