The Money Saving Mom’s Budget: Book review and GIVEAWAY (2 winners)

The Money Saving Mom’s Budget, written by Crystal from MoneySavingMom.com, was released yesterday.  It was rated # 15 in the top 100 books on Amazon by the end of the day!  I am so excited to giveaway a copy today to TWO lucky readers, courtesy of Crystal. 

But first let me tell you what I thought about the book. I was excited to receive a publisher copy of Money Saving Mom’s new book, The Money Saving Mom’s Budget, to read and review in late November.  I didn’t get a chance to read it over Christmas, but it was first on my list as soon as the holidays were over.  I have read MoneySavingMom’s blog for 3+ years now so I will admit I wondered if it would be anything new.  I also blog all about coupons here and heavily coupon myself so thought the coupon information might be a little redundant.  But I was very pleasantly surprised and absolutely inspired!

I have always loved Crystal’s writing style – it is practical, easy to read, and to the point.  Her book is exactly that as well.  I told a friend after I finished the first 2 chapters that it was like “Elizabeth George meets Dave Ramsey” (Elizabeth George is one of my favorite authors who writes women's devotional/self-help books that are very practical, easy-to read, and inspiring.)

You wouldn’t expect a book about coupons and budgeting to have Setting Goals and Organizing your Life as the topics for chapter one and two, but honestly those two chapters were the basis and foundation for the book.  Those were also the two chapters that inspired me the most.  Crystal has been posting about goals for a while now on her blog, and I have been challenged to start making goals myself.  Goals are useful for every area of life, but especially in the area of budgeting and finances.  If you don’t have a goal for where you want to be financially you are not going to get there!  But she doesn’t just leave you with that, she guides you through how to make goals, how to set up a budget (step-by-step), how to maintain that budget, and how to increase your income in ways you would have never thought of, and more! 

Here are few of the things I took away (of many!) :

• “It’s ok to say no!  Because when you say yes to one thing, you are saying no to another.”  SOOO important, with your money, with your time, with everything in life. 
• “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.” – so, so true!
• Her last chapter was on contentment – “Contentment is a state of the heart, unaffected by outward circumstances.  Contentment is a choice!” 

And yes, even me, a couponer and coupon blogger, even gained a few new perspectives on saving money on groceries, meals, and more!  :)

I HIGHLY recommend this book!  It is a practical, step-by-step guide on how you can get control of your finances (and your life!) and start experiencing peace and contentment.  And your money is going to a great cause because Crystal has generously decided to give away ALL proceeds from her book to Compassion International (you can read more about that here).

You can order her book here – it was reduced yesterday down to $8.40!  Or you can try to win one of the two copies Crystal has offered to let me giveaway for FREE! :)

Just follow the instructions to fill out the form.   Giveaway will end Monday, January 16th at midnight.  Winners will be announced and emailed within 48 hours.



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