For men (and women too) shaving can become an expensive task. A pack of 8 Gillette Fusion Proglide Power Refills costs $34 in the store. The razor itself costs about $9 and if you want the electric vibrating version it will be closer to $15. 4 engineered blades, lotions, and a “microcomb” all on a stick to give you the most hi-tech shave the future can offer….

What a joke. For hundred, if not thousands of years men have been shaving the hairs from their face with nothing more than a sharp rock or jagged piece of metal.

After using the more advanced expensive razors for some time, I realized that all of the extra bells and whistles were not necessary. I bought a pack of 4 disposable Bic Comfort 3 Razors for $5 and realized that 3 blades works just as good as 4.

Next I noticed that a good amount of time and energy is spent by men choosing which shaving cream to use. There are several choices of new specially “engineered” gels. One can of Gillette Fusion Ultra Sensitive W/Aloe + Vitamin E Hydra Gel costs about $4.

When I made the switch from hi-tech to disposable razors I also switched from the gels to old fashioned shaving cream. One can of Barbarsol men’s shaving creams costs about $1.

I still I noticed that shaving was just as easy and clean as it was before.

It wasn’t until I spoke with a friend who recommended that I tried shaving in the shower that I realized that shaving cream is not even necessary AT ALL. The water from the shower head acts like a natural lubricant and also washes away cut hairs at the same time. Which means my razors stay cleaner for longer.

Something I noticed while shaving with multi-blade razors is that hairs get clogged up in between the blades and become difficult to remove, and reduce the effectiveness of the razor. This led me to think that maybe even fewer blades would be better.

The next time I went to the store I bought a pack of generic Wilkinson 2 blade disposable razors for about $1.50. I took them home and hopped in the shower for a test run. The first thing I noticed is that it wasn’t much different at all. I did have to use more strokes over the same surface to get the smoothest shave, however even with more strokes I noticed much less skin irritation.

The problem with hairs clogging up the blades was the same as before with the 3 and 4 blade. However the cheap generic razor provided a novel solution to the problem. There was a small button on the top that pushed a small plastic blade out between the two cutting blades that pushed all the hairs out and cleaned the blades. It worked perfectly. Something like this would be nearly impossible to do with all the wires and guides and moving parts in the new engineered razor blades.

I also noticed that I never once cut myself shaving with the double blade razor. The four and three blade razors I usually ended up cutting myself once or twice in the process.

While at the store there was also a pack of 15 single blade razors for $0.97. After my experiments I would recommend sticking with at least 2 blades because one will probably not get through thicker beards without alot of work. Two blades was just enough to get the job done, and my face thanked me for not removing so many extra layers of skin while shaving.

When it comes to shaving its not necessary to spend 30 to 50 dollars every few months just to keep your face looking clean. Remember that John Wayne and Clint Eastwood never needed a fancy 4 blade razor with lotion and vitamin E scented gels, and neither do you.

In these tough economic times, there aren’t many things I wouldn’t do to save money or make my dollar go further.

When it comes to shopping this coupon mom is not playing around. She shows you how she was able to get 100 dollars of groceries for only 25 cents using coupons, price matching and her strategic shopping method.

“It’s not about changing what you eat, is about changing what you buy and which brands you like.”

Top Shopping Tips:

• Always check out the stores sale flyer.
• Always buy whats on the front page, they will have the biggest discounts
• Plan your shopping trips ahead of time so you will make more informed decisions.
• Know which stores have double and triple coupon programs.
• Look for internet coupons and unadvertised deals
• Buy the store brand for big discounts

Do you want to know how to get 100 dollars of groceries for just 25 cents?

Stephanie Nelson the founder of www.couponmom.com presents The Coupon Mom’s Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half: The Strategic Shopping Method Proven to Slash Food and Drugstore Costs

Coupon Mom’s Book Description

Americans are hungry for bargains these days, but one woman has developed the ultimate strategy for enjoying a feast of savings. Taking the nation by storm, with appearances ranging from The Oprah Winfrey Show, Today and Good Morning America, Stephanie Nelson has shown countless women and men how to save thousands of dollars by becoming savvy coupon clippers-without sacrificing nutrition or quality. Now, in The Coupon Mom’s Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half, Nelson demonstrates all of the tricks of the trade-beyond coupons and tailor-made for a variety of shopper lifestyles. Whether you’re a “busy” shopper and have only a small amount of time each week to devote to finding the best deal; a “rookie” shopper who is ready to put more effort into cutting bills; or a seasoned “varsity” shopper who is looking for new ways to get the deepest discounts possible, this book offers techniques thatw ill make it easy to save money at any level and on any timetable.

Extending her Strategic Shopping protocols to mass merchandisers, wholesale clubs, natural-food stores, drugstores, and other retailers, Nelson proves that value and variety can go hand in hand. With meal- planning tips, recipes, and cost-comparison guides, as well as inspiring real-life stories from the phenomenal Coupon Mom movement, this is a priceless guide to turning the checkout lane into a road of riches.

Food prices are climbing, and some might be looking to fast foods and packaged foods for their cheap bites. But low cost doesn’t have to mean low quality. In fact, some of the most inexpensive things you can buy are the best things for you.

At the grocery store, getting the most nutrition for the least amount of money means hanging out on the outskirts—near the fruits and veggies, the meat and dairy, and the bulk grains—while avoiding the expensive packaged interior. By doing so, not only will your kitchen be stocked with excellent foods, your wallet won’t be as empty.

1. Oats

High in fiber and complex carbohydrates, oats have also been shown to lower cholesterol. And they sure are cheap—a dollar will buy you more than a week’s worth of hearty breakfasts.

2. Eggs

You can get about a half dozen of eggs for a dollar, making them one of the cheapest and most versatile sources of protein. They are also a good source of the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which may ward off age-related eye problems.

3. Kale

This dark, leafy green is loaded with vitamin C, carotenoids, and calcium. Like most greens, it is usually a dollar a bunch.

4. Potatoes

Because we often see potatoes at their unhealthiest—as fries or chips—we don’t think of them as nutritious, but they definitely are. Eaten with the skin on, potatoes contain almost half a day’s worth of Vitamin C, and are a good source of potassium. If you opt for sweet potatoes or yams, you’ll also get a good wallop of beta carotene. Plus, they’re dirt cheap and have almost endless culinary possibilities.

5. Apples

I’m fond of apples because they’re inexpensive, easy to find, come in portion-controlled packaging, and taste good. They are a good source of pectin—a fiber that may help reduce cholesterol—and they have the

6. Nuts

Though nuts have a high fat content, they’re packed with the good-for-you fats—unsaturated and monounsaturated. They’re also good sources of essential fatty acids, Vitamin E, and protein. And because they’re so nutrient-dense, you only need to eat a little to get the nutritional benefits. Although some nuts, like pecans and macadamias, can be costly, peanuts, walnuts, and almonds, especially when bought in the shell, are low in cost.

7. Bananas

At a local Trader Joe’s, I found bananas for about 19¢ apiece; a dollar gets you a banana a day for the workweek. High in potassium and fiber (9 grams for one), bananas are a no-brainer when it comes to eating your five a day quotient of fruits and veggies.

8. Garbanzo Beans

With beans, you’re getting your money’s worth and then some. Not only are they a great source of protein and fiber, but ’bonzos are also high in fiber, iron, folate, and manganese, and may help reduce cholesterol levels. And if you don’t like one type, try another—black, lima, lentils … the varieties are endless. Though they require soaking and cooking, the most inexpensive way to purchase these beans is in dried form; a precooked can will still only run you around a buck.

9. Broccoli

Broccoli contains tons of nice nutrients—calcium, vitamins A and C, potassium, folate, and fiber. As if that isn’t enough, broccoli is also packed with phytonutrients, compounds that may help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Plus, it’s low in calories and cost.

10. Watermelon

Though you may not be able to buy an entire watermelon for a dollar, your per serving cost isn’t more than a few dimes. This summertime fruit is over 90 percent water, making it an easy way to hydrate, and gives a healthy does of Vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene, an antioxidant that may ward off cancer.

11. Wild Rice

It won’t cost you much more than white rice, but wild rice is much better for you. Low in fat and high in protein and fiber, this gluten-free rice is a great source of complex carbohydrates. It packs a powerful potassium punch and is loaded with B vitamins. Plus, it has a nutty, robust flavor.

12. Beets

Beets are my kind of vegetable—their natural sugars make them sweet to the palate while their rich flavor and color make them nutritious for the body. They’re powerhouses of folate, iron, and antioxidants.

13. Butternut Squash

This beautiful gourd swings both ways: sometimes savory, sometimes sweet. However you prepare the butternut, it will not only add color and texture, but also five grams of fiber per half cup and chunks and chunks of Vitamin A and C. When in season, butternut squash and related gourds are usually less than a dollar a pound.

14. Whole Grain Pasta

In the days of Atkins, pasta was wrongly convicted, for there is nothing harmful about a complex carbohydrate source that is high in protein and B vitamins. Plus, it’s one of the cheapest staples you can buy.

15. Sardines

As a kid, I used to hate it when my dad would order sardines on our communal pizzas, but since then I’ve acquired a taste for them. Because not everyone has, you can still get a can of sardines for relatively cheap. And the little fish come with big benefits: calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and B vitamins. And, because they’re low on the food chain, they don’t accumulate mercury.

16. Spinach

Spinach is perhaps one of the best green leafies out there—it has lots of Vitamin C, iron, and trace minerals. Plus, you can usually find it year round for less than a dollar.

17. Tofu

Not just for vegetarians anymore, tofu is an inexpensive protein source that can be used in both savory and sweet recipes. It’s high in B vitamins and iron, but low in fat and sodium, making it a healthful addition to many dishes.

18. Lowfat Milk

Yes, the price of a gallon of milk is rising, but per serving, it’s still under a dollar; single serving milk products, like yogurt, are usually less than a dollar, too. Plus, you’ll get a lot of benefit for a small investment. Milk is rich in protein, vitamins A and D, potassium, and niacin, and is one of the easiest ways to get bone-strengthening calcium.

19. Pumpkin Seeds

When it’s time to carve your pumpkin this October, don’t shovel those seeds into the trash—they’re a goldmine of magnesium, protein, and trace minerals. Plus, they come free with the purchase of a pumpkin.

20. Coffee

The old cup-o-joe has been thrown on the stands for many a corporeal crime—heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis—but exonerated on all counts. In fact, coffee, which is derived from a bean, contains beneficial antioxidants that protect against free radicals and may actually help thwart heart disease and cancer. While it’s not going to fill you up like the other items on this list, it might make you a lot perkier. When made at home, coffee runs less than 50¢ cents a cup.

Although that bag of 99¢ Cheetos may look like a bargain, knowing that you’re not getting much in the way of nutrition or sustenance makes it seem less like a deal and more like a dupe. Choosing one of these twenty items, or the countless number of similarly nutritious ones, might just stretch that dollar from a snack into a meal.

Source: @DivineCaroline