Tag: @shemakescents

{Splurge or Save} Christian Louboutin Nail Polish

Published on by Danielle YB Vason2 Comments


christian-louboutin-nail-polish

Anyone who knows me personally, knows that I have an affinity toward nail polish. The Mr. once described my behavior in a Sephora on the Las Vegas strip as a “lioness approaching her prey”. With that being said, I have tried it all and I must say, nail polish should not be a splurge. Take the Christian Louboutin nail lacquer that was released yesterday. For $50.00 a bottle, that is smaller than the average nail polish bottle I might add, what are you getting?- A nice rouge polish that can be replicated with OPI or even NYX polish (which is becoming my new favorite because of how long it lasts). You see, you are paying for a name, cool branding with the spiked top, and for people to see you wearing Christian Louboutin. But unlike his shoes, which can be readily identified by their distinctive red bottoms, no one is going to recognize your Rouge Louboutin polish. Think about it like this, 12 bottles of polish could buy you a pair of Louboutin heels…which I would consider a better investment, by far.  

Splurge or Save? : SAVE

Danielle

cropped-logo-twitter2014.jpgWould you spend $50.00 for nail polish?

  Visit SMC on Facebook  Visit SMC on Twitter  Visit SMC on Twitter  Visit SMC  Email SMC

shemakescents{at}gmail {dot}com |  Instagram  @shemakescents 

 

{Wedding Budget} Could My Wedding Expenses Be Tax Deductible?

Published on by Danielle YB Vason4 Comments

Have you ever had an ah-ha moment in front of total strangers? You know, when the light bulb goes off and your mind starts racing. Well, I had that moment early this summer when meeting with a bride and her CPA father to discuss her décor for her wedding. We were talking trends in weddings, when someone asked, “what happens to the wedding flowers after the wedding?”. I told them of the article I read that inspired me for my own wedding (which then was just a daydream). The article suggested that couples donate extra floral left from the wedding to the residents of a senior care facility. While there, ask the residents for their wedding advice so that they get visitors and the newlyweds get advice from generations before. I thought it was a great idea and a sweet way to start a marriage- giving. The bride’s father interjected agreeing that it was a great idea! Especially since, you could write it off on your taxes. AH….HA…..MOMENT!Tax Deductible Wedding copy

Who knew that some wedding expenses are tax-deductible? I starting researching wedding related tax-deductions using an online tax calculator in planning my own wedding and I was surprised by what I found.

Click here to  find  the secrets behind tax-deductible wedding expenses and how they can work for you!

What are your thoughts on tax-deductible wedding expenses?

FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, RSS Feed,

Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com 

This post was first featured on the FeeX blog.

{The Bouqs} The Most Epic Way to Buy Flowers – But Is It Worth It?

Published on by Danielle YB Vason1 Comment

You know I’m all about using my “cents” to live a fabulous life. As I get older, however, I’m feel empowered to define and redefine what a fab life looks and feels to me. One thing that is classic and has always made me feel… well fabulous is fresh flowers at home. It’s something about them that makes me feel very adult and chic, which inspires me to get my house super neat and clean as if Elle Décor was coming through. Being in the event design industry, I am fortunate to see all sorts of beautiful floral from around the world. Being on a financial plan, though, means that it is imperative to find creative yet economical ways to make sure that a simple luxury like fresh flowers is in the budget. Check out what could be one of my new go-to stops for fresh flowers on a budget.

The Bouqs

The Bouqs is a company out of California who contacted me last month about reviewing their product. Prior to that, I had not heard of them (I guess I missed that episode of Shark Tank). After doing a little digging, I learned that they offer sustainable and eco-friendly flowers that are grown on an active volcano in South America. Have you ever had volcano flowers??? Yeah, neither had I, so I had to order a bouq (short for bouquet) and let you all know if this is worth adding to your “simple luxuries” money envelope. I went to their website and I was immediately impressed that they had Ranunculus at a time when my floral distributor could not even get them for my brides at work. Swoon-worthy right?

While I LOVE ranunculus, I wanted something with a little flirty touch, so I took a chance and ordered their Desperado bouquet. As seen below, the Desperado is comprised of a lovely composition of pink roses and soft purple Dianthus. I thought the colors were gorgeous so I pressed “order” and waited a week. The delivery came as scheduled, but to my surprise, my pink and purple bouquet was all pink. It was not a big problem, but it just wasn’t what I expected… until I looked online and saw the note that stated: “Pink Roses with Purple Dianthus or similar accent flowers“. This folks, is a prime example of why it is important to read to the end of the line and the bottom of the page J.

Being that I had these delivered to my office, I had a slew of vases in our floral department to choose from. They arrived in a box so I immediately cut them under water at a slight angle to help them last longer. I also was advised by one of our senior designers at my office to remove all extra leaves and cut them short so that water and flower food is not wasted on foliage. I mixed in the flower food that was provided and started playing with how I wanted to style the arrangement I was making. This was my first arrangement right after I took it out of the box on day one.

 

Day Three

A Week Later

Bouqs start at $40.00 an order, including shipping, and would be a great option for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, dinner parties or just because. It’s not in my financial plan to get these weekly, but I will definitely take advantage of their concierge service that allows you to schedule floral deliveries to your favorite people. I know I will also use them again because the quality, service, and ability to stay fresh longer than your grocery store flowers makes it worth the money. I will list this as: A GOOD BUY.

 

What’s Your Take on Fresh Flowers? Fab or a Waste of Money

FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, RSS Feed,

Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com

 

What Is a Zero Based Budget & Why You Need One

Published on by Danielle YB Vason5 Comments

The Zero-Based Budget

A Zero-Based Budget or “zero balance budget” forces you to justify each expense by assigning a dollar amount to every move you make with your money. That is to say, your income minus your expenses, equals zero. Radio host and financial advisor Dave Ramsey explains, “If you cover all of your expenses during the month and you have $500 left over, you aren’t done with the budget yet”. Although Ramsey speaks of the zero based budget in terms of monthly spending, I prefer to budget twice a month since I have irregular income. You know exactly where your money is going, it leaves no room for overspending, and it is based on your current needs, which are clear advantages to this type of budget.

519515599

I used to write down every expense to get an overview of how I spend money. It was good because I was able to see patterns in my spending that I was unaware of. Outside of being a very tedious task of tracking every expense (pre-smart phone apps), doing this sort of overview only happened AFTER I have already spent the money. Nowadays, I take a more proactive overview of my finances and I spend my income on paper BEFORE I spend a dime in reality by using a zero-based budget.

How to Make a Zero-Based Budget Work for YOU!

Sure there’s computer based software for budgeting, but I find a simple pleasure of the good ole’ pen to paper method. It’s my personal preference but in order for you to be diligent in your effort, you should choose whatever makes you most comfortable. Got your tools? Let’s go!

Read the Full Post Here: 6 Easy Ways to Make A Zero-Based Budget Work 

Let’s Connect!

cropped-logo-twitter2014.jpg  Visit SMC on Facebook  Visit SMC on Twitter  Visit SMC on Twitter  Visit SMC  Email SMC

shemakescents{at}gmail {dot}com |  Instagram  @shemakescents 

52 Week Challenge

{Week 21 Update} 52 Week Challenge Helped Me Hit A Financial Milestone!

Published on by Danielle YB Vason4 Comments

It’s week 21 of the 52 Week Challenge and I am five weeks away from the half-way point of the challenge I started on Friday, January 3, 2014. Over the course of 21 weeks, I have saved over $500.00 dollars that I would have spent on random bits and baubles. Doing this challenge, along with deciding to play a little Russian roulette with my finances, has helped me to pay off my ENTIRE credit card balance three months ahead of schedule.

52 Week ChallengeWhile some may think a money challenge like this is not worth the effort, I strongly disagree. Not only are you putting money aside for whatever your current financial goal may be, be it paying down debt, saving for a new car or home, or planning a wedding, you are also altering your previous financial behaviors. Personal finance is 80% BEHAVIOR and only 20% HEAD KNOWLEDGE! Just taking the steps to start a challenge like this means that you are getting into the habit of saving. Becoming successful in the challenge means that it has become a part of your lifestyle and not a temporary behavior change. I urge you, if you have thought about ways to save money to try this challenge BINGO style. It’s the easiest way to save extra money under your own terms.

Email me for a copy of my 52 Week Challenge Sheet & Start the Challenge TODAY!

Let’s Connect!

FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, RSS Feed,

Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com

celebration

Extra! Extra! Read All About it! She Makes Cents Hits MAJOR Milestone!

