America's Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money

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At that place'south very picayune useful
I loathed this volume. The authors never acknowledge their enormous debt to The Tightwad Gazette for both their newsletter business organisation and this book--in fact, their introduction is either consciously or subconsciously stolen from the introduction to 1 of the Tightwad books--even though they mention, in passing, that they used one of Amy Dacyzyn's ideas for shopping (only imply it wasn't that great anyway), then it isn't a instance where they were unaware of Tightwad'due south existence.There'south very piddling useful information here; most of information technology is extremely specific and convoluted. I was interested to read their chapter on pedagogy your kids about money, just information technology turned out to concern, almost entirely, their system for paying their kids for doing chores. Their budget system is odd and complex. They suggest using "Color Me Beautiful" to make certain you only buy apparel that look practiced on you... this is what people need?
Their medical advice is featherbrained at best, dangerous at worst--they advise finding home remedies to lessen doc visits. They "beat out most balmy infections" this mode--geez, virtually mild infections go away on their ain! Colds are treated with echinacea, grapeseed extract, and colloidal silverish (the stuff that turned that guy blue). Ridiculous.
In no manner are they "America's Cheapest Family"--they spend money on things that virtually people who desire to live beneath their means would never think to spend on. They turn down to use credit cards without acknowledging their usefulness. I could go on and on. In that location's also quite a bit of sexism, and an underlying religious tone that I didn't care for personally.
If you're interested in this topic, I can't encourage yous enough to look into The Tightwad Gazette. The books are a petty elderly, but the underlying philosophy of finding your own frugality is nevertheless current. And they're funny and readable, too.
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Okay, some of the points I liked were actually common sense items like plow off lights when not in use, etc. The stuff I did not like were their farthermost views on saving to the point where they took a family holiday to Washington, DC and cruised around in their car looking for a thrift store. I have no problem with this as I've been hitting up thrift stores for unique finds since loftier school (in fact my husband
This volume started out okay simply this cheapskate family unit is starting to become on my nerves.Okay, some of the points I liked were really mutual sense items like turn off lights when non in use, etc. The stuff I did not like were their farthermost views on saving to the signal where they took a family holiday to Washington, DC and cruised effectually in their auto looking for a thrift store. I have no trouble with this as I've been hitting up thrift stores for unique finds since high school (in fact my hubby and I --then boyfriend--even had a map (an bodily existent map) with a analogous legend where we marked every single thrift shop in the greater sacto area...dorky, I know). Anyhow, you can see the thrift shop is not my problem. My problem is that they only went in that location to find a crockpot. To take back to their hotel room. To prepare dinner. For their children. In the bathroom. Consisting of spaghetti-os and canned beef stew. Really? In all your other coin saving techniques you couldn't carry to care for your kids to an actual meal? This also demonstrates why I don't actually coupon for food--all the cheap stuff us garbage for your trunk. Just picket one episode of Extreme Couponing to see the majority of people (aka hoarders) stocking up on garbage candy food. Hmmm, I'll stick with Whole Food, thanks.
I as well did not like the task/assart system this family developed. Kids should do chores becauase that is how they learn responsibleness and it is also an example of them respecting their parents...not considering they are paid ten cents for everytime the make a bed, etc. I am not against giving kids allowances but the way this family did it is how I would not practise it.


Plain and simple. Ready financial goals, stay out of debt, find resources to meet the needs of your goals, requite to others generously, and cultivate an mental attitude of gratitude. Information technology's all there. They don't advocate a quick fix, but rather implementing principles of elementary financial truth. Great illustration betwixt the American Revolution and fiscal freedom in one of their terminal capacity that Another book that I need for my library (I'll just wait and buy information technology used on Amazon or notice it at a yard sale. :-)).
Apparently and simple. Set financial goals, stay out of debt, observe resources to meet the needs of your goals, give to others generously, and cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Information technology'southward all there. They don't advocate a quick set, but rather implementing principles of uncomplicated fiscal truth. Great analogy between the American Revolution and financial freedom in one of their last capacity that I thought was very insightful. They give credit to their faith in God for the blessings they take received every bit well. I likewise enjoyed the family unit aspect they made a central theme when pursuing family fiscal goals. FAMILY. FRUGALITY. FAITH. FABULOUS!!!
