tips and tricks – Page 3

March 25, 2015

Music Festival Survival Guide

Festival season is upon us and if you’re new to the world of all-day music extravaganzas, a little planning will go a long way in terms of what you should bring along. You’ll be in it for the long haul all in the name of rocking out and spending quality time with your best buds. Get prepared with our festival checklist of essential items including a few tried and true life hacks that will make your experience just a little easier.

music_festival_packing — via Bows and Sequins

Festival Packing List:

Mini flashlight – Don’t get caught in a porta-potty after dark without one.
Hand sanitizer – Because porta-potties are gross
Tissues – Because porta-potties run out of TP way too fast
Baby wipes – For messes and spills
Portable cellphone charger
Earplugs
Water bottle – Pro Tip: Freeze it first and use it as an ice pack for quick relief from the heat.
Lip balm with SPF – Nothing worse than sunburn on your lips
Sunscreen
Snacks – Food at festivals is expensive with very long lines. Pack a couple of energy bars to keep you fueled between jumbo hot dogs.
Plastic rain poncho – Because rain happens. Lightweight, easily folds into a tiny square.
Cheap sunglasses – Leave the designer shades at home. Things get rowdy.

Quick Festival Tips:

1. Carry a mini shoulder bag. All of the above items are small enough to cram into it, plus backpacks are invitations for theft since you don’t have eyes in the back of your head.

2. Make a custom staff or flag. If you’re going with a large group, avoid getting broken up in the crowd by letting your freak flag fly high for all to see.

3. Wear closed-toe shoes. You may be tempted to sport sandals but your toes WILL get stepped on. Better protect those piggies.

4. Use hair ties to secure maxi skirts during calls of nature. Wear them on your wrist (they’ll hardly stand out among your bangles and friendship bracelets) and use them to bundle up your maxi skirt so it doesn’t get in the way while in the confined space of a porta-potty. Genius, right?

5. Tie a lightweight scarf around your waist or bag strap. It will be perfect for sitting on in the grass instead of a bulky blanket or towel.

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March 9, 2015

Stressed Out? 5 Tips to De-stress

Living in the modern world has its perks, and while iPhones and Netflix streaming are great, modern life also comes with a fair amount of stress. With our constant connectivity, we’re “on” for longer and longer periods, making it tougher to just unplug, rewind, and recharge. Stress brings a hefty supply of negative effects with it, like headaches and sleep problems, anxiety and difficulty focusing, and changes to your eating habits. That’s no fun for anybody, so we’ve put together some easy tips for relaxing and de-stressing. Start using these five strategies and you’ll be stress-free in no time!

1. Make the Bedroom Your Zen Zone
If you’re dealing with the insomnia that can accompany high stress levels, sometimes you need to adjust your bedroom. Making your bedroom a “Zen Zone” is a good way to make sure you can take your mind off of stressors and enjoy a full night’s rest when you go to bed. Avoid eating, working from your laptop, watching television, and similar activities in your bedroom to ensure the focus of the space is for restful sleep.

2. Get More Exercise
One of the best stress relievers and ways to get your mind off of things is to get active. Exercise takes on many forms, and finding one that you enjoy is a learning process. Yoga is a great way to relax and shift your focus toward your physical activity instead of whatever is stressing you. You can join a yoga class or do it at home. If you prefer the outdoors, jogging around a local park is a great way to get some fresh air and vitamin D.

3. Start Meditating
You might get a taste of this in yoga, but meditation is a great practice that anyone can enjoy, regardless of your physical condition. There are tons of online resources and guides to help you get started, but the best methods for beginners are usually ones that focus on breathing. It’s an easy practice to incorporate into your daily routine, and the calming effect is noticeable after your first session.

4. Reduce Your Caffeine Intake
While coffee keeps the world turning round, there can be too much of a good thing. If you’re a bona fide caffeine addict, you’re not doing yourself any favors in the stress department. Try cutting back to a single cup in the morning and see if you notice a difference after a few weeks. Try drinking water infused with fruit instead of reaching for coffee or a soda. Coffee isn’t an easy habit to drop cold turkey, but gradual reduction can do wonders for your stress levels.

5. Give Yourself a Home Spa Treatment
Sometimes the trick to letting go of your stress is just a little pampering. Try turning your bathroom into a home spa space. With Bed Bath and Beyond coupons at Ebates, you can get discounts and cash back on home spa products like aromatherapy bath salts, plush robes, and more.

