If you like funny, silly, hilarious, very descriptive stories, this is definitely one you must check out!
I did read this story with my kids, even though the word "bra" is included! ( I would suggest, that if you are the type of parent who does not want this word in your children's stories, replace it when you read to them!) Don't just throw this off to the side, and disregard! Because this book teaches a very valuable lesson, and you will be pleasantly pleased at the end of this story!
I have to explain who Chick-E is, Chick-E, is a very cool, and sweet character, I am assuming she may be a teenager, or very early adult. But she is an, energetic, lively, cool and very positive chic, with some super cute hair, and a great personality! She loves to help others with problems, and has the kinds of answers a parent would be content and very pleased with, when Chick-E is asked by their pre teens and teens.
She even has her own blog!
Chick-E also has a Facebook page !
You can also find her answers to some of life's, kid's. and young adult's roughest questions, on her Youtube channel!
I was very happy to have been given the chance to do this book review, and I read the story with my children, and I visited her blog, and social network, to see what she was about. It has been a long time since I have picked up an issue of YM or Seventeen magazine, do you remember Sassy magazine? That was the cooler magazine for the cooler chics;p and that is where I bet Chick-E would have her own "Ask Chick-E" section each month!
I have to say, we all loved the story, I especially loved the lesson in the book, and my kids love to laugh and this was a very silly book! I am a big fan of teaching our future adults, to love and respect others and themselves, and to always get right back up and never give up! I especially love when these values and lessons are hidden in such a good way, (to our children), behind a cool girl that will end up being a good friend, and a book that has some of the funniest scenes, (food flying all over the place, ALWAYS gets them!!)
This book has it all! Holy Cannoli! Chick-E Gets A Job by Mona Schmitt, is definitely a book for parents, grandparents, school teachers, and children of course!
Chick-E gets herself a job at Mama Romano's restaraunt, and she has quite the eventful, first day! Did you ever have one of those days when everything just seems to be going wrong? (I know I sometimes have those a couple times a week!) Well, that is how poor Chick-E's first day was. After some flying meatballs, a couple crazy twins and M&M's, Mama Romano, and noodles in her hair, Chick-E gets sent home early.
What happens next is my favorite part, not to mention, a recipe that doesn't sound bad at all! You have to read this story to see how quickly, smoothly and confidentially, Chick-E changes the course of her waitressing job at the Italian restaraunt.
This is Volume 1 in the Chick-E Gets A Job series, so I am very anxious to read the next volume, and Genevive, my 5 year old, already loves Chick-E. (I think it's the hair that got her!!) Genevive has been asking about this Chick-E book, ever since she heard it, and in 8 years or so, I am hoping Chick-E is still around answering questions for Genevive!
Chick-E also has some t-shirts and pendants you can check out here!
This is my new favorite saying, and my favorite item from the Chick-E shop!
Be fun. Be fabulous. Be You.
It is pretty catchy and short and to the point!
We are giving this story 5 STARS!!
Genevive and I loved it the most, Deegan is 20 months old, so he had a fun time watching the rest of us giggle and Aaron actually picked up on the lesson and shared his insight. Which led to our discussion on. how to make the best out of everything from school days to fighting with siblings, to possible future dilemmas. This story was written very well, lots of adjectives, which described everything so well, you don't need pictures!
Another cool activity from this story we are planning? Why, make Neatballs, of course!
There is much more coming from this author, you have to check out Chick-E's blog, and Facebook, and we will be hosting a giveaway, where some of you will win a free download of Holy Cannoli! Chick-E Gets A Job! Stay tuned in for that!! (Coming within the next few days!!)
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
The Worldwide Dessert Contest Multimedia Edition
I was very excited about this book review, and so were my kids!
They love stories, and the younger ones especially love stories that have any music, songs, and things that make them giggle.
This story reminds me of other favorites of ours, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and James and the Giant Peach. I was delighted with the tongue twisting, crazy names, rhymes, creative adjectives, we read this several times!
Dan Elish and Alina Adams, have made this a truly brilliant, amusing, entertaining, and very fascinating tale, that I will be reading to our kids, and they will be reading this to their children as well.
