Book Review: Secrets of a Stingy Scoundrel
Phil Villareal, the author of this book, sent me a free copy of his book, Secrets of a Stingy Scoundrel
months ago (um, like in September, I think??), and it has unfortunately taken me until now to get around to reviewing it.
I must give Phil props for his persistence in emailing me about this...his faithful "Will you review my book?" emails remind me of the story of the importunate widow in the Bible who finally got her way by asking repeatedly! 😉
So, Phil, here you go! I'm finally reviewing your book, and you'll be pleased to know that you don't have to email me anymore.
Secrets of a Stingy Scoundrel is not a typical personal finance book, and it's not meant to be. It's comprised of 100 really short chapters which share savings methods that are mostly not-so-scrupulous (like taking extra napkins and condiments from restaurants, keeping a McDonalds cup and taking it back for free refills, finding fault with and complaining about a restaurant meal in order to get a free meal, and so on). Some of the tips are worthwhile, and totally honest, though, like his advice to hang out your laundry, and avoid texting.
Part of the reason it's taken me so long to get around to doing this review is that I really just wasn't sure what to say about this book. The combination of honest and dishonest money-saving methods make it sort of confusing to know if this book is meant to be taken seriously or not. If every tip was unscrupulous, it would make it easier to write the book off as a joke, but as things stand, I'm really not quite sure how to take it.
It's quite possible that I just lack a sense of humor (though I did think it was funny that he chose to write a "threeword" because he is too stingy for a foreword), and am completely missing the point of the book. My view is almost certainly colored by the fact that I do try to be unfailingly honest in my approach to saving money, though. For example, I don't use expired coupons, even when I could get away with it, I let stores know when they undercharge me, I don't use coupons for alternate products (say, using a Raisin Bran Extra coupon on regular Raisin Bran when it specifies the Raisin Bran Extra), and I report my self-employment income on my taxes. All these sort of things do decrease the amount of money I could "save" but to me, no money saving trick is worth compromising my honesty and integrity. Given that, the unscrupulous "saving" methods described in this book don't really tickle my funny bone. (I have more thoughts on the subject of honestly and frugality, but I think I'll probably save them for a separate blog post.)
I also couldn't disagree more with Phil's take on charitable giving (in short, he says that only large corporate donations actually make a difference for a charity, that individual giving is basically a waste and that charities waste donations.). While it is indeed true that some charities waste money hand over fist (don't give to those ones!), there are definitely other charities who manage their money well. Living Water, one of my favorite charities, received 34% of its 2009 revenue from individuals and only 14% from corporations, and spent 81% of its revenue on programs, 12% on developtment, and 7% on administration (this year's report is not online yet, but you can see previous year reports).
I would be remiss if I didn't mention that this book uses some off-color language, and also covers some topics that may be offensive to people who hold values similar to my own (for example, he describes how to get a free porno movie at a hotel by ordering it, watching it, and then claiming that it didn't work).
So, overall I wasn't enormously entertained or enlightened by this book, which probably means that I'm not really the target audience. I do appreciate the opportunity Phil gave me to read it for free, though. I think he'd be pleased to know that I'm thinking of selling my copy on half.com in order to squeeze a little money out of it! And he'd also probably be proud if I recommended that you buy a used copy on half.com, or try to get it from your local library if you're interested in reading it.
PS: Any of you that wondered if receiving freebies made me feel obligated to write glowing reviews have probably had your fears allayed now! 😉
PPS: Full Disclosure: The link to Phil's book is an Amazon affiliate link, which means that I get a small percentage of the purchase price if you buy the book after clicking on the link. I recommend buying the book from half.com or getting it from the library, though!
Yay! I absolutely LOVE your integrity & honest review of this book, Kristen! Well written & well done! =)
Great review! Thanks so much for reminding everyone that frugality and integrity can (and should) go hand-in-hand.
I commend you for your honesty, in all ways. 🙂
Thanks for your honesty here, Kristen. I agree with all you said here. I find that honesty and integrity are way more important than getting something for free.
It doesn't sound like my kind of book either. (BTW, have you ever calculated how much time it takes to squeeze an appreciable amount of ketchup from those little packets?) But I do have a couple of comments.
1) Most importantly, individual contributions are CRITICALLY IMPORTANT to public charities. If they don't raise at least a third of their contributions from individual donors - ie, not from private foundations or large grants - they are no longer entitled to 501(c)3 status. (Caveat: the exact percentage may have changed since the last time I examined the issue.)
2) Most stores are fine with accepting coupons for allied products. Almost all stores verify by computer now, if the computer rejects it then you know the store doesn't have that policy.
