Economics Books

I am a student of Prof Neftci in the Applied Math for Finance MS program at Baruch College. He is a great teacher and has written this wonderful book. This is the text book for the Calibration course he teaches at baruch.

The best thing about it is in the practical approach it is written with. It tries to explain the finance as interpreted by practioners like traders...the engineering of finance rather than the science of it. Knowledge of basic parobability thoery, martingales, PDE and some stochastic calculus is assumed. The book itself has less emphasis on mathematical rigour but there are plenty of other references for that.

The strength of this book is in its practical utility in understanding the market and the rational behind the products that exist in it and the priciples of pricing and hedging those.
Chapter 11 on the Fundamental Asset prcing theory is a gem and is the workhorse for pricing many of the products like swaps or swaptions.

Prof. Neftci gave one of our mandatory course - Financial Engineering, in HEC Lausanne. This book is the reference book for this course. His lecture is great, a lot of jokes and funny stories as well as insights about financial engineering. However, I find out that the book is even better than his lecture.

As someone who teaches derivatives to practitioners and in a Masters program, I can't praise this book too highly. It is clear, comprehensive and, most importantly, concentrates on practical applications. I was particularly pleased with the chapter on repo, which is usually underestimated in importance, without requiring a whole, specialist book.

For someone with a fundamental, but non-quantitative background in financial markets (MBA or CFA level), this is the ideal place to go next before more specialised and quantitative books. The advantage of having studied this book first will be to have a clear picture of the forest for the trees.

My only (small) criticism is that the book would have been even better if it had included a chapter (or two) on the multi-tranche asset backed security structure followed by cash and then synthetic CDOs. I do hope that might be rectified in the next edition.

Bravo!

Neftci is one of those rare authors who can begin at the begining, explain his major point and logic without excessive jargon or short-cuts, and do so without sacrificing depth and substance.

In a field were the readable texts are for MBAs or elementary practioneers or for the initiated members of the priesthood, here is one of a few handful of authors (Wilmott and Joshi as well) that are both clear and serious, rigorous and accessible, insightful and a plerasure to read.

A wonderful book with a great didactic approach! Very clear but never mundane. The best introduction to the field so far. It's only drawback is the sometimes slightly unintuitive notation.

This is exactly what I was looking for when I started my own company 5 years ago. From high level strategy to detailed implementation, this book has it all. An invaluable tool for growing my small business. I just wish I had it sooner. It walks through all the stages to grow a profitable customer base. I particularly like the focus on details and the personal stories of success and failure. It made it all the more readable. The templates also showed how to easily take a marketing theory and implement it within my own business. I strongly recommend this for any small business owner looking to grow profitably!

I benefited greatly from the common sense approach to marketing offered in this book. I strongly recommend this book to the novice or someone like me who has been running his own business for over 25 years.

The Scarboroughs have written a clear and concise marketing tool. I have used it successfully to "market my new career".
I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for solid advice that works!

This book was OK. I really wish I could rate it higher than I have. But it just fell short in too many areas. I had high hopes for it because there certainly is a hole in the bookstore offerings for how to write a sound marketing plan for one's small business. If the authors had focused more on the subject at hand (how to write a marketing plan) and written a tighter manuscript, they could have produced a best seller since there isn't any competition. Unfortunately, in my humble opinion, the book does not focus just on how to write a stellar marketing plan. Instead, it also includes some talk of success in life, and some talk related to business plans. This book isn't supposed to be about life coaching or business plans.

This past week I have been posting book reviews for books I read a few years back regarding nonprofit management and nonprofit fundraising. Although nonprofits can, and often do, have a marketing plan as well as a fundraising plan, the two plans are designed and written using similar processes. I mention this here because the instant book I am reviewing reminds me of two of the books I recently reviewed: The Fundraising Planner (ISBN: 0787944351), and Ten Steps to Fundraising Success (ISBN: 0787956740). The quality of the instant book lies somewhere in between these two books, but it is more like the second book. And I had hoped it would have been more like the first book.

In the business coaching that I perform as a SCORE volunteer I regularly advise my clients that a wanta-be entrepreneur needs to write a sound business plan regarding the business they want to start. And when they write the business plan there will be a few "subsidiary plans" that need to be written, too: marketing, publicity (public relations), and networking. Generally speaking, when I refer to a business plan I am referring to the subsidiary plans as well. I don't bother to mention them by name.

