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5 Affordable Beauty Hacks You Must Try Now

When you are caught in a beauty dilemma, you need a quick solution! In order for fast action to happen, health care products that are already available can be used.

Here are 5 Affordable Beauty Hacks that can make your life easier…

1. FOR YOUR SHINY FACE

To deal with your shiny face, you may use hand sanitizer or Sticky Notes (e.g. Post-it). Hand sanitizer has “dimethicone” that smoothens the skin like a primer and provides a protective coat locking in moisture. You may use this along the hairline, forehead, T-zone or cleavage.

Post-it or sticky notes remove the excessive oil on your face without ruining your make up. Just peel off a Post-it sticky part then dab it along your T-zone.

2. MULTI-PURPOSE PRODUCTS

Many of the health care products have multiple uses so stretch its capabilities to save more money. Here is a list of 4 multi-purpose products:

a. Toothpaste can double as pimple remover
b. Baby oil can double as a make-up remover
c. Nail polish cannot only personalize your jeans but it can also stop a run in your stockings.
d. Greek yogurt to reduce pimple inflammation and redness

3. FOR YOUR HAIR IRON BURNS

If you accidentally burn yourself with your hair iron or curling stick, use raw honey to alleviate the pain and provide antibacterial protection. Honey also keeps your skin hydrated and smooth.

Image Credits: Maegan Tintari via Flickr

4. FOR YOUR DRY FEET

Debra Jaliman, a dermatologist and author of “Skin Rules”, suggests adding two tablespoons of brown sugar to 1/2 cup of coconut oil to exfoliate dry feet. She says that it helps to get rid of the unwanted dead skin.

5. FOR YOUR UNRULY HAIR

Your hair may either be dry or dull. When this happens, gather the ingredients you have in your kitchen and try these hair masks.

a. Hydrating Mask
Heat up 4 tablespoons of olive oil for 20 seconds then mix it with 2 tablespoons of honey. Apply it in your hair and put a shower cap on for 20 minutes. Then, rinse it.

b. Mask for Shiny Hair
Mash one piece of avocado until the texture is smooth. Then, add 1/2 cup of coconut milk and 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Heat the mixture up for 20 seconds. Apply it in your hair and put a shower cap on for 30 minutes. Then, rinse it.

Image Credits: Michal Hadassah

Sources: Stay a Stay at Home Mom and Beauty High

11 Cheapest Items on the First Months of 2015

Some items are cheaper at certain times. Hence, with planning and knowledge, you will be able to save more money when purchasing throughout the year.

Here are the 11 cheapest things to buy from January to March 2015:

IN JANUARY

1. HOLIDAY ITEMS

Holiday items such as surplus or unused gift cards, Christmas decorations, and wrapping papers are now selling with discount in stores and in the Internet (e.g., eBay or Carousell). Buy now, as their condition and use will remain ’till next year.

2. LINENS AND BEDDINGS

Retailers offer huge discounts on sheets, towels, and blankets in January. But, keep an eye on it all year round, since retailers will put last season’s stuff on sale when new products come out.

3. VIDEO GAMES

Numerous video games go on sale after the holidays are over. Check out Steam and other gaming retailers for discounted prices.

4. COMPUTERS

Image Credits: Stefan Ledwina via Flickr

Like video games, companies offer discounts on older computer models to prepare for the upcoming release of new components and systems.

IN FEBRUARY

1. MOBILE PHONES

Some stores offer hand phone sales or even a buy-one-take-one scheme during Valentine’s Day. It may seem strange but it’s true.

2. WASHER, DRYER AND AIR CONDITIONER

During cold weather months, many appliance stores offer air conditioners at cheap prices. Also, old models of washer and dryers are being sold with good deals.

IN MARCH

1. WEDDINGS

Image Credits: Katsu Nojiri via Flickr

Tying the knot in this month means taking full advantage of the discounted prices on reception venues, catering, and photography. You must always be cautious of the venue’s weather.

2. CHOCOLATES

The surpluses from last month’s chocolates are sold for lower prices.

Image Credits: John Loo via Flickr

3. LUGGAGE

Retailers offer discount on luggage before vacation seasons of spring and summer arrives.

4. GOLF CLUBS

New models are coming out for the summer, so your local golf shops are pushing the old ones out. What’s more? Last year’s gold club models are much cheaper.

4. DIGITAL CAMERAS

Consumer reports and marketing analysis prefers grabbing digital camera in March and April, as sales are the best.

Sources: Reader’s Digest and Lifehacker

5 Expert Money Saving Tips

It is the beginning of a new journey entitled “2015”. There is a long way ahead and the worst is behind us. The future looks so much brighter! As you lay out your plans for the New Year, why don’t you take on the important goal of saving money?

Here are 5 Money Saving Tips from the Experts…

1. GET POSITIVE MOTIVATION FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Bob Weinschenk, the CEO of “SmartyPig.com”, believes that saving money is a group activity in many cultures. By sharing your financial goals to your trusted partner, family or friends, they can be able to support you and even donate a few bucks. Having someone by your side that share the same goal will surely motivate you to continue this positive saving behavior.

Image Credits: Ken Teegardin via Flickr

2. TAKE THE SHOPPING DEALS ONLY IF YOU NEED THE PRODUCT

Donna Freedman, a writer for “Get Rich Slowly” and “Money Talk News”, said, “Coupons plus sales can easily tempt you to buy something you don’t truly need”. Do you really need to buy a bulk of toothpaste just because you have coupons and vouchers for it? Simply, when you see an item on sale think deeply if you will purchase that item on its original price.

3. LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS

Purchase within your means by balancing what you need and what you want.

Miranda Marquit, the founder of “Planting Money Seeds”, highlights that by knowing that you have enough purchasing power may turn into comfortable spending without keeping the best options for your finances. So, just because you can afford something, does not mean that you should buy it.

4. THINK TWICE WHEN BUYING PERISHABLE GOODS IN BULK

Jeff Yeager, the author and host of “The Cheap Life”, said “it’s not a good deal if it goes bad before you use it”.

This is why he stresses the importance of making a shopping list and sticking to it.

5. LASTLY, LEAVE YOUR CREDIT CARDS IN THE HOUSE

Stacy Johnson, the President of “Moneytalksnews.com”, said, “we’re more likely to overspend with pieces of plastic than real money”. Personally, when I shop, I only carry cash that I am willing to spend so I won’t go over budget. This prevents impulse buys.

Sources: Reader’s Digest and GoBankingRates

5 Ways to Shop for Healthy Foods Without Spending Too Much

It is no secret that buying organic and healthy foods is more costly than buying junk. But, if you are willing to shop smartly, then you can enjoy the goodness and freshness of organic foods without breaking your food budget. Here are 5 Ways to Shop for Healthy Foods Without Spending Too Much…

1. Purchase Within Your Family’s Needs

Buy stocks of food to fit your whole family. Usually, to save more money, you will want to buy in bulk, but, not if you are a family of three or two. Rethink your family’s needs and list it down.

2. Shop Around

In order for you to find the best price in town, you must shop around different stores. Besides supermarkets, you can search for healthy foods in specialty stores, Gourmet Delis, Wet and Dry Markets, and even Online. For instance, you may go to two different stores to save money and buy the best product: one for the vegetables and one for the sea foods.

Image Credits: epSos .de via Flickr

3. Shop in Season

You will definitely save more money if you purchase the organic produce that is in season. Price always lowers when there is greater supply. Summer and fall are usually the best times to go creative with your food choices.

4. Grow Your Own Food

Growing your own food is organic at its finest. If you do not have a backyard or an apartment balcony there are community gardens for you to plant your own seed. Aside from being domestic, you can also save more money if you buy produce of the local supermarket’s brand (e.g. Mixed Vegetables by FairPrice).

5. Go Gaga over Greens

Kale, arugula, and spinach are some of the most nutritious and affordable foods you will find in a grocery store. As the color of the vegetable gets darker, the more nutritious it is because of its antioxidants and beta-carotene. If possible, buy the leafy greens that are not pre-packed because they are cheaper.

Image Credits: Amazing Almonds via Flickr

BONUS TIP! Stay on the outside aisles of the grocery store because the further you go inside, the less healthy it becomes. That is all for now. Have fun shopping!

8 Interesting Facts about Money (Saving Tips Included)

Did you know that being too relaxed might lead to overspending? Well, that along with 8 other Interesting Facts about Money may just help you save more. Plus, these facts can be really good conversation starters!

1. MONOPOLY MONEY> REAL MONEY

It is a fact that more Monopoly money is printed each year than real money printed throughout the world.

Image Credit: Sy Clark via Flickr

(Source: FactSlides)

2. MICROTEXTS ARE PRINTED THE BACK OF SINGAPORE’S 1000 BILLS

Did you know that the entire lyrics of the national anthem are printed in the microtexts on the back of the S$1000? It certainly is micro to make all the text fit. Awesome!

(Source: Monetary Authority of Singapore)

3. ALL GOLD IN THE WORLD CAN FIT A TENNIS COURT

All the discovered gold in the world will be able to fit a court of 62 feet and 82 feet on each side. Imagine a whole tennis court covered with gold bars!

(Source: Forest, C., 2009)

4. THE FIRST CREDIT CARD WAS CREATED OUT OF EMBARRASSMENT

Interestingly, the first Credit Card was created because of a man’s embarrassment who had to pay for dinner but forgot his wallet. It surely is a shameful moment especially when you have a date with a pretty lady.

(Source: FactSlides)

Image Credit: 401 (K) 2012 via Flickr

5. NEWER IS BETTER

To save money, fill your wallet with new money. Research showed that you are less likely to spend bills if they are smooth, crispy and new.

6. HIGHER DOMINATIONS WILL EQUAL TO LESS SPENDING

Another way to save money is to stack up more bills of S$100 and S$1000 because research has shown that people are more likely to spend smaller bills, and are reluctant to spend bills in higher domination.

7. BEING TOO RELAX LEAD TO OVERSPENDING

According to the study by Columbia Business School, when people are placed in a calming environment (i.e., classical music with comfortable chairs), and when they feel extremely relaxed, they overspent by 15%. So, it may be best to walk up the escalator or do simple exercises first before shopping.

8. SOME FONTS CAN SAVE MORE PRINTER INK AND TONER

If you want to save money on printer ink or toner, one thing you should do is to change the fonts that you use for printing. Century Gothic, Ecofont, Garamond, and Courier are some of the fonts that naturally use less ink.

(Source: Ehow)

Do you want to learn more? Here is a colorful infographic by Daily Infographic that you can share to your friends! Or, do check out other Money Digest articles.

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