What causes do you support?  If you’ve ever received a diagnosis then you’ve likely had this passion chosen for you.  Maybe a friend calls needing support after getting news from her doctor that she has breast cancer.  I know how difficult it is to remain strong when a big part of you feels scared about what this means and if, as the words leave your mouth… everything really will be okay.

Let’s face it, most of us have had that annual visit to the OBGYN where maybe there were abnormal cells on your PAP test or maybe your OB felt a lump that turned out to be nothing more than 2 weeks of worrying, only to be told that you have fibrocystic breasts (along with nearly half of the female population, by the way).  So, we’ve all thought “What will I do?…” even if it was just for a moment and while we will never be able to understand the reality someone faces when they hear the words we haven’t had to, as friends (family, communities, etc.), it only seems right to come together and make that reality one we wouldn’t be afraid to face ourselves.

In comes Signify Pink, a company that creates branded clothing and accessories with in-house screen-printing and embroidery services “to help women connect with the causes that matter most.”

Their “Fight Like A Girl” line was started when a mammography nurse in Iowa named Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Knowing how expensive treatment would be, Mary’s co-workers came together to support their friend.  They contacted Signify Pink to design a t-shirt that could be sold to help out with their friend’s medical expenses.  Combining t-shirt sales and a chili supper, Mary’s co-workers raised more than $20,000.

As the site reads…

When they reached the $20,000 mark Mary said, “That’s all I need.  Keep going with the shirts. But share the wealth.” Mary is now cancer free.  And the shirts continue to do good.

So I ask the question again: What causes do you support?  I think the “Fight Like A Girl” brand is a great way to support a fellow Belle in need because breast cancer is something that has touched all of us in some way.  As a matter of fact, 1 in every 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.  We don’t have a choice BUT to make it a cause we support.  Even the best insurance doesn’t cover everything.  Co-pays, transportation, prescriptions and tests add up so quickly and those are just the basics.  Heaven forbid you factor in retail therapy or emotional eating, (which of course accumulates in the form of pounds but adds up nonetheless.)  I think now more than ever, we have an opportunity to strengthen communities by supporting each other in difficult times and helping our friends by rallying together in support when life presents the unexpected.  The good you do for others, will come back to you in ways you’d never imagine!

You can purchase the “Fight Like A Girl” merchandise online and get more information on their website at Signify Pink.  They have t-shirts, hoodies, totes, note cards, and tons of other items that are super cute!  I wear my t-shirt all the time and I get compliments everywhere I go (and let’s be honest, when is the last time someone complimented you on a t-shirt???)

If you’re interested in raising funds for your friend/family member/or cause, contact Glenda Elliott at (515) 577-0780 or at glenda.elliott@sigler.com.

1. Change How You Entertain Yourself. I’m not going to sugar coat this because you and I both know we like to “treat” ourselves.  You still can, but lets tone it down a bit.  Instead of taking that trip to Hawaii, vacation at a friend’s house.  Chances are you’ve been meaning to go visit someone for years and haven’t gotten around to it.  Instead of that night out with the girls, have them over for a movie or game night and do a potluck.  Finally, cut back on salon expenses and you’re halfway to achieving enlightenment.  I couldn’t believe how much money I was spending on manicures, pedicures, cuts, color, massages, and hair products…. OH MY.  All I can say is, eliminate where you can, cut back where you can’t, and you’ll be amazed.

2. Shop Smarter. There are more sales than ever before, but you still need to pay attention.  It’s also a good idea to check out sites like Amazon and eBay for items you really want, because they may be for sale somewhere else.  I also like ShopItToMe!  While you’re at it, sell that outfit you just “had to have” but have never worn on eBay so you’ll have some money to buy something.

3. Save money on batteries; sleep with your husband/boyfriend. Sex has so many health benefits, so we should really be making it a bigger part of our lives.  It releases endorphins, fights depression, relieves stress, burns calories, and it’s FREE!  Take your birth control through, because babies aren’t.  While you’re at it, save money on the gym membership and kick it up a notch or two in the bedroom!

4. Make sure you’re getting the best rate. You can do this with everything from your cell phone to your cable.  Boost Mobile offers an unlimited plan for $50 a month and most all companies offer an unlimited plan for $99 a month but you HAVE TO ASK!  Go online and look at their websites and see what they have to offer.  I also love BankRate, which lets you compare rates for all different lending institutions and tells you who is offering the best deal for what you want.  This site is amazing and they have tons of calculators and tools to help you figure out your finances.  To make sure you are getting the best deal on your credit card rates and to see what is available, check out Credit Cards.  I think a great FREE tool for getting your personal finances organized and helping you evaluate where you are spending and where you can save is Mint.  Of course, if once you take a look at all the facts and realize it might be more than you can handle on your own, the NFCC (National Foundation for Credit Counseling) has information and resources on different options.

5. Read a book, even if it’s chic lit. I think reading enhances our well being tremendously.  It motivates, empowers, humors, educates, and allows us to escape.  I started reading again a couple years back and now it’s my favorite thing to do in my spare time.  Here are some great books I recommend that will help give your mental state, financial smarts, and career outlook a boost: Stepping Out Of Line by Nell Merlino, Suze Orman’s 2009 Action Plan, Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk, Basic Black by Cathie Black, and Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster.

The important thing to remember is that you need to prepare yourself for whatever the future holds, the good and the bad.  To me, that means doing something every day to better yourself in one area of your life.  Be good to yourself, and while your “best” will vary from day to day, keep going and be proud of the woman you are today.

