Frugal Books: Read and Save Money

Recently I have read two terrific books with an emphasis on frugal living and smart spending. Both uphold the mission of Wallet Wise, and teach valuable saving and spending habits.

The Duggars: 20 and Counting
This book is about the Duggar family. With 18 children, they have managed to avoid debt yet have a 7000 square foot home as well as reliable cars (including a tour bus!). The principles taught in this book are valuable for those wishing to "live like no one else". It has a heavy emphasis on trusting in God to provide for needs, which is a wonderful lesson for all Christians to learn. I checked this book out from my library, but I am planning on buying it since I keep referring to it! Click here to read a review, excerpt and to buy the book.






America's Cheapest Family Gets you Right on the Money
I got this book hoping for some frugal money saving tips, but I got much more than that! The first chapter alone will probably change the way I grocery shop forever. It teaches you step by step how to save money with groceries, as well as how to budget. I have never been taught how to budget so effectiviely as this book did! After I read the chapter on budgeting, I ran to my office to revamp how we do our finances. I plan on doing a special post that highlights this new method because I think many people are painfully unaware of the method that could save them sanity and help streamline, simplify and bring security to their personal finances. Read this book if you are serious about saving money, living better and cashing in your dreams. Click here to read reviews and buy the book.

I hope these two resources will bring you as much help and encouragement in your personal finances as it did ours! If, after reviewing the book from your library, you do decide to purchase the book, please consider doing so from the links on this page. Proceeds from the purchase helps to support Wallet Wise.

Budget Wednesday: Young, Fabulous and Broke

Another great book by financial guru, Suze Orman, is The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous and Broke. The pages are chock full of sound financial and budgeting advice, aimed specifically at those who find themselves, well, broke. A perfect gift for new college graduates! Below is a review from amazon.com:

If you are tired of struggling to make ends meet but don't know a 401(k) from Special K, this book is for you. Aimed specifically at "Generation Broke"--those in their twenties and thirties who are working yet buried in credit card debt and student loans--this user-friendly guide offers a clear introduction to practical investing and money management techniques that can turn even a dismal financial situation around. Bestselling author Suze Orman has a knack for taking the fear out of money matters, and in The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous &: Broke, she shows readers how to set priorities and achieve goals, whether it is to buy a house or save for retirement or pay for a child's education. She also offers inspiration to readers to face their financial problems and get started on a solution. After all, there is good news: young people still have the time to correct problems so that they will never be broke again. Readers who find terms such as diversification and IRA rollover scary--or worse, unimportant--will learn much from this book.

In these pages, Orman clearly and succinctly explains what a FICO score is and why it's so important, offers the lowdown on stocks and mutual funds, provides career advice, and offers lots of tips on dealing with student loan debt, saving money even when times are tight, debt consolidation strategies, and the safest way for newlyweds to merge their finances. She also offers information on credit cards, including why canceling cards is not a good idea, when it makes sense to use them, and the best strategies for paying them off. It may not be the only money book you'll ever need, but it's an excellent place to start. --Shawn Carkonen

To purchase this book from amazon, click here.

Budget Wednesday: Suze Orman-- Women and Money

For this week's Budget Wednesday, let me introduce you to financial guru, Suze Orman. She has written numerous books on budgeting and handling money the smart way, and her seminars and testimony is something we all can relate to. One of my favorite books authored by her include:

Women and Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny-- "I never thought I'd write a book about money just for women. I never thought it was necessary. So then why am I doing just that in my eighth book? And why now? Let me explain. All my previous books were written with the belief that gender is not a factor on any level in mastering the nuts and bolts of smart financial management. Women can invest, save, and handle debt just as well and skillfully as any man. I still believe that--why would anyone think differently? So imagine my surprise when I learned that some of the people closest to me in my life were in the dark about their own finances. Clueless. Or, in some cases, willfully resisting doing what they knew needed to be done. I'm talking about smart, competent, accomplished women who present a face to the world that is pure confidence and capability. Do you mean to tell me that I, Suze Orman, who make my living solving the financial problems of total strangers, couldn't spot the trouble brewing so close to home? I don't think I'm blind; I just think that these women became very, very good at hiding their troubles from me.Why not? They had years of practice hiding them from themselves."

In this book, Suze goes through the 8 qualities of a wealthy woman as well as a five month 'save yourself' plan that "delivers long-term financial security". To read more and/or purchase this book for a little over 2$, click here. I definitely recommend reading her books and learning what she has to say- certainly a great addition to any library!

Stay Tuned for more on Suze Orman!!

Who are some of your favorite financial gurus?

Budget Wednesday: Total Money Makeover

Today I decided to post about a book that has made a huge impact in that way I handle my personal finances. Dave Ramsey's book, Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness, is all about helping individuals get out of debt and gaining control of their money. His motto is- "Live like no one else today, so you can live like no one else tomorrow!"Ramsey offers a Christian perspective on personal finances and emphasizes principles such as paying with cash and taking baby steps that will allow you to save an emergency fund, pay off debt, save for college and pay off your home mortgage. His book is literally packed with personal testimonies of success from using his system. He also includes budget charts and other graphs to help you through the process.

Dave Ramsey has been changing lives through his books and his radio talk shows, and he can change yours too! Even if you consider yourself a guru in budgeting and personal finance, Total Money Makeover is a great read as well as reference tool. I encourage all of you (if you haven't already!) to check it out!

*image copyright Amazon.com