Blog Posts by SavvySugar

Source: 6 Reasons Not to Send Professional Emails After Dark

We've all been there before - it's midnight when you suddenly remember a work email you promised to send at the end of the day. You're tempted to send an email right then and there because you either have a deadline, or you don't want to forget to send it again the next day. Before you make any rash decisions, stop and consider the situation. Unless the email is an emergency and you actually have people waiting to hear back from you, then I advise you hold off on it till the next day. It's also OK to send it if your colleague lives in a different time zone where it's daytime to your night. Here are reasons against sending late-night work emails:

• They most likely won't read it until the next day. If it's related to work, many people often tune out of their work life once they are home. There are a lot of people who either resolve to not check their work emails after work, or not to respond to any work emails until

Source: 12 Tricks to Make Groceries Last Longer and Save Cash

Saving on groceries doesn't just stop at the supermarket checkout. Have your dollar go even further by preserving your food and using some tricks to extend the life of your groceries. If you're throwing away food, you're wasting cash, and all the tips you've used to save money at the grocery store will be for naught. By learning how to preserve food, you're helping your wallet and the environment by reducing waste. Read on to find out the best ways to make your groceries last a good while.

• Get an Ethylene Gas Guardian: The E.G.G. or Ethylene Gas Guardian ($25) is a product that will absorb ethylene, which is emitted by most fruits and veggies. Some types of produce that are sensitive to this ripening agent will spoil more quickly when exposed to this gas. A solution is to separate the items (there is a nice list of Ethylene-sensitive foods on Real Simple), and you can also choose to use the E.G.G. and put it in your

Source: Be Prepared! 9 Earthquake Safety Tips For the Office

My office sent my colleagues and me to an earthquake training 101 class yesterday - it was very interesting and a little bit terrifying. For one, the presenter showed us a simulation of what the Bay Bridge in San Francisco will look like if there was an earthquake that rated a 7 on the Richter scale rippling through the city. Suffice to say, the image of the bridge bending like playdough seriously scared me. I'm going to start being more prepared for natural disasters, and you should do the same with these tips:

• Sensible Footwear: If you're a heel-loving gal, make sure you at least keep a pair of sensible shoes with thick soles at the office. This is so when you walk home, your feet will be protected from the rubble and glass bits.
• Masks: If parts of buildings have collapsed or fallen, the air is bound to be dusty. Get a mask that will filter the dust out so you can walk home.
• Food and Water: Make

Source: 7 Secret Tips to Getting Freebies From an Expert

I'm sure all of you agree that there's nothing as gratifying as getting a freebie. It's hard enough to scour the web for coupon codes, which a lot of the times don't work or have expired, so the best thing to do is to call in an expert. Kathy Spencer, author of the How to Shop For Free, spills the dirt on how to get some really awesome freebies. She calls them her "Lucky 7 Tips," because you'll feel lucky after you get such good stuff for free! Be sure to also check out her website at HowtoShopForFree.net.

• Have a free girls' night out. Call up Bath and Body Works and ask to reserve one. They'll close the store down for you and your friends, and give you free foot soaks, mini facials, make up applications, and more.
• Get your make up done for free at Sephora. Sephora offers complimentary 15-minute make up applications during which they teach you how to do it yourself-things like smoky eyes and luscious lips. You'll

Source: Going the Distance: 10 Tips to Getting a Job in Your Dream City

You might dream of packing your bags and running off to make it big in New York City, but the fact of the matter is, it's extremely hard to get a call back from an employer if you don't live the same city. To raise your chances of succeeding, here are some things you should do:

• Move There: The best way to find a job in the city you'd love to work in is to be on the ground, networking, and interviewing in the city itself. That will save you plenty of awkward questions about where you're actually living. However, this option is not ideal for everyone since it's going to be hard to cover the cost of moving and living expenses when you're not making any income. Although this is probably your best bet for getting a job in the city you want, it's also the most costly.
• Find a Company Contact: Since your location is working against you, you need an extra edge to get an "in" at the company. Network through

Source: Savvy Tip: 3 Ways to Tell if Those Rewards Cards Are Worth It

For anyone who's racked up frequent flier miles, points, and other perks from business travel days probably had the same giggle at a scene from Up in the Air where Vera Farmiga and George Clooney pull out all their cards to compare enrollment programs. Not to say my pals and I have never done this ('cause we have), but it reminded me of the uses even recreational travelers receive by joining free offerings. Even though I rarely travel for work nowadays, see the three tips about programs I still use and avoid status for the sake of status when you.

• Save Money: Simply signing up for some programs (especially car rental ones), can earn you automatic savings. Coupon codes and discounts are easy to come by and can make a big difference for even infrequent trips. Add in special "member-only" email discounts and there's quite the deal on your hands!
• Save Time: If you're traveling at a peak period or through

Source: 5 Ways Vodka Can Help You Save Money

Sorry to burst your bubble, but you're not going to save by drinking vodka! However, the liquor actually has a couple of household uses that will come in handy. Not to mention, you won't be splashing unnecessary money on products and you'll be doing the environment some good because it's less toxic. Invest in a bottle of cheap vodka to stretch your dollar in these ways:

• Clean Your Clothes: First, do a spot test on the piece of clothing just to be on the safe side. If the material stays in the same condition, spray vodka on the outfit. It'll keep your clothes fresh in between the laundry loads and kill any lingering odors. The liquor is also a good stain remover, so dab some on stubborn stains before throwing your clothes into the washer.
• Get Rid of Mold: Spray it on the mold in your bathroom, and after letting it soak in for a good while, wipe it clean. The alcohol will kill the mold.
• Prevent Flowers From Wilting:

Source: Vampire Author Charlaine Harris Talks About Her Job

Through the pages of books written by bestselling author Charlaine Harris, readers enter a fantasy world - one filled with sexy vampires, endearing shape-shifters, and incredibly gorgeous fairies. You might be more familiar with the HBO show True Blood, which was inspired by Charlaine's Southern Vampire series. I know that many of you aspire to be writers, so read on to find out what it's like to walk in her shoes!

SavvySugar: What's your typical day like?

Charlaine Harris: I hardly have a daily routine any more because of the increased demands on my time. However, on an ideal day I'm in my office by eight. I write six pages, finishing by early afternoon, and then I deal with other matters until three thirty or four o'clock, when I read for a while before starting supper.

SS: How did it all start?

CH: I was writing my first book while I was taking a writing course at the University of Missouri St. Louis, the