Simple & Practical Ways to Spend Less/Save Money

The points below are all tried & tested and work great for me. All that being said don't forget to live a little and splurge on urself when convenient-take a trip, eat out, pamper yourself, get new stuff, etc.
If you build the habit of being accountable while resources are limited, it is easier to follow through when there's excess. Below is the list in no particular order:

• Have short n long term goals/projects n save towards funding them (keep in mind though that inflation and other economic factors may affect how soon u reach that goal)
• Prioritize ur needs over your wants (expensive wigs,accessories, jewellry, etc. are mostly wants)
• Spend within ur means
• Have a Monthly budget (expenses,income,charity/gifts,misc,etc) It helps you have a good idea of your expenses, hidden money drainers, etc. and to adjust accordingly
• Have an Alternative source of income if possible-{Blog, Craft, Plan small events, Sell stuff (used/unused) online (Instagram,Facebook, BuyMyLux, Jiji, OLX, Dealdey, Kaymu, Konga, Jumia). etc.}
• Invest in Yourself-Learn a skill/trade (Makeup, Tailoring, Beads, Baking, etc), Get Trainings & Certications in your field,etc.
• Invest in Property/Business-e.g. Keke Napep, Put ur car for up for use by Uber or other cab companies, Farming, etc.
• Invest in People-Help someone start a business and have a share in it or have a payment plan contract with interest or train them in a skill, etc.
• Sign up for a Health Insurance (Private HMO) NHIS/PHIS
• Reduce accommodation cost by renting a place with a friend or enjoy rent-free restricted life with the folks if single 
• Monitor Electricity Consumption
• Monitor your Phone Data/Internet Subscription consumption
• Monitor your Phone Credit consu,ption
• Make a Fixed deposit in the bank towards a future plan (Short or Long term)
• Skip buying Aso-ebi of people you sre not close to
• Save from ur gifts n income no matter how little 500 per day is 14k per month and 168k per year (have an account w/o ATM or checkbook.you can have a token kept away for emergencies n replenish)
• Lend money to only extremely credible debtors except when the request is amount you don't mind not being returned
• Drive more or walk(its a simple exercise) or carpool
• Avoid people that ALWAYS leech off u
• Reduce Unnecessary Clubbing/Outing with friends (Save your drinks/outing money as they r usually triple the regular price)
• Cook more n eat out less
• Buy Groceries and Foodstuff in bulk @least a month's worth
• Farm if you can (veggies, fish,poultry,snail,etc)

There are sooo many other ways we can spend less & save money but i hope this list helps someone. If we evaluate our lives and learn to do things in moderation, we will find contentment & be able to increase our seemingly limited resources.

Toodles!XooX

Female Grooming

This past week i was quite overwhelmed by the amount of basic grooming i had to get done along with work and my other daily activities. I had to mentally force myself to get them done and look 'decent' and feel free and light. The most annoying being anything to do with waxing and trimming, i enjoy tweezing and have to caution myself not to overpluck. lol. Here's my list:

• Eyebrows: Grooming methods- I trace out the shape, tweeze and use a fancy blade for extra clean up if necessary. Check out my post on brows, i pretty much still use the same technique.

Tweezers

• Ears: Grooming methods- I use cotton buds to clean mostly the outer part of my ear and a bit of the entrance, Don't go poking your ears with cotton buds to get all the wax out and have it squeaky clean, it'll just make your ears produce even more wax. The wax is also there for a reason, it protects your ear canal. If you have pesky ear hairs, buy a 'Nose Ear Trimmer' to get rid of them.
• Nose Hairs: Grooming methods- I just tweeze out any pesky ones that grow way out of my nostril (very painful!). Alternatively you can use a trimmer or small scissors to cut the overgrowth
• Chin Hairs: Grooming methods-I tweeze the black obvious hairs (I have quite some facial hair but luckily the majority are pale and blend in with my skin). This method works great for me and i don't have to deal with any bumps or rash.
• Finger & Toe Nails: Grooming methods- I Cut and File as required because i keep my nails quite long and hardly wear nail polish
• Underarms: Grooming methods- Cold strip waxing & Tweeze

Cold Wax Strips

• Pubic Region: Grooming methods- I have used all sorts of methods to be rid of the hairs but was scarred by my last warm waxing experience, read here, so for now i'm into trimming with small scissors till i'm satisfied (it takes a very steady hand and a lot of time!!). I hope to get an epilator wen dollar goes down (procrastination caught up with me) or a shaver, my friend swears by her Grundig shaver, she says its stress and pain-free. I'll update you guys on how that goes. 

cuved scissors

• Legs (half-leg): Grooming methods- Cold Wax Strips
• Head Hair: Lol!! This one i have to write a different post on my regimen. I mostly DIY but on super lazy days i go to a salon for some TLC. So watch out for this post

That's it! It is a long list right and imagine all the above being due for grooming at the same time! I know typically most ladies have to deal with the stuff on my least than most guys.

Sheesh!! But when they are all sorted i feel as free as a bird in the air.lol.

Do share your basic grooming habits and methods you find easy and pain-free.

Toodles!XooX

HEALTHY LIVING/AMATEUR COOKING I

Fruit Journey – I did 36days of eating at least 1 fruit daily in order to make a habit of eating fruits and I’ll put below of all the varieties of fruits I explored and a log of the fruits I have been eating daily.

Orange, Apple, Pear, Avacado, Watermelon, Pineapple, Grape, PawPaw, Banana, Soursop, Tangerine, Lemon, Lime, Grape, Mango, Guava, Cucumber, Coconut, African Cherry (Agbalumo), Tomato, Plum, Nectarine

BENEFITS

Cleaner complexion, easy bowel movement, reduced tummy, fast growth of hair and nails, strength

 Daily Log

Day 1/2 (Tuesday, Jan 14)-Bananas Day 3-Apple, Pear, Grape, Pineapple, watermelon, pawpaw Day 4/5-Watermelon, Pineapple Day 6-PawPaw, Pineapple, watermelon Day 7 (Monday)-Watemelon, Pineapple, PawPaw, tomatoes Day 8-Watemelon, Pineapple, PawPaw, Orange, Grape Day 9-Grapes, Pineapple Day 10-Grapes, Pineapple, Cucumber, Orange Day 11-Banana Day 12-Banana Day 13-Avocado, Banana Day 14 (Monday)-Soursop Day 15-Watermelon Day 16-Cucumber Day 17-Mango, Watermelon Day 18-Watermelon Day 19

Tomatoes Day 20-Watermelon, pawpaw, pineapple Day 21 (Monday)-Watermelon, pawpaw, pineapple Day 22-Apple, Watermelon, pawpaw, pineapple Day 23-Watermelon, pawpaw, pineapple Day 24-Pineapple Day 25-African cherry (agbalumo) Day 26-Apple Day 27 (Monday)-Apple Day 28-Apple, banana, orange Day 29-Orange Day 30-Banana Day 31-Banana Day 32-Banana, Pineapple, Watermelon Day 33-Watermelon, Apple, English pear Day 34 (Monday)-Mango, Pineapple, Watermelon, Apple, English pear Day 35-Pineapple, Watermelon, Apple, English pear Day 36-Mango.

My cooking skills – I consider myself an amateur at cooking, not because I can’t cook or something but because I keep learning daily and one can only learn when you do not consider yourself an expert but keep an open mind. I love cooking, contrary to popular belief. I’m just more motivated to cook when I’m not making the food for just myself.

I started my healthy living lifestyle January 2013 and I have to see it has been a good ride so far!! God has been faithful in helping me keep to my resolution of living healthy. I made the decision to revamp my lifestyle at the beginning of the year but I did not put this into action until Jan 14, 2013. These are the things my healthy living lifestyle entails:

• Reading the word daily with my significant other (my bf)

• Cooking More and learning more recipes

• Eating majorly what I cook 

• Eating Fruits Daily

• Eating more vegetables and less carbs

• Washing my face every night (this may be funny to some, but I’ve actually struggled keeping up with this for many years, hopefully once it becomes a habit, I can elevate it to showering before bed)

• Light makeup daily (line my eyes and brows, gloss and powder…I dress like a tomboy too often, so I’m trying to tone that down)

• Getting Early to work

• Staying in touch with my family members and friends

• Keeping a positive attitude

• Speaking less (guard what I say) and 

• Budget my spending

The areas I will be focusing on here is my Cooking and learning new recipes and Eating fruits daily. I may make reference to the other areas occasionally though. I’m going to label all posts regarding the above ‘Amateur Cooking/Healthy Living’ .It’s been 32 days today since I started and I have to say it has been sheer bliss!! 

