Recently, I had the chance to review the book,
The Problem With Money? It's Not About the Money! by Jane Honeck
The first question we need to ask ourselves is
Are You in Charge of Your Money, Or Is Your Money in Charge of You?That is what this book attempts to do. The author, Jane Honeck, CPA, specializes in tax and financial planning for professionals, small businesses and individuals. She is also a Certified Empowerment Trainer and has developed "Cent$ible Living" financial workshops and money coaching sessions to help her clients make meaningful and lasting change in their financial lives.
There are literally hundreds of books, Cd's, and DVD's telling us how to manage money. Meaning that many people how to gain control of their finances. Yet very few actually do it. The problem is they don't now the why they are in their particular situation. Which means it is hard to fix the what until they figure out the why.
In her book Honeck talks about how she found she had unexamined beliefs, and those beliefs were influencing the choices that she made. If we are to get really serious about our financial house, we most remove that blindfold and discover those uncovered beliefs in our own personal and financial lives.
In fact, she point blanks says, in here book,
That's what this book is all about. The Problem with Money? is about removing those blindfolds and committing to leading a financially conscious lives with fully examined beliefs so when we make our money choices we're making them with our eyes open.
She writes in a lighthearted way about a serious topic, saying, "We're going to laugh at our foibles and our feeble attempts to change (our money habits)." To help us unearth our money beliefs, she suggests to have a journal or notebook beside you as you read her book (The Problem With Money? It's Not About the Money!). Her reason for the notes, "being conscious with your money isn't automatic - the notes will remind you of where you've been and where you're going." (Perhaps that's part of my reason to start this blog in March 2006 - although somewhat unconsciously.)
As Honeck so clearly states in her book, when we become conscious of our underlying beliefs, we turn those beliefs around to reflect our real values. So what are some of those unconscious beliefs? Such things we may have learned from our parents and those around us, as we grew up, as -
Money is everything, those that don't have are lazy; they aren't even trying.-or-
Money is tough; there is never enough.-or-
Having to much money is bad (evil).
Her book attempts to help you discover your beliefs, without telling you what they should be. There is no right or wrong answers. Only you and you alone can decide what is best for you. She even includes worksheets in the back of the book to help you work through this process.
If you don't learn the why, you can't fix it. Basically, think of the movie Ground Hogs Day, and apply it to your financial life. It is important that we get control and keep control. Even those of us that have studied under personal finance lecturer, author and radio personality Dave Ramsey and got debt free, could end up repeating our mistakes, if we don't learn the why's and change those habits and thoughts. I truly believe this book is an important read and would fit nicely into any personal finance study. Please do yourself a favor, and get a copy of this book and read it. Do her worksheets, and then get the budget forms from PrinceOfThrift.com and fill them out on a regular basis. Because, when it comes to personal finance, it's not a one time thing, it's a lifetime thing.
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go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
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