Shopping (and saving) for the Holidays

Holiday shopping can be a drain on resources- both physical and financial! It's getting late in the shopping season, so here are a few tips to remember:

Check sites such as retailmenot.com and freeshippingday.com to get the most up to date coupon codes and offers. Some sites are offering free shipping to ensure you get your items before Christmas!

Also, be sure to use a site like ebates.com to get cash back on your purchases. I use it for every purchase I make on line and usually end up getting around $20 back after the shopping season. You can use ebates all year to build up some cash. If you're interested, there's a link to sign up at the side of this page, or ask a friend to refer you so they get a bonus!

Missed the shipping window? That's ok! You can still get great deals in store. Sign up for emails or texts from your favorite stores, like Walgreens and Target, and you'll receive periodic messages with coupons and discounts. Apps such as retailmenot can help you access in store coupons right from your phone.

Don't know what to buy? For that hard-to-gift person, try thinking out of the box. Beer of the month club, concert tickets, movie tickets, a spa gift certificate- something you know will make them happy! Still stumped? Pick a theme! Its the easiest way to shop for someone. Pick a theme you know the person likes and find items to fit that theme. For example, if you know someone likes movies, buy a dvd, some candy, gourmet popcorn, and a cozy blanket- now you have a movie night gift! Other themes can include Home Spa Day, Family Game Night, Date Night, Game Day, or just about anything you can think of.

I hope some of these ideas have helped! Happy Shopping!

Save Some Money!

Hi, guys!

First off, I must apologize for not updating as much as I should. I owe you more content and I promise that it is on the way.

Now, what I wanted to tell you about today is Free Shipping Day. Today, 12/17/10 is Free Shipping Day in the US. Over 1,500 sites are offering free shipping, with guaranteed delivery by 12/24. This is your last chance to order before the holidays, so take advantage! Merchants include Sephora, Benefit, Philosophy, Macy's, Bergdoff Goodman, Sears, Kmart, Neiman Marcus, and many many more. Check out the list at freeshippingday.com

Also, check out ebates.com to earn money while you shop. Ebates gives you rebates for clicking through them to get to a site. Rebates range from 1-13% and can add up over time. I've accumulated over $15 during the Christmas season (which I plan on using for a new lipstick!).

You should also check out retailmenot.com for coupon codes for popular web retailers.

Happy Shopping!

Summer Beauty Haul

So today was a big shopping day for me - I was celebrating the end of the retail diet! For more information on my 'diet', head to the bottom of the post. For products and where to find them, read directly below.

Here are the beauty items featured in my YT haul video:

e.l.f. Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Baby Lips - $1 - Target, eyeslipsface.com
e.l.f. Wet Gloss Lash $ Brow Clear Mascara in Crystal - $1 - Target, eyeslipsface.com
Goody Spin Pins in Blonds - $5.99 - Target
Healthy Sexy Hair - Soy Renewal (trial size) - $2.99 - Essentials Beauty Supply
MAC Amplified Lipstick in Girl About Town - $14 - MAC Pro Store, Macy's, maccosmetics.com

LUSH Products (in Macy's, can be found at www.lush.com)
Ickle Baby Bot Bath Bomb - $3.95
Ring Of Roses cut soap - $10.95 (price will vary depending on size you request)
Q10 Toner Tab - $1.95
Seanik Solid Shampoo - $9.95
Godiva 2-in-1 Solid Shampoo - $9.95
Solid Shampoo tin - free (with purchase of 2 solid shampoos)
Sole Revival fizzing foot bar (information unavailable on site)- $3.95
Love Lettuce facial mask - $5.95 (also not on site, I believe this is correct)
Turkish Delight Body Polish- free (sample)


Retail Diet:
After the MAC To The Beach preview party, I realized that I was spending a lot of money without thinking. I decided to tighten the purse strings a little bit. The next day I found myself at Sephora, checking out palettes. I realized then that I had to take a break. I have plenty of makeup, clothes, shoes, etc. I don't need to spend each extra dollar that I have on things I probably don't need. I decided to stop spending money on anything that wasn't necessary, meaning anything that wasn't food or a gift. There were 3 birthdays I needed presents for, 3 bills that needed to be paid, and an annoying parking ticket I didn't want to deal with. The diet began May 18th. I bought nothing. Not a dress, not a blush, not one single shoe. The only shopping I did was for groceries and, at wen the birthdays came, for 3 gifts. I quickly realized how much extra money I had. I was able to pay my bills without flinching. The parking ticket was a piece of cake. I had enough extra cash that I started putting some in an envelope. I made a list of things that tempted me during the diet. At the end of the diet, I would pick the items that I still wanted and purchase them in celebration. I found that my wants changed quickly. An eyeshadow I lusted after for the first week was forgotten by the second, a shoe I practically stalked online wasn't as pretty up close. I learned to truly think about what I was buying. At the end of the diet, I had double what I had expected saved in my little envelope. I put half in my savings account and went on a planned and controlled shopping spree with the rest. This has definitely taught me to think before I purchase something. I may keep up the diet, with a once monthly shopping trip. Hope this was interesting and helpful!

Stay beautiful!