Suze Orman Says Save

One thing I don’t believe I’ve yet revealed to my dear readers is that in a former life I worked for a major investment firm.  Combine that professional experience with a bit of genetic predisposition to managing money well (thanks, Dad), I’m in a good position to handle my family’s finances.  However, I realize that most people don’t share my background.  I further realize that many people feel overwhelmed when they even start to think about tackling their money lives.  One of the few "financial gurus” out there who I actually listen to regularly is Suze Orman.  I particularly like Suze because she presents things in a simple fashion.  Sometimes you just gotta take the first steps to get some momentum when it comes to taking care of your money.  I think that by following at least *some* of Suze’s advice, you can get on the right track.

So imagine my excitement when I heard Suze would be in town and she was interested in meeting with a couple of LA Moms Blog members.  How cool to be chosen along with one of my favorite fellow LA Moms, Kim Tracy Prince who also wrote about our adventure with Suze on the LA Moms Blog.  Kim and I headed over to Smashbox Studios in Culver City where Suze was shooting some video for her newest venture with TD Ameritrade, Suze Orman’s Save Yourself Retirement Program.  It was really a trip to step from the pouring rain outside to the bright lights and Suze Orman and all the production crew doing their thing on the set.  Suze’s girlfriend, K.T., came right over and made sure Kim and I were all situated.  Then Suze came over and we were introduced.  Her first question: “Ok, mommy bloggers, do you make money from your blogging?”  Both Kim and I answered, “That’s what our moms want to know!”  Then Suze was off for an outfit change and then back out to tape another segment.

I totally agree with Suze: you do need to save yourself.  Saving for retirement is an absolute necessity.  This is underlined considering we don’t even know if Social Security will exist by the time my generation retires.  But, like anything that seems difficult or complicated or overwhelming, opening an IRA is something easy to put on your to-do list and never get to-do.  Suze’s Save Yourself Retirement Program is certainly NOT the only way to save for retirement and I’m NOT saying it’s the best way for YOU to save for retirement.  But, if you are reading this and you are over, say, age 18 and you DO NOT have any retirement savings, then Suze’s program is quite possibly for you.  Suze literally holds your hand through the process of opening your Save Yourself Retirement Account.  You only need $100 to open the account which, I applaud Suze and TD Ameritrade for allowing such a low opening amount.  Many investment companies require $2500 minimums to open accounts.  I was given a membership kit when I met Suze and just put it through a test drive.  There is Suze on the screen talking you through the steps.  You really don’t have an excuse not to open an account.  It is not difficult and support is available if you need it.

During breaks I had the opportunity to speak with Paula DeLaurentis, Managing Director, Strategic Alliances, TD Ameritrade who happens to have been employed at my old firm at the same time I was.  Small world!  I was able to get some more info about Suze’s program from Paula.  There are some specific benefits of opening up this IRA: you can make 24 commission free trades (a savings of $9.99 per trade).  Members get access to Suze’s Retirement Resource Center and Webinars including 30 video guides, access to timely AND updated articles, invitations to member only live webinars with Suze, and the ability to ask questions online anytime.  Suze strongly believes that anyone who has at least ten years to go before they intend to retire (and need their money) should invest in ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds).  Suze says ETFs offer you a great way to diversify your money in a cost-effective manner.  I would agree, I am a fan of ETFs myself.  However, how do you decide which ETFs to invest in?  Suze has turned to Dorsey Wright & Associates for her program’s ETF research.  According to Suze, “DWA is the ETF “go to” source for the financial industry, including professional investors on Wall Street and around the world.”  Access to DWA’s investment guidance is included in the Save Yourself membership.  Finally, Dorsey Wright & Associates have created three ETF model portfolios for members to use as their investment choices if they choose. 

Then, at last, Kim and I got to sit down with Suze.  We had our flip cameras with us and got some great video clips.  I was so thrilled to get all this awesome info and to be sitting right across from Suze!  I'm an active Twitter user, and spoke with Suze about how great it is to see her on there, @SuzeOrmanShow, interacting with her followers.  She even tweeted back at me a few months ago.  She also is relatively new on Facebook and YouTube, which are all great ways to keep up with the latest Suze information and happenings.  As a follower of Suze Orman, I know she is very much against people leasing cars as well as being in debt.  When I told her the name of my blog was “Traded My BMW for a Minivan” and “I paid cash for my BMW and traded it for my minivan at 0% financing.” Suze replied, “Good girl.” Woo hoo!  Suze Orman gave me props!   At the end of our meeting, Suze signed copies of her book “Women & Money” for us and left us inspired to go save ourselves and encourage you to do the same.

Update: Suze discontinued her Save Yourself Retirement Program at TD Ameritrade. However, all the ideas and content in the post and videos are timeless.

Why the Save Yourself Retirement Program? from Kim Prince on Vimeo.

Minimum investment of $100 from Kim Prince on Vimeo.

Women Come Into Their Own In Their 40's from Kim Prince on Vimeo.

CA Moms Must Get Will and Trust! from Kim Prince on Vimeo.

SYRP offers professional investment advice from Kim Prince on Vimeo.

Liz & Kim Interview Suze from Liz Peterson on Vimeo.

Jamiel Andre Shaw II 12/22/1990 - 3/2/2008

I'm on the Los Angeles Moms Blog today: Jamiel Andre Shaw II 12/22/1990 - 3/2/2008

Los Angeles Moms Blog Party

I am a proud contributor to the Los Angeles Moms Blog.  I was privileged to attend a very fun party last week along with some members of our soon to be launched sister site, The Orange County Moms Blog.  The event was held at the lovely Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel.  I was really excited for the opportunity to catch up in person with so many of my sisters-in-blogging.  It was an added bonus to meet so many great companies with all kinds of swell products.  My readers know that I love checking out products and experiences and reporting what I find out.  So, with that, I share with you a bit about who I met and what I learned:  BitDefender is global leader in anti-virus/internet security.  BitDefender  is about to launch BitMoms.com which will be THE security resource for online moms.  Stride Rite shoes was on hand and I learned that they also have Keds and Sperry Topsider…All three names echo from my youth!  I was really intrigued by Litl, which is a new kind of computer that really has something for everyone.  I have decided that I must have a Litl.  As I was pondering obtaining a Litl, I happened upon Cinnabon, but not Cinnabon’s cinnamon sticky buns.  Cinnabon is actually coming out with cupcakes.  For you, my dear readers, I tasted all 4 flavors and I loved them all.  But my favorite?  The carrot cake.  To burn off the cupcakes, I kept moving on to Ebates.  Everyone who shops online should sign up for Ebates.  You get paid to shop.  I belong and get a few checks a year.  I think that says it all.  I’m going to play favorites, and the next one was a favorite: iGo was there and gave me their Charge Anywhere and I was in love.  It’s a charger that you can recharge and take so that when you are away from power, you can recharge your cell phone (as well as many other devices)!  Dole was talking about their Dole Challenge.  I needed a caffeine boost and luckily Bosch Appliances had set up shop with their Tassimo and I was able to make myself a tasty latte.  I think I need a paragraph break. Ahhhh.  This might be a good time to play Bejeweled, actually, which we received in our gift bags.

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When I lived in West Hollywood, I practically lived in the Whole Foods across the street.  I’m sad that I no longer can walk to a Whole Foods.  However, I was able to walk over and chat with them at our party.  Growing up in New England, I’ve been a fan of Stonyfield Farms for a long time.  I was interested to try their new Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt, which was so tasty, it made me want to break the dish.  But, I didn’t.  I’ve used Erba Organics on both my babies and was happy to pick up some samples from them.  You just have to check Taga out to believe it.  It’s a bike…No…It’s a stroller…Wait! It’s a bike!  All I know is I want a Taga and I want one in orange, please.  Babies, the movie will be in theaters Mother’s Day Weekend and is a film that follows four babies in four different countries.  How perfect that the next table I visited was Ju-Ju-Be?  I’m a total diaper bag minimalist.  Two years ago, I found the perfect bag, the Ju-Ju-Be Be Quick in Citrus Sorbet and I was so happy to see one of my favorite brands at our party!  Next up was Joseph’s Rugs, they are doing a cool thing where you can have the service of a rug consultant online for free!  I am really looking forward to visiting Pretend City in Irvine with Chip and Lulu, it’s an interactive museum that allows kids to pretend to be the adults.
I love Skechers because you can get shoes for the whole family in one store.  So, I was very happy to see they were in attendance at the LA Moms Blog party.  I was even more excited when they offered me a pair of their new Shape Ups.  Shape Ups are shoes that promote weight loss, reduce stress on knees and tone muscles among other things.  I got a cool pair in black.  I can’t wait to try them out.  They are kind of “different” in that they look like a rocking/rolling type of sole.  But the idea is that they get you to walk a certain way in order to get all the benefits.  I learned about Bootights at the party and then received a pair to try out a few days later.  They are one of those, “Finally, someone invented this!” things.  They are tights that have a sock built in to the foot area.  The sock portion comes in ankle and mid-calf lengths, perfect for the two types of boots I have.  I highly recommend Whrrl, a cool application that allows you to “check-in” and tell stories with pictures using your mobile device or computer.  You can share your stories on sites such as Twitter and Facebook.  PosePrints is a unique way to personalize your invitations and cards and Busy Body Books are a great way to keep your family organized!  Whew, what a great party and what an interesting mix of companies and products!
Photo Credits: Carla Duharte Razura of babyjidesign.com for all the photos in my post.

I Cooked with Bobby Flay (and a fractured wrist)

I’ve fractured my wrist exactly twice in my life.  The first time was a few days before the start of 4th grade.  The second time was a few hours after I got a call to do a cooking video with Bobby Flay.  Yeah, I know.  Earlier this month Hellmann’s invited me to be the first blogger to shoot video content for their new initiative, The Hellmann’s Real Food Project which will be on their website in late March.  What a fun opportunity, I thought.  Later that afternoon I fell (story for another post) and headed to my orthopedist.  Crying, not from the pain, but from the frustration that I had blown my chance to do the shoot.  Bad news: my left wrist is fractured, good news: It’s not that bad, but I need a cast.  When I explained that in just eight days I’m supposed to shoot a video with Bobby Flay, my doctor says, “we can make it work and, I love Bobby Flay!”  With those words echoing in my head, his assistant put me in a cast that went from mid-hand to just before my elbow.  He asked me if I wanted to choose a color for my cast.  “Black,” I said.  The wrist felt fine all week and at my follow up appointment one week later the doctor said he was thrilled with how well I was healing and I could go into a splint that I could take off for the shoot the next day.  “Just be careful” he said “And say hi to Bobby for me”.  Since I’m right handed, I knew I’d be able to cook on camera, I gave myself a pep talk.  Still, I realized I had added an element to the situation that really raised the stakes.  Who doesn’t like a good kitchen drama?

The next day I woke up feeling great and headed to the shoot location in Los Angeles, a fun place called Hipcooks West.  I’d been there before when I met Michael Symon who, coincidentally is an Iron Chef along with Bobby Flay.  When I arrived I was escorted to my trailer and hung out.  Trailers are pretty much just mobile dressing rooms with a couch, make up table and bathroom.  I’m terrible at waiting and really wished I could go to the set and see what was happening.  Having worked in Hollywood all these years, I prepared myself for a lot of waiting around and brought something to read.  Surprisingly, time flew by and people from the Hellmann’s team came by to chat and I met with the director to go over the shoot.  Then there I was, unvelcro-ing the splint, walking into the kitchen and shaking hands with Bobby Flay!  Bobby is such a great guy.  Really interested in knowing about me and my blog.  I’m a fan of spicy food and told him about my mom being making tacos with sloppy joe mix when I was a kid.  Since we are both Irish-American from the East Coast, we commiserated about bland cooking.  Bobby said that was one of the main reasons he decided he needed to learn to cook.  Then we were off and cooking.  You’ll have to check back in a few weeks to find out exactly what we cooked, but, I assure you, you will want to the recipe.  It was so good and easy to make.  At the end of the shoot, Bobby gave me a signed copy of his cookbook, “Grill It!”, and told me we are family now.  Aw, shucks.  What a blast I had!  Stay tuned for the launch of The Hellmann’s Real Food Project and my online cooking debut.

I Love The Winter Olympics

I'm on the LA Moms Blog today, I Love The Winter Olympics.

Lunchables – Roar & Score with Jeff Corwin of Animal Planet - Giveaway

Congratulations to Heidi from Oregon, #39!  The winner as chosen by Random.org.  Thanks to everyone for entering.

So, I was supposed to interview Jeff Corwin, best known as the star of The Jeff Corwin Experience on Animal Planet.  But, there was a timing issue and I wasn’t able to do it.  I was really bummed because Jeff grew up just a few towns away from me in Massachusetts and lives there currently.  I figured I could throw that out at the beginning of the interview and we’d be practically related.  Maybe one day I’ll get the chance.  Here’s the cool thing though, the whole point of the interview was to announce a sweepstakes that might allow you to travel to Boston, MA and hang out with Jeff for three days!  The Lunch, Roar & Score Sweepstakes from Lunchables Lunch Combinations allows kids between ages 6-17 to enter for a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Boston with their family where they’ll spend three days with Jeff Corwin, learning about their favorite animals. Entering is easy – simply log onto www.lunchables.com between now and May 3, 2010 and answer an animal-themed trivia question. Ten lucky winners and their families will get a behind-the-scenes tour of the New England Aquarium and Franklin Park Zoo as well as an exclusive welcome dinner with Jeff Corwin.  I love the New England Aquarium and the Franklin Park Zoo.  Those were the places I went for my elementary school field trips.  I wish Chip and Lulu were old enough to enter the sweepstakes.

Although I couldn’t interview Jeff, I did get a photo “shout out” to you all and a quote:  “My fascination with animals started when I was very young so I’m excited to help other kids discover their inner animal expert ,” said Jeff Corwin, animal enthusiast and star of the show, ‘Corwin Quest.’” “This sweepstakes offers families a unique chance to see the world of animals through my eyes. It’s an awesome opportunity.” Yes, this is an awesome opportunity.  Did I mention that I’m sad that Chip and Lulu are too young to enter?  My pal, Caryn, over at Rockin Mama got to interview Jeff, see her interview and write up here.

Here is another cool thing, Lunchables has generously provided a giveaway for one of my readers: a Lunchables’ Lunch, Roar & Score gift pack complete with Jeff’s new book and an Animal Planet “Growing Up Baby Animal Adventures” DVD set.  Here is how you enter: Contest period runs from Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at midnight (Pacific) until Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at midnight (Pacific). Enter by leaving a comment stating what your favorite animal is (have fun, be creative, your answer has no bearing on your chances of winning), and leave your e-mail address OR sign in to comments using your Blogger ID, make sure your Blogger profile is public and includes your e-mail address. If you don't leave a comment that includes your favorite animal and your e-mail address or public Blogger profile, your entry will be disqualified.  One entry per person.  I reserve the right to extend the contest period.  Winner must provide a US mailing address. At the end of the contest period, I will utilize Random.org to randomly choose a winner. Winner will be contacted by e-mail.  Winner has 72 hours to respond to my e-mail. If winner does not respond within 72 hours, the prize will go to the second place winner as decided by Random.org. Good luck!

“Pretty”

I’ve always been moderately disturbed by the world of child beauty pageants.  Not disturbed in the sense that I would, oh, do something like picket against it.  I just don’t get it.  I don’t get the whole world of it.  I’m a parent, but I can’t relate to child beauty pageant parents.  At.  All.  They live in a foreign land—and a land I don’t want to visit.  Yet, those things that freak you out, often intrigue you as well.  So, when “Pretty” the series was recommended to me as “a delightfully offensive new web series about the world of children’s beauty pageants”, I couldn’t wait to check it out.  The series premiered on February 1st and is online only in the form of webisodes.  The thing I love about webisodes is that they are short.  As a crazed mom, constantly pressed for time and with my attention in about 10 directions at once, 4.5 minutes is the perfect length for a show.

“Pretty” centers around Michael, a “Pageant Dad”, who is obsessed with his 5 year old daughter, Annette, competing in pageants.  It gets weirder: the daughter is played by a full grown woman, her mother is a professional smoker who is hot and heavy with her brother-in-law…And it gets weirder.  I’ve seen the first two episodes and am looking forward to more.  The 4.5 minutes are cleverly delivered and include pop culture references that kept me chuckling.  “Pretty” fits securely in the mockumentary category, one of my favorite genres.  It also reminds me a bit of The Office in feel as well as the fact that it is a series.

The press release states: “Pretty” is an online mockumentary series that's shamelessly offensive, completely hilarious and ready to take on the "Toddlers & Tiaras" and "Living Dolls" of the TV world. Season One of “Pretty” will include five original episodes, a three-part behind the scenes documentary and a blooper reel, with a planned rollout over February, March, and April 2010.  Viewers can check out photos, read the “Pretty” blog, view cast bios and much more on the series’ web site: www.prettytheseries.com.