Making Father’s Day More Personal

Posted on May 21, 2013 by elliek


Phantom Hero 2006
Dad. Papa. Old man. World’s Greatest Fighter Pilot. We call the fathers in our lives a lot of different things (some more well-received than others), but most of us can agree that we appreciate them. With Father’s Day less than a month away, it’s time to start thinking of ways to show that gratitude to your paternal unit.
He might act like he enjoys that tie or bottle of hot sauce you get him every single year, but a unique gift every now and then can go a long way. Best of all, it doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are three unique ways to show your father or father figure some love this year, without spending a ton of cash.
Customized gift
We’re not talking coffee mugs or bumper stickers here… we’re talking something completely customized and unique. My son Daniel surprised me this Mother’s Day with a framed “Kay Family Rules” listing all the sayings we would tell our kids when they were growing up. It was funny, memorable and something even a father would appreciate.
At lesser-known sites like Etsy, you’ll find a wide variety of handmade and vintage gifts that can be personalized with a simple note to the seller. They even have a convenient section up right now that lists manly items like guitar pick bracelets, dog tags, robes and cufflinks.
Do-it-yourself project
Pinterest is all the rage these days. And while it’s another great option for finding a customized gift, it’s an even better starting point for something you can make yourself. For example, if your father has a particularly defined “power stache,” there’s a gift on Pinterest for a jar with an outline of a mustache, which can easily be made and personalized yourself. (Plus it makes a pretty good place for him to store his combs, razor and other items.)
Pinterest also has an app, so you can go to your favorite crafts or home store and keep track of the items you’ll need on your phone.

daniel papa easter hunt
Ball game or other experience
If you’re lucky enough to live by your dad, one of the most memorable gifts you can give him is simply spending some time with him. You could toss baseballs at the park, cook his favorite meal (barbecue, anyone?) or go to an event. Now is especially an affordable time to catch a baseball game by using sites such as Stubhub or Groupon, as teams are in the middle of their season and looking to fill seats for games against less-popular teams. There are also often free or cheap summer concerts, as well as deals on movies.
Basically, when it comes to a Father’s Day gift, a more expensive gift isn’t necessarily a better gift. Put some thought into it and he’ll be happy (just don’t call him one of the names he doesn’t like).

Ellie Kay
America’s Family Financial Expert (R)

Posted in Family News, Gifts, Kids and Money, Shopping, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Grocery Delivery Savings – The Way of the Future?

Posted on May 16, 2013 by elliek

Blog - May 16 2013 - Delivering GroceriesWhen our kids were all young and still living at home, a trip to the grocery store was an event. For starters, trying to find an item on my enormous shopping list was an immediate challenge among my four boys to see who could get it first (it involved a lot of tackling, shoving and broken jars of mayo).

Then there was Bethany, screaming about Joshua pulling her hair or the fact she wanted a particular treat in Aisle 2. And, of course, there was the checkout line, where I would whip out my wad of coupons and absorb the scathing looks of people in line behind us as I cut my grocery bill in half.

Today, I can only imagine how much time and effort I would have saved if I had the convenience of grocery delivery, which is rising in popularity and convenience.

Go on, try it out!

More and more stores are testing the grocery delivery market – Walmart and Amazon are a couple of the bigger ones. Then there are online companies who specialize in grocery delivery, like Peapod (national) and Artizone (currently limited to Chicago and Dallas). Because of this increase in options (and since it’s a relatively new concept), companies will give you a deal for trying their delivery service.

For example, Walmart is offering $20 off and free delivery for your first order, while daily deal sites like GrouponArtizone give huge discounts on the first order for smaller companies. My son, Daniel, used for his first delivery and got $120 worth of local produce and groceries for just $60! Even if you just try out a number of different companies, you’ll be spending less than you would during a traditional grocery trip.

Saving more than you think

Think grocery delivery is all about convenience? Think again. In addition to saving you gas and time, it helps you in other ways:

  • Save money: Grocery delivery used to only be an option for those who didn’t worry as much about money, but now it’s more affordable than ever. Many companies have no delivery fee, or if they do, it’s very small. And the prices are comparable with traditional grocery stores, especially if you take advantage of online coupons.
  • Save time: This one almost goes without saying, as you’ll be saving a trip to the grocery store (which takes longer if you have kids). You also save the hassle of writing out a list, as you can keep track of your order online before you place it.
  • Save the planet: Many grocery delivery services combine a large number of orders onto one truck, resulting in a smaller carbon footprint. It also reduces wear and tear on your car. And if you order organic produce, you’ll be supporting local farmers.

As I said, just trying grocery delivery service will save you money in the short run. And if you take advantage of deals and coupons (many sites even have double coupon offers), you can save in the long run as well. Grocery delivery is only going to become more and more commonplace, so now is a great time to give it a try.

Ellie Kay

America’s Family Financial Expert (R) 

Posted in Budgeting, coupons, Grocery, Kids and Money, Savings, Shopping | Leave a comment

(Un)Common Interview Questions

Posted on May 14, 2013 by elliek

job-interview image

 

With graduations upon us, it’s a natural time to start preparing for job interviews.  At 7.5%, the unemployment rate is at its lowest level since 2008, so opportunities are out there. In the Kay household, our kids were naturally prepared for grilling questions thanks to our habit of asking them about their day every evening at dinner.

“What was something good about your day?”

“What did you do at school?”

“What was the best part of your day?”

They were obviously more forthcoming some days than others, but the habit made it more natural for them to talk about their experiences. This easily translates to job interviews, where prospective employers ask both conventional and unconventional questions.

You have probably already heard about the most common questions, such as ones pertaining to your history, why you’re interested and your strengths and weaknesses. But every now and then, you’ll get a common question disguised as an uncommon one. Here are five of them:

1. “What was your best MacGyver moment?”

When an interviewer asks a question similar to this, they’re really looking for examples of your adaptability and resourcefulness. Have you ever had any unconventional homework assignments or projects where you didn’t have common resources? This is a good time to talk about them.

2. “How many employees does it take to screw in a light bulb?”

This is a unique way to see where you stand on being a team player and if you have problem-solving skills. Most careers have a fair amount of group projects, so interviewers want to see if you’re a lone wolf (“Just one. Me.”) or if you can work with others (“As many as it takes to do it efficiently.”)

3. “What is our receptionist’s name?”

This could also be a question about something or someone else in the building. The interviewer is looking to see if you’re observant, paying attention and have a good memory. Just be aware of your surroundings and you’ll be prepared for this question.

4. “If you were in the NBA, what position would you play?”

Believe it or not, you don’t have to follow sports to answer this question correctly. The interviewer simply wants to know if you’re a leader or team player and ready to contribute immediately. Focus on answers that show off your willingness to do anything for the team/company.

5. “If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be?”

This is a good opportunity to talk about a variety of things, from your hobbies to who you value. It can be a current or past figure, but should be someone you truly admire. This is a great way for you to relate to the interviewer and ease any tension or awkwardness.

Again, these specific questions are rare, but if you’re prepared to talk about things like your resourcefulness, leadership abilities and interests, you’ll be ready to answer them. A good starting point would be to look at lists of the most common questions and rephrasing them in a unique way. It can be fun and a great way to prepare for your first job interview.

What are some of YOUR favorite interview questions? Be sure to send this blog to your favorite college grad who might be looking for that dream job (or any job).

Ellie Kay

America’s Family Financial Expert (R)

Posted in Jobs, Kids and Money, Parent, Unemployment, Work | Tagged | Leave a comment

Blockbuster Deals on Blockbuster Movie Tickets!

Posted on May 9, 2013 by elliek

 

Blockbuster savings

One of the biggest traditions in the Kay family is watching movies. Well, more specifically, watching movies AND quoting movie lines at every opportune moment. For example, if I were to mention that tradition in front of one my boys, they’d likely pipe in with something like, “Really boot? Why don’t you give me 100 right now?” (Bonus points if you know the reference–scroll to the end of the blog for the answer.)

Like many families, our movie watching time increases in the summer. Kids are out of school, air-conditioned indoors suddenly become more appealing and Hollywood starts cranking out its big-time money-makers. But one of the most important reasons is the fact movie theaters start offering some of their best deals and reward programs of the year.

Here are some of the blockbuster deals from some of the biggest companies in the United States:

