Last week, I was excited to hear Jonni McCoy, author of Miserly Moms, on a two day broadcast on Focus on the Family. If you missed it, I encourage you to listen to it here.
I've always had a saver mentality. I remember as a kid, I'd find an item I wanted at the store and then save up my quarters each week until I had the money to purchase it. However, her book was my first venture into truly learning how to keep a frugal home. I don't exactly remember how old I was when I bought it (probably getting ready to head to college), but I do remember how proud I was that I got a deal by buying the book on frugality used!
I read through it cover to cover. I learned was that it was possible to make convenience foods from scratch. It never occurred to me to try and make my own ketchup, sauces, or pancake syrup. I didn't know you could make baby wipes! I still rely on her cream of soup mix. I learned how to set a grocery plan, keep a price notebook and not assume everything at a warehouse store is cheaper. In addition to cutting the grocery budget, she gives tips on lowering your electricity and other household bills.
The negative reviews on Amazon share that this book is too basic, and the tips are common knowledge for people who have already studied or read tips on frugal living. Reading it again, I agree this book is most helpful for people just learning how to live on a tighter budget.
But, even though I've read it more than once, I still love to read through it again. First, it reinforces that it is possible for a family to live on one income. During the Focus on the Family broadcast, Jonni reminded viewers that before she chose to stay at home with their son, she didn't live a frugal mindset. They lived off half her income, and as she notes in her book "some yuppie amenities such as...kona coffee flown in from Hawaii, and weekends at a bed and breakfast on the coast." When she decided to stay at home, she realized either she cut the budget in half, or she and her husband move out of the big city of San Francisco, buy a house in the country, and require her husband to drive 2 hours each way to work! Determined, she cut their budget in half. She and her family still take vacations and have nice things, just not as much and not as often. Second, as much as I have learned about frugal living, it is still good to reinforce the basics and remind myself of ways I can be more mindful of my budget!
Jonni McCoy's Miserly Moms definitely Works for Me.
(ps, this is my first time participating in a Works for Me Wednesday hosted by Kristen at We Are That Family. Each week, there are a wide variety of helpful tips and how-tos.)
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