Free Thing Friday - Super Bowl Edition

An occasion is always an occasion for deals.

Chances are you didn't get free Super Bowl tickets like this person by calling the phone number in the Old Spice commercial (good marketing), but there are still some deals you can take advantage of this weekend.

No matter who you're cheering on this Sunday (or if you're in it for the commercials), here are a few great deals:

Free Bloomin' Onion at Outback Steakhouse with any purchase on Monday when you say "Super Bloom"

Place any Papa John's order of $15 or more online this weekend with promo code PJMVP and get a free large pizza with up to three toppings on a future order (no additional purchase required for future order).

In addition to these two big national deals, there are lots of drink and food specials (often free food) and local bars and restaurants so spend a few minutes doing some internet research or making some phone calls to make sure that your Super Bowl plans don't break the bank.  Also, if your group supports it, consider getting together at someone's house or apartment.  Everyone saves big, and it's often more fun.

Taking the Mystery Out of Retirement Saving

Happy New Year!  This is the time of year that many people focus or refocus on getting their finances in better shape, and it's a great opportunity to take a quick inventory of your spending, saving, and investments to see where there can be improvement.

Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor and all advice is just personal advice from me based on what I've learned and my research.

Retirement planning does not sound like the most exciting of topics, but it honestly is to me.  It can be so incredibly rewarding to put money away and just watch it grow.

The biggest advice that I (or anyone else) can give is start early, and contribute what you can, even if it doesn't seem like much.  Compounding returns can be a powerful thing over time.  I was fortunate enough when I got my first full time job to have a (now ex)boyfriend in the accounting/finance field who instilled in me the fear of becoming a Walmart greeter if we didn't contribute enough to our retirement accounts, so I was stowing away 7% of my small nonprofit salary, which I'm now incredibly grateful for. The money is taken out of each paycheck automatically so you get used to what your take home pay is after this adjustment. There are a number of free online 401k calculators, like this one from Bloomberg that can show you how your contributions over time build up.  There are also many articles like this one that explain the benefits of starting early.  However, there is no time like the present to get going!

401k Plans
The beginning of the year (whether or not this coincides with a pay increase, but especially if it does) is a great time to look at your retirement contribution amounts.  If your company offers a 401k (or a 403b), I highly encourage you to take advantage of it.  These plans allow you to contribute pre-tax income, lowering your taxable income.  You can contribute up to the maximum annual amount ($17,500 for 2014).  An additional "catch up amount" is allowed for those 50 and over.

If you are fortunate enough to work somewhere that offers a 401k match (some employers will match up to a certain percentage of your income if you contribute that much or a part of that, for example Company A will match 100% of your contributions up to 5% of your salary and Company B will match 50% of your contributions up to 3% of your salary), take advantage of it if it's at all financially possible for you to contribute that amount.  If you don't, you're leaving money on the table.

Roth IRA Plans
Roth IRAs allow you to contribute post tax money up to $5,500, but then you do not pay taxes in retirement on the growth.  There are income limits to contributions (you can contribute up to the maximum if your adjusted gross income is $114,000 or less and you're single or $181,000 or less for a married couple), but check the guidelines if you're slightly over those numbers to see what you can contribute.  You can contribute as soon as the new year starts, but you can also do your contribution any time before you file your taxes (ie you can do your 2013 contribution now before you file your 2014 taxes).  I've always been encouraged to do the contribution earlier in the year just for longer amount of earnings, but depending on cash flow, do what makes sense for you.  I started my Roth IRA a few years ago and I wish I would've started it much earlier.  Even if your earnings are under $5,500 for the year, you can contribute up to the amount you learned.  A friend in college encouraged me to set one up, but I didn't follow through with it.  This would have been a great way to start retirement savings in high school or college when working a part time job.  Parents, encourage your children to get started early if they can.

The basics in order:
1. If your employer offers a 401k or 403b match contribute enough to get the maximum match.  Check with the HR department if you aren't sure what your employer offers.
2. After that if you can still contribute more(or if you don't have an employer match), contribute to a Roth IRA as much as you can up to the maximum allowed.
3. Still able to save more?  Contribute to your 401k or 403b up to the maximum.

