And Then She Saved

Looking Forward To That Refund Check?

Anna Newell Jones — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:32:19 +0000

Are you looking forward to a tax refund this year? I'm one of those people that really likes to get a tax refund because it's like a bonus chunk of money! Whenever I tell my dad that he says, "The government is getting an interest free loan on YOUR MONEY!" He goes on to say that if I'm getting a refund back each year then too much money is getting withheld from my paycheck every month and that money could be going to things I need each month (or into savings and collecting interest for me) instead of adding up and collecting interest for the government. And, really, I know he's right. He usually always is... but, I still can't help but get a little happy when I get that fat check back.

I mean, it is NICE.

So once that check arrives, the question then becomes: "Should I save it, spend it, or pay off debt?" You probably know what I'm going to recommend... yep, pay off that debt. It can be hard to put that money towards the debt (I know how hard that is!) but it'll just help to get the debt paid off that much faster which is the goal, and, oh, SUCH an AMAZING accomplishment!

Debt-free living is where IT IS AT.

Today, Mary Ann is sharing what her and her husband do with their tax refund (below).

image courtesy of mary ann

My husband and I spent our early years in a cycle of spending and then every spring we would pay off our debts with our income tax refund. This is not a practice I endorse today, especially given the economic state of our country. We have worked really hard to change that dynamic and the spending cycle. Today we live within (and below) our means since we are preparing for retirement. The benefit of our debt reduction is that we have many more choices as we prepare for the small windfall coming our way once our taxes are filed.

In 2010, it was reported that the average income tax refund was over $3,000 and that is up 10 percent from a year before. Since the 2010 Tax Relief Act extends through the end of 2012 many of us will see some extra money this spring.

This is what we do to maximize our tax refund:

Apply credits and itemize

I've learned that itemizing deductions is the way to increase our refund check. In order to make some smart choices, I consulted the IRS calculator. This gave me a general idea of what to expect for our return and once I've finalized and filed our tax return we like to take the time to think about and discuss what to do with the money that will be coming our way.

Analyze debt and pay off debt first

Although we have tried very hard to reduce our debt load, unexpected things do pop up. So we survey our financial situation and organize our debts into two categories, those with high interest rates and those with low interest rates. Thankfully, we are no longer saddled with college or car loans and while our first instinct may be to use the windfall for that big screen TV or a trip to Europe that we have been wanting, we know now that living within and below our means is the only way we will truly achieve financial freedom in our retirement.

It has taken many years and a lot of discipline to get where we are today. We've learned that making small strides towards financial security gives us a great feeling of accomplishment.

About Mary Ann: Mary Ann Rosenthal is a grandmother to four beautiful children under the age of five. She is dedicated to helping her friends and family save money and works with her son Aaron at CyberMondayDeals.com. She is also an artist, writer and aspiring photographer living in Saint Augustine, Florida.

Thanks Mary Ann!

Are you expecting a tax refund this year? What are your plans for the money? Will you be paying down your debt or going on a splurge?

The High Cost of Being A Bridesmaid And What To Do About It

Anna Newell Jones — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:00:56 +0000

image newell jones + jonesTo be by your friend throughout the highs and lows of the wedding planning process, to see her jitters on The Big Day, to see the sweet but nervous smiles throughout the ceremony, and to cry along with her as she exchanges vows with her soon-to-be-brand-new-husband is something every friend wants to do. And, if you're a lady there's a very high likelihood that you've had a friend ask you to be in her wedding.

We all want to support those closest to us and to be there when they need us. But what do you do if you're broke, in debt, have no money, are on a Spending Fast, or a Spending Diet, and you get asked to be in a wedding?

This time of year I get a lot of emails requesting tips on how to handle the high-cost of being a bridesmaid.

The emails usually go a little something like this:

"I'm a bridesmaid for one of my oldest friends this summer and I just found out that the planner of her shower wants to do a weekend away - it would include a day at the spa and 2 nights of going out dancing and having what I'm sure would be a fun time. But there is no way I can afford the hotel, spa day, dinner, drinks and all of the other expenses. What do I do?!! I'll feel like a bad friend if I can't go..but I will already be spending money on the dress for her wedding, which is a large expense in my opinion! Help!"

No one wants to be the friend that's all, "How 'bout we do a potluck y'all!" (as incredibly sweet as a wedding like that would be)

So, first things first. If you've already committed to being in the wedding you can't back out after that. Because if you do the friendship will likely, be irretrievably broken. The only solution is to make the best of it. There are a lot of social moments that can be awkward or uncomfortable if you're trying to save money and be frugal, and I've learned that sometimes it's all about damage control.

When I find out that a friend (or sister) got engaged I try to evaluate the situation and figure out if I might be asked to be in the wedding. I figure that if I can be prepared for the request then that will make all the difference. It's also good to think about being a bridesmaid far in advance of being asked because if you wait until she actually asks then they'll be a super long pause and then it'll be obvious that you're thinking about it and she won't like that, at all.

I consider these 8 aspects

1. Was she in my wedding?

2. How close am I to her? Acquaintance, friend (but not super close), best friend, or sister?

3. Can I pay for the bridesmaid dress that will most likely be an average of $100 + possible hemming and tailoring? Matching shoes, accessories, hair and makeup will also be an additional cost.

4. If I'm asked to be the Maid of Honor I'll be responsible for throwing the Bridal Shower and either throwing the Bachelorette Party too or making sure it happens.

5. If I'm asked to be a Bridesmaid then I may be asked by the Maid of Honor to pay for part of the Bridal shower and/or part of the Bachelorette Party and I'll be expected to give a gift for each event.

6. Will the Wedding, Bridal shower, and Bachelorette party be out of state? Because that will mean food, flight, hotel, and car rental costs.

7. Do I have enough paid time off (PTO) time from work to participate in all of the events? If I don't have enough PTO that could mean a loss of income.

8. Can I also afford a wedding gift for the couple?

It feels like a bummer to think about these things during such exciting times but it's super important because if you can't afford to be a part of the wedding and all that it entails it's best to tell her at the time she asks you to be in the wedding. Make a heavy emphasize on the fact that you love her, be forthright, be honest, and lay it out there. It's time to go into heart-to-heart mode and explain that your money situation is not ideal right now and that you want to be a part of the wedding, but maybe in other ways?

Some things you could do that show your love and support for her and her big day are things like:

Helping to set up the reception area so it's just right
Doing last-minute errands and tasks the day of the wedding (it is SO helpful to have someone dedicated to the random things that come up that aren't expected)
Or, if you have a skill like graphic design, offer to help with the various event invites. If it's photography maybe you could take an image for the Save the Date card, or if you love flowers you could offer to arrange the bouquets.

Basically, wrack your brain to think of something you can do to help her and support her throughout the wedding planning process and on the wedding day. It may be a hard conversation to have and she may not like you after you tell her where you're at but it's better to do that and be up-front then to back out after she's already pictured you standing up there with her.

Another thing to do is to try to be a part of the bridesmaid dress selection process from the very beginning. This means keeping the bride's Wedding Day vision in-tact but also helping to steer the girls into the less expensive dress options rather than the "it costs WHAT?!!!" territory. And, you get bonus points if the bride picks an inexpensive and cute dress that you can actually really wear again, like, for real wear again, and not pretend "oh, YEAH, I'll definitely wear it again!"

In the end, an honest look at your financial situation and a long talk with your friend just might be the perfect solution to the high-priced Bridesmaid Blues.

image newell jones + jones

Have you ever been asked to be a bridesmaid and knew you couldn't afford it? How did you handle it? Do you have any tips for those who are struggling with this?

Tis' Easier To Suppress The First Desire Than To Satisfy All That Follow It

Anna Newell Jones — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:00:53 +0000

Benjamin Franklin was a very frugal man and had some extremely wise words on the subject. His frugal wisdom still apply to today's times despite being over 200 years old!

(Benjamin Franklin also wrote a book called The Way To Wealth and there is a link at the bottom of this post to an online version of the book.)

I can relate to: #1, #5, #10, #13, #14, #16, #17, #19, #20 (SO wise), #24, #25 (YES!), #27, #30, #31, #32 (love it), #33, and #36 (touché). So, pretty much all of them. Which ones do you relate to?

Frugality (40-78) – Prudent economy; that careful management of anything valuable which expends nothing unnecessarily, and applies what is used to a profitable purpose; thrift; — opposed to extravagance

Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship

Buy what thou hast no need of, and before long thou shalt sell thy necessaries

A fat kitchen makes a lean will

Many estates are spent in the getting, Since women for tea forsook spinning and knitting, And men for punch forsook hewing and splitting.

Think of saving as well as of getting: the Indies have not made Spain rich, because her outgoes are greater than her incomes

Women and wine, game and deceit, Make the wealth small, and the wants great.

What maintains one vice, would bring up two children

Who dainties love, shall beggars prove

Fools make Feasts, and wise men eat them

Wise men learn by others’ harms, fools scarcely by their own

Silks and satins, scarlet and velvets, put out the kitchen fire

A ploughman on his legs is higher than a gentleman on his knees

Always taking out of the meal-tub, and never putting in, soon comes to the bottom

When the well’s dry, they know the worth of water

If you would know the value of money, go and try to borrow some

He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing

Fond pride of dress, is sure a very curse; E’er fancy you consult, consult your purse.

Pride is as loud a beggar as want, and a great deal more saucy.

When you have bought one fine thing you must buy ten more, that your appearance maybe all of a piece

Tis easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it

Great estates may venture more, But little boats should keep near shore

Pride that dines on vanity sups on contempt

Pride breakfasted with plenty, dined with poverty, and supped with infamy

But what madness must it be to run in debt for these superfluities!

When you run in debt; you give to another power over your liberty

The second vice is lying, the first is running in debt

Lying rides upon debt’s back

Poverty often deprives a man of all spirit and virtue: ’tis hard for an empty bag to stand upright

Creditors are a superstitious sect, great observers of set days and times

Those have a short Lent who owe money to be paid at Easter

The borrower is a slave to the lender, and the debtor to the creditor

Disdain the chain, preserve your freedom; and maintain your independency: be industrious and free; be frugal and free

For age and want, save while you may; No morning sun lasts a whole day

Gain may be temporary and uncertain, but ever while you live, expense is constant and certain

Tis easier to build two chimneys than to keep one in fuel

Rather go to bed supperless than rise in debt.

