Hi everyone,
Please check out this article... told you I've been busy!
You can post comments here :)
Cheers!
-bb
Friday, October 24, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
The Economy Needs a Hug
Seriously, the economy needs a big ol' hug and a band-aid right now!
In other news... hi everyone...yikes, I've been gone for a while!
But I'm back for now with some financial tips.
The economy has taken a beating in the past few months. My friends and I have been watching our 401ks go UP and DOWN and UP and DOWN... not fun and very confusing.
So I decided to go out and educate myself. I started reading financial blogs, magazines, and websites. I started speaking to financial advisors (off the record of course) and money market brainiacs. And of course, I broke out my Suze Orman guide... just to see what she thinks about stuff like this!
All in all, my sense of the economy is still up in the air ... but I feel a lot more knowledgeable about my situation.
*disclaimer: please take this with a grain of salt. Do your own research and speak with your own advisors. As my lawyer says - I am not responsible for any of the decisions you make (smile)!*
One of my favorite blogs right now is Bargaineering. It's a "average joe" website for your average spender/budget. It's a great place to discuss "discuss matters of shopping, insurance, investing, retirement, loans, credit cards, mortgages, bargain hunting and other issues related to personal finance." Check out the articles section which is chock full of great discussions.
Another piece of simple advice - make sure all of your funds are FDIC-insured and under the cap ($100,000 or less, wow!). Unfortunately, stocks are not FDIC-insured... but certificate of deposits (cds) are!
Well what else have I done to pad myself for the economy? A while ago, I opened an ING-Direct orange savings account... and invited my friends to do the same. For every friend that signed up, I received $10 and they received $25. Pretty cool huh? But more important - the ING-Direct orange savings has automatic deductions and is FDIC-insured. I call that account my "rainy day" fund and the interest rate of return is great.
Sometimes I'm tempted to take out the money... but then I remember that this is a long term process... and that I need to be patient. FYI - ING CDs are at a 4.25% annual percentage yield if you deposit for 24 months or 60 months... which means if you deposit $1000 in a 24 month CD, you'll earn $42.50 per year just for leaving it alone!
So what else?
The common sense approach is my favorite - cut back on spending. Take a good hard look at your day-to-day expenses. A financial advisor friend recommended that I keep a financial diary - either a written account or an excel document that tracks spending. Am I spending too much on takeout food? Too much on shopping? Too much on travel and gas? Figure it out and cut back!
So keep smiling my bougie ballers... times may be hard but we will make it through... and learn a lot in the process!
-bb
PS - If you really feel the need to invest right now... Bargaineering has some great starter codes... some as high as $50!
In other news... hi everyone...yikes, I've been gone for a while!
But I'm back for now with some financial tips.
The economy has taken a beating in the past few months. My friends and I have been watching our 401ks go UP and DOWN and UP and DOWN... not fun and very confusing.
So I decided to go out and educate myself. I started reading financial blogs, magazines, and websites. I started speaking to financial advisors (off the record of course) and money market brainiacs. And of course, I broke out my Suze Orman guide... just to see what she thinks about stuff like this!
All in all, my sense of the economy is still up in the air ... but I feel a lot more knowledgeable about my situation.
*disclaimer: please take this with a grain of salt. Do your own research and speak with your own advisors. As my lawyer says - I am not responsible for any of the decisions you make (smile)!*
One of my favorite blogs right now is Bargaineering. It's a "average joe" website for your average spender/budget. It's a great place to discuss "discuss matters of shopping, insurance, investing, retirement, loans, credit cards, mortgages, bargain hunting and other issues related to personal finance." Check out the articles section which is chock full of great discussions.
Another piece of simple advice - make sure all of your funds are FDIC-insured and under the cap ($100,000 or less, wow!). Unfortunately, stocks are not FDIC-insured... but certificate of deposits (cds) are!
Well what else have I done to pad myself for the economy? A while ago, I opened an ING-Direct orange savings account... and invited my friends to do the same. For every friend that signed up, I received $10 and they received $25. Pretty cool huh? But more important - the ING-Direct orange savings has automatic deductions and is FDIC-insured. I call that account my "rainy day" fund and the interest rate of return is great.
Sometimes I'm tempted to take out the money... but then I remember that this is a long term process... and that I need to be patient. FYI - ING CDs are at a 4.25% annual percentage yield if you deposit for 24 months or 60 months... which means if you deposit $1000 in a 24 month CD, you'll earn $42.50 per year just for leaving it alone!
