Meet a Reader | Jodie
Today, we're meeting a bright and colorful reader who also happens to be a blogger. Jodie runs a fashion blog for 50+ women, called Jodie's Touch of Style.
1. Tell us a little about yourself
I'm a retired cosmetic dentist living in Sun City, Arizona with my husband.
After I sold my practice 7 years ago in Colorado, I started a lifestyle/fashion blog with my mom and stepmom to showcase how it's never too late to look great.
Here in Arizona, I still have my mom with me on the blog, but my stepmom stayed in Denver, so I have my friend, Lesley as the third model.
I love the fact that I can showcase women in different decades, with different body shapes and different styles. All three of us on the blog are thrifty and love to shop secondhand (or the sales).
Lately I've been learning more about sustainable fashion and have changed my thinking about "purging" my closet.
Since so many of our items could be repurposed or recycled somehow, that has been my focus lately.
For example, I pulled out a top that I just don't wear much here in Arizona because it's long sleeved. I cut off the sleeves to make it short sleeve instead of giving it away.
My husband and I live in a retirement community with our two rescued kitties!
Both cats are now over 15 years old, and we love them to death.
Unfortunately, they don't love each other so I can't show you a photo of the two of them together.
2. How long have you been reading The Frugal Girl?
I'm a new reader to The Frugal Girl after my friend Sarah was interviewed on your site. I'm always looking for new ways to save money, so it's been a great addition to my reading!
(Here's Sarah's interview; she and Jodie both live in Arizona.)
3. How did you get interested in saving money?
I always say that the nut doesn't fall far from the tree, haha. My mom has always been very thrifty and that was passed down in my DNA!
This led to the thought that I could retire early (before age 50) was a huge incentive to concentrate on saving money and living within my means.
4. What's the "why" behind your money-saving efforts?
Right now, the "why" behind our money saving efforts is because we are retired. The idea of staying retired is a huge incentive.
5. What's your best frugal win?
I know it seems funny but the property taxes here in our retirement community are such a bargain that our joke is we do a happy dance when we have to pay them.
Not that anyone loves to pay taxes of any kind, but they are so much less expensive here than when we lived in Denver, CO. It goes to show that relocating can be a great frugal move.
One of my fashion frugal wins is when I picked up a pair of sandals at Goodwill for $6. When I got home and researched the brand, I found they were a $200 pair of shoes.
6. What's a dumb money mistake you've made?
Luckily I don't have many, but when I first got out of dental school, I had a huge credit card balance. And the purchases were not anything important. I had to work hard including delivering the New York Times paper on Sunday mornings to get it paid off.
I could have kicked myself for buying all those inconsequential items after the fact, but I learned my lesson.
My fashion money mistake was an expensive sweater jacket. I still have it because I can't get rid of it knowing how much I spent on it. I like it but it's certainly not a "wow" piece.
7. What's one thing you splurge on?
At the present time, our food is our biggest splurge. We are on a nutrient dense diet for some health issues and buying quality food really adds up.
Before we started this way of eating, our splurge was still food.
The only difference was we would LOVE to go out to a nice restaurant almost weekly.
8. What's one thing you aren't remotely tempted to splurge on?
High end fashion. Even when I go thrifting, I concentrate more on the pieces I like and the colors I want as opposed to looking for certain brands!!
9. If $1000 was dropped into your lap today, what would you do with it?
I wouldn't mind a wonderful vacation about now!! We used to take many short weekend trips when we were working, and that's something I miss.
10. Share a frugal tip with other Frugal Girl readers
Since I am a fashion blogger, my tip is clothing/style related. While I love thrift and secondhand stores, free is always better. My tip is to have a clothing swap.
If you don't know what a clothing swap is, here's how it works:
Everyone who comes brings a certain number of pieces (which can be accessories or purses too). Then everyone goes through all the pieces and takes home the same number of items.
It's also a fun way to get ideas of how to style the pieces because everyone can suggest ideas of how they would wear it.
___________________
Jodie, thanks so much for sharing with all of us. It was so fun to see your love for color, and I really like your big smile. (as a fellow big-smiler myself!)
Got questions or comments for Jodie? She'll be by to check out the comments section!
Jodie, I'll start with a question: who takes photos for you? I always find myself putting off doing fashion posts because I have to get someone else to take the pictures!
How great to see people wearing colors!
I suspect that is more common in the sunny states, but it doesn't mean we northerners can't try for some brightness. Come to think of it, fall is when it is hardest to wear colors.
I couldn't agree more Heidi!! Even in the winter, I have been working hard to wear more colorful items because I truly believe in the psychology of color. It's also one reason I love thrifting because you aren't limited to buying the colors that the retailers are showcasing!!
What a great idea for a round of blog posts this fall....incorporating some color into a fall look. Thanks for the inspiration!!
XOOX
Jodie
Jodie, what a treat to read about you and see your lovely pictures! You (and your clothes) are beautiful. I have a feeling your patients all loved you!
That's so nice to hear you say that. Treating patients was the best part of my job as a dentist. In fact, I miss that so much.
Thank you for reading,
XOOX
Jodie
Jodie, you look great! I love your colorful sense of style and I'll be sure to check out your blog.
I have a thing for colored moto jackets, which I have in various fabrics and leathers. Blue leather, pink leather, beige linen, black leather, and so on. I once splurged a ton on a tiger print moto jacket for my 11 month old daughter, too. I wonder what happened to that? I lent it to someone and it never came back....oh well. Said daughter is now 24.
Oh, you sound like me Rose. Moto jackets are so fun in all different colors. And you might laugh that I still have a collection here in AZ, but it does get chilly here in the winter!! And I wear them!!
Thanks for reading,
XOOX
Jodie
Nice to see and read this. Orange, emerald green and bright yellows are my neutral. I go to second hand clothes for high end quality because of the feel of it. Love cashmere, leather, silks .
It is amazing how many fabulous pieces are at the secondhand shops!! Here in our retirement community, there are quite a few shops along with estate sales, so the supply is endless!!!
Thanks Bella,
OOXX
Jodie
Fabulous!
Thanks Barbe,
XOXO
Jodie
I love all the color in your outfits. I see a lot of advice about capsule wardrobes and they are all based on neutrals, but I think color really brightens up a person.
I always wonder why the capsule wardrobes are always so neutral. You can definitely do the same thing with colorful items. Of course, many people are afraid of color so I think they worry that some color combinations are bad!! To which I always say hogwash!! LOL!!!
Thanks Cindi,
XOOX
Jodie
Jodie, I love that you showcase that you can spend money (on things that matter to you and within your budget) and still be frugal 🙂 It’s an easy trap to fall into, being so focused on saving money that you forget that money’s other job is to let you enjoy it.
Our big splurges lately have been takeout date nights, travel, and outdoor gear. But, it’s within our budget, and while $300 sleeping bags for my husband and I is definitely a splurge over the free-from-his-parents-garage-20-years-ago bag he’s been using an the $30 Amazon bag I’ve been using ... they’ll help us sleep better while camping and will allow us to continue to adventure on the cheap. ... Plus the one I got is a really pretty color 😉
I love shopping at Arc, and my best win was a dress that I “splurged” on for $9, then googled the brand and found that it’s a $90 dress brand new! I love the dress regardless, but knowing I got it 90% off AND gave life to an unwanted dress makes me love it a little extra.
That's such a great reminder about enjoying life too. Or as I always love to say, everything in moderation including moderation!!!
Besides, I have learned that sometimes you don't get what you pay for. I think we have heard too many times that a higher cost item is better quality, but that's not always the case. With any kind of product!!
And I love that you have a pretty color sleeping bag!!! Color has such a huge psychological value that sometimes we tend to forget!!
XOXO
Jodie
“Everything in moderation including moderation” just became my new favourite. Thanks for that great take on an old chestnut of a saying!
I like the idea of thinking through how to be sustainable with fashion - I've made basic short sleeves and tried to slim down bootcut legs in jeans. But I'd love to be a better seamstress since well-fitted clothes can make such a big difference!
And I agree with Kristen - love your fun and pretty photo shoots; looks like you all have a ball!
I'm not the best seamstress either Suz. In fact, my mom (who is a retired home economics teacher just had to fix 2 of my failures, haha). But I do think, the more I do it, the better I'm getting. And there are many fabulous YouTube videos to help!!
I keep learning more and more tricks even from Lesley and my mom. In fact, in one of last week's posts, Lesley shortened a dress to make it more of a tunic. Something very easy yet it made a huge difference in how she wears it!!
Thanks for reading,
XOXO
Jodie
Love this, and her style! I bet my aunts would love her blog, thank you!
Thanks!!
I hope you share this with your aunts!!!
XOOX
Like the others, this was a FUN read! Your bold colors are beautiful on you. I'm a "winter" (back when it was the rage to get your colors done) and find that that color pallet makes me feel better, and usually gets a response from others, mostly hubbie. My youngest used to work for a dentist that dressed this way, too. Except for the heals, I'd copy hers or your styles any day. And your mom is a fashion model to be copied as well! Thanks for volunteering on Kristin's site. We just need the name of your blog, now.
The name of my blog is http://www.jtouchofstyle.com Barb!!!
I talk occasionally about our colors on the blog too. I was always a spring, and it's been interesting to find online color analysts too.
Trust me, I'm not always in heels, haha!! Especially when we go exploring to different parks and museums, which is why I also share a bunch of comfortable yet stylish shoe companies that I've found!!
Thanks for reading,
XOOX
Jodie
I was so impressed to see your mom in low heels; love that she is still adventurous in fashion in her 80s.
Sonia is a person who will still be wearing heels at that age. Ha.
And I hope to be too!! LOL! Although my mom still wears heels occasionally. At least she hasn't purged them all yet!
XOOX
Barb, I was mightily amused two weeks ago at a group-formerly-known-as-MOPS meeting when the moms about a decade younger than me were all talking about getting their colors done. It is possible my jaw literally dropped. What goes around comes around. 🙂 I remember it from a time that I was probably in ninth or tenth grade!
I was thinking of when I "got my colors done" as well. It was wardrobe changing for me, as I didn't have an eye for myself, nor much self-confidence to figure it out, nor friends to help me.
The consultant (I don't remember the program in particular) sold make-up and skin care products, which I bought at my meeting partly out of expectation, and partly out of gratitude.
I love this! Looks like your husband is a colorful dresser too! I’m not...my favorite color is brown...I’m an autumn person. Thank you for the colorful peep!
You're right Deanna, my hubby has dipped his toe into color since we've been together. But that wasn't always the case. I think it's because it's always sunny here in Arizona also which helps!!!
Thanks for reading,
OOXX
Jodie
Jodie, I bet you're a hoot to hang out with. I LOVE that you have a fashion blog that features people of different sizes. It irritates me to no end when I read fashion blogs/watch Youtube videos and it's tall, slim, model-esque people making fashion recommendations that would look absolutely awful on 3/4ths of the population. I think everyone can look pulled-together--we just need to tweak what suits our body types best. And .... it's nice to meet a frugal person who enjoys shopping and clothing. Sometimes I feel like I'm an oddball in the frugal community because I like clothes and I enjoy pulling together outfits. Anyway .... thanks for sharing your story, including pictures of your cute cats!
Thanks for reading Kris. I am a huge proponent that every woman can look wonderful since it is our calling card!! Sometimes it takes some alterations but I have learned that a little tweaking here and there can make all the difference. It's so funny how the three of us are all shaped so different yet it's not the first thing you notice!!
There's a huge community of thrifting women on Instagram too. In fact, I cohost a thrift challenge every month because it's so inspirational to see the different wonderful outfits that can be so frugal!!
XOXO
Jodie
Don’t feel like an odd ball. I love clothes too. I’m just cost conscious. I do try to stay up-to-date and buy secondhand when I can. However, I draw the line at designer handbags. I can’t just imagine ever paying $5000 for a purse.
Or shoes!! I see some shoes that are in the thousands and just can't imagine they are any more comfortable. I do spend about $100 or so on some of my comfortable shoes, but I also wear them a lot!!
