New Year's tips from the Debt Diva

I got a holiday card from Clarky Davis, a.k.a. the "Debt Diva," cartooned at left. She's a financial expert and TV regular we've interviewed before for money saving tips. Her note had some good ideas for maximizing your cheddar this New Year's Eve, so I thought I'd share in case you're still cursing your closet or scrambling for fun, cheap plans tonight. Despair not!

From Clarky:

5. No one says you have to go to an expensive New Year's event or party. Throw your own at home with special friends or family to keep it budget friendly AND more meaningful.

4. You can't go wrong with a little black dress you already own. Spice it up with patterned hose or a sparkly evening bag. Trade bags with a friend if you're tired of yours.

3. Create your own confetti by running some colorful tissue paper through your shredder.

2. Find an inexpensive sparkling wine for toasting, or make champagne cocktails to stretch your bubbly.

1. Make your New Year's resolution to set time aside in the first week of 2009 to think about your personal finance goals for the New Year.

~ Deal Diva Stephanie

Dress like you can afford to vacation in Europe

While Europe may be behind in pop music (a bar cranked Like a Virgin while I was there, and it wasn’t even '80s night,) the continent is a trend setter when it comes to fashion.

Anytime I visit, I’m amazed at the clothing styles that follow me home. If my feet weren’t so danged wide I would have amassed huge quantities of pointy toed shoes after a summer studying in Greece several years ago.

Earlier this month, I visited Lisbon, Portugal -- the land of Vasco Da Gama and ridiculously cheap red wine -- and I had my eyes open for trends that may soon pop on American streets. Not an easy task considering it was 40 degrees outside and everyone was up to their ears in coats, hats and scarves.

Most of the Portuguese divas had cast aside their basic brown and black winter garb in favor of colorful and patterned pea coats. At the Belem Cultural Center outside of Lisbon, young woman clad in subtle plaid coats sipped espressos. On the streets, I saw pink and bright blue houndstooth and subdued florals. (Note: I am a Florida girl, so this coat insight may be common sense to anyone used to a climate where temps dip below 50 degrees.)

Some divas dared to travel Lisbon’s cobblestone sidewalks wearing stilettos, but most preferred practical and stylish flat boots. These too were anything but basic. Red boots were everywhere. Your basic dark colors were jazzed up with zig-zagging straps and large buckles. I even saw cowboy fringe.

Tights were also big in Lisbon. While this trend has already hit America, I noticed some of the European ladies rocking their leg wear under cargo short shorts. That particular style was as foreign to me as the cone bra, but who am I to judge Madonna or the Portuguese?

-- Guest Diva Helen Anne

(Photos: Dress like a European in this plaid coat from Overstock or these Wet Seal fringe boots, on sale for $14.75!)

Diva New Year's Eve: Bundled up in style

New Year’s Eve in Florida is like Livin’ la Vida Loca. Where else can you party outside this time of year?

Whether you’re watching fireworks at Channelside or lighting sparklers in a friend’s backyard, enjoying the great outdoors in style requires more creativity than sequinned tank tops and cleavage.

There’s no sense in spending much on winter wear when you live in a tropical paradise. So to pull your closet staples into a party-worthy outfit, look to pieces that can keep adding sparkle to your wardrobe all year.

For starters, you’ll want a lightweight jacket. If you don’t like the one in your closet, check out the light wool belted coat that I picked up in cream for $55.65 at Old Navy. The cinched waist plays up every figure, no matter how many layers are piled underneath.

Every girl also needs fluffy, funky scarf, especially handy to lasso that someone special for a midnight kiss. I swooned over a feather-weight gold and red weave for $59 at the Mermaid’s Slipper, an artist boutique on 19th Street in Ybor City.

For a final touch, I looked to a vintage-inspired brooch to put my signature on a basic jacket. I snagged a starburst pin in super trendy purple, with just the right touch of glitter, on sale for $14 at JCPenney.

Jacket + pin + scarf = a snug and stylish countdown to 2009.

-- Deal Diva Letitia

Diva New Year's Eve: On the couch

Opting out of the Ra-Ra of the clubs and party scene this New Year's Eve and embracing the peace and serenity that is your couch?

You're not alone.

I have long been one of those people who pre-25 I never understood. The stay home on New Year's Eve type. What's the big deal about watching a dumb ball drop -- I thought to myself??? But as the years went on I realized there's just something mysterious and potentially chaotic about New Year's that makes me feel safer and more reflective in the comforts of my own home.

But just because you're staying home doesn't mean you have to look home-ly.

If it's just you and your hun, make it a date. Swing by Target (my one-stop shop) Pick up a few niceities and then head over to the apparel department.

Go for a comfy, yet cute ensemble. At 8 months pregnant I opted for my favorite wardrobe item: leggings. These gray Liz Lange maternity leggings were just $12.99 and make preggers life blissful! I paired them with an extra long pink tank top that has just a wee-bit of glitter, $7.99.

Comfy yes, but what about the bling? I decided to add a snuggly black-jeweled cardigan, $24.99. But no stay at home outfit is complete without a proper pair of socks. I chose my favorite slipper socks in black and gray with hot pink pom-poms.

It doesn't get much cuter or comfortable than this! Pass the popcorn and sparkling cider honey! I feel like celebrating.

~ Deal Diva Nicole

Photo: James Borchuck

Gap.com sale: Extra 25 percent off today only!

Holiday cash burning a hole in your pocket? Stretch it a little further at Gap.com today.

