July 8, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Single Santa Monica Mom Writes Amazon Bestseller “The ABCs of Money”:

In 2003, Diane Sawyer interviewed Santa Monica resident Natalie Pace and her son for a Good Morning America story about her experience house sharing with another single mom after she was left with next to nothing after her divorce.

Ten years later, Pace said the TV appearance changed her life as it encouraged her to enter the entrepreneurial world and launch the life of her dreams, which has now paid off after writing an Amazon bestseller.

At the time, she had recently divorced her husband, and like many in that position, she found herself with less than enough money to pay the bills.  

She inherited a condo that was underwater (in the Pico neighborhood) while her ex-husband took the nest egg.

She was asked to appear on GMA because she had teamed up with another single mom to house-share, save on expenses, and have a helping grown-up hand at home.

That important moment and decision launched her on what she describes as “a rocket ship to the life of my dreams,” which she said she is currently living.

Since her GMA appearance in 2003, she has become a bestselling author with critical acclaim.  

Her new book “The ABCs of Money” is an Amazon bestseller, receiving five-star reviews from readers (Joe Moglia, the chairman of TD Ameritrade wrote the foreword).

How do you think the GMA appearance changed your life?

It’s quite a nail-biting experience to sit on a small set with a superstar like Diane Sawyer, and know that your face is being broadcast to over 35 million viewers! If I could have promoted my business on-air, I’m sure the hits would have crashed my server!

However, my business success would be more attributable to Mr. Steve Forbes and Paul Maidment (the editor of Forbes.com), who gave me my first CEO Q&A series on the Forbes.com Video Network. Also, I have to thank Dr. Gary Becker, Nobel Prize winning economist and professor at the University of Chicago, for leaning forward when I first began talking about my theory of economic evolution, for taking the time to listen to my easy-as-a-pie-chart nest egg strategies and Thrive Budget, and then for enthusiastically recommending them. I already had a Ph.D. in results, but needed the big endorsement.

When did the idea of the book come about?

In 2005, TipsTraders.com, an independent stock tracker, ranked me as the number one stock picker in the U.S. “You Vs. Wall Street” was an easy way to make the strategies that earned me that ranking available to a lot of people. Those who employed my strategies actually earned gains during the Great Recession. The cutting edge information that I’ve put in my new book, “The ABCs of Money,” has been saving homes and nest eggs for more than a decade, while earning superior gains above 10 percent annualized.

What do you attribute your success to?

There is no doubt that I have a natural gift for economics. I also have a strong passion for financial literacy, which fuels my desire to transform lives on Main Street by making investing as much fun as shopping, and by developing easy-as-a-pie-chart nest egg strategies. That spark of inspiration, that passion, and those natural talents are very important, however, I would have to say that 90 percent of my success is fueled by perspiration – hard work. And not just my hard work, but the support and wisdom of my friends, family, colleagues, and partners.

What message do you have for other women who may have been in the position you were in a decade ago?

The tickets to living a more enjoyable life are the Mom Network and the Thrive Budget. When you limit your basic needs expenditures to 50 percent of your income, then you have 50 percent to thrive on. I know personally how impossible this seems at first, until you get creative, particularly to Santa Monica moms, because this is an expensive city. However, there are many ways that you can achieve this.

During my many decades of living in Santa Monica, I rode a bicycle to save on car and insurance expenses. I lived with another single mother to get my son into the right neighborhood for school. I relied on the Mom Network for carpooling, childcare and even, on occasion, a meal or two. You cannot do it alone as a single mom.

One other thing that helped me tremendously was putting my money to work for me – in a smart way. I said no to a broker in 2000 who wanted to put me all in on Enron, AOL, Global Crossing and Japan, which would have lost all of my money.

In 2001, I invested a lot of money and tripled my returns within a few short months. That went a long way to easing my financial burden and allowing me to enjoy the freedom that money can buy and the spare time to enjoy the many things that it can’t – family, love. The key was two-fold. Smart investing and also relying on wisdom, instead of blind faith in someone who was a so-called “expert.”

To learn more about Natalie Pace and her book, visit NataliePace.com.

in News
<>Related Posts

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...

Free and Reduced Price School Meals Available for Eligible Families in Santa Monica-Malibu District

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Parents in Need Encouraged to Apply, SMMUSD Commits to Nutritious, Accessible Meals By Brandyi Phillips, SMMUSD Chief Communications Officer Santa...

Big Blue Bus to Raise Fares for First Time in Nearly a Decade

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The fare increase aims to offset rising costs for fuel, utilities, and supplies, according to the agency. The Santa Monica...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary to be Celebrated with Vibrant State of the City Event

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs, and picnics to enjoy during the performances Santa Monica will mark its...

Soprano Golda Zahra Returns to BroadStage For a One-Night-Only Musical Celebration

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Hailed as “the rising star of the opera world” by The Hollywood Times, internationally acclaimed soprano Golda Zahra makes her much-anticipated return to BroadStage in...

(Video) Hundreds of Drones Light up the Sky for Palisades to Celebrate July 4th

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The Event Marked One of the First Large Gatherings Among Palisadians Since the January Wildfires. The Event Marked One of...

Transform Your Life: The Free Virtual ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT Debuts July 18-20, 2025

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT, a transformative three-day virtual event, is coming, July 18-20, 2025, offering participants worldwide a free opportunity...

Santa Monica Home Defies Convention: Architect Eric Owen Moss Debuts Shape-Shifting Design

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Pistachio-Colored Marvel Boasts Curving Walls, Sharp Angles, and Challenging Design A striking residence in Santa Monica is turning heads with...

Caitlyn Jenner’s Friend and Former Foundation CEO Dies in Malibu ATV Crash

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

ATV Plummeted 350 Feet After Rear-Ending Vehicle in Malibu Sophia Hutchins, former CEO of the Caitlyn Jenner Foundation and longtime...

New SaMo Bridge Program Refers 56 People in First Month; 37 Connected to Services

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

According to city officials, the program is on pace to meet its goal of serving 260 individuals annually Santa Monica’s...

Multi-Family Venice Property on Rare Double Lot Lists at Over $5M

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

In total, the four units provide 5,398 square feet of living space A multi-family property located one block from Venice...

Hama Sushi Hosts Weekly Music and Comedy Open Mics

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The venue, a Venice Beach staple since 1979, has recently expanded its legendary happy hour to the entire patio Hama...

Connections Breakfast to Network Local Business Professionals in Malibu

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The event, sponsored by Malibu Country Mart, will feature a breakfast mixer where attendees can meet new contacts  A Connections...

12th Annual Gopher Scramble Golf Tournament to Benefit Venice Heritage Museum

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The museum opened to the public in March 2024 at the Main Street Design Center with its inaugural exhibition, “This...