XOOX
That is so fun! I can totally relate to your style as I LOVE having bright, bold clothes. I even dyed my hair hot pink about a year ago and I still love the look. Bright colors just make me feel happy.
OMG...I love that you dyed your hair hot pink!! When mine goes grey, I was thinking of doing that too. I heard the maintenance is hard though??
Bright colors just feel more happy to me for some reason. In fact, I feel like my wardrobe has gotten brighter since I've become more free in my style and life.
Thanks for reading,
XOOX
Jodie
Yes and no. Maintenence for brightly colored hair is definitely more than a neutral color, like brown, but it actually lasts longer than you think, with proper care. It is important that you only wash your hair once a week, or less. Colored hair dye is NOT permanent and every time you wash it the color streams out. Also, not using sulfate shampoos or conditioners, and only washing your hair with cold water (the colder the better). I've noticed that when I go to the salon, the color lasts a couple of months (It gets lighter with every wash but it will still remain a bright pink). However, when I touch up the color near my scalp with store-bought pink dyes, the dye comes out much faster. Not sure if it's a lower quality dye or what. Anyway, you can google many more tips and hair care, I just gave you the basic run down. Pink hair, or any unnatural color, is more maintenance, but sooo worth it!!!
Thank you so much for this!!! I am good about more natural shampoo and conditioner, and I don't wash my hair daily anymore.
XOOX
Hi Jodie, I enjoyed reading about you. It was nice to learn from someone that enjoys fashion but does so in a frugal way. I love that your fashion blog features women from different decades and that are different shapes and sizes. As a plus size woman, I find it hard to get good fashion recommendations. I look forward to reading your blog.
I'm so glad you said that about plus sizes Beverly!! It's so frustrating when companies only showcase the young and thin women in their clothes. I think we can all relate better when we can see many different women!!!
Thanks,
XOOX
Jodie
What a great interview! I loved Jodie's answer about the "why" behind saving money...to stay retired!!! Fixed incomes can be tough, especially when you retire early like Jodie (and I) did, but they are doable if you are frugal and stick to a budget. Jodie's smile is even more infectious in person when it's combined with her bubbly personality and colorful style. I'm like Kristen...I'm definitely more of a neutral lover and I'm ok with that and love the clothing that I do have (which is limited because I'm the one who full time RVs) but I'll say that following Jodie's blog has helped me live outside the box a bit more with a little more color in my clothing here and there!
I can't thank you enough Sarah for introducing me to Kristen and all of the tips we can share with each other!!
Neutrals are never bad, but I truly believe in the psychology of color too!!! And it always warms my heart to think I've helped others add a little color to their lives.
XOOX
Jodie
I love this topic! Jodie, I look forward to reading your blog.
Thanks so much Mary,
XOOX
Jodie
Kristen, I am very lucky that my husband is a agreeable photographer for all of my outfits. I know many of my friends have taught themselves to use a tripod and remote also.
Insider trick: Did you know that with an Android, I can ask Google to take a selfie?? And a selfie video?? You can't be in the camera app when you ask, but it's a lifesaver!!!
Thanks so much for the feature,
XOXO
Jodie
Thank you for a fun read. This was a great reminder that frugality doesn’t necessarily mean austerity.
I have really enjoyed these posts. It been wonderful to see that the frugal lifestyles are so varied.
Thanks for reading Bee!! You make such a great point that frugality doesn't mean austerity!!
XOOX
Jodie
I agree - your smile is infectious! I love it! This was a really fun reader interview. Thanks for sharing with us all! It was also neat to hear that you are a newer reader. Welcome to the FG community!!
I had a great frugal shoe find last week - I went to a yard sale of someone who very obviously loved to buy clothes and got a brand-new pair of heeled boots for $2. They still had the $99 price tag on! It filled a gap in my wardrobe, so that was especially exciting.
Our church's women's ministry has done an accessory swap every year for the last few years. It's really fun. I love how you do clothing swaps!
Thanks again for sharing with us. It was a treat!
Now that's an amazing find with those boots Ruth!!! To me that such a thrill!!!
And an accessory swap is such a fun idea. I swear it's the perfect way to find good homes for the things we don't use anymore!!!
Thank you for reading,
XOOX
Jodie
This is an uplifting post! The smiles, the colors; they are so fun!
I think Jodie has found an interesting, frugal, fun way to spend retirement. As someone who also loves to thrift for high end bargains, and is no longer in her youth, I really enjoyed this post. It made a happy start to my week. Thanks, Jodie!
I'm so glad you enjoyed this !!
I'm convinced that age has nothing to do with enjoying clothing and style!!!
Thanks for reading,
XOXO
Jodie
I enjoyed this interview and the lovely photos but I don't really understand why people want to retire so early. I LOVE my job (physician) and I am 39 years old. I can't imagine quitting when I am 50, unless my health was failing. When you are a dr or a dentist you have often not even completed your training by the age of 30 so retiring at age 50 seems strange to me. I have chosen to work part-time for the last few years in order to spend more time with my children. I feel like I am still doing my dream job though and feel blessed to do it and lucky to have the earning potential.
You are blessed Sarah to LOVE your work so much. I actually enjoyed the people part of dentistry but didn't love being a boss or the insurance aspect of the job!!
I made some amazing friends with my patients yet my introverted personality also made the people part of the career a little challenging some days.
The things you don't know until you actually do it!!!
XOOX
Jodie
So true Jodie- in my med school at least they devoted very little time to "how to successfully run a business". And that is actually pretty important for most doctors and dentists in private practice!
Sarah I'm like you too! I was 33 before I finally started my 'real' job, after long years of training getting my PhD and then doing a postdoc, which is basically a requirement for academic science. I feel so lucky to have my position and hope to keep going until they pry me out of my office.
I absolutely LOVED my job too but retired early as well. I was looking for freedom from schedules, material items and overcrowded stores/roads/etc so we moved to a peaceful place to live a simple, peaceful life. Sometimes you just feel that it's time for a change and maybe the change is in your job or your location, or maybe it's a change in weather (one thing spurring our move was to get out of cold gray weather). Some people love their jobs and their location so much that they never retire....that's OK, too, even though I've never understood that.
Your post made me giggle, Sarah - I felt like I was reading as post from myself 10+ years ago 🙂 I too love my job (school librarian) and couldn't ever imagine retiring....until I noticed how the years were adding up without my energy keeping up LOL Now I think of retiring as just the end of one chapter (book-pun intended) with something else waiting for me, like for Jodie.
I love how you phrased that Shelagh..."the end of one chapter with something else waiting"
Even though I'm retired from dentistry, I work more hours on my blog and social media than I ever did with my career. It's just a whole different chapter!!
Thanks,
XOOX
Jodie
Thanks for sharing! This makes me want to see if I have anything colorful in my closet!
If you don't, there's always RIT dye!!
Thanks Mary,
OXXO
Jodie
What a fun post! The photos and colors made me smile even though I'm firmly in team neutrals. I'm a highly sensitive person and too much color tends to overwhelm me. However, I also agree that color can have a real brightening and happiness-inducing effect. I indugle in small doses (nails and notebooks) and they give me a lot of joy.
I can understand how colors could be overwhelming to you Ally!! I love that you indulge in small doses that way!!
XOOX
Jodie
One of my friends organizes a clothes swap every year (well, not 2020, but you know - every other year!) But folk can take as much as they like. Usually people bring so much that we have an entire carload to take to goodwill at the end of the party. The best part is people trying on some of the more out-there outfits up for adoption.
I think I like your clothes swap idea much better. I may steal that idea because why limit it??
It's always nice to find a good home for preloved pieces!!!
Thanks,
XOOX
Jodie
Wow. You three look amazing. Thanks for sharing your story with us. Your husband is also looking amazing. You must be a great dentist. Even the teeth look amazing. I have the worst teeth on the planet. I am so ashamed of them.
I'm sorry to hear you say that Anita about your teeth. It's awful to feel that way because that usually means you don't smile as much. And I feel like a smile is the best accessory anyone can wear!!!
Thanks for the beautiful compliment,
XOOX
Jodie
Thanks for your kind words. When I was young I took an extra job to cover dental bills but I guess I just have bad genes. I signed up for your blog. It is GREAT.
There is a lot to the genetic component. I have a couple of dental blog posts on my site too. But my suggestion to EVERYONE is to invest in a waterpik. They don't last for years and years but they help our dental health tremendously!!
And I am always very happy to answer any questions about your mouth. Seriously. Feel free to email me jtouchofstyle@gmail.com or if you signed up for my emails, you can always reply to one of those!!!
XOOX
I could use a cosmetic dentist about now! My teeth need whitening/straightening/who knows what else... I'd love to get the issues fixed but I know my husband is not about to shell out for that Lol 😀
I appreciate your colorful style. I tend toward Kristen's same habit of sticking with black and white. I feel like I seldom find other colors that work well for me. Aside from a little peachy pink and teal, my closet is pretty monochrome. I have way too many black t-shirts!
I used to have a ton of black shirts too Sarah!! I felt like they went with everything and were more professional especially when I was working. I think it's only since I retired that my wardrobe has gotten so much more colorful, haha!!
As for the best advice I can give for cosmetic dentistry is that Crest Whitestrips can make a wonderful difference. Even I use them now (they are much better than they were when they first came out). And I think having lighter colored teeth can be a great camouflaged for many other issues!!!
Thanks for reading,
XOOX
Jodie
It's a great name you've got there, Jodie 🙂 I'm glad there are people like you in the world to make it more beautiful. . . because I am not one of those people. I am simply not terribly interested in appearances and such, but I do notice (sometimes) when somebody has style and beauty about them. That makes the world a better place.
It's so nice to meet another Jody!! My neighbor says basically the same thing, and I always say it's good we are all unique. How boring it would be if we all dressed the same!!!
You are so kind to read and comment!
XOXO
I love your sense of colour and of fun! Thanks so much for sharing today - that was truly a fun moment In my day.
Thank you Jem,
XOOX
Jodie
Great post! What is the best way to research property taxes and relocation? We are open to this idea.
I will check out your blog later! CANT WAIT!
Hi Stephanie,
My husband used Zillow to find out all of the property tax information. Granted, that wasn't the reason we ended up here, but it certainly makes it wonderful!!!
Thanks,
XOXO
Jodie
Jodie: I really enjoyed your colorful post! Thank you for sharing. Years ago I stopped dressing with more color because it seemed to mean more handwashing. I will be checking out your blog!
That's an interesting thought. I actually have a theory that prints are the way to go when you want to hide stains and spills, haha!!
In fact, I had some black pants on yesterday, and kept finding white lint and stuff on them all day. Maybe it depends on our environment??
Thanks for reading,
XOOX
Jodie
This was lovely to read. I love Jodie stories on her blog!
Thanks Nancy!!
OXOX
Jodie
The first thing I noticed when I saw the picture of you was your beautiful teeth. And then I see that you were a cosmetic dentist. You were certainly a good advertisement for your practice! Having never had pretty teeth -- and now needing lots of dental work -- I am insanely jealous.
Your style is gorgeous, and I'm going to be following your blog. I just love these Meet a Reader posts . . . there are some fascinating people in this world!
It would be terrible, if I was a dentist and had bad teeth, wouldn't it?? LOL!!
I am happy to answer any questions you have about your teeth anytime Bonnie!! I even wrote a couple of posts about some usual questions I get, so feel free to search for those too!!
Thanks for reading,
XOXO
Jodie
Great post, thanks for the inspiration. I love the clothing swap party suggestion! I might try it!
It's such a fun way to update your closet. One of the readers below said they didn't limit the amount of things each person could bring or take, and that's a great idea too!!
XOXO
Jodie
Wow, just love your energy and how each picture you shared is so cheerful and upbeat! Really enjoyed reading this and hearing your fashion advice -- it's great to see someone so stylish and still so frugal. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for the kind words!! I do believe in the power of positivity and try to portray that daily.
Have a wonderful day,
XOOX
Jodie
I LOVE Jodie's style! I aspire to become more bold in what I wear.