Category: Frugal Living Tips

Bones are living tissue, constantly rebuilding themselves over time. Unfortunately, this rebuilding process tends to slow as we get older, leaving us susceptible to issues such as osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can come with some rough side effects including excessive pain and bone fractures.

If you want to avoid osteoporosis when you age, you should definitely start to take care of your bones now. There are various ways you can take care of your bones, and they should all work in conjunction. While some you may have heard of, there’s a good chance you don’t know all of them. 

Without further ado, here are 10 ways to build up healthy bones.

1. Drink Milk

The age-old lesson on how to keep your bones strong may be criticized more and more, but it’s impossible to doubt that the calcium in milk helps to shore up your bones. While milk does have calcium, you can also look to other dairies such as yogurt.

Be sure to look into foods that have a high concentration of calcium as these foods will build up your bones and your teeth as well.

2. Avoid Caffeine

While caffeine does have some health benefits, too much of it can actually hurt your bone health. Caffeine gets in the way of our body’s ability to take in calcium, meaning that each extra cup of coffee may lead to weaker bones and frailer teeth for you in the future.

If you do need that morning coffee, as many of us do, look to limit your caffeine to that, or combine your caffeine with some milk in order to make up for the lack of absorption. 

3. Know Your Family’s Past

Osteoporosis can have some genetic background to it, as can the inability to absorb calcium and having weak bones in general. If you have noticed that your parents are struggling with bone density issues, you may need to act sooner to prevent these issues for yourself rather than later.

If bone issues run in the family, reach out to your doctor to find out what you can do to avoid more problems in the future. 

4. Take Vitamin D Supplements

Upping your intake of calcium is almost pointless if your body can’t use it. This is exactly where vitamin D comes in. Vitamin D is crucial for our bodies’ ability to use this calcium in building up our bones.

In fact, vitamin D has a crucial role in absorbing many important nutrients on top of just calcium, making it a top vitamin for women to take.

5. Collagen Supplements

Vitamin D isn’t the only supplement you should look into to promote good bone health. Collagen is another protein that comes in supplement form that you can use to promote good bone health. 

Collagen also has great benefits such as strengthening the joints and muscles around your bones to give your bones additional support. Be sure to shop now for your next collagen supplement.

6. Exercise Regularly

As any expert will tell you, staying healthy is about both what you take in and what you do with it. If you truly want your bones to stay healthy, exercising will be key. 

The best exercises for improving bone density are those that make the bones go under some duress to build up their strength. This includes weight-bearing exercises, running, and stair climbing. Exercising also has the added impact of keeping your weight low, which we will discuss later as an added benefit.

7. Avoid the Alcohol

Heavy alcohol consumption is known for interfering with the ability of vitamin D to properly absorb nutrients. This means that alcohol directly impacts your ability to absorb calcium, thus making your bones stronger. 

That doesn’t mean you need to stop all forms of alcohol consumption. Moderate consumption, meaning one drink for women or two for men, can actually have many health benefits. Some research has even shown that some alcohols can actually contribute to long-term bone health.

8. Quit Smoking

One vice that research has shown to have basically no benefits is smoking. The negatives of smoking are countless, and negatively impacting your bone density is just a part of it. As we have shown, the absorption of calcium is key to healthy bones, and smoking prevents that.

Smoking even in moderation can harm your body and your bone density. For that reason, it is important to avoid smoking as much as possible for your overall health.

9. Eat Meat (But Not Too Much)

Our average bone is made up of about 50% protein. This means that our bodies need protein in order to regenerate our bones and keep them healthy. Protein has many other health benefits including keeping our red blood cell counts high.

Some experts have warned, though, that too much protein leads to the acidity in our bodies growing far too much. This, in turn, makes it so that our body has to use calcium to counteract this acidity instead of using it to strengthen our bones. So, when you eat meat, make sure to balance it out with milk or limit your intake for healthy bones.

10. Keep Your Weight In Check

One of the most damning factors for our long-term bone health is our weight. Being around a healthy weight for your body is key for your bone health.

Too much weight and your bones could suffer from the stress of your weight and lead to more fractures. 

But, too little weight is not great. Too little weight implies a lack of nutrition and possible lack of calcium and other necessary vitamins. Be sure to constantly exercise and eat healthy to keep your weight in check.

How to Ensure Healthy Bones In the Future

Having healthy bones is a challenge to many of us, but it is something we can prepare for now. If you want to keep your bones healthy and avoid osteoporosis in the long run, be sure to follow the tips above.

For more health and fitness tips like these check out our other articles!

Nothing is quite like the feeling of freshly shaven legs on soft, clean bed sheets. It feels amazing, but we only get to feel that sensation right after shaving our legs.

What if you could feel that way every time you crawl into bed?

Laser hair removal is really affordable and effective. It’s one of the most common procedures in the U.S. because it’s safe and painless. 

Don’t let the thought of lasers intimidate you. Read on to learn about laser hair removal and why it’s so popular!

First Off: Why Bother?

Laser hair removal will save you time, energy, and just as importantly, money. You can target almost any hair (no eyelids, folks), and it doesn’t hurt.

Hair removal isn’t permanent, but there’s good news. You only need a touch up once every six to 12 months. 

Smooth legs every day, and no more 45-minute showers just to shave! All that money you save on shaving creams and razors will sit nicely in your bank account.

How Does It Work?

Laser hair removal is a simple procedure.

Basically, the hair follicle gets destroyed by lasers. They shoot light energy through the skin to the dark pigment on the hair, which absorbs it. 

Lasers are precise and effective, so you’ll get the best results by seeing a practiced, licensed dermatologist. 

Most Eligible Candidates

The absolute best candidates for laser hair removal will have fair skin and dark hair.

The higher the contrast, the better it’ll work. Grey, white, or blonde hair may be more stubborn, but new improvements are constantly being made. 

If you’ve got significantly darker-colored hair than your skin, the procedure will be super effective. 

So Many Lasers, So Little Time

There are five types of lasers for hair removal: 

• IPL — stands for “intense pulsated light.” It’s the most popular type of laser for this procedure.
• Nd:YAG — newest, most high-tech method. It’s so safe and powerful that it’s also used for tattoo removal.
• Diode — involves several treatments, but there’s no downtime and it has the least side effects.
• Ruby — the first, original system of laser hair removal. It’s designed for top comfort.
• Alexandrite — it’s the fastest treatment, especially for larger areas of the body.

The best laser hair removal technology is fast and effective yet doesn’t hurt you or interrupt your normal routine. 

Prime Locations

Laser hair removal can be used on any part of the body where hair grows (except for eyelids), but it works best in the most common problem areas.

The legs, underarms, bikini area, and back are the target areas for this procedure. For men, it’s the chest. 

Feels Like a Breeze

Okay, maybe it’s not as light and airy as a breeze. However, for most people, laser hair removal is virtually painless. 

It’s described as feeling like a tight, warm pinch. Dermatologists use a powerful numbing cream on the skin before the procedure, so you barely feel it.

Recovery isn’t painful either. In fact, there’s no downtime necessary. You may see some redness, but it shouldn’t be sore.

“Failing to Prepare Is Preparing to Fail”

The quickest, most painless procedures start with a close shave. You should do this the night or morning before the appointment. Be careful and make sure you’ve got no broken skin.

The best lasers these days have a cooling mechanism that will soothe your skin as it’s working. You’ll have the highest success rate and comfort with these machines.

Come Back Soon!

Laser hair removal is quick and easy, but you do have to have multiple procedures for it to work properly.

Luckily, you only need to return four to six times initially. After that, touch-ups are few and far between, making them cost-effective and completely worth it. 

The Outcome

It’s ah-mazing. Silky smooth skin all the time. No more having to shave, no more embarrassing spots of hair.

Remember, for a few weeks after you’ve had the treatment you’ll need to take extra-good care of your skin. Being kind to your skin will also prolong that youthful glow.

A Smart Investment

While laser hair removal cost can vary, one session is anywhere between $50 and $300.

Price will depend entirely on which body parts you’re getting done. The number of follow-up visits matters too.

The best hair removal clinics will often offer four-session packages for a discounted price. Check out this company on the prices for different body parts, and what kind of money you can expect to pay for top-quality service. 

Laser Hair Removal: Fun for Everyone

Laser hair removal is a great choice for everyone. Technology can accommodate almost every skin and hair type now. It’s also affordable and saves a lot of money in the long run.

