ADOBO LIFE

SHOP FOR LESS: Online coupon at SAVINGS.COM

The joy of going to the mall is being tempted as you are pulled to walk through aisle after aisle of sale racks before hitting your sole destination.  I recently visited Dillard's and got a new Chanel lipstick  (See my story : NEW FALL ACCESSORY). As part of my savings tactic this fall, I have been avoiding the mall as I have no intention of updating my wardrobe for winter ...but duh - -a girl needs a lipstick, right!

I did well! YES! I didn't go beyond my budget..but then..I want to go back and get clearance items at further discount rates. My challenge:

• Can I get a coupon even for clearance items?
• Can I get a manufacturer/retail outlet special promo codes without the hassle of signing to their newsletter/website?
• Is there a convenient website that will allow flexibility to view various sale promos from different categories?

Just when  I thought I would give up - - -lo and behold I found SAVINGS.COM 

I have a busy schedule and I have no time to browse through different sites!Looks pretty straightforward and user-friendly too! Hmmm...I'll add this to my favorites -- Try it out - -as I know I will save a lot of money here!

CHECK IT OUT : SAVINGS.COM 

SKIN CARE ON A BUDGET

Weekends  in Manila were usually spent at Facial Care Center in the morning and a good body scrub at Marie France in the afternoon. What a life! Not here in the US where one 60 minutes facial session costs approx. $120 - $150! PLUS, add $60 - $75 for another 45 minutes massage, $19 pedicure, $8 eyebrow wax-- - - Hmmmm.. with that kind of money spent  on a weekend? Never mind! I will be broke!

Since I cannot afford the old lifestyle of spa indulgence, I rely on hypo allergenic brands that will execute the job of efficiently removing my makeup and a good moisturizer to keep my skin clear(specially on days that I am totally worn out from work/traveling that even washing my face seems like a burden!).

Clinique face product care has been my best buddy every night and I have allocated approximately $75 - $200 every 2-3 months. Not a lot compared to a weekly visit to a dermatologists, Aveda or Gould's Salon - but still expensive!

 

With my goal to cut cost to add more percentage to savings, I have experimented on some drugstore brands which I have been alternately using for the last 2 months.Why not? I want to save money!

The good thing: End result for me is the same at less cost!

Here's some products that's worth trying!

• Neutrogena Anti Wrinkle intensive Serum - $18.99. You only need a small drop and in a few days, you will notice that it helps in the exfoliating process.
• Porcelana Night Time Treatment - < $4. This is a surprise for me! A dark horse from the cosmetic shelf and it stood up for its promise! Within a month, a dark spot in my left cheek has faded.
• Olay Complete All Day Moisture Lotion for Sensitive Skin - $8.49. So light and non greasy!
• Neutrogena Makeup Remover - $5.99(not in picture)
• Neutrogena Exfoliator -$25 - $35?? I forgot how much it costs, but  it's worth the initial investment as it both scrubs and at the same time massages my face.

For the Neutrogena brand, check out Walgreens first as they usually  give $2 off (or even buy one take one deal) for this brand. If not - -Wal-mart it is!

I am still a Clinique fanatic but at least I know I have some options  if  I need to tighten my belt even more! At the end of the day ...you can still look pretty even if you're saving money

SAVING THROUGH ONLINE SHOPPING

Sunday is supposed to be a lazy day! But  I slept at 2 AM  updating the girls' website  (www.mydramatweens.com ).Unfortunately, I forgot to turn off the work alarm so I ended up getting out of bed at 6 AM. Yaay...time to get up to do my Wal-Mart run!

I really love Wal-Mart (which by the way - -I am now a member of their affiliate program -- see their ad?)! I love comparing prices between other stores - -and  they always ended up giving me a better bargain! What's not to like? Although - -I try to go there  earlier than the baker guy just  to avoid the "scary looking" people my daughters call --Wally World- -whatever that is!

I don't need a lot of items today - -just shampoo and cat food but since I am already here --might as well check out the new GREEN DAY CD!

Unfortunately  - -  I did not get the memo that Wal-Mart  banned it ? Oh well - -I checked a few articles and found some news related to this issue where it  highlights that Wal-Mart likes to stick to its family friendly image, which apparently does not include selling music with explicit lyrics. They will, however, carry special edited versions of those same albums in their stores. No biggie! At originally $18.99 - -good thing there's the online convenience where you can save even more!

