Come and Go...

This blogging business is hard. Too much going on. Already time to go on hiatus. Ciao.

Stop the mindlessness spending!

I was at Target last week and standing in front of me in the checkout line was a man buying toilet paper. That was it. Toilet paper. I found myself staring at him in wonder, amazed by his ability to get out of there with just one damn thing.

You see, had I been on a toilet paper run, I would have somehow managed to also scoop up some snacks on sale, random office supplies, maybe some cute socks and a top or two for my kiddo, a new thing of makeup, a cute picture frame on clearance......and subsequently a bill of over $100 for lots of random items (and the toilet paper). 

I pride myself on being frugal, but then there are days I slip up and lose my way. So I must recommit myself to reducing the number of items I bring into my home that I just do not need as well as saving my hard-earned money.  

But you have to have a plan! Here are five tips to develop more mindful spending habits...and thus becoming one of my heroes, like the wise man who went to Target just for some toilet paper.  

Check out the following five tips and feel free to offer any additional tips in Comments.

1. Shop with a written list
This seems so simple, but is huge. A written list is key because a mental list is easily forgotten and/or added to. If it is not on the list, do not get it!

2. Control 'clutter cravings'
We all have areas of weakness when it comes to spending. For me, it is bags and small toys for my son. For my husband, it is, well, just about everything. Take a walk around your house and see where the clutter adds up due to impulse buying. Write down exactly what you buy too much of makes you feel more accountable - you will see areas where you need to exert more control and be more mindful. 

3. Follow the time rule
Make yourself wait! Some reflection before a purchase, be it 30 minutes or next week, will help you determine if you REALLY need it. 

4. Think before your buy
Ask yourself:
- Why do I need this?
- What do I already have that is like this?
- Who can I borrow this from or share with?
- Where will I keep it? 
- When will I use it?

5. Reward yourself with experiences instead of things
Looking for a way to treat yourself? Instead of buying something, give yourself an experience. I personally love a nice bath before bed or going for a walk or just being in the moment and playing with my son. 

If you buy what you don’t need, you steal from yourself. 

Swedish proverb

Thrifty Thursday

I love a good thrift store bargain. In fact, thrifting is one of my favorite things to do. Few things beat the feeling I get when I score a great find. I am obsessed. While the bulk of my thrifting is about finding clothes for my son and I, I have also decorated much of my house using thrifted pieces. It CAN be done on a budget.

Here are five quick tips for thrifting to decorate on a budget!

1. Look for colorful pieces, especially dinnerware. I get so many compliments on my dishes. They are not matchy matchy, but they have so much character. And if a piece breaks, who cares - you spent like a $1 on it and you can find something else later to fill its void.

2. SPRAY PAINT IS YOUR FRIEND. It can update just about anything - I have done tables, chairs, frames, lamps...

$3 glass table with a chipped white paint job is about to get a new lease on life!

3. I only buy picture frames at thrift stores. Buying them new is so expensive. But pictures make a house a home with their memories. Find a good frame, but it is has seen better days? Paint it!

4. Do not hoard. Thrifting is amazing, but do not buy something just because it is a good deal. Hoarding never looks good. Make sure it is something you need/will use.

5. Look for quality furniture. There is a lot of - going to be blunt here because it is necessary - shit furniture at thrift stores. Look at the legs, sit on the cushions, make sure it is made of real wood, look at the lines of the piece, etc. Ugly fabric or paint job can be fixed, but stay away if the bones are bad.

As always, go with a plan in mind and take your time looking (you never know what you will find...and you might not find anything at all on a visit and that is ok).

Finished product: Deep red paint job and a good tabletop cleaning

Where to go this summer? Affordable travel destinations

Summer is already here, but there is still time to book an affordable vacation! 

Here are 5 places to go for those eyeing a good bargain!

