Bitches on a Budget

November 23, 2009
The book melds two fads: “Deal with having less during the recession,” and the “Girl, get a clue!” category popularized by books like He's Just Not That into You
. A former department store buyer and marketing executive, Hoffman echoes the often trotted-out advice that women should “invest in” a few quality items they'll enjoy wearing, looking at or using for years to come, and cut back on everything else. Much of her suggestions are obvious—shop at cheaper retail stores, for example, or get haircuts less often. Rather than being about saving money, the book is about spending it—the Hoffman way. This contradiction aside, a sassy tone and abundant—if not always successful—ribald jokes make frugality seem fun.