Archive for August, 2009
Going to a spa can be a very pricey experience, but with these 6 Homemade DIY treatments, you can easily bring the spa into your home. For more great ideas on DIY and homemade spa treatments, please visit Spa Index – Spa Treatments at Home.
Homemade Coffee Body Scrub
- 2 cups of coarsely ground coffee
- 1/2 cup raw sugar or sea salt
- 2-3 T massage oil
Mix all ingredients together. Take a hot shower to moisten your skin and open your pores. Using wide, circular motions, rub the coffee exfoliant onto your skin with strong, even pressure. Shower off, pat skin dry, and apply a thin layer of your favorite body lotion.
End Of Summer – Almond Body Scrub Recipe
As the end of the summer season approaches, many of us are dealing with Peeling skin. Body scrubs feel wonderful and relieve the itch of flaking skin.
- 2/3 cup ground almonds
- 1/3 cup oatmeal
- 1/2 teaspoon of herbs (lavender, chamomile, etc) (optional)
- Plain yogurt, milk, or buttermilk, sufficient to make a paste
- Essential Oils for scent (optional)
Combine the dry ingredients in a blender or food processor until they are reduced to a coarse meal. Keep this “scrub base” in a glass jar with a screw top in your refrigerator until ready to use. When you want to use the scrub base, scoop out 1/4 cup into a small bowl, and stir in enough of the liquid ingredients (vary it by what you have on hand — yogurt and milk are best, but water works) to make a paste. Yogurt and milk are natural exfoliates known as alpha hydroxy acids, and they will slough off dead skin cells even without the scrub. Scoop up the paste with your hands or a washcloth, and rub over your body to exfoliate peeling skin. Rinse thoroughly.
Fruit Salad Body Mask
This may sound as if you’re pouring a smoothie for the skin — and you are — but for good reason. Pineapple contains bromeliad, a protein-digestive enzyme which helps rid the skin of dead cells and dirt. It also counteracts histamines, has anti-inflammatory properties, and is a mild astringent. Grapes are rich in PCOs which provide protection against harmful UV rays, and, are anti-oxidents. Bananas have loads of vitamins, calcium and essential nutrients which keep the skin smooth and soft. Kiwi is high in vitamin C and has enzymatic properties. Honeydew is both soothing and hydrating.
- 2 slices pineapple – rind removed
- 1/2 med. honeydew melon – rind removed
- 1 doz. green grapes
- 1 med. banana – peeled
- 1 med. kiwi fruit – peeled
Puree all ingredients in food processor. Mixture will be slightly lumpy. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Smooth onto body and/or face, leaving on for half an hour. This is an ideal treatment to use poolside, where lounging is assuring. Rinse off with tepid water, or an outdoor shower.
Beach Sand Foot Scrub Recipe
- 2 Tablespoons Canola oil
- 2 Tablespoons dry beach sand
- 3-5 drops rosemary oil
The next time you decide to spend the day at the beach, take advantage of the “on location foot treatment.” Brazilians, particularly, are known for scrubbing their entire bodies, particularly the feet, deep into the sand while they relax on the beach.
When going to the beach, take a small vial of ingredients with you: 2 tablespoons of canola oil (or use your suntan oil!), and, a small vial of rosemary oil — or premix and take one vial.
Once at the beach, use an empty container (a soda cup is fine) to mix the ingredients together. Mix into a paste. Massage sand scrub onto feet (and elbows), concentrating especially on problem areas. Rinse off in the foamy waves, pat dry with your beach towel.
Homemade Rosemary Herbal Bath
- 1/4 cup dried, crumbled sage
- 1/4 cup dried, crumbled rosemary
- 2 tablespoons of oatmeal
- 2 tablespoons of dried parsley
- 2 tablespoons of coarse bath crystals
Grind or thoroughly mix the ingredients together and secure in a muslin or cheesecloth bag, and tie so that your “tea bag” hangs directly beneath your flowing bath tap. Fill your bath with warm water that steeps these herbs designed to relieve mental fatigue (rosemary), treat loss of concentration (sage), soften water (oatmeal), stimulate the body (parsley), and alleviate light-headedness (salt).
Rosemary Honey Olive Oil Hair Conditioner
This nourishing conditioner blends two ingredients from nature — honey for shine and olive oil for moisture — and is enhanced with essential oil of rosemary to stimulate hair growth.
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup warmed olive oil (2 tablespoons for normal to oily hair)
- 4 drops essential oil of rosemary
- 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum (available in health food stores)
Place all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix thoroughly. Pour into a clean plastic bottle with a snug-fitting cap.
To use, apply a small amount to your slightly dampened hair. Massage your scalp and work the conditioner through your hair until it is completely and evenly distributed. Next, cover your hair with a warm towel (your microwave or dryer can heat it up) or shower cap; leave the conditioner in place on to nourish and condition for 30 minutes. Remove the towel or shower cap; shampoo lightly and rinse with cool water. Dry as normal and enjoy shinier, softer and healthier hair the natural way.
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Posted in Family, Featured | 3 Comments »
There are thousands of reasons a computer can die, but most of them can be avoided. Whether you’re a computer novice or a computer whiz, you’ll save a lot of headaches by following some of these common sense tips:
1. Keep A Clean Environment for Your Computer
- Make sure your computer is not placed directly near a heater or air conditioner. Too much heat can cause your computer’s components to expire at a much quicker rate, whereas placing your computer near an air conditioning unit can cause condensation to build up.
- Always make sure your computer’s fans and air vents are completely dust free. If you let too much dust build up, your computer will overheat very quickly.
- Do not smoke around your computer. Unlike regular dust that can stop up a computer, smoke contains moisture which will damage your computer much more than common dust bunnies.
2. Some Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Never shut down your computer by just holding down the off button. Make sure you properly power down your computer (in windows go to Start -> Turn Off Computer)
- Make sure you hold on to all of the paperwork and manuals that came with your computer. You never know when you’ll need to refer back to the manual (i.e your hard drive is acting up, you have every other manual except for that one, you thought you would never need it, so you threw it away).
- Be extremely careful when moving your computer from one location to another, even the smallest jolt can dislodge chips and expansion boards.
- Do not let dust build up inside your computer. Clean the inside of your computer with a can of compressed air every 2-4 weeks. Clean the fans, motherboard, video card, everything. This will keep your computer’s components running smoothly for many years to come.
- Leave your PC running as often as possible. Powering your computer up is actually one of the most stressful things for it. Leave it on stand-by, this will save you on electricity, and save your computer from wear and tear.
- On the flip side, always turn your monitor off when you’re not using it. This will save your monitor from dying off quicker.
3. Invest in A Power Strip with A Surge Protector
If there is a power outage, not only can you lost what you’ve been working on, but your computer can also be damaged physically. Purchase a specialized power strip to put all of your computer’s power cables into, and next time there is a power outage your computer will remain on for 10-30 minutes afterward. This allows you to save all of your work, and keeps your computer from suddenly frying from a power spike.
4. Update and Patch Regularly
Always make sure you have downloaded the latest operating system service packs and updates into your computer. This is especially important on a windows based PC. Keeping on top of this will help patch any holes in windows, thus keeping viruses and other malicious content off of your system.
5. Back Up Data Often
The best method I have found to backup your system regularly goes something like this:
- Develop a system of folders for storing all of your information in (i.e a folder for pictures, a folder for music, a folder for documents, etc).
- Buy an external hard drive. I’ve seen these go for about $60-80 now, they’re very cheap and can save you a lot of headaches.
- Download a program called SyncToy from Microsoft, this will allow you to sync any of these new folders you have organized in your system with you new external hard drive.
- Set SyncToy up so that it regularly syncs with these new folders you have organized.
6. Scan Your System Regularly with Anti-Virus Software
There is a lot of anti-virus software out there, some are great, others will make your computer run worse. You should scan your computer of viruses AS REGULARLY AS POSSIBLE. There is so much out there, that you never know when something could damage your computer. It’s better to catch these things early on. Here is some of my favorite free anti-virus software:
- AVG Free Anti Virus Software – I personally use this one, and it has saved me multiple times, highly recommended, and a great value.
- Malwarebytes – Great for detecting malicious software, run this alongside SpyBot below and you have a pretty unstoppable team of software.
- Spybot Search and Destroy – Hunts out spyware and destroys it, very easy to use and install, works great with Malwarebytes.
Once again, these are all free and easy to use. I’ve had a lot of experience cleaning viruses off of people’s computers, and these are by far the best 3 I have found. For further documentation on how to use any of them, please refer to their websites.
7. Defrag Your Hard Drive
Defragmenting your hard drive is a process that will re organize the data on your drive (picture a library with books scattered all over the place, it’s harder to find them if they’re not organized, right? Defraging acts as a Librarian going through and organizing all of these books, so your drive runs more efficiently).
The process sounds complicated, but it really isn’t. Once you Defragment you should notice your computer running faster, do to the efficient organizing it did while defraging your drive. Here is a great article and video that shows you how: How to Defrag your Hard Drive
8. If your Computer Is Still Too Slow, Add More RAM
Having more RAM in your computer is a great, low-cost way to add useful life to your computer. If you have under 1 Gigabyte of RAM, then you should probably look into getting more. At crucial.com you can find any type RAM out there, plus the site helps you pick out which RAM is best for your system.
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Posted in Featured, Tech | 1 Comment »
A lot of people don’t associate being frugal with fashion friendliness. Most fashionistas will argue that the more expensive, the better. That doesn’t always have to be true, use some of these tips to stay “à la mode”, not “à la broke”.
1. Buy To Last
When you are buying clothes, try to purchase durable products, even if they are more expensive. Well-made clothes have heavy seams and added reinforcement at stress points to ensure the product survives daily use. Avoid items with flimsy seams or fabric that won’t wash well.
2. Get Student Haircuts
Student hairdressers will often give you a free or discounted haircut. Find your local beauty school and see what their policies are for giving walk-in or appointment based haircuts. Some will even do colors, manicures/pedicures, and waxing.
3. Buy Vintage or Hand-Made Jewelery
Most specialist vintage boutiques usually have the reputation of being pretty pricey. A lot of flea markets have sellers who have a passion for vintage items and usually offer them at lower prices. It’s a good way to find items that might not be collector quality, but they will still capture the character and beauty of a bygone age. Also, when it comes to hand-made items websites like etsy.com or ebay are another great resource for jewelry that would normally cost three times as much (if not more) in a store.
4. Lotions Have Many Uses
A cheap generic product, such as an unbranded baby lotion, is a great fallback item that can be used as an everyday moisturizer and skin lotion. Some other uses include: cleanser, massage oil, shaving balm, and frizzy hair control.
5. Classic Shoes or Trendy Shoes?
Every season there is a way to buy shoes that are classics, but still fit the current trend. The best bet is to usually go middle of the road – try to find something that will go with many different outfits – without appearing too in fashion. A classic mid-heel in the latest color can mean you’ve bought to last, but it’s a good way to look up to the minute.
6. When washing – Turn It Out
Before you wash your knitwear or brushed cotton, make sure you turn the item inside out. This helps prevent piling and bobbling of the material, which can makes clothes look over worn.
7. DIY: Make Your Own Stuff, Save Money
- Clothing – Plenty of women’s magazines have free patterns so you will only end up spending money on material. Buy materials from markets and discount material stores. Find a pattern that suits you and use it several times.
- Jewelry – You can make your own jewelry at a fraction of the price with wire, elastic, beads and jewelry fasteners. Save broken necklaces, bracelets or earrings for spare parts you can use to make something completely new.
8. Have A Rummage
Once or twice a year, make a point of visiting a garage, church or rummage sale to stock up on essentials like scarves and other key pieces. Choose colors that will compliment your existing clothing.
9. Lovely Lashes
Turn ordinary (cheaper) mascara into the lash-lengthening variety by dusting your lashes with loose translucent powder before you apply the mascara. This will help the mascara stick to the whole lash and is a great way to get the effect of an expensive product at a fraction of the price.
10. Splurge on Shampoo
Good quality shampoo does not contain detergent ingredients that strip hair, so if you’re budgeting, it’s better to buy a good shampoo than conditioner. Conditioners are pretty much universal in their hair-smoothing offerings, so don’t worry about trying cheaper versions.
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Tags: alternate uses, DIY, generic brands
Posted in Featured, Shopping | 3 Comments »
Here is a Baby Wipe Comparison chart to help you find the best deal on baby wipes. Listed are 10 brands ranging from generic to name-brand. To find out what other people have said about a particular brand of baby wipes, just click on any of the reviews on the right column for more info.
All prices and reviews are subject to change.
Comment below so we can hear some of your reviews or experiences you’ve had with your favorite brand of baby wipes.
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Tags: comparison shopping, generic brands, kids
Posted in Family, Featured | No Comments »
The average yearly cost of car ownership is $8,500. This includes; financing, registration/license fees, insurance, and gas. Don’t let that number scare you though, there is hope.
As a disclaimer, in order to get the most out of this guide you will need to re-think how cars are perceived; they are a necessity, not a luxury.
The following steps will show you how to save money on your used transportation needs. That’s right, used cars only in this article. Buying used and paying in full, upfront, is the most cost effective way to purchase a car. So, without further ado, here is your guide to buying a non-financed used car.
Start a car fund.
We recommend buying outright. This means fitting a car purchase into your budget. Cut out any unnecessary spending and start a car fund. Here are some great Personal Finance Spreadsheets from Google Docs to get you organized.
The key to this step is learning how to live with what you’ve got. Keep driving that clunker until it stops running, find a spare car from friends or family, even utilize the company car. Be prepared, saving up to buy a car outright will not be easy, it requires sacrifice, persistence and some luck.
Don’t start looking for a car until you have almost all of your money saved up. Don’t tempt yourself. If you find that amazing deal and buy on credit, then all hope is lost. You need to remember why you set out to do this; to never have a monthly car payment again.
Research. Research more. Then, research again.
At this point, based on the amount of money you’ve saved up, you’ll want to start looking for a car. Use websites like Kelley Blue Book Online, Auto Trader, and Consumer Guide’s – Used Auto for actual values and reviews on reliability. This will also help determine if you’ve saved enough money to buy the year and make of a car you’re interested in.
Lastly, if you have a mechanic you know and trust, ask his/her opinion on certain cars they’ve worked on that they think are the most reliable.
Stay Organized and Compare Cars.
Start a folder. Keep all cars that you’re interested in inside of this folder. The websites you went to on the tip above will help. Next, start a comparison sheet to help you find out which car is the best. Keep them organized by price, mileage, year, special features and contact information of the seller. Once you’ve narrowed it down to only a couple of cars, your job will be much easier.
Ask the right questions, save time and money.
At this point, you’ll want to put that contact information in your folder to good use. Here are some good questions to keep in mind when calling about the car you’re interested in:
- Is the car still available? (Obvious, but this should be the first question you ask.)
- Are you the original owner? If not, how many previous owners have there been?
- What is the reason you’re selling your car?
- Does this car have a clean title? (Make sure it is not a salvage title, you don’t want a car that has been in an accident or stolen. A lot of people will buy these cars at auctions, then fix them up and re-sell them. Usually a big no-no when it comes to reliability.)
This is a good step to take before you actually see the car in person. You get a good sense of the owner and the car without having to make the trip out to see them. Your next step, before meeting up face to face with the seller, is to arm yourself with as much info for negotiating as possible.
Visit Kelley Blue Book Online and keep the prices of the car you want in mind. If someone is selling a car for $10,000 and you see it listed on KBB $ 8,000, chances are you can get them to drop their price. When you feel confident in all of your research, it’s time to meet with the seller and inspect the car.
The Meeting and The Inspection
Once you find the car you’re looking for, set an appointment with the seller. Here are a few things you should keep in mind for the meeting:
- Bring a folder with all the info you’ve gathered in your research, a pen, and something to write on.
- Meet with the seller during daylight, this helps you to notice anything wrong easier.
- Write down the VIN number, (located on the driver’s-side dashboard, underneath the windshield) you can enter this in a website like CarFax to see the history of the car.
- Check transmission fluid. It should be reddish and slightly transparent. If it smells burnt, it needs a transmission fluid flush. ($40 – $300)
- Check the oil. Golden in color is good. If it’s color is black, this means the seller hasn’t had changed the oil in a long time, this is a bad sign.
- Bring a mirror so you can check under the car for any leaks, dents, or scrape marks.
- Bring a cloth and magnet. Place the magnet over the cloth. If the magnet sticks in some places, but not others, it means the car has probably been fixed with Bondo, or some other type of filler material. The car has been extensively repaired. Avoid it.
- Check the tires for any noticeable and uneven wear, if so it means the alignment is probably out. This is a very expensive repair.
- Bring a dollar bill. Go around to each door and hang the dollar bill outside of it. Close the door. If the dollar bill slides out with ease, the car has most likely been damaged.
For much more information on used car inspection you can go to samarins.com How to inspect A Used Car – An Illustrated Check-List.
Since you’re face to face with the owner, here are some questions to ask:
- Ask for the maintenance record.
- What is the service history like?
- Has it been driven off-road, on the highway, around town?
- Ask to see the title. If it’s a salvage title, and you don’t mind driving one, you can negotiate for a much lower price.
Once you’ve asked all the questions you need, you should ask to take the car for a test drive. While driving, listen for unusual noises, such as clunking over bumps or squealing when turning the steering wheel. Also check if the car pulls severely to the left or right, if so, it has an alignment problem.
Once the inspection and test drive have been taken care of, arrange for your mechanic to look at it. This costs about $80, but a professional opinion could save you thousands of dollars in repairs down the road.
Negotiation 101
Once your mechanic has given your potential new ride his approval, it’s time to start negotiating with the seller. Don’t be the first to offer a price. Go over anything your mechanic may have found, then ask the seller what their best price is. If you did enough research, and looked into the marketplace, you can counter their offer.
Don’t let your emotions get the best of you. If you show your excitement for the car, you will be at a disadvantage. You need to come with the facts, and try to be as removed as possible. Remember, most people selling their car will not put down a reasonable offer.
The Final Steps
Once the purchase has been made, you need to remember to ask the seller for these things:
- Owner’s Manual
- Service History
- Registration
- Handwritten Invoice
- A minimum of 2 sets of keys
Hit The Road, Jack
Well, you’ve got your new (used) car, and we hope it gives you many years of great reliability. We hope this guide helped you in your quest for the best car for your money. If you have any suggestions, stories or questions, please feel free to comment below.
Tags: auto care, buy used, comparison shopping
Posted in Featured, Travel | 3 Comments »
