Where to Spend and Save on Skincare

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A friend recently described our skin as the one accessory that we can never get rid of. This is so true. Whether you are young or old, male or female, our skin is the only skin we will ever have. Sure, facelifts and cheek implants will make it look different for a time, but those will only lift so much and will not add anything to elasticity or vitality. Unfortunately, the products that really do their job well can be pricey.

It can be hard to separate the real and important from the not in a world where skincare products run the gambit of prices and promises. First, it is important to know what products a person should an should not be using. No matter age or gender, everyone should be using a face cleanser, toner, and moisturizer twice per day. Our facial skin is much more delicate and sensitive that the skin on the rest of our bodies. Soaps that can be used on our arms and legs will dry out and even harm our skin. Toners are important because the help clean the extra stuff our face wash left behind, cool the skin, and increase moister in skin cells. Everyone should use a toner. Likewise, moisturizers are used to hold moister into our skin for the remainder of the day and, in most cases, protect the skin from harmful UV rays and free radicals. Moisterizer will also help reduce the apearance of rough and flaky skin; something that can start as young as our teens and not show up until we are in our 30's!

All of these products are the ones we can save our money on. Where we want to splurge is on the little extras. Certain issues most people have with their skin start to develop years before they show an outward sign. Because of this, it is important to start using certain skincare product before you even have signs of the problem.

In Our 20's

Skin in our 20's is [usually] looking great! The cells replenish faster, elasticity is not a problem, and very few begin seeing any form of sun or age spots this early. It is important to keep this vitality as long as possible by using a good facial sunscreen, cleanser, toner, and moisturizer, and an eye cream. Fine lines and wrinkles can start appearing around our eyes as young as twenty. By using an eye cream, we are reducing fine lines and wrinkles now, and in the future. This eye cream does not need to be the best of the best, try to find one that reduces fine lines, bags, and dark circles.

The skin around our eyes is much thinner than any other area and the pores are smaller in size as well. Be sure to use your products in this order to reduce unneeded use and clogged pores:

Day: Cleanser, toner, eye cream, moisturizer, then sunscreen

Night: Cleanser, toner, eye cream, then moisturizer in the evening.

In Our 30's

By the time we are in our 30's our skin is going through some pretty big changes. Fine lines and wrinkles can start appearing on our face around our eyes and mouth, our skin may not feel as smooth, and some people will start to see sun spots. It is time to start using a skincare system that will target all of these areas. Exfoliates, anti-wrinkle eye cream, and anti-aging moisturizer will help fight all of these problem areas. The good news is that there are still areas where we can save!

If a more expensive face wash, toner, and moisturizer is not an option, you can still save on all three, just use a moisturizer for anti-aging instead of moisture alone. Then, splurge on the night cream, eye cream, and exfoliates- good exfoliates will reduce skin roughness and dulness. Skin repairs and rejuvenates at night, having a good night cream works on the cellular level to repair will go a long way as we age. Look for a night cream that reduces wrinkles, sun spots, and skin dulness for best results.

Day: Cleanser, toner, eye cream, moisturizer, then sunscreen

Night: Cleanser, toner, eye crea, then anti-aging moisturizer. Use an exfoliate every other night between the cleanser and toner.

In Our 40's

The two main issues that our skin faces in the 40's is from UV exposure and decreased amounts of estrogen. This will show by reduced skin elasticity, wrinkles, and dull skin. Using a good anti-aging moisturizer in the morning and at night will reduce this, skin treatment systems will also go a long way to keeping skin younger and healthier for longer. It is time to start using a good anti-aging day cream, eye cream meant to reduce wrinkles, and a restorative product (most come in 14-day packages). Night cream, day moisturizer, eye cream, and the 14-day restorative program are all the places where splurging will make the biggest difference.

Be sure to also use the products on the neck, chest, and hands along with the face. These are the areas where we show the most age in our skin.

Day: Cleanser, toner, anti-wrinkle eye cream, anti aging moisturizer, then sunscreen

Night: Cleanser, toner, anti-wrinkle eye cream, anti-aging moisturizer meant for night, and exfoliate every other night. 

