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7 Money Rules for Life®: How to Take Control of Your Financial Future
Americans young and old are flunking their finances. A shocking 77 percent live paycheck to paycheck with no savings. And 43 percent of Americans have less than $10,000 saved for retirement, while 49 percent could cover less than one month's expenses if they lost their income. In the face of this bleak financial picture, bestselling author and finance expert Mary Hunt offers 7 Money Rules for Life ®. This no-nonsense and encouraging book gives readers the keys to get their money under control and get prepared financially for the rest of their lives. In her warm and engaging style, Hunt takes everything that she's learned over the past twenty years and boils it all down. Presented in a conversational style and readable in a weekend, this book offers applications for each of the seven rules as well as practical advice for how to recover from past financial mistakes. These simple, unchanging, basic rules work in every financial situation, for every income level, and for every stage of life.
Money mastery isn't really that hard. 7 Money Rules for Life ® can help readers change their futures from uncertain to rock-solid with principles they can apply right away.
Money mastery isn't really that hard. 7 Money Rules for Life ® can help readers change their futures from uncertain to rock-solid with principles they can apply right away.
202 pages, Paperback
First published January 2, 2012
88 people are currently reading
581 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
April 5, 2012
I never thought I would say this, but I actually loved reading this book. A book about finances, of all things! I don't even like discussing finances and money matters and I'm not that financial savvy....but that's why I liked this book so much. Reading it made me feel like I had just found a wonderful, honest friend who sat down to have coffee with me and began to explain in lay terms how to apply seven simple but effective money rules for successful management of my money and future.
This book is so far from being a dry account of how to take care of your money. It's written by Mary Hunt, a warm, engaging person who is also a wife and mother who had once been financially ignorant and in so much debt. Mary shares her story of financial disaster. That alone made me realize this author knows what she's talking about. But is her advice good? That was my next question. As I continued reading I realized that Hunt's advice was the best. Why? Because it was based on Bible principles. Now it's not like she's quoting scriptures or getting preachy, but I know my Bible well enough that I knew what she was talking about. Hunt is a Christian and her faith in God is evident.
Now before you begin rolling your eyeballs, let me clarify that Hunt's financial advice is solid. I've read most of them in many other financial books BUT none of them convinced me to follow them until I read this book. Why? Because Hunt gave me the motivation to do so. She knew how to appeal to me using my lingo. Her financial advice makes perfect sense especially in our day when the commercial industry is telling us to do just the opposite—spend now, pay later, don't deprive yourself, put it on credit.
I learned a lot of things reading this book and it came at the right time in our life. My husband and I are looking at our spending habits and looking for ways to save, to spend only within our means, to see exactly where our hard-earned money is going really. Applying the 7 money rules in this book is not easy but doing it will bring peace of mind and financial freedom. We've already put a plan in action. Even just working on one or two rules for now will make a big difference.
It's obvious Hunt wants everyone to understand more about the financial world because she goes out of her way to simplify her explanations, sometimes using illustrations, so that you will find yourself nodding and saying, "Oh, I get it!" If you are having trouble with your finances, want to improve them, want the right motivation to make financial changes or just learn more about how to take care of your money, then I strongly suggest you pick up this book. It's easy to read, under 200 pages and will make you see how you handle your money in a different light in view of our economy and our changing world.
Disclosure: Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.
This book is so far from being a dry account of how to take care of your money. It's written by Mary Hunt, a warm, engaging person who is also a wife and mother who had once been financially ignorant and in so much debt. Mary shares her story of financial disaster. That alone made me realize this author knows what she's talking about. But is her advice good? That was my next question. As I continued reading I realized that Hunt's advice was the best. Why? Because it was based on Bible principles. Now it's not like she's quoting scriptures or getting preachy, but I know my Bible well enough that I knew what she was talking about. Hunt is a Christian and her faith in God is evident.
Now before you begin rolling your eyeballs, let me clarify that Hunt's financial advice is solid. I've read most of them in many other financial books BUT none of them convinced me to follow them until I read this book. Why? Because Hunt gave me the motivation to do so. She knew how to appeal to me using my lingo. Her financial advice makes perfect sense especially in our day when the commercial industry is telling us to do just the opposite—spend now, pay later, don't deprive yourself, put it on credit.
I learned a lot of things reading this book and it came at the right time in our life. My husband and I are looking at our spending habits and looking for ways to save, to spend only within our means, to see exactly where our hard-earned money is going really. Applying the 7 money rules in this book is not easy but doing it will bring peace of mind and financial freedom. We've already put a plan in action. Even just working on one or two rules for now will make a big difference.
It's obvious Hunt wants everyone to understand more about the financial world because she goes out of her way to simplify her explanations, sometimes using illustrations, so that you will find yourself nodding and saying, "Oh, I get it!" If you are having trouble with your finances, want to improve them, want the right motivation to make financial changes or just learn more about how to take care of your money, then I strongly suggest you pick up this book. It's easy to read, under 200 pages and will make you see how you handle your money in a different light in view of our economy and our changing world.
Disclosure: Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.
May 25, 2012
Meh. Like most financial advice books, the strategies extolled in this book are the same sort of thing you could find with a cursory search of "debt free living" on Google. Probably not worth the time and the effort to read a book that is basically just a refresher course on common sense. Granted, I am trying to find information about how to effectively eliminate my student loan and mortgage debt rather than looking for a lifeline out of thousands of dollars in unsecured toxic debt, but still. I'm just glad I only paid $2 for this as a Kindle Daily Deal. How's that for smart money management?
January 3, 2012
Title: 7 MONEY RULES FOR LIFE
Author: Mary Hunt
Publisher: Revell
January 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8007-2112-1
Genre: Inspirational/personal/finance
Mary Hunt is the founder of Debt-Proof Living and an expert when it comes to money management. But Ms. Hunt wasn’t born with money smarts. Like most of the rest of us, she learned her lessons the hard way. She hadn’t been taught about budging and when she went off to college and got her first account, she went on spending sprees. She didn’t learn her lesson until many years later when she was the bread-winner in the home and faced the hard facts that their spending out weighed their income.
Looking at her bills and the amount of income they had to work with, Ms. Hunt penned down some thoughts that later became the basis for her 7 MONEY RULES FOR LIFE.
These thoughts are:
Spend less than you earn
Save for the future
Give some away
Anticipate your irregular expenses
Tell your money where to go
Manage your credit
Borrow only what you can pay
I was raised by a mother who budgeted and she made sure I learned these basic rules as I was growing up. But even knowing and doing is a challenge. Like most of America, I live from paycheck to paycheck. And anticipating your irregular expenses—can you really anticipate a two thousand dollar car repair bill or an eight hundred dollar water leak in the same season? Still, there are basic facts in here that every household can take and work with. Even those that are hit hard with the unanticipated irregular expenses.
If you aren’t familiar with budging then this book is a lesson in itself. Ms. Hunt teaches you everything you need to know, including offering suggestions on on-line services that will help track your spending. This book is an invaluable tool for anyone. Recommended. $17.99 hardcover. 200 pages.
Author: Mary Hunt
Publisher: Revell
January 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8007-2112-1
Genre: Inspirational/personal/finance
Mary Hunt is the founder of Debt-Proof Living and an expert when it comes to money management. But Ms. Hunt wasn’t born with money smarts. Like most of the rest of us, she learned her lessons the hard way. She hadn’t been taught about budging and when she went off to college and got her first account, she went on spending sprees. She didn’t learn her lesson until many years later when she was the bread-winner in the home and faced the hard facts that their spending out weighed their income.
Looking at her bills and the amount of income they had to work with, Ms. Hunt penned down some thoughts that later became the basis for her 7 MONEY RULES FOR LIFE.
These thoughts are:
Spend less than you earn
Save for the future
Give some away
Anticipate your irregular expenses
Tell your money where to go
Manage your credit
Borrow only what you can pay
I was raised by a mother who budgeted and she made sure I learned these basic rules as I was growing up. But even knowing and doing is a challenge. Like most of America, I live from paycheck to paycheck. And anticipating your irregular expenses—can you really anticipate a two thousand dollar car repair bill or an eight hundred dollar water leak in the same season? Still, there are basic facts in here that every household can take and work with. Even those that are hit hard with the unanticipated irregular expenses.
