ChicMoneyTalk

Ooookay. Putting the Christmas cheer aside for a post to talk about nails. I love having my nails painted, and I’ve talked the nail technician into doing a little glitter french tip that I loved! Now, I’ve been blessed with a long nail-bed and strong nails, although I prefer to keep my nails super short. Once I’ve gotten the gel nails. And it was barely a week before I had to get them taken off because I didn’t like how heavy they felt on my fingers. But I wish I liked them because I love how they looked!!

So here’s my question… I’ve definitely gotten better at doing my own nails, but having someone do them (plus that awesome hand massage) is soo nice! And not to knock on you gals that get your nails done weekly, but we’re talking between $15-30 a pop. Is that price worth it?? I mean, we know that the nails look pretty? But on an average of $1080. per year if you go once a week… is it worth it?!? Do tell.

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and p.s. I’m a real tree girl.

It’s officially December. Let the holiday crazies come out! If they didn’t already poke their heads up on Black Friday. But with it being Christmas season…that means gifts. Chances are there’s someone on your list this year that you just don’t know what to get them. Either they have everything, or they have super expensive taste that don’t fit into your Christmas gits budget, or they’re just picky. Add to that the pressure some of us feel to pick out the “perfect” gift for everyone…and you just might end up wandering aimlessly through stores without ever finding a gift.

This is another reason I love this great thing that used to be called the world wide web. When I have a gift block, I start searching for inspiration. One of the first places I go is Etsy. I love their featured items on their home pages…I’ve actually gotten quite a few ideas from it! But just nosing around normally gives me an idea or an actual gift!

Sometimes, although since it caters to recommendations for me, Amazon can lead too some gifts. Especially if that person has created a wish list. I almost wish every single person was required to create a wish list. Even if you don’t/can’t buy it off Amazon…having a virtual list is a BIG help!

And when all else fails…I just pick something I like (wink!) and hope they do too! Do you have any gift shopping tips??

Happy Holidays!!
Lindsey

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I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! And if you braved Black Friday, I hope that you came back with all of your limbs and the purchases you were hoping to score. {Side note, I’d love to know about any awesome deals you snagged!!}

Hold on tight…Christmas is officially here!! At least in my household. The day after Thanksgiving becomes Christmas season! I need all the days I can get. I’ve actually have been listening to Christmas music for a while…sssh, don’t tell my hubby!

So with Christmas fresh upon us, I’ve got one thing on my mind: Christmas tree. I’m sure my household isn’t the only one with this debate: real or fake. I’m not going to tell you my preference, but instead, I’m going to ask.. Is it worth it to get a real tree???

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Here’s the scoop. For a real tree, on average, you’d spend between $30-60 for a tree. Unless you’re buying, like THE Christmas tree that you can barely fit under your two-story house…then you’d pay more. Normally, you can pay $15-20 at the place you buy the tree for a stand, if you don’t have one. A lot of places have pre-chopped trees, but there are still farms that let you go out and pick which tree you want, and then they chop it down and wrap it up. You’ll have to transport your tree–normally via on top of your car. And once it’s all set up in your house, you’ll need to make sure to water it, and to let the cat know it’s not for climbing.

So you tell me…is it worth it to you to go out, walk through dozens of firs to find “the perfect” tree. Lug it back home onto of your car. Water it, vacuum the needles around the tree all throughout the holidays, and don’t forget disposing of your tree! Check locally… a lot of places will recycle your tree if you drop it off on a certain day/time.So with all that, is that fresh pine smell worth it?!?
xoxo,
Linds

What I love about Thanksgiving, is everyone has counting their blessing and being thankful on their mind. I’m sure of us–me included–need that reminder to remember the things that we have been blessed with. My mom reminded me of an exercise if you will…name five ways you’re blessed that’s not family or material things. I loved that when she told me, because one, it make you think a little harder than just saying “my husband, my dog, my family, etc.” even though those are all things I’m incredibly grateful to have in my life. Here were my five (in no particular order).

