current mood: sentimental.

Trailer: Confessions of a Shopaholic!

I read the whole "Confessions.." lot one summer and absolutely loved them. I'm hoping the movie does the author justice. (LoL, at her putting her "magic card" on ice.. too funny!)

What do you think of the trailer?

Quotables: Warren Buffet

"Time is the friend of the wonderful company, the enemy of the mediocre."

EEK-ONOMIKS!

Last week an economist at the Bank of Canada officially acknowledged that Canada was entering a recessionary period, and the share price of some of Canada's major financial institutions fell.

The Globe has now reported that 3 of the 5 'big banks' have issued common shares in recent weeks.. effectively selling off a portion of the companies at current (and arguably questionable) market valuation -- this has allowed those banks to essentially cash out of the company in hopes of a turning a profit by selling to investors like you and me.

What's going on, here?

Normally, companies sell shares to accumulate cash for expansion and long term projects. This doesn't seem to be the case per Mark Carney, Governor of the BoC, who is not particularly pleased with the industry's (albeit if only in appearance) movement to raise their capital cushion (i.e. ratio of: Tier 1 Capital - to - Investments and Debt) to between 500-600 basis points above global requirements of 4%.

All this info got me thinking about an article I read browsing Reutor's last week where the writer effectively delivers points which suggest bank bankruptcy and economic failure in the US financial markets:

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Jim Rogers, one of the world’s most prominent international investors, on Thursday called most of the largest U.S. banks “totally bankrupt,” and said government efforts to fix the sector are wrongheaded.

Speaking by teleconference at the Reuters Investment Outlook 2009 Summit, the co-founder with George Soros of the Quantum Fund, said the government’s $700 billion rescue package for the sector doesn’t address how banks manage their balance sheets, and instead rewards weaker lenders with new capital.

Dreadful. This market is making our banks lose their shizz, apparently. On the flipside, I wonder if our banks are truly liquid? If our banks are in fact "cash poor", we are in for a bumpy ride.. I really hope this is not the reason behind the Bay St posse's lack of cooperation.

So, what do YOU think?

Should the banks loosen up on lending terms to credit worthy applicants, or should they hoard cash in investments, and effectively magnify the impact of Canada's recession?

This is a big decision and will influence the direction of our markets in the short-term, and possibly determine the length and severity of this financial downturn!

Oh and yes, Obama's my homeboy.

;)

Until next time!
xx

London Calling….And it’s bloody expensive!

Seasons Greetings Nerdy Girls

Being that I am in what most like to call a “Transitional Period” right now, it can be said that I have a lot more “available” time on my hands.

So I decided to take advantage of this time and jumped on a plane to England. I figured why not cheer up this holiday season and go home to the family for some much needed R&R (Renewal & Revival).

My family, of course, are so happy to see me and are all trying to convince me to stay and work out here for a bit but bloody hell living in London Town is expensive.

• Economic crisis over here too so jobs are still hard to get.

• Big items prices are some what dropping (property) but the mundane everyday items of luxury are still up (50p for a pack of cheese and onion crisps??? Are you kidding me?)

• Single bus fare is ₤2 and NO! This isn’t the GTA where you get a transfer.

• Most affordable living option would be to rent a room. How does ₤100/week sound? Yes Ladies that would be about $800/month just for a ROOM.

EXPENSIVE! Not really feeling like the grass is too much greener on the other side

However, there is a solution to every problem and you just need to find it. Now I have not decided if I will stay in the UK for a bit longer but I like to know there are better options for me.

• No permanent jobs available – try getting some temping work.

• Buy in bulk – There are discounts of the larger value packs

• Get a travel card – In London it’s an Oyster card. With the card single travel is 90p

• Do some research – Look into a cheaper area even if it is just for a short while. Ask for a better deal. Sometimes the landlord needs a tenant just as bad as you need a place.

The wonderful part is – you can take this advice with you to any country. Use that big beautiful brain of yours and be financially smart.

xoxo

Multiple Roles

Women often stretch themselves beyond belief. The woman of today is supposed to be it all. Bring in six figures, be the sexy wife, the tireless mom of two, entertain, volunteer, and oh did I mention have great culinary skills. She’s not just the woman, she’s the superwoman. She does it all with her endless well of energy. Like the triple and quadruple superstars of today. Sing, dance, act, produce, design and manage spare time to save the world. And I thought I had a lot going on.

As the gender with a higher YES to NO ratio, it isn’t surprising then that we often feel exhausted. The dangers of our many responsibilities often registers after we crash and burn on our superwoman quest. The thought of forgetting to give oneself a break may sound laughable but in our society it is more common than not. So much so that a conscious effort is made to fit me-time in the schedule.

The set-up of our society may seem like there is no other option, however one simple way of dealing with this is knowing the many roles you have and the expectations/responsibilities they come with. We are all daughters and employees/ers. Have been or are students and will most likely be wives and mothers in the future. The clearer you are of your many roles, the easier it is to prioritize and split your energy. Stephen R. Covey (The Seven habits of Highly Effective People) suggests identifying your roles will enable you to clearly see all that you are responsible for and choose how you spend your time.

For example a ‘sister’ and a ‘friend’ role identification may go like this:

ROLE RESPONSIBILITY
Sister To aid my siblings with anything that they may need help with
Friend To be the supportive yet honest friend that I seek for myself

It’s not an instant fix to the constant doing and going, but as a starting point, it’s sure to have you make better use of your not-so endless well of energy.

A Small Step Back for a Big Leap Forward

As I sit here in my eastern Mississauga, Ontario, condo living room, 3 nights before the BF and I will start the big move, nostalgia sets in as I think back on all the great times we've had here. You see, there was nothing I loved more 2 years ago, at the age of 24, than to declare to my mother, "Peace Out!" and fly the coop for the first time in my life. I felt lucky to have found a 1300 square foot condo for rent, minutes from the lakeshore and one of my favourite GTA communities, with a stunning view of the Toronto skyline and Lake Ontario. Sure the rent was a tad bit on the pricey side, sure the hydro wasn't included and sure there was an extra charge for the BF's parking spot. I felt like I had scored large, despite my pockets being tight, and I relished in the beauty of my new home. It was the coolest place for my girlfriends to hang, many a Nerdy Girl Night In was spent on the spacious balcony, clinking glasses, laughing and admiring the view.

But ultimately, I knew it to be true. This home was not mine. I was a renter longing to let my inner home buyer spring to life. And so, with much resolve, I made the decision to downsize my living, in order to save the necessary funds for a down payment on a home of my own. Although the search proved long and laborious, I was lucky enough to nab a "less-than-dream-home-yet-more-than-dream-price" apartment, only one block west of my current not-so-humble abode.

Sure, there will be a bit less space and a less than perfect view (the 2nd floor doesn't leave much visual access to the T Dot). Sure the floors aren't hardwood and the community boards in the lobby aren't decorated with invitations to social gatherings put on by the "committee" (did I ever even consider going to those???). But the fact of the matter is Nerdy Girls, the duckets saved during my 12 months there, will go straight towards owning something of my own.

Sometimes in order to achieve the greater goal, we have to do things that up close may feel like taking a step back, but as a part of the bigger picture & our overall success, are crucial. In my case, it was choosing to let go of the picture-perfect condo (that wasn't mine) for something a bit smaller and less glamorous, in order to save for property which will be mine. For other Nerdy Girls, it may be choosing to cut hours at work in order to go back to school or taking a pay cut to get our foot in the door at a new company or in a new industry.

Whatever your temporary sacrifices may be, hold your head high and wear your plan proudly girlfriend, because your small step back is only the prelude, to your big leap forward.

That's What Friends Are For

As far as scary mistakes go, this could’ve have made the cut until I discovered the good help of girlfriends.

So I was minding my business in these economic times when a ‘50% off all regular priced items’ email appeared in my in-box. It was to a very well known trendy & cheap(er) chain that has not been in my top 3 since I stopped paying tuition. Aside from this, I also thought and realized that I really didn’t need anything since I’ve been getting by with the options in my closet.

This then should have made it easy to give a decisive N-O when my friend asked me to go…

Girlfriend: Got any money for shopping? We have those coupons from Kim for 50% off and I think….

Me: Yes! Yes! Yes! Let’s, but let’s come up with rules or no-no’s for each other to avoid us spending money.

Now, my answer can be broken into two. The yes, yes, yes part which had nothing to do with logic and the rules/no-nos part which was my hasty attempt at thinking clearly again.

Despite women having been making these kinds of suggestions since the dawn of time we've rarely practiced it. So I thought what if I really followed this? Is it possible to save through a friend? No harm in trying right? So I did.

I didn’t tell my friend what my limit was but when I knew I had hit it I told her no more. As in she’s to make sure I don’t buy anything again. And she did. My girl saved me from the remorse that would have ruined a fabulous day of laughs and deals.

As such, I suggest to you The Budget Buddy.

A fun and productive way of staying within your limits. No calculators. No complex future projections. Just girls helping out girls.

