Aging in America and the effects that it has on your financial future.

Picture of two elderly women, courtesy Pixabay

When you are young, you never think about what your life will be like when you become a senior citizen.  How you will have to worry about whether or not you will be able to afford next month's rent or will you have enough money to buy your groceries for the month.

Sometimes you may even have to decide not to turn on the heat in colder weather because of the increasing cost of gas and oil.  Seniors keep many secrets from their children so they do not burden them with the financial dilemma that they are in. 

So many kids of senior citizens think that their parents are in fact, well off financially because, at one time, their parents had great jobs and resources.


Image of Elderly Woman with glasses and hat courtesy Pixabay

Some elderly people are prone to be taken advantage of by unscrupulous people looking for a quick entry to their fortune.

Image of trees and elderly man courtesy of Pixabay

The video below explains in detail what can happen to your income when you are elderly.
Please sit down with your senior family members to see what is going on with them financially and help them protect their income and also discussions should take place as to where the family member should reside if they are over their heads financially.

Coupons, Coupons, Couponing!

I always dreamed of couponing like the people on these coupon saving shows where the people go to a store and walk out with two carts overflowing with food.  They always say " I only paid 60 cents for all these items."  To me, that sounds like a plan.

I used to coupon and I still will turn in one or two coupons when I go to CVS.  Never was I able to grasp the concept of couponing and walking out the store with a big stockpile.  Really, I don't know how they do it but God bless them because it is indeed a skill.  A skill that I will have to learn.

The problem that I am having with couponing is using a coupon for an item that I am not really interested in using and paying more for a product when it is cheaper to just go with another brand.  I am not a brand-specific by any means.  Canned tomato sauce is canned tomato sauce darn it!



An apple is just an apple as long as it doesn't have black spots on it or looks like it is rotten.  There are so many people on YouTube who have this thing down to a science and I love to see them walk out of the store and then go home to figure out where they are going to store all these goodies.

Lately, I have become very confused with all the new rules that CVS has concerning couponing.  Coupons cannot be used on products that are already on sale (what kind of mess is this!)  CVS is my favorite drug store but I may have to stroll right pass and go to Dollar General to get the best deals.

Maybe one day CVS will come to their senses and got back to the "good ole days" when we could go in that store and come out with bags of the great products that we used to score, not that long ago.

Below, you will see some of the people who I watch to get couponing inspiration from.

What is the gift that everyone loves? (Candy)

This post may contain Affiliate Links.


Image of Candy from Pixabay

Have you ever been in the predicament of finding the perfect gift for someone who has everything?  I have and I am at that place right now.

My neighbor is having her birthday very soon and it is very hard to find out what she would like as a gift.  My friend is very sophisticated but her expensive taste doesn't fit my budget at this time.  I started researching online and came across a company who sells all kinds of candy and even candy from our childhood that we all know and love.

I carefully searched for the candy that was out during my friend's childhood and found a lot of choices.  She likes dark chocolate so it was easy to get what I think she will like.

This candy company is Old Time Candy Company and they have so many choices to choose from.  I am going to order my friend a box of candy and also give her a gift card to her favorite online store.

Would you believe this site also carries organic candy and if you are Diabetic, they have sugar free so you will never feel left out?  Plan your Halloween party around this wonderful company and have everything shipped right to your door.

Please go over and take a look at Old Time Candy Company to get ideas for some Christmas and Birthday gifts.  Candy makes a very easy but enjoyable gift.

Treating yourself to some tasty treats is fun.  I am searching for a candy called Marathon Bar.  This candy was long and it was caramel covered with chocolate and it was so delicious, so if anyone is wondering what to get me for my birthday or Christmas, go right over and order it for me. lol

You can also plan a birthday party around a certain year and get the candy that corresponds to that year.

Shopping online makes life so easy!  

You can really get a hair color kit from Dollar Tree, Yes, yes!

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.  I purchased this product with my own money and this is my own opinion.

Coloreazy Permanent Cream Hair Color

I saw this hair color at Dollar Tree and  I was wondering whether this product was effective or was it a product that I should avoid.  I checked out many reviews on this hair color and there were many mixed reviews, "some hated it"  and some didn't.

Some of the complaints included claims that this product did not last very long on the hair and that it was very drying. Some people had some unrealistic views regarding this product.  It only costs one dollar and the color isn't going to last forever but I feel that it lasted a great amount of time on my hair.   The good reviews said that this product worked well and the colors were very vibrant.  I decided to get this hair color and see for myself and this is what I experienced.

1. Very dark and vibrant color and I used the Black color because they were out of the brown at the time.
2. My hair was so shiny and pretty looking and it made my natural curls stand out.  I have natural hair so this was really a plus.
3. The application was so easy and very fast.
4. This hair color did not burn and I did not experience hair loss.
5. It completely covered the gray that I had around my temples.
6. Although I am prone to have allergy reactions, it did not occur with this product.

The cons were!

1. My hair was a little brittle but I used conditioner and it corrected this condition.
2. If you have thick hair that I don't, you will need two boxes.

There isn't a lot of negatives with using this hair color.  It is always great to check out the reviews before buying a product because you can then decide whether the purchase is worth you spending your hard-earned money on it. You could even purchase this hair color to use on your boyfriend or husband's hair.

This hair color from Dollar Tree is a product that is especially good if you are thinking about changing your hair to a new color because you can experiment and you are not out of a lot of cash.

I forgot to take a before photo but here is the after.

I am so happy with the results of this hair color and next time I will buy five or six boxes of it to make sure that I get the color that I want because sometimes they run out of your favorite color.

This is a good product to donate to your local women's shelter along with other products from Dollar Tree.

Dollar Tree, you have yourself a winner right here!

How to keep Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter from ruining your work ethic.

Image of smartphone courtesy of Pixabay.

When you are on social media you use many tools to promote yourself and your go-to social media sites are Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

I am involved in some Facebook groups but I find myself getting caught up in the activities in the groups that do not involve promoting myself such as; chatting with others and checking out the latest fashions or staying on these sites too long instead of concentrating on my social media efforts.

You definitely have to support others so they will support you but you have to time yourself on these sites because they can definitely consume all of your time.  I have mentioned this before but the best thing that you can use is a daily planner to keep a check on your schedule for the day so you can get a lot more done instead of being involved in time wasters.

Make sure to check your email a few times a day to check on promotions or pertinent emails that you have to reply back to.

Smartphone image courtesy of Pixabay.

I know that this is a hard one but stay off your cell phone unless it is involving work activities or emergencies.  Leave chatting with friends to do later in the day after work hours.

Don't waste too much time shopping and browsing when you are supposed to get that important work assignment out.

If you are involved in blogging, bring your camera everywhere you go to get the perfect picture at that perfect time to store in your camera until you create that great blog post.

Keep from being on Instagram all day comparing yourself to other people when you can be working on yourself.

Share some tweets on Twitter and then get off the site because many of those tweets that you read are very interesting and you will find yourself on Twitter for hours.

Don't get involved in any Facebook drama because you must think of every person that you meet whether it is online or in person, a business prospect.

Respect other peoples time so they will respect yours in return!

Take Advantage of the Smile Brilliant discount code to get your teeth whitening trays.

Hello, Ladies and Gentlemen:

You can still get your entries in for the Smile Brilliant Giveaway and you can also get 15% off if you would like to purchase your kit.

This is a great kit and it is really expensive to go to the dentist to get your teeth whitened.  The teeth whitening kit is easy to use and it works extremely well.

You can have that movie star look for a low price.  If you thought about entering and changed your mind, get that entry in.

I didn't have any problems using the trays and they also have desensitizing gel just in case you have any irritation.

Try it for your self and I am sure that you will thank me later.  The giveaway is free and there is no obligation.

COUPON  
15% off coupon code: sashamoniquetalks15

http://www.smilebrilliant.com/

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: 

 www.smilebrilliant.com/g/sashamoniquetalks 
- The giveaway is for a $149 Smile Brilliant credit.

Do you really think you are too cute for Dollar Tree?

Do you really think you are too cute for Dollar Tree?

Dollar Tree is a great store because you can find so many great household buys.  You can stop in there and get snacks for your kids, laundry care, hair care, and etc.

This store can be used for you to make your own creations for a good price.  Let's just step out of the box for a minute.  Dollar Tree has so many cleaning products and if you wanted to start a small cleaning business, you have everything at your disposal at Dollar Tree.

I know a lot of people who snicker and turn their nose up at Dollar Tree and other dollar stores because they think all the products are made cheaply or they do not perform as well as some of the other name brand products out there.

There are some products that are made cheaply but you can weed through those and get your hands on some products that really work.  I recently bought a big body wash at Dollar Tree and the fragrance was very mild but for my Eczema riddled skin, this body wash was definitely a good product for me to try.

The main purpose that we are really trying to achieve is to have clean skin and to smell clean.  Some of these "anti-dollar store snobs" are the ones that do not have two coins to rub together because they spend money without thinking.

These folks think that they are too good for a dollar store but they are constantly begging and asking you for your money; what a disgrace!

When it boils down to it, you can buy whatever you want and especially if you have the financial means to do so but if your pockets are empty, you need to train your mind to think differently when it comes to finances.

For instance,  why buy the ten dollar shampoo when you can buy two big bottles of shampoo and it will cost one dollar each and it works well on your hair.  Those two bottles will last you a few months.

It all boils down to having priorities and figuring out what is really important and think about what you can cut down on and what to actually spend money on.

There are some products that you do want to spend a little extra on but shopping at Dollar Tree will help you to cut down on your weekly or monthly budget by half.

Please leave a comment down below about your favorite Dollar Tree buys.

At Home Teeth Whitening: Does It Work?

At-Home Teeth Whitening: Does It Work?

Create a great smile with Smile Brilliant!
#AD Sponsored, I received a product to try out and review.  All opinions are my own.

(Giveaway is now closed)

 Growing up with bad teeth was extremely difficult. I was teased and treated less than a human being because my teeth were and are crooked.

It definitely was not easy! I promised myself that one day, I would get my smile fixed, but because of family and other obligations, I was never able to do so.

It is not easy to secure employment or opportunities if your smile is less than perfect.  In fact, I was passed over better jobs because of my smile.

 I was contacted by a wonderful company, Smile Brilliant to try their product.  It was very easy to take impressions and send back the impressions.  All you have to do is mix the Catalyst and the Base together in your hand and not over mix so it doesn't get hard too fast.

Then you put the impression material into the tray and put it into your mouth and do not bite down so you can get a great impression the first time.

When I opened the "Smile Brilliant" box, I was so impressed by the Desensitizing Gel and the Teeth Whitening Gel. I told myself " Now I can smile brilliantly without shame."

Smile Brilliant is extremely, affordable and it could be the solution that you have been waiting for!

Preparing my Smile Brilliant Trays

Me with the Smile Brilliant whitening trays on

                                                        Here are my whitening trays.

                                                        This is my before and after photos.

Before

                                                            

After

As you can see in my before photo, it is not terribly stained but you can see that it is more beige looking and the after picture, my teeth look more white and clear and it really stands out.

Check out Smile Brilliant to see what this product can do for your smile.
"Smile Brilliant" is a great solution to get that bright and gorgeous smile that you have always wanted.

Smile Brilliant is great to use to whiten your teeth but it is also very important to use if you are going to an interview or you want to whiten your teeth before your wedding.

Look how white my smile is!  Smile Brilliant is truly amazing!
This system is very affordable and you can that "White, Bright, smile" that you have always wanted."


COUPON & GIVEAWAY DETAILS: 
15% off coupon code: sashamoniquetalks15 
Giveaway link: https://www.smilebrilliant.com/#sashamoniquetalks
- The giveaway is for a $149 Smile Brilliant credit.

- Never forget to Smile Fearlessly!

Tooth Whitening Gel

How to buy and pack clothes for your trip.

How to buy and pack clothes for your trip.



 Image of suitcase courtesy of Pixabay

A lot of people are planning trips since the weather is getting warmer.  Shopping for clothes and deciding what to wear can be difficult and the clothes that you pack need to be clothes that will
remain wrinkle-free.

You will have to decide what activities you will be involved in whether it is for business or pleasure.
If you are going on a business trip you want to have dresses, lightweight suits, skirts, blouses and two pairs of pumps in black and nude colors.


Image of woman and suitcase courtesy of Pixabay.

Your Hotel will definitely have an iron that you can use to keep your clothes wrinkle-free but if you pack your garments in a neat manner and with fabrics that do not wrinkle easily, you will be able to avoid the iron.

When you shop and pack for your trip, check out the clothing that you already have to cut down on your expenses.  Check out your local consignment or thrift store for great buys on new-to-you fashions that will bring color and pizazz to your wardrobe and also check out some yard sales.

You will definitely be surprised at how easy it will be for you to accomplish this on a very small budget.

Make sure that check the soles of your shoes to make sure that they are in great condition before you pack them in your suitcase. All your outfits should be color coordinated to mix and match with everything.
 Leave a little room in your suitcase to pack your souvenirs so you will not be overwhelmed by too much stuff.

 If you are not traveling for business, then you can bring pretty much what you want on your trip.  Lightweight dresses and cut-off jean shorts will definitely do.
 
 Image of Suitcases courtesy of Pixabay

Auauna Portable Twin Tub Washing Machine

Hello, everyone, this is my review of the Auauna Washing machine review
that I did on my Youtube Channel Sashamoniquetalks.

 This is a great machine and I scored it at a great price.  If you are living in a small
apartment or in an RV, you need this washing machine.

If you have small children, this machine would be great for you because of the amount
of laundry that you accumulate throughout the week.

This machine can be a little noisy but you can remedy this by adding a small amount
of clothing to the spin cycle.

The Auauna washing machine does not take up much space so it is easily storable.
I purchased this washing machine through eBay and I am so pleased with this machine.

Saving money is easy and you will save too if you purchase an Auauna washing machine!

Why I love Ivory Clean Original Body Wash!

Why I love Ivory Clean Original Body Wash!

Disclaimer: I purchased Ivory Clean Body Wash with my own money.  I was not paid for this review and all opinions are my own.

I have been using "Ivory Clean Body Wash" on and off, for some time now and the reason being, my skin is so sensitive and I experience so many breakouts.  This body wash is so gentle and kind to my skin and it has such a mild but beautiful scent.

The reason I have used it on and off is that there are a lot of new body washes that are on the market and I love a body wash that smells good, with a strong scent, but they do not react well with my skin. I kept jumping around from product to product with horrible results.

I spent most of the winter trying to nurse my broken skin, back to health; It was truly heartbreaking!

Remember this picture?

My skin was broken out for a long time, with multiple trips to my doctor's office to find a cure.
It felt like my skin was in attack mode and it was really difficult to treat my Eczema. It was such a long ordeal.

 I had to resort to using this Triamcinolone Acetonide Ointment again and I started to finally find a little relief but, I was determined to go back to some products that I knew, wouldn't break out my skin.
Sometimes you just have to start from the beginning to find something that will work.

 

 "Ivory" has always been a trusted brand in my home because I have always used Ivory Soap for as long as I can remember. The Ivory clean body wash is amazing because it cleans well and gives me the satisfaction of knowing that I have a product that is dependable.

The fact that it is really mild, gives me something to smile about!

The only Con, using this body wash is, it is thinner in consistency than the one that I used to buy.  I really don't understand why they changed the formulation. When I was taking my shower, I found myself using more of this product because it didn't lather much.

I didn't pay more than $3.00 for this body wash so that is a great buy but I would like for Procter & Gamble to make this body wash thicker, to make it feel like a better quality product.

Below, you will see what I mean about Ivory Clean Original body wash is a bit thin.

This body wash is a little watery, right?

My final analysis regarding this product is; it is a great product and it is working on my damaged and itchy skin.  I am going to try to stick with using this product to get my skin back to a healthy state.

My skin feels so soft and it is clearing beautifully!  If you have seen this product in your local store please pick it up because your skin will love it.  I bought this bottle from Walmart and I wish that I had purchased two or three of this great body wash.

Check CVS or your local Sunday's Newspaper to see if they have coupons that you can use towards "Ivory Clean" to get the best deals.