Savings by Book: Useful Hints from Thrifty Authors

Anything with the word “cheap” or “save” or “free” catches our eye. Claire picked up a little book called The Cheap ‘Book: The Official Guide to Embracing Your Inner Cheapskate by Robin Herbst and Julie Miller with cute illustrations by Mike Farley. We’re not sure what’s “official” about it, but its 200-plus pages of tips about small everyday savings can add up and in many cases help the environment too. Some are obvious (turn off the lights when leaving a room), others less so (use more expensive after-shower lotions on your arms and upper body, cheaper stuff on your legs), and still others out outrageous and not intended to be taken seriously (a “secret” storage box for partially used Kleenex). The authors created a whimsical “cheap factor” scale from 1 to off the chart. (1=sensible; 2= thrifty,  3=frugal, 4=stingy, 5=cheap, jumping to 10=beyond tacky, borderline disgusting, perhaps insane). Cute factor aside, there are some good hints for thrifty habits. And in case you’re wondering, it cost $4.98 (reduced from $9.97) on the Boulder Book Store’s remainder table (plus a 10% frequent-buyer discount).