Money Saving Mom’s Budget: Book Review & Giveaway!
3 Jan
The dawn of 2012 conjures up all sorts of ideas of self-improvement. I, for instance, aim to better organize my time so that I can balance my work and home life more efficiently. What are your New Year’s resolutions?
If any of them have to do with managing time, money and family life in general, check out my blogger-friend Crystal Paine’s new book The Money Saving Mom’s Budget. It’s easy to read and offers real-life advice for people with real lives – like me! We all want to spend less money and spend more time with our families, but sometimes that is easier said than done. The New Year is a perfect opportunity to come up with a plan to do just this. Enter Money Saving Mom.
About the author: Crystal is no stranger to saving money. She comes from a large family and has been couponing since forever ago. She has been blogging about her experience and sharing her tips with readers like me and you for several years. If you haven’t check out her blog, Money Saving Mom, you are missing out! This isn’t just a blog about couponing, it’s a blog about life – enjoying it and making the most of it.
About the book: When I received Crystal’s, The Money Saving Mom’s Budget, I was curious. What could a book about couponing do for me? I’ve already been couponing for years, I shop the clearance racks – I already save as much money as I can! Oh contraire! The Money-Saving Mom’s Budget goes far beyond what the average coupon blog has to offer. But what makes Crystal different than other author is that she proposes plans to save money that can work for anyone, all types of budgets and any type of person. This money-saving book isn’t just for type A people who make to-do lists and are proud to be ’tiger moms’. It’s for real people, with real lives, who sometimes don’t get everything on their to-do lists done because, hey, sometimes real life happens.
The book touches on coupons but Crystal points out many other ways to live frugally and still enjoy your life! Not only does she bring up new ways to save money, but she helps you map out a plan to save a little or to save a lot, but most importantly, she helps you map out a plan to achieve your goals whatever they may be! I love that she offers real, tangible ways to help you save money from ideas to worksheets you can fill out to help you stick to a budget. She even offers her wisdom about saving money for those living paycheck to paycheck. Now that’s real life.
Crystal is goal-driven and I like that. To me, it’s inspiring to listen to the words of someone who sets goals, both big and small, and achieves them. She has real-life experience to offer. My favorite piece of advice is that yes, making to-do lists is great, but if you want to take it one step further, make a to-do list and then prioritize your tasks with a realistic mindset. Sometimes even though ‘clean the house’ is on our to do lists, that might not always be a realistic goal (like right after Christmas). So instead, she suggests cleaning the house for 1 hour. Now this kind of practical and doable advice, I can follow. The advice not only helps me take one step forward, but it makes me feel better about what I am doing. Equally important, it doesn’t make me feel bad about what I’m not doing.
If you are serious about any new year’s resolutions pertaining to saving money, working more effectively, managing your time, or achieving goals in general, read this book! The Money Saving Mom’s official release date is January 10, 2012. Click here to pre-order her book with Amazon’s pre-order price guarantee.*
Crystal has been kind enough to donate 2 copies of her brand new book to 2 lucky Clever Clipper readers. Enter below and get your new year started off on the right foot! This giveaway will run though Jan 10.
P.S. Crystal is donating 100% of the proceeds from the sales of this book to Compassion International, a Christian child advocacy ministry. Compassion International helps more than one million children in 26 countries. For more information, visit Compassion.com.
*Order now and if the Amazon price decreases between your order time and the end of the day of the release date, you’ll receive the lowest price. Click here for more details.
I am trying to master the art of couponing. LOL!!! Thanks for the chance to win…
My resolution is to work out more.
Exercise!!
I’ve decided, because of reading the book, One Thousand Gifts, that I will record One Thousand things that I am thankful for this year. I am already up to #10… and I just started the list today!
I love this idea!
To set and follow a budget.
my resolution is to lose weight. like last year, and the year before that!
Working on cleaning/being more organized and being more present with the kiddos. Thanks!
