A 2016 Gallop survey established that at least 43 percent of the American workforce spent some of their time working remotely. In 2012, the number was 39 percent.

Evidently, more Americans are embracing working from home or from the neighborhood bookstore or from whichever other remote location they fancy!

If you are looking to join the growing army of remote workers, good move. But before you leave your 30th-floor office or accept that remote position, here’s what you need to know about remote work.

1. There Are Potential Health Benefits

Work is the 3rd most common source of stress in America, only behind money and the uncertain future of the nation.

Are you among the 61 percent of Americans who feel work is doing them more harm than good? Of course, the most effective way to battle stress is to see a mental health specialist, but there are other helpful steps you can take, like opting for remote work.

Working from home eliminates some stress triggers, such as workplace conflicts and commuter traffic, from your life.

2. You Need a Hell Lot of Discipline

Working remotely improves productivity, according to a couple of studies.

Well, it’s true your productivity can rise, especially if you’re suffering from workplace stress. But it takes the discipline and dedication of a bee to get work done from your couch.

You must learn how to beat the temptation of stepping into the kitchen for a quick bite every now and then or of flipping through the channels to see what’s happening around the world.

You have to set a schedule and live by it. Otherwise, a whole day can easily go by and all you would have done is flick on your laptop and stare at the keyboard.

3. You’re Probably Not Going to Get Pay Stubs from Your Employer

Yes, remote work is beneficial to both employers and employees, but, from a legal standpoint, there is more than meets the eye. There are several laws involved when dealing with remote employees, which is why many employers opt to hire these workers as independent contractors.

That certainly means no pay stubs for you, which also means filing your taxes is likely going to get a lot harder.

But worry not! There are online platforms that enable you to create pay stubs so you can stay on top of your income.

4. Got Wonky Internet? Time to Switch Providers

The internet is the single largest enabler of remote work.

If your home connection is just about as reliable as a politician’s promise, it’s time to cut the cables and find a reliable provider. You don’t want to lose a connection when you are in the middle of an important Skype call with your boss, do you?

It’ll cost you more to get a good connection with a larger bandwidth. But that’s a worthwhile expense. It enables your ability to deliver and is still probably less expensive than the cost of commuting to an office.

Remote Work Could Take Your Productivity to the Next Level

Going remote has its pros and cons, but for the most part, it will give your productivity, career, and health a much-needed boost. And with the information we’ve provided here, you’re no doubt in a better position to make up your mind about working from home.

Need more work from home tips? We got you!

It is tough to make a healthy choice. Watching television is easier than working out. A cookie or two is tempting.

Likely, you’re already aware that avoiding healthy choices now results in consequences later. By not exercising, you might fail to drop to your goal weight. By eating a cookie or two, or three or four, you’ll possibly gain weight.

What you may not know is your choices impact your wallet.

Healthy choices can sometimes cost more short-term. However, healthy choices save more in the long run.

Below, I’ve listed ten healthy choice ideas that can — and will — save you money.

10 Healthy Choice Ideas That Save You Money

It’s common knowledge that the cost of living is skyrocketing all over the United States. Now more than ever before, it’s important to save when and where you can.

Saving starts with good health. And good health starts with making healthy choices.

Let’s check out 10 healthy choice ideas below.

1. Exercise

Exercise is one of the most effective healthy choices that you can make.

Certainly, a regular work-out will help you lose weight. Obesity and being overweight can lead to health complications down the road, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

But let’s say you already suffer from high blood pressure. Exercise increases your body’s tolerance for stress, thereby lowering your blood pressure.

You can work out at a gym, but you can also work out at home. You can take a jog around your neighborhood in the morning or evening. You can also do sit-ups, push-ups, and other exercises in the comfort of your own home.

2. Don’t Eat Out

Eating out is expensive. It’s hard to find a restaurant that charges less than $10 for a burger, fries, and soda.

Moreover, eating out is unhealthy. Case in point: the burger, fries, and soda.

In fact, most food served at restaurants is fried and, as a result, fattening. Even if it isn’t fried, there’s a good chance the portion size is too big.

Stick to packed lunches or good, old-fashioned, home-cooked meals. They’re portion-sized and not as often fried.

