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What or who in your life has helped you build your values, solidify your goals and how?

Growing up “not so well off” I think grounded me and made me a lot more appreciative of having the things I have acquired in my life right now. I have always worked hard and ensured a decent paycheck to not only afford the necessities in my life, but also the little luxuries. Never really looked too far in the future though and unfortunately, that has a lot to do with how I was raised. There was never a really good grasp on finances and long-term security in our household. It was more of a survival type mentality.

It was the influences of one of my uncles and later, a boss who became a great friend, that impacted how I broadened my goals to include things like investments, real estate, retirement fund, etc. It was not only what they said, but how they lived their lives that inspired me to emulate them in some way. They both had their own business which also made me realize that being your own boss a lot of times is the most rewarding and challenging path to take. They were smart about having a good balance towards savings, retirement funds, home purchases and still building the funds for travel and entertainment. I have definitely geared my goals and values to mimic theirs – the most wonderful thing for me has been having mentors and role models in my life.

When furnishing your home or apartment, have you ever purchased used furniture, garage sale pieces, or have any advice on budgeting for your home?

Furnishing your apartment can be fun whether you have money or not! It definitely taps your creative energies, and when you are on a budget, your creativity is required even more. For most of my apartments, I actually had my brother help me decorate them since he is the master treasure hunter! He can walk in to a thrift store and find the perfect addition to a wardrobe, apartment, etc. We would pick a theme and then try and find the little things to fit in, i.e. a lamp, picture, statues/figurines, etc.

Most of the actual furniture I had were given to me. Some of them you can modify to your tastes. I had some wicker couches that were given by an old co-worker; I had my mom sew covers for them to match my living room décor. If you do not have the good fortune for garage sales or hand-me-downs, then for furniture pieces, IKEA will always be a college student’s best friend. You really do not need expensive items to give your place character. Take your time, approach it with a sense of adventure and your home will come together in no time and under budget!

Summer is filled with parties, birthdays, holidays and vacations - do you have any frugal gift and vacation ideas?

Buying lots of little things is usually a good way to give gifts. When you buy ONE item, regardless of if it was $100 or $50, it’s more obvious what the price may have been. However, if you think quantity over quality, it almost seems like an optical illusion. You can buy a couple of very inexpensive things, but when you tie them together in a theme, or they are a couple of things the people wanted or needed – they are more satisfied than one expensive gift. One example, for one of our smaller anniversaries I bought my boyfriend little symbolic gifts like a Godiva chocolate bar (to represent sweetness), a prosperity candle (to encourage wealth), and a card that I pasted a poem to (to show some creativity), etc. Another example was for a little kids birthday party. I only spent $20 but it seemed way more because I bought a board game, playing cards, some puzzles, etc. all in the theme they liked: Disney Princesses and Dora.

As to vacation ideas, I am always a fan of road trips. All you spend money on is Gas. If you want to do an overnighter, find a decent motel and crash. You’re not going to spend that much time in your room anyway. You can walk the city, go to the beach, try a new restaurant, frolic in the pool if the hotel/motel has one and spend time in the park. The beauty of road trips is that you are away. Even if it is just an hour drive, it feels like an eternity at times. My favorite local road trips are Santa Barbara, San Diego and Ojai. Otherwise, just keep an eye out for Travel Deals. I just recently got an email about TravelZoo – every week, Wednesdays, they email you their Top 20 Travel Deals. It’s worth it if you are looking for impromptu, inexpensive options. http://Top20.travelzoo.com

Some books can be life-changing. What books have changed your perspective, and why would you recommend them?

Well … it depends on the topic and which area of your life it changes, but here is an abbreviated list:

The Way of the Wizard by Deepak Chopra
You Can Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay
Smart Women Finish Rich by David Bach

The first two books are very much personal development, spiritual guidance type books. But I firmly believe that if you do not work on yourself, you cannot be ready for all that life can provide you. I would definitely recommend all three, but The Way of the Wizard probably stayed with me the longest. Actually, it is high time I read it again. Some of the simplest lessons can have the greatest meanings. Once we apply those lessons to our lives, the effects can be enormous. That book beautifully combines the tale of Merlin the Wizard and young King Arthur, with a translation of the lessons Merlin was imparting on Arthur. Smart Women Finish Rich is what finally got me to become serious about my finances and the long term picture. Another one that is due for a return visit. If we do not constantly reference and apply the wisdom passed on to us by the authors of whichever book we happen to read, then we are not taking full advantage of that knowledge.