If you have been a reader of my blog for any length of time you may remember that I am a HUGE fan of the sweet and inspiring lady behind the Money-Saving Mom blog. Crystal Paine is nothing short of amazing and I am constantly inspired by her to keep focused on my goals. Crystal blogs on a variety of topics from saving money (obviously) to setting and achieving goals to parenting to having a strong faith.
I had the privilege of getting to meet Crystal in-person last year. If you are a blogger, you might understand what a big deal this was as she is a blogging super-star. Her blog gets millions of hits EACH MONTH and I couldn’t believe my good fortune that I was able to meet her with a few other ladies in my home-town. We enjoyed several hours of conversation at a Starbucks in downtown Indianapolis and Crystal was so incredibly down-to-earth and generous. It was a great time.
As a result of THAT meeting, I was able to do a review of her new book, Money-Saving Mom’s Budget, published in January of this year, on my blog. You can read the full-review I did on the book here. It was one of my most-viewed posts ever and Crystal was sweet enough to mention it on her Facebook page with over 150,000 followers. She sure does know how to make a girl feel special.
Today, I am so glad to have yet another opportunity to review Crystal’s work. Last year Crystal did an awesome series on her blog called, “21 Days to a More Disciplined Life”. It was such a hit that she re-wrote it, expanded it and has now released it, TODAY, as an e-book. Like everything else Crystal does, her newest e-book is EXCELLENT.
I’ve mentioned on the blog before that The Chick Magnet and I are debt-free and really strive to live a lifestyle of simplicity and frugality in order to reach the financial goals we have for our family. It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this point, and we still struggle with being disciplined all the time. One thing I was really surprised by, when I reviewed Crystal’s first book, was how much saving money and reaching financial goals was like losing weight.
This new e-book is no exception to that idea. If the process of losing weight is about ANYTHING, it’s about discipline. Sometimes I think about all the work and all the difficult decisions we have had to make to get to the point of being debt-free and think if I can apply that same intensity and determination to my weight-loss efforts, why in the world would I not be successful? Indeed, I would be.
I talk a lot about the emotional issues that are involved in weight-loss-those issues are no less real in how we manage our money. Money management and living frugally require self-sacrifice and the ability to say “no” to oneself and practice self-control. Sounds an awful lot like what it takes to be successful at weight-loss doesn’t it?
Crystal talks about all this and more in her latest e-book. She reminds us that discipline is a CHOICE we make. I was struck in the very first chapter when she admitted this and took a hard look at her situation and realized that wherever she lacked discipline in her life SHE was the problem.
The same can be said of weight-loss. It is no one else’s fault that I am in the situation I am in. Ultimately, I am the problem and until I come to that realization, there will be no progress in this area, or any area where I struggle with self-discipline.
Crystal also reminds us that discipline is a process. It’s not going to happen overnight and it rarely works to make huge, drastic changes all at once. Crystal’s e-book is FILLED with practical applications and advice on how we can make small steps toward self-discipline in whatever area we choose that will give us real traction and help us to realize success in whatever area we struggle. At the end of each chapter she includes ideas for practical application and steps to complete that “mega-project”, as she calls it, that weighs heavily on our minds.
Crystal encourages us to break down these “mega-projects” into bite-sized pieces and establish a written plan for accomplishing our goals. She emphasizes the importance of starting small, focusing on one habit at a time, being prepared for obstacles (because they WILL come), being realistic, having accountability, and staying focused. The e-book also includes several printables for helping you achieve your goals and a motivational book list.
For me, my “mega-project” is weight-loss. It probably will be for quite some time. For you, it may look different. It may be getting your house in order, or saving money for a big vacation, or paying off a debt or finding a new job or working your way through school. We all have areas in our lives where we want to see improvement and Crystal encourages us to tackle those issues head-on and develop a plan for conquering them. I wish I had the room in this blog post to list all of the amazing tips and ideas Crystal gives in her e-book because they really are so practical and helpful.
You will just have to trust me when I say this little e-book is a gem that you do NOT want to miss out on. The good news is that Crystal is offering the e-book at a special discounted price. For the next three days, today (Tuesday) through Thursday (the 26th) you can get “21 Days to a More Disciplined Life” for just 99 cents! On Friday, the price will go up to it’s regular price of $4.99. Let me encourage you to get the deal while you can as it is definitely worth every penny!
It is said that it takes 21 days to form a habit. Crystal has designed this book to be read in 21 days with small steps you can take each day to achieve your goals and become more self-disciplined. To read what Crystal has to say about the book and to purchase the pdf version, go here. You can also purchase the Kindle version on Amazon. Also, Crystal is going to be running several giveaways on her blog over the next few days, so be sure to visit her blog to get in on those deals. If you purchase the e-book during the introductory period she is giving away a free printable calendar/planner that goes along with book. If you want to get the free calendar, just follow the instructions in Crystal’s post today.
Crystal was also generous enough to give me five copies to give away. All you need to do to enter the giveaway is comment on this post telling me why you want to win. The contest will be open until 11:59 pm EST, on Thursday, October 26. I will choose the winners at random and announce the winners on Friday on the blog. I will also send an e-mail to all winners.