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Safe Horizon

The National Network to End Domestic Violence

National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women

RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network)

Stalking Resource Center

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center

Family Violence Prevention Fund

Fair Fund

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Thank you,

Independent Belle

I know, I know, it all seems very overwhelming at times, especially in these times. I’ll try not to get all Suze Orman on you, but I’ve learned a lot working in the financial industry the past few years and if I could pass along one piece of information to my friends it would be to have a strong credit score! I know some of you may be familiar with your credit scores if you have bought a home, and having a high credit score can be HUGE in getting you the best interest rate on your mortgage, but there are other reasons to have a high credit score.

Those of you who know me, know that it is my passion to make us smarter, more supportive, knowledgeable and happy individuals. And part of that is being smart about our finances. It can be scary, trust me, I know. I’m single, and living in the middle of the city is very expensive. Sometimes making ends meet means working two jobs, and in times like these, you just have to let go of that pride and do what it takes. People will respect you for taking care of yourself and you will respect yourself, which is all that matters in the end belles!

So let’s start by finding out what we’re working with and learn what our credit score is. I’ve asked my friend Rich at www.mycreditscoreimprovement.com to answer a few questions for us about credit scores and why they are important, what areas of our life they affect, and what we can do to fix them. Here we go!

How much money could someone save on their monthly mortgage payment by raising their credit score from a 640 to a 720?

The difference of a 640 credit score and a 720 credit score could be a very large savings on a monthly basis.  Interest rates are based on the ability of a client to be able to repay their mortgage.  This is based on their financial track record (their credit report and the credit score they have obtained).  In today’s market this could mean as much as a 1% difference in interest rate.  For example, a 640 credit score could be a 7% interest and a 720 credit score a 6%.  Based on the loan amount, this could easily be a $150-200+ monthly payment difference.

I don’t own a home and I don’t plan on buying in the next year.  Why should I want to raise my credit score?

Credit scores are used for so many things today that a home purchase is just one of many.  The following is just a short list of what a credit score is looked at for:

Financial approval when renting an apartment

Financial approval when buying a car

Financial approval for any and all insurances (health, life, auto, home or renters insurance, etc)

When applying for a new job

Joining a health club

Applying for any and all credit cards

The biggest thing to remember is the better your credit score the less interest rate you will pay on financed items along with lower insurance rates.  What this means to you is money saved on payments and premiums.

Should I pay to get all three credit scores or just one?  What is a tri-merge?

When applying for an item that requires your credit score to be used as the deciding factor of approval and also interest rate and or payment amount, there are three credit reporting agencies that creditors report to.  This is why it is called a tri-merge, which means three credit reports combined to make one.  Many creditors will use the middle score for approval.  An example would be the following: 720, 667, and 708.  The middle score would be 708.

What are the easiest things I can do to raise my score?  What should I do first?

WOW, if you have read the answers to the questions above and feel that it sounds like a confusing process, well now you understand how important it is to have a good credit score.  So what is a good credit score?  A 740 middle score and above is what you need.  If you do not have a 740, the best thing to do is to hire a professional to help you increase your score.  The one thing we should all do is pay our bills on time, this will help keep your credit score constant, but it will not raise it.

My best answer is each credit report and financial situation is different.  Proper review and a proper plan for each credit report if followed will help each person obtain their highest possible credit score.

Thanks Rich!

If you have more questions about Rich’s services, check out the website at www.mycreditscoreimprovement.com. Let’s keep the conversation going, if you have ideas on ways to save money without completely sacrificing your lifestyle, leave a comment and share with the community. We’ll appreciate it!

Welcome !!!

Hi everyone! I am both excited and overwhelmed as I begin this blog. Excited because it is the beginning of 2009, a new year, with infinite possibilities and opportunities that I can’t even begin to imagine. Overwhelmed because, like you I’m sure, life seems to get more difficult to manage gracefully as each year passes. I feel like I’ve seen it, been through it, wanted, had, lost, and dealt with it all, although I know I haven’t. I won’t begin this with any boring New Year’s resolutions and vows to avoid food after midnight, because I’m sick of letting myself down. What I am going to resolve to do is give myself a break, and I hope you will too. In preparation of doing this, I’m forcing myself to be very honest about where I am in life. I’ve written down the ugly truth about the things I’m not so proud of, and getting them out of my mind and on paper was scary but also a relief.

So wherever you’re at in life, whether it be lonely, depressed, unhappy at work, unfulfilled in a relationship, out of touch with friends, out of touch with your money, overweight, underpaid, stuck, unmotivated, or unfocused, there won’t be any judgment placed here. Even the best of us have skeletons in our closets. If you haven’t dealt with them and feel like you need to, put them down on paper and then give yourself a break because beating yourself up doesn’t change anything. Once you’ve made your list, take a look at it and then read this: “I can manage this.” I’m not saying in every case you won’t need help, we all do at some point in our lives, but that is also part of being able to manage things.

One more thing before you put it away someplace safe, (so you aren’t dwelling on it every day), think of one person you can tell. If you don’t trust anyone that much, send it here and it will be kept confidential. Hell, send it to Henry, he knows all of my secrets and despite my attempts, I’ve never been able to get him to talk.

Now go take a bubble bath, write in your gratitude journal, have a glass of red wine or something equally rewarding and GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK (and quit rewarding yourself with Coach bags if you’re in debt sweetheart!)