Tag Archives: ballin on a budget

Jan9

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We live in a fast-paced consumer society where all of the electrical items that we buy are out of date by next year.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

Dec18

Affordable Home Improvements To Refresh Your Interiors

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Affordable Home Improvements To Refresh Your Interiors

Making home improvements is something that we do all the time. Whether it is purchasing a brand new rug, re-painting your living room, or doing a deep clean, you are improving your home. You’re making it better than what it was previously, and this is a natural instinct for many people. However, affordable home improvements that refresh the interior of your home is not always easy. Finding what you can do that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg but makes the inside of your property look fantastic is pretty challenging, so let’s take a look at a few options here:

Repaint your room:

Instead of focusing on repainting the entirety of your house, you should focus on repainting one room at a time. You only need about one bucket of paint to do this and a spare afternoon. It will make such a difference when you walk into a room and it looks brand-new, clean, and pristine. It can be a fun way to bond with somebody as well, because you’re working together to accomplish a goal, and you’ll find that a sense of banter and camaraderie naturally flows.

Replace the flooring:

The average floor is subjected to a lot of punishment. It’s stepped on, has bits of food dropped on it, has mud tracked through it, and there is no denying that your floor will need a refurbishment from time to time. Doing this can often give a new lease of life to what otherwise was a plain room.

Carpet is often a good idea for this particular exercise, offering both warmth and comfort, and at the same time looking neat and modern. If you purchase from a trusted provider like https://carpettogo.com/, then you will have absolutely no issues in redecorating your floor.

Get some decorations:

One of the best things that you can do is get some decorations for your home. There are a lot of things which aren’t that expensive and it’s important to remember that decorations don’t need to be big and ostentatious, so much as just small and decorative. They complement a room, but they don’t make it.

Something like a plant or a painting will be a good idea, and they aren’t usually too pricey. They will help to brighten up a room and offer something different in the way of texture and color. Pick a great statement piece and watch your room transform.

All things considered, these are just a few different options that you have available to you when it comes to making affordable home improvements. It’s not always easy to do so, but there are moments when you have to look after your rooms and change up some of the elements in your house to make sure that everything stays fresh and vibrant.

It’s worthwhile to experiment with different options, textures, colors, and designs because this will help you to get the best possible interior. Your property is often a point of pride, so it is important to look after!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Dec15

Small Dollar Tree Haul

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Small Dollar Tree Haul

Howdy! I end up at the Dollar Tree at least once a week when I’m with my clients and it is definitely hard to not pick up a few treats for myself while I’m there! It’s so nice to snag some little pick me ups for a whole one dollar because it’s not like you broke your bank for it if it ends up being a disappointment of a product. This past trip to the good ol’ DT provided me with a new movie to pop in during a free night as well as some adorable hair products that I hope will work well! Check it out:

borat

My boyfriend and I are notorious for quoting all of our favorite movies and shows like a broken record much to some people’s annoyance but mostly their delight! And, Borat just so happens to be one of those flicks so I was so happy to pick it up for only a dollar. Are some parts of that movie in poor taste? Absolutely. But, it’s overall pretty funny so it will be a good choice to pop in during my lazy Sundays with my beau.

I also purchased two containers each of both purple and pink hair glitter. I was sporting my tinsel fairy hair for a while but, unfortunately, almost all of the strands fell out while I was dying my locks a few weeks ago. I was disappointed because I won’t be going to the salon for a while so I’m hoping that the glitter gel will help tide me over until I can get my tinsel back. Be on the lookout for a product review post once I get around to using it!

What is one of your most quoted shows or movies? What did you get during your last discount shopping haul? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec11

Where Can You Cut Costs When Working On Your Kitchen?

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Where Can You Cut Costs When Working On Your Kitchen?

DIY has long been a popular way to make your home look better without spending a small fortune on it. A lot of people are choosing to go down this route with their homes, working hard to make changes by themselves. Of course, even when you do all of the hard work yourself, it will always be difficult to avoid spending money on a room like a kitchen. There are simply too many expensive items which go into this space.

When planning to renovate a kitchen, you need to get prices for everything and compare those prices to see which is best. You will need to get prices for a skip, flooring, cupboard doors, and possibly even screws and hinges among other necessities. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring some of the best ways to save in the kitchen, covering each of the elements you’ll need to buy:

Cabinets & Surfaces:

This is usually the priciest part of most kitchens. The cabinets and surfaces you have can cost a lot, but you need them to be able to use the room effectively. Thankfully, people often sell this part of their home when they renovate. You can find loads of kitchens cabinets on sites like eBay, and many of them will come in excellent condition. While you have to collect them yourself, this option will be far cheaper than buying something new, while also giving you the opportunity to get features which you may not have been able to afford brand new.

Appliances:

Appliances are another area which can be expensive when you’re renovating your kitchen, leaving a lot of people to keep their old machines for this job. Like the cabinets, though, you can often find appliances in great condition on the used market. This is always a lot cheaper than buying the items new.’

Flooring:

While it may seem like something which should be nice and cheap, flooring can often be one of the priciest parts of a new kitchen. With tiles being so expensive, a lot of people opt for plastic flooring, though this rarely looks perfect. There are a lot of discount tile retailers around the web, giving you access to this resource for far less than you’d pay full price. It’s well worth hunting for deals on items like this, as this can drastically reduce the price of your kitchen, while also keeping it looking good.

Sinks, Taps, & Other Accessories:

Finally, as the last area to think about, it’s time to consider sinks, taps, and other accessories which finish your kitchen. These will always be the most noticeable objects in your kitchen, and this makes it worth spending more on them than the other areas in this post. You can usually find good second hand deals for them, but buying them from regular stores shouldn’t be too hard, as long as you’ve saved enough money on the other parts of the room.

Building a new kitchen will be a challenge. Not only will you have to find everything you need at the lowest prices, but you will also need to put the room together. You’re going to need to do some learning to achieve the best results, but these skills will stay with you for the rest of your life.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Dec10

Outstanding Ornaments

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Outstanding Ornaments

Howdy! An obvious but always effective Christmas gift is presenting some ornaments for your giftee’s tree. I usually use ornaments as an add on gift but they are also super handy when you just need a little something for your work colleagues or a Secret Santa. For my client’s families this year, I went with a chocolate assortment and some darling ornaments that I snagged from Target and Amazon. Check it out:

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I got the Bicycle Santa ornaments from Target and the felt Christmas characters from Amazon and I’m really happy with all of them! The felt ornaments came in a pack of eight with two of each little friend, which is perfect for mix and matching. With a pretty hefty list of people to shop for, I always am looking for cost effective but quality pieces and you can never go wrong with some holiday decor. What’s more, it will make your giftee think of you every time they hang your ornament on the tree. 🙂

How do you get the most bang for your buck with your holiday shopping? What are your favorite add on gifts? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec6

Where To Splurge And Where To Save When Decorating Your Home

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Where To Splurge And Where To Save When Decorating Your Home

Decorating a home from scratch can be really expensive, so it’s worth knowing the best places to save money and where it pays to spend a little more. Maybe you’ve just moved into a new place or perhaps you want to do up your existing home, either way, here are some places to save and where to splurge:

Splurge: Mattress

As humans, we spend a huge portion of our lives in bed. We might not all be lucky enough to get a full eight hours, but even if you’re only getting six that’s still a quarter of your day. A good mattress is essential for good health, it supports your back, hips, and neck. It keeps you comfortable and allows you to get the highest quality of sleep.

However, mattresses are expensive, and it might be tempting to look for a good quality second hand one – but it’s best not to do that if you can. Not only will a used mattress show signs of wear but it could also be hiding bed bugs which you’ll then bring into your home. Exterminators like Bed Bug Inspector recommend that you don’t purchase second hand items that could harbor these pests, as it’s a common way that they get into peoples homes and spread.

Save: Dining table

A solid wooden dining table will last you for a lifetime if you look after it well, and if you look around chances are you’ll find people selling old and antique tables simply because they do stand the test of time. Don’t be put off by old fashioned looks, as long as it’s in good condition you can always upcycle it. Sand down the top, add some new legs, and you could stain it or paint it and really bring it up to date.

Splurge: Dining chairs

Saving on a dining table gives you more money to spend on the chairs, and it’s often worth buying some more luxurious, comfortable dining chairs. Once you’ve upcycled the table you can go about choosing some nice new chairs that suit the overall look. It could be some modern fabric chairs, some cool perspex ghost chairs, an industrial style – whatever it is you’re going for.

Save: Accessories

Accessories make a house a home, but you don’t need to spend a fortune here. Some plants from Ikea, some vases from TJMaxx, some frames from the Dollar Store, and other little accessories from charity stores and boot fares can all come together really nicely.

