#9: 6 People of Color in the Financial Space to Keep an Eye On February is Black History Month, so I want to shed light on some individuals in the finance space who constantly inspire me. The individuals are all people of color too! Tonya Rapley is the founder of My Fab Finance, Club Loofah and the non-profit organization Maternal Health and Education Project. Carter Cofield is a CPA and founder of Cofield Advisors. He helps creatives reach financial success through a variety of services and offerings. He provides plenty of tax-savings tips on Instagram. Patrice Washington has been dubbed “America’s Money Maven” and she’s created an entire brand around faith, life and money. She is the host of the Redefining Wealth podcast show and works as a success coach for women. Ash Cash Extanus is one of the nation’s top financial educators. He’s been featured in multiple outlets and takes a culturally responsive approach to his financial teachings. He’s the host of the Ash Cash Show and founder of Mind Right Money – a money mindset education platform. Koereyelle is a multi-business owner and brand-building coach. She helps teach black women how to make everyday a pay day through her Werk University program. She also provides resources for single women to become better individuals before becoming wives. Rachel Rodgers is an author, intellectual property coach and founder of Hello Seven. Hello Seven’s mission is to help women make 7 figures per year without sacrificing family, health or sanity. Here’s a glance at this episode: [01:04] Kicking off our list with an inspiring businesswoman. Tonya Rapley has created multiple businesses over the years and continues to make women’s lives better. [08:59] Wrapping up our list is Rachel Rodgers, who helps women create seven-figure businesses while living a life they love. Click here to listen! Rate, Revie … #9: 6 People of Color in the Financial Space to Keep an Eye OnRead More »

6 Books by Inspiring Women of Color There’s nothing like a good book to motivate you, provoke different thoughts, and leave you wanting more. As we continue making our way through Black History Month, I wanted to share 6 books by inspiring women of color. While not all of these authors are black, they are women of color whose words inspire all of us! Take your time getting through these books, but make sure they’re on your reading lists! 6 Books by Inspiring Women of Color An American Marriage An American Marriage by Tayari Jones was an Oprah’s Book Club selection, and rightfully so! The story follows a young married couple who experience an unbelievable fate. The story takes an intimate look into the depths of people’s feelings over time, reckoning with the past while trying to move into a hopeful future. What’s Mine and Yours Naima Coster’s What’s Mine and Yours tells the story of two students whose integration into new and different schools intertwines their families lives for years to come. The story takes in the history of a segregated country and explores what can break families apart and bring them back together over the course of time. Of Women and Salt Of Women and Salt by Gabriela Garcia takes place in present-day Miami and centers on a character whose family immigrated from Cuba. The story touches on the new and old world life and the tragic reckoning of choices and experiences that mothers have made. Garcia dives deep into the tangled roots of American and Cuban history. The Color PurpleThere’s no doubt you’ve heard of Alice Walker’s The Color Purple. There was even a movie made from the story! The book depicts the lives of African American women in the early 20th century in rural Georgia. Walker explores the lives of two sisters separated by time and distance as they write to each other over the span of 20 years. We Should All Be Feminists We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is an amazingly touching essay, adapted from her TEDx talk, that provides an interesting perspective to modern-day feminism. The author shares her own experiences of being a woman of color and why we should all strive to be feminists. The Bluest Eye In honor of the late Toni Morrison, who wrote for decades, The Bluest Eye is a must-read. The story follows a young black girl in America who wishes so much to be seen as beautiful, with only blond hair and blue eyes. This was Morrison’s first novel and truly speaks to the pain and desire of young black girls. Related: 6 Books Every Girl Should Read I hope these books encourage you to explore what the authors have to share with the world. The stories, the writing style, the emotions are too strong to ignore. You won’t be disappointed by any of the books above and you’ll be no short of feeling! Have you read any of the books listed above? Do you have any books to recommend from inspiring women of color? Share by posting in the Comments section below! … 6 Books by Inspiring Women of ColorRead More »

