I'm thrilled to make her the exception.
Her new book, A Sane Woman's Guide to Raising a Large Family,
This mom of 10 shares commonsense solutions:
- surviving laundry and the grocery store
- creative space making
- affordable activity and travel strategies
- raising likeable kids
Not surprisingly, Ostyn's take on frugality is a balanced look at what having a family does--and doesn't have to--cost.
"Kids grow fine sharing rooms, and God does fine at stretching budgets. In fact, I suspect he takes delight in surprising us with just how well he can provide."What I loved: this frugal perspective doesn't stop at the money chapter. Ostyn's inventive parent hacks cost little, but save a lot of energy.
What I learned: even a toddler can peel vegetables. I haven't been letting my kids work hard enough, and it's hampering their growth as individuals and as a team.
I have a FREE copy of A Sane Woman's Guide to Raising a Large Family to give away! To enter, leave a comment by Friday at midnight.If you have time, why don't you tell us one way that having a family has helped you save money?
339 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 339 of 339I'd love to read this book! Large families do everything better...because they have to. I always learn from them.
Looks great! I need all the help i can get with number five on the way......
I read her blog all the time and you did a great review.
We haven't spent money frivolously since I became a SAHM. I miss it sometimes, but being home is MUCH more important...
Before I had children (currently have 3 and we are adopting a sibling group of 3 or 5) I would not have been caught dead in a thrift store. . .now I go all the time! I also was not raised to cook or clean (we had someone to do that for us) I refuse to allow my daughters to become ignorant brides! I cook nearly everything from scratch now!!
I'd love to have this book - I have 8 living children and love to read how other mom's do "it"
thanks!
i would love to read this book!
Oooh, I'd love that book! Thanks for the giveaway!
I know this would be useful down the road!! Thanks.
Wow, look at all your comments!
Sign me up!
I would love a copy of the book. But how having a family saves me money? That I don't know. kids are expensive, even if I wouldn't trade them for the world. They have completed made me not want to eat out though, so there is a savings. Between having 4 kids, 1 who hates to leave the house, and 1 with severe food allergies, eating out is more hassle than it is worth.
As a busy, homeschooling mama of 8, this book would make a wonderful addition to my personal library!
Susan rsmanyblessings@hotmail.com
Sounds like a great book! I would lvoe to be entered into your drawing. I made the mistake as a mother of not letting my first born help me in the kitchen enough. Now as an adult, he doesn't have any confidence in himself and is still afraid of cutting himself with the paring knife. One of the things I wish I could go back and change. Thankfully, my second child has had more opportunity to help me and she will not have some of the same frustrations.tsjjcoy@yahoo.com
Being a parent has taught me to make do and make things last. For example, we have been eating out of our pantry for the past 10 days. Today, I was down to 4 chicken thighs, some limp celery, and carrots in the fridge. After a few minutes thought, I whipped up chicken and dumplings. Before I became a parent, we would have eaten out. Miss Kris
I love Owlhaven and would love to read her book. Thanks for considering me!!
I would love to read this book! We are currently pregnant with our 5th and learn new things every day! I too realize that my kids could and should be doing more to help out! I just need to find ways to implement it!
One way that we save money, is that we are always thinking about activities and ways to save money. I am not sure if that made sense, but for example if we want to go to the zoo, we stop and think about what time? Do we want to feed the kids lunch at home or pack a lunch? Is the admission worth the price of having all 4 kids and both parents go? I guess we just think things through a lot more!
Puleeeeezzzzee, pick me. Pretty please. :)
We try to save by buying in bulk and cooking in large quantities to freeze and heat up later!
TinaK
The book sounds great! I hope I win!
Having a family helped us decide for me to stay home which led to sweeter home life, even more homemade meals, and having one car.
ilovethemso @ yahoo . com
Having a family helped me save money... well it's harder to go out for dinner than it is to stay in! Actually, it's harder to go out. Period. So, more creative fun in our own home and yard.
I'd love to win a copy of this book--I've been trying for the past few weeks!
I would love this book!
I think having children takes the focus off of "things".
Priorities then fall into place and relationships and hearts are suddenly what really matters.
