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Money Secrets of the Amish by Craker, Lorilee (2012) Paperback
Are you ready to take control of your finances, no matter where the market goes? Join Lorilee Craker as she shares the time-tested Amish secrets to enjoying true abundance on a practical budget.
When writer Lorilee Craker learned that Amish communities are thriving (not just surviving) during periods of economic downturn, she decided she had to find out why. Along the way, she found a treasure trove of tried-and-true financial habits the Amish have employed for generations that will forever change how you think about money.
In Money Secrets of the Amish, Craker gives you the tools you need to:
Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without
Repurpose, recycle, and reuse what you already have
Find the value in delayed gratification and self-control
Praise for Money Secrets of the Amish:
"Money Secrets of the Amish is a practical, doable guide, and it's such fun to read. Lorilee's voice is as engaging and lively as ever, and the wisdom she shares from the Amish community is both inspiring and instructive. I just finished the last page, and my mind is buzzing with all sorts of ways to waste less, want less, and spend less."
--Shauna Niequist, bestselling author of I Guess I Haven't Learned that Yet and Present Over Perfect
When writer Lorilee Craker learned that Amish communities are thriving (not just surviving) during periods of economic downturn, she decided she had to find out why. Along the way, she found a treasure trove of tried-and-true financial habits the Amish have employed for generations that will forever change how you think about money.
In Money Secrets of the Amish, Craker gives you the tools you need to:
Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without
Repurpose, recycle, and reuse what you already have
Find the value in delayed gratification and self-control
Praise for Money Secrets of the Amish:
"Money Secrets of the Amish is a practical, doable guide, and it's such fun to read. Lorilee's voice is as engaging and lively as ever, and the wisdom she shares from the Amish community is both inspiring and instructive. I just finished the last page, and my mind is buzzing with all sorts of ways to waste less, want less, and spend less."
--Shauna Niequist, bestselling author of I Guess I Haven't Learned that Yet and Present Over Perfect
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
115 people are currently reading
894 people want to read
About the author
Lorilee Craker
27 books40 followersLorilee Craker is a writer in Michigan, United States. She grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She has three children. She advocates participation in community-supported agriculture and shopping at farmers' markets. She is an entertainment writer for MLive. Craker co-authored Lynne Spears' memoir Through the Storm. Craker and Spears appeared together at the 20th annual MOPS International convention in Grapevine, Texas in 2008. Craker co-authored My Journey to Heaven: What I Saw and How It Changed My Life with Marv Besteman, who died before the book was published. In a 2011 Time article, Zac Bissonnette writes that Craker "might be the most versatile journalist in America".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
January 11, 2016
I'm trying to be generous by giving this book 2 stars, because I'm sure there are people out there who will like this book... just not me! I wanted so badly for this book to be awesome but I was disappointed in every way. I couldn't relate to this big city, career woman and her 3 over-stimulated and spoiled children. Every "secret" of the Amish she chose to write about was a common sense, elementary level money management principle. If you find paying your bills on-time such a novel idea that you need to devote an entire chapter to it then you and I are on completely different levels! I know there are many more in our country like her that could benefit from hearing these simple, smart rules for managing your money, but I grew up with a frugal mother who taught me those things already. I was hoping for more practical, Amish if you will, secrets to being ultra-frugal. Let's just say if I had spent some time visiting and observing the Amish I would have come home with much more to say!
May 2, 2016
I'm always on the lookout for good life hacks, and I enjoy common sense ways to save money and live better. Too much of modern life is hemorrhaging money without thought, and sometimes it takes inspiration from outside sources to see the bigger picture, to recognize everyone wants your money and it's up to you to say, "No."*
This book is written by a formerly Amish woman who went back to the community to investigate how the Amish people were able to, almost as a complete whole, gain money during the worst of the recession.
Right from the start, we see they have a mindset of frugality. One example is a neighbor arrives with his shiny new luxury car. Perhaps one might say, "Hey, cool car!" and feel envy. The Amish would view that with horror. What a waste of money! Another neighbor might pull up in a beater, with the bumper held on by duct tape, and the Amish would smile and applaud their ingenuity of getting a few more miles.
I don't need to know the secrets of bartering, of repairing, of saving, of creating. But the stories were fun, and the inside look of the Amish households reminded me a lot of reading Little House on the Prairie as a kid. I appreciated their solid pragmatism of buying high quality so you only have to buy once and finding a bargain even then, of saving as your default and everyone pitching in to get 'er done.
I'll never be to Amish levels, I love my tech, my books and my comforts far too much. But there is definitely something to be learned here, especially if you're tired of never having enough paycheck.
*Check out Mr. Money Mustache (mrmoneymustache.com)!
This book is written by a formerly Amish woman who went back to the community to investigate how the Amish people were able to, almost as a complete whole, gain money during the worst of the recession.
Right from the start, we see they have a mindset of frugality. One example is a neighbor arrives with his shiny new luxury car. Perhaps one might say, "Hey, cool car!" and feel envy. The Amish would view that with horror. What a waste of money! Another neighbor might pull up in a beater, with the bumper held on by duct tape, and the Amish would smile and applaud their ingenuity of getting a few more miles.
I don't need to know the secrets of bartering, of repairing, of saving, of creating. But the stories were fun, and the inside look of the Amish households reminded me a lot of reading Little House on the Prairie as a kid. I appreciated their solid pragmatism of buying high quality so you only have to buy once and finding a bargain even then, of saving as your default and everyone pitching in to get 'er done.
