The Frugal Mind

Charlotte Gorman.The Frugal Mind: 1,479 Money Saving Tips for Surviving the 1990's. Denton, Texas: Nottingham Books, 1990. 322 pp. $16.95 softcover. Available from publishers: P. O. Box 2454, Denton, Texas 76202.

The Frugal Mind is a compilation of hundreds of tips pulled together in one book to serve as an immediate reference for people who want to cut expenses, have more money, and get the most they possibly can from their dollars.

The book has 18 chapters. Each one begins with an introduction and continues with numbered tips (a total of 1,479). Included are a detailed table of contents, an index to help locate specific topics, and a bibliography.

Tips in this book are based on the author's experience as a wife, homemaker, teacher, Extension agent and specialist, and resource management consultant. Gorman says some of the more elementary tips are included as a reminder to practice behaviors we may have learned, but don't use. Other tips are suggested by research done by experts in various fields.

The tips in the book range from how to save on your automobile expenses to how to save on your water bill. Other topics include: clothing, communications, education, energy costs, entertainment, funeral and burial, gifts, decorations, groceries, eating out, health care, home furnishings, appliances, housing, insurance, personal grooming, and vacations. If readers will follow the suggestions in this book, the author says they can't help but save money.

The Frugal Mind is a collection of money-saving ideas pulled together in one volume for easy access. It would be a valuable tool for Extension agents or specialists as they prepare newsletters, newspaper columns, radio or TV broadcasts, and information for individual clients and groups. The Frugal Mind will help readers become more frugal consumers and help them survive the decade of the uncertain '90s and beyond.