Warning: file_put_contents() [function.file-put-contents]: Filename cannot be empty in /home/ncfbpne/public_html/stevesarvi.org/components/com_apf_bridge/apf_bridge.html.php on line 238

Rating: - A Money Diet With God As Your Personal Trainer Michelle Singletary's book, The Power To Prosper, is a great read for any Catholic struggling with debt and money mismanagement. Moreover, even of you're not in debt the book can help you to re-evaluate how you view money. The book is divided into chapters that correspond with each day of the fast. The chapters cover many subjects including: God's view of money, tithing, entitlement, marriage/money, saving, paying off debts, retirement, and generosity. Each chapter discusses that topic based on biblical views, gives you a plan to enact the Bible's teachings, and an activity for the day. Besides the daily activities, Mrs. Singletary recommends that you keep a journal tracking your thoughts, emotions, and reactions with money. The journal will give you something to review when the fast is done, and help you reflect more clearly on your relationship with money. Scattered throughout the chapters are testimonials from those who have done the fast along with various proverbs and quotes related to money. Obviously if you're going to be on a financial fast, you need to be on a budget, and creating a budget is day 7 of the fast. I know some people balk at the idea of creating and living on a budget, but it really is a necessary evil. Just like you can't diet for one month, lose some weight, and then forget about budgeting calories, you can't manage your money without a budget. It needs to become a part of your routine. In order for the fast to work you need to commit to the budget. One of the major points of the fast, besides cutting spending to a bare minimum and budgeting, is to only live on cash for the fast period (not even using a debit card). This is one part of the fast that I had the most trouble with. I had paid off all my debts, save my mortgage, prior to reading the book, and was using my credit card for points and paying it off at the end of the month. I already had a budget, and wasn't spending like crazy on the credit card, so I resisted the idea of living cash only. However, I decided that I could forgo the points for one month and live on cash. In doing so, I was amazed to see that I actually did spend less. Knowing that you only have so much cash in your wallet really makes you think about everything you spend money on. I never felt deprived, in fact it was a fun challenge trying to make the dollars stretch. My favorite part of this book was its emphasis on the biblical/moral views of money. Mrs. Singletary spends time discussing why we need to be content with what we have, why we shouldn't have a sense of entitlement, and why generosity is so important. So many "budgeting" books only deal with the nuts and bolts of money, simple math and lifestyle changes. The Power To Prosper asks you to do not only that, but also to change your fundamental money belief system, and to become a better person in the process. Moreover, you can redo the fast every once in a while to strengthen your resolve and keep moving in the right direction. I plan to do just that! All in all... you'll be a lot better off 21 days later. Rating: - Review Fairly Hey folks, this is Michelle Singletary. I just wanted to send a note to those who are reviewing and posting comments about my latest book. It's a plea really. Please review in a fair way. I don't believe reviews that say things such as "t wish she would keep her relegion to herself" (this person didn't even bother to spell check) are fair to criticize a book that is intended to add a Christian perspective to how people handle their money. The posted comment I highlighted -- and others of a similar nature -- is the same as harshly criticizing a book intended to be only about dogs for not including information on cats. Review the book on whether I provided an interesting, different or engaging way to think differently about how you handle your money? Was it written well? Could you see it helping people, even if not yourself? Authors simply want fair reviews based on the material presented in their books not on what you think the books should be or not be about. Rating: - review i hated thid book big waste..t wish she would keep her relegion to herself Rating: - A wake up call! So I tried this, and it opened my eyes to many of the ways I spend money. I only was able to make it about a week, then I needed to purchase some medicine and supplies for my horses, so I got a little off track.. I definitely have more wants then needs, and I really want to be debt free. Connecting more with God and not using my credit cards is something I need to do more with my life, and this book helped me refocus my debt and life goals. I really enjoyed the testimonials at the end. This book opened my eyes more about my debt, and so I gave it five stars and I really got some great information from it! Rating: - Opened my eyes! This book has changed the way that I think of money. I really and truly thought that I didn't spend a lot of money. So, I started the 21 day fast and saw that not only did I spend money but I did so without thinking. Now each time I pull out my debit card and certainly my credit card I think, what would Michelle say? Is this a need or a want? I had not realized that I spend $90.00 a month, yes, thats $1080.00 per year on two drinks 4 days a week from Sonic. What could I do with an extra $1080 a year? Well I will tell you...just from using Michelles book, I paid off my truck in 2 months, yes I only owed $5100 but still I would have let that drag out till the last day had it not been for this book. I promise it is worth the money, if for nothing else than to show you your spending habits. Also, I have read a ton of financial books, this one is the easiest to read, and the easiest to follow. Good luck.