Chic style on a budget, and a new interview

 

Hello chic friends!

Paul and I went to a special event last weekend: a gorgeous local winery called Craggy Range's 'Deep Purple' annual wine club day.

Thankfully it was a beautiful day for all the people who travelled from out of town to attend.

Strolling among the vines, glass of wine in hand was a very pleasant way to spend the afternoon!

Of course, I wouldn't be found holding a glass of wine at 11am every Saturday, but once a year is okay, surely?

~~

I am thrilled to share with you a podcast interview I recorded, with the delightful Jessica DeBry on her inspiring ‘The Author Entrepreneur Podcast’. You can listen to it here or wherever you listen to your podcasts by searching for my name 'fiona ferris'.

 

 

I had such a great conversation with Jessica. She has a beautiful way of interviewing, and I didn’t even feel ‘that’ nervous 😊 Because it is nerve-wracking talking on a podcast, or maybe it’s just me!

I hope you enjoy our chat, and it’s especially for you if you’ve ever dreamed of writing a book. Please let me know what you think of it once you’ve had a listen!

~~

 

I am currently re-recording the audiobook of ‘100 Ways to be That Girl’ myself due to overwhelming feedback that very few listeners actually enjoyed the narrator I chose. This was when I was just starting out in audiobooks and thought a professional narrator would be the best choice.

 

 

I chose her from a small group I’d selected, and she wasn’t cheap either (fair enough too, I was happy to pay, but it turns out you’d rather hear me narrate my books). Oh well, lesson learned! But I wanted to let you know a new version is on its way 😊

 

~~

 

This week I’m up to my final reader question for the Q&A series to celebrate the release of my newest book ‘Financially Chic Vol. 2’.

“My question is about looking chic without spending a fortune. I do love the idea of a circular economy but I don’t actually enjoy looking at the thrift stores. In the area where I live there are several stores, but the clothes are not my taste. I would like some suggestions on how to dress in a stylish manner without having to resort to a whole new wardrobe.”

I am also not someone who enjoys thrifting clothes. When I was younger I did, and I also bought thrifted fabric (even curtains!) to sew my own clothes with.

I also like to dress well without spending a lot of money. My favourite way to do this is by the classic high-low mix where you combine less expensive pieces with costlier pieces. Even my ‘costly’ clothing pieces aren’t expensive though. Where I do like to spend a little more money is on a bag or pair of sunglasses, but even then, one of my favourite pairs of sunglasses cost $15.

I think it’s about how you put outfits together more than the price of them, and also how you groom yourself, your posture, and confidence too (real or acting-as-if). When I take the time to blow-dry my hair and paint my nails (both these things cost nothing, only a little time), I feel amazing, and I do think it makes what I’m wearing look better.

I would always shop my own closet first, browsing Pinterest for ideas, or even just thinking ‘What would my capsule collection look like if I made one from my closet?’ In addition, when I clear out even a few pieces that bring me down (bad colour on me, uncomfortable fabric etc), the other pieces left in there look better.

Sometimes I’ll take everything out of my wardrobe and have just my chic and simple capsule collection hanging. It looks like a boutique! And makes the clothes I’ve used look more appealing.

I hope this has been helpful, and I also hope you have enjoyed this little Q&A series! And please feel free to add your tips if you have something to say 😊

xx Fiona

You can read Financially Chic Vol. 2 at my affiliate Amazon link here.

 

Getting ahead when you start out late

 

 Dear chic friends,

We've been having such nice weather, and I'm making the most of it. Every day or two I spend a little time in the sun, getting my vitamin D.

And all three dogs join me! They love rolling around on the grass, snoozing while I'm out there, and generally living their best life, like Chloe in this cute picture, caught mid-lick :)

~~

 

 

 

 

And welcome to another ‘Financially Chic’ reader Q&A. It’s a good one this week!

“What advice do you have for someone in midlife (50) who is just starting to get their financial life in order? Most advice seems to be for younger people who have decades to invest and save for their old age. Is it too late, is it possible? How can one still live well , when there's limited time to take advantage of things like compound interest?”

This is such a great question. I think it’s a common thing to ‘feel behind’. Of course time is helpful, as with compounding interest, but it’s not the only thing. You can start out behind people you know, and end up way ahead. I know because I’ve done it.

If I was starting out again at 50, I’d do the same as I am doing now: live as well as I can on a budget, be savvy with every dollar, and make the most of all the free things around me so that I can put my money into housing and investments. I’d start a side hustle alongside my job to bring in more money, something in line with what I enjoy doing (which is how I started writing my books).

Look at your lifestyle and what you enjoy doing, and work out ways in which to decrease costs at the same time as maintaining your level of happiness or even increase it. I truly feel more content doing simple things at home, or going for a waterfront stroll than shopping up a storm.

Also, be your own consultant. Look at your current situation as if you were advising someone else. It is VERY easy to see what needs to be done by others! That’s why there is such a proliferation of unsolicited advice around 😊

Switch up your social media, books, and YouTubers you follow, whichever apply. Find people online or in real life who are in your situation and are now thriving. If you search for them you will find them! Personally I like to follow people online because I’d feel too nosy asking people I know about money and success. And, some people who you think might be rich might just spend a lot of money on stuff, and not be rich at all. Oops!

I hope this helps, and I wish everyone a lovely weekend to come! It’s Friday night here and it’s been a productive writing week. Yay! 😊

xx Fiona

 

You can read ‘Financially Chic Vol.2 on Amazon at my affiliate link here. 

 

 

Sunny days and being 'financially chic' :)

Chloe in the foreground, Daphne in the background.

 

 

Hello chic friends!

 

We've had some lovely sunny spring weather here in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. A little breezy but still nice to get outside.

 

We took the doggies for a walk along Ahuriri beach the other day.

Daphne and Chloe hiding underneath the giant chair

Daphne and Chloe are always a little nervous, they are real homebodies like their mum.

But it's good for them to socialise every once in a while. I tell myself that too! 🤣

Look at that sky! Napier Hill is in the background

Facing towards our tiny marina

Paul and Micky: 'the boys' :)

~~

 

I received the coolest comment on my blog. I love it, and I love the turnaround for my reader too.

 

I often receive messages and emails like this, and of course I wrote the books, but the inspired actions are all yours to take the credit for.

Living a 'rich' life in a savvy way is what I'm all about, and this lovely reader has illustrated perfectly how a day can be elevated in simple but luxurious ways.

I am also a fan of taking 'portraits' on special occasions! Whether it's just Paul and I, or a group gathering, it's such a nice picture to look back on, especially since we are in our nicer outfits at the time too.

 

~~

This week was a short week because Monday was a public holiday here in New Zealand, Labour Day. Many locals went away for the weekend, and I'm sure there were plenty of out-of-town guests here for the long weekend too.

All I know is that the roads were lovely and quiet since people weren't going to or from work. The birds were the loudest thing I could hear! 😊

 

~~

 

 

 

To finish with this week, I am back with a reader question to celebrate the release of ‘Financially Chic Vol. 2’ where I invite you to send in a question – anything you are curious about on the topic of money! I love this week’s question:

“When you say ‘shut the door on debt’, does this mean you are anti-credit card?”

 

Thank you for this, lovely reader, and I am happy to clarify.

I do use a credit card for everyday expenses, however this is paid off in full every month. I have not carried a balance for years, probably decades. Credit card interest rates are horrible, well over 20% often!

If, however, I could not trust myself to be this way, I would not use a credit card at all. Just like I know I can’t have ice cream in the house and eat a little bit every now and then. I eat it until it’s gone! So I make things easy on myself and only buy ice cream when I plan to eat it, such as for a family dinner.

I do believe that paying off debt is one of the best things you can do for a healthy and happy financial future. Starting with consumer debt (such as credit cards and car loans) and then moving on to paying off your home loan as quickly as you can.

To me it’s a form of forced savings when you are focused on making extra payments or increasing your payments.

A friend told us once (and he was high up in banking so we listened to him), ‘when you don’t have debt, you have options’. And it’s true. You feel far freer when you aren’t shackled by debt payments.

I know in times of high inflation it can be hard to find extra money for higher grocery prices let alone make extra payments on debt, and at those times the focus could be on not taking on more debt while making existing payments. And find ways to make ‘cutting back’ fun and enjoyable. That’s the whole premise of this book 😊

If you have Spotify Premium, you can listen to ‘Financially Chic Vol. 2’ for free. Check to see if this is available in your country by going here to Spotify.

And you can order the eBook or paperback at my affiliate Amazon link here.

Happy weekend to you!

xx Fiona