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12 secrets of the ultra cheap
Secrets of ultra cheap
A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went. - photo by Shutterstock.com
Megan Gladwell
Deseret News National
Updated: Aug 6, 2014, 9:00 AM
Published: Aug 4, 2014, 2:20 PM

It’s fun being cheap. Don’t think for a minute that by being a conscientious consumer you’re missing out on life’s luxuries; cheap isn’t all sackcloth and ashes. You can sneakily purchase the same great brands as your trendy neighbor, enjoy movies and restaurants, and decorate — all on a cheapskate’s budget.

How can one do it all on the cheap?

1. Head to the back of the store
Upon entering any clothing store, put your blinders on and make a beeline for the back corner. Search for those blessed signs that say “clearance” or “sale,” and let the search begin. Sometimes your clothing finds may be a season off, but that’s OK. Shopping for end of the season deals can yield some great finds to be stowed away for next year.

2. Never pay shipping costs
Maybe you’ve sighted an amazing online deal, like a $3 shirt, only to be discouraged by the $7 shipping fee. If you can’t pass up the deal, consider splitting the shipping cost with a like-minded friend or neighbor.

Or before you browse online, check the date. Many websites offer free shipping around Christmas, and even the obscure holidays like St. Patrick’s Day.

Shop retailers that offer free shipping all of the time without a minimum purchase, like Nordstrom or L.L. Bean. Amazon sells everything under the sun, usually at discounted prices, but you have to spend $35 to score free shipping unless you sign up for Amazon Prime.

3. Secondhand stuff is great
If the dining set looks new, who cares if it was previously used? Furniture, clothing and many other items are easily sanitized. Check Craigslist, and don’t be afraid to barter a little. Most venders post items expecting to get a little less than the asking price.

Also consider shopping at the trendy, secondhand clothing stores that are becoming more popular. Many stores allow you to bring in your gently-used clothes to sell or trade.
My daughter found several pair of used, name-brand jeans for bargain prices, and they look new. I couldn’t believe how little I paid for her back-to-school jeans.

4. Use up the food in your fridge
It takes some organization, but keep track of what’s going on in your fridge. Don’t let perishables get ignored, and plan meals around what needs to be used.

5. Cut your kids’ hair
Most young kids really don’t care what they look like. Invest in a set of clippers and become your family’s barber. You’ll probably improve your hair-cutting skills as your kids grow, so by the time they do care about their looks you’ll be a pro.

6. Order water at restaurants
If you like to eat out or stop for fast food, bypass the soda. Soda and other specialty drinks only add sugar, calories and dollars to your bill. Don’t give in to your kids’ pleas, either.

7. Take advantage of discount movie nights
If your local theater offers discount nights, plan your date nights accordingly. Similarly, check online for free or discounted admission days at the museums or amusement parks near your home.

8. Think Christmas in June
When you’re out and about or shopping online (on free shipping days, of course), keep an eye out for potential Christmas or birthday gifts. Keep a bin supplied with your finds and you’ll have a go-to spot for presents for your family and your kids’ friends.
Recently, I was checking the clearance section of a beauty supply store. I found a stack of beautiful, $40 quilted purses marked down to 97 cents. Those types of finds make my day. And as my sisters will probably be the recipients of those new purses, hopefully they aren’t reading this article.

9. Clean with vinegar
Don’t waste your money on pricey, name-brand cleaning supplies. Those cleaning aisles are overwhelming, anyway. Use vinegar and baking soda to neutralize odors and scrub your kitchen and bathrooms.

10. Trade services
A friend and her teen daughters cut a deal with their orthodontist to clean his office for several years in exchange for orthodontic treatment.

When your family wants or needs something that doesn’t seem affordable, whether braces or piano lessons, offer to trade services. You never know.

11. Don’t toss what isn’t used up
When your lotion stops pumping, turn your bottle upside down and dig the stuff out with your fingers. Add a bit of water to make your liquid soap go further. I get a weird delight out of using the last, tiny drops of certain products.

12. Splurge on occasion
Sometimes you may not feel like taking it easy on the wallet. And it’s good for your kids to be treated every now and then. Whether it’s a surprise milkshake or a week at Disneyland, when the occasions are few, they become the special childhood memories your kids will cherish.

Megan Gladwell is an Indiana native and mother of four. She blogs at bookclub41.blogspot.com and can be reached at mlgladwell@gmail.com.
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
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A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers. - photo by Herb Scribner
Herb Scribner
Deseret News
Published: Aug 13, 2018, 1:39 PM
It turns out checking Twitter or Facebook before bed is bad for your health.

A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers.

That process can lead to age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the researchs extract.

Blue light is a common issue for many modern Americans. Blue light is emitted from screens, most notably at night, causing sleep loss, eye strain and a number of other issues.

Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said our constant exposure to blue light cant be blocked by the lens or cornea.

"It's no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye's retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop, he said.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that often affects those in their 50s or 60s. It occurs after the death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Those cells need retinal to sense light and help signal the brain.

The research team found blue light exposure created poisonous chemical molecules that killed photoreceptor cells

"It's toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves," said Kasun Ratnayake, a Ph.D. student researcher working in Karunarathne's cellular photo chemistry group. "Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they're dead, they're dead for good."

However, the researchers found a molecule called alpha-tocopherol, which comes from Vitamin E, can help prevent cell death, according to Futurism.

The researchers plan to review how light from TVs, cellphones and tablet screens affect the eyes as well.

"If you look at the amount of light coming out of your cellphone, it's not great but it seems tolerable," said Dr. John Payton, visiting assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Some cellphone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens, and I think that is a good idea."

Indeed, Apple released a Night Shift mode two years ago to help quell blue lights strain on the eyes, according to The Verge. The screen will dim into a warmer, orange light that will cause less stress on the eyes.