SavvySugar

Download SavvySugar's Wedding Planning Checklist!

SavvySugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:00:45 -0700

Juggling our everyday lives with wedding planning can be quite a struggle, but you can enjoy the planning process more when you're organized. It's overwhelming when you're not sure what's next on the to-do list, so I've created a general time line for brides out there who need the reminders or reassurance they're already on track - you can download the wedding planning checklist here.

After you've nailed down your wedding budget, get cracking on the rest of the checklist and don't forget to have fun. You're a bride! Try to enjoy every moment leading up to your big day.

How far along are you in the planning process?

Get Your Budget on Track With the Savvy Spending Tracker!

SavvySugar — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:30:18 -0800

Do you know how much you spend per month on food and beverages (I'm looking at you, 7-11 trips and work lunches) and personal care (can we say money-sucking drug store trips)? The new year is all about taking control, and most of you intend on saving more money or paying down debt in 2009. In order to find extra money in your budget to achieve your goals, you need to figure out where your spending can be trimmed. That's where my handy spending tracker comes in.

It's simple: For one month, track every single purchase, no matter how small. If you make a trip to the grocery store, take a moment to review your receipt so you're able to categorize everything into food, household, etc. You could wait to tally each category until the end of the month, or you can total each week to simplify the process.

Tracking your spending in this way makes every single purchase visible and paints a clear picture of where your money is going. After tracking, you should have a good idea of where you could be spending more wisely. I'll do a progress check with you on Feb. 12!

Download the SavvySugar Spending Tracker here or by clicking on the image above.

Savvy Resolution: Get Savvy in 2009 With Our Resolution Doc!

SavvySugar — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 10:00:37 -0800

The majority of SavvySugar readers didn't make resolutions in 2008, but those who did reported they made progress. In the spirit of getting organized, we've crafted a handy Resolution Worksheet for you to keep track of all your financial goals for the new year and help you keep them.

Some of the goals like retirement savings are totally universal, while some of you may have specific career goals that you can jot down in the free space. As you accomplish items, you can check them off your list, which I think is one of life's little pleasures.

You can download our Resolution Worksheet here or by clicking on the image.

I'll be checking in with you in a month to see how you're doing with your resolutions and feel free to share any of your goals in your comments below!

New Bride's Guide to Changing Her Name

SavvySugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:31:01 -0700

Updating your email address to reflect your new married name is the easiest step of all, but unfortunately the laundry list of other changes is much more time consuming. Some women end up dragging out the process because it can be a bit tedious - the DMV and Social Security don't exactly elicit excitement, after all.

If you've decided that changing your name is the right move for you, commit to the process by following my New Bride's Guide to Changing Her Name. Simply print out the checklist to learn what steps you may need to take. You'll find that some areas require more attention and paperwork than others, but keep in mind you only need to (hopefully) do this once! Make copies of all of the documents for your records, just in case.

Get Organized For November With SavvySugar Downloads

SavvySugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:45:21 -0800

Staying organized and on top of your savings are key to both long-term financial and personal success. Doing so isn't easy without a little extra assistance, which is why we've put together a selection of pretty printable downloads that will help you get and stay on track. The beginning of a month is the ideal time to get organized.

It's never too late. Check out Savvy's 2009 resolution worksheet!

Get your budget on track with Savvy's spending tracker doc!

Did he put a ring on it? Download Savvy's wedding planning checklist!

Get Organized For October With SavvySugar Downloads

SavvySugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 04:00:35 -0700

It's never too late: Check out Savvy's 2009 Resolution worksheet!

Get your budget on track with Savvy's Spending Tracker doc!

Did he put a ring on it? Download Savvy's Wedding Planning Checklist!

Back to Basics: Get Organized With Savvy Downloads

SavvySugar — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 05:08:00 -0700

It's never too late: Check out Savvy's 2009 Resolution worksheet!

Get your budget on track with Savvy's Spending Tracker doc!

Did he put a ring on it? Download Savvy's Wedding Planning Checklist!

