FitSugar

What's the Most Expensive Piece of Fitness Gear You Own?

FitSugar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:30:41 PDT

I know we are not supposed to love material possessions, but right now I am carrying on a hot and steamy affair with my new road bike.

I mean hot and steamy as in burning up the calories and sweating profusely - and it's wonderful. Yep, I took the plunge and upgraded from my 10-year-old hybrid to a sweet ride by Specialized. I paid a pretty penny, but I know this relationship is going to last. My bike is by far the most expensive piece of fitness gear I own. What about you?

What Is the Most Expensive Fitness Gadget or Gear That You Own?

FitSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:30:00 PDT

This weekend, I shopped vicariously through my husband. He bought himself a sweet road bike, after riding on an old (read heavy) mountain bike for years. This new bike cost a pretty penny, but he sold a bunch of old musical equipment to cover the costs. His beautiful bike got me thinking about fitness gear and gadgets; some are quite costly, but seem so helpful.

So tell me . . .

Source

7 Money Tips For Couples Starting a Family

Business Insider — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:15:00 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart Business Insider story here on Savvy!

Middle-income parents will spend nearly $227,000 in 17 years for children born in 2010, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

But don't let that scare you - saving for a family can actually be fun if you know what you're doing.

"The most important thing to understand is that your priorities are going to change and your spending habits need to change to reflect those changes," says Stuart Ritter, a financial planner at T. Rowe Price.

With Ritter and other financial experts' help, we'll help you prepare.

Invest in a 529 savings plan

Saving for your child's education is crucial to his or her success, and 529 plans are tax-advantaged college savings accounts that are available in all 50 states.

Most are free to set up, while some states require a minimum of $25 to open an account, says Adam Koos, a certified financial planner with Libertas Wealth Management. Anyone can contribute and take advantage of the tax benefits.

Open the plan before your child is born, says Ritter, and name yourself the beneficiary. You can change the name on the account once your child is born.

Read on for more.

Catch Up With Our 2012 CES Coverage So Far

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:50:44 PST

We've left Las Vegas, but that doesn't mean we're done with CES. Missed any news, releases, or photos? Catch up with all of our CES coverage so far, and stay tuned for lots more gadget goodness!

Cameras

Polaroid adds WiFi to its new SC1630 Smart Camera.
Speaking of WiFi, the Sony Bloggie Live can livestream your videos with a connection.
Like Instagram? You'll love the new Panasonic Lumix GX1 that has photo filters, tilt-shift tools, and scene selections built in for easy photo editing. Just like Instagram.
Samsung helps you get the perfect self-portrait with the WiFi-enabled DV300F.

Tablets and Ultrabooks

The Samsung Galaxy Note: is it a tablet or is it a phone?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 is slim and sleek.
We're drooling over the Gorilla Glass-backed HP Envy 14 Spectre ultrabook.
Acer is banking on ultrabooks in 2012 and beyond. They rolled out two new Timeline ultrabooks along with the world's thinnest ultrabook, the S5.

Smartphones

We're looking forward to the Nokia Lumia 900 Windows Phone.
The LG Spectrum is the perfect phone for streaming-video lovers.
Sprint is getting two new 4G LTE phones soon: the Galaxy Nexus and LG Viper.
AT&T adds a whopping eight new Android and Windows Phone smartphones to its 2012 lineup.
Huawei hopes to break into the US mobile market with the Ascend PS 1: the world's thinnest smartphone.

See the latest on TVs, headphones, trends, celebrities, and more after the break.

Fake Designer Collaborations That Should Be Real

Lucky — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:32:29 PST

Lucky magazine is one of our favorite sources for great shopping tips. We're thrilled to share this fabulous story on designer collaborations we wish were real from our friends at Lucky!

If you’re a designer and you’re not collaborating with other designers then there’s something wrong with you. It’s so huge right now. And what about Proenza X OshKosh? Can someone get Jack and Lazaro in a room with these overall peeps already? Godiva X Target. I can’t believe it’s not Godiva! This entire story is a joke, so don’t get mad. Put on your Mary Katrantzou X Topshop (this one is real and it’s really dope) and click through!

Christian Louboutin X LA Lights

You remember LA Lights, right? The shoes by LA Gear that lit up when you walked. I can't speak for everyone, but for an 8-year-old Midwestern girl there was no better thing that could have happened to my feet. So why regulate this genius technology to sneakers? I want my studded booties to be lighting up all over 4 Times Square.

Click over to Lucky for a look at the rest of these amazing fantasy collaborations.

For more fashion and style from Lucky, here are more Lucky stories.

Cross-Country Skiing Tips For Newbies

Jenny Sugar — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:51:18 PST

Downhill skiing is a blast, but if you're not in the mood to race against frigid winds or deal with crazy crowded lift lines, try cross-country skiing this Winter. It may not be speedy, but cross-country skiing will tone your upper and lower body, give you a great cardio workout, and burn almost 500 calories in one hour!

Like snowshoeing, cross-country is more social than downhill skiing since conversations aren't limited to just time riding the lift. You get to slush along snow-covered trails and gab while taking in the breathtaking scenery. Plus, there is no expensive lift ticket needed. Some find cross-country more comfortable than downhill skiing because the boots are more flexible and the skis lightweight. Ready to get started? Here are some tips for newbies.

First, find some cross-country trails. Some downhill-ski resorts have groomed trails, but also check out nature centers or parks where you hike in the Summer. You might have to pay a fee (around $15 to $30) to use the grounds. Don't be shy about asking the staff to point you toward the easier trails.
Rent boots, skis, and poles at the place where you're skiing, but if this isn't possible, rent equipment the day before from a gear store; rentals are about $15 a day.
Definitely head out with someone who has some cross-country skiing experience or take a lesson to learn the basic techniques for moving, slowing down, stopping, and getting up hills.

Keep reading for more beginner cross-country ski tips.

6 Tricks to Save on Winter Spending

Emily Co — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:00:56 PST

Winter can be an expensive season with all the gift giving, and your bank account may look worse for wear during this time. Don't worry, there are plenty of smart strategies you can take to lower your Winter bills. Here are some money-saving tricks to keep in mind this cold season:

Invest in a programmable thermostat. Save energy and money by programming the thermostat to control the heating and cooling when you're away from home or asleep. And these don't have to be expensive investments - there are programmable thermostats available for about $35.
Insulate your home. Figure out if your home can improve on insulation by conducting an inspection. The US Department of Energy website has good tips on DIY home inspections. Save energy and money by installing what works best for your house, from installing windows and doors that fit better or plug and caulk cracks and holes. Be sure to do your research online first, before attempting to make these changes on your own.
Consider a space heater. Using a space heater instead of central heating can save you money. If you only need to heat up one or two rooms, you'll save more money and energy using a space heater than central heating.

Read on for more tips.

Chrome Niko: Serious Bag For Serious Business

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 06:30:05 PST

The holidays are a perfect time to get cozy with your camera. The lights, the food, the weather, all of it makes for an awesome shot at a moment's notice. And if you need a bag that's going to stand the test of time, there's none better than the Chrome Niko Camera Bag ($95) to do the job. Chrome was kind enough to send me this bag to test out, and so far, I don't want to give it up. At first glance the Niko may not seem so "female-friendly," but on the contrary, it has no problem fitting smaller frames, and best of all, it's not too bulky.

Made of tough military grade nylon, this bag can take a beating and come out the other side looking shiny and new. Cyclists and bikers will love the Niko since it's lightweight and compact, but offers amazing protection for your gear thanks to its padded interior and water-resistant zippers. The signature Chrome seat-belt chest strap offers a satisfying click when closed (which also doubles as a bottle opener for those beer-fueled hikes), and the waist straps help it stay snugly in place. I have worried that someone (or something) will accidentally hit the center closure and send my gear falling to the ground, which is a scary thought if you're toting an expensive camera. I will say that ladies with a larger chest may not find this bag desirable. The padded chest strap is wide, so it could cause an unpleasant and uncomfortable "separation of the girls" if you know what I mean.

See who I think the Niko is perfect for, and the one thing I wished it came with after the break.

6 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying My First Yoga Mat

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:57:25 PDT

When I started practicing yoga over 10 years ago, I couldn't wait to own my first yoga mat. I impulsively bought a pretty purple one, based on color alone. Not the best move, as it began disintegrating after a few weeks. What a waste of $35. Like any fitness gear, it pays to do a little research and to know some tips from well-seasoned yogis. Here are things I wish I knew before buying my first yoga mat.

Not All Mats Are Created Equal
Just as there are many types of yoga, there are even more varieties of yoga mats. Some are lightweight for traveling, some are eco-friendly, and some are designed for classes where you don't sweat much. Choose a mat based on the type of yoga you're doing and the amount you perspire. Avoid mats made for other types of exercise like physical therapy or Pilates, as they can be too squishy or slippery.

If You Want It to Last, Spend the Dough
There are plenty of mats that costs $20 or less, but you get what you pay for in the yoga mat world. Typically found at huge stores like Target or Walmart, less-expensive mats not only wear down after a few months, but they're typically made with chemically-smelling plastics like PVC, which aren't good for the Earth or your body. Pricier mats like the Manduka Black Mat cost ~~a small fortune~~ over $90, but you're paying for a durable mat made to last a lifetime (or two). In the long run, you actually save money.

Keep reading for more tips on buying your first yoga mat.

You're Paying Too Much: How to Score Cheap Deals on Fitness

Michele Foley — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:36:01 PDT

Gym memberships, Bar Method classes, and Lululemon capris - this stuff doesn't come cheap. But what if I told you that you don't have to pay full price? And that in some cases, you may even get it for free. It may sound too good to be true, but with the right approach, you can exercise for next to nothing (while also taking the hottest new classes and wearing the latest gear). Keep reading to learn how to score major deals - and save major bucks - on all things fitness!

Negotiate a Gym Rate
It's easy to get a deal on gym membership - you just have to ask. Once you've picked the right gym, do your homework before meeting with its membership representative. See what rates other gyms are offering and the types of deals your gym of choice has used in the past; this information will come in handy when negotiating. Also, be honest about your income and monthly expenses; it's not unusual for membership reps to cut a deal based on an individual's financial profile. Ask if they can offer a discount based on your profession (students and educators are usually good candidates) or if they will give a better deal if you agree to a long-term contract. At the very least, you should be able to have the enrollment fee waived.

Use Coupon Websites to Get Almost-Free Classes
Daily coupon sites like Groupon, PopSugar City, and LivingSocial can help you save major bucks on the hottest new fitness classes and studios. These websites work by helping strangers form a buying collective, which is then leveraged for major discounts. Depending on the day, you're likely to find upwards of a 50 percent discount on rock climbing classes, Zumba, or Bar Method classes.

See more ways to save on fitness - including scoring free classes! - after the break!