Author: Danielle YB Vason
She Makes Cents (SMC) delivers personal finance to empower a community of goal-setting women to use their "cents" to invest in their money and lifestyle goals.
From money diaries and personal stories by Atlanta-based personal finance blogger, Danielle YB Vason, to money weekly check-ins from members of the SMC Money Tribe, the SMC community aims to remove the taboo surrounding money conversations- one money convo at a time.
Are You Wasting Your Money on a Deal?
I got an email from Birchbox the other day announcing Glamour magazine’s collaboration for the July 2012 Birchbox. I found myself getting excited thinking about all of the goodies I will soon be getting my hands on. Then I looked over on my dresser and saw my June Birchbox basically untouched. Last month, I rushed home to see what beauty goodies were waiting for me. Once opened, I tried everything and didn’t touch my package for weeks; thus, realizing three things. Firstly, I love getting mail that isn’t a bill. Secondly, I like the idea of being surprised by what products were chosen for my box and finally (and probably the most important), if I continued this pattern, no matter how good the deal is, I am wasting my money.
Making the Deal Work for You
After coming to the realization that paying $10 a month for a deal that I wasn’t taking advantage of is wasting $10 a month( $120 a year). So what did I do? I used or am actively using ALL of the products. I ate my Luna bar, which by the way was both yummy and healthy. I took a long bubble bath, while catching up on Kardashians, with the BORGHESE Body Soak and I came to the conclusion that as long as I was using the products, that Birchbox still ROCKS!
Check out the Shopping/Money Saving Sites I like:
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Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com
Monthly Budget Spreadsheet!
Hey Guys, Coordinate Kate has done it again. Check out her extremely organized budget breakdown! Thanks Kate!!!!
I know, I know, the word “spreadsheet” often sends chills up my spine and I break out in a cold sweat, but I promise, this is soooo simple! And if you follow any suggestions from any of my posts, it should be this one. Seriously!
(You may need to click to enlarge)
Isn’t it beautiful?! This is a sample of a budget sheet I had prepared for someone and I rounded the numbers a little just to make things a little easier. This spreadsheet is GREAT if you’re just starting out and you’re not sure what you can afford or not. It’s even great if you’re not just starting out and you’re just looking to cut down in some places and save more money! I’m going to break it down for you so that it’s a little easier for you to make your own. It’s easy, just be…
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Starbucks Secret Menu
OMG, all of these sound amazing!! You all know I have serious Starbucks cravings!
{Honesty is Free} What Does the “Fab Life” Mean to You?
So I took a little hiatus…okay, well a longer one than expected, but I am back with a vengeance. I needed some time to have new experiences so that I can have something exciting yet honest to write about. To be honest, the original idea behind this site was to inform and inspire ways to use your “cents” to live a fab life. Along the way, I believe I got off target. So as we prepare for our upcoming one year mark (March 1stJ), I want to take things back to basics. To do so, I’ll start with a simple question; what is the fab life? My answer could be ever-changing, but at the moment, great people, great food, great fashions, great adventures, great love, great leaps of faith, and a greatly styled place to come home to.
Fab People
Fab Fashions
Fab Adventures
Fab Love
Fab Faith
Fab Home
So that is what I’m going to write about…how to get the fab life without breaking the bank, my budget, or my financial integrity. I hope you join me along the way and learn from both my successes and my failures. That’s life and sometimes, you don’t learn the lesson until you fall on your face and have to get back up.
Talk to me! What is the “fab life” to you?
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{When Is The Best Time to…?} Buy International Plane Tickets
In a post last year, I researched the best day of the week to get the best deals on plane tickets. Based on my research, I concluded that Tuesday at 3pm is the best time to buy. A few weeks ago, I tested out this theory with the Mr. as we were stalking international flights to Europe. While I know the savings rules can be a tad bit different for international flights, we still went with the tried and true paradigm that Tuesday was the best day to buy and fly. We waited and waited and researched stalked travel sites and airlines for weeks and then picked the “perfect” Tuesday to make our move with airline of choice- Delta. Perfect Tuesday came and (insert cricket sounds here) nothing. In fact, the price of the ticket went up almost $200 since the last time we checked and then consistently stayed there. So we waited a week for the next Tuesday…same price.
Did we make a mistake and miss our savings fate?
No. Like most companies, several factors influence the price of goods. The state of the economy, international relations, and my favorite…good ole competition. My Mr. called on a Wednesday to tell me that another airline was offering deals to Europe and to check it out. My first thought was oh well and my second was bye-bye frequent flyer miles. Instead of giving up, I gave myself to the end of the day to find a great deal; but being the impatient person that I can be, I hit the refresh button on the computer about ten minutes after the call. I mean, if one airline lowered their prices, others are sure to follow, right? ABSOLUTELY!
The moral of the story is that good things come to those who wait and research. If you have the luxury of time, it is worth the extra effort to comparison shop. This method helped us save money and it can help you save too. I still believe Tuesdays and Wednesday s are the cheapest days to buy international tickets, but if something is out of your budget, stop….breath…and press refresh.
If You Could Travel Anywhere in the World…
Where Would You Go?
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{Wise Words} Live Simply
{Watching for Spring Update} Good Things Come to Those Who Wait…& Save!
In the post, Watching for Spring, I discussed how to make money from cleaning out your closet. Beyond getting my closet neat for spring, I was inspired by this picture.
Not only am I very much into the layered look, I love me some Michael Kors! I am slowly learning that a watch is a good investment and while we have been conditioned to check out cell phones, I’m sort of drawn to the idea of a watch. S/N, I couldn’t really tell you the last time I even wore a watch, so this is very much a “big girl” move. So, after much searching, saving,and purging, I am glad to introduce you to MK31311!
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Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com
{Every Woman Should Know…} How To Give a Self Breast Exam!
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women today. For women of all ages, the breast self-exam is a useful tool that is easy to do. It is used to look for unusual lumps, skin changes, or discharge. For most women, once-a-month exams are easy to remember, with the best time being about one week after the start of a period. Click here to start receiving a FREE reminder email reminders for your self-exam.
Check out this Cheat Sheet:
Photo Credit: BrightPink.org
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{SMC Summer Reading List} What Are You Currently Reading?
It’s summer time, which means it’s time for our summer reading. When I can find the time, I find recreational reading both gratifying and relaxing. I just finished reading Room, by Emma Donoghue. This New York Times Bestseller and winner of the New York Times Best Book award was recommended by my best friend who doesn’t normally read for fun. After all was said and done, the Mr. and I ended up reading the book… and we both liked it (which could be rare since we have totally different interests). Currently, I am reading the Memory Palace by Mira Bartok, literary memoir that interest family, love, mothering, and the notion of memory as always being unstable. This book makes me think of my favorite college professor, Dr. Michelle S. Hite, from Spelman College. I find myself highlighting the most random things, asking questions along the way, and discovering symbolic patterns in the text. I also plan on re-reading Little Bee by Chris Cleave because I believe it become my favorite book. My Mr. just finished the entire Hunger Game series in like three days.
Do you have book suggestions for SMC readers? Sharing is caring…
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Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com
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