Party Like a Rockstar: Even When You're Poor as Dirt [Paperback]

Camper English (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2005

Yesterday I ate two free meals, took two free shuttles, made a bunch of personal copies on someone else's machine, received a comped CD in the mail and saw the Stereolab show from the VIP section while sucking back complimentary top-shelf drinks.

After being laid off from his job as a computer programmer, freelance writer Camper English had to learn to make do on the salary of, well, a freelance writer. During the next two years, he discovered his social life wasn't impeded at all. "I was going out, drinking up and getting down without spending much of anything." In this book, English lays out the kind of financial advice we all need. I mean, who really cares what color your parachute is or where your cheese is? Just find out how to get designer duds for under 10 bucks, eat for free so you have more money for alcohol, get on the most exclusive guest lists, get into screenings and generally live fabulously for next to nothing!

Camper English has written for Instinct, Unzipped and The San Francisco Bay Guardian.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Camper English has written for Instinct, Unzipped, and The San Francisco Bay Guardian.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Alyson Books (June 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555838774
• ISBN-13: 978-1555838775
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,632,128 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm the author of Party Like a Rock Star, Even When You're Poor As Dirt, and a spirits, nightlife, and trends writer based in San Francisco, CA.

I wrote Party Like a Rock Star after realizing I had a certain expertise in the area. I've been a social junkie and club trash most of my adult life (okay, most of my junior high school life too) and also, very poor. Even when I was living on unemployment I was hitting the town five nights a week. That taught me to be creative, to look for every possible discount, and to get a little bit crafty in my methods...

The advice in the book is designed to be used in any city. There are web search terms that will help you locate hundreds of discounts you never knew existed, as well as universally applicable tips on how to save money on everything from food, rent, and clothes to clubs, bars, and shows.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful and funny!, September 30, 2005

By 

J. Tilson (San Francisco, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Party Like a Rockstar: Even When You're Poor as Dirt (Paperback)

This book is full of practical advice about life's most important subject -- having a good time. And it's all done on a budget, a must if you're living as an underemployed bon vivant -- and who isn't these days? The author packs a lot of information into this book with wit and style. His flare for observations about the partying lifestyle made me laugh out loud. The book is worth buying even just for the section on how to throw a party and get free booze out of it -- and for the tips on how to get drunk people out of your apartment! A great, quick read full of useful information.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not just for mid-20s slackers, April 8, 2006

By 

Paul Lappen (Manchester, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Party Like a Rockstar: Even When You're Poor as Dirt (Paperback)

This book gives many ways for people to save money on their rock and roll life-style.

The single best thing to do is to visit as many websites as possible, for bands, clubs, art galleries, etc, depending on your interests. While you're there, look for freebies or other discounts, but sign up for their e-mail list. The vast majority of messages received will be little better than spam, but there could be the occasional gem with a subject line like, "Free admission and free dinner." Forget clothing trends and visit your local thrift shop (the book even tells the best time of the week to visit). There you can buy a few pieces that can be mixed and matched, plus a funky T-shirt or two. Then you can go crazy with accessories.

Have you visited your local public library? Aside from books (not just bestseller fiction) they also have CDs, DVDs of classic movies, and talks and lectures on a wide variety of subjects, all for free. Exercising to get rid of your ghostly, all-night-partying skin color, is a really good idea, but you do not have to spend a lot of money joining a gym. An effective, low-tech workout can be done with regular, household objects, but the first step is getting off your butt.

In the area of making money, if you have something autographed or unique, sell it on eBay. Focus groups are fun and easy (after you are accepted, which is the hard part), and the pay starts at $25 per hour. Become a house/petsitter, or rent your place for movie shoots and commercials. Have you ever thought of renting yourself as a designated driver for party people, or renting your body to science by taking part in medical research studies?

This is a really eye-opening book. The best thing about it is that it is not just for mid-20s slackers. The ideas in this book are for everyone, regardless of age or lifestyle (who does not want to save money, if possible?). It is very much recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars useful tips, June 30, 2006

By 

Philip H. Gorski "philharmonic" (Rockville, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Party Like a Rockstar: Even When You're Poor as Dirt (Paperback)

I already practice many of the ideas put forward in this book, but still found it very useful. And funny too!