Is That Really the Hot Tub You Want?

A hot tub can be a wonderfully therapeutic addition to your household. Hot tubs help relieve stress, relax muscles and even help with some physical ailments. But they can also be a hefty financial investment. Before purchasing a hot tub, you should carefully consider what you will really use it for and buy accordingly.

Housing situation

For one thing, consider your housing situation. If you are living in a house you own and intend to be there for a while, a larger tub, 5- to 7-person, can be a good choice. If you expect to move soon or will be renting in the near future, a portable hot tub might be better. The larger to tub, the more difficult and expensive it is to move. A bigger issue is where to place the tub. Larger models need a solid concrete base; an empty 7-person hot tub typically weighs nearly 1,000 pounds. You also need access to a 220 outlet for a big tub. Smaller, portable hot tubs often run on 110 and don’t need as much security beneath them since they are much lighter. Being lighter, of course, also makes them easier to move. The number of people who will be using the tub will also make a difference. Portable hot tubs often seat only two people, and neither can lie down. Many 5- and 7-person tubs have lounge seats that take the place of two, so someone using the lounge in the largest tub still allows 5 people to join in.

Jets

Typically, bigger tubs also have more jets. While the number of jets may not seem important to you, without enough jets, the hot tub is more like a slowly circulating bath. If you are considering the hot tub for physically therapeutic reasons, get more jets. Of course, salespeople will probably tell you that you want the most jets possible, but that isn’t necessarily true. You don’t need the highest number available, but don’t settle for the least because it’s a little cheaper.

Heat

Although portable hot tubs don’t often have the option, the larger models may have a feature that allows the tub to run and heat at the same time. Of course, this adds expense to your purchase. However, if you will be enjoying the outdoor tub in the winter on a cold night, it might be more comfortable to have the tub at optimum temperature before you get in it and have it heating while you are there. In such situations, tubs will lose heat just by being opened, and a few degrees can feel very different on your skin. If you intend to use the tub only in warmer weather or inside, then don’t waste your money on this feature.

Used hot tub

Finally, consider buying a used hot tub. People are often finding they just don’t use the tubs as much as they thought, or they can’t afford them because of the added expenses like water, electricity and chemicals. Sometimes they just need some quick cash, and a hot tub usually has a pretty big wad of money tied up. Auctions, internet sources and local want ads are all great places to find used tubs. You can often find deals on tubs that are fairly new and are ¼ the price of a new one. Be sure to find out about shipping and delivery costs and arrangements before you leap. Even if the warranty is not transferable, most tub companies cover the plumbing and motor for five years or less, so you aren’t really missing out on a guarantee if you get a good enough price. While buying a hot tub is not typically an impulse purchase, you might be unhappy with the product long-term if you don’t carefully consider these issues before buying. Read reviews, visit showrooms to actually see differences, and carefully compare the factors that matter most to you. Then you will have a hot tub that gives you years of enjoyment.

10 Reasons to Go Makeup Free.

Going without makeup has become something of a trend in recent years. Heidi Klum has done it, so have Kate Moss and Brooke Shields. HuffPost Live hosts Caitlyn Becker and Caroline Modarressy Tehrani also did it. Beyond the need to keep up to date with fashion trends, there are some good reasons to go makeup free. Here are ten of them to get you started.

1. Your Skin Will Get Healthier

Makeup was never intended to improve your health, only your appearance. It does the latter very well in some cases, but the former quite poorly. Continuous, daily makeup use can actually increase wrinkling and cause your skin to age faster. A break from makeup is a great way to improve moisture, reduce blemishes, and help clear up complexion. Focusing on improving the health of your skin, rather than concealing it, is a major benefit of going without makeup.

2. Time

Applying makeup takes time, time that you could spend doing something else you enjoy. If you do something that brings you joy, you’ll be a happier, healthier person. That said, personal time spent “getting ready,” whether its first thing in the morning or before a night on the town, can also be relaxing and help you prepare for what lies ahead. Even if you aren’t applying makeup, take the time to wash your face, comb your hair, and get into the right mindset for tackling your next task.

3. It Lightens Your Load

Applying makeup is never a once and done event. You have to check it, re-check it, and re-apply it throughout the day and night. If you don’t wear makeup, then you don’t have to carry a bagful of cosmetics with you everywhere you go. You’ll be lighter, freer, and you’ll spend more time engaged with the world around you because you won’t be checking your makeup in the mirror several times per hour.