When one researches and writes a business plan they usually have to: (1) ID the business they want to start, (2) surf the Internet to find Web sites of companies similar to the business they want to start, (3) surf the Internet to find Web sites of companies they will actually compete with for customers, and (4) study the market and customers within that market they hope to sell to. When one performs steps 2 and 3 and studies those Web sites they should be able to determine what marketing techniques those companies use in order to stay in business and prosper.

So what is involved in writing your marketing plan? First, you basically document a consolidated marketing plan that describes how your competitors market their services and/or products. Said another way, what techniques do they use to market themselves? Second, you strategize to make the plan better so when you use it your business will be more successful than the competition. Third, you determine whether or not you are capable of implementing the plan. Fourth, you modify the plan so you can implement it. And five, you integrate the plan into your overall business plan so it works in conjunction with your publicity plan and networking plan.

What I liked the most in this book was that the authors are firm believers in writing a plan. They spend quite a bit of time trying to convince the reader that it is foolish to try to be successful at marketing without creating a written marketing plan. And I couldn't agree more with the authors. However, the chapters they provide on how to create a written marketing plan don't match up with the way I would advise my clients to go about doing it. If the book had been laid out more like The Fundraising Planner referred to above, then things would be different. 3.5 stars!

What I liked the best about this book is that is breaks down a subject that is so intimidating - developing a marketing plan - and makes it manageable. It sounds simple, but I'm amazed that no-one has taken the time to do that before!

I also felt like I "got" a lot of concepts for the first time - like what marketing actually is - you mean it's not the same as advertising??
This book is well worth the money, not just for the advice but for the clarity and "ah-ha" moments it gave me. Thanks for the help!

Excellent for starting up a business. This book is an invaluable asset to anyone who needs a guidepost to determine elements to consider when trying to bring a product to market. Definitely worth every cent...

This is a great book for anyone who is lost and confused like I was on a subject that was very foreign to me. It truely walks you through step by step!

Product Idea to Product Success gives a step by step approach to what you need to know to bring an idea from just an idea to reality. If you are willing to follow the steps you can become successful in every indeaver that you undertake.

I am glad I purchased the book "Product Idea to Product Success."
It is a must read for anyone considering marketing a product.
I am thankful Matt Yubas decided to share his expertise with the world.
I never imagined how much research is necessary prior to marketing an idea
or product. This book is definitely the roadmap for getting started. I will refer to this book often as I sift through the details of my project.

This is a good book for a would-be inventor, but it doesn't go into the detail or depth that I think is needed.

Michael Aczon is an amazing resource for all musicians and music business individuals. I have had the pleasure of talking with him about the business as well as reading his book. Each time I've had a question, I've checked the book to find my answer. The most useful information for me was the chapter discussing the difference between publishing/mechanicals/royalties. There is always a gray area for me surrounding exactly where the checks come from. This clarification was enough for me to give the book a thumbs up!

"Michael Aczon's 'Legal Companion' is an absolute necessity for anyone with the slightest interest in the music industry. Having had first hand experience in dealing with music industry legal issues, Aczon's guide is confirmation that all musicians (even professionals) should be vigilant concerning the 'business of music'. Ya gotta get this book!"

This book is a practical, user-friendly guide through the maze of legal topics that confront so many working musicians. Michael Aczon makes complicated legal issues seem a lot less intimdating, and much easier to navigate. I wish I'd had this book when I was first starting out, and will definitely make use of it in the future - very highly recommended!

This book is a must have for those in the music industry. It seperates itself from other music law texts with its clear, consise, and thorough examination of the music business. As a manager of a rock band I have relied on The Professional Musician's Legal Companion to help guide me through the music industry... which at times feels like a jungle.
Aczon's engaging writing allows valuable legal details to be easily remembered at times when I need them most.

I think the genius of Michael Aczon's book is that he neither gives nor tries to give us all the answers--he helps us to consider, raise, and articulate for ourselves the essential questions of our particular situations as professionals in a complicated industry. He provides the perfect starting point to enter into informed business relationships. In my experience hearing him speak and teach, this runs consistent with the straight-shooting and compassionate way he walks through the world. He generously empowers others with information, and he encourages them to be responsible and accountable for meaningful decisions that will impact their careers. The Legal Companion seems like his able emissary in the world, doing just that. I have found it entirely helpful, relevant, and useful in my own work.

