Monday Motivation | Measure Your Progress Not Your To Do List

Published on August 28, 2017August 28, 2017 by Danielle YB Vason2 Comments

The other day I was thinking about all the things I still want to do this year and started to get a little overwhelmed. As someone who is always looking forward and setting new goals, it is easy to get lost in what is left on the rolling to do list. Raise your hand if you can relate. By spending energy constantly thinking about how much we still have to do, we lose focus on what we have done already. One of my personal goals at the beginning of the year was to celebrate my successes, big and small, which to be frank; I have not really kept up with.

So today, I am encouraging everyone, myself especially, to review how we measure success and progress. Instead of focusing on how much you have left to do on a goal or project, measure your progress by much you have done already. Success Magazine backs up this paradigm with research. According to an article by Mel Robbins, a motivational speaker and entrepreneur, “research proves that seeing your progress and how much you have completed will inspire you to keep pushing”. I will celebrate the fact that I hit my money milestone with my student loans and not on the fact that I have a way to go before I can eliminate my student loan debt altogether. Reaching that milestone was not easy so I have to take a moment and appreciate how far I have come on that path to financial freedom. In addition to keeping a rolling to do list, start a “did it” list that you can go back and refer to when you need a motivational push to keep going. As I said, it is easy to get overwhelmed and forget all the great things you have accomplished. Measuring your progress by what you have accomplished and keeping a rolling list of things that you have completed so far will help each action, big so small, feel more impactful.

How to Make Money from Cash Back Apps | Ibotta Hacks

Ibotta Review | How To Make Money with Cash Back Apps

Published on August 27, 2017September 9, 2017 by Danielle YB Vason3 Comments

I am always researching ways to save more money and I kept coming across this app called Ibotta. I would see it most on blogs where bloggers shared their income reports and I noticed that they were getting more money from cash back apps than they were with some of the sources of income associated with their respective blogs. I thought it was interesting, but I put it on the back burner… something to check out for another day. Well, that day came last month when I was researching ways to save more money on the category that I spend the most frequently- groceries. So what did I do? I decided to give it a try for a month and share my review with you. So sit back, grab your cell phone because you are going to need it and get ready to save.

This post may contain affiliate links at no cost to you. This keeps our lights on. See our disclosure policy for more info.

So What is Ibotta Anyway?

Ibotta is a free app that you can download on apple and android that pays you for everyday purchases. It collects rebates from grocers, retailers, and experience brands like Uber, Groupon, and Amazon and pays you according to the rebate terms. It’s all in one place so no need to spend time searching around for coupons and discount codes. Since downloading the app, I have a balance of $22.87 that can be redeemed via Paypal, Venmo, and gift cards. The first $10.00 came from the welcome bonus for signing up (get your $10.00 welcome link here). I was so excited about how easy it was that I even got hubby on board to try it out.

How Does Ibotta Work?

Before I go shopping, I check out the app and add rebates on the brands and items that usually make it onto my shopping list. I shop as I normally would and then scan my receipt(s) to redeem the cash, which usually shows up on my account after about 48 hours. After about 2 weeks of doing it this way, I found it easier to scan my items as I shop instead of after I have made my purchases. PRO TIP: Do not buy things that are not on your list just to get the cash back. You will not save or make money by doing it.

How Do You Join Ibotta?

1. Create an Ibotta account using this referral code. This will allow us to be teammates so we can earn bonus cash together.
2. Log in on a unique mobile device that has not been associated with another Ibotta account.
3. Redeem your first rebate. (Any Brand and Any Item rebates do not qualify for the referral bonus.)

Things You Should Know About The Cash Back App

To redeem the $10.00 welcome, you must download the app and use my promo code tahbinu. Once you claim your first rebate (any brand and any receipt offers excluded) you will get $10.00 added to your account.
You can start redeeming your money after you have $20.00 on your account (which is super easy to do).
The highest paying opportunities that I have seen come from beer, wine, and liquor sales. Think $3.00 – $5.00 per bottle. So, if you need to stock your bar, this is a good time to get paid to do so.
You can use Ibotta along with your store rewards cards.
Teams are utilized to complete teamwork bonuses, of which there is a new teamwork program each month. By working as a team, we can all earn more cash back together!!

Long gone are the days where you sit around and cut coupons to save money. Now are the days for cash back apps, digital coupons, and automatic promo codes that make the things we buy every day, more affordable. If you are not saving a little money on your everyday purchases, you are missing out. Last month, I was trying to think of ways to save some extra money in on groceries. This month, I have created a new habit of redeeming money by scanning my receipts. I’m not really the coupon cutting type but when technology makes things so darn easy, I’d be crazy not to use money saving apps like Ibotta.

5 Things Every Millennial Should Know About Life Insurance

Published on August 22, 2017July 30, 2018 by Danielle YB Vason9 Comments

A few weeks ago, a company called HealthIQ that celebrates health-conscious people with social and financial rewards, contacted me to create a quiz about millennials and life insurance. Yes, I can now add professional quiz writer to my resume! Since then, I have been reflecting on what happens to our loved ones financially when we pass on. This also came around the time a classmate of mine from high school passed away suddenly from a random heart complication leaving his fiancé and young daughter to pick up the pieces. One day you are living life and YOLOing and the next moment….well, you know how that goes. I am no longer in the headspace of thinking I am invincible, which means it is time for me to get a plan for my family in case the worst happens. Apparently, that means I’m growing up. While doing my research for my quiz, which you can take here, I realized there are several benefits to buying life insurance at an early age and right now millennials are in the best position to take advantage. While it is not a cheerful conversation to have, it is a necessary one and one that can protect those who depend on you and your income should the worst-case scenario happen. Since many millennials are delaying marriage and children, it is easy to say that there is no benefit of buying life insurance; however, that is not the case. Other dependents such as parents who co-signed a loan or business partners for the millennial entrepreneurs out there also depend on you and your income and will be left with a great financial burden of debt, your funeral expenses, and trouble covering living expenses if proper measures are not in place.

What Is Life Insurance?

If you ask my new insurance agent, he would tell you that life insurance is a “love policy”. I, however, prefer the explanation from Fidelity, which explains that, a life insurance policy as “a contract with an insurance company. In exchange for premium payments, the insurance company provides a lump-sum payment, known as a death benefit, to beneficiaries upon the insured’s death”. To bring it to terms that we can all understand, it is what GoFundMe has become when loved ones pass. I have to say this, but GoFundMe should not be your go-to plan to cover the funeral expenses of a loved one or to cover the financial burden that you may leave to your family.

Do Millennials Need Life Insurance?

Yes and yes. It will be easier to understand once you break things down into life stages. Millennials make up the awesome generation of people who are born between 1982-2002 which means that older millennials could be in the home buying, marriage, and kids stage while younger millennials are in the college life and first real job stage. So do all millennials need life insurance? The answer to that will depend on whom you ask. I believe everyone should have life insurance that at least covers one’s funeral expenses. Now in terms of a larger payout, known as a death benefit, I think that depends on who relies your income. To determine if you need life insurance, financial expert, Suze Orman, presents this question for you to ask yourself: “If I were to die today (or if my spouse/partner were to die today), will those I/we support be able to take care of themselves? If the answer is no, then you need life insurance”. Let’s be honest here, the subject of life insurance is morbid, boring, and a bit off-putting, but it is a necessary conversation that needs to be had by all.

5 Things Every Millennial Should Know About Life Insurance

If Your Parent Is a Cosigner On Your Student Loans. A few years back, I remembered hearing a story about a grieving father who was struggling to pay his dead son’s student loan debt. During the height of his grief and after paying for funeral expenses, debt collectors began to harass him regarding his son’s missed student loan payment. That was the first time I remember learning that your debts don’t always go away when you pass. I thought about that Dad and then I thought about my own. So what happens to your student loan debt if you pass away? If you have Federal student loans, your loans will be discharged and your family will not be responsible for your debt. Parents with Parent PLUS loan borrowers are also eligible loans to have their loans discharged in the event of the student’s death since it is also a Federal loan. To receive the discharge, the surviving cosigner must submit a copy of the death certificate to their loan provider. However, if you have private loans, your family may inherit your debt, which for the class of 2016 is an estimated $37,172 and growing. According to this article from CNBC, “Even if your spouse doesn’t co-sign for you, he or she can also be held liable for a private student loan if you borrow while married and you reside in a community property state”.
If You Are a Single Parent.
While millennials are delaying getting married, a recent poll from Gallup reveals that almost half of surveyed millennials age 34 have children although they have never been married. Because of their single status, many parents elect their minor children to receive the death benefit to financial protect their children if something were to happen. Making a minor a beneficiary will cause major problems since life insurance companies do not payouts to children under the age of 18 or their guardians. If you are a single parent, you should consider setting up a trust to benefit the child and naming that trust as the beneficiary. This way, you can avoid costly court fees and you can have things managed based on the directions you have left in your trust.
If You Have Life Insurance Through Your Employer.
Congratulations, you have a real job with real benefits! I am so proud of you. Now it is time to go through and fully understand the scope of your benefits package. Many employers offer life insurance as a part of their benefits package, but is that enough? Something else, I would like you to consider is how long you plan to stay with your current company. According to a Gallup report, 21% of millennials have changed jobs within the past year. Employee life insurance is provided as a group life plan and when you leave your job, you are no longer a member of the “group”. Your former employer is no longer obligated to pay the premium; therefore, your coverage is terminated unless you convert your policy to an individual plan, often at a higher rate. Your best bet is to get an individual term policy in addition to your employer-based policy so that you will be covered.
If You Think Life Insurance is a Financial Investment.
Life insurance is NOT a financial investment. Let me say that again. Life insurance is NOT a financial investment But what about cash value life insurance, you ask?
That’s not what your agent told you, is it? The good folks over at Investopedia define cash life insurance as “a type of life insurance policy that pays out upon the policyholder’s death, and also accumulates value during the policyholder’s lifetime”. Sounds good, right?
Well not so fast… The idea of investing is appealing… even sexy to most millennials (or is that just me?) but insurance as an investment is a terrible idea that yields a very low return. If you are looking to invest your money or save your money, there are much better options out there like mutual funds, Roth IRAs, stocks, and bonds. Suze Orman maintains, “Under no circumstances do you want ‘cash-value insurance’ no matter how fabulous the agent makes it sound”. My financial guru, Dave Ramsey, agrees. Ramsey argues, “It is a horrible product that makes insurance companies the most money, which means insurance salespeople get the best commission on this trash”. I am inclined to agree with them both. Insurance is insurance and your investments are investments. Does life insurance provide financial protection for your family? Yes. Is the “investment” component of a cash life policy, also referred to as whole life, universal life, and variable life, a good investment? Absolutely not. If you have this type of policy, you should cancel it and thank me later.
If You Don’t Know Where to Start.
Many people know the importance of life insurance but have not taken the plunge. For the millennials out there, you will never be as young as you are right now in this moment. Why not take advantage of the financial benefits of buying life insurance while you are young and in presumably good health. Millennials with a clean bill of health will find qualifying for coverage easier and more affordable, think less than $300.00 for the year for a $500,000 policy. So what type of policy do you recommend? Millennials looking to buy into a life insurance policy should consider a term insurance policy because the policy length can be tailored to your needs, it’s affordable, and you can lock in your rate while you are young. The maximum term for a life insurance policy is generally 30 years. Since premiums never get cheaper, millennials can get an upper hand on their finances by locking in a lower rate for the maximum term.

I recently read something from Dave Ramsey that completely changed how I think of all of this… adulting. “The death rate for human beings is 100 percent. You are going to dies someday! None of us know when that’s going to happen, but that doesn’t mean it should catch us totally unprepared”. Yes, you can still enjoy your youth while protecting your future. That’s why I have recently jumped on the life insurance bandwagon and you should too. Last week the Mr. and I met our agent in person to talk about our options and I encourage you to do the same. In fact, through a collaboration with Health IQ, I am now able to offer readers of She Makes Cents and exclusive discounted rate for life insurance (for more information, click here).

Do you have life insurance questions or want to tell me about your experience with life insurance, please comment below or leave me a message via Twitter or Facebook.

Nighttime Beauty Routine for the Best Night's Sleep via Atlanta Blogger, Danielle YB Vason of She Makes Cents

Nighttime Beauty Routine to Start Your Week Off Right

Published on August 20, 2017July 1, 2020 by Danielle YB VasonLeave a comment

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning no additional cost to you. It helps us keep SMC going!

With a plenty of beauty hacks on the internet, it is easy to feel like a guinea pig to expensive products and extensive beauty practices. I want to have that Beyonce’ “I woke up like this” experience, especially when kicking off the workweek. So how do I do that? A good night’s sleep and a several glasses of water for starters. There are several benefits of getting a good night’s sleep but before I even make it to bed, I have to get through my bedtime routine. In the past two years, I have started to really put an emphasis on self-care and investing in oneself. As goal crushing women who are busting career barriers, making smart money moves, living the fab life, and trying to thrive in their relationships, sometimes it is hard to take a moment for oneself. I wanted to share my beauty routine that costs less than $100.00 and takes less than an hour.

Nighttime Beauty Routine for the Best Night's Sleep via Atlanta Blogger, Danielle YB Vason of She Makes Cents

Take Off Your Day. I start my wind down process by washing my face with unscented activated charcoal soap that does wonders for my eczema since it is also loaded with moisturizing oils like avocado and jojoba. The soap I use is about $8.00, but it lasts so long, especially when you cut it in fourths and use a section at a time. I then put on a rose infused face mask and let that sit while I prepare myself for my relaxing bath.

Activated Charcoal Soap $8.00 |Fresh Rose Face Mask $57.00
Take A Relaxing Bath. During the hustle and bustle of the week, I don’t have time to take a long relaxing bath, but on weekends, I make the time. I run a long hot bath and let 2 cups of Dr. Teals Soothe and Sleep Lavender dissolve into the water while I pull my hair into a top knot. Since Epson salt is known to relieve sore muscles and lavender is used in the treatment of anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia, all of which I experience from time to time, it is the perfect relaxing combo to add to my beauty routine. With all of the lights turned off and nothing but candlelight, I soak in the tub while watching bad reality television.

Dr. Teals Soothe and Sleep Lave nder $4.00
Oil Up. I have been obsessed with growing my eyelashes naturally and I started brushing my clean natural lashes with Argan oil every other night. I use an old mascara wand (that has been cleaned, of course) and carefully moisturize my lashes. After that, I drink one last glass of water and then put on the best lip balm I have ever tried. It is a citrus balm for the brand, Oh Honey and it leaves my lips feeling moisturized throughout the night for less than $4.00. After applying the balm, I usually kiss the Mr. good night so he can feel how soft the lip balm makes my lips. Note: Oh Honey is now called Relux Co.

Argan Oil $11.00 | Lip Balm $3.00
Positive Vibes Only. While it may sound counterintuitive, I have to fall asleep with the television on. To increase the chances of good dreams, I try to go to sleep to something fun and lighthearted like my favorite show, Modern Family as background white noise. It is part of the process to help me fall asleep faster.

After a relaxing bath, a face mask, along with moisturized lashes and lips, I am ready to get a good night’s sleep. Although these are not the traditional beauty hacks that people usually share, these are my go tos that keep my skin supple and healthy.

Inspiration to Take a Step Toward Your Purpose & Reaching Your Goals via personal finance blogger, Danielle YB Vason of She Makes Cents | Monday Motivation

Monday Motivation | Take a Step Toward Your Purpose

Published on August 7, 2017August 7, 2017 by Danielle YB Vason1 Comment

As you are getting back into the groove of the work week, I want you to take a moment to think about this. Every step you take counts, no matter how big or small. When you take a step forward, you are one step closer to reaching your goals and understanding your purpose. Sometimes our actions stop reflecting our goals, and whether we recognize it or not, it becomes a step back…putting us further away from our purpose Think about everyone who talks about how they are going to get out of debt but continue to spend. They say we are the sum of what we repeatedly do, so let’s make excellence a habit…starting today!

Why is it so hard to take the first step? We let fear paralyze us. Or we tell ourselves that it’s not worth the effort until you are able to make one huge step toward your goals. We tell ourselves that our dreams and goals are too lofty. We sell ourselves the idea that it will never happen for us. The lines between one day and day one blur. If this sounds familiar, let today’s motivational post shift your mindset.

You Are Greatness in the Making

If you are comfortable with your money and career, then it is time to do something that pushes you outside your comfort zone to a level of greatness you have yet to meet. If you are saving money for something specific, push your goal date up by a few months. If you are comfortable in your career, find a way to expand your value with the company. Join a professional organization and expand your network. Whatever your goals are, do not stand still or fall behind. Some of the scariest things garner the most delicious rewards. You can do it. You are greatness in the making. You can be the woman you always wanted to be. Oprah Winfrey once said to you should “create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life because you become what you believe”. I believe I will be debt free. I believe that with hard work and consistency I can get and give everything from my dream career that I have envisioned for myself. I believe I will travel the world. I believe that I deserve financial security. I believe I have the right to change my mind. I believe I am worth it and then I add tax. I also believe these things for you.

My Baby Step to Becoming Debt Free

Every year, I challenge myself to use the money saved from the She Makes Cents BINGO Money Challenge, an easier and more lucrative version of the 52-week money challenge, to help me snowball my debt. Just recently, I have shared my experience with my inner circle in hopes that it would also inspire them to take control of their finances. For me, the She Makes Cents BINGO Money Challenge represents a step in the right direction. It is a step that is creating better saving habits for me and gets me one step closer to eliminating my student loan debt faster. It is a step that is not tiring nor leaves me feeling financially stretched to the max. If I had waited until I was in a place to throw a major lump sum amount at my debt, I might still be waiting. No matter what, every week I cross off one number on my money challenge card and I don’t judge myself if the number is low. Every dollar counts the same way that every step counts which is how I have saved an extra $1,117.00 as of the first Friday in August. The first Friday in January I took a step and started the challenge. What step will you take today? Do something today that your future self will thank you for.