Are Consumers Getting Ready to Buy Again?

by Miranda Marquit · 0 comments

With the recent recession fading in memory, many consumers are getting ready to buy again — helped along by the holiday spirit. In fact, credit spending is also on the rise, according to a recent report from Experian. With the recession and the financial crisis firmly in the past, and the economy recovering, a number consumers are feeling more comfortable about taking on debt again.

Even though Black Friday shopping revenues were down this year, consumers are getting comfortable with the situation in other ways. First of all, one in 17 consumers opened at least one new bankcard this year, according to Experian. This is an increase from one in 21 consumers last year. This brings the average number of bankcards up to 2.18 — an increase of 4.2 percent.

Now that consumers are getting more bankcards, and it’s likely to change some of the shopping behaviors of many.

Debt is on the Rise Again

Not only are more consumers opening bankcards, but debt is on the rise again. Just after the financial crisis, many consumers paid down their debts, especially their credit cards. However, that’s changing now that confidence has returned. Instead of cutting up their cards, consumers are opening new cards and adding to their debt. The average debt, according to Experian, is up to $28,496 per person, which is an increase of 2.3 percent over last year.

However, even though consumers are in a buying mood, they aren’t quite ready to purchase homes. I found it interesting that, even though consumers are ready to put more on their credit cards, they aren’t ready to commit to a mortgage. Mortgage originations are down by 39 percent this year. This is somewhat surprising, since home prices remain relatively low, and mortgage rates are near historic lows. However, it seems as though a mortgage is a much bigger commitment than putting a few holiday gifts on a credit card. Some expect mortgage activity to pick up — although modestly — next year.

Are You Spending More?

Now is a good time to look at your own spending habits. Are your expenses creeping up, like the credit card use in general among consumers? What is your situation with regard to buying? Take a step back and consider where your money is going in order to avoid getting too wrapped up in the current trend.

While you might feel a little more secure in your financial situation, that doesn’t mean that it’s a good idea to get back into spending habits. Instead, it makes sense to see if you need to cut back a little. If you have started carrying a balance again, make an effort to reduce what you owe. If you’ve reduced your efforts to build an emergency fund, redouble the attempt. After all, if you don’t you could find yourself in trouble. The good economy won’t last forever, and there will be another down cycle at some point. The best way to prepare is to save up ahead of time, and keep debt low. That way, you won’t have as much to worry about during the next economic difficulty.

Drink Water to Save Money AND Your Health

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

Beverage choices are a matter of personal preference, but evaluating them by their cost and health impact reveals a clear idea of which one is the absolute best for you: water. We live in a world of choices, and beverages are no exception. Who wants to drink plain water when there are so many other tastier and colorful options? We all know that sugar-laden carbonated beverage are some of the worst for us, containing empty calories and artificial flavorings. Water is the obvious choice for your health. But are soft drinks really any more expensive than drinking bottled water? That’s a good question, because honestly, many brands of bottled water are just as expensive (and in some cases, more!) as soft drinks. Beverage companies are very aware of the consumer trend toward healthier options such as vitamin-infused (but still sugar-laden) waters as well as good old-fashioned  water. With that in mind, here are some practical ways I’ve learned to save both money and my health while drinking the most natural beverage of all.

If you must drink bottled water, be a smart shopper. Some people insist that different brands of water taste superior to the tap they have at home, although I have yet to experience this. Some people do have poor-quality drinking water at home with a taste that isn’t improved by filtering. If this is you, keep in mind that you are a target for consumerism. The water that’s packaged in a slick-looking bottle with a cool brand name is essentially the same water that fills the cheap store-brand varieties. Save yourself a few dollars and buy cheap water. If you insist on being a water snob, at least look for coupon deals on large packs of it instead of buying singles every day. When you purchase water from a vending machine, you’re paying for the convenience, so keeping a pack at home in the fridge and bringing one to work with you will save you a lot of money in the long run.

