The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map to True Riches

December 3, 2007
Departing from the “get rich” mantra of many personal finance books, Yeager, once dubbed the “Ultimate Cheapskate” by NBC's Today Show
, instead advises readers to shift their priorities and live well on less in this sensible guide to frugal living. Yeager himself retired from a career as a nonprofit executive at age 46 by saving on expenses large (he and his wife renovated their home themselves and exercise and eat well to cut down on medical costs) and small (he soft-boils his eggs in the dishwasher during the wash cycle). Embedded in the sometimes juvenile humor and aw-shucks prose are some original ideas for conserving cash, such as trying a “fiscal fast”—going a full week or more without spending any money. Most of all, he urges readers to free themselves from the “Money Step,” the endless dance of having to earn more in order to spend more. By emphasizing the virtues and satisfactions of living cheaply, Yeager convincingly makes the case that frugality can free more time and cash for life's true pleasures—a passion-filled career, hobbies and giving back to one's loved ones and community.

February 25, 2008
Jeff Yeager is not a brilliant audiobook reader... or is he? The premise of this very funny and practical book is that your quality of life increases as your spending decreases. Following one of his book's main edicts (“Do for yourself what you could have others do for you.”), Yeager steps up to the microphone and learns a new skill. His reading is not particularly polished, but this turns out to be his greatest strength. A natural comedian with a warm and enthusiastic Midwestern voice, Yeager is not only the author of the book; he is its main character. Listeners immediately feel they are getting useful back-fence advice from a wise next-door neighbor, who could be channeling Groucho Marx. He establishes a direct connection with listeners, who will find themselves slaying their Enoughasauruses with smiles on their faces. Simultaneous release with the Broadway hardcover (Reviews, Dec. 3).