I thought I'd try to recommend some thrifty reading, as long as they're books that're uplifting and fun. No one wants to receive money saving advice that's delivered with a sour face & grumpy air. Top of my list is Anna Shepard's 'How green are my wellies?' It's written in a light-hearted style & is great to dip into, especially when your frugal resolve is flagging as much as your bank account.
Jocasta Innes 'The Pauper's Homemaking Book', first published in the seventies, shows it's age in places, but the author's spirit and jaunty 'can do' attitude make it still just as relevant. It's interesting to see how accomplished some of the craft projects featured in the book are. A change from the certain modern craft books with their emphasis on sewing yet another apron and the inevitable blooming bunting!
My third suggestion for reading is India Knight's 'The Thrift Book'. It's rather galling to take advice about living on a tight budget from a Sunday Times journalist who, no doubt, earns a small fortune for her articles, but - to be fair - India Knight addresses this point straight up at the start. But, like the other authors, she's witty and doesn't expect hair shirts to be donned. Her beauty tips are smart too.
Finally, this might seem a bit of an odd choice, but why not try Karen Kingston's 'Clear your clutter with Feng Shui'. Yup, I know. It sounds all New Agey & 'embrace your inner angel' while hanging up your dreamcatcher. But Karen Kingston encourages and cajoles the reader into de-cluttering and minimizing possessions. Believe me, there's nothing that makes you more aware of how much money you've frittered away on bits & bobs that gathering up bagfuls of the stuff to go to the local charity shop. Once you've seriously done that, it becomes ever harder to spend your precious cash on fripperies. Keep it in the piggy bank instead!
Jocasta Innes 'The Pauper's Homemaking Book', first published in the seventies, shows it's age in places, but the author's spirit and jaunty 'can do' attitude make it still just as relevant. It's interesting to see how accomplished some of the craft projects featured in the book are. A change from the certain modern craft books with their emphasis on sewing yet another apron and the inevitable blooming bunting!
My third suggestion for reading is India Knight's 'The Thrift Book'. It's rather galling to take advice about living on a tight budget from a Sunday Times journalist who, no doubt, earns a small fortune for her articles, but - to be fair - India Knight addresses this point straight up at the start. But, like the other authors, she's witty and doesn't expect hair shirts to be donned. Her beauty tips are smart too.
Finally, this might seem a bit of an odd choice, but why not try Karen Kingston's 'Clear your clutter with Feng Shui'. Yup, I know. It sounds all New Agey & 'embrace your inner angel' while hanging up your dreamcatcher. But Karen Kingston encourages and cajoles the reader into de-cluttering and minimizing possessions. Believe me, there's nothing that makes you more aware of how much money you've frittered away on bits & bobs that gathering up bagfuls of the stuff to go to the local charity shop. Once you've seriously done that, it becomes ever harder to spend your precious cash on fripperies. Keep it in the piggy bank instead!