Customer Reviews

Live Your Life for Half the Price: Without Sacrificing the Life You Love (Debt-Proof Living)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book has been very helpful as a resource tool for my husband and I since we purchased it. We both have appreciated the helpful, practical, and feasible ideas and tips on how to be WISE in ones spending habits. Topics range from all aspects of where one's money goes -- from groceries, to supplies, to automobiles, to insurance, to computers and other big ticket items. We felt the book was easy to read and appreciated that it was laid out in a fashion where we could easily refer back to chapters on certain areas of spending.

Not all books live up to their advance advertizing, but this one advertized itself humbly and truthfully and gives more than it offers. I experienced a sense of relief: "Aha! THAT'S how I can do that".

Mary Hunt urges readers who are deep in debt and short on resources to be hopeful, but also to get a grip on the problems. And then she gives concrete steps to work back up to the surface. She urges those who are already swimming on the surface to make plans to stay afloat through expected and unexpected financial challenges. And she makes it sound like fun!

I subscribe to Mrs Hunt's monthly e-newsletter (Debtproof Living) and consider it a financial lifesaver. I've also read one of her previous books (same title) which jerked me into changing the way I managed my money. I was eager to order her new book, as soon as I saw mention of it in the newsletter, to support an author who has done so much for me and to get some practical help to "Live the Plan".

I found strategies to try right away, as well as some things that look good but require another pass through the book. She's convinced me that it's important to plan ahead for what I can see coming and to live below my income so that I can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing I'm ready for some unexpected twists in my financial life.

Mrs Hunt's writing style is upbeat and respectful of the reader. She has clear points of view, which she advocates without browbeating the reader, and she supports them with real life illustrations from her own life and from examples shared with her by readers of her other books and the newsletter.

If I was a new reader of Mrs Hunt's books, I would order Debt Proof Living and Live Your Life for Half the Price. They go together well, although each can stand on it's own binding.

I really like this book because it empowered me to do better with my money without being cheap. I was particuarly pleased with how much practical information this book contains without reading like a resource book. It's engaging, relevant and a very nice read. I particularly appreciated the chapter on how to cut your grocery bill ... without having to change supermarkets. I gave her method a try and saved more than 55% on my grocery tab the very first time. I'm sold. Everyone on my Christmas list is getting a copy of this book this year. (Where can I buy it in bulk?)

Mary Hunt is a woman on a mission.

This book--best read as a follow-up to Hunt's Debt-Proof Living --breathes with a passion and encouraging spirit that go beyond technical advice on how to live on the cheap.

`Truth be told, Hunt doesn't want you to live `on the cheap'. That's what the last six words of the book's title aim to say. She thinks you can live wisely and affordably while still enjoying your life, if you make the hard choice to do so.

Hunt has been deeply in debt herself, so she knows what it costs in human and relational terms to dig out of such a situation. She mingles tough words about the need to do that with warm encouragement that you can do this. People who've struggled with debt no how much both of those voices are needed from people close to them. Hunt wants to remain that close, and will sign you up for her web-based support if you ask (and pay a modest fee).

The author believes that you need the right combination of attitude and grit to get out of debt and live on 80% of what you make, plus some learn-able smarts to get you there. You'll have to come up with the attitude and grit on your own. She aims to help you with the smarts.

This is not a difficult read. Hunt wants to teach you the basic about how to live on less than you make so that you can escape the juggling act of living on more. I found the chapters on work `uniform' (`No More Back-of-the-Closet Mistakes') most helpful, but there are plenty of other helpful sections that'll help you with the areas of your spending plan (Hunt hates the word `budget') that hemhorrage in your household.

A worthwhile book, especially if you need an encouraging word as you face the monster.

I absolutely love this book. I could not put it down the first time I read it through. I reread using my highlighter. I have already applied some of the ideas in the book, but the ones that I truly have found that best fit me today are all the recipes and grocery saving ideas. The recipes are really easy and healthy. And the added benefit is that even my kids like them. I have recommended this book to many of my friends already.

We are a young couple with no credit card debt. The only outstanding debt we have is our new home. We make a great living and are very fortunate and grateful to enjoy life without a lot of reservation. However, we've had a couple unexpected expenses this past month that have made us realize that money doesn't grow on trees. We have to be wise with our money before it's too late!

So I was excited to see that "Life Your Life for Half the Price" is written for people like me. I've been learning sure-fire (and easy) ways to save money here and there without toally changing my lifestyle and sacrificing the things that I love (and love to buy)! I'm learning how to incorporate coupons, wise money-sense and clear thinking into my purchases and spending habits!

Author Mary Hunt has made this book very easy to understand and follow. It's not a boring step-by-step "how to" book but rather a guide book to saving money in every area of your life. Mary Hunt's ideas are very practical and easy to follow--many are not new concepts, but rather the common-sense concepts we choose to throw out the window whenever we go shopping!

This book has shown me that you don't have to be a frumpy housewife with 5 kids in order to clip coupons or negotiate for a better price or simply find ways to save money. These ideas/tips work for me, a 20-something newlywed who has some money to play around with!

You can't go wrong with this book -- there is something in it for everyone! Mary Hunt shares tons of websites to check out and refer to for more money-saving ideas and places to shop! You have to check out this book -- it's worth it!!

I've found a lot of new ways to help me save money without getting all miserly about it. It's a winner.

I was impressed with some of the authors methods and ideas, however once you really get into thinking about the process it may or may not work so well.

There is some very good advice here but the author fails to address certain problems. eg. The authors plan for paying cash for a vehicle depends on you purchasing a used vehicle with cash, say $1500, and you continue to pay a car payments to yourself while driving the beater around. You then upgrade, say a year, latter and purchase a better car. I've known many people to start the implementation of this plan but TYPICALLY the vehicle become broken beyond repair or the repairs cost SO MUCH that's it's not worth to perform the repairs - the author addresses this problem but downplays the seriousness of this issue.

The author also suggests to save money grocery shopping with a combination of online coupons coordinated with the stores normal specials. Which is all good until you add up the cost of PRINTING the coupons - something the author does not disclose. But if you feed a family...this may be practical.

I gave this book four stars because SOME advice just seems a bit too impractical for me and some families (I'm a 24yo college student working full time). There is a lot of other good advice about managing money and how to haggle for a lower price, always use cash - not credit cards, track your spending, learn to say 'no'. But you have to follow this advice - noone is going to do it for you. I think this book is worth reading if you need some help starting to manage your money instead of blindingly spending it and agreeing to whatever the retail price is.

Bought this book look for a few financial tidbits we might be missing and there was probably enough to make it worthwhile. A lot of basics and tried and true methods are repeated in this book and just reemphasize that we are doing things 'right.' I like repeating these to my kids as we travel. If we are willing to do a little more work, could save a bit more money with some of her suggestions. I also have to chuckle at the repeated sales pitches in the book for newsletters and templates to help you save money...Overall, a good quick read that can save you some dough.

Just when you think that Mary has said it all, she blows you away with even more great, money-saving advice! Most of her suggestions will take time and energy (sweat equity) but if you are serious about saving money then her suggestions are top-notch. Give this book a try, you won't be sorry!