Comments on: An Interview With Amy Dacyczyn, The Author of The Tightwad Gazette http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:34:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Meredith http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/comment-page-3/#comment-927117 Meredith Mon, 11 Oct 2010 16:30:56 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/#comment-927117 I have read the TG many times. It is the set of books I check out most from the library. I always wondered what Amy was doing now. I am in debt to her for helping me avoid debt and to be able to retire early and follow my passion of volunteer work. Thanks to you and to Amy for the inspiration. I have read the TG many times. It is the set of books I check out most from the library. I always wondered what Amy was doing now. I am in debt to her for helping me avoid debt and to be able to retire early and follow my passion of volunteer work. Thanks to you and to Amy for the inspiration.

]]> By: Mel http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/comment-page-3/#comment-921615 Mel Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:11:53 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/#comment-921615 Amy is an amazing person, & the Tightwad Gazette has changed my life. I've probably read the complete thing, cover to cover, over 10 times since buying it 3 years ago With that being said, I dislike Amy's attitude towards overweight people. As someone who has been struggling with their weight & body acceptance their entire life, Amy's comments in her article "Diet, you'll like it" are thoughtless & rude. She states "Also, thin people almost always look good no matter what they wear. In contrast, some larger women compensate by spending more on hair, nails, and wardrobe" I resent being grouped together with these spendthrifts, just because I have some extra weight that I can't get rid of, & I find it very insensitive of Amy to make a statement like that. I spend the same amount on my clothes as my thin frugal friends do, the only difference between us is that I look at the 'large' section & they look at the 'small'. Amy is an amazing person, & the Tightwad Gazette has changed my life. I’ve probably read the complete thing, cover to cover, over 10 times since buying it 3 years ago

With that being said, I dislike Amy’s attitude towards overweight people. As someone who has been struggling with their weight & body acceptance their entire life, Amy’s comments in her article “Diet, you’ll like it” are thoughtless & rude.
She states “Also, thin people almost always look good no matter what they wear. In contrast, some larger women compensate by spending more on hair, nails, and wardrobe”

I resent being grouped together with these spendthrifts, just because I have some extra weight that I can’t get rid of, & I find it very insensitive of Amy to make a statement like that. I spend the same amount on my clothes as my thin frugal friends do, the only difference between us is that I look at the ‘large’ section & they look at the ‘small’.

]]> By: Matthew http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/comment-page-3/#comment-914660 Matthew Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:04:09 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/#comment-914660 Hi Trent: On your recomendtion, I bought the book used as befits the title via Amazon. It is a tour de force of fierce frugality. It seems to be written before the internet age and is absent of any reference to on line resources/websites for frugality. It seems a bit like a dated document. I wish she would update it with internet resources. Hi Trent: On your recomendtion, I bought the book used as befits the title via Amazon. It is a tour de force of fierce frugality. It seems to be written before the internet age and is absent of any reference to on line resources/websites for frugality. It seems a bit like a dated document. I wish she would update it with internet resources.

]]> By: mer723 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/comment-page-3/#comment-912210 mer723 Sun, 23 May 2010 20:29:17 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/#comment-912210 I remember reading the article from the Parade about Amy. Unfortunately I then went through a messy divorce and then another bad relationship. I am now looking for ways to repair damage from these past lives when I came upon your blog Trent. I am following your advice this time around and look forward to checking out "The Complete Tightwad Gazette" for enhance your advice! Thanks Trent for both the article and your blog. I remember reading the article from the Parade about Amy. Unfortunately I then went through a messy divorce and then another bad relationship. I am now looking for ways to repair damage from these past lives when I came upon your blog Trent. I am following your advice this time around and look forward to checking out “The Complete Tightwad Gazette” for enhance your advice! Thanks Trent for both the article and your blog.

]]> By: LUCIE MALETT http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/comment-page-3/#comment-910787 LUCIE MALETT Wed, 12 May 2010 17:36:42 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/#comment-910787 I love to be frugal and just made home made detergent, it works great. would like to have the books in large print additions. I love to be frugal and just made home made detergent, it works great. would like to have the books in large print additions.

]]> By: Jackie http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/comment-page-3/#comment-908654 Jackie Sun, 25 Apr 2010 12:23:09 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/#comment-908654 Thanks Trent, I loved Amy and the Tightwad Gazette and got so many ideas from it. I always wondered it it was still out there or if you were connected with it in some way. Really, I did wonder about that. After reading Amys book and the newsletters, it was the beginning of my paying attention to saving money. I raised my children to feel the same way. Thanks Trent,
I loved Amy and the Tightwad Gazette and got so many ideas from it. I always wondered it it was still out there or if you were connected with it in some way. Really, I did wonder about that.
After reading Amys book and the newsletters, it was the beginning of my paying attention to saving money. I raised my children to feel the same way.

]]> By: Carol http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/comment-page-3/#comment-904253 Carol Fri, 16 Apr 2010 08:09:51 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/#comment-904253 I was so delighted to see her name again. I truly enjoyed and loved those books. I think in my move I kept all three. they should be in the storage unit that I will be cleaning out this year. Only 2 years. I got rid of so many of my favorite books, knowing I would find them again, but I could not let go of those. The ideas are bizarre and inspiring and useful and just crazy, but they have helped me and my attitudes have changed quite a bit because of them. I see things in a whole new way and that is a good thing. Thanks for putting this out there. Love the Tightwad Gazette. I was so delighted to see her name again. I truly enjoyed and loved those books.

I think in my move I kept all three. they should be in the storage unit that I will be cleaning out this year. Only 2 years. I got rid of so many of my favorite books, knowing I would find them again, but I could not let go of those.

The ideas are bizarre and inspiring and useful and just crazy, but they have helped me and my attitudes have changed quite a bit because of them. I see things in a whole new way and that is a good thing.

Thanks for putting this out there. Love the Tightwad Gazette.

]]> By: jestjack http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/comment-page-3/#comment-760276 jestjack Sat, 22 Aug 2009 23:44:50 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/#comment-760276 Thanks for the interview with Amy. She is truly one of a kind and her message is as valid today as it was when she wrote the newsletter. I can not believe all the kids have moved out...time does fly! Thanks again. Thanks for the interview with Amy. She is truly one of a kind and her message is as valid today as it was when she wrote the newsletter. I can not believe all the kids have moved out…time does fly! Thanks again.

]]> By: Yolanda http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/comment-page-3/#comment-719962 Yolanda Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:50:25 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/#comment-719962 I had read the first book several years ago, and then recently found "The Complete..." on Amazon.com and ordered a used copy. What amazes me is how current most of the information is. I am grateful to Amy for her help! I had read the first book several years ago, and then recently found “The Complete…” on Amazon.com and ordered a used copy. What amazes me is how current most of the information is. I am grateful to Amy for her help!

]]> By: Diane Temple http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/comment-page-3/#comment-715676 Diane Temple Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:32:54 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/#comment-715676 This is for 'Eileen' who wrote Comment #104 and wants to see a picture of Amy D. When you Google her name, then click on button in upper right hand of screen and select 'Image.' And you will have definitely one or two fairly recent pictures of Amy taken in her home. Good luck! I am about to give her third book to my future granddaughter-in-law as a second wedding present. This is for ‘Eileen’ who wrote Comment #104 and wants to see a picture of Amy D. When you Google her name, then click on button in upper right hand of screen and select ‘Image.’ And you will have definitely one or two fairly recent pictures of Amy taken in her home. Good luck!

I am about to give her third book to my future granddaughter-in-law as a second wedding present.

]]> By: amy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/comment-page-3/#comment-703142 amy Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:31:15 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/#comment-703142 How wonderful to hear how she is doing! I bought her book years ago (and sold it on ebay :) Was very inspirational~! How wonderful to hear how she is doing! I bought her book years ago (and sold it on ebay :) Was very inspirational~!

