Book excerpt: In Frugal Isn’t Cheap, Clare Levison serves up practical financial advice with a side of southern charm. Filled with real-life stories, it will challenge you to change the way you think about money. Her message is deceptively simple and clear: it’s cool to be smart about your money; it’s stylish to be sensible rather than overindulgent; financial stability is more glamorous than extravagance. But cut up the credit cards? No way. Levison prefers to promote responsibility rather than abstinence. She takes a realistic approach to personal finance that we can all live with, including: How to find and nurture your frugal side Why you don’t need to cut up your credit cards The simple formula for financial success The Savings Challenge, 20% The best ways to make large purchases