Living Well, Spending Less: 12 Secrets of the Good Life by Ruth Soukup, who runs a blog by the same name, is a bluntly honest account of her personal struggle with budgeting, organization, and contentment. I think most women, and especially moms, can relate to Ruth’s story of trying to provide a beautiful home, beautiful meals, and a beautiful image, while internally feeling like a chaotic mess.
“Have you ever felt like your life–and budget–is spiraling out of control? Do you sometimes wish you could pull yourself together but wonder exactly how to manage all the scattered pieces of a chaotic life?”
This book is a compelling and encouraging guide to a better way of living, from someone who is living it herself. The thing that makes Living Well, Spending Less so powerful is Ruth’s inspiring ability to motivate you without “to-doing” you to death. I am not usually a fan of self help books, because they usually seem gimmicky or impossibly unrealistic. Living Well is not like that at all. Because she herself has experienced what she writes about, and because she admits that she still struggles, Ruth comes across as someone you can trust and be open to learning from. Plus, the personal examples she shares show you how to put a new plan into action in a realistic way.
My family has already benefited from the wisdom in Living Well, Spending Less, and as we continue to revisit it, we are changing some habits and hopefully learning to live the “good life” in a whole new way.
The publisher provided a review copy of Living Well Spending Less.
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My husband and I were just talking about something like this and said the best thing to spend is time!! 🙂 Would love to read this book! 🙂
It’s all about priorities, Jamie. I’m still working on it–but I long for a simpler life. Thanks for stopping by!
I am so thrilled that I am heading to a conference this week and Ruth is one of the speakers. So funny that you are talking about her book and I’m gonna get to meet her. She is one of the bloggers that really tries to help others. I’m so glad that you’re finding nuggets that help you and your family. I’ll tell her you said “hi”!
I would love to meet her. That’s so cool, C. Lee!
Sounds like a good read. I have to agree with that title.
Me, too, L. E.!
I really need this book. That little description could be me! Thanks for the review.
Thanks for stopping by, Debbie!
I became a SAHM when our little girl was born a month early and my husband’s job changed. It wasn’t our original plan, but it was the best decision for our family and I’m loving it! That said, it’s tough in numerous ways and one of them being not getting paid at the end of the week or month. Budgeting has become more important than ever!
Yep, and learning to stick with it. That is a big challenge for me. It’s such a wonderful thing to stay home with your kids, but it takes a lot of creativity with the budget. Grocery shopping is my biggest issue. I spend WAY too much on food for my crew.
Glad I saw your link on the Blogher FB. I’m always looking for ways to creatively enjoy life, preferably while spending less and saving. I’m almost done paying off school loan debt and my girlfriend is planning on getting her masters, which isn’t cheap. Hope this book helps!
Thanks for stopping by, Matt. Good luck in getting the rest of that loan paid for. It will be a great feeling!