What do you think?
Rate this book
How I Lived a Year on Just a Pound a Day
Kath Kelly was broke. That was okay, as all her friends were too. But she had an important event to budget for, just a year away. How could she save enough in time, and still have some kind of life in the process? One drunken night, she made a rash to live on just one pound a day for the next twelve months.This is the incredible but true story of how a mission to cut her spending to the bone showed one woman another side of herself and of human nature. Through the ups and downs of a year like no year she had spent before, she discovered how greed and waste was messing up people - to say nothing of the planet – and came to see how much fun can be had on a few pennies a day.First published in 2008 and now newly available on Kindle, with brand new afterword and updated hints and tips, this book has all you need to save money and have a good time while you do! Are you up for the to try living on a pound a day?
137 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2008
15 people are currently reading
366 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
December 24, 2013
Spoilers.
Like Rachel below, I found it contradictory that Kath Kelly's reason for spurning spending was to save up for her brother's wedding, not only the gift but also her Dad's suit hire and their hotel stay. Her growing awareness of consumerist illusions conveniently didn't extend to the vast amounts of money handed over to the wedding industry.
Some things just didn't add up. At the start she was shocked at how much excess stuff she had accumulated and she promptly worked her way through it, The when she wanted to spend even less she magically once again had enough supplies to last over a month. I'm not sure why she felt in danger of her eight pairs of shoes all wearing out in just one year. I don't know how she managed to find a life coach whose philosophy was to spend now because hard times might be around the corner. Er....?
I found it ethically inconsistent too. Reading entire books in the bookshop without buying them and sneaking in to use the showers of campsites she didn't stay in are simply taking without paying. Things like sending off for free toiletries samples (large amounts of packaging and transportation in relation to a tiny amount of product) aren't sustainable.
A more thought-out approach to spending less in a consumer economy would have been welcome. While her jarringly materialistic goal of being able to spend at her brother's wedding was a feature of the whole project, I couldn't help suspecting that "to write a book" might have been in there from the start. I wonder if it occurred to her that if everyone followed her own approach of never buying a new book, there would be no publishers or bookshops left.
Like Rachel below, I found it contradictory that Kath Kelly's reason for spurning spending was to save up for her brother's wedding, not only the gift but also her Dad's suit hire and their hotel stay. Her growing awareness of consumerist illusions conveniently didn't extend to the vast amounts of money handed over to the wedding industry.
Some things just didn't add up. At the start she was shocked at how much excess stuff she had accumulated and she promptly worked her way through it, The when she wanted to spend even less she magically once again had enough supplies to last over a month. I'm not sure why she felt in danger of her eight pairs of shoes all wearing out in just one year. I don't know how she managed to find a life coach whose philosophy was to spend now because hard times might be around the corner. Er....?
I found it ethically inconsistent too. Reading entire books in the bookshop without buying them and sneaking in to use the showers of campsites she didn't stay in are simply taking without paying. Things like sending off for free toiletries samples (large amounts of packaging and transportation in relation to a tiny amount of product) aren't sustainable.
A more thought-out approach to spending less in a consumer economy would have been welcome. While her jarringly materialistic goal of being able to spend at her brother's wedding was a feature of the whole project, I couldn't help suspecting that "to write a book" might have been in there from the start. I wonder if it occurred to her that if everyone followed her own approach of never buying a new book, there would be no publishers or bookshops left.
August 3, 2012
I read this after reading Judith Levine's Not Buying It, and interestingly Kath Kelly decided on her year of living on a pound a day also after reading Judith Levine's book, and having pretty much the same reaction to it as I had (that it was an interesting idea, but really Levine's life was still pretty indulgent). So Kath Kelly decides to take the idea further. Her budget is tight anyway, as she works part time, and she wants to save up for a wedding present for her brother. So she make a decision to live on only a pound a day for a year (excluding her rent).
