Sunday, July 31, 2011

Home Made Hair Helpers

I found this wonderful article over at The Dollar Stretcher...  and just had to share these wonderful tips for making your own hair care products at home
Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!!

Homemade Hair Helpers


by Stephanie Pedersen

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Home Lifestyle Beauty Hair Homemade Hair Products

Related Articles

Affordable Natural Homemade Shampoo

Homemade Hair De-Tangler

Affordable Hair Conditioner
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Some hair products are not only expensive, but also they may contain ingredients you wish to avoid. But don't despair. Using ingredients that you may already have in your cabinet, or by combining natural ingredients with your favorite store-bought beauty product, you can produce homemade hair treatments within minutes.

Homemade Pre-shampoo Treatment for Dry or Damaged Hair
2 to 4 tablespoons of almond or sesame oil
Warm oil in a small saucepan over a gentle heat. Apply to dry hair and allow to remain for 20 minutes to an hour. Shampoo hair and follow with your regular rinse-out conditioner. (If your hair is fine or thin, you may not need the regular after-shampoo conditioner.)

Semi-Homemade Shampoo
2 teaspoons of almond, sesame or avocado oil
1 tablespoon of coconut milk or dairy milk (not non-fat)
1/4 cup of the shampoo of your choice

Combine the ingredients in a bowl and whisk them together for two to three minutes. The quantity is enough for two homemade shampoos, unless your hair is extremely long. Cover and store the mixture in the refrigerator and use within two days. You will find that the oil will give your hair a lovely shine and manageability.

Semi-Homemade Spray-On Conditioner for All Hair Types
1 tablespoon of your favorite conditioner
8-ounce spray bottle
Water
Place a tablespoon of your favorite conditioner in the spray bottle and then fill the bottle up with water. Shake the bottle well before using. The spray is excellent for controlling frizzy hair, conditioning dry hair, or treating dehydrated hair. There is no need to rinse your hair after spraying.

Homemade Deep Conditioner for Normal to Dry Hair
4 teaspoons of almond, sesame, or avocado oil
2 teaspoons of coconut oil (available in health and natural food stores)
3 teaspoons of honey
1 teaspoon of cider vinegar
This homemade recipe is perfect for people with dry or damaged hair because it is a fairly rich conditioner. Slowly heat the first two ingredients in a saucepan over low heat. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the honey and vinegar. Use this mixture on your hair after your normal shampooing routine. Leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. The result? Smooth and well-conditioned hair.

Homemade Hair Gel for All Hair Types
2 tablespoons of flax seeds
1 cup of water
One vitamin E capsule (optional, good for dry, damaged or chemically-treated hair)
1 tablespoon of rosewater or 3 drops of your favorite essential oil
Unlike the commercial varieties, this styling gel also acts as a conditioner, so it is particularly good for dry hair. Combine the flax seeds and water in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool for 30 minutes. Strain out the seeds and stir in the vitamin E oil (if using) and the rosewater or essential oil. Pour the mixture into a clean jar and store it in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to one month.

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Stephanie Pedersen is a writer who specializes in "lifestyle" topics. She is the author of KISS Guide to Beauty and Kiss Guide to Planning a Wedding , both published by DK Publishing. Visit her weblog at www.xanga.com/stephaniepedersen

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Fabulous & Frugal Green Tea

For the last 2 days I have been making gallon jars of green tea, sun tea.  I take a gallon jar, it is a glass one.I fill it up with hot tap water from my sink.  I put in 4 green tea, tea bags, and then I use 2 bags of stash tea, this time I made lemon ginger.  So it has 6 tea bags all together in the jar...  4 green tea and 2 of the lemon ginger.  I put the lid on it and set it outside.  It doesn't get real dark, but it sure is flavorful.  I am telling you it is as good as the tea down at Starbucks.  The beauty of it all, is I got 100 Green tea bags at The Dollar Store....you guessed it, for a dollar.  I am loving my frugal and refreshing ice tea. Cheers!!!

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

My Packed Lunch

Today my packed lunch consisted of ....  Deli Turkey on a whole grain English muffin, with spicy brown mustard, a yogurt cup (it was banana cream pie) , 2 plums, and a bag of popcorn for later.  Very tasty and frugal lunch. 

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!!!

Fabulous & Frugal: Roast in the Crockpot

Fabulous & Frugal: Roast in the Crockpot: "Yesterday morning when I got home I threw 2 Angus beef roasts --(that I bought in the reduced meat bin at the store, if you don't use the me..."

