Frugal living books can be a great source of inspiration, whether you're a frugal newbie or a penny-pinching pro. Here are my recommendations for books that are worth reading, re-reading and dog-earing:
The Complete Tightwad Gazette
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This is the ultimate frugal reference book. It contains thousands of money-saving tips on every topic imaginable and plenty on inspiration to get you back on the frugal bandwagon whenever you fall off.
Not Buying It
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Author Judith Levine and her partner vow to buy nothing but the bare necessities for a year. That decision leaves them struggling to define just what a necessity is, and what to do when they run out of items that aren't on their "okay to buy" list. Since the couple divides their time between an apartment in the city and a house in the country, you also get to see how both enviroments impact their no-shopping quest.
Your Money or Your Life
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If financial independence is your ultimate frugal goal, Your Money or Your Life is the book to get you there. It'll show you how to spend smarter, live more and work less – before you reach retirement age.
The Millionaire Next Door
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Who are the millionaires of the world? They're generally not the flashy-car-driving, designer-clothes-wearing individuals that most would suspect, rather they're the plain-Jane folks who work hard and save harder. Authors Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko will show you how to turn your frugal ways into real wealth.
The Penny Pincher's Almanac
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The editors of Reader's Digest pull their best penny-pinching tips together in a 249-page book that you'll want to add to your reference library and revisit again and again.
Made from Scratch
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Eager to simplify her life and do more for herself, 26-year-old office worker, Jenna Woginrich, sets out on a homesteading adventure. She learns how to raise chickens, keep bees, spin wool and grow her own food, all while keeping up her 9-5 job. If you've ever considered homesteading, this book is a great primer for city dwellers and country folks alike.
Money Can Buy Happiness
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MP Dunleavey, creator of the wildly popular column"Women in Red," shows you how to take the money that you already have and redirect it to the things that make you the happiest. If you think you don't have enough money to live the life that you want to live, this is the book to read.