The book actually received quite a bit of criticism, as a lot of readers said this was unrealistic for most people, as Judith Levine is single, has no dependents, and works part time. But then everyone's situation is different, and surely it's daft to read a book about one person's experience and decide to use it as an exact blueprint for your own life. I'm actually also single, with no dependents, and I work part time, and I think a pound a day for a year would probably be unrealistic for me, but that is irrelevant to my enjoyment of the book.
I found the book really down-to-earth - unlike Judith Levine, Kath Kelly seemed like someone I could relate to in many ways (possibly the cultural difference too, as she is British, so there were different cultural assumptions and values). She is positive and jokey about her situation, very resourceful, and full of self-deprecatory humour, not taking herself too seriously. And the book is full of ideas for living frugally - Kath Kelly tried a lot of different things. She very deliberately wanted to be going out every evening, not staying in, so she looked for free entertainment, and would often go to free university lectures with free food. So it was very much about having a good quality of life while living frugally.
In all, it was a fun, upbeat book, and made me think seriously about the possibility of living on a pound a day, and even when deciding that wouldn't be practical at the moment, it has inspired me to create my own budgeting goals and has given me ideas that I wouldn't have thought of.
The book actually received quite a bit of criticism, as a lot of readers said this was unrealistic for most people, as Judith Levine is single, has no dependents, and works part time. But then everyone's situation is different, and surely it's daft to read a book about one person's experience and decide to use it as an exact blueprint for your own life. I'm actually also single, with no dependents, and I work part time, and I think a pound a day for a year would probably be unrealistic for me, but that is irrelevant to my enjoyment of the book.
I found the book really down-to-earth - unlike Judith Levine, Kath Kelly seemed like someone I could relate to in many ways (possibly the cultural difference too, as she is British, so there were different cultural assumptions and values). She is positive and jokey about her situation, very resourceful, and full of self-deprecatory humour, not taking herself too seriously. And the book is full of ideas for living frugally - Kath Kelly tried a lot of different things. She very deliberately wanted to be going out every evening, not staying in, so she looked for free entertainment, and would often go to free university lectures with free food. So it was very much about having a good quality of life while living frugally.
In all, it was a fun, upbeat book, and made me think seriously about the possibility of living on a pound a day, and even when deciding that wouldn't be practical at the moment, it has inspired me to create my own budgeting goals and has given me ideas that I wouldn't have thought of.
December 26, 2013
Although I found the writing 'voice' rather dull I read this in one sitting.
I liked the helpful list of websites and organisations at the end of the book.
The reason for spending a pound a day grated rather; why give up spending to splurge on an extravagant wedding present for a couple whom Kelly says are already very materialistic (I wonder what they made of this and other descriptions of themselves?!) BUT the choice of present was an excellent one and made me think about renewing my membership...
I liked the helpful list of websites and organisations at the end of the book.
The reason for spending a pound a day grated rather; why give up spending to splurge on an extravagant wedding present for a couple whom Kelly says are already very materialistic (I wonder what they made of this and other descriptions of themselves?!) BUT the choice of present was an excellent one and made me think about renewing my membership...
June 9, 2014
Kath lived in Bristol, south of England, and in order to save for a double membership of the National Trust as a wedding present for her brother and his bride, she decided to confine her spending to a pound a day. Now, to me this is a cheat since she did not include rent, electricity and taxes.
Stifling her inane texting habit and using the library computer, Kath did carry through her resolve, buying clothes at a jumble sale, cycling (she already had a bike) or walking instead of buses and experimenting with the reduced-price supermarket shelves. She learned that there were other people buying at this level, and they were all better at it than she was. They knew the right time to buy the almost-out-of-date pies; the closing minutes of the jumble sale was when clothes were almost given away and many people had set up a skill-swapping or goods-swapping network on line. She cleaned out an old lady's cupboards and got tinned goods, as well as suet and crumbs to make bird feed.
