Tag: She Makes Cents
Are You Wasting Your Money on a Deal?
I got an email from Birchbox the other day announcing Glamour magazine’s collaboration for the July 2012 Birchbox. I found myself getting excited thinking about all of the goodies I will soon be getting my hands on. Then I looked over on my dresser and saw my June Birchbox basically untouched. Last month, I rushed home to see what beauty goodies were waiting for me. Once opened, I tried everything and didn’t touch my package for weeks; thus, realizing three things. Firstly, I love getting mail that isn’t a bill. Secondly, I like the idea of being surprised by what products were chosen for my box and finally (and probably the most important), if I continued this pattern, no matter how good the deal is, I am wasting my money.
Making the Deal Work for You
After coming to the realization that paying $10 a month for a deal that I wasn’t taking advantage of is wasting $10 a month( $120 a year). So what did I do? I used or am actively using ALL of the products. I ate my Luna bar, which by the way was both yummy and healthy. I took a long bubble bath, while catching up on Kardashians, with the BORGHESE Body Soak and I came to the conclusion that as long as I was using the products, that Birchbox still ROCKS!
Check out the Shopping/Money Saving Sites I like:
Let’s Connect!
Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com
{Honesty is Free} What Does the “Fab Life” Mean to You?
So I took a little hiatus…okay, well a longer one than expected, but I am back with a vengeance. I needed some time to have new experiences so that I can have something exciting yet honest to write about. To be honest, the original idea behind this site was to inform and inspire ways to use your “cents” to live a fab life. Along the way, I believe I got off target. So as we prepare for our upcoming one year mark (March 1stJ), I want to take things back to basics. To do so, I’ll start with a simple question; what is the fab life? My answer could be ever-changing, but at the moment, great people, great food, great fashions, great adventures, great love, great leaps of faith, and a greatly styled place to come home to.
Fab People
Fab Fashions
Fab Adventures
Fab Love
Fab Faith
Fab Home
So that is what I’m going to write about…how to get the fab life without breaking the bank, my budget, or my financial integrity. I hope you join me along the way and learn from both my successes and my failures. That’s life and sometimes, you don’t learn the lesson until you fall on your face and have to get back up.
Talk to me! What is the “fab life” to you?
FOLLOW: FACEBOOK, TWITTER, RSS Feed,
Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com
{When Is The Best Time to…?} Buy International Plane Tickets
In a post last year, I researched the best day of the week to get the best deals on plane tickets. Based on my research, I concluded that Tuesday at 3pm is the best time to buy. A few weeks ago, I tested out this theory with the Mr. as we were stalking international flights to Europe. While I know the savings rules can be a tad bit different for international flights, we still went with the tried and true paradigm that Tuesday was the best day to buy and fly. We waited and waited and researched stalked travel sites and airlines for weeks and then picked the “perfect” Tuesday to make our move with airline of choice- Delta. Perfect Tuesday came and (insert cricket sounds here) nothing. In fact, the price of the ticket went up almost $200 since the last time we checked and then consistently stayed there. So we waited a week for the next Tuesday…same price.
Did we make a mistake and miss our savings fate?
No. Like most companies, several factors influence the price of goods. The state of the economy, international relations, and my favorite…good ole competition. My Mr. called on a Wednesday to tell me that another airline was offering deals to Europe and to check it out. My first thought was oh well and my second was bye-bye frequent flyer miles. Instead of giving up, I gave myself to the end of the day to find a great deal; but being the impatient person that I can be, I hit the refresh button on the computer about ten minutes after the call. I mean, if one airline lowered their prices, others are sure to follow, right? ABSOLUTELY!
The moral of the story is that good things come to those who wait and research. If you have the luxury of time, it is worth the extra effort to comparison shop. This method helped us save money and it can help you save too. I still believe Tuesdays and Wednesday s are the cheapest days to buy international tickets, but if something is out of your budget, stop….breath…and press refresh.
If You Could Travel Anywhere in the World…
Where Would You Go?
FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, RSS Feed,
Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com
{Watching for Spring Update} Good Things Come to Those Who Wait…& Save!
In the post, Watching for Spring, I discussed how to make money from cleaning out your closet. Beyond getting my closet neat for spring, I was inspired by this picture.
Not only am I very much into the layered look, I love me some Michael Kors! I am slowly learning that a watch is a good investment and while we have been conditioned to check out cell phones, I’m sort of drawn to the idea of a watch. S/N, I couldn’t really tell you the last time I even wore a watch, so this is very much a “big girl” move. So, after much searching, saving,and purging, I am glad to introduce you to MK31311!
Let’s Connect!
Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com
{Every Woman Should Know…} How To Give a Self Breast Exam!
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women today. For women of all ages, the breast self-exam is a useful tool that is easy to do. It is used to look for unusual lumps, skin changes, or discharge. For most women, once-a-month exams are easy to remember, with the best time being about one week after the start of a period. Click here to start receiving a FREE reminder email reminders for your self-exam.
Check out this Cheat Sheet:
Photo Credit: BrightPink.org
Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com
{SMC Experiment} Wall Stencils Instead of Wallpaper
I have been waiting until I completed my stencil project to show you the results. If it wasn’t my VERY FIRST post, it was one of my early ones, Buy vs. DIY: Wallpaper vs. Stencils, where I decided to take on the challenge… and I do mean challenge of stenciling my entire guest bathroom. It almost took me an entire year to do it, partly because I was super busy doing other things like planning other renovations and updates in the house, working, and actively NOT working on the wall. I will say it definitely takes patience but I am happy to announce that I am more than pleased with the results.
Check out the Guest Bath!!
This was an in progress picture, hence the green Frog tape and blue painter’s tape to keep my pattern in line.
Now that the project is complete I can truly answer the question, Buy v. DIY. The answer may surprise you, though. If you are trying to make this decision on a purely financial basis, you might break even. I spent more money than expected on paint and adhesive. I didn’t realize that the Flash Bronze came pint size, so I found myself going back and forth purchasing small things of paint. Expenses really add up quickly since you have to purchase or make the stencil, base coat paint, paint to be stenciled, brushes, trays, tape, and adhesive spray. I would suggest comparing ALL of those costs to the price of wallpaper. Would I make the same decision knowing what I know now? Maybe! Check back next week to learn my tricks I learned along the way that would make a second stencil project a breeze.
What do you think? I’d Love to Hear!
Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com
{Health & Beauty} How to Save Broken Makeup
This is an awesome and FREE beauty tip from the lovely girls over at The Beauty Department( TBD ) Lauren Conrad, Kristin Ess and Amy Nadine; who if you are not currently following, you should be . I love The Beauty Department because they have tons of great tips and tricks. Just the other day, I broke one of my favorite eyeshadow and was looking for a way to save it before having to replace it. Since it was brand new, I didn’t see myself going into my money envelope for yet another shade of purple eyeshadow, so I went on a hunt to find an easy fix… and voila, this is what I found. This reminds me of when Denia taught us how to save broken lipstick.
Check it out!
Do you have beauty tricks you’d love to share?
Let’s Conncet!
Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com
{Holiday Express} Love is Free. How Much Can You Afford to Give?
A Little Note from Danielle:
Hey guys, We are closely approaching Father’s Day Weekend. Starting today, I am asking you to send in a picture of you and your Dad or a story about why your Dad is great! If you like to participate, please send all submissions to shemakescents@gmail.com, subject line: Father’s Day.
Let’s Connect!
Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com
{Health & Beauty} High-End Lifestyle Products for Only $10!!
Birchbox!!
I have meant to write a post about Birchbox for a while now. For the unfamiliar, Birchbox is a smart, streamlined, and fun way to discover high-end beauty, grooming, and lifestyle products. Birchbox delivers the best products and the best insider secrets, without any fuss. Each month, members receive a selection of samples that we’ve tried (and retried) ourselves. They source samples from both well-known brands and emerging gems. The women’s subscription includes everything from skin care to makeup, as well as fun non-beauty extras all for…wait for it…$10. What I love about the concept is that you fill out a beauty profile so products will complement your individual yet beautiful tones. There is a short waiting list and they will send you an email when your place in line is ready.
Join for FREE, here!
Let’s Connect!
Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com
shemakescents 