I originally read this books about 3 years ago- they way it can be best enjoyed- outside, by the pool, on vacation with some great tropical drink (or and ice cold sweat) by your side. I enjoyed it when I read then, but decided to re-read it this week because I am in between books. The Birth of Venus from paperback swap has yet to arrive and the other book I’m reading- Death Around the Corner, while good, isn’t exactly “summer reading”.
The first thing I noticed about this book is I completely understand how Karny felt before she moved to NYC. That’s exactly how I feel right now. That is one of the best things about re-reading books again. You get a new experience each time.
The gist of this book is Karny Bosnak, 26 and she has the feeling that there is more to life than what she is experiencing now, so she decided to pack up and leave Chi-Town for NYC. She finds a job being a producer for a new Judge Judy Type show and she finds an apartment and
Karyn's writing is honest and it reads like chic-lit- very light hearted and fun. Each main chapter begins with the recreations of the month’s credit card statement(s) that really hits home exactly how she managed to get into that much debt.
After being let go from her job at Ananda Lewis , and bouncing around for a few months Karyn puts her story on Craiglist and jokingly (at first) ask for donations. Craiglist turns into her own website (www.savekaryn.com) and Within a few months it pays off and her debt is paid off, but the in between is a roller coaster ride filled with a new found celebrity status and the pitfalls that come with that. Of course people ridiculed her for what she was doing, but in actually she was a pioneer and figured out a way to use the web for her good. Besides, some other stuff people have solicited for online is much, much worse. I don’t agree with the whole thing, but it worked and I truly believe that she learned her lesson and that is what is most important.
Save Karyn is an open, honest and funny book about being young women, and are kind of the anti-theses for the Sex and the City Generation. It shows the reality of living the in NYC and the reality of life in general. I enjoyed it just as much as the first time (with a few more eye rolls for her naiveté and horrible money skills). Even at 19 (when I first read this) I felt bad for her and her mom. She talks about her view of money, possessions and designer clothes was warped from a young age (mom buys you stuff to help you fit in. With that kind of home money management, it’s no wonder Karyn never learned how budget or that if people like you for designer clothes – than they don’t like you and are not worth it.
In the end though, you know that Karyn learned her lesson and hopefully will pass that on and do a better job teaching her children money management. I just wish there was a little more off that in this. I mean- the Karyn Bosnak guide to Real Money Management. On her website and in her book she includes tidbits and things she has learned, but for the majority of us it’s called reality. For example- she discovers Old Navy and The Dollar store. I grew up in both of those even though I had a little of the designer stuff. A little more information espicially about Credit scores and such would have made this book complete.
This is a great book for a HS or college student as a warning or piece of advice. It’s also great reading for the rest of us.
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