ByElizabeth Hours Updated
Comments 146 Comments

Frugal Friday’s Workwear Report: Ruffle Short-Sleeve Sheath Dress

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

A woman wearing a plum-colored dress with black strappy heels

Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.

We are moments away from fall (sartorially speaking, at least), so I was feeling pretty excited when this short-sleeved dress from Maggy London came across my screen.

Wear this gorgeous berry-toned number with bare arms while the weather is still warm and add a camel or gray blazer when things get a little chillier. It does say that it’s machine washable, but I would put it in a delicates bag to avoid too much snagging or twisting. 

The dress is $49.97-$54.97 at Nordstrom Rack and comes in sizes 0-16. It also comes in three other colors. 

Sales of note for 9/25:

  • Boden – Up to 50% off sale + extra 15% off (I'm trying to figure out which color(s) of this sweater I should order…)
  • Ann Taylor – 25% off the weekend collection and extra 50% off sale section
  • Anthropologie – Extra 50% off sale!
  • Athleta – Lots marked down to 40% off; with an Athleta card you get an extra 20% off.
  • AYR – Archive sale, up to 60% off
  • CVS – Epic beauty sale
  • J.Crew – Fall styles start at $39
  • J.Crew Factory – 40% off new arrivals, extra 20% off orders $125+
  • Nordstrom – over 9800 new markdowns
  • M.M.LaFleur – Labor Day Sale Event, save sitewide! (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off on other items)
  • Nordstrom Rack – Extra 40% off select clearance
  • Talbots – 40% off one item, 30% off everything else
  • Theory – End of season sale is on!

146 Comments

  1. I feel like jcrew had a version of this once upon a time, and I bought it and felt ridiculous. But I’m not really a ruffle kind of person, I now know.

    1. I think the ruffles are SO cute but this would be an office dress, unfortunately my office (and every office I’ve had prior) is basically the arctic tundra and ruffles don’t fit under a jacket, cardigan, etc.

    2. They totally did! I remember that too. I never bought it because my work is more informal but I always thought it looked so chic.

      1. JCF had a great lined sleeveless version of this. IMO this is the right amount of office ruffle.

    3. This is the right amount of ruffle for the office and I have colleagues who would look fantastic in it… but it took me so long to understand that I’m not a ruffle person at all, and I need structured, sharp work clothes. (Think petite office ninja armor. I need to look sufficiently intimidating to manage people.)

    4. Yeah, I think this is really cute and would admire it on someone else. I always feel a bit “off” in ruffles. I like soft structure.

  2. Picture framing Q. I understand that museum glass is what I want to avoid reflections. Do I have to get a framer to build a frame and add this as my glass type? Or do I just go with a basic frame from Michaels and take it to a glass store to swap out the glass? I have some items for a room with windows and this is one room where I think that splurging on fancy glass makes sense but I’ve never done this before.

    1. I’ve never heard of taking it to a glass store to save money, but this might work and save some money. Be prepared for major sticker shock if you go to a professional framer — custom framing is just really expensive (but potentially worthwhile for something you really care about). Just having a regular frame with regular glass is far, far cheaper. It’s up to you what you want to pay for all this.

    3. It’s been a while, but when I stuff framed at a Michael’s type place, I could specify non-glare glass.

      1. Michael’s quality is perfectly fine for me, I like playing designer, and yes they have anti glare glass. and it’s expensive! But worth it.

        1. Yeah, I think Michael’s can do this for you. Wait for a sale or a coupon.

    4. If it’s already framed and already has glass, you could try one of the anti-reflective sprays or even a film and see if that’s good enough or not.

      1. Can you say more about this? Specific products to recommend or avoid or anything? We have something that’s so large that museum glass is prohibitively expensive, but it’s in a location where glare is a real problem and I think we’d be up for trying a spray or film, especially if someone has something that’s worked well for them.

        1. Do not do this. Spend the money to do this right if it’s a major piece in your main room.

          1. My biggest piece is a photo that’s not in sharp focus anyway, and the whole thing cost <$30 to print and frame. It looks great to me.