1. National Parks

It is the U.S. National Parks Centennial this year and thus celebrations abound, from free admission on select dates to special events. Our national parks are true treasures. My favorite is the big one: Yellowstone. Many parks are within driving distances of cities around the country, but you can also fly and rent a car if necessary. For instance, a flight from Los Angeles to Jackson Hole, WY is currently under $400 RT for most of the summer. However, finding lodging near a park might be a challenge, but still doable (just gotta do your homework and be flexible). 
www.nps.gov

2. Mexico

Popular during our winter and spring months, Mexico and its resorts quiet down come the summer and thus there are easy deals to be had. We did a search - such as with Kayak and Expedia - for two from Seattle to Cancun in mid July and found flights and weeklong hotel (3 star and above) packages starting at $700 per person. 

3. Vietnam

Summer means rainy season in Vietnam, but do not that deter you - so many flight and hotel deals waiting for you! The country is full of beauty, culture, and sites, from the bustling cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh to charming towns in the middle of the country like Hoi An. You can easily get by on $40 a day or less in Vietnam. Just be ready for more motorbikes than you have ever seen! And a long flight. 

4. Alaska Cruise

Summer time is prime time to visit Alaska, but you can score a great cruise for the cheap due to the plethora of cruising options, especially if you can go very, very soon (they want to fill up their ships) or can go at the end of the season. Where to look? We like CruisesOnly as well as working with the cruise lines directly. We recommend doing a cruise that focuses on Southwest Alaska due to its scenic beauty, time in port, and you can get great flight deals in and out of Seattle and Vancouver. And for those who want a real adventure, check out the Alaska Marine Highway (AKA Alaska ferry system)! 

5. Iceland

Gotta be upfront...Iceland is not really that cheap. But Icelandair often has great deals on flights to/from Europe AND they allow you to do a free stopover in Iceland. Iceland is in my top 5 places I have ever been and I highly recommend it to everyone I meet. It is a damn postcard. Every photo I took there turned out great and there were countless moments that the country took my breathe away (not an easy feat). How did I do an entire tour of the country on a budget? Rented a car (roads are really good), stocked up on food at local markets, and stayed in hostels (not as scary as the movies lead us to believe)...AND it was amazing! 
www.icelandair.com

Other ideas? Where do you want to go this summer?

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Flying. With Baby.

I am not going to lie. 

Traveling with a small child is hard. 

I used to like traveling. I liked going to new and/or exotic places around the world. 

Now that I have a child? Not so much. I still travel quite a bit since our family and friends are scattered everywhere. My 14 month old already has 6 countries on 3 continents under his little belt and has logged some serious miles in the air. 

I am by no means an expert nor can I claim my little global ambassador is a smooth flier all the time (but we get a lot of positive feedback on flights regarding how well he does), but here are ten tips to make the journey a bit more bearable for all involved. 

1. Try to plan travel around child's schedule, specifically sleep times, as well as off-peak travel times (less busy = less stress for all parties). If I can, I always try to book our travels for overnight or at nap time. I might not sleep well when we take a red-eye, but he does and that makes it so much easier. Like I sleep much anyway...  

2. Let people help you. I remember my mother telling me this before one of my son's first flights. I am amazed at how kind and generous strangers are, from people helping me with all my luggage (it is almost always just my son and I traveling together and thus I have my hands full) to airport and airline staff letting me board early or skip waiting in a long line to someone volunteering to hold my son so I can eat or go to the bathroom with my hands free or entertaining him or saying a kind word to me.

3. Relax. Be kind. Be positive. Be patient. A good attitude helps a lot - you are in a better mood, your kiddo picks up on your mood, people around you notice it too and often respond appropriately... In fact, I often hear about these horror stories of people berating people with small kids while traveling, but I have yet to experience any horrible people. Maybe it is luck, maybe my happy kiddo won them over with his smiles, but I am a firm believer in you get what you give out. 

4. Plan your seat ahead of time. Sometimes, airlines will accommodate small kids in the bulkhead row. Some people like this extra legroom, but I actually prefer to be elsewhere since the seats are often not as wide (so even narrower than normal...), I would rather not be in the baby aisle (grrrrreat idea: group all the babies together so they cry in unison...), and I like access to my stuff at all times. Consequently, I look for a window seat elsewhere, ideally in a row of two (if the plane's seat layout is a 2-3-2 or something). A window seat often gives you a little more width, and with a small child, especially one that breastfeeds still, or likes to cuddle in your arms, that room is nice (side note: window seats also give you a little more privacy if you are breastfeeding). 

5. Be prepared for battle anything. Bring extra diapers (at least a whole days worth in your carry-on), food for the both of you, change of clothes for the both of you, wipes (feels good to wipe the grim off both of you after a long flight), a few new and favorite small toys, medicine, Aquaphor (so many uses including diaper rash), blankets (one for floor, one for snuggling), grocery bags to put soiled items in, etc. You never know what will happen, from a delay to blowout. But also be careful about overpacking, even in developing countries you can often find what you need. Additionally, I always use a backpack instead of a regular diaper bag when traveling - baby on front, pack on my back, and I still got my hands free. 

6. Dress comfortably and simply. My little guy wears PJs whenever he travels and I am dressed comfortably too (maybe not my PJs, but you get the idea). You want to keep your kiddo's attire easy to make going through security or changing a diaper in a dodgy bathroom easier. 

7. Let them burn energy before boarding - find an empty gate or quiet part of the airport and let them go! If you are worried about germs, wash them up before boarding. There are lots of germs on that plane anyway...it is a futile battle.  

8. If you nurse, nurse away. I let my little guy nurse on demand while traveling and it helped immensely. But then bring a water bottle and snacks for you to help you keep your supply up. 

9. Wear your baby. I know not all little ones like it - every now and then my son is one of them - but 4 out of 5 times he falls asleep when I wear him. It also give me two free hands to do whatever I need to do. 

10. You can plan as much as you can, but give yourself some slack. Give yourself lots of time to get from A to B, and allow for some flexibility in your plans (if the kid wants to sleep, let them sleep). 

What words of wisdom do you have for traveling with baby or tot? 

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Summer fun on the cheap!

When I think of summer, I think of my younger days running around in sandals or barefoot all day, eating strawberries and a copious amount of ice cream, BBQs, and living in my bathing suit. Now, as a *responsible* adult, those days are few and far between. Thanks, responsibilities... But summer fun can still be had and it can be accomplished on the cheap! Here are 25 suggestions!

1. There are festivals galore out there! And most are free! 

2. Go for a walk or hike.

3. Pick berries. Tis the season for strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries...

4. Stargaze. 

5. Go to a farmers market. In season is the best season for produce. 

6. Cookout with family and friends. Make it even easier with a potluck. 

7. Make homemade popsicles or ice cream. 

8. Go camping. But you might need to book your spot in advance...

9. Wash your dirty car. 

10. Go swimming at your local pool or beach. 

11. Take a road trip, be it days away or just for an afternoon. 

12. Go for a bike ride. 

13. Visit your local library. 

14. Visit a museum (check for free/reduced price days).

15. Forget spring cleaning - do a summer cleanse of your crap (Marie Kondo would approve). 

16. You take a million selfies already...work on your landscape and/or action photography skills.

17. Find a drive-in movie. 

18. Do some yard/garage sale cruising. Hello, $2 painting that is actually a Picasso (or at least I dream of this happening to me one day...). 

19. Attend a minor league baseball game. 

20. Workout. And then take a nap. Or just take a nap. 

21. Do some yard work. Confession time: I am never a fan of doing yard work myself, but I always like the finished product...

22. Turn on the sprinkler and PLAY! 

23. Explore playgrounds in your area with your kids. 

24. Set up camp in your backyard.  

25. Eat ice cream whenever damn possible. 

The Millionaire Next Door

What does a millionaire look like? Drives a fancy car? Wears an expensive watch? Lives in a big house?

Not always. In fact, appearances are often deceiving.

Many millionaires, especially the truly financially savvy ones, are not easily recognizable.

Here are some traits of a millionaire next door:

1. She spends less than she earns. Often a lot less.

2. He knows becoming a millionaire is a product of working hard over time and accumulating wealth gradually by saving diligently. 

3. She makes her own coffee at home versus buying Starbucks day in and day out (but occasionally treats herself). She lives in a modest home (she does not want to become house poor). She drives a ten year old car. And she does not care if you think she is cheap. She is also not impressed by your overpriced luxury car and McMansion.

4. He pays off his credit cards in full every month. No interest charges for him, thankyouverymuch. If you cannot pay for something in cash, you cannot afford it. End of story.

5. She is a big believer in paying herself first - put money away for retirement and then pay your bills before anything else. And it is automatic - you cannot spend what you do not see.

6. He has a goals and a plan to achieve his goals and regularly reviews his progress to achieving them. Few people attain great success solely on luck.

7. She always has a backup plan - you never know when something bad is going to happen (loss of job, injury/illness, etc.) and thus has insurance, emergency fund, etc. for stormy times.

8. He knows the power of compounding interest and started saving young.

9. She knows that if she does not like her job, she has the freedom to do something else. Wealth means freedom.

10. He knows that money does not buy happiness. But financial freedom (AKA debt free and money in the bank) can.

Do not think you can be a millionaire next door? Think again...
Janitor amasses an $8M fortune
Modest woman turned out to be the millionaire next door
Seattle man leaves $188M to institutions

I love these types of stories! I hope to be like them when I grow up!

When more is more

Sometimes, saving means spending. Most of the time, this is because buying a quality product will greatly reduce or maybe even eliminate the need for replacement down the road. Here are ten things that you should splurge on, not because you like to waste money but because you know you sometimes get what you pay for.  

1. A quality mattress. You work hard and you will spend hour after hour on it. Make an invest in your sleep and get something comfortable.  And get some good linens for it. If a new mattress is out of the question right now, think about getting a quality mattress pad. 

2. Kitchen knives. Good ones can last forever and they make cutting so much easier (and safer). 

3. Electric toothbrush. I fought getting an electric toothbrush for a long time - because I am cheap after all - but it cleans so much better than a manual one and you are likely saving yourself from future painful, both physically and fiscally, dentist visits. 

4. A good coat. If you live any place where it drops below 40 degrees and snows or rains a lot, a warm and WATERPROOF (not resistant) coat is worth it. Time and distance will move ever so slowly when you are wet and cold. But thankfully there are sales on coats throughout the year, particularly around the holidays and at the end of winter. Or shop sites like REI Outlet and Backcountry Outlet. 

5. A good phone case. A MUST if you have children. My case is still rather cute and it is completely smash/waterproof. My phone goes down daily with no problems. It did cost me $70, but that sure beats spending $600+ on a new phone. 

6. Professional hair care. Your hair is one of the first things people notice about you. Plus, you feel like a million bucks when you look good. It is worth it. 

7. Appliances. Like a good stove or washer and dryer. You use these practically every single day. While I am not saying go for the most expensive with all the bells and whistles (my husband swears we need the fridge with the TV in it...), do not go for the cheapest option either. Buy something that will last and something that is reliable (look for ratings). 

8. Buying in bulk. When I see something I regularly use on sale, I often stock up. Last week, I bought five of my favorite deodorants, six things of toothpaste, and several things of wild salmon because we use these items all the time and they were all on mad sale. My storage shelves and freezer are stocked and I can wait to buy these items until the next sale (or one or two after that). However, you must learn to control your urge to go too crazy (no one likes a hoarder) - be mindful of expiration dates, how much space you have, will you really use it, etc. 

9. Car. A good car that is a couple years old is where it is at. We all know a new car is never a good investment, but buying something that is really cheap will likely cost you in the long run through high maintenance costs as well as having to buy another one sooner rather than later. Additionally, you should research the make and model of the car for its reliability - I am partial to Toyotas and Hondas because, while they cost a little more to buy, they last and last and last. I learned my lesson with an Audi...

10. Vacations. Adjust your budget so that you can put a little bit aside each month for getting away somewhere special at least once a year. It can be a weekend getaway a couple hours away or a month long escape across an ocean. I know when I think about my best memories from this last decade or so, most of them are from vacations (I rarely remember when or where I bought a piece of clothing or electronics or something). 

Vietnam 2014 - We saved and saved and saved to go to this amazing hotel with its own tram (but I did walk the steps several times to try to walk off all the damn calories I consumed...)

What are some items you like to splurge on that save you down the road? 

Roth 101

Do you thinking investing for your retirement is confusing? It is. But it does not have to be so daunting you avoid it. You can make it simple. First, take advantage of your employer's retirement program, if they have one. Start there. Next, open a Roth IRA. 

But what the hell is a Roth IRA? A Roth (named for the dude who helped create it) IRA (aka Individual Retirement Account) is a retirement savings account that grows TAX FREE! YOU WILL NOT PAY TAXES on your earnings as the money adds up or when you cash it out. You hear that? TAX FREE!

HOW IN THE WORLD IS THAT POSSIBLE? You already paid taxes on this money...but it is only for retirement (must by 59 1/2 before you withdraw).

What do you put your money in? You can invest your hard-earned dinero in mutual funds (I love me some Vanguard funds - www.vanguard.com), stocks, bonds...

But there are some stipulations... 

1. You can only contribute up to the maximum each year. Right now, the max is $5,500. If you cannot do the max, do something, anything. 

2. There are income restrictions (varies based on single or married) and you must earn an income (cannot open for a child - look into a 529 for your kiddo).

3. You can pull your money out in certain circumstances, but try not to. If you pull out before 59 1/2, you will likely face some fees on the earnings (no penalty for withdrawing contributions). And fees are the worst. 

Getting it a bit? What should you do now? Research Roth IRA options at places like Vanguard and Fidelity. And do it now, especially if you are in your 20s because it adds up in the long run! Put the money in and forget about it. Make small contributions monthly - a couple hundred a month (or whatever you can manage) is much easier than one big contribution a year. 

What I like Wednesday

Nude Flats. I am obsessed with a good nude flat. They are a classic for me. You can wear them with any color and with anything, from jeans to dresses. I always feel like I look more polished when I wear my nude flats. The only problem with nude flats is that I usually have to buy a new pair once a year since they lose their luster when you wear them so often. First world problems, I know. Therefore, while I want to buy a good quality flat (leather, comfortable, simple construction), I do not want to spend a fortune on a pair. Here are a few great options for you if you are in the market for some nude flats.

Vince Camuto Ellen - I own these in black and red and they are very comfortable

Lucky Brand Emmie - I own these in nude! So good!

Steve Madden Klaraa - I have had these in the past!

Do you know of any good quality nude flats out there? What are some shoe staples for you?

Saving $ on the FLY

One of my most proudest buys in recent memory were two flights on Etihad courtesy of an error sale on Christmas 2014. I scored roundtrip flights from Chicago to Abu Dhabi for a little over $200 each. These flights typically go for $1000-2000 a piece. I was beyond impressed with myself...and it made up for the grandma slippers I received from my husband for Christmas... Now, a deal of this nature is really only a deal if you have plans to travel that direction...and I did (don't ask...). Otherwise, you are creating a massive trip without much planning and thus will likely result in significant cost.

So here are ten tips to save money on your travels...

1. Airfares are generally lower during the shoulder season - the period of time between high and low season. Any season can be a shoulder season, depending on where you go. Europe's high season lasts from May through September, but head to places like Paris, London, or Rome in October and you will find fewer crowds, comfortable temperatures, and cheaper airline ticket prices. Mexico and the Caribbean has great weather in late April and May, but prices for flights drop during these months as they fall after spring break and before summer vacation. 

2. Airlines typically post new airfare sales midweek. To save yourself some time, research travel sites, such as Skyscanner, and sign up for e-newsletters that list the best deals (we particularly like The Flight Deal). When booking a flight, arrange your travel for Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, if possible, because these days are generally the cheapest times to travel. As an added bonus, airports tend to be less crowded on these days.

