A handbook for better living.

John Robbins was born into wealth and, as an heir of the Baskin-Robbins fortune, could have stayed there. He walked away, though, and focused on a planet-friendly and sustainable lifestyle.

The money he did have was lost to Bernie Madoff’s antics. But Robbins, already an author, focused his writer’s eye on a potential silver lining: “Curtailed consumerism could lead us to reassess our lives and values.”

The result was “The New Good Life: Living Better Than Ever in an Age of Less,” which I’m giving away this week.

“This book is about your relationship to money. It’s about finding a new freedom, a new truth and a new joy in your relationship to it,” Robbins writes.

“It is a guide to developing a relationship to money that is sane and wise, that enables you to thrive, and that connects you to your powers of renewal and creativity.”

Vicki Robin, co-author of “Your Money or Your Life,” has this to say about the book:

“John Robbins has lived the gamut — from riches to chosen ‘rags’ to riches to unchosen ‘rags’ — a journey that makes him an authority on every choice, every blessing and every curse of the money journey we are all taking. He brings so many unique talents and perspectives to this conversation that ‘The New Good Life’ is sure to be a best-loved resources.”

To enter:

If you do any (or all!) of these things, please leave separate, additional comments to get credit for each entry.

The deadline is 9 p.m. PST Monday, Feb. 27. If I do not hear back from the winner by Wednesday night, I will choose another name.

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136 thoughts on “A handbook for better living.”

  1. This book sounds like a wonderful blueprint for the way many of us will want to live in the future. I look forward to reading the book…whether I win or not, I will get a copy!!

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  2. Mr. Robbins’ book sounds interesting enough to seek out at the library, even if I don’t win. Thanks for the giveaway, and best of luck with your new MSN gig.

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  3. Would love to win. I can only imagine this gentleman’s horror when he found that his fortune was tied up in the Bernie Madoff mess. A DF of mine told me that the fallout from this evil man will be felt for generations. He also shared that a lot of “old money” had their personal wealth as well as family foundations managed by this guy…..POOF gone! I’m sure Mr. Robbins will have an interesting take on wealth and it’s many definitions that seem to be constantly changing.

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  4. Never entered a give a way yet but this one sounded very interesting. I’m like others I will also look for this book through my library system.

    Congratulations Donna on your additional column with MSN. I book marked it. I also figured out how to subscribe to “I pick Up Pennies”. Now I won’t get the message across her new posts that makes it impossible to read the first paragraph. I found I could read it off my ipad without no interference just not on my computer.

    I also just visited Phoenix/Grand Canyon last week as a tourist.

    I kow you are going and look forward to your ideas of frugal travel to that region.

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  5. I tried to live the less is more philosophy, but I’m finding it increasingly more complicated to do so in this modern, high tech world. It would be interesting to read a fresh perspective on it.

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  6. Sounds interesting especially the ‘unchosen ‘rags’ ‘part. Reflects my personal turn of life this past year, startingover @ 56. Might be a good perspective re-calibrator for me. Thanks for the great blog. I always enjoy reading your posts as they come through my email.

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  7. I’d like to read that! I’ll have to keep an eye out for it at the library if I don’t win. Thanks for the giveaway, and I hope you have a fun and relaxing weekend.

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  8. I love the quote above, “Curtailed consumerism could lead us to reassess our lives and values.”

    This falls directly in line with my own life philosophy, and what I’m trying to teach all of my children. Such a struggle when they go to school with children of rampant consumers!

    I would love to win these books!

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  9. I think this book would be a great read. I will also look for it at my local library if I don’t win. Thanks for all of the great information that you share with us, Donna!

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  10. I would be interested in reading this book. The fact that he walked away from riches most people only dream of, makes him a hero to me. I have never had the opportunity to walk away from money (never had much) but I have sacrificed decent jobs/careers to be a mostly stay-at-home single mom, and I feel it paid off, although we still have to get through high school. I greatly appreciate the advice I have already gotten through your blogs and others. God bless!

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  11. I am really excited about this new book- I have children who need guidance on funds – I could pass on this information, or better yet, buy each of them (6) a book!!!!!!!!!!!

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  12. I was laid off a job last year that paid almost twice what the new job I now have pays. It has been a struggle learning to live without all the extras I used to be able to afford. This book may give me more inspiration instead of always feeling sorry for myself!

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  13. This sounds like a really interesting read. I’ve decided I want to be more frugal in the new year, so that my husband and I can save money to buy our first house in the next couple years. Since I’m the spender (and the saver!) in our family, I’m the one who needs to find ways to trim the fat.

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  14. This book is already on my “wish list” so obviously I’d love to win it. Congratulations on your new job by the way…can’t wait to read your material!

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  15. I would love to add this book to my library. I am starting a new job, a new atitude and this book will give me the reinforcement to help.

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  16. I would love to receive this book. I am currently going through a post-divorce life change, which includes reassessing how I use money. I would love to read John’s perspective on this.

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  17. I recently retired (not by choice) and need to learn alot fast. Will share info with those I know via Facebook. 😎

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