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Unfortunately, summer brought some unexpected news about a new law that affects some of our merchants. Due to recent changes to California Law ABX1_28 (the “Amazon Law”) some of our participating merchants discontinued our affiliate relationship effective June 30, 2011 and they will not longer allow us to promote their programs.
For more information about the law please visit: California Law
Discontinued Merchants:
1800-Petmeds
6pm
BJ’s Wholesale
Boden
Body Building
Cabelas
Calvin Klein
Crutchfield
Diapers.com
Dyson
Endless
Fingerhut
Gaiam
Gardener’s Supply
Golfballs
Jessica London
Luggage Online
Overstock
Pajama Gram
Roaman’s
Shoebuy
Shopbob
SmartBargains
Soccer.com
Taylor Made
Vermont Teddy Bear
Vitacost
Wine Enthusiast
Woman Within
We truly appreciate your participation in the program.
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The more shopping you do online through BondRewards – the more BondDollars you can earn. Watch your BondDollars grow into big savings that you can later redeem for Cash or U.S. Savings Bonds! It’s a win-win so spread the word, secure your future, and show some love with BondRewards!
Summer is here and the energy seems to be ramping up everywhere. Unfortunately for most of us adults we don’t get a three month long summer vacation to just relax. However, we can get creative with our spare time and spruce up our backyard to become the summer oasis we’ve always dreamt about. Here are a few ideas you can do to your backyard to make it colorful, peaceful, and welcoming for yourself and your family all summer long.
CREATE A SOCIAL SITTING AREA:
Shop the local garage sales, Good Will stores or even your own garage and look for a sturdy table that will sit at least two people. Using the same method, look for some chairs to sit around the table or near the table. The chairs don’t have to match – one of the easiest and most affordable ways to decorate these days is to pick pieces that have a range of color and styles. When put together these pieces are quite welcoming because they look ‘lived in’ and have a lot of character. If you have any old pillows that still have a good amount of fluff to them use those but create new covers by hitting up the local fabric store. When browsing through fabric think of colors, textures, and patterns that will compliment your new outside décor. Make new pillow covers and place on the chairs.
CREATE SOME AMBIANCE:
Now that you have a comfortable sitting area you’ll need a little ambiance to complete the full effect. Ambiance can be easily overlooked but is important when trying to set the perfect mood. Go through your old Christmas lights and pull out all the white ones. These lights are going to be wrapped around the trees in your backyard. Colored lights are also nice but if you have a really colorful sitting area or backyard it can get overwhelming. White lights are peaceful and highlight the natural colors of your backyard.
If you have any candles, any scent or color will work, grab those and place them in the sitting area or any surrounding ledges. Keep in mind that citronella is best to ward off annoying pests on those warm summer nights. Also, make sure you’re being safe with the candles and have them in properly ventilated areas with trays below them to catch the wax.
Fire Pits are really popular right now and easy to make yourself. If you have a local junk yard or a lot of garage sales in your area I suggest visiting those first. What you want to find is something like a big wok in any sturdy metal. Near your newly designed sitting area place a bunch of stones in the form of a circle. Place the smaller stones inside the circle and the larger ones on the outside. Place the fire pit on top of that circle and arrange to make level. Be sure that your fire pit is in a safe area that won’t catch your house, trees, or furniture on fire.
Lastly, if your backyard is a little on the desolate side you may want to purchase some extra foliage. Scattering brightly colored plants around your backyard in choice areas will help compete the oasis look. Place the plants near the sitting area, at the base of any walls, on ledges, and anywhere else you think they’ll look nice and thrive. When purchasing these plants be sure to check their light and temperature zones so that you don’t kill them.
Now, enjoy the fruits of your labor and make the most of your new summer get-away all season long.
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The more shopping you do online through BondRewards – the more BondDollars you can earn. Watch your BondDollars grow into big savings that you can later redeem for Cash or U.S. Savings Bonds! It’s a win-win so spread the word, secure your future, and show some love with BondRewards!
It seems that spring is just about here and if you’re anything like me, you’re chomping at the bit to get your garden ready. No doubt winter can be harsh on a garden and how harsh will depend a lot on where you live and how extreme your winter gets. However, snow-covered or not timing and knowledge is everything.
WHEN TO START:
If there is still snow or frost in your area you may want to wait just a little bit longer. If you start to notice that your local hardware stores are stocking live plants again, birds have returned and trees are budding – it’s time. Get your supplies ready, pencil in a weekend to dedicate to your backyard, and go seed, bulb, and plant shopping now.
WHAT TO DO FIRST:
First thing’s first – out with the old, in with the new. Keep in mind that it’s better to clean out the dead plants now before new growth gets matted underneath or inside of the dead portion. Get your gloves on and remove any old leaves, fallen branches, broken limbs, and dead plants. Some plants will have surly died over the winter either because the conditions were too rough for it or because it was a onetime bloomer such as an annual. If you have plants dying that aren’t annuals, make sure to check for signs of bugs and disease. If all looks well there, it could be that the plant was placed in the wrong environment. Make sure that when you purchase new or replacement plants that you’re checking the temperatures and weather conditions that are ideal for that plant.
TRIMMING:
Now that all the death has been removed from your yard go through with some shears and clippers and prune your shrubs, trees, and plants to promote new growth. Some heavier woody-type plants will only bud on newly trimmed limbs so make sure you’re thorough here and not cutting any corners.
NEW PLANTS:
If you purchased new plants or split up old ones this is when you would want to plant them. Make sure your new plant can handle the weather you’re experiencing right now and not the weather you’re anticipating in the next couple months. Young plants are especially vulnerable since they are so small and have weaker root systems. If they’re not ready, hold off a bit until you’re sure they can survive.
WEEDING & FERTILIZING:
Next you’ll want to go through and rip out all the weeds. Go figure its weeds that can grow in any climate, seed constantly, and spread like crazy. Why can’t roses do that? Anyway, rip out all the weeds you can find while the ground is moist – they’ll be much easier to remove that way. You can also get some RoundUp and spray it in the cracks of your patio, driveway, and porch to prevent new weeds from forming and spreading. Don’t get RoundUp too close to the plants you want to keep as it will kill them too. Once the weeds are gone go through and fertilize your plants with compost, new soil, and a fertilizer that promotes strong hearty growth.
At this point your backyard probably looks a little barren but don’t worry it’s only temporary and nature knows what to do. You’ve done what you can to get your garden ready – the rest is up to Mother Nature.
Shop these stores via BondRewards.com and get BondDollars redeemable for Cash or U.S. Savings Bonds! If you have to shop – why not shop smart?
The more shopping you do online through BondRewards – the more BondDollars you can earn. Watch your BondDollars grow into big savings that you can later redeem for Cash or US Savings Bonds! It’s a win-win so spread the word, secure your future, and show some love with BondRewards!
The rules of having credit and credit cards have gone from very flexible to very mindful in the past couple years. As Americans are becoming more conscience of their actions, needs, wants, and splurges there has been a growing trend in double checking what money is spent and why. Many Americans used to spend on a somewhat frivolous level purchasing items out of their means without so much as a second thought. These days we’ve become a much savvier group that scrutinizes every credit card offer we receive in the mail, we monitor our credit scores, and we’ve learned to pass on those ‘nice to have items’ and focus on the ‘need to haves’ instead.
Don’t get me wrong, there is no harm in having a little credit used in your name but some people tend to go a little overboard and purchase more than a tank of gas to keep their score up. Here are a few items that should NEVER be charged on credit cards, no matter how badly you want to.
LUXURY VACATIONS:
Although it’s tempting to just charge it and deal with the consequences later – that’s exactly what you’ll be doing if you go down this road. It’s mindlessly easy to slide a card for some plane tickets, a room, a few dinners here and there, a show, some local activities, and some souvenirs. Then, before you know it, you’ve charged a small car on your credit card in no time. The vacation you just took that was supposed to be stress free will likely cause you more stress in the following months and years while you struggle to pay it all off. Save up for the vacation you want, research cheaper travel times and when you’re about to make a purchase think to yourself, ‘will I look back on this and regret it’? If you think you will and that you’re getting lost in the moment slow down and remember to relax. That’s what you’re there for anyways right?
A WEDDING:
It’s so easy to go over budget when planning a wedding, you upgrade the linens, the glassware, the cake is a little more extravagant, the flowers a little more exotic, and the food a little more tasteful. Then come your first day back to reality you have a huge bill on your hands. Weddings usually cost around 10k on the more conservative side so it’s quite east to blow that 10k out of proportion when you’re looking at items on a case by case basis. Keep tabs on how much these upgrades will cost in the long run, stay true to your budget, and remember that no one will really care if you’re not wearing a Vera Wang gown.
PLASTIC SURGERY:
If you must get plastic surgery research the cost and work up to saving that amount. From what I’ve heard, plastic surgery is a lot like tattoos and piercings for some, it can be very addicting and the bills can quickly get out of control. However, unlike tattoos and piercings – plastic surgery is much more expensive which can cause your finances to spiral out of control quite fast. Try to save up for the surgery of your choice and remember to not let it get the best of you in the end. Think about this – do you REALLY need it?
The more shopping you do online through BondRewards – the more BondDollars you can earn. Watch your BondDollars grow into big savings that you can later redeem for Cash or US Savings Bonds! It’s a win-win so spread the word, secure your future, and show some love with BondRewards!
