Tips on Giving Travel as a Gift by @travelzoo

Tips on Giving Travel as a Gift by @travelzoo

Can’t think of what to get people on your holiday gift list?  Well, everyone needs a vacation! This holiday season heed the advice from Travelzoo’s Senior Editor Gabe Saglie (twitter: @GabeSaglie) on how best to purchase travel and entertainment as a gift for those on your list.

  • Miles.  Use can use your own miles to book a trip for the person you are buying for and there will minimal fees associated with doing this. Gifting miles is also an option, however, you need to be wary of fees.  You could also consider buying miles into the person’s own frequent flier accounts as an option.
  • Gift Cards.  Airline gift cards are a good alternative to buying actual airline tickets.  It allows the recipient to buy his/her own airfare to best fit their schedule, but be aware of expiration dates.
  • Travelzoo Local DealsTravelzoo usually sends you to travel companies directly to purchase a deal but with Travelzoo Local Deals, you purchase a voucher directly from Travelzoo that you then redeem when you visit the local business. You can purchase a voucher for anyone right from the site or from the new Travelzoo app for iOS. The Local Deals are transferable so if you see a deal you like now and are not sure who you want to give it to, get it and then give.
  • Buy An Airline Ticket.  The most important thing is to make sure you know your recipient’s schedule as change fees for airline tickets can be $150 each way.  If you’re buying a ticket for holiday travel, act fast but save yourself some money by shopping on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for airfare deals, consider alternate airports, book early and connecting flights and pick destinations on sale (New York and Europe in winter, Caribbean in summer, etc.).  It’s always a good idea to check Travelzoo’s Fare Calendar to find the best dates to travel, too.

The Travelzoo Holiday Gifts page just launched and includes great travel and entertainment gift ideas to buy right now: http://www.travelzoo.com/local-deals/holiday-gift-guide/nationwide/

Staying Safe Shopping on Black Friday with Tips from #LifeLock and Twitter Party Alert

Staying Safe Shopping on Black Friday with Tips from #LifeLock and Twitter Party Alert

Significant spending over such a small period of time can increase the opportunities for identity theft and identity fraud,” said Mike Prusinski, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications with LifeLock. “Simply being a smart shopper doesn’t necessarily ensure you have done enough to reduce all the risks surrounding identity theft this holiday season. Sometimes drastic times calls for drastic measures, and this season maybe it’s the right time to go beyond the normal tips and suggestions.

Here are some tips from LifeLock to keep your wallet safe while racing the crowds:

  1. Credit – One Size Fits All – Cancel your debit card and use only a credit card or a gift card. If you’re the target of an identity thief, you’re not losing your money but the lenders. If you don’t have a credit card, consider purchasing a pre-paid credit card to limit the amount lost if you are victimized. Don’t give the criminals direct access to your funds.
  2. Smarter Savings –Don’t open store credit, even if they are offering you 20% savings. By opening store credit you are creating more opportunities for your personal information to be exposed and/or lost and chances are good that you can find a similar discount code just with a few clicks online.
  3. What’s Your Frequency? If your card has the volume symbol on the front or back, your card is emitting a signal just looking to connect (radio frequency identification) to a card reader– and a thief knows this. RFID credit cards reduce the need for the consumer to scan their card, instead the card just connects. Identity thieves are creating devices to electronically pickpocket you if you’re carrying and RFID card in your purse or wallet. Call your lender and request a credit card without the RFID chip.
  4. Swipe in Style – Don’t swipe your credit card at the checkout, instead, hand it over to the cashier to run through on the register. Identity thieves are compromising point of sale terminals and capturing your personal information.
  5.  Wi-Fi Worries – When browsing online, avoid shopping on public Wi-Fi networks and shared computers. You cannot guarantee the security of the computer and you are placing your personal information at risk whenever you use a public or community computer to make a purchase online.

