Save Karyn: One Shopaholic's Journey to Debt and Back

I couldn't get past the first chapter. I'm not exactly sure why I had this on my to-read list, as it's about a women who goes $20,000 in debt because she wants to "live the good life" and then GETS PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET TO GIVE HER MONEY. I mean, that's all on the back cover. But even worse, the writing was both atrocious and condescending. I put it down as soon as I read the line, "If you're from a small town, you might not know what Zagat is."

Um, fuck you.

Debt...we all have but most of us want to hide it. Not Karyn! In this great memoir, Karyn details how she acquired debt and ultimately, how she beats the debt. In the beginning, Karyn was simply trying to live the life of a New Yorker ala Carrie Bradshaw. But what the show failed to tell Karyn (and myself) is that NYC life is not as simple as a brownstone on a journalist (freelancer) salary. Instead, everything adds up and quickly! Although it's easy to say, no Karyn...don't do it!, I often found myself nodding my head as I read knowing that I did the same thing as she did. Taking a cab when I know I should take the train...check! Cute shoes that cause blisters...check!

But the most admirable part of the book is how Karyn attacks her show more debt and finally gets out of it. Her book inspired me to weed through my closet and visit Buffalo Exchange to make a sale. I also began to post my books for sale. Karyn reminded me that our debt might seem insurmountable, but it only is if we don't take action. I loved this book and all the humanity Karyn displayed. show less

Karyn Bosnack is a far more sympathetic and likeable narrator than I ever expected, in this heart-warming true story of how she overspent constantly, got herself into real financial trouble, and then found an unusual way of getting herself out of it.

After her extravagent spending habits get Karyn into real trouble, she turns to others to help her out - specifically anyone and everyone who she can reach through her website, 'Save Karyn'. Complete strangers came to Karyn's rescue, which amazed me as I would never have thought that it was possible to raise so much money through the kindness of strangers!

I expected to feel annoyed with Karyn - after all, it was nobody's fault but her own that she got herself into such a sticky situation, show more but it is impossible not to like her.

A really good book, that I enjoyed far more than I expected. show less

This was a fairly good memoir, straightforward and honest. It was interesting to read how Karyn convinced the world to send her money to pay off her bills. However, the story as to how she got in so much debt almost made me hate her, because she was such an idiot. "I'll cut up my credit cards and keep just one for emergencies...omg I have a date and nothing to wear, this is an emergency and I must charge a $200 outfit!" I wanted to grab this woman by the shoulders and shake her. I sincerely hope she has learned her lesson from this experience. I hope also that she teaches the reader one, so they don't have to learn it the hard way.

Karyn Bosnak is a genuis..lol! The fact that her savekaryn.com website worked is astonishing, and it so wouldn't work right now.

I really enjoyed her honesty about how she got into debt. I'm sure everyone wants to spend frivilously, but of course knows better. Being able to see how one rationalizes spending money they don't have on 600 dollar coats, and expensive lingerie was very interesting, and funny. I don't see how people were in a uproar about the way she got out of debt. I wouldn't have gave her money, nor did I care that some did.

Karyn Bosnak is a ordinary women who got herself into finanical trouble, and out of desperation, and part joke, came up with a genius idea. In the end she got a book deal, and I'm sure is now living a show more debt free nice life. Happy ending I would say. show less

I found this book to be a very easy and light read. Finished it very quickly. However, I could never make up my mind whether I liked her or not, and whether I agreed with what she did. I personally love to shop, but I always look for bargains and am careful with my money, so part of me blamed her for buying so many things she didn't need and "wasting" so much money. But I was pleased that she seemed to learn from her mistakes, and found a way to get out of debt without declaring bankruptcy. I don't think I would have the nerve to ask for help like she did, and to keep her cool when faced with criticism like she did. I heard she got a movie deal at the end of the book, but haven't seen any notices about an actual movie coming out...

Light and entertaining, 'Save Karyn' is mostly full of what NOT to do, when dealing with credit and debt. Light-hearted and fun, I enjoyed the majority of the book; however, towards the end, it really just became a rehashing of her website, and less an insight into what actually went INTO the site.

Bottom line: worth reading, but take a cue from Karyn, and purchase it used, or better yet, borrow it from a library!