“Your Money or Your Life” A Book Giveaway

by Katy on December 29, 2010 · 68 comments

Long time Non-Consumer Advocate readers will notice that I am doing a repeat book post, but Your Money or Your Life is a book worth repeating, so good luck!

Although I am a rampant devotee of library books, there are a few that I need to own. To keep on my bedside table and refer to on a regular basis, jot notes in and then carry around in my bag without worrying that I’ll muss it up. Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicky Robin is one of those books. This book is not about how to get rich or clip coupons. It’s one of those fantastic books that take a broad look at how money, personal energy and life all combine together. I ♥ it!

I haven’t actually done a front to back read of this book in a few years, but I am going to reread it this week, so I can share my favorite bits with you.

The winner of this giveaway will receive one genuine used Seattle Goodwill copy of Your Money or Your Life for your very own self.

To enter to win, write something in the comments section about your own relationship with money. One entry per person, U.S. residents only. I will randomly choose a winner midnight of Saturday, January 1st, Pacific time zone.

Good luck!

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

{ 68 comments… read them below or add one }

Mamie December 29, 2010 at 9:52 am

My relationship with money is “love/hate” – so perhaps this book could provide some therapy! 🙂

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Erin December 29, 2010 at 9:56 am

Money and I have been fighting in the past but I am trying work out the relationship. I paid off my car in August (yay!) and now I am working on the dreaded credit card debt! I am always looking for more and creative ways to cut back/pay off/ handle money.

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Jonathan December 29, 2010 at 10:30 am

I need to figure out what to do with all my accumulated money, now that I’ve trimmed my food waste so much. Haha.

OK, more like: I need to figure out how to approach saving, etc. now that I’m past the “putting out the fires” part of parenthood. (Natch, in addition to using it up, wearing it out, making do and doing w/out)

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sarah k. December 29, 2010 at 10:31 am

Oh man, I usually don’t enter giveaways (don’t need more stuff!) but I’m pretty sure this is a book I need. I have stopped checking the book section of thrift stores, and have a lovely relationship with the local library, including my monthly “dues”. Unfortunately, this book is in high demand. I have a broken relationship with money, and I want to fix it. I’m tired of spending more than we earn.

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Liz December 29, 2010 at 10:43 am

My relationship with money is founded mostly on respect, with a healthy dose of fear. I guess the biggest fear is that money will always haunt me in some way or another – and I definitely am hoping to lay that fear to rest. I’m hoping this book can show me how a healthy relationship with money does not have to include constant fretting!

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Maureen December 29, 2010 at 10:55 am

I love money; well spending it that is. Hence the reason why I need this book to help me grown that savings account!

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Mel December 29, 2010 at 10:57 am

My relationship with money is complicated – I hate to spend it (perhaps to a fault) but don’t have much saved to show for it.

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Ann December 29, 2010 at 10:58 am

I have read this book and I find it, frankly, depressing. Money obsession can be wearing on yourself and others.

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Mary Ellen Nessmith December 29, 2010 at 10:58 am

I would love this book. I have an interesting relationship with money- I am working on it…. I have some baggage- (debt) but I am plugging away. Love the blog- thanks for writing.

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kelley December 29, 2010 at 11:10 am

i always had a good relationship with money. i worked hard, saved most of it, never paid a bill late, and paid off my college just after graduation. by and large it was a stress free relationship – there could always be more but i was good at making due and was fine with the concept of working to earn the things i wanted.
then i fell in love.
my now husband was my complete opposite. mountain of debt, unpaid bills, things in collections, no clue of balances ever. weve tried to find a common ground and theres been improvement but its still the biggest source of turmoil in our life together. weve only been married a few months but theyve been rougher than we would have liked and always because of our relationship with money, budgets, debt and understand want vs. need. i would love, love, love to find a way to smooth things things out sooner and get onto the whole newlywed bliss stuff.

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Tina @ The Shakespearean Tomato December 29, 2010 at 11:17 am

I went from a $50K a year job, stable, great benefits, totally soul destroying…back to being a full time student studying what I love (theatre) and working part time making maybe $10K a year if I am lucky. But you know what? At the end of the month I have the same amount of money left in my account. Which means no matter how much money I was making I wasn’t spending it wisely and I was hating every minute I spent at that job. So I am working on reevaluating my relationship with money, what I need (or don’t) and accepting that my chosen career path means I may never make as much money again as I was at 27 years old and I am ok with that.

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Kathy M December 29, 2010 at 11:19 am

I am generally careful with my money and spend carefully. Tracking where dollars go has been helpful. Yet, somehow the past few months have gone by with me not having a clue what I am spending. Time for a new perspective and fresh start. Thanks for opportunity.

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Jessica Wolk-Stanley December 29, 2010 at 11:21 am

I would like to win this book because I NEVER win anything.

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Stephanie December 29, 2010 at 11:41 am

I would love to read this book. I have a fear-based relationship with money that I would love to address. Maybe this book would have good info to help me. Thanks!

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TraciFree December 29, 2010 at 11:43 am

For the most part, money has been there for me when I really needed it. When I only wanted money, no where to be found. Is this healthy? Maybe this book can tell me!
By the way, I’m so glad you’re posting regularly again!

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psmflowerlady/Tammy December 29, 2010 at 11:51 am

Would love to win. Insanely afraid of deprivation.

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Emily December 29, 2010 at 11:58 am

Money and I are working out some serious issues. When I was younger I had too much plastic money. Now that I am older and wiser I’m trying to buy a first home and that plastic money still haunts me. I’ve made huge strides to rid myself of the chains of debt, but would love to win this book and help my cause.

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ani mia December 29, 2010 at 12:10 pm

I think it is mixed. On one hand I am proud to be secure and earn an income I can comfortably live on; however, on the other I still have fear that I won’t be able to pay my bills. It can get paralyzing.

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Elizabeth L. December 29, 2010 at 12:41 pm

I have a love/hate relationship with money. I love it because it allows me to do cool things like buy a house, travel, etc, but I hate that I have to worry about how I’m going to pay for the couch that I bought yesterday and still save for retirement.

It probably doesn’t help that my dad is a financial planner and his favorite activity is constantly asking me about my savings. 🙂

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Rachel December 29, 2010 at 1:14 pm

honestly…money and i have had a love/hate relationship almost my entire life. i was taught a good foundation as a child…but then left to my own accords (and those pesky credit card people handing out free t-shirts just to sign up!)…well…things went downhill. fast.

today…my hubs and i are working hard to get through the mud and get on top of it all. here’s to 2011!

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Issa December 29, 2010 at 1:24 pm

My relationship with money is currently in flux. My income has drastically changed in the last couple of years, and I’m still getting used to the new level. I love Mint.com for managing the budget (with the added satisfaction of cool charts and graphs!), and I’d love to read this book to ponder some of the larger aspects of relating to money.

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Carla December 29, 2010 at 1:28 pm

I must say, I think I have a very good relationship with money. Saving has always given me a thrill, probably akin to the thrill the others get from shopping, and I happen to enjoy living a modest lifestyle, so I’ve always felt in balance with money. Kind of like those people who don’t eat delicious desserts simply because they aren’t hungry. (I am NOT one of those people!)

One of my biggest life goals is to become financially indipendent, and I’m laying the groundwork now to hopefully get me there in the next 25 to 30 years. I think that this book (which has been on my reading list for quite some time!) would be a great compliment to my plans.

Thanks Katy!

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Angel December 29, 2010 at 1:40 pm

I’ve been seeing blog posts and hearing about this book for months but haven’t gotten to read it yet. My library doesn’t have a copy. I’ve been slowly learning more and more about how to have a healthy attitude towards money. I’ve been buying less, buying used, paying debts, etc.

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Katy (another Katy in Portland) December 29, 2010 at 3:15 pm

I would love to win this book. Thanks.

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Jennifer December 29, 2010 at 3:39 pm

We were debt free earlier in the year for the first time ever!! However we had to get a different car as ours of 9.5 years was becoming unreliable. We didn’t have enough to buy it with cash so we swallowed hard and got a relatively small loan. We like to have a car we feel safe with and will keep till it is near death. Feel like I need a financial tune up/pep talk, it’s been almost 2 years since I took Ramsey’s FPU.

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Shannon December 29, 2010 at 3:40 pm

My relationship with money is something akin to the Liz Taylor/Richard Burton marriage(s), lol. Would love to win!

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Practical Parsimony December 29, 2010 at 4:19 pm

Thankfully, I have always had skills that made not having enough money a bearable state. I just paid off my car and house, to the amazement of all except those who believed in me…lol. In my old age I will not be really flush with money. I could always forego a trip to make a mortgage payment, mend shoes to make a mortgage payment, cook and not eat out to make the mortgage payment. However, I do manage a few of the finer things without sacrificing integrity and only eschewing a few comforts. Yes, it has been rough, but I am the eternal optimist.

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Tara December 29, 2010 at 4:24 pm

I own this book and don’t want to take the copy away fro someone else but I did want to post a favorite quote I’ve heard about money. When John D. Rockefeller’s accountant was asked how much money he left his he response was he left if all. That sums up how I live posessions are worldly and finite and other things are not.

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Trish December 29, 2010 at 4:35 pm

Wow, your readers are so eloquent. I will repeat a few of their phrases – I would love to address my fear-based relationship with money, and I NEVER win anything either.

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Patty December 29, 2010 at 5:17 pm

I LOVE this book, changed my life and outlook on the work/life balance. What is wealth anyway – more money or more time to enjoy life?

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Anne December 29, 2010 at 5:49 pm

I go through cycles with it. Sometimes it burns holes in my pockets, others I can calmly let sit and grow. But I know I’m an emotional spender – went hog wild with it when I lost some close family members.

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Katie Schulz December 29, 2010 at 6:01 pm

Please don’t enter me in your giveaway as I have my own copy. This book changed my life. It really did. I can’t think of any other book that really and truly shifted the way I thought. And not just about money, but about life, work, and what it all means. Even if you don’t win Katy’s copy, go to your library and read it. Make it your New Year’s Resolution, that by the end of January, you will have read Your Money or Your Life. You won’t regret it.

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Sherry December 29, 2010 at 6:11 pm

Overall, I have a good relationship with my money. I am naturally frugal due to my upbringing. I’m mostly debt-free other than having a mortgage. I am always looking for ways to manage my money better.
This book sounds like a great source of information. Hopefully I win.
Thanks for your blog. I always look forward to reading it.

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Ann C December 29, 2010 at 6:17 pm

It’s a love/hate. I try to save, save, save, but sometimes I just want to spend, spend, spend. I suppose I’m pretty normal.

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Beth December 29, 2010 at 6:20 pm

After two great months of saving money this fall, November and December were a total disaster — for obvious reasons. Hoping to get back on track in January. Help!

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Laura B. December 29, 2010 at 6:21 pm

I’m trying to develop a healthier relationship with money. My dad’s philosophy was, “spend it if you have it – you can’t take it with you. Money burns.”

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Kimberly December 29, 2010 at 6:38 pm

Money is my hot button. When I feel like I have enough, I’m happy. When I don’t, I’m not. I figure that the first step is awareness. At least I know that my checking account balance is a pretty accurate barometer for my happiness quotient.

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Lee Ann L. December 29, 2010 at 6:51 pm

It’s been hard. I love money and money is often my motivation. But, I also hate to spend it. And yet, I want things. It’s extremely conflicting. LOL. 🙂

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Jude December 29, 2010 at 7:16 pm

My problem with money is the nickels and dimes. I’m pretty good with the dollars, but I spend a lot of small change on Diet Pepsi and candy bars and hamburgers and fries for lunch. Not one of the things is more than a dollar or two, but it accumulates. I bet I throw away $5 a day on junk.

