Tight wad gazette (merged)

doddsy

I keep the TG on my bedside table and dip into it frequently. I find it keeps me thinking about how to be frugal without having to follow all her ideas, more of an inspirational tool if you see what I mean.

After seeing 'more with less' recommended on here I bought a 2nd hand copy from Amazon in 'NEW' condition - it promptly fell apart on me when I opened it!! and I haven't got round to trying to put it together for a read yet!

calleyw

I have the complete tightwad gazette as when I first started going frugal I use to frequent a lot of US sites as there is very little in this country dedicated to such a lifestyle. And this book was always on the suggested reading lists.

So yes it is US baised but the thing is it raise ideas and concepts that I think are more important then just tips all the time.

One is about the wow factor. How her children rarely have icecreams let alone out and when they do they enjoy even more and savour every bit as it is a real treat.

But now a days and we all do it adult or child go shopping and sneak in a treat. If you going shopping once a week or once a fortnight then not to bad. But if you go shopping every couple of days. Not good for you pocket or good for waistline. So by having it less often it a treat and you will enjoy and savour.

I had to laugh in the supermarket the other week while shopping. I over heard this little child saying to his parent "But I need it" I have a feeling it was a toy or sweets. Nope that is want not need.

I must pull my book out as I never unpacked it since we have moved nearly a year ago :eek: My how time flies.

Have tried to get husband to read it but he is having none of it. Having enough problem getting him to read Martins Book. (Paid for with free Amazon vouchers)

Yours


Calley

apprentice_tycoon

When the first 2 books came out she did an article in the colour supplement of one of our sunday papers, from then on I had to have those books, Amazon wasn't around then so that wasn't an option (no computer in any case!) I signed up for the newsletters and read every word of those too when they came each month for a year or so until she said that she was packing it all in. I sent off for the last book - if you bought directly from her she signed it - even though I had the articals in the newsletters because I wanted a complete set of books (not at all tightwad behaviour!)

I still dip into them from time to time to give me a kick start when I've lapsed and one of my favourite 'lessons' was about kids wanting things, she said that if they weren't prepared to work to get it (jobs around the house) then why she she work to get it for them .....

larmy16

My tightwad Gazette the complete version, is one book I will definitely never lend to anyone for any reason whatsoever!!! In the past I always wanted to share what I had read and lost a load of books that way - all now replaced from Abe or Amazon and they are staying in my possession. I did go a bit mad buying frugal books but have managed to sell them on Amazon, but would not consider getting rid of TG.

I was so thrilled when it arrived in the post. :j

Mr_Proctalgia

I have a copy of The Complete TG too but find it hard going sometimes, she is just too intense for me to read at any length. I do dive into it from time to time, but end up skimming past lots of it, it is as mentioned earlier very American and I wish the paper quality was better. That being said I do not regret buying it.

tiddles

Thank you all for the recommendation - I've ordered it from the library today.

sparklymessygirl

I must be the long lost triplet to sisters Chipps and Thriftlady - My complete TG is all bendy and corrugated too from reading it in the bath and a few months ago I got the More with less which is also in the bathroom :T (Must admit I am struggling with the idea of the American ingredients - I read my cookbooks for months before actually cooking things and in reality when I actually get round to doing the cooking I may have no problems at all - it is just that some things sound a bit alien and a faff to get hold of - cannot think of a single example though at the moment )

I think TG is just hilarious

The first time I cooked rice after reading More with Less I got really worried about how many grains I lost down the sink! I am definitely going to actually do some cooking from it soon

Sparkly

HOLsale

sparkly

if you want any pointers on american food or substitutions please feel free to ask me... i'm an american ex pat and have been in scotland for 7 years so i've learned my way around the kitchen on both sides of the pond

apprentice_tycoon

HOL - sticks of butter always confuse me, how much will that weigh?

chickadee

I am anothe Tightwad Gazette fan! I signed up years ago for the newsletters and I used to devour them when they dropped through the letterbox. My brother-in-law laughed his head off when he read one of them (I think you have to be 'in the zone' so to speak). Anyway, just to pay him back I bought him a copy of the book for his birthday. My sister says he couldn't put it down once he got his head round it.

The books (I have all three from before it was a multi-volume book) are a selection of articles from the newsletter. They are sorted so as not to be too disjointed, but it is like reading a magazine really; lots of small things collected together.

Some good ideas are as mentioned above: organising kids clothes so as to have them for when they grow into them, but bought at boot sales, etc; ideas for children's parties; making a price book so you know a good deal when you see it, I could go on and on. I sell quite a few books but never these!

chickadee
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