6 Galentine’s Day Ideas for You and Your Girls Everyone knows when Valentine’s Day is—but have you heard of Galentine’s Day? For those of you out of the loop, it’s a day for leaving husbands, boyfriends, and significant others at home to celebrate the girls. Galentine’s Day originated on the show Parks and Recreation, but Beyoncé really sums it up: “Who runs the world? GIRLS!” Whether or not you have a significant other in your life, Galentine’s Day is a time to celebrate the women you love. Galentine’s Day is celebrated on February 13, the day before Valentine’s Day. Today, we have six awesome Galentine’s Day ideas for you and your girls. #1 Paint & Sip Paint & sips are fun activities that stimulate the imagination while allowing for a little indulgence! These events are a great outing to plan with your girls. Paint & sip events combine a professionally led painting class with a high-energy environment and few adult beverages. This is one Galentine’s Day activity that is a must-do this year. It feels so good to hang out with friends and make something creative! Why not bring your inner kid along so you can let loose with the girls? #2 Movie Night Call up the girls and bring out all the classics. Who doesn’t love a good movie night? To make things truly special, ask everyone to bring their favorite movie and a bottle of wine. There’s something so rewarding about popping in your favorite romantic comedy and chilling. Making Galentine’s Day movie night will create memories that will last a lifetime for you and the girls. #3 Assign Secret Cupids  Just like in school, you can assign a secret Cupid—except with your closest girlfriends. Everyone who wants to participate just puts their name in a hat and draws a random friend! If you choose yourself, put your name back in the hat and try again. There are also online secret gift-giving tools you can use to make the process simple! You can also set rules for the secret Cupid, like suggesting a price point for gifts and deciding whether to get sincere presents or gag gifts. Schedule time for everyone to get together, open gifts, and reveal who each secret Cupid was! #4 Enjoy a Brunch Did someone say brunch? I mean, let’s be honest: who wants to pass up on a good brunch with the ladies who mean the world to you? Brunch on Galentine’s Day is great because it’s not too early and it’s not too late in the day to hang with your girls over a glass of rosé. See who’s available to partake and make reservations at your favorite spot. Schedule ahead of time—those celebrating Valentine’s Day might try to beat the crowd and celebrate early! #5 Virtual Bar Crawl A virtual bar crawl allows those who still don’t feel comfortable in large crowds to have fun in the comfort of their own homes! All you need is Zoom, your favorite spirits, and your girls. The best part is, you don’t need a designated driver because you’ll all have the time of your lives from the comfort of home. Stock up on your favorite beverage, create themed drinks for the night, or set up a drink menu and get ready to have a great Galentine’s Day! #6 Zoom Themed Party A theme Galentine’s Day party on Zoom gives you the best of both worlds. You can have a wonderful evening with your favorite girls, no matter where they are in the world! Get a head count for those who are available to celebrate on Galentine’s Day, and then get to picking the theme. Choose a theme that works for the group, feels empowering, and contributes to the fun. Just because you’re not together in person doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the energy! Drinks are always a plus, so make sure everyone arrives with their preferred drink in hand and ready to unwind. You can even make a game of it—every time someone says Galentine’s Day (or another word of your choice), the group drinks! Related: How to Throw a Dinner Party on a Budget There are no rules for how to celebrate Galentine’s Day, as long as you’re recognizing the amazing women in your life. Have you ever celebrated Galentine’s Day? How will you celebrate this year? Like and join the conversation on our City Girl Savings Facebook page. We love hearing from you and the community, so check out our IG @citygirlsavi … 6 Galentine’s Day Ideas for You and Your GirlsRead More »

#8: How to Get Started with Investing with Andre Albritton While I don’t think investing in the stock market is the only way to build wealth, I think it’s one of the best ways to build wealth!Today’s guest is Andre Albritton of The Millennials Next Door and he’s going to share how anyone, regardless of their income situation, can get started with investing!Andre shares what got him started in investing and how he turned it into a growing side hustle.Andre breaks down different types of investments (stocks, REITs) and shares how people can get started with investing.Don’t forget that your retirement plan is a form of investment! It’s one of the best forms of long-term investing.“Always invest what you can afford to lose”. Andre breaks down how to determine the amount you can afford to invest, and when to prioritize debt pay off over investing.Here’s a glance at this episode:[06:54] Andre explains the meaning of REIT (Real estate investment trust) and how easy it can be to get started with this type of investment.[12:45] Andre shares when to prioritize debt pay-off over investing, and how to make sure it’s financially strategic.[16:08] “Always invest what you can afford to lose”. Andre breaks down how to figure out what amount people should be investing.[27:27] Andre shares some of his favorite investing platforms and why. There are a lot of options out there, so don’t be afraid to experiment!Click here to listen!Rate, Review, & … #8: How to Get Started with Investing with Andre AlbrittonRead More »

