Financial Fitness Bootcamp: Melanie Laing

Ready to get your finances in order? Join our Financial Fitness Bootcamp on January 27th to tackle those holiday bills and start your year right. Get your ticket now.

It’s officially 2018! 'Tis the season of New Year resolutions and goal setting. In 2018, the ladies of YWiB Toronto want you to be able to take control of your financials. Finance isn’t always a trendy topic, but it’s an important one for us to understand so that we’re able to achieve whatever we want in our lives.

While we understand the importance of financial literacy, we can’t pretend that it is something we’re extremely knowledgeable on. That’s why we sat down with Melanie Laing, Financial Security Advisor at Freedom 55 Financial, so we can get fresh with financials. Here’s what Melanie had to say:

1. To begin, how and why did you get involved in financial literacy?

I’ve always been driven to put myself in the best financial position possible, but despite wanting to do that, I felt totally ill equipped to handle the situation on my own after graduating university and looking to buy my first home. This is a feeling I know a lot of young people have upon leaving school. During this time, I was also planning on moving to Toronto, but the timing needed to be right and I needed to figure out what I wanted to do once getting here. I started doing my research and talking to friends and family in the financial services industry in order to understand how I can help people in my role. I guess the ‘how’ of why I got involved in financial literacy is through months of deliberation and conversations with my spouse, but the ‘why’ is driven by wanting to be a part of something that not only helps people, but equips them with the tools to make informed financial decisions in today’s economy and environment.

As young people, recent graduates, entrepreneurs, etc. we cannot rely on ‘flying by the seat of our pants’ if we want to get ahead professionally or financially, so if I can help people with their goals by explaining basic financial principles to them, that is a win for me!

2. Do you think most young people today understand financial literacy? Why do you think it’s important for young people to take this seriously?

Unfortunately, I don’t think most young people today have a good understanding of financial literacy, which, to be honest, is of no fault of their own. Apart from the way in which you ‘grew’ up with money, and how conversations were handled in your household as a kid, we are left to our own devices in trying to navigate the world of personal finance. I don’t think we can stress the importance of financial literacy enough and I hope that some of the changes made to curriculums across the country will improve the attention and knowledge of young Canadians for years to come.

That being said, for those of us who were not taught the basic principles or processes required for one to take care of their personal finances, we need to take it seriously and invest the time to learn. Young people today have to take their situation and finances seriously in order to ensure they can live the life they want to live now and in the future. An environment where the majority of people’s retirements are funded by company pensions does not exist anymore, so we need to be cognizant from a young age about what steps are going to help us.

3. What is the greatest challenge your clients (and young people in general) tend to face when it comes their finances?

I think for young people in general, the greatest challenge is the fact that change is inevitable so it’s hard to know what to do when your life is changing so rapidly and big life events are occurring (think: marriage, buying a home, starting a family, growing your career). That combined with the fact that many young people are focused on eliminating student debt and getting their careers started, it can be a challenge to consider all the other aspects of your financial plan.

4. Finally, What advice would you give to young professionals in Toronto who want to live a comfortable life that allows them to have a house, car, go on vacation, etc.?

I’d have to say two things. First, it’s okay to say ‘no.’ I think young people have a tendency to do things they don’t really want to do and spend money they shouldn’t in order to keep up with their peer group or appearances, which puts them in a stressful financial position and can compromise their ability to reach more ambitious goals. Be confident in your decisions and your plan to get there.

Second, and a common saying among the financial services industry, ‘pay yourself first.’ What I mean by this is set up a savings plan where contributions are taken from your account automatically each week, month, etc. We have an amazing ability to live off the money we ‘don’t’ have, so start thinking of your savings as an financial obligation and you will be able to accomplish some of those personal finance goals like owning a home and travelling.

If you’re looking to get your finances in order this year so you can achieve your dreams, then this workshop is for you! See you on January 27th!

Written by: Kate Taylor

Spotlight: Left Field Brewery

This fall, we began hosting monthly networking nights around Toronto giving young women in business even more of an opportunity to get together and chat in an open and inviting space.

Having worked with Left Field Brewery many times in the past, I suggested the venue as the ideal environment for the YWiB community to get together for a drink (or flight!) and some good conversation. We held our first event there in September for an intimate gathering of passion young professionals.

Established in Toronto in April 2013, Left Field Brewery is a baseball-inspired tap room, with accompanying brews. Their brand is born from a passion for craft beer and baseball, and their unique and full-flavoured beers do not disappoint.

Left Field celebrates the community in a variety of ways, from hosting pop-up shops for local restaurants, workshops with local artisans (including myself!), and collaborating with other breweries on tasty new brews.

Pictured: Our group from the October networking night

Located in the Leslieville area at 36 Wagstaff Drive, Left Field is the great place to spend an evening with a partner, friend, or any baseball and beer lover. Check out their family (and dog!) friendly Tap Room and Bottle Shop from 11am - 9pm daily. Want to learn even more? Check out their brewery tours every Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. You won’t be disappointed.

Written by: Victoria Stacey

Finding Your Winter Uniform

I feel like for most of Winter, I end up in what I would call my "winter uniform": black pants, a cute top, and some form of booties. There's nothing wrong with this look, but it can get a little bit monotonous. I start to feel like I'm in a fashion rut. So I started talking with a friend, whose style I admire, about her winter uniform. Tracey has a great aesthetic; a lot of really classically designed, neutral pieces combined with tailored silhouettes. This is almost the opposite from my style. I love color. I like exploring new and out there patterns and textures. I decided to try to dabble in a little bit of what I would call "her style" and I have to say, it was not as easy as I thought it was going to be. In this post, I'm going to talk about how to step out of your bubble and find a new winter uniform. 

The first step in changing up your winter style is identifying what your current winter wardrobe is. Do you wear a lot of chunky, oversized sweaters and riding boots? Are you constantly in dark washed jeans? Are there any items in your closet you wear excessively? As I said before, a black Ponte pant, a cute sweater, and some form of boot is my winter go-to. I can admit that I am guilty of over using this outfit. Every now and then, I might mix it up by adding a blazer or a scarf, but the key elements remain the same. 

After identifying your current style choice, the next step is to look for something outside of those bounds. What do I mean, you ask? I mean look for something different in terms of silhouette, texture, or color. For me, I always wear brightly colored tops and black skinnies, so I decided to go with a more neutral palette and joggers. By changing both the silhouette and the color scheme, this outfit is already wildly different from what I would usually wear. These differences help to push me in a new direction and to expand my fashion horizon. 

The final step in creating a new winter go-to is to pay attention to the details. Accessories matter! The winter white clutch I'm carrying with this look really compliments the silver tone of the sweater. If I had chosen a black bag or even a camel colored bag, it would not have matched as well with the mostly navy look I was going for. In turn, the metallic of the sweater pairs well with the dramatic earrings I'm wearing. The scarf matches back to the pants and the pumps in a way that ties the entire look together. Each accessory is a small portion of the entire outfit, but it is an important factor in the overall look. 

Sweater: H&M
Joggers: Asos Curve
Clutch: BCBGeneration
Pumps: Cole Haan
Scarf: Target
Earrings: Target and Forever 21

Photo credit: S. Hoffman

---

Chelsea Madkins is a shoe buyer for Dillard’s department store. On the side she runs the fashion blog, Obsessions of a Fashion Nerd. It is her goal to help women feel not only more comfortable, but more confidence in and empowered by what clothing they wear.
Follow her on Instagram: obsessionsofafashionnerd

Why You Should Stop Spending to Keep Up with the Joneses

One of the struggles I face as a blogger (*gasp*) is how to constantly come up with new content without breaking the bank. I always want to make sure I am bringing something new and exciting to my audience. In this social media obsessed day and age, it is very easy to look around and see all the things you don't have and feel discouraged. This is something that I don't think anyone is immune to.  When I look at some of my favorite bloggers, Rochelle Johnson, Gabi Gregg, and Anna Obrien it is easy to get a case of the wants. Having said that, I know that I cannot constantly be spending on clothing. It is very easy for a small shopping bug to get you into serious credit card debt. As a blogger, I have to budget for apparel like I would a business expense. So when I get the itch for something new but it is not in the budget, I turn to my closet and see what old pieces I can revamp to make feel new again. (You may remember the skirt from this post.) In this post, I am going to share five steps on how you can do the same.

