Give the Gift of More Time w/ Alice.com Gift Cards – 15% Off!

March 8th, 2010 | By Rebecca Thorman | 1 Comment

Recently, thousands of Alice customers shared their stories on how they save time with Alice and  how they plan to spend it this year in our More Time contest. To celebrate your amazing entries and let you give the gift of time to a family member, friend or neighbor, we’re offering 15% off all Alice.com gift cards through Thursday, March, 11! (We won’t tell if you buy one for yourself too!)

Visit the Alice.com gift card page now >

Congratulations to the winner of our contest, Catherine P.

Not only does Alice save me time, it saves my energy.  I LOVE not having to move items from shelf to cart; from cart to checkout; from checkout to bags, from cart to car, & finally from car to house.  I use the extra time to take my dogs for walks, which leaves us all healthier and in good spirits.

- Catherine P., Upper Nyack, NY

More of our favorite entries:

I love Alice. It is so nice not having to lug heavy groceries like detergent and toilet paper especially in this frigid weather.  I plan on spending more time with my grandchildren reading books, playing games and going for long walks in the woods.
- Beverly M.

Alice has eliminated my “need” to stop at Target each week.  Not only has this saved me money, it has also saved my 4 children a lot of pain and suffering!  Instead of dragging them through the store, explaining why they can’t have this or that, we use that time to PLAY! Everyone DOES need an Alice!
- Amy B.

As a couponer, I usually spend a lot of time going from store to store during the week for the best deals. Well, now all the best deals are on Alice.  In less than five minutes, I finish all the shopping for the week, and now I spend that time studying and volunteering for non profit organizations.
- Akaya

Alice will save me time so I don’t have to leave the city to go to get cleaning products cheaper – an all day affair. I will now have time to get other items accomplished such as training for my next marathon or studying for the GMATs.
- Courtney

I use Alice to send household staples to my son, away in his first off campus apartment.  The time (and worry!) saved, knowing he’s well-stocked, can be used for pleasant visits, rather than another trip by Mom spent as a pack mule with supplies!
- Melissa

It saves me a lot of time. I walk to a little mall 4 blocks away. It is carrying the bags home that is a problem. Now with Alice this senior citizen has the heavy items and other things shipped by Alice
- Sheila B., age 65, cancer survivor

Ziplock Steamers are no longer carried in my local stores.  I’d wasted hours searching for my bags when it occurred  to check Alice.  Alice delivered my bags at an great price.  This year I’m having my second baby and Alice will give me more time to spend with my little ones and save me money too.
- Greta L.

Debt & a lack of work forced me to sell my car among other things. I commute to work by bicycle and rent a Zipcar when necessary. Alice saves me time & money. What will I do with it? Spend it working & paying off more debt. Simple but vital things afforded by saving a little here & a little there.
- Luke A.

Instead of lugging groceries from shelf to cart to car to home… dealing with kids “I want this!” and not clipping coupons!!!I’ll be taking a nap and saving money on the advil i need after each shopping trip!
- Heather

I love Alice-it has given me back my library time.  I drive right past the big box store to the library and actually choose a few books!  I have discovered baking books that have given me the courage to try baking bread from scratch.  Thanks Alice-I have a leisure time and a new hobby!
- Amy B.

I have a 20y/o son with Autism.With Alice,we shop online.I say an item,he finds what we use.It’s healthier shopping with him w/o the crowded store causing anxiety. He puts the new things away too.He loves his “job” Thank you for helping me use shopping as a teaching tool as well as a time saver.
- Michelle B.

Thanks for all your entries! Remember, we’re offering 15% off all Alice.com gift cards through Thursday, March, 11!

Visit the Alice.com gift card page now >

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Posted to: Announcements, Coupons | 1 Comment

Six Million Batteries

March 5th, 2010 | By Sam Davidson | 3 Comments

Sam Davidson writes about being a dad on Fridays. He’s made it seven weeks so far. His next feat of greatness? Starring in his own Alice commercials.

I’ve tried hard these last seven (yikes!) weeks to not let my house look like Graco vomited all over it. I’ve got the standard baby accoutrements littered throughout my house, of course: a bouncer, a swing, a pack-n-play, a car seat, a baby monitor. But, I’ve tried my hardest to not feel as though I need every gadget and baby innovation on the market.

Of course, once you have these items – or any items – you’ve got to put them together. Since my daughter isn’t using too many accessories yet, I usually wait until Big Guy (that’s her grandfather on my wife’s side) gets into town and assembles what needs assembling. But even after that process, there’s a final step that can’t be overlooked, that stands in the way between your child’s wails of boredom and your sanity:

Six million batteries.

