Our free and open Internet is at risk. We’re proud to join the fight to defend online freedom during the Internet-wide day of action to save net neutrality, July 12.
What is Net Neutrality?
Right now we have access to every website from every Internet connection in the world. This democratization of information is easy to gloss over and often taken for granted. After all, this is all we know – the Internet started this way and has always been this way. Net Neutrality is the basic principle that protects our free speech on the Internet.
What are we fighting for?
Today, this very fundamental right is under threat. The companies that provide the underlying Internet network connections (telecom and cable companies mostly) want to charge more for our right to access certain websites depending on the content within them. This will mean that the Internet will become more like cable TV, and will offer premium ‘channels/websites’ for an additional fee. Without net neutrality, cable companies don’t have to let you use the best things on the Internet; they can force you to use their things unless you pay additional fees. In other words, instead of improving services, cable companies can just make other people’s services worse.
This image from Software Engineering Daily displays what the future will look like without net neutrality:
At Shopkick, we proudly join many major tech companies including Facebook, Google, and Amazon in the fight to save Net Neutrality. Together, we can stop censorship and corruption.
On July 12, theInternet is joining forces to let the government and the world know that the Internet must remain a place of freedom; and should not become like cable TV. Join the fight to ensure that every website is treated the same, and stop cable companies from charging extra for the content you enjoy today.
Back to school shopping lists these days contain a lot more than just boxes of pencils and crayons. There are folders, ear buds, school backpacks and sometimes even laptops that make up the growing list. If you have to shop for more than one child, it can feel like Christmas in August. Back to school shopping is big business and is expected to grow 4% in 2017 compared to 2016 sales. That’s saying a lot because back to school sales set a record last year. Although it is obvious people are spending money, you don’t have to break the bank to get your kids off to school. Knowing some saving tips as well as the best times to buy certain products can make all the difference if you’re hoping to get to the head of the class as a savvy shopper.
Back to School Clothes
Meet my New Bestie, “Clearance”
End of summer sales can be your BFF.
Since many kids go back to school at the end of August when the mercury is still rising, they’re still going to need summer clothes. You can get great deals on clearance racks with end of the season sales. Many of this merchandise starts getting marked down after Fourth of July. This is a great time to stock up for that first month or two of school.
Sales Tax-free Week
Many states have a sales tax-free week during the summer. This is when parents across the country flock to stores to take advantage of buying items like new school shoes, jeans, jackets and any other items. Since each state has different rules, it’s best to check out where your specific state stands so you can get the best deals and stretch your dollar. Many of these tax-free holidays land in late June and August.
Back to School Supplies
Take Stock
These days many teachers will send home a school supplies list the last day of school so students have all summer to get ready.
When you get the list first take stock of what you have at home and what is salvageable from the previous year. You may be surprised to discover how many things you don’t have to buy brand new.
Dollar “Dazed”
Once you know what you do need to buy, take a trip to your favorite dollar store and get dollar dazed by all of the school supplies. You can grab a good sized multi-pack of pencils, pens, erasers, and even crayons for just a buck each. Kids don’t need designer school supplies. As long as they write, get the job done, and don’t cost you a fortune, everyone’s happy. If you still want to hit the big-box stores, experts advise to go in July. There may be deals to be had there because retailers know everyone typically rushes to the store in August and many are not thinking back-to-school shopping while they’re still going to the beach in July.
Backpacks Don’t Need Characters.
Getting a new backpack for the start of the school year is a rite of passage. But, try not to get stuck in the character trap with your kids. According to Money magazine, backpacks, lunch bags and any other school supply with a character’s face are typically 20 to 30 percent more than plain items. If a themed backpack is a must have, experts advise telling your child he or she can decorate the bag with stickers or something else with a character face.
Price-Match
Don’t be embarrassed to price match. There’s nothing shameful about saving money, is there? Quite the contrary; saving money can give you a rush! If a store like Wal-Mart offers a price match policy, take them up on it, even for school supplies.
Timing is Everything
For big ticket items like laptops and notebooks, one of the best times to buy is between the last week of July and the first three weeks of August. Retailers know college-bound students and students even younger will be looking as they do their back to school shopping.
Since back-to-school shopping is often referred to as one of the biggest shopping seasons of the year, set a budget as you would during the holidays. Besides helping you save money, it will also teach your kids the value of a dollar and how to stretch it. Happy shopping and saving! Want to save more while shopping back to school? Download the Shopkick App to earn free gift cards while shopping.