HERE'S MY PICK:

• Check out Green Day's"21st Century Breakdown" at Amazon, who doesn't seem to mind the Parental Advisory label.You can get a copy at $9.99 - CLICK on my STORE page

• Shopping at Target? They don't mind the label either and it's at $15.99

• Best Buy has a 2 day sale and they offer $11.99

UPDATING SUMMER CLOTHES FOR LESS

Yes! ...a long weekend sale hunt for me and the girls! The girls are growing up so fast and with their new found passion for clothes, we are always on the lookout for sale items each time the season change!

With summer  just around the corner - - of course - -Mommy heard the grumbling sound that they need updates on their summer clothes (again?) With a budget of $50 -$75/daughter, we stormed the mall to take advantage of early bird great finds!

HOPE THIS ROUTE HELPS YOU TOO:

First Stop  -- the shopping haven of all teens - FOREVER 21 where we got summer shirts for $5-6 each. Comes in all colors you can imagine

Another great find is this off shoulder top at $13.50. A fashion-forward sheer floral and swirl print top. This short sleeve sheer woven top features an off-shoulder construction with 1" shoulder straps.

I was wearing the same style for Mother's day brunch last week (from another store)- - and if only I've known that this will be at this price ....oh well!

Another teen favorite .. WET SEAL:

It's amazing how the teens can end up carrying lots of bags from this store with the Buy 1, Get second for $0.01 cent deal!

They  have also have wide variety of cool shirts at 2 for $10 (originally $15 each)

This is a great find!

 

 

GORDMAN's :
 33% off on clearance rack

We got jeans and short denims at less than $10 (originally $35) and shirts priced at $7 (originally $26)

 

For the shoe lovers - - check out:

DILLARD'S: They laid out the Shoes Clearance Rack at the back end where I scored a Gianni Binni for $26 (originally $98)

ALDO:  A $150 shoes could end up at potentially $30 - $40  after the 30% reduction on clearance tag

I had second thoughts on these shoes..but I am sure Dr. D hubby will approve !

Speaking of  daddy...After 3 hours of rummaging through the racks,  we decided to call it a day and celebrate with loads of calories as we celebrate a Fun Shopping No Daddy Day!

Oh well...this is just a family who celebrates for the sake of celebrating! I hope he'll have leftovers tomorrow!

HOW TO LOOK GORGEOUS ON A BUDGET

Who says being fabulous has to be expensive?  Last month, I tried drugstore brands that cost 30-40% cheaper below my usual collection purchased at  Dillard's or Macy's.

With these newly discovered finds, one thing for certain... I need to make room for them in my makeup drawer!

Sonia Kashuk Eyebrow Palette

Target : $12.99

www.target.com

What I love:

 It comes in 6 different brown shades with a bonus concealer that I use as cream base. The color is suitable for work environment

What I don't like:
The applicator came off easily

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss (Foiled)
Walgreens : $7.49
www.walgreens.com

What I love:
 It gives the glossy effect similar to my MAC gloss. Minimal smudge mark in my coffee mug too!

What I don't like:
The applicator is bended in an angle, so I have to stop (in the hallway) and ensure that I have the right angle when I need to re-touch in between meetings

Olay Quench Body Lotion
Walmart : $3.49
www.walmart.com

What I love:
Fresh scent that is not overwhelming and will not compete with my Chanel perfume (my signature perfume for work)

What I don't like:
Feels that I have to use more compared to the Bath and Body Works brands

Neutrogena  Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle cream
Walgreens: $13.99
www.walgreens.com

What I love:

SPF 15 ...so it serves the purpose of sunblock and day cream in one. Does not give you the oily feeling. You can apply makeup within seconds of applying a layer after shower.

What I don't like:
The tube is made of some sort of aluminum/foil-like material that squeezing the lower portion may be inconvenient when you are rushing in the morning

HOW CAN I SAY GOODBYE?

When something so perfect comes your way, how long will you hang on to it?

I  had this mission of saving as much as I could that I have avoided my ultimate girly girl sports for almost two years . Yes...the one we call "Weekly Shoe Shopping" .

Don't get me wrong, I am not deprived at all! But I was so focused on my quest to be frugal that I have not noticed how  worned out my peep toe buddy and is screaming in pain for me to end its misery!

But how can I let go of something  when we have come a long long way? Let me recall precious moments when :

• He provided strength when I was being interviewed by the President of my company in Dec 2006
• He was  excited when I entered   my office for the first day in  March 2007
• He was nervous when I first presented to a  manufacturer partner in April 2007
• He was tired as we  dragged our luggages from   airport after airport from May to December 2007
• He was proud when we purchased a new  house in Sept 2007
• He was overwhelmed with joy to see three  daughters maintained 3.9 GPA every quarter
• He was  anxiously waiting at the  embassy for the result of my US Citizenship test in November 2008
• He was jumping with joy everytime the operation team I work with receives  compliments  from manufacturer partners for a job well done (Dec 2008 - March 2009)

For two years, I was insensitive  to the cries of my aching toes!

                                               Best Buddy

Occasionally, I will rotate a Nine West rookie, a trendy BCBG, crabby Calvin Klein or an Anne Klein snob but never will I let a week  passed by when I will not invite you back to the conference room. I know you love strutting  along  the aisle  as you have made friends (and maybe silent enemies) to more than 500 customer service representative as we ran from one meeting to another  with  those familiar  tic tac tic tac sound. Do you remember how we dropped our blackberry more than five times?

I wish I can hold on to my old buddy! We were in Texas for a dinner and one of our VPs asked me how much money have I spent for one pair of shoes? With pride, I told him how much your value is...and to my regret I dragged you for  almost a mile on the way back to the hotel on a cold cold winter night (can't wait for the hotel bus!).  By the time I entered the hotel room...I know it's time to say goodbye as I saw the damage I have caused.

So today, I will let you rest, not because I WANT  to - -- but because I HAVE to. At  5 pm, I dragged you for the last time at Dillard's ....so you can help me interview your replacement  - -the new guy who will be in endless meetings and airports together with a damaged blackberry! So....dear new buddy ..just so you know..YOU HAVE A BIG SHOE TO FILL IN!!!

                New Buddy

HOW TO SAVE $120 BY REVIEWING YOUR COSMETIC OPTIONS?

WHAT'S IN MY BAG?

I have this friend, who like me, is also a raving fan of major cosmetic brands - Clinique, Lancome, Laura Mercier, Estee Lauder --etc.  The interesting part is, our cosmetics only last within a period of 3 months. So you can imagine our eagerness to try a cost effective product that  does not compromise quality. In the spirit of cutting costs, last month, we both experimented on drugstore brands and created a pilot if we can find a substitute to an existing makeup in our bag.

HERE'S MY PICK FOR THE MONTH:

A. FOUNDATION:

Neutrogena vs Clinique

• My brand: Clinique Super Balanced Makeup ($20.50)
• Substitute brand: New Neutrogena Skin Clearing Liquid Makeup ($11.50)
• Savings: $10

B. BLUSH:

 

Revlon versus Clinique

• My Brand: Clinique Soft Pressed Powder Blusher ( $18.50)
• Substitute brand: New Revlon blush ($6)
• Savings: $12.50

C.  EYE SHADOW:

Revlon versus Clinique

• My Brand: Shadow: Clinique Colour Eye Shadow Quad ($25)
• Substitute brand:  New Revlon Color Stay Mineral Eye Shadow ($6)
• Savings: $19

Potential Savings on three Substitute Brands: $41.50 every 3 months.

I was expecting to hate the  substitute brand, but surprisingly, I don't see any difference at all! The technique could be the high quality brush I use? Not sure,  but if you  regularly refresh the make up cabinet and willing to let go of your favorite brand to save approx. $120 in a year - -WHY NOT??

However, there are some items I will never substitute (years of flawless experience)

• Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
• Clinique Take the day off
• Clinique Almost Powder
• Clinique plump and shine
• CLinique glosswear for lips
• Clinique Moisture Surge Lipstick
• Estee Lauder Refinishing Makeup
• MAC  Lip Varnish
• Maybelline Lash
• MAC  Lipstick in Frost

                             What's in my bag everyday