PalTip New Year’s Resolutions 2013

Posted on December 30, 2012 by shari

Happy New Year!

2012 for PalTip was great! We launched the PalTip website, released the first version of the PalTip system, opened the doors for beta users, and created a WordPress Plugin, which makes life as a tipping blogger, even easier. Yes, it has been a year of working hard to make it easier for you, to make money!

So what is going to happen in 2013? Lots!

PalTip New Years Resolutions:

We are dedicated to making PalTip better.
We are planning new a “bank” full of new features, options.
We are working to bring new awesome partners on board.
We are committed to listening to you! Your feedback is really important to us.
We are developing an easier and faster PalTip, which means more money for you!

Here are some of our best tips for you from the past year that will help you in the upcoming year:

What are your resolutions?

Do you have a goal that you want to meet? Is it financial or is it how many posts you are going to write a week, or how many items you are going to tip a day?
Are you going to use your time more effectively? (That’s an easy one if you use the PalTip Plugin)
Are you going to take a day off (more often) to enjoy life, your family, your friends and rejuvenate?
Are you going to focus on activities that will make you more money?
Improve your SEO?

And now on a personal level, here is my list:

Enjoy the little things in life.
Do more RAK (random acts of kindness).
Smile more (even when I don’t want to).
Send handwritten thank you notes.
Watch at least 2 TED talks a week on random subjects.

What are your New Year’s Resolutions?

Are You Commenting on Blogs? | PalTip Blogging Tips

Posted on June 11, 2012 by shari

English: Comment icon (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Commenting on Blogs Drives Traffic

Driving traffic to your new blog is hard work. Are you commenting on blogs? Commenting on blogs is a great way to introduce yourself, share your expert knowledge, and drive traffic to your blog. Most bloggers, when they read the comments on their posts, will click on your link to see who is behind the comment. If you are commenting on numerous blogs every day, think of how much traffic you can generate from commenting.

Engagement and Relationships

Driving traffic to your blog by commenting on other blogs should be part of your strategy. The goal should be to form relationships, and commenting is one of the tactics. So comment on other blogs, tweet links to blogs that you have read and enjoyed, post links to other blogs on Facebook. Most importantly,be nice. Being nice gets you real traffic.

The Dos and Don’ts When Commenting

Make sure that your signature includes a link to your own blog. Use your real

name, and your avatar (profile picture) should be you. People want to know with whom they are engaging.
Be nice. If commenting is part of your strategy for building your community, remember that if you are not nice, people are not going to come visit your blog/site!
Get to know the blogger, read a few posts, not only the one you want to comment on.
The length of your comment is also very important. If your comment is too long, it might be considered a rant, and possibly be ignored. If your comment

is too short, the blogger might think you’re just a spammer trying to get a link.If you want to speak, speak!
Once you have commented, you have created another link in the Google love chain. The more links the merrier, but remember this only applies to relevant content! Don’t think that if you just write, “Have a good day,” someone is going to click on your link. Make your comments worthy of someone’s click.

Where To Comment

Part and parcel to writing your own blog is finding other blogs that complement yours, that share a similar voice, and that would appreciate your expertise. Once you have found them add them to your Google Reader or your RSS feed. Check them regularly and when you have something to add, share, and comment on…comment.

I recently read a great post on commenting by Annabel Candy (and I suggest that you all read it). I love tip #3 in her post, where she says:

3. If you leave a comment for another blogger, you’ll probably make their day and you might even make a friend for life.

The Comment Debate: On or Off

While writing this post, I must be completely honest and say that there is a huge debate amongst leading bloggers, whether to turn off, or leave on the ability to comment on one’s blog.

I recommend reading the following posts about in regards to this debate:

DEBATE! SHOULD YOU ALLOW COMMENTS ON YOUR BLOG? FIND OUT WHAT TWO REMARKABLY POPULAR BLOGGERS THINK

YES, BLOG COMMENTS ARE STILL WORTH THE EFFORT

Until you have decided whether to remove the commenting on your own blog, you should continue to comment on other blogs. The following is from the link above. I agree!

“A blog without comments is a soap-box, plain and simple. Not having comments says you are only interested in passing on your wisdom, without testing it against any external source (at least not where others can watch you do so) or leaving open the opportunity to actually learn something from those who don’t have their own blogs, or aren’t on Twitter or Google+.”

