The Frugalista Files

Should we spend this holiday season?

Oh my! This personal finance blogger says that we should spend this holiday season. Jeff Brown argues that if you live frugally during the year, why not treat yourself and loved ones to some nice gifts?  Jeff says that much of our financial woes are due to buying too much house, buying expensive cars or purchasing $4 lattes that fritter away our cash. Holiday spending isn't the real culprit of our deep financial woes.

Gulp! I guess it makes sense. If you behave and respect your earnings throughout the year, why not do the Santa Claus thing?

This year, I'm spending a little bit more than I did last year on Christmas. I'm going to get the niece some Sesame Street stuff because she's working on her numbers. I can't write what I'm getting Mama Frugalista because she reads the blog from time to time. I think my spending style will be Frugalista Claus. LOL. Good gifts but tempered spending.

What's your holiday spending plan? Super frugal? Mrs. Claus-style? Regular? What are you buying? What's on your Christmas list. I know that I'm getting a Princess Tiana doll from my mother, which is why she is on my blog, today. How old am I? LOL

Frugalista's Black Friday links

Please be kind to each other on Friday and don't try to stampede, ok? I have to work tomorrow, so have fun in the Black Friday rush. Before you go, please check out some of these links so you can get some good info to make your day bright!  Retail responsibly! Kthx. 

The Wall Street Journal wrote a comprehensive blog of all the Black Friday deals and cool sites.

Savings.com is pretty aggressive this year with the Black Friday report.

Toutie is one of my favorite twitter peeps, and she always has deals on deck.

Sicka than Average has some of her favorite picks online for a little bit of retail therapy.

What's on your holiday list? Are you doing the 4 a.m. thing? Wait, are you lined up at the big boxes, already? Need a chair? 

Frugalista loves her hair--and that may be a problem!

Oh no! I need help. Please say something to your higher powers for me. One of my biggest expenses in the past has been my hair. I used to get it done, every two weeks, spending at least $70 a month on my hair. When I get a relaxer, my hair can run well over $100 per month.  To save money, I've have been styling my hair at home, like a good little Frugalista...then HE moved to town.

He is Kenny, a stylist from Atlanta who decided to downsize his life and move to Miami for water and waves. Kenny does one of my childhood friend's hair who now lives in Orlando. She drives three hours from Orlando to Miami to have Kenny style her tresses. She introduced me to Kenny and told me I needed to see him.

I was content with my hair, but it has been a long time since I really felt like a stylist could really "smoke" my hair. The stylist I use keeps my hair healthy but her cuts are uneven. Also, she sometimes doesn't have an assistant, making me wait an hour before she starts my services. Quite honestly, she made it easy for me to "want" to stay home and do my own hair. It was becoming a chore going to her. 

So anyway, I knew I was going out of town so I went to my regular stylist who was too busy to see me within an hour and the kids in the salon were acting out. I jetted and decided to give Kenny a shot.

Well, I let Kenny do my hair. I.LOVE.MY.HAIR. He shaped it, conditioned it and styled it wonderfully! I have not felt this great in a LONG TIME about my hair. I gave him a hug afterward and called all of my friends about this new love, er stylist in my life.

For a basic style, Kenny is about 10 to $15 more expensive than my regular stylist. But, I LOVE MY HAIR. Also, Kenny specializes in growing hair and transitioning women from using relaxers to wearing natural hair. So now, I want to go natural. I want to do whatever Kenny says. Kenny and Natalie forever!

Oh no! Has Kenny killed Operation Frugalista? If I hadn't been exposed to his touch, I wouldn't be trying to figure out ways to create a "Kenny budget." What about my savings? If I never gave him a shot, I would be wealthier, albeit with regular hair. Do you think that ignorance is bliss? Do I need this T-Shirt?

Frugalistas, what would you do?

1) Find a way to get your hair done by Kenny so you could feel great?

2) Still do your hair at home and only go to Kenny on special occasions?

3) Tolerate the old hair dresser, even though you know the thrill is gone?

4) Get a side job so you can have a Kenny fund?

5) Find a way to barter services? I will write for a wash and style!

Free Aveeno hair products

You can get a sample from Aveeno's "Nourish" hair line.  If you just fill out a short survey from Aveeno, the company will pick out the best product for you and send it to your door.

Free WiFi at airports from Google during the holidays!

