TLC's Extreme Couponing

I just watched a show called Extreme Couponing on TLC.  I must admit they have excellent ways of sticking it to the big guy.  They search high and low for coupons online and in newspapers.  Somehow they manage to get things for next to nothing and in some cases even free!  I think they do go a little overboard though.  There is a fine line between living in abundance and living in excess.  They seem to cross that line because they have huge stock piles of items that could go bad and then that would be a huge waste of money.  I was pleased to see one of the people actually donating extra items that he had to charity which was very noble.  One lady had some how managed to not pay for deodorant and toothpaste for the past 35 years! That's insane!!!  Another lady dumpster dived for coupons with her child and pregnant friend which I thought to be very excessive. They shop for an insane amount of items that round up in the hundreds and then after discounts and all only pay a few dollars!  I have to hand it to them for tipping the scales in their own favour. After watching this show I did keep a sharper eye out for coupons and deals.  Not that I didn't do this before, but I was slightly inspired by their budgeting tactics.  Today I saw a jar of jam marked down 50 cents and right beside it was a manufacturers coupon for a dollar off... I was all over that like white on rice!!  Always keep your eyes peeled for those manufacturer coupons!



Divas 2 Cents:  Live in abundance and not in excess.  I recommend watching this show to get an idea of the extremes in shopping and possible savings... But to not go to that extreme of creating a huge stock piled room full of things that could go to waste.  Use the tips to buy things you need not just because it's on sale.  It's only a Sale if you need it.

A Fresh Coat Of Paint Is All You Need

Happy New Years Everyone!!  What better way to start the New Year then with a fresh slate... or even better... a fresh coat ;-)  Getting a manicure is lovely if you have the money to treat yourself... but who says you have to go and get it done professionally every time?  And furthermore... who can afford to get their "nails did" on a regular basis??  I wanted to share this little diddy with all of you.  It is called Insta-Dri by Sally Hansen.  I have been using the color polishes for quite sometime now.  Considering I am a training esthetician it is important for me to have clean nails or for my nails to be painted with no chipping.  Insta-Dri comes in a full range of colors.  It features a nice thick brush sort of like OPI but at half the price.  I like it because you can apply the color in less strokes leaving a more smooth finish.  Plus it only takes a minute to dry.  Sometimes I'll be in a rush and realize my nails need a touch up.  I can be "Gone in 60 seconds" without the annoyance of painting my nails and practicing extreme patience or nicking them out of lack of patience :D

Recently my cousins put me on to the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri            "Anti-Chip Top Coat".  You can apply it on top of any of your favorite colors and be ready to make moves in a flash.  The clear coat dries even quicker in a whopping 30 seconds!  It does however feature a smaller brush but that does not hinder the quality of the application.  It leaves your nail polish looking luscious and ensures no chipping for up to 10 days.  With double UV filters it shields your manicure from fading and discoloring.

Price: Ranges from $3.99-$6.99 a bottle.  You can grab it at any of your favorite drug stores such as Walmart or Shoppers.

Divas 2 Cents:  Keep a bottle of your favorite color near by for those last minute touch ups.  Clean hands and nails is a must and will only leave you feeling more confident and looking more professional.  Painting your nails every 2 days can be high maintenance and who really has the time for that?? Now your manis and pedis can last up to 10 days!  Being fabulous is for everyone... even for those of us who are in a rush :D