Women and Money

5 Ideas to Protect Your Email Accounts From Cypercriminals

Simple Truths About Money, Women and Money / By /

Rayi Christian WWe all know that hackers and cypercriminals are out there and probably not going away anytime soon. In fact, their crimes, like the recent Russian hacking incident, get bolder all the time. The truth is that criminal networks are conspiring round-the-clock to hack into our email accounts to find ways to steal our money!

A particular type of email fraud referred to as “a hostile email account takeover” is a growing trend. In this type of fraud, a hacker uses malware such as a keystroke-logging program to take control of a victim’s email account, often by secretly stealing their log-in credentials. The fraudster then monitors the email account and identifies the financial institutions or financial advisors with which the victim does business. For example, the hacker will contact financial advisors disguised as their client and ask for a wire transfer. Or, a fraudster will send an email from someone familiar to you who claims to be in trouble, out of money, and needs your immediate financial help.

We are all vulnerable to this type of fraud, but there are ways to protect yourself. Taking action may be a pain, but it would be more painful to be a cypercrime victim.

Here are 5 ideas to put into action to protect your email accounts from fraud:

1. Use strong passwords and change them often (every three to six months). Strong passwords have the following characteristics:

* Do not include dictionary words – if you use dictionary words, replace some of the letters with symbols.
* Do not include consecutive numbers or numbers that match your address, phone number, date of birth. last four digits of social security number, or other easily identifiable numbers.
* Do use a mix of symbols, numbers, lower and upper capitalization.
* Are longer than six characters.
* Are customized for each log-in.

2. Get clever with your passwords.

* Create a goal setting password. For example, floss teeth daily, stay on budget – just be sure to drop some letters and replace with numbers or symbols.
* Use a line from your favorite poem, song, or prayer and knockout some letters and replace with symbols.
* Think of your favorite books, plays, musicals and do the same.

3. Be vigilant when opening emails. Don’t open attachments or click on links from unreliable or unknown sources – this is how malware gets on your computer.

4. Keep your computer healthy by updating your operating system periodically, activating your computer’s firewall, installing and regularly updating anti-virus and anti-spyware software.

5. Use extra caution when using a public computer or logging in away from home.

If remembering multiple passwords is the bane of your existence, you can try password managers such as LastPass or 1Password. However, a password manager is only as secure as the password you assign to it. Another way to play it safer is to sign up for the two-factor authentication offered by many online services – before logging in with your password, you will have to enter a code sent to your smartphone or tablet.

Don’t be a victim, protect yourself now.

photo by Rayi Christian W, from Unsplash

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Mothers, Daughters and Money

Cash Flow Planning, Simple Truths About Money, Women and Money / By /
parents financial habits

parents financial habits

My mom quit her blossoming career as a buyer at the Emporium in San Francisco to become a 1950’s-style housewife. As a dutiful Catholic wife, she gave birth to 6 healthy children and spent the next 16 years or so cooking, cleaning, and loving us all as only a mother can.

My dad gave her an allowance which I’m sure was modest. She rarely bought herself anything new and for years she made all her own clothes and some of ours too.

She spent money on food and other necessities. She kept within budget by watching the pennies. For example, she didn’t buy T.V. dinners or other packaged foods that were convenient, but cost more per serving. Rather, she cooked from scratch, with the help of a few canned and frozen items.

We ate simple meals which rotated weekly: Monday-chicken, Tuesday-spaghetti and meatballs, Wednesday-enchiladas, Thursday-pork chops and Friday-always fish and usually breaded-and-fried fillet of sole.

She and my dad rarely went out to dinner and even many years later, she couldn’t accept restaurant prices. She would always go for the cheapest thing on the menu. It got so that when my siblings and I would take her out to eat, we wouldn’t let her see the menu but rather ask her what she felt like eating so she wouldn’t order the house salad!

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We all learn about money in various ways. Our parents behaviors around money can trigger different reactions.

I am nothing like my mother was with money. As soon as I started to have discretionary income, I would treat myself to what I wanted. I believe in living within your means, having an emergency fund, and saving for financial goals and retirement, but I also believe that money is a tool to create a life filled with experiences and things you love and enjoy.

