The writer and broadcaster Steve Burgess discusses his new book Cheapskate in Lotusland: The Philosophy and Practice of Living Well on a Small Budget (Douglas & McIntyre, 2026), with Joseph Planta.
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Cheapskate in Lotusland: The Philosophy and Practice of Living Well on a Small Budget by Steve Burgess (Douglas & McIntyre, 2026).
Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Cheapskate in Lotusland |
Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta:
I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.
Steve Burgess joins me again. He’s written a terrific new book, Cheapskate in Lotusland: The Philosophy and Practice of Living Well on a Small Budget. It looks at how we all view money and how we spend it. Some of us are spendthrifts, while admitting to wanting to be thriftier. Our habits are changing because of the inflation around us, but not quickly enough. Certainly not as fast as Steve, who seems to be ahead of a lot of this. He does some research in the book as to consumerism and our reaction to it. He’s looked at the price of things like food, and how manufacturers as well as the grocery outlets throughout the country make their money off of us. Steve has lived well in his over three decades in Vancouver, without making a lot. And the book provides marvelous insight into how he’s lived, and sometimes it’s amusing, but there’s a lot of wisdom too. The hope as one reads the book is that readers will glean some practical advice that just might give us a little more financial security; and we certainly could use some nowadays. Steve Burgess is a writer and broadcaster, who has received two Canadian National Magazine Awards. He is a contributing editor at The Tyee, and an award-winning documentary director. His previous books include Reservations: The Pleasures and Perils of Travel, which was longlisted for the Leacock Medal, and Who Killed Mom? His work has appeared in such publications as Reader’s Digest, Maclean’s, and The Globe and Mail. This new book is published by Douglas & McIntyre. We spoke nearly two weeks ago. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Steve Burgess; Mr. Burgess, good morning.
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