Summer is upon us and what better way to kick off the season than with an electronics makeover for your home! Whether it’s a new TV, a kitchen redesign, or laptop for school, tell us what you’d do with $1,000 at Best Buy and you could win it!
Red, white, and blue, BBQs, parades, fireworks. Every 4th of July celebration comes with some variation of these classics, yet not all holiday celebrations are created equal. We polled our community to see what tips and tricks they recommend for having the best Fourth of July experience this year.
4th of July Preparation
Consider being an ‘includer.’
Holidays can be lonely for those who don’t have family nearby and/or who have a small social circle. Invite someone to your party or get-together who may be sitting at home alone. Extending kindness and hospitality goes a long way. – Kristen E.
Have a plan
BE SAFE! Don’t drink and drive! – Charlene D.
Leave your dogs at home or inside when fireworks are present. More dogs are lost on the 4th than any other holiday because of the loud noises that come with fireworks. – Melissa B.
Sunscreen, sunscreen, SUNSCREEN! – Paola S.
Keep everyone entertained during the Parade
Bring beach balls! Bring the water bottles that can mist you. Pack summer snacks like watermelon! Pack something comfortable to sit on. Make t-shirts as a family or be sure to wear red, white, and blue! – Lindsay M.
Midday Activities
Keep it Cool
Get a kids plastic pool…fill it with ice and water…throw your drinks in there….gets and keeps them ice cold for hours! (Add ice as needed) – Brittany T.
Go Floating
Here in Texas it is HOT hot!!!! 4th of July means finding water to cool off in – so floating the river is a big deal!!! You need ice cold adult beverages, tubes/floats, a floating cooler and something to play tunes that is waterproof and you are set for a grand day of celebrating! – Katelyn N.
Go Get Some Kicks
Do some shopping at the outlet mall. Get some kicks while there. – Jeffrey P.
Fireworks
Don’t burn down your house.
Only shoot bottle rockets outside once your front door is actually closed. – Melissa B.
Sparkler Safety
Punch a small hole in the bottom of a solo cup to create a hand-shield for little ones who might be a little nervous about holding a sparkler for the first time. They can put their hand inside the cup, pop the sparkler stick through the hole and little fingers will be safe from burns. – Melissa B.
Let someone else handle the Fireworks
We are very lucky to live close to a Six Flags. My kids enjoy spending the evening riding rides. Then when it is time for fireworks we stop and enjoy the awesome show. Then ride a few more rides and then head home. – Ruth H.
4th of July Dessert Options:
Get creative with your S’mores Recipe
Use chocolate chip cookies as the “bread” for an epic s’mores on the grill once the meal is over. Spread the flat side of a chocolate chip cookie with peanut butter then fill with marshmallows and chocolate squares. Wrap individually in foil. When you’re ready for dessert, toss them on the grill and get ready for a fantastic twist on a classic summer dessert. Bring enough for everyone! – Melissa B.
Personalized S’mores
Get some mini flower pots, fill it with charcoal and get some skewers. Each child will have their own pots to make s’mores. – Molly R.
Make a Sparkler Cake
Me and my kids usually bake a cake and we put Sparklers on each of the four corners and light them up. So my tip is, bake the cake, put Sparklers on the 4 corners and light them up!! However, before you cut into the cake, make sure the Sparklers are fully out. Enjoy your cake –Molly R.
Don’t forget the real reason we got the day off:
Remember what you’re really celebrating – our independence, a very important historical holiday – Kyle J.
Have your own 4th of July tips and traditions? Share them with us on twitter @Shopkick
As a challenger brand in the CPG space, how can you stand out among the corporate brand portfolios and increase awareness for your products? With a limited budget, and in the face of ever increasing options, it’s critical to carefully consider where your marketing dollars will go the farthest.
In this webinar on demand, Shopkick brand expert Michael Reda talks about how challenger brands can create efficient, measurable and meaningful results.
You’ll learn how to:
Increase brand awareness without eroding your profit margin by offering rewards
Reach new customers before they even enter the store
Gamify the shopping experience to keep customers coming back
Effectively track an omnichannel campaign for deeper consumer insights
With summer in full swing, it’s hard not to think of fun cocktails, drinks around a bonfire, barbecues with friends, and lazy summer afternoons. But let’s face it: these kinds of days can be expensive and time-consuming to prep for. So I’ve decided to lend you a hand and make your lazy summer days even lazier, more fun than ever, and cheaper too!
Here’s a list of five super simple and quick drink recipes that all contain six or fewer ingredients and take under 20 minutes to prep for. Oh, did I mention you can grab everything you need for them at your local Wal-Mart?
