Well Heeled Blog > how to

10 Ways to Deal with Your Wanderlust When You’re Short on Time and/or Money

Written by on · 18 Comments

wanderlust 10 Ways to Deal with Your Wanderlust When Youre Short on Time and/or MoneyI’ve been bitten by a serious case of wanderlust lately. Part of it is the fact that I have not flown since last October, and another part is that I just really cannot wait until our honeymoon to Buenos Aires. What to do, what to do, when you are itching to travel, but cannot (at least not yet) because of lack of resources, whether that be time or finances?

Here are 10 ways to deal with that wanderlust when you’re short on time or money.

  1. Attend a travel convention. That’s what I’m doing this weekend – the Los Angeles Time Travel Show is here, and if I can’t head to London or Barcelona at least I can listen to Rick Steves TALK about the wonders of Europe. (If you want to go, use the code “LATR” or “LATO” for $2 off the $10 admission tickets).
  2. Set up a dedicated travel fund. If one of the obstacles to a trip is money, there’s only one way to resolve that obstacle – with money! Putting dollars away in a specific fund help us prepare for a big vacation – our Galapagos Fund has grown from a twinkle in my eye in April 2010 to $10,000+ now.
  3. Subscribe to well-written travel catalogs with lots of colorful photos and detailed itineraries. OK, this might only make your wanderlust that much more powerful, but it’s a fun way to torture the traveler in you! I especially enjoy Wilderness Travel’s paper catalog (it’s free, and they don’t spam). I have one from last year that I’ve read, cover-to-cover, more times than I can count on my fingers.
  4. Read blogs of folks who have visited the destination of your desire. I am a frequent visitor of this Galapagos trip blog. I try to tell myself that my time will come. 
  5. Plan out an entire trip in your head. From airfare, to specific hotels and restaurants, to entertainment options, to local transportation. Maybe keep a few spreadsheets detailing the budget breakdown of what such a trip will cost. Go back to #2. Repeat as necessary for all the trips that you want to take. Thanks to my penchant for researching and planning trips, I now have the itineraries of Turkey, Paris, New Zealand, and a several other places floating around in my head. Hmmm.. Oops? (I can’t be the only one who does this!).
  6. Host a foreign exchange student or foreign traveler. If you can’t go to Rome, you can bring someone from Rome to your home! If you are ready for a longer-term commitment, serving as a host for a foreign exchange student would be a great way to learn more about that person’s culture. Or sites like couchsurfing will let you play host for a few days.
  7. Pretend to be a tourist in your own city. So many times we forget or overlook the tourist attractions in our own cities, attractions that real tourists pay good money to be able to visit! I’ve been guilty of this. So play tourist for a day – maybe even ask someone for directions.
  8. Go on a day trip. Leave early, come back late means that you save on the hotel costs but can see visit someplace a little bit different from the day-to-day. If you are in Los Angeles, you can make it to Santa Barbara on a day trip. If you are in San Francisco, Monterey (and the famous aquarium) is doable. If you are in D.C., the wineries of Charlottesville are 2.5 hours away. If you are in San Diego, land of perfect 72 degrees, WHAT are you complaining about?! icon wink 10 Ways to Deal with Your Wanderlust When Youre Short on Time and/or Money
  9. Open a rewards credit card to pay for your hotel or flights. Done and done. Of course, only do this if you can pay off your balance in full every month.
  10. Drink wine and pretend you are in Paris. Enough said.

Share in the comments! What effective, unusual, wacky ways do you try to deal with your wanderlust, when you just can’t get away?

Power of Numbers: Quantify Your Way to a More Effective Resume

Written by on · 1 Comment

It’s always important to keep a current and effective resume, even more so in challenging times such as these. (By the way, unemployment hit a new record in California – 12.5% for the not-so-golden state). A few weeks ago a friend asked me to help update her resume for a job fair. There are a lot of helpful books on resumes out there, so I won’t rehash all of the suggestions, but working with her resume helped me refresh my resume-writing skills. It has reminded me that 90% of the resumes I’ve seen (mine included) can be improved with more numbers and statistics.

Which of these do you think sound more impressive?

A. Awarded Commendation of Excellence
or
B. Awarded Commendation of Excellence, an annual prize given to the top 5% of employees in the company

A. Exceeded sales goals and improved company’s revenue
or
B. Exceeded sales goals by 25%, generating an additional $200,000 in revenue

A. Complied customer database to increase follow-up dental visits
or
B. Complied database of 3,000 client records, which helped increase follow-up visits by 15%

Numbers automatically jump out in a sea of words. Quantify your achievements whenever you can.

Here are the three types of numbers to include:

1. Figures: This is the quantity of number of assignments you have done, people you worked with, length of assignment, etc. For example, an editor may have managed a team of 3 freelancers, a project manager might oversee a territory with 12 locations, a public relations executive may be responsible for 5 accounts. These types of numbers give context and are useful, but I’d say the truly big hitters are the Dollars and the Percentages.

2. Dollars: This is how much your work helped the company increase revenue or cut expenses (both actions that benefit the bottom-line). Your work is valuable, and adding dollar signs help others understand exactly how much your work benefited your employer. This is the answer to the so what? question.

Example: Ann implemented a new IT system. Great, so what? The scenario changes when we find out that Ann implemented a new IT system that saved her client $100,000 in 12 months. That’s what. Or, Ben retained the client for an extra 6 months because Ben expanded the scope of the project. So what? How about the expansion of the project added an additional $30,000 in net income for the company?

3. Percentages: This is a way you can quantify your performance compared to your performance objectives or your peers. It’s also another way to relate to the amount of revenue increase or expense decrease, especially if the dollar amount might seem small.

Example: Jill received an Exceed Expectations rating on her performance review or Jill received a review in the top 10% of her group? The first one tells me nothing about how good Jill actually is compared to everyone else; the second one does. Or, let’s say John saved his department $1,000, which doesn’t sound like a lot of money. But what if the department’s previous expense was $3,000? Then John has actually decreased expenses by 33% – a very big deal!

Life Without a Budget: 4 Questions to Ask

Written by on · 19 Comments

Life without a budget might sound like a financial disaster, but it’s working out okay for me.  Well, the “without a budget” part isn’t strictly true – I don’t spend more than I make, and I have make sure my fixed costs (rent, car, internet) are in line with what I can afford to pay. Still, I don’t follow a strict budget nor do I keep track of where every penny goes.  If someone ask me how much I have spent on eating out last month, she would have received “too much” and then a blank stare as her answer.

Do you think you can live a life without a budget?  The way I see it, this type of more hands-off financial management works for people who can answer affirmatively to 4 questions.

1. Do you pay yourself first using automatic savings?

If you put 15% of your money into 401K and Roth IRA every month, that money won’t be around for you to spend it. Same thing with automatic savings to emergency fund or to long-term objectives. It’s the oldest (and most beautiful!) trick in the book to prevent self-sabotage of saving goals.

2. Are you debt-free or have manageable debt?

People who are focused on paying down large amount of debt in a short period of time will achieve success with Dave Ramsey’s gazelle intensity. If you are intent on sending every penny to credit card companies or mortgage bankers, you need a budget to know where every penny is going.

3. Do you make enough money for necessities?

Basic needs such as nutritious groceries, reliable transportation, and adequate housing tend to take up a large percentage of a lower-income worker’s pay than a high-income worker’s. A $20,000 worker will probably need to keep a very close eye on his/her expenses. A $100,000 worker have more flexibility (if that person doesn’t live above his/her means), and that includes the flexibility not have a budget.

4. Do you keep spending level below your income?

Someone who has a tendency to spend more than his/her income should always keep track of their spending. If you are happily bumping along a certain level of expenses and find it manageable given your savings goals, however, then a strict budget may not offer as much value.

Do you agree / disagree with what I’ve written? Do you live a life without a budget?

Apartments Rental Ads: How to write an effective ad on Craigslist

Written by on · 15 Comments

apartmentads 300x225 Apartments Rental Ads: How to write an effective ad on CraigslistSo a year after I found my perfect studio, I am on the apartment hunt again. CB and I are looking at various vacancies and hopefully we will be able to find the right unit at the right price. Since graduating, this will be my THIRD time apartment hunting. I look at a lot of Craigslist ads. I’m constantly struck by the difference between the best apartment rental ads and the poorest ones. Landlords don’t need to put up fancy multimedia slide shows of their place, but a few simple steps can make a real difference to prospective renters. Seeing how it’s a renter’s market in many areas of the country, an effective ad makes sure that your apartment stands out.

1. Use proper spelling & grammar

I’ve seen ads WITH ALL CAPS or wRiTteN LiKe tHiS. When I was in middle school, I went through a brief phase when I used randomly placed capital letters. Hey, I thought it was cool. Are you cringing? Because I am. Posts that are hard to read will be glanced over.

2. Don’t be too nitpicky

One ad I read had a laundry list of “thou shalt not’s” (although this is more common with renting rooms or apartment sharing) – the renter cannot have overnight guest, cannot have guests after 9pm, cannot cook too much, cannot use the laundry facilities, cannot parking the parking lot. It seems as if the renter’s sole responsibility is to sleep in the room and pay the landlord a not-so-insignificant amount of money every month! I understand such situations when the rent is drastically reduced to make up for the inconveniences, but when it’s not, rational people will pass up the ad. My thoughts are: if the landlord seem so difficult to deal with in an ad, what will he/she be like in person?

3. Provide enough information

Some of the information at a minimum should be: (1) rent, (2) security deposit, (3) hardwood or carpet? (4) fridge included? (5) laundry on premises? (6) # of parking spots and parking situation – street parking, carport parking, subterranean parking? (7) available move-in date (8) specific address (9) proximity to freeways, (10) availability of AC, (11) utilities – what will the tenant be responsible for and what is the landlord responsible for? (12) upstairs or lower unit, (13) length of lease required

Here are some information that is good to provide: (1) proximity to shops, nightlife, notable attractions (museums, zoo’s, colleges, etc.), (2) number of units in the complex, (3) cost of credit check, (4) phone number for prospective renters to call

4. Pictures!

Some apartment hunters will bypass ads without pictures. As to the number of pictures, I always like 4-5 pictures: 1 picture of the outside of the complex, 3-4 pictures of the interior (kitchen, living room, and bedroom). Be sure to take pictures when there is plenty of natural light so you can show off the unit to its best advantage.  Pictures of the floor plan are also a plus.

5. Link to address in Google Maps

I love this feature and heartily applaud any landlord who makes apartment hunting just that wee bit easier.

6. Be upfront with the monthly rent

This is a personal pet-peeve of mine (and might not extend to other renters), but I don’t want to see $1,000 as the “effective rent” when the apartment is normally $1,300 and is offering a 1-month free deal. If I expect to stay in this apartment for longer than a year, this is something I’m concerned about. Because I don’t want the second year rent to suddenly jump up from $1,300 to $1,500.

And lastly, a word on rent. If you overprice your unit, prospective renters will know. We saw one unit that was small, dark, and not well-maintained. It was 2 blocks from a bigger unit, priced $25 lower, that was bright and cheery. Anyone who is looking seriously at Apartment Dark & Dingy will probably come across Apartment Big & Bright in their search. And I can’t imagine anyone choosing the first apartment after they’ve seen what they can get with their money with the second. If you can afford it, try to price your apartment $25 to $50 below the market rate. My parents did this with a house that they are renting out (they priced at $1,750 instead of $1,800, which was what a similar house across the street wanted), and within a day they had two applications. They rented out the unit in 2 days. A good tenant is worth $600 a year.

Apartment hunters, is there anything else you really want to see in an ad? Landlords, what do you think of this list?

How to Squeeze Time Out of Your Day

Written by on · 18 Comments

Time is such a funny thing… if you ask someone what he or she want the most, the answer is probably “time” (or “money”). But whereas money can be made and lost, time marches on. It offers us no do-overs, no second chances. Every second that passes is one fewer second we have. The days are long, but life is short.

Rest assured that in the groggy hours of the early morning, I am hurrying to leave the house, not pondering the philosophical underpinnings of this concept called time. I’ve realized, though, that between driving 1-1.5 hours and being in the office for 10+ hours a day, it’s hard to find enough time in 24 hours to do anything else. I love the weekends. But I’ve determined not to live FOR the weekends. Weekdays are busy with work and commute, but I’ve found ways to “squeeze” a little bit more time out of my waking hours. Here are some tips that works well for me:

mechanical clock How to Squeeze Time Out of Your Day

1. Do something productive on your commute: I listen to public radio all the way – where I get my daily dose of updates about the economy, international affairs, business news. Before I started my day I had no idea who Manual Noriega is, and well, now I do. I am on my way to becoming a very well-informed member of society!

