5 Consumer Habits That Are Robbing Your Joy Repeat after me – We Will Not Let Anything We Cannot Control Rob Us of Our Joy This Year!! We have all been through enough these past couple of years to enjoy our peace of mind, our mental well-being, and our joy! Unfortunately, sometimes we have those moments where we see something online, or what someone has and instead of being grateful and content with what we have, we get bitter and jealous. Not sure of what can be causing you anxiety? Here are five consumer habits that are robbing your joy. 1.) Buying Things You See on Social Media Oh social media…what a love/hate relationship we have with it, right? While it’s done wonders to connect us as a community by establishing and cultivating new relationships and awareness, it’s also become a breeding ground for a lot of unnecessary spending, thanks to social media advertising. There is even a whole category called “TikTok Made Me Buy It” content all over the internet, so it is not uncommon to succumb to this. However, try not to buy everything you see on social media, and definitely do not do it if it’s not in your budget and will get you into credit card debt. 2.) Comparing Your Possessions with Others’ Again, where are we most likely doing this? On social media, of course! The quickest way to rob your own joy is to compare yourself to others: “Comparison is the Thief of Joy” is a true statement. I know I have done this myself a few times, where I will see someone going on vacation (again), or get the latest car, the latest iPhone, or do a shopping haul from Sephora or Ulta…my joy was instantly robbed, and I would get jealous and feel less than. While it can be nice to aspire to become better with our drive or money to become like those who are inspirational to us, it should never come at the expense of our joy and how we view ourselves. In fact, we should do the exact opposite, because remember, social media is just a highlight reel of perfected curated social feeds. We do not know people’s financial situations and real lives behind the filtered pics and videos. 3.) Equating Your Worth to Your PossessionsRunning in the same vein as the previous point, something that can rob you of our joy immediately is placing your self-worth on your possessions. Not to sound cliche at all, but your self-worth must come from within and cannot be sought out from external factors, people, or things. Just because you do not own the latest car, iPhone, or fashion trends, does not mean you are less than anyone else. You are not defined by your possessions, just like you are not defined by what’s in or not in your bank account. Unfortunately, we live in a society where posting every minute and every purchase is a must for “mini vlogs”, but that is not real life. Let’s start being present in our own lives and being grateful for what we do have, not by what we don’t have. 4.) Impulsive/Emotional Spending This is something I know about all too well – thinking that buying something will make me feel better, trying to fill an emotional void. When we let our emotions dictate our spending choices, not only are we left with less money in our bank accounts, but also with more feelings of inadequacy. If we are able to fill this void, it’s usually only a temporary fix. This will cause an unhealthy spending cycle, which is definitely something that will not spark joy. The thing about impulsive spending is that there is no planning involved, and I know for me, there is little room for accountability. The justification for emotional spending is usually the “Oh goodness, I just have been so busy, I need to treat myself” or “I reached this goal, I deserve this new purse”…this type of “logic” will keep you unhappy and unfulfilled. 5.) Spending on Convenience  Now this last point is purely from a monetary standpoint, but do you ever order from a restaurant from GrubHub that’s literally down the street from your home…and you end up paying for your food, taxes, delivery fee, and tip, resulting in about a 30-40% increase in your overall price. If you really think about it, you would be upset at yourself, right? Because you probably could have saved 40-50% of your total cost by just picking it up yourself. So why do we do this to ourselves to only feel like we’ve wasted money? Convenience of course! Now, do not get me wrong, there are many times where I do not want to cook, did not defrost something properly, or bad weather (Hi Chicago winters), however, I was more annoyed when I would see that 40-50% increase. I want to try to avoid that feeling of being mad at myself for something I could control, so in 2022 I vowed to myself to cook at least 4 days/week (eating leftovers as well). I wanted to save money, and for me, GrubHub and Uber Eats were detrimental for my bank account and my waistline. So as you can see, sometimes paying for convenience will rob you of your financial dreams and goals if you are not careful.  Related: 10 Bad Spending Habits that will Hurt You Down the Line  Can you relate to any of these habits? Have you ever quit one of these habits? L … 5 Consumer Habits That Are Robbing Your JoyRead More »

4 Teas to Start Drinking for a Good Night's Sleep Have you been waking up on the wrong side of bed because of the lack of rest your body is getting? Maybe you should try drinking a cup of tea before bed to help you knock that restless slumber! Out of all the tea’s out there, herbal teas are the best to help you get some sleep. Many types of herbal teas have been used as natural sleep remedies for centuries. In most cases, specific types of teas have been studied for their sleep-promoting properties. Check out these 4 teas to help you achieve that good night’s rest your body is desperately needing. #1 Chamomile  The herbal chamomile tea is made from the chamomile plant which can help promote a healthy night’s rest. Chamomile contains an antioxidant known as apigenin, which can induce muscle relaxation and increase the amount of rest you get for a day. You can serve this tea sweetened by adding your preferred amount of honey. Or, drink it when tolerable from the tea pot and enjoy the natural earthy flavors of the chamomile plant. Drinking this tea has several other health benefits. For starters, chamomile can boost your immune system in multiple ways. Thanks to the phenolic compounds, several researchers have shown the tea helps in strengthening your immune system. Studies have also shown the tea has components that include antibacterial properties which can aid in warding off infections, resulted by nasty bacteria and viruses, which can be harmful to the human body. #2 Lavender Lavender tea also comes from plants. You can have a lot fun when drinking this tea. Once the tea has steeped for a few minutes, you will see the liquid turn from clear to a unique purple color. Do not be concerned as this is the color of the lavender flower. This tea is not only cool in color, but the aroma is just as exciting. Sip it hot or cold! Not only is lavender tea often enjoyed as a soothing bedtime drink, but research also supports that lavender could promote relaxation and enhance sleep quality. Lavender tea is probably the most underrated tea on the market. Not sure if I’m alone in this, but lately it’s been feeling like days are longer and mental capacities are wearing down. One great benefit of drinking lavender tea is it helps reduce any feeling of anxiety. The natural aromatherapy along with its yummy taste can make you feel happier and more energetic throughout the day, which results in a better night’s sleep. Lavender has a sedative effect which means you can say adios to those restless nights and hello to some beauty rest! #3 ValerianThe dried root of this plant is what makes this tea come alive. Valerian is a type of flowering plant used as an herb or supplement. If you are looking for a natural sleep aid, then this tea is calling your name. Just soak three grams of dried valerian root for ten minutes and drink it hot. While it’s still unclear how it gets you so much rest, it is certain that it does boosts the levels of our neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps to reduce stress in our bodies. Sometimes when we have a lot of stress, we’[re unable to get the rest our mind and body needs. A key ingredient in the plant root helps relax the nerve cells that get super excited. Like chamomile, valerian tea aids in relaxing the body. Studies show consuming between 300-600 milligrams of the herbal tea an hour prior to your bedtime can be the most effective in achieving a good night’s rest. #4 Passionflower Some studies have shown that passionflower herbal preparations, which are included in teas, syrups, and tinctures, could act as a natural sedative, and help relieve anxiety. Passionflower, sometimes referred to as Passiflora or maypop, is a plant that’s long been studied for its powerful medicinal properties. By brewing this tea, you will surely get all the benefits. Having a cup of tea before bedtime can help create the good sleep habit that the brain will eventually recognize as a wind-down before the slumber. Many find the warmth and aroma of tea comforting and soothing which helps them relax just in time for bed. Related: 7 Bad Habits Ruining Your Sleep Say farewell to the tossing and turning all night and welcome restful sleep. Sleep is so important, for a healthy lifestyle so it’s vital you get as much of it as needed. What teas do you drink to help you wind down? Have you tried any of the ones we mention? If so, how did they work for you? Post a comment below to share some of your favorite tips to … 4 Teas to Start Drinking for a Good Night’s SleepRead More »

