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Save Yourself Happy: Easy money-saving tips for families on a budget
THE
SUNDAY TIMES
BESTSELLER
Save a fortune and transform your lifestyle in 2022.
If you're worried about the rising cost of living, then Instagram sensation Money Mum is here to help you save thousands without even noticing.
'Money Mum, here, coming to you, as always, with another money tip! You don't have to be wealthy or earn a huge salary to achieve all the things you want in life—and I'm here to show you how. Just by spending a little less on everyday small costs or being savvy with your choices, you will naturally have a little more for the finer things in life. My exciting new book will show you everything you need to know to save money and be truly happy forever.
When you're trying to manage a busy family, it's easy to lose sight of the things that really matter and feel like you're drowning in worries while the pennies are drowning away.
So many of us feel we have to pretend to be wealthier than we are and try to hide it when we can't afford something. Why though, when we are all sharing what we had for our tea and how many press ups we did that morning on social media, can't we be more honest about our finances? Why is there still so much shame and secrecy about being a bit strapped for cash, or in debt?
I feel really strongly that it has got to change, and I'm here to get you through it....
I want to empower women and girls to take responsibility for their own financial futures. To have those difficult conversations and do the uncomfortable maths, because believe me one day you will be so glad you did.
From starting small and making little changes to your everyday habits, through building a second income into your lifestyle, to going for the big goals in your life that you might think are out of your reach—this book will help you reboot your finances one money tip at a time.
Because money isn't a secret recipe that only rich people know, it's a mindset and an attitude that anyone can have. And Money Mum is here, as always, to show you how.
Now stick the kettle on, grab a pen and paper and let's start saving you some serious cash!'
Inside you'll
My ultimate deals and tips, covering everything from shopping and bills to selling unwanted items How to follow my weekly 'No Spend Day' and 'Make Money Day' What your money mindset does to your anxiety levels and the impact social media has on your spending Tips for getting the whole family talking about money from an early age Spending tracker templates, charts and plenty of space for your own notes!
Save a fortune and transform your lifestyle in 2022.
If you're worried about the rising cost of living, then Instagram sensation Money Mum is here to help you save thousands without even noticing.
'Money Mum, here, coming to you, as always, with another money tip! You don't have to be wealthy or earn a huge salary to achieve all the things you want in life—and I'm here to show you how. Just by spending a little less on everyday small costs or being savvy with your choices, you will naturally have a little more for the finer things in life. My exciting new book will show you everything you need to know to save money and be truly happy forever.
When you're trying to manage a busy family, it's easy to lose sight of the things that really matter and feel like you're drowning in worries while the pennies are drowning away.
So many of us feel we have to pretend to be wealthier than we are and try to hide it when we can't afford something. Why though, when we are all sharing what we had for our tea and how many press ups we did that morning on social media, can't we be more honest about our finances? Why is there still so much shame and secrecy about being a bit strapped for cash, or in debt?
I feel really strongly that it has got to change, and I'm here to get you through it....
I want to empower women and girls to take responsibility for their own financial futures. To have those difficult conversations and do the uncomfortable maths, because believe me one day you will be so glad you did.
From starting small and making little changes to your everyday habits, through building a second income into your lifestyle, to going for the big goals in your life that you might think are out of your reach—this book will help you reboot your finances one money tip at a time.
Because money isn't a secret recipe that only rich people know, it's a mindset and an attitude that anyone can have. And Money Mum is here, as always, to show you how.
Now stick the kettle on, grab a pen and paper and let's start saving you some serious cash!'
Inside you'll
My ultimate deals and tips, covering everything from shopping and bills to selling unwanted items How to follow my weekly 'No Spend Day' and 'Make Money Day' What your money mindset does to your anxiety levels and the impact social media has on your spending Tips for getting the whole family talking about money from an early age Spending tracker templates, charts and plenty of space for your own notes!
- GenresNonfictionSelf Help
Audible Audio
Published January 6, 2022
34 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
February 7, 2022
Money Mum Official: Save Yourself Happy: Your Ultimate Money Tips Guide is brought to you by Instagrammer Gemma Bird. I’ll be completely honest with you, I’d never heard of her or her Money Mum channel until I was asked if I wanted a copy of the book. Fair play to someone trying to help others with their finances and for putting all her knowledge into one place with her book.
For me personally, there wasn’t anything in the book I didn’t already know, but then I am conscious of my spending. I watch the Martin Lewis show and visit his website and I am also not that young anymore and have been looking after my family’s finances for many years – I left my parent’s home and ventured into the world 27 years ago.
I feel this is more for the younger generation who may be starting out in life and need a bit of guidance, although quite a lot of the book is common sense. It is split into sections and is really easy to follow and comprehend. A lot of the suggestions and tips can be followed by everyone.
Yes, a lot of the information can be found online. But this is a handy book that you can flick through, find sections you want, go back over some tips, etc, rather than having to surf website after website. A good start for people just starting to get to grips with their Finances.
For me personally, there wasn’t anything in the book I didn’t already know, but then I am conscious of my spending. I watch the Martin Lewis show and visit his website and I am also not that young anymore and have been looking after my family’s finances for many years – I left my parent’s home and ventured into the world 27 years ago.
I feel this is more for the younger generation who may be starting out in life and need a bit of guidance, although quite a lot of the book is common sense. It is split into sections and is really easy to follow and comprehend. A lot of the suggestions and tips can be followed by everyone.
Yes, a lot of the information can be found online. But this is a handy book that you can flick through, find sections you want, go back over some tips, etc, rather than having to surf website after website. A good start for people just starting to get to grips with their Finances.
April 26, 2022
DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!
No wonder she is called money mum, she’s laughing herself to the bank with the £9.99 I just paid for this rubbish!!
Seriously I’m all for saving and I LOVE discussing it with others and gaining tips aswell as giving them, I saw this in WHSmiths quite a few times and finally picked it up.
