My book is a whimsical and inspirational handbook on my life as a single woman, which offers helpful, cost-saving tips and ideas, for a healthy and wealthy mindset for anyone to use, wherever you live.
Many individuals and families are feeling a lot of stress and struggle during these challenged economic times, and are making adjustments to just put food on the table and gas in the car!
In financial survival mode, we all do what we have to do to get through, as long as it's not criminal, unethical, or immoral and doesn't harm yourself or others.
In this fun handbook, I present my life and challenges, living on a shoestring spending plan, to stretch the dollar, while having a happy and upbeat attitude with my spiritual faith, that it all will work out. I'm sharing my experience to help others, so take what you want and leave the rest!
I am kind to others and live life to the fullest each day, even if I have one dollar in my bank account between paydays! I use humor and empowerment to help people feel and think better each day.
In the spirit of giving, I will donate a portion of proceeds from this book, to some non-profit organizations that are dear to my heart, as I feel it's always important to give back.
I'm honored that my book Foreword was written by my long time friend Louise Fletcher, Academy Award winner, Best Actress, 1975 "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest."
I work in "Camp Hollywood", as I call it these past 25 years - I am pursuing my creative goals and dreams, working part-time and full-time on film, music, television, theatre and commercial projects, which help to make a difference and carry humanitarian messages. Most work is on a project-to-project basis, and often these projects do not happen one after the other, so you have to learn to stretch your dollars. Some projects pay low wages, so that, too, has kept me on a shoestring spending plan. However, the impact of what messages a heartfelt project, can bring to the audience worldwide is worth the time, even at a lower wage. To endure this shoestring mindset, one must have a realistic, yet optimistic, never give up attitude with a shield of strength and confidence.
I have an 8x10 frame in my kitchen placed where I can see it each day. On the paper inside I have typed:
Put God First Each Day And All Will Be Handled
This is how I get through each day -- knowing 'all' will be handled personally and professionally as I stay in faith.
Think of these challenged times as an exercise in forward movement to be a better person living in gratitude for the very basics you have, hopefully decent health, shelter, food, clothes, phone and a car to get around or money to take public transportation.
In my opinion, having a shoestring mindset, doesn't mean that you are a cheap person, it means that you are careful and practical, with your spending, savings and investing. Also, as you may have heard before: Money doesn't buy class. It is the richness, generosity and character of one's soul that gives them the class.
I'm just sharing my experience from my heart with you, the reader, in hopes that it will bring some helpful information and add levity to your day! I only want to suggest and not preach nor advise. We all work at life each day, whether we are paid or not. Sometimes we are teachers, and sometimes we are students. If readers can take away some ideas from my book to help them feel and think better, I would be extremely happy!
Another thought to remember during a challenged economy is "This too shall pass." Meaning, that nothing is forever and all we can do is live life one day at a time. It could be awhile before our economy and lifestyles are better and more people will be earning, saving and investing, so we need to be in acceptance of that possible time frame.
You are as healthy and wealthy as you make up your mind to be, no matter where you are living, even if that