If you aren’t familiar with budging then this book is a lesson in itself. Ms. Hunt teaches you everything you need to know, including offering suggestions on on-line services that will help track your spending. This book is an invaluable tool for anyone. Recommended. $17.99 hardcover. 200 pages.
January 16, 2012
I am sure after the holiday season many people are dreading those credit card bills. Well whether you have ever thought about your money or not, whether you struggle with debt or just need a bit of advice on how to make your money work for you then you really should pick up a copy of "7 Money Rules for Life."
When I started reading this book, I sort of wondered how it might be different from the other money management books I have read in the past. Well the first thing that really jumped out at me was the fact that the author actually lived what she is teaching. She shares her story of how her family was sinking fast in a tremendous amount of debt, and shares how it took her years to dig out of it.Another thing that jumped out at me was the fact that not only does she encourage us to "pay" ourselves by setting money aside each payday, but she also encourages us to give some away, which is something that is often overlooked. This book is written in a very down to earth tone that is very easy to understand. The ideas that Ms. Hunt shares are things that anyone could implement into their lives, and while the idea's she shares won't solve money issues overnight they can certainly set us on the right path to financial freedom.
I think this book would be the perfect gift for graduates or someone about to get married, so that they can start their adult lives out with sound money advice.
rating 4/5
"Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."
When I started reading this book, I sort of wondered how it might be different from the other money management books I have read in the past. Well the first thing that really jumped out at me was the fact that the author actually lived what she is teaching. She shares her story of how her family was sinking fast in a tremendous amount of debt, and shares how it took her years to dig out of it.Another thing that jumped out at me was the fact that not only does she encourage us to "pay" ourselves by setting money aside each payday, but she also encourages us to give some away, which is something that is often overlooked. This book is written in a very down to earth tone that is very easy to understand. The ideas that Ms. Hunt shares are things that anyone could implement into their lives, and while the idea's she shares won't solve money issues overnight they can certainly set us on the right path to financial freedom.
I think this book would be the perfect gift for graduates or someone about to get married, so that they can start their adult lives out with sound money advice.
rating 4/5
"Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."
Read
August 2, 2023I am DNF'ing at 27% of the way through this not because I think the information bad in any way I just don't think this is something I need at the moment. As someone who is not religious but is looking to understand finances better I really don't need someone telling me to "talk to God about your financial situation and he can help." This would be so much informative and helpful if it didn't feel preachy and judgmental.
May 26, 2020
This book explains the basics on money budget and management. As a reader of rich dad and the millionaire mindset I give it 3 stars. If I read this book first it would be a higher rating. This book is still great for anyone who needs to sort out their finances or learning the basics of money.
November 7, 2020
Very educational book! Highly recommend everyone read this book. I was nodding my head while listening to this book. I had many DUH moments, everything Mary said about money made sense. It made a lightbulb go off in my head.
April 16, 2021
Nothing new here on the financial front, same advice as your money or your life and many other books. Relatable writer though who got her sleep ur of more than 100k of debt. I found myself more interested in her business model than financial advice. Very debt reduction heavy
September 29, 2017
Very basic. I would not recommend for anyone who already has a handle on their finances, but probably good information for millennials.
February 19, 2018
Not bad. Same thing as a lot of other books.
December 3, 2018
great commonsense ideas -- so important in the current financial world -- MUST get finances in order to "make it"!
October 21, 2019
Breezy read, finished in a day. Easy to understand, straight to the point. Good basic tips to be reminded on the daily.
July 1, 2021
I can't imagine why "god" needs to be brought up so many times in a book about finances. This book really didn't have anything new or inspiring in it. I was very disappointed.
January 27, 2023
It's a little older, so some advice is outdated. However, it is still worth the read today. I actually listened to the audio book on this one.
January 7, 2024
Easy read. Read it in one sitting!
January 18, 2025
Nicely wrote. Has a pleasant, yet firm approach.
November 4, 2013
Mary Hunt knows the need for spending caps. She found herself under a mountain of bills and worked until she had paid back more than $100,000 in unsecured debt. Through her experiences, Mary became a spokesperson for those who have lost their way in the money management maze.
Mary is a firm believer that “money mastery is not hard.” She says the decision to increase awareness of one’s finances, is the decision to regain control. By becoming educated, we also conquer fear of the unknown. Her book, 7 Money Rules for Life lays out a strategic plan for tackling and eliminating debt. She says it is the systematic attack that will win the race. The 7 Rules became her foundation on which to get her financial house back on track.
I am no longer willing to be one of the “77% of Americans who are living paycheck to paycheck with no savings or emergency preparedness.” I needed this book because Mary writes in a way that lets me know I can get back on top. Her tone is one of acceptance and her tools provide the means to become a true manager of money.
Mary is a firm believer that “money mastery is not hard.” She says the decision to increase awareness of one’s finances, is the decision to regain control. By becoming educated, we also conquer fear of the unknown. Her book, 7 Money Rules for Life lays out a strategic plan for tackling and eliminating debt. She says it is the systematic attack that will win the race. The 7 Rules became her foundation on which to get her financial house back on track.
I am no longer willing to be one of the “77% of Americans who are living paycheck to paycheck with no savings or emergency preparedness.” I needed this book because Mary writes in a way that lets me know I can get back on top. Her tone is one of acceptance and her tools provide the means to become a true manager of money.
September 7, 2015
Mary Hunt's penmanship is quite casual. She starts by telling her life story with simple words. I can relate to her easily.
The words are quite true. I did face most of them in my life. Living from paycheck to paycheck and with number of bills in hand.
I would recommend the book to people with no sense of personal financial planning in their life. Maybe this book will give them some idea to prioritize bills and necessity instead of giving over to commercialization.
I give three stars as I feel reader will be able to relate to it and it tells the foremost basic survivor tactics in handling the a paycheck with upcoming bills, irregular expenses, mortgages, and credit card and rating etc.
But I would like to see more than just basic which is I'd already possess. Otherwise it should be getting more stars.
Last but no least, this books would be a value added to those with no financial skills.
The words are quite true. I did face most of them in my life. Living from paycheck to paycheck and with number of bills in hand.
I would recommend the book to people with no sense of personal financial planning in their life. Maybe this book will give them some idea to prioritize bills and necessity instead of giving over to commercialization.
I give three stars as I feel reader will be able to relate to it and it tells the foremost basic survivor tactics in handling the a paycheck with upcoming bills, irregular expenses, mortgages, and credit card and rating etc.
But I would like to see more than just basic which is I'd already possess. Otherwise it should be getting more stars.
Last but no least, this books would be a value added to those with no financial skills.
August 6, 2016
Provides plenty to think about.
Last year I decided I wanted to make a change a couple of months before my 50th birthday. I went on a gluten-free diet and began swimming regularly. I lost over 80 pounds and have kept it off so far. These days a mile is my minimum workout. Typically I swim a mile-and-a-half per day. When I started I had no idea of the success I would have. I didn't expect it.
As I saw success in physical fitness, and it looked like it was sticking, I kept hoping something similar would happen in other parts of my life. I tried to move some things that direction but I can't say anything has happened.
I could see the principles in this book being just the thing to create a dramatic change in a person's life similar to what I experienced last year with weight-loss and fitness. Here's to making changes in our lives.
Last year I decided I wanted to make a change a couple of months before my 50th birthday. I went on a gluten-free diet and began swimming regularly. I lost over 80 pounds and have kept it off so far. These days a mile is my minimum workout. Typically I swim a mile-and-a-half per day. When I started I had no idea of the success I would have. I didn't expect it.
As I saw success in physical fitness, and it looked like it was sticking, I kept hoping something similar would happen in other parts of my life. I tried to move some things that direction but I can't say anything has happened.
I could see the principles in this book being just the thing to create a dramatic change in a person's life similar to what I experienced last year with weight-loss and fitness. Here's to making changes in our lives.
December 31, 2014
What an amazing book. I thought that Jerrold Mundsen's book How to Get Out of Debt, Stay Out of Debt, and Live Prosperously*: Based on the Proven Principles and Techniques of Debtors Anonymous was the best book on getting out of debt there was, but I think Mary Hunt gives him a run for the money. They are both excellent books, and I plan on rereading Mundsen in the New Year. The thing about Hunt's book is that she deals with topics I haven't seen dealt with in any other finance book I've read, primarily what thrilled me is her advice on how to handle jobs in which one receives irregular payments throughout the year. I also love her advice on achieving goals. She is very pragmatic and straight forward. She makes me want to spend the next several hours working on my money issues. She makes me believe! I love this book.
December 31, 2011
Getting control of your finances is a common resolution at this time of year, especially for those of us now facing the bills from the holiday season. In 7 Money Rules for Life: How to Take Control of Your Financial Future, Mary Hunt, founder of Debt-Proof Living, offers a common-sense plan for cleaning up a financial mess as well as planning for the future.
Drawing on her own experience, Mary shows how to get out of debt, prioritize where your money is going, and be prepared for the unexpected. Read the rest of my review at 5 Minutes for Books.
Drawing on her own experience, Mary shows how to get out of debt, prioritize where your money is going, and be prepared for the unexpected. Read the rest of my review at 5 Minutes for Books.
December 31, 2012
Just grabbed this off the "new books" shelf at the library because I like personal finance books, it was thin (promising a quick read) and I'm a sucker for titles that promise 7 (or 10 or 12) steps. None of the 7 steps were new to me (but I wasn't really expecting new) but what was different was the references to God and scripture as I hadn't come across this in other personal finanace books. I have to say that, althought not what I was looking for, the faith, scripture and God references were not a huge part of this book - - instead, they were sprinkled in occasionally. So it wasn't as distracting as it could have been for someone like me who was not coming from this angle.
June 14, 2013
good. helpful. practical. remember to be grateful for what we have, do not make any new purchases on credit until your debt is paid off. before buying something, ask yourself whether its a need or a want. and ask yourself, "do i have something at home, that will do just as well? do i have the cash to pay for this right now?" i found this book very helpful, took lots of notes, and already started implementing the rules. i feel better already. also joined her website www.debtproofliving.com. Thank you, Mary! for sharing your hard- earned wisdom with us!
January 11, 2017
I believe this is my first financial book that I've read (or listened to) and I actually enjoyed it! Inspired me to really start to take hold of my finances! Her writing style is down to earth and even if she does some self promoting (it's her book after all) and some things aren't relevant to my situation right now, I still think it's good information to know. Worth the read (or even more so a listen!). Also picked up the written book from the library to look over for more note taking. :) Enjoy and hope your new year is as bright as I am hoping mine will be (especially after reading this!)
Read
March 26, 2012Very, very basic stuff. Dare I give it away? Here's the Rules:
Spend less than you earn
Save for the future
Give to charity
Anticipate irregular expenses
Tell your money where to go
Manage your credit
Borrow only what you can repay.
Did you learn anything? If so, you may want to read this short book, but be warned that there's an evangelical ring to it, both Christian and as a big brochure for her website, Debt-Proof Living.
Spend less than you earn
Save for the future
Give to charity
Anticipate irregular expenses
Tell your money where to go
Manage your credit
Borrow only what you can repay.
Did you learn anything? If so, you may want to read this short book, but be warned that there's an evangelical ring to it, both Christian and as a big brochure for her website, Debt-Proof Living.
November 20, 2015
7 Money Rules For Life tackles financial management from a Christian perspective. However, other authors like Randy Alcorn have covered this ground much more interestingly and engagingly.
There's nothing earth-shattering about this book, and in fact, it kind of turned me off that the author spends so much time pitching her own pay website community as the sure-fire way to get you out of debt.
There's nothing earth-shattering about this book, and in fact, it kind of turned me off that the author spends so much time pitching her own pay website community as the sure-fire way to get you out of debt.
August 22, 2017
This book didn't inform me as much as I thought it would. Maybe because I have read her other books and have per used her website more than once. I was already familiar with everything she said in the book. It was kinda disappointing.
March 20, 2012
Great book with simple principles for money management--and for getting out of debt. Now I just need to put these principles into practice!
May 21, 2012
A good how to book for getting on track financially, although somewhat of a marketing tool for the Debt free living products.
August 16, 2012
A good book about money, saving and debt. I adopted some of the suggestions, and it's going to be hard to stay away from the credit cards but I'm going to give it a try, as much as is possible.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews