About a month or so ago, I decided to try out Melaleuca's skincare line. I had finally run out of my Boscia products, so it was time to make the switch or continue with what I was already happy with.
Boscia is a preservative-free skincare line that uses amino acids to cleanse the skin without stripping. I discovered it a few months before I became pregnant with Ethan, and continued using it throughout my pregnancy with fantastic results. I never had the typical problems skin problems that plague most pregnant women. The ONLY problem I ran into was the price tag. A 5oz bottle of the cleansing gel runs $26, add $24 for the balancing tonic and $36 for the moisturizer (that's if you opt to go with just one for both day & night, instead of $36 each for two different ones); that leaves a total of $86 for my facial regiment before taxes. I would spend this amount roughly every other month, so that's over $500 a year in skincare products (plus, I would occasionally splurge in a mask or polish). That's a lot of money, so I figured I would give Sei Bella a try. Worst case scenario, I would go back to the high prices of Boscia.
I ordered the Sei Bella Necessities Skin Care line. It came with three full-sized products for $45 - that's almost HALF as much as I was spending on Boscia (plus the sizes of Sei Bella's products are larger)! They also sell a five product set that runs $75, which is still an $11 savings compared to the three products I was buying. I have combination skin, so I chose the Refining cleanser, Hydrating toner and Daytime Delivery lotion. The first thing I noticed was that all of the products smelled fantastic! They had a spa-like quality that I loved. The facial cleanser did a great job of cleaning the make-up from my skin. But, what I REALLY liked was that it cleaned my eye make-up off gently. I had run out of my eye make-up remover, so I put the smallest dab of the cleanser on my fingertips, gently applied to my eye area and rinsed. I use a water resistant mascara, and I have never had a facial cleanser that removed it like that - no scrubbing or rubbing. (I have since ordered the Sei Bella eye make-up remover, and love it!) The toner felt as nice as Boscia, but smelled better. The lotion felt luxurious - fairly different from Boscia. I was concerned that I might break out or that my skin might not react favorably over the course of some time, but after a solid month, my skin still looks and feel great. I feel like my make-up wears better over the Sei Bella lotion, too. Speaking of make-up, I recently started trying out the Sei Bella liquid foundation (but that's for a different review!).
CONCLUSION:
I am absolutely in love with this skincare line! It has treated my skin very well, and my pocketbook even better. I will continue to buy these products and rave about them! :)
To see how toxic your skincare and make-up products are, check out: www.ewg.org/skindeep
Showing posts with label saving money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label saving money. Show all posts
Monday, July 2, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Month 3 - Price Comparison
April went a little differently. I picked up some items I needed, and decided to try more of the vitamin line. Let me add a little disclaimer... I have never been good about taking vitamins. I buy them and then forget about them for the most part. This is because I gag on them, and then they make me feel like crap. After testing out the Vitality 4 packs in my Value Pack from the first month I joined Melaleuca, I was shocked at how well the went down and how well I felt on them. So, since I could elect to receive the multivitamin and calcium for free this month, I decided to try their fish oil and a couple of other items. I love how I feel on them, and will continue to order. I added in what I have tried out before in my price comparison. I may not have necessarily bought vitamins this month, but I am extremely happy with Melaleuca's line.
So here is my breakdown for April:
I feel like I should also mention a few other things. The Renew lotion is comparable to Eucerin, which would be closer to $25 for 20oz. However, I was previously using Bath & Body Works, so that is what I put the price up against. With regards to the fiber, there are 114 servings in the Metamucil container, but it would take FOUR servings to meet the amount of fiber in one serving of FiberWise. The Fiber One bars only have 5g of fiber, where the FiberWise bars have 6g or 9g of fiber (depending on the bar). Also, I didn't need toothpaste at the moment, but they had a sale going on. It's not like I won't need toothpaste again in the near future! ;) And, I ordered the reusable pumps for my clothing softener and brightener since they are so much more convenient than the caps.