Get what you can, and what you get hold; ’Tis the stone that will turn all your lead into go

Here's a free online version of Benjamin Franklin's book The Way To Wealth if you're interested in reading more.

How many of Ben Franklin's frugal ways can you relate to?

How De-Cluttering Will Save Money In Ways You Might Not Have Expected

Anna Newell Jones — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:00:50 +0000

my bathroom cabinet barfed

It's been on my to-do list for FAR too long. Cleaning out the cabinet under the bathroom sink is something I kept thinking:

"I gotta do that!"
"It's getting out of control!"
"Ugh. I'll just throw this in there for now."
"I'll definitely clean it out this weekend."
"I thiiink I have one of those (insert whatever item here) but I just don't know... better just pick one up to be safe!"

My poor husband Aaron doesn't get any space in the cabinet, that is, expect for a small glass cup that he keeps some little things in. The over-flowing stacked-up and over-stuffed mess was ALL mine and I knew it.

I finally took Gretchen Rubin's (author of the book The Happiness Project- highly recommended by the way) advice to "Tackle a Nagging Task". I sat on the floor and just started. The excuses weren't cool anymore. The time for action had begun.

It sounds so simple and like such common sense but JUST STARTING - meaning just taking the smallest amount of action can instigate amazing amounts of productivity.

The contents of the cabinet were all over the floor and I started to realize how many duplicate items I had. I had unknowingly been buying things multiple times because I had forgotten I already owned it!

Outta' sight outta' mind? Yep. Exactly.

Here's what I found multiples of:

3 cans of shaving cream
8 (omg) bottles of sunblock
4 bars of soap (plus I have TONS of travel size soaps that I've been stockpiling for some reason)
4 Razor blade replacements
2 cans of hairspray
3 bottles of hair gel (I don't even use it except for on my bangs, maybe)
4 (say what?) bottles of conditioner (plus lots of travel size ones I'm been "collecting")
1 bottle of shampoo (again lots of little ones I've been saving because you just never know, right?)
4 mini promotional tubes of toothpaste
1 toothbrush
3 bottles of sunless tanner (I don't even use it!)
2 bottles of face mask gel
1 stick of deodorant

Had I kept the clutter at bay I would've saved a chunk of money. Lesson learned cabinet. Lesson learned.

An Accessories Swap Is Happening!! Can You Come?

Anna Newell Jones — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:05:48 +0000

Swapping madness has officially hit Denver! And, it's A-W-E-S-O-M-E!

What's so great about swapping is that you get to get rid of the stuff you no longer need or want and you get to pick out NEW to you THINGS! It's a way to re-mix your style and infuse some freshness. It can also be an adrenaline rush when the swap begins and everyone is trying to find the best things! It's exciting!

Having style while also trying to save money and get out of debt can feel very difficult, especially if you're used to going to the stores and buying whatever is cute (that's what I used to do and it got me into a lot of trouble!) Swapping is a fun and social thing to do with your girlfriends and you can make a night out of it! (don't live in Denver but want to get in on the swapping fun too? The Swapaholics tell you how to host your own swap with your girlfriends right here.)

Oh... and did I mention that Handbags.com is giving away 3 amazing brand new bags to swappers at the end of the night?! Um. Yes. It's true.

Here are the event details

It's An AndThenSheSaved.com Accessories Swap! Sponsored by Handbags.com

If you're a woman in Colorado you're invited!

Bring your girlfriends and make a night of it! This is going to be a lot of fun!!

When and Where
· Saturday, March 10th from 6:30pm to 9 pm
· It will be held at The Curtis Hotel located at 1405 Curtis Street, Denver, CO
· The actual swap will start at 7:30 pm on the dot. Please arrive between 6:30 - 7:00 pm so we have enough time to inspect & sort your items.
· $5 CASH ONLY to enter. A portion of the proceeds will be given to SafeHouse Denver to support their efforts in assisting women and children in leaving dangerous situations.

Details
· Swappers please bring 10 great pieces: Handbags, shoes, hats and jewelry to swap. Bring items that you would give to your best friend or sister!
· Your items will be checked by official Handbags.com Inspectors so please don't bring things that are falling apart, have stains, holes, are smelly, broken or just plain ugly! We will not accept these items! We want everyone to leave with great items at the end of the night:)
· At 9pm 3 people will win a fabulous bag from Handbags.com!!
· At 9pm all of the items that have not been swapped can either be taken back by the original owner or can be left for donation to SafeHouse Denver (a women's domestic violence shelter)

More Goodies
· Free Parking Garage is Available
· First 50 Swappers will receive 1 FREE drink ticket.
· Handbag Design Contest (winners will win fabulous bags from Handbags.com! at 9pm)
· DIY Button Making Station
· Tunes by DJ El Brian
· Sweet Treats from Pastel
· $5 Mani’s from Tootsies Nail Shoppe
· Photo-booth FUN will be provided by Newell Jones + Jones Photography

If you'd like some more info on anything here are some links that may be helpful or send me an email.
· Handbags.com
· Safe House Denver
· The Curtis Hotel
· Tootsies Nail Shoppe
· Newell Jones + Jones Photography

Hope you can make it! RSVP right here

A Review of the Goodwill Denver Fashion Show + Clothing Swap

Anna Newell Jones — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:48:05 +0000

Pop on over to The Swapaholics blog to read a quick review I wrote on the Goodwill Denver Fashion Show + Swap that happened last week here in Denver!

p.s. thanks to my husband aaron jones for taking most of the pics!

Need An Instant Shot of Getting Of Debt Inspiration?

Anna Newell Jones — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:50:29 +0000

Checking out the recent pledges over at the Get Out of Debt pledge page is nothing short of inspirational.

Here is a huge group of people who have decided that they have had it with their debt. They've decided to do something about it. They've decided it is time to take action!

They have decided to FINALLY BE DONE WITH DEBT.

Down with debt!

Making the public declaration to become debt-free is a very powerful thing.

I love seeing so many people getting serious about getting out of debt, deciding to change their lives, and being pro-active!

Here are some of my favorite things that people are saying. They give me a little jolt of excitement and happiness. It's electrifying to feel the energy from the words! I can feel it through the screen!

"Okay, I'm ready. One of my main goals in life is to be able to live without the anxiety of the next bill and the next and the next. I need to cure myself of some bad habits and put the credit card to bed for good."

"This is scary but I know if you can do it, I can do it too."

"I am ready to "take back my life" too and am determined to do this!"

"I'm in this & committed."

"I am taking the pledge. I will get out of debt this year. I want to participate in the spending fast and spending diet and use both to their fullest uses."

"Cheers to less stuff, more happiness and getting what I want from life."

"I can do this!"

Are you ready too come on board? Here's the link to the Debt Free Life Pledge. If you decide to do it too- I'm SO excited for you!

Never Never Never Give Up

Anna Newell Jones — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:00:55 +0000

Everyday take small steps and do the next right thing; before you know it your life will be changed.

When things get difficult and when we want to give up that's when it's most important that we keep going. It's in those times that we have to keep fighting for our dreams and goals.

It's in the persevering that the success happens.

An Interview With Adam Baker of Man Vs Debt

Anna Newell Jones — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:12:07 +0000

adam baker, wife courtney and daughter milligan. image courtesy of adam baker

Adam Baker is the founder of Man Vs. Debt LLC, a company he started after he and his wife decided to attack their consumer debt, sell everything they owned (down to two backpacks), and travel across New Zealand and Australia; later, they traveled across the United States, living in an RV.

I first heard about Adam and Man Vs. Debt when we were both dubbed "Debt-Buster's" in a CNNMoney article along with 6 other people who have taken pro-active and substantial steps to take control of their financial lives. Since then, I've been following all that Adam and his family is up to and it's exciting to see all the success he's had! His down-to-earth attitude and likable personality makes him very relatable. His story is very inspiring (and it makes me want to get rid of a lot of junk)!

Baker's flagship website, Man Vs. Debt, encourages a vibrant community of readers to follow in his footsteps under the mantra "Sell your crap. Pay off your debt. Do what you love." He is the creator of the premium "Sell Your Crap" guide, as well as the six-week online course "You Vs. Debt". He lives with his wife, Courtney, and daughter, Milligan, in Asheville, N.C., where the family is anxiously awaiting the arrival of Baker Baby #2 in April.

And now, the interview!

And Then She Saved: When did you begin your quest to conquer debt, sell your crap, and change your life? Was there a certain event or incident that catapulted this decision?

Adam Baker: It started for us back in 2008. We had known for a long time that we needed to wake up and pay more attention to our finances, but consistently put it off (we were masters at coming up with justifications).

For us, the tipping point was the birth of our daughter Milligan. It was the night we brought her home from the hospital that changed everything for us. We decided that we NEEDED to step up and take control and set a passionate goal to do so!

And Then She Saved: Have you been blogging about the process out of debt the entire time?

Adam Baker: No. We started our blog about 6 months into our journey to pay off our debt. I had no idea what Wordpress or Twitter was when I started - and no ambitions that this would become my passion or a business that could support my family. But over the first year of sharing our journey and our approach to taking back control - a passionate community was formed. We're very lucky to still lead this community and this adventure now fully supports my family and a small team.

And Then She Saved: Since we were fellow "Debt Busters" on CNNMoney.com, I have to ask what is your top "Debt Busting" tip?

Adam Baker:

I think people need to start with their mindset. All the "debt busting" tips in the world won't help you if you don't have that mental foundation.

I suggest people define what "Freedom" looks and feels like in their own life. Not some dictionary, cop-out definition that sounds good. But, rather, a deep, personal answer for what their vision of this is for their own life. Getting a clear vision of what they want and understanding what REALLY motivates them deep down will make success inevitable. At that point, they can start applying the traditional tips to speed up the process.

And Then She Saved: How have you and your family's lives changed since you decided to become pro-active about your finances?

Adam Baker: We're so different now, we really can't even compare ourselves to our former life.

Even though we aren't rich (in many people's terms), we feel like we lead a rich life in experiences. We're free to go and do just about anything we want (within reason). Now that freedom is a blessing and a curse at times! Sometimes a little structure can be good! But I wouldn't trade this life for the stress and frustration of our former lifestyle in a million years! :) Ultimately, we now control our future. Which is so refreshing.

And Then She Saved: How often are you on the road, and how many cities have you traveled to since you began Man Vs. Debt?

image via man vs debt

Adam Baker: Oh man. Over a hundred cities probably, but we've lost count. We spent time in New Zealand, Australia, and Thailand before doing a six-month RV tour of the U.S. Right now we are spending a year (half way done) in Asheville, N.C., as we prepare for our second child. In the future, we'll travel a bit slower with two kids, but plan for it to be a big part of our life still. We are envisioning staying in one location for 6 months of the year and traveling for 6 months of the year. But we'll see how we like that setup. :)

And Then She Saved: What is the wildest/least expected thing that has come from Man Vs. Debt?

Adam Baker:

The thousand of lives that we've help inspire and change. It's insanely humbling. I'll never get tired of thank you emails, calls, and messages on the blog. We get all the credit for being the face of the blog, but in reality there is a deep community of people who make it possible and who inspire us. We never expected it to get this big, but are humbled we have an opportunity to share our journey with so many other people.

And Then She Saved: You've created an empire (Congratulations!) with Man Vs. Debt. What's next for you and your team? What things are you most excited about for 2012?

Adam Baker: We're excited about a lot! First, we're excited about the next few You Vs. Debt classes; that's our course for people getting out of debt. In 2011, we spent a lot of time and energy behind the scenes testing out it's effectiveness and are now ready to have more students go through it! We're also passionate about new mediums of spreading our message. These include the new Man Vs. Debt podcast (which is a blast) and more YouTube videos for our community. Lastly, we're filming a (still secret) documentary at some point this year, which is both challenging and scary. However, there has never been a more important time to share this particular story and message - so we're excited. :)

Thank you Adam!

Would you consider selling all of your crap to travel all over the world? How would getting out of debt or securing financial stability change the way you live your life?

Would you like to be a contributor on a topic related to personal finance or frugal living? Send me an email at: hello@andthenshesaved.com. (Please know that credit or lending companies will not be considered. Only real people with real stories and real experiences should email.)

Because Free Stuff Is Great! - A Fair Ivy Giveaway

Anna Newell Jones — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:00:58 +0000

**This giveaway has closed

Free stuff is great, and what's even better is CUTE free stuff. So when a company wants to give And Then She Saved readers free, cute things I let 'em! Um. Because I like y'all. A lot.

Remember the interview with the lady who won a large Sweepstakes, and the interview with the man who won 6 Million in the Colorado Lotto? The morale of both stories was: if you don't play you can't win!

Fair Ivy is a small company out of Santa Monica, CA that offers monthly surprise packages for women, men, teens and pets. They are eco-friendly and they support individual crafters and entrepreneurs.

The prize is a 2 month subscription where you'll receive 1-2 surprise handmade goodies delivered right to your mailbox each month.

You won't know exactly what the item(s) will be and that's part of the fun! It's a surprise! But here are some examples of what has been in some of their surprise packages:

image via fair ivy

The Giveaway will close on Sunday, February 5th at 5:00pm (Mountain time) and please be sure to leave your contact info in the requested fields when you leave your comment so I can reach the lucky winner.

Entering is easy. Here's how:

Visit Fair Ivy and sign-up for their newsletter.

5 more ways to get additional entries:

*Like* Fair Ivy and And Then She Saved on Facebook
Follow And Then She Saved on Twitter
Tweet this short phrase, "I just entered to win a surprise package giveaway from @fairivy on @andthenshesaved"
If you already follow us and friend us on Facebook and Twitter you can write about the giveaway on your blog for another entry too!

Leave a comment below to tell me that you signed up for their newsletter and if you did the additional entries leave a comment below saying so and you're good to go!

Good Luck!

Clothing Swap + Fashion Show with Project Runway Stars + The Swapaholics

Anna Newell Jones — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:44:51 +0000

illustration eunice stephensonNext Wednesday, February 8th there is a Clothing Swap and Fashion Show happening here in Denver. It is sponsored by Goodwill, Inc. and Project Runway Denver-based design stars Mondo Guerra, Fallene Wells (check out her Kickstarter project), and Julie Tierney will be showcasing their re-purposed and upcycled fashions at the event.

I'll be covering the Clothing Swap and Fashion Show for The Swapaholics (I love their slogan: "Retail Therapy Meets Recycling), and I couldn't be more excited! I'll be reporting back on the event, and if you're going to go too be sure to say "Hi"!

Realigning Priorities To Get Back To Some Simple Living

Anna Newell Jones — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:47:52 +0000

The house needs cleaning, the cabinets need organizing, the books need reading, the food needs eating, the relationships need talking, listening and patience, the emails need to be written, the things need to be put away, and the weights need to be lifted.

With the new year there is always more to do to be even more perfect. Pump-up the to-do lists, and make this year THE BEST ONE EVER already!

I started the Spending Fast partly because I had this out-of-control feeling with my finances, and those feelings had to end. Now life has creept back up into nutty busy out-of-control territory again.

So what can I do? I can do what I did with the Spending Fast and start to step out of the madness cycle.

Simplifying to me means (among other things):

No more checking out stacks of books that I just have to read and then returning them guiltily unread
No more picking up the weekly free papers to stay up to date on everything happening in Denver
No more saying "Yes" to things I'm really not into
No more great expectations on every aspect of my life

Simplifying also means more of:

Taking the time to really enjoy and appreciate where I'm at in life, and who is in my life (because I'm pretty damn lucky really)
Recognizing when I've taken on too much and reaching out for help when possible
Stop myself from taking on too much in the first place by respecting my own limits and setting boundaries

art by yuri ancarani via nero magazine

The great news is that simplifying life is one of the best perks of the Spending Fast and Spending Diet- less crap to manage and maintain, less obligations in general, and you get to blame it all on the Spending Fast like this, "Nope, can't doing it since I'm on a Spending Fast". (True story: I once got an email from a friend of someone doing a Spending Fast because she was mad that her friend turned her down for dinner out because she was on a Spending Fast(!)- Hey, I'll take the blame;)

Sonya over at the Kanelstrand blog sent me an email the other day about a 3-week project she's doing to help people simplify their lives. Here's the link about her project: Simple Living Challenge. I thought you all might find it interesting.

Sonya shared her insight with me (below) on what simple living means for her and how you can find out if it's something that might be good for you too.

"What is simple living?

Simple living is an attitude to life that will help you live more sustainably, more deliberately and more happily. Among other things, simple living includes:

Identifying what is most important for you and eliminating everything else
Doing what inspires you and being with the people you love
De-cluttering (be it your mind, your everyday life or your virtual life)
Single-tasking and learning to diminish stress
Striving to live frugally by wanting less and buying only what is necessary
Slowing down and being actively present in the moment
Living a healthy life
Striving to be green and sustainable as much as your surroundings allow
Enjoying the simple pleasures of life
Simplifying your goals, tasks and expectations

Simplyfing must be good for you if:

You are very deep in debt
The clutter around you is overwhelming you and is keeping you away from taking the right decisions
You have grown apart from your loved ones and even yourself
You are stressed out
You rarely do something for the fun of it
If you spend too much time on the Internet
If you are very disorganized
You constantly multi-task

I know all this may seem overwhelming but I assure you, there is nothing complicated in living a simple life. You don't need to withdraw from the world and seek a retreat to be able to achieve simplification. Simple living is about engaging more fully in the world, but with a different set of priorities. Simple living allows for the really important things in life and helps you appreciate more fully what you have and who you are."

Thanks for the insights Sonya!

What do you do when you feel stressed? How do you simplify? Is simplifying something you'd like more of in your life?

Meals Under 3 Bucks- It Can Be Done! Gettin' Guesty With Amy Sibley

Anna Newell Jones — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:00:26 +0000

image via google

Since I'm a frugal-living lady I'm often very happy that I also don't happen to be a foodie, because from what I know being a foodie is expensive. Expensive meals and me just don't mix company these days.

Day-to-day our meals are pretty (very) simple, and this definitely works in my favor while trying to save money. I love looking at the pretty food photographs on Pinterest, but actually making the big and elaborate meals, spending the money on the sometimes elusive ingredients, and also spending the time to prepare the meals- ? It just isn't where I'm at right now.

Meals for us mean: simple, cheap, and very quick.

Luckily my husband and I don't mind it this way so most nights our dinners are things like (oh and we're vegetarian too, if you start to wonder where the meat is):

Tortilla with 1/2 a sliced avocado and rice
Rice and beans and a tortilla
Beets (love them!) and potato wedges
Massive Monster salad that I eat throughout the week

(After writing those meals out like that they feel a little Tiny Tim-ish... d'oh:/ but, they are tasty and they do the trick!)

So, when Amy Sibley who is a food blogger over at Wicked Good Travel contacted me about doing a post on how she creates meals with freezer and pantry items I was all about it!

Non-fussy, easy, and cheap meals = Perfect!

image courtesy of amy

Now here's Amy to take it away!

Being a food blogger gives me the excuse to try all sorts of foods and drinks, which is always an adventure! Cooking at home is often less expensive than eating out, but depending on what you're making, it can still cost more than what your budget can comfortably absorb.

As someone who had over $20,000 in debt not even five years ago (and managed to bring that down to just under $7,000 today!) I can appreciate the pains of determining what groceries to buy, and how to make the most of my money when it comes to meals. In my quest to figure out some cheap meals I've discovered some ways to tackle different dinner dilemmas, and I want to share them with you!

Modify and mix them up as desired because they will all keep your stomach and wallet happy! These dishes all use ingredients that can be kept in the freezer or pantry (ie, flour, olive oil, sugar, salt, noodles, etc.) so the ingredients will last a long time. I like to stock up when the ingredients are items are on sale so I always have them on hand.

While chicken nuggets and Top Ramen may not be the pinnacle of healthy eating, they are inexpensive and versatile enough that they can be easily morphed into more complete, healthier, and filling meals with a little fixing up.

Cheap Meal Idea #1: Top Ramen with Veggies (Serves 2):

image courtesy of amy

You'll need:

2 packages of Top Ramen ($0.58/2 packs)
4 cups water or 2 cups of water combined w/ 1 can chicken/veggie broth (broth $0.89/can)
½ bag of frozen vegetables ($1.00 for ½ bag)

How to:

Cook noodles according to package directions. You can opt to add in half of the spice packet or none of it and instead use low-sodium broth (significantly lowering sodium levels). Add frozen veggies to the water with the noodles and you'll have soup in only five minutes. Options: Add a slice of bread with butter, a tuna fish sandwich, or some crackers/fresh veggies and hummus for a heartier meal if desired.

