bed bath and beyond – user's Blog!

May 6, 2017

Non-Girly Gifts for the Practical Mom

It seems that, since the dawn of time, Mother’s Day gifts have involved a bouquet of blooms and a box of chocolates. Sometimes you think outside the candy box and go for something cozy like a pair of fuzzy slippers. But if your mom was cut from a no-nonsense mold or her idea of R&R is watching a baseball game on the couch, these Mother’s Day gift ideas just might hit a home run. Check out our hand-picked selections, from must-have electronics to home goods she’ll actually use — all available with Cash Back at Ebates.

Insulated Lunch Tote

If you’ve been watching your mom take the same wrinkled-paper-bag lunch to work for years, this insulated tote is perfect. It looks like a purse while working double duty to keep the lettuce on her BLT crisp.

Chunky Chenille Throw

One of the easiest but most overlooked gift ideas for mom is a nice, comfy blanket. Who doesn’t love a blanket and who doesn’t need more of them?

Gold Pig Bookends

If you’re looking for unique gifts your mom will actually use, this piggy bookend set is perfect — especially if she has a home office or beloved bookshelf that could use a little pizzazz.

Mama Bear T-shirt

A T-shirt may not come to mind when you think of cool gifts, but you have to admit this one is adorable. No novelty here, just a proud badge of being a mighty mom to some cute cubs.

Date Night

She may be your mom, but she’s also someone’s sweetheart. And, chances are, it has been a while since this lovely couple hit the town. Give them a date night to remember with local deals on dining and entertainment from Groupon. If dinner and a movie is their jam, top it off with a gift card from Fandango.

3-in-1 Avocado Slicer

This one just speaks for itself. A tool that can cut, pit and slice an avocado in seconds? Mom will be wondering where this has been her whole life.

WD My Passport Ulta 1 TB External Hard Drive

How many times have you heard your mom complaining about filling up her DVR? Maybe enough to suggest she has a TV addiction. But instead of getting into that conversation, why not just give her some extra storage space so she’ll never miss another episode of “The Bachelor”?

Philips Wake-Up Light

Getting up in the morning can be the worst. Make her a.m. a little more pleasant with this simulated sunlight alarm that will gradually wake her up without panicked beeping or annoying radio hosts.

Seamless Belly Support Band

If you’re shopping for a mom-to-be, there is nothing — I repeat, nothing — more practical than a belly band. Not only does it support your belly, but it also holds your pre-maternity jeans up without having to button them. It’s pretty much a miracle.

December 15, 2016

18 Stores Offering Paid and Free Gift Wrapping

Online shopping makes gift buying all the more easier. But what about when all those packages come to your door? Whether you’re wrapping-challenged or just don’t have the time, it always helps to know which stores offer free gift wrapping or at least will wrap them for a nominal cost. Believe us, you want to take advantage of all the freebies you can get on top of holiday deals to make the most out of your money. Here are 18 top stores you can shop through Ebates that offer free or reasonably-priced gift wrapping.

Paid Gift Wrapping With Online Purchase

Free Gift Box With Online Purchase

Brooks Brothers

See Brooks Brothers coupons
Shop Brooks Brothers with 5% Cash Back>

Jared

They’ll even wrap it for you, too!

See Jared coupons
Shop Jared with 14% Cash Back>

Saks Fifth Avenue

Box comes with ribbon. There is an additional charge for wrapping your gift box.

See Saks Fifth Avenue coupons
Shop Saks Fifth Avenue with 8% Cash Back>

Prices and Cash Back percentages are subject to change.

December 4, 2016

Galactic Gift Guide for Star Wars Lovers

Whether it’s your brother practicing lightsaber moves in the backyard, your mom pulling out the Wampa rug as soon as it’s cold enough to light a fire or your best friend pondering his 40th viewing of “Episode IV — A New Hope,” someone you know is a Star Wars fanatic. Perhaps you embrace the dark side yourself. However your world is touched by the Force, we’ve got 13 amazing Star Wars gifts for the aspiring Jedi in your life.

BB-8 App-Enabled Droid, $119.97 (GameStop)

Use the Force—or, more conveniently, your smartphone or tablet—to control BB-8 . He’ll also respond to your voice, play holographic videos and steal your heart with his adaptive personality.

