Are ambitious men in danger of extinction?
Posted by: chiconomics101 on: November 23, 2009
This morning I was flipping through magazines at the gym, desperately trying to find something entertaining to keep my mind off the repetitiveness of the elliptical machine, when I came across an article in Women’s Health called “Dwindling Alpha Males” by Grant Stoddard. After skimming the article, the first thought that popped into my head was what a fabulous follow-up to my earlier post on the ‘Golden Rule’ and yet another reason why us girls need to start making financial independence and responsibility a top priority.
Stoddard begins, “having a penis used to mean something,” and then goes on to provide a brief historical summary of the biological and societal reasons why men have always held a dominant position in society…until now.
His article raises a very interesting and relevant question: can society handle the diminishment of the Alpha Male? And what do these changes mean for us as women?
First of all, it means that unfortunately our chances of finding an educated, financially stable man are declining – and that financial independence is more important than ever. As Stoddard points out, women earn a greater share of high school diplomas as well as associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, while significantly fewer men enroll in college than women, and an even smaller percentage graduate.
Stoddard suggests however, that this doesn’t mean that we are all destined to either be lonely or settle. Instead, this shift in ambition may actually result in the “return to gender equilibrium” – or interdependence between men and women – which he argues existed before society became centered on a wage economy, when women were responsible for gathering food, while men were the primary defenders of the home.
Imagine what would
happen if men took care of the house while the women went to work? I can see all of those dirty dishes piling up and the kids being taught to sweep the trash under the carpet….yuck.
Clearly this is not what Stoddard envisions, but maybe he brings up a good point…Is it possible that machismo holds an irreplaceable function in society? I don’t have the answer, but I do believe that the diminishment of the “Alpha Male” mentality can have a positive impact on our romantic relationships. That it will mean basing our partners not on earning power, but on reliability, generosity, kindness, and most importantly how well they compliment our individual personalities in a loving relationship.
What do you think? Leave your comments below.
Keep that holiday spirit going: host a leftovers party
Posted by: chiconomics101 on: November 19, 2009
- In: party ideas | save money | Uncategorized
- 2 Comments
Every season I tell myself this is going to be the year that I will finally host a holiday party, and every year I find some excuse – usually time or money related – why I can’t pull it off. Well that’s about to change…I have come up with a fun, easy and affordable solution to hosting the perfect winter solstice soiree: a leftovers party.
Everyone who has hosted a holiday event knows that you always end up spending more money than you had planned, and inevitably end up with platters of untouched food. You desperately try to pawn
off as many Tupperware containers as possible to your family and friends as they hurry out the door, but despite your best effort, you are left swimming in fruitcakes. So this year I have decided to invite some of my closest friends over the night after Christmas, and have each of them bring a left-over food or drink item from their holiday meals the night before. I am hoping this will be a quick and creative way to keep the holiday spirit going and get rid of excess holiday food (especially those tempting sweets).
All leftover ornaments and seasonal items go on sale the day after Christmas, so in order to save money and keep with the theme of the party, I will wait until the day of to buy decorations. For music, I will skip buying the latest Christmas CD, and instead tune into the customizable holiday station on Pandora, a free Internet radio service. And for entertainment, I will go into my basement and pull out some old board games leftover from when I was a kid – after all, there is no time like the holidays to unleash your inner child. Girls vs. Boys or couples Taboo is always a fan favorite.
A holiday party wouldn’t be complete without some sort of gifts exchange, but to keep it affordable, I have decided to go with a fun twist on Secret Santa that I like to call “Gifts you never knew you always wanted.” Each guest will bring the silliest gag gift (wrapped) he or she can find for under $15 dollars (one gift for ever
yone attending). As guests arrive, I will place the gifts in one central location, and have them choose a number out of a hat to determine who goes first. Everyone will gather around the pile, and the guest with number 1 will select the gift of his/her choosing and unwrap it. Guest number 2 then will have the option to pick a mystery present from the pile, or to steal number 1’s gift. If number 2 takes the gift from number 1, number 1 will then pick a new gift from the pile. This will continue until the person with the highest number either grabs a gift from another guest, or takes the last gift from the pile (Confused? For a more detailed explanation of the rules or other creative gift exchange ideas, click here).
