How to Spend Less Without Being Miserable

Richard Templar is the author of the international bestselling Rules books. Over 2 million people around the world have enjoyed and now play by Richard Templar's Rules. The complete list of titles is as follows: Rules of Life, Rules of Work, Rules of Management, Rules of Wealth, Rules of Parenting, Rules of Love and the latest bestseller, The Rules to Break.

"Richard Templar writes with wit and wisdom to encourage us to think and behave differently and develop the mindset that frugal is fun." Choice Magazine, July 2009"With clever foresight and strategic planning Templar suggests myraid ways in which you can spend substantially less and still enjoy the same standards of living as a canny bargain-hunter…there are suggestions to suit every personality and every budget."The Good Book Guide, January 2010

• Introduction You have to want to do it Get your kicks somewhere else Know your budget Remember the glass is half full Save time Get organised See it as a challenge Make bargain-hunting a hobby Know when a bargain is not a bargain Hoard your savings Try an alternative savings scheme Look for cheap thrills Give yourself a cooling off period Imagine yourself without it Put it away before you get it Ringfence funds Use big money Say never never to the never never Think green Sell things Be a barterer Get online Don’t window shop Carry cash Don’t play with pretend money Freeze your assets Do your weekly shop online Never shop for food on an empty stomach Shop in a hurry Cut out coupons Milk your loyalty Make the most of supermarkets Shop for quality, not quantity Shop for quality, not for price Calculate the price per wear Decide what it’s worth Be mail order savvy Check out the benefit of brands Ask yourself if you need it Always try to buy in bulk Try smaller companies for size Get into the haggling habit Never pay the asking price Buy with selling in mind Net yourself a bargain Shop twice Join mailing lists Buy at auction Get competitive Know when to sell… and when to buy Support your local farmer Stick to tap water Change your habits Buy less food Buy cheaper food Be a sneaky cheapskate Cook for yourself Use your leftovers Use your freezer Cook less food Eat on the cheap Become a vegetarian Grow your own Free food Stay in Go out later Hold a swap shop Bargain competition Set up a babysitting circle Meet for lunch Share and share alike Swap your house Book late Holiday at home Work to live Avoid currency traps Get the kids involved Think hard about insurance Check your statement Look for the best deals Switch off Don’t heat what you don’t use Turn it down Save water Save petrol Practise phone economics Do your own DIY Make presents Get the kids to make presents Agree a budget Have a family draw Use cheap wrapping paper Trim your Christmas Shop in the January sales Try a student Recycle your kids’ clothes Get hitched on a budget Have a budget baby Don’t give up