Chinelos In California

Dancer with flames on velvet costume with toddler daughter

Dancers in blue and white horizontal striped costumes

Chinelos Family Fun and Culture

In 1870 in the town of Tlayacapan (in Northeastern Mexico) a group of young children and teens were fed up with European Spanish and French crown rulers, colonial miners, the Catholic Church and hacienda owners who forbade indigenous people to celebrate in carnival before Ash Wednesday. In protest the teens created masks with cartoon faces of Spanish kings and overlords with beards or rags to cover their faces. Mask making was part of ritual life going back thousands of years to Mesoamerican cultures in Mexico. The teens dressed in rags disguised their identities to avoid trouble with "overlords." They danced to music of hand made drums, whistles and thus on Carnival the tradition of Chinelos was born. Their dance evolved to mock European mannerism, was best refined in Morelos, Mexico.

The trend of American Chinelos is growing as a society for culture and fun passed down by family. It is based in tradition. Dancers tell the history as they share with their children and grandchildren as a political, religious and cultural event. 

The costumes are often made by Grandmothers and relatives. They can cost thousands of dollars to purchase, so children's costumes are often re-sold as the child grows. There are five parts to the costume: A long full tunic, a mesh mask, a feathered headdress, a cape and gloves. There are different styles and colors of robe- striped cotton duck in wide cobalt blue and white or green and white vertical panels which indicate what city ancestors came from in Mexico. Velvet is also used and has a lush sheen but becomes very hot inside the costume.

Underneath the robe a dancer wraps bandannas to wick up sweat and add to the disguise of the face. The mask is structured from palm fronds similar to those used in Palm Sunday mass, which are light in weight.

Children's costumes often have Disney figures, Pokemon, and various Cartoons while adults have religious scenes of Our Lady of Guadalupe, The Passion of Christ, ancient Aztec symbols, eagles, skulls, and flowers are artistically sewn in beadwork. 

Preparing for the Carnival or parades in California is a family affair. Often dancers join in a local's home to secretly prepare their costumes. Up until around 2000 Chinelos would only dance four days prior to Ash Wednesday, keeping with a liturgical calendar. Today the trend is to enter also into parade in Santa Barbara Old Spanish Days, Christmas parades, Swallows Day, and Cinco de Mayo celebrations. The groups have family banners, region flags and carry Mexican and American flags. Families participate together, they are assisted by members who rope off their group as the dancers cannot see well and parades with horses and vehicles can be dangerous and cause accidents.

The dance, is called a “brincon” or “jump.” It derives from Natuatl tzineloa which translates to shoulder and hip movement. There are a set of repetitive steps. The choreography is easy and fun. With feet apart and knees slightly bent, the dancers take two shuffling steps, then leading with one shoulder or the other, take a small jump to the right or left. Dancers join in and drop out for longer events but the group dances as long as the band plays. Audience at the San Juan Capistrano Swallows Day parade all clapped, bounced and enjoyed the energy. 

Side note- if you are signed up for a parade you do not want to be the act right after the Chinelos as nothing will be as delectable spectacle.

Caroline Gerardo copyright  © all rights reserved for article, photographs and videos 

Diversión y cultura familiar Chinelos

En 1870 en el pueblo de Tlayacapan (noreste de México) un grupo de niños y adolescentes estaban hartos de los soberanos de la corona europea española y francesa, los mineros coloniales, la Iglesia Católica y los hacendados que prohibieron a los indígenas celebrar en el carnaval antes del Miércoles de Ceniza . En protesta, los adolescentes crearon máscaras con caras de dibujos animados de reyes españoles y señores con barbas o harapos para cubrirse la cara. Hacer máscaras era parte de la vida ritual que se remonta miles de años atrás a las culturas mesoamericanas en México. Los adolescentes vestidos con harapos disfrazaron sus identidades para evitar problemas con los "señores supremos". Bailaron con música de tambores hechos a mano, silbatos y así en el Carnaval nació la tradición de Chinelos. Su baile evolucionó para burlarse del manierismo europeo, fue mejor refinado en Morelos, México.

