DeDivahDeals

Fashion and Fun after Fifty

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From Purses to Portfolios – The Money School of Delaware

Two years ago I attended my first From Purses to Portfolios Conference at the Chase Center on the Riverfront sponsored by The Money School of Delaware. I was so totally impressed with this free event that when I got home I immediately sat down and wrote a blog post (click here). Ronni Cohen, Executive Director of DFLI, read that post and contacted me asking if I would consider blogging other events for The Money School.

That post also lead to me teaching blogging classes at local libraries and then last Saturday not only did I attend the 10th Anniversary From Purses to Portfolios conference, but I also presented “From Passion to Profit with a Personal Blog” and was the recipient of the “2014 Sandra A. Varano Golden Purse Award’. God is good and I am truly thankful for being afforded these wonderful opportunities.

From Purses to Portfolios

 

Purses to Portfolios is Delaware’s premier money conference and this year’s sessions included “Zero Debt” presented by award winning author and The Money Coach, Lynnette Khalfani-Cox; “Handling College Costs”, presented by CCCS of MD & DE, where I sat front row center because you know that I need all the information I can get with two sons in college.

Handling College Costs

The other sessions included: “Never Too Early; Never Too Late”, “Carpe Diem-Brewing Up Your Business”, “Passport to Prosperity”, “A Man is Not a Financial Plan”, “Kiss Your Landlord Goodbye”, “Not Your Grandmother’s Library”, “Credit Crackdown” and my session “From Passion to Profit”.

The doors opened at 8:30 a.m. and at registration everyone received a free personalized tote bag, pen and a large glossy program.  A light breakfast was available and there were exhibitor displays throughout the Riverfront Ballroom. In addition to the speaker sessions there were also breakout areas for the Delaware Library and a Credit Clinic, sponsored by TD Bank. The program was emceed by Tina Betz and both U.S. Senator Chris Coons and Governor Jack Markell spoke briefly welcoming us all to the 10th Anniversary of Purses to Portfolios.

Purses to Portfolios 10th Anniversary pics Purses to Portfolios 10th Anniversary pics Purses to Portfolios 10th Anniversary pics

A mid-day break gave participants an opportunity to grab a free bag lunch, gather information or make purchases from the exhibibtors, visit the Money Club House and meet the WIFE.ORG founders, Candice Bahr and Ginita Wall.

Purses to Portfolios 10th Anniversary pics Purses to Portfolios 10th Anniversary pics Purses to Portfolios 10th Anniversary pics

The day ended with a closing session, award presentations and fantastic Door Prizes which were donated by several sponsors including Barnes and Noble, Men’s Wearhouse, Target and Wawa.

PURSE TO PORTFOLIOS

Purses to Portfolios 10th Anniversary pics Purses to Portfolios 10th Anniversary pics

 

For me this was by far the most exciting and well attended Purses to Portfolios Conference and next year look for a name change: Passport to Prosperity: Design you own financial journey, I hope to see you there!

Purses to Portfolios 10th Anniversary pics

 FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS EVENT AND OTHER FREE FINANCIAL CLASSES OFFERED BY THE MONEY SCHOOL, PLEASE VISIT THEM @www.dfli.org

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A Green Tie Event is the fundraiser that precedes the From Purses to Portfolios conference, it too was held at the Chase Center on the 16th. Hubby and I both attended and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

The Welcome Greetings were presented by Ronni and Cher Przeomski, DFLI Board member; a testimonial by Tyreese Green, GTech Commercial & Construction Cleaning Services and awards were the highlights of the evening.  A light dinner, a Silent Auction and entertainment provided by Atiba Music made for a very relaxing evening.

Green Tie Event at the Chase Center Green Tie Event at the Chase Center Green Tie Event at the Chase Center

 

Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!

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Middletown Ranked #2 in Delaware for Young Families

Hello Friends and Happy Monday

You may or may not have heard that Middletown was recently ranked #2 behind Millsboro as the best town for young families in Delaware. The ranking came from a study conducted by NerdWallet.com, and as a resident of Middletown for the past 21 years, I was curious as to how the determination was made.

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The criteria used for this ranking were: home values, medium household incomes and growth as well as the quality of the public schools. The quality of life was also taken into consideration with Middletown being named the healthiest community by Governor Markell’s Council on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.

The medium household income in Middletown is $70,942, with an average home value of $264,000, and with the current economic development completed or underway: Amazon’s Fulfillment Center, Johnson Controls‘ expansion, Christiana Care’s Emergency Center and Westown Movies it has provided many new jobs in the state of Delaware.

 

christiana care westown movie

amazon

NerdWallet.com only used data from GreatSchools.org which uses standardized test scores in ranking schools, Appoquinimink School District ranked 8th out of 10 with Millsboro at 9th. Other areas such as a town’s accessible walkways, parks and recreation and youth sports leagues were not taken into consideration.

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As a parent that raised two sons in Middletown, I would also like to add that Middletown is a safe and racially diverse town, one that it home to very friendly people.

welcome to middletown

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National Entrepreneurship Week Delaware 2013

CELEBRATE 

National Entrepreneurship Week
Delaware 2013

CODE Conference 

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Chase Center on the Riverfront

8:00am – 2:00pm 

Thinking about starting a business? 

Already in business but looking for help? 
Want to understand social media?

   

THEN DON’T MISS THIS! 

 

Speakers   Breakout Sessions   Exhibits 
Continental Breakfast & Light Lunch 
Free Resources   Free Parking 
DOOR PRIZES 

 

FREE but REGISTRATION REQUIRED!

 Click here to register or

toll-free 877.307.6858

CODE is a state-wide coalition organized in 2007 to support the Delaware small business
 community. 
 Its mission is to guide the small business community and the public to resources,
 organizations and companies that can provide the information, skill development,
 knowledge and support needed for small business development.
CODE is a program managed by DFLI  with support from Chase
 

CODE Program 2013 FINAL


From Purses to Portfolios: Delaware Women Take Charge of Their Money

“For Women, About Women, & By Women and the Men in their lives!”

From Purses to Portfolios was a free conference presented by the Delaware Financial Literacy Institute and supported by Citi Foundation. This was the 5th year of the conference which empowers women to take charge of their financial future. Several years ago hubby and I attended a free financial program sponsored by The Money School of Delaware and the presenter was Alisha Adams, from Primerica Financial Services. She later became our financial adviser and I attended other free events, however, this was the first time at the all-day conference.

The 2012 Conference was sponsored by numerous companies including Citizens Bank, The News Journal, State Farm Insurance, United Way, Wells Fargo and others. This year’s theme was FAB – FOR women ABOUT women BY women. Women of all ages, young and old, black and white as well as more than 60 Exhibitors filled the Chase Center on the Riverfront. Some of the FAB Exhibitors included AIDS Delaware; Ardyss; Bank of America; City of Wilmington; Declutter Enterprise, LLC; Delaware Hospice; Easter Seals; Dollar Build; Garages Aux Trois; Goodwill of DE; Mary Kay; SCORE Delaware; Primerica Financial Services; Senior Helpers; Stop The Violence; Wilmington Women in Business;Tastefully Simple and YWCA DE Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship.

Arriving early Saturday morning waiting outside for the 8:30 opening, I stood in line and socialized with a variety of women all there with a common goal – to become more financially literate. Upon entering we received a program, a name badge, two tickets for lunch/beverages and a cute pink leopard print tote in exchange for completing a demographics survey form. After having a cup of coffee and muffin, I walked up and down “Women’s Biz Boulevard” checking out the vendors, filling out forms, taking pictures and exchanging business cards. Later on I met up with my girlfriends and we walked, talked, and then attended the opening session with the key note speaker Mary Caraccioli, The Money Confidante. State Treasure, Chip Flowers and New Castle County President, Tom Kovach spoke for a few minutes as did Governor Jack Markell who almost didn’t make it due to state preparations for Hurricane Sandy.

The Money School of Delaware

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There were four seminars from which to choose for the morning and afternoon sessions. We chose, Perfect Credit:7 Steps to a Great Credit Rating. Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, a personal financial expert and a NY Times bestseller talked about credit; credit repair; credit scores; rules and regulations; how credit scores affect interest rates on loans as well as insurance rates; jobs and employment.  The seminar was very informative and there was ample time for audience questions.

For perfect credit follow these 7 rules:

PULL your credit report regularly
EXAMINE your credit report carefully
REDUCE debt and manage bills wisely
FIX errors to protect your credit
ENHANCE credit file regularly
CONTACT creditors and negotiate
TAKE time educate yourself and reevaluate

For more information check out her blog at @askthemoneycoach.com

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Bag lunches were provided and the choices were either a Turkey Sandwich or Vegetarian Wrap, both included a packaged cookie and apple, I chose the wrap which was fresh and delicious!

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After lunch we walked “Women’s Biz Boulevard” gathering information from the FAB exhibitors, stopping to test products, enter drawings and purchase raffle tickets.

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The afternoon session began at 2:00, and we chose to attend “Retirement:Never Too Early, Never Too Late” sponsored by AARP, and presented by Jean Setzfand, VP of Financial Security. I learned more about retirement funds as well as Social Security benefits and of making wise financial decisions that will affect me in my golden years. I also learned that AARP uses Linkedin to identify and promote the best companies for it’s members, currently at 152. I will definitely enroll the next time I get the application in the mail – lol!

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The day ended with a Recognition Ceremony, Closing Remarks and Door Prizes which included items donated by Big Fish Grill; Brew HaHa; Citi; Delaware Art Museum; Hagley Museum; Star Nails & Spa; Trader Joe’s and WAWA as well as new Michael Kors and Coach purses provided by Mrs. Carper and First Lady Markell.  None of  us won a door prize, however, we did win additional knowledge that will assist in making wise financial decisions and having me think twice before purchasing that next pair of shoes!

Thank you Delaware for a great “Girlfriend Day Out” and I look forward to the 2013 Conference.

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