Money Saving Mom®

Kathrynne called me last week to tell me her really exciting news! 

The huge corporation she had interviewed with recently had offered her an internship! And not only that, but they were so impressed with her that they created a float position between two teams specifically for her because both teams she interviewed with wanted to hire her!! 

I have watched her give and serve and work so hard and build character and walk through really hard things the past few years, and I couldn’t be prouder of the woman she is. 

And also, I had prayed very specific prayers that if she were to get an internship offer that it would be so clear that this was the one for her. For so many reasons, this could not be more clear.

Since the time she was in my womb, I have prayed for her to know and love the Lord and use her life to glorify him. It is an honor to be her mom and to get to have a close-up view of her journey. And I can’t wait to see what the future holds! 

Also, I think it’s quite funny that I birthed a child who loves spreadsheets so much and is majoring in accounting. She definitely did not get any of those skills or interests from me! 😂

Mothering is such a complex and emotional journey, isn’t it?! The same week I’m seeing fruits in Kathrynne’s young adult life and celebrating with her, I’m also living the day-to-day with my younger kids and, while it’s beautiful and such a joy, sometimes that day-to-day living can be so trying!

In frustration and anger, these words spilled out of my mouth to one of my children this week: “If you don’t change your attitude and stop crying immediately, I’m going to turn this car around and we’re going straight home!” 

Yes, this child was over-reacting to a situation. But the irony was that so was I. 

We work hard to help our kids regulate themselves and respond calmly — and here I was, doing the exact opposite. 

Yes, I almost immediately felt convicted by my harsh response and frustration, but I wasn’t ready to acknowledge, own, or apologize for it yet — because, you see, I was still frustrated. 

And then my child says from the back seat, “Can we listen to worship music?”

Of course! 🫣

God knew that was exactly what my heart needed in that moment. A reminder of His grace and compassion for me in the songs that my child kept picking for me to play. 

And my heart slowly softened as I heard my child singing the words of truth. 

Eventually, I couldn’t hold onto my frustration anymore. I asked my child’s forgiveness and they willingly gave it. I told them how I had responded poorly and I was really sorry for that. 

And then, we both sang the worship songs together. 

As we walked up to the event we were headed to, this child reached for my hand to hold it. 

And it was such a reminder of God’s grace for me as a parent. 

I make mistakes. I fall short. I sin. But there is forgiveness and restoration to be had — if I’m willing to humble myself, let go of my frustration, acknowledge where I’ve messed up, and receive God’s amazing grace. 

By the way, want to know one of the worship songs we listened to? “This is Amazing Grace!”

Who breaks the power of sin and darkness?
Whose love is mighty and so much stronger?
The King of glory, the King above all kings
Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder?
And leaves us breathless in awe and wonder?
The King of glory, the King above all kings
This is amazing grace
This is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You laid down Your life
That I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for
All that You’ve done for me

May you receive and rest in His amazing grace today… and if you need to repent of sin and ask for forgiveness, may you have the courage to do so and find your restoration in Jesus. 

Many of you know that I love following politics. However, the past few months, I’ve stepped back from following a lot of the sources I had been following because I noticed it was stealing my peace and causing me to feel upset.

Maybe you can relate??

If so, I found a news source that keeps you informed without causing you to feel all worked up and unsettled — which is such a gift. I also love that they include Christ-centered perspective and encouragement woven throughout. 

It’s called The Pour Over and, in addition to their weekday emails, you can now download their brand new app, which will give you brief, politically-neutral news summaries, updated every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Plus, you’ll have access to a deep dive into one audience-selected topic each Saturday in TPO Explains.

Best of all, it’s FREE! Go here to download The Pour Over app so you can stay informed on current events without feeling stressed!

My new book, The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women, officially releases October 27, and this is your last chance to grab $75+ in exclusive pre-order bonuses FREE! If you have been thinking about ordering, now is the perfect time.

When you pre-order from any retailer, you’ll be eligible to claim the FULL bonus bundle, including the Money Reset Toolkit, Couples’ Guide to Healthy Money Conversations, and 5 Days to a Financially Healthier You Video Course.These practical resources are packed with tools, encouragement, and actionable steps to help you start building healthier money habits right away. I don’t want you to miss these!

