Book Review (and a Giveaway!) : The Money Saving Mom's Budget

Most of you know that I am a big fan of saving money and trying to live frugally, and you also probably know that one of my favorite blogs is Money Saving Mom. I've been following Crystal's blog since she started it, and I love not only her money-saving advice, but especially how "real" she is. So I was very excited when I heard she was writing a book, and even more excited when I found out I would be able to receive a copy to review here!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1451646208/?tag=lifeonabackro-20

The Money Saving Mom's Budget isn't a "get rich quick" book, nor was it just a repeat of her blog. I found it to be a fresh, encouraging look at how we as women can save money and plan a workable budget.

Throughout the book, Crystal sets forth 7 rules for financial success. It really hit home with me when she started off with Rule #1: "Set Big Goals and Break Them Down into Bite-Sized Pieces." Wow, yes! This rule applies to finances, and actually all of life. In fact, as I've been working on my goals for this year, I am applying the same principle of breaking them down. It's so true that when you look at the big picture (example: huge mounds of credit card debt, or maybe a large purchase such as a car), it can be overwhelming, but when you think about it in terms of bite-sized pieces (i.e. how much you can pay off or save per month, and ways to accomplish that), suddenly the big picture doesn't look quite so daunting. Crystal walks you through the goal-setting process in this first step. Some of the other rules for financial success include cutting the clutter in your life (*real* clutter--I love this, and so need this challenge!), setting up a budget, and how to use coupons effectively. There are others, but I don't want to give away all of them, just whet your appetite. :) The final rule is "Choose Contentment," which I also loved. Whether we have little or much, contentment is the key. Crystal writes, "Contentment is a state of the heart, unaffected by outward circumstances . . . You can choose to stop focusing on what you don't have and start being thankful for the many blessings you do have."

One of the things I liked most about The Money Saving Mom's Budget is how practical it is. Crystal is very down-to-earth, and writes about finances and frugal living in a way that is simple to understand. I have always found budgeting very difficult and we have made countless budgets, only to give up on them within a few months or less. But after reading this book, I actually feel as though I can make a budget and stick to it! She starts you off with just a simple food budget for the first month. The next month you add a bit more to it and make a "bare-bones budget," and then the third month you add even more to make a "full-fledged budget." Very doable!

I also really appreciated the encouraging tone of the book. It felt like I was getting kind advice from a friend, having someone to cheer me on through the sometimes-overwhelming maze of trying to figure out finances. Yes, Crystal is passionate about budgeting and saving money, because she's lived it--and still does--and knows how good financial freedom feels. But she doesn't come across in a preachy way, just an encouraging, "you can do this!" kind of way. And because the book was written by a young mom, someone who is in the same stage of life as me, I could really relate to it.

There is so much more I could write, but I don't want to make a book review into a book. :) Just a few other things I wanted to mention that you will find in this book:

~Tips on how to lower your living expenses

~Tips on how to use coupons effectively

~Tips on how to lower your grocery bill (with or without coupons)

~Personal testimonies from Money Saving Mom readers (something I felt really added to the book!!)

~Tips on how to save on dates, entertainment, and vacations

~Tips for having a successful garage sale

~A list of helpful resources (books, ebooks, websites, etc.)

~Worksheets for goal setting, budgeting, etc.

I'm sure you all can tell I am pretty excited about this book, and I hope I've inspired you all to get yourselves a copy. But if buying a book isn't in your budget right now, I have good news! The copy I received was an advance copy, but Crystal graciously offered to send me a final copy once my review was posted. And I will be giving THAT copy away to one of you, after I receive it! In order to enter the giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post. No other hoops to jump through, just comment and make sure that I have a way to contact you if you win. :) This giveaway will be open till next Monday, January 9th, at midnight. The Money Saving Mom's Budget is scheduled to release next Tuesday, January 10th, so I should be able to get a copy to the winner fairly soon after the giveaway ends.

For those who don't win the book, I hope you might order a copy. One other thing I think is so neat is that Crystal is donating all the profits from the book to Compassion International. So if you buy it, not only do you get an excellent book, but you also help a wonderful organization to show the love of Jesus and bring physical aid to children in other countries.

Disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Also, the links in this post are my Amazon affiliate links, just so you all know. :)


**EDIT: For those who are new to my blog, don't worry if your comment doesn't show up right away!  I have comment moderation enabled, so I have to publish them all individually.  No need to comment a second time, I have all your comments--and will publish them when I have time. :) And if you're commenting anonymously, PLEASE make sure to leave an email address so I have a way to contact you if you win, otherwise I will have to pick a different winner.  If you've already commented anonymously without leaving an address, please comment again.   Thanks! :)