2. Chop up the ingredients ahead of time: On Sunday night, I try to take 15-20 minutes to chop up a lot of the veggies I will cook for the first half of the week. I chop onions, mushrooms, eggplants, sweet potatoes, etc. One of the biggest hassles to cooking is preparing the ingredients, but if I come home and already have a bowl of veggie stir fry ready to go, I can have dinner ready in 15 minutes.

3. Use the slow cooker: I’ve found that by tossing cubed chicken breast, potato chunks, mushrooms, onions, and chicken broth into the slow cooker, then let it cook on “Low” overnight, I will be greeted with a fragrant and substantial bowl of chicken soup in the morning. That’s my lunch and dinner for the day. If soup is not your thing, there are so many great recipes for slow cookers. Pick something you like, and cook with ease.

4. Plan out your outfit for the week: I lay out everything I wear for the week in the first shelf of my linen closet. Not sure what this says about me, but I have enough business professional / casual clothes to put together 5 outfits at once. (It probably says I should refrain from adding to my wardrobe, at least for a while).

5. Don’t sacrifice sleep! It’s tempting to squeeze more time by going to be later, but don’t do it. Getting 8 hours per night is very important to function at your best. (Some genetically-blessed people can get by, successfully, with 6 hours or less over the long term, but most people need 8 hours).

6. Do 1 happy thing for yourself per day: This is something I’ve been very adamant about – I take the time every day to do 1 thing that makes me happy. Most of the time, that something can be as simple as a nice phone chat with CB, Mom, or my aunt. Or I give myself a facial mask. Or I go to bed an hour early and catch up on my reading list (my current favorite is The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D’oh! of Homer). Even at the end of a long day, it’s important to just take time to do something nice for yourself.

What tips have worked for you?

image source: http://screensaver.qweas.com/

The Black Suit: What Every Woman Needs

Written by on · 24 Comments

The perfect black suit is a staple in any professional woman’s wardrobe. This weekend, I bought a brand-new black suit from Banana Republic. It cost quite a bit ($140 for the blazer, $55 for the pencil skirt, and $55 for the matching shift dress, and that’s including a 30% in-store coupon). However, I’ve had my current suit since 2004, and I figured with all the interviews I’ve been having that it’s time for a new ensemble.

Banana Republic Black Suitt The Black Suit: What Every Woman Needs

Why the perfect black suit?

Although there are many great dark neutrals (charcoal gray is one of my favorites, navy can also be very chic), it’s a rare woman who cannot benefit from a well-structured black suit. Black is sleek, versatile, and professional – it’s a stylish body of armor in which we are prepared to take on the world. When I put on a black suit, I am ready to do battle get the job, close the deal, make the case.

With that said, here is my guide to buying the perfect black suit for women:

1. What to buy: If possible, I’d like to buy all 3-4 pieces of the black suit in the same fabric: the blazer, the skirt, the pants, (and possibly the sheath dress / tank dress). I didn’t buy the pants this weekend because I have a pair of pants in the same wool at home. Having a variety of matching pieces will help you mix-and-match to get the most wear out of your suiting.

2. Fabric: I prefer a lightweight wool suit that is suitable (pun intended!) for three seasons of the year. Wool is considered the most professional and conservative fabric choice for a suit. Even though there are many cute options in cotton satin or linen, wool is a far “safer” and more durable choice. Avoid blends with too much polyester. I like my suit to have a hint of a stretch, so I find the 4% Elastane in the Banana Republic suit appealing.

3. Style: Classic is the way to go for a professional black suit, especially if you only have one. Of course, if you get a second suit you can be a little more adventurous with the styling.

  • Blazer: Classic means a 2-button or 3-button blazer (2-buttons are more flattering on petite ladies), long sleeves (no 3-quarter sleeves), and single-breasted with a notched lapel.  Mandarin or cut-out collars are very stylish, but might be too casual for a formal environment or an interview.
  • Skirt should be pencil or a slight A-line, with a slit in the back for movement.
  • Pants can be flat-front or pleated, although I’d say for 99.999% of women (who are not 6′ feet tall models) flat-front is infinitely more flattering. The leg should be straight or a slight trouser cut.
  • The sheath dress can be sleeved, sleeveless, or with capped sleeves (like the one I got). You’d want it to look professional enough to wear on its own in the office. Make sure the style flatters your body type. For example, I am quite petite, this means I have to make sure the bottom hits just above my knees -but not any higher- so that I don’t look frumpy.

3. Fit: This is the most important aspect of a suit. If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t look good. It can be a challenge buying blazers for me – most of the time I get that unsightly gap under my arms because the armholes are cut too large. So I was very happy when I found a blazer in my size – and no tailoring needed! That made paying $140 a little easier. But if you need a tailor, go get one. The money will be well worth it. Tailoring = looking like a million bucks.

4. Where to buy: I’ve seen nice black suits for reasonable prices at Banana Republic, J.Crew, Ann Taylor, and Ann Taylor Loft (use coupons liberally, if you can). If you have the budget to splurge a bit, I’ve heard very good things about Theory or Tahari. Those who want a more feminine cut cannot go wrong with Nanette Lepore (although I’ve seen the prices. And they scare me).

Money Saving Tips For Shopping

Written by on · 29 Comments

This is a guest post by Mr. Credit Card of www.askmrcreditcard.com, a website on credit card offers and deals. Today, he is highlighting some of the money saving tips that has helped Mrs. Credit Card and him on their shopping trips. The opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author (Mr. Credit Card).

Pentagon city mall Money Saving Tips For Shopping

1. Go to a sales tax free state – I live in Pennsylvania in the Delaware County. State of Delaware is just a 30 minute drive away for me. Whenever there is a big ticket item to be purchased, Mrs. Credit Card and I consider if we should drive to Delaware where there is no sales tax. We have done so for things like buying wine and alcohol beverage for a party where the savings can be substantial. If you are looking to buy an Apple computer, such a trip would be worth it because it could mean a 6% savings just on sales tax. [editor's edit: as comments have pointed out, this practice may be illegal / unethical. Follow your conscience (and the law) in this matter].

2. Get store employees to get discount – This is one of our favorite techniques to save money. For example, we presently know someone who works in Macy’s in Delaware. She is able to get discounts as a staff employee, on top of current sale prices. For example, a kids size North Face Denali Jacket was priced at $84.99 and there is an additional 50% off. With her employee discount, she got my son a toasty jacket at a cool $30! Beat that! [editor's edit: when I worked at a clothing retailer in high school, employees were given 50% discount for themselves and 30% discount for their friends and families. I assume Mr. Credit Card is referring to the above situation. Obviously, if using discounts for any friend is against the rules, it's not so nice to ask your friend to risk their jobs for you.]

