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Pick the best travel credit card like a pro

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A68PNE Passengers on board holiday jet in flight seated three each side of gangway aisle
Travel rewards have become about much more than just earning airline miles, and if you've been carrying the same card for years, you might be missing out on better rewards for the same or lower fee as banks and airlines fight for your business.

If you don't want to think much, and just want one card with a good offer, a comparison site like MileCards.com will let you enter your spending habits and tell you which cards earn you the most miles, or you can browse a list of the best travel credit cards.

But travel pros who have racked up millions of miles diversify their loyalty to reap the most rewards.

Gary Leff, an air travel expert who writes the View From the Wing blog, suggests three reasons to get a card. The first reason is the sign on bonus, which can offer significant value. The second is to take advantage of perks offered by the card, including free bags and priority boarding. And third, you should use a card that lets you rack up miles most quickly based on your spending pattern.

Very few cards offer do all three of these things well, so experts often hold more than one credit card to get the most out of things.

For example, many of the airline branded cards offer a first free checked bag. If you tend to use the same airline a couple times a year and check a bag, you can save the annual fee in bag fees, plus get perks like priority boarding. But these cards rarely offer you the most miles for every dollar you spend.

Instead, consider putting your spending on a card that earns transferable points, while keeping the airline card for the perks.

Transferable points are a favorite of Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy blog. They let you book travel two ways. First, you can transfer them into real airline miles with several airlines. Second, you can choose to use them like cash to book flights on any airline.

That makes them really flexible - you can add to the miles you've earned by flying, or you can use them like cash if you don't want to deal with the rules of airline miles for a trip. Chase, American Express, and Citibank each have cards that offer transferable points. Many offer special bonuses on spending categories like dining and gas, so they can earn points more quickly than a single airline card.

Regardless of what card you choose - get to know the benefits. Many travel credit cards offer coverage that's similar to the travel insurance airlines and travel agencies will try to sell you. You could be reimbursed if you need to cancel a trip because you get very ill, or get covered for a hotel if your flight gets delayed. There's no extra charge - just book your flight with the card to activate the coverage. These benefits aren't widely advertised, so read the benefits booklet that gets mailed with your card to see what you can use.

Best Travel Reward Credit Card Offers of 2016

 

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10 ways to become financially sexier

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When it comes to the qualities it takes to become "financially sexy," several personal finance bloggers have already weighed in.

One example is a blog post written by Shannon of Financially Blonde. According to Shannon, a good credit score and a savings rate of at least 15 percent are the biggest indicators of a financially sexy person.

J. Money from Budgets are Sexy wrote a post on the topic as well, citing good credit, a solid savings rate above 15 percent, an emergency fund, and very little debt as the top qualities of a super sexy, fiscally responsible person.

But I wanted to take things a few steps further. Being financially sexy is great and all, but why not become financially sexier?

10 Ways to Become Financially Sexier

In my eyes, financially sexier individuals are the ones who shoot for the stars when it comes to their finances. Not only do they take care of their credit and financial well-being, but they aim to retire early, fund exciting financial goals like paying for college or building a business, and even become filthy rich.

Financially sexier people don't just have a solid job in an in-demand industry; they actually own the company. And instead of saving just 15 percent of their income, they might save 30 percent, 40 percent, or even 50 percent, and live on the rest.

Since financially sexier people come in all shapes and sizes, I reached out to several money bloggers and financial planners to get their take on the best ways to boost your appearance when it comes to looks and money.

Want to become financially sexier? Here are some ways to make it happen:

#1 Don't Skimp On Life Insurance

"Sexy is purchasing life insurance to make sure your loved ones are taken care of in case you pass away," says Joseph Carbone of Focus Planning Group. "Sexier, however, is purchasing 10 to 15 times your salary to protect them."

According to a recent survey from Bankrate, 42 percent of families don't have life insurance at all. Plus, nearly half of respondents who did carry life insurance reported having $100,000 or less in coverage. For most people, that is not nearly enough.

