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Lauren Greutman
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The Recovering Spender: How to Live a Happy, Fulfilled, Debt-Free Life Kindle Edition

by Lauren Greutman (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 292 ratings
See all formats and editions
After learning how to curb her spending habits, Lauren Greutman shares her hard-earned knowledge on how to get out of debt and live without the financial pressures that many people face today.

Millions of Americans today are near financial disaster-spending more money than they are bringing in, and losing control of their money. Lauren Greutman knows how that feels. For years, she struggled with too many bills to pay and not enough money to pay them. When Lauren found herself drowning in debt, she finally faced her extreme spending habits and took action.

In The Recovering Splender, Lauren shares her story and offers advice that is based on the many strategies she developed to change her own life and bring her family budget back to black. Lauren shows her readers, step-by-step, how to get rid of bad money habits, pay down debt, and stay within a budget.

Some of the action chapters in the book are:

  • Take an Inventory of Your Spending
  • Declutter Your Finances
  • Do an Expense Audit
  • Curb Your Spending and Define Your Values
Lauren exchanged the overrated, stressed-out American dream for a new one-a happier life filled with family, friends, and financial freedom-and now you can do the same!
Previous page
  1. Print length
    234 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Center Street
  5. Publication date
    September 13, 2016
  6. File size
    4309 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Since early 2010, Lauren Greutman has been a go-to resource for busy moms who are sick of keeping up with the Joneses and ready to learn a better way spend with their heart, stay true to their values, and live the lifestyle they want.
Here's why Lauren is the right person to help you achieve the financial freedom you deserve. Not so long ago, her husband, Mark, and her were living the American Dream. On the surface we had it all. Custom home, luxury cars, beautiful babies, and all the bells and whistles that credit cards, bank loans, and money could buy. Underneath, though, was a different story.  I talk all about this in my book The Recovering Spender.
They were so consumed with keeping up appearances that before they knew it they had a mortgage underwater, a car towed away, were $40K in debt, running a deficit every month and finding it hard to buy diapers and groceries without using credit cards. 
In the end, it was the connection between money and heart that really brought it all together for them. They had only ever learned about budgets and numbers and coupons in a very dry, clinical (boring) way. But when Mark and Lauren made the heart connection by bringing values and vision into the mix, that's when the breakthrough happened. They committed to focusing on living a happier, simpler life and getting back to the things that matter most
A few years later and now Lauren has graduated from teaching local couponing seminars to making regular appearances on our local ABC morning TV show as well as guest spots on The TODAY SHOW, The TD Jakes Show, ABC's Nightline, Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, WNBC New York City and the Marlo Thomas Show.  She continues to teach others how to live a debt free life on her blog LaurenGreutman.com

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01B1W0KAA
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Center Street (September 13, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 13, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4309 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 234 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1455595802
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 292 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Lauren Greutman

Lauren Greutman

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Lauren Greutman is the frugal living expert behind the popular money saving blogs laurengreutman.com (formerly iamthatlady.com). At the age of 25, she and her husband Mark were in over $40,000 worth of debt and were running a deficit of $1,000 per month. They knew they needed to change so they put together a budget. Two years later they were debt free.

Since 2010 Lauren has been teaching busy moms how to budget, get out of debt, and live a life with financial independence. She has a passion for helping others learn how to achieve financial freedom.

Lauren has been featured on Nightline, TODAY Show, Dr. Oz, Fox & Friends, Good Morning America, Nightline, Yahoo Finance, and many more National News Outlets.

Lauren married her husband Mark in 2002, and they have four young children. She resides in Upstate NY where she does public speaking and writes her blog with Mark; all while chasing after her children and drinking enormous amounts of coffee.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
292 global ratings
Great book for hope and inspiration for those in debt.
5 Stars
Great book for hope and inspiration for those in debt.
Lauren is one of the top personal finance, lifestyle and frugal living bloggers today, and her new book, The Recovering Spender, is a great read.In her book she tells the story of her family's turnaround, from $40,000+ in debt, an underwater mortgage and a $1,000 monthly deficit, to the place where they are today - making a good income from owning their own small business.Her story is a compelling one, so much so that she has become a regular guest on shows like the Today Show, Good Morning America, Fox and Friends, Dr. Oz and more.Some of the things covered in the book include:- frank discussion of why we overspend- emotional triggers for spending- spending as a indicator of deeper issues- differences between spenders/savers- setting up a budget- Working together with your spouse to affect change.The second half of the book looks in depth at what Greutman calls the "The Twelve Recovering Spender Steps", a twelve step program of sorts for those who spend too much.There is also an index with some helpful worksheets for tracking spending, setting up a debt reduction program and more.The book is a good read, giving plentiful hope and inspiration for those who are trying to break out of the chains of debt. Recommended read.
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Top reviews from the United States

