I have followed the Money Saving Mom blog for quite some time. Of course I love the deals Crystal posts on the site, but more than finding a fabulous bargain, I love her focus on stewardship of the home and finances. I have found recipes, coupons, and organization ideas and have been challenged by her goal setting and focus on budgeting and using cash instead of plastic. When I found out she was releasing a book, I was super excited to see what she would include. It was released yesterday and I read it yesterday. Below are a few of my favorite take aways from her book.
- CASH: This totally goes against everything I know as a bank marketing director where we want to put debit cards in peoples’ hands because they make a huge amount of $$$ for banks, but she reinforces the cash only system. We have tried this a few different times and always end up going back to the card. I know from our personal experience that we spend way less when we use only cash.
- COUPONS: I used to laugh at my mother for clipping and using coupons thinking that $.50 really isn’t that much, but wow was I wrong. I have been much better in the last year at using coupons, but I still have not been super consistent. Crystal gives a down to earth approach to couponing and helps you identify what is a good bargain and what is in not.
- CLUTTER: She comments that if your life is cluttered than you are going to have a hard time meal planning, budgeting, and couponing. Her chapter on clearing out your house and life motivated me to get up and work on my closet. Even though it hurts, I need to admit that I am probably never going to fit in the dress that I wore to my rehearsal dinner ... time to get rid of it. :)
- CLARITY: I don’t know about you, but I can get way overwhelmed when I read blogs or books about all that different women do to run their households efficiently and cost effectively. From making their own tortillas to dishwashing liquid, there are a TON of ideas out there to save money and time. I often think I should be doing more and there are probably a lot of areas I could be doing more. She talks about looking at the cost savings per hour of different tasks to see if the cost savings are really worth the time investment.
I am going to be giving away a copy of this book either on your Kindle or a hard copy in your mailbox!
You can enter the contest twice: 1) Leave a comment on this post 2) Leave a comment on the Rubies & Rewards Facebook page and tell share your goals for 2012 in regards to home management, couponing, or budgeting.
Be sure to enter the contest by Friday at midnight and I will announce the winner on Saturday!
I just ordered the book tonight. I too have followed her blog for sometime and am anxious to read the book. Thanks for the review! One of my goals for budgeting/couponing is to buy 30 jars of pb/month to donate... odd I know... but I really want Emelyn to see us actively caring for those in need around us and this seems like an easy, hands on way for her to learn this and be a part of it. Of course doing this out of our grocery budget means that I need to be creative in the kitchen to make healthy, easy, and economical meals and will also hopefully remind me weekly at the store to focus on our needs (as opposed to food wants) AND the needs around our community. Today one of my household "chores" was to do meal prep which for today was browning hamburger. I decided to divide three lbs of hamburger into 4 dishes this time.... it will probably be healthier for us to have that little less meat AND it freed up another $3 to buy pb. We'll see if anyone notices less meat in the pasta we have on the menu... :)
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds awesome! I would love to read it. We had a vision planning session while on a date in AR and part of that was becoming debt free in 2012 and I have been couponing for a fewonths and has been really fun to see how much we can save with some work on the front end
ReplyDeleteStarting this year off opening the eyes of our HS SR by asking him to make up a budget of his use of toiletries, laundry items, gas, and eating out with friends expenses. When he brought it to us he had also included the expenses for his horse! We are wanting to train him to 'see' the cost of things, how to use things wisely, how to budget for your needs - deodorant is more important than eating out too often!! :) He went to the store for me the other day and was shocked at the price of 97% lean hamburger! Me too!! Since I am having to change our diet due to health issues, I am back to couponing, planning meals, and comparing prices. K will be buying his own personal items and gas, budgeting in his 'fun' money, etc. He is wanting a job - looking and praying for the right direction to help meet these expenses and save for college money as well. Proud of his interest in wanting to work, live by a budget, and save money! Lot easier to set those habits now than later! Will look for the book you mentioned!
ReplyDeleteOne of my budgeting goals is to be more consistent in using cash spending (instead of debit cards). I'd also like to start having monthly budget meetings with my husband to track expenses and plan more accurately. I am clearly the nerd in our marriage. He is the free spirit.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this book for my mom. She would LOVE it!!
ReplyDeleteThis book looks great and helpful!!
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer! Congrats ... you are the winner of Money Saving Mom's new book! Email me at rubiesandrewards AT hotmail DOT com!
ReplyDeleteAnd so nice to have you stop by!
I really need to spend less money on food. I think this could help!
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