Give these five stress relieving tips a try and see what works for you! Cheers to a new stress-free you!

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March 5, 2015

Clean Up Your Spring Cleaning Routine

It’s that time of year that many of us dread—spring cleaning. It may seem like an arduous task but once you’ve ditched the dirt and cleared out the clutter, you’ll feel like you’ve moved into a brand new home. To help you get started, we’ve got quite a few tips to make the process of spring cleaning go as smoothly as possible.

De-Dirt the Doormats
Your doormat is what helps prevent outside dirt from coming in, so keeping them clean is important to make sure they continue to do what they were designed to do. Shake them out, give them a wash, or swat them with a broom. If they are really bad, consider replacing them.

Clean Painted Walls
To clean a painted wall, start with a clean sponge or cloth and water. If there are stubborn stains, mix a little mild dishwashing liquid with the water and dip your cloth or sponge into the mixture. Dry the walls with a clean cloth.

Protect Wooden Floors
Guard your floor against scratches by using surface protectors on the underside of furniture legs. Replace any if they become dirty or worn. Place saucers under plants to protect against water damage. Use a damp mop with a mild soap once a week to keep your wood floor protected and clean.

Wash Windows
Using a rubber-edged squeegee instead of a cloth or paper towel makes the process of washing dirty panes a breeze. Wet your window with a sponge dipped into a bucket of warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap. Dampen the squeegee and draw it down the pane using overlapping strokes and wiping the rubber edge with the sponge after each stroke. Dry the windowsills with a cloth after you are done.

Dust Lightbulbs
Unscrew lightbulbs and polish with a microfiber cloth dampened with water. Make sure to avoid wetting the metal screw base when cleaning. If you have recessed lighting, use a telescoping duster to clean.

Wash Blinds and Curtains
Wipe wooden blinds with a few drops of wood cleaner onto a mostly-dry sponge. For aluminum blinds, take them to the outdoors to be washed. Place on a slanted surface and scrub with water and a non-corrosive cleaner. Rise well with a hose and dry the blinds thoroughly with a towel to prevent rust. Clean your curtains by either vacuuming and steam cleaning or have them dry-cleaned.

Deep-Clean Carpets and Rugs
Rent (or buy) a shampooer/extractor for synthetic carpeting. This helps clean the fibers and removes the soap traces with hot water. After cleaning, place a small piece of wax paper under each leg to protect your carpet and keep the furniture legs from getting wet while the carpet dries. Open windows to speed up the drying process. For valuable or wool carpets and rugs, call a professional for cleaning.

Caring For Tile
When cleaning kitchen and bathroom tiles, mixing baking soda and water makes a great homemade that is free of harmful chemicals. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into 2 gallons of water and mix well. Apply the liquid to the tiles with a mop or sponge.

Clean Out the Refrigerator
This daunting task may be the scariest one on the list, but it is much more manageable to do when broken down into steps. Wipe up any spills immediately to prevent future stains. Throw out old food on a weekly basis. Every few months, wash the interior of the fridge by mixing 2 tablespoons of baking soda into a quart of warm water. Let glass shelves come to room temperature before washing. If there is a hardened stain, loosen it by wetting with the solution before wiping up. Use a toothbrush to scrub the nook and crannies. Twice a year, vacuum or brush dust the condenser coils. Built-up dust can overhead the unit causing it to shut down.

Spring cleaning seems daunting at first, but making a checklist of what needs to be done and assigning rolls over a couple of days makes the process painless and productive. What spring cleaning tip do you use each year?

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February 19, 2015

Tips on Filing Taxes

It’s that time of year again, the time to file your taxes. Whether you’re a veteran expert, a loophole whiz, or a first time filer, we can all use a little refresher on the best ways to maximize our returns and minimize our liabilities. It might not be the most fun thing in the world, but filing your taxes doesn’t need to be a total drag. We’ve got you covered with tips for filing your taxes this year as well as where to get Cash Back while doing so.

1. Don’t put it off until the last minute.
While taxpayers don’t need to file their 2014 taxes until April 15, 2015, it’s never a good idea to wait until the final days to do it. Aside from running the risk of penalties, you might not leave yourself enough time to look into all of your possible deductions and credits thoroughly. And if you’re eligible for a tax return, who wants to wait for that check? Once you’ve finished filling your taxes, it’ll be a huge relief, and you can look forward to spending those returns on Amazon using Ebates cash back and coupons!

2. Hunt for deductions.
Filing your taxes might seem exhausting, but hunting for the deductions you’re eligible to receive can be fun in its own way. Things like moving more than 50 miles for a new job, donating clothes and household items to charity, or even job hunting can help you save money on your taxes, so it’s worth tracking your expenses and holding onto those receipts.

3. Determine whether to file jointly or separately.
While the vast majority of married couples chose to file their taxes jointly to save time, it’s not always the best strategy to maximize your savings. Try calculating your taxes both ways to determine which will be more financially advisable. It might take more time, but the savings are totally worth the extra elbow grease.

4. Use TurboTax.
Around four out of five taxpayers file their taxes electronically, and have done so for the past three years. One of the most common ways they’re doing it? TurboTax. The super user-friendly tax filing service is clear, efficient with your time, and directs you to potential deductions.

5. Use TurboTax coupons & coupon codes.
While the basic TurboTax service is free of charge, additional features and premium services are charged accordingly. But fear not, TurboTax coupons and coupon codes from Ebates can give you substantial savings on your filing fees, so you don’t have to cut into your return before it even arrives.

Filing your taxes might take a while to wrap up, but you’ll feel great once it’s done!

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January 28, 2015

How to Make Valentine’s Day Special For Him

Valentine’s Day is usually catered to the woman in the relationship leaving the men just a bit stressed. Guys tend to have to plan out the date and secure the perfect gift. But we urge everyone to switch it up a bit! Make it something he’ll enjoy, not dread! We’ve come up with some cute Valentine’s Day ideas for him guaranteed to make the special man in your life feel loved this February.

Breakfast in Bed (Made Simple)
When planning a Valentine’s Day for him, breakfast in bed is the ultimate morning treat! Waking up to breakfast in bed sets the whole mood for the day, and you don’t have to get fancy with freshly-squeezed juice or handmade pastries (unless you have the time!) to make this a special surprise. We love this 1 Minute Coffee Cake in a Mug from Chocolate Covered Katie that not only looks delicious, but is also easy! Pop this mixture in the microwave, add a cup of coffee, and consider his morning made.

Subscription Boxes
Monthly subscription boxes have been becoming more popular lately and women are not the only one’s getting in on the trend. With so many types of subscription boxes, there will definitely be one out there just for him! Our favorites include NatureBox for snack food lovers, LootCrate for the geeks and gamers, and Birchbox Men. What’s great about these programs is you can buy just one box, or sign him up for a couple months!

Sweet Treats
One of the best parts about Valentine’s Day is the rich and sweet treats. From candies and cakes, to cookies and brownies, there are a lot of choices to pick from! We’ve gathered three of the tastiest (and sweetest) goodies to gift him: Ombre Nutella Cups from The Baking Robot, Sweetheart Cherry Pies from Cake Student, Marbled Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies from The Novice Chef . Quick tip: Not the best at baking? Call over a girlfriend to help make the treats and split them with her (while making sure to taste some for yourselves of course!)

Romantic Homemade Dinner
Nothing spells romance like a candlelit dinner for two. Avoid the craziness of other couples this year by staying in and making food for you and your special man. This Chicken with Herb-Roasted Tomatoes and Pan Sauce from Bon Appetit tastes like something you’d find in a restaurant, dishes up beautifully, and pairs well with either rice or roasted potatoes. It looks complicated, but it’s fairly easy and very delicious! Once you plate up and sit down, you’ll both be thankful for the quiet evening in.

Cooking For Two
Make the adventure of cooking a date! Cooking together is easily one of the best ways to spend quality time with your loved one and strengthens the relationship. Find a fun recipe to cook together (we recommend this Thin Crust Skillet Pizza for Two from Pass the Sushi) and channel your inner chef. You’ll end up creating a tasty meal for the night and memories that last a lifetime.

Movie Night
Keeping it simple can definitely be better. A movie night on the couch (complete with a blanket fort) can be just what he needs when he walks in the door. Stock up on the essentials like popcorn and candy (or make this homemade Zebra Caramel Corn from Creme de la Crumb), and let him choose the movie. You’ll both enjoy cuddling up with this relaxing date idea.

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