Miserly Moms
by Jonni McCoy

Publisher:  Full Quart Press
ISBN:  1888306149

Miserly Moms by Jonni McCoy is a practical guide to living on one income in a two-income economy. With recipes, tips, and money-saving strategies, McCoy shows how families can live within a one-income budget without feeling deprived. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and recommend it to all parents trying to make ends meet on one income.

McCoy, a former senior buyer for an electronics firms, is now a full-time mother who currently homeschools her children. She has been practicing frugal living techniques since 1991, and presents seminars on living with less to women's groups around the country.

Miserly Moms starts with "eleven miserly guidelines", with solid information on tips for saving money on groceries. These tips include instituting a "soup and sandwich" dinner once a week, buying in bulk, cutting back on meats and poultry, and making your own whenever possible.

Author McCoy then discusses other ways to save money. These include research on warehouse prices (they aren't always cheaper than supermarkets), tips to save money on your utility bills (McCoy was able to reduce her bill by 25%), and ways to cut medical expenses.

Miserly Moms also has an extensive listing of recipes to help you save money, complete with a cost analysis comparing the price of many store-bought food items versus homemade versions. You will also find homemade craft ideas for your children, ideas to save money on birthday parties and the holidays, and tips for saving money on baby necessities.

This book offers so much more, including menu plans, household cleaner recipes, natural pesticides, and other resources for living on one income. Written by a mother who has actual experience living on one income, Miserly Moms is a wonderful reference guide for all families attempting to live comfortably within a one income budget.

Barbara Whiting, your Guide for Stay-at-Home Parents