I love lists + making recommendations + making other people’s lives easier and richer + introducing people to newness. So of course this is one of my favorite posts of the year when I get to combine all of those loves into a “Here’s what/who I’m crushing on and I think you may crush on Read more…
One of my favorite things about “going out” is the potential. For new friends, clients, opportunities, laughter, exploration, (when I was single, boys that gave me butterflies). That’s why I’d rather go to an event where I know very few people. Though yes, I have to eek! go up to people and insert myself in Read more…
Adorable town! Wish we had had more time to explore outside of the city, like Tybee Island. Everyone says it’s worth the trip. A few recommendations — Friends of a friend own Green Truck Pub. Great burgers, local fare, and ambiance. “It’s a story you’ve heard before. Boy goes to school. Boy becomes fancy-pants engineer. Read more…
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.