My Money Saving Tips

After my big splurge a few posts ago, I decided I need to scrimp & save on some things for the next couple of months or so. Sadly, those Uniqlo cords I wanted to get might be out of the picture, though $19.90 for a pair are really unbelievable..so we'll see how long I can hold out for...

But I did come up with some money saving tips that I thought I might share with everyone, so here goes:

• Find inventive ways to style your hair - curl it, mimic a salon blowout. Whatever it is, styling your do refreshes it & buys you time before your next trim. So dust-off those curling irons and wake up a little earlier & put some effort into it. People notice, trust me.
  
  
• Save on color cosmetics - especially the trendy stuff. Eyeshadows and lipsticks in experimental colors for the season don't have to be expensive. Drugstore brands will do just fine and if you're worried about the colors not being pigmented enough, just make sure you use an eyeshadow base/primer.
  
  
• Always be on the lookout for good sales/deals - Old Navy has fantastic deals on basic tshirts and tank tops. Forever 21 and H&M are my go-tos for current trends. Uniqlo is awesome for affordable basics too. Being in NY, we have sample sales galore - so hit them up and stock up on the classics.
  
  
• When shopping online - ALWAYS look for coupon codes. You never know when you can get an extra 15% off or free shipping.
  
  
• Buy handmade - I've found great items for very affordable prices from Etsy.com These are up and coming designers trying to make a small living from their crafty hobbies.
  
  
• Buy refill packs of shampoo/body wash etc instead of new bottles. You will often save a few dollars by reusing your old containers.
  
  
• If you have small pets like I do, like hamsters or guinea pigs - recycle things around your home for them to play in or use instead of buying feeders or bowls from stores. An old tissue box, toilet rolls and paperbags make fun toys, makeshift feeders & hideouts for them.
  
  
• Jojoba oil is a great multi-purpose product! Use it to treat split ends or as a hair treatment. It can also be used as a makeup remover (since it leaves no residue) and foot & hand treatment for dry skin & cuticles!
  
  
• Invest in neutral nail polish to save you trips to the manicurist. Neutral colors last longer and chips are less obvious and they're easier to paint on.
  
  
• Reinforce the soles and heels of your new or current shoes to make them last a lot longer and always consult a cobbler before throwing away a pair of old shoes/boots to see if it can be salvaged.
  
  
• Pack your own lunch to work!
  
  
• Drink your own homemade coffee or tea rather than ringing it up at Starbucks while on the way to work
  
  
• Make use of a water filter rather than bottled water or if you are the bottled mineral water drinker - look out for deals. The other day at Rite Aid, I saw Smart Water on sale for 5 for $5!
  
  
• Don't ever be shy when asking for samples. This gives you the opportunity to try new products without paying full price.
  
  
• Make use of drugstore coupons and weekly deals they have. Often, essentials are featured like toothpaste or toilet paper and even cosmetics are sometimes buy one get one free!
  
  
• Subscribe to magazines - its MUCH cheaper!
  
  
• Never be afraid to look for cheaper alternatives online. Especially if you know what you're looking for. I found my Hot Tools curling iron for more than 40% off online than if I bought it at a beauty supply store. My vacuum was also at least 50% off too. Amazon has books which are sold used but really are in quite good condition and you save anywhere from 30%-70% off the retail price. This doesn't exclude designer/branded items too, my gf got awesome deals at Yoox.com - she paid $70 for a pair Giorgio Armani flats and $60 for a Marni skirt!
  

I do hope this proves to be useful information - in this economy a little bit can go a long way. Would love to hear any other money saving tips any of you might have! :) Go forth & save!

Recession Makeup Tip!

During tough economic times, one has to re-evaluate their spending habits. Starting a new job also means, re-evaluating budgets. I've discovered a fantastic place to buy affordable makeup. I was hesitant at first and decided to buy some brushes based on several online reviews & recommendations - They are only $1 EACH!! I also picked up their mineral blush, Mineral Booster and their studio contouring blush & bronzing powder. With a promo coupon, I got 50% off my order and the package was shipped promptly and arrived in my mailbox yesterday.

I used the brushes today and was happy with the purchase! Soft, dense and very blendable. The mineral blush had great pigments, easy to apply and blend and is packaged awfully like Bare Escentuals. I also got the Mineral Booster because I accidently left my Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil behind in Canada but this one works just as well, for a fraction of the price! I've yet to use the contouring blush and bronzing powder but I'm sure I won't be disappointed.

