Category: Frugal Living Tips

America spends over $111 billion on the dentist every year. Your individual contribution to that number comes out to an average of nearly $700. 

Depending on the type of dental operation you need, that number can add up quick. 

Don’t have that kind of money? Don’t worry?

Keep reading to learn five dental care tips that’ll help you avoid costly visits to the dentist. 

1. Brush Your Teeth, But Brush Them Right

Brushing your teeth won’t do you much good if you’re doing it the wrong way. 

Make sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day. You should do this soon after you eat, such as after breakfast or dinner. And don’t let your toothbrush get too old. Buy a new one every three to four months. 

When you brush, make sure you get the outside surface of the teeth, the inside surface of the teeth, and the chewing surface of the teeth. Move your brush back and forth over the teeth in gentle strokes, and swipe down from the gums to remove any plaque that gets caught there. 

2. Don’t Be Afraid of Flouride 

You should always brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride isn’t dangerous unless you ingest a very high amount. Instead, fluoride can benefit your teeth in a number of ways. 

For example, it can help prevent the development of cavities. It can also help with dry mouth conditions and gum disease. 

However, fluoride can be dangerous for young children. So make sure you know how much to give them and when. 

3. Floss Every Day

While you don’t have to floss as often as you brush your teeth, you should do it at least once a day. 

If you skip flossing, you’re leaving pieces of food, plaque, and bacteria between your teeth. This can increase your risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. 

On top of all that, it can also make your teeth look yellower and less healthy, which can lower your self-esteem. 

4. Watch What You Eat

If you want to avoid costly trips to the dentist, you should watch what types of food you eat on a daily basis. Things like sugary candies, carbonated drinks, and citrus can all weaken and damage your teeth. 

That doesn’t mean you can’t ever eat these things. 

But make them special treats instead. And make sure you brush your teeth carefully after you eat them. 

5. Get Professional Teeth Cleaning 

One of the best ways to keep your teeth healthy is to get your teeth professionally cleaned when you can. Try to do this at least twice a year (which most insurances will cover). 

Not sure where to look for these services?

You can start by checking out Affinity Dental Group at https://affinitydental.net/. They provide cleaning and prevention treatments. 

Dental Care Tips That’ll Help You Avoid Costly Operations at the Dentist

If you can’t afford a trip to the dentist any time soon, make sure you follow these dental care tips that’ll save you from costly operations. 

But no matter how careful you are, sometimes there’s no way around dental treatments. 

If that’s you right now, make sure you take a look at this guide to learn how you can save money on a dental implant. 

More than 78 percent of full-time workers live paycheck to paycheck. And if you’re one of them, you’re always looking for ways to save money or make a little extra to pay the bills.

You don’t have time for another job. So, where do you start? Well, you can start by selling items around the house that you don’t need anymore!

You’ll declutter your home AND have a little extra money for your expenses!

And nothing is easier to sell than used jewelry. If you’ve never done it before, don’t panic.

We’ve put together a simple guide to selling used jewelry that will take the stress out of the process.

Take Your Time

There’s more to the value of a piece of jewelry than how much you’ll get when you sell it. Most pieces have emotional and sentimental value in addition to monetary value.

And just because you’re ready to sell in theory doesn’t mean you won’t regret the decision.

Take your time and make sure you’re ready. Inspect each piece and see if the sentimental value matters more to you than what you could get for it.

If it does, don’t sell the piece. Remember, once you sell it, getting your jewelry back is almost impossible.

Look at the Condition

It’s normal for most used jewelry to show signs of wear. And the more you wore an item, the more it’ll show. This impacts the selling price.

Before you decide on what to sell and how to sell it, inspect each item.

Look for loose stone settings, scratches, missing stones, and other issues. If everything looks like-new or in good condition, you’re ready to sell. If not, be ready to sell the pieces at a lower price or pay for repairs before selling them.

Clean Each Piece

Clean jewelry catches the light and looks nicer right from the start. The nicer it looks, the better price you’ll get.

Give each piece a good cleaning with a metal-specific cleaner. If the jewelry has precious stones in it, make sure the cleaner is safe for them.