So what else?
The common sense approach is my favorite - cut back on spending. Take a good hard look at your day-to-day expenses. A financial advisor friend recommended that I keep a financial diary - either a written account or an excel document that tracks spending. Am I spending too much on takeout food? Too much on shopping? Too much on travel and gas? Figure it out and cut back!
So keep smiling my bougie ballers... times may be hard but we will make it through... and learn a lot in the process!
-bb
PS - If you really feel the need to invest right now... Bargaineering has some great starter codes... some as high as $50!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Been So Long...
Friends,
I've been gone a long time... so sorry! Things are crazy at work *sigh*
But in the meantime, I'll try to post every once in a while... and today, I'd like to bring your something special... introducing Ganache Couture, luxury accessories online boutique!
Owner Quiana has generously provided all Bougie Baller readers with a 15% discount on footwear and luggage! Enter code W2GCB at checkout!
Cheers,
-bb
*********
Recently launched, Ganache Couture is an online boutique featuring luxury footwear, handbags, and other accessories from indie and up and coming designers, such as Tarah Smith, Kathryn Amberleigh, and Velvet Angels.
Quiana Smith, owner and buyer of Ganache Couture, has always been a avid lover of unique, luxury footwear and handbags. She is a strong proponent of each person having his or her own style and people not looking/dressing alike. In Quiana's opinion, accessories create the skeleton of an outift. A woman in striking heels, a unique handbag, and chic outwear looks great regardless of the top and bottom that she chooses to wear because those are the items that make of break an outfit.
Quiana's belief in creating unique personal images drove her to target indie and up and coming designers. "Most people are not aware of Tarah Smith handbags, but you will frequently see Coach or Louis Vuitton bags. While Coach and Louis Vuitton are great brands, I prefer to be ahead of the fashion curve and find and wear items from those talented designers that will become widely known in the future. Once that happens, I'm on to the next up and coming designer!" says the fashionista. Ganache Couture only features a limited quantity of products from these designers, so customers don't have to be concerned about many people wearing the shoes or carrying the handbag that they purchased from Ganache Couture.
Visit Ganache Couture's online boutique at http://www.ganachecouture.com, and feel free to contact Quiana via email at qzcouture@gmail.com if you having questions about the boutique or would like be a featured designer on Ganache Couture.
Ganache Couture - Putting the Icing on Fashion...Richly, Deliciously, Completely!
********
Remember - owner Quiana has generously provided all Bougie Baller readers with a 15% discount on footwear and luggage! Enter code W2GCB at checkout!
I've been gone a long time... so sorry! Things are crazy at work *sigh*
But in the meantime, I'll try to post every once in a while... and today, I'd like to bring your something special... introducing Ganache Couture, luxury accessories online boutique!
Owner Quiana has generously provided all Bougie Baller readers with a 15% discount on footwear and luggage! Enter code W2GCB at checkout!
Cheers,
-bb
*********
Recently launched, Ganache Couture is an online boutique featuring luxury footwear, handbags, and other accessories from indie and up and coming designers, such as Tarah Smith, Kathryn Amberleigh, and Velvet Angels.
Quiana Smith, owner and buyer of Ganache Couture, has always been a avid lover of unique, luxury footwear and handbags. She is a strong proponent of each person having his or her own style and people not looking/dressing alike. In Quiana's opinion, accessories create the skeleton of an outift. A woman in striking heels, a unique handbag, and chic outwear looks great regardless of the top and bottom that she chooses to wear because those are the items that make of break an outfit.
Quiana's belief in creating unique personal images drove her to target indie and up and coming designers. "Most people are not aware of Tarah Smith handbags, but you will frequently see Coach or Louis Vuitton bags. While Coach and Louis Vuitton are great brands, I prefer to be ahead of the fashion curve and find and wear items from those talented designers that will become widely known in the future. Once that happens, I'm on to the next up and coming designer!" says the fashionista. Ganache Couture only features a limited quantity of products from these designers, so customers don't have to be concerned about many people wearing the shoes or carrying the handbag that they purchased from Ganache Couture.
Visit Ganache Couture's online boutique at http://www.ganachecouture.com, and feel free to contact Quiana via email at qzcouture@gmail.com if you having questions about the boutique or would like be a featured designer on Ganache Couture.
Ganache Couture - Putting the Icing on Fashion...Richly, Deliciously, Completely!
