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December 24, 2016

7 Super Cool Hobbies That Require Zero Skills

If you have ever wished you had a hobby but you know you’re too lazy to pursue one, this is your lucky day. While a two-week intensive course on beekeeping or private guitar lessons sound super fun (and you’d probably look amazing busting out the guitar solo from “Free Bird” in full protective bee gear), we’re betting those things are pretty pricey and require some natural ability, like, say, manual dexterity or a non-fear of bees (which is totes a skill). So let’s lower the bar just a tad and consider one of these easy and cheap hobbies. Ebates has everything you need to get into some majorly cool hobbies while you rack up some Cash Back.

Meditation: If you can sit still and listen quietly to your own breath, you can meditate. Treat stress and get in touch with your body with only a few minutes of meditation a day. Up the ante by increasing your meditation time gradually and you’ll find your center in less time than you think. To help you get started, search for free meditation apps on your phone. Some provide calming sounds or voice direction to help you melt into your meditation practice.

Coloring: Coloring in adult coloring books, like this adorable one featuring calming cats, is another hobby for the overly stressed. All the hard work of illustrating is done for you, leaving you free to create with color and even tape it to the fridge if you do a gold-star job.

Podcasts: Now you can finally know what the heck all your friends have been talking about. Download podcasts for your car commute or morning train ride on any subject you choose. Go for popular podcasts like “This American Life“ and “Modern Love“, or find top podcasts on special interests like history, pop culture, comedy and more.

Hiking: You don’t have to be an Eagle Scout to get into exploring local trails and landscapes. Hiking is for everyone, and all you need is a map and a good pair of boots like these Danner cascade boots from REI. REI also has a great blog and buyer’s guide so you can find the perfect footwear for your next trek.

Upcycling: Even if you’ve never crafted or taken on a DIY project in your life, upcycling is as easy as it gets. Take the things you no longer use and give them new life with just a few supplies you can get at crafts stores like Michaels or Jo-Ann Fabric. To get you started, seek some inspiration from top blogs such as Upcycle That and ReFashionista.

Calligraphy: In this digital age, you can easily stand apart from the pack by mastering the thank-you note and spiffing them up with some calligraphy. It’s easy to learn and incredibly calming. This starter kit from Etsy will provide everything you need to get scrawling in style.

Blogging: Got some daily musings or rantings to share with the world? Build your own creative space while keeping your writing skills sharp by starting your own blog. WordPress has free blog templates, or you can create your own custom website with GoDaddy. Their site builder is easy to use, and web hosting is affordable for any budget.

Which of these hobbies piques your interest? Let us know with a comment below!

Prices and Cash Back percentages are subject to change.

August 6, 2016

How to Master the Art of Patched Denim

We’re sure you’ve noticed grown women reliving their punk rock high school days in the form of a patched denim jacket or vest and we’re here to say we officially love it. Why? Any fashion trend that is built around customization is key for creating a look that is “in” but still entirely you. Not to mention, denim vests are a great tool for dressing down evening wear for a daring daytime style, like this metallic dress/vest combo:

Want to try your hand at the patched denim trend but feeling intimidated? Let us walk you through the experience of planning, shopping, assembling and styling your very own patched jean jacket or vest while getting some Cash Back at Ebates. We’ll help you find the iron-on denim patches that tout your personality to a T and offer a few handy tips from first-hand experience.

To sleeve or not to sleeve? This may seem like a simple decision but here are a few questions to ask yourself when shopping for what will be the canvas to your wearable masterpiece.

What do you own that can be layered with a vest?
Which piece would you get more mileage out of?
Is your patched denim vest or jacket something you would like to wear regularly or only occasionally?
Would a dark wash or light wash coordinate more with your current wardrobe?

Once you have selected cut and color, now it’s time to dive into the infinite world of patched and pins!

This step can seem overwhelming but trust us, it’s too fun to be stressful. Here are three simple tips to remember when shopping around.

Pick your centerpiece or large patches first. Whether you have one big back piece or a few larger patches, select them first so you can get an idea of how much space your will have left for smaller pieces like enamel pins.
Choose a tone. Will most of your pieces be sweet, sassy or edgy? You can definitely mix it up but it helps to have a general theme in mind.
Pick your top five favorite things in the world. It could be pizza, Parks and Rec or Paris. It doesn’t matter. You can find a patch or pin to represent it.

Our Favorite Patch and Pin Stores on Etsy!

