The long-awaited day is here:

The first BCBS settlement payments are finally going out, nearly 4.5 years after the last claimants joined the class-action lawsuit.

People are DISAPPOINTED about the amounts they’re getting. Anecdotally, at the time of writing many people are reporting receiving ~0.005% of the qualified premiums they included in the suit. Anecdotes are not guarantees…it’s just what other people are saying they received so far.

If you have received a payment already, it’s highly likely that you opted to be paid via a prepaid Visa® card. This was advertised as the fastest way to get paid.

But there are some things you should know before you fill up a quarter tank of gas with your settlement money.

What to know about the BCBS Settlement prepaid Visa card

Any time you have a prepaid card, there are some things you need to be aware of. BCBS settlement payments are no exception.

This list is not all inclusive — it’s just top-of-line things I personally think are important to know as a veteran personal finance writer. If you want to get the full scoop, you can dive into the fine print of the cardholder agreement here.

Be mindful of fees

If you think your settlement payment is small now, be careful not to let it sit for too long. Because it could get smaller.

Fees are not uncommon on prepaid cards. The fees on the BCBS settlement cards are not the worst. But they are something to be mindful of.

Monthly inactivity fee

If you let your card sit inactive for 18 months in a row, you will start to be charged an inactivity fee. This fee is $0.75 per month.

Foreign transaction fee

If you spend on your card outside the U.S., you’ll incur a 3% foreign transaction fee. This is not outside the norm — many regular degular credit and debit cards have similar fee structures.

You’re also going to be subject to the card issuers’ (Visa’s) foreign exchange rates. In my experience, card issuer exchange rates tend to be bad. But I can’t speak for Visa’s rates specifically at any given point in time.

The cheapest way to spend your card money is in America, though.

Lost or Stolen Card Fee

If you lose your card or it gets stolen, you will have to pay for a replacement. The fee is $5.95.

Be sure to record your card information somewhere safe. If your card does disappear, you’ll need to provide this information to get the new one. You’ll also have to wait for up to 30 days for the replacement to be issued.

What if I don’t want my money on a card anymore?

Now, if you purposefully terminate and destroy the card, you can request that Choice Digital issue you a paper check for the remaining balance.

Be in careful contact with Choice Digital before you do any destruction, though. If you have any phone conversations, be sure to follow up with written correspondence and confirmation.  You can do this by snail mail, but it’s easier and equally valid to do it by email.

Your BCBS Settlement prepaid card does expire.

Check the expiration date when you enter the code to activate your card. If your card expires or is shut down due to inactivity (which, don’t forget, comes with fees), your balance doesn’t evaporate. You just won’t be able to use the card anymore.

At this point, you’d want to get in touch with Choice Digital to figure out next steps. If it expires and no one is in touch with you, eventually they have to send the remaining balance to the Unclaimed Funds department at your state treasury.

You can convert to a physical card.

If having a prepaid card is a pain, having a virtual prepaid card is worse. Yet, the default in this situation is digital.

You are able to convert your virtual card into a physical one. You have to call the support number on Choice Digital’s contact page to initiate the process.

You can’t use your prepaid card just anywhere.

Virtual prepaid cards can generally be used to pay online. The physical cards are a little more flexible, and can be used to pay in-person anywhere Visa cards are accepted — as long as the merchant accepts prepaid cards.

Regardless of which one you have, there are some restrictions on your card. You can’t use it to withdraw cash from an ATM, for example. While you can use it to pay for gas, you’re going to have to pay inside rather than at the pump.

Some other explicit restrictions on BCBS settlement prepaid cards include:

• Subscription fees
• Automatic bill pay
• Paying off your credit card balance
• Pharmacies
• Digital games
• Sports betting (or any gambling)
• Crypto
• Stocks or bonds
• Pawn shop purchases
• Dating app purchases
• Expensive fancy stuff, like high-end watches from a jewelry store

Again, not an exhaustive list. Check your card agreement when you activate to see every last thing you cannot buy.

Do not hold your breath and hope there’s enough money on your card.

You’re not supposed to be able to overdraw on your prepaid settlement card. If you swipe for a purchase that costs more than what you have on there, the idea is that the transaction shouldn’t get processed.

However, if for some reason it does go through when it shouldn’t, you are responsible for paying the difference back. Do the math before you press ‘pay.’

You’re giving away a lot of personal data when you use a third-party login.

Signing in with Google, LinkedIn or Facebook feels super easy. And it does reduce friction.

But it also gives away a lot of your personal data. Here’s how Choice Digital puts it in their Terms of Service:

“If you connect the Service with a third party service…you give us permission to access and use your information from that third party service as permitted by that service, and to store your login credentials for that service; all information we receive from such third party service will be deemed Registration Information.”

You don’t have protection like you would with a credit card.

A prepaid card is not a credit card. If you suspect a fraudulent charge on your credit account, the issuer usually refunds the purchase to you while they sort it out.

As a general rule, if money gets stolen off of a prepaid credit card, you’re not typically given that benefit of the doubt — especially not upfront with immediacy. The money that’s stolen is more likely to stay stolen.

Though you can contact Choice Digital to see what they can suss out for you. Part of that may require issuing you a new card, in which case you’re in ‘lost or stolen card’ territory.

