Tight wad gazette (merged)

it is has a LOT of info that is only for american useage

BUT if you're new to OS or just need inspiration then it's brilliant for that aspect

i would recommend requesting 'the complete tightwad gazette' as it has all three of her books plus some extras in it

also the universal recipes are fantastic, i keep my copy with my recipe books if that tells you anything

the universal muffin recipe is great!

i'd definately recommend getting it from your library first before buying unless you can get it really cheap as you may find it too american (i'm american and i find it too american :rotfl: ) but it's a great motivator and many things are the same no matter what country you're in

it's amy dacyzyn proncounced decision

i love it too, really do and you can tell because my copy is sooooo greasestained (pages 466-470 being the worst, that's where the universal muffin recipe is in the complete tightwad gazette!)

think i may have a read through it again!

i have recommended it so many times i should get revenue for it but you always get those complaining it's too american but as chipps and i both say, it's about teaching you and the motivation...that's it's real treasure!

when i first discovered it back in the states 12 years ago it was a huge eye opener. i've always been frugal minded but this book really got me going big time!

Love it to pieces!!!
I agree with Holsale and Chipps completely. I've just ordered myself a hardback copy second-hand from Amazon.com as the book is rather flimsy and like Holsale's a bit stained.

If you read the reviews on Amazon you'll see a lot of people think it is too American, but like Chipps says it doesn't matter, because the author constantly points out that she is showing you how to apply her ideas to your own situation and that is what I find so great about it.

The recipes are v.good, I use the muffin recipe several times a week. Her advice on stocking your pantry 'the pantry principle' is what inspired me to start the thread on 'not meal-planning' the other day. I love what she says about bringing up (or should I say raising) kids not to be unquestioning consumers.There's a fantastic essay on 'creative deprivation', that is, the idea that children can have too much of a good thing, and that a wise parent actively slows down the avalanche of stuff and experiences that children can all too easily get overwhelmed by. She also has a very sensible essay on weight loss without spending a lot of money.

I have sticky markers on all my favourite pages.I refer to it constantly and would recommend it over and over again.

Another brilliant American book which Amy Dacyczyn also recommends is the More With Less Cookbook by Doris Janzen Longacre. My favourite cookbook,I bought my first copy in Nov 2003 and it is spattered and stained and written on with constant use. I now have a 'best'copy for bedtime reading! This book is full of easy recipes which use basic,cheap ingredients.

I'm so pleased to find other people who like the same books as me

Yes, I definitely agree with the recommendation of More with Less, too. My copies of both books are in an advanced state of decay - and parts of the TG also have very wrinkled pages due to having been read too many times in the bath!!!!! Well, it's so good for inspiration! One of these days they will probably both have to be replaced, but not just yet.