Work + Money
- By Stephanie Emma Pfeffer
Photos by: Getty Images, iStock and Thinkstock
Here's some good news: The country's economy is projected to improve (slowly, but surely) in the year ahead. Even though economic upswings tend to drive up prices, deals will be available in 2013-if you know where to look, says Greg McBride, senior financial analyst at Bankrate.com. Here, a few categories where your dollars will go farthest. Photos by Getty Images, iStock and Thinkstock.
1. Laptops, Flat-screen TVs and Digital CamerasThe cost of commoditized technology (products made with basic, widespread knowledge of hardware components) will keep going down, says Brad Wilson, founder of the savings website BradsDeals and author of Do More, Spend Less: The New Secrets of Living the Good Life for Less. Because of technological improvements, electronics parts are becoming cheaper and easier to manufacture, tempting more companies to get in on the action. As suppliers compete for market share, prices for consumers fall-except on those be
...Read More » - Thu, Oct 25, 2012 3:44 PM EDT | CommentsBy Rebecca Taras, Photographed by Anjali Pinto, Refinery29
We'll admit it, we're modelizers. Whether we're looking at Kate hitting the London streets or Carolyn being poreless in a glossy, we've been taping our favorite supers to our walls since junior high. Closer to home, our local pin-up girls have us crushing hard. Oh, the beautiful life. Seriously, though, we can't help but wonder what it would be like to walk a day in a model's stilettos. Well, ponder no more, friends.
We tapped Ford model Noelle Lynch to bring us in tow during the hours leading up to a high-energy runway show in Millennium Park (the official kickoff to Fashion Focus Chicago) and go way behind the scenes. From walk-throughs down the catwalk to a three-hour hair-and-makeup session, we stuck by this doe-eyed knockout's side to learn all the tricks of the trade. Don't worry: In the midst of the backstage chaos, we managed to get Lynch to dish on how she stays in such great shape, the business side of the industry, and most importantly, her post-show plans. Put your curiosity to rest and follow our day-in-the-life of this beauty. Warning: It's not as easy as it looks.
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- Did you get everything you wanted for the holidays, and then some? Well, it's that some that sometimes you just don't know what to do with, which is why we polled readers in a recent issue to find out if they felt guilty returning gifts. And it was a close call for the results! 51% of you said that you felt guilty when you returned gifts, while 49% said that you were guilt-free. Now that you've received your presents this season, are you planning on to return or exchange your goods? Tell us in the comments below!
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Plus, if you're exchanging, check out some of our favorite items to snap up in our gift guide!
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- SELF magazine
It's SO easy to splurge--think about all the gorgeous handbags or exotic vacations you could buy--if you had unlimited funds, that is. But most of us don't. (Right?) So we talked to Christine Parker, a certified financial planner in La Plata, Maryland, who told us to ask ourselves these three questions before making any purchase.
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1. WHAT'S MY GOAL? Know exactly what you're saving for--leaving your job, say, or buying a car. Write it on a piece of paper, keep it in your wallet and pull it out when you falter.
See more: The Flat-Abs-Fast Secret
2. IS THIS IN MY BUDGET? Use an app like iSpending Deluxe ($3; itunes.com) to do a cash flow reality check before you try on and fall in love with those sweet suede booties.
3. HOW DO I FEEL? If you answer "grumpy" or "frustrated," back away from that cash register. We make smarter, more consistent choices when we're in a clear state ...Read More »
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- John Januzzi, Lucky magazine
Courtesy of NorthPark Center
Over the holiday break, I spent some time in my hometown. Of course, we did the usual family dinners, catch-ups with friends and all kinds of wassailing. As anybody from a suburb will tell you, activities can become boring very quickly and you're left with the inevitable choice of going to the movies or going to the mall. Over the holidays, you're more than likely to do both, as I did. While walking through the mall I realized something-something that may have eluded my New York City snob heart: The mall is the greatest place on earth. Why? I'll tell you.
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Bathrooms: There are bathrooms all over the place. Bathrooms in the stores, bathrooms in the hall, bathrooms in the restaurant.
Weird stores: Malls are full of the weirdest shops ever. There used to be one I loved called Natural Wonders. It had slinkees, statues of gargoyles and Pure Moods CDs.
