Coconut oil is one of those universal wonders of nature that has a place in almost every room in the house. Many natural skincare recipes use coconut oil to repair moisture, exfoliate skin, and help with healing. As a light oil, it’s not hard to see how you might use it to keep your skin soft and supple and who doesn’t like that a sweet, coconut flavor when they cook? The real question is what truly amazing coconut oil uses are you and your family are missing out on? Below, 25 amazing health and beauty uses for coconut oil.

1.  Remove Stubborn Makeup

A dab on a cotton ball is all it takes to break down the protective coating in waterproof mascara. Make sure to wipe under your eyes, as well, to remove any traces of makeup and to gently moisturize the sensitive skin there. When you’re done, simply wash your face using your favorite cleanser and moisturize as usual.

2.  Gently Exfoliate

Mix your coconut oil in a bowl with a couple tablespoons of granulated sugar to gently exfoliate your skin while in the shower. The sugar and dead skin cells will go down the drain, but enough oil will remain to keep your skin soft and luscious.

3.  Prevent Razor Burn

Coconut oil is more cost effective and environmentally friendly than chemically based shaving creams. It’s light enough to soften the skin in preparation for shaving without irritation or clogged pores.

4.  Protect Delicate Areas

Dab a bit of coconut oil lightly around your eyes not just to moisturize, but to protect that delicate tissue and help prevent those fine lines from appearing.

5.  Soften Skin

Add beauty first aid to your list of coconut oil uses. Carry a small bottle of coconut oil in your bag and use it to perk up a tired face. Just brush a little bit along your cheek bones to soften the skin.

6.  Deep Condition Hair

Coconut oil penetrates better than most deep conditioners without leaving a chemical residue. Rub it on at bedtime, going from scalp to the tips of the strands, put on a shower cap and leave it in overnight. In the morning, shampoo and condition your lush locks as usual.

7.  Calm Flyaways

Use just a drop or two to control dry hair and keep those flyaways in check.

8.  Control Dandruff

A scalp massage with coconut oil before each shampoo means you don’t need harsh dandruff products. The use of coconut oil for hair doesn’t stop there, either. It will work to rid your little ones of lice in much the same way.

9.  Stimulate Hair Growth

Coconut oil is a natural choice to stimulate hair growth, so while you are massaging your scalp, pay extra attention to any thinning areas.

10.  Ease Muscle Pain

Coconut oil is just slippery enough to cut the friction without leaving a sticky residue behind. Use it after a workout to soothe sore muscles or when you want to ease muscle pain for a special someone.

11.  Use for Oil Pulling

Just put about a teaspoon of the oil in your mouth and swish it around for 20 minutes each day. The antimicrobial effect of the oil combined with the gentle swishing motion will leave you with a fresh clean mouth and pearly white teeth.

12.  Nourish Dry Cuticles

Dry cuticles lead to painful hangnails, so get proactive with a little dab of coconut oil. Just massage it in each morning or before your next mani-pedi.

13.  Moisturize Chapped Lips

Coconut oil is perfect for those cold days when your lips are dry and cracked.

14.  Treat Stretch Marks

We all have them! Just rub a dab in over your problem areas to reduce scarring and enhance healthy skin growth.

15.  Whiten Teeth

Mix a little coconut oil with baking soda to scrub away tartar for whiter teeth and fresher breath.

16.  Relieve Itchy Skin

Keep a small bottle in a first aid kit or picnic basket to treat bug bites and other itchy skin problems whether you are heading to the beach or to play in the park.

17.  Elevate A Relaxing Bath

A few drops in your bath water is all it takes to soften and soothe itchy, dry skin.

18.  Prevent Acne Breakouts

Coconut oil will not clog your pores and the antibacterial properties keep infection at bay. Apply the oil to existing pimples and problem areas for relief.

19.  Care for a Sunburn

Once your skin cools down, apply a little coconut oil to moisture the skin, ease the sunburn pain and prevent infection.

20.  Treat the Common Cold

Coconut oil isn’t the cure for the common cold but it can help relieve dry nostrils and sooth the sore skin around your nose. Just a little dab on a tissue is all you need.

21.  Create a Chemical-Free Deodorant

A little coconut oil with arrowroot powder, cornstarch and baking soda provide you with a healthy, natural and chemical-free deodorant.

22.  Prevent and Treat Chaffing

Take that same formula and use it as a body powder in areas prone to chafing like under the breasts. It can help relieve vaginal irritation and dryness, as well.

23.  Use as a Cooking Oil

Cooking with coconut oil introduces you to a rich antioxidant and may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

24.  Increase Energy

At least one study states that coconut oil benefits may include weight loss. The study author found that using coconut oil increases fat burning – giving you more energy.