3. Eat Fresh Products

It’s true that packed lunches and home-cooked meals are less expensive and more healthy than meals served at restaurants.

It’s also true that home-cooked meals tend not to be the healthiest.

Mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and fried chicken are all staples of home-cooked meals. They’re also not healthy choices.

When it comes to eating right, nothing beats fresh fruit and vegetables. Celery, apples, carrots, peppers, grapes, and the like are wonderful sources of vitamins. Plus, they don’t have the calories that potatoes, meat, pasta, and cheese have.

It should be noted that canned fruits and veggies are not fresh. They are preserved. The preservation process wipes them of most of their nutrients.

4. Drink Water

Water is necessary for human beings to function. After all, we’re made of 60% water.

Stay hydrated and refreshed by keeping a small, refillable water bottle with you at all times. Refill it when you come to a water fountain. Make sure you don’t leave it when you leave your home.

While exercising, it is especially important to stay hydrated. Sweating causes you to lose fluid, which water replenishes.

Plus, water is typically the only free drink at restaurants. It also helps fill your stomach and ease food cravings while dieting.

5. Stop Smoking

Do I even have to explain this one?

Cigarettes contain numerous toxins and poisons, including those that are known to cause cancer. Smokers also suffer from short breath, constricted blood vessels, and heart disease, among other health issues.

But let’s not focus on the unhealthiness of smoking for a second. Instead, let’s focus on the finance strain it causes.

One pack of cigarettes can cost as much as $10. Ten-packs of cigarettes can cost as much as $100.

Smoking is as expensive a habit as it is an unhealthy one. If you’re already smoking, stop. If you’ve never smoked, don’t start.

6. Participate In Wellness Programs

Many companies offer wellness programs through their health insurance plans. Health insurance companies use programs such as HealthEdge to stay on top of their clients’ workers and those workers’ health.

Wellness programs reward participants for making healthy choices. For example, if you pass a wellness screening, the insurance company might lower your monthly premium. It might also send you a gift card or other prize.

Another common offering made by wellness programs is health-based challenges. For instance, in exchange for a small prize, you might be challenged to walk a certain distance within a day.

7. Turn Down Your Thermostat

Keeping your heat turned up doesn’t just cost you dollars. It also costs you sleep.

Heat causes discomfort. When you’re uncomfortable, you don’t sleep very well.

Not sleeping well leads to sleep deprivation, which turns into stress. When you’re stressed, you’re more likely to gain weight.

8. Keep A Food Diary

Keeping a food diary isn’t an obvious healthy choice. But, it’s one worth looking into, especially if you’re struggling with your diet.

Food diaries help keep track of what you eat during a given time frame. They’re a wonderful opportunity to count calories and ensure you’re eating right.

Additionally, food diaries can help you make healthy choices according to which foods leave you feeling good. Fruits and vegetables are lighter as well as nutritious, so you’ll find they make you feel better than fried foods do.

9. Download A Work-Out App

Struggling to exercise like we all do?

No problem! There are numerous work-out apps that help you exercise.

These apps keep track of your work-out for you. You can set how long you want each work-out to be. You can also choose a certain part of the body to work on.

10. Bike To Work

Cars are extremely expensive to maintain. They require gas, inspections, and regular oil changes.

That’s not even touching on any repairs you might have to make to your car.

Instead of driving a car, bike to work. Biking to work will save you a ton of money as well as give you an opportunity to exercise.

Need More Advice? Check Me Out!

Paying full-price is for suckers! My name is Laura, and I’m a thrifty momma looking to help you save a buck or two. Check out my blog for advice, tips, coupons, giveaways, and other goodies.

Know a great way to save cash? Want me to cover it? Contact me today!

How many times have you realized that you were out of toilet paper while sitting on the toilet?

Maybe you had a big date but forgot toothpaste or deodorant. If you’re someone who doesn’t buy bulk wholesale items, you’ve definitely experienced the sort of dread that comes when you’re out of your non-perishable necessities.

Buying bulk wholesale items is usually a hit or a miss. If you know how to approach buying in bulk, you save a lot of money. If you don’t, however, you may lose lots of money, storage space, and (let’s face it) pride.

If you’re trying to save loads of money buying wholesale items, there are a few ways to improve your skills.

