What a wonderful tool this is for any relationship. As we know relationships require a lot of compromise and a lot of emotional energy. One thing we do not focus enough on while we are building lives together; money. Matt Bell does a wonderful job breaking it down into simple chapters with a workbook incorporated.
In our five years together Hubby and I have never sat down and focused solely on finances. We have had several conversations about paying bills and paychecks, but never our deep dark pit of financial burden. This book gave us this opportunity and helped us to understand each other's "Financial DNA".
It's hard to talk about money and I am glad there is a book that has helped many couples, us included, break the ice. I would recommend this book to anyone who is in a long term relationship, not just couples who are married or engaged.
The section that caught our attention the most, and really got us to look at each other and as the question "where do we want to be financially?" is Part Two: A Ten-Step Action Plan for Financial Success **OMG Word just crashed and I had a mini panic attack. I am working on three things at once and almost lost all of them**
Chapter 5 Plan to succeed
Chapter 6 Work Wisely
Chapter 7 Give Some Away
Chapter 8 Put some away *This is the hardest by far… But pays off big*
Chapter 9 Ruthlessly Avoid Debt *Another hard one*
Chapter 10 Manage Your Credit Score
Chapter 12 Build Walls Of Protection
Chapter 13 Spend Smart on Housing
Chapter 14 Spend Smart on All Other Expenses
A little about the author: " Matt began his career as a radio journalist, with his work featured on National Public Radio, the NBC Radio Network, and several other networks. His reporting earned national awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and United Press International.
Today, Matt is a full-time personal finance writer and speaker. He is the author of two books: "Money, Purpose, Joy" (September 2008) and "Money Strategies for Tough Times" (April 2009), both by NavPress. Matt has been quoted in USA TODAY, U.S. News and World Report, the Chicago Tribune, and Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, has written for ChristianityToday.com, and has been a guest on WGN-TV and several nationally syndicated radio talk shows.
Matt holds a Master's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from DePaul University, where he wrote a thesis about the emergence of America's consumer culture and its influence on people's beliefs and behaviors.
Matt lives with his wife and their three young children in the Chicago area. Visit his website and blog at www.mattaboutmoney.com."
It got us to look at what we are doing wrong, and how we can build up to doing it right.
To end this, I think our relationship needed "The Money Talk" even after being together for so long. And even if you have had it before and it has been a while, pick up the book and look it over. I bet there are things that you have missed!
**This book was given to me for free to review, all opinions expressed are my own**
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