The fine print is important

There’s a lot more in the cardholder agreement and terms of service, like the fact that you’re responsible for paying taxes on your settlement (even if the amount you got is too small for the lawyers to issue you a 1099.) By using the card, you’re also waiving your right to a jury trial should you hit any bumps in the road.

The fees could be worse.

It’s nice — albeit a little inconvenient — that you can turn your digital prepaid card into a physical one or even turn your balance into a paper check.

But this method of payment, while speedier in terms of issuance, is going to require a little extra homework as you go to use it.

The post The Fine Print on Your BCBS Settlement Prepaid Card appeared first on Femme Frugality.

In this economy, it’s hard to have any money leftover for that “entertainment” section of your budget. Life shouldn’t be all work and no play, though. Luckily, there are some ways to have fun for free (or close to it.) Believe it or not, that fun can include MLB games.

Legit.

Kids’ Clubs can help you get MLB tickets for free

Many professional baseball teams have kids’ clubs that can hook your little one up with freebies. The exact rules and perks will vary depending on your team, but they can include tickets, merch, exclusive experiences like running the bases and more.

To find your team’s club, go to the MLB website and find the team’s general page. Then navigate to Fans –> Kids Club.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Bucaroos Kids Club

Home team advantage! Let’s check out the deals in Pittsburgh.

The Pirate’s Kids Club is called the Bucaroos Kids Club.  If you have a child under 14, you get a ton of free stuff, including tickets and gear.  There’s two levels of membership.  The first is free, the second is $35.  Which isn’t a lot considering most tickets at PNC Park would cost more than that, anyways — especially if you’re taking the whole fam.

Silver Package (Free)

Gold Package ($35)

The gold package costs $35 standard, but if you’re a fancy season ticket holder or have Pirate checks from PNC bank, it’ll only run you $30.

• Four free tickets
• A one-time-use code for $10 off tickets for your party.
• Coupon for three free Chick-fil-A sandwich or order of nuggets.
• Membership Kit with a drawstring bag, widget cap, Pirate parrot socks and sunglasses.
• Member-only discount at the Pirates Clubhouse Store.
• One front-of-the-line pass for Kids Run the Bases (this event happens after Sunday games.)
• Special event access, like meeting the Parrot, autograph sessions, etc. These are first-come-first-serve, though, so even with your membership you’ll want to sign up early.
• Member card and lanyard.

How to claim your Pirates’ Kids Club Membership

There are two ways to claim your membership. After you sign up online, you can pick up your welcome kit for free in the stadium on days when there’s a home game. This option is technically free, though you will have to get inside the stadium. (You can try your luck at the ticket counter outside, but that’s not technically how it’s supposed to work.)

Or, you can pay $6 to have your welcome kit with tickets, coupons and all the goodies shipped directly to your house. It’ll take a week or two to get to your doorstep.

The post Pirates’ Kids Club appeared first on Femme Frugality.

I’m willing to bet you have several subscription fees coming out of your bank account automatically each month. And I’m also willing to bet that when you sit down with your budget, these forgotten-recurring fees have you rethinking your entertainment spending. Streaming is convenient, but those of us old enough to remember kind of miss the feeling of actually owning an album. Vinyl records, CDs, and cassette tapes… In some circumstances, collecting is not just a hobby but a more thoughtful way to spend.

Shifting back to owning physical music media isn’t about turning away from modern technology. It’s part of a bigger trend toward mindful spending. Instead of paying for endless access, collectors buy items they can hold, display, and enjoy for years. This small but meaningful step fits with bigger financial goals: spending with purpose and building lasting value.

Why Nostalgia Plays A Powerful Role

Nostalgia is more than just a sentimental feeling. It can strongly influence how we spend money. People connect music to special moments in life, like road trips, late-night studying, or family gatherings. Owning a physical album makes those memories feel more real and easier to revisit.

Physical collections last, unlike digital playlists that can change or disappear. This stability is comforting in a world where much feels temporary. For people watching their budgets, it’s a reminder that purchases should bring long-term emotional value, not just quick convenience. .

Building A Collection Without Overspending

You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to start a music collection. Many collectors start small and add to their collections over time. The key is to have a plan.

Thrift stores, secondhand shops, and local markets are great places to find affordable music. You can often pick up classic albums for much less than their original price. Online marketplaces also offer good deals if you’re patient and wait for the right moment.

Another good idea is to set a monthly budget for collecting. By deciding on a set amount, you can enjoy your hobby without hurting your bigger financial plans. This way, collecting feels fun and guilt-free instead of an impulse buy.

If you want to browse a curated selection, platforms like Evergreen Vinyl have a variety of vinyl records, CDs, and more. This makes it easier to find special additions to your collection without spending hours searching.

The Financial Benefits Of Physical Media

Music collecting is usually seen as a hobby, but it can also have financial benefits. Physical media keeps its value over time, unlike digital subscriptions. Some albums, especially rare or limited editions, can become more valuable.

Not every purchase will make money. But shifting your focus from spending to keeping value has its perks. You’re not only buying music — you’re getting items that can be sold, traded, or handed down later.