Do you comment on other peoples blogs? Have you seen traffic on your blog from commenting?

Pinterest and PalTip – Hand in Hand

Posted on January 23, 2012 by shari

Have you started pinning?

How many boards do you have?

Who are you following? And who is following you?

If you don’t already know what it is then here is my definition of Pinterest:

Pinterest is a social space where you can curate your dreams, ideas, the beautiful things you find on the internet, tips, do-it-yourself projects, your favorite products and more.

Pinterest has been around for a while but it’s popularity has skyrocketed in the past few months.

Why do I need Pinterest?

Remember the days when you would rip out ads, pictures and interesting headlines from magazines and newspapers and pin them on a bulletin board? Well now you can do it online (and you don’t have to worry about the dust). Pin away! Dream, explore and bucket lists!

How to use Pinterest?

Sign up (there is a waiting list if you don’t have an invite, but if you have a friend who is on ask them to send you an invite or contact me on twitter (@paltip)

Make sure you use the browser extension (makes life much easier) it is similar to the PalTip Bookmarklet.
Name your different boards i.e. design, kitchen must haves, foodies, my gadgets, DIY, organization, my style, favorite reads, etc (be creative – it is so much fun)
Search for friends already using Pinterest and start following them (or just the boards that are of interest to you).
Search for keywords and see what is being posted
Start pinning!

For a great explanation and tutorial on Pinterest read this.

PalTip and Pinterest

Pinterest is another platform where you can post your PalTip links!

Just copy your PalTip unique link into the Pinterest Pin upload, choose an image, the right board and presto (that is a lot of P’s) your pin is now linked using PalTip.

Remember the more people who see your Paltip links the greater the possibility for you to earn your share!

Golden Globes Fashion Fest

Posted on January 15, 2012 by shari

The award season officially kicks off tonight with The Golden Globe Awards. Are you going to be watching? Are you having a special screening party? I will be in front of the TV with my Twitter open and will tweet my way through the red carpet shows.

I think, and I am sure a lot of you will agree with me, that the Golden Globes and their red carpet events are the fashion events of the year.

Award Season Schedule

Tonight Sunday, January 15th - 2012 Golden Globe Awards Presentation

Sunday, January 22nd - Producers Guild Awards
Tuesday, January 24th - Oscar nominations announced at 5:30 a.m. PT
Saturday, January 28th - Directors Guild Awards
Wednesday Sunday, January 29th - 2012 Screen Actors Guild Awards
Saturday, February 4th - Art Directors Guild Awards
Sunday, February 12th - 2012 BAFTA Awards
Sunday, February 26th - 2012 Academy Awards

We all gawk at the stunning fashions,and obsessively love the red carpet specials, even though we laugh sometimes at the ridiculous commentary. Are you making mental notes on what stunning dresses and accessories you would love to have in your closets? (Continue reading – tips below) I am!

I watch to see which of the nominees make their best fashion statement yet and which make the worst dressed list. There are usually some interesting surprises.

Fashion Bloggers

I love to dive in to some of my favorite fashion bloggers posts prior to the Golden Globes to get their predictions. I think that the woman on the street has a better idea what will work and what won’t.

Some of my favorite blogs are:

Celebrity Knock Offs

Did you know that there are designers , pattern makers and seamstresses, on call the night of the awards to freeze-frame on the stunning dresses and have them in production by the end of the after party!

It happens that fast!

The king of the celebrity knock offs is Allen B Schwartz – and his label is ABS, which BTW was the label on my wedding dress that I purchased at Saks 5^th for just $150.

Some of the original dresses can range in price from $10,000 -$25,000 but the ABS label produces the knock offs for anywhere between $200 and $350.

Tip: Golden Globe Dresses at Everyday Prices

Here are some other online stores where you can find some great “celebrity style” dresses.

Alloy
Light In the Box
eDressme
PromGirl
Tiza
Faviana

So tell me who will make a hit and who will miss?

Save Money

Posted on January 10, 2012 by shari

Did I say that this was going to be one of my New Year’s Resolutions?

I have put together a spreadsheet using excel with all of my monthly expenses like I said I would. Everything! I can’t believe the list in the miscellaneous column. Now it is time to get down to the nitty gritty and see exactly where I can save money. Tip: I used this YouTube video to set up my budget.