3) Whenever I'm tempted to lie or cheat to save a bit of money I ask myself "Is it worth mortgaging my honor or my soul to get [insert amount here]?" Even for my agnostic self this is enough to remove the temptation.
Yeah, squeezing ketchup from little packets isn't really worth my time! lol I always figure that if you really want to save money, you should just skip eating that fast food meal in the first place.
Regarding the coupon thing...oftentimes, a higher value coupon is put out specifically for a new product that the company wants you to try (it's usually more expensive or comes in a smaller package, I find), and given that, I feel it's not right to use it on the old, plain product. If a coupon says, for instance "$1 off any Kellogg's Cereal" I'll use it on whatever I want. But if it says "$1 off any Kellogg's Little Bites Shredded Wheat Cereal" then I don't feel right using it on regular shredded wheat.
Before I had kids, my husband and I did a lot of mystery shopping. One of the places we went to was McDonalds. We were required to do both drive thru and dine in. We had a huge list of things to pay attention to and record later. One of those things was how many napkins and packets of ketchup we were given in drive thru. McD had a specific rule/guideline of how many to give, depending on how many items were in the order. We almost always were given way more than we needed. It didn't take long for me to fill a small McD bag with extra ketchup packets at home. I did refill my ketchup bottle! 😉 ....this is all to say that although I try not to purposefully take extra condiments and napkins, too much is often given, and when it is, I just use it at home (or in the car, usually in the case of extra napkins). Also, with kids, when we dine in at a fast food place, I take the amount of napkins I think we'll need, and sometimes don't use them all. I'm not comfortable with putting them back, so I take them home.
I work at a restaurant and understand you sometimes grab more then enough napkins esp w kids. We'd rather you take them home ...by health code we have to toss them. At least you can use them and they aren't wasted.
I respect you even more (if that's possible) for being honest and sticking to your values. Well written.
How funny! I'm glad you decided to be honest about the Stingy Scoundrel and after reading your review, it's true, I don't know if it's meant to be taken literally or as humor. . . but I think that's part of the fun with being frugal. I'm frugal in ways that would shock some other folks, but I balk at being frugal by cheating . . .or by say buying cheap products that were made at an unfair cost to someone else.
Well said! Those who cheat, especially with coupons, can end up messing up a money saving opportunity for those who are honest too. There are many cases of people issues fradulant coupons for free products, and when stores find out about it, they become suspicious of all coupons - even the valid ones!
Thank you for your honest review. I wouldn't mind seeing you review some more books in the future - am I correct that this is the first time you have reviewed a book? I feel we would have similar taste in books.
You know, I think it is the first time! I have a couple of other books I need to review, so there will be a couple of reviews forthcoming. 🙂
I would love to see a list of your favorite books.
I think another name for a stingy scoundrel is a CHEAPSKATE. Have you read the Tightwad Gazette? That author is also very insistent about not being dishonest in being a tightwad, lest all frugal girls (and guys) out there get a bad rap.
faithful with small things... very important!
This sounds like a terrible book. Why write about the author and give him even a smidgen of publicity?
Doesn't sound like my kind of book. So glad you were honest in your review. I'd like to say "shame on you" to the author for his dishonest means.
I did have to use the dictionary today in reading your post -- had to look up 'importunate.' The word of the day!
I must admit. I now want to read this. I wonder if you will be hearing from Phil soon after your review? ha ha.
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
If the author knows you, then why did he even bother sending you his book? You are a person of high moral character (one of the reasons I like you so much) and would never do the things that he is suggesting...
Some friends were discussing about lying to your children. Ultimately, they were of the mind that if you tell your kids you will do something, then you should. I boiled that down to all a person really has is their word/integrity. So, doing something that is wrong to you, isn't worth any "reward". Thanks for your honest review.
Thanks, Kristen for an excellently written review. This reminds me of Amy Dacyzyn's book where she talked about traveling somewhere and speaking about her books, and had a crisis of conscience when she found herself grabbing extra fruit and muffins at hotel breakfasts, handfuls of sugar packets, etc etc. The food, condiments et al were provided for her use, at a specific time. Any other use, to her (and of course to a lot of us) has another name. Stealing.
Yaaaahhhhh! I was thinking... who would date this guy? I am going to guess he is single. I'll bet he goes on a lot of "first" dates though... LOL. OH my gosh ...do sell the book : ) That would be great!
xoxox love ya,
Amber
I love your honest review!
Great review! I am so glad you were honest and integrity is HUGE!
There is enough "yuck" in the world, I am not going to add to it by being dishonest or raising a big ruckus for a few dollars. Great job~it was fun to read...and maybe scoundrel was the first clue?? 🙂
Not my kind of book. I prefer to save money the honest way!