7 Black Finance Influencers to Follow February is Black History Month and I think the perfect way to kick off the month is to feature some of my favorite black finance influencers. These 7 individuals are making a name for themselves virtually in the finance space, thanks to their tips, advice, humor and more. I’m fortunate enough to have met some of these people in person (thanks to FinCon) or worked with them virtually, and I’m happy to introduce you to them! Whether you’ve heard of these 7 individuals or not, there’s no doubt in my mind that you’ll enjoy their content like I do! Keep reading for 7 black finance influencers to follow and leverage on your own financial growth journey! 7 Black Finance Influencers to Follow Alaina Fingal — @theorganizedmoney I’ve already worked with Alaina on several occasions! We hosted a Spring Clean Your Finances workshop together a few years back, and she was a guest on the City Girl Savings podcast recently! What I love about Alaina is her planning approach to life and money! She’s a planner by heart and shows her audience how to plan their life and money in the most organized way possible. There’s so much knowledge to be learned when it comes to organizing, and Alaina provides it! Tela Holcomb — @telaholcomb Looking to up your investment knowledge? Tela Holcomb is your girl! While I only know Tela virtually, her content around investing and ditching the 9-to-5 life is so inspiring! She teaches her audience how to get started with the stock market, and eventually make a living from it. Duke Moore — @dukelovestaxes Duke and I met at FinCon last year! Duke creates amazing and hilarious content about the tax industry. Most of his audience is on TikTok, and he shares great information on Instagram too. If you’re looking to become savvier with taxes, whether saving money or staying up to date with the latest news, Duke has you covered! Dyana — @moneybossmama The money boss mama Dyana is a single mother who helps her audience think differently when it comes to money. Dyana and I are in similar niches, and I love her approach to parenting and money. She helps her children learn about money and put themselves in a position to succeed as adults. Tiffany Aliche — @thebudgetnista Tiffany is considered an OG of the financial influencer space! She continues to provide millions of people knowledge on improving their financial lives. Dubbed The Budgetnista, Tiffany takes a holistic approach to teaching about money. She helps her audience with all aspects of the financial freedom journey. Andre Albritton — @themillennialsnextdoor Want to learn more about real-estate investing? What about the stock market or boosting your net worth? Andre has a slew of resources dedicated to helping people build their wealth for the long haul. You can also catch him on his very own podcast, The Flavor Podcast! Andre also has a great online course all about how to get started with investing. He’s a great resource if you want to add money-making streams! Carmen — @makerealcents Carmen is such an inspiration! Not because she’s wiped out nearly $60k in debt in a few short years, but also because her approach to money and finance is as real as it gets! Her tips and advice are easy for anyone to follow. She doesn’t focus on one area of money, but all of them – crypto included! Soak up her knowledge and take in some of her funny reels too! Related: Top 6 Financial Blogs for Women That rounds out my list of 7 black finance influencers to follow! While there are plenty of other people of color in the finance space, I wanted to share the ones who’ve resonated most with me! I’d love to hear about some of your favorite black influencers (whether they’re in the finance space or not), so drop a comment below to sha … 7 Black Finance Influencers to FollowRead More »

January 2022 Money Review When it … January 2022 Money ReviewRead More »

#7: 10 Biggest Lessons Learned from Running My Business City Girl Savings just celebrated its 7th birthday!That means there were plenty of ups, downs, and everything in between along the way! Those are where the best lessons are learned.Lesson Learned #1 – Be open to changeThings are going to look different as you learn and grow.Be flexible with your views and embrace change when it comes.Lesson Learned #2 – Grind through the slow timesBusiness is full of ups and downs, so being willing to grind through the slow times makes it so much sweeter when the fast times approach – it’s the natural rollercoaster that is entrepreneurship!Lesson Learned #3 – You never know when the next sale is comingYou can be off track with your goal until the last day of the month.Stay positive and keep working hard, you never know when the next sale is coming your way.Lesson Learned #4 – Don’t be afraid to let go of some responsibilityYou can’t grow and scale a business by yourself.At some point, you’re going to need support to help you get to the next level.Lesson Learned #5 – No one will love your business like you doJust because you have people working for you, doesn’t mean they’ll work as hard as you do.Keep your expectations realistic and be respectful of boundaries.Lesson Learned #6 – Invest in your knowledge and growthYou can’t expect others to pay for you and your services if you’re not willing to do the same.Don’t be afraid to invest time and money into things you aren’t good at. The only way you’ll get good is by learning!Lesson Learned #7 – Always remember your whyWhy times are tough, remembering why you’re doing what you’re doing will keep you going.Lesson Learned #8 – Try new things to get different resultsIf you want things to be different, you must do different things.You can’t keep doing the same things and expect different results.Lesson Learned #9 – There’s more than enough to go aroundRegardless of what you’re offering, there’s plenty to go around.Focus on an abundance mindset instead of a scarcity mindset you’ll find that you always have enough.Lesson Learned #10 – “Overnight success” takes yearsMost people’s success didn’t happen overnight, regardless of if it seems that way.Be willing to put in the hours to get to the end goal.Here’s a glance at this episode:[01:30] Flashing back to seven years ago when the City Girl Savings blog, website and community was officially launched.[01:55] I dive into the 10 biggest lessons that I have learned over the span of the 7 years that City Girl Savings has been up and running.[11:48] The 8th lesson I’ve learned and why it’s been such an important aspect of the success of my personal and professional life.Click here to listen!Rate, Review, & Follow on Appl … #7: 10 Biggest Lessons Learned from Running My BusinessRead More »

6 Tricks to Take Down Your Debt Debt is brutal, especially if you’ve been trying to get rid of it for a while. The unfortunate thing about debt is that it costs a lot of money if it’s not taken care of—thanks a lot, interest! Speaking from experience, I know how easy it is to get into debt and how hard it is to get out of. However, since I’ve gotten myself out of debt multiple times, I also know it’s not impossible. Even if you work slow and steady, you can win the debt-free race. Check out 6 tricks to take down your debt, once and for all! 6 Tricks to Take Down Your Debt #1 Get clear on exactly how much debt you have Before you can tackle your debt head on, you need to know how much debt you have. The best way to do this is by listing out all your debts. In this list, you’ll want to include the creditor, the balance owed, the interest rate, the minimum payment, and the due date. Once you have this list, you can see exactly how much debt you have and start prioritizing which debts you’ll want to focus on first. Seeing it in this format may be scary, but it’s a necessary step to taking down your debt. #2 Find a debt payoff method that works for you There are a handful of debt payoff methods a person can follow. Do you want to pay off the most expensive debt first? Maybe you want quick wins and therefore plan to focus on the lowest balance debt first. Regardless of how you want to pay down your debt, you’ll need a strategy in place to make sure you’re being as effective and efficient as possible. Check out the article Strategies for Knocking Out Debt for some common debt payoff methods for you to try. #3 Adjust your budget accordingly Once you’ve decided on the debt payoff method for you, it’s time to take a look at your budget. Where is your money currently going? How much do you have allocated towards debt payments? If the goal is to take down your debt, you’ll want to put as much money towards your debt as possible. What budget categories can you cut back to help you make larger debt payments? This is how you’ll want to review and adjust your budget. Be realistic with yourself. You need to have a little bit of room for fun and life, but anything additional should be put towards your debt #4 Consider ways to make more money to put towards debtCan’t make any more budget cutbacks? Your next trick is to make more money. Even an extra $50/month applied to your debt payments can save you tons of money and help you pay the debts off faster. What ways can you make more money? Think about your current schedule and the time you have available to devote to new income streams. From there, decide which new income streams will work best for you. Can you Uber or Lyft? What about Shipt or InstaCart? Maybe a second, part-time job is the way to go. Whatever way you make more money, the goal is to just make it! Remember, this is temporary. #5 Accept parting ways with your credit cards The trick to taking down debt effectively is to avoid accumulating more debt. Accept the fact that you’ll need to part ways with your credit cards. Don’t convince yourself you should always have a credit card on hand. You don’t need it. Also, address the issue that got you into debt to begin with. Were you constantly overspending? Did you feel the need to accumulate more stuff? Fix the true issue so that you don’t have to worry about being in the same position ever again. #6 Have savings in case of emergency My final trick to take down your debt is to save before you aggressively start paying things off. If you skip this step, you may find yourself in a position that requires money you don’t have. That will likely lead you to using your credit card and undoing all your progress. Decide on an amount (ideally between $500-$1000) and get that amount into savings as soon as possible. This will be your emergency cushion should something come up as you’re paying down debt. It may take some time to save the money, but it will be worth it if you ever have to use it. Related: Should You Save Money When You Have Debt? As difficult as it may be at times, try your best to not let debt get you down! It is what is, it’s there! Instead of focusing on the problem (having debt), focus on the solution (getting rid of debt). The tricks above will help! What does your debt situation look like? Do you have a plan in place for getting rid of your debt? Post a comment below to share! -RayaThe CGS … 6 Tricks to Take Down Your DebtRead More »