But before I tell you what these amazing summer drinks are, I must disclose… I lied a little. There’s really 10 drink recipes since I’ve adapted every alcoholic recipe to be kid-friendly, too. So pick your favorites and head over to your closest store to stock up, your summer will thank you.
Is there anything more summery than some fresh strawberries? The strawberry flavor is subtle and perfect for those who like their drinks on the not-too-sweet side.
Makes: approximately 2 cups
Total time: 20 minutes
Strawberry syrup
1 cup of sliced strawberries
½ cup of sugar
¼ cup of water
Kid-friendly
⅓ cup of strawberry syrup
1 ⅓ cup of lemonade
Adult version
(Instead of the above)
⅓ cup of strawberry syrup
⅔ cup of whiskey
⅔ cup of lemon juice
How to make it
For syrup: Combine strawberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan over low heat and bring to a light simmer. Stir the syrup mixture occasionally until strawberries have softened and all of the sugar is dissolved (approximately 15 minutes). Once the sugar is dissolved, strain syrup into a container and save the strawberries for garnish (optional).
For drinks: Combine all ingredients for your chosen drink variation in a pitcher and serve immediately over ice. Use leftover strawberries as garnish (optional).
Not in the mood for strawberries? No problem, you can substitute the strawberries for blackberries, raspberries, or blueberries. If you’re looking for an even fresher twist on this summery drink, add a little bit of muddled mint or basil.
Want an easy set it and forget it drink for party prepping or lazy summer days? This drink could not be more perfect for you! It takes only 15 minutes to make a batch large enough for a cookout. But a word of warning: you might want to make an extra just for yourself. I won’t tell.
Makes: approximately 6 ½ cups
Total time: 15 minutes (prep) 8 hours (freezing time)
Kid-friendly
½ cup of tea
2 cups of orange juice
3 cups lemonade
½ cup of sugar
Adult version
(Add to the above)
1 cup of bourbon
How to make it
This drink could not be easier to make! Simply brew some tea and dissolve the sugar in while it’s hot, combine all the ingredients for your chosen drink variation, throw the mix in a Ziploc bag or freezer-safe container, and store in your freezer until you’re ready for a refreshing and delicious slushie.
This super simple drink recipe is refreshing and involves less than 5 minutes prep time so you can get on with your lazy summer afternoons faster than ever before.
Makes: approximately 4 – 5 cups
Total time: 5 minutes
Kid-friendly
5 cups of seedless watermelon
2 tablespoons of sugar
Ice
Juice of one lime (optional)
Adult version
(Add to the above)
1 cup of vodka
How to make it
Combine all ingredients in a blender, blend until smooth, and enjoy immediately.
Bonus: want a frozen watermelon slush? Pour the mix into a Ziploc bag or freezer-safe container and pop it in the freezer for a bit.
The crisp, dry flavor of ginger ale is complimented by the sweet, tangy flavor of fresh peaches, giving this drink a refreshing and sweet twist. Plus it’s super quick, easy to make, and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your next gathering!
Makes: approximately 4 – 5 cups
Time: 15 minutes
Kid-friendly
3 cups ginger ale
½ cup peach nectar
2 thinly sliced peaches
1 tablespoon of grated ginger
Adult version
(Add to the above)
One cup of whiskey
How to make it
No blending required, just combine all ingredients in a pitcher, serve over ice, and you’re ready to go enjoy your summer.
Like Moscow Mules? Swap of the whiskey for some vodka to give this drink an extra kick.
If you’re not a huge fan of bourbon on the rocks, this drink may make bourbon more approachable for you. The sweet, fruity flavor of the cherries combined with the mellow flavor of vanilla tames the taste of the bourbon for a smoother and sweeter drink that’s perfect for lounging in the yard on a hot day.
Makes: one drink
Time: 5 minutes
Kid-friendly
½ cup of pitted cherries
¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract
3 teaspoons of fine sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
¼ cup of club soda
Adult version
(Add to the above)
One shot of bourbon
How to make it
In a glass, combine all ingredients of your chosen drink variation, and muddle cherries until the cherry juices are released. If you don’t have a muddler you can grab a wooden spoon, and that should do the trick just fine. Add ice and serve immediately.
Wait! One more thing!
Before you hit your local Wal-Mart to grab supplies, don’t forget to share this article with your friends so they can vote on which drinks to serve at your next gathering and download Shopkick so you can earn free gift cards while you shop.
Disneyland may be magical, but it’s not cheap. In 2016, a trip for a family of four averaged $1,624 for airfare, $2,128 for a four-night stay, and $1,010 for park tickets—not including food, souvenirs, and extras.