By buying enough life insurance to take care of your family in the event of your death, you're covering your bases and helping your family sleep better at night. Can you think of anything sexier than that?

#2 Use Credit Wisely...and Earn Credit Card Rewards

"Sexy is paying off all your high-interest credit card debt and making sure your bills are paid in full every month," says Andrew McFadden, CFP and Founder of Panoramic Financial Advice. After all, it's never sexy to carry a balance on your credit card, and it's not sexy at all to pay interest on your purchases.

"Even sexier, though, is paying your balance every month and maximizing the rewards of the credit card to furnish one of life's pleasures," says McFadden.

Using credit wisely and responsibly is a must if you hope to be financially sexy. And obviously, a debt-free lifestyle is crucial, too. However, earning awesome rewards can take you to the next level. After all, is there anything sexier than earning free stuff?

#3 Have a Plan for Your Estate

The sexiest among us financially would never leave their loved ones in the lurch in the event of their death. Still, you can become even sexier by creating a comprehensive plan for your estate.

"Sexy is having a will in place in case anything happens to you," says Portland financial planner Grant Bledsoe. "Sexier is combining your will with beneficiary designations, advanced medical directives, trust documents, and powers of attorney to create an estate plan."

No matter what, there is nothing more attractive than having a plan in place to protect your family - and your assets - for future generations.

#4 Take Control of Your Income

"Sexy is asking for a raise at your job to increase your income," says financial planner Aaron Hatch of Woven Capital. "Sexier is creating additional streams of income by participating in the sharing economy or starting a side hustle."

Almost nothing is sexier than an entrepreneur who is able to set their own hours, work at their own pace, and earn unlimited income. And if you have a full-time job already, don't let that hold you back. After all, side hustles are sexy, too. The more money you can earn through hard work, the sexier you become.

#5 Know Your Bills and Expenses, and Track Them Carefully

This piece of criteria to become financially sexier comes from Lance at Money Manifesto:

"Sexy is paying all of your bills on time and in full every month. Even sexier, however, is having a spreadsheet that lists all of your bills and due dates so you never miss a payment even if your significant other needs to pay the bills for a month."

Lots of people manage to stay on top of their bills somehow, but the sexiest among us are much more organized than most. Not only do they pay their bills in full and on time, but they keep track of them, track them, and make sure their spouse or partner is in the loop.

#6 Have Monthly Financial Meetings

Having an annual family meeting to discuss your finances is an extremely smart move. But, do you know what's sexier? Here's what Jim Wang of Wallet Hacks has to say:

"Sexier is having that meeting on a monthly basis so you're never more than four weeks away from being able to talk and think about big picture financial issues."

If an annual meeting can help your finances, a monthly meeting should produce even better results. Of course, the financially sexiest among us are already having monthly meetings and using them to reach all of their short-term and long-term goals.

#7 Actually Pay Off Your House

"Sexy is having a 20% down payment when you buy your new house to avoid PMI, says John Schmoll, the blogger behind Frugal Rules. "Sexier is putting down more, and paying more aggressively so you can be mortgage debt free in less than half the term of the mortgage."

A fifteen-year mortgage is definitely sexier than a thirty-year loan since you'll own you home outright in half the time. To take things a step further, paying down your mortgage faster is even better if you're already investing heavily and meeting other financial goals.

Can you think of anything sexier than owning our home outright before the age of 40? I can't.

#8 Use a Budget No Matter How Rich You Become

Michelle Schroeder-Gardner of Making Sense of Cents says it's sexy to create a budget and live by it. What's even sexier, though?

"Even sexier is, no matter how much money you make, still living by that budget," she says.

It's normal to improve your lifestyle as you earn more money, but keeping lifestyle inflation in check is a smart way to grow your wealth. It's not only okay to stick to your budget when you're already rich; it's also sexy.

#9 Take Control of Your Life

"Sexy is getting on a monthly budget and controlling your money," says money blogger Greg Johnson of Club Thrifty.

What's even sexier though, says Greg, is getting out of debt and using the extra money to seize control of your life!

"Being in debt consumes big chunks of your paycheck each month," says Johnson. "Living without debt is like giving yourself a raise, creating more options for living life on your own terms."

Ask anyone you know, and they'll say there is nothing sexier than someone in control of their own destiny. Want to be financially sexier? Take control of your life, and don't let anyone stand in the way of your dreams.

#10 Make Charitable Giving a Priority

While giving to charity is undoubtedly sexy, San Diego Financial Planner Taylor Schulte offers a suggestion on how to take that sexiness up a notch.

"Sexy is being charitably inclined and giving back to the organizations you love and support," says Schulte. "Sexier, however, is using a donor-advised fund to maximize the tax benefits of your annual donations and develop a more strategic giving strategy."

Giving to charities you believe in is the right thing to do and a goal all of us should strive for, but there is something inherently sexy about someone who knows how to maximize their donations as much as possible. So, don't just give blindly; create a plan that helps you maximize the tax advantages of charitable giving as well. It's not just smart; it's sexy, too.

Final Thoughts

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but almost everyone will agree that, the better you are with money, the sexier you become.

If you want to take your financial sexiness to the next level, look for ways to make more money, make smarter decisions with the money you have, or leave your family better off. Not only will doing so make you more attractive in the eyes of everyone you meet, but it will leave you richer in the long run.

What do you think makes someone financially sexier? What would you add to this list?

 

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Save Loads with Homemade Laundry Detergent

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Save Loads with Homemade Laundry Detergent
Did you know: You can make a year's worth of laundry detergent for you and your family for under $20?

An average family can spend over $70 on store-bought detergent per year. Making your own isn't only better for the environment, it can save you over 80 percent -- and it only takes three ingredients.

First, take one bar of natural soap (like castile or a gentle glycerin soap) and finely grate it with a cheese grater. Then, take the soap flakes and sprinkle in one cup of washing soda and one cup of borax, sealing your new cleaning concoction in an airtight container.

When it's laundry time, mix in about 1-2 tablespoons per load. It doesn't take much with this concentrated material -- one batch of super-soap can get you through 40-50 loads.

Make more as needed, and you can even add powdered fabric softener and essential oils for a fresh scent. And yes, it'll even work in your high-efficiency washing machine too.

Spend a few minutes making your own laundry detergent, and you and your family can see savings all year long.

 

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The Do's and Don'ts of Saving with Bulk Bins

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THE DO'S AND DON'TS OF SAVING WITH BULK BINS
When we hear the phrase, "buy in bulk", a lot of us think of warehouse clubs, where buying higher quantities gets you a lower bulk rate. But today, we're going to talk about the bulk bin section of your grocery store - you know, that aisle with the clear bins filled with beans, nuts and grains? With bulk bins, buying only what you need is what's going to help you bag the most savings!

Let's start with spices. Things like cinnamon can be ridiculously overpriced in the bottle. If you look at how much you're getting versus how much you pay, this stuff prices-out at around $60 a pound! But, head over to the bulk bins and you'll only pay about $8 a pound! That's a savings of over 80%! And this doesn't only apply to spices! Grains, beans, dried fruit, coffee and tea can also be super-low cost in the bins.

Now before you start hoarding pounds of cinnamon in your basement, remember that all these ingredients have a shelf life, and the key to saving is to buy only what you need. Nuts and seeds can only hold for a few months unrefrigerated, and spices can go stale and lose flavor after about 6 months so it's important to know how long your items will last and store them in a cool, dark and dry place.

Lastly, remember that just because some items are cheaper in the bulk bin section, it doesn't mean that all items will be cheaper by default! Like with most groceries, make sure to compare the per-ounce or per-pound prices to make sure where the best deal lies.

So don't let the lack of flashy packaging and marketing fool you! Check out the bulk bins, and you can save a lot of money, and keep your ingredients fresh as well.

