Do-It-Yourself Beauty Tips: Face and Hair

by Jessica Sommerfield · 3 comments

If you have been looking for ways to spend less (but get the same results) on your beauty regime, here are some tips on how to get beautiful-looking skin, teeth, and hair without spending a fortune on facials, teeth whitening, and hot oil treatments. Best of all, most of these suggestions use ordinary products you can find in the grocery or department store for a fraction of the cost to have the service done for you professionally.

A natural facial. An easy recipe for an at-home facial that will leave your skin feeling fresh and soft is as follows: ½ cup of oatmeal, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 egg white, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Facials can cost upwards of $15 at the salon, whereas these products are relatively cheap and are probably already in stock in your pantry. The ingredients in this facial will sooth, moisturize and exfoliate your skin.
A cure for redness. If your skin is sensitive and tends to have a lot of red undertone, try placing a washcloth dipped in cold milk over your face for at least 10 minutes. The components of milk help to sooth red, irritated skin, while its exfoliating properties will slough away dead skin cells to reveal the young, healthy skin underneath.
A soak for puffy, tired eyes. We all have sleepless nights on occasion, but we shouldn’t have to look like it. To diminish puffiness around the eyes, place steeped and cooled tea bags directly over your eyes for about 15 minutes. The caffeine in tea will shrink the blood vessels giving you dark circles while forcing out excess fluid. The result: more alert-looking eyes, whether you feel like it or not.
An at-home hot oil treatment. Hot oil treatments are a popular request at hair salons, and can cost more than $15. If you don’t want fuss, many brands of hair products now offer at-home hot oil treatments, usually for less than a salon, and decent results. However, you can also mix your own using common natural products. Jojoba oil, found in health food stores, makes a great hot oil treatment, as do other oils such as olive, coconut, castor, and sweet almond. Mayonnaise is also known to restore a healthy appearance to dry and damaged hair.
A cheaper teeth whitener. Teeth whitening products are extremely expensive. The simple but effective power of baking soda to whiten teeth can be maximized by creating a paste out of it and applying it to your teeth a few times a month. Granted, it might not be the most pleasant-tasting, but it will do the job.

These tips are a great start to saving money on beauty regimes you need or desire, and demonstrate that you can get professional-level results without spending money on over-priced salon products and services. For more tips on at-home beauty solutions and recipes, check out women’s magazines or other online blogs and message boards. Better yet, start experimenting to come up with your own recipes and beauty solutions to share. Oh, and don’t forget to check out our list of promo codes and promotions from online beauty product retailers too.

Navigating the Hair Care Tangle – Great Products Don’t Have to Cost a Lot

by Gina Blitstein · 0 comments

As a young girl I was given a book called, “The ABCs of Beauty.” The letter “H” stood for hair and the book said that your hair can be your best friend – or your worst enemy. Whether you had a book tell you the way your hair looked was important or not, we all start out with hair and most of us would rather it be a friend than an enemy.

No matter how much we seek to be on good terms with our hair, the subject of its care is a mystery to most. Products abound, but as with many personal care products, claims and costs can be high while results can be low. The key is to know your hair and what it needs. Empowered with that knowledge, you are in control in the marketplace, prepared to make wise choices about hair care products.

Dry or Oily?

Take this test to determine whether your hair is dry or oily. Using a spray bottle, spray your hair in one spot with a little water and notice what happens. If it’s immediately absorbed into your hair, your hair is dry. If the water beads up on your hair’s surface before being absorbed, it’s more oily.

Once you know your hair type, you can choose between products for “normal to dry” hair or for “normal to oily.”

Shampoo and Conditioner Basics

Dry hair requires products that will moisturize it or at least not dry it out further. Oily hair needs thorough cleansing and light moisturization.

Shampoo’s job is to cleanse hair thoroughly, yet gently. Whether a shampoo is gentle or not depends upon the type(s) of surfactant (the actual cleansing agent) used in its formulation. Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a common surfactant used in shampoos. Conditioners moisturize and can also add body and shine, tame frizz, static and tangles, and straighten or define curl.

There’s no need to buy pricey salon products with which to wash and condition your hair. Find products which contain ingredients that will fulfill your hair’s particular needs.

Products containing rich ingredients like aloe, seed oils and shea butter will add moisture to dry hair. Use them sparingly, especially on fine or thin hair because they may weigh it down. Oily hair needs light moisturizers to untangle it and control static. Products containing Dimethicone, a mineral emollient, will help smooth and straighten thick hair, making it easier to style.

