Basic Skin Care Tips for Healthier, Younger Skin

Healthy skin is always in–a fresh complexion goes with any fashion trend! When you are confident in the skin you’re in, you can take on any challenge that comes your way. Here are some basic skincare tips for healthier, younger looking skin.

  1.     Wash up: Skincare specialists recommend washing your face one to two times a day. Remove all makeup and dirt from the day to allow your skin to breathe, and use a gentle cleanser to lather up and take off the day to prevent irritation and breakouts.
  2.     Drink Water: One of the best ways to keep your skin plump and supple is by staying hydrated. Our bodies are mostly made up of water, and it’s essential for the health of our skin. Having enough water in your system lets your cells remove any waste and bacteria that can build up. On average, adults need about half a gallon or 64 oz of water a day, depending on your lifestyle or where you live. If you live in a hot and dry climate, you’ll need more water throughout the day.

      If you can’t stand the taste of plain water, try infusing your water with cucumber or fresh fruit. For on-the-go flavor, try water enhancers like Mio to make drinking water more enjoyable.

  1.     Moisturize: It’s not only important to drink plenty of water, but you also need to hydrate the outside as well! After washing your face at night, apply a light moisturizer to add extra skin hydration from added vitamins and collagen-building amino acids. The more collagen your skin has, the fewer wrinkles you will have.

     Moisturizers aren’t only for those with dry skin. It may seem counterintuitive, but by applying a moisturizer to oily skin, you can help control the amount of oil your skin produces. When you use drying products on oily skin, your skin counteracts by over producing more oil. When you keep your skin clean and moisturized, your skin doesn’t feel the need to pump out more acne causing oil to hydrate your skin.

  1.     UV protection: One of the biggest health threats to our skin is the sun. The harmful UVA and UVB rays penetrate our skin and destroys our collagen, leaving us prone to developing dreaded wrinkles. Even if you aren’t planning on spending your day outside, the UV rays are still able to get to your skin through windows, car rides, and walks outside. Look for a low SPF in your makeup or daily moisturizer to give your skin an extra layer of protection.

     When you do have a day planned outdoors, make sure to wear hats and stay in the shade as much as possible. A little sun is good, but too much can leave your skin damaged. It’s always best to err on the side of caution.

  1.     Use a Retinoid: Retinoids are creams infused with vitamin A, which aid in cell rejuvenation. The more healthy cells you have, the healthier and younger your skin will look. Retinoids can also help even out your skin tone reducing redness and dark spots. You can find the milder OTC version as Retinol. It may take up to 3 months to see a difference, but its benefits will last.
  2.     Exercise: By exercising regularly, you introduce more oxygen in your blood. Exercise can also help manage stress, which can keep your skin happy and breakout-free. On average, you should aim to have at least 3 days of 30 mins of heart-pumping exercise per day. You don’t have to be in a gym to get moving; try going for bike ride around your neighborhood, or stay out a little longer when walking the dog.
  3.     Good fats: Omega-3’s are excellent for your entire body, including your skin. Our skin cells are surrounded by a layer of fat. Without healthy fats, our cells couldn’t stay together. By adding more healthy fats and eliminating saturated fats, you’ll provide the best environment for your skin. Healthy fats are in fish, flaxseed, almonds, and you can always take supplements to get an all over boost.

Be kind to your skin today to keep your skin looking young for years to come! Healthy skin starts with overall healthy habits. When you care for your skin, you’re caring for your whole body.

 

Coolest Things to Buy for the Kitchen on Amazon for under $15

Amazon has virtually anything and everything you can think of to buy. Not only do they offer a wide range of products, but you can find many of them for very affordable prices. If you’re looking to spice up your kitchen, you can easily do so by shopping on Amazon. Here are six cool kitchen products you can find on Amazon for under $15.

Bottle opener ring: $1.16

This bottle opener is perfect for the avid beer drinker who doesn’t want to spend precious time looking for a bottle opener. Not only is it portable, but it doubles as an intriguing fashion accessory. Talk about a conversation starter! This party and kitchen must-have is a no-brainer. Wow everyone at the party with your effortless beer opening capabilities.

