IT IS a sign of the times when an ex-big spender and self- confessed shopaholic writes a manual on how to be thrifty.
But that's just what India Knight has done. Five years after her best-selling book, The Shops, she now guides us through the joys of . . . not shopping.
"Admittedly, there is a slight Uturn," she confesses. "As you might imagine, the whole ethos of The Shops was that acquisition is pleasurable.
handbags o"But the things I wrote about were, for example, drawing pencils. Or a nice washing-up brush that made you feel cheerful when you did the dishes. It wasn't about buying Louis Vuitton handbags and expensive shoes."
It's fair to say, if you put the books side by side, the configuration of titles might seem a bit strange. But both are about taking pleasure in the smaller things in life.
"In The Shops, it's small things you've purchased," India says. "In The Thrift Book, it's small things you've made or got very cheaply.
But the vibe is the same."
A child of the more-is-more 1980s, India doesn't advocate giving up the things you really love but, thanks to the credit crunch, she does think we're turning into a more sober society: "I think people are realising the mindless consumption we've all been engaging with for the last two decades has had its day."
A single mother-of-three, India readily admits to being naturally extravagant and irresponsible with money.
Breguet Reine de Naples Ladies WatchIn 2007, even though she had two books in the Top 10 bestseller charts, she was served with bankruptcy papers.
"It wasn't the first time, alas," she sighs. "I've been so financially disastrous that once I went to my bailiff's child's christening!
"I thought, I'm 42, enough is enough. I don't want to be in this world of debt any more."
After 20 years of an easy-comeeasy-go approach to her bank account and overdraft, India decided to tighten her purse strings.
"To my complete amazement, I found I was saving hundreds and hundreds of pounds a month. The changes weren't painful, or grotty. My life didn't turn grey.
"I think there's quite a lot in my book that suggests there are other ways to feel good about yourself," India adds. "You don't just have to be acquisitive.
"Prioritise your time," she advises. "Don't hang out in city centres looking at stuff you can't afford."
But for the millions of women who depend on retail therapy, India says this doesn't mean you should spend your Saturdays shopping in Primark instead.
"I don't believe in treating clothes like tissues, buying something because it's cheap and knowing it's going to break, and then buying another one.
"When it comes to buying clothes, I believe in buying better, fewer, and less often!"
THE Thrift Book - Live Well and Spend Less, by India Knight, is published by Fig Tree, priced pounds 14.99.
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