Happy New Year Fashionistas!

Save money, be safe and stay home tonight fashionistas. After all, who wants to party with the amateurs and pay top price to do it?

Take a few minutes to seriously consider your New Year's resolutions and when I recoup, I'll post some ideas.

Happy New Year 2009, fashionistas! Let's make it healthy, joyful and financially prosperous!

Merry Christmas - Don't Panic Now!

Most of the money spent on the holidays is done just a few days before. As people get their bonuses and final paychecks for the year, they rush to the stores to spend them. But is this a wise idea?

Probably not. Although many people wait for their bonuses because they don't have any other cash for the holidays, it causes impulse spending. Even if you have to wait for that final paycheck to go holiday shopping, keep these tips in mind to save along the way so you have money left for the New Year:

- Review local ads before you go shopping to find the best deals and don't get sidetracked;
- Create a budget and stick to it;
- Don't be lured by impulse purchases on end caps and by cash registers - the stores count on getting your cash in these places;
- Don't buy something "just to have a gift" - buy thoughtfully and frugally; and
- Keep the amount you want to spend in a separate account so when you run out of budgeting cash, the shopping ends.

Even if you have to shop last minute, a few minutes of planning can save you serious cash. Happy Holidays All!

How To Get Fired At Your Holiday Party For A Better New Year (a/k/a You Can Take This Job and Shove It)

I'm shaking it up here at the Financial Fashionista with a bit of humor - after all, why should I only get funny with friends? Recently a few friends were talking about their upcoming holiday parties. I chuckled because now my holiday party is just my husband and I. Every year, we celebrate at a fancy restaurant while the kids are at church group.

Before I went freelance, I ran a law office in the municipal sector for years. It was definitely an interesting job and holiday parties were occasions to remember. When you coordinate these events with attorneys, mayors, chiefs of police, superintendents of schools and other government officials - believe me, things get wild!

With memories of past holiday parties in mind, I decided to compile a brief list of "How To Get Fired At Your Holiday Party For A Better New Year" (many might be based on actual events):

1. Make photocopies of your ass and distribute them throughout the building. This is even more effective if you use two or more asses. We know how porn makes you popular. Think Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian.

2. Make sure to bring half the buffet home in the oversize tote bag you brought along. Leaving a trail of crumbs behind is a telltale sign of your success. Maybe you can hit the bathroom for a couple of rolls of toilet tissue. If the supply cabinet is open, you hit the jackpot. Take everything you can - it's Christmas, isn't it, the time for giving and receiving?

3. Drink, drink and drink some more. After all, if it's free it's for me, right? Get completely shit-faced so all your words are slurred. When people get closer to try to understand you, shower them with saliva while you shout in their ear.

4. Use drinking as an excuse to tell stuff you shouldn't. Tell the competition all the company's proprietary secrets so the company realizes your actual worth. Let your boss know the guy in the next cubicle steals office supplies. Spread the news and share the joy for the holidays.

5. Flirt outrageously. Sit on your boss' lap. Proposition the CEO. Best of all, hit on the boss' wife. She will appreciate the attention and he gets tired of her nagging anyway. Dance with her and whisper sweet nothings in her ear so everyone sees your skill with the ladies.

6. Dance on tables. Sing loudly off-key. Make sure everyone knows who you are. After all, you do want recognition in the office, don't you? How can you get ahead if nobody knows who you are?

7. Circulate a petition about the company. Demand higher wages and more generous bonuses. Tell your boss the holiday party is a freakin' write off for the company and you'd rather see the money in your pocket. Let the boss know you can't be duped just because it's the holiday season! You know an Ebenezar Scrooge when you see one.

8. Wrap an empty box for the company grab bag. Chuckle when the menacing mail room guy gets it. Take an extra gift when it's your turn and refuse to put it back. Get everything you can and give nothing because the company owes it to you.

9. Bring a date who isn't afraid to speak up about corporate injustice and the tyranny of traditional employment. Make sure your date has plenty to drink. Whisper suggestions in your date's ear to encourage additional commentary. When your boss and co-workers get offended, make the excuse you didn't know your date had such a problem holding their liqour.

10. Don't attend the holiday party at all. Talk trash about your boss and the office everywhere you can. Create a blog dedicated to the latest "news" about your company. Prove your independence and ability to think on your own.

