Tip of the Day #7: Overstock and Donation Stores

With money being a little hard to come by these days, I thought today's tip would help those of us who are especially hard-pressed. Overstock and donation stores aren't a big secret for some shoppers, but I thought I'd share some information, based on personal experiences, for women who may not be in the know.

Stores like Big Lots - with 1,500 stores in 47 states in the US - sell all sorts of merchandise at overstock and closeout prices, including a few brands of cosmetics. This is a great place to look for discontinued and highly discounted products. My local stores seem to have a good amount of cosmetics from Revlon, Milani, and a couple others; just the other day, I bought three products for about $8.

I've heard that in other states, you can also find some great items from NYX, a great high-quality budget brand available online and in some boutiques where I live.

If you go, make sure to check not only the beauty aisles, but the clearance items as well! Try to find a nice, clean store to shop in for the most enjoyable experience.

Another option is to check donation-based stores, such as Goodwill. These stores often have loads of unused cosmetics and beauty samples, such as from Avon representatives. If you're in a very dire financial situation, this might be an affordable option for you. Look for sealed, new cosmetics properly stored in closed bags.

I want to sincerely wish everyone well during difficult times, especially to those struggling and making sacrifices right now. I hope these tips might help some of you, and if you have any questions or just want to talk, drop me a line anytime by e-mail or via comments. :)

Happy budget beauty shopping!