25.  Add A Little Sweetness

Coconut oil adds a sweet and slightly nutty flavor to your baked goods and smoothies.

Coconut oil is a win-win solution for more things than you probably realize. Keep a bottle handy in the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.

It’s a mathematical fact of life that there are only two ways to end up with more money at the end of each month: add to your income, or subtract from your spending. If you don’t feel like getting a part-time job — who actually wants to work more? — saving money is the way to go. It doesn’t have to be hard, either. By shaving a little bit off your budget here and skipping a latte there, you can turn nickels and dimes into big bucks over the long run.

Not sure how to get started? Try these tips to jumpstart your savings today.

How to Save Money This Month:

1.  Pack Your Lunch

Brown-bagging it makes a huge difference. Make it easy on yourself and prep your meals the night before, or invest in some reusable containers for leftovers instead. Potential savings: $100-$200. 

2.  Turn Down Your Thermostat

For every degree you lower your thermostat in the winter, you can save about 3 percent on your heating bills. You’ll never notice a two-degree difference — especially if you put on a sweater. Potential savings: $3- $90.

3.  Plan Potlucks

Depending on how often you eat out, you can save a lot by entertaining at home. Invite friends over for a retro dinner party, or plan a potluck with a theme so everyone pitches in. Potential savings: $25-$200.

4.  Homebound Happy Hours

Can’t bear the thought of giving up fine dining? Try hosting a pre-dinner cocktail hour at home instead. You can learn to mix some snazzy new drinks and save on an expensive bar tab. Potential savings: $10-$100.

5.  Take Your Calculator Grocery Shopping

Stick to your budget (you have one, right?) by adding up the things you toss into your cart as you shop. If you max out before you have all your staples, put back the ice cream sandwiches. Potential savings: $10-$100. 

6.  Green Up Your Lighting

Switch to LED or CFL bulbs in your lighting fixtures if you haven’t already, and turn off the lights whenever you leave a room. You’ll cut way back on your electric bill this way, and the planet will thank you. Potential savings: $2-$20.

7.  Air Dry Your Clothes

Speaking of electricity, your dryer is a major energy hog. If you plan ahead and get a cheap drying rack, you can let your clothes air dry for free. Depending on how much laundry you do, this could really cut your energy bills. Potential savings: $4-$32.

8.  Use Apps to Save on Gas

Gas prices vary a lot, but apps like GasBuddy track price fluctuations and help you find the cheapest spot, no matter where you are. Your savings will vary depending on how much you drive, but with tech to help, it’s a no-brainer to get the best price. Potential savings: $5-$30. 

9.  Shop in Your Closet

Instead of buying new clothes this month, try reorganizing your closet instead. Hang your blouses in rainbow order, or organize your sweaters from most to least formal. Simply seeing your clothes in a new light can inspire you to put together new outfits and fall in love with an older item all over again. Potential savings: $20-$300.

{Editor’s Note: This post is not sponsored by or affiliated with any of the brands or businesses mentioned in this post.}

From snow-capped mountains to white sand, you dream of marrying your other half in an idyllic setting away from home. Your big day need not break the bank — affordable locations abound. Whether you’re saving your pennies for the honeymoon or simply looking for a beautiful and less expensive setting for your wedding, here are the 10 best affordable destination wedding locations for brides and grooms on a budget:

1.  Key West, Florida

Image via Wedding Spot / Ocean Key Resort & Spa

Eager for that carefree beach wedding but not willing to spend a bundle on booking a luxury resort? Key West offers the same sandy beaches and majestic ocean views, but at a fraction of the cost.

2.  San Juan, Puerto Rico

Image via Photo Lady Love

Puerto Rico offers all of the benefits of an international vacation, but with the added ease of domestic travel. Skip the passports and high airline fees, and instead, say your vows surrounded by natural rainforest or beach beauty.

3.  Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Image via Destination Weddings Expert / Gilberto Machin

If you desire the traditional resort-based destination wedding experience but can’t afford typical luxury locations, Punta Cana may be your best bet. The beaches are pristine and the opportunities for outdoor recreation endless.

4.  Prague, Czech Republic

Image via Kent Wong Photography

Enjoy the beauty of a European wedding on a moderate budget in Prague, a romantic city with plenty of historical charm. Eastern European cities such as Prague offer a similar aesthetic to more popular European wedding destinations, but at a far lower price.

5.  Dubrovnik, Croatia

Image via Perfect Weddings Abroad / Excelsior Hotel

Say “I do” along the stunning Adriatic Sea in the visitor-friendly city of Dubrovnik, where several Game of Thrones scenes were famously filmed. Get hitched overlooking the ocean or in a historic chapel. Either way, you will cherish the memories and the beautiful wedding photographs produced in Croatia.