I'll never be to Amish levels, I love my tech, my books and my comforts far too much. But there is definitely something to be learned here, especially if you're tired of never having enough paycheck.
*Check out Mr. Money Mustache (mrmoneymustache.com)!
December 29, 2011
I have to admit, I was only half serious when I requested Money Secrets of the Amish from Netgalley, I am not one to read self-help or advice books but as a huge Amish Fiction fan I figured it would be a bit of a fun read with a few “Jahs” and “Denki’s” thrown in. What surprised me was that I found an incredible amount of useful information in this book. Perhaps it was the time of year that I was reading this book, but it truly helped me to keep a handle on holiday spending and return the focus back to the reason for the season.
As much as Money Secrets of the Amish talks about giving yourself a financial makeover it is not a dry, accounting based book. It more accurately speaks about making lifestyle changes that will not only greatly benefit your financial situation but will also have a positive impact on your stress levels, family life, and health. The author offers suggestions of how a modern family can incorporate simple changes adopted from the Amish way of life. My absolutely favorite chapter is called “Rethinking Gifts” and the advice given in this chapter went hand in hand with the handmade holidays that my family was planning to have. And speaking of chapters, I have to mention some of the chapter titles because they so perfectly reflected the author’s humor. A few of my favorites were “Operation De-spoil the kids”, “Dead Horses Smell Bad, but Debt Smells Even Worse”, and “Bartering: I’ll Trade You This Cow for a Bunch of Rugs”.
In terms of advice I don’t know that the author brought anything terribly innovative or unique to the table but the ideas she did offer were presented in a an easy to understand and highly relatable way. I loved how the author not only included her own voice, and experiences but also included quotes from some of the Amish men and women she interviewed. Their tips were down to earth, practical and surprisingly useful. While you might have next to nothing in common with the Amish and their way of life, in this economy most everyone, including myself, could use a few tips on living more simply.
In Money Secrets of the Amish Lorilee Cracker illustrates how a few small changes in both spending habits and attitudes towards everyday life can help even the most modern families lead simpler and more financially unburdened lives. Even if you have never had an interest in the Amish, and have no intentions on modeling your lifestyle after theirs, I think that you will still find some wisdom within these pages.
I received an e-ARC of Money Secrets of the Amish from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own
As much as Money Secrets of the Amish talks about giving yourself a financial makeover it is not a dry, accounting based book. It more accurately speaks about making lifestyle changes that will not only greatly benefit your financial situation but will also have a positive impact on your stress levels, family life, and health. The author offers suggestions of how a modern family can incorporate simple changes adopted from the Amish way of life. My absolutely favorite chapter is called “Rethinking Gifts” and the advice given in this chapter went hand in hand with the handmade holidays that my family was planning to have. And speaking of chapters, I have to mention some of the chapter titles because they so perfectly reflected the author’s humor. A few of my favorites were “Operation De-spoil the kids”, “Dead Horses Smell Bad, but Debt Smells Even Worse”, and “Bartering: I’ll Trade You This Cow for a Bunch of Rugs”.
In terms of advice I don’t know that the author brought anything terribly innovative or unique to the table but the ideas she did offer were presented in a an easy to understand and highly relatable way. I loved how the author not only included her own voice, and experiences but also included quotes from some of the Amish men and women she interviewed. Their tips were down to earth, practical and surprisingly useful. While you might have next to nothing in common with the Amish and their way of life, in this economy most everyone, including myself, could use a few tips on living more simply.
In Money Secrets of the Amish Lorilee Cracker illustrates how a few small changes in both spending habits and attitudes towards everyday life can help even the most modern families lead simpler and more financially unburdened lives. Even if you have never had an interest in the Amish, and have no intentions on modeling your lifestyle after theirs, I think that you will still find some wisdom within these pages.
I received an e-ARC of Money Secrets of the Amish from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own
July 19, 2019
Many years ago, a local paper ran a weekly column called The Amish Cook. I think the Amish columnist died in the early 2000s, and her daughter took it over under another name. In any event, it was a sweet little series that offered a peek into the daily lives of their Indiana Amish community and some pretty good recipes, too. I saw this book at the library and though it might be in a similar vein.
Nope.
Instead, it's a Parade supplement that got out of control, one that amounts to "oh, silly me and my clueless financial habits." It's shakily framed with some vague vignettes about the Amish and as many references to shoo-fly pie as the writer could stuff into it. I kept reading it only because it was so ridiculously full of humble-brag, it got laughable after a while.
The author goes on about her Period of Extreme Thrift--yes, she capitalizes it as if it is a foreign country or a national monument. She seems to have confused the need to be frugal to keep a roof over one's head with the social embarrassment of driving an older, ugly (gasp!) vehicle to the kids' hockey practice or the desire to rent a cottage at the lake shore every weekend. Oh boo hoo. Cry me a river. There are people out there working two or three jobs who regularly choose between buying medication or groceries or which kid "gets" needed dental work done that year, and this woman is going on about not being able to have steak as often as she'd like or how all the money she "saved" by buying designer t-shirts and mint-green shoes at thrift stores can go toward her next massage.
Clearly, I'm not her audience. Her idea of "cutting back" is spending $75+ taking the family to the movies "only" once a month. My idea of frugal is Netflix and making my own popcorn, which tastes better anyway. Her idea of "shopping smart," is buying a style magazine before going to a thrift store where she practically orgasms over trendy shoes and baubles. My idea of shopping smart is to recognize shopping is not a hobby. And it's just plain common sense is not to buy magazines that exist solely to convince you that you "need" more trendy crap.
