Replace Your Sponges Regularly, Affordably

How often sponges should be replaced vary largely from every two weeks, once a month, to a every few months. I prefer to replace mine every month, considering the contaminant exposure my sponges face: raw poultry and meat juices leftover on cutting boards, fats and greases from various foods, the damp and moist environment sponges live in, etc. Experts claim that sponges can be as dirty as raw poultry! To make replacements more affordable, I buy my sponges at the 99 cents store. I get 6 sponges for 99 cents! They're surprisingly durable and don't scratch my cookware surfaces.

Close to Flawless Skin in Cold Weather

If your skin is only slightly uneven in complexion and you live in a cold environment, consider using tinted moisturizer. It's inexpensive, applies on easily, requires less maintenance, and doubles as a moisturizer and skin protectant. There's no point in following a meticulous routine of applying foundation and concealer if you don't need it. You could be unnecessarily clogging your pores with multiple products. While some people recommend using tinted moisturizer in hot weather because of the SPF 15 benefit, I advise against it. The liquidy-creamy consistency can melt in the heat and create a darkly discolored mask. Ugh!

Makeup on a Budget

If you're on a budget, prioritize money for high-end foundation and concealer. Flawless skin can only be achieved with superior ingredients that glide on smoothly. Eye shadows, eye liners, mascaras, lip liners, lipsticks, and lip glosses are similar in formulation. In fact, many department store brands also own drugstore brands, too.

Moving Tip: Three-Day Suitcase

Pack a suitcase with belongings you know you'll need for the next three days (personal care products, hygiene-related, clothing, pajamas, etc). Be sure to include cleaning products because you'll inevitably come across a stain you have to disinfect before moving in your other furnishings.

Moving Tip: Change of Address Forms

Fill out change of address forms, found in post offices or online, six to eight weeks before your move. This way by the time you move into your new residence, all your mail would be forwarded already. And you don't have to worry about any complications regarding credit card statements, insurance forms, or other important documents.

Mirror Illusion

To create the illusion of more space than there actually is, strategically place a mirror two or three feet above eye level and try to reflect it off of a light fixture or something else that reflects light to bounce off of. (I don't recommend a window, though, necessarily). By tilting a mirror out from the bottom a few inches will create a thinning effect.

How to Clean Candle Wax

For hard surfaces, let the wax cool and dry off completely. It's much easier to tackle candle wax that's been hardened. Scrape off the wax with a credit card. Or better yet, stick to soy candles. The wax from soy candles clean off effortlessly.