Saving Money Using Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime is fast becoming my favorite way to shop.  At first I didn’t think that it would be cost effective, but the more I research ways to save, the more I do save using Amazon Prime.  The Amazon Prime (One Year Membership)is $ 99.00, but I’ve already made that money back and saved more. Here is how I use it.

The main reason I got a membership was for free shipping.  During the holiday season, birthdays and other special occasions, we send gifts back home, and across the US to our family members.  In years past the total shipping costs for all the packages during Christmas time alone would range from $35.00 to $60.00.  This cost doesn’t include the gifts we would send the rest of the year.  This past year the shipping for every gift we sent was free!  I made all my purchases, and had them all delivered with guaranteed 2 day shipping.  Plus, I saved time, gas, and my sanity by staying out of the stores.  In my book, time is money, saving gas is money in my pocket, and keeping my sanity is priceless.   ;)

But all joking aside, I have been staying out of stores as much as possible lately, because I do love to shop.  Each time I step into a store, temptation to purchase items not on my shopping list is always there.  Shopping online has reduced that temptation a lot!   I’ve been purchasing my everyday household goods using Amazon Subscribe and Save. I can edit the frequency of when the products ship, and what day it is delivered each month.  I can edit my order to add or remove items from delivery too.  The best part is I can save up to 15% and I get free shipping too! This is the first year I’ve been using Amazon Subscribe and Save, but I’ve been contemplating not renewing my Costco membership if all keeps going well.  

For my fellow moms out there you can save a little more if you sign up for Amazon Mom. Amazon Mom is a Prime Membership aimed at helping parents save even more on products their kiddos need.  I save 20% on diapers through program. I pair it with the Subscribe and Save program.  Plus, some months I can save even more if there is an Amazon Coupon available.  This past week I saved an extra 3 bucks off the box of Pampers. Try it herefree.

Perhaps my favorite perks is that all Amazon Prime members have access to the Kindle Owners' Lending Library (if you have a Kindle), and unlimited Amazon instant video. There are money saving ways to use these too.  For example: If you have Netflix, utilizing Amazon Instant Video and getting rid of Netflix could save at least 95.00 a year.

Overall Amazon Prime has saved my family far more than their yearly membership fee.  If you’re curious, try it out herefor free.

Also if you are a college student, Amazon offers their Amazon Prime membership at a 50% discount with Amazon Student  Plus, when you sign up your first 6 months are free.    I wish I knew about this one when I was in college. 

Thanks for reading!

The Reformed Shopper, and The Reinvention of a Blog

Five years ago when I started this blog I was obsessed with makeup and shopping.  I thought posting about what I purchased and giving my reviews justified spending the money.  Truth be told I purchased a whole lot more than I ever reviewed or blogged about.  

A lot has changed since then.  The downturn in the economy hit my husband and I hard, and my shopping habits quickly stopped. Needless to say, so did my blogging. We moved to a new state, and after a while of rebuilding finances, we started a family.   I hadn’t given this blog too much thought over the past few years, until last week.

The title of this blog is still true.  I still do love to shop!  But, I like to call myself a reformed shopper.  There is a huge difference in how I shop, and how much spend.  Being in a financially difficult situation taught me how to be smart about my purchases, to prioritize what I need, what I can live without, and how to look for deals and sales. 

A friend of mine went with me on my last shopping trip because she said I’m the one who always finds the best deals.  That’s when the idea of my blog came back into play.  I want to be able to share my tips and tricks to shopping and saving money on my purchases.   I know that doesn’t sound as fun and exciting as blogging about a shopping spree, and posting all the cute expensive things I buy, but what if my ideas help someone save money?   

So, there you have it.  Welcome to my reinvented blog! Hopefully the money saving shopping ideas I post will help at least one person out there!  Thanks for reading. 

Homemade Christmas gifts

There are only two days until Christmas!  I hope you all are enjoying the season.  This year, I decided to try my hand at making some homemade Christmas gifts. In addition to the usual cookies and cakes, I wanted to give something a little different.  This year's homemade Christmas gifts are...

...little jars of Orange Marmalade!  I followed an easy recipe from a book my friend gave me, and this was the end result! Each jar was a little plain on it's own, so I decorated them.  I covered the tops with fabric tied a cute little label on them, and added a cute little decoration to it too.  

Well, what do you all think?  I just hope they taste as good as they look. *fingers crossed*

Something tells me this won't be the last time I try canning. Here's the book my friend gave me.

 I can't wait to try more recipes!  

  Merry Christmas every one!  

My Wish List

Christmas is right around the corner, and although I would love to say that I am prepared with gifts purchase, wrapped and under the tree... I'm not! I am still struggling to figure out some gift ideas for my friends and family...  and I only just finished my own wish list!  So I figured that I would share some of my gift wishes with you.  Perhaps if you are as stumped as I am as to what to get people, maybe my wish list will inspire you and give you some good ideas.  Good luck!

This is the Fossil crossbody bag that's I've been wanting.  Crossbody bags are in this season, and are practical.  It is the perfect gift for the girl on the go.

Lollia Wish no. 22 Perfume is a lovely scent that is perfect for winter or summer.  It is a light, clean, flowery and sweet. 

Another Kat Von D's True Romance eye palette is next on my list.  I have other eye shadows by Kat Von D and they are fantastic.  you can't go wrong with any of her products!  They are a great stocking stuffer!

Sephora's perfect ten brush set is also a great stocking stuffer.  I love this particular set  because it is travel friendly.  It has all the essential brushes in a convenient  pouch which is small enough to toss into your bag.  Plus, I own many Sephora brushes and love the quality for the price.

Skagen watches are also a fantastic choice for a gift.  These watches are affordable, stylish and well made.  I absolutely love their products. 

I absolutely love the new Nano!  It's smaller and still holds a ton of songs!  It's a great gift for anyone!  Plus is comes in 6 different colors!

The Sony Digital Reader is also a great gift!  If you know someone who is an avid reader like me,  this is a great gift!  It's is small way to carry an entire library with you!  Plus the size of it is compact enough that in fits into most handbags!  Again, this product also comes in numerous different colors.  My personal choice however is pink ;)

Finally, I just discovered this gift, and I have to have it!  If you know anyone who is obsessed with nail polishes this is the gift for them!   Sephora by OPI has come out with an 18 piece mini nail color set.

So that rounds up my wish list this year.  I hope this helped if you were stumped on what to get someone this year.  

What are some of you wish list items?

Benefits of Sleep: Beauty From the Inside Out Part Two

        The benefits of sleep are more important than you might think.  Sleep has a critical role in brain functions like, memory and learning, and body functions like metabolism and immune system. The benefits of sleep can also pertain to your skin as well.  

An important growth hormone is released during sleep.  It is called (HGH).  This hormone stimulates tissue repair, and in some studies has shown to improve skin firmness and signs of aging.  HGH is also beneficial in repairing sun damage.  By getting enough sleep, your body is able to produce this hormone, and your skin will thank you for it.   

On the opposite side of the coin, lack of sleep can also affect your skin.  Not only is HGH production inhibited, but lack of sleep causes undue stress on the body.  Stress can give your skin an overall tired look.  Your skin can look dull.  Lack of sleep alters collagen production and blood circulation resulting in puffiness or dark circles under your eyes, and blotchiness. 

Beside your skin looking poorly, studies have shown that lack of sleep is also a factor in heart problems, increased chance of obesity, depression and some chronic illnesses.  When talking about beauty, both body and mind should be included.  So, improving or eliminating some of issues above just by getting a few more hours of sleep can improve your overall health, beauty, and well being.  

How much sleep is just right?  Well, everyone is different, but recent studies show that the average adult needs at least 7 hours of sleep. So, if you can’t sleep in, set your Tivo to record your favorite shows and go to bed early.   ;)  

Beauty From the Inside Out Part One: Water and Your Skin

We’ve all heard the reports about the importance of drinking at least 8 cups of water a day.  But do you know why? It’s because our bodies expel at least 8 cups of water with the simple daily functions of perspiring (not including the sweat from exercise), using the bathroom, and breathing.  For our bodies to function properly, we need at least that much to replenish what we’ve lost.  

Drinking eight glasses of water means just that:  WATER.  It does not mean liquid.  Coffee, tea and soda are not included in these 8 glasses, and shouldn’t be either.  These drinks can add to your skin’s tired look and prevent your body from absorbing essential vitamins.  Coffee actually works against your efforts of hydration because it is a natural diuretic.  These caffeinated drinks may seem like a way to gain energy or wake up, but after a few days without them your body will loose its dependency on the caffein, and you will feel better without them.  With less caffein, your body will be able to sleep better, you should feel more rested (also a plus for your skin) and you dependency on caffein will be a thing of the past.

But there are other benefits to drinking 8 glasses of water (or more) a day too.

When you increase your water intake, toxins which build up in your body are flushed out more readily.  Your skin which might look dull or tired will start to look brighter, and firmer as you increase you water intake.  Dark under eye circles, and dry skin will also diminish.  

Drinking that much water makes you bloated and visit the bathroom more... Right?  Wrong!  While increasing you water intake, your body may want to retain the water you drink, and you might start to feel bloated, or you might be making extra trips to the ladies room. But not to worry.  These symptoms will quickly disappear once your 8 glasses of water a day becomes an every day routine.

If you’re as busy as I am, stopping every few hours to find a drinking fountain or buy another bottle of water may be difficult.  But there are solutions to these too.  Bring your water with you!  Sigg bottles, and Platypus bottles are two of my favorite ways to bring my water with me.  An added plus is that both of these products are better for the environment too!  Reusable water bottles mean that there are less plastic-one-use- bottles in the land fill.   

So that’s it ladies.  No more excuses! Drink the recommended amount of water a day, replenish your cells, flush out the toxins and start feeling and looking better.  Cheers!

Beauty From The Inside Out

We spend so much time putting things on our skin to make them look better.  We buy expensive creams to help dry skin, wrinkles, and dark circles. We use make up to help our skin tone look brighter, and we spend additional money at spas and salons to have expensive treatments in hopes they will help improve our skin as well.  One of the most important factors in how our skin looks isn’t what we put on it, but what we put in our bodies.

If your skin looks dull, dry, and tired, it is your body’s way of telling you that it isn’t getting all of the nutrients it needs.  No matter how much time and money is spend on creams, makeup and treatments, it’s not fixing the problem but only covering it up.   Changing some habits and incorporating new healthy routines can have positive results, and improve not only your skin but maybe your health as well.  The next few articles are part of a series I will be doing called Beauty From the Inside Out. We will explore everything from stress and sleep to food and water and how these factors influence our skin’s appearance. So come along for the ride, and let’s put our best face forward.