6.  Burlington, Vermont

Image via Viera Photographics

Ditch the craziness of summer wedding season and opt for fall nuptials in Vermont, where you’ll enjoy stunning views of the autumn colors. Charming venues abound in the relaxed city of Burlington, which is also the perfect location for a memorable winter wedding.

7.  Dangriga, Belize

Image via Wedding Location / Powers Photography Studios

Gaze out at clear blue waters as you recite your vows in Dangriga, one of Belize’s cultural capitols. The city boasts a vibrant atmosphere, nothing like what you’d find in a typical resort town. Festive to a fault, it is the perfect destination for adventurous couples.

8.  Monterey, California

Image via Smetona Photo

Orange County gets all of the attention, but Northern California is chock full of lovely wedding destinations. Monterey is home to Lovers Point Park — what could be better for oceanside nuptials?

9.  Whistler, Canada

Image via Whistler / Tourism Whistler

Ski bums rave over Aspen and Jackson Hole, but often forget about Whistler, which offers luxury experiences at moderate prices. Winter weddings in Whistler are lovely, but the summer scenery is also gorgeous. No matter when you arrive, you’ll be thrilled to tie the knot in a picturesque mountain setting.

10.  Tulum, Mexico

Image via Mexico Weddings / Destination Weddings Tulum

Mexico is the top wedding destination for U.S. couples who get married abroad, and with good reason — there’s nothing quite like resort-style pampering. You don’t need to spend a fortune in Cancun to book the perfect destination wedding; opt for Tulum, an equally beautiful resort town with an appealing bohemian atmosphere.

From beachside relaxation to old-world charm, affordable destination weddings suit every personality and every budget. Whether you wed stateside or at a Caribbean resort, you and your sweetheart will never forget the thrill of tying the knot in a beautiful, intimate setting.

Feature image via Stocksnap

{Editor’s Note: This post is not sponsored by or affiliated with any of the brands or businesses mentioned in this post.}

There’s something about glowing skin that makes everyone stand up and take notice. It provides a natural, youthful appearance that screams confidence at any age. Have you ever wondered how to make your skin glow? Here are 10 home remedies for glowing skin that will keep your skin looking gorgeous year-round:

1.  Get Your Beauty Sleep

“Beauty sleep” has that nickname for a reason. Sleep deprivation prevents the cells from rejuvenating. This can give you a pale and washed out look. Aim for at least seven hours a day to wake up looking and feeling refreshed.

2.  Stock Up on Fruit

Fruit is a natural remedy for beautiful glowing skin and helps in staying healthy. Apple, avocado, banana, kiwi, lemon, papaya, pomegranate, plum, pineapple and strawberry all promote healthy, glowing skin.

3.  Snack on Nuts

Brazil, walnut and macadamia nuts are rich in oils and fatty acids that help repair and rejuvenate the skin. Eating a mix of the three on a daily basis can help with your pores and promote a healthy glow.

4.  Drink Plenty of Water

Hydration is a major factor in helping your skin get a beautiful glow. Drink at least two liters of water a day and watch your skin transform.

5.  Cleanse and Exfoliate Your Skin

It’s important to fully cleanse your skin every day. Do not go to sleep with makeup on, and exfoliate your skin on a regular basis. This will help remove the dirt and dead skin from your pores, helping them look smaller.

6.  Eat A Bowl of Cheerios

Believe it or not, Cheerios are full of zinc, which helps repair tissue, clear acne and other wonderful things. Eating a delicious cup or bowl of Cheerios with or without milk helps replenish nutrients in your body, aiding in the promotion of beautiful skin.

7.  Skip the Dairy and Opt for An Alternative

Having too much dairy in your diet can lead to acne. Using skimmed milk or an alternative instead can help alleviate breakouts, keeping your skin smooth and acne-free. Some favorite alternatives: soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk, and cashew milk.

8.  Get Out and Exercise

Exercise gets the blood pumping and provides your body with oxygenated blood. This helps the skin glow long after your workout is over. Exercising helps the body produce collagen, which keeps the skin healthy and supple. An added bonus? Beautiful spring and summer time weather encourages going outdoors for your morning workout!

9.  Cook with Your Favorite Vegetables

Certain fruits help promote glowing skin, but there are some vegetables that also aid in this process. Spinach, red bell peppers, tomatoes, garlic, pumpkin seeds, and collard greens are all good choices to get your skin in a beautiful, healthy state.

10.  Eat Fish Rich in Omega-3s

Fatty fish like salmon or sardines all promote healthy, glowing skin. Tuna and halibut are also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and perfect for maintaining a youthful glow year-round. If you love oysters, you’re in luck – they’re loaded with zinc and excellent for your skin!

These are just a few secrets on how to get glowing skin. Add a few of these to your daily regimen, don’t forget to moisturize, and watch your skin transform!