Pick Me Up Tuesday: Spa day recession-style

In my "I just worked 70 hours since Thursday" exhaustion, instead of curling up in the bedroom while forcefully squinting my eyes against the 8am sun, I treated myself to an affordable pick-me-up.

My first stop? The day spa... only for my eyebrows (there are just some things you don't skimp on, and for God's sakes, they're on my FACE!).

I left the day spa and walked 4 doors down to the regular neighborhood nail shop for my mani-pedi combo (Yes I did, and I didn't even have to move my car. Don't laugh, there's a recession going on!).

The bonus? This particular shop has a massage chair that can actually work my kinks out. It doesn't just vibrate amuck like the cheaper lookalikes that give you shaken baby syndrome by the last coat.

As an aside: I feel compelled to share a deep, dark secret... my favorite Jersey nail shop has a chair that massages things that shouldn't be massaged (well, not in public). I wonder how many other GALs have tried to hide their surprise about the chair's um... routine... and kept it a secret, too. Shame on us. Yea... no emails about said location, by the way!

Since the smell and atmosphere of the day spa left me craving a facial, I stopped at the pharmacy in search of a minty facial wash or a clay masque. I'm talking about those old school green masques people wore on television while donning their bathrobes and rollers. The last masque I had (and loved), I bought from my Mary Kay lady in college (Yes, Mary Kay... and yes, college. Speaking of old school...). Just my luck, Queen Helene makes a Mint Julep Masque that was on sale as BUY ONE GET ONE FREE! I snagged the last two.

I also grabbed bubble bath for future soaks ($1 each) and it was off to soak and masque affordably. Maybe a little less sleep was worth it.

What's your recession-style routine?

Dr. Ty
From the GAL Blog
www.getalifecampaign.com
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My new budgeting technique!

In the spirit of my newfound organization (and new workspace), I have been getting everything in order -- including the finances.

Now that I get paid every two weeks, the budgeting month to month wasn't working. Some months are two checks, others three checks. Sometimes I ran out of money before the month was up.

Instead, it made much more sense to budget paycheck to paycheck. So, basically, for each payday, I decide what bills fall from that date until the next payday.

Here's an example I made to show what I mean.


Paydays are at the top. My expenses are listed in order of due date. And the amounts for each are listed under the appropriate date. It helps me see how negative or positive I will be for each pay period.

I use google documents because I can check it from anywhere, anytime. It's working well so far.

What's your budgeting techniques? What works for you? Do you use Excel? A checkbook register? Quicken?



Dr. Ty
From the GAL Blog
www.getalifecampaign.com

An Attempt at Organization... success!

If you've read my book, my blog, or listened to me talk -- you know that I hate cleaning and organizing. I absolutely love a clean, organized home, but the processing is so daunting.

Well -- I attacked a corner in my room that has been glaring at me since we moved. This is the best that it's looked over the last 11 months (I know you love those strategically-placed pink flowers back there).



Welcome to my office.

I could not find a simple desk I liked. We had boxes and boxes of office supplies and book promo stuff, then work took over and added to the stacks.

"Work In Progress"

My master plans...

So, 4 garbage bags, a trip to Target and Ikea, and 2 days later, here's my corner!

Such a great way to start the week! Continue rutbreaking, ladies...

Dr. Ty
From the GAL Blog
www.getalifecampaign.com

Rutbreakers #1: Frumpy v. Budget

I hate shopping (I know I probably lost half of my readership just with that line).

Sorry, I do. It's the lines, the congestion, unhelpful sales associates, and the STRESS of trying to find THE perfect outfit because I know I can't afford TEN outfits (Let's not even talk about trying to find clothes that fit women with curves without gapping, sagging or falling off).

I do like nice, new things. If only I could have a personal shopper with my exact proportions... (dreamily jotting that on my to do list)

Anyway. In my primary profession, style and fashion does not win you brownie points, nor does it help you do your job. Sometimes, it can even get in the way or leave you with a hefty dry cleaning bill. So, we wear scrubs. Some women look great in them, as if they were tailored to their physique. Me? Not a chance.


So, in my efforts to fight my most recent rut, I have vowed to start dressing like an adult (a cute adult) and leave my scrubs (which look like PJ's on me) at home as much as I can.

That sounds great except for one thing: I'm BROKE. If I wasn't broke, the new car has now made me broke. And most of my clothes either don't fit (too big or too small), are out of style, or have rips/tears/stains.

There's a light at the end of the tunnel --

Sarah Jessica Parker launched a line called Bitten at Steve And Barry's. Are you ready for this? Everything in the store is $8.98 and under. Yes, as in less than NINE bucks. Pants, blouses, shoes, accessories, the whole nine. If you don't like SJP's line, there are others in the store.
TIP: If you don't like what your closest S&B's has, try checking others. I have been in two so far and the selections varied greatly.

I was just so happy to find NON-frumpy clothes at prices that didn't knock me back into the rut off of buyers' remorse. I didn't know what to do with myself.

Target also has a few designers at affordable prices (and you don't have to step foot in the store). Let's not forget the oldies but goodies: Forever21, H&M.

Gone are the days of having to bankrupt yourself to be stylish. Just in time.

Dr. Ty
From the GAL Blog
www.getalifecampaign.com