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Tips for DIY Personal Care Products

By U.S. News & World Report

Let’s face it: Sometimes, you just want to look good. The effort to impress might pay off in the form of a job interview that goes well or a successful first date, or it might just help give your confidence a boost. Either way, we often want to put money into our personal hygiene routines, but we don’t necessarily want to hurt our budget in the process.

The good news is that making your own products at home can be a cost-effective way of putting your best foot forward. You can smell better, look better and feel better by following these DIY regimes. Recipes abound online, so you can also do some additional research and come up with all kinds of ideas for making your own shampoo or deodorant. Here are five of my favorite recipes below:

1. Shoe powder: Do you have stinky feet? Get a plastic bag and combine one-half cup of corn starch, one-quarter cup of baking powder, one-quarter cup of baking soda and a few drops of your favorite essential oil such as tea tree or sage. Then, shake the bag. You can then transfer the shoe powder into any container of your choice. Just be careful not to spill because the concoction can make a bit of a mess. Cost: $2.25 with premium ingredients, $0.99 or less with regular ingredients.

2. Deodorant: The smell of body odor is so unpleasant. I’ve been in enough crowded buses, cars and gyms to know how bad these smells can get. So if you or someone you know has this embarrassing issue, it’s time to take matter into your own hands. Mix one-quarter cup of baking soda and one-quarter cup of corn starch (or arrowroot powder). Add in six tablespoons of coconut oil and mash it until it creates an even consistency. If you like a hint of aroma, add in your favorite essential oil. Presto, you have your own deodorant that you can apply liberally without worrying about the expense. Cost: $2.50 or less with premium ingredients, $1.25 or less with regular ingredients.

3. Dry shampoo: If you’re limited on time or want to save on water, dry shampooing is the way to go. If you buy spray cans of the stuff, the cost can add up pretty quickly. That’s why it pays to make your own. For light hair, combine one-quarter cup of cornstarch and a few drops of essential oil. For dark hair, combine two tablespoons of cocoa powder, two tablespoons of corn starch and a few drops of essential oil. Comb the powder through your hair and you are done. Cost: $1.50 or less with premium ingredients, $0.75 with regular ingredients (add extra for cocoa powder).

4. Teeth whitener: Who doesn’t like their teeth to look picture perfect? They say that first impressions leave lasting impressions, so it’s important to me that my teeth are clean and look sparkly white. Take one-half teaspoon of baking soda and one-half teaspoon of warm water. Mix until the baking soda has dissolved. Dip your toothbrush and brush gently. Follow it up with regular toothpaste. It is much cheaper than buying those fancy whitening strips! Cost: $0.13 or less with premium ingredients, $0.08 or less with regular ingredients.

5. Moisturizer: If you have dry skin or want to manage a good skincare regimen, a good moisturizer is the best place to start. Not all moisturizers are created equal and some of the best ones can be created in the comfort of your home. Combine one-half cup of coconut oil, one teaspoon of vitamin E oil and about five drops of lavender oil. Transfer it into a small jar and use when needed. Cost: $7 or less with premium ingredient, $4 or less with regular ingredients.

Note: Premium ingredients include organic raw extra virgin coconut oil, aluminum-free baking powder, pure baking soda and 100 percent pure lavender oil. Regular ingredients are generic brands you would find at your local supermarket. Whichever ones you choose, the end results will likely be far less expensive than if you purchased the products ready-made at a drug store or department store.

After experimenting with these recipes, you might discover you enjoy the DIY approach, as well as the savings it generates.

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Tips for DIY Personal Care Products originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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