The Worldwide Dessert Contest, follows John Applefeller, through his adventures of failed desserts that turn into something different at the last minute, a pancake trampoline, apple souffle hot air balloons and french toast knee pads!
John Applefeller, has a very hard time with the Worldwide Dessert Contest, and the judges, and a very sneaky, jealous, and arrogant man, Sylvester S. Sweet.
John has come in last place, every year, for 10 years in a row! Even though he has the most scrumptious desserts, the judges are always upset with John's desserts changing at the last minute, and causing all kinds of catastrophes!
John has a younger friend, Stanley, who goes with him to the contests and supports him through the wacky and outrageous events that take place!
They also run into a very witty janitor, who tells John all about the world famous, Captain B Rollie Ragoon, and they end up taking John's apple souffle hot air balloon on an enchanting journey to find Captain B Rollie Ragoon, on the island of Iambia.
Captain B Rollie Ragoon, ends up helping John Applefeller, and everybody who lives on the island of Iambia, speaks in rhymes, (a fun part of the book for the little ones!) **Warning: you may be asked to repeat some rhymes, over, and over, and over;p**
Together, John Applefeller and Captain B Rollie Ragoon, make a spectacular dessert, roller skating apple pies! But, something terrible happens, and they end up having to make something even more incredible for the contest! The ending is simply delightful and so many amazing things happen, you have to read this to see what happens next!
This book was a very easy read, I loved the witty, and hilarious adjectives, people, reading about this silly place that was very vivid in my imagination, I could see all of what was happening! (That is when I know it is a fabulous story, you don't need pictures to "see" the characters and events!) Although, there are a few drawings, and the music is a super fun addition, and it kept the story even more alive!
My children, Aaron (8), Genevive (5), and Deegan (1), were kept busy with laughter, and rolling on the floor in non stop giggle mode!
All of us give this book a 5 Star Rating!
It was a fun read, kept us on the edge of our seats, and taught one of the most valuable lessons we teach our children! If you fail, try and try again! (In John Applefeller's case, try and try 11 times! )
This is a good story to read to your children, over and over, in parts before bedtime, or the whole story, all at once! We chose to grab some popcorn, and spend an after school afternoon reading and listening to the songs, and had a silly time!
After the story, you can discuss the lesson that was learned, and maybe get some paper and crayons out and draw a dessert you would like to bake and what you would like it to turn into! So many fun things to create and imagine from the story, I promise your kids will have a blast!
** I was given a free download of this story in return for my honest review, and my children's honest review. All ideas, thoughts, statements, words, are my own and my children's**
They love stories, and the younger ones especially love stories that have any music, songs, and things that make them giggle.
This story reminds me of other favorites of ours, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and James and the Giant Peach. I was delighted with the tongue twisting, crazy names, rhymes, creative adjectives, we read this several times!
Dan Elish and Alina Adams, have made this a truly brilliant, amusing, entertaining, and very fascinating tale, that I will be reading to our kids, and they will be reading this to their children as well.
The Worldwide Dessert Contest, follows John Applefeller, through his adventures of failed desserts that turn into something different at the last minute, a pancake trampoline, apple souffle hot air balloons and french toast knee pads!
John Applefeller, has a very hard time with the Worldwide Dessert Contest, and the judges, and a very sneaky, jealous, and arrogant man, Sylvester S. Sweet.
John has come in last place, every year, for 10 years in a row! Even though he has the most scrumptious desserts, the judges are always upset with John's desserts changing at the last minute, and causing all kinds of catastrophes!
John has a younger friend, Stanley, who goes with him to the contests and supports him through the wacky and outrageous events that take place!
They also run into a very witty janitor, who tells John all about the world famous, Captain B Rollie Ragoon, and they end up taking John's apple souffle hot air balloon on an enchanting journey to find Captain B Rollie Ragoon, on the island of Iambia.
Captain B Rollie Ragoon, ends up helping John Applefeller, and everybody who lives on the island of Iambia, speaks in rhymes, (a fun part of the book for the little ones!) **Warning: you may be asked to repeat some rhymes, over, and over, and over;p**
Together, John Applefeller and Captain B Rollie Ragoon, make a spectacular dessert, roller skating apple pies! But, something terrible happens, and they end up having to make something even more incredible for the contest! The ending is simply delightful and so many amazing things happen, you have to read this to see what happens next!
This book was a very easy read, I loved the witty, and hilarious adjectives, people, reading about this silly place that was very vivid in my imagination, I could see all of what was happening! (That is when I know it is a fabulous story, you don't need pictures to "see" the characters and events!) Although, there are a few drawings, and the music is a super fun addition, and it kept the story even more alive!
My children, Aaron (8), Genevive (5), and Deegan (1), were kept busy with laughter, and rolling on the floor in non stop giggle mode!
All of us give this book a 5 Star Rating!
It was a fun read, kept us on the edge of our seats, and taught one of the most valuable lessons we teach our children! If you fail, try and try again! (In John Applefeller's case, try and try 11 times! )
This is a good story to read to your children, over and over, in parts before bedtime, or the whole story, all at once! We chose to grab some popcorn, and spend an after school afternoon reading and listening to the songs, and had a silly time!
After the story, you can discuss the lesson that was learned, and maybe get some paper and crayons out and draw a dessert you would like to bake and what you would like it to turn into! So many fun things to create and imagine from the story, I promise your kids will have a blast!
** I was given a free download of this story in return for my honest review, and my children's honest review. All ideas, thoughts, statements, words, are my own and my children's**
You Never Lose Risk Free Penny Auctions (Review and Free Offer!)
When I first received an email about this penny auction site, I figured it would end up being as expensive in the long run, as all the other penny auction sites. Well, surprisingly enough, I was very wrong!
I have been checking with this site for a few weeks, and figured I should research them a bit, before I tell any friends, readers, family, etc, to sign up with them, and I have been more then pleased with this website!
I have tried plenty of other "penny auctions", and luckily, I wasn't the type who continued to purchase pennies to use to place bids, otherwise, I would have spent hundreds for something definitely not worth anywhere close to it. (You will usually find these websites affiliated or sent in an email offer by the websites that pay you to sign up for things, shop online, etc)
What makes this website so unique, is that you will get points ONLY, when you purchase gift cards! If you buy a $50 gift card, you will get 50 points, and so on. Those points in turn end up being your "pennies" that you can use to place bids on other gift cards!
I was given 25 pennies or points, to try them out, and alas, I did not win. However, had I made a gift card purchase, and racked up my points, I believe I would have been able to outbid a few other bidders and win at least once.
They offer gift cards to purchase from all the regular brands and retailers. Gap, Sears, Bath and Body works, are just a few of the gift cards you can buy in order to get points, (or pennies). They also offer FREE shipping on all of your gift card purchases! You can't really lose here, hence the name, You Never Lose. (lol)
The auctions seem to go on 24 hours per day, and you can check in and see how much time is left, place your bids, whenever you have time.
Of course there will be a lot of people on, bidding and trying to outbid, but I believe this would be an excellent site to actually buy gift cards from, year round. Then I would keep racking my points up, and wait until I had several, then I would start getting serious and try and outbid everybody I could, to grab a gift card or 2.
If you would spend $500 throughout theyear on gift cards, and buy them all through, Youneverlose.com, and maybe choose a month or a week, or 2 throughout the year, and log on to bid like crazy, you could more then likely grab a gift card for FREE! (You aren't spending a cent on your points, since you literally make a purchase for the same amount you spent)
I am going to do this, and I will keep everybody up to date with what I might win in the future from this site. It is a newer site, and I believe it will indeed, turn out to be one of the better gift card, and penny auction sites around.
Visit their site and see what they have to offer! They are offering a code for all my readers, with your first purchase! Use code: LAUNCH10, and when you buy your first gift card, you will get an additional 10 points in your account!!
Keep in mind, most penny auctions have this rule at the end of an auction!
When somebody bids in the last few seconds of an auction, it will add 20 seconds to the bidding time that is left! So, you might want to grab some coffee, and make sure you have a bit of time.Don't bid, and leave! Otherwise, you won't be winning a thing. You have to sit and sometimes these auctions can get a little crazy, but if it's free, well, it is worth a shot!!
Visit their Facebook page, and you can find them on Twitter!
Sign up today and remember to use the coupon code, LAUNCH10 for your free 10 points!! (With your first gift card purchase!) A very sweet offer, just for checking out their site!
Please comment below and let me know if you developed a good strategy or if you won, I love to hear feedback on the sites and brands that my family loves!
Plus, the rest of us could sure use some pointers!
I have been checking with this site for a few weeks, and figured I should research them a bit, before I tell any friends, readers, family, etc, to sign up with them, and I have been more then pleased with this website!
I have tried plenty of other "penny auctions", and luckily, I wasn't the type who continued to purchase pennies to use to place bids, otherwise, I would have spent hundreds for something definitely not worth anywhere close to it. (You will usually find these websites affiliated or sent in an email offer by the websites that pay you to sign up for things, shop online, etc)
What makes this website so unique, is that you will get points ONLY, when you purchase gift cards! If you buy a $50 gift card, you will get 50 points, and so on. Those points in turn end up being your "pennies" that you can use to place bids on other gift cards!
I was given 25 pennies or points, to try them out, and alas, I did not win. However, had I made a gift card purchase, and racked up my points, I believe I would have been able to outbid a few other bidders and win at least once.
They offer gift cards to purchase from all the regular brands and retailers. Gap, Sears, Bath and Body works, are just a few of the gift cards you can buy in order to get points, (or pennies). They also offer FREE shipping on all of your gift card purchases! You can't really lose here, hence the name, You Never Lose. (lol)
The auctions seem to go on 24 hours per day, and you can check in and see how much time is left, place your bids, whenever you have time.
Of course there will be a lot of people on, bidding and trying to outbid, but I believe this would be an excellent site to actually buy gift cards from, year round. Then I would keep racking my points up, and wait until I had several, then I would start getting serious and try and outbid everybody I could, to grab a gift card or 2.
If you would spend $500 throughout theyear on gift cards, and buy them all through, Youneverlose.com, and maybe choose a month or a week, or 2 throughout the year, and log on to bid like crazy, you could more then likely grab a gift card for FREE! (You aren't spending a cent on your points, since you literally make a purchase for the same amount you spent)
I am going to do this, and I will keep everybody up to date with what I might win in the future from this site. It is a newer site, and I believe it will indeed, turn out to be one of the better gift card, and penny auction sites around.
Visit their site and see what they have to offer! They are offering a code for all my readers, with your first purchase! Use code: LAUNCH10, and when you buy your first gift card, you will get an additional 10 points in your account!!
Keep in mind, most penny auctions have this rule at the end of an auction!
When somebody bids in the last few seconds of an auction, it will add 20 seconds to the bidding time that is left! So, you might want to grab some coffee, and make sure you have a bit of time.Don't bid, and leave! Otherwise, you won't be winning a thing. You have to sit and sometimes these auctions can get a little crazy, but if it's free, well, it is worth a shot!!
Visit their Facebook page, and you can find them on Twitter!
Sign up today and remember to use the coupon code, LAUNCH10 for your free 10 points!! (With your first gift card purchase!) A very sweet offer, just for checking out their site!
Please comment below and let me know if you developed a good strategy or if you won, I love to hear feedback on the sites and brands that my family loves!
Plus, the rest of us could sure use some pointers!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Nina's New Best Friend, Mr Chewy.com
I am happy to now know about this site, and I will be using them in the future. Nina, our pitbull, is super pleased that MrChewy exists, and was delighted to receive her package and didn't even give the delivery guy a hard time.
I was very impressed with the website, and the giant variety of products available. The prices are excellent, and you can try all kinds of wonderful brands! I never would be able to find these brands in my town, grocery store, even the closest pet store.
We tried so many new brands, some with familiar names, some without. Nina has been in doggie heaven with all of her treats, her bones, and her new, apparently very, very, very, tasty foods!
Blue Buffalo is one of the new brands we tried, and has been a favorite right from the start. (One of Nina's top choices!)