LED sink faucet sprayer nozzle: $6.39

Light up your sink with an LED faucet sprayer nozzle. This little add-on will transform your boring kitchen into a ray of colored light. It’s simple to attach, too. All you need to do is unscrew the existing spout, install the batteries, and screw on the new spout. Don’t limit yourself to just the kitchen. You can put these in the bathroom or anywhere else you have a utility sink. The kids will love seeing their toothbrush light up underneath the water. Getting ready for bed just became a little less dreadful.

3-in-1 Avocado slicer: $7.99

Who doesn’t love this creamy, delicious fruit? Ordinary kitchen utensils easily mush their soft wonderfulness, but not with the avocado slicer. This little gadget glides through the skin, has the perfect sized pit remover, and makes slicing a breeze. It’ll have you dreaming of all the avocado toast and guacamole in your future.

Strawberry Huller: $5.99

This handy-dandy little guy will give you the perfect strawberry every time. You don’t have to awkwardly bite around the leaves, or cut more than necessary trying to make your strawberry platter look presentable for your party. The Strawberry Huller has little arms that extend out in a cone shape. It only removes the leaves and the white core, leaving you with the perfect ripe strawberry. You’ll have endless amounts of pop-able, no-fuss strawberries!

Bear Paws Meat Shredder: $12.95

The manliest of manly kitchen utensils. After you have grilled or smoked a Boston Butt, grab these claws to rip the meat apart for serving pulled pork. Get back to your primal roots by using Bear Paws to shred your prey. These claws are made from BPA-free nylon, which are FDA approved. Don’t worry about leaving these near the grill—they are melt proof too, up to 475 degrees. Not to mention, they are dishwasher safe, making clean-up easy.

Get one for him and her! The Bear Paws come in various colors from black to pink and more. These time savers will get you from the grill and back to the party in no time.

Flashing LED Multi-Colored Freezable Ice Cubes: $14.95

Add more life to your party with these flashing LED multi-color freezable ice cubes. Have a cocktail? Keep it cold and fun with these ice cubes. The cubes are submersible and will turn on when they touch liquid. You don’t have to use alcohol with these ice cubes. They’re even fun beyond the bar; you can put them in flower vases to add to your sweetheart’s gift, or use them for kid’s birthday parties for a big hit!

The options are limitless when it comes to kitchen utensils online. With Amazon, shopping for the perfect new kitchen gadgets has never been easier. The best part is that all of these products can be purchased for under $15! What’s not to love? Get shopping!

How to Save on Your Electric Bill this Month

It’s summer in Jersey, and it is hot. You want to beat the heat, but you don’t want to waste your money. So, how do you save on your electric bill? By changing a few simple things around the house, you might be surprised at how much you can save on your electric bill.

  1. Unplug power suckers. Even though certain devices may be “off” they may still be draining your power. A telltale sign of a power sucker is anything that has a clock or light that remains on even though it is off. You don’t have to go around plugging and unplugging everything in the house; just plug them into power surge strips. Those nifty strips have a master power switch that can easily turn all of the plugs off and on.
  2. Program your thermostat. When you’re out of the house at work or school, set the thermostat to be warmer while you’re away, and have the temp cool back down 30 minutes before you get home. A good rule of thumb is to keep the coolest temp at 75 during the summer months to save the most on your bill.
  3. Use energy efficient appliances. Believe it or not, appliances account for about 20% of your electricity bill. Switching out your old appliances with new energy saving appliances can save you hundreds over just a few months. With all the extra savings, the new appliance practically pays for itself. Not only do you have a shiny, brand new appliance, but also you are adding to a greener household. Less electricity used means fewer emissions, and makes for a better carbon footprint as well.
  4. Wash full loads of clothes and dishes. Instead of doing smaller load of clothes, wait until you can wash a full load. Better yet, switch the dial over to a ‘cool’ temperature for all of the washes. This will save your water heater from kicking on. The cool water will give you a great clean without wasting extra energy. If you have a tough stain, pre-treat the spot before washing to forego the hot water cycle. The same principle applies to the dishwasher—only run it if you have a full load of dishes. For extra electricity savings, skip the steam dry cycle. You can let them air dry, or you can hand dry them as you put them away.
  5. Drink a cold drink, use a cool compress, or take a cool shower. It’s hot outside! The first thing you do when you come inside is swipe the thermostat down to cool you off. Rather than wasting more energy on making it arctic cold for a short amount of time, try other methods of cooling down. Make a cool drink to chill you from the inside out, or place a cool cloth on the back of your neck to help regulate your body temperature. To cool off instantly, jump in the shower for a quick, cool rinse. You’re sure to feel refreshed and back to normal afterwards.
  6. Close your blinds and drapes during the daytime. The sun’s rays are incredibly powerful. While it’s wonderful to have natural light spilling into your apartment, it can also heat things up. If you are not using a room or are away from home during the day, keep the blinds or curtains closed to block out the sun’s heat. You’ll be surprised at how a little thing like curtains can make a world of difference to your bill.

