Wardrobe Tips For Every Woman With Big Money Goals
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Easy tips for upgrading your wardrobe as a small business owner.
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7 Reasons Why Every BOSS Needs a Wardrobe Stylist
/“I like my money right where I can see it: Hanging in my closet.”
Oh, Carrie. How I love you. And while I would like to officially put on the record that from a pure mathematical perspective there are other, more financially savvy places where you could hang your money --- I ALSO know through every fiber of my being that money isn’t just about math.
Life has shown me time and time again, that being financially savvy is also very much about how you feel and the intention you have behind your money decisions.
I created Money & Mimosas, because I am passionate about learning how to make money work for me and sharing my insights with you. I learned at an early age that the system was not designed for you and me. This fact used to make me sad, then very angry, and now I feel energized by this process of discovery.
Here is what I know for sure- being financially successful has very little to do with mastering a cookie cutter formula, and A LOT to do with mastering your beliefs and behaviors around money.
One of those beliefs that needs to be squashed is that you need to budget yourself to boredom and never ever spend money on anything remotely fun until you are 1000% out of debt, have a bajillion dollars saved for a rainy day and are at least sixty-two years old.
Ok, maybe that’s an exaggeration. But, the point is that learning how to enjoy your money and have fun with it, is an important step in BEcoming financially successful.
Please note that having fun with your money must be done with intention. Mindless spending will put you on a fast track to being financially miserable. And you have to be honest with yourself if you have a habit of mindlessly (or intentionally avoiding) making financial decisions.
Shopping is one of those money decisions that is shunned by the current financial paradigm. But, buying clothes in an intentional manner, is extremely important to you being financial successful. Why? Because adorning your body is a confidence booster. And confidence, dahling, is what you need to make that money. Yassss, girl.
But, not all of us are fashionistas. And for some, shopping for clothes can be overwhelming. And as busy boss ladies, we may not have the time.
That’s why I decided to work with a wardrobe stylist. I will be the first to admit that while I love clothes, shopping is not my favorite activity. Mostly because I never know what to buy, I end up spending way too much time in the store, and I’m not always sure which styles or colors best compliment my features.
As any boss does, I decided to find an expert and asked for help. I partnered up with Andrea Faye who is a luxury fashion designer and stylist for busy boss ladies. After working with Andrea, I now feel super confident when choosing an outfit for any function. I’ll share more details about the work we did together. For now, here are seven reasons why every boss needs to work with a wardrobe stylist.
Seven Reasons Why Every BOSS Needs to Work with a Wardrobe Stylist
Understanding your skin tone. Working with Drea, I learned which colors highlight my undertones, making my skin glow. Versus which colors make my skin look dull and lifeless. With a stylist, you will learn which colors are your best friends and which ones need to go bye bye.
Organization. A stylist will help you organize your thoughts around which outfits are best suited for which types of events. For me, my classic look at socializing events is the jumpsuit because you can dress it up or dress it down. But there are also fitness events, lounging around the house, where a jumpsuit may not be appropriate. Working with a stylist will help you think through which activities are consistent in your schedule and then determine which items you need in your closet for each of those functions.
Body style. Have a hard time figuring out which style best suits your frame? Girl, you are NOT alone. It is really hard to objectively look at our beautiful bodies and know which apparel will fall the best upon it. A stylist can do that for you. And will be super loving about it, too!
Your brand. Whether you run your business full-time, have a side hustle or are a freelancer, you have a brand. Your brand will attract clients and it’s important to attract the right ones. Your fashion is a big piece of your brand and a good stylist will help you look at your closet from this holistic perspective.
Saves time. How often have you spent hours in a store or staring at your closet trying to find the perfect outfit for an event? Yea, it’s painful. After working with Drea, I now know how to plan outfits ahead of time for an event. Saving precious time that I can devote to the growing Money & Mimosas community.
Saves money. This may seem counterintuitive, but once you know which clothes work the best for you, you can invest in classic, staple items that will last you for years to come.
Confidence is priceless. Knowing what to wear, and feeling your best while wearing it, is priceless. We all want to feel confident in our skin- whether it’s during a mimosa date with the girls, a boardroom meeting, a client session, or on a date with our boo - and there is NO price tag you can put on that feeling.
And now I’d love to hear from you! Have you thought about working with a stylist? Why or why not? Let me know in the comments below.
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Bold Business Advice for Bloggers from Hilary Duff
/My Interview with Hilary Duff for Entrepreneur.com
Photo credit: Hilary Duff
“I was shocked when GlassesUSA.com first approached me about creating a capsule collection with them. I thought to myself, what could I offer to this big corporation? Why would they want to work with me? But, then I checked in with myself and remembered my worth. I remembered that I do have value and expertise to offer. As a blogger and business owner, you may feel insecure about your worth. I certainly do at times! But, remember that your skills are valuable and don’t be afraid to boldly pursue your dreams. ”
Designing a collection with a well-known brand is a dream for many bloggers and creative business owners. So I caught up with Hilary Duff to ask how the opportunity came about and advice she could share with other entrepreneurs on how to make this dream a reality for themselves.
Me rocking one of the shades from Duff’s collection!
In case you didn’t already know, the beloved star from Lizzie McGuire, is now a mom and a total BOSS. After her Disney days, the actor has been boldly spreading her entrepreneurial wings and expanded her brand to include a vast array of business opportunities. From collaborating with Jif Peanut Butter to host an entrepreneurial contest for kids to designing a capsule collection with eyeglass company, GlassesUSA.com.
GlassesUSA.com is a major online retailer of prescription eyewear. In 2015, they raised a $12.5M growth round. And now accept orders from 92 countries with 40,000 daily website visitors.
When Duff first learned that the company was interested in working with her, she had a moment of disbelief and questioned if she could be of true value to them. However, the soon to be mom of two was excited for the challenge. She was yearning for a creative outlet and designing a collection felt like the perfect fit. She also loved that the brand was open to giving her complete freedom to design a collection.
The collection launched in January of this year and was met with immense success. Such success, that the online eyewear retailer has teamed up again with the actress & recording artist to launch the Bold Capsule, a limited-edition collection with Hilary Duff. The new line is a call-to-action for women to feel empowered and let their colors shine through; it’s an invitation to dare to be bold. The collection launched on Wednesday, September 5, 2018.
Courtesy of GlassesUSA.com
One of my main takeaways from Duff, was to be bold as an entrepreneur and treat your brand like a business. Which means taking control of your finances. The best place to start is to separate your personal and business finances by opening up a business bank account. Check out Radius Bank’s Business Tailored Checking! It’s made for the small, independent business owner (like you and me!). And you will earn 0.75% on balances over $10,000.
To read the entire interview, check out the post on Entrepreneur.com
This post is sponsored by Radius Bank.
3 Business Takeaways from Rihanna's Savage X Fenty
/Ooooweeee. Rihanna has struck again. Reporters are now calling the popstar, a mogul and an entrepreneur to watch.
Yesterday, the Bajan beauty showcased her new lingerie collection at New York Fashion Week.
The show was provocative, timely and has the fashion world buzzing. From the incredible designs to the strong message of inclusivity and diversity, Savage X Fenty’s fashion week debut is one that all of us can learn from as entrepreneurs.