5) Look at the new trends for the season and see what you are inspired by. For me, I am really loving the tapestry inspired looks and pearls. I have been seeing pearls as embellishments on shoes, apparel, and handbags. I like that both would add elements of sheen and texture to my outfits. Think about the trends you like and make sure they are things that are going to work with your overall look. It defeats the purpose if you have to buy another item just to wear whatever piece you revamp. What trends are you noticing for fall?

4) Go to your closet and look for an item that you may have once loved, but are not getting a lot of wear out of. Have you worn the item in the last four months? Could the styling of this piece work with the new trend? Is the piece very simple in its styling? Pearls are an easy trend to incorporate in an outfit; you can sew them on by hand. I scavenged mine from an old bracelet I no longer wear. The same less is more policy can work for the tapestry/embroidery look. A needle and thread will cost way less than a new skirt.

3) Develop a game plan for how to alter your forgotten favorite. For this skirt, I knew I wanted it to have a fuller body and that I wanted it to be shorter. This was simple to fix by cutting off a few inches and sewing on additional layers of tulle. I also wanted to have pearls thrown throughout the skirt in a random pattern. For this, I got a thicker thread to hand stitch the pearls on. The happenstance placement would allow the pearls to catch light throughout the skirt. 

2) Gather the supplies needed to transform your piece. For me, it was extra tulle, pearls, thread, and a pair of scissors. Be sure to check around your home for things that can be reused. Walmart and craft stores are great to load up in supplies for future projects. The point of this entire project is to make it high fashion, but keep it low budget.

1) Alter your piece. There are a ton of tutorials on YouTube if you need help. I have been blessed that my mom taught me to sew at a young age. I started by creating two tulle ruffles and sewing them onto the elastic waistband. Once I saw how long the layers were, I shortened and hemmed the original skirt to match. The pearls were hand stitched on to finish off my project. I now have a one of kind piece that not only fulfills my need for something new, but acts as a creative outlet as well.

Tank: Donna Karan
Skirt: formerly Gap
Booties: Gianni Bini, via Dillard's
Jacket: Elvi
Necklace: Creative, South on Main
Earrings: Aldo. Clutch: Aryn

Photo Credit: J. Vige

---

Chelsea Madkins is a shoe buyer for Dillard’s department store. On the side she runs the fashion blog, Obsessions of a Fashion Nerd. It is her goal to help women feel not only more comfortable, but more confidence in and empowered by what clothing they wear.
Follow her on Instagram: obsessionsofafashionnerd

Why I run (and why you should to)

I am a go-getter. I’ve worked two jobs simultaneously since the age of 18, paid for my post-secondary schooling out of pocket and went to four different countries in the span of a year (oh how I miss 2015). I work a lot. Having spent the last 6 years extending myself between two jobs and school, I’ve learned that focusing on your personal well-being is just as important, if not more so, than all of those things. 

When I started running, it was mostly for health reasons. I was overweight, eating horribly, perpetually stressed out (thanks Ryerson!), and could barely do 2 minutes without needing to stop to catch my breath. Fast forward a year later and I can run a 10K comfortably, workout regularly, and am currently training to run a marathon next spring. In the year that I have dedicated myself to running I’ve seen myself grow in ways that I could never imagine, and to my surprise, it has improved my work life tremendously.

Get uncomfortable

When I first started running I could only run for a couple minutes at a time, but after a couple weeks I was up to about 5 minutes of continuous running, then 10, then 20 and now 5K on a daily basis. Running is hard, mentally and physically, and there are times when it makes you regret all of your life decisions. But it pushes you out of your comfort zone, and that is a quality you can apply to anything in life, including work. Just remember, the end result is only great because of the struggle that came before it.

Once you're dedicated, consistency is easy

Being able to run long distances takes a lot of cardiac ability, and that does not come easy; it’s something you have to dedicate significant time and energy to. Having two jobs and going to school made it easy for me to justify skipping a run because I was tired or had no time. But, when you truly decide to dedicate yourself to something, you make time for it, no matter what. And so, I started getting up at 5:30am every morning to go for a run. Not only did it teach me about dedication, but also how dedication and consistency go hand in hand; you can’t have one without the other. Whether it is with running or work, putting in the work every day is essential for your success.

