Money for Life: Budgeting Success and Financial Fitness in Just 12 Weeks [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Steven B. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2004

Ryan cringed and turned to Christine. ""What happened to our peaceful lifestyle? Financial things were so simple and easy in the past.""

"I don't know, Ryan, but we can't continue to live like this much longer."" The memory of her credit card rejection at the checkout line was still fresh. ""All I know is, our relationship has changed, and I don't like where it's going.""

Understanding the perilous direction they were headed by spending more money than they made, Ryan and Christine Richardson decided to change their financial course. Join them as they implement a 12 week back to the basics budgetingapproach based on the timeless ""envelopes"" method of budgeting. After reading Money for Life, you will be equipped and empowered to:

* Stop spending more than you make.

* Plan for unexpected expenses, including emergencies.

* Set money aside in advance of spending requirements.

* Implement a household budgeting system that makes communicating easy and fun.

* Put in place a plan for debt elimination.

* Use credit cards without increasing debt.

* Successfully manage your money in today's ""cashless"" electronic society.

The starter CD for Mvelopes™ Personal, an online budgeting system, is included with the book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Online banking makes more sense than ever using the unique budgeting system outlined in this very readable book." -- Dennis Higbee, Former Chairman; Utah Bankers Association

A fascinating study in the dynamics of budgeting. Money for Life reinforces all the principals I teach in my books -- James P. Christensen, Author; Rich On Any Income; Corporate Lecturer

Money for Life gives readers a simple, proven, no-gimmik system anyone can use to regain financial health. I recommend it! -- Gerri Detweiler, Consumer Advocate and Author; The Ultimate Credit Handbook --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Author

This book is dedicated to those who have the dream to pursue, the vision to plan, the courage to run, the expectation to perfect and the persistence to win! --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Kaplan Publishing (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0793187931
• ISBN-13: 978-0793187935
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #602,622 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally-- a helpful guide for spending management, April 20, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Money for Life: Budgeting Success and Financial Fitness in Just 12 Weeks (Paperback)

Finally-- a helpful guide for spending management

I've browsed through so many books about money and never found quite was I was looking for- not stale tips on how to save money (eat out less, clip coupons), not complicated strategies for investing large sums of money (which I don't have). I wanted a book that would be a step-by-step guide with specifics on how to budget and not overspend. I'm glad I finally stumbled upon Money for Life. Smith's book wasn't boring, I actually felt excited to finish it. I haven't started on the envelopes plan yet, but I'm heading home today to finish up setting up my spending accounts. Hopefully, I can keep to the principles of the book and this will work for me.

If you're looking for a book that will walk you through specifically what you can do to manage your spending (so that you'll eventually have some money, and THEN you'll need those investing books), try this book.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rather Ingenious, August 27, 2004

By 

Mr. Joel Thaddeus Klopcic "JTK" (Bel Air, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Money for Life: Budgeting Success and Financial Fitness in Just 12 Weeks (Paperback)

This is not your typical "How To" budgeting book. It is a marketing tool, both for a software service and a way of life. The cleverness comes in the way it is packaged. Most "Start Budgeting, Get Out Of Debt" books I've read are very direct, with lots of facts, figures, instructions, and warnings. Some people love this sort of thing. Others have flashbacks to algebra class and their eyes glaze over.

My friend's wife is one of these people.

He and I have discussed at length how to get her "on board" with the household budget. This book may be the answer.

Instead of a step-by-step, rational explantion of the budgeting process, this book is about relationships: a husband and wife, the wife and her best friends, and the well-meaning son and his parents. Stepping into this mix is the wise old financial planner, with time-tested advice and tales of the good life, free from worry, debt, and public embarassment. As the couple progresses through the stages of getting their financial house in order, their relationship deepens and grows, to the point where they are able to offer the same to their friends. The husband, who in the first chapter overcharges their credit card and causes his wife humiliation at the checkout counter, slowly becomes the perfect mate, and in the end treats her to a perfectly romantic beach picnic in the tropics.

Sound hokey? It is. But, this is the kind of visionary thinking that may get my friend's wife to get the Big Picture that gets lost in all the talk of bank accounts, envelopes, and receipts. By couching household budgeting in terms of personal relationships rather than account balances, she might just catch the vision. I expect that my own wife won't be swayed so easily. But, I think it does demonstrate a better approach than the figures and spreadsheets that I have been plying her with. So to that end, it's well worth reading, even if you already understand the topic. It might help you explain it to someone else.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Makes Boring Budgeting Come To Life, December 27, 2005

By 

Sarah Sharp (Elgin IL USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Money for Life: Budgeting Success and Financial Fitness in Just 12 Weeks (Paperback)

After receiving a recommendation for the online Mvelopes system (CD included with this book), my husband and I decided to read the book and research the system a little more before jumping in with both feet. I found the fictional story engaging, and a big help in conveying the basics of financial management. While it might seem a little hokey at times, I give the author credit for using the power of narrative to teach his material months after reading it, I find myself remembering situations in the book, and applying the principle it taught to my current circumstances). The content of the book is excellent, and I'm proud to say that after three months of using the Mvelopes system, we've reigned in our spending and are now able to avoid accumulating debt. The plan Smith teaches in Money for Life works, and you don't need a computer to pull it off. The book is full of options for pencil and paper lovers, or for those fond of spreadsheets. Money for Life is a great tool that empowers each of us to take control over our resources!