Frugal Chic

Cheap Chic: Formal Finds

2009-09-21T16:37:00.005-04:00

*sigh* I'm trying to hop back on this blogging thing. Really I am.

Something I've been meaning to blog about is affordable formal wear. I often dress for weddings as I would if I were going to church, but things change when it's a black tie affair. I always dress for the occasion but I refuse to soak my checkbook in tears to do so. So, I will try to post on my formal finds when it happens.

Here's formal find number #1:
a black and silver designer dress (belted, one off-the shoulder detail, and pockets) and buckle embellished stilletos. I wore this to a wedding earlier this year.

Dress: Carmen Marc Valvo (regular retail price $500/I paid $125)

Shoes: Guess (regular retail price: over $100; But they were free for me! Yeah, I cheated. They were a gift from the sis who was just not diva enough to walk in them herself. woo hoo!)

Celebrity Bargains

2009-03-20T14:56:00.002-04:00

Article Here

Tell the Truth

2009-01-07T10:30:00.006-05:00

I came across this article today on the supposed reason(s) gas prices are rising and I say bullocks! Here's the real reason gas prices are rising: the Christmas rush is over. The powers that be decided to stop raping our wallets long enough for us to pump money back into the economy with Christmas shopping. Hello, false sense of security!

Had gas prices remained the same, malls and stores - both physical and virtual - would have remained virtually empty and our economy would be even worse off than it already is. Now that the Christmas rush (pre and post) is over, gas prices are set to skyrocket again. Coincidence? I think not. And, since most Americans don't live within walking or even biking distance of our jobs, we'll have no choice but to pay. Don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining. Why are we still so dependent on oil anyway? There are alternatives...

btw - I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! I promise to post more frequently in 2009. Right now, I'm working on revamping the layout a bit, so I should be back to posting on a regular basis beginning in March. I apologize to my one disappointed reader out there. *mwah*

Cruise Cabin Conversion Pt. II

2008-05-01T16:11:00.005-04:00

My problem was no longer a lack of motivation but that I just didn’t know where to start. I’ve often found myself determined to get organized and clear my clutter, only to wind up staring at a pile of clothes, piles of paper, or the Tupperware in my cupboards (that seem to multiply like rabbits), and feel overwhelmed. I stare at the mess and ask myself why, if I have a perfectly good mail sorting system, does my mail still wind up sitting on my dining room table? Why do I have tons of Tupperware when I only use about five of the containers? Why do I have TWO desks when all I need is one?? Why don’t I utilize my wall space? Why are my bathrooms and kitchen still not to my liking even though there are affordable fixes out there? Then I get frustrated and park my behind in front of the TV set, stuck. (hello, couch potato) I realized that what I may need is a guide. I vaguely knew what had to go but still had trouble tossing many items in the “Out” pile. Also, being the responsible tree hugger that I strive to be, I wanted to properly dispose of my unwanted items but had no idea where to begin. So I got online. In my search for a useful and efficient guide to de-cluttering, it was Lime.com to the rescue with this handy room-by-room spring cleaning guide which I printed and applied to my life post haste. (I also found a great guide to maintaining the habit at realsimple.com.)

Organizational Guide – Check!

Now that I had clear-cut instructions of effectively organizing my home, my second hurdle was how to reuse or responsibly dispose of unwanted and unnecessary items that belong in neither the trash nor the recycling bin. I had electronics and clothes that had been sitting in bags and boxes awaiting a new home but I just didn’t know where to begin to rid my home of these things. Sure there are organizations like the Salvation Army and Purple Heart, but I’ve never been one to call and arrange a pick-up. Once it’s packed up, I want it out of my sight immediately. If you’re in the same bind, you could check out this guide to recycling at lime.com that offers a wealth of suggestions for recycling and disposal of various items from linens to electronics of all types. I carried an old television (amongst other things) to the local landfill’s electronics recycling lot. I found a container for clothes and toy donations nearby and hauled my first round of unwanted clothes to the bin (more to go soon). The plastic shopping bags crowding my pantry were dropped off at a local grocery store bag recycling receptacle (Plastic bags are sold by the stores to be reborn as decks, furniture, and rugs). I finally freed my home of the old television set, stereo, and a host of other items blocking my path and there is yet more to go.

New Home for Wayward Items – Check!

Finally, I’m on a roll. My off-season clothes have been neatly moved to another closet. Last weekend, I picked up a second file cabinet I found on Craigslist (the lock on my old one broke long ago, and it has never been quite what I needed), a label-maker, and file folders, and got busy organizing my paper clutter. As I moved everything neatly into its place, I instantly felt a sense of clarity and resurgence in motivation. I am now slowly but steadily moving towards my goal of having an organized, clutter-free home. Currently, I’m tackling the random mess that is my guest room/home office. In the process, it has gone from blah to looking like a tornado hit it (I never realized how much junk I had in my closets); but the outcome will be well worth it. As I get this area of the home squared away, my posts will resume on a regular basis. Maybe I’ll share the before and after pics if I’m not too ashamed.

Cruise Cabin Conversion - Pt. 1

2008-03-10T11:29:00.013-04:00

Okay, so my January deadline obviously came and went. It’s been so long since I last updated I actually forgot my password! My apologies for the abrupt and long absence. I could give you a laundry list of excuses but I’ll spare you. I’m back and plan to update on a regular basis and that’s all that matters right? ;o)

Now, back to your regularly scheduled program:

Back in October (when the posts stopped), I took a mini-vacation (my first cruise) where I got plenty of R&R and time to think. The sleep was great but the cabin was a tight fit for two people. Still, I was determined to make the best of it. We weren’t trapped in the room after all and would soon have our fun day in the sun! I decided that the cramped space was simply a means to an end.

Then I found out that there would be no fun in the sun due to storms. We were stuck on the ship – a ship with very little to do, which left me trapped in the tiny room. Worse yet, I didn’t stockpile magazines and at least one novel like I normally would. My fun in the sun trip turned into four days in a cramped room with a bathroom that had me trembling in fear. Between the airplane toilet flush effect, the horrible smell before the ship gets moving, and the tiny shower I just knew would overflow into the rest of the bathroom (yuck) and possibly the room, I was fit to be tied.

I procrastinated as long as I could before the first shower, but eventually I had to take the leap. After the first time, when I realized that despite the hand-held showerhead, and lack of a real divider, the shower would not in fact flood the bathroom floor, I became more at ease with the tiny space. I had what I needed afterall – soap and clean running water. Back in the sleeping area, the ship was tossed and driven and I was forced to decide between repeats of cartoons and one movie, watching the crashing waves, and staring at the ceiling. I drifted in and out of consciousness in the comfy bed, pondered life, and received an unforeseen bonus in this lackluster cruise (other than the great ink pens they leave in the room) – an epiphany.

I shouldn’t put this out there like it’s a new thing. Traveling always has, to a degree, often given me a new perspective on things like organization and simplicity but there’s nothing like cramming into a tiny cabin aboard a cruise ship to remind you just how much you don’t need all of the junk awaiting you back home, or how out of control your life has become. As I sat holed up in the cramped cabin, I realized that I was slowly becoming one of “those people”. Who are those people you ask? Those people are a little bit too consumed with material things. Those people always desire more – even when they already have enough. Those people will never be happy because they will always want something bigger and better and there is always something bigger and better out there to be had. A better cell phone than the one you purchased just 6 months ago. A bigger car than the perfectly good one you’ve had for a few years. A bigger house than the one you have now.

I’m not sure when exactly I began turning into one of those people. Maybe it was too much time spent in front of cable watching the many “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” rip-offs. “Look at the big house I’m never home to enjoy! Look the luxury cars I never drive!” I detested these shows for their shameless display of materialism, yet as I watched with friends, I somehow found myself falling victim to the affluenza bug. For many years, I was that person who would hold on to my cell phone forever – only to trade up when I received an offer for a free trade-in from my provider. Now I wanted every PDA and Smartphone I saw. I’ve never been a big beach person, but after watching one vacation special after another of happy people frolicking in the sand, I was running a travel search on my laptop for a beach destination. Oh yes, brainwashing is real – even when you think you’re well aware of it.

During my hours of reflection, I not only realized how materialistic I was becoming, but how much clutter I had back home, and how unorganized and harried I had become – thanks to both the clutter and a mystifying lack of discipline that had taken over since the college years. The question was how would I change these bad habits?

To be Continued...

Happy Holidays!

2007-12-18T15:21:00.001-05:00

This blog will be updated in January 2008.

Until then, please add FrugalChic to your RSS aggregators and enjoy the holidays!

Day of Indulgence

2007-10-10T16:23:00.001-04:00

The Good News Is:

I paid down a significant portion of my credit card debt. Somehow my credit card balance managed to climb close to $2,000. I'm sure many people have even higher cc debt, but to me, that was just too much and, more importantly, it's never happened before. I actually felt a sense of oppression whenever I thought about it. So I dipped into my savings and a little extra I had sitting in my checking account (because I haven't shopped in months now) and paid most of it off. I've whittled the balance down to $400 and I refuse to use the card again (if ever again at all) until that is paid off (which shouldn't take more than two months).

The Bad News Is:

I celebrated by treating myself to a little bit of.........retail therapy. It's not what you think though. I spent a grand total of $62.00 on a much-needed pair of sexy heels and a skirt and top for work (mostly paid for with a gift card I found during a clutter-clearing moment). So all-in-all, I bought pieces I actually need and I didn't spend much. Check out the shoes (which I found for $34 at Off Broadway - a steal right?) They're cute, pretty comfy (although peep-toe heels are always a little tricky for me), and work with a variety of looks:

*Note: Faux snakeskin and leather.

More Useful Financial Tools

2007-10-03T11:28:00.000-04:00

What's Your Cashflow?

How Much Are you Spending?

Cheap Thrills: Freebies

2007-10-02T09:47:00.000-04:00

Today’s post was inspired by this article and this one. Far too often consumers don’t realize that we can haggle and that just because an item is marked with a price, we don’t necessarily have to pay it. I thought I would share a few of my own great freebie moments in history and a tip that may raise some eyebrows but is pretty effective.

The Lot

Recently I haggled over a parking lot fee of $7.00. I don’t know what possessed me to do it – though I’m sure my paltry paycheck had something to do with it – but I was just outraged at paying $7 when I would be in the store for all of fifteen minutes (and it was a Sunday!) I got out of the car with $10 in my pocket and that was reserved for food so paying for parking was simply not going to happen. I breezed past the parking booth and the attendant came rushing out.

“Seven dollars.”

“Seven dollars?!”

“Yes,” he held out his hand.

