How Do I Write A Book About My Life?

April 16, 2015

Dear Cathy:

I want to write a book about my life.  I have had a brilliant life and I am finally ready to put it on paper.  What kind of advice can you give me about writing a book about my life?   Will the book be a biography or autobiography?  Writer in Kansas

Dear Writer in Kansas:

You need to decide if the book will be about your entire life or a certain part of your life.  Writing a book about your life or parts of your life can be a very gallant act.  A ‘biography’ is a detailed description or account of someone’s life.  It entails more than basic facts (education, work, relationships, and death).  A biography also portrays the subject’s experience of those events.  

An ‘autobiography’ is a book about the life of a person, written by that person so you will be writing an autobiography about your life.  The goal is to commit to writing for one to two hours everyday.  Some people write at the break of dawn and others at night so you need to figure out when will be the best time for you to write and just do it.  Before you know it – you will have a finished book in front of you.

Just try to have fun writing the book.  If you are having fun while doing it people will be able to tell.  It’s your life, and it may have been hard, but you survived. Think about the triumphs and joys, important people in your life, and all the things that made it worthwhile.  To learn more on writing a book read “How ToWrite A Book: The Complete Guide to Writing and Selling Your Own Paperback orE-book.”

Can I File My Own Bankruptcy?

April 15, 2015

Dear Cathy:

I am really getting serious about my finances and I am thinking of filing a bankruptcy.  I have heard you can file your own bankruptcy.  Is this true and how do I do this?  Bankruptcy Bound, Memphis, TN

Dear Bankruptcy Bound:

Bankruptcy should be your last option, but it is an option.  First of all you must understand that a bankruptcy is simply a reorganization of your finances.  Bankruptcy is a legal proceeding that allows you to get out of excessive debt and gain a fresh start financially.  

There are four (4) common types of bankruptcies:

-Chapter 7 allows either an individual or business to discharge virtually all unsecured debts.  Remember new bankruptcy laws will require persons with a certain income to pay back a portion of their debt.

-Chapter 11 is for individuals or corporations engaged in business who desire to reorganize their debts and seek court protection while they negotiate a plan of re-organization with creditors.

-Chapter 12 is like Chapter 13 but is only for family farmers.

-Chapter 13 is an alternative to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.  It is designed for “wage earners” with relatively small amounts of consumer debt (as opposed to business debt).

Bankruptcy attorneys typically charge anywhere from $500 to $1,500 or more.  If you do not have the money to hire a bankruptcy attorney, you can file the bankruptcy yourself.  You can go to an office supply store such as Office Depot or Staples and buy the bankruptcy kit for a very low price.

Fill out the forms to the best of your ability and take it to the courthouse and obtain a case number.  This process will cost around $100 or more.  Fax the sheet with the case number on it to the mortgage company.  This should stop the foreclosure.  It will buy you some time so you can obtain the rest of the funds to solicit help from a bankruptcy attorney or give you time to move.

It’s imperative that you secure an attorney that specializes in bankruptcies and not a catch-all attorney, or a jack of all trades.  You should avoid large bankruptcy firms that treat you like a herd of cattle.  They won’t return your calls or answer your questions without an appointment.  Some large firms also rotate you from attorney to attorney, leaving no stability and no one really knowing your case directly.

Young Beautician Seeks Mentor

April 14, 2015

Dear Cathy: 

I am a young beautician.  I am currently running my business out of my home but would like a mentor so I can take the proper steps to grow my business into my own line of beauty or barber shops someday.  What do I need to know about this type of business?  Help for young beautician, Cleveland, Ohio

Dear Young Beautician:

First look for a mentor in your family.  Are there any business owners?  Then look for business groups especially Chambers of Commerce that caters to youth entrepreneurs who can match you up with others who already have these types of establishments. 

Recognizing that you need a mentor is a crucial first step to becoming a successful business owner so don’t be afraid to ask others to mentor you.  The next step you need to take is to make short range and long range goals to open your own beauty shop.  It’s great to start off at your home but eventually you need to branch out.  You can start out by working for other beauticians before you get your own place.

Think outside the box!  Instead of opening just a regular beauty shop you could open a school (4 to 5 chairs in the back of your shop) for young and upcoming beauticians and/or barber shop owners; Sell beauty supplies on the side in your business; and write a book and give workshops on the proper way to take care of hair.

The goal is to keep traffic coming in and out of your shop so you will have a steady line of customers so think about placing a community bulletin board in your shop with entrepreneurship and job opportunities especially for young people.  

All of the above will look good to potential angel and private investors who could be family members, friends, neighbors or others.  You can learn more about how to set up a successful business by reading “How To Take Control of Your Own Life: A Self-Help Guide To Starting Your Own Business” which includes every step you need to take to set up a successful business.

Is Couponing A Good Idea to Buy Healthy Foods?

Apr. 6, 2015

Dear Cathy:

I am really trying to save money this year but I would also like to eat healthier.  What can you tell me about food couponing?  Coupon Shopper, Oregon

Dear Coupon Shopper:

Even though it’s great to save with food coupons, there are very few foods in neighborhood grocery stores that are healthy.  Over 90% of foods in grocery stores are Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) especially all processed foods.  These foods might not make you sick next week or next month but over the long haul they will cause you to have more doctor’s visits.  Is that what you want for your family?

The goal is to transition off processed foods and start eating foods in as natural forms as possible – fresh, raw, and organic foods and especially foods for your blood type.  Health and wholefood stores and other organic venues does offer sales on their products so before going to your neighborhood stores to shop for food, you should check these stores out.

Some of these stores have discount Wednesdays (15% to 25% off) or they collect your email to send discounts and coupons directly to you along with other special discounts -- so don’t rule them out.  If you still prefer to use coupons in your neighborhood stores remember that many people don’t have time to gather and organize coupons.

The truth is even if you aren’t the coupon-clipping type, you can still save quite a bit with them.  All it takes is five minutes to look at the ones that come with the Sunday paper, in the daily mail and any others that you happen across.  Over 75 percent of grocery coupons come from the Sunday newspaper so buy two to three copies to save the most.

Know how your stores’ coupon policies work so ask if they double coupons.  Be flexible about your store choices so check ads for area stores and shop at the one with the best deals on your items that week.  Download and print coupons from coupon websites.  Combine sale prices, store coupons and automatic rebates to get free merchandise every week.

To save more money this year check out the book "Recession Survival Guide: How To Get Back Into the Driver's Seat" -- available as an e-book and paperback.

Is The Four Basic Food Groups (aka Food Pyramid) A Myth?

April 3, 2015

Dear Cathy:

I am a single mother and I am 35 years old.  My 10 year old son is on medications for high blood pressure and my 12 year daughter is on medications for diabetes and I am on medications for both of these diseases.  Being single I can barely afford the medications. 

I don’t live near any family so I have to depend on what doctors are telling me.  I have always followed the 4 basic food groups’ standards of eating which was provided by my doctors.  But still we are all overweight and obviously unhealthy.  What do I need to do to make sure my family stays healthy? Unhealthy Family in Texas

Dear Unhealthy Family:

What you need to understand upfront is that schools, institutions and corporations initially started mis-educating families with the 4 basic food groups (aka Food Pyramid) a very, very long time ago.  It’s a big myth that you should eat foods from the 4 basic food groups. 

Today holistic and natural healers are teaching people not to mix bread and meat and other foods together so the 4 basic food groups were initially put into place to keep people sick.  The four basic food groups' standards are referred to as Standard American Diet (SAD) and that along should tell you something.

The pharmaceutical industry in this country has and always will be “BIG BUSINESS” and as long as people are sick and going to doctors or buying over-the-counter medications, then the pharmaceutical industry makes a profit. 

Being on medications will cause nothing but the further deterioration of your body.  So your goal should be to get off the medications.  The only thing you and your family can do now at this point to ensure your entire family stays healthy is to get entrenched in holistic and natural communities which are located in every city. 

My health book "How To Take Control of Your Own Life: A Self-Help Guide to Becoming Healthier Over the Next 30 Days” has a 30-day action plan and lists “12 Steps To Wellness” (www.CathyHarris-12StepsToWellness.com) – so check it out.

Should I Eat Foods for My Blood Type To Be Healthy?

April 2, 2015

Dear Cathy:

I am seeking more health information this year.  Many of my friends say they only eat foods now for their blood types.  I don’t really understand what they mean.  However, I have heard many times growing up that not all family members can eat the same foods so what do they mean by that?  Seeking More Information, Idaho

Dear Seeking More Information:

Basically even though most people grew up on beans and peas and other foods, many blood types can’t eat the same foods.  There are 4 blood types – Type A, B, AB and O.  Most kids take the blood type of the father or mother so this means that many families as they grow up have one or two blood types in the household and again, one blood type person can’t eat the same foods that the other blood type person eats. 

It’s imperative to eat for your blood type today more than ever.  Over 90% of foods today are Genetically Modified foods especially processed foods in grocery stores so many people are allergic to these foods.  Many are suffering from food allergies which can also zap your energy, make you miss days at work and put you in a state of depression.

Foods play a major role in your life.  Foods affects every area of your life from your mood, behavior, happiness and entire quality of life.  Foods either acts as a medicine or poison in your body so yes most or a large percentage of people are eating the wrong foods.  

Once you start eating foods for your blood type then those allergic reactions should subside and then you will have the energy and vitality to live a long and healthy life.   Read the book “Eat Right 4 Your Type” and read my health book so you will understand how the body operates “HowTo Take Control of Your Own Life: A Self-Help Guide to Becoming Healthier Overthe Next 30 Days.”

What Does Unions Do in the Federal Government?

Apr. 1, 2015

Dear Cathy:

I am employed with the federal government and I don’t want to file an EEO complaint against my job.  I have heard it is a long drawn out process so I rather work with the union to resolve my issue.  What exactly can a union do for me?  Disgruntled Employee, Georgia

Dear Disgruntled Employee:

Unions can help you better understand the guidelines at your agency or company.  So join these groups early on because it’s protection for you.  Unions are a good first option but if your issue is not resolved through your union by filing a grievance, you might have to think about filing an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC.gov) workplace complaint. 

In many jobs unions can be your best friends or sometimes your worst enemy.  They can usually come to your rescue and intervene to assist you from being disciplined and/or wrongfully terminated by helping you file a workplace grievance instead of an Equal Employment Opportunity complaint.

Just remember the union is not always to be trusted especially in the federal government where most unions are in bed with management.  However, sometimes unions might prove to be better than going to Labor or Employment attorneys who specialize in workplace complaints who sometimes will take advantage of you financially.

As a paying union member, you also have the right to contact their national office where their attorneys are located, which might be located in other cities.  These attorneys could also help you save on attorney fees.

You can learn more about how to survive in the workplace by reading "Workplace Survival Guide: How To Survive Discrimination, Whistleblowing and the Workers' Compensation System."