Blog Posts by SavvySugar

Source: What to Do If You Don't Like Your Boss

Working 9 to 5 can feel like a nightmare if you don't like the person you report to, but it's important to navigate the situation carefully - for the sake of both your job and your sanity. Not a fan of your supervisor? Here are five tips to help you manage the circumstances.

• Keep it to yourself. First and foremost, don't gossip. Even if you're confident that a co-worker shares your sentiments, it's best to stay silent on the issue. If you really need to talk about it with someone, chat with a friend, a parent, or another third party who doesn't have a personal stake in your work relationships.
• Learn more about your boss. You don't have to become your boss's best friend, but you can find out more about her professional background or personal interests to discover parts of her character that you respect. Maybe he or she started in the same position as you, maybe your boss has traveled to a city that you love, or maybe he or

Source: Savvy Tip: Create a Yearly Bucket List

Bucket lists are a great way to set goals and daydream about grand plans, but it's easy to feel overwhelmed by everything you hope to see and accomplish in your lifetime. To make your bucket list more manageable, divide it into parts and give it a yearly spin: "12 Things to Do in 2012." Choose one item to tackle each month and be realistic with your picks, setting aside the loftier ideas for a separate "someday" list. Committing to just one item a month is reasonable enough, and when one fresh experience leaves you reenergized, you'll feel inspired to continue with the rest of your list. Not sure where to start? Here are 10 fun and doable bucket list ideas:

• Go to a museum in your city that you've never visited.
• Volunteer for a cause that means something to you.
• Visit a restaurant or attempt an intimidating recipe you'd usually avoid.
• Go all out and host the dinner party or birthday bash you've always imagined.
• Run a

Source: Fresh Start Resolution: Master Time Management

It's a New Year and a new you! We're detailing 12 helpful tips to start off the year right, whether it be to advance your career or increase your financial cushion. We've already given you advice on kicking your daily deal habit, quitting your caffeine addiction, and reassessing your savings account; here's another way to start afresh in 2012. Managing your time not only allows you to be more productive but also frees up precious minutes for you to spend however you'd like. To make 2012 your most organized, exciting year yet, adopt these five helpful habits.

1. Consider your to-do list a schedule. A simple checklist is a great start, but it's important to gauge the time frame for each item, too. Mark each of your tasks with an estimated start and finish time, taking into account any variables that may slow you down. Next, think of ways to make your schedule more exciting. Drawn to color? Use highlighters to create categories.

SavvySugarSource: Productivity Tips to Carry You Through 2012

The start of a new year is a good time to take a review at the best productivity tips we have shared with you. These tips help maximize your efficiency at work so you're getting more done in less time. Read on to find out what our best picks for productivity tips are so you can use them to have an even more efficient 2012!

• Doodle During Meetings to Help Retain More Information: Scientific research has shown that humans can pay attention to one thing for up to 20 minutes. After that period, it gets harder and harder to focus on it. If you feel your attention span has reached its limit, perhaps you should take a notepad out to doodle. A study in the Applied Cognitive Psychology Journal tested the doodling theory on a group of participants. Half were instructed to listen to a phone call that recited a list of names of people and places, and the other half were told to doodle when listening to the message. Those who doodled were

SavvySugarSource: 7 Easy Ways to Make Extra Money

Spending less than you earn is more important than ever these days, but it's also more difficult with disappearing jobs and slashed salaries. Increase your income by making extra money outside of your day job. Here are seven easy ideas on how to generate more cash flow.

• Show Your Love For Animals: Expensive dog walking services don't mesh with many people's trimmed down budgets, so why not fill their needs more cheaply? Dog walking or pet sitting offers are particularly appealing to people with inflexible schedules, and on weekends or holidays when people want to get away.
• Multitask and Make Money: If you're already posting your belongings to sell on sites like Craigslist and eBay, why not offer to post for others while you're at it? So many of us have stuff laying around that we'd love to sell, but we never get around to posting it online. Ask a small fee for assuming this responsibility.
• Tutor: Check in with the local public

Source: Your Guide to Enjoying a Money-Less Weekend

I know what you must be thinking, how in the world am I supposed to not spend any money this weekend? And no, you don't have to stay in all weekend, isolated, watching Law & Order reruns, and eating scraps from your fridge (although a leftovers party is a fun idea!). Here are some exciting free things to do this weekend.

• Take a Hike: There's nothing like a walk to clear the mind and enjoy a breath of fresh air. Make plans to take a walk in a park or go to hiking trails nearby. It's also a great way to wind down from the hectic work week you had - scientists found that viewing bits of greenery is really good for relaxation. Having gone away on a weekend recently to greener pastures, I can truly attest to that!
• Free Apps Galore: Use the downtime this weekend by exploring the apps world and taking advantage of all the free apps available. I'm seriously loving some I recently downloaded on the phone, and I'm going to use

SavvySugarSource: Doable DIY Gifts: $5 Plant Arrangements

The best way to save money on Christmas shopping is to give your loved ones homemade gifts. The presents you make don't have to be the traditional cookies or knitted scarves; there are plenty of ways to be creative and thoughtful on a budget. One of my favorite gifts this season is the terrarium, which is basically a plant arrangement set in a glass or plastic container. It's a simple yet meaningful gift - the recipient can use it as her office greenery and watch the arrangement grow. Not only is it beautiful, but each one will only cost you about $5 to make! Read on for instructions.

• Prepare the Materials:It's best to make terrariums with friends, because the materials you buy - the soil, gravel, and more - will most likely be available only in bulk. To make full use of all your materials and not let it go to waste, either plan to make dozens of terrarium gifts for friends or hold a terrarium party. That way, you won't have any

Source: Doable DIY Gifts: Gift Card Glitter Globes

It's hard to give someone a gift card sometimes because it can feel a little impersonal. Here's an idea: encase the gift card in pretty glitter globe for a clever, thoughtful gift. This DIY project is really simple to make and requires minimal effort. Make sure you tell the recipient to take out the gift card in a few days because although the card will still be usable, it's better to play it safe and remove it before something happens.


Here are the materials you need:

• Jar: you can use a jam, olive, or salsa jar.
• Gift card
• Glitter
• Ribbon
• Hot glue gun
• Water

1. First, empty the jar and wash it out along with the lid. Remove the label by soaking it with hot water and scrubbing it off. I added oil while I was scrubbing bits of the label off with a brush, and it definitely helped.
2. Use the hot glue gun to draw a thick line across the inside of the lid.
3. Take your gift card and immediately push