Sun Trust Bank has gone back to the tradition of helping consumers save money with their Live Solid concept.  They know that even a small lifestyle change helps you put money into the bank.  This is how we used to live.  Yes, we bought things after we could afford them not before. This allowed you to sleep at night and divas need their beauty sleep.

Live Solid understands that frugality does not mean deprivation. It means creativity.  It involves finding what you need at the best price.  Going to the museum on free days.  Having friends over for a book club. Or how about a movie club where you rent a movie and discuss it afterwards over a pot luck dinner.  Knowing that everything goes on sale eventually. And maybe you don’t need it anyway.

What makes life so special? A new television set, matched set of luggage, or the latest style sweater.  Wrong!  Remembering to do something we should do all year – show kindness to family, friends and especially to those less fortunate.  Generosity comes in many forms that do not include money.  We all have skills – teach someone how to bake, if you are a computer whiz show someone how to utilize all the features on their phone , if you are a great dancer take someone out who has been wanting to learn, if you are an organizer then get people together for a toy drive. 

Live Solid has apps for budgeting, swapping items that you don’t need, and figuring out how to trim the fat from your budget.  And guess what by not having so many snacks out, walking places, and being active there might be fat trimmed in other places.  That’s a win-win for every diva.

They now have a website Live Solid Network with good advice  about health costs, relationship money issues, college tuition, financial tools, and all manner of money issues.

There are people you call when you want to find the best dentist, there are people who know every historical fact. I am the person you call when you want something and you want it at the best price.

Other people can just put down their money and shop. Where is the thrill without the hunt? The hunt means that you not only got what you wanted, you got it at the right price. This involves paying attention to the rumble in the jungle. As your quarry – great shoes, the latest jacket, movie tickets, books – comes into view you start to strategically plan. Is this a store where I get double points, are we close to the final sale time, do I belong to the club, is there a coupon that will be helpful?

The Frugal Diva will help you find all the possibilities. Sometimes to maintain the diva lifestyle we need to be frugal. And please remember frugal means thrifty not cheap. It means being clever and creative so you can maximize your dollars for the good things in life.

Today we will start with something simple. There is a place with free books, free DVDs, free magazines, free books on CD, free Internet and use of reference materials. This place is called the public library.

I live in Los Angeles and the public libraries have provided me with reading material, books on CD, magazines, and fantastic DVDs. I particularly liked the Louis Malle documentaries and The Simpsons Movie.  I listened to Little Scarlet by Walter Mosley on CD during a long drive.  I looked through two months of Martha Stewart Living.  Having a problem with your Internet? Just scurry over and use the library computers to answer your email. Take a chance on a new author, catch up on classics, take out a movie, find a book on a DIY project, the possibilities are endless. Bring the kids to take out an armful of children’s books. The library is recycling at its best.

This is just the beginning. Frugal Divas Unite – we have nothing to lose and a whole lot to save!