Also? It is not "frugal" to live with a 30-year old microwave because a new one would cost $200. First, they don't cost that much. You can get them all day long for $100 (or less). Second, a microwave that old is energy inefficient (thus costing more to run) and probably borderline dangerous (seals degrade over time.) Also? You can't compare the cost of grocery store beef to direct-from-farm beef because the direct-from-farm bulk price almost always takes the total animal weight into considerations. Sure, it's less per pound, but unless you are going to use the bones, fat, entrails, and skin, it's not apples to apples comparison. (Still better meat at usually a good price, but it's sloppy math.)
Pros:
-It was free.
-It was short.
-It made me realize common sense is in very short supply if people need an entire chapter to explain paying bills on time is a good idea or that yogurt containers can be re-used.
-It's one more book toward my GR reading goal in a year where I might barely meet it.
Cons:
-Someone here mentioned it is trite. I'll add insipid, sophomoric, and entitled.
-It might cause facial fatigue from eye-rolling over what is presented as "doing without." If you're taking your kids to U2 concerts and driving an hour to pick up CSA shares, you're nowhere near struggling with finances. Struggling with common sense, maybe.
-Best to avoid completely if you have a low tolerance for text peppered with "way more," "totally" as a verbal tic, and "I know, right?" (I was fully expecting at least one "Like, OMG!" to appear.)
The whole thing is shallow as a wading pool and far less useful. There isn't even much depth in the parts about the Amish to prop it up. Read Dave Ramsey (if you must and can stomach the proselytizing) or, better yet, read Your Money or Your Life for idea applicable to the real world.
Nope.
Instead, it's a Parade supplement that got out of control, one that amounts to "oh, silly me and my clueless financial habits." It's shakily framed with some vague vignettes about the Amish and as many references to shoo-fly pie as the writer could stuff into it. I kept reading it only because it was so ridiculously full of humble-brag, it got laughable after a while.
The author goes on about her Period of Extreme Thrift--yes, she capitalizes it as if it is a foreign country or a national monument. She seems to have confused the need to be frugal to keep a roof over one's head with the social embarrassment of driving an older, ugly (gasp!) vehicle to the kids' hockey practice or the desire to rent a cottage at the lake shore every weekend. Oh boo hoo. Cry me a river. There are people out there working two or three jobs who regularly choose between buying medication or groceries or which kid "gets" needed dental work done that year, and this woman is going on about not being able to have steak as often as she'd like or how all the money she "saved" by buying designer t-shirts and mint-green shoes at thrift stores can go toward her next massage.
Clearly, I'm not her audience. Her idea of "cutting back" is spending $75+ taking the family to the movies "only" once a month. My idea of frugal is Netflix and making my own popcorn, which tastes better anyway. Her idea of "shopping smart," is buying a style magazine before going to a thrift store where she practically orgasms over trendy shoes and baubles. My idea of shopping smart is to recognize shopping is not a hobby. And it's just plain common sense is not to buy magazines that exist solely to convince you that you "need" more trendy crap.
Also? It is not "frugal" to live with a 30-year old microwave because a new one would cost $200. First, they don't cost that much. You can get them all day long for $100 (or less). Second, a microwave that old is energy inefficient (thus costing more to run) and probably borderline dangerous (seals degrade over time.) Also? You can't compare the cost of grocery store beef to direct-from-farm beef because the direct-from-farm bulk price almost always takes the total animal weight into considerations. Sure, it's less per pound, but unless you are going to use the bones, fat, entrails, and skin, it's not apples to apples comparison. (Still better meat at usually a good price, but it's sloppy math.)
Pros:
-It was free.
-It was short.
-It made me realize common sense is in very short supply if people need an entire chapter to explain paying bills on time is a good idea or that yogurt containers can be re-used.
-It's one more book toward my GR reading goal in a year where I might barely meet it.
Cons:
-Someone here mentioned it is trite. I'll add insipid, sophomoric, and entitled.
-It might cause facial fatigue from eye-rolling over what is presented as "doing without." If you're taking your kids to U2 concerts and driving an hour to pick up CSA shares, you're nowhere near struggling with finances. Struggling with common sense, maybe.
-Best to avoid completely if you have a low tolerance for text peppered with "way more," "totally" as a verbal tic, and "I know, right?" (I was fully expecting at least one "Like, OMG!" to appear.)
The whole thing is shallow as a wading pool and far less useful. There isn't even much depth in the parts about the Amish to prop it up. Read Dave Ramsey (if you must and can stomach the proselytizing) or, better yet, read Your Money or Your Life for idea applicable to the real world.
July 30, 2011
There are those who might say that I’m a bit of an Amish person. I like simplicity. And I’m always careful with money.
So I guess it is not surprising that I loved this book. It’s chockfull of great ideas about how to have a happy life without spending a lot of money. These are the ideas I was taught by my frugal parents. These are the ideas I have lived all fifty-four years of my life. These are ideas that large groups of Amish people have lived all their lives. We know these ideas work. I delighted in this book.
And I have, since I finished it, been contemplating to whom I should pass this book on. In this tight economic climate, there are a zillion people I know personally who don’t seem to be aware of the basic tenets of this book. But would it be an easy sell? Would I hand a person this book and all their money troubles would disappear? I am not sure. I’m not sure how many people would love becoming Amish as much as I would. And that would be a deal-breaker.
