SavvySugar

Does Your Company Host Happy Hours?

SavvySugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:30:19 -0700

Getting your drink on may not the healthiest vice, but it has proven career advantages. A study conducted by a couple of economists found that people who drink in a social setting earn 10 to 14 percent more than those who save their drinking for home. Office-sanctioned happy hours allow co-workers a chance to socialize and break down work barriers, which can lead to stronger working relationships and idea generating. Of course, it can also get uncomfortable if someone drinks a little too much or the professional line is crossed.

Does your place of work sponsor happy hours and mixers, or is it always up to employees to plan and pay for their own cocktails?

I'm Asking: Have You Ever Had a Drink While on the Clock?

SavvySugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:30:45 -0700

It's been said that drinkers earn more on average than those who say no and if that's true, the characters on AMC's Mad Men must be making a fortune. The show captures the wild business of advertising in the 1960s and is filled with martini lunches, post meeting whiskeys and brainstorming with a bottle. Clearly the amount of drinking in the show is greatly exaggerated (I'm not sure anyone would perform in a meeting after downing five cocktails), but it got me thinking about guzzling on work time. Have you ever busted out a bottle during office hours?
Photo courtesy of AMC

Do You Need Alcohol to Enjoy Your Office Holiday Party?

SavvySugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 04:30:02 -0800

It seems that beer goggles have expanded their functionality from bars to office holiday parties. According to a YouGov survey of 1,429 UK workers, 43 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds and 45 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds admitted to needing alcohol to enjoy their office parties; co-workers and bosses seem more tolerable when these workers are under the influence.

Reliance on alcohol dropped as the respondents' ages increased: 32 percent of 34- to 44-year-olds said alcohol was necessary to have a good time, while 25 percent of those aged 45-54 agreed. The survey concluded that, overall, 28 percent of workers depend on alcohol for fun at office holiday parties. Because the booze is on the house and the social company isn't stimulating or makes you nervous, as is the case at many work parties, the survey findings aren't too surprising.

Let's do ourselves a favor though, and make sure we stay under our limit at these functions. Do you belong in the group that can't stand being around your co-workers and bosses any longer than a typical work day without the help of alcohol?

Free Non-Alcoholic Drinks From US Airways

SavvySugar — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 04:30:16 -0800

After seven months of charging passengers for non-alcoholic drinks, US Airways has reversed its policy and will serve complimentary soda, juice, tea, and coffee on all of its flights. The airline began charging for drinks as a way to combat high gas prices, but the global recession has created less demand for travel and US Airways doesn't want to give thirsty passengers a reason not to buy its tickets.

In an email to customers, the Director of Marketing Programs explained that remaining competitive is the main reason for bringing back free drinks. It's a plain and simple business decision. Chief Executive Doug Parker explained the decision will not affect the commitment to follow an a la carte business model, which means the fees for checking bags, choice seats in coach, and blankets and pillows are still applicable.

Source

How People Are Spending and Where They're Cutting Back

SavvySugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:00:52 -0700

We don't need surveys to tell us that Americans have cut back significantly on spending, but there are plenty of sources if anyone's looking for proof. A new survey by IBM found that more people have been shopping at a variety of stores to find the best deals, and shoppers are focusing on quality and value almost as much as price. Guy Blissett, consumer products leader for IBM Institute For Business Value, commented, "I think it's a much more sophisticated approach to shopping." Some highlights from the survey:

10 percent refuse to give up meat, poultry, fish, and seafood.
8 percent said they won't eliminate alcohol and tobacco; coffee and tea; milk and juice; and household and laundry supplies.
38 percent said they're buying less clothing, though 29 percent said they'd spend more on this category when the economy improves.
45 percent have cut back on prepared foods.

To find out where in the country people have spent the least and cut back the most during the past year, read more.

According to another new survey - this one was conducted by Mint - Brooklyn, NY, residents spent less than any other area of the country in 2009. They cut spending by 28 percent, and the NYC neighbors weren't far behind with their 26 percent reduction in spending. Overall, Mint concluded that the nation trimmed its shopping habits by 13 percent on average.

Savvy Links!

SavvySugar — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:00:04 -0700

Exactly what you should say to get your credit card fees waived. - WalletPop
It might be impossible to strike a perfect work-life balance, but following these seven tips will help you strike a better one. - MainStreet
A cooking site that totals the cost for the ingredients in each recipe? Brilliant! - Glamour
Providing your own booze at your wedding can save money. Use this Wedding Wine and Liquor Calculator to figure out how much alcohol to buy. - Real Simple
PartySugar is heartbroken that one of her favorite restaurants is a recession victim. Has the economy affected any of your favorite restaurants? - YumSugar

Source

Snip, Snip: 12 Little (and Big) Luxuries We've All Cut Back On

SavvySugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:30:24 -0700

Last week readers shared some of the pre-recession luxuries they've cut back on in the last few months, and I was somewhat relieved to learn we're all scaling back on the same things. While tightening the budget and eliminating your favorite little pleasures isn't enjoyable, there's something reassuring about knowing we're all in this together. What so-called extravagances were the first to go?

