A Return on Your Investment

Welp, if you are here looking for money tips , leave now. This is a strictly personal tool-tip. I believe that investing is so much more than financial success. Please, don't misunderstand me, I whole heartedly believe in financial security and monetary investments. I also believe that we've gotten away from emotional investments. So many are looking for short term fixes to long term problems. My thoughts and skill sets lead me to believe that if I invest in you emotionally, my return yield will be so much more than the current cost of Apple stock. Emotional investments take time, courage, patience, and understanding. It also requires a stiff upper lip at times. I take pride in emotionally investing in those around me. I have a high regard for their success as human beings as well as the career paths they choose. I want each generation to do more, have more, learn more than the one prior. It is with so much pride that I look at my younger nieces, nephews, cousins, and family friends. They are college educated, spritually connected, forward thinking people. They dreams I have for them have no limits. I have invested in each of them in different ways and to varying degrees. You have to help people see their worth, potential, and ability to achieve. Through this method, we help the next generation move beyond where we are. I did not always practice this personal tool. I learned it from my bestie, my sister, my friend. She is the MOST kind and giving woamn I know. She emotionally invests in me daily and each day I am blessed for it. She taught me and still teaches me the importance of WORDS and their power. I hope I speak truth and honor in my daily walk. I hope the same for you. Here are a few flicks of me this week, living in my truth! The good, the bad, and the supa cute! HA!! Your sister friend, savings guru, all around gal pal! OHDADIVA

Don't Shade My Shine!

Daily, we encounter those folks whose energy and vibe is so negative, it's palpable. Their negativity takes on a persona all its own. Merely being in their presence is a drain to the aura and dynamics of a room. These Sad Stans and Debbie Downers can take you from 100 to 0 in 60 seconds flat with a simple word, gesture, or deed. I have decided that for me this will no longer be the case. My mantra, the truth I stand firm in, is "you will not shade my shine". Loosely translated, this means you can miss me with that bull$&@t. Life is so precious. Everyday, every minute you deserve to be living your best life. This is not to say there will not be challenges, but its the way we overcome thme that MATTERS. Do not let anyone, be it family, friend, or foe shade your shine. Be the bright light you were destined to be. I try to let my inner light shine from inside out. Start letting your character and natural charisma work for you, I promise, you'll thank me later. This is my sage advice for today. Here is a photo of me with my beams on bright, no foggy day for me. OHDADIVA Your sister friend, savings guru, all around gal pal!



No rest for the weary

Today was awesome. Nothing happened , it just was an awesome day. I spent little or no money and I am cleaning closets. I have 1 son who is experiencing multiple growth spurts. I am buying shoes every other month or so. He had a "fresh to death" pair of Addidas that got no hang time before they were to small. I found a young man with the same size(10.5 in mens) that could benefit, I gladly gave them to him. I don't believe in giving things that are tired, worn, or in disrepair. It's an insult and grossly inappropriate. My other child has just inched past me, so fortunately, I get the benefit of his too little shoes. I am not a sneaker person per se, but I am on a weight-health journey. I want 2012 to be the year of mental, physical, and financial clarity. My blog will be sort of a life style blog. I might post some outfits, videos about my coupon scores, or things that I purchased. I feel so much strength from writing my feelings and thoughts, this could quite possibly be my Fantastic Voyage. You know the song come sing it with me.

I am in the honeymoon stage.

Setting up a blog is intoxicating. It is a personal-public way of expressing opinions, grattitude, or venting about "that bullsh$@" we encounter in life. I find myself in need of a great vent. Family dynamics can be so complex and multi-faceted. I am learning the power of "no". This word is a honorable thing. It gives the user the power to stand up or down on what ever platform presented in front of them. I hope to get better each day at the power of " no" so that I always understand the proper time for yes. I promise, last blog for today.

My favorite things

I want my blog to be a lifestlye blog. I want it to encompass my hopes, dreams, actions, and deeds. I hope it be be a visceral part of my being. I want to clearly translate my thoughts into words that can help me understand lifes everyday challenges. Prior to my 2012 committment to spending less and saving more, I was a bit of a spendaholic, what the heck, let me tell, I was a shopping FOOL. I loved the feeling of walking into a store, visualizing an ensemble, and LEAVING with it. I have a closet packed with things with tags. I purchased them with the intent of a Fabulous Future look. I am learning to surround myself with only those things that truly matter and add value to my life. I love the feel of Nivea face- hand cream, it makes skin so soft. Lumene face cleanser is a must for the rough winter weather months. Bliss Eau de Toilette spray is light and crisp enough for any season. The fragrance is feminine without being overbearing. It can be worn year round. I LURVE(my tete's pronunciation of love) Pandora jewelry. It is a modern twist on a classic look. I have limited charms on my bracelet and I hope that changes as birthdays and holidays arrive. This is a HINT!!!!! Lastly, my coupon caddy. My guys gave it to me and I will rock it until the wheels fall off! They know the importance of couponing to me and this gift was their way of sharing this hobby too. Rounding out my favorite things are my IPad 2 and lemon scented lip balm. These are my favorite things.



Your sister friend, savings guru, all around gal pal!

OHDADIVA

You need to visualize the calm after a storm.

Whew, I thought 2011 was a deal breaker. I nearly folded but I NEVER buckled. This new year, 2012, has started out bumpy but tubulence does not scare me. The older I get the more I realize the importance of visualization. You have to SEE yourself moving to the next level. I admire surfers, they remain standing through rough waters. A surfer needs rough waters to be able to find beauty in confusion. They fall down and they always get back up. My favorite singer, Monica, has a song  "I'm still standing". Life brings you rough terrain, it's this climb that defines who you are. You can chose to watch others climb higher, you can choose to lay in misery, or you can opt to find the lesson in every challenge. I wallowed in misery but I opted to find the lesson. Finding the lesson, visualizing your destiny is a great gift we all have. I use mine daily. I hope you do too.

Your sister friend, your savings guru, all around gal pal!

 OHDADIVA

In all things be loyal and faithful

I have stated before, and it bears a remention, I am a ride or die chick. I will clarify, I am loyal to a fault. I have learned that loyalty has its own rewards in life and shopping. I have a loyal customer card for every store I frequent. My loyalty to CVS is unwavering. They could hire Boomboom Babarilla as a service clerk and I would find a way to get along with them. I have not had much opportunity this week to coupon. I did manage to get to Walgreens, but today I made it to CVS. I spent $13.35. I used coupons and ECR. I purchased 3 gallons of Arizona tea, 2 Dawn dish detergents, an 8 roll pack of Sparkle paper towels , and 3 Axe body washes, and a tube of Aquafrsh toothpaste. Considering that the tea is 2.99 each, I made out like a bandit! I always use my CVS card to make a purchases, because of this, I get extra coupons. Be loyal, be faithful, be true. It pays out in the end.

Did you clip your coupons?

Good morning! This past Sunday the ads were great. The consisted mostly of personal care items and home needs. I clippled a large number of ads and completed most of my coupon shopping at Walgreens...to digress a moment, Walgreens in Chicago opened a new store that offers " high end"...I can't wait to go. Anywho, Walgreens has their saving book out as well. Those Walgreens coupons may be used in conjunction with manufacturers coupons. It's called a double up. It's the best thing going. I used my ad coupons along with "their" coupons and purchased a number of Nuetrogena products. Nuetrogena is also BOGO this week. If you have a teen girl in your life, this is an excellent time to get skin safe products for light make up or a daily skin care routine. I got several items for under $6.00 after my coupons. The trick to couponing at Walgrrens is to remember your # count. The # of items purchased has to be equivolent to the number of coupons, you might need a couple of " filler" items...I generally use the $0.35 caramels located at the check out. Happy shopping!


Your sister friend, savings guru, all around gal pal!