          2. Thanks–it’s actually not a major piece in a main room, but rather something big in a home office that shows up (with lots of glare) in the background of zoom. That said, I hear and appreciate the warning!

    5. Framers offer different types of glass, including low glare. Even, I think, Michael’s.

    6. If you need a custom size, I order from places like Frame it Easy. Michael’s is fine, though. Custom framing is $$$$, isn’t it?

    7. Your city will have local framers who specialize in this sort of thing. It will easily be 2.5 x 3 times higher than Michael’s but worth it, in my opinion, if you have original art and are going for a high-end design look. (And I say this as someone who has a very comfortable but modest household income compared to many on this board. I’ve invested in professional local framing several times and have never regretted it. That said, I love art and each piece I’ve had frame was original art. I think I would go the Michael’s route for photos or art prints.)

  3. If anyone needs a good podcast for a long drive, I really like Des Linden and Kara Goucher’s Nobody Asked Us. I’m not a runner and still find listening to two women runners talk about running and other things. For years now. My neuroma makes me a hiker and a walker who runs in short bursts in tennis and it is just great and they are delightful.

    2. On that note, anyone have any podcast recs for outdoorsy moms? I love the topic of identity and taking risk in motherhood. Not a runner but may give this one a try too!

      1. This one? Kara has a son.

        I’m the camping parent and my kids are in scouts and I’m not aware of anything in point. I like the first aid ones but they are all by dudes (still great though). There are a lot of mom podcasts and I have never loved any.

        1. Ordinary Sherpa. I think they stopped creating content now that their kids are grown but there’s an entire back catalogue. She spent a year on the road with her kids and podcasted the entire journey.

  4. I see so many great looking Maggie London dresses online, but I excitedly ordered a bunch to try on for an event earlier this summer, and found them to be cheaply made and very small. Like I’d have to size up at least two sizes, which I think was related to the cheaply made part. Is this typical of the brand, or did I have really bad luck with that batch? I think of Maggie London as being decent – it’s been around for awhile, right?

    1. Cheaply made how? We’re the seams surged? patterns not matched? not cut on grain?

      2. Ask her if she accepts or expects tips!

        “Do you accept or expect tips?”
        “Are tips encouraged?”

        I think its better for everyone if we are more explict about tipping and pricing for services. Why guess when you can just ask. It’s not a dirty question or worth getting in a twist about.

        I was looking at some serivce providers websites recently and while some dont say, some do explicitly say now that they do not accept tips. Their pricing reflects what they have determine to be appropriate compensation to provide their service and make a living.

        I ask hairdressers, massage therapists, nail artists explicity if its not clear.

        If the answer is tips are appreciated but not expected, then tip if you feel like it and dont if you dont.

        1. I think it’s better for everyone if we quit tipping store owners who set their own prices, same as how it used to be.

    2. It’s been around for a while, but I’ve always thought of it as a low-end brand. I find it to run curvy, small in the waist, and short-waisted.

    3. I’ve bought this brand for years, and my impression is that it’s stayed true to size for all those years (I have older dresses that seem to be sized the same as more recent purchases). I don’t think they’re trying to cheap out; I think they just didn’t participate as much in size inflation.

      I am kind of picky about fabrics in terms of what I’ll buy to begin with, so I can’t comment on that.

  5. Tipping question! My waxer used to work at a studio owned by someone else, but she’s since moved on to having her own suite. So essentially she’s gone from working for someone else to her own shop. Does that mean I stop tipping? I used to always tip 20% but now that she’s moved to her own shop, she’s raised her prices. With tip I’m paying $12 more – not a huge burden but it’s still more than I used to pay. I’m not going to stop seeing her over $12/month but also I’m thinking maybe I either scale back my tip or tip less. Thoughts?

      1. Agree. Even if she is setting her own prices, you still need to tip because it is the service industry.

  6. What does your company do for work anniversary milestones?

    I have a catolgue I can pick from, unfortunately a giftcard or cash option isnt available.

    If I didn’t already have the same Bissel vacuum model, it would be my top pick. Instead my top contenders are (weigh in if you can give a review!):

    Dyson supersonic travel dryer

    Brother computerized sewing and quilting machine (XR9550)

    Ninja Dual Brew

    Swarvoski bracelet

    (I dont need more blankets, perfume, bluetooth speakers, or cookware. I also dont have an outdoor space so no edge trimmers, lawn sets mowers. Airfyers and pressure cooker would gather dust with my slowcooker as well.)

    1. I can’t speak to their sewing machine, but I’ve always liked brothers approach to printers: np mucking around with NFC-bluetooth-5g-whatever, just a printer that plugs in and prints stuff. So if you think you’d sew/quilt, that’s what I’d go for!

      1. I have a brother laser printer that lives under my bed – so far its been a good experience! Maybe a sewing machine can live under there too (and be brothers.. )

        I do do a lot of different crafts, and but I am a klutz with hand sewing. I have thought a machine would be a fun tool to have for small projects and altering clothes. I do remember having fun with the machines back in home ec class.

    2. We have a catalog of mostly useless stuff like you describe. I got a globe for my 10 year and gave it to my daughter, who had been asking for one for her room.

    3. I can review none of these, sorry!

      My fully uniformed vote is a sewing machine because it feels like a hobby item and seems like more fun!

    5. We have the same setup. I have kept the coffee makers, cell phone chargers, power bank, suitcase, and wireless headphones. If those aren’t options, then I pick something out that I can donate to my local refugee resettlement groups. They always need new small household appliances.

    6. My company offers similar, and my rule for these is to avoid anything electronic because it’s almost always been either a discontinued model or one specific to these types of catalogues rather than a real model available to the general public. It doesn’t include a warranty and it’s generally not something I was in the market for in the first place.

      From what’s left, I see if there is anything I actually want or might use. If not, is there anything nice that would fit an upcoming gift niche? If still nothing, is there anything I could feasibly sell quickly and easily for (probably way less than it’s valued in) cash? If none of the above, I “forget” to make a selection. If HR follows up because it’s about to expire, I tell them I appreciate the sentiment but I honestly am not interested in any of the items.

      Last item I selected was a Le Creuset skillet that I gave to my dad, who loves to cook. Before that, I did honestly respond to the HR follow-up that none of the items included really spoke to me and I didn’t want to pick one just to donate it.

    7. FWIW, I sew and wouldn’t bother with that Brother. It’s a pretty lightweight machine that is trying to offer way too many features for too low of a price. I would consider it in the same category of things as one of those old TV/VCR/DVD combos that stops working when a VHS gets stuck and isn’t worth fixing.

    8. I’d probably either go with the dryer, or pick something you think someone in your life would like for the upcoming holidays. I hoard my work AmEx points and cash them in for gift cards around the holidays for the nieces/nephews.

      1. haha -I live alone in a 1 bedroom apartment. Otherwise, having an upstairs vacuum and a downstairs vacuum sounds like adulthood goals.

    11. One vote for the Dyson travel dryer. It’s something you might not buy yourself but is fun to try and can always be used in a guest room if you don’t love it.

    12. I would get the Dyson travel dryer unless you want an entry-level sewing machine, don’t want to pay for it, and don’t mind if it breaks or is not the easiest to use. If you are serious about sewing I’d buy a Babylock.

      I have the Dyson travel dryer and like it. It has dual voltage for international travel. It’s a little less powerful than the standard version, but it still works very well. It’s probably not worth spending money on if you already have a Dyson dryer and don’t travel internationally because it’s not much smaller than the standard one, but it’s worth having if you can get it for free. You could even use it on a daily basis.

    13. are you allowed to say “thanks, but no need”? My company would provide annual gifts, themed to match wedding anniversaries, and would provide some direction based on budget. After a point, I gently let the HR admin in charge that I appreciated the recognization and didn’t need a gift.
      If you don’t need it, you don’t need it.

  7. How did you know your partner was the one? Any particular moment stand out? Mine was when he showed up for the tough times instead of hiding (or even partying) and waiting for it to be over like my ex. Often times he’d created the problem to begin with.

