Thanks for finding your way to my site from Amrita Jayakumar’s article, “These young adults are debt-free – true story.” I’m not exactly young, but I was broke when I was very young and again when I was middle-aged, so I was thrilled to chat with her for the piece.
My goal was to share some of the tactics I used as a teen-ager running a household of three on a very thin margin, and later as a woman furiously treading financial water during a protracted divorce. You could say I took what I learned at age 16 and embroidered on it.
If you’re new to the site, here’s what I learned about being broke: You can make a good life on the money you currently have, without losing your dignity or your hopes for a better future.
And if you’re new to the site, let me tell you about the two books I wrote on that very topic. (Also about a way to get a free PDF of the “stealth savings” chapter from the first book.)
“Your Playbook For Tough Times: Living Large On Small Change, For The Short Term Or The Long Haul” is aimed at three groups of people:
- Those who are currently experiencing hardship
- Those anticipating tough times (e.g., family illness, impending layoffs)
- Those who want to live lean to realize a dream (entrepreneurship, early retirement, et al.)
“Playbook” provides tips and resources to help consumers get the most of each dollar without losing their dignity or their hope for the future. It’s designed to help you live your best life on the money you have while working to improve your finances.
These aren’t simplistic tips like “Just cut one latte a day” or “Wash and reuse plastic bags,” but rather solid, actionable advice, resources and encouragement. Readers will take away specific tactics to slash the cost of housing, health care, shopping, utilities, clothing and entertainment.
It’s available as a paperback on Amazon and also at the Kindle store. The most frugal way to get it is as an e-book (PDF); read on to find a coupon code that will bring the price down to just $5.
“Your Playbook For Tough Times, Vol. 2: Wants And Needs Edition,” like its predecessor, is designed to help people get some – or maybe all – of what they want in addition to everyday essentials.
It offers solid, actionable advice, resources and encouragement. Readers will take away specific tactics to slash the cost of things like food, education, insurance, home repair, birthdays, transportation, weddings, pet care, decorating, holidays and even funerals.
It, too, is available as a paperback and in the Kindle store, and also as a PDF.
A NerdWallet coupon code
That discount I mentioned above? It’s good for everyone, not just NerdWallet readers. Here goes:
For the original “Playbook,” visit my payment platform and enter the code NERDWALLET at checkout. You can use PayPal or a credit card.
For “Playbook Vol. 2,” head over to and enter the code NERDWALLET2.
Again, using the codes will get you the PDFs for $5 apiece.
At the risk of sounding like one of those nimrods who insist that cutting one daily latte will let you retire rich…That $5 is about the cost of a frou-frou coffee plus tip. And as one Amazon reviewer noted, she used one of my suggested tactics one time and it more than covered the purchase price.
Even if you’re not interested in buying the book, I hope you’ll take advantage of my standing offer: Anyone who wants the “Challenge Yourself to Save” chapter from the first book can have it for free.
The chapter contains more than 30 examples of what I call “stealth savings” tactics, to help you save that emergency fund, beef up (or begin) your retirement plan, pay cash for the next car, or whatever you need.
E-mail me at SurvivingAndThriving (at) live (dot) com and ask for the chapter. I’ll send a PDF of it, no strings attached – and no being added to a mailing list or having your info sold, either.
I’d love to hear back from people who try one or more of the tactics. Update me!
I would like a copy of Challenge yourself to save. I have followed you for quite awhile . I enjoy your blog. I remember years ago before you met DF your video shopping at a thrift store. I also learned about ZENNI from you. My family and friends all use the site. I raised my children as a single parent without child support and your tips helped us survive. My children now live independently. I want to focus on myself. I work retail with a low income but benefits are good. I work in the office so I am not on my feet. I love my job because I interact with TM and I am not tied to the desk and do not work weekends. I need to save for retirement in 10 years and still enjoy life. Looking forward to reading the chapter.
Just sent it. Thanks for your interest, and let me know if I can answer any questions for you.
Glad to know that my tips helped you power through. And I agree: It’s time to focus on yourself for a change.
Please send me a copy of that free chapter “Challenge Yourself to Save.” I am one of those retired folks who don’t have a lot of money and I could use some help to make sure I can keep on doing this. Thank you in advance!
Sent!
Please send me a copy of the free chapter; stealth sounds great! Many thanks! From a Jersey girl, living in exile!
Check your inbox. Thanks for your interest.
Please send me a copy of the free chapter. Thanks.
Coming at you!
I would like to have a copy of the free chapter of Challenge Yourself to Save. I do save but I feel that I could do better. I am retired and not able to work at a job due to a health issue so that is not an option for increasing my income. Thank you so much in advance.
You’ve got it.
I’d be interested in receiving the chapter. Thanks!
Hello. When I tried purchasing you original Playbook and entered the code, I got the message that it was an invalid code. Tried 4 times. Has it expired? I was able to purchase Vol. 2 using the second code. No problem with that transaction. Thanks.
Argh! I put in the wrong payment platform. Thank you for letting me know!
I’ve updated it. Please try again.
It worked! Thanks!
Thank you.
Please subscribe me
Hey, Ron: Do you mean you want the free chapter or that you want to subscribe to the RSS feed?
I’m 36 years old and would love to have, and need to have, the free chapter please. Thank you so much
Just sent it.
I’d love that free chapter! My goal is to semi retire for the summers(I’ve gone from feverishly working 5 jobs, to 3 jobs, to gigging, to a trickle of passive income, to taking the summer off.). Now i want to take summers off to completely live the nomadic dream!
I’d love the free chapter! Thanks so much for offering. Always looking to save in this expensive world.
I’d like love that free chapter,please! I’m 70, living on a pension(Aussie version of Social Security) I have a wonderful life with everything i need,and quite a lot of the things I want, as well!
Fascinating blog, I’ve followed Frugalwoods for ages, his is a nice addition!
I have read different articles by you for years. Just found your blog and been enjoying your posts. Please send me a copy of that free chapter. Retirement is in our sights and I’m always looking for new ways to save. Thanks in advance!
Thanks for your kind words. The chapter is on its way.