Tag Archives: Employee Benefits

5 Ways to Stretch Your Paycheck

Learn to Stretch Your Paycheck Further

Whether you’re saving for a big purchase or simply tightening up your budget, finding ways to stretch your hard-earned paycheck can make all the difference in hitting your target. With a little planning and a lot of patience, the following strategies can help you become a savings pro in no time. 

1. Know Your Expenses – First things first: Plan a budget. Know exactly how much money you need to pay your necessities like rent, mortgage, phone bill, electricity, food, etc. Once those are covered, budget in nice-to-have things like clothes, entertainment, going out for dinner, etc. Knowing how much you spend will help you see any gaps and where you can buckle down on. 
 
2. Never Pay Full Price – Why pay full price when you have exclusive access to sites like this one here – brimming with employee discounts on everything you and your family need. From unforgettable family vacations to everyday essentials, you’ll find we have the best deals to help you save big so you never have to pay full price again. 
 
3. Plan for the Sales – Limited-time sales. Holiday sales. You name it, be on the lookout for our sales, offering even deeper discounts on your favorite brands and experiences. Beyond our online savings platform, make sure to plan shopping trips to brick-and-mortar stores around the sales. Plus, spend a few minutes looking up discount codes, coupons and ads online or in the paper to take with you for even more savings. 
 
4. Clip Coupons – Speaking of coupons, there is nothing like saving money via clipped coupons. You can find a coupon for just about anything these days. Look online and in local papers to find some great deals. Coupons are especially great for grocery stores. Many stores have coupon days where you can use multiple coupons at once. Find those days and take advantage! 
 
5. Sign Up for Rewards Programs – Many of your favorite stores likely offer rewards programs. Signing up for these is a great way to get extra discounts that aren’t offered publicly. The discounts usually come via text or email and can be upwards of 20% off.

By Jena Pugh

8 Off-the-Grid Fall Getaways to Unplug & Recharge

Fall Getaways to Recharge

Sometimes, all we need is a digital detox to remove ourselves from the chaos and stress of our day-to-day lives. Luckily for us, there are so many places where we can take a breather and disconnect from our favorite distractions. From cozy mountain hideaways to beachside retreats, these unique escapes offer a chance to slow down, focus on yourself and reconnect nature. Let the following getaways relax and inspire you during the fall season and beyond. 
 
Explore all destinations and book your next hotel at employee-exclusive pricing.

1. Asheville, NC – Nestled in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville offers incredible fall vistas and adventures everyone will love. Quaint restaurants, snug cabins, shopping boutiques, nature hikes and even The Biltmore Estate make Asheville a must.  
 
2. Jackson Hole, WY – Avoid the crowds during the fall and revel in the colorful mountain foliage that awaits you at Jackson Hole. Located near some of the country’s best national parks and incredible ski areas, there’s an abundance of outdoor adventures without the summer season visitors. 
 
3. Sonoma, CA – If you’re looking for some peace and quiet, then Sonoma is the perfect place in California to find your Zen. Enjoy the natural reserves, lakes, rolling hills, and of course, Sonoma’s world-famous wine tours and tastings, that will help you unwind. 
 
4. Key West, FL – While not exactly off-the-grid, Key West boasts some of the most gorgeous beaches, snorkeling, diving and boating that will keep you occupied and off your phones. Not to mention, you can swap those boots out for sandals for a laid-back tropical getaway—where it’s summer all year-round.  
 
5. Las Vegas, NV – Much like the Florida Keys, Las Vegas is indeed a popular destination. However, Vegas offers much more than gambling and shows. For an off-the-grid experience, head outside of the city limits and find a gorgeous desert waiting to be explored. Go mountain biking in the Mojave Desert. Explore the beauty of the famous Red Rocks, and don’t miss stops at the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon.  
 
6. New York, NY – Soak in the New York City skylines and stunning foliage this season or embark on a quick journey beyond the city. Enjoy some quality time with family as you pick apples, take on corn mazes, hayrides and delight in delicious apple cider. 
 
7. Seattle, WA – Head to the Pacific Northwest for both nature and city adventures in Seattle. For nature lovers, hit the trails for a first-hand experience of the Seattle area’s beautiful scenery and wildlife, or set your sights on iconic attractions. The Seattle City Pass alone includes popular spots to visit like the Space Needle, Seattle Aquarium, Woodland Park Zoo, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and so much more.  
 
8. Boston, MA – Known for its vibrant history, Boston is an excellent getaway for any historian buff. Plus, cooler temps and brightly colored leaves complement the city’s historic architecture for a leisurely getaway.

By Jena Pugh

7 Tips for a Better Work-Life Balance 

Working from Home with Children

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced organizations to reimagine the workplace, and more importantly, reassess our values. As more employees shift into permanent work-from-home arrangements, the boundaries we set between work and non-work-related responsibilities become easily blurred. Even on-premise employees find themselves bringing their work home, while responding to emails, phone calls and Teams chats long after work hours. It can be difficult to establish where your workday ends and your personal life begins. But now more than ever, it’s crucial to focus on finding a better balance between both. Here are 7 tips to win back the balance in our lives.  
 
1.  Have Set Work Hours — Set your work hours with your manager, and stick to them. For those employees working from home, pretend you’re heading to the office and follow your usual routine: Get up at the same time you would in order to commute, shower, eat breakfast and head to your “office” — whichever corner of your house that may be. Don’t forget to include a lunch break. Wrap up at the same time each day and then leave your “office” like you normally would. Make sure not to step foot into it until the next day.  
 
2. Embrace Flexibility — Many organizations are prioritizing their employees’ day-to-day well-being by becoming more flexible with work hours and schedules. This is your time to flex them! For some, this can mean taking a one-hour break in the middle of the day to take the kids to their dentist appointment or heading out a bit early to watch their soccer practice. For others, it can mean using that time to run errands or attempting household repairs. You can always add on the time later if needed, but at least you are freed up to do some of those personal responsibilities instead of trying to tackle them all at once during the weekend. 
 
3. Spend Quality Time with Family, Friends and Pets — Gathering with family, friends and even our furry friends can help break us out of work mode. Most of our day is spent working, so it’s important to be intentional and present when we’re with our loved ones. Make a family dinner together, plan a happy hour with friends or enjoy cuddle time with your pet, as often as needed.  

4. Take Small Breaks Throughout the Day — Breaks are crucial to help get us through a workday, and help us refocus on life outside of work. If you’re working from home, schedule time for a quick 10-20-minute jog around the neighborhood. If you’re working at the office, get up from your desk, stretch and walk around. Remember to hydrate. Listen to a favorite song that will help you reset. Even do a few pieces of a puzzle to get your brain flowing again.  
 
5. Plan Out Your Vacation — You deserve a break. And you’re going to work so much harder when you know you have something on the horizon to look forward to. Whether it’s a two-week dream vacation across the country or a two-day hotel stay close to home, get a head start at planning those adventures, wherever they may be. Discover tons of staycation, vacation or road trip ideas to spark your wanderlust, including theme park adventures, relaxing getaways, action-packed sporting events, exciting live events and so much more right here. 
 
6. Start a New Hobby — Did you start a new hobby during the pandemic? Did you try baking? Or yoga? Keep it going! Deepen your expertise and ask friends to join you. Incorporate your newfound interest into your everyday routine, and you’ll be a master in no time. If you haven’t started, now is the time. Learning something new and pursuing your interests help break up the day and offer something exciting to do when work hours are over. 
 
7. Switch Up Your Routine — For those working remotely, sometimes you just need a change of scenery other than the four walls you’ve been looking at for the past year and a half. Grab your laptop and head to your favorite coffee shop or public library. This can help create the feel of being in an office, which in turn can help you get into work mode and not be distracted by other tasks at home. For those working in an office, instead of going straight home, try adding the gym or fun class to your routine. Regardless of how you switch things up, the important thing is to carve out time for yourself.

By Jena Pugh

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