11. Attend the party with a hidden digital camera. Take pictures of your boss necking with the receptionist in the coat room. Distribute said photos all over every social and business network on the Internet. After all, didn't Britney Spears prove bad publicity is better than no publicity at all?

BONUS TIP: Bring your own copy of "You Can Take This Job and Shove It". Rather than coordinating Christmas carols (how boring and predictable is that?), get everyone to sing about shoving their jobs in unison. There's nothing like unity during the holiday season.

If you get fired, remember the company just can't handle someone like you with knowledge, communication skills and independent thinking.

Check Out Cyber Monday

After all the terrible occurrences on Black Friday, I'm ready to sit in front of my computer and catch all the Cyber Monday deals. Are you going to save gas, time and money by shopping at home? Can't beat the all free shipping offers - you don't have to go anywhere and everything arrives at your door to be wrapped for the holidays!

Talbots is offering free shipping and 30 percent, which is impressive because they rarely have coupons. I'm also heading over to Mrs. Meyers for some awesome, great-smelling natural aromatherapy house cleaners. My favorite is the lavender and there's free shipping today only.

Happy, safe shopping and saving everyone!

Black Friday Becomes Deadly At Toys R Us

Alright, I was ready to go shopping online with a glass of wine until I got some more news from a friend. Seems there was a deadly shootout at Toys R Us in Southern California - check it out:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jMJP9ep_VABDoexPPDXfIDbnJL6gD94O8DFG0

Honestly folks, it's really time to get a grip. When the guy who opens the door at Walmart gets trampled to death (today's earlier blog),it's time to check yourself. Then two guys wind up shooting guns in a place designated for children. Let's face it, this is not the spirit of Christmas. It's time to put the Christ back in Christmas and get rid of all the media-driven commercialism. By the way, it also puts a major dent in your wallet so why get caught up in this insanity?

Is Black Friday Worth Lives? Folks At Walmart Must Think So...

I was alarmed to discover someone died in the Black Friday rush. In Valley Stream, NY, a 34 year old Walmart employee had a heart attack and died after the crowd ran him over at 5AM this morning. A pregnant woman was also caught in the mob activity. Folks, I've already encouraged you to do your shopping online or before Black Friday. Let's consider the detriments of Black Friday:

- you could get killed in the hustle and bustle at the stores;

- if you make it through the stores, you could get in a car accident;

- more sales will come as the stores realize the economy sucks and nobody can afford to buy anyway;

- often Black Friday sales make you spend more rather than less as you get caught up in all the hype; and

- frankly, I'm a professional shopper and won't waste time with hostile amateurs with no manner who are literally willing to kill for a cheap piece of crap so they can save 50 cents.

Why not bask in the afterglow of eating too much on Thanksgiving and shop online? My last entry gives you all the coupons and links you need to save money. Anyway, I've done my part to protect your person and wallet from Black Friday - now it's up to you!

Black Friday Sales and Specials

Are you a Black Friday shopper? Frankly, I prefer to avoid the crowds and hate dealing with the amateur shoppers who come out on Black Friday. To veteran shoppers such as myself, these grabby beginners are just too irritating!

If you have the stamina to face off the crowds to do some holiday shopping, here is the ultimate zone for finding ALL the Black Friday sales and coupons - it's a one stop shop!

http://www.blackfriday.fm/

Happy shopping - and Happy Thanksgiving!

Do You Have A Taste For Life?

I just discovered this website called A Taste for Life. You can sign up to be a free panel member and receive samples of health products such as vitamins. I just registered so I'll let you know when I get my first freebie in the mail. I ordered natural deodorant and Omega 3 capsules. Check it out:

http://www.tasteforlife.com/registration/NewUser_Tester.asp

Are Phony Debt Collectors On Your Phone?

Are you dealing with phony debt collectors? It's bad enough when a girl's over the limit on her credit cards thanks to that fabulous Coach bag she simply had to have or those priceless (or rather overpriced) leather boots. How do you know if you're talking to a real debt collection when you unsuspectingly pick up the telephone during dinner?

Recently ABC news discussed fake debt collectors and how you need to protect yourself. Here are a few tips to make sure you're safe:

- If you took out a payday loan in the past, you're more likely to face phony debt collectors. They already know you needed money and may have sold your information to other agencies. The result is fake debt collectors ringing your phone to steal your identity or get you to admit to someone else's debts.

- This takes us to a second good point. Never, ever admit to a debt unless you're sure it belongs to you. Request verification of the debt in writing. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have the right to request proof of money you owe. Don't pay it or admit it's your debt unless you verify the facts.

- Request a copy of your credit report from the three major credit reporting agencies, Experian, Equifax and Transunion. Know what you owe so you can spot a phony debt collector right away.


When you get a handle on your finances, phony debt collectors don't stand a chance! After all, I'm not about to start paying off someone else's Coach bag...

A GPS In Your Underwear?

Since this blog is a fusion of fashion and finance, I had to tell you about the latest high-tech underwear for women. Brazilian Lucia Lorio introduced GPS underwear for the "modern, techno-savvy woman". While I like to think of myself as a Victoria's Secret computer geek, I'm not sure if I'm quite ready for a tracking device in my unmentionables.

Would that give my husband a way to track me down, sort of like a chastity belt with a homing device? Lorio says the GPS uses a secret password and you don't have to share it with anyone. You can also turn it off (if you are turning on with someone you don't want anyone to know about).

I still have questions. What if you laugh really hard? Will a few drops ruin your GPS? What if a clumsy guy messes up your GPS while he tries to unhook your bra? The possibilities are endless, but I had to share this one...

Back To The Financial Fashionista!

I welcome everyone back to the Financial Fashionista. Thankfully I finally got good news about my husband's condition and can return to blogging again!

We will return to mortgages in a couple of weeks. My first entries will include fabulous freebies, coupon codes, how to save money for the holidays and a few practicial finance tips. Then we'll return to the heavy stuff to get prepared for the New Year.

Welcome back everyone - and have a safe, happy Halloween!

Mortgaging Your Dream House - Part 1

I decided to write a series about mortgaging your dream house after the government took over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. As the housing bubble bursts and more people face foreclosure, how do you get and keep your dream house?

First of all, a girl has to be in the know. The first step is to get your current credit rating so you can deal with the good, the bad and the ugly. Improve your credit rating (also known as a FICO score) or actively pursue fair, reasonable lenders who work with people with poor or no credit.

Secondly, you have to figure out what you can afford. Certain mortgages allow you to speculate about future income, which we will discuss next week. These can be risky, especially if your future doesn't turn out as prosperous as you hope. It is best to determine how much house you can afford today. Online loan calculators make it easier to determine how much you can afford.

Finally, much like getting the perfect pair of shoes, you have to shop around to find the best interest rates and options for your personal situation.

Next, we'll discuss different types of mortgages and what makes them work - or not. After all, every queen needs her castle!

Back To School Without The Dollar Store

Welcome back to school! Although the dollar store seems like a simple and tempting solution to your school supply needs, it may not be the most affordable choice. After years of back to school shopping, here are a few of my top suggestions:

- Buy basic items ahead of time. No matter what school supply list your child brings home, certain essentials like erasers, pens and pencils are always needed. When they go on super sale in July and August, buy boxes for as low as 33 cents each in everyday supermarkets and drug stores.

- Shop at office supply stores. I bought folders at Staples for 10 cents each. They are simple, colored pocket folders and the ones most teachers prefer. When you walk down the center aisle at Staples, you can find all the marked down school supplies such as glue, crayons and rulers.

- Read circulars that arrive at your house the week before school starts. Know where the sales are as this information comes in handy. For example, if you buy marble notebooks today at CVS you will pay over $2 each. The same size marble notebooks are available at Rite Aid for 33 cents apiece. Comparison shopping through free newspapers can save you a bundle.

- Buy quality water bottles, lunch boxes and backpacks. Your children will need these items for years. After first grade, avoid the temptation to buy cheap, trendy items. Get a good Jansport backpack - it lasts for years and always looks good. Purchase water bottles rather than buying juice boxes, which can cost plenty over the course of a school year.

With a bit of planning, you can get all those back-to-school supplies for less than you thought.

Earning Passive Income With Your Own Blog

In our last entry, we discussed the meaning of financial freedom. You don't have to be wealthy to be financially independent. If you live simply, financial freedom is easier to attain.

