Tag: blackgirlinfinances

Basic Girl Banking: How To Be Bougie On A Budget

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This is probably one of the most accurate definitions from Urban Dictionary. Bougie is also a term particularly used for black people who are of upper class status or strive to be of that.

Apart of us all (kind of) want to be have the lifestyle that Hilary Banks from Fresh Prince of Bell Air  has or the queen of bougie… Whitley Gilbert from A Different World attains, however, not everyone can afford the things that these characters possess.

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Whitley Gilbert (A Different World)

This doesn’t mean that you cannot look the part. In this day of age, you can come close to looking expensive while keeping some money in your pocket or savings account. No one needs to know that you got the cheaper version of a purse that resembles the Versace one!

 

I have four items that show the example of how you can spend wisely while looking your bougiest. Who knows, you may be able to shop these items by clicking on the link! We are in holiday season so have fun shopping!

 

1. Real Bougie: Versace Dress, $2,150.00

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The only time that you’ll see me spending this money on anything in life is for vacation and getting a new MacBook Pro… investments that will have meaning in my life. Not a dress  that I may only wear once or a few times, unless I where this everyday for eternity.

Bougie Looking: Forever 21 Dress $45.90Screen Shot 2017-11-19 at 11.54.21 AM

With tax, you’re probably spending about 50 dollars which is way better for your pocket then the dress above. Plus this looks very expensive looking and chic. I just may click on the link a buy this dress. There is also the navy blue version which looks amazing as well.

 

 

2.  Real Bougie: Marc Jacobs Silver Ankle Booties $450.00Screen Shot 2017-11-19 at 11.55.42 AM

These shoes need to save my life in order to spend that money. This is also in U.S. denominations which is equivalent to $574.72 in Canadian, plus you need to add the shipping and handling and whatever expenses that need to be added. I’ll buy the knockoff version.

Bougie Looking: H&M $24.99

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I’m going to warn shoppers and state that this style has sold out. For me this is no surprise, it’s under 30 dollars and it looks damn good… bougie looking to say the least. I have hope that they will restock the item so I have still highlighted the link above.

 

 

3. Real Bougie: Gucci Small Purse $4,735.00Screen Shot 2017-11-19 at 12.58.49 PM

It’s a nice purse… but not that nice for that price!

Bougie Looking:  Aldo’s Small Purse $25.89

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I get that there’s no gems attached to this purse, along the chains, but the style is pretty similar, plus the price is a billion times cheaper that the almost $5,000 version above. With the holidays coming along, this festive purse will go well with any outfit.

 

4. Real Bougie: Nordstrom Faux Fur Vest $212.25

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This is a gorgeous vest but…

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So is this vest, plus you can’t go wrong with the price. (Looking Bougie: Milanoo $25.46)

 

So there you have it, you don’t need to spend a lot to look the part. Save your money while looking great for the holidays. Feel free to click on the links that are highlighted. Until next time, happy Basic Girl Banking!

 

Basic Girl Banking: Believe In Yourself

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Sometimes the strength is truly in the numbers.

As humans we always rely on them. Great examples are measured by how tall we are, our weight, the size in our clothing, the length or our hair, and yes, how much money we have in the bank. Over time, the funds that are either apparent (or not) and cause a riff in our self esteem, personal and professional life along with how we treat others. We become so caught up in the materials aspect of life without at times looking at the big picture, plus when dealing finances it can be such a personal subject causing many to go through bouts of depression, families separating along with who you hang out with.

I may be no expert on what exactly someone may be going through in terms with finances along with any sort of mental illness, but I am proud of making it through college and handling my finances…all by myself, at a young age. Even though at times it was not easy, I look back at this struggle and carry myself with a sense of pride that I came out on top being able to write this blog post. This post is simply just about believing in yourself while setting realistic goals on Basic Girl Banking. It’s all positive vibes here!

Here are three easy steps.

1. Evaluate Your Spending Patterns

To some this is easier said than done. However, this is the  first step into evaluating how much money you are spending on a regular basis. We live in the digital age where it’s easy to go online and look at where you are spending your money. Ask yourself questions and evaluate. Are you a shopper? Do you spend you money on alcohol or cigarettes? Do you party often?  You have to be honest with yourself if you want to change your spending habits.

2. Know Your Value

I know this sounds like I am preaching but this is a true statement. You can’t start having goals with your finances if you don’t know value or believe in yourself with saving money. The spending patterns will stay the same, keeping you in a constant rut. If you really want to change how you deal with money then I suggest that you believe in yourself.

3. Be Kind To Yourself

When thinking about money, there can be so much stress. You start to wonder why you are not where you are in terms of money and along with being had on yourself simply because you have no money. As corny as it may sound, the money in your account does not make you a good or bad person… you define that. I compare this aspect to people who are on diets and want to lose weight or even gain weight, with money you have to be kind to yourself. Stop being so harsh and know that eventually you will get to where you have to get if you set a realistic goal. Someone who’s a sprinter doesn’t become the best overnight. A singer may not be able to hit all the right notes at hand. Joggers will not be able to jog the whole way. A dancer can’t learn all the right moves right at the spot. Students in class may not know all the math equations… but what do all of these people have in common? They practice.  Some may have sleepless nights while some may sleep it off and try again the next day because they don’t want to over exert themselves because they are kind to themselves.

So stay steady with the goals and you will start seeing progress. Keep on doing your Basic Girl Banking!

Introduction To Basic Girl Banking

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I’m not rich by any means. However, working in a financial institution  for almost eight years have been a huge advantage when learning how to manage money along with setting realistic goals in terms of budgeting.

So why is this titled Basic Girl Banking? At first it sounded cool but also because the word basic means to spend within your means or just be realistic on how to spend your money. This is just a term designed to help anyone on the simple steps on how to save, save save while enjoying your money.

So many feel that they are in a rut when coming to their finances, and I am here to tell you this, saving money is not easy but it’s also not impossible. In the next few weeks I will go through the steps on how I have saved money, spent within my realistic goals of budgeting, while enjoying what I have saved. But, here is five easy ways to save. The holidays are just coming by so enjoy.

 

1.Open a Savings Account

Opening a savings may not ensure that you will automatically save your money but this is a start in terms of setting a disciplinary action for any sort of future goals. Are you planning on travelling within a few months? Or are you planning to buy your first car? Whether this is a long term goal or short term, a savings will help big time.

 

2. Put a Percentage From Your Paycheque into That Savings

So the first part may be the easiest thing to do, but in terms of putting money aside, that’s another story. However, even if you put $10 aside from every pay you get into your account, that adds up quickly. Think of it this way, on average in Canada, people get paid every two weeks so divide the calendar year in half, you’re still saving $260 into your account.

 

3. Be Realistic

So if you are not rich like Oprah Winfrey or any other notable billionaire on this planet, please set a realistic goal in terms of money. I’m not at all saying that you can’t attain this goal but just be realistic. If lets say right now you can take a look at your account and see how much you spend on a monthly basis along with how much you’re saving… this is what I am talking about. I’m sure Oprah had to be realistic about her assets when starting out, and so should you.

 

4. Spend Within Your Means

Okay, if you are already in debt and you can’t seem to escape the stress, don’t put yourself in more debt. That word by many can be a bad omen, but this is not always the case. It is only bad when let’s say you are increasing the limits on your Line of Credit, your credit cards or even Overdraft Protection just to spend the money on useless items. If you don’t need it, don’t spend it. Plus if the gorgeous jacket was on sale for $100, you’re still spending $100. I love a good sale but if I don’t need (and I mean that if I am in real need), then I won’t spend my money.

 

5. Set Goals

This ties into my first part about opening a savings account and setting either a long term goal or a short term goal. What do you plan on doing with your money? Is this for an investment? Are you going back to school? What about that trip that you were planning to go for next Spring? There are so many avenues to go on, so setting goals will help set a structured goal.

I have so much more to say so I will keep this post short because I am not finished with the advice. Until then… do your Basic Girl Banking and have fun with it.