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!

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and, last but not least..

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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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