FitSugar

Best Frequent Flier Programs to Redeem Miles From

Emily Co — Thu, 26 May 2011 14:45:00 PDT

Some of you have experienced frustration while trying to redeem your miles. What's the point of being a loyal customer if the airline doesn't seem to appreciate it? Perhaps it's best to reconsider your frequent flier program. The Wall Street Journal cites a study that ranks 24 mileage programs all over the world, judging them by the success rates of redeeming a ticket with mileage. The front runner of the US airlines is Southwest, which awards seats 99.3 percent of the time. Here is a list to give you an idea of how the US airlines rank among themselves:

Southwest: 99.3 percent
JetBlue: 79.3 percent
United: 71.4 percent
Continental: 71.4 percent
Alaska: 63.4 percent
American: 62.9 percent
Delta: 27.1 percent
US Airways: 25.7 percent

Quick tip: start booking your trips now, because it's going to be harder for customers to redeem their miles this Summer since a lot of the flights are already booked up during this popular travel season. And if you're going to be traveling a lot, you might want to pick an airline with a better mileage program.

The WSJ points out that the study seemed to indicate that it "might be easier to get 'free' tickets using miles on low-fare carriers than it is on big carriers with global networks." So if you're looking for a mileage program that will give you a bang for your buck, you might want to go with a budget airline.

Surprising Things Frequent Flier Miles Will Get You

Emily Co — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 13:25:20 PST

As an answer to the frustrations of travelers who can't redeem miles for the flights they want, airlines are becoming more creative with their frequent flier programs. The Wall Street Journal listed some examples that some airlines are offering their customers in exchange for miles:

A face lift, hair transplants or breast augmentations
Driving school vouchers
VIP treatment and access to a Formula One race
A "spring training package that includes dinner with New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi and pitcher Joba Chamberlain."
A Habit for Humanity trip to China
VIP tickets to Saturday Night Live tapings
Dinner with celebrity chefs
Designer bags

Would you want any of these items or would you rather get free flights?

Running Tip: Keep Track of Your Mileage

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 03:30:00 PDT

If you run for fun or just to stay healthy, you probably aren't too concerned about how many miles you rack up, but you should be. Not to brag to your friends and family, but to help figure out when you need to purchase new shoes. You should be springing for new sneaks after you've completed between 300 and 400 miles.

Here are some ways to keep track:

Wear a pedometer. About 2,000 steps is equivalent to one mile. Keep track of your miles each week by writing them down in a fitness journal.
Use an iPod Nano and the Nike + iPod Sports Kit to track your mileage per workout. Then you can upload your data to the NikePlus.com website, and they'll keep track of your mileage for you.
Run on a track. It's easy to know how much you've run since four laps equals one mile. Jot down your mileage each time you run.
If you like to run outside but aren't sure how long your favorite neighborhood route is, use Google Maps Gmaps Pedometer to help you figure it out.
Use another techy device like a handheld GPS or watch/heart rate monitor that has a mileage feature to figure out the distance you've traveled per run.

Source

3 Easy Steps to Becoming a Mileage Pro

Emily Co — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 10:30:53 PDT

I've never really gotten into the whole frequent flier miles game, but I'm starting to think I should. It's just that I fly on so many different airlines (depending on which one gives me the most bang for my buck!), so it's quite overwhelming to organize. However, I just had a mileage lightbulb moment after I read this piece by The Frugal Traveler. He shares some great tips on how to start workin' your miles:

Organize to Maximize: The first step to start making sense of your miles is to be organized, and you can do it easily online with sites such as AwardWallet.com and UsingMiles.com. It's kind of like the Mint.com for air travelers. The best thing about these sites is that you get to manage all your other rewards accounts, which includes hotels, credit cards, retailers and car rental companies.
Learn to Earn: There are plenty of other ways to earn miles besides buying a plane ticket. To learn how to get miles without stepping foot on a plane, you need to first pick one airline that you're keen on racking up miles from; one that you often frequent would be ideal. For example, I picked American Airlines, and discovered the different ways I can earn miles from The Points Guy blog. It's hard to comb through all the material, so The Frugal Traveler recommends to go directly to your airline's category such as American or Delta. I found out about the AAdvantage eShopping mall, which will give me miles along with my purchase from any of its partner retailers. I also learned that if you sign up for an eShopping mall account before May, you'll get 500 miles for free! Keep yourself updated on all the offers available from the airline through the blog or subscribe to your airline's offer alerts.

Read on to find out how to use your miles like a pro.

Keep Running: Prevent Plantar Fasciitis With These Tips

Susi May — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:06:42 PST

From pounding the pavement running to spending a day in fashionable shoes that lack proper support, feet take a beating. If you're training for a race this Spring and upping your mileage, it pays to show your peds some love. You can do some preventive prehab to avoid coming down with a case of plantar fasciitis. This painful condition, which can be common in new runners and affects women more than men, occurs when the the fibrous band that runs from the heel bone to the base of the toes stretches too far and tears. These micro tears cause inflammation of the fascia and the tissues surrounding it, making every footstep painful and abruptly stalling your training schedule. If you're experiencing some unexplainable heel pain, try these methods to keep plantar fasciitis at bay.

Uh Oh! Watch Out For These 12 IRS Audit Red Flags

Kiplinger — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:06:09 PST

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

The IRS audits only slightly more than 1% of all individual tax returns annually. The agency doesn't have enough personnel and resources to examine each and every tax return filed during a year. So the odds are pretty low that your return will be picked for review. And, of course, the only reason filers should worry about an audit is if they are fudging on their taxes.

