Crystal Paine’s new book The Money Saving Mom’s Budget: Slash Your Spending, Pay Down Your Debt, Streamline Your Life, and Save Thousands a Year
releases tomorrow and you can win a copy!
I was very eager to take advantage of Crystal’s offer of a FREE pre-release copy in exchange for a review of the book. I eagerly read it within a day of receiving it and can tell you that you will definitely benefit from reading this book.
My very favorite section is the chapter on removing the clutter and chaos in your life. As you know, I’m a big fan of living your priorities and this chapter gives you the practical steps you need to do just that.
Crystal touches on a fact that is missed by many: your finances are directly affected by clutter and disorganization in other areas of your life. She shows you step by step how to streamline and get everything back in order.
If you’re in financial trouble The Money Saving Mom’s Budget includes a list of “Ten Drastic Measures To Lower Your Expenses By At Least $600 Or More Per Month.” Taking any one of these ten suggestions will lead to huge savings for you.
Another great feature of this book is the Appendix with helpful forms for everything from goal setting and budgeting, to making a price book.
Even if your finances are in great shape, you can still learn from Crystal’s time and money saving ideas.
Click here to order The Money Saving Mom’s Budget.
Would you like to win a FREE copy of the book? Simply leave a comment telling us what your biggest budgeting problem is.
The give away will end January 13th at 9:00 a.m. ( extended until Monday, January 16th at 9:00 a.m.!). The Winner will be randomly chosen from the comments on this post.
Don’t forget to enter the $100 Walmart Gift Card Give Away here and the E-Mealz 3 month Subscription Give Away here!
Thanks everyone for posting. It’s so good to read through these and know that I’m not the only one facing these issues: mine therefore is not earth-shattering or unique – it’s simply where do I start? We have medical bills that have come from a child with a condition that doctor’s can’t figure out, as well as a miscarriage, after which we realized that our insurance would not cover the hospital stay; credit card bills on cards that we’ve had closed for over two years, and are just trying to pay off, school tuition for our child who needs to be in a specialized school; and feeding and diapering two other little ones. Although we’ve cut back pretty much everything we know to do, and use no credit cards, we often find ourselves “holding our breath” at the end of the month, praying that we’ll make it though.
Definitely my food budget is the area that I struggle with the most. Looking forward to reading Crystal’s book! 🙂
Getting organized enough to even get a budget on paper and put it in place is my biggest problem.
i would live to put this book to good use !!
For us it is budgeting for groceries and incidentals. I am not that good with the coupons yet and sometimes spend WAY more than I should. My time management is lacking so getting the research done can be difficult.
Our biggest budget challenge is paying for gas. Our cars have both been paid for for 5 years BUT they are big gas hogs!
Grocery budget, without question.
Our biggest budgeting problem is getting started. We just don’t know where the best place is to begin. It is all very over whelming.
We only use cash but my biggest problem is actually dividing it among envelopes. I don’t know why it’s such a problem for me!
Our biggest problem with budgeting is discipline. We have a budget and don`t sick to it. It is easier to eat out, than to cook at home. Unfortunately, it is a sin issue. If we would die to self and not be lazy, we would cook more at home. We would be patient and not make impulse purchases. We would see that we could live without that newest on the market toy. This would also help with clutter. So if only we lived in a sinless world… but we don`t. So now we must learn to tell ourselves ”no”, or “wait” more than we tell ourselves “yes, you deserve that”.
We are expecting our first baby later this year so we’ll be living on one income- I need all the advice I can get and this book would be great! Thanks for the giveaway!
My biggest budget problem is eating out. We tend to eat out on weekends, and I would love to find a way to coupon more w/ that.
My biggest budgeting problem is that somehow we get by on a month-to-month basis, but when trying to track the money and account for how much is needed in each category, it seems there’s never enough. So I get frustrated and give up altogether on the budget 🙁
I spend a lot of time researching different ways of trying to save money. Especially with a large family. The one area I struggle with the most is the grocery area. I would love to be one of those people who have a $200 bill and then after coupons, it is $20. Just don’t know how they do it. I would really like to be able to teach my kids at a young age how to budget well so that they can get a head start in life. 🙂
Our biggest budget issue is FOOD! Either eating out or grocery shopping. I need to meal plan more. A lot of time, food goes to waste because I either don’t have time or feel too lazy to prepare food.
My biggest budgeting problem is trying to use the cash system. We buy a lot of items online; with a debit card because it’s easier; or with a credit card because of the advantages (as in better security than a debit card or the cash back rewards and pay off monthly). I know I would spend less if I could just stick with cash.
Our biggest issue right now is that we had to close our family business in December and our monthly income is no longer steady or sure. I would love to read this book!
Our families biggest budget downfall is sticking to our budget. All goes well for a month and then someone falls off track with fast food! Terrible habit, and trying to kick it!
Food is certainly the #1 but a close to is the empty house we have not been able to rent out that is 6 hours away from us. We are working hard to do what we can and I always feel like I should be able to buy more for less but am not very good at it yet.
My biggest budgeting problem is that I don’t have a plan that sticks. I’m not sure of how or where to start budgeting.
The hardest thing to budget for is groceries! I use coupons,and shop for sales, but stil find it hard to stick to a specific budget. I try to make very healthy choices which definitely adds to the cost!
Would love a copy!
The biggest budget issue is making the time and sticking to it.
Our biggest budget issue, is eating out. I use coupons to buy food to cook and have a very well stocked pantry but we still seem to dine out at least twice a week. I really would love to win this book, I love learning more tips on helping our small budget!
Date nights. We have a cash budget for dates, but there are times where it seems really restrictive. Especially since our schedules don’t give us much time alone, sometimes you just want to have a night out.
My biggest problem is actually following a budget.
I sure wish I win this!
My biggest budget issue is with groceries and meal planning. Meat is a budget buster.
I think our biggest issue is groceries. It’s difficult to stick to a list when you see unadvertised “deals”. Eating out has been more of an issue lately, too.
My biggest budgeting problem is my fiancee’ and his unwillingness to cut espenses through cable tv and other areas that I see as frivolous and he sees as a necessity.
clutter! And meal planning. I’m always less stressed when I have a weekly meal plan, but need more discipline about doing one each week.
My biggest problem is our food budget for our family of 8! It’s so hard to keep it within what we can afford. Also, our income varies monthly and seasonally. Thanks for doing this giveaway!
Our biggest set back is probably our space due to stuff and disorganization. If this is a money fault, I need those tips! I work solutions and so does my hubby. If we can start to save more, we may be able to drop daycare sand allow me to stay at home! I hope to own this book sooer than later.
I definitely could use some inspiration on decluttering. Thank you for the giveaway.
our biggest problem is eating out too much.
I definitely need clutter help! Hope I win. 🙂
Our biggest issue is sticking to our plans. We always mean well but somehow never seem to stay on track
Our biggest budget problem is keeping it up to date, which goes right along with needing to be more organized.
Food Budget is one of our biggest challenges! We are looking at sending a child to college next year and really need to tighten everything up.
Biggest problem is getting everyone on board!
Food Budget and planning ahead for expenses that occur periodically—like college books for my older son.
One of my bigger problems is underestimating how much $ we need after paying bills. I put too much towards debt, then we run short. The other is resting out. Need to be better about meal planning.
Two budget problems for our family are varied finacial priorities and “reward” / impulse spending. Her tips must be great!
Our biggest budget issue has to be food costs. We don’t eat out very often, and I try to do menus and shop by specials, and yet groceries are still our biggest cost of the month.
Our biggest not sticking to a budget and tracking where we spend our money.
Sticking to a grocery budget is always hard. I hope to get better about that and using coupons too!
Going to the store too much!
