What was that? Did another week just woosh past us?  Welcome to February 2012, and the Fab & Fru Week in Review!

Komen Foundation Reversal

Today, the Susan G. Komen For The Cure Foundation reversed a controversial move to cut off funding to many Planned Parenthood clinics.  News of the initial cut triggered huge backlash for it’s impact on women’s health – particularly breast cancer screening, for which many women rely on Planned Parenthood.  In addition to receiving it’s Komen funding again, PP also received a whopping $400,000 in online donations within 24 hours after the initial announcement – and that wasn’t including a $250,000 donation personally made to PP from NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg.  Ladies, we’re sure you know, in this crucial election year, battles involving women’s health, politics and money are just getting started…

Inspiring Illinois

Brandi and I are both from the great state of Illinois, so you’ll understand our home state pride in Governor Pat Quinn this morning on CNN.  As Soledad O’Brien was interviewing him about a new Dodge car plant coming to Belvedere, Illinois,  he didn’t stop at just promoting the 1,800 new jobs being created – he went into a full-on pitch for the new Dodge Dart! Even though he is governor – clearly has the chops to make it as a car salesman if need be.  And though the CNN team was poking fun as him for promoting Dodge, he kept right on going, and I have to say, I for one am going to check out the Dodge Dart, which he convinced me is “roomy, and a great family car.” You go, Governor Quinn!

Hiring Heating Up

Though Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil has indicated 6 more weeks of winter, the January Jobs report shows hiring is beginning to heat up!  Employers added 243,000 jobs in January – and the unemployment rate now stands at 8.3 % – certainly not great, but the lowest level since January 2009.  To keep the positive trend going, President Obama should seriously consider getting Illinois Gov. Quinn on the trail to continue his “Made In America” marketing.  Keep the jobs coming!

Romney Gets Trumped

The week started out pretty good for Mitt Romney – he was the landslide winner of the Florida Republican Primary.  Not so good? Putting both feet in his mouth the next day with his now infamous comment about not caring about the very poor.  The only thing that could make him seem even more detached from the plight of impoverished Americans?  Probably if, let’s say, Donald Trump decides to endorse you for president the same week.

How Was Your Week?!

Chic Does Not Always Mean Safe

Last night I met a couple of friends for a glass of wine at the Fab but not so Fru Soho House in New York City.  As the international crowd of New York’s upwardly mobile sipped their fancy cocktails and mingled, it never crossed my mind that a private club was a place that I needed to worry about getting my phone stolen….

Like the others sitting at the bar, I was waiting for a call and had placed my phone on the bar right in front of me – no big deal…  But when we went to leave for the night, my beloved iPhone in the purple case – filled with memorable pictures that I had yet to download – was gone.  Had I dropped it?  Had my friend Betsy picked it up by mistake?  We looked everywhere.  Finally, I left my email at the front desk, and I went home to track it on Find Your Phone.  Poof!  It was gone just like that – without a trace.  –It just goes to show you that, even in upscale places, people steal – and it sucks.

Prepare & Protect Your Phone

It goes without saying that losing or getting a smart phone of any kind stolen is one BIG expensive pain in the butt.  We carry our lives around in those little devices, and no one takes pity on you with the price – especially Apple – even if you’re a long time, valued customer.

There are some ways however, to protect and prepare yourself if you ever find yourself in my shoes.  So, take a second and take note, because it can happen to you too!

Find Your Phone in a Cloud

If you have an iPhone, for $99 a year, you can sign up for Cloud and Mobileme to help synch all of your devices together instantly.  But the other invaluable feature is that if you link your iPhone to the service, you’ll be able to track your phone’s whereabouts right from your computer.  The Find Your Phone App can help do the trick too.  They’re worth the money, and I highly recommend getting one of them.  But there is one catch… The location service must be turned on in the settings for the phone’s GPS to work.  Unfortunately for me, I had shut mine off to avoid extra fees while traveling in Europe last week, and forgot to turn it back on.  Don’t make the same mistake!

Lock It Up & Wipe It Clean

The Find Your Phone app or service on Cloud or Mobileme also allows you to remotely lock or wipe out all the data from your phone instantly.  This security feature alone is worth the $99 Cloud annual fee.  And remember – always set up a password to be able to use your phone, but if you haven’t or want to change the number, Find Your Phone is an invaluable tool!