There my copy of this book sits. Perhaps I can simply post this review and some of those in financial difficulties will seek out this book. Perhaps some will try some of these ideas and some will use them. I’d say one more time, We know these ideas work. If they are used….
Thank you to the publisher for sending me this copy to read and review.
So I guess it is not surprising that I loved this book. It’s chockfull of great ideas about how to have a happy life without spending a lot of money. These are the ideas I was taught by my frugal parents. These are the ideas I have lived all fifty-four years of my life. These are ideas that large groups of Amish people have lived all their lives. We know these ideas work. I delighted in this book.
And I have, since I finished it, been contemplating to whom I should pass this book on. In this tight economic climate, there are a zillion people I know personally who don’t seem to be aware of the basic tenets of this book. But would it be an easy sell? Would I hand a person this book and all their money troubles would disappear? I am not sure. I’m not sure how many people would love becoming Amish as much as I would. And that would be a deal-breaker.
There my copy of this book sits. Perhaps I can simply post this review and some of those in financial difficulties will seek out this book. Perhaps some will try some of these ideas and some will use them. I’d say one more time, We know these ideas work. If they are used….
Thank you to the publisher for sending me this copy to read and review.
Read
March 31, 2019Friday, May 27, 2011
Review: Money Secrets of the Amish by Lorilee Craker
During this time of depression recession, everyone is tightening their belts. Many people have lost half or more of their incomes while watching prices for gas, food, and other necessities rise quickly. The Amish have weathered the storm far better than the rest of us. Why? Many of the things that our depression era grandparents knew and practiced are still practiced by the Amish. I have a favorite saying, "Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do, or Do Without." This is a favorite Amish saying as well.
Mrs. Craker has thoroughly investigated the subject of how the Amish use money. She shares insights and quotes that she gleened from her many interviews with Amish men, women, and even a banker that deals almost entirely with Amish clients. There is a whole different mindset about money and its use in the Amish community. Children are taught from birth about hard work and frugality.
What really makes this book valuable to an Englischer like you and me is the way Mrs. Craker transfers the wisdom of the Amish into our world. In each chapter she not only shares what she's learned from the Amish, she also shows how others have implemented the practices on a practical basis and how she has made changes in her life that have benefited her.
I especially enjoyed her chapter about bartering. Bartering has never been part of my life. After reading her explanation of what we would call win-win bartering, I'm thinking about what I could barter. Fresh ooey gooey cinnamon rolls anyone?
I was already familiar with many of the practices in the book. I, however, have lived a different lifestyle from many in the mainstream culture. As a one-income family, thrift has been a necessity for many years. I did find new ideas however.
This book would be absolutely excellent for readers who are just embarking on the journey of thrift and wisdom. I read it in two days. That shows how reader friendly the writing is. I felt like I was sitting with Mrs. Craker talking over lemonade and sugar cookies. I am inspired to take my thrift to a higher level!
Five Stars
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
February 10, 2014
How do you write a book about money secrets of the Amish and glaze over the number one way they save money???
They grow most of their food. They don't buy from co-ops they are the co-ops. This book was a waste of time. It's a way of bragging about Ralph Lauren finds in second hand stores.
She interviews one man of fourteen kids and asks whats your secret? He lives thrifty. Wow no kidding. This man is deep in his faith and believes God well provide and does. Though she doesn't mention it aside from hand me downs. I garuntee you they breastfeed, cloth diaper, can/dehtdrate/etc out if thier garden, they put thier kids to work while instilling the value of what they have. Driving a beat up van through a rich city is applaudable? Car pools, bicycling, and walking is even cheaper and really worth a standing ovation.
Cmon lady. Get in and get your hands dirty. Shopping whether by gap or by Goodwill isn't how to save money.
They grow most of their food. They don't buy from co-ops they are the co-ops. This book was a waste of time. It's a way of bragging about Ralph Lauren finds in second hand stores.
She interviews one man of fourteen kids and asks whats your secret? He lives thrifty. Wow no kidding. This man is deep in his faith and believes God well provide and does. Though she doesn't mention it aside from hand me downs. I garuntee you they breastfeed, cloth diaper, can/dehtdrate/etc out if thier garden, they put thier kids to work while instilling the value of what they have. Driving a beat up van through a rich city is applaudable? Car pools, bicycling, and walking is even cheaper and really worth a standing ovation.
Cmon lady. Get in and get your hands dirty. Shopping whether by gap or by Goodwill isn't how to save money.
May 28, 2016
I hated this book. Maybe something redeeming happened deeper into it, but I couldn't take more than a few chapters. It was gross. She made jokes like (paraphrasing here), "We'd be living under a bridge if we didn't do something about our expenses." I just couldn't take the cutesy-folksy tone. It sounded like she had never really known real financial hardship. Like I said, maybe more was revealed later on. But, ugh, I wasn't going to spend my time finding out.
April 18, 2012
I had hoped for some new-ish savings tidbits but these tips are just common sense. If you live extravagantly and you suddenly go from a lot of income to a 'minimal' income, this book could be helpful. However if you are already someone on a very limited budget, the book comes across more as one woman's kevetching about her falling into middle class financial status. The stories from the Amish are a very entertaining look into their everyday life which kept the book from being all about a woman who is grieving her life of wealth and essence of entitlement.
