Book Review and Giveaway: Money and Marriage by Matt Bell

Money & Marriage is a complete guide for engaged, newly married couples, or couples who have been married for years.
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.

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.


Review:

I really enjoyed reading Money and Marriage. Josh and I have been married for 6 years and money is still one of our biggest struggles. Matt Bell puts forth some great suggestions for laying a successful financial foundation in your marriage basted on Biblical principles. The book is divided into three sections: decoding each other's financial DNA, a ten-step action plan for financial success, and fostering financial oneness. In the first section, Matt helps the readers figure out their financial personalities. Men and women see money differently and its important to understand your spouse. The second section gives great steps toward acheiving financial freedom like making a plan, putting some money away, and "ruthlessly avoiding debt". Then the final section discusses "financial oneness" which is mainly an issue for engaged and newly married couples - merging checking accounts, figuring out what to do with your separate credit cards, etc.

Throughout the book Matt throws out questions for you to discuss with your spouse, which I think is awesome. Sometimes just figuring out what exactly to ask can be the toughest part of dealing with finances. And once you know how your spouse feels about money issues you can move on to making your plan and getting started on the road to financial success. Matt does a great job explaining money issues and solutions and putting everything into words that are easy to understand.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs guidance with their finances. The steps are easily explained and defined and the solutions are doable if you put your mind and effort behind them.


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 & Marriage – important principles whether you're newly engaged or just celebrated your 30th anniversary.

Thanks for reading!
Brittany


(The book was provided to me by Litfuse Publicity Group at no cost, but I was not required to give a positive review... that's all me!)