Let’s face it, our daily intake sometimes lacks the vitamins that we should be getting. İ am guilty of not getting enough nutrients although I do try. İt is important to try to acquire the nutrients our bodies need through our diet. When the body has the right balance of nutrients the benefits are endless. Here are some of the most important nutrients that benefit the body, daily dosages and where to get them when you can’t fit it all in!
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps the body to convert glucose into energy, helps prevent some glucose from being stored in the body and aids in bone maintenance. İt is a great way to promote fighting power against infection and wounds. Some natural foods that contain vitamin c are broccoli, oranges and strawberries. The recommended dosage is 60mg a day.
Vitamin B
The B vitamins (B2, B3, B5 and B6) are essential to provide energy to the body. These vitamins aid in sugar levels thyroid hormones metabolism boosting and releasing energy from fats sugars and carbohydrates. Some foods that contain the Bs are bananas, potatoes, lentils, whole grains, chili peppers, green vegetables, eggs, dairy products, and meats. The recommended dosages are:
B2( riboflavin) – 1.1 mg
B-6 (Pyridoxine) 1.3mg
B1- (thiamin)1.1 mg
B3- (niacin) 14 mg
B9 (folate) 400 mcg
B-12(Cyanocobalamin) -2.4 mcg
B5(pantothenic acid) -5 mcg of and
B7(biotin)-30 mcg
Vitamin D and Calcium
Together these two work wonders on building strong bones. The stronger your bones the less risk of injury. Vitamin D regulates blood pressure, reduces stress and tension, relieves body aches and pains by reducing muscle spasms, aids in insulin secretion, and improves cardiovascular strength by providing a protective lining for the blood vessels. The best source for vitamin D is sunshine. A few minutes of skin exposure to sun rays every day will help absorb and store vitamin D in your body. Remember only a few minutes without sunscreen is safe while being out in the sun.
Calcium builds lean muscle mass, decreases fat and enhances fat loss. Studies have shown that people who raised their calcium levels to 1000mg a day had greater results in their weight loss than the ones that did not take any calcium supplements.
Click below for all of your vitamin needs
Please consult your doctor for your vitamin needs before adding supplements to your diet.
The days seem to drag on, and after a full day filled of duties, chores and work. The body is usually lacking the energy it needs to get past 3pm. Those energy drinks filled with sugar, caffeine and additives is not the solution to an energy booster. Add these foods to your diet and watch how your energy levels naturally rise. Even enough to make you get up and do that workout you have tried to get in all day.
Chillies
Add some chillies to add fire to your diet. Chillies can boost metabolic rate by 25 percent! They are low in calories, high in fiber, beta carotene, potassium, vitamins E and C. These nutrients boost the immune system, help protect the body from cancer, lower cholesterol, and boost energy. So it is worth the burning of your mouth after.
Eggs
Eggs are filled with protein, vitamins A, D, E, and B vitamins. Just one egg provides six grams of high quality protein, but with only around 75 calories. This makes eggs a power booster to any breakfast.
Bananas
Bananas are a good source of dietary fiber and potassium. At about 100 calories, bananas are a great way to supply energy and replace electrolytes after a hard workout. They also help with a sugar craving with their sweetness.
Lentils
These legumes are quick to cook and pack protein and iron. Replacing helps provide better oxygen levels to all body cells. It is also a key element for energy production and metabolism. Woman who are menstruating especially need this boost in iron.
Tofu
Tofu is low in calories, but high in iron, protein, calcium and magnesium. It is often the base of a vegetarian’s diet. This power packed food should not be overlooked as it is a great energy booster.
Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkins are not just for carving anymore. The seeds are a great source of magnesium. Magnesium keeps your energy and metabolism pumping. For a great energy booster add a quarter cup into yogurt, cereal or granola mixes.
Plain low-fat Yogurt
Yogurt is best to eat for a pre-workout snack. Yogurt is packed with B vitamins that help excess your energy and get you ready to go for that fat blasting workout.
Salmon
This fish is low in mercury and has a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids. It is filled with protein as well as packed with B vitamins that are vital for energy.
As you are on your journey through a healthy lifestyle one thing you may have overlooked is the benefits of consuming protein. Go ahead take a big bite out of that lean chicken breast, don’t deprive yourself of the caveman/woman in you. Here is why protein makes all the difference in a well balanced diet.
Protein makes your body full longer. It takes more energy to digest protein. This makes you feel more satisfied after a meal. Preventing hunger will cut your daily intake easily. All of your meals should include some protein to give you the best benefits of your calories.
Protein is needed for your muscles to recover and muscle-building. When we are trying to lose fat we also lose muscle as well. Replacing energy that has been lost with protein will force the body to avoid attacking the muscles for energy. Keep those muscles you worked so hard for!
When choosing a protein powder it is important to supplement it for a meal or a snack. Check the calorie intake per serving. Some protein drinks are filled with calories. A great addition to your daily diet would be a protein shake after doing a workout or a protein shake at lunch with a bowl filled with vegetables. Choose the right powder for you to enjoy the benefits of protein and feel the power.
Want to know a way to save time while working out?
Well, it is HIIT. HIIT stands for high intensity interval training. This amazing exercise pushes your body hard enough that it continues to burn NINE times more fat than a long steady state workout. So are you up for the challenge because this workout will kick your ass every time.
What is HIIT?
A HIIT workout alternates between short bursts of high intense anaerobic exercise to low recovery periods. The benefit of the high and lows of the HIIT workout prevents the body from going into a steady pace state. With the body not being able to adjust in between the changing of levels it makes the body burn more fat. Usually HIIT sessions will last only 10-20 minutes and trust me that is all you need.
Why HIIT?
Well if you want to burn more fat than regular exercise, condition your body, gain cardiovascular health and boost your metabolism HIIT will work for you. Several studies have shown the body will remain burning calories several hours after your workout. The HIIT process is easily explained by the way your body uses oxygen. While working out to almost your maximum capacity your oxygen level is not replenished quick enough. After your workout, the body is trying to replace the oxygen debt that occurred. This makes the body to continue to burn calories and fat.
What is a good HIIT Workout?
A good workout will make you breathless, sweat and make you feel you have pushed as hard as you can until you get to rest. You have to put in the effort for it to work. After every workout, you should ask yourself did I do my best, if you can answer yes then you will see results!
A sample HIIT workout while running would be:
A 5 minute warm-up at about 45% intensity
3 rounds of:
1 min of 80-90% intensity running
2 mins of 50 % intensity jogging
A 5 minute cool down at 25% intensity
Go ahead and rub that belly, touch it and squeeze it. Is there more jiggle to it than you want? I am sure there is! Not all of us have perfect bodies and those of us that do work hard to get them. Yeah work, losing belly fat is work. There is not any diet or magic pill that can target fat loss to your waistline. Yet, a flattened belly is one that most people strive for. It’s okay not all of it is that bad because you can achieve a flat belly. Here are tips to guide you to a flattened stomach. Now come back a few months later touch and squeeze that belly. Does it feel better now?
Exercise- We have heard it time and time again you always need to exercise. To lose belly fat that exercise should be a routine that is a fat blaster. It is important to keep up with an exercise routine to keep belly fat gone forever. One of the best workouts is HIIT. It is a fat burning way to work out and shed that excess baggage. Read all about HIIT here.
Diet- You can’t lose your belly fat or any fat in that matter if you do not burn more calories, then you consume. There has to be a calorie deficit. A diet does not mean starving yourself or going to the extreme. It just means paying attention to what your intake is and what your daily output is. It is almost like a budget. You cannot spend more than what you have in your bank.
Eat good carbs- the good carbs are whole grains, fruits and veggies. Refined flours should be avoided like white bread, cookies and donuts. When refined carbs are avoided insulin levels remain stable and therefore stop accumulating belly fat that is trying to be lost. Fiber filled foods are essential in the battle against the bulge. Fiber satisfies hunger longer and helps slow the digesting rate this prevents over eating.
Reduce stress- The hormone cortisol causes belly fat. Research shows that people with high stress have a higher rate in belly fat. It is hard to relax in a stressful world, but this is an important step to lower your cortisol levels. Some tips to help you relax are doing yoga, meditation or reading a book. Make time for yourself to clear your mind during a busy schedule. You are just as important as any task you have to do during the day.
Muscle training- gain more muscle and tone those abs. Do ab exercises to target your belly. Under that fat is your muscles being tightened and toned. For a lean flat stomach the best exercises are pilates or yoga. These workouts stretch and tone the body evenly. Of course the classic sit ups do work, but sit ups alone will not give you the stomach of your dreams. Stomach exercises can be done two or three times a week for results.
