10 Drugstore Beauty Buys That Rival The Spendies

By Betsey McLain

The right shade of lipstick. The perfect eyeliner. A moisturizer you can't stop using. Scoring the right beauty products that work for you is a thrill. And while we love a good splurge, cashing in on luxe beauty goodies isn't exactly always wallet-friendly. So, to help keep your money in check, we rounded up 10 drugstore beauty steals with formulas and results that more than measure up to the pricey options on the market—these good buys are the real deal. 

Click here to see the whole article from Refinery 29!

Fitness Should Be Free

One of the things I find most frustrating about the budgeted lifestyle is the lack of affordable fitness programs. You though I was going to say healthcare didn’t you?Blessed is she who can throw on her running shoes and head out on a 5k run every morning! Unfortunately, I have the knees of a 90-year-old man and running is out of the question. I prefer to participate in group fitness classes with the occasional frolic on an elliptical.  But gym memberships and fitness classes can cost a bundle. Here are my PBP suggestions to break a sweat without breaking the bank.

Did you know that the YMCA has a pay-what-you can scholarship program? You have to prove “financial hardship” which is easier for some than others. If you have a YMCA in your area it is worth checking out. This is how I managed a full service gym membership (pool, equipment, free classes) for only $15 a month last year. 

Every week, lululemon stores and showrooms turn their spaces into instant yoga studios offering complimentary classes on a first-come first-served basis. There are hundreds of stores throughout the US and Canada so check thier local stories website for class times. 

In the summer many cities provide FREE outdoor exercise classes.

Are you in Chicago? Then head to Millennium Park on Saturday mornings for Yoga, Pilates and Zumba.

NYC? BryantPark hosts free yoga classes on Tuesdays and Thursday. New York also sponsors “Shape Up NYC” offering free fitness classes every week at dozens of locations across the five boroughs.

No matter where you live check with your local parks department for free community classes and discounted gym memberships. Many departments have small weight and cardio rooms that are open to the public through pay-per-use (about $5) or monthly/seasonal memberships. The parks department is also a great place to sign up for tennis lessons, find a running group, or join an intramural sports team. It might also be worth asking a local studio if they offer "community classes."  These classes are either free or you donate what you can and the donations go to a local charity.

Groupon, Living Social, and You Swoop are also great places to get discounted fitness passes or classes. 

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

MacBook Gets a Makeover

I'll be leaving for grad school in a few weeks and have been thinking about replacing my old MacBook. But wait! I don't have any money. What to do...what to do.... Give my laptop a makeover!

I came across this article today with some great tips on how to freshen up my Mac. The first suggestions is a little tech heavy (RAM? Superdrive?) but the others seem simple enough, I already have an external hard drive! I'll try these tips out and let you know how it goes. 

Check out the article : Getting the Most Out of an Older MacBook or iMac on Unplgged.com (they have missing vowels too <3)

The Papr Bag Princess is Resourceful.

*She has her shoes repaired.

Theodor’s 4751 N Damen Ave Chicago, IL 60625

*She knows a good tailor.

Nuri’s 4155 N Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL 60618

*She sets trip alerts for upcoming flights, swooping in to buy her tickets at the ideal moment.

www.kayak.com, www.bing.com. 

*She has a friend with a boat/pool/water front property.

*She can cook at least one thing very well. Besides Spaghetti. 

*She researches products on the internet prior to making a big purchase. She checks for coupon codes, compares prices from competitors and reviews consumer feedback. 

*She knows where she is going before she leaves. The last thing you will see her doing is scrolling through her smart phone in a dark alley, in the rain.

Urban Excursions

For those of you who don’t know me I’m quite a flâneur. The term comes from the French noun flâneur—which has the basic meanings of "stroller." Charles Baudelaire developed a derived meaning of flâneur—that of "a person who walks the city in order to experience it"—and that is exactly how I see myself. 

This past weekend my friend Ava and I visited the West Side neighborhood of Humboldt Park for the 25^th annual Puerto Rican Festival and Parade. It was hands down the loudest, most patriotic event I had ever witnessed. They definitely had Boston on the 4^th of July beat. 

If you are interested in affordable ways to visit some of Chicago’s best historic and cultural communities stop by the Chicago Cultural Center (77 E. Randolph St. ) on your lunch break for their Get Up and Go series. Tuesdays through September from 12:15-12:45pm. This weekly program features interviews with Chicago Neighborhood Insiders – local experts from Chicago’s diverse communities. Meet the experts, hear their stories, ask questions, and you’ll be ready to Get Up and Go!  Some, I hear, even include FREE neighborhood tours departing after the discussion.

Thrifty finds courtesy of Refinery 29 Chicago!

Williams-Sonoma. If you're stuck with two culinary left feet, Williams-Sonoma can help, and it won't cost you a penny. Weekly classes change each month and even if your skills don't rise above boiling water, what have you got to loose? Williams-Sonoma, 900 North Michigan Avenue, Space #L2-14 Ll-4s; 312-587-8080.

Sally Hanson Nail Polish Strips—The same nail polish strips have lasted me for a good two weeks now and there's not a single chip to be seen. I'm going to stock up at my corner drugstore the next time I'm there. They're like the broke (and crafty!) girl's version of Minx. $8.50, available at your local drugstore.

Rosebud Prime Restaurant. Free food! Every weekday from 3 to 6 p.m. enjoy your happy hour at Rosebud Prime with a side of totally complimentary appetizers. They're so yummy you might be enticed to actually order a real dinner, but you've been properly warned. Rosebud Prime, 1 South Dearborn Street; 312-384-1900.

I heart Mint.com

If you aren't using it yet you must sign up for Mint.com! Mint.com is an online budgeting site that a friend turned me onto a few years a go. I've used it religiously ever since. You enter in your bank account information (sounds sketch but the site has bank level security to keep your $$ safe), set up budgets for your personal expenses, and you're done. Mint.com lets me see where everyone of my precious cents goes and its gets red and angry if you go over your budget. Truly a personal finance lifesaver.

Thrifty Summer Time Actitivies

Summer is the perfect time for me to start this blog because there is a seemingly endless list of thrifty and nifty activities this season. So everyone, its time to come out of hibernation, slather on the SPF and find your self a friend with a boat! And if that doesn't work try one of these:

*Movies in the Park I will be going to the Grease sing-a-long if anyone is interested.

*Street Festivals there is usually a $5 suggested donation, give what you can.

*Outdoor Concerts no need to shlep all the way to Ravinia, bug spray is a must!

*Cocktails on my fire escape!

Champagne Taste, Beer Money

Recessionista, whatever. I have been living on a tight budget for as long as I can remember. Along the way I have picked up a few tricks for living the high life without spending a ton (or anything if I can help it). A wise woman once said, "girls just want to have fun!" but in the world of designer handbags and $19 drinks that "fun" seems almost unobtainable to those of use barely making ends meet. Hello artists, musicians, teachers,  freelance writers, non-profit do gooders! Ladies with a great job but a strung out line of credit! Any one with champagne taste but beer money, this blog is for you!