Your honesty is refreshing in this world. Thank You for the honest review and your personal honesty in being frugal.
I have to admit I was a bit aprehensive when I saw "book review", but I was plesently suprised in the end. Great review and I also completly agree in being honest and true to yourself.
Great review, I feel like you tried to give it a fair chance, despite its misaligned perspective. I'm almost sad to know that people do such things on purpose!
Thanks for such an honest review! I hopped over to the Amazon page to try and figure out if this guy is serious or not. From the reviews (btw 11 of the 13 are 5 stars) most people seem to think he is having fun poking fun at some of the extreme cheapness out there. Other reviewers love his advice and seem to take it seriously, saying these are tips you should implement into daily life. Overall, I didn't get a very good impression from the reviews or flipping through the preview Amazon provides. That, of course, is my opinion. While I admit to occasionally picking up extra napkins at a restaurant to keep in my car, there are many things I would never do to save money. I agree with Kristen in that I couldn't compromise my integrity and honesty like this guy seems to be saying. Even if he meant it as a joke.
I do think that to at least some degree it's meant to be facetious. The thing is, I didn't think it was very funny...that sort of thing just doesn't, as I said, tickle my funny bone. =P
Obviously, something like this was written from a guy angle. I think frugal women have a different approach to saving money. For me, the decision is just as much a spiritual one (don't waste precious God given resources) as a financial one (if I don't spend a ton of money, I don't have to compromise my "life energy" resources by making a ton of money).
An enlightening review Kristen!
I have run into moral dilemmas now and again while remaining frugal. Honesty is the best policy, in my experience, that way you have nothing to remember or hide 😉
Also, if I had to sum up your review in four words, it would be : "Thanks, but no thanks." Very classy.
Kristen,
I hope you don't feel that you need to review a book just because you've been sent a copy. I have a policy that I only review books that I like, and feel no guilt about needing to do a review just because I got a free copy of the book from the publisher.
And stealing free porn and ketchup packets is pretty close to larceny.
Have a lovely day. We're off to the beach where we're staying the night for free. But not because we tricked our way into it. It's because we were invited by the owner.
😉
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without"
No, I didn't feel that I HAD to review it. But, I feel like it's nice to have a mix of positive and negative reviews...sometimes I get tired of reading positive review after positive review on the web. It makes me wonder if the blogger is really being sincere (though of course I know you are sincere!).
I figure you all know for sure now that when I say I like something, I really mean it, and when I say I don't like something, I really mean it.
Hi. People like this guy who are stealing... and that is what he is doing, make prices go up for the rest of us. That makes me frustrated. I am trying to be more frugal but dishonnesty is not the way to do it.
I would love to read more review by you or just see a list of books that you read and/or are your favorites...
More are coming...I promise to share some books that I DO like. lol
Go Kristen! Loved the review - the best I have ever read - seriously! All bloggers should follow your lead!
He did say up front that he is a scoundrel. However...that isn't a good thing. Taking extra, lying about use, anything where you get something for nothing at the cost of the merchandiser, is going to drive costs up for everyone, and probably cut off the supply all together. (McD's and others may well want to start charging extra for excess packets.)
As for charities - churches don't get corporate contributions. I'd worry if we did! Most small charities (i.e. the local ones) rely on the $10-$100 donations. It does make a difference. For some charities, it is the only way they will raise money, preferring to avoid sponsorship.
I assume from his title that the author meant to be facetious to some degree, but it is a hard tone to maintain in a book with a serious subject.
Thaks for the review.
Honest review!! Thanks for the new website to checkout, half.com
Thanks for your honesty. Ideas like those in this book are what gives frugality a negative image.
I agree with you, it's not worth it to be cheap and dishonest just to save a little money. My ex-husband is the most dishonest, horrible person I've ever known. If I'm ever tempted to take extra condiments, or lie about something, I remind myself how awful he is, and how I don't want to ever be anything like him.
A lot of stores don't mind taking expired coupons, BTW.
Relax, ladies. This is a satire book located in the humor section of bookstores. Not meant to be taken seriously, but to mock other personal finance books as well as the extremely frugal mentality. Kristen doesn't like it because it didn't make her laugh, which is fair enough. But she is one of the only reviewers out there to feel that way.
Which is probably because I'm the only reviewer who seriously lacks a sense of humor! lol
What is your serious take on charitable giving? Is it the view you shared in the book, or was that satire?
Charities are like guys who hit on ladies at night clubs. Some are great but too many are sleazeballs. My take is you should really watch who you're giving your money to, as you obviously do with that charity you mentioned. Most people think you give money to a charity and everything turns out great and you've done something wonderful, but that's too rarely the case. Expanding on this kernel of truth, I thought it would be funny to tell people to avoid giving any money whatsoever to any charities, just as I say never to tip at restaurants.
