Money Help for the Rest of Us

I love to read. All sorts of things. Christian fiction - historical (Deanne Gist, Lori Wick), suspense (Ted Dekker, Dee Henderson)- and autobiograhpies, devotionals (Max Lucado), books about finding your passion and reaching your potential. I also like to read books about money. Books on budgeting, money management, how to save, how to make more. The more I delve into it, the more I realize, there are TONS of books out there on money. Everyone has an opinion and everyone is an expert.

I tend to be in the middle of several books at a time. I'll pick up one, based on the mood I'm in. Right now, I'm in between 2 books on money and they're both very extreme. One is about a group of mid to late twenty-something girls offering advice and tips. One of the tips is - paint your own toes between pedicures. Are they serious?! Another is - try on designer jeans at the mall and then find them cheaper online. One girl did this and found 3 pair for a total of $200, much less than one pair purchased at full retail value. Are you kidding me? Who lives like this? A stereotype has just entered my head, but I'm trying very hard not to judge.

It's just that this is not money advice for the normal person. Don't know about you, but at my house, we're covering the necessities (mortgage, utilities, food, auto), but there's not much left over for extras.

The other book is full of advice on how to live for less. Some of the suggestions are use cloth napkins and diapers instead of disposable. I have nothing against "green" people, but to do this purely from a money standpoint doesn't really seem worth it. Another tip is cut holes in the top of an old plastic film (remember film?) canister and use it as a salt and pepper shaker. Um, there has to be a better way. And third (but not even close to finally), grow your own garden. Ok, sure, let's just save money by not eating because that's what would happen for me.

The point is, there has to be happy medium. That's all I'm after. There are a million books out there about money and I've read a bunch and plan to read more. This little blog is just meant to be a place average people can hopefully find helpful money saving tips, advice, and hints, from another average person, trying to make it in this economy on a very average (or maybe even below) income.