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08-15-13 {Living}

5 Simple Steps To The Financial Freedom

Cheers to another installment of your frugalous lifestyle transformation. Remember, You CAN blur the line between frugal and fabulous! All it takes are the right money concepts to improve your financial relationship!

Financial Freedom Feels so Good

5 steps to Financial Freedom

Here’s the game plan to detox yourself from bad financial habits and start living. oh so frugalously!

Unsubscribe from mailing lists. This includes your favorite stores, living social, and groupon. Until you learn will power to say no even when you can afford to say yes, you need to remove the temptation. The latest and greatest sale of the season will not help you get a hold of your money! Out of sight out of mind.
Identify unintended purchases by printing your last 3 months worth of bank & credit statements.Yes the latte, those cute shorts, impromptu drinks with friends, the extra massage this month. Ready for some sticker shock? Now add it all up. That’s the total options you purchased. Compare to the amount you saved in the last 3 months. How did you do? Don’t even tell me, I know, that’s why you’re here.
Check yourself, before you wreck yourself. If you spent more on options than you saved in the last 3 months then guess what… you’re grounded for 30 days! I know you’re going to go through social/sipping/shopping/ Starbucks withdrawal.. But trust me this will be worth it!! You need a system that will get you saving and fast!
Figure out how much you can save by taking the amount you spent in options over the last 3 months..

Divide that number by 2
Then divide it again by three.
The answer you get is what you will commit to saving for the next 3 months.

Set it up as an automatic deposit straight from your paycheck to an online savings account…. This way its hard to access,withdraw and you can’t forget to do it!

Ex. if you spent 1000 in the 3 months divide by 2 would be 500, divided by 3 is $166 which you would commit to saving a month. And you still get to live, a little.

5.Time for a Budget Scrub! Sort of like going to spa except when you’re done your bank account will be saying ahhhhhhh!

Now the point here was to get you savings something systematically..since we did that in step 4 let’s just see if that number actually fits into your budget. (your 3 months statements will help you with this!)

Identify all your fixed expenses, rent, mortgage, utilities, student loans, credit card bills, insurance
Add your new savings commitment to your fixed expenses
Identify all sources of discretionary spending, this is where the lattes, hair appointments, brunches, lunches and other go!

If it all works and you still have a few pennies left over then great you’re done!

But, if doesn’t…look through your discretionary list and see what can be reduced or eliminated. Premium cable that you don’t watch? All access gym membership you never use? Cell phone bill discount you never activated?

You want to get your budget to work without eliminating your savings commitment, do all that you can to keep that automatic deposit intact! Reduce it if you must, but never, ever eliminate it.

Is Financial Freedom one of your goals? How do you keep your finances in check? Let us know in the comments.

Contributor | Carrie Pink
A reformed shopaholic, money MIS-manager & Chief Mom. Her taste is still champagne & croissants with balanced saving, spending & investing. Follow her recipe to true financial happiness!

07-30-13 {Living}

Shopping Street Artists

Every Budget Socialite knows how important it is to look like a million bucks while only spending a few dollars and part of looking like you’ve spent a ton of money is by picking up those one of a kind pieces that you won’t see other places. There is no better place than getting these amazing deals than with your local street artists, craft shops and flea markets. I love shopping from local street artists because you’re getting handcrafted pieces that you won’t find in most places and when you purchase more than one, you can usually negotiate a great deal. Here are a few tips and tricks.

1. Speak to the street artist and learn as much as you can about their craft and how they make their pieces. Knowing how much time and love goes into making your one-of-a-kind will bring you two closer, and you’ll have a great story to tell when you receive a compliment.

2. If you pay with cash, you can try to negotiate a cheaper price. We love our plastic and with apps such as Square Up, more people are able to accept credit cards. But they usually prefer cash and would be willing to go a few dollars down for that pleasure.

3. Browse. It’s a good idea to walk around a little bit before making your first purchase. These street festivals can seem a bit overwhelming with lots of different tables to stop in. You don’t want to spend all of your money at the first place you see only to not have enough for something you’ve fallen in love with later.

4. Only purchase what you feel like you can’t live without. For me, if I keep thinking about a certain piece, then I know that I have to have it. Especially if I think I may regret not buying it later on.

5. Have fun!

Co-founder | Scarlett Rocourt
Scarlett creator of Wonder Curl is a Marketing Maven, DIY Diva & Glamour Girl! Her affinity for style, organization & discount designer shopping makes her a true Budget Socialite. Her flare for creativity allowed her to translate that into a career in marketing.

07-23-13 {Living}

Sample Sale Etiquette

My Dear Readers,

While I know that none of you would ever engage in any violence over a pair of Christian Louboutin’s because they are 70% off, after watching ‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’ for the millionth time, and during a sample sale shopping trip (where my sister got her Vera Wang wedding dress for only $250 and I scored 4 bridesmaid dresses for $100 total!), I felt compelled to create some tips for attending a sample sale to help make everyone’s retail therapy a joyous and pleasant one and less of a scene from ‘Gladiator’.

1. Bring Cash. This is a general good rule of thumb so you don’t go through credit card shock when the bill comes in, but also some sample sales only take cash.

2. Maximize your time. One of my favorite sample sales has a strict policy of only allowing 90 people in at a time and for 30 minutes at a time. Have ideas of what you are looking for ahead of time by surveying the room for what they have.

3. Multitask. Pick up many things while keeping an eye on the next one.

4. If you know you don’t want it, put it back for another shopper to discover it. Remember that once it’s out of your hands it becomes community property.

5. Check items for any damage. A true sample sale will have items that were the actual samples shown to buyers and therefore might have a rip or a pen mark so it can’t be sold in the stores. Make sure you can (and will) repair it.

6. Negotiate. Don’t be afraid to negotiate with the cashier. I’ve walked out of sample sales with $200 worth of goodies for only $150, mostly because they need to get everyone out of there and also they’re looking to get rid of items. It’s not guaranteed, but it doesn’t hurt to try.

7. Have fun! Shopping isn’t just for therapy, but also the thrill of the hunt. Finding that perfect dress or bag at a ridiculously low price can be worth standing in line over an hour. Bring a friend or two (just make sure you don’t wear the same size).

Have your own sample sale etiquette tips? Let us know in the comments.

06-27-13 {Living}

DIY Mason Jar Tea Storage

I am so excited for this DIY project that I’m about to share with you guys – Tea Storage Jars. Okay, I’m excited about every DIY project that I share, but stay with me because it’s pretty awesome. This project combines my 2 obsessions: mason jars and chalkboard paint. Now, aren’t you excited?

I love to drink tea and the different boxes they come in can become a pain to keep. Plus, they don’t keep your tea fresh. The best way to store tea is in an airtight, dark container. You can learn about proper storage here.

I decided to create these great tea storage jars so I will be able to easily label the different tea while keeping them fresh as long as possible.

What you’ll need:

1. Hot Glue Gun

2. Chalkboard spray paint – I used this Valspar version. I didn’t read the label until I got home and saw that it was for plastic and wood. I still used it on the mason jars’ glass and had no problems.

3. Mason Jars – I used the plain ones from Walmart to make it easier for writing with the chalk

4. Gloves + Goggles (optional)

Since we’re working with spray paint, you’ll need to be outdoors or in a well ventilated room.

What you will do:

1. After the glue in your hot glue gun is ready, you can add Tea to your mason jars – if you want to be fancy, you can write the french word for it: thé

(If you’re not happy with your letters, you can easily peel them off and do it again)

2. Place the mason jars upside down and begin to evenly spray the mason jars with your chalkboard spray paint. I did about 2 coats on each jar.

3. Prime the chalkboard with the side of chalk and then wipe off.

You’re done and ready to start storing your tea!

Is this something you will try? Let us know in the comments.

06-18-13 {Living}

Get thee a bra fitting!

Recently, I had a life altering moment at the mall. I was killing time at the mall while I waited for my car’s oil change and decided to go to Victoria’s Secret. This Budget Socialite almost never goes into Victoria’s Secret because the bras, while beautiful, are pricey. Having realized that my bras hadn’t been fitting me right, I naturally assumed that the culprit was because they were from Marshall’s and had to be irregular or mislabeled.

The life altering Moment

I gingerly walk into the store, and the nice sales woman asks me if I needed any help. I told her I was looking for bras in 32C. She hands a bunch of the new (and expensive) bras in my size and like a fairy godmother, sends me off to the fitting room. While in the fitting room, there is a ‘Bra Expert’. She has her measuring tape in hand and asks me when was my last fitting and if I’d like to be fitted. I shrugged, said “sure” because I already know my bra size and she’s just going to confirm what I already know. She puts the tape around my torso and says “32”, then wraps it around my chest and says “D”….record scratch “Come again?” 32D??? Me? Petite me is a 32D? Well, this explains a whole lot. All this time I was blaming the poor discount department stores and my boobs grew, despite the fact that my weight hasn’t really changed.

After a scientific survey of my Facebook friends, it had been determined that quite a few women haven’t been to the bra store for a proper fitting, and the few who had gone were equally as floored over the news as I was over my own.

Let me be a cautionary tale to all of you out there. Do not go around with the “4 boob” syndrome. Get thee to a bra store and have a fitting.

When was the last time you had a bra fitting? Let us know in the comments.

05-30-13 {Living}

DIY French Grain Sack Pillow

I have all sorts of obsessions and one of them is with vintage french grain sack pillows. I love the worn look of the once ornate lettering and the earthy fabrics. But, if you know anything about authentic grain sacks, they are pricey – even reproduction can set you back $50 or more. As a DIYer and boaster of ‘Look at what I made’, I figured I need to make this myself. After scouring the Internet for stencils – even those can cost a lot – I found this super easy DIY transfer tutorial using a laserjet copy. For this project, I made a neck roll, but you can use this for anything.

What you’ll need to create your own DIY French grain sack pillow:

Fabric – the tighter the weave, the better your transfer will come out. I used these blue stripe tea towels for $3.99 that I picked up at World Market. You can even use painter’s drop cloth (just wash it first to remove chemicals and smell).
Laserjet copy – if you don’t have a laser printer, you can take it to your local library or office store to make photo copies, just make sure the designs are in reverse (you might have to try different machines as they don’t work on all).
Inner pillow or cotton filling
Paint brush
Clary Sage essential oil (the original DIY called for Citra-solv Natural Cleaner & Degreaser)
Masking or painter’s tape
Iron
Sewing machine or sew by hand
Your design – Graphic’s Fairy has tons to choose from and she even set ups the reverse pdf for you too! This is the one I chose.

How you do it

Print your design on copy paper – contact paper will be too thick.
Place your design face down and tape the edges to secure in place.
Dip your brush in the Clary Sage oil and brush directly onto the copy until you can read the letters clearly.
Using the end of your brush, begin rubbing the paper to transfer the design to your fabric. I like to go in different directions to make sure it’s all rubbed through. But, if you want a more worn look, you can do it more haphazardly.
Remove paper and love your transfer.
Iron on hot (no steam) to evaporate the oil and set the ink to your fabric.
I removed the hems before sewing the edges together.
Put your filler pillow in the pillowcase and tie the edges with string. I literally used whatever I had lying around and cut really close so you can’t see it.

That’s it! Are you ready to get your DIY French Grain Sack pillow on? Let us know in the comments.

05-09-13 {Living}

How To Be Frugalous!

Was Holly Golightly Frugalous? | www.thebudgetsocialite.com

Last time we chatted, I introduced “Frugalous”– a hybrid lifestyle between frugal and fabulous (If you missed that post you can check it out here).

The secret revealed to being “Frugalous” was to balance all the fabulous things life has to offer while still maintaining a nice cushion for ourselves. Sounds good so far right?

So, how do we get it?

How do we maintain a happy dose of fabulosity without depriving yourself of everything you love? Well I’m glad you asked.

Let’s first start by repeating our new money mantra.

“Money is a valuable tool and resource that allows me to explore my options and opportunities”

That’s the foundation to us fully adopting frugalous. Which is more than just a new lifestyle. It’s about embracing a whole new type of relationship with money, one that is healthy and leaves us in control. Not the other way around.

Lets break it down even further.

What does this mantra really mean?

I’m sure we have heard on every major talk show, a psychology expert saying our thoughts are more powerful than we think. Although I am no doctor, I believe this is an absolute fact in our dealings with our money.

If we believe money is the root of all evil, it will be. If we are convinced it burns a hole in our pocket… Then burn baby burn it will do, right through our skinny jeans!

If we want to improve our financial relations, we first have to improve our relationship with our finances. Did you get that? Let me repeat it..

If we want to improve our financial relations, we first have to improve our relationship with our finances. – Tweet this

Money is not the root to all our problems, it’s the solution. We can solve more problems using our money effectively than ineffectively.

Money is valuable, which makes it something important to have in our everyday lives.

Money is a tool, which means we have to learn how to use it, just like any other tool in a toolbox. Yes that means acquiring the right skills, right here, right now! (you wouldn’t just jump onto a construction site and try to use a jack hammer would you?)

And lastly, money is a resource — which means there is a limited quantity in our possession. Therefore, like any other limited resource we should strive to conserve some and account for every other dollar exhausted.

Mmmkay valuable, tool, limited resource. The solution.

You with me so far? Great!!

Let’s keep going.

That allows us to explore Options and Opportunities. Carrie, now what does that mean exactly?

Well to put it in terms we can all understand: Those super HAUTE Jimmy Choos are an option.. The 70% sample sale that only happens once a year but, is already on its third rotation is an option. Starbucks lattes twice a day are an option.

Your bestie needing a last minute travel buddy for a 10 day trip to Paris, Nice, and Monte Carlo because her beau has strep throat? That’s an opportunity!!!

Moral of the story?

Stocking up on too many options leaves you unable to take full advantage of unforeseen opportunities.

Sip on that until next month, when I bring you tried and true strategies to keep you financially prepared for both!

Let’s talk! Do you leave room financially for options as well as opportunities? Or do you need the cheat sheet? Let us know in the comments below!

(Image Source: Breakfast at Tiffany’s | Paris)

04-25-13 {Living}

Blurring The Line Between Frugal and Fabulous!

When you start talking personal finance, saving money and living a frugal lifestyle there are usually a ton of groans that follow.

Everyone wants to live the fabulous life of their dreams… But our pockets are always that unpleasant reality check we don’t want to cash.

Everyone wants to save money.. but our desire for a fabulous lifestyle and the reality of our pockets + bills often leads us to believe that saving is IMPOSSIBLE.

Then you hear the words “Live a Frugal life” and you cringe, don’t you? There is nothing fabulous about being frugal or so you think. But its been my experience since welcoming frugal into my vocab, this misconception is so far from the truth. Frugal is one of those words often misused as a synonym for cheapskate, but it isn’t just some secret code word for self deprivation. It simply means you aren’t wasteful with your resources and boy-oh-boy, you hate being ripped off!

Frugalous!

How does one blur the line between frugal and fabulous? Well that’s what The Budget Socialite is all about! Creating that hybrid of frugal and fabulous! Adopting a new lifestyle that I like to call… Frugalous!

The secret? Being “Frugalous” allows you to enjoying all the fabulous things life has to offer while still maintaining a nice cushion for yourself. I mean what else would you expect from a blog called The Budget Socialite.

Can you still go shopping? Yes! Brunch with friends? Absolutely! Happy Hour? *raises glass* Yes!

Notice we haven’t deprived ourselves of anything we love yet! Yippee! *throws pink confetti*

There is only one major concept you have to adopt to live the Frugalous Life though.. what??? You thought there weren’t going to be any requirements?? C’mon! But it’s pretty simple!

Money is a valuable tool and resource that allows me to explore my options and opportunities. Tweet This

Take that mantra and really let it marinate in your mind. Read it again, come back tomorrow, print it out and hang it on your fridge, your bathroom mirror and in your work cubicle. The moment it clicks for you, that’s the moment you will be on the road to being Frugalous!

When you enter the world of the frugalous you will realize instant gratification is short-lived and often ends with the trend, fad or season. Remember those trucker caps you bought? Boot cut jeans, cool lots? Where are they now! Stuffed in the back of your closet right??

Less is more, really…

The more stuff we buy the less resources and space we have. It clutters our closets, apartments, minds.. Yet empties our bank accounts. George Carlin once said… A house is just a pile of stuff with a cover on it. Seriously. Think about it.

As a monthly contributor to The Budget Socialite I’m going to help you create and understand your financial goals. We’re going to write them down and make them real! We’ll also create a timeline of when you’d like to accomplish said goals. Giving yourself a deadline will help you commit to your financial goals and the more you value your goals the less self deprived you’ll feel for random STUFF! You’ll understand that budgeting for the things you want and can afford means you can still be as fabulous as you want to be without ever compromises your goals.

Are you ready to became frugal and fabulous? Frugalous! Have any tips to share? Let us know in the comments. See you next month!

(Image Source: Daily Cup of Couture | coutureeventsbylottie)

03-05-13 {Living}

Shabby Chic Lighting Fixture DIY

The Good: I found a great new apartment. The bad and the ugly: it had this giant spaceship looking lighting fixture in the dining room. I thought it would beam up my dinner! This was not going to work with my new Shabby Chic design, so I got to work on how to change the look without switching the fixture or spending too much. This is a rental, after all

1. What you will need:

acrylic crystals – found at Dollar Tree around Christmas (came 3 in set for $1)
mosquito netting or a gauzy fabric – found curtains Ikea (2 for $4.99)
3 inch thick (or thicker) trim fabric – found at Joann’s for $3 per yard
hot glue gun
sewing machine or can sew by hand

2. What you will do:

Cut the fabric the diameter of your lighting fixture
Put two lengths of the trim together to sew and make thicker
Either hot glue or sew the acrylic crystals to one edge of the trim (on the inside)
Cut the mosquito netting/fabric/curtain) to size on your lighting fixture.
Sew a hem on one end, pull extra fabric through to gather at the top of the lighting fixture.
Drape the fabric and hot glue small sections to keep in place.
Hot glue the trim around your lighting fixture.

3. To decorate for the seasons, you can add faux butterflies to the netting for spring, leaves for fall or faux snowflakes for winter.

02-26-13 {Living}

shabby chic decor

Sometimes in our lives we get to decorate completely from scratch. For some, this may seem daunting, for others, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to create your dream space. Imagine, not having to work with furniture you inherited or had to move with. This, my dear friends, is a clean slate to do whatever your heart desires, and for me, that’s decorating Shabby Chic Decor.
What is Shabby Chic?
According to Rachel Ashwell’s “Shabby Chic”, it is:
•   Comfort – the beauty of imperfections
•   the allure of time-worn objects
•   appeal of simple practical living
These are the cornerstones of what has come to be known as the Shabby Chic style. It’s flea market finds, chipped paint, mason jars, slip-covered sofas, fluffy pillows. And for me, Shabby Chic is warm, casual and unpretentious. It says, come in and relax.

The Shabby Chic look works beautifully in The Budget Socialite’s peripheral because it’s about being resourceful, thrifty and a DIYer.

I decided to do “Shabby Chic” with modern touches. This way, I was not trapped into one type of look. I wanted to create depth and surprises with every turn. That means, being able to marry thrift store finds with Ikea purchases and spending hours on Craigslist waiting for the perfect chair to come to light.

I will be sharing my DIY projects as well as decorating ideas to help you to create your dream space.

02-18-13 {Living}

Learn From Liv – 01

Scandal seems to be everyone’s guilty pleasure. Kerry Washington’s wardrobe is fierce and her chemistry with Fitz is so swoon-worthy that I can hardly contain myself. As much as I root for Fitz and Olivia, I know that much of Scandal is a lesson on what NOT to do. On that note, here are my top four ways to learn from Liv (so far).

1. Stay Away From Guys with Daddy Issues

As we learned in A Criminal, a Whore, an Idiot and a Liar, Fitz has some classic daddy issues. He is super resentful of dear old dad, especially the fact that he was repeatedly unfaithful to his mother. Interesting, eh? I’m an expert in psychology since I watch reruns of Frazier. So, I know dudes with daddy issues are notorious for feeling the need to constantly prove themselves. This can manifest itself in many ways including: easily getting into fights, always needing the last word, becoming a workaholic or murdering supreme court justices while they lie in their cancer deathbeds.

2. Love Isn’t Supposed to Hurt, Liv.

I’m not on team Edison but he spoke truth here. Every relationship has it’s ups and downs but her confession of wanting a painful and devastating love made me think that Liv needs some couch time with Dr. Phil. When the pain outweighs the joy, it’s probably time to be out and: Comparing yourself to Sally Hemings in a relationship is a bad sign. A REALLY bad sign. <- Tweet this

I’ll admit that any man that says “I’m in love with you. You’re the love of my life. My every feeling is controlled by the look on your face. I can’t breathe without you. I can’t sleep without you. I wait for you. I watch for you. I exist for you.” is going to make me stop in my tracks. But when the same man that can declare his love so articulately, also uses his skill to hit you where it hurts the most — “I may not be able to control my erections around you but that does not mean I want you” — It’s time to move on and not look back.

Deepak Chopra says “It isn’t love when another person cannot give you the space to live your own life.” <- Tweet This ~and we couldn’t agree more.

3. Married Men Rarely Leave their Wives

We know this, right? But we still kinda thought Fitz was gonna divorce Mellie. We thought they were going to be the exception to the rule. I was rooting for them too, but here’s the thing: I’m sure EVERYONE in this situation thinks they will be the exception to the rule. Being into someone makes us blind to the obvious. Hell, even being into someone on TV makes us blind. How quickly did we forget that Fitz also did the horizontal mambo with Amanda Tanner or about the time he wasn’t taking no for an answer in the elevator? Selective memory has led many a woman astray or… um, a closet during a christening.

4. Know Who Your Real Friends Are

The league of extraordinary election-riggers is a bad crew to roll with. We knew Hollis and Mellie were bad news but let’s not forget the ones Liv seems to trust. She should have known that Verna was a frenemy when she gave up Huck, but for some reason Liv still trusted her. Lesson learned, just because we think it’s cute that grandma says “burner phone” like she recently learned the term on CSI, doesn’t mean that she’s beyond suspicion.

Next up is Cyrus, remember how quickly he made Liv persona non grata at the white house? How come he was drinking wine on her couch a few episodes later? The Budget Socialite doesn’t play that. Also, remember how he “took care” of Amanda Tanner? Why was Liv surprised when “taking care” of the Hollis situation meant that he was going to send Charlie, the hapless contract killer, after him. (Seriously. Worst. Contract. Killer. Ever.) He also said he was going to “take care” of James and that didn’t set off any warning bells. Liv, look alive, girl! Taking care means murder. Don’t sleep on Cyrus.

Next time on Learn from Liv: Beware the rebound guy. I see you Scott Foley, and apparently you see everyone.

So, what do you think of learn from Liv? Are you still rooting for Liv and Fitz to be together? What’s up with Scott Foley and his sliver set-up? How do you suppose Liv keeps her hair so sleek when she goes swimming every morning? Let us know in the comments.