Ok, well, I like that better than what you said in the book. 😉
After re-reading your threeword (lol), I'm STILL really confused about how to take this book. You say that the really gnarly stuff is more for humor's sake than practicality, which would lead me to believe that you did intend some other parts of the book to be applied. Or was that sentence satire too?
I am too stupid to understand your brand of humor, I think. lol I must be like one of those people to whom you have to explain punchlines, and that renders the joke completely unfunny.
Everything in the book is practical in that it would work if you tried it. So as a result there are some gems in there you can actually use. The most valuable being the thing about negotiating medical bills. But most of the stuff in there is too evil for a respectable person to even consider doing. I don't lie in the book, I just take things past their socially acceptable limits.
By the way, Kristen, my wife hates the book too for the same reasons you do.
Well, give her a high-five for me, then. We both cannot fathom the depths of your brand of humor. lol
Maybe only men can understand it?
Most women who've read it seem to like it, judging from the reviews. I think the people who don't like it just don't think I'm funny.
It is unfortunate that your wife is numbered among those. lol
Actually it works out because without the motivation of her telling me I was wasting my time and the book was a dumb idea that would get me fired, I probably wouldn't have worked as hard to finish it and get it published for the ultimate I told you so.
I, too, appreciate your honesty. If we don't have our integrity, what do we have? I saw that someone mentioned the Tightwad Gazette, a book that helped me out long ago. Is it still in print?
Yes, you can still get copies from Amazon and Borders. I gave it to my sister in law as a Christmas gift two years ago - she loves it!
WOW...Who knew frugality was such a controversial topic? Love the post and all the comments today! Just for the record i totally agree with you Kristen!
Yeah unfortunately some bad apples give us all a bad name. It's kind of like some other blog I won't mention where the author just wants to sell you all this junk and then if you disagree with him he'll scour the internet and insult you for not going to the college he did.
Also, the problem with a free porno assumes that we need such a thing. If I'm staying in a hotel there is surely plenty of entertainment without the TV being on.
I, too, enjoyed Kristen's review and don't seem compelled to read Phil's book. I also agree with Kristen's disagreement with Phil on solid charitable organizations. I checked with Kristen first, and want to note World Vision as one of those organizations. Please check them out:
http://connect.worldvision.org/person/lesleyeischen
Keep up the great work Kristen! We all benefit from your wisdom!
Even if he was kidding (glad to hear that! I'm sure I'll take a gander at it!) I still love how fair, honest, and charitable you were in your review -- you always provide a model for how to express an opinion without going for the jugular. When i grow up, i want to be classy like you!
Thank you for standing your ground with regards to practicing honesty! It really only "pays" to live upright and honest (even when at times it seems like the "good guys" are getting ripped off by the "bad guys" - the good are eventually rewarded!).
We went out to dinner w/friends the other night, our treat for taking care of our girls, and after a VERY long wait, etc. the manager came over, apologized and gave us our meals on the house. We had to take it to go as our twin toddlers had lost their patience sitting for so long but we enjoyed a great tasting meal with friends, still had the chance to get out for awhile and it only cost us a $20 tip to the waiter (since it wasn't his fault) for a $100 dinner -thank you, God! It always amazes me how He'll bless us when we are blessing others. :o)
More book reviews would be welcomed! (keeps me from wasting my time on a not-so-great read!) :o)
Side note: I should have read the other comments to realize that Phil's ideas were tongue-in-cheek suggestions...anywho, just wanted to also say that we need to learn how to haggle more in this country - for clothes, food, cars, home repairs and yes, medical bills (our dentist deducts $50 each visit for a few bags of coffee, etc.). I always ask for a discount at clothing stores (even on sale items and w/coupons) Most managers are able to give you at least 10-15% off - you just need to ask for it! My husband purchased a built-it-yourself shed at Lowe's the other day for 10% of its original price. He had to drive to two separate stores because each store only had one of the two boxes in stock so neither could sell it and wanted to get it off the shelves. It was originally $1000 marked down to $350 for one box and he ended up getting both boxes (no missing pieces - we checked!) for $175 and an hour of his time. Another great savings story!!
ALWAYS BE TRUE TO YOURSELF!...Way to go! Truth always prevails.
Kristen, I remember reading several reviews some months back and thought at the time, this book isn't for me.
I also agree with your plan to post negative as well as positive reviews. I have a book that was sent to me for review and you've given me a good idea on how to proceed.
Wow, how refreshing to have an honest view even if it is not a favourable one. You spoke honestly without being maligning. More of us need to learn this art. Thanks.