Review From the Publisher:
Cheap suit. Cheap date. Cheap shot. It’s a dirty word, an epithet laden with negative meanings. It’s also the story of Lauren Weber’s life. As a child, she resented her father for setting the thermostat at 50 degrees through the frigid New England winters and rarely using his car’s turn signals—to keep them from burning out. But as an adult, when she found herself walking 30 blocks to save $2 on subway fare, she realized she had turned into him. Should she be horrified… or proud?
In hard times, questions about Americans’ conflicted relationship with consumption and frugality become more urgent and provocative. Why do we ridicule people who save money? Where’s the boundary between thrift and miserliness? Is thrift a virtue or a vice during a recession? And was it common sense or obsessive-compulsive disorder that made her father ration the family’s toilet paper?
In answering these questions, In Cheap We Trust offers a colorful ride through the history of frugality in the United States. Readers will learn the stories behind Ben Franklin and his famous maxims, Hetty Green (named “the world’s greatest miser” by the Guinness Book of Records) and the stereotyping of Jewish and Chinese immigrants as cheap.
Lauren also explores contemporary expressions and dilemmas of thrift. From Dumpster-diving to economist John Maynard Keynes’s “Paradox of Thrift” to today’s recession-driven enthusiasm for frugal living, In Cheap We Trust teases out the meanings of cheapness and examines the wisdom and pleasures of not spending every last penny.
Preview the book and read the first six chapters online free here.
My Review:
In CHEAP We Trust is an interesting historical journey of American frugality. The first five chapters were loaded with historical facts, figures and wartime economics. History is not my favorite subject, but the frugal focus was really unique and fascinating.
The last four chapters focused on more modern frugality, cheapskate psychology and modern economics. Weber introduced freegans, who dumpster dive, grow urban gardens and squat in unoccupied buildings. At first, I was disgusted by the thought of dumpster diving, but reading this book, I was more appalled by the sheer amount of edible food that is wasted each day.
Overall, this book allowed me to embrace my own frugal upbringings. Weber’s own life and frugal father reminded me of my dad. Although my dad never rationed toilet paper, he did make us eat the same cheap bean soups until they were completely gone, sometimes for up to four days in a row. He once decided to make a cheap whirlpool using an old horse trough, plastic piping and a small engine.
I could continue for pages with stories about my dad’s frugality, but am very grateful for those experiences that have made me who I am today. Weber’s In CHEAP We Trust really reminded me that frugality is financially and ecologically smart and should be celebrated and encouraged in America today. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in American history and/or frugality.
The Giveaway:
I have 5 copies of In CHEAP We Trust to giveaway thanks to Hachette Book Group. You can earn up to 6 entries for this giveaway. Please leave a separate comment for each entry and a way to contact you.
First Entry
1. Leave a comment telling me if you consider yourself frugal. Please leave an email or way to contact you if you win.
Bonus Entries
2. Subscribe to my free newsletter here and leave me another comment. Current subscribers or followers just leave a comment saying you subscribe/follow to get an extra entry.
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3. Follow me on twitter AND tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment. Include @momsavesmoney in the tweet.
4. Grab my button and leave another comment with your site’s url.
5. Blog about the giveaway and leave another comment with the link to the post.
6. Email three or more friends about the giveaway, cc the email to me at Nicole@momsavesmoney.net and leave another comment here.
This contest will end on Friday October 2, 2009 at 10:00 pm, central time. I will use random.org to select five lucky winners and contact the winners. (If any winner does not respond in 48 hours, I will pick another.) U.S. and Canada entries only. No P.O. Boxes. Good luck and thanks for entering!
I’m not just frugal – I am cheap.
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I shop grocery stores only when it is in the flyer on sale and I have coupons. My husband and I usually only go out to eat if we know we have a discount.
I guess you could say we are frugal.
With the economy that is the way you have to be .
I am a very frugal mom. With only one income in the home and three kids we have to be. I do not buy anything not unless it is on sale and or I have a coupon for it.
honoringtheking at ymail.com
I am not as frugal as I could be, but I am working on it!
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I am a subscriber.
I’m not nearly as frugal as I’d like to be (or SHOULD be) but I’m getting there!! Still learning all the saving tricks out there! 🙂
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I’m subscribed to your newsletter! 🙂
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I consider myself frugal enough that I usually save 60% or more of my paychecks.
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I suscribe to yuor newsletter. Thanks!
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I totally agree with Kim about just being cheap. The cheaper the better.
nevaehsangel@verizon.net
I’m also a subscriber.
nevaehsangel@verizon.net
Trying to be, well actually I think I am frugal but I am more so now due to the economy then say five years ago. Live and learn they say.
Am I frugal?
Does re-using paper towels count? Come on Im kidding! But yes… I use lots of coupons!!!
jeffintennessee at gmail dot com
I would love to win!
jeffintennessee at gmail dot com
I would love to win! and already subscribe!!! Thanks for offering!
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Tweeted about the giveaway!!
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I emailed 3 people about this!!!!
I hope I win!! Thanks
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I also subscribe to your newsletter
I consider myself frugal in certain areas and not so in others. I’m learning how to become more as time goes by.
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I do consider myself to be frugal…but not to the extreme. Thanks for the review and giveaway!
I subscribe via email
very frugal
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I was paying almost $5 per quart of the probiotic I drink daily and used two qts a week. Now, I am making my own probiotic smoothies at home for just the cost of a little milk and what ever I choose to flavor it with.
I subscribe
tweet! http://twitter.com/searcher7105
I do consider myself to be frugal- in certain areas that is. While I will shop with a binder full of coupons and mail in rebates, I will not buy cheap quality. I will just wait until I think the price reflects what I am willing to pay for that quality
I am following on twitter
Christi Williams
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I am following your blog
Christi Williams
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Christi Williams
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I am definitely frugal! posen4dpic @ hotmail.com
I could use help in the frugality area! 😉
I’m a subscriber!
I follow you on twitter.
I am def a penny pincher!
jessbelt@gmail.com
I am absolutely frugal..I think we work too hard for our money to spend it foolishly.
I follow! =)
I consider myself to be frugal. My husband and I work very hard for our money and we live in California. I think to make it now days in this Economy, one needs to be frugal.
ShawnaMichelle@ymail.com
I just became a Subscriber to your free newsletter.
ShawnaMichelle@ymail.com
I consider myself to be frugal, but am always trying to be more so. It is very frustrating to hear people talking about not being able to make ends meet, but seeing that they eat out more than they stay in, etc.
wmllewis@truvista.net
I am frugal and my husband is not so we have to meet somewhere in the middle.
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I am trying to be frugal. My husband likes to use coupons as much as me and I never pay full price unless I have to.
i’m a subscriber 🙂
I just signed up for your newsletter.
I love your frugal site.
Blessings,
Michelle
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I am very frugal!
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Email subscriber
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Twitter follower & tweet
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Thanks for the giveaway! Please enter me. I am somewhere between frugal and cheap!
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
I try to be as frugal as I can. I usually don’t buy things if they’re not on sale or if I don’t have some kind of discount or coupon. And I always sign up for freebies online!
I subscribe!
I tweeted! http://twitter.com/amweeks/status/4078898445
I will subscribe! kathy01_24@hotmail.com
I sure try to be and everyone says that I am.
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Frugal? Heck yes! I clip coupons and only buy on sale. 🙂 It’s fun being frugal. Thanks for the great book! –Michelle, blogattoday[-at]gmaildotcom
I’m an email subscriber! Thank you! –Michelle, blogattoday[-at]gmaildotcom
I have your button at: http://womenwhowin.blogspot.com. Thanks! –Michelle, blogattoday[-at]gmaildotcom
I consider myself frugal. I use coupons often and I like shopping around for the best deals before making a purchase.
cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
I am now a subscriber.
Frugal, yes. Crazy, no.
satcphile1 at yahoo dot com
I have frugal moments, and then moments where I should have been but made a bad choice. We’ve set ourselves up on a budget though since we moved back to the US, and we are sticking to it!
I’m frugal and proud. In fact, I’m proud to say I’m CHEAP!!!
-Monica
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I subscribe.
-monica
monicabozsik at yahoo dot com
I am frugal–not by choice 🙂 My husband got laid off last week
Frugal by necessity these days 😉
yes I am frugal and proud of it con5459(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a subscriber con5459(at)gmail(dot)com
I have your button on my blog http://www.luckyrosiescreations.blogspot.com/ con5459(at)gmail(dot)com
I am definitely frugal – shopping sale racks and using coupons on a regular basis!
Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com
I’m definitely frugal and proud of it!
abfantom at yahoo dot com
I’m pretty frugal, but there are certain things that I don’t mind splurging on.
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I’m frugal – I love my Sunday coupons
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I’m definately frugal – save antyway I can
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I subscribe by email
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I follow on twitter & tweeted
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I like to call myself a good shopper! So yes I am frugal but not as much as before I had my kids and more brain cells!
I’m definitely frugal, thanks.
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I’m starting to be frugal…still learning all the ins and outs!
I subscribed on google reader!
I consider myself frugal. Since my husband was laid off earlier this year, I am frugaler! We try to evaluate our spending, and see if we already have an item that we are looking to buy before we buy it! Thanks!
I can be frugal at times. I’m picky about what i buy
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I really consider myself frugal. I always look for the best price on things, use coupons, buy generic and buy second hand:)
mscoffee77(AT)juno(DOT)com
I consider myself to be frugal, sometimes bordering on “cheap”. I learned at my mother’s knee, and I am my mother’s daughter!
I’m pretty frugal, but there are a FEW things I will spend a bit more on, that I need for my skin : )
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I’m a subscriber
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I save eevery way I can!
Very frugal and very proud of it!
I subbed!
I think dh and I are both frugal!
rbjj32825[at]lycos[dot]com
I guess most people that know me would say I’m frugal…so I must be! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of the book…I’ve been wanting to get a copy, but I’m too cheap to purchase it just yet! (krstrpp at hotmail dot com)
I subscribed! Thanks for the opportunity to win such a fun book! (krstrpp at hotmail dot com)
I consider myself very frugal!
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I subscribed.
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Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me. Yes I am very frugal.
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
Oh yeah, I’m frugal. I get much pleasure from understanding where every one of my pennies goes, reusing things, recycling, etc. Plus, I always end up with enough saved at the end for a trip to the spa. Thank you for the contest!
Aliya D.
aliyadaya(at)shaw(dot)ca
I’ve been frugal for as long as I can remember and will stay that way always, even though it isn’t as necessary for me as it used to be.
I think this book sounds great!
I am now a follower.
i’m definitely frugal and proud of it!
I was raised to squeeze a dollar out of a dime as my mom used to say. I love nice things but I want them for as cheap as I can get them. I use sales and coupons to get the best deals on things. Definitely frugal.
Scott
nynekats at aol dot com
Nothing makes me happier or gives me more of a high than getting something for free or almost free by combining sales and coupons etc. I am cheap and frugal and proud of it.
Angie
one 4 earth at aol dot com
I have been frugal since I was a teenager and started going to garage sales. I will always be frugal even if I win the lottery (which is unlikely as I am too frugal to buy tickets).
smchester at gmail dot com
I am now following your blog.
smchester at gmail dot com
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I subscribes to your site extra entry
I ma verry frugal I reuse everything shop at second hand stores for all my stuff. entry too
I am definitely frugal. My husband used to call me cheap but now he looks for deals and get excited too.
cthompson1477@gmail.com
I do not consider myself to be frugal. I do however watch out for good deals and use coupons when shopping. sharonaquilino(at)hotmail(dot)com
I am an email subscriber. sharonaquilino(at)hotmail(dot)com
Some call it frugal…other’s call it cheap!
I am totally a freak over saving money. It drives my family a little crazy.
But I see a little more everyday good choices that they make to be thrifty too!
🙂
I just started being frugal a year ago when I had my son and wanted to stay home. I love saving money and I always tell my husband how much money I saved.
mccataquet(at)comcast(dot)net
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plb8156@aol.com
i think i’m frugal, yes
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plb8156@aol.com
I’m pretty frugal! I’ve even been known to lay paper towels out to dry so that they can be used again.
I am quite frugal in most areas. But, like some I expect not so frugal in others.
I consider myself frugal, but sometimes when I see the extreme others go to, maybe I have a ways to go:)
I am following you on Twitter as njhhb.
My tweet: http://twitter.com/njhhb/status/4498631410
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I am fairly frugal about most things.
kerrie@mayansfamily.com
I’m kinda frugal, I just enjoy sales and saving money. letessha@yahoo.com
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I’m working my way to frugal – not quite there yet.
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I am learning to be more frugal.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net
I am a subscriber.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net
Yes, I am frugal, but I try not to deny us nice things. I just want to make sure we get the best possible price.
I subscribe.
I am quite frugal, but I do splurge on occasion.
I am frugal, but I think I’ve found a good balance.
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I don’t consider myself frugal – I spend too much money frivolously!
mannasweeps (at))) gmaildotcom
tweet! http://twitter.com/mannabsn/status/4532584520
I definitely consider myself frugal, and I love it! This book looks interesting too 🙂
weird chick online at gmail dot com
Yes, I am proudly frugal!
theyyyguy@yahoo.com
I am proudly frugal 🙂 thankyou for the giveaway
I love a good sale but I don’t think I’m very frugal!
I try to be frugal, but I have a little bit more work!
Thanks!!
hawkgirl_16{at}hotmail{dot}com
I subscribe via email!
hawkgirl_16{at}hotmail{dot}com
I am extremely frugal. There is nothing I like better than finding a good buy. I frequently shop at Goodwills. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.
dianad8008 AT gmail DOT com
One last frugal tweet 🙂
http://twitter.com/plb8156/status/4552646460
plb8156@aol.com
Yes, I’m frugal so we I can stay home with my kids.
I think of myself as frugal with lapses Lorie_ly@yahoo.com
For me it depends. There are certain things like food where I am incapable of exercising any frugality. If I want to spend $8 a lb for locally raised hormone free ground beef at the farmers market I do, but when it comes to just about anything else I’m always in search of a deal and can be pretty frugal
im very frugal i use coupons for shopping because my store doubles them and i always end up around $100 a week which without the coupons would be $200. im the type whenever i go into a store my eyes are scanning foe clearance signs 🙂
http://twitter.com/klp1965/status/4559175589
I’m frugal. garrettsambo@aol.com
I consider myself frugal
I subscribed
I’m working on becoming MORE frugal..does that count? 😉
euroduck111@hotmail.com
Yes!!! I am frugal.
I’m very frugal 🙂
I am frugal.
donna444444@yahoo.com
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I consider myself to be frugal.
lilyk@mail2world.com
I subscribed to your newsletter.
I am VERY frugal! I LOVE to find a bargain and you will find me searching the clearance rack!
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