Things that make you go hmmm… Holiday Spending

So, now that the holiday season is almost hear, many people are dancing and leaping into debt. NOT CUTE!!!

I hate to be this candid but I must ask why? Why would we (in the name of G-D, holiday cheer or holiday spirit) wanna go into debt? Why would you wanna be happy for one day, 12 days or 7 only to be crying the next year?

I, for one, just worked very hard to dig myself OUT of debt. Personally, it feels good to have money in the bank “just in case”. Now, this isn’t a plea to get people to believe one thing or another. It isn’t a religious or moral rant about what you should or shouldn’t believe.

 *(Some don’t celebrate ANY holidays. Some celebrate Christmas. Some Hanukkah etc.)*

My point? IF YOU’VE GOTTA SPEND THIS SEASON, BE WISE!!! And remember the season of 70% off starts December 26th. 

Here are some ways to save BIG for the holidays.

BROKE DON’T LOOK GOOD ON YOU III

BROKE DON’T LOOK GOOD ON YOU III

There are a lot of fun and easy ways to start building wealth… Or @ least to have enough money for the gas fiasco we are facing. Ha! I opened a high intrest account via ING DIRECT. I love it! My current intrest (yeilded) is 5.00%, it’s secure and easy to use. U can get the money directly deposited from your employer paycheck or a checking account from your bank. This way it is automatic. You get used to not having the money “in hand” and thus create a spending plan without it.

COME BACK, COME BACK… WALK INTO THE LIGHT CAROL ANN…

Seriously not to bore you. Financial planning can be fun. No one can dictate to you how much to save, how often or for what. It is entirely up to you but if you don’t want to join the ranks of the increasing young, fab and broke than man up. Do something for you. A couple of great reads are THE YOUNG FABULOUS AND BROKE by Suzie Orman, THE AUTOMATIC MILLIONARE by David Bach, RICH DAD POOR DAD by Robert Kiyosaki and A GIRL AND HER MONEY by Sharon Durling. No I haven’t read all of them (I have read a couple on that list) but I know from friends, some family and other money makers that they all hold valuable advice in their own perspectives. YOU CAN AFFORD TO SAVE For Some strange reason people (especially young people) are tricked into believing they can’t afford to save. Truth is you can’t afford not too. With the trend of higher intrest rates (on everything from credit cards to cars), souring gas prices, medical expenses and lay offs saving should be becoming a priority for most. However with the influence of pop culture, the green-eyed monster and the gottahaveitnow syndrome people are duped into living it up and living pay check to paycheck. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE shopping, eating out, going to theathe and the nines but within reason. See you put that stuff within your spending plan. You treat saving like a paycheck to yourself and with intrest! Your money builds over time but with it being out of sight/mind the time creeps up on you and you’ll be moving toward thousandare statis in no time. Gotta love it. I will be blogging about various financial challenges, posting good financial links and advice and in the near future doing interviews with some financial experts. Check out the Don’t Say Budget and Don’t Break The Bank segments to find practical advice on budgeting, saving and styling on any income.

Clearance + Style = Bargain Stylist

There is nothing like a together woman. Poised, confident, fly… What more could u ask for? Perhaps a rare combination, I am as finance conscious as I am fashion conscious. (Take that Prada!) I love making sure that I, and the women around me, are looking our very best. I marvel @ the opportunity to help my clients look their best and stay within a reasonable budget. For instance taking $300 and coming out with 3-5 outfits or at least 3-5 pieces to greatly enhance their wardrobe. It is really doable!

One of the ways to do it right is to hit the clearance racks up! Depending on your style, price point and what your wardrobe needs this can mean different things. For me it means a really great pair of shoes, coat and accessories. ( U can change a whole look by changing your outerwear, shoes and accessories)

Many stores keep a clearance rack most times of the year and depending on how the excess will have items within that season on sale.  If I were shopping I’d start there. This way you can get the best value first and save the “big” spending for items that you can’t find on sale or for pieces that are worth the extra money.

Over the coming weeks I will be giving some insider shopping advice. Here are some tips for shopping clearance:

BROKE DON’T LOOK GOOD ON YOU II

BROKE DON’T LOOK GOOD ON YOU II 

So how many of us twentysomething’s are saving or investing? How about the thirtysomethings? Fourtysomethings? The good news is that the earlier you start the better. Also good news it is never too late to start. Before this  year (2006) my financial profile was a little shabby. What I earn is comprable to others in my field, however, I was not very wise with what I was bringing home. In November last year I opened a 401(k) account. I started out by saving 7%. In Febuary I increased the amount to the max (for my company) of 15%. It feels great. I am in my twenties and I now know that I am preparing for my future.