I calmly explained to the parking attendant that that was highway robbery. It just made no sense to me to pay $7 for parking in a lot on a Sunday for fifteen minutes.

“That’s the price ma’am.”

“Then I’ll have to park somewhere else.”

“Fine.”

“Really, I’m going inside the store for 15 minutes. Does it really make sense to you that I pay $7 to park for fifteen minutes?!”

He actually considered my argument (or my sanity perhaps) for a moment, made me promise to return in fifteen minutes, and let me park for free! Of course with parking, you have to know the rules of the city. In D.C., you generally don’t have to pay for parking at meters on the weekends – especially Sundays – and holidays, so it just doesn’t make sense for lots to charge a fee considering you can find street parking at a meter for free, albeit farther away from your destination. Sure, the attendant could have told me no, but you never know if you don’t try.

The Grocery Store

Another freebie moment occurred at the grocery store. I went in late one night in search of bread at the last minute for a meal I planned to prepare the next day. Apparently, you can get bread at a reduced price from the grocery bakery if you shop near the close of business because they serve fresh baked bread in the morning. I found this all out accidentally as I wandered around with a loaf of bread in my hand in search of a staff member who could help me with a question. (I honestly don’t recall what I wanted to ask about a loaf of bread). A manager breezed past and caught me quizzically staring at the loaf of bread. She answered my question and let me have the loaf for free because they served a fresh batch every morning. I don’t know if that means that loaf would have been tossed come 4 a.m. or what, but I didn’t question it. (Although for a moment, I did wonder whether I looked destitute or something, but trust and believe that moment was fleeting. LOL) I strolled out with my free loaf of bread and happy as a clam.

Frugal Chick’s Tip:
Flirt Your Way to Freebies

I know what you’re thinking: “Have you no shame, Frugal Chick??” I sure don’t. I’m of the belief that you can pretty much talk your way into anything if you turn on the charm. I’m not saying to do or say anything you wouldn’t normally do (although I’m not above showing some leg for a discount on, say, auto repairs *wink wink*) but at least be polite for godsakes. Even if you don't get a discount, you might get more bang for your buck (extra cheese on that pizza, extra chocolate on that sundae perhaps? Get the point?) I often see patrons behave rudely to staff and wonder what on earth they could be thinking. I've worked in the service industry and, let me tell you, rude customers get the short end of the stick. Don’t they know employees have discount cards? (or could tamper with your food??) Tread lightly people. You would be surprised how far a good attitude can go these days. I see the the "pseudo-boyfriend" employ the charm tactic all the time. Sure, it doesn’t always work, but again, you never know if you don’t try. I know it sounds manipulative but when you’re paying for a service or product, you have every right to be sure you get a deal out of it, or in the very least get what you paid for. Business is business. Hang your emotions up at the door. Half the time, you’re paying more for a product or service than you should be anyway and surely no one is crying when you fork over your hard-earned money. Just a thought

Personal Day: Monday Morning

2007-10-01T10:01:00.000-04:00

Monday mornings are so hard, especially when I have to get up early to walk my dog. When winter comes, it won't be pretty. I don't do cold weather. Still he's worth it and, truth be told, the morning walks actually wake me up. It's also been a great way to meet neighbors. Since I'm very big on community, that's a plus.

After my last dog died, I decided that I never wanted another pet but then I visited the local animal shelter and this little guy stole my heart. But how would I afford a dog, I wondered. First of all, adopting him helped. He's a puggle, which can cost up to $1500 as puppies. At the shelter, he was $35 and he's pretty low-maintenance (besides the neediness that is). He does need Weight Watchers right about now as evidenced by his chubby rump sticking out from underneath my bed in the mornings. But that just means I have to feed him less and that works for my budget. :o) Seriously, two vets said he has to lose weight. I'm not going to starve him to save money or anything. Shame on you for thinking so!

If I Were a Rich Girl

2007-09-28T12:22:00.000-04:00

Ahhh, Fridays - a day of indulgence here at Frugal Chic.

On Fridays, I just like to talk about things that make me feel good (or would) regardless of price so here's something on my ever-growing home improvement wish list.

I hadn't checked my mailbox at home in a while so I decided to stroll by and empty it finally yesterday. That's when I realized the latest issue of Domino magazine was nestled deep in the pile of junk mail. So, I flipped through a few pages and came across something that made me shout for joy: Oiled Bronze kitchen appliances from Jenn-Air.

In a perfect world, I would remodel my kitchen using these appliances. I need new cabinets, countertops, and appliances, but alas, a complete overhaul (or anything beyond changing the walls) right now is not within my reach. But I can dream can't I? In my dream, bronze appliances would fit my décor perfectly! I've never been a fan of the trendy stainless steel look that has taken over since I'm partial to warm colors - browns, tans, golds, oranges, etc. - and stainless steel always seems more at home with cooler colors to me. Anyway, feast your eyes on this:

Breathtaking no? (not to mention the glass tile backsplash.) I couldn't wait to share my latest "I Want..." discovery
with the semi-boyfriend (story for another blog folks) when he got home. He's an interior designer and would
understand my joy.

"Look! Look!" I hopped up and down waving the magazine in his face. We poured over the page together.

"Niiiice."

I knew he would understand. *sigh* One day it will be mine! [insert diabolical laugh here.]

While I'm on the subject of dream-appliances-I-can't-afford, another
kitchen I've always envisioned would include retro pieces.
I'm partial to red, but it all depends on your décor.
I found a few dealers on the web. Here are a few from Big Chill:

And don't worry - the appliances are retro on the outside but, according to their website, the inside is modern and they do offer energy efficient models. Can't see it working in your house? They have plenty of sample photos on their site.

Get Your Culture On

2007-09-14T13:21:00.000-04:00

Being on a budget doesn't mean you have to sacrifice entertainment. There's always something free and fun to do!

I'm still an artsy fartsy chick at heart and I am not a hermit by any means so I must find something to do on the weekend. I stumbled across a few affordable goings on this weekend nearby. If you live in the D.C. Metro area, check it out:

What: Royal Movement-An Evening of Choreographic Works by Princess Mhoon Cooper
When: Friday, September 14, 2007, 6:00 pm; Saturday, September 15, 2007, 6:00 pm
Where: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Millennium Stage)
Cost: Free!

More information

What: Contemporaries Membership Kickoff Event - African Art Exhibit

When: Friday, September 7, 2007, 7:00 pm

Where: National Museum of African Art - Smithsonian Institution

Cost: Free!

More information

What: Black LUV Festival

When: Sunday, September 16, 2007, noon - 7:00 p.m.

Where: 4th and Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Cost: Free!

More Information

What: H Street Music Festival & Bazaar
When: September 15, 2007, noon – 7:00 pm
Where: 12th and 14th Blocks oh H St. NE
More Information

Have an eventful weekend!

Green Day: The World Mourns the "Queen of Green”

2007-09-12T11:52:00.000-04:00

"She campaigned for green issues for many years before it became fashionable to do so and inspired millions to the cause by bringing sustainable products to a mass market."

"It is no exaggeration to say that she changed the world of business with her campaigns for social and environmental responsibility."

In Her Own Words

"Anita Roddick, Body Shop Founder, Dies at 64"

Cheap Thrills: Fresh Ink!

2007-09-12T11:51:00.000-04:00

Sadly, there is no Walgreens near me and I just dropped my last empty cartridge off in the mail to be recycled anyway, but this might be useful to someone else.

(source: wisebread.com)

Personal (Finance) Day: Frugal Chick's Current Financials

2007-09-10T13:25:00.000-04:00

Ah Monday – the perfect time to take a personal day. Of course, I would prefer a personal day as in a day off, but you’ll have to settle for TMI about me instead. I mentioned the debt-to-income ratio before so I figured I would share my own. Take a look.
(Note: my retirement savings come out of my net pay automatically and I have an IRA account as well so that much is not reflected in this calculator. Also, it only asks for a minimum monthly payment on the credit card. I never make only the minimum payment. You will never pay off your debt that way. In fact, it's best to pay the balance every month, a rule I stuck to religiously once upon a time.)

Imagine my shock.

It’s odd because the only debt I have is my mortgage and one credit card. Although, when I purchased my condo, my mortgage payment was a bit lower (eventhough my loan is fixed - go figure) while my condo fees were substantially lower. It’s not like I’m a big spender at all. In fact, I go months without shopping but my take-home pay is pretty much decimated thanks to ever-increasing condo fees, gas prices, and utility costs. Then there’s my cell and land-line phones, pet insurance, and cable – which I could let go of. That’s pretty much it. I would say one area I tend to go overboard with is food. I have a big appetite and, as I mentioned before, I prefer to eat organic food (which costs more, for now) and I love to eat out (I’m a foodie yet hardly a gourmet chef). When I look at my credit card bill, most of the charges are gas, food, and incidentals (like the recent car repair and a visit to the animal ER when my dog was attacked by another dog.) There isn’t much you can do about utility costs and emergencies, but I can definitely cut back on eating out and remember to use coupons for grocery shopping religiously. As far as gas prices are concerned, I do live close enough to my job to walk so I could also do that at least a few days a week.

Now that I’ve considered ways to cut back on my spending, my biggest task at hand is paying off my credit card. For the first time in my life, I’m carrying a balance on my credit card that makes me nervous. I have a certain much-needed vacation to thank for that. Still, I don't regret it. (It was my 30th birthday afterall.) I’m confident I will be able to pay it off and cut up the card (my goal being not to use credit cards unless absolutely necessary anymore) in 5 months.

One strategy I use for paying down credit card debt is transferring my existing balance to a credit card with zero balance for a year. Of course the catch is A) if you have bad credit (which I don’t) or have accrued too much debt on your existing credit card, you won’t receive very many zero balance offers and B) you must pay the balance off in the allotted time. If it’s zero balance for a year, pay it off IN A YEAR. Otherwise, the usually ridiculously high interest rate will kick in and you will wind up in more trouble than when you began. Oh yes and C) Zero interest cards will charge you a certain percentage on balance transfers. Always read the fine print.

Anyway, check your spending habits and evaluate your debt with some of these tools:

What Will it Take to Pay Off Your Credit Card?

Do You Have a Spending Problem?

Debt Evaluation Calculator

...and now a Completely Random Quiz About Me
(I actually agree with the comments in bold. The rest is rather suspect.)

The True You

You want your boyfriend to be together with you always, no matter when or where.

With respect to money, you spend as little as possible.

You think good luck doesn't exist - reality is built on practicalities.

The hidden side of your personality tends to be satisfied to care for things with a minimal amount of effort.

You are tend to think about others' feelings a lot, perhaps because you are so eager to be liked.

When it comes to finding a romantic partner, you will search and search until you find your perfect match.