I think my mom was content. But I also know that she would have liked to go out more, get dressed up, maybe go dancing now and then. She would have liked to travel more and she would have liked a new piano. She could have had all those things, and I wish that she had.

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The Solo-K: Smart Retirement Planning for the Self-Employed updated for 2018

Financial Planning, Retirement Planning, Women and Money / By /
Solo-k Smart Retirement Planning Self-Employed

Solo-k Smart Retirement Planning Self-Employed

In 2001, the government gave self-employed workers a gift: a 401(k) plan that allows for greater amounts of tax-deferred income with less hassle to set up than any other retirement plan.

The plan, mostly called a Solo 401(k) or a Solo-k or one-participant plan beats traditional corporate 401(k)s in higher savings limits and in the ability to invest in a variety of options. With this plan, you are both an employee and an employer and make contributions for each.

You are an excellent candidate for a Solo-k if:

  1. You are a business owner or self-employed person.
  2. You have no employees, except for a spouse.
  3. You can and want to save a lot of money in certain years. You don’t have to make the same level of contribution
    every year.

Contribution limit

Up to $55,000 in 2018 (plus $6,000 catch-up contribution for those 50 or older) or 100% of earned income, whichever is less.

  • In your capacity as the employee, you can contribute up to 100% of your compensation or $18,500 (plus that $6,000 catch-up contribution, if eligible), whichever is less.
  • In your capacity as the employer, you can make an additional contribution of up to 25% of compensation.
  • There is a special rule for sole proprietors and single-member LLCs: You can contribute 25% of net self-employment income, which is your net profit less half your self-employment tax and the plan contributions you made for yourself.
  • The limit on compensation that can be used to factor your contribution is $275,000 in 2018.

All contributions are pre-tax. If you take withdrawals before age 59 1/2 tax is due as well as a 10% penalty. You must take RMD’s (Required Minimum Distributions starting at age 70 1/2.

Spouse element

If your spouse works in the business, you can potentially contribute up to $55,000 plus catch-up if age-eligible, doubling the contribution.

Other things to know:

  • Once the 401(k) reaches more than $250,000 you have to file paperwork with the IRS.
  • You can open a 401(k) at almost all custodians.
  • The contribution limits are annual, per person, so if there are other 401(k)’s it will limit the solo-k contribution.
  • You can also choose a solo Roth 401(k) which follows most of the same rules as the Roth IRA (except for the income limits, there are no income limits for a Roth 401(k).
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Real-life Financial Stories: Student Loan Debt

Budgeting Help, Cash Flow Planning, Financial Planning, Women and Money / By /
Student Loans by Age graph

Student-loans-by-ageI’d like to introduce Erin Fleming McCloskey. Erin is just starting her career as a financial planner. She passed the CFP examination on the first try which is something to be proud of as the pass rate is about 63.5%.  Lucky for me, Erin is a paraplanner with my firm, Curtis Financial Planning, LLC.

Erin was born at the tail end of Generation X/beginning of the Millenials, a generation generally attributed with the following traits: highly-educated, tech-savvy, self-confident and ambitious. Unfortunately, this generation was also born at a time when costs of higher-education reached new heights. Just last week, the  Federal Reserve Bank of New York announced that outstanding student debt again topped $1 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2013, second only to the pool of debt behind mortgages.

Student loan debt has tripled in a decade, actually faster than medical costs or 500% since 1985.  Seven in 10 college seniors who graduated in 2012 had student loan debt, with an average of $29,400 for those with loans. The national share of seniors graduating with loans rose from 68 percent in 2008 to 71 percent in 2012, while their debt at graduation increased by an average of six percent per year.

This debt crisis not only greatly affects the quality of life of an entire generation, it has a huge impact on the economy as Millennials delay living on their own, buying cars and homes and starting families.

Erin has many of the traits that are attributed to her generation, and yes, she is paying off her student loan debt. Here is her story:

Q & A With Erin

Q: Where are you in the process of paying down your student loan debt?

A:  I graduated “undergrad” in 2002 and then “grad” school in 2007 and have only been paying my loans for the past 4 years due to deferring in those years of grad school or gap years of financial hardship.  

