Things do happen even among the best of us and here’s how I avoided at least $64.60 in overdraft fees along with some tips if you ever have to remedy a similar situation.

First, I remained calm.

It always helps to troubleshoot with a clear mind. I began assessing the situation in my head. I had initiated a payment via the Internet for my credit card on Friday night. It was slated to be posted during the weekend (Sunday to be exact). I noticed that a payment was posted on my credit card account Sunday. However, I also discovered that my checking account where funds are withdrawn to pay for this credit card was short $20. Realizing that it was a Sunday aka the weekend and NOT a business day, I originally thought that I had the upper hand in terms of time. Under normal circumstances, a situation like this can easily be remedied if I had a linked account from the same bank. I would just complete a transfer of funds from one “liquid” (an account where funds can be withdrawn without penalties) account into my checking account. The transfer would be instantaneous since it’s from the same bank and my problem would be resolved. I quickly realized that this was NOT an option since this particular checking account was NOT linked to any other account of mine besides a brokerage account. Had I kept liquid cash in my brokerage account, my checking account would have tried to cover the credit card payment by pulling funds from the brokerage side. Since this was not an option, I realized my problem remained unresolved. I thought to myself- How would I get funds credited into my checking account as soon as possible?

Second, I called my credit card company, the bank where I had my checking account, and the brokerage side that was linked to this account.

The credit card company stated that since the payment was already posted, there was nothing they could do to retroactively “undo” the payment. They informed me that since it was Sunday and not a business day, I could simply transfer funds from my brokerage account into the checking account and it would be “instant”. I knew this wasn’t possible since I already established that I had no liquid cash in my brokerage account and no other account by the same bank/brokerage existed. I asked the agent how much the fee would cost if my payment bounced. I paused as she informed me that it would cost $39.50 each time the payment “bounced” and normally the company would attempt to withdraw funds from my checking account twice before they stopped with a 2-3 business day gap between attempts. I knew that if I didn’t resolve this problem, I would at least pay $39.50 in fees.

TIP: Keep in mind that if a credit card payment “bounced”, you would probably have to pay the bank an overdraft fee for insufficient funds AND your credit card company a finance charge. Time is essential. If you really cannot avoid the first finance charge, try to have enough funds to cover at least the minimum payment account within 1-2 business days. Otherwise, you could be charged a finance charge twice!

After recognizing that I would not be able avoid this finance charge once an attempt has been made to withdraw funds from my checking account, I decided to call the bank side of my brokerage to see if they would alter the posting date for the fund withdrawal. After speaking with the representative, she informed me that the payment would still post on Monday, but that she can note my account to “delay” payment as long as possible— giving me an opportunity to make a payment on the account once the brokerage opens Monday morning. I asked her how I could get funds posted immediately into this particular checking account since it did not belong to a bank that had a physical location. In this case, the bank was essentially a subsidy of the brokerage firm. In addition, the brokerage that manages my checking account will not take cash deposits. I always had to write a check whenever I deposited with my brokerage and knew that checks cannot be instantly “cleared” since the brokerage cannot be certain that funds are “guaranteed”. Even though funds for my checks would usually become available on the same business day (generally by mid afternoon), I didn’t want to take the risk since I was uncertain precisely when the payment would post. I asked the agent on the phone if I could guarantee payment with a money order. She said yes. The first place that came to mind was the post office. I always bought my money orders there in the past. As it was a weekend night, that wasn’t an option. Even though I am not a big fan of Walmart, it saved me in this particular instance. Walmart can issue money orders and charge a minimal fee of 60 cents per money order.
I also confirmed with the brokerage side that they would take a money order as a “guaranteed” payment. They informed me that for the immediate guarantee of funds, even an money order needs approval by the manager at the specific branch. I was also informed that an overdraft would cost $25 each time and there are NO overdraft fee waivers for this particular firm.

TIP: If you need to purchase a money order on the weekend, you can go to giant retailers such as Walmart or local gas stations. During the weekday (and in some locations Saturday as well), the post office is also an option. For amounts up to $500, a money order from the post office cost $1.10.

TIP #2: It helps to know the payment posting schedule for your bank. The representative may/may not know the exact times for when an attempt to withdraw funds are made to your account. However, they should have a rough idea how many times it occurs during the day.

Third, I paid a visit to the branch first thing in the morning.

I knew that I had a limited amount of time before that an attempt to withdraw funds from my checking account would occur since the payment has already been posted on my credit card. I went to the branch first thing in the morning and informed the teller of my situation. They told me that the funds could not be made available immediately without the approval of her manager. I left my phone number and they gave me a phone call when the funds were “guaranteed” and ready for use in my brokerage account. I asked them to transfer the funds from my brokerage into my checking account even though I knew that funds would be withdrawn from the brokerage account if the checking account was insufficient. I just didn’t want to risk it.

After midnight, the funds were withdrawn from my account after I had saved myself from both a finance charge and an overdraft fee.

