The Budget Diet

Trying new beauty products is always fun, but it can be an expensive experiment if you don’t like the results. These affordable recipes for homemade beauty products are certainly worth a try – just click on the link for the complete recipe.

Make Your Own Hair Detangler – surprisingly, it’s a simple mixture of conditioner and water! Thanks to TheFrugalGirls.com for this frugal hair detangler recipe.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Make Your Own Anti-Frizz Serum – if you’re tired of paying $15+ for anti-frizz serums, you’ll love this recipe to get the frizz out naturally from OneGoodThingsByJillee.com.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIY Lip Scrub – 3 Variations – Your dry, chapped lips will love these 3 frugal lip scrub recipes from PnkSugrBeautyScoop.blogspot.com.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Make Your Own Dry Shampoo – If you’ve never tried dry shampoo, it’s a busy mom’s best friend! You’ll be able to go an extra day without washing your hair when you try this dry shampoo recipe from HookableDesigns.blogspot.com

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

If you’re not a thrift store or garage sale shopper, let this article be your inspiration! I promise, once you find your first treasure…you’ll be hooked!

All of these items came from thrift stores or garage sales, and the one thing they have in common is a bargain price!

If I had to pick my favorite thrift store treasure, this Coach purse would be it! This was actually a Goodwill treasure for just $40, and it retails new for $498! I’m not going to promise that you’ll find a Coach Purse on your first thrift store outing, but if you begin to frequent thrift stores you’ll soon have some treasures to brag about!
 

If you saw this candelabra in my living room, would you think that I bought it at a garage sale for $2? Didn’t think so! Remember, nobody will know where you shop unless you tell them.
 
 
 
 

I love my stained glass window, and if you’ve seen these at fancy antique stores, you know they cost hundreds of dollars. Well, mine has a small crack which made it an affordable $25!
 
 
 
 

I didn’t go looking for something like this at the garage sale, but as soon as I saw it, I knew I had the perfect place for it! My $5 treasure sits prominently on a stack of books on the coffee table in my living room, and I think he looks like a million bucks!
 
 
 

Nice men’s clothes abound at thrift stores. My teenage boys always seem to be able to find nearly new shirts, shorts, pants and sport coats at thrift stores. Over Christmas break, my son found this Tommy Hilfiger shirt and a Brooks Brothers shirt at a thrift store for only $5 – no signs of wear, no stains & just dry cleaned!
 

My tips for discovering thrift store or garage sale treasures:

1. Don’t go looking for a specific item because chances are you won’t find it!
2. Use your imagination – Could that beat up piece of furniture be painted or could you give that lamp a new life with a different lampshade?
3. Get in the habit of making frequent trips to your favorite thrift stores because the best treasures are snapped up quickly by bargain hunters!
4. Shop Garage Sales early – yes, the early bird really does get the worm!
5. Imperfections add character – don’t shy away from a dining room table because of a small scratch!

 
Please leave a comment to share your favorite thrift store or garage sale treasures…it’s your chance to brag all you bargain hunters!

Have your heard the news?

JC Penny is permanently marking down all merchandise by at least 40%, but there’s a catch – no more big sales, no more coupons. The new pricing will take effect February 1st.

My initial reaction was WOW, how simple…I’ll be able to walk into JC Penny on any given day and know I’m getting a good deal – no more waiting for sales. Then, I thought about it, and I realized that the bargain hunter in me will miss those big sales and coupons!

Please leave a comment to let me know what you think of JC Penny’s new pricing strategy.

The Dollar Stores (like Dollar Tree) can be a great place to shop if you know what is truly a good deal and what is not. Often times we may find ourselves there, picking up a few items and saying, “It’s only a dollar.” But once we take the product home, we realize, “It wasn’t worth a cent.”
 
 
So to help you out I have compiled a list of 9 of my favorite deals at Dollar Tree. 

1. Deodorants & other personal care items. Some items such as name brand deodorants, toothbrushes or body powder can be a great deal at the Dollar Stores. I recommend buying  brands you know and trust when it comes to those items.
2. Gift Wrap. You can buy gift wrap or gift bags for a lot less than other stores. Buy wrap or bags for birthdays, anniversaries or holidays for the small price of $1.
3. Greeting Cards, Invitations and Thank You Notes. Why pay $3 -$5 for a greeting card, especially for certain people you know don’t really care too much about the card other than what’s in it. You can get greeting cards for $1 each or sometimes even 2/$1. You can also buy simple yet fun invitations or thank you notes.
4. Snack foods. My kids pack their lunches for school most days and I can find some great snacks for just a buck a box. Great deal.
5. Bread & Hamburger/Hot Dog buns. Yes, I said bread. They often get loaves of bread or buns that are expiring in a few days from local bread suppliers. If you use a lot of it in your home or plan on freezing it, you can get great quality bread and buns for just a buck. I recently purchased several loaves of Natures Own Honey Wheat bread. I left out what my family would use right away and froze the other loaves.
6. Kitchen Supplies such as ice cream scoops, pizza cutters, measuring spoons, cups and more. Check the quality and brand. Dollar Tree now carries Betty Crocker products which seem to hold up pretty well.  I wish this store was around when I was setting up my first apartment.
7. Cleaning Supplies. If you are looking for cleaning supplies, the Dollar Tree for example, carries a wide variety of name brand cleaning products. Good sizes for less than the discount department or grocery stores.
8. Small Storage Containers. Need a place to store shoes, kids toys, arts and craft items and such? You can get a variety of plastic storage containers for just a $1.
9. Party Supplies. Looking to host a party? You can get napkins, paper plates, balloons and more for just a buck each! The balloons can run upwards of $5 at most party or grocery stores. But you can score mylar helium balloons at the Dollar Stores for just a buck.

 
I just told you about some great deals at the Dollar Stores, but be warned there are many Dollar Store Duds. So beware. Here are a few of my Do Not Buy recommendations

1. Toys . Every single toy that I or my kids have purchased from the Dollar Tree have barely lasted for an entire day.
2. Vitamins. According to Consumer Reports some of the vitamins do not have the amount of nutrient listed on the label.
3. Pain Medicine. Often times products are expired, therefore not providing the relief you are hoping for. Stick with the Big Stores generic pain meds for the best value.
4. Canned veggies and other such pantry items.  Check out Walmart or other grocery stores. Most of their canned goods are under a dollar. Why pay more?
5. School supplies. While you can get a pack of pencils for just a buck at the dollar store, you can typically get a pack of pencils for just $.25 each  at places like Walmart or Staples during back to school time when they have great sales.

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Written by: Amy Fields, ManyMoneySaversBlog.com

Amy is a full-time work-outside-the-home wife and mother of two, who loves to find great deals and share them with anyone who will listen. She is also the author and publisher of Many Money Savers Blog. A place to find freebies, specials and deals as well as great money saving & money making tips.

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<p><a href=”http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=587″>Image courtesy of: dan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net</a></p>

Do you know when the best month of the year to buy a new car is?

Do you know when large appliances are on sale or how about electronics?

There really is a best time to buy everything, and The Best Time to Buy Guide gives you a month by month listing, so you can plan your major purchases this year!

Let’s take a look at your best buys for January…

Big Appliances – Last year’s models are on clearance this month.

Carpet and Flooring – We love to decorate our homes before the holiday but not so much in January – expect big sales.

Christmas Cards and Decorations – You’ll save at least 75% by stocking up on Christmas cards and decorations.

Furniture – New furniture arrives in February, so stores need to make room. January is clearance month.

Gift Cards – This is the month that thousands of unwanted gift cards from Christmas are sold for less than face value. Check out the huge selection on Plastic Jungle and enjoy instant savings like 12% off at Kohls or 9% off at Olive Garden.

Linens – January has been the month for white sales since the late 1800′s!

Motorcycles – If you live in a cold climate, this is the month to buy a motorcycle. Not true for our friends in Florida!

Outdoor Gear – Check out the clearance sales before the new merchandise arrives for the spring season.

Suits – Fall suits are now on sale.

Winter Coats – You need to warm up, and stores need to make room for spring!

Save money on major purchases this year by knowing the best time to buy. Check out the complete Best Time to Buy Guide with over 75 products listed by month.

Can you believe it’s January already? All the holiday hype and planning and POOF, it’s over! This time of year, admittedly, is not the best. Between frigged temps, weeks with no sun, and no end to winter in sight, the months from January to April can drag by (unless you’re a lucky bum who lives in Hawaii).

But one solace among all the cloudy days is the after-holiday sales. This is the time of year when stores (both online and offline) cut prices to make room for the new year’s stock. ( I saw bathing suits out at Target the other week — NOT ready for that yet!) This is a good time of year to stock up on winter clothes, coats, and boots because stores just want them out the door. I’m going to share some of the best deals and steals around the web!

[plaid scarf] [pleated skirt] [black dress] [parka] [sweater] [watch] [cropped jeans]

• Online store Affordable Scarves has a 20% off sitewide sale going on, plus up to 50% off winter scarves holiday clearance. They’ve got some really cute scarves for cheap, including the pink plaid scarf above. Also loving this leopard scarf for just $10.36. With so much winter left, it won’t hurt to get yourself a couple new scarves!
• Kohls always seems to have a sale going on, but their 60 – 80% off clearance takes the cake. The white sweater above is really trendy, and at only $18, you can afford to get a couple sweaters to get you through winter.
• I really like Gap jeans, but they’re kind of pricey compared to other stores. When I can find a good pair on sale that fits well, I snatch them up! Right now Gap has a holiday sale, which includes many styles of their pants at discounted prices. The cropped jeans above are on sale for really cheap (because of limited sizing) — they’d be a cute pair to hold on to for spring!
• New York & Company, a great place to shop for basics and professional attire, is offering up to 80% off everything! From casuals to semi-formal dresses, you can get great deals on most anything for your wardrobe. The black dress above is a great price at just $35 — you can get a ton of mileage out of a classy black dress!
• You can always count on Dressbarn for good deals on cute clothes. Right now they have an end of season sale, which is up to 60% off merchandise. Pleated skirts are a big trend right now, and you won’t find a pleated skirt like the one above for much cheaper anywhere else. You could wear it with tights and an oversized sweater for a super-stylish look.
• Asos is one of my favorite online stores because they offer really trendy clothes that range from totally affordable to out of my price range (they’ve got it all). Right now they’ve got a final sale of up to 70% off merchandise, and the sale applies to everything from clothes to shoes to cosmetics to jewelry and maternity. I thought the rhinestone watch above is really cute and a good price at$19. But I’m also loving this faux fur stole, which is one sale for $55 (originally $136).
• Another online favorite is Zappos. They already offer brand name goods at discount prices, so when they’ve got an additional sale going on, you’d better check it out! Their end of season clearance includes discount prices, plus free shipping. Like I said earlier, this is the best time of year to buy coats because stores just want to get the bulky things out of the way for new spring merchandise. The parka coat above is a good price, and you could even save it for next year with its timeless style.

Have you been shopping end-of-season sales? Find any deals or steals?

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Written by: Sarah Heckle

Author bio: Sarah Heckle is a writer and Indianapolis blogger. She loves to spend time with her husband, shop, and work on DIY craft projects.

Shopping is more fun when you know how to maximize your savings!

Paying full price is never any fun, and there’s more to smart shopping than just finding the sales.

Try these 10 smart shopping tips, and you’ll get more for your money.

1. Stock up on discounted gift cards for places you normally shop. How does 15% off at JC Penny or Pier 1 sound? Click here to learn how to find discounted gift cards.
2. If you shop online, start with Ebates.com – you’ll be able to find coupon codes and earn cash back on every purchase! Click here to learn more about Ebates.
3. Shopping online? Never leave the coupon code or voucher code box blank again! Sites like everyday sale.co.uk offer free discount codes for just about any product you’re shopping for…electronics, fashion, home and garden, books and more.
4. Make sure you’re taking advantage of discounts! Check out this list of 133 Military Discounts or 66 Teacher Discounts.
5. Stop making impulse purchases! Get in the habit of asking yourself if it’s a need or a want or if you’re just trying to keep up with the Joneses!
6. Patience pays! If you make an effort to plan ahead, you’ll have time to find a bargain! Last minute shopping rarely yields big savings.
7. Shop garage sales, thrift stores and consignment shops first – you never know what treasures you may find!
8. Try swapping instead of shopping. ThredUP.com is a great place to swap children’s clothes, toys, books and Halloween costumes. The average family saves $569 a year by swapping children’s clothes! Click here to read more about ThredUp.
9. Make sure you’re taking advantage of rewards programs at places you regularly shop like CVS, Kroger and Petco.
10. Do you know the best times to buy to maximize your savings? Fall is the best time to buy a grill because stores need to make room for Christmas merchandise. Check out the Best Time to Buy guide with month by month listings.
11. Consider homemade gifts and homemade Halloween costumes – you don’t have to be Martha Stewart with my ideas!

 
Please leave a comment to share your favorite smart shopping strategies. Here’s to a year of shopping and saving!

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Image courtesy of: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Festive and Frugal Gift Ideas

Here’s a gift giving guide with unusual gifts that you won’t find in any ads, and these gifts are sure to please!

The Budget Diet girl’s gift guide includes: annual gifts, collections, semi-homemade gifts and fun things to do! Of course, all items are budget friendly!

Annual Gifts – gifts you can give year after year! Once you discover the perfect annual gift, gift giving is easy!

• Bed and Breakfast Gift Certificate – Our parents are in the downsizing stage of life, and they have made it clear that they don’t need any more stuff! Our answer has been to give them a mini-vacation at a Bed and Breakfast Inn. They know to expect the Bed and Breakfast gift certificate, but they are surprised each year by the destination. I call this an annual gift, and it’s one less gift idea we have to come up with each year! Good news, get a FREE $50 B&B Gift Card! with the purchase of a $250 gift certificate from BedandBreakfast.com – how’s that for stretching the gift giving dollar? Even better, have all your siblings split the cost! If your parents aren’t the bed and breakfast type, check out the Groupon Getaways on the right side of this page for some amazing travel deals!

Collections – start a collection for someone, and each year add to it! After the first year, it’s a no-brainer!

• Charm Bracelet – Start a charm bracelet for a pre-teen, and you’ll know exactly what to give her for years to come! Sterling silver charms can be purchased for as little as $5 from CharmFactory.com.
• Junior League Cookbooks – Ideal for a newlywed that enjoys cooking! Start her collection of Junior League cookbooks, and you can add to it each Christmas!
• Christmas Ornaments – Who doesn’t love a beautiful ornament? Start a collection of ornaments for a loved one, and add to it each Christmas. My sister-in-law started my daughter on the Reed & Barton crosses the year she was born! She now has 12 beautiful ornaments, and our tree will miss those ornaments when she is grown! Of course, the Budget Diet girl doesn’t recommend starting an expensive Reed & Barton collection, but how about a beautiful Waterford Heirloom ornament for less than $10 at Homegoods, T.J. Maxx or Marshalls or starting a collection of Angel ornaments? Christmas Ornaments are great for young girls and even better for newlyweds!

Semi-Homemade Gifts – it’s more than just the thought! These gifts will provide memories for years to come!

• Create A Cookbook – It’s an ambitious project, but once you’ve typed all the recipes in your computer…you’ll be able to print a copy for any occasion! You might start this project in the New Year, and you’ll be ready for bridal showers, graduations and next Christmas! Learn how to write your own cookbook for as little as $5!
• Photo Book – Did you have a big family reunion this summer or did you go on a family vacation with the whole gang? Put together a photo book, it’s a gift that will be treasured for years to come! Photo Books can be made for less than $10! Try Snapfish for photobooks.

 
Fun Things to Do – think outside the gift box! Some of my favorite gifts over the years have been gift certificates for fun things to do like a pedicure or a day at the zoo!

• Family Gift – Think about giving a family gift instead of individual gifts…who wouldn’t love a family trip to the zoo? To save on this gift, make sure to check Groupon since they specialize in discounts on fun things to do! I’ve seen golf outings, tickets to sporting events, day spa gift certificates and more on Groupon.
• Gifts with Activity – How about a children’s cookbook with a note for them to choose a recipe and come over to make it? Children’s cookbooks are available at Half Price Books for as little as $4! Do you enjoy scrapbooking or knitting? I’m sure there’s a little girl in your life that would love for you to take the time to teach them how to scrapbook or knit!

I hope this gift guide has helped you check some folks off your list!

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Image courtesy of: Master isolated images / FreeDigitalPhotos.net