Guest Post: How to Make Your Own Anti-Aging Beauty Products

With so many things in life being uncertain, one thing is for sure. As we age, so does our skin. Tons of products exist today, promising to reverse the effects of aging on our skin or stop aging in its tracks. Many of these products don’t always do what they say they will, and most contain harsh, unnecessary ingredients that are hard to pronounce.

The average anti-aging product also bears a hefty price tag. People all over the world pay these high prices in hopes they have found the new "fountain of youth." What many people don’t know is that anti-aging products can be made right at home with ingredients that may be in your kitchen.

Creams
Anti-aging skin cream is one of the most popular products out there. As we age, our skin can lose elasticity and become dry. Creams work by restoring lost elasticity and moisture, therefore reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. You can easily make a moisturizing wrinkle cream at home using 1 tablespoon cocoa butter, 2 tablespoons jojoba oil, 1 tablespoon pomegranate seed oil, and 1 tablespoon pure aloe vera gel.

Using a double boiler, melt the cocoa butter with the jojoba and pomegranate seed oils over low heat, stirring constantly until uniform in appearance. Allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes and add the aloe vera gel. Apply a small amount of cream to the face and neck 1-2 times a day. Store any remaining cream in a lidded container and use within a couple weeks.

Another recipe for anti-aging cream uses 2 ounces almond oil, 4 drops rose essential oil, and 1/2 ounce beeswax. Simply heat the three ingredients over low heat, again using a double boiler. Stir constantly until you reach a cream-like consistency. If your mixture is too thick, add a little more almond oil, and if it’s too thin, add a bit more beeswax. Apply to face and neck daily.

Masks
Using an anti-aging mask is a good way to rejuvenate and tone tired skin. A homemade anti-wrinkle mask can be made by mixing 2 tablespoons pumpkin (canned works fine), 1 tablespoon sour cream, and 1/2 teaspoon olive oil. Mix ingredients well and apply to face and neck. Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water and pat dry. Pumpkin contains anti-oxidants that fight fine lines and restore moisture.

You can make another anti-aging mask at home using 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon milk, 1 tablespoon carrot juice, and 1 tablespoon plain yogurt. Just mix everything well and apply to skin. Leave on 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing with warm water. This mask is great for refreshing dry, tired skin.

One more recipe for a homemade anti-aging mask uses 1/4 cup fresh sliced papaya, one sliced banana, 1 tablespoon oat flour, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1/2 cup plain yogurt. Simple blend the fruit and oat flour together using a blender or food processor. Mix in the honey and yogurt until the mixture is smooth. Apply a thin layer to clean skin and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse well. Store any extra in a lidded jar in the fridge and use with a few days. Papaya and banana both contain enzymes which aid in cell regeneration. Honey is an excellent moisturizer, and the yogurt contains acids which tighten pores and refine skin.


Peels
Facial peels are often used in the fight against aging skin. They contain acids which work to diminish the look of wrinkles and improve the tone and texture of your skin. The acids basically work by removing, or peeling, the damaged outer layers of skin. This allows fresh new skin to surface. Many peels use chemicals that some folks aren’t very comfortable with. Although making a homemade peel may not produce the exact results that a typical chemical peel would, you will feel better knowing exactly what is being put on your skin.

You can try this recipe at home for an anti-aging peel--just mix 1 tablespoon strawberry juice, 2 tablespoons orange juice, and 1 tablespoon milk. Apply to your face and neck using a small paint brush with soft bristles. Let the mixture sit on your skin for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing with warm water. Moisturize afterwards.

Another recipe you can try for an at-home facial peel uses 1 fresh tomato, 1 tablespoon fresh grapefruit juice, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, 1 package unflavored gelatin, and 1/2 cup water. Mix the gelatin, water, grapefruit juice and lime juice in a small pan. Place this over low heat and stir constantly until gelatin is dissolved. Meanwhile, make a pulp out of the tomato by using a blender or food processor. Stir the tomato pulp into the gelatin mixture. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and allow it to cool in the fridge for 25 minutes. You will want it to be firmer, but liquid enough to be applied. Using a facial brush or spatula, apply to the face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Now relax and let the peel dry on your skin. When it has completely dried, slowly peel it off using an upward motion. Don’t worry if every little piece doesn’t come off. Rinse well with cool water. Pat your face dry and admire your fresh, smooth skin.


Once you realize how easy it is to make your own anti-aging beauty products, you may never go back to store-bought ones. You won’t be throwing your money away on products that may not work. You will feel better using natural ingredients that don’t contain nasty chemicals. Finally, knowing exactly what is going on your skin will really win you over.


Guest post from Bailey Harris, who writes for the homeowners insurance guide.