1. stubbornness– there are positives to being a stubborn person! I am ever so grateful for my ability to stick with something, to push through even though it might not be what I want or be even comfortable. Putting my stubbornness to good work.
2. friends–I know this seems like a given, but being a military wife, I really say daily prayers of thanks for the people that come into my life, both military and none military. When your husband is gone–training or deployed–having people in your life that care about you is a priceless blessing!
3. being able to cook–even though I don’t like to cook all the time, I love that I have the ability to constantly learn new how to make new things or even just being able to make something different. And I love that my hubs will eat just about anything!
4. ability to pursue any career–I know not everywhere does every woman (or even man) have the ability to pursue whatever they like. When I really stop and think about it, it is such a precious blessing!!
5. parents & a spouse who support all my creative endeavors–Yes, having wonderful parent and a loving spouse in my life is a blessing. But having those people constantly support me, in whatever project I pitch to them. To know that they believe in me, and what I might be trying to do leave me feeling incredibly secure. Having someone believe in you changes everything.

Happy weekend to you!

With Black Friday approaching, I have clothes on my brain again. And with winter coming, I have thoughts of keeping myself nice and cozy despite the chilling weather. And while sweaters and cozy knits do help keeping you warm, what it really takes while you’re out and about is an outstanding coat.

The problem is, when I’m looking at coats is the really cute one don’t look like they’re going to be warm. And the warm ones, don’t look that cute. Take this classic coat from Old Navy…

This coat is currently on sale for $79. I don’t think that’s a bad price for a coat…but when I looked at it in the store, it seemed thin. So my question is, it is worth it to buy a coat for the right price but might be as warm as a coat should be? Or should I hold out for a warmer coat with a decent price?? What do you do for your coat situation??

I can hear all the budgets quiver. Black Friday. The craziest shopping day of the year. And I mean crazy. Have you been to Wal-Mart fighting for a deal? You better watch yourself. Your Grandma is likely to push you into a moving cart to grab the last Tickle-Me Elmo… wait, that was years ago wasn’t it?

What I do love about Black Friday is the deals you can get without leaving your home. Getting awesome deals in your pj’s…yes please! I mean, who doesn’t love online shopping normally? Combine some awesome sales, and that’s my kind of Black Friday.

Do you know about Tulle?? They normally do a huge online sale. Last year I bought my sister a winter jacket for Christams via their sale. And of course I found a few pieces for myself. It’s worth checking out!

I found out about Tulle through a friend that has been a customer of their for a while. And generally..that’s the best way! Just googling “best online black friday deals” might not get you anywhere. So hit up the online shops you normally go to, but do it before next Friday. If the stores are having online Black Friday madness…trust me, they’ll tell you about it!

Do you have a favorite online Black Friday site?!? Do share!

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Oh Saturday mornings… we are such good friends. Anyone else just love Saturday? Or am I the only one that has these enormous crush on the weekends? Just me? Okay.

I’m sure, given the season, we’ve all got one thing on our minds. Turkey. The big turkey reveal for Thanksgiving dinner, the leftover turkey sandwiches with a little bit of gravy. Oh, yum!

So with all the weight that turkey holds…even you ham lovers have to agree that even if you don’t eat it–Turkey just goes with Thanksgiving–is it worth the cost to buy an organic, free ranged turkey?? Check out this beauty!

I mean, wow. It’s a Free-Range Heritage Turkey fresh (um, wait. Does that mean it arrives at your door alive??) 8-11 pounder for a whoppin’ $139.99. Now this is an online price, I know that. But is this turkey worth the price??? Would you pay that for a turkey, as healthy and pretty at this one??

-Linds

Now that Halloween is good and gone, next up is Thanksgiving. I’ve always loved this holiday! It’s the best of both worlds…lots of eating and sharing and overall tone of being thankful. And I’ve always loved that for me, it’s been a holiday that I’ve been able to share with family and friends! I love that!

