Cheap Ways to

by Katie Meier, Jason Boyett

Cheap Ways To... isn't really about being cheap. While recycling is good, this book doesn't advocate using Wal-Mart bags for your trash cans, using coffee grounds twice, avoiding flushing the toilet or taking advantage of other people's generosity. The fun, innovative ideas found in Cheap Ways To... are designed to help you make your resources stretch a little further while avoiding, or escaping, the pitfalls of mass consumerism and credit card debt. The book is really about embracing a simpler life and growing in your appreciation of the little things. Get tips on cheap ways to ... Travel. Buy a computer. Entertain. Buy a car. Decorate. Plan a wedding. Buy groceries. Have a baby. Find a pet. Get a Master's degree. Buy clothes. Help the needy. Invest. And many more.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Spirituality

179 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2003

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated this book. I'm not sure why I bothered to finish it. Most of the suggestions were trite, but what really upset me was the section entitled "Cheap ways to help the needy." It had the line, "Did you pay for this book? If so, it's doubtful you fall below the poverty line." Excuse me, but why? Because poor people don't have any disposable income? Or because poor people don't value reading and the purchasing of books? Doesn't it seem more likely that buyers of this book might be poor since this book is about cheap living?

Anyway, don't bother with this book.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contrary to what the title says, this book is actually deeper than simply trying to save money. It is actually about trying to live simply voluntarily, which is important spiritually. The disguises that spiritual things wear are fascinating to me: Dogs, thrift, gardening, addiction, even religion. I also liked the part where the author mentioned being a book snob. Meaning someone who likes to read books for the sake of claiming to have read them. Considering how I'm wracking my brain trying to remember books I read as a teenager simply to have a bigger "read" list, I enjoyed the feeling of being shown my own surprised reflection.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

A neat little reference book on saving money. Written with a sense of humor, but there are a lot of insightful and clever hints about all sorts of things, from decorating to investing to eating and how to save money doing them.

[Danna · Rating 3 out of 5]

There have been some "duh" and "a-ha" moments with Cheap Ways To...a handy guide to saving money while still living well.