OHDADIVA

Things you should keep in abundance

My parents were clean hand fanatics. I would venture to say, they were paper towel afficianados. My daddy, resting in heaven, always bought Viva paper towels for cleaning counters and after frying chicken. Viva are the Cadillac of paper towels. Daddy also kept Sparkle paper towels for general after wash hand drying, Sparkle being the Chevy of paper towels. Needless to say my folks house was always stocked with paper towels. They used this same ideaology regarding ketchup, mustard, green beans, and applesauce. Somethings were just better than others. I, through osmosis, have picked up this same trait. I like to stockpile Dove- Cadillac of bodywash, Dawn- the Caddy of dish detergent, and LOVE and PATIENCE above all things. Being a wife, mom, daughter, sister....you must get the drift now, is a taxing and ever busy profession. Those things , in addition to my W2 job(the one I get paid to do), keep me hopping. I wouldn't change any of it for the world. I backslide today and spent $8.00 for breakfast and lunch. I feel pretty crappy about it now, but tomorrow is another day. No Excuses. Who are you doing? Holla back.



Your sister friend , savings guru, all around gal pal!

OHDADIVA

Outfit of the day

Knowing better means doing better.

While on my savings journey, there are some things that can't be compromised. Meat being numero uno in my book. I have recently started buying all of my meat at the meat market. It is fresher in appearence and the taste is untouched. I generally go every Saturday after I plan my menu for the week. My most recent visit, I chatted it up with a friendly young woman. She was warm and engaging, easy to smile, and even touched my arm. I was slightly taken aback, but in a positive way. Sometimes, we as women, are quick to judge and hesitant to speak. I enjoyed our brief banter. She got her meat selections, 2 NY strips and 1lb of hamburger. I never gave it much thought until she reached the cashier. She stated she had to get buns as she was making her teen sons(3) hamburgers. My first thought was, you're spending $15.00 on NY strips for yourself while your kids get a burger thin enough to be a cookie. I forced myself to remember it is not my place to judge. Maybe she had a 1lb at home and was getting a spare pound in addition. I hope she was at least. The lesson for me was, you know better so concentrate on you now. I hope those boys had burgers big enough for 2 hands instaed of the pinky finger burger I envisioned.



Your sister friend, savings guru, all around gal pal!

Out of the day

I survived.

Welp, that's well with a little help with it, I survived day 1 of my no spend for food. It was not bad at all, let me be clear, it wasn't great either. I have allowed myself to become so accustomed to eating out that I had a hard time chewing lunch, and I know who to chew!! I will be fine, how was your first day? I hope you joined me. I did want to share a photo with you. Can you see my bra $50 in my old skool bank? The other two diddies are my favorite deodorant and body wash. I got the Secret for $1.74 and the Olay for $4.49 total spent $6.23. Of course I used coupons. The Secret retails for $3.99 and the Olay $6.99, so essentially, it was a BOGO with no tax. Every penny counts, use a coupon every store visit and lets stack dollars together.

Your sister friend, savings guru, all around gal pal!


OHDADIVA

Just throw it in the bag!

I think Fab was on to something, just throw it in the bag! Bananas, apples, oranges, pretzels, just throw it in the bag. By now, you should realize Fab and I are talking about two very different things, but the concept remains the same. Do you brown bag your lunch? I have a very hit or miss record with this. There are several restaurants a stones throw from where my office is. I know each one of them intimately! Not a good thing for the waistline or purse lining. I have made a decision to make a concentrated effort to pack my lunch at least 4x per week. When I think back on the amont of money I have wasted on lunches alone, I get vertigo, the vapors, or whatever else our mom used to get. I literally spent 50.00 per week having coffee, breakfast, and lunch. This totals $200-$225 per month *12 = $2,400!! Ohhh no big baby, don't judge me, calculate YOUR lunch expenses and learn with ME. I have been spending money ridiculously and extremely unnecessarily. This practice is coming to a abrupt halt effective immediately. I will be packing a light cereal and fruit breakfast and a budget friendly lunch as well. It will be hard at first but like anything else, we will adjust. So you with me, we gonna throw it in the bag?


Your sister friend, savings guru, all around gal pal!

OHDADIVA

Outfit of the day

Just save it!

I made some discoveries about myself last year. I apparently love to spend money. Sometimes my spending is wise and sometimes very implusive. I have resolved to spend less and save much more in 2012. I am still in the process of figuring out how this works, but I am determined to do it. My first step was to take my 50.00 from my bra account, oh yeah I said BRA account, and stash it away. That felt great. That was my personal 50.00 for the week to be spent at my local Sephora, Target, etc. I am 50.00 up for the year. We can do, we just have to set our minds to it. Do you remember when we were young our parents did so much so much less? I am gonna kick it old skool and get myself back to basics and plan for greatness this year. I have also started a vision book! I am so new to this game, but rather than spend unnessecarily, I will be envisioning my wants to be able to discern what I really need. Come on friends, lets get it!


Your sister friend, savings guru, all around gal pal!


OHDADIVA

Coupon Haul

Outfit of The Day

It was an inside job

I am a young mature woman. That is code for over 30 and under 50. I have come to realize cloting is an outward expression of our innermost feelings. I would like to think that everyday my clothing choice says, shes a bad mamajamma, but alas somtimes it says, you must be crazy!! I get so caught up sometimes in being a mom, wife, maid, chef, etc. that I forget I am a woman womdeffully made. The start of 2012 presents itself with an opporunity to change all that. I will be dressing more to let the world see the bright light that shines so greatly in me. Today I plan to let my boots do all the talking and my smile will be shining its light! Confidence starts on the inside ladies, let the world know how great you are. Clothes don't make us by any means, but the do allow us to show the world we are FIERCE! Are you letting everyone know your fierceness?



Your sister friend, savings guru, all around gal pal!


OHDADIVA

Members Only......

Good morning!!!!
I am so excited about the savings possibilities for the upcoming year. I am a member of every location that offers a reward card. It serves a customer well. I recently made a trip to CVS and saved over half of my total bill. I combined my ECB with Sunday circular coupons to intensify my savings. It is a great feeling knowing I am saving money and taking care of my family needs at the same time. I am knew to blogging but in the words of my family, " we gone learn today". Please get a Sunday paper, clip your coupons, and scour your ads for the best savings. I like to go through my ads, write down freebies, and star items I need. As I clip my coupons, I mentally reflect on what I saw in the ads. Its a process but it gets easier. I saw on TWITTER recently that if you can save 20.00 per week, you can pay cash for a vacation. That is my current goal, I plan to coupon hard 2012 to allow me the opportunity to save for a family vacation. In that vain, always contact a city's Visitors Bureau for additional savings and coupon.


Your sister friend, saving guru, all around gal pal


OHDADIVA

Are we the change we want to see.....

I saw something disturbing on FB today. Someone witnessed a blatant act of racism. Rather than confront this racially challenged gentleman, this party chose to take the high road. The said party prayed for the offender and offended and drove home. While I don't doubt the said party was upset by witnessing this travesty, I question their response. I come from of family of Stong, Dominant, Educated women. These women in my family are ride or die. They may not agree with you, they WILL tell you when you are wrong, and several have been known to but a PIMP hand down- that act right if you will. So automatically when I read the posting I thought my auntees would have gotten "that act right out on ya boy", let him know the err of his ways so to speak. It would have been the hand to hand version of the OK coral. Please don't get me twisted, we are NOT advocates for violence, but we believe STAND UP or go take your 5 seats to the left and be quiet. Who are you? My dear friend once said "know who you are so you will know who you are not". Now that I have soapboxed for today, please have a magnificent Monday.



Your sister friend, savings guru, all around gal pal!


OHDADIVA

Good riddance 2011.....ani i ain't looking back atcha!

Hunty, hunty, hunty...2011 was one of those years that could have made or broke a chick! It came in like a chick with a ill fitting weave, loud and in my face. My son was hospitalized in Feb, my father passed in June, I had surgery end of July, and my husband became deathly ill in Dec. Let me add, we were in Orlando when this happened! My surprise trip to Universal ended up SURPRISING me. Baby, what your elders told you is true, what don't kill you, will show you your true strength! I believe I am currently He-woman, Cat-woman, or something of that ilk. What I do know is that I am a survivor. I get down but I wont get out!! You can count on me to the fourth quarter of any game, and I will swing into overtime with you. I am one of those old skool ride or die women. I may not agree with you, but I'm going to see the storm out with you. I said all of this to say.....we are gonna ride the wave until the sunsets on us! You wit me...in the words of my Uncle Carl..."who ya wit, who ya wit"


Your sister friend, your savings guru, a ride or die chick,

OHDADIVA(Kim)