This was another book that I was a bit hesitant on. I had honestly only heard Dave Ramsey's financial advice and had taken his class so I just usually don't really read anyone else's stuff on money. Not because I think they're bad, but just because I live Dave. However, after consideration, I figured that I wouldn't be a bad idea to read what Mary Hunt had to say. I'm so glad I did! And honestly, so is my husband!

I'm a very visual person so the diagrams that she uses and her thought processes made a lot of sense to me. She broke it down into terms I could understand but she didn't make it on a level that was insulting either. She has 7 rules for money that all families should abide by. Her rules are:

1) Spend less than you earn

2) Save for the future

3) Give some away

4) Anticipate your irregular expenses

5) Tell your money where to go

6) Manage your credit

7) Borrow only what you know you can repay

After I finished reading this book, I was inspired to do our budget myself. That never interested me before but I actually had a lot of fun with it. My husband was glad to let me try the budget this month. He usually does the budget but was willing to let me apply what I learned to see if this budget worked out better. I'm excited to see how much we'll start saving and to battle that whole materialistic mindset that creeps into our lives and makes us want more, more, more.

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Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

I've managed to pay off a lot of debt, but have lately been a little lax with my money management. This book came along at just the right time to give me a boost to "straighten up and fly right."

It's so much easier (and more freeing) if one follows Mary Hunt/s advice and example. It's sometimes tough to dig yourself out of debt, bot so very rewarding.

I was debt free until one thing after another happened and ate up most of the emergency fund I'd been building up. Included in that is an injury at the beginning of 2011 that left me unable to continue working as an RN.

Now I'm back in debt, but with Mary's help, I'm determined to once again to be debt free. If we follow her first rule, the other rules fall into line. This book is very helpful without being all puffed up with a bunch of financial terms.

I have read other books concerning money management and this book is by far the best. It's an easy read and I LOVE the pratical suggestion. This book is a must for everyone.

Very practical and worthwhile book. I would recommend it highly

The Great Recession hit Americans like a bucket of cold water in the face. We awakened from a 35-year drunken credit orgy with a terrible hangover.

7 Money Rules For Life

Most Americans no longer have the luxury of being financially illiterate. Shocking statistics reveal that 77% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. Now more than ever, it is crucial that we get control of our finances and learn the basics of money management. This book shows you how to do just that.

Mary Hunt, creator and editor of Cheapskate Monthly, compiles her years of financial expertise into this one book that will help springboard your journey to debt free living. Using guidelines and principals that she has personally applied to her own life, Mary teaches readers that mastering money isn't hard - it just takes training and discipline.

Having navigated the choppy waters of living beyond her means, Mary quickly had to figure out how to manage money and manage it well. From her own personal failures, Mary created a system for her household that essentially evolved into her 7 money rules for life:

1. Spend less than you earn

2. Save for the future

3. Give some away

4. Anticipate your irregular expenses

5. Tell your money where to go

6. Manage your credit

7. Borrow only what you know you can repay

Mary states that you MUST master Rule #1, which is the hinge upon which everything else swings. Although a basic rule, the author is convinced that spending less than you earn is the only way to experience financial freedom.

Devoted Dave Ramsey followers will find a few discrepancies between his financial advice and Mary's, but overall this book does offer a lot of wisdom and good advice, especially for those just getting started in money management.

I think this book is a great tool for those wanting a fresh financial start in 2012.