CGS Interview with Artist Tifani Sage I had the wonderful pleasure of sitting down with the beautiful and talented singer/songwriter, Tifani Sage on how she navigates her finances as a young star on the rise. In case you didn’t know, Tifani is kind of like a pen game assassin. Naturally, when I got the chance to sit down with her, I was beyond excited! Her presence is humble yet perfectly mixed with savvy and of course topped with an artistic flare. Check out all the gems she so graciously dropped with City Girl Savings on how to fund your passion, sticking to a budget, and most of all, not letting money control you.About TifaniTifani Sage was born in Suffolk, England to Jamaican parents which alludes to her pop-Caribbean sound. After honing her penmanship as a songwriter in Los Angeles, California, she decided to not only be behind the pen, but be the voice. Her colorful upbringing exposed her to an array of early musical influences spanning from Buju Banton, Lauryn Hill, Phil Collins, and Mary Mary. When asked what is a personal accomplishment of hers, she quotes, “If I can bring a smile or be a vibe for my listeners, that’s soul satisfying for me.”CGS: Who is Tifani Sage?TS: I am an independent singer-songwriter. I was born in the UK to Jamaican parents and then migrated to America at an early age. I’ve been fortunate enough to live in many states: Maryland, Florida, New York, and California. I think my constant relocations from ever since, have played a big role in my sound musically and so I’m very grateful for that. I’m currently navigating and learning on a daily basis the ropes of being a new artist, because it was never my initial intention. At the end of 2018, I decided I needed to go the artist route because no one was accepting my demo records when I pitched them for other artists to sing. Personality wise, my closes friends would unanimously agree I’m highly animated as well as a natural deep thinker.CGS: Share a little with City Girl Savings your financial experiences (past, present, or both) and how it’s played a part in you navigating as an aspiring artist?TS: Oooh. I am a big believer in treating myself and not depending on anyone to gift me the things I want/need. In my personal life I don’t shortchange myself — if I want something, and I’m not in the position to purchase it on the spot, I simply save up for it until I can. That same approach has helped me tremendously with funding everything in my artistry. Since I’m already programmed to depend on myself (and shoutout to my business partner , Matthew D. Padmore) I don’t look outside my company, StoryMania Publishing, LLC to be my savior.I will say, in the past when I was an impulsive shopper, I didn’t realize how much I was spending until I’d periodically look at my balance and be in utter shock! So with that, to avoid the self-inflicting horror, I now swipe slow and hard before the purchase is final. And because being an independent artist is costly, this mindful spending method helps tremendously!It also helps having a wealth analyst as a brother; he constantly sheds wisdom on better ways I can spend and invest money.CGS: When was the last time you felt guilty about an expenditure? Why did you feel guilty about it?TS: Till this day, my mother and brother will never let me live this one down [laughs]! I was in college at the time and my mom let me borrow her credit card because I was temporarily without a job. Something in my head told me I needed new workout clothes (it didn’t help that I was a high school jock), so my butt drove to the mall and racked up an enormous bill of workout attire; tank tops, t-shirts, leggings, shorts, pants. I’m cringing just thinking about it. I really don’t know what I was thinking.Later that day my mom came home and asked if I lost her credit card because she got a notification from her bank that her card was compromised. I felt like I wanted to disappear into the wall. I was filled with so much shame. By this time my brother came into the room, making faces at me because my mother was reprimanding me, “You are going right back to the store and returning every last piece of clothing!”I felt guilty about it because I had no business spending my mother’s money stupidly like that. At the time, she was a single mother. I should have been sensitive to that.CGS: How does Tifani prioritize her funds to pursue her passion?TS: Anything that’s going to push my brand forward be it advertising, photoshoots, mixing/mastering etc, I don’t think twice about funding it. I feel like I’ve tried all the methods to becoming an “expert spender/saver”: doing all my purchases in cash so I’m more mindful of how much I’m spending. Having a strict budget from the top of the month so I know how much I’m “allowed” to spend, and then just being mindful of how many times I’m swiping my AMEX charge card. The best method that I’ve found that works for me is right before I make a purchase, I ask myself is this a need or a want? I’ve also started adopting minimalist ways; I don’t like clutter, so that has helped minimize my spending. But what really drives it home for me is when I review my monthly statements and I go line by line. Things add up!CGS:  Have you ever been in a situation where you felt powerless about your spending, almost as if something else was in control of it? Why did you feel that way? What do you feel was driving that spending?TS: Oooh yes! Back in college, I was out of control. After I purchased all the necessary textbooks for my courses, I looked at my scholarships and grants like it was fun money. I ate out a lot with my best friend, flew to Jamaica 2-3 times a year, bought clothes and sneakers that I didn’t really need, and even booked a trip to Paris.I think what drove my careless spending was the deep craving for freedom. Growing up my mother would always harp on budgeting and my father would say time and time again, “Save your money. Don’t squander it off.” But when you’re young and free spirited like I was, you’re not trying to hear that or be bound by parental advice. You want to be free and you want to enjoy everything the world has to offer.Now, my perspective on money