So, every year I say I am not making New Years resolutions... but every year I make them anyway. This year I made several, and one of them is to really become more of a saver. This is definitely something that is hard for me because I am a shopper by nature and spending money is really like a drug. But we all know drugs are bad, so in my attempt to be a better steward of the money God has blessed me with, I am going to try and be a saver and not a spender. At least not a spender to the degree I have been.. because let's face it retail is therapy :) So my philosophy is that if I cut corners and save in areas that I don't mind, I won't feel as bad buying that purse or pair of shoes.
Here are some of the tips I have learned so far....
1. Eye Makeup Remover - I have been spending around $20 on Clinique Eye Makeup Remover, and trust me when I say I go through the stuff because I can't stand to have any makeup on when I go to bed. It's very important to remove mascara from your lashes at the end of the day because it keeps them healthy and helps them not fall out. It's also important to remove your eye makeup in a healthy safe way so that your eyes are not irritated. So to me Eye Makeup remover is an essential in my beauty kit.
My new alternative: Baby oil. Yes, baby oil. It safely removes eye makeup with out irritating your skin or eyes. It get's the job done and it's cheap. I use Johnsons and Johnsons Baby Oil and large cotton balls and my eye makeup is off in no time!
2. Bottled Water- For a while I have been obsessed with FUGI water and was buying them every day for about $3. I realized this is just stupid and I mainly liked it because the bottle looks cool. Not a very good reason to spend $15 a week on water. So I invested in a cute bottle that I can refill for FREE! My office has a water cooler with purified spring water so I fill it up when I get to work and when I leave, and on a good day once in between! That's a savings of $60 a month! (I know crazy, stupid, very dumb spending on my part! I am aware!)
3. Eating out- I was eating out lunch just about every day. Not only is that unhealthy for my body but it's def unhealthy for my wallet. So, I have cut down eating out lunch to 1 day a week and allowing myself 1 coffee splurge a week. Eventually I hope to cut it to zero, but baby steps people. This saves me tons of moola and now I can spluge with the girls on friday nights and not feel guilty!
- A great tip: I often ate out because I wanted something hot, so to save money and enjoy lunch I've started opting for taking soups to work or even heating my turkey and cheese sandwich in the microwave. If you work in an office take advantage of your break room! Take a few things like fruit, soup, crackers, oatmeal so that you have things on hand (if you have a large office make sure you label!). Also, if you are like me and love flavored coffee (I was buying one about every other day for $4) go to the grocery store and pick out a flavored creamer to use in your coffee at work.
Those are just a few things I have figured out so far... there will be many more to come I hope!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Happy 2010!
I'd like to wish you all a very Happy New Year (a little late I know)! I appologize for my blogging slackness, but with the holidays.. you know. Anyway. I will try and do better this year! :)
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