Owning your music can help you save money in the long run. Once your library is large enough, you can ditch those monthly fees you’re paying for streaming services. (And if it’s not big enough yet? YouTube is free, and the most widely used platform for listening to music.)

Creating A Personal And Meaningful Collection

One of the best parts of collecting is making something that feels truly personal. Your collection shows your taste, experiences, and who you are. Unlike playlists made by algorithms, it tells your own unique story.

You can use this opportunity to rediscover artists you loved in the past or explore genres you never had time for before. Some focus on building collections around specific themes—such as empowering artists, nostalgic hits from a certain decade, or albums tied to important life events.

Being intentional makes your collection more meaningful and helps you avoid overspending. When you know what you want, you’re less likely to buy things that don’t matter to you.

Turning Collecting Into A Social And Budget-Friendly Hobby

Collecting music doesn’t have to be something you do alone. It can be a social and affordable hobby. Record swaps, local meetups, and online groups let collectors share, trade, and find new music without spending money.

These interactions often lead to better deals and valuable insights. Experienced collectors offer advice on pricing, quality, and where to find hidden gems. For beginners, this guidance prevents costly mistakes and makes the process enjoyable.

Hosting small listening sessions at home is another great way to enjoy your collection. Instead of spending money going out, you can have special moments with friends using music you have.

Balancing Joy And Financial Responsibility

At its core, building a music collection is about balance. It’s finding joy in the process while staying aligned with your financial goals. This is especially important in today’s economic climate, where every purchase carries more weight.

If you treat collecting as a mindful habit instead of a spur-of-the-moment one, you get the best of both worlds. You enjoy owning something special and keep your budget on track. Simple strategies like tracking your spending, setting limits, and choosing quality over quantity can make a big difference. Over time, these habits help in other parts of your financial life, too.

A Modern Take On Frugality

Frugality is often misunderstood as deprivation, but modern frugality is about making smarter choices, not sacrificing joy. Building a music collection on a budget perfectly embodies this philosophy.

Instead of buying every new release or following every trend, collectors are focusing on what matters most to them. They choose quality over quantity, meaning over convenience, and long- term value instead of quick rewards.

This approach not only leads to a more fulfilling hobby but also reinforces positive financial behaviors. It shows that you don’t have to give up the things you love to be financially responsible—you just need to engage with them more thoughtfully.

The Lasting Impact Of Thoughtful Spending

As more people choose to spend with intention, hobbies like music collecting are changing. They’re now seen as meaningful investments in happiness and well-being, not just as indulgences.

A carefully curated collection becomes more than just a set of albums—it becomes a soundtrack to your life. Each piece carries a story, a memory, or a feeling that can be revisited anytime.

In the end, smart spending doesn’t mean giving up joy. It’s about deciding where your money goes and making sure it brings lasting value. For many women, building a music collection brings together nostalgia, creativity, and financial mindfulness.

The post Building a Meaningful Music Collection on a Budget appeared first on Femme Frugality.

 

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Or that meme about Lady Gaga responding to her jerk-of-an-ex who told her she’d never “make it” that someday he wouldn’t be able to turn on the radio without hearing her music.

No hate to Corcoran or Germanotta by any means. I admire each of them across different domains, and hardly think this truncated version of events is the whole story.

But when things are boiled down to this particular, simplistic, Darwinian meme, it always makes me a little uneasy.

It’s a little bit girl boss.

It’s a little bit shallow.

And ultimately, it centers the wrong person.

5 reasons success isn’t the best revenge in relationships

I do not believe that success is the best revenge in intimate relationships. In fact, this type of performative success can even be detrimental. Here are a handful of reasons why.

1. It externalizes success metrics.

The most profound moments of success in my life haven’t come from moments of publicity or  fame. While those things can be fleetingly affirming, the moments that really changed my life — the moments where I actually enjoyed being on the mountain top rather than immediately fixing my gaze on the next peak — came from achieving goals I didn’t publish on social media.

In my own humble experience, success directed by an internal locus of personal growth is far more rewarding than success that garners public applause.

Granted, I am a weirdo who is largely unimpressed by status.

But even still, if you give those goals that you set for yourself and no one else precedence over goals you set for the admiration or spite of others, I’m decently confident you’ll arrive at a similar conclusion.

2. You’re centering the male gaze.

Setting a goal to prove your ex wrong might feel incredibly motivating during the process.

But here’s the thing: You’re centering your goal around them.

And for ladies who date men, that inherently means you’re centering your achievements around the male gaze.

So as you’re setting these goals, try to take a step back and deconstruct. Ask yourself who is at the center of this supposed success. What goals would you be setting for yourself if you had never met that person you just broke up with?

Remove their influence from the equation entirely. Get back in touch with what you want for you. Reclaim your power by putting yourself back at the center of your own life.

Otherwise, no matter what you achieve, they are still the one controlling your life and outcomes.

3. They probably don’t care.

Unless your ex is stalking you on social media, odds are pretty high that they’re never going to hear about whatever revenge success you achieve. There is no real monoculture anymore, so whatever’s showing up in your own, individualized feed probably isn’t showing up in theirs. Maybe you’re literally Lady Gaga, but short of that, odds are pretty high that they’re not going to even know that the thing you’re trying to rub in their face ever happened.

And if they do? I hate to tell you — but they probably won’t care.

I’ve run into a few people over the course of my life who have been on the other side of this revenge success. While they might acknowledge it momentarily when they first hear about it, it’s not something that eats away at them or fills them with regret. For all those years you spend achieving it, it’s out of their head within seconds.

4. Do you really want someone that fetishizes your fame or money?

Feel free to replace “fame” or “money” with any other externalized metric.

If you’re doing this revenge success thing to prove something to them — why do you feel like it’s necessary?

Are you trying to get them back?

Do really want to be with someone who would only want you if you were draped in the trappings of worldly “success”?

And if you don’t want them back, why would you put them at the center of your goals?

5. When women’s income or status goes up, it doesn’t do what you think it’ll do.

There’s lots of studies out there that show when a woman’s economic status goes up as an individual, her partnership prospects actually go down.

Now, I’d argue that shouldn’t stop you from getting all the money. Anyone who finds you more attractive because you’re economically disenfranchised is not a good partner — even if that shrinks the pool.

But if you’re reaching for some externalized, performative success with the primary goal of getting your ex-partner to look your way, as a woman, that’s statistically unlikely to happen.

Nuance

Of course, there is grey in all areas of life. There is room for nuance.

I’ve written before about how powerful it can be to do something someone tells you is impossible. How it can be a great motivator. How it can be a remarkable way to hold onto hope in dark times.

I do still think that is true…in the context of personal empowerment.

Not necessarily in the context of revenge or spite in intimate relationships. Again, you’ve got to remember to keep yourself at the center of your own life. Otherwise, that person you’re feeling so much rage towards is still running you.

Here’s a couple ways to think about reframing it.

This will not be my story.

Then there are occasions in our lives when another person’s detrimental decisions about how to treat us will completely upend our lives in not-so-great ways.

I think in those moments, it’s normal to be sad and distraught. Maybe even angry if the circumstances call for it.

When it happens, after you’ve allowed yourself to have that initial reaction, a better path forward than revenge can be attempting to find some resolve.

One powerful phrase to steel yourself with is:

“This will not be my story.”

Then you can decide on what your story will be. For yourself. In your own power.

That does not mean you no longer have to contend with the consequences of other’s decisions.

It does not erase all agony.

But it does allow you to to give authorship to what happens next.

By focusing on what you do and don’t want your story to be, you allow yourself to center all the amazing things you are and could be — independent of the poor decisions and actions other have taken towards you. You’re back behind the wheel rather than letting someone who did you wrong drive the car.

The loss is you. And you don’t have to do anything to prove it.

When someone handles you poorly, the “revenge,” if it must be framed that way, is that you — as a human being — are no longer in their lives. You could strip away all the economic and physical trappings, and even still, the loss is in the inherent qualities of your soul. You don’t need to be featured on page one of any newspaper to have value.

And if you feel like you do? Get out a pen and paper.

Write down all the amazing things you are now. Today. Without changing a thing.

Rather than focusing on the aspirational things you think they may regret in the future, look at that list of great qualities they’ve chosen to give up in the moment. That’s the “revenge.” You don’t need anything beyond that.

Because who you become tomorrow should belong to you — not to an ex out of spite.

The post Performative Success: Why You Shouldn’t Do it for Your Ex appeared first on Femme Frugality.

For moms running side hustles at the kitchen table, Etsy sellers scaling up orders, or anyone testing a small apparel idea without a huge upfront investment, printing costs matter. Direct-to-film (DTF)transfers are emerging as the most effective ways to create custom apparel, such as t-shirts, hoodies, and other merchandise, without maintaining large inventories or investing in costly machinery.

With DTF, you can print durable designs, apply them to nearly any fabric, and keep your costs predictable. However, turnaround time, color selection, ordering, and cost are very important factors, especially when you need to earn money. In this guide, we’ll introduce the top DTF transfer services in Miami with emphasis on affordability, reliability, and usability for regular businesses.

Top Features of an Excellent DTF Transfer Service

When you’re still unfamiliar with DTF printing, you might believe that any DTF printer provides the same service. But the following characteristics vary and determine costs and efficiency:

• Turnaround Time: If you need to deliver the order from Etsy fast, select a printer with a
  guaranteed one-day turnaround.
• No Minimum Orders: Small-scale companies rarely require large production volumes. Single or small-batch orders provide flexibility without tying up cash.
• Ink Choices and Color Options: Advanced ink systems, such as those that offer more colors or neon capabilities, could help make your artwork more eye-catching when printed on darker materials.
• Easy Design Upload: A simple gang sheet builder or upload tool saves time and reduces errors, especially when dealing with multiple designs.
• Fabric Compatibility: The option to work with cotton, polyester, blends, and even dark materials without additional effort is great.

Why DTF Transfers Work for Budget-Conscious Sellers

If you want to reduce costs, DTF printing provides an excellent choice. Unlike traditional screen printing, you don’t need to order in bulk to get a reasonable price per piece. And compared to direct-to-garment (DTG), DTF often handles a wider range of fabrics with fewer limitations. Industry experts from Keypoint Intelligence noted that modern DTF systems “streamline workflow, enhance color accuracy, and minimize waste,” which is exactly what small sellers need when margins are tight.

