The Joyful Frugalista: Grow Your Cash, Be Savvy with Your Money and Live Abundantly

by Serina Bird

Who knew frugality could be so much fun?

Australians are amongst the wealthiest people on the planet, but for some reason we don't like to think or talk about money. Once upon time, thrift and frugality were celebrated as virtues- not anymore. When did frugal become such a dirty word? It's time to reclaim it!

When you respect and understand money, it almost magically transforms itself into something that grows exponentially, In The Joyful Frugalista Money magazine's Serina Bird shares her practical tips for saving money in small ways every day for a better, brighter future.

Discover inside:
-Ideas and resources for saving on everything from energy bills to weddings, clothing and eating out
-Clever ways to cut down on your waste
-Tips for embracing the joy of minimilism
-Ways to wring out every drop of pleasure from the money you have
-Challenges to help you live life better, including how to feed your family well on $50 per week.

The Joyful Frugalista is the essential handbook to living frugally, mindfully and with real joy on any budget.

Genres: Nonfiction, Finance, Money, Audiobook, Personal Development, Personal Finance, Self Help

272 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2019

Reviews

[Jane Kriel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly there wasn't anything new or exciting in the Joyful Frugalista. Let me save you $30 at Dymocks. The book suggests that you buy groceries at Aldi or Costco, purchase classic clothes second hand at Salvation Army and have dinner parties where you serve pumpkin soup (to be honest, I would be embarrassed to only serve soup for people who had come all the way out to my house).

As far as I can remember there were no suggestions on boosting income or saving money when you travel. No recipes (and I assume that soup must be pretty damn fabulous). The "fashion tips" were a bit silly. Look at what women are wearing in meetings you attend. The implication being we're all office workers I guess. No mention of Pinterest. Unlike all the kids on the internet, there wasn't endless talk of "meal prepping" or "capsule wardrobes" though which might appeal to some. While the book sometimes vaguely referenced "looking online", I wasn't convinced that the author had ever shopped online. There were vague references to looking online promo codes, then like 10 pages talking about looking for vouchers on the back of your grocery receipts and how you can save money using those entertainment book memberships.

I did enjoy the section on relationships and money. Hearing about the financial devastation of divorce and how the author came through it was inspiring. There no tips on how to manage a divorce, the lawyers etc. This could have been helpful but I appreciated the author speaking from her heart.

However, what irritated me most was the missed opportunity to discuss important issues in terms of budgeting and finance. It did not address investing or what to do with your savings, debt payments, insurance, tax advice or superannuation!!! How can you not discuss investing? There was a cursory reference to Acorns (probably inserted by an editor to make the book seem up to date). No information on the share market! It's terrible that there was no mention of salary sacrificing to for retirement (maybe this is obvious, but all the tips in the book are obvious). I appreciate the author is a public servant with a generous government contribution of 15% to her super, but this blew my mind! Particularly, as this was a genuine opportunity examine the Australian retirement framework. Writing a book targeted at women (as the pink cover and sassy title would imply) means that there's a responsibility to look at these important issues. Very disappointing.

To be honest, if you know how to google "budget tips", then I'd give this a miss.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite liked it. I have a couple of investment properties so I do quite a bit of reading around financial matters. Even so, I did pick up a few tips in this book. For example, visiting an insurance broker was not something I thought of. I also liked the tips around joining groups to swap items. I hate waste so this was something else I liked. I think if you walk away from a book like this with one or two tips the author has done their job.

I think this would be a good book for someone just starting out and wanted to live frugally.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

A basic guide for young people, mainly directed at young women.
Borrow it from the library to be savvy with your money and you should get your money's worth.
It's along the same lines as The Barefoot investor. Although, The Barefoot Investor is the better basic guide.

[Ita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad but also not good, a few useful ideas. I wouldn't call it struggling financially because you can't pay the mortgage on your 10 invest properties.

[Camille · Rating 2 out of 5]

Frugal, yes. Joyful, no. I can see how these would have been great blog posts, but I just didn't find it particularly inspiring in book form. I mean, I think a pantry audit is a great idea, but I did not need to hear the author's painfully long list read out to illustrate the point.

There are a lot of random tips about how to get a good deal on something or find free stuff, but very little money management advice (go to Unf*ck your finances or The Barefoot Investor: The Only Money Guide You'll Ever Need for that).

If you're interested in coupons and vouchers, or how to forage for food, or even debating the economics of different dating websites, you might get more out of this than I did.

What I did value was a recipe for making my own washing detergent and information about some micro-investing apps of which I have now signed up to. It was interesting to learn how much it costs to boil the kettle and this convinced me to bow to my partner's preferred method of only boiling the water you're going to use and not a full kettle every time. I can save a few cents by doing that, although in the utilities chapter it would have been great to have some more information about solar panels on homes and whether that is a saving, but only because I have recently installed solar panels on my roof.

While all the topics were written from a personal 'tried and tested' perspective, I found the personal scene setting repetitious and therefore felt the fact Bird was a public servant, had been posted to Taipei (meaning as a diplomat - which really is glamorous only from the outside) and had a raft of investment properties was rather rammed down our throats. I would have liked to learn more about how being frugal brought her joy, or perhaps at least know what it was that gives her the most joy and gives her the intrinsic payoff of her frugality.