Budget Buddy allows you to enjoy all the regular joys of shopping with your girl except she let’s you know when your time and money is up. She’s the sane and focused girlfriend you take with you when you’re literally on a limit. Here’s how it works:

• Choose the friend that will really do this. You know, the friend who will help you and who won't let "50% off" get the better of you.
• Make a list of what you need and don’t need with your designated Budget Buddy so she’s clear on what you’re looking for.
• Clearly state the budget you’re working with.
• If you are going to a sale or a mall, come up with a game plan of which stores to hit. It’ll save you from wasting time and getting any unnecessary ideas.

It may sound rigid or less exciting but if done properly this will allow you a functional yet fun shopping trip that won’t break your pocket with your girl.

Happy Budget Buddy Shopping!!!!!

It Saves to Know!!

Hey Nerdy Girls,

• Did you know that Sales are the Law? Retail chain stores have to mark down their goods if they are not purchased on a certain date. This means items not sold by the start of the next season will have to go on sale.

• Did you know that up to $100,000 of your savings are insured by the Canadian Deposit Insurance Company as soon as you deposit them into an eligible account?

• Did you know that it’s your right and responsibility to make sure your credit information and score are correct? See Equifax or TransUnion for your free report.

Pass it on girls.

It is a Man’s World!

Speaking from experience, it’s tough to get ahead in a male-dominated industry. No matter what they say, the “old boys club” is very much alive and well in the corporate world, and while Toronto is doing better than most (c/o the employment equity standards), we’re still a looooong way behind our U.S. counterparts in terms of female representation in executive roles and boards.

Now, anyone who knows me knows that I’m the last player to call a foul. So try to understand the rude awakening I experienced as an Honours graduate of a competitive university program, toting my Business degree and Accounting diploma into my well-compensated Bay and King accounting position day-in and day-out for 3+ years... only to be passed up on a promotion with no explanation/cause/excuse! If you were wondering, the promotion in question went to a white male of mediocre performance abilities. The difference? Clout.

Don’t get me wrong, this Nerdy Girl had networked with the best of them and participated in my fair share of corporate events -- I had a role in everything from campus recruiting, to United Way charity events. Anywhere I could contribute, I did. And well!

So what was the one door I would not enter? The door that carried the most weight-- creating friendships and connections that would outshine any of my on-the-job efforts, technical ability, or skills..............
Well, it was a well known fact that a few of our managers frequented the girlie bars after corporate events. And why not? Who am I to judge? What was less understood, was the level of camaraderie that took place behind the doors of the nudie bars; a place where females hoping to hold on to their integrity and professionalism were NOT welcome.

Double standard, much?

With that rant aside, I want to share an article I scooped up on the Wall Street Journal that I hope every Nerdy Girl reads. It is entitled "Ways Women Can Hold Their Own in a Male World" and hits home, especially the discussions on "goal oriented language" and "speaking assertively".

Joining a male-dominated industry, like engineering, computer science or construction trades, can be intimidating. So can working in a predominantly male office. Women often struggle to figure out how to gain respect from male colleagues. It's imperative to establish yourself as an intelligent, no-nonsense employee. Here are some ways to navigate a mostly male office.

Make sure women are valued.

Before joining a firm in a male-dominated industry, make sure the company values and promotes women. Check to see if women are represented on the board and in leadership positions at the company, says Betty Spence, president of the National Association for Female Executives, a women's business association in New York. During the interview process, consider asking to speak with female employees to get their input and contact human resources to ask about policies like maternity leave.

Identify alpha and beta males.

Separate the two types of men in the office and engage accordingly, says Christopher Flett, founder of Ghost CEO, a professional development program for women. Alpha males have a "get it done" mind-set, so when speaking to an alpha co-worker, use "goal-oriented" language and get to the point quickly, says Mr. Flett. Beta males are more concerned with collaboration and partnership, so tailor your language accordingly.

Find a mentor.

Look for a female employee at your company to mentor you. She can provide you with a
built-in support system and can help you figure out the lay of the land, says Raylie Dunkel, an executive coach and director of development with the Women's Leadership Exchange. If you can't find someone in the company, join a professional organization and build connections there. Mentors with direct experience in a male-dominated workplace can offer invaluable advice to navigating tricky situations.

Speak assertively.

Eliminate the phrase "I'm sorry" from your vocabulary, unless it's truly warranted. Women
tend to apologize for situations that they aren't responsible for, which demonstrates weakness, says Ms. Spence. Don't begin sentences with the phrase "I think," as it demeans what you're saying, says Ms. Dunkel. Take a cue from your male co-workers and be direct and confident. Practice removing any traces of tentativeness from your vocabulary and be declarative when you speak.

Socialize with the boys.

It may feel like you're crashing a fraternity party, but make your best effort to socialize with your male co-workers in formal and informal situations. Whether it's tagging along for lunch or drinks after work, important information is exchanged informally; being there to hear it may benefit your career, says Ms. Spence. If you find yourself being left out, organize your own events, says Ms. Dunkel. Consider joining the company-sponsored softball team or other activities.

