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!

Coming Soon...

As a small business owner, I am always excited to learn more about other small businesses -- especially those created by women. I love hearing how they started, obstacles they've overcome, and what inspires them. Over the next few months, I'm going to be profiling female small business owners of all stripes -- from creative ventures to social services, bloggers and more.

Stay tuned for this interview series, coming soon!

Do you own a small business you'd like featured? Email me at happilyeverclever@gmail.com

I refuse to go to the grocery store...

Horrible photo, delicious muffins

Yesterday, the Mr. and I were out shopping. Well, errand-running that turned into a full-blown shopping trip (new pillows, tablecloth, napkins, etc at Macy's with one of their ridiculous holiday weekend coupons). I have been wanting a mini muffin pan for a while (my life is so exciting) and I finally found one at Cost Plus for $8.99. I love Cost Plus for many many reasons, but that's a whole 'nother post entirely.

Fast forward to today. After brunch with the girls, taking my dog for a long walk, cleaning the kitchen, and doing some work stuff, I really wanted to use my mini muffin pan, but I refused to go to the grocery store. 

I found some walnuts, oatmeal, eggs, and bananas that were turning brown and whipped up some delicious and semi-healthy banana walnut muffins with oatmeal and brown sugar streusel on top (Recipe can be found on Cooking Light). I love it when I can figure out something to make with ingredients I already have. It cuts down on unnecessary trips to the store, saving money on both gas and food!

Note that I used white flour, since I didn't have any wheat flour, and I'd recommend making extra streusel for the top, since what the recipe called for wasn't quite enough. And, if you are making mini muffins instead of regular, they only need to cook for about 10 minutes.

Now I'm on to organizing my closet. Productive little Sunday!

Exciting Blogging News!

First, Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!

Second, I'm VERY excited about a new chapter in my life as a blogger. I've recently been selected by Girl Power Hour to be a featured blogger on their site!

Girl Power Hour is a local Seattle (and now San Francisco) women's networking group that brings together professionals from all over the city for monthly networking, cocktail-ing, and educational opportunities. I have been to some of their events over the last few years, and they really bring together some of the city's best movers and shakers (and, as a small business owner, networking is KEY)!

I'll be blogging over at Girl Power Hour on the same topics as I do here -- personal finance, saving money, charitable giving, etc. -- even with the same name!

But don't worry, I'll still be blogging here as well. I'm hopeful that blogging with GPH will bring some more readers to this blog, and connect my business ventures with more potential clients.

Stay tuned in the next couple weeks as my first blog with Girl Power Hour comes out!