Product Description

Feel like you’re trying to dig out from under a mountain of debt without a shovel? Tired of working your tail off just to break even? Is the high cost of living taking all the joy out of life? Unless you’re one of the top two percent of wealthiest Americans, all of the above should sound painfully familiar. While they’re trying to decide between the ski lodge in Telluride and the Tuscan villa, for the rest of us, it’s an endless litany of corporate lay–offs, stagnant wages, crushing credit card debt, skyrocketing medical costs, exorbitant utility bills, the high cost of higher education.... And they call this “the good life.” Is there a better way to live? Can you get what you need and what you want without killing yourself to get it? “Absolutely,” says frugal–living guru Deborah Taylor–Hough, and in Frugal Living For Dummies, she shows you how.

In this warmhearted guide to living the good life on less, Deborah shows you how to live within your means and enjoy doing it. Among other things, she shows you how to:

• Eat like a king on a peasant’s budget
• Take the sting out of gift–giving
• Dress well on a shoestring
• Save big bucks on family expenses
• Slash household expenses
• Save on medical expenses
• Involve the whole family in saving money
• Save more for the things you want

From basement to attic, cradle to grave, Frugal Living For Dummies covers all areas of life with common sense advice and guidance on:

• Working with your partner to achieve financial goals
• Going to the grocery without being taken to the cleaners
• Quick and thrifty cooking techniques
• Providing kids the basics on a tight budget
• Putting kids through school without going broke
• Looking good and feeling good on a tight budget
• Frugal holiday fun year round
• Saving money around the house and driveway
• Finding quality in pre–owned merchandise

Packed with tried–and–true techniques for cutting costs and stopping the insanity, Frugal Living For Dummies is the ultimate financial survival guide for the rest of us.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #374148 in Books
• Published on: 2003-02-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

From the Back Cover
"Saving money has never been this simple!"
Gary Foreman, Editor of The Dollar Stretcher

Tips to help get the whole family involved in saving money

The helpful guide to living the good life on less

Need help keeping that New Year′s resolution to eliminate credit card debt and live within your means? Then Frugal Living For Dummies is for you! Packed with tips on cutting costs on everything from groceries to gifts for all occasions, this practical guide shows you how to spend less on the things you need and save more for the things you want.

Praise for Frugal Living For Dummies

"A must–have for those wanting more out of their money!"
Jonni McCoy, author and founder of Miserly Moms

"Nobody knows frugal like Deborah Taylor–Hough. Don′t shop without this book!"
Judith Waite Allee, speaker and coauthor of Homeschooling on a Shoestring

About the Author
Deborah Taylor–Hough teaches people how to live well on less and is the publisher of The Simple Times Newsletter, which reaches more than 18,000 frugal readers around the world.

Customer Reviews

Frugal Living
As frugal living books go this one isn't bad. It goes right back to basics without being too patronising and is peppered with easy-to implement ideas, although nothing the hardened home economist hasn't probably already tried or at least encountered. Most of it is "common sese for dummies" but seeing it in black & white does make it easier to implement, especaily if you are just starting down the cost-cutting route. It is written from the American point of view & applies to the American way of living first, however I think there is consideration for the UK based reader and most of what is written can be easily applied either directly or with only very minor adaptation.
In short, nothing that can't be gleaned from the many free internet sites if you are prepared to look for them, otherwise a very good starter guide for all-in-one reference.

Do you think I'm made of money?
While this book certainly has its heart in the right place, I'd advise you to steer well clear of this one! If you are sincere about the desire to embrace a frugal way of life (during these trying times of national hardship and poverty) you will want to note the fact that the equivalent book in the "Idiots' Guide" series typically goes for about 20 pence cheaper.

A penny saved is a penny earned!