Frugal Living For Dummies

by Deborah Taylor-Hough

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

Genres: Nonfiction, Finance, Reference, Self Help, Money

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 16, 2003

Reviews

[Helen (they or he) · Rating 3 out of 5]

People keep saying this book is just fairly well-known common sense and nothing special, but honestly? These are not common sense for most people, not to mention people are not frugal. I'm already doing a lot of the things this book suggested, but most people in my life do not even keep track of their expenses, let alone do budgeting. Some things just don't occur to people. Doesn't make it the book's fault for trying to point out "common sense" things. This book fault lies in the fact that this is incredibly USAmerican. Most of the deals the author's talking about don't apply in other countries. But the principles are the same so it's not that bad of a book.

[امیرمحمد حیدری · Rating 1 out of 5]

اولش می‌خواستم یک امتیاز خوب بدهم، چون زندگی را نه از بعدِ دائمی ماتریالیستی محض و که تمام معیارهای سنجش برای موفقیت و آرامش و پیشرفت خلاصه می‌شود، بلکه از دیدگاه قناعت بررسی می‌کند. بعد که فکر کردم، دیدم این هم چیزی جر بدیهیات نیست. مشخصا کسی که پول کافی ندارد، نیازی به قرض و وام ندارد تا وسایل لوکس بخرد. این هم نیاز به آموزش و توضیح و تشریح دارد؟

[Leigh Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you grew up blue-collar or lower, this book is just plain common sense. Anybody new to feeling true financial pinches will, however, find it invaluable as they learn to navigate their brave new world without Whole Foods and LaCroix.

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

مسخره بود. بدیهیات رو در مقام پیشنهادهای درخشان ارائه کرده بود. بعضی از ایده‌های کتاب هم به درد ما توی ایران نمی‌خوره. هیچ دوست نداشتم.

[Kristie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skimmed a lot of this. Common sense info / somewhat outdated.

[Elham Aliabadizadeh · Rating 1 out of 5]

من اصلا از این کتاب خوشم نیومد. ولی تا آخر خوندم.
توی این کتاب میگه چیزهای دست دوم بخرید یا چیزهای ارزون بخرید. تجربه به من ثابت کرده این دو قلم زود خراب میشن.
به نظر من لازم نیست خونه رو پر از وسایل دسته دوم و ارزون کنیم و خونه مثل سمساری بشه
پولم رو جمع میکنم و سر فرصت تعداد محدودی وسایل با کیفیت میخرم

[H.S. Contino · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be completely honest, I only read the first few chapters and then I skimmed through the rest of the book. It’s a good book, but a lot of the tips and advice were things that I’m already doing. This book would be good for a college student or someone on their own for the first time.

[José Córdova · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is an excellent book for a family, I mean, with children and grandparents, there are interesting subjects that I will apply in my daily basis, it’s too focused on American’s culture, I skipped some chapters because of that.

[Shaghayegh Akhbari · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has everything anyone who wants to save some money should know!
It was a fast read. And I was so proud of myself when I found out I'm already doing a good job of saving money on my own. 💪🏼😅

[Tina Reynolds · Rating 1 out of 5]

Literally explains the concept of a stir fry

[Readeira · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is dated, and some advice in here is bad. However, there are some gems.

[Roy Corry · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm almost done with the book and I have to echo the sentiments of many others. Mostly common sense, geared primarily toward families, and overall not terribly useful.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has so much great information. If you need a place to start learning to save & be frugal this is my suggestion to you to read this book.

[Mani Dawattgaran · Rating 1 out of 5]

امان از این قصه ی ناتمام ترجمه: بعد از مدتها کتابی‌ در دست گرفتم که ترجمه‌ی روانی‌ داشت؛ اما کمی‌ که جلو رفتم به نکته‌ی عجیبی‌ برخوردم که نام بومی‌سازی ترجمه می‌توان بر آن نهاد. مترجم سعی‌ در جایگزین کردن نام خوراک‌ها، روزهای تقویم و حتی قیمتهای دلاری با معادل ایرانی‌ آنها کرده. پس اگر در حین خوندن کتابی‌ آمریکای به واژه‌هایی‌ چون آبگوشت، کشک بادمجان، نوروز و قیمت‌هایی‌ عجیب و غریب به تومان برخوردید، دست به گیرنده نزنید؛ هنر از مترجم بوده!
اصل کتاب هم بیشتر برای گروه سنی‌ الف نوشته شده و اگر واقعا قصد صرفه‌جویی‌ و فراگیری "زندگی‌ کم خرج" را دارید، از پول همین کتاب می‌توانید شروع کنید!