I went to a private university for undergrad and had financial aid (no scholarships for merit because everyone would have deserved them) and my parents did PLUS loans as well. I had no money from savings/529 plans/grandparents for college. I took loans for whatever I couldn’t cover from the maximum  financial aid package I had.

I owe $32,000 now on those loans (they grew for several years while I deferred payments and now I’m paying on them). For grad school, I went to a state school and only racked up $5000 in debt.

Q: Are you also contributing to a retirement plan (401(k), IRA)?

A: I am married (file jointly) and we contribute to an IRA –> Roth rollover for me each year. (Income is too high to directly do a Roth contribution for me).

Q: How do you prioritize your long term savings and paying down student loans?

A: Fortunately I have money saved to pay my loans currently, and out of my husband’s salary, we save for retirement.  My goal is that by the time my saved money from my last job runs out, I will be earning enough to keep paying my loans down myself.

Q: Do you have private loans or government loans?

A: I have government loans and private loans.

Q: Did you consolidate your loans?

A: My loans are consolidated, and the interest is around 2.5%, so I am in no hurry to pay the balance ahead of schedule.

Q: Have your found a way to improve your student loan situation?

A: I did consolidate and I believe my current rate is the best I can get. I’ve had this rate for 5-6 years.

Q: Can you recommend any resources, apps, tools that have helped pay down loans?

A: Yes, https://studentaid.gov/ for advice and consolidating

Q:  To what extent are your student loans affecting your life and the decisions you’re making?

A: The first time I realized that the loans were real and I owed money was when I came back from my first year after college that I’d spent in service abroad. I didn’t realize I needed to start paying on the loans after the grace period and since I wasn’t having my mail forwarded across the globe, I missed out on the reminders. So, I came back with my credit score ruined for the next seven years. 

Fortunately, by the time I was married and trying to buy a home my record was clean again. Having loans to pay did also stop me from leaving the country to be a backpacker for TOO long at a time; always had to come back and pay my minimums.

I am fortunate that I don’t have to worry about paying them, since now I am married and can take advantage of the second income.  I think the real difference to me now is that we have a 2 year old and we’ve already started saving for her college because I don’t want her to be in the same boat as I am with owing so much.

I’m also going to take advantage of technological/educational advances by the time she is out of high school and do a real cost/benefit analysis and see what education she can do virtually and for free.

I am sure that my education and life experience were worth the cost, but I do want to do my best to assure the investment will be worth it for my daughter and make sure she has good advice and career counseling when the time comes.

Q: When you are done paying off your student loans, what will you do with that freed up cash?

A: Probably give some to my daughter during her starting-out years, and otherwise use it to max-out retirement savings if needed and after that, PLANE TICKETS!

Q: If you could start over, would you choose the same education and loans?
A: Absolutely! My college experience was totally worth what I’m paying for now. I just wish I’d not made the mistake with missing out on my first 8 payments or so.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can tackle your student loan debt, join GoGirl Finance, Bicycle Financial and me for a twitter chat on February 26 at 5:30 PST, 8:30 EST. Use the hashtag #SavingsChat and join the discussion. More details can be found here: #SavingsChat: Managing Student Loans and Saving.

 Additional articles of interest:

From CNBC:   Repayment Strategies for Your Student Loans

From The New Republic:  When Millenials Can’t Move Out of Their Parents’ Basements the Entire Economy Suffers

From US News Personal Finance: Should You Consolidate Your Student Loan Debt?

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Interesting Financial Blogs – Really!

Investment Management, Women and Money / By /
Woman reading a blog on her iPad

Woman reading a blog on her iPadWhen I get an extra hour in a day, I like to go on-line and read my favorite financial blogs. Not only do they keep me up-to-date on business news, but I always learn something that I can use in my life or share with clients. I have a feeling that this pastime is not shared with many (other than my financial advisor friends) but I do know that we all want to be smarter about our money. Be honest – how many of you made a New Year’s resolution that had something to do with your finances?

The following is a list of blogs that I promise, will inform but not bore. After all, money really can be quite interesting.

The BillFold is not your typical money blog. It’s about ordinary people and situations and it can be both silly and serious. Each post is related to money in some way, it just isn’t always obvious.  In the editors own words “We are a site about money. We are interested in people’s lives and how funds make those lives awesome and not so awesome.”

I enjoy The Business Insider finance blog, called Clusterstock because it not only reports and analyzes business news but it acts as an aggregator of the top news stories from around the web. It can be your one-stop shop for financial news.

Every year we read news stories about the World Economic Forum that is held in Davos, Switzerland where business, political, academic and other leaders gather to shape agendas for a better world. This same organization supports a blog on its website that is full of interesting articles about global economics.

Each business day I receive an email from The Seeking Alpha blog called Wall Street Breakfast-Must-Know News. It summarizes the top stock market and economic news and provides a link to the full article if I choose to read more. I find it to be an incredibly efficient way to stay on top of financial news.

Happy New Year!

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Do You Need a Prenup?

Couples and Money, Women and Money / By /

According to news reports, when Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise announced their divorce, there wasn’t much of a question of how the couple’s assets would be split. That’s because a detailed prenuptial agreement outlined exactly what would happen, financially speaking, if the couple split. It’s been said that Holmes walked away with only those assets that she brought into the marriage.
Do you need a prenup? | Curtis Financial Planning

Prenups aren’t unusual for celebrity types or the super wealthy, but they aren’t as common for the simply well-off folks who aren’t in the spotlight. This could be a mistake. There are social trends that make having a prenup a very smart idea. Instead of creating tension for a couple, a prenup can actually create peace of mind that financial matters will be settled fairly and quickly in case a marriage doesn’t work out.

You may see yourself or someone in these circumstances:

* Going into a marriage with significant assets or liabilities: People are getting married later in life (the average age for a first marriage is the highest it’s ever been, at 26.5 years for women and 28.7 for men, according to the Pew Research Center), time enough to accumulate wealth on one’s own.

* Inheriting a large sum of money or other assets: Baby Boomers and Gen Xers are often beneficiaries of their parents’ or grandparents’ estates, creating instant wealth for one or both partners.

* Divorcing after age 50, sometimes referred to as the “gray divorce”: A gray divorce typically involves an empty-nester couple who stayed together for the sake of the children. Or, since we are all living longer, a marriage that would have ended with the death of one spouse now ends in divorce. Whatever the exact cause, statistics show that the divorce rate has more than doubled in the past 10 years. Today, one-quarter of people who get divorced are over age 50, according to the National Center for Family and Marriage Research.

Prenup Basics

Prenuptial agreements are legal documents that specify how certain financial issues will be handled in the event a marriage ends (either in divorce or death). Prenups are especially popular when one partner has substantially more money than the other going into the marriage.

A prenup might be a good idea even if you don’t have movie star money. You should consider a prenuptial agreement if:

  • You own a business.
  • You expect to receive a significant inheritance.
  • You have assets such as retirement accounts, a home or stocks.
  • You have children from a previous relationship.
  • You don’t make a lot of money now, but you expect your future earnings to be significant (for example, you are currently in law school or medical school).
  • You have more unusual assets that you want to protect (for example, you are an author or musician who owns the copyright to your creative works, you have a collection of valuable art, etc.).
  • One half of a couple has significant debt.

A well-crafted prenuptial agreement will specify how these assets and liabilities will be handled if a marriage ends.

The Well-Crafted Prenup

Just having a signed agreement between two parties doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a valid prenup. For your agreement to be enforceable, you need to do certain things:

  • Sign the agreement well before the wedding. If a prenup was signed just days before a marriage, it may look like one party was coerced into the agreement.
  • Fully disclose all your financial information. If one person withholds information, it could make the prenup unenforceable.
  • Make sure your prenup is equitable. Courts may not look fondly on an agreement that leaves one party completely broke. For example, even if one person waives his or her right to alimony payments, a court could still decide to award those payments if it determines that’s the fairest option.
  • Keep it reasonable. Don’t include frivolous, non-financial demands in your prenup, such as clauses that require one spouse to not gain weight, specify where to spend holidays or dictate how children will be raised. Prenups that contain these types of clauses may be invalidated. You also can’t make decisions about child support or custody in a prenup, since those issues are decided separately by the courts.
  • Hire a lawyer. Informal agreements are far less likely to be enforceable. Each party should hire their own lawyer who looks out for their own interests and is familiar with marital laws in their state. The lawyers can then work together to hash out an agreement that works for both you and your fiancé.

Think About Finances Before You Say “I Do”

If you’re engaged or thinking about getting married, you should seriously consider sitting down with your partner and have a conversation about a prenup. This can be a sensitive topic, and it’s possible that your partner will react negatively when you raise the issue. If that’s the case, try explaining that a prenup is a way to minimize conflict and ensure that everyone is treated fairly in the unlikely event the marriage doesn’t work out, not a way of saying that a marriage is doomed to failure.

Even if you and your fiancé decide a prenup isn’t for you, having a conversation about it can allow you to talk about financial concerns—something that many couples fail to discuss before marriage. Bringing up issues of debt, assets and future earning potential now allows both of you to go into a marriage with eyes wide open, and can mean a smoother, happier partnership in the future.

Sources:

http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2011/12/14/barely-half-of-u-s-adults-are-married-a-record-low/
http://ncfmr.bgsu.edu/pdf/family_profiles/file108695.pdf
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/prenup.asp
http://family.findlaw.com/marriage/what-can-and-cannot-be-included-in-prenuptial-agreements.html http://www.smartmoney.com/spend/family-money/i-do-however–13917/

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The Truth About Women and Money

Financial Planning, Women and Money / By /

I recently had the opportunity to speak to a group of women, all between 20 and 30 years old, about money. Many of them were living on their own for the first time and just starting their careers. It was also the first time they had ever talked to a professional about their personal finances, and many said they felt empowered by the experience. I was a little surprised (given the youthful audience), when I asked the question, “Do you worry about money?” The answer was a unanimous: “Yes!”

Why You Should Get Started with Financial Planning Today

One thing I know for sure is that if these women start financial planning now, they will worry less about money later. There are simple truths about money (such as compound interest, asset allocation and diversification, and living within your means) that, if put into practice early, will pay huge dividends later.

So, what is financial planning?

Financial Planning is a process that throws a spotlight on your personal financial situation. It’s a process that lets you know if you are on track financially to reach your short- and long-term goals. It takes courage, but keeping your finances in the shadows because of fear, disinterest or lack of time just won’t cut it if you want to reach your goals and live worry-free later in life.

Financial planning is a series of steps you take that will answer and provide solutions for questions like:

Are you…

  • Living within your means?
  • Building a cash reserve for unexpected expenses or possible job loss?
  • Saving enough for your most cherished financial goals and retirement?
  • Investing your savings in a broadly diversified manner?
  • Using debt, such as your mortgage, wisely?
  • Adequately protecting yourself and your family against loss with insurance?
  • Taking advantage of tax-saving strategies?
  • Planning for future generations with a sound estate plan?
  • Maximizing your employee benefits?
  • Managing your stock options for maximum benefit?
  • Thinking about how you will pay for long-term care costs?

The goal of a good financial plan should be to get to “yes!” on all of these questions.

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Getting Comfortable With The Uncomfortable

Women and Money / By /

curtisfinancialplanning.comGetting Comfortable With The Uncomfortable. (Or, How CrossFit is like Investing)

In the past year, many people I know have taken up a new exercise program called CrossFit.  When I see someone looking particularly sinuous and sleek I don’t even have to ask anymore – I know their regularly visiting the CrossFit gym.  My super-fit  friend Molly Fuller, co-founder of Hands On Gourmet, describes the workout like this: “garage gym, no frills, down and dirty, super intense work outs, barbells, dumb bells, pull up bars, barely any equipment, no mirrors…”.  When I asked Molly what motivates her to stay with it even if it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable she said, “my passion for getting comfortable with the uncomfortable.”

Being a investment advisor, I couldn’t help but think how much this sounded like investing, particularly when Molly told me about one of her primary reasons for starting CrossFit: “I don’t ever want to be that old lady that has trouble getting up from a seated position, hopefully air squats will ensure that I’m not.” This statement reminded me of my women clients who admit to fears about becoming a “bag lady” because they aren’t sure if they are investing appropriately or saving enough for retirement.