It's a shame that Serina Bird's reading voice isn't more expressive as it would have certainly added some much needed joy to this book.

[Adakhc · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - a few useful tips in there and practical tips / engagement with our society that is obsessed with consumerism.

I choose this book as an audiobook as i was sick in bed (i played it 2x speed).

The author writes to a comfortably middle class and above reader, this was a bit jarring / funny at times to me personally - i would have appreciated a more intersectional understanding of poverty and class in Australia.

Reading this book made me aware of and grateful to my mum's practical budgeting and ways with money as i was growing up - normalising values such as growing your own food, taking free things from the side of the road, buying food at market not the shops, benefits of public transport, eating simply, picking fruit from around the neighbourhood, making your own things, fixing not buying, op shopping, zero waste, reusing things til they fall apart etc - this was out of necessity in childhood but i hang on to and highly appreciate these values as i age. These are all things espoused in the book for frugal readers that i simply do out of a lifetime of habit (i'll admit i felt a little smug!)

I enjoyed the books focus on minimising waste, excess consumption and negative impacts on the planet. There is also a good section on discount online shopping, using Groupon and other up to date money savers for budgeting purposes. Also a good discussion on having a car vs car sharing that i'll continue to think about.

[Melanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to give this Canberra local some library-love, but there is absolutely nothing new in this book. Add in the clear place of privilege she started from (notwithstanding a horrible first marriage and resultant mortgage debt) and an over-abundant helping of mindfulness (money mantras anyone?) and this book really missed the mark for me.

[Lauren K · Rating 1 out of 5]

TLDR : Rich Australian woman that was born into a rich family tells the world that she’s a millionaire because she forages for her salads and buys her clothes from charity shops.

Strange that she mentioned how ridiculous the mindset of ‘if you didn’t eat so much avocado on toast you could buy a house’ when this is basically how the whole book reads.

[Jessica Cleghorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not so much into the law of attraction concepts touted in the book , and the online dating recommendations kind of confused me (although I totally agree with what she was saying about relationships ) - but otherwise this book is full of useful tips!

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tips were basically "get free things from other people", "go out instead of staying in your house so you save money on heating bills", "don't have a wedding", "get rid of you car" and "forage for food in the wilderness". So not very helpful lol.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disgusting.... a very wealthy woman talks about how she has struggled financially. Very out of touch with reality.

[FH · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very unpleasant to listen to
Does not seem I've missed anything stopping at 1/8 😅

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this well-written combination of a memoir and personal finance advice. Some sections are very specific to Australia, but they are easily skipped.

[Nici Writes · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is the most recent in a long list of self-improvement books that have not been at all what I was looking for. Like the ones that came before it, I didn’t bother finishing The Joyful Frugalista. It's as though books about saving money, or tidying up, or not giving a fuck are aimed at people that want to be the absolute best at saving money, or tidying up, or not giving a fuck. I should have known that this book was going in that direction from the tag line, ‘hundreds of secrets from a single mum turned millionaire.’

I’m not interested in draft-proofing my house, calling up utility companies to beg for discounts, or darning my socks to save my way to being a millionaire. I am sure this kind of thing is inspiring to some people, who then go on to make positive changes in their lives, but I find it pretentious, especially when the writers all seem to start from a life of privilege that then comes crashing down suddenly. Oh boo hoo, you lost your fat bank account and investment properties in the recession, or your life as a socialite ended when you split up from your husband, or your high paying job was too stressful so you quit and started your own freelance business and wrote a book about how your high paying job was too stressful so you quit and started your own business and wrote a book about it. What about those people who have done it tough all their lives – a camp I do not put myself in by the way – and have never had a taste of the ‘good life’?

I just wanted some inspo to not buy so many new clothes and take my lunch to work more often. I don’t see myself as, or aspire to be a millionaire in the future and I think that’s why these types of books lose me. Note to self: stop reading these books!

[Danna Kleisner · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not find this book helpful in any way. When someone recommends foraging for berries to save money and to buy the cheapest cuts of meat, which is not good for your health eating all that fat, well what can I say.

[Ana Fantini Hoggett · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found some tips to be useful in this book, but I couldn't relate to the author. I found that though she might have some frugal methods and live simply, owning up to 10 investment property and wanting to be a billionaire in the future, didn't strike a chord with me.

[Jacinta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had some helpful tips, nothing too mind blowing.

[Courtney Newey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for financial advice and many types from a fellow lady of Aus.

[Pippi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty bad.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title - great (I have never heard of this term but love it and will now use it for myself)
Cover - brilliant
some hints for "consuming" this one:-

- borrow the book from your library as an audio book (well if you are a true frugalista you would do this anyway)
- listen on one of the sped up settings (better value for your time) - good advice from another review
- skip bits you know about, don't apply or are too long and boring
- think of this as a scavenging type exercise (frugalistas love these)

this is one women's story and she is an earnest frugalista. Perhaps the most interesting thing is how frugalista skills and attitudes have helped her survived a marriage breakdown and, indeed helped form a new new relationship. It can be a little preachy in parts and would have benefited from some serious editing. And a word about an Australian oddity - only government workers based in Canberra feel a need to repeatedly tell you they are public servants - its called the Canberra bubble and yes Canberra is actually our Capital and is an old sheep station miles and miles from Sydney. Perhaps the real advice is that being a frugalistic lifestyle is easy if you are on a high, stable regular income from a job that gives you the time to practice this art.

