'We Can't Afford It!'

I know I have posted about this before, but it bears repeating. A LOT. Seems daily I hear 'I can't afford that!'

Now, this can be a legitimate statement. If you live close to the poverty line, you truly can't afford things. I'm not talking to those folks at all. The rest of us need to change our wording.

It takes awareness of priorities.

I'll use Michael and I as an example. We have two older cars. Michael drives a 2004 Dodge Ram, and I have a 2002 Honda Accord. Both vehicles were paid for in cash, and bought used. They're fabulous vehicles, but they're getting up there in years and mileage. Should someone say, 'you're needing to buy new cars,' it would be an easy, pat answer to retort, 'we can't afford new cars!'

In reality, we probably can, BUT. Our priorities lie in a different area. We are more concerned with getting our last kiddo graduated, and pay off some medical bills. We're still trying to get things situated after my lengthy time off for surgery. We don't have the cash on hand to buy new vehicles, and we're lacking the room in the budget for car payments, at this time. So, we take extra good care of the car and truck, and maybe someday, we'll be in better shape financially to replace them.

Do you see what I just did? I owned up. Instead of copping the 'we can't afford it.'

It shouldn't be such an issue with me, but it is. I guess it's because I hear far too many people whine and complain about not being able to 'afford' things, and then doing something like taking a tropical cruise. Buying an expensive car. Building a McMansion. All the while, crabbing about having to buy groceries for their kids, or pay for them to go to a certain school, or just basically providing what a parent needs to provide.

I'm pretty sure I'm not speaking to a majority of you, but there may be a few who need to step back, and own up.

So, if you find yourself getting upset about paying for the basics of life, yet go out to eat often, buy designer goods at full price, and spend every spring break someplace warm........be honest.

You can afford it. It's a question of priorities.

Toiletries Of The Aging Thriftnerd: Nail Care

I'll try not to belabor things in today's post, as long time readers of my blog are well aquainted with the angst of this writer regarding her nails. Some expensive luxuries were very easy for me to give up, others not so much, and this is one of them. I love having my nails and feet pampered, it's truly one of life's finest pleasures. It's also pretty pricey, considering you need to have it done every other week.

And therein lies the rub: when you're counting every penny, you get an ulcer every time you break one of your professionally manicured nails. I see enough dollar signs going 'bye bye'......I don't need more!

So, what can you do? You like the look of well groomed nails? Well, do them yourself!

First of all, I can't stress enough how valuable YouTube tutorials are for any and all makeup and nailcare instruction. You can find step by step videos on how to give yourself a perfect manicure at home. Whereas we once had to swallow hard and buy those inocuous yellow and black 'For Dummies' books, now we can anonymously search for cuticle softening and removal in the privacy of our own, beauty challenged homes :P

Like long nails? Well, unless your nails are as thick as steel pipe, I'd go short. Keep them shaped and well groomed, and short nails go with everything. Get in the habit of carrying around a good quality emery board (the big ones can be had at the dollar store)and you're set whenever you hit a snag (literally). Do NOT try to cut off your cuticles. You risk infection and lots of unnecessary pain. Instead, buy cuticle remover at Sally Beauty, and make soaking your cuticles part of your nailcare routine. Be sure to follow the directions and get every last drop of the remover off before you go onto the next step.

Once you've filed and shaped your nails, and softened up your cuticles, you're set to polish them up. If you're wanting the most impact with the least amount of work, buy a buffer (also Sally or the dollar store) and buff your nails to a splendid shine. Those having no splitting or peeling nails can do this with ease. If you like the bare look, but DO have an issue with breakage, check out Sally Hansen Hard As Nails, or Miracle Cure. They can be worn by themselves, or I use them as a topcoat over polish with great success. In fact, I'm on my second week using the Miracle Cure over my nude polish, and am just today seeing a crack here and there. That, my friends, is a successful home manicure :)

Do you prefer colored polish? There are several over the counter brands that have staying power. Revlon is always a good, well priced brand for polish. They have a high color turnover, so once you find a favorite, you might want to stock up! Claire and I also love Essie brand. We like it better than the hugely hyped OPI. We've found Essie at Meijer and Kohl's......with the latter having the biggest variety of colors.

Once you've put on a coat or two, seal it with a topcoat of something clear. Leave a little time in between coats to make sure it sets up a bit. After you're done, spray your nails with a 'quick dry' spray, or run your nails under cold water. Both will help to set your polish on top, but allow a couple hours for thorough drying all the way through. Be patient, and don't do your nails an hour before a big date or event.

If you do your nails before bed, and wake up in the morning with 'blanket prints' on your nails, a quick coat of clear will renew your 'just polished' beauty.

If you're like me, and get polish on your cuticles, dip a cotton swab in polish remover and clean it up. Make sure to dab Aquaphor around your cuticles as often as you can, like before bed. This winter has given me snaggy cuticles like you wouldn't believe, and Aquaphor has helped a great deal.

I would never tell you what color to wear on your nails, but here's a bit of advice from a girl with very lined fingers.......darker colors tend to bring any imperfection or age out more than if you go natural or with a nude polish. I have to save my wild, dark colors for my toes!

Ok.....what if you say, 'this is all well and good, Erin. But I love the look of acrylic/gel nails. How can I duplicate THAT at home?' Well, you honestly can't 100%, but you can fake it well! Check out the press on nails at your drug or big box store. If you're a fan of the 'French manicure,' you have several brands to choose from. I was pleasantly surprised at the resilience of the new press ons. With good, firm application, you could easily wear a set for several days. For the budget minded prom goer, a set of press on nails will look just as good as a professional set, with the added bonus of not having to ruin your nails when you eventually have to take the suckers off.

There you have it! Tightwad advice for your pretty fingers and toes. It does take more time than if you just ran into the salon for some nail TLC......but it's a whole lot cheaper, too.

Toiletries Of The Aging Thriftnerd: Lip Care

When I was younger, I had nice, full, rose colored lips. That's one of the special gifts of youth.

As I've aged, the skin on my mouth has gotten drier, and......whiter? REALLY? Who wants white lips? I mean, NOT for Halloween!

When you're younger, and your lips are dry, you can just whip out your tube of Chapstick (if you can find it) and voila! Problem solved. Not so much when you're older.

For one thing, Chapstick can add your moisture back, but not your color. So, unless you want soft lips the color of Casper The Friendly Ghost, what are your alternatives?

I carry lipstick everywhere with me, but it's not the same, and the color (on the moisture wear lipstick, anyway) just doesn't stick around. It becomes annoying to reapply lipstick about every 15 minutes.

Revlon Lip Butter is about the closest compromise out there (budget speaking) for a successful cross between lip balm and lipstick. Alas, it too wears off way too fast.

I saw a commercial recently for Blistex Lip Vibrance. It's moisturizing lip balm, plus a hint of color, and SPF 15! At $2.99 a tube, a truly good deal......if it works.

I bought a tube this morning, and I am SOLD! Soft lips that stay soft, and color that harkens back to my teenage years! WOOT! Plus, you can reapply just like a Chaptick, and not every 15 minutes. The color and moisture last much longer.

My task for February will be getting a tube of this sweet stuff into every purse, pocket and place I haunt. It's that good. If Blistex would like reimburse me for my jubilent advertising, that's perfectly ok with me :)

Toiletries Of The Aging Thriftnerd: Skincare

Let me start out my blog today with a reinteration of thriftnerd's mission statement. We don't speak for those who spend without a thought. We speak for those who are on a tight budget, who have their priorities straight and would rather pay their bills on time and provide for their families than take a spa day or a exotic vacation......yet, in doing so, have no money for the things they themselves would love.

There is no reason these deserving folks can't have nice things, too. We just have to work harder to find the lesser priced alternatives. It's always worth it.

Besides, it's more important to have an adequately stocked emergency fund and provide for your children's education. If you're spending money like water and don't have either of those? Boy howdy.

This week, I'm writing a series of blogs on saving money in your personal care areas. Skincare, haircare, nailcare. These are the areas we let slide (I'm guilty too) when things are tight. The older we get, the more important it is to at least spend the minimum on personal upkeep. Besides, we mamas need to look put together when we go to school events. It's never a good sign when your kids are avoiding you in public.

At almost 50, I'm dealing with drier skin that needs hydration, even more so now in the winter. When you're my age, and your skin is dry, you look......OLDER. Sorry, there's really no nice way to say it.

Let's start with your insides. Preached about until our eyes glaze over, but totally necessary: DRINK LOTS OF WATER. Sure, pop tastes better, and often alcohol does, too, but what you put in the inside is reflected on the outside. Healthy, glowing skin is often the result of proper hydration. Coffee, pop, and tea are all dehydrating. I'm not saying cut out the fun stuff entirely, but just cut back. I have one cup of coffee in the morning, and rarely have caffeine any other time of the day. I used to drink a lot of Pepsi Next, but I don't keep it at home anymore, as I will be tempted to drink it instead of water. Don't like the taste of water? Put a few spritzes of lemon juice in it. I didn't think it would make a big difference, but it really does! I find I drink more that way!

Eat healthier food. Eat more greens. More fruits and veggies will result in a healthier complexion. It's far easier to eat a bag of chips, I know. Your skin will suffer if you make that choice over healthier options more often than not. Again, don't become a food monk. Chips, cookies and other yummy snacks can be enjoyed on a limited basis. Moderation, yo.

So, we're eating and drinking better. What about actual skincare?

Ladies, please don't sleep with your makeup on. I know for a fact it's far easier to fall into bed at the end of a very long day, without cleansing your face, but your skin will look far better if you take that extra time to remove the vestiges of your day. Baby wipes are fabulous for taking off makeup. They have made a real difference in how my face looks as opposed to leaving the gunk on overnight. Your skin needs to BREATHE, and it can't do so all clogged up with foundation.

There was a time when I could get away with plain old Ivory soap to cleanse my face. Now, I have to invest a little more. The Olay Regenerist line is a good, budget priced skincare line for those of us who don't have the $$$ to trot off to the Clinique counter. Shown above, my Olay Regenerist Exfoliating cleanser rocks for $6.99. The dollar store brush is my answer to a $150 Clairsonic cleansing system. I really, REALLY wanted one of those for a long time, and did an immense amount of research into them, but I'm a crusader for looking as good as I can on a budget, and so I picked a manual brush instead. I wet my face, rub my cleanser all over, and then do 20 seconds each with the brush on my forehead, nose, cheeks, chin and neck area. I do this 3 times a week, because more often will ravage your face. It is very important to exfoliate, as old skin cells will age you. Plus, I work in a lawnmower shop, amid the toxic smells of engine oil, carb cleaner, etc. That all needs to come off my face! Even if you're a stay at home mama, you need to exfoliate, too.

After cleansing, my older skin needs a good moisturizer. I don't dry my face, letting the skin drink in the moisture from my shower. At night, I apply Aquaphor Healing Ointment, especially under my eyes (carefully), and on my lips. In fact, I apply Aquaphor to my lips often during the day. It is a heavy cream that is better suited to drier skin. If you have an oily complexion, it will just clog your pores. Before makeup, I apply Gold Bond Ultimate Intensive Healing Cream. I put that on about 15 minutes before I start my makeup, to give it a chance to soak into my skin. It's lighter than the Aquaphor, but again, not for oily complexions.

To round out my 'age and budget appropriate' skincare advice, I recommend using Bare Minerals foundation. Now, it's not the most budget friendly makeup, BUT.....using the wrong foundation can really wreck your skin. If you use dollar store foundation and end up having to go to a dermatologist, it's not budget friendly! Taking better care of my skin, and budgeting a little more for skin friendly foundation, is a better course of action. Besides, Bare Minerals is light and really makes my older skin look luminescent. Avon makes a similar line.

Speaking of Avon, they are the only 'special order' makeup I will recommend on my blog. I have nothing against Mary Kay, Shaklee, Jafra, or Melaluca, but because I speak for those who are watching every penny, often these companies are too expensive for those on a tight budget. I respect their products, but they don't need my endorsement.

Along with proper diet, cleansing, moisturizing and makeup, older faces need to be especially vigilent when it comes to brow care and facial hair removal. My daughter, the aspiring cosmetologist, plucks my brows and my chin hair (yes, I have chin hair now!)for me. If you aren't blessed with such talented offspring, invest in a good magnifying mirror and do it yourself! They aren't that expensive. I recommend one with a light, as we with aging eyes need all the help we can get! You really can't neglect your brows. Nothing ruins a good makeup application more than stray hairs!

So, there you have it. The thrftnerd face over 40. These are just basic guidelines, but if you want to do a little more in depth research on budget friendly facial products and techniques, check out Youtube for a plethora of videos on just about anything beauty related. Plus, the fine ladies at Livingonadime.com have wonderful recipes for making your own facials and scrubs. I highly recommend them!

Don't let beautiful skin be the sole property of the well to do. With just a little effort, we budget minded beauties can enjoy healthy skin, too!

Can A Tightwad Eat Healthy?

Having had major surgery within the last few months, and also turning 50 (gulp) this year, it was inevitable that my attentions would turn to eating healthier. Spending my life eating at The Big Buffet, often without limits and abandon, is drawing to a close. I don't advocate cutting all gastric delights out of my life, but I do need to WATCH IT. A LOT.

Last year, I did do better in the healthy eating department. However, due to my health problems and the fact that I couldn't exercise, I packed on a serious amount of unwanted pounds. I don't have the best health background..........my father and grandfather were both diabetic, and there is more heart disease on both sides than some folks have. I honestly have no clue why I don't have high blood pressure or diabetes, especially at my age. My father was diagnosed as pre-diabetic at 40. His first heart attack was at 45.

