Book Review and Giveaway {The Money Saving Mom’s Budget}



***This giveaway is now closed!***

If you know me in “real life” and have asked me about how I do my couponing, or if you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know that I adore Money Saving Mom’s website. She has tons of useful information each and every day about how to get things inexpensively, as well as very uplifting blog posts about topics that have nothing to do with money! 
So. When she announced earlier this year that she would be writing a book, I was excited and knew I would want to read it.  I was more excited when a few months later she asked her blog readers to apply to review the book. And I was super excited when I found out I had been selected as one of the 300 bloggers to review the book- which will be released in January. (Think I was a little excited?)
Anyway, I received the book about three weeks ago and read it in less than 48 hours. Seriously, it was so helpful yet a very easy read- no fancy jargon- just practical steps to help you get going in the right direction financially.
One thing I really love is that she tells her family’s personal story- when she and her husband were first married, he was in law school and she stayed at home. They were determined to stay out of debt and by living extremely frugally (a fast food meal was a treat!), they were able to accomplish this. Mine and Ben’s story is much like this- his income as a full-time youth pastor when we got married in 2001 was $12,000, and I was still in college!
No matter your financial situation, I believe anyone can benefit from reading this book. Crystal gives tips on how to save money on everything from eye glasses to children’s clothes. Even if you have a good financial history, there is something for you in here! Even though the Paines are well-off financially now, they still are frugal so that they are able to save for the future, as well as give generously.

Oh, did I mention that she is giving ALL of the proceeds of the book to Compassion International? What a great way to be an example in giving! I think this book would make a great wedding gift in order to help a young couple get off on the right foot.

As a way to celebrate the six month anniversary of my blog, I will hold a drawing on December 21 for one reader win a copy of this book!

To enter:
***This giveaway is now closed!***
1.) Become a follower of my blog if you aren’t already, either through Google Friend Connect (top right corner) or by e-mail subscription. (Leave a comment letting me know which way you follow.)
ALSO, PLEASE LEAVE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS! 🙂

2.) For an additional entry, leave a separate comment telling me your favorite way to save money!

Good luck! Open to US residents only.
The drawing will be held Wednesday, December 21.

P.S. Have you tried this recipe?

I was given a copy of this book to review but did not receive any other compensation. All views are my own. Link for Amazon is my affiliate link. If you buy through this link, you help support this blog!

Thank you so much for subscribing!

Download an eBook today
About Kelli Hays

Kelli Hays is a wife, mother, writer, and friend. She has been blogging since 2008 and loves sharing inspiration for the everyday woman!

Comments

  1. I follow you via GFC!! 🙂

  2. My favorite way to save money….to not spend it!!! And couponing.

  3. stephanie page says

    FOllowing via GFC..and Facebook!!! 🙂

  4. stephanie page says

    Favorite way to save money is following Dave Ramsey’s budgeting & Envelope systems!

  5. Krissy Schwettmann says

    Never been a follower until today (although I do regularly check your blog). Would love to win this book!

  6. Kimberly Pieplow says

    I get your e-mails!

  7. Kimberly Pieplow says

    Setting up a zero-budget spending plan with my husband (not fun or easy to do, but great if you commit to it!). And I get a big thrill from cutting coupons (this actually began as a child when I would cut coupons for my mom!).

  8. I am an email subscriber!

  9. My favorite way to save money is by buying used 🙂

  10. Danielle Garcia says

    I follow on GFC

  11. Danielle Garcia says

    My favorite way to save money is to reuse as much as possible. I avoid disposable products and reuse things like jars.

  12. i am a follower by email!

  13. My favorite way to save money is to coupon. During the holidays I like making gifts as well.

  14. Couponing like a crazy person! Thanks for the giveaway.

  15. My favorite way to save money is to stockpile items at rock bottom prices and to shop for clothing at thrift stores.

  16. Using budgeting software that gives me reminders and coupons.

  17. New E-mail follower

  18. Merritt Sondra says

    I am following your blog through google friend connect.

    Sondra

  19. Merritt Sondra says

    My favorite way to save money is planning out a menu and sticking to it through the month.

  20. I follow this blog via GFC
    petchk79@gmail.com

  21. My favorite way to save money is by getting rebates along with the coupons and store discounts that are already in place, you usually make more money that way 🙂
    petchk79@gmail.com

  22. Mary Roberts says

    I follow via email subscribe list!

  23. Mary Roberts says

    I favorite way to save is every way! I use coupons, store rewards programs, rebates and cash back programs! My favorite thing about savings is journaling my spending and watching my savings add up over time!

  24. Susan Salerno says

    Subscribe via Google

  25. susan salerno says

    Matching coupons to items that have rebates or reward bucks so that you are actually making $$ by purchasing them.

  26. Ashley Marsh says

    I am now following through Google Friend Connect!

  27. I follow this blog via GFC

  28. Favorite way to save money is Couponing!

  29. Ashley Marsh says

    My favorite way to save money is buying “last year’s” goods. So often companies come out with a newer or better version of their goods when the previous model or design works just fine. The older goods are given a great discount and make me happy!

  30. Wildflower Wynd says

    My favorite way to save money is to cook a whole chicken once a week, boil the bones for broth and make pot pie and fajitas with the leftovers.

  31. My best money saving tip is to make a shopping list and stick to it. It really helps the most if you actually remember to take it with you. 🙂

  32. Dorothy Compton says

    Just subscribed to daily emails.

  33. Dorothy Compton says

    My favorite way to save money is by going paperless as often as possible…use real napkins, rags instead of paper towels, etc.

  34. I am getting into the thrifting thing and love it! Thanks for stopping by!

  35. Ooooh, what kind of gifts do you make? I love making things! Thanks for stopping by!

  36. I am a crazy couponer myself. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!

  37. Yeah for stockpiling! Thanks for stopping by!

  38. gfc follower (sl)
    tnxns09 at gmail dot com

  39. coupons and buy only what needed

  40. oops forgot tnxns09 at gmail dot com

  41. I shop at Aldi to save money!

  42. I just subscribed to your feed through email. faith-hopeandlove@hotmail.com

  43. my favorite way to save money is shopping thrift stores and garage sales.

  44. Michelletonkin says

    Now following thru email subscription michelletonkin at comcast dot net

  45. Michelletonkin says

    My favorite way to save money is by using coupons and shopping at thrift stores michelletonkin at comcast dot net
    THANK YOU for this opportunity to win this book. Merry Christmas!

  46. 3girlsnurse says

    Would love to win this book. I am looking for ways to decrease our spending and save some money. Jill 3girlsnurse@att.net

  47. Blaire Ruch says

    now following you through Google Friend Connect! blaireruch@hotmail.com

  48. Blaire ruch says

    favorite way to save money: clipping (and using!) coupons!

    blaireruch@hotmail.com

  49. Love to save $ by not spending, but when I have to I coupon & frequent thrift stores. It hurts me to spend full price on items these days!

  50. Rachel Wizenfeld says

    favorite way to save money is CRAIGSLIST!! love it

  51. thank you for the oppurtunity to win this book. the biggest way we save money is by making our own laundry detergent.

  52. buying used college text books from amazon marketplace or ebay

    pmbtomk at yahoo dot com

  53. My favorite way to save is by using zero budgeting! I check my balances every morning and night to make sure I am on track!

  54. I followed via Google Friend Connect
    becksterslaboratory[at]gmail.com

  55. My favorite way to save money is to keep a budget. I’ve been using a virtual envelope system via an app on my phone to help me stay on track. I shop at Fresh & Easy and never without one of their 20% off coupons!

    becksterslaboratory[at]gmail.com

  56. Me, too! Thanks for stopping by!

  57. You are very welcome! Good luck.:)

  58. Why yes it does, and I forget mine all the time! Thanks for stopping by!

  59. Yay for you!

  60. I would love to win this book! I love her blog and an anxious to read the book!

  61. GFC follower

    cc_girly@yahoo.com

  62. Coupons are my favorite way of saving!

    cc_girly@yahoo.com

  63. Stephanie Olmsted says

    I follow on GFC

  64. Stephanie Olmsted says

    Money Saving…. we make our own laundry soap and it works better than I thought it would. We almost finished our first batch.

  65. Following you through google friend connect. Thanks for the chance to win!k

  66. Favorite way to save money is reusable paper towels, also known as rags!

    Keltonsmom at gmail dot com (email addy not on previous comment – sorry about that)

  67. i’m a gfc follower (deal bunny)

  68. my favorite way to save money is combining coupons with weekly grocery ad deals

  69. Coupons and sites!

  70. Couponhustla says

    couponhustla@gmail.com
    email subsciber

  71. My favorite way to save money is to buget and plan

  72. I followed your blog! 🙂

    Giann – mylifeunscripted1@gmail.com

  73. One of my favorite ways to save money is by signing up for freebies! 🙂 By doing that, I can try a product to see if I like before I spend money on it!

  74. tiffanyblitz says

    I’m following you with GFC (tiffanyblitz). tiffany (at) tiffanyblitz.com

  75. tiffanyblitz says

    My favorite way to save money is by cutting out things that aren’t good for you, anyway. We don’t have cable – we watch selected DVDs, play games, and talk! We don’t go to starbucks and pay $6 for a cup of coffee. Etc., etc.

  76. I subscribe to your site. Is email and I love it! Thanks for all u do!
    3girlsnurse@Att.net

  77. I think laundry soap and dryer sheets r expensive , so we use half the detergent called for and cut our dryer sheets in half or fourths depending on the sheet. J
    3girlsnurse@att.net

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