Naked 1 Palette Tutorial #1

Here's a tutorial using the original Urban Decay Naked palette.

1. Blend "Naked" into the crease in a windshield wiper motion.
2. Place "Baked" onto the lid in a patting motion. 
3. With a pencil brush, create a triangular shape with the color "Hustle" in the outer V of your eye.
4. Without using anymore color, blend any harsh edges with a blending brush. 
5. With a shader brush, use "Virgin" along the brow bone.
6. 
   
7. Using the same pencil brush as early, add a smaller triangular shape above the "Hustle" e/s using the color "Creep".
8. With a clean shader brush, apply "Sin" in the inner corners of the eye.    

Add eyeliner and mascara, and you've got yourself a "Naked" look!

How to Wear: Green Eyeshadow!

Save that Money, Honey!: Free Clothes

Do you like freebies?  Of course you do!  And so do I!  As you may now know, I am always on the hunt to find how to get a lot for little.

Last summer, I found a way to get it for free!  That is, free clothes.  And more specifically, free school uniforms for my son and daughter!  Impossible?  Not even!

About two years ago, I subscribed to the Banana Republic VISA credit card.  I did this because I love their clothes and figured, why not, this is a place I shop at often, being a teacher and all, and if they'll send me more coupons on account of having their Visa card, I'll go for it.  Now let me just "disclaim" something- I always pay my credit cards off in full every month.  I never accrue interest.  So, having another credit card, for me, isn't an issue because I simply integrate it into my budget.  Notice I didn't say ADD it- I said integrate.

Let me explain, as you read in my previous post, I use one credit card every month for all of my bills (clothes, food, gas, etc).   So when I applied for the Banana Republic Visa card, I only intended it to serve for part of my already allotted clothes budget, not in addition to my clothes budget.  This is why I can pay it off in full, because I have already allotted for it and I stick to my budget.

Anyhow, during the summer months of May, June, and July, Banana Republic offered a promotion.  Three times the points per dollar.  My head starts clicking and ticking and then...I had a plan.  Instead of using my regular credit card, I would switch to my BR Visa card.  Essentially, embodying the same idea of buying what you already have to buy, and earning free money in the process.  Let's just say that at the end of the three month promotional period, I had accrued over $400 in BR rewards (example shown above).  The awesome thing about BR rewards is that you can also use them at Gap and Old Navy!  Sooo, I waited for the right moment, and as soon as those two stores started promoting their back to school sales, I went through Ebates and ShopatHome (yup, I wanted cash back on my free money), clicked on the Old Navy website, bought undies, undershirts, socks, pants, shorts, polos, used an online coupon on top of that (because yes, you can combine rewards with coupons) for...wait for it, wait for it...free!  I did the same for my daughter at the Gap.  Amaze-balls!

Now, I still had to buy shoes.  So I bought shoes with other coupons online through Ebates and ShopatHome.  But nothing, nothing can beat that deal.  I hope they have the same promotion this upcoming summer, but if they don't I still have a good deal with their current program.

I hope this inspires you to think about what your credit card company's rewards are and how you can use them to your advantage.

If you have other exciting incentives or strategies for getting free clothes, please share with us and spread the word!

How to Wear: Purple Eyeshadow!

How to Wear: Silver Eyeshadow!

Naked 2 Palette

Full face look!

Save that Money, Honey!: Free Flights

So, flights are expensive.  They are especially expensive when there's four of you, or six of you, or whatever.  But I found a way to save money on one of the most outrageous expenditures of any family vacation.

My husband and I decided we would use our Southwest Rapid Rewards card for ALL of our household expenditures.  Everything.  All year long.  And by doing what I have to do anyway, shop for gas, groceries, Amazon products :)...I earn points for flights.  When summer roles around we usually have enough to pay for all of the flights to our family destination.

The Southwest card is not the only card that offers this program, there are many of them.  But perhaps this will spark some ideas for you and yours when planning for your next airline travel!

Let me also mention that in order to avoid paying interest fees on balances carried over, you should plan to pay the credit card in full at the end of the month.  Don't save just to spend!

Happy savings!
Julie

Save that Money, Honey!: 12 Ways to Save on Amazon!

I have become a diehard fan of Amazon just because of all the amazing deals/offers available for moms like me trying to care for their family in the most economical way possible!

Below are a list of perks I have found to be the reason I use Amazon to do so much of my online
shopping:

1. Amazon Prime: For only $79 a year, Amazon Prime offers free two-days shipping, access to the Amazon lending library to borrow one Kindle book per month (only useable for those who actually own a Kindle), and access to tons of free movies and TV shows!  

I cannot tell you how much i LOVE this membership!  I have managed to cut back on my satellite bill (roughly $600 a year) and gas for my car since I am making less runs to the store and still getting great prices online.  Nothing is more convenient than coming home to boxes of necessities at your door after a long day's work!  Just on those two points alone, I am STILL saving money despite the membership fee.

2. Amazon Mom: You do not actually have to be a mom to join Amazon Mom!  This program also costs $79 a year and you will always get 20% off diapers and wipes.  If you have a small child, you will quickly earn back your membership fee.  You will also get the two-day free shipping, unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows, and you'll be able to borrow a Kindle book (again only available for those with a Kindle) for free each month.  It works just like Prime but with mom discounts!  

3. Amazon Student:  This programs costs just $39 per year for four years.  To join you must be willing to show proof that you are a student.  This program is also similar to Amazon Prime, however, you won't be able to access the free streaming and free two-day shipping is only available for six months. The cool thing about Amazon Student is that you can earn back that membership fee through friend referrals-$5 per referral to be exact!

4. Amazon Trade-In Store: How can you further save on your Amazon bill when you are shopping for those household necessities?  Well trade in your old college textbooks, books, electronics, movies, video games, or music to the Amazon Trade-In Store and earn gift cards to apply on your next purchase.  Amazon pays the shipping fees so there is absolutely no out of pocket costs to you!  Love it!

5. Amazon Subscribe and Save:  Have I told you how much I love Amazon?  If not, I do- and by that I mean Amazon Subscribe and Save has been a God-send.  When you order through this program you will be saving 5% off each item ordered - not bad.  But it could be better.  When you place five subscribe and save orders to be delivered in the same month you will save 15%!  If you are an Amazon Mom member your savings increases to 20%!  Many times, coupons are also available to "clip" which magnifies the savings!  In-creeee-dible!

So you know, you are also in complete control of the delivery schedule.  It can be as frequent as every month or as infrequent as six months.   Shipping is always free and if you decide you no longer want this item to be shipped to your home, you are under no obligation to continue.  Simply cancel your subscription and move on to the next item!

Just as a side note, I also like to earn Amazon gift cards through surveys which I apply to my subscribe and save orders.  This takes my final cost WAY down and leaves more cash in my pockets.  Me likey.

6. Filler Finder: Let's say you don't subscribe to any of the aforementioned programs and you simply want to make purchases through Amazon- you will find that you will need to meet the $35 minimum requirement for free shipping.  That is a real pain when you are only a few dollars short.  But that can easily be eliminated by using a Filler Finder to find objects that will help you meet the requirement!  Save on paying more than you need to!

7. Gold Box Deal of the Day: These are heavily discounted items - sometimes up to 75%.  Awesome deals to be had here!

8. Lightening Deals: These are found on the same page and are again, awesome deals.  These only last four hours or until they are sold out!  Stay abreast of this page as the deals will change often!

9. Amazon Warehouse Deals: Check out this area of the site for quality open-box or refurbished items.  Amazon guarantees these items so you can request a refund if doesn't end up meeting expectations.

9. Price Guarantee: If a price drops on an item within 30 days of when you bought it, call or chat online with customer service and ask for the difference to be refunded.  You will need to check back on your orders but if you are like me and love to get your family's needs met for next to nothing, this is worth the time.

10. CamelCamelCamel.com: If you are looking to purchase something from Amazon (especially big ticket items), check this site first!  It will send you an alert when an item hits your target price!

11. Save for Later or Add to Wishlist: I use these options all the time when contemplating items to purchase.  (It helps me avoid unnecssary impulse buys.)  The cool thing about "save for later" items  is when you visit your cart, you will receive an alert stating whether one of these items has increased or decreased in price.  You can monitor these items and when the price is right, you will know it is time to purchase if you're still interested!

12.  Shop with Points: You can use your Chase credit card points to shop on Amazon!  Yay free money!  Seriously, if you have any of the cards below, including an Amazon Visa (which is not shown), you will be able to apply whatever earned points you have towards your Amazon purchases at checkout!  Too.  Cool.

I intend to keep adding to this list as I discover more ways to save on this site.  I'd love to add your recommendations too.  Please share with us in the comments below!