Raising your self-esteem is enough to warrant having the procedure, but with the amount of money and time you save, it’s a no-brainer. Feeling good is no small achievement, and you’ll see a happier, more confident you.

Taking a look at FAQs is a great way to prepare and get an idea of what to expect.

However, talking to a licensed dermatologist is the best way to figure out your needs and how laser hair removal would work for you. Everyone is different, and each session is professionally tailored to you.

Now is the absolute best time of the year to have the procedure done since the sun isn’t at peak strength yet. Once you’re free from unwanted hair and shaving, you’ll never look back.

For more ideas on beautiful budget living, take a look at our thrifty beauty tips!

There’s no point buying a mattress with a great bounce if it’s going to make a huge dent in your wallet.

We all know that we need to choose wisely when it comes to mattresses – but it’s not only your back you need to think of. You can have it all – comfort, support and a great price.

Want to know the secret?

Read on for our guide to how to get the best deals on beds.

Timing

As people sleep and therefore need beds year round, you wouldn’t necessarily think there’d be a perfect season to get the best deals on beds.

Turns out we were wrong! The best time to buy a mattress is actually early spring.

That’s because mattress showrooms are clearing out old stock and making way for manufacturers’ latest offerings. Whether you’re looking for a firm mattress or something pillowy soft, it’s your chance to head on down there and pick up an awesome deal.

You can expect that last year’s models will be on there way out for up to 50% less than their original price.

Ex-Display Bargains

If you’re comfortable with having one that’s been slightly ‘broken-in’ by last year’s customers on the shop floor, then talk to them about an ex-display model.

Mattress stores are usually careful to lay plastic on their floor models, so there shouldn’t be too much of an issue with soiling. You may have to accept that some serious toddler jumping will have happened on it at some point…

Shop Around

It’s possible that once you’ve narrowed down what you want, you may be able to find a cheaper deal online. 

A word of caution though – beware cheap imitations.

If it’s an identical product with a great saving then go for it. But if it’s a cheaper knock-off, then it may prove to be a false economy – and one that you pay for with back pain.

It’s good to remember that while you want to get the best deal possible, there’s more involved than just the price. Make sure that you get a mattress that will help you get the best sleep you can, and support your back and neck properly.

Cut Out the Middleman

Some mattress factories sell direct to the public.

Going direct and cutting out the middleman could save you to cost of the mark-up that retailers inevitably put on their products.

Sure you might have to take a drive and the warehouse-style store might not be the most appealing, but if you’re getting the same product for nearly half off, who’s complaining?

The Takeaway: How to Get the Best Deals on Beds

A new mattress or a new bed is a big investment – and the best deals on beds can take some digging out.

The key is to know exactly what you need, then go out and search for it. Ask the store when new stock is coming in, look online and see if you can go straight to the manufacturer. That way you’ll sleep easy knowing you got the best deal out there.

If your entire bedroom’s ready for a makeover, check out our blog – A Bedroom Makeover Fit for a Queen (And on a Beggar’s Budget).

Do your friends all think you’re living the dream?

“You, work from home?”, they exclaim. “That must be amazing!”.

Approximately 8 million Americans work from home, and the numbers are continuing to rise. While working remotely comes with a ton of perks, it also comes with a world of distractions. 

Family members, adorable pets, and the internet are always there, waiting to pull you away. In order to be successful, you have to become a master at staying on task.

Unfortunately, in the process of staying in the zone, many health habits go out the window. Do you want to find the perfect healthy balance between work and life?

Read on to learn 5 life-changing tips for working at home, healthy style.

1. Nutritional Health Habits

Does this sound like you? You wake up, don’t feel hungry, and get right to work. Lunch rolls around, and you eat a small snack. Finally by dinner time you’re famished, ready to eat everything in sight?

Prevent overeating by doing a meal prep the night before. Make sure your diet still includes the foods you like to eat. If you love cheese, or other fatty foods, allow yourself to include them in moderation.

2. Posture Yourself

Maintaining proper posture helps prevent your body from any strains or overuse issues. Here are a few tips for how to sit correctly.

• Sit up with a straight back
• Shoulders back
• Buttocks are able to touch the chair’s back

Finally, move your body around in your chair every 30 minutes. Slightly repositions how you’re sitting so you don’t fatigue the muscles.

3. Create Zones

Ever have trouble turning your brain off after a long day of work? How about trouble turning it on? Your mind works best when it has designated zones for certain activities.

The American Sleep Association, or ASA, states you shouldn’t read or eat in bed. Your brain creates associations to the activity of eating, or reading, and decides beds aren’t for sleeping anymore.

If your bedroom is your home office, make sure you’re working somewhere away from the bed. Even if you’re facing away from the bed, it’ll help your brain associate the designated area with work time.

4. Schedule Some You Time

Create a morning routine where you’ll have some you time. Ladies, if you like putting on makeup, take the time to put on the things you like.

Guys, if you enjoy wearing a business casual attire, go ahead and put it on. Just because you’re not going into the office, doesn’t mean you can’t dress the part.

5. Learn to Microbreak

As counterintuitive as it may sound, planned distractions can help you focus. Set an alarm to take a micro break every hour.

The micro break only has to be a couple of minutes long. Create motion, move your body around, and step away from the computer screen. When you return to work you’ll have an enhanced level of focus.

Work-Life Balance

Try to think of some health habits that only pertain to you personally. Do you want to find ways to be happier throughout the day? One of the healthy habits you incorporate could be saying positive affirmations.

Also, make sure you’re investing in your relationships outside of work. If you have a family, find time during the week to do fun things with them. Don’t worry, you won’t have to spend an arm and a leg to have a good time.

Thrifty Momma Ramblings loves to help our readers find the best deals out there. We have coupons, sweepstakes, giveaways, and more!

Feel like treating yourself to something free? Check out our delicious freebie for an entree at Carrabba’s Italian Grill.

Around 40 million Americans live with anxiety. We all get anxious from time to time, especially with our busy lifestyles. Whether you have anxiety or not, learning to slow down and relax is important.

Meditation is often recommended for people looking to manage anxiety or stress. The good news is meditation is easy and affordable. You can often do it effectively in your own home or the office.

Meditation can seem difficult for beginners though. These five inspirational meditation tips will help you get started.

1. Choose a Time and Place

You’re more likely to meditate if you make time for it in your schedule. The good news is you don’t need to make a lot of time to meditate, especially not right at first.

You may build in longer meditation sessions over time, but most meditation tips for beginners suggest short sessions. Most people find three to five minutes is a good length to start.

Your next concern should be where you meditate. Pick a quiet place away from distractions. You don’t need to go far though, as another room or another spot in the office is often a good place.

Make sure you have a comfortable space where you can sit or lie down with ease.

2. Incorporate Other Exercises into Meditation

Many meditation tips suggest using other exercises to get ready to mediate. This could be a physical activity like yoga. It could also be something as simple as a breathing exercise.

If you want a more spiritual or focused practice, you may want to incorporate prayer, mantras, or intentions. You can use a mala to count prayers or breaths as you meditate.

3. Understand Why You’re Meditating

Before you begin to meditate, it’s important to understand why you’re meditating. Understanding what you want to accomplish will affect how to mediate.

Many people think that the point of meditation is to increase focus or not to think at all. The point of most meditation is to be aware and mindful of what’s happening, but also to let it go. Achieving a balance is difficult, even for seasoned practitioners.

For beginners, a good starting place is letting go of judgment. If your mind wanders, allow it to come back to your point of focus without criticism.

4. Meditation Tips for the Gaze

During meditation, you want to direct your “gaze” inward and be aware of yourself. You may want to start with your eyes closed, so you can tune out any outside distractions.

As you practice more, you may want to leave your eyes open in a soft gaze. It’s harder to keep internal focus this way, so even seasoned practitioners close their eyes.

5. Be Gentle with Yourself

Meditation is not a zero-sum game. It’s okay if you don’t do it every day. Sometimes, when we’re distracted or upset, we may not have a very good meditation session.

These things are natural and normal, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you skip a meditation session. What’s more important is that you strive to use meditation when it benefits you.

Take a Moment with Meditation

Meditation is an easy, affordable, and powerful tool to help you achieve more balance in your life. The next time you feel stressed or anxious, reach for these meditation tips.

Looking for more advice on living your best life even when you’re on the go? Check out our blog for plenty of articles for the modern mom entrepreneur.