SavvySugar -- It Makes Sense.

Brilliant or Baffling: Salvation Army Accepting Credit Card Donations

SavvySugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:15:51 -0800

The Salvation Army bell-ringing is as much an expected part of the holiday season as department store Christmas music and the seasonal flavors at Starbucks. Because so many people roll cash-free these days, this is the first year the organization is experimenting with accepting debit and credit card donations. The standard red kettle will still play a role in holding cash contributions, but five bell-ringers in El Paso County, CO will also have the ability to swipe cards. What do you think of this charitable development, is it brilliant or baffling? Source

Brilliant or Baffling: Salvation Army Accepting Credit Card Donations

Brilliant!

Baffling!

Undecided.

Brilliant or Baffling? Business That Lets You Break Things

SavvySugar — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 07:00:59 -0700

Sarah Lavely, a former veterinarian, put her entrepreneurial spirit and $200,000 to work when she opened her San Diego business called Sarah's Smash Shack. She liked to express her frustration by breaking things and figured that she wasn't alone, so her business lets people that need release throw things like dinner plates and wine glasses against a wall in a soundproof room. If they want to, customers can hook up their iPods and create their own soundtrack for their smash session. Lavely says that ceramic white dinner plates are her biggest seller because of the explosive way they break, and customers can buy a package that lets them break 15 plates in 15 minutes for $45. Markers are provided so customers can write on their breakable item, and the effect can be therapeutic for some. What do you think of her business, is it brilliant or baffling? Source

Brilliant or Baffling? Business That Lets You Break Things

Brilliant!

Baffling!

Undecided!

Renting Your Wedding Cake: Brilliant or Baffling?

SavvySugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 06:30:35 -0700

Between a struggling economy and inflated prices on anything wedding-related, it's almost essential to channel creativity in saving money while planning for the big day. One company has formed their entire business based on the idea that most couples are unwilling to sacrifice the wedding cake but are adhering to a budget that may not allow for an elaborate concoction. Cake Rental claims its services are elegant and economical — a three tier cake can be rented for $150. The rental cake is not for eating, rather it is simply on display when the couple feeds each other and then is taken to the kitchen. Guests are handed slices from a regular sheet cake kept out of view. Most of you said that cakes aren't a disposable wedding expense, but do you think this is a good alternative for those looking to spend less on their wedding day? Source

Renting Your Wedding Cake: Brilliant or Baffling?

Brilliant!

Baffling!

Undecided.

Voluntary Salary Cut: Brilliant or Baffling?

SavvySugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:00:46 -0700

There have been countless books released this year based on keeping your job during a down economy, and one of these book's authors recently appeared on a Fox News interview segment. Stephen Viscusi, author of Bulletproof Your Job offers Fox viewers typical tips like making yourself visible to your boss, and throws in one tip that made me pause. If your boss tells you the company is letting you go, he recommends offering to take a 20 percent salary cut in order to secure the job you have. The clip is below: What do you make of his advice?

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Voluntary Salary Cut: Brilliant or Baffling?

Brilliant!

Baffling!

Undecided.

Brilliant or Baffling: Freezing Credit Card in Ice Block

SavvySugar — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 11:00:13 -0700

Keeping your credit card close by can be temping on shopping trips. While I opt to simply leave mine at home when out for a day of browsing, ABC News Consumer Correspondent Elisabeth Leamy has a more dramatic solution for those who have trouble curbing credit card spending. Leamy suggests placing your card in a container of water and putting it in the freezer, subsequently putting "your credit card spending on ice." If you need the card for an emergency, you'd just have to defrost the block of ice. Is her idea brilliant or baffling? Source

Brilliant or Baffling: Freezing Credit Card in Ice Block

Brilliant!

Baffling!

Undecided.

Brilliant or Baffling: Baking Cookies in Car to Save Dough

SavvySugar — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:00:05 -0700

US News informs us there's a cookie baking technique out there that may save the baker some dough. As long as the temperature is at least 95 degrees outside the car, cookies will bake on your car's dashboard in two and half hours. They say this is one time your car can actually save you money: You save on utilities by avoiding the oven and the counteractive air-conditioning. What do you think of this alternative baking and saving idea? Source

Brilliant or Baffling: Baking Cookies in Car to Save Dough

Brilliant!

Baffling!

Undecided.

Brilliant or Baffling: Stash Flip-Flops

SavvySugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:30:39 -0700

Reef Stash Sandals ($46) are named after what they're made for: stashing stuff. Hidden in the heel is a pull-out storage area where you can slide your essentials inside, like your cash, house or hotel key, and ID while be-bopping at the beach. Appearance of the flip-flops aside, what do you think of the idea; is it brilliant or baffling?

Brilliant or Baffling: Stash Flip-Flops

Brilliant!

Baffling!

Undecided.

Brilliant or Baffling: City Clips For Your Pants

SavvySugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:30:07 -0700

Savvy says: Brilliant!Cityclips ($36) are a working girl's dream come true. We take care in building our work wardrobes and spend a pretty penny in doing so, and cityclips are the answer to saving our perfect-fit pants and hard earned cash. Held together by magnets, the clips protect your pant-hem from fraying by lifting your pant leg when wearing your commuter flats. They are even available in various fabrics to closely match what you're wearing! The item will eventually pay for itself by extending the life of your pants. What do you think of these; are they brilliant or baffling?

Brilliant or Baffling: City Clips For Your Pants

Brilliant!

Baffling!

Undecided.

Brilliant or Baffling: Mini Motel

SavvySugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:03:58 -0700

Generosity on behalf of airlines is no longer common practice, meaning less airlines are giving away hotel vouchers for canceled overnight flights. Stranded passengers can either book themselves a nearby room or post up in the airport for the night. Frank Giotto was inspired to find a better sleep solution for unfortunate travelers spending restless nights in the airport. His portable Mini Motel ($50) is essentially a tent equipped with an air mattress, pillow, reading light, alarm clock, toothbrush and paste, ear plugs and eye shades, and it fits in your carry-on luggage.

Brilliant or Baffling: Mini Motel

Brilliant! These should be sold in airports.

Baffling! I'd rather just pay for a hotel room.

Undecided.

Brilliant or Baffling: Man Sells Tattoos as Ad Space on Leg

SavvySugar — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 11:11:43 -0700

People do some crazy and creative things for cash, and New Zealander James Stewart has taken advertising to new extremes. He's offering tattoos for NZ$500 per square centimeter; sponsors will choose artwork from the art community website ArtKlick.co.nz to serve as inspiration for the tattoos, and for each design used he'll pay the artist NZ$1,000. His goal is to raise NZ$1 million (£384,000), donate NZ$50,000 to ArtKlick and NZ$50,000 to charity, and use the rest to start two new businesses. Source

Brilliant or Baffling: Man Sells Tattoos as Ad Space on Leg

Brilliant! It's a creative way to raise some cash.

Baffling! It's more crazy than creative.

Brilliant or Baffling: Compartmentalized Bag

SavvySugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:34:59 -0700

“My story connects with people, my story is the American dream about the girl next door who saw a problem and did something about it. People want to connect with the human side of a brand. They will have more loyalty to a brand that has a human side to it.” That's Jen Groover, entrepreneur and creator of the Butler Bag, talking about why her product is successful.The mess that was Jen's purse frustrated her so much that she stole the dish rack out of her dishwasher and put it in her purse. Voila! Inspiration. Her bags run from $125 to $165 and her company is projected to generate about $15 million in sales this year.

Brilliant or Baffling: Compartmentalized Bag

Brilliant! No more digging for my wallet at the register.

Baffling! I don't need that many compartments in my bag.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments below.

Brilliant or Baffling? Office Within the Office

SavvySugar — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:07:02 -0700

This cubicle concept reminds me of a cross between a tree house and an office. It allows for privacy from what looks to be the waist up, and has little window openings so the worker inside doesn't feel so enclosed. What do you think of it?

Brilliant or Baffling? Office Within the Office

Brilliant. I value my privacy, and I'd love it if my co-workers had to knock before entering!

Baffling. Why would you need a cubicle with a roof?

