In light of my amazing sister, Rayel and nephew Sloan coming to visit me tonight for a couple days – I want to give something away!!
Just over a month ago, my sister celebrated her Birthday and she is a tough one to shop for! I like gifting experiences much more than material items. SO… a reading experience was what I decided on – whether she wanted to read or not (I’m such a nice sister – ha ha)!
The book that came to mind instantly was a book my friend, Sarah Deveau had just published – Money $mart Mom.
My sister read the entire book in 1 day, on her way home from her Birthday trip to New York City! She loved it and has already shared it with one of our mutual friends to read. I asked Rayel to write a couple lines about the book.
“Money $mart Momis an excellent source of info on practical parenting. Tons of links to where to go to save money and take advantage of deals, grants, money saving tips and places to go. A book to fold page corners, use as a resource, and a great easy book to read at any point in your parenting adventure.” – Rayel Walker
To support my friend, I also bought a copy for myself. As I’ve learned from Sarah and my sister, it’s an awesome book to read before you’re pregnant and have children also. I am about 1/2 way through it and have gained a lot of insight into what starting a family looks like financially. I expected to learn about the cost difference between using regular or cloth diapers. However, I’m half through the book and haven’t even got to that topic yet!
Congratulations Sarah on publishing your 2nd book; you are SUCH an inspiration to me.
I encourage all of you to check out her website www.moneysmartmom.ca for free tips, to buy the book, OR find out what stores to find her book. I found it at my local Chapters:
GIVEAWAY: 1 copy of Money $mart Mom
Congratulations to Larysa Robar on winning this giveaway!!
Thanks to everyone who entered – your Money $aving Tips were AMAZING!
Larysa, please go to the Contact page and submit your mailing address, so the author Sarah Deveau can send you your new book.
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Open to Canadian residents only – as content is based on being a Canadian parent! If you’re a follower from the US or an International country, you’re welcome to share your tip – but the book wouldn’t be very helpful to you.
To Enter, comment below with a:
Share a Money $aving tip
BONUS Entries:
- IF you comment on this entry AND Follow (or start following) this Blog with Google Connect (by clicking on the link on the right sidebar)
- Join the Money Smart Mom Facebook page
- Follow @SarahDeveau and me @RobynBeazley on Twitter
Deadline: Giveaway complete!
I will randomly draw 1 winner for this draw.
I look forward to learning from your tips to save money!!
Good luck,
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This sounds like a great book! I hope I win.
Here’s little tip: When you go out to eat share drinks to save a few bucks! When my hubby and I go to a restaurant he’ll order a large drink and I’ll get water or nothing. Then we share. This works really great when there are free refills!
I follow your blog Robyn!
I joined the Money Smart Mom Facebook page!
Fantastic Megan!!! Thanks for entering – many ways…
Pack a lunch instead of buying or dining out. You can save enough to make an extra mortgage payment evey month.
My tip is two-fold. Always use cash for everything and meal plan before you go grocery shopping, then stick to you list. You can save so much by doing these things.
Thanks for sharing this great book with us Robyn, I will have to get my hands on a copy! My money saving tip- I shop the clearance racks for my girls’ clothing, and will buy up to two to three sizes ahead of what they are currently wearing when I find super cute things at a great price. I have a dresser dedicated to storing the clothes, organized by size. I rarely have to buy anything at full price!
Also joined the Money Smart Mom Facebook page!
Although not a mom, I think I have money saving ideas for anyone. I try to stick to a budget each month. I alot myself a certain amount of ‘fun’ money which I take out in cash and use for things like entertainment, eating out, etc…. I can easily watch/track my cash in my purse and when I run out of my fun money, I know it’s time to slow up on the ‘fun’ until next month. I find this very easy to stay within my limits and it really keeps my spending in check!
Thanks for the posting! I’ll definetly check out Sarah’s facebook page
Because I live over an hours drive to a major shopping centre, I make a list of all the neccasary items I need before hand. This saves me from browsing at stores that I havent planned on going to and saves me gas as well.I try to stock up on sales as well, when food is a great buy or buying next years clothes at the end of season sales for the kids.
I also recycle clothes with friends all the time, you never know what treasures you find going through a friends closet and they love going through mine as well. We are actually having a garage sale with the community to purge all the old stuff we dont need and putting the proceeds towards our childrens college funds.
I want the book to learn more great tips!
ps. I already follow you on facebook!
My money saving tip is I try to pay with cash as much as possible, and I never use change. Rather than spend the change I throw it in a piggy bank and roll it all up and put it in savings account at the end of the month. Paying with cash rather than cards allows me to “see” the money go so I tend to spend much less.
Another great tip I use is when I purchase items to feed my addiction (scrapbooking), I match every dollar and add it to my savings account.
Cook real food. From scratch as much as you can.
I love to shop… but only for a great deal. Many of my friends think I am crazy but I generally start my Christmas shopping in the Spring sometimes earlier. I make a list of people I am looking for and when I find something that is on sale, looks interesting or that they would enjoy I buy it, put it away – in a place I will remember (this is key), and mark it in my book. I drive my husbands family crazy as I always want to pull names really early! By shopping early I can find great deals, spread out the Christmas finances throughout the year and I save my ‘Christmas time’ for spending with family and volunteering.
Thanks Robyn for the contest… I am very interested in reading the book and have enjoyed everyone’s money saving tips!
Dana
My money saving tip is to not impulsively buy things. If I see something I like, I step away from whatever it may be (usually… haha). Once I am home, I think about what it was that I so desperately needed, and 90% of the time I will decide that I really didn’t need it. If I still think I need it after a week or two, then I will purchase it (sometimes.)
make your own cookies and granola bars. it is cheaper and you know what the ingredients are.
Hey Robyn, I tried to leave my address but it wouldnt connect me, please have your friend email me and i will send my information that way, thank you again! Larysa