SavvySugar

Ask Savvy: In Need of Savings Tricks to Pay Off Debt

SavvySugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:30:13 -0700

Dear Savvy,

I read the Savvy posts almost every day because I am in tons of debt and seriously need help. I'm the type of person that needs actual tricks to save. I have zero willpower when it comes to money. I keep seeing the Bank of America adds for Keep the Change and I feel that could really work for me. I was just wondering if you knew of any Canadian institutions offering similar programs. I've tried searching on the Internet but with no success. Any more tricks you could offer?

See my answer when you read more.

Canadian banking is not my forte, but I can definitely try and help you with a savings and debt pay-off plan. The easiest way to save, hands down, is to utilize an automatic savings plan. Bellaressa was on track with her suggestion to set up an ING account; you can quickly and easily create an online account with ING Canada and set it up so there's money automatically withdrawn from your checking account to your ING savings account.

Here's what I recommend for a relatively painless way to save and pay off debt: Open two accounts that are both connected to your checking account, one for savings and one for money that will only be used to pay off your debt. Set up your accounts so that a percentage of your paycheck is allocated to each of these accounts every time you get paid. Even though you have some debt to pay back, it's important that you build up some savings in case of an emergency so that you don't fall deeper into debt.

Before you can determine how much to deposit into those accounts each month, figure out how much you'll need for your fixed expenses like rent and bills, what you'll need to cover food costs, and if possible set aside some for having a little fun, too. Once you've determined a rough budget, commit to only living off that amount each month. Take away the temptation to spend by not even giving yourself the option - that's the beauty of automatic savings.

Goals always push me to do better with my money. Check out our calculators to come up with some savings and debt repayment goals! Whenever you feel the urge to spend, revisit your goals to help yourself stay on track.

Source

Savvy ATM: What Is an ING Savings Account?

SavvySugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:26:27 -0700

Building up savings is one of the best ways to set ourselves up for financial success, and the amount of questions coming in lately about ING accounts tells me that you're all on your way! There are a number of online banks out there, meaning they don't have actual branches you can physically walk in to and speak to customer service in person, but ING is a particularly appealing choice to many savers for a few key reasons. Find out what they are when you read more.

The three biggest draws are their no fee policy, high-yield interest rates, and they do not require a minimum account balance. It's harder to build your savings when fees eat up the interest you earn, and many savings programs mandate that you keep a minimum balance that is sometimes thousands of dollars in order to get a high interest rate or avoid fees. At ING, your $500 account is treated to the same high-yield interest rates as someone else's $10,000 account.

The actual product they offer is called the ING Orange Savings Account, and they make it easy to set up automatic transfers from your checking account at your existing bank to your ING savings account. The interest you earn on your savings is variable according to market rates, so if the Fed raises interest rates your savings account rate should go up, too.

Do any of you have an ING savings account or prefer one of their competitors?

ING Run For Something Better

FitSugar — Tue, 01 May 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Feeling like you want to run for something better than just your own health?
ING Run For Something Better is a program that helps fund running and fitness education in schools. The program is designed to teach kids the benefits of being active for good health. ING has already committed $2 million dollars towards the fight against obesity but you can help too -- All you have to do is make a donation of $10 or more and in return you'll get a cool pair of orange (fab color, don't you think?) shoelaces to show that you supported the cause. Make a donation and get your shoelaces on ING Run For Something Better online.

Jessica Biel Getting Engaged in the Dirtiest Way Possible

BuzzSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:30:59 -0700

Jessica Biel is going to tie the knot - on screen anyway. The actress has signed on to play one half of an altar-bound couple in "a raunchy comedy" called F***ing Engaged. Her character pledges to have sex with her fiancé every day until the wedding in the hopes that the couple won't turn into their parents.

Biel is also producing the film, whose current title will hopefully be changed by the time it comes to theaters.

This rom-com seems like a step below what Biel has been doing (yes, even I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry). Could her career have already peaked with The Illusionist?

What's your take on the title and the plot? And who are you envisioning opposite Biel?

Interview: Model Olivia Inge

BellaSugarUK — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 08:30:00 -0700

Catching up with Somerset born, five foot eleven model Olivia Inge after the Ashley Isham Show was one of the the highlights of this season's fashion week for me.

Whilst the high-spirited, fiesty model and socialite was getting a glossy, deep purple manicure (Nails Inc's Belgravia Place - of course I had to ask), we chatted about the first time she wore makeup (clubbing one night in South Africa), her contributing editor's role on her sister's Cult Beauty Website, her t-shirt that had a photo of two bare breasts on it and all about her deep, dark beauty secrets.

To find out Olivia's favourite products, her first experience with makeup and to see a gallery of photographs throughout the years, read more.

View 10 Photos ›

What's your secret to beautiful skin and hair?
Right now I'm using a John Frieda conditioner for ginger's called Radiant Red Colour Magnifying Conditioner that I love. Also, the blue kind of Kersastase Shampoo (Bain Bio Recharge) is brilliant. For my skin, I adore ILA Face Oil.

What are your favourite beauty products?
I can't live without Diorshow Mascara or the new bath oils from Neom!

What's your guilty pleasure?
Just one? I can't decide between sex and hot baths (she giggles).

What has been your favourite makeup look from a fashion show?
This season I was in the Jasper Conran show and I wore a really great red lipstick.

Source and Source

How To Get Olivia Inge's Tousled Hair

BellaSugarUK — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 07:00:00 -0800

Five foot eleven English model and contributing beauty editor Olivia Inge, looked radiant last night in a short, bright blue strapless Ashley Isham dress at the 2009 Elle Style Awards.

Not only did her makeup look flawless and perfect (love the winged eye-liner look), but I especially I liked her double-strap Alice band. This grecian-inspired hair accessory was a gorgeous complement to the golden undertones in her strawberry hair.

Lucky for us, her hairdresser Shai, from the Gielly Green Salon dished about how she created her red-carpet ready look! To find out the three quick and easy steps involved in getting Olivia's tousled hairstyle, read more.

STEP 1: Shai began by blow-drying Olivia's hair until it is was eighty per cent dry.
STEP 2: Next, he separated the hair into sections and curled each one with a small round, bristle brush using a blow-dryer.
STEP 3: As a finishing touch, Olivia flipped her head upside down and shook out the curls. Whilst this looks like you are going to ruin the shapliness of the curls and take away all of the body, it helps give hair and a more volume and creates an undone, tousled effect.

Source

Cool Idea: Park(ing) Day

CasaSugar — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 05:57:40 -0700

When I lived in a third-story apartment, I really longed for more green space, and would have definitely taken advantage of Park(ing) Day, which just finished its second annual event this past Friday. Park(ing) Day is an event where businesses, government offices, and volunteers in several corners of the world take the time to construct parks in parking spaces. In San Francisco alone, over 55 parking spaces were occupied, including this pedal-powered park, constructed and operated by Oakland, California, collective Rebar, which started the whole phenomenon a year ago, with help from the Trust for Public Land.

To find out if your city participated in Park(ing) Day, just read more

Participating cities included:

Atlanta, Georgia
Austin, Texas
Berkeley, California
Bend, Oregon
Boone, North Carolina
Boston, Massachusettsli>
Charleston, South Carolina
Chicago, Illinois
and many, many more.
What do you think? Cool concept or driving nuisance? Would you rather have fewer parking spaces and more parks?

Photographer to Watch: Kate Inglis

CasaSugar — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:00:00 -0700

Photographer and mom Kate Inglis posts her beautiful photos of nature, home, and family at the sites Sweet | Salty and Shutter Sisters. She writes that she enjoys, "power outages, woodsmoke, the flotsam you find on the beach after a hurricane, and the novelty of living in the saltiest place on earth." Take a look at the slideshow for a peek at her wonderful photography.

View Slideshow ›

The Bag To Have: Inge Large Paisley Pandora Hobo

FabSugar — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 14:30:33 -0700

This picture does not do this bag justice - this Inge Large Paisley Pandora Hobo, on sale for $378 (originally $420), is gorgeous in living color. I know this because a friend of mine just got it and I thought she'd scored it on some adventure to an exotic land - like Portugal or Turkey.

Between the rainbow paisleys, the twisted handle and the tasseled zipper pull, this bag is an exotic beauty. And the milky soft leather ensures longevity. While I hardly ever pay attention to patterned bags, this pattern is a stand out: boho chic at its finest.

Butler and Wilson 40th Anniversary Show

FabSugarUK — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:45:49 -0800

Butler and Wilson celebrated it's 40th anniversary last night with a star studded catwalk show. It turned it to a bit of a family affair with Yasmin and Amber Le Bon taking to the catwalk alongside Alice Dellal who received support from her Mother Andrea. Amber was tweeting from the event where the models played table football before the show! There was front row support from Portia Freeman, Melanie Blatt and Jenny Frost who all dressed up for the occasion. The actual show included plenty of sequins, party frocks and quirky faux fur. It took place at Koko in Camden and had a Studio 54 theme.

For more images from the show, just read more.

View 25 Photos ›