Some things in life that seem the most uncomfortable are really very simple.

If you want a fit body and good muscle tone, you need to work out regularly. If you want your money to work for you and grow for your future, you need to save and then invest it appropriately.  Both take patience, discipline and a good strategy. In the case of working out, if you push yourself too hard,  you’re risking injury or if you take it too easy the waistline won’t budge.  With investing, if you’re too conservative inflation will eat up your savings, if you take on too much risk, volatility can cause you to lose sleep at night.

How can you get comfortable with the uncomfortable when it comes to investing? Follow these simple steps:

  1. Live within your means and save at least 15% of your income.
  2. Build an emergency fund of 6 months to one year of living expenses depending on the stability of your income sources.
  3. Invest using an asset allocation strategy in a highly diversified portfolio appropriate to your age, time frames, risk tolerance, and financial goals.
  4. Rebalance your portfolio periodically to maintain your chosen asset allocation.
  5. Be disciplined, patient and start getting comfortable with the uncomfortable!

More Resources:

Read the 10 Simple Truths About Money

 

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A Spreadsheet for Your Happiness

Budgeting Help, Cash Flow Planning, Women and Money / By /

I came up with a brainstorm in my usual place (the shower) one morning. I had been thinking about the cash flow work I do with my clients and how it almost always initiates a discussion about what they want more of in life.  It usually goes like this: We review the fixed or essential expenses like mortgage, property taxes, utilities, insurance premiums and then we talk about their  discretionary expenditures:  things like entertainment, dining out, travel,  and hobbies. Many times my clients are frustrated because they want more of these pleasurable activities and things in their lives but don’t know whether they can afford them. Or, in the case of couples, one party wants more of something and the other doesn’t!

This dilemma is one of the key reasons that many seek out a financial advisor. In my experience people want a financial plan for three reasons:

  • To track progress towards short-term financial goals, i.e. college education for children or buying a home.
  • To ensure that there will be enough money to live comfortably in retirement.
  • To find out whether they can afford more pleasure in their lives enjoying the things and experiences they love.

Back to the brainstorm: This is why I decided to write The Happiness Spreadsheet– it’s an ebook and a workbook. It leads the reader through the work of creating a spending plan for their discretionary dollars that I call The Happiness Spreadsheet. Why would a spreadsheet (of all things) help to make someone happier?  Because in order to figure out what you most want and what you can afford, both sides of the brain-the right/emotional  side and the left/analytical side need to be engaged to come up with the answers. Because there are dollars involved, it means trade-offs, and by putting the numbers down on paper, it is easier to see what trade-offs need to be made in order to fulfill your dreams.

If this idea sounds intriguing to you, there are several ways you can learn how to create your own Happiness Spreadsheet. One, you can buy the ebook on Amazon here. It’s only $3.99.  Or, you can sign up for a Happiness Spreadsheet workshop. The first one is April 28, and at the moment is full, but you can sign up on the waitlist. Those who don’t get into the first class will be emailed about the next class. Or you can email me at cathy@curtisfinancialplanning.com to explore other ways we can work together.

If you do buy the ebook, please be sure and give me feedback on your experience!

More resources for your Happiness quest:

From the Money Crush blog:  Why Budgeting Isn’t Just About The Number

From Oprah: Five Things Happy People Do

From Brain Pickings: How to Find Your Purpose and Do What You Love

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Revisiting: Contrary to Popular Opinion, You Were Not Born to Shop

Budgeting Help, Cash Flow Planning, Financial Planning, Women and Money / By /

shoppinggirl Contrary to popular opinion, you were not born to shop. If you are a woman who loves clothes and fashion (c’est moi) this may be debatable. However, most of us have to curb our enthusiasm for adornment lest we wreak havoc on our cash flow and personal net worth.

Over the years, I’ve developed a few strategies that allow me to indulge my fashion passion and still manage to stay current on credit card bills, invest and save money. It’s all about stretching those dollars to stay within budget. You do have a clothing budget, don’t you?

Here are my top five strategies for smarter clothes shopping:

(I like to support the local economy, so most of the retail establishments mentioned below are in the San Francisco Bay Area. But most metropolitan areas will have similar venues—you just have to go out and find them!).

Strategy #1: Take a cue from chic French women and maintain a small but high quality wardrobe. Artfully use accessories to create different looks.

How? Find designers and shops that suit your fashion sensibility. Patronize these places—buy less, but buy what you love. As an added bonus, if you become a loyal customer, you’ll be invited to special sales and sample sales. My personal favorites:

FIT: www.fitclothingrockridge.com/. FIT is a small clothing boutique in the Rockridge district in Oakland. Joyce Gardner, the owner, carefully curates her stock to satisfy her local clientele. She carries selected labels such as Schmacher, Cop Copine, Yoshi Kondo, Diane Von Furstenberg, Three Dot, Velvet by Graham and Spencer, and Pete. She packs a lot of style in a small space and her employees are adept at pulling looks together. She holds special sales and gives first dibs to her best customers.

Catherine Jane: https://www.facebook.com/CatherineJaneSF. Catherine Jane is a San Francisco designer who has an eye for gorgeous fabric and fit. She creates wonderfully feminine clothing with her own unique flare that will flatter your figure. Tip: Her sample sales are full of outrageous bargains.

The reward for buying high quality, timeless fashion is longer wear and thus less money spent over time.

Strategy #2: Find consignment shops whose buyers are very picky and who echo your style sensibility.

Yes, these are pre-owned and pre-worn garments. If you don’t have a problem with that, it’s a great way to add pieces to your wardrobe at good prices. Here’s how consignment shops work: Women bring in their current, gently worn and seasonal items and the store buyer selects which pieces work for her store. Then she splits the sale price with the seller, usually 50/50 or 60/40. Prices are generally 1/4 of retail prices.

My personal favorite consignment shop is Mirabel (3251 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland). This store is full of fashion gems. You will find labels such as Marc Jacobs, Burning Torch, Velvet by Graham and Spencer, Diane Von Furstenberg, Prada and Missoni as well as a carefully edited selection of Banana Republic, J. Crew and H&M. Occasionally there will be truly great finds (like an Isabel Marant leather jacket I found recently).

Added bonus: If you don’t want to buy, you can always sell clothing that is gathering dust in your closet.

Strategy #3: Find a fashion stylist to audit your closet and help you shop.

If you love clothes but hate to shop or feel like you make a lot of expensive buying mistakes, hiring a personal stylist may be the perfect solution. She can save you both time and money and you’ll look great with minimal effort.

Great Find: Urban Darling. www.facebook.com/urbandarling/

Stylist: Lisa Deane. https://www.facebook.com/urbandarling/

For more tips on working with a stylist, check out my previous post, “Save Money By Shopping in Your Own Closet with a Wardrobe Stylist.”

Strategy #4: If you don’t like going to shops, bring the shop to you!

There are clothing lines that are sold only in private venues. If you host a party, not only do you get to invite all your friends, you receive 50% off your items depending on how much others buy. Personally, I like the CAbi (Carol Anderson By Invitation) line. And my favorite CAbi consultant is Erin Saul who lives in Oakland.

Great Find: CAbi. www.cabionline.com/

Strategy #5: Use the Internet to find sales on items you crave.

You see a gorgeous pair of shoes at Bloomingdale’s. You can’t afford them. Go home and do a Google search using the specific brand name, style and color. You may find that the shoes are on sale somewhere else. In addition, you can ask retailers to match prices if you find them lower on-line. Don’t be afraid to ask.

I think these five strategies will give you a good start on smart clothing shopping. But, if your closets are bulging and think you might have a shopping problem you may need another kind of help. Jill Chivers, a former shopaholic, has created the “My Year Without Clothes Shopping” program for people like you. Her program offers a fun and safe way to “break the cycle of unconscious and compulsive shopping” and to be more in control of your money. Check out her website: www.myyearwithoutclothesshopping.com

I would love to hear of any tips or strategies you have to be stylish without breaking the bank. Please share your thoughts!

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