If you could pick one book...?

**Nishu** · 08-04-2009, 07:20 AM

If you could pick one book to give as a gift to a spendthrift who's trying to reform, what would it be?

What book changed your attitudes toward money or motivated you to change?

What book is completely knock-your-socks-off, let's-put-the-kids-on-eBay, hey-can-I-find-another-use-for-this-used-dental-floss, life changing, habit-breaking, straight up miraculous for reforming the chronically broke?

Thanks in advance guys, I can't wait to read your answers.

**Grainlady** · 08-04-2009, 07:36 AM

The Tightwad Gazette - by Amy Dacyczyn aka The Frugal Zealot (all 3 volumes in one book if you can locate it). I got book one when it first came out in 1992, and to this day I still read through these books at least once a year for inspiration and ideas. Some of the ideas are a little "odd" or out-of-date, but they make you think and you can convert them to today's lifestyle.

One of my favorite things from Book I was Three Ways to Save:

1. Buy it cheaper
2. Make it last longer
3. Use it less

BTW, I use dental floss to cut my cinnamon rolls....

**Jamielane** · 08-04-2009, 10:03 AM

The Tightwad Gazette did it for me.

**frugal me** · 08-04-2009, 01:04 PM

Yep! The Tightwad Gazette

**bumplett** · 08-04-2009, 01:09 PM

LOL - so far I think we all agree -
The Tightwad Gazette (all 3 volumes)

**firefly615** · 08-04-2009, 09:23 PM

Another vote for The Tightwad Gazette!!

**sunshine** · 08-04-2009, 09:27 PM

Nope-- I love the Tightwad Gazette, but at first, I think many (myself include) would toss it - thinking it's too radical, too far out there!

I found Dave Ramsey's "Financial Peace" to be very life changing , as well as "The Millionaire Next Door".

**craftypam** · 08-04-2009, 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by Grainlady

The Tightwad Gazette - by Amy Dacyczyn aka The Frugal Zealot (all 3 volumes in one book if you can locate it). I got book one when it first came out in 1992, and to this day I still read through these books at least once a year for inspiration and ideas. Some of the ideas are a little "odd" or out-of-date, but they make you think and you can convert them to today's lifestyle.

One of my favorite things from Book I was Three Ways to Save:

1. Buy it cheaper
2. Make it last longer
3. Use it less

BTW, I use dental floss to cut my cinnamon rolls....

Absolutely agree. Some of the things she suggests are a little extreme, but use what works for you.

**marjorie** · 08-04-2009, 11:48 PM

I'd have to say "Your Money or Your Life", because it addresses a different way to think about money, then the Tightwad Gazette, The Millionaire series, etc. I'd probably try to make the librarian my new best friend

**calimomx2** · 08-05-2009, 12:09 AM

The Tightwad Gazette for me as well.

**DJ1972** · 08-05-2009, 03:33 PM

I tried to read the Tightwad Gazette when I first started turning my financial life around....it was a bit freaky to me then.

Then I found The Total Money Makeover...very simple and teaches you the basics in budgeting and so forth...and I loved the success stories.

Now that I have been doing this for a while, I love The Tightwad Gazette, Your Money or Your Life, and lots of other books...but to start with, I needed the basics.

**madhen** · 08-05-2009, 03:44 PM

The one that changed my mindset was Rich Dad, Poor Dad. I don't much like formulaic books, and TG kind of falls into that category for me. It is one thing to have a book of tips, but Rich Dad, Poor Dad (and The Millionaire Next Door) was, for me, more about the philosophy of living well vs. living beyond your means.

**nuisance26** · 08-05-2009, 04:00 PM

~

I'm not so sure what you mean about putting the kids on Ebay?

I've read all the books mentioned so far and they all have merit on their own. I prefer TG personally, but one of Dave Ramsey's books would be the best bet for someone just starting to change their spendthrift ways. TG is black-belt frugality stuff!~

**ncarr** · 08-05-2009, 07:52 PM

The Complete Tightwad Gazette

**dcompton** · 08-05-2009, 08:17 PM

I think it depends on where they're starting from. If they've just had an "OMG - this has GOT to stop" moment, then Total Money Makeover.

If they're just wanting ideas to tighten the belt, that TWG is probably good, maybe with a word of warning that some of it will seem over the top and some of it is a somewhat outdated.