Who's The True You?

Quickie: Richest and Poorest States (Whatever!)

2007-08-31T12:13:00.000-04:00

The real test of wealth is how far that household income goes in each state.

My Kind of People

2007-08-30T11:34:00.000-04:00

Today, I stumbled across a 20/20 webcast of the lovely (and aptly named) Economides family – also known as America’s Cheapest Family. The family of seven manages to subsist on less than $35,000 a year! Yes, you read right - less than $35,000 a year My heroes

One of their secrets – no debt. They don’t use credit cards (God-willing, I will get rid of the one I have soon) and they live by the most important frugality rule of all: If you don’t have the money, don’t buy it. (Man, how did I manage to leave that one out of the Frugal Chic philosophy?) To most people, that advice is easier said than done. How can you buy a home without incurring debt? Clearly I have questions just like anyone else, but the fact remains that debt-free living is quite possible. Take a look.

I’m just wondering what they will do about sending the kiddies to college. Maybe I need to pick up their book.

Hair Wars and Car Woes

2007-08-24T12:21:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the delay so early on folks. A frugal chick was all out of sorts.

I recently discovered the best combination for my hair and hairstyle of choice - wild, curly, kinky and free.

Step 1) Wash with Carol's Daughter Rosemary Mint Shampoo w/Sea Moss
Step 2) Deep condition with Carol's Daughter Tui Hair Smoothie (every time I wash my hair)
Step 3) Comb through, then rinse
Step 4) Add Kinky Curly Knot Today leave-in conditioner
Step 5) Add Kinky Curly Curling Custard
Step 6) Pin hair up and air dry for a day (no towels as that causes frizz. Trust me.)

It works wonders. So why, you ask, have I been in a foul mood and therefore M.I.A.? One of my recently discovered must-haves for hair (though by no means cheap at all, it is an essential part of my hair regimen!) – Carol’s Daughter’s Hair Smoothies, have been put on hold for an outlandishly long time. I called every Sephora and one of my favorite boutiques in the area, and found out that Carol’s Daughter is reformulating their hair smoothie line (which makes me nervous in itself – I mean, why mess with perfection???) and none of them will be available until the Fall - whatever that means. So what am I to do in the mean time? I had just discovered the secret to maintaining my wild curly mane, and it’s all snatched away from me with an indefinite return date. I was not a happy camper.

This major inconvenience led me to a painful misadventure in hair care. I figured this would be the perfect time to try one of the homemade hair recipes. So I tried an olive oil and honey conditioning treatment. Not my first choice since my hair does not take well to oil of any kind; but that was the only recipe with ingredients that were all at my disposal at the time (I didn’t feel like making the trip to the grocery store, okay). The combo actually worked well on my hair. The problem was ultimately my own silly mistake. I was almost finished coating my hair (no easy feat) when I decided to reheat the concoction (it cools and congeals pretty quickly). My friend popped it into the microwave for a few seconds and handed it back to me. But, silly me, I forgot that though it was only a few seconds, there was only a small amount left in the container. Without checking the temperature or giving it time to cool, I poured the mixture onto my head. For one thing, I didn’t think that it would seep straight through to my scalp like it did, but I guess that’s what happens when you pour a boiling liquid onto your head! Long story short: I screamed. It burned like crazy. I splashed cold water on my head and cried, but by God my hair turned out shiny and soft. Amazingly, my scalp was not burned from what I could tell. (yay!) And I have been able to wear my hair the way I prefer, so it will work….for now. Despite the high price, my hair just craves the creamy stuff.

btw - Here are more homemade hair recipes

Anyway, after I tackled the hair issue, I faced a much more costly predicament. My old faithful car put me down. Not only did I break down, but I was far from home and in a dangerous spot so I had to climb out of the car on the passenger side and wait for assistance near a field of thistle. Too bad I didn’t know how allergic I could be to seeding thistle. So, I got sick and had to deal with the car issue. When it was all said and done, the repairs amounted to over $2,000 – a major blow to my checkbook.

I wound up making a partial repair – basically what I needed to get the car back home (a used transmission). I decided to go ahead with it only after I spent a week in deep thought about whether or not I should just let Old Faithful go or make all of the necessary repairs and ride it out, literally. I even went to a local dealership and test drove a new car. It’s really tempting to buy, especially when you A) no longer trust your car and B) it’s August – the best time to go car shopping. But at the end of the day, frugality and new car do not go hand-in-hand. Besides the fact that I just can’t wrap my mind around the phrase “car note” after not having one for years, new cars are always a rip-off. They depreciate as soon as you drive them off the lot. Otherwise, I just can’t afford it. My debt-to-income ratio is already too high (about 50%; more on that later) – by little fault of my own (thanks to those utility rapists over at Pepco and my condo management company) so until I find a higher paying job, it can’t happen. So, I guess I’ll go ahead and put the $2,000 into my car and hope it lasts for at least another year (6 months at least?) and set some money aside for a NUsed vehicle (even if my dream car is a Prius and used Priuses are hard to find around here.)

Resources: Green Living

2007-07-30T11:28:00.000-04:00

Like I said, I'm new to this green living thing too so, I thought I would share a few of the resources I've found. Hopefully you'll check one out for yourself.

Cheap Thrills: Ms. Manicure Mini Emery Boards

2007-07-23T21:41:00.000-04:00

Whenever I'm packing for a trip, I stop by the $1 bin in stores like Target for travel size toiletries and containers that won't take up as much space in my luggage. A few months ago, as I headed to Toronto for some rest and relaxation, I stumbled across Ms. Manicure matchstick emery boards.

These tiny nail files are not only colorful and cute, but perfect for emergencies like a broken, split, or chipped nail - especially if you're carrying that fashionably small clutch you found at a fraction of the original price. (smile) I've always hated carrying a regular-sized emery board in my purse so these are perfect. You can't top that for convenience and maintenance of healthy and attractive nails on a budget.

Where to buy

Scentsational

2007-06-24T16:05:00.000-04:00

A lot can be said for the power of smell. Smell is attached to memory and emotion. To this day, there’s a certain oil that I won’t burn or a Plug-In fragrance I won’t use because it reminds me of a person or time I now don’t care to recall/remember. On the flip side, there are scents that definitely help me relax or spark my creativity. That being said, despite my slight fear of fire, I am a big scented oil and candle fan.

As I flipped through this month's issue of one of the many magazines multiplying in my house like rabbits, I came across some candles which, while I'm sure they smell lovely, were out of my price range. $25 for a 7 oz. candle. It gets worse. I've seen $38 for a 5.5 oz. $52 for a 7 oz. Come on! I might as well light $50 on fire and call it a day. No thank you! How about $15 for a 7 oz candle instead? I stumbled across Pacifica Candles – a more affordable and environmentally friendly option - at my local Borders Books & Music in the gift section. One whiff of their Brazilian Mango Grapefruit fragrance and I was hooked. On a particularly stressful day, I carry the travel tin with me to work and sniff it when my office mate is dancing on my last nerve.

Pacifica Candles are made of vegetable-based soy (or food-grade paraffin – your choice) and a cotton (versus lead) wick. Pacifica also excludes pthalates from their products – chemicals commonly used in candles that have been linked to respiratory problems.

And make no mistake, I have been known to return a candle for a barely there fragrance so trust me when I say that I love Pacifica Candles for more than the price and their environmental and health conscious efforts. Check them out. Your nose, lungs, and wallet will thank you.

P.S. - On the same page, I noticed a trio of aroma sticks (reed diffusers) for $78. In another magazine, I saw one reed diffuser tri0 for *gulp* $90. Yikes! How about three for $39 instead at Kohls? (I actually caught a sale and bought them for $8 each.) I gave some as gifts and they were a hit. Why spend $26 apiece when you can spend $13, and save the rest for clothes, a cute pair of shoes, or a night out even? I'm just saying, unless the oil is blessed, this frugal chick's not having that.

The Frugal Girl's Guide to "Fab"

2007-06-19T14:15:00.000-04:00

I figured before I even begin telling you all how to make it on a budget, I'd better share this Frugal Chick's Philosophy.

The Golden Rule - Thou Shalt Not Go Broke Trying to be Cute!

If you forget everything else I say henceforth, at least keep the Golden Rule in mind.

I had a friend once who was obsessed with becoming the entertainment industry's next behind-the-scenes It Girl. She had a cushy job at a popular magazine and a cute spacious apartment (by NYC standards anyway) in a trendy district. I can recall few moments when I saw her without her hair perfectly coiffed and make-up just so. She was quite the spoiled princess (hence the past tense. This chick does not deal well with pampered, spoiled princesses). Anyway, one day she called to rave about the weave she just received from a celebrity hairstylist - a $500 weave. I tried to suppress my horror at the thought of spending that much money on hair, especially when you can barely pay your rent and have just a loaf of bread and a bottle of water in your fridge. At the time, my friend probably thought it was cool – that I would be impressed with her $500 weave, so I doubt she was prepared for the onslaught of nagging that ensued. I’m sorry but, if you can barely pay your bills, you have zero business spending a ridiculous amount of money on frivolous things.

Case en pointe – a friend of mine learned how to do her own weave and it looked better than most professional jobs I’ve seen before (including my former friend’s $500 weave). In fact, it was hard for me to believe that I was not in fact looking at her own hair, even upon close inspection. How and why did she learn? “When you’re broke, you get creative.” Amen to that. She has definitely embraced all that is the frugal chick's philosophy and I’ll tell you what that is.

Here's the thing – living within your means is all about balance and a realistic approach. Embrace the reality that if you're not in a particular income bracket, you have to be more mindful of your spending. Thrifty divas must both get creative, and face some cold hard truths. We can’t be cheap in every facet of life (like food/diet/healthcare, which I’ll discuss in just a moment), but when it comes to things like clothes, furniture, and gadgets, there are ways to get what you want within a reasonable budget. I’ll touch on all of that eventually. For now, let me just highlight a few crucial factors in attaining the look you want on a budget. (I must warn you, the following recommendations are not for the lazy or faint of heart!)

(1) TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! (Thou Shalt Not Abuse or Neglect Thy Body)

By that I mean more than “I don’t drink or smoke” (although you shouldn't of course, since alcohol contributes to weight gain and cigarettes age your skin and, um, kill you). Taking care of your body seems like common sense right? But sometimes, thrifty divas are so busy (or otherwise concerned) that we skimp on the simple things like:

EATING RIGHT*

Embrace the food pyramid! You must must must eat THREE SQUARE meals a day. Be sure to include leafy greens and fruit. A granola bar is not a meal. A salad alone is not a meal. In fact, if I would suggest splurging anywhere, food would be it. Fast food and processed foods are affordable but detrimental to your health and your body.