A
5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING BOOK! Use CASH! Stop the credit card swiping
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2016
Verified Purchase
I LOVED this book and Lauren is very candid in speaking about her life and how she is NOT perfect and needed help with budgeting by not using credit cards! She's a real person with a story everyone can relate to in some way. However, it's not only credit cards that can get you in debt. This book is for anyone in debt. It's so easy to swipe a credit card and think you are making enough to afford it. Often more than not you compensate for yourself and think you deserve it because you work so hard. This book talks to anyone in any kind of debt. I'm in over 100k credit card / student loan debt / vehicle debt myself from moving so many times and who knows what else because I kept juggling money around getting 0% interest without lowering my standards and paying off the debts. I wanted the TV, clothes, and to spend money on what I wanted. I thought both me and my husband have good jobs. We can afford it! Yet..... we are broke. I have made so many changes since following Lauren when it was Iamthatlady and now laurengruetman.com. I bought a cable modem so I stopped renting it from my service provider. I cancelled cable and use Netflix. I use wool dryer balls instead of wasting money on dryer sheets. I meal plan and spend way less than I used to. I've always liked a good deal, but now I only buy that good deal if I need it. The meals from the meal plan are very good too! This book will help you realize you need help and there is hope to get it together and pay off debt. I didn't even realize how much debt I was really in. I just knew what I owed to each creditor monthly. My debt didn't happen overnight. I got into this mess over time, but I will get out!!!! The idea of taking out cash and using that alone will help me for sure. It's just too easy to swipe a card for something you want. Eventually you have to pay it. This book will motivate you to start a budget and not feel like your alone. You may fail, but get up and do it again. Make realistic budgets and leave some wiggle room. Stay within the fence. If you are determined to cut costs; you'll find a way. You will give up something you love, but be empowered to get out of the awful debt hole that people are falling into because everything costs money and everyone is so willing to hand out the money. Then it's time to pay. This cycle is vicious and adding to the debt doesn't seem so bad when it will only make your payment $10 more a month. You need to stop the cycle. The budgeting forms on Laurengreutman.com and in the book are helpful to get a sense of where you financially stand. I use the monthly budget sheet and it's helpful! Get this book. You won't regret it.
2 people found this helpful
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hickchick67
5.0 out of 5 stars THIS IS REAL LIFE! Finally, a relatable, practical and proven way to change your habits and get yourself out of debt!
Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2016
Verified Purchase
I have to admit, I purchased this with a bit of skepticism. I have read many a budgeting/saving/financial peace book trying to find something that would work for my family. Most are very fact filled, form filled, and rather boring. Its like going to school again and would put me into a "I am likely to fall asleep at my desk as the professor drones on" mood. NOT WITH THIS BOOK!!
I began to flip through pages when I received it. First thing I noticed was that the writing style was casual and easy to read. It was not stiff, clinical, and boring. I had a few minutes to spare, so I sat down to read the first few pages..... suddenly, an hour had passed. It reads THAT easy!
Lauren tells her story from the beginning, telling not just the happy stuff, but the nitty gritty details, emotions, and events that led her to where she is now. There is nothing glamorized in her descriptions. She tells it like it is.
Her story is laid out and reads like she was sitting there with you, telling her story in person. A real person. Speaking directly to you. You see her life unfold with nothing held back or glossed over. I had several "I thought I was the only one" moments as I perused the pages. It is the kind of wake-up call I needed.
What is even better is the straightforward way she presents her method of getting out of debt. Its a no b.s. plan. Its not glossy and flashy. It really makes you look in the mirror and evaluate yourself and your choices. Its real and its not easy and its not pleasant, but it works. It was also something I can share with my finance-a-phobic husband so we can work together.
Her story is empowering. Learning from her is as easy as two friends talking over coffee. There is no feeling like you are being talked down to or patronized because you got yourself in a bind. I finally feel like I found the plan that works for my family and helps me get a handle on our finances.
I cannot say how much I appreciate Lauren & Mark for opening up their lives in order for the rest of us to turn our lives around as well.
This book is a game changer - a life changer!
41 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Robin Windsor Robin
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful! Thank you Lauren!
Reviewed in Canada on November 11, 2016
Verified Purchase
I would recommend this book to the many people I know that love to spend money.
I'm definitely going to give her budgeting recommendations a good shot.
I am greatly impressed. Nothing wrong with this book at all.
2 people found this helpful
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briebk
4.0 out of 5 stars Good insight on over spending or buying
Reviewed in Australia on January 14, 2021
Verified Purchase
I really found this book useful. Theres a lot on relationships and money issues but there were also good insights on why we impulse shop and overspend. I paid $4 AUS for it ehich i thought was a good price. And yes the author does plug her blog and course a lot!
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Sherrie
5.0 out of 5 stars I am very happy I purchased this book
Reviewed in Canada on October 9, 2016
Verified Purchase
I am very happy I purchased this book! Once I started it I could not put it down. It's refreshing to know we all have a story. Thank you Lauren:)
3 people found this helpful
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Deb
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast read!
Reviewed in Canada on October 8, 2018
Verified Purchase
Great tips for being frugal and moving on from financial debt.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
1.0 out of 5 stars Not good
Reviewed in Canada on September 23, 2018
Verified Purchase
I was looking forward to this book, but the first chapter started off with the author talking about how she worked for a pyramid scheme (yet she didn't seem to realize it was a pyramid scheme..), as the chapters went on I also noticed the author never had a job (that's probably a good first step to getting out of debt I would say), and then the last few chapters were basically a pitch and testimonials to get you to buy some sort of course she sells. Also seems contradictory if you're trying not to spend money. Disappointing book.
2 people found this helpful
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