‘Bargain Junkie’ review and giveaway
I recently had the pleasure (courtesy of the publisher) of reading Bargain Junkie* by Annie Korzen. Annie blogs at The Bargain Junkie.
I was pleasantly surprised! The book is humorous, but also insightful. I learned a few things while reading it. Some tidbits include how Annie…
- found designer sunglasses at a yardsale for $5 each. The lenses were scratched, but she bought them and had the lenses replaced with her prescription. Brilliant!
- planted the top of a pineapple (?!) in a pot. It grew, and eventually produced fruit. Bizarre! But I love it.
- rents out her home when she’ll be away on travels for awhile to cover her expenses.
Her writing style is such that you get a great visual of her adventures in bargaining. A self-described thriftaholic, Annie would be the perfect person to tag along with to an estate sale, yard sale or thrift store. That is, assuming she’d let you snag a deal or two for yourself :).
She describes how she’s found countless treasures for a fraction of what they’re worth and keeps them for her own use or resells them for a handsome profit.
The book reads like a series of anecdotes, but the flow works for me. It’s a good book to read a short bit at a time — or all at once if you’d prefer.
Annie is one example of how thriftaholics come in all forms. She hates cooking and entertaining, and loves dining out and traveling. Frequent restauranting and traveling can be expensive, but that’s her splurge.
She still manages to dine out for a reasonable price by carefully selecting her restaurants and using coupons when applicable.
In her seemingly frequent overseas travels, she shares how she saves money while not sacrificing a ton of comfort.
So while I’m not a big restaurant person or a world traveler (though I’d like to get plenty of stamps in a passport someday), I think it’s beneficial to see how another person defines and lives out frugal living.
Since she appears to be quite an expert at buying second-hand, high-quality goods, I wish I had more of a tutorial of how I could achieve similar success. Which items are worth buying? How do I know if I’m getting a good deal?
I guess the answers to those questions would be: Do you love the item, even if it’s not worth a fortune? And call someone or use your smartphone to Google the item and see what you can find out about it before buying.
Overall, I’d say this was an enjoyable, interesting book. Add it to your library list, scout it out at a second-hand bookstore, or heck, buy it on Amazon (but be a thriftaholic and use your Swagbucks* to pay for it!).
Want a chance to get it for free? Well, I’m giving away this review copy. I will mail it at my own expense, so you can bet the packaging will be recycled of some sort. And it’s coming to you via media mail. Would you expect anything else? :)
For giveaways, I usually like to hear some sort of tip or tidbit from you. I can’t think of a good question to ask right now, because all I have on my mind is my ultrasound scheduled for Saturday.
So for your entry:
- Post a comment guessing whether I’ll have a boy or girl. The winner will be randomly selected from people who had the correct guess. If you want to make a slightly more informed guess, you can take a look at this post, complete with belly shot. Oh, and I had an early ultrasound, and there’s just one kiddo baking. Yes, this entry method is all about me and my baby. I can’t help it!
Want more entries?
- Link to this post on your blog, and come back and in a separate comment, tell me where you’ve done so.
- Add me to your blogroll, and comment telling me you’ve done so.
- Subscribe to this blog in a feed reader…and yep, separate comment telling me you’ve done so.
The winner will be drawn sometime Saturday, July 17 after I get home from my ultrasound. U.S. entries only, please.
*Affiliate link
Additional related posts:
- A review: “Ms. Cheap’s Guide to Getting More for Less”
- Book review: The 99 Cent Only Store Cookbook
- ‘High School Money Book’ review
35 Responses
to “‘Bargain Junkie’ review and giveaway”
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- Jul 16, 2010: Sense to Save | The Bargain Junkie
I think you’re having another boy!
Thanks for the chance to win.
Mary @ Tips&Treasures´s last [type] ..Michaels 50 off printable coupon
You’re on my blogroll!
Mary @ Tips&Treasures´s last [type] ..Michaels 50 off printable coupon
I can’t decide. I guess my gut is that you’re having another boy :-).
I subscribe to you in google reader.
boy!
I subscribe to you in Google reader :)
I think it’s going to be a girl! :)
Becky´s last [type] ..Barefoot and Pregnant
My guess is boy. But I am going to be sad if I am wrong and missed out to win this free book! It sounds right up my alley. :-)
ashley @ twentysixcats´s last [type] ..playing catch-up
Also, I subscribe to you through Google Reader.
ashley @ twentysixcats´s last [type] ..playing catch-up
And… you are on my blogroll. :-) Of course none of these extra entries will count if I’m wrong about the gender. Ack! Maybe I should change my vote. But no. I’m staying with boy.
ashley @ twentysixcats´s last [type] ..playing catch-up
I think it’s a boy!
And I subscribe to your blog in Google Reader.
I’ll guess girl!
My guess is a girl! :)
I also subscribe via RSS.
It’s a girl
I’m a subscriber.
I didn’t know you were pregnant again! Congratulations! Where have I been? I hope you have a little girl! I have a little girl and they are such a joy! I was only like 4 months behind you having your first… so hmm, I wonder if I will have another one soon too? :) Best wishes!
Rachel´s last [type] ..My Latest Venture…
A boy! Thank you for all you do.
I’m guessing boy!! :)
Rachel´s last [type] ..Overcoming Procrastination
First born male child!
My guess is a girl. :)
Charla @ Healthy Home Blog´s last [type] ..Appetite
I have your link on my Links page.
Charla @ Healthy Home Blog´s last [type] ..Appetite
It’ll be a girl, to balance things out =) Congratulations!
I think you’re having another boy! But that’s because everyone I know is having a second of whatever-they-already-have.
oh, and you’re on my iGoogle homepage – have been for a couple of years now!
Boy!
marybeth @ http://www.babygoodbuys.com´s last [type] ..Britax Marathon for 165- Free Shipping
I’m a subscriber!
marybeth @ http://www.babygoodbuys.com´s last [type] ..Britax Marathon for 165- Free Shipping
girl!
I would guess a girl.
I think it will be a girl.
Thanks for the contest!
Boy! What an wonderful time for your family!
girly girl!
I am guessing a girl.
Good luck!