Our Top Picks for DTF Transfer Services in Miami

Here are some top picks for DTF transfer services in Miami.

1. DTF Transfers Miami

In terms of cost and efficiency, DTF Transfers Miami provides a convenient experience tailored for small business owners and DIY projects.

Key Features:

• Delivery of custom DTF gang sheets within 24 hours
• No minimum order policy
• Online gang sheet maker free for uploading
• Use of an 8-ink system with neon/fluorescent ink colors
• Film size 22 inches, suitable for all kinds of fabric, including dark garments

Best For:

DIY Moms, Etsy sellers, and people running their part-time printing business

Standout Quality:

The unique selling point of this service is fast turnaround and high print quality. The expanded ink system produces noticeably vivid prints, including neon tones. This is a good option if you’re dealing with small or frequent orders due to its lack of minimum orders and user-friendly file upload feature.

2. DTF Miami Prints

DTF Miami Prints is located in the West Park District and specializes in custom gang sheets with a focus on precise color matching and design possibilities.

Key Features:

• Highly developed gang sheet design software for complicated designs
• Printing on cotton, polyester, and blended fabrics
• Quality printing and short print run compatibility
• Express order delivery service

Best For:

E-commerce sellers who require more freedom in layout design and highly detailed graphics. DTF Miami Prints is a good option for users with complicated designs and multiple layers of graphics. The brand’s target audience is knowledgeable people about DTF printing technology who require additional design options.

3. DTF Rush Orders

DTF Rush Orders is a well-known provider due to its fast turnaround times and positive
customer reviews.

Key Features:

• Fast order handling
• Very accurate printing
• Durable transfers suitable for reuse
• Has built a reputation in the community

Best For:

People who require their orders delivered fast, especially urgent orders. DTF Rush Orders is known for providing quick services, particularly in terms of delivery. You can rely on this service whenever you require urgency and consistency.

4. Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More (Kendall)

Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More (Kendall) operates in Miami and provides more choices for custom apparel and DTF printing.

Key Features:

● Full color printing using water-based ink
● Custom order for both small and bulk orders
● Discounts for bulk orders
● Various branded items to choose from

Best For:

Clients requiring DTF printing along with other custom clothing printing services. Big Frog Custom Printing is well known for providing custom printing solutions. Therefore, you should consider this service provider if you would like to have your apparel printed along with
other branded items.

5. Make It Lab

Make It Lab is a printing company in Miami that offers services such as DTF printing and UV DTF printing.

Key Features:

• Quick shipping service, or local pickup the following day
• Printing services for DTF and UV DTF
• Gang sheet printing and transfer printing are possible
• High-quality printing services

Best For:

People who want more than one print option simultaneously. Make It Lab is ideal if you want to experiment with new printing technologies and materials. The brand offers various types of prints and is not limited to apparel.

DTF’s role in your side hustle

The recent advancements in DTF printing technology mean you can start a business or do a DIY project without making significant financial investments in the beginning. From ordering your first t-shirts to maintaining a regular supply of customized t-shirts, a good printing company can make your work easier and cheaper.

Although several Miami-based services offer solid options, DTF Transfers Miami’s fast turnaround, no minimums, and vibrant print quality make it well-suited for small-scale sellers who need flexibility and consistency.

The post The Best DTF Transfer Services in Miami for Your Side Hustle appeared first on Femme Frugality.

Back in 2019, I wrote a reflective piece about all the things I would do if I was younger. If I had less responsibility in my life. I honestly forgot I had written it.

It read a bit morose.

My goal was to encourage young women to go do all the things while they were young. To take on every opportunity. As a woman who had felt so much obligation and responsibility in her youth, I hoped just one person would read it and take control of their own priorities before the ‘heavier’ responsibilities of later adulthood kicked in.

Reprise: You Are Never Too Old

Stumbling upon this piece again was quite the surprise. In the years that followed, we’d all live through an exhausting course of ‘unprecedented’ events. For me, these events served as a catalyst. Things got really difficult during the early pandemic years, but I harnessed those difficulties to achieve impossible things – financially and otherwise. Eventually, after some time of struggle, hope showed up again. My story was rewritten.

As I sit here seven years later, my life looks completely different than it did in 2019. Don’t get me wrong – 2019 wasn’t necessarily all doom and gloom.

But relying on the ghosts of my own words, I had a lot of unfulfilled dreams. Apparently, I also felt the very real weight of my responsibilities meant that these dreams were lost to me. My nontraditional path in life left me feeling some remorse for opportunities that had skipped me over.

Apparently.

As I reread these words, I was shocked to see that many of the things that I had on my 2019 list – that list I had forgotten about with the passage of the million words I had written since – had come true. In one way or another.

Seven years later, I have received opportunities to newly study things that excite me. To contribute to the world in new realms. To see places I had only dreamed of.

In that spirit, I’m rewriting this piece with a new message. Not to younger women, but to women of any age:

You are never too old.

White Whales & Albatrosses

The me of 2019 had accepted certain limitations on my life. My plate was full, and I was grateful for the abundance – if not exhausted by certain aspects of it at times. There simply wasn’t any give for the things I thought were reserved for the young.

