No single event triggered my decision to jot down the bits and pieces of a patchwork life, but I suspect the seed germinated during the weekly Torah study sessions I attended after my retirement. Again and again our rabbi reminded us that bad as well as good times provide opportunities for growth and that bleak as well as bright moments illuminate our way towards spiritual wholeness. As I began plucking at the faded strands of my family tapestry I discovered that the rabbi was right. Moments of pain as well as joy did illuminate my journey and the bad as well as the good times do provide opportunities for growth. This memoir is an attempt to capture those moments. Ida Marks-Meltzer

America's money-savings expert shows readers how to get the most bang for their buck on food, shopping, restaurants, clothing, leisure activities, and more.

In his first national bestseller Get Clark Smart, Clark Howard showed you how to save money. Now in his new book, he wants to show you how to spend it wisely.

Clark Howard, the bestselling author of Get Clark Smart and host of the nationally syndicated radio program The Clark Howard Show, wants to show you how to get the best bang for your buck -- whether you are at the supermarket, buying new clothes, renovating your home, or going to the movies. Learn how to pay $12.95 for a CD that costs $19.95. Find out why a $90 VCR just may work better than a $300 VCR.

Chapters include smart-spending tips on:

• Food: Save at the supermarket, and in restaurants, on fast-food, wine, and bottled water
• Events: Find bargains when buying gifts for weddings, births, or holidays
• Family and Children: Get great deals on back-to-school items and clothes for your children
• Necessities: Pay reasonable prices for clothing, shoes, eyeglasses, and cosmetics
• Leisure: Have fun and save money on movies, CDs, books, and tickets to sports events
• Emergencies: Learn how to avoid shelling out too much money on unforeseeable problems like plumbing, car trouble, etc.
• Home Improvements: Get the best price on painting, blinds, shutters, carpet, etc.
• Cars: Find great bargains on tires, oil changes, car washes, and more
• Appliances/Electronics: Save on TVs, digital cameras, camcorders, home theater systems, toasters, and refrigerators

From the bestselling author of Get Clark Smart comes this valuable new resource, enabling parents to pass 'Clark Smart' skills for saving and spending wisely on to kids of every age Clark Howard--bestselling author, money-saving expert, and host of the popular syndicated radio program The Clark Howard Show--is back with more of his winning financial wisdom, this time aimed at helping parents teach kids real-world financial skills for today and every day. Parents of children of all ages--from elementary school through high school, college, and beyond--will benefit from Clark's sound, uncomplicated advice across a comprehensive range of topics. In Clark Smart Parents, Clark Smart Kids, he addresses everything from allowances--when and how much to give--to teaching teens about credit cards and navigating the purchase of a first car--how to get it, pay for it, and insure it--to saving for college, paying off loans, staying out of debt, and much more

Clark Howard is a media powerhouse and penny-pincher extraordinaire who knows a thing or two about money. A lifelong entrepreneur who is now the hugely popular host of a talk radio program and television show and the bestselling author of several books, Clark consistently delivers expert financial advice to his wide and devoted fan base.

"Living Large in Lean Times" is Clark's ultimate guide to saving money, covering everything from cell phones to student loans, coupon websites to mortgages, investing to electric bills, and beyond. In his candid and friendly next-door-neighbor manner, Clark shares the small, manageable steps everyone can follow to build a path towards independence and wealth. Chock-full of more than 250 invaluable tips, the book outlines how to:
*Locate missing and unclaimed money in your name
*Lower your student loan payment
*Find legitimate work-at-home opportunities
*Get unlimited texting and e-mailing for less than $10 per month
*Know what personal info not to post to social media sites
*Determine the best mortgage rate, and much, much more

As Clark demonstrates, there are myriad ways to reduce debt, buy smarter, and build a future. Follow his lead and he'll get you there.