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It Is Only Money
It was noon on a Sunday, and I was volunteering at our local homeless shelter with friends. We were preparing and serving lunch. My job was to serve in the chapel—the room was reserved for those who needed extra help. It had been a busy day, and just as we were about to close down, two young people walked in. I went over to ask if they would like some water to drink, and there sat two of my college students. Our eyes locked, and they quickly looked away. I brought them both glasses of water and asked if I could join them.
We spoke and laughed about life. They complained about the home-work and the readings. We shared a cup of tea, and then they left, say-ing, “See you tomorrow, Miss.”
That evening, I sat down and began to write this book and workbook. I was so inspired that two of my students were working so hard to get ahead and get an education while living on the streets. I wondered how they submitted their assignments, where they studied, and how they managed to always be so cheerful in class. I wanted to teach then so much more…and that is how It Is Only Money, and It Grows on Trees! began.
This book is for anyone who is sacrificing to build a better future. When we learn to break free of our patterns and choose to recognize that money is just a resource, we too can become rich and truly enjoy today.
As you journey, check out http://caramacmillan.com/ for ideas, suggestions, and other tools, such as this workbook, to help you achieve your goals.
We spoke and laughed about life. They complained about the home-work and the readings. We shared a cup of tea, and then they left, say-ing, “See you tomorrow, Miss.”
That evening, I sat down and began to write this book and workbook. I was so inspired that two of my students were working so hard to get ahead and get an education while living on the streets. I wondered how they submitted their assignments, where they studied, and how they managed to always be so cheerful in class. I wanted to teach then so much more…and that is how It Is Only Money, and It Grows on Trees! began.
This book is for anyone who is sacrificing to build a better future. When we learn to break free of our patterns and choose to recognize that money is just a resource, we too can become rich and truly enjoy today.
As you journey, check out http://caramacmillan.com/ for ideas, suggestions, and other tools, such as this workbook, to help you achieve your goals.
138 pages, ebook
Published October 28, 2015
440 people want to read
About the author
Cara MacMillan
2 books27 followersCara MacMillan is a thought leader in sustainability and financial management. As an adjunct professor in the School of Business at Algonquin College in Ottawa, Canada, her vision is to empower people to think and act for themselves financially.
She also serves as a Climate Reality Leader in The Climate Reality Leadership Corps. This group is a global network of activists committed to taking on the climate crisis by providing training in climate science, communications, and organizing to tell the story of climate change and inspire communities everywhere to take action. The result is a dynamic group of world-changers shaping the conversation on climate in forums from family dinners to international summits and building a 21st-century movement for solutions.
Cara has the privilege of teaching and learning with courageous individuals who are committed to making a difference for themselves, their world, and future generations. As a thought leader, Cara regularly publishes in the areas of personal finance and investments.
Cara lives in Ottawa with her life partner and best friend, David, and their two children. She is currently working on her next book, Make Big Money and Make a Big Difference, for readers who want to learn how to invest in responsible companies and opportunities. It is due out later this year.
She also serves as a Climate Reality Leader in The Climate Reality Leadership Corps. This group is a global network of activists committed to taking on the climate crisis by providing training in climate science, communications, and organizing to tell the story of climate change and inspire communities everywhere to take action. The result is a dynamic group of world-changers shaping the conversation on climate in forums from family dinners to international summits and building a 21st-century movement for solutions.
Cara has the privilege of teaching and learning with courageous individuals who are committed to making a difference for themselves, their world, and future generations. As a thought leader, Cara regularly publishes in the areas of personal finance and investments.
Cara lives in Ottawa with her life partner and best friend, David, and their two children. She is currently working on her next book, Make Big Money and Make a Big Difference, for readers who want to learn how to invest in responsible companies and opportunities. It is due out later this year.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 21, 2016
A guide to money and investment that's softly Christian and ferociously capitalist. God gave you skills to pay the bills and if you're poor, it's because you hate God and you waste your life on booze and fags. Other religions get a look in, but only the parts of them that agree with the Prosperity Gospel.
Written in that cloying Christian way where everything is dramatized as a high school class, with the teacher as a proxy for the author and the kids as the proxy for the readers. It's a bit like that one really, really terrible episode of The West Wing where the President lectures a bunch of schoolkids about Islamic terrorism, except even more insufferable.
Written in that cloying Christian way where everything is dramatized as a high school class, with the teacher as a proxy for the author and the kids as the proxy for the readers. It's a bit like that one really, really terrible episode of The West Wing where the President lectures a bunch of schoolkids about Islamic terrorism, except even more insufferable.
July 11, 2016
Read full review here: https://thereandtheir.com/2016/07/11/...
Honestly, this is one of the only books that deals with finance and money that I could not only read cover to cover, but also understood and enjoyed reading it!
Although I grew up in a family full of finance background, and I got good marks while studying finance, I never did find it interesting.
