This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Reader Patricia is the winner of my review copy of The Real Cost of Living by Carmen Wong Ulrich. Patricia said she has a handle on her finances, but her adult children are not there quite yet. She wrote:
At 60, I’ve pretty much figured this stuff out. What kills me, though, is seeing my 4 adult kids (aged 30-40) frittering away money on Starbucks, eating out, etc. If I mention stuff like that to them, it goes in one ear and out the other. But, if I could say, “Hey, I won this book and I’m passing it on to you”. . . . .
Patricia, I am sending you my review copy so you can share it with your children. My hope is that The Real Cost of Living helps them see that bad habits come with a high price – and it is more than the money they fork over for a double-shot latte.
If you missed my book review, Ulrich reveals that a caffeine addiction can set you back $115,200 over your lifetime. The cost of this expense is just too high to overlook. Why not open an IRA with your coffee money or put away in a high-interest savings account? Ulrich also tackles the cost of owning a home, marriage and divorce, family, being your own boss, credit cards, saving and investing in her 255-page book.
The first runner up is reader Meredith who said she likes reading about personal finance and is set to get married. The second runner up is reader CassandraC who is graduating from college. If I do not receive an e-mail from the winner, the book will go to the next runner up.
If you didn’t win my review copy and would like to read the book, you can order it from Amazon for $10.58. Buying it through Amazon supports BargainBabe.com.
March 21st, 2011 at 10:40 am
Julia,
Tell Patricia she’s not alone. I am 59, have 3 adult children, who are all in their 40′s now who have learned alot from their frugal father, but sometimes the things they do or should I say don’t do make me want to scream… Like not saving a dime! And at the same time saying they don’t believe Social Security will be around when they reach retirement age. Say what?
As you know I too blog about frugality and my children were and continue to be what motivates me. When people ask me why I started a blog I tell them because my children don’t listen to me anymore so I needed to find another audience and that’s where you come in my friend. :-0
I would gladly buy 3 of Carmen’s book for my children if I could be certain they would read it, but sadly I am afraid that the idea of reading a a real book or even an ebook seems to be lost on them. All the information they consume is on the Internet, radior, TV or word of mouth via friends and family. However, they might go for an audio book at 5 minute increments.
March 21st, 2011 at 11:16 am
Steven, I am interested in checking your blog out. What’s the website? Thanks!
March 21st, 2011 at 11:58 am
Yazmin, I did not recieve the email concerning this. It may have ended up in my spam folder or I may have typed the address incorrectly. Please contact me again.