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I Read 4 Finance Books Today; You Profit

& Free Retirement Book Giveaway

One of the best parts of being a money writer is that people ask you to review their books. Many books in my library were given to me. I want to share the wealth with a synopsis of 4 books I read today and a giveaway!

The final book reviewed is available for a Free Giveaway; How Much Money do I Need to Retire?

Just sign up for the Wealth Tips Newsletter (and free bonus 20 Minute Guide to Investing)  and you will be eligible to win the book. 

Sign ups close on December 15th.

Mention in the comments that you signed up and we’ll let you know on December 18th if you won!

Win Retirement Book!
Win Retirement Book!

Home Finances for Couples Workbook; Family Money Fitness Program

By, Leo Ostapiv

I’ve loved workbooks ever since grade school when we completed fun math problems in third grade. I like the direction and guidance. Filling in the blanks makes me feel like I’m accomplishing something important.

Leo, had a good job with a major accounting firm, making an above average salary. Yet, he didn’t know where his money went and so resolved to learn to track and  monitor his finances. Along the way, he developed some cool money hacks which may help you and your partner with your bottom line.

Ostapiv dives in with exercises for couples to make sure they are on the same financial page. As a former counselor, I love these activities. The first exercise creates the framework for the entire book; each partner lists their top long and short term goals and ranks them. Next the couple compares the goals and collaborates on joint goals for the family. Great idea, as so many times, couples make money assumptions without laying out what’s important. Then when the wife (or husband) comes home with her 49th pair of shoes and the husband (or wife) splurges on the all-sports-all-the-time cable package, both partners are angry.

The workbook continues with other exercises and suggestions to implement money collaboration. Another strategy I enjoyed was the idea of a monthly family financial board meeting to figure out what’s working and what isn’t. He even gets into some basic accounting principles which are helpful for anyone without a finance background.

If you are interested in getting on the same financial page with your partner, this is a great book. There are links to other helpful resources and a free downloadable budget template. Who doesn’t love free?

This is a practical starting point for couples just starting out or those who’ve been together for awhile but not on the same money page. The Workbook raises good questions and offers a wealth of ideas and resources to manage your home finances. The only drawback is that some of the images are a bit fuzzy, but the content is inspiring and useful.

The $1,000 Challenge 

By, Brian J. O’Connor

How one family slashed it’s budget without moving under a bridge or living on government cheese. I’m partial to comedy, and when offered a choice, will visit a comedian over most other types of entertainment. The $1,000 Challenge is a great read for those who like money, need money help and suggestions, and like funny!

O’Connor decides to move his family from sunny Florida to his home state of Michigan and embarks on a grand cost cutting adventure. He vows to cut $100 per month from 10 budget categories. Each chapter includes detailed ideas to “Pinch pennies so hard that Lincoln gets a headache” (his words, not mine). From driving his wife’s car with better gas mileage whenever possible to squashing a monthly fee for an email account he didn’t use, O’Connor offered ideas for anyone.

If you’re already a cost cutting pro, you might still get an idea or two. But regardless of your interest in saving money or slashing expenses, this book is hilarious and great entertainment.

Money Rules; the Simple Path to Lifelong Security

By, Jean Chatzky

Similar to the Home Finances Workbook, and the The $1,000 Challenge, Money Rules is fun and easy to read.

These 94 rules are individual financial nuggets, part inspiration, part motivation, and part kick in the pants. Some of the rules are reminders of things you already knew, others are brand new. This is a book you can pick up and skim whenever the money blues have got you down.

Number 73. “Hope is not an investment strategy.” I’ve actually heard a version of this one before. It went like this, whenever we start talking about retirement, we stop and just hope things will work out.

Number 46. “The salesperson is not your friend.” I should have thought of this one before I bought my most recent dress. You know the one that you bring home and say to yourself, “What was I thinking?”

Number 22. “You can recover from any financial problem by saving more.” This one is great for all those 40 and 50 year old’s beating themselves up because they didn’t save enough.

Number 45. “Shop with cheapskates.” This is one of my favorites as I know how to squeeze the last nickel out of every dollar. Chatzky talks about how our peer group influences us, so it makes sense not to stick around the high rollers if you’re trying to moderate your spending.

Number 77. “No one really knows where the market is going.” This one is a fact. You may think (and I sometimes do) you have an idea about future stock prices, but no one knows the future. And those who predict the market correctly once, are unlikely to repeat.

This is a fun money book with plenty of saving, spending, and wealth building strategies.

How Much Money do I Need to Retire?

By, Todd Tresidder

I reviewed this book last year but wanted to include it again because Todd graciously offered a signed copy to give away. The book revolves around your answers to 7 retirement related questions. Some of the questions ask you to predict the unknowns, such as the inflation rate at retirement. He allows for the reality that no one knows the future. The book gives you 3 models to estimate how much money you need to retire. Tresidder offers hands on strategies to get a grip on that retirement number.

Read the full review of How Much Money do I Need to Retire?

For a chance to win a signed copy:

Sign up for the Wealth Tips Newsletter (and free bonus 20 Minute Guide to Investing) and you will be eligible to win the book. 

Mention in the comments that you signed up.

Sign ups close on December 15th. We’ll let you know on December 18th if you won!

What are your favorite money books? 

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