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Live Your Life for Half the Price: Without Sacrificing the Life You Love
Readers receive tips, resources and techniques for half-price living. Financial well-being is not measured by one's income. It's the money you don't spend that gives you freedom to live the life you love.
309 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
December 11, 2023
Overall, not a bad book. Not a ton of unique advice really but lots of good recommendations and very specific details on food - which is a pretty big expense for us.
February 6, 2018
Even if you've got your financial act together, this one might be worth checking out at the library. A lot of the advice is tactical and the online resources are dated but the negotiation speaking points, suggestions for fun + affordable field trips, and the diy coffee roasting how to in the appendix were intriguing. For a single personal finance book to rule them all, I would still choose Early Retirement Extreme and the category classics (i.e. Your Money or Your Life, A Random Walk Down Wall Street) shake out to be a bit more timeless than this one.
September 15, 2017
I wish I read this book immediately after coming to the US. I'm not a spender, and I have been tracking and planning all my expenditures for 3 years so far. Still, I learned a great amount of incredible tricks from this book. US-specific tricks.
I'm not quite agree with the wardrobe chapter -- the described approach works bad for me. Surprisingly, spontaneous shopping turned out to be cheaper for me, especially with flash sales.
I'm not quite agree with the wardrobe chapter -- the described approach works bad for me. Surprisingly, spontaneous shopping turned out to be cheaper for me, especially with flash sales.
September 16, 2017
I don't know why I didn't look at the date this book was written, but I made a decision to read it and I always try to finish the books I start. When the author started talking about phone landlines, I knew I was in trouble. Nevertheless, there is really practical commonsense advice in this book if you are new to learning how to manage your finances.
September 24, 2017
I have been reading personal finance books lately and would recommend this one by Mary Hunt. It provided practical advice that can easily be applied to everyday living. The author writes clearly and concisely so this book was easy to read and didn't take very long to complete. I learned about some finance and savings websites that I am going to check out further.
October 3, 2018
I already do most of the things in the book, and I disagree with paying cash for a car when your interest is low. I can make more money investing than I'm paying in car interest.
That may not be the case for everyone, however, and if you need financial help there are some good tips here.
I'm taking some of the recipes and a few other things to use.
That may not be the case for everyone, however, and if you need financial help there are some good tips here.
I'm taking some of the recipes and a few other things to use.
September 20, 2019
I enjoyed this book and found it to be a quick, accessible read. I even recommended it to a couple of colleagues, as it was easy and included some wise tips for managing money. I think I'll be converting to a twice-monthly mortgage payment after reading this! Definitely will be checking out Hunt's other books.
July 9, 2022
Very informative and certainly relevant in our current financial instability. Mary Hunt and Dave Ramsey have very similar perspectives and advice and I highly recommend them both if you are looking for solid financial advice. Another Mary Hunt book is up soon in my TBR... one on retirement planning for women. Looking forward to that one, too.
September 13, 2017
Some good tips but most repetitive if you've read other personal finance book.
November 14, 2017
This book has lots of helpful advice.
June 15, 2018
As someone who is cost-conscious already I think this book was more of a refresher than new ideas. I highly recommend this book for those who are just starting this journey!
September 23, 2018
This was one of the first personal finance books I read. I enjoyed it so much and found it so helpful that I now follow Mary Hunt's blog on a daily basis.
June 14, 2019
great for insurance info!
December 9, 2019
Solid Advice
Solid advice. Some recipes. She roasts her own coffee! I think I enjoyed her Debt Proof Living book better. Decent book option for a beginner.
Solid advice. Some recipes. She roasts her own coffee! I think I enjoyed her Debt Proof Living book better. Decent book option for a beginner.
February 6, 2020
This book was more of a tips and tricks kind of book. Easy scanning.
July 19, 2020
Great tips
Especially during this time of financial uncertainty, this book gave many tips to save each earned dollar. I will be implementing many of her suggestions.
Especially during this time of financial uncertainty, this book gave many tips to save each earned dollar. I will be implementing many of her suggestions.
September 22, 2021
Good book (I took lots of notes), although the book has some dated info these days.
February 20, 2022
Meh. As someone who is already quite frugal, I didn’t find much new in this. Some of the information is outdated as well.
February 14, 2023
Some quite practical advice for the modern age.
December 26, 2018
This is an interesting book. It gave me a few things to think about that I hadn't thought of - especially about insurance. But overall, it was a repeat of things I already kn0w/do and just a reminder.
October 6, 2010
Live Your Life for Half the Price by Mary Hunt is a wonderful book. Mary has gathered almost 300 pages of ways to save money and help yourself get out of debt. She has a very easy way of writing and does not talk down to readers, but rather offers practical and everyday suggestions on ways to save money. Need some examples? How about saving money on your car, home, insurance, groceries, fees, and a whole bunch more! Mary uses this book in connection with her other book Debt-Proof Living which I also highly recommend to help you get a plan in place for your money. No longer should your money dictate what it should do with you, but you should dictate what you do with your money! There should me more money than month and Live Your Life for Half the Price offers practical solutions to this. Mary also has a daily email list that you should subscribe to if you are serious about saving money and getting out of debt. For more information visit her website at www.debtproofliving.com.
While you're at it and if you're interested, you should also look into Dave Ramsey and his books The Total Money Makeover and Financial Peace. Both are also great books with practical advice on getting out of debt and managing your money. Dave is a bit more extreme than Mary, but has excellent advice with his "Baby Steps". He also has a nationally broadcast radio show that you can listen to online. Mary adds a little bit of the human touch to the getting out of debt equation and her daily column is excellent and well worth getting every day.
Not trying to compare Mary Hunt to Dave Ramsey can be difficult, since I can't really separate the two in my process to get out of debt. Both have given advice that has helped me tremendously and are well worth reading!
While you're at it and if you're interested, you should also look into Dave Ramsey and his books The Total Money Makeover and Financial Peace. Both are also great books with practical advice on getting out of debt and managing your money. Dave is a bit more extreme than Mary, but has excellent advice with his "Baby Steps". He also has a nationally broadcast radio show that you can listen to online. Mary adds a little bit of the human touch to the getting out of debt equation and her daily column is excellent and well worth getting every day.
Not trying to compare Mary Hunt to Dave Ramsey can be difficult, since I can't really separate the two in my process to get out of debt. Both have given advice that has helped me tremendously and are well worth reading!
October 11, 2015
Learn to Make Different Financial Choices Reading This book
According to the statistics, most people are living beyond their means, carrying debt and maxing out their credit cards. Mary Hunt knows that lifestyle well because she was living it. Yet years ago, the publisher of Cheapskate Monthly made a decision to change her ways and escape debt. Her life, writing and ministry has been dedicated to helping others in this process.
LIVE YOUR LIFE FOR 1/2 THE PRICE is her newest book and packed with insights and information for every reader. I loved what Hunt writes in the introduction, "More money alone is not likely to change your life. You've proven that. Making the decision to stop spending all of it so you can keep more of it--that's the solution. It took me decades to wise up. But finally I found the key to the life I love. I hope it doesn't take you that long. How much more time can you afford to waste? No matter your current income, you can do better with what you have without giving up the life you love. Just the fact that you are reading these words right now means you have an important resource within your grasp." (Page 16 to 17)
The details are in this book. Every reader can profit from reading and choosing to follow the insights in this book--whether it is a big ticket item like a house or car or saving money on food shopping. I highly recommend this book.
W. Terry Whalin is the author of more than 60 books including Billy Graham: A Biography of America's Greatest Evangelist (Morgan James Faith). Find out more at: http://BillyGrahamBio.com
According to the statistics, most people are living beyond their means, carrying debt and maxing out their credit cards. Mary Hunt knows that lifestyle well because she was living it. Yet years ago, the publisher of Cheapskate Monthly made a decision to change her ways and escape debt. Her life, writing and ministry has been dedicated to helping others in this process.
LIVE YOUR LIFE FOR 1/2 THE PRICE is her newest book and packed with insights and information for every reader. I loved what Hunt writes in the introduction, "More money alone is not likely to change your life. You've proven that. Making the decision to stop spending all of it so you can keep more of it--that's the solution. It took me decades to wise up. But finally I found the key to the life I love. I hope it doesn't take you that long. How much more time can you afford to waste? No matter your current income, you can do better with what you have without giving up the life you love. Just the fact that you are reading these words right now means you have an important resource within your grasp." (Page 16 to 17)
The details are in this book. Every reader can profit from reading and choosing to follow the insights in this book--whether it is a big ticket item like a house or car or saving money on food shopping. I highly recommend this book.
W. Terry Whalin is the author of more than 60 books including Billy Graham: A Biography of America's Greatest Evangelist (Morgan James Faith). Find out more at: http://BillyGrahamBio.com
October 3, 2015
Mary Hunt's new book isn't earth-shattering. There isn't a whole lot of new information in it. It won't take you very long to ready it. So why bother? BECAUSE. Because Mary Hunt has one message: Spend less than you make. Spend. Less. Than. You. Make. Got it? No? That's okay. She has a lot of books to help you get it.
I read Mary's book "Debt-free Living" when I was in my thirties. I had a lot of debt, including credit card debt. I was pregnant with my second child. There would be a period of time when I would not be able to work, part of which I would not be paid for. Those were desperate days.
But, Mary helped me. We got out of debt, and after that paid our credit card bills off every month. To this day.
Fast forward to the present: my income has dropped by my spending has not kept pace with the decrease. Hello, Karen? Mary Hunt has a book for that.
Thanks for the reminders, Mary! I will do you proud again this time.
I read Mary's book "Debt-free Living" when I was in my thirties. I had a lot of debt, including credit card debt. I was pregnant with my second child. There would be a period of time when I would not be able to work, part of which I would not be paid for. Those were desperate days.
But, Mary helped me. We got out of debt, and after that paid our credit card bills off every month. To this day.
Fast forward to the present: my income has dropped by my spending has not kept pace with the decrease. Hello, Karen? Mary Hunt has a book for that.
Thanks for the reminders, Mary! I will do you proud again this time.
January 16, 2016
Great ideas for grocery shopping, big ticket items, car shopping, travel... Would be a great reference book to consult before making a big purchase.
My favourite take-away is from the Afterword - p 277:
How would your shopping decision change if the salesperson had the item you want to purchase in one hand and the money it costs in the other? Would you take the item or the $$$? That is exactly the choice you have with every purchase - either you get the item or you get the money.
"If you could see your lifetime earnings as one big pile of money and watch how each spending decision diminishes the amount you get to keep, I have a feeling you would take your decisions more seriously..."
My favourite take-away is from the Afterword - p 277:
How would your shopping decision change if the salesperson had the item you want to purchase in one hand and the money it costs in the other? Would you take the item or the $$$? That is exactly the choice you have with every purchase - either you get the item or you get the money.
"If you could see your lifetime earnings as one big pile of money and watch how each spending decision diminishes the amount you get to keep, I have a feeling you would take your decisions more seriously..."
November 28, 2008
This was a great book with many good ideas for finding ways to spend less in many areas in life. She recommends spending only 80% of your money, saving 10%, and giving away 10%. One of my favorite ideas she has is making a list of best prices for everything so you know if something you see on sale is really a good deal or not. She also says to want what you have, and be content with the things you do have. I would read this one again, but probably just reread a few chapters instead of the entire book.
October 9, 2014
I bought this book forever ago! The two things that came out of it that were worth the price: couponing (before the frenzy of "extreme couponing." The author included info on how to use thegrocerygame.com. I saved a TON of money...but then the sales/coupon availability plummeted and stores got more strict. The second nugget was a selection of excellent recipes that were easy to make, not very expensive, and most of all delicious!
February 17, 2016
This was a good read in this genre. Now, there wasn't anything earth shattering but the author has great personal experience to illustrate the strategies; she asks key questions that push you to analyze what you're spending and why; there are good tips for those getting their finances back on track. I found the chapters on food, clothes and autos especially helpful. It got me looking at my budget in new ways. If you're working on your budget, read this one.
January 8, 2009
This is a great resource for ways to cut your living expenses but still live a comfortable life. It has excellent tips on ways to buy cars, groceries, shop for insurance, and otherwise save money in simple ways from day to day. She's easy to read.The chapters are to the point and not bogged down with too much info. Recommended to anyone who wants to be smarter about their finances.
January 10, 2013
This is a decent book. Well written and clever. Full of practical advice that most people dont think of for some reason. I had already been through the Dave Ramsey program, so it was new info to me. I highly recommend this to people who are new to the idea of really taking control of their finances.
January 24, 2016
I didn't have high expectations when beginning the book, but I found it to be well-written and entertaining. It's full of practical ideas to save money and cut your expenses. I cruised through it in two days, took notes, and recommended it to my wife. Some things we already do, but there are plenty of new ideas for us to try. A great book for those looking to cut their monthly expenses.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews