Member Reviews

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this one early! I have been in a big financial literacy kick lately and was excited to get a book that focuses specifically on finances in relationships, particularly marriage.

I am wholeheartedly a spendthrift - whoops. And I married a tightwad. So much of this book provides tangible conversations to have or ideas to make your financial health work together - plus I was very interested in all the research they complied and shared.

While I have no interest in having kids, there is a chapter on navigating finances with kids, which I enjoy; I wish I had more financial literacy conversations with my parents while growing up.

Overall, a fantastic self-help read.

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Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

This book was made for my husband and I. I am the tightwad and my husband spendthrift.
I found this book fascinating. Scott Rick has done fantastic research on the psychological reasons we spend money the way we do. Although I knew this he digs deep in explanation to understand deeper. There is also a what kind of spender are you quiz for just in case you aren't sure. Plans are listed to help the spendthrifters. And often both people end up married this book helps navigate the relationship for both parties to try to be on the same page. This book seriously covers it all helping a marriage, helping your children, issues that arise, ways to solve issues, and smarter way to buy gifts. Again thank you to netgalley for trusting me with giving a review.

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"Tightwads and Spendthrifts" by Scott Rick is a thought-provoking exploration of the psychology behind our financial decisions. Rick delves into the behavioral aspects of money management, unraveling the complexities of thriftiness and extravagance. The book is a compelling blend of research and real-world examples, offering insights into the factors that shape our spending habits. Rick's writing is accessible and engaging, making behavioral economics accessible to a wide audience. "Tightwads and Spendthrifts" is not just a book about money; it's a fascinating journey into the quirks of human behavior, providing readers with valuable perspectives on personal finance and decision-making.

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Tightwads and Spendthrifts by Scott Rick

Posted on December 11, 2023 by Jack

Tightwads and Spendthrifts by Scott Rick is a very good book. Some people are extremely tight with money (tightwads) and others spend freely, sometimes excessively (spendthrifts). Others combine these traits in various ways.

I enjoyed Tightwads and Spendthrifts for many reasons. It is a science-based guide to understanding our sometimes complicated relationship with money. Scott Rick is a behavioral scientist and this might make some hesitate to give this book a try. But have no fear, the writing style is very informal and non-judgmental. Not the dry, complex style one might expect. I appreciated his explanation of his methods as well as the discussion of the work of others. I also enjoyed his discussions of the various approaches to understanding our financial decisions.

Then, of course, when a couple is involved it gets more complicated. Both members may be similar or very different or somewhere in between. He discusses various options to make financial decisions and handle money. It is important to note the there is not one right answer. But there are many options and the couple must find what works for them.

I found the book a quick enjoyable read and a useful guide to making financial decisions. I highly recommend Tightwads and Spendthrifts,

The book will be published January 9, 2024. I thank both Netgalley (https://www.netgalley.com) and Macmillan Publishers (https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250280077/tightwadsandspendthrifts) for the chance to read this before publication.

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Tightwads and Spendthrifts by Scott Rick is a short and simple non fiction read exploring the navigation of the money minefield in the relationships of our daily life. I was honored to receive a physical arc in addition to this digital arc and will be featuring a more detailed review on my page after I give it an annotation re-read. This title is an excellent read for those with a special interest in the topic but may lose some of its impact-fullness with a general audience.

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Summary:
This compact little book – just 8 chapters and a conclusion – discusses the defining behaviours of the tightwad and spendthrift, and how this spending behaviour can impact relationship dynamics. The author discusses how to work on those spending behaviours if they are a source of stress for you and/or your relationships. It also covers the potential influences and impact on children in the relationship. The chapters include lots of great celebrity quotes on finances and tips on how to resolve spending dilemmas.

Thoughts:
I quite enjoyed the author’s informal writing style and his anecdotes, particularly comforting when it comes to traditionally dry topics like personal finances. I appreciated that he approached the discussion about tightwads and spendthrifts without any judgement or criticism, which often angers the listener/reader and precludes any productive discussion or learning. If you are advanced in financial literacy then you won’t find much in this book to enlighten you; however I found it thought-provoking and helpful to reflect on my own behaviour and how my partner views money and spending. I also appreciated the author’s own outlook on money in general – if you aren’t using it thoughtfully to improve your quality and enjoyment of life, then what is the point?


Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this copy to review.

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This book would typically be one that I devoured. However, the language is so clinical that I did not enjoy reading it. It needs to use wording that is more reader-friendly instead of seeming to be aimed at those in the psychology community.

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An interesting new angle to help people deal with money problems in a relationship.
I'm a spendthrift. It is exactly what I need.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

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At its core, this book embarks on a compelling expedition into the human psyche. It dissects the underpinnings of our financial decisions with surgical precision, illuminating the intricate web of our choices and their far-reaching reverberations. Readers will find a treasure trove of wisdom that will enable them to decipher the mysteries entwining money and love.

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Tightwads and Spendthrifts by Scott Rick is an extensive science-based guide to understanding and transforming how we manage money, both on our own and in relationships.
Scott Rick gives readers amazing advice on how to create a game plan for navigating financial decision people can rely on for a happy life together.
I enjoyed reading this guide. It was honestly insightful and very informative.

I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

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Overall, I think the book was “okay.” It has references to some interesting studies, experiments, and results. I liked the assessment at the beginning of the book, but I think the range for being an “unconflicted consumer” is a bit wide. I was nearly right in the middle, but I think this is more of an evolution in my own viewpoint of money and finances - which have shifted greatly in the past few years (from tightwad to less of one). I think if you have had or are currently having relationship difficulties because of money - then this may be a great book for you to read. If you haven’t, you may want to skip out on this one.

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This book examines the psychology of two groups of people: those who are extremely thrifty with money (tightwads) and those who spend freely, even to excess (spendthrifts). I have an MBA in Finance and spent my career as the chief financial and business officer of a public college. I have a personal tendency to be thrifty with money, as does my husband. This book correctly states that when married couples are mismatched financially this can cause problems, even divorce.
The author does a good job explaining each money style and how having it may affect relationships, including child rearing. It will enable the reader to understand their spending habits and be able to reshape them, if needed. The book would be very useful for singles considering marriage as well as couples undergoing financial conflicts in their relationship. It would also be useful for those who are marriage counselors.
I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

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The writing is very dry, and the anecdotes didn't feel relevant. It had a somewhat condescending vibe to it, and I wasn't here for it. I stopped partway into chapter 1 (7%).

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

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Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
Useful little book. Some generalizations that you have to think beyond in order to make the tips work for you, but a good enough guide to thinking through how to talk about money within your relationship in a productive way.

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This story had great potential, but I could not get past the writing and the pacing. Too many tangents and not enough concise information which would have really helped this story moving along.

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I don't know any relationship that doesn't struggle with money issues in one way or another. Coming from different backgrounds, different family dynamics with money, makes it difficult for couples to navigate these waters. But they need to, not only to have a smoother marriage but to help their children have a healthy relationship with money, too. This book presents some talking points and thinking questions that you can work through on your own or together as couple.

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Synopsis (from Netgalley, the provider of the book for me to review.)
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A revolutionary guide to navigating the financial aspects of real relationships

Have you ever asked yourself “What if I’m a tightwad and my significant other is a spendthrift?” or vice versa? Scott Rick, a behavioural scientist at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, knows that many people do. He also knows that the financial aspects of an intimate relationship can become a money minefield if couples try to navigate it without first discussing all of the financial issues between them, especially if those two people have different approaches to spending.

Tightwads and Spendthrifts is a science-based guide to understanding and transforming how we manage money, both on our own and in relationships. Building on his original research, and surveying a vast body of interdisciplinary work, Tightwads and Spendthrifts will help you understand your own financial psychology and how it plays out in your relationships. Can tightwads and spendthrifts live together in harmony? Rick says “yes,” but not without first asking hard questions about whose opinion should count most when making a financial decision. After all of the issues have been aired, he tells readers how to create a game plan for navigating financial decision-making that both Tightwads and Spendthrifts can rely on for a happy life together.

Money is always a very, very, very touchy subject for anyone and in relationships it is even harder – it can ruin the dynamic of lives in general if a couple is so divergent in their ideas of money. Hard questions need to be asked and this book is an excellent resource on how to deal with the divergence or with your own ideas of money in general. Not a casual read (for sure!) but an excellent read - #shortbutsweetreviews #goblue

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