Category: Shopping Tips

Believe it or not, it’s no need to spend a fortune on shampoos and fancy treatments to have beautiful hair. From coupons and online deals to multipurpose formulas, there are lots of great ways to save money on hair care. Plus, you can always go for DIY hair styling.

According to a recent survey, most American women spend about $80 a month on hair care products. That’s over $55,000 in a lifetime!

If you also go to a salon to get your hair done, the costs add up. Not to mention impulse purchases like that cool hair mask you’ve bought for the packaging alone!

A little planning goes a long way toward saving money. Here are some simple tips to find the best deals on hair styling products:

Stock Up on the Basics

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need dozens of products to keep your shiny and strong. A quality shampoo can truly work wonders for your tresses.

Depending on your needs and budget, invest in a premium shampoo and moisturizing deep conditioner.

Make your own hair masks and nourishing treatments using olive oil, argan oil, rosewater, and other natural ingredients.

Buy in Bulk

Once you find a hair product you love, buy the largest bottle. In general, hair styling products tend to be cheaper when purchased in bulk.

Most brands also offer discounts to those who buy two or more bottles at once. You could even get the second one for half the price! Also, look for special deals like “Buy one, get one free.”

Prioritize Quality

Whether you’re shopping for a new conditioner, hair mask, or mousse for curly hair, prioritize quality. It’s better to buy a premium organic or natural hair product rather 10 cheap products packed with chemicals.

Poor quality shampoos and treatments can ruin both your hair and scalp. For instance, they may trigger an allergic reaction that will cost hundreds to treat.

Things are even worse for those who are prone to dandruff, scalp psoriasis, or dermatitis. Certain chemicals in hair styling products can worsen their symptoms and trigger flare-ups.

Shop Around

The easiest way to save money on hair care products is to shop around.

Prices vary from one store to another, and from one brand to the next. The more you research your options, the higher your chances to find a good deal.

Let’s say you have a favorite hair mask. Check its price on the manufacturer’s website as well as on eBay, Amazon, and online beauty stores. Use a price comparison site to save time and money.

The same goes for brick-and-mortar stores. Visit several shops and check the prices before buying your go-to hair mask.

Be a Loyal Customer

Most hair care brands feature loyalty programs that allow customers to earn points for every purchase. Later, they can turn those points into money. Ulta and Birchbox are a good example.

On top of that, you could get discounts just by joining their email list. Companies reward their subscribers with secret deals and special offers that are not available in stores.

Save Big on Hair Styling Products

As you see, saving money on hair styling products isn’t rocket science. All it takes is a little planning. Think about what you need, prioritize quality, and shop around instead of making impulse purchases.

For further savings, look beyond brand names. Many drugstore products contain the same ingredients and work just as well as their more expensive counterparts.

Don’t forget to take advantage of annual and seasonal sales! Almost every brand has at least one major sale each year.

Do you have any tips to share? What’s the best deal you ever got on beauty products? Share your story below!

Shopping online is a busy mom’s dream come true.

You get all the benefits of retail therapy paired with the convenience of never leaving the house. Plus, you can find some great deals on the web to save you big-time cash.

But when it comes to buying clothes, the online route can be a bit tricky. After all, it’s hard to know if something feels good until you actually try it on.

Here are a few steps to take to ensure your online clothes shopping experience is a great one.

1. Take Your Measurements

Having your up-to-date measurements is an essential part of successfully shopping for clothes online.

Not every clothing line’s labeled sizes are equal.

One company’s large shirt and another company’s size large could be significantly different. A pair of pants could have the same waistline, but very different cuts and fits around the thighs and groin.

But accurate measurements can be the great equalizer. By taking measurements of key areas of your body, you’ll know exactly what you need.

Once you have your updated measurements taken and noted, you can compare them with the size charts on shop websites.

2. Read Reviews

Online reviews are a great resource when you’re buying a product for the first time.

Even though you’ve never made that purchase before, others have.

By reading reviews, you can see if the clothes fit true to their measurement guide. You can also find out if the fabric is soft and durable, or cheaply made and easily worn down.

Third-party feedback can help make your buying decisions a bit less of a shot in the dark.

3. Know the Return Policies

A lot of clothing stores understand that buying clothes online is a tricky process.

Many places are willing to work with you if you’re unsatisfied with your purchase, especially if you bought the wrong size. You can ship your clothes right back and try something different.

Before you buy something, check on the return policy for that site and make sure it’s a customer-friendly one.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Go Foreign

Your natural instinct when shopping might be to stick to websites from your own country or language.

But the internet makes buying clothes a global experience. And since so many fashion trends arise out of different countries, you don’t want to miss out on some great designs.

Plus other countries can offer new and convenient ways to buy online. Look for the phrase “kledingshops met afterpay als betaal methode” on Dutch websites – it means you can wait to pay until after you receive your items!

5. Find a Go-To

Shopping online is very much a trial-and-error process.

Sometimes it takes a few purchases to nail down a preferred manufacturer or outlet. But when you find an online clothing store that sells things that feel comfortable and look good, you’re set.

