The New Frugality: How to Consume Less, Save More, and Live Better

"America's mad romance with consumer debt is finally on the decline, and Farrell, economics editor for public radio's Marketplace Money, guides readers to a healthier relationship with their finances. Personal finance is more than just money, he points out; it's about deciding how to live a good life, figuring out what you really cherish and value, then putting your money behind those goals and beliefs — and how living environmentally conscious is a natural outgrowth (and happy consequence) of living within your means. He examines the evolution of consumer debt and moves on to offer concrete advice on dealing with risk and debt, putting savings aside for investing, college, retirement, charitable giving — and realizing if and when you 'have enough.' With an emphasis on changing the way we live to make the most of what we have and promoting moderation, Farrell provides a solid and encouraging high-level overview of individual financial health." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Farrell, host of the popular public radio show Marketplace Money, has put together a brief book outlining the actions we can all take to shift our spending and saving patterns in the direction of frugality. His frugality goes beyond penny-pinching toward wiser consumption practices, such as buying quality instead of quantity, and hopefully leads to toward a more sustainable lifestyle that in the end brings deeper satisfaction. It includes tips for the ordinary investor, along with interesting ways to assess issues like whether you would be better off renting or buying a house. With references to specific websites and information such as current government taxation policies and regulations, portions of the book will be out of date in a few years time. Nevertheless, the basic approach should remain solid. Written for the general reader, it contains no references, but does have a useful index. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)