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The Thrift Book: Live Well and Spend Less
The Thrift Book is a guide to how to live well while spending less by bestselling writer India Knight.
Feeling poor because of the credit crunch? Feeling guilty because of global warming? Feeling like you'd like to tighten your belt, but aren't ready to embrace DIY macramé handbags?
No need to panic. Put down the economy mince and buy this book instead - it's a blueprint for living beautifully, while saving money and easing your conscience. India Knight will show you:
- How to make wonderful dinners with every little money
- How to dress on a budget and still look fabulous
- How to make friends and start sharing with your neighbours
- How to holiday imaginatively - with barely a carbon footprint
Try it - you have nothing to lose but your overdraft.
'A blueprint for living well, however broke you are, with thrifty tips on looking fab, cooking, pampering and partying' Cosmopolitan
'The Thrift Book might be the only sure-fire investment out there' Harper's Bazaar
'A triumphant treat and a useful and sensible manual' Independent
India Knight is the author of four novels: My Life on a Plate, Don't You Want Me, Comfort and Joy and Mutton. Her non-fiction books include The Shops, the bestselling diet book Neris and India's Idiot-Proof Diet, the accompanying bestselling cookbook Neris and India's Idiot-Proof Diet Cookbook and The Thrift Book. India is a columnist for the Sunday Times and lives in London with her three children.Follow India on Twitter @indiaknight or on her blog at http://indiaknight.tumblr.com.
Feeling poor because of the credit crunch? Feeling guilty because of global warming? Feeling like you'd like to tighten your belt, but aren't ready to embrace DIY macramé handbags?
No need to panic. Put down the economy mince and buy this book instead - it's a blueprint for living beautifully, while saving money and easing your conscience. India Knight will show you:
- How to make wonderful dinners with every little money
- How to dress on a budget and still look fabulous
- How to make friends and start sharing with your neighbours
- How to holiday imaginatively - with barely a carbon footprint
Try it - you have nothing to lose but your overdraft.
'A blueprint for living well, however broke you are, with thrifty tips on looking fab, cooking, pampering and partying' Cosmopolitan
'The Thrift Book might be the only sure-fire investment out there' Harper's Bazaar
'A triumphant treat and a useful and sensible manual' Independent
India Knight is the author of four novels: My Life on a Plate, Don't You Want Me, Comfort and Joy and Mutton. Her non-fiction books include The Shops, the bestselling diet book Neris and India's Idiot-Proof Diet, the accompanying bestselling cookbook Neris and India's Idiot-Proof Diet Cookbook and The Thrift Book. India is a columnist for the Sunday Times and lives in London with her three children.Follow India on Twitter @indiaknight or on her blog at http://indiaknight.tumblr.com.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published November 6, 2008
19 people are currently reading
261 people want to read
About the author
India Knight
36 books159 followersIndia Knight is a British journalist. Her novels have been translated into 28 languages.
Knight, a native French speaker, lived in Brussels until about the time she turned nine. After migrating to the United Kingdom, she was educated in London. She was awarded an exhibition to Trinity College, Cambridge, where she read Modern Languages from 1984-1987, before starting her career in journalism.
In addition to writing for and contributing to major British magazines and newspapers, India Knight writes a prominent weekly column for The Sunday Times. She is also a regular guest on British radio and television.
After writing an article in The Sunday Times about her daughter's special needs - her youngest child has DiGeorge syndrome.
Knight lives in London with her three children.
Knight, a native French speaker, lived in Brussels until about the time she turned nine. After migrating to the United Kingdom, she was educated in London. She was awarded an exhibition to Trinity College, Cambridge, where she read Modern Languages from 1984-1987, before starting her career in journalism.
In addition to writing for and contributing to major British magazines and newspapers, India Knight writes a prominent weekly column for The Sunday Times. She is also a regular guest on British radio and television.
After writing an article in The Sunday Times about her daughter's special needs - her youngest child has DiGeorge syndrome.
Knight lives in London with her three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
November 9, 2014
I thought this would be a good book to read to get some ideas at living cheaper as I embark on my new life of living on a narrowboat. Unfortunately, I didn't learn anything new - many of the tips I already do and the rest weren't relevant to me (things to do with childcare, loans, credit cards, houses etc.).
The author makes assumptions that the reader is female and has children - it would have been better if things were sectioned off so you could read the sections relevant to you - but instead it just got my back up. It may well be that the vast majority of her readers are female but I hate stereotyping like this.
I started off reading every word but then the author started to annoy me and so I started skimming instead. It's quite middle class. The author is clearly from a privileged back ground and talks about buying decent clothes from expensive shops because they last longer and are more ethical. Yes I agree with the author on these points but not everyone can afford to buy from designer shops even knowing that it's worth it in the long run (maybe?!?) and especially as this book is about thrift - seems counter intuitive! She also mentions several highstreet stores which do not use child labour. Again I commend the author for highlighting this to readers although she only does the bare minimum. Three of the stores mentioned were Marks & Spencers, H&M and Gap. Now these stores may not use child labour (at least not at the time the book was published), but Marks & Sparks have all their underwear made in Israel and both H&M and Gap both use Sweat Shops even though they don't have children working in them.
The author also did quite a bit of hippy-bashing at times although she did later say that "the hippies were right though" about many things. This is out of order in my opinion.
Another thing I found annoying was that the author mentioned something that would help you save money i.e. making yogurt or sewing your own clothes but didn't go in to much detail about them but instead recommended a book which would be quite expensive - this book is about thrift not about having to buy more books - I already have a book habit as it is! And if it weren't for book recs it was endless links to websites - if I had wanted to surf the net for information on thrift, I'd have done so and not borrowed this book from the library.
The author makes assumptions that the reader is female and has children - it would have been better if things were sectioned off so you could read the sections relevant to you - but instead it just got my back up. It may well be that the vast majority of her readers are female but I hate stereotyping like this.
I started off reading every word but then the author started to annoy me and so I started skimming instead. It's quite middle class. The author is clearly from a privileged back ground and talks about buying decent clothes from expensive shops because they last longer and are more ethical. Yes I agree with the author on these points but not everyone can afford to buy from designer shops even knowing that it's worth it in the long run (maybe?!?) and especially as this book is about thrift - seems counter intuitive! She also mentions several highstreet stores which do not use child labour. Again I commend the author for highlighting this to readers although she only does the bare minimum. Three of the stores mentioned were Marks & Spencers, H&M and Gap. Now these stores may not use child labour (at least not at the time the book was published), but Marks & Sparks have all their underwear made in Israel and both H&M and Gap both use Sweat Shops even though they don't have children working in them.
The author also did quite a bit of hippy-bashing at times although she did later say that "the hippies were right though" about many things. This is out of order in my opinion.
Another thing I found annoying was that the author mentioned something that would help you save money i.e. making yogurt or sewing your own clothes but didn't go in to much detail about them but instead recommended a book which would be quite expensive - this book is about thrift not about having to buy more books - I already have a book habit as it is! And if it weren't for book recs it was endless links to websites - if I had wanted to surf the net for information on thrift, I'd have done so and not borrowed this book from the library.
May 8, 2009
A great book about living on less. Even better is that my Wardrobe Refashion website is mentioned in there! :)
April 13, 2014
I enjoyed this book there was a bit of humour in it along with the tips. I would say a lot of the tips I already use but for anyone new to saving money and budgeting it just about covers everything. I would have given it four stars but the author is very preachy in places and given that she is privileged, as she points out, she could have considered some peoples choices are out of necessity. For example, buying clothes for their kids at Primark may be for some people the best they can afford.
January 19, 2016
This is a great book if you are earning money but find it hard to make ends meet. I believe if you walk away from a book and learn one thing it was worth your time. I learnt five things Woohoo!
Unfortunately this book is U.K. based and I live in Australia so some of the websites that you are directed to in the book are U.K. related (like cheap places to holiday etc.) I needed to do some research to find similar Australian sites.
Unfortunately this book is U.K. based and I live in Australia so some of the websites that you are directed to in the book are U.K. related (like cheap places to holiday etc.) I needed to do some research to find similar Australian sites.
August 17, 2025
I occasionally forget how annoying India Knight is because she once wrote a book I liked, luckily this book was here to remind me.