Read it In one sitting, and learnt NOTHING. Not one single tip I didn’t already know.
If you have a bit of common sense you’ll already know everything here such as…
Want to save money on your car insurance? Use comparison sites.. well yeah 🤦♀️
Want to save money on food shop? Write a list and buy only what you need… 🤦♀️
What to get some extra money? Use eBay to sell your unwanted clothes! …. Omg… (btw this is a tip from me: use Vinted instead you get no seller fees!)
Seriously I hope it helped others so they didn’t waste their money, the only tip I learned was don’t waste my money on this book!
No wonder she is called money mum, she’s laughing herself to the bank with the £9.99 I just paid for this rubbish!!
Seriously I’m all for saving and I LOVE discussing it with others and gaining tips aswell as giving them, I saw this in WHSmiths quite a few times and finally picked it up.
Read it In one sitting, and learnt NOTHING. Not one single tip I didn’t already know.
If you have a bit of common sense you’ll already know everything here such as…
Want to save money on your car insurance? Use comparison sites.. well yeah 🤦♀️
Want to save money on food shop? Write a list and buy only what you need… 🤦♀️
What to get some extra money? Use eBay to sell your unwanted clothes! …. Omg… (btw this is a tip from me: use Vinted instead you get no seller fees!)
Seriously I hope it helped others so they didn’t waste their money, the only tip I learned was don’t waste my money on this book!
January 28, 2022
MONEY MUM by Gemma Bird
Gemma Bird set up an Instagram account in 2019 (@MoneyMumOfficial) to share her money saving tips and advice. She now has 255,000 followers on Instagram and has written a book which was published by Octopus Books on 6th January. In it, she explains her story and gives you loads of helpful ideas to save money. Being a single mum, this is a great book for me because I never have enough money!
The book is divided into seven sections, it is clearly formatted and easy to read all the way through (as I did) or skip to the sections you’re most interested in. She begins by explaining her attitude to saving as a teenager and how, once she was sixteen and working full-time, she would save 80% of her wages every month (£800) and spend 20% (£50 a week). While I can understand that could work when you are young, single and living at home, I’m not sure it’s possible in my situation with a child to support! However, I do agree with Gemma that it’s important to talk about money more openly and we should be able to explain honestly that we just can’t afford to do something or buy something. (My friends and I do this a lot)
Some of the things she talks about just won’t work for you. For example, plus-size women won’t be able to find their needs well catered for in Primark (a shop she recommends for bargains), who tend to cater for smaller sizes. Therefore you (I) end up having to buy clothes from more expensive shops like Yours and Evans. But, clothes-wise, she does have some relevant ideas for me like getting email alerts when sellers put your favourite brands up on eBay.
Another good tip she suggests is going through all your toiletries and seeing what you already have, so you don’t end up buying something you don’t really need. I did this recently, so now I know I have enough shower gel to last me six months.
There’s also a good section about pocket money and kids’ cards like Go Henry. I have researched these recently, so that section was interesting to me, though instead of paying monthly fees on a kids’ card, I decided to try just setting a budget for my son’s pocket money each month. But this was a good reminder to sort something else, to stop the endless requests for 99p for Roblox!
Some of her ideas I do find rather laughable though. For example, her suggestion that instead of buying them lots of stocking fillers at Christmas, you put money in their bank accounts. I’d love to see my son’s face on Christmas Day morning if I said “Sorry, no pressies today, I’ve put £20 in the bank instead!”
However, despite its occasional annoying and impractical (for me) suggestion, the book has some good tips in it and I am sure every reader will find at least a few new ideas to try. It is a nice looking book (with a pretty pastel pink cover), easy to read, well set out and easy to find the relevant section, if you want to dip in and out of it.
Gemma Bird set up an Instagram account in 2019 (@MoneyMumOfficial) to share her money saving tips and advice. She now has 255,000 followers on Instagram and has written a book which was published by Octopus Books on 6th January. In it, she explains her story and gives you loads of helpful ideas to save money. Being a single mum, this is a great book for me because I never have enough money!
The book is divided into seven sections, it is clearly formatted and easy to read all the way through (as I did) or skip to the sections you’re most interested in. She begins by explaining her attitude to saving as a teenager and how, once she was sixteen and working full-time, she would save 80% of her wages every month (£800) and spend 20% (£50 a week). While I can understand that could work when you are young, single and living at home, I’m not sure it’s possible in my situation with a child to support! However, I do agree with Gemma that it’s important to talk about money more openly and we should be able to explain honestly that we just can’t afford to do something or buy something. (My friends and I do this a lot)
Some of the things she talks about just won’t work for you. For example, plus-size women won’t be able to find their needs well catered for in Primark (a shop she recommends for bargains), who tend to cater for smaller sizes. Therefore you (I) end up having to buy clothes from more expensive shops like Yours and Evans. But, clothes-wise, she does have some relevant ideas for me like getting email alerts when sellers put your favourite brands up on eBay.
Another good tip she suggests is going through all your toiletries and seeing what you already have, so you don’t end up buying something you don’t really need. I did this recently, so now I know I have enough shower gel to last me six months.
There’s also a good section about pocket money and kids’ cards like Go Henry. I have researched these recently, so that section was interesting to me, though instead of paying monthly fees on a kids’ card, I decided to try just setting a budget for my son’s pocket money each month. But this was a good reminder to sort something else, to stop the endless requests for 99p for Roblox!
Some of her ideas I do find rather laughable though. For example, her suggestion that instead of buying them lots of stocking fillers at Christmas, you put money in their bank accounts. I’d love to see my son’s face on Christmas Day morning if I said “Sorry, no pressies today, I’ve put £20 in the bank instead!”
However, despite its occasional annoying and impractical (for me) suggestion, the book has some good tips in it and I am sure every reader will find at least a few new ideas to try. It is a nice looking book (with a pretty pastel pink cover), easy to read, well set out and easy to find the relevant section, if you want to dip in and out of it.
