To ensure that you continue to receive Looking Good e-mails,
please add michele@gophercentral.com to your e-mail address
book.


** You can now FOLLOW ME on Twitter.... Just visit: **
http://www.gophertweets.com/


Shopping on a Budget

We all want nice things and there?s nothing wrong with rewarding
yourself once in a while with a couple of nice items. However,
if the money is tight, shopping for your favorite products can
add to the problem. But there is a way to have the best of both
worlds. It may require some discipline and changes but it isn?t
impossible.

Avoid splurging all at once. It?s easy to get carried away and
buy a heap of items at one time but the total amount is going
to hit you where it hurts and you will feel the effects. No
matter what you are buying, keep it small. Buying two to three
things at a time is much easier to deal with financially than
going out and buying an entire wardrobe or skin care line of
products. If you buy a little each payday, you won?t feel the
sting in your wallet the way you would if you spent a large
amount of money all at once.

When you?re on a budget, the last thing you need is debt. Do
not use credit cards to make your purchases when shopping for
personal items. The key to smart shopping is to only spend what
you know you have. Piling purchase on top of purchase on your
credit cards is tempting but it won?t help your budget in the
long run when you receive your statement in the mail. Instead,
stick to cash, as this will keep you from spending more than
you have. Debit cards are also ideal when it comes to shopping
smart, since this draws money directly from your checking
account so you?ll be comfortable knowing there?s money in the
bank at the time of purchase that you won?t have to pay back
at a later date.

Sales can be both a good and bad thing if you?re on a budget.
In-store sales tend to be easier to tackle without going over-
board. If you?re on an online shopper, you may be in trouble.
If shopping online, steer clear of small sales offering ?15-20%

off? or ?free with purchase.? As nice as it may be to get a
free product, or free shipping and handling, you have to take
into account that you are, in many cases, paying full-price for
the items needed in order to get special offers and deals
online. Wait for sales that advertise within the ?40-50% off?
range if possible - this also applies to in-store sales.

Because skin care and makeup items can be pricey depending on
where you buy them, turn to do-it-yourself alternatives to save
money when you aren?t able to afford your regular products.
Instead of spending money on toner, use witch hazel, which is
cheap and a common household item. Skip on fancy makeup remover
and use baby shampoo. It may not seem like it, but regular baby
shampoo works wonders as a makeup remover that is gentle enough
for sensitive skin types. Don?t feel like you have to spend a
lot of money on skin care products for your face if you don?t
have to. Depending on your skin type, even the most basic
cleanser and moisturizer can get the job done in place of the
more expensive products. Olive oil and other essential oils
mixed together or added to your favorite lotion, can serve as
the perfect homemade moisturizer.


What's round, blue and takes up to 25% off your clothes
drying time? Buy 2 for $5.98 (That's 70% off!)
http://pd.gophercentral.com/u/3489/c/186/a/611