CEO of Everything

by Gail Vaz-Oxlade, Victoria Ryce

We live in a world of growing singleness. While lots of attention is being paid to senior singles, less has been given to younger women and men who find themselves suddenly single—through separation or divorce or through the death of a partner—or to those who come to the realization that perhaps partnership isn’t in the cards and they need to start planning for themselves. Single women make up more than half the population of Canadian women. And they’re facing financial and life challenges for which they’re unprepared. Both Victoria and Gail know that single doesn’t have to suck. But a newly minted CEO of Everything will face some challenges, so Gail and Victoria are here with a heads up! CEO of Everything maps out the territory that singles find themselves in and guides readers through topics that form the new land of singleness. Jobs once shared by two now fall on the shoulders of one. And as if life isn’t busy enough, the state of singleness means you get to do it all, all day and every day. What is normal when you are suddenly planning for life for one? What do you need to look out for, be responsible for and be prepared for? This book will help readers decide what’s urgent, what’s important and what they can afford to just let go unattended. (Baby, you may be strong, but nobody can do it ALL.)

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Business

304 pages, Paperback

Published December 13, 2016

About the author

"Hello! I'm Gail Vaz-Oxlade. I'm a mother, step-mother, grand-mama, friend, confessor, writer, TV host, money maven, teacher, artist, and ex-wife. I'm loud, large and laugh a lot. I'm passionate about learning, committed to sharing and hell-bent on getting people to take control of their money and their lives.

I've written 13 books on personal finance, hundreds of articles for the financial media, published a financial magazine for women, hosted three prime-time television shows and worked with Canada’s leading financial services companies to help educate employees and clients. (I've been busy, eh?)

My corporate projects have ranged from the design of a product knowledge and sales curriculum to cover every product sold through the branch network, to the writing of several consumer-oriented brochures, the development of web content, the on-camera hosting of consumer-oriented videos, and myriad public presentations. I can make the most complex financial topic accessible to everyone, even kids.

For those of you who have detected an accent, go ahead and guess! I immigrated to Canada in 1977, lived in The Big City for a long time and then moved to the country. I have dozens of houseplants, read or listen to about 150 books a year and I'm a fabulous cook. I’m learning to knit and dying to get a new puppy… but the time’s not quite right yet so I’m practicing what I preach and being patient.

I’m all about change, and I believe that we can have anything we want in life…anything. It’s all a matter of what’s important to us and how hard we’re prepared to bust our butts. I also believe that a well-balanced life is one of the keys to happiness, and so I strive to achieve a sense of balance.

I’m happy with my life. I am determined to do interesting work and to be useful. I love to learn new things. And I’m practicing living in The Now. I am a work in progress."

Reviews

[Chelsea Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was a book about living your life as a newly single person, but got it because I love the author and was compelled by the title. Even though some of the content didn't apply to me exactly as written, it still contained great advice for generally living your best life and dealing with big life changes, no matter what they may be.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is often offered to those newly widowed. If a woman has been quite dependent on her husband this offers practical advice as well as attitude. It's about feeling empowered and building you can do it attitude.

I am surprised in this day and age that women would not be more independent but it is easy to let someone take charge, especially when it comes to house mainenance.

Especially good for making a will and executive duties of the executor.

Some of the advice -unlearn the patterns
-make new traditions - Xmas, birthdays
-join activities - make girlfriends
- embrace a routine e.g. exercise class, yoga class,college course
-try something new e.g. dance class, photography class
-STAY IN THE MOMENT
-FIND YOUR JOY in small things - garden, pets, tea on the deck
-express your emotions ( Here I find a counselled is a good idea - that's me)
fear, anger, heartache, vent....find a friend who will listen without
judgement
-journal - write it out - don't think about spelling...use point form...just
get those strong emotions out
- it's okay to drop below the radar and be quiet, rest and give the situation
yourself time - the person was a big part of your life - you need time to heal

It's a quick and easy read and they use example from their own lives...one author was
widowed and the other went through three divorces.