Every 3-months: 2-week skin restore programs. Best to use this product at night.  

In Our 50's and Older

The biggest issue for skin after fifty is thinning skin. As we age, this becomes a problem for more than just our face and is the culprit of all those easy bruises and cuts we commonly see on grand parent's arms. Using a good night cream is vital at this stage, along with a good hand cream that will retain moisture and keep those paws looking perfect! Continue with the same skincare regimen as in the 40's, but talk to your skin care adviser about ways to reduce the flattening of skin cells, loss of elasticity, and turn the skin's genetic clock back- trust me, there are products out there that do this. If you do not have a skincare adviser, e-mail me and I will be sure to help!

A skin restoring serum will also help at this stage of skin development. Look for one that uses organic vitamins, increases protein development, and repairs skin damage.  

Day: Cleanser, Toner, restoring serum, anti-wrinkle eye cream, anti-aging moisturizer, then sunscreen. Be sure to moisturize those hands throughout the day as well!

Night: Cleanser, toner, restoring serum, anti-wrinkle eye cream, anti-aging moisturizer meant for night, and exfoliate every other night. 

Every 3-months: 2-week skin restore programs. Best to use this product at night.  

Thrifty Girl: Save Money at Disney World II

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Oh goodness, can I just say that I am excited? I am so excited! After 3 whole months of not visiting Disney World, we will be going for a few days this next week. The hotel is not booked and the trip is not yet finalized, but I am still counting the days. Jumping the gun a bit? Possibly, but all the details can be ironed out at any time!  

Seeing that there is no way of getting Disney off the mind, I may as well make use of my one track vision and make a Disney centered post. The hubs and I have recently made some pretty big purchases that have caused us to revamp our budget, this includes our Disney budget as well. Since this has made me look at Disney through more money savvy eyes, let me share what this new vision has taught. 

Use What You've Got

Like car insurance, Disney gives discounts for the strangest things. Are you a AAA member? Tell them. Live in Florida or California? Bring it up. Coming with a large party? Make sure they know. All of these can mean big things for you in the way of discounts, specials, and more. Yes, Disney vacation planners are meant to make Disney money, but they also need to make sure your vacation is the best and most magical it can be. This can be pretty difficult to do if you feel swindled out of cash the entire trip.
Work with the Disney vacation planners to make sure that the hotel, dining, and ticket package you get is the best for your budget.

Call Them

This may feel a bit repetitive, but calling Disney is a much better way to plan a vacation than online. I love booking everything for our vacations online, but when it comes to Disney, there is no way. The Disney staff are great at looking for deals and tend to get me accommodations for about 30% less than the site states. That is completely worth the 5-minute hold time and the whole having to talk with a human bit.

Hotels

There are plenty of options when it comes to Disney hotels and each option works for different people. Yes, staying on Disney property does mean that you will be paying a premium, but, it could be completely worth it. Remember, admission to the parks is not all you will be paying for, there is still the parking fee of $14 dollars a day and the fee most hotels surrounding Disney charge for having a car. If you have a car and do not have a pass that allows free parking, you could be paying $40 per day to park at the parks and at the hotel. Very few Disney hotels charge for parking (I think Swan and Dolphin may be the only ones) and if you are a hotel guest, you can hop on a bus or boat to get to any park for free. If you are driving yourself, staying at a Disney hotel could save you forty cool ones per day. If you are traveling by air, you could be saving the price of a rental car (Disney will pick you up from the airport) and the price of parking said car... This will probably save you more than the Disney hotel will cost.

Still not ready to dive-in for the total Disney experience? No problem, there plenty of ridiculously cheap hotels within 10-minutes of the parks. If you are not one who needs all the i's dotted and t's crossed, I would recommend the app Hotel Tonight. This app gives daily deals on hotels in a ton of metropolitan areas, including Orlando. When using this app we have paid an average of $75 dollars per nite. Beware though, since these are lightning deals, there is no way to reserve a certain room type or ensure you can have that deal for more than a few nights. This is a great option for those traveling on a whim, but may not be best for the family of six.

Sorcerers and Pins

If you have children and are visiting Disney World on a budget, Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom and pins may be your new best friends. I have been on my share of Disney trips with small children who see those shops and those princess dresses and cannot help but beg for them the entire day. Sound familiar? One great way that I have heard to combat this is through pins. Disney pins can be purchased at almost any Disney shop and usually do not cost more than $20. These pins can also be traded with cast members or fellow Disney visitors. For some reason, children seem to go crazy over collecting Disney pins, so much so that they go straight for them upon entering a shop. Incredible. Combine this with those genius parents who make a one pin per day/trip rule and you have money saving down to a science.

For those who have children too old/young for pins, funds that do not allow $20 souvenirs, or kiddos that laugh in the face of funny metal objects, you may have a Sorcerer on your hands. This is not a bad thing. Magic Kingdom has an incredible game that I am completely addicted to. In this game, sorcerers are on a quest to help Merlin fight some of our favorite Disney villains and protect the Magic Kingdom from Hades' rule. This is an interactive game that can be played at portals on Main Street, Adventureland,  Frontier Land, and Fantasyland. The best part is that the game and all the cards are free. Free! Decks of cards can be obtained once per day or when you have beaten the game. The game can be played on beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels to ensure that every age range enjoys it. This has become one of my favorite ways to spend time in the magic Kingdom. It is great if you hate rides or long lines but enjoy games, trading, and all around fun.

Books to Read

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Over the summer the list of books I am dying to read has grown substantially. Today, I decided to take the day off and read one, maybe to of them. Hmmm, days filled with reading books does not happen often, but when it does, I love it! What are some incredible books that you recently read, or the last time you took the day off to do something you love?  

Have a happy weekend, P+K will be back with health and fitness tips on Monday!  

Things to do on a Roadtrip

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I love road trips so much, but sometimes, those miles seem to never end and you are left hoping for a nap. Sure, naps are great, but you can only sleep so much on the road before the driver gets lonely and you go crazy. Note, sleeping is even worse when you are  the driver... Not recommend.

These three things to do on a road trip are my three go-to boredom busters. I will admit, we started a road trip yesterday and have already done all three of these, along with a nap. I also plan on doing all three again tomorrow and every day until we get home!

Listen to an Audiobook

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Ok, this is probably not the wisest thing to do if you are sleepy, but it is still a great option during a road trip. When I was younger, the family would always bring some fictional audiobooks along for the ride. Now, the hubs and I mainly listen to books on personal and business development. Some of my favorites from past trips include Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose by Zappos founder, Tony Hsieh- it is super interesting and great for any business minded individuals. Anything by Tim Ferriss is super great too- The 4-Hour Body is filled with tons of health-minded tips and a bit more interesting to listen to rather than read.

Isometric Exercises

Isometric exercises are one of the few types of exercises that can be done in the car. This form of exercise does not need any movement at all, but instead, uses the contraction of muscles while remaining still. If you are the passenger in the car, begin by contracting your toes for 10-seconds, then relaxing them. Next, contract your feet, lower legs, upper thighs, bum, stomach, fingers, lower arms, upper arms, back, and jaw in that order for 10-seconds each. Try doing this from toes to jaw, then back to the toes again. This is a great way to burn some calories, work specific muscle groups, and burn fat! Isometric exercises are also great to do if you suffer from any joint pain.

Catch Up on Podcasts

This is one of my favorite things to do on the road, while at the gym, or just sitting at my desk at home. Podcasts are great- there is no commercial interruption, topics are geared towards interests, and there is no need to watch anything! My two favorite podcasts are Inside the Magic and The Jillian Michaels Show. Inside the Magic covers all Disney news both nationally and internationally. It also goes over certain Universal and movie news along with guest travel tips. If you are interested in Disney, chances are you will love this podcast. New shows are usually up on Sundays.

The Jillian Michaels Show is, of course, hosted by Jillian Michaels. Jillian goes over health tips, fitness in media, fitness questions, doctor's recommendations, and some other interesting, always changing topics. New shows are available on Mondays and run between 45-minutes and an hour.