Other. See my comments below.

Brilliant or Baffling? Decorating Your Cube With Post-Its

SavvySugar — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 11:12:57 -0700

Some people have a true passion for office supplies and have a field day every time they walk into a Staples or Office Depot. Obsessions over certain kinds of pens or colors of post-its isn't unheard of, and some enthusiastic supply supporters have taken their love to the next level. Think your collection of every color post-it in the rainbow makes you their number one fan? Think again when you check out these office spaces covered with none other than that simple and sticky office supply.

Brilliant or Baffling? Decorating Your Cube With Post-Its

Brilliant! The murals are creative and serve as cheap decoration.

Baffling! It would be a good prank, but not good decor.

Brilliant or Baffling: Napping Pods

SavvySugar — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:08:49 -0700

Some companies, including Google and W Hotels, are beginning to capitalize on the benefits of power naps by investing in EnergyPods. It's no secret that napping can increase productivity, and a NASA study shows that a 26-minute nap can increase performance by 34 percent. The EnergyPod comes with a built-in music player and has a "gentle waking" system that uses a combination of lights and vibration. What do you think?

Brilliant or Baffling: Napping Pods

Brilliant! I wish my office would invest in a few.

Baffling! Sleeping should happen at home, not at work.

I have something to add. See my comments below.

Brilliant or Baffling: Luxe Links

SavvySugar — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 08:02:39 -0700

Savvy says: Brilliant

There are so many bars that weren't designed with us girls in mind. When there's no hook under a bar to hang my purse, I end up sitting with it awkwardly in my lap. I'm very expressive with my hands during conversation, and am unable to completely be myself and show that I'm engaged if I have one arm on my purse and the other holding a drink or fork. Luxe Links ($35) are the perfect solution for people like me who don't want to put their favorite purse on a dirty floor or hold it in their lap, but who want to keep their purse in safe proximity. You spent hard earned money on your purse, and paying $35 to protect it is a pretty reasonable investment.

This savvy, practical accessory is described as "no larger than the size of Beyonce’s hoop earring, the Original Luxe Link is portable, lighter than your cell phone, and easy-peasy to use." I saw the links in person and they really are so small and light and adorned with chic designs — at first glance I thought they were bracelets!

What do you think — could you use a luxe link in your life?

Brilliant or Baffling? Outsourcing Your Assistant

SavvySugar — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 08:17:23 -0800

While most of us don't have the means or necessity for a full time personal assistant like most of the stars that will be appearing at the Oscars on Sunday, some of us could use an extra hand now and then. Now, thanks to globalization, you can hire an assistant in an Indian call center for about $16 an hour. Your personal assistant will make your appointments and calls, do research, send you reminders, and wait on hold for you. However, they won't make any arrangements involving adult entertainment. One of the 150 "remote executive assistants" for a company called Brickwork in Bangalore said,"The main advantage is the time difference. We're able to do tasks for people while they're sleeping. You wake up to an email telling you it's done."Source

Brilliant or Baffling? Outsourcing Your Assistant

Brilliant! Perfect for a busy lifestyle.

Baffling! Seems like it wouldn't save that much time.

Other. See my comments below.

Brilliant or Baffling? Business Card Scanner

SavvySugar — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:09:03 -0800

If you're a busy networking bee then your wallet may soon become home to more than just cash and old receipts. You'd be surprised how quickly a business card collection can grow into a small stack that sits, unorganized, in your wallet. A solution may be to get a business card scanner ($150) that would easily organize all of your contacts. There's even a button that lets you send your contacts to your electronic address book once they've been scanned.

Brilliant or Baffling? Business Card Scanner

Brilliant! No more worrying about lost business cards.

Baffling! Seems a bit unecessary.

Other. See my comments below.

Brilliant or Baffling: Donation Alarm Clock

SavvySugar — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 11:08:04 -0800

Is the snooze button the first thing you touch every morning? The SnūzNLūz ($40) was developed with your sleepy kind in mind — the clock connects to your online bank account via WiFi and donates your money ($10 or more) to a non-profit you hate each time you choose to snooze. The creator, ThinkGeek, lists the following usage suggestions:

Are you a butcher? Set your SnūzNLūz to donate to PETA.