When: Friday November 25, 2011 – 3:00PM PST/6:00PM EST (No RSVP)

Hashtag: #LifeLock

Who: Hosted by @LifeLock www.twitter.com/LifeLock

Prizes: Grand Prize: (1) One $600 Best Buy gift card & (1) 1-year LifeLock Ultimate Membership will be awarded to one participant of the Twitter Party; winner selected at random (4) Four $100 Best Buy gift cards & (4) 1-year LifeLock Ultimate Memberships will be awarded to four participants of the Twitter Party; winners selected at random

Sears Black Friday Deals

Sears Black Friday Deals

This year the wife and I are really hoping to get a super large LED HDTV that I can mount to the wall… I am hoping to see a really good deal on them for Black Friday. I guess I should say I’m hoping to get the TV, my wife really just wants me to get hide all the wires. Sears will offer customers more  than 900 doorbuster deals and provide Shop Your Way Rewards  Members with exclusive coupons and offers.

Sears has one awesome promotion. The day before Black Friday, Sears shoppers have the opportunity to purchase items in the Black Friday circular online before they can get in the store.

Beginning on Black Friday, customers will also be able to pick up a Sears  Real Deal Coupon Book (while supplies last) for more than $3,000 worth of  savings storewide throughout the holiday shopping season. Customers can use the coupons  starting on Saturday, Nov. 27 to save on their holiday shopping.

Customers do not have to wait until Black Friday to save.  Circulars for Sears deals are available weeks in advance on searslocalad.com,  which provides real deals in real-time from local Sears stores using frequent  inventory updates and access to ads 24 hours a day. Plus, shoppers can take  advantage of services such as Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store, ship-to-store and  free shipping options. Once again I’m part of the  Sears Holiday Blogger Program I will be compensated for my posts as well as received gift cards. All opinions are my own.

Philips Norelco #ShaveExperts Gift-Giving Twitter Party

Philips Norelco #ShaveExperts Gift-Giving Twitter Party

No one likes that awkward moment before “Thanks for the tie, honey!” — yahhhh… I’ve been a long time Philips Norelco user (how long one might ask how about 18 years!) I know a think or two about the electric shave and why dads like me want one!

Join us – two dads and a mom – for the #ShaveExperts party with @ShaveExperts from Philips Norelco to chat about gift ideas for the men in your life and men, how to ask for what you really want this holiday season. And with nearly $1500 in prizes, some of you won’t have to buy a gift this holiday season! Bring your spouse and join me at the…

Philips Norelco Gift-Giving Twitter Party

When: Monday, November 21st from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. ET

Where: #shaveexperts tag on Twitter

How: Follow sponsor @shaveexperts as well as hosts @ResourcefulMom, @dadarocks, and @DadStreet

Prizes:

Retail value of the packs are as follows:

  • Prizes 1-3: Hair Clipper Gift Pack: $120
  • Prizes 4-6: Vacuum Trimmer Gift Pack: ARV $140
  • Prizes 8-9: SensoTouch 3D Gift Pack: ARV $350

RSVP:

Planning on joining us? Let us know by adding your Twitter name and URL below (ex. @dadarocks, http://twitter.com/dadarocks)

 

 

Sears Deals 2011 Holiday Blogger Ambassador Program

Sears Deals 2011 Holiday Blogger Ambassador Program

I am so excited to announce that I will be joining Sears with their Sears Deals 2011 Holiday Blogger Ambassador Program.

So what does that mean to be apart of the Holiday Blogger Ambassador Program? It means I’ll be sharing with you coupons, black Friday deals, giveaways and even our own shopping experiences!

Be sure to check out all the wonderful companies by Sears Holding Corp. including Sears, Craftsman, Lands’ End and KMart. Between all these stores you can find everything you need for the Holiday Season.  As for a little disclaimer as part of the Sears Holiday Blogger Program I will be compensated for my posts as well as received gift cards. All opinions are my own.