For optimal savings, filter your own water at home. The best option for saving money, the environment, and your health is to filter your own water at home. It really isn’t that much work to carry a water bottle with you wherever you go. It’s become such a habit of mine that now I feel lost without it! If you don’t have filtered water at home, there are even filter-bottles you can buy that only require cheap replacement filters every few months, based on how often you use the bottle. If you have a water cooler or fountain at work, refill your bottle up there.

Make it interesting. If you find drinking plain water a chore, add some flavor without the calories or chemicals by squeezing in fresh lemon or lime, other fresh fruit, or sprigs of mint. Again, retailers are catching on to this trend and creating bottles with fresh fruit diffusor compartments. If you enjoy iced or hot tea, this is another easy option to prepare at home inexpensively. Learn to enjoy the fresh flavors of the herbs in your tea instead of adding sweeteners, or if you must, add just a touch of honey.

I cannot begin to calculate the savings and health benefits drinking water almost exclusively the last ten or so years has awarded me. Water is the best possible beverage choice for your health, and one of the few beverages you can enjoy almost anywhere absolutely free.

4 Things to Do if You Suddenly Lose Your Job

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

Have you ever suddenly lost your job? In the recent economy, many people have found themselves robbed of life-long careers, and still a long way from retirement. This situation can leave you confused, depressed, worried about your finances, and uncertain of what to do.

First of all, don’t panic. This is easier if you’ve been setting aside a part of your income as an emergency fund for just such situations. Ideally, you should have at least one month’s worth of your basic expenses (house payment, car payment, utilities, other bills, and groceries) set aside in a format that’s not easy for you to dip in to. A ‘rainy day’ fund is not the same as an emergency fund. That being said, what if you don’t already have an emergency fund, or haven’t been able to save much yet? There are still things you can do to make ends meet until you find a new job without maxing out your credit cards. Sit tight and don’t make any rash decisions — the mental state you’re in after losing  a job isn’t ideal for making important choices that can haunt you for years to come.

Focus on your immediate financial concerns. Where are you at? Are you set financially for a little while, or do you need to quickly come up with some money? It might take crunching some numbers (don’t be afraid to ask for help!), but the first step is to determine how much of a shortage you’ll have over the next few months so you can formulate a plan for making up the difference. Keep in mind that while you may qualify for unemployment compensation, it can take up to a month to process, and will only be a fraction of your former salary. Knowing you’ll be okay for a few months (with our without unemployment insurance) will free your mind to focus on your plan for putting yourself back on the job market, starting a new career, or going back to college.

Solve your need for quick cash. If you determine you’ll need more than you have to cover your basic needs over the next few months, find ways to cut back on your expenses or liquidate some assets. One quick way to do this is to cut subscriptions, monthly clubs, satellite television, Netflix, or other unnecessary expenses. Contact your cell phone provider and see if they can cut down your plan for a few months, but keep in mind you might be using it more for job hunting. All of these changes are temporary and usually involve few if any penalties, but can quickly free up the cash you need to cover more necessarily bills and expenses while you’re out of work.

Think about items you can sell quickly that you won’t regret missing lately, such as items you were already planning to get rid of. One big check from selling something could be enough to hold you over for a while.

Put yourself out there right away, but consider your new path carefully. If you’ve learned anything about how to land a job,  you know the importance of updating your resume, utilizing social networking, getting in touch with old colleagues and mentors, handing out business cards, and following up on job leads. While all of these are important, it’s also a good time to stop and think. Instead of rushing into another dead-end job with the same threat of loss, consider the job market. Is it time to change careers? You might not even need to go back to college, but simply change the focus of your skills. You might discover you want to do something new, and losing your job, although devastating, creates an opportunity you might not have otherwise pursued.

