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Living a Beautiful Life on Less: The Blissful and Domestic Guide to Food, Fun, and Finances
When her husband got out of the military, Danielle’s income dropped dramatically. Something had to change. Discover how her family of four survived happily on a $14,000 annual income with no debt—not even a mortgage. Their beautiful life on less could be yours! Learn to -Lay a financial foundation -Cut your grocery bill in half -Become a strategic shopper -Plan meals your family will love -Celebrate on a budget With practical tips and real-life examples, this book makes living on a budget fun! You don’t have to sacrifice to enjoy the life you want. You just need to make your money work for you!
- GenresNonfictionFinance
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2015
35 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 11, 2015
I was excited to read this book because, when it comes to finances, I'm always looking for ways to improve. This book is full of great tips and advice! I've heard many of them before and there are some things that I currently do and other areas that I need to work on.
The author starts with her personal debt story and how she felt during that time. She had to first admit there was a problem before she could make changes. She also was able to determine why she felt the need to shop. She tells her story to help others realize where she was and how far she has been able to come by slowly implementing the tips she shares throughout her book.
Budgeting is the theme of the book. She gives good tips on starting and implementing one and later on, gives tips for getting a wardrobe, celebrating and eating out on a budget. There's also a section where she shares her recipes for things like maple syrup, homemade whipped cream, homemade ice cream, dinner rolls, breads and much more where you can save lots of money and they taste better, too!
She shares ideas for 100 fun family night activities and a separate 100 date-night ideas for the year. Then at the very end, she shares her favorite homemade cleaner recipes, which I'm excited to try!
This book is an excellent resource with lots of great information in one place! I will share this with my children to help them understand money and finances while they're young. It's great for anyone struggling with debt who is willing to make some changes.
Mel's Shelves
The author starts with her personal debt story and how she felt during that time. She had to first admit there was a problem before she could make changes. She also was able to determine why she felt the need to shop. She tells her story to help others realize where she was and how far she has been able to come by slowly implementing the tips she shares throughout her book.
Budgeting is the theme of the book. She gives good tips on starting and implementing one and later on, gives tips for getting a wardrobe, celebrating and eating out on a budget. There's also a section where she shares her recipes for things like maple syrup, homemade whipped cream, homemade ice cream, dinner rolls, breads and much more where you can save lots of money and they taste better, too!
She shares ideas for 100 fun family night activities and a separate 100 date-night ideas for the year. Then at the very end, she shares her favorite homemade cleaner recipes, which I'm excited to try!
This book is an excellent resource with lots of great information in one place! I will share this with my children to help them understand money and finances while they're young. It's great for anyone struggling with debt who is willing to make some changes.
Mel's Shelves
November 13, 2015
Oh my goodness! Where do I start? I sincerely enjoyed this book! It taught me a lot of life skills that I wish teachers in high school and college would tell you! Danielle is an awesome mother of 2 and I'm 18 years old without a family to provide for. However, this book is for anyone of all ages! Her frugal tips definitely will stick with me and I will reference this book a million times in the future. Not only does she gets me excited to start my own little family, but I can start now to control my financial future.
I love the way she writes! Her voice is one of the main reasons I loved reading and was so hooked. Let me tell you, she has a way of getting you excited for meal planning, budgeting, getting out of debt, and more! I had no idea she even was on the Internet..(I'm definitely subscribing to her blog!) and I am so proud of Danielle for writing this book. This book was easy to read and I loved the different chapters and sections. They are blended together perfectly. Danielle knows how to be encouraging and leave an impression. She, once, went through a rough time financially! She knows exactly how it feels to have so much stress! I loved that she acted as my personal coach through this book. Nobody is perfect, but we can all try a little harder each day to reach our goals. Reading "Living a Beautiful Life on Less" makes me confident that I really can embrace living frugal. It's not about the fancy cars and the expensive restaurants, life is about spending time with the ones who matter most.
