Tag Archives: money

Jul8

Improvements That Could Increase The Value Of Your Home

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Improvements That Could Increase The Value Of Your Home

Are you looking for ways to improve your home, but aren’t sure where to start? Making improvements to your home can be extremely satisfying and you can customize it all to your liking. If you are on a limited budget, it can be hard to know which parts of your home should be prioritized when carrying out a renovation. If you are looking for improvements that will help to add some extra value to your home and, potentially make it more appealing to future buyers, these ideas should help:

Replace Your Windows and Doors:

Your home’s windows and doors are one of the first things that people will notice about your house; as they are one of the most prominent features on your home’s exterior. Over time, windows and doors are subjected to the elements and have to withstand everything from heavy snowstorms to the hot sun beating down onto them. It’s little wonder that every now and again it is a good idea to get your windows and doors replaced. As windows and doors are such an integral part of your home and perform such an important role, it is vital to choose replacement windows and doors which are well-made and of the highest quality. Mr. Rogers Windows and Doors offers a fantastic range of replacement windows and doors, which are sure to improve the appearance of any home.

The installation team you choose for your windows will have a range of different options to pick from. They might have windows from an aluminium windows trade supplier, for example, for a secure yet aesthetically pleasing result. Aluminum windows can be especially sleek for a modern home but also offer a classic, timeless aesthetic for older properties. Your installation team will work with you to determine the best style for your home.

It might not seem like it, but changing your front door can really make a big difference. You will want to make sure what you choose is something that you are going to be completely happy with. Look through ideas on Pinterest or pop on HGTV. Then, enter a search for “discount doors houston” or your local area to see your vision come to life.

Convert Your Loft:

Your loft is a part of the house that has enormous potential. If your attic is currently being used as a storage area, then why not bring it to life and get some real use out of it? Your loft offers endless opportunities for use as an extra living space in your home. Using your loft space to add extra bedrooms and bathrooms can really increase the value of your home, and make it all the more appealing to potential buyers. If you have no immediate plans to sell your home, a loft conversion still has its benefits. All the extra living space that you create makes a perfect place for guests to stay and is ideal if your family is still growing.

Update Your Kitchen:

Changing your kitchen can be a large project to undertake, but it is totally worth it when complete. The kitchen is the heart of the home, so making it a space that is as attractive as it is functional is important. Kitchen renovations can be super expensive, but you can adjust your makeover plans to suit your budget, and still make a big difference to the way your kitchen looks. If you are on a tight budget but still want to change things up, why not simply change the doors and worktops, instead? Replacing the doors and worktops may be cost-effective but can still make a dramatic difference to the overall look of the room.

If you fancy going all-out on redesigning your new kitchen, then you may decide to gut it entirely and start again from scratch. Going back to basics means that you are able to utilize the space better and get the kitchen exactly how you would like it. If you are planning on a full on renovation, search for a kitchen remodeler in Tampa, FL or your local area to get started. The experts will be able to walk you through the merits of additions such as high-end integrated appliances, attractive tiles, and kitchen islands that can really help to add value to your home.

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Naomi Hébert on Unsplash

Renovate Your Bathroom:

Alongside the kitchen, the bathroom is the other room in your home that usually costs the most to improve. Due to the costs involved, a beautiful bathroom can have a really positive impact on your home’s value along with how much it appeals to potential buyers. If you have a small bathroom, you may look for ways to redesign it so that it appears bigger and less cramped. This can be achieved by installing a corner bath and corner sink so that less of the floor space is taken up, and every part of the room is utilized.

Be mindful of your budget, make a plan, and soon your house will be feeling brand new with an increased property value, to boot!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May13

How To Prepare For The Sale Of Your Home

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How To Prepare For The Sale Of Your Home

Selling your house is an exciting time, but it can also be quite stressful with all of the things you need to plan for and take care of – especially if you’ve never done it before. To make the process easier on you, in this post we’re going to share with you some of our top tips on how to prepare for selling your house:

Pick a good estate agent:

The very first step when it comes to selling your house is to ensure that you have a good estate agent who will be there to make the process as easy as possible and help you with any questions you have or any issues that arise throughout. Although there’s no foolproof system for finding an estate agent who does a good job and who you can trust, a good way to go about it is by asking for recommendations from friends and family who have sold or bought through a specific agent and then contacting them. Another option is by doing a search online in your local area, for example, for an agent with good reviews and see what you can come up with. At the end of the day, you are going to want to Sell your Houston area house fast (or your local area). An excellent estate agent will understand that and do their best to move you along onto your next adventure in a timely manner.