********
Remember - owner Quiana has generously provided all Bougie Baller readers with a 15% discount on footwear and luggage! Enter code W2GCB at checkout!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Short Summer Features
Hi folks!
A friend just sent me this website... talk about savvy and budget conscious! I love it!
I like Her Style is a blog devoted to getting a high end look without blowing through your savings... I adore it! I'm especially loving the Get It Shorty feature... who wants to spend a gazillion dollars on itty bitty fabric? Check it out!
Also, be sure to check out P.O.S.H. Life's new website... they've got some interesting topics on health and beauty over there... and the relationship discussions are crazy!
Cheers!
-the bb
A friend just sent me this website... talk about savvy and budget conscious! I love it!
I like Her Style is a blog devoted to getting a high end look without blowing through your savings... I adore it! I'm especially loving the Get It Shorty feature... who wants to spend a gazillion dollars on itty bitty fabric? Check it out!
Also, be sure to check out P.O.S.H. Life's new website... they've got some interesting topics on health and beauty over there... and the relationship discussions are crazy!
Cheers!
-the bb
Thursday, July 24, 2008
The Never-Ending Obsession
Ok, I'll admit it... I have a little bit of a shoe obsession...
Just a tiny one though, not too bad! But I do spend a lot of my time cruising for deals on the Purse Forum.... yikes.
And I'll admit... I've been a bit selfish lately... *sigh* there are so many great deals out there... not just on shoes but on everything... and I haven't shared with you guys in a while.
So my apologies... I should be back up and running in no time. In the meantime, head on over to Bougie Ballin' on Facebook to check up on daily updates on deals and steals!
Cheers,
-bb
PS - Some new sample sale websites... amazing!
Editor's Closet (referral required)
Rue La La (referral required)
Ideeli (referral required)
The Top Secret (waiting list, referral, or join Top Button)
Regent's Secret (referral required)
Just a tiny one though, not too bad! But I do spend a lot of my time cruising for deals on the Purse Forum.... yikes.
And I'll admit... I've been a bit selfish lately... *sigh* there are so many great deals out there... not just on shoes but on everything... and I haven't shared with you guys in a while.
So my apologies... I should be back up and running in no time. In the meantime, head on over to Bougie Ballin' on Facebook to check up on daily updates on deals and steals!
Cheers,
-bb
PS - Some new sample sale websites... amazing!
Editor's Closet (referral required)
Rue La La (referral required)
Ideeli (referral required)
The Top Secret (waiting list, referral, or join Top Button)
Regent's Secret (referral required)
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Budget Tips for the Bougie Ballers
Hi everyone...
I'm back! I took a well-needed mini hiatus to catch up on work and get the kinks out of my system :-)
But I have a few ideas for upcoming posts... budget summer vacations, summer sale guides, and finding your ideal "side-hustle!"
If there's anything you'd really love to see featured on here... let me know asap!
In the meantime, please check out Manny's "Rainy Days" Savings post over at SASSY. He has some great tips on making your money work for you ... ! My personal favorite is INGDirect - high interest yield and $25 just for signing up (if referred by a friend)!
Cheers,
-bb
PS - Random reminder... NYC Restaurant Week is quickly approaching! Check out the Bougie Ballin' Guide to Fine Dining to learn more :)
I'm back! I took a well-needed mini hiatus to catch up on work and get the kinks out of my system :-)
But I have a few ideas for upcoming posts... budget summer vacations, summer sale guides, and finding your ideal "side-hustle!"
If there's anything you'd really love to see featured on here... let me know asap!
In the meantime, please check out Manny's "Rainy Days" Savings post over at SASSY. He has some great tips on making your money work for you ... ! My personal favorite is INGDirect - high interest yield and $25 just for signing up (if referred by a friend)!
Cheers,
-bb
PS - Random reminder... NYC Restaurant Week is quickly approaching! Check out the Bougie Ballin' Guide to Fine Dining to learn more :)
Friday, June 20, 2008
Swimsuit-Gate 2008!
Hi bougies, today we have another guest blogger! Pay attention as Tomiko shares her budget-friendly (and figure-friendly!) tips for looking cool in the hot summer sun! Enjoy! -- bb
Being a Caribbean person, I can’t help but love swimsuits that are on-trend, affordable and as sexy as humanly possible. I am here to share my knowledge today.
Aphrodite
This season, Greek-inspired white and gold bikinis are hot. However, be careful with white. The cheaper the white suit, the less likely it is to be well lined. Accessorize with gladiator sandals and over-sized aviator sunglasses.
Rainbow Pinup
Both pinup photos and surf culture inspired many suit designs this year. This season features colorblock swimsuits, dots, rainbow glitter, paisley, “mod” inspired suits, retro-fits, animal prints and patterns.
Victoria’s Secret (Worldwide)
Be careful when shopping for swimwear at VS. The materials used in their swimwear are often, in a word, suspect. They use blends of random man-made fibres and most suits are shinier in person than on the website, so they sometimes look cheap. Do you want to be that girl in the pool adjusting her non-breathable swimwear sticking to her skin? No – so remove the extra padding – it feels and looks weird. I still love VS because they carry brands for cheaper than you would find them in Nordstrom’s, like Opi, Vitamin A, DKNY and Vix. Moreover, there is a sale every two minutes.
Guess and Marciano (Worldwide)
Guess/Marciano swimwear is affordable and reliable. However, G/M offer little by way of extra support in bra construction. Still, their swimwear is sturdy and will last a good few years, even if you swim a lot.
Club Monaco (Worldwide)
Club Monaco has introduced swimwear this season, retailing full-priced swimwear at $89!
Malia Mills (Soho, NY)
I have an infamous denim bikini that generally stops people dead in their tracks that I found here when I was 20. They carry size 2 to 16, cup 30AA to 40DD. It’s a gold mine, sales go up to 70%.
Molly Brown’s (Newport Beach, CA)
Amazing selection of gorgeous mid-to-high end bikinis. They follow magazine trends very closely. Their sales pop up randomly and without warning, and are never much more than 30% off.
Macy’s (Worldwide)
Macy’s carries recognizable brands for around 65% off. The time for the best swimsuit deals are from Fall to Winter.
Figleaves
Every imaginable style combined with every imaginable price range.
Bluefly
As with everything else the site carries, Bluefly has tons of options. They are not as well-stocked as Figleaves, but as you already know, literally everything is on sale at Bluefly!
Laraine’s
Laraine’s carries whole pieces only!
Swimsuit-Gate 2008!
Being a Caribbean person, I can’t help but love swimsuits that are on-trend, affordable and as sexy as humanly possible. I am here to share my knowledge today.
Aphrodite
This season, Greek-inspired white and gold bikinis are hot. However, be careful with white. The cheaper the white suit, the less likely it is to be well lined. Accessorize with gladiator sandals and over-sized aviator sunglasses.
Rainbow Pinup
Both pinup photos and surf culture inspired many suit designs this year. This season features colorblock swimsuits, dots, rainbow glitter, paisley, “mod” inspired suits, retro-fits, animal prints and patterns.
Where to Shop!
Victoria’s Secret (Worldwide)
Be careful when shopping for swimwear at VS. The materials used in their swimwear are often, in a word, suspect. They use blends of random man-made fibres and most suits are shinier in person than on the website, so they sometimes look cheap. Do you want to be that girl in the pool adjusting her non-breathable swimwear sticking to her skin? No – so remove the extra padding – it feels and looks weird. I still love VS because they carry brands for cheaper than you would find them in Nordstrom’s, like Opi, Vitamin A, DKNY and Vix. Moreover, there is a sale every two minutes.
Guess and Marciano (Worldwide)
Guess/Marciano swimwear is affordable and reliable. However, G/M offer little by way of extra support in bra construction. Still, their swimwear is sturdy and will last a good few years, even if you swim a lot.
Club Monaco (Worldwide)
Club Monaco has introduced swimwear this season, retailing full-priced swimwear at $89!
Malia Mills (Soho, NY)
I have an infamous denim bikini that generally stops people dead in their tracks that I found here when I was 20. They carry size 2 to 16, cup 30AA to 40DD. It’s a gold mine, sales go up to 70%.
Molly Brown’s (Newport Beach, CA)
Amazing selection of gorgeous mid-to-high end bikinis. They follow magazine trends very closely. Their sales pop up randomly and without warning, and are never much more than 30% off.
Macy’s (Worldwide)
Macy’s carries recognizable brands for around 65% off. The time for the best swimsuit deals are from Fall to Winter.
Figleaves
Every imaginable style combined with every imaginable price range.
Bluefly
As with everything else the site carries, Bluefly has tons of options. They are not as well-stocked as Figleaves, but as you already know, literally everything is on sale at Bluefly!
Laraine’s
Laraine’s carries whole pieces only!
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