Deborah L. Jacobs

Deborah Jacobs quit the job from hell, rented her house and planned to Airbnb her way through France. Alternately humorous and poignant, this inspiring memoir chronicles her misadventures as she and her husband cook in quirky kitchens, struggle to speak French and shop like locals in outdoor markets. With candor and optimism, Jacobs transports readers from the grape harvest in the Loire Valley to an exuberant chile pepper festival in Basque Country and, ultimately, to Paris, where she witnesses history in the making. En route, she does the pintxo bar crawl in San Sebastián, Spain, develops an affinity for sheep’s milk cheese and cultivates new friendships. Four Seasons in a Day, an expression used to describe the changeable weather in the Pyrenees, also captures the author’s extreme resilience. Her grit and determination in the face of every obstacle give us the courage to chart our own course, carve out a new life and embrace the unexpected. Those who are thinking of using their home to subsidize foreign travel will find several chapters showing how to do that. Others will whet the reader’s appetite to explore the places Jacobs visited. Anyone who has ever fantasized about taking a break from the rat race will want to follow the thread – in the style of the 2009 film Julie & Julia – of how this life-transforming journey became a book.

Whether or not you are wealthy, you still need an estate plan. This is the book one reviewer referred to as “a category killer,” and The Wall Street Journal called “a terrific guide for people who are just beginning to grapple with estate planning, as well as those who have (or think they have) their affairs in order.” Deborah Jacobs writes with authority and compassion about issues that affect us all. In plain English, it explains: When to re-do your will Mistakes people make when trying to avoid probate Rules for IRA inheritors How to hire a lawyer Key documents to protect yourself if you become ill or disabled How to appoint a guardian for children How custodial accounts and 529 plans affect financial aid The fourth edition, which replaces earlier editions, is completely revised to include how income taxes affect estate planning, the pros and cons of credit shelter trusts and the law on planning for same-sex couples. Celebrity case studies illustrate estate planning strategies and mistakes by, among others: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, James Gandolfini, Philip Seymour Hoffman, John Updike and Adam Yauch.

Forbes — Many people who inherit IRAs are unfamiliar with the rules that apply to them. My article for Forbes magazine, " Five Rules For Inherited IRAs," gives a broad overview of the subject. In this post I answer questions from two readers with concerns that affect other people, too.

Forbes — With widespread layoffs pushing many people into business for themselves, I hear from a lot of folks who are wondering how to set up shop and structure their new work life. Whether you want to start something on the side or say goodbye to corporate life forever, here are some tips for starting your own business.

Los Angeles Times — It started years ago on the sultry Indonesian island of Java when I arrived without enough cool clothing. Out of desperation, I approached street-side mom-and-pop tailors in the city of Yogyakarta. They spoke no English , so I relied on rough sketches and pantomime to communicate that I wanted to turn a $2 batik sarong into a pair of loose-fitting trousers. That experience, born of necessity, was my introduction to the affordable luxury of custom-made clothing from Southeast Asia, an interest I have pursued with a passion on seven trips to that part of the world during the last 14 years.

Forbes — It's no secret that we work better, feel better and make smarter financial decisions when we've had a good night's sleep. But here are some sleep-related facts that might be a rude awakening: Most of us get less than the 8 hours of sleep per night that research shows we need to function at our peak.

Forbes — Friends are not a substitute for family. But a broad network, which spans generations, serves a variety of other needs.

Forbes — Whether you are packing for a business trip or going on vacation, it pays to travel light. Minimalists have an edge, both financially and in terms of mobility. Lately some airlines have given us one more incentive to lighten up, with strict limits for carry-on items, fees for checked baggage, and weight limits for both.

The New York Times — TRADITIONALLY people who set up private foundations — either during their lifetimes or through an estate plan — envisioned an entity that would carry on their philanthropy for generations. But lately, some founders or their immediate successors are spending their full endowments and closing down. Other donors are creating new foundations with a limited life span.

Forbes — Audiobooks are a great antidote to the problem of never having enough time to read for pleasure. For those who say that listening to audiobooks isn't "reading," I hardily disagree.