3. Buy kids size if you are petite – Mrs. Credit Card is rather petite. So she finds it hard to shop at regular stores. Very often, she finds stuff at the kids sections. For some reason, a kids size clothing may be the identical size as an adult XS but cost substantially less. One example is the North Face Denali fleece jacket that Mrs. Credit Card has. The XS in the adult section is exactly the same size as the Large for kids. Yet the one in the kids section is cheaper! So if you are petite, you could potentially save money simply because of your size. Check the kid section and not just XS in the adult section.

4. Make use of student discounts – Many stores give discounts for students. I recently got an Apple laptop (the MacBook Pro). I got a friend’s girlfriend to product her student ID and I got discounts on the computer and the Apple Care Protection warranty. Funny thing was I was advised to do so by the people at Apple! The catch was that this student could not use her student ID to get any discounts from Apple for one year. There are lots of places that give discounts if you can produce a student ID card (never throw them away!). Make use of them cos the savings you can get are quite good.

5. Make use of business discounts – Many stores also give discounts for business or bulk purchases, especially in electronics. If you are going to buy a high priced item, check if the store gives business discount. I know for a fact that Apple gives a discount for business purchases over $5,000 dollars. Some stores may require that you get a store credit card to get a discount. If the savings is large enough, then it might not be such a bad idea. Always ask. You’ll be surprised with how you can save money shopping.

6. Make use of credit card shopping portal – This is one of the money saving tips that nobody really talks about – a hidden gem, if you will. Many credit cards (Chase Freedom, Discover, Citi mtvU) have introduced online shopping portals. If you log into your account and go to the online retailers site via your credit card account and use the card, you could get cash rebates and discounts. They range from 2% to as high as 20%. This could really add up to quite a bit. Using the Apple computer as an example, you could shop at apple.com through your Discover account and earn 5% rebates. Plus you could also make use of your student or business discount. That is what I would call “discount stacking”! Just like coupon stacking! These portals also allow you to save at places like Lands Ends, Best Buy, Overstock etc. When you shop this way when they are giving away free shipping, the savings and convenience really adds up. Aside from using shopping portals, simply using cash back rewards credit cards will already save you money via cash rebates.

7. Use credit card warranties and protection – Most credit card companies offer some form of protection and insurance when you use their card for your purchases. For example, you could get a product loss or accidental damage protection for up to 90 days. You could also get extended warranty feature. This can save you some money from purchasing additional warranty. All of the cards out there, American Express credit cards probably have the best warranty feature.

8. Look out for deals and coupons – I’ve used coupons at grocery stores and other retailers. Supercuts is giving $2 discount for any haircut (equal $6 for 3 kids) and 20% off additional services. Another coupon is $5 off total bill for party of 2 or more and $10 off total bill for party of 4 or more at a local restaurant. Although we hardly eat at McDonald’s, those coupons can also shave your bill into half easily. Bed Bath and Beyond also has an ongoing 20% discount off any purchase (any amount and even applies to Sale & Clearance items) and they always accept expired coupons. I always keep them when they come in the mail as they come in handy.

9. Shop in outlets – My guess is there is probably one near you within an hour drive. It’s not a shopping trip you want to make every week. However, one trip every 3 to 6 months can save you money and keep you in style. Also, time your trip during their “sales” period and you’ll save even more. Most of the stores have additional discounts in January and July. Call ahead and find out. Mrs CC once bought the cutest pair of Disney sandals for our little girl for less than $3 and Levi jeans for the kids for $4 a pair. Insane. If you are into designer brands, even Uggs, North Face, Under Armor, Gucci, Prada (the list goes on) are in the outlets. Check out www.outletbound.com.

These are our money saving shopping tips. Leave your tips in the comments below.

image source: wikipedia.org

7 Steps In Overcoming Rejections In Job Search

Written by on · 33 Comments

rejection 7 Steps In Overcoming Rejections In Job Search

Rejections during job search are disappointing, to be sure. Nobody likes to be told that they were qualified candidates, but the management has decided to go in another direction. In this environment, however, rejections are common-place through out the job search and interview process. After the initial disappointment wears off a bit, there’s really only one way to act, and that’s to handle this setback like the smart and competent professional that you are. Speaking as a job-hunter with, ah, some experience in this subject, I have found 7 steps that help in overcoming a rejection in a job search.

1. Don’t take it personally: It’s hard, but being rejected for a job is not the same as being rejected as a person. It’s not. Repeat it to yourself if necessary. There may be a thousand reasons why you weren’t hired for a particular position – and many of them you can’t control. Learn from the experience, but don’t dwell on it.

2. Do something active to help clear your head: I’ve found that physical activity helps me push through the initial doldrums after a rejection. If running helps you clear your mind, go make a few laps. If video games helps you work through your feelings, get ready for the God of War (some would claim video gaming is “active” – I neither agree nor disagree icon wink 7 Steps In Overcoming Rejections In Job Search ). When I’m feeling down, I tango, preferably to fast and furious music. Bring on the endorphins!

3. Be professional: Rejection is a part of business and it’s a part of life. Behave with dignity, graciousness, and professionalism, and you’ll never look back and have that moment of “d’oh! I can’t believe I did that.” Send the Human Resources contact or your interviewers an email thanking them for their time and ask them to keep you in mind if another opportunity opens up later.

4. Be thankful: If you had gotten that job you were interviewing for, it would’ve been really easy to have gratitude. But even in rejection, you have learned things, made contacts, and improved your interview skills.

5. Ask for feedback: There’s never any harm in asking politely “What can I do to make myself a stronger candidate in the future?” Some people will tell you, some won’t. Sometimes the feedback will be concrete (“we wanted you to have more experience in marketing”, or “your analysis of this case study was too disorganized”), and sometimes it will be more subjective (“we went with someone who was a better fit”). If you do get feedback, thank the interviewer. Feedback can be valuable information for you to incorporate into your future job interviews.

6. Reach out to people: Talk to friends who get you, and mentors who can advise you. I was feeling bummed out a few days ago, and my friend sent me this email that’s part hilarious, part heart-warming. It was great. And I felt better after I read it. I also connected with a smart and accomplished lady, whom I consider a mentor and a great role model in career AND in life – her encouragement and insights are priceless. People’s willingness to help and share their thoughts never fail to surprise me.