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Darla December 29, 2010 at 7:48 pm

Money and I are up and down…sometimes life is good and other times we are scramping to pay bills….need some guidance, a budget, anything, to even out the roller coaster ride…This book has been reccommended and I’d love to read it.

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sos December 29, 2010 at 8:03 pm

My relationship with money is neutral till now but I am scared I won’t have enough of it in the future

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Stephanie December 29, 2010 at 8:04 pm

I have a love/hate relationship with money. I have found that I love to spend it, and will run through it in no time flat.

So I am now trying to spend more of my time pretending that I don’t have any– I am far more creative with my resources if I am not reaching for my wallet.

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Dynelle December 29, 2010 at 8:35 pm

This is an awesome book. I’ve always been fairly frugal, but this book made me realize it’s all just “stuff.” What do I value more. . .my freedom or my stuff. . . um. . .gee. . .freedom.

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Renee December 29, 2010 at 8:55 pm

I like money. I am currently working very hard to pay off my debt so that I can stay home and have a second child.

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Molly On Money December 29, 2010 at 10:25 pm

The last time you mentioned this book (I think it was a giveaway?) I went out and purchased a copy (used, of course)! It was so life changing for me (yes, I have a large graph hanging in our living room that shows our expenses and income for all to observe) I started scouring the used bookstores for another copy so I could give it to a friend.
I than found a group lead by one of the guys written up in the book that I meet with once a month.
Rock on, Katy!

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pat December 30, 2010 at 4:57 am

Oh Katy this book has been my inspiration! As a frugalista I have always borrowed this book from our local library but my daughter is now considering a home purchase and I would love for her to read it too. (Course I could always borrow it from her in the future!)

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Nancy from Mass December 30, 2010 at 5:45 am

My relationship with money fluctuates based on what is going on in my life. I make a decent salary, but with hubby laid off, there just isn’t enough and I can’t seem to get the budget right. Maybe reading (ie winning) this book will motivate us to finally get a grip on money.

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Cheryl December 30, 2010 at 6:43 am

My husband and I finally have the same financial goals and agree (for the most part) on how to reach them. Dave Ramsey was instrumental in this. We have six kids, and the entire household eats gluten-free. Our only debt is our mortgage. Besides that, our money is “invested” in savings and groceries.

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Lorraine December 30, 2010 at 7:28 am

I would love to win this book. I have borrowed it from the library and thoroughly enjoyed it – but do not own it. I am in my mid-50s and still working out some money issues – however, I’m in much better shape than before. I’m convinced it has to do with my attitude about money and life in general. By the way, I’m a new reader to your blog – stumbled onto it and love it. Glad to see you have the trailer for “The Story of Stuff” – great book/video. Keep up the good work – I look forward to your new entries.

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Maryanne @ www.minimumwageprosperity.org December 30, 2010 at 9:04 am

My relationship with money is really different this year, as I am living for a year on minimum wage (on purpose)! Consequently, my book budget is gone for the year, so I’d love to win!!

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Jenny December 30, 2010 at 10:13 am

My husband and I are well-educated people who have chosen jobs we love. We don’t make huge salaries but we do have regular jobs. We seem to always be scrambling to meet unexpected expenses, and I certainly have a feast/famine money mentality. I am hoping 2011 will be the year we establish a budget, discuss money matters and save with goals in mind. The book would be a good discussion for us!

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Jo Jackson December 30, 2010 at 12:21 pm

This book has been on my “to find” list for over a year. Would love to win it. Have a safe and fruitful new year!

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Jenn December 30, 2010 at 2:53 pm

I would love to win this. I am on a winning roll. My friend was on Oprah’s favorite things and gave me one of her Lasko candles today. Also, my goal for 2011 is cut my credit card debt in half:)

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anne December 30, 2010 at 5:09 pm

My personal money mantra is : “Save your money and it will save you”. This has proved to be true many times. We had a $4,000 plumbing issue that we were able to pay for with our emergency fund. My husband was able to buy a car for cash when his old car died. I can’t say enough about the importance of saving money. Having money in the bank truly provides a sense of security and freedom.

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grandma December 30, 2010 at 7:26 pm

I would really like to own this book! I have heard so much about it and am on the waiting list at my library…

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Carla December 31, 2010 at 5:07 am

Money is a tool and not an end in itself. Therefore, I try to use it wisely but unless I really mess up, don’t get too bent out of shape if I am not always perfectly careful. Being frugal is NOT the most important thing in the world. I also try to balance reasonable frugality with a compassionate heart, ready to give if someone needs something — a delicate dance.

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Laure December 31, 2010 at 5:30 am

I’ve heard good things about this book and would love to win. Although outwardly, I’ve been told I appear to “have it together” – and I live in a good neighborhood, have a professional degree, etc – I’ve never made a lot of money and often feel inadequate due to the limitations this places. Looking back, I had a childhood of less $ than others around and went through life lying to cover it up, e.g. making up imaginary Christmas gifts to say I received, saying my parents wouldn’t buy me things because I’d been naughty, or that I owned a game, doll, etc but had forgotten it at my grandparents’ house… I think this book could help. Thanks for the giveaway!

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Lisa December 31, 2010 at 6:19 am

I just checked this book out of the library. I would love a copy of my own. It is great. I hope to use up things I have around our home in 2011 rather than buy new. I grew up with my Dad saying “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” I’m 42 and think I’m finally understanding that statement. Happy New Year!

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Linda December 31, 2010 at 10:18 am

I have always wante to read this book but I just have not gotten around to it. I hope I can win this book and start reading it.

My husband and I do not make alot of money. We live in a nice home and drive completely paid for cars. We have no credit card debt. The only loan we have is on our home which should be paid off in about 5 years.

Most of our friends seem to make much more than we do and seem to worry about money and have debt other than their homes. They drive really nice cars and wear nice clothes. Most would never go to a yard sale or thrift store for clothes or household items.

My husband and I don’t worry about money, fight about paying the bills or fight about how to spend/save our money. I would rather live the way I do…at peace and in control of of our finances.

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Sara Tetreault December 31, 2010 at 10:31 am

Hi Katy,

My husband and I read this book years ago when it first came out, when we were young and newly married! It has helped shape our financial strategy over the years. It’s an excellent read and a great way to kick off the new year. Happy 2011!

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Sarah December 31, 2010 at 2:15 pm

I have the older edition of this book out from the library right now; I really need to read something that makes a holistic approach to using money “click” for me. I seem to have a very dysfunctional relationship with money, and it is the area of my life that brings me the most shame. I am hoping that 2011 will be the year to line up my use of money with my beliefs and values, and so far as I read the library-copy of this book, I feel that it will help me toward this goal.

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Michelle January 1, 2011 at 7:53 am

I have gotten this from the library several times and agree this is one of those worth owning books! I do have the complete tightwad gazzette but not this one yet! With my husbands job loss this might have some info worth rereading.

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Laurie January 1, 2011 at 7:55 am

I have seen the book and would really like to read it. I just don’t want to “buy” it! I look at money as a tool to maintain the lifestyle of your choice. I’m a nurse and work with people that live in big homes, have campers, boats, SUVs and all that. They HAVE to work full time and grab those those extra hours to maintain that lifestyle. It’s their choice. I work part-time and maintain my simple lifestyle. It’s my choice and I love it.

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Diane January 1, 2011 at 12:41 pm

I have read so much on other blogs about this book. Would love to win it. Please enter me.
Blessings
Diane

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Centerponder January 1, 2011 at 12:49 pm

Trying to learn how to enjoy life more and worry about money less. This sounds like a great read!

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hydra January 1, 2011 at 3:28 pm

I don’t know much about this book, but it sounds like a wonderful read. I’d love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance!

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Linda G. January 1, 2011 at 4:27 pm

I will be more frugal in 2011. Love your blog!

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bushidoka January 2, 2011 at 4:16 pm

Am I too late to enter? Just discovered your blog and like it so far – it is a lot like mine

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