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Rating: 
Summary: Frugal Martha? So what?
Review: Some reviews of her other books disparagingly refer to her as a frugal Martha Stewart and say who needs all this "luxurious" stuff. So? I really like this book. Living frugally doesn't necessarily have to mean living spartanly. I like nice things like bath salts, drawer fresheners, etc., and since I'm a mom, I like to make things myself and know that there aren't nasty chemicals or anything articifical in the things in my home.
Rating:
Summary: Frugal Martha? So what?
Review: Some reviews of her other books disparagingly refer to her as a frugal Martha Stewart and say who needs all this "luxurious" stuff. So? I really like this book. Living frugally doesn't necessarily have to mean living spartanly. I like nice things like bath salts, drawer fresheners, etc., and since I'm a mom, I like to make things myself and know that there aren't nasty chemicals or anything articifical in the things in my home.
Rating: 
Summary: I love this book!
Review: This is an awfully warm and cozy book that encourages the reader to create a beautiful and comforting home. She emphasizes making each corner of a house appealing and gives practical suggestions for making that happen. And while I've heard criticisms for her use of the word *frugal*, I guess it depends on what you consider frugal to be. Cheapskate she's not, but her suggestions are mostly in the reach of the average joe.The recipes are fun and I esp. enjoyed the quotes given at the beginning of each section. She also covers the topic of clutter and how it can bog the homemaker down. She never makes a suggestion without giving you an out for it. Excellent! I think Mrs. McBride has a great grasp on making a house feel like a home. Greatly recommend it for other *cozy* types!
Rating: 
Summary: Not as useful as it could be
Review: You have to read through McBride's sermons before you get to the practical aspects, of which there are not many. She at least has an index to her recipes, some of which are not necessarily frugal, but are interesting nonetheless. I get the impression that McBride has some kind of inferiority complex about frugality (you need to hide the fact when possible by being Martha Stewart) which obviously creates a conflict when you read her ideas, both in this book and in her previous one. Many of her "frugal" ideas still involve buying stuff, and part of being frugal is NOT buying so much stuff. Overall, this book is interesting to read through, but not necessarily to buy unless you're a fan of hers--apparently she has a newsletter. I'd never even heard of her until her first book came out. If you want something really creative in terms of being frugal, The Tightwad Gazette is a much better book if you can get past the word "Tightwad".
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