7. Keep moving forward: Immediately after I received a rejection, I applied to two more jobs, and I was pleasantly surprised when I got another interview a few hours after I emailed my resume. Do not let a rejection become a crushing blow, instead, treat it as an impetus to move forward and be prepared for the next opportunity on the job search.

This post was included in Carnival of Personal Finance and the first edition of the Yakezie Challenge Carnival.

How to Find The Right Tango Teacher

Written by on · 6 Comments

tango dancers How to Find The Right Tango TeacherSo.. you want to learn tango? icon wink How to Find The Right Tango Teacher

I’ve been dancing 2-5 hours a week since last September, and I’ve found a handful of great teachers and practicas that I like. Finding a great teacher is so important for one’s development and enjoyment of tango. If you are a beginner who is just starting to get into the dance, and you want to know how to find the right tango teacher, here are my suggestions of what to keep in mind:

1. Argentine tango is a different animal than ballroom tango. They are two separate dances – different music, different techniques, different steps (I am partial to Argentine tango, although I love watching both types of dance). If you want to learn Argentine tango, don’t go to a ballroom dance teacher! My personal preference is for teachers that teach Argentine tango exclusively.

2. Google – many big cities have websites with long lists of tango instructor and classes. (See New York, Los Angeles, Austin, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington, D.C.). This might be your first stop. Make a short list of classes that work with your schedule and check out at least 3-4 teachers when you first start.

3. Ask around. Once you begin going to classes and practicas, you can ask the other students there who they study with and which teachers they like – some teachers are wonderful at teach big, complicated, flashy dance moves, but other teachers are master technicians. If you are starting out, I’d recommend the technicians. The big flashy moves will come later if you have good fundamentals. I found my favorite teacher by asking a student about his experience.

4. Try it out. I’d suggest going to each teacher at least twice to get a feel of their teaching style, and just as importantly, the type of students they have in their class. It’s important to feel comfortable with the instructor and your fellow students, especially when you’ll be dancing in such close proximity.

5. Costs: It doesn’t have to cost much for you to get started in tango. Classes will cost $10-$20 each, and usually runs from 1 hour to 1.5 hours. Most classes are pay-as-you-go, some instructors offer discounts for buying classes in bulk. Tango shoes cost $150+, but you can hold off on getting the shoes until you are certain you want to stick to the dance. In the meantime, heels with stable straps for the ladies and leather shoes with slick soles for the men should suffice. Otherwise, all you need for your first class are breath mints / gum and a smile!

image source: flickriver.com

Travel List: What To Do Before You Leave For Vacation

Written by on · 14 Comments

This time Friday, I’ll be at Disney World hanging out with my two favorite guys – boyfriend and the Mouse! A very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Here is a Travel List of “to do’s” I’ve found helpful in the few days leading up to a vacation:

Travel logistics

  • Confirm hotel reservations and flight reservations
  • Print record of confirmation numbers and contact information for hotel & airline

Packing

  • Check accuweather.com for weather updates about your destination
  • Do laundry (nothing worse than having a big bag of laundry to do when you get home from a nice vacation).
  • Pack accordingly (and bring at least 1 pair of comfortable shoes!)

Identification

  • Make sure you have your driver’s license or state ID for domestic travel
  • Passport for international travel

Money

  • Credit card / debit card
  • $20-$50 in cash
  • $100 in local currency (if you are traveling internationally)

Electronics

  • Cell phone & charger (and get adapter if traveling internationally)
  • Laptop & charger if you’re bringing them

Medication

  • Prescription medication
  • Doctor’s note if you’re traveling internationally
  • Small first-aid kit with band-aid’s, Neosporin, a few cotton swabs and tweezers

Household

  • Turn off all the lights
  • Check doors and windows are locked
  • Take out the trash – your nose will thank you when you return
  • If you’re going away for more than 1 week, ask neighbors to get your mail or contact post office to hold your mail for pick up when you get back
  • If you’re going away for more than a month, turn off refrigerator.

Information to bring with you

  • Phone numbers of credit card company (in case your card is stolen on the trip)
  • Phone numbers of close family members / friends (in case your phone is stolen on the trip)
  • Poison Control Center number (hey, you never know…)

Emergency Contact

  • Send an email of your travel information (where you are staying, flight #’s, your travel companions’ name, number, and address, planned itinerary) to two people you trust
  • I might  have watched too many CSI shows but if anything happens, you’ll be glad there’s a paper trail

Have I forgotten anything? What essentials would you add to this Travel List?

How to Host a Dinner Party On a Budget

Written by on · 6 Comments

dinner part copy How to Host a Dinner Party On a Budget

Hosting a dinner party is always fun, but right now I need my get-togethers to be budget-friendly as well. Remember when I made crab cakes? That was for a group of 5 or 6 friends. The crab cakes were delicious and everyone loved them, but, crabs are expensive! Two pounds of crabs cost $20 out the door. Add in the other food and ingredients and I’m looking at $40 that night. I love to entertain and I want to do it often, but I can’t spend $20 on one dish more than once in a while.

That’s where a budget dinner party comes in. When I decided to host another dinner last night, I decided to look to a humble ingredient – the potato. I also had a few pescatarians and vegetarians in my party, so I decided to serve a scalloped potatoes (without bacon bits) as the main dish. It’s perfect for a chilly night: filling, tasty, and easy on the wallet.

Here’s how you can host dinner parties on a budget, and keep your stress level low:

1. Serve a main dish that uses low-cost ingredients (eggs, potatoes, flour, etc.). This strategy will help keep costs down. After all, if you are serving lobster tails with truffle butter, your costs will not be low no matter what you do (but oh, will your dinner be scrumptious!). Using inexpensive ingredients also mean that if you somehow mess up during the course of cooking and have to use more material, it’ll be okay. Even if you drop a whole carton of eggs, you’ll only be out $2 or $3. Unlike, say, if you drop a bowl of crab on the floor. That will be $10 down the drain.

2. Skip the decorations but fire up the ambiance with candles or mood lighting. A dinner party doesn’t need fancy decorations to be fun. After all, laughter is free! Most of the time, I don’t bother with theme or decor or all that jazz! Some candles (tea lights are $1.99 a package at IKEA) will do the trick nicely.

3. Ask your guests to bring wine / dessert / side dish. If your guests are as great as mine, they will ask you what they can bring. Don’t be shy to let them know that beverages or side dishes would be appreciated. I always say, “if you can bring something, wine or dessert would be great!” And my guests usually all bring a little something to share with the group. This cuts down on your costs, but most importantly it minimizes the time you spend preparing and cooking so you have more time to spend with your guests.