AT-AT Bookends, $129.97 (GameStop)

Secure your favorite Star Wars comic and art books with these AT-AT bookends—sobering reminders of the carnage at the Battle of Hoth. Till Endor, Lord Vader. Till Endor…

Star Wars Carships Death Star Revolution Race Track Set, $43.42 (Walmart)

Complete with both TIE Fighter and the classic X-wing ships, this Hot Wheels set will hone your budding Jedi’s maneuvering skills, so the Death Star will stand no chance of surviving the ambush. At arms, rebels!

LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon, $119 (Walmart)

Kids and adults alike will enjoy the hours it takes to assemble this 1329-piece LEGO Millennium Falcon. With Han and Chewie at your side, you’ll be ready for anything the Empire can throw at you. Activate the hyperdrive and set course for fun with this LEGO play set.

Playskool Mr. Potato Head Darth Tater, $14.43 (Walmart)

Is it Mr. Potato Head? Darth Vader? No. It’s Darth Tater! The galaxy’s most ruthless villain has taken a new form as the Spud Lord. Add a curly mustache, tongue or silly glasses to take a more stylish walk on the dark side.

Star Wars Battlefront PS4, $19 (Walmart)

Side with either the Rebel Alliance or the Empire in a wide variety of multiplayer matches and exciting challenges. Get ready to watch AT-ATs stomp around Hoth, ride speeder bikes through the forests of Endor and fly X-wings and TIE fighters through the galaxy. This game gives fans the ultimate, authentic and immersive interactive experience they’ve been looking for. Also available on XboxOne and PC.

Funko Pop! Star Wars Rogue One – Jyn Erso, $11.99 (Game Stop)

Plant bobble-headed rebel leader Jyn Erso on your desk, bed stand or dashboard for the perfect collectible companion. She’s made of vinyl, totes a tiny plastic blaster and is just one of many Rogue One bobble-headed characters you can start collecting today.

Star Wars: The Complete Saga Episodes I-VI (Blu-ray), $141 (QVC)

Relive every unforgettable moment with this nine-disc Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-ray set. Binge watch the first six movies, then dive deep with three bonus discs featuring deleted scenes, interviews, archival footage, documentaries and spoofs. Settle in with this one, because these nine discs boast over 1,200 minutes of footage.

Death Star Ice Sphere Mold, $11.99 (GameStop)

That’s no moon. It’s a space station… Create ice spheres to drop into a glass of whiskey for an out-of-this-world beverage after a long day of X-wing flying. Or, get creative and make chocolate truffles or soap.

Loungefly Star Wars Rogue One Backpack, $31.41 (Hot Topic)

Trade the Yoda stuck to your back for a Rogue One distress-print backpack. You can tote all your books, blasters and lightsabers, while keeping your hands free for pod-racing and other intergalactic activities.

Chewbacca Deluxe Talking Plush Toy, $24.99 (Bed Bath & Beyond)

As the saying goes, nothing hugs better than a Wookiee! OK, no one actually said that. But how can you resist this fuzzball? Give him a squeeze to hear his trademark growl, and know you’ve got the best copilot in the galaxy on your side.

Darth Vader Self Stirring and Spinning Mug, $19.99 (Toys R Us)

Use the Force to stir your mug without a spoon. Well, you’ll be pushing a button to do so, but no one needs to know. Enjoy the best tea, coffee or any other hot beverage with the best mug this side of Naboo.

Goodnight Darth Vader by Jeffrey Brown, $14.95 (Bed Bath & Beyond)

Tuck in your little ones (or big ones, depending) each night with “Goodnight Darth Vader,” by Jeffrey Brown. This funny, illustrated tale portrays Darth Vader trying to put his twin children, Luke and Leia, to sleep with a bedtime story. May the Force be with you, as you read along.

November 15, 2016

Top Toys Gift Guide: Best Selling Toys of 2016

From Toys R US to Target, retailers this year pulled out all the stops by creating some of the most inventive and curious kids toys on the market. There are eggs that hatch into blended animals, caterpillars that teach kids to code, and mini-trucks that dispense flavored lipgloss. With an endless array of gift ideas for kids, finding that popular or educational toy for your child is tough. Luckily, we have curated a list of this year’s top toys for kids – complete with Cash Back at Ebates — so you can focus on perfecting your holiday season!

