4 simple and effective tips to stop nail biting

For some low cost and effective nail biting solutions which just might work, I can recommend trying the following:

1. For those who have a UV light for gel polishes, get 'IBX Strengthen'. This is a product you can put on underneath the gel (still using the lamp to set) to also help strengthen the nail. It won't get rid of the habit, but may allow for better results when they get any kind of length to them.

2. Carry a nail file. I would bite mine to 'neaten them up' so if there was a sharp bit or a daggy bit I would even them up. This was a never-ending cycle that led to very sore quicks! By carrying a nail file, you can make sure there is nothing that can snag or anything.

3. I actually think that a few months of artificial nails (I like 'Prescription Nails' by GO30 as they don't damage your natural nails as much) while you are breaking the habit is helpful, as they are very hard and you can't really bite them. I do find I still put them in my mouth or tap my teeth with them so I really need to break that habit too! But after that, refer to tip1.

4. This article is also a good one to read! https://hellogiggles.com/beauty/how-to-stop-nail-biting-10-steps/

Bundle up your bags and don't get caught short

I have come up with a super easy way to solve my shopping bag dilemma! Like many people, I was sick of trying to organise a whole bunch of bags of different shapes and sizes in the back of the car, ready for shopping trips. I really like my car to be free from clutter, so wanted a thrifty and simple solution, I decided to use an old cosmetic purse and filled it with 99c reusable nylon bags from the supermarket. These roll up tiny and fasten with a elastic tab, making a neat and tidy little roll. I can fit eight of the tiny rolls into my cosmetic purse and this in turn fits nicely into my handbag or centre console of the car. These days I never get caught without a bag and these ones can get used over and over again. Being made of material, they can also be thrown into the washing machine if they have had meat or something drippy in them and are soon as good as new again!

Add light and warmth with 'magic' mirrors

We have saved hundreds of dollars on making our daughters' room cosier! We are living in a rental property which we really like. However, our daughters are in the front bedroom and although it has a window, the room itself it doesn't get a lot of sunshine. This makes the room rather gloomy and feels damp in winter. We have a small heater which we use to try and take the chill off the bedroom before they go to bed but using it makes us feel we're watching money disappear before our eyes!

The perfect alternative would be spend hundreds of dollars on installing a skylight but since we're only renting, this really isn't an option.

A couple of weeks ago, I bought a couple of mirrors for $4 each to stick on the inside of a wardrobe. While I was preparing the area, I put the mirrors on the windowsill and to my astonishment, noticed how much brighter the room was when the sun hit the mirrors and bounced off the ceiling. It was as though I'd switched on a light!

By using those two mirrors and angling them slightly, I was able to bring sunshine and some warmth into the room. I have since purchased two more mirrors to make sure I take full advantage of the entire time that the sun hits the windowsill. The room is heaps brighter and feels more cheerful and warmer. It only cost $16 and it was all done with mirrors!

Enjoy a big breakfast and save!

I have slashed my grocery bill, kept my kids from grazing AND lost five kilos, simply by enjoying a bigger breakfast. Breakfast items are generally cheaper if you are careful how you shop. Plain brand muesli, Vita Brits, porridge and cornflakes are all cheap items to have in your pantry. Plain brand yoghurt, fruit (canned or fresh) and vegetables are also fairly cheap, as well as tuna on toast. The helpings are generous and we eat until we are full. I've found that over the course of the day, hunger pains are gone, snacking is unnecessary and we eat smaller portions for lunch and dinner. Our savings have been made especially on dinner; we find that we don't eat as much meat and it takes a lot less to satisfy us at night. Not only have the kids stopped grazing, they have better concentration at school, eat all of their dinner because its a smaller portion and have stopped that afternoon dash for sugar, chips and treats. The kids enjoy eating the bigger breakfast because they are really hungry in the morning, as opposed to eating a heavier meal at night when they are tired and fussy and likely not to eat much. Since changing our biggest meal from dinner to breakfast, I've lost five kilos in four weeks and our grocery bill has gone down by at least $30 a week. I can also bulk cook dinner and make them stretch even further now. I look and feel great, am saving money and my family is happier too!