In the Red: The Diary of a Recovering Shopaholic

by Alexis Hall

When your debt is more than your share of the mortgage and your partner's threatening to not only leave, but to tell your mother how out of control your spending is, then you know it's time to face reality and take drastic action. So, for one whole year, Alexis Hall sets out to buy nothing except the bare essentials in a bid to reclaim her life from the retail rollercoaster threatening to pitch her into permanent poverty. That might not sound too hard a task, but when you owe over GBP30,000 and you're consumed by consumerism, just making it to lunchtime without buying a pair of sensational shoes suddenly becomes a life-altering act. "In the Red" is Alexis' hilarious diary - full of fashion and frustration - as she battles to transform herself from a spending junkie to a scrupulous saver. You'll soon realize there's a bit of Alexis in all of us!

Genres: Nonfiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Biography

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 10, 2008

About the author

Alexis lives in Glasgow with her husband and terrier Hobbs. She works in public relations.

Reviews

[Specialk · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was pretty bad - but yet I powered through it in 2 days and never seriously considered not finishing.

I'm not entirely sure Alexis Hall is real. Maybe she is, but I'm not sure I fully believe her diary entries if that's the case. The book gives us a blurb for every day of the year she tries not to needlessly spend, and instead of learning about saving, debt repayment, etc., we learn she's a vapid, spoiled and over indulgent selfish woman.

Plus, where was the editor?! Motorcycles and scooters have ferrings, not farings, who instead of how is a typo, but easily noticed and fixed, and sentences were often missing a word. It's like this book was simply run through a poor version of spell check. Not even grammar check.

For all it's failings though, for some reason I read it all. It was fluffy, and maybe it was what I needed. To feel better that I wasn't as dumb with my money and purchasing as Hall seems to be.

[Lu Wilson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Review originally written for my blog www.moosenoose.com[return]I came across this book in the mini library at work and was interested in how somebody could pay off almost £32k in a year. I’ve been on a strict budget for the past couple of years and thought this book may offer a few interesting tips and advice, as well as being an interesting read. Unfortunately I was wrong! It turns out that it isn’t that hard to repay the debt when bot you and your partner earn a bloody decent wage and don’t have to worry about losing our home or not having enough to eat. Hall’s version of cutting back on her expenditure just didn’t ring true for me. In the very first month, Hall decided to buy a scooter. Now I can get that the petrol is cheaper etc etc, but most people who are deep in debt and worried about it don’t shell out another £1700 for the latest scooter! Although Hall did cut back on a lot of things such as unnecessary clothes shopping, she still had luxuries every day that the rest of us don’t see as essential. Like spending £5+ on lunch in Boots and ridiculously expensive presents for her partner, her friends and her dog. Unfortunately this book is written in a daily diary format which was repetitive and boring. It focused more on Hall’s whining about how unfair and unjust life is, rather than offering any solid advice on cutting back on your expenditure. The idea of 12 whole months of complaining made me just skim through each chapter to reach the end. Can’t recommend this one!

[Shelleyrae at Book'd Out · Rating 1 out of 5]

A shallow piece of work that might work better in fiction than biography. Failed to find sympathy for a woman who puts herself 30 grand in debt because she can't resist the latest piece of overpriced designer wear. Especially when there are no real consequences for her - even at her level of debt. She risked nothing, still had a house to live in, plenty of food, and no real idea what financial difficulty actually is.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it

[Eleni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entertaining but a little dull at times as it was written as a daily journal entry. I've only given it 2 stars as I found it hard to relate to, as I've never had a shopping addiction to the extent the author was clearly trying to grapple with and overcome. I found it hard not to get frustrated and a little angry at her previously (and often still present at the time of writing the book) thoughtless consumption. 'The No Spend Year' by Michelle McGagh was an infinitely better read in so many ways.

[catherine wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second time I’ve read this book I read it years ago when first came out and surprisingly one I had in my mind recently.
I love that’s this doesn’t have a perfect debt free happy ending but gave me food for thought that even changing few lil spending habits can save money
I’m not sure I would consider this to be a financial help book but definitely a good, light hearted non fiction book.

[Kay Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a fashion follower and limit my shopping, except for books, and I manage my finances well so I didn't expect this book to appeal. It did, very much. The writer is talented and the snippets from her life, including delightful dog, partner, moterh and friends all amuse and entertain. An easy, enjoyable read with a few pertinent lessons for my book pile that needs culling too.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read this book before and remember enjoying more then.

I am always up for a "diary" type read about extreme saving.

This one at times was very corny and to be honest i didn't feel particularly inspired.

[TheMistOnCliffs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found my self in some days

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book - it's like Shopaholic, only I like her. And I like the book. So, actually a lot better than Shopaholic... I see that other reviewers were not impressed by the circumstances of this particular gal's life issues, but I tend to accept people as they come, so I believe this could have happened and it never occurred to me to question those thing until I read the other reviews (and after reading them, disagreed with them).
Alexis had psychological issues and hid from them by shopping, and she was fortunate/unfortunate enough to be well-off enough to get by without facing them until she had racked up an enormous consumer debt, before realizing that she was entering into dangerous territory (i.e. affording her part of the mortgage). I thoroughly enjoyed her story, with all its little twists and turns, and her growing realization of the magnitude of her issues (shopping as symptom rather than problem). It's not a deep read, but it touches on deep truths, and would be a fun and satisfying beach read, IMHO (if only I were on a beach right now, in the middle of a cold and rainy January!)

[Kourtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who enjoyed reading Karyn Bosnak's tale "Save Karyn" I believe you will enjoy this tale as well! Here is another blogger that began to tell her tale of how she began the struggle of climbing out of debt. Very honest and funny at times, I found I could relate to her even though she is from Scotland. Turns out money woes can be the same no matter if you are in the UK or the US! Glad to see I'm not alone as I try to climb out as well!

[Iris Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was inspiring and really good, because she was so honest about her at times childish behavior.
I will probably reread this book again, because I could relate to a few things she talked about. I would love to do the same kind of experience at one point. I recommend this to people who have like me lost feeling with how much money we use. It is a funny book, and a lot better (in my opinion)then the shopaholic series, because she actually learns something (+ it is not fiction).

[Artemis Eclectica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I ploughed my way through this book. Why am I reading this?
Is this fiction or is it a real diary?
If it's fiction it's quite well done.
Are the witticisms supposed to be funny?
I did laugh out loud once.
How come she ends up with a debt of £8,963.90 when two weeks previously it was £22,673.94?
That's a serious stretch of credulity.
If nothing else this inspired me to inventorize my makeup and toiletries.

[Christa]

I want to read this book just because it was written by my daughter...well not really but anyone names Alexis Hall must have something good to say, right?

[Jade17 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and fluffy read but this shouldn't really be in the money section of the library, it should be under chicklit.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely enjoyed reading this book!

[Andie Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiring me to not waste money, so I can save for bigger things I want.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know that this book is the best one on this topic, but it was a nice easy read with a touch of humour throughout. I enjoyed reading it.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to shop so i reread this book everytime i feel i need to calm down and realize i need to be happy with what i have. Love this book!

[Lena Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ganska trög bok. Inspirerar dock till att vara återhållsam med slantarna.
Not a complete waste of time.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and was really routing for Alexis throughout. This is no advice book, telling you how to save money or pay off debt quicker but it was certainly inspiring.