But this book handles this subject in a way that I could not only grasp all that was being said, I also found it so interesting that I read it as I would read my favourite fiction novel!
I feel what makes this book stand apart from the others is that it deals with money in real world context, rather than the contextual terms. What does money mean to people in the real world? We all know it is a currency to exchange for goods, that is not what this book is about, but about what does money mean to different people? How some people are misers even when they are rich? While some people remain happy even when they are poor? What is our attitude about money and how does it affect our emotions? So basically it is our attitude to money that affects how we view money.
Honestly, this is one of the only books that deals with finance and money that I could not only read cover to cover, but also understood and enjoyed reading it!
Although I grew up in a family full of finance background, and I got good marks while studying finance, I never did find it interesting.
But this book handles this subject in a way that I could not only grasp all that was being said, I also found it so interesting that I read it as I would read my favourite fiction novel!
I feel what makes this book stand apart from the others is that it deals with money in real world context, rather than the contextual terms. What does money mean to people in the real world? We all know it is a currency to exchange for goods, that is not what this book is about, but about what does money mean to different people? How some people are misers even when they are rich? While some people remain happy even when they are poor? What is our attitude about money and how does it affect our emotions? So basically it is our attitude to money that affects how we view money.
August 17, 2016
Not denying the fact that all self-help books are not that interesting enough. However, the book It Is Only Money and It Grows on Trees! puts a different perspective on financial and sustainability management with different modules taught in a chapter-wise fashion so as to avoid overloading the reader with excessive information. An informative and easy-to-read book, which reminded me of the initial finance classes taught in my college by one of my favorite professors. And...there are no numbers involved. How cool is that now!
(Read more book reviews and more at my blog EtherealJinxed.)
Reading this book on a train trip, while sporadically enjoying the greenery outside, the book was a simple sail through with quips on fables, tales and wisdom from different religions and cultures. Some grammatical errors could have been avoided though, but overall a finance read very similar to fiction category. There are also work-lessons in the end, just in case the same would want to be practiced by teachers in their classes as well.
(Read more book reviews and more at my blog EtherealJinxed.)
Reading this book on a train trip, while sporadically enjoying the greenery outside, the book was a simple sail through with quips on fables, tales and wisdom from different religions and cultures. Some grammatical errors could have been avoided though, but overall a finance read very similar to fiction category. There are also work-lessons in the end, just in case the same would want to be practiced by teachers in their classes as well.
July 28, 2016
A quick read, this book is full of great information on the various views of money. Yes, there really are other perspectives on money besides the one we (Americans) have come to know and follow. I was surprised at how much I learned about the Muslim, Hindu, and Jewish beliefs of money, debt, and building wealth. The book is written in a colloquial style, which made me feel like I was actually in the classroom listening to each student speak. There is also a workbook at the end with practical tips and exercises. A guide to investing this book is not (thank goodness!) but it does have sound advice for maintaining a healthy relationship with your money.
November 27, 2016
Book Review: It is Only Money: and it Grows on Trees!
Disclosure: A free copy was provided for review
A very enjoyable book that takes a unique approach to Personal Finance and what different cultures and religions teach about money.
Cara MacMillan tells the story from several different character’s perspectives and their attitudes on money. This makes her book differ from normal finance and investing literature and makes the book easy to understand and the characters relateable.
You get an idea on the context of money in the real world and what money means to others. This has certainly changed the way I look at money.
Disclosure: A free copy was provided for review
A very enjoyable book that takes a unique approach to Personal Finance and what different cultures and religions teach about money.
Cara MacMillan tells the story from several different character’s perspectives and their attitudes on money. This makes her book differ from normal finance and investing literature and makes the book easy to understand and the characters relateable.
You get an idea on the context of money in the real world and what money means to others. This has certainly changed the way I look at money.
October 11, 2016
Read my full review here:
http://www.keepthrifty.com/2016/10/02...
An insightful book that forces you to think about how you perceive money, how that impacts your behavior, and what other options there are out there.
I really appreciated the look at how different cultures and religions approach money and what you can learn from each.
http://www.keepthrifty.com/2016/10/02...
An insightful book that forces you to think about how you perceive money, how that impacts your behavior, and what other options there are out there.
I really appreciated the look at how different cultures and religions approach money and what you can learn from each.
November 26, 2020
Sadly this book was archived before I could download to read it. It has been added to my TBR and I’ll keep an eye out for it again in the future or at my local library.
May 4, 2017
I really enjoyed this quick read.
Honestly, when I first read the title, I wasn't too sure what it was going to be about, but once I read through it, I liked the message.
This is a great first or 100th book for someone to read about finances.
I got a lot out of it, as far as values and ideas towards money.
Just read it. It's short and worth the time!
Honestly, when I first read the title, I wasn't too sure what it was going to be about, but once I read through it, I liked the message.
