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August 2009 Archives
Hey Frugalistas! I just got the call that I will be a guest on cnn.com/live today at noon! Yippee! I'll be Skyping in on whether the recession is over. Fun times! Well, the recession isn't fun, but talking to you all will be great. Please check me out. It's NOT on air but on online, which is so sexy to me! E-power.
Be there online at noon or be square!!
Do you think the recession is over?
So my guilty pleasure is The Real Houswives of Atlanta reality series on Bravo. Last season, I blogged about the finances of the cast of this larger- than-life show. I'm going to do another The Real Housewives of Atlanta round up post because I just can't get enough!
Here are the financial updates:
Lisa Wu-Hartwell: I teased last year that Lisa was forever working her husband, former NFL player Ed Hartwell, to death on her many business ventures. When Ed got picked up briefly by the Oakland Raiders last season, Lisa didn't seem happy because she would have to run the family real estate and jewelry business alone. I mean, what employer likes losing the help? Anyhow, it seems like Ed's time away from the businesses was bad for the home economy. TMZ reported that the Hartwells lost their home, last week. Yikes. Ed bought the home in 2007 for about $2.9 million but the bank could only sell it for $1.9 million. Lisa told People Magazine that she and her husband tried to restructure the loan, but were denied so they walked away from the home. Reports say that Lisa has another home she's living on with 10 acres. I'm sure having that on their credit won't be good, but a lot of people are walking away from their homes if they are underwater.
Sheree Whitfield: Sheree said this season that she had no idea that her former NFL player hubby wasn't paying the mortgage on her mansion. Sheree said she got notice that the family home was in foreclosure and she had 30 days to get out of the home. Her home this season looks lovely, but it isn't as large as the one she once had with her ex husband. Also, she won a big divorce settlement after a long and bitter divorce, but Sheree says that she had yet to get the money. Sheree is known for having lots of personal assistants and a personal shoe stylist. Well, this season we see her doing her own laundry. Times have changed and it's smart for Sheree to downsize her lifestyle. She is an aspiring fashion designer.
Nene Leakes: Nene moved into a new home this season and is looking for help decorating her spread. There were reports that her family was evicted from the rental they lived in last year, but she denied it. Like Lisa, she says the family chose to move. Last season, Nene appeared to spoil her sons. I mean, her oldest son got fitted for a $6,000 tailored suit. I haven't seen much wild spending by Nene so far this season. Nene just released a book yesterday, Never Make the Same Mistake Twice. Congrats! Book advances are a form of income. heehee!
Kim Zolciak: Kim was sponsored last year by Big Poppa, a married man who kept her in the finest designer clothing. He even bought her an Escalade. However, this season shows us that Kim and Big Poppa are splitsville. Several times throughout this season, Kim has mentioned needing to work more because she doesn't have Big Poppa bankrolling her. She even is thinking about starting a wig line to earn some income. Good luck, Kim.
Kandi Burruss: Kandi is an accomplished music writer who is new this season to the Housewives franchise. She replaces DeShawn Snow, the wife of a former NBA player, who seemed really finanically stable. Kandi says that she always watches her money, lives in the same home she's had for years and invests in property. Kandi says she thinks "long term" about her finances. Could Kandi be a Frugalista? Time will tell. She is engaged to a man with six children by four different women! Hmmm. Becoming a stepmother of six children could put a dent on the finances, no? I pray she keeps writing those hit records! College tuition for seven (Kandi has a daughter) is quite a feat.
So, who is your favorite housewife? Do you think that Kandi should marry a man with six kids by four different women? Do you think Lisa really couldn't afford her home or she just got tired of investing money on a property that wasn't worth as much anymore? Will you buy Nene's book? Do you think they are good with their finances? Foreclosures, evictions or not, they all stay in fabulous homes. Is it better to get evicted from a fabulous home than to pay to live a modest one? I'm joking with that last question.
August and September are great months for budget ballers in South Florida. Until the end of August, Miami Spa Month is underway, offering luxury spa packages for only $99. True confession: I've never had a massage at a spa. However, if you can afford the $99, I say have at it. I hear spa massages are wonderful.
Also, Miami Spice is going on in August and September. During Miami Spice, diners can get three course, gourmet meals for $22 (lunch) and $35 (dinner). Now, I WILL participate in a Miami Spice lunch. So yummy!
So, do you go to spas? Do you plan on participating in Miami Spa or Miami Spice Month? What's your favorite restaurant or spa? If you don't live in South Florida, are there any specials that we should know? Sharing is caring!
Hello, Frugalistas! I'm going to talk about my BlogHer convention experience at 8 p.m. tonight, eastern standard time. I am a talk show guest of blogger, author, yogi and social media butterfly, Ananda Leeke.
BlogHer is an online community for women who blog and it holds an annual convention.
I know a lot of people have approached me about starting a blog and what the blogging experience is like, so the chat tonight will cover all that ground.
For me, blogging as a woman has been a life changing experience, so I am Team Blogger. The BlogHer experience was eye opening. I was lucky enough to be a panelist the first time there!
So Frugalistas, if you are thinking about blogging, the social media game, or frugal and fabulous living (heheh) check us out tonight!
Log on here: http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/42015
xo,
Fruga!
Success South Florida Magazine named me one of the Top 40 under 40 Leaders of Today and Tomorrow! Yay! I'll take it! I get a free meal at Morton's The Steakhouse in North Miami Beach. Yes! Reception meals are Frugalista fabulous! That will be one day that I don't have to cook!
From the news release:
Over 160 nominees were selected for this honor by political, business and organizational leaders in South Florida. The final 40 honorees were then hand-picked by an advisory committee composed of business leaders in the fields of banking, media, politics, and medicine and community/non-profit leadership. Chosen for their professional accomplishments and tireless efforts to support our community, the 40 award recipients will be honored at a VIP reception.
I'm wearing a dress from my closet to the event. My one business dress will be taken out of retirement and to the reception!
xo,
Fruggie!
Ok, this is doing nothing for my ovaries. A government report released says that it costs middle-income parents $221,000 to raise a child to age 17. Why am I not surprised? I can't believe how much child care costs. I have several friends with two kiddies and I feel like they work to pay daycare. Braces, entertainment, food, healthcare. Le sigh. I don't see how these modern parents do it. Hats off to them!
Viva La Frugalista for a long time. I think I'll start my rugrats blogging early.
For those without children, does this report worry you? For those with children, how do you deal with the expenses? Move to a farm and live off the land? Well-paying jobs? Dish! My ovaries are waiting!
Oh no! Not Nicolas Cage, too! The Academy-award winning actor allegedly owes $6.2 million in unpaid income taxes. He's selling his Bel Air estate for $17 million. Just last year, Cage asked $35 million for the property. He is also selling his haunted New Orleans abode for $3.5 million.
Let's hope he can come out of this O.K. At least he is smart enough to sell off his property. Well, I hope he can sell it. Real estate isn't that hot these days.
Keep your head up, Nick!
Do you like any of Cage's movies? Do you remember him in Fast Times at Ridgemont High? Do you think he bought too many houses? Will buying real estate ever be the cool thing to do again?