Happy saving!

Post Holiday Sales

Growing up, the day after Christmas was as a big of a shopping day as Black Friday.  Not only can you get great deals on Christmas things, but many other items lumped in with "seasonal" or "holiday" including candles, candy, and all sorts of items classified as gift items.  I've scored bath kits, grilling tools, and all sort of other goodies during after Christmas sales just because the items were included in the gift section. 

Ready to update your stockings? Do you typically give ornaments as gifts? Do you send out holiday cards every year?  Running low on gift wrap?  This is the best time to stock up and store away those items for next year.  You'll get major savings and be thrilled next year to have a few people already marked off of your shopping list.

Happy Holidays and Happy Post-Holiday Savings!

Uber - A New Way to Get Around

Within the last few years, I heard about Uber.  Started as a sedan service, it brings additional convenience by letting you order the car from their mobile app with a network of drivers, often resulting in much shorter wait times.  As someone who prefers to take public transportation when possible to save, I was a little skeptical about the value.

Evidently, I wasn't the only one.  Uber then launched UberX - an additional fleet of drivers and hybid/midsize cars to provide an option that is less expensive than cabs. 

I had a promo code and decided to give it a try when we went to my boyfriend's holiday party.  The first thing to note is to make sure to slide the bar from "Black Car" to the left for "uberX".  When you register and request your first car once you do the text confirmation, you have to do the request again, which was a little confusing (someone else I know faced the same issue as well), but once the request was in, we were alerted that our driver was on his way, given his name and a time estimate.  We used Uber again to get to the airport for our recent Christmas travels and it truly was faster, easier, and less expensive than a taxi.

Also, no cash is exchanged.  You load your credit card information into the app, and then it charges you and emails your receipt.  You can also do a fare estimate before ordering the car, which gives you a range of what the cost might be to help you figure out if you want to order the car or not.  Tipping is not expected, as the driver receives the majority of the fare, but you rate your driver after the ride through the app.

Over Christmas, I found out that a family member is driving for UberX in Chicago.  He told us that the drivers get 80% of the fares (and get the full money even when the passenger uses a promo code) and it's a great side gig, especially during "surge" times when fares jump up (this is how he's spending his New Year's Eve, which is how this came up in the first place).  The application process was quick and easy. He has a separate phone from them that he can turn on and then is offered a fare when he is the closest person.  He then has a limited window (of seconds) to accept it or it goes to the next driver.  As long as he takes one fare a month he can remain a driver.  Consider checking out driving if you're looking for a new job or a flexible side gig. 

Uber is now in over 50 cities and 25 countries.  Check out and see if it's available where you live, or where you'll be traveling for work or pleasure.  Download the app and use my promo code AVPKL for $10 off your first ride.  After that, you'll have your own promo code you can share and new users you refer will get $10 off their first ride and you'll get $10 in credit when they use it as well.

Target - Savings For Now & Savings Later

I've always been a big fan of Target.  Well priced household products, cute clothes, and great gift items make it true one stop shopping.  I've also learned from an inside source that their grocery items are sold basically at cost as way of getting people in the door.  Since then, I browse that area and always pick up at least a few things (earlier this week I snagged Progresso light soups for $1.50 each there).

 

It was released yesterday that  after the credit card data breach, Target is offering 10% off to all customers today and tomorrow. http://money.cnn.com/2013/12/20/news/companies/target-credit-hack/

 

Great timing for last minute Christmas shopping or just stocking up on essentials.  Recently, I learned how to maximize savings at Target with their free cartwheel app.  You browse through deals and then can add a certain number of them to your virtual cart. 

 

After my first trip using the app, I wasn't super impressed.  My savings with it were under $1.00.  However, after using it once, you get an extra spot in your virtual cart and then deals begin to be customized to you based on what you buy. 

During my first trip with the app, I picked up a blazer for $34.99 (no app savings, just well priced item)

 

Merona® Women's Oxford Blazer - Assorted Colors

After that, one of my deal options was 25% off the same item.  On my next trip, I picked up the same blazer in a different color with the discount, and scored some other great deals with the app including 40% off any one menswear item, and a number of other deals resulting in over $25 of savings through the app.