How to Capitalize on Bulk Wholesale Items

There are thousands of ways to find deals that will save you sizable amounts of money. With that in mind, it’s important to realize that everything is good in moderation. It might not make sense to buy a lifetime’s amount of toilet paper just because you’re getting it at three cents a roll.

Ok, you’re probably not going to go that deep into a wholesale bender, but there are some things out there that do require good judgment.

Developing a knack for finding useful bulk wholesale items requires you to know your needs, know your weaknesses, and to always remember what you left the house to shop for in the first place!

Get an Idea of Where and When You’ll Shop

When you begin to consider buying in bulk, ask around to see what your friends have to say about local businesses that provide wholesale goods. You can also take a look online to find out what people are saying about where to buy bulk wholesale items.

Friends are going to be your best references when it comes to good places to shop. There are wholesale retailers out there who sell expired or near expiry items that will appear to be excellent deals. Before making a large purchase, make sure to check online for reviews from previous customers.

Explore websites like Buymerchant.com. This company has thousands of wholesale items that you wouldn’t remember to buy in the store.

Time of year is also an important factor when buying wholesale. Jackets, bathing suits, and sandals are all great seasonal items to buy in bulk. As long as you have the storage, you’ll be able to get fantastic wholesale items on out of season clothing.

Buying out of season items in bulk is perfect for camps, large families, or any other group that uses a lot of simple clothing items.

Think About What You Actually Need

Once you have an idea where to look, start considering which items you would like to buy in bulk. Begin with non-perishable items that you’re certain you’ll use. Imagine the toilet paper scenario, for example.

Consider foods that you can easily store and access later. Meats are one of the few perishable items that can be stored for long periods of time. Alcohol, pasta, rice, beans, and pet foods are also nonperishable food items to stock up on.

Of course, it doesn’t do any good to stock up if you aren’t going to use something, but there are a lot of healthy, useful foods that are practical to buy in bulk.

If the same bag of rice has been sitting in your pantry for the last six months, it doesn’t make sense to buy three 20 pound bags because they’re four dollars a piece.

Coordinate with friends and neighbors when you shop for bulk wholesale items. You may only need six month’s worth of pasta, but an excellent deal has 40 pounds of spaghetti for only eight dollars. Splitting that amount of merchandise among three friends will give you a huge quantity of food for almost nothing, and you’ll still have enough pantry space to hang onto that old bag of rice!

Buying non-food items in bulk may be the best thing you can do to save household money. Just think of the number of times you’ve purchased a single tube of toothpaste, or pack of batteries for ridiculous prices at convenience stores.

Consider items that you are certain you will use again and buy as much as you’ll be able to use before the expiration date. Some products to consider are toothpaste, batteries, toilet paper, paper towels, soap, razors, deodorant, and basic clothing like socks and underwear.

Have Enough Storage Space

When you bring home a 50-pound bag of socks, you’ll need somewhere to put it. Hopefully, you have a storage area tucked away to harbor the items. You might not use your bulk wholesale items for quite a while, so be sure to prepare enough space to stock them.

Investing in a storage unit may be wise. Depending on the deals that you find and the amount of money you’ll save, consider renting or buying a space to hold bulk wholesale items. Ask a friend who buys in bulk to share the cost of storage with you to save even more money.

Try Making Money by Buying in Bulk

If you think you have a pretty good knack for buying bulk wholesale items, consider taking it to the next level. If you need little extra money, consider starting a wholesale business.

Wholesalers buy goods in bulk and sell them for a markup. If you want to be your own boss, or just make extra money on the side, this might be an excellent way to do it through an online business!

Of course, in order to do this, you’ll need to get the required license and permits, but these might take only a couple of days for you to receive. Draw up a business plan, see what kind of storage you have, and consider which goods you would like to sell.

Take Your Time and Have Fun

Start doing your research now, so you have ideas in the back of your mind when the time comes to buy! There are a lot of wholesale merchants out there that have hundreds of deals that will save you thousands of dollars, so be on the lookout and keep an open mind.

If you have any questions about buying bulk wholesale items, be sure to ask them in the comments for further assistance.

Women spend a staggering $426 billion each year on beauty products. Despite large price tags, many big name products don’t deliver, and they’re filled with chemicals. Luckily, natural products provide affordable options for those wishing to achieve a radiant, healthy appearance.