Guest Post: How to Make Your Own Air Fresheners

There are many ways to freshen the air in your home. You can buy deodorizing room spray, scented candles, or air fresheners that plug into the wall. Buying these products can cost a lot of money and some of them may emit harmful chemicals into the air. So why not make your own? It's simpler then you may think.

How to Make a Gel Air Freshener
A homemade gel air freshener can be a great addition to any room. Not only do they help to freshen the air they can also be a piece of art. To make a gel air freshener you need just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time. The first step is boil one cup water with two tablespoons of salt. If you want color add a couple drops of food coloring now. Mix four packages of plain gelatin with one cup of cold water. Mix together until gelatin crystals have dissolved. Then, add twenty to thirty drops of essential oil. Pour mixture into jars and allow to cool at room temperature, overnight. You can add objects such as, dried flowers, metal charms, or seashells to the jar before adding the gelatin mixture. These air fresheners will last up to four months.


How to Make a Scented Candle
What can be better than the glow of a candle giving your home a wonderful scent? Before you begin making your candles, it is a good idea to get all of your supplies around. You will need a double boiler, paraffin wax, wick, essential oils, color chips, and a thermometer. The first step is to melt the wax in the top of the double boiler over medium heat. Heat the wax until the thermometer reads 175 degrees, add the color chips and five to fifteen drops of the essential oil, and mix well. Tie one end of your wick to a pencil. Insert the opposite end into a clean, dry glass jar. Hold the pencil with one hand and pour the hot wax into the jar with the other hand. Use a tall glass to hold the pencil up. This will keep the wick straight. Let cool overnight, trim wick and enjoy.


How to Make a Room Spray
This is a recipe for a relaxing and refreshing room spray. In a clean spray bottle, mix thirty drops of lavender oil, fifteen drops of chamomile oil, five drops of ylang-ylang oil, and five ounces of water, shake well. This can be liberally sprayed on furniture, linens, and carpets but should not be sprayed on wood.


Simple Air Fresheners
There are many ways you can freshen the air without actually making an air freshener. You can add cinnamon sticks and vanilla extract to a pan of water and simmer on the stove. Another good and thrifty idea is to place cotton balls that have been soaked in lavender oil, in baby food jars and place throughout your house. You can also place dryer sheets in your heat vents. When your heat kicks on, it will fill the room with a fresh, clean scent.

Guest post from Bailey Harris.

Guest Post: How to Make a Successful Family Budget

How to Make a Successful Family Budget

The current recession is driving many families toward a more frugal lifestyle, and one of the main reasons is the desire of many families to control spending and eliminate credit card debt. According to creditcard.com, of American household’s that carry a credit card balance, the average amount of debt is $14,750 and the average interest rate is 13.67 percent. Those are grim statistics. Credit card debt is an added burden on families already struggling to pay mortgages, auto loans and student loans. Faced with an uncertain job market and rising prices, consumers are anxious to save money and get out of debt.

Involve the Entire Family

A family must have a realistic budget and be able to stick to it in order to get out of debt. The key is to involve the entire family. Gather everyone around the table when making the family budget. First, candidly discuss how much income the family has, and then explain how much debt the family has. If necessary, explain concerns about the economy and the job market, and the necessity of debt reduction.

Everyone must first agree to take ownership of the budget, accept accountability and hold the others accountable to control spending. The entire family must take responsibility for the current level of debt, and everyone must accept a portion of the pain required to reduce spending. This will help reduce resentment and conflict during the time required to pay off debt.

List All Your Expenses

Scour bank and credit card statements think hard about where the money is going, and get all the bills down on paper. It might be tense, but once the process starts, it will not be long before every expense is listed. When the list is finally finished, make an individual copy for everyone present. Allow each person an agreed upon amount of time to prioritize the spending and cut every expense possible.

When everyone is finished, consolidate the lists. Remove any item that everyone cut from the budget with no discussion. Move on to items that a majority of family members elected to cut from the budget. Discuss these items to decide whether to cut them from the budget. The trick is to spread the emotional pain as evenly as possible. One family member might have a small bill that is very important to them; another might have a much larger bill that they don’t care about. If the family must sacrifice, each family member must feel like everyone is sacrificing or there will be resentment.

After reaching the point of shared sacrifice on all sides, don’t be afraid to tackle the big items. The largest items in a family budget are usually mortgage payments, car payments and food.

Ask Yourself the Following Questions

1. Could we be a happy family in a home that costs us less money?

2. Can we cut our transportation costs by trading down to older, but still reliable cars?

3. Can we cut our food budget by eating more meals at home and not eating fast food?

There is an entire collection of books written to answer each of these questions, and they all offer viable money saving solutions. Depending on the level of debt and the amount of income, radical solutions may be required.

