Extra Alaska Air Miles at Safeway

We live a block away from a Safeway, and do most of our grocery shopping there. It turns out that in Alaska, Washington, Idaho and Montanna, Safeway will contribute 125 Alaskan frequent flyer miles for every $250 dollars spent. My wife and I do have an Alaskan Credit card, that we could also use for additional frequent flyer miles, but our Chase Debit Rewards provides a better cash back reward. Since groceries is one of our biggest expenses, we can rack up points pretty quick.

During a single transaction at Safeway, our Credit Card-Fu is to use a Chase debit Rewards card, Safeway Club Card, the Safeway Alaskan Frequent Flyer Miles, and the Safeway gas discount.



For every $100.00 spent we get:
400 pts, 20% off on applicable items, 50 miles, and 3 cents off gas.


What are some of your Credit Card-Fu moves?

Quick Tip: Alway Bring a Pen and Paper to a Meeting

Though obvious to most, it never ceases to amaze me how many people show up to business meetings without a pen and paper. Even if you don't take any notes, at least be prepared. Having the proper tools shows professionalism, while showing up empty handed implies that the meeting is a waste of your time.

I alway carry a pen on me, even when I'm just stepping away from my desk for a momment, but I have OCD problems. My little black book is also great for taking quick notes.

Secret Cash Stash

According to balancedweightmanagement.com, the average American family goes out to eat 50% of the time. During the holidays, it's also customary to dine out more frequently with friends, family, and co-workers. Unfortunately, dividing the bill among large groups can prove to be a hassle. The restaurant may split the bill, but usually somebody gets stuck paying more than their fair share. In the spirit of Christmas, phrases like "I'll get you next time" and "mine is only 8.99, so here's $10" are nonchalantly exchanged like cheap white elephant gifts until those with only credit cards are left to make up the difference. After table negotiates, the waiter is presented with an array of cards resembling a jigsaw puzzle with vague instructions like"$25 on my card, $47 on his blue Visa, and here is the rest in cash." Most people forget to add tax and tip when adding up their menu items. Needless to say, friends are begrudged for having to cover for others, and the waiters almost always get screwed.

Having personally been on both sides of this transaction, my advice is to always carry a secret stash of cash in your wallet. Keep the stash separate from your regular spending cash, and use it specifically for these kind of situations. When the bill comes around, look at it carefully. Make sure to contribute enough for all of you consumptions, plus tax, plus tip, and maybe a little extra as a friendly gesture. By using cash responsibly, you won't be forced to pay for everyones elses meal, and you won't be placing a burden on others at the table.

10 Great Movies That You Never Knew Existed

Below are some of my favorite indie films of all time. Don't be surprised if you've never heard of them. Many of these movie never made it to main stream theaters, but they are definately worth renting.

Surely there are more that I forgot, but this is off the top of my head.

Quick Trick: Keep Toilet Paper at Your Desk

Take a roll of toilet paper from the bathroom at work and keep it in your desk drawer. It will come in handy for blowing your nose, cleaning up spills, or as an eraser for a dry erase board. Best of all it's free. No more spending money on a box of kleenex. Just a quick trick.

The Cost of Clutter

When buying a house, we want to maximize the amount of space for our money. Real estate agents commonly do this by determining the "cost per square foot" when comparing homes. Determining the cost per square foot is simple, just divide the price of the house by it's size.

• Price ÷ Square feet = Cost per square Foot
  
  According to census.gov, the average price of a new home in the U.S. is $292,600, and the average size is 2,215 sq ft. This means that a square foot of space on your floor deems a value of $132.00. I don't know about you, but junk filled boxes occupy many square feet of my garage floor and the contents of each box are not worth $132.00. Now try to imagine all of the surface area of clutter in your house. How many boxes could you fill? Think of each box costing you $132.00. All the space you worked so hard to buy is currently being wasted by clutter.
  
  Clutter is simply a poor allocation of resources. Would you allow a stranger to occupy a room without paying rent? Of course not, so why waste a room storing junk that will never be used. In either case you are paying rent or a mortgage for unusable space.
  
  So don't ask yourself if the clutter "is worth keeping", ask yourself "is it worth paying $132.00 to keep?"

Send Your Finances on a Camping Trip

Ever wonder why we spend our precious vacation time camping in the woods? Why we voluntarily sleep on an uncomfortable inflatable mattress inside a dirty tent? Well...Its because it makes our regular bed feel that much more comfortable when we return home. Camping gives us an appreciation for the modern conveniences that we normally take for granted.


Our spending habits, are another thing that many of us take for granted. With Christmas just around the corner, now is a perfect time to send your finances on a camping trip.


Financial Camping
After paying your mortgage, credit cards, utilities, and any other regular bills, try temporarily living off only 10% of your paycheck. This experience can be humbling, and only leaves room for the bare essentials. You may be spending more time at home living off rice and beans, but remember its only temporary.


While "Financial Camping" you may also have to pass up a night out with friends, and the sweatshirt on sale at the mall. You will have to prioritize your trips in the car, and pack a lunch to work. You will have to scrape to make artificial ends meet, but after its over, you will be left with a large amount of unspent money.


Unexpected expenses like car repairs and medical bills happen to all of us. We some how find a way to get past them. I have faith that you can survive a Financial Camping trip, and you'll be better off for it. Plan a Financial Camping trip on your calendar today, you won't even need time off from work.