Pair This with That: Sunglasses

There are some gift ideas out there that can complement each other; let us show you how.

Ever wonder what to get for the person who has everything? You’re not the only one! Just when you feel that there is nothing more that you could possibly get, think about what you can do to enhance or make use of what that special someone already has. For instance, if your recipient has a swanky, new coffee maker, why not get them some gourmet coffee to brighten their morning? Below are some great gift ideas to pair or add on to products that may get a lot of use:

Pairing items with sunglasses or eyewear:

Do you know someone who likes fashion? Pair a chic scarf with a designer pair of TAG Heuer sunglasses!

Fabulous Crinkle Scarf photo courtesy of affordablescarves.com

If you have a nautical pal that likes to keep his or her eyewear in shipshape, couple sunglasses with a waterproof case!

Waterproof Glasses Case photo courtest of thewaterproofstore.com

For the outdoor enthusiast, try a bottle of sunblock or a can of bug repellant with a durable pair of sunglasses.

TAG Heuer 6006 27° Model

Delve into your recipient’s interests and see what he or she enjoys.  A practical, yet personalized gift can go a long way!

Have any questions or comments on today’s blog? Let us know!

Happy shopping!

~Charlene Marie

Saving Money During the Holidays

Fabulous frugal tips for surviving the holiday season

Photo by Charlene Marie

The holidays are right around the corner and you’ve found the perfect gift for that special someone. One problem; the perfect gift is out of your budget. “If I only didn’t buy that caramel, expensive-chino and chive-wondrous bagel the other day,” you mutter. Instead of worrying about past expenses, Sunglasses Avant Garde uncovered a few things you can do to stay within your economic means this holiday season.

Shopping

You can shop till you drop with these penny pinching suggestions:

· Use coupons

· Take advantage of Buy One, Get One (BOGO) deals

· Drop into the nearest dollar store

· Stop at a garage sale

· Check out a thrift store

· Browse Craig’s List

· Seek out weekly sales flyers

· Swap an item with a buddy

· Download the ShopSavvy app on a smart phone and scan barcodes for lower prices while out shopping

· Buy generic or store-brand products

Dining

Dine on a dime with these tips:

· Go out for lunch instead of dinner

· Eat at home more often

· Bring a bagged lunch to work or school

· Make your coffee at home

· Don’t let leftovers go to waste

· Check for restaurant specials or coupons online

· Grow your own food

Driving

Dive into savings this way:

· Carpool

· Plan routes ahead, so there’s no backtracking

· Keep up on your engine maintenance, oil changes, etc.

· Find the cheapest gas prices in your area at gasbuddy.com

· Maintain proper tire air pressure

· Fix small car problems yourself

In General

Generally speaking try to:

· Shut off lights, TVs and electronics that aren’t in use

· Use energy efficient products

· Fix or patch up leaky faucets or sinks

· Reuse items

· Turn down the heat or air-conditioning when gone

· Plug up or seal drafty windows or doors

· Make your own home repairs, if possible

· Change out old light bulbs to money-saving OttLite bulbs

Hope these tips help and if you have any other thrifty tips, let us know!

Happy savings!

~ Charlene Marie

Protecting your Assets on Cyber Monday and Beyond

It’s never too late to protect yourself while battle for the bargains is on.

If it’s deals you’re seeking to kick off the holiday season, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the days to shop; however, along with the great bargains, comes a not-so-super twist. On days where major sales are to be expected, random acts of violence can occur. In order to protect yourself and your wallet while the bargains are at their best, keep reading for a few beneficial tips.

During an early Black Friday event on November 24, 2011, the following incident occurred: at a Walmart in Porter Ranch, Calif., one woman allegedly pepper-sprayed bystanders, in order to gain a better access to the electronic section. On November 25, 2011, a family was confronted for their belongings in the parking lot of a Walmart in San Leandro, Calif., and one family member is in critical condition after being shot.

Why bring these sullen incidents to light? The goal is to increase safety and awareness while shopping. So the next time you decide to go on a bargain hunting spree, here are a few things to keep in mind:

· Park in a well-lit, non-isolated area

· Keep all shopping bags or valuables such as GPS devices out of view or in your trunk

· Don’t wear flashy jewelry or expensive clothing while shopping in sketchy locations

· Try not to shop in sketchy locations

· Avoid caring an abundance of cash or credit cards

· Beware of suspicious-looking or shady-acting individuals

· Steer clear of loiterers

· While making purchases, hide your credit card digits as much as possible. People can snap  photos and use your information.

· Shop with a friend

· Ask a security guard or store clerk to escort you to your vehicle

According to a news blog on the fbi.gov, today, US federal agents seized control of 150 websites due to selling counterfeit items.

Now that these sites selling fabricated items have been discovered, should an online shopper still be concerned? Personally, I would be. Here are a few tips to keep stay safe while shopping online:

· Look for a VeriSign logo when considering a purchase

· Become pals with PayPal. Making purchases with a PayPal account enables users to shop without entering their credit card information on a website.

· Verify questionable sites or companies at bbb.org

· Look for “https” at the beginning of a web address. The “s” stands for secure.

· Check for online customer reviews about a company

· Use a pre-paid credit card for purchases

· Do not give checking or credit card information when asked via email. These emails are considered phishing scams.

· Look for misspellings or shoddy-looking websites

· Keep an eye open for the word “replica”

· Make sure your web browser is up-to-date and online security is enabled

In any situation, it’s better to be safe than sorry and in this day and age, one can never be too careful. While keeping these precautionary measures in mind, try to enjoy your holiday shopping experience.

Do you have any other safe-shopping tips? If so, let us know!

~Charlene Marie