The various lessons learned are passed on to us, including research on a national basis. Kath was however lucky, as she admits, to find that Bristol has constant evening events for free, such as a lecture on architecture with free wine afterwards, and she persuaded friends to come along with her. She had not told most of her work colleagues so had to grin and bear it when asked for money for a collection for someone's leaving present. But companies give free samples and secondhand shops sell books, and she found it liberating not to have to buy the latest fashion or gimmick.
This is quite a fun read and we can all benefit from some of the tips.
Stifling her inane texting habit and using the library computer, Kath did carry through her resolve, buying clothes at a jumble sale, cycling (she already had a bike) or walking instead of buses and experimenting with the reduced-price supermarket shelves. She learned that there were other people buying at this level, and they were all better at it than she was. They knew the right time to buy the almost-out-of-date pies; the closing minutes of the jumble sale was when clothes were almost given away and many people had set up a skill-swapping or goods-swapping network on line. She cleaned out an old lady's cupboards and got tinned goods, as well as suet and crumbs to make bird feed.
The various lessons learned are passed on to us, including research on a national basis. Kath was however lucky, as she admits, to find that Bristol has constant evening events for free, such as a lecture on architecture with free wine afterwards, and she persuaded friends to come along with her. She had not told most of her work colleagues so had to grin and bear it when asked for money for a collection for someone's leaving present. But companies give free samples and secondhand shops sell books, and she found it liberating not to have to buy the latest fashion or gimmick.
This is quite a fun read and we can all benefit from some of the tips.
December 11, 2017
Ik merkte gaandeweg dat ik het boek al eens een keer gelezen had.
En dat ik er ook nu weer niet zo heel veel aan vond....
Het idee is leuk, maar de situatie in Engeland is zo anders (no way dat je in Nederland iedere avond je avondmaaltijd kunt eten door naar gratis lezingen mét buffet te gaan!), haar eigen levensstijl is zo anders dan die van mij (ik maak me dus he-le-maal geen zorgen hoe ik iedere avond aan mijn glaasje wijn kan komen en ..... liften naar Frankrijk met mijn kinderen, dacht het niet) en ze heeft het wel over het milieu, maar gedraagt zich daar totaal niet naar, dat het bij vlagen wel grappig was, maar niet echt iets om geïnspireerd door te worden.
En dat ik er ook nu weer niet zo heel veel aan vond....
Het idee is leuk, maar de situatie in Engeland is zo anders (no way dat je in Nederland iedere avond je avondmaaltijd kunt eten door naar gratis lezingen mét buffet te gaan!), haar eigen levensstijl is zo anders dan die van mij (ik maak me dus he-le-maal geen zorgen hoe ik iedere avond aan mijn glaasje wijn kan komen en ..... liften naar Frankrijk met mijn kinderen, dacht het niet) en ze heeft het wel over het milieu, maar gedraagt zich daar totaal niet naar, dat het bij vlagen wel grappig was, maar niet echt iets om geïnspireerd door te worden.
May 10, 2021
I enjoyed reading her story and her experiment. I am not sure anyone who has been frugal for years would learn a single thing from this book but it sure was an interesting read. I think it is encouraging if you are in the trenches to kind of walk along with Kath. It is a short read like most of these thrift focused books. People just do not write like Amy from the Tightwad Gazette.
July 28, 2017
I found the concept of the book interesting, however a lot of it is based on luck, location and knowing people. I also slowly lost interest as I went through the book and found it slightly boring towards the end.
October 11, 2018
Read this book a few years ago. Good ideas, not very practical though.
July 29, 2019
A zippy little read that’s chock full of useful tips on how to do more for less.
December 26, 2009
Kath Kelly had read 'Not Buying It' by American author Judith Levine. Levine had vowed to stop spending so much money on trivial, unneccessary items for a year. Kelly admired Levine's ideas but she felt (as I did when I read the same book), that Levine had only taken her pledge so far. She carried on with her second home and her expensive hair cuts, her fancy ski equipment and just cut out the things that would not really affect her.