(Mama to 5 daughters and 1 son)
With my second son came allergies (to dairy, wheat, onions, to name but a few). Having to cook from scratch is healthier and also a big money saver.
Would love to read this book! We currently have three boys, I'd like at least one more baby, and we would love to adopt two more some day, God willing.
Having a family of 6 (4 children ages 7 and under) has helped me save money by being creative in the kitchen! I can stretch meals much further now, because I have too!
Would love to read this book for tips on how to manage my growing family!! Thanks for the give-away!
I'm always looking for "thrifty" ways to help stretch our family dollar! I would love to read this book! Best, Manda
I would love to read this book! I think having a family has helped us save money because it has made us more aware of our expenditures as well as helped us be on the lookout for a "good deal".
oh wonderful to know about whether i win or not, but please pick me, pick me! we are trying to decide now, whether to add to our family or not!
nicola
http://whichname.blogpspot.com
I have been reading about Mary's efforts at writing this book, and would love to win it!
Heather@psalm127.us
Ooooh, I could use this book! Thanks, Merideth!
Oh this is a book I need to read. I don't have a large family, but I know there's a ton I could learn from those who do.
oooooh, pick me!
I realized recently that we used to eat out a lot when it was just the two of us. Now that there are 7 of us, eating out is virtually non-existent! We save money purely because we go less places! You buy in bulk because it's a necessity.
Midnight where? It is Friday 10:08 here in my state! :D I would LOVE to win! I just found her and have been enjoying her!
If I leave enough comments of the blogs of you who are giving away copies I just might win one one of these days...
I would love to read this book, actually I would love to win this book. I could really use some very practical help right now.
Thanks For Making an Exception to Help Us,
Wendy
richshelpmate @ yahoo dot com
I need to read this book! we have 6 kids and I could use some inspiration. I love the quote that about God loving to showing us how he can stretch our budget isn't the truth, Its amazing.
I think with a large family you become frugal out of necessity and then it just become a way of life. Same with space a large family in a small house is close because they have to and then it becomes a way of life even if we have a whole room to watch a movie in were all bunched up together.
Carla
Nevada, MO
I'd love to win! Raising a large family has matured me....my children (8 of them) have given me the deep motivation to learn all the skills and talents I can to stretch our dollars. They are such a blessing.
As a mom to soon-to-be 8 little kidees, this book sounds perfect.
I find that when you are generous with God, He outdoes your generosity a hundredfold.
Blessings,
Mary Grimm
Having a large family paid off in a way I hadn't expected: financial aid for college was ABUNDANT for my first four, when the amount of children "at home" was greatest. My first six were able to go to a private, Christian college that I hadn't even *hoped* to be able to do.
sounds like a fantastic book!
i would love to win this book. while we only have two children now i believe God wants to bless us with more and i feel unprepared.
I'd love to be entered into your give away!
We're a homeschooling family & we have 4 girls. So we basically had no choice but to find a way to be more resourceful. My dh's paycheck just wasn't large enough for us to be lax in our choices & if I had gotten a job all of that would have went to pay daycare.
We now wouldn't go back to the way we use to be. Being frugal is a hobby & we all love it!
Mel
mommybirdto4girls at yahoo dot com
Count me in! I think God does delight in surprising us! :-)
This book sounds wonderful!
My kids save money by encouraging me to walk more. They're all about going by foot power so if we can walk to the store to buy some milk, why drive??
As a Mom of seven this book sounds like it would be right up my alley. I can use all the help that is out there! Please enter my name in your draw.
God Bless
Carolyn
Sounds like a great book even for those of us who only have 3 kids, or is that a large family?! :)
I could so use this book! We are a family of nine and save a lot of money because we never waste even a scrap of food. :) thanks for the give away!
I would love her book! I read her blog each day.
What a great giveaway!
Having a family has definitely changed my priorities. I use to waste money at Target like it was going out of style. Now I look for something used before I dare buy it first. I use consignment sales, Goodwill- wherever I can so that I'm not buying anything new.
my family is small, and though I'd LOVE to read Mary's book, I hope someone actively rearing a large family wins the drawing!
deb meyers
Count me in!
I would love a copy of this book; thank you for considering me!
Please enter me and thanks for the giveaway!
Please enter me
crystal_824@yahoo.com
We save money because I'm afraid to take 5 kids under 12 out anywhere. ;-) I go shopping much less, we eat out much less. Our kids also taught us to make sacrifices, so it is easier for us to do without things we don't really need, in order to save for the things we do.
right now, we are a two kid family - perfect, right? except my husband and I would like a larger family. I'm not sure how we are going to define "large" yet, but God has the plans. Right now, God is growing me in my jobs as homemaker, and teaching me about mothering the two I've got. I just wrote in my journal today that God is growing me in making my home a have and training my children (namely getting their hearts in the right place).
I'm sure this book would be a great encouragement and tool!
As a mom with 9 young children, I would love to read this book.
How does having a family help me save money? Well, supporting 11 people on one average income forces us to be conscious of every dollar spent.
Blessings,
Kimberly
We don't have what I would call a "large family" yet. I'm due with #5 this May. One way having 4 kids has saved us money is by preventing us from going out to eat often. Before getting married and having kids, we enjoyed the luxury of trying out new restaurants and returning to old favorites. Now, with 4 kids 6 and under, we wouldn't dare walk into a nice restaurant as it would be too expensive and our children probably wouldn't appreciate it as much. It's not worth it.
So when we do eat out, it's usually all you can eat buffets (with most of our kids being free) or fast food!
I'd love to win a copy of this! Having a larger family means we don't get to do a lot of "trendy" things but we do get to do a lot of things that cause us to bind together. We take drives and go hiking. We play at the park and go to the beach. We camp and do free factory tours. We play board games as a family and in general just enjoy the comraderie that comes with being a larger than average family.
First time commenter here, though I've been reading you for a couple of years.. thank you for all the beauty and inspiration. My oldest is nine, I'm expecting #6 soon, and this book looks wonderful! Having a family saves us money because I stay home! Cook from scratch, hang the laundry on the line, and like someone else said, we save because we have to. But these little people are worth more than any nice bank account! Please enter me!
burtndeb at juno.com
Just found out I'm pregnant with #4 - with my oldest being just 4. Still getting the hang of this big family thing, as we're looking around the corner at more.
Thanks!
jasonandrebekah @ yahoo
What a great sounding book! I have only two (though I'd love more) and I may just pick up this book - sound like it'd have great tips for any Mom!
Having a family has helped me save money simply because I've come to realize that sometimes my kids are happiest when we don't have to run 100 errands. Instead of taking them out for an activity somewhere in the evenings, many times we just stay home and put together a race track or build a tower of blocks.
Sounds like a great and helpful book! Would love to read it!
This would be a GREAT read with lots of useful info. Please include me in the giveaway :) Also, my kids save me money by being tax deductions! Let's clarify: I DID NOT have them for this reason!
Thanks so much for the giveaway! As parents, we are less given to impulsive, often unnecessary purchases.
Oh, looks like a great book! Having a family has made me realize how few material goods one really needs. And how fun it is to find a bargain on the necessities (clothes, food, etc.).
As the oldest of 11 (with two kids of my own and planning more) I would love to read this book. Of course I would then pass it on to my mom as there are still 8 kids at home. I'm sure we would both benefit from it. Thanks!
Enter me please!
Becky
online(at)curtis4him(dot)com
Wow! Meredith, you've a ton of comments here... I'd love to read this one.
Ohh! Just my sort of thing! I'm due with our 4th in 10 weeks and already getting "those comments" from complete strangers. Maybe she has a chapter with witty comebacks...
What a great find! Would love the book.
The book sounds wonderful!
Meredith,
One way I've found of stretching the food budget is to prepare say, chicken for example, and then make two or three different meals from it. I will also use the bones to make broth. Also saving celery tops etc. to add to the stock pot. Mmmmm! Please enter me in your drawing...I'm not sure I've ever won anything, but some day I might!
Thank you for all you do. You're a Blessing. Jen
Wow--I need this book! I totally agree with God taking delight in providing for us in what seems uncomfortable circumstances in the world's eyes.
I would love to read this book!
Having a large family has certainly helped my hubby and I save lots of money on entertainment...since we rarely have the opportunity to go out these days:)
Having a family makes me stay home more, thus saving me money! Lol...it also makes me realize that I don't need all that 'stuff' to be happy when I have a loving husband and three wonderful boys!
I am constantly challenged to only have and buy the essentials during this tight time of raising seven children. This assures that we will save money in lots of places, because there just can't be any extras bought.
Hope I win; the book looks great!
I would love to read this..we are now expecting number three. We have a hard time getting pregnant, but we're trusting God with our family size. Having a family has made me so much more aware of where my money goes....and where I want it to go. I'm much more careful now than I ever was.
~MItzi
mitzibarber at hotmail dot com
I would LOVE to read this book. My husband and I have four children and desire more. I need all the help I can get from moms of many.
I feel that having a family, no matter the size, can help save money by all pitching in and helping accomplish jobs that might otherwise need to be hired out. Even children can help rake leaves, pull weeds, hand tools or whatever is needed.
Thanks for your up-beat, helpful blog about saving money! I always enjoy your frugal tips. My family lives in an expensive city and to save money we try to shop at yard sales to clothe our children. Sometimes we get lucky and find name-brand items we otherwise could not afford!
Thanks for this giveaway opportunity,
J.Hamilton of Northern Virginia
Oh! How exciting! I am always learking. I have to get my daily fix. And I so need the info on making my children work more. (wink) Please enter me!
Carmen
Adams, TN
I love her blog! I can't wait to hear more about the book.
One way we've saved is on clothes for now five children. We've been able to pass along most of the clothes, and because I have more children to clothe, I take the time to hunt down bargains.
That book sounds just great we have 4 children
I would love to be in the giveaway.I am in need of all the info the book offers.corbett@aol.com
Blessings
Ann
I need this book! I just gave birth to my eighth!
We save money making our own laundry detergent. It's been quite successful!
I would love to read her book since I love her blog. We only have 2 children - 1 from Ethiopia, but we hope to grow larger! We spend less money now that I'm home with our children than when we had two incomes. It's all about priorities, and needs vs. wants.
Amy
I would love to win this book--thanks for this giveaway!
Having a large family has forced me to make more things from scratch to stretch our food budget. Having certain staples always available means that we always have food on hand, even if it does take a little more time to prepare. It is healthier and tastes better anyway!
I'd love to read this book. Having a family has helped us save money - the kids are teaching us to find joy in simple things, often these things are free! Like throwing rocks and leaves into a trickle of water in a drainage ditch by the playground. They think it's a nature adventure!
Would love to give this to my friend, who is pregnant with child #5. Thank you!
--Natalie D. from Nashville
Having a family has helped me save money because I've had to learn how to cook! When we first married, I wanted to learn but put it off, and we ate out a lot. Now that I've got four kids, a husband, and a father (and often company too!) to feed every night, I've had to learn how to make a lot of food inexpensively. My cooking skills have grown, I've learned to make almost everything from scratch, and we're eating more nutritious meals. And I can feed 7+ people for the price of a couple of us eating at the drive-through. :)
Meredith-
I check your blog almost daily. Your ideas and thoughtful sharing of your days are very encouraging. Although I 'only' have three children, one is 2 months old and I am finding it hard to find the time to do more frugal things. Thanks for the chance to win! Jen
i have time! having a family has saved us money by providing motivation to be more mindful about spending--and what you spend wisely and/or don't spend is like money instantly earned! i love it! selfishness gets the boot these days... good deal!
this book sounds wonderful; i'd love to check it out!
howmuchless@hotmail.com
Sounds like a great book!! I don't work outside of the home now, so now I am not tempted to buy over priced clothing and eat out all the time.
Elise
We are very frugal only shopping sells/clearance and second hand. Basic stuff but it works! Thanks
Amber
mtreposetransformers at hotmail dot com
Whoo Hoo!~Fun giveaway!
Hi, Meredith! It's been a long time, but I wanted to stop by & say hello! The kids are getting so big, and of course, as beautiful as always!
Before I had kids i would have enver dreamed of going to a garage sale or entering a thrift store. I had never thought about consigning my brand name, full price clothing as a way to earn more money and I certainly never cared about the clearance racks. I spend less now with 4 kids than I did when I was single.
I'd love to have that book. It's so easy to just do things ourselves when we should be training our children to put us out of work!
Thank you so much for this great offer! My husband and I have 4 kids ages 6 and under and are expecting #5 in October!
Having a family has helped us save money because we definitely eat in more!
We only have five children - lots of people tell us that's a large family :). Am I sane? Who knows! I would love to read Mary's book. Blessings to you and your family, Meredith.
Nyla-Jean, Kingston, Ontario
quilt.knightly@yahoo.ca
Is four children a large family? It feels like it to me.
Sounds like a fabulous book! What a lovely giveaway :)
Yes please! If I could grovel at your feet I would be. I have 5 kids, the eldest nine, the youngest 18 months, and I can't tell you how many nights I've been in tears lately over their lack of cooperation, respect and get-alongness. Please pick me, random selection! *grin*
This sounds like a great book! The way having children has taught me to be a little more frugal and to do what is right financially is just knowing that the children are learning from us. If we are responsible with what God has given to us and wise with our finances, we are training them correctly. If we whip out the credit card all the time and live above our means (don't get me wrong, we aren't perfect - at all!) all the time we are setting a really, really poor example. So I guess what I am saying is that knowing the lambies are watching us keeps us on the straight an narrow!
I'd love to win!
We have four children who are dearly loved. They have saved us money in that we do not feel pressured to give our children everything they want at the store. However, they do get lots of our time.
Lisa
lmw@friendlycity.net
Ooh, pick me!
Having a family has helped me to learn to save money by putting things in their proper perspective. I would much rather have the memories that we create as a family than the extra income I could be making at a job that would get eaten up by things that we truly do not need. It is not always easy, but all too soon they will be in college and this season of life will come to a close. I don't want to miss it.
Tasha
We're a family of ten and I can dearly use any and all help I can get as we travel down this road! Kim
What a lovely give away - though we are not a large family! God had different plans for us blessing us through adoption and one miracle baby! I'm sure some of the tips can be adapted to our situation, though. Also, we love large families and are blessed to befriend many, offering hospitality when are able.
I think my best money saving comes from not leaving home much - we are having so much fun right here at home, we don't need or have time to go shopping for anything other then the essentials! If you're not shopping you don't see those things you never knew you needed - less impulse buying!
I have been inspired to go the DIY route. In having a budget and a large family (7 children) I have pushed myself to do more from "scratch". I have enjoyed new found interests and skills that the kids and I can do together. Lori
We save money by eating at home. I buy food in bulk ...this helps loads.
Please count me in.
thanks for the opportunity!
Kimmie
mama to 7
one homemade and 6 adopted
The book sounds great. I hope I win.
mccataquet(at)comcast(dot)net
Sounds like a great book and I look forward to reading it (even if I don't win I'll add it to my list of books to read). I dislike books that sound good, but at the end you feel like you learned nothing. Having a family has helped me save money by making me reassess how I do things and every purchase I make. It makes me accountable for that coffee I would have bought, which I saved for by buying the cheap (i.e. not good for you) bread.
I saw a review for this book at "Rocks In My Dryer" and wanted it! Thanks for offering it.
I would love to read this book! Having more kids has given us a nice tax refund every year! Plus it is amazing how God provides clothes and other things as we need them!
Meredith, After being on the move from Maryland to Texas nad staying with family who is not frugal and doesn't understand why we have four children and desire more I can safely say that I am glad to be back online where I can get encouragement from all of my fellow sisters in Christ and get helpful hints from you all as well. I would love to have this book. Who knew that 9, 6, 2, 1nd and infant would make me so frazzled.
Sounds like great read!
We focus on free or very inexpensive activities, and not very many. One activity per child can add up to something every day!
For instance for music, our kids participate at school and church in the choirs or instrument ensembles. We also have family concerts, dance-a-thons and plays. So much fun & so very precious...
Thanks for the giveaway. Having 7 children has helped me learn how to delegate responsibilities (I was once a control freak), and also, I am more careful about how we manage our finances.
