what's it worth to ya?

it's funny what some people will spend their money on. generics won't hack it, they place more importance in certain areas over others, it's just what they've always done, brand loyalty, etc.

{cred}

lately, i've been spending a bit more than i'd love to on "quality" skin care products. i started the origins line about two months ago. i love the smell, the packaging, the philosophy, but not necessarily the price. i am still waiting to see if the results are worth the price...but the jury is still out.

do you have something you will spend more on? why? you just love it? you believe in it?

what's your spending soft spot, if you will?
xoxo ashleycolean

it changed my life

a few months ago, i was hanging out with some friends and one of them was reading glamour mag. she was mocking an article called 20 beauty products that will change your life. "seriously?!! changed your life??! what beauty product can change your life!!" i quickly corrected her. yes, as a matter of fact one of their 'life changers' from a couple years ago really did change my life.

okay, maybe a mild exaggeration, but still. it's made a difference. the product in question, clairol root touchup. aka, BOMB DOT COM root saver.

{cred}

it is freaking amazing. it saves me time, MONEY, and embarrassing roots. i color my hair about 4 shades darker than my natural color (much to the dismay of my mom). i have had hair just about every color under the sun, but there are so many benefits to being dark.

limited upkeep, box dye looks just the same as the salon (or close enough), its cheaper, i look like the poor mans kardashian (or so i've been told), and it looks better when it's a mess. i just did a little root touch up this weekend...

ya see...looks like one color to me!

anyway, root touch up really does work. i dont know how, but it does, and i'm not asking any questions. it's normally just under $6 box (you can get it at target) and it works just as well as coloring your whole head. i actually like it better than an all over color because it gives a little dimension.

i was at target the other day and they had a sale, buy one box color and get the touch up free! i spent under $20 and have enough hair dye and root touch up to last me until september!! september, people!!

now that's what i call a bargain.
xoxo ashleycolean

money wasters

i was checking in with cnn money the other day and found this article about the top ten biggest money wasters. according to them-

c/o whi

the biggest money wasters:

atm fees-i'm not too into this because i used my cards whenever possible, but something as simple as planning ahead if you're into carrying cash will do wonders for you.

lotto tickets-i have to avoid lotto tickets because i somehow become totally convinced i will win-every time.

gourmet coffee-like i said here-stopping the starbucks runs have seriously helped my budget.

cigarettes-thank goodness-not something i had to worry about.

infomercial impulse buys-i've only ever bought 1 thing from an infomercial. and i used it-for a while.

brand name groceries-guilty, and i think the whole foods 'brand' is even more expensive. i love whole foods. i can't help it. i actually enjoy going to the grocery store when i shop there. probably oughta switch over. ugh.

going out to eat-uh yea-i think before the lock down i was easily spending $250plus to go out to eat in a month.

unused gym memberships-indeed. i keep thinking maybe i should put a hold on mine until the fall-because i'd rather die than waste a sunny day in the gym. something to think about.

daily internet deals-bingo. although, i haven't bought any in the past month, and now my focus is using all the ones i had so they don't expire.

bundled phone and internet packages-n/a

so yes, i have been a victim to most of these-

but probably my personal worst one- beauty products!

xoxo ashleycolean

beauty product blowout

so, i thought, for my first money saving activity i would go through the drawers, and tupperwares, and even tackle box i have filled to the gills with beauty products, hair stuff, nail polish, makeup, etc etc etc...

i figured, if i have an idea of what i have, and use it up, i won't have to spend money on much of that stuff for, well, a long time.

this is my before-i warn you, it's like my friend sarah told me 'hoarders: bathroom edition.'

seriously.
so after a couple of hours of organization. i came out in much better shape.

i have 4 additional bottles of perfume. excellent. super savings.

 i have about 10 bars of soap. a few extra face washes (including exfoliating wash)...and enough first aid supplies to get my clumsy ass through (at least) the summer months!

 an entire bag of good nail polish-and another bag for my purse of day to day...

 8 body washes, crest whitening strips, 3 sunscreens and 1 aloe in case i forget the sunscreen. and the entire right side is lotion...oh i don't know...looks like about 25 bottles. (eye roll)

 face products and blush.

 and the whammy...lip sticks at the bottom, lip liners, lip glosses, eye products (mascara, eyeliner, brow pencils, etc) and then eye shadows at the top.

 finished product on my tiny cabinet-

and the bonus...i had 6 empty mac foundation containers. at mac when you use 6 products and you take them in you get a free lipstick, gloss or eye color. lord knows i don't need any but...it was free!!

i went with impassioned for summer. i'd post a picture but i look like a vampire (got my eyes dilated on my lunch (by a super hot eye doc(who i plan to ask out on friday when i go back))).

moral of the story. organize.
it's like shopping-for the saver.
xoxo ashleycolean