Good news: With smart planning, you can save big. Here are five tips:
Use travel points:Travel credit cards like Barclaycard Arrival Plus or Capital One Venture let you earn points to offset flight and hotel costs. Richmond Savers even mapped out how to visit Disneyland nearly free using these cards
Earn with Shopkick: Courtney Cole used the Shopkick app to earn Target gift cards, which she converted into Disney gift cards — covering meals, toys, and even a princess makeover without guilt
Bring your own food:Save on meals by packing snacks and drinks. Disneyland allows coolers (up to 18″x25″x37″) and hydration backpacks. Just no alcohol
Find discounted tickets: AAA members, military families, and youth groups may qualify for special rates. For others, MouseSavers recommends aRes Travel for legit discounts
Travel off-season:Visit during Disney’s “Value Season” (Jan–Feb, early Oct–Dec) for lower prices and smaller crowds. Avoid peak pricing by skipping holidays and summer.
It’s summertime, and you know what that means – it’s time to break out the barbecue! Whether you are a seasoned expert when it comes to seasoning, or a novice grill-master in the making, we’ve got some tricks and tips to help you cook up the perfect smoky meal for your friends and family.
Grilling Preparation:
Plan Barbecue Cleanup Now
To make cleaning a breeze, line the inside bottom of the cooker with a few sheets of aluminum foil. This means a quicker cleanup of used coals and ash when you are finished barbecuing.
Don’t Confuse your Tools
Beyond your grill, there are two must-have tools: two types of BBQ tongs – one with insulated handles and one set with grips. Use the insulated set to handle and turn coals, and the one with grips to turn and handle food. Make sure these two tools are easy for you to visibly identify (that way the food grease won’t cause the coals to flare up, and your meal won’t get ashy).
Gas vs. Charcoal
Although there are a number of ways to cook ‘cue, (charcoal, wood chips, split logs…) a purely gas grill is not the best way to go. That’s because the smoke produced by burning wood is an ingredient in itself. Without smoke, you’re heating your meat but missing out on flavor. If you use gas, think about adding smoking chips the next time you hit the grill.
Safety First
To handle any flare-ups, keep a spray bottle full of water nearby.
Ready to Grill:
Grease Up The Grill
Before you add anything to the BBQ, make sure to grease the grill. Not only will it help the food cook, it will prevent residue from adhering to the grill and stop your food from getting stuck. This means you’ll hold on to the charred flavor that makes barbecue so tasty. To grease the grill, you can use garlic-marinated oil to add a touch of flavor to the food.
Cook Slow and Low
The perfect barbecue meal takes time and patience when in doubt aim for a lower temperature and a longer grill time. Once you’ve decided on a set temperature and time try not to check on the meat more than every half an hour.
Have a Secret Ingredient
As your meat cooks, spray it with a squirt bottle full of apple juice. This adds an extra kick to the flavor and keeps the meat moist.
Don’t Play with Your Food
Piercing your meat with a fork will cause the juices to escape, making the meat less flavorful and drier. Instead, use tongs or a spatula to flip or move your food.
Serving your Barbecue
Serving Grilled Meat
When you remove your meat from the grill, allow it to sit for a couple of minutes. That way the juices will seal and the meat will be prevented from drying out. In fact, you should refrain from cutting until you are ready to serve and eat immediately.
Get Creative with Sauces
You can flavor it with booze, by adding bourbon, beer, wine or rum to your standard sauce, branch out with new sauces you haven’t tried like jerk sauce, teriyaki or hot sauce, or add in lemon juice, red peppers or chopped onions for an extra kick.
To master the art of barbecue, you need an adventurous spirit and a good deal of trial and error. Use these tips and hacks to experiment, and you’ll be an expert in no time.
For years, I tried to get my children interested in money management and saving their money for things they wanted. Mommy can’t always foot the bill for extravagant desires like those fidget spinners and the entire Major League Soccerball collection. Not too long ago I saw an article on social media about a young man who had invested in his favorite sneaker company with the help of his mother. The experience spurred his interest in further investment and he owned several stocks by the time the article was written.
Leverage what Your Kids are Interested in
That article got my wheels turning. My 15-year-old son loves video games, soccer, and his phone and my 13-year-old daughter loves books, electronics, music, and plays soccer as well. With a small allowance budget for each of them to utilize, I tasked them with researching the cost of shares in companies that relate to their hobbies. My son looked into Sony, T-Mobile, and Apple while my daughter opted for Amazon, Samsung, and Barnes and Noble. Based on their research, they determined how much a share was and how many shares they needed to buy in order to reach their goals. The best part of all of it was that investing in stocks gave them the chance for their money to actually grow — if they could exercise patience and did their research well.
