SMC Book Club: The Woman I Wanted to Be

Whenever you read a good book, somewhere in the world a door opens to allow in more light. – Vera Nazarian

I am an avid reader and every year I set out to read at least 12 books a year.  It’s a resolution that when of making, seems simple.  But yet, as the year goes on I find myself getting caught up in things that pull my focus away.  That 12 book goal starts feeling like 1200 books.  Last month, in a few moments of downtime, I took a pink post-it and made a list of books that I have been wanting to read.  I then took it a step forward and bought the first book on my list.  It was an autographed copy, at that! Afterward, I told my girlfriends from work who also seemed interested in some of the reads on my list and [insert angel choir here] the birth of the She Makes Cents Book Club was born.  For the past month, I kept going back and forth about whether I would present it to the world as a monthly book suggestion, book review, or a book club and then I remembered about why I love books in the first place.  Reading and discussing books with other people allows you to understand the same material, often time from a different point of view than one’s own.  That is one of the things I miss about college… the ability to have an open dialogue about a multitude of subjects.

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So Here Is How It Will Work:

Every month we will select a new book and announce that selection a week before the start of every month.  This will give you time to go to your local bookstore, library, or download to your device. Selections for the books will come from readers suggestions and the list I started on the post-it.  We ask that selections embrace powerful women, business cents, fictional favorites, and anything that informs and inspires us to be the people we aspire to be.  With that being said, I am happy to announce the SMC Book Club: January Selection to be The Woman I Wanted to Be by Diane von Fürstenberg.  I have always been a fan of her as a woman and I was so happy to see that she is exactly who I hoped her to be when watching her reality show “House of DVF”.  This book explores the subject of her roots, love, beauty, and business; thus, making it the perfect choice for our January Selection.  I hope you pick up the book and join the SMC team as we read our January selection.  Discussions for this book can be found in the comments below starting Monday, January 5th. She Makes Cents | Money, Career, & Lifestyle Blog for Goal Setting Millennial Women

{Every Woman Should Know} How To Jump A Car

I had to learn how to “jump” a car out of necessity. It was a reactive skill because for months, my then new Mercedes C-Class had major battery drainage issues. Instead of being a damsel in distress, I became the type of woman who could jump a car in 4 ½ stilettos thanks to my Dad and the Mr. Let’s be honest, what’s the good in keeping jumper cables in your trunk for emergencies if you don’t know how to use them? I remember years ago having to jump my car from my friends Mercedes SUV. Her instinct was to call AAA because she was sure I was going to blow up her truck. We both drove off happy and inspired. I was happy to be on the road again and watching me doing it for myself inspired her because she had always depended on others in situations like.

Check out this super easy chart as a refresher for a skill “Every Woman Should KnowSMC- Jump A Car

What Was The 1st Car You Ever Had?

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{50/20/30} Beginner’s Guide To Saving, Spending, & Living Life

I always say that every financial rules may not work for you and your financial situation.  No one can tell you exactly what amount to save, what amount to spend, and how exactly you should invest; however, when people find something that works…you should find a way to make it work for you.

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Three percentages that may change the way you live, spend, and save are the 50-20-30 rule, as explained by the good folks over at Forbes.

Check it out!



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Food For Thought: Finances & Job Security

Truth- There is nothing secure about job security. In fact, the emotional and physical stress that people experience over worry of losing a job and not being able to keep up a lifestyle or provide for a family is all too common. According to this article from the Wall Street Journal, “As many as two-thirds of people in the U.S. don’t have the recommended six months of expenses saved. The percentage of people with savings enough to cover at least three months shrank to 40 % in 2014, compared with 45%, a year earlier.”

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So when do you make a plan for the worst? Well, it’s better to have one in place before you need it…and I hope you will never need it. Having the recommended six months of expenses is just that- a recommendation. You have to figure out what amount works best for you and if you are like me, having a goal and a plan to get more than the recommended amount would put my mind at ease, since it can still take more than six months to secure a new place on your career path. The good news is, it is never too late to start protecting yourself financially.  Are you saving enough? If not, don’t undercut yourself by saving a little this week and skipping next week.  Get in the habit of paying yourself first!  You owe it to yourself and those you support to be financially secure in a world where job security isn’t secure.

Companies are downsizing, departments are being eliminated, and employers are trimming the fat. If you lost your job today, how long would you be able to survive financially?

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Beginner’s Guide to: Understanding Financial Terms

As a millennial woman, I know many of my peers shy away from conversations about money and becoming financially fit for fear of looking dumb for not knowing the basics. Financial terms are spoken and we hear Charlie Brown’s teacher and stop listening. I want to help break down self-imposed barriers that could be keeping us from confidently making smart money moves. In an interview for Mint, I was asked off the record if I thought that women view money management differently than men. While some people believe women are not confident in making big financial decisions, I’m inclined to disagree.

When armed with the proper tools to make sound financial choices, women prove to be confident, powerful, and commanding in their financial choices.

Every week, She Makes Cents will introduce a financial term with hopes to empower you to expand your financial literacy. For some this is a refresher and for others, it may be the first time that you understand, what these terms mean and how they affect YOUR money. Either way, you are arming yourself to take the lead in your own financial situation and achieve the goal of living the fabulous life while being financially savvy!

If there is a financial term you want explained, shoot us an email and we will answer it on the site. Stay tuned tomorrow when we talk investments and returns.

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{Wise Words} Quote of the Week

This is an oldie, but goodie.  Instead of doing my normal “Wise Words“, I’d like to share a quote with you that shows, it’s not smart to mess with a smart woman.  During a radio interview with Sway and Lauren Conrad, a caller asked her, “What’s Your Favorite Position”?  Her answer, well, it’s a classic! 

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Oh Lauren Conrad… I remember being in high school watching her on MTV during her high school days in Laguna and then her Teen Vogue days in Hollywood.   Now she is all grown up and clearly a Woman to Watch. 

Mint Interviews Danielle Y. Boler of She Makes Cents

interview.jpgIDanielle Boler- Creator of She Makes Cents copy

Back in March, I was contacted by an Editorial Assistant for Mint asking if I would be interested in doing an interview.  I interview people all the time, but rarely am I on the other side of questions.  Excited and a little nervous, I agreed.  Yesterday, they contacted me to let me know that the interview was published. 

Personal Finance Blogger, Danielle Boler Vason talks women and money in Mint Interview

Danielle Boler hopes to start a conversation about how women can make smarter financial decisions and live a fabulous life on her blog She Makes Cents. When it comes to how women view money compared to men, Danielle says she believes women are more cautious – which can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, saving more creates a good cushion for emergencies and other unforeseen events, but it can also prevent big financial gain. “Some believe it’s because women are not confident in making big financial decisions. I’m inclined to disagree,” she says. “When armed with the proper tools to make sound financial choices, women prove to be confident, powerful and commanding in their financial choices.” In the end, diversifying your financial portfolio (no matter what your gender) is important on every income level to make your money work for you, she says.

We recently checked out with the sassy blogger to learn more about her site and get her take on personal finance. Here’s what she had to say:

Click here to read the full interview and find out financial freedom is important!

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{Splurge or Save} Christian Louboutin Nail Polish


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Anyone who knows me personally, knows that I have an affinity toward nail polish. The Mr. once described my behavior in a Sephora on the Las Vegas strip as a “lioness approaching her prey”. With that being said, I have tried it all and I must say, nail polish should not be a splurge. Take the Christian Louboutin nail lacquer that was released yesterday. For $50.00 a bottle, that is smaller than the average nail polish bottle I might add, what are you getting?- A nice rouge polish that can be replicated with OPI or even NYX polish (which is becoming my new favorite because of how long it lasts). You see, you are paying for a name, cool branding with the spiked top, and for people to see you wearing Christian Louboutin. But unlike his shoes, which can be readily identified by their distinctive red bottoms, no one is going to recognize your Rouge Louboutin polish. Think about it like this, 12 bottles of polish could buy you a pair of Louboutin heels…which I would consider a better investment, by far.  

Splurge or Save? : SAVE

Danielle

cropped-logo-twitter2014.jpgWould you spend $50.00 for nail polish?

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