When it comes to personal finance, I've always been much more interested in how to save 20 cents on a gallon of milk than in finding the hottest investing tip.I tend to think more about the everyday ways we can save money. So when my mom picked up a copy of Yankee Magazine's Vinegar, Duct Tape, Milk Jugs & More by Early Proulx and the Editors of Yankee Magazine at a garage sale, I was anxious to borrow it. This book has been out for awhile, but it has a lot of timeless ideas. From homemade … [Read more...]

It's been a long time since I've done a book review. Probably because I've spent the entire summer plowing through The Value of Money: Uncover the Hidden Wisdom of Money by Susan McCarthy.Let me just clarify that I am not the fastest book reader. I spend most of my reading time online, reading blogs, news, e-mail, etc. It usually takes me some time to finish a book. (Just ask anyone who has ever loaned me a book!) But I finally finished The Value of Money and thought I'd share my thoughts with … [Read more...]

I don't know if I can even call this a review, because I can't be impartial. I LOVE this book. "Dining on a Dime Cook Book" by Tawra Kellam and Jill Cooper teaches you how to eat better and spend less. Their book explains how to shop smarter and cook simpler meals. The 478-page book is loaded with frugal recipes for feeding your family. It also includes recipes for homemade cleaners, health and beauty items (like lip balm), kids activities (like tub crayons), and gift ideas. What I love the most … [Read more...]

I must admit that as a thirty-something person, I haven't read a lot of retirement books. I've read my share of news and magazine articles on the subject, and I've read books on investing, but not on retirement.I recently read "Retire Happy: What You Can Do NOW to Guarantee a Great Retirement" by Richard Stim and Ralph Warner. This was a much different book than I expected. I was expecting a ho-hum book outlining how to save for retirement and maximize my investments. Instead Retire Happy takes … [Read more...]

It seems like everyone has a tip for saving money these days... including yours truly. Fortunately with the cost of every day items like milk and eggs increasing 10 to 20 percent over last year, people seem to be looking for those tips.I picked up the book "Everyday Cheapskate's Greatest Tips: 500 Simple Strategies for Smart Living" by Mary Hunt from the bargain section of Barnes and Noble. I used the free gift card I earned from MyPoints. I'm a big Mary Hunt fan, so I was looking forward to … [Read more...]

I recently read the book "You're Broke Because You Want to Be: How to Stop Getting By and Start Getting Ahead" by Larry Winget.Winget, who calls himself "The pitbull of personal development" has written a few other books and you may have seen him on the A & E show "Big Spender."Winget does not mince words. He does not sugar coat anything. And if you appreciate that kind of person, this book may just be the kick in the pants you need. Winget is all about personal responsibility (my kind of … [Read more...]

I had never heard of financial guru Dave Ramsey until late last year when I caught his show on Fox Business. I have since fallen in love with the show. I enjoy his common sense approach to taking personal responsibility for your finances. For Christmas, my sweet hubby got me his bestselling book, "The Total Money Makeover."I liked the book... but for me, it wasn't anything really new. First of all, if you pay any attention to what he says on his TV and radio show, you have pretty much read the … [Read more...]