It's not that I hate the idea of a book encouraging thrifty ways or think it shouldn't be done for people at her (very well off) social level, but she can't quite decide if her book is for People Like Her or the scummy masses, and switches her tone and exhortations constantly. For example her ridiculous rant about how DARE people buy fast fashion which is cheap, cheap, cheap and makes them look CHEAP (and People Like Her look at you and can tell immediately because of your hems and the placement of your pockets, or whatever).
She fails to notice that this is precisely the reason that broke people are buying it, because it's cheap. Most people are not able to save up a few hundred plus for a really decent coat sewn from ethical unicorn hair by well paid fairies because winter might get in the way before they manage this, and they need a coat. Or their children need coats. Poor people across the globe wear fast fashion.
(And paying more for your clothing does not, as she thinks, prevent it from being made in sweatshops by ill treated workers. If her understanding of how this works wasn't so stupid it'd be cute.)
And why can't you be as amazing as India who can whip up a feast for six people for only £20? £20 I hear you say, wtf. Indeed, as this book is almost 20 years old, the prices are hilariously wrong and all the blogs and MySpace pages it recommends have been fed into the Internet's voracious maw, never to be accessed again.
The only reason to buy this book of out of date tips is if you really enjoy Ms Knight's writing style. In which case, may God have mercy on your soul.
It's not that I hate the idea of a book encouraging thrifty ways or think it shouldn't be done for people at her (very well off) social level, but she can't quite decide if her book is for People Like Her or the scummy masses, and switches her tone and exhortations constantly. For example her ridiculous rant about how DARE people buy fast fashion which is cheap, cheap, cheap and makes them look CHEAP (and People Like Her look at you and can tell immediately because of your hems and the placement of your pockets, or whatever).
She fails to notice that this is precisely the reason that broke people are buying it, because it's cheap. Most people are not able to save up a few hundred plus for a really decent coat sewn from ethical unicorn hair by well paid fairies because winter might get in the way before they manage this, and they need a coat. Or their children need coats. Poor people across the globe wear fast fashion.
(And paying more for your clothing does not, as she thinks, prevent it from being made in sweatshops by ill treated workers. If her understanding of how this works wasn't so stupid it'd be cute.)
And why can't you be as amazing as India who can whip up a feast for six people for only £20? £20 I hear you say, wtf. Indeed, as this book is almost 20 years old, the prices are hilariously wrong and all the blogs and MySpace pages it recommends have been fed into the Internet's voracious maw, never to be accessed again.
The only reason to buy this book of out of date tips is if you really enjoy Ms Knight's writing style. In which case, may God have mercy on your soul.
September 23, 2023
This was a good read. Obviously it's a little dated now, having come out in 2008, and it's based squarely in the UK which means many of the resources listed aren't relevant down here in Australia.
However, the ideas are solid. Some of them are for people who live a much more upper middle class lifestyle than I do, and so aren't relevant for me. However on the whole they are practical, creative (love the wallpaper Idea), thoughtful, and smart. I appreciated the range of topics. To readers now it will just seem as if it's the same old stuff being repeated, but 15 years ago this would all have been much fresher, so it's important to consider that.
Best of all was the style Knight has. She's very funny and she made this a really enjoyable read.
From the last page:
"Appreciate what you've got, even the really small things. For me, those really small things are often domestic, and I hope this book has communicated my enthusiasm for the nourishing significance of the very small." And, "There is enormous beauty in everyday life, and it doesn't cost money to look at it and feel glad to be alive."
However, the ideas are solid. Some of them are for people who live a much more upper middle class lifestyle than I do, and so aren't relevant for me. However on the whole they are practical, creative (love the wallpaper Idea), thoughtful, and smart. I appreciated the range of topics. To readers now it will just seem as if it's the same old stuff being repeated, but 15 years ago this would all have been much fresher, so it's important to consider that.
Best of all was the style Knight has. She's very funny and she made this a really enjoyable read.
From the last page:
"Appreciate what you've got, even the really small things. For me, those really small things are often domestic, and I hope this book has communicated my enthusiasm for the nourishing significance of the very small." And, "There is enormous beauty in everyday life, and it doesn't cost money to look at it and feel glad to be alive."
