I was once asked, if I could choose any famous person to have lunch with, who would I choose? My answer? Amy Dacyczyn, the original frugal zealot, and author of the Tightwad Gazette.
Amy has been a heroine of mine since I first discovered the Tightwad Gazette in 1997. I was fresh out of college, and working a low-paying job as an editor at a phonebook publishing company. I dreamed of becoming a writer, but my real dream, what I most hoped for, was to have children and stay home with them.
Fast forward 13 years, and here I am, living my dream with a man who shares it, and who is sometimes even more frugal than me! God has blessed me so abundantly, and I believe that we owe our success in achieving debt freedom, in part, to Amy Dacyczyn. My copy of the Tightwad Gazette is so worn that the binding is detached, and it’s still one of the most referenced books I own. I’ve always hoped that if I were to write a book, it would have the same charm, the same wit and humor (it would not, however, have the pen and ink illustrations, because I stink at drawing). On our 7-year journey to debt freedom, I applied countless tips and techniques learned from Amy, but more importantly, I adopted her attitude. It’s not how much you make, it’s how much you save, and all the little things add up to something big.
I was very excited to discover this interview with Amy, and actually see for myself her beautiful “rural, pre-1900 New England farmhouse (with attached barn).” I was also very pleased to note that Amy’s philosophy hasn’t changed. She truly believes in the power of frugality, and so do I. That’s why I’m here every day, encouraging all of you as you discover the abundant life that comes with debt freedom.
It’s the forever frugal life, and it’s a good one.
