Minnesota Public Radio Presents "The New Frugality" February 17 at The UBS Forum

Jan 19, 2010

Hosts Chris Farrell and Stephen Smith will be joined by Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl, Kara McGuire and Janet Bodnar

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 17

WHERE: The UBS Forum, 480 Cedar, St. Paul

TICKETS: $20; $18 for MPR members.

WHAT: Americans have been borrowers since London merchants funded the trip to Plymouth Rock. Debt has financed many an American dream. Yet the recent economic down turn suggests that we've become too dependent on borrowing.

In his new book, The New Frugality, MPR's Chris Farrell argues we can find more happiness by buying the best we can afford but the least we need. MPR's Chris Farrell and Stephen Smith and their guests will discuss the history of debt, how sustainability factors into our financial health, how "thinking single" can ensure your retirement, how to resist the pressure to upsize and how to eat and drink well on any budget.

More about the evening's guests:

Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl is the author of Drink This: Wine Made Simple, the senior editor of Minnesota Monthly and editor-in-chief of Real Food. She is a regular contributor to Bon Appetit, Conde Nast Traveller, Metropolitan Home, USA Today, Wine & Spirits, and was the long-time food critic for City Pages. She has won a number of awards, including four James Beard Awards for wine writing and restaurant criticism.

Janet Bodnar, Kiplinger's Personal Finance deputy editor, is a nationally recognized expert in the field of children's and family finances. She has appeared on Oprah, the Today show and is frequently quoted in publications ranging from Parents to The Wall Street Journal. An award-winning journalist, she has covered a wide range of personal finance topics on investing, money management and the economy. She is the author of Raising Money Smart Kids and Think Single.

Kara McGuire writes an award-winning personal finance column for the Star Tribune, which appears regularly in other publications nationwide. She also covers housing, money and the markets, writes about her own finances on her blog "Ka-Blog!" and tweets about everything from home sales to coupons.

More about the hosts

Chris Farrell is chief economics correspondent for MPR and Marketplace Money. He is the author of the new book, "The New Frugality: How to Consume Less, Save More, and Live Better."

Stephen Smith is the executive editor of American RadioWorks. He reports on a wide range of international and domestic issues, including international human rights, science and health, race relations and American history. He also reports on diverse social and cultural issues across the United States. Smith and American RadioWorks have won two duPont-Columbia University Gold Batons, broadcast journalism's most prestigious honor; as well as many other national journalism awards.