If you are looking for a book as a one-stop answer guide for all the complex legal questions surrounding a career in music, you might be disappointed. That is not the author's intent, nor his philosophy. (It is debatable whether any single volume can do such a thing.) But if you are looking for a text written clearly that respects your intelligence and your values as an artist and businessperson, the Legal Companion will provide you with a solid foundation for making decisions about the business of your art. I highly recommend this book.

Modern funerals can be quite expensive, so life insurance can be the easiest answer. But how can you make sure that your life insurance will do what you pay it to do? "Questions and Answers on Life Insurance: The Life Insurance Toolbook" is a guide to help those who are concerned about life insurance policies make the right decisions by analyzing the fine print of it all - the different types of policies, evaluating the companies that hold the policy, trusted agencies, underwriting, and how to make sure your policy doesn't change behind your back. "Questions and Answers on Life Insurance: The Life Insurance Toolbook" is highly recommended to community library collections on personal finance and for anyone who is in the market for a life insurance policy.

Questions and Answers on Life Insurance: The Life Insurance Toolbox
Thank you for your interest in this book. Reviews for this book can be found with this earlier edition. Hope these reviews are useful. Tony Steuer, Author.

Tony's honest and unbiased approach to the presentation of the material is the perfect format for actually learning about Life Insurance. There is much knowledge to gain about what is construed as a potentially complex area of financial protection. If you are in the market to purchase Life Insurance, this is the book for you.

It's great tool to validating the complex information on life insurance and easier to understand than most text material.

For the beginning insurance agent, this is a very good book. Insurance products are very complex and sometimes difficult to explain, this book helps and could even be used to help answer prospective clients questions while presenting. I am glad I own this book.

Its a great book to read. Easy to digest and helps me to think deeper in starting my own restaurant.The Restaurant Dream?

This book gives you a foundation if you are truly interested in the restaurant business. A good book to keep as a reference.

This book provides a good overview of the challenges the author faced in opening the restaurant. However, I was looking for something that was more instructional and specific...

I bought this book for a firend who is planning on opening his own restaurant. He told me he loved the book because it had more helpful suggestions and plans then other books he read.

This book does a great job of blending an easy to read writing style with providing essential advice for anyone thinking about or already involved in a restaurant endeavor. From picking the right location and negotiating terms in a lease to branding the restaurant, menu creation and much more - this author clearly has experienced the ups and downs of getting off the ground...the experiences shared in this book will definitely help you think through start-up requirements, avoid common pitfalls and point you in the right direction for your own venture.

This is a valiant effort from Sandip to provide right mixture of content appopriately and right point. The content flow is really amazing and it brings hardware engineer , software engineer , project managers and executives to be able to have differnt orthogonal understanding of the same topic.It provides foundation to further explore the possibilities of RFID which is still in infancy.Great piece of work !!!

I needed to come up to speed on RFID technology and application of the technology quickly. This book had all the information I needed in a very consumable form.

I am just getting up to speed on RFID and found this book to be both authoritative and approachable, clear and complete. Mr. Lahiri lays out the important details and limitations of RFID technology and applications as they exist today and as they will evolve in the future. Helpful appendices provide very useful information on industry players, organizations, web sites, etc.

I highly recommend this book.

Radio frequency identification or RFID is not a new technology. The earliest US patent for a passive (no battery) RFID tag that I know of was issued in 1973. Others trace the beginnings of RFID to the use of radio transponders for aircraft identification in World War II. In recent years, RFID has become a pervasive technology; its use is widespread. The users do not often realize that they are using it. Examples include electronic toll collection, electronic credit cards like the Speedpass, employee access control, pet identification, and automobile immobilizers. These applications total tens of millions of users.

The recent interest in the subject of RFID has resulted from the implementation of passive tags for the tracking of pallets and cases in the retail supply chain. The numbers of tags that may be used here figures in the tens of billions per year. If the RFID industry can make the tags at a low enough cost, the potential for labelling individual items is around one trillion per year. No wonder this industry is experiencing explosive growth and the interest to go with it.

In this book, the author gives us a comprehensive introduction to the world of RFID. The presentation is quite clear, readable, and without technical jargon. It does not require a technical background. Details are kept at a high level. The author is careful to present the benefits and drawbacks to every technology discussed. Individual chapters include: Technology Overview, Advantages of the Technology, Limitations of the Technology, Privacy Concerns, RFID vs. Bar Code, Strategy, Business Justification, RFID Solutions, and Standards.

The book is named appropriately. This is a sourcebook. There are lists of standards, vendors, conferences, organizations and their web sites. This is the best book on RFID that I have read.

Introduction

I was interested in reading this book because I intend on deploying a large-scale RFID solution in the future and wanted to enhance my knowledge on the technology. I figured this would be a good start since the author is an IBM RFID Solution Architect, and perhaps something he would state could disqualify my intentions.

"Learning more about the technology" is a very broad statement, and in my case covered just about everything from Frequencies and Business Applications to Public Scrutiny of the technology. Sandip does an excellent job of staying concise, unbiased and objective throughout this publication. Additionally, he provides insight as to why certain "sides" of public RFID critics/advocates may view things the way they do. The book mentions "getting beyond the hype" on the back cover, and Sandip does exactly that.

Sandip wrote:
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology uses radio waves to automatically identify physical objects (either living beings or inanimate items). Therefore, the range of objects identifiable using RFID includes virtually everything on this planet (and beyond). Thus, RFID is an example of automatic identification (Auto-ID) technology by which a physical object can be identified automatically. Other examples of Auto-ID include bar code, biometric (for example, using fingerprint and retina scan), voice identification, and optical character recognition (OCR) systems.


I come from an environment where my RFID hypothesis is already laid out; I just need additional information on the technology to ensure my deployment is a success. Not only does he give consideration to the variations of RFID technology, he discusses the necessity of businesses using RFID versus other technologies available today and the processes of evaluation, experimentation, deployment, and post-deployment.

Contents

The book starts out with a quick preface that gives a general blurt about RFID and narrows down who could find themselves reading the book.

Sandip wrote:

* Corporate decision makers who have received an RFID mandate from a customer or who want to adopt RFID for their enterprise
* IT managers who want to initiate a first RFID program
* Architects or developers who want to get practical tips and guidelines on implementing an RFID system and avoid the potential pitfalls
* Teachers who want to teach a course about RFID
* Students who want to know more about the technology to prepare for the RFID job market
* Consumers who want to be aware of how the technology is being used and its capabilities and limitations
* Anyone who is interested to know about the technology and its aspects


Although I can see "consumers" and "anyone interested" quickly becoming lost in his intelligent vocabulary, technical specifications and continuous references to variables and infrastructure.

Recommended experience in a technical environment before jumping into this book...and NOT intended for your "everyday Wal-Mart shopper".

Table of Contents wrote:

Preface
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1 - Technology Overview
Chapter 2 - Advantages of the Technology
Chapter 3 - Limitations of the Technology
Chapter 4 - Application Areas
Chapter 5 - Privacy Concerns
Chapter 6 - RFID Versus Bar Code
Chapter 7 - The RFID strategy
Chapter 8 - Creating Business Justification for RFID
Chapter 9 - Designing and Implementing an RFID Solution
Chapter 10 - Standards
Chapter 11 - Closing Thoughts
Appendix A - RFID Vendors, News Sources, and Conferences
Appendix B - Passive Tag Manufacturing Overview
Glossary
Index


Style and Detail

Each chapter starts with introduction to the topic, then dives into specifics relevant to the topic. His organization throughout the book is very structured and is incredibly easy to follow. If you miss something or don't understand it, you will probably find that in the next paragraph he will discuss it once again except in further detail.

Beware of chapter 1, it is quite lengthy and very technical although necessary for those reading later on to fully understand the concepts he discusses.

Throughout the book, there are plenty of illustrations and pictures of products pertinent to the context. Most illustrations were very "bird's eye view" on topics, but realize he is coming from the position of a high level executive considering a RFID implementation, who instructs all those in charge of the various departments to comply, then supervises and evaluates accordingly.

Because of the "high level executive" standpoint, Sandip doesn't dip into mega-specifics of RFID tags and readers. You are not going to learn how to interact with a RFID tag or reader by reading this book...you're going to learn how to determine implementation considerations (such as environmental factors, etc), the overall purpose, how to evaluate that purpose, select a vendor, comply with standards, implement the solution, and evaluate accordingly. Overall, pretty much covers the 7 P's concept...to cross your t's and dot your i's before spending too much money.

Conclusion

From a business perspective, this book is a must read. If you are considering a RFID solution, reading this book will give you some good pointers and ways of evaluating effectiveness and efficiency. Perhaps you don't even need RFID (that's covered too).

I thought reading this book was going to help me write data to RFID tags in my RFID Solution...instead it gave me new insight as to the scope and path of my Solution. There is no "one stop" book, but this one should be your "first stop". He gives direction as to where to head if you're looking for more specific or technical information, so you're not left in the dark at the end.