Hatchimals, $49.99

The hottest new toy on the market, this furry little creature is a surprise until it hatches, keeping your kids guessing until the first crack.

Go! Go! Smart Friends Enchanted Princess Palace, $39.99

Spanning more than four feet wide, this beautiful play set comes with all the ballrooms and baubles to make your child’s princess palace dreams come true.

Sky Viper V2400HD Streaming Video Drone, $99.99

Let your kid show off her filming skills with this high flying drone. Up, up, and away!

Shopkins Happy Places Miniature Decor with Popette and Puppy Parlor Petkins – Happy Home, $25.99

Bursting with cute furniture, happy Shoppies, and adorable Petkins, this puppy parlor toy will keep the kiddies endlessly entertained.

Doc McStuffins Hospital Care Cart, $37.99

Perfect for all the little doctors-to-be, this top toy comes with a light and sound patient scanner, a talking EKG area, and even its own patient, Findo.

Paw Patrol Monkey Temple Play Set, $59.49

Complete with lights, sounds, a trap door, and Mandy the Monkey, this play set takes jungle adventures to new heights.

Little Live Pets My Dream Puppy, $49.99

No slobber, shedding, or barking! Just maximum cuteness. This fully interactive little puppy will melt your heart.

Num Noms Lip Gloss Truck, $27.99

What could be cuter than a mini lip gloss maker? A mini lipgloss-making ice cream truck, of course! Pick your favorite flavors, blend with glitter dust, and serve. Yum!

Speak Out Game, $19.99

This game takes Chubby Bunny to hilarious new levels with its mouthpiece challenge games. Even your teenagers will like it.

Shopkins Tall Mall Playset, $24.99

When your Shoppies get bored of their Happy Homes, they can pop over to the mall, complete with a food court and home & garden section. Adorable!

Fisher Price Code-A-Pillar, $37.96

Start your kids coding careers early with this little bug’s removable coded parts.

FurReal Friends Torch My Blazin Dragon, $62.42

With over 50 sounds and motions, this fluffy fire breather will light play time up. Literally.

Simon Air Game, $14.99

Who knew this thing was still around? This revamped version has even more features with motion sensors to swoop up high scores.

Furby Connect Friend, $89.99

More terrifyingly adorable than ever before, the newest version of Furby features a light-up antenna that connects to smartphones for music and videos.

CHiP the Lovable Robot Dog, $199.99

This uniquely programed pup responds to your kid’s personal play style, so no two pups are ever alike.

Star Wars First Order TIE Pilot Sixth Scale Figure, $219.95

For all the little star wars fanatics, this TIE Pilot action figure comes with full battle gear and its own hex stand.

September 7, 2016

7 Essential Money Saving Apps for College Students

Whether you’re a soon-to-be college freshman preparing to leave the nest for the first time or a seasoned grad student gearing up for your final year, it’s likely you’ll be pinching pennies at some point during your academic career, if not all throughout. Personal finance management is an essential skill you may not have picked up during high school, but you don’t need to be a business major or an economics whiz to master it. If you have a smartphone, you’ve got the power. There are hundreds of apps on the market designed to help users save money. Ebates has compiled some of the best, listed below. Use these in conjunction with the Cash Back and deals available through Ebates at hundreds of stores like Amazon and Bed Bath & Beyond to get the most bang for your buck.

1. Loot

Even if you’re on a tight budget, it’s important to stash away a few bucks whenever possible for a rainy day fund, or even just an extra latte here and there. Loot is a free app designed specifically for students which helps you to calculate what your disposable income is. Loot is a little different than most other budgeting apps in that it is connected to a prepaid Visa card onto which you load money. This makes it easy to monitor where you spend your cash daily without the need to manually plug in each expense, as you do with many similar programs. By helping you to develop responsible money management habits, the app aims to subsequently help you to budget for disposable income.

2. MySupermarket

The stereotype of a starving college student can sometimes feel all too real. While clipping coupons can work to save you a few bucks, it can also be fairly time-consuming. MySupermarket helps ensure that you always get the best deal on each item on your shopping list. All you have to do is create your shopping list in the app, and it will tell you where you can find each item at the lowest price, or if a particular store is offering a special on the item. You can also use your phone to scan the barcode of an item while at the store, and the app will alert you if you can find it cheaper elsewhere. Don’t have a car and don’t relish the idea of schlepping a half-dozen shopping bags from the store back to the dorm? This app also works for online grocery orders.

3. RetailMeNot

Everyone needs a little retail therapy now and again. RetailMeNot helps you to get your fix while staying within your budget. The free app gives you access to thousands of different coupons and specials for a variety of stores, including Target, Starbucks, Sephora, Bed Bath & Beyond, and more. If you come across a coupon you’d like to use but don’t need it right away, the app allows you to save it for later. It also alerts you when these saved coupons are about to expire. If you’re looking for a certain item, though you’re not set on a specific store, the app will also search for deals within your area. To take advantage of the savings, all you have to do is show your phone at checkout, or if you’re shopping online, just input the code.

4. Mint

Similar to Loot, Mint is an easy-to-use, free budgeting program that helps you to set and meet savings goals. You can visit the Mint.com site, or download it as an app on your phone. Although Mint doesn’t use a prepaid Visa, it does allow you to securely link your debit and/or credit cards so you can just as easily keep track of your spending. With both Mint and Loot, this aspect is particularly important as it can help you to easily pinpoint areas you could cut back on in favor of saving for other things. Once you’ve established a budget, Mint will also send you email reminders should you go over the specified amount.

5. Honey

Similar to RetailMeNot, Honey is a valuable savings app that collects thousands of coupons and codes at hundreds of sites to make sure you get the best deal on every order. You can download Honey to your phone or to your computer as an Internet extension. The great thing about Honey is it will automatically search for and try out all of the available codes when you begin the checkout process at an online store, so unlike with RetailMeNot and many other sites, you don’t have to try out each one manually. If there’s one thing college students have less of than money, it’s time, so this aspect of the app is especially nice. Honey also allows you to rack up points to earn cash back, and offers incentives if you persuade your friends to start using Honey as well.

6. Groupon

College is the perfect place to try new things. Groupon affords you the opportunity to try new things off-campus as well as on, without paying the usual cost. This app has been a favorite for a while now, and it’s easy to see why. With this app, you can take advantage of daily deals of 50 to 90 percent off a variety of activities, goods, and services in over 500 cities. Many businesses post deals through Groupon to establish new customers, so it’s a great way to find hidden gems and up-and-coming establishments you may not normally try or be able to afford.

7. ATM Hunter

We’ve all been there. You’re at the bar enjoying some drinks with friends, go to pay the tab with your debit card, and realize they only accept cash or their card machine is down. Finding an ATM in itself can be difficult in certain areas, particularly if it’s late at night. Add to that the $2 to $4 fees many ATMs charge per transaction, and the fact that you stuck to more budget-friendly beers instead of cocktails seems to have been for naught. ATM Hunter is a free app that helps you find free cash machines, so you don’t have to stress if you’re caught in a jam in an unfamiliar area. You can also filter the search so the app will only show you machines from your bank, adding even more convenience.

August 29, 2016

17 Guest Bedroom Essentials You Probably Never Thought Of

When hosting overnight guests, the most important thing is to make your guests feel comfortable in your home. A great way to do this is to take some tips from the hotel industry. A hotel room is specifically designed with amenities for making guests feel comfortable. Use these same guest room ideas to welcome guests into your home. To get you started, here are our top picks for guest bedroom ideas and accessories from stores where you can earn Cash Back at Ebates. Remember to use a guest room promo code to save big when you shop for everything from guest bedding to hand soaps.

Tulip Bouquet With Glass Vase

There is no better way to make a guest room feel luxurious and welcoming than with fresh flowers. This beautiful bouquet comes with its own vase and can be delivered right to your door with next-day delivery.

Cable Knit Decorative Throw

This 100% cotton throw creates a warm, inviting look and brings comfort to any guest bed, no matter how humble.

