Living Rich by Spending Smart: How to Get More of What You Really Want (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: spending smart, money smarter, Consumer Reports, Valentine's Day, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Gregory Karp delivers the goods - by telling you exactly how to get those goods for less - in this supremely practical guide to smart spending.  From reducing your cable bill to the cost of your casket, this book is a gold mine of money saving advice." 

--Jeff Yeager, Author, The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map to True Riches

Product Description

"After 21 years of giving advice about your wallet on the radio, I thought I had heard it all and read it all. Then I read Living Rich by Spending Smart. Greg Karp has a clear roadmap to wealth that is yours for the taking. Follow his simple steps and you will take control of your financial future. Get FIT now!" --Clark Howard, The Clark Howard radio show "The book is full of practical information for trimming and redeploying spending, which is often given short shrift in other personal finance books. The author provides solid advice and solid writing on a topic that benefits from a fresh voice." --Liz Pulliam Weston, MSN Money columnist and author of Easy Money "Greg Karp offers well-researched, practical strategies that can help anyone save big money on everyday expenses, and his entertaining writing style makes the book a fun read." --Stephanie Nelson, editor of CouponMom.com and frequent guest on ABC-TV's Good Morning America "Greg Karp gets it and you will too. His research and tips will help you keep more of the money you earn. Reading Living Rich by Spending Smart is the best way to give yourself a raise."--Steve & Annette Economides, New York Times Best-Selling Authors of America's Cheapest Family Gets You Right On The Money "Wise people have always known it. Now Greg Karp lets everyone in on the secret. The surest way to living well is to manage your spending. Living Rich by Spending Smart is a simple roadmap that anyone can follow. And should!" --Gary Foreman, editor of TheDollarStretcher.com "For every consumer who consistently fails to engage brain before operating pocketbook, this book provides simple, concrete steps to immediately take control of your spending." --Edgar Dworsky, founder of ConsumerWorld.org As The Millionaire Next Door revealed, building wealth isn't just about working harder or what you choose to invest in: it's about spending smarter. Now, award-winning Tribune Company personal finance columnist Gregory Karp shows how to do just that. This book isn't about depriving yourself. Instead, Gregory Karp shows how to build real, long-lasting wealth by plugging the money leaks you're barely aware of and making sure you spend with a purpose. Karp's surprisingly painless techniques will help you eliminate wasteful spending in every area of your financial life.You'll discover how to focus spending on what you really care about...spend less on gifts without becoming a cheapskate...slash your phone bill...pay less for food and still eat what you want. ..eliminate spending leaks in insurance, education, even entertainment. From the clothes you wear to the cars you drive, this book will help you build a life that's truly rich because it's truly financially secure. /Smart people, dumb spending Why you need to fire the accountant in your head /What a waste From inkjet cartridges to extended warranties /Achieving money victory: short-term tactics, long-term strategies Win today's retail skirmishes (and your lifelong money wars) /How to pay less for the same entertainment ...without having less fun / Why comparison shopping is more profitable than you thought Surprise: it's worth your time

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: FT Press; 1 edition (February 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0132350092
• ISBN-13: 978-0132350099
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #319,304 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pays for itself, February 11, 2008

By	C. Johnson (Princeton, N.J.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Most of the books I've read about spending wisely are full of the same nonsense about how you'll become a millionaire in 30 years if you stop buying that $3 Starbucks latte each day and instead stuff that money into a mutual fund. Karp, on the other hand, argues you don't need to deprive yourself of the things you enjoy to achieve true wealth. Instead, he shows you ways to save thousands of dollars on the things YOU ARE ALREADY BUYING. This is not hypothetical poppycock. Karp gives you hundreds of specific tips you can take advantage of today. For me, the book paid for itself within five minutes after I opened it. I followed Karp's advice on how to find the best term life insurance premiums, and I'm going to save $300 this year ... for the same amount of coverage.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart , June 11, 2008

By	WILLIAM MCLEAN (Medford, OR USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm age 70. Living Rich and Spending Smart has opened my eyes as to how much money I have thrown away. I hate this book. It makes me ashamed of myself. On the other hand, this knowledge will make living entirely on Social Security a lot easier.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for those learning to save money, March 4, 2008

By	E. Sarracino (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Living Rich by Spending Smart by Gregory Karp seems like a book that lists practical advice for people who like to spend their money. He says that you do not have to deprive yourself of the things you want, but spend wisely in other areas of your life in order to afford the luxuries. I found many of the ideas that he had to be common sense, for instance, making your own meal will save you more money than going out to eat. Some ideas were new to me, such as saying that life insurance is only for those who support others financially. This book is for people that do not know how to cut back, or who could still use the advice on how to cut back even more. While he doesn't like to use the word "budget" often, that is basically what this book is about. Learning what you need to spend your money on, what you want to spend your money on and how to look for the best prices in order to obtain these wants and needs. After reading Karp's book, I have revised a few of my habits and have already saved a little money. If you would like to save money a little at a time and wouldn't know how to do so, this book will help you figure how to do so.