This is a great first or 100th book for someone to read about finances.
I got a lot out of it, as far as values and ideas towards money.
Just read it. It's short and worth the time!
October 12, 2016
I'm enjoying this book very much! It reads like a novel but lays down important facts about money and how to be responsible with it.
The story takes place in a classroom and opens your eyes to the different ways money is understood and used throughout the world. From the eyes of different cultures and belief systems, one thing remains the same. You have to be smart about money. This book teaches you how to be smart about it and gives you real-world examples so it makes complicated money subjects easy to understand.
The biggest impact this book had on me was the part about debt and how, in the past, and in different religions, it's actually a sin to be in debt. I also like how Cara (the author) gently explains to us that we need to be good stewards of our money and not squander it away. Financial literacy is important to live a fulfilled and happy life.
And after reading the book, the actionable workbook steps in the back can help you do better with your money. I love that it's not just a really good money story, it's also a workbook.
Excellent read, I'm very grateful to have come across this book!
The story takes place in a classroom and opens your eyes to the different ways money is understood and used throughout the world. From the eyes of different cultures and belief systems, one thing remains the same. You have to be smart about money. This book teaches you how to be smart about it and gives you real-world examples so it makes complicated money subjects easy to understand.
The biggest impact this book had on me was the part about debt and how, in the past, and in different religions, it's actually a sin to be in debt. I also like how Cara (the author) gently explains to us that we need to be good stewards of our money and not squander it away. Financial literacy is important to live a fulfilled and happy life.
And after reading the book, the actionable workbook steps in the back can help you do better with your money. I love that it's not just a really good money story, it's also a workbook.
Excellent read, I'm very grateful to have come across this book!
July 6, 2016
Fantastic look at the meaning of money using different cultures and religions as the lenses for exploration. The book also includes a workbook that complements each of the chapters. This addition is particularly helpful because it gives actionable methods and tips to explore your own personal finance beliefs and to make changes to your financial situation. It Is Only Money is an enjoyable read, and I believe just about anyone could mine it for gems.
August 5, 2016
I was fortunate enough to score a review copy of this book and was pleasantly surprised. Very thoughtful and thorough analysis about money around the world. Well told and interesting, and a quick read.
Receiving a review copy in no way affected my review.
Here's the link to my full review: http://stepawayfromthemall.com/are-yo...
Receiving a review copy in no way affected my review.
Here's the link to my full review: http://stepawayfromthemall.com/are-yo...
March 22, 2017
What visions come to mind when you think about money? Do you have negative or positive associations with earning and accumulating wealth? Do you believe anyone can achieve wealth or do you believe in the scarcity mentality that most of us will struggle to achieve financial success throughout our lifetimes?
What have you learned about money from your grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and neighbors? What memories do you have of your parents succeeding or struggling in their day-to-day lives or early on in their careers?
In order to attain wealth I believe you must first understand your relationship with money. What is it and what can it do for you?
Think back on your first memories of money. Try to remember the first time you saved money in your piggy bank, paid for a toy or were told you couldn’t buy something because your parents did have enough money to pay for it.
Now imagine you were seated in a class with students of different races and religions. Imagine you all came together to discuss the topic of finances and wealth. Imagine how many differing opinions and points of view you might have. Also, imagine how many common themes and feelings you would share. Cara MacMillan’s book It’s Only Money and It Grows on Trees introduces us to the concept of money in a diverse classroom.
This book encourages readers to reflect on their upbringing, their culture, their past, present and future in order to define a new relationship with money. MacMillan tells us there is abundant money to be had by all. The key is to figure out how to earn it, save it, invest it and let it grow.
This would be a great book for a young high school or college student. It focuses on the importance of figuring out your talents, living within your means and finding ways to let your money earn money for you.
What have you learned about money from your grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and neighbors? What memories do you have of your parents succeeding or struggling in their day-to-day lives or early on in their careers?
In order to attain wealth I believe you must first understand your relationship with money. What is it and what can it do for you?
Think back on your first memories of money. Try to remember the first time you saved money in your piggy bank, paid for a toy or were told you couldn’t buy something because your parents did have enough money to pay for it.
Now imagine you were seated in a class with students of different races and religions. Imagine you all came together to discuss the topic of finances and wealth. Imagine how many differing opinions and points of view you might have. Also, imagine how many common themes and feelings you would share. Cara MacMillan’s book It’s Only Money and It Grows on Trees introduces us to the concept of money in a diverse classroom.
This book encourages readers to reflect on their upbringing, their culture, their past, present and future in order to define a new relationship with money. MacMillan tells us there is abundant money to be had by all. The key is to figure out how to earn it, save it, invest it and let it grow.
This would be a great book for a young high school or college student. It focuses on the importance of figuring out your talents, living within your means and finding ways to let your money earn money for you.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews