If you like searching for deals at the dollar stores, maybe it is time to take it to the next level. I recently saw a news story about the growth of sales at salvage grocery stores which take unsaleble stock from traditional stores to sell at a reduced price. I always like the idea of a bargain, so I decided to check one out for myself.

First thing I noticed is that it is not convenient to shop this way. The store closest to my house is only open on Fridays and Saturdays, so I had to drive to a rural town (population: 3,000) to find an open store. Situated on the one and only main drag, the store looked a smaller version of your typical small town supermarket.

Inside was well organzied, but with a limited (and eclectic) selection of items that have seen better days. Items were various states of distress: dented, stained, taped together, dusty, open, or crumpled. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like there was soup oozing out of the cans or anything! Salvage stores are regulated and inspected; however, expiration dates offered by manufacturers don’t seem to be a concern. I bought some Lime Jello mix with an expiration date of November 18, 2007. Curious, I made and served the Jello after dinner last night (so far so good!) All of the other items I purchased had expiration dates sometime in the future.

So, is putting up with the shabbiness worth it?

That comes to about a 60% savings. I have to admit that when I did the calculation, the dings and dents didn’t look quite so bad! I would certainly recommend following a few rules when shopping salvage such as:

1. Plan your trip because stores have odd hours.
2. Don’t buy stuff you wouldn’t normally buy anyway.
3. Check the expiration dates.
4. Wear your rose-colored glasses.

But with those things in mind, savvy scavengers can find some exceptional bargains.

We all want to look our best, but the cost of beauty can be pretty high. According to a report published by American Salon, the average haircut for women ranges from $21 to $44—depending on the location and salon size. Additionally, manicures cost an average $20.53. Weekly manicures can drain your wallet by more than $1,000 each year.

In a study conducted by Sustainable Youth in conjunction with Kelton Research, one out of three American women said they would be willing to give up 10 percent of their savings in order to look 10 years younger for the rest of their lives. Looking good doesn’t have to cost a fortune; and certainly shouldn’t comprise your financial future. With a little creative maneuvering you can still care for your skin, hair, and nails without leaving a hole in your wallet. Check out the following beauty tips and look fabulous for less.

-Make an appointment at a barber/beauty college. Visit your local beauty college and get your hair done for a low cost or, in some cases, for free! It may sound scary to have an inexperienced aspiring stylist “practice” on you, but a licensed professional is also onsite supervising.

-Find great skin/hair products in your home. Olive oil has many nutritional values in many areas besides cooking. It is good for your hair and skin. Pour a little olive oil in your bath for a great skin softener or try using it as a conditioner for your hair. It’s also a great cleansing cream. One tube of Vaseline can be used 50 different beauty ways including – lip gloss, cuticle cream, lotion, healing cream for dry skin on elbows and feet, and a quick faux eyelash extender.

-Give yourself a mani/pedicure. You don’t have to spend salon prices for a good manicure and pedicure. You can pamper yourself at home by buying a home-spa kit. Call up five of your closest friends and make it a girl’s night!

-Get your hair done on a Monday or Wednesday. These are the days with the least amount of traffic for most salons, so the best deals are offered on these days to help drive business. Plus, you’ll get lots of attention from the stylist when business is slow.

-Research coupons and specials. A little research goes a long way. Look up coupons online or sign up for promotional events through email. Many of the leading cosmetic companies offer great summer deals as do many salons. Visit Web sites like Mommy$avesBig for valuable beauty coupons.

Finally, don’t forget that it’s important to treat yourself well—no matter what the circumstances. The economy is causing a lot of financial stress, which can have a profound effect on your overall physical health. No amount of cosmetics will reverse the negative affects of worrying, so follow the number one beauty tip – always find time to distress.

Merriam-Webster recently announced their new words for 2009. In addition to many tech-related words such as vlog and webisode, one of the new words added to this year’s version of the dictionary is staycation.

stay·ca·tion
Pronunciation: \ˈstā-ˈkā-shən\
Function: noun
Etymology: blend of stay and vacation
Date: 2005
: a vacation spent at home or nearby
— stay·ca·tion·er \ˈstā-ˈkā-sh(ə-)nər\ noun

While the word may be new, the concept is an old one. Not to date myself, but when I was a kid, air travel seemed like a luxury–we even dressed up to fly! Most of our “vacations” consisted of driving to a relative’s or friend’s house for the day (which I guess is now being called a “daycation”; however, that word hasn’t made the dictionary yet!)

Staycation is a buzz word right now because people are stretched financially. But no matter what the economy is like, I think there are a lot of benefits to exploring your own backyard. Every state has things worth exploring and we tend to take them for granted. Would you believe that I lived in Arizona for eight years before ever visiting the Grand Canyon!?!

If you haven’t taken a good look around lately, visit the local Chamber of Commerce or Visitors Bureau to find out about free or low-cost entertainment and activities. You may be surprised to discover museums, community concerts, annual festivals, art exhibits, fairs and craft shows to enhance your summer without breaking your budget. Or consider some free “old-fashioned” fun like fishing, hiking, or biking.