If you find a shirt or pair of pants you love, don’t be afraid to go back to that well. You can order the same styles and sizes, but in different colors to add some variety to your wardrobe.

Once you find a go-to shop, buying clothes online becomes a whole lot easier.

More Tips for Buying Clothes

Want more great tips for filling out your wardrobe? Head over to our Beauty and Fashion blog.

Imagine driving on a long highway or in bumper-to-bumper traffic without good music to listen to. It will probably drive you crazy.

Whether you like listening to Vivaldi’s ‘Summer Movement 3: Presto’ or Dr. Dre’s ‘Let Me Ride’, the music will be lifeless if you can’t appreciate the thumping bass lines. Low-frequency sounds or bass is best heard with a quality car subwoofer.

And while factory-installed speakers already have subwoofers, these are usually small and inadequate. To have a complete audio experience, you need to add a superior subwoofer to your existing car audio setup.

Here are some tips on how to shop for a quality subwoofer for your listening pleasure.

The Delicate Balance Between Convenience and Customization

Adding a subwoofer to your car is like building a desktop computer. You can choose the components yourself or you can buy a prebuilt one.

It is a lot simpler than a PC rig because there are only three major pieces: the subwoofer itself, the enclosure or speaker box, and the amplifier. These come in different packages and your choice will depend on the degree of customization you prefer.

If you’re a do-it-yourself guy or gal, you probably dig being able to select the individual parts yourself. Component subwoofers are speaker only and you have to buy the enclosure and amplifier separately. This will give you the highest degree of customization but is also the most challenging to put together.

Enclosed subwoofers are for the middle of the pack types. These subwoofers come pre-mounted in a speaker box. You still have to choose an external amplifier for this setup.

For some, the simplest is the most elegant. Powered subs are already a complete package of a speaker, enclosure, and amplifier. These are compact and easy to install. Powered subwoofers are effective bass speakers but may not be as powerful as a more customized rig.

If you want a car subwoofer that blends in perfectly with your car’s interior, vehicle-specific subwoofers are a perfect choice. These can fit in out-of-the-way spaces like the car door. Like powered subwoofers, these type of speakers can’t produce a really big bass sound.

The Technical Stuff

A review of the different specs to look for in a quality speaker will come in handy if you are looking to buy your car a subwoofer.

• RMS (root mean square) ratings apply to both the amplifier and the speaker. For amplifiers, it is a measure of the continuous power it can produce. For subwoofers, it is a measure of how much of that power the speaker can handle. It is important that both ratings match.
• SPL (sound pressure level) is the unit for sensitivity, which refers to the amount of power you need to supply to a speaker to produce a given volume. A high SPL rating means that the subwoofer is more efficient.
• If you want to appreciate really low-frequency sounds, look for subwoofers with a high-frequency range.
• Impedance, like RMS ratings, is another spec that you need both values of your amplifier and speaker to match. This ranges from 2 to 8 ohms.

Audiophile or Not, a Car Subwoofer Is Essential to Enjoy Good Music While Driving

It’s all about the bass. A quality subwoofer brings realism and depth to your overall listening experience.

Do you have the perfect car stereo setup? Describe yours in the comments below. You can also check out our other shopping guides.

Once the question is popped and you have a sparkling engagement ring on your finger, the fun of planning a wedding begins.

But while many brides dream of their wedding day and the dress that they’ll wear, finding that dress for real can be a challenge.

Luckily, with a little planning and consideration, you can make finding your dream wedding dress a breeze.

Keep reading to a few easy tips for finding and buying the perfect dress for your big day.

Find Your Perfect Shape

With so many different dress options out there, it can be easy to get overwhelmed when shopping for your dream wedding dress.

Starting the process by narrowing down your options to only the shapes that you like will help.

You don’t necessarily need to limit your search to a single shape. After all, each dress will fit differently, and you may find that you like several different dresses in several different shapes.

But most brides will find that they do not like certain shapes. For instance, if you can’t imagine walking down the aisle in a dress that is as wide as you are tall, you may be able to rule out ballgowns.

By narrowing down the shapes that you like and those that you don’t, you’ll be able to give your attendants at bridal stores a better idea of what you’re looking for. In turn, they’ll be able to pull dresses that fit your style better, to help you find your dream wedding dress.

Set a Budget

There are gorgeous bridal gowns out there for every budget. Even high-end designers like Morilee Madeline Gardner offers gowns for every brides’ budget.

But to avoid trying on dresses and then being disappointed when you fall in love with one and can’t afford it, it’s best to set your budget from the start and then stick to it.

If you start shopping and have trouble finding a dress within your budget, consider whether you could make some extra money before the big day to make up the difference.

If you do decide to go above your budget, just make sure that you don’t go so far beyond it that you leave yourself and your new spouse in debt as a result.

Choose the Right Color

While it may seem odd to freshly engaged brides-to-be that you need to consider what color you want for your bridal gown, it’s actually an important detail to think about before you start shopping.

While white may seem like the obvious answer, the reality is that “white” can mean many different things.

Bridal gowns come in so many different shades of white and ivory that the options can seem endless. To help narrow it down, you need to make a few key decisions.

First, decide whether you want bright white. While some brides want to stick to tradition and choose white, it can be an unflattering color for some skin tones.

If you decide to stray from bright white, you should then think about what shades of off-white will complement your skin tone. For instance, if you have fair skin, bright white may make you look washed out, while ivory with yellow-tones will make you glow.

If you aren’t tied to tradition, you could also opt for a dress in a shade other than white.

While studies show that 93 percent of brides choose a white or off-white shade, an increasing number of brides are opting for non-traditional hues, like red, pink, or black.

Imagine Your Dream Wedding

When you’re in a bridal store trying on beautiful gown after beautiful gown, it can be easy to fall in love with all of them.

To make it easier to narrow your options, try to picture your wedding day.

Think about how you want to look when you walk down the aisle. Will you be floating down the walkway of a massive church in a gown that rivals the setting’s beauty? Or will you be barefoot in the sand in the glow of a beach sunset?

Picturing your big day will help make it easier to decide what your dream wedding dress looks like.

Consider the Details

Besides choosing the color and shape of your dream wedding dress, you’ll also need to think about what kinds of details you like.

For instance, you could choose all-over lace or a few lacy details, a touch of bling or a dress that’s covered in glitter.

Knowing which details your dream dress must-have can help rule out some dresses, and make it easier for attendants at bridal stores to help you find your dream wedding dress.

Know Your Setting

Just as picturing your big day can help you figure out what your dream dress will look like, considering the setting of your wedding can help ensure that you choose a dress that is both beautiful and functional.

For instance, a long-sleeved, heavy gown may leave you miserable if your dream wedding is an outdoor event on a hot summer day.

If you’re dreaming of a beach wedding, consider whether a long, full ballgown will get in your way or pick up sand during your walk down the aisle.

If you’re traveling for a destination wedding, you’ll need a dress that you can pack easily, or else make arrangements to have it professionally delivered or steamed and prepped when it arrives at your destination.

Choosing Your Dream Wedding Dress

Finding and buying your dream wedding dress doesn’t have to be a challenge.

By setting and sticking to a budget, considering your options and what you like before you shop, and keeping your big day in mind while trying on gowns, you can find the perfect dress.

Regardless of what you choose and how much you spend, a wedding dress is a big purchase. To help make it a little easier for you and your future spouse’s finances, check out these DIY tricks for living frugally.

Start following them now, and you may be surprised at just how much you can save on everyday expenses, giving you more to spend on your dream wedding or your dream honeymoon!

Finding the best baby clothes for your little one can be an exercise in frustration. Babies gain up to two pounds a month, and by the time they’re one year old, they’ve usually tripled their birth weight.

Since your baby is going to grow like a weed, finding cute, comfortable clothes that won’t break the bank can be challenging.

Luckily, we’ve got all the best tips for finding baby clothes for your little miracle:

Target

Target has a massive selection of baby clothes, and the clothes from the Cat and Jack collection are adorable. You can find adorable graphic T-shirts for just $3. Target is a great place to shop if you’re on a budget and the perfect place to find basics for when you’re spending time at home.

Tobias & The Bear

Born in 2013, this clothing line was started by two moms with a background in fashion. Both moms were discouraged by the lack of comfortable, cool offerings for their boys.

They launched a successful, well-known and collection of unisex leggings with a focus on cute prints. The fabrics used are kind for babies’ skin, and you’ll find that these clothes offer great value for money.

Nickis

The Nickis baby range is adorable. The website sells brands from Gucci to Burberry. While these are unlikely to be everyday clothes for your baby, this is the place to pick up that perfect outfit for a special occasion.

If you look after these clothes well, you’ll get a lot of wear out of them, and can even pass them down to younger siblings.

Baby Gap

Baby Gap is a favorite for baby clothes for a reason. They can tend to be on the pricer side, but if you keep an eye out for sales, you can get some incredible deals. The clearance section is also a good opportunity to pick up some gorgeous clothes for a steal.

If you haven’t yet seen the baby girl dresses, you’ve been missing out. Check them out, and you’ll be wondering why they don’t have them in your size.

Amazon

Believe it or not, but Amazon is a great place to find baby clothes. It’s particularly good for shoes, and you’ll find super affordable clothes in all sizes, colors, and styles.

Considering babies won’t even walk in their shoes and they grow so quickly, choosing a cute pair that won’t break the bank is a must.

Carters

Carters is another place where you can find some of the best baby clothes around. Not only are they super cute, but they’re almost always having sales. If you love dressing your kids as tiny adults, Carters is the place to go.

They also have gorgeous character outfits and tiny graphic t-shirts.

Where do you get the Best Baby Clothes?

There is now a larger range of baby clothes than ever before, with new designers constantly releasing lines.

Have you shopped at some of the above stores? Or do you have another great suggestion to add to the list? Let us know in the comments below or get in touch!