What I Did With Summer Vacation

Summertime and the living is easy. Or at least the weather invites us to move slowly. This sure happened to me as June’s newsletter did not happen.

So here it is July and I am prepared with this month’s newsletter. First, a variation of the old classic essay “What I Did on My Summer Vacation.”

I have been busy working on a new website for couples. The site is the way I will bring my work specifically to couples via on-line and over the phone workshops. Stand by. Next month I will be unveiling the new site and in September couples classes will start.

I also picked up Geneen Roth’s latest book, Lost and Found and discovered I was mentioned in the acknowledgements. I appreciated her thoughtfulness and really enjoyed our phone calls.

Over the summer, I have been lining up some speaking gigs for the fall. If you or someone you know is looking for an engaging speaker, I created a new one-sheet marketing piece I would be happy to share with you.

Check MoneyPeace out on Twitter and Facebook. I have been practicing on social media and would love to be connected with you that way. Let me know what you want to hear about.

Did you know I have a monthly column in Vermont Women? This month’s article is compliments of the latest issue.

Okay, I have gotten away from working this summer. In June, I headed over to England to visit my dear friend. I saw my godchildren and their schools and happily attended one of their confirmations. Then, as a celebration we had an “English” picnic - indoors due to a downpour! Some fond memories of connecting with loved ones and lessons on Twitter to boot!

May your summer be blessed with work, loved ones and sunshine.

Peace and Prosperity,
Christine

Summertime Reading

Looking for some summer reading? Interested in learning something along the way? These books talk behavior, attitude and philosophy around money – a thought provoking read at the beach, in your hammock in the back yard or as you travel by plane. They do not demand you gather your financial information together, check balances or create new accounts. These authors give you something to think about without any math involved. For everyone, first comes reflection and then comes action. So if you are looking for a change in your finances, start with some summer reading around money philosophy.

Lost and Found: Unexpected Revelations About Food and Money
Geneen Roth
Viking, 2011

Geneen Roth is a best selling author typically known for her writings and books on women and food. This is her debut into the personal finance realm. Her subject is her personal journey into money awareness. She openly shares her experience, emotions and thoughts as she leaves a comfortable financial world and slides quickly into negative financial territory. No, she was not self motivated to start exploring her financial life and leanings. Her personal teacher who put her on this path is none other than Bernie Madoff. Need I say more? We can all learn from her open and honest journey and insights.

The Power to Prosper
Michelle Singleton
Sondervan, 2010

Michelle’s syndicated Washington Post column has long been a strong and important financial resource. She gives clear cut, concise and well thought out advice. This book is more of the same with an added touch. She takes a spiritual approach that borders on a strong conservative religious tilt without detracting from the fabulous financial advice. So if you can overlook the slant, The Power to Prosper has some wonderful tips to see you through many financial stages in life and makes a terrific long-term reference guide.

The One Minute Millionaire: The Enlightened Way to Wealth
Mark Victor Hansen and Robert Allen
Three Rivers Press, Updated 2010

One minute anything is intriguing though reality tells us reading the book to attain this knowledge takes longer. This book is half essays and half a story – a very unique approach for a financial book. In addition, I was surprised to find that the odd pages were the entire story and the even pages all the essays. At first this was a bit confusing but then became easy to flip the pages and read the story first and go back to the essays. The examples and advice were down to earth and spoke of the reality of the financial world. This updated version is from two authors who have been around awhile and know what they are talking about in the world of personal finance. I am unsure of how this would read in the electronic version but the paper copy was colorful and an easy read.

The Number
Lee Eisenberg
Free Press, 2006

Lee Eisenberg is not a financial guru but a long term editor in the magazine world. The premise of his book is that everyone has a number in their head when it is okay to retire. He tries at first to categorize four personality types around retirement planning. Then, the bulk of the book is stories and examples both of the people out there looking for assistance and the one giving the advice. The Number has quality food for thought without any number crunching.

Making the Most of Your Money Now
Jane Bryant Quinn
Simon and Schuster, 2009

Jane has been a long term stable in the financial world. Her books provide more financial detail. This makes good summer reading because her pointers are supported by the financial reasoning. So read her book in the summer for a financial overview. Then, pick it up again in the fall and apply the recommendations to your personal money management.

There are endless books on personal finances. I have highlighted a few to get started on increasing your financial acumen. Browse the local bookstore for titles that appeal to you. Be sure to stay away from anything on only real estate, financial prophecy or the single way to beat the stock market – not just for summer reading but when building any financial knowledge.

Classics like Your Money or Your Life, Millionaire Next Door or How to Get Out of Debt, Stay Out of Debt and Live Prosperously Forever are great financial books that are good year round. Suze Orman, Dave Ramsey and David Bach are always insightful but not so much for beach time reading. The point of summer reading is to relax a bit. And maybe even learn something.

C.D. Moriarty is a financial speaker, writer and coach. She is dedicated to empowering others around their money so they can achieve their dreams. She is living her dreams by residing in the Green Mountains and helping others through her work. She can be reached through her website at www.moneypeace.com

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