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Book Reviews of The Complete Tightward Gazette: Promoting Thrift as a Viable Lifestyle

The Complete Tightward Gazette: Promoting Thrift as a Viable Lifestyle
The Complete Tightward Gazette Promoting Thrift as a Viable Lifestyle
Author: Amy Dacyczyn
ISBN-13: 9780375508783
ISBN-10: 0375508783
Publication Date: 1998
Pages: 960
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 12

3.8 stars, based on 12 ratings
Publisher: Random House
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

2 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

dolver avatar reviewed The Complete Tightward Gazette: Promoting Thrift as a Viable Lifestyle on + 240 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Well I guess it depends on just how much of a tight wad you are as to how highly you rate this book. If you plan to reuse your dryer lint, you'll love this book. If you were just looking for a few hints on saving money (without dumpster diving) skip this book!

Tons of money-saving recipes for time-wasting products YOU CAN BUY!!!
Ways to recycle your garbage - coke bottles make scoops or bird houses, dryer lint can be composted.

Sorry, I guess I'm not as thrifty as I thought! This book could have been written by my dad that lived thru the depression era -- save your used paper plates, you never know when you'll need them!

ACK! Or, hey, order it and it's good for a few laughs picturing talking your husband into doing any of the projects!
reviewed The Complete Tightward Gazette: Promoting Thrift as a Viable Lifestyle on + 17 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I'm more handy than I am thrifty, per se, and I've always loved the Tightwad Gazette articles. I see them as examples of how to turn what you might have on hand into things you need so you can put off buying for as long as possible.

One example is her description of how they use the old Betty Crocker Potato Bread recipe to meet most of their weekly bread needs -- including sandwiches, rolls, and pizza crust. While the recipe sounds interesting, I've never made it. But I do make tortillas. And I think back to the article when I get the impulse to buy pizza or pizza dough and remember that I can make a pizza I love on tortillas I already have.

Another example is the macaroni and cheese article. She does a cost comparison of boxed mac and cheese verses buying bulk bags of elbows and making the sauce from scratch. It's a detailed examination and the results surprised me. They're a good reminder that shelling out for the bulk bag and some elbow grease isn't always the most efficient path to your end goal -- a happy, creative, home where money is a tool, not an obsession.