Lazy Man and Money

3 Incredibly Simple, Inexpensive DIY Beauty Staples

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I’m on vacation this week (could you tell?), but fortunately staff writer Christina Garofalo has pitched in an article that should save you money.

A couple months ago, while staying with a friend, I noticed a stack of cleansers, creams, and scrubs in her bathroom — delicious combinations like coffee-coconut and sugar-mint that smelled better than anything I’d found at the store. When I asked about them, she told me she had made them herself.

I’ve seen recipes for DIY beauty products in the past, but they always seemed to involve too much time and effort. However, lately I’ve been changing my tune.

The average woman spends $15,000 on makeup alone over the course of her lifetime, and many of these products contain parabens that may cause hormonal imbalances and other health problems down the line. Natural and organic cosmetic lines are generally even more expensive than the conventional ones, forcing me to choose between my health and my budget.

With my friend’s recommendations and a bit of my own research, I found a few staple recipes that are easy and far less expensive than the natural products in the beauty aisle — and they give me control over what’s going onto my skin.

Recipes

There are a ton of natural ingredients — most of which you can find in your kitchen — that have great benefits for your skin.

The first are oils, primarily coconut and olive oil. These are the most expensive of the ingredients up front, but if you buy them in large quantities and use them for cooking as well, like I do, it ends up being cost effective in the end. Oils are great for moisturizing and for exfoliators.

Coarse sea salt, raw sugar, coffee grounds, and oats all make excellent exfoliants. Add these to any of the oils and you already have a simple, effective (and tasty) moisturizing scrub. One thing to note is that salt scrubs can be pretty tough on your skin, so I’d recommend keeping those to your body and reserving finer white table sugar or oats for your face.

Other ingredients you might want to consider are Vitamin E and aloe, which are great for restorative and anti-aging products, especially in winter. These you typically only need a tiny amount of at a time, so a little bit goes a long way. If you’re not already using something with a powerful scent, like coffee grounds, peppermint oil or dried lavender can make a great addition; I’d suggest the former for a refreshing morning cleanser and the latter for a relaxing evening one.

To make all of these, mix the ingredients in a separate bowl before transferring it into the final container.

Here are three super easy recipes I love.

Coffee-Coconut Exfoliator

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There are few things more uplifting in the morning than a fresh cup of coffee, so filling your steaming shower with that scent might be the *best* way to start your day. Aside from the invigorating smell, caffeine is also the active ingredient in most cellulite treatment creams. This scrub is ideal for exfoliating and rejuvenating your skin, while simultaneously moisturizing it. The consistency should be oily enough to stay together but be solid enough to scoop into your hands.

Ingredients

8 heaping tbsp of coconut oil
1 cup of ground coffee beans (do not use instant coffee)

Instructions

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Scoop coconut oil into a microwave safe bowl and heat in microwave for about 25 seconds or until it’s completely melted. Add the cup of coffee grounds. Mix thoroughly, and scoop into a mason jar.

Note that coconut oil is solid at room temperature, so I like to bring the jar into the shower with me for a few minutes to soften a bit before use.

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Moisturizing Lip Scrub

All winter, the cold dry air and wind take a toll on my face — especially my lips. Sometimes they become so chapped that they begin to peel, and Chapstick just globs on and doesn’t really seep in. This scrub gently removes the peeling skin from my lips while moisturizing them at the same time, plus it tastes good — a little bit will invariably get into your mouth.

Ingredients

1 tsp olive oil (I like the extra virgin olive oil infused with lemon, also great on salads)
3/4 tsp white sugar

*or*

1 tsp crystallized honey
1 tsp olive or grape seed oil

Instructions

Mix ingredients in a separate container. Adjust to desired thickness, and transfer to a wide, shallow container to store.

Natural Eye Makeup Remover

The skin around your eyes is the most sensitive skin on your body. It’s surprising to me the number of people I know who use harsh clothes and astringents to remove their mascara and eyeliner. Mascara is already tough on your eyes, and many makeup removers don’t get all of the makeup off, instead pushing it further into the skin around the eyes or severely drying that skin out. This all-natural eye makeup remover balances the astringent and soothing qualities I like to remove my makeup. Tip: After washing your face, use a Q-tip with an extra dab of Vitamin E oil to go over the eyelids and lashes to get rid of any leftover makeup.

Ingredients

2 tbsp vitamin E oil
2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp of alcohol-free witch hazel
1/2 cup purified water

Instructions

Pour all ingredients into an eight ounce bottle that has a secure lid. Shake before each use.

5 Statements Your Significant Other Makes About Money that Should Raise a Red Flag

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According to a study published in the Journal of Family and Economic Issues, feeling like your partner spent money foolishly increased the likelihood of divorce 45% for both men and women.

But talking about money is touchy — especially in relationships — because when you talk about a person’s money, you are also talking about his power, control, and freedom. But before you begin a life with someone, those uncomfortable conversations about money are paramount. If you do not understand each other’s attitudes toward spending and saving, you can risk losing power, control, and freedom over your own life. Because, ultimately, the way your partner treats money can affect you both long-term.
While I encourage you to talk about finances regardless, here are five statements (and behaviors) that are cause for a talk:

1. “Everyone has debt. It’s not a big deal. I’ll eventually pay it off.” (But makes no plan to do so.)

Someone who continually accrues debt and feels no sense of urgency or responsibility to pay it off may not know how to handle money responsibly. As you likely know, the more debt you have, the more money it costs you over time — that’s the way interest on loans work. So, if your partner is unconcerned with his or her debt and continues to dig deeper into the negatives without making any effort or plan to pay it down, could lead you to bankruptcy. And should you marry, any unpaid debts or bad credit will taint your own perfectly stellar credit line just by being attached.

2. “I work hard, so I deserve to buy [enter expensive item].”

Lifestyle inflation and feelings of entitlement can be kryptonite — they’ll blow your very rational, reasonable budget every time. And in a relationship, there are few feelings that are worse than working hard and skimping on luxuries of your own for the greater good of your combined future or financial freesom, only to find that your partner has spent the money on themselves. If one party continually violates a joint budget, it is likely to cause feelings of resentment.

3. “I don’t have to invest much for retirement, because I’m great at picking stocks.”

People who always look for shortcuts can be a red flag in many areas of life. But financial shortcuts, like picking stocks, are especially not something to bank on. Stocks are not a sure thing; old age is. If your parner has extra money to invest in stocks after other responsibilities are met, go for it, but not at the expense of a secure, steady retirement fund. Otherwise you’ll see your own plans for retirement slip away.

4. “I need this pair of shoes because everyone has them and I don’t want people to think I lack taste.”

People who tie stuff to status — e.g. the sort of people who buy nice cars so people think they are wealthy and meanwhile can’t pay for their mortgage — indicates something is askew not just with how they handle money but also about their values. In this case, actions speak louder than words: when someone spends their limited resources on flashy material gains, it says to me that they lack confidence and are trying to buy happiness. If you do not share that outlook and your partner does, it will likely take a toll on your own happiness and on your bank account.

5. People who make no statements about their finances at all (i.e. People who aren’t up front).

Communication is key in resolving money issues. Being unwilling to talk and be honest with your partner about your financial history indicates a lack of understanding and respect that permeates beyond finances.

I understand that it can be hard to discuss your staggering student debt or a previous credit card mishap, but everyone makes mistakes and most financial problems can be resolved with time and willpower. In the end, none of these things have to be deal breakers. In fact, studies show that couples who made a plan and tackled their debt together remained happier with each other over the long-term.

Often times, an honest and open talk where you hear one another out can rectify any red flags.

Five Reasons Side Gigs Aren’t Just for Freelancers

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According to a CareerBuilder.com survey, in recent years, 20 percent of full-time workers have picked up a second job. Since the economic crisis in 2008, more and more people are seeking side income to avoid falling at the mercy of corporate layoffs. Today, diversifying your income is a good idea even if you do have a full time salary that covers your needs. From greater financial security to a more rounded resume, here are five ways locking down an extra source of cash can go a long way.

1. You’ll build greater financial security

A second study by CareerBuilder.com found that 42 percent of full-time workers usually or always live paycheck to paycheck just to make ends meet, making it difficult to save for the future let alone enjoy the present. Whether you turn your spare room into a B&B or you start a dog sitting business on weekends, earning extra cash off of assets you already have will lift the weight of worrying about every dollar spent and help you save responsibly for your future.

[Editor’s Note: I can give you a ton of information on dog sitting having hosted nearly 150 “dog days” (number of dogs times the number of days.]

2. You’ll be more marketable

Building a career is, in essence, incumbent upon the ability to hone a skill that makes you valuable and hopefully indispensable to an employer. Therefore, the more new skills you acquire, the more opportunities you have to be indispensable. And the easiest and most economical way to acquire a new skill is to learn it on the job.

By diving deeper into skills you already have — like learning to use new data analytics software — for a side job, you will be better apt to get a new job (if you are looking) or to bring more to the table at your primary job, which could earn you a promotion. Plus, the balancing act that comes with working multiple gigs will help you prioritize and manage your time better.

3. You’ll save more

People are more likely to save a tax refund than they are to save that same amount of money when they’ve earned it in smaller increments throughout the year’s worth of paychecks. Similarly, money from a side gig — because it’s separate from your standard paycheck — has a better chance at finding its way into retirement savings or other investments. You might find that having a steady stream of income separate from your paycheck helps you to better compartmentalize and commit to your saving strategy or debt pay off.

4. You’ll build a better professional network

Getting a freelance writing gig in addition to my full time job ultimately primed me for more writing opportunities, which enabled me to form a full-time freelance career. By maintaining several side jobs at once, I was able to multiply the number of good professional references and contacts in a shorter period of time. Furthermore, many companies like to test out employees on a part-time or freelance basis to make sure they are a good fit before offering them a full-time job. Getting a side job with a company or organization you like or aspire to work at can be a good way to get a job there in the future.

5. You’ll make friends and get free perks

A friend of mine wanted to get her yoga teacher training certification. Instead of shelling out $2,000 on a training program, she offered to work the front desk at the studio near her apartment, where she took classes several times a week, in exchange for the certification. I’ve known people who have gotten similar perks from working at running and surf shops as well. Working at a place where people share similar interests can also open you up to a broader network of people who share your interests — a great option if you move to a new city and are looking to make friends.

Overall, having a side gig puts you in better control over your finances. Whether you are saving up for retirement or for a big vacation, the odds are always more in your favor if you have several ways of getting there.

5 Reasons Why Expensive Cars Cost More Than You Think

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When most people commit to buying a luxury car, they know they’ll spend more money at the dealership. But unfortunately the expenses don’t stop at the sticker price.

This was the case when a friend recently told me that driving a fancy car didn’t cost that much more than a normal car.

Here’s how I explained to him why he’s wrong.

You spend more money on gas.

Luxury cars will drive up your spending on gas two ways.

Check your owner’s manual. Manufacturers of many luxury cars require or recommend that you use only premium gas because they tune their engines with a higher compression ratio than other cars and a lower octane fuel could lead to pre-ignition, causing engine knock. Premium fuel generally costs 20 to 30 cents more per gallon.

Additionally, many luxury cars have larger, more powerful engines that prioritize performance and are weighted down with heavy leather seats and other luxury touches, which combine for less fuel-efficiency. So not only will you spend more on expensive, premium gas, you’ll also burn through that gas more quickly.

If you want to put into numbers, consider this: If you drive 1,000 miles a month, choose a luxury car that gets 20 miles per gallon over a normal car that gets 30, and pay $2.50 for premium fuel rather than $2.25 for regular, you’ll spend $50 extra on fuel per month — $600 per year.

Luxury cars cost more to maintain and repair.

Manufacturers of high-end cars often require that scheduled service of the complicated engines and electronics be done at the dealership’s service center or at approved, high-priced specialists meaning that every checkup costs a little bit more. Add in the higher price of specialty fluids and filters, performance brake pads, and sport-rated tires, and you’ll find that keeping up with routine maintenance rapidly outpaces what you’d spend on a normal car.

And when parts need to be repaired or replaced, get ready to spend more as well. A more expensive car means you’ll also pay more for everything from replacement windshields to body parts, and then having to pay more for expensive paint-matching and pearl coating for each of those body parts.

You’ll spend more on parking.

When you own a luxury car, it’s very easy to convince yourself to avoid street parking to not have to deal with fears of burglary, vandalism, or damage. And if you find yourself in a big city for work or a fun night out, sticking to parking garages can cost anywhere from $20 to $70 per day.

You’ll spend more on insurance.

Even if you are able to forever avoid the misfortune of burglary or an accident, your insurer will still make you pay for the risk of it.

Insurance premiums are largely driven by vehicle cost, because an insurer has to replace your vehicle if it’s totaled in an accident. An expensive luxury car would thus fetch higher insurance premiums.

The vehicle’s safety record is also an important factor in determining insurance cost, as is how the cars are often driven. Insurers known that expensive, sportier cars are more frequently driven in risky ways compared to, for example, a family-friendly minivan in which owners frequently carry their kids.

You might be more likely to buy other expensive things, like clothes.

But for many people, the aspect of luxury car ownership that has the highest potential for spending loads of money is the lifestyle change that could come with a luxury car purchase.

Studies on conspicuous consumption suggest that signaling — purchasing items that reveal our wealth to others — might even part of a deeper human impulse to seek status in our communities. In other words, once you enter into a lifestyle that values expensive luxury cars, you may find yourself spending more on everything from clothes to watches to vacations in the hopes of keeping up with your neighbors.

Buy Jars for Gifts at the Grocery Store Instead of the Craft Store

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This time last year, I was looking to make creative, inexpensive Christmas gifts and needed several small jars to do it. In the past, I’ve bought Mason jars at the hardware store, so I went there first. The 12-pack wasn’t too expensive — just under $1 per jar — but I only needed four, and sold individually, the jars were double the price.

I tried the craft store, the craft section of a big box store, even a discount store, and found that small, decorative jars were never cheap — in some cases, they were even more expensive than big jars!

As a last resort, my now-fiance and I went to a grocery store and split up to find the crafts section. A few minutes in, I received a text message from him: “Come quick to aisle 11! They’ve got small jars for only 44 cents!”

I walked over and was surprised to find him among the diapers and baby powder, scanning the shelves excitedly.

“Only 44 cents… AND THEY’VE GOT BABY FOOD INSIDE THAT WE CAN EAT!”

The store, which normally sold baby food for 88 cents, was having a two-for-one sale.

The jars were perfect — the right size for my application and a cute pear-shape, which was presumably intended to accommodate little hands but that made them all the more charming). And with flavors like apple, mixed berry, and pear (no sugar and no preservatives), we were also getting a cheap, healthy snack.

I thought of how many glass jars we’d just left out with our recycling over the last six months. If we had planned in advance, we probably could have gotten a hodgepodge of small jars for free just by saving them.

Plus, reusing stuff is also better for the planet. Sometimes, a bit of creativity goes a long way!

How to clean off the labels

I’ve found that the stickiness of the label varies widely depending on the manufacturer. It can be a real pain to get these off just by peeling. Here’s what I do.

Boil some water, fill up the jar, then let it sit for a few minutes. The hot water will heat up the adhesive and make it easier to work with the label.

Carefully pour out the water, then rip off as much of the label and adhesive as you can with your bare hands. Of what’s left, wash as much as you can with warm, soapy water.

If you’ve got a really tough label, try Goo Gone or nail polish remover with acetone. Both remove adhesive in seconds.

How to clean out the smell from the inside

Depending on what used to be in the jars and what you’ll use the jars for, there’s a chance you may not want the old smell to carry over.

I first give the insides a good scrub with warm, soapy water. Then, I stuff the jars with newspapers and a few tablespoons of baking soda, and let them sit overnight to absorb as much of the smell as possible.

If the smell still isn’t gone, I pull out the nuclear option: fill 1/4 of the jar with white vinegar. I can tell you from personal experience that white vinegar will pretty much knock out any offensive smell.

After you’ve done all this wash and rinse the jar out thoroughly. Then add whatever it is you like — loose-leaf tea, homemade jam, candy. The only limit is your imagination ;-)