Don't assume stereotypical roles.

Women are naturally nurturing and it's something you shouldn't be afraid to show at work. However, be careful to not appear servile. Ms. Spence says never clean up after your co-workers or bring coffee to meetings -- you'll run the risk of being stereotyped and taken advantage of.
____________________________________________________________________________

I truly hope y'all hear me on this one... I can not express the invaluable expertise and knowledge I have gained from my mentor and I promise that if you keep these bad boys in your back pocket, you'll come out ahead of the pack!


Peace and Blessings
xx

The Hair Flip Philosophy

You know.. sometimes I get lost in the shuffle and just seem to get sooooooooooooo caught up. But life is too damn short to get hot and bothered. With that said, I'ma K.I.M. (keep it moving).

You should too:



Peace and love!

Nerdy Girl Night In

Many of us Nerdy Girls spend the entire week following self-imposed budgets, which often include bagged lunches, home made coffee, coupon clipping, etc. But without fail, when Friday night comes, it’s as though the 'Diva on a Dime' in us packs up her Birkin bag, ends her shift and power-walks directly out the door. Our financial conscience turns itself off and we essentially cancel out any savings we may have accomplished during the week, all in the name of having the most entertaining weekend possible. There are movie tickets with yummy popcorn and treats, restaurant bills, cover charges at the latest hot spot in the city, drinks, drinks and more drinks…. Of course then there are the cab fares and/or gas money which if you happened to be living under a rock the last few days, happens to be CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP right now!

I digress…

This weekend, consider this: What if you and a few of your closest Nerdy Girl friends decided to stay in one night? I’m talking, everyone pile over to one person’s humble abode. Pick up your favourite bottle or six pack, order lots of take out, and lots of laughs. You’d be surprised how much fun you can have just hanging with the girls on a Saturday night. Here are some tips on how to make your Nerdy Girl Night In fantastic and easy on the pocket book.

1. Choose the Nerdy Girl whose home is most central to host your night (there’s no sense in everyone trekking out to the one location that’s behind God’s back)

2. Have everyone chip in for take-out and liquor, decide on a budget before hand that everyone is comfortable with OR chose to pick up some groceries and make it an all-hands-on-deck Nerdy Girl Cooking session.

3. Pool together entertainment resources so you don’t have to spend money on them; i.e. DVD’s (your friends are bound to have some great flicks in their collections), board games (don’t hate… get the right one and there is NOTHING corny about this option), music (start your own party in the living room)

4. Implement a No Boys Allowed rule for the night. Husbands, fiancés, boyfriends, fathers, sons, brothers, uncles are NOT allowed to play. If they absolutely must be in the house (their buddies won’t let them crash/can’t find a babysitter, etc.) while you’re having your fun, banish them to a secluded area for the night where they absolutely MUST stay as to not invade on your night… tee hee.

When in doubt, you can always count on your girlfriends to have great conversations with. So this weekend, give it a try. Staying in might turn out to be more fun than the regular night out on the town that you’re used to.

Let us know how it goes Nerdy Girls!

Technicolor Tights!

Now I know I'm not the only Nerdy Girl feeling the winter blahs and blues. I'm so unimpressed with the humdrum traditional color palette of this season: suicidal slate, (mind) numbing navy, blaz-ay black and boohoo blues..

For all the Nerdy Girls who want to kick their traditional winter wardrobe up a notch without breaking the bank -- we introduce technicolor tights! -- an economically sound way of streeeeeeeeeeeetching your summer frocks across seasons! Trust, your wallet will thank you in the new year!

(Uh-huh .. this the sh!t)

I'm really feeling patterns lately.. Think, argyles or even plaids as modeled below..

For the perpetually risk-averse wallflowers .. try more muted options on for size! Navy, grey and even black leggings transform a look from plain to pizazz when paired with contrasting or complementary hues.

Tell us what you think! Are you feeling the technicolor craze? If not, check out some more winter style tips here .. Until next time!

Love, Love, LOVE MY NERDY GIRLS!

I HEART you ladies...

Amazing nebula in Cassiopeia, IC1805 (SH2-190) resemble the silhouette of the heart from which takes its name. Close to the left ventricle is the open cluster NGC1027 (20') while the right ventricle is composed by the oval shape of IC1795 (NGC896)


MY GIRLFRIENDS ROCK!

Update:

Nerdy Girl Chanell challenged me to find a personal picture of the four of us to put up for this post, so here it is! We clean up pretty good, right? Ha, ha!

Until next time..

Get Your Full Share...

