Archive for June, 2010

Practical Ways to Get Fit on a Budget

When it comes to working out, cheap doesn’t always mean less effective. In fact, I’ve found that getting in shape at home is a lot more fun, not to mention wallet-friendly, than a monthly membership at an intimidating gym. You don’t need super-fancy home equipment to get a good workout, either. It’s really just as easy as moving your body and being resourceful.

Make the Outdoors Your New Gym

Now that we’re in the throes of summer, there’s really no excuse not to lace up your sneakers and get outside. Nearby parks and schools usually have open tracks for running, plus the monkey bars at playgrounds and jungle gyms offer a perfect solution for pull-ups. Just make sure school’s not in session, or else you run the risk of interrupting a kiddie soccer game (not that I’ve ever done that. Purely hypothetical. Ahem).

Free Workout Routines

So you want to start getting fit at home, but you don’t know where to start. Luckily, workout and fitness information is freely available. Hit up the library for workout guides and DVDs, or even ask friends if they have any to spare. I started yoga by browsing a few how-to videos on Youtube. For quick tips you can even hit up the websites of your favourite famous trainers, like Jillian Michaels from the Biggest Loser.

Use Household Objects

Weights? Expensive. Barbells? Impractical! If you want to build muscle but just don’t have the funds, take a look around your home. Consider lifting detergent jugs (fill them with water if they’re empty), paint cans or bundles of canned goods instead of weights. Sturdy counters are also useful to do push-ups against; they’re just as effective as the floor, but with less strain on your hands and wrists.

Become a Savvy Shopper

If you really want some equipment to help get your body in shape, you don’t have to empty your bank account. Jump ropes are an amazingly effective, not to mention super-cheap cardio alternative to treadmills and elliptical machines. Strengthening tools like resistance bands and exercise balls are usually quite inexpensive, not to mention they’re much easier to use and manage than a home gym.

Eat Healthy, Spend Less

Diets are tiresome, and I always roll my eyes when I hear about celebrities jumping on the latest diet fad (Vinegar shots! Baby food! Oh please). Getting in shape does require a few healthy alterations to your eating habits, but nothing nearly as extreme. Junk food and soda are rife with empty calories, so it would be wise to cut them out completely. Instead, snack on fruits and drink water. Frozen vegetables are cheap and always make a great side dish, and for an inexpensive and healthy protein alternative, consider beans or tuna.

Have any fun, inexpensive ways of getting in shape at home? Let us know!

Save Your Skin – and Budget – by Buying Quality Sunscreens

Before beginning this post, I thought I’d be researching sunscreen brands and the most popular kinds. But as it turns out, just because they’re popular, it doesn’t mean they’re better. In fact, the more research I did, I began to realize that a lot of sunscreens only offer UVB protection and not UVA. What’s the difference between both types of rays?

• UVB Rays – these rays are what cause surface burns on your skin
• UVA Rays – can penetrate your skin’s barrier & cause long-term damage to skin like premature aging or melanoma

I’ve looked for the best kids sunblock as well as types for adults that keep harmful UVA and UVB rays at bay so you can have fun in the sun. But because we’ve all got different skin types, I’ve included the best sunscreen for oily skin, sensitive skin and more. And best of all, the sunscreens I suggest are very affordable so you can protect your skin and your wallet! Most can be found at your local drugstor.

Best Sports Sunscreen - Ombrelle Sport SPF 45 Lotion

Why: This sunscreen is “photostable”, meaning it maintains its effectiveness better than other sunscreens (though you should still reapply every two hours for the best protection). It contains FDA-approved Mexoryl XL which creates the strongest barrier to stop UVA rays from penetrating skin.

Perks: It’s sweatproof so that it won’t drip into your eyes and non-greasy so you don’t develop butter-fingers when it comes to serving the ball. This is also the best waterproof sunblock for swimming – it’ll hold up when you hit the waterslide, the lake or the pool.

Sunscreen for Both Oily & Sensitive Skin –
AVEENO Sunblock Lotion with SPF 30

Why: This AVEENO sunblock protects you from both UVA and UVB sunrays. Gentle ingredients like soy protein are ideal for skin that’s sensitive to most lotions. And it’s completely oil-free so if you have oily skin, you can enjoy lightweight non-greasy protection without worrying about breakouts.

Perks: Enriched with vitamins A, C and E, AVEENO Sunblock Lotion with SPF 30 leaves your skin feeling irresistibly smooth and moisturized. And it’s also water-resistant should you take a dip to cool off (but you should always apply more for maximum protection).

Best Sunscreen for Baby – AVEENO Baby Sunblock Lotion with SPF 55

Why: Besides protecting them from both UVA and UVB rays, AVEENO Baby Sunblock with SPF 55 also has colloidal oatmeal, a skin-soothing ingredient for their delicate skin. It’s gentle enough to be used daily.