Here are some tips to how I have made it this far:

1. Involve God in your plan

2. Involve your Significant other in your plan

3. Make no excuses 

4. Make a food timetable

5. Document your progress

6. Don’t Procrastinate

7. Work with what you have (Tools and foodstuff)

8. Work within your budget

9. Plan ahead

10. Join Cooking groups that upload recipes and pictures (For motivation)

11. It’s OK to make mistakes or not know what you are doing at first

12. Google is your friend (Google a recipe, list the ingredients, buy and follow the recipe)

13. Practice makes perfect

14. Improvise

The above have worked for me greatly. We had a small seminar at work titled ‘Trying something new for 30 days’. We watched one of the talks from TedTalks (You can check it out on www.Ted.com) and this was just after my decision to begin a healthy lifestyle. After the seminar, we were told to list the new things we would like to try and I mentioned my ‘Eating fruits daily’ resolution. I have to confess that saying it out has prodded me even longer to keep to my resolution. We were told it takes about 25 to 30 days to create or make a habit. I’l let you know the outcome of mine when I reach the number of days above and if the things I have been trying have become second nature for me. I love cooking and thank God for my significant other’s appetite and love, he allows me cook and experiment on him with my meals (lol). I’mm going to put below a list of the dishes I have made so far, my inventions, the recipes I have used/my modifications to them and loads of pictures for your viewing and entertainment. Enjoy.

Here is a list of dishes I have made from the Month of January till date:

Soups/Stews/Sauces

1. Ogbono

2. Edikaikong, 

3. Ewedu, 

4. Efo-riro, 

5. Tomato/Pepper/Onion blend Stew (Ayamase)

6. Okro (ila alasepo)

7. Parampara sauce (I invented)

8. Egusi (my baby’s fave)

9. Garden egg sauce

10.Mutton Sauce
11.Yoruba stew

Solids,etc (Accompany the Soups/Sauces/Stew)

1. Amala (Cassava flour)

2. Eba (Garri/Cassava grits)

3. Plantain flour

4. Yam flour  

5. Wheat

6. Semovita

Meat/Seafood/

1. Turkey

2. Goat meat

3. Cow beef

4. Chicken 

5. Shrimp

6. Sausages

Spices  

I have found a new love for nutmeg since one of my friends mentioned that she uses it in cooking and I tried it out.

Others

1. Quaker Oats

2. White Rice

3. Pap (Cornstarch)

4. Jollof Sardine Spaghetti 

5. Yam porridge (Asaro)

6. Yam/plantain/spinach combo porridge,

7. Indomie (noodles) with sausage/corned beef

8. Fried rice
9. Jollof rice
10. Yam
11.Plantain

*Eggs and corned beef with bread (made by the ultimate boo of life-my bf)

I will be putting up the recipes for the above in separate posts so this post does not become way too bulky. Here’s a link to a video that also inspired me to keep an eye on the nutritional content of my meals http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmtLCnZe198 .

The aim of my post is to motivate people who have been wanting to jump on the Healthy living lifestyle wagon and have been stalling, to also provide recipes for whoever may be interested in cooking these meals to try them out and experiment and also to keep tab on my progress and make reference to this posts in the future if required. 

Welcome to my kitchen (my bf’s kitchen actually-I prefer to cook at his place than at mine, he's my guinea pig.lol.jk)

Here’s are the major things I have and will be making use of for my cooking:

1. A table gas cooker with only one burner working

2. My beloved apron (from my bf)

3. Small Fridge

Websites/Blogs/Facebook Groups/YouTube Channels, Etc. That I Frequent For Recipes

This is how I google, I type ‘how to make ….’ In the search bar, u can fill the dotted lines with whatever you wanna prepare. I check out like 3-4 of the answers and decide which recipe to go with.There’s so much free resource available to us on the internet!we just need to tap into it

ü  So you think you can cook (FB Page)- https://www.facebook.com/groups/5992014410/?fref=ts

ü  www.allnigerianfoods.com

ü  www.bulkbananas.com

ü  www.schoolofthought.hubpages.com

ü  www.recipesng.blogspot.com
http://www.dooneyskitchen.com/
http://www.9jafoodie.com/
http://afrolems.com/

Toodles!XooX