Gift Cards 101: Your Guide to Giving and Receiving Gift Cards

posted in: Shopping Tips

For over a decade, gift cards have been one of the most requested gifts. According to data from the National Retail Federation, holiday shoppers planned to purchase between three and four gift cards.

Gift cards make a great gift, especially if you don’t know what to give someone. After all, who doesn’t love permission to shop for themselves?

You can give all sorts of gift cards, but there are a few key things to consider. From selecting the right card to understanding the potential pitfalls, here are five insights that can help you make the most out of giving – and receiving – gift cards.

How to Save Money for Your Kids’ Future

You know you’re supposed to be saving money for your kids’ future. But, with everything else you have to pay for, from day-to-day expenses to saving for retirement, saving can feel like a lot. Trust me – I’ve been there. There were several years where my husband and I didn’t save for our daughter’s education because money was so tight. And while taking a break from saving can help get you through a tight spot, you don’t want to do that for long. After all, according to the Department of Education, the average student loan balance per borrower in 2024 was almost $38,000. If we save money regularly during our child’s adolescence, we can do a lot to offset that debt for our kids.

6 Days in Croatia: Travelogue and Money-Saving Tips

posted in: Shopping Tips

We’d been hearing about Croatia’s beauty for several years. Friends would return starry-eyed about the place, but we’d also heard that it had become a go-to destination, which meant crowds in high season. No thanks. Then, we started planning a trip to celebrate our daughter Sadie’s high school graduation, and Croatia bubbled to the top. We’d just heard too many rave reviews, and since we’d be traveling in early September, the tail end of high season, we’d miss the masses. Plus, Croatia has castles, Sadie’s one request.

How to Save Money on Halloween

posted in: Holidays

Halloween is going to be big this year, but not as big as 2023. According to the National Retail Federation, projected 2024 spending is 11.6B, down 5 percent from last year’s whopping 12.2B. This year’s projection is still higher than 2022’s record of 10.6B. 72 percent of us will celebrate, spending an average of $104 per person.
If the spooky holiday is your jam, here are 8 ways to save money on Halloween so you don’t break the bank.

How to Save Money When You Shop on Social Media

posted in: Shopping Tips

Remember the days when if you needed to buy something, your only options were to go to a store or maybe place a mail order (I’m clearly dating myself)? With the ever-changing shopping landscape, the way we shop shifts a little bit every year. These days, there are so many ways to shop, from browsing the aisles of a traditional brick-and-mortar to clicking “shop” on our favorite social channels. And as shopping on social media grows, savvy shoppers are looking for ways to save.

Online Shopping Hacks Everyone Should Know

posted in: Shopping Tips

While brick-and-mortar stores still account for most shopping purchases, ​​20 percent of retail purchases are expected to occur online this year, a projected 9 percent jump YOY, according to Forbes.

If you’re like me, you love the convenience of shopping in your PJs. But how do you find the best deals while you scroll? The following tips will help you score the very best price on all your purchases, from books to the shelves that hold them.

Smart Ways to Save Money at Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s

posted in: Shopping Tips

If you’ve been to a wholesale club warehouse, you know the thrill of the cavernous interior with snacks, spices, and home office staples stacked to the ceiling. You know the joy of the scent of food samples in the air. But you also know that “holy crap” feeling at checkout when you go overboard. Here are several tried-and-true ways to save at wholesale clubs in general, as well as tips specific to the big 3: Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s.

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