BEAUTY
- Although I kick them off at some point every night, I tend to start out with socks on in bed. I like slathering my feet with lotion beforehand, ideally sitting on the bed so I can avoid standing after socking-up. Helps keep my gym-worn feet a bit softer.
- Maybe this is obvious but I didn't start doing it until I was in my 20s...in the shower, I'll shampoo first and then put on conditioner. I'll shave and wash up while the conditioner soaks in. Multi-tasking both saves water and lets the conditioner work longer than if I was twiddling my thumbs for a minute.
- Another hair tip -- I have THICK and long hair. I do NOT need volume but, when I've been able to w/ the back issues, I flip and dry my hair upside down a bit first. It speeds drying by getting to the underlayers and I finish upright which takes out the excess volume.
- Plucking eyebrows is easier after face-washing...kinda similar to shaving after exfoliating. Both make it easier to get "at" the hair and do a thorough job.
- I pick and chose generic products. Most drugstore stuff is pretty equivalent, especially medicines since they are subject to rules. I test out generic sodas....some are perfectly fine but others will go to waste because they simply aren't as good. Unless there's a sale, most of the store-brand yogurts work fine for me but I see a marked difference in frozen meals.
- If I'm buying something online, I'll do a quick search for "STORE coupon codes". More often than not, I can get some degree of discount or free shipping. It takes a few minutes to dig through the websites and try codes to see if they work, but it is totally worth it. I find I buy stuff I don't really use if I focus on paper coupons, but this is focused on something I'm already buying.
- I use the same credit card for almost all online purchases. I haven't had any issues, but I'd be able to spot a fraudulent charge faster since I check the bill knowing it is the riskier one.
- I don't carry a credit card balance. Obviously, this isn't possible for everyone. It is nice though to have a card you know you'll pay off....you can pick one with good rewards that might have a higher APR. My Amazon Visa isn't the best rate but the points add up and the rate is irrelevant since I wouldn't use it if I didn't know I could pay the bill. Folks with a balance could use a lower interest one for bigger bills but still keep a good points one for bills they can pay.
- Not only is men's Barbasol cheaper than frilly girl shave gels, I like it MUCH better. However, I suppose because most men don't shave in the shower, it lacks the rust-proof bottom. When I don't have it sitting on another item, it leaves awful rust rings. Solution that totally works -- Coat the bottom "ring" with clear nail polish. Easy and effective.
- I have two laundry hampers. I kept ending up building a new "pile" when the hamper was holding clean clothes that I hadn't gotten around to putting away. The spare is smaller, which encourage me to eventually put away stuff, but it keeps PJs and sweaty gym stuff from sitting on the floor for a day or two mid-laundry-process.
- I haven't been able to help with cleaning much of late, but I always do bigger jobs post-workout. It allows me to shower after cleaning, which helps with allergies and just feels "earned". It is also nice to shower in a freshly cleaned bathroom.
- A little plastic crate keeps my bedside "necessities" (meds, lotion, etc) handy but under control.
- When I need to write something professional, I try to spread out writing and editing. I find it too easy to overlook errors immediately after they are made and I am more likely to catch more intangible things that are "off" (like a sentence that made sense to me when I wrote it but wouldn't make sense outside my head) when I am a bit removed.
- I also find that the tip-of-my-tongue, perfect word is more likely to come when I step away than when I'm sitting and pondering. If time isn't on my side, the Word thesaurus is a start but sometimes I get closer if I just play with Google a bit and either type in the less-ideal-substitute or the general context.
- The number one thing to focus on in ANY writing project -- the audience. I've written for judges, lawyers, hiring professionals, and the general public. Heck, I've written for my own amusement. I try to keep the audience in my head, especially if it is something I'm being paid for, and to respect the reader while not assuming knowledge they may not have.
- I think I've said this one before, but the little "button bags" that carry spare parts for new clothes are PERFECT for stashing medicine. I tuck the bag into a pocket of my wallet w/ "might be needed" medicine and it keeps them clean and easy to access.
- I like leaving random cards for MM. I'll buy a few at a time so I've got one to leave out if the mood strikes or cheering-up is needed.
- I totally plan my workouts around mindless but entertaining TV. It makes the treadmill time much easier.
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