Blog Posts by Fabulous & Frugal

by Brandi Savitt - republished August 9th, 2012

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Can You Think Yourself Rich?

The concept of energy is far from new. The ancient Chinese called it Chi and the ancient Hindus called it Prana. Albert Einstein's famous equation E=mc2 proved that everything in the universe, whether it be physical matter or the abstract reality of our minds, is simply energy. Einstein also proved that energy is attracted to other energy with like frequencies. Meaning it's not opposites that attract - but rather like attracts like.

Could it be that quantum physics is totally Fab & Fru?! Since both money and the way we think about it is simply energy, if we change our thought patterns to think more positively about money, will we become more likely to achieve our financial goals?

Are You Stressed About Money?

Unfortunately, getting stressed out over money is a common state of being for many . And if you think about how much time people spend worrying about finances in both their work

Read More »from The Energy of Money

by Stephanie Berenbaum - August 8th, 2012

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Swap Before You Shop

Trying to budget for your kids' back to school shopping? Score some serious savings by taking advantage of a very Fab & Fru fashion coup: SWAPPING! It's a great way to clear out your closets and supplement your children's wardrobe - for free. Plus, many people are more comfortable with the idea of used clothing if they know where it is coming from - rather than if it just came from a random resale shop…

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Easy Peasy Prep

Right now is the perfect time to organize a back to school swap. All you need to do is send out an email to your friends to bring their used kids clothes to your place a day or two before the actual swap so you can organize the piles. Clearly, your payment for organizing and hosting is that you get first crack at the clothes!

You can use your dining room table, chairs and sofa as display centers. Just make signs (have your kids help for a fun activity!) to help sort the clothes by

Read More »from Back to School Swapping

by Alexandra Pauline - August 6th, 2012

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Take Charge of Your Portable Technology

Tablets have put cutting edge convenience at our finger tips - literally. But are you using your high tech gadgets to their fullest potential? Whether you're wrangling your kids or running your business on the go, these FREE apps are totally Fab & Fru - and will save you time, money and unnecessary stress!

Dropbox

How many times have you lost one of those supposedly handy little jump drives right before an important presentation?! Dropbox is a FREE way to save your files - without having to tote around anything but your tablet! It works as a cloud, so you can access your docs from a computer, but it doesn't take up any of your memory - and has the ability to back up video and audio files too!

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Cam Scanner

This FREE app uses your tablet's camera as a portable scanner. If you need a copy of an important document, or want to make sure you have a collection of your

Read More »from Optimize Your Tablet for Free

by Brandi Savitt - July 26th, 2012

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The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Oil

Last week, I had a doctor's appointment with a specialist who was out of my insurance network. She was revered as one of the top doctors - and one of the few true specialists - in her field. And while I certainly didn't want to pay for the visit upfront, I decided that seeking her opinion was worth it to me. As we were talking she acknowledged that her office did not accept my insurance plan. And then she said something that I didn't even know was possible... She suggested that if I wanted her to be my doctor, I should write a letter to my insurance company requesting that they make an exception and allow her to see me in network based on her specialty. Black BusinesswomanInteresting! While I don't think that most insurance companies like to openly bend the rules, I suspect if I make a strong enough case, they may just throw me a bone...

Getting the Care You Deserve

Whether it's getting the best care for a medical issue or a Read More »from Affording the Best Care Possible

by Stephanie Berenbaum - July 25th 2012

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The Root Of The Problem

The other night, my girlfriends and I were talking about the cost of upkeeping hair color. Especially in summer, when highlights abound, it seems like you almost need to take out a loan for your 'do! Luckily, I remembered the wise advice celebrity hair stylist Kim Vo gave to Fab & Fru…

It's A Wash

All the pros will tell you to stop washing so much! Not only does it fade your hair color, but it dries out your hair and scalp. For most of us, Vo says waiting 3-4 days between washing is optimal. You can dampen your hair in between to help style but try forgoing the shampoo for at least a couple of days and watch your color savings add up!

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Speaking of shampoo, Vo says what is in your shampoo does matter - or actually what's NOT in it! When buying a colored-hair shampoo, Vo advises to buy products which do NOT contain sulfates or sodium chloride. Many drugstore shampoos contain

Read More »from Make Your Hair Color Last Longer

by Alexandra Pauline - July 23rd 2012

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Simple Summer Crafts You'll Love

Cleaning out your junk drawer? Then it's time to get crafty! In no time at all, you can turn your odds and ends into money saving Fab & Fru must haves!

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Scent-sational Lighting

Got extra tea candles lurking in random drawers? Caffeinate your atmosphere with coffee scented votives! Pick up some small, inexpensive bowls - or mason jars - from your local home decor store. Next, fill them with your favorite coffee beans, and nestle a candle right in the middle of your BRIGHT idea. The warmth from the candles will fill your backyard with an aroma sure to perk up even the most boring guests!

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Beautiful Drifter

Give your bedroom some rustic flair with this adorable vertical jewelry box! Comb the beach for a perfectly imperfect piece of flat driftwood and put your leftover decorative hooks or drawer pulls to work! Don't forget: vintage stores are also a great source for

Read More »from DIY Junk Drawer Jackpot

by Brandi Savitt - July 19, 2012

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All Organic Foods Are Not Created Equal

Many of us insist on buying organic - but how many of us really know what that label means? The term "organic" refers to how a product is grown and processed, as well as the integrity of its ingredients, but did you know that the FDA has different standards for organic labeled products? So, before you spend buku bucks on shopping for food labels that sound healthy - but may not be what you're looking for - get informed!

The Many Meanings of Organic

• Under the FDA, "Certified Organic" means that 100% of ingredients (excluding water and salt) must be organic.
• However, the "Organic" label alone means that at least 95% of the product's ingredients (excluding water and salt) must be organic.
• You may also see a "made with organic ingredients" label. These products must use at least 70% organic ingredients to qualify.

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Produce labeled USDA Organic must be grown

Read More »from When is Buying Organic Worth It?

by Stephanie Berenbaum - July 18, 2012

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Introducing Pawalla.com!

When it comes to my dog, Snowy, I admit it - it's one area where I have trouble sticking to my Fab & Fru lifestyle. I love buying new treats and toys for my beloved (if exceptionally ill behaved) Maltese. What I don't love so much? The amount of money I blow buying full sized packages at the grocery, only to get home and realize she doesn't like the new treat I was so excited about.

IMG_0810Discounted Goodies For Your Cats & Dogs

Luckily, a new online company called Pawalla has solved my dog treat dilemma! Pawalla delivers a monthly box of healthy, high quality treats, toys and food samples to your cat or dog - all at a significant discount. It's like Birchbox - but for animals, and it's the ultimate Fab & Fru way to test out new brands for less while spoil your furry friend to the max!

How It Works

You can sign up for either a month by month subscription ($26/month) or an annual one ($21/month) -

Read More »from Can Spoiling Your Pet Save You Money?