]]> By: partgypsy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/comment-page-3/#comment-692433 partgypsy Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:29:03 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/#comment-692433 I finished re-reading the tightwad gazette and as I was talking about it with my husband, he asked, now that it is 10 years older, how do her kids feel about it? Will her kids ever write a "tell-all" book about growing up in the Tightwad family? I would read it : ) I think her (and your) message is relevant as ever. I think it would be great if she was interviewed on Oprah because she is a role model, and can talk about how her decisions allowed her to stay at home with her children, live in a ecologically responsible fashion AND retire early. I bet the people making fun of her in the 90's wouldn't be laughing now. I finished re-reading the tightwad gazette and as I was talking about it with my husband, he asked, now that it is 10 years older, how do her kids feel about it? Will her kids ever write a “tell-all” book about growing up in the Tightwad family? I would read it : )
I think her (and your) message is relevant as ever. I think it would be great if she was interviewed on Oprah because she is a role model, and can talk about how her decisions allowed her to stay at home with her children, live in a ecologically responsible fashion AND retire early. I bet the people making fun of her in the 90′s wouldn’t be laughing now.

]]> By: Jennie http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/comment-page-3/#comment-685637 Jennie Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:42:51 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/#comment-685637 I am so glad to see this--I read her books about once a year and take a different set of notes each time (as my needs change). I was wondering what she was up to now after all this time. I am so glad sites like this exist--it gets hard to be frugal when so many around us are not--it's nice to have encouragement. I am so glad to see this–I read her books about once a year and take a different set of notes each time (as my needs change). I was wondering what she was up to now after all this time. I am so glad sites like this exist–it gets hard to be frugal when so many around us are not–it’s nice to have encouragement.

]]> By: Jessica http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/comment-page-3/#comment-683826 Jessica Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:59:42 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/#comment-683826 I have one son, and have another baby on the way. My husband and I were discussing me staying home before I ever found out I was pregnant again. I want so bad to stay home with my kids. I'm pretty good with selling things online and I also sell wholesale merchandise at our local flea market... but that alone will not help if we continue to spend like we have 2 paychecks coming in. My mom had all of her books. She made it when I was growing up. I can still remember her "piggybacking" the soap, washing out the ziplock bags to reuse for our brownbag lunch the next day. Her and my dad made it on one check and sending myself and my sister to a private school that was pricy. That's motivating to me. Those were also our happiest days. Doing without and living more frugal would/will do us all some good! Her books and this blog are very inspiring! Thanks! I have one son, and have another baby on the way. My husband and I were discussing me staying home before I ever found out I was pregnant again. I want so bad to stay home with my kids. I’m pretty good with selling things online and I also sell wholesale merchandise at our local flea market… but that alone will not help if we continue to spend like we have 2 paychecks coming in. My mom had all of her books. She made it when I was growing up. I can still remember her “piggybacking” the soap, washing out the ziplock bags to reuse for our brownbag lunch the next day. Her and my dad made it on one check and sending myself and my sister to a private school that was pricy. That’s motivating to me. Those were also our happiest days. Doing without and living more frugal would/will do us all some good! Her books and this blog are very inspiring!

Thanks!

]]> By: Rebecca http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/comment-page-3/#comment-674336 Rebecca Wed, 27 May 2009 00:28:20 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/#comment-674336 I found the Simple Dollar website when I googled Amy Dacyczyn (I still have a hard time spelling her name!) Your interview and website popped up and so I got a double bonus - I got to read about my favorite frugal zealot and also find out about your great website - which I have been enjoying very much! I found the Simple Dollar website when I googled Amy Dacyczyn (I still have a hard time spelling her name!) Your interview and website popped up and so I got a double bonus – I got to read about my favorite frugal zealot and also find out about your great website – which I have been enjoying very much!

