How To Save Money When Buying Electrical Goods

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How To Save Money When Buying Electrical Goods

We live in a fast-paced consumer society where all of the electrical items that we buy are out of date by next year. With many households changing their appliances and tech on a very regular basis, it means that there is a lot of waste. Perfectly good items often end up getting discarded and this has a very real and obvious impact on the environment.

But many people are considerate about these factors and will sell on any unwanted electrical items once they have been replaced. Or, where the value is relatively low, and there is still some use to be had, they may give them away using a service such as a freecycle site.

You can save money on your electricity bill by choosing the right provider. However, if you are savvy and want to save money on an item and are not too bothered about having all of the very latest features, then you may want to take a look online to see what you can find for free or very cheap:

Printers:

One electrical item that is often offered up for next to nothing or even for free are printers. On the other hand, vinyl printers are much more expensive but a worthy investment if you have a business. With new features getting added all of the time, many people feel the need to upgrade. But, if you are just after something that you can use to print or scan the occasional document or photograph, then you may find that getting a used model is just as good as buying new. Before you get your new used printer, check online to make sure that you can buy the right ink cartridges for it still.

Appliances:

Kitchen appliances such as washing machines, fridges, and freezers, often get replaced. With the internet of things on the rise, people want an appliance that they can control from their smartphone from anywhere in the world. But if you are not interested in all of that, you could get a perfectly reasonable appliance for very cheap.

Before you take it, make sure that you check to see that there are no nasty noises coming from it when it is working. Washing machines that rattle about when they are in use may be on their way out and, in reality, it is probably not worth you taking it in that condition.

Computers:

If you need a computer for the basics such as web browsing and working on documents, then why not get a second hand one? Unless you are gaming or using the computer for a lot of complex operations, then you will be able to get a computer that suits your needs very cheaply.

The things that you need to look for when you get a second hand computer are that the hard disk has been cleared before you get it. It should have a new installation of the operating system ready for you to set up as you like. Check to make sure that the laptop batteries still hold their charge, and that everything boots up and works as it should.

Reusing electric goods helps save the environment and you some money. Try this option out when you’re ready for a new printer or computer!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

New Caution To The Wind Top

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New Caution To The Wind Top

Howdy! During my TJMaxx gift card shopping extravaganza, I ended up with two new tops, a skirt, and a necklace on top of a buttload of skin care. The little peplum number that you are about to see below by Caution To The Wind is one that I normally wouldn’t try on. However, there was just something I liked about it enough to take with me into the fitting room and I’m glad I did! Check it out:

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Usually, I avoid peplum tops like the plague because they make my boobs look huge from the tiny waist line. I also steer clear of a plunging neckline because someone could drown in that cleavage! But, I liked the forest green and cream color combination in this top so much that I figured it couldn’t hurt to try.

The day I went to TJMaxx, I had actually just gone skating so I had my sports bra on, which is what I tried this shirt with. It looked SO freaking cute and sporty with the heather grey bra peeking out and it made my body look slamming. For a ten dollar price tag, I couldn’t say no to purchasing the top as a nice little change up to always wearing hoodies at the skating rink. One might even say that I threw caution to the wind! Ba dum chhhhhh.

Would I buy or try a top like this one again? Mmmm… No, probably not. The only reason it really worked is because of the sports bra plastering my boobs down. Am I excited to wear it skating? Definitely, because the top is adorable and it will be great for just lounging around the house in. The moral of the story? It doesn’t hurt to try something new!

What fit of clothing is the most flattering for you? How about a fit that you try to avoid? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

HUGE TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

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HUGE TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

Howdy! Thanks to SO many generous people in my life who know of my undying love for TJMaxx, I was able to go on a post holiday spending spree with my gift cards. I went into the store with a clear vision of what I would like to spend my money on and that was stocking up on all of my skin care needs for the next few months and then some treats for myself with the remainder.

I hate to toot my own horn, but I only ended up spending eight dollars over my gift card amount and I was very pleased with my mental math and the haul below! Check it out:

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The Haul:

As you can see, I am a huge fan of SkinLab products and have been using them pretty exclusively for the past half a year or so. At twenty-five, I feel like it is now time to start looking into skin care that lifts and firms and the SkinLab regimen I purchased does just that. I have been using the lift and firm products for over a month now and I already see a noticeable difference in the tightness of my skin. I’m really happy that I was able to nab more of the goods to keep this beauty routine going and hopefully they will be still be at TJMaxx when I need more!

I also took it upon myself to grab some more heat serum for my hair because, might as well. I have been using the Rusk serum for the past year now and have had no complaints. It leaves my hair silky without getting greasy and it protects my locks from the 450 degree heat of my straightener so it is an obvious must. Plus, it smells awesome!

And, finally, the micellar water and the pore minimisers. The Evoluderm micellar water is easily the best one I’ve ever used and I was so excited that TJMaxx had it again. The bottle I purchased came with a free travel size, too, which made the find even sweeter. I was also thrilled to have purchased the pore minimisers by TBS because I was obsessed with that product when I worked there. It leaves your skin so perfectly matte while shrinking pesky open pores that can cause blemishes. A little of the good stuff goes a long way so I suspect I’ll have these two bottles for a while. 😀

I am beyond appreciative to my loved ones for hooking me up with a post holiday shopping spree and had so much fun sharing the experience with my mom. ❤ Tune in tomorrow for more of my gift card haul!

Do you have a beauty product hoard? What kind of stuff do you stockpile? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Making The Most Of Your Graduate Studies

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Making The Most Of Your Graduate Studies

Deciding to take on postgraduate education can be one of the best decisions that you make. It opens up new opportunities for you, and could increase your employability and perhaps your salary too. As you’re dedicating time and money to your graduate studies, you will want to make the most of them by doing the following:

Manage Your Time Well:

It’s ultimately up to you to make the most of your studies. You will get back what you put in, so you need to be prepared to put in the hard work. Managing your time is one of the most important things, especially if you’re working as you study.

Start Opening Doors:

If you haven’t already begun to make the right connections during your undergraduate years, your grad studies are the perfect time to start opening doors for yourself. Spend some time networking and getting to know people who can help you find the right opportunities.

Get Work-related Experience:

Getting out into the world of work with solid qualifications but no real-world experience will be tough. Try to use some of your time to gain valuable work experience or focus on projects which will be useful to highlight when you’re looking for work.

Choose the Right Place to Study:

Before you even start your studies, choosing the right place to study will ensure you get the most out of it. There are many things to consider, including the method of study, location, qualification, and other important factors that will help you to choose correctly.

Check out more tips on the infographic below and happy studying!


Infographic Design By Northeastern University

Holiday Haul: Last But Not Least Edition

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Holiday Haul: Last But Not Least Edition

Hellooo! The last gift from my Holiday Haul, but certainly not the least, that I would like to share with all of you is from my dear old dad. Last year, I was gifted with a true crime daily calendar from my dad that was an absolute hit. In fact, it was one of the first gifts that I think my dad actually picked out for me, instead of just having “from mom and dad” written on the label.

With the calendar being such a success last year, I was presented with the 2020 version from my dad and I am very happy with it! Check it out:

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A day to day calendar is truly the gift that keeps on giving, especially if you are interested in the subject. I, for one, am a huge lover of all things true crime and it makes changing the page every day exciting because I never know what I am going to learn about next! It will also be especially fun to tuck into this calendar with my boyfriend because he is a true crime aficionado, as well, and we love flipping through the pages together.

Although this gift may seem simple, so much thought went into it and I am thrilled to be welcoming 2020 with a present that was seemingly made for me!

What is the subject of your calendar? Where are my true crime fans at? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Accessory Story: Jessica McClintock Cape Edition

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Accessory Story: Jessica McClintock Cape Edition

Greetings everyone and welcome to the last of my Holiday Haul from my parents! One of Lil Red’s loves definitely has to be faux fur. From jackets and vests to cool collars, I just think that they add the perfect touch of edgy glam to any look. And the funny thing? I used to think that they made an outfit look cheap! It’s funny how your sense of style evolves over time and my mom definitely got the hint of my ever changing look by picking me out this beauty by Jessica McClintock:

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It was such a trip, because a week or so before Christmas, my mom asked me to get her her slippers from her closet AKA her present hiding spot. So, I went to grab her slippers and discovered this gorgeous cape hanging there. I came downstairs and immediately told her “I LOVE that cape, when did you get it?”. I really thought nothing of it, because my mom is quite the trendy lil lady herself and I figured she purchased it for her own use. So, imagine my surprise when it was waiting for me under the tree!

Aside from the faux fur, I just love the color of this little number. Forest green is a color that never ceases to look amazing me. I hate to toot my own horn, but TOOT, TOOT, TOOT. With my pasty pale skin and red hair, it just makes everything pop and I am all about it. I cannot wait to pair this over all of my sweaters for the rest of the winter. But, it will be so fabulous for a chilly summer night and I can already see myself snuggling up in it during late evening drinks on the patio.

What color looks the best on you? How do you feel about faux fur? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Accessory Story: Betsey Johnson Earrings Edition

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Accessory Story: Betsey Johnson Earrings Edition

Salutations and welcome to a new Accessory Story compliments of my Holiday Haul from my parents. Betsey Johnson has always been a designer who has spoke to me. From her crazy cartwheels on the runway to her bold, funky, and unique clothing and accessories, I was smitten at first sight. I never say no to Betsey Johnson jewelry and TJMaxx always has a surplus of the good stuff. My mom knows whatsup because we never fail to ogle at her flashy bling while we shop and she gifted me with these beauties for Christmas:

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These Betsey Johnson earrings literally hit every mark on my check list for things that I like. Black? Check. Skulls? Double check. A hint of sparkle? Check, please. I am simply enamored with the floral sugar skulls and their huge ruby eyes and I can’t get enough of the interesting shape that still provides length and an ability for them to dangle.

I have been a short hair girl for at least a decade now and I am all about playing that up with earrings. Of course, they are a fun accessory for my girls rocking the long locks but with my shorter than medium hair length, they just seem to pop. I live for my huge gold hoops but I also love my super long drop earrings, too! My new pair is the perfect addition to add to my ever growing collection and can we please talk about my red hair with the ruby eyes?! Ugh, forget about it!

What is your favorite kind of jewelry? Where do you shop for unique earrings? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

If The Shoe Fits: Unisa Ankle Booties Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Unisa Ankle Booties Edition

Howdy! This brand spanking new edition of If The Shoe Fits is compliments of my holiday haul from my mom and dad. When the countdown to Christmas approaches, I always give my mom a friendly push in the right direction of what to buy me. AKA: Shoes, shoes, and more shoes. I will scour the TJMaxx website and send some links her way and then hope and pray for shoe box sized packages beneath the tree.

Thankfully, my mom got the message loud and clear and I ended up with these pretty new babies by Unisa:

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What drew me to these ankle booties was there texture. I absolutely love an animal print on shoes and am partial to (Faux!) snakeskin. I never really thought about a pseudo crocodile pattern because I’ve never seen anything like that before. When I saw my new Unisa boots, I knew that I had to have them because they are so different from the millions of other pairs that I own.

Of course, I am looking forward to sporting these booties for the rest of the winter season. But, this past summer I grew very fond of rocking a combination of short shorts with ankle or combat boots and frilly socks. Summer is probably my least favorite time of the year for styling because the option for jackets and layering goes out the window. So, a cool combination of girly sweet frills and rocker chic boots keeps me feeling edgy and confident with just shorts and a T-shirt on. My Christmas gift is just what the doctor ordered to continue on with this tradition come summertime!

What is your favorite season to style for? What fashion items do you like finding under your tree? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Steps To Becoming An Advanced Practice Nurse

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Steps To Becoming An Advanced Practice Nurse

Becoming an advanced practice nurse could be the next step in your career if you work in nursing. It can offer you opportunities to work in specialist areas and take on more responsibility at work, including moving into leadership roles. If you’re thinking of becoming an advanced practice nurse, these are some of the steps that you may need to take:

Consider a Patient Focus Areas and Specialisms:

There are several areas of patient focus you can consider if you want to be an advanced nursing practitioner. There are also more specific specializations for you to choose within different practice areas. You might choose something like midwifery or psychiatric health.

Check Licensure Rules:

You will need to ensure that you have the necessary license to practice to be an advanced nurse practitioner. To be registered nationally in the US, you need to be licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRC). Different states and even medical settings can also require certain licenses.

Gain Valuable Experience:

Getting experience in your field of choice will help you to find the roles that you want and climb through the ranks too. You will need nursing experience if you want to complete a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

Continue Your Education:

Nurses often start with an associate’s degree or may have a bachelor’s degree. To become an advanced practice nurse, you can consider gaining an MSN or DNP. Both of these qualifications could help you to achieve your goals.


Infographic Design By Bradley University

Holiday Haul: Sister & Brother In Law Edition

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Holiday Haul: Sister & Brother In Law Edition

Hello everyone! No matter what winter holiday you celebrate, I trust that all of you had a wonderful time celebrating with friends and family. I know I did! Now, I hate to toot my own horn but I am usually the MVP of Christmas in my family. I live for holiday shopping and I love gifting those close to me with something special. Unsurprisingly, my title was bequeathed onto me again this year. However, my sister and brother in law, Kristen and Ramon, did a bang up job themselves! Check it out:

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Kristen and Ramon treated me to a lovely red flannel button down from Express, a handmade beanie from our friend’s Etsy shop, and some Better Than Sex mascara for my beauty hoard. I absolutely love my flannel and I feel so spoiled because I never shop at Express, as it is a bit out of my price range. I am really excited to pair it with my new knitted beanie for a look to keep me comfy and cozy all winter long. Pair with your favorite leggings, rinse, repeat.

And, of course, you can never go wrong with gifting me the Better Than Sex mascara by Too Faced. Granted, I have two back up tubes already but now I won’t have to buy any more for a good long while. I am so touched by the thought that went into these gifts by my sister and brother in law and I am looking forward to putting all of it to good use. ❤

Do you like to shop on Etsy? What is your favorite Etsy shop? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah