OOH LA LA LUXE LIFESTYLE
TREAT YOURSELF LIKE A PARISIAN EVERY DAY
Ooh la la! While we can’t all wake up to the twinkle of the Eiffel Tower or stroll past a boulangerie on the way to work, we can bring a little touch of Parisian flair to our everyday lives. From savoring the simple things (like delicious croissants) to adding some je ne sais quoi to your home, you can bring the best of French lifestyle trends into your world, no matter how many miles are between you and the City of Lights. Cherish your cozy chez-soi. Most Parisian apartments are small but feel like elegant chateaus. Embrace the maximalist style and add your own unique touches to your space. Parisian home design is about developing something uniquely you and filling your space with your favorite things and comforts. Pops of color and pleasant fragrances are French staples, so add fresh flowers to your table or find candles with delightful aromas. Bonus points if the candle is a French classic like the popular Diptyque brand. Savor life’s little luxuries. In Paris, the pace moves fast, but the people live in the present, slowing down to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, such as people-watching at a café, taking a break to read, or simply
enjoying a light breeze. Savor the little things and give yourself technology breaks to enjoy the moment you are in. Luxury is synonymous with Paris, but you don’t need a huge budget to treat yourself. Instead of buying a designer handbag or Chanel suit, splurge on nicer sheets or a tasty pastry. Learn, explore, repeat often. Parisians appreciate imperfections and lead authentic lives, prioritizing joy over self-criticism. Acculturate yourself by visiting museums, enjoying art often, and staying up to date on current affairs. You want to ensure you always have something interesting to discuss at a party or gathering. In conversation, develop your own witty style, expressing your opinions clearly and inviting others to join in. You can never have too many books on the shelf because they will grow your knowledge base and are excellent conversation starters.
Don your best beret, pour yourself a café au lait, and get ready to add a little Parisian elegance to your routines.
Mini Money Masters
Big Lessons for Little Spenders
The holiday decorations have been put away, the wrapping paper has been cleaned up, and your kids have holiday money burning a hole in their pockets. It must be January! If your children are old enough to understand cause and effect, here are three practical ways you can use the money they got from loved ones this past season to teach them gentle lessons on the value of the gifts they’ve just received.
paycheck. And, of course, you could give those “withholdings” back to them at a later time or use them toward buying something they need but wouldn’t think of purchasing for themselves (such as school supplies, clothing, etc.) Teach them budget basics. Let’s say your pre-teen child received a whopping $200 in cash over the holidays. You can use that amount as an opportunity to show them just how quickly it would disappear if they had to cover their own expenses for a month. For example, they may be surprised at how quickly their video game and online movie subscriptions, as well as the cost of their lunches and clothing, really add up. Once they recover from the sticker shock, they may develop a greater appreciation for not really needing to spend their $200 on regular expenses they might have been previously unaware of or taken for granted. Allow them to ‘go broke.’ Although it doesn’t hurt to discourage your kids from making a huge impulse purchase with their holiday gift money, letting them make an unwise choice with their funds may provide them with an equally valuable lesson. If they rush into spending all their money in one place or a single purchase, they may better grasp the concept that once money is gone , it’s gone. Their disappointment in realizing their spending splurge is over before it really began may serve as the catalyst for wiser cash decisions down the road.
Tutor them on taxes.
Paying taxes is rarely a fun activity for people of any age, but it may be helpful to show your child that
not everything they’ll earn in life is theirs to keep. If they’re old enough to grasp the concept of taxes but too young for their first job, consider deducting around 20% from their holiday “earnings” for “tax purposes.” This approach may be a better way for them to understand the concept of taxation than waiting for them to be shocked
when they see all those real- world deductions on their first
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