February 11, 2022
"Money Mum, Save Yourself Happy" really is a waste of money. A few chapters in and I'm wondering if I'm mad having paid for this book. Literally just repeating stuff that's out there online or just plain common sense. There are no "ultimate money tips" the only tip you need is from the genuine people giving genuine reviews that say "Please don't waste your money buying this!!"
January 17, 2022
I unfortunately spent years getting into debt and then out again, going through money blogs & hustles that sometimes I think that if I weren’t lazy I could be my own money influencer. I still like to keep up with what people are talking about though so picked this one up.
I liked the positivity behind this book. It’s less on how to get out of debt and more about the joys of saving & ways to do it and lead our best lives. It does cover debt, it doesn’t gloss over the negative parts of finance but the focus is on how we can have money whether that’s a healthy bank balance for rainy days or to buy those big ticket items such as a car, house etc.
I liked the hourly rate tip: calculating your own hourly wage & then deciding if that spend is worth the equivalent. It reminded me of something we did in our 20/30’s where clothing was given a £1 per wear value. So if a dress or shoes cost £30 would we wear it 30 times to get our ‘wear value’, if not then it wasn’t worth the cost. Little things like that and the hourly rate can really help you stop and think before adding to debt.
Things I didn’t have in my money issue days are covered. I’m so glad even 5 years ago social media wasn’t as influential as it is now. There’s good tips for how to use it positively and step away if pressures are too great. My son is an adult so the tips for family life (she is money mum after all) were new and interesting and ones I can pass on to others.
I really liked the reflection exercise. My upbringing was the complete opposite to Gemma’s in terms of attitudes to money and it’s good to take that time out & look at how you got your money values and triggers.
Even though I know a lot I like it if I can still come away with something new; the hourly rate is one thing but I’ve also decided to set up some spend analysis. I know where my triggers are but maybe seeing the totals in black & white after a month might help me cut down on some of these.
All in all a great book especially for parents with under 18’s but for anyone really who needs a bit of support on how to get started with finance.
I liked the positivity behind this book. It’s less on how to get out of debt and more about the joys of saving & ways to do it and lead our best lives. It does cover debt, it doesn’t gloss over the negative parts of finance but the focus is on how we can have money whether that’s a healthy bank balance for rainy days or to buy those big ticket items such as a car, house etc.
I liked the hourly rate tip: calculating your own hourly wage & then deciding if that spend is worth the equivalent. It reminded me of something we did in our 20/30’s where clothing was given a £1 per wear value. So if a dress or shoes cost £30 would we wear it 30 times to get our ‘wear value’, if not then it wasn’t worth the cost. Little things like that and the hourly rate can really help you stop and think before adding to debt.
Things I didn’t have in my money issue days are covered. I’m so glad even 5 years ago social media wasn’t as influential as it is now. There’s good tips for how to use it positively and step away if pressures are too great. My son is an adult so the tips for family life (she is money mum after all) were new and interesting and ones I can pass on to others.
I really liked the reflection exercise. My upbringing was the complete opposite to Gemma’s in terms of attitudes to money and it’s good to take that time out & look at how you got your money values and triggers.
Even though I know a lot I like it if I can still come away with something new; the hourly rate is one thing but I’ve also decided to set up some spend analysis. I know where my triggers are but maybe seeing the totals in black & white after a month might help me cut down on some of these.
All in all a great book especially for parents with under 18’s but for anyone really who needs a bit of support on how to get started with finance.
May 20, 2023
1.25 / 5
The irony is I spent money on a book about saving money. Overall a quick read, however everything I read I was already aware of, and was constantly being repeated. The tips in this book, are tips you see all over social media, so nothing really new. Personally didn’t help me, but hope it does help others if they chose to read this book. Quite liked the idea how this was set in sections though so if people who found it helpful wanted to refer back to it, it is easily found.
The irony is I spent money on a book about saving money. Overall a quick read, however everything I read I was already aware of, and was constantly being repeated. The tips in this book, are tips you see all over social media, so nothing really new. Personally didn’t help me, but hope it does help others if they chose to read this book. Quite liked the idea how this was set in sections though so if people who found it helpful wanted to refer back to it, it is easily found.
January 31, 2022
I saw this book in Tesco and as I am wanting to get out of debt, I thought the book was worth the £6.50. Whilst there is some valid information within the book, what I didn’t like was in an earlier chapter a bigger house or a nice car is an indication of wealth. I know people in my area who are in debt just to have the flashy named car or they are leasing cars and they can’t afford to drive them everyday. Surely it’s best to have the best you can afford, sometimes the higher ended cars are some of worse rated cars for customer satisfaction. Leasing a car to me is the same as renting a house, it will never truly be yours. If I had done a little research first this wouldn’t have been the book I’d have purchased.
If you are truly after money advice then look at the free websites that are readily available or even better speak to a financial adviser within your bank. They are not there to judge you, only to help you.
I think with today’s society it’s easy to want to keep up with the Jones’ but are they really worth keeping up with? Are they even truly happy?
My advice would be to buy the best you can afford, but buy less of it! Don’t buy something unless you have the funds and it’s absolutely necessary and thirdly do what previous generations did and save up for things.
Once you have all your debts cleared, a savings account with three months wages in and a savings account for the upkeep/maintenance of your home and car, then you can save for the fun stuff like holidays.
Overall it was an alright read but not one I’d reach for again.
If you are truly after money advice then look at the free websites that are readily available or even better speak to a financial adviser within your bank. They are not there to judge you, only to help you.
I think with today’s society it’s easy to want to keep up with the Jones’ but are they really worth keeping up with? Are they even truly happy?
My advice would be to buy the best you can afford, but buy less of it! Don’t buy something unless you have the funds and it’s absolutely necessary and thirdly do what previous generations did and save up for things.
Once you have all your debts cleared, a savings account with three months wages in and a savings account for the upkeep/maintenance of your home and car, then you can save for the fun stuff like holidays.
