Secrets of a Stingy Scoundrel Book Review

When was the last time you read a personal finance or frugality book without yawning, and falling face first into your plate of spaghetti? Maybe it’s only me, but sometimes frugality can be boring and dry. Phil Villarreal, writer for The Consumerist and the Arizona Daily Star, uses his sarcastic wit, and sharp tongue to pen one of the most entertaining frugality books ever.

The book aptly titled, Secrets of a Stingy Scoundrel: 100 Dirty Little Money-Grubbing Secrets, is full of ideas both realistic (using construction site dirt instead of pay for “screened” dirt from a landscaping company) and hilarious (using your Netflix subscription to ‘trade’ for a new copy of a DVD you own). A few are a bit on the “adult” side, so be forewarned.

Phil has been on a book tour, reading from his book, and signing copies, and at one location, even had protesters. Some misguided servers who hadn’t read the book, but protested the “secret” called “Tipping IS just a City in China.”

Check your sense of humor before you pick up this book, if you don’t have any you will likely find something to be offended by. Thankfully I do have a sense of humor, and will most of the tips skirt close to illegal or unethical activities, there is some actual frugal advice in the book hidden with the chuckle worthy advice.

Want more? Purchase Secrets of a Stingy Scoundrel: 100 Dirty Little Money-Grubbing Secrets. Yes, it’s $9, and Phil makes no promises to earn you back that $9, but I’m sure he could offer you a stingy way to read the book, but get your 9 bucks back.

Kelly

P.S. Since I’m done with my copy, I will be offering a giveaway of the book once my new, sparkly giveaway page is up. Look for it sometime this weekend.

About Kelly

Kelly Whalen is the founder of The Centsible Life, a blog where motherhood and money meet. Her goal is to help readers live well on less. Kelly is a mom to 4, and loves that she can stay at home with her kids, and still pursue her passions for writing, personal finance, and social media. You can often find her on twitter and Facebook talking money and motherhood.

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http://becauseitoldyouso.com Phil Villarreal

Damn, Kosmo, you’re a step ahead of me.
http://becauseitoldyouso.com/ Phil Villarreal

Damn, Kosmo, you’re a step ahead of me.
http://www.observingcasually.com Kosmo @ The Casual Observer

“I had an entire chapter about how to read the book for free in there, but the publisher made me take it out.”

1) Open a “book store” in your house
2) Order a copy of the book
3) Later, report the book as “unsold and destroyed”
http://www.observingcasually.com/ Kosmo @ The Casual Observer

“I had an entire chapter about how to read the book for free in there, but the publisher made me take it out.”

1) Open a “book store” in your house
2) Order a copy of the book
3) Later, report the book as “unsold and destroyed”
http://becauseitoldyouso.com Phil Villarreal

Most lucrative tip in the book is the one on negotiating medical bills.
http://becauseitoldyouso.com/ Phil Villarreal

Most lucrative tip in the book is the one on negotiating medical bills.
http://becauseitoldyouso.com Phil Villarreal

I had an entire chapter about how to read the book for free in there, but the publisher made me take it out. But even at $9 the book will certainly repay itself many, many times over.

http://www.thecentsiblelife.com Kelly

That’s such a shame! I know you want to sell books, but that would have been the perfect close to your book.

I think I saved $9 already, and I certainly feel silly for paying $300 for dirt last fall!

http://becauseitoldyouso.com/ Phil Villarreal

I had an entire chapter about how to read the book for free in there, but the publisher made me take it out. But even at $9 the book will certainly repay itself many, many times over.

http://www.thecentsiblelife.com/ Kelly

That’s such a shame! I know you want to sell books, but that would have been the perfect close to your book.

I think I saved $9 already, and I certainly feel silly for paying $300 for dirt last fall!