Three business takeaways from Savage X Fenty
Create a memorable experience. Most collections at NYFW showcased their products in a traditional runway format. Rihanna bucked that idea and created a full-on show. That was both entertaining and inspirational. Whether you are debuting a new product or service, think outside the box on how to make the interaction with your brand one worth remembering.
Incorporate an inspirational message. Rihanna and her brand is all about helping all women feel confident and sexy. Note the emphasis on all women. In her NYFW show, she chose to include models that didn’t fit the stereotypical model definition at fashion week. One woman was pregnant, a few women were curvier, and every shade was represented. Whatever your brand stands for, make a clear statement that this is the message that you are committed to spreading through your business.
Build community. Rihanna could have easily been the face of the Savage X Fenty show at NYFW. Instead, she chose to wear a simple dress and dark shades, while the other models slayed it on the stage. Allowing others to be the face of your brand is a thoughtful way to create loyalty, give others a chance to shine and show that your business is passionate about representation!
My Two Cents
Rihanna KILLED IT with the show. And did an incredible job with following up the performance with a pop-up shop in NYC. Fantastic planning and execution all around. I can’t wait to see how the lingerie collection performs over the next 12 months.
Want more celebrity business tips? Sign up for the Money & Mimosas insider list.
And speaking of memorable events, be sure to check out The Socialites X Money & Mimosas next event. A burlesque show in Walnut Creek, CA. Click here for details.
The Socialites by Money & Mimosas
Tips for Planning A Destination Wedding
/Author: Abigail Golder
Perhaps you’ve dreamt of a magical beach wedding since you were young. Sometimes, life does not go as planned. For instance, the love of your life has proposed but you live in the mid-west, where the closest beach is thousands of miles and a full day’s travel away.
While you might quickly become discouraged, there’s no reason to fret! Destination weddings are fun and if you have played your wedding planning cards right, shouldn’t be too challenging. We’ve collected some necessary tips for planning a destination wedding that you’ve always dreamed of.
Consider the Timing
Because we are talking about a dream (destination) wedding, it’s important to consider all the important factors. One of these, is the time of day and time of year for your wedding date. If you’ve always been dreaming of a southwestern, desert wedding, the season for prime wedding time is actually in the winter months. Similarly, Austin, Texas, may be hot or rainy during the summer months, so a spring or fall wedding is a great time for a Texas wedding.
If a mountain-top wedding is your dream, consider that places like Colorado have snowy winters and windy springs. While you may think that a May wedding would bring perfect weather and a touch of cool air, it will in fact bring gusty winds that are sure to falter your hair. That said, we aren’t trying to discourage in any way. If it’s always been your dream to get married in April in the mountains, you’re looking to have a wedding at one of the less desirable times, there’s always the option of an indoor venue. This way, you can choose your wedding date regardless of the weather.
Plan at Least Two Trips
It’s important to plan some visits to your destination of choice long in advance because you don’t live in the place that the major event is located. The first trip should be to visit venues and speak to other vendors like DJs, caterers, florists, etc. While it’s ideal to go a few times in the planning period, the first trip should be at least one year, ideally 14-16 months, before your Big Day.
After choosing your specific venue, plan the second trip for about the 6 to 8-month mark. At this point, couples likely have picked a wedding theme, determined a guest count, and brides has found their dream gown. Get in touch with local hair and makeup artists and schedule a trial during this time. That way, if you don’t like your style, you have plenty of time to rethink this important decision. Now that you have a guest count and wedding them, you can also revisit your venue and get a more detailed idea of how the décor, seating and schedule might pan out. Schedule a second meeting with your florist and caterer to update them on all the progress as well.
The third trip is optional, but extremely helpful if your time and budget allows for it. About 6 weeks before the wedding, head to your destination one more time. While this might not be possible if the wedding is international, it’s super helpful if it’s a drivable trip. For brides that didn’t like their first hair and makeup trial, are planning DIY projects, or need to do a food tasting, this third trip is necessary. Otherwise, save the expense. This will allow you to arrive at your destination wedding a week ahead of time to organize and set up.
Keep Your Guests in Mind
Considering that you’ve likely been dreaming of this day forever, it’s important to do things your way. That said, a destination wedding is not only expensive for guests to attend, it’s also time consuming. Most people will end up taking a few extra days off work to make it in time. Consider your friends’ and families’ schedules and wallets when choosing your destination. Many more people will likely be able to come if it’s close enough to drive or inexpensive to fly.
If you’re Big Day does include a significant time or financial sacrifice, consider supplying invitees with reasonable options. This could include nearby resorts’ all-inclusive packages. Also, ask the resort if they will give a discount for a group reservation. Many resorts offer this amenity as an incentive to bring in more business. After the RSVPs start flowing in, supply your guests with airport information, shuttles or inexpensive car rentals, and tips for traveling in your destination.
Hire a pro
It’s true that wedding planning can be stressful, especially if your Big Day is thousands of miles away. The key to a successful destination wedding is having plenty of time to plan. If your schedule doesn’t allow it, consider hiring an advisor or a wedding planner to lift some of weight off your shoulders.
As you can see, it takes quite a bit of planning, and finances, to plan a destination wedding. Give yourself plenty of time to visit the location and to save up for the wedding of your dreams. Use a savings account, like Radius Bank’s high-yield savings account, to stash some cash for your big day. Not only is it super easy to set up an account (it’s all online), but they have one of the highest APY rates on the market.
Follow these tips for planning a destination wedding and chances are, you’ll have the wedding day of your dreams. Contact us for any wedding questions you might have. Happy Wedding!
About the author: Abigail is a DIY bride with an upcoming wedding date in September! She's been planning her Colorado wedding from her home in Arizona with a some help from her wonderful friends, family, and of course, her future hubby. She is a Freelance Content Writer who loves to share a great story. Originally from Colorado, Abigail grew up in a small town called Montrose and she still spends much of her free time in the mountains hiking and skiing.
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Plan a weekend trip to Portland, Oregon
/Summer 2018 is going to be remembered as one of the most fun summers I have ever had. It has been jam packed with happy hour dates and fun trips! Beginning with me and my beloved’s week-long vaca in Belize and my 7-city Future of Accounting tour sponsored by Avalara across the United States. My most recent stop was in Portland, Oregon for a one-hour presentation to twenty-five CPAs and financial professionals. My presentation was scheduled for Monday afternoon, so Nick traveled with me and we turned it into a long weekend.
We flew out early Friday morning and landed around 8a. As soon as we landed we were greeted with Portland’s 90 degree heat wave - I loved it- and a $95 parking ticket. Sigh. More on that later.
Other than the unfortunate ticket, we had the best time in the cute little city hiking, biking and eating. Our total expenses for the trip ending up being $1,438.29. Here is the breakdown of our costs.
We did borrow a friend’s car, which saved some money. If you do visit Portland, do yourself a favor and avoid the neighborhood we stayed in. It was lovely, but also out in the suburbs which meant a 20 minute drive to the closest worthwhile bar or restaurant.
As I mention in all of my travel posts, I highly recommend getting into the habit of saving up for these weekend trips. Otherwise, you will probably spend willy nilly. Believe me, every $8 mimosa adds up and the worst feeling is having traveler’s remorse when you realize how much you spent.