I love the way she writes! Her voice is one of the main reasons I loved reading and was so hooked. Let me tell you, she has a way of getting you excited for meal planning, budgeting, getting out of debt, and more! I had no idea she even was on the Internet..(I'm definitely subscribing to her blog!) and I am so proud of Danielle for writing this book. This book was easy to read and I loved the different chapters and sections. They are blended together perfectly. Danielle knows how to be encouraging and leave an impression. She, once, went through a rough time financially! She knows exactly how it feels to have so much stress! I loved that she acted as my personal coach through this book. Nobody is perfect, but we can all try a little harder each day to reach our goals. Reading "Living a Beautiful Life on Less" makes me confident that I really can embrace living frugal. It's not about the fancy cars and the expensive restaurants, life is about spending time with the ones who matter most.
April 28, 2016
While fundamentally basic, with notions such as building a price book and setting a budget, this book was encouraging none the less. I loved her pantry list and some of her ideas for family fun time or date night sounded great. The low cost recipes were pretty good too!
March 9, 2016
I liked the tips and tricks in this book. Nothing new to someone who has studied personal finance for years, but a quick engaging read nonetheless.
February 24, 2024
you talk about being poor but say you grew up with a maid. all the quotes in your book are from sermons in utah from 1998. your husband proposed six months after you first met. your favorite drink is diet cream soda. i know what you are. say it out loud. say it. MORMONNNNNNNN
February 19, 2018
Nothing new as far as frugal living goes, but still encouraging and relatable. Like myself, Danielle is part of an LDS military family.
January 3, 2019
Good for newbies.
September 21, 2020
Good information.
November 11, 2015
The author has done a fine job of documenting her efforts to live a ‘frugal life’. Danielle Wagasky, the founder of her ‘Blissful & Domestic’ blog, writes in a warm, encouraging, casual style. She includes loads of anecdotal evidence about her challenges, successes, and failures in making and staying on a budget, finding deals when shopping, and saving money in many imaginable ways. Her candor about her struggles is refreshing and inspiring.
The author is a proponent of couples making all financial decisions together. “We talk about the money we are going to spend so that we are both aware of where our money is going.” (page 19). She also suggests to singles that they plan ahead and know what their individual financial goals are to avoid falling into debt.
Making a budget and sticking with it is the first technique to use to live a beautiful life on less. The author suggests such things as budgeting in a certain amount of money for holidays and birthdays by saving a set amount for each throughout the year. Her family does not eat out or get take-out unless it’s in their budget. She suggests saving for unplanned events such as car repairs, dental/medical bills, and appliance repairs.
I enjoyed the author’s many personal examples of discipline when it comes to spending. Carry cash when shopping for Christmas and birthdays and when you’ve spent the cash, that’s it—no more shopping! The Wagasky family does without cable television because of all of the ‘wasted’ channels no one in the house ever watches. Instead they watch movies and shows on their computer. Her family doesn’t have a landline because they use their cell phones for their communication needs. Instead of buying books, they borrow books and media materials from the public library.
The author gave many suggestions for how families can cut their grocery bill in half. Once again, set a budget and stick to it, make a master shopping and pantry list and stick to it, use coupons and grocery ads to plan your shopping trip, and the old favorite—never go grocery shopping when you’re hungry!
Danielle generously shares some of her family’s frugal recipes with readers, encouraging readers to make dishes from scratch rather than buying convenience ingredients or processed foods. She cautions readers about the high cost of wasting food by throwing out spoiled or leftover foods. Rather than dumping the leftovers, her family has a ‘leftover night’ where everyone gets to pick anything they want to eat and move to the living room to eat together while watching a movie.
The author encourages people to become creative by learning to sew and craft. She made dresses for her little girl by using pillowcases purchased at the local thrift shop. She makes herself some skirts by buying sheets (or fabric) at the thrift shops. She makes decorations for parties and holidays by using materials in her craft supply stash.
I found this book to be a valuable resource for people in all stages of life. It would be a fantastic guide to share with teens in high school or young adults at a community college. Many people don’t learn how to budget or manage their money from their parents, and this book is filled with sound tips that will guide and instruct individuals in search of some hands-on training.
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NOTE FROM REVIEWER: I was given a paperback copy of this book for free from the publisher, Cedar Fort Books, in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own. I was not compensated in any manner for posting my review here or on any other site.
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The author is a proponent of couples making all financial decisions together. “We talk about the money we are going to spend so that we are both aware of where our money is going.” (page 19). She also suggests to singles that they plan ahead and know what their individual financial goals are to avoid falling into debt.
