If you were a regular Seinfeld viewer, you're probably familiar with the character, Doris Klompus. Doris was portrayed by writer/performer, Annie Korzen, author of Bargain Junkie: Living the Good Life on the Cheap.
From reading her book, you get the sense that Korzen is probably a very entertaining lady to be around. Her writing style is engaging and to the point. She covers a wide range of topics from saving money on health care to growing a garden. And not to mention some very personal revelations.
“I occasionally flip my underwear to save on washing machine use.” (p. 38)
A self-described thrifty person (and not a stingy person because “stingy is nasty”), Korzen grew up poor and lived in a Bronx railroad flat.
“My mother would use a tea page, then squeeze it dry, hang it up and use it again the next day. My father was a tailor and he made all my clothes.” (pg. xiii)
While she disdained the way they lived, Korzen eventually learned to respect her parents' frugal lifestyle.
“I rarely buy anything that hasn't been pre-worn, pre-used or pre-loved.”
The Bargain Junkie is chock-full of various down-home, common sense (and some not so common) advice wrapped in bite-sized paragraphs and chapters.
Three Thrifty Guys recommends Korzen's book – not only for her helpful advice – but the joy and laughter you're bound to have going through it.
WIN!! If you'd like to win one of two Bargin Junkie books, please make a comment below telling us about the best thrifty advice a parent or grandparent has ever given you. Drawing will be held on Friday, the 10th.
9 Comments
I’m Cuban, and experienced “The special Period” we re-use every thing to give you an idea: People build fans with leftover laundry motors. When there was no tooth paste we would use a mixture of baking powder with a little bit of salt or vinegar, CAUTION: if you use this make sure you rinse with water very well it could ruin you enamel. I could go on and on.
“Save for a rainy day while hoping for eternal sunshine”, my mother was born just before the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl Era ravaged the country and struggled all her life to make ends meet while raising the four of us. No matter how bad it got Mom made sure we were fed and clothed and inspired us with her optimism in the face of adversities. Her example has carried me through the toughest times in my life including cancer. Just this past weekend I decided to start my own blog as a homage to her called PennyPinchersPal.com
The best thrifty advice my parents told me was to just drink WATER and not drink all that sugar water, soda, and alcohol at restaurants because of the 80% mark ups! Saved some money and a lot of calories as a result!
Best,
Sam
The Yakezie
“Only use as much toilet paper as you need.” My father hated to see money literally flushed down the toilet! One time, our cat started batting at the end sheet and ended up unraveling almost the entire roll of paper onto the floor. I thought my dad would be angry but he just laughed and laughed. Just shows you you can’t take your thriftiness TOO seriously. Thanks for the giveaway!
Basically to use items until there’s no life left in the item. And when you replace said item, do your research and buy good quality that will last.
Stock up when items are on sale and pay cash whenever possible.
Delay all purchases. By waiting at least a day to buy something, I find that 9 times out of 10 I can get by just fine without it.
I don’t remember them saying it, but they lived it instead: Don’t buy more than you need. Don’t charge things. Try to not ever be in debt.
Growing up my parents kept the same furniture and carpet in our house for all their lives. It was still in good stape so why update?