Category: Frugal Living Tips

Research has shown that about 90% of women develop stretch marks at some point during pregnancy. Most of them get stretch marks during the backend of pregnancy when they start gaining a lot of weight in a short period of time.

However, it’s not just pregnant women who need to worry about stretch marks! Generally speaking, about 80% of Americans—including both men and women—have stretch marks in one area of their body.

Stretch marks won’t cause you any harm, but they can be unsightly and take a toll on your self-confidence. It’s why you should learn how to get rid of stretch marks if you’ve seen them develop in your skin.

There are some simple remedies that might work when it comes to making stretch marks a distant memory. Here are five ways that you can try to eliminate stretch marks once and for all.

Start Upping Your Vitamin A Intake

There are a whole host of benefits that can come along with taking in more vitamin A on a daily basis. Vitamin A is often used by those who want to improve:

• Vision
• Cell growth
• Immune system

But those aren’t the only aspects of your body that you can improve. Some studies have also suggested that vitamin A might be useful to those suffering from stretch marks.

Vitamin A is a retinoid. Retinoids can be used to smooth out skin and to make skin look younger and more vibrant. Therefore, you might be able to benefit in a big way from getting more vitamin A into your diet if stretch marks have become a problem for you.

You can incorporate more vitamin A into your diet by eating certain foods. These foods have high levels of vitamin A in them:

• Eggs
• Skim milk
• Broccoli
• Sweet potatoes
• Carrots

You can also take vitamin A supplements in many forms. It can’t hurt to put them to the test if you have stretch marks or suspect stretch marks might be a problem for you soon.

Apply a Special Sugar Scrub

Most doctors these days advise people to stay as far away from sugar as they can. But for those with stretch marks, sugar could be a godsend that can make their blemishes go away.

There is a simple sugar scrub concoction that you can make in an effort to erase stretch marks. Make it by:

• Mixing 1 cup of sugar with 1/4 cup of almond oil
• Adding a small amount of lemon juice to the mix
• Mixing the ingredients together until they form a thick scrub

Once you have your sugar scrub made, rub it over your stretch marks when you’re in the shower for about 10 minutes. Repeat this process a few times throughout the course of a week.

Monitor your results to see how the sugar scrub impacts your stretch marks. You might see them start to fade after just several treatments.

Give Aloe Vera a Try

Is there anything better than rubbing a bunch of aloe vera all over your skin when you’re suffering from sunburn? The aloe vera feels so good from the moment it comes into contact with your skin.

There isn’t a ton of evidence to suggest that aloe vera will work wonders on stretch marks. But because it softens skin and promotes healing, it has worked for some people in the past.

Buy a big bottle of aloe vera and rub it on your stretch marks as soon as you start to notice them. You could very well see them start to disappear when you make it a point to spread aloe vera on them day in and day out.

Take Advantage of the Powers of Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has all kinds of supposed medicinal benefits. While there is still a lot of work to be done when it comes to researching these benefits, many people will tell you that coconut oil can help with:

• Burning fat
• Reducing hunger
• Raising good cholesterol levels
• Improving dental health
• Giving brain function in those with Alzheimer’s disease a boost

And that’s not all! Coconut oil might also help those people who have developed stretch marks over time.

Coconut oil is known to help heal damaged skin. And since stretch marks are basically the result of skin getting stretched and damaged during weight gain, coconut oil might be able to help this skin to heal.

If nothing else, coconut oil can often make the redness that accompanies stretch marks to go away. Unless you have an allergy that prevents you from doing it, it’s not a bad idea to spread coconut oil over stretch marks to see if it does anything for you.

Use a Wrinkle Reduction Cream

If you’ve tried a lot of the natural approaches to eliminating stretch marks and just can’t seem to find a solution to your problem, think about learning how to get rid of stretch marks with a wrinkle reduction cream.