Leading up to the trip, save a fixed amount each week and transfer it to a high-yield savings account, such as Radius Bank, which allows you to earn a higher interest percentage than traditional savings accounts.
Keep reading to check out some of the highlights from our trip:
As soon as we landed, we grab our rental car from Toro. Such a great service! We drove to brunch row in Southeast Portland and chose Cheryl's on 12th as our first stop because they greet you with fresh beignets. OMG. So good! Unfortunately, we mistakenly parked illegally and within the first two hours of being in Portland, we managed to get a $95 parking ticket. Definitely something we didn't save up for - whooops!
We went on two epic hikes while in Portland. The Fall Creek Trails and this hike. Check out the YouTube video below for all the sites.
The brewery situation in Portland is beyond! I loved the Sessions brewery and the fabulous rooftop.
Mimosas are everywhere in Portland! Bar Carlo have fresh mango mimosas (my favorite!) and one of the tastiest brunches I've ever had.
The food scene in Portland is beyond! And this is after living in the Bay Area! This delicious meal is from Bar Carlo.
The cheese plate at Nord Broder is amazing. Shout-out to our friend for introducing us to this spot and hanging with us. They have three or four different locations across the city.
Yum.
Yumminess at Nord Broder.
Biking is the best way to see a city. But, I do not recommend using these Ford Bikes. They system is low-key shitty. Every bike was either out of service for maintenance or just plain awful. Such a shame because the bike share program is a great idea.
Sipping on mimosas when we found out that our cameo on House Hunters International went live and that I got a call-back for a TV show executive produced by Ashton Kutcher.
Getting ready for my talk! Such a cute location!
Thank you, Avalara, for sponsoring my talk! I had so much fun connecting with these powerful women in accounting.
Selfie fun with the ladies after the discussion. Shout-out to Jennifer Dymond for hosting me and organizing the group.
So great to meet Ashley Schlaefli! A rockstar business owner while raising four little ones. Get it, mama!
7 Steps to Live Like The Rich and Famous (that your CPA won't tell you!)
/Take a moment to imagine your dream life coming true.
Brunch date with the girls on Monday followed by a shopping spree that is pleasantly interrupted by your business manager calling to inform you that you’ve been booked for a gig with two of your BFFs in Venice on Wednesday. Time to pack your bags, ladies.
Late that night, you and your girls are escorted in a black sedan to the private plane waiting to escort you to Italy. The plane is fully stocked with fresh fruits, charcoal infused water, and fresh halibut. You arrive in Venice and are taken to the exquisite Il Pellicano, a hotel co-founded by a fellow American socialite.
The next couple of days are a whirlwind of photoshoots, interviews, meet and greets, capped off with an invite-only fashion show on Friday night. You and the girls take the next day to explore the city, before jet-setting back to the States.
The life of a Socialite is one for the adventurous, passionate, woman who is in a position to drop everything in a moment’s notice for an opportunity of a lifetime. An opportunity that allows her to experience life to its fullest and indulge in the absolute finest.
While this may seem like the life only afforded to those that have been lucky enough to be born into immense wealth, or the life of the rich and famous... it is also possible to anyone willing to take the steps needed to create the life of their dreams.
Here are the seven steps to take to live like the rich and famous.
Create a vision board. What are your goals and aspirations? What is the type of person you want to become in this world? For a step by step guide on this, google and check out The Painted Picture.
Write down all the reasons why you CAN’T achieve your vision. Then, write down why all of those negative reasons are false Often times our mindset is what gets in the way of us accomplishing what we want. What are some negative things you say to yourself when you think about the goals you want to achieve? On that same sheet of paper, cross out all of the reasons why you can not achieve your dreams and replace it with why you can achieve them.
Put together a plan of action. What do you want to accomplish 30 days from now? 90 days? One year? Clearly defining a timeline is the difference between a goal and a wish.
Reevaluate your money habits. Want to live like the rich and famous? Well being “rich” takes money and understanding how it works so you can hold onto it. Take a hard look at some of the financial habits you have that are not serving you and commit to changing them.
Boost your savings. Getting into the habit of paying yourself first is a trait of those that have achieved success. Open up a savings account and make it a habit to pay yourself a percentage of your income on a weekly or monthly basis. Check out Radius Bank’s high-yield savings account. This has one of the highest APY rates on the market.
Launch a side hustle. Everyone from Beyonce to the CEO of Apple has multiple income streams. Take a few moments to think about your passions and how you can leverage them into a money-making side hustle. Be sure to check out my post on the 14 steps for launching a side hustle and the Celebrity section for business insights from our favorite celebrities.
Surround yourself with luxurious experiences and successful people. In order to believe in what is possible for you, you have to first see it. Either in your mind’s eye or in the real world. Placing yourself in situations and around people that elevate your vision of what is possible, will create a huge shift in your reality.
Bonus: Last, but definitely not least, commit to becoming financially healthy and fit. Be sure to check out my 5 tips on how to be financially fit. Especially, focus on tip #3- a weekly money date where you review your finances, and treat yourself to a mimosa. Because having fun with your money is what #MoneyandMimosas is all about!
This post is in partnership with Radius Bank.
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Very Cavallari, Episode 4. Season 1.
/"It's no fun to be 24 and relying on your dad for money." - Reagan.
The search for new employees continues with Kristin conducting second-round interviews for sales associates. Simultaneously, the drama continues between the employees of Uncommon James.
The tension is exasperated when Taylor, Shannon's BFF, comes in for an interview with Kristin. Kristin is hella direct with Taylor and says that she will not hire her because "me and Shannon have had our challenges."
Hmmm. I totally agree with Kristin's hesitation to hire Taylor because it's likely that "little clicks of girls" will form in the store and cause unnecessary drama. However, it was completely unprofessional for her to bring up Shannon's name during the interview.
Taylor tells Shannon what went down, and Shannon is understandably upset. Kristin calls a team meeting with Shannon, Brittainy, and Reagan to explain why she won't be hiring any of their BFFs. And that if the drama between the girls continues, she will have to start letting people go.
The BOSS.
Moving on from the employee drama, in this episode we meet Reagan's mom. While she and her mom are driving, Reagan shares that she is ready to take her finances more seriously.
“It’s no fun to be 24 and relying on your dad for money. Slowly, but surely, I’m becoming an independent woman.”
Reagan, originally from Alabama, now the assistant at the Uncommon James store in Nashville.
Way to go, Reagan! I'm over here cheering you on your journey of financial independence. Are you feeling the same way as Reagan? Ready to be an INDEPENDENT woman? Here is my advice to Reagan and you!
My Two Cents
I absolutely love Reagan's carefree attitude at work. On several occasions, she shares that she thinks people take work too seriously and it should be more fun. I completely agree!
However, there needs to be a balance. Especially if you are committed to becoming financially independent. I've met, and mentored soooo many women, just like Reagan. Women who lack discipline when it comes to their finances health. Finances are just like fitness. You need to have a consistent routine and sometimes it's not all fun and games.