La tendencia del Chinelos estadounidense está creciendo como una sociedad de cultura y diversión transmitida por la familia. Está basado en la tradición. Los bailarines cuentan la historia mientras comparten con sus hijos y nietos como un evento político, religioso y cultural.

El vestuario a menudo lo hacen abuelas y parientes. Pueden costar miles de dólares para comprar, por lo que los disfraces de los niños a menudo se vuelven a vender a medida que el niño crece. Hay cinco partes para el disfraz: una larga túnica completa, una máscara de malla, un tocado de plumas, una capa y guantes. Hay diferentes estilos y colores de pato de algodón a rayas en azul cobalto ancho y paneles verticales blancos o verdes y blancos que indican de lo que provienen los antepasados ​​de la ciudad en México. Velvet también se usa y tiene un brillo exuberante, pero se vuelve muy caliente dentro del disfraz.

Debajo de la túnica, una bailarina envuelve pañuelos para absorber el sudor y aumentar el disfraz de la cara. La máscara está estructurada a partir de hojas de palma similares a las utilizadas en la masa del Domingo de Ramos, que son livianas.

Los disfraces de los niños a menudo tienen figuras de Disney, Pokémon y varios Dibujos animados, mientras que los adultos tienen escenas religiosas de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, La Pasión de Cristo, antiguos símbolos aztecas, águilas, calaveras y flores se cosen artísticamente en abalorios.


Prepararse para el Carnaval o desfiles en California es un asunto familiar. A menudo, los bailarines se unen en la casa de un local para preparar en secreto sus disfraces. Hasta alrededor de 2000, los Chinelos solo bailaban cuatro días antes del Miércoles de Ceniza, manteniendo un calendario litúrgico. Hoy la tendencia es participar también en el desfile en los Viejos Días Españoles de Santa Bárbara, los desfiles de Navidad, el Día de las Golondrinas y las celebraciones del Cinco de Mayo. Los grupos tienen pancartas familiares, banderas de la región y llevan banderas mexicanas y estadounidenses. Las familias participan juntas, son asistidas por miembros que se desprenden de su grupo ya que los bailarines no pueden ver bien y desfilan con caballos y los vehículos pueden ser peligrosos y causar accidentes.

El baile, se llama "brincon" o "salto". Se deriva de Natuatl tzineloa, que se traduce en movimiento de hombro y cadera. Hay un conjunto de pasos repetitivos. La coreografía es fácil y divertida. Con los pies separados y las rodillas ligeramente flexionadas, los bailarines dan dos pasos para arrastrarse, luego, con un hombro u otro, dan un pequeño salto hacia la derecha o hacia la izquierda. Los bailarines se unen y abandonan para eventos más largos, pero el grupo baila mientras la banda toque. La audiencia en el desfile del día de San Juan Capistrano Swallows aplaudió, rebotó y disfrutó de la energía.

Nota al pie: si está inscripto para un desfile, no quiere ser el acto justo después del Chinelos, ya que nada será tan delicioso espectáculo.

Don't Pay Collection Account Until You Read This

Paying Off a Collection Can Reduce FICO Score Here's how why what to do Collection companies have fibbed over the years of telling consumers that paying off collections will raise their credit scores. However, paying off collections lowers their FICO scores. Collections are usually reported on the credit as a “9” status or collection account. This means the account has already been "written off" and assigned to collections by the creditor. Once an account is reported this way on the credit report, the damage to the credit score is irreversible, unless that item is removed completely from the report. If the account is paid off, the collection company reports that the account now has a $0 balance, but they do not usually delete the item off the report. The account has already become a collection, and the risk of the consumer defaulting on another account is already very high, due to that collection. Credit score will increase if it is paid off, because paying off a collection after the fact, doesn't lower the risk of defaulting in the future. It actually may decrease the scores because it shows now as a recent problem in addition to being written off in the past as two strikes.   However, the DATE OF LAST ACTIVITY is updated to the date the account was paid off.  if that account was sent to collections 3 years ago, the date of last activity is 3 years old and the impact to the credit score is not as much. But if the consumer pays off that collection today, they just update the date of last activity to today's date, sometimes causing the scores to go DOWN as a result. Clients try to do the right thing and pay off collections, but their scores can be lower as a result. Some loan programs do not require borrowers to pay off Medical Collections, read the details and know the end program BEFORE you pay anything off. FICO Score is an important piece that drives mortgage interest rates so you don’t want to find out an interest rate is jumping upwards because the Borrower paid off a debt. Oh no – painful. Help your clients work with collection companies to have their negative item removed completely from their report, if they pay it off.  Negotiate a settlement with deletion!!! Any more questions? Call me! Caroline Gerardo Barbeau C G  949- 784- 9699 NMLS 324982

100 Ways to Save Money

100 Ways to SAVE MONEY

Sunflowers I save and share the seeds

As this sunflower will have more than 100 seeds to plant for next season, start a few of these saving habits today

Build an emergency fund. 

Start putting away five percent of your earnings into a savings account that you don’t touch.

Just for a rainy day account

This account is to save for dental bills, vacation mishaps and things you didn’t write in the budget. 

 Establish your budget. 

If you have been using a credit card look at your annual statement and add up what you spend.

Where are the weaknesses? What is necessary?

Write out what you earn and what you spend. Write a budget. Yes write it down and put the paper on the refrigerator.

Budget with cash and envelopes. 

Allow yourself one amount of cash a week and when it’s gone wait until Monday. Stop using credit cards.

Save money for goals

Learn about 529 Plan for college savings. Save for retirement. Save for vacations.

Save automatically.  An easy way to save, and put extra cash out of sight and out of mind is to auto save. Every pay period, have your employer deduct a certain amount from your paycheck and transfer it to a retirement or savings account. Ask your Human Resources representative for more details about how to set this up. Or every month, have your bank or credit union transfer a fixed amount from your checking account to a savings or investment account

Aim for short-term savings goals. Make a goal such as setting aside $20 a week or month, and longer term savings goal. 

Start saving for your retirement today. 

If you have a 401k contribute the maximum. Look into career changes that might offer a fixed retirement. Read about annuities. Learn how to invest your own IRA

Take full advantage of employer matches to your retirement plan. Often as an incentive, employers match a certain amount of what you save in a retirement plan such as a 401(k). If you don't take full advantage of this match, you're missing one of your greatest work benefits. 

Save your windfalls and tax refunds.  work bonus, inheritance, contest winnings, or tax refund, that ten dollar lotto ticket ---put half into your savings account. 
While we are on lotto tickets, stop buying them

Make a savings plan. Those with a savings plan are twice as likely to save successfully.

Save your loose change. Really! Putting aside just 50¢ over a year will get you 40 percent of the way to a $500 emergency fund. And some banks and credit unions or apps offer programs that round all your purchases to the nearest dollar and put that money into a separate savings account. 

Use the 24-hour rule. This rule helps avoid purchasing expensive or unnecessary items on impulse. Think over each nonessential purchase for at least 24 hours. This is particularly easy to do while shopping online because you add items to your cart or wishlist and come back to them a day later. 

Treat yourself, but use it as an opportunity to save. Match the cost of your nonessential indulgences in savings. So, for example, if you splurge on a Jamba Juice pink fru fru disguised as healthy while out running errands, put the same amount into your savings account. If you can't afford to save the matching amount, you can't afford the candy either. 

Calculate purchases by hours worked instead of cost. Take the amount of the item you're considering purchasing and divide it by your hourly wage. If it’s a $50 pair of shoes and you make $10 an hour, ask yourself if those shoes are really worth five long hours of work. 

Unsubscribe. Avoid temptation by unsubscribing from marketing emails to the stores you spend the most money at. By law, each email is required to have an unsubscribe link, usually at the bottom of the email.

Block advertisers  

Don't go to the mall

Change your bank to one like Chase that is offering $500 if you open a new account
Place a savings reminder on your card. Stick a piece of tape over the front of the card and ask yourself do you have to have to need this?

Participate in a local Investment Development Account (or IDA) program. If your income is low, you may be eligible to participate in an IDA program where your savings are matched. In return for attending financial education sessions and planning to save for a home, education, or business, you typically receive at least $1 for every $1 you save, and sometimes much more. That means $25 saved each month could become several hundred dollars by the end of the year. 

