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The World's Thriftiest Woman

The World's Thriftiest Woman

Tags: Cost of Living
Last updated by Someone on

British pensioner Ilona Richards has been dubbed the world’s thriftiest woman.

She skimps and saves on every aspect of her life – living off an equivalent of $5,000 per year and a maximum $2 budget for every meal.

Ilona’s blog is well worth a read. Titled “Life After Money“, Ilone describes how she quit working in her mid-fifties. Her theory was simple – “if I didn’t spend any money, then I wouldn’t have to earn it,” Richards said.

Her tips for saving money extend to every corner of life. Ilona suggests inspecting your clothes before washing them… do they smell, have you spilt anything on them? (That would be a resounding yes to everything I wear in the Australian summer heat.)

Ilona suggests a replacement for tea and coffee, hot water with a dash of fruit juice and if you ever visit Ilona, you’ll need to bring your own tea bags.

Ilona only has one light on at a time at home, dilutes just about everything and shops around 8pm when food starts to get marked down.

I’d love your thoughts on Ilona’s life… while I think it’s great in theory, I doubt I would have the discipline. See Ilona's blog here

 

Originally posted on .

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petri
petri from QLD commented:

I don't see the point in all the negative comments that have been left. Everyone is different and not everyone can successfully navigate the current model (of working for a living). Besides the woman retired in her 50s so she probably paid enough taxes over her working life to cover her own pension. We are on a website geared towards saving. If lessens can be learnt then learn them. If this is the way she choses to live - then live and let live. 

Jim
Jim from NSW commented:

What a miserable existence! There's a difference between being thrifty and just being tight. I know a multimillionaire who was nearly as stingy. Money's just a tool, it shouldn't be hoarded. 

Someone
Someone from WA commented:

One smart lady. Not consumed by consumerism! Think before you spend.! 

Someone
Someone from WA commented:

My husband and I do exactly the same!! We were taught not to waste anything so we MAKE and MEND, RENOVATE, UPCYCLE, RECYCLE. ....Try it....it's amazing how rewarding it can be..and we are doing loads to save our planet. 

Alcida
Alcida from WA commented:

We buy from Foodbank here. This has saved us quite a bit. And if we feel like a little luxury- there's always chocolates at reduced prices. Tinyteeda 

Margaret
Margaret from NSW replied to Alcida:

Yes. Thank you for mentioning food banks. As you can see from my previous posts I live quite economically, as a pensioner in private rental I need to. Never-the-less each fortnight I take a mini hamper (12 items) of non perishable foods to my local charity. Have been doing so since receiving the aged pension about five years ago. Being 'scrap heaped', forced to say goodbye to every one and thing I knew and loved and to move to the outskirts of civilization tand exist on New Start, introduced me to an Australia I had pretended did not exist. Whilst no one would employ me I did manage to earn, through craft, those extra $40 - $60 per month that meant I could feed myself. Now, knowing how life can be for other, I am happy to have a little less to help someone have just enough. Now HAPPY is the keyword here. If you are sheltered, warm, reasonably well fed have all your needs and a few of your greeds met and are feeling discontent, you might find that the act of going without just a little, and carefully choosing a mini hamper of food for someone for less fortunate, will over a period of time allow you too feel a little better/happier about your own situation, in the way a small monetary donation does not. Please, only use food banks if you need them. They are not a way to save money so you can see a movie. Often someone has curtailed their pleasures so you can eat. 

Wendy
Wendy from VIC commented:

I subscribe to cheapskates.com.au Here I have a comfortable life, no car, use a taxi when I really need to and eat well on a vegetarian diet and make my own washing powder - easy to make! 

Stephen
Stephen from QLD commented:

My mother in law has been on the English pension for years and has been able to save enough money on it to have a holliday in Aus 3 times in the last 30 odd years (last one in 2012). So I wonder what Ilona has been doing with her money? 

Someone
Someone from QLD commented:

She does not have a life, been no where done nothing sit's between four wall living off welfare give nothing back you only get one life. 

Gertraud
Gertraud from ACT commented:

I wouldn't be calling her the "world's" thriftiest women, given that the vast majority of people in the world have to live on far less! 

Richard
Richard from NSW commented:

What a way to live. As the saying goes "Get a life". 

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