To recap - go to Target this weekend for 10% off everything today and tomorrow.  Download the cartwheel app, and be patient with the deals and savings.  They get better with time.  Happy shopping and happy saving!

Volunteering - Give a Little, Get a Lot

Ok, this post title is cheesy, I admit it.  However, I honestly believe it is completely accurate so I'm keeping it.  Thanksgiving weekend was first weekend I can remember that hasn't included at least one day of volunteering, if not two.  I've volunteered for a number of great organizations recently, but I only took pictures at one event this past month, so that' s the one I'm posting about!

The Corcoran Gallery of Art is an art gallery in Washington DC with a focus on education.  Contemporary American art and artists have always been a focus for the Corcoran.  I volunteered regularly for two years as a docent at the Corcoran through The Junior League of Washington.  While I tranistioned to a different volunteer placement, I was excited to see an opportunity to volunteer at Corcoran Community Day.  The family events and workshops for kids were always my favorite parts of being a docent.

At this event, I worked in one of the workshops, helping kids create catfish out of recycled materials, including water bottles.  Inspired by Mia Feuer, an artist featured in NOW at the Corcoran whose work often depicts people's impact on the environment, we educated visitors about how people have polluted the Anacostia River to the point where catfish have been contaminated so badly that they should not be eaten.  We had a staff member from the Anacostia River Project there educating people as well.

I had to make a model before the workshop started.  Here it is:

I was pretty satisfied considering I can't remember the last time I did anything crafty.  One little girl seemed to like it, as she wanted to take it home instead of hers.  (I would have been cool with it, but her mom said no :) )

I had a great time working with and meeting families with kids ranging from toddlers to teenagers.  It was awesome to see so many families taking advantage of this FREE community day, and really just being good parents trying to educate their kids.

One little friend I spent a lot of time with was Noah.  Noah is an aspiring artist, and really had a great time.  He showed me some of his artwork from home that he carried with him in his backpack.  Superheros seemed to be his specialty, but he made a pretty awesome catfish.

The brightly colored electrical tape was a cool medium.  Also, note that Noah's mom was cool with me taking his picture and I only asked (or even thought to take one) after she asked if she could take pictures and took a bunch of Noah and me together.  What a cool little guy.

Anyways, to keep these posts somewhat informative, I encourage all of you to volunteer.  It's free entertainment, and it makes you feel so good to be able to be part of something good.

Miscellaneous Monday - A Selection of Cyber Monday Deals

Happy Cyber Monday, everyone.  I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving, and a great weekend.  Today is one of those deal days when your inbox is overflowing with email promotions from every company that has your email address, and it can be overwhelming to sort through them all and find the really big deals.

Everyone knows about the big Cyber Monday deals from major retailers like Amazon (who has some great deals today, but I wanted to share a few of my favorite less known deals with you hear.

You can visit http://www.cybermonday.com/ for a comprehensive least of many (most?) of the deals today.

For the Sports Fans (or those shopping for them):

NFL Shop has 15% off everything (except Nike jerseys) and free shipping (no minimum purchase) with the promo code CYBMNNFL.  This does combine with other discounts, including their current sale of all T-shirts 15%- 40% off!

MLB Shop has buy one get one 50% on their site today.  Read the fine print though, there are a few exclusions.

Fans Edge has 15% off everything and free shipping (no minimum purchase) as well.  This is a great source for all sports, including college.

Other Favorites

 Say Yes To (Carrots, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, etc.) offers really great natural products.  I got their lotion in an event goody bag once, and it was awesome.  Today, from 12pm - 2pm you can buy up to two of their products for $2 each!  Great to try for yourself or a gift idea.

Lilly Pulitzer has some great gifts with purchase today including a Bow Ring and a tote bag free with any purchase, and a Bow Ring, Bow Bangle, and tote bag free with any purchase of $75 or more.  They're also offering $2 gift wrapping which includes a free key chain.

Happy Shopping!  Did you score any great deals today?  We'd love to hear about them.