Saving a few dollars just makes cents.

Here we are, smack dab in the middle of summer vacation and I'm not outside enjoying the air and sun and pollen. I'm at my computer. Why? Well, honestly I've had a little too much "outdoor time" lately if that's even possible. We went camping and then on a  two day zoo trip with my favorite family in the world.

We soaked up some vitamin E and man, it really wore me out. So now I'm here, trying to clip coupons, load my Target Cartwheel and Mperks up and prepare for the week when hubby goes back to work on Monday.

Looking back on the week, I am overwhelmed with the joy of knowing how my creative ways of saving money allowed us to take this vacation and not use any of our "house" money or credit cards. Not only have I been tucking away money from my Origami Owl and Thirty One parties to pay for this and my upcoming Thirty One conference in Columbus, but I've been pinching pennies here and there for the last year to ensure we can live comfortable on a single income.

Creative ways. That means more than clipping coupons. I started to do secret shops, most recently for my Credit Union that I use anyway. They pay $15 each shop that I complete. All I have to do is bank like normal, and fill out a survey about my trip. Easy. I just paid for Penny's zoo hat and the admission to the Sting Ray Bay.

Today I made the realization that razor blades and insanely overpriced. With both Nick and I using them (about 2-3 new blades a month) at a cost of $20-$25 a month, we spend over $300 shaving our unwanted body hair each year. Now, I could have just made the decision to never shave my legs or arm pits again, and really save some money, but I instead opted for this: The Dollar Shave Club. For $9 a month (shipping an tax included) I get 4 cartridges each with 6 blades. That's serious shaving right there. Nick and I can share them and each use 2 a month. That's only $108 a month. That means I've saved another $192 for the year. Boom. Hotel paid for!

It's easy to find ways to save money when you know where to look. These are just two things I did today. But honestly if you invest the time, you will be amazed to see how much money you can save. :)

I have to admit, I'm one of the world's worst parents when it comes to remembering to pack sunscreen for my kiddo. It probably goes hand in hand with growing up my entire life never needing/wanting it myself. Lucky for me (and her), Penny got mommy's amazing olive skin genes and tans like the perfect fire roasted marshmallow. :)

I want to try to be better though. You know, so my kid doesn't get skin cancer (on top of all the other cancers she will get from everything else that she consumes, touches breathes in and even looks at). I was happy when I got selected to try this new Coppertone Clearly Sheer Sunscreen for FREE from Bzzagent. I'm usually a buy the $15 all natural, no chemicals sunscreen for my kiddo, but hey, I'll try anything once. :)

My Bzzkit came with quite a huge pile of types and sizes to try out. One for Sunny Days you can wear on your face under your makeup, one is a spray can that goes on super fast and easy (which is stellar when trying to apply to a wiggly two year old) and one giant bottle that will last me a year. Not to mention a bunch of coupons to pass out.  So far, so good. No sun burn, no reaction and no mess. Hopefully I'm extending her life a few years, or at least her sun spots, too.  What kind of sunscreen do you use?



On a completely unrelated note, I'm so excited for this summer. Both my Origami Owl and Thirty One ventures are going to kick ass, I might actually be able to enjoy myself this summer, make some money, hang out with awesome ladies and feed my addiction to these two things without breaking the bank. I'm pretty good at being a stay at home mom. Now that I've figured out a few things, Like how to avoid a meltdown in Meijer when Sandy, the Penny Horse is Out of Order.

Well just get me a pink Cadillac!

It's funny really funny that my first @influenstervox was the #mkglam  voxbox. Anyone that knows me, knows I don't hardly wear makeup. I hate the way it feels like I'm carrying around 5#s of mud on my face, so I usually stick with some light blemish coverup, a little lip glass and some eyeliner to hide my bald eye lids. That's only on the days when I might come in contact with another human over the age of 5, which is rare since I'm a stay at home mom of a toddler. So, when I got the email telling me I'd been selected to try it out, I was a little hesitant but I figured what the heck. I could give an accurate review of at least how the product felt on my skin (even if I do apply makeup like an 8 year old.) So here it is, the box of goodies they send me to try out. Contents include: Mary Kay® Bronzing Powder
Mary Kay® Translucent Loose Powder
Mary Kay® Mineral Cheek Color
Mary Kay® Cream Eye Color in Apricot Twist
Mary Kay® Cream Eye Color/Concealer Brush
Mary Kay® Lash Love® Mascara
Mary Kay® Gel Eyeliner with Expandable Brush Applicator in Jet Black
Mary Kay® NouriShine Plus® Lip Gloss in Mango Tango 

 @MaryKay Let me tell you I love it. I LOVE IT. ALL OF IT. The NouriShine PLus lip gloss in Mango Tango is beautiful. The Cream Eye color is so light I can't even tell I'm wearing it and the Eye liner just glides on so smooth. Since getting this box in the mail, I've taken the time to put on makeup everyday. The bronzing powder and blush add a little color to my otherwise pale winter complexion (and a little goes a long way let me tell you!). I think overall though, My favorite is the loose power. It's perfect to take away that shine I always seem to have across the top of my nose. Even though it has nothing to do with the actual product, the packaging is awesome too, because you can actually twist to top closed so power isn't falling out all over when you drop it on the floor like I inevitable will do at least 3 times a week.
 All in all, I can say that this @influenstervox has turned me into a makeup wearer. I'm sure my husband appreciates the fact that I don't look like a just rolled out of bed at 5pm when he gets home from work anymore. :)