Author Topic: The Simple Dollar by Trent Hamm  (Read 5628 times)

krimsonstaned

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The Simple Dollar by Trent Hamm
« on: November 20, 2015, 10:38:20 AM »
Looking for other's thoughts on this book.

Just finished reading this today.  It was a really quick read for a slow reader like me.  Hamm's not really Mustachian, but is frugal.  I'm not a fan of his blog (seems too commercialized).  That said the book had some really interesting things to say about semi-early retirement, frugality and living happy/finding your passion.   Well laid out, with shorter chapters and some good "5 Steps" summaries at the end of each chapter.

Overall I'd give this book an 7 out of 10.  For most on this blog it's not going to be anything new, but I like the guys writing style and his approach for certain topics was really insightful.  Especially in giving a framework for viewing the important and unimportant things in life.

My favorite quote (a topic he reiterates several times):

In talking about making laundry soap vs buying it, and the perceived importance of things financially:  "The laundry detergent is not what's important here.  The important idea is simple - just go through your life, determine the things that are important and the things that aren't, and find every way you can to cut back on the things that aren't important."

FrugalKube

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Re: The Simple Dollar by Trent Hamm
« Reply #1 on: November 20, 2015, 08:06:50 PM »
Interesting. I haven't read the book. I have a read a few of his blog posts here and there

Coleman50000

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Re: The Simple Dollar by Trent Hamm
« Reply #2 on: May 19, 2016, 01:13:10 PM »
I'll have to take a look at his book!  I discovered his website in 2006-2007 when I was in college and it really helped me start on the path of personal finance knowledge, DIY, and FI.  The oldest posts are the best.  I'm pretty sure that he sold his site a few years ago and it is definitely much more commercialized.  He still writes some decent posts from time to time.  I really like his posts about digging out of debt and his book reviews are great.  He basically gives you a cliff notes version of the book.

Kaybee

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Re: The Simple Dollar by Trent Hamm
« Reply #3 on: May 24, 2016, 09:36:30 AM »
I used to enjoy his blog before he sold it/passed the reins to someone else.  He still contributes articles but originally, it was all him and the occasional guest post.  I remember reading a post where he was basically said something along the lines of while he liked the blog, he was ready to move onto other things and not have it consume so much of his life??  I really haven't enjoyed it since then because, as the OP noted, it seems very commercialized.

ABC123

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Re: The Simple Dollar by Trent Hamm
« Reply #4 on: May 24, 2016, 09:52:50 AM »
I like his weekly posts where he answers questions readers send in.  Most of his other posts I either skim through or skip completely, depending on what it is.  I haven't read the book, but I imagine it is pretty similar to the blog.  For someone who is early on in their financial journey, I think he has a lot of good information.

MicroRN

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Re: The Simple Dollar by Trent Hamm
« Reply #5 on: May 24, 2016, 01:50:39 PM »
I haven't read the book, but Simple Dollar, Living on a Dime, and Budget101 were the sites that launched me into thinking about frugality and DIY.  He had some great ideas for cutting costs, though I haven't read his blog in a couple years.

Dicey

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Re: The Simple Dollar by Trent Hamm
« Reply #6 on: May 30, 2016, 09:19:51 PM »
Way back when, I loved The Simple Dollar, Man vs. Debt, Get Rich Slowly  and Wise Bread. Then MMM happened and the others lost their luster for various reasons.

Two blogs I still love that haven't monetized are The Frugal Girl and The Non Consumer Advocate.