savvy quote

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday that marks the birth of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a civil rights activist who was known for his approach of nonviolence activism. He has become a permanent symbol of hope on the issue of race and a source of inspiration for many. Below is one of the most powerful quotes from the reverend.

Savvy celebrity entrepreneur Lauren Conrad seems to be doing it all, with two clothing lines, two websites, and a book franchise under her belt. She recently shared with us in an interview some wise advice that her dad imparted to her:

" . . . my dad always really pushed internships with me. He said it's really important that you get experience, and I was doing internships when I was still in high school, which I'm really glad . . . But I think just depending on whatever internship you want to be in, just working with them, and even if the tasks you are given are very simple and they're more busy work than anything, just by being there you learn things, which is nice."

How have internships helped you in your career?

It's that time of the year again when fresh young grads cheer on commencement speakers and throw their tasseled hats up in the air. President Obama gave a riveting commencement speech on Monday to the women's university, Barnard College. It's a school affiliated with Columbia University, which is the school Obama graduated from in 1983. Here is some of his most inspiring advice for women:

• Don't accept any less than you deserve: ". . . don’t accept somebody else's construction of the way things ought to be. It's up to you to right wrongs. It's up to you to point out injustice. It's up to you to hold the system accountable and sometimes upend it entirely. It's up to you to stand up and to be heard, to write and to lobby, to march, to organize, to vote. Don't be content to just sit back and watch."
• Persevere: "Nothing worthwhile is easy. No one of achievement has avoided failure — sometimes catastrophic failures. But they keep at it. They learn from mistakes. They don't quit."
• Lead by example: "Never underestimate the power of your example . . . This diploma opens up new possibilities, so reach back, convince a young girl to earn one, too. If you earned your degree in areas where we need more women — like computer science or engineering — reach back and persuade another student to study it, too. If you're going into fields where we need more women, like construction or computer engineering, reach back, hire someone new. Be a mentor. Be a role model."

If you're an heiress to a billion-dollar fortune, it doesn't mean you can't be frugal in some areas of your life. Although Tamara Ecclestone, daughter of the Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, is known to be a lavish spender, she says she does have thrifty habits. Ecclestone tells The Daily Mail:

"But I’ve learned [haggling] a smart thing to do. Every car I’ve bought, I’ve got money off. My last car? I got 20 per cent off. I love to get a deal. Who doesn’t love a bargain? . . . I am a bit obsessive about it. I turn the heating off at night and I turn the tap off when I’m brushing my teeth . . . And I like to book airline tickets as far as possible in advance because it’s cheaper."

I don't think Ecclestone's penny pinching ways are over the top, and the things that she does are habits everyone should take up. Turning heating off at night and turning the tap off when not in use are all simple ways to save money and the environment. Haggling is something that a lot of people shy away from, but it's actually quite simple once you get the hang of it (read our tips on how to haggle).

Although cutting back here and there can add a bit more padding to your bank account, the most effective way to save is the top-down method, which means you have to cut back on the big ticket items before spending less on the small expenditures. Focusing on the big picture will help you make greater strides in managing your money.

To celebrate Black History Month, we're featuring a series of inspiring quotes from movers and shakers who have paved the way and made a difference in the lives of African Americans today.

Source: Flickr User paul (dex)

To celebrate Black History Month, we're featuring a series of inspiring quotes from movers and shakers who have paved the way and made a difference in the lives of African Americans today.

Source: Flickr User Pink Sherbert Photography

To celebrate Black History Month, we're featuring a series of inspiring quotes from movers and shakers who have paved the way and made a difference in the lives of African Americans today.

We're all saddened by the passing of the singing legend, Whitney Houston. Her lyrics and passion for music have inspired us throughout the years. Her amazing talent will be remembered and celebrated for decades to come.

Privileged and beautiful, Lauren Bush, the niece of former President George W. Bush, is also a big philanthropist. TrèsSugar recently sat down with Bush for an interview, in which the model spilled the deets about FEED, a project she founded to fight world hunger. Bush gave advice on how busy women can find the time to give back:

"I feel lucky that I've been able to integrate giving back into my job, so it's all one in the same, which is not necessarily the case for most. But most companies do offer opportunities to volunteer or encourage that to some extent, and if they don't, it's a thing to push for. It can be this overwhelming thing to be like, 'I need to find the cause that I'm so passionate about. I need to jump headfirst.' And at some point people might do that, but in the meantime, just dabble and learn and find small things you can do. Like my brother — this isn't small; it's actually quite huge — but he's a Big Brother. And it's changed his life, changed this little kid's life. And it's just the coolest thing. It's a big time commitment to open your life up to a kid, but he loves it. You don't always need to start your own, and nor should most people."

It's always good to start small and to be realistic about your time commitments. You need to pick activities that are doable because giving back should always feel fulfilling and not like something that you feel obligated to do.

Today it was announced that Apple visionary Steve Jobs has passed away. At 56, the man who transformed the way we viewed computers, lost the battle against a rare form of cancer that has plagued him in the last few years.

“When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: 'If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.' It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?' And whenever the answer has been 'No' for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”

Steve Jobs has changed our lives not just with the Apple technology, but he has also inspired us all with his determination and dedication to his craft.