I could list lots of books...I love to read!  However, I'm going to mention four right now.  Two are books I've been meaning to list for a while, and two are books I was reminded of by bee's post in the recipes forum about Amish/Mennonite recipes.

The first two:

The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Daczyzyn - I recommend the "COmplete" over "I, II, and III" because it includes info not found in the other books.

Cheaper and Better: Homemade Alternatives to Storebought Goods by Nancy Birnes - This one has recipes for homemade mixes, cereals, "convenience" foods, cosmetics, and the list goes on...a friend loaned me her copy and hubby ended up getting me one for Christams so she'd get hers back!

The other two:

Living More with Less
        and
The More With Less Cookbook
both by Doris Janzen Longacre

Both are really interesting books - bee's post reminded me of these because both books are written by a Mennonite woman, compiled from recipes and other submissions she solicited from Mennonites across the...USA and Canada, if I recall correctly.  Perhaps it should be obvious, but FYI - these are written from a faith-based perspective.  Looking at reviews on Amazon, this doesn't seem a problem for most, but did challenge a few.

Excerpts from two Amazon.com reviews for Living More with Less:

"This book is more than a "tip" book to give you ideas to save money. Instead, it makes you *think* about our culture's wasteful habits and gives practical suggestions on how we as individuals, families, groups or communities can do 'more with less.' "

"While there are probably some good ideas and inspirational messages in this book, I was so distracted and turned off by the constant biblical quotes and references that I didn't get anything out of the book."

Folks who had issues with Living More with Less seemed to have less issues with the cookbook.

Hope someone finds these of use!

~Sara

  Thanks Sara

   I have the Complete Tightwad Gazette and Love Love Love it!

   I have had the "Living More with Less" and "The More With Less Cookbook" on my wishlist for quite some time but had forgotten about it till reading your thread here, time for me to pick them up

I have The Complete Tightwad Gazette and More With Less Cookbook. The tightwad gazette is definitely my favourite.
I also enjoy Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.

I had Dave Ramseys "Total Money Makeover" but gave it to our son

Has anyone ever read David Bachs "Start Late Finish Rich"? It is a really good read, dh and I picked up a few great pointers

I found Start Late, Finish Rich at a garage sale, but haven't read it yet. Is it good??  We are in our early thirties so I now we are starting earlier than some but not as early as we could of.

I have ordered many of these books from Book Closeouts:
Just do seraches for "money" "frugal" and so on.
5 million NEW books at blowout prices
Bargain Books @ http://www.bookcloseouts.com/

This post was last modified: 05-01-2008 06:26 PM by mrowe.

Personalized books make for nice gifts, make the receiver feel important and do qualify for frugal books too. I was thinking these books should be quite expensive because they put the reader into the story (with name and all), but I was pleasantly surprised to see that they are not so. Some websites like http://www.unique-child-gift-ideas.com are selling these books at about $16, so that's a very healthy price for me. You get books about Santa Claus, Superman, Thumbelina, Baby Jesus and several varied topics. Yes, you are right in thinking that these books are for kids. They will make your kid a part of the story. Now just think how elated the kid will be when he finds Superman or Rapunzel talking to him/her!

Forgot to add - you also get personalized letters to go along with the books which makes them more special. For example, you can gift them a personalized book with Santa Claus in it, and add a $4 letter that's made to look like it has come from Santa Claus itself. Kids become really ecstatic with things like that.

This post was last modified: 23-03-2008 09:24 AM by supercool.

I just loved the Tightwad Gazette (Complete)  and have tried many of the ideas in the book...still have a ways to go to improve.  Are there any specifically Canadian books as I read America's Cheapest Family last year and was disappointed.