Pay off credit cards in full each month. The miles and cash-back are only valuable if you're not  paying interest.

Shop Credit Union Verses Bank
Transfer credit card debt to 0 percent cards

Check what fees your bank charges and complain in person Ask for fee waivers. Ask about better plans.

Start with a goal of reducing your credit card debt by just $1,000. That $1,000 debt reduction will probably save you $150-200 a year in interest, and much more if you're paying penalty rates of 20-30 percent.

Use only the ATMs of your bank or credit union. Using the ATM of another financial institution once a week might seem like no big deal, but if it's costing you $3 for each withdrawal, that's more than $150 over the course of a year.

Check your credit report for free once a year. Use your annual free credit report from the three credit reporting bureaus to look for inaccuracies or opportunities to raise your score. Having great credit gives you lower interest rates and opportunities for jobs. 

Pay all of your bills on auto-pay. This ensures they are paid on time, in full to avoid late charges. As a bonus, some loan providers offer a small interest rate deduction if you enroll in auto-pay. 

Get free debt counseling. The most widely available help managing your debt is with a Consumer Credit Counseling Services (CCCS) counselor. CCCS’ network of non-profit counselors can work with you confidentially and judgement-free to help you develop a budget, figure out your options, and negotiate with creditors to repay your debts. The 45 minute counseling sessions are free of charge and come with no obligations. .

Or speak with a mortgage banker about tips on how to improve your FICO for free. Mortgage bankers have access to a more in depth credit report than a consumer one 
Do not pay for credit repair or credit counseling its a waste of money

Freeze your credit, literally. If you are having trouble controlling your credit card use, but don't want to cut up your credit card in case you need it at some point, freeze your credit card in a bag of water. Needing to thaw your card will force you to really consider the purchase before you make it. 

FUN Let your heart be happy. Laugh at your jokes. Spend time with family.

Go Dancing Find a Meetup or Free event. Is there a cowboy bar in town that has line dancing? Go just for the fun.

Know your library. Libraries offer e-books which you may order online. Many libraries are also part of an intra-library loan system where you can borrow anything you want, but that they don't have, for a minimal shipping charge. Just ask. And some libraries allow you to borrow things like tools and sewing machines. 

Libraries are more about internet today Free internet and computers, and you can order books for delivery.

Get unadvertised theater ticket discounts. Call, email, or tweet your nearby theater to ask about discount options that are often not well-advertised. Ask for the student discount, or senior and don't be shy, ask about matinee costs.

Volunteer at local festivals. Cultural festivals and events often offer free admission to event volunteers. Contact the organizers of your favorite event to ask about volunteer opportunities and benefits. 

HIKE   Cancel gym membership. Find a meetup group that hikes together.

WALK To anything that you can make the distance and build up strength. Walk to work or the store or just to see the sky.

CAMP You don’t need tons of equipment. Borrow or rent or trade

Create a family spending limit on gifts. 

Many gifts you receive are things you don’t need, don’t fit and never return. Change gift giving into things you make for each other. Write a story, paint a card, knit something, grow something, go on Pinterest and find things you can upcycle in your garage

 Plan gift-giving well in advance. That will give you time to decide on the most thoughtful gifts, which usually are not the most expensive ones. And if these gifts are products that must be purchased, you will have the opportunity to look for sales.

Start saving for college at the baby shower. Ask for US SAVINGS bonds and put them in a safe deposit box at a bank that offers it as a free perk.

Cheap clothes are only okay if it’s a temporary trendy look. 

Clothing from Forever 21, H and M made in China may not last. Its okay to buy one cheaper trendy item that you wear numerous times until style changes. Buy basic pants that fit well and will last years. Solids in same color to work together over the years.
Don't buy dry clean only clothing

Wash clothing on cold setting Cheaper on utility bill and easier on clothing. 

Use half the detergent they recommend. Easy on your skin and budget.

GARAGE Sale

Twice a year pull out clothing your family hasn’t worn for a year, toys they crammed in a corner, broken appliances and extra clutter. Craigs list free advertisement, free cardboard signs, get neighbors to do a block sale. From 7 AM until 11 AM sell everything Call Saint Vincent De Paul or goodwill or Veterans of America in advance for pickup of what didn’t sell on Monday
Review your property tax bill, get the arbitration forms from your County Assessor and file to reduce property taxes Call me if you need some resources to review the bill, and get comparable homes.