That’s it! Saving on your electric bill has never been easier. By simply being more mindful of what appliances are using the most energy in your home, you can prevent electricity from being wasted. Take shortcuts like drinking a cool drink before reaching for the thermostat, or drying the dishes by hand. Better yet, remember to close the blinds before you leave for work in the morning–it’s a small thing that can make a huge difference to your wallet. All of these are simple, easy ways to save on your electric bill this month. Happy saving!

Fall Back in Love with Your City

Living and working in one place for a while can sometimes put us into a monotonous routine. It’s time to fall back in love with your city and remember all the reasons you came here! Get involved and invested in the community around you. Make the change happen that you want to see, and benefit others around you. There are several ways that you can make a big impact in your community by doing small things.

  1. Discover your passion and pursue it. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? What do you love learning about? These are your passions, and there are others out there who share the same ones as you! Find a group or join a club that’s related to these interests. If you love cooking, take cooking classes; if you love painting, join a local guild or collective. When you join a group, you’ll learn about more opportunities around you to be involved in. You’ll also be surrounded with like-minded folks who can become excellent new friends.
  2. Make a commitment to volunteer at a local non-profit. Even if you’re only able to work a few hours a year, non-profit organizations are always looking for extra help. Find a non-profit that you have a passion for, and call them to schedule a time to meet or an event to join. There are usually plenty to choose from. You can volunteer at food banks, humane shelters, and mentor programs like Big Brother Big Sister. It can be a fun and new way to help out your community. If hands-on style of volunteering isn’t best for you, then serve on a board to assist with planning and fundraising. Non-profits are always in desperate need of extra funds and usually need someone to help budget and plan for big events.
  3. Shop local. The big box stores have their place, but as much as possible, try and support the locally owned and operated stores in your area. Your neighbors own these shops. Instead of giving your dollars to a corporation, keep your local economy strong by giving your business to your local grocer, handyman, and clothing shops. This way, everyone wins.
  4. See the sites. Be a tourist in your own city. Far too often we overlook the little gems that make a city beautiful. We forget to use the public spaces and fall into our routine of work, school, and home. Take a walk through the local parks and get to know others in your city. Attend local shows and support the arts. Go on guided tours and learn about the history of your town. Find a hole in the wall restaurant to go to. Most of the time, these are the hidden gems that give your city its personality.

Take it all in and become an active member of your community. You’ll meet new friends, care for your neighbors, and make positive changes in your local economy. It’s all about making connections. You don’t have to devote hundreds of hours to making change; one step at a time will get the job done. In the end, you’ll fall in love with your city all over again!

 

 

The All-Natural Protein Bar You Have to Try

If you’re like most people, you probably hear the words “protein bar” and yawn. Maybe you like the idea of a low-calorie, high-protein snack, but you just haven’t found the right one. All you can do is recall that last time you picked up a protein bar at the grocery store (because the packaging looked great) only to throw it away after the first dry, flavorless bite. Let’s face it, most protein bars just don’t make the cut. If you aren’t the biggest fan of protein bars, it’s totally understandable; but there is hope. There is a protein bar that not only is packed with nutritious, healthy ingredients, but that tastes good, too! It’s called RXBAR, and it has people everywhere running to their local health foods or grocery store.

For all of you soy-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free people out there, this bar is for you. Unlike many of the protein bars with processed ingredients, the RXBAR is made only with whole food ingredients. It includes ingredients such as egg whites, dates, nuts, cacao, and blueberries that your body craves (and will thank you for). Each RXBAR also contains 12 grams of egg white protein and 4 grams of fiber, all packed in only 200 calories!

Another amazing fact about the RXBAR is that there is absolutely no sugar added, and no GMO.

Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, you are about to get to the best part: the mouth-watering flavors.

Peanut Butter Chocolate

The natural chocolate and peanut flavors that are fused in this bar will have you craving it throughout the day. Just a blend of peanuts, cacao, and a pinch of sea salt does the trick.  No need for any unnatural ingredients.

Chocolate Sea Salt

This decadent protein bar includes nuts such as almonds and cashews.  The natural chocolate flavor comes from whole food ingredients, such as sea salt and cacao.

Blueberry

If you constantly crave blueberry muffins, then this RXBAR is the one to try.  Whole food ingredients such as dates, almonds, cashews, and blueberries make this bar a healthy, sweet snack.

Coconut Chocolate

Enjoy the perfect balance between cacao and coconut.  To make it even better, this protein bar actually contains natural coconut! That’s pretty impressive for a protein bar.

Peanut Butter

This smooth and creamy Peanut Butter bar satisfies every peanut butter craving.  The pure ingredients and high-quality protein make this protein bar a decadent dream come true!

Chocolate Chip

If you’re a chocolate chip cookie lover, then you’ll want to stock your cabinets with the Chocolate Chip RXBAR.  With natural vanilla and chocolate flavor, including 100% cacao, this protein bar is every chocolate chip cookie lover’s dream. Plus, why not get your protein fix, and the whole food ingredients that your body needs?

Mixed Berry

If you’re in a very berry mood, then pick up the Mixed Berry bar. Once you try this rich blend of cranberries, strawberries, and raspberries, you’ll never go back to another protein bar again!

So what are you waiting for?  Get to your nearest grocery store and pick up a few of these RXBARs. Depend on a healthy, protein-packed, ready-to-go snack throughout your day–and feel good about it, too.

Considering Going Vegan or Vegetarian? Read This.

At first, going completely vegan or vegetarian can seem like a huge undertaking. While it’s true that changing your diet will require you to make some lifestyle changes, there’s no reason to let that scare you away from trying something new. You can achieve a healthier, happier lifestyle by making small, incremental diet changes without uprooting your entire life. At the very least, it’s a good idea to become a more informed consumer, even if you’ve never considered living a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle. If you’re curious about what it’s really like to live on a plant-based diet, then keep reading to see if it could be for you!

 

If you’re under the impression that cutting out meat from your diet will be unmanageably difficult, then you’ll be relieved to know that’s not the case. Thanks to the internet, going vegan is easier today than ever before. There are literally hundreds of thousands of recipes out there that can help you to easily convert your meals to be vegan-friendly. Snacks, entrees, drinks, sides, and anything in between can be made to be environmentally-friendly. Tons of restaurants have gotten on board with the idea of offering vegan or vegetarian options as well, making it easier to go out without fear of having nothing to eat on the menu.

Be prepared to let go of some foods that you may have come to know and love as favorites, or even diet staples. (Read: cheese). That’s right, many people who decide to abruptly switch to veganism are surprised and upset to find that they’ll have to do without their lifelong comfort food. Our best advice is to come to terms with that early on, but realize that you can trick your brain into accepting vegan alternatives in their place over time as you transition. As mentioned before, there are vegan options for just about any food product out there, including cheese, burgers, hotdogs, and more. While the taste may differ slightly, it’s usually nothing to be too upset about.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you may face some backlash from friends or family who don’t live a plant-based lifestyle. It sounds silly, but many vegans report feeling singled out or being the brunt of the joke at the dinner table at family gatherings or when out to eat. If you don’t have particularly thick skin, you should try not to let any comments or remarks get to you, as this is common and expected when living an alternative lifestyle. The good thing is that because veganism and vegetarian are becoming more accepted and even mainstream, you should be dealing with this less and less. Plus, who cares, anyway? If you’re living the life you desire, whether for health, environmental, or animal rights reasons, then that’s all that matters.

Going vegan or vegetarian will have your body seeing some serious health benefits, both immediately and over time. As your body adjusts to its new diet, it will go through some changes, especially if you are making a more drastic lifestyle change and were consistently eating unhealthy. If that’s the case, don’t put your body through too much at once—while it’s great to want to get healthy, you need to allow some time for your body to adjust. Never make any dramatic reductions in the amount of calories or other nutrients your body is taking in, unless directed to do so by a doctor. Going fully vegan may take time, and isn’t for everyone, due to various health reasons.

 

While going vegan can seem like a huge undertaking, it doesn’t have to be a huge deal. As long as you listen to your body, make an effort to branch out, and explore your options, you should have no problem making the switch if you so desire. There are a ton of vegan recipes online, as well as vegan bloggers who can offer great support and tips along the way during your plant-based journey.

Famous Food Native To New Jersey

New Jersey is known for all kinds of things, from diners to beaches to its delicious food. There are tons of different foods that have originated from the state of New Jersey and some have become favorites all around the world. These are a few of the most famous foods that call New Jersey.

Tomatoes and Tomato Pies

New Jersey isn’t called the Garden State for nothing! Jersey is a huge producer of corn, eggplant, and different kinds of berries, but the best vegetable to come out of the Garden State could be the Jersey tomato. Jersey tomatoes have gained notoriety as some of the freshest and tastiest tomatoes on the market, in part because of the way they are grown. New Jersey does not have a lot of commercial farms where quantity is more of a concern than quality. The farms in Jersey tend to be smaller and there are still a fair amount that are family owned. There is more of a concern on quality in Jersey Tomatoes than in most other tomatoes on the market. Jersey has grown tomatoes for a long time, which helped bring about the tomato pie. The tomato pie might not sound all that appetizing to an outsider, but if you try it you will know why it is so beloved. It got it’s start in Trenton years ago and is your average pizza but instead of the focus being on the topping, cheese, crust, or anything else, it is all about the tomato sauce. There are different spin offs to the tomato pie, but they all resemble a normal pizza with the sauce much more prevalent. Of course, the tomato pie is best made with fresh Jersey tomatoes!

Pork Roll (Taylor Ham)

It is going to be hard to find something from New Jersey as popular as pork roll. The meat, often served for breakfast, got it’s start in Trenton as far back as the mid 1800’s. If you have never had pork roll, it looks and feels similar to bologna but is a more hearty meat. It can be served a number of different ways, but sandwiches, omelettes, with eggs, or just with cheese are the most popular variations. Pork roll has become so popular that there is now a huge annual festival that takes place in Trenton focused on it. The event is full of different merchandise, contests, music, and sponsors all centered around pork roll. To find out more about next year’s pork roll festival visit porkrollfestival.com

Hot Dogs

While New Jersey certainly did not invent the hot dog, they put a unique spin on it. Jersey has hot dog stands all over like you don’t find anywhere else. Nearby New York City and Coney Island are known internationally for their hot dogs, so Jersey needs to do something to stand out. No matter where you are in the state you are never far from a spot to get a great hot dog. These hot dog stands offer all kinds of unique ways to get your dogs, from deep fried to stuffed with bread. For a full list of other crazy hot dogs you might see in New Jersey see here http://www.saveur.com/best-hot-dogs-styles-new-jersey.

Salt Water Taffy

Certainly the sweetest treat off of our list is the salt water taffy. Salt water taffy comes from Atlantic City and was first made sometime in the late 1800’s. The chewy candy has become a favorite of Jersey shore beach goers. It has become part of the tradition of summer trips to the shore and is a great treat on a hot summer day. It is just traditional taffy with a saltier taste. There is an urban legend that says that saltwater taffy had an interesting beginning. It says that an AC candy store got flooded by a high tide in 1883 and some taffy fell into the water, and the saltwater taffy was born. Even if this isn’t the real way saltwater taffy came about, it is a great story to tell! Salt water taffy may not be the most popular export from New Jersey, but it is one of the best traditions the state has to offer.

There are all kinds of other treats and foods from New Jersey that didn’t make our list, these are just the more popular ones. As one of the oldest states in the US, Jersey has spurred all kinds of foods that we have come to know and love.

