This book really makes you think about yourself and how you shop. Do you look at things and go OH I GOTTA HAVE THAT just because you think you do? It's interesting to see how well you can relate to Karyn and how hard it is for her to overcome her problem with spending money.

It is a fun read though to see her reasons why she buys things and how she thinks about in her mind to justify why she did it (I needed a new date outfit, the guy was cute so I signed up to join the gym, etc etc)

But it is funny to see how she is successful in her website to overcome debt, but she faces problems and challenges along the way.

These events also take place during and after 9/11. So it is interesting to see how the New Yorker deals with the 9/11 problems and how 9/11 really hurt her job hunting and her job she had before.

I say this is a must read!

Share/Like this Review?

Kind of irritating that the world bailed her out of problems that SHE was completely responsible for, but it was a GREAT read! Very fast and very entertaining. I kept having to remind myself that it was non fiction because seriously? How does someone get that far in debt when they make THAT kind of money? I loved the reference to the court show 'stringers.' That is exactly what I do for a living. Kinda cool! :)

Share/Like this Review?

Oh my goodness this is such a good book! For about a week, reading this book was all I did during my free time. The story is a true one and the author just tells her story in such an interesting way.

This has become my latest favorite book, and I definitely recommend it to anyone, but to "girlie" girls especially since the story is mostly about buying shoes, purses, and clothes. :)

Share/Like this Review?

While I found the author to be funny, I didn't really like the book. I think at some point in our lives we can all identify with Karyn - who doesn't want the finer things in life? However, the endless shopping sprees were tiresome, and the whole idea of asking for money to help pay off her shopping debt kind of made me angry.

Share/Like this Review?

Better than Shopaholic. It's non-fiction.

Share/Like this Review?

I found this book to be very fascinating! I see a little of her in me when I go to Target. LOL I think she was pretty amazed herself that that her website generated any money, let alone howw much it helped her. I would recommend this to anyone to read.

Share/Like this Review?

Well, I read this book because I love Jen Lancaster, and she had mentioned it in one of her books. All I can say is that I am very glad I got it through PBS because if I had paid full price for this book, I would have been seriously irritated. First, the book is POORLY written. Her use of simple sentences, and her habit of telling every single thing that is happening does not make for good reading. Perhaps it bothers me more than most, but I had a VERY hard time reading the book simply because of poor writing and multiple mistakes in mechanics. Second, Karyn shouldn't be boasting about how she got herself into heaps of debt and then had other people pay it off. I know she sold her things to help pay it off, but the majority of her debt was paid by strangers. I just don't like the message this book sends. Sure, Karyn may have actually learned her lesson, but it says to others that it is okay to be stupid because someone else will bail you out.

Share/Like this Review?

What to say... Well, the author is funny and there were several parts of this book that made me laugh out loud. And while I realize that everyone carries debt at some point in their life, I can't relate to the NEED for big ticket items. I could never justify spending $700 on lingerie or several hundred on one pair of shoes. But just because I can't relate to her shopaholic ways, the book was still entertaining. Maybe because it seems so foreign to me to rack up that kind of debt without panic. I do believe the author took the easy way out by asking strangers for money. But who can blame HER for the fact that there were people that GAVE her the money?? Kind of like our government...I guess some people don't have a problem bailing others out and buying their debt... But I will digress at that point... I think Karyn softens the blow because she later donated the amount that was donated to her to charity. So she did give back, and I guess that makes it worth it.

Share/Like this Review?