The Writers of Wise Bread - 10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget

F rugal used to be a dirty word, reserved only for those who reused paper plates and refused to tip at restaurants.

Now that saving money is a trendy subject, gracing the front pages of nearly every major magazine and newspaper, frugality is finally catching on.

You wont catch us telling you how to painfully squeeze the last drop out of everything in life. We wont be suggesting that cheap is synonymous with thrifty. In fact, if you are living a truly frugal lifestyle, youll only appear to be paying top dollar for the finer things in life, even as your wallet stays fat and happy.

We want to guide a new generation of money-conscious readersone that oozes class, loves having fun, and knows that life is exactly what you make of it (and not how much you make).

Well tackle food, entertainment, health, and education. And of course, well share the best ways to shop with what you have, not what you wish you had. By finding like-minded friends to share your frugal lifestyle, you wont be missing out on a thing. (Except maybe that high-balance credit card bill.)

I f variety is the spice of life, then we should strive to create flavorful alternatives even on the smallest grocery budget. Finding the inspiration to prepare three or more meals a day can be difficult enough without the added task of trying to keep things affordable and authentic. Thats why weve dedicated a large portion of this book to food, from its purchase and preparation to its presentation. Budding chefs and professionals alike can take something away from this collection of practical tips and tricks.

6 Simple Tips for Buying Great Affordable Wine

On a budget? Not wanting it to get in the way of a great wine and food pairing? Help is on the way. I was able to convince award-winning wine consultant Brad Haskel to share some of his inside industry knowledge.

Shopping for good wine without background knowledge can be intimidating. Everybody wants great flavor and good value, but where do you start? Wandering through the aisles of my friendly wine and spirits store with that deer in the headlights look has been my approach in the past. I dont recommend it, however, particularly in this economy. Dishing out for a special dinner or dessert wine when pennies are dear can feel like a major investment, and nobody wants to feel let down by an uninformed choice. Here are six simple recommendations from Brad.

1. Search out hidden gems

Look for wines from lesser-known regions like Argentina, Austria, Greece, South Africa, Israel, and Long Island. The world of wine is packed with terrific offerings that are sold at great prices. Some of the best values are not from the uber-trendy regions, but the countries and regions that focus on sustainability over commercial wine production. Undiscovered regions produce some of the worlds best wines, inflated price tag not included.

2. Trick of the trade

Read the back label. Wine importers are often listed on the back labels of wine bottles, so seeking out the ones you trust is one simple trick that even the professionals use to make smart selections. Some of the more popular importers that offer great wines at bargain prices are Robert Kacher Selections, Winebow, Kermit Lynch, Terry Theise, and Polaner.

3. Know your wine type