What are your best tips for hosting a dinner party on a budget?

How To Practice Safe and Responsible Credit Card Use

Written by on · 9 Comments

Wait, you mean you never had a credit card education class in school? Okay, me neither. The quality of education these days!

safe credit card use How To Practice Safe and Responsible Credit Card Use

But there’s no reason that high schools or colleges shouldn’t offer a class like this. After all, credit card education isn’t an awkward topic like the other type of ed we had in our adolescent years, so there’s no reason to be bashful on talking about the practice of safe credit card use. icon smile How To Practice Safe and Responsible Credit Card Use

Why you should practice safe credit card use:

Credit cards are a tool that can make your financial life (and by extension, your non-financial life) better or worse, depending on your actions.

If you practice responsible and safe credit card use, you increase your chances of having a healthy and productive relationship with your credit cards, credit report, personal budget, and all instances in which you will have to apply for loans (mortgage, car loan, private education loans, etc.). If you don’t practice safe credit card use, well, then you will catch a nasty case of CTD – credit transmitted disease. Symptoms might include feelings of fatigue (I’m so tired of all these bills), anger (why is the company charging me a 29% APR?!), and in the worst case, bankruptcy, which can do a real number on your credit profile.

How to practice safe and responsible credit card use:

1. Recognize that credit cards are a method of payment (much like cash, checks, electronic transfers, etc.), not a source of funds for payment. You can read more about this philosophy of credit use at my BlogHer post.

2. Pay off your balance in full every month (the safest way!), or at least always be sure to pay the minimum payment. This will help you avoid the hefty late fees and finance charges. However, if you are a good customer and you run into these charges, many credit card companies will waive them for you.

3. Keep track of  your spending – it doesn’t have to be down to the dollars and cents, but have an approximate guideline of how much you can put on your credit card. This will also help you from coming too close to your credit limit.

4. Keep your friends close, and your credit cards closer. Make sure you always know exactly where your credit cards are. This way, if a card is lost or stolen, you will notice and can report the fraud quickly.

5. Use virtual account numbers when you shop online, especially at a site that you’re unfamiliar with. Some cards offer virtual account numbers – which are numbers generated specifically for a short period of time (say, a few days). This way, the online merchant does not have access to your real credit card number if a hacker breaks in the system or if there are other security breaches. This feature helps protect you in the Wild Wild West of online credit use.

6. Limit your number of credit cards. Most experts recommend 2-4 credit cards. More credit cards means more cards, more credit limits, more due dates, to keep track of.

7. Don’t share your credit with just anyone. Remember, you worked hard to build and maintain a good credit history. Think long and hard before you become joint account holders / cosigners with someone else. If you become a joint account holder / cosigner, you might become 100% liable for the debt that is accumulated on that account if your partner turns out to be less than sterling credit user. Please do your own research, understand the consequences, and honestly evaluate if that person would be a good credit partner.

8. Last, but not least, enjoy your credit cards! Responsible credit card use can be a beautiful thing. I use my credit card rewards points to get Sephora gift cards. Perhaps you are an avid traveler and can get air miles on your card? Or you own a small business and receive cash back on your business account? The possibilities are out there – safe credit use help you avoid credit-related diseases and enjoy a happy, healthy relationship with your credit cards.

Job Fairs: How to Prepare So You Stand Out

Written by on · 17 Comments

jobfairs 300x280 Job Fairs: How to Prepare So You Stand Out

Job fairs can be a great opportunity for applicants to interact with many different companies. But if you don’t prepare adequately, job fairs can be a disaster. Last week, I attended a job fair – prior to the event I debated whether I should go. I had heard the horror stories about long lines that snake twice around the city blocks and the paltry company-to-applicant ratio.

In the end, I’m glad I decided to go. I had a good experience because the job fair had a good ratio of companies to candidates and I had very clear and realistic expectations going in (make contacts with Companies ABC & XYZ), which I fulfilled.

Here’s how to figure out what job fairs are worth a visit and to prepare for job fairs so you stand out among the other applicants.

Before Job Fairs:

1. Determine if this job fair is worth your time and effort. Look at the requirements for attendance – for example, some fairs require a 4-year degree, others don’t. Some fairs are specialized (i.e. teaching professionals or high-tech workers only), others are general. Look at the location (is it 15 minutes away? 3 hours away?).

2. Go over the company list (most job fairs would offer this information online) and pick 2-3 companies that are your top choices.

3. Spend 30-40 minutes researching your top choices, particularly on any programs / specific functions you are interested in. Spend another 10-15 minutes studying a few other companies that you are interested in.

4. Print out copies of your resume. Make sure your contact information is correct! I’d suggest 2 copies for each company you plan to visit. Then add another 5 just in case.

5. Get to the job fair early if you can. It’s an advantage to be among the first group getting in the door.

At Job Fairs:

1. Hit your top 2 or 3 companies first – they might become much busier later in the day (this was my experience).

2. Be attentive, engaging and personable.  Be proud of your accomplishments and don’t apologize for being out of work. Ask good questions that let recruiters know you’ve done your research, but don’t act like a know-it-all. Try to get at least 5 minutes of quality time with them, but don’t monopolize their time if there are other applicants waiting. Get a business card and thank the recruiters for their time.

3. Avoid job fair burnout. It’s probably unrealistic to go to each company’s booth – don’t pressure yourself to do so. It’s better to present yourself well to a smaller handful of companies than try to go see every company just for the sake of doing so. I decided that I had 3 places I wanted to go see, and everything else was just gravy.

4. Mingle with other candidates. I met a couple of nice people and exchanged information. Who knows, I might see an opening that they will be interested in, and maybe vice versa. Good karma never hurts.

5. Be nice and professional to everyone, including the hotel staff. One lady angrily exclaimed at the front desk that she won’t be paying for hotel parking because she has been out of work for a year and can’t afford the $10 fee. If a recruiter overhears her, what impression would that lady have created? (The job fair advertisement didn’t mention a parking fee, but a quick call to the hotel would have resolved that question).

After Job Fairs:

1. Follow up with recruiters from your top 2-3 choices and/or with whom you have established a rapport. A short and sweet email will do the trick.  Just remind them of where you met (job fair and date), reiterate your interest in the company, and thank them for their time. Attach a resume.

2.  Stop at the yellow light, especially if the intersection is in a revenue-hungry city has a Red-Light Camera. Seriously. Or else you will be end up like me and be out $500+. Hence rendering it a very expensive job fair, indeed.

How To Poach A Perfect Egg (In Pictures!)

Written by on · 12 Comments

For the longest time, I couldn’t poach an egg. It was frustrating because I love to eat poached eggs but can only have them in restaurants. But now, I’ve figured it out (hint: shallow pan + vinegar!). Poached egg is the purest way of eating an egg – no oil, no butter, just delicious eggy goodness. And because it’s an egg, it’s super cheap – less than $0.25 per poached egg. I just poached an egg (the most perfect looking egg I’ve ever poached) and have captured it in pictures for posterity.

So here is my step-by-step guide of how to poach a perfect egg:

1. Fill a small and shallow saucepan (2-3 inches deep) with water. Put on a gentle boil (small bubbles in the water). Just remember, the smaller the saucepan, the easier it will be for you to control the water temperature.

010 300x225 How To Poach A Perfect Egg (In Pictures!)

2. Pour 2 tablespoons of white vinegar into the water. The vinegar will help the egg whites stay together.

012 300x225 How To Poach A Perfect Egg (In Pictures!)

3. Break an egg into a small bowl or cup.

011 300x225 How To Poach A Perfect Egg (In Pictures!)

4. Gently slide the egg from the bowl into the saucepan. The egg will come to rest at the bottom of the saucepan – this is another reason why a shallow pan works best.

013 300x225 How To Poach A Perfect Egg (In Pictures!)

5. Use spatula to push egg whites towards the center of the egg. This makes the egg look pretty and collected. Then let egg sit in simmering water for ~3 minutes until the egg whites are firm. ***NOTE: if your pan is very shallow like mine (around 1.5 inches), the top of the egg doesn’t quite get cooked. So you may have to carefully flip the egg over to ensure the egg whites are all cooked. Use a spatula and a spoon for this task. Take care not to break the yolk.

014 300x225 How To Poach A Perfect Egg (In Pictures!)

6. Use a slotted spoon to lift egg out of water bath. (I don’t have a slotted spoon, so I just use a wooden spatula and a spoon to carefully get the egg out of the bath). If you’d like, you can use a paper towel to pat the egg dry.

0151 300x225 How To Poach A Perfect Egg (In Pictures!)

7. Garnish with your choice of seasoning. (I used pepper and garlic salt)

016 300x225 How To Poach A Perfect Egg (In Pictures!)

8. Break into the egg. Rejoice as the yolk flows out like a pool of sunshine. Enjoy!

018 300x225 How To Poach A Perfect Egg (In Pictures!)

Unemployed or In-Between Jobs? 4 Ways to Keep Moving and Grooving

Written by on · 10 Comments

As I enter my 3rd week of “in-between opportunities,” here’s what I’ve realized: the freedom to construct your own schedule means the responsibility to construct your own schedule.

Without a job to keep me at my desk for 10+ hours a day, it’s easy while away a whole day watching YouTube and chatting with friends (not that I have done it or anything…). But time is precious, and I don’t want this time to pass by without having anything to show for it.

If you are a young adult who is in-between jobs right now, like I am, there are blessings to be found! You probably don’t have any big obligations like a mortgage or college tuition for kids. You’re geographically flexible. You now have the opportunity to do amazing things that will be more difficult to do later on in life:

1. Freelance Projects / Internships: I’ve been working on a couple of freelance projects (hopefully I can share more information soon). Through these projects, I will develop another set of skills, expand my network, bring in a little bit of income, and set visible goals to work towards (not having any obligations gets boring after a while). The people I’ve been in contact with are really smart and seem good to work with, and I’m excited to be partnering with them. And it’s interesting work.

I am a big proponent of freelance projects and internships. Everything that you do during this time to further develop your abilities and contacts can only help you later on. A friend of mine took an internship at a online media company and did so well that they offered him a full-time job. So now he has a new career path (that he enjoys much more than his old one) and a repertoire of new skills, thanks to that internship.

2. Hobbies / Personal Goals: Have you ever said, I wish I had the time to do XYZ? This can be anything that you’ve wanted to do – run a marathon, volunteer on a political campaign, cook a 6-course meal, write a book – now’s the time to do it, with no more excuses.

My biggest hobby right now is Argentine Tango (and salsa, though salsa is a flirtation while tango has my heart). I’ve been dancing up a storm – taking 2-3 classes a week. I can tell that my frame is stronger, my following ability is more responsive, my posture more correct. I’m still light-years away from becoming a tanguera, but getting there is half the fun, no?

3. Languages: The ability to speak and read a second (or third, or fourth) language is an enriching skill both professionally and personally.Why not take this opportunity to brush up on your foreign language skills or start learning a new language? If you don’t have money to hire a private tutor, you can enroll in community college classes or arrange a language exchange (see Craigslist).

During the next few months, I plan on concentrating on business Chinese Mandarin to prepare myself for the possibility of pursuing opportunities in China in the future. I already have a background in the language, so that helps. But I want to go from “Dinner was really nice. My favorite dish was the Kung Pao Chicken.” (conversational) to “My experience in business analysis and strategic review will help your company in its expansion efforts.” (professional).

4. Travel: Where do you want to go? What’s stopping you? I know so many people who’ve traveled extensively during their time off. This is when you can truly take advantage of mid-week airfare / hotel specials or be able to take off months to go travel the world. I have a friend who is doing a self-constructed Scuba World Tour.  You can bet that will be much more memorable than spending 6 months sleeping in and staying up late.

Where do I want to go? Too many places to count! Austin, D.C., New York, China, Argentina, Galapagos, etc. etc. I’ll try to knock several of those off my list.

The worst thing to do is to sit around and do nothing. So go do something already. icon wink Unemployed or In Between Jobs? 4 Ways to Keep Moving and Grooving If you’re in-between jobs and doing something cool, share in the comments!

Label Then Archive: How to Manage Emails in Gmail

Written by on · 8 Comments

I have come to realize that the trick to managing Gmail correctly is to master both an art and a science. My email system (Gmail) was a BEAST. Imagine 5 years of emails in one inbox with nothing deleted, nothing archived, and everything haphazardly labeled or not at all. My Gmail was a big hot Gmess. I finally couldn’t deal with it anymore, and spent 3 hours going through my account.

Here’s how I cleared up my Gmail email account, revamped my organizational structure, and got clean from the messy inbox addiction. I’ve used a modified version of Dave Allen’s Getting Things Done, and I think it’s this method of managing emails in Gmail works quite well for me.

Create 6 labels:

  • 1. To Be Reviewed
  • 2. Wait for Action
  • Career
  • Personal
  • Finances
  • Reference

The first 2 labels are what I call Master Labels (put a number or an underscore in front so they will always show up first in your Gmail sidebar).

The other 4 labels are what I call Categorical Labels. On a side note, I’ve found that more general labels work better for me. Previously, I’ve had as many as 20+ different labels. But I wouldn’t use them consistently, because there are so many choices to select from. Pretty soon, instead of spending a minute pondering if a resume-related email should be labeled Career, Work, Resume, or Applications, I just threw my hands up and left that email unlabeled and unarchived in my inbox.

Not a good system.

Now, my new and much-improved system is basically this: See an email in the inbox, asks self.

Can I deal with this email in 5 minutes?

  • Yes -> Read and/or respond. Then tag with appropriate Categorical Label (for example, a email about a friend’s travel plans would be labeled Personal) then archive.
  • No -> Label the email To Be Reviewed. Archive. Go back to To Be Reviewed folder later. Then repeat the process above.

If I am waiting for something (say, a refund confirmation with the customer service department of a web retailer), I’ll tag that email with the Wait For Action label. This means that the email’s issue has not been resolved yet. I’m waiting for someone else to act on a request, or that they owe me additional information. Then I’ll label and archive the email.

The key is to never let the emails pile up (especially not for 5 years….).

Breaking free from the clutter of emails made me feel so… free! Having a clean, empty inbox is quite invigorating. I like it. Managing emails in Gmail doesn’t have to be hard, but it does require a certain degree of discipline. It’s easy to let the system slide… but as long as you don’t let it go for too long, the situation is easily remedied.

Cheap Ways to Keep Flames Alive in Your Relationship

Written by on · 16 Comments

Forget about romantic weekends at a bed & breakfast or island cruises. Those are wonderful ways to rejuvenate your relationship, but recessionary times calls for tighter budgets.

Besides, simply spending time together (even in a relaxing, romantic setting) might not be enough to keep the flames burning. According to a study detailed in the New York Times, couples who try new activities together will get that extra brain chemistry akin to those-newly-in-love.

Rather than visiting the same familiar haunts and dining with the same old friends, couples need to tailor their date nights around new and different activities that they both enjoy, says Arthur Aron, a professor of social psychology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. The goal is to find ways to keep injecting novelty into the relationship. The activity can be as simple as trying a new restaurant or something a little more unusual or thrilling — like taking an art class or going to an amusement park.

With that criteria in mind (who am I to question science?), here are some cheap and scientific ways to make your relationship sparkle like a vampire (please forgive the Twilight reference):

1. Ballroom or Latin dance class. Even if you have two left feet, try it out. It’s a fun, social activity where close embrace is encouraged, the man gets to be the leader and the woman is treated as a lady. If you have rhythm, Argentine tango is a good dance to try. After all, it’s a dance described as the vertical expression of horizontal desire. Classes are affordable at $10-$15 per session.

2. Kayaking. Rent a kayak for $20 to $30 an hour and you’ve got a exciting trip out into the big blue ocean. Take turns paddling or try to keep time together. But you don’t need to achieve perfect synchronization for brain chemistry to turn on.

3. Amusement parks. What better way to act like giddy teenagers than to scream your head off on the top of a rollercoaster, munch on calorie-laden treats, and hold hands as you stroll through Cinderella’s Castle? For 2009, Disneyland and Disney World are offering free admissions on your birthday. Split the remaining ticket’s difference and enjoy Disney-brand happiness for less. Or, visit a lesser-known amusement park – they often offer specials that makes a day affordable. $15-$35 per person.

*By the way, all the methods above are tested by yours truly. They work.

How to Build a “Stationery Wardrobe” on a Budget

Written by on · 5 Comments

Written correspondence is one of the little joys of the fast-paced, technologically-dependent world we live in. That’s why I love stationery, and have dedicated several posts to the wonders of Crane and Papyrus.

New York Times just published The lettered set, an article about people who spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on custom stationery from famous stationers such as Printery, Crane & Co., or Grosvenor Stationery Company. I loved reading the descriptions of the papers… a girl can dream, right? icon wink How to Build a Stationery Wardrobe on a Budget

But it’s a mistake to think that a stationery wardrobe is only for the rich or the famous. I’ll likely never spend $500 on 100 notecards with matching, tissue-lined envelopes from Dempsey & Carroll, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy and use stationery.

You don’t need to spend a ton of money on engraved stationery (although you can. And it’d look fabulous). In fact, I don’t even have special paper for letter-writing – I use them too infrequently to justify the cost. Instead, I keep in a shoe box a small but steadying growing collection filled with notes and cards.

Just as a classic wardrobe has its staples (little black dress, fitted jacket, kitten heels, etc.), a stationery wardrobe also have key pieces (which, in my humble and very non-expert opinion, are):

1. Thank-you cards. The thank-you card is the cornerstone of a stationery wardrobe – it’s the piece that you’ll likely use the most often. I send thank-you notes after job interviews , dinner at friends, etc. Right now, I have 3 different sets of thank-you notes: two from Crane (I tend to reserve these for business purposes), and a set of studier and “cuter” cards that I send to friends.

I am partial to Crane – the quality of its stationery is just so lovely. The cards aren’t cheap, but the website often have sales of 50% off or more. You can also check out discount stores such as Marshalls, where I’ve seen Crane thank-you cards for $5 a set (usually $15).

2.  Blank cards / notes. These will be the workhorses of your collection. I have sets in several design – a “Sex and the City” style in pink and black, a “zen” design in muted green, and a quirky Hallmark card with a little imprint of a lamp and a tagline “Watt’s up” (get it? Lamp -> lightbulb -> watts -> what’s up?). I also saw that at Marshalls, and LOVED it. Who knew that Hallmark is so clever?

I use these cards for every and anything. Congratulations, condolences, catch-up notes.

3. Birthday cards. A birthday greeting on Facebook is nice, but birthday cards are even better! I have a set of birthday cards, and a couple of special ones I bought from Papyrus.

When I see sets I like and that I know are a good price, I stock up. One tip – when buying stationery, check out the design/quality of the envelopes. Many times discount stores have cute, super affordable cards for $2-$5 for a set of 10 or 15 cards. Sometimes, the envelopes are plain, white, and thin. I usually pass on these as I prefer colored and/or lined envelopes.

With the above 3 types of stationery, you will be prepared for 99.9% of normal stationery needs. Happy writing!

P.S. Here’s an easy way to remember the difference between stationery (paper goods) and stationary (standing still): stationery = paper.