February 25, 2015
I found the title misleading. It should be, "Common Sense About Money, With Lots of Amish Puns." I'm sure that there are people who would benefit from this book, but I didn't need to spend my time reading it to learn the benefits of delayed gratification, saving, paying off or avoiding debt, and looking for the unit price of an item to compare value for bulk vs. regular items. Duh.
May 31, 2018
I thought this was cute and made me want to save and scrimp more!
August 14, 2019
Lots of advice. Some good, some questionable.
April 7, 2016
Finally, a finance book for fancy girls!
Fun and sassy Lorilee Craker lives out my secret fantasy: spend time with those lovely people, the Amish, who observe their faith in Christ in an idyllic agrarian lifestyle that resembles the set of The Shire in Lord of the Rings, and then get paid to write about it. These wonderful hobbits, er, Plain People, have not been tempted by the lure of bigger, better, faster, mostly because they don’t have TVs or radios to constantly barrage them with commercials bullying them into buying Pillow Pets. Instead, they “use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without.” They embrace work (rather than buying more and more devices so they will never need to move their arms, and then needing to get gym memberships for the lack of moving said arms), and as a result, they can eat lots and lots of awesome carbs, like shoofly pie, scalloped potatoes, and graham cracker pudding.
Reading this book had only the one drawback of making me very hungry.
The good news within its pages more than made up for it, though:
Lorilee did the research I’ve managed to avoid all my forty years, that of comparing prices at yearly membership bulk food stores compared to regular grocery stores, proving what I had always intuited…that some things are good in bulk, and some things are not. You basically need to decide if you have enough room to store stuff in mass quantities (I don’t, not in my storage-impoverished 1920s house), if the items you store will get used before their expiration dates, and whether paying the membership fee (and possibly spending more gas for further shopping trips) will amply cover your savings per unit.
I am, so far, still safe from Costco.
Through Lorilee’s funny running dialogue, I was able to garner many other sensible ideas and encouragement, without feeling like a droopy-eyed poet in a 9 o’clock am accounting class. I am now more excited than ever to barter things I have or can do (shabby chic home décor) for things other people have or can do for me (clean my shabby chic décor); feel proud of my black-belt second hand shopping skills; make more things from scratch; maximize my tiny fruit & vegetable garden; purposely teach myself and my children to delay gratification as a virtue to embrace, not fear; consider how I might repurpose even more stuff to further our home’s economy; shop the farmers market for not only fresh veggies and fruits (even the ones I don’t understand), but also local fresh meats that can be surprisingly affordable. Maybe I’ll even meet some real Amishers!
Ah, how I’d love to have been born Amish, but since they’d kick me out for my mascara, I can at least base my financial sense on their ways and call it good! Thank you, Lorilee, for my copy of this cherished book!
Fun and sassy Lorilee Craker lives out my secret fantasy: spend time with those lovely people, the Amish, who observe their faith in Christ in an idyllic agrarian lifestyle that resembles the set of The Shire in Lord of the Rings, and then get paid to write about it. These wonderful hobbits, er, Plain People, have not been tempted by the lure of bigger, better, faster, mostly because they don’t have TVs or radios to constantly barrage them with commercials bullying them into buying Pillow Pets. Instead, they “use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without.” They embrace work (rather than buying more and more devices so they will never need to move their arms, and then needing to get gym memberships for the lack of moving said arms), and as a result, they can eat lots and lots of awesome carbs, like shoofly pie, scalloped potatoes, and graham cracker pudding.
Reading this book had only the one drawback of making me very hungry.
The good news within its pages more than made up for it, though:
Lorilee did the research I’ve managed to avoid all my forty years, that of comparing prices at yearly membership bulk food stores compared to regular grocery stores, proving what I had always intuited…that some things are good in bulk, and some things are not. You basically need to decide if you have enough room to store stuff in mass quantities (I don’t, not in my storage-impoverished 1920s house), if the items you store will get used before their expiration dates, and whether paying the membership fee (and possibly spending more gas for further shopping trips) will amply cover your savings per unit.
I am, so far, still safe from Costco.
Through Lorilee’s funny running dialogue, I was able to garner many other sensible ideas and encouragement, without feeling like a droopy-eyed poet in a 9 o’clock am accounting class. I am now more excited than ever to barter things I have or can do (shabby chic home décor) for things other people have or can do for me (clean my shabby chic décor); feel proud of my black-belt second hand shopping skills; make more things from scratch; maximize my tiny fruit & vegetable garden; purposely teach myself and my children to delay gratification as a virtue to embrace, not fear; consider how I might repurpose even more stuff to further our home’s economy; shop the farmers market for not only fresh veggies and fruits (even the ones I don’t understand), but also local fresh meats that can be surprisingly affordable. Maybe I’ll even meet some real Amishers!
Ah, how I’d love to have been born Amish, but since they’d kick me out for my mascara, I can at least base my financial sense on their ways and call it good! Thank you, Lorilee, for my copy of this cherished book!
May 28, 2011
Title: MONEY SECRETS OF THE AMISH
Author: Lorilee Craker
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
June 2011
ISBN: 978-1-5955-5341-6
Genre: Inspirational/business and economics/personal finance
Take one thoroughly modern gal with a recessionary income problem, mix with the practices of a culture that has proven to be recession-proof, and what have you got?
A financial planner in a straw hat. (from the back cover)
MONEY SECRETS OF THE AMISH is written in the same tongue-in-cheek attitude as the above. Ms. Craker has interviewed vast amounts of Amish, as well as bankers, etc. and discovered that if you take away the straw hat and the beard then the advice that Dave Ramsey gave is spot-on.
> If you want something, save for it. Don’t go into debt for it.
> Deny yourself (and your children) things, don’t buy everything you want.
> Shop thrift stores and consignment shops. Used is as good as new.
> Shop at home first—cook out of your pantry and your freezer and don’t eat out so much
and much more.
I enjoyed reading through MONEY SECRETS OF THE AMISH because it was fun to read the idioms and proverbs of the Amish, to read more about this fascinating culture (such as the way they refer to each other, in a community full of dozens with the same names) and Ms. Craker’s sarcastic thoughts mixed in. It made for a fun and entertaining read.
I really can’t say I learned anything though. My grandparents went through the depression. My parents were taught to hang on to everything. And I have been raised the same way. It does come in handy, as long as you remember where it was put… Financially, I know I need to save more, and I should. I can’t afford the $80 a month she mentioned in the book, but maybe I could start smaller. Give up the iced lattes I’m addicted to and put that money in the bank instead. Ms. Craker went through the math to figure out how much she saved giving up Starbucks – and it does add up. Over $700 a year in her case. And that $700 could go for something you need. Or for a vacation.
If you want a basic financial class, then MONEY SECRETS OF THE AMISH is a book to read. It is entertaining, packed with truth, and would do anyone well to read through, if only as a refresher course of core values. $15.99. 224 pages.
Author: Lorilee Craker
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
June 2011
ISBN: 978-1-5955-5341-6
Genre: Inspirational/business and economics/personal finance
Take one thoroughly modern gal with a recessionary income problem, mix with the practices of a culture that has proven to be recession-proof, and what have you got?
A financial planner in a straw hat. (from the back cover)
MONEY SECRETS OF THE AMISH is written in the same tongue-in-cheek attitude as the above. Ms. Craker has interviewed vast amounts of Amish, as well as bankers, etc. and discovered that if you take away the straw hat and the beard then the advice that Dave Ramsey gave is spot-on.
> If you want something, save for it. Don’t go into debt for it.
> Deny yourself (and your children) things, don’t buy everything you want.
> Shop thrift stores and consignment shops. Used is as good as new.
> Shop at home first—cook out of your pantry and your freezer and don’t eat out so much
and much more.
I enjoyed reading through MONEY SECRETS OF THE AMISH because it was fun to read the idioms and proverbs of the Amish, to read more about this fascinating culture (such as the way they refer to each other, in a community full of dozens with the same names) and Ms. Craker’s sarcastic thoughts mixed in. It made for a fun and entertaining read.
I really can’t say I learned anything though. My grandparents went through the depression. My parents were taught to hang on to everything. And I have been raised the same way. It does come in handy, as long as you remember where it was put… Financially, I know I need to save more, and I should. I can’t afford the $80 a month she mentioned in the book, but maybe I could start smaller. Give up the iced lattes I’m addicted to and put that money in the bank instead. Ms. Craker went through the math to figure out how much she saved giving up Starbucks – and it does add up. Over $700 a year in her case. And that $700 could go for something you need. Or for a vacation.
If you want a basic financial class, then MONEY SECRETS OF THE AMISH is a book to read. It is entertaining, packed with truth, and would do anyone well to read through, if only as a refresher course of core values. $15.99. 224 pages.
May 30, 2011
According to www.economywatch.com, the total amount of consumer debt in the US was nearly $2.4 trillion in 2010. (That’s $7,800 debt per person.)
Other sources say 98% of that debt is credit card debt. Over 70% of Americans are using credit cards to meet their needs, yet there is one community of Americans who seem completely untouched by the current recession. The Amish.
The Amish are literally laughing all the way to the bank. One Amish resident managed to save over $400,000 while renting a farm and feeding fourteen children. What do they know that many Americans don’t? Lorilee Craker explores this unusual phenomenon in her book, Money Secrets of the Amish. Using humor, quick wit and information backed up by her own personal research, Lorilee shares what she learned from the Amish community in regards to financial security.
Whether you’re broke and going through financial hardship or rolling in money, this book is full of practical wisdom that everyone can learn from.
While I won’t implement every single suggestion in this book (I draw the line at buying second hand underwear!), I did feel motivated to try harder at pinching my pennies when I read the tried and true proven results people are getting from simple lifestyle changes. One big difference between most Americans and the Amish is their view of credit. Amish folks avoid credit cards like the plague. They practice a disciplined lifestyle, determining “needs –vs- wants” and rather than go into debt to pay their bills, they find extra jobs or find things to sell for cash flow.
For fans of green living, there are interesting ideas and suggestions in this book as well. I found this book to be informative, interesting and helpful for those who are looking for fresh ways to save money.
Other sources say 98% of that debt is credit card debt. Over 70% of Americans are using credit cards to meet their needs, yet there is one community of Americans who seem completely untouched by the current recession. The Amish.
The Amish are literally laughing all the way to the bank. One Amish resident managed to save over $400,000 while renting a farm and feeding fourteen children. What do they know that many Americans don’t? Lorilee Craker explores this unusual phenomenon in her book, Money Secrets of the Amish. Using humor, quick wit and information backed up by her own personal research, Lorilee shares what she learned from the Amish community in regards to financial security.
Whether you’re broke and going through financial hardship or rolling in money, this book is full of practical wisdom that everyone can learn from.
