Money

The Shutdown – Monday Musing

January 28, 2019 by robincharmagne 2 Comments

Hello pretties,

The government is open…well for a while. The whole thing is utterly ri-dayum-diculous; nonetheless, I am not here to talk politics, but to focus on the lessons learned from the Shutdown.

Lesson 1 – Save, Save, Save

You can never save too much. This situation was a wakeup call for everybody to have an emergency fund set aside. I get it, I get it, it can be super hard to save. But there are a lot of ways to save money, a little a time. The famous 52 -week challenge is a great place to start. Here’s a great visual to help get you started.

https://www.lgfcu.org/pf-category/spending-and-saving#52-week-challenge

There are other easy tools like apps for your phone. I use Qapital, which I posted about here.

Lesson 2 – Everyone Can Help

Just about every one of us knows someone impacted by the Shutdown. Offer assistance to friends/family impacted, which does not have to be money per se. You can offer to take a family a meal or purchase gift cards for gas stations, grocery stores, or drug stores. Offer baby sitting services for a night out for stressed out parents.

Lesson 3 – Get Involved

Now, I said I was not going to get political BUT we have to get involved. We can not just vote and walk away. Contact your local representatives and tell them what actions you would like to see our elected officials take regarding this shutdown. They need to hear from the citizens that put them in office. Call, email, fax or send letters to members of Congress to tell them you support federal workers and want them back to work with pay and backpay as soon as possible. You can find U.S. Representatives here and U.S. Senators here.

I hope we all learned something from this situation but more importantly, I hope this issue is resolved in a way that makes sense. We, the people, should never be held hostage at the whim of the government. It just isn’t right. Save, help, call, let’s all do our part.

What are your thoughts?

First Class Dreams – Seattle – Let’s Go

October 6, 2017 by robincharmagne 10 Comments

airline-loyalty-robincharmagne
Hello pretties,
I hope y’all are feeling great and ready to talk travel. So, recently, I was graciously gifted a birthday trip to Seattle, in first class seating (yes my friends rock). Flying first class was on my bucket travel list, but the way my travel deals are setup, I have not been able to live this dream. Today I am sharing bits of the fab plane ride and how to earn miles to increase your chances of getting first class seats on your next flight.

First Class Anyone?

Travel time Atlanta to Seattle is right under 6 hours so the Delta One seating was the most comfortable option. The seats are 21 inches wide, and recline fully to lay flat like a bed. It also has its own power plug and USB port for charging and a personal seat-side reading light.

What’s wrong with my hair?

What is she looking at LOL?

Like being in a restaurant

This was quite an experience and everything I dreamed it would be. It started with priority boarding, yes on the plane first. Upon sitting down, we had water and the flight attendant explained how everything worked. You get your own overhead bin, that was cool. Then she asked if I wanted champagne, um yeah. The amenities were superior quality, a blanket so soft from Westin hotels and those fancy headphones. On to the meals! So before dining, the flight attendants offered everyone a warm towel and laid out our napkin on the tray table. The food was better than main cabin but I wasn’t bowled over. It was served on real dishes and with real silverware that part was special! All throughout the flight we were offered a variety of yummy snacks and whatever we wanted to drink. The Delta One seat did not disappoint, really comfy and reclined 180 degrees all the way to a flat bed. I could have slept the entire flight, just like being at home. The service was amazing – attentive and elegant. I would fly first class every flight if I could, who doesn’t like being pampered?

Tips to Earn Miles

1. Decide what status fits your travel lifestyle based on the airline. For example, Delta has silver, gold, platinum, and diamond. Each one has different perks. I am working towards silver status.
2. Be Loyal! Pick your primary and secondary airlines and enroll in their rewards program including any credit cards aligned with that airline. Remember I said how my travel deals are setup? Well, to earn this status and get all the perks of said status, .i.e. free checked bags for you and your travel buddies, priority check-in and boarding and more, I will be sticking with one or maybe two airlines versus flying with everybody and they mama who has a deal.
3. Use airline rewards credit card for any purchase that will award miles for said purchases. You are going to shop anyway, you might as well earn some miles in the process. But try to pay off at the end of each month to avoid amassing debt.

There are many other ways to earn miles, just schooling y’all like my friend schooled me, sharing is caring… LOL. Once you begin earning your miles in your particular status, then you get complimentary upgrades to first class and with all your miles, you can gift miles! Isn’t that awesome. I am so thankful for having sweet and generous friends, can’t wait to return the gift and make someone else’s travel dreams come true!

See ya’ in first class real soon!

Have you flown first class and how was your experience?

Linking with these lovely bloggers.

P.S. Seattle was great, more to come on that too!

Google Flights – Let’s Go

March 2, 2017 by robincharmagne 10 Comments

google-flights-on-robincharmagne
Hello pretties,
Google it! Yep we google everything, so why not google travel. If you have been around robincharmagne, you know travel is my bae! And, my travel season starts this month, woot-woot! So a couple of days ago, I was looking for a flight and another travel diva suggested Google Flights. So I gave it a whirl, here is how it works.

Start with Google, of course

First enter a destination

Orlando is a popular destination, who doesn’t love Disney

$57 winner

The key to travel deals — be flexible!

Click To Tweet

Flight Options – $57 to $289

Favorite Feature

google-flights-destinations-robincharmagne

For when you need a break, but have no idea where to go

Suggestions of other cool destinations with prices

Google Flights is lightening fast and populates options super fast. As with most travel search engines, you can use filters to narrow down your preferences, i.e., round-trip, travel times, airlines, etc. The only drawback to this site is that you can not book on the site. You click out to the airline you select to actually book the flight. Use Google Flights as the perfect research tool for your travel needs even if you have no idea of where you are traveling.

What travel search engines do you use to plan and research flights?

Linking with these lovely bloggers.

3 Reasons To Use Ebates

November 28, 2016 by robincharmagne 6 Comments

ebates-on-robincharmagne

Hello pretties,
I hope everyone had a fab Thanksgiving with family and friends. Now that you have done all that feasting and fellow-shipping, it is time to hit the Cyber Monday Sales but don’t click the order button just yet, let’s talk about Ebates. If you are shopping, why not get paid for snagging those bargains.

Why Use Ebates

1 – Double cashback is the bomb and increases your coins. And, some well loved retailers (over 600) are doubling up the cashback!
ebates-double-cash-robincharmagne
2 – Snag your cash back from your smartphone! Download the app to shop on the go!
ebates-smartphone-robincharmagne
3 – In-store cash back is here! Link up a card and get those coins while you shop!
ebates-instore-on-robincharmagne
ebates-instore-card-robincharmagne

Alright you have 3 excellent reasons to shop Ebates – click here to get started!

What are you shopping for on Cyber Monday?

Linking with these lovely bloggers.

Travel Insurance – Let’s Go

September 1, 2016 by robincharmagne 4 Comments

Image: personal – Hotel Del Coronado, Coronado, CA

Hello pretties,
Travel is still on the agenda. I know you are thinking it is September 1 and summer is coming to an end and thus your travel adventures. Fear not, there are lots of places to see even as the weather changes and as the holiday season approaches. However, before you start packing, let’s talk travel insurance…

5 Reasons You Need Travel Insurance

1. Once you spend the bucks and the time to get that coveted passport, you guard it with your life. But what happens if your wallet and passport are stolen while you are snapping pictures at Stonehenge.

2. The Farmer’s Almanac said the weather was going to be great, but Hurricane So and So did not get the memo and you have to evacuate that lovely resort.

3. You told your cousin you did not want to rent that cute convertible to travel the curvy roads on the Amalfi Coast. But, Noooo and bam, you hit a guardrail.

4. Trying new foods is always fun when traveling but your stomach is doing somersaults and the room is spinning, you need to visit “el hospital”.

5. Mama said that cheap flight was too good to be true. She was right – Fly Cheaper Airlines is now bankrupt.

Image – personal – Coronado, CA

Yes there are many more scenarios where travel insurance will save your rumpus, but I especially recommend it for any international travel. The prices and coverage varies depending upon the carrier. The cheapest might not provide the level of coverage you need. Conversely, do not overbuy either! Make sure you read the fine print.

Do you consider travel insurance when vacay planning and have you purchased it? Happy Travels!

Linking with these lovely bloggers.

SUM180 – Get Your Coins Right

March 10, 2016 by robincharmagne 14 Comments

This post is sponsored by SUM180 – the opinions expressed are 100% my own!#ad #SUM180

sum180-financial-planning-on-robincharmagne

Hello pretties,
This post is a bit of a departure from fashion, home décor, and travel, today we are talking finances. You cannot dress pretty, live pretty, or travel pretty if your finances are in a pitiful state. I am excited to tell y’all about SUM180 an online financial planning service.

I know finances are a touchy, even taboo topic but it is super important that we plan our financial lives so we can meet our financial goals. Did you make resolutions this year or create a vision board? I would bet money that managing your finances was a top goal. Let SUM180 help you.

SUM180

SUM180 is an online financial planning service that creates a personalized action plan to help you get your financial house in order. I know what you’re thinking, you don’t know your dividends from your derivatives and you don’t have too. The plan is easy to read, without all the fancy financial terms and you won’t need an MBA to understand the information. And you won’t be bombarded with “add-ons” to buy either.

Five Things You Need To Know About SUM180

1. Your plan is created online so you can work with it 24/7 at your own pace – takes under an hour to complete.
2. This is not a generic or cookie cutter plan; it is created just for you based on your financial data.
3. You will not break the bank trying to add more dollars to your bank account. The plan is affordable and you still get top notch advice without spending thousands of dollars.
4.SUM180 makes its recommendations based solely on your needs and financial goals, and not based on third party products or services
5.Are you a chatty Cathy? Yes, you can talk to a financial advisor if you have any questions or concerns.

SUM180-on-robincharmagne

These are just a few of the advantages of working with SUM180. My experience was easy and eye opening. I simply went to the secure website, created my account and answered questions about my finances. It was not hard at all and now I feel secure knowing I have a plan in place to keep and maintain good financial health. In addition, I am most excited that if I do have questions, I can talk to a live financial advisor.

Are you ready to get your financial house in order? As a special introductory offer, the first 200 clients who register and complete their online interview will receive a $129 rebate on a $129 SUM180 subscription. That means you could get your SUM180 plan for FREE! Click here now to visit the SUM180 community forums and read what clients are saying about the service.

I thought financial planning was for the very wealthy. It is super cool to have my finances professionally planned, my financial future looks fabulous!

Linking with these lovely bloggers.

This post has been sponsored by SUM180. I was provided with product at no charge to sample in exchange for my review. The options expressed in this post are my own. I am in no way affiliated with SUM180 and do not earn a commission or percent of sales.