MONEY & MARRIAGE by Matt Bell

Money and Marriage: A Complete Guide for Engaged or Newly Married Couples:

In this thorough and practical guide, financial expert Matt Bell helps engaged and newly married couples navigate the merger of habits, flaws, and attitudes about money so two can truly become one.

His writing is full of helpful advice, Scripture, and practical steps to gaining financial freedom together as a couple. Learn to use money in a way that minimizes disputes and maximizes marital happiness.

MY REVIEW: 

If you are just married or preparing to get married then let me encourage you to get this book! This will be one of the best investments you will ever make for your financial future as a couple. 

If I had something like this before my first marriage, teaching me how to discuss finances or the lack of them, then there wouldn't have been another marriage after it!

Right off the bat, Matt is open with the differences between he and his wife before they got married. He also gives some very interesting statistics about the financial differences between how men and women spend. 


He then breaks the book into two sections: Decoding Each Other's Financial DNA and A Ten-Step Action Plan For Financial Success.

Matt included links to his website to download free resources such as a Cash Flow Plan. (I like that, Cash Flow Plan, instead of budget. It makes it sound more palatable.) 

In the first part of the book where he shows how to determine your financial makeup, he includes some great worksheets to go through. It certainly proved helpful in determining my financial temperament. I happen to be melancholy and phlegmatic which means I'm suppose to like budgeting and living within my means. Well, I don't do too bad living within my means.... but I'm not too sure about the budget! 

At the end of each chapter in the second part of the book, Matt includes a "Take Action" section. There are very practical steps to take to improve your financial situation as a couple. 


Money is the leading cause for divorce. Money & Marriage is a real help for engaged, newlyweds, and even couples who have been married for a long time. It opens communication for couples on a subject that has been taboo for most people, money.



I recommend buying it, reading it, following it then sharing it with others. 


This book was provided free by Litfuse Publicity Group for the purpose of review. I am under no obligation to provide a positive review.



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

CLICK HERE TO READ WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT MONEY and MARRIAGE!
http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13162540

Matt Bell's (a.k.a Matt About Money) Money and Marriage has just released (NAVPress) and is a great resource for engaged or newly married couples.

Matt says about the book, “I wrote “Money and Marriage” because I believe in marriage. I’m sure it isn’t news to you that money is a very common source of stress between spouses. It’s even a primary factor in many divorces. I wrote this book with no less of a goal than to save many marriages from disaster, and to help all couples use money in a way that strengthens their relationship and increases their joy.”

GIVEAWAY!

Win a free financial session and $100 Visa cash card in the Matt Bell’s Nest Egg Giveaway!

To celebrate Matt has put together a Nest Egg Giveaway with a prize package worth over $250! 

One winner will receive:

•    A Free 1 Hour Financial Session

•    A $100 Visa Cash Card

•    A signed copy of Matt’s Money, Purpose, Joy and Money Strategies for Tough Times

To enter just click one of the icons below. Then tell your friends. And hurry - the contest ends April 11th. The winner will be announced on Matt's blog on April 13th.

Be sure to pick up a copy of Money and Marriage – important principles whether you're newly engaged or just celebrated your 30th anniversary.

QUEST FOR THE NAIL PRINTS by Don Furr

Let me begin by saying this book was generously provided by Don Furr for the purpose of review. I am under no obligation to provide a positive review. 

Having said that I have to say I was sad to see the end of the book but I am happy to know it's not the end of the story.


The one unique feature about this book is the nail print that goes through the book from the front cover to the back cover. Each page has a nail hole in it. It's really pretty cool!

From the first chapter through the last page, Don Furr had me riveted to the book. His characters are believable and his plot is strong. Dr. Elizabeth Stewart,  Professor Leonardo Van Eaton and Reverend Paul Ryann are the main characters in the story and each one will pull at your heart for different reasons.

For various reasons that I won't go into because I don't want to spoil anything, the three of them end up in Israel. From there the story just gets better. I don't want to say anymore because I don't want to give the plot away, other than to say time travel.

This really is a wonderful book. It certainly touched me in many ways. Even though Don had to bring an end to the book, I am excited knowing the true story is still happening. 


You can get your own copy of Quest For The Nail Prints through Amazon.com

Don Furr is an accomplished actor and playwright who owns and operates a major exhibit services company. 

Don and his wife have three children and three grandchildrenand reside in Memphis, TN where he pilots his Ranger helicopter for a local television station. He is a member of First Baptist Church,Lakeland…

and time travel is his passion!

Don’s 1981 Delorean is a customized replica of the “Back to the Future” car from the movie by the same name, and is available for tradeshows, store events, and conventions nation wide.

OBAMA PRAYER By Charles M Garriott.

First let me say this book was provided for review by Charles Garriott. I am under no obligation to give a positive review.

Having said that, let the review begin!

A little about the book first....

On the inside cover of the book it says,

“Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray...” - Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln’s 1865 inaugural address was as much about God and prayer as it was the circumstances of a nation in civil war. The president’s words reflect a country that believed in prayer. Have we as a people shed our passion for praying? Are we now less prone in this 21st century to seek God for the benefit of others and ourselves? Would we ignore the call to pray for the President of the United States of America?

Charles Garriott’s Obama Prayer is a reminder that little has changed when it comes to our nation’s prayer posture. It has been said that within a given week over 80% of our nation will humble themselves before God. This well-crafted and insightful book provides timely encouragement and insights in how to effectually pray for our president, his family, work, and soul.

When I was asked to review this book I had to think about it. I know, I know, what was there to think about? The plain truth was, I didn't want to read a book about praying for this particular president. In fact, the author, Charles Garriott had eloquently put my very thoughts in this book....

"Some no doubt will disdain the concept of this prayer book. The political era of this new century is nauseating, and many of us are weary of the lack of civility. I suspect some would prefer a constitutional clause separating politics and prayer. For others, to seek God's presence on behalf of someone with whom they are at political odds makes no sense. Of course, they might pray as the ancient King of Israel did when he said, ("O, that you would slay the wicked, O God!" (Psalm 139:19a))..." p13

However, once I got over my reluctance and agreed to review it, I felt better.... somewhat. It wasn't until I was actually holding the book, though, did I realize my own derelict condition. I wasn't, as a Christian, doing what God had in His own written Word had told me to do. And that was pray

"...for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (I Timothy 2:1-6 NKJV)

Mr. Garriott has written a book that is not only timely but timeless. Though it is directed towards this particular president, it can be modified for future presidents. Maybe a different title would have been better, yet, I can see the challenge to Christians all over the country to read this book and remember what we are suppose to do. Pray for our president (even if we didn't vote for him) and our government (even if it isn't the one we want) and remember that God is the One who puts kings (and presidents) in place.

Mr. Garriott has made it easy to pray for the president by inserting a prayer at the end of each chapter. You can pray that particular prayer or modify it. Each prayer begins with the acknowledgement of who God is, giving honor and glory to Him, then specifically praying for the president or his health or family or something relating to the government and country and then closes giving all glory to the Lord again. If you are familiar with the Lord's Prayer, you will find each prayer is patterned after it.

He begins each chapter with a verse from Proverbs and refers to various verses from the Bible throughout. This little book is a big reminder of what we as Christians are suppose to be doing. Praying for those in authority so we may lead a quiet and peaceable life.

Though I was hesitant at first I am now convicted and convinced to pray for a president I didn't vote for, one whose politics I am in opposition to. But God didn't tell me to only pray for those I am in agreement with, but to pray for those in authority.

I hope this review will encourage you to get a copy of this book, especially if you have a difficult time trying to pray for this president or any others that may come into office. Let's look at what God's Word says, again....
"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence." (I Timothy 2:1-2 NKJV)
Get this book, pray for the president of this country and know that what you are doing is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.

CHARLES GARRIOTT was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and was educated at the University of Baltimore and Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. For over twenty years he pastored in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He has traveled and preached, extensively throughout South Africa, Central Europe, Asia, and Haiti. Garriott develops ministry to those in government in Washington, D.C., state, and international capitals, under the auspices of Mission North America, Presbyterian Church in America.

He lives with his wife Debby in the District of Columbia. They have four children and four grandchildren.

You can learn more about Obama Prayer at www.obamaprayer.com  and you can purchase the book at Amazon.com.