Shopping Books

Wow! I'm a struggling college student, and a co-worker showed me this book. After I read it, I just had to get the other two written by Susan as well! This book outlines her amazing plan for saving up to 90% on your grocery bill! She has bought $130 worth of groceries for only $7.00 - isn't that amazing? My first shopping trip after reading, I saved $19.00 on a $60.00 purchase.That's almost 30%. But as you get more familiar and comfortable with her system, you'll be consistently saving 60 and 70% on your grocery bills. Exciting to read, and well-formatted, this book is a definite stay in my personal library!

This contains mostly the same information that is in her previous book "Cashing in at the Checkout" except that she adds some new information regarding automatic coupon dispensors and other technological advancements. Other than that, this book contains a more extensive write up on competition between major grocery chains, wholesale clubs and food companies. This is used to explain why food companies make coupons and why grocery stores have sales. Simply put, they want loyal customers who will always shop at their store or buy their products. Susan Samtur points out however that the super shopper does not fall under the spell of store or brand loyalty. The super shopper stratigically shops so that he will maximize savings without sacrificing quality. There is not too much of a difference in quality between major name brands and coupon users always buy name brand products.

There are hardly any people who wouldn't benefit from reading this book except the extremely rich. Most would like to save more money. Cutting down one's grocery bill puts a lot of money in the bank.

Through using rebates over the years, the author was able to put $35,000.00 into her son's college fund. One of the most extrodinary stories given in the book however is that of a man who purchased $869.79 of groceries on one trip using coupons with only $2.16! It sounds a bit too good to be true, but after looking into it, I can see how something like this is possible with some effort. People don't save nearly as much money on groceries as they could because they simply don't want to go through the trouble of sitting down and strategically planning for a shopping trip using coupons.

Extremely helpful for all fashionistas. Makes a great gift for clients as well. Very well researched and a fun read.

I think that Born to Shop: Italy is far more informative and instructional. It is also more personalized with additional information on favorite hotels and cafes located in the vicinity of favorite shops. There seems to be much more information on bargain and outlet shopping, which Where to Wear ignores. Where to Wear also does not discuss price ranges and seems to assume that the reader is extraordinarily wealthy. I am taking the two books to Italy next month and will comment more later if I change my opinion!

The book's just boring. I read this book after I read Cecilia Ahern's PS I Love You (PS I Love You is even worst), and I thought after a few pages that the book was going to be a much better read than Cecilia Ahern's, but it was NOT.

What I hated the most about the book was the repetition of Sara's relationship with Phil, which rather than understanding Sara's feelings better, I felt that Sara was just pathetic. AND, the repetition of how beautiful Sara was. BORING.

I have read some of Danielle Steel's books and seen all of the movies based on her books. She is a great story-teller. This book touched my heart.

I thought it was a very good book. The beginning was a little repetative but I flew through the book. AS soon as I was finished I passed it along to friends to read I thought it was that good! I'd reccommend reading it.

I have read Danielle Steele before, but never to this effect. To borrow her own term, it's a gem of a novel. Acts of kindness proliferate to defeat the evil ones and help love to triumph. The focus on a mansion in San Francisco and the attorney who takes it through probate and new ownership, finding love in the process, works very well. Some creative paragraphing, punctuation, and reiteration are only minor distractions from an ingenious plot and wonderful cast of characters spanning four generations.

I thought the story started out slow and there seemed to be numerous, repetitive scenes concerning the miserable relationship between the main character, Sarah, an attorney and Phil, who is also an attorney. Sarah works hard and spends a considerable amount time at the office leaving few days for Phil. In this story Phil must go. And when Sarah inherits a house from an elderly client Sarah rids herself of him. After this the story picks up and moves right along. I thought Ms. Steele descriptions of the old rundown house, well its more like a mansion, was excellent. If you follow this author you must know that Sarah will find another relationship and she does. Jeff the architect moves right into the story and this romance carries the reader onward. I hope I haven't given away too much of the story, because there is no need to spoil the story for you.

Overall, I don't think this was one of Ms. Steele best novels. It's an easy read, with an interesting plot that I'm sure you will enjoy.

It's ok.....mostly common sense information that lot's of people already know just by reading, watching, listening and caring. It's general - but if you are a person that is starting from the beginning, it does let you know what products you can eat or not eat. It does give name products to buy that I have never seen in a grocery store? I will forward this book on to someone who can really use it.

This is the best book for a Sugar Buster user. It is the quickest way to check a food and an easy helper at the grocery store.

I found this book to be a waste of money. I didn't learn anything from it that I had not already found in the Brennan's book.

This is a handy little guide for anyone who is trying to lower their sugar intake, and really great for someone who has to make life style changes. Good tips, great lists of products.

This is a skinny, incomplete list that's very little help. Yes, it's inexpensive but I wouldn't bother.

Eric Bogosian's "Mall" is a book with little heart. It's a spiritually vapid novel with little kindness and less value. It does, however, entertain like a good episode of C.S.I. with bodies piled high. The structural problem with the novel is that there really isn't a good guy, someone to cheer.

Mal, the teenager on a killing spree, is a meth addict that begins the novel by shooting his mother and setting their house on fire. We are then introduced to several other characters who eventually become related to each other as Bogosian weaves the various story lines together.

Danny is a high roller with expensive clothes and an unresponsive wife. After the birth of their child, their sex life takes a nosedive and results in Danny's doctor recommending manual self-relief or acquiring a mistress. He's shopping at the mall when he notices Donna who is changing her clothes in the dressing room. Donna is aware she is being watched and is aroused by the attention. She proceeds to perform a dressing room striptease that results in Danny being arrested as a peeping tom by the security guards and taken out into a squad car.

Meanwhile, Mal shows up at the Mall and shoots his former boss at the tuxedo shop. This attracts the attention of the forlorn security guard Michel who battles with him. Mal shoots a couple police officers and exits through the back. He comes upon the policeman shoving a handcuffed Danny into the police car and shoots the policeman whose body falls on top of Danny.

We are then introduced to the somewhat anti-materialist and thoughtful young man named Jeff who meets up with his friends at the mall. Jeff has a crush on the lovely Adell who thinks Jeff is boring. Jeff heads off to a nearby hotel and meets up with Donna. Donna's suburban libido has been stimulated by Danny's dressing room attention and then rents a room to connect with teenager Jeff. Their bizarre encounter shifts gears abruptly as Jeff loses interest in Donna after climax and becomes interested in watching the TV news about the fire Mal set @ the Mall.

Meanwhile, Jeff's heartthrob Adell has gotten Danny alone in the back seat of car. Handcuffed, Danny must allow Adell to undress him from the waist down and perform manual services. Adell humiliates Danny by forcing him to say he's a pe*vert and then abandons him in the car with disgust. Michel the security guard has meanwhile followed Mal through the woods and out onto the middle of a freeway where Mal has a gun to a wounded officer's head. Michel gets shot and is ignored as Mal dashes away to die in a parking lot near Jeff. Jeff takes off for one more time around the mall and sees his pal Beckett in a liplock with Adell as they couple passionlessly against the Mall wall. Then Jeff happens upon Danny and takes him home to his father's tool shed to cut off Danny's handcuffs. Thus, the story ends.

This book is a quick read, but the characters aren't particularly gripping and there seems to be no lesson learned. Although the book is less than satisfying, neither is it boring. Enjoy!

I read this book in two nights and it worked for me very nicely. Sex, drugs and existential thinking and a pretty good plot. Bogosian comes from the theater and his characters reflect that. I especially liked the psychotic speed freak Mal. Bogosian (as I've said in my other review of his solo book) comes off as kind of simple, but at the end of the day, I think his ideas are complex. It's the way the whole thing is hung together. Long and short of it is that the book is a hot read and has a couple of good nasty sex scenes in it. I guess he's a genius, but on the other hand, who cares?

Bogosian did a great job in a story that encompasses philosophy, sex, and drugs. The book is about a boy named Mal who is a tweeker going on a rampage in order that he may truly feel alive. The book also brings together another group of people who bring their own flavor to the story. The book is worth the short amount of time it takes to read and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for some entertainment.

This is one of my favorite books of all time that I think tests the limits of what we call literature, it is probably one of the best contemporary novels that I would put into the catagory of postmodernism. We literally mind-surf into several characters heads and see whats going on, the characters all interlink through a story of a much larger scope and Bogosian creates a satire of American culture rival to that of American Beauty or anything in recent memory. This would make a great film, do not believe the naysayers, Bogosian is a very talented writer and I cannot wait until his next novel comes out.