It's more technical and practical than a how to to deal with your emotions.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read every book that Gail Vaz-Oxlade publishes. I love her style and how you can hear her voice as you flip through the pages. This book is focused on widows and divorcees facing major changes in their lives. Neither situation applies to me but I still found the information to be valuable. As always, Gail provides specific information people need to know in order to deal with financial situations. Unlike her other books, this is not simply focused on getting and staying out of debt.


Gail wrote this book with her good friend Victoria and the back and forth between the women is refreshing and a new style for Vaz-Ozlad. The women have faced different situations re:divorce and losing a spouse yet both have insights useful to each other.

I was sad to learn Vaz-Oxlade is retiring from the financial guru/advice business and hope she will still occasionally publish on this topic.

[WidowBadass · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review can be found here:
http://www.widowbadass.com/2017/01/19...

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly I thought this book was about business when I purchased it, but I have no regrets.

Under the pretence of divorce, negative periods in ones life is discussed whole heartedly and thoroughly, with several concepts and perspectives I hadn’t thought of.

The writing style is very digestible, focusing on 2–3 page sentiments with stories to wrap them up or express their origins, allowing it to be very easily picked up and put down.

I hadn’t considered worrying to ever be something other than as some evil presence entirely there to bring you down. This book however, authored it into a light of productivity, advising you to schedule time to worry, face the worry head on.

The stories within are a peak into the horrible world of divorcee life, with acquaintances asking difficult questions at sub-optimal times. How about not reminding me of my husbands death when at the grocery store, Jan.

The concept of having prepared replies was not something I had previously considered, but when you are cornered with comments such as the previously mentioned death, Jan, it may be the best thing.

Learning that other people might be discomforted by your struggle during difficult times, and the prying they do is to make them feel better, is gross, but an important topic to discuss. Ensure the people you surround yourself with are genuinely positive relationships.

4/4

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gail has done it again this time with her pal Victoria.

My mom recommended this book to me after my latest move. My ex fiancee married someone else and it has really hit me hard.

What do you do when you're suddenly single? Divorced, widowed, or leaving a bad relationship has you back at ground zero. What's next and HOW do you do it?

Gail and Victoria add on their personal experiences as well as others.

I loved the bit about feeling frozen and the questions you might get caught in while out in public. These ladies have been through much and their sage advice is priceless.

Fostering independence, knowledge, and moving towards new habits and memories, this book is for anyone and everyone.

Highly recommended!

[Sonia Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a great book for people who have lost their other half, are divorced or are widowed to have better direction in their life. Oftentimes, when we have stuck with one person for more than 5 years we rely on our partner in life a lot. This is a great book for a navigator to bounce back in life and be the CEO of your life to sail in the sea of the world. To handle your finances with some tips, settle your divorce and mortgage or hire purchase if you owned the assets or liabilities with your partner before. Great advice for young adults too, to know ahead what will we face in life that would never be expected. It's inspiring nevertheless.

[Frugal Trenches · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book for newly single people after separation or widowhood. The book felt like a great source of encouragement for people in that situation. It wasn't about the meat and potatoes around budgeting and personal finance as a single person or parent, so I think the target audience for the book is limited to people who perhaps need an encouraging word and some general advice, not those looking for personal finance advice. Gail's other books provide great personal finance tips though, so I will look at see if she's written one for women.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad-with some good advice. The book seems like it is written specifically for Canadian women who are recently divorced or widowed. I am an American male and have always been single. That said, as mentioned, there is some good advice regarding finance and other topics.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good practical advice for someone who has recently gone through a separation. Practical both in a financial and emotional sense.

[Marie Cochran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am still reading this book with a higher not far by because the advice in this book is something ikniw when I read this book I'm going to like to look at.

[Tara B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great
After a death or divorce. A book about being on your own.
Good basic info.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by GVO! As always, she gave me much to think about.

[Smkelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me a 2.5 This book is for divorcees and widows. I thought it was advice for single women period. Too much unrelatable stuff for me.

[Laura Lawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has a lot of good advice though I am not the target audience.