One day a week a "no spend day." one night a week for free family fun. Cook at home, and plan out free activities such as game night, watching a movie, or going to the park. 

Brown bag your lunch. Healthier to eat leftovers, fruit , vegetables and home made then fried fast junk food. If buying lunch at work costs $9, but making lunch at home costs only $2.50, think of the savings.

Walk past Starbucks Make coffee at home

Stop buying single plastic water bottles carry a Kerr jar

DO not buy grocery bags. In California bags can cost ten to twenty five cents. If you forget the bags put the groceries back in the cart and unload the cart into your trunk. You’ll remember bags if you do this.

Ask for free samples at the grocery store before you try anything new.

Return any produce or food that spoils before expiration date.

Commit to eating out one fewer time each week. Cut out one a week.

Plan your meals in advance and stick to a list while grocery shopping. People who do food shopping with a list, and buy little else,

Buy fruits and vegetables in season, or on sale Make sure it’s fresh.
Grow basil, thyme and garlic Easy herbs can grow in  sunny window

Don’t go to grocery store starving Be less tempted to buy junk or things you don’t need
Don't buy pre-cut vegetables- they spoil faster and are more expensive
Examine the produce, don't buy a bag full that may have moldy pieces in the middle - thus making all the food spoil.

Shop by unit price. Many grocery stores list a cost per unit of each item, such as the price per ounce or pound. Use these stickers when comparison shopping for the same product, just in a different size. Read the per unit, per pound, per piece price in the fine print on the counter tag

Stick to water. It’s standard in the restaurant industry to mark up the cost of alcohol by three to five times. Sodas aren't good for you. Loads of sugar and chemicals in sodas.
Drink coffee black Better for you, less calories, don't use artificial sweeteners they are bad for your body

Save time and money by doubling the recipe. Some recipes require multiple ingredients and take time such as lasagna. Bake the whole pasta and then cut into single portions when cool. These can be double wrapped in foil, and a container for lunch carry or quick meal. 
If you make too much food and aren't going to freeze and save share it at work or wrap and give to someone homeless asking for money. A home cooked portion is a pleasure to share.

Purchase by trade or FREECYLE also get email from freecycle. Members post items they are giving away for free.

Start an organic garden with seeds from seed savers or seed exchanges

Start a compost pile with leftover coffee grounds, loose tea, vegetable peels, and green yard waste. Stack the compost pile in an open wire bin or chicken wire or trash can with the bottom missing

Don't skimp on preventive healthcare. Routine dental checkups, for example, help prevent fillings, root canals, and dental crowns, which are expensive and no fun.

Stop eating all fast food Pick Greek yogurt, berries, fresh salads, colored vegetables- stop at a grocery store when you need a quick meal
One day a week no meat

Stop eating processed foods and things from a box or can No more packaged crackers, chemical cookies, crap with preservatives are not good for your health or budget. Processing and packaging is most of the cost.

NO more GMO’s anything genetically engineered isn’t good. Don’t eat food with added hormones either.

Lose a few pounds if you need to – drink more water eat less junk Your clothing will fit better. Your health will improve.

Go generic. Ask your physician if generic prescription drugs are a good option for you. Generic drugs can cost several hundred dollars less to purchase annually than brand-name drugs. And since physicians often don't know the costs you incur for a particular drug, you often have to ask. 

Comparison shop for prescription drugs. Don't just rely on the closest drugstore because the cost to you can vary significantly from pharmacy to pharmacy. Make sure to check out your local pharmacist, supermarkets, wholesale clubs, and mail-order pharmacies. 

Purchase store brand over-the-counter medications. Store brand medications often cost 20-40 percent less than nationally advertised brands, but are the exact same formula.

Comparison shop for Homeowners insurance. Before renewing home-owners insurance policy each year, check out the rates of competing companies. Tell your agent you are shopping them, ask if they can match it.