 

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Save on Back-to-School Lunches

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Save On Back-To-School Lunches
Did you know...Back-to-school lunches don't always have to set your budget back as well?

Let's start with the big money-drainers...the pre-packaged snacks. Sure, they're convenient, but those chips, pretzels and nuts can be marked up by as much as 50%! Instead, buy snacks in bulk or family size, and split the goodies into your own re-usable snack and sandwich baggies for each meal.

Next, we have the little juice boxes, notorious for their big mark-ups. Bottled drinks can cost up to $2 a pop. So to keep your kids hydrated without squeezing your budget dry, ditch the drink packs and invest in a re-suable bottle. Not only will you recoup your initial cost in the first week, you can use low-cost drink mixes and even start introducing healthier alternatives to soda.

Finally, a good time to find other re-suable containers is during back-to-school sales in early September. Make sure they're dishwasher safe and are durable enough to last through the year. And don't forget to have your kids test them out to make sure they can open and close easily too!

So when it comes to your little scholar, try out these tips, and you'll see that you don't have to spend big to pack a smart lunch.

 

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Surprise Expenses That Can Tank Your Wedding Season Budget

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We all know that planning a wedding can be expensive, but as a guest, things can get a little pricey too! Here are a few key expenses you should look out for:

First things first...jump on that registry. While you may love the bride and groom, you don't want to procrastinate too long and get stuck with nothing but the $400 blender to buy.

Next, consider the bridal shower. Whether you're in charge of throwing one or just chipping in, you can do it without breaking the bank. Skip the caterer and keep the food simple, or even make it yourself. And use a friend or family member's location instead of renting out space at a restaurant or venue.

Lastly, for you bridesmaids, don't alter your dress at the dress shop. The average in-shop alteration can cost anywhere between $20 and $80...sometimes more! Remember, you're probably only going to wear this dress for one night, so try going to a local tailor to adjust those hemlines - it can cut your costs by up to 50%!

Keep these tips in mind during this next wedding season, and you'll find that an invite to the big day doesn't have to mean big spending!

 

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The Real Deal: Batch Cooking for Busy Homes

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Meet Samantha and Eric! These New Yorkers are looking to save big. Their long-term spending goal is to save up for a 10% down payment for their first home.

These newlyweds both work in the food service industry, working long hours with long commutes. Their busy schedules make it difficult to plan out meals for themselves during the week, resulting in a lot of impulse spending on take-out and food delivery. When they do go grocery shopping, they find that without planning ahead, they overspend on things they don't really need.

Kelsey Nixon, our Savings Experiment Food & Grocery Expert, is here to help! Kelsey's pro tip: batch cooking! A great solution for busy homes looking to watch their budget. By meal planning and batch prepping for the week ahead, you'll save time and money.

Kelsey's first tip for batch cooking, is to use a steam bag. Steam bags are a bargain at $3 for a pack of ten, and can allow you to store up to two weeks of meals in your freezer. Steaming is a healthy way to cook, by retaining more nutrients and moisture than standard plastic-ware. It also saves more space in the freezer! Just fill your bags with your grains, meat or other protein, veggies, and a marinade or sauce and you're good to go! Two weeks of meals should cost you about $31 total, or $3 a meal.

Kelsey's second pro tip is to do your research - there are several great food and recipe websites that offer delicious batch-cooking and freezer-meal recipes! Planning ahead and prepping once a week will really help instill those good habits.

After a few weeks of implementing batch cooking and meal prep into their weekly routine, Samantha and Eric are saving about $275 a month, meaning they could save up to $3,300 within the next year! They are continuing to work towards that down payment on their first home - and eating well and saving big along the way!

 

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Make Your Own Salad Dressings to Save

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Did you know...

Making your own salad dressing can also save you up to 70% off buying at the store? And it's easy too!

For a classic vinaigrette, start with one part ​vinegar (or citrus juice) to three parts ​oil. Sprinkle in a little salt and pepper, and with a few whisks, you're done!

This mixture can be served as is, but if you're feeling creative, break out the blender and it can also be used as a base to make an endless variety of dressings! To add some zing, add ingredients like mustard, garlic, olives or ginger (to name a few). For a sweeter palate, mix in some honey, jam or even fruit!

And if you want to get creamy with it, try adding a few spoonfuls of yogurt, sour cream, buttermilk, or even mayo. Don't want the dairy? Blend in ripe avocado, nut butter or tahini paste for a richer texture, without the lactose.

Aside from being super low­cost, you're also making a fresher, higher quality dressing ­ store bought dressings can be watered down, at your expense!

So open up the fridge and pantry and whip up your own salad dressing! Your savings are only a few whisks away.

 

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Brilliant Ways to Reuse Dryer Sheets

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A lot of us use dryer sheets in our laundry...and a lot of us just toss them in the trash afterward. But, once you see all the nifty ways you can use these things - and save money to boot - you'll look at them in a whole new way.

First, let's talk cleaning. Dryer sheets reduce static cling, making them perfect for dusting your TV, computer screens, countertops, window blinds and everything in between. Don't want to buy pricey refills for your dust mop? You don't need to. Just stick a few sheets at the end of your handle, and you can still sweep up without the extra cost!

Next, open your gym bag...do you smell something? You don't need to, thanks to dryer sheets, which work great as deodorizers too! Put them in your shoes, luggage, even at the bottom of your trash bin, to minimize any unwanted fragrance.

Lastly, know what else these will help you get rid of? Mosquitos! Before you venture into bug-land, take a couple of sheets and wipe them over your skin, and tuck one in a pocket for good measure. This will help minimize your scent and keep you out of their dinner plans.

Doing laundry never seemed so appealing, right? Give these tips a shot and you'll see that a few dryer sheets can go a long way to help you save.

 

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One Quick Call Can Save You Hundreds

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Believe it or not, sometimes saving money on your cable, cell phone or car insurance bill can be as easy as picking up the phone. But once you call, you'll need to know how to negotiate to cash in!

Let's start with your cable and phone bill. One way to get on the fast track to discounts is to mention that you are looking to cancel your service. According to Consumer Reports, it costs companies five times as much to get new customers than it does to retain old ones.

You'll have a little leverage at this point, so start fishing for deals. Use their marketing to your advantage ­ maybe you saw (or didn't see) an ad about some new promos they're offering. It's a surefire way to get some good deals!

But what if you want to take a less aggressive approach? Sometimes, establishing your loyalty to the company or brand can actually be a more powerful negotiating tactic. If you like the service but it's become too expensive, most people are willing to work with you. For example, when it comes to car insurance, asking for the bill to be moved to later in the month could give you a few free weeks of service.

Finally, if for some reason it's not looking like a deal is going to happen, try asking for free trials, upgrades, or even advice on seasonal specials. Remember, promotions constantly change, as do the customer service reps, so if you get rejected once, don't be afraid to try again.

What are you waiting for? Pick up the phone and start saving money! Sometimes, all you have to do...is ask!

 

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Maximize the Resale Value of Your Car

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Did you know...

There are some easy things you can do to get more money for your used car, with a little less stress!

First, spruce up your vehicle - and not just the interior. A good wash on the outside and a thorough detailing on the inside can help let nervous buyers know that your little roadster has seen a lot of love.

If you need some help, look into hiring a professional detailer. For between $100-$200, they'll rejuvenate your ride by removing minor paint imperfections, buffing the finish, and cleaning the carpets....it's like a spa-day for your car. Just doing this can potentially get you over $500 more on your sale - so depending on your vehicle, it may be worth it!

Next, inspect your tires. Seasoned buyers always check the tire tread to get a sense of overall wear and tear. If your treads are worn out or uneven, replace the tires at the very least with some used ones, which can cost as low as $30 per tire. A small price to pay, considering that buyers will often expect a big discount if the tires are in poor condition!

So give these simple tips a try...with a little prep, you can get more cash for your used car. Farewell, old friend!

 

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