Raising Financially Confident Kids, Mary Hunt

Mary Hunt is the founder of Debt-Proof Living. I am always interested in comparing ideas found in debt-proof living books, as well as getting new ideas for instilling this in the lives of my children. I found this book to be very easy to read because Mary Hunt is very personable and open. This is full of great advice from a mom that came from someone on the brink of financial ruin. Although most things are common sense for people that are raised by budget conscience parents these are the very ideas the very foundational things that somehow were not communicated to the last generation. This book is a wonderful book for young couples to read and to start putting into action. I only found one place where I did not agree with Mary Hunt - and that is her statement that it is best to leave your children at home when you go shopping. As a home school mom I see the stores as an extension of our school room. My goal is to teach my children the virtue of self-control and keeping their "wanters" under control and learning to say "I want that but I do not need that so I choose not to spend my money on that". I also want my children to see me put into action what I preach with my mouth. My husband and I do not use the debit cards or checks we use cash only method. Since my children only see us use cash they learn that cash only is the best life style - when you don't have it you don't buy. They also are taught that our debit card is like cash and can only be used if cash is at the bank. I take my five every where including shopping even through the "I want" years. They are shown my grocery list told how much money we have and are often given their own lists and a certain amount of cash to get that amount of groceries and taught to buy on a budget and given praise when they come out below budget. I think the over all theme of this book is to accomplish the mindset of living on a budget. She has done a great job and I will be recommending this book to others to read. I was very impressed with her personable writing and can find no fault other than the one statement, which I really don't see as a fault. Mary Hunt's book is something that should be required reading for young couples. Thanks to Revel for this review copy.