Timing Is Everything

The expense of having to replace an iPhone is simply painful.  The latest iPhones can run upwards of $650-$850 retail (when you’re not getting a new service contract).  If you’re lucky, and your eligible for an upgrade, your new phone will cost you $199.  However, iPhones are not eligible for the full discounted upgrade price until you’ve had it for 20 months!  AT&T and Verizon do offer a reduced early upgrade rate of about $450 for the latest model.  But keep in mind, that does involve renewing your service contract for another 2 years.

Is Getting Extra Insurance Worth It?

At $99 a year, Apple Care for the iPhone may just be worth it if you’re prone to breaking your phone often, but it does NOT cover loss or theft.  AT&T does offer a loss and theft insurance plan for $6.99 a month, but your deductible on the plan is $199.  This means even if you’re eligible for the upgrade price at the time your phone gets stolen, you will be paying the $199 – plus the monthly insurance rate.  For $84 a year, the insurance plan would have saved me $165 on my early upgrade replacement phone, but in the 6 years I have owned an iPhone, I’ve never lost a phone before …even after yesterday, I’m not convinced it’s worth it.

Renters & Home Owners Insurance

If you have renters or homeowners insurance, your smartphone is likely covered if stolen outside of the home.  It is also likely your deductible is too high for it to really be beneficial.  However, it’s worth it to always call in and check.  You never know!

Go to the Store In Person Before Buying a New Phone

After talking to an AT&T customer service rep on the phone and finding out I was only eligible for am ‘early  upgrade’, I decided to visit the AT&T store in person before settling for the $450 offer.   Sure enough, the salesman in the store found a creative way to knock $150 off my early upgrade fee.  So, if your willing to be a flexible with how your bill is structured, a live sales rep may be able to help you save in the short and long term.  I even have insurance now – at no extra charge!

The Price of the Modern Age

As much as I feel this incident is unfair and annoying, the truth is, owning an item like an iPhone is a luxury.  If you choose to spend your money on modern portable conveniences, you need to be prepared.  Carrying your life around in a single gadget is a responsibility with a risky price tag.  No one wants to pay hundreds of bucks, but if you know the potential costs, the the choice is yours!

Join Us at #savvysavings Tomorrow at 6p PST/ 9pEST

Fab & Fru is beyond delighted to be co-hosting a “Savvy Savings” Twitter party this Thursday, Feb 2nd!  Join us on Twitter – #savvysavings – at  6pm PST/9pm EST for tips on how to give a BIG boost your savings account in 2012.  We will also be sharing fabulous finds and amazing giveaways – plus a very special savings superstar will be giving us all tips on how to maximize online deals and coupons.

RSVP NOW to be eligible to WIN one of our great giveaways: a  $250 Gift Card from Cafe Press.com’s Home Goods section,  plus TWO $50 Gift Cards to Whole Foods!  And of course, please feel free to invite all your friends – it’s a party after all – the more the merrier!

Meet Our Co-Hosts!

We like to party with the most savvy savers – which is why we are so excited about our co-hosts:  Citibank’s Women & Co. and deal experts Savings.com! These ladies sure know how to liven up your Twitter feed — and, more importantly, how to save a buck.  From your BIG financial picture, to how small changes can save you loads of cash, we’ll be tweeting you tips all hour on how to save more money – in 2012 and beyond! 

And Our Special Guest…

Also, joining us is our special savings star – The Thrifty Mama  herself – Crystal Collins! You won’t want to miss Crystal’s MUST KNOW tips on how to use online deals and coupons to help you cut your budget and instantly find more money to put towards building your financial future!

From Overtime to Over the Moon…

How has another week really already flown by?  Is Newt Gingrich really going to colonize the moon?  That’s right – it’s the Fab & Fru Week in Review!

Baby, You’re A Rich Man 

While I am personally not a Romney supporter, I have always been baffled by why his success as a businessman has been widely portrayed as a liability.  That’s why it was rather refreshing last night to hear him stand up and defend his dollars (we’re thinking his new debate coach was a good hire).  When Romney declared he had worked hard to earn his money, and that his success should be seen as an asset and not a liability – well, it was one of the few things said at all last night that actually seemed to make sense – no matter what your political affiliation may be.

