Petroleum Jelly Uses

Posted: November 29, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Frugal, Saving Money | Tags: , , | 2 Comments

 

Did you know that there are multiple uses for petroleum jelly? It’s cheap, effective and lasts a long time. This big old jar of jelly is well-worth the few dollars it costs.

List of Vaseline uses I have tried and like:

1) Eye Makeup Remover. Dab it on eyelids and wipe. This simple action will save approximately $6-7 (the cost of eye makeup remover at Wal-Mart).  It also moisturizes your lashes.

2) Minor cut protectant. I’m almost 30 and still cut myself when shaving. I’ve dabbed this substance on angry razor cuts MANY times. (Please remember that vaseline is for MINOR cuts and abrasions).

3) Heel Softener. Lather feet with petroleum jelly before bed and when changing socks. Your feet and future nurses will thank you. (I’ve seen some nasty feet in my day)

4) Cuticle and Hand Saver. No explanation needed for this one.

5) Fly Away Hair Fixer. I like to wear my hair in a side-part ponytail. If I don’t have any hair gel handy I’ll smooth a miniscule amount of vaseline on fly aways. Stray hairs are calmed instantly. Don’t use too much or it will look greasy.

6) Lip Softener. Dab a bit of this on your lips before bed. Wake up with soft, moisturized lips.

7) Eyebrow Perfecter. Smooth those stray brows into place! Dab a bit on the brows and comb them into place with a miniature make-up brush.

Vasoline Uses I WILL Try:

1) Watermark Remover. Apparently, it is possible to eradicate that ugly glass ring on your coffee table.

2) Tear Stopper. Rub a small amount of vaseline on your cutie’s eyebrows when washing their hair. It will help keep the soapy water from running into their eyes.

You can also make you own lip-gloss with Vaseline. Amazing!

Do you have any handy-dandy petroleum jelly tips?

Old Nail Polish Uses

Posted: November 26, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Do It Yourself and Save, Organize, Saving Money | Tags: , , , | 6 Comments

Do you fumble with your keys when trying to open your front door? Try this cheap trick. Color code your means of entry with nail polish. Now your keys can look as cute as your toes. Plus, you’ll find that darn house key so much faster!

Do you have left-over nail polish you don’t want to throw away, but don’t know what to do with it? Click HERE for some more nail polish tips.

Organization and Contact Lenses…

Posted: November 25, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Organize, Saving Money | Tags: , , | 5 Comments

I wear disposable contacts. Throwing them out after two weeks of wear is a must. Over the past few months I’ve found myself scratching my head and asking myself, “Did I open this package 1 or 2 weeks ago?”  I’ve thought about keeping a little calendar in my make-up bag, but I came up with a better solution. Here it is.

1) Find a DRY ERASE pen.

2) Write the date you open the contacts on the corner of your mirror.

3) Make a dash EVERY time you wear them (see picture below).

4) Throw contacts out when your two weeks are completed (or per your doctor’s recommendation).

5) Simply erase the marks on the mirror and start over!

Due to this system, I no longer wear my contacts too long or throw them away too soon. This saves my eyes and my money!

I also write surprise notes to my husband, reminders and lists on my mirror! Just make sure you are using a DRY ERASE pen.

Love What You Have

Posted: November 22, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Frugal, Saving Money | Tags: , | 7 Comments

Yesterday I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond to pick out a Christmas present for myself (my parents send me cash and I pick out what I want). I fell in love with a comforter and all the frivolous items that go with the aforementioned bed covering. I told myself that the one I currently have is “not the right color” and that “I need a bed skirt.” I looked at the price of the new comforter set and realized that I should just learn to love what I have.  Thus, I left the store empty-handed.

I think this applies to many areas in my life

1) Clothes

2) Home goods

3) Home

4) Shoes

Learn to love what you have (or LIVE with what you have). You will save money….and someday you maybe able to buy the comforter/shirt/house/whatever of your dreams.

Uses for Old Cardstock Paper

Posted: November 20, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Do It Yourself and Save, Gift-Giving, Saving Money | Tags: , , , | 1 Comment

Once upon a time, I was a scrapbooker. Then snapfish was invented. My scrapbooks did not compare to the digital type. They also took WAY too much time. Thus, I have a lot of card-stock paper left. Here’s what I’m doing with it.

1) Gift Tags

To make this type of tag, simply out line half of a Christmas tree on a folded piece of cardstock. Cut it out. Attach it to another piece of cardstock. Label it and your done!

I love putting people’s first initial on their gift tag. It really personalizes the gift!

2) Thank You Notes

 

I love making these cards. It utilizes a bit of creativity and saves a lot of money! Have you checked out the thank you card prices at Target lately? $4-6 per 12 pack. That’s 33 to 50 cents per card. I’ll stick to my homemade ones, unless I have to write an exorbitant amount of thank-you notes!

3) Love Notes
Sometimes I’ll surprise my hubby with a cute note in his lunch (or etc). My handwriting looks way better on pretty paper!

Did you know you can also make your own envelopes? Go HERE.

What do you do with your left-over cardstock?

Paying Less for Gas…

Posted: November 18, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Frugal, Saving Money | Tags: , , , | 5 Comments

I have decided that I am going to pay for gas with cash for an entire month.  Using actual dollars is cheaper in the state I reside in (I realize this is not true for all states).  In our area, most stations charge 10-12 cents less per gallon if you forgo using your credit card. Hmmm…so why I been whipping out the plastic all these years?

1) Laziness.

2) Due to the aforementioned reason, I was never sure how much money to set aside for gas each month.

3) I wanted free airline tickets (we currently use a card that offers free miles)

4) I like routine.  Figuring out how/when and where to get cash for gas was not part of my routine.

5) My husband likes to pay for gas with a credit card (we ALWAYS pay our credit card off at the end of the month…just so you know!)   He also likes routine!  I did manage to convince him to try my little experiment for at least one month, though!

So, there it is folks.  I’ve been lazy in this regard.  I’m interested in seeing how much of a difference this will make in our monthly gas bill.  Will it be worth it?  I’ll let you all know at the end of the month!

Want to learn more about decreasing the amount you spend on gas? Go HERE.

Cheap Exercise Equipment…

Posted: November 17, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Fitness, Gadgets | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment

I love/hate this exercise band! It works the gluteal muscles like none other! I bought one like this at Target for approximately $1. It’s cheap and it works. Who could ask for more?

Go HERE for exercise instructions.

*This blog reflects the opinion of the author. Please understand that all information or opinions gleaned from this blog are done so at your OWN risk*

Dumpster Diving…

Posted: November 15, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Saving Money | Tags: , , | 7 Comments

I found this chair sitting on a curb near our house. There were actually 4 of them. I was too proud embarrassed to lug the whole set to my house. I’m still kicking myself.

Apparently, there are some SERIOUS dumpster divers out there (click on the link for more information regarding this topic).  I will never join this crowd….I’d prefer to say that I cruised a curb and found a small treasure 🙂

Have you ever picked up someone else’s old furniture off the side of the road?  Are you glad you did?

The Importance of Measuring

Posted: November 14, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Frugal, Gadgets, Saving Money | 5 Comments


I recently realized I was using WAY too much of the following:

1) Laundry Detergent
2) Dishwasher Detergent
3) Cleaning Products
4) Coffee Creamer

I discovered this because I started using those handy gadgets called “measuring cups and spoons.” Apparently, I have been using 2-3x the recommended “serving size” of each product listed above. That means I have spent 2-3x the amount of cash needed on these products over my lifetime. Good thing I’m still youngish:) Seriously. Use your measuring tools.

Homemade Coaster

Posted: November 13, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Do It Yourself and Save, Frugal, Gift-Giving, Saving Money | Tags: , , | 3 Comments

Wondering what to do with left-over fabric from your last sewing project?  Here is an easy  project!  I love these coasters.  My mother-in-law gave them to me and I use them all the time.  Here’s why:

1) My oversize coffee cups fit on them nicely.  (Other coasters are too small and cause my cup to tip if I don’t set it on them correctly).

2) They add a splash  of color to my decor.

3) They are machine washable.  (I have a set of stainless steel coasters. They get crumbs stuck in them and I have to clean them with special polish.  What a pain..not to mention embarrassing when I have guests.  Who wants to use someone else’s crumb laden coaster?)

4) They are homemade and therefore less expensive than almost anything you will find in a store.  Go HERE for a price comparison.

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