Carry out repairs:

Once you’re starting to prepare the house to get ready to sell and conduct viewings, then it’s going to be a good idea to start carrying out the repairs that have been getting put off and that really need done. This will also give a much better impression with the new potential owners, so it’s a good idea from an investment point of view. Whether it’s repairing floors, fixing a leaky pipe, installing a new Tsurumi submersible pump, or even fixing the roof, get these things done before you even start conducting viewings.

Completing necessary repairs can be a time consuming and expensive process. This can be a major hindrance if you would like the selling process to be as speedy as possible. Should this be the case for you, there are other options. Simply enter a search for “We buy Houses North Carolina” (or your local area). From there, you will be able to begin weighing your options as there is a chance you can sell your home as is. Perhaps you will want to carry out repairs that are less expensive to increase your offer. Or, you will accept the cash for houses amount and be on your way to your new place without the worry of major repair bills.

Have your paperwork ready:

Selling a house is a big task that involves a lot of paperwork, so making sure that you have everything ready on this front is very important and will make your life so much easier – especially if you’re looking for a faster sale or need things done in a certain way. You can speak to your bank and estate agent as well as your lawyer about the kinds of paperwork you need in order to get everything organized, but it’s definitely a good idea to do this as early as possible so that everything can run smoothly and you’re not rushing around trying to gather things that you don’t have.

Make sure everything is well presented:

If you want to sell your house, then you want to entice potential buyers and they’re not going to be interested in buying from you if your house is a mess, the garden looks like a jungle, and it looks like nothing has been taken care of since you moved in. Make sure that the place and the surrounding areas are clean, tidy, and free from clutter and, in some cases, it could even help you raise the value of the place a little before you sell it, which is never a bad thing!

Use the tips above to ensure that your sale goes smoothly and happy moving!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar4

How Much Is My Face Worth?

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How Much Is My Face Worth?

Hiiii! Makeup is something that I definitely enjoy, but I would never say that I go overboard with my beauty product purchases. However, that doesn’t mean that I don’t like splurging every now and again! And that begs the question of how much is my face worth. I’m also going to include my hair styling necessities, since that is a major part of my look, as well. Let’s find out together, because now I’m curious!

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A typical MOTD for yours truly looks a lot like the look above plus or minus the lipstick. The products and cost of what I use to achieve that MUG are the following:

Eyes:

Brows: Microbladed by La Marie Brow Club

Mascara: I use a combination of mascaras to get the super bold, fanned out look but the main component is Better Than Sex by Too Faced. This mascara runs for twenty-four dollars per tube.

Eyeshadow: My favorite eyeshadow to use is a gorgeous metallic bronze shade from The Body Shop. When the store that I live by had their half off closing sale, I purchased quite a few of them for six dollars each. Not bad!

Face:

Blush: Like my mascara, I use a combination of blushes to create just the right color. I use Maybelline’s Dream Bouncy blush in Fresh Pink which costs about eight dollars per compact. I also use a warmer baked orange shade from The Body Shop over the Fresh Pink to make a nice, summery glow over the pasty pale, which gives a contrast that I love. That blush is called Macaroon and I got it for close to eight dollars, as well.

Highlighter: The highlighter I’m using right now is Sephora brand from their Golden Hour collection in a shade called Dusk. I like this highlighter a lot and it was the cheapest one in the store, costing me nineteen dollars.

Shimmer: To finish the makeup on my face, I use the Blush On Radiance beads from The Body Shop to tie everything together with a shimmery finish. One jar lasts me such a long time and is twenty dollars.