Creating a healthy lifestyle is a choice that needs time and dedication to carry out. Losing weight is not an easy task, once those extra pounds are on it feels like such a challenge to get them back off. Although losing weight is a journey that leads to an entire healthy lifestyle change, there are ways to help make the path easier. Here are some simple tips that can help you gain only a healthy life.
PORTION CONTROL BECAUSE SIZE MATTERS – It is easy to get carried away with food intake, especially when browsing the internet or watching television. When snacking on foods remember to only fill a bowl with the serving size. When the bowl is empty, DO NOT go back for another one. So tempting I know!
Now lets trick the mind with our eyes. Buy small plates, and bowls and fill the plate up with your meal. You will be cutting back calories, but also fooling your mind that you are getting a plate stuffed with food. Always measure your food. Servings sizes matter!
EAT OFTEN- If you are on a diet it may seem strange to say, but you should eat often. Instead of eating large meals try eating six small meals a day. A great rule to follow is eat every three hours. This prevents your energy from crashing and starvation by your next meal. It is easier to follow a good diet when you feel like you are always eating.
HEALTHY SNACKING- Replace all those cookies and chips with fruits and veggies. Fruits are a great way to get that sweetness you crave without all the calories. There are many benefits of eating fruits and vegetables every day. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. Recommended serving size is two and a half cups of veggies and fruit a day. So now ask yourself are you eating that much?
NO EATING AFTER 8PM- It is an old rule and even though your daily intake will always be the same whatever time you eat it still benefits your body and weight loss to not eat late at night. At night your body becomes more sedentary and relaxed therefore it doesn’t need as much calories for energy. I know those night cravings can take over the mind, but instead of grabbing food drink some warm tea, a glass of milk or hot cocoa. If all else fails, just go to sleep!
EXERCISE – Of course no calorie reducing article would leave out one of the most important things to achieve weight loss. Exercise 40 minutes, five times a week and calories just melt off your body. Pick an activity that is fun for you to do and that you can keep up with. Just get that body moving! Even just walking is a great way to lose calories and low impact for beginners. Implementing an exercise routine to your daily activities will lead the way to a healthy lifestyle.
So life is filled with lemons, why not put them to actual use?! Here are 
some practical ways to use all of those extra lemons up. Now don’t look so sour.
- Spray lemon juice on your hair comb through evenly and sit out in the sun for an hour to lighten hair the natural way!
- Rub a slice of lemon on your lips to lighten them.
- Rub hands with a lemon to get rid of lingering odors such as garlic.
- Dab lemon juice on pimples and/or blackheads at night and rinse off with some warm water in the morning.
- Use as an ant repellant, spray lemon juice around window sills, doorways, and cracks.
- Rub nails with lemon to rid nails of yellow stains.
- Use lemon for bleaching, spray lemon juice on to white clothing and dry them in the sun.
- Use as a microwave cleaner, place three slices of lemon in a cup of water, place in the microwave for 30 seconds on high, use a cloth to clean to clean.
At less than a $1, baking soda is probably the most cheapest and versatile product to buy. With the odor removing properties, the strength in cleaning and a key ingredient in baking, baking soda is something everyone should have in their cabinet. In fact, baking soda is a product I use often in my homemade natural products to give affordability and function. Yeah I love living on the cheap side! So instead of spending that dollar on a fast food cheeseburger, use it for baking soda and look at all that you can do with it!
Uses for baking soda:
The odor resister
- Sprinkle some baking soda in cat litter.
- Sprinkle into garbage cans.
- Keep opened package in fridge, change once a month.
- Sprinkle over carpets and vacuum.
- Sprinkle on a pets brush and groom pet normally.
- Sprinkle in smelly shoes.
The cleaning aide
- Clean white grout with a paste of water and baking soda scrub with a tooth brush.
- Sprinkle a ½ cup of baking soda in a toilet, let stand for an hour and flush.
- Sprinkle over grease, scrub with a damp sponge.
- Clean tiles with a bucket of warm water and 2/3 cup baking soda.
- Clean a microwave by sprinkling baking soda on a damp cloth and wipe down.
The healthy way
- Sprinkle over insect bites to relief an itch.
- Use one teaspoon of baking soda to 1 cup warm water for heartburn relief.
- Apply to bee stings, and jelly fish stings for pain relief.
- To cure bad breath, add 1 teaspoon to ½ cup warm water and gargle.
- To help relieve pain from mouth sores, use 1 teaspoon of baking soda to 1 cup warm water and gargle every 4 hours.
Beauty from a box
- For oily hair, sprinkle baking powder on a brush comb through your hair as a dry shampoo
- For exfoliating your face, mix 3 teaspoons baking soda with 1 teaspoon of water, rub gently over face and rinse
- For a teeth whitener, sprinkle a wet toothbrush with baking soda, brush over teeth and rinse out well with water. Use only once a week.
- For a foot soak, add 3 tablespoons baking soda to a tub of warm water.
- For a deodorant dip powder brush in baking soda and apply to dampened skin. This may cause skin irritation, refer to my deodorant recipe for sensitive skin.
You are on your feet all day running around like a maniac and when you sit 
to rest, your feet are still not happy! Relieve some stress, relax and take care of your feet, after all they are doing all the hard work carrying the weight of your world. Here are some quick tips to get your feet into touchable shape.
- Get a basin, small tub or big plastic container.
- Fill it with warm/hot water pending on your comfort level
- Scrub your feet with a natural foot scrub ( you can use my brown sugar foot scrub recipe)
- Soak those feet for 15 minutes
- Dry
- Moisturize
- Do once a week
Now doesn’t that feel better? Your feet should look great and to take it one step further go paint those toe nails!
Hair Care
Your hair is something to be of notice. It not only shows off physical beauty, but youth and health. If your hair is taken care of, looks strong, shiny and groomed, it will greatly improve your appearance. So take out that rubber band and go ahead and let your hair down.
Follow these steps to ensure your hair beauty.
Cleanse- The first step is to use shampoo. This is a common known fact that I am sure everyone does, but are you doing it the proper way? The first point in shampooing is to know the purpose is to concentrate first on the scalp. The scalp creates oils and needs to be cleansed. Massaging a small amount of shampoo into your scalp using your fingertips also promotes hair growth. After giving yourself the scalp treatment, rinse well and reapply the shampoo again, but now concentrating from root to end of your hair. Just because a shampoo is creating a bunch of bubbles in your hair does not mean that it is better than a shampoo with less lather. Remember it is not the lather that matters but the ingredients and the way it is applied. Rinse well once more and now you have done the proper technique that will benefit your hair and scalp!
Condition- This step is important especially for dry hair but it is also beneficial for all hair types. Conditioning makes hair more manageable and soft. Different hair types need to apply conditioner differently.
- Dry and or curly hair- Should apply conditioner after every shampoo. Leave conditioner on for two minutes and rinse.
- Thin hair and or short hair- Should apply conditioner with every other shampoo. Thin hair tends to get oily faster and short hair requires less maintenance.
- Oily hair- Should apply conditioner with every other shampoo or less. Pending on how oily the hair gets conditioner may even be an optional step in the hair care process.
Deep conditioning treatment- This is a great treatment to replenish damaged hair and create soft flowing hair. Hot oil treatments are helpful for deep penetration but normal deep conditioning treatments are beneficial as well. Different hair types need to apply deep conditioning treatments differently.
- For dry/normal hair- Use a deep conditioning treatment once a week or hot oil treatment every two weeks.
- Oily/thin hair- Use a deep condition treatment only once a month.
Avoid chemicals and damage causing stylist- Yes, this means do not use that curling iron and hair straighter every day. The heat from these stylists creates damaged hair, hair breakage and split ends. Chemicals and dyes also damage hair deeply and should be used in a professional manner and as least as possible. I know right now your hair might look great as a blonde, but what will it look like 10 years from now, after all that damage has been done? It is not true that blondes have more fun…I know because I am a redhead!
Nutrition- this might come to a surprise to you but what you eat effects your hair especially with the amount of protein you eat. If your diet is not high in protein your hair can show how the body is being malnourished. Often hair loss is associated with low protein intake. So go eat a juicy steak and say it is for your hair! Hydration is an important key to keep moisture in your entire body including your hair. If you are dehydrated so is your poor hair. Please quench your hair’s thirst often.
Why should you use a facial mask once or twice every week? There are wonderful benefits of taking care of your facial skin. With routine use, your face will feel smooth, glow and look more youthful. A good facial mask removes excess oils, minimizes pores appearance, provides nutrients to the skin, reduces acne and stimulates blood circulation!
So follow these tips and have a smooth face that no one could resist to kiss.
- Use an all natural face mask, that matches with your skins needs.
- Always cleanse the skin first.
- Apply the mask not only to your face but your neck, avoiding your eyes. A great tip for your eyes is while waiting for the mask to penetrate your skin, lie down and place a slice of cucumber over each eye. You might look like a monster at the time but afterwards your beauty will radiate.
- Rinse well removing all traces of the mask.
- Always moisturize afterwards.
- Use once or twice a week.
The 5 best things to do for your skin:
Your skin is the largest organ of your body, so treat it right. If you want touchable soft skin that is irresistible to others, follow these steps and I am sure you will be touched in no time.
Cleanse- Find a cleanser that is natural and mild to the skin.
Why? Well, we all get dirty and so does our skin. Even if we just go for a walk down the street the pathogens and pollutants in the air can start to build up dirt on our skin. Get rid of the grime and cleanse daily!
Exfoliate weekly- Find a natural exfoliate product that suits your needs, is not too harsh for your skin and that gives you a good scrub.
Why? Your skin dies, peels and regenerates every month. Snakes are not the only things that shed their outsides! The dead skin cells can accumulate when not properly shed and can cause a build up blocking the pores of your skin causing those damn black heads and spots. After exfoliating, your skin will thank you by being silky smooth, clear and kissable.
Toner- Find a natural toner that does not contain any alcohol. Use the toner after cleansing but before applying moisturizer.
Why? Helps reduce inflammation, removes any traces of dirt and makeup buildup, and balances the pH levels of your skin. Many people forget to use a toner or neglect this step because they do not realize that these benefits can leave your face clean and clear.
Moisturize- Find a natural moisturizer that you will apply daily.
Why? Replenishes the skin with moisture that has been stripped and dried out and protects further drying from environmental factors such as the weather and dry air. Moisturizers leave the skin soft and smooth. So do your skin a favor and put some moisturizer on, even better go make your husband/boyfriend/friend with benefits/ whomever you want put it on you instead.
Sunscreen- Find a sunscreen at least 30 SPF is recommended. Apply 15-30 minutes before exposure to the sun. Even on those cloudy days!
Why? Well instead of being a lobster and moaning about the pains of the sun prevent the damaging UV rays from touching your skin. If that is not convincing enough, two words that need to be said are: SKIN CANCER. Millions of people are diagnosed with skin cancer a year. Sunburns may enhance the risks of getting skin cancer. So let’s protect our skin from that ever powerful sun. For more info on how to protect yourself from UV rays visit here.
There is what in my every day beauty products??
If you still have hair left on your head, I am sure you take particular care with it before trying to pull it out. Do you really know what is in your shampoo or how about that stick of deodorant you use to keep you from smelling like wet dog? Have you ever checked the bottles of all those lotions, sprays, cleansers, toners, powders, creams, masks, and anything else you put on your face or body? Well quickly take them out and look at what they have in them! I am sure most of the ingredients can’t even be pronounced. Well if you can’t pronounce it, than it probably isn’t something you actually want on you and absorbing into your skin.
The dangerous chemical list:
- 1,4-dioxane, formaldehyde, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, Benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, linalool, cocoamide diethanolamine and ammonium laureth sulfate.
What can you do?
- Read the labels- Some of the chemicals in your everyday beauty products have chemicals in it that may cause cancer and harmful effects. Get to know what is in the product before buying it.
- Go natural- Some organic products claim to be all natural but again if the ingredient list is more than just a few items long, it has something more than nature itself in it. Particularly watch out for anything containing grapefruit extract and derived from coconut parts.
- Make your own- It is the best way to make sure you know what is going in your products. Some homemade products do not have a long shelf life, but it is worth the ease of mind of knowing what is going on your body. Not only are you preventing your body to exposure of chemicals but you are also saving the earth. Awwwwww killed two birds with one stone!
- Buy my book- After many experiments, trial and errors, I picked and tweaked the best natural recipes for your body, hair and skin. Most of your beauty products can be replaced with all the recipes offered and I made sure all the products would be cost-effective. I know nice plug!
Saving money tips on shopping
Even if you don’t have a household of kids running around, starving from their growing hormones, eating like little monsters everything you have in the refrigerator, that grocery bill can still get high. Due to the economy, oil prices on the rise and any which way the wind blows, our grocery product prices are increasing. I wish we could go back ten years and keep those grocery prices! Since I have yet to find that time machine, I have found the ways to manage and save money on that growing grocery bill. Here are some tips to help you save money and go spend it on something that will last longer than a day in your house.
Coupons- It is common sense. If you are buying a box of cereal anyways, why not use that $1 coupon to save? Coupons do not have to be so time-consuming. There is a site I use to help me manage my coupons. It is a great forum and it also has a coupon search database. It has the grocery week sales and the great deals you can get using coupons, even showing you how to get free products. I usually manage to save at least $20 dollars on all my grocery trips with the use of coupons. So start clipping and printing those coupons and watch your grocery bill shrink too. Visit Www.afullcup.com and www.couponsurfer.com for access to great coupon print outs and more.
Store brands- If you do not want anything to do with coupons, buying store brands instead of name brand products will help you save money. Yes, it is true sometimes those store brand products taste gross. Well, there are some products that taste of equal or even better than those name brands. If you are good cook you can also bring those store brand foods up to par by adding your own spices and fixing the discrepancies in the taste. My favorite soda is actually a Stop&Shop brand called DR. BOB open wide and say ahhhhhhh (yeah that is actually on the bottle) I would drink that any day over a certain famous Dr. soda brand. So live a little on the wild side and try to experiment with the less expensive product.
Sales- Do you absolutely have to have that jiffy peanut butter jar that is not on sale? I know it is tempting to buy your favorite product while it is sitting there screaming “eat me”. Well, look again because next to Jiffy is Peter Pan and he is on sale today! Buy the brands that are on sale and save some money, it is always your choice.
Do you want a new look to your home? Are you just
starting out? Love little knick knacks? Broke all your dishes? Are you a hoarder? If you can answer yes to any of these questions, then you qualify for a satisfying ride on the secondhand train. So jump on and enjoy the free trip with tips that can save you bunches on the way!
Tag Sales
Do it the old fashion way, make that treasure map to find the route to the best tag sales on Sunday. Hopping from tag sale to tag sale searching for special finds can have its challenges. When going to a tag sale follow these few tips to get a bargain on a breeze.
• Check your local news paper usually Thursday or Friday’s addition is best. Most tag sales are held on Saturday or Sundays. Read the descriptions and see if anything catches your eye. When you find a tag sale of interest star it, highlight it, sticker it or however you want to, just leave a mark on it.
• Take all the tag sales you plan on visiting and organize them in order of address and time. Trust me you don’t want to be at one tag sale and drive across town to another tag sale and then back over to the same side of town you had previously been! You will spend more money on gas and time then having found potential bargains.
• Get there early. The early bird catches the best deals and has the full view of everything for sale before others have picked away at it. Now when I say early bird I do not mean for you to be parked out on someone’s lawn before the time of the tag sale is going to start. Let’s not be rude!
• One exception to the early bird strategy is getting to a tag sale on a Sunday right before the closing time and you can get deals for cents or even grab items for free. People tend to be desperate to get everything off their lawn before the tag sale is over. It is all about your chances. So give it a try!
• You see an item you like, but you think it is priced too high, it is ok to bargain with the tag sale provider. In fact, it is common and expected by them that people will be talking down their prices. Here is where you can get an even better deal!
• Furniture buys, if some furniture design catches your eye don’t fear the scratches or the pink color of it! The great thing about furniture is most can be refurbished, stripped, stained or painted. Get creative and that piece of furniture can look new and save you hundreds of dollars.
Craigslist
If you have not heard of Craigslist you are missing out on a gold mine of opportunities! Follow these tips to find deals you may have missed otherwise. http://adf.ly/505711/craigslist
• You have your morning coffee but before reaching for that newspaper, quickly take a look of what is under the free section of your local area on Craigslist. This is a key tip because the really great free deals go like hot cakes!
• Look through the ads with pictures to save you a trip. If pictures are not available of an item you are interested in, simply email the owner and ask for some. If all else fails then take into consideration you may be taking a trip to see something you do not like.
• Negotiations are welcome on priced items.
• Watch out for scams. If it sounds too good to be true please know it is. This is usually under the automotive section. A 2010 BMW with 5 miles on it should not cost only 3,000!
eBay
This is a great place to bid and get the deals on used products and even get good deals on new products.
• Look for wholesale lots to get the most bang for your buck.
• Take into consideration the price you most want to pay for an item. It is not about winning but catching a deal!
• Look at shipping costs.
• Check reviews and ratings of the user you intend to buy from.
• Look through the eBay stores and power sellers for special deals (usually on new items).