The process of making a budget is never easy, but involving the entire family in the budget making process is the key to bringing spending under control. Everyone must take ownership of the process, be accountable to the family and hold each other accountable to achieve the goal. The most critical step is to get a budget that everyone agrees upon and stick with it.

Alan Winkler is a regular contributor for Debt Consolidation Advice, a debt solutions blog. For debt relief advice, you can check out their articles where they cover topics from debt consolidation to credit counseling, including other money-saving tips.

Guest Post: How to Save Money at Disneyland

So you want to go to Disneyland – the happiest place on earth but you do not want to pay a FORTUNE. Well Budget Savvy Diva – who worked 3 years at the resort and attended the parks over 100 times – the low down on HOW you can save money.

Deciding When To Go:

Though the price of ticket does not change – except for the slight yearly increase – which affects both Disneyworld and Disneyland at the same time, the amount of enjoyment will vary on how many people are attending the parks the time you are going. When I taught new hires at Disneyland I told them of a study where it was determined that the average number of attractions that a guest will enjoy in a day is 10. This means that it is slightly less then $10.00 per attraction if you divide by the ticket price.

The best days to go is Tuesday or Wednesday by far. The worst is Sunday – try and avoid Sunday – due to the amount of annual passholders who live around Disneyland – Sundays even on off-season is VERY heavy.

Best time of the year is Sept – Nov and Feb – May. Please note that Spring Break is SUPER BUSY – I remember many times that both California Adventure and Disneyland being sold out during those few weeks.

Because Disneyland sits on a mere 40 acres when it is busy you really feel it. There are some sections such as Adventureland that seem to always feel packed even on a light day. When the amount of people reach a certain level Disneyland enforces traffic flows using guest control which means a lot more walking for you to get where you need to go.

Resort Tickets
This is one of the more important tips to help you save money. It is much better to buy your tickets separately, outside of a package. The Disney packages do make things much more convenient, but the cost is a great deal higher

Parking:
Try and carpool because parking is at a new high of 15.00 per car – there is not many other options BUT if you want to know Budget Savvy Diva’s trick is parking at Downtown Disney which gives you three hours for free – and moving the car and re-parking. It takes about 20 minutes to do – I know this might not be a possibility for you. Again I am extremely frugal and try and cut as many costs as I can.

Food:
First off – Have a Large Breakfast – common sense I know. But there have been times I have been SO excited to go to Disneyland that I plum forgot breakfast. Food like the prices seem to rise in cost every year. To give you a reference whole fruit ( banana, apple or orange is 1.79) .

Bring your own food: Disney has no problem you bring food into the park – just nothing in glass. Try and bring at least two snacks for every person in your party. Trail mix is great to munch on. Do not bring anything that can cause havoc in your bag such as a juice box – it might become an empty juice box when you get off of space mountain :)

HUGE Budget Savvy Diva tip: If you are in California Adventure make sure to head over to Mission Tortilla factory where you will see a cute 2 minute video on the history of the tortilla AND you receive a FREE tortilla freshly made before your eyes – each person in your family gets one. Boy Howdy are they yummy. PLUS if it is your birthday – you can get a free birthday button at city hall and at guest relations in California Adventure – you get a FREE bag of tortilla ( 10 to be exact) – how COOL is that. They are pretty filling and are a perfect snack.
Knowing where to eat in the park is important to. There was a general consenes between us castmembers about where to eat in the park and where not to eat.

Let’s get where NOT to eat:
- Tomorrowland Terrace – The food at best is average.It is your normal burgers and sandwichs. But the prices are pretty high – no entree under 8.00. I do not want to be mean or anything but I would rather walk across the park then eat anything from there.

- Village Haus Restaurant – Again greyish burgers and greasy fries. It is located in Fantasyland and gets full pretty quickly.

Where to Eat:
- Redd Rocket’s Pizza Port – Located in Tomorrowland is AWESOME with a capital A. The pizza is not that out of price and the slices are HUGE – this restaurant always has a lot of traffic but also has a lot of space and indoor and outdoor seating – because of the heavy business there is always fresh pizza being served. PLUS you can buy a whole pizza pie perfect for a larger number parties. The pasta I hear is amazing – the Chicken with Alfredo Pasta is always a hit. There was a time when the cafes for cast members would periodically serve the Chicken Alfredo and you thought it was pizza day at school by how excited cast members were about it. Also the salads are made fresh right in front of you – always a plus. There is a soda fountain where you serve yourself so you can control the amount of ice you get. The soda is already chilled so you really do not need that much ice.