Clothes and shoes: It's clear most of you are shopping less, but that doesn't mean you have to wear the same boring threads. Spectra says she's been re-purposing her wardrobe and trying to come up with new looks without having to buy new stuff.
Spa and beauty treatments: Beauty routines have gotten a make under. Facials, mani-pedis, waxes, haircuts and colorings were among the first beauty-related luxuries to go. Many of you have taken to coloring your hair yourself, or trying less pricey alternatives. luna08 says she now visits a local cosmetology school instead of a professional salon. "Eyebrow waxes for $2, mani-pedis for $10, facials for $20. Not a luxe atmosphere, but it gets the job done!"
Take out and eating out: Making dinner at home more and brown bagging it to work is a national fad these days. It doesn't have to be all PB&J though - Smacks83 allows herself to eat out about once a week and carries cash instead of a card so she can see her spending.
Bar tabs: Who can afford the lounge mark up? Most of you say you're going out less. While your wallet may be fatter, one reader reports her waist line is decidedly slimmer from avoiding alcohol!
Coffee: Sorry, Starbucks! Most of you are making drip coffee at home these days and pouring it into a reuseable mug instead of buying your java on the go. It bodes well for the new instant Starbucks packets.

For the rest of the list, read more.

Brand names: Now is not the time for labels. One reader says she now picks up the store brand soda instead of Pepsi.
Fancy cable: Premium channels were the first to go, but many of you report you've canceled cable all together.
Transportation: More of you are hopping on the bus to save on gas and car costs.
Travel: While airlines are pumping out great deals, most of you say you've cut back on travel. pia suggests vacationing at national parks instead of going overseas.
Newspaper deliveries: A number of you say you've cut your daily newspaper deliveries and get your news online instead.
Jewelry purchases: There are plenty of ways to sparkle. GlowingMoon has stopped spending on jewelry and is using extra funds to upgrade her home instead.
Books and iTunes: Many of you say you've cut back on books and downloads. You might consider swapping media with friends by starting a book, movie and music trading club.

Source

What's Your Most Memorable Office Party Moment?

SavvySugar — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:30:47 -0800

Office holiday parties have the tendency to be awkward, to say the least, which is the reason many workers say they need alcohol to have a good time at these festive functions. On last night's episode of The Office, Meredith took this necessity to the next level and got hammered on a potent alcoholic potion (equal parts scotch, rum, absinthe, gin, vermouth, triple sec, and two packs of Splenda) concocted by the Scranton branch boss himself, Michael Scott.

In celebration of the party's "Nights in Morocco" theme, Meredith lifted up her shirt to show off her belly-dancing skills, and while dancing her hair somehow catches on fire. Check out the video of the absolutely ridiculous Dunder-Mifflin party, and then tell me, what's your most memorable office party moment?

Money Tip: A Cheaper Way to Clean Your Home

SavvySugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 04:30:51 -0800

Many of you are turning over a new money-saving leaf in 2009, so why not begin your money makeover with the things under your sink? You might already have some of the products that can be used as various cleaners, and what you don't have can be purchased for little money. Mixing your own household cleaners is cheaper than buying name-brand products, and in its February issue Consumer Reports has made an easy to follow list for which products can be used for different areas of your home.

Ammonia: "Add one pint of rubbing alcohol to one half cup soapy ammonia, then add enough water to make a gallon. Pour into spray bottles, use to clean glass."
Baking soda: "Use it to remove stains from tile, glass, and china; clean inside the fridge; remove baked-on food from pots and pans."
Borax: "A freshener and deodorizer in laundry."

See four more cheaper household cleaner solutions when you read more.

Castile soap: "Made from vegetable oil. For general use on counter-tops and other surfaces."
Cream of tartar: "A mild acid that can lift stains from sinks and tubs, and remove spots from aluminum cookware."
Lemon juice: "Lightens stains and removes tarnish from brass, copper, bronze, and aluminum."
White vinegar: "Helps kill germs; removes some carpet stains; cleans coffeemakers and chrome. To clean wood floors, use one cup of vinegar per pail of hot water."

Have you ever used these products to clean your home?

Source

How People Spend Money Around the World

SavvySugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:30:56 -0700

Have you ever wondered how consumers around the globe spend their money, or how other citizens in your own country allocate their paychecks? Forbes did the legwork to satisfy our international curiosity and looked at the consumption patterns for 18 countries. Their figures don't reflect the most recent increases in food and energy costs, but the overall, global picture is very interesting. Hit click slideshow to see which countries spend the highest and lowest percentages of their income on everything from alcoholic beverages to education, and visit Forbes to see the exact percentages for all 18 countries.

View Slideshow ›