Using Shares to Pay For Their Wish List Items
I was totally shocked with how committed they were to this project — I believe it was the fact that they’d be making money off things they interact with daily. My son loves the fact that he can sell shares at any time if he wants to buy the newest video game or some costly new shoes. He wears a size 12 by the way. Size 12’s are NOT cheap! And on my daughter’s wish list when she’s ready to cash in a few shares? A rabbit and a guitar. What a combination!
Starting Early in Money Management
The sooner you educate your children on the benefits of investing and saving, the better. Start them young and they’ll develop good habits that will shape their spending and saving as adults — I sure wish I had received more education on investing and saving when I was my kids’ age!
How to Set Up a Stock Exchange Account for Your Kids
To get started you should do some more research on investing to determine which account option is right for you and your children. Talk to your bank or a local credit union, investigate online trading websites and stock brokers — some of them may have low fee plans for minors. If you have a 401K or IRA plan, see if they have a way to involve your kids. Find out whether the shares will be in your name (and will need to be transferred when your kids turn 18), and how the fees and taxes will work. With a proper plan and education, your kids will be on their way to buying you your dream car in no time!
Consumers seamlessly traverse channels throughout the shopping journey, demanding highly personalized, mobile-enabled, and frictionless shopping experiences. In delivering these omnichannel experiences, retailers can struggle to attribute the impact of digital marketing on physical shopping experiences.
In 2016, Deloitte reported that digital’s influence on in-store sales surpassed 50%, influencing 56% of all in-store retail sales. Yet understanding this influence on a shopper-level is still a challenge for most retailers. In fact, 67% of retail executives said their greatest obstacle in offering an omnichannel experience is tracking customer analytics across channels.
Despite roughly 90% of retail transactions still happening in stores, stores lack the real-time data and attribution that retailers are accustomed to online. Beyond just verifying store visits, retailers want to know what customers did inside their stores. Key metrics include product engagement, dwell time in-store, purchase conversion, and whether or not the sale was incremental.
Shopkick’s partnership with Visa Decision Sciences connects the dots across the entire in-store data funnel to enable true online to offline attribution analysis. Visa measures incremental sales impact through a “twinning” methodology whereby a control group of unenrolled accounts is created from the Visa cardholder base to match spend behavior of the enrolled Shopkick population.
Analysis from January 2017 shows significant and sustained incremental sales across Shopkick’s merchant partners — sales that would not have happened without Shopkick. On average, 57% of overall sales driven by Shopkick were incremental. Of that 57%, 73% of incremental sales was driven by new customer acquisition, and 23% was driven by increased spend of existing customers.
This ability to measure not just store visits, but also sales and incrementality will unlock the potential of omnichannel marketing, and drive growth for brick & mortar retail.
Until now, CPG brand marketing has largely been dictated by the physical structure of an in-store aisle. Now, as customers expect to locate products anywhere and buy them at any time, grocers and brand marketers need to step up to deliver what today’s shoppers want and what tomorrow’s shoppers will demand.
In this webinar on demand, Shopkick RVP William Gonzales talks about how CPG marketers can succeed with the new Endless Aisle. He covers how to deliver highly personalized, mobile-enabled, and frictionless shopping experiences.
You’ll hear:
Research on how today’s consumers shop, and how marketers can engage them along the entire path to purchase
A success story from Barilla’s Pronto Pasta
A look at future trends in anytime, anywhere commerce
Many grocers and CPG companies are struggling to keep up with changing consumer preferences in the shopping and consumption of food. In the past, grocers didn’t have to prioritize driving traffic because shoppers didn’t have many other options. Yet with the explosion of new products, services and grocery entrants, it has become increasingly difficult for grocers to drive traffic to stores, to drive sales of higher margin center aisle products, and to build loyalty.
Our latest infographic covers struggles and opportunities in the grocery market in recent years:
Major CPGs are also facing stalling growth: The top 25 food & beverage companies in the US drove only 3% of category growth in 2015.
Trips to and spend at traditional super markets is decreasing: In the past 5 years, shoppers made 27% less trips per week and spent 33% less.
Traditional engagement drivers aren’t working like they used to: Retailers saw a 13% annual decrease in 2016 in coupon redemption.
Get the facts about the changing grocery environment, and how fun and engaging shopping experiences can drive store visits, product sales and loyalty in our latest infographic.