Gas is 79.3 Cents/Litre in the GTA this morning.

It is said that it hasn't been this low since 2002.

You don't need to be a nerdy girl genius to realize...
FILL UP!!!!
Go out and get your share of Gas today.

For updates on Tomorrow's Gas Price Today click link. It's ususally updated around 5pm each day.

xoxo

Flex Your Brain Muscles

I heard a great quote yesterday while participating in an entrepreneurial workshop which I thought would be great to share. In reference to economic hard times, and how to maintain successful during them, Gary Mottershead, Associate Coach for the Strategic Coach Program and owner of GCP Elastomeric Inc. said:

"The focused thinking that we need during our current economic times is like exercise. Our muscles get stronger with resistance. In resistant times such as these, we are developing the strength and resilience of our minds in order to progress. If the strength isn't there, we are vulnerable"

What does this mean to you Nerdy Girls? Take everything that is happening right now, be it in the markets at an international level, or down the hall from your cubicle at your own company, as an opportunity to grow and learn. When things are perfect, it does not always motivate us to get better and to learn new capabilities. When our security is all of a sudden threatened, we are forced to increase our skills and try new things to stay financially stable and to have a "one-up" on the competition. Use each day as an opportunity to learn something about how you can better your financial situation. Flex your brain muscles and make them stronger and the ideas that come from it just might surprise you.

Bookworm Alert: Rich Woman

At 53yrs old, my mom bought HER first house! She decided on her 50th birthday that she wanted more and began to re-write her story.

Technically, at 20yrs old, she purchased her first of many homes with my father but after their 28 years of marriage ended she was back to the drawing board. Can you imagine all your hard work vanished like it never even happened?

Well this happens more often then we would like to believe.
Did you know?

• 50% of marriages end in divorce
• 47% of women over the age of 50 are single
• In the first year after divorce a woman’s standard of living drops an average of 73%
• Of elderly living in poverty 3 out of 4 are women – 80% of them were not poor when their husbands were alive
• Nearly 7 out of 10 women will at some time live in poverty

Now I am not trying to scare you but I do want to give you a reality check. We are the leaders of our own destiny so Nerdy Girls lets “Get Smart, Get Money, Get Free”

We need to get smarter with our money so we are free to sleep with ease at night without the worries.

These scary statistics are straight from the back of my suggestion for this month’s must read “Rich Woman” by Kim Kiyosaki*. In the first line of the book it is said “Behind every successful man is a powerful woman” and we all know this is true.

This book isn’t preaching a fool proof plan to ‘get rich quick’ it is more about the awareness and smart choices we women need to start making so we never become a statistic.

Whatever age you are – it is never too late to start learning. Look at the Nerdy Girls in your life, who is your financial hero? My mom is mine - if she can do it then I SHOULD too.

Xoxo


* Kim Kiyosaki is the wife if Robert Kiyosaki the author of “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” the book craze that transformed the mindset of many people in the late nineties.

What's Your 9-5?

A daily fear of mine is that while I'm sitting on the couch with my lovely cup of tea watching Oprah (great episode today by the way) someone will walk in & think that this is all I've done for the day. I never want to be thought of as a waste of time or space.

Today, on this 105th day of looking for work I understand that you still need time management during your time off.

I’ve been doing this for a bit now and I promise you that the luxury of PJs all day in front of the TV, with every possible toothache in sight on your meal plan will cause you more harm then happiness.

Create a daily schedule! When you were at work you had a plan for the day so continue to do so. Here are some examples of things to include:

1. Make the first few hours of the day devoted to your job search
• Check the sites in the morning as all new posting from the day before will be listed.
• I promise you will drive yourself nuts if you keep checking every 2hrs hoping for a change. Once a day is enough!

2. Improve your Nerdy girl mind with a great book
• Reading is an easy way to learn and escape from the day-to-day frustrations of the job search
• I suggest reading some wonderful books on self-improvement, self-awareness, and/or investing
• Logging on and catching up with your favourite Nerdy Girls counts too ;-)

3. Plan time to run the errands that you continue to put off
• If you don’t do it, no one else will. Get Up and Get It Done!

4. Create or work on your “Free Time Project”
• Many Pregnant Nerdy Girls assign themselves a “Pregnancy Project” Why not do the same?
• Learn a new craft, trait, or even research some additional income options to add to your list of life’s possibilities.

Keep yourself busy with improvements & you won’t even notice the time passing. Then make sure to finish up at a decent hour so you can still enjoy your evenings with family & friends and not feel like you wasted the day.