Even though there’s probably a million and one things you can do to create the “perfect” Thanksgiving dinner…but sometimes, at what cost? Literally. It bears the questions… can you afford to host Thanksgiving?? Feeding people is never cheap! And if you’re anything like me, I like elaborate.

I know growing up, and even now, there wasn’t just one person that cooked the entire meal. All my aunts and my granny and mom would all bring dishes and desserts. It makes dinner, or lunch, so one person doesn’t have to carry the whole load. And, with everyone cooking, there’s always something left over. And Thanksgiving leftovers are probably the best leftovers ever!

Aside from having others bring dishes, what tricks to you have to keep your Thanksgiving cost efficient?

*Pictures via Pinteres

You answered a few questions on my Facebook page, so lets talk about one.

Have you ever hidden a purchase from a loved one
that wasn’t a gift?

67% of you said YES.

Nice to know I have company. But I feel like I have to follow that statement with, while I might not scream my purchases from the mountain tops, I don’t hide money.  We have joint bank accounts. Joint everything. I, we, wanted it that way. I think I have one credit card from my pre-marriage days- but I haven’t used it since we’ve been married. I don’t think I even have a current card for that account.

There have been times my hubs has lovingly asked at dinner… “So, what did you buy at Forever21 today?”  Thanks online banking. It’s more of a teasing/joking now. But it didn’t used to be. In fact, when I first got married, I bought clothes and shoes only from the bank account that I had when I was single. I was nervous to take “his” money and I didn’t want to justify buying those black boots or that dress. The nervous part I chalk up to being a newlywed and newly combining finances. (Oh, I moved after I got married–military–so I wasn’t working.) The justifying purchase….that sticks around a while.

I’ve always said that people are so sensitive of their finances because it’s so personal. What you spend your money on says what’s important to you, and sometimes… even though we want certain things, we don’t like what it says about us. Or, we don’t want someone else’s opinion on what they think that says about us. And isn’t that a vulnerable place to be…telling your spouse why you felt like you wanted to buy that top. I just did! And I may never be able to explain it to you.

So I take the approach of not flaunting my purchases. I don’t do a show & tell of what I bought. And I try to remember to ask my hubs–who is not the shopper, or buyer, or money-spender–if there’s something he’s been wanting or looking at. That way the “free” money in our  budget isn’t always spent on me, and he feels loved and cared for.

But with Christmas coming up… don’t we have to hid ALL purchases?!? {wink} Do tell..what’s you I hide purchases, but…

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Isn’t it often said that the things you love can also be the things you hate….or that there is a fine line between love and hate.

Being that the overlying topic with this blog is money, one of the things I like love to spend money on is clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry. You know! So, in an effort to spend my money wisely, I read a lot of fashion bloggers. And while I love checking out the girls who get gifted $800. leather jeggings and can afford to buy DVF entire fall collection…I prefer to read the blogs about the girls who shop with a budget in mind. Way more in my range.  Not to mention, I love finding a good deal.

And that’s where the “hate” starts to creep up on me. I mean, how hard is it to pass up a good deal. SUPER hard!! So my frugal, penny-watching self is hating these wonderful new blogs I read so delightfully.

In fact, I know I’ve bought more online in October than I have….maybe ever.

I can easily say “no” to pants that are too expensive, or a top that’s not priced right…but when I read about the 40% at this store +free shipping+ it’s the hottest item this fall = aaaaah! Bought.

How ironic is that? I’m trying to do the right thing and be all smart with where my money is going, and I end up spending MORE because there are people out there so, so, so good at letting us know where all the awesome, I-truly-can’t-pass-this-deal-up deals are.

The solution? Don’t read the blogs anymore? Now that’s not nice, and I think there are positive in reading them (oh, hi love). I know the solution is finding some good ‘ole fashion self-control somewhere. Any tips or tricks for this shopper?? And you girls that actually write the fashion blogs.. how do you not buy everything you post?? Or do you……