Saving Money on Toiletries

[Iggy aka IG]

While reading money saving articles last week, I came across one with an excellent point:  Toiletries (HBAs/beauty products) are something we use daily, so it's important to get the family on board when trying to save money on these items.

An Extreme Cheapskate episode featured a young couple who shared a shower to save money (good ).  They also shared a cotton swab, using opposite ends of it (not so good) and shared floss (gross).

What are ways you save money on toiletries, make-up, etc?

[Deleted]

if you use a razor with blades

keep the razor dry as much as possible

blades will last 2-3x as long.....

[Chocolate Lover]

Does only wearing make up 4 times a year count?

[The Captain]

I've learned long ago that more expensive does not always mean best.

I use Olay products for my face.  I coupon so get bar soap, hand lotion, etc pretty cheap.

No makeup, so pretty low maintenance in that area.

[naturallyfrugal]

I bought a makeup spatula at The Container Store so I can get every bit of the foundation out of the bottle - totally worth the cost.  I use Lancôme foundation and it's $38 a bottle, so not so frugal there.       I have crazy sensitive skin and it's the only one that doesnt bother me.  

[Iggy aka IG]

Dec 30, 2013 15:20:18 GMT -5 naturallyfrugal said:

I bought a makeup spatula at The Container Store so I can get every bit of the foundation out of the bottle - totally worth the cost.  I use Lancôme foundation and it's $38 a bottle, so not so frugal there.       I have crazy sensitive skin and it's the only one that doesnt bother me.  

NaturallyF, I didn't know these existed!  I'll have to check it out.    Thanks!

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

I've got those tiny little spatulas for getting the last dregs out of the bottle instead of it having to be tossed. They're pretty handy little gadgets.

You can find them at most drugstores or cosmetic counters. Mine are called Makeup Miser.

They're the purple handled ones seen here:

[Iggy aka IG]

Dec 30, 2013 15:37:41 GMT -5 ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ said:

I've got those tiny little spatulas for getting the last dregs out of the bottle instead of it having to be tossed. They're pretty handy little gadgets.

You can find them at most drugstores or cosmetic counters. Mine are called Makeup Miser.

They're the purple handled ones seen here:

I love it!  Better than tossing a cotton swab down into the bottle, then using a pinky to retrieve said swab. 

[sarcasticgirl]

I have extremely sensitive skin. I have searched for years for a cleanser and moisturizer that doesn't leave me wanting to scratch my skin off since moving from the south to the midwest.  
Finally within the last year I found Dr. Bronners. It's made of natural oils and is fair trade. I use it on my face, body, dog, cleaning etc. It is fantastic and my skin LOVES it. 32 oz bottle is around $15 depending on the scent... and it only takes a few drops, so a large bottle lasts for a long time.

For moisturizer, I use coconut oil all year long. It is the only thing that has ever kept my face from getting dry and peeling during the winter! I get a HUGE jug at costco for like $15? and it lasts well over a year. I also give it to my dog and cook with it. 

Of course all the money I save here, I spend on pricey makeup 

[Chocolate Lover]

Do you use just any old coconut oil Sarcastic? I thought of you the other day when I looked at my jar of it. lol

[Timberwolf]

I like the idea of the coconut oil, too.

I fashion a type of blush from water, red food coloring, mixed with a few drops of blue to make it more pink than red, and mineral oil.  It's the only thing I've found that will stay on my face and not be gone in a couple of hours.

It started because I had been wearing a product by Lancombe that seemed to be about the same ingredients but cost roughly $25 for a 1 oz. bottle.  When they discontinued the product I thought, what the heck, lets just try the above mentioned concoction, and it worked.  Just be sure to apply it to a slightly moisturized face with a cotton ball otherwise you'll have red fingers all day.

[Iggy aka IG]

Timber, do you have time for a side job making cosmetics? 






Things I've been doing since going hard core frugal in the HBA department:

~Started a stockpile

~Buy Pantene when it's on sale, and combining it with a sometimes $3/2 coupon.  Last time I stockpiled, the cashier allowed me (aka didn't reject my paper coupon) to piggy back an e-coupon which was on my value card. 

~Use only one drop of allergy eye drops in each eye.

~Purposefully seek out coupons for our TP brand (Cottonelle) and only buying it on sale.

~Buying store brand cotton swabs-I found they are just as fluffy as Q-Tip brand.

~Toothpaste on sale, and pair it with a coupon to buy it free, or nearly free.

~Unless it's a work out day, I wash my hair every other day.


Next up:  I'm going to stock up on as many applicable items at Sam's Club when I go in February.  We'll see-the last time I was there, I saw only DH's deodorant brand, and not much else we use.

[Timberwolf]

I think we should all get dancin' mama to shop for us!

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

Just be sure to apply it to a slightly moisturized face with a cotton ball otherwise you'll have red fingers all day.

Since it "stains" the fingers, I hope to assume the moisturized face protects that food-coloring "blush" recipe from permeating the pores/staining the skin on your cheeks (making it hard to remove).

I use a translucent loose powder blush that I apply lightly with a natural hair brush.

[Malarky]

Dec 30, 2013 18:44:27 GMT -5 Timberwolf said:

I think we should all get dancin' mama to shop for us!

I would seriously drop my coupons and cash on her.  I would be so much better off than doing it on my own.

I own my skillset.  Saving money with coupons aint it.  -faint-to those who do.

[Timberwolf]

Dec 30, 2013 19:09:09 GMT -5 Malarky said:

Dec 30, 2013 18:44:27 GMT -5 Timberwolf said:

I think we should all get dancin' mama to shop for us!

I would seriously drop my coupons and cash on her.  I would be so much better off than doing it on my own.

I own my skillset.  Saving money with coupons aint it.  -faint-to those who do.

No lie!

[sarcasticgirl]

Chocolate cheesecake- I am not really picky. I always used the stuff from trader Joe's which is organic or whatever and unrefined so it smells of coconut. I'm not sure if my giant tub from Costco is organic?,but it is unrefined as well and I have been using it for a few month and my skin is the same.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using proboards

[constanz22]

I was lucky to get while the gettin' was good with the couponing/drug store game.  I am SO glad I did.  I have several years worth of products that were "bought" free after coupons and rewards.  When I get low on something, I don't have to worry about finding a sale, I just walk in my stockpile room and grab another off the shelf.  I have anything and everything, deoderant, toothpaste, mouthwash, toothbrushes, facial care, lotion, body wash, shampoo, conditioner and stylers, OTC meds, make up, tissues, ziplock bags, TP, etc, etc, etc.

Iggy-I never really was a Sam's shopper, as a single person household, it wasn't really worth it to me, but I did start going last year when mom would come to visit and use her card.  Once the drug store/coupon deals dried up, I definitely found a few items I will continue to shope Sam's for.  I was able to get a years+ of my allergy medication (their brand Zyrtec) for $13, three 500 count Ibuprofin for $15, and kitchen trash bags.  Not sure how many are in the box, I can check later, but I wrote the date I opened in with a Sharpie.  I know it was last spring, April or May, and I am not even half way through the box and they were $9 and change.  Can't get them for that couponing anymore.  I broke down and bought a membership in November, just because there was a great Groupon deal.  $45 with a $20 gift card and three free items, a rotisserie chicken, scallopped potatoes and an apple pie. 

[wvugurl26]

I get toliet paper, contact solution, Zyrtec, Benadryl, ibuprofen, bottled water, some food, books, magazines, clothes and so on at Sam's Club.

Deals are slim these days and I no longer have the free time to chase them either. I won't buy tissues or paper towels there but most other things, I am all for buying it there and calling it a day. I hate running out of things and I don't have enough time for the things I should do let alone chasing deals.

I do check expiration dates and make sure I will use it all up.

[Iggy aka IG]

Dec 31, 2013 10:28:08 GMT -5 constanz22 said:

I was lucky to get while the gettin' was good with the couponing/drug store game.  I am SO glad I did.  I have several years worth of products that were "bought" free after coupons and rewards.  When I get low on something, I don't have to worry about finding a sale, I just walk in my stockpile room and grab another off the shelf.  I have anything and everything, deoderant, toothpaste, mouthwash, toothbrushes, facial care, lotion, body wash, shampoo, conditioner and stylers, OTC meds, make up, tissues, ziplock bags, TP, etc, etc, etc.

Iggy-I never really was a Sam's shopper, as a single person household, it wasn't really worth it to me, but I did start going last year when mom would come to visit and use her card.  Once the drug store/coupon deals dried up, I definitely found a few items I will continue to shope Sam's for.  I was able to get a years+ of my allergy medication (their brand Zyrtec) for $13, three 500 count Ibuprofin for $15, and kitchen trash bags.  Not sure how many are in the box, I can check later, but I wrote the date I opened in with a Sharpie.  I know it was last spring, April or May, and I am not even half way through the box and they were $9 and change.  Can't get them for that couponing anymore.  I broke down and bought a membership in November, just because there was a great Groupon deal.  $45 with a $20 gift card and three free items, a rotisserie chicken, scallopped potatoes and an apple pie. 

Constanz, I LOVE the Sharpie idea!  I have a running list for Sam's Club, with just ballpark figures as to how long each item lasts.  For example, the 6 pack of olives takes us 3 months to go through, the 5 pack canned chicken 2 months, etc.  Your Sharpie way seems more accurate. 

[dancinmama]

Dec 30, 2013 18:44:27 GMT -5 Timberwolf said:

I think we should all get dancin' mama to shop for us!

Except for one thing....I've retired. 

Like constanz, back in the days when it was free and easy, I stockpiled anything and everything that we use on a regular basis that is non-perishable.  I learned from past experience that nothing lasts forever so I got while the gettin' was good.  I haven't played the drug store rewards game for almost a year, but you'd never know it by looking at my stockpiles. 

[dancinmama]

Dec 31, 2013 10:35:33 GMT -5 wvugurl26 said:

I get toliet paper, contact solution, Zyrtec, Benadryl, ibuprofen, bottled water, some food, books, magazines, clothes and so on at Sam's Club.

Deals are slim these days and I no longer have the free time to chase them either. I won't buy tissues or paper towels there but most other things, I am all for buying it there and calling it a day. I hate running out of things and I don't have enough time for the things I should do let alone chasing deals.

I do check expiration dates and make sure I will use it all up.

You've got that right.  About a year ago, CVS drastically cut distribution of $/$$ and stopped allowing a lot of the stacking that we had all gotten used to.  I was going to actually have to start paying OOP to shop at CVS.  HORRORS!! 

[Timberwolf]

Jan 1, 2014 0:24:23 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Dec 30, 2013 18:44:27 GMT -5 Timberwolf said:

I think we should all get dancin' mama to shop for us!

Except for one thing....I've retired. 

Like constanz, back in the days when it was free and easy, I stockpiled anything and everything that we use on a regular basis that is non-perishable.  I learned from past experience that nothing lasts forever so I got while the gettin' was good.  I haven't played the drug store rewards game for almost a year, but you'd never know it by looking at my stockpiles. 

What!  You can't retire!  O.K., I guess you get to now that Hubby did (I thought I read that).  I was never very good at couponing, but like you, I recently found a wonderful discount food store where I can get fruits and veggies and yogurt at a greatly and I mean greatly reduced cost (like 2/3 off).  Between them and Aldi's, I only have to buy a few specialty items at the regular grocery stores in my area.

[Artemis Windsong]

I look for toiletries that are reduced price.  I bought Fructis shampoo to use over the winter to cut static.  It's half gone so winter is half over. 

I went to Dove products for body/face wash but switch off with generic liquid bath soap.

DH picked up an unused old blade razor from a rellie and used it.  He loved it.  There is no neck rash.  The blades last about 15 shaves compared to a mediocre shave with the disposables.

We use a variety of lotions in the winter.  DH bought working hands because his finger tip skin splits.  I prefer Vaseline Intensive Care or the generic product.  I use that on my face, too.

I got a mild retinol product from a vitamin outfit.  Buy one get two free.  I also use that on the sun damage on my hands as well as my face.  I should have taken a starting photo to see if it was working.

I buy the 1000 q-tip bags.  I used to be able to get them for $1.

I am waiting for a toothpaste sale as I'm nearly out.  I used to get toothpaste for $1 a tube.  (Free seldom exists here.)  I would buy so much that I'd give it to the Grkids when they came over.  At first they thought they had bad breath.  I just told them that was one less dollar they had to earn to buy it.  And, they wouldn't shop then pay full price.    

[dancinmama]

Jan 1, 2014 16:32:51 GMT -5 Timberwolf said:

Jan 1, 2014 0:24:23 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

Except for one thing....I've retired. 

Like constanz, back in the days when it was free and easy, I stockpiled anything and everything that we use on a regular basis that is non-perishable.  I learned from past experience that nothing lasts forever so I got while the gettin' was good.  I haven't played the drug store rewards game for almost a year, but you'd never know it by looking at my stockpiles. 

What!  You can't retire!  O.K., I guess you get to now that Hubby did (I thought I read that).  I was never very good at couponing, but like you, I recently found a wonderful discount food store where I can get fruits and veggies and yogurt at a greatly and I mean greatly reduced cost (like 2/3 off).  Between them and Aldi's, I only have to buy a few specialty items at the regular grocery stores in my area.

  It just doesn't make sense to start actually paying for stuff that you already got for free and have plenty of.    

I'm so glad to hear about your discount store!!  Why pay normal prices when you can find what you want elsewhere a lot cheaper?  I was in Nob Hill the other day and they had an end cap of 30 oz. jars of Best Foods mayo priced at $5.49.  Really?  $5.49?  Do people really fall for that?

[Peace77]

Visit a dentist that gives away free toothbrushes, toothpaste and/or dental floss.

[ZaireinHD]

Hmmm....does taking a shower together really save money / water Iggy?

if I were in front of shower head she would not get any water on her.
then there is the sex that would happen, which we're in the shower running the water longer
then have to get cleaned off again, which means we're in the shower running the water longer
then there is the constant moving around back and forth under the water, which increases her slip and falling!
(oh but wait - we do have the removable shower head)

pfft! having a bit of trouble understanding couple showers is saving money

[Iggy aka IG]

Jan 3, 2014 10:44:42 GMT -5 ZaireinHD said:

Hmmm....does taking a shower together really save money / water Iggy?

if I were in front of shower head she would not get any water on her.
then there is the sex that would happen, which we're in the shower running the water longer
then have to get cleaned off again, which means we're in the shower running the water longer
then there is the constant moving around back and forth under the water, which increases her slip and falling!
(oh but wait - we do have the removable shower head)

pfft! having a bit of trouble understanding couple showers is saving money

On the show, the Extreme Cheapskates couple set a timer and allowed themselves something like a 2 minute shower.  But, I agree with you, based on home studies. 

[ZaireinHD]

2 minute shower!

Zaire get your mind out the gutter please!

[ZaireinHD]

yea the spend more to save more theory

as a single customer purchasing products. it does get confusing for me because if I buy more of the product it will last longer and costs lees than purchasing single item at a time.

then the flip side

if I just purchase the one item which costs less now - then just purchase it again when it runs out.

so I guess I save either way?