Kath Kelly decided that she would go one better - she would live for just £1 per day for a whole year. This didnt include her rent as she had to have a place to live and she did pay to see her Dentist, other than that she would spend no more than £1 per day.
It really is amazing just what you can get on the cheap, or indeed, for free if you really try. Kelly has the advantage of living in Bristol - a city with lots of free events and exhibitions, she can also ride her bike across the city to work.
This really is an inspiring book - and a really entertaining read. Kath Kelly is a funny author, very likeable and honest. Living on £1 per day was hard work for her at times, some of her exploits sound downright dangerous to me - hitch hiking and dumpster diving for example, but she stuck with it through thick and thin. Only her closest friends knew what she was up to and it is a credit to her that her colleagues didnt suss her out before she spilled the beans.
Kath Kelly achieved her challenge, and changed her life - the way she looked at life and consumer goods changed radically, and although she no longer lives on just £1 per day, she says that she doesnt feel that she will ever spend money on stuff that she doesnt really need or want again.
Although not practical for all of us, especially those of us that dont live in large towns or cities and have miles to travel to work this really is an inspiring read and there are lots of hints and tips about cutting costs to pick up along the way - from how to get a free foreign holiday to how to make stale bread more appealling
A really entertaining read.
Kath Kelly decided that she would go one better - she would live for just £1 per day for a whole year. This didnt include her rent as she had to have a place to live and she did pay to see her Dentist, other than that she would spend no more than £1 per day.
It really is amazing just what you can get on the cheap, or indeed, for free if you really try. Kelly has the advantage of living in Bristol - a city with lots of free events and exhibitions, she can also ride her bike across the city to work.
This really is an inspiring book - and a really entertaining read. Kath Kelly is a funny author, very likeable and honest. Living on £1 per day was hard work for her at times, some of her exploits sound downright dangerous to me - hitch hiking and dumpster diving for example, but she stuck with it through thick and thin. Only her closest friends knew what she was up to and it is a credit to her that her colleagues didnt suss her out before she spilled the beans.
Kath Kelly achieved her challenge, and changed her life - the way she looked at life and consumer goods changed radically, and although she no longer lives on just £1 per day, she says that she doesnt feel that she will ever spend money on stuff that she doesnt really need or want again.
Although not practical for all of us, especially those of us that dont live in large towns or cities and have miles to travel to work this really is an inspiring read and there are lots of hints and tips about cutting costs to pick up along the way - from how to get a free foreign holiday to how to make stale bread more appealling
A really entertaining read.
August 19, 2018
I found this book dull. Kath Kelly explains how she lived on less than a pound a day by getting others to give her stuff, money, food, money even a free holiday.
It was an untrue and fairy tale of living on a frugal budget. I felt that Kath Kelly did this for a laugh still working her highly paid job while her and her friends played the part of a poor person. Unenjoyable and boring. No real information just a little girl story at playing at a game.
It was an untrue and fairy tale of living on a frugal budget. I felt that Kath Kelly did this for a laugh still working her highly paid job while her and her friends played the part of a poor person. Unenjoyable and boring. No real information just a little girl story at playing at a game.
July 3, 2011
Wow I started this thinking that it was another self indulgent ' I did it this way' book but what a revelation it is starting to become, it makes you re-consider all the tricks of the advertsing world that we are constantly subjected to and look at what is important. I think that this is going to be in afew family members stocking's this year.
March 25, 2023
Though this experiment could not be repeated atm due to inflation, it's interesting to think about what amount of money would be the new minimum. It was a very entertaining read and it's fun to think about what kind of experiment you could try yourself, by being aware of what is offered for free around you and through smart planning.
September 30, 2011
Quite fun. Mentions bookcrossing and Freecycle as well as other money saving and environmentally friendly schemes.
October 16, 2014
Lovely, since I don't have work no more, sometimes I live on one euro a day , good advice which I used!
April 13, 2014
what an amazing year this author had. really interesting read.
May 1, 2014
Poorly written and/or translated, but I do like projects like this - a lot.