His Closing Thoughts (Chapter 11) was probably the most valuable chapter in the book. Here he cuts through all the hype and anti-RFID/pro-RFID sentiment and addresses issues from both sides. Yes RFID is young, and yes its use needs to be responsible. Its capability is directly proportional to the complexity of the infrastructure. If your infrastructure is secure, the implementation will be secure. What good is "10110011101100111011001110110011" going to do anyone if they don't have access to your infrastructure? Crossing the t's and dotting the i's...

Jon Kleinhans
(...)

This book would have been really helpful early on in my career, but it's never too late to change mindsets about growing our businesses. Pomerantz has captured a unique style of conveying this extremely helpful business building advice - through teleclass format and conversation. I felt like I was in the room too, with questions waiting to be answered. What a great study. I highly recommend this as the text book for building business from the ground up. In other words, do it right the first time.
Lee Smith
Seattle, Washington
Co-Author of Legacy Leadership: The Leader's Guide to Lasting Greatness

This book has translated into a complete mindset shift for me!
As soon as I had finished it, I wondered who to call. I picked up the phone to call a lead I thought I had lost 6 months ago. Thirty minutes later I had a deal!!! I would never have thought of calling that person again prior to reading Suzi's book.

What worked very well for me?
It is specific to consultants and coaches (I am a coach).
I can very easily see myself in situation and therefore the format of a teleclass transcript worked very well for me. To give you an example, one morning when reading in the metro I caught myself answering to Jeremy (one of the participants of the teleclass in the book) that Suzi had given him the answer to his question two pages before....
The advices she is giving are very practical and hands on.
France could certainly use a french translation.
Thank you so much Suzi, you made a difference to my business.

This book is written specifically by a coach for life/business coaches and mental health therapists. It is so well written with details and techniques to support the actual sale when seeking new clients. As a coach, I see that Ms Pomerantz knows exactly what I need to have the courage and fortitude to make the calls I need to make to have the meetings I need to have in order to secure the clients I need for my business. I also appreciate the sample scripts and the worksheets provided to support me in designing my own scripts and process for 'sealing the deals'!!

Entrepreneurs looking for a way to differentiate themselves in an overcrowded marketplace have a new handbook, and it's needed by the many service professionals who soon realize that substantial industry expertise and impressive talent are simply not enough.

In Seal the Deal, Suzi Pomerantz takes talented entrepreneurs behind the business-building curtain and gives them a formula for six-figure success. By teaching the reader how to use marketing, sales and networking in strategic concert, and how to weave individual success strategies into a comprehensive, proven success formula, Seal the Deal empowers entrepreneurs with a logical and manageable system for substantial growth.

Jennifer Kalita The Home Office Parent: Raising Kids and Profits Under One Roof

Susi Pomerantz's Seal the DealSeal the Deal: The Essential Mindsets for Growing Your Professional Services Business is an excellent resource for any small businesss coach, consultant or trainer who needs to go out and win work from clients.

It's a combination of practical wisdom - a boatload of templates and processes for you to follow and/or adapt - combined with insight from transcripts of group coaching calls Pomerantz lead around this topic. You get a sense of real people expressing real issues - and then getting the practical, useful tools and resources you need to make progress.

In a world in which "parable" has been reduced to trite and trivial, Blumberg has achieved the remarkable-- a powerful story that teaches a great lesson on what happens when work overwhelms life. Blumberg is a talented writer who also keeps the pace moving and characters believable. I have recommended this book to many! It also mirrors my belief in the power of choice as seen in two of my books: Work for a Living & Still Be Free to Live and Gifts from the Mountain:Simple Truths for Life's COmplexitites.

Bottom line: read it!

This book is a quick read with very simple message. While we are all busy working hard at our jobs, or trying to find one -- often we forget to reflect on our lives and people around us. In our search of money, comfort and race for a success, we forget about our families, genuine friends and life issues that are truly important. The book will be a gentle reminder to all readers to stop, reflect and re-assess life priorities. We will be reminded that we all have to realize that life is about serving others around us, just stopping for a minute and enjoying the simple moments in life, dedicating our energy to people and causes that make our life more rich and fulfilling. In another word, money and success is not everything. There are higher responsibilities in life and we have to take charge of making sure they happen, because no one else will.