Perks: Applying this to their skin is easy as a non-greasy formula makes absorption a cinch. It’s also dermatologist-recommended, won’t clog pores and helps retain moisture so their skin stays healthy, hydrated and soft.

Best Sunscreen for Kids – Ombrelle Kid’s SPF 30 Lotion

Why: It’s great for active kids in the sun thanks to double barriers like Mexoryl SX and titanium dioxide. Best of all, while these sun protectors stop both UVA and UVB penetration, they’re also extremely gentle on delicate skin!

Perks: Kids’ skin will stay hydrated and moisturized even when they’ve jumped in the pool a few times. It’s also fragrance- and colourant-free to avoid any irritation. Best of all, find it on drugstore shelves at affordable prices.

Best Facial Sunblock for Every Day – Clinique Sun SPF 30 Face Cream

Why: Clinique Sun SPF 30 Face Cream provides protection for both UVA and UVB rays thanks to SolarSmart technology. It creates a barrier that’s tough for harmful rays to penetrate and also contains solar-activated antioxidants that fight signs of aging.

Perks: It’s dermatologist recommended and also oil free so you’ll get protection without the greasy haze. Best of all, it’s great for people with sensitive skin. For great deals on Clinique products shop at The Bay or Sears!

Let’s face it: after putting up with harsh Canadian winters we look forward to our summers. So have some fun in the sun while also enjoying peace of mind as you’re protected!

The Best Money-Saving iPhone Apps

There’s really no denying that the iPhone has taken over the world. My grandmother in New Brunswick has one. But the iPhone isn’t just for sending your grandson gibberish voice mails about the latest thing your cat coughed up; it can also save you money as well. So I’ve compiled a list of the top finance iPhone apps that help you keep your wallet full in the most modern way possible. Best of all, every app on the list is free to download!

AllRecipes.com Dinner Spinner

If the recession taught us anything, it’s that there’s nothing more valuable than eating in. Allrecipes.com’s app lets you browse numerous free recipes by ingredients, dish type, or even the amount of preparation time. The best part is, you don’t even need to tip.

Skype

Free voice calls? On my iPhone? It can happen with Skype, which allows you to make free Skype-to-Skype calls on both Wi-Fi and 3G networks to save you a few bucks off your iPhone bill. And for a small monthly fee you can make unlimited calls to landlines, or even exchange instant messages with other Skype users.

Yard Sale Mapper

This extremely helpful app pinpoints your location via your iPhone’s GPS and scours Craigslist for all yard and garage sales near you. It’s great if you’re on the go and need a quick, consolidated list of deals right in your own neighbourhood. What better way to start a treasure hunt?

ShopSavvy

Okay, I think this is really awesome: ShopSavvy actually scans the barcode of an item through your iPhone’s camera and searches online and through local stores for that item’s best price. It’s almost like a James Bond gadget (if James Bond was particularly thrifty).

Quicken

You can easily access accounts for your bank, credit card, and loans all in one place with Quicken’s handy iPhone app. It includes other nifty features like budgeting tools, an ATM locator, and a Paycheck Forecaster to help you stay on top of bills. It may just be the most useful, if not the best iPhone budget app yet.

There are dozens of apps to tweet and play games, but lots of people don’t know that you can use an iPhone app to manage money. Thankfully, it just takes a couple of clicks (or taps on the screen) to empower yourself with money-saving information and tools. So what are you waiting for? Download them now and start saving today! Just keep the long distance calls about your cat to a minimum, Grandma.

5 Types of Videogames for the Frugal Gamer

Oh videogames, my not-so-secret obsession. I still don’t know my cell number, but ask me how to beat the final boss in Resident Evil 4, and I’ll be sketching diagrams immediately. As much as I love gaming, it’s not the most affordable habit. So to help you enjoy gaming on the cheap without sacrificing fun, I’ve assembled 5 types of videogames for the frugal (but still hardcore!) gamer:

1. Used Games

The term ‘used games’ might seem scary, but I’ve never bought one that didn’t run perfectly.

• Most major videogame retailers like EB Games now buy, sell, and even trade in games for games. Do you really need to drop $60 for Fallout 3 when you can pick it up pre-owned for $20? EB Games and GameStop even rigorously inspect used games to guarantee that they’ll work.
• Lots of big box stores like Future Shop let you exchange your old videogames for credit, so if you really need that brand new FPS or RPG, consider clearing out the games you no longer play.

2. Budget Games

Don’t make a face. These original titles, retailing from $15-$20, don’t have the production values of games like Halo 3 or God of War, but they can be just as entertaining as the latest blockbuster:

• Deadly Premonition, the most infamous budget game in recent memory, is gaining quite a cult following. Just check out this amazing scene to understand why. I’m personally having a lot more fun with it than I am with Alan Wake (which is currently going for $70, ouch).
• Budget games can also be old titles with a reduced price. If you’re willing to wait a couple of months, the latest Call of Duty or Rock Band can be yours for much, much less.

3. Free Games

No money for videogames? Solution!

• The internet is bursting with free flash or java games. Check out iWin.com’s selection or head over to PopCap for a free Bejeweled 2 trial.
• For iPhone users, the App Store offers a ton of great free or trial touch-based games. My personal favourite is Tap Tap Revenge; nothing says fun like tapping out the beats to Lady Gaga’s Poker Face.

4. Demos

Another fun way to remedy your videogame addiction is with free demos. Available to download on X-Box Live, WiiWare, and the Playstation Network, demos give you a chance to try out the most anticipated upcoming games without spending a dime.

5. Rental Games

Alright, you want more gameplay than what’s offered in a demo, but you still don’t have the most cash to spend. So rent! When I was living on pennies in university, there was no one I loved more than the clerk at Blockbuster. And if there’s a game you’re on the fence about buying, renting will help you make an informed decision, without blowing all your cash.

Of course, we’ve got coupons for stores selling videogames. Dig in:

• GameStop Canada coupons
• EB Games Canada coupons
• iWin Canada coupons

Whether you’re a space marine, pro-racer, or an acrobatic plumber in search of the princess, chances are you’d like to spend less, and play more. If you can score five head shots in a row on the highest difficulty mode, you’ll surely be able to utilize these easy budget gaming tips. Just don’t forget to reload.

Creative Storage Ideas on the Cheap

We’ve all got some clutter. But it’s when you start to trip over it or misplace things that you begin to think: man I need to get organized! Lucky for you, this whole post is about creatively-frugal home organizers. I’m not going to send you off to spend a fortune on shelving or cabinets. Instead, I’m offering unique ways for you to store your things using items around the house or inexpensive products.

 

Jewellery

It’s on those mornings when you’re in a rush that your necklaces are in a huge knot… or rings are hooped through earrings …or bracelets have gone missing. Here are some easy ways to avoid this with unique jewelry storage:

• Tree Branch in a Narrow Vase – This looks gorgeous on a vanity top & you can hang all your necklaces on it so they’re separated & visible. Simply spray branch with hairspray to coat it, let it dry, then paint it a colour to match decor.
• Vintage Picture Frame with a Doily Backing – Remove glass, flatten doily onto the backing & put the frame back on (cut off excess fabric). Now hook your earrings onto this decorative frame!
• Use Ice Cube Trays to Store Rings – Tuck an ice tray into your drawer & use it to separate rings by material (gold, silver, sterling, etc.) for easy access.

 

Sports Equipment

Deking players on the field is one thing, but you shouldn’t be out-manoeuvring clutter in your home! Although it’s quite impressive, it can’t be that safe. Avoid tripping or stubbing a toe with these tips:

• Garbage Can – If you don’t have any spare ones at home, buy one at a dollar/thrift store. Tuck it in a corner of the garage or closet & store hockey sticks, bats, ski poles, etc.
• Burlap Bags - If you don’t have any on hand, you can get them for really cheap at any department store. Put soccer balls, basketballs, footballs and more into the bag, tie the top with a rope, creating a loop end, and hang on a hook to store away.

 

Cables & Cords

They’re not just an eye sore; they’re hazardous. With computers, TVs, chargers, radios and more, cables can seem like vines taking over your house. Go through all cords and cables and remove any that aren’t being used, then follow these tips:

• Velcro Strips – Get some Velcro from a fabric store (super cheap!) & cut it into strips. Neatly gather cords & bind with Velcro – it’s easy to undo should you ever need to switch cables!
• Paper Towel Rolls – When you’re done with paper towel, don’t toss the cardboard roll. Gather unused cables together & insert into the roll – then store into storage bins or containers in case you need cables later.

Shoes & Clothes

There are ways to bring organization to chaos when it comes to the closet. Start by doing the obvious:  sort through things you longer wear and donate them.  Once that’s done, sort again by season. Then get organized with these tips:

• Plastic Containers – Store shoes & clothes into cheap plastic storage baskets. But instead of piling containers in the closet, save space by sliding them under the bed!  If they’re too tall for under the bed, try under the basement stairs (cover with blankets so dust won’t get in).
• Ladders – If you have a collection of pumps you adore, show ‘em off! Don’t have a ladder? Ask relatives. Paint it a colour that matches decor, then lean it on an angle & secure it to the wall and floor. Then place two pair of shoes on each step, hooking heels behind the step.  Carrie Bradshaw would be proud!
• Combine Shoes – For inexpensive shoe storage, slide flip-flops together so that they’re flat and tuck them into another pair of shoes! Or simply line them up side by side on the shelf, still saving space.

How do you keep things organized around the house? Any frugal tips on keeping things clutter free for less?