by Sherrell Dorsey of Organic Beauty Vixen This economy sucks. When I graduated from college two years ago, it was during the brink of one of the worst economic times in my generation. Most of my friends continued with school, I got my certificate in esthiology and transitioned from the world of fashion marketing into beauty figuring out my next steps.
Now in repayment for student loans, credit cards and mundane living, the stress of money can definitely put a damper on just simply living life. Who’s with me? When you’re stressed about money you can’t focus on the more important things in life like working out, getting a gym membership or funding your beauty maintenance routine. Thank God for products, bloggers, vloggers and girlfriends with skills or I would be lost!!!!
I’m currently in the process of increasing my financial IQ to learn more about my money, how to make it work for me and think laterally. In fact, my friends and I even started an investment club (Posh and Prosperous) and workout club to keep each other motivated and enthused about learning, educating ourselves and meeting our goals.
Now that I’m working on thinking outside of the box I realize one important lesson: Look at the value of things instead of the cost.
Buying organic could potentially save you in medical expenses down the road as well as working out daily which doesn’t have to begin with an expensive gym membership. Workout with a friend in the park or team up with friends with a home gym that you can use. Purchase maintenance products to keep your hair do longer. Relieve stress by staying organized and financially intelligent.
Resources I use personally:
Mint.com – I use mint to set budgets, goals, view my financial statement and get text and email reminders about when bills are due. And it’s totally free! It’s like having a personal financial assistant at your fingertips.
Manilla.com – Not sure how to organize all of the statements you get in the mail or bills? Keep them organized electronically with Manilla, an online filing system that also sends you email reminders when bills are due. It helps you to stay on top of your responsibilities as well as let’s you know when service agreements change.
Books:
Rich Dad Poor Dad – This book by Robert Kiyosaki changed my life and made me open my eyes to my way of thinking and how to create more assets for myself! I”m also reading Increasing Your Financial IQ and have ordered more of his books via Amazon.com used for pennies on the dollar! Invest in your financial education and in turn you’ll be investing in your health.
Others that I’m reading: Piggy Banking: Preparing Your Financial Life for Kids and Your Kids for Financial Life, Does This Make My Assets Look Fat?, and Knowing Your Value: Women, Money, and Getting What You’re Worth.
If you need additional help, enlist the assistance of a financial advisor who can help you better structure your financial lifestyle. Don’t get stuck in a rut because your money game isn’t up to par. Get it on track and de-stress.
Do you feel that your financial situation greatly impacts your health and your beauty routine? Please tell me how and share your story!
Sherrell Dorsey is a natural beauty expert, writer, speaker and advocate of health, wellness and sustainability in communities of color. In addition to creating OrganicBeautyVixen.com, Sherrell writes beauty articles for Tyra Banks’s beauty and fashion site TypeF.com, Jones Magazine, MySalonScoop.com and Posh Beauty. Follow Sherrell on twitter at www.twitter.com/organicvixen and connect with her on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/
One thing I've learned is to spend on things that are most important and learn to live without the fluff. But, being self-employed, sometimes even the most important things get "cut back".
I'm learning a ton of de-stressing methods that help keep things under control. I always remind myself that there are people out there "doing it" with much less.
excellent post!
For those in need of glasses there's a good deal going on starting tomorrow at coastalcontacts.com saw this on facebook. Their giving away 10,000 of your choice please venture over to them. Every little bit of money saved in yr pocket is helpful.
http://www.facebook.com/CoastalContacts.com#!/CoastalContacts.com?sk=app_140261982729444
Thank you all for sharing your personal stories on this post. After reading the Increasing your Financial IQ book and working with my investment club, we've come to understand a few things:
Expand your means to live the lifestyle you want. Afterall, if you can't enjoy the luxuries of life, why live? It doesn't mean going into debt but it means being financially smarter. I recommend everyone read this book.
Make more money, budget well, learn to invest. Don't be addicted to being poor. Shop at trader joes and get great food at a great cost. Live like a millionaire even if you're scraping by.
I see many talking about cutting cable, and all these ways to live cheaper. That's fine but what about when it gets to be too hard on your emotional state? Don't settle for the minimum or live an average life.
Dream bigger and take the time to expand.
Check out RichDad.com and start to train your brain to think differently about money. Leverage your talents and intellects to create and expand opportunities, finances, health, etc. Live your life to the fullest!
Oh, the website for DailyWorth is www.dailyworth.com.
I love DailyWorth. DailyWorth is a community of women who talk money. They deliver practical tips, empowering ideas, and the occasional kick in the pants…daily to your email. The tips focus on earning, budgeting, saving, investing and spending. Also, every single woman should have her own financial planner, and every married woman should be involved with all financial planning decisions for their family.
1. I buy regular produce from a local market (Sweet Auburn has great prices) and juice them. I can't afford the organic stuff. Usually it's too high.
2. I bought the juicer from the thrift store.
3. I cut my cable down to the bare minimum and took out the service in my back room. I do plan to buy a converter box because the only show I really watch on cable is Chopped and I can find that online somewhere I think.
4. I bought The Firm boxed set from the thrift store and cancelled my gym membership.
5. I don't have a landline phone.
6. I eat beans and rice if I get too hungry and the juice isn't cutting it.
7. I don't watch movies when they first come out unless I can catch a two for one at the drive in. Other than that it is Netflix and Redbox.
8. I rarely eat out at places that I have to leave a tip. (Every bit helps)
9. I am not a product junkie because I can't afford to be one.
10. Stretching my unemployment checks as far as they can stretch.
The depression gets to me sometimes when I have been sitting at home with nothing to do for too long. I can't afford to eat pints of ice cream to numb it though. I use the internet when I feel a little down and bored. I would say my finances affects my health. I try not to stress out. If all else fails, I can sell everything and move back home. Until then, I'll keep searching.
For me its the other way around: my health impacts my finances. I have a chronic illness and currently pay $750/mo in medical bills including insurance premiums, out-of-pocket expenses, etc This does NOT include my dental bills.
I love Mint.com, but I will try Manilla.com. Thanks for the good advice!
I cosign with Anon 12:24. Dave Ramsey and the Total Money Makeover changed my life. DH and I will be COMPLETELY debt free next summer and I can't wait!!
Rich Dad Poor Dad amazing book. Opens your eyes to a knew world of finances, money and stuff they just don't teach us. I believe finances affect so much of our lives. Especially as americans. We "od" sometimes when it comes to money. Get educated like anonymous 12:24 said dave ramsey great example. Before you do a read, make sure that person is speaking from experience( aka he's got fruit on the tree). Anybody can write a book. But its worth nothing if they don't what they are talking about.
I agree with Ash! I have that book and LOVE it! I'm still not great with money but I'm getting better.
I do believe that your financial health can affect your mental and physical well-being because that extra and undue stress is on you 24-7 without letup. And, yes it can affect your beauty routine and how well you take care of yourself. Then, by the time you've realize it, you've packed on the pounds and are looking like someone's grandmother because you didn't take care of yourself. I'm speaking only from personal experience. Kudos.
another great read for young women trying to get their finances together is "The Money Book for the Young , Fabulous, and Broke" by Suze Orman. She breaks it down step-by-step on how to handle finances. From credit scores to eliminating student loan/credit card debt, saving, etc. Its a great read for those who are recent grads that are just starting their careers who want to improve their financial IQ knowledge. We gotta start early on the path to financial freedom.
I agree with anonymous above, in addition I'm a financial peace graduate and am following the baby steps Dave Ramsey recommends in Financial Peace Revisted and Total Money Makeover. To learn more visit www.daveramsey.com. I stream online and listen at work, daily.
If you really want to save money, start by cutting off cable and your land line phone. Cable is a luxury and if you have a cell phone, you reallly don't need the land line. You really don't need cable either.
You'd be surprised at how many shows you can still access either through basic television and the internet. If you have an xbox/playstation, you can pay 7.99 a month and stream NetFlix and hulu. Netflix has not only movie but full seasons of many shows, including kid cartoons.
Everyone is happy. Son can still watch every episode of Spongebob, Finneas and Ferb, Fairly Odd Parents, etc. Husband can watch all his old classic movies and shows.
By the way, half of these reality shows you watch on cable can be watched for free on VHI.com or MTV.com…..
Also, clip coupons and shop off-brand. I cut my grocery bill in half by doing this.