The Savvy Life

As of yesterday, December 22nd, our book Living The Savvy Life, has maintained its status as an international bestseller for a full year! 

For those of you who know the struggle we experienced in getting it published (two years and 36 rejection letters), just getting it on bookshelves was a triumph.

The fact that it has experienced such staying power is proof that our message of smart spending and rich living is one that is appreciated here in the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, Austria and Finland!

I want to thank all of you who helped us get to this point including David Hancock and Rick Frishman of Morgan James Publishing.  Thank you for believing in us and believing in our message!

I'm a make things from scratch kind of gal.  From pancakes and waffles to cornbread and cakes, I enjoy the experience of combining basic ingredients to cook and bake rather than using a premade mix.

Two years ago, we decided to build a gingerbread house - from scratch.  I purchased a gingerbread house cookie-cutter-set and used it to cut the dough I had made (from scratch) for the walls and roof.  We made the icing (from scratch) and added all kinds of candy that we had purchased to decorate the structure. 

Between the cookie-cutter-set, the ingredients for the gingerbread and all of the candy, we easily spent $35-$40.

Despite having Paul's help, who is actually really good at this type of thing, our gingerbread house suffered severe structural damage and, as Dante likes to say, it EXPLODED!!! 

It didn't actually explode, it imploded. 

Although the results were disastrous and the process a bit stressful, it was still a fun afternoon.  However, Paul and I weren't eager to try it again.

A few weeks ago when I was at Trader Joe's, their Gingerbread House Kit caught my eye.  It contained everything we would need, including premade walls and roof pieces, for the unbelievable price of $7.99.  I grabbed one and ran.

Last night, Dante and I sat down to put it together while Paul made dinner.  It was so easy that Dante was able to jump in and help put together the structure itself.  The entire experience was relaxing and enjoyable. 

It was a great lesson for me that "from scratch" isn't always better!

The Tosetti Family Gingerbread House - 2011

I managed to get in and out of Costco last night in 12 minutes, with 2 items for $12.58!

I'm thrilled to announce that the winner of the $100 Visa Gift Card is Pamela G. of Arizona.  Pamela won the gift card after participating in The Savvy Life phone interview series. 

The interviews were conducted as a research project to learn exactly what Savvy Life readers are looking for to make 2012 the best year yet from a financial and lifestyle perspecting. 

As we move into 2012, look for new programs and opportunities through The Savvy Life to help you gain control over your financial life to not only create a strong financial foundation, but to help you buy the things you want to buy, do the things you want to do and visit the places you want to visit.

I want to again thank everyone who participated in the interviews.

My friend The Budget Babe has an extensive list of the best Cyber Monday clothing deals.  Just two of the outstanding sales she posted include:   

• Forever 21: Up to 90% off plus free shipping with no minimum. Also, get 10% off orders of $100 or more with code TENOFF (Valid 11/28 - 12/5/11)
• New York & Co.: 50% off everything plus free shipping with code 2129

To see the entire list, visit http://bit.ly/v2hqZ2

I am not a fan of Black Friday because it overshadows Thanksgiving, one of the most important holidays of the year.

I am however, a big fan of Cyber Monday.  You can take advantage of the year's deepest retail discounts without the need to camp in a parking lot! 

For a consolidated list of some of today's best deals visit CyberMonday.com.

I've never hosted and prepared Thanksgiving Dinner and a small part of me still feels like a kid because I haven't experienced this rite of passage.

For now, I'm ok with continuing my "guest" status, but one of these days I'd like to don an apron and play host.  In the meantime, I'm grateful to my mom who is hosting dinner this year. 

In addition to dinner at my mom's we're going to have breakfast with my dad and other-mom Linda tomorrow morning.  It's going to be the first time we spend Thanksgiving together in a long time so it's a treat!

I have an amazing family that I love to be around so I am especially looking forward to the day!

A big part of Living The Savvy Life is being grateful for what you have while working toward achieving what you want.  I have much to be grateful for and tomorrow, like every day, I will be counting my blessings.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. 

For the last few days, I've been conducting phone interviews of Savvy Life readers to determine the type of information they want to learn to make 2012 their best year yet from both a financial and a lifestyle perspective.

During the interview, one of the questions I ask is, "Were you taught basic day-to-day money management as a kid".  This is a question I always ask audiences when I speak or give seminars.  I'm never surprised when only a few hands are raised.  In fact, when I spoke at Author 101 University in Las Vegas last month, only about five out of 300 people raised their hand.

What I find particularly interesting about this question during the phone interview is that not only has almost everyone said "no", but they've actually laughed and then said "no".  It's obvious that this is a touchy subject.

In truth, basic day-to-day money management is not taught in the U.S. and because of that lack of education, we suffer for it and the economy has suffered for it.  One of my goals is to push for personal finance to be taught in school and not just a single class, but an ongoing curriculum beginning in grade school and continuing through high school.

But for now, it's imperative that we educate ourselves.  Whether that education entails attending a personal finance class, picking up a book or taking part in a course like the Living The Savvy Life Online Program.

It's time to stop beating yourself up for struggling with money... and don't beat your parents up either!  I have the most amazing parents in the world, but it just didn't dawn on them to teach me about money - because they weren't taught about it as children either. 

One very inspiring conclusion from the phone interviews is that every single person I spoke to had already improved their financial situation or was in the process.  A brighter financial future is in your power.  It's time to take control!

With the New Year just six weeks away, it’s time embrace 2012 with a positive outlook – but more importantly, with a plan!

Now, through November 30^th, I will be personally conducting phone interviews with Savvy Life readers.  I want to know what it will take to make 2012 the best year of your life and what The Savvy Life can do to help.

If you’re willing to spend 3 – 5 minutes answering a few questions, I’ll enter your name in a drawing for a $100 Visa Gift Card.  Only those who I actually speak with will be entered to win. 

To set up your call, send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with Phone Interview in the subject line.  In the body of the email, please include your telephone number and the best days and times to to be reached. 

The drawing will take place on Thursday, December 1^st.