Using Serve to make your life easier (and a Giveaway!)
Do you guys carry cash on you? I’m one of those people who literally spend cash like there’s a hole burning in my pocket. One day I have a couple twenties on me, the next I have no idea where all my money went… So I basically just stopped carrying cash with me. It’s just better that way.
But there’s always those nights where everyone is out and I’m the only one with a card and no cash. Usually I end up paying the bill and people give me cash, or we all throw in our cards and have the bill split. I am sure our server always appreciates that! American Express has come up with a solution for that very situation. It’s aptly called Serve. Instead of boring you with the details of what they’re all about or how it works, I’m going to show you how I used Serve on a girls night out the other day.
First I sent an email to a couple of my girlfriends to see if anyone wanted to get together for drinks and dinner. Shockingly, we were able to set a date fairly easily. Once that hurtle was overcome, we had to decide where to go. We all agreed we wanted to try something new. After quite a few emails back and forth, we decided on The Biltmore Grill in Newton. A key factor in that decision was the fact that they have Chicken and Waffles on the menu. We all agreed that there were so many things we wanted to try, that we’d order a little of everything and split it.
This isn’t a restaurant review, but I have to tell you the food there was comfort food to the max. The chicken and waffles were definitely the star of the evening and I really appreciated that they do beer flights. I enjoyed a variety of seasonal beers. I feel like there aren’t enough places to get a flight of beer nearby…
Ok so here’s where I tell you about how Serve made my life easier that night. First, I had already signed up for a Serve account online (you get a FREE $10 just for signing up). Second, I had installed the Serve app on my Android phone. And lastly, my Serve credit card had already come in the mail!
One thing to note about the credit card. It doesn’t have your name on it. I found that somewhat odd, but since it works like a pre-paid credit card, there’s no harm in someone using the card if you lost it. You could simply remove all funds from the card by going online or into your app.
So when the bill came that night, I got out my Serve credit card and paid for the entire bill myself. While the server was running the card, I logged in to my account on my phone.
I used the “Split the Bill” option within the app and put in the amount of the bill, the tip that I wanted to leave, and the number of people at dinner.
On the next screen, I put in everyone’s names (the app uses your address book to identify everyone via phone number or email address). Notice those bars under everyone’s name? You can use those to allocated different amounts for each person. It defaults to splitting the bill evenly, but it’s nice to have the option to have different people pay different amounts.
Since I was using the app to request money from others, they don’t have to have a Serve account at this point. To actually use Serve to send money, they would have to sign up for a Serve account.
The next screen prompted me for a message to include in the request. Once I hit submit, each of the girls was notified with an email in their Inbox requesting the amount due for their portion of the bill.
And I got transaction numbers so I could track the transactions on my app or online at Serve.com.
Once the payments have been made through Serve, the transactions will move from pending to completed.
While I was playing around with the app, I found some other useful things I wanted to share. First, check out all the options available when I logged into the app.
The Pizza Party option caught my eye. Check it out, you can divide the pizza bill by number of slices!
Another option that seems useful would be to link subaccounts. I could imagine using subaccounts to provide your children’s allowance or setting aside a certain amount of money for holiday shopping for example.
Overall, Serve was very easy to use and I can’t wait to explore the other options available. And now on to the good stuff, the giveaway!! American Express is offering one lucky reading a $100 Serve credit! (the winner will have to sign up for a Serve account to claim the prize)
Only one entry per person. To enter, leave a comment by midnight on 12/27 answering this question: What are your plans for the holidays?
To answer my own question, Hubby and I are working until Thursday, then we’re off the rest of the year. We’ll be heading down to his mom’s for Christmas with the family. There will be lots of food, family, and good times.
As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program, I received a $250 stipend to try Serve from American Express. Sign up for Serve and receive $10 credit towards your first use. Comment below within the next 7 days for your chance to win an extra $100 credit to your account! Official sweepstakes rules and regulations may be found here: http://www.foodbuzz.com/blogs/4622317-win-serve-dollars-giveaway-official-rules
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
I’d buy cast iron cookware! I keep meaning to, and I really really need some!
I’m eyeballing this one: http://www.cookware.com/Emerilware-by-All-Clad-EC81121-EAC1034.html
Also, I’ve just followed you on Facebook!
I love, love, love kitchen ware, but I just found out I’m expecting my first baby so I would use $40 to buy an adorable crib set I saw on the site!
I am in desperate need of new cookie sheets – so I’d more than likely get a few of those.
We’re moving in a couple of months, so I’d probably save it to use on new furniture for the new house.
I’m a facebook fan.
I love these outside torches
http://www.cookware.com/Blomus-65012-RY1030.html
Completely random…but this laundry caddy would really come in handy!
http://www.csnstores.com/Venture-Horizon-4010-11WH-VHZ1004.html
I would love to buy some lighting for our daughter’s playroom.
Love the wine rack!
I would either buy a new spring form pan as mine is as old as I am, or those ramekin’s! I have wanted ramekins for a long time!
Great giveaway, I despserately need new cookware
Very cool, really could use a new cookie sheet, mine are lookin old!
I’m a fb fan too
well I’m either a facebook fan or I just like you. . . not sure. I could really use some new sheet pans. . . but I can always figure out something to spend $40 on relating to my kitchen;)
I would LOVE to get some new kitchenware or a new Kitchen Aid Mixer!!
I am a facebook friend!
I would buy a crock pot from their cooking site. I have been dying to have one and make some pulled chicken for a summer barbecue!
I think I’d probably get those ramekins that you posted! I’d love to have a set. 🙂
Also – I’m already a fan on FB! 🙂
I love the ramekins….I would love to have a set!!
I just followed on Facebook!!
I would buy the Haan Floor Steam Cleaner for Hard Surfaces because I have a 9 month old who is all over the place and my wife and I want piece of mind knowing that the floors are always clean and he wouldn’t be exposed to unnecessary germs 🙂 When my wife was pregnant, she would watch this infomercial all the time at night and she fell in love with this thing!
I would buy some wall art for our kitchen.. we have nothing
I am a fan on Facebook 😉
I’d use the $40 toward the purchase of an EarthPan cookware set!
I “like”‘d Beantown Baker on FB!
DH and I never registered for formal place settings, so I’d get some of those!
I have those ramekins and love them 🙂
I’d buy this mortar and pestle set http://www.cookware.com/Cuisinox-MOR12-CNX1236.html
I am also following you on facebook now.
I like their stuff, I am sure I can spend $40 on “something”.
I joined the facebook fan club.
I’ve been looking to get another paring knife for my kitchen, so I’d get the Zwilling JA Henckels Twin Four Star 3″ Paring Knife.
And I need a slicer, so the Jaccard Advanced Ceramic Hand Held Dual Direction Mandolin Slicer
Those ramekins!
I would get one of these cutting boards: http://www.cookware.com/John-Boos-2XX-JB1042.html
Thanks for this giveaway!
I’m already a fan on facebook. 🙂
I would buy a new 3.5″ paring knife because my mom decided it would be wise to use my old one (which I loved) to scrape old glue off of something. Since then I’ve been cooking with a knife that has no tip (go figure!). 🙂
I’d put it towards a Le Creuset French or Dutch Oven in Dune… *swoon*
I would buy some bakeware pieces or for a splurge a chandellier for the kitchen to replace my dingy white ceiling fan.
I am also a FB fan
I would also shop for dining chairs!
I would use toward the purchase of a French oven- although the hubs will have to pitch in for the difference.
Following on FB too!
I’d buy this rolling pin because I do not have one and always have to borrow my neighbors!
http://www.cookware.com/Paderno-World-Cuisine-47034-52-WCS2293.html
Just “liked” your site on FB!
I would put it towards a new cookware set for my sister! They will be moving soon and she could use new pots and pans!!
I like the “evening sun” pattern dishes and would love the pitcher or serving platter.
I’m already a fan of your page on Facebook!
I would put it toward some home accessories, I’m lacking in that department.
My sister is getting married in the fall so I would likely get her some new cookware.
I think I would use it towards the Bissell Little Green Compact Deep Cleaner. My full-sized carpet cleaner bit the dust.
dftrew(At)gmail(dot)com
we are in need of a coffee table, and have been looking for a square one for ages. and lo and behold, i found one on the site! so i would order this:
http://www.allcoffeetables.com/Woodbridge-Home-Designs-1376-01-HE2870.html
and pay the excess to buy the coffee table.
i’m also a facebook fan
I would ABSOLUTELY use it toward a Le Creuset 2.75 Quart Round French Oven in Kiwi 🙂
I became a fan on FB
Awesome giveaway! I love CSN.
With $40 I would…probably get some new bakeware…there are so many shapes, colors, and sizes that I don’t have!
Those ramekins are pretty darn adorable, I think I’d have to go with those.
i know what I want…the white 6 quart stockpot! i have always wanted a stockpot and this is the one! Please, please, please!
How fun! I would get a new outdoor light for our lamppost! I cannot believe how many options there are!
Craftmade – Z285-04 / Z285-05 / Z285-07 – Cast Aluminum Outdoor Post Mount
That’s the one I have my eye on now!
Thanks!
Hard choice! I would probably put it toward a new griddle, or a Dutch oven!
I’d probably buy some slip covers for my sofas in the living room and some new pillows for them.
I’m a facebook Fan!!!
I would prob. also buy or put this towards a new grill.
Oh I definitely need a big ole skillet. I’m sick of trying to saute a mountain of veggies in my medium sized one!
Amanda @ WannaBe Chef
I am about to close on a house so I need everything!
I’m a fan on facebook too!
I have never had any cast iron cookware and would love to use it so I would definitely use it for that!
accent pillows…something I really need but never put the $$$ out for…
I’m a facebook fan 🙂
I would buy a new dog bed for my dog.
I’d get myself a waffle iron!
urchiken at gmail dot com
I absolutely love that wine rack! If I splurged and spent my own money too, I would have to put the $40 toward a TV stand. Hubby’s pride and joy is his 60-inch flat screen, which we currently have sitting on my college coffee table. We need a grown-up place to put it!
I really like this rug: http://www.diningsets.com/Nourison-ST17-GLD-NO10036.html
THanks for the giveaway!
contact email: tsgiveaways(at)hotmail.com
I am a fan on Facebook too.
I would love to buy the : Meco 9000 Series Pedestal Tabletop Electric Grill… because I can’t grill on my condo patio!
I have a small dining room myself, and have been looking for chairs to match our table as well. It’s is pub height which is perfect for the highchair to sit next to, but the chairs don’t have backs and they are SO uncomfortable. I would LOVE to have the $40 to buy some instead of having to put out for a whole new dining set.
I would buy an ice cream maker!! We’ve been down in the dumps since our son was diagnosed with a nut allergy, and have known that we can’t have those wonderful summer trips to dairy queen, or the ice cream shoppes. I’ve been wanting to get an ice cream maker so we can start our own summer-time tradition, allergen free 🙂 It would just be a bonus to get part of it free 😉
I’m a fan on facebook 🙂
Oh those ramakins are so cool. I love the color!
Hmmmm I guess I would have to say knives. My boys have taken the knives I have outside ….I am not sure why or what they did.
I’d probably use it towards a pot rack…not sure which one though!
I would get a dresser for our baby girl that will be here in a month! Love this one: http://www.csnstores.com/Powell-Furniture-407-005-407-020-PW3480.html
I’ve also became a fan, had done it just moments before I read this post!
Oooh… I’m all about the Le Creuset baking dishes:
http://www.cookware.com/Le-Creuset-PG051926-17-LEC2065.html
Signed up as a fan on facebook!!
I would choose a wall art called IMAX 4 Piece Bess Wall Decor Set
I just recently learned about CSN stores, and now I love it! I love that vertical wine rack you posted, but I think I’d go with a sushi set. I’ve been itching to make my own sushi, but have yet to buy the tools for it!
I think I would get either a wine refrigerator or exercise equipment.
I’d buy the cake wire slicer: http://www.cookware.com/Paderno-World-Cuisine-47031-44-WCS4130.html. Boy would that make my life easier! Or a mandolin: http://www.cookware.com/Jaccard-200421-JCD1004.html, which I’ve been meaning to get for a while. Or a julienne peeler: http://www.cookware.com/Cuisipro-747069-Julienne-Peeler-CPR1447.html for me and me friend. And if I was feeling generous, I’d get my friend a food mill: http://www.cookware.com/Cuisinox-MIL22-CNX1227.html. I could go on and on…
…and I just became a fan on facebook!
Hoping to find out that we are expecting soon, so I would use it for the baby 🙂
I am a facebook fan now too!
Man, I really need to prepare my giveaway post. I’m so lazy sometimes. lol
I’d get a larger pot. I have a small one and a giant one. I need something in the middle there 🙂
Because we are in need of one I would get a booster seat for our daughter.
I have been eyeing the Citron Duvet Set by Ashley for months and while $40 wouldn’t cover all of it, it would certainly help!
I’m a an on FB!
I love that wine rack–its perfect for our living room!!
i joined on FB!
I would love to get some more kitchen ware- new cookie sheets and cake pans, maybe the cool saute pan, or the ramekins! Or…or….or- there is just so much!
Following you on FB, too….
We just moved in to our house a few months ago so my list could go on for days! But I am really in need of some new bake ware!!
I’d buy cast iron cookware or glassware!
I am a follower on facebook!
I love that hanging wall wine rack!
I think I would have to put it towards a good saute pan.
I would DEFINITELY buy this mirror – I’m in the market for a new entry mirror and the price tag is almost perfect! 🙂
http://www.csnmirrors.com/Ashton-Sutton-STM034-ASH1133.html
i’d either put it toward my nesting – fiance and i are house hunting! or i’d use it to help my bakeware supply grow. i am in desperate need of some very useful pieces.
I would probably put it towards a pizza stone. I have been wanting one but need a push to actually GET one
We need some lights for the dining room, but selfishly I would want to get something for the kitchen!
I just liked you on facebook!
I would use the $40 to buy these:
– Paderno World Cuisine Non-Stick 4 Baguette Pan
– Paderno World Cuisine Cannoli Form in Stainless Steel
I love baking and these would give me the opportunity to try some new recipes!
I would get the little tikes wagon for my kids
luvtosave at gmail.com
I’d get a NettoCollection Polar Bear Rocking Horse
I could use some of my own cookware pans. Thanks for the giveaway!
Chris
zekks at yahoo dot com
I’d like to get a huge bamboo cutting board!
We just bought our first house and need more space in my kitchen so I would buy this kitchen cart.
http://www.allkitchencarts.com/Home-Styles-5023-95-88324-HO1239.html
I would use it towards a Le Creuset Dutch oven…a guilty pleasure for me!
I would get the The Memory Company Boston Red Sox 12″ Art Glass Clock
digicat {AT} sbcglobal {DOT} net
I like you on Facebook!
Carol Anderson Ezovski
digicat {AT} sbcglobal {DOT} net
I would get Guidecraft Center Stage Tabletop Puppet Theater for my nephew!
Looking for a red kitchen hand mixer or a special housewarming gift. Each of my daughters move this next month to a new place, so I am shopping around!
Thanks,
Elaine
i’m a fan!!!! yaaaaaay!
I’d put it towards bar stools, we’ve been looking for a pair to put at our kitchen island!
This comment has been removed by the author.
I’d probably get a wall clock for my sun room.
I’m a fb fan!
I would have to buy either new glassware or new cookie sheets! My poor neglected cookie sheets really should be retired 🙂
It is commonly agreed that the dining table is the staple of any family home; a chance for hectic lifestyles to take a pause and children and parents to sit down, share a meal and gather their thoughts. In today’s modern day, technology obsessed, fast paced lifestyle; meal times are now quite easily the only time for family members to communicate with one another yet having said that it is still common for many to neglect their choice in dining furniture.”‘
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