Have any suggestions for fun and affordable holiday party ideas? Share them below…
Shopping responsibly: flattering is always fashionable
Posted by: chiconomics101 on: November 16, 2009
Growing up, my mother always said, “what’s in style is whatever looks best on your body.” As a stubborn twelve year-old trying to exert my independence, I paid little attention to her guidance (after all, what do parents know about looking cool?). Nine years and countless dressing rooms later, I now realize that she was trying to save me from the embarrassment I feel every time a picture of my chubby 
pre-teen self in a tight mini skirt surfaces. Although some part of me still holds her responsible for letting me out in public dressed like that, I can’t say she didn’t warn me.
What I can say is that my mother’s fashion advice unexpectedly doubles as one of the best money-saving tips a girl can get – when you stick to what looks best on you, you don’t have to worry about keeping up with the latest trends, and end up saving a lot of money. You also minimize regrettable shopping decisions – every woman has at least one outfit that is still hanging in the back of her closet with the price tags intact. The key is to buy some figure-flattering basics that every girl should own, and never underestimate the power of accessories.
According to independent fashion blogger The Budget Babe, there are seven key essentials that should make up every woman’s wardrobe: a classic white button-down shirt (V-neck for a more casual approach), a perfect pair of dark wash jeans (darker jeans are always more versatile – and flattering!), a cardigan, a little black dress, a slim skirt (pencil or A-line), a fitted blazer, and a flattering jacket (trench or pea-coat style). And that’s about it.
Now your inner stylista is probably quivering at the thought of such a “dull” selection, but if executed correctly, a practical, wallet-friendly wardrobe does not have to be boring. It just means getting a little creative and adopting a new outlook on fashion. Think of it as a challenge! Take one essential item in your closet, let’s say the white button-down, and ask yourself, “what would I do if this was the only shirt in my wardrobe? How many different ways can I wear this?”
Sheena Matheiken, founder of The Uniform Project, demonstrates that with the right mindset, you can get a lot of use out of one basic item. Sheena has pledged to wear one dress for one year as an exercise in sustainable fashion. Each day, she reinvents the dress using layers and accessories, many of which are vintage or crafted by hand, and posts a picture on her blog. Amazingly, Sheena has been able to maintain her vow, having recently announced the six-month anniversary of the project – and she has yet to repeat styles.
Just think of all the money you would save if you wore just one outfit for a whole year? Obviously most of us do not have the time, determination or desire to follow in Sheena’s footsteps, but her actions should inspire us to become financially responsible shoppers who don’t compromise on style. So next time you have the urge to go shopping, first take a peek in your own closet. Pull out something old, and figure out a creative way to revamp it into something totally new. If when you are finished, you are still not satisfied and decide to hit the racks, remember: flattering is always fashionable.
Join the conversation
Posted by: chiconomics101 on: November 11, 2009
Hi ladies! I hope you are enjoying reading Chiconomics 101 so far and have found it to be both informative and entertaining – I know I have enjoyed writing it! I just want to remind you that I welcome 
your feedback, personal experiences, and recommendations for little lifestyle changes that we can make to become more financially responsible. If you would like to comment, simply click on the link at the bottom of each post that says “Leave a Comment.” And if you just can’t get enough…click on the blue RSS button on the sidebar, and sign up to automatically receive the latest posts via email.
Help me support Dress for Success!
Posted by: chiconomics101 on: November 9, 2009
We are all familiar with the feeling you get when you wear a new outfit for the first time… the 
sidewalk becomes your runway and you feel like you can accomplish anything. Although it may seem like a petty detail in the grand scheme of things, it is obvious that clothing and confidence are inextricably linked. After all, where would Wonder Woman be without her star-spangled spankies?
Dress for Success, a non-profit organization founded in New York City in 1997, directly addresses the role fashion plays in gaining the necessary confidence for underprivileged women to become self-sufficient super heroines in their own right. Each of their clients struggles with the same basic dilemma: without a job, how can she afford a suit? But without a suit, how can she get a job? During her initial visit, each woman receives an interview-appropriate outfit and a mentor to provide career guidance. Once she finds a job, she can then return for additional clothing and accessories, providing the foundation for a professional wardrobe (which we all know is essential!). Dress for Success has helped more than 500,000 women around the world to become economically independent by providing professional attire, a network of support, and career development tools.
As chic women looking for careers of our own, I know we can empathize with Dress for Success’ mission, and luckily, the SocialVibe widget makes it easy for us to help. I encourage you to click on the icon in the sidebar and fill out a “Cup of Confidence” note that will be sent to a Dress for Success client – it only took me a minute to do! For every five notes we fill out, Coffee-Mate has pledged to sponsor four days of career guidance to underprivileged women.
Think of the impact such a small gesture can make!
The golden rule: don’t rely on a guy as your financial plan
Posted by: chiconomics101 on: November 6, 2009
We come from different backgrounds, studied different subjects in school, and will do different things with our futures, but if there is one thing we all have in common, it’s that we all secretly want to be Carrie from Sex and the City. We refer to her by her first name and reference her in casual conversation as if we actually know her. We envy her Manolo collection, daily lunch dates at the trendiest restaurants and brownstone apartment in the Upper East Side…which she somehow affords by writing one column a week for The New York Star (yea right). While we might get “carried” away (excuse the bad pun) when we look to her for bold fashion and dating insights, there is actually one very valuable lesson that she teaches us – and that’s don’t rely on a guy as your financial plan.
By the time the season finale aired in 2004, Carrie had been through her share of men. Among some of the most noteworthy were: Aidan Shaw, the rugged furniture designer who evicted her from her own apartment (which he bought during their relationship); twenty-something Sam who had yet to grow 
up; Jack Berger, the insecure author who broke up with her on a Post-It note; Bill Kelley, the politician who dumped her with the excuse that dating a sex columnist was bad for his reputation; Jeremy, her high school boyfriend turned mental patient, the Russian A.K.A Alexandr Petrovsky who she followed all the way to Paris, and of course Mr. Big. (Here is a video montage to satisfy that twinge of nostalgia that you inevitably just experienced: Sex and the City: The Relationships).
Point being – as Carrie so fabulously demonstrates – for most of us young ladies, men come and go. According to the American Sex Survey sponsored by ABC News, the average woman sleeps with 6 men in her lifetime, and a study by Women’s Health revealed that for most women the number of partners matched closely with number of relationships. So even if you think you have found your Mr. Big, it’s a good idea to maintain your financial independence.
Many young women are out earning their boyfriends these days anyways. According to eWEEK careers, salaries of full-time female employees in their 20s have surpassed those of their male colleagues in big cities like Chicago, Boston, Minneapolis, Dallas and New York. Yet with all of this success, there are still plenty of girls who think men should handle all of the finances. Cosmopolitan just featured an article about rich guys, offering tips for those girls whose long time fantasy is landing a loaded guy. The author writes, “high-income dudes (those earning $104,000 and up, as defined by the Tax Foundation Group in Washington, DC) are on our radar even more thanks to such shows as The Hills, Gossip Girl, and The Millionaire Matchmaker.” I don’t know about you, but I think Gossip Girl and The Hills is the last place I would go for serious advice about anything.
So forget Speidi, and take some advice from our favorite gal to catwalk down the streets of New York: relying on a guy as your financial plan isn’t a plan at all.
Shopping without fear of skimming
Posted by: chiconomics101 on: November 4, 2009
I enjoy shopping online now and then. If you’d consider ordering a copy of Love Actually, Celtics tickets, and a pair of cute winter boots in the past week alone an occasional indulgence. Ok. Who am I kidding? I am a complete sucker for online promotions, and Amazon’s “customers who bought this item also bought…” gets me almost every time. But according to 
a report released by the U.S. Census Bureau this year, I am not alone: online retail sales reached almost $127 billion (that’s roughly 42,300,000,000 Starbucks lattes). And a study by Consumer Reports reveals that women spend an average of 1.2 hours per week shopping online (18% of working women reported that their shopping takes place while at the office…oops!). So whether or not you share my passion for purchasing, chances are you’re also at risk of being skimmed by pesky online scammers.
According to Snopes.com, “skimming” is the collection of credit/debit card numbers and PINs for the purpose of stealing money from bank accounts. Unfortunately, all it takes is some basic tech skills and a lack of morals. In a recent study, 450,000 women claimed their credit card details were stolen online over the last year, and tens of thousands of stolen card details are being offered for sale each week on the Internet.
Turning over a new leaf, I decided to do the responsible thing, and stop by Bank of America to see what I could do to protect myself from these thieves – I certainly wasn’t about to let my fear of skimming keep me on the shopping sidelines. The teller acknowledged that this was a legitimate concern, and explained to me two free and easy options. The first option was to open a separate account specifically for online purchases and put money in as needed – that way if someone skims your details, they don’t have access to all of your savings. The second option was to enroll in their “ShopSafe” program, which is a free service that allows you to create a temporary card number each time you make an online purchase, keeping your real card information completely private. I decided to go with the first option.
Moral of the story: find out what protection your bank offers and make that small change before making your next online purchase. You deserve to be able to shop without fear of skimming.