When I found out that Google will offer free WiFi during the holiday season at airports, I squealed with glee. The free WiFi  is offered from now until Jan. 15 at participating airports. I spent about $7 at Atlanta's airport burning up the WiFi, last month. I hated spending the money, but I have an addiction to feed. We all know I'm a sucker for free WiFi.  So when you're traveling, you will be able to play on Facebook, Twitter and The Frugalista Files blog for FREE!  I am warm and fuzzy on this freebie.

Here is the list of participating airports:

    * Austin (AUS)
    * Baltimore (BWI)
    * Billings (BIL)
    * Boston (BOS)
    * Bozeman (BZN)
    * Buffalo (BUF)
    * Burbank (BUR)
    * Central Wisconsin (CWA)
    * Charlotte (CLT)
    * Des Moines (DSM)
    * El Paso (ELP)
    * Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
    * Fort Myers/SW (RSW)
    * Greensboro (GSO)
    * Houston (HOU)
    * Houston Bush (IAH)
    * Indianapolis (IND)
    * Jacksonville (JIA)
    * Kalamazoo (AZO)
    * Las Vegas (LAS)
    * Louisville (SDF)
    * Madison (MSN)
    * Memphis (MEM)
    * Miami (MIA)
    * Milwaukee (MKE)
    * Monterey (MRY)
    * Nashville (BNA)
    * Newport News (PHF)
    * Norfolk (ORF)
    * Oklahoma City (OKC)
    * Omaha (OMA)
    * Orlando (MCO)
    * Panama City (PFN)
    * Pittsburgh (PIT)
    * Portland (PWM)
    * Sacramento (SMF)
    * San Antonio (SAT)
    * San Diego (SAN)
    * San Jose (SJC)
    * Seattle (SEA)
    * South Bend (SBN)
    * Spokane (GEG)
    * St. Louis (STL)
    * State College (SCE)
    * Toledo (TOL)
    * Traverse City (TVC)
    * West Palm Beach (PBI)

Is Google taking over the earth? What is your favorite airport? Do you travel with your laptop?

How much money can you stand to lose?

Hello! I have a quandary, and I want your feedback:

SITUATION #1: I recently gave a friend $300. She couldn't pay her rent and called me basically on the second day of the month needing money. I've known this friend for more than a decade. I knew she had fallen on hard times, but I never offered any financial assistance because my situation has not been the most cushy either.  However, when this friend called me needing cash, I sent it to her through pay pal without hesitation. I know her lifestyle and that she was only asking because she genuinely needed it. I have an EXTREMELY short list of people who can ask and receive cash from me. Among the people are my mother and a friend I've known since pre-school who looked out for me when I was in college. I treasure longevity and loyalty with my friendships. The only problem I have with giving my friend $300 was that I couldn't offer more. I know I'm not getting the money back and I don't want it back.  Honestly, I just want her to get financially stable.

SITUATION #2: I went on a social outing with a relatively new friend. A new friend in my book is someone I've hung out with for fewer than five years. I know that may seem like a long time, but I am from Chicago. Native Chicagoans often have the same friends since first grade. I am open to meeting new people, but I fully believe that it takes a while for you to know someone. Now, if I've known you for fewer than five years, it doesn't mean that I don't consider you a friend or a great person. I just know it takes a long time to see how we weather life's ups and downs. Anyhow, there was a bill situation with the "new friend" and she owes me $30. I didn't raise a big stink about it, but I can't get it out of my head. This new friend has been supportive, cool and nice in other situations, but I am still annoyed that she stiffed me out of $30. I feel like I shouldn't have to ask for it. She knows that she owes it; she doesn't give a crap. Where I am in my life, I don't feel like being a bill collector. However, that $30 could pay for a few meals, a wash-and-set or almost fill up my gas tank. At this point, it's about the principle.  The "old Natalie" would have given said person a thorough tongue lashing. but I've grown past that. For now. ;) 

One I would think I would be more upset about giving up $300 than $30, but I'm not.

So Frugalistas, please help me out:

Am I petty for wanting my $30? What would you do? Have you ever had a situation where you felt like someone "got over" on you? Do you give your friends money? Should I not be worried about $30 and think about the $300? Has anyone owed you a small sum and you still were upset like they owed you a mortgage payment? Please tell me what you are thinking!

Discount Shopping in Coral Gables tonight

Starting at 6 p.m. tonight,  downtown Coral Gables will have after-hours deals at its boutiques.

