Ease the Squeeze [Paperback]

Doug Hagedorn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2002

Ease the Squeeze provides practical approaches to setting personal and family goals, getting out of debt, setting up a budget, applying more discipline to spending decisions, saving more money, giving more and with a proper motive, becoming financially free, and bolstering our family and spiritual lives in the process.

The book is 396 pages of up-to-date research and chock full of helps to include checklists, self-tests, worksheets, action points, money-saving ideas and educational and discount WEB sites. It includes a toolbox of 50+ graphs and tables. Ease the Squeeze is loaded with daily application opportunities and money-saving ideas!

You will discover:

How to develop a LIFE PLAN (mission for living), a FINANCIAL PLAN, and a GIVING PLAN.

How to develop personal and family goals for your life and finances.

How to set up a realistic, structured plan to get out of debt quickly.

How to set up a budget that is realistic, easy to understand, easy to manage, and tailored for YOU!

How to develop a financial plan with both short and long-term goals.

Practical ways to save more money and control your spending immediately.

Explores FINANCIAL FREEDOM- what it is, and how to achieve it.

Relates the author's personal story and lessons learned along the journey from massive debt to NO DEBT (includes paid off mortgage), and the ability to give 30%.

Biblical approaches to money management and sound advice on giving and stewardship.

Spiritual applications and insights regarding choices, priorities, materialism, needs/wants, debt, giving, investing, the tithe vs. voluntary giving, simplification, etc.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Economic uncertainty, layoffs, corporate scandals, stock market losses, excessive credit card debt, inability to save for the future, stress, overload, relationships in turmoil, choices, priorities-- Americans are feeling SQUEEZED! We save less, give less, declare bankruptcy more, and are more in debt than ever before. Though we are more prosperous as a nation than ever before, the personal financial trends that are sweeping our country and generation are sobering. Our savings rate has dipped from 12% to 1%. We file 1.4 million bankruptices a year versus 100,000 in the 1950s. Our government debt is more than 6 Trillion dollars. The average American has 16.7 credit cards with $8367 of debt. The annual number of divorces has quadrupled to 1.2 million, and our giving has decreased from 6% to 2.6%. We pay an average of $1000 a year in interest and give only $754 a year.

Surveys show that for many people these trends are a result of their financial situation, a lack of financial training, or a lack of proper planning and priorties. Ease the Squeeze will help you develop a plan, train you to manage your money instead of it managing you, and chart your course for your life, your finances, and your giving! The early feedback has shown that this book will lead people to financially free lives and help them develop purposeful plans for getting out of debt; establishing savings; setting up a budget; giving; and regaining control of their time, plans, relationships and finances. It will also strengthen family and faith in the process! We are under siege, and it is time to ACT NOW to Ease the Squeeze.

About the Author

Doug Hagedorn married his wife Dana in 1993. They have 3 children, and reside in McKinney, Texas. Doug, the only "non-native" Texan in the family, was born near Detroit and was raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He received his B.A. degree in Business Administration at Michigan State University (1987) and his M.B.A. degree in Business Management at University of Dallas (1991). He is currently completing coursework at Tyndale Theological Seminary. He is a member of the Lead Faculty for LeTourneau University (since 1996), has served as the Treasurer and Finance Committee Chairman for Dallas Metro Ministries (since 1994), and is active in his local church as Treasurer, Sunday school teacher, and small group leader (since 1999). He is currently employed at Raytheon Corporation (since 1987). He has conducted Financial Foundation Builders seminars in churches since 1997 (references available upon request), and is also a Promise Keeper. Most importantly, he was born again in 1991! All the other stuff and fluff is meaningless without Christ...to Him be the honor!

Product Details

• Paperback: 396 pages
• Publisher: Xulon Press (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591601711
• ISBN-13: 978-1591601715
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,605,962 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly first-rate instructional manual, January 5, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ease the Squeeze (Hardcover)

Ease The Squeeze: Develop A Life Plan, A Giving Plan, And A Financial Plan is a straightforward, "reader friendly" guide to developing personally-based financial plans to living a comfortable, debt-free, worry free life. From getting a handle on spending, to sound advice regarding charitable giving and socially responsible stewardship, to a variety of checklists, self-tests, and worksheets for easy reference and assistance, Ease The Squeeze is very strongly recommended as being a truly first-rate instructional manual appropriate for readers of all economic and educational backgrounds, and is a "must" for anyone wanting to prepare for a secure retirement or who is feeling seriously squeezed by bills and creditors.

5.0 out of 5 stars Ease the Squeeze is Superior!, March 2, 2004

By 

Amy Alexander (Rosebud, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ease the Squeeze (Paperback)

This is a must-read for anyone wanting to get their financial act together! Doug helps the reader to put their priorities in line FIRST, then focuses on the financial basics. He writes straight from the heart and backs up his writing with biblical truth. This book is encouraging, motivational, and I commend him for having the conviction and strength to write it!

5.0 out of 5 stars Helping Others Find Financial Freedom, November 6, 2002

By 

S J Fairhall (Leeds, W Yorkshire United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ease the Squeeze (Hardcover)

A very challenging and refreshing look at this vital subject area. It is a book from the heart and a powerful testimony adds significant weight to the teaching it provides. The encouragement to develop life and giving plans prior to a financial plan is especially helpful. The financial advice contained within the book is practical and uncomplicated and should therefore be very helpful to all who respond to the challenge to take action.