Nerdy Girl Chanell’s 9-5

9-11 - Job Search – http://www.workopolist.com/ http://www.charityvillage.com/ http://www.eluta.ca/
11-1 - Run Errands
1-3 - Free Time Project –Mine is Nerdy Girl Online what's yours?
3-4 - Book Time – My book of choice right now “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho
4-5 - Finished just in time for Oprah :-)

Xoxo

America STAND UP!

Looking forward to the future with hope and anticipation..





Congratulations America .. You did good!

Nerdy Girl of the Month: MADISON DUPAIX

Meet Madison DuPaix: married with two toddlers .. and RETIRED at 29 years of age!

How did she do it? Well, at age 16 DuPaix started by putting away $600 into her retirement account. She quickly turned to finance as her hobby of choice, investing in low-cost index funds along the way in college while most of her fellow students were taking on credit card and student loan debt. When she graduated, she took on a full time position and saved half of her take-home pay.

Now, Madison pulls in the same annual cash flow now as her old salary (after daycare, taxes, and retirement savings) by drawing down 2 percent of her savings each year. The DuPaixs has enough savings for her spouse to retire too, but he currently likes his full-time job. He also provides health insurance, which can be a huge cost for self employed individuals.

Read more about Madison's Personal Story and check out her informative and educational posts online at www.mydollarplan.com !

Nerdy Girl Sunday

Happy Sunday Nerdy Girls!

So I figured on this day of relaxation and recreation I would take the time to show some love for my favourite day of the week SUNDAY!

For those that get to enjoy it, it’s a day off, the easy day of the week, the day we get to use the employment hall pass and run free from structure.
It’s a tranquil morning where for just a little while the stresses and uncertainties of the past 6 days disappear.

A family day, a friend day, a fabulous free day!

What if everyday felt like Sunday?
What if every morning the upcoming events of the day did not serve a sudden surge of qualm in your gut?
What if every morning when you Dress for SUCCESS you are getting ready for another day of delight? What if there was no rush hour? We took the scenic route to work and remained calm driving slow like Sunday Morning.

Now I am not saying everyday should be Sunday (because then we would all become a bunch of Lazy Girls) but let’s bring the Sunday heart to work on Monday.

My point here is that this life is the only one we have and if we spend all our time stressing and agonizing on all the things we can’t control then Sunday just becomes the day before Monday and the beauty is gone.

Now I’ve had a love affair with Sundays since the day I was born and would be happy if there really was a month of Sundays but what about you?

If you just don’t get it let Maroon 5 help…

Xoxo

Statistically Scary

Ghosts and Goblins. Werewolves and witches. These aren’t your only fears this Halloween nerdy girls. According to diversityinc.com, women continue to stack up on Chanel instead of class A shares despite rising gas prices and endless hair loss at Wall Street.

The survey results startle, and pose many questions that must be answered. Take this paragraph below and you’ll shake your head in disbelief.

“According to a new study by ING, as much as 68 percent of Black women say they
buy what they want in a good or bad economy. A staggering 41 percent say they
feel guilty about how much they spend on expensive brands.”

Disturbing right? Unfortunately it gets worse.

“Among the Black women surveyed, 66 percent say they own a retirement account,
compared to 79 percent of all other women; 28 percent say they own individual
stocks and bonds, compared with 52 percent of all other women; and 23 percent
say they own mutual funds, compared with 39 percent of all other women.”

Now you might say black women are a greater source of the startling figures, however the ‘other women’ aren’t doing exceptionally well either; none would qualify for honours. If all this wasn’t frightening enough, I realized while reading that I know women of all backgrounds (myself included) that result in the above. Many don’t own a retirement account or contribute to a mutual fund. They Renfrew instead of H&M, legitimizing their decisions with excuses only they can rationale. Justifying a $400.00 pair of boots with a warm-feet-takes-precedence-over-savings' mind-set serves as an unfortunate example.

But in this case if the sole (no pun intended) purpose of the purchase was to keep those feet from being tougher than ice, couldn’t the cheaper ones have worked? And what happens when the regular source of income suddenly vanishes (see the The "At-choo" Effect) and then what .. the fridge can’t be filled?

Clearly, no boots are edible so in shaky times like these it should be unanimous that finances trump fashion. Even Ms. Bradshaw would agree.

But how? How do you instantly change those habits when it’s been so long it’s become you? Be afraid no more as the nerdy girls will ensure you budget without looking budget during this ‘meltdown.’

For now, here are important tips to help you from being a member of scary statistics:

• Check your closet before you say you need this or that? (You’d be surprised to see what you have in there.)

• Deal with your issues without touching leather, cotton or any other required materials used in clothes et al.

Like any other ‘substitute’, it’s temporarily. Plus, buyer’s remorse can feel worse than what originally started it all. Especially if you can’t return it.

• Cut your coat according to your size.

If you don’t make more than a percent of Sarah Jessica’s salary, don’t Gucci or Vuitton, at least not the real ones. You’re most likely not their targeted salary market anyways.

It saddens me to think there are women who’d struggle trying to define what a mutual fund is. From the ashes of financial dependency should have risen greater levels of financial smarts amongst women yet it’s never too late.

So fear no more ..

.. and stay tuned for more in finance fun!

Brand-name specs that won't break the bank!

This is a post I’m sure my fellow “four-eyes” will appreciate..

Introducing www.clearlycontacts.ca , a budget-friendly website that offers FREE TRIAL and shipping on up-to-the minute designer eye wear.
(I KNOW.. pretty frickin cool!)

Not gonna lie.. I'm a little giddy over the Fendi 708s I peeped for $140..

and the Ray Ban Wayfarers seen on the baddest chick herself, Miss Rihanna..

.. and Nicole Ritchie ..

..are going for about $125! *sigh* I think I'm in lurve .

Yes, methinks its time to brush off those traumatic childhood memories and embrace my inner nerd .. and you should too! Just remember -- be smart about your spending and SHOP FOR LESS!

Get Better at the Great Stuff: Part One

Hey Nerdy Girls,

We’re all known for something which we’re great at, and are often asked to lend a helping hand to the people in our lives in these areas. Whether you are the one person whom all your girl friends come running to for help on creating a spreadsheet, or for relationship advice, to set up a system or a budget, cooking a fabulous meal, or to help with brainstorming ideas, we all have something we are known for.

Performing these skills people seek you out for is most often something you enjoy, and is something that you seem to get even better at, the more you do it. There is a multitude of special skills and talents that are unique to you Nerdy Girl. Often times these special skills go unnoticed by the Nerdy Girls of the world, as they are things that come so naturally to you, and take so little effort to improve and make fabulous, that we tend not to even consider it a skill to begin with. We disregard these precious elements of who we are, and ignore the value they have to our character and our overall success. These things that you are great at, whatever they may be, are the meat and potatoes of your being! We so often put our focus on areas that we are not good at, beating ourselves up for not being the best at everything to everyone. We fail in all attempts to become “Supreme Fabulous Woman: Master of All Things and Goddess of Every Skill”.

News flash Nerdy Girls, that chick does NOT exist.

How would it feel if you only focused on the things that you are already good at? Take the skills that you are great at and make them excellent, and spend as much time on them as possible. Hone in on the skills you innately possess and that you enjoy in order to reduce the stress of focusing on those things that you do not seem to be any good at, that don’t give you any power or motivation, and just plain stress you out!

Question: If it comes so natural to me and I do it all the time, then how do I know what my special talent is?

Answer: Ask the people who know you. Start by talking to your close friends and family members, as well as your co-workers. Ask them to give you some feedback on what they feel you are good at, what they think you seem to do really well. Tell them Nerdy Girl sent you, and that you had no choice but to ask ;) Then when they tell you all those innate skills you possess, pat yourself on the back, you are unique and these abilities prove it.

Look out for part two and three of this series where we bring you:

1. Resources to help you hone in on your special skills
2. Ways to maximize your focus on your “fantastic abilities” and minimize focus on your “just ok abilities”
3. Ways to make your unique talents make you money

Dress for SUCCESS

Calling out to all my Corporate Nerds .. this post's for you:

I was invited to attend a Professional Development seminar hosted by the Urban Financial Services Coalition's Toronto Chapter at Kultura Restaurant on King St., East of Jarvis.

The topic - Dress for Success - was flawlessly delivered by Savillian Clothiers (a brother and sister team operating out of Mississauga).


I took notes ( like a real nerd would :) and learned how to "crack the workplace dress code", so you girls won't have to:

"Corporate/Professional" = a suit, or skirt suit, or cardigan set.

"Business" = a collared shirt (or blouse) paired with slacks or a knee-length (or longer) skirt.

"Business Casual" = khakis or dark jeans with polo shirt or sweater (read: NO T-SHIRTS).

"Power Suit" = (i.e. the MUST HAVE item in every Nerd's closet) is a black suit, paired with a white collared shirt and 2-inch black leather pumps.

P.S.
I've included a pic of Savillian - check out Jas in her sharp corporate-ready skirt suit.................... I COVET!!

Oh, and always remember the cardinal rule of dressing for success:
Dress for the job you want, not the job you have!

Until next time!
xx

Labour Woes..

So ... Here's more bad news for those who were banking on a big raise to fund Christmas shopping!

The Globe & Mail is reporting that employers are going to be scaling back on salary increases, implementing hiring freezes and re-evaluating their compensation structure in an attempt to cut costs in response to the dismal economic forecast.