3. If you will need to check bags on the flight, find out how much you will be charged before purchasing the fare. Most airlines and travel sites offer this information online. To compare rates side by side, visit Airfarewatchdog.com's baggage chart, which lists baggage rates for different airlines, including fees for overweight and oversize bags. It is also a good idea to double check fees on a airline's website since policies do change (damn them...*shakes fist*). 

4. If your departure and return dates are flexible as well as airport (perhaps fly out of or into another airport nearby), use airfare search engines, such as Google Flights, to play around with dates and airports. They will search the web for deals, covering hundreds of sites in a matter of seconds and thus saving you the time of clicking through each site on your own. 

5. Up for an adventure and do not mind where you go? Check out Skyscanner's Everywhere tool or explore the map option on Google Flights and Kayak to find the cheapest flights from an airport. This is how my family ended up going on a trip to Germany recently...

6. Bring your own food on board! So much cheaper...and better. Just be mindful of how much your food smells. And bring an empty water bottle too - fill up at fountains as you travel! 

7. Weigh your luggage before you leave home. I always share one bag with my son, even when we visit family for over a month, and thus I often push the weight limit. One experience shifting items between checked and carry-on bags to get to the right weight (all with same small child needing tending to...) and you learn to always check the weight of your luggage before you go to the airport... Or just be ready to pay for overage charges. 

8. Back in the day, two one way tickets were a lot more than a single roundtrip ticket, but not so nowadays. Today, buying a one way ticket can be much more cost effective AND you might find better flight times. Some online sites already mix and match flights, but they frankly do not show you all the available combinations. 

9. A non-flight tip: Eat like a local. Not only is tasting new foods part of the adventure, but you will likely eat far better and save money when you eat like a local. Our family always makes the best of our hotel's breakfast, gets lunch and snacks at local markets, and then eats dinner at a well recommended but affordable restaurant (Need one? We often use TripAdvisor). 

10. Another non-flight tip: Use ATMs to withdraw cash. You almost always get a better deal, even with the fees, withdrawing money using your debit card from an ATM than exchanging cash at a foreign exchange counter. Also, withdraw enough to last you a few days - the more withdrawals you make, the more fees you pay. But having a lot of cash on hand is worrisome for many, including yours truly, and thus do what makes the most sense to you. Why cash over card? We like using cash on our travels to help us stick to a budget. 

What travel $ tips do you have? Please share in comments. 

Things you are wasting money on

We are all guilty of wasting money in one way or another. No one is perfect. Here is a list of ten things we should think twice about before spending our hard-earned dollars. I am not saying you should never splurge, but I am saying you should give your spending habits a good review in order to see where you can cut back. 

1. Expensive coffee. I love Starbucks about as much as the next gal, but that crap adds up. So make it at home or give yourself a weekly coffee budget. 

2. Cars. Cars are not a good investment, especially new ones. While they have a nice smell, they drop in value the moment they leave the lot. Buy used and drive it for several years (at least until it is paid off). Personally, I love Toyotas and Hondas because they are very reliable and hold their value. Maybe not the sexiest cars, but I have money in the bank! 

3. Food. Did you know we waste about 25% of the food we buy? When food spoils or we simply throw it out, that is money down the drain. Think about it - You spend $100 on groceries and about $25 of that is wasted... That adds up! Some tips to waste less? 1. Plan ahead and stick to a list. 2. Do not shop when you are hungry (My #1 food buy when I am hungry: Milk Duds). 3. Keep tabs on your food in your house (Never eat that kale in the fridge? Stop buying it!). 

4.The latest tech gadgets. Is the next iPhone really going to be that different from the current one and make your life so much better? Do not fall under the marketing spell of rushing to buy the newest model of every gadget.

5. Not taking advantage of a 401K. If the company you work for offers a 401K match, take advantage of it. Yes, that will mean money deducted from your paycheck, but you will be leaving money on the table if you do not sign up. 

6. Brand name products. Go generic whenever possible. Unless you are Oprah or Bill Gates, you have to prioritize because you cannot have the best of everything. And there is often no difference between generic and brand name items (Do not believe me? Check the label!). Areas you may be able to save money on include food, clothing, and toiletries. 

7. Credit card interest. ATM fees. Late fees. Tickets. Irresponsibility is just damn expensive. 

8. Cable. I hate cable companies. They are expensive and rude. So why deal with them? Be done and stream Netflix, Hulu, whatever instead. TV is bad for you anyway. 

9. Bottled water. Why buy bottled water when you can drink water from your tap for free? We here in the Pacific Northwest have amazing water - get yourself a cute water bottle and just fill it up. Elsewhere? Get a Brita or something and skip the plastic bottled stuff. 

10. Eating out. Eating out adds up. $50 for a family of four dinner out or groceries for a few days? One of those fancy $25 martinis or all your lunches for the week? The occasional meal or drink out is really great, but the more you make at home, the better off your wallet will be. Plus, you tend to be healthier at home than out. Do not like to cook much like me? Cook large quantities on the weekends so you will have leftovers during the week or stick to simple recipes (my family loves baked salmon and salad - so easy!) or get yourself a damn Crock-Pot (put your ingredients in there, turn on for several hours, and you are done!).

Did we miss something? Share something we are guilty of wasting money on in the comments.

Thrifty Thursday

I love me a good thrift store. In fact, most of my clothes come from thrift stores. "I love your shirt, Jade, where did you get them?" Thrift store. "That dress is so cute, where did you get it?" Thrifted it for $3.99. "That jacket is so nice, where did you get it?" Thrift store on a 50% off day. I have scored many amazing deals during my thrifting adventures. Here are ten tips for buying clothes at a thrift shop.

1. Check the label. The very first order of business is to check the label. This is your first test to see if it is worth buying. Look for well-made clothes with a reputation for hardiness. 

2. Shop in the right area. More affluent areas mean more people with money and thus better odds of finding quality stuff. Some people consider thrift stores and used clothing shops nasty, dirty, unorganized places. Some are, most are not. Explore your community to find the best shops. Once you find a goodie, you will be hooked. 

3. Check the quality of the material. This is connected to #1. A high quality fabric will stand the test of time over a cheap fabric. 

4. Look for additional discounts. Is there a certain color tag or type of item on sale? Is there a sale day coming up? Who does not love saving even more money? I particularly love 50% off days. That Banana Republic dress that costs over $100 new just a season or two ago with a tag for $9.99 is now $5. ThankyouverymuchIwilltakeit.

5. What to avoid:

- Clothes with lots of embellishments - First, they are hard to maintain anyway, but nearly all clothes with sequins, heavy stitching, etc. have a shelf life and likely ended up at the thrift shop for a reason...

- Damaged clothes - Check for holes! Check for stains! If you do not have the ability to fix it yourself, do not waste your money. So examine your items thoroughly. 

- Trends of yesterday - Tracksuits. Crocs. Giant belts. Jeggings. You know...stuff you should not be wearing.

- Shoes can be hit or miss - everyone's feet wear differently. I only buy shoes if they are new or practically brand new. 

- Underwear. Come on now...

6. Make sure you launder your finds properly. Always check each item's laundering tag and give them a good refresh. 

7. Now this might seem obvious, but if you do not wear it, do not buy it. You do not save money buying something that just sits in your closet. 

8. Thrift shops are the place to buy kids clothes. It is crazy to buy a baby nothing but brand new clothes since they grow so fast. My son might wear a onesie once or twice before he outgrows it. Therefore, he wears mostly thrifted finds. I do not feel so bad about him wearing a onesie or pants or something a handful of times if I paid $1 for it. Plus, many times his clothes end up with the day's "leftovers" on them...

9. Regardless if you thrift or not, one of the best fashion tips anyone has ever given me is to get a good tailor. If you wanna look exceptional, it must fit just right. What a tailor charges for minor alterations depends on where you live, but it is almost always worth it considering how much you paid for the item. If you got the item for a steal and add $20 for tailoring, you now have a perfectly fitted piece of clothing for a fraction of what you would have paid new. 

