Meet the Author

Kris Koederitz Melcher is currently an executive editor for Andrews McMeel Publishing and works with some of the top licenses of popular culture in the industry today. She is a former public relations account executive for Fleishman-Hillard, an international public relations firm. She has written, pitched, and placed articles in such venues as PARADE Magazine, USA Weekend, Ladies' Home Journal, Working Mother, New Woman, Parents, Modern Bride, Woman's Day, Better Homes and Gardens, Midwest Living, House Beautiful, Country Living, Country America, and For the Bride. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism. In her spare time, she enjoys flying, scuba diving, boating, traveling, entertaining, winetasting, and running. She lives in Leawood, Kansas, with her husband Jeff and daughter Isabella.

Five Frugal and Fun Facts About Me

1. My birthday is January 13, which makes me a Capricorn. Goat girls are known for being resourceful, practical, and responsible.
2. I love to browse Costco and Sam's for authentic designer handbags like Prada and Fendi.
3. I'm sewing challenged, but a glue gun fanatic. I hot glue fringe, feathers, ribbons, and rhinestones on everything from purses to T's to lampshades and everything in between.
4. My favorite bargain spots to shop for home accents are Target, Marshall's, TJ Maxx, and Stein Mart.
5. I visit the library almost weekly to check out the latest books and movies.

Author FAQ
Q: Where did you get the idea for your book?
A: My first Real Job out of college [doing PR for a not-for-profit agency] paid $18,000 a year, so frugalness was a necessity. Since I've been there, done that, made some mistakes, and learned a little bit a long the way, I thought I'd share my hard-won wisdom.

Q: What is your favorite cheap indulgence?
A: Curling up with a great book and a good glass of wine.

Q: What is your favorite frugal beauty secret?
A: Vaseline. It's great for really dry skin, taking off eye make-up, and the perfect lip gloss.

Q: What's a quick hors d'ouevres to whip up on a moment's notice?
A: Almond bark is my foodie staple when it comes to entertaining. I dip 1/3 of a large pretzel rod into the white melted bark and then shake some festive sprinkles on it.

Q: What is the secret to hosting a successful party?
A: Great atmosphere + great food/drink + great guests = great fun!

Q: What are some easy, inexpensive decorating ideas?
A: Paint and fabric. Paint is one of the cheapest and easiest means of transforming a piece from ick to slick, and you can make mismatched pieces of furniture look more like a set by staining or painting them the same shade. If you're a little more adventuresome, try your hand at stenciling, stamping, or sponge painting. Rustoleum paint is also an inexpensive way to update metal frames and fixtures with a spackled look.

You can get fabric from old tablecloths, canvas, bed sheets, clothing, curtains, quilts, blankets, towels, and bedspreads. It's best to use something that's durable and washable. If you have any fabric damage, just work around it. If you can sew, that's great, but if not you can use pins, a glue gun, and fabric glue to create slip covers, throw pillows, tablecloths, runners, placemats, small footstools, throws, a dust ruffle, a bathroom sink skirt, bench cushions, chair pads, and curtains. Or, you can buy bolts of fabric at craft stores when they run sales and make coordinating pieces.

Q: What basics do you think should be in every woman's wardrobe?
A: Jeans, khakis, white Ts and blouses, cardigan sweater sets and turtleneck sweaters in colors that flatter you, black pants, a long and a short black skirt, a navy or black pinstriped suit, and a little black dress are timeless wardrobe staples.

Q: Do you have any career advice for someone just starting out?
A: Get as much experience in your field as you can whether it's a minimum wage job, internship, volunteering, or temp jobs. And, besides looking in the obvious places to make job connections--career centers, professional organizations, Chamber of Commerce events, classifieds, websites, job fairs, and head hunters--don't forget the less obvious places. Weddings, parties, reunions, happy hours, your parent's dull dinner party, even Aunt Bertha's second cousin's neighbor's accountant. Talk to everyone all the time. You never know.

Q: What's the best financial advice you would give a woman just starting out on her own?
A: Stay out of debt, establish a budget (and stick to it), and put a little money into savings each month.