The 30-Minute Money Plan for Moms: How to Maximize Your Family Budget in Minimal Time

by Catey Hill

Financial expert Catey Hill shows moms how to spend less and save big in this savvy guide where each step is designed to take 30 minutes max.

Let's face it, kids are expensive--in 24 states, daycare actually costs more than in-state college tuition! And the older kids get, the more you will spend. Every mom could use more money. But who has hours to search for coupons just to save a few dollars? And sure, you know you should learn how to get the most of your 401k, but when will you possibly find the time?

Luckily, financial expert Catey Hill has created smart, simple strategies to help you maximize your money in minimal time (yes, even your 401k). Drawing on extensive research and exclusive studies on the actual cost of raising a child at each age, she'll show you how to save in each area of your life, including practical tips on:

Shopping second-hand vs. what to buy new and where
Lowering your grocery bill (without coupons!)
Building up a college fund
Dealing with high interest credit card debt
Saving on insurance

Best of all, these tips are designed to be done in less than half an hour, and the few things that might take a little longer are broken down in 30-minute segments. Catey will even guide you through a one-time five-step process that will allow you to manage all your bills, keep an eye on the family budget, and build savings for that dream family vacation in just 30 minutes a week, so you can stress less and enjoy your life more!

Genres: Nonfiction, Finance, Parenting, Self Help

288 pages, Paperback

Published April 24, 2018

About the author

Catey Hill is the money editor for the New York Daily News online. Previously, Catey was the marketing manager at Plum TV and the author of The Plum Wealth Report, a specialized blog focusing on the purchasing behaviors of affluent consumers. She first realized her need to kick her shoe habit and get her finances in order when working as the financial marketing manager for Forbes magazine. Catey resides in New York City.

Watch a short video about Shoo, Jimmy Choo! here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLkTPb...

Reviews

[Lorilin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts with a slightly annoying "you go girl!" introduction. I'm not sure if author Catey Hill means for this book to be read solely by 20-something mothers, but I definitely feel like she talks down to her reader. She says things like, "Okay, I know you are probably still feeling like [budgeting] is way too big of a task to undertake...But I know managing your money smartly is totally doable... I'll show you how. I swear, it won't bore you to death or totally freak you out." Totally freak me out? I had a baby, not a lobotomy. I don't know, can't we just assume that the 21st-century woman is capable of getting her financial ish in order without feeling bored or freaked out?

Moving on...

The first 170 pages is all about money-saving advice. From food to childcare, eduction to vacations, Hill gives a surprisingly large number of mostly helpful tips for saving money. To be fair, some of the advice is pretty ridiculous. For example, she encourages moms to "Shop a grocery store by first walking left instead of right; annual savings:  $100." Huh? That doesn't even make sense. How is that "savings" even calculated? Or how about "Eat a kids meal when eating out for dinner. You'll save money, and you'll eat less, too!" Yeah, nope.

But some things I do like about this section. Her average cost lists by state are interesting. I have three kids of my own, and I know exactly how much we pay for kid expenses. But I was surprised---and relieved---to see that our overall spending (in areas of childcare, education, and basic supplies) is average for our area.

I also think her advice for decreasing costs during vacation are very helpful. And I love the section on teaching kids gratitude. I put that advice to work right away.

The second part of the book is a step-by-step guide to getting your finances under control in 30 minutes or less per week. The milestones Hill wants her readers to achieve are:  1) manage living costs, 2) pay down debt, 3) get the right insurance, 4) build up emergency savings, and 5) build up long-term savings and retirement. This section reminds me of (many) other finance books I've read, including The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey and The 10 Commandments of Money by Liz Weston, two of my favorites on the subject. Hill doesn't add much to the conversation, so this section will only be applicable to beginners.

Overall, this book didn't wow me, but there was just enough good advice to keep me interested. If you're a finance pro, you'll want to skip this one. If you're just starting out, my advice is to stick to Dave Ramsey and Liz Weston's books.

Thanks to Center Street and Amazon Vine for the ARC!

See more of my book reviews at www.bugbugbooks.com!

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good, even great advice on saving money.

However, I don't agree when the author suggests (p. 22): "If you only do one thing to save on food costs, do this" -- which is (drum roll): "Avoid food shopping at the grocery store when possible."
She goes on to suggest you shop at Costco, Sams and Target. Ehhh.

I've been price matching my grocery items for the past 15 years and know for a fact Target's prices are higher than my local grocery store by quite a bit. (eg: gala apples for $2.00/lb when my local grocery store ranges from 50 cents/lb to $1.25). Furthermore, Costco & Sams do not always/often have lower overall prices. They do on their rotisserie chicken ($4.99) and milk ($1.50/gal) but on most other items, they are higher than my local grocery store.

[Jess Macallan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was initially intrigued and a little skeptical of the title of this book. 30 minutes to get my money in order? I can't even get my kids out the door that fast. Thankfully this book delivers a lot of savvy, reasonable advice every parent needs to read. I've read a lot of finance books and was happy to see this one doesn't throw out the tired (and ridiculous)tip to simply end your daily latte habit and boom, instant money for debt payoff and savings. Instead, the author outlines areas parents can evaluate to see if they can save money, and how to tackle the initial challenge of organizing your finances so you can spend your weekly 30-minute check-ins making sure you're on track.

This book is written for busy moms and covers plenty of topics we need to know, and a few that might surprise you. And I love that she addresses mom guilt and gives readers permission to prioritize in a way that keeps our relationships with our kids AND money healthy. It's comprehensive for all areas of finance including saving, paying off debt, college, retirement, investing, and more. I like that she keeps it simple--no complicated charts or calculators, just simple lists so readers can see the information in black and white. The initial steps might be painful, but being able to devise a plan for your money goals is necessary and empowering.

I recommend this book for moms who are ready to take charge of their financial future without sacrificing a lot of time in their already busy schedules.

I received an e-copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Wendi Lau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carey Hill wanted to show busy, regular moms how to cut costs, budget, and save on a weekly basis. Two useful tips are don't buy food from grocery stores since warehouse and big box stores are cheaper, and don't feel bad for not splurging on stuff for your kids because experiences matter most to them anyway. Her matter-of-fact, friendly tone made the book a quick read. She also includes apps and websites useful to comparison-shop clothes, vacations, insurance, contractors, and more. Hill is specific about the amount of money changing certain habits can save and how to save on a weekly basis for larger, long-term goals.

Bad news, according to Hill, my teens cost more than $14K each per year. $50 per week per kid in food explains our $150-$200 food bill! Her estimates are mostly accurate, listed by major cities. Only extracurricular estimates were low, very low. These specific child-rearing expenses would be useful information for a budgeting class in school. Overall a very helpful read.

[Joyce Wheeler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is broken down into easy to manage sections, offering sound advice and some resources to further the concepts presented. Moms with infants to college age children are all addressed. The formula is typical of most money management books the difference is in the way it is presented so that it seems less daunting than a lot of others I have read, I am looking forward to using some of the techniques and sites offered in making sounder financial choices.

[Brianna Sholly · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started out well and I learned a few tricks to saving money (hello, freezing extra tomato paste) but as it went on, I didn’t gain a lot since I already budget and have paid off my debts. It’d be a good book for beginning budgeters but wasn’t very useful for those already budgeting.

[Stephanie Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical advice

[GONZA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the very explained tips and tricks to same money cannot be used outside U.S. unluckily, I will use and save all the other suggestions to make my own money plan so not to starve when I will be old. Problem is that I cannot find a job in the mean time....

Alcuni dei trucchi e dei suggerimenti che l'autrice offre e spiega molto chiaramente in questo libro, purtroppo non sono applicabili fuori dagli Stati Uniti, ma tutti gli altri li useró per stabilire una mia accurata pianificazione in modo da non morire di fame in vecchiaia, il problema principale peró, resta il fatto che non riesco a trovare un lavoro nel frattempo....

THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!