Tipping Etiquette

Quite often I have wondered how much to tip when it came to services and really everything beyond eating out at a restaurant. I'm a very generous person if the service is good so I always want to make sure I'm giving enough. Not knowing the proper tipping etiquette can actually be rather stressful. Have you ever gotten your hair or nails done and loved them, but had no idea what the proper tip was? I still to this day have no idea so I way over tip. Knowing how to tip the housekeeper, forget it, I'm clueless when it come to that too. There are even times when you can tip but its not necessary, but how do you know? How about after a massage, do you tip? You're suppose to. I have massage merchants who consistently share stories of being stiffed. I'm convinced people just don't know better. 

For those out there like me I did some research and put together a list of the basic services and their tipping rules. Hopefully this can be helpful for you, if you aren't sure all the time just like me.

• Restaurant- The standard is 15%. I tend to do 20%+ if the service is good though. Quite frankly I think the standard should be 20% in 2012 when the cost of living is outrageous. People do not be confused, all too often lately I have heard from men that the standard their grandma taught them was 10%....NOT TRUE anymore!! Tip well :) 
• Bar- The same goes for the bar, tip 15% and 20%+ if the service is great. Sometimes I'll just do $1 a drink to make it easy. 
• Speaking of restaurants and bars...if you're using a Coupon or Daily Deal discount....TIP ON THE TOTAL before the discount comes off. This is a huge, yet common mistake. 
• Massage therapist- 15%
• Nails- 15%
• Hair stylist- 15-20% I also learned you should tip your shampoo girl (sorry all girls of the past). 
• Car Detailing- 10% Make sure to tip appropriately also depending on the # of attendants working.
• Food Delivery - 15% (I try to tip at least $2-3 minimum)
• Taxi- 15%
• Valet- Tip when the car is returned $2-3

If you can think of any please add on!! 

Weight Loss Challenge....to self!

Over the past couple of years I have started to shed some unnecessary pounds. I honestly haven't had any major gains or anything and have been about the same since my early 20s, but I realized although I love me I'd love me even better a few sizes smaller fitting into the cutest clothes lol. Last year total I lost about 18 lbs and I think that was a mix of going to the gym and eating new things that were just better. I'm not that person that can sit down and eat a bag of chips or a tub of ice cream but I am the lazy lady that will pick up fast food way too often because it is the easy thing to do. At the beginning of the year I joined Weight Watchers to get me going. So far this year I have lost 8 lbs which I am happy about but it's not nearly where I want to be. I am ready to start shedding a lot more weight.

I plan to really get back into the game and start going back to the game and totally taking fast food 100% out of my life. Also....drum roll....POP. No more pop and I need to cut down on beer. Honestly the hardest part isn't that I crave these things it is that they are EASY and I hate cooking. I told my roommate tonight that its time to step up and we need to cook together and it'll help me shed some lbs and save some money!!

What I need....EASY and AFFORDABLE recipes that don't take a lot of time but that taste good!! If you have any please share. If you've been here and succeeded share your secrets and tips.