Food courts: Oh, is this heaven? Nah, it's a food court. You want some...Read More »
How much money you make isn't nearly as important as how you use it, according to Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton, authors of the new book Happy Money. In fact, they say, once you get to $75,000 a year, a bigger paycheck has no impact on day-to-day bliss. So smile, and follow their proven rules for how to be happy with less money. REDBOOK.
Shell out on friendships
Research shows that our best moods often come when we're spending time with family and friends. "Yet when many people are saving up for something major-a car, a computer, a TV, whatever-one of the first things they'll cut back on is socializing," says Dunn. "They'll say, 'I'd like to go out with you guys Friday night, but I'm saving up.' Putting money away is a very positive goal that correlates to happiness, but when your route limits time with friends, you need to think about whether that's a worthwhile trade-off."
Related: 25 Little Life Hacks to Make Life Simpler, Saner and More Fun
Splurge on experiences, not th...Read More »- By Sandy M. Fernandez
Discover do-it-yourself tricks that'll bolster your budget
There's nothing wrong with paying a professional to do a job for you. But even those experts agree that people often pay-a lot-for services that they could easily tackle themselves. Continue reading to learn the DIY skills that could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year. Photo by Getty Images.
Master the Sewing Machine
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HOW MUCH YOU'LL SAVE Anywhere from a few dollars to hundreds per job
Most people can hand-stitch a seam or hem. But when you learn your way around a sewing machine, a world of savings opens up. You can make cushions and curtains, add years to a jacket's life by replacing a zipper, or buy that super-discounted but too-big dress and take it in. Even small projects add up: It can cost $6 to $15 to have a pair of pants hemmed, and $10 to $20 to replace a zipper. Your $80 investment for a new basic sewing machine will be recouped in no time.
WHAT IT ENTAILS Patience and practice. "You don't learn unless you make m 
Norma Jeane Baker and Classmates, 1941
Where's Marilyn? A rare 1941 photo of the legendary actress surrounded by her classmates at Ralph Waldo Emerson High School is headed for the auction block. The estimated price is $7000 to $9000, according to the auction house Bonhams. What's so special about this particular picture is that the actress inscribed the back: "To 'Georgie'. A super, swell fellow, in fact really keen! (I really mean it Geo.) Norma Jeane Baker.'"
photo detail
"Marilyn had a famously difficult childhood and the period this photograph captures…[is] one of the few times of stability and relative happiness in her early life." Lucy Carr, an expert in Hollywood memorabilia for Bonhams, told the Pacific Coast News. "Her childlike appearance in this photograph is quite different than the platinum blonde bombshell image she would become known for." The auction is scheduled for May 5.
...Read More »
Aries (March 21 - April 19)
Never underestimate your adversary! Pay careful attention to the other person today and everything will be fine. But assume you will end up on top and you are destined to lose, big time. Keep your eyes open.
Today's Aries Reading: Free Sample Life Path Reading
Taurus (April 20 - May 20)
Birds are chirping, butterflies are fluttering their wings and the clouds are parting -- no, it's not the song of spring, it's the special effect that money has on your heart. Don't get carried away, Taurus! Keep things in perspective.
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...Read More »
Gemini (May 21 - June 21)
You can overwhelm your adversary today with not much extra effort. If you're coming at the problem from more than one direction
Aries (March 21 - April 19)
Conflict looms like lightening in the distance, but it doesn't have to develop into a full-blown storm. Put some effort into it. With a bit of tact and diplomacy, you can save yourself a good amount of money.
Today's Aries Reading: Free Sample Numerology One-Year Forecast
Taurus (April 20 - May 20)
You need to stay fiscally healthy, and today is your day to be sure you're doing things right. Begin by sticking to your budget or simply pay attention to what you spend. It's easier than you think to get out of the red and into the black.
Today's Taurus Reading: Free Sample Personal Astrology Profile
...Read More »Gemini (May 21 - June 21)
Everyone in the family is worried about money in their own way today. One member is worried about making more -- or less -- one ab
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- Shopping steals in Jan. Work + Money
January is an excellent month to take advantage of sales on Christmas decor, electronics, furniture and more.
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