The New Spend Less Revolution: 365 Tips for a Better Quality of Life While Actually Spending Less - Rebecca Ash

The New Spend Less Revolution by Rebecca Ash


***What's it all about? ***


On my money saving quest, I got his money saving book from the library, which not only promised to save me money, but would give me 365 tips to improve my quality of life too! The book is organised into three chapters:


Chapter 1: This considers the problem of why in modern times, people always seem to be struggling ...
...give the solution; 7 rules to help you live a better life on less money.


Chapter 3: This section actually deals with the tactics under 14 sub sections such as shopping, food and drink and travel etc.


The book is 157 pages in length and is published by Harriman House Publishing.


***Opinion***


The first thing that amazes me about all these types of book that I pick up, ... more

The New Spend Less Revolution by Rebecca Ash

***What's it all about? ***

On my money saving quest, I got his money saving book from the library, which not only promised to save me money, but would give me 365 tips to improve my quality of life too! The book is organised into three chapters:

Chapter 1: This considers the problem of why in modern times, people always seem to be struggling for money.

Chapter 2: This give the solution; 7 rules to help you live a better life on less money.

Chapter 3: This section actually deals with the tactics under 14 sub sections such as shopping, food and drink and travel etc.

The book is 157 pages in length and is published by Harriman House Publishing.

***Opinion***

The first thing that amazes me about all these types of book that I pick up, is just how patronising they are to the reader. I think it can be safely assumed that most people interested in books of this vein, have a certain level of common sense that the writer glaringly just seems to ignore.

For example, perhaps I just don't move in the same sort of circles as other readers; but do I really need advice to cut back on first class flights or second homes abroad? Hmmmm, let me think..........no!

Secondly for a book that contains 365 tips, you would think it wouldn't be too hard to number them!! There is page after page of sub headings, but are there 365? I don't' know - life is just too short to count.

The author relies heavily on facts, figures, statistics and wise quotes from other sources. In fact, the book opens with a quote all the way back to Roman times from Marcus Aurelius. This informs the reader that very little is needed for a happy life. This is a prime example of what I think is patronising. Does the reader think, 'oh yes, now I know where I am going wrong.'

Of course books like this can be a good idea, but why not give the reader something useful, something that they don't know already? Instead, the author preaches about consumerism and being duped; perhaps making the reader feel a bit guilty for treating themselves from time to time.

Reading the tip about peeling a carrot slowly to savour the moment as it unfolds, made me cringe. People are genuinely worried about job security, mortgages and the cost of living and peeling a carrot slowly is supposed to help how? This is where the book loses any touch with reality.

I also felt that in certain areas the author was actually misinformed; she recommended going to the cinema, as opposed to watching a dvd at home. Rebecca Ash felt that spending £5 on going to the cinema was much better value than spending £15.99 on a dvd. I don't know when she last went shopping, but I have never paid £15.99 for a dvd; new release or otherwise (discounting boxed sets). I have however, spent much more than £5 going to the cinema, with all the frills, petrol etc and the fact that I don't go alone.

I think I have been very generous in awarding this book 2 stars, but it was easy to read and did have a few useful websites.

If I have to find something positive about the book, it is that it is easy to read and you can dip in and out of, depending on what area you are interested in. There are also a couple of useful websites listed, but that is about it. I could probably google them if I was so inclined.

It would be really nice to pick up a book like this and see that the author actually lived in the real world and had some useful experiences to share. I think I will have to give up this money saving book lark, as I think my common sense already tells me everything that I need to know. I did get the book from the library, but I am coming to the conclusion that whilst I am not wasting money, I may very well be wasting my time!

***Availability***

The book is available for £6.99 from Amazon and if you fancy a look at the general style of the book, it has the 'look inside' feature, giving the opportunity to view the index and the first few pages. Of course, anyone interested in this type of book in the first place, I think would be more likely to order it from the library!

Summary: Your own common sense will tell you far more than this book ever will.

 

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