#23: How to Get One Month Ahead on Bills The paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle can be so easy to get into and incredibly hard to get out of.Unfortunately, living paycheck to paycheck leaves no room for errors. Unexpected expenses just can’t happen – and that’s not realistic.To break free of this dreaded cycle, it’s best to take it one month at a time.This is the approach I take with my clients, and trust me, slow and steady wins the race.Before you can start getting ahead, you need to know what one month’s worth of bills actually looks like.Refer to your budget to figure out what one month’s worth of expenses totals out for you.If you don’t have a budget, start by listing all of your monthly expenses.Make sure you include your monthly debt payments and other necessary spending items (gas, groceries, etc.) as well.The total number you get is what you will want to strive for to have in savings.Once you have the total number you need saved, you can start working towards it!Here’s a glance at this episode:[01:40] The first step in getting one month worth of bills saved is by reviewing your budget. Don’t have one? A simple list can do the trick.[03:45] High yield savings accounts can be a great option for saving up your one month’s worth of bills.[06:30] Be strategic with extra money that comes your way. Put it into savings to help you reach your goal faster.[07:11] You have your one month number saved…now what? You have a few options to make the most of this scenario!Click here to listen!Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts“I love Ray … #23: How to Get One Month Ahead on BillsRead More »

6 Things to Remember When Tracking Your Credit Score At some point in time or another, most of us have been obsessed with looking at our credit score. Thanks to Credit Karma or monthly score tracking courtesy of our credit cards, keeping tabs on our credit scores is easier than ever. While I do think knowing your credit score at all times is beneficial, I don’t think it’s as important as people make it out to be. In fact, there are more important factors to be aware of when monitoring your credit. I’m walking you through 6 things to remember when tracking your credit score. Don’t get so hooked on the number that you forget about these things! 6 Things to Remember When Tracking Your Credit Score #1 – There are a variety of credit scores Ever wonder why your score varies depending on where you pull it? That’s because there are nearly 30 different formulas that can be used to calculate your credit score. What does this mean to you? There really isn’t one set score you can constantly bank on. If you’re looking for the best credit score number to leverage, I suggest using one that comes directly from one of the three credit bureaus – Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. In fact, when applying for credit, lenders generally take the middle of these three scores. Want to track all your credit scores? Then, I’d recommend Credit.com’s ExtraCredit feature. It does have a monthly cost, but you get all the credit scores and additional benefits. You can read more about them in the article How to Take Monitoring Your Credit to the Next Level. #2 – What’s on your credit report is more important than your score Your credit score is an indication of what’s on your credit report. Don’t like the score you have? Go directly to the source! Review your credit reports and determine what could be impacting your score. If you have late payments, collection accounts or too much debt, your score could be hurting as a result. If there are any inaccuracies on your credit report, you should prioritize getting those removed or updated. Read How to Fix a Faulty Credit Report for some guidance. While it does take some time, it’s something that anyone can pursue on their own. #3 – Delays are common when calculating your credit scores Did you know that late payments are only reported to the credit bureaus when the payment is 30 days past due? That means there will be a lag between your late payment and when it hits the credit report – ultimately delaying your credit score update. The same applies for payments, payoffs and new credit inquiries. All credit activity is not instantly updated on your score, because the activity isn’t instantly updated on your credit report. Companies like CreditKarma, FICO and more may be able to give you an idea of what your score could be, but until it hits your credit report, you won’t know for sure. #4 – The best thing you can do for your score is pay all your credit cards down to $0As I mentioned before, if you don’t like your credit score, fix what’s on your credit report. If you don’t have late payments, just a lot of debt, the best thing you can do for your score is pay all of your balances down to zero. I know that the 30% usage is a common target, but that’s only AFTER you’ve paid off all your debt. If you want to see a spike in your credit score, pay all of your credit cards down to $0. From there, make sure you have your credit report time to accurately reflect the zero balances. Once that happens, you’ll see your credit score go up drastically. I’ve experienced this multiple times – because I’ve been in and out of debt multiple times! #5 – Cash beats credit any day It may seem cool to have a high credit score, but the reality is this: the ability to pay cash for anything without using credit is much cooler. Don’t get so fixated on a high credit score that you lose sight of the ultimate rule “Cash is King.” The ability to not need or take out debt undoubtedly beats taking it out. However, if you do need to take out debt (for a car or mortgage), then having a high credit score can work to your advantage. The higher your score, the more credit worthy you are. The more credit worthy you are, the less you’ll be charged in interest! #6 – Sometimes your score must go down to go up Because of delays, multiple scoring calculations and multiple scores, sometimes you may think your score should be going up and then it does the opposite. Don’t worry! Know that it will correct itself with time. A watched pot never boils! It’s okay to track your score and stay on top of it, but don’t let monitoring it cause you anxiety or worry. Do the right things with your payments (i.e. pay on time, pay your debt off) and you’ll see the positive impacts to your score. They may not be instant, but I promise they will come! Monitoring your credit can become addicting, so make sure you’re always keeping the six things above in mind. More important things exist than having a high credit score, so don’t put too much of your worth on having a good score. Working towards improvement and growth is what really matters! Did you learn anything new with today’s article? Share your questio … 6 Things to Remember When Tracking Your Credit ScoreRead More »

#22: What It Means to Be a Financial Feminist with Kara Perez The term “financial feminist” has become increasingly popular and widely used over the past few years, but what does it actually mean? I first heard the term from Bravely Go founder Kara Perez. Kara is a money coach and has been featured on NPR, Marketwatch, Fast Company and the New York Times. Kara and I met a few years ago (we were both living in Austin) and instantly became business accountability partners. Now, we’re more like friends! Kara considers herself a proud “financial feminist” and takes the time to explain what it means to be one. Kara and I also talk about society and how it plays a role in women and POC’s money decisions. Kara shares some advice women can follow to prioritize their well-being. She also shares how non-POC can help promote financial equality. Don’t miss Kara’s story and her incredible insight! Here’s a glance at this episode: [01:55] Kara shares her financial background and how a lack of money growing up translated into turning things around after college. [10:15] Things started to become clear when Kara put the focus on the debt she had and what she could do to pay it off quickly. [17:35] Kara openly admits she’s not a million-dollar business owner and shares that she’s okay taking a pay cut to prioritize her own well-being. [28:22] People who are ashamed of their money situation may be afraid to have discussions. Kara givers her advice on starting those conversations. [36:00] Every year, Kara has put on her Financial Feminist Summit. Kara breaks down what it is and how people can participate. Click here to listen! Rate, Revie … #22: What It Means to Be a Financial Feminist with Kara PerezRead More »

5 Signs You May Be Ready for a Career Change Sometimes it can feel like there’s nothing worse than finding a career that you think you’ll love, then coming to terms with the fact that things didn’t go as you had planned. I promise you, if that happens, it’s not the end of the world! Getting ready for a career change can be difficult especially when there are no Vegas lights pointing to the next venture.Unfortunately for the folks that may be teetering a career change, there is no yellow brick road guiding them down the path to success. A lot of times, we choose careers in college because it makes sense. However, when graduation ends and the real world starts, it can feel like the career we chose seems more like death sentences than a job. If you’re feeling that way, check out 5 signs you may be ready for a career change.Signs you may be ready for a career change#1 You’ve outgrown itWe’ve all been there – not having enough time over the weekend to get you ready for the work week. If you’re dreading that Monday madness at your job, it could be a sign that you have outgrown it. Now don’t get me wrong, there is a major difference between dreading going in because you went too hard over the weekend and truly being over the job.Whether it’s the coworkers, the company code of ethics, or just you not getting the recognition needed for the work you have been putting in, people outgrow situations including jobs but stay out of fear of the unknown. If you’re feeling fearful that your gifts and talents will not perform the same way they are in your current position, toss that mindset!Do not be your biggest enemy, blocking your blessings by staying in a situation that you have clearly outgrown. If tasks are becoming too easy and supervisors are not able to challenge you the way you once were, there is nothing wrong with exploring outside opportunities.#2 You need a change of paceWhether your current role is too fast paced or too slow of a pace, it’s important to keep in mind what you can bring to the table. Needing a change of pace can make a huge difference. Perhaps you’re looking for different hours to work or specific days out the week. If it means changing your career to adjust to the pace that works best for you – DO IT! Tomorrow is never certain so put the plan in place to make the change!#3 You’re not making enough moneyWith inflation on the rise, not making enough money is becoming more and more common. Because of this, the dollar increase should be reflected in your job performance and granted once a year. If you’re always on top of your responsibilities and meeting endless deadlines with no pay raise in sight, you may want to start seeking employment elsewhere. You, of all people, should never low ball yourself!If you look at where you started and where you are now and not much has changed, perhaps that should be your red flag. If you see a difference in workload and the pay not matching, I encourage you to speak with your manager and discuss the option of a raise.If they are not able to accommodate, then I suggest you begin to weigh your options efficiently on if you would like to stay or go. You are the prize, so whatever you decide, trust that things will work out!#4 Your mental health is taking a tollMore now than ever, what happens at work can have a serious impact on your self-esteem. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as meeting those tight deadlines at work. If you feel your current career is taking a toll on your mental health, speak with your direct manager and see if there are any outlets of assistance they can provide to change the atmosphere.If no change occurs, then you know you need to change your job (and potentially your career).Who knows how many times company employees have had to brush their mental health under the rug just so deadlines can be met? Remembering that mental health is wealth is good to keep in mind when considering if you want to change careers.A change in career doesn’t just help your mental well-being, but it can also encourage you to tap into your passions. It can bring to light the gifts and talents that have been suppressed due to the lack of enthusiasm from your previous position.#5 Work is feeling like a job, not a career pathAccording to a Gallup study, only 30 percent of employees in America feel engaged at work. If your current position is not giving you that same thriving energy you once had, don’t waste another second of your life praying and hoping things will change. Change only comes when you set out for it.You may be wondering how to tell a job from your career path. A job can be just going to work to earn a paycheck to get you to the next chapter. While a career, on the other hand, means the cultivation of each of your job experiences, training and college education is being contributed to the role in which you are currently in. Not to mention, you see yourself growing in that cultivation.Related: 6 Signs You’re Stuck in a Career RutThe first step in making a career change is taking the time to explore how you feel. Get clear on what’s not quite right. Only you have the power to make that change, so don’t hesitate when the time presents itself. Have you or someone you know experienced the signs of needing a career change? If so, what additional tips can you offer that you’ve found helpful? Drop a comment to … 5 Signs You May Be Ready for a Career ChangeRead More »