(Estimated cost per serving: $1.74)

Cheap Meal Idea #2: Chicken Nuggets with Brown Rice and Turkey Gravy (Serves 2):

image courtesy of amy

This is one of my favorites when I'm crazing comfort food. I make this on nights when my boyfriend and I have had long days at work and we don't want to spend lots of money (or time) on dinner.

You'll need:

12-14 chicken nuggets - one serving is 6 nuggets but increase/decrease as desired- ($1.95/14 nuggets; $6.99/entire bag)
1 12oz jar of fat free turkey gravy ($1.95/jar)
1 bag of quick cooking brown rice ($0.80/bag)

How to:

These nuggets taste far better when cooked in the oven. We're only talkin' 14 minutes at most. During that time, cook rice, and then just before everything is done microwave the gravy in a bowl. Simply plate your rice, nuggets, and add as much gravy as desired over the top. Option: For extra vitamins, heat up a bag of frozen vegetables for a side.

(Estimated cost per serving: $2.40)

Soups, casseroles, and sauces are all foods that can be made cheaply. I like that they are also rich and diverse in textures and flavors, and that they freeze well which means- every last bit gets eaten so we truly get our money's worth!

The main thing I've learned is: don't be afraid to get creative!

Thank You Amy!

Do you have any tips and tricks for getting more out of your home-cooked meals? What are your cheap go-to meals?

The Process of Habit Evolution

Anna Newell Jones — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:00:22 +0000

When I started up the Spending Diet in January of 2011 to try to eliminate the remaining debt that I had I was shocked at how hard the Spending Diet proved to be. I thought that it would be easier than the Spending Fast. Since I had just completed a year of spending no money at all, the Spending Diet seemed like a piece of cake! Especially since I got a $100 "non-need" allowance. (When I first decided to do a Spending Diet I was going to give myself a $200 a month "non-need" limit, and changed it to $100 a month because $200 a month seemed waaayyyy too easy! *shakes head in disbelief*)

Turns out $100 is not really much money at all, and most months it only proved to be a gateway drug to spend more than I was supposed to, and often I felt frustrated that I wasn't able to stick to my $100 limit.

Sticking to the Spending Diet was very difficult and that sucked. The guilt and remorse that was so often associated with my spending prior to the Spending Fast was back, this time though, I just didn't have the debt cloud hanging over my head.

That discretionary spending was, once again, my problem, and my main issue. I found myself losing track of how much "non-need" spending I did, and more times then not, I didn't want to keep track. I found that it was a lot more tedious to be on the Spending Diet because I had grown so accustomed to my "Wants and Needs" list of the Spending Fast. If an item was on my "Needs" list, it was okay to spend money on the item. If it was on my "Wants" list, "Nope, no spending on that!" The Spending Fast was cut and dry and that part made it very easy.

While the Spending Diet was extremely difficult, it eased me into thinking more "normally" about money.

This whole process has been so much about changing my thinking, and about changing my habits even when I don't really want to.

change

Deep-down, I'm still a natural spender, but I'm also solid proof that getting-out-of debt is possible (even as a spender).

And even though I was far from perfect on the Spending Diet it helped me go from the extreme of spending no-money-at-all to spending a-little-money-sometimes, it's been more than anything, a transition. A transition that's taught me how to be cautious with my money, and to not go all ape-sh*t wild like I really want to most of the time.

Like for example, I want to buy these shoes (why is it always shoes or boots!?) and it's driving me nuts how much I've been thinking about them. I've looked at the website probably 20 times (at least) this weekend (um, crazy time-consuming! I've got stuff that really needs to get done, and I still can't seem to control myself!), and I keep comparing them with other shoes, and trying to justify a reason why I need these shoes. The reality is, I have plenty of shoes. They're just not those shoes, and I want those shoes on my feet! Like, yesterday!

Being on the Spending Fast, and Spending Diet has taught me that I can switch camps from being a "Spender" to a "Saver", that getting out of debt it more hard than it is easy, that it takes a lot of time and repetition for habits to die and for habits to evolve. I've also learned time and time again that mistakes will happen, and that it's really, seriously, okay that they do.

I've also realized that I seem to learn the most when I mess up. When I have to find a way to fix something that cements it in my brain.

It's in the fixing that the true changes happen.

So, with that, this is how the Spending Diet shook out for 2011-2012...

Total Spending Diet Savings: $5,973.94

While that number is considerably lower than the savings from the previous year's Spending Fast of $17,911.89 it is still pretty good.

(See my Total Savings from the whole deal here)

My habits are continuing to evolve and I'm making peace with the fact that even if I don't do something perfectly progress is progress. Today, I can live with that; even if it's hard to see the changes as they're happening I'm completely amazed when I look back on the past two years and what I've been able to accomplish.

image via a well traveled woman

What have you been able to accomplish that amazed you? What habits are the hardest for you to change? What do you do to stay motivated on the days that you want to quit?

7 Tips To Survive Financially As An Artist In New York City- Gettin' Guesty With Artist Kat Kohl

Anna Newell Jones — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:21:53 +0000

When the very talented Kat Kohl contacted me with her story of how she survives financially as an artist in New York City, I really appreciated what she had to say because being an artist in ANY city is tricky (amiright?!). Also, I often get questions about how to live in New York City on the cheap (one time I heard someone say that the only way to do it is, "Don't Live In New York City").

Kat determined her priorities, and she's actively molding her days to create a life that reflects her values and goals. She's choosing to make her dreams happen.

image courtesy of kat kohl

Here's Kat's story...

I’m a regular reader of And Then She Saved, and have utilized many of Anna’s tips within the past year. By making many MAJOR cutbacks on unnecessary items like clothing, going-out, and by eliminating Christmas gift exchanges with friends, I was able to save enough to attend an artist residency in Iceland. I took a 1 month leave of absence from my job so that meant that I had to fund my flight, residency, and essentials in Iceland all while still paying my New York apartment rent and my student loan! Thankfully, I was able to apply some vacation days, and I also received half my flight cost as a birthday gift from my parents, but having an apartment in Manhattan (that I share with 2 roommates) in addition to an art studio in Brooklyn means my hard costs are extremely high. I hope that my story below will help other young artists see that IT IS possible to hit the ground running in New York City while navigating the art scene, and also surviving financially.

This is how I do it:

I work as a Project Manager at Duggal, a fine art/graphics/custom display fabrication company that serves artists, museum, and retail clients around the globe. I earn a base salary + commission on my personal sales. My base covers all my necessary expenses with some left over, but my real “extra” cash comes from my commission check. I try to save as much of my commission check as possible for “rainy days”- such as when my computer died and I had to buy a new MacBook 2 days before I left for Iceland.

iceland courtesy of kat kohlI saved $10K before moving to NYC, assuming that between rent deposits, and furniture that I would be down $3-5 K; the remainder went into savings.

Once I was in NYC, I was so busy working in my studio that I hardly had time to go out with all the work I was doing in my studio on the nights and weekends. Early on I made a budget to see where every bit of my paycheck was going. I had to be realistic about the exact amount I had left-over every month.

I’ve only been to a movie or concert twice in the past 3 years. When I do go out, I look at the costs of drinks and food and choose very carefully.

Since my student loan is fixed I don't benefit financially from paying it off sooner even if I wrote the loan company a check for the entire balance tomorrow. Also, as long as I have it, it provides me with a bit of a tax break. Some debt can be GOOD debt.

And how to be a young artist in New York City…

1. Keep the momentum going immediately after graduation

Just because professors aren’t giving you assignments to complete doesn’t means you should take a break. There shouldn’t be gaps on your professional resume, or on your artist c.v.. Galleries and buyers are more interested in your work if they see that there is a constant effort or progression on your end. This demonstrates to them that in the long run, your work would be a good investment because you are continuing to develop as an artist, thus raising the value of your work and interest of collectors.

image courtesy of kat kohl

2. Apply for grants

Grants are VERY hard to come by, and extremely difficult to obtain in New York because of all the competition. It is important to continuously apply for them though, but I would not DEPEND on them solely to create work and establish a studio. Also since galleries, dealers and buyers don’t want to visit your apartment to view your work, this means I needed a studio, and I made it my mission to find an affordable one.

Be willing to be flexible and share the space with others to reduce the cost

3. Network CONSTANTLY

I make it a habit to always have postcards of my work on me (it must include your contact information), because you never know who you will run into. You just might just meet someone who is a great connection.

4. Determine the cost of your studio rent by day

Consider that every day you don’t go, you lose X amount of money.

I think about how when I’m not working, someone else IS. THAT really gets me going!

5. View your studio as a small business

This means I need to spend money on supplies: a “storefront", a website, and postcards/business cards for networking. However, you have to be realistic. Ask yourself if you are giving it 100% or not. If you are only giving a 25-50% effort, you should truly evaluate the cost of doing it “professionally” vs. “personally” as a hobby.

6. Don't sell out, but be open to suggestions

Dealers are excellent studio guests because they know and will share with you what sells, what doesn’t, and what would showcase your work best. It is in their personal best interest to give you honest feedback, because they will be happy to represent you to their clientele if they think your work will sell.

Really evaluate their advice: is their suggestion an idea that can really improve and expand your work, or does it compromise your vision entirely?

7. PAY IT FORWARD

As a sculptor, I’ve utilized the help of many friends and family members for hauling, installing, and taking down my work. When given the opportunity, I do the same for others. Not only does it cut costs, but at the end of the day, the art world is a social network and a community. When other artist friends or gallery owners you know have an opening, you should attend as a show of support, and it will be reciprocated when your own work is being shown.

Thanks Kat!

Do you have insider tips for surviving in your field? Think you could make it work as an artist in New York City? I'm curious, what do you think the biggest obstacle would be?

Would you like to be a contributor on a topic related to personal finance? Send me an email at: hello@andthenshesaved.com. (Please know that credit or lending companies will not be considered. Only real people with real stories and experiences should email.)

8 Items Worth The Splurge and 17 Items That Aren't Worth The Extra Money

Anna Newell Jones — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:00:28 +0000

Recently I asked my family, friends, Twitter followers, and Facebook friends, a question:

"What things are worth spending a little more money on and what things are definitely NOT worth the extra cost?"

I was surprised by some answers and some things fell into both categories. It was also kind of funny how some obscure things made it onto the list (peanuts in the shell? Kind of random!;)

It seems that what people determine to be "Worth It" and what items people deem "Not Worth It" is completely personal. It shows where a person's priorities lie on life and what truly matters to people. The almighty buck makes the vote in the end.

(At the top of each list is my selection and then I added the Facebook and Twitter readers responses to each list because it was really cool to see what everyone said.)

Worth It:

1. Good toothbrush Taking care of your teeth can save a lot of money in the future. I've soaked my toothbrushes in vinegar in the part to try to give them new life (see this post), but I've changed my mind. This one is worth the extra expense (especially since its pretty inexpensive in the big picture).

2. Dental Floss I've noticed that the off-brand frays in my teeth as I floss and can have a chemical taste, which is completely gross.

3. Running shoes I get a lot of use out of mine and take good care of them so they last for many years.

4. Face moisturizer with sun block (at least 35) Nothings better at keeping your face looking fresh then regular sun block use. I figure, might as well do the sun block thing now then wish I did when I'm old!

5. Snapshot digital camera My mom has a digital camera and the battery always runs out quickly, also there is a major delay from when she presses the button to take the picture and when the pictures actually gets taken, this means that everyone's already started to move out of the picture by the time the picture actually gets snapped. This is always a frustrating situation for her, and it turns out the cheaper option wasn't the way to go with that one.

6. Kraft Mac 'n' Cheese I never buy this these days but I've had the store-brand version in the past and it just isn't the same.

7. Sheets Buying linens is something I used to love to do. They even showed up on my "Wants and Needs" list as something I wasn't going to spend money on (see it here). While I don't go crazy for bed linens like I used to if they are truly needed then getting at least 250 thread count sheets are worth it so they don't feel scratchy against the skin.

yeah, i bet those sheets are coozzy!

8. Whole-wheat bread Finding bread that doesn't contain high-fructose corn syrup is tricky but I think it's worth it for health reasons. Plus it's easy to make a lot of filling (and fibrous) lunch sandwiches with the loaf which means the hunger will be held off for a little longer, and the urge to eat out will be lessened.

What Facebook and Twitter readers say is "Worth It":

Professional photographs

Name-brand toilet paper

Good jeans

Skin care

Art

Nice bras

Organic food for babies

Good stylist for cut and color

Bags

Home appliances

Anything that promotes well-being: nice clothes, a trip (I think this is a slippery slope... I could justify just about everything as being for my "well-being")

Good suit for work

Groceries (This reader adds, "So eating out doesn't happen".)

Netflix (This reader adds, "It's cheaper than 2 adult movie theater tickets".)

Toothpaste

Briefcase

Shoes

Name-brand peanut butter

Peanuts in the shell

Cereal

Converse (This reader adds, "While they're a little more expensive they last forever".)

Not Worth It:

1. Premium gas The regular gas seems to do just fine. Of course, I'm not a mechanic though so maybe it does matter?

2. Car Cars start depreciating in value from the moment they leave the lot. They always need maintenance and they are expensive. While they are deemed a "Need" in many people lives I don't think they are worth the expensive.

3. New CD's I get my fix for new music by checking out CD's from the library. (related post here)

4. Gym membership While I like the gym I think I could do without it. (See this related post)

5. Fancy shampoo from salon I use the drug store brand and while my hair doesn't always seem super "silky" the drug-store brand works just fine.

6. Liquid bath gel Using bar soap saves on packaging (environmental bonus with this one) and lasts a lot longer then it's liquid counterpart.

7. Name-brand dish soap Definitely don't notice a difference with name-brand to off-brand with this one!

8. Laundry detergent Perfect chance to make your own (see this post)

9. Name-brand air freshener Another DIY opportunity (see this post)

10. Name-brand paper towels Doesn't seem to be an absorbency issue with the off-brand.

11. Expensive salon haircuts This is a controversial one. I decided to follow a reader tip and get a once yearly pro cut (to get a good fountain) and then cut my hair myself for the rest of the year. (have you seen this post?)

12. Thrift store shoes Usually the shoe has already formed to the previous owners foot. I've never had success in this area.

13. Thrift store mattresses Too worried about bed bugs!

14. Name-brand oats The off-brand seriously tastes just as good as the name-brand. This was a controversial item when I brought this question up with my family, but I just can't put it on the "Worth It" list. (see this related post). My dad insisted that the steel-cut oats were worth the cost. Haven't tried those compared to the off-brand yet. Have you?

15. Toilet paper This was also a controversial and touchy item. As long as the toilet paper is two-ply I get the cheapest I can find. I can't see paying extra for something that going to be getting thrown right out. On another cheapskate note, would you consider using re-usable toilet paper like this family? you have to check out this video!

16. Name-brand or expensive olive oil I'm not enough of a foodie to notice the difference.

17. Expensive hotels while traveling We chose hostels if possible or the cheapest non-grimy hotel we can find. It's just a place to sleep. I'd rather save the money for something else.

What Facebook and Twitter readers say is "Not Worth It":

Books

Makeup

What do you think? What should have been included in the lists that wasn't? What is worth the splurge to you and what isn't?

Gettin' Guesty With Kady - 7 Ways To Deal With Divorce Debt

Anna Newell Jones — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:17:53 +0000

Kady of the blog A Lady Reveals Nothing got herself out of over $45,000 in divorce debt. Today she's sharing 7 ways that she got out from underneath the debt to live the life she's always wanted.

"I'm not a finance blogger, but five years ago I was left with $45 thousand in divorce debt. I paid it off in three years, saved an additional $18k, quit my job, and traveled the world for a year-and-a-half. I still haven't gone back to my job. Now, I just bartend when I can, and I pick up odd jobs to save for the next big trip."

It was like a kick to the punch in my gut. He left me, and he left his debt too. It took me three years, but I paid off over $45,000 in divorce debt. I used that momentum to save an additional $18,000 over the next seven months, quit my job, got on a plane and saw the world.

Here’s how I did it:

1. I Changed My Mind. I looked at my paycheck differently.

It wasn’t my money.

It belonged to my creditors. On payday, first I paid my bills, then I sent a big a chunk of money to a creditor, and then I saved (a little at first, and more as I went). This left very little for spending. For more on this, see Anna’s tips here.

2. I Discovered Craigslist. In my city, it’s absolutely the best way to sell things. I sold what I could in favor of cheaper items. Can you get $800 for the couch you picked out together? Because you can buy an adorable vintage number for about $250. Send the difference to your credit card company. Did he buy you a watch? A pair of earrings? Sell them. Forget making a necklace out of that engagement ring. I sold mine for $3500 to an adorable young couple. I wished them every happiness and sent the full amount to my credit card.

3. I Took a Second Job. My number one tip for new divorcees: Stay Busy. Working a couple nights a week at a restaurant or retail store will get you out of the house and your mind off the divorce. You can easily make an extra $500 a month even at minimum wage. Warning: Resist the urge to use your new discount. Dedicate every dime of that check to a credit card payment.

4. I Tackled Each Debt One at a Time. It works. I focused all of my attention on my highest-interest cards first (see this related post). When my unsecured debt was gone, I worked on my car loan. This not only made financial sense, it also helped me psychologically because it broke up my debt into smaller, more manageable chunks. When I was finally debt-free, I treated savings like a bill and loaded my account with the same veracity.

5. I Didn’t Quit. This was probably the hardest things I ever had to do. And I had to do it alone. But I kept going. I considered every payment a victory, and got a high from watching my balances get lower and lower.

6. I Started Running. I needed something to get my mind off of the grief of the loss, and the stress of the debt. I joined a running club, made lifelong friends, lost weight and finished three marathons. Find an inexpensive hobby that makes you feel good about yourself. Join a book club. Start knitting. Volunteer.

7. I never did go back to my job. Instead, I take odd jobs when I can in favor of spending most of my time traveling.

Now my money is mine.

Contact me at: kady@aladyrevealsnothing.com if you need further tips or a one-woman cheering section as you go!

Thanks Kady!

9 Free And Simple Ways To Stay Healthy & Fit Without A Gym Membership

Anna Newell Jones — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:01:14 +0000

Once the New Year rolls around and everyone is done O.D.ing on sweets, detoxing and getting back into shape is a top priority.

Something that usually comes with the "losing weight" resolution is a gym membership. I'm lucky that I have a membership to the local YMCA which is relatively inexpensive compared to the other gyms in town. It also offers a discounted membership for state employees so this is a major bonus. Ever since I started on my personal journey out of debt I have asked companies if they offer discounts. Shockingly a lot of places do!

Did you know that many cell phone, gym, car rental and hotels companies offer discounts to government employees?

So while I haven't gotten a cost of living pay increase through the state in about 5 years getting these little discounts here and there is a nice surprise.

Coming right out and asking for a discount isn't something I did before the Spending Fast because I thought it was kind of embarrassing and I didn't want to be The Cheapskate. Now, I want to be the cheapskate. It's my thing. I own it now. Now, it's totally okay with me. Well, I take that back. Sometimes, it IS embarrassing but I always figure it's worth asking even if an occasional dirty look comes with it.

Today I'm sharing my top tips on how to stay healthy and fit without a gym membership, because it is possible.

Get in Shape Without the Gym

1. Run a stairwell Sometimes, if it's really cold outside or if I just don't want to make the trek over to the gym I'll take a couple of puffs off my inhaler and I grab my old iPod to start running the 5 flights of stairs in my building. I'll do this for about 20 minutes and it's an amazingly good work-out. I end up sweaty after which isn't super desirable but it's doable because it turns out that feeling swampy grows on ya.

2. Utilize this exercise-finder site here This site allows you to click on the body part you want to work and then gives a list of exercises to do for that specific area. These exercises can be done at home. If you don't have weights fill old milk jugs with water and lift those. Actually, I've heard that if you lift unsteady weights it helps to build the little muscles and produces nice results because your body has to work to balance the unsteadiness. Or, maybe I just made that up.

3. Run around your neighborhood It's easy to forget about this one during the winter-time (I know I do) because I automatically find myself thinking, "It's too cold. I don't want to be cold." Pull on the long-johns and hit the road. Also, the days are starting to get longer again and that means more day-light after work.

4. Play with kids If you have kids or know some kids play hide and go seek with them, wrestle, run around something circular (does every kid love that?). Tap into their endless energy and break a sweat.

5. Shovel snow If you've ever shoveled you know what I'm talking about with this one.

6. Get a jump-rope Just about every time that I've gone to the thrift store there has been a jump rope there. Jumping rope burns an amazing amount of calories.

7. Shoot hoops Running up and down the court is crazy good cardio.

8. Utilize Rec Centers While this tip isn't completely free it's awfully close. Most cities have recreation centers that are even cheaper than the YMCA. They're definitely worth looking into.

9. Take advantage of free classes Here in Denver (they also have locations in California, Illinois, Minnesota, and Oregon), CorePower Yoga offers free hot-yoga classes throughout the week. These free classes are always a little busy so just get there early to secure a spot.

Do you have a tip that isn't included in this list? If so, I'd love to hear it!

A Giveaway With Shabby Apple!

Anna Newell Jones — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:00:33 +0000

This giveaway is now closed...

It's time for a Giveaway!

Shabby Apple is a woman's online shop (they also support women's charities) and they have let me choose an item for one lucky reader to receive!

Having style while being frugal is a constant struggle because no one wants to look too rickety, right?

A couple of things that I think about when it comes to clothes are: is this a versatile item- how much will I be able to wear it and will it go with what I already own?, is this item a "fad" or a "classic"?

When I was looking for the perfect item for the giveaway the above skirt stood out. The Adelaide got the answer "yes" to all of my questions... it's got the classic color and classic shape that would make it a staple item in my wardrobe, and then that bow goes and gives it a cute twist! I could see myself getting a lot of use out of this one!

A good example of longevity and wear ability is this pair of shoes that I got probably 5 years ago at Payless Shoes for about $20. They are navy peep-toes heels with light pink dots and little poofs on them and any time I need to wear heels they are my go-to! It proves that thinking through clothing purchases pays off in the long-run, and that an item doesn't necessarily have to be expensive for it to last.

ENTER!

Details: One lucky reader will be picked at random on Wednesday, January 11th at 7pm Mountain time. Also, this giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, and please be sure to leave your email address along with your comment so I can reach the winner.

4 WAYS TO ENTER = 4 CHANCES TO WIN!

1. *Like* Shabby Apple on Facebook and then leave a comment below saying you did so

For additional entries:

2. *Like* And Then She Saved on Facebook and then comment below saying you did so

3. Tweet or blog about the giveaway using this text:

I just entered to win to the @shabbyapple Giveaway on @andthenshesaved! http://bit.ly/zofwDW and then comment below saying you did so

4. Follow me on Twitter and then comment below saying you did so

Happy Entering!

(I should state here that I haven't been paid or otherwise compensated for this post)

8 Ways To Cover Up Roots- 1st Video Post!

Anna Newell Jones — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 22:31:24 +0000

8 Ways To Deal With Roots from anna newell jones on Vimeo.

Super excited to share my 1st video post with you!

For those of you who can't access video here are the highlighted tips.

8 Tips on How to Cover Your Roots:

1. Keep your hair clean

2. Don't straighten your hair

3. Become friends with hats (they're not just for winter)

4. Use a scarf

5. Wear thick headbands

6. Use dry shampoo

7. Sprinkle on some baby powder

8. Just go with it. Ombre' is in.

I'd like to do more video posts in the future. Any requests on topics and subject matter?

Hey Spending Fasters- How's Day 2 Going?

Anna Newell Jones — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:09:57 +0000

Some of the things I noticed right away after I started the Spending Fast:

So much more TIME!
Getting used to the idea of saying "No" to others (can be awkward)
Getting used to the idea of saying "No" to myself (can feel weird)
Getting used to making coffee at home (weekends) or at work (weekdays) rather than stopping at the coffee shop
Realized planning ahead for meals took a little extra time
Realized I had a lot of stuff in my cupboard that I wasn't eating
Realized it felt good to take control of my life

Did you take the 2012 Get Out of Debt Spending Fast Pledge?

What are you noticing, and how's it been going so far?

What I've Learned In 2 Years of Being on A Spending Fast & Spending Diet... Re-cap From Then to Now...

Anna Newell Jones — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:59:38 +0000

It's hard to believe that 2 years ago I started this blog as a way to keep myself accountable as I dug out of the depths of debt, out of the cycle of over-spending, and out of the continued guilt and remorse that came with the out-of-control nature of my finances.

Looking through the archives of the site it's wild to see how things have evolved. How I didn't REALLY know if this "Spending Fast" thing would work and how I was desperate enough to give it a go despite not knowing ALL of the answers.

Needing to get my finances in order took priority in my life because changes HAD to be made.

The cycle had to end.

On December 27th, 2009 I wrote my 1st post committing myself to the Spending Fast process for a year. The next day, up went my Wants and Needs list (which served as - and continues to serve- as the backbone of the Spending Fast and Spending Diets). Following that was PANIC. Pure panic. Which for me meant shopping. Last minute "Needs" were purchased in a frenzy to ease my fear and nerves about what I had just proclaimed I would do. Things I HAD TO HAVE were: dry shampoo, a linen calendar, and a stamp set. You know, necessities.

Then, Day 1 of the Spending Fast commenced, and I found myself in, of all places, the mall (not recommended). Despite the irony I immediately felt a sense of freedom when I was able to leave the mall without a single purchase. I began to think,

"Maybe things COULD be different. Maybe, my life COULD change? What if this REALLY DOES work?!"

Knowing I didn't HAVE to shop that day was HUGE, and realizing that I could notice the textures and colors and smells around me rather than rushing to buy the next thing was really an eye-opener, and part of me just chalked it up to excitment and motivation about starting the Spending Fast. I wondered if there was anyway that could I keep this up for any extended amount of time.

And then... the days of not spending started to stack up, and I started to be able to make large chunks of payments towards my debt. I was amazed that there was suddenly money where there had been none before. I believed that there was literally NO MONEY for debt-repayment since all previous months I had routinely over-drafted my accounts by $200-$300 a month.

Paying off my debt, thinking of new ways to make additional income, and day-dreaming about autonomy slowly became my life.

At the end of the 2010 Spending Fast (and after paying back close to 18k in debt throughout the year) I took a deep breath. I also took the weekend between 2010 and 2011 "off" which meant I went shopping. I had been dreaming about some boots during the Spending Fast (along with MANY other things that I wrote about in the Daily Hankering section) so I bought them and then quickly had to return them because they were strangely noisy.

Since I still had debt at the end of the Spending Fast I started the Spending Diet for 2011 which is the same thing as the Spending Fast just with a $100 per month "non-need" allowance. The Spending Diet seemed like a cake-walk. I mean, I just didn't spend any money for A WHOLE YEAR!

I remember thinking, "A Spending Diet? E-A-S-Y!"

Erm. The Spending Diet is hard. Actually, for me it was A LOT harder than the Spending Fast. Throughout this year of the Spending Diet my monthly savings were a lot more inconsistent and I found my "old ways" sneaking in again. The contrast of not spending any money on anything extra while on being on the Spending Fast to spending even a little on "non-needed" extras felt like a lot and I found myself feeling guilty about spending at all. Being able to spend discretionarily was sometimes a slippery slope but moderation and balance were things I was trying to learn. Slowly and steadily moderation has become easier.

It took 15 months but I ended up paying off all of my debt whichis waayy sooner than I EVER THOUGHT possible.

I thought I would die with my debt. Not kidding.

Paying off my debt started to become fun. Weird, right? I started to get competitive with myself and I wanted to top the previous months numbers. I wanted to see how far much more I could cut back, how much more money I could make, how much more I could send to the creditors.

Saving started to become more fun than spending. Which is completely nuts.

While blogging about the debt-elimination process I've just tried to say what has worked, what it's been like, and what it's like to now to be on the debt-free side of things. That's all I can do.

Before I started the Spending Fast I didn't think there was anyway out of the hole I had dug. Since I found a way out I feel an obligation to share what I've learned with others. It's SO beyond amazingly amazing when I hear how the Spending Fast and Spending Diets have worked in others lives. Even the people that do the "dip a toe in and test it out" approach of the "pick and choose" approach report feeling motivated and pro-active about their situations, and while the results are slower there are still results.

2011 also brought a chance to share some of my getting-out-of-debt insights with viewers of The Nate Berkus Show, The Clark Howard Show, and Dr. Drew's (HLN night-time) show (links to each on the right side bar). Being on these shows were surreal experiences. Experiences that I never guessed I would get to have. I remember listening to Dr. Drew's radio show LoveLine as a kid (my mom didn't know) and blushing at all the "adult" things that they discussed. Then to actually TALK TO DR. DREW!? Weird! I always feel so thankful when I get invited to be on shows because I get a chance to tell others that the debt cycle can end. That there really IS a way out!

Which leads me too...

If you've ever thought to yourself that maybe you too would like to do a Spending Fast I would like to encourage you to make 2012 the year you do it. You can take 2012 Get Out of Debt Spending Fast Pledge here)

Be done with debt for good. You can create a new history for yourself.

Please know that you are not alone in this process. Support is around every corner... the Community section is stocked FULL of like-minded people dealing with many different situations, sign-up for my periodic Newsletter, and I post on Twitter and Facebook so that you never miss a thing.

I want you to experience the same freedom that I have experienced. Not having any debt is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! Which means that I can't help but be passionate about spreading the Spending Fast word!

What's next? Most importantly, I'm going to continue to support others as they get out of debt. I will be continuing to keep myself out of debt, finding new and creative ways to create additional income, building a secure financial future and I will continue to tackle life as it comes while keeping my short and long-term goals in mind.

I've also got tons and tons of posts in store for the blog for 2012 ... so many ideas (!!) and I can't wait to share them all with you!

2012 is going to be a great year!

What have you learned in the past year? What are your goals for 2012?

An Interview With TLC Extreme Couponer Callie aka The Cajun Couponer

Anna Newell Jones — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:23:59 +0000

via are 2

A couple of months ago our cable company switched over to a digital system so we had to get this little black digital box (which was thankfully free) to be able to view the channels. The night we were getting it set up we were able to get a whole slew of channels that we don't usually get with our very basic cable package (which we only have at all so the channels aren't fuzzy when we watch the news).