My biggest budgeting problem is stretching our one income to take care of a family of 6 and pay all the bills.
Great way to start off the new year- hope I win!
Food Budget! I STILL have not mastered meal planning. I plan meals, but then when it comes time to cook them, I often find I don’t feel like preparing/eating the entree I have planned. Perhaps need more self discipline or perhaps an alternate meal planned.
My biggest budget “buster” is ALL of the little things that just seem to add up. A meal out here, and an impulse buy there, all contribute. I am SURE this book will be an incredible encouragement! Thanks for the review:)
My biggest problem is that I’m a single mom of 4 kids. I’m in between moves. Sigh. I just need help.
We have several problem areas and need a plan. I have been trying to declutter and sell so the tips in the book would be helpful but probably our biggest issue is we don’t know how to make a good budget. We know we need one but every time I sit down to do it its just so overwhelming that I don’t finish it. It sounds like this book would be so helpful. thanks for the giveaway and the review.
Sounds like just the tool I need–especially the part about clutter. Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!!!!
I think our biggest budget issue is that while we are on the same page of where we want to be, we often struggle with the methods of getting there.
The hardest part for me, is actually doing it! I know exactly what I need to do, but my husband is not always budget minded, and that makes it harder for me.
My husband and I love to cook, so our grocery budget is always the no. 1 issue. I would love to win a copy of this book!!!
i have no idea where my money goes. at the end of the month when i look, i feel like i can justify every expense but when i look at the stuff i actually bought, i dont see that i made a dent in my need/want/wish list at all!
i think i’m confused about the need/want/wish list and dont know how to keep them seperate and take care of the most important one first…
sigh… i hope i win so i can start working through my issues. i feel like i waste money but exactly into what i cant tell you. i hope there’s a solution in there for me.
thanks for a good and useful sight by the way:)
R
biggest hurdle to budgeting is doing it on a commission only income..
Keeping up with all the receipts and categories of spending – once it’s unorganized the motivation to stay on top of our budget goes out the window.
My Biggest Budgeting Problem finding the time to get out and get those great deals. Working full time, its hard to find time to shop!
our biggest budgeting problem is narrowing down when we will need to refill things like laundry and dishwasher detergent/ toiletries, then budgeting in a timely manner for those
Biggest budgeting problem is that we don’t follow a budget and hubby uses credit card for everything!
My biggest budgeting problem is not having a basic budget! I’ve avoided it for so long and need to sit down with my husband and hammer one out so that we know our cap.
groceries are the hardest things to budget for
My biggest spending problem happens on those inbetween my twice a month grocery shopping sxcursion to the store, I tend to buy alot of “other: miscellaneous that I convince myself we can do without.
Trying to find the best deals on weekly groceries. I think reading this book would help!
My biggest budgeting problem is not actually wriing anything down in a checkbook since I don’t use one anymore. I use my debit card and can check it online but never really do until I’m paying bills. Then sometimes my balance seems lower than expected and I wonder where my money went. I don’t like the cash envelope system however because there is no paper trail of how the money is spent. I can never remember where my cash went. So finding a method is my hardest problem. I am overwhelmed at all the online options.
My biggest problem is how to budget for having company and guests when I don’t always know at the beginning of the month how many people we will have visiting our home for meals or an overnight stay. And of course, we want to wow our guests so our meals end up being more expensive when we have guests over, besides the extra amount of food!
Food spending is hard. We tend to eat out or get fast food too much b/c it’s convenient. And those costs really add up over time.
I would love this book!
biggest problem is I am retired so have fixed income and this year they raise my Medical cost (doubled it) so have very little extra money a month for fun
My biggest problem is the “miscellaneous” things we buy in between weekly grocery trips.
Our biggest problem is staying within our budget when family visits.
Ours is not being able to save money because something is always breaking down.
My biggest problem is buying too many “great” deals. Those “great” deals add up.
It used to be not having my husband involved in the process (so I always felt like the bad guy for saying no to things.) but recently we switched roles for the first time in 20 years . . . And he will now be doing the finances/budget! We’ll see how that goes!
Our biggest problem is that my husband uses his debit card WAY too much, not realizing that all of those “little” transactions equal BIG money when you add them up! I try to tell him, but he won’t listen!
Our family’s big budget problem is wanting to live simply and not ‘WANT’ for things we don’t have and really don’t need. It’s a lesson I’m trying to teach my 10 and 5 yo children. So hard when their friends seem to have ‘EVERYTHING’. LOL
The biggest problem is sticking with a budget. It seems something always comes up and throws me off and then I have a tough time getting back on track.
Our biggest budgeting problem is having a regular mid-monthly meeting to make sure the budget is on track.
Our biggest problem is that we like to eat out too often! Really trying to get that under control as it is killing our budget and generally is not very healthy!
For a long time, my family’s biggest budgeting problem was food. We like to eat! I have worked really hard at changing our food consumption methods… like eating out less and making more things from scratch. I have even written about my struggles and triumphs at http://www.theholeinmyhandbag.blogspot.com
It has been a challenge to change our bad habits, but worth every penny (literally).
Impulse buying. Thanks for a great giveaway!
our biggest budgeting issue is trying to only use cash for purchases.
Paying off debt and staying within budget are two of my biggest challenges.
I’m trying to budget our grocery/household expenses accurately.
My biggest problem is making ends meet.
Our biggest budgeting problem is probably making the time to keep our receipts, bills and paychecks entered in to our Excel budget program so it matches our monthly bank statements. And the other one would definitely be our grocery budget. Can you feed a family of 4 on a grocery budget of $60 a week? We spend AT LEAST $100 a week, not to mention the times I fail to plan and we grab a bite to eat out.
I have a hard time to stick to budget. I hope their is something out there that can keep more simple.
Whew, just one? Well, my biggest would be saying no and spending my allotment. I tend to try to fudge things and end up paying for it in the end, pun intended! Thanks for the opp!
Honestly, my biggest budgeting problem is that we don’t have one. And we should. We went from two incomes to one and opened a small business. I need to plan better across the board and in specific areas, like meals, so Crystal’s book looks spot on.
our biggest goal this year is to put more money away in the bank
My biggest problem is that I can’t seem to stay under my grocery budget.
My biggest budgeting problem is impulse buying. I make lists, but do not stick to them if I see what I feel is a good deal.
Not having an organized budget and keeping track of everything.
Even though we have an envelope system, we still use a credit card…which still causes issues even if its just supposed to be for gas and emergencies.
My biggest budgeting problem is, I tend to buy those Great deals. Target and its “RED Tags” It sure adds up fast those “great deals”. Oh and Credit cards. A neighbor told me its like spending your future.
My biggest problem is our miscellaneous category – we keep it low but it’s never enough!
Grocery spending is hard.
My biggest problem is having 2 debit card swipers!
My biggest probem is that I love to shop. I thhink sometimes I shop just to shop. Now does that make any sense? HELP!!!!!!!!!
Our biggest budgeting challenge hasn’t actually presented itself yet but I’m sure it will….right now, we’re focused on paying off debt.
Debit cards. We have two, and sometimes my husband or I will use it and not tell the other, then it sometimes totally throws the bank account off. I have paid more overdraft fees for that reason than anything else.
Trying to budget our grocery shopping and bills. Would love to learn how to manage. 😀
My biggest budgeting problem is forgetting to plan for extras, such as everyone getting sick 🙂
I think my biggest problem is when I get too busy and in a hurry, and then I spend without thinking about money-saving options.
my biggest budgeting problem is trying to save money .. we barely manage to pay what we need to so saving never happens 🙁
Hopelessness at the amount of student loans we are paying off.
Biggest Budgeting Problem- not using cash for groceries.
Mondays!!!! Even when I meal plan, after a long day at work I never feel like cooking or eating what I made. We always want to eat out on Mondays!!!!!
Our biggest budgeting problem is not sticking to our budget. We are doing something wrong b/c inevitably after about 3 months, it all goes haywire. Love your blog!
I spend too much on groceries
My biggest budget challenge is to stop using our credit cards! Thanks for the opportunity to win this book! 🙂
unplanned purchases such as a snack when i’m out shopping with the kids, fast food etc.. thanks for doing this!
I am pretty good at budgeting, saving but I have become lax about balancing my checkbook.
I love your giveaways! Thanks for sharing!
The drive-thru is definitely the hole in our budget! When things are crazy busy or I’m tired at the end of the day it is really hard to make dinner. But you’ll be happy to know that I’m doing better on my meal planning and it really does help! 🙂
The biggest problem is that everything is going up in prices and right now I am the only provider so I have to be careful on every dollar I spend.
Not having a budget other than for the reoccurring monthly bills… & eating out, even if is the dollar menu….I hate the kitchen duties, meal planning , cooking, cleaning…. and time is short with me being the only parent available in the evening and three out of four children in sports year round.
Biggest one? They all seem pretty big at the moment!
My biggest budgeting problem is unexpected expenses.
Figuring out how to cut our costs enough to keep expenses within our income. We are already very frugal compared to many, and there isn’t much left after our mortgage and utilities.
My buiggest challenge is a lack of planning and goals.
I’m with Keri Smith. Does the book cover that problem?
Annie Kate
No, Crystal does not specifically cover what to do if you and your husband don’t agree on the budget. I have heard Dave Ramsey say that marriage counseling may be in order. In our family taking the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace course actually got us on the same page and really saved our marriage.
Our biggest challenge on saving money is sticking to our envelope system and not have to subtract from our savings to pay bills!
We just can’t ever get a budget to work with us…..
I have issues with impluse-buying the great deals. I try to stick with things we definitely need, but sometimes they are just too good!
My biggest budget problem is learning to go to a bi-monthly payday after living on a weekly paycheck for 20 years.
My biggest budgeting challenge is definitely the food category. Next month I”m going to try shopping with cash to help.
Thanks so much for the review – and the blog! My biggest budget/financial problem is lack of planning and know how. I spend way to much on things I dont need and will never use. I need to refocus my money attitude and stay excited about saving.
My bigget budget challenge is trying to get on the same page with my husband. I would love to win this book. Thanks~
I struggle with online deals and buying super great deals with money I should use for other things
I need to keep a grocery budget – period.
Thanks for this chance to win
My biggest budgeting challenge is finding something that works for us. So much is spent on interest on the credit cards as we pay them off, that it gets very discouraging. Plus, just when we seem to have a cushion, something expensive happens like one of the cars needs to be repaired.
This is right up my alley according to what we are trying to do as a family financially! Our biggest budgeting problem is sticking to a budget. We have too many expenses and not enough income so making it balance is tricky. But, we are not giving up! We are working our way out of debt and learning to live great financial principles on a consistent basis. I would love to sit down with a cup of tea and study her wisdom 🙂
My biggest budget problem is not being prepared and just grabbing lunch or dinner out.
My biggest budgeting problem is not being able to make a budget in the first place!!
My biggest budgeting problem would be the impulse buying, have to learn to curb that.
My biggest budgeting problem is shopping at Target.
tracking the annual budget while doing monthly checks. Thanks for the giveaway!
My biggest challenge is sticking to it
My biggest challenge is eating out. We get a lot of invitations from family members and don’t want to miss out on time with family.
My biggest budgeting challenge is savings for a replacement car in the future. We just don’t have much to put in to this category, so I’m hoping our current vehicle will last years and years.
My biggest challenge is eating out too much.
Our biggest problem is spending a little too much during the month. A little coffee here, a little take out here, etc… until it catches up to us.
It is hard for me to budget for gas. I underestimate how much we drive.
Biggest budgeting problem… the price of everything keeps going up! Every time I think I have a budget that will work, I realize the money doesn’t go as far anymore.
My biggest budgeting problem area is probably eating out – which is connected to meal planning – which I don’t do. We don’t eat out too often, but it never, ever is a good idea for our budget (unless it’s date night) with 3 older kids (i.e. big eaters).
My biggest problem is getting my husband on the same page when it comes to following a budget.
Biggest budget challenge is sticking to it!
I spend too much at the grocery and no matter how hard I try I go back for small visits every week.
My biggest budgeting challenge is working with my spouse to stay on the same page with our goals. it is hard if you have one person wanting to change but one that doesn’t.
My biggest budget problem is grocery and eat outing. Its nice to take a break from cooking but some how we usually spend more then we had originally intended when we eat out.
My biggest budgeting problem is clothing. I never budget enough and end up doing without.
Our biggest budgeting problem is sticking to it…especially in the areas of groceries, going out to eat and miscellaneous expenses. We’re giving the cash envelope system a try and so far that seems to be helping.
Would love to win the book!
It’s all a challange, I keep my home clean neat and organized, minus hit and miss teenage boys items about. I can’t seem to keep money saved, I’m not a shopper, I do the grocery coupons, by store brand items, I can’t seem to save. We don’t dine-out either.
My biggest problem is not having enough $!
My biggest budgeting problem: I don’t know how to.
My biggest challenge is unexpected expenses that occassionally pop up.
Problem is not budgeting every dollar we bring in which leaves a slush fund that mysteriously disappears every month!
My biggest challenge is finding the time to work on the budget.
Mine would be running to the grocery store too much. Thanks for this great giveaway!
Definitely groceries/non-consumable. Those stores know JUST how to steal our money?!?!
My biggest challenge is not using my credit card for every purchase.
My biggest budgeting problem is seeing a great deal at the grocery store and wanting to stock up on it but realizing there’s not enough cash to do so. Sometimes I ‘borrow’ cash from other expenses and then worry I’ll be short when the time comes that I need what I borrowed. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this book!
My biggest challenge is paying everything on time.
My biggest budget problem is the kids activities. I want them to participate and try new things but between the registrations, uniforms, trip charges, and parties it has become cost prohibitive.
Online impulse deals are my weakness. Some are too good to pass up even though they aren’t in the budget.
Spending too much on organizination items like baskets and dividers.
Sticking to my budget is my biggest challenge.
My biggest budget problem is eating out for lunch. This year my goal is to bring my lunch to work everyday.
My biggest budgeting problem is with organization. I have a hard time sitting down and really writing it all down and tracking where the money goes.
CONSISTENCY! … 🙁 Argh…. I will do really well for a while, then I get side-tracked and go back to bad spending habits…
Stocking up on supplies
My biggest budget problem is adjusting from Army pay to disability pay. My husband was injured in Afghanistan in 2009 and was just medically discharged from the Army so going from a good pay to half a pay is really hard but we are adjusting and doing the best we can.
My biggest budgeting problem is not budgeting. I guess at how much money we have in the bank and go from there. It is a terrible way to spend our money and I don’t save squat for the things we need to save for.
My biggest problem is eating out too much 🙁
My biggest budget problem is spending the leftover money instead of putting it in savings.
We have two big problem areas:
1) My husband has been on a ‘healthy food only’ diet for the last year (and has lost 100lbs!!) and sticking to a reasonable food budget is hard when you’re only eating protien, fruit and veggies. I want to support him but it’s hard to cost-cut in this area.
2) I just lost my job but God has blessed us with a raise in my husband’s income but we’re still about $1k short a month….so this will be a HUGE challenge starting 2012.
My biggest budget problem is medical. We don’t have god insurance, and lots of medical costs.
Right now biggest budget problem is believing we will get out of debt. We follow budget fairly well. This book will help me get back gazelle intensity.
definitely groceries
My biggest challenge was not having a budget for the 16yrs I’ve been married. We recently lost our home, lost our business, and filed for bankruptcy. In order to get back on our feet and build a nice “cushion” and be able to purchase a home again, send our kids to college, etc.. WE NEED A BUDGET.
My biggest budgeting issue is I just lost my job…where do I go from here.
I need to be more organized and looking at my budget more. If i know how much I have left to spend instead of going over all the time I could save more.
My biggest challenge is making a menu plan and sticking to it… and also avoiding spontaneous purchases.
Not being organized, and eating out too much.
The hardest part about budgeting is sticking to the allowed amount for groceries. I almost always go over.
I struggle with staying within our food budget!
My biggest problem is my man.. He makes more money than me and likes to spend money, and I Dont, i’ve been poor i make minimum wage and love to coupon & save money, he thinks i over do it and counter acts my money saving actions. I need more help, Other ways to save other ideas.
Biggest problem? Eating out with seven!
My biggest budgeting problem is that I don’t have a budget.
My biggest budget problem is my son’s expensive formula cost due to medical issues added onto our already decreased income due to my husbands 2nd layoff in 2 years!
Eating out is certainly where our budget goes out of control. $10 here and there really adds up.
online deals are my biggest pitfall!!!!
My biggest budgeting problem is living on one small income when we are both working full time. It’s so tempting to spend that second income, but I know that I will be thankful later that I used that money to pay off loans and save so that I can stay home with my children!
My biggest problem is in the grocery/food area. One of these years I will get it all figured out better.
My biggest budging problem is vacation. I try to find the best deals, but we realize that we don’t go on too many trips, so we do want it to be really nice when we travel. After going to every website over and over, I still end up spending a certain amount on airfare and hotel.
Our biggest issue is communication. My husband tells me “don’t buy anything unless we need it.” My definition of “need’ is something we can’t live without – so a new coat, new glasses, new pillows, extra sets of sheets, get put off indefinitely. His definition of “need” would include all of those things, but because we haven’t communicated about it, I end up feeling put upon and resentful, especially when he then goes out and buys something for one of his hobbies or for a house project that we don’t “need” (by my definition). Neither of us is wrong, we’re just not communicating well.
My biggest budgeting problem is that right now we don’t have one!
Our biggeste budgeting problem is eating out!! Would be great to win thisbook.
My biggest problem is figuring out how to use the coupons.
Not planning ahead and having to eat on the go. I would like to switch to the cash envelope system, but getting the hubs on board is tough
Budget what budget…hmm guess that is the biggest challenge for me is, I need a budget!
I’m on a cash only system but I have a hard time writing down everything I spend. At the end of the month the cash is all gone, but I’m not exactly sure where I spent it all. Tracking it better will allow me to cut even more!
We have lots of budgeting problems but I think the huge issue is that we have an income that fluctuates, so it’s hard to set an actual budget.
My challenge is feeding 7 kids healthy with lots of choices on a budget. I would love to know her secret!
Always looking into new ways and ideas on how to save more money.
I would say my biggest budget problem is groceries!
My biggest problem would be convincing my husband to stop his “impulse” buys!! 🙂 🙂 And for me….to stop those quick runs thru the drivethru for coffee on cold days…..
I think sometimes using a debit card hurts us. We are trying to move to a cash system.
We always talk big about saving money and cutting back but we never actually seem to make any progress. We need a strategy!
I think our biggest problems/concerns are our grocery budget and spending on entertainment. I am working on helping our family keep to a tighter budget and I hope to learn a few things from this awesome book! I really hope I win! =)
This book looks great. Our biggest budget problems include accounting for everything in the budget and recording all the expenses. Just can’t seem to find an effective way to do it.
My biggest difficulty is consistency. Getting my hubby on board with a rational budget is an enormous struggle.