[Lyn Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a brilliant and educational book. I so enjoyed listening to this book written by a savings Canberra girl who wants the best in life but at a reasonable price.

As a former Canberra public service girl I loved hearing about all the local savings, restaurants an places to save. All of the ideas and tips can be applied to any Australian city. So often these types of books are written for the overseas markets providing tips and hints which are difficult to replicate in Australia. No such issue with this book.

I also liked the practicalities in this book about balancing a frugal and making sure its a life well lived. So many other savings books talk of immense sacrifice for "one day in the future". Again not in this book.

This is a well written, interesting and entertaining book by Serina Bird.

I really enjoyed listening to this audio book. A great "read", even if my work colleague Callum says "It's not "reading" if its an audio book"

If you want to save money but still have a life well lived then this is the book for you.

[EH · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m reading a great book called “The Joyful Frigalista” and it’s refreshing to read as I am a frugalista who also loves living life to the maximum.

I find myself always looking forward to picking up this book at my first opportunity, and every time I do, I hate putting it down!

I’m reading this book hoping to learn a few more tips to add to my mission of my beautiful husband and I being financially independent.

I admire Serina very much and am grateful that she is sharing these great tips in this book.

I’m also a big fan of her ethos as she is not only careful with her finances, but she also displays a mindful and wholistic approach.

I’m personally going to adopt her some of her great tips based on what we think will work for our family. It’s a very personal thing, but it opens your eyes and creates awareness of great opportunities that await. 🌺🌸🌺

[Charlene Dean · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book received only one star because it did not contain any new ideas for saving money. It is written by an Australian woman who is clearly conveying information to that audience. However, if you are new to the world of frugal living, there are some ideas that are usable in the United States. Many of the programs listed are Australian, but I'm sure something comparable can be found in other locations. The language is Aussie English, so the words are not entirely familiar to some of us, and I had a particular problem with the word "earnt". The bottom line: there are better books out there with ideas for saving money.

[Faye]

I really liked the fact that this book was Australian, and that the tips were meant for Australians. I also really like the monthly challlenges. The first one about tracking every spend was a real eye-opener for me!, and I'm looking forward to the Frugal February challenge too.
I skipped a few sections that didn't apply to me given my place in life right now, but they were pertinent to my daughter. I recommended it to my daughter and she is reading it now.
I borrowed the book from the library but I'm going to ask my daughter to buy me a copy for Mother's Day so I can re-visit.
The author has a good writing style and this book is a very easy, enjoyable read.

[Romany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not bad. I enjoyed the Australian content. I feel sad, however, that a true insight into the writer’s life and personality didn’t come until almost the very end of the book. How much better it would have been to have known where the author was coming from right from the beginning. The difference in this book comes from it being written by a woman who has been through divorce and difficulty, and has built her life back up (although not entirely from scratch, I suspect). There are some solid tips in here.

[Annabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many of the tips are really handy and actually seem fun. A few are a little extreme (e.g. grating bars of soap to make washing powder), but the overall tone of the book was that being frugal isn't necessarily a bad thing as long as you are still enjoying life and spending time with loved ones. I would have appreciated the author delving into her personal experiences earlier in the book rather than the last few chapters, as it brings context to why frugality is important to her. Solid first read for 2020.

[Marilena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oof. Don't want to go into detail about this book, but I'll highlight some points:

- A lot of information was Australia specific
- Last 1/5(?) Of the book was about dating/romance and a lot of it was just detailing online options that are common knowledge or seem barely relevant to the topic.
- Very little content stretch across multiple pages made for a painful read.

- Bit of a side note, I happened to listen to this on Audiobook and the reading was so passive and monotone I was struggling to pay attention.

[L.J. Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a joy this book is!

Serine gives useful, lighthearted, and fun tips to help you move from a life of over-abundance into one of a frugalista. I've been living the frugalista lifestyle for a year now, and I've still found value in her advice - and am currently implementing the tips and tricks!

A must-read for all those who struggle to remember where their money has gone two days before payday and realise they haven't budgeted for the car insurance due this month.

[Sheryl Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy to read and implement book with tips to tune up your finances. It is current and broadly applicable and easy to skip the odd section that doesn’t apply to you now. It is written like sage advice from a close friend with your best interests at heart. It is both philosophical and practical. The objective is to live a joyful life while actively controlling your own budget. I gifted a copy to my daughter for her 21st to help guide her.

[Avery · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't nessarily think that someone that came from wealth shouldn't be writing a about frugal living but it's hard to make a point when all this person did was choose not to buy designer clothes. Like that's not even an option for most people living a frugal life by nessaricity. I feel this is more targeted at people who have stable jobs and good income then people with lower income. Especially the boosting at the start of having multiple properties but being worried about repayments.