There are tons (and tons!) of these creams on the market today. A lot of them aren’t worth your time, but there are some that have produced results for people. When you read these StriVectin stretch mark reviews, for example, you’ll see that people have seen stretch marks go away after using this particular cream.

Some of these kinds of creams are especially effective as far as getting rid of old stretch marks is concerned. They’re worth a shot if you have stretch marks that have overstayed their welcome.

Learning How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks Can Restore Your Confidence

As we mentioned earlier, stretch marks aren’t going to hurt your health. In fact, they could be an indication that you’re healthier than you used to be if they’re a result of weight loss.

But stretch marks can impact your self-image and drag your self-confidence way down. By learning how to get rid of stretch marks, you can restore your confidence in a hurry and achieve a look that you like a lot more.

If all else fails, cosmetic surgery could also be an option for stretch mark removal. Keep reading our blog to see if cosmetic surgery could be right for you.

Have you ever gone out with a group of friends and told them that you’re not drinking? It’s an awkward and pressure-filled situation where they try to convince you to have just one drink.

Yet, when you do stop and realize the effects of quitting drinking, no amount of peer pressure will convince you to have some alcohol.

Whether you’re quitting drinking because you’re trying a new diet or you just want to reset your body, you’ll quickly start to realize the positive benefits.

Read on to learn the top positive things that’ll happen to you when you stop drinking.

1. You’ll Lose Weight

People try to lose weight all the time. They may go on a yo-yo diet or work out five days a week and still can’t lose weight. That’s because they didn’t stop drinking alcohol.

Drinks are really empty calories. They don’t add nutritional value and they do add up faster than a fancy coffee drink.

One beer or cider can have about 200 calories. Wine is a little better at about 120 calories per glass. This will vary by beverage, but you get the idea. Stop drinking and you’re taking in fewer calories.

2. You Sleep Better

How well do you sleep? Do you have a couple of drinks after a long day and find yourself feeling sluggish the next morning?

That’s because alcohol impacts your ability to get into the deep sleep stage. If you’re not getting enough deep sleep, you’ll still feel tired when you wake up.

You may also find yourself having to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. That’s one more thing that’ll make it harder to get a good night’s sleep.

3. Your Outlook Is More Positive

When you stop drinking and start losing weight and sleeping better, you’ll feel better. You’ll start to feel confident and have a more positive outlook on life.

You’ll also eat better. When you’re drinking, you’re likely to eat fried foods or bar food to prevent a hangover. You’re also tired more often, which can translate into poor food choices.

The effects of quitting drinking on your mood are great. It helps you cope with depression and anxiety too.

4. You’ll Have a Better Complexion

Let’s get a little vain for a moment. You can have a better complexion just by quitting drinking.

Alcohol is a diuretic. What does that mean for your skin? It’s not getting the water and hydration it needs, no matter how much lotion you use.

Your normally rosy cheeks may clear up, along with other skin conditions like dandruff and eczema.

5. You Realize You Have a Problem

By denying yourself a drink, you may have a very strong urge to drink. In some cases, it can be a sign that you have a problem.

If you’re in college, it can be very hard to tell if you have a drinking problem or not. It seems like everyone is partying all the time. If you try to stop drinking and you just can’t resist the urge, you may need to seek help.

Another warning sign is binge drinking. If you start drinking and you find that you just can’t stop, you should get help.

Do you suspect you have a problem? You’ll want to click for more information and find out how to get help.

6. You Have More Time

How many weekends have you spent on the couch recovering from Friday night? It doesn’t get easier when you get older either.

When you were in college, you may have been able to go on a bender, sleep for three hours, and show up to class the next day feeling great.

As you get older, you’ve probably noticed that those days are long gone. It takes quite a bit to recover from a night out. You’re tired, dehydrated, and feel like death for a day or two.

Those home projects or that business that you’re trying to start are on hold because you drank too much.

When you stop drinking, you no longer have to nurse a hangover. You get that time back to focus on the most important projects in your life.

