UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed.
Even as a very small child, some of my favorite play-time activities were playing store {I was the cashier} and writing numbers in my “bank book” {see picture below}.
When I was six, my parents helped me open my first savings account and then make small deposits on a regular basis. You can probably imagine how excited I was to balance a REAL bank register after each deposit!
I opened a checking account when I was 18, and was extremely hesitant to spend even one penny more than I absolutely had to! I used coupons to buy groceries all through college, and worked as many hours as I could to quickly pay off my student loans.
Now that I’m “all grown up” I’m still frugal, I still use coupons, I still don’t spend money if I don’t have to, and I still balance my bank register after every transaction {yes, I do online banking too!}
Basically, I’ve been frugal for as long as I can remember — thanks in large parts to my parents who have always encouraged me and my sisters to save, save, save!
Because of my love for frugal living, I am simply ecstatic about today’s giveaway — The Money Saving Mom’s Budget. It’s a brand new book written by one of my blogging friends, Crystal Paine of MoneySavingMom.com.
Crystal’s book is not only packed FULL of hundreds of tips and tricks to save more, spend less, and pay off debt; it also contains a wealth of information on how to simplify and organize your entire life… which I’m all in favor of 🙂
Plus the entire book is written from a “normal” person’s perspective on finances; so you won’t have to weed through financial jargon or constantly wonder if you’re understanding it correctly.
As I was reading her book, I kept thinking “I could have written this” because I honestly agree with pretty much everything she says. You can read more about her book here, but then come back and enter to win one of 5 copies!
The Giveaway:
Today, five lucky readers will win a copy of Crystal’s new book, The Money Saving Mom’s Budget!
How to Enter:
1. Leave a comment. How are you trying to save more and spend less this year?
2. Like Simple Organized Living and/or Money Saving Mom on Facebook, and then leave a separate comment letting me know you did {or that you do already}.
If you are reading this in your email or feed reader, please visit the actual blog post to enter. Email entries, Facebook comments, and Twitter messages will NOT be counted.
Prizes:
(5) copies of The Money Saving Mom’s Budget as described above.
This giveaway ends at 10:00 pm on Tuesday, 1/17/2012 and is open to all U.S. and Canadian residents 18 years or older. I will use And the Winner Is to select the winning comments at random. Winners will be notified by email and noted at the top of this post. Winners must respond within 48 hours of notification to claim their prize or I will choose a new winner. Please see my full disclosure policy and contact me with any questions you have. Good luck!
Jade Garn says
I already liked SOL on facebook!
Jade Garn says
I am trying to eliminate extra trips to the store that really add up. Like when all I need is milk, I’ll turn to my powdered milk instead of going to the store. I think it is really going to save a lot of money!
Firesparx says
We made a list of all the big ticket items we need to purchase in the next five years (we have a new house and are expecting a wee one) and prioritized them. We then assigned them to each year and set a budget for them.
Nancy says
I like Money Saving Mom on Facebook.
Nancy says
I like Simple Organized Living on Facebook.
Shannon S says
I like moneysavingmom on facebook. Thanks!
Shannon S says
I like simple organized living on FB. Thanks!
Shannon says
I’m going to try to eat out less to save money! Thanks for the offer!
Nancy says
We are trying to save more buy using coupons and sticking to our budget. We are trying to spend less buy going to thrift stores and through Craigslist before buying something new.
Lydia says
We’re trying to use the cash system. It’s hard but oh-so-helpful! Thaks for the giveaway!
Cassie says
One thing I’m working on right now is potty training my 2 year old. Getting him out of diapers will save us some $$. We don’t eat out much unless we have a coupon or gift certificate. We don’t heat our mudroom to save on our gas bill.
Jennifer B says
My husband and I are trying our best to meal plan & to cut out eating outside of the home – for both financial and heathy living benefits.
Katie Smith says
I “like” Money Saving Mom on Facebook.
Victoria says
This year I am really working on stretching the food budget. I am planning to spend the same as always but I want to buy more organic and whole foods BUT not increase my weekly envelope for food in doing so. This means I am paying more attention to my pricebook, sales, coupons on nonfood items and the few that are for whole foods. I am also making better use of leftovers, going to try again to make my brown thumb a green one and get a garden going, stick to a simple menu.
Katie Smith says
We are doing the Dave Ramsey plan and are trying to cut back with couponing, paying cash, and eating out less.
Melinda T says
I like both simple organized living and money saving mom on fb.
Melinda T says
Its been difficult, but with me and my husband having serious discussions and budgeting sessions and finally reaching a middle ground, we’re spending less and saving a bit more! Its only been a couple months, but we’re seeing progress.
I think whats made it more doable was that its something we both are working towards rather than one against the other. I’ll admit, I do more, I’m learning how to coupon, meal plan, shop and read up daily on how to save. But we make decisions together and work as a team.
I know that we’ve only just scratched the surface and there is still so much more to learn. This book would be a great help!
Karen Brazell says
I am trying to spend less and save more this year by having a written budget and sticking to it. Using more coupons.
Janine Stafford says
I “like” both Simple Organized Living and Money Saving Mom on Facebook
Janine Stafford says
I am trying to spend less on impulse buys-
bethany russell says
Desperately trying to eliminate unnecessary debt and start saving forthe future. We recently sold our home and are living in a rental while we are looking for a home to purchase. I want our devt gone except our cars and a lot payment before we buy our next home. I would also like to start an IRA this year. I believe your book could help me put this into practice and also convince my husband tge value of a budget.
Sheryl Tibbets says
I am entering for my daughters Rochelle and Jara. Both girls are very good at budgeting and spending their money wisely. I am proud of how they manage to work, maintain a household and raise two children. I think the MSM book would help them futher on their accomplishments in life which is looking for the best deals to make life a little more eaiser. So if I get a copy, it will be given to my daughters to use.
Anastasia says
I “like” both Simple Organized Living and Money Saving Mom on Facebook
Anastasia says
I mark down each and every purchase, I balance a check book and use coupons and shop sales and plan purchases around sales. I also save a little each month.
Megan Camp says
I follow both your blog and Money Saving Mom on Facebook and my blog reader. You’re two of my favorites!
Megan Camp says
I’m trying to invest our savings so that we earn more than the pennies that we do in our savings account. We’re looking to buy a house in a couple years and we want to save up a good down payment for it.
Allison says
I like SOL on facebook.
Allison says
I like Money Saving Mom on facebook.
Kristine E says
I already like Simple Organized Living on Facebook!
Allison says
Each year I add a bit to our monthly automatic savings deposits. I don’t have to remember to stash money away–it’s always done for me. We also shop at the scratch-and-dent stores for some of our non-perishables. Having a dented box or can isn’t a problem when the food inside is still good. We do use coupons sometimes (especially when we eat out), but we more often buy off-brand products, which cost less even with coupons figured in to the name-brand products.
Kristine E says
With 2 young kids and 1 more due next month, we are really trying to save everything we can. I have started to make my own laundry detergent, shampoo, conditioner, cleaning supplies, etc. We also are using cloth diapers and that really adds money back into our pockets. Of course, I am trying to utilize coupons also! I would LOVE to get a copy of this book!
Caitlin says
I liked Simple Organized Living on Facebook!
Caitlin says
I’d really like to save money on groceries and curb my impulse spending so I can pay down my student loan debt. Sounds like a great resource to help me do it! Thanks for the opportunity!
ElaineDavis says
Study Rite-Aid ad for deals, ONLY on things we USE; price match at Wal-Mart from other ads; eat from the pantry vs. buying new without using up first.
Thanks for the opportunity!
Andrea Watts says
I like Simple Organized Living andr Money Saving Mom on Facebook
Andrea Watts says
I’m trying to save more and spend less this year by using coupons with sales and stocking up.
Melissa says
I liked money saving mom on facebook
Garland says
I like Money Saving Mom on FB
Garland says
I am getting divorced so I am putting a little cash in an envelope with every grocery trip so I will have a cash fund no matter what happens.
Melissa says
I am trying to spend less and save more this year