Clark Howard's Living Large in Lean Times: 250+ Ways to Buy Smarter, Spend Smarter, and Save Money [Paperback]

Clark Howard (Author), Mark Meltzer (Author), Theo Thimou (Author)

Book Description

Release date: August 2, 2011

Clark Howard is a media powerhouse and penny-pincher extraordinaire who knows a thing or two about money. A lifelong entrepreneur who is now the hugely popular host of a talk radio program and television show and the bestselling author of several books, Clark consistently delivers expert financial advice to his wide and devoted fan base.

Living Large in Lean Times is Clark's ultimate guide to saving money, covering everything from cell phones to student loans, coupon websites to mortgages, investing to electric bills, and beyond. In his candid and friendly next-door-neighbor manner, Clark shares the small, manageable steps everyone can follow to build a path towards independence and wealth. Chock-full of more than 250 invaluable tips, the book outlines how to:

• Locate missing and unclaimed money in your name
• Lower your student loan payment
• Find legitimate work-at-home opportunities
• Get unlimited texting and e-mailing for less than $10 per month
• Know what personal info not to post to social media sites
• Determine the best mortgage rate, and much, much more

  As Clark demonstrates, there are myriad ways to reduce debt, buy smarter, and build a future. Follow his lead and he'll get you there.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Clark Howard teaches you how to get the best deals."

(-USA Today )

"Howard is all for the little guy."

(-Booklist )

About the Author

Clark Howard is a successful entrepreneur, a hugely popular talk radio host, HLN TV host, and founder of the website www.clarkhoward.com. He is the author of several books, including the bestselling Get Clark Smart.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Avery Trade; 1 edition (August 2, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583334335
• ISBN-13: 978-1583334331
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.8 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (128 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,763 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > Education & Reference > Consumer Guides
  • #46 in Books > Business & Investing > Personal Finance > Budgeting & Money Management

More About the Author

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

127 of 132 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Mostly the usual tips, but some new and many updated August 4, 2011

By Wulfstan TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

OK, we have all seen those books full of money-saving and penny pinching tips. This is yet another in that genre. But it's the newest, freshest and most up to date book in this genre, and many of the "same-old same-old" tips have been updated for our current financial hard times. Not only that, but there's a scattering of unique tips by "the worlds cheapest man".

If you are newly into penny-pinching this is an excellent book to get you started. If you are an experienced saver, you will still pick up some new tips and plenty of updates on the old stand-byes. Don't get me wrong- if you just bought one of his competitors books, you probably don't have to rush out and buy this one- but it couldn't hurt to take a look at Clark's book anyway.

There's 250 tips, some of which are "well sure" but many of which are "Why didn't I think of that!". Clark Howard covers insurance, prescriptions, utility savings, mortgages, cell phones, and even consumer fraud and identity theft. These last are part of what sets this book apart- sure those security tips are available elsewhere, but it's nice having them all in one easy to read book.

I do note that one idea- that of getting your MD to prescribe larger doses of your daily meds then cutting the pills in half is something my MD isn't crazy about. But Howard has several other ideas that could save you a nice chunk of change every month.

Note also that Clark Howard has a rather interesting and useful website, with synopsis of his radio & TV shows and appearances, consumer tips, and even monthly bargain topics.

The book is written in a friendly and easy to read manner.

111 of 121 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars How to save money on this book about how to save money August 4, 2011

By K. Swanson TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Other than the crooks who run Wall Street yet never seem to go to jail (Hello GS!), not many of us are doing too well these days. Tips on how to save money become more useful daily, so a book with 250 of them must be worth its weight in gold, right? (Well, maybe silver now, gold costs almost as much as gas these days.)

Yes...and no. Let me play Clark Howard for a second, and let's talk about how to save money on Clark Howard's book. It's really very simple. As good as this book is for those who are rather new to cutting the fat from their spending, you can easily pull out your cash knife and cut away the purchase price of this book by...going to CH's website. It's that simple, really. Almost everything in this book is on there...for free!

Now why didn't Clark tell us that? Well, can't save EVERY penny, now can we? (He does hype the website more than occasionally, but doesn't suggest it as a reasonable alternative to buying his book. Hard to blame him, though. Frankly, I think he'd agree with this review, if only on principle.) Just go to his site, which this one won't let me link to, but use his name and that com thing and there you go. Now head to "Greatest Hits", and shazam! Much of the best stuff in this book is there for you, laid out by title on one page. LOTS of good tips there, and you can be reading them in less than five seconds from now.

How's that for saving you money?

But if you know someone who wastes a lot of cash on stupid frivolous things, or doesn't know how to trim their expenses, then this might be a fine gift. It's a good, useful, decently written book, and while not offering much new for long-time frugal folks, it will help out the many people who haven't learned how to stop spending money and how to start saving it....

The key seems to be: THINK BEFORE YOU SPEND!
And on that note, isn't there a website you'd like to check out? Read more ›

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Clark Delivers Again! August 9, 2011

By Mary

Format:Kindle Edition

I follow Clark Howard via podcasts and I check out his web site frequently. He is full of great ideas and tips, delivered in a relaxed and friendly manner. I really get the feeling of Clark's sincerity. Not only do I learn a lot from him, but it feels good at the same time. I read almost all the financial literature and I keep up to date on finance and investment. Even so, I am constantly learning new things and tips from Clark, as he keeps his info fresh and updated. Clark has saved me a BUNCH of money. Yes, a lot of the information is available on his web site and (free) podcasts. But some people want to read a book, they don't follow this stuff like some of us do. This book is another method for Clark to reach people, and it's a great read. Clark states on his podcast frequently where, when and how one can buy his book at a discount or to check the book out at the library. But if you like to collect good books, like I do, then this is a great addition to your collection!

34 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Paid for itself in less than five minutes! August 5, 2011

By Susan Harris

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Clark's book (pre-ordered from Amazon.com) arrived in the mail on Tuesday, August 2. Five minutes after opening the cover to begin reading, I was online signing up for a $120 reduction in the cost of my husband's prescription drug, using Clark's advice on page 104 to visit the drug website for a co pay card. Talk about a great return on my investment of less than $11 for a book! Can't wait to dig a little deeper and see what other tips he has. Thanks, Clark!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful, love it August 8, 2011

By K. CD

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I found this book to be very helpful. I am still reading though a lot of the information, but I know it will be beneficial for me and my husband just starting out. Maybe if you have been around for a while the information may be things you already know, but for me in my late 20's it has a wealth of knowledge. I love how it is laid out so I can just go to a chapter and read what I am interested in. It is easy to read and I have already learned so much form the couple of chapters I have read.