Refinance your mortgage. Explore if you have the option to refinance your mortgage to a lower interest rate. On a 15-year $100,000 fixed-rate mortgage, lowering the rate from 7 percent to 6.5 percent can save you more than $5,000 in interest charges over the life of the loan.

Audit your home energy use. Ask your local electric or gas utility for a free or low-cost home energy audit. The audit may reveal inexpensive ways to reduce home heating and cooling costs by hundreds of dollars a year. Keep in mind that a payback period of less than three years, or even five years, usually will save you lots of money in the long-term.

Turn off lights, unplug unused chargers, turn off television, turn off or get timers My Dad, God rest his soul, knew when we left our bedroom lights on from two rooms away. I don’t know how he had the electric meter brain but he taught us to conserve
Change your light bulbs to LED or CFL when they die
Buy a water heater blanket

Conserve water it’s precious Short showers, or tub with just a half inch of water, flush only when dark colored, gradually reduce your big grass lawn into vegetable garden or zero scape.

Weatherproof your home. Caulk holes and cracks that let warm air escape in the winter and cold air escape in the summer. Your local hardware store has materials. You tube has thousands of resources for DIY free ideas.

Investigate Solar that isn’t financed Research. Read

Keep the sun out. Keep your blinds or curtains closed during hot summer days. Blocking the sunlight really does help to keep your house cooler. Also avoids fading furniture and keeps dust down. When you are not home, close up shop to avoid theft.

Use less water. Install low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators to reduce your water usage and water costs. 

Cut laundry detergent and dryer sheet use in half.  Detergent sold today is highly concentrated and bad for our water table. Use the smallest suggested amount, and often you can use less and have clean clothes. In many cases, using less actually washes more effectively because there’s no leftover soap in your clothes. Tear dryer sheets in half for same result for half the price. 
Clothes line drying is free and laundry smells great

Lower the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees. For every 10 degree reduction in temperature, you can save up to 5 percent on water heating costs. 

Comparison shop for auto insurance. Before renewing your existing auto insurance policy each year, check out the rates of competing companies.
Bundle insurance for a deal 

Be a kind driver Have less accidents, drive mindful, don’t use cell phone. A great driver saves money on insurance, tickets, and problems. 
Drive slower and save on fuel

Reduce stress Let the competition on Facebook roll off like a duck. You don’t care what brand of car you drive or what show off thing you just bought. Connect in person. Volunteer.

Invest in car maintenance. Keeping your car engine tuned and its tires inflated to their proper pressure saves money in the long run. Doing both can save you up to $100 a year in gas.

Change the car oil more often look for those coupons. Ask for ten percent off before they start. Buy your own air filter at an auto parts store or online and change it- simple and easy to do. Watch the oil change happening and learn. Make sure they put the cap back on
Rotate tires Most tire places will do for free if you bought them there. Costco tires verses local Tucker tire- know the price before you go to the store and tell them the price you want.

Check multiple sites for low airfares. Don't rely on a single airline search engine to show you all inexpensive fares. Some discount carriers do not allow their flights to be listed in these third-party searches, so you need to check their websites separately. 
No one needs a landline unless you have a Life Alert
Diva cup verses Tampons not going into detail on this one
Cosmetics from home recipes: Powdered milk facial... go find some beauty secrets online - ask Grandmother for her home remedies of items in your cupboard
Use less detergent, less bleach, less chemicals of all kinds Substitute gallon of cheap white vinegar diluted in water for surface cleaning, salt on stains, soak in cold water, elbow grease
Think of house cleaning as exercise and cancel gym membership and cleaning lady
Trade with others
Ask for help
Watch YOUTube videos to learn how to DIY repairs
Ask yourself WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY?
Sell your crafts, or start making something you can sell
Invent something simple
Teach or share a skill
Get a second part time job that pays cash and keep the cash

Stop comparing yourself to others. A better phone, watch, or purse means nothing

If you begin to find ways to save you will not miss the junk food, the designer itchy clothing and live a happier life.

What tips can you share?

House Hunting Season

Lunch and Learn Event is Free
Learn to Use Multiple Listing Service
to Hunt for a Home or
just track the value of your house.

Access is free if you can't make the
event please give me a call and
I will walk you through the steps.