While I won’t implement every single suggestion in this book (I draw the line at buying second hand underwear!), I did feel motivated to try harder at pinching my pennies when I read the tried and true proven results people are getting from simple lifestyle changes. One big difference between most Americans and the Amish is their view of credit. Amish folks avoid credit cards like the plague. They practice a disciplined lifestyle, determining “needs –vs- wants” and rather than go into debt to pay their bills, they find extra jobs or find things to sell for cash flow.
For fans of green living, there are interesting ideas and suggestions in this book as well. I found this book to be informative, interesting and helpful for those who are looking for fresh ways to save money.
June 28, 2016
just into the second chapter, I hope this gets better. It seems to me like a person who lives a frugal life would already know most of what I have read so far. Also, So far, it seems to me she has interviewed just a few Amish and the book is mostly what she has done in her life. I was hoping for better examples. But, I am not done with the book yet, so I hope it gets better.
Well this proves it, never judge a book by it's cover, or the first few chapters. By the time I got to the chapter on saving, I just couldn't put this book down. It gives some tips on how the Amish culture saves and then the writer applies it to her own life and gives you some valuable tips that you can apply to your own life.
The chapter Operation on De-spoil The Kids was a great one. It really showed how we have gone way overboard on Christmas for our children in our culture, and how the Amish had truly tried to keep the reason for Christmas in their hearts and minds. It showcases the differences between the writer's Christmas morning and an Amish Christmas morning. She also wrote how she was changing a few things in her life.
The chapter on Repurpose, Recycle and Reuse were valuable to remind us how Green most of us aren't.
The chapter on Debt is also a great reminder of some things we should be doing
If it's either how to get started or a seasoned penny pincher this book is worth the read. It gives some beginner advice and will give the seasoned person some great fresh idea's.
Throughout the book gives different web sites you can visit for further idea's. So, once you get the book, have a pad and paper handy, she gives quite a few!
Well this proves it, never judge a book by it's cover, or the first few chapters. By the time I got to the chapter on saving, I just couldn't put this book down. It gives some tips on how the Amish culture saves and then the writer applies it to her own life and gives you some valuable tips that you can apply to your own life.
The chapter Operation on De-spoil The Kids was a great one. It really showed how we have gone way overboard on Christmas for our children in our culture, and how the Amish had truly tried to keep the reason for Christmas in their hearts and minds. It showcases the differences between the writer's Christmas morning and an Amish Christmas morning. She also wrote how she was changing a few things in her life.
The chapter on Repurpose, Recycle and Reuse were valuable to remind us how Green most of us aren't.
The chapter on Debt is also a great reminder of some things we should be doing
If it's either how to get started or a seasoned penny pincher this book is worth the read. It gives some beginner advice and will give the seasoned person some great fresh idea's.
Throughout the book gives different web sites you can visit for further idea's. So, once you get the book, have a pad and paper handy, she gives quite a few!
June 30, 2013
With the economy the past few years, everyone is cutting corners and pinching pennies. Money Secrets of the Amish is a great book filled with a lot of tips and tools to help you make that dollar stretch.
Use things until they are worn out. Even if it isn't the most beautiful item, if it's repairable, fix it. You can recycle clothing into other items. Paying your debts on time will save you money in the long run. Do without if you really don't need it. Learning the difference between need and want is a big one.
Handmade gifts are amazing! Why spend a lot of money on something when handmade is just as good and usually means more. A gift from the heart. Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without is the main motto within these pages. But being practical and smart can go a long way. Learn how to re-purpose, recycle and reuse items to make your dollar stretch. You don't have to buy something new to buy something good. There is nothing wrong with resale shops! Also, growing your own food and canning will save you hundred of dollars. As a bonus, it's healthier for you too!
Lorilee Craker has packed a lot of information in this wonderful book that almost anyone can use as a tool to save money and cut corners. It won't give you financial freedom but it will put you on the right path. Very easy to read and follow and I was thoroughly entertained!
Use things until they are worn out. Even if it isn't the most beautiful item, if it's repairable, fix it. You can recycle clothing into other items. Paying your debts on time will save you money in the long run. Do without if you really don't need it. Learning the difference between need and want is a big one.
Handmade gifts are amazing! Why spend a lot of money on something when handmade is just as good and usually means more. A gift from the heart. Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without is the main motto within these pages. But being practical and smart can go a long way. Learn how to re-purpose, recycle and reuse items to make your dollar stretch. You don't have to buy something new to buy something good. There is nothing wrong with resale shops! Also, growing your own food and canning will save you hundred of dollars. As a bonus, it's healthier for you too!
Lorilee Craker has packed a lot of information in this wonderful book that almost anyone can use as a tool to save money and cut corners. It won't give you financial freedom but it will put you on the right path. Very easy to read and follow and I was thoroughly entertained!
June 1, 2016
I loved the subject matter of this book, at least the subject seemed like it would be in my mind. I would love to hear thoughts of the Amish on many and the way we treat it in our culture. That is what I felt was the strong point of this book: the interviews with many Amish, which are unfortunately brief and dicey.
Instead, apart from those interviews, this book was a popcorn-light read, with "ideas" (all of which were incredibly obvious to me, admittedly someone incredibly interested in frugality and saving) for surviving a recession. These include buying secondhand, bartering, etc.
And that is why this book falls flat. In her attempts to adapt Amish wisdom to "modern living," she removes the core of what holds that wisdom together. Repeatedly the author says, "oh, you and I would never do x like the Amish." Instead, it becomes ways to briefly cut back in time for a recession, and then go on to spending like crazy afterward. I felt this did a disservice to those she interviewed and the subject matter as a whole.
