The Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn - A Book Review

When a book stands the test of time and become obsolete quickly, it is often referred to as an evergreen book. The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn is such a book (ISBN: 0-375-75225-0).
Amy Dacyczyn began publishing a newsletter from 1990-1996 referred to as "Frugal Gazette. " I remember like a subscriber to this newsletter in the period I was deep in debt. I always looked forward to reading the newsletter packed filled with cost-cutting ideas which came via the traditional mail service then.
I keep in mind going to the library to obtain the published books which compiled all of the newsletter ideas into one place. Since then, I decided to buy The Complete Tightwad Gazette (used naturally) which compiles every one of her publications. This 959 page book retails for $19.99 but I purchased it on Half.com for $9.95. It is so packed with ideas that I find myself referring to it often.
Amy Daczyczn starts the novel with the following introduction:
"A Word of Caution. Tightwads are naturally unconventional. We push the standard limits to generate things last longer. We reuse things in unusual ways. We experiment constantly to locate new, cheaper solutions to do just about everything. "
You will get an answer to almost any household repair question you may encounter. Some ideas that basically struck a chord with me include:
1. Replace the heaters in the water heater rather than getting a fresh water heater. The holding tank still works. 2. Saving money on your own mortgage 3. Recipes for homemade dog biscuits 4. How to sell your home yourself and save thousands in commissions
I happen to be accused of as a tightwad by relatives and buddies. I just smile simply because they have never read The Complete Tightwad Gazette. If they had, they will know that I'm FAR from as being a tightwad.
There isn't arguing that Amy Dacyczyn and her family have found financial security by mastering the skill of frugality. She admits to as being a compulsive tightwad.
"Over recent years our average income has become less than $30,000 (including my husband's Navy salary and all the allowances, plus by spotty freelance income). In under seven years we thankfully saved $49,000, made significant purchases (vehicles, appliances, furniture) of the $38,000, and were complete debt-free! That is once a year savings/investment rate of over $12,500 per year, or 43% of our own gross income. "
Oh, yeah, did I mention they have got six kids!?! Wow! I have a lots of respect to be with her ability to do what she's done with their modest income. She puts my frugal lifestyle to shame. Amy Dacyczyn could be the Queen Dollar Stretcher in my mind, and she gets done an incredible job.
It's not possible to be happy and continue to exist a small income but it is a conscious choice that you need to produce. Is tightwaddery a lifestyle for you?
For me, I'm not a big enough cheapskate being as tight-fisted with my time and expense as the tightwads described in The Complete Tightwad Gazette. However, I consider the ideas that work inside my lifestyle and implement them.
I definitely make tradeoffs within my life and attempt to save 20% of my income, which seems pathetic next to the 43% the Amy Dacyczyn appears to sock away. On the other hand, I'm not ready to create the drastic changes during my lifestyle to arrive at the tightwad level.
However, if I eat virtually every meal in your own home, or bring food from home beside me when I'm going to become away, I treat myself to your dinner out with friends. Admittedly, my friends and I attempt to always discover a buy-one-meal-get-one-free coupon, but in my opinion, as a result things more fun. Once we locate a coupon and select a day to go, we actually look forward to the experience.
Another demonstration of my cost-cutting efforts is that safety app my neighbors and I really do not buy anymore household tools or gadgets and instead share them with each other. I would much rather spend the money on another thing than hardware!
The message using this fantastic book isn't to live a life of scrimping if it doesn't make you happy. You decide just how much of a tightwad you want to be. The spectrum is incredibly wide and it's up to you to strike a balance.
The author, Kimberly A. Griffiths, may be through the vicious cycle of debt herself, and provides a no-nonsense system to managing your money paycheck to paycheck. Visit the One Paycheck at a Time Web site for articles and tools to budget your household: