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Authors share money-saving tips at library program

Jeff Yeager, Mark Di Vincenzo appear

Two best-selling authors, Jeff Yeager and Mark Di Vincenzo, discussed their new books, answered audience questions and signed books on June 5, 2010, at Main Street Library.

Author Jeff Yeager discusses his new book, “The Cheapskate Next Door,” on June 5 at Main Street Library.

Take advantage of websites such as freecycle.org, mykidseatfree.com and unclaimed.org. Buy shoes in the late afternoon, toys in November and bottled water in the summer.

These are just a few of the money-saving tips shared on June 5 at Main Street Library as two best-selling authors, Jeff Yeager and Mark Di Vincenzo, discussed their new books, answered audience questions and signed books. The free, public program was presented by the Newport News Public Library System’s Herbert H. Neisser Speaker Series.

In one of the first appearances for his new book, Yeager, the NBC “Today” Show’s “Ultimate Cheapskate,” explained what he discovered by surveying and visiting others who live as he does across the country. His findings are detailed in his second book “The Cheapskate Next Door,” which was released June 8.

Yeager said he found that despite being from a wide range of lifestyles, cheapskates -- whom he described as the opposite of the conspicuous consumer -- have many commonalities and share similar beliefs.

“They were happy to live below their means, yet they had everything they needed,” Yeager said. Cheapskates are self-reliant, immune to buyer’s remorse, and unconcerned about keeping up with the Joneses.

“The Joneses can kiss our assets,” Yeager said in describing the attitude that shares.

But for cheapskates, it is not about amassing money, but about something greater. He said that cheapskates appreciate their time and value experiences more than objects. Before making a purchase, they consider how long they have had to work to earn that amount. They have strong environmental beliefs and are about twice as charitable as the average American, he said.

“They have learned that objects disappoint and depreciate, while experiences increase in value,” Yeager said. “We can’t consume our way to happiness. Our grandparents had less and spent less, but they were happy.”

Mark Di Vincenzo, a former Daily Press editor, then shared tips from his book that proves that timing is everything. Released in October 2009, “Buy Ketchup in May and Fly at Noon” is a New York Times Best Seller. Di Vincenzo has discussed his book on the “Rachael Ray Show,” CBS' “Early Show,” and NPR’s “All Things Considered” and “On Point” programs.

Di Vincenzo said that he used much of what he learned as a journalist to put together his book, which is based on interviews with experts in many fields. It was his wife who came up with the idea for the book, and he came up with the title after the publisher ordered an 11th-hour change, he said.

“Studies show that you only have three seconds to catch the attention of a book-buyer,” he said, explaining why the title didn’t stay “Timing is Everything,” the original.

Di Vincenzo shared tips from his book -- such as the best time to clean house, buy champagne, reward or discipline pets, get a haircut, go to the dentist, visit Las Vegas, see the Mona Lisa, take vitamins and much more -- and explained the reasoning behind them.

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