The Old Money Book: How to Live Better While Spending Less: How to Liv

I'm not sure how many books I've read that claimed to be about living as the truly wealthy do. Too many of them are shallow and miss the point. They mistake Nouveau Riche for Old Money.And yes, I know how obnoxious that may sound. But really, there's a very big difference between having money (or trying to look as if you do, with flashy brand names)... and being genuinely "old money." (People in the latter may have lost their family fortunes several generations ago. That doesn't matter. It's about taste, choices, and standards, not the bank account.)The author is very opinionated. I don't agree with him on all points, but I'm grateful for how he highlights "old money" standards that are hiding in plain sight, but - in recent years - I'd forgotten.For example, I realized I'd default to far too much makeup, even when going to the grocery store. (I've now retired at least half the makeup products I own, putting them in a storage box... just in case I decide I want to wear them, regardless.)And his skin care advice is so simplistic, I laughed. And though I'll still (occasionally) use specialized products, the author's advice felt almost liberating. It certainly reduces what I'm carrying in my purse.But this book covers far more than just grooming. The author touches on almost every aspect of daily life, as well as special events.Even better, while he includes his older (pre-Covid) advice for if/when we return to those routines, he also follows-up each chapter with more current advice. (Some of it is refined and updated information. Other points are specific to the lifestyle changes that began in 2020.)I've already bought this authors "old money" guide for men, and gave it to my husband. Next, I plan to buy a copy (in print, of course) of every related book this author has written.He's opinionated. At times, he seems excessively stodgy. But if you're looking for "old money" cues, or a simpler and more frugal lifestyle, get this book. Read it. And then try it in your own life.Here's a side benefit I experienced, almost immediately since returning to the styling the author suggests: Total strangers (usually styled "old money," as well) are suddenly talking to me at the grocery store. This past week, it was a remarkable conversation about selecting the best avocados.It was refreshing. Blunt, simple, and straightforward. Not uncomfortable, even for a moment. Simply... well, I guess "mutually respectful" might describe it.While that may seem odd to some people, I found it very comforting and familiar. I realized that I truly enjoy random conversations with an "old money"/eccentric vibe. No commitments, just a recognition of a like-minded person.If that makes sense to you, too, read this book. Don't expect to agree with him on all points, but - in general - his guidance is refreshing. It's a path returning you to a sense of timeless quality and simplicity... and, strangely enough, may actually save you money.

The more I read this book, the more I started to think that the “Old Money Cohort” is just as much a creation of this Author’s imagination as it is description of a real-life group of people. Encouragement of “Veganism”, “acupuncture”, and employing the services of a “Feng Shui Master to bring harmony to your living space” doesn’t exactly elicit visions of the Kennedys. The emphasis on defining much of your life around the education of your children butts up against the reality that most of your kid’s intelligence is genetic and outside of anything that you can influence. (See the “Cult of Smart” by Fredrik deBoer) How much Old Money Philosophy of "Education at all costs" was involved with the recent college admissions bribery scandal of rich parents getting caught lying and bribing their “extremely non-gifted” kids into USC, Georgetown, Stanford, Yale, etc?The truth is, per this book, if you are an INTJ you are pretty much “Old Money”. It was a one-time interesting read to learn that, but I don’t think the book is good for much else.