Overall it was an alright read but not one I’d reach for again.
July 16, 2022
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
It's nothing groundbreaking, mostly because there have been a lot of books like this coming out in recent years.
That said it's written in a really friendly relatable manner but I didn't find anything out that I haven't read in other books of this type.
It's nothing groundbreaking, mostly because there have been a lot of books like this coming out in recent years.
That said it's written in a really friendly relatable manner but I didn't find anything out that I haven't read in other books of this type.
April 13, 2023
As a parent with a large family who has recently got married, I am just starting to tackle such grown up topics as life insurance, clearing debt and saving up for a house deposit. So this book was right up my alley.
I found it easy to read, concise and it explained concepts such as APR and whether you should clear debt or save first very clearly. I found it a very informative introductory book for tackling my finances and I would recommend it to others.
The reason I took a star off is because I felt that some topics could have gone into more detail and some advice was a little dated - the author recommended eBay which she personally uses but Facebook marketplace and vinted are more commonly used now by small sellers as the eBay fees and rules are of putting. I also felt there could have been a bit more on how to live frugally - there were some simple tips like to decant shampoo into smaller bottles for travelling and always take a packed lunch, but I felt these tips could be expanded upon further for a more thorough read.
I am not aware of the author, neither do I follow her on instagram so I’m not aware of her and I’m not sure if this affected me enjoying the book or not. I did sometimes find it a bit jarring to read money advice from someone who then talks about buying Gucci handbags for cheaper or that her dad paid for half of her first car, when the majority of people drawn to this type of book will not have come from the same type of background, however I think this is more personal insight on myself rather than any reflection upon the author.
Overall, I would give this book 3.5 stars, as it was an enjoyable and informative read but I felt sometimes the author could have gone into more depth.
I found it easy to read, concise and it explained concepts such as APR and whether you should clear debt or save first very clearly. I found it a very informative introductory book for tackling my finances and I would recommend it to others.
The reason I took a star off is because I felt that some topics could have gone into more detail and some advice was a little dated - the author recommended eBay which she personally uses but Facebook marketplace and vinted are more commonly used now by small sellers as the eBay fees and rules are of putting. I also felt there could have been a bit more on how to live frugally - there were some simple tips like to decant shampoo into smaller bottles for travelling and always take a packed lunch, but I felt these tips could be expanded upon further for a more thorough read.
I am not aware of the author, neither do I follow her on instagram so I’m not aware of her and I’m not sure if this affected me enjoying the book or not. I did sometimes find it a bit jarring to read money advice from someone who then talks about buying Gucci handbags for cheaper or that her dad paid for half of her first car, when the majority of people drawn to this type of book will not have come from the same type of background, however I think this is more personal insight on myself rather than any reflection upon the author.
Overall, I would give this book 3.5 stars, as it was an enjoyable and informative read but I felt sometimes the author could have gone into more depth.
May 1, 2023
Save yourself happy is a practical guide to help you save money and improve your financial situation. The book is divided into seven parts, each of which covers a different aspect of personal finance, such as budgeting, saving, debt, and investing. The author provides clear and concise advice, as well as helpful tips and tricks that you can implement right away.
She also shares her own personal stories and experiences, which makes the book relatable and engaging.
One of the things that I loved most about this book is that Gemma doesn't sugarcoat anything. She acknowledges that saving money can be difficult, but she also provides realistic and achievable tips that will help you make progress.
Because of her easy to read writing style and by sharing her own personal stories and experiences this book becomes highly relatable and engaging. Rather than feel like you are being lectured like most finance books I’ve read before you feel like you are chating with a helpful friend over a cup of tea !
She also emphasizes the importance of changing your mindset about money, and she provides helpful exercises to help you do this.
Overall, I found Money Mum Official: Save Yourself Happy to be a helpful and informative book. It's a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about personal finance and improve their financial situation.
The only slight downside is I wish the book was a little longer and could delve into other options such as investing a little bit more.
Overall, I would recommend Save Yourself Happy to anyone who wants to learn more about personal finance and improve their financial situation.
She also shares her own personal stories and experiences, which makes the book relatable and engaging.
One of the things that I loved most about this book is that Gemma doesn't sugarcoat anything. She acknowledges that saving money can be difficult, but she also provides realistic and achievable tips that will help you make progress.
Because of her easy to read writing style and by sharing her own personal stories and experiences this book becomes highly relatable and engaging. Rather than feel like you are being lectured like most finance books I’ve read before you feel like you are chating with a helpful friend over a cup of tea !
She also emphasizes the importance of changing your mindset about money, and she provides helpful exercises to help you do this.
Overall, I found Money Mum Official: Save Yourself Happy to be a helpful and informative book. It's a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about personal finance and improve their financial situation.
The only slight downside is I wish the book was a little longer and could delve into other options such as investing a little bit more.
Overall, I would recommend Save Yourself Happy to anyone who wants to learn more about personal finance and improve their financial situation.
August 20, 2022
I would give this book a 3.9! Very good and gives amazing tips to young people learning how to manage money; but I feel like some things were just missing that didn't make it to my 4 star type of liking (if you get what I mean).
I've read some of the reviews and I know that speaking about your own review is also giving your own opinion; but the hate is sad to look at. Gemma also mentions in her book about the negativity and she is (obviously) right about it. But I think that if you don't like this books (which gives a lot of simple and general knowledge about managing money), it's just not for you! Is it really her fault you read a book about simple knowledge? No! You yourself should have got a book where you can learn more from. I feel extremely bad for Gemma is she read all those bad comments.
With the help of this book, I think I have grasped a better understanding of how to do things and spend money wisely, though all of her tips don't always have to apply to you. She says that if it's over your hourly rate (principle), then don't buy it. But sometimes it doesn't hurt to just spend a bit? Yeah, the main thing is about saving but don't forget that you got one life. Make it count and enjoy it. (I know she says the same, but I'm just saying)
I've read some of the reviews and I know that speaking about your own review is also giving your own opinion; but the hate is sad to look at. Gemma also mentions in her book about the negativity and she is (obviously) right about it. But I think that if you don't like this books (which gives a lot of simple and general knowledge about managing money), it's just not for you! Is it really her fault you read a book about simple knowledge? No! You yourself should have got a book where you can learn more from. I feel extremely bad for Gemma is she read all those bad comments.
With the help of this book, I think I have grasped a better understanding of how to do things and spend money wisely, though all of her tips don't always have to apply to you. She says that if it's over your hourly rate (principle), then don't buy it. But sometimes it doesn't hurt to just spend a bit? Yeah, the main thing is about saving but don't forget that you got one life. Make it count and enjoy it. (I know she says the same, but I'm just saying)
May 21, 2023
This book isn't what i thought it would be, and I'm sorry I didn't like it at all. It's a blatant attempt to make a quick profit from those who might be struggling financial and desperate for proper advice.
There is no new information here, and some of the hints are veering into really cheeky territory. For example, sharing your food with your small children in a cafe so you don't have to pay for a meal for them. Really? In a cost of living crisis when small businesses are struggling and your small children will be taking up space paying customers could make use of? There are plenty of places offering 'under 12s eat free' deals without resorting to this kind of money grubbing behaviour.
The writing style wasn't to my taste and I found the attempt at being friendly and chatty fell flat and the padding was irritating as heck. The writer came across as superior and patronising.
My money saving tip is to not waste your £££ on this book. If you need money advice go to Citizen's Advice, or look for something by experts who know what they're talking about - Jasmine Birtles, Martin Lewis, or Alvin Hall.
Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.
There is no new information here, and some of the hints are veering into really cheeky territory. For example, sharing your food with your small children in a cafe so you don't have to pay for a meal for them. Really? In a cost of living crisis when small businesses are struggling and your small children will be taking up space paying customers could make use of? There are plenty of places offering 'under 12s eat free' deals without resorting to this kind of money grubbing behaviour.
The writing style wasn't to my taste and I found the attempt at being friendly and chatty fell flat and the padding was irritating as heck. The writer came across as superior and patronising.
My money saving tip is to not waste your £££ on this book. If you need money advice go to Citizen's Advice, or look for something by experts who know what they're talking about - Jasmine Birtles, Martin Lewis, or Alvin Hall.
Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2023
With the current state of the British economy there couldn’t be a better time for a book about saving money. This is written by Gemma Bird an Instagram influencer with over 333k followers (April 2023). Set out in seven parts it is aimed at empowering more women to take charge of their own finances. I felt it was probably aimed at the younger generation (I’m in my 60’s) but I still found it an interesting read and do think it could be helpful, particularly for anyone leaving home and about to embark on a life managing their own finances.
It’s easy to follow and easy to read and whilst a lot of it is common sense it does make you think. I also found Gemma’s own journey inspiring, she may not have been the best student but you could see she was always going to make something of herself. Good for you Gemma!
This is more than just a money saving guide. It’s a memoir of Gemma’s life, a thought provoking read and a guide for saving for the future, who thinks about pensions in their 20’s and 30’s? You should and Gemma does. Would I buy this for myself? No. Would I buy it for anyone in their teens - 30’s or anyone struggling to cope on their income? Yes.
It’s easy to follow and easy to read and whilst a lot of it is common sense it does make you think. I also found Gemma’s own journey inspiring, she may not have been the best student but you could see she was always going to make something of herself. Good for you Gemma!
This is more than just a money saving guide. It’s a memoir of Gemma’s life, a thought provoking read and a guide for saving for the future, who thinks about pensions in their 20’s and 30’s? You should and Gemma does. Would I buy this for myself? No. Would I buy it for anyone in their teens - 30’s or anyone struggling to cope on their income? Yes.
January 17, 2022
Book Review:
Money Mum Official - Save Yourself Happy - Gemma Bird
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book is great for anyone needing a few tips of how to rid themselves of their debts and improve their ways of thinking when it comes to spending. Think differently, save more.
Gemma Bird is just like you and I, and has taught herself great money values. She has worked from a young age and made a lot of sacrifices in order to save more and do better for herself. She is now currently mortgage free!!
As someone who has constantly had debt - I’ve been to university twice and since then have never been debt free or financially stable. I have taken on board Gemma’s tips and trying to implement them into my day to day life to pay off my debts and hopefully get some savings.
Just yesterday I went to the supermarket. I wrote a list beforehand and like Gemma advises, I stuck completely to my list. I wandered over to the clothes section, and before reading Gemma’s book I would have straight away bought Jacob some new clothes. But I instead browsed, picked up items but thought whether Jacob actually needed them and put the items back
Definitely recommend giving this book a read if like myself you need to help change your mind and focus around money 💰
Thank you to @moneymumofficial @octopus_books_ @randomthingstours for my gifted copy!
#bookreview #bookreviews #moneymum#saveyourselfhappy #moneymumofficial #nonfiction #goodreadschallenge2022 #goodreads #2022reads #ad #gifted #booktours #randomthingstours
Money Mum Official - Save Yourself Happy - Gemma Bird
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book is great for anyone needing a few tips of how to rid themselves of their debts and improve their ways of thinking when it comes to spending. Think differently, save more.
Gemma Bird is just like you and I, and has taught herself great money values. She has worked from a young age and made a lot of sacrifices in order to save more and do better for herself. She is now currently mortgage free!!
As someone who has constantly had debt - I’ve been to university twice and since then have never been debt free or financially stable. I have taken on board Gemma’s tips and trying to implement them into my day to day life to pay off my debts and hopefully get some savings.
Just yesterday I went to the supermarket. I wrote a list beforehand and like Gemma advises, I stuck completely to my list. I wandered over to the clothes section, and before reading Gemma’s book I would have straight away bought Jacob some new clothes. But I instead browsed, picked up items but thought whether Jacob actually needed them and put the items back
Definitely recommend giving this book a read if like myself you need to help change your mind and focus around money 💰
Thank you to @moneymumofficial @octopus_books_ @randomthingstours for my gifted copy!
#bookreview #bookreviews #moneymum#saveyourselfhappy #moneymumofficial #nonfiction #goodreadschallenge2022 #goodreads #2022reads #ad #gifted #booktours #randomthingstours
February 10, 2022
𝕄𝕠𝕟£𝕪 𝕄𝕦𝕞 official
Save Yourself Happy
By Gemma Bird
(Read in one sitting!)
As soon as I started reading this book it was like my own mother was talking to me as she too did and said all the things that Gemma mentions in this book about saving the pennies in the jar, watching your savings grow so you can afford those things that you need or want!
My mum was great with money and it's fab to read all of Gemmas tips.
She covers the basics starting with small changes to see those pounds grow, to looking at how you spend daily, weekly, and on what?
Clothes, fashion and beauty! We all do it but how much do we actually need it.
She covers the big stuff like getting in to debt, how to pay off loans and how to save for those huge events in life, babies, a deposit on a house and pensions.
Lots of good tips within the pages of this book.
If you are struggling with your money mindset then I would recommend it to you.
Gemma Bird also has a huge following @moneymumofficial
For more money saving advise.
Save Yourself Happy
By Gemma Bird
(Read in one sitting!)
As soon as I started reading this book it was like my own mother was talking to me as she too did and said all the things that Gemma mentions in this book about saving the pennies in the jar, watching your savings grow so you can afford those things that you need or want!
My mum was great with money and it's fab to read all of Gemmas tips.
She covers the basics starting with small changes to see those pounds grow, to looking at how you spend daily, weekly, and on what?
Clothes, fashion and beauty! We all do it but how much do we actually need it.
She covers the big stuff like getting in to debt, how to pay off loans and how to save for those huge events in life, babies, a deposit on a house and pensions.
Lots of good tips within the pages of this book.
If you are struggling with your money mindset then I would recommend it to you.
Gemma Bird also has a huge following @moneymumofficial
For more money saving advise.
April 24, 2022
I'm always looking for help to save money in a practical and no-nonsense way, and this book does help in that regard. Bird's instagram account and this book are filled with suggestions and ideas for how to save the pennies and the pounds, and generally they are all quite doable with the right mindest. I particularly liked the idea of equating something you wish to buy in relation to how much of your hourly wage it would be - a simple but effective way of realising whether your hard earned time and money is worth the purchase.
You can tell Bird is maintaining a positive mindest throughout the book, and trying to get her readers into the same, but some of her exclamations that it is easy, and debt can be avoided (relatively easily) etc might not sit well with those who find saving money much more difficult. Other than that, there should be some ideas here for everyone, and it is handy to have it all in one book in different headlined sections, as opposed to scouring the internet for same.
You can tell Bird is maintaining a positive mindest throughout the book, and trying to get her readers into the same, but some of her exclamations that it is easy, and debt can be avoided (relatively easily) etc might not sit well with those who find saving money much more difficult. Other than that, there should be some ideas here for everyone, and it is handy to have it all in one book in different headlined sections, as opposed to scouring the internet for same.
May 28, 2023
This is the perfect companion to The Money Journal - although this was published first.
Full of great advice and tips. I am pretty good with keeping on top of spending and saving - I have a fair few rewards cards already, but I still found helpful bits that I will start (and stop) doing.
There are great little pictures dotted throughout and I like the Money Mum quotes highlighted too. Also the glossary at the end is really helpful for those who haven't come across certain terms before.
The reason I knocked a star off was purely because there was nowhere really to start making plans - however, if the journal is used alongside this, then that's the perfect combination.
Overall, I'd recommend getting both of the books and following @moneymumofficial for more ways to save those pennies!
*I received a complimentary copy of the book from RandomThingsTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Full of great advice and tips. I am pretty good with keeping on top of spending and saving - I have a fair few rewards cards already, but I still found helpful bits that I will start (and stop) doing.
There are great little pictures dotted throughout and I like the Money Mum quotes highlighted too. Also the glossary at the end is really helpful for those who haven't come across certain terms before.
The reason I knocked a star off was purely because there was nowhere really to start making plans - however, if the journal is used alongside this, then that's the perfect combination.
Overall, I'd recommend getting both of the books and following @moneymumofficial for more ways to save those pennies!
*I received a complimentary copy of the book from RandomThingsTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
June 22, 2023
I’ve followed Money Mum (Gemma Bird) on Instagram for quite some time, and I’ve always loved her little saving tips and tricks, so I knew that Save Yourself Happy would be more of the same, and I can honestly say that it didn’t disappoint.
Set out in seven parts, each focusing on a different aspect of money/saving, this book covers everything from small changes to your daily/regular spending and how to earn a little extra cash on the side, to talking about debt and saving for the big things in life. Whatever you need, this book has it.
I’ve seen quite a few people complaining about this book, saying that a lot of it is common sense. Okay, yes, some of it is, but sometimes you need to hear things from someone else to take action on it. Also, just because it’s common sense to you, doesn’t mean it is to other people. This book caters for ALL, and I think that that is amazing!
Overall, I found this book insightful, informative, and written in a way that actually makes it enjoyable to read. I’ve already started making changes to the way I think about and spend my money thanks to this book! If you’re looking for something to help you with your money situation or the way you handle your money, the small expense of buying this book could save you so much in the long term, and I would highly recommend getting yourself a copy.
Set out in seven parts, each focusing on a different aspect of money/saving, this book covers everything from small changes to your daily/regular spending and how to earn a little extra cash on the side, to talking about debt and saving for the big things in life. Whatever you need, this book has it.
I’ve seen quite a few people complaining about this book, saying that a lot of it is common sense. Okay, yes, some of it is, but sometimes you need to hear things from someone else to take action on it. Also, just because it’s common sense to you, doesn’t mean it is to other people. This book caters for ALL, and I think that that is amazing!
Overall, I found this book insightful, informative, and written in a way that actually makes it enjoyable to read. I’ve already started making changes to the way I think about and spend my money thanks to this book! If you’re looking for something to help you with your money situation or the way you handle your money, the small expense of buying this book could save you so much in the long term, and I would highly recommend getting yourself a copy.
April 3, 2024
What a brilliant book, I'm trying to save up for a deposit for a house and this book gives great saving tips to do that. I save anyway but I will be looking into more what I can add extra to save, some of it I skipped as I don't have children, credit card or a car but I will focus more on vinted and suchlike to declutter more - although I already use charity shops a lot for second hand clothes rather than full price/brand new when I need something.
I will also look at my subscriptions, I do like my reading so have a KU subscription but maybe pause/cancel it for a bit. I don't really do designer things so already saving there but there is always more ways to save!
I like the idea of saving the change, in a jar or account, be good to see it build up and hopefully we'll get on the property ladder soon!
Well worth a read for hints and tips, thank you Money Mum!
I will also look at my subscriptions, I do like my reading so have a KU subscription but maybe pause/cancel it for a bit. I don't really do designer things so already saving there but there is always more ways to save!
I like the idea of saving the change, in a jar or account, be good to see it build up and hopefully we'll get on the property ladder soon!
Well worth a read for hints and tips, thank you Money Mum!
August 17, 2023
Full of tips
I’m fairly good with money (at least, I thought I was!), but I still got so much value from this book. It is chockablock full with helpful hints, tips and reminders about saving and spending money wisely, and it’s awesome to hear from somebody who:
1. Has actually lived and breathed their own advice as a way to becoming mortgage-free
2. Doesn’t have the ‘all or nothing’ mindset. It is still absolutely okay to enjoy yourself, have nice things and occasionally spend some money, just make sure you are doing it in the best way possible!
I really enjoyed this book. Thank you Gemma!
I’m fairly good with money (at least, I thought I was!), but I still got so much value from this book. It is chockablock full with helpful hints, tips and reminders about saving and spending money wisely, and it’s awesome to hear from somebody who:
1. Has actually lived and breathed their own advice as a way to becoming mortgage-free
2. Doesn’t have the ‘all or nothing’ mindset. It is still absolutely okay to enjoy yourself, have nice things and occasionally spend some money, just make sure you are doing it in the best way possible!
I really enjoyed this book. Thank you Gemma!
April 20, 2022
Before, I have never heard of the Money Mum Official, Gemma Bird. Still, I believe her to have quite a big following on Instagram. I like books about finance and saving that aren't too dry and boring, and this one fits in well.
There weren't a lot of ideas and tips that I didn't already know, as I am already a pretty money-savvy person. Still, I found this an easy-to-follow guide to help those who don't know where to start and how to cut back and save.
The book is divided into seven sections, which are easy to read through or dip in and out of the parts that interest you. Gemma Bird explains her story and how her saving started as a teenager, continuing throughout her life. She has always worked with the principle of spending some, saving some, a lesson my Granny always taught us. However, I am unsure how this would work effectively for a family on a tight budget or perhaps a single-parent family, as money is tight.
She makes a good point that talking about money more and removing some of the taboos surrounding money management would be helpful. However, I also think it's essential, to be honest, and say when you can't afford to do something or simply don't want to spend your money on something.
There are some excellent tips contained inside. Some of them I wouldn't want to necessarily follow myself (like buying the majority of your clothes in Primark, maybe I'm a clothes snob? Actually, I think perhaps I'm just a snob full stop!), but some others like finding your favourite brands cheaper online would be good. Getting email notifications for this would from eBay may also be helpful for some. But, generally, just the principle of buying second-hand would help many people.
I also liked the ideas around going through what you already have to see what you actually need to purchase. I already do this, but I find many people I know have many bottles of the same thing and still buy more either just in case they need some or think they have run out.
Not all the tips suit everyone, but I think there is probably something you haven't tried before that could help. It could also be beneficial for those in debt with some more fundamental ideas in a kind and friendly way where some books can be intimidating.
This isn't going to set your world on fire. It probably will have some things you already know or do, but I think most will find something helpful inside. It may also be worth looking at the Money Mum Official Instagram account to see what you can collect from there.
There weren't a lot of ideas and tips that I didn't already know, as I am already a pretty money-savvy person. Still, I found this an easy-to-follow guide to help those who don't know where to start and how to cut back and save.
The book is divided into seven sections, which are easy to read through or dip in and out of the parts that interest you. Gemma Bird explains her story and how her saving started as a teenager, continuing throughout her life. She has always worked with the principle of spending some, saving some, a lesson my Granny always taught us. However, I am unsure how this would work effectively for a family on a tight budget or perhaps a single-parent family, as money is tight.
She makes a good point that talking about money more and removing some of the taboos surrounding money management would be helpful. However, I also think it's essential, to be honest, and say when you can't afford to do something or simply don't want to spend your money on something.
There are some excellent tips contained inside. Some of them I wouldn't want to necessarily follow myself (like buying the majority of your clothes in Primark, maybe I'm a clothes snob? Actually, I think perhaps I'm just a snob full stop!), but some others like finding your favourite brands cheaper online would be good. Getting email notifications for this would from eBay may also be helpful for some. But, generally, just the principle of buying second-hand would help many people.
I also liked the ideas around going through what you already have to see what you actually need to purchase. I already do this, but I find many people I know have many bottles of the same thing and still buy more either just in case they need some or think they have run out.
Not all the tips suit everyone, but I think there is probably something you haven't tried before that could help. It could also be beneficial for those in debt with some more fundamental ideas in a kind and friendly way where some books can be intimidating.
This isn't going to set your world on fire. It probably will have some things you already know or do, but I think most will find something helpful inside. It may also be worth looking at the Money Mum Official Instagram account to see what you can collect from there.
June 4, 2023
This is a great book on saving money. Gemma's tone is light, informative and non-preachy. Her enthusiasm for saving money comes across and her tips are easy to understand and adopt into your everyday life (which I liked). It's well structured, covering different areas of people's lives e.g. pets, children, saving for a home and most importantly really easy to read. Highly recommended and I plan to read other titles by her as well.
January 5, 2024
This is a book with great tools and tips for anyone wanting to save money.
I read something similar when I was younger and have always been a big saver so it was great to read a book with extra modern tips.
Bird writes an easy read, which is informative throughout. I appreciated this more as I could relate to several personal goals and anecdotes.
This is one for any reader who likes to save or even likes to shop as money-saving tips are always welcome.
I read something similar when I was younger and have always been a big saver so it was great to read a book with extra modern tips.
Bird writes an easy read, which is informative throughout. I appreciated this more as I could relate to several personal goals and anecdotes.
This is one for any reader who likes to save or even likes to shop as money-saving tips are always welcome.
February 21, 2024
"Money Mum Official: Save Yourself Happy" is a candid and empowering guide that challenges the stigma surrounding personal finances. With practical advice and relatable anecdotes, the author encourages readers to take control of their financial futures. From everyday habits to long-term goals, this book offers actionable strategies for achieving financial freedom. It's a must-read for anyone ready to embrace financial empowerment and transform their relationship with money.
March 16, 2024
Interesting book, especially if you have no experience with savings. Is really basic with nice tips to start small and think twice before spending any money. Although I am a good saver myself I found couple of ideas I started implementing straight away and they are definitely working for me. The thought of how much money I make per hour and if whatever I want to buy worths my working time is a great trick to save money by not spending on things that you don't really need. I would love it to have some tips on how to grow effectively your money because only saving it doesn't make the trick these days with inflation rates so high. Overall a very good book to start saving and I would recommend it to anyone that wants to upgrade their life and their finances.
January 21, 2022
A brilliant book containing the kind of financial savvy that ideally would be taught in school.
At 52 years of age I consider myself pretty well versed in money matters but I still picked up a few new tips.
Easily digested. Modern. Attractively presented. Highly recommended.
My thanks to NetGalley and publisher for a digital copy in exchange for my review.
At 52 years of age I consider myself pretty well versed in money matters but I still picked up a few new tips.
Easily digested. Modern. Attractively presented. Highly recommended.
My thanks to NetGalley and publisher for a digital copy in exchange for my review.
June 12, 2022
I have to admit I didn't know who she was and there was a lot I already knew about. I would say it makes you look at the simple thing like your mindset when it comes to money because most people deal with banks online now and rarely cash which I find really difficult because I like the cash system and everything is paid by direct directs.
I liked the book.
I liked the book.
June 16, 2022
This was a really informative book, giving lots of tips and tricks for making your money go the extra mile. Gemma is down to earth and puts financial concepts that the everyday reader may not really understand, or be familiar with, into something real. This book is a wake up call, a teacher and a good friend.
January 20, 2022
Money Mum Official: Save Yourself Happy is an informative, relatable money-saving book with lots of achievable advice and tips.
The book is split into seven parts, discussing a variety of tips, tricks and information. These cover everything from savings to discounts and financial security.
Gemma Bird shares a lot of her personal journey with money in the novel which is refreshing to see. That element of realness and the feeling of relatability at points in the book makes it much more personal. I like her honesty and enjoyed her ‘voice’.
Her tips and tricks are sincere and most importantly doable. They don’t take a lot of time but will result in a lot of gain. An up-to-date, honest and open approach, with ideas that everyone can make use of.
The illustrations that are scattered throughout are a really nice touch and add to the books visual appeal. They add to the interest of the pages and also make for nice handy hints at what’s on the page if you’re flicking through.
I really liked the jargon dictionary which features in the back of the book. It’s a useful tool and helps explain some of the more unfamiliar words and money terms and their meanings.
Having no previous awareness of Money Mum, I come from a perspective of interest rather than solely affiliation to her Instagram. I have, since reading the book, started following Gemma on Instagram as she has further informative advice and ideas through her social platform.
I found the book to be a really good resource to have and one I can imagine myself referring back to time and time again. I’ll be starting to execute her advice with ‘no-spend’ days and going from there!
The book is split into seven parts, discussing a variety of tips, tricks and information. These cover everything from savings to discounts and financial security.
Gemma Bird shares a lot of her personal journey with money in the novel which is refreshing to see. That element of realness and the feeling of relatability at points in the book makes it much more personal. I like her honesty and enjoyed her ‘voice’.
Her tips and tricks are sincere and most importantly doable. They don’t take a lot of time but will result in a lot of gain. An up-to-date, honest and open approach, with ideas that everyone can make use of.
The illustrations that are scattered throughout are a really nice touch and add to the books visual appeal. They add to the interest of the pages and also make for nice handy hints at what’s on the page if you’re flicking through.
I really liked the jargon dictionary which features in the back of the book. It’s a useful tool and helps explain some of the more unfamiliar words and money terms and their meanings.
Having no previous awareness of Money Mum, I come from a perspective of interest rather than solely affiliation to her Instagram. I have, since reading the book, started following Gemma on Instagram as she has further informative advice and ideas through her social platform.
I found the book to be a really good resource to have and one I can imagine myself referring back to time and time again. I’ll be starting to execute her advice with ‘no-spend’ days and going from there!
February 19, 2022
Simple and inspiring!
I’m pretty savvy with money but even Money Mum gave some more tips to think about. She is brilliant and I have reactivated my Instagram account so I can follow her.
I’m pretty savvy with money but even Money Mum gave some more tips to think about. She is brilliant and I have reactivated my Instagram account so I can follow her.
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