7 Money Rules for Life by Mary Hunt - Book Review

7 Money Rules for Life®: How to Take Control of Your Financial Future
by Mary Hunt

7 Money Rules for Life®: How to Take Control of Your Financial Future is similar to other get out of debt books/advice that other financial experts espouse.

But this is a new year. And a new year brings with it a need for a new voice, a new book, a new reordering of old principles to spur us on to change old habits.

I gleaned a couple of choice quotes from Mary's 7 Money Rules for Life:

“Even when I’d get the ugly call from the bank, I never thought of myself as being overdrawn, I was just under-deposited!” Mary Hunt (p. 23) Love it! Sounds like a lot of young people's reasoning today.

“Your beliefs and feeling shape your attitude. Your attitude is the only thing in your life over which you have complete control.” (p. 42) This one cuts deep. Not just in financial matters either.

“…choosing contentment as a way of life is the only way to win the battle between needs vs. wants.” (p. 55) Remind me often, Lord.

“It is the money you don’t spend that gives you the freedom to live the life you love and the life God has for you.” (p. 58) When I am tempted because I have the money available, that does not mean I should buy it.

In Chapter 4, Mary shares 12 ways to widen the gap between your income and your expenses. I think number 11 is of utmost importance - "unfriend the Joneses - …it’s time to let them go because this is not a competition. It’s your life, your future.” (p. 60)

That one really hit me hard. You see I'm not a saver, even though I have a house full of things. I don't aspire to what others have - until I am in their house and am confronted with the difference between our possessions. Then greed rises up from my ugly heart. I'm content with a small, modest house, that I know is cheaper to maintain until my house begins to feel ragged and cramped compared to someone who has bigger and better. I may not even truly want what they have, but just noticing the difference in our possessions makes me feel like I am less of a person. How sick is that? When our value comes through Christ alone, earthly possessions should not control our emotions. I'm not saying to turn your back on others who seem to have more, but emotionally you will have to disconnect from the hold those differences have over you.

“Greed must die for contentment to live.” (p. 82) Yes!

Mary recommends a number of different programs to help with your budgeting goals:

Bankrate.com
Mvelopes Personal
Mint
Pear Budget
Clear Checkbook
Quick & Easy Budget Kit CD

If you don't get anything else from 7 Money Rules for Life®, get this:

“If you do not stop incurring new debt, you will go to your grave in permadebt, which is a depressing thought but something you need to consider.” (p. 169)

7 Money Rules for Life® is weak in the area of tithing. Even though Mary recommends using 10% of your income to help others she never relates it to the Biblical principle of tithing/giving to God.

Mary puts more emphasis on saving 10% for yourself than giving 10% to God. Both are important Biblical principles.

Learn more on Mary Hunt's Debt-Proof Living site.

I received a copy of 7 Money Rules for Life®: How to Take Control of Your Financial Future from Revell Baker Publishing.

“Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”