I am a full-time freelancer based in Anchorage, Alaska. For seven years I wrote blog posts and personal finance columns for MSN Money; during a couple of those years I also was a staff writer at Get Rich Slowly. After Microsoft fired all its writers on Sept. 11 (could they have chosen a better day, maybe?), I began writing for numerous other sites, including but certainly not limited to Money Talks News, Get Rich Slowly, Experian, Magnify Money, Wallet Joy, The Simple Dollar, Vox, Policy Genius, Twine, Self.inc and Wealthy Single Mommy.
Surviving and Thriving is my playground for words, and a place to express ideas that don’t fit anywhere else.
I spent 18 years of my life as a full-time newspaper journalist (Anchorage Daily News, Chicago Tribune) and freelanced for a wide variety of publications — everything from Quail Unlimited to the New York Times Review of Books.
My writing has won regional and national awards, including prizes from the Association of Women in Communications, the National College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Society of American Travel Writers and the Women’s Sports Foundation.
I went to college for one year, 1976-77, and then started back up in autumn 2005. In December 2009 I earned a degree in the Comparative History of Ideas (B.A., magna cum laude) from the University of Washington in Seattle, where I was a Mary Gates Scholar.
Originally I am from rural New Jersey. That is not a typo.
I’m a member of American Mensa, but people are much more impressed by the fact that I was a contestant on “Jeopardy!” back in 1991.
I’m mom to Abigail Perry, who blogs about personal finance and disability issues at I Pick Up Pennies. She makes me proud.
For more of my backstory, see “Why I’m writing, and why you should read it” and “The life I once led.”
Unlike your parents, I enjoy backtalk. Send yours to SurvivingAndThriving@live.com.
Thank you…You are an inspiration for your stance! Looking forward to reading and following your posts…!
That was a wonderful journey of your life challenges and achievements. It took a determined individual to return back to school after so many years after your initial enrollment. While you still continues to do what you enjoy writing for many different companies. That is something you can really be proud to say you’ve achieved dispite the challenges which ultimately paid off in the end.
Life just gets more interesting all the time.
Thanks for reading, and for leaving a comment.
Do you have a mailing list to get notifications of your latest articles/posts? If so, may I be added to this list? Longtime fan, Christine
P.S.: I love your posts on how to cook and eat on a budget!
Loved your book. In your second one when you wrote about education please mention free or almost free university classes that people can take online. There are two that I really enjoy: Coursera and Universal Class.
With coursera you can earn a certificate if you pay a minimal fee or take the class for free without the certificate (remember learning is a reward within itself.) these are university classes taught in some major universities all over the world.
With Universal Class you pay as little as $59 to join and you can earn continuing education credits or certificates, through the site. One thing about Universal Class, you may be able to take the classes for free through your local library. Where I live the library offers this nice little perk through its eLearning website. This is such a Godsend. I would not be able to afford it otherwise. Through the library I do not have to pay I can take the courses for free. Well I do pay through my taxes but for this website , I do not mind.
Anyway I just thought you may mention this in your next book. Again your playbook is marvelous. Thank you for writing it.
As usual,
Sally R.
Thank you for your kind words* about the book! And in fact free/nearly free university classes are among the educational resources I mention. These are a good way to learn skills — brushing up on your Spanish, say, or becoming a social media ninja — that will make you more employable, or too valuable to lay off.
*Any chance you could leave a short review on the book’s Amazon landing page? Doesn’t have to be a dissertation; just a few sentences on why you found it helpful.
I lived in Fairbanks and Anchorage in the 1980s.
Was a reader for years, until life changed in 2021. I miss receiving your posts in my email and would love to subscribe again! Have been unable to locate a link or button to subscribe. Please direct me on how to make that happen . . . .
My best to you, DF, and Abby — thank you very much!