Published on by Danielle YB Vason6 Comments

2,000,000 Views

This has been a very busy week for SheMakesCents.com, the chic and sassy money-saving site for women that inspires ways to use your “cents” to live a fab life. I am proud to announce the site has hit the 2 MILLION views mark and I wrote my 500th post…all this week!  I want to take a moment and extend gratitude to each of you who have taken the time the read my posts, comment with your thoughts, share with your friends, and trust me with your personal stories of financial worries and successes.  celebrationSo no more sleeping in today.  Rise and shine, lovelies…..get glammed up and celebrate!.  I plan to celebrate this milestone in blogging and I urge you to celebrate your financial milestones- big or small.  There is no cookie cutter definition of the fab life and each of us are proving that as we redefine what it means to us.  The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams and I thank you all for helping me see mine materialize.

xo, Danielle

Tell Me About YOUR last MAJOR life milestone!

FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, RSS Feed,

Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com

Are You Guilty of this Common Credit Score Blunder?

Published on by Danielle YB VasonLeave a comment

Using this type of payment was once thought to be a great way establish and build credit. Some people may agree that this is still the case for in-store financing. I’m inclined to disagree. Fact: Good credit is important to secure financing when making large purchases such as furniture.sofa1

But did you know that financing furniture or other high ticket items can have a negative impact on your credit score?

When shopping, sales people will make payment suggestions to the consumer to close their deal. The first offer that is usually thrown out is a store card or in-store financing. They will present both options making them sound attractive with facts that have no real financial bearing, like 5% off when you open a card today. In most cases, in-store financing is affiliated with well-known banks which may make you as a consumer feel more comfortable. Yet the deal is generally closed once consumers hear the magic words- “no money down and no interest for two years.”  to find out why it’s not a great deal!

What are you saving for?

FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, RSS Feed,

Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com

{Week 17 Update} Why This Easy Financial Move is Worth the Risk

Published on by Danielle YB Vason1 Comment

It’s funny how children’s fables are still relevant to adults and the decisions we make.    Are you familiar with the story about the Grasshopper and the Ant?  It’s the one  that provides an oral lesson about the virtues of hard work and planning for the future.  The fable is about a grasshopper that has spent the warm months singing and dancing while the ant worked to store up food for colder months. When winter arrives, the grasshopper finds itself dying of hunger and begs the ant for food.  His lesson– it is best to prepare for the days of necessity. 

Last week was week 17 of my 52 Week Money Challenge and I am excited to announce that I am under the $1,000.00 mark for my credit card balance. This week I crossed off $51.00 on the SMC Bingo Money Sheet, which puts me at a total of $421.00 dollars in extra payments applied to my credit card balance this year. When I first made this goal a part of my financial plan, I thought that paying off this debt would take longer.  It’s not a glamorous or goal trendy. Most of my friends don’t even understand why I am making these type of financial goals for myself, but I can’t think of many things more delightful than not having to worry about massive debt.

Hare Brain Behavior

In the post, Is This Super Easy Financial Move worth the Risk?, I threw out the idea of going against Dave Ramsey’s advice to maintain a $1000.00 emergency fund.  I revealed that I was considering tapping into my emergency fund once I got my credit card balance under the $1000.00 mark. Well that moment is here and I have decided. I considered every suggestion that readers posted in the comment section of that post and on our Facebook page and I have decided to use $500.00, half of my emergency fund, to knock down my balance even faster. Not only would that put me ahead of my goal date, but I would also end up with more money back in my emergency fund AND savings because I would not be paying interest fees. That’s to say that once my emergency fund is back up to the recommended $1000.00 mark, I would continue put any extra money (up until the original goal date of August 1st) into my savings.

Slow-and-steady-moneySlow & Steady Wins the Race
Although, I have decided that tapping into the emergency fund is the best move for me. I would only do so under one condition – the results of the check engine diagnostic on my C-class Mercedes. If I can afford to pay for repairs to my car and knock out my credit card debt faster, without going into the emergency fund,  then that’s what I will do. Otherwise, I would risk using credit again to take care of this unexpected expense, which is a point that many of you readers brought up when I first presented this idea, and defeats the purpose of having an emergency fund in the first place.

Does slow and steady win the race every time? I’m not sure about EVERY TIME, but I do know that it has become a well-known lesson for a reason. I’m just hoping that this time, I’m an exception to the rule. Only time will tell and I can’t wait to let you know how things turned out.  Like the ant, I am preparing for days of necessity through working hard and planning for the future.  Why not make my money work for me?

Do you consider yourself a financial grasshopper or ant?

FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, RSS Feed,

Email SMC: shemakescents@gmail.com