Frugal Living Book List
09-13-11, 09:06 AM
#1
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Frugal Living Book List
I know there was a thread a while ago on books about living car-free. I just moved and need to restock my new bookshelves and have been craving some new literature on frugal living. I think that the process of moving and being forced to buy so many NEW things has triggered my desire to read this stuff again. The Cheapskate Next Door was one of my favorites. Please list your favorite frugal living books, books about consumerism, or simple living blogs.
I know, this maybe off-topic but damn, does it come up often!
Thanks in advance.
I know, this maybe off-topic but damn, does it come up often!
Thanks in advance.
09-13-11, 09:17 AM
#2
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Ordinarily I would say it's most frugal to borrow books at the library rather than buy them. 
(I know this probably doesn't apply to you because you live in a foreign country.)
(I know this probably doesn't apply to you because you live in a foreign country.)
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09-13-11, 10:01 AM
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Start with these two:
The Tightwad Gazette, by Amy Dacyczyn
How To Survive Without A Salary, by Charles Long
The Tightwad Gazette, by Amy Dacyczyn
How To Survive Without A Salary, by Charles Long
09-13-11, 10:39 AM
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I enjoyed Possum Living, by Dolly Freed,
Actually I read it because I read about it right here on BF...
Actually I read it because I read about it right here on BF...
09-13-11, 10:41 AM
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And for the sake of being frugal, can we also add blogs to this thread? I would like to learn about new blogs I wouldn't otherwise find on my own.
09-13-11, 11:43 AM
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I've found that having a Kindle has allowed me to save money while reading more than ever. Amazon sends me an e-mail every day called the Kindle Daily Deal and, while most of the the titles on offer aren't of interest to me, there's an occasional gem. The other day, for example, I got Bike Snob for $1.99.
For years I paid through the nose to have books in English shipped to me from the States or the UK, but no more!
For years I paid through the nose to have books in English shipped to me from the States or the UK, but no more!
09-13-11, 01:24 PM
#7
The Rock Cycle
Simple Dollar
Miss Minimilist
mnmlst
Early Retirement Extreme
Tosimplify
I also like Frugal Village Forums.
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09-13-11, 06:39 PM
#8
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Thread Starter
I've found that having a Kindle has allowed me to save money while reading more than ever. Amazon sends me an e-mail every day called the Kindle Daily Deal and, while most of the the titles on offer aren't of interest to me, there's an occasional gem. The other day, for example, I got Bike Snob for $1.99.
For years I paid through the nose to have books in English shipped to me from the States or the UK, but no more!
For years I paid through the nose to have books in English shipped to me from the States or the UK, but no more!
09-13-11, 09:34 PM
#9
Senior Member
Great idea! I too pay through the nose for English books. I spend a lot of time on mass transit (as everyone in Korea does) so books are crucial too me. This maybe a good excuse for me to justify a kindle.... ****, I hate justifying new gadgets right after asking for frugal living ideas.....
09-14-11, 12:49 PM
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Simple Dollar rawks!!!
The Tightwad Gazette II and III also! Don't forget them. Amy goes back and reviews her first one with more insights and more great ideas.
"Cheaper and Better" by Birnes https://www.amazon.com/Cheaper-Better.../dp/0060960833 This book has great recipes for expensive things from the store. My favorite is all of the salad dressings, but I've done spaghetti sauces and alcohol cocktails from the book too.
The Tightwad Gazette II and III also! Don't forget them. Amy goes back and reviews her first one with more insights and more great ideas.
"Cheaper and Better" by Birnes https://www.amazon.com/Cheaper-Better.../dp/0060960833 This book has great recipes for expensive things from the store. My favorite is all of the salad dressings, but I've done spaghetti sauces and alcohol cocktails from the book too.
09-14-11, 12:59 PM
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Another book worth reading is Living More With Less, by Doris Janzen Longacre. It was published in 1980 and it's a bit dated now, although a 30th anniversary edition has also been published.
The author works to point out some of the disparities between rich countries and poor countries. The emphasis on simplicity is partly because of a responsibility to those who are less wealthy in other parts of the world.
Living More With Less is written from a religious perspective and there are biblical references throughout the book.
The author works to point out some of the disparities between rich countries and poor countries. The emphasis on simplicity is partly because of a responsibility to those who are less wealthy in other parts of the world.
Living More With Less is written from a religious perspective and there are biblical references throughout the book.
09-14-11, 08:21 PM
#12
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The Tightwad Gazette books probably were the biggest influence on my present frugal lifestyle.
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09-15-11, 11:43 AM
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For hard core "cheapness" read.......
The Scavengers Manifesto by Anneli Rufus & Kristan Lawson
https://www.amazon.com/Scavengers-Man.../dp/1585427179
TIP: No matter what book you want always visit "aliribis" books for press over runs used etc. as a way to save real money for any book. Often a book that cost $20 anywhere else can be found on alirbris for pennies on he dollar used or as an over run.
https://www.alibris.com/
The Scavengers Manifesto by Anneli Rufus & Kristan Lawson
https://www.amazon.com/Scavengers-Man.../dp/1585427179
TIP: No matter what book you want always visit "aliribis" books for press over runs used etc. as a way to save real money for any book. Often a book that cost $20 anywhere else can be found on alirbris for pennies on he dollar used or as an over run.
https://www.alibris.com/
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My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
Last edited by Nightshade; 09-15-11 at 11:47 AM.
09-15-11, 11:27 PM
#14
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Thread Starter
For hard core "cheapness" read.......
The Scavengers Manifesto by Anneli Rufus & Kristan Lawson
https://www.amazon.com/Scavengers-Man.../dp/1585427179
TIP: No matter what book you want always visit "aliribis" books for press over runs used etc. as a way to save real money for any book. Often a book that cost $20 anywhere else can be found on alirbris for pennies on he dollar used or as an over run.
https://www.alibris.com/
The Scavengers Manifesto by Anneli Rufus & Kristan Lawson
https://www.amazon.com/Scavengers-Man.../dp/1585427179
TIP: No matter what book you want always visit "aliribis" books for press over runs used etc. as a way to save real money for any book. Often a book that cost $20 anywhere else can be found on alirbris for pennies on he dollar used or as an over run.
https://www.alibris.com/
09-16-11, 01:14 AM
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I love this forum. My girlfriend excoriates me for being a cheapskate, but with all this new material to read, I can be even more of a cheapskate!
09-16-11, 12:28 PM
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There's a huge difference between being cheap and being frugal. Being cheap by basing decisions solely on the lowest price can end up costing plenty in the long run. The cheapest items are often the ones which will not last or which will not function properly. Being frugal by considering what product is needed and then finding the best value will save money. Spending a little more initially on an item which will last a long time is good value.
09-17-11, 07:09 AM
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There's a huge difference between being cheap and being frugal. Being cheap by basing decisions solely on the lowest price can end up costing plenty in the long run. The cheapest items are often the ones which will not last or which will not function properly. Being frugal by considering what product is needed and then finding the best value will save money. Spending a little more initially on an item which will last a long time is good value.
Aaron
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ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
09-17-11, 07:11 AM
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Another website/blog is Debt-Proof Living. Some of the stuff is pay, but there is plenty of free information there too. She also has a series of books out.
While on the subject of Kindles, anybody have a Nook or compared them? I currently read ebooks on a variety of small handhelds (droid and crackberry), but need to step up to something a bit more functional.
Aaron
While on the subject of Kindles, anybody have a Nook or compared them? I currently read ebooks on a variety of small handhelds (droid and crackberry), but need to step up to something a bit more functional.
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
09-17-11, 07:37 AM
#20
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Another website/blog is Debt-Proof Living. Some of the stuff is pay, but there is plenty of free information there too. She also has a series of books out.
While on the subject of Kindles, anybody have a Nook or compared them? I currently read ebooks on a variety of small handhelds (droid and crackberry), but need to step up to something a bit more functional.
Aaron
While on the subject of Kindles, anybody have a Nook or compared them? I currently read ebooks on a variety of small handhelds (droid and crackberry), but need to step up to something a bit more functional.
Aaron
09-17-11, 12:04 PM
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My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
09-17-11, 12:06 PM
#22
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The serious cheapskate has an ebook reader so they can read tons & tons of free stuff!!
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My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
09-17-11, 12:22 PM
#23
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100 Thing Challenge was a pretty good book about simplifying your life. I guess that can go right along with frugal living
09-18-11, 10:58 AM
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TIP: No matter what book you want always visit "aliribis" books for press over runs used etc. as a way to save real money for any book. Often a book that cost $20 anywhere else can be found on alirbris for pennies on he dollar used or as an over run.
https://www.alibris.com/
https://www.alibris.com/
09-18-11, 11:03 PM
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I've been reading online personal finance blogs lately, with "early retirement extreme" being my favorite. The basic premise involves investing up to seventy percent of ones income for 5 years or so, so one can pursue the activities in life that interest them; and the philosophy required to achieve independence from needing to work.
Last edited by icebiker76; 09-18-11 at 11:17 PM.