Let me just state something that ticks me off. It's cheaper to eat junk than it is healthy, at least at first glance. That's why there's rampant obesity in this country. If you're hungry and watching your funds, and a bag of chips is a dollar, and a bushel of fresh spinach is $5.........yeah.

Let's think long range, Thriftnerd-herd. As with thrift shopping, you must plan ahead. It's the same with healthy eating. You can't just go to the grocery store without a plan. You must shop sales and do your homework. Some stores do a better job of putting healthy food on sale than others. Find those stores. Your wallet and your health will both be much appreciative.

Now, I know there are some twentysomethings (or younger) reading this blog. You say, 'I am at my optimum weight, and I eat Cheetos for breakfast every day! I do McDonald's several times a week, and my freezer is stocked with real, full fat and sugar ice cream. Yet, I'm in the best shape of my life! Besides, I HATE tomatoes.'

Well, congrats. You truly are living the dream. However, if you change your eating habits now, when your 40's hit, your belly gets jiggly and that scale isn't so forgiving, you will be miles ahead in the area of taking care of your health. I don't want you to cut out the fun stuff, though. Life without ice cream has no meaning. Just make better choices, trade some of the junk for healthier alternatives, and make those Cheetos a once a week treat.

I know it's not as convenient to eat healthier. It will pay off later in lower health care costs and less RXS for high cholesteral and sugar control. Just like thrift shopping saves your clothing budget, eating more fruits and veggies saves in the area of medical expenses.

By the way, I also wrote a dandy blog post last year about exercising and saving money. You CAN lose weight and get fit without an expensive gym membership.

Let's live 2014 healthy, wealthy and wise!

In Praise Of Short Nails

They don't look so bad........I guess :/

Besides the obvious health benefits of having my hysterectomy, I got 3 other nice 'bonuses'......my hair grew longer, my nails grew long and strong, and I lost some weight. BOOYA!

Well, a little over a month of being back to work, my hair is still nice and long. However, I gained back 2 pounds over the holiday season (even thought I don't eat as much as I used to, go figure), and all 10 of my nails snapped within 2 weeks of being back at the salt mines. Sigh. I really liked my long nails.

I have written before on this blog about the continuing battle I have with my nails. How I had gel nails for about 15 years, until the cost of monthly upkeep got outrageous. My nails aren't the thickest things, and now with our weather being THE MOST FABULOUS EVER (please read with sarcasm dripping)I'm also battling rough cuticles. Good times.

As I have filed my nails down, and continued to use Sally Hansen 'Hard As Nails' strengthener, and Aquaphor for my cuticles, I have discovered that short nails have their merits. Easier to type, easier to keep clean (I DO work in a lawnmower shop, lest anyone forget). Short nails seem to be in style now, too. Natural and not fussy? Who knew I was riding a trend?

I don't have the most delicate looking hands. I grew up envying girls who had unlined palms. Having long nails made me feel better about them......they took the focus off my flaws.

But, as in every other area of my life, I am bound and determined to find frugal alternatives that make me feel as good as the high priced perks. I don't have the luxury of just popping into a nail salon and having them do all the work, but I do have an easy chair in the front of the fire and the tv, and a table where I can keep my nail implements.

Life is all about the trade offs. I can live with this one :)

Too Early For Prom Shopping? NO!!!

This picture is of Claire, in 7th grade, getting ready to go to the Jingle Ball with some friends. Yes, this a thrifted, $9.99 gown, one of her first........and as long time, Thriftnerd readers know, definitely not her last!

We had a family birthday party last night, and several people asked Claire and I if we'd started shopping for her prom dress. We'd actually found it last July! I had said that, since it's her senior year, I wouldn't mind finding her a brand new dress, but we happened upon something perfect, second hand.........and it will be unveiled sometime in April :)

This brings me to an interesting question: when SHOULD you start shopping for prom? My answer: NOW!!

One of our recurrent themes on this blog is the importance of shopping ahead, if you desire the best deals and selection. Think the mall stores are picked clean a couple weeks before prom? Same goes for the thrift store! We Americans have a real 'last minute' mentality, and often it's to our detriment.

Since this is Claire's senior year, we have about 100 things going on in regards to what shapes and makes the last year of high school special. I try very hard to plan ahead, to avoid the last minute snarls. Having Claire's prom dress is a huge load off our shoulders, and allows us to shop for accessories at our leisure. At this pace, her ensemble will be a snap to finish. We also have the shoes, clutch and earrings.......however, should we find something better, there will still be time to swap things out.

So, if you're looking for something fun to do on a cold, snowy Winter's afternoon, grab a coffee and head on over to the thrift store.

Come prom season, you'll be so glad you did.