July 8, 2025
Three stars because I always enjoy India Knight's writing style and her honesty (she's the first to admit that as a previous bankrupt she's possibly the last person you would expect to write a book on thrift).
Stars lost because the book is already, sadly, a bit dated. An lot (most?)of the recommended blogs and websites are now quite simply defunct to the point where I've given up even trying to check suggested sites out.
More stars lost because the book is also most definitely London and Home Counties South adjacent - with absolutely no listing of Scottish sites on the camping chapters despite five listings for Cornwall alone. With multiple books, arts and music festivals, never mind endless miles for walking hiking and climbing, I'm surprised there is absolutely no reference to Scotland in the free entertainment section.
But the chapters on cheap beauty and food have stayed relevant enough. Worth taking the book out on loan if you're already thrifty enough to be a library member?
Stars lost because the book is already, sadly, a bit dated. An lot (most?)of the recommended blogs and websites are now quite simply defunct to the point where I've given up even trying to check suggested sites out.
More stars lost because the book is also most definitely London and Home Counties South adjacent - with absolutely no listing of Scottish sites on the camping chapters despite five listings for Cornwall alone. With multiple books, arts and music festivals, never mind endless miles for walking hiking and climbing, I'm surprised there is absolutely no reference to Scotland in the free entertainment section.
But the chapters on cheap beauty and food have stayed relevant enough. Worth taking the book out on loan if you're already thrifty enough to be a library member?
May 17, 2021
“There is enormous beauty in everyday life, and it doesn’t cost any money to look at it and feel glad to be alive.” - India Knight
I recently picked up this book at a local Free Little Library (I know, very thrifty of me) as it piqued my interest. I like how the book is laid out and I quite like the writing style too. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel like I learnt much, and yes, parts of it are a little dated now. Some of the points I didn’t necessarily agree with either.
I did appreciate the humour and wit throughout however, and overall I enjoyed reading it. As someone who tries to eat fruit and vegetables as seasonally as I can, the chart with what’s in season and when was really handy to take photos of and keep for when I’m writing up my shopping lists. Other than that though, there’s not much that I didn’t already know.
I recently picked up this book at a local Free Little Library (I know, very thrifty of me) as it piqued my interest. I like how the book is laid out and I quite like the writing style too. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel like I learnt much, and yes, parts of it are a little dated now. Some of the points I didn’t necessarily agree with either.
I did appreciate the humour and wit throughout however, and overall I enjoyed reading it. As someone who tries to eat fruit and vegetables as seasonally as I can, the chart with what’s in season and when was really handy to take photos of and keep for when I’m writing up my shopping lists. Other than that though, there’s not much that I didn’t already know.
January 11, 2024
First off, there are many other books on the same topic which covers thrift far more comprehensively.
The writer has certain jaunty middle-class Londoner writing style which some may enjoy, sadly I didn’t. The tips might still be useful if you are new to this topic and don’t mind the obvious class overtones.
Many of the tips were website links some of which no longer working.
With regards to the cookbook recommendations I’m a big fan of secondhand bookstores and I’m pleased to say (at this current moment) all of her recommendations can be found at a fraction of the original price. I’m yet to try out said books but was the only tip I took on board.
An interesting idea the author pops in right at the end of the book is the idea of emotional economy. I think an idea worth exploring although certainly by a different author.
The writer has certain jaunty middle-class Londoner writing style which some may enjoy, sadly I didn’t. The tips might still be useful if you are new to this topic and don’t mind the obvious class overtones.
Many of the tips were website links some of which no longer working.
With regards to the cookbook recommendations I’m a big fan of secondhand bookstores and I’m pleased to say (at this current moment) all of her recommendations can be found at a fraction of the original price. I’m yet to try out said books but was the only tip I took on board.
An interesting idea the author pops in right at the end of the book is the idea of emotional economy. I think an idea worth exploring although certainly by a different author.
May 14, 2018
The book is easy and fun to read and I'm sure it will be interesting for any money-saving newbies.