Blue Buffalo Blue Mini Bars Chicken and Cheddar Natural Dog Biscuits , to be exact, was what she ordered. But this brand has a lot of other products, for cats and dogs, treats and food, and the part I love the best, is Blue Buffalo products, are not like a lot of the well known pet food brands that contain chicken by-product meal or poultry by-product meal, corn, wheat, soy or artificial preservatives.
Blue products are made with only the finest natural ingredients plus the active nutrients and antioxidants of our exclusive, cold-formed LifeSource® Bits.
Another top pick from Nina, would be Orijen Adult Dog Food . Orijen uses fresh regional ingredients to produce biologically appropriate foods that promote peak health in dogs and cats.
Nina has already finished this bag of food, but this will be a food we order for her again! Prices may seem a little high, especially for couponers, and deal seekers such as myself, lol. But if you are like most pet owners, including me, you will pay a little more for the best! Especially when you know you can rely on products like Orijen, to help keep your pets in the best of health, which will lead to fewer illnesses, vet bills, and a longer life. Actually, spending a little more on products that are of the finest quality, will end up saving you a fortune in the long run. (this is a rule we often go by at our house, whether it is for Nina, or our own health, and especially our children!)
The next product I have to mention, is Taste of the Wild. This was by far, the most interesting and unique brand I have ever seen for pets, so we just had to try it!
We ordered Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Dry Dog Food. Nina is in love with this, and the price is also nice! Taste of the Wild pet foods are made with real roasted meats, with supplemented fruits and vegetables. Also grain free! You have to check this unique brand out! I like the different foods they offer, and the bag designs are very original. I will be most definitely ordering more flavors from this brand.
Some more very important points about MrChewy , that I am sure you will find amazing and helpful, and money saving, and time saving! (Which is so important for busy moms, dads, pet owners, everywhere)
MrChewy offers FREE 1 to 2 day shipping on orders of $49 or more! That is an attractive offer, and is not for a limited time, but a regular policy on their home page. This saves me tons of time, and gas money, which is always something I will pay a little more for online.
We live in a very rural area, and I do have to travel 20 miles 1 way, just to get to Walmart, and Walmart does not offer this amount of quality, and customer service. I would much rather order once per month from MrChewy, take advantage of the free shipping, and cross that errand off of my to do list!
MrChewy also offers some discount codes, and right now there is a 15% off promotion!! Check the website for details. That is of course something that grabs couponers and deal seekers attention, and that is good for up to a $100 order!
Refer your friends donation program is another super addition you just have to try out!! It's simple, refer your friends with your own special link, they save 10% off their first order, and you get to choose a charity for MrChewy to make a $10 donation! All you need to do, is make an account, share your special link, and start donating!
Of course you can rely on MrChewy for your prescription pet foods, and for Frontline flea and tick, and customer service is available, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day!
What is my favorite part about MrChewy? I would have to say that the time saved from the free shipping is a big hit! The 24 hour customer service is also a huge plus, the prices are nice, the availability of coupon codes is more then satisfactory, and the variety of brands and products are amazing!
I almost forgot, Nina says her favorite part is the delivery guy, bringing her box of food and treats. The kids love seeing their dog getting a package delivered and they love, (and she loves), opening every single bag of treats and trying them out, the second we open the box.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Another Reason to Love Walgreens
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
Walgreens and Express Scripts have not been able to agree on a contract, therefore, Walgreens is no longer an Express Script pharmacy. Walgreens and Express Script
This will affect many, many families, and will affect all of our military, as Express Scripts is a client of Tricare, our military's healthcare provider.
Walgreens offered to match or beat, all other pharmacies prices in the Tricare network, and Express Scripts refused. This will affect and has already affected many people. A Walgreens proprietary survey of 823 executives and managers, who are key decision makers for pharmacy benefits, or provide input, show that 82% of employers said they would not exclude Walgreens for less then 5% of their pharmacy spend.
What is Walgreens doing to help this issue?
Walgreens Prescription Savings Club
They are offering a mega discount on the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club!
