Lifestyle & Experience

Hello, my name is Corin and I haven’t saved a dime in a whole year.

I think it’s about time I come clean here. I know I claim to be the Original Budget Babe and all, but 2020 was a tough year for me! If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen a live I did on the Creatively Corin story. Go watch it if you haven’t! But to summarize, I lost my dream job at the height of the pandemic and the future that I had been saving for took a major detour. I was at a crossroads in my career, and thus, Creatively Corin was born.

But that’s not what we’re here to talk about today. You see, prior to the layoff, I was stacking checks like no tomorrow. Every pay period, I’d save all but $500 and use that to pay my bills and live on until the next pay day. This method helped me save over five figures FAST. There was something deeply satisfying about watching my bank account grow practically overnight! But with the layoff, saving came to an abrupt halt. Even though I found employment elsewhere, I was making less than half of what I’d made at my “big girl job”, so I thought “what’s the point in saving?”. That, babes, is where I messed up. So here I am 6 months and 2 jobs later, logging into my savings account and realizing I’m in the exact same place I was last year. Talk about defeating.

Even though I’m not proud of neglecting my savings for a year, I’ve decided not to beat myself up about it. 2020 was a wild ride, and staying well was an accomplishment in itself. Plus, not saving and going into debt are two COMPLETELY different things. Through it all, I was always able to stay in the black. But now that I’m stating with a clean slate, I’m deeming this month #MoneyMarch and I’m taking control of my finances again in 3 simple ways- thoughtful budgeting, conscious spending, and disciplined saving.

Thoughtful Budgeting

I know that most people are afraid of the “b word” but a healthy financial life starts with thoughtful budgeting. Budgeting can be intimidating, because it is usually associated with restriction. I am here to tell you it does not have to be overly limiting. Instead of a setting a strict budget that you won’t be able to stick to, start modestly. Really think about how much your expenses are and what luxuries you simply can’t live without, and budget accordingly.

Conscious Spending

In my opinion, monitoring spending is even harder than budgeting! Once you decide how much you’ll allow yourself to spend over a given period of time, you have to be conscious about how you allocate your spending money. You’ll probably find you spend a lot of money unconsciously- on fast food or impulse shopping. Curbing these habits will help you make the most of your spending money, and you’ll realize adhering to a spending budget isn’t so bad after all!

Disciplined Saving

Once you are aware of your spending and committed to a reasonable budget, it will be easier to save consistently. You should find you have more money “left over” and saving it will be the obvious answer. Soon enough, saving will come to you as second nature!

Does all this sound pretty reasonable to you? Are you ready to join me in taking control of your finances? Have you committed to building the bougie lifestyle within a budget that you’ve always dreamed of?

Ok, I know you’re hype now, but still not exactly sure where to start? No worries! I put together a guide to help kickstart your Money March with ease!

Prudently,

Blogmas 2020 Day 12

I know we’ve all been conditioned to think that re-gifting is tacky, but there’s a right way to do everything! As you assess your holiday gift roundup, there may be duplicated/similar items, things that are not your size, or style. All these things are definitely eligible for re-gifting, especially if you want to remain bougie on a budget and avoid the hassle of returning.

Here are my top 5 tips for seamlessly re-gifting without being tacky:

1. Be selective about the items you re-gift. Everything is not eligible for re-gifting! If you received an all around trash gift (like a Chia Pet, for example) just cut your losses and toss it! But if the gift is new (unopened/ unused) and on-trend, and just happens to be the wrong size (or not your style) then I’d say go for it!
2. Don’t re-gift within the same group. This should go without saying, but don’t re-gift a sweater from your mom to your sister. Not only will you sister know it wasn’t originally purchased for her, but you’ll run the risk of offending your mother as well. It’s best to re-gift in different groups so no one is offended.
3. Be intentional about re-gifting. You should take the same care when re-gifting as you would buying a gift. When you select someone to re-gift an item to, it should be because they would appreciate the gift more than you do. If you automatically think of someone else when you receive it, that’s the person it should go to!
4. Change the packaging. I know this seems obvious, but don’t re-gift the item in the same packaging you received it in! Chances are you’ll be gifting for a different occasion anyway, so make sure to re-wrap or re-bag the item nicely for it’s next owner.
5. Don’t make re-gifting a habit. While I want to remove the stigma from re-gifting, don’t walk into every occasion looking for a gift to give away! Re-gifting should be done sparingly, and as mentioned before, intentionally.

Re-gifting doesn’t have to be tasteless or offensive. In fact, intentional re-gifting can be a useful tool to stay bougie on a budget. I hope these tips can help you find a great new home for some of your misplaced Christmas gifts and keep you within your budget for future occasions!

Thoughtfully,

Blogmas 2020 Day 9

As everyone knows, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we celebrate the holiday season this year. While not celebrating as usual can be disheartening, we don’t have to neglect all of our favorite holiday pastimes! Every year I look forward to exploring the Atlanta Botanical Gardens during their seasonal Garden Lights, Holiday Nights show, and this year will be no different! In fact, this mostly outdoor garden and light show is super social-distance and mask friendly, making it the perfect COVID activity!

