Matt Bell (1) (1960–)

This book was free for Kindle several years ago, costs less than $1 in paperback now.
This book is essentially Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University summarized and targeted more to those who are engaged or newlywed. Bell includes the same essential "baby steps" of building an emergency fund, doing a debt snowball (smallest to largest), instead calling it an "accelerator," the envelope system, and the same allocated spending plan. Many of the quotes and stats in the book are also cited by Ramsey, but Bell gives Ramsey no credit, claiming he learned most of it third-hand from mentors in the afterword. For that, I ding him a star. But practically speaking, I recommend this book over the Ramsey course itself as it's cheaper and takes less time to go through.

One difference is he includes a chapter on identifying your temperament, filling out a personality survey (choleric, sanguine, phlegmatic, melancholy) and giving some general advice on dealing with a spouse of a particular type. The end of the book he recommends Emerson Eggerich's Love and Respect to married couples, and I concur.

I mostly liked how he talked about being generous in giving to a local church. I do not agree with one of the reviews on Amazon that this is "prosperity gospel" teaching, Bell simply writes:
"there is an unmistakable promise seen throughout the pages of Scripture that blessings flow from generosity motivated by a grateful heart. Some people trace material blessings to their generosity. Others have experienced a closer relationship with God...The Bible teaches that the main reason God enables us to prosper is so that we will grow in generosity: 'You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion (2 Corinthians 9:11)'" (loc. 1083). Bell doesn't promise prosperity as a result of generosity.

His approach to budgeting are summed here:
"Use a plan to guide your finances; work as if working for the Lord; give generously to help spread the gospel, alleviate the suffering of the poor, and support those who teach God’s Word; save adequately; avoid the bondage of debt; maintain a good name by managing your credit score; invest patiently; anticipate danger by building walls of protection; and spend wisely" (loc. 2627).
3.5 stars out of 5.… (meer)

I would like to say that I received this book by accident. That it came to me because I signed up for the NavPress Book Bloggers program without specifying what type of books I would like to receive. But after reading what this book is about I know that God knew better. If you have been following my blog for any amount of time you know that last year the Enginerd was laid off while I was about seven months pregnant and we were five months into being home owners. All that said and done, life has settled a bit with a great new job, a great move, the house finally sold and now we're living pretty in a rental. Although, money is still an huge issue.

Just getting groceries is sometimes an issue. And that one year old birthday coming up for our baby girl, well I keep trying to convince myself she's too young to remember that she will not be getting any presents or a big presentation. At least there is that. This book is timely with it's advice and it's message. Every chapter is filled with great strategies and helpful tidbits for rough and tough situations. The best part that I feel I get with this book is the feeling that someone understands. That situations like unemployment do get you down and it takes time to get past it, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, you just gotta keep trekking.

To me our situation was awful, is awful. But it could be so much worse and we are hugely blessed by the people around us and individuals who have given us more than we ever could as for. I'm especially thankful for some particular bloggers who shared baby clothes. Indebted for life ladies!!

*Thanks to NavPress for providing a copy for review.*… (meer)