Should your hair require an extra measure of conditioning, try a leave-in conditioner which creates shine and body, tames frizz and defines curls. Hair masks, hot oil treatments and deep conditioning packs restore softness and shine.

Styling Products

Once hair is clean and appropriately conditioned, a multitude of products exist to help you create or maintain style. Consider your hair’s requirements as you choose among styling products, such as:

Volume-enhancing sprays and root-lifting products add volume and lift to flat, limp, thin or straight hair.
Gels and styling cremes add texture and shape to hair, define curls and help hold style. Cremes are softer; gels create a stiffer effect.
Pomades stop static and flyaways and tame frizz.
Hair spray tames flyaways, adds volume and seals style. Light hold looks more natural, firm hold, more rigid.

Use styling products sparingly. Once it’s in your hair, you can’t remove it. Start with a tiny amount, adding more if needed to achieve your desired effect.

Make appropriate choices and you and your hair will be friends without wasting money on the wrong products or paying too much for what you need.

How do you save on hair care?

New Graduate? Tips for the Job Hunt

by Miranda Marquit · 1 comment

College graduations are being celebrated, and newly-minted grads are looking for jobs. If you are just graduating, you will want to be able to stand out during the job search. You also need to be ready to take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way.

According to NPR, only half the college grads from 2009-2011 are finding work. That number isn’t likely to improve as a fresh crop of 2012 grads enters the fray. If you are looking for some tips for the job hunt, Ellen Lubin-Sherman, from The Essentials of Fabulous, shared some great tips for college graduates:

Have a business card in your wallet at all times: You may not have a job title on it yet, but include your skill set and contact info. (My own business cards were printed at Moo.com, which offers low prices, and the ability to customize.)
Follow companies you’re interested in on social media sites: Many companies tweet position openings and you can see what’s new in your industry on sites such as LinkedIn, whether it’s a topic starter in an interview or to see a connection at the company.
Create an online portfolio to share your work easily by just sending a link: You should be proud of your accomplishments and want others to see.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help: Sit down with your family and ask for the names of their most connected friends. Make it plain that you do not expect these friends to give you a job –– all you’re hoping for is an introduction.
Remember to maintain a job search/life balance: Compose a snappy cover letter and then meet a friend for coffee. Looking for a job is tough work but don’t torture yourself while doing it. It’s only temporary.
Never email a thank you note: Eighty percent of applicants never send a thank you note so you’re not competing with the world – just the top 20%. Outperform the competition and always send a handwritten note even if you don’t get the offer — the person they’ve hired could turn out to be a dud and your note might clinch it for you.
Full-time jobs with benefits are few: So take a part-time job in a field that interests you. Ask a company if you could do an “audition” and work for a few weeks without pay. Stay busy so interviewers see that your resume displays your ability to hustle.

I like the commonsense advice shared. It’s important to remember that social media is playing an increasing role in the job search, and you need to pay attention to your profiles. I also like the realistic view that you might have to work part-time. You can also engage in an internship. It’s important to show that you are making progress and working on a marketable skill. If you want a job, you have to show that you are ready for one — and that you can bring value. It’s definitely an employer’s market out there on the job hunt, and you have to be able to stand out.

Home Pedicures: Summer-Ready Feet For Under $20

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

Unless you’re a foot model, pedicures are one of those oft-neglected luxuries most working women enjoy only when they get a gift certificate for Christmas or their birthday. Granted, feet are hidden by shoes at least six months out of the year. But when warm weather comes, neglected feet can be downright embarrassing.

An easy solution to this is home pedicures, a practice which can save you both money and time. The following ideas will help you keep sandal-ready feet all year long, if you so desire, for much less than the $20-$30 of a salon manicure.

Invest in a $20-$30 foot spa. Foot spas aren’t that expensive, and are a great tool for home pedicures. A small container of warm water with Epsom salt will also effectively soften your feet, but some foot spas contain jets, vibration, or exfoliating tools to assist with your home pedicure and add a little more luxury to the experience.

The Ped Egg: $10. The Ped Egg, an “As Seen On TV” exfoliating tool, cost about $10 and has high reviews for its ability to remove hard callouses and dead skin better than a traditional pumice stone. Although the cheese grater appearance of the tool may look a bit alarming, the process is painless and only takes a few minutes, leaving your heels silky smooth.

Home-remedy exfoliating: under $10. Surprisingly, there are a number of common foods and natural substances you can use to exfoliate and moisturize your feet. Kiwi and pineapple, also used as meat tenderizers, are great at sloughing dead skin; a simple foot scrub can also be made out of sugar and fruit juice. The internet abounds with foot bath recipes that include milk, honey, Epsom salts and essential oils which are well proven to soften the feet, naturally.

Foot cream or lotion socks: $10 or less. After exfoliating your feet using a Ped Egg, pumice stone, or home recipe, moisturize with a foot cream or wear some lotion socks overnight. You can even make your own lotion socks using banana, honey and lemon. Ordinary lotion may not contain enough moisture for your feet, so be sure to get products specifically intended for them. Olive oil also works as a great moisturizer for your feet if you don’t mind it.

Nail polish and toe separator, under $10. Polishing your toenails is an important part of a pedicure. You may have to spend a good half hour to make them look as good as a salon pedicure, but the money savings will be worth it. A simple toe separator is cheap and will keep you from smudging. Be sure to clean and buff the nail surfaces and apply a base and top coat to preserve your polish, just as you would with fingernails.

As you can see, all the essential elements of a good pedicure should cost no more than $20-$30 initially, with the cost of replacement materials much less than the $20-$30 per pedicure at most salons. Of course, it’s more relaxing to have someone else give you a pedicure, so get your girlfriends together and make a night of it.

3 Easy, Quick and Affordable Meals to Help You Avoid Going for Fast Food

by Gina Blitstein · 2 comments

One of the most difficult parts of sticking to a budget when life is hectic is meals. Yes, fast food is, well, fast – but it’s also more expensive and less nutritious than most meals prepared at home. While you may think that cooking equals a lot of fuss and time, any effort it takes to put together a simple meal at home is easily offset by the savings in money and the boost in nutrition. In fact, I would venture to say that it actually takes less time to prepare certain dishes at home (even considering preparation and cleanup time) when you take into account the time you waste driving and waiting in line.

Overall, I try to be proactive by planning my meals days ahead. That way, I know each day how much time I need to schedule for meal preparation. While that’s a strong strategy by which I swear, life happens and throws off my best-laid plans from time to time.

The key to cooking quick at home is having certain staples on hand at all times. A thoughtfully-stocked pantry, refrigerator and freezer provide numerous possibilities for a quick meal. My go-to quick meals include readily-available ingredients and a generous helping of creativity.

How do I cope when it seems it would just be simpler to succumb to convenience food? I pull out one of these ideas from my culinary bag of tricks. They’re tasty, satisfying, healthier than fast food and just as quick. They’re not home versions of fast food – they’re alternatives to it. Here’s a taste of three favorites:

Linguini with White Clam Sauce

(2 servings)

½ lb linguini (or any pasta)
1T salt for cooking water
6 oz canned chopped or minced clams
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2T olive oil
¼ t salt
2T white wine
¼ cup Parmesan cheese
pepper

Put a large pot of water on the stove on high heat to boil.

While water is heating, chop onion and garlic. Saute onion and garlic in olive oil. When onion is tender, add clams with their liquid, salt and wine. Simmer over low heat.

When water boils, add salt. Add pasta and cook according to package directions.

Drain cooked pasta. Return to pan, stir in sauce to coat pasta. Serve; sprinkle with Parmesan and pepper.

Raid-the-Refrigerator Omelette

(1 serving)

3 eggs
2t water
salt
seasonings of your choice (parsley, garlic, basil, oregano, rosemary, chives…)
fillings of your choice (chopped broccoli, spinach, peppers, onion, ham, cooked bacon, cheese…)
1T butter

Whisk eggs, water and salt in a bowl. Melt butter in a flat-bottomed frying pan. Add eggs, scraping them gently around the pan until they start to set. Add desired fillings over half the eggs. With a wide spatula, gently fold the other half of the eggs over fillings. Cook briefly to warm through. Ease omelette out of pan by tipping it, folding it onto plate.

Good ‘ol Grilled Cheese

(1 sandwich)

2 slices any type bread
butter
several slices of your choice of cheese(s)
optional add-ons (sliced tomatoes, apples, basil leaves, cooked ham, turkey, bacon, salsa…)

Spread butter on bread, place buttered side down on griddle. Top bread with cheese slices (and any additions you choose). Top with second slice of bread and spread with butter. When bottom is golden brown, turn sandwich over to brown the second side.

These basic recipes can be the basis of a perfectly satisfying, easy and inexpensive meal when you’re too busy to fuss in the kitchen but want to avoid the same-old, low nutrition, high-priced drive-thru experience. You CAN eat healthy on a budget!

What are your “too busy to fuss” favorites?

For Better Opportunities, Develop a Skill

by Miranda Marquit · 0 comments

Many people bemoan the current job market, and the economy, and wish that they could find better opportunities to help them improve their finances. While there is no way to guarantee that you will receive a job offer, you can improve your chances by developing a specific skill. One of the best ways to invest in yourself is to get some kind of an education, or develop a specific skill.

Develop a Marketable Skill

The key is to figure out what people are willing to pay for, and then to provide it for them. If you want a raise or a promotion in your current job, find out if it’s possible to earn more pay if you have a specific certification, complete a training course, or finish a particular degree. Developing a marketable skill is about finding out what is likely to provide you with better compensation, and then developing that skill. There are indications that, when looking for a job, it can help to search by niche. Additionally, it appears that more employers are looking for highly skilled workers. If you want a better job, it can pay to become an expert in a specific area.

Before you choose what you will do, though, you need to make sure that you will be able to improve your financial situation with the result. This can include researching what degrees are in demand right now, and focusing on a higher education that can actually benefit you. It becomes a cost analysis situation in which you need to weigh what it costs to gain an education, against what you can realistically expect to earn when you finish.

Another option is to find out about trades and professional certifications. Sometimes you don’t need a degree. Sometimes all you need is a certification, or to complete a professional course of study. Find out if there is specific training that can help you advance a pay grade. Then, develop that expertise so that you can better you situation.

What Do You Know?

Another option is to use knowledge to your advantage. There are ways to take what you know and turn it into a side business. Technology makes it easier than ever to monetize your knowledge, and improve your situation with a little side income. However, your knowledge can also help you in your current job. With the right knowledge, you can:

Solve problems
Increase productivity
Find new ways to do things
Build better relationships
Work smarter

It’s also possible to learn about other things that can help you improve your finances. Develop investing skills that can help you build a better portfolio, and learn how to recognize opportunities in the financial markets. You can also learn about how money works, and apply it to your situation to maximize your financial opportunities. It’s also worth noting that your knowledge of networking, as well as confidence skills, can open other doors for you. From promotions, to finding a new job, to conducting better business in general, techniques that help you portray confidence and lead to opportunities and income.

Stop to think about what skills could help you. You might be surprised at how much a little self-improvement can help you.

Manicures: Tips For Staying Polished and Prudent

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

A freshly-done manicure does a lot for a woman’s self-confidence, and the opposite is also true. Poorly groomed nails and chipped polish can throw off even the most professional look. While some women might view $20-$40 weekly or bi-weekly salon manicures as a non-negotiable expense, others either can’t afford them or can’t stand to spend that much money on themselves. The following tips can help you reconcile your desire for manicured nails with your need to operate within a budget.

Forget customer loyalty. Although you may feel pressure to remain loyal to a certain salon or nail technician, shopping around could save you money while not sacrificing your preferences and standards. Call salons in your area to get rates on manicures and any special deals that may be going on. Don’t be afraid to mention that you are comparing rates with other salons; your salon may match them to keep your business! One of the advantages of moving around is that full-service salons often offer discounts to first-time customers. Nail salons located in shopping malls tend to offer lower rates since they specialize in nail services and benefit from higher customer traffic. If you are leery of trying a new place, ask for recommendations from your friends or acquaintances with immaculate nails.

Change from acrylic to gel nails. The latest rage in the nail world are gel polishes that brush on like polish but have the longer-lasting qualities of gel nails. CND’s Shellac is a popular brand. Whereas normal nail polish may only last 2 weeks at best, Shellac or other gel polishes can last 3-4. This means less money out of your pocket per month. While gel nail manicures are a little more expensive than normal manicures, you’ll still be saving more by not needing them re-done as often.

Do your own. Lastly, you don’t have to go to the salon to get a professional-quality manicure. With the right tools, a few tips, and maybe a few YouTube videos, you can accomplish a professional-looking manicure in about 45 minutes. Just slapping on nail polish without the proper preparation and follow-up is not going to cut it, though. Here are some basics:

Use a cuticle softener and push back cuticles, but don’t cut them.
Wipe your nails with rubbing alcohol and buff them to create a smooth surface.
Always use a base coat and top coat to help polish adhere to your nail bed and remain intact as long as possible. Put top coat on the ends of nails to delay chipping.
Apply two thin layers to avoid smudging and achieve a salon-quality look.
Use light colors with shimmer or sparkles if you are prone to making mistakes.

The initial investment in at-home manicure supplies may be around $50 for a quality manicure set, base coat, top coat, and polish; but subsequent manicures will cost you next to nothing, bringing your monthly manicure costs way down.

Professional-looking nails, whether you choose to go to a salon or do your own, don’t have to be something you skip as an unnecessary expense. Follow these tips to save money, get long-lasting manicures, and enjoy the confidence that comes from a look that is polished, including your nails.

Simple and Affordable Basics for a Great Complexion

by Gina Blitstein · 1 comment

Skin care – it’s frighteningly easy to justify and spend a fortune at the drugstore or cosmetics counter, in search of the secrets to a healthy and attractive complexion. Skin care choices in the marketplace are overwhelming and the claims made by the products’ advertisers can be both overblown and confusing. Being knowledgeable about our skin’s needs is really the only way to make sensible choices when shopping for products to care for our complexions.

Know thy skin type

The skin on our faces holds the distinction of being that which is most exposed to the elements while also being the skin that’s most visible to others. For that reason, we tend to want to take special pains to ensure that it’s as healthy and attractive as possible.

Skin comes in four basic types: dry, oily, combination (including oily areas and dry patches) and sensitive. Taking our skin type into consideration when evaluating products considerably simplifies and economizes our skincare choices.

All skin, regardless of type, has three basic needs: cleansing, moisturizing and sunscreen.

Cleansing

Cleansers loosen dirt, excess oil and remnants of products so they can be easily removed from the skin.

Follow these guidelines when choosing cleanser for your skin type:

Dry – cleanse with a gentle cleanser as needed, up to twice a day
Oily – cleanse with an oil-free, non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) cleanser as needed, up to twice a day
Combination – cleanse with a mild cleanser that’s not too drying as needed, up to twice a day
Sensitive – cleanse with a mild cleanser that’s free of alcohol, soap and fragrance once a day

To help you choose the right type of cleanser, be aware that they’re available as:

Bar soaps – These work best for removing dirt but may be irritating to skin
Liquid cleansers – These work for all skin types except for the oiliest and are generally non-irritating
Facial cleansers – These tend to be less effective at removing dirt but are the mildest to skin

Your goal should be to find the mildest product possible that effectively cleans your skin without causing dryness.

Moisturizer

Moisturizer replenishes elements needed to maintain skin’s structure, avoid damage from free-radicals and enhance cell function.

Follow these guidelines when choosing moisturizer for your skin type:

Dry – use a creamy moisturizer right after cleansing; re-apply when skin feels tight
Oily and Combination – use a lightweight, oil free product
Sensitive – use a creamy moisturizer

Know what you’re buying! Some common moisturizer ingredients and their functions are:

Glycerol – helps water and other moisturizer ingredients penetrate skin
Ceramides – help replenish skin’s natural oils
Hydroxy Acids – help with exfoliation of dead skin cells
Niacinamide – helps skin produce more natural oils; may also help reverse signs of sun-damaged skin, like brown spots and blotchiness

Sunscreen

Protecting your skin from sun exposure is crucial to its health and appearance. The sun ages and dries skin, causes age spots, wrinkles and skin cancer. Even minute amounts of sun exposure every day can cumulatively have a negative effect on skin. Protect your skin with a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 everyday, even when it’s overcast. Some daytime moisturizers conveniently include sunscreen in their formulation.

Live Smart for Healthy Skin

Beyond products you put on it, adopting these healthy habits will also help your skin look its best, including:

Avoid smoking
Eat a healthy and varied diet
Exercise to increase blood flow and sweat flushes out impurities from skin
Lessen stress

Know what you need for your skin type and you’ll find that the basics to a great complexion are actually affordable, sensible and effective.

Remember to check out the newest beauty coupons that we found online for the latest discounts in cosmetics and skin care products. What are your complexion basics?

3 Good Reasons to Pay Down Debt as Soon as Possible

by Miranda Marquit · 0 comments

We’re all looking for ways to improve our finances. When we think about better finances, though, many of us think about making more money, and perhaps saving more money, or investing more. And, of course, those in debt often consider how much better life would be without debt.

As you make a plan to pay down debt, it’s important to consider what you can do to succeed. It’s also a good idea to find reasons to stick with your efforts. Many people give up on becoming debt free because they feel overwhelmed, or because they can’t remember why they are focusing so much on getting rid of debt. However, paying down debt is one of the best investments you can make in your future. As you look for inspiration to keep going, here are 3 good reasons to pay down debt as soon as possible:

1. You Pay Less Money to Someone Else

Whenever you pay interest, you are paying money straight into someone else’s pocket. When you think interest in this way, it makes a compelling reason to get rid of debt as soon as you can. Your interest payments don’t bring you anything of benefit. You don’t enjoy the effects, either. Pay off your debt faster, you’ll be paying less into someone else’s pocket, and keeping more of it for you. You can use the money on the things that are most important to you, rather than enriching someone else.

2. You Have Better Control Over Your Financial Resources

You don’t have control over your financial resources when demands on them are constantly being made. Indeed, when you have debt, your money has to go toward those obligations first. When you have debt, you have relinquished some of your control over your own financial resources, allowing someone else to dictate how much you pay — and when it has to be paid. Paying off your debt as quickly as you can paves the way for the ability for you to do what you want with your own money. You can direct your financial resources in such a way that works best for you, and helps you build wealth. You have a huge advantage when you are the one in charge of your own financial future.

3. Your Relationships are Likely to Improve when You are Debt Free

Even though paying off debt is mostly a financial matter, you might also find that it impacts other areas of your life. Debt can affect your relationships. Think about the stress and anxiety you feel when you are in debt. That sort of difficulty translates into other areas of your life. Marriages are strained, you are more irritable with your kids, and other relationships can be strained. You might not even realize how much stress your situation has been putting on your life until after you have paid off your debt. Pay down your debt faster, and you can find your relationships improving.

When you stop and think about the impact living a debt-free life could have on you, it becomes obvious that getting out of debt is important. You will have more control in general, and feel better about your situation.

Are You Worth More Than You Think?

by Jessica Sommerfield · 1 comment

It may seem like a strange question to ask, but does your paycheck truly reflect the value of your time, talent, skills and experience? If there’s any doubt, you are probably not paying yourself enough, if you’re self-employed, or asking for enough from your employer. Not knowing your own worth is a fast way to be taken advantage of, especially for the self-employed. Are you ready to settle for less than the value of your services, or are you willing to risk losing a few cheapskate clients in order to make what you deserve? Here are some tips to discovering and exercising your monetary worth whether you are self-employed or otherwise.

If you’re self-employed, shop around to see what others in your field are charging. Compare yourself to others in the same field by becoming a member of business associations and interacting on networking sites. Considering your credentials in your field as well as years and levels of experience, stay competitive with similar businesses in your area without selling yourself short. Consider not only how much you are getting paid to do a job, but how much time you are devoting to it. If a job ends up entailing more labor hours than you had originally quoted to a client, don’t hesitate to renegotiate payment, especially if the extra work was requested.

If you are selling hand-made products, don’t forget to charge for your time. Crafts and hand-made items are a great way to earn extra income while doing something you enjoy. The mistake many crafters make, however, is simply charging customers a little more than the cost of their materials. This fails to account for your skilled labor hours, and also cheapens the customers’ perception of your product. If you’re selling your products too cheap, customers will view them as cheap. If you charge more for a quality product, customers will be able to see and appreciate the value and will still buy it. A quick formula for determining pricing is as follows:

Your wholesale price equals 2x the cost of your materials plus your labor rate.
Your retail price should be roughly twice your determined wholesale price.

If you are employed with a company, don’t be afraid to ask for a raise. Knowing your own worth doesn’t just apply to the self-employed. Many employees make less than they could be making simply because they are afraid to ask. If you think you might be making less than you should, do some research. Sites like salary.com list pay rates for various career fields and jobs at all skill and experience levels. If you discover you could be making more, compile a convincing argument and formerly request a raise. It’s a good idea to do this well before your normal evaluation so there is more time and/or funds for your request to be granted. If you are turned down, at least you can’t say you didn’t try.

Whatever your career field or employment situation, don’t let anyone, least of all yourself, undervalue or underpay you. Learn your worth to show yourself respect and require the same from others.

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