The Dangers of Health and Beauty Products

I think it is very important to know what goes into your body. Make-up, shampoo, face wash, and soap are many things that people use. Have you ever wondered what are in these products? The things we put on our body is as important as what we put in our body. The things we put on our body is absorbed. This blog will go into detail about soap, lotion, facial cleansers, lip balm, toothpaste, deodorant, and makeup.

Deodorant: Aluminum based compounds are the active ingredients in antiperspirants. These compounds form a block within the sweat duct. Researchers debate as to whether or not there is a link between the daily use of aluminum and breast cancer and Alzheimer’s. Conventional products also contain hormone disrupters, petrochemicals, lung irritants, and other suspect ingredients. Look at the list of ingredients and make sure to avoid the deodorants that have aluminum, parabens, and petrochemicals like propylene glycol. Applying antiperspirants is also harmful to your body because it prevents the release of toxins, and keeps your body from utilizing its natural built-in air conditioner.

Suggested products to use: J.A.S.O.N., Aubrey Organics, Weleda, Lafe’s, Terressentials, Bubble and Bee, and Miessence

DIY: In a reusable container, mix 1 part baking soda with 6 parts cornstarch. Shake the container to mix. Dab a small amount to the skin of your armpits with a soft cotton cloth or cotton ball.

7 Things You Don't Need!

I am not trying to be a Debbie downer. I just think that we can save our money, reduce our waste and simplify our lives. You don’t have to stop doing all of these things. Take it in baby steps. If you get coffee every morning, try and go three times a week instead and work your way up so that you only go once every couple of weeks. You don't need to stop doing all of these things. Pick one and start with that.

1.       You don’t need to go to the movies. Going to the movies is a lot of fun but it can be very expensive especially if you buy popcorn, candy, pop, etc. If you still want to go to the movies, opt out of going to the concession stand. My mom would pop popcorn ahead of time and put it in her big purse. She would also bring drinks. If we brought pop we would wait until it got loud and then we would open it so that no one would notice. Find out if there is a cheap movie place in your area. Some places only charge $2 for a movie!!! That’s a great dealJ

2.       You don’t need to buy new books. Books are expensive. Go to a library. You can even download books on your computer from the library. If you want to own books, go to a used bookstore or buy used books on amazon.com.

3.       You don’t need to eat out. Going out to eat can be a lot of fun but it can also be expensive if you go out a lot. I’m not saying that you should never go to a restaurant again. Just try to cut back.

4.       You don’t need to buy a coffee every morning. Think about all those cups you’re wasting! If you go to a coffee place bring your own mug. Getting coffee at a place should be a treat not a norm. Try and cut back.

5.       You don’t need to buy new clothes. Buy your clothes at a thrift store or a consignment store. There are some nice consignment stores that sell slightly used clothes. One example is Plato’s Closet. Ross is also a great place.

6.       You don’t need cable television. Chances are you don’t have that much time to watch television anyways. I know for me it is a pain to surf through all of the channels! When I do find a show I want to watch, I surf through the channels at the commercial break and then I forget about the original show I was watching. Either get the local channels or don’t have a television at all! I have lived without television for a month and I don’t miss it! I watch shows on hulu.com and I go to the library to get DVD’s. You can also go to redbox or try Netflix.

7.       You don’t need magazine prescriptions. Often times you read the magazine and then never read it again. Instead, read your favorite magazine at the library or go online and read articles for free!

Once you cut these things out of your life you will notice that you will be happier. You will have a simpler life and will have more money that you can spend on more important things.

10 Ways to Get Rid of Your Stuff!!!

1.       Sell your used books at sellusedbooks.com. Go to the website, enter the ISBN and get a free quote. They even pay for the shipping!

2.       Take your used furniture, clothes, books, etc. to a consignment store in your area. They will sell the items and give you a percentage of the sale.

3.       Sell your stuff on craiglist.org (cars, bikes, appliances, etc), amazon.com (CD’s, DVD’s, books), ebay.com (rare stuff that there is a niche market for), or etsy.com.  

4.       Hold a garage sale. This is good for stuff that isn’t worth shipping or would be hard to ship.

5.       List good quality stuff in the newspaper classifieds.

6.       Take your stuff to a pawn shop. They take instruments, dvds, video games, guns, jewelry, electronics, kitchen appliances, etc. If you are selling jewelry they will usually only take silver and gold.

7.       Donate your stuff to Goodwill, the Salvation Army, ARC, or any other thrift store. You will get a tax deduction for your donation.

8.       Put your stuff outside with a FREE sign.

9.       Give your stuff to friends or family members.

10.   Freecycle.org. You post things you want to give away and people come get it.

Simplify your Life!!!

Are you unhappy because you have a complicated and cluttered life? You will be happier if you simplify and unclutter your life. I just moved from Fort Collins, CO to Stowe, VT. We had furniture, books, odds and ends, etc. We needed all of our stuff to fit in one car because we didn't want to rent a moving van. We took our furniture to consignment stores and sold our books. The stuff we couldn't sell, we gave to Goodwill. We felt very free and liberated once we got rid of all that stuff. We don't realize that we only need a couple of things to live. If you haven't used something in the past month, you should get rid of it. Things to get rid of:

1. Old textbooks
2. Papers from college
3. Books and DVDs (You can get them at the library)
4. Nick nacks, decorative things (Keep a couple of things that mean a lot to you, but people tend to collect too many)
5. Overabundance of kitchen stuff (You don't need 20 knives, tons of mixing bowls, etc.)
6. Toiletries (Do you really need 5 bottles of lotion?)

Can you fit all of your belonging into one car? If not, get rid of some stuff! We don't need things in order to be happy. The people and experiences you have in your life are the things that matter:)

Living with little money

I am not someon who has been sucked into this consumerist world. I have always lived frugally but have fun at the same time. Here are some tips to saving money especially in this recession.

1. Choose between a cell phone or a landline. If you decide to go with the cell phone, stick to talking at night so that you don't exceed your minutes.
2. Credit cards can get you into a lot of debt. Switch to a debit card if you think you will spend more money than you have.
3. When going to the bars, bring cash so that you don't overspend.
4. Go to free concerts, events, and happy hours. Also, going to the park, hiking, and running are usually free.
5. Ride the bus or ride your bike when you can.
6. Go to the library instead of buying books, DVD's and CD's.
7. Go to a cheaper place to buy clothes such as Ross, TJ Maxx and Plato's closet.
8. Try to cut out something in your life you can live without such as buying a coffee every day, going out to eat, going to the movies, or buying a newspaper or magazine. You can go to he cheap movies, read the news online, and make coffee and food at home.
9. Cut down your electric bill by lowering your thermostat, or use oil lamps instead of lights.
10. When shopping, buy the store brand and buy in bulk if you can. Sunflower market and City market have great bulk sections. You can even get spices in bulk. Also, use coupons and try to drink tap water instead of buying expensive water and soda.
11. DIY: Make your own shampoo out of baking soda, make your own dish soap, cleaners, deodorant, face wash, bread, tomato sauce, bagels, pizza crust, etc.
12. When traveling, use coushsurfing or camp.
13. Use reusable cleaning cloths instead of paper towels.
14. Buy seasonal produce.
15. Make homemade cards.
16. Grow your own vegetables and fruits.

Going Green

1. Use reusable cleaning cloths instead of paper towels. Use reusable napkins.
2. Change lightbulbs to compact fluorescent lights.
3. Use rechargeable batteries.
4. Shade windows in the summer.
5. Use less toilet paper.
6. Only flush the toilet after pooping.
7. Pay bills online.
8. Drive through a parking spot. (uses less gas)
9. Ride your bike or walk whenever possible.
10. Fill the dishwasher as full as possible.
11. Turn thermostat down.
12. Unplug things when not in use.
13. Take shorter showers.
14. Buy in bulk.
15. Recycle.
16. Bring your own bags to the grocery store.
17. Don't buy bottled water.
18. Bring your own coffee cup to coffee places.
19. Use oil lamps instead of lights.