I am proud to annouce a new addition to my blogging portfolio.  My "Frugal Fine" blog at www.frugualfine.net belongs to a network of female bloggers called the WOW Network at www.wowwomensworldblog.com

The WOW network is a startup website that is still "under construction," but will be a site for women social networking. 

Don't worry, Budget Girl Talk is my main blog and is here to stay. Continue to visit to view an archive of all my writing. 

So to clear up the confusion, here are my blogs with a common theme of offering practical advice on how woman can live thier best life on a budget.

• Beauty on a Budget Examiner - www.beautyexaminer.com   Featured on Examiner.com, this online column contains money-saving beauty advice and product reviews 
• Frugal Fine - www.frugalfine.net  Featured on the Women's WOW network, offers daily advice Mon-Friday on money saving tips and frugal living.  
• Budget Girl Talk - www.budgetgirltalk.com  An archive of all my writing with a theme of offfering practical advice on how women can live thier best life on a budget.  

Thank you for reading! I love you guys.  If you have any money-saving tips or beauty advice you would like to share, feel free to contact me at budgetgirltalk@gmail.com

Are you in a mood for a new perfume or home fragrance?  It helps to know what uplifting effect a particular scent can have on you.   And even if a vacation isn't in the budget this month, you can definately uplift your mood by splurging on a nice fragrence.

Depending on what you are trying to achieve,  take advantage of these particular scents:

Citrus makes you feel happy!

Think: Clinique Happy or DKNY – Be Delicious $16 - $68 . They both contain notes of grapefruit.

Lavender is relaxing and calming.

Vanilla is soothing and gives home and cozy feelings because its associated with baking.  Often provides nostalgia for many (.i.e. positive memories of the holidays or family gatherings.)

Think: All About Eve by Joop! $34 or Vanilla Fields $6

With the the cost of food rising, a girl must have a plan to keep her food budget reasonable.  Below are some easy ways to lower your next grocery bill:

1.  Never grocery shop on a hungry stomach! - When you are hungry you are more susceptible to impulse purchases that can hike up your final total by up to 15%.  Fill up on healthy snacks before heading to the store.

2.  Don't buy your groceries with credit or debit cards. - Go to the ATM and put a set dollar amount in an envelope to spend at the grocery store.  This will further deter impulse shopping and prevent you from overspending on your allocated food budget.

3.  Don't buy toiletries or cosmetics from the grocery store - Grocery stores may mark up non-food items by up to 20%+ to help compensate on lower price margins in grocery sales.  Buy your toiletries at discounted drugstores or mass retailers like Wal-mart or Target.

4.  Shop "Manager's Specials/Discounts" with Caution! - It may sound tempting, but "Manager's Special" price on foods were cut to make a "quick sale,"  which may include food items that are already expired or close to expiration date.  It is not a deal if you purchase it and it quickly goes bad.  Buy these clearance items ONLY if you plan to use it the same day.

5.  Bulk is not always Best - A super size bottle of fruit cocktail isn't a deal if a large unused portion sits on your shelf.  Only buy bulk on staple items or foods your family readily consumes.

6.  Clip Coupons Selectively - Only use coupons on items you already purchase on a regular basis.  Don't buy a new, more expensive brand just because you have a coupon.  Check out my earlier post on this subject.

7.  Don't be afraid to shop generic on certain items - Generic brands are usually of good quality depending on the item.  As long as the the ingredient and nutritional value isn't compromised, generic is a good value.

image from foodstore.tv

In my earlier post Drugstorevs. Department Store, I explained that eye shadow was usually better to buy at the department store.  This was mainly due to the fact that drugstore brands usually contain a lot of talc and lack enough pigment for a rich color.  What you see in the case is usually the not the color that will show up on your skin.

But Loreal's H.I.P. makeup line delivers rich colors similar to higher end brands like MAC ($13 +), but with the convenience and low price that drugstore brands offer.  The HIP pigment powder eyeshahows ($7)  and cream eyeliners($11) are great buys. 

The only con with the cream eyeliner is the eyeliner brush that was included in the package.  It was very mediocre and felt harsh against my eye.  Purchase a separate eye liner brush to achieve a professional finish and you will be happy with the results.  I also found that is was pretty crease resistant as well.

A great new feature on Loreal's website is the customized beauty advice they offer to help you achieve your best look.  Just fill out a online questionnaire and get expert advice on the perfect shade, skin or hair care regime.  The star symbol will also appear next to items on their website they recommend specifically for you.

photos from lorealparisusa.com

Are you a book girl?  Is your idea of a good time a trip to Barnes & Nobles, sipping on Starbucks and reading through the best-sellers?  The cost of new books can really eat into your pocket, but being on a budget doesn't mean you can't enjoy the latest release from your favorite author. 

Here is a budget tip:  Relax and browse through the latest book titles as you normally would at the bookstore.  If you find a title you like, instead of purchasing one, order a a new copy through your local library website instead.  Sometimes libraries are slow in getting the newest books in but if you request it online, they will order a copy and reserve it for you to check-out.

Now you can enjoy the books you love, without breaking the bank!

If you tend to use your cell phone provider's 411 information services, those fees can really add up.  At $1 - 2 dollars a call, there is a way you can eliminate those pesky fees.

GOOG-411 (1-800-466-4411) is a phone directory service that is completely FREE and commercial-FREE.  Include this handy phone number in your cell for when you're out and about.

Say goodbye to 411-connect fees forever!