And if you’ve already pre-ordered, THANK YOU! Be sure to claim your bonuses before the deadline, too!

Pre-order your copy + grab your FREE bonuses here!

This Week on The Crystal Paine Show: Behind the Scenes with My Next Book and Why It Might Be My Last

Listen in to this episode of The Crystal Paine Show as Jesse and I talk about something that I have been working on for a long time: my sixth book, The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women, which comes out very soon on October 27th!

The release date was originally September 15th, so having it pushed back six weeks at the last minute has made for an interesting fall. Between running our business during its busiest season and suddenly having all these podcast interviews lined up, I have had plenty to keep me on my toes but I am so excited to finally share this book with you!

In this episode, I’m telling the story behind the book, including why I believe this may be my last one, what I learned from writing my very first book, and how this project became something completely different from my original idea. In writing this book, I wanted to create something more intentional than a collection of blog posts: a short, story-driven book that combines practical financial guidance with the personal experiences that shaped my approach to money, which includes lessons from my parents, the influence of my grandparents, and the legacy that they have left behind. I share stories that I haven’t told publicly before, along with some of the creative, outside-of-the-box ways my family learned to save money and build financial freedom.

We also discuss what financial health actually means to me. It’s not about having a huge bank balance, owning a home, or being debt-free. It’s about finding peace and living intentionally with whatever resources you have. I want you to see how budgeting can help you spend on what matters to you, whether that’s a vacation, a concert, or a special dinner, without the guilt and/or stress.

I am also sharing the resources available to help you put these ideas into practice, including my free five-day budget makeover and the exclusive bonuses that come with pre-ordering the book. We talk about the money toolkit, resources for having conversations about finances with your spouse, and my five-lesson 5 Days to a Financially Healthier You course.

My hope is that you’ll walk away feeling encouraged, equipped, and confident that financial health is possible right where you are. You don’t have to have everything figured out to start making meaningful changes! I hope that you enjoy this episode, and please be sure to preorder a copy of the new book!

Listen to the episode here.

What I’m Reading…

I’m currently reading The Bright Side of the Other Side and House Hushing.

What I’m Listening to…

I did almost zero listening of anything this past week due to being an the event mentioned above for three days and then in Atlanta for a baseball tournament for two of the other days, but I did run a 12-mile run and listen to a lot of songs on my Truths to Remember playlist.

What I’m Watching…

This past week, the girls and I watched week 5 of Dancing with the Stars together. (It’s fun to have a show that Kierstyn, Kaitlynn, and I all enjoy together!)

Micah and Kierstyn had asked a lot of questions about 9/11, so we watched two documentaries with them on the topic this week: 9/11 Reunited (this was very well done and I would highly recommend it) and 9/11: Four Flights (also very worth watching. 

More Links You’ll Love from This Week:

• Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread Recipe — This recipe is delicious year-round, but something about fall makes its warm, cozy flavors feel even more special and delicious.
  
• How to Travel for Cheap — Family travel can be one of the most fun — and most expensive! — things we do all year. But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to drain your bank account. Check out this post for dozens of ways to save on transportation, lodging, food and fun!
  
• Baked Nachos ($10 Family Dinner Idea) — This one-pan dinner is SO easy to throw together at the last minute and your family can customize the toppings to make it a meal everyone will enjoy.
  
• 50+ Simple Ways to Practice Hospitality on a Budget —  When money is tight and your schedule is full, it might feel overwhelming to even think about hospitality. But here’s the truth: you don’t need a big budget or a perfectly styled home to offer meaningful hospitality. With a little creativity, some realistic expectations, and a heart to bless (not impress!) others, you can open your door and create space for community without breaking the bank. This post has more than 50 ideas to help you.
  
• Schedule of Christmas Hallmark Movies — Love cozying up to Hallmark movies during the holidays? Get excited for the Hallmark Countdown to Christmas movie marathon, which started this weekend! Check out this post for the full schedule and details on how to access it.
  
• Moving from Financial Fear to Faithful Stewardship — I had the privilege of being a guest on the Dr. Nurse Mama podcast this week. If you’re struggling with financial stress or family budgeting, I hope this episode will encourage you and give you practical steps for your financial journey.