The Penny-Pinching Hedonist: How to Live Like Royalty with a Peasant's Pocketbook is the ONLY e-book that tells you how to save hundreds, even thousands, of dollars every year on the things that really matter: travel, dining, live entertainment, romance, and other FUN. The author, frugality expert Shel Horowitz, has been featured in the Boston Globe, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Los Angeles Times, Bottom Line, and many other publications--and on hundreds of radio shows around the world.

Note: Available only as a PDF eBook; the printed copies are sold out.

by Shel Horowitz

ISBN #0-9614666-4-2

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 95-094233

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These pages explore the e-book, The Penny-Pinching Hedonist: How to Live Like Royalty with a Peasant's Pocketbook. You'll find information about the e-book here, including general information, quotes from press and readers who are using this e-book to slash the cost of pleasure, the table of contents, and some excerpts. And, of course, you may order this inexpensive and useful e-book.

"An incredibly valuable, excitingly innovative, budget friendly, "how-to" guide to living better and spending less."
--Jim Cox, Midwest Book Review

"Shel Horowitz es escritor y en su libro electrónico "The Penny-Pinching Hedonist: How to Live Like Royalty with a Peasant's Pocketbook", describe, a lo largo de 280 páginas, los secretos para que la vida lujosa de los ricos esté al alcance de todos. "Hay muchos maneras para vivir como rico sin tener que pagar mucho dinero, hay que ser creativo e ingeniárselas para estar presente en los sitios donde sólo los ricos tienen acceso", explicó Shel Horowitz."
--Univision.com
Rough translation: Shel Horowitz is a writer and in his e-book, The Penny-Pinching Hedonist: How to Live Like Royalty with a Peasant's Pocketbook, describes, across 280 pages, the secrets that a luxurious life in the manner of rich people, is available to everyone. "There are many ways to live like a rich person without spending much money, you have to be creative to engineer your presence in the places where only rich people have access," explains Shel Horowitz.
Note: I didn't actually say anything about engineering your presence, and that verb I had to look up--the rest I was able to translate.

More quotes from the press

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Table of Contents

• Welcome! Enjoy!
• Pleasure is Where You Find It
• A Note Before We Start

• Out and About in the Country
• The Two-Wheeled Wonder
• Out and About in the City
• Window Shopping and Browsing
• The Port Salute
• Other Mass Transit
• What's Happening?
• Be a Culture Vulture
• Ghosts of the Past Come Alive
• Fairs and Festivals
• Trade Shows and Conventions
• Outdoor Sports and Games
• Home Games
• Crafts and Hobbies
• Communicate

• Are You Paying Too Much?
• Alternative Venues
• Take Advantage of Promotions
• Discounted Tickets
• Work Exchange

• Eight Ways to Enjoy Elegant Restaurants
• Salad Bars and Buffets
• Doughy Delectables
• Ethnic Bargains
• Fairs and Festivals
• Community Events

• Ultimate Picnics
• The Art of Tea: Hot Drinks
• Alcoholic Drinks
• Potlucks and Community Dinners

• Furnishing Your Kitchen
• Flavor Bases: United Nations in a Jar
• Pocket Change in the Produce Store
• Animal Products
• Main Ingredients

• Great Dates for Penny-Pinchers
• Quick Getaways
• Romance at Home
• Long Distance Lovin'
• Terrific Tightwad Weddings: Two Approaches
• Other Milestones and Rituals

• Children and Money
• Arts Projects
• Wood, Metal, Clay and...
• Food
• Books Galore-Reading AND Writing
• Music
• Does it Compute?
• Sports
• Rainy Day Fun
• What Do Mommy and Daddy Do All Day?
• On the Road

• Buying New
• List Prices and Other Jokes
• How to Use Credit Cards
• Local Options
• Over the River and Through the Mail
• Getting Satisfaction
• Clothing and Fashions (New or Used)

• Selecting Merchandise
• Where to Find Good Deals

• Gift Baskets
• Hobby Help
• Coupons for Services
• Kitchen Creativity
• Handcrafted Items
• Original Writing, Music, or Art
• Memories
• Novelty and Gag Gifts
• Niche Products

• Electric and Electronic Appliances
• Furniture
• Kitchen Items

• Discounts
• Luggage
• Travel Services and Guides
• Money Changing
• Telephones
• Cultural Mores

• Air
• Land
• Sea

• Homestays and Home Exchanges
• Hostels
• Camping
• En Route
• College Dormitories
• Bed and Breakfasts/Guest Houses
• Cabins and Cottages
• Hotels and Motels

• Communicate
• Teach...or Learn
• Regular Job, Unusual Location
• The Travel Industry
• Missionary and Military Service

• Other Ways to Live
• The Minimalist Approach
• Shared Resources
• Alternatives to Money

• Working For Yourself
• "Negative Income"
• Some Other Options

• Specific Resources Pertaining to the Book
• Chapter 1: Having a Wonderful Time
• Chapter 2: Participatory and Passive Pleasures
• Chapter 3: Palatable Penury
• Chapter 4: Two United by Love
• Chapter 5: Young, Gifted and Broke
• Chapter 6: Shop Till You Drop
• Chapter 7: Away With All Cares
• Chapter 8: Racing Away From the Rats
• Other Products Available From Us
• Short Reports
• Forthcoming Books:

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Here's How YOU Can Learn to Become a PENNY-PINCHING HEDONIST

Like to travel? See live music, theater, or sports? Enjoy elegant restaurants? Buy fancy outfits or great electronic equipment? Like to have fun on a date? Take your kids out for a good time?

Sure, you say. But all those things cost too much money.

Not anymore. Because now there's a roadmap. A e-book written for you, to help you have the time of your life and still keep most of your money in your wallet.

There are dozens of "cheap" e-books out there, but most of them forget that life should be FUN! You don't really need to know how many times you can reuse a plastic bag or a serving of coffee grounds.

Wouldn't you rather know how to save big bucks every time you travel, see top live entertainment, eat in a fine restaurant, have a romantic evening? If so, keep reading. I'm going to tell you about a treasure-trove of information.

It's a e-book called The Penny-Pinching Hedonist: How to Live Like Royalty with a Peasant's Pocketbook, and its 280 pages contain THOUSANDS of great ideas for low-cost FUN. You've just seen the table of contents. In a moment, you'll read two little sections from it. But first, let me tell you what others think.

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     "After you read Shel Horowitz's book THE PENNY-PINCHING HEDONIST: HOW TO LIVE LIKE ROYALTY WITH A PEASANT'S POCKETBOOK, you are definitely convinced that in order to enjoy life it is not how much a person earns that is important, it is how they manage and spend their earnings. Furthermore, once you get over the "what will people think" syndrome you are on your way to applying many of Horowitz's suggestions as to how to have fun and live well without going into hock.
     "Horowitz provides his readers with a humongous amount of cost saving tips related to a variety of subjects such as: entertainment, food, children, travel, shopping, gifts, and dating. In all likelihood, if you take his advice on any one of his suggestions, you would immediately recoup the cost of the book...
     "Although the book was published in 1995, most of the advice and principles are still timely."
     --Norman Goldman The Best Reviews, November 12, 2002

     "A concise guide to cost-effective living. Not just helpful and well written, this is an extremely entertaining book."
     --Leann Arendt, Buzz Review

     "Horowitz traveled with his wife and young daughter to London, spending $200 apiece for round-trip tickets and $50 for nine nights of lodging. They even qualified for double frequent-flier miles!"
     --Ann Kotakowski, Moms Online

     "To my delight...most of the topics...are appropriate for those of us with families. Horowitz aspires to have, among other things, gourmet food, nice clothes, great entertainment and frequent travel on a lean budget and he details how he accomplishes those goals. The book includes an extensive section on barter... One of the best things about this book is the travel tips and resources... Full of good ideas delivered in a down-to-earth tone."
     --Lisa Reid, Pursestrings

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     "Style is warm, informative, clear. It's encompassing."
     --Winston Smith, Daily Hampshire Gazette

     "Tells thousands of ways to have fun without going broke. Travel, shopping, recreation, entertainment, gourmet eating, children's activities, even romance are all covered in detail."
     --Brattleboro Reformer

     "Do you have swordfish tastes on a tunafish budget? Well, now you can stretch your dimes to the limit and live like you're throwing your dollars around. Local writer Shel Horowitz's third book on saving money, The Penny-Pinching Hedonist: How to Live Like Royalty with a Peasant's Pocketbook, will show you how to get the most out of your frugality."
     --Karen Shoffner, Valley Optimist

     "[Horowitz] has built a way of life out of finding ways to get what he wants for next to nothing, if not for free...He's left almost nothing out of lists of suggestions for how to entertain yourself."
     --Suzanne Wilson, Hampshire Life

     "This book's subtitle says it all: how to live like royalty with a peasant's pocketbook. So often we think that living frugally means deprivation, or going without the fun extras of life. Shel Horowitz dispels that notion within the first few pages of his fun and helpful book, The Penny-Pinching Hedonist.
     "Horowitz says, 'I am not wealthy, but I am very happy. I enjoy lots of concerts and plays, have a great deal of fun and creative time with my family, travel frequently, own a home in a downtown location with a view of the woods--which is filled with books, music, fine food, original art, and other pleasures. I even love my job! My family's income is lower than that of most of our friends and acquaintance---but our quality of life seems to be a whole lot better than theirs!'
     "If this sounds like a great life, The Penny-Pinching Hedonist could be just the book for you. Discover ways to add simple pleasures and luxuries to an otherwise frugal life. Horowitz offers ideas for quality activities at bargain prices. The book is jam-packed with inexpensive (and often free!) suggestions for fun in every area of life: food, hobbies, entertainment, travel, children, gifts, and more."
     --Deborah Taylor-Hough, The Simple Times (Debi is the author of Frozen Assets)

     "Perhaps after a lifetime of counting your pennies, you're ready to break out of the frugal rut. Trouble is, your income may not match your inclinations. Grab a copy of Shel Horowitz's The Penny-Pinching Hedonist (Accurate Writing & More, $8.50 (half of the original paperback price)), which teaches "how to live like royalty with a peasant's pocketbook." He says it's the only book that shows you how to save money on fun."
     --Mary Barack, ThirdAge.com

     "Fabulous."
     --Heather Jackson, Editor, St. Martin's Press

     "Buy this book NOW! Even if you don't have the money, if you've always hankered to be a hedonist, Horowitz has made it ridiculously easy for you."
     --Dr. Jeffrey A. Lant, publisher of the acclaimed Sure Fire Success series and self-acknowledged hedonist

     "I love it! It is fun, light, easy reading...full of ways to have fun. Even better, it is smart and accurate. I checked out sections that I would be most knowledgeable about and was impressed."
     --Jonathan Price, VA

     "No wonder Horowitz is renowned as the "frugal king." The Penny-Pinching Hedonist: How to Live Like Royalty with a Peasant's Pocketbook is, indeed, the "bible" for living frugally. This book will make the 5-hour wait for a department store's Labor Day sale a luxury that you may want to stay away from.
     "He packs this book with tested methods, many are based on his actual experiences, with wit and humor. It covers most of the topics you can think of, such as how to enjoy entertaining shows without paying a dime, how to travel with just $100 in your pocket (or even get paid), how to eat out at fancy restaurants for the price of a hamburger, how to keep the children happy and healthy without making you broke, how to live abroad in private homes for free, how to get free furniture and how to live with a "negative" income, which are just to name a few of the tones of tips and ideas on saving your hard-earned money.
     "This 'bible for the frugals in all of us' is probably one of the most valuable books I've ever read in my entire life. It teaches how to enjoy life more by spending less. It shows how to enjoy life like a 'royalty' without feeling 'cheap.' You'll definitely enjoy this book, even if you're not a penny-pinching hedonist YET. Be prepared to be charmingly mesmerized by this 'king.'"
     Rating: 5 Stars; Extremely Recommended
     --Jennie S. Bev, BookReviewClub.com

     "Great ideas for those who want to live well on less. So often we think that living frugally means deprivation or going without the fun extras of life. Shel Horowitz dispels that notion right from the start in this fun and helpful book. Horowitz says, "I am not wealthy, but I am very happy. I enjoy lots of concerts and plays, have a great deal of fun and creative time with my family, travel frequently, own a home in a downtown location with a view of the woods--which is filled with books, music, fine food, original art, and other pleasures. I even love my job! My family's income is lower than that of most of our friends and acquaintance---but our quality of life seems to be a whole lot better than theirs!" The book is jam-packed with inexpensive (and often free!) suggestions for fun in every area of life: food, hobbies, entertainment, travel, children, gifts, and more. If you'd like to add some fun to your life without adding the burden of high expenses, The Penny-Pinching Hedonist is a great resource."
     --Reference-1.com

     "Shel Horowitz, The Penny-Pinching Hedonist: How to Live Like Royalty with a Peasant's Pocketbook (AWM Books, 1995). Shel Horowitz packs each page of this book with innovative, frugal tips for living a life with pleasure with little money. Subjects covered include dining in and out, travel, cultural events, romantic outings, children, gifts, and more. And even if you feel you have already mastered frugality for yourself, this book is worth reading just for the creative ideas for having fun. And Horowitz walks his talk -- he includes many examples of great times he has shared with his family, all on a few bucks. A must read for anyone who wants to enhance the joy in his life!"
     --Linda Breen Pierce, The Simplicity Resource Guide, https://www.gallagherpress.com/pierce/frugal.htm

     "For anyone looking for additional ways to save money, this book definitely belongs in you book collection."
     "I recently had the opportunity to review this delightful book. If you're a person that likes to enjoy life to its fullest, but would still like to save some money, this book is for you! It's packed full of great ideas.
     "A lot of the ideas are how to have a good time with little or no money. Here's one I especially liked out of many (taken directly from the book): "Some hobbies may cost a great deal (including my own interest of photography), but there are many crafts that can be started with scavenged materials, freely available by a walk in the woods, a visit to a local lumber yard or food merchant, or even old junk lying around that you hadn't gotten to throw out yet. Other crafts involve a materials cost, but a small, affordable one. And many of these can not only be a source of recreation, but on income as well."
     "Then Shel goes on to give examples of these.
     "There are many, many great ideas in this book that are unique. The whole book is unique and so one can find information that one hasn't seen before. Some of the topics are: eating out, cooking in, cooking for kids and other fussy eaters, great dates for penny pinchers, keep the kids happy on the cheap, skinflint gifts, reuse and recycle, travel, and much more! I highly recommend this book to anyone trying to save some money. I know you'll find something helpful, I sure did."
     --Monica Resigner, e-pinions.com https://www.epinions.com/content_21853408900

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Now, read a couple of pieces of The Penny-Pinching Hedonist: How to Live Like Royality with a Peasant's Pocketbook. Remember, these are just two small sections from this jam-packed e-book of hard-to- find information:

FROM CHAPTER 2: Participatory and Passive Pleasures

While it's sometimes possible to get something for nothing, other times you may need to trade some time. Many events or organizations could not exist without volunteers, including prestigious concert halls, music festivals, theater series, and so forth.

Often, the commitment is minimal. Ushering, for instance, generally means you have to put on fancy clothes, show up an hour or so before the performance, learn the theater layout, and escort patrons to their seats. (It also means you may be sitting on the steps during the performance if the show is sold out.)

In other situations, you may need to put in more time. For 12 years, I've volunteered at a nearby folk festival. Volunteers buy a T-shirt and receive all their meals plus free camping privileges on the grounds. What a deal! The typical shifts for their 1500(!) volunteers is two hours working, two hours off, all day long for two days. But even then, there are many jobs to be done before or after the festival--or jobs that require close proximity to the various stages--so it's possible to see quite a bit of music. Tasks include, among others: driving performers; assisting disabled patrons; staffing retail sales booths for the sponsoring organization; set construction and teardown; litter-picking and recycling; cooking for the volunteers and performers; stage managing; sign-language interpreting; security...

How would you like to get paid to go a show? If you have good analytical and writing skills as well as some degree of knowledge about the art, you can cover performances for a local community newspaper or radio station. I've been a freelance concert and theater reviewer since the mid-1970's, getting paid anywhere from zero to $50. Typically, it takes me about an hour to write my story after the show--and I do have to pay careful attention and take good notes during the performance. Even if a particular paper doesn't pay, I think it's worth it for the hundreds of dollars a year in free tickets. Reviewing (or previewing) has some extra benefits, too. You may get to interview your favorite stars, or take home their latest recorded works.

Of course, any kind of paid or volunteer position within the performance hall--selling tickets, designing costumes, waiting tables, building sets, running the sound and light boards--generally includes free admission to the events you're working on, and sometimes other events in the same facility.

In my subjective but experienced opinion, the very best places to stay are in other people's houses--either with or without the occupant.

We've been members of a wonderful international homestay organization called Servas (the name is Esperanto for "to serve"). Servas, a world peace organization whose goal is to break down barriers between cultures, has members in over 90 countries. Both hosts and travelers are screened by the central organization, through a network of regional representatives. Members pay annual fees to travel and/or host (you may do either or both), but pay nothing for the actual visit, except to reimburse the host for expenses such as long-distance calls. Prospective visitors contact hosts through a directory, which lists languages spoken, occupation, special requirements regarding smoking, diet, pets, etc. Typical visits last two nights and usually include breakfast and/or dinner (depending on your arrival time, of course). Hosts have no obligation to spend time with you during the day, but if they're available, they'll often show you the high spots. Hosts may decline any visit.

We have stayed with Servas hosts in Paris, all over Wales, in several locations in Israel and Mexico, in Spain, Montreal, and in dozens of homes in the U.S. And we've had visitors from Germany, Israel, Australia, Denmark, Sweden, the U.K., and other parts of America. We've met some wonderful people, some of whom we've maintained contact with over a period of years--there was one really memorable visit from a family we'd stayed with in a remote part of Wales; they came well out of their way to look us up and spend a fabulous day with us. We've also been shown or directed to the really interesting parts of the places we visited, places we probably would not have found on our own.

Our strategy: we mix people who seem similar to us with those who are quite different, but might be interesting to learn about. Also, we'll break up Servas visits with campgrounds or hotel rooms, because the pressure of being "on" every night can be a lot to take on an extended trip. And often, we aim for hosts who haven't had a lot of visitors; they're generally warmer and more eager to cherish the experience. Especially in major destinations, we contact hosts well in advance.

Admittedly, not every Servas visit works out. We've met some grumpy hosts and had a few inappropriate visitors. But it's well worth putting up with a few flawed visits in order to get the richness and warmth of true person-to-person traveling. Also, such an organization can't be expected to be your entire source of hospitality. In a nine-day visit to Spain, it happened that along our itinerary there were Servas hosts only in Seville. And sometimes even when there are hosts, their lives are too busy and they aren't able to put up visitors. For instance, although many are listed, we weren't able to locate a host in London for the days we needed one. So we found a bed-and-breakfast a couple of hours into the English countryside.

Exchanges: For longer stays, a home exchange doesn't provide personal connections or the ability to draw on a host's knowledge of the area, but it can provide a comfortable, fully furnished base of operations-as well as housesitting services while you're away.

Basically, you stay in someone's house while either the same or a different person stays in yours. You can either set one up yourself (the skinflint approach) or arrange one through an organization and pay some fees, but avoid the hassle of matching, screening, etc.

In this situation, you may be better off going through the organization and shelling out the $50 or $75. Otherwise--without wanting to be overly pessimistic--do make sure you protect yourself. If you don't go through an organization, think carefully before you do this, because there are all sorts of factors that could ruin your experience if you don't set yourself up to avoid them. After all, strangers are staying in your home, and you in theirs.

Consider, and address in a written and signed contract, some of these issues: Will the guest have use of your car, and will your insurance cover this? Do you have computers, an expensive stereo, or irreplaceable antiques--what happens if they are damaged? Will you allow smoking in your house? How will you collect long-distance telephone costs? Are children involved, and if so, will they be using your kids' toys? What happens if a major emergency repair is needed? Are your guests allowed to have guests? What standards of cleanliness and order do you expect on your return? Also, leave detailed instructions about garbage collection, care and feeding of plants and pets, condominium association requirements, town parking rules, etc. Check references. Move important papers to a safe deposit box. Collect a security deposit.

Still, it is certainly possible to have a good experience--and you'd have to deal with these concerns in any housesitting agreement. One way of minimizing problems is to exchange with friends. Perhaps you can even schedule some overlap, so you get to have a visit as well.

Failing this, figure out your area's most desirable attributes and market them in a classified ad in the local newspaper of the town you want to visit. You may find a jaded big-city dweller is happy to get two weeks of peace and quiet in a small town, or a suburbanite is eager to experience big-city life in your apartment.

It may also be possible to rent an apartment or house at your destination. For example, you can rent an apartment in central London for a week or longer from Big Ben Apartment Rentals, 92 Roebuck House, Palace Street, London SW1 (01-828-5219). Contact the American offices of foreign tourist boards, or the tourist office or Chamber of Commerce in your destination city--but don't save this for the last minute! Remember, if you have access to kitchen facilities, you'll pay a lot less for food than if you eat every meal out. In the appendix, you'll also find a listing of more than 20 homestay, home exchange, and home rental organizations, with full contact information.

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I've written nine other books and have been published by Simon & Schuster, Wiley, and other respected houses. But when my agent sent this proposal around, we discovered the New York publishing world didn't think there was a market for a book on having fun cheaply. Yet everybody else I talked to said "That's a great idea--and you've been LIVING that book for years; you're the perfect person to write it." So I listened to my heart and to all the support I was getting, and decided to publish it without a big New York publisher. I had a great time writing it, and you'll have a great time reading it--and enjoying its frugal fun suggestions in your life.

The Penny-Pinching Hedonist: How to Live Like Royalty with a Peasant's Pocketbook will save you much more than its cover price of $8.50 (half of the original paperback price). Not only that, but you get two free bonus reports: "How to Get Happily Bumped and Earn Free Air Travel" and "How to Get Customer Satisfaction Even After The Warranty is Over."

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I'm so sure you'll like The Penny-Pinching Hedonist: How to Live Like Royalty with a Peasant's Pocketbook that I'm offering a guarantee. Incidentally, my firm, AWM, has been in business since 1981, and we are members of the Amherst Area (MA) Chamber of Commerce. We pride ourselves on providing quality work at affordable prices, and this e-book is no exception.

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