Low Cost Living. Live better, spend less by John Harrison: a review
Posted by Fiona Nevile in Reviews, Save Money | 13 comments
Photo: Low Cost Living
I was really shocked when a middle aged woman declared on the radio last week that people should not make money writing books on low cost living.
“Why on earth not?” I thought.
I’d just finished John Harrison’s excellent book Low Cost Living. The book is filled with good advice and introduced me to lots of new ideas. A thoroughly sound investment.
The subtitle of the book “Live better, spend less” is something of a mantra here at the cottage. We have been trying to do this for the past seven years and I wish I’d had a book like this when we started out – the journey would certainly have been a lot less bumpy.
Saving money needn’t mean a life without fun or hope. Rather it means squeezing the most of the money and resources that you have and not wasting either of these. In a world where our natural resources are diminishing and our population is spiralling up we may in the future all be forced to become more self reliant and make do with less. Unemployment is now a harsh reality for millions. Why did schools drop the practical classes in cooking, woodwork and life skills? They would be so useful now.
Low Cost Living is the perfect book for anyone who needs or wishes to save cash. John Harrison has lived like this all his adult life, so the book is packed with genuine tips that he has gleaned from his own experience. He is not a mealy mouthed skin flint. He clearly lives a happy and well rounded life.
He covers ways to beat the supermarket at their own game, cut energy bills, grow your own food and turn your hobbies into cash. He shows the reader how to brew beer and make wine. He gives practical advice on keeping chickens and bees, bread making, simple delicious home cooking and preserving. He uncovers the traps that the unsuspecting might fall into. This book pinpoints ways of recycling sensibly and being resourceful – the glories of the charity shop bargains, foraging in parks and the joy of skips, to name but a few.
Low Cost Living is an enjoyable and inspirational read and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in living more of a sustainable lifestyle.
The final sentence of the book reflects the overall tone.
“Finally, keep in mind that true wealth is happiness. Money is useful, but happiness is priceless. Spend less and be happy.”
John Harrison’s happiness radiates off every page.
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I do hope you’re on commission. I went straight to Amazon and have ordered one for £2.10 inc. p&p.
In NZ most primary schools offer cooking, sewing and woodork at year 7 and 8. In fact this year I have been the food technology (ie cooking) teacher! Great fun, very practical content, and enjoyed by all. In my classes I have had many fine young cooks, totally unpretentious, completely natural without affectation, who would give many adults a run for their money in a kitchen.
is this only available in the UK? i can’t seem to find it in the states.
blessings
~*~
I’ve spent an awful lot of money on books over the years, and I don’t regret it. In fact just today I bought a copy of ‘La Rousse Gastronomique’ which I have been coveting for some time now. Although only because it was a bargain. However, for my ‘pulp fiction’ I have started borrowing from the library, buying from charity shops or swapping with friends, and I have to say I have enjoyed visiting the library with my daughter and I think I have definitely saved money buying less books…
I agree with your comment on cookery classes. Despite attending a very academic school we all took classes in cookery ans sewing for 3 years. Have to say sewing was rather lost on me; but the cookery certainly helped me enormously in my life. I am now trying to make sure that my son and daughter can cook simple meals and sew!
I have thought for a long time that maybe in the forum (once I am back…. he he) that maybe some people might like to swap books?
Makes me feel icky, used books. but I think it is about time I bite the bullet and stop buying books. I have many books that others may like to read but do not wish to purchase. if we send them by 2nd class post, and everyone posts one then I think it would cost about 60p to send one… would people be interested in that?
more of a forum question but I am on a borrowed internet dongle at the mo…
I will make a list of possible swaps. just incase.
off to start my ebaying fest. get rid get rid get rid!
hope all is well with everyone
I can’t see John and Val making a fat living from the sales of that book if Amazon prices are anything to go by. They probably get 10% of the price that Amazon paid for the book (NOT what we pay Amazon…) so that is probably somewhere around 10p per book. You need to sell a lot of books to earn a week’s housekeeping after tax etc etc. I’ve got this book too and it was a thoroughly good read. They are sensible people with a good sense of humour. I found that the book did not contain many new ideas for us but certainly some and a few interesting tweaks too. I felt that one of the main benefits for us was that “ooh, here’s somebody else that does that” sort of thing where you feel that suddenly you are not alone. Lots of people I know think that I am more than a little loopy/eccentric because of the way we live. It was so good to find that John and Val do lots of the things that we do and a few more too. I’m finding a few more like-minded folk in blogland too : ) and that is just great.
I firmly believe that there is much more fun to be had by spending less money. I am much happier now than when I had cash to flash (waste!) and we go out more! I am a prolific freeby hunter (got my sis and I 2 free tickets to see Rob Stewart in August – should have been £85 each! )I am in the process of redoing my kitchen using an old kitchen that my friend is throwing out. I like the look of the book – i’ll pop it on my christmas list.
Hey, surely the ‘middle aged woman’ to whom you refer was Pauline Black!? Who is undoubtedly like all of us of that golden era, middle aged, and also a woman, but please, some respect !!! 😀
Actually I kind of see her point, though I think if you ‘re going to have a book about low cost living, the sensible thing is to read reviews like yours, before buying. Buying the lot would be a bit daft, wouldn’t it?! Or check it out of the libarary?!
I don’t have a problem with the author making money writing about low cost living, only with giving him mine! 😀 Though I bought the Tightwad Gazette and never regretted it.
Interesting! I looked at the link you posted, but also on Amazon, where it’s available for only 2 pounds 10pence.
That’s a good start to Low Cost Living!