"The Money Saving Mom's Budget: Slash Your Spending, Pay Down Your Debt, Streamline Your Life, and Save Thousands a Year" by Crystal Paine of MoneySavingMom.com is due to be released January 10th; I was given an advance copy and am excited about sharing this fantastic book with you!
Despite the long subtitle, you still can't begin to assume every essential principle that weaves through this transforming book. It's a must-read. No, it is not a complete re-packaging of the Money Saving Mom blog. No, it is not about spending countless hours each week cutting coupons. And no, it's not about creatively surviving on beans and rice.
When I began reading the book, I didn't really expect to learn anything new; I only expected to be encouraged in the money saving principles I've already embraced for the last 10+ years. After all, we've already paid cash for a home, bought several vehicles with cash, and lived off a budget since before we were married.
But then I read her first rule for financial success, "Set big goals and break them down into bite-size pieces" and I thought to myself, "Oh, yes, we did that, too." We DID that. DID. As in, past-tense.
And then I had an epiphany: it has been awhile since we sat down and written out our financial goals. We need to sit down and set new goals, break them down, and begin working towards them.
Thanks, Crystal. I'd forgotten. I'd become a bit too comfortable.
And So It Continues
It wasn't just the first rule that impacted me, but many others as well. Create a "time" budget so I can be more productive? The thought never occured to me! Price match competitor grocery sales at my local SuperTarget? Hmm... I knew Walmart allowed that, but it's on the other side of town. SuperTarget is just around the corner.
As I continued through the book, I re-learned what I'd forgotten, discovered new ways to save, and, most importantly, was inspired to think creatively about our financial future. It's not just about us or our stewardship, it's about doing more, giving more, living more.
It's about being able to bless others, live beneath our means, and find contentment and joy in the journey.
Quotable Thoughts
"I know that many experts suggest doing fifteen minutes of clutter reduction on a daily basis for weeks or months until you've cleaned out your home. This might work for some, but I think it's better to just get it all over within one big sweep. You'll feel better, your house will show immediate improvement, and you won't be dragging it out for months on end." p. 30
"Many people feel like they need a bigger home for all their stuff, but most people just need less stuff." p. 33
"A cheerful attitude can go a long way in less than ideal situations; you can either complain about the thorns or you can savor the roses that bloom in their midst." p. 170
"Contentment is a choice. You can choose to be miserable in your situation or you can choose to bloom where you are planted. You can choose to stop focusing on what you don't have and start being thankful for what you do have... it's all about perspective. Choose to bloom where you're planted --- even if it seems like it's among thorns!" p. 172
How Would It Change You?
It's true, I found myself moving quickly through the middle portion of the book --- the chapters dealing with creating a written budget, getting rid of plastic cards, and couponing. I've been there, done that, and God has graciously allowed us to reap the fruits of those practices.
But, those first couple of chapters and last chapter contained wake-up calls I really needed to hear. They shouted at me, tugged at my heart, showed me changes we needed to make in our own lives.
It's not all about budgeting and coupons. It's about so much more.
I wonder --- if you read the book --- which chapters would tranform your thinking and the way you were living your life?
You can pre-order "The Money Saving Mom's Budget" here.
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I was given a free copy of this book in exhange for my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way other than receiving the one free copy. This post does include my Amazon.com referral link. Read my disclosure policy here.
Sounds like a wonderful book! I can’t wait to read it. I have worked hard the last few years to live like this and then we were knocked off course last year during a difficult trial that we just wanted to survive. Sounds like this will help me get back on track! Thanks for the review!
Oh how I long to be debt free!!!!!! I’ll have to check this book out and see what she has to offer. Thank you for sharing.
It’s so easy to set goals once and then think you’re good. We’re all guilty of it at one time or another, but we should schedule at least a couple times a year that we will sit down and re-evaluate our goals.
Hubby & I just graduated FPU (Financial Peace University-Dave Ramsey) a week or two ago. I feel like we are still really really struggling with it all. Mainly me, as I’m the “free spirit” I would love a copy of this book. Looks like good stuff!