After reading about half of this book I had to put it down. I could not identify with the affluent, oblivious persona of the author. Perhaps it is because I'm older, but her lifestyle at the beginning and the temporary changes she makes along the way struck me as pretty shallow. She gives up drinking for one month, elevators for one month, her cell phone for one month, etc. What if she had to give up her health? Or a loved one? Or her career expectations? Reading about how giving up coffee gave her headaches or her friends seem dumber or meaner when they've been drinking and she hasn't just didn't seem insightful enough to keep me reading.

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This was an interesting idea for a book, but unfortunately the author just isn't original or insightful enough to pull it off. There is really nothing to be gained from reading, and I could see how some people could be easily irritated by the tone of the writer.

Also, please be advised that while it seems like it falls into the realm of personal finance, it's really not totally about that.

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This was a cute idea for a book and I'm sure it was a major undertaking, but the book somehow falls flat, focusing more on the preparations and struggle rather than anything learned or gained. Some months feel like a whinge of living without something rather than "learning to live better with less."

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In the wake of "No Impact Man" and "The Compact" movements, giving up shopping for a single month strikes one as a tad unambitious and hardly merits a blog, let alone a book. This one approaches the deny-oneself philosophy from a vice-of-the-month approach: Starbucks one month, not cursing the next.

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I'd have to agree with the most of the reviewers. This book is simplicity for shopaholics and people who read cosmo on a regular basis. I'm glad I got it at the library.

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After reading the reviews for this, I was unsure that I still wanted to put it on my wishlist. I did, and I ended up getting it shortly after. I didn't think it was as bad as the reviews said. Now, it was nothing life changing, but I found it to be an enjoyable read. The author was humorous, and it kept me interested.

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Short but interesting book about the author's efforts to add more meaning to her life by giving up some of her material obsessions, including taxis, cell phones, coffee, the newspaper, television and shopping. Each month was assigned a different sacrifice.

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This book was not what I thought it would be. I expected more depth but instead found changes that seemed like common sense to me.

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Even though this book didn't get great reviews, I was still curious to read it and see if had anything to offer me on my journey towards a more simplistic lifestyle. This is really one woman's lighthearted, month by month attempt at "sacrificing" indulgences such as chocolate one month, coffee for another, a cell phone for yet another, etc, etc... While it didn't provide me with any deep or profound insight, it did plant a seed and get me wondering what sort of things I might be willing to give up for a month, a year, or perhaps even a lifetime.

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I didn't really know what to expect but was pleasently surprised with the concept and easy ideas and thoughts on how to really trim down your household and needs and by doing so have more. A great read. Very intertaining and great ideas.

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A quick read. A good one to share.

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