Closing Tips

1. Avoiding the Finance Charge: The obvious is the have sufficient funds in the account you are using to pay for your credit card bill. If not, make sure that you don’t get “hit” twice. Again, there is usually a 2-3 business day gap between the two attempts that are normally made by the credit card company. If you are normally great about paying your bills on time, you can also ask the credit card company to “waive” your finance charge. Typically, most would waive the first one and some will even waive it every so often. It doesn’t hurt to ask! I knew I could’ve tried to use my “freebie”, but I wanted to resolve it without resulting to it.
2. Avoiding the Overdraft Fee: Always double check if you have enough funds to cover your payments. Double check your statements or bank account online (or if that’s not possible in person) before making a payment on it. Errors can cost you. Typically many banks offer 1 FREE overdraft per year (e.g. Washington Mutual now Chase always offered me 1 per year and I’ve accumulated multiple overdraft waivers since I have never had this problem). If you are not sure, ask your bank! Also, you don’t want to get “hit” twice for insufficient funds when the credit card company makes attempt #2.
3. “Guarantee” Funds/Immediate Deposit: Just because you wrote a check and placed it into the account that is insufficiently funded does not mean that funds are instantly deposited. This is standard at banking institutions/brokerage firms. Funds need to be cleared. One way around this is to get a “guaranteed” form of payment. If you cannot deposit cash (like you can in traditional banks), then the next best option is a money order or cashier’s check. They are pretty inexpensive and are widely available in non business days and hours. In this case, my .60 cents used to purchase my money order at Walmart saved me! Make sure you double check if the funds are instantly deposited because typically that would require managerial approval.
4. It helps to be nice! It’s good to be friendly and calm while dealing with such issues. Panicking won’t resolve anything and would just lead to headache. Make sure you document who you speak with over the phone as it might become very handy when you make a case for yourself. By documenting the process, you can try to make the case that you made an earnest effort to resolve the situation as soon as possible. Timing is important and so is documenting the process. If you are normally on time about paying your bills, make sure you explain this when you make a case for yourself. Banks and credit card companies like would be more willing to “forgive” you if they know such behaviors are not the norm for you.

    

Many of us have been told to save for our “nest egg” aka retirement via a Traditional or Roth IRA. Contributions to traditional IRAs receive a tax break since the monies are not counted as taxable income for that year. By contrast, contributions made to roth IRAs are taxed, but future withdrawals are tax free.

Did you know, however, that there is an annual tax credit that offers low to moderate income earners save for retirement?

Since 2006, the U.S. federal government made it a permanent part of the federal tax code. The “saver’s credit” helps low/moderate income earners save for retirement by giving them a tax break (on top of the tax benefits already received by contributing to a retirement account) when they make voluntary contributions to their traditional or roth IRAs, 401ks (or similar plans such as 403b for individuals who work for public schools and non profits or the Thrift Savings Plan for federal employees). See IRS Bulletin for details on “eligible contributions“. This “saver’s credit” is adjusted annually for inflation and it offsets the first $1,000 ($2000 for those that are married and filing jointly) that income earners contribute to their IRAs and 401(k) plans (or similar).

Below are my answers to common questions regarding this tax credit and information on how to file for it on your next federal tax return!

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Who is considered a “low/moderate” income earner?

According to the IRS (See Bulletin), an individual or household (if filing jointly) can claim the “saver’s credit” if their modified adjusted gross income is not more than the following (for 2009 filings):

• $55,500 for those whose filing status is “married” and filing together
• $41,625 for those that are filing as “head of household”
• $27,750 for those that are filing as “single” (including those that are married but filing separate tax returns), or a “widow(er)”

What if my income is higher than the above numbers? Is it possible for me to receive this tax credit?

Note that the income limits are based on modified adjusted gross income. This means that if you make more (at times quite a bit more), there’s still a chance for you to reap the benefits of the “saver’s credit”.

For instance, you can try to lower your modified adjusted gross income by:

• Increase contributions to a traditional IRA, (2009 Limit: $5,000 for ages 49 and below, $6,000 for ages 50+)
• Increase contributions to a work based retirement savings account (e.g. 401k, 403b, Thrift Savings Plan/TSP), 2009 Limit: $16,500 for ages 49 and below, $22,000 for ages 50+)
• Contribute to a Health Savings Account (if you qualify), 2009 Limit: $3,000 for individuals, $5,950 for families, $1000 for individuals 55 and up for “catch up”)
• Contribute to pre-tax accounts through your employer such as: flexible spending accounts for health needs and public transportation/commuter check accounts, Limits: Varies
• Sell investments (e.g. stocks, bonds) that are losing money and claim capital losses up to $3,000. See IRS Bulletin regarding the treatment of capital losses.

For additional tips, read Kiplinger’s article “How to Lower Your Adjusted Gross Income“.

Who qualifies for the “saver’s credit”?

In addition to meeting the adjusted modified gross income limits, you must be:

• At least 18 years old and an “eligible taxpayer”
• You cannot be claimed as a dependent on anyone’s tax return
• A student CANNOT claim this credit. According to the IRS, an individual is considered a “student” if they are “enrolled as a full-time student during any part of 5 calendar months during the year”.

For more information and tips, see Kiplinger’s article “Qualifying for the Retirement Saver’s Tax Credit“.

I qualify for this “saver’s credit”. How do I claim it on my 2009 federal income tax filings?

