First things first, lodging.  I could pick out some Motel 6 type place and call it a day, but I was looking at hotels such as the
Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile, the W Montreal, Le Westin Montreal or
InterContinental Montreal.  However spending $300 was not in my budget–it was my budget.  So after a little bit of research–that you all can now benefit from–I decided to go with a vacation rental which allowed me privacy, more space and a kitchen for less money.  Sites such as VRBO.com, VacationHomeRentals.com, or the people at at RentExpert Vacation Rentals.  Personally, I went through VRBO.com and found an amazing place in Montreal right in the middle of everything.  I have a video of the entire place and pictures to show you how amazing a $150/night rental can be.  I didn’t want to go back home. 

Furthermore, this great place allowed me to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at home if I wanted.  The first day we went out to breakfast at a rather “inexpensive” breakfast joint,  this cost me $16.  The following morning we made breakfast at home with all of the same things: eggs, pastries, cottage cheese, fruit and jam.  However, this breakfast only cost me $6,  that’s a $20 savings between the two of us.

1. Set up automatic transfers from checking to savings via your bank’s website.  Even as little at $25/month, will leave you with an extra $300 saved at the end of the year.
2. Even better, have an automatic transfer from your checking account to an individual investment account with a company like T.Rowe Price.  I have been transferring $50/month into my account for about two years now, and my account is already up to $1000. I didn’t even realize it was missing and the years flew by.
3. (This tip is random and totally out of place, but it works) Use your samples. We all have them, tons of free samples taking up space in our bathroom drawers.  Don’t wait for a vacation to use them, use them now, or until you spot an amazing deal on your shampoo.  Also, you can get samples almost anywhere. Stop by Sephora or your make-up counter at Nordstrom, believe me, they want to give them to you. Just ask.
4. Never write a check again. Although saving 39 cents to mail a letter is not a huge incentive, having your bank print and mail your checks, not only saves you money, but automatically keeps track of your spending which saves you grief.
5. On that same note, pay all of your bills online automatically.  Of course you have to make sure that you have enough money in your checking account to cover those gas and electric bills, but concentrating on only one account is a lot easier than having to concentrate on ten.  Having your bills set up for auto-pay through your bank keeps you safe from late fees and high interest rates.

Don’t worry, we’ll have more easy ways for you to save money soon.  So easy you won’t even realize you’re doing it.

Interesting.  To what can we attribute this decline?  Fear? Caution? Men wanting their families to have an extra padded nestegg?  Let me know what you think?

Thanks bitches.

Complexion Perfectors

• The Tinted Moisturizer : Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Tineted Moisturizer SPF 15 in Light to Natural $10.69
• The Blush: Lancome Blush Subtil Gentle and Long-Lasting Powder Blusher On Sale from $29.50 to $18.00
• The Foundation : CoverGirl Smoothers All-Day Hydrating Liquid Make-up Foundation Ivory 705, 1 fl. Oz. (30 ml), cover girl
• The Finishing Powder :  Almay Pure Blends Loose Finishing Powder, Translucent Matte, 0.28-Ounces
• The Bronzer : Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips, Malibu Strip/pink Sand Bronzer, 0.3-Ounces (Pack of 2)
• The Concealer : Murad Acne Treatment Concealer

Makeup Marvels

• Best Eyeliner EVER : MAC Paint Pot
• The Eyeshadow :  Too Faced – Glamour To Go Set It’s All You Need
• The Nail Polish: O.P.I. Russian Collection…SIBERIAN NIGHTS
• The Kohl: Benefit Cosmetics BADgal
• The Lipstick: MAC Lipstick Lustre
• The Gloss : Stila Mini Lip Glaze Trio
• The Mascara : Benefit BADgal lash mascara
• Best Balm : Rosebud Perfume Co. Rosebud Salve
• Balm in a Tube: Juice Beauty Lip Trio SPF8 Lip Moisturizers  GREEN PRODUCT

Face Care

• The Cleanser: Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash 5oz, 150ml
• The Moisturizer: Roc Age Diminishing Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 90ml/3oz
• The Mask: Kiss My Face – Pore Shrink Deep Pore Cleansing Mask, 2 oz cream
• The Toner: Trilogy Hydrating Mist Toner
• The Eye Cream: Olay Regenerist Eye Serum (.5 Ounces)
• The Exfoliant: L’Occitane Flocons de Riz Exfoliants (Exfoliating Rice Powder), 1.7-Ounce Canister

Hair Squad

• The Conditioner: John Frieda Root Awakening Conditioner Strength Restoring
• The Deep Treatment: Everpure Moisture Restorative Masque 5.2 Oz
• The Volumizing Mousse: Bain de Terre Rise ‘n Shine Volume Mousse 6.7 Oz
• The Hairspray: Big Sexy Hair Volumizing Hairspray, Spray & Play, 10.6 oz (300 g)
• The Shampoo: Pantene Pro-V
• The Smoothing Spray: Stick Straight Smoothing Spray
• The Beach Hair Look __ MY FAVORITE: MOP – Modern Organic Products C-System Texture Spray 6.8oz

Body Works

• The Hand Cream: Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Age Shield Hand Cream SPF 30 – 2 Oz The Best Stuff on Earth
• The Shower Gel: Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash (24 Ounces)
• The Hand Soap: Method Hand Wash, Sweet Water – 12 fl oz
• The Bar of Soap: OLAY BATH BAR CALM RELEASE
• THe Body Oil: Burt’s Bees Apricot Baby Oil – 4 oz. – Liquid
• The Exfoliant: Olay Bodywash Plus Spa Exfoliating Ribbons – 18 Oz
• The Moisturizer: St. Ives Mineral Therapy advanced body moisturizer- 13.5 oz
• The Deoterant: Dove Ultimate Clear Antiperspirant/Deodorant Go Fresh Cool Essential Cucumber & Green Tea 2.6 oz.
• The Shave Gel: Dermalogica Invigorating Shave Gel
  

Here, I have laid out 3 important tactics for the 21st Century Job Hunt

1. Introduce your resume to the 21st Century
   
2. Brand Yourself Online
   
3. Network Your Ass Off (and not in person)

1. Have your resume ready in pdf., word, and .txt format — you never know what you will need.

Benefits of each:

pdf- works on both mac and pc and the formatting never changes so you know exactly how it will look

word- easy for you to update and your most likely most familiar with this

text- has no formatting what-so-ever, but allows you to easily cut and paste your content into the pesky online job applications.

I assume you guys all know how to create a word file, if not, google it.  To create a text file, go to File>>Save As and then chose .txt in the document format location at the bottom and save.

To convert to a pdf there are a ton of ways on your computer whether through Adobe Acrobat, or often printing to a pdf printer, but the easiest way may be online at  freepdfconvert.com it’s simple, it’s online and it’s free.

2. Brand Yourself Online

First, purchase your personal domain name at Go Daddy $7.49 .com Sale!

Now, put up some content.  Either through traditional website host, or an easy to construct blog from blogger.com or wordpress.com account that will be easy to update.

You want to have three pages, a summary page (like a cover letter), a resume page and a contact page.  Including your picture is not totally against the rules as long as the picture is appropriate and you are not a) in a bathing suit, b) drunk, or c) vandalizing your old office building.

3. Network Your Ass Off

If you don’t already have a LinkedIn.com profile, than where the hell have you been the past five years?  Please get one, not only is this a great place to network for a job but it’s a great place to search for a job as well.  Another secret, shhh.  You could get your own domain as suggested above and have it forwarded to your LinkedIn.com profile where all your information should be accurate and up-to-date.

Another great website for that one may not think of is Twitter.com.  Go to search.twitter.com and look up keywords for the job you see yourself in (for instance “los angeles looking for job finance” (you’ll be surprised what comes up).  Now you can find thousands of others in the same field or at least speaking on the topic that can lead you in the right direction.  Or follow http://twitter.com/craigslistjobs and send them a tweet requesting a city and they will post local jobs for you.

More to come bitches.

I did it and not only got to meet a new guy every night, but remained well fed (a girl’s gotta’ eat).

Yes, it’s true, it costs to online date, but you actually end up saving money, here is the breakdown:
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Bitches, that’s $24.00 you just made, which means, enough for two drinks out with your girlfriends over the weekend, and this is just for one night. Average 2 dates a week and your really getting a great ROI (Return On Investment) for that measly $34.00 you spent to join JDate, GJate, ZDate, whatever it is. So try it out and remember there is still the possibility of a bonus, you may actually end up liking one of the guys you go go out with. Double Score!!!

Here are a list of a few dating sites and what they are “known” for and the price for a single monthly membership (not the deals if you are a member for twelves months) and if there are any coupon codes I’ve found, I’ve entered them in as well.

OH, and most have free trials so you can check everyone out before you join. TOTAL PLUS.

Site	“Known For”	Price/month	Coupon Code
WealthyMen.com	Wealthy Men in your city.	$34.95	Can’t seem to find any, let me know if you do.
MatchMaker.com		$29.95	Free 10-Day Membership at MatchMaker.com with Coupon Code: Holiday10
	If you do not find someone special by the end of your six-month subscription, Yahoo will give you another six months for free.	$29.99
	Free members can send and reply to paid members emails.	$24.95	Limited Time Free Email. Don’t be Shy – One click away. Singlesnet.com
	VIDEO CHAT	Not really sure ???

They have so many features, I’m not going to list them all, but some of them include:

• Caller ID Routing (Make sure your old boss, goes straight to voicemail)
• Extensions (Sound like a larger company with a sales and marketing department, even if all the extensions go to you)
• Global Numbers (so your customers in Paris don’t have to spend extra on long distance)
• Fax Services
• Phone Ques
• Phone Scheduling (So that 2am customer service call goes to your partner, while you sleep)
• Vanity Toll Free Numbers (sorry, no 976)

Their services are not only extensive, but inexpensive.  Get Great Business Phone Service from Phone.com!

There is nothing wrong with faking it until you make it, as long as you are offering quality service.  Fuck, even Estee Lauder started from her kitchen.