Many of us have heard the phrase, ‘go green’ but what exactly does that mean and how far are you expected to go? Truth is, when it comes to going ‘green’ every little bit helps. Why recycle? Reduce waste in dumps, reduce the amount of new materials that need to be harvested from our planet or imported from other countries, save yourself money by avoiding excessive purchases, and set a good example for your kids and future generations by starting responsible habits.
Did you know that 90% of what we use every day is actually recyclable? Almost all plastics, paper types, metals, rubbers, and glass can be recycled into new items. Try to get a recycle plan started at home where you take every bit of cardboard, paper, plastic, glass, and metal and toss them into recycling containers. If you already have a recycling program – get more aggressive. Chances are a lot of what you send to the dump every week can be recycled into new items!
When you’re at the grocery store you’ll notice that some companies have taken their packaging to new levels of extreme. Some items will come individually wrapped within a wrapped container or bag – none of which is recyclable. One of the best perks we have in this country is that we have a large variety of options to choose from just about everywhere we go. Instead of buying these excessively packaged items, opt for one that is reasonable and preferably one that is made of a recyclable material.
Here are various ways YOU can make a difference. Remember, every little bit helps…
Re-use containers when possible (lunches, coffee, grocery store bags etc)
Skip placing your items in bags at the store if they can just be carried out
Don’t buy items that are packaged in non-recyclable materials
Carpool to work or take public transit when available
Start a compost pile in your backyard
Get more aggressive with your home and work recycling programs
Purchase energy saver appliances
Purchase a hybrid car which is good for the environment and your pocketbook. Plus, you get a tax write off at the end of the year
The more shopping you do online through BondRewards – the more BondDollars you can earn. Watch your BondDollars grow into big savings that you can later redeem for Cash or US Savings Bonds! It’s a win-win so spread the word, secure your future, and show some love with BondRewards!
I’m sure a lot of you made ‘getting in shape’ one of your top resolutions for 2011. Perhaps it’s even been a resolution for a few years in a row but for some reason you haven’t been able to stick with it. Maybe it’s not you – maybe it’s the company you keep.
All of the ‘friends’ you’ll read about below have one thing in common – they’re being selfish. They want you to fail in your dieting efforts so they can – a. have their friend back, b. so you don’t get in better shape than them, and c. so they don’t feel obligated to also start a workout and diet routine. These friends may try one or all of the tactics below to get you to veer from your commitment. Just remember to be strong, set stern rules with yourself and those around you. If your friends aren’t going to support you, they aren’t much of a friend at all.
THE PESSIMIST:
Have you ever tried to diet and although some people are supportive, there’s always that one friend that seems to ride you the entire time? Constantly plaguing you with comments like, ‘that diet doesn’t work’, and ‘you’re not seriously going to diet are you’? Well this ‘friend’ is the pessimist. The pessimist will try their hardest to get you to doubt yourself by telling you diet failures, gym horror stories, and just about anything else they can to make you throw in the towel. Don’t be fooled though, stick to your guns and use their cynical attitude as your ammo to strive harder.
THE GUILT TRIPPER:
This is the friend that begs us to share that 1,000 calorie dessert with them, the friend that makes us go with them to Burger King because they know it’s our weakness, the friend that miraculously ‘needs’ you right when you’re heading out to the door to the gym. This is the friend that does whatever they can to steer us off our path. Beware of this friend and don’t fall into their temptations and guilt trips.
THE DISTRACTER:
This person tries to interrupt your routine by inviting you to other places or events while they know you’re trying to get your workout done. This friend invites you to the best parties, the most happening restaurants, the coolest sporting events and concerts in hopes that you’ll say yes and splurge. Very similar to the guilt tripper except they take it a step further, they don’t just want you to feel bad about your diet or workout routine, they want you to drop your plans and hang out with them instead. For this friend, remember to just say ‘no’. Eventually they’ll understand how committed you are and back off.
THE GLOATER:
This person rubs everything in your face, the food they eat, the drinks they consume, the parties they go to and the fun people they met. They are a lot like the ‘distracter’ but in a more subtle way. They post their pictures online, they go on and on about all the great times they just had and the new friends they’re making. It’s hard to tell sometimes because they aren’t necessarily targeting you when they gloat; however, they have been a lot more ‘active’ on their social networks these days haven’t they? This ‘friend’ is trying to make you feel left out, by using this tactic they aren’t directly saying that they want you to stop your regimen or that you should feel bad about missing the fun, but in a more passive aggressive way they’re trying to make you feel like an outcast so you quit. For this friend it won’t help to get mad at them since they’ll simply deny your allegations – instead you need to focus on yourself and pay no attention to what they’re doing. Remember your goals and avoid places where you either run into them or see them online – just until you’re more dedicated to your diet and workout routine.
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The more shopping you do online through BondRewards – the more BondDollars you can earn. Watch your BondDollars grow into big savings that you can later redeem for Cash or US Savings Bonds! It’s a win-win so spread the word, secure your future, and show some love with BondRewards!
Taking the stairs, squeezing in an extra gym visit, passing up a hot, unexpected slice of pizza – these are all healthy decisions, but they don’t feel like fun. In fact, these activities can feel more like punishment.
Saving money doesn’t have to be a hardship – every time you put cash aside so you can do or buy the things you want, you’re taking your hopes and dreams seriously. That’s a good thing.
No one needs to become Ebenezer Scrooge in order to save, just start creating a new mindset. Would you psych yourself out before a trip to the gym? Of course not! Remind yourself to feel good when you drop money in the change jar at the end of each day. Saving money is just as healthy as working out or eating your Brussels sprouts, so keep a positive attitude and you’ll reach your goals faster than you expected.
You do have a change jar, right?
Small steps are the key to making big changes. Instead of studying every page of your paper credit card statement at end of the month, spend 30 minutes each week reviewing your online statement. When you look at your behavior 7 days at a time, it’s a lot easier to see where your money goes.
One last suggestion for pain-free saving: bank your next raise for 90 days.
The next time you get a salary increase, use Direct Deposit to put the “extra” money in a savings account for 90 days. You worked hard for that raise and you deserve every penny. Save the first three months of your increase and you could stack up around 12% of a year’s salary without changing your behavior!
There are many ways to start saving money for your future, but only some will work for you. Don’t be discouraged; just keep testing different methods until you find the ones that work best for your personality and lifestyle. There’s no wrong way to save!
Which methods best help you put money aside? Let us know, and we’ll be glad to share it here.
In honor of the upcoming Memorial Holiday here is a little background on its history…
Memorial Day, which was originally called Decoration Day, is a day that is dedicated in remembrance of fallen soldiers. Memorial Day began in 1866, becoming more popular in 1868, and was first recognized by the state of New York. From there it grew in popularity as more and more social groups and states adopted the holiday. Although the southern states were initially against the holiday they have since adopted Memorial Day as well as other holidays to specifically honor those who fought in the civil war.
While the holiday has become increasingly a day filled with BBQs, parades, and fireworks people are still urged to honor the fallen in other ways. Flags should be raised at half mast from dawn until noon, a moment of silence should be taken at 3pm, and if you can, visit a local cemetery to honor soldiers with flowers or flags. Memorial Day is a day to reflect, remember, and appreciate those who have died while serving our country in hopes of a safer brighter future.
Have a great Memorial Weekend from all of us at BondRewards!
The more shopping you do online through BondRewards – the more BondDollars you can earn. Watch your BondDollars grow into big savings that you can later redeem for Cash or US Savings Bonds! It’s a win-win so spread the word, secure your future, and show some love with BondRewards!
Some people, like myself, LOVE shopping online. I think it’s easy, convenient, quick, and I love getting the package at my door. Others though, seem to have a fear of shopping online; and so I ask you, why? Are you afraid of receiving incorrect colors or sizes? Do you think your package will get stolen? Or are you simply indecisive when it comes to the expanded selection? Whatever your reason I plan to change it. I have listed below the top 10 reasons to shop online and challenge you to give it a try. Take advantage of our 400+ stores and get BondDollars per each purchase on top of any sales or promotions.
The Top 10 Reasons to Shop Online:
There are more stores to choose from
The selection of goods is usually far greater
You can usually get free shipping and returns
You don’t have to drive to and from stores looking for an item
Stores will have discounts, deals, and sales that are only available online
You can make your return via mail or in a physical store
You don’t have to worry about how a big item is going to fit in your car
You don’t have to deal with crowds of people and packed parking lots
The items come in a box which is convenient if you need to wrap a present for someone
The online stores never close so you can shop around the clock
The more shopping you do online through BondRewards – the more BondDollars you can earn. Watch your BondDollars grow into big savings that you can later redeem for Cash or US Savings Bonds! It’s a win-win so spread the word, secure your future, and show some love with BondRewards!
Don’t forget to get those taxes postmarked and off in the mail! Maybe you are one of those people who gets things done ahead of time and you already mailed off your payments, or better yet – received your refund!
There are a lot of ways to maximize your returns and savings every year. Making your dollar work harder for you is the most fashionable thing you can do. Why not get double your money’s worth by shopping our Double Rewards stores for April. There are only 2 weeks left to take advantage of the following offers:
This Month’s Stores:
Check out how fast this month’s Double Rewards stores add up!
Each month BondRewards selects 6 of our most popular stores and doubles up the rewards. What this means for you is extra rewards. You know how you’re always looking for those Buy One Get One free deals also affectionately known as BOGOs? It’s like that, but with BondRewards.
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