Shameless money saving and stripper tips

buttonpop

Besides dying my own hair, doing my own nails, sewing clothes and repairing shoes before I buy new ones (black plasti dip is great for peeling leather or any scuffs on black shoes btw!), here's a few things i do.

-I search online and by experience for drugstore dupes of my favorite Sephora makeup. Just google the name of the brand and "dupe". i also follow some instagram accounts that post dupes, i found them by searching the tag makeup dupes. Just found a drugstore dupe of my $40 foundation for $8. At this point, almost all of my makeup is drugstore brands that I've spent many years finding the perfect formulas for my skin and whatnot.

-I return ANY AND ALL products I dislike or didn't use. Many grocery stores have very liberal return policies and I take full advantage. Dried out mascara? Return it. Fruit spoiled before you could eat it? Return it. Didn't like the new conditioner you bought? Return it. Sephora and Ulta both have good return policies too and will take used products that you didn't like. Whole foods will take back anything for any reason, even half used bottles of vitamins.

-I make my own cleaning supplies out of vinegar and dish soap.

-I buy a 5-pack of my favorite lashes (ardell 45) at Ulta (9.99) and use 1 pair a week. I put a coat of mascara on them when I first get a new pair and then am careful to only apply mascara to my real lashes during each use after that. I pick off the dried glue before re-using and store them a plastic container to keep them from getting wet or squished. Even though I wear them 7 days a week I can sometimes get 2 weeks use out of them if I'm careful.

Cashmere Star

I try to eat at home before work, but I also bring food from home (or frozen food microwaved) so I don't have to buy food while at work.

I get energy shots, bottled water, nail polish,baby wipes, lipsticks at dollar store. I make my own energy drink with bottled water and caffeine drops (I Like Mio Energy). Eyeshadows aren't worth it at the dollar stores IME.

I go to the thrift store of rich areas of town, and charities with influential women/trophy wives running it because they have the best clothes and jewelery for cheap. I got a lot of my rhinestone and nice jewelery there for dancing, and beautiful outfits for OTC.

Don't do drugs, drink, or smoke!! They take so much money and you lose by missing out on potential money. A custie can refuse to spend on you because he doesn't like your smoker's breath. They also age you out so fast. I hate how younger girls than me already have wrinkled skin and tired looks because they do drugs and they live off junk food, and I can tell they were naturally beautiful face and body wise. But idk, they still make money and some guys probably like that "look" (especially the skinny cocaine look), but drugs/alcohol/cigarettes themselves cost money too.

Use Korean italy towel to exfoliate your body, then throw it in with laundry to keep it clean. I've been using the same mitts for 3 years and they're still good as new, and I use walmart's $1 bottle of cocoa butter lotion (it's really good!!)

I keep and use perfume samples from department stores like Sephora.

Make friends with the local beauty school students and stick to one or two. When you're a regular, they begin to know what you want and figure out what looks best on you even though they're students.

I use veet on my body every 1-2 week instead of shaving or waxing. It's very convenient.

I don't dye my hair or tan, and I might be missing out on potential money but IMO I save more time that way and I'll stay longer in the industry in the long run. My goal is super long and shiny hair, which makes money, and focus on fitness. I invest in health (inherent beauty) than beauty I have to maintain and pay for. Spending too much time coloring my hair and tanning stresses me out.

We had a rabbit like you

I do trailer chic so that saves a lot. Lmao.

Press on nails.

I bleach and tone my own hair w Sally's products. Saves massive amounts.

Go on YouTube and learn how to cut bangs, layer, and trim yourself or w a little help. Just get professional scissors.

My hair looks awesome because I use coconut oil on it religiously.

V05 conditioner works great and I believe is silicone free. I also use their shampoo or suave.

I work w my natural texture and don't straighten or blow dry.

Buy your own self tanner or go pale.

Wet n wild and elf are AWESOME for the price and you can get your eye makeup more pigmented by adding water. If your mascara dries then add eye drops.

You can use lipstick as creamy blush by applying sparingly and blending into dewy makeup.