Wow, Meredith! 319 comments! This looks like a great book, and I really could use the help because I'm feeling like a disaster mom of three wonderful little boys. It's really not all that bad, though, they are great and we have a lot of fun. I totally agree about having children help -- I need to work on encouraging them to do it..... I have been doing it for them or letting a lot of things go undone.
How we save money? Well, we know that for the future several years we will not do any big travel, but we make the most of local memberships to the zoo and museum and it has been fantastic, educational entertainment / outings and a good value.
I am also passing down clothes from boy to boy and spending a heck of a lot less time shopping for anything for myself. That's OK! I don't need much!
I'd love to read it!
I would love to read the book--even though I don't have a big fa,ily, sounds like there is some practical info on stretching our budget in these tough times.
italiangal0628 at yahoo dot com
I would love to read this book!!!
Can't wait to read this book!
I have absolutely no idea what time your midnight is in my time zone, but if I'm not too late I'd love to be entered in the draw for this book.
It sounds like a gold mine.
I am a mom to only 2 daughters but grandma to 6 with one on the way! Both of my dd's could use any resources they can get to assist them in raising their lovely families. we learned a long time ago the value of a SAHM & saving money by doing it ourselves. We are able to shop better by always being on the lookout for one anothers needs. We talk frequently about what each one is needing/ lloking for & when we find it we are all so blessed!
These giveaways are so fun! I think one of the ways a family has helped me save money is that we eat at home more. It does tend to be cheaper in the long run and it helps us to enjoy each other more I think. It's difficult to eat out often with 4 little ones.
Having a family has helped me realize what the true difference of *needs* and *wants* is! What I used to think was a *need* was really a want. It has made me see life from total different prospective..my children depend totally on me for food rainment and clothing..true*needs*! If I don't provide who will? If I don't help my husband my making our money stretch to the best of my ability who will!
The book sounds really really neat Thanks for the chance at winning it!
Joy
Tn
I very recently found your blog and I'm enjoying all the tips you share. This book looks like it would be a great resource, thanks for sharing it! :)
I could use a little sanity right now! As for having a family helping me save, I don't spend quite as much money as I used to on myself!
I am a homeschooling mom with 3 kids and counting and would love to learn some great tips and hints!
April
Tyrone, GA
Saving money...that's easy! Stay home as much as possible! Hard to spend money from home, especially if you stay off the computer, too!
I'd love a copy of this book. :)
Wow count me in I need all the help I can get!
Carla
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com
Having a family makes me be more creative with my time and money--let's make crafts out of stuff we have at home instead of buying some expensive craft kit at the store, or let's make our own banana splits instead of paying triple the price at an ice cream shop--you can be creative, have fun, and still stretch every dollar!
renee
yeloechikee at hotmail dot com
Ack! I hate it when I miss a great giveaway. Oh well, guess it wasn't mean to go to me :)
Having a family has helped us save money in the "entertainment" department. Instead of travel, full price movies with $10 buckets of popcorn, and eating out 4 times a week...we're eating at our kitchen table to save money AND sanity. It's just not fun to eat out with kids these ages! Unless you count the very rare Chuck-E-Cheese acceptable adult entertainment (and I don't) :) And we do a weekly family movie night with $1 movies and popcorn popped on the stove.
And exercise? It's gone from expensive gym memberships to walking around the neighborhood with a wagon full of kids in tow.
I don't know those - lots of more wholesome frugal living going on here...but then there's the diapers, 5 gallons of milk each week, and clothes that just never seem to fit for longer than about a week, and a vehicle big enough to fit a family of 6. So there are tradeoffs, to be sure.
i would love to win this book. having a family helps me to save money by determining needs vs wants and learning to do some things ourselves instead of paying someone.
pat(douglassandpat@yahoo.com)
meredith - need your addy to send the goodies - :) lol!
latrice - (it was on my list for the week, and realized I hadn't checked it off!)
busted, i'm a sticky note list person.
What's a large family? Is 7 large? If so, I need this book!
I don't have a large family (been blessed with one child -- praying for more!) but I love Mary's blog! I bet her book has tons of advice for anyone who is a homemaker and raising children. Thanks for breaking the rules and doing this giveaway!
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