For the month of January, an individual may join for $5! A family can join for $10! A family membership covers immediate family and pets! That is definitely something you do not see very often! Immediate family includes, spouse, children 22 and younger, and your pets!
You will get discounts on more then 8000 brand name medicines, and ALL generic medicines. More then 400 of the generic medicines, are available for a 3 month supply, for less then $1 a week!! You will also get discounts on flu shots, nebulizers, diabetic supplies, and of course, pet prescriptions. Walgreens will also give extra bonuses on purchases of Walgreens brand, Nice! brand, and photofinishing services!
This is something worth checking out, and could save you and your family, a great deal!
Follow Walgreens on Twitter Walgreens on Twitter
Like Walgreens Facebook page Walgreens on Facebook , to read more about this super Walgreens Prescription Savings Club, and keep up with them for information, and weekly deals!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Check out the Money Saving Moms Budget Book Giveaway!!
This is a great New Year giveaway! You can learn from one of the pros in her new book!
Visit http://www.momscrazyday.com/, and click on the Giveaways tab for the Rafflecopter entry form!!
Please scroll below to read my review of Crystal Paine's book, (I am certain you will get a lot out of this book!!)
It is very quick and easy to enter!
More giveaways to come in the near future...
Visit http://www.momscrazyday.com/, and click on the Giveaways tab for the Rafflecopter entry form!!
Please scroll below to read my review of Crystal Paine's book, (I am certain you will get a lot out of this book!!)
It is very quick and easy to enter!
More giveaways to come in the near future...
Monday, December 5, 2011
Review; The Money Saving Mom's Budget by Crystal Paine
As I have mentioned before, (several times in fact), I am here and blogging, thanks to bloggers such as Crystal Paine.
I have always been a frugal person, a couponaholic, and a deal hunter, but a few years ago when a medical catastrophe hit me, I was forced to figure out more ways to save and earn money.
I was never a huge fan of computers, and the internet. I am still pretty old fashioned, I like books, board games, and I like for my children to know what an encyclopedia and a dictionary and actual books are like! But, we purchased a computer and I decided to put it to work!
One of the first newsletters I had signed up with, was The Money Saving Mom Newsletter, and I was happy to get some tips and links and help with the online shopping and bargain hunting world.
Crystal does an excellent job with her blogs, and she is one of the reasons I started my own. I always enjoy reading her posts and articles about blogging, and her "how to's" and her positive outlook is enough to make a busy mom like me, (who by the way, had no clue how any of this blogging, hyperlinks, downloading, installing, lol, you get the picture, worked!)
I was so happy to hear about her book deal, and was anxious to read her book when it came out.
Her book is actually being released in January of 2012.
I received her book about a month ago, and was very excited to be asked to do a review on her book!!
This was honestly something I didn't expect, as I am still fairly new and only run 2 blogs for now with a little over 100 followers between the 2! But, we all have to start somewhere.
I read the book in just a few days, and I was pleased with the way it was written. She keeps your attention on each page, and has her own way of writing, which is very pleasant, positive, friendly, and gives you something to smile about.
This is an excellent starter book for anybody who has recently lost a job, has been going through rough times, or just wants to learn how and what they can do to become more self sufficient and save where ever they can for their families!
Crystal covers mostly everything in this book, and I was happy to see that there really wasn't anything left out. All of the tips and advice were well written, and I appreciate her writing this book to help others out.
I am also relieved that Crystal covers couponing, the truthful way! This is something I have been doing for so many years, and to have certain tv shows, and bloggers and Facebook pages, come out with some ridiculous, far fetched, crazy, unbelievable, coupon strategies, and stockpiling maniacs, made to depict all couponers, and frugal moms, as some loopy, hoarding, monsters, I was very much appreciative when I read her book!
From the grocery store to the drug store, to online, I am a little tired of being treated as a loon, and an "Extreme Couponer"! I get called this everytime I am shopping with my coupon binder! Not to mention the people who are anxiously awaiting to learn how to do "Extreme Couponing", and they don't realize yet what exactly reality is...
But Crystal, thank goodness, gives a very real depiction of couponing, what it's about, how to do it, and even covers the ever so hard question to answer for people, "How do I save without coupons?"
From tips and pointers about savings, and NOT using the ever loved, American way, lol, credit card, and swiping everywhere you go, to personal empowerment, cash only challenges, to how to give and donate, no matter your income, her book covers it all!
I guarantee it is well worth your while, even if you are an avid saver, and couponer, It is an enjoyable read, and I love knowing that it was written by somebody who has been through rough times just like my family.
Who better to get your shopping tips and saving and budget advice from, then another busy mommy who wants to instill good values in her children, and is always looking for ways to save as much as possible in every aspect?
PS) I may be having a giveaway for a copy of The Money Saving Mom's Budget, very soon!
Keep reading this blog and my other blog, http://www.momscrazyday.com/, for info on when this giveaway will start!!
In the meantime, sign up for Crystal's email newsletter at http://www.moneysavingmom.com/
I have always been a frugal person, a couponaholic, and a deal hunter, but a few years ago when a medical catastrophe hit me, I was forced to figure out more ways to save and earn money.
I was never a huge fan of computers, and the internet. I am still pretty old fashioned, I like books, board games, and I like for my children to know what an encyclopedia and a dictionary and actual books are like! But, we purchased a computer and I decided to put it to work!
One of the first newsletters I had signed up with, was The Money Saving Mom Newsletter, and I was happy to get some tips and links and help with the online shopping and bargain hunting world.
Crystal does an excellent job with her blogs, and she is one of the reasons I started my own. I always enjoy reading her posts and articles about blogging, and her "how to's" and her positive outlook is enough to make a busy mom like me, (who by the way, had no clue how any of this blogging, hyperlinks, downloading, installing, lol, you get the picture, worked!)
I was so happy to hear about her book deal, and was anxious to read her book when it came out.
Her book is actually being released in January of 2012.
I received her book about a month ago, and was very excited to be asked to do a review on her book!!
This was honestly something I didn't expect, as I am still fairly new and only run 2 blogs for now with a little over 100 followers between the 2! But, we all have to start somewhere.
I read the book in just a few days, and I was pleased with the way it was written. She keeps your attention on each page, and has her own way of writing, which is very pleasant, positive, friendly, and gives you something to smile about.
This is an excellent starter book for anybody who has recently lost a job, has been going through rough times, or just wants to learn how and what they can do to become more self sufficient and save where ever they can for their families!
Crystal covers mostly everything in this book, and I was happy to see that there really wasn't anything left out. All of the tips and advice were well written, and I appreciate her writing this book to help others out.
I am also relieved that Crystal covers couponing, the truthful way! This is something I have been doing for so many years, and to have certain tv shows, and bloggers and Facebook pages, come out with some ridiculous, far fetched, crazy, unbelievable, coupon strategies, and stockpiling maniacs, made to depict all couponers, and frugal moms, as some loopy, hoarding, monsters, I was very much appreciative when I read her book!
From the grocery store to the drug store, to online, I am a little tired of being treated as a loon, and an "Extreme Couponer"! I get called this everytime I am shopping with my coupon binder! Not to mention the people who are anxiously awaiting to learn how to do "Extreme Couponing", and they don't realize yet what exactly reality is...
But Crystal, thank goodness, gives a very real depiction of couponing, what it's about, how to do it, and even covers the ever so hard question to answer for people, "How do I save without coupons?"
From tips and pointers about savings, and NOT using the ever loved, American way, lol, credit card, and swiping everywhere you go, to personal empowerment, cash only challenges, to how to give and donate, no matter your income, her book covers it all!
I guarantee it is well worth your while, even if you are an avid saver, and couponer, It is an enjoyable read, and I love knowing that it was written by somebody who has been through rough times just like my family.
Who better to get your shopping tips and saving and budget advice from, then another busy mommy who wants to instill good values in her children, and is always looking for ways to save as much as possible in every aspect?
PS) I may be having a giveaway for a copy of The Money Saving Mom's Budget, very soon!
Keep reading this blog and my other blog, http://www.momscrazyday.com/, for info on when this giveaway will start!!
In the meantime, sign up for Crystal's email newsletter at http://www.moneysavingmom.com/
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