Debt-Proof Living by Mary Hunt

I have read several of Mary Hunt's books and figured there couldn't possibly be much more she could write that I didn't already know after reading her other books. I was wrong!

First of all, her books always encourage me to keep on, even when it means doing without. She writes in a way that I, someone who hates talking about math and money, can understand. Ironically, I now even find it a little fun to keep a budget.

One of my favorite sections is on money leaks. She encourages you to find out where the money is pouring out of your life and encourages creativity to stop that flow out.

I also like the section on countering destructive attitudes. I think we all fall into this trap often and need reminders that this is where our idolatry tends to reveal itself. I also like building your offense. I tend to do the same thing she does when going through catalogs! I just thought I was weird, but I did get the "shopping" out of my system without buying those temporary pleasures!

Her wording for debit cards and credit cards and charge cards made me laugh. She calls them hazardous materials, which is completely true!

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Cheaper, Better, Faster by Mary Hunt

Wow!  Where has this book been?  I could have definitely used this book a long time before now!  This book is full of the most helpful tips and has over 2,000 tips and tricks to save you both time and money.  They are categorized into different chapters, such as pets, automobiles, kids and babies, gifts, etc.

 

We actually have been having some flea problems with our dogs and I used the tips in this book to address the problem naturally, first.  It worked and I didn't have to go out and buy some really expensive medicine.  I also liked the home section, particularly the "fake vent" solution.  I had never thought of that, but it would be very neat to try.  The tips in the cooking chapter are also quite handy and I'm surprised at how many I didn't know, considering how much I enjoy cooking.

 

This book would fit a man just fine, but I think a woman would profit from it a lot.  I like how many of the tips and tricks use common household things that you either have or can get from any store.

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Debt-Proof Your Christmas by Mary Hunt

Every Christmas, I vow for my Christmas present buying to be different.  Less stuff, less money, less spending.  However, come Black Friday and that tends to go out the window as sales are posted of things that are nice to have, but not really necessary.

I was really thankful that this book came out just in time for the Christmas season.  I love how she tells her readers to leave the credit card at home and just take the cash.  We do that and it makes it so much easier knowing that it is paid for already and won't have after-Christmas bills to pay.

The chapter of the "The Gentle Art of Gift Giving" was extremely helpful because I seem to never know how to give a gift to people like babysitters, mail carriers, garbage men, etc.  Another helpful chapter was the "Finding the Bargains" chapter that listed great sites for cheaper shoes, merchandise, electronics, books, clothes, etc.  Since I tend to do more shopping online, I found these sites very helpful.  I hadn't heard of some of them so I glad to learn of new sites.

This book is not only full of advice on not going in debt for Christmas presents and remembering why we are celebrating Christmas, but it also has present ideas for people in your workplace, family, and general ideas that would work for neighbors or anyone else you'd like to give a present to.  She includes recipes if you want to do a kitchen gifts as well as gifts that you can fit in a jar.  It has ways to dress your tree, hang your lights, entertaining, and how to spend time just enjoying your family.

With the rush of Christmas upon me, I found this book not only a help that I will be bringing out yearly, but also one that filled me with ideas and encouragement to know that yes, it's true...Christmas isn't about any present.  It's not quantity.  It's the thought.  Thanks for another very helpful book and am looking forward to more of your advice that you are willing to share with us, your readers!
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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

7 Money Rules for Life by Mary Hunt

This was another book that I was a bit hesitant on.  I had honestly only heard Dave Ramsey's financial advice and had taken his class so I just usually don't really read anyone else's stuff on money.  Not because I think they're bad, but just because I live Dave.  However, after consideration, I figured that I wouldn't be a bad idea to read what Mary Hunt had to say.  I'm so glad I did!  And honestly, so is my husband!

I'm a very visual person so the diagrams that she uses and her thought processes made a lot of sense to me.  She broke it down into terms I could understand but she didn't make it on a level that was insulting either.  She has 7 rules for money that all families should abide by.  Her rules are:

1) Spend less than you earn
2) Save for the future
3) Give some away
4) Anticipate your irregular expenses
5) Tell your money where to go
6) Manage your credit
7) Borrow only what you know you can repay

After I finished reading this book, I was inspired to do our budget myself.  That never interested me before but I actually had a lot of fun with it.  My husband was glad to let me try the budget this month.  He usually does the budget but was willing to let me apply what I learned to see if this budget worked out better.  I'm excited to see how much we'll start saving and to battle that whole materialistic mindset that creeps into our lives and makes us want more, more, more.

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

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.