Diet is thought to be partly responsible for about 30% to 40% of all cancers.

I am an advocate of eating fresh and organic as often as possible and putting a healthy diet above all else. Unfortunately, everyone can’t afford to eat the best all the time (myself included), but at least strike a balance and take a multivitamin daily to compensate for any poor eating habits you may have practiced during the week. And if you must make a trip to say, McDonalds, you don’t have to get a Big Mac and large fries. Moderation is the key. (Also, keep this in mind: When you begin skipping meals, your metabolism slows down and you will gain weight.) If you don’t eat right, you won’t have healthy enough hair, skin, nails or teeth to look like anybody’s diva so get thee to a nutritionist for a consult before anything else as we all require variations of the food pyramid as time goes on (for example, I ideally need five meals a day).

GETTING REGULAR EXERCISE

I struggle with the food thing but as far as exercise is concerned, I’m admittedly even worse. I’ve been a gymnast and dancer and I’ve been a lazy couch potato. Guess which feels better (and is a much better look)? – regular exercise. And don’t think you have an excuse to skip exercise if you happen to be a slim to average
build. You don’t have to be overweight to have high cholesterol (ask any of my super skinny paternal relatives who pop Lipitor every day). Exercise also (as I’m often reminded by my doctor) aids in the prevention of osteoporosis as it increases bone mass, contributes to the maintenance of a sharp mind (hmm, funny how I’ve struggled more with writer’s block since I ceased a regular exercise regimen), and has been proven effective in alleviating symptoms of emotional and mental illnesses (depression, anxiety, etc.). It’s good for the body AND mind.

TAKING CARE OF YOUR SKIN

No amount of makeup will hide unhealthy skin. As far as your face is concerned, your skin is a canvas. Take care of it. Again, a healthy diet is the key. Besides that, find what works for you and stick with it. Even if the product that works for your skin type is a little pricey, use it. Invest in good skin care and you’ll probably spend less on make-up (especially foundation and concealers.)

Works for Me (Combination Skin):

Step 1: Fashion Fair Deep Cleansing Lotion

Step 2: Fashion Fair Toning Lotion

(2) DO YOUR OWN NAILS!

It’s good to pamper ourselves every once in a while, but, if you’re here, I’m assuming you’re on a budget – and a mani-pedi every week does not Frugal Chic make. At the same time, just because someone else isn’t doing it for you, does not mean you have to walk around with dinosaur feet or unsightly nails. It’s really not that difficult to trim, moisturize, and paint our nails and feet. Really it’s not. Again, the key here is REGULAR MAINTENANCE. Don’t completely avoid the spa, but don’t overdo it either. Find a good exfoliant (two of my faves: earththerapeutics and origins) and use it on your legs and feet (as well as other rough areas) in the shower or bath every single day to maintain soft skin. EVERY SINGLE DAY. I don't know how many times I've received a compliment on my pedicure, my nails, or the softness of my skin when the only person who's touched my hands or feet was me and I've never had a professional exfoliation (though I plan on trying it).

My Personal Faves:

Feet
Bath & Body Works Toe the Line® Smoothing Foot Scrub with Walnut Shell Powder

Body
Earth Therapeutics Loofah Exfoliating Scrub

I'm partial to the oatmeal & honey version (shown here). At just about $8 for 6 fl. oz., it's a steal. On your splurge day, try any Origins body scrub product (generally $20-$25 a pop).

If you really want to save, try making your own scrub at home. More on that later.

(3) STYLE YOUR OWN HAIR!

I know. I know. This one is a toughie, especially for Black women, but I save up plenty by styling my own hair and (not to pat myself on the back or anything, but) I get compliments on my hair often. A lot of people think you’re born knowing how to do hair or that some textures of hair are easier to style; but like most skills, hairstyling comes with practice. If you don’t know how to do your own hair, learn a few basic hairstyles and stop spending your milk money at the hairdresser (I know that was old school. I just had to go there. lol) Actually, you’re losing more than that. Let’s say you go every week and spend $60. That means over the course of one year, you will have spent over $3,000 on your hair! Imagine what you could have done with that money.

And let’s not forget the amount of time we spend in the stylists chair (much of it waiting). On the occasion that I get my hair professionally done, I spend an average of four hours at the hairdresser (and my hairdresser gets to work immediately ever since I walked out with an undone head of hair). That’s four weekend hours or evening hours that could be well spent on something more productive.

Many moons ago, when my hair was chemically processed (relaxed), I washed and styled it myself in-between hair appointments. So for 6 months, I was on my own. When I stopped relaxing my hair, and as I’ve grown older and experienced the texture changes that the years bring on, I’ve learned what works for my hair by experimenting with different products and styles.

“Good hair” begins with healthy hair. Your texture does not matter. Whatever your hair type, embrace it familiarize yourself with it and learn what works for your hair. If you overprocess your hair it will fall out or break off. Unless you're comfortable rocking a baldie (and I have known a couple of women who have pulled it off quite well), you must be gentle with your hair. Again, I’m of the opinion that you should first take care of yourself (take multi-vitamins, eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of water and REAL fruit juice) and secondly, use as little man-made ingredients in your hair as possible. There are plenty of natural hair recipes out there at your disposal. I was once fond of a honey and egg conditioner I whipped up on my own a long time ago. But besides the health benefits of natural hair and skin products, it’s more affordable to make it yourself. I found a few recipes I can’t wait to try over at MotownGirl.com.

(4) RESPECT THE EARTH!

Wow, that came out of left field right? Hurricanes. Massive Floods. Typhoons. Earthquakes. Tsunamis. Wildfires. Need I say more?
To steal Kimora Lee Simmons’ term if I may for a moment, all the “fabulosity” in the world won’t matter one bit if we don’t have a world in which to live and flourish. I don’t know about you, but I like and need clean drinking water (thanks to tree roots). I prefer having a buffer against hurricane flooding (hello marshlands and swamps). I like cooler temperatures and refuge from the sun (thanks trees!) I’d like to keep the insect population controlled (thanks birds, ladybugs, and some insect-eating animals). I’d like to keep our coastal areas from disappearing into the rising sea. I’d like to avoid raging hurricanes due to warming sea water. I could go on but I’m sure you get the picture. I - as I'm sure you do as well - would like to live. In the case of Man vs. Nature, guess who loses out? We can continue ruining the ecosystem if we want to; just remember that Earth will survive. We will not. The world keeps on turning, Honey - with or without you. Consider that for a second.

I am learning more about green living every day and I suggest you do the same. If you really don’t care about any of the aforementioned benefits of preserving the environment, you should at least want to leave something for our children, nieces and nephews, and any of the other kiddies in our lives. Seriously. Don't be selfish. This is not a game. Stop being lazy and learn how you can preserve our environment. Pick up a book. Surf the ‘net. The information is out there. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Yes, you can be mindful of the environment and preserve your sexy at the same time. Contrary to popular belief, living green is cute. Figuring out how to do so within a budget can be tricky, but we’ll navigate the sustainable living terrain together. I’ve already come across some great Green products and reuse and recycle ideas I can’t wait to share!

(5) HAVE A SPLURGE DAY

Caught you off guard right? I’m a firm believer in treating yourself from time-to-time. These are times when you should visit the spa, buy that special something you’ve had your eye on, treat yourself to a nice dinner out, etc. Though it may not seem like it right now, the frugal chic philosophy is not one of deprivation. It’s one of balance and fiscal responsibility. That by no means implies that you should never indulge. Buy yourself something nice (on pay day perhaps?). Travel! Just budget for it (leave some room for miscellaneous spending). Make sure you can pay your bills, have something left over, and don’t go overboard! (ie – your splurge should not include $400 shoes or $500 weaves....EVER!) Of course, I’m brimming with my favorite splurge items. We’ll discuss.

and finally….

(6) GET CREATIVE (Do It Yourself!)

Shudder to think right? Just understand that this advice is coming from a former “Miss Priss.” Remember my friend and her fierce D.I.Y. weave? When you’re on a budget, you must learn to be more resourceful. Sometimes that means styling your own hair. Sometimes that means haggling (not something for the meek). Sometimes that means finding the best sales. Other times that means buying furniture at a consignment or thrift store and sprucing it up. Your hands will get dirty but you will be thankful when you’re spending what you saved on a much needed vacation or whatever else you so choose. It sounds very unglamorous and just plain hard but the end result is money saved, a unique piece that no one else has, and pride in your work. Trust me, the moment I learned to drill, I didn’t want to put the thing down! (Don’t even get me started on painting.) I’ll share some of my own D.I.Y. projects with you as time goes on.

Now that I’ve traumatized you reformed fasionistas and divas – or even some of you frugal chicks who don’t want to splurge or purchase Green products – I’ll give you some time to hate me, outright reject my suggestions, and come to terms with the reality of living within a budget (and embracing the environment all at the same time.) LOL

Until next time, live responsibly!

Under Construction

2007-05-08T17:29:00.000-04:00

Welcome to FrugalChic!

I created this blog out of sheer frustration. As I flipped through yet another magazine chock full of overpriced items one day, I came across a $50 umbrella and $100 rain boots (golashes, wellies - whichever name you prefer). Right then and there, I decided I'd had enough. Seriously, I was outraged. Then I realized, I'm outraged by the prices of most of these cute things all the time.

A lot of us ladies idolize the designer shoe and bag wearing characters we see on television, but for some reason when Carrie Bradshaw spent the equivalent of rent money on Manolos, or when Toni Childs bought an über expensive designer handbag, I always felt more panic than admiration. Actually, I cringed and thought “w.t.f. is her problem??” Of course we all like to look “fab” and hear a few "oohs" and "aahs" when people walk into our home, and there are some areas where we can't skimp, but since many of us are of a more, um, modest income, we have to learn how to look good and live well on a shoestring budget. That's where a frugal chick like me comes in. While I believe in preserving your sexy, I know you don't have to go broke in the process. When I see a bargain, I'll share it. A hot sale, you'll know. A home improvement project that will save you hundreds of dollars - I'm on it. (Hey, I didn't say this frugal-chic thing was for the faint-of-heart.) Of course I'll share a few of my favorite treats that aren't so frugal, but very green, healthy, or make life so much more manageable that I can't resist discussing. Let's just say FrugalChic is for the well-rounded diva. I'm all about preserving your sexy, the planet, and your finances all at the same time. Imagine that.

As you can see, the site is currently under construction. So pardon my dust and all that. Rest assured, I will be up and running soon with everything I just promised and links to other thrifty and not-so-thrifty, fashion loving, product addicted, home decorating sisteren.

Stay tuned!

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