Why Phil should really not be allowed to have babies (a.k.a. my review of “Secrets of a Stingy Scoundrel”)

(Just kidding about the babies, Phil. Congrats on the two kids. I am sure the apples won’t fall far from the tree.)

Before I begin, this was definitely one of my favourite book reviews of all time and one of my favourite ones I’ve ever written for anyone.

Thanks for the free copy and the laughs.

Moving on.

I had the best and worst experiences of my life, reading the book “Secrets of a Stingy Scoundrel” by Phil Villarreal, writer for the Arizona Daily Star & The Consumerist (which by the way, is a great blog to read).

Phil also has two blogs: philmguy.com and becauseitoldyouso.com and contributes to OK! magazine.

(I got that second half all off the back of his book jacket cover. The guy has married the internet and spawned articles & blogs all over the place, I swear.)

Best, because I laughed so hard I could barely spit out the words to explain to BF why I was laughing like a heyena.

…and worst, because I couldn’t stop laughing like a heyena.

And although it didn’t quite live up to its author’s declaration that it would get me pregnant just by reading it (Phil’s mind works in mysterious ways), it certainly made my gut hurt in a wonderful I-can’t-stop-laughing kind of way.

Which.. I guess could be a similar feeling when I do become pregnant in the future (but not with his book. Or any other book, FYI.)

In honour of his short, bite-sized pieces of writing I give you my newly patented “three point review”. :

And don’t you dare use that term because I’mma copyright that ish like Natalie did with the word “Frugalista”.

3 Things to prepare before reading the book

1. Let your sense of humour out of its prison.
2. Find a comfortable spot for a couple of hours because you will not want to stop.
3. Shower before…….. and definitely after. And keep a pen and paper handy for notes.

3 Things I will admit I have done while reading the book

1. Yelled at it saying “But I am the Queen of Samples!” — then proceed to mumble about how you taste test all the samples in a store and then re-taste test all the samples again. Just to be sure they tasted just as good the first time around. True stories.
2. Refused to listen to my body to get up to eat or go to the bathroom until it was a dire situation.
3. Wondered how anyone could have come up with such a devious way of scoring free food at a potluck or free tupperware from friends & family. I’ll be watching for you sneaky SOBs who have read the book now.

3 Things I loved about the book

1. It’s written like an archive of a blog. Short, bite sized posts, just a couple pages each topic. A solid read. And the corners are nicely rounded, and the paper is of a good weight to hold and read.
2. Phil’s writing was really witty. And I don’t say that lightly about anyone who writes a book because I’m one picky mofo when it comes to tongue-in-cheek literature. (Did you really get rejected by publishers 12 billion times? Ouch, yo.)
3. This was not a dry, boring personal finance or frugality book. But if you can read in between the lines while throwing grains of salt over your left shoulder, the overriding message of the book is: don’t spend money frivolously and don’t live on credit but use it wisely to gain the most rewards both of which I am down with.

3 Things I learned from the book

1. Sometimes you just have to ask. Like asking for that free dirt at the construction site.
2. Sometimes you just have to take advantage of the waste. Like when college kids trash their furniture or things. But I’d ask for permission first.
3. You could ask for discounts from American hospitals. If you pay over the phone for your medical bills in full, you can ask for a 25% discount. Or at least, give it a try. I live in Canada so this doesn’t apply to me.

3 Things I didn’t agree with in the book

1. Renting is not a money trap, and people should not buy a home just to save on rent, but to do the cost-benefit analysis first, as renting in an expensive city can be better than buying a home in the long run.
2. Free promotional t-shirts, ball caps and fanny packs are never in style. Enough said.
3. The idea that buying a home is better than investing in the stock market. If you had invested money in Emerging Markets Indexes such as China or Brazil you’d probably be better off than “investing” in a home that also requires maintenance, furniture, utilities (some places have utilities for free in your rent) and regular purchases of free dirt. Buying a home can be just as risky and as volatile as the stock market, and can drop in value overnight. (See: Our current recession.)

3 Things I could have schooled Phil on

1. Where to score free second-hand shoes. Some people actually throw out their old shoes at shoe stores when they buy new ones. In the unguarded, alley way dumpsters behind the stores. Where no one checks. Or  cares. Not that I’ve done it, but I’ve witnessed people doing it.
2. Airport security is a goldmine for lost quarters, dimes and nickels, from people frantically being strip searched for liquids on their person. Just be discreet.
3. Picking fights to avoid gifting is silly. BF and I came up with a great way for dealing with gifts. For every major holiday and occasion, except his birthday, he cooks an extravagant, delicious meal for us. I am not the type of girl who really enjoys gifts per se, but amazing food? Bring it on. And for his birthday, his best friend cooks. As for me in the middle of this food fest? Win win.

3 Things I have in common with Phil

1. We both pick up any and every coin we see on the ground. One penny invested at the time of Jesus’ birth, would be millions today. Think about that.
2. We both don’t drink, because it makes us sleepy and not happy. And nothing makes me happier (sometimes) than being the only sober friend able to take a clear picture of your friend passed out drunk in funny positions. Especially if you arranged it that way.
3. He’s eco-friendly (albeit unknowingly). A lot of his tips such as using vinegar to kill weeds or air/line drying your clothing instead of using the demon dryer are sound tips for saving the environment.

How to score your copy on time

Don’t get it from Phil. It took a hell of a long time to get to me in the mail.

I had to even email him to ask him what was going on with the book delivery.

Sample stealing, peanut butter eating Slacker.

So to make sure you get YOUR copy on time, order it from Amazon.com for a well-worth-it-for-the-price of $9.32.

How to score your copy for free & on time

Alternatively you can sign up for Swagbucks (please use my referral if you do!), get $10 in Amazon gift certificates (takes 90 Swagbucks) to get the book for free.

Y’all know everything is better when it’s free.

As for my copy, it’s going to my sister. She is going to love it.

Cuz she loves free stuff, just like me.

P.S. You can also hurl insults at him on Twitter @PhilVillarreal if the book turns out to be crap.

@PhilVillarreal.

But follow him anyway, even if you don’t buy, read or want the book.

He makes me laugh.

Just check out this recent conversation we had with @WellHeeledBlog joining in on the fun.

Etc, etc… Congratulations on a fantastic book and a job well done!

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