If you use the wrong solution, you could damage the stone and make them lose their luster. For fragile items, warm water and a bit of dish soap can work wonders.

Let the piece sit for a few minutes and use a soft scrub brush to scrub the dirt away. For smaller pieces or detail work, use a toothbrush.

If this feels too daunting, consider taking your jewelry to a local jeweler and let them clean it. They’ll be able to get rid of all the dirt and buildup quickly, leaving the jewelry looking like new.

Get a Formal Appraisal

Any jeweler can give you an estimated value for your jewelry. They look at the types of metal, the stones, and the condition to determine the value.

Use this estimate to guide you in your sales. Remember, if you’re selling to a pawn shop or other retail outlet, you won’t get the appraisal value. They need to make money, too.

If you sell privately, use the value to set the price.

Be Realistic

Remember, the value you give to an item may not be what it’s actually worth. And it’s best not to get your hopes up.

Go into the appraisal with an open mind and listen to their explanations. If you don’t agree with them, take the jewelry to another expert and get a second opinion. But no matter what, understand it may not be worth as much as you think.

Decide How You Want to Sell

Once the pieces are ready and clean, you need to figure out how to sell them. If you’re looking for fast cash, a pawn shop is a great option. They’ll give you cash up front.

But pawn shops often offer a lower price. This is because they have a lot of overhead and rarely sell items for full price to new buyers.

If you’re selling used jewelry to declutter your house and aren’t looking to make money immediately, consider selling to a jeweler or listing it for sale online. You’ll get a better price, but you will have to wait until a buyer comes around.

But what should you do if you have some incredibly valuable jewelry? Consider putting it up for auction.

At auctions, you’re free to set a minimum purchase price. If no one bids above that amount, you keep the jewelry and can try again. Keep in mind that all auctions charge a fee based on the purchase price.

There’s Hope for Damaged Pieces

Not all jewelry is in good enough condition to sell to a shop or a private party. But that doesn’t mean you can’t sell it.

There are tons of places that buy jewelry for the metal or stones. They don’t care if the piece is in good wearable condition.

But you’ll want to do some research before selling. Look into the current market gold and silver price. If it’s high enough for your needs, reach out to those companies.

They’ll melt down the jewelry and give you money based on the amount of pure metal they extract.

Most services do this through the mail, so you will have to wait for them to process your order and issue your payment. But they’ll accept your gold and silver jewelry no matter what condition it’s in.

Selling Used Jewelry Is Easier Than You Think

Selling used jewelry doesn’t have to be a tough process. As long as you research the jewelers and stores in your area and take the time to get each piece ready, you’ll get a fair price.

But there’s always more you can do to save money and make more on the side. Check out our latest posts for more helpful tips on increasing your income month after month.

According to one survey, experts discovered that 8 in 10 adults said that fixing and straightening their teeth was one of the best treatments that they could’ve had. 

Many adults would like to straighten their teeth but don’t want to go through the embarrassment of metal braces. But they also can’t afford Invisalign. 

Invisalign help fix your teeth without the ugliness of braces. But the Invisalign cost can get pretty steep. Here’s what to expect and how to save.

Average Invisalign Cost

On average, the Invisalign cost can be anywhere from $3,000 to $9,000. This can depend on all kinds of different factors, like which orthodontist you choose, your insurance plan, and how crooked your teeth are. 

It is not recommended that you try to find a cheaper brand because it may not be made correctly and may end up causing damage to your teeth in the long run. 

There are so many advantages to Invisalgin, so we have some tips for you on how to afford them. 

Find the Right Orthodontist

This is one of the most important steps when it comes to saving money on your Invisalign. 

Different orthodontists will charge different prices, so make sure you go to several in your area and see which ones will offer you the best price. Ask them what treatments they have in mind, and how long they expect those treatments to take. The longer you have to wear Invisalign, the more you will end up paying. 

When choosing an orthodontist, make sure that you are actually choosing an orthodontist and not just a general dentist. A general dentist will most likely end up charging you more because that is not their main focus.  

While you are at the orthodontist, look around and see if you see the Invisalign logo anywhere in the office. You want to make sure that the treatment you will be getting is Invisalign and not an off brand.

Follow Your Orthodontist’s Instructions

Throughout your treatment, your orthodontist will give you specific instructions you need to follow. This may include wearing your braces for up to 22 hours a day and making adjustments and going to all appointments scheduled.

If you follow your orthodontist’s instructions, your treatment won’t be prolonged which means that you won’t end up spending more money.  

Review Your Insurance

Sometimes your dental or health insurance will include an option that will help cover some of your Invisalign cost. 

You may still have a copay and have to help some of it, but this could help reduce some of the amount you have to pay. 

Ask About Flexible Payment Options

Some orthodontist offices offer flexible payment options because they understand that some people aren’t able to afford it. 

With flexible payments, you won’t have to pay all of it upfront but instead will make payments over a fixed amount of time that will be set by your orthodontist. 

Save Money on Dental Hygiene

The Invisalign cost can be expensive, but follow some of these tips that we mentioned and you may be able to finally get the smile you’ve always wanted.

Once your teeth are straight, you want to make sure that you take care of them.

Read this article on ways to save money while also keeping your teeth clean and white. 

In 2017, the beauty industry in the US was worth over $400 billion. This number includes revenue from luxury brands as well as drugstore makeup and cosmetics.

Not everyone has the luxury to spend a fortune on beauty products, yet we all want to look beautiful. For some, online stores are the best place to buy makeup for cheap using promo codes. For others, picking up samples at the mall is their idea of getting makeup for free.

A great family-friendly tip is buying products in bulk not only to save more money but also to never run out of anything.

Check out these tips on how to save money on cosmetics and toiletries and look radiant on a budget.

Do It Yourself

If you’re crafty, you can always make your own face masks and cosmetics with ingredients you have in your kitchen. Buy everything in bulk and make a bigger batch that you can keep in the fridge.

Homemade products are not only cheaper, but also don’t contain any harmful chemicals or additives, so they’re healthier for your skin.

Get Samples

Next time you go to the mall, stock up on beauty samples of perfumes, foundations, and lipsticks. Stores are happy to have you try their product before you buy it.

This is the best way to save money on cosmetics and avoid wasting it on something you won’t like.

Use Coupons and Promo Codes

The best way to get makeup for less is by using coupons and promo codes. Beauty brands offer huge discounts if you shop online and sign up for their newsletter.

You can always sample the product in-store and use your coupons to get it for much cheaper online. If you use your codes wisely, you can even get your makeup and cosmetics for free.

Buy In Bulk

Buying products in bulk, especially on sale, is a surefire way to save money. If you know your favorite brands and use them constantly, get the family size or get multiple products if they’re discounted.

This way, you won’t have to look for a good deal every time you run out of your favorite products, plus you’ll save big.

Use Dupes

Many drugstore brands offer great dupes of luxury beauty products. It’s a great way to buy makeup cheap and still look like a bombshell for a fraction of the price. A quick online search will give you a list of all the best dupes for lipsticks, foundations, eyeshadows, concealers and beauty blenders.

However, if you’re not happy with your nose and constantly spend tons of money on contouring palettes, concealers, and full-coverage foundations, it might be a better idea to do a rhinoplasty surgery as a one-time expense.

Follow Beauty Bloggers

Beauty bloggers and vloggers often work with beauty brands and offer hefty discounts to their followers. There are many thrifty bloggers who share tips and reviews on cheap toiletries and makeup, so you’ll know if the products are worth the money.

You’ll also discover new products and brands and try them for a much lower price if you use the blogger’s discount code at checkout.

Save Big On Cosmetics and Toiletries With These Thrifty Tips!

Here at Thrifty Momma Ramblings, we’re all about beauty on a budget. These tips will help you find the best deals on cosmetics and toiletries without sacrificing quality.

Looking for ways to save money on hair care? Check out this article and see how you can have sleek, shiny hair for less.

Where is that Fountain of Youth? 

We all wish that we could stay young forever, but unfortunately, time comes after us all. And with it, certain signs of aging that we maybe couldn’t anticipate. 

Hair shedding is a normal part of life. We’ve all seen the hair that clogs up our shower drains or gets stuck in combs or brushes. But at some point in their lives, many women begin experiencing true hair loss. 

Hair loss can come with a variety of causes that are hard to pinpoint. But discovering the cause of hair loss is one of the only ways to help curb the problem. Read on, and we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about women’s hair loss. 

When Should You Be Concerned? 

A certain amount of hair loss in women is totally normal. In fact, most women lose about 80 strands of hair in a given day. Call it shedding or what have you, but such loss of hair is totally and completely normal. It’s not a cause for concern. 

What is a cause for concern is when said hair doesn’t grow back. 

It can take some time to recognize hair loss as a real problem, as our hair life cycle is slow. If you’ve noticed excessive hair loss over a two or three month period, it might be time to see a doctor or health professional. 

What Causes Hair Loss In Women? 

There are a variety of factors that can contribute to hair loss in women of all ages. Hair loss is actually a lot more common then most women assume. it affects every one in three women sometime over the course of their life. 

Some hair loss or hair thinning is simply genetic. Do to your family tree, you may be predisposed to have a gradual reduction in hair over your lifespan. Hair follicles grow shorter and thinner over each cycle, eventually reaching extreme levels. In this situation, there’s no real cause to hair loss other than your genes themselves. 

But many cases of hair loss are also due to exterior factors. Reactive hair loss can be due to a variety of different triggers or stressors. An internal imbalance, hormonal problem, or nutritional deficiency can all set off hair thinning or loss. 

Some common causes of hair loss include: 

Aging 

The most common cause of hair loss is the movement of time. If you’re going through or are about to enter menopause, your body is in a state of flux. This transition can have an effect on hair life cycles and cause certain follicles to cease growth. 

Thyroid Issues 

You have a butterfly-shaped gland at the front of your throat known as your thyroid. The thyroid pumps out various chemicals that help keep your body running properly. If your thyroid isn’t working properly, it can be problems for various systems in your body, including your hair life cycle. 

Too much or too little hormone introduction can thin your hair and cause excessive shedding. If you notice hair loss combined with sensitivity to heat or cold, or excessive weight loss or gain, it might be due to a thyroid issue. 

Excessive Stress

You’ve heard the colloquial phrases of pulling or losing hair due to stress. But these aren’t just random phrases, they’re literally true. Stress raises androgen levels, which in turn contribute to hair loss. 

Stress also often contributes to a number of unhealthy behaviors that can, in their own way, wreak havoc on your hair health. Unhealthy eating and sleeping habits, dandruff, and exhaustion all mean your hair won’t be as healthy as it should. 

Alopecia

Alopecia is a disease that affects many women later in their lives. It’s an immune disorder in which the immune system accidentally begins attacking healthy hair follicles by mistake. This can cause large bald spots or areas of very thin hair. 

The damage to hair by alopecia isn’t permanent, and the hair can grow back if the immune disorder is cured. 

Resolving Hair Loss In Women 

Losing hair is hard for everyone. But it’s especially hard on women, as the process is much less socially acceptable for women than it is for men. 

The first and most important step for women is to notice that there is a problem. Most hair loss is temporary and due to some sort of imbalance. Once this imbalance is taken care of, normal hair growth will return. So there is no reason to panic.

If you’re experiencing excessive hair loss, ensure that you’re maintaining a healthy diet. Exercise and keep active, and remove areas of excessive stress from your life. Ensure you’re getting the proper vitamins, even if you need to take them via supplement. 

In more serious cases of hair loss, a doctor may able to prescribe certain aids or solutions. Minoxidil is a drug that has been proven to help encourage hair growth. Taking anti-androgens can also help to deter hormones that cause hair loss. 

In worst case scenarios, many women go the route of hair transplantation or scalp biopsy, both of which have been proven to have many positive results. There’s more info here about such procedures. 

Understanding Women’s Hair Loss 

Many women don’t have a complete understanding of what hair loss is like. Women’s hair loss is more common and treatable than many understand. The above knowledge can help calm you down if you’re in the middle of your own hair crisis. 

Want more health advice, tips, or tricks? Check out our blog for more.