Times are tight. If you have a job than your lucky stars. I have friends, who are recent college grads, that just got handed the infamous pink slip. Ouch. Do we not go to college for job security? Now a college education cannot even help you. It is, in fact, a hot mess. How are you cutting back? I have been trying to watch my pockets for a while and I’ve been pretty successful thus far. You will be surprised what you can learn when you do not have the money to pay the pros like you usually do. I have a few tips and tricks of my own, they work for me hopefully they will work for you.

* At home manicures and pedicures- I pay serious attention to detail so I believe I do a better job than most nail techs anyways (haha!). I may not be able to get all fancy with designs (I’m not a fan of nail art anyways), but I can file ‘em up and polish them quite nicely.=] My secret mani/pedi weapon: Just a minute 60 second manicure scrub. You can pick it up at any Bath and Body Works.

*Wash and set- Well honestly I cannot set my hair to save my life. But I can deep condition, blow dry and flat iron like no other! (ask my roomie. . .I do her hair every week lol) If you have the skill to take it a step further and do an at-home relaxer then more power to you. But I still go to the pros for that one. I use to get a wash,set, and blow-dry every week. By doing my own hair I now save myself $20 a week and my hair looks just as good!

*Write down everything- I know it sounds tedious but writing down every time I spend money (how much and where) has seriously helped me to figure where my money disappears to every month. Collecting receipts works just as well! I just cannot deal with all those little pieces of paper floating around in my purse.

*Read- Cash In the City is a wonderful book by Juliette Fairley. It has practical money saving tips. My copy has been passed around my circle of friends. Everyone loves it and you will too! How to be a Budget Fashionista by Kathryn Finney just arrived on my doorstep and so far so good. If you like her website then you will enjoy the book as well.

*Blogs- thebudgetfashionista.com and juicefairy.com. No explanation needed. Read and learn.