Instead, apart from those interviews, this book was a popcorn-light read, with "ideas" (all of which were incredibly obvious to me, admittedly someone incredibly interested in frugality and saving) for surviving a recession. These include buying secondhand, bartering, etc.
And that is why this book falls flat. In her attempts to adapt Amish wisdom to "modern living," she removes the core of what holds that wisdom together. Repeatedly the author says, "oh, you and I would never do x like the Amish." Instead, it becomes ways to briefly cut back in time for a recession, and then go on to spending like crazy afterward. I felt this did a disservice to those she interviewed and the subject matter as a whole.
August 7, 2011
If you're feeling the pinch of the economy, like my family is, this book is just what you need. We may not be able to fix the recession, but we can take steps to make our own finances healthier. In this book, Lorilee shares practical money-saving advice she learned from the Amish. These tips are so easy and common sense, everyone can put them into practice, even in our hectic, modern world.
Loriles’s lively and humorous style makes this "money book" easy to read. I loved the stories she shared of her visits with the Amish, and especially her accounts of how much she saved by following their example. Her honest and forthright assessment of her own spending habits and determination to change, is an example for us all. After reading this book, you'll be armed and ready to make your money stretch further and your bank account grow fatter.
Loriles’s lively and humorous style makes this "money book" easy to read. I loved the stories she shared of her visits with the Amish, and especially her accounts of how much she saved by following their example. Her honest and forthright assessment of her own spending habits and determination to change, is an example for us all. After reading this book, you'll be armed and ready to make your money stretch further and your bank account grow fatter.
August 21, 2014
This book was a very simple look at the underlying ideas the Amish use to manage their money and thrive even in lean times. There was nothing Earth-shattering in this book as most of the concepts discussed were basic and common sense (and repeats to what you will find in other similar books). The little interjections and tidbits about the Amish values and basic outlook on things did help bring a little flavor to what was pretty bland so I enjoyed it in that respect.
I would recommend this book only because it is a quick, easy read that prompts you to remember the common sense strategies that so many of us forget once we get wrapped up in the world around us. I was reminded of a few simple things I would like to bring back into practice in my own money management.
I would recommend this book only because it is a quick, easy read that prompts you to remember the common sense strategies that so many of us forget once we get wrapped up in the world around us. I was reminded of a few simple things I would like to bring back into practice in my own money management.
July 6, 2012
I liked the premise of the book and the stories of the Amish people were interesting. Unfortunately, much of the advice is simple common sense that our grandparents tried to tell us about and we didn't listen. Growing up in a heavily Mormon area, much of the spiritual ideals about money seem incredibly familiar, just remove Amish and replace with Mormon. Maybe if I was a little more "Fancy" like the author and her expensive tastes (Talbots, the Gap, Starbucks, etc) this ideas would indeed be revolutionary, but for me it was just an "eh, what's new?" Still, I would recommend this book for people to read to get the gist of ideas that maybe aren't so old fashioned after all.
May 9, 2013
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It was a quick, informative read. The author is funny and comes from a Mennonite background so she had a little personal perspective on the Amish. She was really good at taking Amish principles and applying them to modern life. Some advice sounded like Dave Ramsey whose principles she is familiar with. At the end of the book, she writes about a Trivial Pursuit get-together with the Amish families which emphasized the joy of community, one of the things money can't buy. Who knew that the Amish were such fans of the game?
June 14, 2011
Discover the money-saving and wealth-building secrets of America’s thriftiest people, the Amish. I really enjoyed reading this book by orilee Craker. On sale for $10.19 at MTL Christian Bookstore www.mtlbookstore.com
The book had some good insights and ideas in how the Amish live, work, save, and spend. I think readers of finance books, personal finance, and Amish fiction would enjoy reading this book.
The book had some good insights and ideas in how the Amish live, work, save, and spend. I think readers of finance books, personal finance, and Amish fiction would enjoy reading this book.
November 12, 2020
Yet another take on Amish life this month. In Money Secrets of the Amish there IS good information, but the author spoils it by trying way too hard to be glib and clever. Just tell us about their ways and spare us the rest. I ended up skimming the last third of this--I was that eager to escape her annoying style. Such a shame she didn't reign it in and let us really learn from the wisdom she was trying to convey. Money Secrets of the Amish by Lorilee Craker.
July 3, 2012
The Amish way of life has always intrigued me. I enjoyed reading this, mostly because I discovered I have much in common with them! Good read if you are trying to find ways to save money and live frugally. Refreshing outlook on how unimportant "things" really are, compared to the freedom that debt free living brings.
December 11, 2024
You know what else makes you extremely frugal? Single parenthood. I do/have done a lot of these things already and don’t know that many of the ideas are that novel.
Maybe it’s that if you’re reading this book, you already tend to be less consumption focused anyway so it isn’t very impactful? I don’t know.
Maybe it’s that if you’re reading this book, you already tend to be less consumption focused anyway so it isn’t very impactful? I don’t know.
January 30, 2016
Was this brilliant? No. But I bought it for 99 cents and I'm glad I did - because I was once again reminded that everything comes back to relationships and paying attention to things and people - living on purpose. (That said, don't bother trying the "tin foil in the dryer" tip - it doesn't work.)
December 8, 2012
The Amish fascinate me which makes me always interested in reading books about them. This book was well written although I knew most of it already.
May 19, 2013
May 2013. Read it for book club. Did not like the tone of the book. Nor the suggestions to save money. This should have been an article in a magazine.
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