Just type in SALE at checkout to get an additional 25 percent off sale items. The deal works today only. But hey, it's a slow week. Those of us who picked the short end of the holiday vacation stick need something to do with our last hour at work.

Some of my favorite things, other than whiskers on kittens and watching the Sound of Music last night...

The Gap herringbone vest, on sale for $24.99 before the additional discount. There's just no going wrong with the belted boyfriend cardigan, 19.99, or the featherweight cardigan, $23.99.

By my math, all three can be yours for a mere $51.73 with the extra 25 percent off.

-- Deal Diva Letitia

(Photos: Gap.com)

Diva New Year's Eve: At a casual chic party

Frankincense and myrrh don’t do much for me, fashion-wise. But gold is my preferred fashion accessory this holiday season.

So when I hit the stores to find an ensemble that would look oh-so-cute for a casual chic New Year’s Eve party at a friend’s house, I knew gold would be my glitter.

I built the outfit around some dark-wash trouser jeans I already had. They are a slightly stretchy material, which is a good thing for the slight paunch I’m sure to have developed after stuffing my face with sugar cookies and candy canes.

For the top, I opted for something with sheen. Banana Republic was having a killer sale, and I picked up an emerald green silk blouse (see left) with blue polka dots for nearly half off at $38.99. Classy confetti, if you will.

The gold accessories pulled everything together. The Limited turned out to be a mecca of holiday jewelry that was all 40 percent off. I paid about $15 for a gold cuff bracelet adorned with vintage flowers and faux amber, pearl and diamond details.

For my hand, an Ann Taylor Loft leather clutch bought on sale for $14.99. Its green background complemented my top, and the gold Henna-inspired design added an exotic flair.

On my feet, I went glam all the way with a pair of discounted gold Gianni Bini stilettos from Dillard’s — a steal at $44. After ashamedly telling so many store clerks that, no, I didn’t need a gift receipt, I was relieved when the nice man who sold me my shoes didn’t even bother asking.

He must have known. Every diva needs some fierce feet fashion to welcome in 2009.

~ Deal Diva Colleen

Diva New Year's Eve: On the town

We made it through Christmas! Yay! Now come with the Deal Divas on a little New Year's Eve journey. Today and tomorrow on the blog, each Diva will demonstrate a different look for the big night, from the cocktail hour to the couch. We integrated some items from our own closets to inspire you to dress on a dime!

New Year's Eve is awesome. You can wear glitter from head-to-toe. A micro-mini in 40 degree weather. A gold confetti party hat AND a noise blower.

I mixed flash with class for an on-the-town look. I paired this $40 Forever 21 mini with a shirt dress I dug out of my closet. By removing the belt and unbuttoning the front, I had an instant long jacket that contrasts nicely against the shortness of the sparkly beast.

I skipped a necklace since the dress was so bold. Instead, I opted for chunky bangle bracelets from Forever 21, both under $10. The hard texture of the wood helped toughen up the look. They scream, "Try and steal my purse, buddy. I'm not playing. I dare you. That's what I thought."

For dancing (or walking 30 blocks after you inevitably forget where you parked the stupid car) I suggest a platform wedge. They're more comfortable than a stiletto, but equally kicky. These giraffe-print peep toes were $25 at Charlotte Russe. The eggplant piping on the shoes is a nice alternative to red or silver, which can seem somewhat expected around the holidays.

Don't be shy with this look. Load up on eye makeup, tease your hair, raise a glass and you're ready to go. Cheers!

~ Deal Diva Stephanie

Photo: Times, James Borchuck

Quote of the Day: Eartha Kitt

"My recipe for life is not being afraid of myself, afraid of what I think or of my opinions."

~ Eartha Kitt, 1927-2008, R.I.P

~Deal Diva Nicole

Down with stink! Up with sale!

If you're at the mall exchanging that Mel Torme CD from Grandpa today, stop by Bath & Body Works. Great after Christmas sale! A bunch of stuff is priced up to 75 percent off, and body creams are only $3, regularly $11. I love the body cream, because it's thicker and more buttery than regular lotion. In fact, I got some from Santa this year in my fave scent, Rain Kissed Leaves. A holiday miracle!

Also, B&BW's semi-annual sale with a bunch of other cheap goodies starts in stores tomorrow, online today. Go get your smell right, people.

~ Deal Diva Stephanie

Hold onto receipts...

With stores piling on discounts daily in this shopping recession, what seems like a good deal today could get a lot better tomorrow. Trust me, I learned the hard way.

Last weekend, I picked up a pair of slacks and a cami at what seemed like great prices at White House Black Market. (Already reduced merchandise was an extra 30 percent off.) My total bill came to $29.94.

Two days later, I walked past the store while doing some last-minute holiday shopping. A red sign advertised an additional 40 percent off all sale items. In two days, my purchases had become 10 percent cheaper.

The saleswoman was sympathetic when I asked for a price adjustment. I had left my receipt at home, but she looked me up in computer system. My credit card was refunded $4.28 -- enough for a Starbucks grande latte. Every little bit counts, right?

Stores are seeing more customers asking for price adjustments these days, so don't be shy. Hold onto your receipt and research the store policy. Even if you've passed the grace window, it can't hurt to ask.

-- Deal Diva Letitia

P.S. One of the best stores for price adjustments and returns is Bed, Bath and Beyond. Say you buy an item today and a 20 percent off coupon arrives the next day in the mail or the newspaper. They'll credit you for the value of the discount, even on prior purchases. Just be sure to bring in that receipt!