Blog Posts by Woman s Day

woman shoppingBy Donna Fennessy

You arrived at the store with your circular, coupons and loyalty card, poised to buy the items on your list for as little as possible. Somehow, though, you walked back to your car with bags of stuff you maybe needed but kind of sort of didn't mean to buy, exactly. Plus, you spent way more than you intended. That's not surprising, given that companies lay out billions looking into new ways to entice you into purchasing things you weren't planning on, often impulsively and for more than they're worth. Photo by Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Getty

Happily, you can avoid falling for these ploys simply by being aware they exist, and by shopping more mindfully. Here are some common lures that stores-department, box, online, outlet and others-use, and tips on how to protect yourself. Attention, savvy shoppers: Get ready to save some cash!
Related: Discover 10 things you didn't know you could rent.

Tricky Tactic 1: The Incredible Shrinking Price
What It Is They call it periodic

Read More »from The Sneaking Selling Tricks

See our style editor's picks for incredibly inexpensive coats, cute autumn accessories and more

By Woman's Day Staff

Original article appeared on WomansDay.com.

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woman with allergiesBy Woman's Day Staff

An allergic reaction occurs when your immune system thinks a substance is harmful and releases histamines to "fight" it. The histamines bring on symptoms: itchy, watery eyes, congestion and even trouble breathing. Allergies (both food and respiratory) typically tend to crop up when you're 5 to 10 years old, then between the ages of 25 and 40, and 45 to 55 (so, basically, most of your life!). Fortunately there are ways to stop the sneezing. Photo by Getty
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The allergist says...

Try over-the-counter remedies

If you suspect you have a food allergy, see an allergist-the only way to prevent a reaction is to pinpoint the culprit and avoid it. To help stop symptoms caused by dust, pollen and mold, flush out your nasal passages with a saline nasal spray or neti pot two to four times a day. Over-the-counter antihistamines such as Claritin, Allegra or Zyrtec and decongestants like Mucinex D and

Read More »from Diagnosis Adult Allergies

woman turning on lightBy Elizabeth Roehrig

Bright Ideas

Consider this guide an aha! moment. Sticking to these clever pointers can help you reduce energy use while saving you a bundle on your bill. From the best bulbs to the smartest light switches, keeping your home bright on a dime just got a lot simpler. Photo by Gary Wade/Getty

Related: Try these 8 ingenious cooking gadgets.

Conserve in Unused Areas

There's no truth to the rumor that turning your lights on and off uses up more energy than just leaving them on, so keep unoccupied rooms in the dark. The one possible exception: fluorescent bulbs, which will burn out faster if they're constantly flipped. Keep these on if you plan to use them again within a few minutes.

Change Your Bulbs

Swap incandescents for Energy Star-qualified CFLs or LEDs and you'll save money two ways: First, you'll trim up to $6 a year off your energy bill for each bulb you replace. Then, even though the bulbs are more expensive

Read More »from Bright Ideas

woman in drugstoreBy Marlisse Cepeda

Best Pharmacy Buys

The days of hitting the drugstore just to pick up prescriptions are long gone. You can now stock up on beauty supplies, laundry detergent and more for less than what supermarkets, big-box stores and warehouses charge. Why? Retail pharmacies, such as CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Duane Reade, have expanded their inventory but not necessarily their space, so they have to frequently rotate the products they sell. "Department stores have one-day sales, and anything left over goes to outlets. Drugstore items go significantly on sale because they don't have outlets, so they need a quicker way to sell things," explains David Zyla, Emmy-award-winning stylist and author of The Color of Style. Click through to find out which products are the best bargains at drugstores. Photo by Getty Images
Related: Discover 9 buys that are cheaper online.

Shampoo and Conditioner

Keeping your locks luscious has never been so affordable, and you can

Read More »from 8 Surprising Things You Should Buy at the Drugstore

doctor reading ct scanBy Abigail Cuffey

There's no doubt medical screenings (such as MRIs and CT scans) save lives, but in some cases, they're just not necessary. "Some doctors may prescribe a test 'just to be safe,' and many patients don't think to question it, but the truth is, you should always discuss with your physician why you need a test before you go for it," says Christine Cassel, MD, president of the American Board of Internal Medicine. Photo by Getty
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Simple questions to get the conversation going:

√ "How will the results of this test improve my treatment?"

√ "What are the risks of the test?"

√ "What are the risks if I don't have it?"

Three tests you should question:

1. MRI for low back pain that has lasted for six weeks or less or isn't related to an existing disease or spine issue

Why you may not need it Back pain is the fifth most common reason for all doc visits, "but most cases aren't related to a

Read More »from Medical Tests You May Not Need

garage makeoverBy Woman's Day Staff

Workroom Wonder

For Raleigh, NC, handywoman Brittany Bailey, 40, getting her garage-cum-workroom into shape was top priority. "I spend as much time in there as I do in my kitchen or home office," says Brittany, who chronicles her home improvement projects-everything from birdhouse building to installing custom bookshelves-on her blog, PrettyHandyGirl.com. The space had the basics (a workbench, a pegboard wall), but it was a dreary, visually crowded spot to work in. So Brittany used what she had on hand, including scrap lumber and finds from Habitat for Humanity's ReStore building supply store, to make the garage more functional-and happy. "Now it's so bright and organized, I love working in here!" she says. Photo by Squire Fox
Related: Learn how to raise a confident woman.

Tuneup Tips

Use vertical space

The pegboard was in place when the family moved in, but Brittany had just haphazardly hung up her gear. Now, the tools are arranged so that the

Read More »from Garage Makeover

dermatologist examining patient's skinBy Alina Dizik

Visiting a dermatologist can do wonders for your skin, but it can also mean you're in store for some surprises. While it's not always the case, some doctors don't offer you all the information they have on treatments and procedures. "They can't tell you every possible thing that can go wrong because they're short on time and they'll scare you away," says Neal Schultz, MD, a New York-based medical and cosmetic dermatologist and member of the American Academy of Dermatology. What might your doc be holding back? Check out the below eight secrets dermatologists tend to keep to themselves. Photo by Thinkstock
Related: Use these 7 instant mood boosters.

1. Simple mole removals can go wrong.

When it comes to side effects of even the most mundane procedures like removing moles, most dermatologists mention only what's most applicable to the patient, says Dr. Schultz. "Doctors filter out what they think is irrelevant," he says. So your MD may not prepare you for

Read More »from 8 Things Dermatologists Won’t Tell You