Bogosian is creepy, smart, rebellious and brilliant. I truly enjoyed watching the video of his one-man show Funhouse. Also enjoyed reading Pounding Nails In The Floor With My Forehead, and Notes From Underground. He is a very, very good writer. You can tell that he hones his material. He is the type of writer who works very hard on making each sentence run smoothly & quickly. This book, Mall, is not meant to be anything other than a fast paced action-adventure. It's just a bit of fun and a means for Bogosian to express various aspects of his personality. He realizes that this mortal world---especially the American part of it---is a totally misleading, misinforming, two-faced, selfish-minded sham full of lies, disappointments & quiet desperation. The result of this realization is cynicism & rage and therefore much of Bogosian's work expresses the darker aspects of his personality---and thank goodness! But don't get me wrong, he is not the least bit heavy-handed regarding his anger and sick, twisted fantasies. He knows how to make a point without going over the top. Mall is an easy-read. It's not meant to be the novel of the century. It's not meant to enlighten anyone. It's just a good old fashioned action-adventure about a speedfreak who goes on a killing spree. It reads like it was written with the intention of making it ready-made for conversion to a screenplay. Is that a crime? Is it a crime that Bogosian wants to make money from his writing? No. He works hard for his money and it shows. So what if he poo-poos shallow materialism while also wanting to become materially successful by doing so? Consistency, or lack of hypocrisy, is the stuff of small-minded, idiotic, know-nothing mortals who have been brainwashed by college. Bottom line: Mall is a good book. Not great, but definitely worth reading if you are already a fan of Bogosian's other stuff. Right from the start you will recognize and appreciate his unique voice, perspective, and writing style. I certainly did.

This book was NOT helpful at all! Ms.Warner's prices are very off base. Please tell me where you can find a "reasonable photographer" for $600 or a seamstress to make you a dress for $321. Also, her decorations sound like something out of a bad high school prom, ie "fifties theme, the Roaring Twenties, or a Renaissance Festive. Start saving money on your wedding by NOT buying this book!

Although this is not the best bridal budget book, its still, all in all, a good book with some good ideas. It does stress getting everyone involved, which for some, is welcoming. If you're a bride who has a family who's always giving you their 2 cents worth, this may be the budget planning book for you. It will get everyone involved in planning, helping and setting up for your wedding. If not, there are a few tips you can still use. Diane Warner has many books worth reading and I think she's knowledgeable in her ideas. This book is much better than Denise and Alan Fields' "Bridal Bargains". The book itself is more comfortable to read and hold (it's a standard size book with dark, large print, which "Bridal Bargains" is definetly not!) Besides, Diane Warner has some very original ideas which are legal and "Bridal Bargains" tells you some not so "authorized by law" ideas. Compare the two and I'm sure you'll agree, Diane Warner's "Big Wedding on a Small Budget" is much better! Just glimpse through and you'll see what I'm talking about.

This book is pretty much everything your friends and family suggested to you when you spoke of having a small budget for your wedding.

The author herself seems a lovely person, but frankly, some of the advice is insultingly simple minded.

The best book to buy is "Bridal Bargains".

Unless you want all your friends to say, "That was the cheapest wedding ever!", this isn't the right book for you. The tips were unhelpful and unrealistic for anyone who wants to have an elegant wedding on a budget. Examples:

- Don't send any money on decor and flowers and get them from your aunt's backyard. (I'm sorry but I don't know anyone with a wrought-iron bench or potted tree I can borrow.)
- Get the supermarket florist to do your flowers and the supermarket baker to make your wedding cake. (I don't know about your supermarket but I never see the same person twice in those departments, if there is anyone even there.)
- Make all the food for the reception yourself and have the church staff serve it. o_O
- Find an amateur photographer and videographer (and risk not having any memories of your wedding!).
- Basically borrow everything from anyone you know.

Not pratical for someone trying to have an elegant wedding in a big city. Get "Bridal Bargains" by Denise and Alan Fields. It makes much more sense.

This book was a lifesaver! I called a friend who was an amateur photographer. I had her take some photos of us and also reviewed her portfolio. We discussed the photos she took of us and what we liked and didn't like. We made a list of must have shots and ideas we had in mind. They came out beautiful!

The cake we purchased from Albertson's. Who would have thought of purchasing a cake from the grocery store? But I saved a couple hundred dollars and it was beautiful and delicious. I knew what I had in mind for the cake and the baker listened to my thoughts and added some from her own experience and we came up with the perfect cake! They make cakes often enough so they turn out beautifully, but not so often that they don't get excited about creating the perfect cake for you.

These are a couple of the suggestions I used to save a ton of money. While not all worked for me, they did help me think creatively in planning and saving money on the things I needed to spend money on.

As the book explains, we should not let our feelings about "right and wrong" or "fair and unfair" interfere with learning about these theories. There are many things everywhere in nature that don't seem fair, and we humans are just part of it, although many try to think of us (humans) as above all that.
After reading it, some attitudes make sense, and it makes understanding men and women easier. The book is indeed not politically correct, but political correctness should not interfere with knowledge and facts. This book explains how things are, not how they should be (and history shows us that "should be" is a matter of time, place, culture and opinion). We should not forget that even if a theory explains a situation (or we think it does), this may change if a new theory explains the situation better. For me, as of now, this book explains human behavior, and it does so with interesting and entertaining anecdotes and facts.

Many years ago, before evo psych was even sociobiology, some people (usually social scientists) would ask themselves, how did things go down in the prehistory? They realized that our instinctive behaviors were honed on the savannahs of Africa long before we became civilized or even before we became human. The Darwinians among them further realized that the ten thousand or so years since the beginning of agriculture and animal husbandry was not enough time for human nature to have changed much. Ergo, we are savannah animals dining at the Burger King with our fingers on the nuclear trigger reading the Wall Street Journal, but with our biological imperatives virtually unchanged since the Stone Age.

From that simple, but profound, realization has sprung evolutionary psychology, which is a fine tool for gazing more or less objectively into the labyrinth of human behavior leading to some understanding of why we behave the way we do.

As wonderful as I think evolutionary psychology is--and it is indeed an eye opener that has taken the groves of academy by storm in the last couple of decades--I can readily see five problems:

One, it upsets people much in the same way that Freud or Darwin upset people, namely by making us more like animals than like beings made in the image of God.

Two, evolutionary psychology, like all psychologies, is limited.

Three, sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference between something obviously true (men want lots and lots of reproductive opportunities) and something that may be true ("the death penalty cannot deter young men" from violent crimes--see page 130).

Four, the unwarranted leap that many people, even some very intelligent and educated people, make from the IS of an evo psych discovery to the OUGHT of a moral or societal truth; e.g., women want a man committed to helping them raise their children, but they also want the genetic input from the most alpha male they can find. This, to many people, makes it sound like cuckolding your hubby is the right thing to do since it is the "natural" thing to do. It is also the natural thing to take what you want when you want it, but that doesn't make it right.

Five, behavioral tendencies as gleaned from a study of humans in the so-called Environment of Evolutionary Adaptedness are just that, general tendencies that most people at one time or another, for a myriad of reasons, do not always follow. Evolutionary psychology describes main tendencies; it does not prescribe anything. Of course some of these tendencies are powerful biological imperatives that most people find difficult to ignore.

The strength of this book is that the authors go well beyond the familiar discoveries from evolutionary biology to lesser known but fascinating discoveries such as the evolutionary rationale behind beautiful people being more likely to have daughters than sons, to why rich people are more likely to have sons, or why having sons reduces the chance of a divorce, to even why gentlemen prefer blondes.

Here are some observations on the few cases I think the authors didn't get quite right:

They ask: "What is the adaptive problem that religion is designed to solve? Do religious people live longer or have greater reproductive success? So far, no one has been able to point to an adaptive problem that religion is designed to solve." (pp. 158-159) Not so. As Edward O. Wilson so eloquently put it in Human Nature (1978): "When the gods are served, the Darwinian fitness of the members of the tribe is the ultimate if unrecognized beneficiary." (p. 184) What he meant was that the adaptive reason for religion is to make the tribe more cohesive and better able to defeat other tribes in, for example, warfare.

The authors write: "The reason most Western industrial societies are monogamous, despite the fact that humans are naturally polygynous, is that men in such societies tend to be more or less equal in their resources, compared to their ancestors in medieval times." (p. 90) While I suppose this is true, a better reason is that large polygynous societies are politically unstable since large numbers of males without mates tend to revolution; and given suffrage, they would vote against polygyny, as in the US.

