Extreme Frugality: Save Money Like Your Grandma: How to live a creative, happy and sustainable life on much less

by Jane Berry (aka Shoestring Jane)

Some of the best frugal living tips have been handed down from generation to generation. Our war time ancestors had no choice but to make do and mend, use every bit of food available and, when necessary, to do without. At a time when the global economy has taken a severe hit, we could learn some of the lessons that history has to teach us. This book will help you to do just that to make the best of the resources you have.

The author shows you how to develop some of grandma’s thrifty habits to help cushion you against the hard times, to be creative with what you have, to buy just what you need and to eliminate waste from your home.

Genres: Nonfiction

289 pages, Paperback

Published October 28, 2022

Reviews

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t really know what I expected from “Shoestring Jane” Berry’s book. I like her emphasis on sustainability, but a lot of the advice isn’t useful: I want to send Christmas cards (even if some years I don’t get around to it). I’m not going to eschew real coffee for instant, no matter what the savings. I’m not going to use bar soap on my face, no matter what.

Berry repeatedly cites advice from financial advisor Dave Ramsey. If I wanted Ramsey’s opinion, wouldn’t I have bought a book by him instead? And I didn’t find a web link in the book that wasn’t a 404. We should be frugal with our time, as we are with our money, so I bailed on this book at page 63.

[Willow Rankin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst this book was repetitive in places, and some of the information did feel more like common sense, there was some good tips contained within. I also really liked that it was written with a UK audience in mind, unlike alot of these books which are written for Americans.
However, the formatting on the Kindle leaves a lot to be desired, as chapters blended into one another, some of the spellings also irked me.
But overall, if you have a Kindle unlimited subscription; this was definitely a good read.

[Lisa Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say this book was actually fabulous.
Not only are there tips, hint and a full reference of where to access information for cost cutting life styles. This lady actually keeps it real.
There are lots of delicious morsels of how to help you access many things for free.
Her love of life, Sustainability and over all out look on life is infectious
,fun and money saving.
Don’t just take my word for it, come on read this book. You won’t regret it.

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the easy to read and listing style of this book. The author speaks to you like a friend drawing on their own and other’s experiences, with real life examples of frugal success stories. It covers a wide range of areas and would make a great gift for someone who has recently moved out for the first time, is trying to save money and live more frugally or who wants to buy and waste less to help the environment. Congratulations on your book Jane!

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing new that I didn’t already know like grow your own garden, go on picnics and hike for free activities and have a Secret Santa so you buy only 1 gift for adult members of your family and only buy presents for kids who are still in school. The author is from the UK so she writes about where to go in the UK for frugal trips and day trips. I live in the US so the frugal trips ideas won’t apply to me unless I want to spend money traveling to the UK but what is the point if you are frugal?.

[Shayla Stark · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I could give negative stars I would.
I don’t know how the Author came up with the name for this book because other than the occasional reference to “our grandmas wouldn’t do this or that” it was all basic common sense that most people already do.
And oh so repetitive.
Be frugal and don’t buy this book save your money and time.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a pretty basic overview of being thrifty.
If you've grown up thrifty there wasn't much that was new.
Has a few good ideas for days out for different age ranges.
Good resources, all listed in the back.

If you have absolutely no money management knowledge or help, this would be a good place or start.

[Ayrie Peddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly for Brits

A lot of the information offered is directly related to Britain and the UK. There is some good information but you will need to do your own research for your own country. As well, some words are British English and I had to look up what they meant.
I think this would be an excellent resource for British readers.
FYI - I live in northern Canada 🇨🇦

[Isobel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! This totally changed my outlook. I thought I was doing all I could to save money but there are honestly thousands of things you can do. The thought that went into this is clear. I really liked the personal touches and little stories alongside it. Inspiring!

[Tina Lemna · Rating 5 out of 5]

lots of great tips!

Very enjoyable book to read. I loved her tips on cooking and making your own cleaning supplies. Great tips for shopping and the holidays too.

[lisa hall]

Loved it

Easy read. Gave me a lot of ideas, being creative with the things I have. So much information and websites to visit. Great book by an awesome author.

[Clare Eliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely Good

What a wonderful book & so well written!
I pride myself on trying to live a reasonably frugal life but this book has given me some fantastic new ideas 💡

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great! I am new to the frugality movement so I learned a ton from this book!

Really good tips, and recommended to new people to frugality.

[Sandra Bacon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing I didn’t already know🙄

[Kathleen Heart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frugal Tips

Things anyone can do everyday and in their own own homes to save money. Great way to save money !'

[Dr. Tera Pate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good guide on saving money. It has many practical, how-to tips, not just vague theory. The book reminded me a lot of The Tightwad Gazette!

[Luisa Fairfax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actionable advice, fun read

Fun read and actionable advice. I enjoyed the reset from our typical buy more culture. She has good ideas on making frugality fun.

[Jessi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some good ideas but it’s definitely UK-centric. I wouldn’t really recommend this to any of my friends, but I gave it 3 stars because it’s not the author’s fault I’m a yankee.

[helen burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Good read ,with lots of handy tips to save your pocket and the planet as well as helpful websites to learn more