We’ve heard the stories of how giving to others makes you happier. True stuff. Give an item, give your time, give your skills. Your heart will expand ten-fold and that thing that’s been eating you up inside, you’ll realize — not that important in the grand scheme of things. Sometimes we forget to give Read more…
This is a Guest Post by a gal I met through one of my entrepreneur groups. She put a big, hairy idea out there and then all of a sudden, it wasn’t an idea anymore. It was an actual thing. Over my twelve years of self-employment, I see over and over people wanting to _______, Read more…
This is a Guest Post by Kelly Dilbeck. Often I’ll wax poetically my Guest Poster and then add a wee bit more wax. I’m not going to do that here. Her words and images below speak for themselves. All you need to know about Kelly: she’s the most generous person I know — with her time, her Read more…
Photo via The Embassy Network For the past few years, I’ve experienced a mass exodus of Chicagoans for other zip codes. Whenever people leave me (sniff), they inevitably ask: “Do you do Mac & Cheese in (insert place they’re heading)? If not, do you know of like-minded organizations? I’d love to meet new people, find my Read more…
Crossrhodes in Evanston (I know, I know, it’s not the city) I love getting asked about my dear city! And people do, often. So in Saya-Fashion, for ease and efficiency and because who doesn’t love a list?!, I’ve compiled some of my recommendations in list form. You can see some of my other lists on my Read more…
This Guest Post is by one of my favoritest people, Kate Buckner. I’ll let her share the story of how we met. What I want to share is how straight away I admired her vision and attention to detail, was impressed with her willingness to admit and embrace “flaws”, and immensely enjoyed her infectious curiosity and warmth, all Read more…
Best Friend is a numbers guru. Besides being the Director of Financial Aid at University of Chicago’s business school, he has spreadsheet upon spreadsheet of budgets and projections and all the boring, I mean IMPORTANT, stuff. I asked him recently about one of his favorite financial blogs. “I don’t need to read that anymore, I’ve got a Mallman.” WE LOVE OUR MALLMAN! Aka our Financial Planner. We had a Hangouts call with her last night and it was THE most informative, fun, easy to understand, thought-out conversation I’ve ever had about finances. Who says financial conversations are FUN?!?!? This is a Saya, Best Friend, Mac & Cheese Productions, & TeamPete HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION OF ALL RECOMMENDATIONS. Anyone who’d use our stupid #petaya hastag on the cover of our very serious Financial Plan is someone I want to work with. Anyone who’d share with potential clients her dedicated volunteerism, her journey as a caregiver for her terminally-ill mother, and a silly photo of herself accompanied by a terrible pun is someone I want to work with. Leslie is the best combination of skills and smarts, down to earthness and honesty, fun and kind-heartedness. Her credentials: – MBA from University of Chicago Booth Business School – CFP® designation (recognized as the highest standard in the industry) – years of working at financial advising firms before going out on her own – went to a preschool called ‘Cornflakes’ (I mean, c’mon!) Would you like assistance in any of the below areas? – Determine your financial goals – Create a budget designed to help you reach your goals – Invest your savings in order to achieve your goals – Plan for retirement, college savings for children, or financial independence – Review of employee benefits to ensure you are maximizing what is available to you – Assess how much to spend on a new home – Combine finances with your partner, taking into account your thoughts on your current and future earnings and savings – Assessment of current insurance coverage compared to full insurance needs – Discuss the need for wills and living wills – Build an emergency fund – Socially responsible investing Contact Leslie of Grove. She will get you on track and make you feel like an adult. EVERYONE NEEDS A MALLMAN! Her website.
I get asked all the time for, and love sharing, recommendations — travel, accountant, photographer, venue, tech tools, groups to join, activities to do, office equipment, people to connect with. You name it. You can see many of my referrals on my FAQ page. In-depth travel posts are on my blog. I haven’t really done gift Read more…
Note: Kitchfix used to be CJK Foods, so if you see mention of the latter, that’s why. They’ve transitioned most of their stuff but still a work in progress. They’ve also switched packaging, using containers you can throw in the oven or microwave and that come wrapped in instructions, as opposed to getting a sheet of Read more…
**If you have your images turned off or are reading this in an RSS feed, you may want to head to the actual blog to see the pretty images** UPDATE: I’ve gotten tons of inquiries about where the caricature of us below was made. Here you go! While our ridiculous wedding wish has yet to Read more…