A Money & Mimosas money tip
If you truly want to be financially independent, you have to develop a disciplined approach to your money. The first step to take is to have a weekly money date with yourself. Pull out your calendar and choose one day per week that you will check in with your money for fifteen minutes. During the date, you will review your income, bills and transfer a percentage of your income to your savings account.
For more tips on what it really takes to be a financially independent woman, check out this post.
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How much does it cost to spend a week in Belize?
/
Me and the beloved went on a dreamy vacation over the July 4th holiday. We chose Belize as the destination because we love the beach and doing outdoorsy activities.
Well, Nick loves doing outdoorsy things. Truth be told, I am just fine sipping rum punch on the beach with the book. But I digress…
We planned this trip back in January and each saved up for it. Whenever you’re planning a trip, I recommend pricing out everything beforehand (like we did for our San Diego trip!) and adding 20-30% so you have extra fun money!
We ended up spending $3,008.48. on this trip to Belize. Here is the breakdown:
Saving up for a trip like this is totally doable. If you give yourself six months to save, that's $500 per month. To reduce the temptation of spending your travel funds, keep your savings in a separate account. I recommend a high-yield savings account because the return is much higher than traditional accounts. Click the link to check out the Radius High-Yield Savings account - they have one of the highest interest rates.
Here are some of the highlights and recommendations from our trip to Belize!
We flew Southwest because we signed up for the companion pass earlier this year. Which means you can buy one ticket and get one free! SO awesome!
When we arrived to our resort, Dream Valley, we were greeted with a soursop cocktail. Such a lovely gesture of hospitality and soooo delicious.
The seafood in Belize is incredible! When you visit, be sure to get snapper ceviche.
One of the memorable activities we did during this trip was a five-hour cave hike. It was unlike anything I've ever experienced. Cameras are not allowed in the cave, therefore some of these photos are courtesy of the tour company- MayaWalk Tours.
Inside the cave! We had to wear headlamps because some areas were pitch black.
We made it! This is us, soaking wet, after the cave hiking.
Carol and Mike are two travel bloggers we met on the tour- they are such a fun couple! Check out their blog, Curious Gypsies, for awesome travel tips!
After the hike, we went for a calming swim at the beautiful pool at the Dream Valley resort. Loved this property!
Our next activity was hiking through Mayan temples. Absolutely breathtaking.
Hiking down from one of the Mayan temples.
The views from the Mayan palaces were spectacular!
Nick sipping on the local beer in the marketplace.
The final part of our trip was spent on Key Caulker island. We took an hour-long ferry ride to the island. The Split is a famous location - in 1961 a devastating hurricane hit the island causing it to split. Fifty years later, there are a couple of great restaurants at the Split and beautiful views.
This post is in partnership with Radius Bank.
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Very Cavallari, Episode 3. Season 1.
/“This isn’t a sorority, this is a business. I’m not trying to hire a bunch of friends.” - Kristin Cavalleri
As Uncommon James prepares for their store opening, the team is quickly scaling up their retail staff. And Kristin Cavallari is putting down the hammer and setting clear expectations for who she wants on her staff.
Kristin has put Brittainy in charge of conducting interviews, alongside Reagan. Together, they are filtering through the candidates and reporting back to Kristin to make the final decision.
One of the candidates is Taylor, a model for Uncommon James and one of Shannon’s best friends. Without getting permission from Kristin, Brittainy and Shannon meet up with Taylor for dinner- and Brittainy offers her the job. WHAT.
A big mistake because Kristin made it clear that she has the final say on who is hired. And laters shares, she had offered Taylor a job in the past, but Taylor had turned it down.
The episode continues with the drama between the employees. Now between Shannon and Reagan. Reagan feels that Shannon treats her like “hired help” and doesn’t respect her as a person. The two exchange heated words during Wirth’s housewarming party (Wirth is another Uncommon James employee) and the episode ends with the situation between the two, unresolved.
The Uncommon James team.
Honestly, I don’t how the Uncommon James store will survive with all of this drama between employees. The strife between the women will be crushing for a business. Kristin will need to get these ladies back in check, OR let some of them go, because the energy is toxic and it will impact their bottom line.
My Two Cents
Hiring is an art and a science. Something that I am still learning as an enterepreneur after having a few misses, myself. While many of us won’t have to worry about a fan girl trying to work with us (as so many of the interviewees revealed that they were “obsessed” with The Hills and Kristin Cavalleri), it is important to see if the interviewee has done their homework on the brand or are only interested in a paycheck and/or just having a good time.
Ask your potential hires if they had previously shopped at your store? What do they know about your brand? Why do they care about its mission?
Your employees are ambassador for your company and it's important that they believe in your vision.
A Money & Mimosas money tip
Hiring staff is something that we’ll have to do if we want to grow our business and see our vision come to life. It is a HUGE commitment to bring someone on to your team, both emotionally and financially. Generally speaking, employees end up costing a company 2X their salary in the first year with all of the on-boarding and training costs.
As a small business owner, start slowly. Bring them on for a project and as an independent contractor. Check out Task Rabbit or Freedom Makers Virtual Assistance Services to help you navigate the process. Not sure if you're ready to hire someone? Read my post, Is it time to hire someone?
For more celebrity business news and money tips that I only share via email, sign up for our Insider List.
How to have a life this summer without going broke
/Oh the life of a Socialite during the summa summa time. Mimosa brunches, fitness challenges to keep that summer bod tight and right, lounging in the sun at the park, impromptu photoshoots, BBQs, pool parties, birthday parties, shopping dates…
Like you, the summer is my time to show up and show out. I don’t know what it is about the warm weather and sunshine, but it gives me all motivation to live my best life. And the urge to spend a lot of money. I thought I was alone in this until some of my girlfriends shared with me that the summer time is when they see their credit card balances go way up, and their savings accounts go way down.
Recently I was chatting with a woman named Brittney*. 23-year old, recent college graduate, working at a fashion tech company based in New York. I had first connected with her at a Socialite event and we were catching up over mimosas while she was visiting family in San Francisco. As most conversations go with my friends, the topic quickly turned to money.
It had been one year since Brittney had graduated from college and she had been with the company for about four months. Her salary was $55,000, and after taxes, etc- she was bringing home about $3,000 a month. She had four roommates and they were each paying $1,000 per month. Sidenote: this is the perfect rent to salary ratio for Brittney. Ideally, your rent will not exceed a third of your take -home pay.
“But,” she went on to say, “I am always broke. I have no idea where the rest of my money is going. And now that it’s summer, I feel like I’m whipping out my credit card every two seconds to buy a new outfit or concert tickets or whatever. This is the most money I’ve ever made and I know how to live on much less. But, it’s been a real struggle these last few months.”
I sympathized with Brittney. I could certainly understand that feeling of having more month than money. It is so stressful to live on a wish and a prayer that your account won’t be overdrawn, or that you can squeeze by without paying rent until the 5th, or seeing your credit card balance continue to rack up.
Needless to say, Brittney is not alone in this. So many people earning a decent income, still feel broke. They never feel like they have enough money and constantly have the urge to spend money they don’t have.
Especially during the summer. During the months of sunshine, outdoor festivals and parties, none of us want to have the sense of FOMO. We all want to be involved in all the activities, buy new outfits for every occasion so we can have Instagram-worthy photos, and live our best lives.
