Book Note: The Money $aving Mom’s Budget

Personal finance guide

The Money $aving Mom’s Budget
By Crystal Paine
Gallery Books, 2012

Reviewed by Karna Converse

At first glance, the tagline for Crystal Paine’s newly-released guidebook seems to promise the stars: Slash Your Spending, Pay Down Your Debt, Streamline Your Life, and Save Thousands a Year. But after the first few pages, it’s clear that MoneySavingMom.com) as one of its five Savvy Spender Mom Blogs. Personal financial success, however, makes The Money Saving Mom’s Budget”>The Money $aving Mom’s Budget isn’t our usual fare of mama-centric literature. In addition to financial advice however, Paine’s book offers insight into the growing segment of Power Moms. These mamas, according to Nielsen Online, are between the ages of 25 and 54 and have at least one child. They make up nearly 20 percent of the online population and control 85 percent of household spending. They’re almost twice as likely as the average American internet user to provide online advice about parenting and purchasing issues. Power Moms also connect families, friends and mom networks through online social media (especially Facebook).

Paine’s success as blogger, and now as an author, is proof that the Power Mom is not only saving money, but speaking up and gaining a whole lot of followers.