When I decided to make the change and become debt free I searched all over to find a good book or two about saving money and becoming debt free. It was very hard to find Canadian material. The American material can work but it is very hard to apply since a lot of their government and savings plans are different then we have here in Canada.
I have found a few great coupon sites online and learned of Gail Van-Oxlade from the TV show Til Debt Do Us Part. I wish I had found Sarah Deveau's book back then but you can check out this great book and learn a lot of Sarah now, as I did. Her book is not a "You must do this, and do it my way" type of book like a lot out there. It is all about making your own choices with Sarah's guidance and advice. Sarah gives you a lot of choice and no right or wrong way to help become Financially Fit. Sarah also likes Gail Van-Oxlade and has included her in Money $mart Mom.
I was contacted by Sarah Deveau about her new book called Money $mart Mom: Financially Fit Parenting in January when she was having a half off sale on it. I had the opportunity to review this great book and also offer one of my readers a book for themselves.
I love that Sarah is Canadian and this book is Canadian through and through! This book is a great resource for anyone thinking about having children or even people who have already begun. It's never to late to learn about preparing for the future or navigating Government benefits. When it comes to government benefits and investing I am lost. This gave me a great look at everything the Canadian government has to offer parents.
Sarah includes everything from thinking about having children- when is right for you and learning the true cost of things you really need and can do without. Those baby item lists in book and online I will vouch are not what you really need. A lot of the items you can do without because Baby just may hate it and not use it.
Other topics Sarah talks about are the Basics -budgeting and figuring out where you are and where you are heading, preparing for the future, running a household (one income or two) - meal planning, cost of living etc, and the first, preschool and as they grow plan. Also what happens if things don't go as planned. Which like we all know can happen sometimes.
I have been saving and budgeting for well over two years now and I think I have a pretty decent handle on it. Some days are harder than others but that is another blog post in itself. I feel this was a great read and everyone could benefit! I am in almost my 5th year with having children (can't believe my son will be 5 soon, yikes!) and I still find all the information Sarah discusses as great and helpful information. You really should check out this book.
About the Author: From http://moneysmartmom.ca
Finding little, she decided to write the book she wished she had been able to buy at the bookstore. Or rather, write the book she wished she could have borrowed from the library! She began researching and writing, fitting in her work as she had three daughters in four years, finding time while the kids were napping or at preschool.
During those years Sarah also opened Cater Tot Consignment, a children's consignment boutique in Airdrie, Alberta. This 1,200 square foot store has won numerous awards, including Calgary's Child Magazine Parents Choice Awards three years running. Cater Tot has been featured in Today's Parent Magazine, as well as dozens of local newspaper and magazine articles, and on many television programs."
Win: Sarah would like to give one lucky Canadian Coupon Mom their very own copy of Money $mart Mom: Financially Fit Parenting! (One copy to give away)
Mandatory Entry: Please share a money saving tip that has helped you save or become debt free. Or share something you learned from Sarah's Tip page. Please include your email address in your comment and do this entry first before the extra entries can count. Please and Thank you!
Exra Entries:
2. Follow Canadian Coupon Mom on Facebook. (1 entry)
3. Follow Sarah Deveau on Twitter. (1 entry)
4. Follow Canadian Coupon Mom on Twitter. (1 entry for following and also 1 entry each tweet - can be tweeted once daily)
"Please use @CouponMomCanada and @SarahDeveau with a direct link to this post."
5. Follow Canadian Coupon Mom on Google Friends Connect. (1 entry)
6. Blog about this giveaway and post the link where it can be found. (5 entries)7. Follow Canadian Coupon Mom on Networked Blogs. Located on right side bar. (1 entry)
This giveaway is open Canada Only. This giveaway ends on February 27th, 2011 at Midnight EST. One winner will be chosen by Random.org on February 28th, 2011 and notified by e-mail. Please respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. Good Luck!
~*Disclaimer: I received a complementary copy of Money $mart Mom from Sarah Deveau for review purposes. All opinions are my own.*~
Using cloth diapers has saved us a ton of money- especially as child #2 and #3 have come along. It's really much simpler than people think!
ReplyDeletesydneyv at yahoo dot com
Great giveaway! Im far from debt free and we live on a tight budget. One way to save money is meal planning. A little can go a long way with the right shopping savvy. I'd love to have this book!
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