Viva Editions are books that inform, enlighten, and entertain. The very name, "Viva!", is celebratory. And while Viva Editions is a line of books that are as fun as they are informational, the intention behind Viva is very serious—these are books that are truly helpful and intended to enhance people's lives.


Thursday, February 18, 2010

Add to Your Money Smarts Now!

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It’s Never Too Late To Improve Your Financial Future February 18, 2010

Posted by budgetsmartgirl in Budget Smart Girl's Guide.
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It’s Never Too Late To Be What You Might Have Been. Not only a saying by one of my favorite authors, George Eliot, but the title of a book that came to be attention while I was putting together last year’s BSG Holiday Gift Guide. Think about all the things you’ve ruled out doing because you think it’s impossible to achieve or you’re too old to develop new habits. Things like budgeting, saving for retirement, starting that business you’ve always dreamed about doing…one day. The title and book’s premise had me intrigued so I thought I’d interview its author, BJ Gallagher and ask her to share some tips with us. And she has some great ones! BJ is also the author of the international bestseller, A Peacock in the Land of Penguins. She’s been featured on such shows as The CBS Evening News and The Today Show and quoted in publications like O, The Oprah Magazine and The Wall Street Journal. You can find out more about BJ at www.womenneed2know.com andwww.vivaeditions.com

Budget Smart Girl (BSG)-Tell me why you decided to write this book?
BJ Gallagher (BJG)-My 60th birthday was approaching and I was feeling like “it’s too late for some of the things I’d like to have in my life …. a mate, big financial success, etc.” Then I came across George Eliot’s quote, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been” and it struck me right between the eyes. Right then and there I made it my new mantra. So I decided to write the book to reinforce my own new motto for living.

BSG-Many of my readers visit the Budget Smart Girl site looking for ways to save money, whether it’s sticking to a budget or putting money aside for a rainy day. But many of us struggle with attaining our goals. Do you have any tips you can offer for getting started with something and sticking with it?
BJG-There are some great tips in the chapter on “It’s never too late to gather wealth.” Here are some of my favorites:

1. You don’t have to pay cash for everything – you can barter. For instance, during my first year in Florida, I lived with two very busy people in their lovely home. I cooked dinner for them every night and walked their dog, in exchange for free rent and board. I had no money coming in at that time, but I also had no money going out – and I was living very well.

2. I learned about all the things that have no value after a certain point in time – like hotel rooms and theater tickets. If I arrive at a hotel late in the evening, I can often get a room at half-price because they know that no one else is coming so late, and the room has no value to them if it sits empty. It’s the same with theater tickets: After the curtain goes up, any unsold tickets are worthless. So I go to the theater half an hour before curtain time and see if I can get tickets at a reduced price. Often I can. (If not, then I have a Plan B in place, and I go walk on the beach instead. So I never feel deprived or disappointed.)

3. I learned how to ASK and to NEGOTIATE. For instance, if I knew a sale was coming up soon, I might go to the store and pick out what I wanted, then ask if I could have the sale price early. Often, that answer was “yes” because the clerk knew a sale price today is better than the chance that I won’t come back later during the actual sale.

4. I developed internal flexibility. For example, I can go to my favorite restaurant and have a wonderful meal at 5pm that will cost twice as much two hours later. I can go to the movies in the afternoon and see the same movie that will cost double a few hours later. I usually get what I want if I’m not attached to when I get it.

5. I learned the difference between wants and needs. Wants are preferences (what movie to go to, where to eat, etc); needs essential for survival (like oxygen, water, and food). For instance, I might want my own house, but I didn’t really need a whole house all to myself – I just needed my own space, some privacy and quiet. When I recognized the difference between wants and needs, I teamed up with two other women and together we bought a five-bedroom home in La Jolla. We ended up sharing that home for the next fourteen years, and for $650 a month, I lived in a gorgeous place with stunning ocean views. I had one bedroom to sleep in and another bedroom for my office – my housemates went to work each day so I had the place to myself. We all had a better lifestyle together than any of us could have had alone.
“In short, I always kept my priorities in mind – I wanted freedom more than I wanted things – so I acted accordingly. “Freedom” became as concrete to me as a new car might be to someone else. I learned to be creative and resourceful, and got a kick out of saving. I never felt deprived. I was buying what mattered most to me.”