Even though I am showing savings in the form of dollars, there is also a savings in quality. Melaleuca offers Whole Foods quality at Walmart prices. You have a better chance of scoring a trip to the moon than convincing me that Power Crunch or any other exercise bar is better than my Access bar. And, the fact that I would need FOUR servings of Metamucil to equal ONE serving of FiberWise? Metamucil tastes like crap, too. There are so many fillers and dyes mixed in with the products that you buy in conventional stores. It is a sad truth. But, I'll step down from my soap box and let the above numbers do the talking here. :)
Next up! Home remedies and concoctions that anyone could do right now, with or without Melaleuca in their homes!
So here is my breakdown for April:
| MELALEUCA PRODUCT | PC PRICE | WHAT WE PAID | PRICE | WHAT WE WOULD'VE BOUGHT |
| EcoSense Laundry Reusable Pump (x2) | $3.98 |
$3.98
|
$0.00 | n/a |
| Tooth Polish BOGO |
$7.78
|
|||
| CoolMint w/Flouride | $3.89 |
n/a
|
$6.96 | Arm & Hammer PeroxiCare (2-pack) |
| Fresh Mint |
$3.89
|
n/a
|
$6.96
|
Arm & Hammer PeroxiCare (2-pack) |
| CoolMint w/Flouride |
$3.89
|
n/a
|
||
| Fresh Mint | $3.89 |
n/a
|
||
| Vitality Pack w/Oligo - Women |
$19.99
|
$0.00
|
$19.58 | GNC Womens Ultra Mega Active ($13.33)* & Calcium ($6.25)* |
| CellWise (antioxidant supplement) | $15.99 |
$15.99
|
$29.99 | GNC Cellular Antioxidant Defense |
| Luminex (St. John's Wort supplement) | $17.94 |
$17.94
|
$13.33 | NOW Mood Support w/St. John's Wort* |
| Vitality Coldwater Omega-3 (fish oil) | $14.99 |
$14.99
|
$25.95 | Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Fish Oil |
| Access Exercise Bars (Choc. Coconut Kraze) | $14.99 |
$13.99
|
$20.90 | Power Crunch - Vanilla |
| Renew Skin Therapy - Value Size | $15.99 |
$15.99
|
$15.00 | Bath & Body Works Body Cream (see formula below) |
| Body Satin Body Polish | $7.69 |
$7.69
|
$10.00 | B&BW True Blue Body Buff (divided to equal amount) |
| Attain Strawberry Shake (x2) | $29.98 |
$29.98
|
$70.00 | Lean 1 - Strawberry (x2 from Amazon) |
| FiberWise Drink - Peach | $20.99 |
$20.99
|
$12.84 | Metamucil Fiber Supplement - Orange |
| FiberWise Breakfast Bars Pantry 2-pack |
$18.15
|
$18.15
|
$9.96
|
Fiber One bars - 2 pack |
| Florify (x2) | $27.58 |
$27.58
|
$59.98 | GNC Ultra Probiotic Complex 25 (x2) |
| Subtotal | $195.05 | $301.45 | ||
| Shipping & Handling | $15.49 |
n/a
|
||
| Sales Tax | $17.55 | $27.13 | ||
| TOTAL | $228.09 | $328.58 | ||
| TOTAL SAVED THIS SHOPPING TRIP: $100.49 | ||||
| * Calculated out to equal cost for a month's supply | ||||
| B&BW Formula = Buy 3, Get 2 free, plus 20% off (max sale price I could get) = $30 for 40oz total of lotion | ||||
I feel like I should also mention a few other things. The Renew lotion is comparable to Eucerin, which would be closer to $25 for 20oz. However, I was previously using Bath & Body Works, so that is what I put the price up against. With regards to the fiber, there are 114 servings in the Metamucil container, but it would take FOUR servings to meet the amount of fiber in one serving of FiberWise. The Fiber One bars only have 5g of fiber, where the FiberWise bars have 6g or 9g of fiber (depending on the bar). Also, I didn't need toothpaste at the moment, but they had a sale going on. It's not like I won't need toothpaste again in the near future! ;) And, I ordered the reusable pumps for my clothing softener and brightener since they are so much more convenient than the caps.
Even though I am showing savings in the form of dollars, there is also a savings in quality. Melaleuca offers Whole Foods quality at Walmart prices. You have a better chance of scoring a trip to the moon than convincing me that Power Crunch or any other exercise bar is better than my Access bar. And, the fact that I would need FOUR servings of Metamucil to equal ONE serving of FiberWise? Metamucil tastes like crap, too. There are so many fillers and dyes mixed in with the products that you buy in conventional stores. It is a sad truth. But, I'll step down from my soap box and let the above numbers do the talking here. :)
Next up! Home remedies and concoctions that anyone could do right now, with or without Melaleuca in their homes!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Smart Shopping
We all want to be smart shoppers. From watching the sale ads to clipping coupons, there are plenty of ways for us to get the items we need and save a few bucks in the process. I definitely watch for sales, and I've done a little coupon clipping. But, I always end up feeling like I put in more effort than what I save. PLUS, I always end up leaving the store with more than I went in for. Since joining Melaleuca, I have become a better shopper without even trying! And, I would like to share the 2 biggest reasons:
1. Obviously, I am going to Walmart and Target less than before (for Walmart, it has been non-existent so far, minus one time that Michael went in a rush for *GASP!* produce. He has since learned to not make that mistake again!). This has saved me from impulse shopping.
2. I am adding items to my Melaleuca basket as I go, the month before my order.
Let me explain... I make my orders based on what I need. As I go through each month, I start adding items to my basket that I anticipate I will be needing soon. I also add items that I would like to start trying or switch to from what I currently use. For example, I noticed today that I will be needing antiperspirant next month, so I logged in and added it to my basket. In about 2 months, I will need to decide if I want to try Melaleuca's Sei Bella line of skincare, or stick with what I have been using for over a year now. I added it to my basket knowing that I might not need it next month, but to keep it in the forefront of my mind. When it comes time to place my order next month, I will add anything else I need at that time and review. I may decide that I don't need items that I thought I did, or I may not have run out of whatever I thought. Either way, I can use that opportunity to really evaluate what my household needs and adjust my order accordingly. When I shop at Walmart or Target, if the item makes it into the basket, there is a 99% chance it won't get removed prior to checkout. Since I am usually trying to get in and out as quickly as possible, I never really took the time to evaluate what I was buying - was the the best quality, biggest bang for my buck, did I REALLY need it?
By shopping this way, I have not only saved money, but I have freed up some to purchase better perishable items for my family. I have been making Ethan's food, and it is very important to me to buy local & organic whenever possible. This has allowed me to be able to afford to do that, and put the best possible food on the table for my family.
I am currently working on my next money saving post from my April order, so stay tuned!
1. Obviously, I am going to Walmart and Target less than before (for Walmart, it has been non-existent so far, minus one time that Michael went in a rush for *GASP!* produce. He has since learned to not make that mistake again!). This has saved me from impulse shopping.
2. I am adding items to my Melaleuca basket as I go, the month before my order.
Let me explain... I make my orders based on what I need. As I go through each month, I start adding items to my basket that I anticipate I will be needing soon. I also add items that I would like to start trying or switch to from what I currently use. For example, I noticed today that I will be needing antiperspirant next month, so I logged in and added it to my basket. In about 2 months, I will need to decide if I want to try Melaleuca's Sei Bella line of skincare, or stick with what I have been using for over a year now. I added it to my basket knowing that I might not need it next month, but to keep it in the forefront of my mind. When it comes time to place my order next month, I will add anything else I need at that time and review. I may decide that I don't need items that I thought I did, or I may not have run out of whatever I thought. Either way, I can use that opportunity to really evaluate what my household needs and adjust my order accordingly. When I shop at Walmart or Target, if the item makes it into the basket, there is a 99% chance it won't get removed prior to checkout. Since I am usually trying to get in and out as quickly as possible, I never really took the time to evaluate what I was buying - was the the best quality, biggest bang for my buck, did I REALLY need it?
By shopping this way, I have not only saved money, but I have freed up some to purchase better perishable items for my family. I have been making Ethan's food, and it is very important to me to buy local & organic whenever possible. This has allowed me to be able to afford to do that, and put the best possible food on the table for my family.
I am currently working on my next money saving post from my April order, so stay tuned!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Month 2 - Price Comparison
I think it is important to cover each month, especially in the beginning. I want to give honest reviews, and show where I am saving money. Beyond the Value Pack in the first month, I am only purchasing items we need at the time.
I've set up the following table to show what I bought, what it is replacing and the price of both. You will notice that I have three price lists - one for Preferred Customer (PC) pricing, one for what we actually paid after the freebies and additional discounts, and what we would have spent at Wal-Mart or a comprable store. Remember, I only bought items we needed this month, as I plan to do each month:
You may find that if you did the same comparison for yourself that it may be different. This would depend on where you shop, your preferred brands, etc. I encourage everyone who might be interested to make their own comparisons.
Please contact me at Kristen.Hathcox@gmail.com if you are interested in making your home a toxin and chemical free environment, and/or want to see how much you could save each month by switching stores!
I've set up the following table to show what I bought, what it is replacing and the price of both. You will notice that I have three price lists - one for Preferred Customer (PC) pricing, one for what we actually paid after the freebies and additional discounts, and what we would have spent at Wal-Mart or a comprable store. Remember, I only bought items we needed this month, as I plan to do each month:
| MELALEUCA PRODUCT | PC PRICE | WHAT WE PAID | PRICE | WHAT WE WOULD'VE BOUGHT |
| CounterAct PM - 50 ct | $4.09 | $0.00 | $8.84 | Tylenol PM - 24 ct (x2 to equal amount) |
| CounterAct Pain - 50 ct | $4.09 | $4.09 | $7.36 | Tylenol - 24 ct (x2 to equal amount) |
| CounterAct IB - 50 ct | $4.09 | $4.09 | $5.94 | Ibuprofen - 24 ct (x2 to equal amount) |
| Attain Shake - Strawberry | $14.99 | $14.99 | $35.00 | Lean 1 - Strawberry |
| ProFlex20 Shake - Vanilla | $16.99 | $16.99 | $25.99 | Amplified Wheybolic 60 - Vanilla |
| Access Bar - Choc Caramel | $14.99 | $0.00 | $20.90 | Power Crunch - Vanilla |
| Access Bar - Choc Coconut | $14.99 | $14.99 | $20.90 | Power Crunch - Vanilla |
| Renew Travel Sized lotion | $1.79 | $1.79 | $5.00 | B&BW Aromatherapy Travel Sized - Jasmine Vanilla |
| MelaSoft Dryer Sheets | $5.69 | $5.69 | $6.84 | Bounce Dryer Sheets |
| Spring Cleaning Special | $17.07 | |||
| Clear Power Glass Cleaner* | $5.69 | n/a | $9.96 | Windex (2 refills to equal same amount) |
| Tough & Tender All-Purpose Cleaner* | $5.69 | n/a | $5.94 | 409 All-Purpose Cleaner (x3 to equal same amount) |
| No Work Daily Shower Cleaner* | $5.69 | n/a | $9.27 | Scrubbing Bubbles Daily Shower Cleaner (x3 to equal) |
| MelaMagic Heavy Duty Cleaner* | $5.69 | n/a | $8.86 | Armstrong Floor Cleaner (x2 to equal amount) |
| Sol-U-Guard Botanical 2x Disinfectant* | $9.99 | n/a | $9.86 | Lysol Disinfectant (x2 to equal amount) |
| Magic Cleaning Sponge* | n/a | <>n/a | <>n/a | would not normally buy |
| Tough & Tender mixing spray bottle | $1.49 | $1.49 | $0.00 | n/a |
| Clear Power mixing spray bottle | $1.49 | $1.49 | $0.00 | n/a |
| Subtotal | $117.44 | $82.68 | $180.66 | |
| Shipping & Handling | $11.06 | $11.06 | $0.00 | |
| Sales Tax | $9.98 | $7.08 | $16.26 | |
| TOTAL | $138.48 | $100.82 | $196.92 | |
| TOTAL SAVED THIS SHOPPING TRIP: $96.10 |
You may find that if you did the same comparison for yourself that it may be different. This would depend on where you shop, your preferred brands, etc. I encourage everyone who might be interested to make their own comparisons.
Please contact me at Kristen.Hathcox@gmail.com if you are interested in making your home a toxin and chemical free environment, and/or want to see how much you could save each month by switching stores!
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