Congrats if you qualify for the “saver’s credit”. To claim it on your next federal income tax filings, enter the credit amount on Line 51 (Form 1040), Line 32 (Form 1040A). In addition, complete and attach Form 8880 to your federal income tax filings. Note: If you intend on claiming this tax credit, you cannot file with a Form 1040EZ (no section for “credits”).

For more information, see the following IRS Publications:

• IRS Tax Form 1040 (Line 51)
• IRS Tax Form 1040A (Line 32)
• Form 8880 (Must be attached with tax filings for credit)
• Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs),
  Skip to Page 81 where it talks about the “Saver’s Credit”

Starting/Ending Point: Begin in Castries, St. Lucia’s capital.

Duration: 5 hours

Activity Level: Keep in mind this itinerary requires a moderate amount of walking on mostly flat surfaces.

Prominent Sites Visited: Reduit Beach (Rex St. Lucian Hotel), Pigeon Island (including Fort Rodney), Downtown Castries (e.g. Central Market)

Things to Bring: Swimsuit, Goggles, Beach Towel, Walking Shoes, Sunscreen, Camera for Photos, Spending Cash (no brainer!)

Begin in Castries.

Walk around Castries as you make yourself to the minibus terminal located about a 5 minute walk from the dock and duty free shopping area. The minibuses heading to the northern part of the island are located on Jeremy Street. If you get lost, ask a local along the way. They were very friendly and helpful to me. Upon arriving by foot at the minibus terminal, you will need to board it heading north. Eventually, you will want to get off in Rodney Bay at the “Mall” (several locals called the small retail/shopping complex by this name) minibus stop. Warning: Make sure you chat with the minibus driver to confirm the final destination for the minibus and the total fare. One of the minibus drivers tried to charge me more than the actual fare because he didn’t realize that I knew the cost of the trip.

Castries to Rodney Bay “Mall” Stop Bus Fare: Approximately $2.25 Eastern Caribbean Dollars or .75 cents (USD)

Bus Ride Duration: Approximately 35-40 minutes (various depending on frequency of stops)

Walking from “Mall” Minibus Stop to Reduit Beach: 15 minutes

After arriving at the “Mall” minibus stop, head straight down the road to the left of the “Mall”. Follow signage to Reduit Beach. You will come across the Rex St. Lucian Hotel. You can either walk through the hotel courtyard (pass the entrance security gate) or you can walk down a bit farther and enter the beach. I walked for less than 15 minutes before reaching Reduit Beach, a beautiful beach that’s considered one of the premier water sport rental sites in St. Lucia. I didn’t rent any gear from the beach as resorts normally charge hefty prices for gear or equipment rental. Instead, I relaxed and swam a bit. The water is very clear at this beach. One can catch views of Pigeon Island including Fort Rodney from here. If you look carefully, you can also see the Pirate Ship snorkeling excursion that tourists often book off the coast of Pigeon Island’s beach. There is NO admission/entrance fee to this beach.

From Reduit Beach, head to Pigeon Island.

Walk back to the main road and catch the minibus heading north (same direction as before). Get off at the stop closest to Pigeon Island/Fort Rodney (the stop closest to “The Landings/Sandals Grande” aka the Sandals Resort at Pigeon Island. From here it’s a 45 minute scenic walk to the entrance of Pigeon Island Park or you can catch a taxi for approximately $5 dollars. The minibus that runs from Castries to the northern part of the island (the line I took from Castries) does not stop specifically at Pigeon Island.

Upon arriving at Pigeon Island, you must pay a $5 dollar park entry fee. Once inside the park, you have access to Pigeon Island’s Beach, multiple hiking trails, and access to the small museum located inside the park. Perhaps Pigeon Island’s most famous landmark is Fort Rodney. From there, you can get an amazing view of St. Lucia with particular emphasis on Rodney Bay and Reduit Beach. On a clear day, you can also see the French island of Martinique at a distance. The hike up to Fort Rodney takes about 20 minutes. It’s a fairly easy hike to the base of the fort. From there, there is some fairly vertical stairs/walkway and I would not recommend it for anyone who has mobility problems. After climbing the small set of steps, you are at the top of Fort Rodney.

After catching glimpses of St. Lucia from the top of Fort Rodney, hike back down the hill. Relax at Pigeon Island’s Beach. The water isn’t as clear as Reduit Beach. Relax under some of the trees or take a swim around the rocks. If you look carefully, there are various fish species in and around the rocks. The waters here are very calm as well.

After relaxing at the beach, walk to the other side of the park and check out the museum. The museum provides a small historical narrative about Fort Rodney, Pigeon Island, and St. Lucia. It’s not spectacular, but it is humbling and historically fascinating. After the museum, take a moment and enjoy the sights and views from this side of the park. There are waves crashing along the rocks and a view of private homes in the distance. When you are ready, leave Pigeon Island and head back towards Castries. Again, you can either walk 45 minutes or pay $5 for a cab ride back to the minibus stop closest to Pigeon Island.

From the minibus stop, take the minibus back to Castries.

Pigeon Island (closest stop) to Castries: Approximately $2.50 Eastern Caribbean Dollars or $1 USD

Bus Ride Duration: Approximately 40-45 minutes depending on frequency of stops

Arrive back in Castries and explore the downtown area. Venture into the Central Market where you can barter for souvenirs and get them for less than the stores near the waterfront/dock. Walk around town and grab a snack from one of the many vendors on the street.