[Purple Lover · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book does provide suggestions on how to live more frugally, enough for me as a beginner, to consider it informative, I don't find the advice applicable to a large demographic or financially life changing. A significant amount of contents are general information that many of us are probably familiar with or heard before but never bothered to incorporate: what to carry around - cash or credit cards, teaching children about saving money, categorizations, using coupons, sale items, starting a price diary so you can calculate per units to evaluate the best value, a lot of basic food reducing tips such as generics, cheap snack ideas, freezing foods to prevent ordering takeouts, inexpensive meal ideas, a brief mention of growing your own produce and raising your own cattle, how to make cheaper cuts of meat more flavorful, how to save money while raising infants by using economical products, frugal gift ideas, inexpensive educational activities, basic financial college resources, frugal beauty substitutes, exercising at a bargain, hand-me-downs and thrift store comparison shopping, traveling within a budget, evaluating which is better - renting or owning, inexpensive Holiday decorations, some wedding tips, alternative cleaning ingredients, a vague list of auto maintenance, frugal pet care, cheap ways to keep in touch with loved ones, insulating your home to save money, energy efficiency, garbage reduction, a generalized introduction on how you can save with homeownership or other forms of home owning/renting, transportation, etc.

My extensive list may give the impression that this book offers an abundance of tips, but the limited amount of new information makes this book less valuable than I believe it could be. If you're interested in reading this book, I recommend reviewing it at a library first because even if you find valuable information, it's not a staple in your book collection. I also want to note that this book is most valuable for two-income families with children.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I get my mind set on something, I tend to go all out. Because I'm in a "Need to save money" frame of mind, I picked up this book from the library, figuring at best I'd pick up some neat new tips for saving and at worst I'd be encouraged to stop spending on silly things (bad Starbucks on their Orange Mocha frappuccinos!)

Though much of the book didn't really pertain to me as I don't have kids, there were several helpful ideas I may at some point be able to use. There's tips to saving on groceries, cutting utility expenses, finding cheap entertainment, and gift giving for the chronically poor. Though I'm not a cook, there were several interesting tips I found concerning what kinds of foods could be stored in the freezer and what kinds of meals last the longest when it comes to leftovers.

Though most of the information was common sense, alot of it was so obvious that I never would have thought of it. While I didn't commit much to memory, I retained enough to get me through some rough times. Now I'll have some tips handy for certain situations in the future.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Because I'm trying to scrimp where I can (so I can splurge where I want + pay the bills and save like I need to) I picked up this book. I guess there were some good ideas, but I already budget, I already shop with a list, I already unblushingly buy secondhand, I already buy generic brands, I already minimize how often I eat out, I shop sales, I look for inexpensive venues for Fun. So, uh, anything to learn? Something I want to do is keep a "price diary" to keep track of standard prices on staple items at a couple stores I frequent so I can guage whether a sale is that big a savings and what a fabulous "stock up if I have the room & money" price is. But otherwise, it's all familiar stuff. A good intro, which is what these books are, I guess. Also, it would've been nice if she'd included more linkage to online resources.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually want to buy this book. Towards the end she kind of petered out and it didn't seem necessary anyways. But I really got a lot of ouf the first and middle. Some of it wasn't necessary to me yet (teenagers/college) but that doesn't mean it won't be.
Some of the suggestions were a bit out there as in no that might be a bit too much even for me. But she is always quick to point out if you don't want to do it DON'T!
Overall it was an easy read, easy reference, EASY (and it ought to be its for DUMMIES!)

[Marci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't need to be more frugal? I thought this book was pretty good, it gave me some good tips, but I'm not going to look into poultry farming or some of the other out there practices (I can't think of them now, they must have been so weird I blocked them out). It has some good ideas for your grocery bill.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice and easy read. I learned a lot of new ideas about how to live frugally and plan on using them (not because I'm poor - though I am - but because I thrive on a good deal and being able to spend my hard earned money on vacations and such). I would definitely recommend this to like-minded friends. You can always add to your bag of tricks for saving money!

[Kathleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately this book is American, therefore majority of the food based tips are irrelevant (showing what is on sale when). I also didn't come across any new tips either, which was a bit disappointing. This book may be useful to those looking to curb their spending.

[Caity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful in the way of tips to try, new food ideas and a good reference to have when doing a budget. The only thing that annoyed me was that a few ideas could only be done in the USA. Looking for others written by an Australian author.

[Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

ایده‌های جالبی رو مطرح می‌کرد و خیلی جاها واضحات رو شرح می‌داد، مشکل اصلی کتاب این بود که برای فرهنگ آمریکایی نوشته شده بود و خیلی از مثال‌ه و حرف‌هاش برای من قابل درک نبود

در کل کتاب جالبی بود، اگه خودتون رو یه ادم ولخرج می‌دونید خوندن این کتاب می‌تونه مفید باشه

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

very practical tips. May be one that is worth buying

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't really learn anything new. A good "skim" book for folks with spending issues.

[Sheree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of diffrent ways to save money. Or at least not spend it.

[Shiu Ny]

Frugal is my way...!

[Christiana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I learned nothing from this book. The only thing I can figure is maybe I am not a dummy?

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some great ideas here for cutting back on food bills, vacation costs, clothing, etc.

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book might have some good tips. It turns out I live pretty frugally already and didn't learn anything new.