Straight Leg Luggage Rack

Living out of a suitcase can be awkward, but this sturdy, attractive luggage rack makes it a cinch. This luggage rack can hold any size suitcase, has a rack for shoes and can even double as a bedside table.

LED Lighted Vanity Mirror

Help your guests put their best face forward with this 1x magnifying mirror from Beauty.com that will look stylish on a bureau, end table or bathroom counter.

Ambient Light/LED Reading Light

Good lighting is a key element for any comfortable guest room. With this lamp, your guests can enjoy ambient or direct LED light to help them find their way or read in bed.

Laminated Bamboo Serving Tray

Nothing compares to breakfast in bed. Your guests will be wowed with morning coffee on this elegant natural bamboo tray which can also be used as a convenient lap desk for a laptop or book.

Bedside Water Carafe Set

Save your guests the trouble of finding their way through a dark house at night for a drink of water. This beautiful customizable carafe and glass combo is convenient, beautiful and strong and would look lovely at any bedside.

Places to Go, People to See Coffee Table Book

With vibrant photographs, inspirational quotes and words of wisdom from world travelers, this coffee table book from kate spade new york makes a visual statement and is sure to spark great conversations.

Belkin MIXIT ChargeSync Dock

Give your guests a convenient place to charge their phones, tablets and other digital gadgets as well as a simple way to dock and sync them with this handy gadget from PCM.

Breezie Tabletop Bladeless Fan

Your guests can keep cool without the noise of fan blades with this portable bladeless fan. For those scorching hot days, dampen the included cooling sponge and the fan becomes a personal air conditioner.

Park B. Smith Ultra Spa Robe

Just like the finest hotels and spas, you can give your guests a sense of personal luxury with this mini-waffle weave cotton robe. Just don’t be surprised if they don’t want to give it back!

NEST Fragrances Reed Diffuser

A reed diffuser is a great way to bring aromatherapy into your guest room without overwhelming your guests with perfumes. The blend of orange blossom, orchid, lemon and musk is slowly diffused throughout your guest room for a subtle but memorable scent that is both relaxing and calming.

Neatfreak Clothes Hanger

Your guests will feel right at home with these professional, non-slip felt hangers that keep clothes wrinkle-free and neatly organized.

Bath Towels

This luxurious Turkish cotton towel set makes for elegant guest towels that feel rich and lush. Shop the Kohl’s Linum collection with a linens promo code to save on everything you need for your guest bath.

Surge Protector

This surge protector protects your guests from unexpected power fluctuations and also provides maximum protection for all of your sensitive electronic devices.

Hadley Notepad Holder

Memo pads are a quick and convenient way to jot down notes for your guests and this stylish notepad holder makes it easy while keeping surfaces uncluttered.

Philip Kingsley Jet Set Smooth & Shiny

Help your guests look their best with this three pack of moisturizing shampoo, conditioner and elasticizing product from LookFantastic. Way better than tiny hotel bottles, this miracle set helps keep hair frizz-free, shiny and manageable.

August 19, 2016

6 Easy Ways to Save for a Wedding

Planning a wedding can be a super fun endeavor but also incredibly stressful — especially when it comes to creating and sticking to a budget. But learning how to save for a wedding and figuring out how to cut wedding costs doesn’t have to be so painful.

As long as you start early, a few small, everyday changes can make a huge difference in your savings. Add in some wedding-budget tips and careful planning, and saving for a wedding will be as easy as a piece of multi-tiered cake. Check out these money-saving tips to help maximize your wedding budget without feeling totally bound by your purse strings. As a special bonus, you’ll earn Cash Back at Ebates at each of the stores mentioned!

1. Stop Buying Coffee: Save $100 per Month

This one is a no-brainer. Skip the daily fancy lattes and set aside an extra $2 to $5 per day. Making your own coffee can swiftly add up to an extra $100 or more per month, depending on your coffee-buying habit. That extra money set aside can help you defray wedding costs such as table centerpieces and other small essentials. Treat yourself to a simple coffee machine and supplies online at Mr. Coffee and build savings for your wedding into your daily routine.

