Live Your Life for Half the Price Without Sacrificing the Life You Love Debt Proof Living
You work hard for your money–really hard! And every month you hope to start saving some of it. But things happen, stuff comes up.
You dream of having enough money to have the things you really love and to have fun too. But you worry that living below your means will destine you to poverty and never having what you want.
In this book, Mary Hunt puts that myth to rest. With the right strategies and commitment you can pay your bills, prepare for the future and live the life you love — all on your ordinary income.
Mary Hunt has a knack for taking the fear out of money matters with her trademark warmth, humor and engaging style. In Live Your Life For Half The Price she hands readers the tools, weapons and motivation they need to slash the cost in every spending area without sacrificing joy and quality of life.
Aimed specifically at people who are tired of working hard to just get by, this user-friendly guide offers the specific techniques, resources, and motivation you need to keep more of your money every month so you can save, give, and finally start making financial progress!
So isn’t it about time for you to get off the money roller coaster?
This might not be the only money book you’ll ever need, but it’s the book you need now!
User Ratings and Reviews
2 Stars Not impressed
This book is basically a regurgitation of 3 or 4 other frugality books on the market, but nowhere near as good. All of her good tips are common sense; the book seems to be written for status-seeking people who have never even thought of saving money before.
She advises making price lists and coupon-clipping, and then admits that she doesn’t do it herself because she doesn’t have the patience or mathematical and organizational skills. She doesn’t even mention the concept of buying generic, just how to get deals to maintain your sold-out branded image to the corporations.
What are her skills? Well, throughout the book she’s really good at plugging financial planning websites that charge monthly fees (and we’re trying to save money here?).
She gives a long, drawn-out plan for trading in cars until you trade up to a new one, and you keep paying the savings to yourself to save up for the next upgrade. Why not advocate driving a decent used car and keep the money as real savings for the future, emergencies, etc.?
She says to spend within 80% of your income, save 10%, and give 10% to charity. 10%??? Now, I’m not saying stingy is good (I currently give 2% of my income to charity), but at 10%, that could be a good payment on a high-interest credit card. Yah, she tells you to pay your bills, but then gives no advice on how to do that when you’re spending 80% and giving 10% away. As far as I’m concerned, if I’m in debt, the money isn’t really mine- it belongs to my creditors. So, who am I to give away over $100/month of their money to charity? I suppose if you make a 6-figure income, you could manage to do that and still pay down your bills. (and still buy brand names and new cars).
There is nothing new or enlightening in this book. Mary Hunt is a spoiled housewife who’s husband supported her with a generous salary, and she drove cars like new BMWs, and had to have the best (read:most expensive and image-shallow) of everything. She finally learned to reel in her compulsion and find a few thrifty ways to still get everything brand-name she wants, and having read a few books she repeats tips from, she thinks that makes her a professional. Here’s a good tip on saving money: don’t waste it on this book. Instead, get “Your Money Or Your Life.” Though it’s a bit outdated on the purchase info., the principles are timeless and it will change your life.
5 Stars good advice
This is a great book to those new to frugal living and has a few hints for the “oldtimers”.
5 Stars Amazing book
I was given this book as a gift. It has many wonderful suggestions in it for everyday living. It’s not like other books that just talk about concepts for saving money; it tells you ACTUAL THINGS TO DO to save money, with directions and shortcuts. I bought a copy for a friend from amazon.com and may order more later. Dynamic book!
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