America's Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money: Your Guide to Living Better, Spending Less, and Cashing in on Your Dreams
by Steve Economides, Annette Economides
book data
119 ratings, 3.30 average rating, 53 reviews
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published
January 16th 2007
by Three Rivers Press
binding
Paperback, 288 pages
isbn
0307339459
(isbn13: 9780307339454)
description
Do you have too much month at the end of your money? Is your credit card screaming for relief? Are you tired of robbing Peter to pay Paul . . . whoeve...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 208)
recommended to Wendy by:
heard about from Shari
I loathed this book. The authors never acknowledge their enormous debt to The Tightwad Gazette for both their newsletter business and this book--in fact, their introduction is either consciously or subconsciously stolen from the introduction to one of the Tightwad books--even though they mention, in passing, that they used one of Amy Dacyzyn's ideas for shopping (but imply it wasn't that great anyway), so it isn't a case where they were unaware of Tightwad's existence.
There's very little us...more
There's very little us...more
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Another book that I need for my library (I'll just wait and buy it used on Amazon or find it at a yard sale. :-)).
Plain and simple. Set financial goals, stay out of debt, find resources to meet the needs of your goals, give to others generously, and cultivate an attitude of gratitude. It's all there. They don't advocate a quick fix, but rather implementing principles of simple financial truth. Great analogy between the American Revolution and financial freedom in one of their final chapte...more
Plain and simple. Set financial goals, stay out of debt, find resources to meet the needs of your goals, give to others generously, and cultivate an attitude of gratitude. It's all there. They don't advocate a quick fix, but rather implementing principles of simple financial truth. Great analogy between the American Revolution and financial freedom in one of their final chapte...more
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Really great, useful information. However, if you are already trying to save money, cut corners and/or generally hold frugality in your top priorities, it's not anything spectacular or revolutionary. I found the authors' recommendations for maintaining a family budget to be not just unconventional but so time consuming and over-complicated as to be counter-productive.
Overall, I could see how this book would be helpful to an average family (particularly one with kids) who wasn't already taking...more
Overall, I could see how this book would be helpful to an average family (particularly one with kids) who wasn't already taking...more
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Read in February, 2008
recommended to Sharla by:
Haleyrecommends it for: Po people
Okay, so I wouldn't do EVERYTHING suggested in this book. I found it pretty interesting though. Hats off to the couple that could run through a grocery store communicating with walkies about manager's specials. I'm trying to implement the budgeting they suggest and I've become quite the coupon queen as well. It's definitely something to read if you are trying to be a stay-at-home mom and you don't think you have the finances for it. These people lived in $40something thousand, supporting 7 chil...more
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Read in July, 2007
I love a good book about frugality. Unfortunately, this isn't it. The first important step in saving some money-- don't buy this book. Glad it's from the library. I recommend Tightwad Gazette instead.
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Read in February, 2007
The Economides family has written a wonderfully informative book full of tips and encouragement to spare. At the conclusion of each chapter there is a section on how to immediately implement some part of their strategy. Moreover, there is counsel here for the novice and the expert alike. In addition to all the excellent financial guidance, the author’s share their method of raising their children to appreciate and work for money from a very young age. This segment is worth its weight in gold.
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I didn't much care for this book. In my opinion the Economides spent too much time trying to be "down-home-just-your-average-thrifty-folks-with-good-old-fashioned-ideas" and not enough time addressing true "nuts and bolts" issues for living simply, frugally, or lightly on the planet.
To spare you getting this book for yourself (thankfully mine is a library copy), I'll tell you the ONE "tip" I gained from this book: put a 24-26 oz. filled water bottle in your ...more
To spare you getting this book for yourself (thankfully mine is a library copy), I'll tell you the ONE "tip" I gained from this book: put a 24-26 oz. filled water bottle in your ...more
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Read in March, 2008
recommends it for:
tightwads
I've flipped through a lot of tightwad books, but this one held my interest all the way through. Their idea about putting money into many different household/personal accounts every month and not taking it out until it was needed really made an impression on me. Other books I've read talked about socking money into savings in one clump or broke down the household accounts pretty broadly.
I agree with a PP about just picking the ideas that will work for your specific circumstances.
The fa...more
I agree with a PP about just picking the ideas that will work for your specific circumstances.
The fa...more
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Read in April, 2008
I am reading this book, not to learn how to feed our family on $350 per month with only one monthly trip to the supermarket, but to put it in my competitive titles section. If I can learn something from it, that will be a v, nice side benefit.
This book is pretty bad. I got only one or two tips from it--one tip is that impulse purchases as Warehouse stores like Costco are a real danger of the warehouse store. Actually, all of semi-decent tips are centered around grocery shopping. Then ...more
This book is pretty bad. I got only one or two tips from it--one tip is that impulse purchases as Warehouse stores like Costco are a real danger of the warehouse store. Actually, all of semi-decent tips are centered around grocery shopping. Then ...more
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Read in August, 2008
recommends it for:
Everyone, especially families
This was a very informative book. For anyone who has read Dave Ramsey or looked into his financial teachings, this book follows right along. It just gives some more detailed tips and information directed towards families. It will probably take my family 10+ years to get through all the steps in the book, so I definitely see it as a reference I will keep coming back to.
If you want to learn how to save money and live more frugally and within your means, this is a great book for you!
If you want to learn how to save money and live more frugally and within your means, this is a great book for you!
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Read in April, 2008
I liked a lot of their ideas, but for anyone used to pinching pennies a lot of it will seem quite simple. I especially liked some of their ideas for "allowance" and teaching money management to children.
One aspect I found totally lacking in their discussion of how to get clothing cheaply was actually buying new with coupons and discounts. I have frequently bought brand-new clothing for my children cheaper than consignment shops. I think it was totally overlooked on their part.
One aspect I found totally lacking in their discussion of how to get clothing cheaply was actually buying new with coupons and discounts. I have frequently bought brand-new clothing for my children cheaper than consignment shops. I think it was totally overlooked on their part.
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I just finished reading this book and it was very timely. With the economy in a nose-dive we can all use some ideas as to how to make our dollars last a little longer. There are soe ideas in here that I had not thought of and some that we have always implemented already. Worht a read (it is quick) for anyone wanting to save a little, wheather on food, housing, healthcare or insurance.
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Read in May, 2008
recommends it for:
new-to-frugality people
America’s Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money by Steven and Annette Economides is a good book to pick up if you’re looking for inspiration on how to live cheaply but well. The Economides (yes, that really is their last name!)...Click here to continue
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Read in December, 2007
I found this book to have helpful hints and some great ideas. I think you have to read it and take what you need from it. There were a lot of ideas that will work great for us and other stuff that I know I get a better deal at the way I do it. Freinds, if any of you read this and have a better way of doing it I would love to hear ideas.
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Read in October, 2008
There are few good ideas here, but...
It's all a bit much.
I don't want to turn coupons into a family activity or some sort of game. And I don't want to go to the grocery store once a month for 5 hours.
I am glad I got the book from the library and - I'll bet - I and the cheap family agree on that.
It's all a bit much.
I don't want to turn coupons into a family activity or some sort of game. And I don't want to go to the grocery store once a month for 5 hours.
I am glad I got the book from the library and - I'll bet - I and the cheap family agree on that.
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Read in July, 2008
recommended to Allison by:
Jana Brecommends it for: anyone looking for ways to save money
As a new-ish stay-at-home mom, I appreciated a lot of the authors' ideas on being a bit more wise with our money. Though I don't completely agree with all of their plans (I don't like the idea of setting a 5 minute timer for showers!), this book helped me come up with a gameplan for my family. Very easy read.
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A lot of common sense stuff here, however, I'm constantly amazed by those who lack it.... so.... this book is great for those who have no clue how to manage their money.
Some stuff is a little extreme though, which might turn off people that really do need to practice some of their more basic ideas...
Some stuff is a little extreme though, which might turn off people that really do need to practice some of their more basic ideas...
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Read in May, 2007
In trying to realign the family budget, I turned to this book. Some aspects (the budget worksheets and planning tips) were pretty useful, but other things (cost cutting ideas) were old hat. Still, if you are trying to change gears, it is an easy and informative read.
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Read in March, 2008
In true Economides fashion I waited 3 months until my turn to check this book out at the library. It was worth the wait. Though I practice many of the principles, there is always room for improvement...and in my case- that room is the size of Super Walmart!
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Read in September, 2008
While most of the information in here was not new for me I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me of a couple of things I used to do to save and gave me a few new ideas. My husband and I love the idea of spending less and living more.
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