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!

by Stephanie Berenbaum – January 5, 2012

Avoid the Price of the Boot & Tow

It’s not even a week into the new year, and already our friend Samantha has broken one of her New Year’s resolutions!  2012 was the year she was finally going to get more organized, not let mail pile up, and stay on top of her bills.  She had the best of intentions, really…

But her optimistic outlook on 2012 was already totally threatened by January 3rd when she looked out her window to see a big orange BOOT being placed on her car!  To make matters worse, it turned out the boot was the least of her troubles.  Because, as the Los Angeles City employee told her, the tow company was on their way…

Beware of Unpaid Parking Tickets..

SERIOUSLY!  As Sam learned the hard way, the current rule in LA is if you have FIVE unpaid parking tickets, your car can be booted and towed – even if the ticket is just a month old.  If you know anything about driving and living in Los Angeles – getting parking tickets should be a budgeted cost of living in this town.  And it’s not just Los Angeles – if you live or work near any large city, chances are you’ve had to pay big bucks for a parking violation at some point or another.

What to Watch for…

So, it got us thinking, there are so many different types of parking violations that cities enforce because the profit margin for them is just so gigantic – what sort of parking rules and tips do you need to be aware of, aside from the obvious?  Of course each city has its own special violation nuances, but here are things to think about wherever you drive!

The Broken Parking Meter

I always assumed that a broken parking meter meant you get a free pass – I mean, it’s not your fault it’s broken, right?  But many of our friends have told tales of getting ticketed while parked at these broken meters!  What gives? While rules differ by city, one thing we learned is that even if a meter is broken, you still have to adhere to the time limits – so be careful not to overstay your welcome.

How Many Tickets Before You Get the Boot & Tow?

This was our friend Samantha’s downfall.  Apparently, many cities are reducing the number of unpaid tickets you’re allowed before you get towed.  As we mentioned, Los Angeles will now boot and tow you if you have 5 unpaid parking tickets – and there is a movement to reduce the number of tickets even lower.  SO – be sure to find out what your city’s limit is – and pay up before you hit it the limit!

How Many Days To Doubling?

If a ticket goes unpaid for a certain number of days – surprise – the fine DOUBLES.  But you may not be aware that many cities are also reducing the number of days you have to pay before the add another fine.  Make sure you know how quickly you need to pay in your town before your parking budget is completely busted!

by Stephanie Berenbaum – December 29, 2011

Learn from Our Mistakes…

In order to start the New Year off right, we figured it might be best to come clean about some of the biggest, messiest and most embarrassing money mistakes we – and our Fab & Fru friends and family – have made this past year!  As much as we are Fab & Fru, we are also human, and we have to admit we’ve collectively done some stuff this past year that was just pretty freakin’ stupid.  So, have a laugh and learn from our mistakes.  It’s certainly our New Year’s resolution never to do any of the following in 2012…

1.  Accidentally leaving the car in DRIVE – exiting the car and locking the doors – then watching the car slowly roll into the front of your guest house.  Or should we say, through your guest house…  Thankfully, after the initial shock wore off, and it was confirmed no one was hurt, the $3,000 price tag to fix the big giant hole in the facade was just the beginning.  Then there was the serious cash to repair damage to the car  -  not to mention the huge hunk taken out of the the driver’s ego… 

–Lesson: Always remember to put your car in park before getting out .

2.   Going crazy at a Sample Sale.  I have to admit, I thought I was going to save BIG by going to a sample sale of one of my favorite brands.  After battling the crowds, I was pretty proud of myself for all the “deals” I got.  That is, until I realized I wouldn’t wear most of them…  I swore at the time they looked great, but I think I was more focused on the discount than the design.

–Lesson: I should listen to my own advice – if you wouldn’t buy it at full price, don’t buy it on sale!

3.  Going to a pricey spa to get eyebrows shaped, and assuming because it was pricey they knew what they were doing..  Not exactly … the esthetician used too much wax and left our friend with half an eyebrow! Not only did she lose $30 – but she basically lost her left an eyebrow.  After 10 months, it’s yet to grow back to normal!

– Lesson: Make sure you’re in experienced hands before getting any kind of hair removal .

4.  Cutting the tag off a $150 sweater … and doing it in such a rush that I left a big round hole right in the back of the sweater.  Not exactly the fashion statement I was hoping to make…

–Lesson:  Haste makes waste – always!

What Tax Deductions Can You Take?

No, this tax article isn’t a misprint!  It’s the end of the year, and ’tis the start of tax season.  Our good friend – and Certified Financial Planner – Michael Hardy, of Mollott and Hardy, Inc. (along with Efile.com),  just reminded us about one of the greatest holiday gifts you can give yourself: to be well organized and make sure you have all the relevant documentation for tax time NOW,  so you can save as much money as possible when you file your 2011 taxes.

Here are some key questions Michael wants you to ask yourself to help determine what deductions you are eligible to take advantage of.   –Thanks Michael!

Make Your Job Work for You!

• Do You Pay For Parking At Work?  You may be able to deduct the cost of parking.
• Do you Use Your Car For Business? You may be reimbursed for business use of your vehicle based on miles driven.
• Do You Ride A Bicycle To Work? If so, you may be reimbursed for the cost of the bike as well as repairs and storage.
• Have You Gone On Work Related Trips? Keep all your receipts – even down to dry cleaning and baggage handling.
• Have You Lost or Changed Your Job?  It takes money to look for a new job – and you might be able to deduct these expenses.
• Do You Work From A Home Office? You may be able to deduct expenses like internet, phone, furniture and security
• Did You Move Closer to Work or to Take a New Job? If your new residence is at least 50 miles closer to your workplace than your old home, you qualify for a deduction of your moving expenses.
• Do You Belong To A Union? Union dues and initiation fees are deductible.
• Do You Make a Low Income? Check if you qualify, and don’t miss out on the Earned Income Tax Credit.
• Do You make Retirement Savings Plan Contributions?  If so, you might be able to get a tax credit for qualified contributions.

Green Living Puts Green in Your Pocket!

• Did you buy an electric car in 2011? If the car you bought in 2011 is a plug-in hybrid or fully electric vehicle, you could qualify for a tax credit of up to $7,500.
• Did you improve your home with energy-efficient appliances, windows, doors, or other energy saving devices? You may be able to deduct up to $500 for the expenses, or even more for installing renewable energy sources.

Family-Friendly Tax Savings!

• Do you have children or other dependents? You may qualify for a $1,000 credit per dependent with the Child Tax Credit.
• Did you adopt a child? There is a special refundable tax credit for which you may qualify. The credit can reimburse up to $13,360 of qualified adoption expenses.
• Are you a student or the parent of one?  If so, you have a choice of credits. You may be able to receive up to $2,500 per student.
• Did you get married?  Congratulations! There are several tax-related implications which you should know about.
• Did you get divorced? As with marriage, there are several tax-related implications in cases of divorce or separation. For example, alimony is deductible while child support is not.
• Did you spend money on medical care?  Most people did, of course. But if you had a particularly tough year, you may be able to deduct any medical expenses which exceed 7.5% of your income.
• Do you employ your child in a family business?  If you hire one of your children who is less than 18 years old, you may not have to withhold taxes from their salary for social security, Medicare, or unemployment.

If your taxes are complicated in any way, or you are unsure about what deductions you are eligible for – don’t guess – consult with a CPA.  Hiring a certified accountant may cost you up front, but a good accountant will help save you in the end.  Happy Early Tax Planning!

Get Fab & Fru Savings on Luxury Shopping

Sure, we all have a battle scar or two from braving the mall on the Friday after Thanksgiving.  But you can’t blame us for hoping to score some major deals, can you? If mentally (and physically) prepping for Black Friday weren’t enough, now we also need to be ready for Cyber Monday!

So…what’s the deal with Cyber Monday anyway?  Can shoppers get the same or better savings with just a click on a keypad as they can shopping in the store?  If Black Friday is all about the door busters at the big box stores like Best Buy and Walmart, what does Cyber Monday have that Black Friday doesn’t?

The Growth of Cyber Monday

In 2005, Cyber Monday was created so online merchants could push their holiday deals without competing with in-store Black Friday promotions.  However, in 2009, 195 million shoppers visited both stores and websites over the Black Friday & Cyber Monday weekend, spending an estimated $41.2 billion dollars!  Propelled by aggressive retailer promotions in 2009, online shopping has skyrocketed and shoppers have embraced the benefits of shopping from the comfort of their home – spending $913 million last year on Cyber Monday alone! -*Statistics provided by savings.com.

