Anyone ever read the Tightwad Gazette?

[lttlmc3]

If so, what tips did you take from it?

 

[pjlla]

I own all three copies of her book and they are totally dog-eared. Since they are about 10 years old some of the information is totally outdated, but lots of things still apply today and will forever probably!

Things like.... Don't waste anything (including food); use what you have before you buy new; don't buy what you can't pay for in cash; etc etc. Those types of things are "classic" budget-friendly ideas that aren't anything new, but it helps to hear them!

For more specifics..... she talks about using a grocery price notebook. Record the prices (unit prices works best) of most, if not all, of your regular grocery items. Record sale prices, etc from many different stores in your area. Then when you find a "deal" you will really know whether or not it is a GREAT deal, a good deal, or nothing special. And you will know whether or not to stock up.

Work your meals around what is on sale, what you have a surplus of, etc, rather than planning your grocery list around a pre-set menu. That way you can take advantage of sales and specials.

I could go on for a long time, but I won't. I suggest finding the books at a library and reading them, cover to cover. If nothing else, it helps you to exercise your "thrift" brain. If you want any other specifics, let me know!......................P

 

[suew3456]

I have the "Complete Tightwad Gazette", which I believe is a compilation of her 3 books. I agree with the suggestion to check it out of the library. I did that before deciding to buy it.

The main thing I took away from the book was that frugal living was a lifestyle choice, not something forced upon me by poverty. I use many principals from the book, but only those that work for me. Changing my lifestyle allowed me to afford to start working half-time when my first child was born 12 years ago. I still see no financial need to work full-time.

I sometimes just read the book to put me in the frugal mindset, and other times use it as a reference for a recipe or craft idea.

Sue

 

[mrsklamc]

I take away a small change every time I read it, and I am sure they have added up over time.

What I do NOT do is iron wrapping paper. I mostly don't iron my clothes, so that's over the top for me!

 

[MEM]

I used to subscribe to the newsletter and then when Amy retired I bought the compilation of all three books. I agree with others that reading it puts me in the frugal frame of mind. It gives me the encouragement I need to be frugal within my lifestyle and comfort zone. I rarely employ specific suggestions from her books.

I would love for some major magazine or newspaper to write an updated article on Amy - some of her kids would be in their 20s and out of college by now. I suppose, though, she would rather be left alone.

 

[kors]

We just moved into a new house, and we are now in the village. We had to pay $150 non-resident fee to get a library card at our old address. I went today and got a new card, and wanted to check out the Tightwad Gazette...would you believe it is missing!! Someone never returned all 3 of the books. That made me laugh...

 

[disneysteve]

I used to subscribe to the newsletter

You are the only other person I've seen post this. We subscribed to the newsletter for a couple of years. I even had some tips that I sent in published in a couple of issues. I remember one set of tips was about saving money on a Disney vacation - how appropriate. That was long before the DIS.

Yes, I still pull out the newsletters and books now and then and page through it. I agree that it is a mindset. Frugal by choice gives you opportunities you might not otherwise have.

 

[MrsPete]

I love her books. Since I discovered her books just about the time she was closing down her newsletter business, I never subscribed. Things I like best about the books:

The idea of breaking down costs to see what is really the best value in the long run. She gives loads of examples to show how to "do the math". This runs rather contrary to the advertising messages with which we're constantly bombarded. This stands in stark contrast to many other "frugal writers" such as Mary Hunt, who seems intent upon telling you how to make expensive choices for less money (buy your flowers wholesale, search stores like TJ Maxx's for placemats and tablecloths -- um, no thanks, I won't be buying any more of your books). Amy D's books, instead, teach you how to search for what is genuinely the least expensive alternative for your family.

She emphasizes organization and planning as a way to save money. I particularly liked the ideas about organizing small children's clothing and the grocery price book.

Though the books are filled with tips, the main philosophy seems to be THINK FOR YOURSELF about what fits your life and your circumstances. I've used lots of her tips, but others are completely useless to me (for example, I've given up trying to grow vegetables -- I simply cannot do it).

On the negative side, her books are now a bit dated; for instance, she expresses a distain for the internet, passing it off as an expensive hobby. Now that essentially every store in America has a website, it's a great tool for bargain shopping. Regardless, a wise consumer can wade through the outdated portions of this book to find plenty of timely advice. Likewise, she reports rarely purchasing an item of children's clothing for more than a quarter. When her books were just-written, I had great success with ultra-cheap kids' clothing too; however, I haven't found those rock-bottom prices for years now. Even yard sale prices have increased!

I also wonder if she isn't too set on buying everything used. I grew up with parents who did this (though in her case, she's doing it by choice -- in our case, it was a financial necessity), and I hated NEVER having anything new. I think a more moderate approach is healthier for the children; yes, help them understand that often a used item is an excellent bargain, but sometimes you need to splurge too. Looking at my siblings, I see that the never-anything-new philsophy resulted in mixed results for us; some of us are quite frugal, others made an attempt to "throw themselves the childhood they never had" and even today are very much controlled by their money.

All in all, I love the books. Every year or so, I pull them out and re-read them, and I always find some tidbit that's now applicable to my life.

 

[mjantz]

I also wonder if she isn't too set on buying everything used. I grew up with parents who did this (though in her case, she's doing it by choice -- in our case, it was a financial necessity), and I hated NEVER having anything new. I think a more moderate approach is healthier for the children; yes, help them understand that often a used item is an excellent bargain, but sometimes you need to splurge too. Looking at my siblings, I see that the never-anything-new philsophy resulted in mixed results for us; some of us are quite frugal, others made an attempt to "throw themselves the childhood they never had" and even today are very much controlled by their money.

This has always been my problem with the books as well. I will scrimp & save to put my kids in Karate or ballet but I don't think everything they own needs to be used. There were a few times I wanted to scream 'Would it seriously destroy your whole frugal system to take the kids to a fast food place & a movie 2-3 times/year?
I'm a big believer of everything in moderation & I'm very curious as to how well her kids have done in the real world where not everything has to be used & some of them now probably have money to make their own choices. I've seriously wondered if 1-2 of them haven't resented their parents actions.

 

[Sanders]

We asked our children to read one of her books after they graduated from high school. I believe it has helped them stay within budget in their college years.

 

[Cindy B]

I remember getting some newletters years ago as well.

I remember some of the tips were so out there. The Halloween mask out of dryer lint was a little on the crazy side.

I do think about her grocery habits. Some of that is strictly regional though since some areas of the country is cheaper than others.

I think the thrift store is a great idea-- but lately I have found great deals in stores that rival (same or only a dollar more) than the thrift store.

 

[kfeuer]

This has always been my problem with the books as well. I will scrimp & save to put my kids in Karate or ballet but I don't think everything they own needs to be used. There were a few times I wanted to scream 'Would it seriously destroy your whole frugal system to take the kids to a fast food place & a movie 2-3 times/year?
I'm a big believer of everything in moderation & I'm very curious as to how well her kids have done in the real world where not everything has to be used & some of them now probably have money to make their own choices. I've seriously wondered if 1-2 of them haven't resented their parents actions.

I agree. I do get most of my kid's toys at garage sales, but I don't give them used toys as gifts like she describes doing. Everybody deserves new things once in awhile!

I've also wondered how her kids have turned out. I'd love to see an update. I wonder if she still considers the Internet a luxury I'd be very interested to see if their bargain hunting strategies have changed over the years, too.

 

[Mono~rail]

It has been over a year since I read the Complete edition, but I do need to re-read it again. It changed the way we shop for groceries. We use alot of her ideas and suggestions. Alot of the stuff I thought was just too "out there" for us.

She did like to use dryer lint for lots of things. I remember her tip to use it for plant fertilizer, but I don't remember seeing the Halloween mask idea. I'll have too look for that one when I read it again.

I agree that alot of the info seemed dated. An example I remember is spraying WD-40 on used typewriter ribbon so it could be used again. At the same time though, it was fun to read and remember things that are out of use or out of practice.

There is one article where she talks about her 9 yo DD wanting a PJ Sparkles doll for Christmas (who else remembers those dolls? ). She said it was all her dd had put on her list that year so she kept checking the thrift shops but couldn't find one. She broke down and spent the $15 on a new one, and she said seeing her dd's happiness made it the best money she had ever spent. I enjoyed that story.

I was shopping thrift stores before I read the book so I didn't think her thrift store advice was too out there for us. I realize that not everyone is comfortable with thrift store shopping though. When I find a toy in excellent used condition with all the pieces and accessories, I do put it up for Christmas or birthdays.

ETA: My biggest hobby is sewing so I buy sheets at the thrift store for $1 to $2, and I make outfits. I get yards of beautiful and comfortable fabric for just a few cents per yard. That is another one of my big secrets.

 

[DawnM]

I have read them all and still have them on my shelf. It would be nice for some updates.

A woman posted in one of her newsletters that getting grated cheese at the salad bar was the cheapest way to get it since they charge by the pound. Guess what? Some grocery retailers read that and upped their prices overall for salad. ARGH!

Anyway, still great advice and tips. We DO buy used clothing, toys and house things. But, I am sure she would not think that taking her 6 children to Disney would be in any budget and most of us would disagree!

Dawn