Living on The Cheap
By Joanna Wallace
I have never been one to live frivolously. I grew up in a single parent household where we ate 25c potpies every day for dinner. No, I'm not trying to make you feel sorry for me; I actually wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Growing up poor forced me to be creative and make do with what I had. Even though I'm financially better off now (slightly!), I still don't think that you should have to spend a lot of money to live well. So I'm gonna share with you a few tips on how to look like you live well, even though you've only got $7 in your pocket.
BEAUTY:
I honestly don't see how people could slap down $30 on a counter for a tube of lipstick. To me, that's a one-way ticket to the nut house. You do not have to spend a lot of money to look like a million bucks. One of my favorite things to do is to actually go to those department stores and mess with that expensive make up. Yes, it pisses off the snobby cosmetic sales ladies in their stupid aprons, but what'll they do except talk smack about how your shoes are sooooo last season? Well, all that aside, try to dress kind of nice. Usually, if you dress nice, and they're bored, they'll sometimes give you a free makeover. It’s happened to me a few times. It’s awesome. Most of these stands have all their products to try out in the open, too. So, if the samplin's free, you might as well take advantage of it, right? So go willy-nilly! Try on stuff you think that looks good on you, and write it down! Then later, check out ebay. I know you're thinking, "SICK! I'm not going to buy cosmetics on ebay!" BUT! There's tons of stores that close down every day with tons of excess stock or products that aren't 100% perfect (which aren't sellable). These people sell those high-end cosmetics on ebay for pennies. No joke! I've got tons of high-end cosmetics that I've spent so little on, it’s ridiculous. Just make sure that the products you buy on ebay aren't used! This move can save you TONS and get you some of those really nice brands as well.
If you're not willing to go to all the trouble of snooping around and trying crap at high-end stores, try drugstores. I've found that chain drug stores like Walgreen’s and Osco usually have the cheapest prices, but it’s all in the ads they have sitting out. That's the trick. Usually, those ads that are at the front of the store, sitting there, have coupons with up to $3 off an item. It just takes a flipping through to find them. These places are also more likely having buy-one-get-one-free deals all the time.
Those whitening strips are all the rage right now, and yes, they work wonders. They're also super pricey, too. And very uncomfortable. If you're not into this, and would rather do something at home, try this: Mix baking soda with hydrogen peroxide into a paste. Brush your teeth with this for about five minutes a day. It tastes gross, but that's pretty much what those white strips are. You get the same effect for less!
This won't save you a lot more money, but it will save you time (and "time is money", according to all fathers and bosses). SHOWER AT NIGHT! If you shower at night, it usually means you're using water in an off-peak time (saves you a bit, eh?) and it definitely saves you time in the morning, so you can sleep in a bit more! If you shower at night, that also means that after your hair dries a bit more, you can use foam curlers, so when you wake up, your hair is done, too! During high school, I depended on this gimmick. It cut down my morning ritual to cereal and make up, and plus I always had cute hair.
While we're talking about hair, this is one rule I live by: cut your own hair!! Going to get your hair cut sucks. You always have to wait...and it smells like perm (who gets those anymore, anyways??), and the person usually screws up your hair, cause they don't know your hair like you do. I've been cutting my own hair for about 5 years now. It does take practice, but it saves you a ton of money, time, and heartbreak. If you're not that ballsy, I would suggest going to a beauty school, where you can usually get your hair cut for about half the price of a normal salon. These beauty schools are also great for styling and dying your hair, getting manicures and pedicures, as well as cheap makeovers! Just make sure you get a senior...
Aerosol hairspray (particularly aquanet) is one of the best inventions ever. This is probably one of the best things you can buy. This has so many other uses than helping you achieve big hair. Spray it on your stockings when you first buy them (this does help prevent runs!). Spray a bit on your finger to help shape your eyebrows. It works as a great bug spray (I don't know whether that is bad or good...) Spray a bit into the air and let it fall on your face to help keep make up in place (not too much, you don't want to break out!). And also, flick up your lighter and spray for some cheap white trash fun. God bless Aquanet.
COOKING & FOOD
Don't be lazy. Everyone needs to cook for themselves sometime. Cooking at home is soooooo much cheaper and better for you than going out to eat. It’s also a lot more rewarding and fun, especially if you have a significant other or a child helping you out. Fast foods have an ungodly amount of fat and preservatives in them, and usually cost a lot of money. I also find it funny that a lot of fast food chains are trying to go "healthy" these days. What a joke. My best suggestions for saving money on cooking is to plan what you're going to have and make more than you need, so you use all of your ingredients (especially fresh fruit and veggies). So, when you make extra, you can have leftovers, which can be used later as snacks or meals. Also, FREEZING these foods is great. Most foods can last up to six months in your freezer, which saves you a lot of money from throwing away your leftovers. These frozen pre-cooked meals are great because you can just defrost them or do minimal cooking and you have a fast meal. If you chop an onion and don't use all of it, freeze it. You can throw it in an omelet or a dip or something. You can slice up fruit and freeze it in a container and bring it to work with you. There are very few things that you can't freeze that won't hold well. Just get in the habit of pushing the defrost button on your microwave!
BUY STORE BRANDS! Did you know that most food that are packaged under the store brand are actually name brand food that certain chain stores buy from that brand and repackage themselves? They are also TONS cheaper. Certain things like dry bulk foods, dairy products (which are usually more fresh, too), and spices and dips are no different from their name brand counterpart. Some things though (especially soda) don't do things like this, because their recipes for their products are so top secret, they don't want them released elsewhere. Usually, the store's own brand is more likely to go on sale more often, too.
New cookbooks are expensive. Most of the time, though, if you go to a bookstore like Borders or Waldenbooks, they have TONS in clearance. Cookbooks aren't rare, so they feel no mercy throwing them into the clearance section. I got this gorgeous large book on Indian cooking for $5 when it was originally $30. Thrift stores are also a great place to check for old cookbooks. A great thing to look for is one of those old betty crocker cookbooks from the 50's or 60's. Every woman in my family has one. I cannot live without mine. It has EVERYTHING you ever need to know about cooking. I love it. Plus the pictures are beautiful (think "bright pink cakes"). If you really can't afford a cookbook, try looking online for recipes. I mentioned recipezaar above, and also food network's site has some amazing stuff on there, too (especially from the show 'everyday Italian!')
MUSIC
Buying music can sometimes rampage your wallet empty. I know, this happens to me all the time. It just takes having a little will (and not buying something immediately) and shopping around. Buying an album directly from a band at their show is usually the cheapest and fastest way to get something new. Also, if you make yourself known and let them know how much you appreciate them making music, and taking their own time to perform in your town, they might give you a little something for free (this doesn't happen all the time, but you should say those things anyway, its only proper!). Another way to find cheap music is to buy used. Local mom and pop record shops have a ton of used stuff, and if you also make it known that you shop there often, you could get on good terms with them, and they could keep an eye out for you. Just don't be pushy with them. Always let it be known that you are incredibly thankful (and don't shop at chain stores!! these people need support!). If you are going to shop online, try using ebay or Deep Discount. Deep discount has tons and tons of stuff, and free shipping!
SHOPPING
99c stores are a gift from the gods. These are one of my favorite stops for simple necessities. Spices, household cleaners, creepy toys, neat Asian decorations (I have a huge collection of buddhas), tools..You name it. All for 99c. Sure, these items may not be the best of quality, but who really needs a quality roll of paper towels when they're going to end up in your trash can? Usually, these 99c stores carry overstock and dead stock items that won't be sold anymore. Make sure to check for expiration dates! That's the number one rule for 99c stores. Anything outside of food is all right though. In most cities, there are tons of these places, so make sure to shop at different ones to see which are your favorites. The new chains of the 99c ONLY stores are pretty decent, too. They have groceries, toys, house appliances, home decor, everything! Just make sure that you don't get 99c store condoms, cause those are usually placed next to the 99c store pregnancy tests...That's kind of an omen, don't you think?
Every time my sister and I go shopping, we subconsciously head to the clearance section. One time, she said to me, "You know what makes us Wallace girls?" I said, "No, what?" and she replied, "Cause we automatically know where the clearance section is in every store!" How true that is! And neither of us is ashamed of it, either! Why would you want to spend full price on something when you know you can get it cheaper? Usually, the clearance section is tucked away in the back corners of each store, but hitting that section up first can save you a lot of time. Whether it’s shopping for everyday things or for clothing, you can always find something there. Stores like Target always have huge clearance sections because they have to move in new merchandise by certain dates, therefore moving all old stock items into clearance. If there's a lot of an item, wait. It'll usually get obscenely cheap.
Thrift stores have always been one of my favorite things. I'm just now getting back into them, because that phase of when thrifting was "cool" is now dying down (thank god). I love these stores because you can buy a lot for a little and not feel bad about it. You can buy clothes to experiment with (tailoring and whatnot) and screw up and it’s not a big loss. Their pattern sections are usually goldmines for vintage patterns (which you can either use, or rip up the envelope art to frame or modpodge to something.) And the home decor sections are awesome. Most of my favorite things around my home are from thrift stores whether it be my vintage shot glasses or my strange 50s furniture. It just takes patience in looking, but once you find something, its well worth it.
Here's another sneaky trick that's similar to the high-end cosmetic trick: I like to go to department stores and try on nice brands for things like jeans, jackets, and tops. So I try on these clothes, and write down which items fit me well and in what size (and if it has it) which item number it has. Then I hit up ebay. I've done this tons of times. I don't see why I should have to pay $60 for a pair of jeans when I can buy them off of some chick that bought them two sizes too small on ebay for $10. I have never paid more than $7 for a Ben Sherman button up. You gotta be crafty, I tell ya.
Shop out of season. Yes. I said it. Buy bathing suits when it starts getting cold. Buy coats when you have to turn your air conditioner on. Usually, when these seasonal items turn out of season, stores want them GONE. They cut the price insanely low just to get them out of there. I got a sherpa lined denim jacket that was originally $88 for $15. Sure, I may not have been able to wear it right away, but I would that coming season. Thing is, you just gotta make sure that you won't gain or lose weight!
This is one of the smartest shopping moves you can pull.
When it comes to grocery shopping, don't throw away the store ads that are sent to you in the mail every week. These are great. I use these as a shopping guide to see what I'm going to eat that week. These also force creativity in trying new recipes. I see what foods are on sale and look for recipes that have things on sale in them (look on recipezaar, this site is the best!). Clipping coupons also helps A LOT! Sure, call me an old lady all you want. I helped my mother clip coupons when I was a kid, and now I do it on my own. On average, with those frequent shopper store cards, plus things on sale, plus coupons added to the mix, I save up to $30-$40 on my grocery bill (on average). I am not kidding with this. It may take a little extra time, but money is money.
Last but not least, the best piece of advice I have to give to you about shopping is so simple...ASK! Ask at every store how long they've had a certain item you like. Usually, stores keep items full price from 4-8 weeks, and then they kick them on clearance rack. This mainly works with clothing, since stores try to keep things on trend. Usually, sales people are more than happy to tell you how long they've had an item out on the shelves, and sometimes they'll tell you when its going to go on clearance. Simple, isn't it?
Living on the cheap is an art. You always have something to brag about, and eventually, your friends come to you for shopping and living advice. It just takes having no shame and realizing how far your dollar can go.
Step One
Step Two
Clinique's "Vintage Red"
Benefit's "Bachelor Pad"
Maybelline's 16-hour "Flame"
M.A.C's "Russian Red"
M.A.C's "Viva Glam"
Lola's "Sweet Love"
Rimmel's Exaggerate Lipliner "Red Diva"
CoverGirl Lipslicks "Daring"
Maybelline Wet Shine Fusion"Very Cherry"
Rimmel 60 Seconds Vinyl Shine "Rapid Ruby" (not pictured)
Sally Hansen No Chip 10-Day Nail Color"Resilient Red"