brokebitch scenerio #22888 land of the free

so, I realized in the cosmetics biz, foreign clients who insist on getting a "free gift" any time of the year regardless if we have one going on, misunderstand the United States being the "land of the free". They think they get free things when they come here. I guess they are free to think that and they may be on to something! You'd be surprised how many free items you'd get if you asked! The cosmetics business for one always has samples of something. The gym industry is another place you can negotiate. I recently went to Gold's Gym and talked them down a little in price but in the end they wanted more than I had to give. So I moved on to another gym and am getting $10 a month at Planet Fitness. Your phone bill is negotiable as well. My verizon bill was over $200 one month and I realized I went over my minutes for the first time in two years. So I called and asked if they could cover the $80 as a courtesy. They said no. Not so fast, I'm a brokebitch I gotta get this done! I then asked to speak to a manager. She refused so I said goodbye. I then called back and spoke to another agent. I then asked the new agent for a manager to cover that portion of my bill as a courtesy for being a loyal customer. The manager stalled but ended up negotiating, paying 50% of the overage fee. Another opportunity is oil changes. I saved over $10 on an oil change and tire rotation at Midas with a coupon on the back of my grocery bill. So be aware of those coupons! When I wrecked my car I took it to a local shop, Foster's collision and when I was gonna pick it up I checked their website for their hours. I there found an ad giving customers $200 off for an estimate over $2,000. So the next day I asked the girl at the front desk if I was eligible for the discount and she said yes and instead of a $500 deductible I paid $300!!! Obviously sign your email up for groupon.com and living social cause I get to go to restaurants because I get them 50% off there! My vegitarian friend bit into bacon in her vegitarian salad,um, not good. The manager brought over a new salad and said is there anything else I can do? she said no. I said yes,with a giggle and a wink ;), a round of drinks would help! He laughed. I then said or atleast a free drink for her! she enjoyed a nice brewski that night on me, I mean the restaurant! ;) The key is being nice about asking for the freebies. Always assume they need you as a customer, it's a tough economy on you and them! It's as simple as supply and demand. They have the service but need you to want it and be able to afford it. So, maybe we are the land of the free(bies). ;)

xoxo

MM

Brokebitch scenerio #1028 workcation.

So last week I was supposed to be on a vacation in Atlanta in a brokebitch friendly Free Cabin with my bestie. fail. complete fail. The vacation turned into a suckcation. I realize life is what you make of it. I KNOW. However, I couldn't find peace with my two month planned vacation failing. I work hard. I work three jobs on my way to making my radio dream come true. I'm willing to wait for the right radio gig,but all this dream catching is making me wanna take a nap.;) All I wanted was a week to push pause. Push pause on my frustrations, my work ethic, my lonelieness of following my dream, my struggles, my failed bank account...just wanted to push pause just for one week. God didn't give me that, he gave me another obstacle. A brokebitch doesn't have the resources to take a last minute flight home or a last minute vacation replacement. I was stuck in my own prison of struggles. All I could see is a vision of me throwing my fist in the air and asking Why!?

The suckcation, I decided to venture to the movies by myself. I forgot there was a beach music festival in North Raleigh and walked into hoards of people with no makeup and yoga pants on! I proceed into the movie theatre and realize I will now need to get a small loan to pay for my ticket and jumbo cellulite fulfilling popcorn(um I did drink diet coke, lol) Then after sitting in my perfect seat,to clarify, it's the back row one open seat on each side and kid free. I just wanted to peacefully be entertained at an intrest rate of 22%. Oh no, after the movie started a mother and daughter walk all the way up and into the middle of the back row making me move my purse to the bacteria laced theatre floor. Then leans over and says "who's that character in bed with that guy" Um. Do I look like I sit in this theatre everyday and know who the hell she is after the first scene? If Kristen wiig could be a fly on the wall in my viewing of "Bridesmaids" she'd have the plot to her next movie! ;)Suckcation I tell you. suckcation. ;)

I've worked hard for everything I've gotten. My radio boss left for a bigger better opportunity and it made me reflect on how she gave me a break. I remembered how I got that opportunity. I walked into her number one radio station and asked for a job! She was the only program director to see me. I took a leap and she caught me. Not literally, cause that would be a little awkward and I'm still holding onto a little holiday weight from...well... 2009 lol;) But for real, I made that happen! Everything I've ever said that's mine has ended up being mine. I'm determined. I'm driven. I've just hit rough patch on my drive...but maybe it's not as far off as I thought?

Today I went back to work afer a disappointing suckcation. I thought it would be horrible. Great, I get to go back to my 60 hour work week with no relaxtion from my suckcation. I was wrong. What I needed was a suckcation to realize my workcation was there the whole time. Workcation by Mandi's dictionary is when one realizes their spirit, soul and happiness is fufilled by one's success at their place of work using their talents wisely. I'm not saving lifes but I'm making women walk away with a smile. Lisa hugged me today. Who's Lisa? She's a client who came in today wanting to buy more of the stuff that made her skin look and feel better. She's a woman who wanted to buy from me because I made her feel special. She can't feel as special and as I felt today when she hugged me. I needed the suckcation to show me that I'm lucky to get a workcation 50 weeks out of the year. I play with makeup for 35 hours a week! Now you may wonder does this make me want to turn around on my road to being a full time radio personality? Hell to the no! I ain't gonna waste this loud say anyting that comes to me even if it ends up with my foot in my mouth kinda talent! It would be unfair to God and humanity! ;)

Here's what my workcation made me realize. I know I've got lots of talents. I'm not just a radio personality. I'm a makeup artist. I care about people. I want them to be the most beautiful they can be so they can achieve THEIR DREAMS just like I'm going to do in radio. I needed a suckcation to appreciate my workcation. I'm lucky ya know cause people have hobbies but my hobbies are my work. I will make lots and lots of money cause I'm totally over this brokebitch status ;)Oh and my favorite 90's super group said it best, "noone can change your life except for you...open your mind..things will change, things will go your way if you can hold on for one more day" ~Wilson Phillips ♥

oh, I'm holding on but for real this holiday weight from 2009 really sucks and hurts while holding on for the dream so um, lets reach our destination soon, please and thank you. ;)
xoxo
Mandi