I felt like I won the lottery when I realized we not only had a lot of fancy channels but one among them was TLC. And on TLC is this show you've probably heard about called Extreme Couponing. Which is totally my kind of couponing if you're going to coupon at all.

Not only did I get to watch that show that night, but I got to watch 4 episodes in a row (!) because they were having a marathon! How lucky is that! My husband was not nearly as excited as I was about this fortunate development.

When I saw Callie on the show (see the clip below) I was pretty much smitten. She's sweet as can be and when I saw that she lived in Colorado too I started day-dreaming about spending the day with her in the grocery store and picking her brain about how to do this elusive "Extreme Couponing". She also did all of her Christmas shopping for $50 (OMG) and donates some of her loot to charities. So cool.

She agreed to answer my many questions about the world of couponing and I'm so happy to share this interview with you all.

And Then She Saved: How did you become The Cajun Couponer?

Callie the Extreme Couponer: I was born and raised in Louisiana, but recently moved to Denver, CO. I am very proud of my Cajun roots and could think of no better name to be known on TLC’s Extreme Couponing then “The Cajun Couponer”

ATSS: How long have you been couponing?

Callie: When I was 6 months pregnant, my husband decided he wanted to sell our family business, move halfway across the country and go back to school. That has been over a year now, and when my husbands first college tuition bill came in, it made me realize I had to find a way to save money. I could not make enough money to go back to work and send our kids to daycare…so I found a way to save money and stay home with my kids. I call couponing my “mom salary”.

ATSS: How did you get cast as one of TLC's Extreme Couponers?

Callie: I sent TLC a funny email. I said,

"I am not your regular couponer. I told them how I am not your typical couponer...I am not a cat lady, I do not wear mom jeans and am not a puzzle enthusiast."

I am in my 20's, have 3 kids under the age of 3 and I am using couponing to basically pay myself a salary while being a stay-at-home mom. They liked the email so then I got to submit a video.

ATSS: Do people recognize you in the grocery stores from the show?

Callie: I get recognized all the time…and it always seems to be right when I have rolled out of the bed to grab a few things from the store. People have been so nice, and basically want to know how I do what I do.

ATSS: How many hours a week do you spend on couponing?

Callie: I spend between 10-20 hrs a week, and that includes prepping, finding the deals, cutting coupons and shopping.

ATSS: Where do you get your coupons?

Callie: Coupons are everywhere!! Like today, I went into Kmart and they had a holiday flyer that had an awesome Philadelphia cream cheese coupon in it. It was a manufacturer coupon and not a store coupon, so I can take it and save it until I find a store that has a good sale on it. The main places I get coupons are newspaper, the internet (I go to my local library and print as many internet coupons as I want) in the actual stores themselves…blinkies, tearpads, etc.)

ATSS: What kind of prep is needed to make the most out of the coupons? Can you explain this
in detail?

Callie: First, you must start collecting coupons. I get anywhere from 5-10 newspapers each week, then if I see a really good coupon, I will order them online from sites like weclipusave.com or coupondede.com. Next, I check my favorite websites to see what is on sale for the week. I also do coupon match-ups on my own website for 2 stores, so I will know what to get at King Soopers (Kroger) and Safeway for that week. Next, I make my list, then go and clip my coupons. When I get coupon inserts, I do not clip each coupon. I file them in a file cabinet by date, and only clip the coupons I know I will use.

A match-up will look like this:

- Dove Chocolate, 8.5-9.5 oz bag $3.00
Use $1.00/2 Mars Holiday Products from RP 11/13
Final Price: $2.50 each when you buy 2

So if I wanted to do this deal, I would go to file, and find the Red Plum that was released in the paper, and just clip that one coupon. Then it’s off to the store with my list and coupons.

photo courtesy of callie

ATSS: On the show you talked out how you were expecting to save a certain amount at the register based on you calculations. How do you determine your estimated savings?

Callie: My husband is the brain in our operation. I honestly did not know I would be paid to shop that day. I did the math and knew my shopping trip would be free or close to free but I didn’t know I would be paid $150.

ATSS: Do you use a certain kind of software or computer program to organize your shopping trips?

Callie: Kelly, who was on the episode with me, has a website and she sells a couponing spreadsheet to help you keep track of your couponing. There is a link to it on my facebook called Working Mom Coupons spreadsheet. I am a little free-spirited and not as organized as some, so I normally just guess what my totals will be. I just knew everything I was getting that day would be free.

ATSS: What is the most you have saved because of couponing?

Callie:

On that Extreme Couponing episode I saved 114%.

That is the biggest savings to date but it also took 40 hours of prep and 8 hours of shopping, with a newborn…so I enjoy my small weekly shopping trips where I save 75-95%.

ATSS: What is the longest amount of time you have spent in the grocery store at one time?

Callie: The most, of course, was the 8 hours on the show. Extreme Couponing is named that for a reason because if it was called “Average Couponing” it would not be nearly as exciting. When I shop regularly, the most I spend is an hour.

ATSS: What is the most amount of carts that you've had upon check-out during one shopping trip?

Callie: 7

ATSS: Do you only buy items that you have coupons for?

Callie: Now seeing how much money I can save with coupons…it is very hard to pay full price. You can almost find a coupon for anything now...groceries, clothes, food, even tires. You just have to look.

I actually got my entire Christmas shopping done and spent under $50!

ATSS: What is the weirdest thing that you've gotten because of coupons?

Callie: I got my kids a set of fake mustaches. They were hilarious!

photo courtesy of callie

ATSS: Have your friends and family members become couponers because of your success?

Callie: I have friends and family that call me on a daily basis to either ask me a question or to tell me what deals they have gotten. My aunt called me yesterday and said “I just did my first Cajun Couponing!”

ATSS: What are your top tips for people that are just getting into the world of couponing?

Callie: My best tip is to follow a few coupon and deal blogs. That is where I get 80% of my information. There is no need to figure out deals yourself when other people are doing it for you. Also keep your eyes peeled. Everytime I am out in town, I always seen to come back with a handful of coupons. And don’t be afraid to ask, some stores will give you a discount just for asking. I was in Kohl’s the other day, forgot my coupon at home, and the nice cashier gave it to me anyway. Also, if you end up getting a lot of one item…more than your family or friends can use, give it to someone who can use it. I always encourage paying it forward. Right now I am partnering with a group called cosupportingourtroops.com and I am helping send care packages to our military overseas. I am barely paying anything for all the items I am donating.

photo courtesy of callie

ATSS: What is the strangest thing that people ask you about couponing?

Callie: While filming Extreme Couponing, a man walked up to me and asks me, since I was getting all my items for free…if I was going to sell them. And since that is illegal on so many levels…I said "No!"

ATSS: Is there anything you would like to add that you haven't been asked?

Callie: The only thing I would add is that you do not have to coupon like we do on the show to be successful. If you are saving ANY money than you did before watching Extreme Couponing, you are doing a great job. But once you get into saving a lot of money…you will be hooked!

Thank you Callie!

Have you tried Extreme Couponing? Do you use coupons? Why or why not?

Change Your Life In 2012- Take The Spending Fast Challenge!

Anna Newell Jones — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:35:11 +0000

image by ignacio torres

"It's always darkest before dawn." - Thomas Fuller

While I love holidays because there isn't a shortage of sweets, the city glows with lights and everyone is just the tiniest bit nicer I also start to feel kind of grossed out by all the things and all the stuff. There is no question that our society is consumed with consuming, and this trait only gets magnified during this time of year.

If you've ever thought about doing the Spending Fast I would like to invite you to take the:

2012 Get Out Of Debt - Spending Fast Challenge!

(take the challenge here)

I started the Spending Fast in January of 2010 and was able to completely eliminate my debt in a matter of 15 months. (insane!)

There will be some hard times and tough/shitty moments but the result will be a life free from debt. A short list of the Spending Fast benefits:

● A change in habits

● A new outlook on money and spending

● Time - because thinking about future purchases, actually buying the things, and maintaining STUFF takes up a lot of time

● A re-alignment of priorities - people #1, not things

● Empowerment - because you're taking matters into your own hands! You can really do it!

Make a commitment to change your life. Give yourself the best gift possible.

What have you got to lose besides debt and the cycle of over-spending and remorse?

Make 2012 the year that you change your life!

Heck YEAH! YOU'VE GOT THIS!

Having Style On A Budget (Part 2) - An Interview With Katherine

Anna Newell Jones — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:00:26 +0000

Does "NO money mean NO style?" I think not. Just like "Mo money" doesn't mean "Mo style".

While my daily work go-to's are usually black Old Navy pants (that I've re-dyed with RIT to extend their life), and black shirts when I'm outside of work I like to look a little more stylish, and that can cause problems financially. Because, I like cute things.

Since the "clothes thing" got me into trouble in the first place it means I have to be extra VIGILANT in this area so I don't slip back into my old ways.

That means I'm always on the look-out for ways to be stylish while being also being completely frugal. For me, that means:

● Re-thinking how I put outfits together with items I already own

● Looking at textures and for interesting color combinations rather than looking at brand names (love how Bri Emery of DesignLoveFest mixes colors)

● Keeping my clothes in good condition. One of the ways I do this is to wash my clothes in cold. It saves money, preserves the colors, and even helps the earth too! (bonus!)

image via because i'm addicted via stockholm streetstyle

There are so many different ways to do the same things so who better to talk to than a fashion blogger. I love hearing other people's tips on things that baffle me. Hopefully you caught Part 1 of Katherine's interview yesterday. If not here it is.

Without further delay...

Part 2 of How To Have Style On A Budget by Katherine at Feather Factor.

"I can't be reminded enough times about responsible spending and saving. So, here we go - more rules that I live by when shopping and budgeting.

6) The 80/20 rule.

No matter how many times I hear the Pareto principle, I still am amazed by how true it rings for so many things in life - that 80% of effects come from 20% of causes. Translated and diluted down for my extreme layman's ears, it means that 20% of my closet makes up what I wear 80% of the time. And it's totally true! Do you know how easily I am convinced to fork over my wallet for beautiful heels or gorgeous gowns? But honestly, I never wear them! Take these glitter Miu Mius which I picked up a while ago and have nearly worn on a few occasions, but never have.

I always end up swapping them out because I have to do a lot of walking, or because a dinner companion is a notorious lush and wine spiller. So I end up wearing the same easy flats, cashmere dresses, cardigans, trenches, boots, over and over again. Why not invest more in those pieces? But it's hard, I know - buying heels and sparkly things is always so much more fun than boring flats and cashmere cardigans. That's why I..

7) Keep a list.

I carry around a little Moleskine notebook that contains a hodgepodge of all my to do lists, insane musings, and a master "Closet buy" list for myself. I am constantly crossing items off and adding them on to the list - it's a good way to write down everything you need in your closet and make sure you are sticking to the list when you are tempted to make an impulse purchase. In the past few months I checked off boots and work bag - I also added, and then took off, sequin skirt (don't need it!!)

8) Take care of your things.

I purchased my all time favorite Chanel bag in 2001 or so and still wear it - it's going strong! My go to discreet interview shoes, from Joseph, I bought in 2000, have resoled twice, and love. My work Louboutins have had some nasty run ins with various street grates (ahh, my nightmare is falling through one day!) - but they are six years old. I resole, wash, tailor, polish, everything possible to keep my stuff in good shape. I think sometimes when you pay lots for luxury items, they are "too good to wear." But to me, luxury means that it's well made, right? So shouldn't you be able to wear it, lots and lots?

9) Make it work.

This mantra, for me, generally involves becoming very, very good friends with a tailor. If I see something I love on sale and it's not in my size, a quick calculation in my head on tailoring costs allows me to see if I can still buy it at a discount. Also, I have some items in my closet which after a quick trip to the tailor, have been refreshed - I generally hem dresses, tailor in (or out) coats and jackets, add v necks to things, whatever I think would make me wear an item more. Usually, it's way cheaper for me to shop my closet than buy new things - and it's better for the environment too.

10) Check the internet.

I'm one of those annoying people who checks everything on the internet. If we pull up to a restaurant that is full of people and looks pretty good, I will still want to pause and check for online reviews. So whenever I am out shopping and see a great item, I am extra annoying and check the price on the internet. "Err...let me go check this important work email!" I bashfully said to the sweet Vince sales girl the other day, as I tried to quickly punch in a style name into Safari - "I will be done really quick, and then I can let you know about this sweater!" She totally knew what I was doing. I am so shameless. But the sweater was 40% off at Neiman's and full price at the boutique, so....money talks! Always check for a better price.

Thanks for the tips Katherine!

What are YOUR "How to have style on a budget" secrets?

Having Style On A Budget (Part 1) - An Interview With Katherine

Anna Newell Jones — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:01:35 +0000

Today, I'm happy to share Katherine from Feather Factor's Top Tips on Having Style on A Budget (a 2 part series). She's a fashion lover and blogger (you might remember her from this post), and while we differ on our opinions on a couple of things (like #1- wink!) I love hearing how other people merge their love for style with the financial side of fashion.

Tomorrow Part 2 will be posted so be sure to pop back in!

photo courtesy of katherine

"So, I consider shopping and budgeting a bit of a sport -probably because I have never played any real sports- but seriously, it's really difficult to create the perfect closet on a limited budget. It's as hard as finding true love, that's why there are so many women's magazine articles dedicated to both topics…right? For me, my list of wants is usually pretty long…and my wallet's funds are a lot shorter. Over the years I have made many mistakes in budgeting and have tried to learn from them. I want to share some of what I've learned with you all (over a multi part series - I have lots of wisdom OK???).

So here we go - Part 1 of my personal shopping and budgeting rules:

1) It's a marathon, not a sprint.

Seriously, what's with my sports analogies? What I mean by this is that for me, going on temporary spending "bans" and etc. have never worked out well. I end up usually just feeling first deprived, then a little smug and superior towards the end (I don't need the mall! I am Discovering Myself and Other Hobbies), and then when the ban's ended, going on binge buying all kinds of questionable items. Now, I try to keep a consistent level of spending - of course there are peaks and troughs, but I never starve myself - I love fashion. Everything in moderation and within your means - and you should be OK.

2) It will go on sale.

Unless it's a classic handbag or piece of jewelry. Otherwise, it will pretty much be going on sale, it's just a question of how long you are willing to wait. I violate this rule all the time by buying things full price, and even wrote about it here, about this dress that I just had to have because it was sooo beautiful. And now, guess what? I've only worn it once in the past few months and now, it's on sale! GAH. Of course sometimes I will still pay full price for convenience or because it is just so cheap it doesn't matter too much - but I always feel a little bad.

3) Will I wear it in two years?

That's how long I try to envision any new purchases lasting - at the very least. This rule has been very handy, preventing me from purchasing everything from certain aggressive gladiator sandal styles to various studded items (but not all of them). I always think about all the things I've wasted my money on in the last few years and what I would get if I had those funds now - that usually serves to make me put down whatever neon item has caught my fancy.

image courtesy of feather factor

For example, I should have listened to my 2 year rule when I bought (above) this Blumarine dress because it was a) pretty and b) I love Blumarine. However, I neglected to think about whether I could ever wear it out! I don't know if you notice...but there is a giant, clear lace diamond in the middle of the dress! I'm not sure if my 21 year old abs were good enough for this but I should have known that even a year later they would be in no shape to be displayed! I've literally only worn this dress once in five years, to a Donatella Versace themed party. Yes, I went as Donatella!!

4) Be like Warren.

Despite some of his recent troubles, I really think Warren Buffett is the man. He is notoriously frugal and is a world class investor. Though I can't match him on the investing front (damn you Worldcom stock) I always try to look at my purchases with the same frugal eye. I don't mind buying luxury items - but I'd always like to get them for the best possible price. I try to negotiate everything possible which is something that's really come in handy during our wedding process. That being said, I never try to wring every last dollar out in a negotiation - most of the time it's better to go for a fair deal that lets both parties walk away happy. Oh, and put some money into savings, OK? Just a good general principal.

5) Don't be obsessed with "The Best."

I went through the phase where I bought lots of cheap, disposable fashion, and then figured out that investing in a few quality pieces ended up being a better deal. But I think often times we can take that "invest in quality" mantra too far - it's wonderful to buy yourself "the best" of handbags, shoes, jackets, etc. But your whole wardrobe doesn't all have to be these big name designer items. Quite often we find cheaper items more disposable simply because we buy so much more of them - it's easy to say that you never wear that one dress you bought for $15 at Forever 21 - it's because you bought ten different ones from there! Of course you treasure your brand name items more. But try this: figure out what brands work for you - it should be a mix of high and low - and try to buy sparingly, no matter what the price tag. It's worked for me, and helped me appreciate all my items a lot more, no matter what label they have.

Whew, that was long! I hope this was helpful to you!"

Thank you Katherine!

What are YOUR tips for having style on a budget?

When The Going Gets Tough, Keep Going.

Anna Newell Jones — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:11:14 +0000

So much of having success with anything is just NOT GIVING UP.

Be committed to the process.

Believe that IT CAN BE DONE.

Don't stop even if you mess up because mistakes will inevitably happen. They are part of it too.

Keep going.

A Dilemma: Out With A Group & They Want To Split That Bill Equally

Anna Newell Jones — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:00:54 +0000

image via wit & delight

What to do, what to do?

We've all been there. You know how it goes... you're out with your friends, you order an inexpensive item on the menu to be your frugal/responsible self, and then the bill comes and someone says, "Let's just split it equally! That'll make it easy!" Then, out come the wallets, credit cards, and cash. It's awkward to pipe up and say, "Uh, but, uh, I only had the $7 thing not the $35 thing, and no wine or dessert or appetizers!"

No one what's to be the cheap/poor/miser in the group. I've been there. Trust me. It's not a fun place to be. So, how do you deal?

Lucky for us, a reader wrote in with that very question:

"This weekend I went out to a friend's birthday dinner which was out at a restaurant. We'd recently gone out to eat for this friends' sisters birthday and everyone in the group paid for themselves. Additionally, during all the other previous times we went out, that I can remember, we all pay for ourselves.

Well this weekend, when the bill came, one of the guests at the table suggested that we all split the bill 6 ways to make things simpler and so that the birthday girl wouldn't have to pay. This was devastating to me and my wallet! I'd looked at the menu before getting to the restaurant and chose one of the cheapest entrees, which was $15.75. With tax and tip I figured my bill would be no more than about $20. I even brought about that amount of cash. The final bill was $300. Split six ways and its $50!!! I sucked it up and paid $50 because I was too embarrassed to say anything, particularly since I only really knew the birthday girl, her husband and her sister. Any advice on what to do in those situations or what to do before the bill comes to avoid those types of situations?"

Erm. Completely awkward, right.

image via brown dress with white dots

What I suggest is this...

If you know that you will be going out with a group then get cash (which you did- that's very helpful). When you get the cash get it in small bills. When the waiter comes to the table and asks for your order say you'll have a separate check. Then when the bill comes you can pay for yours (with the cash and it won't look like it's as big of a deal because you'll be able to pay for it and be done with your bill- as opposed to using a debit card and then the waiter has to come back and then you have to sign, etc= looks like a bigger deal) and throw in the amount that you're comfortable with for the birthday person. Another idea if you don't want to say tell the waiter when they take the order (especially if the waiter is standing across the table from you and not right next to you) is make your order and then find your server when you take a bathroom break, and ask for the separate check at that time.

Sounds like the problem with your particular situation is that you weren't prepared for the possibility of a split check. Next time, play offense.

What do you do when you're out with a group? How have you handled this?

There's also a lively discussion happening over in the Community on this very topic.

Style Blog Feather Factor + Me + An Interview

Anna Newell Jones — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 04:16:38 +0000

The other day I did a Q&A interview with the lovely Katherine over at Feather Factor. Katherine is a California style-blogger and as nice as can be.

Read about my most treasured possessions, and about a show I was on that is kind of embarrassing to admit to being on... you'll see what I mean.

Here is the interview.

Some Things Take Time

Anna Newell Jones — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 07:15:39 +0000

Be gentle. Be here. Be now.

If everything is not happening as quickly as you would like it to there is probably a reason why. Be ok with that today. Accept where you stand. Don't judge if it's good or bad just be in it and be present.