You're forced to put yourself first

There is no shortage of studies on the importance of exercise on mental health. Regular exercise has been proven to reduce levels of stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression, in addition to improving your physical health and sleeping habits. As start out in your career, it is important to establish healthy routines early on that will last. In the past year that I’ve dedicated myself to running, I’ve noticed a change in my work habits resulting in improved productivity because I am more rested, focused, and my stress levels are at an all-time low. Running has forced me to put my mind and body first; if you can do that, everything else will become a lot easier. 

It’s the purest form of happiness

I cannot express how important it is to find something you enjoy that you don’t get paid for. Whether it is volunteering at a non-profit organization, pole dancing, knitting or painting, having something that gives you genuine enjoyment really is important. When you take money out of the equation, it makes doing something so much more special because then it is truly for you.  

Find something that makes you happy outside of work. I recognize how easy it is to lose yourself in the job; I myself have spent the last six years doing just that. What I’ve come to realize, however, is that work isn’t everything. Fifty years from now, when you're retired with no more work to speak of, what will you have? As Hillary Clinton proclaimed, "Don't confuse having a career with having a life."

Written by: Ashleigh H.

Being a Unicorn: How YWiB Helped Me Launch My Career

Walking into any YWiB event, a few things are clear: There are TONS of young women in Toronto looking to grow their network and start their career, and there is (unfortunately) no formula that can be shared for launching a career. Since launching YWiB, I’ve met women looking for their first job, trying to leave a job they’re unhappy in, women considering entrepreneurship, or sometimes, a unicorn: a woman happy with her job and career trajectory! We all want to be that last woman, and it’s entirely possible – YWiB just happened to help me get there.

In 2015 a friend of mine told me about an interesting organization based out of Vancouver. She wanted to launch a chapter in Toronto. Nearly a year later, we launched YWiB Toronto with a conference uniting 80 women and men interested in our mission.

I became the Events Director for the organization and our team produced vastly unique monthly events, each one bringing in new women to meet, with many of them becoming members and volunteers. Each month we secured a new venue, tried a different caterer, and facilitated a different activity or panel topic. My favourite was a yoga class that ended with free pressed green juice. The events weren’t perfect, but we learned a lot – working with different vendors and partners can give you a pretty comprehensive understanding of the events landscape. More importantly, it ignited my desire to pursue events full time.

A year after launching YWiB Toronto, I began my career search. At the time, I was a community manager for a shared office space and was enjoying the relaxed and social nature of my job. Unfortunately, growth was stagnant and I needed a new challenge. My first challenge, however, was to figure out how to make the move to launch my career.

I looked at all we’d built with YWiB – an active community of women interested in attending our events – and realized this could be a full-time job. YWiB took over the top spot in my resume, I highlighted some of the community events I had organized at my job, and took to my career search.

My search took 6 months but eventually I found success – I entered an industry I had never worked in before into a role where I’m responsible for organizing conferences of hundreds, sometimes thousands, of attendees! The company is small and appreciates the fact that I had a hand in many sides of the YWiB events, and since none of my colleagues have experience with meetup style networking events, I bring something new to the team. Everything I learned from a year with YWiB is being put to use. I’ve reached Unicorn status - finally, I'm happy with my career trajectory!

YWiB has the potential to help you become a unicorn too. It’s simply what we do – whether you meet someone hiring for a job you want, get inspired by the entrepreneurs on a panel, or even something as small as asking for help on the Facebook Group. Keep in mind that unicorns don’t last forever. After a few months into the new gig you’ll undoubtedly begin wanting something more, some job growth, or a whole new career change… and the cycle continues. Become a unicorn, and I encourage you to use YWiB to help you get there. While you’re there, try helping someone else become a unicorn. Thrive, learn, and grow – then start the journey to become a unicorn all over again.

Written by: Olivia Kitevski, Founding Member & Emailing Marketing Coordinator @ YWiB