Miserly Moms: Living Well on Less in a Tough Economy

I have learned so much from this book. It has really inspired me and helped me with ideas and ways to save for my family. I was so impressed with this book that I suggested it and let a friend borrow it. She liked it so well that she went ahead and bought her own copy. This book has been a great find for my family.

What this book is about: Have you been thinking about becoming a full-time stay-at-home mom? Are you trying to cut costs and save money for your family? Maybe you would just like to learn to live frugally but comfortably? Then this book is for you! Okay, so in my opinion this book is for anyone - moms, dads, singles... anyone who would be interested in some great tips on saving money and living healthier can benefit from Miserly Moms. I find it to be an invaluable resource that I'm sure moms will love as much as I do! Why this book is different: There is nothing theoretical in the way Miserly Moms is written. Author Jonni McCoy has lived and practiced this way of living - she is proof that it can work. And not only that, but she has testimonials from readers (this is a reprinting) sharing their success stories as well! I'm not surprised. Reading through this book, you'll note the ring of truth in her words - what she says makes total sense! Refreshingly, Miserly Moms is neither boring nor a slow read. It's so easy to find what you're looking for and to pick and choose what tips you want to follow - I love it! And it's written with the goal of being a stay-at-home mom in mind. I found this extremely helpful (though I'm still working part time at home) and was very interested in reading Jonni's thoughts on working moms. Did you ever think about how money is spent by working moms? By the time you've paid for work clothes, convenience foods (at home and at work), gas going to and from work, daycare bills, and whatever else comes up (car expenses, etc), you're practically paying for the privelege of working! I don't know about you, but I'd rather be at home taking care of my kids... that's just an aside, of course. Something I noted. I know not all of us can stay home, but if you're wondering if it is possible to stay at home, survive, and save money - well, you'll see that it can be done. Anyway, on with examples of what Miserly Moms is all about... Topics covered in Miserly Moms: * Budgeting * Food-buying tips (don't buy everything at one store, etc) * Frugal and healthy recipes * Celebrating frugally * Baby care (now that's not easy to save money on) * The cost of working * Getting the kids and husband involved in saving * Saving on medical expenses * Saving on Utility expenses * Craft ideas (for less!) * Cleaning (safer and cheaper) * Even a FAQ area * And much more! This book is like the bible of money-saving ideas for moms. I highly recommend it and know I'll be gifting copies to my mom friends!

Jonni McCoy has turned stretching the money made by her husband to cover the family's needs ... into her job. And she's not just saying that. She has detailed eleven miserly guidelines that those who live in recession-stricken households will find VERY useful. For the most part, the book is about saving money and it does focus on this from the perspective of a mom. However, many of the tips in this book would be useful to know for anyone, male or female, who has been laid off and is living on severance pay or unemployment - to stretch their newly limited income to pay the bills. Jonni covers cutting out the money wasters in your life and provides her detailed method for saving money on groceries by shopping at multiple stores and planning menus by what is on sale for the week (among other things). Some of her favorite recipes for meals you can cook ahead and freeze are also included in this book. Instead of buying that expensive Bertolli meal for two, she encourages you to make an extra large batch of your own favorite Italian dish and divvy it up in plastic bags in your freezer for quick and easy self-made meals that are a fraction of the cost. (OK, so she didn't mention Bertolli by name, but those are the meals my husband and I were addicted to when I worked full-time. So yummy!) The proof is in the numbers ... and Jonni has done the math. She cites in her book that even those with special diets can save up to 50% off their normal bill and not take up a lot of extra time. She also gives great tips on giving creative gifts and cheap entertainment ideas for children. She outlines the costs you save by not working and not just ways to shop smarter, but a way to live better ... without missing the extra money. I highly recommend this book. If you follow even a fraction of Jonni's advice you will make back any money you spend in very little time. Of course, ... you could get Miserly Moms at the library. (But you won't want to return it!)

Miserly Moms: Living Well on Less in a Tough Economy (4th edition) is a great resource for those struggling with the current conditions of the economy. Written by a mom who wanted to stay home with her children and had to learn how to economize, while living in expensive area of California. This book is the outcome of her research and "continuing education." Being a fan of Jonni McCoy for more then 10 years and having frequently visiting her website (http://www.miserlymoms.com/), I was wondering if purchasing an updated version of her book would be all that helpful. I was pleasantly surprised by the thoroughly updated and new information that was contained in the book. There is a new opening chapter with testimonies from moms who came home. Then there are a few new chapters more relevant for today's world such as a chapter dealing with special diets, Five Things I wish I Knew About Money When I was Young, How To Save $10,000, and 5 Questions I Get Asked Most Often, information that has come with experience. The titles of many of the chapters are the same, but there is enough new information in them, you can hardly recognize the old. I did also appreciate the new information on debt reduction and budgeting. However, I did find that most of the recipes, gift ideas, cleaning supplies, and children's crafts are the same as the second (1996) edition of the book that I own. There are items that are just common sense like shopping for items on sale, making your own food from scratch, washing laundry in cold water, and lowering your thermostat and hot water heater temperatures. Other suggestions I find great, like how to make homemade products for every day use and inexpensive gift ideas. The recipes are simple to make and taste great. There are also tips for teaching children and getting your husband on board to this lifestyle. This book would make good reading material for your older children, especially girls who are potential stay at home moms in the future. Great gift also for the new mom!