7. Your Wallet Is Heavier

Do you know how much money you spend on alcohol each month? The average price of a drink will vary, depending on what you drink. It also depends on your location and if you’re at happy hour or at an upscale establishment.

No matter where you are, you can expect the costs of a drink to go up. Even if you hit a good happy hour and drinks are $4 each, you’re still spending $8 plus tip if you have two drinks.

You’ll probably get food too. Next thing you know, your bar bill is about $20.

That doesn’t seem like much at first. Now add it up.

Let’s say you go out once a week. That’s $80 a month.

You’ll also want to add in the costs if you drink from home too. You may be spending $100 a month just on booze.

One of the least talked about effects of quitting drinking is that you have more money in your wallet. Soda and water don’t cost much, so you can still go out and enjoy a beverage without alcohol.

The Top Effects of Quitting Drinking

Going out for a few drinks is a way to connect and spend time with family and friends. It’s socially acceptable, almost to the point where people look at you funny when you stop drinking.

Despite the social pressure, there are many benefits to reap when you stop drinking. The effects of quitting drinking range from better sleep to more money and time.

Of course, if you try to quit but you just can’t do it, it can mean that you have a drinking problem. You want to make sure that you get the help that you need immediately.

Do you want more great frugal living tips? Check out our blog for more helpful articles.

In the United States, about 3 million people have dental implants and every year 500 thousand more go through the process. 

Considering that the cost of dental services is already expensive, dental implants have a high price tag. Dental implants are a last resort and long-term solution for tooth loss.

If you need dental implants but cannot afford them, hope is not lost.

Read on to learn how you can get affordable dental implants. 

1. Start Comparison Shopping

If you want to get the best deal on dental implants, you cannot take the first estimate quoted by a dentist. Like any big purchase, you need to do your research and compare prices before you buy.

You need to do more than look at the total cost when asking a dentist for an estimate. Each dentist you consult should give you a complete breakdown of all the costs. The breakdown of the costs should include office visits, x-rays, modeling, anesthesia, surgery, and other materials.

After you review each breakdown, you can make an educated decision that fits your budget.

2. Try to Negotiate With Your Dentist

As we mentioned in the first point, you must shop around to find the best price for dental implants. If you found a better deal than the one your dentist offers, you can always use it to negotiate a better rate.

Take the estimate back to the dentist of your choice and present them with the lowest offer. Let them know another clinic is willing to do it for a lower price.

If you want your dentist to do the work, they might be willing to match the lowest offer or offer another significant discount.

3. Location Plays Role

As with many medical services, the cost of dental implants varies depending on the area where you live. For example, if you live in New York City or Los Angeles, the cost of dental implants will be a lot higher than in a smaller city or town.

The price difference has a lot to do with the cost of living and other overhead costs such as rent and insurance. Rural locations oftentimes don’t have to deal with these issues, so their services are a lot cheaper.

If you can travel to a rural location to get your dental implants, you will notice the difference in price.

4. Dental Savings Plan

If you know you will likely need dental implants in the near future, you can start saving for the procedure in a dental savings plan. All of the money you put into this account will go towards your dental expenses.

Of course, it might be helpful to have a treatment plan from your dentist, so you know exactly how much you need to save.

5. Layaway Plans

Similar to retail stores, some dentist offices allow you to participate in a layaway plan to pay for dental plans. Although these plans are not that common, you can still ask your dentist if they offer it as an option.

Depending if the dentist allows for layaway plans, you will pay a deposit to secure the dental implant and pay the rest over time.

6. Look Into Self-Financing

If you cannot afford dental implants out of pocket and your insurance only covers a portion of the total cost, there are ways to obtain financing. Companies such as Care Credit offer financing that is specifically for dental work and medical-related treatments.

Care Credit allows you to make monthly payments. Oftentimes, Cara Credit offers 0% interest when you pay the full amount in 6 or 12 months.

Financing is a great option when dental work cannot wait.

7. Try to Get Supplemental Insurance

As you know, dental insurance might cover the partial cost of implants or nothing at all. Since dental insurance is more affordable than medical insurance, you could look into getting supplemental dental insurance on top of what you already have.

Make sure you read the terms to ensure they cover dental implants.  

8. Travel Abroad

Because many people find the cost of dental work in countries such as the U.S., UK, Canada, and Ireland higher, many people are resorting to dental tourism. Many developing countries are opening their doors to tourists looking to get dental work done for the fraction of the price.

View here to learn more about the U.S dental implant market and how it affects costs.

If you want to explore your options, look into countries that offer great dental treatments such as a few Asian countries, Costa Rica, Hungary, and Mexico.

Before you start looking for plane tickets, it’s important to do diligent research on the country and take into account if the traveling costs are worth it.

It might be easier to do if you were already planning a vacation at that destination.

9. Use Credit Card Rewards

You might have money set aside you don’t even know about such as credit card rewards. Because almost all dentists take credit cards you might be able to take advantage of any cashback rewards you might have accumulated on your credit card.

If you don’t have cashback rewards, it’s never too late to start accumulating them. Some credit cards offer introductory cashback rewards when you spend a certain amount in the first 90 days.

You could take this as an opportunity to get some of the cost of the implants back.

10. Dentistry Schools

Another way to save money on dental implants is by getting them done as a school of dentistry. Some schools offer dental implant clinics where they allow their recent graduates to get real-life experience.

Of course, students are supervised by an experienced dentist or oral surgeon. Participating in one of these programs can be extremely beneficial if you’re looking to save a fraction of the cost.

Since students are properly taught and supervised by experienced dentists, you can be sure they will produce quality work. However, you will likely have to go on a waiting list.

The work will also take multiple visits to complete and the hours might not be the most convenient.

If you’re willing to go out of your way, you can save thousands going this route.

How to Find Affordable Dental Implants: The Bottom Line

As you can see, there are many ways to save and find affordable dental implants. Start by doing your research, negotiate with your dentist, consider a clinic in a rural area or a school of dentistry. 

Want to learn other ways to save on the big things? Check out the rest of our frugal living section. 

Summer is coming to an end and that means that almost 100-million families have already gone on memorable trips. If you haven’t gotten to enjoy your vacation yet and are planning to, time is running out.

Maybe you’ve been putting off your vacation intentionally because you’re worried that it’s going to cost you too much money to take the whole family out. We appreciate that concern and hope to alleviate it with the information in this blog post.

Our team has scoured the country to cook up what we think are the best, inexpensive family vacation ideas that you can invest in!

1. Scale Lake Tahoe, California

Unless you’re from California, you probably haven’t heard of Lake Tahoe. That’s a shame because this lake is big on fun and small on prices!

Lake Tahoe is flanked by beautiful mountains which means that you’ll have to zig-zag your way up narrow highways to enjoy its splendor. Once you park your car though, you’ll be rewarded by getting to dip into the lake’s crystal blue, refreshing waters.

2. Explore the Nevada Desert

When people think of Nevada, they think of Las Vegas. That’s not a bad association and contrary to popular belief, Las Vegas can serve as an inexpensive family vacation ideas pick if you plan carefully.

The truth is though that Nevada is much bigger than Las Vegas and what lies beyond the City of Sin is what we think packs the most value!

Whether you choose to tour the Hoover Dam or explore Red Rock Canyon National Park, you’ll definitely find ways to create monumental memories in this sunny desert state.

3. Gawk at the Grand Canyon

Bordering Nevada is none other than one of the wonders of the world, The Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon draws in families from across the globe and offers activities ranging from hiking to helicopter rides.

No matter your family’s preferences, we’re confident that you can put together an affordable itinerary when touring this national park.

4. Get Patriotic in Washington D.C.

D.C. is a common destination among people’s inexpensive family vacation ideas because of the volume of free activities that this capital city offers. Touring the Smithsonian, exploring the National Mall or the National Zoo are all 100% free favorites that you and your kids can enjoy!

5. Soak Up the Sun in San Diego, California

San Diego is popular because of its outstanding weather and plethora of things to do. While San Diego can get expensive, if you do the city right, you’ll be able to enjoy a cheap vacation.

For example, San Diego’s La Jolla beach is absolutely breathtaking and doesn’t cost a dime to visit. You could easily make a whole day out of enjoying a picnic on its shores.

In addition to soaking up the sun, exploring San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter or enjoying an affordable ball game at Petco Park are both great activities to enjoy.

6. Find Culture in Ashland, Oregon

Educational vacations might draw some “boos” from your household at first but believe us when we say that everyone will fall in love with Ashland, Oregon’s culturally significant Shakespeare Festival once they’ve seen a couple of shows. Ashland isn’t big on tourists which means low prices year-round and more attention for you and your travel companions!

Be aware that Shakespeare festivities are typically held between March and October.

7. Get Your Thrills on in Anaheim, California

If you don’t know much about Anaheim, California, know this… It’s where Disneyland is. We don’t need to tell you that your family can absolutely create special memories when visiting Walt Disney’s very first theme park.

Unfortunately, Disneyland might get a little expensive for some travelers. If that’s the case for you, you can hop one city over to Buena Park and enjoy the almost as fabulous Knott’s Berry Farm!

8. Experience Nature in Portland, Oregon

Portland is an edgy town in the Northwest that is perfect for families that like good food and even better hikes. Also, if you’re a beer/wine lover, Portland and its neighboring suburbs offer world-class selections.

Getting a hotel just outside of Portland can represent an excellent deal and since much of Portland’s fun revolves around taking in its ambiance, tons of entertainment can be had for free!

9. Step Into a New World in Orlando, Florida

Disney World and Universal Studio’s theme parks live in Orlando. When you grab a hotel in the vicinity of these parks, it’ll literally feel like you’ve entered a new world where fun is the number one priority.

Similar to Anaheim, Orlando can get expensive when buying theme park tickets for the whole family. If you go during the off-season though and stay at non-amusement park owned hotels, you might save enough to make this vacation worth it.

10. Adventure in Astoria, Oregon

Steven Spielberg’s classic film “The Goonies” was filmed in a sleepy beach town called Astoria. Today, that town is still sleepy and makes for a great place to explore the beach, learn about marine biology and enjoy quality time with the family.

If you want to save money and avoid crowds, try visiting Astoria in mid-spring.

11. Enjoy a Larger Than Life Little Town in Independence, Missouri

Want to relax on vacation every bit as much as you want to save money? If you answered yes to that question, head over to Independence, Missouri.

Independence is a town that’s defined by a slow pace of life and an undying love for hometown hero, President Truman.

There’s an unlimited amount of things to do in Independence so learn more about the town on its website and plan your trip today!

Inexpensive Family Vacation Ideas Can Make for Priceless Memories

There’s no shortage of memorable and inexpensive family vacation ideas that you can tap into in order to have a great time this summer!

We hope that you found our suggestions to be helpful and invite you to check out more of the parent-centric content on our blog for additional family vacation tips.

Have you been wondering how you can cut costs and still look fabulous?

Being fashionable without breaking the bank can be a challenge. The key to being fashionable on a budget is knowing what to spend money on and what to avoid purchasing.

Here are some tips that will show you how to be fashionable on a budget.

1. Take It Easy With the Trends

While trends will make you look more fashionable and hip for the moment, they have one obvious flaw.

They don’t last.

The fact that they are so fickle means that you have to be conservative about what trends you buy into. Following clothing trends is never a good idea when you are on a budget.

If you have a footwear fetish and tend to buy a lot of shoes, you should train yourself to stick with the classics, such as black pumps with varying heel lengths.

However, not all trends are bad. The best kinds of trends are the ones that involve cheap jewelry, hats, and scarves. Trends of this kind keep you looking very fashionable but won’t be so painful to discard once they are out of season.

2. The Little Black Dress and More

You have probably heard it said time and time again, that every woman should have a little black dress.

Here are some tips for buying this classic, so that you will always look fabulous:

• Make sure it flatters your figure. This may require some digging and extra cash but it’s well worth it.
• Stay away from black dresses that have patterns. Patterns often take away from the timelessness of the dress.
• Avoid black dresses that have a trendy design or cut. These won’t stand up to the test of time.

Remember, you want this dress to be your go-to dress for many occasions, so it should always be simple yet classic.

The next item that you should invest in is a pearl necklace. If you can splurge on real pearls then that’s great because you will have them for years.

If you can’t afford to splurge, then you can just get fake ones, since they often look as good as the real ones.

The next wardrobe must have, is a pair of black shoes. A pair of plain black pumps with a three-inch heel is timeless and classic.

The combination of the little black dress, pearls and black pumps are a must-have when you are learning how to be fashionable on a budget.

3. Pick the Right Colors

There is nothing worse than choosing the wrong colors for your clothing.

Choosing the right colors for your clothing will greatly enhance your look.

Some colors may not work for you and it’s important to accept it, so that you won’t make fashion mistakes.

This means that you should only buy clothing in colors that brings out the beauty of your complexion, the color of your eyes and the shade of your hair.

4. Make the Right Investment

Clothing sales where you can get cheap clothing in bulk may seem like a dream come true.

However, the most important question you should ask is: Are these items good quality?

If you are not sure, then don’t spend your money. It makes no sense to buy cheap clothing that falls apart as soon as you wash them a few times.

It is better to invest in more expensive items that last longer. This doesn’t mean that cheap items are always poor quality, sometimes you will get a good deal.

However, when you purchase these clothing, feel the fabric thoroughly and try to stretch the cloth. Fabric that is thin and feels flimsy should be avoided.

Knowing how to be fashionable on a budget sometimes means you have to spend more.

5. Buy Used Clothing

If the idea of buying thrift store clothing conjures up images of people wearing rags and walking barefooted, you are not alone.

However, you might be surprised that the trendsetter you are admiring from work or school is actually wearing used clothing.

Thrift stores, as well as consignment shops, are great places to buy brand name clothes that are just like new at significantly lower prices.

If you are short on cash and need something exquisite for a special occasion, then don’t rule out thrift stores and consignment shops.

6. The Changing Season Is Your Friend

If you want to truly save, then buy your clothes when a season is ending. Buy the clothing you will wear next summer at the end of the present summer season.

Buy the clothes you will wear next winter at the end of the present winter season.

By now you should be getting the idea.

When the season is about to change, stores are in a mad rush to clear the season’s clothing.

This means you will often get a discount and the closer it gets to the end of the season, the higher the discounts often become.

7. Mix and Match Effectively

Pairing a top or a bottom with different items in your wardrobe can make it look like you have a completely new outfit. This is one of the key skills you must master when learning how to be fashionable on a budget.

Try pairing a top you have always worn with a pair of pants, with a skirt instead.

Try wearing a jacket over a dress instead of wearing the dress on its own.

Accessorize these mixed and matched pieces with a scarf or chain to get a different look.

8. Take a Thrifty Friend With You

If you have a tendency to overspend, it is a good idea to take someone with you to hold you accountable and keep you on track.

Next time you go shopping, tell your accountability partner how much you have budgeted to spend.

Take them along with you and have them help you to stick to your budget.

How to Be Fashionable on a Budget: Closing Thoughts

If you would like to save money, then you know that one of the key traits you must master is discipline.

Having the discipline to stick to a budget and consciously choose to hunt for bargains will help you stay fashionable without breaking the bank.

If you would like to learn more about how to save, you’ll absolutely love our frugal living tips.