While a lot of specific information, prices and suggested websites are outdated (for example some prices have doubled or tripled since the year the book was published - the only reason for its three-star) it still gives a really good insight on how to manage a lot of aspects of your life and it gives ideas to test out or information to research (homemade cleaners, some of which I used myself as a kid). I already use a lot of the suggestions, but it definitely inspired me to try out a few ideas (as they say, need is creativity's driver).
While a lot of specific information, prices and suggested websites are outdated (for example some prices have doubled or tripled since the year the book was published - the only reason for its three-star) it still gives a really good insight on how to manage a lot of aspects of your life and it gives ideas to test out or information to research (homemade cleaners, some of which I used myself as a kid). I already use a lot of the suggestions, but it definitely inspired me to try out a few ideas (as they say, need is creativity's driver).
January 4, 2025
Fortunately a library borrow for me....do not waste your money on this expecting anything remotely useful. Telling people trying to save money to shop at farmer's markets, avoid supermarkets, keep chickens and use Max Factor mascara as an economy measure is frankly insulting. Basic common sense abounds and a lot of the "advice" is going to be less than useless to an average family trying to stretch their wages. There are much better books and websites out there.... might be useful for Jonty and Cassandra in their 4x4 in Oxfordshire but to people on an average or less wage a waste of time. It gets 2 stars for the simple inclusion of some recipes and an "in season" calendar for food.....
May 17, 2018
I ended up skimming a lot of this, as the author's attitude was quite irritating. Another review mentioned that she was "preachy" and I agree. I thought I'd learn some new tips, but alas there were only directions to websites that I could visit to learn more interspersed with personal anecdotes that were not especially interesting. Also, call me old-fashioned, but I was tired of the word "crap" being used to describe so many different items or situations. Maybe the author could invest in a thesaurus with her savings before her next book is written.
Read
January 10, 2020Hints and tips and occasional rants around the general theme of thrift. I feel it would be more useful to someone who has been in the habit of spending a great deal and wishes to do less of that, rather than to anyone who hasn't had much to spend in the first place. It also assumes a specific lifestyle, where time isn't an issue and shops are accessible. I think Jack Monroe is probably more useful.
February 27, 2026
She lost me when one of her savings tips was to holiday at home (as in within Britain) rather than abroad at least once. When I picked up this book, holidaying at home really meant staying at home for the holidays. It is wonderfully written, but not for people who are genuinely in need of help to keep within a small budget.
August 16, 2024
Being a frugal person, most of the suggestions were things I do naturally, so I didn't get a lot from the book. If being "thrifty" is a new concept for you, this might be very helpful. It is also very geared toward people living in the UK with lots of suggestions specific to the country.
January 10, 2018
Great ideas.
A little out of date now, but some brilliant recipes and general ideas to live very well and save lots!
A little out of date now, but some brilliant recipes and general ideas to live very well and save lots!
January 3, 2019
One time read.
February 5, 2019
I LOVE India Knight. She is such fun to read, so personable and so present on every page. It is ten years old now, this book, and yet seems so absolutely prescient...
March 14, 2019
If I lived if London, this would’ve been much better. Alas, I don’t, so I’m not really the target audience. Thriftiness always a good topic to visit, though.
August 30, 2019
2.5 stars. Heavily directed at English middle-class women. Gives some decent thrift tips though
June 23, 2022
More for 20 to 30 year old folk. Written by an influencer.
January 7, 2024
This actually hasn't aged particularly well. I didn't find it terrible helpful, and it was full of links which didn't work any more. But money saving expert is still going strong!
January 7, 2025
Very middle class. Very London based. A few tips and a few humorous anecdotes but really not for me.
August 12, 2025
Picked up second hand. Unfortunately largely out of date now; it made me a little sad to read some contrasts to today’s world. Nevertheless, some useful tips here and there.
December 18, 2016
When this book first came out I almost bought it - I had loved Knight's 'The Shops' so thought a book by an author who had previously written about how to spend money, now writing about thrift, would be interesting.
Then I read reviews around the place, and saw the ratings here, and went off the idea. But last weekend I won a copy of this book in a raffle (how thrifty!) so decided to read it. And I am glad I did. Yes, much of this book is pretty obvious if you have not been living a fiscally irresponsible inner-London life. But there are some good links to websites in here that you may not have come across, or the odd idea that strikes you as being rather good, if obvious.
But the best thing about this book is India Knight herself. She writes in such a funny, self-deprecating and engaging way that you may find yourself laughing out loud, or at least snorting, as she shares with you her views on everything from Mooncups to making your own cushion covers. She is not afraid to be opinionated, and is happy in letting everyone know what she thinks, with dollops of snark thrown in. And for that alone the book is worth the price of a few raffle tickets.
Then I read reviews around the place, and saw the ratings here, and went off the idea. But last weekend I won a copy of this book in a raffle (how thrifty!) so decided to read it. And I am glad I did. Yes, much of this book is pretty obvious if you have not been living a fiscally irresponsible inner-London life. But there are some good links to websites in here that you may not have come across, or the odd idea that strikes you as being rather good, if obvious.
But the best thing about this book is India Knight herself. She writes in such a funny, self-deprecating and engaging way that you may find yourself laughing out loud, or at least snorting, as she shares with you her views on everything from Mooncups to making your own cushion covers. She is not afraid to be opinionated, and is happy in letting everyone know what she thinks, with dollops of snark thrown in. And for that alone the book is worth the price of a few raffle tickets.
April 12, 2011
Auch wenn man nur einem Abend braucht, um dieses Buch "durchzuarbeiten", erhält man einige spannende Tipps und Ideen rund um die nachhaltigere Nutzung von Produkten und auch Dienstleistungen. Während es vordergründig darum geht, Geld zu sparen, merkt man schnell, dass auch der Gedanke der Nachhaltigkeit, die Schonung von Ressourcen sowie auch faire Arbeitsbedingungen eine Rolle in dem Buch von India Knight spielen. Es geht darum, sorgsamer mit den vorhandenen Dingen umzugehen und sie so weniger auszubeuten oder ihnen ein längeres (Produkt-)Leben zu geben. Geiz hat dabei gar keinen Platz. Schlau von India Knight, ihre eingestandene Schwäche mit dem Umgang mit Geld auf diese Art und Weise zu barer Münze zu machen. Und das Rezept für selbstgemachten Käse muss ich so schnell wie möglich ausprobieren… .
August 3, 2012
A fun little book - full of tips on how to live well on less. India Knight emphasises that it's about living well, not about being stingy. Not everything was relevant to me - it depends on your lifestyle and your priorities, so you pick and choose what applies - but there were plenty of tips I found useful. And quite a few things that I do already, which turn out to be really good for you - like massaging one's body with olive oil rather than expensive moisturisers. The aspirin face mask sounded interesting - I'd like to try this. Shame it was a library book, because it's the kind of book you want to come back to. Some tips weren't immediately relevant, but might be relevant in future, for instance.
April 21, 2011
I picked up this book at the library as had seen it on Amazon but was not sure that it was worth buying - oh the irony.
I did really enjoy the book but it is not one that I would have been pleased to part with money for. The tips in it are all just common sense really although the reason for giving it the higher score is the way in which the book is written. I loved India's descriptive writing which at points I found really funny and all were situations that I could relate to.
Overall a good book but don't expect to save mega bucks after reading it, you already know deep down how to save money!
I did really enjoy the book but it is not one that I would have been pleased to part with money for. The tips in it are all just common sense really although the reason for giving it the higher score is the way in which the book is written. I loved India's descriptive writing which at points I found really funny and all were situations that I could relate to.
Overall a good book but don't expect to save mega bucks after reading it, you already know deep down how to save money!
August 23, 2010
i really love the thrift book!! its so helpful and interesting! its an amazing introduction to a thrifty way of life, i have encouraged most of the people i know to read it and my fiance really enjoyed it as well, he has took on a few of the ideas in the book as his own now, so the thrift book has entwined itself into our lives effectively,and is extremely helpful. =]
October 30, 2010
Not just fun to read but also full of genuinely useful suggestions (albeit from the perspective of someone with a much more lush lifestyle than I'm ever likely to have) - and the recipe for a basic Indian vegetarian curry (with many suggestions for huge variations) would have made the whole book worth reading even if that had been the only advantage of it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews