Gift Card Granny

Walgreens' customers are no strangers to savings. And though the deals abound, shopping at this national drugstore chain just got cheaper as long as you tap into your smartphone.

Walgreens recently announced an arrangement with FourSquare -- the geo-based social media app where users update their location by "checking in" -- to offer customers a unique mobile coupon for checking in to any of their retail locations. With the largest FourSquare following of any retailer in the U.S., Walgreens' innovative program is exemplary of the increasing popularity of mobile shopping apps and the savings potential available to consumers who use them.

With over 300,000 apps introduced to the market in the last three years, there are lots of savvy-shopping and money-saving apps to flag. Read on for several top recommendations.

1. MyShopperApp
There are some great shopping-list apps out there, but this one takes the cake. MyShopper app allows you to keep tabs on spending before you actually spend by totaling the prices of each item on your list as you shop. You know the minute a product puts you over-budget, reducing the tendency for impulse buys. Read more

United Airlines recently announced their desire to exchange your unused gift cards from over 60 retailers for frequent-flier miles. That's great if you frequently find yourself up, up and away, but what about those who don't fly frequently?

Earth-bound consumers have a handy alternative that will exchange gift cards for cash with no muss and fuss. Websites like GiftCardGranny can turn your plastic into cash by purchasing your unwanted cards. The same website also allows you to buy discount gift cards for a wide variety of products and services at up to 35 percent off the face value.

The airline's parent company, United Continental Holdings, launched on Monday their unique MileagePlus Gift Card Exchange. Payments vary, depending on how much demand there is for each card submitted. Read more

Super Bowl XLVI kicks off in less than a week and in addition to soaring chicken-wing prices, delectable dip recipes and the season's best football, the big game brings with it some of the lowest prices of the year on electronics (save for Black Friday, of course).

If you've wanted to upgrade your big screen, enhance your surround sound or switch to a smartphone for instant play updates, now is a better time than ever. However, intercepting the best deals takes a smart shopping strategy.

Review this play-by-play buying guide to learn how to tackle super savings on game-day gadgets:

1. Do Your Homework
Research is key when making any purchase, so be sure to read product reviews to determine the best make and model for your needs. If you're in the market for a new HDTV, Lifehacker offers helpful advice on comparing specifications. Once you've determined what you want to buy, compare retail prices on sites like PriceGrabber.com to score the best deal. Read more

Thinning crowds at the gym paired with advertising pushes from Weight Watchers can only mean one thing: well-intentioned New Year's resolutions are rapidly falling by the wayside. Whether you've been led astray by an impending sense of doom due to Mayan-calendar conspiracies or simply haven't had the time to follow through, there's lots of opportunity to get back on course.

Getting any job done properly requires the right tools, so why wouldn't the same apply to bettering yourself? It's very possible your resolution resolve is waining because you're not equipped with the necessary resources. If you need some assistance sticking to your plans for 2012, try a few of these apps designed to keep you on task.

1. LoseIt
Year after year, weight loss tops the chart of New Year's resolutions. There are several ways to accomplish this tough task, and LoseIt incorporates as many as possible. The app combines calorie counting and meal planning with daily exercise goals to help you stay on the path to a healthier lifestyle. You're even able to share your results with your friends for additional encouragement and motivation. Read more

The Federal Aviation Administration stopped collecting taxes Friday due to a partial shutdown, so logic dictates that should mean a reduction in airfare considering those taxes make up nearly 20% of flight cost. Not so fast, my friend. U.S. carriers leaped on the opportunity created by lawmakers' failure to extend the agency's operating authority. By Monday, most U.S. airlines raised their fees to cover the difference, with the possible exceptions of Alaska, Spirit and Hawaiian airlines. Virgin originally bragged it wouldn't take advantage of the tax holiday, but joined the opportunistic crowd by Monday. Frontier Airlines followed suit.

So what's a traveler to do? Here are 15 ways consumers can reduce airfare costs and avoid those pesky added fees:

1. Shop Consolidators
OneTravel.com and Hotwire.com are just two websites that consolidate the lowest fares available. But check the terms carefully as there might be some semi-hidden restrictions.

2. Book Mid-week
Airfare prices are at their lowest in the middle of the week, according to FareCompare.com who claims Tuesday afternoon offers the best value and selection of low cost flights.

3. Weekend Layovers
Business travelers know it's actually cheaper to extend their visit over a weekend to save on airfare. That's because many plane tickets are sold for weekday round trips. Read more

Attention streaming movie marathoners: There are major changes coming your way. This month Netflix announced they'll be increasing their plan pricing. The trend of rising prices for streaming content is a growing one. Cell phone providers like Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile are all planning to eliminate unlimited data plans in favor of tiered pricing. With experts predicting most cell phone users won't be hit by the changes for a few years, Netflix is taking most of the heat.

The Netflix Changes
Here are the basics of the Netflix changes. Instead of having DVD rentals and streaming movies priced together, each portion will be priced as a separate plan. For most users, this will increase the monthly bill by $6-10. Price changes will take effect September 1.