4. It Improves Your Confidence

This may seem counter-intuitive, but if you are the type that regards makeup as a sort of shield, then going without it can help you improve your sense of self-worth. You are likely to find that people love you just as much without makeup as they do with it. Knowing that people like you for you is a powerful boost to self-esteem.

5. True Love

Believe it or not, many men prefer women with little or no makeup. They find the real you attractive and interesting. If you meet the guy of your dreams sans makeup and he engages with you, then you never have to worry about waking up next to him with unkempt hair and eye crud. He loves you, not your makeup.

6. Harsh Chemicals

As much as cosmetics manufacturers work to make makeup safe and healthy, they can’t avoid or even know about all of the effects that arise from putting chemicals onto your skin. More important than the makeup itself, however, are the products used to remove it, which are relatively harsh chemicals.

7. Vitamin D

Okay, this sounds a bit weird, but remember that sunlight helps your skin convert precursors of vitamin D into the active product that helps build bone. Vitamin D is critical to good bone health and covering your skin with makeup actually reduces the amount of sunlight reaching it. Do your bones a favor and let the sun make direct contact with your skin. It will also feel great. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!

8. Allergies

Makeup products contain large numbers of ingredients, any one of which can cause allergy. This is particularly true of people with sensitive skin, but even people who don’t have overt reactions to makeup may be increasing the level of inflammation in their bodies. In some cases, the reaction may develop over time, after years of exposure. To avoid allergic reactions, avoid makeup.

9. It May Harm Animals

Most makeups, even if not tested on animals, still contain ingredients that come from animals. If you want to be a friend to the animal world, then you’ll want to avoid makeup. You can use your choice to go makeup free as a message about your commitment to doing good in the name of animals.

10. It Saves Money

Estimates vary, but it is thought that the average woman spends about $300 per year on makeup. Choosing to reduce or eliminate makeup from your budget could be the difference between a vacation and staycation. A little time on a tropical island or the opportunity to get away from the bustle of daily life may do more to improve your appearance and your health than makeup ever could.
The truth is that makeup is not essential. Sometimes culture, habit, or personal insecurities lead us to believe that we need something that we really don’t. Try going a week or two without makeup and see how you feel. Most women feel happier and healthier without makeup, even if they only do it for a week or two every few months as a sort of holiday. How often do you go without makeup?

6 Smart Money Moves You Should Make Before You Turn 30.

It’s easy to be irresponsible with money when you’re young. You don’t realize how important it is until you start getting older. Here are 6 money moves you should start making by the time you’re 30.

1. Set up a savings account

Setting up a savings account is just the first step. You have to actually use it once you have it. Remember that it doesn’t matter how much you save, as long as you’re saving something. The numbers add up whether you save $10 a month or $50.

2. Start saving for retirement

You might think it’s too early to start thinking about retirement, but it’s never too early. The earlier you begin saving, the more you can potentially save. If your work offers a retirement plan, you should look into it and take advantage while you can. It never hurts to plan for the kind of retirement you’d like to have. Remember that once you retire you will have less money to live on than you do now. If you hope to maintain the same kind of lifestyle or do things such as travel, it’s important that you begin saving now.

3. Stop spending more than your earn

This is a good habit to get into as soon as possible. The sooner you start spending less than you make the sooner you can start saving. Spending more than you earn will only get you into debt. Don’t rely on any savings you have to cover the extra bills you rack up. That’s not what savings are for. It’s important that you know exactly how much you earn, so that you can spend less.

4. Learn to budget

This goes hand in hand with spending less than you earn. A good way to do this is to figure out all the numbers. First, know how much you earn. Next write out all of your fixed expenses (the ones that stay the same from month to month). Some bills, such as groceries, may vary from week to week, but you still want to have an idea of how much you can spend instead of just spending willy-nilly. A good way to save money when grocery shopping is to plan meals ahead of time so that you buy only what you need.

5. Start actively paying off your debt

If you have debt, don’t wait to pay it off. When you don’t pay something off the interest begins building. Interest can add up to a lot of money, especially if you continue to put off paying off your debt. Eventually you could find yourself paying hundreds of dollars a month just in interest. Having unpaid debts also effects your credit, which can hurt your chances of buying a home or a car.

6. Learn to negotiate

You might think that because items have a price tag, that’s exactly what you have to pay. You can actually negotiate with sales people and get a better price. This comes in especially handy when you are in the market for big ticket items such as stoves, refrigerators and washers and dryers. You can ask for a better price or you can even ask to purchase the floor models to save money.
Instead of looking at finances with dread, look at them with excitement. They really can be exciting, especially when you begin thinking about the future and saving for your dreams.