This is sponsored content from BlogHer and Olay.
As I've discussed here before, I'm in something of a transitional phase in a variety of ways during my life. I've turned 30, I've recently moved in what I consider to me my first real grown up place, some big decisions about where I'm going with my career and personal life will have to be made in the next few years. And I'm just trying to be ready for it.
And how exactly am I going about this? Well, some weeks are more productive than others. I've tried to become more of a to-do list maker. Well, scratch that. I've always been a to-do list maker. I'm trying to become more of a to-do list....do-er? Achiever? Accomplisher? Whatever the term is, I'm trying to go about setting reasonable goals for the week and accomplish them. For me, my major areas of focus have been continuing to make my new place feel like a real adult home, trying to cook more meals and eat a more balanced vegetable and protein rich diet, and take care of normal weekly tasks like going to the grocery store, expense tracking, keeping the house clean, and helping my very busy husband enjoy what little time he has off. Despite having no children in the mix, it's a lot to take on. For my husband and I right now, all of these interests are being counter-balanced with trying to save for future expenses- trips, a home, continuing to decide if we want to have children and how to plan for that, and saving for retirement.
Lately, I have really been trying to focus on how to grocery shop and decorate our home with cost-consciousness in mind. We have been fortunate to have successful careers in our twenties, but we haven't been as successful at monitoring our spending. For me this means trying to shop at regular grocery stores, instead of Whole Foods like I have been. I have been trying to come up with affordable DIY projects to decorate our home, with a few trips to Ikea mixed in. It also has meant investing in high quality furniture that we will like for years, and not have to replace any time soon. Our biggest area of concern right now is spending large amounts of money on the right things, and watching our spending in areas where lesser expensive goods will work just as well.
For me personally, I have been trying to balance my spending on clothing and skin care and find what is worth the extra cost and what is not. This means trendy pieces from bargain stores, and more long term items like suits from higher end stores. It also means trying out new affordable skin care and make up products and deciding which ones are worth the expense. This is why I have so appreciated the opportunity to try out products like Olay Total Effects. I have, over time, become reticent to try out lower end products because the results have not always been good. My experience with this line has proven to me that there is no need to give up on drugstore brands. Just as in the case with Olay Total Effects, they can be just as effective, if not more so, than department store goods.
How has your expenditure focus changed with age? What are you finding to be worth it or not worth it to do with your money?
Let me know, and you will be entered, easy-peasy. And lucky you, 14 other bloggers will be offering you the same chance, just check out the BlogHer roundup page for more offers! Check out the rules here!
And don't forget to come back over the next week for a final chance to win again!
YOU MUST INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN YOUR COMMENT TO WIN!
And now here's fine print:
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.
Sweepstakes ends 5 PM PST on 12/20/10.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
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