Is it possible for a family of 7 to live comfortably on an income of less than $40,000? Is it possible to feed said family for only $350 a month?

According to the Economides, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” In America’s Cheapest Family, they discuss their strategies for living large on a tiny budget—which they’ve been doing since the ’80’s.

Since I’m always looking to trim my own expenses, I was eager to read their book. My verdict? Awesome! Everyone from the biggest spender to those well-versed in frugality can find useful info. As you start out on the savings journey as a “Timid Mouse,” the Economides will teach you how to advance to the coveted “Wise Owl,” level of savings.

The book is divided into chapters on:

* Food   (Try once a month shopping & cooking. This chapter was so popular it became a second book.)

* Housing   (How to pay off a house in 7 years)

* Clothes   (Check out thrift stores & garage sales)

* Medical   (Comparison shop, use generics, alternative remedies)

* Budgets   (Reasonable level of spending/cash envelopes suggested.)

* Kids   (Teach them stewardship from a young age & don’t give in to unnecessary requests)

* Debt   (Avoid credit cards & loans if possible)

* Utilities   (Turn off lights, adjust the room temps, insulate, etc)

* Vacations   (Very interesting chapter on how the Economides paid for a family trip to Washington, DC on a budget)

* Entertainment   (Look for free & low cost activities)

* Savings   (Invest early and wisely for the best return)

* Attitudes   (Be willing to think outside the box & regard it as an adventure)

I like how the family honestly states that they’ve been living this way for decades and others can’t expect overnight results. Baby steps are key, or else burn out is sure to result. I don’t think the majority of folks will implement every tip, but even if you pick only a couple, it could help get rocky finances on track.

Will I follow the Economides lifestyle? Bits and pieces. Personally, I like to coupon and shop often. They prefer to shop rarely. Both ways will save money, but it’s a different philosophy. I don’t buy used clothes because I’m picky, but I do try to only buy on clearance. Living in Arizona, their main utility concern is air conditioning—the opposite of what this New England worries about. They can keep their 5-minute showers; I’d never advocate that! The idea is to cut expenses, not be totally deprived. Each of us has to find our own balance and there are certain things I’m willing to pay for.

I found the Economides to be genuinely likeable. They’re a Christian, homeschooling family, but not hardcore Duggar wannabes. They seem very open to embracing other people and cultures (attending Purim & Passover events with friends was mentioned, which I loved). A miser’s mindset is discouraged; they simply want to have a happy and healthy family and maximum savings facilitates it.

If you’re looking to save money and are open to new methods—some of which are drastic—read America’s Cheapest Family.

I love anything to do with health/beauty and one of the freshest, most unique beauty books I’ve ever read is Biblical Beauty, written by Rachelle Weisberger.

Rachelle is a highly sought-after makeup artist and skin care specialist who put a lifetime of knowledge into a practical guide to help all ladies discover their true beauty.

Combining modern solutions with ancient secrets from our Biblical foremothers, she has created a true gem! Biblical Beauty is divided into concise chapters covering a wealth of information:

*  Skin Care   (referencing Bathsheba)

*  Sun Care   (referencing Deborah)

*  Makeup   (referencing Rahab)

*  Hair Care   (referencing Judith)

*  Fragrance   (referencing Esther)

*  Jewelry   (referencing Rebecca)

*  Healthy Aging   (referencing Sarah)

Biblical Beauty also has some excellent information on work/family balance, mothering, politics, and business in these sections:

*  Choices in Motherhood   (referencing Leah, Rachel, Sarah, and Rebecca.)

*  Feminine Leadership   (referencing Miriam, Deborah, and Esther.)

In particular, I enjoyed the diet tips for healthy eating. I can’t wait to try a recipe for “Rainbow Salad,” which is a mix of fresh veggies, eggs, nuts, and seeds. (Sounds delish!)

Another insider tip that’s awesome: Contact lens wearers should avoid lash-lengthening mascara, because the fibers can be irritating. I’m guilty of breaking that advice, and it’s so true. Get a gentle mascara, ladies!

Rachelle has generously offered to give one lucky reader a free copy of Biblical Beauty! This Giveaway will be open until September 13. Good luck!
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Millions of words have been written about the Holocaust, but none are more important than those authored by Simon Wiesenthal in Justice, Not Vengeance.

Nicknamed “The Nazi Hunter,” Wiesenthal was a former architect and Concentration Camp survivor turned detective. From the tail end of WWII to his death in 2005, Wiesenthal devoted his life to finding Nazi murderers and bringing them to justice.

A true believe in the judicial system, his aim was always to publically expose, prosecute, and convict these monsters. Not once did he advocate vigilante justice, even though both he and his wife had suffered in unimaginable ways—losing their entire families to Hitler’s death machine.

It would have been easy for the Wiesenthals to emigrate to America or Israel, yet they chose to remain in Austria, unable to “move on” and unwilling to “let go,” as so many seemingly well-intentioned people advised. In an incredibly brave and single-minded fashion, their only concern was to right the wrongs committed against the Jewish People. (Cyla Wiesenthal was not a public figure like her husband, but her role should never be underestimated. She was an amazing Jewish Lady, and will always be remembered as such!)

Justice, Not Vengeance is a detailed account of this dedication, covering his role in capturing Adolph Eichmann, Franz Stangel, Hermine Braunsteiner, and many others; plus, his unsuccessful attempts to locate “Doctor of Death” Josef Mengele.

There is some dispute over the Eichmann case; I’m not sure how accurate it is. Regardless, he did have some part, no matter how small and quite frankly, it detracts from the overall importance.

Wiesenthal was a prolific author of nine exceptionally good books, including Sails of Hope (where he explored some interesting theories on Christopher Columbus) and The Sunflower, an honest and introspective work on the limitations of forgiveness. His most famous book is probably The Murders Among Us, an autobiography that was given the Hollywood treatment in a movie starring Ben Kingsley.

Due to a lifetime of selfless labor, Wiesenthal was gifted with a center named in his honor. The Simon Wiesenthal Center was founded in 1977 and is located in Los Angeles. I truly believe everyone should visit if they are ever in California. The Center continues to do critical work in the areas of Holocaust remembrance and education and in combatting worldwide anti-Semitism.

Justice, Not Vengeance is not an easy read, but it is a vitally important one! The subject matter is dark, harsh, and truly unreal—especially when we realize that these atrocities happened not so long ago and very well could happen again if the human race ever chooses to forget…

Want to take a mind-bending odyssey through the seemingly unrelated worlds of talk radio and white supremacy in the 1980’s? Read Talked to Death, a fascinating book, written by Stephen Singular.

Talked to Death chronicles the life and career of Denver lawyer turned radio talk show host Alan Berg—opinionated, loud-mouthed, ultra-liberal, always fair, and often abrasive.

As one would imagine, a personality like Berg’s attracts opposition, sometimes violent. Interspaced with Berg’s life, we are introduced to the shadowy world of the “Bruders Schweigen,” a neo-Nazi group based in Idaho with members located all over the American West.

This terror group was obsessed with bank robbery, mayhem, and murder, Berg being their #1 target. After a few failed attempts, they unfortunately succeeded, shooting Berg to death in 1984.

How could anyone be so enraged by a radio show that they’d stalk and kill the host? I find it unthinkable, as any rational person would. We must remember: Neo-Nazis are not rational.

To liven up the show, Berg would often engage these lunatics, and spar verbally about hot button issues: homosexuals, race, religion, class, politics, etc. Unable to let it drop, they continued to simmer, plot, and plan—a most frightening scenario.

The murder and its root causes garnered a tremendous amount of interest, as would be expected. Oliver Stone gave it the Hollywood treatment, in a movie version called Talk Radio. It was an exceptionally good movie with a star-making role played by Eric Bogosian. Alec Baldwin is also excellent as the long-suffering station boss.

I saw the movie long before I read the book. Don’t ask me why, but I recall watching it as a teenager at about 3:00am on cable with my dad as we ate Wendy’s takeout. At that age, I was still naïve and it was hard for me to believe it was a true story. My dad, being much older and wiser, was happy to “school me on the facts of life.” (A phrase he’d often use with me and my sisters!)

Many years have passed. I’m no longer naïve, but I’m still incredulous that such evil exists in this world. No law can be passed to ban stupidity, but thankfully there are laws protecting us from madmen and women intent on doing harm.

Alan Berg, who dedicated his life to liberty, was deprived of his own in the ultimate crime. There can be no justice for murder victims, not really, but knowing his killer died in prison after serving 23 years of a 250 year sentence does slightly soften the blow.

God bless you, Alan; you are missed!