One of my resolutions is to have a specific prayer time. Another one is to actually write out my goals…I don’t accomplish what I want unless I have a plan on paper!
I highly recommend Motivated Moms printable chore charts. You can print out weekly or daily chore charts with or without a prayer checkbox! How cool is that? Here is the link – https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=9445&c=ib&aff=196988
I want to read to my boys more.
My 2012 goals
Read 1 book each month
1) Finish my house so it can be rented out
2) Pay off Lowe’s credit card
3) See family in Pennsylvania
4) Pay off Jimmy’s student loans
5) Clean out the down stairs
6) Save $2,000 emergency fund
7) Develop 12 new habits
9) Exercise increasingly
10) Freezer meals once a month
11) Make cleaning the house more of a priority
12) Date night 1 time per month
13) Record meal and times daily
14) Plant and maintain garden during summer
15) Devote 1 night to family game night
16) Get together with friends 1 time per month
17) Write down birthdays and send cards
18) Blog increasingly more
19) Read with kids at least 3 times per week
20) Make and keep budget
21) Learn to knit and FINISH a project
22) Lose some weight
Follow a budget!
My New Year’s Resolution is to eat healthier. I don’t necessarily gorge on junk food, but I do want to shy away from most food that isn’t organic.
Become more organized!
Really want to be more organized in life general. Cleaning/ money/time!!!
I want to become more thankful.
I’m trying to be more intentional about getting things, mostly things I don’t care for, done right away in the day, instead of putting it off. Another goal of mine is to actually make goals & post them, for myself & my business. I can’t wait to read this book!!!
live life to the fullest in every way and be fully grateful for all we are and all that we have
I want to exercise and do a spiritual devotion every day!
I don’t really believe in resolutions – why wait until January 1 to improve something??? But, I did sign up for a half marathon in November, so my goal was to finish my first in March and run a full one by the end of 2012.
Oh I really need to get organized…which I planned to do over the holidays without success.
1. To workout just 3 times a week.
2. 2 start using cash for everything!
I have many, but one thing is to limit my blog (reading) time to 30 min./day. This keeps me moving and helps me focus on what is really important.
Give up the junk food and make healthy food choices.
I want to spend more time reading the Bible and meditating on it.
One of my resolutions is to manage my time better
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Wow! Awesome giveaway! Thank you.
resolution is to get better at couponing and saving money!
I’m going to bring my lunch to work. One simple goal that will hopefully result in saved money and healthier eating.
To lose weight, work more on our budget to pay off debts, and to make our home clutter-free and keep it that way.
very useful!
To lose 16 pounds this year.
Eating from the pantry (which is over stocked!).
Stop procrastinating!
I would love to win this book.
agomezbc91@verizon.net
to build better organizational skills!
floss every night!
I am going to drink more water and exercise 5 days/week!
We have a goal of paying off my husband’s student loan this year – almost $7,000 left. It’s a BHAG on our one income family!
to get organized & eat healthier
spend more time with my family and elderly mother,and find more ways to help others,
My New Year resolution is to limit spending so we can pay off debt & start saving.
I want to be able to run 5 miles by the end of this year.
Well I don’t make resolutions, but I have made a long list of goals that I am working on breaking down into monthly goals just like Crystal. Making bread from scratch is one of the top goals.
Recovering from overeating.
Follow a strict grocery list when shopping
I am needing and wanting to create a budget that works for my family of 4.
Yea! Very exciting…hope I win!
My new years resolutions are:
1. Lose weight
2. Save $$$!!! (Goal: $5,000 by year end)
3. Pay off all of my credit cards.
My goal is to save more money.
stick to the budget!
I resolve to stop trying to be perfect.
A wise choice – I love it! Check out this pic I posted on Pinterest. http://pinterest.com/pin/64246732153906002/
I have too many New Year’s resolutions to post them all but they include to read 24 personal development books, continue to work towards financial peace, and love my husband more unconditionally.
work out more
My #1 resolution is to journal everyday.
I’m resolving to spend 15 minutes a day attacking projects that I have been procrastinating.