Blogging: the new battle of the sexes
Posted by: chiconomics101 on: October 27, 2009
This morning while watching a slide on some hot new blogger in my New Media & PR class, it occurred to me that the overwhelming majority of “A-list” bloggers are men. Irked by this overt prospect of modern-day sexism, I wasted no time in pulling out my Blackberry and investigating the matter. Sure enough, I stumbled upon a blog written by Chris Garret (a guy…), which featured a recent survey that confirmed my suspicion: women make up only 33% of bloggers.
Why aren’t there more influential female bloggers?
There is no one reason to account for the lack of blogging babes. It could be seen as evidence that men still hold more power in the business world, but I would like to think that’s not the case…that there’s more to it. Maybe it’s because men are more comfortable with self-promotion (exhibit A: every frat boy you have ever met), or
that they are more willing to take risks – after all, anything you write is accessible to your professors, your boss and your future in-laws. Maybe it’s what we are blogging about…clearly what we wore today or how we decorated our room is going to appeal to fewer readers than a tech review of the newest MacBook Pro. But I think the most convincing explanation is that blogging as an outlet just doesn’t appeal to as many women. A study featured on Brian Solis’ PR 2.0 has shown that despite our petite presence on digg and the blogosphere, we rule the social media world; Facebook and Twitter are overwhelmingly run by girls. It seems that we prefer these mediums because we tend to be more relationship-oriented and they simulate sitting down and having girl time and chatting about our lives. Which raises a new question:
Are the topics and outlets we choose for our social media use preventing us from becoming competitive players in the online business world? It’s quite possible.
More and more it is becoming apparent that the bottom line of an organization – the very thing that drives and supports all of its activity – is no longer just about their ability to sell themselves to consumers, but their ability to provide valuable content and attract audiences to their online content, and blogs are a key element to accomplish that. In addition, blogging is also a great took for networking and to tell the world that you are knowledgeable and worth doing business with.
So what does this mean for us as women entering the workforce? It doesn’t mean we need to start taking every risk and sharing all of our deepest secrets with the world, but it does mean that we need to challenge ourselves to step outside our comfort zone and work to close the online gender gap. If we don’t, we will be passing up a major opportunity. On the bright side, since there are far fewer female bloggers, those of us who chose to make our voices heard will have a better chance of shining.
What’s my excuse?
Posted by: chiconomics101 on: October 22, 2009
I came up with the idea for Chiconomics 101 a few weeks ago when my grandmother flew up from Florida for a weekend visit. Almost as soon as I got her bags in the door, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a neatly paper clipped booklet of newspaper articles and coupons that she had lovingly been collecting since her last trip up north. There were the usual clippings on the dang
ers of using your cell phone while driving, rampant teenage sexuality, and the latest safety recalls on products I had never even considered buying – all of which reinforced her world view that society has hit the fan – but this time the majority of articles dealt with the state of the economy. She interrupted me as I thumbed through the articles and said, “you probably know a lot more about this stuff than I do”… but the truth was I didn’t. My grandmother grew up in a time when women went right from living with their fathers to living with their husbands – and therefore never had to be financially independent. It is no wonder that her knowledge of the economy is limited. But today not only are women running for president but also running some of the USA’s largest publicly traded companies… so what’s my excuse?
I have come to the realization that financial responsibility is like sex. Its one of those things in life that nobody actually explains to you, yet when the time comes for you to be doing it, everyone just assumes you know what you are doing. So the bad news: no one is going to hold our hands as we take on the daunting task of becoming financially savvy women. The good news: for those of us who feel confused and even embarrassed about our lack of knowledge… we are not alone, and if we learn together, we can make it fun!
Welcome to Chiconomics 101
Posted by: chiconomics101 on: October 21, 2009
Elinor Ostrom, Gina Rinehart, Sheila Bair and Suze Orman.
What does each of these women have in common? They are all extraordinary females recognized for their impact or expertise in the financial world.
What do they have to do with me? Absolutely nothing.
My name is Kira and I am a senior at Boston University’s College of Communication (a.k.a. the school of optional math). I don’t pay my own bills, I have never taken an economics class, and the thought of reading the Wall Street Journal makes my eyes glaze over. Everything I have learned about the economy, I have learned from shopping…which no doubt explai
ns the scarcity of funds in my bank account. But with graduation fast approaching, I need to start making some changes. That’s why I have created this blog – which I hope will become a resource and forum for girls like me, who are getting ready to live on their own for the first time and starting up their careers, to share experiences, learn together, and ultimately become financially responsible, independent-minded women.
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