Please don’t hesitate to go ahead and buy your book so you can get in on the deal now. If you happen to be the winner of the contest, you can get a refund or you can give away a copy yourself! Good luck!
The Chick
I want to win because there are so many areas of my life that I wish to improve through good habits. The problem is I get overwhelmed thinking about it all and end up doing nothing. I think this book would help me break down my goals into baby steps! Thanks for the chance to win.
I want to win so I can learn some new tips for saving money and being better with how I spend it (along with disciplined.)
Thanks for the giveaway!
I would love to win a copy of this book. I have been following your blog for over 6 months, have lost almost 20 pounds in that time. but am really struggling right now and this would help me so much to get back on track and stay that way. Thank you!!
I would love to win a copy of this book because I need weight loss and money help! We have three children (ages 5, 3, and 2) and I am homeschooling them. I had lost 20 pounds last spring and have put almost all of it back on. I would love this book! Thank you!
I would love this book because I am overwhelmed right now with all that I have to do and frustrated that I can’t do anything that I want to do. Sometimes you just don’t know where to start.
I need to learn to discipline myself – I am often overwhelmed by what needs doing (homeschooling 9, wife, bookkeeper, etc) and need to learn how to break things into small bites.
I want to win!!! I follow Crystal’s blog and I found you through her…It would be great to get more insight from her any day!
Thank you so much for the chance to win! I would like to become more discipline with my faith/Bible reading and with my diet/exercise.
I would like to win a copy so I could get some new ideas for discipline in my life as we plan for the arrival of our second child. Thank you.
I want to win because there are several areas of my life that I need more discipline in. I found your blog through her site as well. You encourage me!
I would love to set a better example for my daughter on being more disciplined. I think that if I expect her to learn to be disciplined (in picking up clothes, practicing piano, doing homework!) then I need to be the example she can follow!
I would like to win because I seem to have fallen into this laziness that I just can’t seem to shake on willpower alone. Almost all areas of my life are suffering because of it – health, finances and my responsibilities around the house. This sounds like the jump start I need!
I would love to win this book because I’m good in many areas of my life , but organization & discipline I don’t always do so good.
I truly would love to win a copy so I can help my daughter and my grandchildren learn to be disciplined by being a good example to them. I am growing so much in my faith right now and trying to be the good example, but I am scatterbrained. Between all the hats I wear, being disciplined is the most difficult issue I face. That and losing another 20 pounds!
I do a good job at many things in my life but the others like getting up early to go to the gym, logging my food, keeping up with my budget, I am horrible at doing. I want to make some freakin’ progress and stop feeling like a failure.
I want to win because I always start out strong with goals then slack off after a week or so. My morning routine would be grateful also.
I could really use some much needed help and motivation. Things all seem so overwhelming right now I don’t seem to know which direction to turn anymore. Learning smaller steps to accomplish larger goals would be such a huge help. Would love the encouragement! Thank you
I would LOVE to win this book!! In my weight loss efforts my biggest setback is I am undisaplined. The same goes for just about everything in my life!! I am super motivated for a week, then it all goes down hill….
I would love the chance to win this book. I think it would help me overall in all areas of my life!
I would love a copy! I have followed Crystal Paine for a while now, and it is always good to have a discipline reminder….
With my first human child on the way, I’m feeling very overwhelmed at all the changes I know are sure to come. My hubby is planning to be a mostly stay-at-home dad, and I work in a salaried position so at times, I work more than 40 hours. We live an incredibly frugal lifestyle which means more work on our end, but more money in our pockets {well actually Sallie Mae’s pockets as we were striving to be debt free, now we’re piling up money for our birth bill we will have and our baby expenses}. I would LOVE to get this e-book and learn more about discipline and be encouraged!
I would like to read this book because I need more discipline in both areas you talked about, money & dieting. I think this book would be a great help for me. I have also started thinking about training for a 1/2 marathon & I think the discipline I learned from this book would help me with that too. Finally, I have 3 boys so having discipline to run the house effectively is a must, especially as they start school & sports. Love your blog!!
I need to be more disciplined in so many areas: my health, my housework, my studies. This book would be a great help!
I need to change so much about my life and could definitely use the help
I am currently a full time student in college at the ripe old age of 53 and I am starting a new full time job. I really need organizational helps in order to get everything accomplished I need to every day. Plus I have to admit I am a procrastinator so I really need all the help I can get. Thank you so much for the opportunity!
oh, oh I’d love to win! I definitely need more discipline in a few areas of my life. plus I like self improvement and this book sounds great!
I would love to win! I need help in this area! Thanks for a chance to win.
I would love to have this as I’ve really started to recognize the areas I struggle most (ie: weight loss) are areas where I lack discipline and would value input into changing that!
One of the biggest things I need discipline on in my life is taking on to many projects at once! And then I get overwhelmed. I seriously need some discipline in that area. Maybe then I wouldn’t get so stressed out
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