Ask the Frugal Duchess a question! (Women of Personal Finance Spotlight)

[Myscha Theriault]

Thanks, Sharon. I really like the "Is this someone else's emergency?" question. I am the queen of trying to help out too much.

[benjisurfer]

Congratulations on your successful book FD. I can't wait to check it out.

Do you have plans for doing a book tour?

Do you consider shopping part of "research" for your columns and books? If so, does that mean your shopping is tax deductible?

[SouthShoreGirl]

Originally Posted by Myscha Theriault

Thanks, Sharon. I really like the "Is this someone else's emergency?" question. I am the queen of trying to help out too much.

As a social worker, and being in charge of a large program for a home health care agency, this stuff comes up ALL.THE.TIME. I've since learned how to grow a pair of cajones and really set my boundaries. With my staff more than anyone. I have found that they will certainly take advantage of you and want you to do their work if ya let them. Such a cause of unnecessary stress which will make you hate your job instantly!!!

[lucille]

I really enjoy your blog (been reading it for almost a year). Based on your experience of getting a book deal, how would someone who isn't a journalist go about getting their foot in the door with a book publisher?

[Frugal Duchess]

Originally Posted by soupkitchen96

I really liked your recent article about teaching your daughter the "truth" behind friendly sales clerks. It's a tough lesson. I'm a grown man and I still have a tough time saying no to friendly (and cute) sales clerks.

Do you have any additional tips on how to make kids more savvy shoppers?

There's a lot of great material on your blog. How much of that is in the book? Is it all new material or a "top ten hits" compilation? Either way congrats!

Soup Kitchen: Great guestions! Thanks for stopping by. I've also been charmed by salesclerks. It's tempting to try to "buy" their approval.

About Kids & Shopping

When it comes to shopping, I try to be a good role model for my kids. I've tried to show them the difference between the things I want vs. the items that I really need.

I've shown my kids the value of waiting for sales. It's amazing how much merchandise gets marked down. And sometimes the best sales are the sales that we skip.

Kids are often frugal when they have to pay for extra perks from their own pocket.
When it comes to the fun stuff on their wish list, we'll either split the price with them or encourage them to save up for the item.

About my book: It's a memoir with fresh material and compilation essays from my blog and newspaper items. There is a narrative frame with stories about my grandparents, parents and siblings. It's not just a book of tips.

Thanks so much for your questions and I appreciate the kind vibes.

[Frugal Duchess]

Originally Posted by benjisurfer

Congratulations on your successful book FD. I can't wait to check it out.

Do you have plans for doing a book tour?

Do you consider shopping part of "research" for your columns and books? If so, does that mean your shopping is tax deductible?

Benjisurfer: (Cool name!) I appreciate your kind thoughts! I hope you like the book.

I have had book signing parties in a few cities. I'll post a schedule on my blog. Meanwhile, I will be appeariing at the Miami Book Fair International in November.

Shopping does provide great research. I wish my shopping trips were tax-deductible, but I don't think so! Thanks so much for participating in this forum.

[Frugal Duchess]

Originally Posted by SouthShoreGirl

As a social worker, and being in charge of a large program for a home health care agency, this stuff comes up ALL.THE.TIME. I've since learned how to grow a pair of cajones and really set my boundaries. With my staff more than anyone. I have found that they will certainly take advantage of you and want you to do their work if ya let them. Such a cause of unnecessary stress which will make you hate your job instantly!!!

SouthShoreGirl: Thanks for your comments, which are right on the mark! I appreciate your insights about boundaries.

In the book: Why Women Earn Less by Mikelann Valterra, the author notes that the failure to sets proper boundaries can create financial hardships. "Giving time away," "excessive volunteering" and "underbilling" are some of the culprits.

Of course, it's great to be generous with our time & money, but it's also important to set boundaries.

I am so glad that you stopped by the forum! Thanks so much for your insights

[svb]

Sharon,

Just wanted to stop by and say how much I've been enjoying your Q & A! I hope that things weren't too hairy with the hurricane passing by.

I've been asked this myself before, but I'd like to ask you -- how are you able to juggle your blog, work and home responsibilities? Do you feel compelled to write on your blog on a regular basis and keep up with the content generation? What are your goals with your blog -- how much monetization have you tried or applied?

I hope it's okay that I shifted the topic a bit towards blogging. I've always been curious about how other bloggers manage their blogs.

Your blog is one of the sites that inspired me to start blogging .

[beren]

Sharon thanks for answering our questions despite a natural disaster! What a trooper.

Who are your favorite frugality and personal finance columnists and bloggers? Have you formed a stronger bond with other woman writers due to your shared experiences?

[Frugal Duchess]

Originally Posted by lucille

I really enjoy your blog (been reading it for almost a year). Based on your experience of getting a book deal, how would someone who isn't a journalist go about getting their foot in the door with a book publisher?

Lucille:

Thanks for the great question and thanks so much for reading my blog.

There are several roads to publication. I've met or heard of writers who have taken one of the following paths:

1) Attend community literary programs. Bookstores, libraries, community colleges and other institutions often host seminars with national writers, agents, publishers and other figures with insights or contacts that are helpful to writers.

2) Take a graduate course. Those courses are often taught by local or national figures.

3) Publish essays or short stories: There are assorted online journals and standard print publications that are always looking for new authors. Agents scout those publications for new voices.

4) Blog: Some bloggers have written posts that have received local, regional or national exposure.

5) Start your own literary journal.

6) Create a writers's group or a book club. Invite national and local authors to speak and network.

I'm really no expert on the topic. It took me 20-something years to get my first book published. It's been a lot of trial and many failures. I received a lot of encourgaement from friends and family.

Also: Poets & Writers magazine and Writers Digest are among the publications that I read. Poets & Writers has a great forum with publication tips.

I'll find the links and post them on Saturday night or Sunday morning.

Thanks so much for asking me questions.