Taming the Money Monster: 5 Steps to Conquering Debt [Paperback]

Ron Blue (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 12, 2000

Getting into debt happens so innocently and gradually that victims are seldom aware of the danger they're in until it's too late. Taming the Money Monster offers expert, practical advice on how to get out of debt, stay out of dept, and enjoy financial freedom.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Living Books (February 12, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561795879
• ISBN-13: 978-1561795871
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #635,468 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Following his graduation from Indiana University with a master of business administration degree, Ron joined the management group of Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. and worked with the firm in New York City, Dallas, and San Francisco. In 1970, Ron founded an Indianapolis-based CPA firm that has grown to be one of the 50 largest CPA firms in the United States. Leaving the CPA firm in 1977, Ron became administrative vice president of Leadership Dynamics International. While with Leadership Dynamics, he was involved in developing and teaching biblically based leadership and management seminars in the United States and Africa. Convinced that Christians would better handle their personal finances if they were counseled objectively with the highest technical expertise and from a biblical perspective, he founded a financial planning firm in 1979. That firm grew to manage over $2 billion in assets for its more than 5,000 clients nationwide with a staff of over 175 people in 14 regional offices. Ron retired from the financial planning firm in 2003 in order to lead Kingdom Advisors, an international effort to equip and motivate Christian financial professionals to serve the body of Christ by implementing biblical wisdom in their lives and practices, resulting in financial freedom and increased giving by thousands of dollars by thousands of Christians around the world. Ron is the author of 17 books on personal finance from a biblical perspective, including the best seller "Master Your Money," first published in 1986 and now in its thirtieth printing; "Your Money After the Big 5-0," coauthored with Larry Burkett; "Splitting Heirs"; and his most recent books, "Faith-Based Family Finances" and "Surviving Financial Meltdown." He is featured in the popular six-part Master Your Money video series, produced by Walk Thru the Bible Ministries and used in over 5,500 churches across the country. Ron has appeared on numerous radio and television programs, including "Focus on the Family," "Family News in Focus," "The 700 Club," "Prime Time America," and Moody Radio's "Open Line." He is a regular contributor to several national Christian magazines. Ron currently serves on the board of directors of Campus Crusade for Christ, Crown Financial Ministries, and the National Christian Foundation. He also serves on the board of trustees of the Maclellan Foundation and the Sandra and William B. Johnson Foundation, Inc. He formerly served on the board of directors of Family Research Council, Promise Keepers, Insight for Living, the Medical Institute, and Walk Thru the Bible Ministries. In 2002, Ron received the Honors Award from the Georgia chapter of the Financial Planning Association (FPA). In 2003, he received the honored designation of Distinguished Entrepreneur from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, his alma mater. Ron and his wife, Judy, live in Atlanta. They have five children and eleven grandchildren.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended - Should be required reading, February 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Taming the Money Monster: Five Steps to Conquering Debt (Paperback)

I highly recommend this book. It really should be required reading, especially for couples before marriage and young people in general. While it does contain a chapter on how to get out of debt, even those who are not in debt would benefit greatly from the understanding they would gain about credit and debt.

Mr. Blue discusses "the magic of compounding interest" and how it can work for or against you. He also outlines four common sense rules that should be followed before going into debt of any kind. He specifically discusses credit card debt, car loans, and mortgages as well as church, business, and investment debt in light of the four common sense rules.

The book is well-written and easy-to-read with real-life examples. It will help those who are in debt to get out, and, if Mr. Blue's advice is followed, it will help anyone to make wise financial decisions in the future.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tame Your Money Monster!, March 16, 2003

By 

Gregory Nyman (Winchendon, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Taming the Money Monster: Five Steps to Conquering Debt (Paperback)

Ron Blue is the founder and managing partner of Ronald Blue & Co, a financial advisory firm, and he has earned his Master's in Business Administration. Does this make him an expert? Well, maybe not, but his advice is incredibly timely, and written with a well-spring of wisdom for today.

His book reads like a roadmap to recovery - financial recovery - if one is interested in recovery, with some of the chapters such as:

Taming the Money Monster
The Road to Debt
Advertising Illusions

Financial Deceptions
A Biblical Perspective
The Road Ahead
How to Get Out of Debt
When Should You Use Credit? (How's that for timely?)
Understanding Credit (Most don't)
Installment Debt
Mortgage Debt
Other Debt

There are chapters on college loans, church bonds, house debt and business debt, and it deserves to be read and re-read. Don't let money rule your life. Read this book and see how Ron can help you manage your money wisely and you can find real financial freedom from the bondage of the Money Monster.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read and ideas, March 27, 1999

By 

Lou Gioia ([e-mail]) (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Taming the Money Monster: Five Steps to Conquering Debt (Paperback)

Anyone reading this book, and putting its ideas to work, can accomplish the goals set forth in this publication. Easy to read, practical, entertaining and truthful are but a few of the praises I place on this book. What it professes really works. I have tried it. Prior to reading this book, my wife and I had no hope of getting out of debt. Following Mr Blue's advice,with lots of faith, we are on our way out. Thanks Mr Blue.