10. Thrifting is a great way to recycle someone else's items, but if you go shopping without an idea of what you are looking for you could end up spending much more than you planned for...or looking around forever. Maybe that is part of the fun, but having a couple items in mind will focus your outing more. Related to this, one thing I do - to keep myself from becoming a hoarder - is I must bring a bag of items to donate when I go thrifting. Stuff in, stuff out. 

Have fun! 

Why you are in debt

You have no money. In fact, you owe money. Does this sound about right? No matter how old or young you are, most of us have had some experience being in debt.

Now, you say if only you would make more money would you be out of the hole. But the truth is 99% of us will not save money more if we received a raise. SAVING MONEY HAS VERY LITTLE TO DO WITH THE AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU HAVE.

The only way to get out of debt is to understand why you are in debt. Understanding why you are in debt is the first step to controlling and eventually eliminating it.

Here are ten reasons why you might be in debt:

1. You use credit to buy things you cannot by in cash/when you do not have cash. This is simple - if you cannot pay for it in cash today, you cannot afford it.

2. You buy stuff you do not need. Shopping is not a source of entertainment and retail therapy is not really therapy. The feeling of instant gratification of buying something is temporary. But you know what kind of gratification lasts longer? Delayed gratification. Why? Because you know you truly earned it.

3. You believe buying a more expensive brand means you are getting a better product. Sometimes this is true, but a lot of the time you are just buying the name. You have a problem if you are buying something largely for the brand behind the item. "But my friend has one," you say, but your friend is probably in debt too, so stop.

4. You buy a brand new car every couple years. A car is supposed to get you from Point A to  Point B. If your current wheels continue to run strong, keep it. What is more important to you - living debt free or the new car smell? Plus, it is simply irresponsible to pay interest on something that decreases in value so drastically.

5. You pay full price for something. Wait for sales, shop at discount stores, look for deals online... Planning ahead and doing some research will save you a pretty penny.

6. You do not budget. You have to plan to pay off your debt. You also need to make sure you are spending less than you are taking in.

7. You are not saving. One word: Automation. You have to plan for your future as well as the occasional surprise expense (Can you say Emergency Fund?).

8. You are house poor. You own or rent a house way bigger than you need. Not only do you pay more for the house, you spend more on maintenance, utility bills, and stuff to fill it up.

9. You spend money on shit that is bad for you. Why are you spending your hard-earned money on things like gambling, smoking, and drinking? On top of that, major health problems that often follow will cost you more money down the road!

10. You fail to become money smart. Do you need to become a financial expert to get out of debt? No, but you need to know the basics. Like know that simply paying the minimum will not evaporate your debt. Or what your interest rates are (and that you can shop around for the best rate). Or know what you take in and what you ship out.

At the end of the day, it takes discipline to get out of debt. It also takes discipline to live below your means. But it does not mean your life will not be rich - true wealth is not measured in objects. So do you want to look rich or actually be rich? 

Money cannot buy...

- A child's laughter

- A great story

- A good conversation
- Time

- True friendship

- The feeling from a first kiss
- Forgiveness

- A sense of accomplishment

- The soothing sound of rain

- Reminiscing with an old friend

- That throwback song on the radio

- A sunny day

- An inside joke

- Passion

- An old smile
- Your health

- The sunrise

- The sunset
- Character
- Purpose

- Making someone else smile 

- Smiling back

- The comfort of your own bed
- Manners

- Home

- Kind words

- The sound of a light breeze

- Watching animals in nature
- A positive attitude
- Integrity
- Common sense

- A good laugh
- Peace

- The feeling of acceptance

- Absolute silence 

- Finding something you thought you lost

- The feeling after a good workout

- A long hug

- Snuggles
- Wisdom

- A great memory
- A relationship with your kids
- An honest politician 
- Patience

- Respect

- Singing at the top of your lungs

- The words "I love you"

- A star-filled night sky
- Innocence 

- Changing fall colors

- Spring blooms

- Priceless, sentimental objects

- HAPPINESS

What else cannot be bought with money? 

New and improved blog

Blog comeback number I do not know. 

But with a new focus: living well smartly and with a little style. 

And a new name: Jade Saves Money.

Now let's give this a go.