Want to learn more about these healthy natural products? Read on for eight cheap hacks that will lower your beauty budget while improving your health and good looks.

1. The Ultimate Moisturizer

Hemp oil will revitalize your skincare routine. Naturally green in color, hemp boasts a high chlorophyll content like avocado and olive oils.

This endows it with anti-inflammatory properties that benefit your health and improve your complexion. Unlike avocado and olive oils, hemp oil is more easily absorbed into the skin. So, its benefits penetrate deeper.

Essential fatty acids have received serious attention over the last few years and with good reason. The right combination of omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids nourish the body and brain. Hemp oil contains the perfect ratio of all three.

What’s more, it contains an especially nourishing form of omega-6 fat. Known as gamma linoleum acid (GLA), this omega-6 fat works overtime to heal skin and promote a radiant glow. GLA ramps up metabolism and harmonizes hormonal imbalances.

When applied to the skin, hemp oil has a cooling and soothing effect. High in vitamin E, it promotes skin health and rejuvenation. Shop now to get started on your journey to affordable beauty and health.

2. Bath Oils & Salts

There’s no better way to relieve stress than by taking a relaxing bath. Why not use this time for a luxurious skin treatment, too?

Add hemp oil to your bath to promote the detoxification and rejuvenation of your skin. Highly absorbable, hemp oil fortifies, soothes, and nourishes tired, dry complexions.

Because of its omega fatty acids, hemp works as an effective emollient. It smooths and softens the skin and hair. And, when added to your soak, hemp oil-infused bath salts immerse skin in crucial vitamins and minerals.

3. Natural Exfoliants

Combined with sugars, salts, or clays, hemp oil transforms into a gentle exfoliant. It nourishes while removing dull, dead skin. And it penetrates deep into pores to moisturize and create a radiant glow.

Exfoliating regularly purges the body of toxins while revitalizing your skin’s look and health. These treatments also boost circulation to the skin’s surface further replenishing its suppleness and elasticity.

4. Sun Repair

Combined with other natural products, hemp oil can speed up recovery from sun damage. For example, mongongo oil offers a great complement to hemp.

Mongongo oil is high in polyunsaturated fats. When applied with hemp oil, it helps the body hold moisture. It also creates a protective barrier between your skin and environmental toxins and irritants.

Like hemp, mongongo oil reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Due to a high concentration of anti-oxidants, it repairs sun damage. Finally, both hemp and mongongo oil reduce inflammation promoting moisture balance and renewal.

Blended with coconut oil and raspberry seed or pomegranate oil, hemp oil provides additional sunburn relief. This blend heals and nourishes skin. It reduces inflammation, and it helps skin maintain its moisture and elasticity.

5. Anti-Aging Treatments

The most popular of all essential oils, lavender calms and soothes. But did you know that it also promotes brain function and better moods? It’s great for reducing stretch marks, dark spots, acne, and irritated complexions.

High in anti-oxidants, lavender oil creates a potent anti-aging combination when mixed with hemp oil. What’s more, it’s antibacterial and astringent qualities make it great for skin repair and regeneration.

Consider adding prickly pear to your list of natural beauty products as well. Prickly Pear seed oil contains more vitamin C than any other essential oil.

It’s quickly and easily absorbed by the skin. It stimulates cell renewal and skin elasticity. Finally, it prevents wrinkles.

6. Homemade Toners

If you’ve got sensitive skin, then you know how drying and irritating many toners can be. Tired of feeling tight-faced and parched after using store-bought products? Then, give a homemade toner a try.

Homemade toners are simple to make and more gentle on the skin. You also cut out exposure to unnecessary chemicals and irritants. Two of our favorites?

Combine the anti-inflammatory benefits of matcha green tea and the gentle properties of hemp oil. How? Start by steeping a bag of green tea.

After it cools, add a few drops of hemp oil and pour this mixture into a storage container. Use a cotton ball to apply it. This potent toner nourishes skin without stripping away moisture.

For those plagued by acne, try an apple cider vinegar toner. Mix one part organic raw apple cider vinegar with two parts filtered water and place in a jar. Shake the jar before each application and use a cotton ball to apply it.