Strawberry Moth
That’s Sew Bethany
Wildflower + Co.
Sarah Duyer
For the Love of Patch
Buried Diamond
Lizmiera
Heartificial
Anchor and Stitch

You’ve got the outwear and the hardware. Now it’s time to patch. We recommend throwing a little party with a friend or two to make a couple of hours with the ironing board a little less tedious. We say hours because:

Not all patches are created equal. Some take longer to iron. Make sure to use the highest temp with full steam unless instructions for each patch note otherwise.
Ironing blind is hard. It is recommended for most patches that you not iron the front of the patch. That means you have to lay it upside down them place the jacket on top of it. If you have a glass table you can climb under, that really helps to see that the placement is correct before ironing.
Touch ups may be required. You can iron to the best of your ability and a patch could stubbornly refuse to fuse. Avoid the urge to rip your hair out by purchasing some Liquid Stitch from Joann beforehand. It really is a lifesaver when patched go rogue.

Your labor of love is officially done and now it’s time to strut. Let those colorful patches catch eyes from across the sidewalk by wearing neutrals underneath. And never, NEVER wear them with blue denim bottoms, regardless of wash. You remember that infamous Brittany and Justin look, right?

We get it. You’re a busy girl and you would much rather dish out a little extra money than get your hands dirty. Luckily, a lot of patched denim pieces are pretty reasonable and all of these come with Cash Back! It may not be your own hand-made baby but you can still give it a good home.

August 2, 2016

8 Unusual Coloring Books for Adults Who Need to Chill

Of all the de-stressing techniques out there — from massage to yoga — coloring is definitely the cheapest and easiest. Anyone can pick up crayons or colored pencils and let their imagination take over. And what better time to do it than today on National Coloring Book Day?

We know you’ve seen your fair share of mesmerizing mandalas, blooming bouquets and cute cats in coloring-book form. So we’ve rounded up a few options that are a little outside the box for all you pop-culture junkies and appreciators of absurd humor. Treat yourself to some of these unusual coloring books with Cash Back at Ebates. Warning: Some of these are not appropriate for kids. But you weren’t going to share anyway, right?

Vogue Colors A to Z: A Fashion Coloring Book

After a long day of screaming kids or boring meetings, you can pretend you are a world-famous fashion designer sketching away on your Parisian balcony with this super chic Vogue coloring book.

The Official “Game of Thrones” Coloring Book

Go medieval with your me-time. This intricate “Game of Thrones” coloring book from Michaels will help you create fan art in less time than it takes to binge-watch a season.

Swear Word Coloring Book

Color some choice words and phrases instead of screaming them into a pillow or inside your car during rush hour. Trust us: It feels better and reduces frown lines.

Dinosaurs With Jobs

Remember when you were obsessed with dinosaurs? And that was when you only saw them walking around in books or eating people in movies. Now you get to see them face the everyday obstacles you know all too well in this coloring book available at The Book Depository.

Bun B’s Rap Coloring and Activity Book

Coloring is great and all, but what about paper dolls? And what about rap-star paper dolls? Fill in the lines and play dress-up with some of the baddest hip-hop artists, including (but not limited to) Queen Latifah, Drake, Wiz Khalifa, Childish Gambino and Questlove.

Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel Coloring Book

You may not have the time or the funds to travel the world, but you can see some of your favorites in non-living color.

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Happy Snacks Coloring Book

Stress eating: The struggle is real. Quash those pesky snacking habits by coloring cute versions of your favorite junk foods.

Unicorns Are Jerks

We hate to disappoint you, but unicorns aren’t all majestic and sweet, as demonstrated in this coloring book from BooksAMillion. But at the end of a long, hard day that has brought out some of your choice character defects, isn’t it kind of a relief that they aren’t perfect either?

March 2, 2016

#ICYMI: Our Top February Blog Posts

February was a blast this year, with that one extra day and all! Over the month at The Smart Shopper, we tried out Sephora’s new Virtual Artist app, shared cute umbrellas and gave tips on budget apartment decorating. But “In Case You Missed It,” here are some of our top February blog posts featuring top stores, hot deals and Cash Back at Ebates.

17 Things That Happen When You Get Paid to Shop

Have you gotten your Big Fat Check from Ebates yet? Here’s a little preview of what will happen when you shop and get Cash Back.

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Where to Score the Best Birthday Freebies

These Cash Back stores want to help you celebrate another year wiser with some free gifts and discounts. Find out how to get birthday freebies here!

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These Soy Candles Smell Like Disney Magic

Fill your home with the tantalizing scents of Disneyland yumminess and capture the essence of Disney characters with these amazing candles, only at Etsy.

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7 Super Cool Hobbies That Require Zero Skills

Mix things up and broaden your horizons with a new way to pass the time. These seven cool hobbies are perfect for any skill level.

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How to Save on Entertainment and Event Tickets

Catch a movie or a show, or just explore your city for less with these tips on how to score big savings on event tickets and more.

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Be sure to stay tuned for more to come in March. We’re always discovering new trends, adding new stores and coupons, and rounding up more ways to get paid to shop for the things you love. Whether you’re into fashion, tech, home and garden, travel or sports, we have the inside scoop on the best products and deals online and in-store. If you’re not an Ebates member, join today to free!