Does Investing with Your Mobile Phone Give You an Edge?

by Miranda Marquit · 0 comments

There is no doubt that technology can provide you with tools to improve your finances, and make it easier to access your money than ever before. But does it really matter? Are you really ahead if you use your mobile phone to trade? According to a Fidelity study published in October, those who use mobile financial apps to make trades at least think that they are doing better, thanks to their mobile apps.

Do You Use Financial Apps on Your Smart Phone?

I use financial apps on my own smart phone. I regularly check my bank balances, and even transfer money using my smart phone. Not only that, but I can deposit checks using my cell phone. I can even invoice my freelance clients using the PayPal app on my smart phone. However, I haven’t quite got to the point where I’m making investment trades using my cell phone. In fact, I don’t even have an investment app on my iPhone.

I’m in the minority when it comes to this, though. According to the Fidelity survey, 56 percent of mobile users complete investing tasks using mobile financial apps. Of course, not all of them are trading. Only 41 percent of those actually trade at least once a month. However, many of them conduct research using financial apps on their phones. Keeping track of performance, from fundamental research to charting, from anywhere is one way that investors feel as though they have a leg up when it comes to investing.

It’s worth noting that it makes sense to take these findings with a grain of salt. The Fidelity study probably only provides insight into a specific subset of Americans. The results are still somewhat telling. This access to information no matter where the respondents are located, encourages them to think that they have an advantage over those who don’t use phones in trading. Indeed, reports Fidelity, 69 percent of the respondents who trade using mobile apps feel as though they have an edge.

Better ROI with Mobile Trading?

So, even though those who use smart phones to trade feel as though they have an advantage, it doesn’t mean that they actually do have a leg up. The Fidelity study indicates that 41 percent of frequent users of financial apps saw a ROI that exceeded 20 percent in the past 12 months. This contrasts with the fact that only 22 percent of less frequent users saw those kind of results. So, there is a chance that mobile trading can lead to better ROI.

Having a cell phone can provide you with chances to improve your knowledge, since you are able to access research while on your commute, or even while you are watching TV. Not only that, but you have the ability to take advantage of opportunities almost immediately, thanks to having access to real-time information, and the ability to make trades based on that information.

The downside, though, is that you might get too involved in trading when it’s so easy. Be careful about how you use your smart phone with your finances. Just because you can make more frequent trades with the help of an investment app doesn’t mean that you should. And, if you are wrong about your move, you could wind up losing more than you thought.

Ways to Use Your FSA Year-End Balance

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

Flex-spending accounts, commonly referred to as FSAs, are a great option made available in the last several years that can help you pay for out-of-pocket expenses not covered by your insurance. The tricky thing about FSAs is determining an entire year ahead of time how much of your paycheck to devote to the account. Secondly, until 2012, all FSAs were governed by a ‘use it or lose it’ law. If you didn’t use all of your funds in 2014, you couldn’t have saved it to apply to 2015 medical expenses. Thankfully, employers are now allowed to let their employees either roll over up to $500 of unused funds towards the following year, or be given a two month grace period in which to use up the remaining funds. First of all, if you don’t know already, find out the terms of your FSA so you aren’t giving money away.

With that being said, you may be sitting on a balance in your FSA that you’re not sure how to spend since you don’t have any pressing medical expenses, but don’t want to lose in the next few months. Here are a few ideas you may be able to utilize.

  • Alternative therapy

You may be surprised to know that preventative and recuperative therapies such as acupuncture and chiropractic care are usually covered under an FSA. Fields of alternative medicine which have stood the test of time and proven effective at treating and preventing physical and mental ailments are considered non-essential but validly medical expenses. If you’ve been considering one of these therapies but weren’t sure if it would be covered by your insurance, check with your FSA guidelines. These treatments are usually weekly, which can add up quickly if you’re paying out-of-pocket, so FSA fund would be put to good use.

  • Vision and Dental Care

If you’re normal insurance doesn’t cover any or all of your vision or dental expenses, consider utilizing your remaining FSA funds to get some necessary but otherwise expensive work done. Many insurances will cover your vision exam but not glasses or contacts, so FSA funds can bridge the gap for these expenses. My husband’s insurance includes an FSA, so we utilize this regularly to purchase my contacts. If you’re interested in LASIK surgery, this is also an expense not usually covered by medical but eligible under an FSA.

If you’ve neglected to get your teeth cleaned this year or need minor non-cosmetic work done, consider doing it with your remaining FSA funds. These expenses are fully eligible and you’re smile will thank you for it.

  • Physicals and Screenings

Some insurance don’t cover annual physicals, cancer screenings, or other preventative and early-detection checkups. What better way to end the year than to get checked out head to toe and be certain of a clean bill of health going into the next year?

  • Miscellaneous Medical Expenses

You might be surprised by what else your FSA covers, so become familiar with it and take as much advantage of it as possible. For instance, if you regularly purchase medically-related supplies such as particular supplements you doctor recommends, you can submit them to your flex spending. This is why it’s important to keep all receipts related to health needs for particular events over the year, as well as routine purchases. While some expenses may not qualify, it doesn’t hurt to ask or just submit them.

Whatever you end up using your FSA for, don’t let it go to waste. Even if you’re in good health, there are plenty of qualifying uses for these funds that will put you in better health and prevent bigger problems. Finally, evaluate what you spent this year and keep it in mind when you determine next year’s FSA amount to keep it as close as possible to what you plan on spending.

Ways to Make Money with Your Smart Phone

by Miranda Marquit · 0 comments

The smart phone is rarely thought of as part of a frugal lifestyle. After all, many smart phone plans are expensive. But what if you could pay for your smart phone by using your smart phone carefully? If you want to take advantage of that, and make a little money to boot, here are four free apps that can help you make a little cash on the side with your smart phone.

1. PerkTV

If you want to earn points that can be redeemed for cool things, you can download PerkTV. You can watch video on your smart phone, and earn points no matter where you are. The points can then be redeemed for gift cards and different retailers, from restaurants to clothing stores. You can even get gift cards to popular online shopping sites like Overstock.

2. mPoints

There are literally a ton of different apps that run the mPoints system. Each app is a little different, but they all reward you for doing certain actions. One, Nexercise, give you mPoints for doing exercises such as playing tennis. Others, like the Dictionary app, will reward you just for looking up definitions of words. Then you can use these points to redeem gift cards.

3. ibotta

One of the hottest free apps for your smart phone is ibotta. Not only can you find great deals and discounts with ibotta, and scan items to find the best prices, but you can also earn cash. In fact, ibotta is great for rebates on every day purchases. You can easily manage your rebates with the help of ibotta, including redeeming them immediately, as long as you can snap a picture of your receipt. Not only that, but you can get better rebates just for completing other fun tasks. It takes mobile shopping to the next level, providing you with a quick and easy way to get cash back. And ibotta deals in cash. You can have your earnings transferred to PayPal or Venmo when you reach a $10 level, or you can choose from gift cards.

4. shopkick

If you want to earn a little extra cash just for walking into a store, you can download the shopkick app to your phone. You can use shopkick to find good deals and discounts when you come into a store, and it can also be used to help you earn rewards points that you can use for gift cards. You get points when you go into a store, and you also receive points when you scan items, and when you purchase them. As a result, you can end up with points that can allow you to get great gift cards.

All of these apps reward you for using the apps. If you plan things right with your smart phone, you could recoup the monthly cost of your smart phone just with these apps.

Observations of a Black Friday retail worker: are you a courteous shopper?

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

I don’t always feel the need to point out that I work in retail, but there are many times the experiences and perspectives of this aspect of the seller/consumer relationship provide insight into events such as Black Friday and the launch of the holiday shopping season. One of the major things I noticed yesterday was the various attitudes and personas of the shoppers I encountered. I had substantial opportunity to simply observe people in the shopping environment, in addition to my interactions with them directly. Here are a few of the insights I had, and how they apply to your end of the spectrum as a consumer and shopper, especially during the biggest shopping season of the year.