Fabulous & Frugal: Frugal Smoothie

Fabulous & Frugal: Frugal Smoothie: "Awesome low-fat Frugal Smoothie 1/2 cup almond milk (soy milk or skim milk) 1/3 cup lowfat yogurt (any flavor)(you can substitute 2 teaspo..."

The Best Things In Summer



1. Sunshine!!!
2. Beaches
3. A good book
4. Garden ~ both flowers and vegetables
5. Thunder Storms
6. Fresh air
7. BBQ
8. Yard Sales
9. Vacations
10......  and Sunshine!!!!!

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Strawberry Rhubarb Cake

Wondering what to do with all that Rhubarb in your back yard??  Here is a fabulous recipe from Econobusters.com

Easy Strawberry
Rhubarb Cake

This recipe is super easy, delicious, and always a big hit!

Ingredients:
1 pound rhubarb, cut into 1/4-inch slices

3/4 cup sugar

1 (3-ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin mix

1 (18.25-ounce) package yellow cake mix

1 cup water

1/4 cup margarine, melted

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease a 9- by 13-inch baking pan.

Spread the rhubarb evenly in the bottom of the baking dish.

Sprinkle the sugar over the rhubarb, then the gelatin mix, and finally the cake mix.

Pour the water and melted margarine over the top. Do not stir, but make sure the dry ingredients are evenly covered by the wet ingredients. If needed, take a spray bottle and lightly mist water over any spots that were missed.

Bake for 45 minutes or until the rhubarb is tender.

Enjoy!


Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!!

The Best Time To Buy...........

This is an excellent article chock full of information on the best time to buy stuff....  I found this article over at the Dollar Stretcher.com

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!!!!!!

The Question


My grandma used to have a sheet of paper on the refrigerator with the best time to buy certain items. It was listed by months. All I can remember from it is that January was linens and towels. Can you help? Thanks!

Alisa



Grocery Products

With 5 years experience in doing layouts for supermarket circulars for the largest chain in NYC, here are some basics:



•Frozen Food - March is nations frozen food month. Always great sales.





•Dairy - June is national dairy month. Not quite as big a deal as Frozen Food month.





•BBQ Products (ketchup, mustard, relish, salad dressings, napkins, etc.): Early in the summer. These companies want to fill your pantry so you don't buy any competitors products all summer. Good time to stock up a years worth.





•Beverages (soda, beer, juice drinks, apple juice): All summer especially around holidays such as Memorial Day, Labor Day and July 4th. Also usually good prices on large size items (like 2 liter soda) during holiday sales in other months.





•Baking needs (flour, sugar, corn/vegetable oil, aluminum foil, etc): Thanksgiving and December Holidays. This is also a good time to stock up on holiday related items that you like to eat all year such as cranberries and canned yams.





•Italian products (ricotta, mozzarella, crushed tomatoes, olive oil): Christmas, Easter and Columbus Day. Holiday stockup goes for all ethnic products, such as Chinese products at Chinese New Years, Jewish products during Rosh Hashana and Passover, etc.





•It is also good to follow what is going on in the world too for indications of what will happen in the store. There is currently a butter shortage, so stock up on butter ASAP. It freezes really well. Also stock up on any items made with butter. Items that can't be stocked up on, just buy now and enjoy them as you won't be buying it again for awhile.





Ray

Listed by Type of Item

Garden tools - February/April (Look for up to 50% off on things like rakes, hoes, and shovels then.)



Linens and towels - January/February and July/August (discontinued fall and spring merchandise)



Landscape plants:



- January (indoor plants)

- March through October (perennials and annuals)

- March through May (shrubs, trees, and rosebushes)

- September (fall bulbs)

- February/March (spring bulbs)



Kitchenware and small appliances - Mother's Day shopping in May or after holidays



Furniture - December (Supposedly, furniture sales slow down for the holidays.)



Carpeting - January and February



China and Flatware - March and September (on last season's styles)



Hardware - December and during June's Father's Day specials



Fabric:



- March for spring patterns

- September for fall patterns



Flowerpots, Statuary, and Barbeques - During the winter



Major Appliances - No special time of year was given, just to consider buying floor-demonstration models and to ask the larger chains for bigger discounts when making major purchases. The worst thing that could happen is that they'd say no.



Paint - May through August (during hot weather!)



Building Supplies - There's no way to predict times for sales prices. Your best bet for saving money is to look for free cutting, delivery, and other service perks.



Cleaning Supplies and Pantry Staples - January or August/September



Patio Furniture - February and late August

Brookes E.



Listed by Month

I found this in The Book of Secrets. I think it's exactly what Alisa was looking for. Here's a month-by-month schedule for dedicated bargain hunters:



January

* After-Christmas sales.

* Appliances

* Baby carriages

* Books

* Carpets and rugs

* China and glassware

* Christmas cards

* Costume jewelry

* Furniture

* Furs

* Lingerie

* Men's overcoats

* Pocketbooks

* Preinventory sales

* Shoes

* Toys

* White goods (sheets, towels, etc,)



February

* Air Conditioners

* Art supplies

* Bedding

* Cars (used)

* Curtains

* Furniture

* Glassware and china

* Housewares

* Lamps

* Men's apparel

* Radios, TV sets, and stereos

* Silverware

* Sportswear and equipment

* Storm windows

* Toys



March

* Boys' and girls' shoes

* Garden supplies

* Housewares

* Ice skates

* Infants' clothing

* Laundry equipment

* Luggage

* Ski equipment



April

* Fabrics

* Hosiery

* Lingerie

* Painting supplies

* Women's shoes



May

* Handbags

* Housecoats

* Household linens

* Jewelry

* Luggage

* Mothers' Day specials

* Outdoor furniture

* Rugs

* Shoes

* Sportswear

* Tires and auto accessories

* TV sets



June

* Bedding

* Boy's clothing

* Fabrics

* Fathers' Day specials

* Floor coverings

* Lingerie, sleepwear and hosiery

* Men's clothing

* Women's shoes



July * Air conditioners and other appliances

* Bathing suits

* Children's clothes

* Electronic equipment

* Fuel

* Furniture

* Handbags

* Lingerie and sleepwear

* Luggage

* Men's shirts

* Men's shoes

* Rugs

* Sportswear

* Summer clothes

* Summer sports equipment



August

* Back-to-school specials

* Bathing suits

* Carpeting

* Cosmetics

* Curtains and drapes

* Electric fans and air conditioners

* Furniture

* Furs

* Men's coats

* Silver

* Tires

* White goods

* Women's coats



September

* Bicycles

* Cars (outgoing models)

* China and glassware

* Fabrics

* Fall fashions

* Garden equipment

* Hardware

* Lamps

* Paints



October

* Cars (outgoing models)

* China and glassware

* Fall/winter clothing

* Fishing equipment

* Furniture

* Lingerie and hosiery

* Major appliances

* School supplies

* Silver

* Storewide clearances

* Women's coats



November

* Blankets and quilts

* Boys' suits and coats

* Cars (used)

* Lingerie

* Major appliances

* Men's suits and coats

* Shoes

* White goods

* Winter clothing



December

* After-Christmas cards, gifts, toys

* Blankets and quilts

* Cars (used)

* Children's clothes

* Christmas promotions

* Coats and hats

* Men's furnishings

* Resort and cruise wear

* Shoes

Ashley



From "Miserly Moms"

Here is the list from the book Miserly Moms: Living on Onr Income in a Two Income Economy by Jonni McCoy.



January - February: men's shirts, towels, linens, sheets, clothes dryer, used cars, water heaters, art supplies, bicycles, books, curtains, clearance furniture, Christmas wrap and ornaments, toys, meats (turkey, ham), baking items.



March: coats, clothing for all, shoes, TV, washing machines, ski equipment, housewares, artichokes



April - May: dresses, suits, coats, summer clothes, towels, TV, tires, outdoor furniture, paint, tools, garden supplies, summer sports equipment, gift items, artichokes, dairy products, ham, eggs, chicken.



June - July: summer clothes, shoes, air contitioner, school supplies, outdoor furniture, building materials, most furniture, gift items, dairy products, fresh fish, barbecue foods, limes and lemons.



August - September: summer clothes, fall clothes, school clothes, swimwear, school supplies, garden supplies, outdoor furniture, rugs and carpets, bicycles, car batteries and mufflers, seasonal items, season passes, fresh fish, lamb, canned goods



October.: cars from dealerships (buy close to last day of month for best deal), summer sports equipment



November.: men's shirts, water heaters, home improvement supplies, houses are cheaper.



December.: Not a good time to buy anything, until December 26.

S.





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