I can only put this book down long enough to write this review. I left corporate 2 years ago to follow my purpose. It's the best thing I've ever done. I know that the overall outcome of the work I do is benefiting the planet. However, even I still forget to look around and take in what's important. I picked this book up in the airport... I had 3 other books in my bag, I didn't need another one. But this one leapt out at me and I'm sure a little angel had something to do with it.

I on the other hand, couldn't put this down and had to finish it in one reading. I'm glad I took time out of my busy life to do that! A great reminder that life is way too short, and a super script on creating the tools to get to the heart of your life. You'll know how to go about finding your passion, which can be easier said than done in our information overloaded world. A must read for the smarter, harder, fast trackers.

While an easy read, it is not a book to be read in one night. This thought provoking and life altering experience through the eyes of a high strung, bottom line driven personality will resonate with all individuals seeking a better way.

Choose which is most important to you. If is is God and your faith first, family second, job third, you may well be on your way to a truly successful lifestyle. Consider the alternative of an empty, greedy, bottom line way of life. How many true friends do you find there? How many "friends" will be there in your greatest time of need?

These and many other moral and ethical questions can be answered if you take the time to search yourself. Read slowly and deliberately.

You may just find the person you lost so many years ago.

I am a Stay at Home Mom and found many of the tips helpful. It is a little slow and boring at times to just sit and read but it does have many helpful tips and I would still recommend it.

Do you sense that life is going by and you're not really living it true to yourself or your personal convictions? If so, you may be suffering from spiritual bankruptcy...While we can't ever free ourselves fully from all of life's demands, we can discover a sense of balance in our lives. Or we can identify ways to shift between the two extremes - finding a time and a place in our lives for contemplation, and then alternating that with other times of busyness and distraction." ~Deborah Taylor-Hough

In order to simplify her life, Deborah Taylor-Hough had to rethink her entire lifestyle. With five children and medical bills that loomed over her, she made some tough decisions that required her to put away her pride and look more realistically at how she intended to survive. Her courage is inspirational and the decisions she made showed that her priorities were her family and her commitment to her belief system.

If you are dealing with a lack of meaning even with great wealth or societal emptiness despite an elegant lifestyle, this book takes a look at survival on the edge of bankruptcy and a search for contentment in a less than materialistic lifestyle.

If you long for a life of contentment, it may be a life of simplified choices and a life where family becomes more important than keeping up with every other family on the block.

While this isn't as far as building your own house or "Walden Pond," it is a realistic view of life and how to avoid falling into debt by taking practical and necessary actions like avoiding the temptations at malls or not watching certain channels on TV.

Deborah Taylor-Hough is a beautiful soul who has written a very practical guide for women who want to find a new balance in their lives. She also gives advice about tripling many recipes and freezing meals for the future (see her cookbooks), like before you give birth to a baby or know you are going to go through a time of stress. There are also recipes for making your own instant coffee mixes and homemade dry onion soup mix. Now I know why one house had closets that were scented with cloves - it keeps away moths.

If you have children you may enjoy the recipes for craft dough, soap crayons and homemade paper crafts. If you want to refresh your laundry or even make your own laundry soap, this author has the recipes. I have used her recipe for Spa Milk Bath, but I also use essential oils. I found that sea salt is relatively inexpensive at a health food store and even the addition of oatmeal in a cheesecloth bag and buttermilk can make a completely wonderful spa experience.

This book encourages you to be happier with less possessions and more quality family time. When you remember your childhood, what are the happy things you remember? I remember running around barefoot, swimming in African rivers and eating lemon meringue pie. I didn't care about the size of our house or the clothes I wore. I remembered the freedom to enjoy life and how my mother taught me to make strawberry jam.

Other great ideas:

Family cookbooks
Debt proofing your holidays
Winter picnics

I loved this idea because it reinforces the ideas that happiness has nothing to do with how much money you earn and it has everything to do with being creative and maximizing the talents you have and rearranging your priorities.

~The Rebecca Review

Readers gain various tips and insights into saving time and money with this book. Various tasks become more simple and less expensive. This book speaks more on how to save money than on how to free yourself from the greed and dependency that it provokes.

I really liked the book, written straight fromn the heart. Though it's relatively not so thick but 'it got a little bit of everything'. The appendix cited a number of recommended resources that are also valuable to know. It made me wish I could be like those people who have attained such comfort through 'simple living'.

This a a great book with ideas and time savings for me. The title so describes the book, good choice! I love it!