Frugal Isn't Cheap: Spend Less, Save More, and Live Better

by Clare K. Levison, Sharon L. Lechter (Foreword)

In this work, Clare Levison serves up practical financial advice with a side of southern charm. Filled with real stories, it will challenge you to change the way you think about money.

Genres: Nonfiction, Finance, Money, Personal Finance, Economics, Business

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 19, 2013

About the author

Clare K. Levison is a certified public accountant and national financial literacy spokesperson for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). She has appeared on major radio and television networks across the country and is a member of the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA) Board of Directors. She was named one of the 2010 Top Five CPAs Under Thirty-Five by the VSCPA. Clare has more than a decade of corporate accounting experience and is also an active volunteer, serving as PTA president, Girl Scout leader, and Sunday school teacher. She lives in Blacksburg,
Virginia, with her husband and two daughters.

Reviews

[Rebecca Newman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read my fair share of financial books, I like reading on the topic of finances, frugality, monetary policy, etc. But this book didn't do a thing for me.

The back says "Clare Levison serves up practical financial advice with a side of southern charm." There was absolutely no charm in this book. At all. While it did provide some practical advice- I disagreed with much of it. One example... she says that children are incapable of frugal mindsets. The fact that a statement like that can be made is alone the product of a nation full of spoiled Americans. Once upon a time, children were perfectly capable of frugality because that is what was required of them. That modern children get everything handed to them from guilty parents who rack up debt in order to do it does not mean children are no longer capable of understanding frugality.

What was sound advice was written for and would positively affect only the most novice of money managers.

And, when I picked it up, I expected the book to speak at least slightly of the importance of being Frugal but not Cheap (hence, the title) but I didn't find any reference or hint at the title anywhere in the book.

Really disappointed.

[Josh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cursory. Few section went into much depth at all.

I was mostly with Levison throughout the book, especially since most things were common sense (write down your goals, allocate money to savings - pay yourself first - spend less than you take in) but then she started quoting Atlas Shrugged and blaming those that don't have jobs (while citing the high unemployment rate) that they're just not trying hard enough. In my eyes, that thoroughly discredited her to the point that I couldn't take the remainder seriously.

[Kate Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skimmed it. Some interesting stories about famous people filing bankruptcy and perspectives on donations or volunteer work. There was investing advice and so on. I found the story about Thomas Jefferson interesting and rushed through the rest.

[Aaron Maurer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read! This book was quite helpful. I have been reading several books on helping to improve finances and debt. After reading books by Dave Ramsey this book was good to compare. I found the simplicity of the tips in this book more manageable than ideas by Dave Ramsey although very similar to the overall ideas. The key is to be honest with yourself and make practical decisions. I don’t agree with everything, but using the tips in this book makes life better on track. I really like the Have To and I’d Rather columns for the budget.

Short and simple and helpful which is what you want when trying to make changes in your life. Change is not easy, but gaining some common sense tips can help the journey.



The key tips I like

1. Coupons for only things you use. Don’t buy because coupons are good deals if you don’t use the product. For us it is just about actually using coupons.

2. I love this quote “Instead of spending time accumulating more, spend your time taking good care of hate things you already have.”

3. Budget your expenses into two columns “Have To” and “I’d Rather” columns to see how you are spending your money and make necessary changes.

[Kita · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I'm looking at different books to work on living a comfortable life that is within my means.

This wasn't that book. There is all the usual assumptions - but less takeaway coffee! Look for discounts! Don't go on as many expensive vacations!

The fact that the author refers to a vacation in her lists of 'needs' says it all to me.

She also has that thing I've seen in lots of American writing - directly linking success with a willingness to work and being smart with money. Zero recognition that her life circumstances are a significant chunk of why she's successful. No recognition that actually structural stuff sometimes is a big part of the picture.

Tldr: rich privileged woman talks about getting good deals and living within extravagant means.

[Rochelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you have been on the 'frugal' path for awhile, just like myself, then this book is a definite waste of your time and money. However, if you are brand new, then please don't hesitate to read this book, because it can teach you a lot.

In my case, I am a regular reader of this particular genre of books, and I got absolutely nothing new from it. What is the more? The book could have been better edited and much smaller in size.

The lack of anything new and original in the book may be a direct result of the age of the book (published in 2013) and thus, being outdated for today's 'savvy frugalist'.

The reason I gave it two stars, instead of one (which, was my initial intention) was because while reading the section on kids and frugality, I got the idea (which the author, failed to mention) of giving my monthly grocery budget to my tween son and have him manage it. Since it was this book that triggered that idea, even though it wasn't mentioned, I felt that required an additional star.

[Cat Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given the book a higher rating, were it not for the right-wing, bootstrapping, Ayn Rand quoting belief system that everyone can pull themselves into wealth in ‘Merica. For some of us, we are not doing as well as we could be financially as a result of our own missteps and bad decisions. For many people, their lives began at a severe disadvantage that will hold them back from building a comfortable life, regardless of how hard they tug their bootstraps. (If they are so fortunate as to even have any.)

While the advice and tips were solid and useful… I could have done without the implication that remaining poor is always a personal choice and not the result of uncontrollable circumstance.

[Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first half-ish of the book, couldn’t even read the middle section (I skipped past it after months of trying to get into it) and the end was good. The tone of the book was very welcoming and helpful but I just couldn’t get into it like I thought I would.

[Victoria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Remember when your high school english teacher said not to use dictionary definitions in your essays because it makes for terribly boring writing? This book is full of them.

Overall this book is utter tripe. Beyond advice to "shop the sales racks" and "go camping instead of staying in a hotel" its title does not correspond to its content; it really has nothing to do with frugality.

This book's large font and friendly tone lulls the reader into believing this is a common-sense guide to basic personal finance, but in reality there are many significant flaws in the advice. Some of my favourites include giving terrible explanations of inflation, that you should definitely negotiate your mortgage even if the author doesn't herself, and that if you decide to run a side business you should probably give up once you realize you were never really that interested in it in the first place.

The most bizarre part of the whole book is that every chapter begins with a "what I did and why it was the wrong way" example. I get that the author is trying to impart some experience to this drivel of badly assembled life advice, but they're really not doing much to show that they're an expert in finance or any other field for that matter.

Save yourself the effort on this one and pick up "Your Money or Your Life" instead, an actual common-sense and actionable book on personal finance. I'm still on the lookout for a good frugality book (that's not quite as complex philosophically as Jacob Fisker's "Early Retirement Extreme"), so send me your recommendations!

[Juli · Rating 2 out of 5]

What kept me going was how incredibly cringey and ridiculous this book got.

If you're looking for a money book this isn't for you.
Unless how you really enjoy talking with that one older relative that just kind of rambles along with life stories, spouting proverbs left and right, and occasionally contradicting themselves- then it's perfect.
Or if you craved a book narrated by


Or apparently if you're riding holiday depression with an uptick of cold meds then this is also great.

Snippets include:
Mc Hammer's debt
Bono while talking about charity
alpaca farming
disney princesses
Honey boo boo
multiple definitions of common words -see change, karma- cause writing
my favorite example of charity entry -"For example, your church might be collecting money to buy malaria nets for malaria-prone countries in Africa."
"no nicey. no money." on child allowances
excerpt of atlas shrugged


Just so ..wow.

[Cari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since I generally pride myself on being frugal while not being cheap, I thought it'd be interesting to read about someone else's approach to the matter. While many of Levison's suggestions were things I sometimes find myself doing (e.g. save money by not ordering wine at restaurants), there were so many others that just didn't make sense. For example, she recommends checking your bank account every day to make sure you're not going to overdraw. What a stressful suggestion! Granted I'm probably not her target demographic for this book, I can't imagine ever doing that while simultaneously stocking away 20% in savings (another one of her suggestions). Anyway, this is a quick read to pick up some tips but beware of some questionable ones too.

[Chrissy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was hoping to find some new financial advice in the book, but it ended up getting mostly basic common sense. The author summed up Dave Ramsey's sayings.

My one huge pet peeve with this advice was the unemployment chapter. The just take any job ideal doesn't include the facts that

1. If you're working a min rage job, you don't have the time to look for a better job elsewhere.

2. Most min wage jobs won't hire someone that is over qualified for their fear of fact number 1.

3. By taking a lower income job that you are over qualified for, your investment on your degree is not creating income for you. So it ended up being a waste of an investment.

I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.

[Shirley]

I often consider writing a book on personal money management so I read many books on the topic as I research what has already been written about the subject. This particular book, in my opinion, gives inaccurate information on valuing net worth and poor advice about several everyday financial management concepts.

[Therese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been listening to lots of books about frugality during the past couple of years and this is one of my favorites, thus far. Because it’s so approachable, balanced, and filled with really solid advice, it’s definitely one that I would recommend to other readers. Clare does an excellent job of bringing out what’s crucial and why, which I really appreciated. Very often, books like this can discuss issues that don’t apply to the average person, but I felt like every suggestion that Clare made was within reach. She has a way of explaining them that makes you think, “I’ll be able to do this!” That’s very encouraging. I also like her definition of frugal so much more than others I’ve run into. They still require self-discipline and restraint, like all frugality, but she mentions why certain choices are smart or more worthwhile from a point of view that I really related to. That’s why this book was good for me personally. It’s one I’d like to keep around so that, when I’ve gotten off track with my goals and need to recall a better perspective, I can pick it up and easily find motivation again. Thank you for that, Clare! I thought this book made some great points for parents who are teaching their kids to manage money. Like I mentioned, really balanced and thought out. A great book.

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This personal finance book is below mediocre, to be sure. I'm not sure how this author got a book deal; she is a CPA, not a financial advisor of any sort, as far as I can tell. The advice in this book was very basic, and oftentimes incomplete and seemingly uninformed (her external sources of knowledge were often undocumented, with her recommendations being based largely upon her own life experiences).

I gave it two stars instead of one because I liked, and will remember going forward, her mantra of "I'd rather..." For example, "I won't be joining this expensive group vacation with my friends/family. I'd rather use that money for xxx." This concept is useful, and I think it will help me going forward.

