My Clarisonic Mia 2: Update 2+ years later

I have had my Clarisonic Mia 2 for nearly 3 years! Wow, times flies!  I just wanted to update you what happened when my Mia 2 died and some other things...

Let me start off by stating that every Clarisonic item comes with a two year warranty. When I purchased my Mia 2 it came with a serial number on it (see other post about my Clarisonic saga) and I registered it. I'm so glad I did because within the first two years of owning it, it stopped working. Well sorta. It started doing the weirdest things. It wouldn't turn off. I had to wait until it ran itself dead. Then I would charge it and it wouldn't turn on. This was an annoying cycle that proceeded for a few days. Then it died. For good. Frustrated and internally freaking out (because I was addicted to my Mia 2). I emailed Clarisonic customer service. They asked how much I used it and how often I charged it. How this was really relevant to my dead Mia 2? Still not sure... Anywho, they sent me a pre-paid shipping label to send it back to them.So off  my beloved Mia 2 went off into the mail. A few weeks later I got it back.. I was SO thrilled to get it back. I opened the box and was surprised to see that that my Clarisonic Mia 2 wasn't in the box. Rather a plain white Mia 2 was in its place. If you don't know why this kind of bummed me out, then see my previous Clarisonic post. My original Mia 2 was pretty cute. Also, they threw in a free sensitive brush head. :)

So now its been at least a year later. My plain white Clarisonic works just fine and I'm still addicted to it. I have noticed that it doesn't stay charged as long as my original Mia 2. But it's not a make-or-break deal.

I got one for my fiance and its made a HUGE difference for his skin. I have solely been buying the cashmere brush heads, specifically the contour one. It gets into every nook and cranny around my nose. I love it. I used it everyday with the Philosophy Purity cleanser with a little Neutrogena oil free acne cleanser. I do not have acne anymore. I am always on the hunt for the right facial cleanser. The Purity cleanser is good, but I'm always up for trying new skincare. 

So please leave your suggestions for what cleansers you use with your Clarisonic! 

How I (easily) make money!

I have been a frugal person my whole life. I've been on my own since a young age and have had to scrap and save. Supporting myself through college was hard, but I found a few ways to help provide some extra income. Couponing has been life-changing, but there are more ways to help fatten your bank account.

• Pinecone Research (Survey) I have been a member of Pinecone research for a few years and have made at least over $150 when taking some surveys in my free time. I signed up and qualified (some people are not part of the audience they're looking for, so not everyone gets accepted). Every survey you're invited to take means you automatically qualify for, so you don't waste your time. Every survey ending in the digits -1001 you complete is 300 points or $3.00 in your pocket. You can trade in these points towards merchandise from brands like Tiffany and Co. or Fossil. I prefer to cash them out for money directly into my Paypal account. Also, there is no minimum to cash-out. Surveys ending in -3001 do not result in a reward payout, but does present the opportunity to test products, Same with the surveys ending in -1001. I have been sent numerous products before they hit the shelves to test and a week later I take a brief survey and get paid about 900 points ($9) and get to keep the product. It is a legitimate and easy to do while watching t.v. or killing time.
• E-Rewards (Survey Website & App) E-rewards is another good survey website. Unlike Pinecone research, you do not qualify for every survey you are sent. Survey payout is done in e-rewards currency. Each dollar in e-rewards currency is equal to about 33 cents in real world currency. So it can take awhile to accumulate enough money to cash-out for a reward. The cash-out rewards are gift cards for various stores from Starbucks to Macy's. It can take awhile to get to cash-in for a reward but it definitely adds up. This website is by invite only. I ordered pizza and afterwards I received an email inviting me to E-rewards. Same for my significant other. We both take surveys in our free time and cash out for gift cards. It requires some patience, but is worth it. They also have an app for a chance at extra surveys.                                          

• Ebates (Website) This website is awesome! In the first month of signing-up, if you spend $25 in online purchases you get a $10 from a list of retailers. How it works: Before shopping through an online retailer you go to Ebates.com first (after singing in) and then to the retailer's website from there. That's it! You get a percent back on your purchases. 

                                 

The percent back varies from retailer to retailer, but it certainly adds up. 

So far I have earned quite a bit for just doing one small, extra step.

 During holidays they will have as much as 10% cash back. It's great for holiday online shopping. Once you hit $5 in cash back you can have it sent via check to you, deposited into your Paypal account, or turned into gift cards. I prefer the check!

Here's a referral link to get started: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=LBNqV0PPCHrrKFh2gQ4fjw%3D%3D&eeid=28187 

I installed the Ebates extension into my toolbar (I use Chrome). 

It will notify you when the website you on currently on qualifies for cashback by popping out a small screen.

• Cartwheel (Target Mobile App) If you love Target like me then you have install this app on your smartphone ASAP. It's a great app that allows for even more savings. The app has coupons that are usually percentages off specified items. These discounts can usually stacked along with manufacturer coupons and Redcard 5% off. The app is available on Apple and Android smartphones. You can search for the item's discount by the search bar or scanning the barcode in the app. If there was an applicable coupon it will pop up. You can then clip it. You start with a limited amount of coupon slots and can earn more by saving certain amounts (i.e. $50, $100, etc). So far I've save over $300 since testing the beta about two years ago. 

                                        

• Mperks (Meijer Mobile App) This app is a must for those who shop at Meijers. It is very similar to the Cartwheel app. There are really good deals and sometimes free item coupons with this app. Also, there are rewards you can earn. For example, if you spend $35 in about a month in dairy products, you will receive a certain amount off your next purchase. It adds up and helps find some really good deals. You enter you phone number and a pin number (you choose) at checkout to link your mperks account.
     