2. Pack Your Own Lunch: Save $200 per Month

Bringing your lunch to work can easily save you $5 to $10 per day, which, over a few months, could add up to enough to cover your wedding place cards, save-the-dates or even your invitations. Invest in some nice packable lunch boxes and use a promo code to save at Bed Bath and Beyond to double up on your savings for your wedding.

3. Cut Out the Fancy Dinners: Save $120 per Month

Dining out is fun, but when you’re saving for a wedding it’s an easy expense to cut that can save you some serious money. A meal for two at a restaurant can cost you $30 or more, and dining in could add up to an extra $120 or more per month for your wedding savings account. After a few months, you could easily save enough for a tux or flowers for your wedding day.

Invite your friends and family to help support your arsenal of ways to save by setting up weekend potluck dinners rather than eating out at restaurants. This is also a great opportunity to up your cooking skills if you can invest in a couple new cookbooks. Check out the great collection available online at BooksAMillion and get ready to impress your friends and family with both your cooking and saving skills. They may even thank you for all the money they save too! Other money-saving tips include making your own brunch on the weekends, which can add up to $50 to $100 extra for your wedding savings account each month.

4. Pregame at Home: Save $120 per Month

Whether it’s date night or time for you and your girls to hit the town, get started with drinks at home rather than at a bar or restaurant. Drinks and cocktails out on the town can cost you $5 to $15 each, so skipping even one drink each every weekend could add up to an extra $120 per month. Just think of your new cocktail fund as your wedding-favors budget and get something sweet for all your guests to take home with them. If you’re not ready to give up fun cocktails altogether, pick up a great guide and start mixing them yourself!

5. Don’t Impulse Buy Pricey Wedding Accessories

Just because you found the most adorable wedding-cake topper doesn’t mean you have to buy it right then and there, especially if it comes with a hefty price tag (products labeled “wedding” often come with a markup). With a little DIY creativity, you can create these flourishes yourself and potentially save $100 to $200 to put toward your other wedding expenses. Get a head start on DIY wedding elements when you check out the awesome wedding DIY section at Michaels. Save a bundle when you order the supplies you’ll need for classic wedding items such as cake toppers, table décor and gorgeous favors.

[ebatesads id=”in-post”]

6. Skip the Travel

Planning your wedding in your local area can help you save on wedding costs before the wedding even starts. Whether you are planning your bachelorette weekend or picking out your wedding venue, keeping things local can help keep hundreds of dollars in your budget to spend on other essentials, such as meals for your guests or that awesome live band you’ve been checking out. You can easily divert the money saved on airfare and hotels to other essentials. Another bonus of a wedding near your home is that it makes getting all the DIY wedding items to your venue even easier when the big day finally arrives.

10 Organization Tips for Teeny Tiny Dorm Rooms

It’s back-to-school season and students everywhere are busy packing and getting ready to move into their new dorm rooms. Everyone knows that while living in the dorms can be a ton of fun, extra space is hard to come by so you’ll need to get creative with both your storage and organization ideas. Whether you’re heading off to college for the first time or returning for another year, check out this list of awesome organizational tips and tricks to help you get your room set up in style and comfort in no time. Be sure to activate Cash Back at Ebates for those organizational essentials that you’ll need to pick up to ensure that you’ll still have some pocket money left come moving day!

Tip # 1: Get Your Room Measurements & Dorm Rules Ahead of Time

If you can get the approximate dimensions for your room or visit a sample dorm room on campus before your move-in date, you can start planning out your dorm room early. Even a rough estimate of the space and a list of the rules will let you know how much to pack, whether you’re allowed to bring things like a mini-fridge or a microwave and will help you start brainstorming dorm room ideas and dorm décor.

Tip # 2: Pack Your Items in Organizers

Once you figure out how much space you have to work with in your dorm room, you should organize your stuff into bins as you pack. The dorm will probably provide a dresser and a desk but all your other odds and ends will need a dedicated spot. Prepping your storage ideas ahead of time is also a great way to hit the ground running and get unpacked quickly when you get to campus. Get all the bins and storage solutions you’ll need online at The Container Store and keep an eye out for a storage bin promo code.

Tip # 3: Label Your Boxes

Don’t forget to label your boxes as you pack, especially for the bins that you’ll be using as a part of your ongoing storage system at school. This will help you unpack the essentials first, maintain the organizational system you’ve already set up and quickly get to hanging out with your new friends.

Tip # 4: Vertical Storage is Your Friend

When it comes to keeping your dorm room organized and tidy, don’t forget about going vertical! The ceiling is the limit when it comes to stacking handy storage cubes and other vertical storage options like tall shelves or over-the-door hanging pantry racks. Just make sure your storage cubes and shelves are not at risk for tipping over!

Tip # 5: Optimize Your Closet Space

Get the most out of your dorm room closet space with the help of useful hanging racks and organizers. Whether you add a hanging shoe rack like the one above from Macy’s or some hanging drawers, you won’t regret the extra space it frees up. Pack seasonal stuff in a designated box to pull out when you need it to help keep clutter out of your closet organization system.

Tip # 6: Invest in a Shower Caddy

Keep your bathroom supplies tidy with a water-draining shower caddy that you can easily carry in and out of what will likely be a shared dorm bathroom. Bed Bath and Beyond has a great selection of dorm-ready bathroom caddies online that come without a hefty price tag.

Tip # 7: Prep Your Desk for Success

Gather all the school supplies plus the important organizational tools, trays and accessories you’ll need to make it to the top of your class. Pack these supplies in their own dedicated and labeled box to help you find them easily when you arrive on campus. Start shopping early and keep an eye out for an awesome back to school promo code online at Dollar General to get the most bang for your buck.

Tip # 8: Get a Whiteboard With a Calendar

Help yourself and your roommate stay organized with a white board with a calendar to keep track of your social events, room cleaning to-dos and your shared shopping list. Pick one up at RoomMates Decor, add in a pack of colored dry erase markers and you’re good to go!

Tip # 9: Make Use of Space Under Your Bed

With the limited space available in your dorm room, help keep the floors and surfaces clear by making use of the valuable space under your bed. There’s ample space under your bed to store your extra dorm bedding, seasonal apparel or other things that are most often tucked away. If your beds are bunked, divvy up the space under the beds with your roommate and consider getting some drawer-style under bed organization to help keep your stuff separate and organized.

Tip # 10: Keep Things Tidy With a Housekeeping Caddy

Keep all your housekeeping items in one place so you can freshen up your dorm room in a flash. With a dedicated place for cleaning sprays, you and your roommate can easily spruce up your room for any impromptu social gatherings in your awesome dorm room.

What are your favorite ways to keep your dorm room organized? Share your best tips in the comments below!

August 12, 2016

How to Stay Sane While Flying With Kids

As a parent, traveling becomes a labor of love if it means flying with the kids. Even if your children are usually perfect angels, spending an extended period of time at the airport, waiting in lines or cooped up on a plane can test the limits of any parent’s sanity. Whether you’ve flown with your kids a dozen times or this will be your first flight with a new baby, a little planning can go a long way when it comes to keeping everyone happy. If you’re booking a flight with your kids, you’ve come to the right place! Check out this handy list of tips to help you plan and handle your next family flight like a pro. As an added perk, you’ll get Cash Back at Ebates at each of the stores mentioned to help give your travel budget a welcomed boost.

1. Plan Ahead

Planning ahead for your trip with the kids is the most important tool in your arsenal. You know your kids better than anyone, which means you can anticipate their needs and pack and plan accordingly. Plan your flight around the time that your kids would ordinarily be taking a nap to increase the chances that they’ll sleep on the flight. To make sure you avoid any surprises at the airport, understand what documentation and IDs you’ll need for the trip and what you’re allowed to bring on before you head to the airport. It may also be helpful to walk your kids through the process before the day of your trip so they know what to expect and how to handle it. You probably already know that getting to and through the airport is no piece of cake with little ones. Flying with kids can test even the most patient family’s limits so you may want to ease the trip-related stress with a fun suitcase that your kids can ride along on or sit on while you’re waiting in line. Check out the riding suitcases at Bed Bath and Beyond and travel in style while you add a touch of fun to your airport adventures.