7 Money Mistakes I Made in My 20s Whew…our 20s. What a magical time, we’re young, but not old enough to rent a car (or a hotel in some cases). Our metabolism is still intact, our skin is vibrant and youthful, and we can go out and party with our friends until the wee hours of the morning, and still get up for class or work without a struggle!]Now, I should write this in past-tense, as I am a very youthful and vibrant 30ish Millennial (haha), but as I reminisce on my 20s, while I had the absolute time of my life…I also did the absolute most with my money (or lack thereof). I remember having some of the most epic birthday trips, the most epic concert trips, and the most epic beauty collection! You know what I also had acquired…LOTS and LOTS of credit card and payday loan debt.Now that I am more seasoned and have been through some life-altering events, even though my 20s were chaotic financially, I am so grateful for the many lessons learned; even if I had to learn them the hard way.Here are seven money mistakes that I made in my 20s (so you don’t have to, lol)!Not Having a Budget Since you’re here on the City Girl Savings website, let’s just get the most obvious mistake out of the way: Lena in her 20s couldn’t even pronounce the word “budget”. Ok, I’m joking about that, but you would have at least thought I was allergic to the word!After college, when I received my first “big girl” job at an educational nonprofit with a $30k salary, I thought I was rich RICH! I was still living with my parents, my dad bought my first and 2nd cars (so no car payments), and I was going out to lunch and happy hours in downtown Chicago almost everyday (and most weekends…ok, every weekend).I say all of this to say, I was not tracking a dime of what I spent, and whenever I received money, I spent it within minutes, no lie. I vividly remember receiving my first paycheck (it was a paper one, see I’m a 30ish Millennial lol), and going straight to the bank to cash it, not depositing it into my bank account, and heading straight to the mall. Of course, I blew most of my paycheck within the first week.Again, I had no clue what a budget was, let alone how to track my spending.Living by the “YOLO” Motto*Cue Drake’s “The Motto”! Yep, that was my motto, my mantra, my personal national anthem! “You Only Live Once” got me into so much financial trouble! Speaking of that song, that song came out in 2012 when I was 24 (geez, I’m getting up there), and I remember planning a girls’ trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico for my 25th birthday.*sigh* I had no business, let alone any disposable income, going anywhere besides my parents’ backyard for a vacation. However, I thought I had to do a grand 25th birthday because I “only turned 25 once” aka YOLO. That acronym was literally my justification for all my purchases in my 20s. I wanted to go to San Juan, YOLO. I wanted to see a huge kpop band three times, in three cities on the west coast, YOLO. I wanted to go to Toronto for Caribana for 48 hours, AND go to Vegas then Austin, YOLO (please don’t ask me about that trip, I do NOT remember a thing).Drake’s “The Motto”, what a time, now I’m fine with JOMO (The Joy of Missing Out) haha!Using Credit Cards Like IncomeBecause I did not know how to spell or pronounce “budget”, of course, I used and abused all my credit cards. If I spent all my paycheck before the next one, I just pulled out one of my credit cards, like it was additional income. Remember when I spent my first paycheck at the mall? I bet you were wondering how I made it to my next paycheck; yep, a credit card. SWIPE, SWIPE, SWIPE – CHARGE, CHARGE, CHARGE.*A bonus mistake – none of my credit cards back them had a points program* Ugh, right in the feels!In addition to using my credit cards as income, I also was just paying the minimum payment, but would continue to use the cards, so I was never paying them off. This created a dangerous cycle because these companies would also increase my limit, and of course, I would use that to my fullest advantage (disadvantage in hindsight). By the way, Raya has an amazing podcast episode about the traps of credit cards, interest, and the slippery slope of not using credit cards the right way.Not SavingIf you’ve made it this far into the article, then this should not be a surprise. If I didn’t have a budget, didn’t track my spending, then you already know I was not saving. Budgeting and Saving – those two words did not exist in my vocabulary in my 20s.Now that I think about it, I do remember “trying” to save money. I would put maybe $100/paycheck into my savings account, that was linked to my checking account…HOWEVER, as quickly as I would transfer into my savings, I would quickly transfer it back into my checking, because I just had to buy makeup, or a pair of shoes or three. I remember transferring so much back-and-forth between my checking and savings account that my bank temporarily suspended my savings account because I made way too many transfers in a month’s time!Buying Luxury ItemsAs I am typing this out, I’m also laughing because I truly had the audacity to spend $600 on a Coach purse and matching wallet. I ended up losing that same wallet on a trip to Florida (it’s what I deserved haha). But seriously, I was extremely materialistic in my 20s, and I equated my self-worth to what I possessed (thank goodness for wisdom and growth).Clearly, I lived way above my means because I still cannot process how the words “budgeting” and “saving” weren’t in my vocabulary, but “luxury” was, oh my 20s! Funny enough, all those Coach purses I had, which I had quite the collection, I ended up donating most of them to Goodwill when I had to move in with my dad at the age of 30. Yes, I had to move back home due to my reckless spending, but that’s another blog post for another day!Not Investing in Jobs’ 401k PlansAgain, if you made it this far into the article, SHOCKER! I vividly remember hearing about the “importance” of early retirement planning and how it’ll make such a difference in the long-run. I wasn’t trying to hear any of that, because for me, I thought I was young, I did not have to worry about retirement, so why would I invest now?Whew…Now, even in my 30s, I would say investing is still something I am new to, but I am making small efforts in learning more about it. A huge progress from 20ish Lena. I do wish I learned about the power and magic of compound interest, but I am confident that I will be able to retire!Not Working with a Financial CoachI will save this one for last, because even though I have been heavily involved in the City Girl Savings community since my mid-20s, I just very recently started working with Raya as a client, which is crazy, right? I knew my finances were in trouble in my 20s, but I never wanted to be held accountable for my mistakes. I knew my habits had to change sooner than later, but I was not done “living”.I even had about 4-5 different consultation calls with Raya before finally taking the plunge and committing to her 3-month coaching program. I will say that working with a financial coach, like Raya, has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. A decision that I know 20ish Lena would have been scared to make. I haven’t made as many financial mistakes in my 30s, like I did in my 20s, but there is always room for improvement. What about you, what were some of your financial mistakes that you’ve learned from your 20s?-Le … 7 Money Mistakes I Made in My 20sRead More »

#21: Setting Up Your Own Financial Filing System I was first introduced to the term “financial filing system” in 2015 after reading Beth Koblinger’s book “Get a Financial Life”.To sum it up, a financial filing system is a physical or virtual system designed to organize and store important financial information.HerMoney founder Jean Chatzky did a study showing the correlation between financial organization and being financially well off, and the results were shocking!The study found that 72% of the financially organized were financially well off, compared to 23% of the unorganized.That’s more than enough reason for to get a financial filing system in place!Before you can start creating your own financial filing system, it’s important to know and understand the timelines for keeping or tossing your documents.When you’re ready to set your financial filing system up, consider both physical and virtual filing systems.Both will require individual folders based on the types of information belonging in those folders.Keep your filing system somewhere safe and create routines around updating your information.Being organized puts you more in control of your money!Here’s a glance at this episode:[01:30] Statistical studies show that financial organization leads to better money management control.[03:53] Timelines for keeping or tossing financial documents ranging from monthly statements to tax return supporting documentation.[09:11] Virtual filing systems have some additional benefits, such as easier access and no limitation on what can be stored.[09:50] Establish routines for processes such as opening your mail, paying your bills, filing your documents and more.Click here to listen!Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts“ … #21: Setting Up Your Own Financial Filing SystemRead More »

4 Fun Cinco de Mayo Drink Recipes As most may know, Cinco de Mayo takes place every year on the 5th of May. There is a common misconception that Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of Mexico’s independence, but that’s not the case. It’s actually a celebration of Mexico’s victory over the French Empire in 1862. Though it is not considered a traditional holiday, many people still like to celebrate and honor the holiday. In America, it’s widely interpreted as a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage. So, if you find yourself partaking this year, check out these four fun Cinco de Mayo drink recipes to enjoy! #1 Classic Margarita When Cinco de Mayo rolls around you better have a gorgeous helping of margaritas in your hand! If there’s one drink that sums up the holiday, it sure is this one. Here’s what you will need to make one: 2 ounces tequila 1/2-ounce orange liqueur 1 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed 1/2-ounce agave syrup You will first need to add your liquids as well as your agave syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake until well-mixed. Then, stick it in your fridge. Once chilled, strain into your cup with ice and enjoy. For the ultimate presentation you can garnish with a lime wedge and add salt or sugar on the rim. #2 Michelada If you enjoy a good cold brewsky, then you will love a michelada! The michelada is a Mexican cocktail classic including the flavor of beer with an assortment of ingredients like lime and hot sauce. Though the origin of the beverage is still unclear, the word itself is a combination of “chela,” which is slang for a light beer, “helada” (cold or frost), and “mi”—essentially “my cold beer.” Here is what you will need to curate this tasty cocktail: 1 pinch salt 1 pinch cayenne pepper 1 lime wedge 1/2-ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed 2 dashes Tabasco sauce 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce 1 pinch ground black pepper 1 pinch celery salt 1 bottle Mexican lager beer (chilled) You will first need to add equal parts salt and cayenne pepper to a plate or shallow bowl to rim the glass. Rub the lime wedge along half the rim of the pint glass and then dip the rim into the salt-cayenne mixture. If you prefer no salt on your rim, then you can skip that step. In your glass combine the lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, black pepper and celery salt into the glass. Lastly, fill your glass with the preferred beer of choice, garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy! #3 SangritaNow I know you’ve heard of the tasty alcoholic beverage called the Sangria, but this fun twist on the drink that will have you craving the beverage all year round. This savory drink when paired with your favorite tequila will definitely add a kick to your Cinco de Mayo celebrations! Here is what you’ll need: 15 ounces tomato juice 6 ounces grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed 6 ounces orange juice, freshly squeezed 2 ounces lime juice, freshly squeezed 2 ounces Tabasco 2 teaspoons black pepper (freshly ground) 1 jalapeño pepper, halved (with seeds). You will first need to add all the juices, black pepper, salt and jalapeño pepper into a pitcher and stir until the salt dissolves. Once that has all been combined, let it sit so the flavors can blend together for 15 to 30 minutes, then remove and discard the jalapeño. The longer the jalapeño infuses, the spicier the Sangrita will be. Then, you can serve as a cocktail or pair it with a shot of tequila. #4 Oaxacan Punch Oaxacan punch is the go-to for all the Cinco de Mayo parties! This delicious beverage will be a fan favorite for years to come. Check out how you can make it with these tasty ingredients and steps: 10 ounces Averna amaro 10 ounces mezcal (such as Sombra) 5 ounces grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed 5 ounces lemon juice, freshly squeezed 2 1/2 ounces agave nectar 36 ounces ginger beer, chilled 6 ounces cold water. You will need to begin by adding all the ingredients, except for the ginger beer, into a punch bowl with a block of ice and stir gently to combine. Once combined, slowly pour in the ginger beer, mixing while you pour. Once mixed, serve and enjoy! You can garnish each glass with a grapefruit slice and a lemon slice or enjoy without. This recipe serves about 10, so call the girls over and make a toast! Related: Summer Cocktails to Try What is your favorite Cinco De Mayo drink? Have you ever tried any of the ones shared above? If so, which was your favorite? Have fun and remember to drink responsibly this Cinco De Mayo! Also, be sure to follow us on our other social platforms IG and Twitter @citygirlsavings. If you’ve survived the transition to Meta, don’t be a stranger and chime in the conversation with the CGS team. We adore you and the members in the community so tune in to our City Girl Savings podcast where you can get all the gems and more! -TaelorT … 4 Fun Cinco de Mayo Drink RecipesRead More »

5 Ways a Type A Personality Stays Organized Okay, okay! When I say “Type A Personality” I’m clearly referring to myself. “Hi, I’m Raya and I’m a recovering structure addict”. Like most Type A individuals, I thrive on structure, organization and time-specific tasks. I say that I’m a recovering structure addict because I’m working on not being so rigid. My need for structure got so bad that I started dreading quality time with friends and family. I’m so embarrassed to say that, because it’s ridiculous, but it’s exactly what happened. I had so much stuff to do and I’d schedule my time so tightly that when I was spending *scheduled* quality time with family, I’d be thinking about all the other stuff I could get done. A dinner out turned into a chore instead of fun vibes with my besties. After recognizing how uncool it was to not enjoy the quality time I had with the people I loved, I made flexibility a priority. One of my affirmations was “I give myself permission to be fluid and flexible.” I’ve found ways to stay organized that suit my personality, but those ways are no longer at the expense of anyone or anything! Keep reading for 5 ways a Type A personality stays organized. 5 Ways a Type A Personality Stays Organized Asana I first became privy to Asana about a year or two after starting City Girl Savings. Now, it’s the hub for all things operations in my business. My tasks are there. My team’s tasks are there. It also houses important dates, resources, and ideas. Asana is the ultimate task and project management tool. While I think Asana is more impactful for business owners, it can also be leveraged for personal organization as well. You can add projects – whether they’re temporary or ongoing, and add tasks that relate to each project. You can set up tasks to have recurring due dates (this is incredibly important for me), or just assign them to yourself. You can filter and organize your Asana tasks by views that are helpful. I leverage the List view on a daily basis to quickly see everything that needs to get done. On occasion, I’ll leverage the Calendar view if I want to see what my week or month looks like at a glance. OneNote When I first took City Girl Savings full-time, I found myself scattered with what needed to be done on a day-to-day basis. Sure, my tasks were in Asana, but some days there were too many tasks. Other days, there were not enough tasks. Then, I got some advice from my coach at the time who suggested I set daily intentions. She said that my daily intentions should be the feelings I intended to have for the day, the top 3 tasks I needed to get done for the day, and a reflection of what made me uncomfortable throughout the day. I decided to use OneNote for this. I’d previously used OneNote to keep track of all my notes from client calls, but recognized it would be very beneficial for my daily intentions. Every day I create a new OneNote page in the applicable month’s section. I name that page the day of the month it is. From there, I have a chart that needs to be filled out at the start and end of each day. Here’s a screenshot of my template: Leveraging OneNote to keep track of my daily intentions has allowed me to always be clear on what I need to focus on each day. I make it a point to prioritize the most important tasks first, then roll over any tasks that aren’t completed. From an organizational standpoint, this is a practice that has changed the game for me! Digital Calendars I didn’t fully leverage my iPhone and Outlook calendars until recently and I’m kicking myself for it. Now, anytime I have a new appointment set – personal or business, I immediately add it to my calendars. Remember when I said I was a recovering structure addict? Well, failing to properly use my calendars lead to a lot of extra stress. For example, I would text past clients and schedule one-off calls. If I didn’t take the time to add the one-off call to my calendar, I’d end up double booking. There was so much self-inflicted anxiety that I could’ve avoided. That’s a thing of the past though! Now, I make sure my digital calendars are always up to date. It’s second nature to me now! Batching If you haven’t heard of batching, I’m going to blow your mind. Batching is the process of scheduling similar tasks to be completed in one sitting. This means that your dedicated hours or days are spent completing the same tasks, just for months in advance. A perfect example of this is writing articles. Personally, I batch my City Girl Savings articles. That means that one week every quarter is dedicated to writing articles for the next quarter. It takes me a few days to get one quarter’s worth of articles written. That means I won’t have to worry about writing any more articles until the next quarter. Batching is helpful for a few reasons. First, it allows you to get things done in advance. Second, it keeps your focus on one task at a time. I’m already in the zone after writing one article, I may as well keep it going to get the other articles written too! The beauty of batching is that it can be implemented in any area of your life, career, or business. Use it to get similar work tasks completed. Use it to get personal or home chores done in advance. Leverage it to make sure your business responsibilities are covered. Try it on a small scale, then start taking it up a notch – you’ll see how much better planned and organized you are. Checking Out The final way I stay organized is by checking out mentally. Having that mental reset is such an important part of grinding. There was a point in my life where I could only check out when I would take trips. I was working a full-time corporate job and trying to build City Girl Savings. I would take corporate calls during the day and CGS client calls at night. I would work on weekends to get business stuff caught up. I had no time to check out on a regular basis…and it led to burnout. I don’t regret that time because it helped me get where I wanted to be faster, but now I make sure I check out on a regular basis. For me, it’s the weekend. I don’t plan any work stuff over the weekend. I also try to be fluid with my schedule. If I get an unexpected call to go have coffee, I don’t have to worry about it impacting something else. Checking out gives your mind the break it needs to come back rested, recharged, and ready to go. Keep yourself sane and organized by taking the mental breaks you need. Trust me, you’ll thank me later! Related: 5 Ways to Increase Your Productivity to Get More Things Done If a Type A personality like myself can stay organized, while keeping her spirits up, so can you! Hopefully this list of tricks that help me can do wonders for you too! Have you tried any of the strategies above? What helps you stay organized? Share by leaving a comment … 5 Ways a Type A Personality Stays OrganizedRead More »

#20: Breaking Generational Money Curses with Lea Landaverde With the exception of an elite few, most people never learned how to manage their money. Their parents didn’t know, so they had to learn their own lessons the hard way. Unfortunately, some people never learn and they continue to pass those generational money curses down the line. I don’t know about you, but I wasn’t part of the elite few who learned how to manage money at an early age. I had to learn the hard way, and so did Lea Landaverde. Lea shares her struggles growing up in an immigrant family and what money burdens it put on her at a young age. She gives her perspective on the role society plays in keeping minority people oppressed, and what those people can do to start changing their situation. Lea also shares how people can improve their situation, set boundaries with their family and use their own finances to drive positive change. If you want to break through money curses that stem from your family, you don’t want to miss this impactful conversation. Here’s a glance at this episode: [02:00] Lea shares her background, coming from an immigrant family and what inspired her to help others change their money situation. [14:00] Lea describes the moment that changed everything for their family from a financial perspective and how that triggered her to worry about money. [22:40] Letting traumas hold you down and stay stagnant or letting traumas fuel you to change for the better. [31:00] Lea shares how people with family who constantly ask or expect financial help can set boundaries and follow them. [42:40] Unique ways Lea feels and finds gratitude in everyday life scenarios. [50:00] How people who improved their financial situation can help drive change with the money they make. Click here to listen! Rate, Review, & Follow … #20: Breaking Generational Money Curses with Lea LandaverdeRead More »

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

5 Ways to Smooth Neck Wrinkles Growing older has its perks and blessings but we would be remiss to say with another year older comes everything else… including wrinkles. Sure, wrinkles are a tell-tale sign on women exposing their years, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.  Though some find it beautiful, others want to avoid them like the plague. To a great deal of women wrinkles are just a sign of beauty fading. Check out these five ways to smooth your neck wrinkles while still living your best life! #1 Massaging They say when you get older gravity tends to work overtime. Basically, what was once tight tends to loosen up. However, the elasticity of a person’s skin does play a factor in how quickly they begin to wrinkle. Skin elasticity is the skin’s ability to stretch and snap back to its original shape. The older we get, the less elastic our skin becomes. Massaging your neck with your preferred skin tightening cream has shown to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles on the neck. Once you have your preferred cream, apply to your target area using quick strokes in an upward motion. From the collar bone all the way to your jawline, be sure to apply your preferred cream until concealed into your skin. This routine will help to smooth out any visible wrinkles. #2 Exfoliate Yes, you’re reading that correct! It’s important to exfoliate your skin when doing your facial routine. Unless you forgot, exfoliating assists in keeping your skin baby soft and silky smooth, removing any dead skin cells lingering around. Failing to remove dead skin cells makes your skin dull and dry looking, making the appearance of any wrinkle more visible. When you exfoliate your skin, it helps stimulate blood flow and lymph drainage, which are very important for anti-aging! Exfoliating your skin and neck helps to improving the blood circulation which minimizes the appearance of loose skin and improves skin elasticity. It will also enhance your all over glow and radiance. You should exfoliate at least twice a week. No more than that, so you do not strip away all your natural oils! Once you have exfoliated follow it by applying your preferred moisturizer to lock in the glow. As you get older your skin naturally will change. Exfoliating is the best kept secret to balancing your glow up. #3 Moisturizer Moisturizing your neck twice a day can help in reducing the appearance of wrinkles on the neck, in addition to slowing down the process of them forming. Some medical experts have chimed in and agreed that applying lotions, creams and serums that include the ingredient vitamin C is most effective. One other ingredient that has been found in moisturizers that is very useful is retinol. For those wondering how retinol helps: it speeds up the process of cell turnover to help slow the aging process as well as producing a younger, softer-looking skin with less visible wrinkles. Olay Regenerist is one of the most popular products with retinol (affiliate link). #4 Botox If you’re not afraid of needles, then give Botox a try. Botox involves the injection of a small amount of botulinum toxin into the skin. The injection of Botox in your neck (or any place for that matter) blocks signals from the nerves to the muscles resulting in the appearance of wrinkles softening and appearing less visible. Depending on the history of a person, Botox varies on how long it lasts. Generally, it lasts anywhere between 3-4 months, although some women have noticed the duration lasting a little longer. Like anything in the world there are side effects, so prior to getting Botox we suggest consulting with your primary care physician or medical expert. #5 Surgery While there are proactive approaches to reducing the appearance of wrinkles on your neck some women prefer to opt for surgery. Now depending on your comfort level of going under this may be a last resort for some. There are a variety of different procedures to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. One procedure in particular removes a small amount of skin from your neck area and stretches it back to its previous position. This method allows the neck skin to appear tighter and firm. If interested in this method keep in mind anesthesia is used, and recovery time varies depending on your age and medical history. Related: Natural Ways to Fight Wrinkles Remember ladies, give yourself some grace because beauty is only skin deep. Wrinkles are inevitable but if you are trying to slow the process down then take heed to the above. If you are noticing wrinkles coming through on your neck, what have you done to help reduce the appearance? Would you try any of the suggestions we have shared, is so which one? For more City Girl Savings content check out our CGS podcast! Stay connected with us and follow us on our Instagram and Twitter @citygirlsavings. Also, chime in on the conversation via our Meta page – we appreciate you and all the members in the community! … 5 Ways to Smooth Neck WrinklesRead More »