July 10, 2019
I definitively have mixed feelings about this book.
On one hand, I am impressed that she did this. She set out to do something and she stuck to it, something that I envoy as I tend to throw in the towel when certain things get boring.
On the other hand, she proudly lists her exploits which, in many cases, comes right down to taking advantage. She very loudly proclaims that she will not accept any help/money etc from her friends, but thinks nothing of attending "free' events without the least interest in the subject matter (for the most part) or even with any desire to recognize that someone is paying for all these free "buffets, booze, etc" and the people who attend book launches, or art gallery openings expect that those attending will purchase books etc. She reads entire books and magazines at local bookstores, without ever buying any of these, thereby preventing the author of the book to get paid.
Basically, she sounded like a mooch most of the time.
Also, how unrealistic is her world? She lives in one room, rides her bike at all times of the day and night and all weather. Camping alone in secluded places and sneaking in without paying? Hitchhiking on deserted roads......I don't know how things are in part of her world, but they are definitely NOT like that where I live. To be honest, a lot of what she did was plain dangerous!
If I choose to take the book with a grain of salt, I can say that this was enjoyable to read and that she really did get quite clever with her ideas. I like her writing style.
On one hand, I am impressed that she did this. She set out to do something and she stuck to it, something that I envoy as I tend to throw in the towel when certain things get boring.
On the other hand, she proudly lists her exploits which, in many cases, comes right down to taking advantage. She very loudly proclaims that she will not accept any help/money etc from her friends, but thinks nothing of attending "free' events without the least interest in the subject matter (for the most part) or even with any desire to recognize that someone is paying for all these free "buffets, booze, etc" and the people who attend book launches, or art gallery openings expect that those attending will purchase books etc. She reads entire books and magazines at local bookstores, without ever buying any of these, thereby preventing the author of the book to get paid.
Basically, she sounded like a mooch most of the time.
Also, how unrealistic is her world? She lives in one room, rides her bike at all times of the day and night and all weather. Camping alone in secluded places and sneaking in without paying? Hitchhiking on deserted roads......I don't know how things are in part of her world, but they are definitely NOT like that where I live. To be honest, a lot of what she did was plain dangerous!
If I choose to take the book with a grain of salt, I can say that this was enjoyable to read and that she really did get quite clever with her ideas. I like her writing style.
January 24, 2017
Kath was facing a dilemma, she was skint, so we're all her friends. However, Kath chose to do something about it, as she had to save up for her brothers wedding.
Kath chose to live on £1 a day, excluding rent, electricity and council tax. She cycled, walked or hitched to travel. Only her closest friends were in on her challenge, family and work colleagues were not to know. This meant she needed to keep up her normal appearance, and prevented sponging from people.
During her year she became very creative in acquiring her needs, she was very resourceful with the items she had and any excess she acquired. Weevil infested flour was made into bird cakes. She met many more people - walking does that. Instead of meeting her friends at the coffee shop or bar, she made use of the many free activities on in Bristol and invited her friends along. This enabled her to still socialise, but also widened her knowledge in many areas.
This was a really fun book to read, well written and it has inspired me to look at my own spending habits. This journey for Kath enabled her to not just save up for her brothers wedding, but to break free from the materialistic consumer pressured society, embracing a richer way of life whilst spending less.
Kath chose to live on £1 a day, excluding rent, electricity and council tax. She cycled, walked or hitched to travel. Only her closest friends were in on her challenge, family and work colleagues were not to know. This meant she needed to keep up her normal appearance, and prevented sponging from people.
During her year she became very creative in acquiring her needs, she was very resourceful with the items she had and any excess she acquired. Weevil infested flour was made into bird cakes. She met many more people - walking does that. Instead of meeting her friends at the coffee shop or bar, she made use of the many free activities on in Bristol and invited her friends along. This enabled her to still socialise, but also widened her knowledge in many areas.
This was a really fun book to read, well written and it has inspired me to look at my own spending habits. This journey for Kath enabled her to not just save up for her brothers wedding, but to break free from the materialistic consumer pressured society, embracing a richer way of life whilst spending less.
May 28, 2018
I really enjoyed this book, I have no intentions of trying to live on £1 a day but did make me realise how wasteful society is now. I am guilty of stocking cupboards before using everything up as if there is this fear that an empty cupboard means we will starve. I could probably start my own counter at Boots with toiletries and hair products. I am more aware of my own spending and has given me food for thought.
June 21, 2020
A fairly interesting account of how the author lived for a year on only a pound a day. It's interesting that it's been nearly 15 years since her experiment and quite a bit has changed but I think a fair bit has stayed the same too.
I think some of her decision making was a bit extreme but it was a personal challenge first and a book second rather than the bulk of the "A year of..." writing that seems to be primarily about the writer looking for a book deal.
An interesting and quick read.
I think some of her decision making was a bit extreme but it was a personal challenge first and a book second rather than the bulk of the "A year of..." writing that seems to be primarily about the writer looking for a book deal.
An interesting and quick read.
October 17, 2021
Dit boek ooit gekocht, voor een habbekrats, bij de Dirk waar ik toen nog werkte. Prijzen zijn sinds het boek zeker veranderd en denk dat het niet mogelijk is om voor een euro een maaltijd bij elkaar te kopen in de Nederlandse supermarkten (ook niet afgeprijsd). En daar gaat het eigenlijk ook helemaal niet om. Ze laat zien wat ze belangrijk vindt in het leven. Vrienden en familie om haar heen. We zijn koopziek geworden en zij heeft op haar manier er voor haar een halt aan toe geroepen.
January 16, 2019
A fun little gem of a book! Ironically I found this in a charity shop for 50p! Its fun and easy to read and an enjoyable insight into someones journey to save. Even if as some reviewers have stated, some aspects may not add up, i.e. going to France or all the opportunities that just seemed to fall in to her lap; I still found it an exciting jolly jaunt to read. - View it as fiction if you will!
January 5, 2022
Engaging challenge
Really enjoyed learning how the author managed to live on £1 a day for a year, excepting rent. This impulsive decision certainly changed her life. Her story made me think a lot about my own attitude and use of money. It took determination, creativity, and lots of self-discipline to accomplish her goal. A very interesting book.
Really enjoyed learning how the author managed to live on £1 a day for a year, excepting rent. This impulsive decision certainly changed her life. Her story made me think a lot about my own attitude and use of money. It took determination, creativity, and lots of self-discipline to accomplish her goal. A very interesting book.
March 27, 2018
Economy class
Extremely interesting and sell written. Really enjoyed reading this and liked the basic principles. Glad I don't have to do it but respect for those who do!! What if you had nowhere go live too? If she really did all that she must have amazing energy!!!
Extremely interesting and sell written. Really enjoyed reading this and liked the basic principles. Glad I don't have to do it but respect for those who do!! What if you had nowhere go live too? If she really did all that she must have amazing energy!!!
January 25, 2019
Very inspirational
A lady after my own heart. It's lovely to know that not everyone is taken in by consumerism. A very inspirational book with an ever increasingly important message.
A lady after my own heart. It's lovely to know that not everyone is taken in by consumerism. A very inspirational book with an ever increasingly important message.
July 2, 2018
Interesting ideas on the value of money and whether we need all our stuff.Made me reflect on my own life and frugality in general.
December 22, 2018
Very inspiring
I enjoyed this book so much. Full of vibrant optimism, Kath shares so much experience, along with lots and lots of hints, tips and resources she picked up during her year. Just lovely.
I enjoyed this book so much. Full of vibrant optimism, Kath shares so much experience, along with lots and lots of hints, tips and resources she picked up during her year. Just lovely.
April 16, 2019
Heerlijk boek. Voor mij erg inspirerend; door beneden je stand te leven word je iedere maand rijker.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews