The DFW Virtual Book Club

briona

Alvin Hall – What Not to Spend

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0340836024/qid=1145880675/sr=8-12/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i12_xgl/203-2433568-7843959

It's a brilliant book – full of fairly obvious stuff but easy to read, beautifully presented with nice photographs. [There is a paperback version which, while it contains all the same information, is not as nicely presented*]

And, due to be published next month:

Alvin Hall – Get Out of Debt with Alvin Hall

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0340833572/qid=1145880675/sr=8-5/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i5_xgl/203-2433568-7843959

Briona

*I'm a Graphic Designer – these things matter!

moocow_2

my book is Save Karyn by Karyn Bosnak...

Remember reading about this american girl who spent $20,000 shopping on her credit card, and she set up a website to ask people for donations to help her pay her debts?

Save Karyn is about how she got into debt, and how she got out of it, and it is told in a completely frank, honest but optimistic way. She doesn't make excuses for how she got into debt, but she traces her descent into the quicksand of debt honestly: if you've bought and shopped yourself into trouble, you will be comforted to see that you have not been alone, and will be encouraged to have hope that just as karyn learnt from her mistake, we can to.

if you've always been good, and debt happened to you because of bad bad circumstances, you might find some resonance with the second part of this book: just as Karyn decided to turn over a new leaf and sort her finances out, Sept 11 happened, and she lost her job ... the difficulties she sometimes faced, the scrimp and save campaigned she fiercely launched and kept to, is something we all can identify with ...

if you've always been good, AND lucky, and have not had financial trouble, read this book as a warning of what not to do

over all, its a lighthearted, encouraging read, I hope you enjoy reading it as much as i did, and still do to give myself a quick pick me up!

elona

I really had my eyes opened by John Cummuta's "Are you being seduced into debt".

I especially liked the part when he discussed the "illusion of prosperity" by having a big house, expensive car and holidays etc - then pointing out that so many people are only "renting the illusion" and it all comes tumbling down.

He also points out the "product placement" in films and t.v series where we are led to believe it is commonplace to have the plasma tv and designer clothes etc. Unconsciously we try to keep up with the illusion they create.

The book may be difficult to find in the shops - I got mine from Amazon.co.uk - I still find myself reading and rereading it as it reassures me that saving for what we want is not "odd" or even somehow reprehensible.

Broken_hearted

Thanks elona (bloody button still missing), sounds like an interesting book. I think it might miss out class and family pressures though. will read it anyway.

square_bear

Has anyone read the book called `moneylove' (Warner Books).?
It has a good healthy approach to saving, spending and investing money.
It also has a lot of positive ideas about debt too.
It suggests that using positive affirmations in our daily lives will transform the way we think and live.
If you truly believe that you deserve the best and are ready to accept it, then nothing will stop you from becoming prosperous.
Many of us have these`Blocks' in our concious minds that simply stops the flow of money or success coming into our lives.
Once removed, is like being released from the chains that bound us to the negative unhealthy thoughts that rule our lives.
Dont let this book be the only one to help you, there are lots of other fantastic ones out there too.
Having just recently read the book and putting the various ideas to practice I have noticed changes to my finances and the idea that money can come from anywhere, dont believe in limitations.

sammy115

Thanks for those recommendations, I have ordered three from the library in true DFW style. Hoping to gain some inspiration!!

The luck factor was featured on Richard and Judy and the people who test drove the book said their luck improved!

amosworks

tyllwyd wrote:

You could try Jasmine Birtles 'A bit on the side'. Or Smart Spending with Jane Furnival (similar to Martin's book).

Sound like good reading. What's A bit on the side about though?? lol

linniestorm

The first Money related book I ever read was based on a recommendation from a friend that had her LBM and was trying to sort her debts/bills into a more organised fashion before her and her OH began a family.

Your Money or Your Life by Alvin Hall. It really eased me into the whole spending diary/snowballing concept (although I don't think he calls it snowballing.) And he's a character too! Doesn't have as many pretty pictures as some of his later books, but the content is much better!

sparklymessygirl

Your Money or your life by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin - really adjusted my attitude to money and possessions quite effortlessly - very inspirational with lots of real life motivational stories - and a plan to change your whole relationship with money.

Sparkly

Queen.Bess

I know some people might think she's as mad as a box of frogs, but I bought 'Smart Spending with Jane Furnival'. Really good advice, simply written with case studies and her own personal experiences of living a limited budget to illustrate her points.

Thoroughly recommended!