So many books on how to manage your finances are so technical and, well, just boring! Not Living the Savvy Life: The Savvy Woman's Guide to Smart Spending and Rich Living by Melissa Tosetti and Kevin Gibbons! Melissa actually puts money management into words women can relate to...like "wardrobe", "beauty", "food", "entertainment" and "home". I mean come on, what woman doesn't want to manage her money better so she feels free to invest in a beautiful, functional wardrobe or a well-designed home. Ok, so maybe you're not into fashion (though I think anyone reading this blog is). Some women aren't. But that is what is so great about this book. It teaches you how to save on areas that aren't as important to you so that you have more money to spend where it matters. Maybe you are perfectly happy with a minimal wardrobe and pared down interior but are a food loving world explorer who wants to try every cuisine in the country or region it is indigenous to (really cool idea actually). You can do it! All it takes is saying no to what's not important so you can say yes to what is. Living the Savvy Life will help you put it all into perspective and show you how to discover your personal passions and financial priorities...there is an entire chapter entitled "What is Important to You" that includes a questionnaire for each basic area of your life. By taking some time and answering this questionnaire in full, honest detail you can determine exactly what is most important to you (not to your friends, not to society) at this time in your life. Once you know what is important to you, you can better decide how to spend your money.
The authors of LTSL know that the first step to being savvy is being organized. You will be aided in organizing your closet and pantry and will be given practical tips on setting up systems so you know what you have at all times. How to set up a bill paying system, checking account management system and manage credit card debt are all covered and of course, it wouldn't be a book on savvyness if it didn't include that little well-known concept of "pay yourself first" (retirement funds and savings accounts ladies!). And if you just really do want more information on how to grow your hedge fund, well, that's not actually covered by the authors but they tell you where to find sources that do cover such in-depth subjects in the "Favorite Resources" section! --Bobbie Michelle Harman, of Euro Chic http://eurochic.wordpress.com/2010/12/09/living-the-savvy-life/
The average personal savings rate in the U.S. over the last 10 years was 1.7%. The average American family has an estimated $8,600 worth of unpaid credit card debt. They need guidelines for making the difficult financial decisions that impact their overall lives. Living the Savvy Life provides those guidelines. Living the Savvy Life advocates spending on the things that are important to you and saving on the things that are not as important, rather than simply cutting back everywhere.
Living the Savvy Life recognizes that personal financial management involves balancing all the different aspects of your life and provides concrete, easy-to-implement advice for how to improve your overall financial health.
Living the Savvy Life provides habits and routines that are easy to start, easy to maintain and make managing your finances effortless.
Living the Savvy Life helps you design your own savvy life based on the philosophy of saving on the things that are not as important to you so you can afford to spend on the things that are important to you.
From the Back Cover
It's Not About Being Cheap! Living the Savvy Life isn't about being a cheapskate, a miser or a tightwad.
It's about...
Having security and peace of mind by spending less than you make.
Knowing where you stand financially on a daily basis so you can make intelligent fiscal decisions.
Being penny-wise on the things that are less important to you so you can spend money on the things that are more important to you.
Choosing to purchase only the things that you love and make you happy.
Cooking at home more often so you can occasionally splurge on dinner at your favorite restaurant.
Creating an environment in your home that is warm, comforting and expressive of who you are.
Having a wardrobe made entirely of clothes that fit and look good on you.
Enjoying your time off even more because you planned for it and know you can "afford it."
Although Living the Savvy Life is filled with ways to save money, it isn't about frugal living. It's about finding, attaining and maintaining balance.
Are you ready to start Living the Savvy Life?
About the Author
Melissa Tosetti is the founder of the online magazine, The Savvy Life. She is an author, speaker, and teacher. Melissa’s passion is to show Americans how step off the pendulum that swings from overspending to extreme frugality. She believes balance is the key to enjoying life with financial security. Melissa co-wrote a chapter on savvy living for the book, Your Military Family Network. She has appeared on numerous episodes of Pocket the Difference on the Fine Living Network, The Real Deal with Jeanette Pavini, and on Eye on the Bay. She is repeatedly quoted in nationwide publications including U.S. News & World Report, TodayShow.com, Chicago Tribune, and Detroit News. She has chaired panels on savvy living at the Professional Businesswomen of California conferences in San Francisco and Sacramento. She also teaches courses on savvy living at Chabot College in Hayward, CA and around the San Francisco Bay Area. Melissa is a second degree black belt in Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu and moonlights at Fearless Fitness in Foster City, CA. She teaches Kung Fu and fitness classes. In addition to teaching at Fearless, she is also a coach for FFIT@home (www.FFIT.tv), which allows you to download Fearless Fitness’ Intensity Training classes to do in the privacy of your own home as well as offering nutrition advice and support. Whether talking about money or calories and fitness, Melissa’s message is still the same - balance. Melissa loves adventuring with her husband Paul and son Dante, whether it is in their own backyard or while traveling across the world. In her downtime, Melissa can be found cooking, gardening, horseback riding, reading, or watching the Food Network and the History Channel.
Kevin Gibbons is the Managing Editor of The Savvy Life. Kevin brings his 20 years’ experience as an engineer and program manager in the high-tech arena to help keep The Savvy Life running smoothly. In addition to maintaining production schedules and working with Melissa to determine content and editing, Kevin also contributes articles on managing finances and cooking. Kevin also co-wrote a chapter on savvy living for the book, Your Military Family Network. A scientist by training, Kevin lives the savvy life as it allows him to afford his assorted hobbies which range from photography to motorcycle riding to miniatures, modeling to gourmet cooking to compulsively reading everything he can find. Kevin and his wife live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Their house is full of 19th century and Art Deco antiques they found at belowmarket prices and bought by saving and purchasing on layaway.