- Rancho Del Zocalo – Located near Thunder Mountain – you can actually see the attraction as you eat. Hand-downs this is where I eat every time. I L.O.V.E this restaurant – I find the food to be quiet good and the prices to be fair. Most plates are around 12.00 ish dollars – my husband and I always share a plate. . Entrees include citrus fire-grilled chicken, 4 cheese enchiladas, soft tacos, burritos and even a tostada salad. The salads are made to your liking right before your eyes – again a plus. I have a gluten allergy and they were very quick to get a chef who personalized the meal to fit our needs free of charge. The outdoor eating is beautiful – we sometimes go there just to take a break and watch people ride thunder mountain.

Dole Whips – If you have not had a dole whip then you NEED to get one – you will thank me. Words cannot describe how awesome it is. The dole whip cart is located next to the original Tiki Room in Adventureland. Dole whips are pineapple flavored – but it is not exactly ice cream nor yogurt – it is very airy soft serve. Unlike other food products that have rose in price at Disneyland during the years – dole whips have not. Dole whip cost 2.79 and boy to the pile it high. My husband and I love to get a dole whip and watch the Enchanted Tiki Room.
Though there are other amazing restaurants at Disneyland – these are the one’s I feel you get the most bang for your buck.

Other tips:
- Bring in your own water bottles – you can always fill them up at the many water fountains.
- Also did you know that you can get free water from any service counter – that is right – save over 2.70 every time you ask for a cup of water.

Bring extras: Suntan lotion, digital cards or film for your camera, baby wipes, ponchos, anything and everything you can think of that you might need at the park. They are all available inside for purchase but you will again pay a premium. Instead, once inside the park, rent a locker for just a few bucks and place those items inside. Then when you need them they’ll be waiting for you. Another biggie is a stroller. If your child is still in a stroller, bring yours. The strollers for rent start at $10 per day

Guest Post: 5 Tips To Spend Wisely on Christmas Celebrations

Guest Post by Roxanne Peterson

Author's Bio: RP is a columnist writer for various finance related Communities including CDFA, Oxfam America, Debt Consolidation Care and many more. She is a PG degree holder in Marketing and Finance and right now working in a reputed bank as a relationship manager. She is well equipped to write articles on debt consolidation, debt settlement, saving money, frugality, etc.

5 Tips to spend wisely on Christmas celebrations

Do you always have to worry about how to pay back debt after the festive season is over? Do you have to struggle hard to repay the bills after Christmas? If yes, then promise yourself to not repeat the same mistakes this year. Here are 5 tips which you can follow to spend money wisely this Christmas.

1. Do not load your credit cards much

One of the main reasons behind falling into debt during the festive season is to not use credit cards wisely. To avoid incurring additional debt on your credit cards, do not swipe your cards for each and every purchase. While shopping for Christmas, you can use your lowest credit card but make sure you don’t exceed the available credit limit. Most importantly, try to pay back the outstanding balances as fast as you can. In this way, you can save the money that you otherwise have to pay as interest. It is also advisable that you don’t carry your cards all the time when you go for shopping. This will help you if you’re a shopaholic; you won’t be able to purchase items that you can’t pay by cash.

2. Make a list of items before visiting stores

If you do not make a list of items you require, then after visiting the stores, you may end up purchasing stuffs that you may not require at present. To avoid this, always make a list of items of require. Moreover, it will be better if you allocate a dollar amount for each item so that you can purchase all the stuffs without exceeding your budget. You should never take shopping as a recreational activity and if possible avoid shopping with people who like to shop. One of the best ways to shop within your budget is to go for shopping alone. When buying an item that is not in your list, ask yourself twice whether or not you really need it.

3. Shop for decorations in advance

It is always advisable to shop for items much before Christmas. The best time to shop is right after Halloween and Thanksgiving. You can also shop online to get some of the best deals as most of the stores offer discounts only on online shopping. Several stores offer huge discounts right after Christmas. So, if your budget permits you, you can shop for gifts and items and keep them for the next Christmas.

4. Research on restaurant menu

Before inviting your friends for a Christmas lunch, make sure you research on restaurants to find out the discounts and special menu each of the restaurants are offering on the festive day. It will help you choose a restaurant that offers a special buffet lunch at a discount rate.

5. Check for holiday specials and packages

If you’re planning a vacation during Christmas, then it is better to plan it in advance. Before reserving your tickets, you should check holiday specials and group packages if you plan to travel in a group. It is one of the best ways to spend money wisely on Christmas vacation. You can search online or discuss with a travel agent for information on holiday packages. A small tip – Try to travel either before or after Christmas. By doing so, you’ll increase your chances of getting better accommodation at a relatively lower cost.

Above all, you should plan a budget and don’t spend more than what your financial condition permits you. This will help you enjoy Christmas more as you won’t have to worry about paying back debt.