Living on Less and Liking it More: How to reduce your spending and increase your living [Paperback]

Maxine Hancock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 6, 2001

Maxine Hancock believes that God’s call to modest living is an invitation into freedom for every Christian believer, a call sometimes hard to hear or respond to in our busy, affluent society. Contentment is learned, not earned as a result of things that money can buy.

But is it really possible to live more modestly and still enjoy life? Maxine Hancock and her husband, Cam, experienced a "day of adversity" that triggered their their heeding God’s call to a simpler lifestyle, and have gone on making choices on bases other than economic maximization.

Their conclusion: When we reduce our spending, we actually increase our range-of-life choices.

In this book, Maxine Hancock does not advocate poverty. Nor is she against prosperity. Instead, she shows how a person can honour God by choosing new thought patterns and new values. She suggests ways that families can get off the merry-go-round of excessive spending and find creative ways to care for basic needs.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Maxine and her husband, Cam, now live in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where she is Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies and Spiritual Theology at Regent College. Maxine's other books include Gold from the Fire, Re-evaluating Your Commitments, and Creative, Confident Children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Regent College Publishing (April 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573831387
• ISBN-13: 978-1573831383
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,429,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what I needed at the time., January 1, 2010

By 

CrazyHorseLady (Tornado Alley) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living on Less and Liking it More: How to reduce your spending and increase your living (Paperback)

I found this book at a library sale for fifty cents or so, and I was absorbed by it. While this will save you money, it's not just all about coupons and "pumping your own gas", so to speak. It's about contentment. It came to me at a time when friends of mine were just flaunting everything they had and just showboating like crazy. Ah... but they're also mired in debt and they constantly have to be employed to pay for their toys and super fashionable (er, strange) clothing.

This book makes you really think about what you really need, and also helps you separate needs from wants--although it does NOT forbid wanting things. Just helps you realize your priorities, and helps you find that quiet place inside yourself that asks, "Is my life really better with this [fill in the blank]?"

It's not about finding designer jeans at Goodwill; rather, it's asking, "Do I really need more jeans?"

Recommended. For more practical and specific advice, also purchase "Miserly Moms" and make sure it's the latest edition (it's updated and far more helpful than the older edition).

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TEN stars Wise and timeless, July 26, 2011

By 

MotherLodeBeth "MotherLodeBeth" (Sierras of California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Living on Less and Liking it More: How to reduce your spending and increase your living (Paperback)

While I know this book was written in the 70's and then updated a number of times since, I have to say that this is such a timely book and proves that the more things change the more they stay the same. Because its written from a Biblical point of view, I wanted to quote a bit the author wrote on page 27, 'How do we, individually and as families, avoid becoming sackcloth-and-ashes Christians and yet enter into the joys of modest living? The voice of Wisdom speaks to us from the Book of Proverbs:'Give me neither poverty nor riches; but give me only my daily bread.' The dangers of either extreme are summarized in the same proverb:'Otherwise, I may have too much and disown You and say 'Who is the Lord?' or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of God' Proverbs 30:8-9'. In wealth, the danger is independence of God. In poverty, the danger is a discouragement so profound that we are tempted to 'curse God and die' as Job's wife suggested doing (Job 2:9).'

The author then reminds us that in Philippines 4 we are reminded of moderation in all things material. And that as Christians we not only have the challenge, but the Holy Sprit to enable us to live at that golden mean so long sought by the great philosophers, that golden mean at which we have neither too much or too little, but at which we have brought needs and supply into a comfortable balance. The author thankfully also note as I love reading in the Bible that those of us who have plenty or much are required to give/share. For to those that much is given much is required.

Love Chapter 3 Contentment: Learned, Not Earned. Because it reminds the reader that one has to start where they are at and each day keep their eye on the Lord and try hard each new day to be content with less, and tithe extra to others around you. Also like the the book discusses something even MOST Christians ignore. And that is the fact that we are to care for our own family, and NOT expect the government to do so. Yet, I sure don't hear any 'leaders' talking about this very much when it comes to their own family.

Chapter Nine The Other Needs, discusses the importance of setting time and alas money for Godly treats, like a vacation with the family, outings for sports be it fishing, hikes, skiing, and other things where you live. Or time for spiritual growth which can be via books, DVD's and even wise lectures. Just make sure they are Biblical and not health and wealth mode.

Am loving this book and recommend it to everyone I know.