Transportation: $.75 cents + $1 = $1.75 roundtrip

Pigeon Island Park Entrance Fee: $5

Total Cost = $6.75

Optional Taxi Costs: $5 (from Reduit Beach to Pigeon Island) and $5 from Pigeon Island to nearest minibus stop. = TOTAL $10

**Note that this itinerary does not include the optional taxi costs listed above nor does it include any discretionary spending for meals and souvenirs.**

#1- Explore an Interest, Learn a New Skill

A couple years ago, I organized a group of my peers to volunteer their time on a Saturday afternoon to revamp the backyard of a temporary housing community in East Oakland in coordination with Rebuilding Together. I thought I would be painting the exterior of the house and I’ve always had an interest to learn more about home improvement and handiwork. Upon arrival, my peers and I were told that we would be doing a lot of work in the backyard mainly with trimming trees/plants, landscaping, and installing a new sprinkler system. We came across some issues trying to install the sprinkler system since there were multiple layers of concrete (among other things) below the targeted surface. The task at hand required our group to problem solve while learning how to do home/garden improvement work that I’ve never tried. It was a lot of work in 80F+ sun blazed weather, but well worth it at the end of the day. I learned how to install a sprinkler system and I properly trimmed my first lemon tree (man was that different than my accidental over trimming of a bonsai tree back in high school). In your service towards others, you may learn something different while exploring an interest.

#2- Make New Friends & Network

Some of the most amazing folks I’ve encountered in my life were through community service activities. Active individuals ready to take the world by storm. It’s a great place to make new friends who may share similar hobbies and interests. Even if their political or religious beliefs do not coincide with yours, they made the choice to engage in community service and more likely than not, they have a passion for the specific event(s) and community projects at hand.

Community service is also a fabulous way to network and to meet new folks. Perhaps, you’ve always wanted to learn a new language. Maybe there is someone volunteering that happens to speak that language, but wants to improve their fluency in English. You guys can become language exchange buddies! The opportunities are unlimited and you can meet others who might know more about a particular interest of yours and how to become more involved. I scored one of my first paying jobs in college from an organization that I coordinated with on a number of small projects (grant writing/health advocacy). When a position opened up within their offices, I was one of the first to be notified of the opening and the opportunity to interview with the Executive Director while bypassing the traditional resume review process aka “I jumped” the line.

#3- Free Activity w/Perks

Community service is free and often comes with some neat volunteer perks. For instance, I am a major independent/foreign film buff with an immense interest and appreciation for the cinematography that is often produced by films with menial budgets. Thus, whenever I have the chance, I love volunteering my time at film festivals. When I first discovered the San Francisco International Film Festival in high school, I was ecstatic and circled numerous films I wanted to watch. I soon discovered that I could not afford to watch all the films yet I wanted to be immersed with the film festival and have the opportunity to hear from individuals directly involved with works. I volunteered my time as a ballot distributor (the folks that hand out forms for film goers to vote on what they watched) and received 1 free film per 4 hour shift. It was an amazing experience to learn how a film festival was run from the inside, but I also got to watch some awesome films for free! Cant’ afford an event? Try volunteering for it.

#4- Improve Overall Fitness/Staying Active

Be engaged and off the couch can improve your overall fitness. There are also various community service activities that are more “active” than others. Choose one that fits your lifestyle, but irregardless of what you choose, it helps to be out of the house and in your community. In the past, I’ve volunteered my time with “active” events such as the Silicon Valley AIDS Walk and the Special Olympics.

#5- Becoming an Active Citizen, Engaging the Community You Reside In, Helping Others!

For me, this is one of the most (if not THE MOST important reason). I learn a lot from being engaged with my local community. From local politics to current domestic and international events, I gain a plethora of knowledge that has shaped my overall growth and wellbeing as an individual. One of the most important things is to volunteer your time with something that you are truly passionate about. There are onetime events, but also longer commitments. For those that are interested in a learning component, I would highly recommend a year engaged with community service such as AmeriCorps or Peace Corps for those that are interested in travelling and working overseas. I completed one part-time year as an AmeriCorps volunteer and had a wonderful experience. It truly inspired and transformed my conception of what “service” meant, raised my awareness for the greater inequalities that reside within my community and surrounding neighborhoods, and gave me greater appreciation for dedicating my life to improve various tangents that complete a healthy, vibrant, and just society.

My Recommended Links

Here are some websites that I’ve utilized to help me find community service activities within my community.

National Opportunities

• Craig’s List: Each city has a volunteer section. Select your city and click on the volunteer link.
• Idealist: The monster.com for the non-profit world. I love this website. It includes volunteer and paid opportunities.
• Serve.org: A website built by the Obama administration. Contains information to one day and longer commitments along with AmeriCorps and PeaceCorps opportunities. A bit bare in content right now, but I have high expectations and hopes for it.
• AmeriCorps: Domestic opportunities for a year in service. It’s both part-time and full time. Full time opportunities usually come with a small living stipend, health insurance, and an educational award (will be tied to the Pell Grant amount beginning 10/1/09) upon completion.
• Peace Corps: International opportunities for a year in service. Full time with modest living stipend and health insurance. Excellent for the globe trotter.
• Teach for America: Want to make a difference in America’s classrooms? Wonderful leadership program those trains and places individuals in underserved communities for a minimum two year commitment as a teacher.
• Volunteer Match: I’ve had mixed experienced with those that post on this website. Some take awhile to respond and other postings might be outdated. However, it still contains numerous opportunities and a good gauge of what’s around you.