But doing all of that doesn’t mean you have to risk your financial health. Being mindful about your money will save you headaches, anxiety and, it goes without saying, dollar bills! Here are some things you can do to have a life this summer, without going broke.
Pick up a side hustle- or three. Yes, I’m sure you’d rather not add to your workload, but having an additional source of income will give you more discretionary income. Not to mention, the time you spend working means less time you will have to spend your money. Wink wink.
Have your girlfriends come over and go for a walk. Instead of meeting for happy hour or brunch, invite your friends over for a party in your home. Ask everyone to bring a dish and drink to share. Not only are you saving money, but you’re also spending time in your beautiful home. Win-win!
Check out your local area’s free events. Remember back in college when you would go to events because they had free food? Yea, I do! I didn’t care what the event was about as long as they fed me. Now that you’re a “grown-up”, doesn’t mean you can’t check out the free stuff. Look up your local area’s bloggers and check out their recommendations for free things to do.
Go hiking or biking. Incorporate outdoor activities that are free to do. The summer time is the best time of year to get outside and explore hiking and biking trails.
It may go without saying, but I have to mention that you also have to get real about your spending. Check your bank account on a weekly basis to review where you spent your money. The Radius Hybrid checking account is one to consider if you want to earn interest on your checking balance (and who doesn’t want to make money on their bank balance!). Being mindful about your spending is a big part of being the master of your money - not the other way around. For more tips on what to do during your weekly date, check out our article, What to do doing your weekly money date.
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*Name changed to protect identity
This post is sponsored by Radius Bank
Where to Cut Costs During Wedding Planning
/Author: Abigail Golder
There’s no secret that the cost of a wedding today can easily break the bank when it’s all said and done. In fact, the average wedding cost is over $30,000. While we would love for you to have your dream wedding with all the bells and whistles, we also know that it's important to save money where you can. Here are some ways to cut costs during wedding planning that just might save you a ton in the long run!
Don’t Overdo the Pre-wedding Events
Let’s face it, the events leading up to the wedding are fun, but they can really end up in the long run. This includes the engagement party, bridal shower, bachelor and bachelorette party and even the rehearsal dinner. There’s no need to skip out on these events entirely, but there is certainly opportunity to cut some major expenses.
Décor for these events is nice, but not many people will remember the decorations of your pre-wedding events, especially once the big day comes around. If you do add decoration, keep them simple. Believe it or not, the dollar store is a great place to get things like glassware, utensils, and other décor.
Weddings aren’t just expensive for the bride and groom. Wedding guests, especially the bridal party, spend a significant amount throughout your particular wedding season. A great way to save everyone some cash is by diligently planning an inexpensive bachelor and bachelorette party. Plan a “staycation” in a nearby city and take advantage of summer discounts. You can also combine the bachelor and bachelorette parties and just get a hotel suite big enough for everyone and split the cost.
The Wedding Coordinator
They say time is money, right? Wedding planners sure can save you a ton of time, but they might not help you cut costs during wedding planning. Hiring a wedding planner throughout the planning process can easily cost you $5,000 and sometimes close to $10,000, so if you’ve got a frugal budget, this is probably a good place to cut.
Don’t fret though, there are plenty of ways to survive the planning process without the help of a professional. In this case, Google is your best friend. There are hundreds of tips and tricks for wedding planning out there so if you can find the time to do some research, everything will fall into place. In order to cut costs during wedding planning, you should definitely keep a detailed spreadsheet of all your expenses and estimate what each piece with cost ahead of time.
Regardless, a wedding coordinator is an expert in the industry, so if you can manage to find one that fits your budget, he or she might be able to save you some money in the long run.
The Credit Card Trick
Depending on your current financial situation, you may want to look into opening a new credit card before purchasing anything wedding-related. Some credit cards offer bonuses and rewards for spending a certain amount of money within the first few months. These rewards can be used for many things, including the honeymoon activities!
Many credit cards give you enough points to qualify for a round trip flight, which could end up saving you hundreds of dollars. Think about it like this, the money for the wedding was going to come from somewhere. You might as well use a credit card and pay it off right away to get the rewards points. If your credit is good enough and a hard inquiry won’t make or break you, look into some travel credit cards. It’s basically free money!
The Cake
If you’re hard-set on a five-tier wedding cake, then go ahead and skip this section, but know you could be missing out on a ton of savings! The cake can prove to be very costly – upwards of $500. We aren’t suggesting you skip out on dessert, but there are tons of delectable options to satisfy a sweet tooth.
Having a dessert bar instead of a wedding cake is a great way to please a variety of people. Offer cookies, brownies and cupcakes that are decorated to correspond with your theme. If you are set on a cake, there is a different approach to take – a cardboard cake. I know it sounds crazy, but you can have all the beauty of a cake and eat it too! The top tier is an actual cake so that the bride and groom can still have their “cut the cake” tradition. The rest of the guests enjoy a slice of the delicious (less expensive) sheet cake that was cut in the kitchen!
While the average cost of weddings might be daunting, don’t let the number fool you. There are plenty of ways to cut costs during wedding planning. At the end of the day, your big day with family and friends is all about the love and memories shared.
About the author: Abigail is a DIY bride with an upcoming wedding date in September! She's been planning her Colorado wedding from her home in Arizona with a some help from her wonderful friends, family, and of course, her future hubby. She is a Freelance Content Writer who loves to share a great story. Originally from Colorado, Abigail grew up in a small town called Montrose and she still spends much of her free time in the mountains hiking and skiing.
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Very Cavallari, Episode 2. Season 1.
/
This episode includes a BIG day for Kristin Cavallari. The Uncommon James company is officially moving out of Kristin and Jay’s hom and into its own office. Much to the relief of Jay, who strongly dislikes having people traispe through the house. Can't blame him, I'm also hella protective of my space. And if Shannon came through, I would be for sure sage-ing the effff out of it.
Anyhooo, I digress. Moving into a separate office is a HUGE goal for many entrepreneurs. But, the celebration is quickly overshadowed by the strife between Shannon, the social media director, and Brittainy, the store manager. Of course, we need drama. It's reality TV.
Shannon, who has a very strong, bullish personality and doesn’t like to take direction from anyone (including at times, Kristin), is adamant about maintaining control over her duties. The dynamic between her and Brittainy is a tricky because Brittainy was hired after Shannon. But brought on as her boss.
Shannon is like, "hold up, I was running this before this Philly chick got here." And Brittainy is all like, "girl, please sit your Southern belle non-working ass down. I run this now."
My words. Not theirs.
A situation I can relate to, at least from Brittainy's perspective. My first “big girl” job was as a retail manager at Target earning $42,000 a year. I was twenty years old and in charge of managing a staff of thirty or more people, many of whom were in their forties or older, and had been with the company for several years. Like Shannon, my team had a way of doing things and were sometimes unwilling to take direction from a new person. Much less a younger person.
Kristin has made it clear that is in fact Brittainy’s role to corral Shannon and make sure that she does her job. Which is to curate and post content across the company’s social media channels including Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram. Fun business insight: Kristin shares that 90% of the company’s sales are driven from social media and is a critical component to Uncommon James’ success.
Although Shannon is really good at her job, she is very inconsistent. Letting weeks go by without posting on Twitter or engaging on Pinterest. Brittainy brings this up and shares some social media suggestions. Shannon is not open to hearing feedback, and retorts “I need to know expectations because I can’t read y’all’s minds.”
Hmmm, perhaps this is where the breakdown is between the two? That neither is clear on the expectations of each other or has clear measurements for success?
In true reality show form, the episode continues the drama and brings it from the workplace to Shannon’s personal life. She and her boyfriend get into a fight, causing him to storm out of the restaurant without saying goodbye.
I am so unbelievably NOT interested in the romantic relationship drama, but I bring this up because the lover's quarrel offers an opportunity for the two women to connect and mend their work relationship. For the time being...
For Kristin and the success of Uncommon James' sake, I hope these two continue to be cordial. Ready for my two cents on the business takeaway from this episode?
My Two Cents
Goodness, managing a team takes a lot of interpersonal skills. As a boss, not only does Kristin have to make sure that the work is getting done. But, she also has to manage the various personalities and the individual needs of the staff. The biggest takeaway I had was the importance of setting clear expectations for employees and understanding what motivates each person. A tool I like to use to be able to manage against tasks is Asana. Also, the book Drive by Daniel Pink is fantastic for better understanding what motivates your team members.
A Money & Mimosas money tip
As you grow your staff, it is important to invest in team building activities. I'm not sure if Kristin is doing this, but if I were advising her, I would highly recommend that she starts. Taking the ladies out on a hiking trip or bringing in a speaker to do personal development training for her staff could make a huge difference. What do you say? What is your advice to Kristin as she grows her business?
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Very Cavallari, Episode 1, Season 1.
/“Every girl needs enough money that she can get up and walk away if she needed to,” - Kristin Cavallari, CEO of Uncommon James.
The reality star from Laguna Beach and the Hills is back and in total BOSS mode. Seven years after she said goodbye to reality TV, Kristin Cavallari decided to team up with E! Entertainment to executive produce and star in her new show, Very Cavallari.
The Kristin of today is a far more polished and evolved version of her high school self. But, has also held on to the sassy, take no shit, personality that we all fell in love with (or loved to hate) back in the day. She is now a mom of three, married to the former NFL player - Jay Cutler- and is the CEO of the successful lifestyle brand, Uncommon James. The show focuses on Kristin as an entrepreneur and the lives of her employees as they help her build her company.
The husband-wife dynamic is very interesting. Jay is now a stay at home dad while Kristin works tirelessly to get her new store up and running. In a scene where Jay and Kristin are driving, Kristin makes it clear that she is determined to be a financially independent- YOU. GO. GIRL.- saying that “every girl needs enough money that she can get up and walk away if she needed to. I’m with you [Jay] because I love you, not because I need you.” Then coily adds, “Power of the Pussy.”
““Every girl needs enough money that she can get up and walk away if she needed to. I’m with you [Jay] because I love you, not because I need you. Power of the Pussy.”
Can we give Kristin a hell yea!! Way to show the world that you are BOSS and understand the importance of women mastering their money. Which is everything that Money & Mimosas stands for. After sacrificing some of her dreams over the last eight years, while Jay played football, Kristin is unapologetically pursuing her passions. BOSS.
The first episode opens up with introducing us to the Kristin and Jay’s new home city, Nashville, and some of the people that Kristin is closest with.
Jay Cutler, her husband of five years, recently retired from the Chicago Bears and is a stay at home dad managing a lot of the household duties - such as picking the kids up from school and tending to the lawn.
Kelly, a groomer for celebrity musicians, is one of Kristin’s best friends. She’s 35 and single, and eager to find the man of her dreams.
Shannon and Reagan are two Southern belles who are both employees of Uncommon James.
Shannon is the social media manager, which Kristin says is the “most important job” because the majority of their sales originate from social media.
Reagan is the office assistant. Don't be fooled by the "blonde with the big tits" as some affectionally call her. She is witty and very sharp.
Kristin’s third employee, Brittainy, was recently hired and is the soon to be open store manager. A hardworking woman from Philly, she has a gritty, no fluff edge to her that we quickly see clashes with the Southern belles who have no issue smiling in your face then talking shit behind your back.
Up until this point, Kristin has run Uncommon James from the couple’s home. And is working on opening her first brick and mortar location. The store will carry curated items from her line including jewelry and home goods. We are given a first-hand glimpse into the behind the scenes of taking an e-commerce platform to a physical store reality. It is quite a process, and an expensive one at that, as I learned when I helped one of my very first clients open a fashion boutique after selling online.
Here is my two cents on the business lesson we can learn from this episode.
My Two Cents
If you are in a committed relationship, it’s important to communicate your needs as an entrepreneur. Kristin shows us that we can love, adore and cherish our husbands - and still be fiercely financially independent. The key is to let the other know why pursuing your passions is so important to you, so that your beloved can help you. In this case, Jay helps with picking up the kids and minding some of the household duties so that Kristin can focus on her business.
A Money & Mimosas money tip
As you can see from the episode, it is quite an investment to open a brick and mortar. I hope that in future episodes, Kristin shares more of the financial insights from running a business. Regardless, my advice to you is to not jump head first into opening a physical location. Start with doing pop-up shops, or a pop-up shop in one location, to gain some foot traction and a loyal following before committing to a 12-month plus lease. In the Bay Area, there are locations like the Crocker Galleria in San Francisco, Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek or Pophood in Oakland. To find locations in your area, check out Peerspace or collaborate with a local business owner and ask if you can rent out space for a short-period of time to test your retail concept.
For more celebrity business news and money tips that I only share via email, sign up for our Insider List.
Cheers,
Danetha
How much should you spend on clothes each month?
/Sun’s out and if you’re like us, we know you are all about the summer parties. BBQs, lounging by the pool, brunch dates with the girls...and every get together needs a bougie outfit to go along with it. Because life is too short to wear boring clothes. Right?!
And unlike other money blogs, we are not going to be the ones to tell you to create a budget and eliminate your shopping sprees. Life is meant to be lived to the fullest. Yes, honey, there’s nothing like having a closet full of gorgeous clothes to declare that you are living your best life.
However, spending frivolously is a fast track to wallet depression, frustration and unnecessary stress that causes permanent wrinkles. And ain’t nobody got time for that.
Whether you shop Gap or Gucci, you need money to support your purchases and the occasional shopping spree.
Creating a monthly allowance for clothes is a great practice to develop. Every month you know that you have money set aside just for your closet needs. And in doing so, you won’t feel guilty about shopping because you won’t be going into further debt.
So if you’ve got a passion for fashion, but you feel like your wallet is suffering because of it, take these money steps so you can continue to live your best life.
Review the last three months clothes expenses. How much do you normally spend on clothes each month? This will help you better understand your money habits.
Determine your monthly take-home pay and calculate 5% of it. For example, if you earn $3,000 per month (after taxes), then $150 equals 5%.
Use this total as your clothing budget. You can scale up or down as needed, but 5% is a great baseline.
Open up a separate account to store your clothing monies. We recommend using Radius Bank’s Hybrid Checking Account. You actually earn interest on your balance- how cool is that!
Set aside money each week or month. Every time you get paid, transfer money to your clothing account. We recommend doing this during your weekly Money & Mimosas date. When you’re done, treat yo’self to a mimosa. You deserve it!
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This post is in partnership with Radius Bank.
"What's Hot" June Fashion Trends with the Walnut Creek Socialites
/It’s official, summer is here! ️ Are you excited for all the pool parties, BBQs, blogger events and photoshoots?! We know we are! We are so excited about Money & Mimosas to collab with thredUP on our first ever fashion trends video.
We LOVE thredUP because it is the perfect shopping destination for bosses, like yourself, who enjoy the finer things in life and care about being financially and environmentally responsible.
They are the largest secondhand online store and carry brands from Gucci to Gap!
We partnered with THE Bay Area's fashion trendsetter, Shalini of Dress Up to Dazzle to put together some some HOT fashion looks. For all you bosses looking for some fashion inspo for this summer’s hottest events, check out this fun video collab...
Here are the deets from the looks!
Shalini's Look:
Romper - Ella Moss
Value - $242
thredUp's Price - $60.99
Shoes - Nine West
Value - $119
thredUp's Price - $28.99
For Shalini's outfit, we wanted to go for a look that looks like you spent hours putting together but in reality only took a few minutes! Rompers are so easy to put on and looks like you put a lot of effort getting ready.
The Ella Moss romper is a vibrant pastel blue/periwinkle with a subtle polka dot pattern and has gorgeous lace/crochet detailing on the shoulders and the back. It has cute ruffle detailing at the bottom to make it girly and flirty, and a wrap top which is very trendy.
For the finishing touches, we added a pastel yellow peep toe heel to contrast the color of the romper and make the outfit pop even more for spring time.
Danetha's Look:
Shorts - American Eagle
Value - $49.95
thredUP's price - $17.99
Shirt - Forever 21
Value - $12
thredUP's Price - $4.99
Jacket - Gap
Value - $89
thredUP's price - $23.99
Shoes - Rocket Dog
thredUP's price - $59
Our Price - $17.99
Crossbody - Unbranded
Value - $60
Our Price - $27.99
For Danetha's outfit, we wanted to go for a sporty/casual chic look. Denim cut offs are a staple for the warm weather. The floral embroidery and the pop of red at the bottom takes this look to the next level.
Instead of wearing a plain white tee, we added a crotchet crop top to give the look a little more depth and girly spring feel without being over the top.
To tie the look all together we threw on a cropped green utility jacket, a circle cross body, and added cutout brown heeled booties which are spring wardrobe essentials!
What are your favorite pieces from these two looks? Let us know in the comments!
3 money lessons women can learn from Hollywood moms, Mo'Nique and Catt Sadler
/Unless you live under a rock or are dangerously naive, you are aware that we have a huge gender wage gap. In 2016, women working full-time in the United States were paid 80% of what men were paid.
The American Association of University Women (AAUW), the nation’s leading voice promoting equity and education for women and girls, conducted an in-depth research study and produced "The Simple Truth about the Gender Pay Gap" report.
The impact of the pay gap has intensified over the years as more mothers take on the breadwinner role in the family. According to the report, 42 percent of U.S. mothers are primary breadwinners. Which means that men, girls, boys, everyone are negatively impacted by the wage gap. And it is in everyone's best interest to create a society where women are paid equally and mothers are fully supported in the workplace.
Taboo Topics in Business is a popular event series I co-lead with gender equity consultant Emily Howe. Wanna join and be a part of the solution? Click the image to RSVP to our next event.
To further exacerbate the problem, moms are financially penalized for being moms. When stay-at-home and part-time working mothers decide to return to the full-time workforce, many encounter a “motherhood penalty”. Studies show that employers are less likely to hire mothers compared with childfree women, and when employers do make an offer to a mother, they offer her a lower salary than they do other women (Correll & Benard, 2007; Kricheli-Katz, 2012). In contrast, many fathers actually receive higher wages after having a child, known as the “fatherhood bonus” (Killewald, 2013; Budig, 2014).
Hollywood Moms, Catt & Mo'Nique
The wage gap crisis is grabbing more media attention as women from the tech industry to Hollywood are finding their voice to stand up against injustice.
In December of 2017, Catt Sadler announced that she was leaving E! News after working there for over a decade. Her reason for leaving? On her blog, she wrote that it was because she was earning less than half of what her male co-host earned. A co-host who started at the same time, held the same work responsibilities and has the same public profile. How did Catt know about the pay discrepancy?
A year prior in 2016, a female colleague had informed Catt in confidence that Catt was being severely underpaid. This was after Catt had been given a significant increase in work responsibilities. She took the next year to work her ass off (note- she had already worked her ass off for over a decade) and when it came time for negotiations, she felt assured that the network would "do the right thing".
Well, apparently the "right thing to do" from the network's perspective was to not offer Catt a raise. So, what did Catt do? Catt Walked.
Mo'Nique faced a similar egregious situation. She was offered a deal from Netflix. Netflix had previously offered Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle $20 million, each.
Amy Schumer was originally offered $11 million for her Netflix deal. Amy shares the same agent as Chris and Dave, and her agent asked for an increase in Amy's offer. They settled on $13 million.
What was Mo'Nique offered?
$500,000.
After Mo'Nique shared this publicly, Wanda Sykes spoke up and said she had been offered less than half of what Mo'Nique was offered.
My Two Cents
I'm not interested in opinions- mine included. I'm interested in dollars.
In case I was not clear above, Catt Sadler's workload doubled and she was paid less than half.
Amy was originally offered 55% of the dudes' deals, before her agent renegotiated for 65% (btw, Amy is still the only female comedian to make the Forbes' highest paid comedians list- which you can read here.)
Mo'Nique was offered 2.5% of Chris and Dave's deal. Should Amy and Mo'Nique earn as much as Chris and Dave? No. But, can we get close?
My calculations show that Catt is earning fifty cents on the dollar. Amy is earning sixty-five cents. And Mo'Nique is earning two cents.
Two cents on the muthafuckin dollar.
What you can learn from this
Women will not experience equality until we achieve parity. Money is power and as long as there is an unfair distribution of wealth, #metoo situations will continue to exist and the fabric of our families and communities will continue to erode.
As women, here are three things you can learn from Mo'Nique and Catt Sadler to take back your power and elevate your financial status.
Talk about money with your girlfriends. The only way we can start to close this gap is by openly talking about money with each other. In the Money & Mimosas community, members are encouraged to share how much they charge and insights on how they negotiate deals. The more you talk about money, the more confident you will feel in owning your worth. Not sure where to start? Click here for tips on how to talk money with your girls.
Be prepared to do the Cattwalk. In Catt's interview on The View, she said that she boosted her savings account in case she decided to leave her job. Every woman needs to have F U Money, whether it's to leave a shitty job or a shitty lover. Get into the practice of always setting aside money from your paycheck to keep for yourself. It's the best form of self-love.
Maintain multiple revenue streams. If you are working a traditional corporate job, pick up a side hustle. If you have a small business, maintain multiple revenue streams. Options are the key to financial independence.
What's your two cents? Let me know in the comments below.
If you’d like to be a part of the solution, join me and Emily Howe at our next Taboo Topics event in San Francisco. Click here to RSVP.
For more celebrity business insider info and VIP event invites, click here to get weekly success tips.
How to save for your dream wedding
/Hi beautiful!
Congratulations on your upcoming celebrations. This is truly a magical time to spend with your girlfriends, family and, of course, the love of your life. I want you to be your happiest, prettiest and most confident self during this entire amazing experience. Even if at times you feel overwhelmed with all of the decisions that have to be made- from what flowers to choose, which flatware to use, OMG - the dress!...
All of these decisions add to the cost of the wedding. The average wedding, according to a survey by The Knot, is $35,000. If you’re looking to have it in a place like Manhattan, you’re looking at something closer to $80,000. And if Meghan Markle’s upcoming wedding is your inspiration, then the price tag will be wayyyyy more.
What's better than getting engaged and having a mimosa?! Congratulations, Cait, on your upcoming wedding! Check out all of her fun adventures @caitlinhosn on Instagram.
Most financial gurus will tell you to create a strict budget for your wedding. Of course, you want to make sure that you don’t add unbearable financial stress to your marriage. After all, money is the #1 reason why couples may end up in divorce.
But, I know that this is your BIG day. The day you may have dreamed of your whole life or ever since you fell madly in love.
So I say, have your cake and eat it too. Because every woman deserves to feel like a princess on her special day.
Here are some quick tips on how to save for your wedding.
Research wedding costs before you create your budget. Often times, couples will set an arbitrary budget for the wedding without doing any research to see if the budget is realistic. For instance, you may think that you can hire a makeup artist for $150. But, their average wedding rate may be $1,000 in your area. Once you hear the price, you will feel defeated. As this happens over and over, tension between the two of you will increase as you continue to spend “over your budget”. But, if you knew that most MUAs cost $1,000 in your area, you wouldn’t be shocked. In fact, it would be in your budget. Therefor, sit down with your beloved and write out what your dream wedding would include. Then, research and total the cost.
Ask, how can we afford this? It’s likely that your dream wedding will cost a pretty penny. Before you start chopping your budget to something that’s more realistic, brainstorm ways that you two can make the dream a reality. Is there a way you can make more money at work? If you have a side hustle, is there a way you can ramp up your sales? This is why I’m a huge fan of having a business- whether it’s full-time or part-time- because you have more control over your earning power and can create space for your dream big day to come true.
Set milestone goals. Maybe you want to save $50,000 or $100,000 for your wedding. That’s a lot to tackle all at once. Break up the total into monthly milestone goals.
Open a separate savings account. Keeping a separate account will help reduce your temptation to dip into it for other purposes. Also, it’ll be motivating as you watch it grow. One of the highest earning savings account is Radius Bank’s High-Yield savings account. For balances over $2,500, there is a 1.3% APY. *
Sales and Saving. Soooo, I know that a sale on a pair of shoes is tempting. Not the shoes for the wedding. Just a pair of shoes that you just have to have. If you read my post earlier this month, you know that as long as the sale fits within your indulgence allowance then it’s fine to buy the pair. But, the money you saved on the purchase should be transferred to your wedding savings account. For instance, if it’s a $100 pair of shoes that is on sale for $40, then the $60 you saved needs to go into your wedding savings account.
Go on a spending detox. What?! You just said I could have my cake and eat it too. Why should I go on a detox? Here’s the thing, love. Being financially fit is just like being physically fit. If you get your workouts in and eat healthy 90% of the time, you can have your cupcake and mimosas. Same thing goes with your finances. Especially if you’re saving up for a (hopefully!) once in a lifetime moment. I want you to have your dream day and in order to do that, you have to be mindful of your spending choices. Go through your monthly expenditures, and ask yourself do I really need this? Is there anything you can cut out during this savings period? Are there retailer newsletters you can unsubscribe from so you aren’t tempted to buy more clothes? Maybe you and your beloved can eat in more. Besides saving some money, it’s a great way to bond!
Don’t be afraid to ask for discount. Ask and ye shall receive. Or as my friend says, closed mouths don’t get fed. When you’re purchasing items for the wedding, ask if there are any current specials or discounts. Lots of retailers and businesses offer AAA membership discounts, discounts for students, or other specials that they may not advertise. The worst they can say is no!
And now I'd love to hear from you! What does your dream wedding look like? Let me know in the comments below.
This post was in partnership with Radius Bank.
*Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 12/19/17. Minimum amount to open account is $10.00. Rate tiers are as follows: 0.00% APY applies to balances of $0.01—$9.99, 0.05% APY applies to the entire balance on balances of $10.00—$2,499.99, and 1.30% APY applies to the entire balance on balances of $2,500 or more. Rates may change after account is opened. Fees may reduce earnings
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Five money tips for planning your San Diego weekend getaway
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Take these five money steps to be able to go on a weekend getaway on a whim. The third step is KEY if you want to make sure you don't regret your spending choices after the trip!
Read MorePreparing yourself for IVF
/Having a child and starting a family is the dream for so many couples. Unfortunately, getting pregnant may prove to be a difficult challenge for some couples. According to the CDC, 12 percent of women of childbearing age (15-44) have received treatment for infertility – a total that equals 7.3 million U.S. women.
Thankfully, with the advancement within medicine and an evolution in social norms, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is becoming a popular option for couples longing to start a family on their own. However IVF is a costly treatment process since it is not typically covered by health insurance plans. Supermodels, Tyra Banks and Chrissy Teigen shared their experiences with IVF, and the high costs associated with it, in this FabLife episode.
For many couples, the fees are insurmountable and inaccessible. According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, the average cost for IVF treatments is $12,400. In a recent Prosper Healthcare Lending survey, 84% of the women who have undergone IVF treatments state finances to be their biggest concerns. Higher than their emotional and health concerns.
If you are considering IVF, finances will need to be a part of the conversation with your doctor and significant other. Here are four steps that you can take to ensure that your financial wellness remains healthy during this process.
Step number one: create a couple's budget. Take a look at everything that needs to be covered within the household for the next twelve to eighteen months, including the fees for IVF treatments then ask yourself does this mean that we have to put other financial goals on hold, such as saving up for a down payment for a home or taking that extended vacation. Together, get clear on what your combined financial goals are and how IVF fits into this new budget.
Step number two: research various clinics and ask them about financing options. While you can choose to put the cost of IVF on your credit card, the associated interest payments will begin to be very costly. Many clinics have other options for you, including working with Prosper Healthcare Lending, to provide financing options for IVF treatments. Clinics that provide financing through Prosper include Frisco Fertility, Oregon Reproductive and Vivere- Houston.
Step number three: talk to a certified tax accountant about potential tax credits for IVF and fertility preservation. Currently, you can deduct medical expenses from your taxes, including IVF fees. Additionally, there are a number of proposed tax reform changes. Heaven knows what they will include, but the reform may or may not include additional tax credits for expenses related to fertility treatments. Be sure to work closely with a certified tax professional to stay on top of these changes.
Set number four: think through the financial cost of having a child and start planning for related expenses. Often times, couples are so excited about the thought of having a child that they forget that children do come with additional expenses. Take time to talk to other parents in your area about childcare fees, food costs and other unforeseen expenses to get a realistic sense of what to expect after having your bundle of joy.
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