Tightwad Gazette

[lieweheksie]

I have read rave reviews about the Tightwad Gazette- and Amy Dacyzyn on almost every frugal website I have ever visited. My question is how relevant and useful is the book to someone not living in the US( I'm in South Africa- where we don't have many coupons or many good thrift stores).Our library doesn't have any copies at all- have checked on their computer system- nothing and I haven't ever seen a 2nd hand copy -would have brought it. So the question is, is it worth buying?

[asrai]

Amy is Frugal to the extreme I think. I really wonder if she throws ANYTHING away. The books do have some good recipes (some of which I've copied to my recipe book such as making your own chocolate syrup).

I didn't find much else of help in there that I couldn't find on the internet at places like the dollar stretcher and the budget stretcher and the other frugal sites on the net. If you could get it at the library or something cheap I might do it.

[terry1156]

My wife purchased it and I have skimmed it. It tends to me a little "too frugal" for my tastes, but my wife likes it.

I would agree with asrai. You can find the information in it on this site and other money saving sites. There isn't anything in it profoundly new that makes it worth buying it unless you happen to get lucky and see it for a deal someplace.

[vendigirl]

I'm in Canada, so I can say that all of the information in the TWG isn't relevant only to the U.S., though some is. I would second the advice to not bother spending the money on it if you can find it to borrow. Does your library order in requests? That may be an option. I think the Complete TWG is a good read to get motivated and consider some changes that you may not have already made. But, it's true that much of the same information is available online for free.

[amomof4]

Hate to be the odd ball here, but I love my tg. It was amusing reading, boy does she have talent. But it motivates me and get my creative juices flowing on where and how I can trim costs in my own life.

[terry1156]

Originally Posted by amomof4

It was amusing reading, boy does she have talent. But it motivates me and get my creative juices flowing on where and how I can trim costs in my own life.

That's a very important point. If something strikes a chord and can motivate you, it's successful. Most of us here know what we need to do to save money and the others are in the process of learning. The challenge is finding the motivation to turn what we know (or are learning) into action.

[PrincessPerky]

The only problem I had with the TWG when I read it ages ago, was the theory that you should keep your hair short (learning to cut it yourself of course) I have always loved long hair and it turned me off to ever buying the book. Though up untill that point it had some interesting theories, mostly to far for me, but it makes me feel spoiled to not go all the way. Come to think of it it leaves me with the impression that my long hair is one of my vices, and a rather nice luxury . Guess it helped after all.

[amomof4]

I have long hair too. It has actually saved me money. Cutting my own hair was not an option as I have two right hands (I'm left handed). So when I let it grow, I no longer had the expense of getting it cut. Instead of using a dime size of shampoo, I use a quarter, but it's to cheaper for me. Besides, the church I attend believes a women's hair should be long because God said it was her glory.

[akaivyleaf]

I've got a copy of it somewhere, want mine? Contact me off list.

[sarah]

Tightwad Gazetter one was the first frugal book I'd ever read and it was what opened my eyes to the frugal movement. I love the book. I don't agree with everything she says but the book's premise is wonderful.

[Tammy]

I love the book! It's what really set me on the frugal path about 12 years ago. It's keeps me motivated when I really don't want to be frugal anymore.

I do think her ideas go to far sometimes - but have learned to think differently since reading it.

[leewill72]

i do believe in one of her articles she said something to the effect of being frugal to the point that is comfortable to you. I have books 1, 2, 3, and the book that has all 3 volumes in one (not very frugal, i know)
I love them to pieces. If you really want a copy of your own and your library cant get it try ebay.

[lieweheksie]

thanks for everyone's responses- now to see if I can try to track down a copy in SA
thanks sharon- will contact you
Both DH and I have long hair- I think it's cheaper in that we save on the costs of a full cut every 6 weeks- I can get just a trim for about $6 once every few months- buy conditioner on sale etc, plus I just prefer the way it looks and feels

[mom-from-missouri]

there are 22 copies of Tightwad Gazette on ebay right now.

[lieweheksie]

thanks- the rand has just gone to 6 to the dollar- so will wait for it to hopefully return to 5.5 before ordering anything in dollars

[lrjohnson]

I am a very big Amy D. Fan. I have read her books many many many times. Some of here ideas may not apply or appeal to me, but she is the first to say it's about choice. Her overall philosophy, which is to not waste money in areas where you don't get value, so that you have money to spend on things that are important to you and give you satisfaction, is perfect for me. Some people seem to focus on certain articles that they found off-putting. While I understand that, for me I can overlook those, because the message works for me.

Amy doesn't really enjoy going out to eat. I go out to eat pretty frequently. I don't do it for convenience, I do it for the full experience. But I don't see it as something she would disapprove of, for me, because, I save in other ways to get the things I enjoy. I reuse ziploc bags and don't have cable, etc., but I travel a lot. Amy's big picture is for people to pay attention, I think.

I value the TW series above all others.

[CherylOK]

I've been living frugally for about a year now. When I started I scoured the web for helpful sites and got lots of motivation there. Just this week I checked out The Complete Tightwad Gazette from the library. I'm a little over halfway through.

I'm a little disappointed. I have found some nuggets now...it took me a while to dig some out! I don't think I'll buy this, unless I come across a GREAT value on it. I think if I had read it a year ago, tho, it would have been a great boost to my frugal lifestyle.

[Momtwo]

I have this book and I find it a great motivator when I am feeling like I just can't be frugal anymore! So it gets read alot. Some of her ideas are out there but I find there is a lot I can apply here. I also like her recipes especially the Seafood Casserole one and the Cuban Bread.

[amomof4]

It does pay to read it more than once. I recently found a recipe to make my own chocolate syrup. I was thrilled. Then I started to read the TG again & found out I had the recipe all along. I had just forgotten about it.

[Tightwad Kitty]

The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn is a great book to read and digest in parts.

Anyone cares to comment on this book. I do find the Math parts most interesting and I find myself doing the Math’s on different things and coming up with new strategies all the time.

As I have no one to read with and discuss articles at random. I would like to start a tread on reading articles from Tightwad Gazette. I will not be rewriting any article, only quotes and article name, volume number and page number, from ‘The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn’ along with my views and comments on trying this strategy.

So anyone care to join me in on re-reading of 'Tightwad Gazette' along with discussion.