Did you make a New Years Resolution this year to spend less money or save more??

According to StatisticBrain.com approximately 34% of Americans made that same resolution.  Spending less money is a great goal to strive for but many people don’t know where to begin.  So we came up with a few tips to start you on your way…

Do-it-Yourself

• Brewing your own coffee or tea at and taking it to go can save you over $500 per year
• Blow, style, color and curl your hair at home.  Over $100 at the salon or less than $10 per box at home
• Treat yourself to an at-home manicure and pedicure and save over $60 each time
• Pack a lunch, save over $10 per meal, and avoid the greasy fat filled foods that restaurants serve
• Invite friends over instead of going out for dinner/drinks
• Drink more water, not only is it good for you its FREE!

Make a Plan

• Plan meals and shopping outings around sales and discounts available
• Pre-cook meat and vegetables with little seasoning for easy on the go meals that can be customized with flavors as you go.
• Sign up for mint.com and start tracking your spending, plan a budget and save for retirement
• Plan activities for your children that don’t cost a lot of money, you might be surprised at how easily they can be entertained
• Get rid of unused or infrequently used memberships and subscriptions
• Buy used clothes, cars and other items whenever you can

Where else can you save money on all of your favorite products? At Stockn’Go of course.  Check out our Fragrance Sale and other great discounts going on now…

Ever wonder why your nail polish stays so much longer when you get it done at a salon rather than doing it yourself at home? It’s because nail salons (most of them) take their time filing, priming, and applying base coat, polish and top coat, with sufficient amount of time to dry in between.  All of these things are important, but the most important are the application of the base and top coat. What the difference between the two? The base coat is a clear, sort of adhesive product that is brushed onto nails before the application of nail polish, its purpose is to hold the nail polish to the nail. The top coat, on the other hand, is typically applied on top of the polished nail as a way of sealing in the color, giving it shine and strengthening the nail.

Why not give yourself a manicure at home that will last more than 2 days? If you implement a base coat and top coat into your routine your polish can last up to 7 days! Below are the simple steps required to get a long lasting manicure:

1. File your nails to desired shape and buff the nail bed to give them a more smooth finished look.

2. Once you have filed and (cut cuticles if needed), wipe each nail with a cotton ball soaked with nail polish remover.  This will remove any excess oils and dust from the bed of your nails and help the polish stick to your nail bed.

3. Apply base coat – base coats should dry quickly with a matted, dull look.  Most good quality base coats contain protein, aloe Vera, vitamin e, and/or calcium. These nutrients replenish brittle, dry nails and  prevents breakage, splitting and peeling.  Base coats also prevent nail polish from staining the nails and create a sticky adhesive base for the nail polish to “hold” onto.

4. Apply 2 coats of desired color nail polish.  Allow each polish coat to dry sufficiently.  If you see bubbles in your polish then that is a sign that you did not allow enough time to dry. After applying a second coat of nail polish, skim the brush across the top of your nail tip to prevent chipping.

5. Apply top coat – top coats should dry shiny and smooth and take longer to dry.  Top coats act as a protective barrier, they prevent nail polish from fading and chipping and give you a long lasting shine. To make your nail polish last longer, apply a layer of top coat every day.

If a few days go by and you see the nails start to chip, place some nail polish remover on your finger tip and gentle rub over the nail polish chip to make smooth. Then reapply polish.

Check out Stockn’Go.com to see our selection of top and base coats and great summer polish colors as well.  Stockn’Go.com has UNBEATABLE Prices!