Million Dollar Journey

Building Wealth through Saving and Investing

Book Review and Giveaway: 397 Ways to Save Money

It’s been a while since my last book review and giveaway.  This time around I have the pleasure of reviewing a book written by a fellow Canadian blogger, Kerry Taylor of Squawkfox.  The book is called 397 Ways to Save Money and it includes some great frugal tips that pretty much everyone can use.

About the Author

Kerry K. Taylor is the author of the book 397 Ways to Save Money – Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less and is the creator of Squawkfox.com, a blog that makes frugal living fun. Kerry is also a journalist and a two-time Ironman triathlon finisher.

By combining commonsense thrift with an average income, Kerry paid off her debt of $17,000 in just six months and has since saved a six-figure portfolio.

What is the Book About

As it’s apparent from the title, the book is about various ways to save money.  How does Kerry come up with 397 ways to cut back on the bills?  She goes through every room in the house (+ more) and comes up with some creative ways to keep more money in your pocket.

Kerry separates the book into four parts:

  1. Big Decisions – Here she goes through the trials and tribulations of renting, home ownership, and shopping.
  2. Home Management – Tips for home maintenance, energy conservation and cleaning.
  3. Room by Room – Kerry goes through each room in the house and gives us her frugal tips.
  4. More Ways to Save – Save money on vacations, pets and even some frugal recipes.

Even though I’ve been known to be frugal once or twice, here are some ideas that I found useful:

  • Value of organic food shopping -  As I’ve written about the value of organic food before, Kerry clarifies what is worth buying organic and what isn’t.  Basically, the more the food absorbs pesticides (like peaches), the more value the organic version brings.
  • Stains – How to cost effectively get stains out of clothing using common household items.
  • The Garden – How to create homemade weed killer using vinegar and dish detergent.  As well, the cost effectiveness of growing vegetables in a pot!

Final Thoughts

My thoughts?  This is a great book written by a fellow Canadian blogger and frugalist.  Kerry has listed numerous, and useful ideas that anyone can easily use to keep more cash in their pockets.

Interested in frugal tips?  Here are 25 ways that I save money.

Want a Free Copy?

Kerry was generous in offering Million Dollar Journey readers the chance to win 2 copies of her book.  The details are below:

  1. Simply leave a comment here and you’ll automatically be entered in the draw for a free copy.
  2. Follow me on Twitter for an entry.
  • Please only 1 comment entry / person (please enter a valid email address).
  • Only those with a North American mailing address may enter (publisher rules, sorry).
  • Contest will end Friday 5pm EST June 5, 2009 and the winner announced shortly afterward!

Update: Entries are now closed!



210 Comments, Comment or Ping

  1. 1. Amit

    Count me in!

  2. 2. ross

    That is one more way to save money – “398 Ways to Save Money”

  3. 3. Lyne

    Please include me in the draw. Thanks!

  4. 4. The Reverend

    Looks like a book we could all benefit by reading. Thanks FT. Count me in.

  5. 5. Kevin

    Sounds good to me.

  6. 6. Victor

    Please count me in! Thanks!

    I’ve written a book on ways to greenify your life. Most tips will save you money immediately too. You can download it free here:
    http://greenifyyourlifebook.blogspot.com/

  7. 7. Frank

    Would love a copy, thanks!

  8. 8. sneeker

    Count me in too! (and i’m now following you on Twitter!)

  9. 9. Carolyn

    Love to find new ways to save $ & love to read. Thanks.

  10. 10. Mai

    I would love a copy :)

  11. 11. Father of Five

    I hope I win!

  12. 12. Jeff

    Great blog – thanks for the chance to win this book

  13. 13. Meredith

    This sounds like a great resource. Thanks for the draw!

  14. 14. Little Ms.Scrooge

    I enjoy her writings in the blog squawkfox. I would love to get my hands on it

    Litttle Ms.Scrooge

  15. 15. Caitlin

    I’d love a chance to win this great-sounding book – count me in!

