Disclosure: Family Christian provided this review/giveaway. The post and giveaway form contain affiliate links. Opinions shared are mine.
See this banana bread? It’s all because of Mary Hunt.
Well, kind of. I’ll explain more about the banana bread in a moment. In the meantime, I read this amazing book called Live Your Life for 1/2 the Price by Mary Hunt. In this book, Hunt describes the shift in mentality that needs to happen for a person to live beneath his/her means. She strongly spoke to me about that bad habit I have of spending WAY over my budget at the grocery store. Even with a list and a handful of coupons, I have a tendency to overspend. Mary’s math made things much easier for me to stick to my guns this week. Those of you who are already frugal by nature might be rolling your eyes, thinking that you’ve always done this. Although I’d venture to say there’s still something of worth in this book for you, Live Your Life for 1/2 the Price is intended to reach those who live paycheck to paycheck, not drowning in debt but not swimming in money either. Those who want to feel more secure in case of an emergency, who want to give more, and who want to spend less — that’s the perfect audience for Mary’s book. It would also be a wonderful guide for young adults, newlyweds, or a couple starting a family. Do you fall in any of those categories?
Life Your Life for Half the Price serves as an excellent “how-to” guide for those who want to start saving more. Even if you just pick up one best practice from her book, it’s worth it! I liked Mary’s perspective on real-life situations. She’s not a die-hard frugal person. She’s reasonable about the idea that you might need to pick up a bucket of chicken on the way home; otherwise, your kids might have to eat the family pets. Mary just gives some ideas to keep it cost-effective.
So, you see, last week, we had “The Big Snow”. I went on TWO shopping trips to stock the cabinets, fridge, and freezer (once before The Big Snow and once afterwards). That’s what people do before a storm, right? Since it wasn’t possible to get out to the store while we were snowed in, I was grateful to have that stocked pantry, but to be honest, I still had plenty left for this week. Then “The Second Big Snow” hit this week! So now we’ve been holed up in the house for nearly 2 straight weeks due to snow. However, instead of buying more food and a bunch of pre-packaged snack foods, I used up some of the stragglers we had from last week. I had enough left in the fridge to make soup, zucchini muffins, and the banana bread you saw in the photo above. It was a great snow day activity, we were full of yummy food, and my kids ate zucchini. Thanks, Mary Hunt, for reminding me that my family gets to decide how we spend our money, and not to let our money spend us!
It’s nice to have a little bit in reserve, isn’t it? One lucky reader will win a $25 Family Christian appreciation certificate. You could pre-buy this book, and still have some left to buy gifts for the kids, or perhaps a pretty new scarf for yourself. Mary Hunt would be proud of you for stocking that gift closet! The giveaway is open to US readers ages 18+. Void where prohibited by law. Good luck!
I would get The Legacy Journey by Dave Ramsey. I just read his Total money Makeover book and I’d like to read this one as well.
I’d like a Janetbasket filled with lots of good music like Jeremy Camp’s newest CD.
I would like the NIrV Backpack Bible -Blue LeatherSoft w/ Cross. I’ve heard good things about this version and would like to try it.
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
I would put it towards the 3D Wall Clock – Everything Has Its Time. That’s my favorite verse 🙂
I would buy the David Crowder Band 3-Album Collection. I love David Crowder!
I would buy the new Jeremy Camp CD!! Or an awesome T-Shirt!!!
I also like the Get Yourself Organized Project book. 🙂
I’d get some new Christian music or a new DVD
I would love the left behind dvd.
The Brave Girls Bible Stories would be great for my granddaughter.
I would get the Francesca Battistelli ‘Free to be Me’ Fitted Women’s Tee.
I would get the Max Lucado devotional for children. This link:
I would buy the Adventure Bible for kids.
I always need incetive charts and I like the Christian symbol incentive chart. 🙂
I’d get the Total Makeover book by Dave Ramsey.
I just found out my mom hasn’t seen Dolphin Tale. I think she would like it, and I would like to get it for her.
I would probably get one of the cool t-shirts on their site. One of the Amazing Grace shirts.
I would get the last 2 books he wrote in the “Great Lives” series. I have all of them but Paul & Jesus. Thanks for the great giveaway!
I would get my granddaughter Max Lucado’s 365 devotions devotional.
I’d love to get my kids The Action Bible.
I would buy the I Will Follow: Deluxe Edition CD
I want this book: Live Your Life for Half the Price Mary Hunt
Thanks for the contest.
I’d like a Closer Two Mile Walk by Leslie Sandstone DVD
I’d love a copy of I, Saul
The American Bible Challenge was a great show, and the game would be fun to play.
I am looking at new Bibles for 12 year old son.
One thing I would love to get would be Jesus Calling: Deluxe Edition by Sarah Young. I would have to say something for the kids with the rest.
Jesus Calling is such a fantastic devotional, Dee. Great choice!
I also like the ESV journaling Bible. 🙂
I would buy a copy of the book I, Saul
They are having a shirt sale, and it would be great to get shirts for family like the Amazing Grace Adult Unisex T-Shirt.
I also like the Stronger Than You think Journal.
I like their shirts
i would really like a copy of the book I, Saul!
Bible Find It would be a good reference book to have.
My kids have been wanting their own Bibles, so I would put this toward that.
I would love to get a copy of the book I, Saul
The Find It in the Bible: Lists, Lists, and More Lists sounds like a good reference book. Think I will see if our library has it for now.
I would buy the Max Lucado’s 365 devotionals for kids book.
I’d get the new Jeremy Camp CD and maybe a few cards.
My granddaughter makes up her own jokes. She needs a good, clean joke book. They offer several like the Big Book of Laugh Out Loud Jokes for Kids.
We are fans of joke books, too!
I would get the Love Cross Plaque – 6 3/4″ x 9″ by Lighthouse Christian Products
http://www.familychristian.com/promotions/sale-apparel/797-select-tees.html
I’d get the dvd When the Game Stands Tall
It would be nice to own some of the movies we’ve seen on TV.
I would buy a new Bible for my son. Thank you
I would buy the movie Unbroken.
I would purchase Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear
Max Lucado.
I want to buy the book you reviewed here on this page.
I would get the Coral Amazing Grace Bible Cover.I have always wanted one.
I would love to get the Croc-Embossed Purse Style Bible Cover in Burgundy.
I want to buy Live Your Life for 1/2 the Price by Mary Hunt.
I would love to buy this book. I would also like to get a bible for my grand kids, or a bible story book for them.