How To Limit Your Child’s Technology Use

Technology is the best! Well most of the time anyway… Kids are becoming more and more reliant on technology at younger and younger ages, but how do you as a parent stop it? After all, kids are quiet and occupied while on their devices and they can even use them for education, so it certainly has some advantages. Below are some tips to get your kids off the technology and out into the world!

Don’t Give Them The Option

The easiest way to stop your kids from using technology is to not allow them access in the first place. Not allowing them to have a cell phone is not really practical in today’s day and age, but there are all kinds of ways to limit their use of it. You can password protect tablets and other things so that the kids need to have you unlock it to use it. This wouldn’t really work on a cell phone, but is a great way to keep your children off their computers and tablets. You could also try getting them involved in more activities like sports or clubs. The less time they are sitting around at home, the less time they will spend on their devices. You should also try to limit the amount of time they spend alone especially in their room as this can hurt their social skills and make them more and more dependent on their devices. Your kids might not like some of these more black and white methods of limiting their technology access, but it will certainly be effective.

Start With You

As with anything else in life, it is important to set a good example for your children. They take after you in everything they do, so if they see you using technology all the time they will likely do the same. Lets face it, we all probably spend way too much time on our own devices. We know how addicting it can be to sit on your phone and scroll through news and social media, so try to set a certain amount of time that you are on your phone each day. There are all kinds of apps for this and it is a great way to monitor your own personal dependence on technology. If kids see you sitting on your cell phone all night, they will think it is acceptable and will be more likely to become dependent on technology.

More Extreme Measures

You can try some more extreme measures if your child’s technology dependence is more serious. You can try implementing “tech-free zones” where no one, including you, is allowed to use cell phones. This would make a lot of sense at a place like the dinner table or living room, but if your problem is serious enough you can expand from there. You could even make everyone put their devices in certain places when entering a room, like a specific drawer. It is important that you follow the same rules the kids are forced to in these rooms so they don’t feel like they are being singled out. Another great way to limit your kid’s technology dependence could be to draw up a contract that they must sign and follow. This is a great way to make sure that your kids honor their commitment to not using technology and could even be a fun exercise for them as they feel they are doing something more official.

Traditional Methods

There may not be a need to reinvent the wheel when trying to get your kids to stop using so much technology. You can try just talking to them and explaining why it is harmful and why they shouldn’t be doing it as much. This will be a hard sell to your child but is at least worth a try. You could also try a reward system like you have probably used in other situations. You can tell your child an amount of time they are allowed to be using technology and give them a simple reward if they follow that. If not, you could further limit their usage which would really make them want to follow the rules. These methods may seem like the old school way to solve a new school problem, but a lot of times they are the best way.

Technology is not always bad, but it really can become harmful if children become too dependent on it. It can hurt their social skills and physical health, so if you think you need to limit your child’s use of technology give some the methods above a try!

The Most Expensive Cities In The World

Nearby New York City is said to be one of the most expensive cities in the world and you have probably experienced that first hand. Everything is more expensive in the city, but it doesn’t even compare to some of the other most expensive cities in the world!

Singapore

Singapore in Asia is largely considered to be the most expensive places in the world. It has been atop of the Economist Intelligence Unit’s list of the most expensive places in the world for 3 straight years. It is one of the biggest party cities and business cities in all of Asia, making it one of the biggest tourist attractions. With tourists and partying comes high prices, largely because they are unfamiliar with the area and will pay whatever is presented to them. A huge factor of Singapore’s success is it’s location. It is centrally located in Asia with easy access to all major Asian countries and a short flight from Europe. It has firmly positioned itself as the most expensive city in the world and doesn’t look to be falling from this spot anytime soon.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland and has become a popular vacation destination. It is a unique crossover between natural beauty and party city. Flights to and from Iceland are relatively cheap, but the spending starts once you get there. Pretty much everything in Reykjavik needs to imported from all over the world. There are few things that are produced in Iceland and it is in a hard to reach location, making things rather expensive. For example, beers at the bar are typically the equivalent to $10 US dollars, which is an astronomical price for most American cities. There are all kinds of different things to do in Iceland, like visit the Blue Lagoon spa, that are not terribly priced, but that is made up for in living expenses. If you plan on taking the trip to Iceland anytime soon we recommend being on the lookout for happy hour deals.

Zurich

Zurich is one of the biggest cities in Switzerland and is currently ranked the 3rd most expensive city in the world. It is known for its unbelievable scenery and architecture that is all over the city. The country of Switzerland as a whole is said to be an expensive place, and Zurich certainly shows that. One of the big reasons Zurich and Switzerland are so expensive is the work force they have. The biggest employment industries are things like finance, insurance, chemicals, and luxury goods. One of the biggest exports of Switzerland are luxury watches, a good example of what the economy is comprised of. People who work in these industries require higher pay, meaning that the economy can support higher priced items. The skilled workforce allows for everyday items to be more expensive because the local residents will have no problem paying for them. If it is in the budget, Zurich is an incredible city to check out and spend a few days in.

New York City typically falls around 10 on the list of the most expensive cities in the world, so believe it or not there are much worse. These cities are all so expensive because they are such desired destinations that people will often visit with no regard for what they are spending. We suggest having your wallet ready if you plan on taking a trip to any of these international cities!

Assessing Different Coffee Options

If you drink coffee every day like so many people do it is a huge decision deciding which brand you will be loyal to. Very few people frequent different brands, everyone seems to have their go to. There are different reputations of all the brands, but which one really is the best? Below we take a look at a few major coffee options and what makes them great.

Dunkin Donuts

Dunkin Donuts has become one of the most well known brands in the world. In recent years especially, there have been new Dunkin Donuts popping up all over the place as the brand’s popularity exploded. This is part of what makes Dunkin a great daily coffee option, there is one on the way to and from pretty much every where. The Dunkin Donuts app is a huge advantage of using DD. You can download the app and load it with money so you can use it as a payment method every time you are at a store. The app also enrolls you in the DD Perks program which will give you all kinds of discounts and bonuses. You earn points each time you pay with your app and receive free items after certain amounts of points. Dunkin also has a more extensive food menu than most other coffee options so it is a great place to grab a coffee and a bite to eat.

Starbucks

The other major coffee chain in the United States and around the world is Starbucks. It is a slightly pricier option than Dunkin Donuts, but some people don’t mind paying extra for the experience. Starbucks is a more personal and high class in store experience. There are very few drive thrus as Starbucks aims to be more of a cafe where people can sit and read or enjoy wifi. Starbucks are not quite as common as Dunkin Donuts, but there is always one not far off your route. The food menu at Starbucks is not quite what it is at Dunkin, but they still offer a variety of breakfast options. There is a Starbucks app but with a rewards program similar to Dunkin Donuts. If you are looking for more of a place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee for a few minutes, Starbucks is the place for you.

7/11 or Wawa

7/11 or Wawa for the local residents are a great place to stop for coffee. It is perfect if you are getting gas or anything else in the morning. The drawbacks with these stores usually lie in taste and the fact that you have to make it yourself. You are not handed a ready to drink coffee like at Starbucks or Dunkin, instead you pour it yourself and add whatever you wish. Coffee at 7/11 and Wawa tends to be a little cheaper than the coffee centric stores, but you do not have the extensive list of coffee drinks. You will have more and often better food that you can buy with your coffee at these stores making it a great option for breakfast. Both the stores have an app that has a great rewards program. Wawa has free coffee days for rewards members and 7/11 offers every 7th coffee for free! So if you don’t mind doing a little work yourself, Wawa and 7/11 are always great coffee options.

Make It Yourself!

Let’s face it, we all know this is probably what we should be doing. But keeping coffee supplies stocked and getting up and making it every morning is much harder than just buying one everyday. Making your own coffee every day can save you hundreds of dollars a year. You don’t realize it, but a coffee for 2 dollars or so really adds up when you are doing it 5 days a week all year long. If you are able to make your own coffee it is a great idea not only for the financial savings but the time savings. You will save time on your daily commute if you are not adding another stop for coffee and are just going straight to work. Although it may not be the fun way to go, making your own coffee makes a lot of sense.

If you are a coffee lover you probably already have your regular spot. So many of us stick to the above options without experimenting with the others. They are worth trying if for no other reason than signing up to the rewards programs often gives you something for free!