Would You Take a Stanford Class on iTunes?

SavvySugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:00:10 -0800

Maybe you're wondering if it's even possible to take a class on iTunes. It is now - and not just from Stanford, but from Yale, Wharton, Berkeley, and more. In a relatively new move, prestigious colleges and universities are making lectures, classes, and even written materials available online.

The experience isn't exactly like taking an actual course. For one, you won't be awarded any credits, but considering it's all online and free, it seems a fair trade. You may not have access to everything from the class, but that's not really the point - as Money Magazine's Pat Regnier might tell you. He downloaded Berkeley's American economic history course on iTunes last year and a Yale professor's lecture series on the Civil War.

He wasn't seeking a secondary degree, but the lectures satisfied the urge to sharpen his intellect, without shelling out cash for grad school or a costly MBA. Just check out iTunes, Academic Earth, or OER Commons to find out what's available. So, what do you think? Would you take the time to give your intellect a boost with a little free online education?

Ask Savvy: How Do I Follow Up on a Job I Want?

SavvySugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:00:31 -0700

Dear Savvy,

I have a question about a job I applied for earlier this month (Oct. 4). I got a reply the following morning because my resume didn't download, and I replied with an apology and another attachment a few hours later. I didn't hear back and wasn't sure what to do.

On Oct. 14 I got an email saying that they still had some part-time positions available if I was still looking for employment, to which I answered, yes, I was available and still interested. I asked for a phone number and if I could call, and offered to come in to discuss details or interview. I ended by saying that I looked forward to meeting with her and thanked her. I haven't gotten a reply since.

I really need a job and this one is in my hometown. How do I proceed? Should I look up the business phone number, call the career center, or follow up with another email? What would I say in an email? I'm not sure what to do - do you have any advice?

Savvy says: Job searching etiquette can be such a guessing game. To see my advice, read more.

You got lucky when the employer reached out and asked for your resume when it didn't work the first time. Many would move on to the next one without blinking. You lucked out again when they followed up with you to see if you had interest in part-time opportunities, and you did the right thing by responding promptly. The two week gap after they reached out to you makes me think things have changed on their end, but you'll never know unless you ask.

Because they contacted you via email and you haven't spoken before, use email to get in touch with them now. When you do email your contact, say that you'd been alerted of job opportunities a couple weeks ago and are following up to see if that's still the case. Be friendly, say something kind regarding the company, and keep it short.

If this job doesn't work out in your favor, keep chugging with your job search and learn from your mistakes next time around. Triple check any attachments you send to a hiring manger, making sure they are the proper attachments and they open correctly. Good luck!

Have a question for me? Ask away by posting your questions in my Ask Savvy group.

Reader Tip: Tracking Your Budget Is Boring, But It Works

SavvySugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 04:00:34 -0700

We each develop a unique saving style over the years, which is why we started the How Do You Save? group for you to divulge your winning tactics. It offers a place for you to dole out your advice to other SavvySugar readers trying to save a little moolah and learn from their experiences. Senorita reminds us that tracking and keeping a budget isn't always exciting, but it is a surefire way to quickly shed light on your unnecessary spending.

To learn her story and tip, read more.

Senorita shares:

So not so long ago when I first met my boyfriend, now current husband, he introduced me to the idea of keeping a budget. He set up a really easy to follow spreadsheet where I could enter each day what I spent and set up an estimate as to what I would spend on rent, bills, food and, of course, fun! After a month, I was amazed I was spending over a thousand dollars on clothes and fun. I wasn't going out and buying a couple really expensive items but it was all the smaller stuff that just quickly adds up. I must admit I was completely shocked and afterward definitely felt like I had really had nothing to show for the money spent. Well, lesson learned, I continued to use the budget sheet, just to keep my spending in check and was eventually able to start saving a lot more each month!

If you are ready to follow Senorita's lead and start tackling your spending check out our selection of SavvySugar organizational downloads.

Do you have a tip for readers? Join our How Do You Save? group and share your helpful suggestions. Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.