Book Review: First half of Living Well on One Income

I'm halfway finished with Living Well on One Income in a Two-Income World, by Cynthia Yates, and there's so much to say about this book that I already want to tell you about what I've been reading.  When I finish reading it, I'll tell you about the second half of it.

When it comes to reading about budgeting and thrifty living, this book isn't my first rodeo.  I read a basic intro to budgeting as a newlywed when I took a marriage class my senior year of college, I've read Jonni McCoy's three books, Miserly Moms, Frugal Families, and Healthy Meals for Less, we've listened to all of Dave Ramsey's talks, and I've already told you about reading The Complete Tightwad Gazette.  So needless to say, some of this information in Living Well isn't new to me. 

That said, it's incredibly relevant to anyone, regardless of where you are in your budgeting and frugal living journey.  In fact, even if you're living on two incomes, you'd probably enjoy reading this and implementing those strategies that you have time for.  What I love about this book is its perspective.  While the authors of some of the books I listed above may (or may not) be Christians, it's not anything they harp on or make a central focus of their books.  Cynthia Yates' book is primarily about doing just what the title says, Living Well on One Income, but with a godly perspective. 

Here's an outline of the first five chapters in case you're interested in reading it:

1. What's the Rub?
2. A Cheerful Heart:  The Right Attitude
3. Live Within Your Means
4. Let's Organize!
5. It Pays to be Savvy

The first few chapters were not especially new information, but they were great reminders to me of the purpose of frugality and what my attitude should be about money.

God doesn't want us to be misers or stingy. We should be generous and giving with what the Lord has blessed us with, and I firmly believe that living frugally actually helps me to be generous when appropriate. Our grocery budget would be much less if we never brought meals to other families, but I believe it's an important part of being the hands and feet of Christ. I can't tell you how much I appreciated the meals brought to us when Isabelle was born, and I love doing that for others. And it's always been such a blessing to us when our friends who we know are on a strict budget are able to support our mission trips. These, clearly, are families who know that as important as it is to save money, all our money has been given to us by the Lord to use to bring glory to Him.

Yates does a good job of addressing not just frugality, but Biblical frugality in the first two chapters.  She also gives a great intro to budgeting in chapter three.

Then I hit chapter four, which I really didn't expect to find in a book about frugal living.  What does organization have to do with saving money?!?  I won't answer that question for you--you'll have to read the book!  Some things she pointed out were eye openers to me, like when she mentioned the importance of organizing your freezer so that you actually know what's in there.  I guess I'm going to have to organize my freezer now!  (Groan.)  But other times in this chapter, I wanted to stand up and shout Amen.  In her list of types of lists (!), she mentioned making "A list of everything that must be done that day away from home and the route that will save you the most time and gas" (p. 70).  Ah, Yates is a woman after my own heart!  I thought I was the only crazy list maker who did this.

Chapter five is about being a savvy shopper, and in addition to lots of tips and amusing stories about her own not so savvy attempts at being a smart consumer, she gives a wonderful list of seasonal sales.  Did you know that January is a good month to buy standing ribs and that air conditioners can be purchased at their cheapest in February? 

I also loved it when Yates mentioned that everyone has areas where we will not budge in the budget, and its OK to be that way.  I've wondered sometimes if I should feel guilty in areas that I splurge.  For Yates, she loves having organic extra virgin olive oil.  For me, its all-natural peanut butter with no hydrogenated oils and jam without high fructose corn syrup, because my daughter eats a PB&J least 3 times a week, if not more, and I don't want this stuff in her food.  Yates points out that our wise budgeting can enable us to have these areas where we do choose to splurge, but that we should do so wisely.   

Another good aspect of Living Well is that Yates has a great sense of humor and a fun attitude. If you're looking for a really serious book, don't read this one.  She addresses (somewhat) serious issues in a fun way. It's fairly light reading, but you'll almost want to take notes at times because her tips are so helpful.

I'll be sure to let you know about the rest of the book!