The Frugalista Files

Frugalista moves to thefrugalista.com

Hi Everyone! Thanks for being so patient with me! I have been underground for a few days for good reason. I am going indie. I have launched thefrugalista.com, my  own blog.  I have had an AWESOME time blogging for the Miami Herald, but now is the time for me to strike on my own.

The party isn't ending...it's going to a new place so please visit me at thefrugalista.com and update your blogrolls and add yourself to my RSS feed! My email is the same, for those who know. :)

Much love to the Miami Herald for letting me have a wonderful ride here!

Natalie

Frugalista!

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.

Frugalista style: Frugal and fabulous Halloween costumes

Hello, Frugalstas! I will be on WTVJ NBC 6 Monday morning between 11-11:45 a.m., doing a "Halloween Frugalista Style" segment. I can't share too much before it airs, but let's just say that I got some ideas to make you smokin' hot financially and fashion wise for Halloween!

Please tune in if you are in Miami! 

Review of Cheap Products

There's a new site on the world wide web, cheapism. It's a product review of cheap products. Here at The Frugalista Files, the word cheap is not in our vocabulary, but I wanted to shout out a growing blog.  :)

I say the blog is worth a click and a gander. The site does the heavy lifting. I hate buying items that stink. It's better to read the reviews. Go cheapism!

Can you be both cheap and frugal? 

Are pre-paid debit cards fee happy?

The New York Times had a video about pre-paid debit cards  and the amount of fees that the companies charge. Pre-paid debit cards are all the rage. I've even done a giveaway on my blog about the cards. I warned about the fees, but consumer advocates are really concerned about them because they are rising in popularity. Some cards charge as much at $30 per month in fees. Yikes! A lot of people who can't get a bank account can get the pre-paid debit cards. Because they are so new, they are not really regulated.

Do you use pre-paid debit cards? What do you think about them? Do you think they are taking advantage of poor people? Do consumers need to learn to read the fine print?

Frugalista on cnn.com/live at noon today!

Hey Frugalistas! I just got the call that I will be a guest on cnn.com/live today at noon! Yippee! I'll be Skyping in on whether the recession is over. Fun times! Well, the recession isn't fun, but talking to you all will be great.  Please check me out. It's NOT on air but on online, which is so sexy to me! E-power.

Be there online at noon or be square!!

Do you think the recession is over?

Frugalista named Top 40 under 40

Success South Florida Magazine named me one of the Top 40 under 40 Leaders of Today and Tomorrow! Yay! I'll take it! I get a free meal at Morton's The Steakhouse in North Miami Beach. Yes! Reception meals are Frugalista fabulous! That will be one day that I don't have to cook! :)

From the news release:

Over 160 nominees were selected for this honor by political, business and organizational leaders in South Florida. The final 40 honorees were then hand-picked by an advisory committee composed of business leaders in the fields of banking, media, politics, and medicine and community/non-profit leadership. Chosen for their professional accomplishments and tireless efforts to support our community, the 40 award recipients will be honored at a VIP reception. 

I'm wearing a dress from my closet to the event. My one business dress will be taken out of retirement and to the reception!

xo,

Fruggie!

Beware of foreclosure rescue scams

The Federal Trade Commission is warning homeowners who are facing foreclosures to be wary of shady companies.

There are rogue companies who are ripping off money from homeowners who defaulted on their mortgages. Here's a video you should watch if you are facing foreclosure or you know someone who is dealing with it. It features people targeted by foreclosure rescue scams and advises homeowners in distress that free help is available from the Homeowner’s Hope Hotline at 888-995-HOPE (888-995-4673).

Frugalista on WTVJ NBC-6 between 11 a.m. and noon

Please check me out today! I will be on NBC 6's South Florida Today show sometime between 11 a.m. and noon today! Surprisingly, I'm not nervous. I'm talking about frugal and fabulous living. Right up my alley. I put in some color in my hair last night. I hope the camera lights are kind to it! :)

Frugalista's CNN link and Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act

Greetings!  Here is the link to my appearance on cnn.com/live, yesterday. I spoke about the credit card bill that passed in Congress on Wednesday.  The Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights Act is expected to be signed by President Obama by Memorial Day.

Wednesday's appearance was my first time being part of CNN's Blogger Bunch. Let's hope I can "bunch" with them again. Teehee. I used Skype and a webcam! Skype is free, making it fabulous!

What do you think about the overhaul of credit card companies that should be happening soon?  Do you think it's time? Do you think Congress is being too strict on the credit card companies?