Somewhere in the past three years, I think the FDA required that all toys for children under 12 months require batteries to work. Back when I was a kid, I was given a spoon to occupy myself until I had a sister and it was expected that we’d entertain each other while mom slept. When the other sister came along, the numbers weren’t even, so more fights erupted. After all, we did only have the one spoon to share among us.

Not my daughter. She’s got some walkie-talkie thing that is supposed to make her smarter. Then there’s the play thing that will make her more popular one day. Mix in some stuff animals with moving parts and drums that can roll on the floor and you’ll have more gadgets and circuitry than the first mission to the moon. If I were more MacGyver-like, I’d have pieced together an HDTV out of all this plastic and copper.

Most perplexing of all, of course, is the fact that I never have the right batteries. Or the right amount. If the toy requires three, I’m two short. If it needs eight, I need to pull the three out of both TV remotes. Then, when Matlock comes on after America’s Funniest Home Videos, well, I’ve got to actually stand up and change the channel. Makes me think back to my toy spoon days.

The solution? Stock up on batteries like they’re diapers. Before too long, I’m sure her diapers will require batteries. Lucky for me, Alice sells both.

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Posted to: Baby & Toddler | 3 Comments

How to satisfy your sweet-tooth and avoid temptation

March 3rd, 2010 | By Rebecca Thorman | 2 Comments

I’m excited to start featuring more Alice.com products on this blog, as well as introduce you to some of my fabulous colleagues. Today, Marci, one of our Customer Service Associates, shares how she avoids the temptation of a jelly-filled donut with Sun Crystals sweetener. Some of these posts, like this one, will be sponsored, but the opinions will always be our own.

Here’s what Marci has to say:

From the caramel macchiato to the wet cappuccino, I know my “coffee” — I’m using the word loosely, as I know that some people who prefer theirs black would scoff at my comparison of it to anything ending in “-iato” or “-ccino.” As a former barista in four different coffee shops, I’ve heard it all, seen it all, and tasted it all. Rarely do I add a sweetener of any kind — but since I’m a sucker for new products, I thought I’d give Sun Crystals a whirl in a cup of breakfast blend this morning.

The added sweetness not only had a great taste, it also satisfied my sweet tooth enough to allow me to stride past the tray of jelly-filled donuts in the break room with something approaching arrogance. This simple 5-calorie packet saved me 3 miles on the treadmill. Sign me up.

Thanks for the review, Marci! Do you use sweetener, readers? Does it stave off the sweet-tooth temptations? Let us know in the comments.

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Posted to: Kitchen, Reviews | 2 Comments

New Week, New Product

March 1st, 2010 | By Rebecca Thorman | 2 Comments

With Spring quickly approaching (if you’re lucky), it’s time to get out and about, especially if you have a dog.When you’re walking man’s best friend, keep these Repellem Dog Poop Bags on hand. They smell nice (no chemical scent), so they’re an improvement on the grocery store plastic bags, and they also keep dogs, cats, raccoons, mice, flies, mosquitoes, ants, cockroaches, wasps, bees and many other nuisance insects and animals away.

The bags use all-natural ingredients, naturally, and are 100% biodegradable. Whether you’re in your backyard, on a walk or on a trip, everyone will enjoy a pest free environment. All the Repellem products can be buried in any typical landfill (95% of all trash ends up here), or placed in your backyard compost bin, and you can rest assured they will disappear in a short time.

Happy Dog Walking!

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Posted to: Animal House, New Products | 2 Comments

The Day It All Changed (Again)

February 26th, 2010 | By Sam Davidson | 5 Comments

On Fridays, Sam Davidson talks about being a dad. He usually works in a random celebrity in each post.

While scrolling through the new album containing newborn photos from the hospital, I was delighted for my friends. As new parents, they were off for a roller coaster ride that I already had a six-week head start on. I’ve kept my mouth shut so far, not wanting to be like the person in line for the movie the second time who blurts out, “Bruce Willis is dead.”

The title of my friend’s photo album is “And Everything Changed.” Sure, when your kid emerges from the womb and into the world, lots of things change. And as I celebrate with them, I kind of want to pass them a note that says:

Dear Alan:

Wait until week six. Everything changes again.

P.S. Do you want to trade your cookies for my raisins at lunch?

Yes

No

Maybe

Everything changes again at six weeks because that’s when babies start sleeping for more than three hours at a time overnight. And while bragging about this certainly gives many of you the right to come at me with pitchforks and bobby pins (Yes, you can kill a man with a bobby pin. I think Chuck Norris has done it. And yes, you can buy bobby pins on Alice, which perhaps makes Alice an arms dealer.), I’m quite certain that now that I’ve written how my daughter likes to sleep 6+ hours in one sitting, she’ll begin her rebellious teenage years this evening.

Perhaps I shall hide the car keys.

We also found out a few weeks ago that our daughter was smiling responsively well ahead of schedule. We heard this from an official medical professional, not Granny Lu. So it’s legit. This means that our daughter is nearly all grown up. We’ll be working on walking next week and Algebra in April. I don’t know when the next major milestone will be, but I’m guessing it will be somewhere around four or six months when she finishes her novel. Which she should have turned into a movie by her first birthday.

Of course, ambitions and milestones are different for each child, parent, and family. But, when one is crossed, everything seemingly changes. Call it magic, call it evolution, call it life – just don’t call me and tell me your kid is five and still has never slept through the night. My phone will be on silent anyway.

I’ll be sleeping.

What major milestone do I (or my friend) have to look forward to next? Share your memory in the comments of when your kid did something wonderfully (un)expected.

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Posted to: Baby & Toddler, Dialogue | 5 Comments

Frugal Computer Tricks to Save You Money

February 25th, 2010 | By Rebecca Thorman | 3 Comments


Today’s post is from contributing writer Christina over at Northern Cheapskate.

Some may argue as to whether or not a computer is truly a necessity (for me, it is!). But just because you need a computer, doesn’t mean using it has to cost a lot. Here are a few simple tricks you can do with your computer that will save you money:

Use free Anti-virus software. There are some great free anti-virus programs like AVG that can help you protect your computer.  I’ve been using the AVG free program for a couple of years now with no problems.  You may want to add additional spyware and firewall protection, but you can usually find these for free, too.  I’d recommend checking out CNET for reviews on the latest free software available.

Don’t print it – Use Cute PDF. This free download allows you to create a PDF of any page you’re looking at on the screen.  Whenever I do any online shopping, I save the receipt as a PDF, instead of wasting ink and paper I could be using to print coupons.

Skip buying Microsoft Office. Whenever you buy a computer, there’s always the pressure to buy the Microsoft Office Suite.  When I bought my last laptop, I skipped this purchase and saved $150.  Instead, I use Microsoft Works, which came bundled on my computer at no additional charge.  If you must send something as a Word or Excel document, you can simply do a “save as” and change the file type to Word or Excel.    If you don’t already have Microsoft Works, I know people many people who swear by Open Office, which is another free program that does word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Avoid paying for off-site storage. Backing up your computer data is important.  And making sure you have your important computer files stored off-site is important too, in case there is ever a fire or other natural disaster at your home.

There are several ways you can save your data off-site without paying a subscription to a company that will do it for you.  First, you can save items to CDs or DVDs and keep them where you work or at a trusted relative’s home.  You can also save some basic documents and spreadsheets to Google Docs. Many sites like Mozy offer up to 2GB of storage for free, so if you have a lot of info to save, you can spread your files around more than one service.  (Just be sure you don’t have to pay to retrieve your data with any of these types of services).  Most photo services such as Snapfish.com by HP and Shutterfly will allow you to store photos forever on their site as long as you make a purchase once a year.

Just be sure to read the terms of service before signing up for any type of off-site storage and make sure you’re comfortable with putting your personal information on these storage sites.

One other idea:  If you have a file that is important to you that you want to save off-site, create a free e-mail account on Gmail or Yahoo and send it to yourself.  As long as you keep the e-mail account active, the file can be stored in that account.

Use your computer’s energy-saving features. If you’re always forgetting to turn your computer off,  remember that you can set your computer (under the Control Panel on a Windows machine) to switch to sleep mode or to even power down after a period of time.  This can save you some money over the course of a year.

What are some frugal computer tricks you’ve learned?  I’d love to hear your ideas!

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Posted to: Dialogue, Home Management, Money Management | 3 Comments

You’ll need these the next time you travel

February 24th, 2010 | By Rebecca Thorman | No Comments

Spring break is coming up, or maybe you’re just planning a trip to escape the Winter blues. Myself, I have a conference planned for next month. And I love traveling once I’m at the destination, but I get testy on the way there. It’s never the expected things like a baby crying on the plane, but the little things that get under my skin at the airport and in the air. These EarPlanes ear plugs are sure to help me tune a lot of that out. They help relieve air cabin pressure discomfort and of course reduce noise.

EarPlanes are a soft, hypoallergenic latex-free silicone and are disposable once you arrive. No drugs and no ear pain. Arriving relaxed and rested? I could get used to that. (Oh, and they have EarPlanes for Kids too.)