    1. It wasn’t a specific moment, it was just that I never wanted him to leave. I’m an introvert and with every single other friend/family member/significant other in my life, no matter how much I adored them and wanted to spend time together and enjoyed their company, there would come a time when I really felt like I just wanted to be alone for a bit. That time never came with my now-husband. He fit right into my introverted me-time. He was and is a wonderful partner – reliable, kind, supportive, fun, giving – and those are all so important, but the way that I always wanted him there with me told me how my heart felt.

    2. I knew that I could see myself doing life with him. Not just the fun stuff, but the boring and mundane, too. I also knew without a doubt that he had my back.

    3. We both knew on our first date, instant compatibility on every level. Got married 3 months after meeting and still going strong 15 years later. I’m a big when you know you know, don’t force things, don’t give things more time person. I spent years doing that and all those relationships were wrong and doomed to fail.

    4. When I accidentally fell asleep cuddling him while watching a movie at his place. Not gonna say that’s some sort of universal sign or anything, but I tend to be pretty picky about sleeping around other people. I had always had a really hard time sleeping unless I was by myself, with a carve-out for some family members, and while I had dated other guys before I had never felt safe and comfortable enough around any of them to actually sleep in their presence.

      And honestly, at this point in my life I’m wondering how I managed to fall asleep while cuddling at all. My poor neck!

    5. He has a healthy relationship with his mother. I did not realize how much unresolved mommy issues affected my prior relationships until I met a man without them.

      1. As to a specific moment, I’d say watching him interact with his family and coworkers. Good with kids, kind to the elderly, his cousins came over to, like, do a hard sell on me of how great this guy was. At a work event, his old boss was hammered and said he was the best worker he’d ever supervised. Just hearing from others (even biased others) all this validation of what I was seeing was really helpful.

    6. Have you seen that meme about how if strange dogs come up to you and babies you don’t know smile at you, you have a special light inside? That’s my husband.

    7. When I braced myself to talk about whether he wanted kids and to disclose the likelihood of birth defects and he was totally supportive.

  8. I need to bribe myself to do something I don’t want to do. Is it ridiculous that this works, yes, but brains are silly sometimes and I’d rather have the series of tasks done.

    It needs to be a physical thing. Something I can pine after, and then be pleased to posses. Something a little fancy or luxurious and under $150.

    Please tempt me with ideas!

    1. Natori robe. Cashmere scarf or beanie. Dior lip products. Jo Malone candle if you care about the scent or giant Anthropologie candle if you want something pretty. Ugg throw blanket. A set of interesting wine or c-tail glasses from Crate and Barrel.

    2. I bribe myself with new running shoes, a punch card to a workout class that I *want* to do but seems too expensive/frivolous, a set of new bras that I never want to spend money on but desperately need, or a cool pair of earrings from the local handmade shop.

    3. Maison de Sabre AirTag bag charms (Nordstrom), silk pillowcases, framed poster or piece of art, Ikigai pill cases, Unwilted paper flower bouquet.

    4. A pretty perfume (there’s an aesop scent I’ve been after for a year, just waiting for a self gifting opportunity)

      earring (s) with some sparkle or a stone you like (i wear a pretty single hoop in my second everyday from zales that was about 150 on sale)

    5. Fabric for my sewing hobby, yarn for my knitting hobby, glassware for my bar cart, art for my wall,

        1. Falke socks! I bought some on a work trip and now I can’t go back to target socks.

    7. I’ve been pining after a Chappywrap blanket but they’re so expensive and feel like a frivolous thing to buy — perfect for this!

      I also love a nicely made sweatshirt, such a treat. Look at Left on Friday, perfect white tee, Varley.

    8. Rifle Paper has a bunch of pretty stationary and similar little things in pretty prints. Perhaps you could take yourself to an afternoon tea place nearby and read a book, or some similar fancy type of thing.

    9. Can I say I love this thread? So many great recs and it’s giving me lots of gift ideas. I’d probably reward myself with a new piece of jewelry and/or license to go to a great bookstore and buy as many books as I want!

