Believe

I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure & wearing lipstick. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything else seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe tomorrow is another day. I believe in Miracles.

Saturday, March 8, 2014

10 Ways I save Money

I Have been thinking a lot about ways I can save money. Jeremy's idea of saving money is: that you can use the money you actually save, to invest in your future.. My idea is: to save money so you can spend the money that you save on other THINGS! ... Good thing I have a smart husband, who keeps me straight! It's great to have nice things, but especially at the stage we are at (post-grads, don't have debt but own nothing but a car) , we need to be thinking about our future. Our number 1 rule is much unlike the mind of our general population of Americans:
DON'T SPEND MONEY YOU DON'T HAVE- DUH. 
Here are some wise words:
I do this all the time!!! I know it's wrong, so I have to remind myself with this great quote. In my opinion, someone else's chapter 20 includes owning a house, a couple cars, taking vacations and traveling, have a great food storage supply, fun hobbies and no debt. I don't think I'm at chapter 1..maybe chapter 4/5, So at least I'm on my way!


#1 I DO MY OWN NAILS. 
There is nothing wrong with getting a few mani/pedi supplies from Walmart and using them weekly. Yes, weekly- My mom taught me from a young age to look after my nails and hands and feet once a week. Keep them cleaned, clipped, filed, buffed and polished. Make going to the salon a special treat instead of a bi-weekly ritual. Each time you go, you spend about $40- 
That's $40, twice a monthX12 months= $960.00 saved/year

#2 I USE DRUG-STORE PRODUCTS.
My skin can afford to do this right now.. I don't have wrinkles and saggy skin, or any old people blemishes to cover up yet. And most of them do a fine job.
Best products to use: 
For foundation: Revlon Colorstay Liquid foundation or Loreal True Match
I also use Marcel tinted moisturizer.
For Bronzer: NYX's Tango Mosaic Bronzer, Maybelline Fit Me Bronzer Pressed Powder
For Cover stick: Maybeline one or Physicians Formula-the yellow one
For blush: I use whatever lipstick I'm wearing- Rub some on the apples of my cheeks.
Mascara: (I don't ever get waterproof) Maybelline New York Full 'N Soft, or New York Volum' Express, or colossal cat eyes mascara, or New York Illegal Lengths fiber extensions. AND if you're looking for something Organic, try Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Jumbo Lash Mascara. One I want to try, but have not yet is Prestige:My biggest lashes big lash effect mascara- All these are under $10.00.

#3 BUY CHEAP-O FACE MASKS AS THE STORE
No need to go get a facial. While they are a nice treat, you can get the same results often times at home. And while we're at it, hair cuts should cost around $40, not $150!

#4 DIY LAUNDRY DETERGENT
Why I did this?.. I do 4-6 loads of laundry/week, and go through a TON of detergent. If detergent is $10 and you get 1/month, you're spending $120 a year (and that's without Fabric softener, stain removers or dryer sheets). So here is my recipe that costs about $30/year: 
1X4LB Box of Borax
3X Bars of Fels Naptha Soap (grated)
1X4lb box of Baking Soda (arm and hammer brand)
1X Box of super washing soda (arm and hammer)
4LBS of Oxyclean
Can add essential oils for fragrance, but I really like how it smells by itself
Mix all together and store in old cartons

#5 PAPER TOWELS
Don't use them like they're toilet paper. If you are washing the counter- use a cloth. Need to dry your hands-use a cloth. I'm not saying DO NOT have paper towels, just use them sparingly.. they really are a useless cost to your grocery bill.

#6 TOILET PAPER AND WIPES
Instead of using the role of TP, use a few wipes- you know what I'm talking about.

#7  SHOP AT ROSS/COSTCO
So I enjoy working out and always need more sports Bra's, yoga pants or workout Tee's. Costco's Yoga pants and athletic wear are top of the line-they don't pill nearly as quickly as even LuLu Lemon's pants. If you need other stuff, find the good brands at Ross-Dress for less. Example an Adidas sports bra at Dick's sporting goods is around $45.00, and an Adidas sports bra from Ross is about $11.00.

#8 DON'T BUY STUFF YOU CAN WAIT FOR TO FIND FOR FREE/CHEAPER (& coupon and use PROMO codes)
I find myself being impatient when I think I need something, and buy the first kind I see. Example "I NEED a lamp on my bedside table". I see a lamp, I need it, I buy it. OR Yes, I do need a lamp, but I do not NEED it today, so I will wait to find one that is a good price or second-hand from Craigslist. 
Being thrifty and patient go hand in hand.

#9 CAR POOL AND DON'T BUY A BRAND NEW CAR THAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE A LOAN OUT FOR.
That's enough said about that.

#10 SHARE YOUR DRINK
When you go out to eat with your honey, and you decide that it's a special enough occasion that you are going to get a soda instead of just water, JUST GET 1! Share it, and take advantage of the free refills. It costs restaurants about .5 Cent for 1 cup of soda pop, and they charge you $3.50. That should entitle you to 500 soda refills!
STICK IT TO THE MAN!!! (Insert evil laugh)

Live with the mind of a millionaire. Work your butt off. Find ways to make extra money. Invest wisely. Share everything with your spouse. Shop with a purpose. Read/ listen to books/articles about money. Find ways you can do things for free BUT DON'T cheat the system. Surround yourself with people who have positive money spending habits.
 In a couple chapters time, I will be shopping at Anthropology, getting my nails done every now and then and furnishing my home with fancy new stuff instead of second hand craigslist finds-don't get me wrong. But right now, I don't NEED to do this, because I would rather 
"live like nobody today, so that I can live like Nobody tomorrow"


No comments:

Post a Comment