• Retailmenot (Mobile app & website) This app is a must-have! I never have paper coupons for stores like Bath and Body Works. This app is a large search engine for retailer specific coupons. It's also a website that is a necessity for online shopping. 

                                    

Shopkick (Mobile App) This app is very different from the others. You open the app and search a specific store in the app. Once you bring that store up, you walk into the store and it registers that just walked into the store. You do this over and and over to collect points. The points can be redeemed for giftcards and sometimes certain products.
                    


Ibotta (Mobile App) After purchasing items from certain stores, you find that store in the app and see what items are eligible for credit. If you bought an item listed in the app from a redeemable store then you will scan the item's barcode and then scan the receipt via the app. Within 24 hours they will certified the item and give you cash back. Usually it's 10-25 cents, but it adds up. The money can be cashed-out for Paypal money or giftcards.
                                              

These apps and websites have saved/ earned me hundreds (dare I say at least a thousand) dollars. Following couponing websites (i.e. Krazy Coupon Lady) and couponing FB pages and Instagram account are awesome too! Hope this helps! 

Please let me know what websites/apps you utilize to save $$$.

The perfect grad gifts (for high school and college grads)

It's already coming up on graduation season. Times flies! For anyone trying to buy the perfect gift that's useful past graduation it can be overwhelming. I'll give you my two-cents for the best gift for the grad in your life.

**Let me start off by saying you know the recipient better than me so keep that in mind. I'm providing a guide, not a list of rules. Get creative to celebrate this joyous accomplishment.
My first suggestion isn't what to buy, but rather what not to buy. I would suggest skipping over anything with the graduation year on it (i.e. a 2016 picture frame or key chain). It will be awesome for about a week, but with time it will not have the same appeal. When I graduated high school everything with my grad year was the best. When I started college it was kind of embarrassing. I feel like grad year gifts aren't really common for college grads. Needless to say, I would just altogether skip anything with a grad year and try to give something with a practicality that will last for years after receiving their diploma.

• My first grad pick is for both college and especially high school grads- an Erin Condren Lifeplanner. These planners are amazing! If I would have owned one in college I would have been way more organized. They have 3 different layout options to choose from, multiple accessories, and are completely customized to you liking. If you go through this referral link and make an account you will receive $10 off your first EC purchase! 

https://www.erincondren.com/referral/invite/kristenkoch0922

• My second grad pick is an 'adult' watch. Whether graduating high school or college, a mature, stylish watch is a great way to enter the workforce. I am partial to Fossil brand watches due to the affordability and the great 11 year warranty. (Why 11 years?...Such an odd number for a warranty. No pun intended.) Fun fact: Fossil makes Micheal Kors' watches so it's the same quality and more budget friendly. My best tip to figuring out what metal the grad might like is to see what jewelry they wear (easier with girls) or simply ask their parents. You can go directly through the Fossil website ( https://www.fossil.com/us/en.html )or I like shopping Macys'.com (http://www1.macys.com/shop/jewelry-watches/fossil-watches?id=57369&edge=hybrid&cm_sp=us_hdr-_-watches-_-57369_fossil_COL2) because they tend to have more sales.

• Computers are a must-have for school and jobs. Everyone expects you have a computer. A nice laptop is a necessity for a college student. It's a gift they can use throughout their college career and beyond. The price of laptops have significantly dropped since I started college. 

• Bags make great practical gifts that show their personality. For h.s. grads entering college and college grads continuing their education, the right bag can make a big difference. I preferred a backpack during my early college years and a large tote for my lighter days. For a backpack, I would prefer a L.L. Bean backpack. I had one for years and the quality is superb. They have free shipping and helpful customer service. They do offer monogramming for a small fee and include solid colors and fun prints. I would recommend the Deluxe back pack and the roomy deluxe plus back pack. These do not have laptop sleeves built-in the bags, but L.L. Bean do offer some with a sleeve.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/62852?feat=816-CL1&page=l-l-bean-deluxe-book-pack&attrValue_0=Dahlia%20Purple

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/83531?feat=816-CL1&page=super-deluxe-book-pack

Here's the link to these and other back packs. http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/506219?page=school-backpacks&nav=3a-816      Another good back pack option for the special girl grad are Vera Bradley back packs. They offer those in different patterns, solid colors, and different styles. Vera Bradley bags come with a 6 month warranty. The campus back pack and the lighten up grande back pack are going to be my top choices. The price point is a little more expensive than L.L. Bean back packs, but there is more of a stylish element and more opportunities to include matching accessories. 

http://www.verabradley.com/product/campus-backpack/blush-pink/1004224_204406.uts?Nr=AND%28Content+Type%3Aproduct%29&Ntt=Campus+Backpack

http://www.verabradley.com/product/lighten-up-grande-backpack/paisley-in-paradise/1003811_204776.uts?N=30005

Some other  good ideas...

•  Throw in with any gift a Vera Bradley Zip ID and lanyard ( http://www.verabradley.com/category/back-to-school/ids-and-lanyards.uts ). Both are fairly inexpensive and are sold separately. These are popular with campus dwelling go-eds. They are perfect for holding the necessary cards, student ID, and keys. 

• Lastly my favorite suggestion for the graduating gal are Alex and Ani bracelets ( http://www.alexandani.com/ ). Each bracelet has meaning which makes them ideal for gift-giving. The price point is mostly at $28 each. They are great for stacking and our popular with all ages. I will have multiple posts about this awesome American brand in the future so stay tuned. 

When in doubt cash and gift cards are easy gifts. Gift cards to the stores closest to where they will be living are good. *Throw in the gift card or cash into the zip ID I mentioned earlier.

Hope this helps guide you to a better gift giving experience for everyone! 

If  you have an suggestions for the perfect grad gift or your worst gift please let us know below!