| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| bramble |
Posted - Jun 07 2005 : 08:25:52 AM
Does anyone remember these books and newsletters put out by Amy Daczsyn(sp)? They were quite a revelation to me, since I always thought I was fairly frugal and resourceful. She took it to new heights and extremes. (I will reuse a plastic bag if it's not gunky, but I am not washing them out indefinitely! Peanut butter must go!) There was alot of very useful information in them so if you come across them at the thrift store or yard sale , they are worth it! She became quite a phenomenon and was everywhere for awhile, but I think "retired" back into family life in Maine.Retired is hardly the word, if I remember correctly she had five children and the last two were twins!
with a happy heart |
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| citygoatlady |
Posted - Jul 27 2005 : 9:08:45 PM
I read and reread the books. They were condensed from the newsletters, and then she retired. After getting an article in Parade magazine (which I was excited to read), she got 100,000 subscriptions (at $10 each), so she didn't have to be so frugal. But she writes about why be so frugal if you actually have plenty of money.
With 6 kids, they decided to still maintain their spending of $17,000 a year (that was about 10 years ago I think).
One of my favorite quips in the book was about converting a spouse. She said in all the thousands of letters she received, there were only about 10 which said they were successful in converting a spouse to frugality if they didn't come that way at the beginning.
So, she suggested that if you want to attract a frugal spouse, put out frugal bait. She said, don't bring expensive flowers and presents - you'll attract someone who wants that. Instead, suggest a date of going to yard sales, and you bring the coffee and homemade muffins. She said, if they roll their eyes, it's a signal to try someone else.
One lady converted her husband like this. After work, she would question him if he had stopped off to buy soda or coffee at the gas station on the way home. If he had, she secretly saved the same amount of money in a jar. One day he wanted some tool, and she went to the jar and got the money. He was amazed.
Any experiences along these lines? It thought it was funny to read, but really if you have two different views on frugality, it can lead to a lot of conflict, plus a smaller (or overly large!) bank account than you wanted. |
| mollymae |
Posted - Jul 23 2005 : 11:09:47 AM
I remember reading one of them years ago, and do remember some of the things she suggested were "out there", but it may be worth it to check them out again, I'm sure my library has them!!
Cead Mile Failte,
Molly
"If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain. If I can ease one life the Aching or cool one pain, or help one fainting robin unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain" ~Emily Dickinson
**When life throws scraps your way ~ Make a Quilt!**
Sisterhood of the Traveling Art |
| Whimsy_girl |
Posted - Jul 23 2005 : 12:54:11 AM
I have the books and they are so helpful!!
you can be oh so smart, or you can be oh so positive. I wasted a lot of time being smart I prefer being positive. James Stewart in the movie HARVEY |
| dfjett |
Posted - Jun 27 2005 : 12:12:41 PM
Amy and the Tightwad Gazette was a life saver when my husband lost his job and we had two children in private school, just bought a fixer-upper house, etc. While some of the ideas may appear extreme on the face of it, her approach was to cause one to stop and think of the most efficient and economical way to accomplish something. Further, if you had to choose between eating and ....., what options could you come up with? Disposable diapers, paper towels and cable TV are not needs. Basic food, needed medications and basic transportation are. We found out just how much we could do without, without feeling like we were doing without!
It is my understanding that Amy stopped publication of the newsletter when she realized she could no longer offer new methods--just recycled ideas. Her family was growing up and I believe she became more protective of her children's privacy. Yes, I miss the monthly newsletters, but I reread them every time I need a nudge to be more frugal.
Deborah
NJ |
| Kim |
Posted - Jun 10 2005 : 3:30:17 PM
I used to check out her newsletters from my library. I looked her up and it doesn't seem she does them anymore.
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
| countrykat |
Posted - Jun 09 2005 : 7:12:50 PM
It's worth noting that the site hasn't been updated in a while and a lot of the links did not work. I also noticed you can order the book from Amazon. |
| countrykat |
Posted - Jun 09 2005 : 7:07:51 PM
I'm pretty sure this website is by the same people. There is even a link to get the book.
http://www.tightwad.com/ |
| sleepless reader |
Posted - Jun 07 2005 : 5:09:26 PM
I received the newsletter for a few years and I even have a recipe for sidewalk chalk published in one of the books (it's really great chalk for outside use). I agree, some things she took way too far, but very "inspiring". I still have the newsletters in a file. Further evidence to my husband's claim that I never get rid of anything! :)
Sharon |
| Erin Raincrow |
Posted - Jun 07 2005 : 4:51:11 PM
My mom had these books while I was growing up and she gave me the compliation book (it has all 3 books in one cover) when I left home.
Have used many ideas from the book, but like you guys there's some things I'm just NOT doing.....
Great books to have though, I like to reread them occasionally to see if there's something that is relavant now that wasn't the last time.
But once in while the odd thing happens,
Once in a while the dream comes true,
And the whole pattern of life is altered,
Once in a while the moon turns blue.
Auden |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Jun 07 2005 : 11:57:21 AM
I have all three of the books...got them all used and love them. I don't do it all either, but it sure is something to asprire to I guess. I got alot of good ideas from them. I never did see the newsletters..guess I found out about it way later...
Jenny in Utah
Bloom where you are planted! |
| Nicol |
Posted - Jun 07 2005 : 08:53:56 AM
Those books are pretty amazing! I have them and use them now and again. Some of the stuff just seems not worth the effort to me but lots of it was very helpful. |
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