RENEE MONTAGNE, Host: Austerity comes naturally to commentator Annie Korzen. She says the current economy has a lot of people dreaming of a thrifty holiday.</s>ANNIE KORZEN: Recently, a friend who's always been known for her lavish presents brought me some scented candles as a hostess gift. I guess she forgot that she got them from me.</s>ANNIE KORZEN: And there is one present that even I enjoy giving. Every Christmas I renew a donation of $25 a month to sponsor an 11-year-old girl in a poor African village. That money makes it possible for her to go to school. It's the perfect gift for me - no shopping, no wrapping, and I am pretty sure it's truly appreciated.</s>RENEE MONTAGNE, Host: Commentator Annie Korzen is the author of "Bargain Junkie: Living the Good Life on the Cheap."
Commentator Annie Korzen is a lifelong cheapskate. Leading up to the holidays in the current economy, she finds that some of her friends are coming around to her way of thinking. Korzen is the author of Bargain Junkie: Living the Good Life on the Cheap.