The authors aver that there is no satisfactory (adaptive) explanation for why soldiers die for their country. (p. 186) The clear explanation is that young men put themselves in positions in which they are likely to die in battle because society sees that as being brave and manly, and females like to mate with brave and manly men. The fact that many of these men might die before reproducing is offset by the increased reproductive fitness of those who don't die and the fact that they often (as the authors report) have sex before going off to war.

Another bugaboo that authors don't believe is answered is how homosexuality can be adaptive. (See page 180.) The simple answer is that homosexuality in many environments leads to effective male bonding which in turn can lead to a monopolizing of the available females. While homosexual men may not copulate with the females as much as their heterosexual buddies, they will nonetheless copulate a lot more often than loners who do not have access to the females.

One more point: many sociologists might object to the authors' use of the term "Standard Social Science Model." Not being a sociologist myself, I find it hard to believe that the Standard Social Science Model, as characterized by the authors, virtually ignores evolutionary biology and sees everything in purely cultural terms, leaving us to believe, for example, that gender differences in male-female behaviors are largely the result of a patriarchal bias in society.

Written in a popular style with some understandable simplicity, this book is an excellent introduction to evolutionary psychology, nee sociobiology, which, along with cognitive psychology and neuroscience, constitutes the essence of contemporary academic psychology.

Believe it or not, there actually are evolutionary explanations as to why (many) men prefer well-endowed blondes, why single women are more likely to travel than single men, and why more neurosurgeons are men (while more kindergarten teachers are women). This book provides those explanations (and so many more) based on research from the fascinating and emerging field of evolutionary psychology. Clearly illuminating the biological and evolutionary influences on human behavior, preferences, thoughts, feelings, and values, the authors demystify so many peculiarities of human nature. A word of caution---after reading this book, you might find yourself obsessed with finding evolutionary explanations for why we do the (often odd) things we do.

I know that some claims are a little bit crazy and there is no strong evidences supporting many of its claims (like Muslim suicides relation with religious and sexual life)

In other words, some parts are very interesting and others are very funny.

But the main point that the book points is strong. The natural selection of human beings basically has stopped at Savannah Age, because the last thousands years was very few time for important evolutionary changes.

There is a very strong cultural and religious pressures against any idea that the mankind, at last, is not so related to political correctness.

It hurts, but not all truth is beautiful or good. Few can support that nowadays world is a goodness and happiness land.

Several modern behaviors is illogical. The everlasting status hunting lead many people to unhappiness. The book stated that the sex is a very important force behind money, power and economics issues. It seems absolutely real but is not easy the people recognize it. In part, they are not so aware.

So I like this book very much, because it makes me think. Stay open-minded but practices skepticism and lightness. Don't take it so serious and have fun.

Evolutionary psychology is my passion, and I have an extensive library of books on this subject. My experience has been that there's a significant difference between British scientists and their American counterparts, particularly when it comes to this topic. Books written by British authors tend to be more scholarly, professional, and treat the reader as an intelligent person, while American books such as this one are sensationalist and slightly dumber, geared toward the American readership.

The American scientist David Buss wrote a more or less authoritative book on the subject called "Evolution of Desire" which is worth checking out. But otherwise, I strongly recommend sticking to the British scientists, if you want intelligent insights and scholarship. They include Matt Ridley, Richard Dawkins, and Robin Baker. Also, for a brief (but outstanding) introduction, check out the British book "Introducing Evolutionary Psychology" by Dylan Evans.

As someone who has been to Paris many times and has many Parisian friends I find this book to be stuffy and out of date. Yes, true, there are still many women in Paris who dress in the "old school" way but the average woman on the streets in no way represents what these women are trying to sell. However, they do give some interesting advice that is classic and can be used and adapted for wherever you live or travel.

This book was published the same year that I lived in Paris. I like it for sentimental reasons, it gives you a picture of the street fashion that year. One of the outfits in the book is identical to the favorite outfit of one of my french friends at the time. However, this book is now outdated and I agree whith J. Whithford that Elegance by Madame Dariaux is a far better book.

I bought this book, and several others in the whole french chic genre.

I agree Frederik Fekkai's book, A Year of Style, and Genevieve a Darieaux's book are supreme.

So is Things a Woman Should Know about Style by Karen Homer.

Leah Feldon's advice on dressing rich and dressing thin is along these lines and really good value if you are trying to create a core or capsule wardrobe along french chic lines. Which translated simply stands for quietly elegant.

Anne Barones 3 Chic and Slim books are terrific, available on her website, so you needn't pay the inflated prices on the web but they are definitely worth every penny. Google her name and the title, and the site should appear.

Finally Entre Nous was a great book discussing a lot of different aspects of french life including the diet, wardrobe, manners etc.

This book in comparison comes up WAY short. The pictures are outdated already, which wouldn't be such a problem if the text had anything of value to say.

The classic perfume list was interesting, as were the bits on what goes into the basics of a wardrobe

but you can figure that out using Karen Homers tiny but terrific little book Things a Woman Should Know about Style (which is a terrific companion to Genevieve a Dariaux's A Guide to Elegance-- it updates Genevieve quite nicely).

all in all I'd say hang onto your money, and buy:

Anne Barone's 3 Chic and Slim books,

Things a Woman Should Know about Style by Karen Homer and

Genevieve a Dariaux's A Guide to Elegance along with

Frederic Fekkai: a Year of Style (out of print now, but worth getting!) and

Does This Make Me Look Fat?: the Definitive Rules for Dressing Thin for Every Height, Size, and Shape by Leah Feldon

Leah has good advice on shopping for quality, and if you want more, she has an out of print one that dates back 20 years that still has good advice in it.

as well as Entre Nous by Debra Olliver.

That little "bookshelf" will net you a thousand times better advice on learning grace, style and chic than this little photo essay book.

I have "French Chic" by Susan Sommers also, and this book book by Veronique & Virginie Morana is more contemporary in my opinion. "The Parisian Woman's Guide To Style" is not written by an American in Paris, like Sommers. It was written in 1999 by two French natives who own a boutique in Paris. Although 6 years old, the pictures still look current in their simplicity. The authors have managed to capture classic French elegance without looking stodgy or outdated. Their basic wardrobe elemants and accessories apply whether your lifestyle is working mom, a college girl seeking to upgrade her image or even a socialite. There are some interesting beauty and style tips. The back of the book lists boutiques to check out when you're visiting France (if they're still there.) There are many great color photos as examples. The drawback is that all the recommended items are expensive and French-made, which isn't realistic for a woman on a budget. However, you can use this a guide to selecting and combining the best wardrobe pieces within your own budget when you visit department stores. You can always find good quality knock-offs.

I was very disappointed in this book. Mostly the mother-daughter team, who own a costume jewelry shop, tells you to buy expensive French brands you already knew about. The book is about half photographs of them wearing classic clothes that don't look particularly French---cream, khaki, navy and other neutrals. Very tasteful, and stylish in a quiet way, but nothing specifically French. Maybe that's the point. Entre Nous by Debra Ollivier was vastly more useful in understanding what makes french woemn seem more stylish. She is an American who lived in Paris for a decade married to a Frenchman.

Always leery of book authors (trying to SELL books) on the topic of frugality...this book is in the bottom of the heap, at least in my opinion.

First way to be frugal is to not buy books like these and spend the time it'd take reading it doing your own research (into topics that are near and dear to you in terms of saving money or topics that you don't know enough about) at the library and/or online.

In short, I felt the time spent reading this book would have been better spent doing internet and library research (on such obvious $-saving topics as mentioned in the book) on my own.

Using the library is my #1 frugality tip! Sorry Amazon, I love you for many other purchasing choices...but rarely for new books.

I ordered this at the same time that I ordered "Miserly Moms" and this was the first one I received. I think MM will be more useful for my purposes. The first two chapters had a couple of recipes and web-sites that I may use, but it focused mainly on bigger ticket items such as vacations, furniture and computer repair that I did not really find useful. If you're looking for tips on how to save money on everyday living, this probably isn't the book for you.

I was very disappointed by this book. In the gift suggestion section many of the gifts suggested giving things that you needed the recipes from one of her other books. It was disappointing not to have access to all of the information referenced in the book. I also think much of the information was fairly common knowledge. I would not recommend this book.

I purchased "Frugal Families" because I am already a stay-at-home mom and already have a large family, thus I skipped "Miserly Mom." Based on McCoy's references to "Miserly Mom" in this book, I bought the wrong book. I expected some tips on saving money everyday and instead got tips for decorating for the holidays, buying a car, purchasing insurance and electrical appliances. Not what I thouht I was getting and practically useless to me.

This book has almost no tips on living frugally. If you are serious about saving money, don't bother with this book and go straight for the Complete Tightwad Gazette. That is a much better use of your money!

I found this vacuous title to be little more than a prolonged paperback version of so many late night infomercials. The book is poorly written, badly organized and contains little learning opportunity for all but the most unsophisticated reader.
Ironically I consider both Jay VanAndel and Rich Devos to be two of the greatest business geniuses of the past 40 years, an attitude supported by Mr. Devos's currently held 65th position on the Forbes list, Mr. VanAndel unfortunately passed away but held a similarly high rank on the list of the most financially successful americans. It is unfortunate that their names are so often associated with this type of snake oil sales brochure.
For the serious reader looking for substantive enlightenment Pro-Sumer Power! is sure to disappoint. For the convict at rec time when Gone With The Wind for the 50th time this year doesn't sound enticing and G-rock, the convicted rapist has the only copy of Maxim, this book might become tolerable...maybe.

This is ground breaking education about what is happening to the current Consumption Model.

Ever notice how just about every website offers "affiliate" or "referral" commissions? Ever notice how more and more of your friends are joining networking marketing companies to earn "referral" commissions from their consumption? How about this one... ever notice how major corporations are trying to get you to refer their product/service to your friends?

Take our local phone giant. They (like most other cell-phone companies) offer free client-to-client calling. They have elegant direct mail marketing letters trying to convince you to get your friends onto a Telus phone plan. And your incentive? Free calling to that friend and possibly other discounts.

My webhosting company says that I get a free month of hosting if I refer someone to them that becomes a customer.

Greyhound offers "companion fares" where the companion receives a half-price ticket (which of course means that both could just split the total price making each person's ticket cheaper too). Yet again, another incentive to "refer" friends/family.

Fact of the matter is, while some choose to remain ignorant, others are seizing new technologies and creating opportunities for themselves. It's undeniable that we are evolving into a Prosumer Model. This book will add great value to your life. If and when it does, please make sure you "pay it forward" and educate others as well.

Quixtar has caught my attention (or perhaps the other way around) in the last few weeks and this new friend asked me to read this book. He had an entire library of books and tapes since he started in this business.

Unfortunately Bill Quain talked too much. He called all other distribution systems evil. He says that when you buy at discount, you "create liabilities" and these shops "create wealth", while when you "shop smarter, not cheaper", you "create assets" on your way to financial freedom -- whatever the product is.

He talked endlessly about this, I snapped out of the spell.

On the plus side, though. The book discusses tricks merchandisers use to increase sales. It also convinced me that saving my time is more valuable than saving a few dollars in discount stores. Indeed, rich people spend their time creating assets, not liabilities. They invest their time. For that lesson I give this book two stars.

I usually do not write these reviews, but felt the need to do so after reading one of the other comments about this being a sales tool used for people marketing the website Quixtar and not of any other value. I think the same person indicated that the concept of Prosumer was just another buzz word to entice you into a MLM. Well, I just want all the readers to know that there will be in early June a seminar by Agency.com (one of Adweek Magazine's Top 10 interactive marketing firms in the country) in Pittsburgh entitled "Moving from the Era of the Consumer to the Prosumer". So if it is not an accurate book with awesome information, why would a successful marketing company like Agency.com be doing a seminar to talk about the same basic concept...being a Prosumer. Great book!

I read this book twice, because I thought I missed something the first time. This book does point out some of the marketing tricks that stores use to get you to impulse buy, but that's about it. There are no specifics! The sub-title on the book reads, "How to Create Wealth by Buying Smarter, Not Cheaper!", but it fails to tell you how to do that. The book goes on and on about WHY you should do that, but it doesn't tell you HOW to do that. I thought that my copy of the book must have been missing some pages when I got to the end the first time. Though the concepts of referring other people to collect a fee may work, I thought the book would spell out how to do that or who to contact. It doesn't! It was like listening to a 5 minute joke with no punchline. It just left you hanging. What a frustrating read! Now that I read the other reviews, I see that this was supposedly just some sort of motivational tool for a Multi-Level-Marketing scheme. If you need to be motivated, it MIGHT be useful, but otherwise-DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME!