Written for those who seek to live frugally, either by choice or necessity, the book has some important tips, yet is marred by it's rather "folksy" manner of writing. It often seems like one is reading a series of letters rather than a book. Some of the information may be dated, but it does have a very strong theme. Doing well with less, spending and saving wisely, buying used instead of new, making do with what is around you, eating healthy foods instead of fast food & pre-packaged snacks, and doing without the "bells and whistles" of products promoted by media saturation. Not a perfect book, but a good start.