They accept an enthusiastic tone of persuasion, not pushy. They are likewise advocates of slow and simple changes for a lasting do good. Reminds me of Gordon B. Hinckley's thoughts: "Gear up it up, Wear it out, Make it do, or Do without."
It's not without a price, but the fruits of frugality are SWEET!!!! ...more

They alive in A
This volume contains mostly common sense and data that any person, once they've made the choice to start being frugal, could effigy out easily. I didn't really find any new or useful information here. Basically it seems to be – come upward with a upkeep (and boy, is their method complicated!), use coupons, research family activities and vacations, pay more than your mortgage each month to pay down the firm'south master faster, and don't go to the store equally often as you normally do.They live in Arizona, then their data was more relevant to me than it might be for someone elsewhere – yet I still found very little of it useful. Perhaps when I purchase a house and have children I can revisit some of the sections which call for firm modification to relieve money and involving your children in learning to upkeep and spending money.
The stop of the book gets preachy (both in a saving-coin way and a religious way) and I was not a big fan of that.
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All the same, I would say these guys are more like America's Best-Budgeting or Nigh Disciplined Family. Their st
I really found a lot of helpful information in this book. I know a lot of other reviewers weren't diggin' the Economides's upkeep, just I actually retrieve it'southward actually cool and nosotros're going to give it a whirl. I also really like their method of teaching their children fiscal responsibleness. I think those two things alone—the budget and the MoneySmart Kids organisation—make this book worth the read.Withal, I would say these guys are more like America's All-time-Budgeting or Nigh Disciplined Family. Their strength seems to lie more in their power to upkeep and salvage than in really cheap habits. I was surprised not to see more than absolute tightwad habits like cloth diapers, alternatives to disposable feminine hygiene products, exclusive line drying of clothing, homemade products…just to name a few. Although ownership a Crock-Pot at a thrift shop while you lot're on vacation so you tin oestrus upwards Chef Boyardee in the hotel room while you're out sightseeing? Dang, that'south dedication. Okay, maybe they are America's Cheapest. Merely a lot of their practices merely seem more like common sense than pure cheapskatery. Oh, and meat for dinner every night? I'one thousand pitiful, simply I'm pretty sure America's truly cheapest family is vegetarian. Which is cheaper, chicken or lentils?
But regardless, I really practise admire these people. For them and their lifestyle, I requite five stars! For the volume itself, I requite 4.
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I agree with a PP virtually but picking the ideas that volition piece of work for your specific circumstances.
The family unit'south a
I've flipped through a lot of tightwad books, but this one held my involvement all the way through. Their idea almost putting money into many different household/personal accounts every month and not taking information technology out until it was needed actually fabricated an impression on me. Other books I've read talked about socking money into savings in one dodder or broke downwards the household accounts pretty broadly.I agree with a PP about just picking the ideas that will piece of work for your specific circumstances.
The family unit'south ability to salve actually wowed me. It's nice it's being passed on to the kids. Perchance they won't start their lives in debt like a lot of young people do.
ETA: Looks like a lot of one-2 star ratings are by the Tightwad Gazette cult. Those are good books, and then is this ane. After a while, well-nigh eatables sense budgeting books starting time sounding the same.
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I enjoyed reading this book. The authors have a fashion of making coin issues and saving more palatable with their writing style. Most of t
In this economic system everyone seems to be interested in spending less coin, existence more frugal, or getting their finances in lodge. The Economides take been labeled equally America'south Cheapest Family for a reason. Their lifestyle has been 1 of frugality, carefulness, and planning. The husband and wife team have written this book to assistance out the newbie to the frugal game.I enjoyed reading this book. The authors have a way of making money issues and saving more palatable with their writing style. Most of the advice given are already things I've implemented. But the advice was clear, practical, and like shooting fish in a barrel to put into practice. Anyone but starting will do good from reading this book. Fifty-fifty though I'm on my way to beingness rather frugal myself, I nevertheless learned a couple of new things and was reminded of some more than.