Goodness gracious, my plate got fuller when the world shut down. Much as so many other women, I became the embodiment of the safety net my country was lacking. I wasn’t happy about it. But I did learn that I was capable of handling more.

If I was to handle more, then, why not attempt to restructure my life in radical ways? So that the ‘more’ was actually serving me rather than crushing me?

It was this act of allowing myself to imagine radical change that enabled everything that came next. I was no longer putting limitations on myself because I thought certain aspects of life had simply passed me by. My age was no longer an albatross. My dreams no longer a white whale.

No matter your age, no matter your responsibilities, this act of imagining is hopeful. Things don’t always turn out exactly how we dream them. They don’t always happen exactly when we want them to.

I am, afterall, sitting here seven whole years later. None of this happened overnight.

But, with the support of others, it did happen.

Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of meeting other women who have made radical shifts well into their lives’ journeys. They’ve set goals and not let anything stop them from achieving success – least of all their age.

Which makes me think that my experience isn’t an isolated phenomenon. Starting something new can be intimidating. There will be financials to figure out. But if it’s something you truly want for yourself and those around you, you are never too old.

Relearning Old Lessons

If I dig back further into the archives of my writing, I realize that this is not the first time I’ve learned this lesson. One of the first reflective pieces I wrote was on this very topic. It’s one that got audiences talking, and helped cement this writing thing into a career.

THE PIECE: Regrets In Life

We are never too old to reach for new dreams. But we are also never too old to learn the same lesson twice.

The post Things I Wish I Had Done When I Was Younger: Reprise appeared first on Femme Frugality.

Thinking about pet supplements for Fido? Before you reach for the cheapest item on the shelf, do a little research to ensure you’re giving your fur child something that’s actually healthy. Done right, a little bit of extra money spent on a quality supplement could be a useful tool in their health plan.

Purpose of Supplements for Dogs

Pet supplements aren’t a magic pill. You still need to feed your dog a balanced diet and take them to the vet regularly.

Think of it in the same way you think of vitamins for human health — you might take a vitamin for a specific health issue like Vitamin D deficiency or in order to prevent osteoporosis, but you’re not going to skip doctor’s visits just because you’re taking vitamins. They may supplement your health, but they don’t make you invincible.

You’re also going to take care what you put into your body, because this field isn’t regulated. Same thing with your pup — you’re going to research the best vitamins that support your pet’s specific needs, and you may take special consideration of health conditions that tend to affect their specific breed into account. Their age may also be a factor.

Where Pet Supplements Can Help

Let’s look at dental disease as an example. It’s one of the most prevalent health issues for dogs, and without intervention, things can devolve quickly. Some of the worst-case scenarios are eventual infections of internal organs. This will be a big and scary vet visit.

But if you get on the same page with the vet about supplements that can help with that dental disease, you may find your puppy has better outcomes. They’re not the only solution, but they can be a supportive part of a bigger plan that keeps your pet baby happier and healthier.

Digging for Gold

Let’s be real: You will find some garbage products on the shelf that are entirely filler. Not all supplements are created equally.

That doesn’t mean none of them are high-quality, though. Some things to look for when trying to identify a trust-worthy brand include:

• Transparency about ingredients.
• Clear labeling of active components.
• Products that specifically target your dog’s individual health needs.

For example, Pup Labs online offers products like ProDenta — addressing that need for good dental hygiene without trying to address every other issue in your dog’s body at the same time.

What to Avoid

There is some good marketing in the pet supplement space, but good marketing does not necessarily make a good product. Here are some things to look out for when shopping for supplements for your dog:

• Anecdotal testimonies without any explanation of why or how the product actually works.
• “Natural” doesn’t necessarily mean healthy or safe. This is particularly important if your dog is on any other type of medication, as there are instances where you could see a negative interaction.
• Unrealistic timelines. You’re likely looking at weeks before you see any improvements — not days. So any brand promising overnight miracles should raise your eyebrows.

RELATED: Frugal Pet Adoption in Pittsburgh

Are pet supplements worth it?

Your dog may benefit from pet supplements — but it’s always a question worth talking over with your vet. The lack of consistency in the market combined with the potential of drug interactions makes discussing this aspect of your dog’s health with a health professional a wise choice.

That said, a well-formulated supplement that target’s your pup’s individual needs could be a helpful tool in the health toolbox, with the veterinarian’s blessing.

The post Are pet supplements worth it? appeared first on Femme Frugality.

Dogs are the best. But if you’ve got allergies or just can’t be bothered with constantly vacuuming up hair, you might be looking at a narrower pool of dog breeds. In these cases, poodles are usually a popular pick, and miniature toy poodles are particularly popular for people with smaller spaces.

Bringing home a miniature toy poodle is exciting, but the first twelve months can drain your bank account faster than you expect. Thankfully, a lot of that spending is optional. With a few deliberate choices early on, you can cut hundreds off your first-year costs without cutting corners on your dog’s health or happiness.

Start with one month of puppy’s needs

It’s easy to get carried away in preparing your home for a new pup. But really, you don’t need to buy everything all at once. To get started with your miniature toy poodle, you’ll need:

• A crate that will accommodate their adult size.
• A flat collar (it doesn’t have to be jazzy.)
• A lightweight leash.
• Two bowls.
• A bag of the food they’re already eating at their current home.
• Two to three safe chew toys.
• Puppy pads.
• An enzyme cleaner for the inevitable mess as you train your puppy.

That’s it.

The designer carriers, orthopedic beds, matching bandana sets, automatic feeders, and plush toy hauls can wait until you know your dog’s size, chewing habits, and preferences. Half of what first-time owners buy in week one gets chewed beyond use, outgrown, or ignored entirely. Waiting to see what your puppy actually likes and needs can save you from overinvestment upfront. 

Also be mindful of where you shop. For example, boutique pet stores can be super cute — but they can also be a drain on your budget. A stainless steel bowl that runs $6 online can sit on a specialty shelf for $22.

Before your puppy comes home, build a starter kit from warehouse retailers or online subscription services for food, poop bags, and training treats. Crates, carriers, and gently-used harnesses also circulate constantly through resale platforms because dogs outgrow them quickly. 

Know Where to Look for Your Puppy

Finding your hypoallergenic puppy is where first-year budgets are won or lost, and it’s also where buyers are most vulnerable to scams. Classified ads and social media listings are flooded with deposit-takers who disappear, backyard operations with no health records, and out-of-state sellers who ship sick puppies. Every dollar you save on a suspiciously cheap listing tends to come back as a vet bill within weeks.

It’s safer to use a vetted marketplace. Preferably one that pre-screens breeders, verifies health testing, and keeps the paper trail transparent before you hand over a deposit. HonestPet is one such option that focuses on matching buyers with responsible breeders. Families looking for a miniature toy poodle can shop HonestPet online to browse available litters from breeders whose screening and documentation have already been reviewed. Starting here tends to mean fewer surprises and fewer emergency expenses later.

Learn to Groom Between Professional Visits

Miniature toy poodle coats require grooming about every three to four weeks. This consistent maintenance can get costly if you’re always going to a professional groomer. You can get the tools to do at-home maintenance yourself, and then visit a professional for the full coat every couple of months. 

Use Low-Cost Vet and Wellness Options

Check and see if your vet offers a wellness plan to help save you money. These plans are often set up as a monthly fee that covers things like annual exams, vaccinations and bloodwork. You might also consider taking advantage of telehealth services for smaller concerns so you’re not stuck paying for emergency in-person care — unless it’s truly an emergency.

RELATED: Frugal Pet Adoption in Pittsburgh

Take Advantage of Free Training and Socialization

Group puppy classes can run six hundred dollars for a six-week series. For a smart, people- oriented breed like the miniature toy poodle, most of that curriculum is available for free online or at your local library. For socialization, you can take your puppy to the dog park assuming you can find a good group of calmer dogs at your visits. If you do want professional help, book a single private session with a certified trainer to address specific issues rather than committing to a full package upfront.

Rethink Pet Insurance and Dog Walker Costs

Pet insurance is worth considering, but it isn’t automatically the cheapest path. Compare at least three providers, read the exclusions carefully, and calculate what you’d pay in premiums over five years versus setting that same amount aside in a high-yield savings account. For a young, healthy miniature toy poodle, a self-funded emergency account of around two thousand dollars often covers realistic first-year scenarios.

Dog walking rates can erase a grocery budget too. Before signing up for a daily walker, consider whether a flexible schedule or a trusted neighbor arrangement could fill the gap.

The First Year Doesn’t Have to Make You Broke

Adopting a dog is a commitment, and you should be ready to take on the financial costs to ensure your miniature poodle is well cared for. Being a responsible pet owner is important.

But there are ways to save. By shopping smart, learning a grooming trick or two and seeking out resources in your community, becoming a dog parent doesn’t have to make you broke.

The post How to Save Hundreds on Your First Year With a Miniature Toy Poodle appeared first on Femme Frugality.

This is the year, my friends! Starting with the 2025 tax year, the first $25,000 you earn in tips are not subject to income taxes (for some people.)

Today, we’re going to talk about the ins and outs of this new policy. It’s exciting for some, disappointing for others. You want to make sure you manage your expectations appropriately.

What does ‘tax-free tips’ mean?

‘Tax-free tips’ does not mean you’ll pay zero taxes on your tip income. You’ll still have to report your tips in their entirety — which I know you’ve been doing every other tax year, anyways…right?

FICA Taxes

A big reason you need to report your tips is that you will still have to pay FICA taxes on this income. FICA taxes are taxes that go towards Social Security and Medicare.

Believe it or not, this is a good thing for you — the higher your recorded Social Security income (and taxes) are throughout your working life, the more Social Security income you’ll qualify for in retirement age.

Income Taxes

This is where the good news lives. For many people, the first $25,000 in tips reported on your federal tax return will not count towards your income taxes. This is achieved through a deduction on your 1040.

Deductions like these reduce your taxable income, which in turn lowers how much tax you owe to the IRS.

Does the tax-free tip policy help me?

There is a bit of bad news. If your tax owed is already $0, the deduction isn’t going to do much for you. This is a situation that applies to many low-income tax payers, and means this isn’t really a policy that’s looking out for the little guy.

Yale’s Budget Lab reports that 37% of tipped workers fall into this category.

Does the tax-free tip policy hurt me?

A big concern was matriculating that the no-tips-on-taxes policy could actually hurt some tipped workers who qualify for certain refundable tax credits. Here, we have some good news.

EITC

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit that operates on a bell curve. The more money you earn, the more money you get back — until you hit a certain point where the credit starts tapering off.

In this way, the EITC is a subsidy on the minimum wage. (Which — let’s be real — you might not be getting paid if you’re a tipped worker.)

So, the fear was that if tipped workers deducted tips from their income, would that lower their income enough to put them further back on the EITC bell curve? And therefore get a smaller credit?

The IRS is saying no. You can deduct your tips from your income to calculate your tax burden, but your EITC credit will still be based on your total earned income — including deducted tips.

Child Tax Credit

Similarly, the Child Tax Credit pulls from your income on line 11a of your 1040. This is your earned income before you subtract your tip deduction on line 13b, and therefore shouldn’t affect your Child Tax Credit.

Perhaps more importantly, it shouldn’t affect your Additional Child Tax Credit. This is important because the Additional Child Tax Credit is the portion that’s refundable.

When do tax-free tips kick in?

(Income-) tax-free tips kick in for the 2025 tax year. To be clear, you can exclude the first $25,000 in tips on the 1040 you file in early 2026. That 1040 is for the 2025 tax year.

Are tax-free tips permanent?

No, tax-free tips are not permanent. They only apply to tax years 2025 through 2028. That means the last tax return where you can claim this deduction will be the one you file in early 2029.

Keep an eye on this space, though. Future tax laws could make this provision permanent — or at least extend it. It’s also possible that it could expire, though, which is the default with the way the law is currently written.

What are the income limitations for tax-free tips?

This tax deduction starts to phase out when your Modified-Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) hits $150,000. If you’re married filing jointly, it starts phasing out at a MAGI of $300,000.

Does my job qualify for tax-free tips?

Just because your boss programs the Square terminal to shake down customers for extra cash does not automatically mean you qualify for the no-tax-on-tips deduction. This deduction is restricted to jobs that ‘customarily’ received tips as of December 31, 2024.

And the list is delineated. You can’t argue with it.

Are you a waiter?

You qualify.

Have a side hustle as a wedding officiant?

You’re in, too.

You can find the entire, comprehensive list of qualified occupations here.

If you’re not on it, you don’t qualify.

Overall verdict

This policy is better than some feared, and worse than others hoped. It applies to a narrow portion of the American population, but for those who it does serve, it can be a way to save money on your taxes.

The post Tax-Free Tips & You appeared first on Femme Frugality.

The American healthcare system is wild.

On the one hand, we have a reputation for world-class healthcare. People from other countries will sometimes scrimp and save to do a type medical tourism (the reverse of the type of medical tourism Americans are known to participate in.) The richest country in the world did historically have some of the most cutting-edge care in many fields.

On the other hand, that healthcare is so expensive that many Americans themselves cannot access it. If you’re one of the elite, it might be the best healthcare in the world, but for the rest of us, medical concerns sometimes get put off until they’re life-threatening. Fights with insurance companies can delay claims until the process becomes lethal. And medical debt is the number one cause of bankruptcy when care is received.

Our systems are a nightmare, and that systemic fever dream applies to prescription meds, too. Some Americans have even been known to ration out life-sustaining medicine, threatening their health because they cannot afford the cost at the pharmacy.

It’s enough to make you look at other systems with envy. For example, in the UK, certain medications are funded through NHS — sometimes for free. And to add even more jealousy to the equation, there are government-registered online pharmacies like Curely where you can get a prescription and place your order all from your living room.

How to save money on prescription medications

While Americans don’t have a public health care system that funds medication, there are still ways to save at the counter. I’m not going to pretend these are anything but a bandage on a bullet wound. But if you can find a program you qualify for, they can help you save some money and make your meds more affordable.

Pharmacy discount cards

Pharmacy discount cards are usually free, and they can knock your prescription costs down. You want to have a good relationship with your pharmacist before implementing this method.

That’s because different discount cards offer different amounts off — and your pharmacist may be familiar with the best ones for your particular medication.

Some of these cards will save you more than insurance, while in other situations the discount can’t be run with your insurance and you’re better off billing the traditional way.

These ins and outs are all something a compassionate pharmacist may be able to help you with.

Check with your doctor about generics

Sometimes going generic can save you cash and not affect your health. Other times, the brand name will really boost your health outcomes. Ask your doctor about this before you go generic to save money.

Go straight to the pharmaceutical company

I know, this one sounds unbelievable. But there are different co-pay assistance and patient assistance programs at drug companies that help certain patients better afford their medication.

Some of these programs have income limitations. Some of them work with those on state-run insurance, and still others apply to to those with private insurance.

There are usually a decent amount of hoops to jump through, but the savings can be worth it if you qualify.

Explore (trusted) online pharmacies

Be extremely careful when ordering prescriptions online! That said, there are some well-established platforms like Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs that work with pharmacy partners to fulfill your doctor’s prescription at a lower price.

Apply for Medicare Extra Help

If you’re on Medicare and are below certain income limits, you may qualify for the Extra Help program, which seriously slashes your out-of-pocket expenses for medication. Some people are automatically enrolled, but if you’re not, that doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t qualify. You might just have to apply.

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