Enjoy your freedom? (Blue state version) Set your SnūzNLūz to donate to the GOP.

Enjoy your freedom? (Red state version) Set your SnūzNLūz to donate to MoveOn.Org.

Are you a hippie? Set your SnūzNLūz to donate to the American Coal Foundation.

What do you think of this economic incentive to steer clear of your snooze button?

Brilliant or Baffling: Donation Alarm Clock

Brilliant!

Baffling!

Other. See my comments below.

Brilliant or Baffling? Hawaii Chair

SavvySugar — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 11:02:00 -0800

Savvy says: BafflingWhile the infomercial for the Hawaii Chair ($294) is hilarious, I think the product is really only good for entertainment purposes. The chair is described on the company's website as combining the ancient art of Hula with a Hula motor that will take the "work out of your work." I'm sure it would take the work out of your work, because I sure couldn't get anything accomplished while sitting on this amusement park ride of a chair. Also, it kind of reminds me of Austin Powers' spinning bed! It's not something that wouldn't make its way into my apartment, even on sale from $420 to $294. What do you think?

Brilliant or Baffling? Hawaii Chair

Brilliant!

Baffling!

Other. See my comments below.

Brilliant or Baffling? Wood Bed Desk

SavvySugar — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 10:56:07 -0800

Savvy says: Brilliant!
Because all of my work is computer based, I started looking around for something that would protect my legs from the heat of my laptop and allow me to work from my couch. My city apartment isn't very forgiving in terms of space, and I've been taking over my dining table to serve the role of a much needed desk. The bed desk ($45) is ergonomically constructed and has room for a laptop and more.

There are probably sleeker versions out there but I love the compartments on either side; they'll save your Blackberry from falling between the couch cushions and you can keep a bottle of water handy. And there you have it, all of your basic needs fit nicely into a space-saving, inexpensive mini-desk. You could even use it to serve breakfast in bed with the Sunday New York Times in one of the pockets!

Could you use something like the bed desk?

Brilliant or Baffling? Auto Exec File Tote

SavvySugar — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 11:03:25 -0800

Savvy says: BafflingThis Auto Exec File Tote ($40) made me frown when I saw it. I just don't see why something so unfeminine is necessary; there are plenty of chic briefcases out there that would serve the purpose of transporting your work materials. What really confuses me is the double-sided Velcro that holds the dividers in place! Velcro doesn't exactly lend itself to anything professional.What do you think?

Brilliant or Baffling? Auto Exec File Tote

Brilliant!

Baffling!

Brilliant or Baffling? Book Safe

SavvySugar — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 11:02:34 -0800

I was mildly amused when I first saw this Book Safe ($15) and thought it seemed just a step above hiding money under your mattress. Then when I clicked on the item to see its full description, I saw that it's currently on backorder! I guess a lot of people thought it was a good stocking stuffer?I definitely encourage keeping a locked box with passports, important papers and a small amount of cash for emergencies, but am not convinced that this book safe is really necessary. What do you think?

Brilliant or Baffling? Book Safe

Brilliant!

Baffling!

Other. Comments below.

Brilliant or Baffling? Deluxe Charging Station

SavvySugar — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 07:02:56 -0800

Savvy says: Brilliant
When I first saw the name of this product, I thought it was a Deluxe Changing Station, which definitely doesn't interest me at this point in my life since I don't have kids! A few years ago, the actual product wouldn't have caught my eye either. I was a low-maintenance gal back then, and my only go-to gadget was my cell phone that had an antenna and a screen that only worked sometimes. I'm the first to admit those times, well, they've changed.

Like many of you, there's always a Blackberry, iPod, and cell phone in the depths of my enormous bag. All of these items need to be charged, and my fiancé has his own necessities that also come with cords. The corners of our apartment are becoming tangled eyesores, so I'm thinking of investing in one Deluxe Charging Station ($60) for each of us. I know these aren't brand new inventions, but I'm finally coming to terms with my not-so-low-maintenance self. Do you already have one of these, and if not do you think you need one?