Maybe there IS such thing as a free lunch..

Attention all blog readers! Here is a GREAT opportunity to get involved with Kiva.org with no money out of your pocket.

You may know about Kiva.org, the micro lending site. Here's how it works: Donors log in and pick an entrepreneur somewhere in the world that they'd like to support. Loans can be as small as $25. These loans go directly to the small business owner so that they can start, maintain, or grow their business. Many of these entrepreneurs are women in third-world countries who are working to support their families. 

Since 2008, Kiva has brokered more than $293 million in loans, with an amazing $98.91% repayment rate. Learn more about them here.

For a limited time, new Kiva users are given a $25 credit to spend supporting an entrepreneur of their choice, with nothing out of your pocket (although when the loan is repaid, it goes back to the financial backer of this promotion, not you). It's a great way to explore Kiva and see if you like what they're doing. If you do, you can continue to invest in other small business owners around the world!

I signed up this morning to support Petrona Madrigal, a woman in Nicaragua who sells grains and tortillas in her local community. Nicaragua holds a special place in my heart, as I used to live there. As Petrona grows her business, I'll get periodic reports on how it's going, and notification when my loan is repaid.

I'm really excited about this, and I hope you are too. Get involved today and let me know what you think!

Pushover, pushy, or somewhere in between?

This is the blog post I recently wrote for my monthly entry as a featured blogger on Girl Power Hour. In case you didn't read it on their site, here's my latest blog post! 

Picture this: you’ve just gotten home from grocery shopping. You’re unpacking your groceries and you notice that something you bought is way past its expiration date. Or, you’re looking over a receipt from happy hour last night, only to discover that you were overcharged. Maybe you’re checking out of the hotel at the end of a girls’ weekend, and at the front desk they try to charge you a different price than what you booked online.

What do you do? Do you ignore it, not wanting to make a scene? Or, do you point it out to the server, clerk, or manager?

Something similar happened to me last week. I was running late and trying to pull together a salad for my niece’s birthday party. I had gone to the store earlier that morning and bought all of the ingredients that I needed, including fresh basil. When I went to put the salad together, I discovered that not only was the basil past its prime – it was so moldy it was fuzzy!

I quickly threw together the other ingredients and swung back by the store on my way to the party. I calmly explained the situation to the woman at the customer service desk, and she was rude, condescending, and the words, “I’m sorry” never crossed her lips. Sigh. With no time to ask for a manager, I swapped out the basil and headed off to the party.

But, a few days later, I went on the store’s website and emailed the manager. I got a response this morning saying it had been elevated to someone higher up.

I don’t know exactly what I expect to come of this, but I do know one thing: I work hard for my money, and whether it’s $1, $10, or $100, I deserve quality products and respectful service.

So, next time you receive poor service, are overcharged, or find yourself with a sub-par product, speak up for yourself! Be calm, polite, straightforward, and assertive. Don’t be afraid to ask to speak for a supervisor. If you don’t receive the answer you’re looking for, simply take your business elsewhere in the future – money talks.

Expecting quality in exchange for your hard-earned dollars doesn’t make you a bitch; it makes you a savvy shopper.

My first blog post with GPH

A few weeks ago I announced that I'm now a featured blogger for Girl Power Hour, a local networking group.  My first blog post was published today. Check it out on the Girl Power Hour blog website here.

I also recommend following the RSS feed. The GPH blog has over 40 great female bloggers covering all kinds of topics from style to personal finance, and travel to exercise.

Thanks for reading!

Have you checked out Daily Worth?

A few months ago, I stumbled upon a GREAT women's personal finance website called DailyWorth. They summarize it best: "DailyWorth is a community of women who talk money. We deliver practical tips, empowering ideas, and the occasional kick in the pants... daily to your inbox."


They have over 200,000 subscribers, and it's easy to see why. What I love most about DailyWorth is that their advice is honest, approachable, practical, and personal. Sometimes it comes from personal finance experts, and other times they feature real-life profiles of women in different financial situations. I appreciate that they don't claim to know everything, and they really want women to take control of their financial destinies. My one caveat is that they occasionally send out sponsored emails, but they always make it known.

Check out their website and sign up for the emails here.

Also, if you're an entrepreneur, they have another email program called CreateWorth. I just signed up for this one, but I'll let you know how it is!