This is my first online book review. The thought of it was pretty exciting. I thought it would be a perfect way to get back into blogging and check out a new book that I was excited to get. As usual, my lack of organization (more about that later) has this review coming about 2 weeks later than I intended.
I heard about the book, All in Good Time, from the great site dealseekingmom.com. One of the authors of the book, Tara Kuczykowski is the founder of that site. The other author, Mandi Ehman, is the founder of LifeYourWay.net, a site I added to my blog reader (just saw an article on allowances that I am anxious to read). I love dealseekingmom and am amazed at the organization it must take to keep up that site and be a parent to five kids!
I think All in Good Time is very suited for someone just starting out their home and family. When I was younger, I had a great book called Hints from Heloise (one Jeff and I joked is pronounced ‘ints from ‘eloise’ – is that funny only to us?). It is a great book for homekeeping hints that I just removed from my stash (and found my exact copy while perusing Goodwill this week, where I donated it just a few weeks back). All in Good Time reminds me of a modern day Hints from Heloise with life hints sprinkled in.
Some of the stuff that is obvious to the 2012 me would really have come in handy for the 1998 me. Sections about buying a home, car, insurance, and smoke detectors are all things I have already learned.
I was anxious to read the book section about organization and decluttering. I think I will always struggle with being organized and have mini-hoarder tendencies so when I read the checklist for the top 10 questions to ask yourself for decluttering and found no follow-up answers to these questions, I was disappointed. However, I did remember that this is not an organization book. It is a way to make an efficient home and found the further links to resources (sprinkled throughout the book) will come in handy. Also, the appendix has some great specific ways to declutter each room in your home.
I had to keep in mind that the book is written to appeal to a diverse audience. I was frustrated reading the best cleaning system is the one that works for you. This is not bad advice – I have heeded and given this type of advice in the past, it is just I long for specifics. Sometimes, I will ask an expert for help such as, “do you have a list of the best cameras in my price range?” because I know that their expertise allows them to easily weed out products I shouldn’t even bother looking at.
However, I am not saying this book isn’t without merit for the experienced homekeeper and parent. When the book added specific information such as the 15 minute cleaning blitz, cleaning product recommendations, and the tips sections scattered throughout the book, I took notes. There was a Winter Car Care Tips that had information I never heard about! When I longed for more specific information, there were links to the book’s website for more details and links to other compatible websites.
Though there are a few areas where I longed for more tips (garage sales – seriously, how are some people so organized?), there is some really helpful information in the book including when items such as lawnmowers, bicycles, seasonal gear and patio furniture go on sale, when the best time to buy storage containers is (January), scads of laundry tips, and that when shopping deals, $0.50 a roll is a good price for double rolls of toilet paper.
This is a good book for the young adult starting to make their home as well as the experienced consumer, who can get great tips from the special sections of the book. The appendix is loaded with cleaning recipes, online resources and checklists for deep-cleaning and decluttering.
I rate the All in Good Time 4 out of 5 stars as it really provides what it advertised. I would have liked a few more areas fleshed-out and more tips as mentioned.
Recent Comments