A Catholic Guide to Spending Less and Living More: Advice from a Debt-Free Family of 16

by Sam Fatzinger, Rob Fatzinger, Gary Zimak (Foreword)

Are you struggling under the burden of debt without a financial cushion to fall back on? Do you long for financial freedom—to live comfortably, pay for your children’s education, or retire while you’re still young enough to enjoy it? Sam and Rob Fatzinger can help you cultivate the values and virtues you need to achieve your financial goals. In A Catholic Guide to Spending Less and Living More, the husband-and-wife team shares their extraordinary story of raising fourteen children on a modest income while living in an expensive metropolitan region. Their practical wisdom, hard-won spiritual insights, and Catholic perspectives on how they have created their own plan based on the financial advice of popular experts such as Dave Ramsey, Chris Hogan, and Brandon “Mad Fientist” Ganch will help you achieve your financial Free, downloadable resources and financial planning tools are available on their website and at avemariapress.com.

Genres: Finance, Catholic, Religion

192 pages, Paperback

Published April 23, 2021

Reviews

[Julie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book which is easy to read and has a lot of good advice. Some of it is standard and some is interestingly creative. However, all of it is interwoven with spiritual reminders that practicing things like temperance, generosity, and prudence are ways to grow closer to God. That's the Catholic part and what that makes this book go deeper than the average "spending less" advice. I especially appreciated the section on living the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

During Lent I came across the idea that Americans are addicted to comfort, which I think is true. I reflected on it and tried to break little addictions during that very appropriate time of sacrifice. This book continues those reflections in showing us how that we may be addicted to comfort in ways we never realized. That makes it valuable in yet another way.

My husband and I already learned many of the suggested techniques through our years of marriage and making ends meet. However, there's always something new to pick up. I was intrigued by the idea of a spending fast where you choose two months of the year to buy nothing that is non-essential. So food and toilet paper and utilities. We live relatively frugally but this will mean rethinking things that I never consider — such as, what about store brand peanut butter instead of my favorite kind? My immediate, unthinking rejection of that idea made me realize that I'm rather spoiled. If nothing else, this already has me looking at my regular expenditures in a new way.

I received a review copy which I am, in best frugal fashion, going to pass on to my daughter and her husband.

[Bernadette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally the spell is broken! Permission has been granted not to feel like you have to keep up with the Jones' - you'll want to keep up with the Fatzingers!

My husband and I are content to live simply, and LOVE the advice we found in this book! One of the book's take-a-ways was the following: Fostering the virtues of prudence and temperance is not contradictory to having faith in God. He gave us faith AND reason. Being good stewards of what He has given us ultimately gives Him glory.

Now on to that retirement savings!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s impressive to be debt-free at all these days, much less with 14 kids. I went to college with one of the authors’ kids and I always wondered how they managed their money—now I know! There’s nothing brand-new groundbreaking in here as far as financial strategies; that’s not what the book claims to be. What I really got out of it was that if you want to be financially successful on a modest income, discipline and creativity are absolutely vital, as well as trust in God and an understanding of how money fits into His purposes. The latter isn’t often included in popular financial material, and I really liked the perspective it added to the rest of the financial advice. A quick, easy, humorous read that also contains some great advice!

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much of the content is familiar to those who have completed Financial Peace University, are familiar with Dave Ramsey's approach to debt-free living, or employed ideas from The Tightwad Gazette. Where A Catholic Guide to Spending Less and Living More really shines is in its Catholic approach, emphasizing the moral and scriptural basis for exercising virtues such as temperance in our relationship with money (and God's other gifts which we are called to steward with generosity).

Oftentimes, spending guides are so personalized that I find myself naturally resisting advice that wouldn't work in our circumstances or I simply don't want to implement. Even so, I came away with some fresh ideas for living generously and saving, and I'm eager to add a prayer the Fatzingers included to begin the dreaded budget meetings with my husband.

3.5 stars

[Maurisa Mayerle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tons of practical advice packed into this sweet book. I loved the family stories interspersed throughout and the solid Catholic principles and virtues promoted by the authors. This will make a perfect gift for anyone wanting to embrace frugal, Christian living that is deep down very rich and rewarding.

[Reanne - (Faith, Fiction, Fact and Fluff) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Money is part of everyone's life, and it takes work to learn how to manage an income and be a conscious consumer. This book is a simple, practical guide to financial principles that have helped a family of 16 live debt free.

The Fatzingers share ideas and methods for managing money that have worked in their own family, as well as mistakes they made along the way. I appreciated the balanced approach to spending and saving and the focus on how important it is to practice good stewardship with what we have been given.