2. Pack Activities

Start packing early to make sure you don’t forget any of the essentials you need for flying with children. A dedicated plane bag full of things to do on airplane rides is a great way to stay organized and have all the items you’ll need on hand for keeping the kids busy and happy. Organize your packing list by the items you’ll need for activities for each of your kids while on the airplane. It may be helpful to block off periods of time with new activities every twenty to thirty minutes to fight the boredom that can lead to less-than-stellar behavior while in the air. An upcoming flight is a great time to invest in a tablet because it means you can predetermine an entertainment playlist that you know will hold your kids’ attention for the duration of the flight. For slightly older kids, game apps are a fabulous way to keep them busy and happy on flights of any length. Out of consideration for your fellow passengers and airport patrons, be sure to pack headphones that you can get from Toys R Us for whatever app or TV show your kids end up watching.

3. Maintain a Snack Supply

Another important step on the list of tips for flying with kids is to keep your gang from becoming a hangry mess by maintaining an adequate supply of ready-to-go snacks. There will obviously be food at the airport but that probably also means waiting in lines, which might not be a no-go for an already stressed out family. Keep a supply of kid-approved snacks on hand in your flight-dedicated travel bag that will help preserve the peace. Stock up on airplane snacks for toddlers or tweens that you know they will love. Now is not the time to obsess about how many vegetables your kids eat – it’s the time to get your family from point A to B while maintaining the illusion that family flights are a fun time for everyone. For younger kids, you may want to consider giving them a small treat for every 30 minutes that they are well behaved to help them focus on surviving small increments of time quietly. Snack cups from Walgreens can help keep the crumbs at bay and the portions just the right size.

4. Stay Clean & Comfortable

When it comes to tips for flying with a baby, keeping your little one clean and comfortable is paramount. In reality, keeping up with sticky messes and keeping hands clean also applies equally to the whole family. Flying with baby or even a tween means you’ll want to pick up a travel pack of wipes available online at drugstore.com to help keep your pack clean and healthy. Keep an eye out for an awesome travel pack promo code to stock up on wipes and other essentials pre-flight.

5. Keep a Wild Card

In case of an emergency meltdown, keep a wild card up your sleeve that you know will catch your kids’ interest and redirect their attention away from that tantrum that everyone fears on an airplane. Air travel with kids means pulling out all the stops to keep your kids calm and happy for the benefit of your travel experience and that of the other passengers around you. Download some new apps from the App Store to add to your travel fund when you shop for the best apps for long flights. If you’re still worried about how your kids may handle the flight, consider packing small Ziploc care-packages with a note for the passengers around you with things like earplugs, Advil and a treat to let them know how much you appreciate their patience.

July 29, 2016

Dorm Room Decor Essentials to Create an Inspiring Space

When it comes to the college experience, it is hard to overstate the importance of dorm room décor. The classic college dorm room is usually cramped, awkward and short on privacy, but one thing it does offer is a blank slate for self-expression. A dorm room has to be a lot of things at once: a bedroom, living room, study spot, closet and sometimes even a kitchen. To cram all that function into one space while maintaining comfort and a sense of style can be hard. So we’ve put together a list of dorm room essentials and unique finds to inspire you. It’s also important to not break the bank on dorm room decorations. While you look through our dorm room ideas, remember that you can earn Cash Back on all your dorm furniture when you shop with Ebates. Get the dorm room decor you need without draining your savings. Now that’s a class act!

Himalayan Ionic Salt Lamp

When space is at a premium, it’s important to make sure everything you decorate with is multi-functional. When heated, this hand-carved Himalayan salt crystal lamp glows with a beautiful natural light and emits negative ions that help clear the air and dilute odors. A bedside lamp that neutralizes your roommate’s gym socks? Genius.

Emoji Pillow

There’s no reason your dorm bedding has to be super serious. This comfy, squishy pillow from Sears is not only the perfect size for a dorm bed, but it’s a quirky way to express yourself in an unmistakable way and show off your silly side.

Sunset Tapestry

Use this handmade fine art photography print as a bedspread, wall hanging or curtain and bring the beauty of nature inside. Shop Etsy for unique handmade goods and tons of other bedroom ideas and use a bedroom décor promo code from Ebates to save on everything you buy.