The rest of it, though, was mostly a waste of time to read, and in my view, offered nothing new or interesting compared to other personal finance books.

Lastly, another reviewer noted this as well, but I saw no meaningful level of discussion of how to be frugal rather than cheap, which is definitely a bait and switch from the title.

[Bree Sotirovich · Rating 2 out of 5]

The beginning had a lot of information that held my attention. I liked how she explained things. As the book progressed though, I found less interest in the book. Our thoughts did not align and it was not a matter of changing my mind about these things but how to make them work better. So I liked the information about the 401(k) and IRAs but I was not big on the real estate section. There were also chapters about small business owning or her investing in animals because they had the land for them. Those don't really align with my lifestyle so I found myself skipping over all that. i do not ever plan on running my own business. I like my job and don't see myself ever owning a farm. This book got a little too specific.

Again there was some sound advice throughout. I just had to really skip around and browse through the rest to find it.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author is clearly an accountant, not a writer. This would have been a cute book for young kids leaving high school and getting ready to enter the big world, but the last chapter the author declared this to be a book for GenX and GenY.

It’s also a product of its time. There’s mention of Facebook, Redbox, and cable tv. This is not an evergreen read as the most current statistics are from 2012. I wish the author hadn’t included some of the stats, it makes the book seem very dated and therefore less credible.

Also, this was very weirdly pro-corporate America. I’m a stay at home mom who left corporate America and I can confidently say “good riddance”. It seems like the author adores that world. Nothing wrong with that, but certainly something a little strange.

[Bryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Average book on personal finance. The book doesn't have any truly amazing insights, but at the same time it doesn't have anything that would lead someone astray. I don't think that she is correct on everything, but my idea is generally if you know enough to know where to disagree, you probably won't still be looking for basic financial info from someone else. The core of what she says is what I would recommend for someone that is trying to start get their finances in order. Create a budget, control expenses, pay off debt and know where your money is going are going to be at the core of any beginning financial book, and this one is no different.

[Heather Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

I expected more.

Not only did none of the chapters really delve into any detail, but all of the tips were things that either: A) should be common sense or B) don't really apply in a world of online banking.

Honestly, it read more like unsolicited advice from a bored, privileged person than actual, helpful knowledge.

Also, there's a story in there about how the author purchased chickens and when they laid more eggs, created more stress and were a bigger nuisance than she was expecting, she leaves them to be dealt with by nature's devices instead of rehoming them like a decent person. It was horrible and unnecessary and for that I blame her editors in addition to her.

[E · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just...not impressed. This wasn't charming; it came off as naggy and boring. The author obviously is coming from a place of privilege, and while there is nothing inherently wrong with that, I do take exception to the unexamined assumption that everyone else shares those same privileges. They do not. Yay, America is the land of opportunity where you can accomplish anything if you work hard enough...but it's best to be born white if you can help it, mmkay?

P.S. Not every prospective reader gives a sh about church attendance or "Christianity." How lazy and cliche to assume that all of us do.

[Bopsterjazz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m on a path to try and get my finances in better shape and this was a good first read to help me keep in the mindset. It has a lot of the same advice that my mom has always tried to give me, but with a few differences. Ultimately, I think this book served as a great motivator to keep me focused, but that’s about it. This book didn’t teach me anything, I did like some of the little stories that came with the lessons. However, I really think the book I want to read is one that understands finances from the perspective of someone with ADHD who is super prone to those impulse purchases.

[Molly Manuse · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m a bit of a personal finance enthusiast and was excited to see a new name in my library’s offerings. I appreciated that this writer had a bit more reasonable suggestions than gurus like Dave Ramsey - but my god, she’s even more judgmental and condescending! I can’t even begin to describe all of the ways in which she patronizes the reader and she takes the “bootstraps” mentality to the extreme. You might take something away but you’ll also find the author extremely unlikable.

[Ben Reay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly common sense advice, with a bit much America specific info for the rest of the world. Decent on the whole except for one part that seemed a bit preachy that poor people just needed go make better choices, that section was a big surprise cos it felt totally different from the tone of the rest of the book

[Anda Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

It might not be ground breaking book, but great reminder to get your finances in order. I read it with a question in mind: “Would this be a good book to give to my future teenagers?” And the answer is yes. Will they be financial gurus after reading it? No. But will it point them the right directions concerning their personal finances. Yes.

[G L Tate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Framework and Message

This book is a good framework about the whys of a budget and disciplined financial approach. There were a few spots where it seemed to drift too much into stories. More geared for the female reader.

[Lo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing new that I didn’t already know. Only interesting thing was learning of some historical figures who died broke. The takeaway from this book is think before you buy, save more than you earn and get out of debt.

[Jessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good overview of sound principles

This book is more about mindset than it is a how-to book. Which is great for those just trying to wrap their head around the personal finance arena. 👍

[franthormel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contains a recurring reminder to spend within your means, do buy something you cannot pay for unless you increase your purchasing power, increase your net worth via assets' increase and liabilities' decrease.

[John Sharp · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only for absolute novices.

[Saralyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of practical advice on living frugally.