What Does this All Mean?

It’s no secret: merchants want you to spend your money at their store, and they’ll do what ever they can to get you to shop!  Cyber Monday allows online stores to continue to benefit from YOUR shopping mindset, while extending savings opportunities for the entire long weekend.  And as online shopping becomes more and more the norm, the line between the two shopping holidays has become blurred….

Luxe Monday Online & Off

When you think of Black Friday you think of people in their sweats racing for the doors at big box stores.  But the higher end and luxury retailers often wait for Cyber Monday- or Luxe Monday- to focus on their promotions.  Here are some luxey online and offline deals to watch out for!

Vacation Time!

Today is the day to find some serious travel deals on flights, hotels and vacation packages.  USA Today has listed some killer NOT TO MISS DEALS that you NEED to check out right NOW!

Additionally, get $200 off your next trip of 5+ nights at Travelocity when you book a qualifying flight + hotel or just hotel.  *Travel for qualifying trip must be complete by 1/2/12. $200 promo must be used between February 1 and April 30, 2012. Offer expires 12/15/11.

Orbitz is also offering  BIG deals to Europe if you book your trip now- offer expires 12/31/11.

A Day at the Spa!

Looking to buy a gift certificate for someone to a local spa, or maybe you want to a break yourself from the holiday madness.  Check local deals  near you for major spa discounts.   Spafinder is also offering a 20% savings!  Buy one $50+ gift certificate  and get 20% off the second of equal value.  Just enter in the code SFGIVE at checkout. –Offer expires 11/30/11.

by Brandi Savitt – November 16, 2011

Save Your Sanity & Wallet by Shopping Online

From constant news reports to sitcom plot lines, Black Friday marketing has hit fever pitch! And with the economy hurting, stores are making an extra effort to entice you to spend spend spend this holiday season.  Many stores will open their doors right after Thanksgiving dinner this year – making all of us feel like we’ll miss the deal of the century if we don’t ditch our families and head out to the mall.

The truth is… the deals have already started – online.  Follow our Fab & Fru Black Friday tips to save your money and your mind this holiday season by getting organized and staying home on the biggest shopping day of the year!

Don’t Shop in Stores on Black Friday

Unless you enjoy fighting the crowds and waiting in lines, or you have a very specific item that you want to get in your hands that day, there is no reason to leave your computer and go to the stores on Black Friday.  There are very few items on sale in stores that won’t also be on sale online!

Stick to Your Shopping List

Before you start shopping online (or in the stores), make a list of the people you are buying gifts for, what you want to buy them, and the price limit for each gift.  Then most importantly, STICK to that list (and don’t buy unbudgeted items for yourself)!  Overspending happens when you don’t have a plan.  The worst thing you can do is to start the New Year off in credit card debt.  Remember – a deal is not a deal if you can’t afford it!

Start Checking Sales Now

Good news for all of us!  Start checking your favorite sites and online stores RIGHT NOW for amazing deals.  In hopes of moving more inventory, stores have already started running their Black Friday deals – and expect them to last well into the season!

 Establish an Account In Advance

Don’t spend an hour filling your cart with fantastic deals only to find out you can’t check out before you set up an account.  Setting up your account after you shop could cause you to lose your sale items to a more organized shopper.  Protect your finds by making sure you have an account established and login before you start adding things to your cart!

Hedge Your Bets

Afraid to start online shopping now, fearing that you may lose out on even better sales come Black Friday?  Don’t worry! Just shop at online stores that have a location near you – and save your receipt.  If a better deal comes along on Black Friday, just call up customer service, or go into the store to show them that you recently purchased the item.  Most stores will refund you the difference of the sale!

Always Stack Your Savings

Before you start to shop online, do a simple Google search for product coupons and store promo codes.  Also, check your favorite bargain sites for extra deals. You are very likely to find an additional sale or FREE SHIPPING code to STACK with a Black Friday or clearance sale to help you save even more.  Also, remember to use any gift cards you have to save even more!

Happy Shopping & Saving!

By Stephanie Berenbaum – November 10, 2011

Introducing our First Fab & Fru 5 Minute Guide!

We know, just what you wanted to think about today – emergencies…  Well, before you click back over to TMZ, hear us out.  No one wants to think about potentially life-altering illnesses or events, but ladies – we owe it to ourselves and our families to be prepared.  The last thing you want to be is a big old ostrich when it comes to your own life!

The good news is that Fab & Fru has teamed up with our friends at Citibank’s Women & Co. to bring you a series of Fab & Fru 5 Minute Guides – handy little life guides that break down even the heaviest of topics into fun (yes, fun), quick & easy reads! As you all know, you can never have enough fabulous girlfriends in your life, which is why we are so thrilled about our relationship with Women & Co. – financially savvy gals you’d actually want to go to dinner with – what more could we ask for?

The team at Women & Co. gave us some great ideas for financially prepping for an emergency (we’re assuming you already have a good therapist to handle the rest), so do yourself a favor and take a big girl pill – and 5 minutes-  to check out the first in our new series!

Fab & Fru 5 Minute Guide #1- Financially Prepping For An Emergency

Based on an article by Women & Co.

We’re not trying to be dramatic here, but whether you want to think about it or not, life is bound to throw some curve balls your way.  And when serious emergencies do arise, you’ll be glad you took five minutes now to remind yourself of how to prepare – financially – for the future!

1. INSURANCE

You might not even be aware that there is insurance beyond auto, homeowners and health.  NOW is the time to start educating yourself about other policies that can help protect you and your family:

Life Insurance  – Yes, we know, it’s creepy to talk about – scarier NOT to!

Disability Insurance – No matter how invincible you feel, everyone is vulnerable to accidents, which can take you out of the workplace for an extended period of time.

Long-Term Care Insurance – You know that 100 is the new 60, right? And, yes, hot stuff, someday even YOU may need home aides and nursing home care.  NOW is the time to start thinking about it – it will be way cheaper to get it when you are younger than when you really need it!

2.  EMERGENCY CASH RESERVES

In an ideal world, financial planners advise people to always have a 6-12 month cash reserve available for times of economic uncertainty.  With the economy the way it is, this is easier said than done.  Start adjusting your lifestyle accordingly so you can start saving and be in a position of power – not panic – should emergency strike.  As much as you love your Pilates class, believe us – it is worth canceling the gym membership in order to get your financial fitness up to speed!

 Based on an article by Women & Co.

We’re not trying to be dramatic here, but whether you want to think about it or not, life is bound to throw some curve balls your way.  And when serious emergencies do arise, you’ll be glad you took five minutes now to remind yourself of how to prepare – financially – for the future!

1. INSURANCE

 You might not even be aware that there is insurance beyond auto, homeowners, and health.  NOW is the time to start educating yourself about other policies that can help protect you and your family:

Life Insurance  – Yes, we know, it’s creepy to talk about – scarier NOT to!

Disability Insurance – No matter how invincible you feel, everyone is vulnerable to accidents which can take you out of the workplace for an extended period of time.

Long Term Care Insurance – You know that 100 is the new 60, right? And, yes, hot stuff, someday even YOU may need home aides and nursing home care.  NOW is the time to start thinking about it – it will be way cheaper to get it when you are younger than when you really need it!

2.  EMERGENCY CASH RESERVES

In an ideal world, financial planners advise people to always have a 6-12 month cash reserve available for times of economic uncertainty.  With the economy the way it is, this is easier said than done.  Start adjusting your lifestyle accordingly so you can start saving and be in a position of power – not panic – should emergency strike.  As much as you love your Pilates class, believe us it is worth canceling the gym membership in order to get your financial fitness up to speed!

3.  ESTATE PLAN 

 We know, we know – you’re probably thinking you don’t have much of an “estate’ to plan for!  But an estate plan has nothing to do with living in a mansion.  All of us, no matter what our financial status, should have a legal plan in place in case we become impaired or, you know, dead.  Estate planning includes:

A Will & Testament.  Single or Married, we should all have a will.  We’re assuming you would rather have control over where your money and possessions  – not to mention children! – go in the event of your passing.

Living Will – Like it sounds, it’s something that affects you while you are still living.  This document lets you appoint someone to make medical treatment decisions for you if you cannot do so for yourself.  Maybe even more depressing to think about than the last will and testament, we know, we know.

Power of Attorney/ Health Care Proxy – This person not only can make medical decision on your behalf, but also financial and legal ones.  In other words – choose wisely.  And for goodness sake, remember to update according to major life events like divorces!

For a more in depth look at related issues, check out these articles:

Do You Really Need a Will?

In Case of Emergency

Single Women and Life Insurance

Fab & Fru Gifts that Won’t Break the Bank!

Looking for meaningful, fun and AFFORDABLE gift ideas for everyone on your shopping list this holiday season?  Well, our Gift Guide is full of Fab & Fru presents for even the pickiest person – all under $100 and many under $25!  Happy Gift Giving (& Receiving)!

The Art Collector

Farmer’s Market Art - $20-$30 each.  Add some seasonal veggies to the walls of a lucky art lover’s kitchen. The home decor shop Clay, Wood & Cotton in Beacon, NY also has an online store where you can order these artful prints.  Just choose your season -Fall, Winter, Spring & Summer!

Turn Your Photos into Art - $59 & up.  Canvas on Demand let’s you upload your favorite photos and print them directly onto canvas – turning them into instant art.  I had a landscape shot that I took and a photo of my nephews printed, and they both look like paintings.  Canvas on Demand is a spectacular gift for anyone who loves a one-of-a-kind special piece of art!

The Aspiring Mixologist

Cocktail Making Kit – $29.95.  Do you know someone who enjoys a good cocktail, or who just loves to entertain?  Well, having the right tools is the first step to making a delicious drink!

Artisanal Cocktails Recipe Book -$16.40.  The second step of course, is having the perfect cocktail recipes available at your fingertips.  Mixologist, Scott Beattie, has complied his most favorite drink creations inspired by the Seasons from the Bar Cyrus in beautiful Healdsburg, CA.

The Beauty Product Junkie

Sephora Gift Card - $25 & up.  This is a classic, but goodie.  I mean, what women wouldn’t want a gift card to Sephora?

6 Month Membership to Birchbox – $60.  If you know someone who can’t break their addiction to buying beauty products, now they don’t have to! For just $10 a month you can gift your Beauty Queen a box of fabulous samples delivered directly to her door each month.  Not only will she get her beauty fix, she’ll be able to try out new products BEFORE she spends a fortune on something she’ll only use once!

By Stephanie Berenbaum – October 26, 2011

An Honest Look At One Woman’s Expenses

Our friend Meg confided to us that even though she makes a very good living, she still feels like she can’t save any money! Sound familiar?

So, being the Fab & Fru friends that we are, we asked her a potentially really life-changing question…  That’s right, we asked to see her credit card statement.  More surprising?  After a couple of cocktails, she actually handed it over!

Meg’s Story

Like so many of us, Meg is continually amazed how quickly the paychecks go in and out of her and her husband’s bank account.  And although she is the one paying the monthly bills, she admits she doesn’t keep detailed track of the everyday small (seeming) expenditures.  It’s not like she’s out buying couture!  But, like so many of us, her “normal” shopping – groceries, household supplies, clothes for the kids, the stuff we don’t give a whole lot of thought to -  is adding up, big time!

Keep in mind the intimate details we’re about to share are just that – intimate personal details of ONE person’s financial habits.  You may be shocked at how much she spends, or you may be thinking that you spend WAY more than she does – either way, we give her props for having the courage to share her tale of spending!

Groceries

Meg lives in Los Angeles and is married with two kids.  When we questioned her about the cost of feeding her family of four, she said she honestly didn’t exactly know.  Although Meg likes to shop at Whole Foods (which isn’t cheap), it isn’t like her daughters are exactly eating gourmet meals – and neither are she and her hubby.  How much, she asked, could one family really spend on organic chicken nuggets, yogurt tubes (kids), wine (her) and beer (husband)?

Sticker Shock

After going through her statement last month, we told Meg that her grand total for groceries alone was $1,500- NOT including eating out!  She was shocked.  It wasn’t like she was serving up filet mignon and lobster every night!  She then went through the statement herself, convinced we had made a mistake. Nope, no mistake….. Suddenly Meg was losing her appetite.  Was her family really eating that much food?  Could they cut back?  How much were they wasting?

Eating Out & Ordering In

And of course in addition to groceries there are eating out expenses.  It’s not like Meg goes out to lunch and dinner every day.  She actually feels her family’s restaurant habit is pretty moderate – she and her husband go out to eat once, sometimes twice a week, and then she orders in maybe two times a week.  And yes, there are a few latte runs to her local coffee shop, but nothing too crazy….  So how did it all add up to $700 per month??