Why Every Frugal Mom Needs to Read Memory-Making Mom
Memory-Making Mom: A Frugal Mom’s Guide to Building Family Traditions
As a mom, I often find myself caught between the whirlwind of daily life and the desire to create meaningful moments with my family. I dreamed of being a mom for so long, and now it feels like everything is passing by so quickly. It is particularly difficult because I only have one child so every first is also the last one. This Christmas, my mom gifted me Jessica Smartt’s book, Memory-Making Mom: Building Traditions That Breathe Life Into Your Home (not an affiliate link). I didn’t realize how much I needed this book, but it has been such a lovely read filled with practical, easy-to-implement ideas.
Who doesn’t want a home brimming with joy, love, and memories that last a lifetime? As a frugal mom, I was especially excited to see how Jessica’s ideas align with a budget-conscious lifestyle.
In this review, I’ll share my thoughts on the book, why it resonates with moms like me who value creativity over spending, and how you can implement her ideas—even on a tight budget.
What Is Memory-Making Mom About?
Memory-Making Mom is a heartfelt guide to creating traditions and meaningful family moments. Jessica Smartt, a homeschooling mom of three, writes with warmth and authenticity about her journey of transitioning from a hectic, overly busy life to one centered on intentionality and connection.
The book focuses on the idea that traditions don’t need to be elaborate or expensive to be impactful. Instead, Jessica encourages families to find what works for them, embrace simplicity, and prioritize what truly matters. Even though I’m tired at the end of the day my family is truly what matters to me so making meaningful traditions is at the top of my list.
For frugal moms, this approach is refreshing. It’s not about Instagram-perfect moments or extravagant family vacations—it’s about the small, consistent ways we can show love and build a strong family culture.
Key Themes and Takeaways from the Book
Jessica emphasizes several key points throughout Memory-Making Mom, but these resonated with me the most:
1. Traditions Build Connection
Jessica highlights that traditions are more than just fun activities—they create a sense of belonging, security, and lasting memories. From holiday rituals to daily routines, these traditions give children a grounding sense of identity.
Frugal Mom Tip: Traditions don’t have to cost a dime. Some of our favorite family traditions, like Friday movie nights with homemade popcorn or Saturday morning walks to the park, are completely free.
2. Simplicity Over Perfection
In a world dominated by Pinterest-worthy traditions, Jessica reminds readers to focus on what truly matters: connection, not perfection.
Frugal Mom Tip: Simple traditions like baking cookies during the holidays don’t require fancy tools or ingredients. Focus on the experience of doing it together rather than the final product.
3. Intentionality Is Key
Jessica encourages moms to create traditions that reflect their family’s values. Whether faith-based rituals or moments that foster creativity and adventure, being intentional helps traditions resonate more deeply.
Example: Each year, I make it a priority to take the day off work to celebrate my daughter’s birthday. As someone who works in the public school system, her birthday often falls right before the school year begins—far from ideal timing. Still, I take the day off without hesitation.
This year, we kicked off the celebration with breakfast out, followed by a visit to the children’s museum, where she played with endless joy. We even splurged on lunch at the museum’s cafeteria—a rare treat for us—and shared a fluffy, sugary bag of cotton candy. To top it all off, we went out for dinner at a hibachi grill, an indulgence we don’t often make.
Even though the timing was inconvenient and the day stretched our budget, I wouldn’t trade these moments for anything. Seeing her face light up makes it all worth it. Hopefully when my daughter’s grown these will be the moments that she remembers.
How Memory-Making Mom Works for Frugal Families
One of my initial concerns was whether the book’s ideas would be accessible for moms on a budget. Thankfully, Jessica’s approach is down-to-earth, and many of her suggestions are free or adaptable.
Affordable Traditions From the Book
Here are some of my favorite budget-friendly ideas:
- Game Nights: Pull out board games or a deck of cards for a weekly family game night. My daughter loves Sneaky Snacky Squirrel and has been playing it since she was about 2 ½ years old.
- Storytime Traditions: Choose a family read-aloud book to enjoy together—storytelling is a timeless way to bond.
- Celebrating “Ordinary” Days: Turn random days (like the first day of spring or the longest day of the year) into small celebrations. You can make a special dinner or have a family picnic. This is something I want to do better. I always want to celebrate the solstices but forget to mark them on my calendar!
Adapting Traditions for a Budget
While some ideas in the book might feel elaborate, like themed dinner parties or intricate holiday decorations, they can be scaled down. Instead of buying decorations, involve the kids in making homemade crafts. Use what you already have to set the scene.
For example, when I hosted our first “fancy” family dinner, I didn’t go out and buy table linens or candles. Instead, I used what I had: our wedding unity candle and a handmade table runner from my niece. Our everyday Fiesta ware plates worked perfectly. We had just gotten back into town from a family vacation. I read the book on our way back home. We didn’t have any food for a fancy meal so I grabbed a frozen microwavable fettuccine alfredo meal and a bagged salad. Not exactly fancy, but I was determined to begin the tradition.
My daughter loved it, especially blowing out the candle at the end of dinner. Inspired by her joy, we also started having tea together. Jessica wrote that she purchased a tea set to begin this tradition. That isn’t in my budget at the moment so rather than buying a tea set, I used whimsical snowman coffee mugs gifted by a coworker. A frugal mindset thrives on flexibility and making the most of what you already have. While my daughter didn’t like the tea, these small moments will become cherished memories when she is older.
What I Loved About Memory-Making Mom
- Relatable Writing Style
Jessica’s tone feels like chatting with a friend over coffee. She shares her struggles and successes without judgment, making the book approachable and encouraging. - Practical Ideas
The book is packed with actionable tips, with each chapter ending in a list of ideas to try. You can start building traditions immediately. - Focus on Values
Jessica seamlessly weaves her faith into the narrative, but her principles of love, connection, and intentionality are universal.
As someone who is religious, I especially appreciated her ideas for teaching kids the “why” behind holidays. Her recommendations for books to read during Advent and Lent were inspiring—and I already owned a few of them!
What Could Be Improved
While I loved the book, here are a couple of areas where it could be more inclusive:
- More Budget-Friendly Ideas: While many suggestions are affordable, a few felt out of reach for tight budgets. I would’ve loved even more no-cost examples.
- Inclusivity for Working Moms: Some ideas, like time-intensive projects, may not work for moms juggling careers or hectic schedules.
How Memory-Making Mom Changed My Perspective
Before reading this book, I often felt overwhelmed by the idea of creating “perfect” family traditions. Jessica’s emphasis on simplicity and intentionality has transformed my approach.
One example: Saturday morning pancakes. Growing up, I treasured pancakes at my grandma’s house. Just the thought brings tears to my eyes. I loved reading about how Jessica makes a special pancake breakfast every morning for her kids. Inspired by the book, I’ve made it a goal to create this ritual with my family—complete with pancakes, fruit, and bacon. It’s about connection, not perfection, and I hope my kids will cherish it as much as I do.
Final Thoughts: Is Memory-Making Mom Worth Reading?
Absolutely! For frugal moms who want to create a home filled with love, laughter, and lasting memories, Memory-Making Mom is a must-read. Jessica’s ideas are practical, inspiring, and achievable.
Whether you’re refreshing current traditions or starting new ones, this book is a treasure trove of ideas that don’t require a big budget—just a big heart.
Your Turn: Start Building Memories Today!
What are your favorite family traditions? Have you read Memory-Making Mom? I’d love to hear your thoughts and budget-friendly ideas for creating meaningful moments. Let’s inspire each other to make our homes full of love and connection!
(Don’t forget to grab your copy of Memory-Making Mom and start building your own traditions today!)