But a few of my new year’s resolutions…
1) Daily quiet time.
2) Run the half-marathon (in my hometown) in April.
3) Graduate from my master’s program with honors.
4) Read 17 books (that I have already chosen).
5) Pay off car payment by April and student loan by October.
My resolution is to get more organized!
To continue following God’s will for my life… spending our money wisely is part of this.
Get my fluids and supplements in!
My resolution is to live a life full of joy
To set up a better budget and make a household notebook!
We’re having a baby girl this month so my main goal is to be the best mother I can be!
Yeah – I’m so excited for you!!!
my resolution is to finish the things i started in 2011
My goals are to save up for an ipad. De-clutter my houae by selling things on ebay and using that money to get rid of debt
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I have a goal to read more in 2012
to eat healthier, be more active and get my house clean and organized. thanks for an awesome giveaway!
My resolution is to read more scripture and get fit!
Lose some weight!
exercise!
to get my coupons organized and USE THEM!!
I want to spend more fun time with my kids!
I refuse to make resolutions just b/c it’s Jan 1, but I’m continually trying to declutter, esp kids stuff
To buy more products made in the USA.
Oooh, would love this!
I’m a stay at home mom so I spend so much time with my youngest who just turned 5 but my oldest is 9. I feel I don’t get to spend my time with him compared to the younger one. He is getting to that stag where mom isn’t cool so I need to take more time before this stage takes completely over. I also want to acomplish the usual resolutions save more and lose weight. I also get no mommy time so once a month a girls day would be nice.
Resolutions: To be more disciplined in exercise and in keeping on top of the clutter!
Our family New Year’s resolution is to continue to pay off debt.
I don’t make new years resolutions! But I am trying to eat healthier and work out more after the holidays!
My New Years Resolution is to read more. I’ve started and not finished so many books. Thanks for the opportunity.
My New Years Goals all stem around organization, be it in my house, finances, relationships & life in general. Thanks!
Goal planning.
my resolution is to save for my son’s christmas every pay check setting aside a certain amount so i am not sweating next shopping season
resolution is to work out more
My resolution is to be more organized.
I would like to save more money on every aspect in our lives & truly think this book will help. I cannot afford it @ all @ the moment so hope I will @ least win 1 from someone:)
I have lots of good giveaways planned for this month and all year – like free frosty’s from Wendy’s for a whole year, fitness equipment and coupon binders – so stay tuned and good luck, Karen!
To spend more quality time with my kids and to read the Bible more.
I want to be more punctual this year.
I love all the money saving ideas and the goal setting! would love,love to win a copy-thanks!
i could so use this book! it would truly be a great help and motivation. I would truly love to win such a useful book! I want to save more money for my family!
My resolution is to eat healthier and save more money by using coupons and getting better deals with the coupons.
i’m thankful my mom taught me to coupon.
I have an entire list of resolutions but saving money is definitely one. I’ve been out of work since September and I’m a single mom so, every little bit counts!
I have several goals (not sure if that’s different than resolutions) – try one new recipe per week, eliminate boxes of old papers, finish some craft UFOs (unfinished objects), etc.
Really going to try to get myself organized at work…my office is a mess LOL
I want to lose weight and save more money.
I am hoping to lose weight in the New Year.
I need to win the lottery in 2012 !!
My resolutions are to keep a clean kitchen, lose weight, and save a chunk of money.
One of my new year’s resolutions is to spend more quality time each day with my hubby!
My new years resolution is to get out of debt. While I do not make enough money to pay it all off this year (credit cards!), I want to cut it in half at the very least. I have so many hospital bills, credit card bills, and the like that I want to get it all managed and under control before 2013 is here. That means being smarter about couponing and finding the best deals when it comes to things that don’t have coupons.
My New Year’s Resolution is to get up before my children (I have three ages 5 and under). I have allowed the kids to wake me up for a year, but if I get up earlier, I am able to get so much accomplished! So far so good