“Girls Night Out!” will feature these hook ups:

 Dulce

THE DEAL:  All sale items 50 percent off

286 Miracle Mile / 305-461-9880

 

i.Designs

THE DEAL: Buy one, get one half off any pair of sunglasses or accessory

210 Miracle Mile / 305-774-6900

 

The Boys

THE DEAL: Buy one item, get the second item half off

295 Miracle Mile / 305-444-4644

 

Hip.e Boutique

THE DEAL: Buy one pair of jeans, get the second pair half off

359 Miracle Mile / 305-445-3693

 

Cybele

THE DEAL: Buy one item, get the second item half off

223-A Miracle Mile / 305-774-0050

 

Habit

THE DEAL: “Roll the Discount”- Receive a percentage discount based on your roll of dice

256 Andalusia Avenue / 786-294-0825

 

Essence

THE DEAL: Take 20 percent off clothes, shoes and accessories (not including sale items)

78 Miracle Mile / 305-448-6777

 

Lilian Designs

THE DEAL: 50 percent off all inventory (not including pens and invitations)

68 Miracle Mile / 305-447-6622

 

Victoria’s Design

THE DEAL: 20 percent off entire inventory

241 Miracle Mile / 305-448-5646

 

Carroll’s Jewelers

THE DEAL: 25 percent off merchandise and complimentary wine and cheese

365 Miracle Mile / 305-446-1611

 

Arvane

THE DEAL: $70 relaxation package, which includes a 5-minute massage, 45-minute facial, 45-minute lipofit and pedicure. Complimentary wine and cheese served.

83 Merrick Way / 305-444-4004

 

Peterbrooke Chocolatier

THE DEAL: Complimentary wine and chocolate tasting

227 Aragon Avenue / 305-446-3131

 

Uni.K.Wax

THE DEAL: 10 percent off one service; free ingrown hair roll-on with the purchase of $30 or more

165 Aragon Avenue / 305-403-3223

 

Cleber Lopes Beauty & Life Institute

THE DEAL: Free mani with the purchase of a pedi; free blow dry with the purchase of a mani

330 Miracle Mile / 305-675-1931

 

Curves N’ Waves
THE DEAL: Savings up to 70 percent off all inventory 
275 Miracle Mile / 305-442-1430

 Olian Boutique 

THE DEAL:  Buy one get one regular priced Olian or analli item and get the second half off

356 Miracle Mile / 305-446-2306

The Boutique at Lister Jewelers 
THE DEAL:  20 percent off all inventory 
2330 Ponce de Leon Blvd. / 305-445-7525

Acqua Boutique
THE DEAL:  Up to 50 percent off merchandise and complimentary “Acquatinis”

3138 Ponce de Leon Blvd. / 305-447-1490

The Rose Tree Cottage
THE DEAL:  Up to 40 percent off select items; complimentary wine and cheese

388 Miracle Mile / 305-448-9688

 Have a frugal and fabulous weekend,

Natalie the Frugalista

Unemployment extension close to becoming law

The Senate approved an unemployment extension, last night. The extension will be as much as 20 weeks for out-of-work Americans. It is expected to be signed into law by President Obama within the week. 

According to the New York Times: 

The Senate bill would extend benefits by 14 weeks nationwide for those whose relief has run out, and up to 20 weeks in states — 26 currently — where the unemployment rate is over 8.5 percent.

The House-passed bill would limit the extended benefits to those states with the highest joblessness but Senate Democrats in other states pushed for a nationwide extension. The effort for the nationwide extension was led by Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, where the unemployment rate is 7.2 percent.

Good Morning America had a good segment on today about the vote: Economy and Politics: What Lies Ahead?

Do you think unemployment benefits should be extended? Have you been impacted by the recession? Do you really thing the recession is over? Will the extension change your life? 

Government cracks down on credit report services

The government is cracking down on freecreditreport.com, saying the service isn't often free, but a lure for customers to enroll in its monitoring service for $14. 95 per month. To get government authorized, truly free credit reports, got to annualcreditreport.com.

What do you use to check your credit report? What do you think about the freecreditreport.com spoof? I can't like, I enjoyed those catchy commercials! How often do you check your score? I check mine about once a year.

Halloween Costumes on a Budget!

Here is my affordable Halloween costume segment from NBC-6! Shouts out to Michelle Smith, my muse and Trina Robinson, top reporter!!