But for those who are not going to go the spread sheet method (and you know you really should) here are some basic and very obvious simple ways to save money :

5 Easy Tips to Save Money

1. Food

Food is a daily expense that adds up – adds up big. Working in an office 8 hours a day you have to eat, but do you really have to eat at the mall every day? No! Make your lunch – record how many times you didn’t go to a restaurant and how much those meals would have cost you – by the end of the month that adds up to a lot of savings. Remember food savings goes much farther than that. Open your cupboards and pantry, pre plan your meals around what you have, if you are missing ingredients and staples make your list. Don’t buy what you don’t need. That saves lots of money!

2. Utilities

Electricity is our biggest utility expense. Change your lightbulbs to energy efficient ones, turn down the thermostat, turn off the air-conditioning (install ceiling fans), turn off lights, and unplug appliances. Did you know that you can save a huge percentage on your electricity when you decrease your phantom loads? Phantom load is electricity that is being used by an appliance or device even when it is turned off. For example your TV, mobile chargers, computers and screens, fax machines, cable boxes, printers, microwaves, coffee makers, DVD players and more. You can save between 6-10 percent of your electricity bill this way.

3. Gardening

Fire the gardener!

a. Do your own gardening. Ask my husband, cutting the grass is great therapy! He plugs his ear buds in and mows away.

Save Money with a vegetable garden

b. If you have a large enough garden, start planting your own vegetable and herb garden. It is easy to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, carrots, mint, oregano, thyme, lettuce and more. Growing your own produce is healthier, no harmful pesticides. In addition, it is a great way for the family to spend quality time together.

4. Coupons!

Use them. There are two types of people in this world coupon users and coupon haters. Now is the time to become a coupon lover. I am not talking about coupon sites that offer you a 50% discount on the vacation that you can’t afford; I am talking about coupons that you should use when doing your weekly shopping for food and basic home products.

Go through the weekend papers and flyers with your shopping list in hand, write down next to the item a big C if you find a coupon for it and then clip the coupon to your list! Don’t forget to look for online coupons too. I love thekrazycouponlady there you can find amazing coupons and she has an aggregated coupon list. I am going to order her book too!

5. Pay bills on line – on time!

I know it might sound trivial – but by paying your bills on line you save money in numerous ways.

Time
Gas (drive to the mailbox or post office)
Stamp money
Banking on line is cheaper than writing a check today in most cases.
Late payment fees (the check is in the mail)

We would love to hear about your money saving tips here or on our Facebook Page.

Let’s save enough in 2012 to go on a fabulous vacation in 2013!

Recycle – Upcycle

Posted on January 8, 2012 by shari

New Year’s Resolutions 4 Part Series – Recycle / Upcycle

One of my New Year’s resolutions is to do what I can to save the environment. No I probably don’t have time to go out and demonstrate on the streets, but I do have time to run my home in a more environmentally friendly way.

Recycle

We all recycle and if you don’t you’ll probably get fined from your local municipality! I have changed the way I look at packaging when I shop. What am I looking for?

Smaller packaging
Recycled packaging
Packaging that can be upcycled

*Pet peeve small products that come in huge boxes!

Upcycling

What is Upcycling?

“Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value.”

Guess what? It is the biggest trend since Tickle Me Elmos!

Tip: What can be easily upcycled?

Old Clothing (including those old dresses that you never wear!)
Old Towels
Old Sheets
Glass bottles
Old CDs

Upcycling Ideas and Resources

I found this book on Amazon that I am going to order. ( I hope it is made from recycled paper!)

When I was looking for something to do with old dresses and clothing (because I already have “make a necklace out of an old t shirt pattern) I found this blog New Dress A Day. She is a talented seamstress – but she makes things look so easy to make I am going to start a project today, OK tomorrow.

Here I found 10 ways to upcycle my old towels and sheets

This is one of my favorite finds, I love wine and I love flowers in my house. Shabby Modern Chic.

This site has some great upcycling ideas – I just bookmarked it!

CDs. How many of those do you have around? I must have around 300! Really believe me.

I can think of 100s of rainy day craft projects using the old CDs. Clocks are great fun; let the kids decorate them add the numbers and buy the clock mechanisms in the local craft shop.

Mobiles
Door signs
Decorated coasters
Do you have any cd containers around? How about taking your bagel to work like this?

I love this! I am going to do it now! I have a paper towel holder under my sink that I never use or I should say we never put the roll back on the holder after something has spilled – and I have a million bracelets in a million places in my bedroom.

Do you have upcycling tips to share with us? Please do – here and on our Facebook Page.

My After Christmas Shopping Roadmap

Posted on December 21, 2011 by shari

The holidays are not even here yet but I am already working on my after Christmas shopping activities! I love shopping – I love shopping even more when I get a good deal. In today’s economic climate every penny counts. So I am the deal queen (and shopping queen, and stain remover queen and….. on and on). Did you know that you can save up to 80% on the original price if you wait until after Christmas?

Shopping Holiday Sales

Top After Christmas Sale Items

Now is when I start to organize my list of what I should buy on sale. There are birthdays and anniversaries throughout the year – I am a gift stocker!

Electronics (For TVs wait till after January 1^st)
Winter clothes
Toys
Christmas decorations
Gift cards
Perfume and Bath sets

5 Tips for pre After Christmas (Boxing Day for the British) Shopping:

Make sure you are on the mailing lists for your favorite retail (online or off) outlets.
Make sure you get the paper over the holiday weekend.
Make sure you have your birthday list (friends and family) updated including what they like and what sizes they wear.
Get those coupons organized! (many retail outlets accept coupons on top of discounts).
Start shopping for your online purchases on Christmas Day – Stock is usually limited and the stores are still closed!

With all the information that I have ready – I usually check out Amazon first for books and electronics, I am on the mailing lists for Old Navy, Target, so I will be ok for kids clothing and shoes.com for my addictiion. And Sephora for those special girlie gifts (and colognes for a few men like my husband, father-in-law, and brother).

With a little bit of planning, a good few hours on the internet and a preplanned mall map of the stops that you want to make according to flyers and paper advertisements you can save lots of your hard earned cash and be prepared for gifting occasions in the future!

How do you plan your after Christmas shopping? Do you make a list a head of time?

Making the Right Purchase

Posted on December 10, 2011 by shari

Using the Power of Crowd-sourcing

I don’t know why, but I’m someone that people go to when they need to buy something. Actually, I suspect I know why. I’m, shall we say, particular (and when I say particular I mean fussy and difficult, but in a good way), about the things I buy and the money I spend. And as such, you know if I like something – it’s probably great. I also love telling my friends about new products that I’ve tried and loved.

Do you ever read about great new products that your friends use and recommend on Facebook or Twitter or wherever? I do all of the time. I also recommend things to others via Facebook and Twitter (and occasionally via Instagram).

Buying and Recommending

I’m passionate about baking and feel comfortable saying I am a great baker. I strive for excellence when it comes to baking. One way of becoming a better baker is by using better tools, so I went on a mission to purchase the best mixer out there (within my budget).

How did I do this?

I did some basic research to find out who the leading brands are(KitchenAid, Kenwood, etc)
I read some of the product reviews from other bloggers, and of course the brand blog.
I sourced the item on comparison sites
Then I posted on Facebook: “Which mixer is the best?” and a link to one of the top rated mixers.

I wasn’t surprised that immediately I received comments from friends with tips and recommendations – they bake (they probably think that they are more superior bakers than me – ha!). I was now educated on which brand and size I should purchase. Power to the people!

I purchased that wonderful shiny new mixer and have been successfully baking like mad. Now I am an extreme baker! Should I, would I, could I recommend this shiny new mixer to others? Yes! I love that I can combine social and shopping; I might even throw in one of my favorite recipes.

I proudly share my new found knowledge, reviewing (there are always pros and cons) and then blasting my recommendations out there. I am sure that one of my friends, after seeing (and some tasting) what I have baked will need a new mixer in the very near future and click on my product recommendation.

I call my system “My Lucky #7 Rule”

The system works with everything – not only with finding and recommending tools to create delicious high calorie treats! I have used it to find a new digital camera and a printer for my office.

Search Google
Go to the major brands’ websites
Compare prices on shopping sites
Use Facebook (social networks) – ask your friends for their recommendations and experience
Buy
Use
Recommend (using PalTip)

Do you share recommendations for great stuff that you have purchased with your friends? I would love to read about your finds – join our conversation on Facebook!

Please share your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter and Facebook , we are always there!