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Jen A. Miller Consulting

Tag: budget

  • 5 Money Mistakes You Don’t Know You’re Making

    5 Money Mistakes You Don’t Know You’re Making

    Our Best Advice to Help You Make the Most of Your Hard Earned Money

    money

    You work hard for your money. Shouldn’t it work hard for you? For those of us who aren’t born with a calculator in our hands, the threat of facing our finances is quite the nightmare. Yet, even the most numbers-averse Single Girl should know how to smartly manage her money.

    There is a lot of great advice out there to help you decide how to best budget, save, and invest your hard-earned dollars. Before diving in too deep however, I recommend first checking-in with your current checking situation. Start this week on a smart foot and make sure you aren’t making any of these 5 money mistakes.

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  • The Best Ways to Shop on a Budget

    The Best Ways to Shop on a Budget

    7  Shopping Sites All Budget-Savvy Single Girls Should Know About 

    Photo from theskinnymission.tumblr.com

    Photo from http://thenativefox.blogspot.com/

    It’s that time of year again. The time when the days begin to grow noticeable shorter, the temperatures start to drop, and the scarves and books find their way to the front of your closet. Of course, this can also only mean one thing. It’s time to update your style to suit the season.

    To be honest, I’m generally not a big shopper. When given the choice of what to do with my spare time, I typically opt to do something a bit more active like going for a long bike ride or hike with my girlfriends. This is partly driven by the awesome LA weather and largely driven by the anxiety that shopping brings. What style should I go for? Which items should I pick? Do I really have to spend that much??

    That being said, I’ve hit the low point that I know you all have been at before. Standing in front of my closet has become depressing. Everything I see has been worn more than it’s fair share of times and I can honestly say  I have nothing to wear!

    Luckily, I’ve found a great handful of shopping sites that solve all of my shopping woes. In this list you’ll find sites that hand-pick items to fit your style, look books to offer you outfit inspiration, and prices you won’t think twice about paying. Read on to see my favorite ways to shop on a budget!

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  • Cleaning Out Your Closet (and Shopping Your Wardrobe)

    Cleaning Out Your Closet (and Shopping Your Wardrobe)

    5 Guidelines to Discard Items + 6 Classic Pieces to Keep When Cleaning Out Your Closet

    cleaning out your closet
    PHOTO: Sex and the City.

    Admit it. It’s the middle of the summer, and you still haven’t gotten around to spring cleaning. If you read All’s Fair in Love & Wardrobe (or even just my book report on it), you might have the urge to edit your wardrobe (before editing your love life). The good news for you slackers is that I just did a major overhaul of two closets thanks to my move, and I learned some things in the process.

    Cleaning out your closet is beneficial for a) making room for new things, b) taking inventory of what you might have forgotten you have, c) making a little extra cash, and d) feeling emotionally lighter. A well-edited closet gives you the opportunity to know exactly what you have and streamlines the getting ready process and your options of what to wear. Now where to start? There are the tried and true rules for what you should discard, but where can you draw the line? Read on for your guide to what must go as well as what should stay in your wardrobe.

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  • Single Girl Budget Wines

    Sarah Walsh reveals six fabulous summer wines under $20

    PHOTO: Catherine Abalos.
    PHOTO: Catherine Abalos.

    When you grow up 20 minutes south of wine country, developing an early taste for grapes is expected. With my father as my guide, I learned that wine taste is very personal and something worth discovering for yourself. After lots of trial and error and finally narrowing down what my palette enjoys, I also discovered the thrill of finding the perfect budget wine. Good wine isn’t necessarily expensive, and inexpensive wine isn’t necessarily bad.

    I’ve compiled a list of very budget-friendly and summer-ready white and rosé wines for you. Everything here is delicious, perfect for parties and gifts, or a solo night in. Best of all, none of the bottles is over $20!

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  • How Dog Sitting Taught Me to Live a Happier Life

    3 (Surprising) Lessons on Happiness I Learned From Dog Sitting

    dog sitting

    Photo via Stephanie Rausser Photography

     

    Since quitting my job last November I have been hitting the side hustle – hard. One of my most lucrative undertakings has been serving as a dog sitter for DogVacay.com. The site matches dogs and their owners with people in their neighborhood who are willing to offer their services as sitters and walkers. For someone like me who would love to own a dog but realistically knows she’s not ready for that kind of commitment, it’s great. It’s like being the aunt- you get all of the fun of watching a dog without the long term cost and responsibility of owning one.

    When I started dog sitting it was purely with the aim of making money. Six dogs later, dog sitting has delivered a surprising and unexpected reward. My days of dog sitting have actually taught me lessons on how to live a happier life. It might sound crazy but it’s true.

    As you head into your weekend, consider these three lessons and how you can apply them to your own soon to be happier life!

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