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Plus side, they are an excellent example of being frugal, setting a upkeep and goals, and finding resourceful ways to live below their means. Some ideas they presented were very interesting, for case, going shopping less often and using a meal planner to maximize the trips. This could work for a single person also equally a family unit. The stay at home vacation. I recollect everyone is guilty on some level of not fully experiencing all the attractions that can be f
I have mixed feelings virtually this book.Plus side, they are an first-class example of being frugal, setting a upkeep and goals, and finding resourceful means to live below their means. Some ideas they presented were very interesting, for case, going shopping less often and using a meal planner to maximize the trips. This could work for a single person every bit well equally a family. The stay at dwelling house holiday. I call up everyone is guilty on some level of not fully experiencing all the attractions that can be found close to home.
Some negatives were the style they fix their upkeep. I just didn't become it. I seemed a little too much for me and that is a clear sign that I'thou not going to do that. Their whole method of getting out of debt didn't offer anything new and in fact they basically said make more coin. Overall, the advice seemed a petty situational. they shop at consignment stores, which is good if you alive nigh some that are virtually a high quality surface area.
In the end I found this book to be a little bones. I think anyone looking to curb spending and live within their means will observe some nuggets to have abroad from this book, merely some things I uncertainty many people volition be willing to try. No way I'k shutting off my water tank to salve on water.
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I'one thousand pretty excited, because afterwards a little bit of research and a talk with the husband, I'll exist finishing paying off my educatee loans this week.
I am a bit frustrated that in that location is no index, and I idea I read something in
Non necessarily new, only a fun and easy read to help get me more into the saving-money ideas, not to save money for itself, but to prioritize its employ then information technology gets spent on what would be the nearly profitable (or am I using that thought from the Gilbraiths' time and motion studies?).I'm pretty excited, because after a little bit of research and a talk with the hubby, I'll be finishing paying off my educatee loans this week.
I am a fleck frustrated that at that place is no index, and I thought I read something in information technology and and so went back to show my hubby the next day and couldn't find information technology, even with the help of online notice-in-a-book tools. Then perchance that is less a fault of the book and more than a fault of my head. (Merely I swear I read something well-nigh getting contractors to all submit quotes on the same things and so that one could compare apples to apples.)
I may desire to read this a few more times. A flake of the information was idiosyncratic and/or outdated, simply, like any blog, that's what worked for them. (Now I'm getting the Reading Rainbow music in my head, with "But you don't have to take _my_ word for it!")
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For this family, they clearly value money over fourth dimension and so they spend a lot of time looking at garage sales, multiple grocery stores, flea markets, etc. to pick upwards something cheaper in dollar amount although if you lot factor in the time, I don't think information technology was a frugal decision at all.
This volume is definitely geared more to people who live in a house that they own and tin can actually brand changes to i
I was hoping to acquire about some cheaper ways to alive only this really felt lacking in a lot of respects.For this family unit, they clearly value coin over time so they spend a lot of fourth dimension looking at garage sales, multiple grocery stores, flea markets, etc. to pick up something cheaper in dollar amount although if y'all factor in the time, I don't retrieve information technology was a frugal decision at all.
This book is definitely geared more to people who live in a house that they ain and can actually make changes to it that would cutting downwardly on some costs (like a programmable thermostat). If you're a newly married couple living in an flat, this is not the book for you.
Overall, I just wasn't that impressed. Some of the tips seemed odd, a lot of the time spent trying to become a cheaper bargain would brand the item worth more than than ownership it online in the first place, and I was also hoping this family made a lot of their food (i.e. staff of life) just instead they mostly just buy it and put it in a chest freezer.
3 stars.
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Some of the advice is dated (specially the stuff about finding the cheapest home telephone line), but much is founded in solid principles.
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And I proudly admit to existence an avid coupon-clipper!
This is a dandy how-to guide for frugality. I learned a lot of new tricks and gained insight from these authors. A must-read for those who desire to simplify and economize 1'due south life.And I proudly admit to being an avid coupon-clipper!
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Every bit to the residuum, this is so very, very 2007. And by that I mean that the authors take as their reality the structural realities of the 80s when they were starting out and assume nothing has changed. Information technology's maddening at times, the assumptions they brand near why people might exist struggling financially. And this was publishe
This was worth it because I learned something new about budgeting. The Economides' budgeting system is batshit insane, simply I tin arrange a slice of it in YNAB that I remember volition help.As to the rest, this is so very, very 2007. And by that I mean that the authors take every bit their reality the structural realities of the 80s when they were starting out and assume zero has changed. Information technology's maddening at times, the assumptions they brand most why people might be struggling financially. And this was published before the Great Recession and then there's a sense that of class our economical system works.
The extreme couponing affiliate was entertaining. Even if I were a stay at dwelling house mom this would never be a worthwhile apply of my fourth dimension.
Solid communication on budgeting and saving, decent advice on getting out of debt, an interesting approach to teaching kids most coin (that doesn't fit my values, merely would for nearly people). All written past the kind of middle course people who actually don't understand how poverty works and thinks that poor people just need to cease buying coffee. That grated on me merely would non necessarily grate on the average centre class reader. Very readable. Very 2007.
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But in that location were some good takeaways: limit trips to the grocery shop and plan meals to avoid impulse ownership, a good betoken about the quality of clothes at thrift stores these days, the power and bond of including the whole family in the budgeting process. Overall I'thousand glad I read it.
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Advice in this book is pretty solid. Yous can live on a budget, and yous should have an emergency fund. You should teach your kids how to manage coin. Store around for the best deals. Never become into debt to purchase a automobile, or worst-case, put down as much every bit you tin can. Always purchase used vehicles. Employ Libraries and check the papers for Activities that are complimentary or cost very little. Lots of basics and bolts communication, lots of common sense and skillful sense. The authors even give wis
Dated simply all the same relevant and valuableAdvice in this book is pretty solid. You can live on a budget, and you lot should take an emergency fund. You should teach your kids how to manage money. Shop around for the best deals. Never go into debt to buy a motorcar, or worst-case, put down as much as you lot can. Always purchase used vehicles. Use Libraries and check the papers for Activities that are free or cost very little. Lots of nuts and bolts communication, lots of mutual sense and good sense. The authors fifty-fifty give wisdom and advice on vacations, stay at home vacations, and saving lots of money even when you lot leave home for a iii calendar week trip. Even though the earth is changed a little bit since this book came out, it is even so relevant and helpful.
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All in all, it gave me a push to frugalize my budget fifty-fifty more, only I'm sure there are more than interesting/more updated books on saving money out in that location.
Some good general tips on how to save money and be frugal (forth with a few that I hadn't heard of or tried, which I appreciated). The writing style wasn't nifty and started to bug me after awhile (especially as many things seemed repetitive), and in that location were too several parts of this that were outdated.All in all, it gave me a push to frugalize my budget fifty-fifty more, simply I'grand certain there are more than interesting/more updated books on saving money out in that location.
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In 2004 the Economides family was invited to announced on Proficient Morning time America, it was then that host Charlie Gibson affectionately dubbed them America's Cheapest Family unit. This appearance led to the publishing of their showtime book, "America's Cheapest Family Gets You lot Right on the Money."
Steve & Annette are NY Times Best Selling authors of three books, often requested conference speaker and are recognized internationally every bit family finance experts. They accept appeared on many national Television shows including: Adept Morning America, The Today Show, ABC'due south twenty/twenty, Flim-flam TV's Your World with Neil Cavuto and The Dr. Phil Show. They are regularly quoted on radio, in newspapers and have been featured in magazines such as Good Housekeeping, People and Real Simple as well equally profiled on Yahoo and MSNBC.
Steve and Annette'southward writing and speaking style are down to world and easy to sympathise. They'll show y'all how they've washed it, pace-by-step, and how you can you too. If you lot follow their advice you'll experience fiscal liberty, more money in the bank, debt-gratis living, better family times and lots more laughter.
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