Quick tips to save money in a pinch

If you really knew me, you would know how ironic me sitting here passing out financial advice is. 

I used to be the worst at saving money. 

I used to make late payments. 

I was irresponsible when it came to my financies. 

I had a serious spending problem. 

My husband, bless his heart was so gracious to accept me and all my flaws when we got married. Debts included. 

He really helped by putting me on a budget, planning, and helping me pay my bills accordingly. 

Now a few years later, after watching and learning I am a new business owner and am able to manage and handle my own finances again. 

However saving has always been a struggle of mine. Like many of you I'm sure, we get caught up in the wants more than our needs in life. 

Cost of living is increasing. 

Our necessities are increasing.

Thanks to society and social media our wants are ever increasing. 

It's important to prioritize. 

Here are some quick tips to save in a pinch: 

1. Order a small

I don't know about you but I have a coffee obsession. A green straw coffee obsession. Sure I could make it myself at home & it would be so much cheaper however it doesn't feel the same when I don't have that Starbucks cup in hand. So cut down on your size to cut back on the price. It's only a few dollars but if you are like me and get it multiple times a week, those little savings can add up quick. 

2. Pinterest Challenge 

I'm sure most of you have seen the 52 week money saving challenge that surfaces on Pinterest around the new year. My hubby and I took the challenge a year ago & it was the simplest way to save money. You don't even know the money is missing! At the end of the year you have a nice little $1300+ stash. http://pin.it/HfSzXrg

3. Say goodbye to cable 

When I was on maternity leave we tried to cut back as much as possible since we were currently living on one income.  We canceled our cable and got Netflix & Hulu instead. Those two combined are only like $20 a month, not the $100+ I know some cable company's can cost. You can watch pretty everything that's on live tv with Hulu & who doesn't love a Netflix binge session.  

4. 5 dollar bill game 

As a hairstylist I always have cash from my tips. I know most don't carry cash, and live in a plastic money state of mind. However this one is simple. Whenever you have a $5 bill in hand - SAVE IT! 

My husband and I have these buckets in our room that are labeled "date night" or "house fund". We're always donating to them and the 5 dollar bill game was an easy and quick way to increase their savings. We even had ones with our names on them that was meant for our own personal spending habits. If it wasn't in cash from the bucket, we couldn't spend it. (I suppose it's similar to the popular envelope system that's gone viral)

5. Credit cards 

I know most think credit cards are a bad thing. I myself only have 1. When I was younger I misused them and got myself into some serious debt with multiple ones. However now I respect them and use them to help me. They are a great tool to build your credit. Some even use them just for gas or groceries to earn their rewards and get cash back! Spending money to save money? Sounds like a win win to me. The educational website Credit Card Insider covers these topics and more!

6. Multiple savings accounts 

I think it's easier to save when you are saving with intention. Open a couple extra savings accounts and divide your earnings into them however works best for you. Say you are planning a vacation, saving for Christmas, someone's getting married or you need a new car?! Whatever the purpose may be when you have a separate account it can make it easier to not touch the money. It's always quiet rewarding to watch the amount grow. 

7. Host a party 

Now days you can have a "party" for just about anything. Jewelry, clothes, Tupperware, wraps, makeup. Whatever your extra spendings may be going towards consider hosting a party with a friend or distributor. I'm sure you know someone, or have seen friends on Facebook you can reach out too. Most company's reward the "host" with free merchandise depending on how well the party goes. For example I just hosted a LuLaRoe clothing party and my guest that attended and purchased things earned me 5 FREE ITEMS totaling in $200+. So I'm essentially getting a new summer wardrobe for free! 

There are always ways to cut back. There are always ways to save. Sometimes you just have to think out of the box, get savy and discipline yourself. 

Home away from home

I don't only have a passion for hair design but interior design. 

I love looking at something old, chippy and out of date- add some chalk paint, glitter or gold spray paint to it & making it look brand new. 

I love walking into a room with four empty walls and converting them into center pieces. 

So you can imagine when I was given a blank canvas with my loft how excited I was. 

My typical decor and fashion sense is country chic. 

Most of my home is covered in chalk paint or has been white washed. The wall are all shades of gray or blue. There are about 4 deer heads that I can see currently from my sofa. 

I have an old ladder from a barn draped with my throw blankets and a guitar hanging on the wall that frame in our tv stand. 

As I have mentioned in other blogs, I wear cowboy boots almost on the daily. I have 7 pairs and I'll take more of anyone's feeling generous. 

I thought my loft should reflect my personality and style while still remaining true to my hair roots of Paul Mitchell which is know for its black & white brand.

Luckily my loft mate/ partner and I are pretty much the same person inside and out and love all things country , black, gold & girly. She pretty much let me have free reign ! You should check out her new blog if you haven't already!!! She is so wise beyond her years & has a lot of great things to offer. https://theblondedirectionblog.wordpress.com/

We started out with making all the walls a bright white except for an accept wall that was done in alternating black and white vertical stripes. 

We have created the biggest collage wall on this accent wall. It just keeps growing and getting bigger and I loveeee it. 

All of the art work in our loft was gifted to us, made or from tj Max. 90% of it is positive quotes too. 

Emily and I are both very positive, forward thinking upbeat people and we wanted to create that type of environment for our clients while they spend time with us. 

Our coffee bar is one of my favorite parts. Because who doesn't love coffee?

I actually purchased that love bird coat rack at tj Max and painted it gold (along with our huge tin trash can and about a million other things). 

I used the coat rack as a coffe cup holder. 

I always hit the jackpot at the Target dollar bins. Maybe it's because I'm there weekly and get dibs on new merchandise when they put it out. But I'm not complaining.

 I got these cute stripped straws & calendar from them. (I also painted that mason jar gold, go figure.)

One of the main reasons we choose salon lofts over other booth rental options was because of all the amenities and fixtures that our loft came with. 

When I am looking for decor I keep an open mind and leave no department out of the question. 

I found this gold toothbrush holder at tjmax and we use it to hold our money makers. And I don't mean our bums. Our shears, of course. 

This is all the left over retail from previous lines. We now carry Label m and Brazillian Blowout products. But who doesn't love a good hashtag. A gold sequined one at that. 

Our color bar has been a work-in-progress and is finally complete. 

My mom and I searched high and low for this gold sequin curtain that you see as the background to many things here , and in all of my hair post. 

Clients know to pull around back and look for the loft with the big window & gold curtain! It's branded us for sure. 

The reason for the curtain was to cover the back of an old dresser from the outside looking in. All the lofts have huge glass walls, and our has a big sliding barn door as the entrance. 

With all the natural light we receive, this gold curtain is the perfect backdrop for all our before and after photos. 

We have recently started trying to have fresh flowers in the loft as well.  My grandmother was a florist and flowers just instantly brighten up and room and add a natural element. 

We love the black white gold & floral brand we have created for ourself. In this industry you need to do things to set yourself apart & our loft alone does just that! 

So come visit Beauty & The Beehive @ Salon Lofts to see it for yourself. 

Www.salonlofts.com/molly_ingram 

All photos pictured were taking by my loft mates friend and photographer Natalie of Natalie Days Photography. 

http://nataliedaysphotography.pixieset.com/