Since I am from the San Francisco Bay Area, here are some of my favorite websites highlighting local (or event specific) opportunities for community service.

San Francisco Bay Area Opportunities

• Hand’s On Bay Area: Be the Change Day 2009 is coming up (October 3^rd, 2009). Register and choose from a variety of projects in your community. This site is also excellent for links to other local opportunities.
• Rebuilding Together: Love home improvement? Want to help improve someone’s living quarters? I’ve volunteered through this organization multiple years and enjoyed it a lot.
• Craig’s List San Francisco Bay Area: Direct link to San Francisco Bay Area opportunities.
• Big Brother, Big Sister of the Bay Area: Mentor a child! Support their educational/social endeavors!
• Volunteer Center of the East Bay: Lists opportunities within the East Bay.
• Project Homeless Connect: Opportunities for the homeless to engage with residents. Various events and activities that need support.
• Princess Project: I love this organization because every high school girl should have the opportunity to attend prom. =)
• SF Pride: A wonderful annual parade/festival and celebration for the LGBTQ community. They also need support year round! I’ve had an amazing and fun experience volunteering with them this year! Great people, tons of laughs, and a very important organization that works on achieving equality for all.
• San Francisco International Film Festival: Fun opportunity usually in April/May (Spring) for film enthusiasts.
• Asian American Film Festival: This festival usually precedes the San Francisco International Film Festival. Wonderful opportunity for film enthusiasts.

Tip #1 – Public Transit Rules (Most of the Time)

From the Airport to your Hotel

Besides taking a cab, one can ride the shuttle to/from Las Vegas’ McCarran Airport. There’s more than 1 shuttle service and fares are $6.50 one way or $13 roundtrip for all hotels on the strip. Downtown and off strip hotels cost $8 one way and $16 roundtrip. Again, I would recommend this option if you alone or at most with another person. From my experience, it takes a bit longer to get to the hotel (you must have patience and time) and if it’s only a few dollars more for tip, it might be worthwhile to take a cab if you have another person. Taking a cab is the preferred option if you have 3-4 in your group. After picking up your bags at baggage claim, look to your left side (with your back facing the terminal exits) and you will see a sign that says “Shuttles”. On the right side is a sign for taxis.

Example: AirportàBally’s (on the strip)

• Cab Fare: $15.00+ tip = $18.00
• Shuttle (1 Person): $6.50
• Savings: $11.50
  

Have you ever noticed that taxi drivers in Las Vegas expect solid tips even in times of economic decline? Add the tip with the taxi fare and you have one expensive ride. If you are in a small group (2-3 people) or by yourself, it’s probably better to take the bus. The Deuce goes along Las Vegas Blvd. aka “The Strip” and into Downtown Las Vegas aka “The Fremont Street Experience”. It is roomy and air conditioned. You also get to people watch and hear some amazing side conversations. You can purchase one way fares, 24 hour passes, and other durations. One way fares on The Deuce is $3.00 and a 24 hour All-Access Pass is $7.00. One can also transfer from The Deuce to other local (residential) buses to get to off strip outlet malls and yummy (often less pricey eateries). Fares are $1.75 per one way on these buses.

The Strip, Fremont Street Experience, Outlet Malls in the Vicinity

Example: Caesar Palaceà Wynn Hotel

• Cab Fare: $16.00 + tip = $19.00
• Deuce: $3.00
• Savings: $16.00
  

*Note that cab fares may vary depending on traffic conditions and/or additional baggage that exceeds the carry on limit (e.g. luggage bags).

The Monorail – Las Vegas Strip, Convention Center, Nearby (Off Strip) Hotels

I recommend the bus option over the monorail, but it was very useful to take it when I had to go to the Las Vegas Convention Center for the Consumer Electronics Show aka CES one year. Again, if you are in a larger group, I recommend taking a taxi. Take the monorail if you are alone or with a friend or two. It’s fast, convenient, and air conditioned. A single ride/one way cost $5.00 irregardless of distance travelled. A one day pass cost $13.00 and a three day pass cost $28.00.

• Additional Tip! To save even more money, I recommend picking up one of many coupon booklets/Vegas “guides” found on the strip, at the airport, and in the pockets of a taxi. The coupon offers a $2-3 dollar discount on a pack of 10 one way fares. If you are going to spend the money, might as well save a few dollars.

Tip #2- Clubbing for Less

Las Vegas is by far one of the most expensive places in the United States to go clubbing. Celebrity dazzled nightclubs, prominent DJs, and lounges of exquisite luxury. With that comes a price (easily $20-$30 for cover on a weekend night). Often, that just gets you standing room (e.g. Pure is a very good example of this). The lines won’t disappear, but at least you can try to minimize the upfront cost by scouting out free passes (usually marketed towards women) and discounted half price admission passes for men. I usually like to walk around the entrance and walkways of casinos around late afternoon or dinner time. Sometimes I’ve unintentionally walked around the casino area at these hours and have received some awesome “VIP” passes for free admission to some great nightclubs and lounges. Other times, I saw a promoter handing passes out and I asked him/her for them. Another technique is to befriend the taxi driver if you ever take a cab(those folks really know their way and ways around town) or the information desk/concierge at some hotels. Often, they have promotional passes or know promoter(s) at various venues. In addition, there are nights (often weekdays) when locals get in complementary or for a very little.

Passes I’ve Received for Free Admission

• Jet @ Mirage
• Tangerine @ Treasure Island
• The Bank @ Bellagio
• Studio 54 @ MGM Grand
• TABU Ultra Lounge @ MGM Grand
• Pure @ Caesar Palace
• RumJungle @ Mandalay Bay

Tip #3- Fun Free Activities

Contrary to popular belief that Las Vegas can easily become an expensive outing, there are many free things to do around town. Below are some of my favorites.

1. Botanical Gardens @ Bellagio: Beautiful and exquisite flowers! I’ve always been awed by the floral arrangement and ambiance. Rotating exhibits that change throughout the year. Family friendly and open 24/7.
2. Circus Acts @ Circus Circus: I loved this place when I was a child. It has aged a bit and probably one of the oldest hotels on the strip. I love it for the acrobats, flying trapeze, and dancers.
3. Fremont Street Experience @ Downtown Las Vegas/Fremont Street: Old Vegas meets modern LED large screen. Pretty to watch! Live entertainment throughout the day as well.
4. Fountains of Bellagio @ Bellagio: Amazing water show mixed with lights and music. Romantic, picturesque view to impress your date. During the day, it’s every half hour and at night (8pm-12am), it’s every fifteen minutes.
5. The Volcano @ Mirage: One of the older “shows”, it is still sizzling hot in my book and definitely a spectacle. It erupts every 30 minutes after 8pm until midnight (weather permitting).
6. The Sirens of TI @ Treasure Island: My favorite pirates on the strip. Multiple evening performances. Nifty performers sing and dance abound a 17^th century pirate ship.

A bit outdated (in terms of show content and viewing time) but a more comprehensive guide to free things to do in Las Vegas can be found at Vegas For Locals’ Website.

Tip #4- Happy Gaming Accompanied By a Strawberry Daiquiri

I’m not a big gambler, but I do love my penny slots. Even if you don’t gamble a lot, it’s still a good idea to get a player’s card. You get points for playing (irregardless of whether or not you are winning or losing in the time you are playing) and they are redeemable for prizes and other perks such as reduced meals. More importantly, I love receiving emails with promotions that are exclusively marketed for members. Membership is free. Two of the major gaming membership cards is Harrah’s Total Rewards (Harrah’s, Caesar Palace, Paris, Rio, Showboat, Bally’s, Flamingo) and the MGM Mirage Player’s Club (MGM Grand, Mirage, Aria, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, Treasure Island/TI, and Monte Carlo).

I don’t drink very often, but I do enjoy my strawberry daiquiri or a bottle of water while playing penny slots. Drinks are complementary and it is customary to tip the waitress a couple dollars at the very minimum. This option is still less than buying drinks at the nightclubs, lounges, and at restaurants. One may question the quality of the alcoholic drinks served on the gaming floors, but I have no qualms with it. Additionally, a bottle of water is a bottle of water.

Tip #5- Discounted Shows & Food

I’ve learned that even Cirque du Soleil is not immune to a rough economy. I was able to pick up discounted show tickets for Cirque du Soleil on more than one occasion in the past year. Even the infamous “O” was discounted on one of the days I visited late last year. There are multiple discount outlets that offer reduced admissions either the day before or the day of a show. My favorite half price ticket box office is near the M&M Factory (adjacent to MGM Grand) and the one at the Hawaiian Marketplace. One vendor is Tix 4 Tonight. Ticket outlets such as Tix 4 Tonight also sell discounted meal tickets. I’ve done this several times and saved about $20-$30 a person on meals at various restaurants.

I love coupons. They are found within many of the small booklets on the strip, at the information/concierge desk at hotels, and in taxis (as previously stated). They range from free playing cards (used by a casino probably for an hour or two) to get a free appetizer with purchase at Rainforest Café. One can also find coupons for Vegas online and print them out prior to their trip.

Tip #6- The Dreaded Timeshare & Freebies

Admit it. If you have been to Vegas, you want to avoid the guys and gals that scope you out on the strip and ask you if “have a minute”. Usually, this “minute” is followed by promises for free or heavily discounted show tickets, cash, and/or free hotel nights (with major restrictions) on your next trip to Las Vegas for mediocre hotels such as Excalibur and Circus Circus. In addition, the sales agent will assure you that there is “no pressure” and “no obligation to buy”. I was forewarned, but I decided not to judge until I’ve sat through one and experienced it myself. In the end, it wasn’t so bad. Most definitely, yours truly, tried to encourage me to buy a timeshare and to “invest” for my children’s future (albeit me telling him I didn’t have kids). However, I enjoyed the prize raffling and learning more about real estate and the travel industry during the 90 minute presentation (more like 2.5 hours counting shuttle ride to and from the property and the “pitch”). I got some good laughs and complementary snacks. After sitting through 90 minutes of infomercial, my friend and I sat through and listened to the pitch. If they realize you are not interested, they won’t push it on you. We left and got out $100 dollars, a few nightclub/lounge VIP passes, and 2 show tickets that we never got the chance to see. A bit of a detour, but if you have a few hours to kill, want to redeem yourself from the penny slots, and/or want some extra spending cash to treat your significant other to endless McDonalds or a rendezvous at a decent Vegas style buffet, go for it.

