Stay Tuned

The biggest financial crisis of a generation was certainly made more severe by roughly half of Americans failing to have any savings. As home values plummeted and unemployment climbed, the resulting shock made many unwilling or unable to spend as they had before, fueling an agonizing economic contraction on top of the already severe debt crisis. Fewer people having to live paycheck to paycheck would have really eased this ensuing recession. It’s too bad this book couldn’t have been required reading for these folks some years ago.

The author makes easy reading of key principles of personal finance–even for those who normally hate reading the stuff. He uses the unusual medium of a story that reads not unlike a novel: Four young adults who lack financial savvy are mentored by an elderly woman who turned around her indebtedness and modest income and transformed it into a fortune over the years. The five meet for regular breakfasts at a diner, and the principles of financial independence are taught through their dialogue. The author is realistic in emphasizing the cumulative power of saving money through careful spending habits more so than finding ways to make a lot of money.

If there is a book anywhere that can engage the people who hate to deal with their finances, this is it! I’m degreed in Finance and have actively invested and followed economics for decades, but I still found quite a few interesting tidbits in this book, mostly in the form of quotes and statistics. The author did a tremendous job of digging up quotes and stats to make a big impact on the reader. Whether he’s telling a story about Warren Buffett or warning about risky investments, he cites authoritative sources, so that those who want to delve deeper know where to go. He also does a fine job addressing both what to do and what _not_ to do with your money.

Rating: 5 / 5

Many years ago, working as a Quality Control Engineer, I read “The Goal” by Eliyahu Goldratt & Michael C.Gray. I loved their approach – teaching complicated management concepts in a novel format. Later, I reviewed a similar business novel on Lean Manufacturing. It did a great job of explaining the concepts of “lean” and the benefits of “lean” to business enterprises. So, when an opportunity arose to review the present book, I was quite enthusiastic. I am happy to report that my enthusiasm was not misplaced!

I have been a lazy investor and thus in a way protected myself from the bull and bear cycles of Indian Stock Market over the years and thus felt somewhat vindicated by the strategies that Miller recommends. If I could go back and relive my life, I would follow many of Millers’ recommendations beautifully brought out by his main character, an older school teacher named Mrs. Kramer. Her wisdom applies across borders and across cultures.

Enjoy Your Money is one of the best and most complete resources for money management at the personal level. Yet, the concepts are equally applicable to any business of any scale. The book is divided into four parts: Investing Money, Saving Money, Making Money and Enjoying Money (including giving it away to causes that you believe in). You need to make money, save money and invest today’s money for a secure future. Then, you need to find the right value systems in life (money is not the end; it is a means for the end). That message comes through quite lucidly.

I loved the movie script or play format! It worked for this book, transforming a large amount of research into an entertaining and easy read. The characterization of the participants is quite good and the style is very good, holding the reader’s attention quite well. The book is well edited and nicely printed with just a couple of errors that won’t affect your enjoyment or understanding. The Epilogue is quite surprising! I won’t spoil your own enjoyment by revealing it.

The book gives many other useful resources (websites, other books etc.) and thus points you in the right direction if you want to explore further. The biographical sketches (from Warren Buffett to Sam Walton to Led Zeppelin) are informative and inspiring.

In summary, this is one of the best books on money management that I’ve ever read. I strongly recommend it to one and all.
Rating: 5 / 5

Enjoy Your Money!: How to Make It, Save It, Invest It and Give ItWow! I never thought a book on money could be so engaging to teens and adults alike and have so much practical information. You could tell the author did his research and covered just about every area of money management that most of us can use. I dare you to honestly disagree with the wisdom presented. If anyone, particularly young people, follows the advice given they will certainly be able to enjoy their money. Pay your teens to read this, it’ll be the best investment you ever made.

Wayne King
Rating: 5 / 5

Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure can help. “Enjoy Your Money! How to Make It, Save It, Invest It, and Give It” is a guide for the early twentysomething just now becoming aware of the real world where money management is the key to success and happiness. Author J. Steve Miller seeks to inspire young people to pull themselves out of debt, and find their niche to make their keep and have something for themselves and the future. “Enjoy Your Money!” is a solid and recommended read for those who want to plan well now so they don’t have to live in debt later.

Rating: 5 / 5

Wow! What you gain from this book, for the money you put out, is value beyond measure, impacting for a lifetime…so much so that I’ve been reading portions to my financial-advisor husband. It’s topic is always pertinent and timely, but the need is intensely felt during these currently difficult economic times. Grab the baton being passed to you, reader, and devour the priceless and invaluable wisdom to be gleaned here. This easily-digestible, nutritionally-sound, deliciously- morseled “meal” is served up for your benefit with financially-packed “bytes.”
Rating: 5 / 5