Clark Howard's Living Large In Lean Times: 250+ Ways To Buy Smarter, Spend Smarter, And Save Money (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
Though I like watching Clark Howard in his nerdy polo shirt handing out scam alerts and frugal tips on TV, this book was simply not as helpful or as entertaining as Howard's TV show. I found this book up at the library, and I'd hoped to find some information on finance, investing and budgeting, but I didn't find anything helpful in that section. I think the main problem with this book is too many topics are covered superficially, when it would have been a better book if he explored less topics in depth. For some readers, most of his tips may be new, but including things like doing research before buying a product seemed a waste of time. I also questioned some of his advice since he mentioned his car had been broken into a number of times when he parked in shady neighborhoods and once his car was towed. How is that a frugal choice? It was funny and I appreciated his honesty. Also if I don't buy things like Kraft macaroni or Pace salsa, why should I buy 3 Sunday papers to clip coupons? Also I also wondered how a tightwad like Howard ended up marrying someone with Nordstrom and Whole Foods tastes? How does that work? That would be a great book. I did get a few tips from this book but not enough to give it more than three stars. I was left so disappointed by this book! I listened to the full version of this audiobook hoping to learn the secret to making my household budget stretch further. The book was redundant at times. How disappointed I was that much of his advice I have already known and/or have been practicing in my own life. I am not in favor of his advice that it is okay to buy poorer quality to save money. And I am so very disappointed that he did not mention visiting your local public library as a way to borrow books, magazines, DVDs, music CDs, etc for free or a reduced value. I do not recommend this book nor do I recommend his radio show which he mentioned several times throughout this book.
What do You think about Clark Howard's Living Large In Lean Times: 250+ Ways To Buy Smarter, Spend Smarter, And Save Money (2011)?
This book offers tips I never thought of before. Be prepared to take notes!
—kat
Good saving money overview.Found a few ideas that I want to incorporate.
—pbarron
