Where have you been???

Well, HELLO Lover (in my Carrie Bradshaw voice)…Where have I been? This is just a prime example of things I am super passionate about and then abruptly stop! SHAME ON ME! There are 1.5 Billion other blogs out there-so, I'm sure you cyber spacers didn't skip a beat!!

This year has been a whirlwind!! I've accomplished goals, had fun and learned things about myself that I can change and improve upon-and I must say-this year totally ROCKED!

The Fab Life of a Rich Broke Girl will take a few twists and turns in the new year! Nothing major-just a bit of a facelift. 

I will still bring awesome ideas and cool sites to help you look and feel fab while on budget and a few other topics along the way..

This is a short and sweet post..just to end the year right! I'm sure I'll be back to post something pretty amaze balls!!

Later Fabbies!

          

               

Read more »

Back to School-Part 1

It's been a long time since I've posted anything..HECK! I've been busy traveling, saving money and just enjoying life!

Soooo, with that said...Back to our regularly scheduled programming for NOW!
As Parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents-whatever your role is we are obligated to ensure that our children have the necessary items at the start of the school year. That will entail long lists of school supplies, wardrobes and erroneous items that they may or may not use. However, we can't get out of it, we can't dodge it-it has to be done. And if you're like me-you wait until until the last minute-when all of the sale items are gone-or NOTHING is left on the shelf.

So, this year-I'm attempting to shop early and take advantage of early deals. My daughter's school unfortunately doesn't provide us with a list up front-but i know she will need paper, pencils, pens and items of the sort.

Over the next few weeks I will be documenting my finds and giving you some useful and helpful tips to make shopping for the school year easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Stay Tuned!!

Read more »

Rumour Has IT.....

........Four Words...."Don't Sleep on JC Penney." They have really stepped their game up! I've been shopping for my daughter and my career wear at JCP for years! I went in there this past weekend and racked up on some amazing deals. The quality of clothing is great, the service is good, but the SALES are A-MA-ZING!

I have a growing daughter that I have to purchase a new wardrobe for with each change of season-and that can be expensive. So, choosing to shop at JCP or any other major department store I look for inexpensive,  quality and trendy pieces that will survive the wash and summer vacation.

Here's a sample...and Yes, I'm BUYING this DRESS from JCP...

pearl georgina chapman of marchesa

Most major department stores will have an e-mail or text promo campaign that you can sign up for-it's a great way to receive promo's and coupons while on the GO. 

Here's a few to get you started:

• Macy's:
• jcpenney.com -->Navigate to the bottom of the page "Get Connected" and from there you can sign up for e-mail or text alerts. 

Looking for ways to save for your family this Spring/Summer Season-Try these departments on for size.

1. JC Penney-

2. Target

3. Macy's

4. Nordstrom Rack

5. Marshall's

6. TJ Maxx

7. Children's Place

For the Super Fashionista  on a budget.

1. Shopbop.com (High End Designers for the LOW)

2. Modcloth.com (Retro Style with a modern flare)

3. Shoxie.com (Ultra Modern, Hip and Fab)

Shopping Tip of the Week:  Finding the perfect outfit or pieces can be a daunting task if you have a special event or vacation to shop for. Don't Panic! If you have an idea or a vision of what you want your outfit to look like-take pics with your smartphone, screenshots or clip them out of magazines. Start early-last minute shopping can be very frustrating and tiresome. Just like making a list with grocery shopping-Make a list for apparel shopping. List out the stores you want to scope out, colors, patters, accessories, ect. Patience, budget and knowing what you want are critical in a healthy, stress free shopping experience. 

Read more »

Spring is in the Air....

The long awaited warmth from the sun, blossoming flowers and spring apparel is FINALLY HERE...

Spring is a time of new beginnings. As the earth is cultivating, rebirthing and growing-I am energized for change and setting the mood for what this beautiful transition between seasons will bring.

I went to a "meet-up" for a fellow Blogger in St. Louis during spring break and I was in awe of this beautiful young woman. I knew nothing of her personal journey other than what I read online or what I was told of her-and I was in amazed by her spirit and drive. She was poised, articulate, beautiful, personable and overall just super amazing! She chose a path after high-school, set off to college and became what she studied to be. She found something that she was passionate about and that changed the course of her life forever and transitioned her into a new life. (Who am I talking about?-Curly Nikki...-please see disclaimer below)

As I sat in the venue-I was extremely proud to see a young woman, a wife, a mother "transition"
from what she sought out to be into something-someone so iconic in this generation.

And of course, I started to wonder-WHAT THE ENTIRE HECK am I doing with myself? What is my purpose? Who am I? How can I change the world? What will be my legacy? And guess what..I GOT NOTHING..LOL..-But the lyrics to Radiohead's "Creep" come to mind....

"But I'm a creep
 I'm a weirdo
 What the hell am I doin' here?
 I don't belong here
I don't care if it hurts..I wanna have control

 I want a perfect body...I want a perfect soul

I wish I was special....You're so Fu@kin Special"

But, that's totally not a bad thing. I too am in transition. I am embracing who I am, my role as a wife and mother and letting the universe choose my path. I am surrounded by so many people that have found their "niche" in life-and I too will figure it out....

I often envy people that have found their niche in life and are totally successful and noticed for their contributions to our society. But, then I thought, I do make contributions. I sow my seeds of laughter, friendship, sisterhood and experiences-and that's more than enough. And if the creator/universe has a bigger plan for me-then I'm OK either way. So, I've changed my feelings from envy to inspire! I am inspired to find and embrace my calling.

Life is like a season-it's forever changing, forever cultivating, forever growing and forever evolving. It's up to you to decide how you transition with each season.

And I'm patiently waiting for my season to change-living in the clouds as my friend Vanessa would say...

My advice is if you are still trying to find yourself-STOP! Let the universe guide your steps and embrace who you are in the process-LOVE YOURSELF, LOVE WHO YOU ARE and know you are MORE THAN STATUS, THAN MONEY, THAN material THINGS..You have a purpose...And it's yours!








DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed on this blog are soley those of the original author. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Curly Nikki, the CurlyNikki.com staff, and/or any/all contributors to the curlynikki.com site.

Read more »

Smaller is sometimes better......

In cable bills that is....LOL!!!! TV is totally America's favorite pass time. We can't (speaking for myself) can't live without the boob tube. Entertainment has become a huge part of our culture today and boy is it expensive. Cable and Satellite companies have totally enslaved us with the Triple, Double Quadruple play options and it's hard emancipate ourselves from Visual slavery.

I know you've asked yourself while either shopping online or on the phone with a rep, how in the HELL am I going to watch all 1,898 channels? Is that even possible? But, you sure as hell gonna try to do it. So, you sign your name on the dotted and sell your soul to the "best package" dealer, right?

I've been paying for cable for the past 10 years and I've given sooo much money to these companies. After taxes, fees, surcharges and modem rentals-you are looking upwards at $250 per month-just to watch the same channels over and over again.

We interrupt your regularly scheduled BLOG post for this important message.....Ditch Cable MOVIE Channels NOW and Buy yourself a small monthly subscription fee of FREEDOM! How you may ask?

First, inventory your current channel line up. Do you really watch every single channel? Can you downgrade to a lower package? The Basic package still includes your primetime and digital channels! Once, you've downgraded-look at subscribing to HULU or Netflix for movies. The library is filled is great options for the perfect movie night. 

My cable bill was between $180 and $210 per month. YES, it really was. I've downgraded to Basic Cable and kept my internet access and ditched the home phone service. There was totally no need for a Home phone. My estimated new service will be $65 per month. That is a savings of approx. $145 per month. I also have Netflix and Hulu services for my movies! This has been a life saver while on the road. Also, most major networks have full episodes loaded to their website.That's an option too if you decide to totally digital cable and go "commando" and ditch cable all together.

So, pick your up phones tomorrow and call your cable or satellite provider and ask how you can save money. Remember, take a full inventory of the channels you don't need and work your way down. Those extra dollars that your spending on air can totally be allocated somewhere else...

Good NIGHT!

Read more »

Positive Reinforcement....

Hey Fabbies! It's been quite a few weeks since my last post-and not a lot has really changed. I'm still trying to find ways to save money while enjoying the Fab things in life.

My next venture is going to be;  Operation: Find an ensemble for the hubsters Birthday Celebration under $100 from head to toe! [Insert screaming lady]

I have some ideas of what my "fit" should look like-and I'm totally excited about getting dolled up and cute to celebrate life, love, success and the pursuit of happiness! Here are a two ideas I'm toying with....

Idea #1: 1960's Womens Mod Cocktail Dress

Amazon: $42

Hair: Up do 

Accessories: Shiny and Vintage

Shoes: Fab & Vintage!

Idea #2: Blazer (Def hate the print), Cropped destroyed Jeans and Heels!
      www.shoxie.com 
Hair: Straightened and pin-up girlish
Accessories: Shiny and vintage
Shoes: Fab & Printish




It's a start! But we'll see. Remember I'm on a $100 outfit Budget Challenge! It's going to be hard-but I can do it! Any ideas?? 


Now, this wouldn't be a Budget blog without a few budget tips!

Corporate Kandi's Spending Budget Tips of the Week:

1. Try to set a lunch budget for work of $25.00-I know, I know-$5 bucks a day-I MUST BE MAD- This may mean cutting out Cheesecake Factory and Expensive lunch outings-but challenge yourself-I dare you!. And remember, Buffet's ROCK!
2. Pack snacks & bottled water or your beverage of choice (save a trip to the over priced vending machine-it'll be worth it)
3. Burn a few calories (weather permitting) by taking a brisk 15 minute walk - Had to throw that one in!
4. Order a free copy of your Credit Report! Review it! And find items that you can start clearing up. Start small-Perfect Credit wasn't built overnight.
5. Speak positivity throughout your day! Deposit happiness in your day and try to avoid negativity as much as possible. We typically spend more when we are in an unhappy place in our lives and we want to avoid anything that will deter us from our ultimate goal of Financial Freedom!

Have a Wonderful week my Fab-Budgeteers! 

"Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will". -Zig Zigler

Read more »

Happy New YEAR!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Yaaay! It's a New Year-and I'm sure we all have new ideas of hope, dreams, aspirations and ultimately a fresh start!

For some reason when the clock strikes 12:00 on the dot, we believe that the magic wand is waved and life starts over! Right? Well, in a sense yes! Whether it's a financial goal, a fitness goal, mending a broken relationship or just being a better you-set a goal and stick to it!

As you set goals for the New Year don't make a long list and try to tackle them all at once! You will DRIVE YOURSELF NUTS!  Try taking that list an setting smaller goals for your self and break them up.  Taking smaller steps to improve your life personally and financially-may turn out more successfully-than trying to attack them all at once!

And remember-you're HUMAN! Breathe, Love, EAT, Pray and BE HAPPY! Each Goal you set and you work towards is already a Success! Believe in yourself, trust yourself, and love yourself! You GOT THIS!!

Read more »