7. Nourishing Hand Treatment

Constant washing, extreme temperatures, and chemicals can take their toll on our hands. Store bought lotions don’t help much. What’s more, they contain harmful chemicals and perfumes.

Instead, rub hemp oil into your hands at least two times a day. Make sure one of the times comes before bed when skin does most of its healing.

Prefer a hand lotion that’s a bit more substantial? Then, melt hemp oil with bee’s wax. The bee’s wax will help your skin retain moisture and protect it from the environment.

For an extra softening treatment, rub the hemp oil and bee’s wax mixture into your hands. Then, don soft cotton gloves and go to sleep. You’ll wake up to baby-soft hands!

8. Gentle Foot Scrub

Tired of unsightly dry feet and painful cracks? Try a gentle foot scrub made with natural products.

For a silky foot soak, fill your foot bath or basin with hot water. Add one tablespoon each of hemp oil and sea salt.

Sprinkle in a few drops of lavender or tea tree oil. Then, sit back and relax for at least five minutes.

For a foot steam treatment, cover your feet with hemp oil and lavender or tea tree oil. Wrap each one in a steaming towel. Let your feet steam for about 15 minutes.

Whether you opt for a soak or steam, gorgeous feet will greet you!

Natural Products

Are you intrigued by the beauty and health benefits of hemp oil? Ready to give it a try? So are we!

When it comes to the best natural beauty products on a budget, we’ve got you covered. Interested in more tips for living frugally? Check out our website and blog where you’ll find loads of freebies, giveaways, deals, and coupons.

Do you have a closet full of old dresses taking up space? Maybe it’s about time you clean up that closet and start your own home business.

Buying new dresses can be expensive and stressful. Why spend so much on something you only wear a handful of times? Reselling your old dresses will free up your closet space, and save others time and money.

Selling vintage dresses is an easy and intuitive way to make some extra cash from home. The market for reselling clothing online is growing 35% per year, and it’s not slowing down.

Read on for some helpful tips on getting started selling your vintage dresses online:

Finding Vintage Dresses

Where should you search for dresses to sell? The best place to start is your closet.

Searching through your old clothing that you no longer wear is a sure way to find a gem or two to sell. Keep an eye out for name-brand items and unique vintage styles hidden in your closet.

If your wardrobe doesn’t cut it, you can try searching through a friend or family member’s.

Otherwise, thrift stores, estate sales, and flea markets are all gold mines for vintage clothing.

Now that you know where to find items to sell, you can begin the selection process. While it’s easy to pick items you like, you need to be aware of what will actually sell.

Selecting Items to Sell

After you’ve figured out where to find vintage clothing, the next step is deciding which pieces to sell.

Details that you should be very aware of during this selection process include:

• Quality of the item
• Brand of the item
• Condition of the item

The material the item is made of is extremely important when reselling. People are more interested items that are made with high quality materials, like wool and cotton.

Brands play a major role in how an item will sell. Some brands are more sought after than others. Knowing what’s popular is the key to success.

The final piece to selecting clothing to sell is condition. Be sure to check your items for mysterious stains, ripped seams, or damaged graphics.

Some clothing may retain its value despite damage, like an original Rolling Stones t-shirt or a shirt with purposely faded graphics. But classic rock and Retro Brand t-shirts like these are collectible and in-style.

But vintage dresses are expected to be in excellent condition. This means they’re free of holes, rips, and stains.

After you’ve selected the dresses you want to sell, it’s time to prepare them to be listed.

Preparing Your Items to Sell

Now that you have a nice selection of dresses to sell, it’s time to prep them for resale.

The first step to preparing your dresses is making sure everything is cleaned and repaired. While some of this can be done on your own, it’s wise to pay for these services when needed.

After that, it’s time to take photos.

Items with nicer photos are more likely to grab people’s attention. Having friends model the clothes for you and getting shots of different angles are two popular strategies for standing out in the digital marketplace.

Becoming a Business

Congratulations — you’ve just started your own business!

From here, it’s up to you to maintain your inventory and ensure you’re selling quality dresses. As competitive as the resell market may be, putting in the time and effort will pay off in the end.

If you end up realizing that the vintage reselling business isn’t for you, check out our list of home business ideas you could explore instead.