The Money Saving Mom’s Budget
[amazon_image id=”1451646208″ link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]The Money Saving Mom’s Budget: Slash Your Spending, Pay Down Your Debt, Streamline Your Life, and Save Thousands a Year[/amazon_image]
This is a great book! I found it to be very informative and easy to read!
Chapters
- If you Don’t Know Where You’re Going, Any Train will Get You There
- Are the Chaos and Clutter in Your Life Keeping You from Financial Success?
- Give Yourself an Instant Raise Without Increasing Your Take-Home Pay
- Go Totally Plastic-Free–Temporarily
- Coupons Are Not Just for Junk Food
- Beyond the Basics: Advanced Couponing Techniques
- Twenty-Five Ways to Lower Your Grocery Bill Without Clipping Coupons
- Going Out on the Town Without Going Broke
- Embrace Today
My Thoughts
While I was excited about this book, I wasn’t sure if I would learn all that much from it. I have been couponing for over a year now and I’ve taken Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. Now, I’m not saying that I know it all, because I’m nowhere close, but I’m pretty comfortable with all of this information, so I wasn’t sure if I’d get much out of it. Boy was I wrong!
My favorite chapters were two and nine, these are obviously the areas that I need the most help and encouragement in. However, even the chapters about setting goals, creating a budget, and using coupons were a very good refresher! 🙂
Crystal takes you step-by-step on setting goals and turning them into action, and not just words squalled out on a piece of paper. She even has a section on how to set financial goals when you are already in above your head! She does the same for creating a budget (and debunking a few excuses to not budget). Crystal states, “A budget gives purpose to your money and it frees you up to enjoy living life rather than spending most of your time worrying about how you’re going to afford to live” (p.66). I couldn’t agree with her more!
I found quite a few great new tips to try in chapter seven. Her book includes tips on having a successful garage sale and worksheets to help you on this journey.
This book is a wealth of information for a beginner and a wonderful source of encouragement, a few new tips, and reminders for the more seasoned “frugalist” to stay on track. I wish I would of had this book five years ago! If your New Years Resolution is to become more financially stable, become less stressed, or to try couponing, this book is for you.
Visit Crystal at Money Saving Mom!
Giveaway
I will be giving away 2 copies of her book. To enter the giveaway (choose one or all, leave separate comments for each entry):
- become a fan on my Facebook page
- follow me on Twitter
- subscribe to my RSS feed and leave a comment telling me so
- tell me which chapter seems the most enticing to you
Comments may take a while to appear. The giveaway will end on December 22 and two winners will be selected (from Random.org) on the 23rd. You will receive an e-mail asking for more info so that the book can be sent to you in January.
[amazon_enhanced asin=”1451646208″ /]
Her book will be released on January 10, 2011 and she is giving all of the proceeds to Compassion International. I received a pre-release copy in exchange for this blog post.
Comments
Definitely chapter 2 sounds most intriguing! Sounds like a great book to read. 🙂
I am interested in the whole thing, but I think chapter 9 sounds most needed!
2.Are the Chaos and Clutter in Your Life Keeping You from Financial Success?
I haven’t read the book and already I feel I can relate. Very enticing
Chapter 3 sounds most interesting.
Chapter 6 on advanced couponing techniques is most interesting to me.
8.Going Out on the Town Without Going Broke! Would love to win this!
I would love to read Chapter 3 or 7.
I liked you on facebook.
The 2nd chapter sounds very interesting to me…I know sometimes a lack of system/orderliness causes financial trouble.
I’m most interested in chapters 3&5 I think but the whole books looks wonderful!
Chapter #9 sounds the most enticing to me right now = )
Chapter 2 sounds like something I definitely need although the whole book sounds good.
Chapter 3 seems the most intriguing to me for sure!
chapter one
Chapter 3 sounds great!!
Chapter 2 sounds most interesting and applicable to me in my current season of life!
Chapter 7 sounds very interesting. Lots of room for inspiration, that I desperately need!
5.Coupons Are Not Just for Junk Food sounds the most enticing to me. Trying to eat healthy on a budget!
Chapter 2 sounds like what I need!
I liked My Little Bit of Life on Facebook.
I think “Give Yourself an Instant Raise Without Increasing Your Take-Home Pay” sounds most interesting. Thanks!
Going Out on the Town Without Going Broke!
Chapter 2 on managing chaos and clutter sounds great! I would love to have 2012 be a year of simplifing.
Chapter 3 sounds the most interesting to me.
Thanks for the giveaway! Chapter 7 fascinates me. I already do coupons but would love to cut in other ways too.
Honestly, chapter 8 sounds fantastic! 🙂
I would love to read Chapter 3!
I liked you on FB
I’m following you on twitter.
Subscribe to your RSS feed.
Chapter 2 sounds like something I need!!!
EVERY chapter would be great for me to read… but Ch 3 seems to really attract me a little more than the others. I NEED to read this!
Chap 7 – 25 ways to lower my grocery bill!
Thank you for the giveaway, I think that chapters 2 and 9 sound the best.
Chapter 2 sounds like my life – chaos and clutter. Definitely need this chapter!
Chapter 2 – it is tough to tackle clutter (and the ensuing chaos!)
I’m most interested in the last chapter, but they all look good. Thanks!
Chapter three sounds really really good!
Thanks for the giveaway. I like chapter 2 because I am a SAHM and am always looking for ways to save money without making money : )
Chapter 8 sounds like I need to read it…going out without going broke- especially with for a family of 5!
Chapter 2 – chaos and clutter sound the most intriguing.
The chapter on 25 ways to lower the grocery bill without coupons sounds great!
Chapters 2 & 3 seem the most interesting. 🙂
Chapter 2 – need to declutter my life! thanks.
Chapter 7 sounds interesting! 🙂
I “liked” your FB page! thanks
I’m following you on twitter. thanks
I subscribed to your feed. thanks.
I became a fan!
https://www.facebook.com/missleilanie
I subscribed to your feed!
Following you on twitter!
http://twitter.com/#!/missleilanie
The chapters I would love to read the most are 2 and 4. I’m actually on a cash envelope system, but in the end I always end up using credit to cover things. I need to learn how to not do that!
Thanks for the giveaway!
I’m hoping to learn a lot from Chapter 3. I want to learn more about “getting more” out of what is already coming in.
I liked you on facebook.
Chapter 3 Give Yourself an Instant Raise Without Increasing Your Take-Home Pay
I would love to learn more about this because I want to stay home with my baby and not have to work more than part time.
I really want to read Embrace Today!
Chapter 9 sounds the most relevant and interesting to me!
Going Out on the Town Without Going Broke: I would love to read this book. Been a follower of her blog for a while now.
Give Yourself an Instant Raise Without Increasing Your Take-Home Pay sounds most interesting!
ooo, what does she mean by no plastic? I’m intrigued!
I’m following you on FB
Following you on Twitter!
Following via RSS
Chapter 1. Always gotta start at the beginning!
The “chaos and clutter” chapter is totally for me! We are constantly decluttering but still feel overwhelmed, especially by the kid junk.
I liked My Little Bit of Life on Facebook.
Like you on facebook and liked the post
Twenty-Five Ways to Lower Your Grocery Bill Without Clipping Coupons Sounds the most interesting to me. I have a hard time saving money due to groceries! Hubby is SOO picky!
I’m following you on twitter. tkingrn
Subscribe to your RSS feed.
We are a family of 7 so chapter 8 would be most helpful!
Chapter 2 sounds interesting
Following you on twitter
The whole book seems interesting, but chapter 7 will definitely help me.
Chapter 7-Twenty-Five Ways to Lower Your Grocery Bill Without Clipping Coupons looks the most intriguing to me as I love to save money but don’t always have the time to clip coupons.
I have subscribed to your RSS!
Beyond the Basics: Advanced Couponing Techniques
I would love to read ch 6 for advanced info
Chapter 5 Coupons Are Not Just for Junk Food sounds interesting.
I think “Twenty-Five Ways to Lower Your Grocery Bill Without Clipping Coupons” sounds the most interesting. Although I’ve started using coupons, it would also be great to learn how to save money without them.
Subscribed!
Am most interested in the chapter on how to use coupons on whole foods!
I’m curious about chapters 3 and 7.
I know I could use some of the information in Chapter 2!
Chapter 8 looks interesting!
Chapter 5!
are choas and clutter keeping you from financial success
Going out on the town with out going broke looks the best to me!
I follow you on twitter-onflgator
Going out on the town without going broke! Thanks for the giveaway!
Going out on the town without going broke!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Chapter 8, Going out Without Going Broke, seemed most interesting to me. Right now I am doing a good job of saving money on a lot of things but would like more ideas of how to go out without spending a lot.
chapter 7- always looking for help cutting grocery costs
Thank you for the giveaway! I am interested in the last chapter.
Going plastic free is of most interest to me. I just started doing this and need tips…
I think the entire book will be good for me. I to have taken Dave Ramsey’s FPU and have been budgeting for a while but I think the chapter that stood out to me the most at a glance would be chapter 2. When chaos ensues around me I loose the ability to plan and deal with things and end up eating out more and not planning well.
liked you on Facebook
Only 1? LOL….all look great picking Ch. 6 Advanced Couponing Techniques – thanks for the chance!
chapter 7 sounds wonderful! I don’t get a newspaper so i don’t get coupons!
I follow on twitter @fambalancesheet
Chapter 2 Are the Chaos and Clutter in Your Life Keeping You from Financial Success? seems the most enticing to me
thanks.
The advanced couponing chapter looks interesting.
I’ve always had difficulty setting goals and putting things on paper. I need to get organized, increase my income, and learn to coupon, and save money on groceries so that we can eat healthy on a tight budget. Basically Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 &9 really interest me!
I could really learn from the “Embrace Today” chapter. I would love a copy of this book!
Hmm, chapter 1 or 8. Going out with my husband is always appreciated, so chapter 8 sounds good.
I like you on Facebook!
I follow you on twitter.
I think chapter 9 would be great!
I liked you on facebook.
Every chapter seemed interesting. I would have to say chapter 1 though. The title is just unique.
I am following you on twitter.
Chapter 3 sounds especially intriguing to me. An instant raise would definitely be helpful! Thanks for the giveaway!
definitely chap 8 Going Out on the Town Without Going Broke
Chapters 2, 3 & 6 sound like what I need, but can’t wait to read the whole thing!
became a fan on facebook.
I am not sure which chapter is most enticing as they all sound like there could be some help for our family of 5 with food allergies. Couponing is helpful, but often more for the foods we can’t/won’t buy. And going plastic free- well that sounds like a great plan with all the hype about the toxins in plastics!
I would really be interested in chapter 5 – go totally plastic free.
Facebook Like… done! Chapter 3 looks the most interesting to me.
I love to coupon so definitely Chapter 5 is a must read for me.
Chapter 2 is the one I want to read most…I need help in that area!
thank you for the oppurtunity to win this book. im always trying to save our young family $ in anyway possible and with a new baby and purchasing a foreclosed home we never needed tips more than now! i already do fairly well with grocerys but could use help in all areas!
most interesting chapter chapter 3!
Chapter 3 sounds interesting.
Chapter 7 sounds like a good chapter to me!
I’m interested in reading the Embrace Today chapter.
Im a fan on facebook!
Are the Chaos and Clutter in Your Life Keeping You from Financial Success? Thats the chapter I need!! lol
Going Out on the Town Without Going Broke!
The chapter that interests me most is Chapter 5; going plastic free!
Coupons Are Not Just for Junk Food! Food is very important to us and I don’t like buying junk but eating healthy is SO expensive!
Liked you on facebook!
Chapter 2 sounds like the motivation I need
i like chapter 2. I have so much chaos in my house
going out on the town without going broke-thanks!
I think chapter 2 sounds like something I need to read but the whole book sounds really interesting.
Both chapters 3 and 7 seem like they would be very helpful to me right now!
I need a little guidance on couponing. email subscriber walk9@att.net
Chapter 1 actually sounds very appealing to me.
I am very interested in Twenty-Five Ways to Lower Your Grocery Bill Without Clipping Coupons. I would love to have this book
Twenty-Five Ways to Lower Your Grocery Bill Without Clipping Coupons sounds incredible!!
Chapter 7 looks enticing to me.
Chapter 4 seems really interesting
FB follower
Chapter 8 seems most interesting to me.
I Liked you on facebook
I followed you on Twitter
I subscribed via Google Reader
I like you on fb!
I follow you on Twitter too. Lies85.
I’m really excited about chapter 9, but chapter 4 looks intriguing too 🙂
Would love to get my hands on Chapter 7: Twenty-Five Ways to Lower Your Grocery Bill Without Clipping Coupons
#3 If you Don’t Know Where You’re Going, Any Train will Get You There
Chapter 2 sounds great to me! I love her blog!
Follow on Twitter, acottagedream
Like on Facebook
Embrace Today, a lot of days it is hard to get this one down
I just followed you on facebook.
I liked you on Facebook
I liked you on Facebook 🙂
I subscribed to your feed.
Chapter 2 sounds like exactly what I need. This for the chance to win!
Chapter 1…if I have to choose just 1!
I liked you on Facebook.
Chapter 8 — out of town without going broke.
i like u on fbk (cassie k graham)
rss subscriber
follow on twitter @cass_k20
Give Yourself an Instant Raise Without Increasing Your Take-Home Pay sounds like a great one for me!
The chapter that sounds most interesting to me is Chapter 3! I’m excited and can’t wait to read this book! 🙂