Category: Frugal Living Tips

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.  

Since Marie Kondo burst onto our screens, people all over the world have found the urge to declutter their homes.

If you’ve caught the tidying up bug, you may already be looking for ways to downsize. 

It’s not just about throwing things out. It’s also about finding the best ways to store them.

That’s why you need efficient home storage solutions.

In this post, we’ll tell you which ones are worth using.

Declutter with these Home Storage Solutions

You don’t need to renovate your entire home to install new storage space. Instead, you can simply buy a few cheap products to make your life easier.

Read on to find out the best ones.

1. Wire Baskets

Wire baskets are a great alternative to shelving. 

Put them on your kitchen counter to keep your utensils, on your shower wall to hold your shampoos, soaps, and sponges, or on your vanity desk to keep makeup and nail polish.

If your storage cabinets aren’t enough to hold all of your belongings, hang baskets on the outside of them to add extra space.

As well as keeping things inside these handy baskets, you can also hang things off them, too. 

2. Pegboards

If you have some empty wall space in your kitchen, put up a pegboard.

Then, you can attach hooks to hang your pots, pans, and utensils. It’s a quick and versatile way to store objects that are too big or awkward for cupboards and drawers.

That way, you don’t have to worry about fitting them inside your other storage spaces, or having them jam when you’re trying to get them out.

They’re right there whenever you need them, so you can just grab and go!

3. Garage Storage Cabinets

Do you just throw everything in your garage when you don’t need it?

This can turn the entire room into a danger zone, making it unusable for anything else. When you eventually find a use for the things you’ve kept there, it can be a nightmare just to find them.

Install some garage storage cabinets, and you can free up that space and put it to better use.

They can be custom-built for you, so you can have any size, color and finish you want. 

4. Foldable Storage Bins

Storage bins are great, but they can also be bulky. Sometimes, that defeats their purpose.

When you’re not using them, they simply take up more space. That’s why you should buy ones that can be folded down to be flat. 

You can find plastic ones that can be collapsed down with a click, or cloth ones that fold easily. 

Downsize the Right Way

Use these home storage solutions, and you can enjoy a tidier, more organized home.

There’ll be no more tripping over objects that have been left lying around and endlessly searching for things when you need them. This means one less source of stress in your life. 

If you need some more advice with your downsizing operation, we can help you.

Read our guide on how to declutter an overcrowded home for some extra tips. 

Is your hair thinning out? Feeling coarse to the touch and lacking that special shine?

You’re not alone. 40% of women deal with hair loss throughout their life.

The comforting part is that there are precautions we can all take to prevent this. Keep reading to learn more about these healthy hair tips.

1. Nutritional Diet

One of the best tips for healthier hair doesn’t start with your hair at all. Instead, it’s all about your diet.

Eating a good balance of proteins, vitamins, and minerals not only helps with your energy and weight but also reflects in your hair as well. A healthy body leads to healthy hair.

Now there’s a whole new incentive to drive you towards improving your diet this new year!

2. Oil Massage

Another large part of beautiful hair is to take care of your scalp. A healthy scalp needs nourishment and stimulation.

One of the best ways to do this is to use a nutrition-rich oil—coconut oil is perfect—and massage it into your scalp regularly. The oil conditions your scalp while the massage stimulates the blood flow.

All of this together strengthens the hair follicles giving you long and lustrous hair after only a few times.

3. Avoid Harsh Chemicals

There are hundreds of different products out on the market. Some are kinder to your hair, but some come with strong chemicals that dry out and damage your hair. Make sure to take precautions whenever using strong chemical-based products.

For example, hair dyes are notorious for being harmful to hair follicles. If you’ve run into trouble, be sure to check out these hairdye repair tips to get your hair back to its old glory.

4. Wash Less Often

This is one of those tips that confuses a lot of people, but it’s true! Washing your hair too often leads to a lot of built-up damage.

Your hair is vulnerable when it’s wet. The follicles are softer and more prone to splitting and breaking. Washing your hair too often only amplifies this effect to disastrous degrees.

To offset this, it’s a good idea to invest in high-quality dry shampoo. This gives you the look of washed hair without exposing your hair to moisture. It’s a great halfway point between washes.

5. Only Brush Dry Hair

Touching back to the point made above, it’s never a good idea to brush your hair while it’s wet. Leave it to air dry in a natural way so that the hair goes back to its original strength before running a comb through it.

Not only are the strands of hair vulnerable, but the roots themselves are soft and weak. This makes it far too easy to pull out hairs as you brush.

Next time you shower, wait an hour or two before getting out the comb.

Use These Healthy Hair Tips to Achieve Gorgeous Locks

Sometimes it feels impossible to get the hair we want. But by sticking with these healthy hair tips, you’ll have a head start.

After a while, you’ll start to notice a real difference in the way your hair feels and looks!

Are you having trouble with split ends? Click here to learn how to tackle this common problem!