#19: Is Starting a Business Really for You? Starting a business is a huge deal, whether you see your business taking off or not. After COVID-19, our society has seen a huge spike in people quitting their day jobs and starting side hustles or new business altogether. But just because society is heading in that direction doesn’t mean that starting a business is for everyone – and that’s okay! There are a few questions you can ponder over to decide if starting a business really is the right move for you. For me, entrepreneurship was in my blood. My dad was a full-time business owner and I started making money through baby-sitting when I was 10 years old. I even had a business idea in college but wasn’t focused enough to get it going. That’s okay though because City Girl Savings was meant for me. One question you can ask yourself to determine if starting a business is right for you is if there’s anything you’re skilled at or passionate about that can make you money. Another thing to do is get honest about your situation. Can you really handle starting a business right now? Just because a business may not be in the works right now doesn’t mean it won’t be a good option for you in the future! Here’s a glance at this episode: [01:30] My mom worked full-time in corporate America and my dad was a full-time business owner. Because of that, I saw the benefits of entrepreneurship at an early age. I also saw the stability that comes with a full-time job. [03:00] Although I had a business idea before City Girl Savings, it never came to fruition. Things happened the way they were supposed to. [03:54] I’m sharing 5 questions you can ask yourself to determine if starting a business is the right move for you…now or in the future. [10:15] If you don’t want to start a business, that’s okay! Do what brings you the most joy and happiness, not what society pushes on you. Click here to listen! Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I love Ra … #19: Is Starting a Business Really for You?Read More »

5 Ways Social Media Can Affect Your Budget Oh social media…what a blessing it has been to us, right? Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok have created a plethora of ways to connect with family, friends, start businesses, create extra income (or a full-time job), and have changed how we interact in society.However, social media can also magnify insecurities, reduce productivity, and create unnecessary drama and stress in your life. In fact, social media can actually affect our finances and our budgets!See how social media can affect your personal finance and see if you can do small things daily to not let social media deter you from your financial goals!The Comparison GamePicture it: you’re mindlessly scrolling Instagram and you see the latest post from a friend of a friend who is on (another) vacation…this time to the Maldives! Ugh, and you’re sitting on your couch, eating Chinese food, regretting your career, your salary, and your life situation. Now, instead of enjoying your Chinese takeout (that you budgeted for), you’re comparing yourself to this “friend.” Comparing your job, comparing your life, and comparing your goals…all because you were scrolling. Social media means you’re thinking about how to have a life like that person…in the Maldives. Even when you may have just come back from a vacation, such as Cabo San Lucas, Mexico…in your mind, it’s not the Maldives, so that trip to Cabo is now considered “basic.” Instead of enjoying your evening, you’re thinking how to “top” this friend’s trip to the Maldives and how to finance a trip that may be out of your budget at the moment. What an unfortunate way to think…Social media has the tendency to minimize our own accomplishments by getting us to compare our lives to others’ and feeling like we don’t measure up to friends, social media influencers, or celebrities. “Comparison is the Thief of Joy” isn’t just a nice quote that is shared on Instagram (haha); it really does rob you of the joy of accomplishment, the joy of choosing yourself, the joy of putting your goals first.Keeping Up with the JonesesNow picture this: you’ve set an amazing budget (done by City Girl Savings, of course), you’re happy with your career and salary (with goals for leveling up professionally), and you’re saving and investing! Then all of a sudden, you open up Instagram and see a girlfriend from college holding up a “Officially a Homeowner” sign with the keys to her own condo…while you’re still renting—saving for a down payment, but still renting. What if you see someone else from childhood who is posting a picture of their brand new car, which happens to be the newest model that you’ve been eyeing? What feelings does this usually bring upon you? Unfortunately, too many people feel like they have to constantly “one up” people on their social feed, to make themselves seem more significant.Having a Birkin bag means nothing if you don’t have that same amount in the bag (or in your bank account). Maxing out your credit card for a trip for “the Gram” means nothing if you come home to bills that are past due and debt collector calls. Stay in your lane and your budget…trust me, trying to keep up with the Joneses will keep you broke. Honestly, sometimes even the Joneses have maxed credit cards and no savings!YOLO and FOMOIn 2022, I’m not sure how many people are still using the phrase “YOLO” (You Only Live Once), but people are still very much still suffering from FOMO, the Fear of Missing Out. We’ve all been there. Your friends want to go on a girls’ trip, or go see your favorite artist in concert, or check out the trendy new rooftop bar downtown. However, those expenses are not aligned with your City Girl Savings budget or your personal financial goals. But because we do not want to be the odd one out, we do these things anyway because we don’t want to see pics of our friends without us at these events.Treat YourselfHow about this: You’ve been saving, you’ve been making your monthly financial goals, you’re doing all the smart “adult” things with your finances. You’re also feeling like you do not have any space for fun in your budget. As a way to “treat yourself” for making smart financial choices, you decide to go all out on a shopping spree at your favorite online boutique…because you feel like you deserve it, or have earned it. This may feel good at the moment, but then you realize you spent way more than you anticipated, then the guilt starts to kick in. This is a cycle that a lot of us put ourselves through…thinking that we deserve to live in the moment and not think of the possible consequences of our brief YOLO moments, because you see everyone else on social media having fun.Hinder Your Earning PotentialHere’s something that not a lot of people like to talk about, but let’s be honest; a lot of us check our social media while we are working during the day, which can be a huge distraction. Not just from a productivity standpoint: it can also be a distraction from performing your job at your highest potential by decreasing your focus.In addition, since most of us check social media on our phones (that’s attached to our hips), sometimes we neglect “recharging our mental batteries” and replacing actual rest and relaxation with mindless scrolling. This can lead to increased anxiety, lower focus, and dim your creative juices. Targeted AdsYes, as someone with a marketing background, we know exactly what we’re doing! Those Target ads that just mysteriously pop up on your newsfeed after you just had the slight thought of Target…not done by accident, quite the opposite.Platforms like Facebook and Instagram use targeted advertisements to market products directly to you. This is based on demographics, such as age, location, Google search history, and gender. The more you like, comment, swipe, and scroll, the more these ads are retargeted to get you to buy more things that you do not need or have not budgeted for.All in all, social media can, has, and will always be a great way for us to connect, learn, and grow. However, it is important to realize that your actual savings and budget is much more important than “showing” your followers that you can spend like they do.Related: 5 Tips to Make Saving for Money Goals FunHave you noticed that social media affects your spending? How do you deal with it? Let us know in a comment below, and be sure to join us over in our City Girl Savings group on … 5 Ways Social Media Can Affect Your BudgetRead More »

#18: 5 Mindset Shifts that can Change Your Life and Money While we can’t control outside factors, we can control how we think and react to things that happen in our lives.Making the shift to a positive mindset many years ago has helped me feel the happiest I’ve ever felt.Never forget: You have a choice.Regardless of what happens to you, you can choose to be and think positive, or you can choose to be and think negative.Specific mindset shifts can help you change how you handle things in your life. These shifts can also have a positive impact on what you do with your money.If you’re not sure where to start to change your mindset, the thinking shifts shared in this episode can make all the difference.Don’t feel like you have to make a full change from the beginning. Take it slow.Sometimes, slow and steady wins the race – especially when changing the way you think and see things in your life and money.Make a conscious effort to truly shift how you think and you’ll see how your life and money change as a result!Here’s a glance at this episode:[01:31] If you take anything away from this episode, let it be this: You have a choice. You can decide to be positive or you can decide to be negative.[02:20] The first mindset shift to help your change your life and money is appreciating the money you currently do have.[04:10] The second mindset shift involve removing specific terms from your vocabulary.[07:55] The third mindset shift to make is to stop focusing on how far away you are from achieving the goals you have for your life and money.[09:16] The fourth mindset shift focuses on perspective. When things don’t go according to plan, look at them as a lesson, not a loss.[11:40] The final mindset shift is to start practicing gratitude on a daily basis.Click here to listen!Rate, Review, & Follow on A … #18: 5 Mindset Shifts that can Change Your Life and MoneyRead More »

5 Home-Office Adds to Boost Inspiration Sometimes looking at the same four walls literally can drive a person insane and drain the inspiration right from them. If you think about it from the aspect of the same routine, it can be kind of boring and in a sense looking at the same plain walls in your home office can have a similar effect. Break free with some home-office adds to boost inspiration!Given many jobs have resulted to working from home due to Covid and for health reasons why not add a boost of inspiration to your home office to help elevate your productivity level. Let this space be dedicated to letting your full productivity shine through. Check out these five home-office adds to add some extra boost of inspiration!#1 Add some lightingWhether it’s natural lighting or shine from desk lamp, lighting is important. It ultimately sets the mood of the office. Who said you’re limited to just one raggedy desk lamp that barely provides any light? For more focused lighting, choose an angled desk lamp with a dimmer switch. Have fun and add some additional lighting for those gloomy days. Lighting is important because unbeknownst to many lights has an effect on our moods. Have you ever noticed that you feel more relaxed when certain lights are exposed? Or you feel more productive when a select lighting feature is on bright? Artificial lighten is such an effective alternative that gets the job done if you don’t have access to natural lighting. Since the world has reverted to working virtually choosing to work out of a room that provides the necessary lighting is vital. If you do not have a lot of space in your home office, we suggest using light strips or pendant lighting which is a good way of illuminating a room without taking up a lot of floor space.#2 Include your personalityIt really isn’t your home office if you don’t let you and your unique personality shine through. When you incorporate your personality into your home office it becomes and effective and easy way to invite inspiring energy into the space. Add things that you like and enjoy to your office. No one needs to like it and approve it more than you – never forget it. There is no one in this world that has a sparkling personality like you – so let it shine through. You may be asking yourself how can I be the best version of myself. The answer is very simple. You can add your favorite music artists poster, or a framed picture of you doing something you enjoyed doing!#3 Invest in comfortThis pretty much speaks for itself! If you are having the freedom to try the furniture out prior to purchase, we highly recommend you do so. Comfort is so important for boosting inspiration. How can one possibly feel inspired while being uncomfortable? Don’t worry we will wait for your response?! Comfortability is the one things people always fail to remember when decorating or organizing a space. Choose a chair that is comfy and ergonomic to help with comfort. The very last thing you need to add to your plate is a sore neck or an annoying back ache. A decent office chair is essential for your home office so budget accordingly and enjoy!#4 DeclutterMany times, a home office needs a good decluttering. Removing the old and bringing in the new does something that helps provide additional inspiration in the office. Usually when there is a lot of mess surrounding a person it can block their creative energy. They are not able to reach their full creative capacity therefore tossing the items that are no longer needed to make room for the items that do can make a work a difference.Mess can really clutter a person’s creative energy. To help organize and declutter your home office you can invest in storage bins and file organizers. If you feel uncomfortable tossing out certain documents, get a shredder.#5 Incorporate colorWhether you like neutral colors or prefer darker colors in your home office have some fun with it! Similar to lighten colors also can play a major factor in boosting some inspirational vibes. For instance, yellow hues catch the eye and inspire creativity. If you are feeling kind of sluggish, we are confident one sight of yellow will change that instantly. In terms of other colors, blue is another popular one that helps stimulate the mind.Related: 6 Home Décor Ideas to Spark Mental StimulationTo create an inspirational workspace with these home-office adds, it’s honestly all about making the space as homely and cohesive as possible. What trends have you incorporated to make your home office inspiring. Would you try any of our suggestions? If so, which one? Hearing from you and members of the community brightens up our day so chime in on our City Girl Savings Meta page and say hi! Also follow us and drop an emoji on our other social platforms Twitter and Instagram @citygirlsavings. If you are new to the CGS community and looking for a new podcast to listen to, check out and subscribe to our new City Girl Savings podcast. … 5 Home-Office Adds to Boost InspirationRead More »