It looks like I'll be buying some of my cosmetics from here - since many of their products are only a dollar a pop. Shopping online for makeup isn't too hard afterall! :) Go check it out!

Marked down Madness

Tis the season to be shopping! This weekend was fruitfully spent in retail therapy. And much to our delight, the sales in stores are simply too good to be true! Here are some awesome deals that J, his sister, Eloise & I took advantage while they visited NY this weekend:

• One of J's favourite stores in SoHo is having a closing down sale because they lost their lease, so all Energie stuff is 70% off. I scored Diesel jeans for $99 and an awesome leather jacket for $40. Tons of designer jeans were marked down more than 50%, designer sunglasses were 50% off too. Licia Atelier jewelry is available there too & if you pay cash, you might get an extra discount. J also got a pair of Blackstones for 85% off and I got Chooka rainboots for $20. We walked out happy campers, so for all you Manhattanites, go check out Lounge in Soho on 593 Broadway before all the good stuff is gone.
• Prada is having a sale too - select men's and ladies' product is 50% off. I nearly died when I saw the bag & clutch I drooled over earlier this year on sale for 50% off. ARGHHH!!! My empty pocket said no.
• Over in the West Village, the Marc Jacobs store had a crazy line-up, clearly there was some awesome deal we were missing but the long line in the cold made us give it a pass. Perhaps on a weekday morning?
• Olive & Bette's store is 50% off - Autumn Cashmere included! Gorgeous cardigans...Sigh.
• Club Monaco - take an additional 30% off
• Bloomingdales - J scored a great Zegna item on sale for 30% off.
• Ben Sherman - 50% off all suits
• If you're looking to experiment with makeup or cosmetics, now's the time because Sephora has awesome deals on gift sets where you get everything packaged beautifully & for a fraction of the original cost.
• Kenneth Cole - there was an awesome 1 day event which was 40-50% the entire store.
• J & I scored shoes in the West Village for a steal - another poor store was having a closing down sale. I got Vans for $20 and he got Onizuka Tiger shoes for $40. Clearly the boy & I share a mutual love for footwear :D

Ahhh, so many sales, so little money...Happy Shopping everyone, just 10 more days till Christmas!

on travel

After countless flights to and from YVR & JFK as well as the occasional flight to a near or far-off place, I consider myself to be a fairly seasoned traveller. My passport holds many stamps which I feel fortunate to have as a result of generous parents & the love for exploring new places. I'm sitting in YVR as I type this, waiting to board my flight back to JFK only to realise I'm returning for US Thanksgiving in less than a week from now. Ah, the joy of Aeroplan miles!

From my frequent travels between JFK & YVR, I've come to note some small subtleties:

• Cathay Pacific has awesome deals to & from JFK & YVR ($400+ return). Be warned though, its a red-eye and because it originates from HKG its usually full of loud China FOBs and crying China FOB babies - so it isn't for the faint hearted, unless you're like me and can sleep through an earthquake.
• China FOBs generally have a crap load of luggage - it seems they carry the entire contents of their home and then some to travel with them. I've seen families arriving at JFK with body bag sized luggage. Probably wares for Canal Street.
• Cathay Pacific is probably one of the best airlines to fly transcontinentally: personal tv sets in Economy class, relatively decent plane food (yummy salads included) which you don't have to pay for & decent size seats with enough leg room (note: bias opinion, as I'm only 5'2" and asian)
• Air Canada has made recent upgrades to their planes which allow for plug-ins for your laptop & personal tv sets but no free food and yes, their flight attendants are more mature than CX's.
• People are more than happy to switch seats with you if you possess prime seats ie. windows or aisle (personally, I'm a window seater)
• If you don't like the plane food on CX - you can always ask for cup noodles and if you've got an extra nice & obliging flight attendant, you can ask for a cup of warm Ovaltine from Business Class!
• Flying transcontinental is an excellent way to catch up on movies you really wanted to see but missed out on. I saw Sex and the City, Ironman, Mama Mia, Prince Caspian and WALL-E all onboard CX flights - saved some money from DVD rentals or going to the movies! Economic times call for economic measures!

Don't get me wrong, I've nothing against China FOBs - I simply wished they had a little more manners and no, I'm not paid by Cathay Pacific - I simply love flying with them, but I won't turn down a free ticket from Aeroplan miles. Beggars can't be choosers no? Happy flying!