Have Cans, Will Hoard? 20: 365

The pantry is stocked with wallet friendly food. The plan these days is saving money. My first step (among many) is to say so long to all the restaurant dining, and hello to home cooking. It goes along with this year's goals. So far the pre-planning and extra time in the kitchen feel more like a treat than a chore. Hopefully that will last these next couple months.

Frugal Files: DIY Hair

I haven't colored my own hair since high school. Ok, correction, I haven't colored my hair without promptly scheduling an emergency appointment to fix my efforts, since high school. It seems to be a lesson I have a really hard time learning. For whatever reason, I keep thinking that deep down I have what it takes to be a hair coloring genius and don't require professional training to hone in on these talents. Of course I would never practice on anyone but myself, and with my track record for good reason.

Now that I'm on Nick's debt reduction project, fitting in $150 for a highlight was out of the question. Since my hair has been blonde all year, and relatively close to my natural color, I thought I'd give DIY hair another try. I also remembered a colorist telling me that home highlights are easier to pull off the shorter your hair is.

Mixing up my potions in the bathroom

I left the bathroom to give Nick a break from the smell of the chemicals. It might have been more effective if I had taken the container of leftover bleach with me.

The first rinse out was a bit scary. My bleached strands were really blonde! But once everything was shampooed and combed back together, the outcome was less frightening. Shockingly, I achieved exactly what I wanted: a summer blonde color that was just one shade lighter.

At $10.99 v. $120 plus tip, I think I've done the Byrd Budget proud.

The Frugal Files: Beauty Products

Save or Splurge: Lotions and Potions

As a self proclaimed product junkie, this has been a difficult area for me to skim back on my spending. I've taken the time to evaluate which items are worth the splurge, and which ones I'll just have to live without. I have begun to make some progress... Here is my first beauty post on skin care investments:

Face and Skin:

I've tried everything under the sun... literally. From products created by the left over tannins of vineyard grapes to Estee Lauder's secret private collection of moisturizers made just for her from diamond dust... I have yet to use a topical product that gives me wow factor results and is worth the big price tag. I'd rather save my moola for Botox and Juvederm every six months. They give me results I can really see.

On a daily basis I've given up on my beloved MAC wipes because of the disposable waste and their cost. Instead I use a foaming cleanser and knock off Oil of Olay lotion I found at Target. Intermittently, I use Jojoba oil as a make up remover, cleanser, and moisturizer... all in one (I also love this because it's completely natural and free of chemicals). For exfoliation, the tried and true St. Ives Apricot Scrub does the trick.

Body Lotions:

I use the cheapest I can find, usually a store brand. I hit up the Bath and Body Works semi annual sale last weekend to stock up on some scents, but even then, will save them for hand lotions. Most scented products I've bought (Philosophy is another favorite) fade very quickly. My dollar stretches more with perfumes, as they are more concentrated.

Sunscreen:

Many dermatologist have recommended Neutrogena. My goal has always been SPF 30 for the face, 15 for the body, all oil free. Lately, I have been reading more and more about the negative ingredients in traditional sunscreen. Zinc oxide sunscreen is more expensive (about $18/ bottle v. $4 for the regular stuff), but with all the tests coming in, it looks like the cost is worth it.

Make Up:

I have been a devoted MAC girl from the day I first discovered their eyelash curler.

Here are the products I have yet to find adequate replacements for and still can't live without:

• Strobe cream: A lightly iridescent oil free lotion, the perfect makeup primer. It's also great for makeup free weekend days when you need just a little "pick me up"




• Eye shadows: They have the best pigments which means their colors are more vibrant and last longer


• Paint Pots: A shadow primer which pulls even more color out of the eye shadows. With a paint pot, eye makeup will easily last 12 - 16 hours (work to evening)




• Lip Glasses: Thick, sticky, and addictive. I use neutral colors that can easily be applied without a mirror. They provide gloss and color all in one.

The other great thing about MAC products is their "Back to MAC" program. For every 6 empty used-up containers I bring back, I get a new eyeshadow, lip gloss, or lip stick free. Recycling and free stuff :)

My foundation, concealer, bronzer, eye brow liner, blush and face powder are all over the counter products. These are things I go through the fastest and can't rationalize a high end product for performance value.

I have had great results with Maybelline mascara (I like Lash Discovery with the mini brush), Benefits Benetint (a lip and cheek stain), and the uber cheap NYC bronzer. Keep an eye out for designers and makeup artists creating lines for discount retailers. Neimans and Target both carry Jemma Kidd. I've purchased both versions, and there isn't much difference between the two.

The Frugal Files: Consignment Shopping

I've had three shopping bags full of old clothes in my trunk for months. Nick and I tried to take them to Buffalo Exchange one Saturday, but with a donation line out the door, quickly reconsidered.

Out of being just plain fed up with the clothes taking up so much room in my car, and feeling like I just couldn't give bags of Seven jeans to Goodwill, I finally got my Google on yesterday to look up lesser known consignment shops.

For those who are unaware, I'll take some time to explain the consignment process. One brings their unwanted, "kindly used", clean apparel to the shop which is then thoroughly inspected by the consignment taker-inner (technical title). When he or she deems it resalable, they mark it in your account to be tracked. If/ when the item is resold, the original owner gets some of the profit, usually 30 - 40%, dispersed in a check or store credit.

I've learned three things from this process.
One: Clothing for the shear purpose of investment has a very low return. I usually rationalize my purchases by dividing the price into the amount of times I think I will wear said item. This seems to be a better method of determining investment value instead of knowing a $250 pair of jeans can be sold at $35 in one year.

Two: I have a strange suspicion that watching the rejection process of a formerly adored clothing item by the consignment shop feels a lot like having your child not picked for the school's sports team. "Why don't you think these True Religions will resell?!? That isn't my wear, they CAME that way. Trust me, I used to work for Neimans, those jeans are very much still in style... Did you want to take a second at that Banana Republic top? I know it's not a huge name brand, but the style is a classic. Yes, I agree that orange is a bright color for pants, but fashion forward trend setters will love them!" This went on for about 20 minutes.

Three: There are A LOT of cute things in designer consignment shops. I didn't allow myself to look in depth, but I spotted some great vintage and newer trend items including cocktail dresses and Italian shoes. Maybe when my consignment "credit" has wracked up, I'll re-invest in the store's economy.

In total, I was able to hand off 18 items, taking back 5 pieces that were then given to the neighborhood thrift store. At least these pieces weren't thrown away (textiles account for nearly four million tons of solid waste every year), and maybe, just maybe, I'll make a buck or two off these old threads.

The Frugal Files

I mentioned earlier that Nick and I are in super saver mode. We have a few things to pay off and it's high time to build up some savings. I'm still adjusting to the "new way of living" especially with this no shopping rule.

As I come across new tips and ideas for saving, I thought I'd post them here to share.

Groceries:

Some shopping is still essential, groceries for instance. I had to find a way to cut back here too. We've been eating in on a more consistent basis for a few months now, yet oddly enough, it hasn't saved us much money. My philosophy in food shopping had been replenishing the staples we'd run out of, and then picking up items that happened to catch my fancy. Within a few days it felt like we were already out of meal options and I was going back to the store.

For saving mode, I realized I'd have to try something new. I built out a two week dinner menu. Aside from lunch foods and breakfast items, I kept to the food list needed for the upcoming menu, no exceptions.

Some meals called for a unique spice or ingredient. Instead of purchasing a whole container (how much cumin do you really need?), I bought in bulk and just enough for the one recipe.

All in all, I saved about $50 compared to my usual grocery trip. Not bad, eh?