Category: reviews

Today’s thrifty living tip is instead of using an expensive makeup primer, you can use Monistat Chafing Powder-Gel. You read this correctly Monistat. I can hear you saying I am not putting stuff made for feminine itching on my face! Gross!

I realize this sounds a little crazy but it really works great as a makeup primer. The reason it works so well is that it contains dimethicone which is the same ingredient that the other expensive makeup primers use. It’s a fraction of the cost plus you will get more for the money.

I was skeptical at first as I have used MAC primer which is wonderful. I never tried Smashbox, but I know it’s another very popular makeup primer. I found it at my local Wal-Mart for $6.37 plus tax, and I read that it will last for at least a year. You don’t use much as in the size of a dime. Trying is believing, and it really does work!

I live in very humid south Louisiana and if the heat doesn’t melt off your makeup then the humidity will. My makeup still looked wonderful at the end of the day especially my eye makeup. I couldn’t believe how well this stuff works and for a fraction of the more expensive primers. I also have oily skin but my face doesn’t look like an oil slick at the end of the day. My foundation went on flawlessly and it just feels nice. Some people say it can be hard to find and not found in Canada.

Leave me a comment either if you have tried it or you want to try. I would love to hear from you.

Today it is harder than ever to buy a house. Prices for homes have skyrocketed during the last decade making it even more difficult for young first time buyers to succeed at ultimately purchasing a place they can call home. Saving for a house is not an overnight process, and it takes a great deal of time and strategic money management. You can begin this process by speaking to a lending institution. They can help you learn all you need to know about what you can afford, interest rates, and the type of loans that are out there for you. They will be knowledgeable about important information.

One of the main components of saving up for anything, especially a house, is to cut back on luxuries. For example, if you are someone who tends to eat out for every meal then you might want to consider cooking at home for a change. If you are an avid gym-goer then taking up running, instead of paying for your membership, would be a great money saving move. Also consider cutting back on cable, learning to optimize your gas, and even raising your car insurance deductibles. Although these are some helpful money saving tips, you do not have to give up every luxury you enjoy. Just remember that the more you cut back on, the more you save, and the more you save, the closer you are to buying a home!

Now for some of you I must ask that you keep a very open mind to the next money saving suggestion. Here it is… Move back in with your parents. Even if you have to pay your parents some sort of rent to live back at home, you will be saving money. Think about the free utility, free laundry, and of course home cooking! If this advice is taken it will only put you into your very own home faster.

For such a thing like buying a house, you are allowed to take money from your 401(k). Although lenders don’t view this as a debt, the money still needs to be paid with interest over a time period of years. Remember that it is best to stay with your current employer until you have fully repaid all the money because if you leave your employer you will have only 90 days to repay the money. View all your options before you take funds from your 401(k). Make sure that there is a greater benefit from taking these funds than alternatives such as a paying for mortgage insurance or a second mortgage.

Keep in mind that the road to buying a house can be a long one. Consider speaking with a lending institution and the valuable tips for cutting back on spending. Also consider the idea of possibly moving in with your parents , even though it doesn’t sounds like the most desirable option. Once you have stabilized good money management you can consider options such as taking funds from your 401(k). If you take the advice given then the time it takes you to purchase a home can be exponentially decreased.

I have to say I’m sorry for not dropping at EC as much the last couple of weeks. I also have to say I’m sorry to my readers for not writing as much. I’ve been so busy with the last several weeks getting ready for Christmas, doing a Tupperware event with my mom, and volunteering a lot more at my son’s school. I have been neglecting my other blogs more and barely keeping up with this one. I need to learn to manage my time a little better than I am right now.

I’m hoping that I will be able to start substitute teaching at my son’s school after the Christmas break is over. The pay is pretty good for a mom who hasn’t worked outside the home in almost 9 years. I sold on Ebay for the last 8 years and made enough money to supplement our income nicely. To be honest I’m bored. I have done the SAHM thing long enough. I want to get back out in the world of people again and, while I love chatting with some of my online friends, it’s just not the same. The school said I would be able to work pretty much 40 hours a week. The schedule is great since I go to work and leave at the same time as my son, no weekends, and I get the same vacation so this is perfect. If I decide that I like working at the school, then I am planning on taking the para test so I can become a teacher aide next August. I’m excited about this new opportunity, but I will keep up with my blogs. I still enjoy writing them, and I plan on waking up earlier so I can still have time to write and drop before school.

I also have some changes in store for next year. I really want to do more contests and giveaways on all of my blogs. I also want to do more product reviews. Some of the reviews won’t be compensated, but just something I want to do. I’m also curious about some of these “As Seen on TV” products. These reviews will be completely honest and not biased in the least. I might even give a few of these away. Definitely come back next week on New Year’s Eve. I won’t give out details yet, but it will tie in with goals and changes for the New Year.

I hope everyone has a very safe and Merry Christmas!

I think having my own home theater would be so cool. I could have a projection screen, the tall drapes on the walls, surround sound, and of course home theater seating to feel like you were really at the movies. You can even buy custom seats with sports team logos for those great sports parties at your home. I love how they come with built-in cup holders. That’s a goal for one day in the future.

I know many international buyers love to buy from U.S. stores and sellers on ebay. The problem is that many of them won’t ship overseas. Now you can have your packages shipped to a U.S. address and just pay for mail forwarding. Shipito.com is a service that will provide you with an address in California, and they will forward it to any address in the world. This is a great solution, and the prices are very affordable. They also offer a yearly service which is great for people that love to do lots of shopping. You can also make money by signing up as an affiliate. Place their banners on your site, and you will get paid for each new customer that uses their service that came from your site. Happy shopping.