Our biggest budget breaker is eating out – its more of an entertainment thing for us, so its difficult to say “no”, even when we really should.
My biggest issue is awareness. I never seem to get my account balanced just right so I’m ambushed by debits I forgot about.
My biggest budgeting problem is not big ticket items, but all the small, little inexpensive things that add up quickly!
Ours is “blow” money and money for decorating the house.
Our issue is spending money on little things that we think we need but could do without and food. We have an 8 mth old and with daycare in the future we’re trying to get our spending under control and save money for future children or home improvements.
my biggest mistake is always getting good deals sounds silly but i need to say no when we don’t need it and we have no place to store it or money left over for other things we need so i need to learn to say no!
Not being organized and keeping track of everything!
My biggest budgeting challenge is remembering to record my spending. I can’t plan for the future if I don’t have a clear picture of the present.
Our biggest budgeting issue is planning for all of the unexpected expenses that actually occur on a regular basis..we follow a written budget and have an emergency fund for emergencies but fail to always plan for expenses such as veterinary care for our dog and cat, homeowners dues, license plate renewals, etc.. The money saving Mom’s budget sounds like a must-read!
My Biggest budget problem is probably the groceries.
The biggest budget problem is grocery shopping – it busts beyond my allotted money put back just about every time….
I struggle with getting money saved for retirement.
lack of organzation is my biggest problem by far so, this book would be a great help in alot of reasons. money is tight so I havn’t been able to order it either so winning it would be great:)
Not having a clear picture of where my money goes. I would love to learn principles of how to manage my money instead of it controlling (and panicking) me.
Communication is definitely the problem with my husband and I and our budget. We often plan things in our head and it ends up clashing and we end up short, even though we do have a budget. We need this book! 🙂
using the debit card for everything. I think using cash would help us a lot
My biggest budgeting problem is my food expense. Between having to avoid several allergens, eating healthy (organic when possible), my love for food, and the eyes are bigger than stomach syndrome I spend way too much.
My biggest problem is using credit cards! They are absolutely the worst thing in the world that I have ever had access too! If there is one thing I want to teach my kids about finances, it’s to only have one credit card and only use it in an absolute emergency.
Our biggest budgeting problem is that my income is wildly inconsistant, making it very hard to COUNT on any given amount with which to even formulate a budget.
Budgeting for healthy food which is fast & easy!
For us it is sticking to a budget. We plan things out and then we don’t seem to make them work. Or something small comes up and then it’s all over.
tracking and time is a big budget problem for us …
Groceries….I can’t get the coupon thing down right. I do good for things like diapers and wipes but not on all the other stuff and its out of control…I could use this book!!!
Lack of planning is my biggest obstacle. The book looks great!
Our biggest budget problem is planning for home renovation projects (i.e. our idea to replace the counter top in our garage apt turned into rebuilding walls and floor and cabinets after we found a significant about of mold). Just cant plan for that large of a can of worms…..sigh
I have things down great on paper but execution is where I fail. I would LOVE to win a copy!!
Not knowing where to start is my biggest problem!
My biggest problem is follow through! The first week, week and a half is great and then I lose focus. Probably from all the clutter!
My biggest challenge is follow-through. Working nights part time makes a regular schedule difficult, because I NEED to sleep, but feel like I could be using the hours without children for other things. I can make lists & routines no problem, just have trouble getting motivated to get them done.
I think I’ve shaved my expenses down but yet I think I still spend too much on certain categories. I need some help understanding where else I can shave expenses!
My biggest budgeting problem is getting my husband to stay on a budget with me. He grew up with money, I grew up poor, so we have VERY different views of spending and saving. I think a book or program that shows him (better than I do) exactly how much can be saved would motivate him (and I) both to do better this year!
Our biggest budgeting problem is weekend meals – those last minute trips (by a non budget conscious husband) to the grocery store can be expensive!
Lack of organization and time are without a doubt my biggest budgeting problems. Her book looks great!