SavvySugar

Naked Lindsay Lohan is New York Mag's Money Maker

SavvySugar — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:16:00 -0800

Lindsay Lohan caused a bit of commotion last week when she appeared in New York Magazine. Her nude spread, that recreated the famous final photo shoot of Marilyn Monroe, drew millions of curious visitors who briefly crashed the site on the day the photos were published. We all know that celebs are usually paid major dollars for exclusive shoots with publications, but do you know how much LL was paid for the "honor" of channeling her idol? To find out just read more

Nada. Zip. Photographer Ben Stern was paid his usual fee but LL did the shoot for free. The magazine's site averages one million page views per day, but the photo shoot alone brought in 34 million views during the two days after the spread was revealed. And while the magazine keeps advertising revenue numbers to themselves, it's estimated that they made over $500,000 in two days from the banner ads running above the LL slideshow. NY mag sure knows how to shake the most out of their money maker - they strategically posted outtakes from the shoot on their site yesterday.

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Should Reality Show Cast Members Be Paid Equally?

SavvySugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:15:21 -0700

Whatever your feelings toward reality TV, they're fixtures of network programming and successful ones to boot. The Real Housewives of New York City has two seasons under its designer belt, and the cast is currently negotiating contracts for a third.

The ladies are shooting for six-figure paychecks, and Housewife Jill Zarin explained her feelings toward the group's salaries to Us Magazine. She said,

"I think that in an ensemble cast, it's hard to have demands because I think all women are the same. I think all women should be treated identically. I don't think one is more valuable than other . . . I'm not saying someone new on the show would be valued the same as someone who’s been on the show three years, but I think that the cast is the cast."

Do you agree with Jill that reality show participants should be paid the same, so long as they've put in the same amount of time?

Where to Look For Stimulus Driven Jobs

SavvySugar — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 07:15:32 -0800

The economy has been skidding and losing more jobs each month, but the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is designed to create jobs and eventually turn unemployment on its ugly head. The impact on employment will take some time because the exact allocation of these funds still needs to be determined, and the millions of jobs the plan is said to create will be spread over a couple of years. It took years of mistakes to get us into this mess, and we can't expect automatic miracles.

The Wall Street Journal spoke to Joanie Ruge from New York based staffing firm Adecco North America, and asked her to predict which industries will benefit most from the stimulus. She highlighted manufacturing, construction, engineering, information technology, and health care, as industries that would see job growth across all skill levels. She explained the widespread job growth like this: "Even the infrastructure jobs will create opportunities for all skill sets. For example, in construction, workers will be needed to build bridges, but engineers will also be needed to design them and project managers to oversee those projects."

To see what industries economists predict will gain jobs from the stimulus, read more.

Going along with the example given by the staffing expert, economists believe infrastructure projects will overlap and provide new jobs with other industries such as the green sector, medical information technology, education, energy and utilities, and of course, the federal government. Consider making yourself more marketable for jobs in some of these sectors by taking a class at your local community college, reading up on trade magazines, and possibly temping at a related company to learn new skills.

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Beauty Editor Tries to Live on $50 for a Week, Could You?

SavvySugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:00:47 -0700

When I was lounging in the airport over the weekend waiting for my reassigned flight, I stumbled across an article in Women's Health about the magazine's beauty editor Polly Blitzer attempting to live on $50 for a week. The article greets readers with the headline, "The Dare: Live on $50 for a week (about seven days' worth of Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce lattes and The New York Times).

Polly says her biggest challenge was giving up expensive grooming habits like regular blowouts, manicures, and pedicures. While she was willing to swap her usual blowout for a headband, Polly wasn't willing to buy fast food. Instead, she loaded up on free samples at Whole Foods to "get gourmet on limited funds." She was able to make the most of her pantry and concocted nine meals out of these items: six cans of black beans, a box of rigatoni, a jar of Dijon, two packages of frozen peas, and one can of crushed tomatoes.

While it's tough to keep costs down when you live in a place like New York, Polly admits that she would take the $50 challenge again. She learned that she's an "unconscious spender" and doesn't have much to show for an empty wallet: "A cab ride, a pack of gum - before I know it, I've burned through a hundred bucks!" Would it be difficult for you make $50 stretch over a week's expenses?

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On the Market: Zagat Survey

SavvySugar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:59:49 -0800

I'm sure you've all seen the little burgundy stickers on restaurant doors, boasting businesses as Zagat rated. Tim and Nina Zagat founded the company in 1979, which got its start as a two-page typed list based on New York restaurant reviews from friends. It has broadened its critiquing wings to cover everything from Indian food to Thai massages, and they're sold worldwide in multiple languages. Can you guess how much this homegrown empire is worth? To find out just read more.

The company is valued at nearly $200 million and is up for bid - the New York Times lists Barry Diller’s IAC/InterActiveCorp (owner of Citysearch), Bruce Wasserstein’s company (publisher of New York magazine), and Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation as possible buyers. Zagat's business is primarily subscription based, so it will be interesting to see if the sale brings changes to its online tactics.

The Zagats obviously have brains for business. When they couldn't find a publisher for their restaurant guide in the early '80s, they published the guide themselves and stocked them on the shelves of any bookstore that didn't turn them away. Hard team work and persistence have definitely been a recipe for Zagat's success - not to mention a surprisingly comprehensive review process that sets them apart. Tim Zagat estimated they "probably have three to five people in every restaurant, at every meal, all year long."

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Famous Talents Share Their Best Money Advice

SavvySugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:03:07 -0700

Most of the 40 people CNN Money asked about the best money advice they'd ever received have actually made their fortunes in finance - the many economics professors and investment gurus they interviewed are talented with money. There were a few names in there that are making their livings off of their skillful talents that didn't involve playing with numbers or keeping track of market trends, and I've selected those to share with you.

Bobbi Brown, Founder and CEO, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics:

I started working as a freelance makeup artist in 1980, and I worried that I didn't have enough money. My father told me I'd just have to figure out a way to make more money. So I started looking through the Yellow Pages and calling agencies, magazines, photographers - anyone I could offer my services to. I'd work for free until I proved myself. Soon enough, I was getting regular calls to do their makeup. My father's advice made me feel that I was in control of my future. I realized that it was my job to find more opportunities.

Find out what advice author Elizabeth Gilbert and the Yankee's Derek Jeter shared when you read more.

Derek Jeter, Shortstop, New York Yankees:

The best financial advice I've received is that you should always know where your money is. Even if you have someone who handles your finances for you, you should always be involved in the process. I learned this from my parents.

Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love:

My father is the most frugal human being I've ever met. His most adamant instruction was that I should never under any circumstances go into debt. To this end, he passed along the message his own grandfather had taught him: "Borrowing money is like wetting your bed in the middle of the night. At first all you feel is warmth and release. But very, very quickly comes the awful, cold discomfort of reality."That vivid image has stuck with me forever. Even when I was a diner waitress, I wouldn't let a month go by without paying off my credit card. And this adamancy has kept me warm and dry and free my whole life.

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Don't Let Your Wedding Budget Get You Down

SavvySugar — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 11:05:42 -0700

The vendors at the New York magazine Weddings Showcase in Manhattan said their businesses are in full bloom as wedding season inches nearer. While many brides are busy toning up for their stroll down the aisle, there's no sign of them toning down their budgets in the midst of the poor credit and housing markets. As one planner pointed out, people will still get married during recessions. What caught my attention was the quote from one bride who told CNBC, "I had a very small budget in mind so the financial situation isn't playing such a big role. It's quite conservative at $20,000."

But "very small" and "conservative" compared to what? It's important for brides to stay focused on their own wedding - without letting their friends' wedding plans and budgets skew how great your wedding will be. So what if their save the dates look like actual wedding invitations? It doesn't mean people will be any less excited to receive your sliver of paper announcing your special day - and it will only take up one magnet on their refrigerators! Your wedding will be a beautiful occasion no matter how many dollars it took to make it happen.

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