Money...It's Not Just for Rich People! Book Review by Dolly
I'd like to share a favorite book of mine-that has sooo changed my life this summer. It's called,"Money-It's Not Just For Rich People!" -by Janine Bolon. I met this author a few months ago at a free seminar at the library. My sister, Sherri had called me at my preschool one day, and she said to mark my calender for a certain date. She told me that she was out driving in her car and heard a talk show on saving money. She said that the woman on the radio, would be at the library. I truthfully was not interested at first, but told my sister that I'd tag along for fun.
The day we did attend this free seminar, I actually did wonder... what this whole evening would be about. Sherri and I sat in the front row, with our little note-books ready to record anything of interest. My sister immediately introduced herself to Janine and I said hello. I could tell there was something special about this lady. She was dressed very formal with a nice pant-suit on...and then I looked down to see very expensive high-top tennis shoes. I thought,"Hmmm, she has good taste in fashion-with a bit of humor added!". I liked her style :) Then for the next hour, I was madly writing down as much info as my little hand could possibly record at one time. She spoke of a sixty-forty principle that is the secret to her managing money in her own life. (She now is a self-made millionaire!) She told us her life story and how one day, a light when off in her head-while she was playing legos on the floor with her children. She has since shared this formula in an amazing book. She actually has several books now to share-which I ran out and bought immediately. She told us during the lecture, that if we tried this formula...and it didn't work-she wanted to know. She gave us a challenge to test the information. I told my husband and my children in Family Home Evening what I had learned. Not all of my kids where ready to believe this information, but for those who did-we bought files to keep track of every penny they saved :) I know this formula really works (Try it out!) I will be sharing my next year in business, using this book. *Every step-you'll know about! Posted by Dolly
Money...It's Not Just for Rich People! Book Review: The Dollar Stretcher
Wednesday, 28 December 2005 11:26
The Dollar Stretcher presents
The Book Buzz by Beatriz Fernandez
Just when I thought I couldn't be surprised by anything new in the personal finance/frugality field, along comes a fresh new approach such as Janine Bolon's in her book Money…it's not just for rich people. I was blown away by this book, and I can't say enough good things about it!
Based on experience gained from her personal life and her research in financial education, Bolon's approach is scientific yet her tone is warm and personal. Her advice is neither too prescriptive nor annoyingly vague. She is persuasive and convincing without being overbearing. In other words, this book is a perfect balance of financial advice, instruction, coaching and direction: everything you need to get started (or continue) to achieve your personal financial goals!
Bolon's book does not offer advice on investing your money in specific vehicles; she teaches you how to apply the basic principles of money management so you too can become a conserver of money and life-energy, and achieve both financial independence and peace of mind.
Inspired by Amy Dacyczyn's methods, Bolon and her husband managed to achieve financial freedom (despite having four children and medical expenses) less than ten years after starting from scratch. While we may not all have the steely determination and drive she has, we can all benefit from her example and her methods.
Bolon's approach is not just about wealth accumulation; as she says, ''money is the means to reaching your goals, and should not be the goal itself.'' Bolon emphasizes the importance of concrete goal-setting, actually writing things down, and continuing to do so every three months as you are on the road to success. She also emphasizes the emotional side of money which is something many authors neglect to address. ''Unhappiness and fear are the keys to our spending habits,'' Bolon states.
She tells us how to take action to ''initiate the flow of money'' into our lives. One way she advises is to start giving money away; Bolon has a very interesting chapter about philanthropy that discusses tithing, the difference between charity and philanthropy and the universal laws which govern the movement of money. This is where she really excels, in capturing an elusive principle and convincing you it works! There is something irresistible about the enthusiastic way Bolon presents her case.
All in all, this book is a great read that fulfills a great need!
Ms. Fernandez is a university Reference Librarian and part-time book reviewer. She lives in Miami, Florida, with her husband and describes herself as ''starting a bit late'' in the personal finance field, but right now she is totally debt-free, excluding mortgage debt, which she plans to eliminate by 2009. (Ok, maybe 2010!)
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Review of Cash, Cars and College by John L. Hoh, Jr. for Bookideas.com
Sunday, 18 March 2007 10:53
Cash, Cars, & College by Janine Bolon , Illustrated by David Glenn
Rating: 4 of 5 stars Reviewed by: John L. Hoh, Jr.
Ms. Bolon takes her financial knowledge and applies that knowledge in a book that is aimed for young people. The book is an intelligent look at finances and is not condescending in its tone.
The book espouses the principles found in Bolon's book Ditching Debt. The 60/40 principle is explained in detail, even with calculations written out. Priming the 60/40 pump is also discussed. The difference is that Bolon uses lessons and lesson illustrations that can resonate with younger people, even to using subjects the reader may be taking in school. Also, as the young person may not have savings and checking accounts they can access (the parents may have opened accounts for their children, but usually only the parents have access to that money). These exercises help gain the young person hands-on experience with financial matters.
Vibrant illustrations help illustrate the principles discussed. An example is the effects of compounding interest if that doesn't get you started now in saving for retirement, nothing will.