Customer Backlash
Understandably, cash-strapped consumers are not thrilled about price increases. The official blog post announcing Netflix's changes has generated more than 12,000 comments. Most appear to be current subscribers pledging to cancel their subscription.

More Than the Price
On the surface, $6 doesn't seem like an outrageous amount, but customers are hurt about more than the money. Many who've been with Netflix from the start feel their loyalty has been betrayed. Disgruntled loyalists would like prices to stay as they are for current subscribers with increased rates only for new subscribers. Read more

The summer travel season is finally in full swing. While gas prices remain high, many major retailers are taking steps to cut costs for disgruntled drivers. Wal-Mart is leading the charge, reducing their fuel prices by 10 cents per gallon for the summer months. The retail giant will offer discounted prices at gas stations in 18 states until September 30. Many other stores have followed suit with their own deals. Here's a list of other major merchants helping Americans save at the pump this summer.

CVS
The drug store chain is offering a free $10 gas gift card to ExtraCare Rewards members when they purchase $30 worth of select products. The promotion runs through August 28, so there's still plenty of time to cash in.

Kroger and Shell
The grocery chain has been offering discounted gas for quite awhile now, but their partnership with Shell has really turned up the savings. With 100 points on your rewards card, you'll get 10 cents off per gallon on a fill up at both Kroger and Shell stations. If you're not satisfied with that discount, Kroger also offers $1 off per gallon when you earn 1,000 points on your rewards card.

Kellogg's
Do you eat a bowl of cereal every morning for breakfast? If so, you're well on your way to saving on fuel. When you collect 10 UPCs from cereal boxes and mail them in, Kellogg's will send you a $10 prepaid gas card. Submissions must be received by December 31 and there's a limit of five cards per household. Read more

While summer is always the big travel season in the United States, Americans are changing the way they take vacations. For example, look at the new partnership between Groupon and Expedia. They're following the increasingly popular deal-of-the-day model and offering significant discounts on travel packages that can include airfare, hotels, activities, car rentals and more.

That's not the only way to get to your destination for less, though. Try using these 9 thrifty travel tips to save some money on your next vacation.

1. Discover Off-Peak Destinations
With nearly four-million square miles of land area, the U.S. is a big country. This means there are nearly unlimited places to travel. Destinations in California, like Los Angeles and San Francisco, are some of the most popular spots, but they're also the most expensive. If you think outside the box, you'll find some really cool locations to have a unique vacation without the crowds.

2. Shop at Auctions
Is your heart set on luxurious accommodations, but your bank account doesn't match up? The auctions at travel sites like LuxuryLink.com can help you find accommodations, spa credits, meal vouchers and free drinks for as much as 65 percent below the typical retail price. Auction king eBay also offers a variety of discount vacation packages in their travel section. Read more

If the answer to the question "What's in your wallet?" includes gift cards with a useless balance -- say $2.34 -- you'll be pleased to hear about a bill passed May 25 by the Oregon legislature. Fed up with the serious amount of unused plastic in their wallets, house members voted to require businesses let customers exchange their gift cards for cash, if the balance is under $5.

According to The Oregonian, the state's citizens are presently encumbered with $100 million worth of unredeemed gift cards.

It may not be long before other states follow suit but, until then, here are five ways to deal with pesky balances on those glorified plastic coupons.

1. Know The Balance
This is easier than it sounds. Check your gift card balance to determine if your balance is $2.50 or $25. GiftcardGranny.com, which also allows you to buy and sell discount gift cards, offers a simple method of checking your balance for more than 300 merchants. You could also call the retailer's 1-800 number, but this method could mean a lot of time spent on hold. Some cards require you to register your card to check your balance, but this can be useful if that piece of plastic is lost or stolen. Read more

In grateful thanks for those who've served our country, Gift Card Granny offers a Memorial Day listing of 125+ military discounts for merchandise and services. Here are our top ten.

1. Papa Murphy's - Save 50% on one pizza with your Military ID.
2. Red Robin - Save 25% to 50% on your meal purchase with a valid Military ID.
3. Johnny Rockets - Save 50% when you wear your uniform.
4. Timberland Outlets - Get a 20% discount with an active duty Military ID.
5. Sears Portrait Studio - Save 20% if you show your Military ID at checkout.
6. Southwest Airlines - Receive one-way tickets as low as $51 for military personnel and their family members. You must call Southwest Airline's customer service hotline to receive the discount.
7. Clarion Hotel Universal - Military discounts are available for $59 or $69 per night with a free breakfast buffet. This offer is subject to availability.
8. Dollywood Theme Park - Receive a 30% discount during times of war for all active, disabled, retired, or reserve military personnel. The discount applies to all immediate family members.
9. Hidden Valley Ski Area - Enjoy a $5 lift ticket and $5 rental with a valid Military ID. Your dependents also can receive up to 50% off on their visit.
10. FTD - Save up to 20% on your flower purchase.