  9. My husband used to be athletic fit. Now that he is 65 he has a belly so dressier long sleeve shirts that fit his waist are large in the shoulders. Is there a JJill brand for men that accommodates the pooch? He really needs some shirts for dinner or a show. Not too bright but more colorful or fun pattern than a man would wear to the office. Brand recs please!

    1. Assuming you are ok with a bit of a men’s performance dress shirt, Mizzen + Main offers a variety of fits (slim, classic, relaxed, etc.) in each of it’s shirts. You might need to take him in store and have him try each fit in his size +/- one size to figure out which combo he likes. Hubs like that they have a bit more stretch. It’s not quite JJill, but more like the Express shirts of 2010 that we all still miss.

    2. He needs shirts classified as “classic” “regular” or “relaxed” fit. Avoid “tailored” “athletic” “slim” or “modern” cuts.

      1. Oh, he loves those shirts but we wanted something a little more dressy for fancier restaurants or the theater! :)

    4. Tommy Bahama has some long sleeved corduroy shirts that might work. Robert Graham is my husband’s favorite for fun prints, but look for the relaxed fits.

    5. My husband dieted away his belly pooch and found that his “classic” or “regular” fit shirts from places like Brooks Brothers, Jos. A Bank, and Vineyard Vines have too much fabric around the middle.

  10. We’ve ended up with too many credit m cards over the years and I would like to consolidate them down to the ones that give us the best rewards. Are there any ways to do this without hitting your credit too hard? We would like to refinance our mortgage in the next couple years, although with the rates going the way they’re going, I don’t know when that’s going to happen.

    1. The biggest issue with closing credit cards is reducing your available credit, which increases your credit utilization ratio. If you have high limits (relative to your spend) on the cards you’re keeping open, there shouldn’t be much impact. If closing the cards means you’ll suddenly be using 50% of your available credit every month that can cause problems.

    2. You don’t have to cancel the cards, but you can cut them up and stop using them.

      1. I would prefer not to do this – I either want them there or gone and don’t want to get e-notices or have them canceled one day for not being used (which has happened to us in the past) in case it’s a bad time for us to have that happen.

        1. Do you have the discipline to move most of your activity to the ones you really want to keep, and just put one small expense on each of the rest to keep them active? That lets them continue contributing to your available credit limit and length of time accounts have been open.

          1. That’s what we’ve been doing for several years but I’m sick of it and want this small slice of my mental labor pie gone

          2. Then you need to just close them and stop using them. There isn’t a secret way to not-close them that really closes them.

      2. You’d need to freeze the card as well. Otherwise there’s a risk someone steals the number and uses it without you noticing if you’re not checking it regularly.

    3. Cut them up and stop using them. Many can also be frozen via the online portal with the credit card company so they can’t be used at all, but aren’t cancelled.

      That being said, canceling isn’t that big of a deal for your credit rating so long as you aren’t nearly maxing out your remaining cards. Credit utilization rate has a low effect on your credit rating.

    4. my husband closed a couple of cards and I noticed that my credit score took a little dip, but it was back up in a couple of months

      1. Same, I open and close cards pretty regularly because I semi-seriously do the points and miles thing and it’s normally a pretty temporary dip.

    5. I have a perfect credit score, we have one card we use for points (Chase Sapphire Reserve) and one just in case backup. I mitigate any impact issues by paying the card off twice a month instead of once.

  11. Anyone have any good recs for a dual voltage travel blow dryer? I have long thick hair, and have decided instead of always hating the hotel dryer in Europe, I might as well solve this problem before my next trip.

    1. I got the conair travel (full sized) one from Amazon for my trip to Europe this summer and it was fine. I don’t use it frequently enough that I wanted to spend more and it got the job done. Might be a little hotter than I usually prefer

    2. Interested here because I’ve always found the issue to be clunky plugs once you put it in a plug converter. They never stay in the wall and I always give up.

    4. I looked into this and my takeaway was the dual voltage blow dryers powerful enough to dry your hair aren’t great. Instead, I got a blow dry brush for a trip to Europe and it worked well. It wouldn’t work as a standalone dryer, but works well for getting my hair to look nice once it’s 80% dry.

      1. I agree re: hair dryers. I just take my chances with whatever is in the hotel, but I pack a dual voltage flat iron and also a dual voltage hot comb. If the hair dryer isn’t adequate, I air dry and let my hair go curly on Day One, then use the flat iron/hot comb the next day.

  12. How long do you wait if your doctor is running late? I’m fully aware of the many reasons this occurs but I also have almost no PTO and have to pick my child up from daycare by a set time, etc and literally can’t wait more than an hour in most cases.

    2. If it gets to be 15 minutes before you need to leave and you still haven’t been seen, tell the desk that since the appointment did not work on their end, they will need to reschedule you.

      I’ve never had a doctor that was a whole hour or more late; that’s wild to me that the office staff isn’t managing the schedule better than that.

      1. I’ve had a doctor be late like that, but it was a very special specialist. I wouldn’t wait that long for a more run of the mill appointment.

        1. Really late has happened a few times over the years at my gyno, and also at the vet for my pets. When it happens, you can generally tell by weight on everyone’s shoulders that there was an emergency.

          1. If they’re that much behind then they should be able to tell you upfront when you arrive.

      2. 15 minutes in I would tell the front desk they need to reschedule if they can’t see me in the next 10 minutes. A 15 minute wait is unfortunate but not egregious.

        Going forward try scheduling appointments first thing in the morning. The later the appointment the more likely the doctor is behind schedule.

    3. I also have a similarly tight schedule and will wait up to half an hour. But I try to get ahead of the problem by being the first patient scheduled in the morning or the first patient after lunch.

    4. For non urgent appointments I’ve left after it being a half hour behind. To prevent, I shoot for the first appt of the day or the first after lunch.

    5. Kinda depends on the doctor and why I’m there. This is the reason I scheduled my prenatal appointments either first thing in the morning (less chance of running late) or later in the afternoon and I’d just pick up my kid from daycare beforehand and bring him with me. Like, I fully understand why my OB could be running late and I want them to feel like they can do that. A dermatologist? If they’re more than 20 minutes behind I’m gone.

      1. + 1 – My PCP and Gyn (who no longer delivers) are usually pretty punctual and I don’t wait long. My oncologist? I’ve waited well over an hour before in the main waiting room and then again in the sub rooms. It’s unfortunately just part of it there – lots of changed plans, longer appointments than planned, etc. And I just wait and tell myself I’m glad it’s not me needing the doc’s time that day.

      2. It drives me crazy when I book the first appointment of the day and the doctor is still late. Like you have reserved parking MFer, leave your house on time.

    6. OP here and the appointment was 8:15 am with the doctor 50 minutes late. How do they even get that far behind so early in the day?

          1. Some of my longest waits have been at orthopedist appointments. I don’t know why.

      2. There are job-related things, like a patient in crisis or something like making a call with a life-changing diagnosis that needs urgent attention (perhaps the lab results came in over night). I’m not going to begrudge a doc for not getting off the phone fast enough with a patient to whom they just delivered awful news.

        There are also life things, like childcare falling through or a toddler who refuses to get ready or traffic or GI problems.

        I think it’s reasonable to leave if you need to leave. You can also find another doc if this is a routine problem and that doesn’t work for you. I’ve had enough bad luck health-wise that I’m ok with the occasional late visit, because sometimes I’m the one getting an on-the-spot biopsy or getting squeezed in when I’m very ill. But, you don’t have to be ok with that–it’s perfectly fine to find a doc who is better at sticking with their schedule.

        1. If you are a doctor you are paid enough to have systems e
          in place to deal with those life things and to be on time. They aren’t Gods (though they sure think they are).

          1. I don’t know what amount of money is enough to never have digestive trouble or face unexpected traffic or face other issues that sometimes make a human late.

            Where I live, almost no pediatricians or internists or other docs in specialties where the reimbursements are lower are paid enough to afford two nannies (which is at minimum what you need not to have childcare fall through a bit sometimes, because one nanny can get sick).

      3. if it’s a specialist, possible they had a patient admitted to a hospital off-hours.

        The most I’ve waited is an hour, throughout which the receptionist had been telling the doctor would only be a few more minutes. At that point I pretty angrily informed them I was leaving not just the appt but the practice, permanently.

        I agree that if you have another commitment, you should tell the receptionist about a half hour out from your hard stop and reschedule.

      4. Rounds at the hospital?

        My experience is that you usually have to wait an hour in the waiting room and then 45 minutes in the exam room. I allow myself 3 hours plus travel for all appointments, more for certain specialists.

    7. I’m sorry you’re going through this. It’s so hard, but doctors are typically late because something bad happened.

      I oversee payroll. If you are a full time employee, you are paid for the job being done, not the hours worked in the day. US rules across the states are pretty consistent on this too. While they can say you need to be at your desk for x hours, the state dept of labor would need to see a lot of data if pay is withheld because you’re a salaried employee who is attending a doctors appointment at the start of the day.

      States like NY have stricter rules that give you 5 days of PTO per year and it accrues on an accelerated basis. Employers are also required to respect caregiver responsibilities.

      Having said all of this, I’d look for a new manager. It’s zero impact to me if my team are an hour late to work because of a doctors appointment that overran. I bake that into the schedule when they mention it to me.

      Also, are you a single mom? I am and childcare falls on my shoulders during my custodial time, so I get it. I suggest you have a conversation with the daycare manager or the father of your child about some back up care/ parenting back up.

  13. Anyone know of a trustworthy app or program for converting iPhone to Windows pictures? What I’ve tried so far has resulted in the original date being overwritten by the date I move them from my device/iCloud to the PC.

    Any ideas about how to fix the ones I already moved other than hand re-labeling one by one?

  14. I’ve seen discussion here about whether brands still remain quality or not. Obviously nothing trumps experience, but there’s a website (worseonpurpose.com) where the guy who runs it keeps track of some major brands and how they’re operating/changing hands as a metric for the quality of the products. He covers some major brands in a lot of categories – shoes, cars, cookwear, clothes – so it’s not an exhaustive list by any means, but I think his methodology is interesting. Thoughts?

  15. How do you get a medallion guaranty? I could open a brokerage or checking account but banks in my city, say TBTF Bank A, won’t help me with a form for Mutual Fund Company B (no local office; only office is a plane trip away and I’m not sure if it is consumer-facing). I have my US birth certificate and all sorts of REAL ID. If it were a notary, it would be easy but not this.

      1. It’s a type of signature guarantee for certain financial things. Like getting a notary to witness your signature but more intense.

    2. I know someone who got one at their bank, from the assistant manager. She walked to teller and told them what she wanted, and they arranged it that day (or maybe another day) with the asst. manager who did some identity verification on the documents being stamped, on the person asking, and on the accounts at that bank. They then had their staff apply the medallion/stamp with both staff people present as the bank’s policy required. It was a few more steps but not as severe as I thought it would be.

    3. It is definitely difficult these days. I would check with all of the banks and brokerage firms in your area, but specifically those that you actually have accounts with. Oftentimes if you don’t have an account they won’t do it.

    4. Usually you ask your own bank if they have someone on staff who can do it, and if not, then yeah, you may need to branch out and figure out who locally (a) can do it and (b) will do it for you if you’re not currently a customer.

    5. My workplace needs them sometimes and we just go to our local banking relationship manager. It’s like a getting a fancy notary stamp with extra red tape involved.

    6. It’s a PITA. We had to do this for Bank of NY account in settling my dad’s estate (they were by far the worst institution to work with). My national bank did not offer the service but my brother’s credit union did. As the entity providing the medallion is guaranteeing your identity, it generally requires a relationship. If you need this on the opening, I’d find another provider.

    7. Do you have any kind of account at a local bank? Any bank should have someone who can do it as long as you are their customer. It doesn’t have to be for their account. Otherwise, Mutual Fund Company B probably has an alternative method that they will accept. I’ve just been through this with some brokerage paperwork, and the firm that needed the medallion guarantee had an alternative that would have worked-you send them a copy of your ID or something like that. I don’t remember the details, but it was buried deep in their fine print.

Comments are closed.