SavvySugar

Gift Registry For Divorcées: Brilliant or Baffling?

SavvySugar — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:00:53 -0800

Divorce requires lots of support from the people who care about the couple who's splitting up, and now friends and family can be even more helpful along the path to starting over. UK department store Debenhams has launched a divorce registry system for ex-Mesdames and Messieurs who need a little assistance in building their new single lives.

The divorce registry is set up exactly like your typical wedding registry. The registrant selects items to include on the list, which is created with or without the help of someone from the department store, and the registry is then posted online. Some family advocate groups have criticized the chain for glorifying divorce, but the store says it's just being realistic and helping divorcées rebuild their lives.

This marks a new idea in the retail world, and it's one that could very well make its way over the pond to the US. What's your take on divorce registries, are they brilliant or baffling?

When Do You Break For Lunch?

SavvySugar — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:00:15 -0800

I'm a creature of habit and generally eat lunch every day at noon. That's when I get hungry, and it's a nice break time for me to look forward to in the morning. The fact that I naturally pop up and head to the kitchen right at noon has become a bit of a joke for those who sit around me, but I see all the same faces at the fridge, which leads me to believe many of us have a set dine time. Do you grub at the same time every day, or do you just grab lunch at different times?

Is It Smarter to Borrow Money From Friends or Family?

SavvySugar — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:45:09 -0800

I'm already hooked on HBO's new series How to Make It in America, which chronicles Ben, a young designer, trying to make it big with the help of his best bud and sidekick Cam. The boys are strapped for startup cash but full of ideas and happy to hit up whoever will listen - from friends and family to acquaintances - for loans and leads. Borrowing money for a business venture or a down payment is a touchy subject for most of us, but often necessary. When faced with no other option, would you rather take money from a friend or your family?

Your Two Cents: Do You Allocate More For Fashion or Food?

SavvySugar — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:45:31 -0800

We're six days into the 40-day Savvy Savings Challenge, and spending is on my mind at all times. I've committed to give up unnecessary costs - most notably I won't be driving to work for convenience or clothes shopping - and subsequently taken serious stock of my mindless purchases. I'm a savvy saver by nature but am certainly not without my vices.

During Fashion Week you shared your 2010 shopping budgets, and the results were all over the map: 34 of SavvySugar readers plan to spend less than $500 on fashion this year, 17 percent less than $5,000, and five percent will likely dish out more than $5,000. Everyone else was in between. We named food and groceries the most overpriced expense of 2009, so I want to know how your grocery and food costs match up with your passion for fashion. Do you predict you'll spend more on food or fashion for 2010?

Has Anything You've Purchased Been Recalled?

SavvySugar — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:45:32 -0800

Unless you've been driving in the outback listening to '80s dance hits, you've surely heard the daily updates about the recall of millions of Toyota vehicles and impending Congressional hearing. The company's recalls seem to be a shock to most because of its reputation as dependable, but they are a reality of business. Faulty products are constantly put on the market only to be recalled weeks, months, or even years later, and as consumers there is little we can do besides our brand and product homework.

Has anything you've purchased - from machine parts to peanut butter - ever been recalled? If so, what and what did you do?

Your Two Cents: What's Your Fashion Budget For 2010?

SavvySugar — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:00:46 -0800

Strap on your stilettos and grab the party dress and parka because Fashion Week is in full swing in NYC! While FabSugar and BellaSugar get an intimate tour of the lovely designs and looks, I'm back home ogling the goods from my desk in San Francisco.

Spendy designer threads are outside of my monthly budget, but I can't help lust after gorgeous outfits and seek the look for less. How much do you plan to throw down to dress up in 2010?

Are You Celebrating Valentine's Day In or Out?

SavvySugar — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 08:00:28 -0800

Forty-six percent of you say you give shared gifts on the day of love, which leads me to believe many of you are focused - along with your beloved - on smart spending and considering ways to save while spreading the love.

If you're celebrating the day with a date, will you be out on the town or toasty indoors?

How Much Do You Typically Spend on a Night Out?

SavvySugar — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:45:35 -0800

I don't go out every week, because when I do I always seem to spend at least $50 after dinner, a cocktail or two, and cab fare. If it's a girls' night out and we see a flick or go to more than one bar, the tab quickly goes up, massacring my penny-pinching efforts throughout the week. How much do you typically spend on an average night out with friends or your significant other?

Do You Supplement Your Income With Side Jobs?

SavvySugar — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:00:07 -0800

Diversifying - investing in a variety of places to minimize your risk - is a popular buzzword in the financial world. But have you ever considered applying that concept to your career? With jobs and retirement funds feeling pretty unstable these days, some financial advisors are suggesting diversifying your sources of income - i.e., having more than one job. To find out what the advantages might be, read more.

According to some financial experts and bloggers, pursuing side jobs can help you increase your income, be more financially stable, and even retire early. The idea is that having different types of cash flow will serve as security if you’re laid off or take a pay cut in one position, and will give you more flexibility to save for the future. I can see other pros, too - side jobs and freelancing can provide different outlets for your talents, and can be really fulfilling. On the other hand, juggling several jobs at once can get stressful fast if you aren’t careful.

Have you tried this approach?

Source: Flickr User Daniela Vladimirova

How Often Do You Show Up For Work Worn Out?

SavvySugar — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:00:02 -0800

If you feel a little sluggish today thanks to too much cheese dip, beer, and revelry, you certainly aren't alone. The Monday after Super Bowl Sunday is a notoriously low attendance day in corporate America. In fact, there's even a coalition of people who want to make the day a national holiday.

I kept it low key yesterday, but I will admit I occasionally come to work after a birthday party, fancy dinner, or even a girls' night feeling a little less than chipper - and I certainly had my fair share of wild nights earlier in my career. How often do you show up for work hungover or completely wiped out (say from a crying baby), or do you stay home when you're worn out?