Lipstick: And, of course, my lipstick! I use a matte shade called Pure Red by NYX and it is six dollars per tube. It is absolutely divine and I have never used a better lipstick in my life.

Hair:

Leave In Conditioner: To keep my hair silky smooth, I use the Mistress Leave In Conditioner by IGK. It’s a bit more pricey at twenty-nine dollars. But, I’ve been using the same tube since September and I literally can’t live without it.

Heat Protecting Spray: I am currently using a heat protecting spray by Tresemme that I’ve had since August. It cost me seven dollars for the bottle, making for an insanely cheap cost per wear!

Hair Dye: Of course, I would be nothing without my signature red hair. Nothing, I say! The Vidal Sassoon Runway Red color from the London Luxe collection is all I will ever use and, at ten dollars per box, I can definitely swing that!

Hair Straightener: My Hot Tools hair straightener from TJMaxx was twenty-five bucks and it had to be included on this list because if I’m doing my makeup, then I’m definitely straightening my hair to complete the look. This flat iron works great and the products that I use definitely work well along with it.

Grand Total: $162

This sounds crazy because one hundred and sixty-two bucks is a pretty big number – BUT, I’m actually really happy with it… I thought it was going to be higher! I make an honest effort to use more budget friendly brands than high end and I think that number shows for it. My makeup lasts me a long time because I try to take good care of it and use it until its completely done and the cost per use of each product makes those purchases well worth it.

How much is your face worth? What is the cheapest and most expensive beauty product you use? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb4

Stingy Girl Secret

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Stingy Girl Secret

Hiiii! Okay, so before you read this post, a back story is definitely required. Because, even I have to admit, my Stingy Girl Secret makes me sound like the biggest cheapo on the planet. But, I promise you that this was the most unintentional hack I’ve ever come across. Let’s begin:

As all of you know, I had a really unfortunate oral surgery in December that left me suffering for an entire month. Although I am feeling much better, I am still having issues with beverages that are too cold. During recovery, I could only drink or eat anything that was tepid in heat because of the extreme sensitivity that my mouth was experiencing. With that in mind, we may proceed.

Monday is essentially my busiest day of the week, because I have back to back clients all day. Because of this, I like to get a little treat before I start my work day. AKA, I go to Starbucks after I fill up my car at the gas station. It has been my routine for some time now, and my day always feels off if I falter from that.

Normally, I enjoy an iced coffee to start off my work week. But, after an unfortunate incident, I just haven’t had the taste for it. (Long story short, my mouth started bleeding profusely when I was at a client’s house while drinking my iced coffee. The bleeding had nothing to do with the drink but, for now, I just can’t stomach it.)

Anyways, I’ve been on a big green tea kick from Starbucks since that happened post surgery, but I know that my mouth couldn’t handle a hot or an iced tea. So, upon my first trip back to Starbucks when I felt up to it, I went into the store instead of the drive thru, because this required the utmost sensitivity. I hesitantly walked up to the counter and asked for a room temperature green tea with anxious thoughts rushing through my head.

Is this request even possible?

Will they deny me my request for a not hot but not cold beverage?

Should I just run away screaming and never show my face again?!?!?!

Luckily, I didn’t have to run out of the door in shame and return only with a paper bag on my head, because the barista said I could do an iced green tea with no ice. An iced green tea with no ice?? My god, it’s so simple. So brilliant. So exactly what I needed. An iced green tea with no ice. It was a revelation. I paid for my drink and eagerly awaited for it down the way. Once my name was called, I reached for the cup and I couldn’t believe it.

IT WAS FILLED TO THE BRIM!!!

In my hazy post surgery gone wrong trauma, I really don’t know what I was expecting. For them to just fill the cup halfway because of the no ice request, I guess. But, no. My Trenta cup was filled all the way to the top with BEVERAGE. It was a miracle.

I really didn’t realize how little drink that I was getting from an iced beverage when the ice was actually in it. On my normal Monday morning commute, I would finish my drink on my way to work. But, now that I have a filled to the brim drink, I can sip on it happily for a while when I’m working. And, to this day, I always ask for my iced drink with no ice so that my sensitive teeth aren’t screaming at me and I can get a full whopping thirty ounces of beverage with no questions asked.

Stingy? Yes. But, this find was so unintentional and honestly so simple, it’s a bit stupid. BUT, it was literally the only highlight of the major trauma that I went through last month and I had to share it with all of you. I don’t know what I was getting at with this essay but, I’ve said my piece, and I feel really great about it – so thanks for reading! 😀 lololol

What is one of your stingy secrets? How do you save money when you treat yourself? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan7

Making Sure Accidents Have A Minimal Impact On Your Financial Life

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Making Sure Accidents Have A Minimal Impact On Your Financial Life

Hopefully, you won’t be involved or implicated in any accident throughout your lifetime. But it’s a good idea to prepare yourself in case of accidents and to know what to do if you find yourself injured in an accident. Injury can have a profoundly detrimental effect on your overall health and well being, making it difficult for you to work and, consequently, negatively impacting your finances. Here are a few different ways to avoid the financial strain from happening if you find yourself hurt:

Taking Out Insurance:

A precautionary step that you can take in regards to accidents is to take out insurance. Insurance policies essentially protect you from experiencing financial difficulty if negative events occur in your life. Travel insurance can cover medical costs incurred overseas, such as care, treatments, and procedures. Disability insurance can ensure that you still have an income if you become disabled and are no longer able to work.

Gathering Savings:

Another step to take is to gather savings. This means that if times get financially hard during your process of recovery, you will have funds to fall back on. You won’t have to go without at any point. You can generally gather savings by dedicating a portion of your disposable income to a savings account each time you are paid. Make sure to compare different savings accounts and to choose the one with the best interest rate.

Seeking Legal Help:

It is extremely important that you seek help after an injury if the injury was no fault of your own. Generally speaking, injuries take place in spaces where others are responsible for your safety and well being and, if you have been hurt, someone needs to be held accountable. This goes for injuries that occur in the workplace, in public places, or on commercial premises. Should you have been at work when your injury occurred, you will want to research the best workers’ comp lawyer in Wisconsin (or your local area). Getting help through a lawyer that specializes in workers’ comp not only benefits yourself but your fellow employees. With a job site injury, equipment and safety protocols will be improved to prevent another worker from getting hurt.

Seeking legal help through a lawyer for your specific injury such as a Spine Injury Lawyer can ensure that the same doesn’t happen to someone else in the future, and it can also help you financially. Those in the wrong should pay compensation, which can cover your medical costs and can go towards your lost earnings during your period of recovery. This will help you to avoid going into debt if you have to take time off work to get back to your usual, healthy self.

If you are needing assistance from lawyers, remember to find a firm that specializes in your specific case. You might be surprised to learn that there are lawyers that primarily handle Truck Accident Spinal Injury as opposed to spinal injuries in general. Finding a lawyer that has a ton of experience for your specific situation can only help you. It means that they are well versed on the ins and outs of these cases which can speed up the legal process immensely.

On the flip side, legal help can be sought when you were in the wrong and this can help lessen your punishment in court. Everyone makes mistakes and if no one was harmed if, say, you got a DUI then a lawyer can emphasize that point to the judge. Should this be the case for you, a consultation with a Denver DUI attorney (or your local area) can be most beneficial. Perhaps they can assist in getting driving privileges to work so you can maintain your source of income.

Living Within Your Means During Recovery:

Recovery can be a relatively dull period in our lives. We have limited entertainment and distractions and can quickly grow bored of watching the same television shows each day. So, it’s not all too surprising that many people tend to treat themselves excessively and live beyond their means at this time. They might spend more on comfort food. They might purchase films they’ve not seen before. They’ll buy more reading material. The list goes on and on. But it’s extremely important to live within your means during your period of recovery, or you might find yourself sinking into debt.

These are just a few different steps that you can take in order to ensure that accidents have as minimal of a negative impact on your finances as possible. Incorporate them into your routine as soon as you get a chance!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Dec12

How To Get Your Foot On The Housing Ladder

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How To Get Your Foot On The Housing Ladder

Getting your foot on the housing ladder can be a difficult (and daunting) thing. What does all of this financial jargon mean, and will we ever understand all of the mortgage-related words that are floating around? And, on top of this, will we be in the endless cycle of renting forever? However, getting your foot on the ladder is a great way to stop wasting money on renting, and it feels really good to be on the road to owning your own home. Read on if you want to know how to do it, and say goodbye to your rented property:

Get a loan:

Ah, the dreaded word. Getting a loan may not be as bad as you actually think, though, and it can help you to cover unexpected moving costs, as well as your deposit and other expenses that you’ll have to pay out. Check the rates before you dive head first into the world of borrowing money, and make sure that there are no hidden terms and conditions that might compromise you in ways that you didn’t expect. Whilst getting the home of your dreams is important to you, it isn’t worth risking too much and acting haphazardly, and loan companies don’t always advertise the downsides.

Speak to a mortgage broker:

The most popular way to get your foot on the housing ladder is getting a mortgage, so speak to a mortgage broker if you’re thinking about choosing this method. There are mortgage experts available to assist with any financial situation, whether you’re dealing with Million Pound Mortgages with LDN Private Clients, or similar experts that deal with modest income. The same thing applies here when it comes to getting a good rate with no hidden costs, but speaking to a professional will help you to establish what you really have to pay out, and how many years your mortgage will cover. It may not be as daunting as you really think, and you won’t be paying it off for the next fifty years, especially if you work out a good repayment scheme with your broker. Get in touch with someone like https://altrua.ca/ if you’re looking for a mortgage broker.

Jones & Young

Help to buy schemes:

If you’re struggling to get into the housing market, then the government could help you with a Help to Buy scheme. For every £200 you save towards your own home, the government will give you £50. This goes up to £3,000 in total that you could get from them, so it is worthwhile if you’re serious about buying your first home. This can help you to secure enough for a deposit and, this isn’t a loan, so you won’t have to pay it back. No matter what country you’re living in, there could be help from the government with buying your own home, so have a look into the options that are out there if you’re looking for a hand with funding from the government. One final option if you need help purchasing a new home or if you are under financial duress could be to learn how to sell a mortgage note. By selling a mortgage note on your old property, you can get cash in hand for the things you urgently need.

There are many ways to get your foot on the housing ladder, and getting a loan is one of them, although you should be careful about what you’re actually signing up for. Most people will have to get a mortgage, so speaking to a mortgage broker (a good one) will help you to get the ball rolling. However, before you visit any mortgage broker, make sure that you have a good basis for a deposit, and the government can usually help you with this. Look into your options, and get yourself on the housing ladder!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov26

Making A little Extra: Give Your Bank Balance A Boost For Christmas

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Making A little Extra: Give Your Bank Balance A Boost For Christmas

It’s the festive season, and there seems to be a lot of extra things to spend your cash on. With so much distrust and uncertainty surrounding the banks in America, many people are looking elsewhere to invest their hard-earned cash. Making wise money decisions can be challenging. However, putting some aside will allow many to invest their income in places other than their bank account. There are also an array of ways, other than investment, to earn a little extra right now and for the foreseeable future. Easing the cost of Christmas will feel great in the new year, so it’s worth looking into. The following are some ideas, inspiration, and advice for those seeking new ways to top-up their bank balance:

Have You Thought About The Market?

It can take people some time to get their head around investing in stocks and shares, and it might not have been something you’ve considered regarding your cash. However, once people get the hang of it after researching the best prop firms; it can be a fun and lucrative decision. It’s an option that can suit many budgets and it’s worth putting a little cash into something first so that you can get to grips with the process, and expand once you have access to capital and further training and education on trading strategies and risk management.

Reading and researching everything from what a fast stochastic is to why options trading might be perfect for you is a must. This will help to break down stocks and their ratings for you to better understand what certain companies and corporations are doing, and how, when, and why you might want to get involved. Trading in stocks can be a very intricate game that requires a strategic plan, but with the right research, it becomes possible for anyone to do.

There is no guarantee that you’ll end up getting rich from trading shares, but those who make a wise stock price prediction in the market can grow their cash steadily and sell at the best time to release a lump sum to be used for whatever they wish. This makes it a particularly appealing option around Christmas time, as the added cash can make a real difference to the bills, present shopping and the plethora of other expenses that are bound to come up during the festive season.

Do You have An Opinion To Give?

If you’re able to take some time during the day to answer questions and provide your opinion on things, then paid surveys could be the option for you. Set yourself up with a dedicated email that you can use to sign up to the array of websites that are out there. Depending on how many you sign up for; there is an unlimited amount of surveys and questionnaires out there, ready for you to fill in.

The role will be flexible, as there’ll always be options in your inbox; so when you’re at home with a festive latte, you can take an hour or so and fill in as many online surveys as you can manage. Each questionnaire will pay a set amount, and, if you stick with a particular website; they usually add up what you’ve completed to a certain amount before you can withdraw any cash into your account, or redeem “points” towards shopping vouchers. You can sit and earn a little extra while you wait for the kids to change after football practice, and there’s no deadlines or pressure to complete things if you don’t have the time. It could be a great extra income for you, especially if you’re not quite ready for stocks and shares.

Making a little extra coin during the holidays is always a good thing to look into – those presents don’t pay themselves!

Featured Image By: Kaboom Pics

Nov8

Early Holiday Shopping Tips & Tricks

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Early Holiday Shopping Tips & Tricks

Hiiii everyone! If you’re like me, then you like to get your holiday shopping done nice and early. I’ll tell you what, there is nothing better than clearing off your Christmas shopping list in November so that you can relax and be merry all December long. I recently began my shopping for my friends and family and even buying for just a few people has let me breathe a huge sigh of relief.

But, sometimes, holiday shopping can seem like a bit much – especially if you have a large family or group of friends to buy for. And, believe me, I get it. I have a pretty substantial list of people to shop for and that’s why I ball on a budget more than ever during the holiday season with the following tips:

Make A List/Budget:

The very first thing that I do when I prep for holiday shopping is the obvious starter of making a list. I go through everyone in my head that I need to buy for from family to significant others of the family to my boyfriend, BFFs, and colleagues and then write them down accordingly. Then, I include some basic ideas of what to get for each person by their names.

Once I have a good idea of who I need to shop for and what I would like to purchase for them, I set a budget. Normally, I have a pretty set in stone price range that I would like to stay in that applies for everyone. But, there could be certain people that you might want to shell out more or less from depending on the situation. Are you surprising your parents with a holiday gift basket? Awesome, ball out. Do you have a white elephant gift to buy for the office party? Spend a little less. That way your budget will still end up balancing out in the end.

Shopping lists and budgets provide a great guideline for completing your present purchasing in a (Somewhat!) stress-free manner. But, don’t let the price points that you set make you go too crazy! Going over budget is fine if the item is worth splurging on and you know that the giftee will love it. Like I said, there are always deals and hacks to utilize to bring yourself back within your spending limit. Like the following:

Steals, Deals, & Freebies:

My number one rule of shopping is to always get something extra out of your purchases. Whether that be points on a credit card, a free gift, or a BOGO style deal in store, always always shop smart. Do your research on the promotions that your favorite stores are running in store or online. Is a huge Black Friday sale happening? Maybe wait on that big screen TV, then. Is the deal that you can get online even better than what you could get in store? Then you better grab it before it goes out of stock.

Being aware of what promotions that the stores are running is just half of the trick. A good way to go about whether to wait for Black Friday deals or to purchase now is to think about what sales the store ran last year. I worked four Black Fridays in a row and the stores that I worked at ran the same promotions every year and they still do now. So, if those deals are worth waiting for, hold off until Black Friday or Cyber Monday. If not, and a good sale is running already, buying it now is just fine.

The next thing that you should be concerned with, are the deals that you can get with your credit or store rewards cards. Sometimes, it’s worth applying for a credit card just to do your holiday shopping on it. For example, if you apply for an Amazon credit card and get approved, you get a free fifty dollar gift card to spend on the site. Other credit cards will reward you with points or store credit when you use them. Can your cash do that?

And, finally, always compare in store and online prices before you purchase! Some stores will price match if it is cheaper online. And, other stores, like Sephora offer deals that you could never get in store. I spent fifty dollars on their website and got free shipping, two free samples, and two free really nice gifts for spending a certain amount of money. You should try to get the most bang for your buck whenever you’re shopping and free gifts for yourself never hurts!

Ready, Set, Gift Sets:

Gift sets are the bread and butter of my holiday shopping. They are a crowd and wallet pleaser and they are so fun to assemble. Some stores offer stellar pre-made sets that have a lot of product for not as big of a price tag, and those are great, too. If a family member or friend has a more eclectic taste, gift sets are an excellent way to go, because you can give them an assortment of odds and ends that will speak more to their uniqueness than a gift card. Or, if you’re shopping for nieces or nephews, hit up a Five Below and create a goody bag on a dime. And, always remember, that a nice basket or container is part of the gift so pick something nice that can be used again. 🙂

What are your tips and tricks for holiday shopping? Who has their holiday shopping finished already? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov1

Five Below Find

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Five Below Find

Howdy! Something that I’ve grown very fond of as of late are discount stores. Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Five Below – you name it, and I like it. Ballin on a budget is my lifestyle choice and these stores live by my motto of “why pay more if you don’t have to”. From office supplies and snacks to holiday decor for a dollar, sometimes I feel like I’ve hit the jackpot when I stop into a discount shop. Just the other day at Five Below, for example, I walked away with this darling hair bow for three bucks and I’m sure it would have costed at least ten at Claire’s! Take a look:

boww

This beautiful black bow with the long streamers ties in perfectly with my sweet goth aesthetic and I cannot wait to wear it. My hair definitely needs to grow out a bit more and, once it does, I will be pairing it with half up and messy bun styles ASAFP. The beauty of discount stores is that no one needs to know the price that you paid for a good find. For three bucks, I found a new accessory that would have costed me triple the price elsewhere and you just can’t beat that!

What is your favorite discount store to shop at? What is one of your best discount store finds? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Five Below

Sep26

Step-By-Step Guide On Finding A Gift For Someone Special

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Step-By-Step Guide On Finding A Gift For Someone Special

Buying someone a present is something that is extremely fun, but it can also be very stressful at the same time. This is because new products and goods are released onto the market each and every day. This is obviously great in one sense because it means that with so much choice people are bound to find something perfect for the person that they are looking for. However, it also makes it increasingly difficult to come to a final decision because one cannot make up their mind.

This blog post aims to help people out with that, as it will provide guidance and tips regarding what one should look for when they are buying a gift for someone they are close to in order to help them narrow down their search:

Budget:

The first thing that obviously needs to be considered is how much the individual in question is willing to spend on the present. It can often be tempting to buy a gift that is elaborate, exciting, and impressive but also highly expensive in price. But, buying a present should be fun; it shouldn’t be something that causes damage to one’s bank balance. The first thing that anybody looking to buy a gift should do is sit down and come up with a limit on how much they are going to spend. This is a good idea, because not only does it help people to keep their finances in check but it also helps to narrow down the search for a gift dramatically.

Brainstorm:

Once a budget is set, the best thing to do is to take a piece of paper and brainstorm some facts about the person that they are buying for. There are a whole host of different things that people can write down. The following are just a handful of things which can be considered; the person’s favorite color, where they were born, their favorite alcoholic drink, whether they are a handbag or a shoe person, do they wear a lot of jewelry, what was their most memorable holiday, what is their favorite scent, etc.

This brainstorm is highly useful, because it will allow the person buying the present to open their mind in order to find inspiration for the types of gifts that the person would like. People always say it is the thought that counts and that is certainly the case. The brainstorm is also great, because little things can spark off a plethora of present ideas. For instance, if one’s favorite smell is lavender, then you could buy the person lavender scented candles, a floral based perfume, or a lavender-scented sachet. Or, if the person likes to travel, you could buy a toiletry bag, a guidebook on their new destination, and a new book to keep them occupied on the plane.

Always remember that gifts with some thought behind it are the best way to go, and will always be cherished by your giftee. Happy shopping!

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