What about you? What are your travel secrets? How do reduce the stress?

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Posted to: Hacks & How-Tos, Medicine Cabinet | No Comments

New Week, New Product

February 22nd, 2010 | By Rebecca Thorman | No Comments

Usually I add my own thoughts here, but I love Full Circle’s mission so much, I’m quoting it in full:

It’s a simple reality – our product choices are limited to what we can find on store shelves. And more often than not, products that are the most accessible aren’t always the most eco-friendly. Or good looking. That’s just the way it’s been for ages.

But the game has changed—with Full Circle’s line of stylish, functional products made from sustainable and renewable resources. Like scrub brushes with sleek, bamboo handles and sponges made from cellulose, a plant-based iber. We’ve even made pot scrubbers that fully biodegrade! (As you can see, we’re really into this stuff.)

Important behind-the-scenes changes are happening here, too—such as improved working conditions, cleaner manufacturing methods and higher environmental standards. Even our suppliers have come around to our way of thinking. (We’re kind of persuasive that way.)

At Full Circle, we believe in constantly striving to do things better. Because while there may be a finite number of resources in the world, there’s an infinite number of ways to use them more wisely.

And figuring out how to do that is what gets us up every morning.

Awesome, huh? And they’re right. That scrubber IS pretty.

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Posted to: Cleaning Closet, Kitchen, New Products | No Comments

The Bag is Packed

February 19th, 2010 | By Sam Davidson | 3 Comments

Sam Davidson just packed his diaper bag. Well, his daughter’s diaper bag. When not restocking that, he blogs.

With the help of the Alice family (that’s you), I successfully packed my daughter’s diaper bag for her afternoon with Granny Lu sans parents. While my wife and I enjoyed a lovely Valentine’s lunch and an errands run, the kiddo was prepared for anything apocalyptic in nature. Seriously, were something life-ending to occur (as in life as we know it on earth), I think along with the cockroaches and Lady Gaga, the diaper bag would survive.

Here’s some advice that you shared that we took to heart:

And for the funnies, which may or may not have informed our packing decisions (you’ll need to babysit to find out):

Thanks for the suggestions! If there’s anything I must have – and you didn’t weigh in last week – drop a comment below. Otherwise, like raising children, I’m sure this will be an ongoing trial-and-error experiment.

Like Lady Gaga.

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Posted to: Baby & Toddler, Checklists | 3 Comments

Why Not Being A Girly-Girl is Great

February 17th, 2010 | By Rebecca Thorman | 9 Comments

Today’s post is from contributing writer Christina over at Northern Cheapskate.

There is no part of me… other than my anatomy… that would let you know that I am a girl.

I’m one of the least girly-girls I know.  I can’t stand dresses or skirts (or anything frilly for that matter),  I don’t wear make-up, and a pedicure sounds like something that should be dipped in chocolate and served with tea.

I’ve been this way since I played with my Tonka trucks in the sandbox as a kid.  I was so grateful that I had three boys because I don’t know how to make french braids or even properly apply eye shadow.

The good thing about not being a girly-girl is that it never takes me more than 10 minutes to get ready to go anywhere.

The great thing about not being a girly-girl is that it is one of the most frugal things you can do!

Consider the perks of being low-maintenance:

1) I save thousands of dollars a year on make-up alone.  I will admit I have one ancient tube of concealer (bought with coupons!) that I keep just in case I have a super unsightly zit that my self-esteem alone can’t hide, but that’s it.  I have no beauty regimen other than to get clean!

2) Haircuts are simple affairs.  While I do have my hair professionally cut, I only get it done about every 8 weeks.  I trim my own bangs in between cuts so that I can go a little longer.  I save a fortune because I never highlight, color, or perm my hair.

3) Got a tough task or a grubby project to tackle?  Count me in because I don’t have to worry about my nails!

4) It’s easy to mix and match things in my wardrobe.  My wardrobe is simple and has not changed much since 2000.  Most of my clothes were given to me for my birthday, bought with gift cards earned through various bloggy deals, or bought for pennies at my local thrift shop.  I have three pairs of shoes and two purses that I rotate depending on the season and what I’m wearing.

5) I save a lot of money on personal care items.  I don’t have any brand loyalties whatsover… and in many cases the store brands suit me just fine.  Who needs expensive salon brands or fancy smelly lotions and whatnot?

The key to thriving as a non girly-girl is to be content with who you are, happy with how you look in the mirror, and to not care what anyone else thinks about you.

Hmmm… sounds like many of the same characteristics you need to be frugal, too!

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Posted to: Dialogue, Money Management, Smart Shopping | 9 Comments

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