However, the chances of being audited or otherwise hearing from the IRS increase depending upon various factors, including your income level, whether you omitted income, the types of deductions or losses you claimed, the business in which you're engaged and whether you own foreign assets. Math errors may draw IRS inquiry, but they'll rarely lead to a full-blown exam. Although there's no sure way to avoid an IRS audit, you should be aware of red flags that could increase your chances of drawing unwanted attention from the IRS.

1. Making too much money

Although the overall individual audit rate is about 1.11%, the odds increase dramatically for higher-income filers. IRS statistics show that people with incomes of $200,000 or higher had an audit rate of 3.93%, or one out of slightly more than every 25 returns. Report $1 million or more of income? There's a one-in-eight chance your return will be audited. The audit rate drops significantly for filers making less than $200,000: Only 1.02% of such returns were audited during 2011, and the vast majority of these exams were conducted by mail. We're not saying you should try to make less money - everyone wants to be a millionaire. Just understand that the more income shown on your return, the more likely it is that you'll be hearing from the IRS.

Read on for more red flags.

RX For Shin Splints: Ice Massage

Susi May — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:39:21 PST

Shin splints are the bane of many new runners. The tight calves that accompany mileage increases can spell pain for the lower leg. If running causes any discomfort, take time off to allow your shin splints to heal. But you need not sit idle on the sidelines while you recuperate: ice massages help, too. A serious runner, my Equinox trainer reminded me of the healing combo of ice and massage to decrease the inflammation around the tibia (anatomy speak for shin), caused by this overuse injury. The technique is simple, but first you need to make the ultimate tool: the icing cup!

Make Your Own Icing Cup
Used in gyms and physical therapy clinics, an icing cup protects your fingers from freezing and provides a perfectly sized contact point for massaging troubled spots. Take six Dixie cups, fill them with water, and freeze. When it comes time to ice, peel back the paper and begin the massage.

The Massage
Starting by your foot, place your icing cup on the outside of your shin, on the tibialis anterior muscle. Making long strokes toward your knee, massage the muscle with an amount of pressure that feels good. Mix up your massage strokes and try small circular patterns, once again starting at the ankle and working up toward the knee. After five minutes of massaging, finish your 20-minute icing cycle with 15 minutes of static icing by placing an ice pack (or frozen peas or corn) on your shin. Aim to massage and ice twice a day.

If you're not up for an ice massage, you can always show your shins some foam roller love. Do keep stretching your calf muscles, and once the pain diminishes try these easy exercises to strengthen the tibialis anterior.

How to Prevent a Bad Running Day

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:56:02 PST

Some days I slip on my sports bra and sneaks and I feel so light and strong - like I could keep going and going. Other days it seems like my legs are trudging through mud. What gives? We can't prevent bad running days entirely, but here are a few things you can do in order to have more good days than bad.

Get enough sleep the night before. Hit the hay early enough so you get seven to nine hours of shut-eye.
Make sure you're hydrated. Not drinking the appropriate amount of water before and during your workout can lead to dizziness, headaches, decreased energy and performance, dry mouth, and cramps. A few hours before running, drink about 15 to 20 ounces. Drink another eight to 10 ounces 10 to 15 minutes before heading out.
Eat before your run. Remember that food is fuel. If you're not working out for five or so hours, enjoy a meal that contains protein, fat, and carbs. Several hours before a run, eat a meal that's under 500 calories. Thirty to 90 minutes before you head out, enjoy a carb-loaded low-fat snack. If you're working out first thing in the a.m., fuel up with easily digestible carbs that are low in fiber. Getting too much fiber can cause major cramps during your run.
Hit the ladies room. There's no need to carry unnecessary weight with you, so if you can relieve yourself before your run, you'll feel much lighter and will be less likely to experience belly aches.

See more tips after the break!

From Beginner to Expert: 4 Ways to Become a Better Runner

Leta Shy — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:42:26 PST

Have you got the running bug? If you've recently committed to a running program, it may seem like there's not much prep involved, except downloading your favorite playlist. Running is a popular pastime because it doesn't require much know-how to start - just pick out your shoes and go. But that doesn't mean that there isn't technique. Whether you're starting out or never thought twice about your regular runs, read on for tips on how to become a better runner.

Learn the basics: The barriers to entry may be low, but that doesn't mean running isn't a skill. If you are a beginner runner, pay attention to how you run. Listen to your gait - you shouldn't be running unevenly or hitting the ground hard. Read more tips on analyzing your running style here. And remember that mid- or forefoot-striking is best (as opposed to heel striking) for helping prevent injuries.

Read more tips on proper running after the break.

5 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before I Started Running

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:07:23 PST

When I first started running, I hated it. I suffered from blisters, unsupported bosoms, and irritated skin from seams, and it seemed insanely hard. I wish someone had sat me down and told me these basic tips and tricks to help smooth my transition from non-runner to runner. If you're just starting out on your own journey pounding the pavement or treadmill belt, here are things you should know about running.

It Gets Easier
As with most things, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. To strengthen your muscles, acclimate your heart and lungs, and increase your endurance, run at least three times a week. Start off with a doable distance such as two miles. Once that distance feels good, gradually increase your mileage. The key is to move at a comfortable pace for a reasonable amount of time. If you do too much too soon, you could end up with an injury or a deep hatred for the sport.

You Don't Have to Wear Two Sports Bras
If you're well-endowed, running can be painful. I wore two sports bras for the longest time because I couldn't find one that prevented the uncomfortable bounce. A cheap cotton sports bra from Target just won't do. You might have to spend $50 or more, but it's worth it when you only have to wear one bra you trust. Here are some sports bras to choose from.

Keep reading to find out other running tips for beginners.