For those who aren’t native to Atlanta, ABG is definitely a must to visit at any time of the year. It is filled with exotic flowers, plants, and ornate sculptures that are absolutely breathtaking. At Christmastime, the garden is donned with lights, making it even more magical.

To best enjoy your evening at Garden Lights, Holiday Nights during this pandemic, I have the following tips:

• Layer up! Be sure to dress warmly in a coat, hat, scarf, and gloves. And please don’t forget your mask! You won’t be admitted without it.
• Plan Ahead. Give yourself at least an hour to stroll in the garden. If you’re visiting with children, I’d suggest an hour and a half, to account for restroom breaks, photo opps, and the constant “oohs” and “aahs”.
  • Bougie on a Budget Tip: Plan your visit on one of the park’s “value nights” for half the price!
• Take a Break! Stop at the concession booths for a snack! I’ve never had better hot apple cider than at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. And that’s a fact.
• Stop and Smell the Roses! Unless you’re a professional, its extremely difficult to capture the full essence of the garden’s beauty on camera. Don’t get too caught up in taking an Instagram-worthy picture. It’ll ruin the fun!

Follow me on Instagram and tune into my highlights for a peek into this year’s visit to the Gardens! In the meantime, here are a few of my favorite sights from years past!

Delightfully,

Atlanta Black Restaurant Week has arrived, which means I can eat until I burst #fortheculture! I always try to frequent Black-owned restaurants, so I’m really excited about the attention they’ve been getting lately. For those who may be new to the area, or just visiting, I wanted to come up with a couple days worth of restaurant suggestions for next time you want to dine out in Atlanta!

Day 1

Breakfast- Atlanta Breakfast Club

The first stop is a popular spot for Atlanta locals and tourists alike. Located in heart of the city, Atlanta Breakfast Club (affectionately called ABC) provides southern fare in a cozy diner-like environment. One of my favorite menu items at ABC is the Peach Cobbler French Toast (pictured below). They also serve pancakes as big as your face! Pro Tip: If you choose to dine in, get there early (they open at 6:30am) and park at a nearby apartment complex. It’s free, and quick walk to the restaurant.

Lunch- Slim & Husky’s

Slim & Husky’s is a pizza parlor with pizzazz! Pizzas here are made to order. The menu includes preset recipes and tons of toppings to build your own pizza as well. Make sure to pack your sweet tooth too- S&H is also known for their awesome cinnamon rolls!

Aside from the food, one of my favorite things about Slim and Husky’s is the atmosphere- it’s so fun and vibrant! They had a very talented artist paint some of the most well-known Atlanta celebrities as superheroes, and I don’t think I’ve seen anything cooler!

Dinner- Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Bar

Ms. Icey’s is hands down one of my favorite places to eat in the Atlanta area. It’s technically in Decatur, but I couldn’t possibly withhold this treasure from you all! From the sights of graffiti murals on the walls, to the sweet sounds of hip hop and R&B from the DJ, and the smells of Southern- Caribbean fusion dishes, the vibe is simply unmatched. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but my favorites are the Blackened Chicken Pasta and Grandma’s Oxtail. And please don’t leave Ms. Icey’s without a homemade dessert or a curated cocktail! You won’t be disappointed!

Day 2

Breakfast- Milk and Honey

Tucked away on the Westside of Atlanta, Milk and Honey is a hidden gem. It’s the perfect spot for a quick meal with substance. And the best part- they serve brunch all day, seven days a week! If you’re anything like me, that is music to your ears! An order of Deep Fried Salmon Hash and a 1/2 Red Velvet, 1/2 Key Lime Waffle is my go-to, but their menu is huge! There’s always something new to enjoy at Milk and Honey.

Lunch- Slutty Vegan

Even if you’re not local to Atlanta, you’ve probably heard of this trendy “vegan junk food” eatery! Famous for the long lines and their iconic menu item names, Slutty Vegan has quickly become a staple on the Atlanta food scene, and rightfully so! Even the most particular carnivore will be amazed at how delicious a vegan burger can be! Pro Tip: There is no parking or seating at Slutty Vegan, so ordering on an app would be your best bet. You’ll save yourself an insane wait in line, and enjoy the food much more.

Dinner- Old Lady Gang

If you’re hungry for a quintessential soul food meal, look no further. OLG is your place! Fried chicken, collard greens, and mac and cheese is a southern staple, and my suggestion for a first visit to Old Lady Gang. And don’t skimp on the appetizers, either. The fried deviled eggs are a best-seller for reason! Once you taste the classics, you’ll definitely be back!

Atlanta has so much to offer, and our rich Black History and culture is displayed in all the Black businesses in the city. The restaurants in particular, tell a special story. This is by no means an exhaustive list of Black-owned restaurants in Atlanta, so be sure to check on my Instagram for more of my favorite Black restaurants!

Hungrily,