Buy What You Love Without Going Broke: Transform Your Spending and Get More of What Money Can’t Buy

5 5 out of 5 stars | 113 ratings

Price: 17.51

Last update: 01-11-2025


About this item

A relatable personal finance guide that gives a fresh take on how to control your impulse spending so you can stick to a budget and pay off debt, without the guilt and shame of traditional financial advice—from the hosts of the beloved Frugal Friends podcast.

There’s a lot of noise out there about how to spend (and not spend) your hard-earned money. But what if you made financial decisions based on what you value—instead of what others are telling you to value?

This is the empowering approach Jen Smith and Jill Sirianni, hosts of the Frugal Friends podcast, want you to take to improve your spending habits. They believe you can value anything (yes, anything!), whether that’s a daily latte, fancy dinners out, or vacations. But, despite what social media is saying, you don’t value everything.

The Frugal Friends’ wisdom comes from personal experience: Jen paid off $78,000 of debt in two years without a six-figure income, while Jill has a background in social work and downsized to an RV to pay off student loans. Together, their advice is both relatable and actionable.

In their debut book, they share a plan for sifting through what’s not important to find the things you truly love spending money on. You’ll learn how to

  • Analyze your current spending and identify what you value
  • Prioritize your values when you can’t afford everything
  • Identify the root causes of your impulse spending
  • Make your habit changes stick long-term

From credit card and student loan debt to the rising costs of childcare and homes; it has never been more important to get control of your spending. Jen and Jill show you how to do it in a way that’s healthy, not shameful, while exploring topics like overconsumption, self-worth, and the insidious history behind our consumption-obsessed culture.

If you want to reach your goals and feel good about your finances, Buy What You Love Without Going Broke offers a holistic approach to reshape the way you think about spending money.


Top reviews from the United States

  • K. Montgomery
    5.0 out of 5 stars Values Based Spending is a game changer!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2025
    I stumbled upon the Frugal Friends podcast during the pandemic. I had started saving a bit of money and actually had time to think about my future and if I wanted to be able to retire someday. I started listening to Jen and Jill's podcasts each week learning a little more each time. I always thought I was okay with money but I didn't really have anything to show for it. I wasn't in debt so I thought I was responsible with money but I wasn't investing, I barely had enough to cover an emergency, I was mindlessly spending on stuff that didn't matter. Buy What You Want Without Going Broke is a wonderful book that talks about how to shift your mindset regarding the money you spend and what you want your money to be able to do with you. One of their concepts: Values Based Spending has changed my relationship with money. I now think about each purchase and if it's something that is in alignment with what I want in life. Is this helping me towards my goals? Is this something that I value? Buy What You Want Without Going Broke is more of a mindset shift than a "how to save money" book although it talks about that too. If you feel like you have struggled with money and how you spend but you want to get your finances in order, this is a great book to read! I would also highly recommend listening to the Frugal Friends podcast too!
  • Bonnie Meadows
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best Money Book Ever; Especially if you've tried all other tactics
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2025
    I have been at the money management game for a while. I am in my mid 40's. I am a nurse and make good money, but because of the way I grew up, I never learned how to actually manage money to make it work in my favor. After trying several books and budgeting systems, I know how to make a budget, but again, how do I make it work for me? I knew I needed a behavior change and a new thought process. Most books don't offer a way to change your thoughts, but this book does. This book helps you think about money in a way you have never thought of before. It gives you great tools about how to think about your money. The book helps you define how to identify what your money says you love and what you actually say that you love. Then, it helps me figure out how to spend money on the things I love and not things right in front of my face that may not be helpful. If you love their podcast "Frugal Friends," you will love the book even more>

    Most of all, there is no shaming, and they give a new definition to frugal. It's not what you think it might be. Get the book to find out.
  • Sage Comstock
    5.0 out of 5 stars Financial literacy with a mental health spin
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2025
    This book was so, so refreshing for me. This is a book about finances with a focus on mental well-being. This would be a great book for beginners who are just beginning their financial journey and more experienced money-managers that may be feeling ashamed or looking at money from a place of fear. This book really shines compared to other financial books because the authors call out how our own psychology and commonly held beliefs about money can complicate money management. The authors give them self space to discuss their journey with finances in a non-judgmental way, which encouraged me to do the same with my own journey. Then, they provide actionable steps to manage money within the confines of your own psychology in a way that promotes financial and mental well-being. I’ve been listening to Jen & Jill’s podcast for years. Their teachings have helped me turn my financial picture around without the guilt or self-flagellation that too often comes with managing money. This book is a fantastic culmination of their expertise!
  • jh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Get this book! It’ll change your life ????
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2025
    This is such an amazing book!! I only have great things to say about it. Where do I start? Not only does it feel like you’re with friends, but they give great ideas, life knowledge, and tips that I can actually apply to my life on a daily basis. I’ve listened to these gals for over four years on podcast and they have definitely changed my life for the better. It is well worth the money and it’s true what they say that you get what you pay for. I am so excited to have added this book to my library and I will use it as a resource for years and years to come. I’ve also bought it as a gift because I know it works. Get the book you’ll be so glad you did and it’s a fun read too!
  • Brittany Kondas
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for those interested in personal finance!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2025
    This book is a solid 10/10! Jen and Jill are incredible and help make sense of how to spend and save in a way that each person can feel good about. Values based spending and what they are preaching through this book is all about aligning your spending with your beliefs, goals, and priorities. And spending less on impulse or because of predatory marketing tactics.

    Reading the book and listening to the Frugal Friends podcast has helped me to stay the course on my debt payoff journey and has honestly just opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking. I am so very grateful for finding their content. If you are reading this review, I hope that you take a leap of faith to purchase because it could change your life too!
  • Erica C.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Figure out what you value to direct your money, time, and attention to
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2025
    I just finished the book. I didn’t expect to cry while reading the book. I think what got me was Chapter 8 Curate Your Community and reading how Jen and Jill have partners and each other who are committed to living a frugal life with them. And of course that they are out of debt which is what I am working towards and have been for years. Thank you to Jen, Jill, Goldie, Eric, and anyone else on the Frugal Friends Podcast team. I think this may be the first financial book that’s made me motivated to truly figure out what I value so I can direct my time, attention, and money towards it and not just tell me to pay off debt and invest.

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