The Strategic Shopper
I was quietly amused by my observations of people’s Black Friday ‘shopping game plan.’  While many people dashed around haphazardly with no apparent plan or real strategy for saving time, energy, or money, there were many whose calculated and deliberate actions were akin to a military effort. Divide and conquer techniques were a popular strategy for those who had brought reinforcements of family members (even children). While sales started at 6pm, many of these shoppers were in the stores many hours before, scoping out the layout and making a mental (or even literal, I imagine) map of the items they wanted to snag. These shoppers carried sales ads with them and were not afraid to stop and ask questions of where lines started, what times sales prices activated, and whether their logistical plans were valid. These shoppers carried a look of determination, but because they had a plan, were considerably less rushed and flustered than the people who didn’t. I think this type of shopper is to be both admired and emulated. Getting the best deals in the most efficient manner is a skill that takes patience and planning. As long as strategic shoppers maintain courtesy towards other shoppers, this is the best approach.

The Tentative Shopper
It could be argued that tentative shoppers aren’t that concerned with getting the best deals, but as one of these myself, I would counter that the fear of becoming obnoxious is greater than the desire to snag a deal. At the end of the day, we’ll get what we want and go home. I we don’t, it’s not the end of the world! The tentative shopper is not necessarily lacking in a strategy (although not as developed in strategy as the true strategic shopper), just not as rigidly committed to it if delayed or counteracted in some way. I saw tentative shoppers looming a few steps away from displays, calmly observing the crazy people who nearly laid their entire bodies over the desired merchandise before the sales started. These, by far, were the most pleasant people to deal with, and the ones I was most willing and interested in helping. Although they are the most pleasant type of customer for retailers to encounter, their lack of tenacity and ability to speak up for themselves often means the sacrifice of the best deals or the desired items. The final type, the aggressive shopper, is usually the obstacle between the tentative shopper and shopping success.

The Aggressive Shopper
The most notorious type of shopper on Black Friday is the aggressive shopper. These types figuratively and literally walk over other customers to get what they want. They may or may not also be strategic shoppers. You can be both haphazard and aggressive! These are the nightmare of retail workers — arguing, pushing, causing fights, and doing whatever they can to get what they want, whether or not they are entitled to it. While these shoppers do many times snag the best deals and end up with the most financial savings, you have to ask the question…at what cost? I would advise anyone who feels themselves getting too keyed up about shopping to reevaluate what’s really important in life — treating people courteously, or getting stuff?

The concluding question is simple: which type of holiday shopper are you? Regardless of your strategy or style, are you courteous? Next time you shop, consider these observations from someone on the other side of the counter.

Consumers Appear Ready to Ramp Up Their Spending for the Holidays

by Miranda Marquit · 0 comments

In the years immediately following the financial crisis of 2008, many consumers cut back their spending. It became fashionable to be frugal, and many people began changing their financial habits in order to reduce their spending. There was a lot of focus on becoming less of a consumerist society.

Now, though, six years on, a lot of that is wearing off. Many consumers used to be wary of credit cards and credit card spending, but that isn’t so much the case anymore. According to a recent survey from TransUnion, 82 percent of credit card holders in America plan to spend as much or more on holiday gifts this season as compared to last year.

How Do You Spend on Holiday Gifts?

In years past, consumers said that they planned to cut back on spending. There was emphasis on frugal gift-giving, including homemade gifts. Now, though, it appears that credit card holders are ready to move forward with spending, and even ramp it up a little bit. The TransUnion survey finds, too, that 80 percent of credit card holders in the United States plan to use their credit cards as they spend money this holiday season.

This interesting trend is one that you should consider for yourself. What are your holiday spending plans? Do you think that you will spend as much money as you did last year? Are you planning on spending more money this year? I know that I’ll be spending a little bit more this year. I have a new nephew added to the family, so spending will be on the rise, at least for my part. But I won’t be spending more on a per-person basis than last year.

