Nov

16

Harnessing the Power of Volume Discounts

Filed Under Cash Back Programs, Dining Out, Entertainment, Health and Well-Being, Saving Money | 2 Comments

Groupon - shopping for volume discounts. Just back from the cruise, I am loaded up with shopping info and topics to complete, from discount shopping on cruises (more on that soon from my sister, the Rebate Queen, who returns today from Caribbean adventure) to the more important category of affordable health insurance.  But for now, as we re-settle, a word about a cool new discount club.

Have you heard of Groupon? I first became aware of this organization about 5 months ago, when a reader from New York mentioned it.  As it was very focused on only a few cities, I passed on reporting it at the time.  But now, it’s expanded to over 30 cities, so it’s time to let all my readers in on it.

Groupon, and other organizations like it, put people together to harness the power of volume buying.  It’s a deal-a-day thing, city specific, where, if they get a certain number of people to sign up for it, everyone gets the deal.  (If not enough people buy, the deal is cancelled and you get a refund.  But this seems to be a rare occurrence.)  The deals are for spa treatments, bars and restaurants, amusements and the like. It’s a great way for businesses to build their customer bases, and for consumers to get awesome deals, sometimes up to 82 per cent off retail!  Plus, they’re brilliant at growing their own customer base, urging readers to sign up their friends so they can create a big enough demand for each offer, and offering referral bonuses in Groupon cash for each member registered.

Groupon now serves 35 metro areas, and they’re actively growing, so if you live in or near any major city, it’s worth a look. www.groupon.com.

For more ways to save on lots of great stuff, click here.

May

19

Aroma Wasn’t Built in a Day

Filed Under Health and Well-Being | 2 Comments

I am often blown away by the prices on brand-name products.  Even with coupons, they’re usually still costlier than their generic counterparts.  So, the old-time magic of making your own stuff can save you money, and let you know what you’re putting into or onto, yourself. 

aromatherapySO, where were we…oh, yes, simple, natural recipes for all that ails you.  Last post, we spoke about scrubs, bath stuff and the like.  Now, a quick look at natural cures, and then on to the more fun stuff, aromatherapy.  

There are so many categories where natural cures come in that I thought I’d just give you some sites that I like:  try 

www.natural-homeremedies.com

www.home-remedies-for-you.com

www.homemademedicine.com

These sites are full of recipes, great info and lots of interesting bits of trivia, i.e. Did you know that 6 cherries have the same effect of 1 aspirin? Plus cherries are filled with antioxidants!.  (That’s from site #3 above).

 

And now, breathe deeeeep, relaxxxxxx, and read on about aroma therapy.  Scientists have long known that smell is one of the most powerful, although I think maybe most underrated, of the senses.  Think about the scent of fresh bread as you pass a bakery, or the sizzling scent of pizza.  Even more, though, it’s really funny how a smell can take you back — for me, when I smell patchouli oil, I’m a teenager in the ’70s again!

So, will aromatherapy make you (or me) younger?  Doubtful. But there are a ton of aromatherapy treatments for just about everything else, particularly for moods — pick-me-ups, calm-you-downs,and physical stuff like sleep, sex, even weight loss!  And you don’t need to buy those expensive mixes in the pretty jars.  Make them at home to spend less and know what you’re getting.  Again, easy, cheap and good for you. 

These recipes come from www.gainvitalhealth.com. Although they are selling their own brands of these items, you can and should use what you have on hand, i.e. massage lotion and hair conditioner, before buying more. As for the oils, you may get lucky and find them in the dollar store (I have). Or your local drug store. Or flea market. Or head shop. (Oops, back in the ’70s again.)  Here’s a few recipes:

 

Healing Spray

  • 10 drops of Tea Tree oil
  • 10 drops of Lavender oil
  • Fill a 1 oz. spray bottle with Mouthwash 
  • Spray on sores, infected areas and fungus.

 

Energy Booster

  • 3 drops Orange oil
  • 2 drops Wild Rosemary oil
  • 1 drop Peppermint oil
  • Massage Lotion

Mix oils with Massage Lotion in a 1/2 ounce container. This is a great pick-me-up hand and body lotion. 

 

Shoo-Fly Insect Repellent Spray  (I can’t wait to try this one!)

  • 5 drops Tea Tree oil
  • 5 drops Lavender oil
  • 5 drops Geranium oil
  • 5 drops Cedarwood oil
  • a drop of hair conditioner

Mix in a 1 oz. spray or lotion bottle and add distilled water to fill.  Shake well.

 

Here’s one for Bath Salts from www.essortment.com

 

In order to create your own aromatherapy bath salts, start with a base recipe, by mixing 3 parts epsom salts, 2 parts sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and 1 part rock crystal salt or sea salt. 

Simply measure out portions in a large bowl and mix with your hands or a large spoon. Then you are ready to add your own scents and colors. If you plan to make several different scented bath salts, you can create the base in bulk and divide the recipe, then add your other ingredients.

If you’d really like to pursue this, I recommend buying a book — “The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils” is often mentioned as a guidebook, with all the information you need in one place.  Look for them new or used here at Amazon.

Hey, these would be perfect for an at-home spa day!  Read about that and more I LOVE A GOOD BARGAIN spa ideas here. Now, breathe deep, ahhhhhhhh.