Leftover lotion? Credit: shawncampbell/Flickr
Linda wrote in with a question about leftover skincare items. What would you do?
I have sensitive skin and am a savvy shopper (try to be anyway) so I’m afraid to buy new products in fear of my skin not liking it and then not being able to return it – even drugstore types. Do you have any tips on other uses for cheap or expensive facewashes and moisturizers so that they don’t go to waste?
I have tried swapping on sites such as MakeupAlley but they do take a while to swap away, if ever.
Thank you!
Linda
I buy most of my skincare products from The Body Shop, which accepts returns if something causes your skin to break out. I would be surprised if other major retailers, like Target or the chain drugstores, did not act similarly.
However, if you opt not to return an item you are unhappy with, perhaps you could use them on other parts of your body that are not as sensitive, like your legs. You could also offer them to friends or organize a small beauty swap among friends.
Readers, what would you do with leftover facewash and moisturizer?
David Jones/Flickr
Reader Angela asked me for help via the BargainBabe.com Facebook page.
Any advice on where to find inexpensive home health care products, i.e. good used electric wheelchairs, hospital beds, bathroom devices, etc.? While we’re on the subject, any good recommendations for home health care services from your readers?
Angela, have you tried calling local thrift stores to see if they have any of the items you are looking for? I would also try searching Craigslist.
Do you have any advice for Angela?
adria.richards/Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz
Staying fit and healthy can stop doctor’s bills from rolling in but hitting the gym can be costly. The good news is that there are many affordable ways to get a proper workout without slimming your wallet. Here are some ways to help you reach your fitness goals.
Go back to college – If you still live near your alma mater, many universities offer discounted gym memberships to alumni. Some of these gyms are better than private gyms and include all the amenities. Cost: monthly membership fee.
Hit the pavement – Go jogging or walking around your neighborhood for free. If you want a different scenery head to your nearest park. Remember to carry water to stay hydrated and a cell phone in case of an emergency. Cost: $50-$100/year for running shoes.
Exploit your insurance – Many insurance companies reimburse you half or all of your gym’s fees. Check with your provider to see if they can help you out. Cost: phone call to insurance company.
Take a hike – Need a workout that will get your heart pumping and blood flowing? Try walking on a slope. Hiking can be a great way to get a workout without the monthly dues. Cost: gas to drive to park.
Exercise videos – If you are easily bored with the same workout routine rent exercise videos from your local library for free. Most libraries have a variety of exercise videos ranging from yoga to Tae Bo. But whatever you do, don’t become delinquent with your checked out material or it will end up costing you. Trust me, those fines can quickly add up. Want to avoid the fines? Check out online exercise videos. You can find just about any type of exercise you’re interested in to get moving. Cost: none.
Mooch off your company – There have been studies that show a correlation between healthy workers and an increase in work productivity. Many companies are investing in their workers by helping them pay their monthly gym fees. Check with your company to find out what they can do for you. Cost: visit to your HR department.
Kirk's Original Coco Castile Soap
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of Bobbisbargains
I love natural, unscented soap products. For many years, I used a wonderful face soap from Origins. The last time I went to the mall specifically to get this product, I was told that it was no longer manufactured. I was given a phone number for the Origins “Gone but Not Forgotten” department, which will scour the warehouse to look for your no-longer manufactured product. I had to pre-approve the payment on my credit card for the soap and shipping just in case they found any bars. Plus, there was no discount! I was paying full price – $20 per bar. I REALLY like this soap. However, I even if they find the soap in the warehouse, they will be manufacturing no more of this soap.
In search of a new soap brand, I was looking at a huge row of soaps in the supermarket and happened to notice (on the bottom shelf) a bar of Kirk’s Original Coco Castile Soap. The name rang a bell, perhaps because the company has been manufacturing this soap since 1839. I have never used the product before but was willing to take a chance. After all, it is hypoallergenic, contains no animal by products, no synthetic detergents, is biodegradable and is never tested on animals. Plus it moisturizes your skin.
I grabbed up Kirk’s cute little red, white and blue package and invited it to take a shower with me.
I love this soap. And this isn’t even the unscented version, which I am going to try next. The scented version had a very mild scent. It created a great lather, yet the soap rinsed off easily and completely leaving my skin feeling soft and silky (just like the ads say.)
Cost of this wonderful of bar of soap? $1.99.
How can this fabulous bar of soap be so cheap and yet, so good? I don’t know. But, I do know that this soap isn’t alone. Kirk has a line of shampoos and conditions that I am certainly going to try.
For other hard to find and long lost items, check out The Vermont Country Store, which specializes in practical but hard to find products. The prices aren’t super cheap, but at least you can find them.
Do you have an affordable natural product? Share your secret with the rest of us.
Here’s a nifty graphic from Turbo Tax that shows where your taxes go.The chart singles out 11 categories that benefit from taxes, including national defense, international affairs, and health care. Using data from Salary.com, the chart shows for 10 different jobs the average salary, the average tax bill as a percentage of income, and the average tax bill as paid in dollars.
At the top of the heap you have the CEO, who makes $643,846 and pays 34 percent of his income (some $215, 734) in taxes. At the bottom is the janitor, who makes $28,245 and pays 16 percent of his income (some $4,585) in taxes . Strangely, all the workers depicted are men, unless those are burly cross dressing women.
A pie chart next to each job description shows how many dollars go towards each of the recipient categories. The dollars figures are different for each job but the percentages that goes to each category is the same. Note that military spending is by far the biggest recipient of our tax dollars, followed distantly by health and a nondescript category labeled “other.”
I highly recommend checking out this chart that shows where you tax dollars go.
I found 16 spankin’ deals and freebies related to chocolate, flowers, and other Valentine’s Day treats, including a free $30 bouquet of roses with chocolates when you sign up for eBates. Seriously, this is a one-of-a-kind deal!
Follow @CVS_Extra on Twitter and you’ll get a 25 percent off code for their entire website. What a way to attract new followers!
Get 33 percent off at Borders now through Feb. 11, 2010.
Restaurant.com is 80 percent off now through Feb. 14, 2010.
Do you surf? Get a free subscription to Surfer Magazine when you share a few questions about your job.
Here’s a Michaels coupon for 40 percent off, good through Feb. 20, 2010.
Get a coupon for free Hersey’s Pieces bag candy.
Restaurant.com certificates are 80 percent off until Jan. 31, 2010 with this coupon code.
Home Depot sends special coupons to those on its email list.
Buying your Valentine’s lingerie? Check out Charlotte Russe’s intimates sale with $2 panties and $5 bras.
Now until the end of the month new gym memberships at 24 Hour Fitness are as low as $30 a month with no initiation fee.
Here is a Borders coupon for 33 percent off, good through Feb. 1, 2010.
Check out all the deals on my WalletPop blog.