Tip #7- Budget Accommodations

I normally recommend hostels, but most visitors including the frugal traveler would not want to “hostel” it in glamour city. There are a handful of hostels mostly in the Downtown Las Vegas area and they are roughly $22-$30 per night/per person. Again, if you have more than 1-2 people, it might just be better to get a room. Actually, because there are some pretty awesome hotel deals lately, it might just be better to get a room with the added perks such as free amenities and privacy while paying only slightly more.

Going back to the membership cards, they can be very useful in obtaining promotional offers for hotel rooms even if you are not a “high roller” who gets “comped” aka free rooms. For instance, recently, I received an email about Harrah’s (consortium of hotels owned by them) summer/fall promotion where if I book 2 nights this summer, I get 1 free night in the fall. If I book 3 nights this summer, I get 2 nights free in the fall. Nights start at $25 at Imperial Palace (older mid-strip hotel). When I went onto Imperial Palace’s website, I noticed that some weekday rooms were only $20 per night which makes it the same price or even less than some of the hostels in town with a far superior location and added services. If you have a larger group, some of the suites are great deals as well. Sometimes looking at the hotel’s homepage is a good idea since there are promotions unique to booking only on that website that may or may not appear on travel search engines such as Kayak or online book websites such as Orbitz.

Happy Vegas tripping!

Fast forward to the present and the advents of technology have allowed companies to solicit public opinion and conduct consumer research via the Internet. Individuals are now able to participate in a variety of surveys, product trials, and panel/focus groups in the confines of their home. At the same time, the Internet has become the base of operation for offline research studies and group panels. Even when I don’t qualify for a particular research/study, I am often able to enter into a drawing for a nice prize. Participating in market research is a great way to voice your opinion to companies with a vested interest in understanding and improving the consumer experience while receiving a small monetary compensation or points towards various gift certificates and prizes. They really do add up and it definitely enriched my life while in college. Beyond the monetary compensation and/or prizes, I enjoy learning about new consumer products/services and providing valued feedback that will hopefully shed light on consumer behavior and expectations that is specific to my demographic group. I’ve also met some wonderful friends in the process.

Note: It is important to answer pre-screening questions as honestly as possible since companies should receive valued feedback based on their desired demographic group.

A Few Sample Experiences

• $50 Bookstore Gift Card & Catered Dinner: I participated in a two hour in-person panel and provided my opinion and experience in leveraging technology to recruit/retain/manage volunteers and as a teaching tool to promote social justice learning and activism.
• $25 Cash: I participated in a 90 minute online group session on a new car that is being marketed towards young professionals.
• Free Dental Floss: I filled out a quick 5 minute pre-screener and received a box of dental floss. I used it and a month later provided my opinion via an online survey that took 10 minutes.
• $50 Amazon Gift Card & FREE Box of Feminine Hygiene Products: I provided a 10 minute opinion about my experience utilizing a feminine hygiene product via the phone.
• $100 VISA Gift: I was entered into a drawing after I completed a 1.5 hour interview and helped a graduate student complete her dissertation.
• Various Online Surveys ($1-$3 each), Points Redeemable for Magazine Subscriptions, Airline Points, and Various Gift Cards.

Below are some websites that I’ve used and found them to be reputable.

Some Sites to Get Started

Online Survey Websites

• Survey Spot
• Greenfield Online
• Opinion Outpost
• E-Rewards
• Ipsos i-Say
• Toluna (formerly Your2Cents)
• Survey Savvy

In Person Focus Groups/Panels

• Craig’s List (Search Volunteer/Jobs Section)
  
• LensCrafters Focus Point (Online & In Person)
  
• University/College Websites (Keywords: Focus Group, Research Participant)

At the time, I had the following cards:

I had told my date this information (minus all the details) and he made a comment that has stuck to me to this day. “I always make my cards work for me”. I thought about this when I got home that night and realized that I had “grown up” yet my cards did not grow up with me. The majority of my credit cards were obtained when I was in high school with only 1 obtained during my undergraduate/college years. They did not necessarily meet my needs and I wasn’t making my cards work hard enough for me.

A few things I noticed:

• High annual percentage rates
  
• Most did not offer me cash back except for the Discover Card.
  
• Majority were retail cards.
  
• All cards I held had no annual fee tacked onto them.
  

I’ve always considered myself very financially responsible. I hardly looked at the APR rate because I never thought it mattered since I always paid my bills on time and in full. I never left a balance and thought that I managed my finances well. However, in order to make my cards work for me and not against me (such as encouraging me to spend more on items such as clothes), the frugal girl in me had to reconsider my “mix” of cards.

First, I decided that there’s no point to “kill” my already established credit card history with super established credit cards. Years of excellent credit history are on it and these boost my FICO score. Second, I realized that I wanted to get a better percentage of my annual spending back from a credit card. Sure, it was great that Discover More Card offered me 5% back for various purchases throughout the year, but the rest of the time I was getting 1% cash back and that was only after the $3000 threshold annually. Third, I thought that my APR rates were too high. I am a fan of Suze Orman and I remember reading her book and it advising me (the reader) to negotiate with the credit card company to lower your score even if I was responsible and paid my bills on time. She had said you never know what will happen in an emergency.

In regards to my first goal, I decided to keep all my existing credit cards. On cards that I no longer find as valuable such as my United Airlines VISA Signature Card, I decided to maintain its activity by using it sporadically. It was a good idea to keep the card “active” since I did not want my card closed for inactivity.

In regards to my second goal, I decided to shop around online for an additional card that offered me beyond 1% cash back annually. Since I did not pay an annual fee on any of my existing credit cards, it was important to me that I find a card that had a $0 annual fee. I compared cards online on Credit Card Menu http://www.creditcardmenu.com/ and Bank Rate http://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards.aspx. They were useful in narrowing down what I wanted. In the end, I decided to add the (Charles) Schwab Bank First VISA Credit Card to my mix because it gave me 2% on all purchases. The 2% cash back went directly into my brokerage account with Schwab which can then be instantly transferred to my Schwab Investor Checking Account. The card has no minimum spending threshold (unlike Discover’s), no cash back limits, and no annual fees. In addition, I was able to qualify for the VISA Signature version of the card which gave me the same benefits that I had with my United Airlines VISA Card. The annual percentage rate was 13.24% which was much lower than my other retail cards and United Airlines VISA Card. It was almost as excellent in terms of APR as the Discover More Card.

In regards to my third goal, I decided to “test” this out by calling two of my credit cards: Victoria’s Secret and Discover More. I had been longtime customers of both cards. Victoria’s Secret would not lower the APR for me, but Discover More lowered it to 10.99% for me which was a 2% drop from my previous rate of 12.99% and their lowest APR rate given to customers. It took only a few minutes and the representative on the phone was happy to knock down my rate because I had been a “good” customer. I was pretty happy knowing that I was able to knock the rate. I have now made it my habit to ask for rate reductions annually even if I pay the bills on time and do not accrue finance charges.

Overall, I was pretty happy with adding this card to my mix. I see the “return” every month added into my brokerage account. Since it is away from my usual checking account, I never “touch” this money and it goes into my savings and investments. In addition, I have set goals on how I will use my existing card mix.

How I Have Used the Cards to Save More Money

• Retail Cards: I will only use them specifically in conjunction with coupons/promotions that require the card. This means that no more random charging on purchases outside of the store and NOT using it when it does not garner me any additional benefit. I have come to realize that I don’t need any additional gift certificates to spend more at the store. I can get a better % back by using my cash back cards.
  
• United Airlines VISA Card by Chase: I no longer use this as my main card as I find the accumulation of miles slow and not worth it. Cash back trumps mileage accrued especially when additional service charges are being tacked on now by the airlines by mileage redemption. It no longer serves a purpose of mine, but it is an emergency card and I use it once in awhile to keep it active.
  
• Discover More Card: In the past, I used it whenever I wanted “cash back” without thinking about how to maximize my gain from the card. Nowadays, I register online for every periodic promotion they offer (aka the 5% cash back rewards). I make sure I use this card primarily for the 5% cash reward items up to the set maximum limit. Beyond that, I retreat back to my Schwab VISA Signature Card. I have never taken the “cash back” from this card. Instead, I use them to redeem gift cards to maximize my rewards from using the card. For instance, recently, I traded my cash bonuses for a $25 Starbucks Card and a $25 Borders card since I can’t give up my weekly mochas and I love to read. By using the cash back reward for redeeming gift cards to places I shop at, I inadvertently reduced the amount of money I spend on entertainment and on a larger scale living expenses. Instead of going to award websites such as Fat Wallet, I first look at Discover’s Website to see if the retailer is listed as one of their shopping partners. If so, using my Discover More Card garners a higher return than me getting some points, having a large waiting period to cash the points out (and thresholds), and eventually exchanging said points for cash.
  
• Schwab Investor First Signature VISA Card: This is now my primary card. I use it for everything unless otherwise specified for a promotion at a retail store or if it happens to be a purchase that I can get 5% back from Discover More.
  

Figure out what you want out of your credit cards. If your needs do not match up to what you want, then maybe it’s time to reassess your existing credit card mix. Remember that what works for me may not work for you. Perhaps, you love to travel and stay at posh hotels. Maybe a hotel chain credit card/travel card would work for you. Talk to your friends and see what type of cards they carry. Ask if they have any recommendations for specific credit cards. Even if you pay your bills on time, it doesn’t hurt to try to reduce your APR. I saw it as a fun challenge to “negotiate” a lower APR. Plus, you never know if emergencies will ever strike. Make your cards work for you and not against you! I can’t stress this enough. I have been able to live a fuller life by maximizing the output of my cards and reducing what I normally spend on entertainment, food, gas, etc.

And if you are wondering, my date didn’t work out.