A Great Read!

For all of the moms reading this blog, here is a review of a great resource I found through the TOS website.

I just received a copy of Molly's Money-Saving Digest, a TOS e-book, and have thoroughly enjoyed it! The issue I have is the January 2010 issue. It is packed full of information that has been incredibly useful for me. Molly Green outdid herself with this issue. The theme of the January issue is "Evaluate, Prioritize, Organize." All of the articles are geared to that theme. The first article is entitled "Begin with the Basics." It is a pie-making lesson complete with beautiful pictures, step-by-step instructions for making pie crusts in several different varieties, and recipes. I am keeping this article in a safe place because I really have trouble making a good pie crust. This article is so basic and simple that even I will be able to make a good pie! Molly even includes a short description about how to incorporate a math lesson with pie-making.

Next, Molly gives some money saving tips by listing items that typically go on sale during the month. This is a great tool to have on hand before a shopping trip. I am all about saving money. She also includes a list of some interesting holidays and themes for the month of January. I can see how these could be incorporated into our school with some fun unit studies and field trips. I can't wait for National Popcorn Day and Chocolate Cake Day (shouldn't that be everyday?)!

Several forms useful for bill tracking and budgeting are included in this issue. The timing couldn't have been better for me. These forms are very well laid out and easy to use. I would have liked them to be Word documents instead of .pdf so I could customize them for my own needs; however, they have served the purpose for my family as they are quite nicely. I have been in the middle of Spring cleaning at our house and the forms included for clothing inventory have been extremely helpful. I am using the calendar and planning pages also. They are pretty and fit nicely into my organizer notebook.

I think two of my favorite sections were the "Feathering Your Nest Frugally" and the Recipes. I loved the craft ideas presented and plan to use them in my home. There is one idea for displaying scripture verses around the home that is really unique and inexpensive. I am working on that project now. The recipes are delicious. I haven't had a chance to try all of them, but what I have tried my family loved. I appreciate the grocery list that is included with the recipes. That makes shopping for the menus so much easier.

Finally, Molly has included an article about evaluating, prioritizing, and organizing. I must admit I am not the best at prioritizing or organizing in my home. With six children things can tend to be a bit hectic at times. Her article has helped me see the importance in evaluating our home with regards to time, money, and belongings (thus the Spring cleaning has begun).

Thank you Molly for giving a short article about Amy Howard. I love to read people's stories so I can relate to them and their work on a more personal level. It helps to know that I am not the only one trying to live frugally and productively with a large family. Thank you, too, for including links to web sites referenced in the articles so I can do more extensive reading if I choose to do so.

Overall I would say Molly's Money Saving Digest is a must have for mom's, home schooling or not. For such a reasonably priced e-book you really get an abundance of information. The ideas and concepts presented are thoroughly researched and presented in easy-to-understand articles with lovely pictures.