Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Kitten Heels Recommends....


Although I’ve eased up some on my budgeting, i.e. eating out occasionally versus never, I still enjoy finding ways to save! A couple of years ago, a friend sent me a link for online coupons. The website is www.couponmom.com. Many may have heard of this site since the Coupon Mom, Stephanie Nelson, has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The View, Today and others. Ms. Nelson has also two books, THE COUPON MOM’S GUIDE TO CUTTING YOURGROCERY BILLS IN HALF and GREATEST SECRETS OF THE COUPON MOM. I’ve not read the book, but am familiar with the website. To start saving, simply sign up with an email address (I use a free “junky” email address that I set up on yahoo.com), pick a password (pick something super simple that you’ll remember), your first name, select your state, and answer one question, and you’ll receive emails with loads of savings. Millions have taken advantage of the savings and best of all it’s free!

According to the site you can cut your grocery bill in half. Since I only shop for one, I’ve not experienced that level of savings, but I’m sure that if shopping for a family the savings would be huge. It really is great because there are online deals, grocery coupons, drug store deals, and even links to Groupon, Living Social and Restaurant.com. Another nice feature is the tutorials on couponing.

I enjoy finding bargains and saving money. I search through the coupons at least once or twice a month and usually always find a coupon that will save me anywhere from .50 up to $2 on items.

This site is not only informative, but also a one-stop shop for savings. Check it out!

Kitten Heels

Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Monday, April 4, 2011

O.M.G. she is turning 16

Happy Monday Everyone,

I will choose today to seek support from everyone reading this. My one and only is turning 16 in a month. While I am excited for her and myself, a part of me is starting to feel sad. Her and I have been together since the day she entered the world and now she is slowly becoming a woman in front of my eyes.

I am in the process of planning a really nice celebration for her and it is so funny to watch her organize things like a woman would. She has been giving her input on decor, venue, theme, clothing and so on. It is like watching myself in a two way mirror.

Reality kind of hit me the other day as she talks to her friends on the phone. I watch her now becoming aware of her appearance when she leaves home from her hair to her clothing. She will be driving soon, starting to date and even working.

I always thought because of the bond and time we share together this would be easy but it is not. My baby is no longer a baby and I pray that I have given her enough to get her through this hard world. In a couple of years she will be off to college and starting the rest of her life. I am sure she knows but I will just put it out there. To my Princess I love you and wish you everything you dream of. Mommie will always be here for you.

Much Love

Chanel

Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Another birthday come and gone

Another year older.....but am I really wiser? There's a part of me that says definitely but then there are a few things that I know I should have in place at my age and I don't.

Soooo....what does that mean? Well for me it means that I have to make a list and I need to make a few copies of it and place them strategically around my home so that I can't run anymore. My bathroom mirror for sure!! I also need to put some realistic time frames around each task. Then finally I have to start doing my research to seek out the right places and people to contact to get these items checked off my list.

Here is what I need to have complete before the year is out:
1. Prepare a living Will
2. Get Life Insurance apart from my job
3. Check in with a financial planner to see if I'm on the right track for retirement

If you haven't done any of the above and your older than 30, it's time!

Stiletto,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Saturday, April 2, 2011

PPP's Tip of the Week

Tomorrow's Hottest Careers courtesy of Yahoo!Education by Chris Kyle

Wondering what tomorrow's in-demand careers will be? While it's safe to scratch newspaper editor and mail carrier off the list, you might be surprised at the old standbys that still make the cut.

Check out our full list of hot careers of the future:
Sales Representative
Mobile App Developer
Project Manager
Construction Manager
Elementary School Teacher

Keep reading for info on how you can start preparing for one of these hot careers.

Career #1 - Sales Representative
An accelerating economy is creating a need for more sales professionals. In fact, according to a 2010 Manpower survey, sales representatives are the second-hardest job to fill in America.

Mark Thomas, co-founder and chief sales officer of SayHired, a company that phone screens job candidates for employers, sees a similar demand for sales reps. "As companies are ramping up, talented sales people are getting offers with good base salaries and commission packages," Thomas says.

Training: To prepare for a career in sales, pick a major like communications or marketing . In addition to gaining key communication skills, you'll learn how sales decisions can impact a business's bottom line.

Average Pay: $81,370

Career #2 - Mobile App Developer
According to a 2011 survey by IHS iSuppli, an internet research company, mobile applications will enjoy an 81.5 percent surge in total revenue over the next 12 months. More revenue means more opportunities for mobile app developers.

Elance, an online employment hub, reports a similarly strong and growing demand for freelance mobile app developers. Its Online Employment Report, also released in 2011, found that the tech industry's spending in this area has grown 11 percent over the past quarter.

Training: If you want to train for a career in mobile apps, you'll need to get up-to-speed on computer applications and technologies by studying a subject like computer science, programming and software, or IT and information systems.

Average Pay: $83,647

Career #3 - Project Manager
As the economy reinvents itself yet again, project managers are fast becoming the new normal as American companies look to hire managers to oversee the building and designing of new projects.

"One of the fastest growing areas is project management," said recruiter Andrew Gadomski, founder of Aspen Search Advisors. "It's not just about doing the work. It's about managing the entire process."

Training: The skills you learn in business school are directly applicable to working as a project manager. Start by getting a bachelor's degree in an area like business administration. Job experience counts for a lot but in certain cases employers will be looking for candidates with a master of business administration as well.

Average Pay: $83,400

Career #4 - Construction Manager
In 2009, Laurence Shatkin, author of "200 Best Jobs for Renewing America," pointed to green technology as one of six industries that can help rebuild the country.

Looking at income, job growth, and job openings, Shatkin identified construction manager as the number one green technology job. Fast-forward to 2011, when the number of new homes under construction jumped 15 percent in January, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. That puts us on pace for 596,000 new homes this year.

Training: Along with work experience, getting a bachelor's degree is an important step to becoming a construction manager, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, though sometimes an associate's degree is enough. It's best to study construction science, construction management, or civil engineering.

Average Pay: $76,230

Career #5 - Elementary School Teacher
An always increasing population means that more teachers are needed to instruct America's youth.

With 597,000 job openings expected between 2008 and 2018, elementary school teachers will see more job growth than any other career that requires a bachelor's degree, according to the College Board.

Training: You'll need a bachelor's degree, plus certification, to teach elementary school. Requirements vary by state, though private schools require only a bachelor's to get started.

Average Pay: $53,150

*All average earning potential data comes from the U.S. Department of Labor using May 2009 salary numbers, except for project manager and mobile app developer, which comes from Glassdoor.com using February 2011 data. Green technology construction manager salary comes from Laurence Shatkin's "200 Best Jobs for Renewing America."

Pumps, Purses & Positivity,
Real Life, Real Talk, Real Women

Friday, April 1, 2011

Welcome to Texas


It's official, Clutch is moving to Texas! We will be relocating to either the Dallas or Houston area. That is still in the air at this time.


I must admit that I am dealing with many mixed emotions; excitement, fear and anxiety. To help ease those feelings, I am reaching out to the PPP community for advice. Where are great areas to live within either Dallas or Houston? How's the nightlife? Of course, the shopping?


Any advice that you can offer on those areas would be greatly appeciated!



Happy Friday,


Clutch


Real Talk. Real Life. Real Women.