Book Description

Busy household managers will love this comprehensive two-in-one collection from nationally renowned home-management expert Emilie Barnes, who offers fast and easy methods to save time, money, and energy in the home. Organized into informative chapters covering topics such as food preparation, storage, and home safety, Emilie offers hundreds of ideas for creativity in the kitchen; a workable plan for cleaning the house - and keeping it clean; and proof that "a place for everything and everything in its place" still works.

In a separate money section, Emilie and her husband, Bob, demonstrate their proven 15-minute principle: invest a small amount of time and make a big difference. Hundreds of ready-to-use ideas will help streamline and simplify budgets, develop a strong financial plan and find solid investments that really work.

This is the ideal "how-to" collection for everyone who wants to enjoy a lifestyle of efficiency, organization, and simplicity.

Reviews (3)

The Term Frugal Has Many Meanings
The term "frugal" has many meanings, each of which conjures different perspectives. For example, for some of us, if you are "thrifty", it automatically follows you are cheap. The nickname "el cheapo" is very often used to describe someone who looks for bargains.

However, is this necessarily valid, particularly when you consider that some individuals practicing similar techniques are often called good money managers?

After you read Shel Horowitz's book THE PENNY-PINCHING HEDONIST: HOW TO LIVE LIKE ROYALTY WITH A PEASANT'S POCKETBOOK, you are definitely convinced that in order to enjoy life it is not how much a person earns that is important, it is how they manage and spend their earnings. Furthermore, once you get over the "what will people think" syndrome you are on your way to applying many of Horowitz's suggestions as to how to have fun and live well without going into hock.

Horowitz provides his readers with a humongous amount of cost saving tips related to a variety of subjects such as: entertainment, food, children, travel, shopping, gifts, and dating. In all likelihood, if you take his advice on any one of his suggestions, you would immediately recoup the cost of the book.

I even found humorous his advice on how to eat wisely at a salad bar and buffet in order to get the most bang for your buck.
We are told: "we should first scout out the whole bar and go for the heavy, expensive goodies at the back. Make a wall with these along the outside of your plate, and then fill the center with squishy items. Now you can pile the veggies and dressing on top, leaving you with a salad to eat first and a substantial potluck main course underneath." You have to admit Horowitz's approach is ingenious!

Another area where we tend to believe that spending more will ultimately result in greater satisfaction is entertainment. However, here again we are apprised of the many cost saving techniques that will permit us to enjoy entertainment that are well within our means. You will be surprised that many educational institutions, libraries, community theatres and local music groups located within a few miles from your home provide lectures, concerts, theatre, and other kinds of entertainment throughout the year. In most instances the cost for admission is minimal and many a time free. All you have to do is call the institution and ask them to put you on their mailing list.

Although the book was published in 1995, most of the advice and principles are still timely. I am looking forward to an updated version of the book that will include web site references

The above review first appeared on reviewer's own site

Great frugal tips!
I grew up in a frugal household, and still try to live that way. While I often refer to websites for ideas, it's nice to have ideas in all major categories (food, entertainment, kids, travel, shopping, work) in one convenient book.

Great ideas for those who want to live well on less.
So often we think that living frugally means deprivation or going without the fun extras of life. Shel Horowitz dispels that notion right from the start in this fun and helpful book.

Horowitz says, "I am not wealthy, but I am very happy. I enjoy lots of concerts and plays, have a great deal of fun and creative time with my family, travel frequently, own a home in a downtown location with a view of the woods--which is filled with books, music, fine food, original art, and other pleasures. I even love my job! My family's income is lower than that of most of our friends and acquaintance---but our quality of life seems to be a whole lot better than theirs!"

The book is jam-packed with inexpensive (and often free!) suggestions for fun in every area of life: food, hobbies, entertainment, travel, children, gifts, and more. If you'd like to add some fun to your life without adding the burden of high expenses, The Penny-Pinching Hedonist is a great resource. ... Read more

Book Description

The Path of Discovery, A Journal for Mastering Your Life, is a directed journal written as a companion to the At the Heart of Money book. The journaler is directed through blessings, giftings, values and purpose. For readers to master life, they must discover who they are, what they value and their purpose in life. The hard cover journal is filled with beautiful full-color nature photographs of paths to inspire introspection. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A MUST HAVE!
Don't pass up this wonderful companion to "At The Heart of Money"
This companion makes a great book AMAZING! ... Read more

Book Description

If you're trying to start living on a budget so you can take control of your spending and begin saving, CliffsNotes Creating a Budget for Canadians is the one book you need to put your plan into action. Packed with practical advice and straightforward explanations, this book shows you how to organize and balance your expenses and income to build long term financial stability.

Learn to: evaluate your spending habits; create a budget that you can live with; stay motivated - focus on the benefits of achieving your financial goals; and revise and update your budget as circumstances change. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

HeyMari
This book is for those who have a relationship with CHRIST! It's principles which are based on the Word of God are applicable and viable for any who believes that "Jesus is Lord" of their life. If you want to know what God says about stewardship, money & finances, then read this book and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you and guide you. You be the judge. Begin to apply these principles to your life with discipline. You will see a change in your life and outlook.

Use Your Money Wisely And Don't Buy This Book
The back jacket of this book notes that it is "a series of outstanding articles taken from [the author's] newsletters." Leaving aside the issue of whether the individual articles are outstanding (the quality is uneven), the book suffers from a lack of continuity. Worse, it lacks a unifying vision. Saying that one is presenting a Christian Biblical point of view about finances isn't enough. The ideas are all over the place and do not develop from chapter to chapter. The book as a consequence gives the impression of being unfinished.

This is unfortunate. Although there are other, equally Christian, views of finances that do not rest on the author's premises (women are to be submissive financially, e.g.), he had some things to say that made me think, though I ultimately disagreed with many of his conclusions (this is _not_ the reason for the low rating).

For a much deeper look at the wise use of money, I recommend the classic _Your Money or Your Life_ by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robins. It does not have a specifically Christian orientation but it certainly cannot be said to be anti-Christian.

Using Your Money Wisely
A not-so-well-written book with lots of sound, practical advice about managing and using money wisely. Also gives advice about prioritizing one's life to secure contentment. Aimed at Christians interested in following biblical standards for living, including money management. ... Read more

Book Description

With the ease and speed of a computer, you'll be on the way to timely bill payments, debt reduction, and balanced bank accounts. This fully updated CD also includes "The Investigator," a free online investment guide to assist you with choosing "clean investments" and avoiding companies involved in cultural pollution. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Money Management for Kids
If you are looking to have devotions at home, but do not know where to begin, stop looking. This book and the entire series are excellent. They teach biblical values through hands on expereince. As a pastor of a church, I am recommending this series to all members who have children. You do not need to know theology or know how to teach, just have a desire to set aside time one night per week and enjoy time teaching, learning and growing with your kids in a Christ centered fun way. ... Read more