  1. Cinemark – These guys are probably the best when it comes to the sheer number of discounts and savings they offer. The Values page on their website is full of printable discounts and coupons such as free popcorn and discounted tickets. These coupons can be used in conjunction with their refillable soda and popcorn cups and tubs. They also offer discounts for seniors, groups, the military and students! If you go on the right day (like a Tuesday), you’d like be able to pull off a movie for two with concessions for less than $20, depending on what part of the country you live in. Best of all, Cinemark has a large number of dollar or discounted theaters, where you can get tickets for less than two bucks.
  2. AMC Theatres – If you go to the movies frequently, AMC has one of the best reward programs out there. Their AMC Stubs program not only gives you discounts and rewards, the online portal lets you track every cent you spend on concessions and tickets. Another perk is that the program waives all fees for purchasing tickets online. At $12 per year, the card pays for itself after only a few visits.
  3. Regal Entertainment Group – The best part about the Regal Crown Club? It’s absolutely free. In addition to offering rewards and discounts, members also have the opportunity to enter sweepstakes for vacations and movie-related prizes.
  4. Carmike Cinemas – TBG? TAG? Those are some of the promotion names at Carmike, which offers exclusive discounts on its social network pages. Of course, you’ll only know about them when you like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter. Their Family Pack, for example, offers amazing savings for families.
  5. Daily deals – Sites like Groupon may not be as popular as they were before, but that’s good for deal hunters, as they need to offer better deals to attract new customers. One popular deal is a movie ticket and drink for half price, meaning you only have to pay for popcorn (or simply enjoy a soda and a movie).

Whether you’re a student, senior or simply love movies, you can save big on movies this summer. Save what, you may ask? “Presidential flashcards.” Ok, that’s another movie line from the movie quoted at the top of this blog. Did you guess it? “That Thing You Do!”

Ellie Kay

America’s Family Financial Expert (R)

Posted in Entertainment, Family News, gift cards, Media | Leave a comment

Fun for Less – Saving on Travel and More

Posted on May 8, 2013 by elliek

Where are you going this summer?

Anniversary - 25- Bob and Ellie by Window

National Tourism Day isn’t a well-known holiday, but today happens to be the day we celebrate it. In honor of that – and since summer is almost upon us – now is a good time to start planning your summer vacation. (You don’t want to start planning it when you’re supposed to be taking it, after all!)

This year is particularly good for people who like to save a penny or two on their vacations, as airfare prices are dropping, the economy is rising and deals on cruises are better than ever. Bob and I were even able to afford a stay at the Wrigley mansion on Catalina Island for our 25th anniversary!

Here are a few great ways to save on getaways this summer.

  • TravelZoo – One my personal favorites because of the sheer percentage of savings they offer, TravelZoo rounds up some of the best deals on the web and sends them to you in a weekly e-mail that is customized for your location. You can also browse through their site, which features vacation packages, airfare, hotels, cruises, car rentals and even local deals to restaurants and other places. Today, for example, you can get a 12-night Mediterranean cruise for $799. Another perk for TravelZoo is that the price they list is the price you pay (all fees included). If you’re flexible about when you want to take your vacation, this is one of the best options.
  • Daily deal sites – Sites like Groupon have been particularly good lately thanks to the company’s partnership with Expedia. Simply browse through their “Getaways” section and you’ll vacation packages to places like China, Peru and the Bahamas. The selection has dramatically increased this year and there are even plenty of deals for people who would rather drive somewhere local or don’t have much time off.
  • Cruises – Cruises have gotten a bad rap recently thanks to ships malfunctioning and even leaving vacationers stranded for days on one occasion. That’s good news for those looking to save, however, as companies like Carnival are dropping prices to keep people coming back. You can currently find 3-5 day Caribbean cruises for as low as $229, less than the nightly cost of many higher-end hotels! Those malfunctioning ship incidences were likely anomalies, so it’s a great time to go on that first cruise.
  • Airfare – Southwest (subscribe to their Ding! fares) JetBlue, Virgin and other companies are slashing prices due to a variety of reasons, from lower fuel costs to increased seating capacity. Fares are constantly changing, however, so be sure to sign up for price alerts at sites like Kayak or Fly.com. (By phone is the most ideal if you’re looking for a really great deal.) Also be sure to search on Tuesdays, the day most airlines announce their sales. You can also usually get refunds or money back if the airline drops the price within a certain time period. Check Bing Price Predictor to see if prices are going up or down.
  • Travel deal sites – When it comes to sites like Kayak, Hotwire.com, BookingBuddy and others, the best advice is to compare, compare, compare. You can usually find the exact same trip for less if you search enough, which is why you should never just use one site. Hotwire is particularly great if you’re not too picky about where you stay or how you travel, as they occasionally hide the companies for better deals. They’re also currently offering up to 70% off weekend hotel stays.

In the end, the more you search for a good deal online, the more you’ll likely save. Be sure to visit all the deal sites you can, and once you find a deal for you, go to the hotel/car/airfare company site or call them to see if they’ll match or beat the deal.

Bon voyage!

Ellie Kay

America’s Family Financial Expert (R)

Posted in Entertainment, Transportation, Travel | Leave a comment