Splurge: Sofa

A good quality sofa will cost you a fair bit of cash, but it will look great and last you for many years. If you don’t have the funds up front, lots of companies offer finance options allowing you to spread the cost. The best sofas will be made from good quality fabrics and materials so they won’t go saggy and uncomfortable after a couple of years.

When decorating your home, shop smart with the saving tips above so you can have more moolah towards your splurge worthy purchases!

Dec2

Trail Blazers: Jones New York Blazer Dress

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Trail Blazers: Jones New York Blazer Dress

Hello everyone! It’s no secret that Lil Red loves the Goodwill – a spark which has burned brightly since doing a majority of my apartment shopping there when I moved in. Similar to TJMaxx, shopping secondhand feels like a treasure hunt. You literally never know what you’re going to find. Sometimes the shopping trip is fruitless and other times you walk out with a bagful of things you didn’t know you needed until you laid eyes on it.

For example, the last time I was at Goodwill, this amazing Jones New York dusty pink blazer dress was just hanging out on one of the end caps and it was instant love. With vintage vibes and a color I rarely wear, this purchase felt exciting and I am so looking forward to sporting it this holiday season. Take a look:

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The very cool thing about this little number, aside from the fact that it looks fresh out of the 1950s, is the options that it comes with. Yes, it could be worn as a dress, which I plan on doing for at least one holiday get together. But, it also can be thrown on as a trench style coat, which will look particularly becoming in the spring. Buying pieces that can be worn a multitude of ways helps the garment continue to feel exciting with every use and it always makes me feel like I’m getting a lot of bang for my buck.

I spent a whopping five dollars on this dress and I’m sure that the original price tag was at least twenty times that. And, that’s the beauty of secondhand shopping. For five dollars I got to treat myself with an old piece of clothing that feels brand new to me and there is really nothing better than that!

What has been one of your favorite secondhand finds? How do you shop secondhand? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov26

Dollar Tree Haul

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Dollar Tree Haul

Hello everyone! If there’s one thing that Lil Red doesn’t believe in, it’s paying full price for just about anything. So, it’s pretty shocking that I really didn’t get into shopping at the Dollar Tree until this past year. One of my clients loves that store and I always end up there at least one time a week. It wasn’t until I took a closer look around until I realized that the Dollar Tree is friggen awesome and I have had much success shopping there, especially since moving into my apartment. Don’t believe me? Check out this big ol’ haul for yourself:

tree

For twenty items I paid twenty dollars altogether and I am confident that if I purchased all of this at a normal grocery store it would easily be over fifty dollars. The Dollar Tree pulled through in the clutch for me at just the right time because after all of my holiday shopping this month, my credit card bill is going to be huge. BUT, I also have no food in my apartment. This will definitely tide me over until my bill turns over in December and I can do a bigger grocery shopping trip.

Also, can we please talk about the potato gnocchi and Arizona nacho trays?! They are both SO freaking good and the only thing that isn’t pictured is the nachos that I already ate, lol. They are a perfect snack for when I get home from work and I was so stoked that the Dollar Tree that I was at had them that I just had to get six, lol! The gnocchi is also a quick, easy, and delicious meal that my boyfriend and I both love and will be a perfect, simple dinner after we’ve both had a long day.

I have never quite understood the people that considered themselves above discount shopping but I, for one, will never be. Compliments of shopping at TJMaxx and Marc’s (a discount grocery store in my neck of the woods), I am sure that I’ve saved over thousands throughout the years and that ballin on a budget train isn’t going to end any time soon!

What is your favorite discount store? How do you ball on a budget for your grocery shopping? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov24

Lil Red’s Black Friday Shopping Pro Tips

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Lil Red’s Black Friday Shopping Pro Tips

Howdy!! In a mere handful of days it will be my favorite holiday of Thanksgiving because FOOD… and family, of course. 😉 And, with Thanksgiving just around the corner means that Black Friday will be coming in hot on its heels. I, personally, have never gone Black Friday shopping before because I suffered through five years of working on the day during my time in retail.

It’s no surprise that I have no desire to be within twenty feet of a mall on Black Friday. But, Lil Red lives and breathes shopping so allow me to grace you with these pro tips for a successful Black Friday haul:

Be Nice:

Although this has nothing to do with scoring the best deals, it has everything to do with being the best person. Please, please, PLEASE be kind to your retail and restaurant workers on Black Friday and every day. Those who have never worked a Black Friday before honestly have no idea how stressful it is and a rude customer can be enough to completely ruin someone on the biggest shopping day of the year.

Say please and thank you, try not to leave destruction in your wake as you shop, and be mindful of the other shoppers. And, always remember, you literally just spent the day prior celebrating all you have to be thankful for so if you don’t get what you wanted, there’s no need to punch someone in the face about it. Je-sus!

Do Your Research:

Now, having said all of that, the first step to a successful Black Friday is to do some research. It’s a mixed bag of which stores reveal their deals before the day and which don’t, so try investigating by either calling the store or going online. This will help you to decide the best order in which to shop. If there’s a hot deal going on right at midnight for something you have your eye on, then twenty-five percent off at your favorite store can wait.

Often times, stores repeat the deals that they had in year’s past so also bear that in mind when you are making your preparations.

Make A List:

Once you have a general idea of where to go and when, it’s time to make a list of what you would like to purchase. I know I always mention list making – but, damnit, it’s helpful! If you have specific things in mind that you want to buy on Black Friday, you cannot hit the stores willy nilly. It’s important to coordinate your wants with the deals happening so that you can create the best course of action for the order of stores you want to visit.

Time Is Of The Essence:

So you have a plan of what you want, the deals happening, and where you want to go. But, the thing is, so does everyone else. It’s all in the timing when it comes to Black Friday shopping. If you are shopping for specifics, you can’t spend too much time in one store or you might jeopardize getting the other things you want. Get in, grab your item, check out, and head to your next location. Then, once your shopping is complete, feel free to revisit anywhere else you want to spend more time in.

However, if you are going shopping just for the fun of it, take all of the time in the world. But, remember, if you do shop at a leisurely pace, a lot of the stores will be pretty picked over by the time you get there.

Know When To Say When:

Black Friday shopping is awesome for nabbing a big electronic for a song or doing your Christmas shopping. But, don’t be crazy about it. If you find yourself spending way too much money or shoving other people to get to the next place or hot item, then you’ve probably had enough Black Friday. Go home, take a chill pill, and try again on Cyber Monday when you’re not in the general public. 😉

Speaking Of Cyber Monday…

If you’re not keen on the craziness that is Black Friday, Cyber Monday is just days away and you can enjoy the deals from the comfort of your own home. Just remember to do your research prior. This might involve signing up for emails, which could notify you of the deals ahead of time (The same goes for regular Black Friday shopping!).

Get ready, get set, and shop with Lil Red’s Black Friday Shopping Pro Tips!

Have you been Black Friday shopping? Do you have any crazy stories from working or shopping a Black Friday? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov17

Sephora Haul

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Sephora Haul

Hi!! Whenever I need to restock my Better Than Sex mascara by Too Faced, I always shop Sephora online to get the best deals. With free shipping with a fifty dollar purchase (Which isn’t hard to do!), two free samples, and an option for more freebies with a coupon code, it just makes sense to do – especially if you know exactly what you want. And, if I ever did want to play around with new products in store, I would definitely go home and order the goods online to bank in on all of the great promotions! 😀

This time around, I scored an amazing goodie bag filled with trial sized products to try out and I am looking forward to testing them all and sharing my findings with you. Check it out:

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The Haul:

  • 2 Better Than Sex mascaras
  • Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
  • Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream
  • Replica perfume
  • Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment
  • Ouai Leave In Conditioner
  • Bite Beauty Lip Crayon in Glace
  • Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara
  • Laura Mercier Lipstick samples
  • Atelier Vanilla Incense perfume

For fifty dollars total, I got all of the products seen above and I consider that a steal. There is nothing better than getting a lot of bang for your buck and I feel like I get that every time I shop with Sephora. I also love being able to try out beauty products without having to commit to them and, who knows, maybe I will find a new favorite in the sample sizes.

I wouldn’t be a good sister or daughter if I didn’t share the wealth and have given my mom the perfume samples because she’s a fragrance gal and the Tarte mascara and Bite lippie to my sister. I already have both of those and will not be using either up any time soon. Sharing is caring and it’s nice to be able to enjoy all of this awesome stuff together. Both of those very special ladies in my life always know how to make my day with something as simple as a text message so I take every opportunity I can to treat them, too!

How do you score the best deals at Sephora? What did you get in your most recent beauty haul? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah