In troubled economic circumstances, people are looking for practical help and deeper spiritual perspective. Written in a non-threatening and easy-to-read format, Surviving Financial Meltdown provides a blueprint laid out by financial experts, Ron Blue and Jeremy White, of biblically-based financial principles to implement during both calm and crisis. Surviving Financial Meltdown provides the key four principles to financial success. It addresses many of the fears that people feel when it comes to finances. And it provides assistance in determining short and long term financial goals. Surviving Financial Meltdown also addresses specifically what to do and what not to do in challenging economic times. It gives practical advice for everyday financial decisions. Includes an Appendix with over 40 money-saving ideas.
Ron Blue. Following his graduation from Indiana University in 1967 with a master’s in business administration, Ron joined the management group of Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. and worked with the firm in New York City, Dallas, and San Francisco. In 1970, Ron founded an Indianapolis-based CPA firm that has grown to be one of the 50 largest CPA firms in the United States. Leaving the CPA firm in 1977, Ron became administrative vice president of Leadership Dynamics International. While with Leadership Dynamics, he was involved in developing and teaching biblically-based leadership and management seminars in the United States and Africa. Since 1979, Ron has held a passion to help Christians plan and manage their finances in order to maximize their giving to Kingdom purposes. God has allowed him to work this out in several ways. Dr. Howard Hendricks influenced him to begin what later became a financial planning firm. He has written several books on this topic, and in 2003 he helped to found a ministry training Christian financial advisors to integrate God’s financial wisdom in their advice and counsel. In 2012, Indiana Wesleyan University established The Ron Blue Institute, which is dedicated to multiplying the over 40 years of professional experience and intellectual property of Ron through curriculum development and other products in multiple outlets worldwide. Ron and Judy, his wife of 50 years, live in Atlanta, Georgia. They have five children and thirteen grandchildren.
Perfect for : Personal Use, Possible book for study group
In a nutshell: A great tool for individuals, families and businesses to use to help assess their current financial footing, and to put things into place to help prepare for uncertain times. The authors have created four general principles to follow to ensure your future stability, and have provided a six step plan to help you get to the point that you will be financially healthy. The book includes biblical perspectives and passages, and includes workbook type pages to help you work through some sections of the book. One thing I really appreciate is that this book is very current, examples from today's headlines, and information that pertains to what we are facing NOW.
Extended Review: Content: From the table of contents, there are 9 chapters, and then end materials. The chapters are: 1. Riding Out the Economic Storm, 2. This Economy is Unique, Just Like Every Other One Before It, 3. No Sense Being Pessimistic - It Wouldn't Work Anyway!, 4. This Isn't Going to Hurt a Bit (Step 1), 5. Aim at Nothing and You'll Hit it Every Time (Step 2), 6. I'm Stuck in a Traffic Jam on the Road To Riches (Step 3), 7. I'm Having an Out-of-Money Experience (Step 4), 8. I'm Being Eaten by the Borrow Constrictor (Step 5), 9. Honey, I've Shrunk Our Portfolio! (Step 6)
Format: Easy to read with great call-out boxes that include extra information, facts, sites to visit, etc. One that particularly popped out at me was what to do in case your bank faces failure - this information would have really helped people who recently panicked over the buy-out of Washington Mutual. There are also some workbook type sections throughout the book where you can write down information and help make decisions.
Readability: The authors have written a financial book that is easy to read and understand - no need for an encyclopedia or dictionary!
Overall: This is a great book that will help you figure out what you need to do next to become more financially and economically healthy. The Appendix contains a wonderful list of 40 Money-Saving Tips, and I love them all! They are do-able and I believe they will help you achieve your goal, and once there, will help you use your money better.
Started 6/1/13: A pretty straightforward book on personal finance and money management. More proof that taking your personal financial situation by the horns and managing it actively and being proactive with investments, you can get yourself out of debt and build and preserve wealth to withstand difficult financial times.
Must have buckets of available cash in whatever economy that you are in. Can’t always depend on the stock market. Budgeting is key as well as your own stewardship to buy or not. Great book for those wanting to get out of debt.
Financial how-to books can be very daunting and confusing. This one wasn't. It is written for the average person with clear ideas and biblical references. Everyone knows especially in this current financial climate that they "should be" saving, spending wisely, investing, and just generally being very careful with their money. BUT, ah the big but, most people find it intimidating so they don't do it, they ignore the advice. I think that this book will help bring the big intimidating monster down to a manageable size and make money management a "can do" rather than a "can't do". I liked principle that they used in the chapter "40 Money Saving Tips" that it's wiser to save already taxed dollars then to work a second job and have to pay the taxes on that money too before it can be used. There is also a some work pages with questions that help to establish your real goals, dreams, and what you are actually willing to do to work towards them. The visual examples of how money and budgeting works are also simple and easy for anyone to grasp. For instance in Chapter 6 instead of listing all the imaginable places to spend money they categorize everything into 5 main uses: Giving, Taxes, Saving/investing, short-term debt repayment, lifestyle choices. How easy is that! If you are going to spend some money it will obviously fall into one of the categories no matter what the reason is.
This is a good book about money management and how to survive the currant as well as the future economic turndowns. If you start now, this one will be survivable and the next one won't hit you as hard because of course, there will be a next one.
If there ever seemed a time to read Surviving Financial Meltdown, I figured now is the time. Unemployment rises and many of us are kind of waiting for the next shoe to drop. What you need to keep focused on though is a few basic principles which Ron Blue and Jeremy White share in this book.
One of the things I like is that it is not a long and drawn out book. I really feel that most peoplpe who are having some financial concerns who do want to make some changes are probably going to be better served by this short common sense approach rather than get bogged down by a 300 page gargantua. The authors use common sense (okay common to some) and scripture. It is a friendly read that will inform and educate. I found the chapter on investments and investing very helpful. My husband and I can save, save, save, but we really need guidance when it comes to investing.
Lastly, the 40 money saving tips at the end were a thrill for me to read. I was reminded of a few things that I hadn't thought of in a while and will want to share with others.
This was an enjoyable read that I do think will help others. Someone who is ahead of the game probably will not get many "aha" moments, but they certainly may want to get it to share with someone who could really use a simple approach.
Best book I have read on getting financially stable.
Written from a Biblical perspective with practical ideas how to save money, get on a budget, decrease living expenses and overall how to get on the same page about money, with your spouse.
For some reason, financial books are intriguing to me. How the stock market works, how the economy has ups and downs. This book is very dry at times, but it does have some good facts. Its straight forward and easy to read. I felt like I learned a lot from it.
The book was informative and helpful. After I read it, I felt more prepared to live my life. I didn't expect such an informative book. Everyone should definitely read this.