]]> By: eofelis http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/comment-page-3/#comment-638990 eofelis Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:05:04 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/#comment-638990 Amy's books were a big influence on me and I still think about them often. I have been able to live frugally with out feeling deprived and go to college full-time as a thirty-something non-trad student and I am almost ready to graduate with *no debt*! Amy’s books were a big influence on me and I still think about them often. I have been able to live frugally with out feeling deprived and go to college full-time as a thirty-something non-trad student and I am almost ready to graduate with *no debt*!

]]> By: Anca http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/comment-page-3/#comment-623916 Anca Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:31:32 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/#comment-623916 I am currently reading a copy of The Complete Tightwad Gazette (that I borrowed from the library) and was curious if she published anything after that. I read this blog every now and then and was very pleased to find the interview. Good job on the blog! Keep up the good work! I am currently reading a copy of The Complete Tightwad Gazette (that I borrowed from the library) and was curious if she published anything after that. I read this blog every now and then and was very pleased to find the interview. Good job on the blog! Keep up the good work!

]]> By: Dana http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/comment-page-3/#comment-610585 Dana Sun, 05 Apr 2009 03:15:26 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/#comment-610585 Wow! I was searching on Amy's last name to see what was out there and I find you've interviewed her! Way to go! You lucky dog. :) I got her three books in the "complete" volume, hardcover... it's one of my favorite personal finance books. Wow! I was searching on Amy’s last name to see what was out there and I find you’ve interviewed her! Way to go! You lucky dog. :) I got her three books in the “complete” volume, hardcover… it’s one of my favorite personal finance books.

]]> By: Jan Bloom http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/comment-page-3/#comment-608910 Jan Bloom Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:09:21 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/#comment-608910 Listening to the problems of so many who have found themselves in unfortunate circumstances made me think of Amy. This 83 year old fan of hers would like to see her continue the Gazette,if she feels up to it,as there are so many young people these days who do not have the benefit of family input. We went up to visit her and her husband some years ago, and enjoyed ourselves immensely. I would love to see her again. Maybe Oprah could bring her back for an interview? We need them. Big love to both! Listening to the problems of so many who have found themselves in unfortunate circumstances made me think of Amy. This 83 year old fan of hers would like to see her continue the Gazette,if she feels up to it,as there are so many young people these days who do not have the benefit of family input. We went up to visit her and her husband some years ago, and enjoyed ourselves immensely. I would love to see her again. Maybe Oprah could bring her back for an interview? We need them. Big love to both!

]]> By: Robin Zdroik http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/comment-page-3/#comment-605890 Robin Zdroik Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:32:52 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/05/14/an-interview-with-amy-dacyczyn-the-author-of-the-tightwad-gazette/#comment-605890 God Bless Amy....I have her first two books and her complete Tighwad Gazette. I learned alot from the books and although I was always frugal, my husband was not. Over the past 10 years he has jumped on that bandwagon and we have absolutely no debt, live smart and have a good, stres free (for the most part) life. My husband recently lost his good job as his company is closing their doors here in Wisconsin and all of their work will be done in China and Mexico - we are not worried in spite of the fact that there are no jobs and the employment situation continues to get very, very grim. We have built up a nest egg and I still have my job with a lot of seniority built up. We were frugal long ago when it was not popular and were "laughed at". No one is laughing now - so many people we know are losing their homes, jobs and are in dire straits - and, they still don't want to get on the frugal bandwagon. God Bless Amy….I have her first two books and her complete Tighwad Gazette. I learned alot from the books and although I was always frugal, my husband was not. Over the past 10 years he has jumped on that bandwagon and we have absolutely no debt, live smart and have a good, stres free (for the most part) life. My husband recently lost his good job as his company is closing their doors here in Wisconsin and all of their work will be done in China and Mexico – we are not worried in spite of the fact that there are no jobs and the employment situation continues to get very, very grim. We have built up a nest egg and I still have my job with a lot of seniority built up. We were frugal long ago when it was not popular and were “laughed at”. No one is laughing now – so many people we know are losing their homes, jobs and are in dire straits – and, they still don’t want to get on the frugal bandwagon.

]]>