April 16, 2015

Gardening Tips for Beginners

Spring is the time of new beginnings. And if you’re thinking of taking advantage of the new season by spending time in your yard and starting a garden, we have a few tips for you. Make sure to check out all the stores that have Double Cash Back during Home and Garden Week over at Ebates! You’ll find some great deals on all the gardening tools you need a stores like Home Depot, Sears, and Walmart.

1. Plan
The first step may seem obvious but it is important! Plan what you want. Do you want a flower garden, vegetable garden or herb garden? Keep in mind that it is better to start small. You can always add more once your garden starts to be successful.

2. Choose a place to plant
Do you have a sunny or shady space to plant? This can be a deciding factor on what to plant as most vegetables and some flowers require about six hours of sun each day. So if you don’t have a lot of sun, look for plants that can tolerate the shade. Make sure that you plant your garden where you can’t ignore it. If your garden starts to need attention, you’ll notice it faster than if you put it in an area you rarely see daily.

3. Prepare the ground
Get rid of the sod that is covering the area you want to plant and spread compost to improve the soil. Using an organic material will boost your soil. Using compost, dry grass clippings, decayed leaves, or old manure will improve the soil and make a perfect starting point for your garden.

4. Decide on your plants
Now that you’ve picked your area and what type of garden you want to have, you’ll want to pick what you want to plant. Some plants are harder to grow and maintain than others, so we suggest these easy-to-grow plants for beginners. If you’re planning to plant flowers, try out marigolds, geraniums, pansies, or daylilies. If you’re planning to plant vegetables, go for peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, and cucumbers.

5. Put them in the ground
Learn about which plant you’ve chosen and when the best time to plant them is. Some plants and vegetables are picky about the cold and you will want to wait until all frost has passed. Some plants will fare better planted in autumn or late winter. Some plants, such as lettuce and sunflowers, are easy to grow from seeds. But you may find that it is easier for some flowers to buy a set plant or transplant and just pop it in the ground and grow from there.

6. Water your plants
You’ll want to water your seedlings daily, as they should never dry out. As they grow, you can taper this off. The new transplants will need watering every other day until their roots become established into the ground. After the initial process, watering depends on the humidity of your climate, soil, and how often it rains. If you see that your plants are starting to wilt, they are in need of water. Slowly water so that it is absorbed and does not run off.

7. Keep it up
You’ve started your garden! Keep in mind that the garden will take work. You need to water when needed and pull weeds before they grow large and overtake your garden. In the end, just stop and smell the roses. Or whatever you choose to plant!

Do you enjoy gardening? Are you planning to start one this year? Let us know by leaving a comment!

Stay in the loop to hear about great deals and tips!

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

April 2, 2015

8 Eggstraordinary Easter Egg Decorating Ideas

With Easter just around the corner, many of us are gearing up to do some easter egg decorating. Eggs have been dyed in the traditional spring pastel colors for years, so why not get a bit more creative this year? Glitter, washi tape, and metallic markers have changed the way we decorate eggs. With so many amazing designs, you’ll want to decorate more than the usual dozen! We’ve chosen eight of our favorite designs for you to try, but there are hundreds of creative ways to decorate. On to the eggscellent decorations! (Bad pun – but we had to!)

Chalkboard paint is such a fun and creative way to spice up a wall, furniture, fall pumpkin and, now, eggs! The DIY gurus over at Shelterness show how to make these delightful eggs that can be redecorated over and over again.

If you want to keep decorating simple but allow for creativity, mom.me shows how easy it is to decorate eggs with permanent markers. The best part is there is little mess and even less clean up!

Do you love lace? Then these lace patterned eggs from DIY Til We Die will have you excited to break out the vinegar. You can use lace strips or completely cover the egg in lace for different effects.

The washi tape craze is still going and egg decorating has not been left out! Lovely Indeed explains just how easy it is to grab some tape and scissors and make fabulously festive egg decorations.

If you are planning on using eggs only for decoration, these sprinkle eggs from Studio DIY might be perfect for you. While they may look delicious, you definitely don’t want to snack on these eggs!

Marble patterns are so pretty and the creative geniuses at Camille Styles show us how to use nail polish to achieve the perfect marbleized eggs. It’s amazing to see just how differently each egg turns out!

Is there anything that you can’t decorate with glitter? Maybe, but eggs aren’t one of them! Girl. Inspired. shows off the multiple ways to decorate eggs with a little sparkle (or a lot!)

While there isn’t a goose that lays golden eggs, you can add a touch of gold to your eggs this year with this how-to from Freutcake! Gold leaf looks amazing over both bright and pastel colors.

With all these amazing tutorials, there is no eggscuse to not decorate eggs this year. (Once we start, we can’t stop!) Let us know in a comment below how you plan on decorating your easter eggs this year!

Stay in the loop to hear about great deals and tips!

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.