New Meaning to the term “Resident Alien”

Speaking of things the Republican candidates are chatting about, let’s turn to the issue of the 51st state. I am speaking, of course, about the moon.  That’s because Newt Gingrich unveiled an ambitious program to colonize the moon – thereby giving residents (should they be able to survive in space) a shot at declaring statehood, once their numbers reach 13,000.  Should Newt’s bid for president prove unsuccessful, we’re sure there are plenty of people who would whole heartedly support his candidacy for Governor of our newest state.

The Low of the Low – Interest Rates

The Federal Reserve announced on Wednesday that in the continual effort to spur economic growth, they are planning to keep short-term interest rates near zero until late 2014.  This is great news for house hunters, but the jury is still out if this tactic will actually help the economy or simply continue to reward borrowers and punishing savers.  The fact remains, educating yourself about money, and living within your means – is the key to staying out of a financial mess – no matter what the government does to “help”!

Overtime Pay For Emails?

Brazil introduced a new law requiring companies to pay overtime when employees respond to work calls or emails after hours. Which brings to mind the recent failed bid of the San Diego police department to get overtime pay for the time it takes them to put their uniforms on.  We’re thinking some of the supporters of these overtime plans are perfect candidates for Gingrich’s new moon colony, though we are unsure how the space/time continuum might change overtime calculations…

Dollars to Fight Disease

Bill Gates – yes, one of the few Americans even richer than Mitt Romney – continues to put his wealth to great use.  He and his wife, Melinda, announced they are donating even more money – $750 Million – to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.  That’s what we call Fabulous!

And How Was Your Week?

by Brandi Savitt – January 25, 2012

The Cost of Traveling Abroad

Last week, in the dead of a long dark winter, I was fortunate enough to travel up to to the Arctic Circle in Norway to attend a film festival.  And while I didn’t get to see the Northern Lights, I did try whale sashimi (…is that legal?) and took a picture with a life size taxidermy Polar Bear…

Work brings me to Europe several times a year.  And while any chance I get to write off sipping wine on the Rivera is a dream come true,  my bank and credit card companies just love to find any sneaky excuse they can to charge me extra fees.  So, if you’re planning a trip to a foreign land, here’s what you need to budget for so you have NO surprises when you go to pay your credit bill when you get home!

What is a Foreign Transaction Fee?

According to Credit Card Hub, the credit card foreign transaction (or international) fee is the combination of a fee that Master Card, Visa, etc charges to handle the transaction between the overseas merchant and your credit card issuer (eg. Chase, Citi, Bank of America), and the fee that your credit card issuer charges on top of that.  Depending on the type of card, and its issuer, this fee is typically 2-3% of every purchase made!

Not So Hidden Fees

If you’ve used your credit card recently while traveling, or even if you’ve purchased something online from a foreign company, you may have noticed this separate, hefty surprise fee on your statement.  I thought this was just a new type of fee that credit cards could now pass onto their customers, but I was wrong.  It’s always been there.  But now the credit card companies are forced to point it out.

American Express explained to me that they’ve always charged a fee for foreign purchases, but they used to roll it into the total purchase number on the statement – essentially hiding their 2.7% foreign transaction fee from the naked eye!  Luckily for us, now we can see for ourselves just how much extra we’re getting charged for the privilege of traveling and spending money abroad!

Call Your Credit Card Company Before You Travel

Before you travel to another country, call each of your credit card companies and see which of your cards has the lowest foreign transaction fee.  Then add that fee into your travel budget. 

If you have an American Express Platinum Card, or another premium card, your international fee may be automatically waived.  But don’t rush out and apply for a premium card just to avoid the fees.  Unless you travel abroad extensively, these premium cards may not be the worth the high annual fee.

…And just as a general note,  while you have someone on the phone, you should always alert your card company that you will be leaving the country.  This will help avoid them from freezing your card in fear that it was stolen.

It’s TAX time!  Can’t you just hear Mr. Taxman knocking at your door?

If you file your taxes yourself, don’t be left out in the cold when it comes to having the top tools to ensure that all of your deductions are in order so you don’t pay more taxes than you have to!  TurboTax is the nation’s leader in tax filing software, and we’ve got some super Fab & Fru deals on their 2011 line of products this week!

1. Get the  TurboTax Deluxe Online Federal Filing Package reduced from  $49.99 to just $29.99!
2. Check out the Deluxe Filing  TurboTax Combo Package for BOTH State and Federal Filings for just $44.99!
   
3. And if you happen to be Fab & Fru enough to be running your own business, definitely check out this deal for the TurboTax Home and Business Federal Edition for just $71.29!

Click below for  more deals on how to sign up for FREE E-Filing directly through Turbotax.com!

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With all these different TurboTax deals to custom fit your needs, you’ll be ready to tackle your taxes without any unnecessary stress.  File NOW and be on your way to some serious tax savings!

Don’t Take My Kodachrome Away

131 year old American company Eastman Kodak filed for Bankruptcy Protection this week.  The “Chapter 11″ filing will allow them to restructure and hopefully channel their energy into becoming a digital printing specialist.  Ironically, Kodak was the pioneer of the digital camera, but lost a foothold in the industry because they feared cannibalizing their traditional film business.  I know it’s a digital world, but this news did make me nostalgic for the days of going to the drugstore to pick up your photos, even when there were only a couple good ones in the bunch!

Hair Helmets & Political Battles

The Republican presidential hopefuls are now a group of 4, after the recent departures of Jon Huntsman and Rick Perry from the pack.  Whatever your politics, you have to admit Callista Gingrich really has been taking one for the team.  The 45 year old gets out there every day with a hair helmet, make-up, and wardrobe worthy of a woman 20 years her senior – which we’re guessing is exactly the look Newt’s advisers were going for…you know, to try to tone down the whole “this is the much younger woman I had an affair with and left my second wife for” thing.

Chief Yahoo Resigns

In other news of an iconic American company trying to reinvent itself, Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang resigned from the company this week.  In recent years, Yang has been criticized for blocking Microsoft’s 2008 offer of $47.5 Billion to buy Yahoo – particularly because the company is worth less than half that amount today.  As Rick Perry would say, “Oops.”

Keystone Pipeline

The Obama administration – at least for the moment – has put a halt to the proposed $7 billion, 1700 mile oil pipeline which would have run from Canada down through the US.  But the debate between job creation vs environmental protection rages on.  One fact you may not have known – though we hear so much about Middle Eastern oil exports to the US, did you know Canada - not Saudi Arabia – is actually the US’s top supplier of crude oil?

And How Was Your Week?

Hostess With(out) The Mostess?

Twilight for Twinkies?

Hostess, the maker of Twinkies, Sno-Balls, Ding-Dongs and many other of your childhood favorites, filed for bankruptcy protection this week.  But don’t worry, the company still plans to keep operating and hopes to restructure.  With the rumored life expectantly of a Twinkie, rest assured, even if the company goes out of business there is still enough product to last well into the next millennium…

France: A Major Faux Pas

Though the Netherlands and Germany are keeping their top credit scores by a hair, France is unfortunately not so lucky.  To further add to France’s bad day, Newt Gingrich is running a tv ad in which he mocks Mitt Romney for speaking French.  Apparently sending a message to school children everywhere that it is a major negative to speak a foreign language.  Though it might be more productive to point out that, given current American scholastic standards, probably not many students could point out France on a map anyway.  Mon Dieu!

New Hampshire News

Despite his ability to speak French, Mitt Romney won the New Hampshire Republican Primary with 36% of the vote.  In other words, quite a large margin compared with the 8 vote victory he had in Iowa. Next up?  South Carolina – we’re interested to see how “Massachusetts Moderate” Mitt plays in this conservative southern state.

Home Depot to Add 70,000 Jobs

We’re going to view this one as half full – Home Depot recently announced that they will be adding 70,000 temporary jobs for its upcoming Spring season.  But, hey, seasonal employment is better than no employment!  Plus, the retailer predicts many of these temp jobs turning into full-time employment.  The bottom line is that more orange aprons do signify a somewhat rosier economy.

Throwing Eggs At Apple 

An angry mob pelted a Beijing Apple Store with Eggs after finding out they had sold out of the iPhone 4S.  Many had waited in line overnight and were not happy to hear that they had been waiting in vain.  In a move sure to make Chinese egg producers happy, Apple has now announced they aren’t any more shipments due to safety concerns.  All of which leads us to believe that if people are really that upset about not getting their iPhones, cell service on them must be way better in China than it is here in the States.

And how was your week?

Fab & Fru Five Minute Guides!

 Based on an article by Women & Co.

Have you started planning for your retirement yet?  Looking for quick tips to help you get the most out of your 401(k)?  We’ve partnered up with the fabulous finance experts at Citibank’s Women & Co to bring you the Fab & Fru 5 Minute Guides – fast and furious financial cheat sheets on everything money that you need to know NOW!  Take 5 Minutes to Take Control of Your Financial Future…

Are You Saving For Retirement?

What is a 401(k) – and why is it so great anyway?  401(k) plans are employer sponsored retirement plans.  The beauty is that the money you contribute is deducted from your taxable income – meaning you are taxed on a lower amount than you are actually earning for that year.  Plus, your 401(k) contributions are tax deferred – you don’t pay taxes on them until you withdraw.  Finally, some good news when it comes to the IRS!  Here are the key facts to know about your 401(k):

1. Enroll – You’ve got to be in it to win it.  The earlier you enroll, the longer you have to take advantage of compounding interest – see, some things do get better as you age!

2. Max It Out – Not recommended for your credit cards, but you absolutely should max out your contribution to your 401(k) plan every year!

3. Matchy-Matchy - Get up to speed with any matching plans your employer offers.  You may have to contribute a certain amount, or work for them a certain amount of time to be eligible for a matching contribution.

4. Look but Don’t Touch - Resist the temptation to cash out when changing jobs, or to dip in to your 401(k) before retirement!

5. Stay On It – Setting up your 401(k) is only part of the battle.  You – yes – you – need to monitor and review accordingly!  Remember to update your beneficiaries as your life changes and to meet once a year with a financial professional to review your 401(k) savings plan.

Thanks to our partners at Women & Co. for the 411 on 401(k)s – and be sure to let us know which topics YOU would like to see Five Minute Guides On!  

by Alexandra Pauline – January 11, 2012

Make Your Space Work For You

It’s tax season, and there’s no time like the present to get organized and turn your home office into a calm haven of peaceful function.  Here at Fab & Fru we’ve got some simple and creative ways to give you closet hoarders some new found hope…

Make Room In Small Spaces

If you’re a city dweller who’s idea of a home office is your iPad, your scattered bills and a cup of coffee, have no fear – you can still get organized even with the smallest of space.   Head to your local Target and pick up a discounted pack of shelves.   In less than an hour you can turn your desktop nook into the fully functioning “corner” office of your dreams!

New York City real estate broker Nick Jabour says he has his “MacBook in a desk drawer that’s wired to a flat LCD panel on the wall.  I have a magnetic bulletin board that holds notes, pen cups and a stapler.  A shelf mounted above the desk holds my check ledgers, reference books, and other items.”  If you’re working with even less space, getting an accent basket and filling it with office supplies and files is a great way to turn your hallway table into a desk when you need it!

Creating Functional Decor

Small details like colorful matching storage boxes are not only a functional way to bring a calming sense of order to a home work area, they can also be decorative!  Use them as an accessible way to separate your paperclips, pushpins, stamps and post-its.  Another Fab & Fru way to create some stylish do-it-yourself storage is by turning old mason jars into micro-storage units.

Clutter Killing Cork

We love the idea of doing a FRU corkboard…with a FAB twist!  If your desk is against a wall, cork board is a great space optimizer – but it can be a bit drab to look at.  Our solution?  Frame it!  Find an inexpensive frame at an antique shop, or reincarnate one from a mirror or painting you already have.  Just remove the glass, cut the cork to fit, and slip it into the frame – you can even cover it in some fabric for an extra luxe look.   Suddenly, you have not only a piece of home decor, but a functional office accessory you will actually enjoy looking at!

Double Duty

If you’re work area also happens to be doubling as another space – synergy is key.  Many working moms opt to combine their office and nursery.  In this case, keep the color schemes the same, and go with a bold unifying accent piece.  Try a solid paint for the walls, and substitute a stuffy office chair with a stylish and sturdy club chair in a pattern – and don’t forget the pillow.  Ample lumbar support is key for mitigating back pain!