The Frugalista

Back to School Savings

frugalista — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:17:08 +0000

Hey Frugalistas! My #dealchat on Twitter last night was tre fun. We chatted all about ways to save for Back-to-School and Back-to-Campus shopping. For people with kiddies or even without, this time of year is a good time to stock up on discounts that can last you throughout the year. Sales are sexy! Here is the transcript!

I’m so excited that so many people showed up to the chat. It was a big old pah-tay.

Another tip:

Kmart is holding a fab Back to School instant win game where you have the chance to win a $20 gift cards (good in store and online) every 10 minutes all day and all night!

You can enter once a day via…
1. Facebook (Facebook.com/kmart) All you have to do is “like” Kmart to enter.
2. Kmart.com (Kmart.com/backtoschool)
3. Cafémom.com(visit Kmart’s Smarter Living section)

The Instant Win starts August 1st at Midnight (EST). Be one of the first winners! Click here for official rules. (www.kmart.com/btsrules)

I have a business relationship with Kmart.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

frugalista — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:54:09 +0000

If you are addicted to the “Real Housewives” franchise like I am, you know that Teresa and Joe Giudice have had a few money woes. Tonight’s episode will show them celebrating their 10-year anniversary. I say have a nice dinner at your mansion, Joe and Teresa! Debt is not fabulous! I hope they don’t run crazy with the spending. Joe alluded to the need to splurge on his wife. Oh no! What about the college fund for the kiddies! Will you watch?

College savings #dealchat

frugalista — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:59:26 +0000

I had so much fun last night, during my “College Savings” #dealchat on Twitter. The experts I picked were on fire! I know a thing or two about saving for college, but if you follow the expert advice from last night’s transcript, you will be MILES ahead of the competition.

College is one of the biggest expenses, outside of buying a home, that many of us will incur. Let’s get it on the frugal! Check out the transcript!

xo,
Fruga

Need a Mortgage? Don’t Get Pregnant

frugalista — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:17:10 +0000

EEEK! So, the New York Times writes that some mortgage companies are hesitant to lend money to people who may have a drop in income, even if it’s because they are on maternity leave.

I mean, how Draconian can one be? Yes, the economy tanked, largely because of bad mortgages. People bought homes that they could not afford. But, I would hate to think that a person on maternity leave couldn’t get a loan because she decided to take three months off work to take care of her little one.

Yes, staying home with a newborn often means a temporary reduction in income, but it should not be enough to stop someone who is otherwise fiscally fit from getting a 30-year mortgage.

I’m starting to think we are taking these reforms a bit far. We are messing with family planning here. If a person has 20 percent down payment, decent credit , stable work history and a cushy savings account, she should be able to get a home.

As a person in her childbearing years, I detest this new trend.

Am I wrong? Are lenders smart by looking at whether a person plans to take a maternity/paternity leave? Are the financial regulations going to far? Talk to me!

College Savings #dealchat

frugalista — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:12:35 +0000

Hello! At 8 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, my Twitter #dealchat is all about saving for college. I recruited two top-tier experts to answer all of your questions about getting great deals on college. Your college degree may be one of the most expensive things that you purchase. Loans are overrated, so I hope to see you at the Twitter #dealchat. Follow @frugalista for the goods.

The special guests:

Lynn O’Shaughnessy is an independent college consultant and author of the book, The College Solution. Her book has tips on college admissions, SAT/ACT strategies, college scholarships and financial aid.

Cameron Huddleston is a contributing editor for Kiplinger.com, the Web site for Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. She writes about investing topics, as well as saving for college and retirement, credit and money management and taxes.

Do you have a child going to college? Are you in college? Do you have any questions about financial aid? Did you have to take out student loans to attend college?

Free make up at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week-Swim

frugalista — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:56:15 +0000

Get your make up done by Make Up For Ever if you are in Miami for Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week – Swim!

The goodies:

MAKE UP FOR EVER is hosting a special Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week – Swim “Smudge-Proof
Your Make Up” party at Sephora’s South Beach location to celebrate the weekend.

Anyone can stop by to have their make up done before going out for the evening…
compliments of MAKE UP FOR EVER. Official make up looks from a selection of Mercedes-
Benz Fashion Week Swim shows will be on-hand so attendees can choose to have their
favorite look applied if desired.

Day: Saturday, July 17th, 2010
When: 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Where: Sephora South Beach
721 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 532-0904

I love having my make up done by the pros. Let me know if you go!

xo,
Fruga

Beyonce shops the sale rack!

frugalista — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:46:12 +0000

I knew it! I knew it! Beyonce is a Frugalista. I had blogged about it before, but now I have cold hard evidence! She was spotted checking out the sale racks recently on a shopping trip. You have no idea the amount of joy that filled my heart, watching B.B. Homemaker shop on sale. It’s how the wealthy keep their money! Smart shopping is all rage.

Also, theroot.com had an article on how much musicians actually earn – $23.40 per $1,000 worth of music sold! Eek! No wonder Beyonce shops on sale! Viva Frugalista!

Do you shop the sale rack? What was your best buy on sale or clearance?

The Frugal Traveler: Dealing with a work wardrobe while traveling

frugalista — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:24:18 +0000

Yay! I got interviewed by Myscha Theriault, co-author of 10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget. for an article on what to pack when traveling.

Please check out the article. It may show up in your local newspaper. The article hit the newswire today! Three cheers for newspapers!

What are your tips for travel and wardrobe?

Lebron James’ tax break

frugalista — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:44:21 +0000

So, I am overjoyed that NBA star Lebron James picked the Miami Heat to be his new home. I am a big Miami Heat fan and I know his addition to the team will be awesome. Full disclosure: I live in South Florida. heheh!

Wallet Pop had an awesome article detailing how James’ move to Miami may also save him $25 million in taxes. Florida has no state income tax. Yay!

From Wallet Pop:
Assuming that James took just under $17 million from the Heat (which is probably pretty close to accurate), he would pay no state income tax, leaving him with the same $17 million. If he had gone to New York, even if he nabbed an additional $1.5 million (as the salary difference has been speculated),

I’ve been impressed with the way that James has carried himself as a professional athlete. It’s never easy to leave your first job, but I’m so glad that he is ready to break out and try new things. Also, if it’s true that he considered the tax breaks when choosing a team, my heart is fluttering.

I’m naming James a Frugalisto!

So what do you think about James moving to the Miami Heat? Was he disloyal to Cleveland? Was it perfect timing? Will he be the next Scottie Pippen? Will the Miami Heat go all the way next year? Is James’ girlfriend going to be a cast member on Basketball Wives now?

Is Queen Elizabeth a Frugalista?

frugalista — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:30:23 +0000

Could it be… that her majesty is a Frugalista?
From the Seer Press:
According to the financial statement for the household, Queen Elizabeth II took less charter flights this year causing the drop in her annual spending. Also, she had sold her old helicopter so that she could reimburse a significantly fair amount of money from the government. Furthermore, her annual spending has dropped by 17 percent since 2001, as added by the palace.

From the Washington Post:
Though she remains one of the wealthiest women in the world by the grace of inherited estates, masterpieces of art and magnificent jewels, the queen is also famously frugal.
“She is said to wander the halls of Buckingham Palace at night, turning off lights,” said Robert Lacey, the well-known royal biographer. “Yes, she is a person of enormous wealth, but she does not waste money or spend it loosely.”

Turning off the lights? She’s eco-friendly and frugal! Or, do you think she’s trying to stop an economic crisis from hitting England? There’s a bit of a backlash over there. Some people say that the monarchy it too expensive. We need for Europe to be stable and sound! No one wants another Greece situation!

Do you like Queen Elizabeth? Do you think she’s truly a Frugalista? She was a fox in her day, no?