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Is Your Makeup Eating a Hole in Your Budget?

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Jen

Recently, I had the pleasure of spending some serious girl time with a friend of mine. The day was filled with lots of adventure, good food and…shopping. While were in the mall, my friend wanted to head to Sephora. I have only ever headed straight to the skincare section of the store, but I tagged along this time as my friend was perusing the lipstick options. As someone who is naturally drawn to most anything that sparkles, I randomly picked up a shimmery eye shadow. As I turned it over to see the price, I was floored.

$16 for eyeshadow?! How on Earth is this an acceptable price??

The Cost of Looking Good

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post where I speculated about whether or not looking good costs money. In it, I talked about the ways I save money on maintaining my appearance and how I value a more natural look that inherently costs me less overall. The comments from my post were excellent and enlightening–it was interesting to see each person’s opinions about their personal grooming/appearance maintenance spending.

Among the top things mentioned were haircuts and makeup–both of which can be extremely pricey. As I thought more about the concept of spending money to look good, I began to wonder how these expenses can be pared down. When it comes to your makeup routine, there are plenty of ways to fit your wants and needs into a balanced budget.

Invest Wisely

If you’re going to buy and wear makeup as most of us ladies do, make sure you’re spending your money wisely. This means learning when you can skirt by with a less expensive option–and when you need to splurge a bit. A general rule of thumb is to invest in items you’ll have for a while such as makeup brushes as well as those that are applied directly to your clean skin (foundation, primer, sunscreen).

As for those items you can definitely spend a lot less on, this category should be reserved for items that have a short shelf life such as mascaras and lipstick and those that are fad-driven such as eyeshadow and liners.

Try Before You Buy

The cosmetics world is filled with freebies, samples and promotions. You just have to find them or ask for them. Brush up on your negotiation skills or work on being less timid by approaching the person working at the cosmetics counter and asking for a sample or two of any product you’re thinking of buying.

I’ve personally done this with almost all of my skincare items, and I’ve found that sometimes the sample sizes vary. If you’re very polite or have an existing rapport, the person is usually happy to slip you the larger sized item free of charge!

Stretch it to the Limit

Prolong the life of your products by taking care of them. Whether it’s washing your brushes regularly or storing your foundation and nail polish in the fridge to help them maintain their consistency, there are plenty of ways to stretch your beauty dollar further.

When you’re nearing the end of a product, get creative about making it last even longer: Move loose/broken eye shadows into individual containers (old film containers or pill boxes are perfect options), melt the last of your lipstick down and put it in a pill box (you can also add a bit of Vaseline during the melting process to create a custom gloss), and use a damp Q-tip to get every last bit of product out of the original packaging.

Use it Before You Lose it

Pay attention to expiration dates and always check your stockpile before adding something new. If it’s time to buy something new, ensure you’ve already checked all of your purses, suitcases and travel bags for any duplicates you might have on hand. When you do decide to make your purchase, remember to take advantage of any frequent buyer programs, coupons or promotions the store might be offering.

How do you save money on makeup expenses?

Managing Your Finances in the Wake of Tragedy

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Jen

First of all, thank you so much for the supportive comments, tweets and emails during last week. While things have calmed down quite a bit after the bombings, shootings, car jackings and neighborhood hunts of last week, there’s still a lot of healing that needs to be done in both the Boston and running communities. Your kind words, thoughts and prayers have been well-received–it’s truly the spirit of resilience and camaraderie that has pushed all of us through such a horrific time.

Out of respect for what was happening and in part because I was struggling with a writer’s block the size of Texas, I chose to forgo my typical publishing schedule last week. However, today marks the beginning of a new week and there’s no time like the present to get back to business.

In light of the things happening here in Boston, I wanted to focus today’s post on what to do with your finances when you’re faced with processing a tragedy. If there’s anything I learned during this time of pain in my city, it’s that challenge and tragedy can strike in an instant, without warning.

If you should find yourself dealing with your own tragedy–no matter if it is illness, accident, the death of a loved one or a terrorist attack or natural disaster in your own neighborhood–there are ways to keep moving forward in a financially sound way.

Keeping Your Financial House in Order When Your Emotions Take Precedent

When all hell is breaking loose in your personal life and/or around you, it can be really hard to maintain your financial resolve. Rather than shirking all semblance of financial responsibility and creating an epic mess for when you do move on beyond this storm, consider the following tips for keeping your emotions–and your bank balance–in check:

Turn Off the News

At some point last week, I literally pulled the plug on my TV. I also slammed my laptop closed and shut off my phone. Why such a dramatic fanfare? Basically, the more I watched played out before me in the media, the more my emotions threatened to take control of me (rather than me controlling them). With each new gruesome photo of carnage or depressing post of a friend on Facebook, I grew more and more attached to the drama that was unfolding all around me. By shutting off my connection to the media, even temporarily, I was able to gain some much-needed time to clear my mind and regain my focus.

Give Yourself a Break

If a tragedy strikes, know that it’s OK for your normal routine to go out the window. In fact, I’m willing to bet that it will be nearly impossible to continue on as you usually do when faced with such a challenge. Rather than fighting what’s happening and how you’re feeling about it, allow yourself to slow down and focus on what’s most important.

Put Your Budget Aside

Yes, you read that correctly. While I’m not advocating a green light to spend yourself into oblivion, it might be necessary to take a small hiatus from the number crunching and just enjoy the time you can spend with your loved ones. Connecting with those who you are near and dear with will do so much more for you than balancing your budget!

Automate It

During any crisis, there comes a time when you must focus on the logistics and details of everyday life. Take advantage of this time to automate any bills or savings transfers. Essentially, you should set it and forget it temporarily so you’re free to attend to your emotions, your loved ones and your well-being.

Reach Out

If you’re going through a difficult time, no matter what it is, now is not the time to isolate yourself. Reach out to your friends, your family and your neighbors. Find those that you connect best with and spend time with them. Talk about what’s going on, what’s bothering you and your future plans for fun. Grieve together rather than alone and your time for healing will be much less than if you push yourself to go it alone.

Confirm and Protect

In the case of a tragedy where insurance could be necessary, make sure to check your coverage and have an open dialogue with any agents who can help you streamline a claims process. Also, protect yourself by shredding any unnecessary documents that contain personal information and take care to properly store those you may still need. Unfortunately, during times of crisis, there is a larger chance of thieves prying on the victims of the tragedy. You can also protect yourself and your identity by fully vetting any opportunities that come your way.

What are some financial management tips you’d offer to those currently dealing with a tragedy?

I Freak Out When My Inbox is Empty: The Trials & Tribulations of Freelancing

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Jen

It’s been about two months since I quit my full-time job in order to pursue my dream of being my own boss. As most of you can tell from March’s insane income, things are going quite well. I’ve written about how I have a plan to keep moving forward and how I have framed all of this with the mindset that online income is highly variable.

I’m literally taking it week by week, but I haven’t really mentioned the other side of freelancing; the side that causes me to freak out a bit any time I check my email and find my inbox to be empty.

The Dark Side of Freelancing

While it sounds amazing to be your own boss on the surface, there’s a dark side to all the new-found freedom that comes along with being a freelancer. Of course you understand that if you’re not working, you’re not making any money. What might be a little harder to understand is how it actually feels to strike out on your own. Here’s a bit of what a typical week feels like in terms of the emotions and stressors that are packaged with the great opportunity to be the boss:

Monday morning (checking emails after unplugging on Sunday): Yes! Look at all these emails! Time to respond to that, time to negotiate this, make a note to get to work on project A, send off final approval for project B. Etc, etc, etc. Wow, my to-do list is huge!

Monday evening (after checking email about 30-50 times throughout the day): Damn, why don’t I have any emails about work in here? Great, another email from Pinterest to remind me that I have no clue what I’m doing when it comes to using that site. Refresh. Ugh…nothing still?

Tuesday morning: Yay, the UK emails came through! Rinse & repeat Monday morning’s routine.

Wednesday afternoon (despite having a busy AM): Sheesh! It’s sure quiet here today. Check budget. Hmm…I need to make X dollars if I want to fulfill that goal. Time to reach out to some people in hopes of drumming up work. What if I don’t make any money this month? What if I can’t pay my bills? Ahhh…I’m spinning! Time for a run to clear my head. Come home to an empty inbox and proceed to freak out all over again.

Thursday: CRAZY day. Close enough deals to make an extra $2,000 this month. Life is good. Why was I worried yesterday?

Friday: TGIF! Yesterday was awesome. Now it’s time for the weekend. Things will continue to pick up next week…or will they?

Freelance Work is Up, Down, All Around

What I’m trying to illustrate here (perhaps not so eloquently) is that freelance work is up,down and all around. No day is the same, which is why I love it so much. Unfortunately, no day being the same can also mean insane amounts of wondering and questioning–even when things are going well.

If you’re considering becoming a freelancer or striking out on your own in some way, you need to have a solid foundation to ensure you’re able to withstand the roller coaster ride that even a typical week entails. This means taking care of both yourself and your business.

How to Handle the Ups and Downs of Freelancing

You need to have a plan–one that’s in place far before you pull the trigger on your decision to become your own boss. Your plan should include aspects of self-care, networking, professional development and much more. Here are some tips for how to manage the ups and downs of freelancing in the best possible way…

Take Care of Yourself

First and foremost, if you’re not taking care of yourself, you won’t ever reach your full potential. You need to be exercising, eating well and getting enough sleep. Doing so will mean you’re better equipped to deal with all of the challenges headed your way. I know that when I’m not sleeping or not exercising, it’s far too easy to “get in my own head” about what’s happening with work. Practicing consistent self care helps you keep more of an even keel when you find yourself on that roller coaster of confidence and second-guessing your efforts.

You also need to ensure you’re maintaining your social connections, especially if you’re doing most of your work online. Isolation might be a by-product of the first few months of striking out on your own as you adjust to new schedules and new demands, but it’s not a sustainable way to enjoy your life. Make sure to schedule time with your family, friends and acquaintances. Sometimes all it takes is a quick run or dinner with a friend to recharge your batteries and refocus your efforts but don’t discount taking a vacation, too!

Take Care of Your Budget

My budget is the largest source of stress for me as a freelancer. Months ago when I was contemplating making the jump, I started budgeting for what I anticipated my income would be. I also paid off almost $16,000 of my student loans to free up more of my monthly cash flow, and I pushed myself to save as much as possible so I’d have a nice e-fund to smooth the road should it become rocky.

Right now, I’m concentrating my efforts on aggressive annual goals that will help me continue to build a strong financial foundation. While I’m still traveling and living my life, I’ve cut back on dining out and other frivolous spending in an effort to trim my expenses as much as possible. I also have set my monthly budget sheets for the remainder of the year based on the guaranteed income I will receive.

This way, if I get too freaked out on a particular day, I can easily open Excel and reassure myself that even if nothing “extra” comes in, all of my bills, my retirement, and my long-term savings are covered. Having a plan for the future months puts me at ease and helps me sleep at night!

Mind Your Network

I’ll write some future posts providing more details, but I’m fortunate in that most of my work and projects have been secured through people I’m working with or those who I’ve worked with in the past. I’ve cultivated a small yet strong network of bloggers, freelancers and website owners over the past two years, and I’ve been able to tap that network to market and communicate about my services.

If you don’t have a strong network and you’re planning to strike out on your own, make some changes and hold off on taking the leap until your network is in place.

Quality Over Quantity

I pride myself on my ability to deliver high-quality work on-time and at (or under) the budgets my clients set. I’ve been told that I’m true to my word and dependable and those are honestly some of the best compliments I could wish for as a freelancer. I know my limits, and I’m careful to openly communicate with each person about any scheduling conflicts or surprises that might pop up along the way.

Sure, I’ve made some mistakes and I’ve done some bone-headed things (how about getting distracted on Facebook one day and forgetting to send someone the link for their post? Oy!), but I am prompt with an honest explanation and I work hard to not repeat the same mistakes.

Find what works for you and stick with it–your clients will appreciate a person who deliver high quality work a day or two slower than someone who pumps out horrendous articles or posts without a second thought.

What advice do you have for freelancers?

Looking Good Costs Money….Or Does It?

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Jen

I have a confession to make: On Friday, I had my first haircut in….wait for it….

13 months.

And no, I wasn’t sneaking in trims here & there to maintain any semblance of style. I basically had a mane of long, unruly hair that I tied into a ponytail every single day (or hid underneath a hat).

Why on Earth would I go so long between haircuts?

Haircut & Makeup Free and Loving it

The truth is, I don’t really care about looking “good.” Yes, I want to look put together, and yes, I will dress up for important meetings, date nights, etc. There are even some times when I want to get all dolled up. But overall during the day-to-day, I don’t put that much emphasis on my appearance.

As long as my hair is clean, my teeth brushed and my clothes match and don’t have holes in them/stains on them, I could care less about anything else. As I sit here typing this, the only makeup on my face is a bit of Carmex on my lips–and I’ve already been out in public!

But before a collective cringe and/or sigh of disgust rings forth from the blogosphere, let me explain what I mean by this. Especially because if my BF is reading, he may be the first to object after sometimes waiting for me to slap on some makeup before we go out for the night (sounds like a contradiction, right?)…

Value Your Appearance without Breaking the Bank

I value my appearance in terms of NOT looking like a dirty or disheveled mess, but I don’t put so much emphasis on it that I spend a small fortune maintaining some ideal of beauty that’s attained only by models and celebrities.

I also believe that natural is the most beautiful look a woman can wear. I have honed a simple, inexpensive routine to keep myself looking my best without breaking the bank and without falling victim to product overload or having a closet that’s bursting at the seams.

Vanity Keeps Us Poor

I once read an article in Siren Magazine that was based on the premise that vanity keeps the average woman poor. In it, the author alluded that the average cost of looking good for a female can hover between $10,000-$12,000 each year! Even typing that now nearly causes me to fall out of my chair as I did while reading that article 4-5 years ago.

While I think it’s much more realistic to think that sum should be closer to $3,000-$5,000, you can’t argue that all of these figures are significant sums of money. Think about all the haircuts, manicures, treatments, clothes, makeup, shoes and jewelry you buy each year. Now add up those individual costs to get an annual sum. Surprised by what you realize? Looking good costs a lot of money!

Or does it?

Looking Good Without Spending Money

It’s actually possible to look like a million bucks…without spending a single dollar. Here are some ways I keep my style and appearance fresh while still maintaining a natural approach to beauty:

Borrowing or swapping clothes. Consider pairing up with a sibling, friend or neighbor who is the same size as you. Trade and share your wardrobes for an instant influx of “new” clothes without spending a dime.
Practice good hygiene. As I mentioned above, showering, brushing teeth and keeping nails trim/free from dirt are paramount. Brushing your hair is a quick and easy fix to refresh yourself midday, and it’s great for your hair because it helps distribute those much-needed oils it naturally produces.
Be a sample Queen. I’m not too proud to ask for samples in stores such as Sephora and CVS. I’ve also scored great freebies from Mary Kay and Avon. Instead of tossing them away, I put the samples to use for me, often creating an entire look for a night out…for free!
Make your own products. Sure, this might be cheating because you still have to buy the ingredients, but I most likely would have them from cooking or baking anyway. I’ve taken oatmeal baths, scrubbed a lemon on my face, and washed my hair with beer. I’ve saved thousands of dollars on beauty treatments, and I get compliments on my skin at least weekly.
Sit up straight. Or walk straight with your shoulders back. Both of these exude confidence and confidence always looks fantastic!
Exercise. Being active is good for more than your muscles and heart–it paves the way for glowing, clear skin that can’t be produced from anything that comes in a bottle.
Smile! This goes hand-in-hand with confidence–when you’re smiling, you draw attention away from anything you are physically wearing. It’s truly one of your best accessories.
Speak kindly of yourself and others. I once wore a pair of pants that was just a bit too short as a last-ditch effort to get one more wear out of them (sorry, I loved them!). I was a bit uncomfortable thinking how short they were when I sat down, but did I complain or mention it to anyone? Nope! In fact, I paid a few extra compliments to my co-workers and nobody was the wiser. Yes, the pants went to Goodwill the next day but by not drawing more attention to my perceived flaw, I was able to relax because nobody noticed!

Overall, I think the key is realizing that you don’t have to spend a ton of money to look good. While I won’t go another year without a haircut, I’ll continue to keep my down-to-Earth approach to maintaining my appearance. Considering that most people think I’m in my early 20s when they look at me (but I’m really in my 30s), I think something must be working!

**Edit: In no way do I want this to seem as if I’m passing judgement on those who do spend more to maintain their appearance…it’s just a case of “different strokes for different folks” and some food for thought!

How much do you spend on looking good? How do you save money on maintaining your appearance?

This post was written by me but made possible by Save1.com, a site where you can score great deals through coupons at your favorite retailers. The best part is that for each coupon you use, Save1.com donates a meal to a person in need!

Photo credit: Cour10e Fox

The Happy Homeowner

Living a Healthy, Balanced Life One Cent at a Time…

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