BSG-I’m sure many of my readers have lost jobs or maybe they’re not happy in their current career. What’s your advice for people wanting to take a new direction in their life?
BJG-Several tips: (1) Don’t look for security – it’s an illusion. Your only security is your ability to secure work. (2) Give up the notion of “job.” This is a jobless recovery. Jobs are scarcer than hen’s teeth. Instead of “job” look for “work” and “earning opportunities.” There is still plenty of work to be done; it just isn’t in the form of a 9 to 5 hob. (3) Figure out what skills, talents, and abilities you have to offer; then brainstorm about people and organizations who might want to buy what you have to offer; then approach them and see if you can create some opportunities for yourself.

BSG-How about starting your own business, it’s a giant step for most of us, any advice?
BJG-Self-employment is not for everyone. Make sure you have the emotional skills: the ability to focus despite distractions, the ability to create your own structure, the ability to cope with working alone much of the time, and more. It’s a good idea to go interview people who are already doing what you think you’d like to do. Ask them how they got started; ask them what they like and don’t like about what they’re doing; ask for their advice.
Also, keep your overhead low. Do not go out and rent expensive office space, or spend money on fancy logos and stationary, or feel you need to incorporate. Start small and build; work from home; keep overhead and expenses to a minimum; don’t spend unnecessary money on lawyers, accountants, marketing consultants, and incorporation fees.

BSG-What if you fail at something, is it an automatic set back and how can you get back on track?
BJG-Of course, you WILL fail at some things! It’s inevitable. If you never fail, you’re never trying new things. I like what Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb, said: “I have not failed; I’ve simply found 10,000 ways that didn’t work.” Take calculated risks and understand that some of them will fail. Some will succeed. That’s life. That’s business.

BSG-These days it seems no matter who I talk to, everyone’s cutting out some of the luxuries they once enjoyed, maybe it’s saying goodbye to cable TV, not going out to eat so often. How can we continue to enjoy life without feeling deprived?
BJG-Make three budgets for yourself: a low budget, a medium budget, and a high budget. Then figure out how you can live a nice life, even if you’re on low budget. Instead of going out to the movies, you rent a movie, pop some popcorn, and cuddle up at home. Instead of going on a cruise, you make a picnic lunch, drive to the beach or the lake, and spend the day enjoying the sun, swimming, biking, talking, laughing, and playing games. There are lots of ways to have a wonderful life without spending a lot of money.

BSG-Any sites or other books besides your own, you recommend we check out?
BJG-Yes… In terms of money issues, I highly recommend Chellie Campbell’s book, The Wealthy Spirit. It’s a daily, 365-page, one page a day book and one of my faves. Also, a terrific new book called Wealth and Well-Being by Suzanne Lorenz and Sam Beasley. If you’re starting your own business, by all means, buy Christy Strauch’s new book, Passion, Plan and Profit. All three books are terrific!

BSG-Any other tips you’d like to share with us?
BJG-You don’t want your tombstone to read: “Died with her potential intact.” Don’t waste this precious life ….. roll up your sleeves, dig deep into life, and say “Yes” when opportunities come your way. Don’t just seize the day … seize the rest of your life!


Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Tired of being tired? Help in on the way!

WELLNESS | No Comments
February 8th, 2010

Need to Recharge? New Book Offers Four-Step Fatigue Remedy

Linda Hawes Clever, MD, outlines a four-step prescription for fatigue in her new book.

Linda Hawes Clever, M.D., outlines a four-step prescription for fatigue.

During this time of year, well-meaning people always tell us we look tired. In need of a winter recharge, The Fatigue Prescription (Viva Editions, 2010) — promising to renew energy, health and life — by Linda Hawes Clever, M.D., caught our eye. “Many devoted, capable people with plenty of good things going on and lots to look forward to are felled by fatigue,” Clever notes in the book’s introduction.

Fatigue often stems from juggling many responsibilities or from too much sorrow — Clever was inspired to come up with her prescription after a tough time in her own life: Over the course of a year, her parents died, her home was burglarized, she lost two jobs and her husband was diagnosed with cancer. The book, with easy-to-use workbook aspects, such as questionnaires, helps pinpoint the sources of your fatigue and how to make a fresh start.

To find out if you could benefit from renewing, take the RENEW-O-Meteronline test or in the book (we found we’re an all-star juggler who could use some help). Clever, a clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and founder of RENEW, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people find purpose and positive direction, outlines the remedy in four steps. The first, awareness, assesses the nature of the fatigue, as well as the external and internal causes. Reflection calls for thoughts upon good things, people, experiences and priorities in your life and allows for the organization of helpful resources. Conversation means feedback and observations from loved ones; Clever also provides tips for good conversation. In the final step, plan-and-act, you decide on purpose and strategy for renewal, by breaking things down into small steps, and reorganizing and ridding yourself of clutter.

Perhaps one of the most surprising tips for dealing with fatigue is the necessity to welcome change. “It may seem counterintuitive, but resisting change, brings fatigue,” Clever says. Taking risks to get out of your comfort zone are part of managing fatigue. “Comfort can become tiresome,” Clever notes. “You may ignore your goals and values in order to stay comfortable.” Venturing out of your comfort zone can be as simple as increasing self-awareness. For example, Clever mentions someone who kept track of when he sighed to pinpoint his source of fatigue. It turned out that he was “on overload,” and once he spoke with colleagues about managing his workload and taking the scenic route home from work, he found himself sighing a lot less.

We’re ready to banish our fatigue! What do you do to recharge in the winter months?

Friday, February 12, 2010

Happiest Valeintine's Day!



Viva Editions: Books for Vivacious Living!
Viva Editions: Books for Vivacious Living!

Get Sweet and Spicy this Valentine's Day!

February 2010

The Frugal Foodie Cookbook
Waste-Not Recipes for the Wise Cook

by Lara Starr

Have a frugal and fabulous Valentine's Day celebration with gift ideas and recipes from The Frugal Foodie Cookbook!

"I absolutely loved the recipes, but the tips and ideas are priceless. I am hooked."Bookwenches Review

Visitfrugalfoodiescookbook.blogspot.comfor tips on creative cooking, gift-giving and crafts!

» More

The Frugal Foodie Cookbook

Try This Sweet Treat for Your Loved Ones!

Hot Chocolate on a Spoon

12 ounces chocolate, milk or semisweet, chopped OR 2 cups chocolate chips

20 heavy-duty plastic spoons


Melt the chocolate in the microwave or in a double boiler over low heat, stirring until smooth. Dip a spoon in the chocolate, moving it around to cover most of the bowl of the spoon. set the spoon down on a sheet of waxed paper to cool.

Wrap the bowl of the spoon in plastic wrap, and tie with a ribbon.
spoons can be stirred into warm milk to make hot chocolate or hot coffee for a flavored café treat.

Makes 20 spoons.

This recipe is found in The Frugal Foodie Cookbook on page 172.

Serve Up Some Spicy Wit to Your Fabulous Friends!

Girlfriends Are Lifesavers

Girlfriends Are Lifesavers
by Reeda Joseph

Who do we turn to for the best advice, gossip, and fashion tips? Our friends! And listen, ladies we'd be nowhere without our girlfriends.


"There is a lot of love and laughter in this book and it is the kind of book that you want to give to friends." —Amos Lassen, Top 100 Review on Amazon.com

» More

Help Us Get the Word Out, Forward This Email to a Friend!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Viva author Nick Belardes teaches "what he knows best"

Random Writers Workshop aids writers

Alma N. Martinez

Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: Features
Local author Nick Belardes talks to attendees on the Random Writers Workshop at Russo's Books on Jan. 27.
Media Credit: Gregory D. Cook
Local author Nick Belardes talks to attendees on the Random Writers Workshop at Russo's Books on Jan. 27.

Eight weeks ago, at Russo's Books at the Marketplace, the Random Writers Workshop had their first meeting. The workshops are hosted by author Nick Belardes on Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to roughly 9 p.m.

Belardes was born in San Jose but later moved to Bakersfield. He has worked as a creative writer for the animation industry, TV and various magazines.

He has published two books so far. The idea for this workshop came to him from attending one himself.

He saw what a difference it made in his life and therefore decided to reach writers in Bakersfield who might need help.

"It was a dream of mine for more than a year. Thanks to Russo's Books and with promotional help from Bakotopia.com, I feel confident that serious writers and lovers of book-related discussions will keep coming out to contribute to the discussions," said Belardes.

He felt it was time to give back to the community since he had more credibility after publishing his second book, "Random Obsessions." Belardes added, "as a writer I learn as much as the attendees. These are smart people, and smart people learn from each other."

The background of those attending the workshops varies greatly, and that is not a problem according to Miles Johnson because "no matter what type of writing you are working on or what the reason why you attend is, Nick is very inclusive," said Johnson, 41, an attendee of the workshops and freelance columnist and artist.

Rod Reed, who said he is over 30, is an attendee and self-employed, recommends these workshops to anyone who wants to put what they have in their head into writing.

At these workshops one can expect to find tips on how to structure stories and novels, how to get published, ideas from other authors and even like-minded people.

The workshops average around 15 attendees, according to Belardes.

Belardes believes that all of the writers who attend the workshops seem to be randomly scattered throughout the city, hence the name of the workshop.

He describes the workshops as "kind of a support group." He also believes that in order to grow as a writer you really need to connect with other writers.
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