Customer Reviews

Living Cheap & Loving It, Tomatoes in the Flower Bed

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Living Cheap and Loving It, tomatoes in the flower bed

What a perfect book for these financially troubled times.
The author, Carrol Wolverton along with several contibutors, has written a simple cost cutting handbook with tips from A to Z.

She gives information about everyday household, money saving ventures-- from energy saving light bulbs to using the microwave to cut down on the energy used to cook your food.

Did you know that you can save energy by using the right size burner for the size of your pan?

I was surprised that so many people would throw out a shirt or blouse that has a missing button, when there is a perfectly good button sewn onto the hem, just waiting to be sewn on.

The author suggests washing small batches of clothes or dishes by hand.

Anything you can provide for yourself, from gardening to home improvement will cut your cost of living and make a smaller impact on the environment.

Jill Ammon Vanderwood
What's It Like Living Green?: Kids Teaching Kids, by the Way They Live

The best thing that I liked about Carrol Wolverton's book, is her whole mental attitude. She is just plain unfazed about living cheaply. She sees nothing wrong with seeking bargains and proves that a bit of planning goes a long way. She does not advocate living off the land, dumpster diving or surviving on rice and tofu. Instead she explains simple methods of eating, travelling, entertaining and living well within one's means.

As a mother and homemaker, she reveals a few tricks on how to convince your children to bargain hunt and not be slaves to fashion. (Wearing no-brand jeans does not make a teenager a dork.) She has a clever method of convincing a child how to bargain for and protect their purchases at garage sales or flea markets.

As a health nut, I am impressed with her simple, cheap and healthy recipes. Most of them take less time than a commercial break or UFC match.

Unlike the radical, "beat-the-system," "stick-it-to-the-man," reclusive, hippy mentality, Carol is realistic about modern living. She encourages learning the new technologies, upgrading one's skills and always having a back-up job in case that your company folds or you are fired. (You know, down-sized, let-go, sent-home, golden hand shake, etc.)

Like any survival book, Carol's no-nonsense mind set includes being ready for set backs and making money on e-bay. Written well and with humor. Worth every penny and then some.

--Doug Setter author of One Less Victim: A Prevention Guideand Stomach Flattening

Author promotes an attitude toward life and living that is much needed. Reuse, recycle, and use what you have first. Share, care, and help others - and they will help you. I had no idea vinegar makes a good fabric softener or can be used to de-spot glassware in the dishwasher. Some good ideas here.