• Living Well, Spending Less

  • 12 Secrets of the Good Life
  • By: Ruth Soukup
  • Narrated by: Charity Spencer
  • Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (981 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Living Well, Spending Less  By  cover art

Living Well, Spending Less

By: Ruth Soukup
Narrated by: Charity Spencer
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.79

Buy for $19.79

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Have you ever felt that your life - and budget - is spiraling out of control? Do you sometimes wish you could pull yourself together but wonder exactly how to manage all the scattered pieces of a chaotic life? Is it possible to find balance?

In a word, yes.

Ruth Soukup knows firsthand how stressful an unorganized life and budget can be. Through personal stories, biblical truth, and practical action plans, she will inspire you to make real and lasting changes to your personal goals, home, and finances. With honesty and the wisdom of someone who has been there, Ruth will help you:

  • Discover your "sweet spot" - that place where your talents and abilities intersect.
  • Take back your time and schedule by making simple shifts in your daily habits.
  • Reduce stress in your home and family by clearing out the clutter.
  • Stop busting your budget and learn to cut your grocery bill in half.

Who needs this book?

Living Well, Spending Less was written to bring hope and encouragement to every woman who currently feels overwhelmed or stressed with a life - and budget - that feels out of control. It speaks to the mom trying to juggle all the demands of a busy life with the pressure to keep up with those around her. It is a practical guide for those of us who often long to pull ourselves together but don't always know how. It is real, honest, packed with practical tips, and speaks to the heart of the matter - how can we live the life we've always wanted?

Want to know if this book is for you?

  • Do you ever find yourself comparing your life to those around you?
  • Have you ever wished for the courage to follow your dreams?
  • Do you ever struggle to stay organized or get things done?
  • Have you ever felt loaded down with stuff you don't really need...or even really want?
  • Do you ever struggle to keep your finances on track?
  • Do you sometimes long for deeper, more authentic relationships?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, this book provides practical solutions from someone who has been there. Ruth doesn't just offer advice, she walks it with you, and shares with brutal honesty her own mistakes, failures, and shortcomings. It is encouraging, motivating, and life-changing.

"An incredible book that will teach you how to spend smart without compromising a great life. Ruth's stories and practical advice will make you want to be a better mother, wife, sister, and friend." (Rachel Cruze, coauthor with Dave Ramsey of Smart Money Smart Kids)

©2014 Ruth Soukup (P)2014 Zondervan

Critic reviews

"Ruth knows firsthand how mamas like us live crazy busy lives, and she steps in as a friend to help us manage and love every minute of it. She offers her best tips for gaining control over the chaos with wisdom-based insights on all things thrifty and family." (Renee Swope, best-selling author of A Confident Heart)

What listeners say about Living Well, Spending Less

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    557
  • 4 Stars
    190
  • 3 Stars
    114
  • 2 Stars
    53
  • 1 Stars
    67
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    532
  • 4 Stars
    176
  • 3 Stars
    81
  • 2 Stars
    28
  • 1 Stars
    35
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    469
  • 4 Stars
    163
  • 3 Stars
    103
  • 2 Stars
    52
  • 1 Stars
    65

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

pray, pray, pray the mess away -- Yikes!

What disappointed you about Living Well, Spending Less?

I don't think praying is the best advice for this topic. How absurd!

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Audible description needs to highlight that this book is for evangelical Christians only.

In chapter 1 (paraphrased): "The most important thing you need to do, beyond all of my other advice in this book, is to pray to God."

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

146 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Well intentioned but too many suggestions to be helpful

The author makes some good suggestions in her book but it ends up feeling like a laundry list of conflicting advice. For example, we're meant to keep our house clean, volunteer, put others first, clip coupons, stock up on groceries, be silly and whimsical, be the best at our jobs but yet also make time for ourselves, cut back if we're over committed, be silent and still. You can't be all things to all people but that seems to be the resulting message of this book.

I also find the tiny feminist in me viscerally reacting to her examples of things women can do to volunteer, be a good wife, or even discover a hobby, such as: bake cookies, knit, craft, etc. It felt a bit archaic to me. What about figuring out how to start a business, learning how to code or physically defend yourself? I think the narrator's overly optimistic and cheery voice added to my perception, perhaps I would have been better served reading it in print.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

67 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Very Helpful!

I live on a very tight budget. When I say tight, I mean it makes people around me on a typical tight budget grimace. I honestly wasn't sure what I could get out of "spending less". There are still many basic things I need! But what us addressed in this book is not so much a budget as it is your heart attitude. IMO, it was beautifully executed and extremely helpful. Especially the goal setting section! Definitely a worth while read!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

45 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

My first self help audio book

This book is mixed with humor, bible verses, and how to break bad habits that could lead to financial disaster meaningless behavior. I will be looking forward to reading more my this author.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

43 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Only buy this book if you are a hardcore Christian

She quotes the Bible, in every paragraph, it feels as if 1/5 of the book is quotes from the Bible or some other literature. I being pulling hair aftet half an hour, I can't say whether this is a good book or bad book, because It is so distracting, and feels insulting at times because her advices is often pray and let god lead you.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

33 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • A.
  • 04-16-15

Good Advice

This was a nice refresher on how to scale back and focus on the important things in life. I liked the message of service and humility while serving God, family and friends, and others.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

21 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Life changing read!

I want to give this book to every woman I know. Thank you for blessing me with this book, it was life changing

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

I intend to listen to this book yearly

Wow! So inspirational! I also got a kindle version to read. May God bless this woman for writing the message I really needed to hear. Every chapter was full of wisdom.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

More preaching about why to spend less than how.

I'm over 1/2 way complete with this book and still have not learned any tips. She goes on and on about why to spend less. I already know why, tell me how!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Sorry. I just really did not like this book.

The author has "perfect life syndrome". I so wish I hadn't wasted money on this book. She should not be giving any advice. Read the bible instead.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

10 people found this helpful