Of course, as my extended family grows, my siblings are starting to consider new ways of managing holiday gift-giving. With more children being added, we’re starting to talk about drawing names out of hats, or giving family gifts rather than individual gifts. These measures would make the holidays more affordable for everyone, and it would likely reduce what we spend on holiday gift in the future.

Could Your Holiday Shopping Impact Your Credit?

One of the issues that the TransUnion survey looks at is the fact that few consumers think about how their credit card spending during the holidays will impact their credit. Indeed, 60 percent of credit card holders don’t think about how their holiday credit card spending could cause credit problems down the road.

The biggest thing that shoppers have to worry about is the fact that increased spending during the holidays could lead to problems with credit utilization. Holiday spending could push your credit card balances closer to your limits, and that could mean long-term issues for your credit. It makes sense to consider your situation, and then make it a point to be careful about how you spend. This is especially true if you know that you will be carrying a balance. When you carry a balance closer to your limit, it can pull down your credit score. As a result, it makes sense to try to pay off your holiday shopping as quickly as possible.

Why I Think Black Friday Isn’t Here to Stay

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

It’s November, which means Thanksgiving and Black Friday are around the corner. Every year since I can remember, Black Friday has been a big deal for both retailers and consumers. For consumers, it’s a chance to experience a little excitement by getting up crazy early and joining long lines for a chance at the latest, rock-bottom-priced gadget (or infamous 500 thread-count sheets) and kick-starting their holiday shopping. And, as one of the single-highest grossing sales events of the year,  it’s termed “Black Friday” for a reason: retailers are ‘in the black.’  For many families, it’s a yearly tradition of bonding following a day of Thanksgiving; for businesses, it’s a yearly event into which tremendous planning and strategy is invested with the hope of a profit and besting the competition.

Why, then, with how securely it seems to be rooted into our culture and economy, do I think it will soon be a thing of the past?

The Rise of ‘Black Thursday’
In the last two years, major retailers have given into what they report as pressure from consumers to open their doors earlier than 5am on Black Friday. Last year, many doors opened at 6, 8, or 10pm on Thanksgiving Day. Their reasoning was that families, full from their turkey dinner, would appreciate the opportunity to shop in the evening instead of early morning (targeting night owls instead of the notorious Black Friday early birds).  In spite of a minor boycott movement which protested the encroachment of  consumerism on a ‘sacred’ American holiday, thousands across the country showed up for Thanksgiving sales just as eagerly as they did for Black Friday, proving that market research was right on. Another reason for the ‘staged’ release of sales over several hours is an increased emphasis on customer safety after a fatal trampling in New York a few years back. Staging sales events thins out customer traffic and keeps it moving smoothly, decreasing the dangers of crowding or fights.

Again this year, ‘Black Thursday’ has launched some people into throws of protest and many into throws of ecstasy at being able to eat their turkey and shop, too. But what does this mean for Black Friday?

A Skeleton of Its Former Self
While most retailers still incorporate Black Friday deals into a massive two-day event, Friday sales aren’t likely to be as spectacular or as sought-after as Thursday ones. What, in previous years, was sold in the ‘day after Black Friday’ event is now being featured on Black Friday.  Consumers who prefer not to shop on Thursday in favor of the traditional Black Friday experience may discover the deals to be surprisingly lack-luster. It’s easy, from the trend of the last two years, to assume that Black Friday might be phasing out in favor of Thanksgiving sales. But wait — it doesn’t stop there.

Pre-Black Friday Events
What is the next logical step in the progression of increasingly competitive and impatient retailers/consumers? Pre-Black Friday. While its beginnings appear humble, it wouldn’t surprise me if this trend becomes the compromise between those who protest ‘Black Thursday’ and the demand for a one-day major sale tradition. My prediction is that with the increase of competition among retailers, soon there will no recognizable Black Friday event, but a series of spaced-out sales.

Cyber Monday and Online Shopping
Cyber Monday is a more recent phenomenon than Black Friday that has caught on as many consumers trend to shopping more online than in stores. Not only aren’t there long lines online; you can be more certain of getting exactly the item/size/quantity you want without making a trip out into the cold. Most Black Friday and Thanksgiving Day deals are also fully available online, with the understanding that time limits apply just as in stores. For those who don’t enjoy the crowds, online holiday shopping can save money by decreasing impulse buys and eliminating travel expenses. Personally, this is how I plan to do most of my shopping this holiday season. What about you?

Spend Smart on Jewelry at Any Price Point

by Gina Blitstein · 0 comments

Jewelry is an investment, regardless of your accessory-buying budget. Whether you buy fashionable costume jewelry to coordinate with your wardrobe or invest in timeless pieces of fine jewelry, your dollars should be spent with ample consideration. No matter your jewelry preferences or financial circumstances it’s best to buy pieces that serve their purpose well, get worn regularly and look great on you. Otherwise, no matter how much you pay, it’s money wasted.

General Jewelry-Buying Guidelines

When purchasing jewelry, regardless of price point, consider:

Your jewelry as a “wardrobe” – Think of your jewelry collection as a, “work in progress.” Begin with basic, classic pieces in plain metals, neutrals and colors you wear often. Build your wardrobe over time, gradually adding pieces to fill in the gaps. It’s better to have something, “plain,” yet appropriate, for a variety of occasions than to have only one “mood” represented.

Quality over quantity – Even when you buy costume jewelry, buy the best quality you can afford. Look for construction details that demonstrate that the piece will be durable and retain its attractiveness.

Versatility – Look for pieces that can be worn in casual as well as more formal situations. Pieces that are all one or the other will sit, unworn, for long periods of time.

Your lifestyle – Choose jewelry that fits your lifestyle. Dainty, fragile pieces may be unsuitable if you live a very active, physical lifestyle.

Pieces that fit you as you are:

  • Coloring- Determine whether you look best in gold- or silver-toned jewelry, based upon your skin tone.
  • Face shape – To accentuate the shape of your face, match the shape of your jewelry to it. To detract from your face shape, wear jewelry that’s opposite your face shape.
  • Accentuate your assets – Wear bright and/or light-colored jewelry on those areas to which you want attention (and eyes) drawn.
  • Scale – Match the size of your jewelry to the scale of your body. Large pieces will dwarf a small frame; petite pieces will be lost on a larger one.

Once you have a strong jewelry foundation of basics, you can build upon it, incorporating more of your personal style, preferred colors, favorite materials and individualized fashion elements.

Understanding the Terminology of Fine Metals

When considering a piece of jewelry in a fine metal, like gold or silver, it’s important to understand what you’re actually getting:

Gold – Pure gold is 24 karat (k) and is too soft for jewelry-making purposes. It’s mixed with other metals, to strengthen it enough to make jewelry, creating an alloy. When 10k of 24k gold is replaced by other metals, 14k gold is created. A more economical alternative to 14k gold is 10k gold, which contains more metals, making it even more durable and only slightly less brilliant. “White gold” is the same 14k or 10k gold mixed with nickel and zinc and coated in rhodium for a whiter appearance.

Silver – Pure (fine) silver, is soft and easily damaged; it’s usually combined with other metals to make it durable for jewelry-making. “Sterling silver” is commonly used for jewelry, and consists of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.

Plate – Because precious metals are expensive, a more affordable solution to enjoy their beauty and brilliance is to plate – or coat – common metals with a layer of gold or silver. If cared for properly, plated jewelry can last and retain its beauty for a long time.

By knowing what comprises good quality jewelry and how to choose what suits you best, you’ll be able to build a gorgeous, functional wardrobe of pieces that will enhance your appearance without frivolous or wasteful spending.

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