I didn’t actually start saving on my own until March this year. I goofed up a couple times.  I’ll be honest enough to say that I saved money but there was money I spent that could have been put away.   In all there has been about $1600 wasted this year. Perhaps more. But you know what? By the end of this year I will have more than that in savings.

We need to wise up people. NEVER and I repeat NEVER think that just because you are “young” you don’t need to worry about your money. I will reinerate, the sooner the better!

BROKE DON’T LOOK GOOD ON YOU I

BROKE DON’T LOOK GOOD ON YOU I

So, I know that I’m not the only fashionista on this blog. I know because… well I just do okay? Anyway, fashion isn’t a bad thing… Broke is! Most of the twenty-fourtysomething women I know LOVE clothes and aim to style, but at what (or should I say who’s) expense?

It’s never stylish to be broke. More specifically to go broke trying to be stylish. For this reason I will do a segment Don’t Break The Bank in which we will talk about looking and feeling great about your style and finances.

Quick Fashion Rules (Shopping on a budget)

 

Alright Fashionista’s,

What do you do when you like to shop, be put together and don’t wanna break the bank.

A) Forget about shopping… until you pay off all debt and your student loan.

B) Go Shopping once yearly (just spend a great amount @ one time )

C) Shop On A Budget

If you answered C you are correct. Oops,  did I say budget? I mean while saving your money for that fab trip to Tahiti…

N-E WAY…. The point is you’re not tryna go broke right? What’s a girl, or guy, to do? 

DO YOU ONE BETTER…. Dolman Sleeve Sweaters

Where my chica’s at? Holla!

In this addition of Do You One Better I’m gonna showcase some hot, body friendly, dolman sleeve sweaters. There will be different price points listed so we can all can afford one. I’ll show you a designer version and then show you the “budget” version.

Ready? Here we go….

What’cha Know About… ASOS

Being the international fashionista that I am, I’d like to introduce (to those who don’t know) one of my favorite places for star style ASOS. It is a British company and is inexpensive.

 There is tons of great fashion finds for less. THE BAG BELOW IS UNDER $15 (American currency): 

FALL/WINTER REVIEW… Platforms (DO YOU ONE BETTER)

For those of you who are, a’hem, a little seasoned… You KNOW about platform shoes. It’s nothing new to u but hot none the less.  The original, Christian Louboutin, version will run you about $800. 

BUT… Don’t fret my fashionista sisters! There are plenty of designers who have high quality “knockoff” versions for great prices.

There are many variations. Some have cork bottoms, are peep toe, are patent leather or croc texture. Others have funky animal print heels and are plain leather or suede.

Have fun with it. Buy the one (or ones’) that fit your budget and wardrobe.

*I have the patent with cork heel in red and black and the plain leather black. *

Here are pic’s of some of my favorites.

Fall/Winter Preview. Burlington Coat Factory

I just ordered this fly coat from Burlington Coat Factory. Check it out: http://www.burlingtoncoatfactory.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Section_Id=7580&pcount=&pn=3&Product_Id=461424&sku1=c_s1_79797865

Down coats are warm and now designers are making them more stylish so they don’t look like the coats we had when we were 6. Have fun. Pair with a cute stretch (cinch waist) belt and some slouchy boots.  

You can find so many coats on the site. www.burlingtoncoatfactory.comMany for $100 or under including tax and shipping. It takes about 4 days to get your coat and now you can return to the store if you need too. It helps to know your measurements. If you do then you’ll get the right size even though designers have different sizes. If you get a coat you love, let me know! I’d love to hear the feedback.

DB

What’cha Know About… Travel

So for all my “life” buffs reading this, who understand life is more than just work, school, sleep and doing it again, I have a real treat for you… Actually two!The first is Site 59. This site offers tons of great last minute getaways for an average of $215 a couple. The price includes taxes, fees, flight and hotel. Wow! 

It’s Never Too Late

Sometimes the mistakes we’ve made can keep us in an endless cycle of unproductiveness. Most times it’s because we think too much on the mistake and how we will never be able to undo it. We think of things “missed” and how opportunity will never come again. 

We are partly right, we CAN’T change the past and maybe that particular  opportunity won’t come back but we CAN go forward. It all depends on if we look at our past experiences as failures or, as a way to launch something, new, fresh and beautiful. There is a verse in the Bible where it talks about God turning ashes into beauty. (Rather exchanging the ashes for something beautiful)