Extra! Extra! Read All About it! She Makes Cents Hits MAJOR Milestone!

2,000,000 Views

This has been a very busy week for SheMakesCents.com, the chic and sassy money-saving site for women that inspires ways to use your “cents” to live a fab life. I am proud to announce the site has hit the 2 MILLION views mark and I wrote my 500th post…all this week!  I want to take a moment and extend gratitude to each of you who have taken the time the read my posts, comment with your thoughts, share with your friends, and trust me with your personal stories of financial worries and successes.  celebrationSo no more sleeping in today.  Rise and shine, lovelies…..get glammed up and celebrate!.  I plan to celebrate this milestone in blogging and I urge you to celebrate your financial milestones- big or small.  There is no cookie cutter definition of the fab life and each of us are proving that as we redefine what it means to us.  The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams and I thank you all for helping me see mine materialize.

xo, Danielle

Tell Me About YOUR last MAJOR life milestone!

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{Style Cents} The Most Stylish Way to Destroy A Credit Card

Credit Card Name Necklace{Photo Source: Clossette}

I saw this picture not too long ago from the blogger and self-proclaimed JeDIY master, Yuka Yoneda, of Clossette.com and my mind started to race.  That’s right, you are looking at a fabulously easy DIY name necklace repurposed from her old Macy’s card.  People cut up credit cards all the time to celebrate a BIG pay off, to keep themselves from going into further credit card debt, or because they were issued a new card.  No matter the reason, this is definitely a more stylish option than going all Edward Scissor Hands on your old card.  I still can’t fathom the thought of doing the “big chop” on my credit card once it hits a zero balance. It’s hard to shift that paradigm of having a credit card simply “in case of emergencies” but I am starting realize that is what my emergency fund is for.  I’m not sure if I am ready to cut my current card, but I have a card or two that had to be replaced because of a corporate breach.  If you are taking part in this DIY, remember to first demagnetize the card, shred the card after you have removed your “name plate”, and dispose on trash day.

Chic or Cheap?

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Are You Guilty of this Common Credit Score Blunder?

Using this type of payment was once thought to be a great way establish and build credit. Some people may agree that this is still the case for in-store financing. I’m inclined to disagree. Fact: Good credit is important to secure financing when making large purchases such as furniture.sofa1

But did you know that financing furniture or other high ticket items can have a negative impact on your credit score?

When shopping, sales people will make payment suggestions to the consumer to close their deal. The first offer that is usually thrown out is a store card or in-store financing. They will present both options making them sound attractive with facts that have no real financial bearing, like 5% off when you open a card today. In most cases, in-store financing is affiliated with well-known banks which may make you as a consumer feel more comfortable. Yet the deal is generally closed once consumers hear the magic words- “no money down and no interest for two years.”  to find out why it’s not a great deal!

What are you saving for?

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{Cinco de Mayo} Host Your Own Shindig on a Budget

As a brand, She Makes Cents is all about inspiring and informing you of ways to use your “cents” to live a fabulous life. So it’s time to start thinking about…well, some fabulosity. Now that the weather is warm and I have officially come out of hibernation, I keep thinking of ways I can get my entertaining groove back. Luckily the calendar is on my side as next week presents a few options for themed entertainment with the Kentucky Derby & Cinco de Mayo. While I LOVE the idea of playing dress up for a Kentucky Derby party, I am leaning toward a chic yet laid back Cinco de Mayo celebration. I plan on keeping the guest list intimate and executing a food and beverage plan that will keep costs down.  Working in the special events industry certainly comes in handy with my planning.  A fun taco bar, vibrant colored fruit, and of course, a signature drink will create a fun atmosphere for my guests! This is where presentation makes the difference between being the host of a cheesy get-together or hosting an event with effortless style!

Check Out My Inspirations Below!

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 Host Your Own Shindig on a Budget

1. Keep your guest list small & intimate.  I often find that I am able to be more apart of an event when there are fewer people.  The conversation is more engaging and it lessens the chance of people cliqued up and not mingling with new people.

2. Go Green. Don’t waste your money on paper invitations or Evites.  Instead, try calling people.  It’s more personal, your guests will appreciate the effort, and you are more likely to get an immediate rsvp. 

3.  Be Like Santa!  Make a list and check it twice.  Save yourself money and stress by making sure you get everything you need ahead of time.  Having to rush to the store to grab an extra bag of ice is never cool.

4. Select a Flexible Menu.  My taco bar allow guests to essentially make their own meal.  It’s cost-effective and this removes the chance of me forgetting that Lauren is allergic to cheese and Victoria hates onions just as much as I do.  An added bonus for this particular meal is that all the colorful ingredients can be stylized to create an awesome visual display on the table.  A signature drink or two (one with plenty of spirits and one without) helps keep your beverage budget down…especially compared to an open bar.

5. Added Touches.  I never host an event without background music, fresh floral, and a co-host.  Keeping your guests comfortable will keep your party going.  Don’t forget the little things such as stocking up on extra TP and paper towels, strategically placing trash cans throughout the house, citronella candles for outside, and thoughtfully positioned seating areas for guests.

What Is Your Favorite Entertaining Tip?

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5 Ways to Make Outlet Shopping More Enjoyable

Danielle YB Vason's avatarshemakescents

On Tuesday, I took a trip to the North Georgia premium outlets with visiting family from out of time. My intention was to enjoy girl time with my cousin and Aunts and not to blow my budget.  Maybe a shirt or two, at most.  Certainly, I didn’t anticipate the goodies I would walk away with. Good thing, I knew a few ways to save even more when outlet shopping. Here are some of my tricks.

Bring cash

Bringing cash reduces my chances of overspending. Unlike a card, you can physically see your cash stack dwindle down with every purchase you make.  When people make purchases with cash, they take longer to ponder the value of what they are buying as opposed to mindless shopping.

Begin at Customer ServiceCustomer Service

Customer Service is not only full of pamphlets and maps, but also information regarding sales and special offers. Go here first and pick…

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{Honesty is Free} What Does the “Fab Life” Mean to You?

So I took a little hiatus…okay, well a longer one than expected, but I am back with a vengeance. I needed some time to have new experiences so that I can have something exciting yet honest to write about. To be honest, the original idea behind this site was to inform and inspire ways to use your “cents” to live a fab life. Along the way, I believe I got off target.  So as we prepare for our upcoming one year mark (March 1stJ), I want to take things back to basics.  To do so, I’ll start with a simple question; what is the fab lifeMy answer could be ever-changing, but at the moment, great people, great food, great fashions, great adventures, great love, great leaps of faith, and a greatly styled place to come home to.

Fab People


Fab Fashions


Fab Adventures


Fab Love


Fab Faith


Fab Home

 So that is what I’m going to write about…how to get the fab life without breaking the bank, my budget, or my financial integrity. I hope you join me along the way and learn from both my successes and my failures. That’s life and sometimes, you don’t learn the lesson until you fall on your face and have to get back up.

Talk to me! What is the “fab life” to you?

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{Every Woman Should Know…} How to Tie a Tie

A man in a suit and tie is to women, what women in lingerie is to men”

How to Tie a Tie copy

I would have to say that I totally agree.   My Mr. prides himself on knowing several knots…half and full Windsor, a Pratt knot, and so on (bragging moment).   While most men know how to tie at least one knot, others may not know how to tie their ties at all. This is when, as a woman you can step in.  After all,  being able to tie a man’s tie can be a very intimate experience a woman should not miss out on! 

Check out this Cheat Sheet:How to Tie a TiePhoto Credit: Ties.com

Who Taught You How to Tie a Tie?

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How to Dispute Errors on Your Credit Report

You are on the road to financial empowerment. You have printed out your spending chart. You have cut back on impulse spending. You know at least 5 ways to improve your credit score. The birds are chirping. The sun is shining and you look like you’re the happy little stranger in the middle of a Brady Bunch episode because your latest financial decisions have been uncharacteristically positive. Then is happens…(insert screeching sounds here)… something pops up on your credit history that is inaccurate. What do you do?

What is on Your Credit Report?

Your credit report reveals how you spend, the type of loans you have, your revolving credit, how you pay your bills, etc. This information is then used to decide whether you are approved for a credit card, loan, car purchase, insurance, home purchase and rental, and even employment. For potential employers, your credit report is used as a measure of your level of responsibility and can be a part of the deciding factor of whether you are offered the job or not.

How Credit Report Errors Are Made?

Mistakes can appear on your credit report for several reasons. Clerical errors are common because people make mistakes. Perhaps numbers were transposed, your handwriting was not legible, or the unfortunate situation that you have become a victim of identity theft. Check your credit report periodically for these types of errors.

How to Resolve Reporting Errors for FREE

Contact the credit bureau in writing, highlighting the information to be investigated. You will need to submit supporting documents such as a copy of your driver’s license if the inaccuracy involves a name change, change of address, or dispute of a utility bill. If your dispute is regarding your social security number, you will need to present a copy of your social security card and/or a copy of your W2. If you have your credit report number handy, this is the time to get it. Submit your credit report number and copies (not originals) of documents to be reviewed. The Federal Trade Commission recommends you “send your letter by certified mail, return receipt requested,” so you can document what the credit reporting company received. Keep copies of your dispute letter and enclosures. If you used Experian, the fastest way to challenge a dispute is online. Generally, disputes are resolved within 30 days but depending on the nature of the dispute, resolutions can take up to 45 days. If you find information on your credit report that is not accurate or doesn’t belong to you, please contact the credit bureau which produced the report.

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