Local branding strategist Linda Harper, left, uses hacks for days to keep her money right and tight. Local designer Karen Burton, center, encourages simple home design updates during quarantine to spruce up a home office and other places. Local chef Quiana “Que” Broden of Cooking with Que encourages eating healthy and affordably.
Photos provided by Linda Harper, Karen Burton, and Quiana “Que” Broden
Linda Harper, an Ann Arbor-based branding strategist, helps millennials strategize their branding so they, in turn, can get to work on their business plan in the most productive way possible.
So, when quarantine hit, she used her business skills and developed resources to save her coins while at home. Harper has several practical hacks that she and other locals are sharing during the in-between time that can help people save in more ways than one.
Harper said people looking to build their wealth could use the investment app, Stash. With small transfers set up as often as one likes with profits going to a debit card, if you choose, or into a retirement account, it can be great for passive savings.
Harper added that another way to save is by participating in a 52-week money challenge.
“There are different ways to do this, but I like to keep it simple with a set amount weekly put in a savings account ($25 per week),” she said. “You can up the amount each week or keep it the same and save a minimum of $1,300.”
Harper also encourages reducing spending during this uncertain economy.
“I love Starbucks, so I started brewing it at home, saving me about $30 a week,” she said. “I canceled Netflix since I wasn’t watching anyway, saving around $15 a month. I also buy dish soap, paper towels, toilet paper and hand sanitizer in bulk to save an extra trip or two to the store.”
Local designer Karen Burton, co-founder, CEO and community manager of coworking space SpaceLab Detroit, has a background in architecture and construction and offers useful advice on simple quarantine-friendly redesigning for the home office and more.
Burton said that with so many people working from home now they may want to work on redesigning their home office so there is a more ceremonial. This helps create a “clear distinction between home and work.”
Burton added that even if a home office door can’t be put up, maybe adding a screen, curtain or partition of some kind separating the two spaces would be ideal.
“Or, if possible, move your office to a different level. If you have a loft, put it in the loft area or basement so when you’re ready to leave work for the day, go to a different space,” Burton said.
She added that another way to update the home could be to “try pops of color” on an accent wall, buying a throw pillow, a bright chair to “try out new colors in your space.”
Burton also said that with the stressors of this world, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to convert a room or space into a meditation or prayer room.
“Or even a place you can go and read a book with no TV … unless that’s your thing and want to have a gaming room,” Burton said.
Lastly, if renovations aren’t in the works, try updating by decluttering the bedroom.
“You don’t want a whole lot of stuff around you,” Burton said. “You want to clear out that stuff to rest.”
She added that a nice comforter or duvet is helpful during the winter months.
“Have colors in your space that make you feel comfy,” Burton said. “You might want to get some blackout shades or curtains.”
Soft lighting and candles are also great ambiance setters. And for those who like smell-good things, add some essential oils to the mix and drop them in a diffuser.
“A lot of times in the Black community we enjoy bright colors and don’t shy away from that, if that is what makes you feel comfy and at home,” Burton said, adding that people should also consider purchasing an air purifier for their home to get rid of germs and bacteria in their home.
Local chef Quiana “Que” Broden of Cooking with Que said that eating healthy and affordably can be done.
“If you set your mind to eating healthy you have to make sure your kitchen matches your mindset,” Broden said. “So, if you say, ‘I want to have a healthier diet’ … you have to make sure that you keep healthy things readily available.”
Broden said that if people don’t have healthy foods around, they will set themselves up for a “downfall.”
For snacks:
● Keep chopped fresh fruit to make fruit salads or already washed to grab and go.
● Take those fruits, put lemon or lime juice on them and fresh mint leaves to give it a new flavor after a day or so.
● Lastly, when the fruit looks like it’s about to expire, freeze it and use that later for fruit smoothies or smoothie bowls.
“The next thing that I tell people is to grocery shop with a purpose,” Broden said. “When you go to the grocery store, already have a list of what you need. When I say list, that really means you need to make a plan for your entire week.” Then she said when at the store only buy what is on the list.
“That will then save you [money] and you won’t waste food,” Broden said. “People spend lots of money purchasing bulk food and all the food that gets purchased has expiration dates. People need to respect expiration dates. Seasonings expire, herbs expire.”
For meal prepping, Broden encourages people to also use her company’s meal prep services that range from three-day options to seven-day options. “We will provide all of your meals for the entire day,” she said. The meals include a smoothie or smoothie bowl for breakfast. Soup and salad for lunch. And a main course for dinner.
“If you were to purchase a seven-day meal plan you receive 21 meals,” she said, adding that the plan is to make it easier for people to eat healthy and not have to make the excuse of having to cook. “Because I feel like even during quarantine and people are working from home, they’re working more than they will be working even at the office. So that’s what we did; we just wanted to make it easier for everybody.”
For more information visit https://cookingwithque.com/.