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Book Review: The Money Saving Mom’s Budget

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With the start of 2012, I am ready to plan my goals and be specific about saving resources to reach those goals. Slashing my grocery bill and stretching my dollars is great, but what is the goal – just to make it to the next paycheck? No way!

The choices you make now will decide your financial situation a year, 5 years, and 10 years from now. Whether your current situation is an out-of-work resume submitter or living debt-free with little expenses and a comfortable income, you are in control of your money.

Want to take that vacation, pay off that credit card, or buy that new tablet? Need some practical advice you can start in January to reach those goals?

Welcome, The Money Saving Mom’s Budget, authored by Crystal Paine, who blogs to help you be a better home economist at MoneySavingMom.com.

If you are looking for a quick fix to your financial situation, then this book is NOT for you. The detailed process to get you in a better financial situation from January to December 31, 2012, will take focus, determination, and hard work.

The investment in your future will be time well spent, especially when you take that vacation, pay off that credit card, or buy that new tablet.

Your Road Map

The Money Saving Mom’s Budget is your road map to get you from where you are today to your goal. When beginning a 7-hour trip, you do not read the map from the halfway point.

You start at the beginning and make it through to the first stop, and then you go ahead to the next stop. Before long, you have reached the halfway mark because you planned your destination, began your trip, and followed your road map. The trip takes time, but by moving forward city by city, you will reach your goal.

Your Chosen Exits

Breaking down your goal into increments will get you to that huge, near-impossible finish line. In using time wisely, The Money Saving Mom’s Budget shows you the way and suggests a 12-month time frame to get you to your destination, exit by exit.

January – Set Big Goals and Break Them Down into Bite-sized Pieces

February – Streamline Your Life and Cut the Clutter

March, April, and May – Set up a Realistic, Workable Budget

June, July, and August – Take the Cash-only Challenge

September and October – Use Coupons

November – Never Pay Retail

December – Choose Contentment

Your Destination

This roadmap along with practical specific instructions to get you from start (January 2012) to finish (December 2012) is worth your money, energy, and time. Though I am battling the written budget and the cash-only scenario (since I do not like to carry cash), I am looking forward to following this course.

Though I have implemented most of the money-saving techniques (e.g., coupons for lowering my out-of-pocket expenses, my crock pot on busy days to avoid the fast food run, daily deal vouchers for entertainment and family fun, etc.) covered from September to December, I really need the January to May items to intentionally tell our money where to go.

Are you ready to make some financial headway in 2012? Then preorder your copy of The Money Saving Mom’s Budget for $11.09 (paperback) or $9.99 (Kindle) from Amazon.com (release date – Tuesday, January 10).

With focus, determination, and hard work, this financial investment can get you to your destination. In using time wisely, start 2012 in the right direction. Happy planning!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. For more details, please read my disclosure policy.

Question: What financial goal are you planning to reach in 2012? Please add your answer to the comments.

Time Management: Working on a Deadline

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Lesley Lizard)

If it weren’t for deadlines, I would not get as much accomplished. Knowing that someone is depending on me ignites my energy and gets me motivated. With a sense of urgency to complete the task accurately and completely, I press on until the project is finished.

Life gets really busy and well-meaning intentions fall by the wayside on the excuses of “if I only had more time.” My problem is not that I need more time, but rather I just need to plan better.

How do I do this?

  1. S.T.O.P.
  2. Take a breath.
  3. Sit down with the calendar.
  4. Preview the activities and plan those intentions.
  5. Break down the tasks.
  6. Schedule time to complete each part.
  7. Execute the plan.

Yesterday, I shared how I enjoy kicking off my cookie baking by attending a cookie exchange. When I know that my friends are depending on me, then I will be sure to have all those cookies baked. That deadline will be met because I will make the time to get it done. Due to scheduling conflicts, I had to decline two invitations to cookie exchanges this year. I had two chances, and neither fit into our family schedule. 🙁 Does this mean without a deadline that cookies will not be baked this year? No way! It just means, I need to set my own deadline.

Creating a Deadline

After stopping, taking a breath, and looking at the calendar, I begin to put together a plan. With hubby home and school out of session, next week will be baking time. In preparing, I checked our pantry for basic ingredients and added needed items to my grocery list pad.

When I go to the grocery stores this week and gather my savings, I will purchase the remaining items needed for next week’s baking. Then over the weekend, we will plan our family events for next week.

By planning ahead, breaking down the parts, and scheduling, I can get those well-meaning intentions executed. Without a plan, they remain only intentions. Taking time to plan is the best way to using time wisely. Yes, it means stopping to gather the information. But when one task is finished, you just move on to the next. You don’t need to keep stopping to consider what to do next.

During this busy season, plan to stop, take a breath, plan, schedule, and execute while using time wisely. Your season will be less complicated when you work on the priorities first. Happy planning!

Question: How self-motivated are you to get things done without a deadline? Curious to hear to your answers.

Using Time Wisely: Willingly Accept Help

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Shakir Abdullah)

There comes a time when you will realize that you CANNOT do it all. There are only 24 hours in one day, and you really must get your sleep. During seasons of busyness, I am learning to willingly accept help even if the task is not done to my specifications.

At this time, I am in the middle of rehearsals for my son’s Christmas program. Besides needing crowd control, sets, props, costumes, and lighting for the program, I also need distractions for my girls. Both of them enjoy hanging out with mom at the rehearsals, but they can get into trouble. By willing accepting help offered to watch my girls, I am better able to concentrate on leading and guiding the student actors.

On the day I did not have help with my girls, I found the students distracted and lacking in focus during our time together. Though I would rather have my girls with me, I know I need some assistance, and I willingly accept help that is offered.

Coming to the conclusion that I cannot do it all has brought me to willingly accept help. With the extra hands to assist and play with my girls, I have been able to focus on the students and make progress while using time wisely. My load has been lightened as I let go of perfection and willingly accept help.

Question: Do you find it hard to willingly accept help? I do, but I am learning. If you struggle or struggled with accepting help, can you offer this Momma any pointers on the subject? Would love to hear your comments.

Using Time Wisely: Giving the Gift of You

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Photograph Credit: Melissa Caligiuri

In looking back to last week, I am amazed at what was accomplished in spite of spending 3-4 days tag teaming with Paul holding our toddler as she recovered from hand, foot, and mouth. This virus surfaced on Black Friday and developed into blisters down the back of her throat. Besides feeling awful, she only wanted to be held and needed to sleep sitting upright.

Thankful for my husband’s time off, I worked together with him to get sleep, clean our house, play with our older kids, and comfort our little one. Though it would be easy to focus on all the things that needed to be done, we chose to give ourselves to our little one. She was hurting and needed that extra tender care during her illness.

Recovered and happy to be running around, little one is now getting into everything. As she pulls out items and leaves them, I really want to fuss and return the items to their assigned places. If I did this, then she would not learn. Though she is not our only child that leaves items out, I am learning to take the time to patiently instruct, teach, and correct. As she learns and is rewarded with cheers, she has been eager to put away other items when asked.

By giving my toddler special attention, I found that our special bond has strengthened. By using time wisely with my daughter, I am giving her the best gift I can, myself. As you contemplate gift ideas for this upcoming season, don’t underestimate the gift of you.

Question: To whom have you given the gift of you? Would love to hear your answer!

Scheduling: 2011 Thanksgiving Feast

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Emiliano Lobanco)

With the turkey thawing and the grocery shopping complete, my Thanksgiving plans are underway. With today’s activities planned, I can concentrate on timing the baking and cooking for Thursday’s meal.

Our celebration of thankfulness will include our family of five with my husband’s parents. Since my in-laws have graciously offered to provide the corn on the cob, Jello salad, and green salad, my preparations will include the turkey, gravy, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, bread, and beverages. Whew! Though the long list can be overwhelming, I break down the parts into time blocks for easy execution on Thursday morning.

Thursday

 

9:15 a.m. Turkey baking in the oven.
10:00 a.m. Peel the potatoes.

Make the stuffing.

Prepare the sweet potatoes.

Set the table.

Place butter and cranberry sauce into serving dishes.
11:30 a.m. Cook the potatoes.
11:45 a.m. Remove turkey from oven.

Place bread in oven.
12:15 p.m. Remove bread from oven.

Bake the stuffing and sweet potatoes.

Start making the gravy.
12:30 p.m. Mash the potatoes.

Carve the turkey.
12:45 p.m. Remove the stuffing and sweet potatoes from oven.

Prepare the table for our meal.
1:00 p.m. Feast time!

This schedule will keep me focused and organized on Thursday morning while preparing for our Thanksgiving meal. Having a written schedule to refer to allows me to concentrate on other items while following my plan.

Though your plan will look different from mine, just start from meal time and work backwards. By knowing what needs to stay hot, you can adjust your own schedule to fit your preferences. However you celebrate, I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving Feast. Happy planning!

Question: How early do you plan to be in the kitchen on Thanksgiving morning? Please feel free to add your comment.