Miserly Moms: Living Well on Less in a Tough Economy [Paperback]

Jonni McCoy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2009

With gas and food prices soaring, there's more need than ever before for Jonni McCoy's Miserly Moms. Jonni shares the money-saving strategies that allowed her family to transition from two incomes to one. These practical, proven strategies, tips, and recipes will help anyone live frugally without feeling deprived. Real-life examples show how anyone can learn to live more carefully and reach their financial goals. Now in its fourth edition, Miserly Moms is packed with even more ways to reduce a family's expenses and expose hidden living costs.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A versatile author, shopping expert, media spokesperson, and public speaker, Jonni McCoy has been helping increase the shopping power of people since 1991. She has appeared on the Gayle King Show and The 700 Club, and radio programs such as Dr. Laura and FamilyLife Today. She has also been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, Woman's Day, and Woman's World magazines. Prior to motherhood, she spent ten years as a senior buyer for electronics firms. Jonni and her family make their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Product Details

• Paperback: 297 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; 4 edition (April 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764206419
• ISBN-13: 978-0764206412
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #233,036 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A versatile author, shopping expert, media spokesperson, and public speaker, Jonni McCoy has been helping increase the shopping power of people since 1991. She has appeared on the Gayle King Show and The 700 Club, and radio programs such as Dr. Laura and FamilyLife Today. She has also been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, Woman's Day, and Woman's World magazines. Prior to motherhood, she spent ten years as a senior buyer for electronics firms. Jonni and her family make their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Want to save money, this is the book for you!, June 24, 2009

By 

Sarah J. Bailey (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Miserly Moms: Living Well on Less in a Tough Economy (Paperback)

I was kind of leery when I first began reading Miserly Moms Living Well on Less in a Tough Economy by Jonni McCoy and published by Bethany House because I wasn't sure if a family who has two children and who has a lot of other differences compared to our family would be able to help me with ideas on living frugally. I was proven wrong and again taught not to assume or judge a book or an author by it's cover. This book is indeed a great help no matter the size of your family.

As gas prices go back up, food prices continue to climb and trying to make sure we have enough money for a house payment, one van payment, electricity, water, food, etc I try to find ways to cut corners. For my family, food is one way we look to cut corners and I have been already been doing a lot of scratch baking and freezing. It's amazing how one can stretch a $1.55 (on 'sale' at Aldi's) bag of flour! So that was one thing I concentrated on this book, the food. Also by cutting out cable and satellite *GASP* and not having a cell phone *GASP AGAIN** we don't live like most Americans.

Jonni McCoy offers Eleven Miserly Guidelines that are easy to implement and keep with it. Some of these I had already been doing such as not shopping at the same store, making and freezing food, making meals from scratch, etc but she offers other ideas for taking it further. She gives idea for baby care including whether to use disposable or cloth diapers, making your own baby food (we save on this by my nursing for however long the baby wants and not starting solids until 7 or 8 months when the baby can generally some of the foods I make for everyone else). There is also a section for working moms, although she does advocate for mom's who stay home she knows this isn't always a possibility for all moms.

The section on clothing was the one section I disagreed with as she said she she figures out how many outfits her family needs each month or two and tries to find the best deals for the items needed. I couldn't imagine being able to buy new clothing or even buying clothing at thrift stores every couple months - it's not in our budget. So that to me was a bit much, but I don't have an issue with my clothes not being the latest fashion either.

Overall, I was very impressed with the ideas in the book and she has included several recipes. I made the taco seasoning, I hate buying the store bought seasoning with all the MSG and other junk, so I made the recipe in her book and it was GREAT! My husband said he liked it better than the store bought as well. It had more taste and definitely more healthy and cost effective (it makes 12 servings). There are many more recipes and ideas for "pre-packaged" convenience foods to make at home - like baking mixes you can use for biscuits and pancakes. If you'd like to learn how to save money I would definitely suggest you get this book!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Miserly Moms - An Excellent Primer on Frugal Living, May 16, 2009

By 

HomeschoolMom38 (NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Miserly Moms: Living Well on Less in a Tough Economy (Paperback)

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!

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great ideas overall, August 11, 2010

By 

D. Mike - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Miserly Moms: Living Well on Less in a Tough Economy (Paperback)

The book overall has a lot of good information. I don't really think there is anything in the book that you can't find simply by googling "frugal living." She said that cloth diapering doesn't save much money. The way she talked about certain expenses like fabric softener with cloth diapers showed me that she did not do her research in this area as any cloth diaper mom knows that fabric softener takes away the absorbancy and is a big no no. I am cloth diapering baby #3 and have saved thousands of dollars.