Passive income is one of the ways to reach the financial freedom you crave. Consider how your full-time job works. You trade hours for dollars. Unless you put in more hours, your paycheck will always be the same regardless of your personal efforts. You may get a raise or bonus in a few months, but that is at your boss' discretion. With today's tough economy, many bosses are not giving raises or bonuses even to their best employees. So where does that leave you for all your hard work? Most likely, a day behind and a dollar short.

Establishing a passive income business means giving up evenings and weekends for awhile. Further, you don't get paid until your enterprise starts picking up. These two factors wind up discouraging many people from taking it to the next step of success. Devoting hours without getting a paycheck gets frustrating. But think about it - that's because everyone has told you to get paid right away for what you do.

Passive income doesn't work that way. It's a building process, like any business. You need to put in a lot of time, effort and a piece of yourself to make it work. The good news is passive income is work you only have to do once - but you keep earning money from it. For example, if you write an ebook you only have to write it once. However, you can sell that ebook for years and continue to make profits even when you're on vacation.

A popular way to establish a source of passive income is your own blog. It's free to create a blog in Google and you can include your own ads to generate revenue. Without investing anything other than your time, you can wind up with a neat source of additional income. If your blog takes off like some of the pros, you can even quit your day job! That's what passive income is all about.

The Meaning of Wealth

When we dream of financial freedom, we think of long days without work so we can do whatever we choose. Does this mean you have to be wealthy?

Not necessarily. If you downsize your home, have one car and live simply without credit cards, you can attain financial independence. You aren't tied to anything and your days are your own. As long as you have an ongoing source of income, you're well set.

Passive income is the key to attaining financial freedom on any level. By having money come in from enterprises when you're not working, steady income is achieved. But how do you earn passive income? Where does it come from? More in my next entry about the meaning of true wealth and how to get it...

Basic Back To School Savings Tips

Is it back to school already? Where did the summer go? It always flies by too quickly with so much you still want to do. The ads everywhere are reminding us to curtail our summer fun a bit to do some back to school shopping.

A few penny-pinching suggestions from the financial fashionista:

-peruse the clearance racks for back to school clothes because your kids will wear them for the first few weeks;

-shop for fall items in about a month when the sales start but before all the sizes you need are sold out;

-buy back to school necessities now when they are at the lowest prices such as pencils, erasers and pens - of course there will always be a teacher who requests a specialty item when the kids go back but basic items are least expensive in August; and

-buy for next summer now by getting swimsuits in the next size at rock bottom prices.

These little tips make back to school more affordable for all of us - now go enjoy the rest of the summer while you still can :)

Cheap Gas and Cheap Tuition for Back to School

Alright, there are two deals to talk about today from the Financial Fashionista. With back to school right around the corner, savvy students may still be scuffling for all the best tuition payment options. Simple Tuition makes searching simple so check it out
-http://www.bzzagent.com//p/8711256314/mamask

Another little tip figured out by some smart guys who follow statistics - the cheapest day to purchase your gas is Tuesday. That's right, when you want to fill 'er up choose a Tuesday for cheap gas - until the gas companies figure out we all know and switch the low price day again.

Mineral Makeup For Good Looks On A Dime

Mineral makeup is the latest way to look more beautiful. Natural mineral makeup gives you the appearance of wearing high end cosmetics without the cost. Even better, mineral makeup feels lighter and more refreshing on your skin than heavy makeups that cake and crease. Feel and look smoother and more attractive when you slip into mineral makeup. Just another way to save a few bucks will staying a fabulous fashionista!

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Go Green For More Green

Going green means more green for your other bills. Green efforts save the environment and money. When you minimize your use of electricity, you are also protecting the environment. There are hundreds of little ways to save money while you show greater consideration to the natural world around you.

One little tip - never use the whole dryer sheet. I know there are environmentally sound ways to make your own dryer sheets but I haven't evolved that much yet. I tear the dryer sheets in half and reuse each half. By doing this, I get four loads of laundry out of one dryer sheet. That equals significant savings to the environment and my budget.

What green measures do you take to save money and the world?

Financial Freedom 101

What exactly does financial freedom mean to you? Does it mean shopping whenever you want without worrying about money? Does it mean you don't have any outstanding credit card bills? How do you define financial freedom?

Defining financial freedom help you set goals for your future. Basically speaking, when you are financially free you are not tied down to bills and a job. You have enough resources to cover your basic needs without worrying.

Financial freedom is easy to think about but more difficult to attain as the cost of living increases everyday and your paycheck stays the same. How can you reach your goal of financial freedom when you can barely make ends meet? You are not alone. Many people live from paycheck to paycheck, wondering how they will make it happen next week.

Trading dollars for hours is clearly not the solution when it comes to financial freedom. While you can survive on that concept, it is a precarious situation that can be overthrown with one illness or the loss of a job. Tomorrow we will talk about ways to attain financial freedom along with ways to avoid getting in over your head.

Surfing for Coupons

I am always completely prepared to save money every time I go shopping. How do I make sure I get discounts? It's simple. I do an online search for "[store name] coupons" and "[store name] printable coupons". Whether I shop online or in person, I always have money saving coupons.

However, even a smart shopper can learn from her mistakes. I went to my cousin's bridal shower yesterday (it was an awesome event by the way - I'll discuss some money saving shower ideas in tomorrow's blog) with my mom and daughter. It was the first bridal shower for my 7 year old little girl and she really enjoyed herself at the fancy luncheon. In the spirit of enjoying a girl's day out, we all stopped at Kmart on the way home to do some back to school shopping.

I had no idea we were going to Kmart and don't keep coupons on hand because there is no Kmart in my neighborhood. The woman in front of us on the checkout line had a 20 percent off coupon, which would have really come in handy for our $80 purchase of back to school clothing (an an incredible outfit for me - more on that later). We asked where she got the coupon and she said she was on the mailing list but you could also find them online. What a great way to remind me to keep ALL stores on hand when I'm going out on the town! Next time I visit my mom's, I'll print a Kmart coupon - just in case!

With regard to the outfit I got, you MUST check out Basic Edition new pull on dress pants. They have classic seersucker, herringbone, houndstooth and plaid design. The quality is outstanding and the comfort unbeatable. I prefer dress pants from the Talbots so I was really suprised to find a pair at Kmart that looked so attractive. With their Sunday/Monday sale, I saved 20 percent off the already low price of $9.99. I also found a fabulous Basic Editions top with embroidery and sequins and a matching cap in khaki with gold metallic threads and brass buttons. This classic outfit looks like it cost over $200 but I actually spent less than $20 (including tax). If I only had that coupon, it would have been an even better deal...

Financial Freedom With Coupons

My husband used to cringe when I brought out my coupons. When we began paying off debts, buying a home and getting better cars, he started to see the value of coupons.

There's nothing embarassing about using coupons. In fact, coupons are just like free money. Simply for using a coupon you spend less on what you want or need. Coupons for grocery items make good common sense. After all, you need to buy juice or bread anyway so you might as well use a coupon.

I use coupons for everything from dining out to groceries to clothing to haircuts. Peruse your local publications, newspapers and magazines for coupons. Visit manufacturers' websites and sign up for their newsletters. Visit your local library to see if they have a coupon exchange. When you see the savings tally up, you'll be proud to whip out your stack of coupons!

Look for Victoria's Secret in Your Inbox!

Check your inbox ladies because Victoria's Secret is giving there preferred customers a sweet deal. For just four days, Victoria has extended a $20 coupon with no minimum purchase required. A special gift certificate number is assigned to the coupon so it can only be used once.

I already cashed in my coupon for a fabulous boucle sweater and a pair of cotton panties. With shipping and handling, my order came to a whopping $.81. Who get to dress in Victoria's best for less than a buck? I do, that's who, and you should too...finding deals is another way to gain financial freedom. After all, we want the best but we just don't want to pay top dollar for it. What better way than a $20 coupon from Victoria's Secret with no minimum purchase required?

Welcome To The Financial Fashionista

Are you a fashionista who loves to shop? Do you also crave financial independence and the personal freedom that goes along with it? If you want it all, check out my blog for the latest ways to save money without sacrificing everything you love.

From money making opportunities to common sense advice to freebies, you can find it all right here. Check in with the financial fashionista to find out the best way to find financial freedom today.

Here's to fashionable financial freedom in your future!