Making a budget and sticking with it is the first technique to use to live a beautiful life on less. The author suggests such things as budgeting in a certain amount of money for holidays and birthdays by saving a set amount for each throughout the year. Her family does not eat out or get take-out unless it’s in their budget. She suggests saving for unplanned events such as car repairs, dental/medical bills, and appliance repairs.
I enjoyed the author’s many personal examples of discipline when it comes to spending. Carry cash when shopping for Christmas and birthdays and when you’ve spent the cash, that’s it—no more shopping! The Wagasky family does without cable television because of all of the ‘wasted’ channels no one in the house ever watches. Instead they watch movies and shows on their computer. Her family doesn’t have a landline because they use their cell phones for their communication needs. Instead of buying books, they borrow books and media materials from the public library.
The author gave many suggestions for how families can cut their grocery bill in half. Once again, set a budget and stick to it, make a master shopping and pantry list and stick to it, use coupons and grocery ads to plan your shopping trip, and the old favorite—never go grocery shopping when you’re hungry!
Danielle generously shares some of her family’s frugal recipes with readers, encouraging readers to make dishes from scratch rather than buying convenience ingredients or processed foods. She cautions readers about the high cost of wasting food by throwing out spoiled or leftover foods. Rather than dumping the leftovers, her family has a ‘leftover night’ where everyone gets to pick anything they want to eat and move to the living room to eat together while watching a movie.
The author encourages people to become creative by learning to sew and craft. She made dresses for her little girl by using pillowcases purchased at the local thrift shop. She makes herself some skirts by buying sheets (or fabric) at the thrift shops. She makes decorations for parties and holidays by using materials in her craft supply stash.
I found this book to be a valuable resource for people in all stages of life. It would be a fantastic guide to share with teens in high school or young adults at a community college. Many people don’t learn how to budget or manage their money from their parents, and this book is filled with sound tips that will guide and instruct individuals in search of some hands-on training.
----------------------
NOTE FROM REVIEWER: I was given a paperback copy of this book for free from the publisher, Cedar Fort Books, in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own. I was not compensated in any manner for posting my review here or on any other site.
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April 12, 2016
I have been delving into the art of minimalism which inevitably leads to budgeting. I found this book through several youtubers who vlog regularly on these subjects. Since I have spent some time educating myself on this stuff, I didn't learn much of anything as far as new tips are concerned. While I think the author is good intentioned with her tone, I didn't like it. Perhaps if I were a mother I'd have appreciated it more. She refers to her "hubby" and "munchkins" a lot. The book was also riddled with cliched statements. The author is not an ignorant person, and I think she could've written the sentiment of these tired cliches in her own words. Also, I didn't find it helpful as far as having a load of student loans to pay back. This author basically had only credit card debt.
October 20, 2015
I can't believe everything I am all ready doing!
This is a very informative book I learned a lot. I even learn that I am doing a lot of things in this book and didn't even realize it.
This is a great book for anyone that wants to stretch their paycheck.
As a cook in a restaurant I am not a fan of her advice to share a meal. Every time a meal is shared it takes away from those who cook and serve it. You can pay for two meals and get four by taking some home with you. If you order the right thing on a menu you can even end up with two or three meals from the leftovers.
This is a very informative book I learned a lot. I even learn that I am doing a lot of things in this book and didn't even realize it.
This is a great book for anyone that wants to stretch their paycheck.
As a cook in a restaurant I am not a fan of her advice to share a meal. Every time a meal is shared it takes away from those who cook and serve it. You can pay for two meals and get four by taking some home with you. If you order the right thing on a menu you can even end up with two or three meals from the leftovers.
November 6, 2015
Effective Ideas for Financial Freedom
Although she really doesn't give any new tips, Wagasky is an engaging writer and readers can learn from her first-hand experiences as she recounts her journey to financial clarity. You will finish this book believing that you, too, can live on less while having a more rewarding life!
Although she really doesn't give any new tips, Wagasky is an engaging writer and readers can learn from her first-hand experiences as she recounts her journey to financial clarity. You will finish this book believing that you, too, can live on less while having a more rewarding life!
February 8, 2016
Easy read and like her writing style.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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November 4, 2015Highly recommend. Review coming on Friday.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews