Getting a Grip on Your Money: A Plain & Simple Christian Guide to Managing Personal Finances, Eliminating Debt, Spending, Saving & Giving, Investing for the Future (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

You don't need an accounting degree to get a grip on your finances!

Most people give up on money management for the same reason they quit dieting-it's just too hard to manage all the details, so they forget it altogether. But handling your personal finances doesn't require complicated budgets or technical spreadsheets.

Economist William Wood says that it's better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing at all. Rather than tracking every penny, we're better off following basic, general guidelines that will help us avoid common financial pitfalls.

Filled with real-world examples and illustrations, this book offers simple, practical advice for getting your finances in order, with sound help for reducing debt, spending less and saving more. Even in today's uncertain economic climate, we can invest in ways that give us stable, long-term growth. Wood provides common-sense approaches to topics like credit cards, insurance, mortgages, mutual funds and much more.

Ultimately Wood reminds us that money is not only for our own benefit; good financial stewardship creates opportunities to give and provide for others. Wood's blend of financial expertise and biblical wisdom shows how Christians can honor God with their money. Whether you are starting college, buying your first home or approaching retirement, here is a sensible approach to personal finance that anybody can handle.

About the Author

Financial adviser William C. Wood is professor of economics at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press (May 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830823476
• ISBN-13: 978-0830823475
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #638,626 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars William C. Wood scores an A+, July 22, 2002

By	Amanda Gibson (South Hill, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Dr. Wood's Christian guide to managing money is refreshingly simple and very well written. "Getting a Grip on Your Money" tackles the tough financial questions and delivers plain, easy to follow advice, relying on the principle that the perfect is the enemy of the good. This book is a must have for anyone, Christian or non-, who wants to make the most of their financial resources.

3.0 out of 5 stars Okay, but I've read better, November 2, 2006

By	:) "angellynne" (Nebraska) - See all my reviews

This book is a good breeze-through for anyone who needs to understand some of the basics of money, but I admit I was disappointed in the budgeting section. I have been tracking my expenses for a year now and I was hoping that the budgeting section would provide a good alternative to that (since it is a bit of a burden), but there was actually very little information on how to set up the "simple" budget he is talking about. For those of you who need a better and more in-depth approach to budgeting and debt-reduction, I would highly recommend "Debt-Proof Living" by Mary Hunt (BTW she is also a Christian). It's a much better resource. For those of you who need basic information on investments, car loans, mortgages, etc, this is a good start and will provide the basics without overwhelming you, then you can get more information later as you need it. The bible references in here were a nice touch.