    I’m also following you on Twitter (ClutterCubed)!

  16. 16. Finance_Addict

    Thanks.

  17. 17. lindahfx

    This sounds very interesting. Especially as I am about to be unemployed.

  18. Sing me up!

    Blogging Banks

  19. Thanks for the tips.

  20. 20. Tanya Narzt

    Would love to receive this book. Sounds like some ideas I haven’t thought of or heard of might be there.

  21. 21. Kathryn

    I nearly ordered this on Amazon this week. Now I’ll wait to see if I win it first. :-)

  22. 22. Darren

    I’d love a copy. Thanks!

  23. 23. Larry

    It was Confucius that said “Teach a wise man a lesson, and he is yet wiser”

    I say “Teach a frugal man how to save more, and he will be yet richer”

  24. 24. Greg

    Sign me up

  25. 25. Mike Kolcun

    Please include me in the draw!

  26. 26. Millionaireby45

    Sounds interesting.

  27. 27. Mark

    Free copy!

  28. 28. Nora

    I would love this book…I love Squawkfox’s website.

    Sorry…I think I posted twice…kinda new at this…

  29. 29. M Hawk

    Sign me up!

  30. 30. Alex

    Count me in.

  31. 31. Nick

    Count me in

  32. I was hoping to read this soon. Maybe I’ll win it?

  33. 33. Eric Starker

    I’d love a chance to win this – thanks!

  34. 34. Michelle

    Looks like an interesting book. Nice to see more Canadian stuff coming out.

  35. 35. Walk

    A free copy would be great!

  36. 36. Heather

    I’m also following you on Twitter – check out my new frugal Canadian blog if you have a sec – http://bunnymunny.blogspot.com/

    Thanks for a great blog!

  37. 37. Mike

    Sounds like a good book to have. I’m in!

  38. 38. Luc Richard

    The book looks interesting. Count me in. Thanks

  39. 39. Erika

    Looks like a great book. Can’t wait to read it!

  40. 40. Alexis

    Please include me in the draw. Thanks!

  41. 41. Erika

    Looks like a great book. I can’t wait to read it!

  42. 42. Denyse Beaulieu

    Pease enter me in the draw, I would love to read this book!

    Thanks!

  43. 43. sebastien mills

    could use some sound advice ;)

  44. 44. casey5

    Count me in! Thx.

  45. 45. alice

    I would love to read the book.

  46. 46. Jenny

    Sounds like a good book, hope you send a copy my way ;)

  47. 47. Jason

    I’d love a copy of the book. Followed you on twitter too :).

  48. 48. Tish

    I have been waiting for such a book!!!

  49. 49. Naumko

    Count me in!

  50. 50. Digger

    Always looking for more ways to save money!

  51. 51. Carol Ann

    Enjoy your info so much and appreciate the chance to win this great book! Thanks so much

  52. 52. karash

    I WOULD LOVE A FREE COPY :)

  53. 53. Squawkfox

    Hey Frugal Trader!
    Thank you so much for your review! I’m so happy you enjoyed the book! I really did a lot of research, crunched the numbers, and did the math to show readers how much money can be saved with a particular tip.

  54. 54. doctor S

    Only thing better than a copy of this book would be a free copy! No wammys!

  55. 55. Melanie Samson

    Sounds great!

  56. 56. nobleea

    Ditto to everyone above. Except squawkfox.

  57. 57. Marianne O

    I can think of a lot of relatives who might be happy to get this book in their stockings this year! Now to figure out a way to negotiate a bulk discount. *grin*

  58. 58. Michael

    Sign me up and let me read. Thanks for the entry.

  59. 59. ryan

    VICTORY!

  60. 60. Rebecca

    Would love to win!

  61. 61. Split

    Count me in as well

  62. 62. K

    LOVE Fox and her tips. You guys are both daily reads.

  63. 63. Colette Fournier

    This book sounds good. Would love a copy!

  64. 64. Kevin K.

    Frugal tip: win a great book! Thx!

  65. 65. DwellOn

    me want book

  66. 66. Frugalgirl

    Sign me up.
    I enjoy saving money and it’s interesting learning how others have saved and apply it to your life.

  67. 67. tom

    count me in brosephs

  68. 68. sidekick

    I’d like to be entered into the contest thanks!

  69. 69. steven

    Please include me in the draw

  70. 70. Nate

    Count me in!

  71. 71. luc

    Me, me, me!

  72. 72. Elbyron

    397 seems like a strange number to choose. Maybe I’ll find out why if I win a copy!

  73. 73. Cam Birch

    Sign me up for the draw!

  74. 74. Chris

    I like free

  75. 75. Sarah

    I want this book!

  76. 76. Senk

    Please enter me in the draw.

  77. 77. RI

    I guess I would like to read this book.

  78. 78. Jackie

    Kerry paid off a $17000 debt in six months??? This I have to read. Count me in! Thanks!

  79. 80. bob

    sounds good.

  80. 81. Lancer

    Definately a book I can use.

  81. 82. Dk

    i’m in

  82. 83. Alaa

    I want this book!

  83. 84. Jeff

    Pick me, pick me!

  84. 85. Susan

    Would be great to share this with the whole family.

  85. 86. fern

    Darn! And I just bought some (non-organic) peaches. The price was too good (.99/lb) to pass up.

  86. 87. Susan

    Thanks for this. I know I should be more frugal than I am, and hopefully reading this book will help! Also thanks for introducing me to Kerry’s website.

  87. 88. Aaron

    Count me in!

  88. 89. Shaun

    I like winning things.

  89. 90. Paolo

    Thanks for the review.

  90. 91. Rob Levesque

    I’d love to read this book!
    Thanks for the chance!

  91. This book sounds interesting. I like her blog but she needs to post more.

  92. 93. Breanne

    Sounds really interesting. Would love a chance to read for myself :)

  93. Looks like a good book.

  94. 95. Dolly

    I have a lot of clients that book could help.

    Dolly

  95. 96. Julie

    Count me in! Would love to read this (but am too frugal to buy it ;)

  96. 97. Brigitte VK

    ohh…this book sounds interesting!

  97. 98. Naveen

    Interested

  98. 99. Michael

    I would love a copy of this book!

  99. I need a copy of this book! I just cancelled cable. Now I need to hear 396 more ways to save some coin!

  100. 101. telefantastik

    count me in! thanks :)

  101. 102. Vince

    i like freebies

  102. 103. J

    Count me in too. I am all about saving money these days!

  103. 104. Linda Lin

    Please count me in. thanks.

  104. 105. Maiku

    397 Ways? That’s more than 1 a day!

  105. 106. Melissa

    Sounds like an awesome book – count me in! :)

  106. 107. Paul

    please include me in the draw!

  107. 108. pappy

    398: Enter free draws

  108. 109. Erick

    Sign me up!

  109. 110. guinness416

    Wow you have a lot of readers FT. I’m in the draw too, as TPL doesn’t seem to have the book on order yet – Squawkfox, get on that!

  110. I love the word “Frugal”!

  111. 112. renaud00

    Would like one copy please

  112. 113. Jim

    I’d love a copy

  113. 114. tescosamoa

    count me in

  114. 115. John

    Sounds good!

  115. 116. Kevin

    Count me in!

  116. 117. Paul

    Put me on the list! I can always learn to how to save more money!

  117. 118. Lesly Orf

    Sounds like a great read. Please enter me. Thanks.

  118. 119. Kal

    Can’t get any more frugal than free!!

  119. 120. elmanl

    please enter me for the book giveaway

  120. 121. Warren

    Sounds like a good read

  121. Thanks for the post. I have a blog where I review personal finance-related books, and I appreciate how important this information can be. And count me in for the draw!

  122. 123. Dave

    A free book would be great!

  123. 124. Qubikal

    draw mee!!!!!

  124. 125. Triple_Eh

    Pick me!

  125. 126. cannon_fodder

    I’d like to know if there was any conflict with her ideas on ways to save money. Reminds me of the Simpson’s episode where the family had to tighten their belts and Bart offered that he didn’t shower today and he probably won’t shower tomorrow.

    Please enter my name in the draw and good luck to everyone else.

  126. 127. Jared Gudnason

    count me in, Thanks!

  127. 128. Mooyootoo

    Sounds like a great read, something I’d definately find useful.

    On the organic though, be VERY careful when talking about organic labelling. As someone that works in food regulation, I can tell you that (unfortunately) organic does NOT mean the same as pesticide-free.

  128. 129. Howie

    Please consider me for the draw, thanks!

  129. 130. Joel

    I’m in – I like to save money

  130. 131. iamphysio

    Would love a copy. Thanks.

  131. 132. TD

    Looks great, sign me up.

  132. 133. Alex

    Copy please…

  133. 134. Jimmy

    Love to get a copy to read! thanks!

  134. 135. Patricia

    I follow Squawkfox and would love a copy of the first book. Thanks for having the contest.

  135. 136. Terri

    I have read excellent reviews about this book. Thanks for the contest!

  136. 137. Troy

    I’d love to win, so that I can save money 397 more ways!!

  137. 138. rab

    I’m in

  138. 139. marlaene russell

    i have read the reviews , you book sounds great , please enter me into the contest

  139. Sounds great! Please include me in the drawing. Thank you!

  140. 141. Matt

    I’m in.

  141. 142. Mark

    Hi FT,

    Count me in!!

    Cheers,
    Mark

  142. 143. Kirk S.

    My girlfriend and I have been looking at this book (but I am too frugal to purchase it) :)

    Kirk

  143. Sign me up too please.

    Cheers

  144. 145. RS

    Count me in

  145. 146. Matt

    Coun me in!

  146. 148. slickster

    sounds good…count me in

  147. 149. AL

    Count me in!

  148. 150. AL

    Count me in!
    Sounds like a great book

  149. 151. Jensen

    Yay Frugal!

  150. 152. Ludger

    My wife would love this one…

  151. 153. andrew

    great review

  152. 154. Alex.

    LAGURF but not cheap! :)

  153. 155. Ron

    Even if I don’t win, I’m sure I’ll pick it up from my local library.

  154. 156. Darryl

    I like free stuff!!

  155. 157. Sam Jhangiani

    This book would be great to read, considering that I have just retired and my RRSPs have been hammered down. But not in a panic state.
    Congratulations Kelly. Keep up your financial fingers strong and keep other’s toes out of the financial greed. There is usually enough to go around for everyone.
    Cheers,

  156. 158. Adeem Zafar

    I wanna win!

  157. 159. NT

    Please include me in the draw!

  158. 160. Paul Colyn

    Please include me in the draw! Sounds like an interesting read…..

    Cheers Paul

  159. 161. Fab

    I have been reading Squawkfox blog for a while… and I would be happy to get the book.

  160. 162. Bill M

    Count me in as well !

  161. 163. clalc

    Your site is pretty awsome, I read it every day. Keep it up !

  162. 164. paulie

    sounds good for my family

  163. 165. Judy

    I’d love to win a copy as my husband and I are staring unemployment in the face

  164. 166. littleleftie

    sure hope i win!!

  165. 167. telly

    I want in! :)

  166. 168. Todd

    Count me in too please. This is the most number of comments per section yet!

  167. 169. Sharon A

    I am very interested in this book.

  168. 170. Sean Smith

    count me in as well

  169. 171. AndrewP

    Sounds like a good book!
    Please include me in the draw!.

  170. 172. Julian

    I would love a copy. Seems like frugality is the new hobby in our house.

  171. 173. Oil Baron

    Sounds like a good read.

  172. 174. Davina

    Enter me, please!

  173. 175. Ramona

    Free is the best way to being frugal! yes please.

  174. 176. teachmescience

    Thanks for putting on a contest! Please include me.

  175. 177. Kate Barker

    Glad “frugal” is back in style…I remember the 70’s…Tightward Gazette and etc. Would love to have the book…know lots of “frugalista’s ” ! Thanks for the opportunity !

  176. 178. Aggie CO

    Thanks for the chance to win this!

  177. 179. Marc

    Sign me up.

  178. 180. uberben

    Sounds like a decent read. Count me in.

  179. 181. Eric C

    Count me in please!

  180. 182. coffeeordeath

    Love your blog. I am on the road to being frugal through free stuff – please enter me in this draw.

  181. 183. Nick C

    Sign me up for the contest

  182. 184. Adrienne

    Great giveaway! I would love to read this book.

  183. 185. Susan

    Thanks for the offer!

  184. 186. Sampson

    Me please! :-)

  185. 187. Paula H

    following on Twitter- ksh123

  186. 188. Kelly

    Great Stuff. Please include me in the draw. Thanks.

  187. 189. Farhan Khan

    Would love to get this book! Please count me in the draw. Thanks

  188. 190. Jordan

    I just won a Wii, lets see if my luck continues!

  189. 191. Norm O

    Count me in too…sounds like an interesting read!

  190. 192. Jason

    Sounds awesome please count me in!

  191. 193. Sean

    Way to save money #398: win this book instead of buying it ;)

    Thanks for the giveaway, and keep up the great work!

  192. Great! I would love to have a copy of this books and see if there are some ways I can save that I haven’t thought of.

  193. 195. Mike Gillard

    I’ll read that

  194. 196. Asaad

    If i don’t win it, will head down to chapters-indigo to buy it.

    Hopefully that won’t be the case :)

  195. 197. $1,600 Gold by 2011

    I’m in!

  196. 198. Brennan

    Please include me in the draw.

  197. 199. Jorge

    Nice article

  198. 200. Ruth

    I’d really like to win a copy of this book. I’d share tips with friends

  199. 201. Brandon

    Count me in….thanks.

  200. 202. Alex Givant

    I’m in.

  201. 203. Michael

    I’d love to win a copy!

  202. 204. Jeff

    Thanks for the chance to win!

  203. 205. bett

    397 ways to save money?! yes, please. as a senior this book would be most helpful.

  204. 206. Dan

    Cool site. Please add my name to the draw.

  205. 207. DavidV

    I’m crossing my fingers

  206. 208. Valerie

    Especially interested in the organic food guide…here’s hoping!

  207. 209. Elaine

    Sounds like an interesting read. Please enter me in the draw.

  208. 210. as

    I’m late, I’m late, I’m late… But, who knows!?

    Trackbacks


Premium Sponsors



Recent Comments

  • Brian Poncelet,CFP: Hello Georgi, It sounds like you may own a UL policy with the excess invested in the market. As...
  • KK: Hi FT, Would you please update the table with the 2010 numbers? Thanks!
  • Tareq Morad: I think this is a well written article and i can appreciate the value in exposing common mis-conceptions...
  • Ed Rempel: Hi Brian, It’s too bad you seem to have lost faith in the stock market. It is the asset class with...
  • Amit: The Demand Drafts are not free in ING. They charge $10 per demand draft and courier it to you. If you need a...
  • Michael James: @Ed: A correlation of 33% does not mean that the two quantities move together 33% of the time. A...
  • Ed Rempel: Hi Odds, Michael described it well. A 33% correlation is common in many factors. It is a scale between -1...
  • Amit: I usually don’t keep any cash in my RRSP Trading account. I use Tactical Asset Allocation, so the moment...
  • Ed Rempel: Hi Michael, You linear correlation comment would be accurate if you compare the economy to the stock...
  • Ed Rempel: Hi Germack, That’s a great explanation of reason #1. The market prices in high economic growth. This...