I think this would make a great resource for marriage prep, as each chapter features questions to discuss and put into action.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me back to the early days of my marriage, when we lived on one income and I scoured The Tightwad Gazette (borrowed from the library, of course!) for money-saving tips as my financial contribution to the family. Not only does this book contain plenty of tips that families (or singles) can use regardless of their family situation, it also simplifies some basic financial concepts and offers spiritual insight about how we use our money. Sam and Rob Fatzinger share their own stories of figuring out the best ways to save money and stay out of debt while living on one income. Recommended especially for newly married couples and singles starting out on their own. (Advance review copy received from the publisher, Ave Maria Press.)

[Misty Farias · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wish I could give this 4.5 stars. First, I love that they are tying finances to our Catholic faith, as everything comes from God. Second, they are very real and genuine and not fake. I also like that they included insights from some of their grown children (who don't parrot back what they are saying and sometimes budget/spend differently (and explain why)). They included a lot of free resources that they offer (this is obviously a ministry to them) and also pointed to some other resources I had not heard of previously. The only downside is how short the work is. I feel like there was a lot more they could have done tying biblical principles/stories about money into their philosophy.

[Nicholas Solari · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, the Fatzinger family presents useful anecdotes, tips, and tricks for living a debt-free and abundant financial life in a digestible way. Its fundamentals are accurate and, to the unfamiliar reader, illuminating, but what sets it apart on the shelf is its Catholic perspective.

If you're a Catholic family-man (or woman) seeking to live an integrated, responsible, and stress-free (or at least stress-reduced) financial life, you won't go wrong with this book.

[Peter Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A straightforward read. Sam and Rob Fatzinger walk through simple tried-and-true principles to saving, giving, and spending money in order to serve the family. The ideas expressed aren’t anything new, but their personal stories and reliance on faith and prayer really make this book unique and relatable. I think the most valuable resources in my own personal life will actually be the supplemental materials provided on Ave Maria Press’s website.

[David Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great spiritual take on personal finance. I appreciated very much that the book was written from a family perspective. I found the meditations on stewardship and the right use of resources as a path to virtue to be particularly meaningful. I was also inspired that this family of 16 was able to achieve financial independence despite the sky-high costs of child-rearing by keeping their lifestyle in check, budgeting with faith, and leaning on a strong support system.

[DianeLikesToRead]

This book has practical advice for your finances. The family stories in the book helped illustrate their points. This is a good book for anyone who wants to lead a more frugal life and get closer to God. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher, Ave Maria via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has just started to change our lives. We are actually following a budget now. Our spending is under control. We're paying off debt. All the other areas of our life are improving because we have more agency over our earning and spending. This book lets you figure out how to let your money serve your family and your ultimate goals. Cannot recommend enough.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A practical guide on the basics of what Sam and Rob Fatzinger call "SLAM which stands for spend less, achieve more " from a Christian perspective regarding stewardship. It's a good look at spending, saving, charitable giving and avoiding debt with a special chapter geared toward families with children.

[Fran Zurcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the Fatzingers!! I felt inspired after learning about their financial journey - remaining debt free (with 14 kids!!!), owning their home, retiring early, all on a single family income and living in a highly expensive area. Newsflash, your money does not belong to you and there is a way to obtain financial freedom, while still living a fulfilling, joyful and generous life!

[Alex Mancilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don’t have to be Catholic to read this but would likely enjoy it more if you do follow Jesus/the Bible. Practical tips are intermingled with family stories and religion. Would be a great graduation gift!

[Deviany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is truly a gift from God. I am still in high school but it helped me a lot. It helped me to spend money that is from God wisely and helped both of my parents who is struggling for years with debts, I absolutely recommended this book.

[Emily Monroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book didn’t share any revolutionary financial ideas, I loved reading the perspective on financial discipline from the parents (and occasionally the children) of a family of 16! If they can live debt free and have kids who still like them, then it gives me hope. :)

[Juliana Korzik · Rating 4 out of 5]

It certainly made me think more about intentional spending and about what expenses I might take for granted. Some of the book is not so interesting if you do not have debt or already live by a budget.

[Brian Weisz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically just a statement of a bunch of different financial truths, interspersed with a bunch of spiritual truths. There wasn't anything that made me stop and think.

[Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read with good advice. Even if there are things I did not fully agree with I was able to take valuable lessons and thoughts.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend! Full of fun anecdotes and practical tips for living more fully with less money.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok- I would not read again

Foundational ideas for those struggling with debt and balancing budgets

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has a lot of great tips. Most importantly, bring the Lord into your finances.