I buy a tinted sunscreen that doubles as foundation. Two birds/one stone

You can also use your eye shadows as liners and brow powders..just add water and apply w a different brush.

Starbucks napkins as blotting paper

Sugar or coffee grinds mixed w coconut oil make the best body scrubs or pedi scrubs

Learn to do simple sewing. They sell a tube dress which is literally two pieces of fabric stitched together..for 60 bucks!! When ppl learn you're a stripper they think you're a sucker who has more money than sense and they overcharge.

But the biggest thing I've learned about is "the pink tax". So if you can..BUY THE MENS PRODUCT. Seriously. My razors,shaving creams, etc are from the men's section. More product and cheaper.

Selina M

Super Long Selina Is a Pennypincher That Still Likes Nice Shit 'Master Reply'

Beauty:

- If you have an 'upgraded' Planet Fitness around, it's $20/month for the gym + tanning + hydrotherapy and regular massage tables/chairs + red light therapy

- Groupon! Right now I see $12 gel manis, $30 facials, etc. They run discounts a lot too so it can be even cheaper.

- Massage schools. $30ish for 60 minutes, and with coupons & student/military discounts you can get it to $20 sometimes

- Learn to do your own acrylic/gel nails. I posted this before, but it costs me like $2/full set & I do it while I'm watching TV anyway

Food:

- Again, Groupon for eating out. Lots of 50% off deals.

- If you're a huge fancy coffee drinker, the Ninja coffee bar is actually great. They even have one with a steamer wand now. You can buy the flavored Torani syrups at grocery stores. It's about $150 but if you drink a $5 latte a day, it'll pay for itself in ~1 month.

- Some restaurants do DineRewards, where you can get every X number of meals half off. Sometimes it's the whole 'parent company', like for example Darden Restaurants, so you're not stuck to one place. Even if you don't eat out a lot, you'll still EVENTUALLY get a discount

- Loyalty cards. I hoard these things. Literally everyone seems to do these, even the eyebrow threading places here.

Clothes:

- Poshmark is pretty cool both for buying AND selling your old clothes. You can get lots of 3-4 VS bras for $7-$10, barely used designer bags for <$100, etc.

- Sign up for the emails at stores you shop at. I can't remember the last time I paid over 60% of regular price just making a point to shop when they had a sale on. If you don't want the spam, make a separate 'couponing' email address.

- See something you really like at Charlotte Russe, Wet Seal, etc., that's in the front of the store (you know, where they put all the new shit that's marked up?) Wait a couple weeks. Can't tell you how many times I've gotten dresses for $10 instead of $30.

Food/Household:

- Dollar store for dry goods (cleaning supplies, etc.)

- Winco & Walmart are the cheapest grocery stores I've found. Fry's and Albertson's are like 30% higher in price sometimes.

- Buy in at least semi-bulk... like multiple pounds of meat, or stock up if there's non-perishables on sale.

- Learn to cook. Oh my God. Seriously. The amount of $$ I spent on eating out decreased by a landslide when I learned how to cook a few basic things + bought a crockpot. There's some crockpot meals that you can get 3-4 meals out of and they cost like $3 to make, AND all you had to do was throw shit in the pot.

Scarletkisses

Smell is one of the most important things in out industry.

Another tip nothing to do with money. I put my outfits in ziplocks and put a dryer sheets in the bags to smell fresh.

Also I buy my perfume from ebay as testers. They are full but are just missing a cap and nice box. And you save so much.

Melonie

my own list of money-saving tricks from when I used to live in New York ...

- buy in bulk once a month at Sam's Club / BJ's wholesale - everything from baby wipes to canned vegetables to body lotion. This saves money 'twice' ... first via the discounted price and second by reducing the number of shopping trips

- check Dollar General / Dollar Tree once a month for 'opportunity' bargains ( but not everything they sell is really a bargain !!! )

- INVEST in your own exercise equipment. This also saves money 'twice' ... first by cutting out gym membership cost and second by reducing trips to a gym

- INVEST in a quality home coffee maker and quality thermos + travel mug. Even if you buy name brand / gourmet coffee beans, this still saves huge compared to the 'drive-thru'

- INVEST in a sewing machine to make / repair stage outfits.

and of course you can save again by 'writing off' 50% of the cost of these investments as business expenses !!!

Eric Stoner

Here's an easy way to save on both your gas and electric bill - put one or two dry towels into the clothes dryer. It cuts drying time in half ! I heard about it, tried it and it works. Did a full load in 30 minutes instead of an hour.

SeaBelle

I read through this thread and didn't see it listed, but I buy a lot of my shoes on line. (Since I am new, and although I did read the rule section..my mind is a bit fuzzy on if I allowed post a link to the sites). I stumbled across one particular company years ago and while some of their stuff is high, I usually just rummage around their last pairs and clearance sections (I usually find tons). They also have props, costumes, lingerie, etc etc. Last month, I bought six pairs of shoes for $5 and under each. They do offer mens and some children's shoes but the site itself is geared toward dancers. That said, I have bought what they term "disposable" boots for $1.99 about 3 years ago, and just had to recently throw them out. (Luckily, for me, they still had a pair in my size for the same price and now I have a new set!) This year in deciding to come back to the industry, I found another site that I like as well - and they have flash sales, I found several items there.

Like a few of you have said, eBay is great! I also order from China/Korea and I don't mind the wait either! It is almost like cutting out the middle man and the cost! I have bought lingerie, clothes, jewelry, make up (although, for make up I am very cautious) as well as gifts for Christmas/Birthdays and saved a fortune! I switched from wearing gold to silver a few years back, and found some really good bargins - although I had to watch for the dreaded "plated" word!

I actually make my own candles, fragrances, air fresher which saves me quite a bit as before I was a candle buying addict. I also sew and quilt when I can find the time - buying fabric on ebay, using sheets, pillowcases..etc for ideas.

I read in one response where Goodwill does the 1/2 off days, when I lived in TN, they did a 99 cent day twice a week (Sunday and Wednesday's). One color would be 1/2 off week and then the next that color would be 99 cents and another color would be 1/2 off. Unfortunately where I live now in Florida, doesn't participate. I found some really great deals though!

I shop Ross and look for their clearance items, same thing with Beall's Outlet (Burke's in some states) - I usually will not buy unless it is at least 70% off, and then I try to shop on Friday's (On Friday's they offer 15% off entire purchase - including clearance items- to people 45 and under, Monday's for people 46 and up). I also hit up the VS outlet near here and utilize them for bra's, thong's, sleepwear, lingerie...etc.

I also discovered the Everything's $5 store at our local mall! In fact, my middle daughter has me hooked - word of caution, some sizes run SMALL! But $5 for a cute dress/cover up/etc... is pretty decent.

I am also like some of the other girls, with the fake nails - only I use the toenails. I didn't realize that you can use non-acetone remover on them! So I try to keep them on hand, and buy Walgreen's brand of nail polish when it goes on sale. (I use Ebay to get the sticker decals to decorate with) And then a good quality clear top coat.

I also garden my own tomato's, trying corn this year to help save on vegetables, I don't know about the rest of you, but the grocery store is where I spend the most! So I clip coupons and utilize the BOGO deals to the best I can.

That is about all I can think of...

arielbriel

Take public transit during the day.

Drink tap water as much as you can (NYC).

GROUPON.

Cooking at home.

Finding a place with a loyalty program for threading your eyebrows or COffee.

Taking the subway during the day as opposed to cabs.

Doing your own hair & Makeup at least once a week.

Saving your receipts for tax write-offs.

Coupons & sales at the grocery store.

Costco.

Buying rhinestone Jewelry at the dollar stores or for a couple bucks.

Putting gowns individual zip-lock bags to keep them cleaner longer.

Getting to work earlier to save on house fee.

Participating in club promotional work and selling bottles to also save on house fee.

Buying generic perfume for work.

Headbands as garters.

Buying used gowns.

Shopping at the stripper stores when I go on vacation. (Chances are they are way cheaper than NYC).

Splitting a cab with a friend.

Never buy my own drinks.

Selina M

Great thread!

- My friend in beauty school does my hair for the cost of the materials and an extra $10. She's afraid of bleach, so getting to practice on me is good, since I don't freak out if something isn't quite right. Saves me about $60 every 6 weeks!

- Looooove Ross. The little Asian-run jewelry stores in the malls are awesome too - everything is like $1 or $2 for fake diamonds and hair pieces.

- "Creative parking", as I call it... I've been at university for 3 years, and have never bought a parking permit - they run from $280 to $800. I park about a mile away and either walk or take the free bus to campus. When I have to go to the satellite campus, I take the school shuttle and spend the drive doing homework.

- I am ALWAYS selling shit on craigslist. Bf was a hoarder before I moved in; he cleaned about half of the stuff out, but I find something every week or so that I can persuade him to sell for $25.

- Drinking mostly water, both at home and restaurants

- I save all my house fee receipts and those from stripper stores, for taxes.

- I go in right at opening to get cheaper house fee. My club also does free house fee if you open and then stay 7 hours.

- Bring snacks to work. I bring granola bars, apples, peaches, etc. instead of ordering the club's "fruit plate" for $5.

Zofia

If you have credit card debt, pay it off as fast as possible. With interest rates on savings accounts, government bonds, even corporate bonds, at historic low interest rates, it makes very little sense to put money in savings. Pay off credit cards first, then save.

I used to flip houses. That business is dead. But, one thing I learned from that experience, buy the house the way you want it. Don't buy with a plan to completely make it over. You'll never get you money out of a complete makeover in today's market.

HTH

Z

mia_noxx

the things i do, not only do they save me money, but also time !

i've permanently tattooed my eyebrows and upper eyelids, and lips, and it saved me 20 minutes each day

i shave, i cut my own hair, i dye my hair with black henna, i pluck my own eyebrows, i do my own mani-pedis

okay, this might seem weird to you, but i never use glasses in my home.. only plastic disposable cups... i'm too lazy to wash them off of hardened coffee drops, coke, or efervescent magneziun pills.... same goes with plastic forks and knives!

i cook my own food, always buying it in bulk... always freeze it, so i would always have a healthy meal... take-out is the devil !

when it's payday, i fill up my cart with delicious healthy food that lasts: fresh carrots, grapefruits, frozen strawberries, frozen baby carrots... i buy my meat in bulk, portion it, and stick it in the freezer... i buy a 60 egg carton, which would take me about 3 hours to make 30 omelettes to bag and freeze. - my emergency sweet stash only consists of a bag of 10 ounces or golden raisins, which i nibble on whenever i get lightheaded.

i've read a college tip for saving water, so:... if the water reservoir from your toilet is 9 liters, then take a 2 liter bottle, fill it with water and disinfectant, seal it shut, and place it in the container, and it's sheer volume will prevent the can from filling up with a whole 9 liters... with every flush, you save 2 liters !

public transportation...duh

i'm a firm believer in combo-products... if i have dandruff and dry ends, i buy the head'n shoulders 2 in 1 shampoo..... if i crave both crispy crunchy junk food AND hearty confort food, i'll just get a bag of barbecue-flavoured chips.

i keep every coin in my pocket and save it in a piggy bank.. you could be surprised how much you could raise..... in one year, i've saved a whole month's bills in equivalent !

sharpie + superglue + safety pins = godsend

my last one, and this probably is the MOST valuable tip i've ever learned and will religiously take with me through the rest of my life: you see, i shop groceries by impulse, and i always end up buying bags for them... i had almost 200 plastic bags in my house at a moment in my life, and now i just use them as trash bags lol....THIS IS THE KEY

jadey_23

I use fabric dye and a paintbrush to dye the white soles of my Pleasers black. I know of a few girls who would throw away their shoes just because the soles were dirty -- waste.