Hi David,

It’s your friendly tapas-waitress, just writing in to share my story and say Thank You! At the start of last year I made a financial goal to get out of credit card debt and start saving for my future. I am your typical actor/waiter in NYC and had accumulated about 15,000 in debt over the course of 10 years or so. Every time I left town for a job–touring, or regional theatre–I would spend way more than I was taking in–and thus, I dug myself into a deep, deep, hole. Not to mention the extreme amount of money I seemed to spend living in NY and funding my career (pictures, classes, coaching, etc.) Well, I had no idea how to get out of debt. No financial education or smarts at all. Even my family always seemed to live outside of their means, so I suppose my habits were inherited.

I started working like crazy, gave up on acting, and just threw money at my debt, when a friend suggested I read “Smart Women Finish Rich”. Your book was encouraging in ways I never expected. The idea of using your own personal goals to amend your financial behavior was refreshing! After doing the “goals” section of your book, I looked for part time artistic work that I could do to bring in extra money. I wound up in a kid\’s show here in the city on the weekends, then picked up teaching artist work through the same company and now I do part time casting!!! All fun and fulfilling for me and extra money to pay off that nasty debt. Also, I’ve been away twice this year for shows and I saved before I went, and budgeted, so I wouldn’t spend what I didn\’t have!

The outcome: On December 31st, 2008 I mailed in my last Credit Card payment!!! What a great New Year present. AND I have contributed monthly to an IRA which I started at the beginning of 2008! I have never felt so in control of my personal finances, and I am relieved that I didn\’t have to sacrifice my own crazy artistic goals to make it happen.

It was an extra surprise to get to meet you at my restaurant! A little reminder that I was definitely headed in the right direction with my financial future. Thank you again for your guidance and your encouraging and inspiring book. Come in for tapas anytime!

Holly
New York, NY