is completely different. Whatever I’m about to spend my money on, I ask myself, ‘Will this give me a return on my investment or am I just purchasing another liability?CGS: What advice would you share with other young adults who are struggling to fund their own projects?TS: Find a friend, business partner, or a mentor who believes in your talent and work ethic, and ask if they can invest in your project. I strongly suggest good communication and flexibility between the two because there will be instances where either of you will have to compromise, either on budget or creative directions, but never on quality [wink wink]. You could also take out a loan, but know yourself. If you like to spend frivolously, that may not be the best route because there is no one holding you accountable for your actions.CGS: Do you remember a time in your life where you weren’t concerned about money? What specifically changed between then and now? Is the difference between the two mostly “stuff”?TS: I will never forget when I was in South Florida, two weeks away from relocating to Los Angeles. I was at the counter trying to withdraw money to have cash on hand for the transport of my car, and the screen said I had insufficient funds. My heart f**kin sunk in my chest! That was the first and last time that has ever happened to me.Apparently, weeks prior I thought I sold my couch to an honorable person who was writing me from overseas — it turned out I got scammed and they sucked my account dry. I was so oblivious back then that I just swiped my card without ever knowing the exact balance.Ever since then, I check all my account balances twice a week to spot any weird transactions.CGS: Where do you see yourself financially in the next five years?TS: Five years from now I definitely see myself increasing my streams of income; areas such as residential and commercial real estate, literary works, and podcasting; that’s going to be a delicious one! It all depends on the small steps I make presently to ensure that’s in place.CGS: What’s the biggest learning experience you’ve had with money?TS: In order for money to be useful, it needs to be circulated. Not to be confused with spent mindlessly, but it needs to be invested in something; whether it be a training/class, the stock market, real estate, or equipment that will help bring in business for you. It needs to add value to your life.CGS: Is there anything exciting we can expect to see/ hear from Tifani Sage in the future?TS: Yes yes. My music video Little Secret featuring Brian McKnight just dropped. You should definitely check that one out. It’s a feel good record. I’m also shooting another music video for the fourth single off my newly released album, Feline. The record is called Rocket Science / Lessons. I’m  working on new music for 2022, can’t wait to see how my fans receive it. And a few other ventures I can’t speak on just yet!Follow Tifani on InstagramCheck out Tifani on YouTubeFor more CGS finance, beauty and lifestyle craves check us out on our other social media platforms Instagram: @citygirlsavings / Twitter: @citygirlsavings / YouTube: @citygirlsavings. We love hearing from you and other members in the community so drop a like and comment on our City Girl Savi … CGS Interview with Artist Tifani SageRead More »

#6: How I Curbed My Desire to Spend Before City Girl Savings, there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t spend my money on.I would constantly be out shopping – buying clothes, shoes, and other material things.After facing a potential eviction, I was forced to get my spending in check.There’s a different level of drive when you’re forced to do something!After moving back to Austin, I was no longer forced to keep my spending in check. I had to make the conscious effort.I gave myself limits whenever I would go to stores that sparked me to spend.I learned that I’m a natural-born spender, so I have to always be mindful and prioritize what’s important, so I don’t fall back into old ways.Eventually I started avoiding places that triggered me to overspend – malls, department stores, retail websites.I shifted my focus to the things that mattered most to me.I value experiences over material things.I prefer stability over instability – financial security is a powerful form of stability for me.I started setting and achieving goals. Anything that wasn’t helping me get closer to my goals wasn’t important and didn’t need money dedicated to it.I factored in “fun spending” into my budget.Having a limit kept me in check but also helped me feel like I wasn’t deprived. Deprivation often leads to impulse splurging.Start getting clear on what matters most to you! Focus on those things and you’ll find the desire to spend when you don’t need to slowly subsides!Here’s a glance at this episode:[01:20] There were two specific times in my life where I had to curb my desire to spend. One of those times, I had no choice. The other, I made the conscious effort.[04:31] Although I was forced to get my spending in order, it helped propel me into the mindset of wanting to avoid overspending so that I could get ahead in life.[06:53] I learned an important lesson about myself – I’m a natural-born spender. I can always find something to spend my money on.[11:50] Keeping my goals front and center allows me to constantly remind myself that I shouldn’t overspend, especially if it’s going to be at the expense of my goals and dreams.Click here to listen!Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts“I love Raya and City Girl Sa … #6: How I Curbed My Desire to SpendRead More »

5 Ways to Increase Your Productivity to Get More Things Done It seems like 24 hours in a day are just not enough to get everything done! One popular meme on social media refers to how we have the same hours in a day as Beyoncé. This implies that if Beyoncé, a mother of 3, a wife, the most decorated Grammy-award winner, a brand, Queen of the Universe (ok, mostly kidding), can accomplish so much in a day, surely everyone else can as well, right? Well, the thing that meme leaves out is that Beyoncé is on another level of privilege. She has the luxury of nannies, personal assistants, chefs, personal shoppers, managers, personal trainers…you name it! Beyoncé has a whole team that she pays to help her achieve all of these things! So how can we “peasants” or “basics” (again, kidding!) get more done in a day without having a team at our beck and call? How can we become the Beyoncés of our own lives? Write a To-Do List There are many ways to create a to-do list, via apps, via Notes app on your phone. However, there is something about actually writing out (yes, with a pen and paper) your to-do list. Studies show that the act of physically writing things out triggers your brain to remember what you wrote, meaning each item resonates more than one a digital to-do list. I like writing out my to-do list for the week on Sundays. I set some time aside with my calendar to see what I have going on, and I like writing my to-do lists in my planner! Pro-tip: Try to choose your top 3 to-do items daily from your master to-list for the week! I like to break it up like this so my daily to-do list doesn’t look so daunting…and I can focus on completing those 3 tasks a day. Try the Pomodoro Technique I was recently introduced to this time management technique and my life has changed for the better! The Pomodoro Technique consists of you setting a timer for 25 minutes, and doing everything you can to stay focused on a particular task for those 25 minutes, with extreme focus. Then, when the timer goes off, you set a timer for a 5-minute break. Repeat this cycle of 25 minutes of super focus and 5 minutes off 4 times. After the fourth cycle, take a 30 minute break. Remember in school, when you had a paper due and you would wait until the last-minute to complete it (or maybe that was just me)? Well, you still finished, right? This technique maximizes the fact that we can get so much done in 25 minutes if we knew we only have 25 minutes to complete the task! This technique also helps prevent cycles of burnout and distraction. Using this technique while working at home has been a game-changer for me, as I am always surprised with how much work I get done in a short period of time. It’s like I am competing with the timer to see if I can complete my task before the timer goes off! I find that I even use this technique with doing cleaning chores around my apartment and other tasks that need to be done. This technique works so well for me that sometimes the 25-minute timer will go off and I’ll keep right on working because I’m so focused! Get Rid of Digital DistractionsIt’s important to note that when using the Pomodoro Technique, I do not use my phone as the timer! Nope—I use an actual timer I bought off Amazon (affiliate link). Why would I buy a whole new timer when I can just set one on my phone? Well, my phone is my biggest distraction, whether that’s texting back friends, mindlessly scrolling on social media, watching a funny TikTok, or taking non-work phone calls. I find that using a separate timer helps keep me off my phone. In fact, I try to always put my phone in a different room from where I’m working and I put it on silent. I can always check and get back to important notifications on my 5-minute breaks! Also, if you also struggle with popping on social media on your computer while working, use an app like Cold Turkey blocker that blocks you from accessing social media. I know some people who only get on social media in the morning before starting their work (giving themselves a 15-minute timer) and after they’ve completed their tasks for the day. It’s all about discipline! Learn How to Say “No” In addition to avoiding digital distraction, you also need to learn the art of saying “no.” To get things done, sometimes you have to realize that you are only one person (without a Beyoncé team) and say no to people, things, and places! If you are working on creating an online business, sometimes you have to decline attending events with friends. Many successful entrepreneurs, actors, and athletes have expressed how they have to go into a season of disappearing and seclusion in order to completely focus on whatever goal they had their sights on. Yes, some friends and family may be taken aback at first, but I always say that if they are your real friends, they will love you enough to want to see you achieve your goals. They know you’ll be back and you have their support. Listen to Focus Music Listening to music and podcasts while working on a task isn’t new, and sometimes it can actually be a distraction! If I need to really focus on something that requires a lot of brain juice, I cannot listen to Beyoncé’s Homecoming…because I will end up singing and dancing and focusing on “Becky with the Good Hair” instead of my tasks! With podcasts, sometimes I cannot even focus on what the podcast is saying and I found myself constantly rewinding podcasts because I couldn’t grasp what they were saying while I was trying to work. I asked some of my friends about this “problem” I was having, and I have the best friends ever: apparently I wasn’t listening to the right things. My friend introduced me to the world of focus/study music. Spotify has a plethora of focus playlists, which is mainly instrumental music or chill, melodic beats. Some people also love listening to classical music or other instrumentals. I also recently discovered the importance of binaural beats, which is the sound wave frequency that triggers the brain to stay focused. There are lots of videos on YouTube of focus binaural beats, some videos even last a whole 8 hours! Related: How to Channel Your Focus More Effectively Have you tried any of these productivity techniques? How do you best stay focused on a task or work? Let us know … 5 Ways to Increase Your Productivity to Get More Things DoneRead More »

How to Choose the Best Frames for Your Face Though we all have our own beautiful unique features we still have similar face shapes, whether long, round, heart, square, diamond or oval. You can choose the best frames for your face!It doesn’t matter whether you wear glasses to see or for fashion—you won’t want to skip this read.Not to mention with changing seasons around the corner, it is officially time to pull out your favorite shades to protect your eyes from the sun.Additionally, when you have the perfect frames to compliment your face it brings your style together in more ways than one. Check out these five cool frames to match your face! #1 Rimless FramesSearching for frames that fit your face shape can totally be intimidating if you do not know what you are looking for. Rimless frames are great for those who love lightweight frames (affiliate link).The rimless look is not only stylish, but they don’t overpower your face which is great if you have smaller features. Face shapes play a major role in which eyeglass frames will look attractive on you.Rimless frames are nice because they offer a, versatile look that’s perfect for the office and grabbing a meal with the girls. Let’s be real: these cute frames make a statement without taking away from your natural beauty.To maintain the natural balance of your oval face shape, look for eyeglass frames that are as wide as (if not wider than) the broadest part of your face.It is also good to note that thin, light-colored frames and rimless frames that appear to have a light, airy appearance are also good choices for oval face shapes.#2 Low Bridge Frames Low bridge frames kind of speak for themselves. They are great for those with low bridge noses. Frames that are low in the bridge area usually do not slide down your nose.Like seriously, who wants to keep pushing their frames up your face?! To those who have high cheekbones and heart or square shaped faces, these are the frames for you!However, if you are unsure and wondering if you have a low bridge try this: Look directly in the mirror; if the bridge of your nose aligns at or just below your pupils, you have a low bridge. #3 Semi-Rimless FramesWomen with narrow faces look attractive when they put on a pair of semi-rimless frames. Don’t be afraid to try more than one to make sure the fit and shape are right for you!People with diamond-shaped faces look fantastic in horn-rimmed glasses, but rectangular and oval frames are very flattering as well.According to All About Vision, “Oval glasses help soften the angular lines of your face, while rectangular glasses contrast nicely with your facial features.”You better trust and believe the best eyeglasses will complement the coloration of your face, eyes and hair. Therefore, when choosing frames don’t rush to pick them.If all else fails, just remember this rule: You should choose frames that contrast from your facial contours and bring symmetry and balance to features that stand out. #4 Wire FramesThere are a so many frames out there that you can easily get overwhelmed trying to figure out the best frame for you. Wireframes can cover a variety of staples—from retro-vintage to hipster.According to Eye Buy Direct, “Traditionally, wire frames support circular lens shapes, but you will also find cat-eye and romantic heart shapes in the mix.”Take a close look at the overall shape and contours of your face and head. These frames are such a classic that you can never go wrong with rocking them as they would look great on multiple face shapes.If you find yourself still at a crossroad on which frame to choose, feel free to check in with your local optician and they will be more than happy to walk you through the right frame for and with you.#5 Full Rimmed FramesChoosing frames can be such a nightmare! Full rimmed frames are perfect for those looking to make a statement.The most important thing to remember when choosing glasses for round face shapes is to select frames that work to add angles. Which makes sense if you think about it!If you have a square-shaped face, a full rimmed geometric cat-eye frame will add angles to your face, which can be very flattering.According to Yes Glasses, “The chances of you scratching your glasses on hard surfaces decreases dramatically with full rim glasses.”If you can’t make up your mind on the type of frame you think you need, just go from what makes you feel good in.Related: How to Pick the Best Pair of GlassesTrying on pair after pair can be headache when you don’t know what you are looking for. How do you decide on the perfect pair of frames? What is your go to pair of frames?For more City Girl Savings come check us out on our YouTube channel and other social media accounts Twitter and Instagram @citygirlsavings.We love you and all your support so drop a like and comment on our City Girl Savings Facebook … How to Choose the Best Frames for Your FaceRead More »