Some snippets from today’s article:

Employers that had initially planned to offer average annual salary increases of 3.9 per cent next year are now talking about average increases of 3 per cent, or lower, if economic conditions continue to deteriorate, Prem Benimadhu, the Conference Board's vice-president of governance and human resources management, said after presenting his revised compensation outlook at a conference in Toronto.

“The factors in the labour market that created pressure on the wage front are no longer there,” said Mr. Benimadhu, who predicts a reduction in turnover as employees sit tight.

“Many companies are concerned about the business environment …That is changing quite dramatically and deteriorating in many sectors like forestry, hospitality and manufacturing.”

“The lowest increases are expected in the beleaguered manufacturing sector, and in the communications and telecommunications industry.'

So, what does this mean for our Nerdy Girls in (and looking to enter) the workforce?

• If you have a job, keep it!
• If you are on the job hunt, bring your A-Game to the table
• PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE your interviewing skills
• Get up to speed on the company’s profile and industry to demonstrate your knowledge and interest in the business
• Consider negotiating on vacation and other perks versus salary levels and wages

_______________________________________________________________________________

Up next.. the Urban Financial Services Coalition tells us how to DRESS FOR SUCCESS!

Stay tuned!
xx

The "At-choo" Effect

I heard a wonderful quote on the weekend “Every time America sneezes we catch a cold”. To me this statement completely encompasses our economic situation right now. We may not have started the problem but we are sure to see the repercussions from it.

So I have been out of work for a few months now, I wasn’t laid off or fired; I made the decision to leave my job because I felt it was the best choice for me. I felt I was being taken advantage of and with the rise in gas prices at the time I figured it would be better to get a job closer to home. Wonderful plan in theory, however; I didn’t take into consideration how hard it would be for me to find another job.

Now unless you are walking through the world with blinders and earmuffs on you completely understand that this is not a time to be living on my line of credit and credit cards. I am very lucky to have an amazing support system in place around me so that if I can’t pull myself up someone I love will. But what happens when your support system starts for fall too?

I spoke with a former co-worker the other day, her and her husband were getting ready for their lovely Greek holiday only to find out that her husband would be getting laid off. They decided let life play out and hope for the best, enjoy their vacation and came back home to fix the problem.

Nerdy Girl readers - here is the Unemployed Nerdy Girl’s lesson of the week “EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!” My lovely former co-worker returned to work with all her great holiday pictures, she settled back in with the ladies at work to discuss her fabulous purchases and watch the tinge of envy rise in their eyes. With things not perfect at home at least she had this moment or did she? A few days later she was called downstairs to that dreaded HR department “Excuse me Mrs. Forty+, can we speak with you?” “I’m really sorry we’re going to have to let you go. Thanks for all your help. Here is a month’s wages on us – Take Care!”

So what happens now?

Meet happy couple #2, Newlyweds - Mr. and Mrs. Twenty-something. My girl and husband have been married for just over a year now. A few months ago after living patiently in their basement apartment they became the proud owners and occupants of a beautiful 1-bedroom condo. Life is pretty peachy right now but what happens when Mrs. Twenty-something gets let go because the “mom & pop shop” company she works for can’t afford to keep her?

As happy as I am to have someone to spend my unemployed days with as we both search for jobs. I am sure this is not the life she and her lovely hubby envisioned.

So what happens now?

Well if your story is similar to any of the above or you are scared that one day it could be then congratulation to you for taking a step in the right direction and logging onto Nerdy Girl online.

~~Signed: The currently unemployed Nerdy Girl Chanell

.. stay tuned for future posts on Applying for Unemployment Insurance; Managing the Job Search; The Only Way Out is Up; Advantages of Unemployment; Free Time - Time management, or Doubtful Depression.

Hello World!

Welcome, and thanks for stopping by :)

This BLOG is managed by the Nerdy Girl Network based out of Toronto, Canada. We will strive to give you up-to-date information to increase your financial literacy, personal finance and money management skills in a light and fun setting!

We will cover topics from all areas such as:

• Personal financial planning and education
• Retail therapy: i.e. fashion/beauty finds for the budget-fashionista ;)
• Books and articles that promote financial empowerment and literacy
• Our very own 'ChickLets' advice column were we respond to letters received from readers and friends

and, last but not least..

• Featured smart/sexy successful 'Nerdy Girls', to serve as a source of inspiration positive re-enforcement for all!

Always remember the 4 L's: Live, Love, Laugh, and (most importantly) LEARN!


Quote of the Day: I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma. ~Eartha Kitt

The Quintessential Nerdy Girl: Daria

Dedicated to all the "nerdy girls" of the world.

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